After she loses her job at a boutique hotel, Chelsea Gold is given an opportunity to work for the summer at a small hostel in Ireland. Her dreams of working for a high end hotel as an event manager were firmly set in her mind. Her first days in the Irish hostel challenges all of her pre=conceived notions of how life would be in Ireland. Meeting Collin Finnegan, the tour guide for the hostel, changes her idea of what her life should look like. As she is drawn into life at The Wanderer hostel, she finds herself and her dreams changing. Her statement of "Where do you go when you realize your dream isn't your dream at all? When you realize your new dream is the exact thing you thought you never wanted?" reveals a pivotal change in her thinking..

This book is good for a light read, but had me frustrated by her obsession with Collin's tattoos, like that alone would make him attractive. The byplay between them feels a little forced, especially in the beginning of the book. Quirky characters and situations are the things that keep this book entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Maybe there was something to be said for taking risks after all"

4.25 stars

What a love letter to Ireland!!

Meet Chelsea. Her life has always gone according to plan and she's completely happy in her current life. Until her employers inform her they are closing their B&B. Then everything she thought about her life goes up in flames! She's been given the opportunity to work for a hostel in Ireland for the summer while she figures out the next step in her long term life plan.

But Chelsea is not excited. She has no interest in going to Ireland, learning about Galway, and definitely not interested in shared living space with a bedroom the size of a closet. The hostel, The Wanderer, and it's lovable staff however have other plans for her. She befriends Flo, Lars, and Collin who the later forces her on trips around the country to see all that Ireland has to offer.

Suddenly she's not so sure about her long term plan to return to Boston. Does she actually want to be an event planner for a hotel? Or was that her old dream? And what about the feelings she's having for Collin? Do they mean anything? Is it just a summer fling or something more?

I LOVED IT. Every description of the Ireland countryside brought me back to a time when I was able to travel and see all the sights. It is such a beautiful place and Alexandra Paige captures it through her storytelling. I also enjoyed watching Chelsea come around and find a new side to her self. And of course, her burgeoning romance with Collin was so swoony. Love love love.

I can't say enough good things - except thank you for this story and for reminding me how much I love Ireland. I need to re read this book ASAP!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a little while to get into. I think part of that might have been coming off several books I really enjoyed. The beginning felt quite predictable, with minimal build-up to the romance, and I struggled to connect with the FMC initially. However, as the story progressed, it found its rhythm, and I grew more invested in her journey in Ireland.

As someone who has traveled to Ireland, I really appreciated the book’s nods to Irish culture, locations, and traditions—it added an authentic touch to the narrative. By the end, I would say it’s a solid 3.75 stars. While the story was quite predictable, I still enjoyed the read overall, and it ended up being a cute, heartwarming journey.

First and foremost, thank you to Alexandra Paige, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of Only in Your Dreams in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
After losing her job at a beloved Boston B&B, Chelsea reluctantly accepts a summer gig at its sister hostel in Galway, Ireland. Struggling with the constant rain, shared bathrooms, and a sense of displacement, she’s counting down the days until she can return home. But when charming tour guide Collin challenges her to fully experience Ireland before passing judgment, Chelsea finds herself embracing adventure—and an unexpected romance. As summer fades, she must decide between the familiarity of home and the possibility of something new.

Short Opinion:
It took me a while to connect with this book, and while I eventually warmed up to it, some of the writing felt disjointed. Chelsea’s stubbornness wore on me at times, but Collin completely carried the romance with his charm. I genuinely enjoyed the descriptions of the Irish scenery, and felt like I was there!

In-Depth Opinion:
I struggled to get into this book, and it wasn’t until the halfway mark that I started feeling truly invested. Some parts of the writing felt disconnected, with abrupt scene transitions and missing details that left me confused. Instead of being told about the power of storytelling within the novel, I wish we had experienced it firsthand. While I liked Chelsea’s character overall, her internal back-and-forth and last-minute decisions became frustrating by the end. The romance was carried by Collin—he’s a bit of a stereotypical Irish charmer, but I adored him. The setting was very immersive. I already wanted to go to Ireland, but now its a necessity!

Overall a decent read, good if you are looking for a Summery Hallmark feel set in Ireland!

I enjoyed this fun, fast paced read from Alexandra Paige. I have been to Ireland and it was so fun to read about many of the places we visited as well as finding many of the Irish phrases we heard in the book. "No bother" made its way into my daily vocabulary after two weeks in Ireland.

I was frustrated with Chelsea for how dead set she was against enjoying her time in Ireland. Flo was one of my favorite characters in this book and she shared so much wisdom with Chelsea. Collin was a green flag MMC through and through.

If you're looking for a bit of Ireland for your summer and aren't able to go, An Irish Summer, is a great way to experience the Emerald Isle.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Alexandra Paige for the eARC of An Irish Summer.

I really enjoyed this story of a woman, Chelsea, who loses her hospitality job in Boston and decides to take a summer job in Ireland at a hostel while she gets her like in order. I enjoyed this character’s journey as she struggles through job loss, living in a new country and the process of finding where she would like her life to go. I thought the characters in this book were fun, the romance that develops seemed realistic and overall the story was a really enjoyable read. I think this is a great romcom read for anyone who enjoys reading about other countries and looking for a lighthearted read.

I received a copy from NetGalley.

An Irish Summer tells the story of Chelsea, a recently unemployed die hard Bostonian who is forced to take the only opportunity to keep her from moving back in with her parents—a summer gig at a hostel in Galway Ireland. From day one, the chemistry between Chelsea and Collin is charming and nostalgic. He is hell bent on getting her to fall in love with his Ireland, while also falling for her. Chelsea is hell bent on moving back to Boston after her two month Ireland stint, but finds it harder and harder to fight the charm of Ireland and one specific fairy story telling Irishman.

Coworkers/close proximity/just for the summer/slow burn.

Typos in the copy I read:
Page 111 typo with Lars “said” with a chuckle
Page 151 typo “made me it even harder” should be “made it even harder”

Chelsea must start fresh after her life is upended, losing both her job and apartment. She accepts a summer position at a hostel in Galway, hoping to diversify her hospitality experience and hurry back home to Boston as soon as possible.

The majority of this book focuses on the push and pull of what being successful means, changing dreams, and struggling with abandoning what you thought you always wanted.

This was a very cute read and would be an entertaining vacation or plane read. Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy.

An Irish Summer was a breezy, feel-good rom-com that hit all the right notes for a summer read—though I did wish for a bit more. I’d give it 3/5 stars! I enjoyed it but wouldn’t necessarily read again.

Chelsea leaves her job in Boston to spend a summer working at a hostel in Galway, Ireland, where she meets Colin—charming, local, and all too eager to show her the magic of the country. Their slow-burn romance had me rooting for them, but I’ll be honest, I wanted more chemistry and insight into Colin’s side of things. The setting was beautiful in theory, but it didn’t feel as immersive as I hoped. As someone who’s visited Ireland and Galway specifically, I was expecting more descriptions of the landscape and vibe. And while Chelsea’s growth is nice, her stubbornness and lack of maturity got old fast.

Still, this is a sweet, quick read for anyone craving a light escape to Ireland. It has its moments, but I wanted more depth and development from the characters.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!! ❤️❤️❤️

This was a beautiful book. A young woman, Chelsea, loses her job in Boston and decides to take a job at a hostel in Galway, Ireland. And boy, it turns out to be the best decision she ever made. What a great story about what it means to not only step outside your comfort zone but LEAP out of it.

Ireland absolutely brings out the best in people (irl and fictional). The setting was extremely descriptive and immersive and I felt like I was right back in Galway. Reading this book felt like a trip down memory lane and getting to experience Chelsea's journey alongside her- it felt like I was there again!

At certain times in the book her inability to make a decision and stick with it got quite annoying but overall the story was a beautiful arc of a young woman trying to find her way., IT was definitely fun and if you plan on taking a trip to Ireland anytime soon- make sure to snag this one for a wonderful preview! 4 stars! Slainte!

Thank you Avon and Netgally for arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute. It had some really sweet moments, some beautiful Irish scenes, some fun found-family adventures, and some really great characters. I enjoyed going on outings with Chelsea and Collin and was wishing I could stay at the hostel for a few weeks.

The writing was strong and dialogue was realistic and banter-y (my fave).

Solid 3 stars! A light summer read.

This was a cute, cozy romcom with themes of finding oneself and embracing change. I loved the portrayals of female friendships and found the pacing to be just right. It took me a few tries to get really engrossed in the story because I found Chelsea quite unlikeable however it made her growth so much more meaningful.

An Irish Summer is a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that perfectly captures the thrill of adventure, self-discovery, and unexpected love.

Chelsea’s life in Boston is steady and predictable—until she loses both her job and home in one fell swoop. With few options, she takes a temporary position at a hostel in Galway, Ireland, despite her initial resistance to everything from the rain to the lack of iced coffee. But with the help of her lively coworkers and the ever-charming tour guide, Collin, Chelsea slowly begins to embrace her new surroundings. As their relationship blossoms, so does Chelsea’s internal struggle: should she return to the comfort of home or take a leap into the unknown?

This novel is the perfect mix of humor, romance, and wanderlust, making it a fantastic read for anyone who loves summer flings, travel, and personal growth. The chemistry between Chelsea and Collin and the vivid Irish setting made this an enjoyable escape. If you love stories about stepping out of your comfort zone and falling in love along the way, An Irish Summer is definitely worth picking up! I cant wait to buy the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins (Avon) for an ARC copy of Alexandra Paige’s new novel “An Irish Summer.”

Once I got into the story, I found it to be an easy and enjoyable read but I struggled to get into the book initially (that may be partially influenced by the fact that just before starting this novel, I finished a book that I absolutely loved and anything that followed wouldn’t immediately be as gripping/captivating). I picked my copy of Irish Summer up a handful of times those first few days but didn’t get very far and found myself easily distracted or disinterested (I didn’t dislike what I was reading, I just wasn’t particularly interested to keep going). At chapter 7, I decided to set the book down for a while and try again (several weeks) later. I finally went back to it this week and found it to be an easy read with very Hallmark movie-ish vibes. I liked most of the characters (including Collin & Flo) as well as the descriptions of Ireland but didn’t care for the main character Chelsea (I found her less likeable as the book went on). I wish she’d been a bit older or at least came off less immature. Despite being in her early twenties and working in Ireland, she seemed much more like a college student studying abroad (with below average maturity level). Because the novel was told from her POV, it significantly affected the overall feel of the book (it often felt more YA) I wish the story would have been a dual POV between her and Colllin - I think it would have helped to have the perspective of those around her. I think I would have found her more likeable that way and it also would have given more depth to her and Collin’s connection…I kept wondering why he was immediately so smitten with her.

The author brought up important themes and common struggles in the novel and in that way, I like what she attempted to do…and despite my complaints about the FMC, I did enjoy the book once I got further into it and accepted it for what it was. I think this had the potential to be much more impacting & memorable had the FMC had more maturity. That being said, others may relate to her more easily so perhaps it’s more of a reader problem than a character issue.

Overall, I found the book to be a light and easy read and am glad I picked it back up and finished it quickly. Overall, I’d rate this 2.75 but rounded up to 3 stars.

📖 Book Review 📖 If you are ever lucky enough to escape to Ireland for the summer, my advice is to take the opportunity! I got to spend a summer studying at Trinity College in Dublin and my dorm room overlooked the iconic front arch. When the B&B Chelsea works unexpectedly closes, she is offered a job in Galway, Ireland. Alexandra Paige creates a fun and whimsical journey of self-discovery. An Irish Summer is a beautifully breezy not to miss summer read!

Funny story about studying abroad: We went up to Belfast for the weekend and stayed in the dorms up there and in an attempt to save water, there was a button you had to keep pressing every few seconds to keep the water running. However, the shower was so tiny that you had to keep all of the soap and shampoo outside and it was a very far reach so the water kept turning off and it was a comedy of errors. It was such a small inconvenience but it has stuck with me. What is a culture shock you have had traveling?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A fun story about a young woman who suddenly loses her job and goes to Ireland for a summer job. She plans to search for a job and housing back home in Boston and flee ASAP. She soon makes friends and finds adventure in Ireland, but will she stay or return home for her dream job?
I enjoyed it the pacing and storyline

When Chelsea suddenly finds herself with no job and no apartment, she quickly has to pivot and figure out her next steps in life. Leave the comfort and security of Massachusetts or go on an adventure. With a summer work opportunity in Ireland, Chelsea decides to take a leap for few months to plan for the future ahead.

I enjoyed this book! It's a very cute and cozy hallmark style romcom. Ireland is one of my favorite places and I feel like it felt realistic and captured the Irish spirit! I think I would have liked it more if I read it during the spring/lead up to summer.

This was a lovely story about a girl finding herself by challenging her preconceived notions. The author's gorgeous descriptions of Ireland that make you want to visit and makes a truly relaxing and enjoyable read. A fun romance that isn't too racy, you find yourself rooting for the main characters to find their way to each other. I loved reading this book.

Ireland sounds like a magical place and it’s no surprise the changes that Chelsea experienced while there. Collin was such a charming character and vital for Chelsea’s new look on life. The book was charming and fun. I loved the supporting characters. I love then the main characters really make so much personal growth especially when done in a way that feels organic and Chelsea fought those changes the entire way but in the end figured out what made her happy.

Chelsea’s world unexpectedly falls apart, but she is given the opportunity to work and live in Galway for the summer working at a B&B. This was not part of her plan but intends to make the most of it and focus on getting the career of her dreams.

Then, there is the charming Collin, the tour guide at the B&B, who continuously temps her with the beauty and wonder of Ireland. He shows her that sometimes what you think you want isn’t actually want you want at all.

This is a very cute story about discovering yourself. Chelsea has a lot of internal conflict while finding her way. Overall this is a very feel good book with minimal spice. Alexandria Paige portrays female friendships in a thoughtful, uplifting way.