The Pub Across the Pond

by Mary Carter

Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she's living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.

As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten not just by the town's beguiling mix of ancient and modern, but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near Galway Bay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges--from a meddling neighbor to the pub's colorful regulars--there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories, and in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub's charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart--and her luck--for the very first time. . .

Praise for Mary Carter's My Sister's Voice

"At once a story about love and loss, family and friends, the world of the hearing and that of the deaf, My Sister's Voice satisfies on many levels." --Holly Chamberlin, author of The Family Beach House

"Gripping, entertaining and honest. This is a unique, sincere story about the invisible, unbreakable bonds of sisterhood that sustain us no matter how far they're buried." --Cathy Lamb, author of Henry's Sisters

Genres: Romance, Ireland, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Irish Literature, Audiobook

371 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! I am not in a position to travel at present, not even in the continental USA. But I've longed to visit Ireland and it's culture for as long as I can remember. Reading this book is as close as I'm going to get to that wish. For a while, anyway! I feel like it did take me there, within the comfort and confines of my own home. The best travel there is, is travel within the mind, where there are no limitations! So read this book and take a trip with me, to The Pub Across the Pond.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this book so much as listen to it. I found that I could borrow audio books from the public library on my iPad and this was the only book they had available that wasn't about crime, and since I wanted to listen before bed, it was my sole criteria not to be dark. Listening to a novel be read was really different than reading. There were times when it was awkward and obvious it was not written with reading aloud in mind. Especially the parts with several consecutive "he said, she said" dialogue sections. Other parts, like times with long descriptions were much more interesting when read aloud, for example, when the author describes the pub. If I had been reading it I would have just skimmed over it, but since it was read to me, I had to pay attention and actually get the picture in my head that the author intended.
As far as the actual story, I really thought it was going to be a harlequin romance with bulges and heaving, so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a regular romance. I had to slap my hand against my head a few times when the author described Ireland with such cliched romance. I understand this book is a work of fiction, but it was kind of hard to swallow some of the sweeping generalizations about Ireland and the Irish.
The characters were a little bit one dimensional, but I applaud the author for only having one person fall in love with the beautiful, smart, kind, and hard-done-by leading lady. I know that the current trend is to have at least two, and sometimes more, people fall in love with these perfect female characters. She also introduces a few other characters, like the obsessive compulsive father, or the hermit/stalker, but then drops them pretty quickly. Without spoiling the ending, if we had known decades of obsessive compulsive behavior could be undone by some friendly Irish men, I think someone would have made a reality tv show about it by now. I'm probably being too hard, but I find it odd that the bulk of the character development was done by someone who was barely in the book. Also, the hermit/stalker, Ellen, gets introduced, and abruptly dropped. Why was she in the book at all?
Overall, this is a predictable book chock-a-block full of stereotypes and generalizations. That being said, it's really just a harmless romance novel. It's entertaining enough, and doesn't drag itself out. It was a nice change from all the crime and scifi I've been reading lately. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the genre, or anyone who wants to listen to an audio book from the library.

[Stu Webbb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I had a real Irish list to the dialogue and a good feel to the Irish culture.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, romantic read. Made me want to win a pub and move to Ireland!

[Samantha March · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pub Across the Pub by Mary Carter follows Carlene Rivers, a reliable young woman living in Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother passed away at a young age, and Carlene helps watch over her father – who is living with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Carlene is someone definitely in need of a break, and that break comes when Carlene wins a raffle – and the prize is a pub on the west coast of Ireland! Carlene packs her bags and hops on the plane, nervous and excited for this new chapter in her life. While in Ireland she meets Ronan McBride, the black sheep of the McBride family who owned the pub Carlene has just won. Ronan places too many gambling bets, and one caused him to lose the pub. Carlene and Ronan try to fight the romance brewing between them, and Carlene tries desperately to fit in with the Irish community.

The Pub Across the Pond wasn’t my favorite book. The prologue had me a bit baffled, and I thought it was a pretty typical romance novel with no real surprises along the way. A decent read, but nothing really popped out at me. Besides the bizarre fact of how Carlene wins a pub – in Ireland. I think I was drawn more to the supporting cast then to Carlene or Ronan, but I did like the bit of mystery that was thrown in. I don’t think this is a bad book, just nothing that really sparked my interest and made me want to keep reading. If you like a sweet romance novel, then I would recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pub Across the Pond by Mary Carter is a great fun read. Carlene Rivers has become disillusioned in her life. Her mother died when she was young and her father as a result of this has an obsessive compulsive disorder. Because of this she manages her father's gym because he is unable to do this for longer than a few hours a day. So when she goes to an Irish fair with a friend of hers she decides to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a pub in Ireland. Now who would not want to win a pub in Ireland of all places. She never expects to win, but she does and it does not take her long to decide to accept the pub.
Ronan McBride is a gambler and loses once to often, thus the raffle to save the family. Ronan picks Charlene up at the airport and the sparks fly and from then on it is a roller coaster ride of fun. Running a pub is a task in itself let alone one in another country where there are people who do not want her there. She perseveres and comes to love Ireland and the people of Ballybeog. So the sparks continue to fly along with the flow of beer, gossip and tea... I loved this story, full of quirky characters and wonderful descriptions of a country full of beauty. Oh yes, a great romance too!! I highly recommend this book.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable except for the fact that it evidently did not have an editor. I get very distracted by stupid mistakes, especially when it's something like characters' names changing. On one page the guy's name was Martin then on the very next page, they were calling him "Gary". Same with Carlene's husband. At the beginning of the book, his name was Brendan then it was Brandon then it was Brendan again. I was also confused by the character of Collin. When we first meet him, Carlene wonders if she should ID him for his drink and we find out that he's only twenty. However, when Carlene goes on a date with him and wonders if she should be with him, the fact that he's ten years younger doesn't come up. It also seemed like the sex of the cat changed every time they mentioned it. It is very difficult for me to stay invested in a book with such distracting errors, especially when they would have been so simple to fix.

[Stacey Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Carlene Rivers enters a raffle, she never expected to win, but to her great surprise she did! The prize, a little pub in Ireland. Everyone is shocked and surprised when she actually moves to Ireland to claim her winnings. Carlene soon discovers that Ireland is more than shamrocks and Guinness. She finds family in strangers, love in the unexpected, and freedom in truth.

The Pub Across the Pond is a feel good read, sure to warm the cockles of your heart! I love, love,loved it! Every single character is packed with personality. Romance slowly blossoms, friendships are nurtured, and the power of forgiveness works it's magic too!

I enjoyed this book so much, definitely one of my favorites this year! I can't wait to see what Mary Carter has in store for us next!

[Anita Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlene Rivers considered herself the unluckiest woman in Dublin, Ohio, if not in the entire world. That changed when she bought a lottery ticket at a fair and won a bar in a remote Irish village not too far from Gwalway Bay. She's not so sure her luck has completely changed when she realizes that the townfolk aren't all thrilled to have a Yank running their beloved tavern. She has to deal with a cast of characters who are her regulars; Ronan,a gorgeous gambler who keeps disappearing; a neigbor who does everything he can to take the bar away from her and turn it into a tanning salon, and a series of incidents that would run most people off to the states. It's a light, enjoyable read that made me laugh. Or as the Irish would say, it's a bit of "craic" (fun).

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet, sweet book!!! Nothing earth shaking in the plot, but solidly developed characters in a nice setting just makes it a lovely read. Definitely makes me not only want to visit Ireland but to move there as well!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read. Would be enjoyed by any woman who has had dreams of meeting a good-looking Irish man, along with a merry band of regulars, in a quaint Irish pub.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A confection best read without much critical thinking turned on. Still, a nicely enjoyable romance, suspense with the added attraction of The Dream - winning a lottery for a real Irish pub.

[Nicole Burgon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great feel good book and perfect for anyone wanting a feel of Ireland. Carlene and Ronan’s romance seemed based on purely physical attraction for a while, which made their internal dialogues a little awkward to read, and I wish they had gotten to the deeper and better communication earlier. However, it was very real, with good themes and lessons about love and luck, and I appreciated the representation of mental health conditions (in this case, OCD). One thing I didn’t expect was the mystery element to the story, which also felt a bit haphazard as I’m pretty sure we never found out who the woman from the museum was? And when we found out who was behind all of the other mysteries, it seemed a bit quick and odd. But again, it made the book enjoyable and fun.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light easy enjoyable read, however the plot was a little unfocused at times and kinda dragged on a bit.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3½ stars – I really wish Good reads would allow half stars; I hate having to decide whether to go up or down when I want to give a half star, but I enjoyed this book enough that I don’t have a problem bumping it to four stars

Carlene Rivers is tired of her life in Ohio, her father’s got a severe case of OCD, her love life is non-existent and her life seems to be at a standstill. On a whim, she enters a lottery for a pub in Ireland, which she ends up winning. Thinking this is a new adventure, Carlene takes off for Ireland. However, the pub’s former owners, the McBride family, six sisters and one brother, Ronan, have mixed feelings about having to have basically auctioned off their family pub because of Ronan’s gambling. And, of course, Ronan and Carlene have an instant attraction to each other, which neither of them is entirely happy about.

The rest of the story, which is basically being told to a suicidal visitor to the pub (yeah, it sounds weird, but it doesn’t take up a lot of space and it works fine), is about how Carlene attempts to run the pub, a cast of quirky pub regulars and someone who keeps pulling pranks on her, someone who’s obviously not happy about an American taking over an Irish pub. It also deals with Ronan and Carlene’s relationship, which hits several bumps in the road in the form of his gambling, a woman who refuses to believe Ronan and she aren’t meant to be together, a neighbor who wants to run her out and turn the pub into a tanning salon and the little fact that Carlene took over Ronan’s livelihood (through his own stupid actions).

I usually read sci-fi, mystery and adult and YA paranormal books. I occasionally read chick-lit, but I wouldn’t really put The Pub Across the Pond in that category either; it’s more straight up fiction. Basically, this isn’t the type of book I usually read, but my sister pointed it out on a Goodreads giveaway because we both love the British Isles, so I entered and won it and I’m glad I did.

There were a few times when I said to myself, “Really, would that have happened?” or I wanted to smack the main character for something she did or tell her she really wasn’t as nice as she thought she was. I would’ve also liked to have one or two of Ronan’s sisters in the book more and part of Carlene's past love life was, I thought, more drawn out and made into a bigger deal than it needed to be, but, overall, I really enjoyed this book. As it went along, when I was on the train going to and from work, I found that I wanted to pick it up and read it rather than shut my eyes and zone out (my sign of a good book).

I loved the fact that it took place in Ireland. I’ve never been to there, but a running partner of mine is Irish and there were so many things in it that reminded me of him, especially the humor and general attitude, which I’ve always liked. If you’re looking for some fiction that’s a nice, light read, with some humor and a cast of characters that will keep your interest (it’d make a great beach/vacation read), I’d recommend The Pub Across the Pond.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in America, do you ever wonder what it would be like to own an Irish Pub? Well that is the premise behind the latest book by Mary Carter, The Pub Across The Pond.

As the song goes, Ronan McBride was a rambler and a gambler, although he was never a long way from home. I can't tell you what it was that made the birds go absolutely mental over him, except that he was over six feet and had all his hair. Let's just say he had his pick of chickens in our little town, not to mention a hen or two who would have liked to sink their beaks into him. His father had left the pub to him when he past away even though in heavenly retrospect, I bet James, his father, wishes he would've just left it to the girls.

Ronan was the biggest gambler, but Joe, his uncle, a businessman and teetotaler, was well suited to take him on. It was hard to believe they were related. Joe ran the general shop next door and hardly ever set foot in the pub. In the center of the table lay a massive pile of crumpled bills. They were out of cash and had switched to using bingo chips. It was never suppose to get up this high - it was five-thousand when it came down to just the two of 'em, and Joe was willing to keep the pot as it was but Ronan had to push it.

He had four aces. Two on the deal, and two more sweet babies on the draw. It was a sure winner. He almost felt sorry for his uncle. But when his uncle put down the keys to his shop, Ronan felt obligated to put up the keys to the pub. Maybe Ronan was taking unfair advantage of an old fella. A straight flush was the only hand in the world to be a four aces. If Joe wasn't bluffing, he probably had a high straight at best, and when they both laid down their hands, that's exactly what Joe had. Ronan's face wasn't the only thing that was flush.

Now he only had thirty days to find a way to raise one hundred thousand euros or his family's pub would become the latest tanning bed in Ireland. His sisters decide that American's are foolish enough to want to spend $20 to purchase a raffle ticket to own an Irish pub. They feel that not only will they raise enough money but even more. They just hope the person who wins isn't looking to come to Ireland to own it, but that's exactly what Carlene Rivers decides to do. She is stunned when she wins, but everyone else is stunned when she actually goes...and that's where this novel goes.

I received The Pub Across The Pond by Mary Carter compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and Mary Carter for my honest review. I loved the way she wrote this novel. The dialogue is so precise you can hear the Irish accent in your head as your reading it. This is an adorable romantic fiction that will have everyone wishing to visit Ireland, head to a pub and order up a pint! I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to pick up more books from this author. She truly made you feel a part of the story from the very first page, you will laugh out loud at times and find some warmth and romance even tucked inside. I LOVED IT!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

One ticket can change the life of many. On the west coast of Ireland in the small town of Ballybeog, things are about to get exciting. An American has just won Uncle Jimmy’s, a white stone pub with bright blue trim and a thatched roof. The townspeople have very mixed feelings about the winner of the lottery. They are a proud people with a history of perseverance and tenacity. The town welcomes her with open arms or so it would seem. Strange things are happening in Ballyboeg and it appears it all started when she arrived.

Carlene Rivers has never been a lucky person. She lost her mother at a very young age and then slowly lost her father. She had a botched marriage to an Irish man and was living an unfulfilling life in Cleveland, Ohio. On a yearly trip to an Irish festival in Dublin, Ohio, Carlene decides to take a chance and she buys a single lottery ticket for an opportunity to win a pub. Being a descendant from the Emerald Isle, some of her fondest memories are of her grandmother reliving her family’s history. When fantasy becomes reality, can Carlene make her dreams come true with a little bit of Irish luck?

How can one of the best hands in poker be beaten? By the hand of fate, that’s how. Ronan McBride held four aces in his hand and he bet his family’s pub to win. A hand like that is always a winner. He now has a month to earn enough money to buy back the pub. Ronan’s sisters don’t trust him and come up with a plan to ensure the pub is safe from their scheming uncle. They decide to hold a lottery for a chance to own the pub.

I read “The Pub Across the Pond” in one sitting. I fell in love with the book and couldn’t put it down even though the sun was rising. From my experience as a recent visitor to Ireland, Ms. Carter did a fabulous job of capturing the essence of the land. She noted key sites without making it sound like a tourist advertisement. Everything Carlene felt I also felt while there. There is nothing like the lure of its history and the touch of magic in the air. You can actually take a breath and feel the enchantment in it. She reminded me of my visit within the pages of this book. She showcased the beauty of the country, the warmth of the people and the magic of their history. The characters were engaging and wonderful. The scenery was so beautifully described that you could imagine you were there. You felt the rain on your face and the wind in your hair. The romance included not only Carlene and Ronan, but the whole town of Ballybeog.

I loved every sentence of this book. I was in heaven from the beginning to the end. This is storytelling at its divine best. Ms. Carter really and truly captured the heart of Ireland; the beauty and charm encompassed in an enchanting tale of discovery, love and hope.

[Bellatuscana Bellatuscana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of tropes typical in romantic novels. Well-written, but there were a lot of cliches.

One quote stood out to me which was when I started to disconnect with the novel. It was when she was reminiscing on her ex husband and Ronan. She told herself "No more Irish guys."

That was like, really? You moved to Ireland. You know exactly what you wanted. It seemed ridiculous to me that she couldn't even acknowledge why she came.

Then, of course, there was the typical tropes. Sally who thinks Ronan has loved her since age 15. I've never met a woman delusional for so long, and Carlene teaches her to "love herself."

Then Carlene's mother, who killed herself in the bathtub. This is a whole lot worse, but somehow it is quickly glossed over.

Honestly, I was kinda disappointed, but it was definitetly well-written.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the very beginning, and I had a difficult time putting it down. I felt like I could relate and empathize easily with Carlene. I felt like I was a part of the story somehow. The plot was really intriguing and kept me guessing which I loved. The relationship between her and Ronan was complicated as well as charming. I loved the scenery and the setting. Ireland has long been one of my favorite places I’ve traveled too, and this story seemed to capture the essence of Ireland and its people. The dynamic between Carlene and the community was fun to read and see develop. The ending was a perfect fit to the story and characters. I just wasn’t ready to leave the story; I wanted to keep reading.

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the main story, it takes place in a small Irish village, with an American woman from Ohio, as the fish out of water, new owner of a small pub. There are lots of characters, the Irish way of speaking is pretty well portrayed.

But...
1. The author seriously needed a beta reader and an editor. Did no one else notice that the cat's gender kept changing? Or that the pub roof, supposed to be thatch, wasn't when she climbed out on it. Etc., etc.
2. I didn't like the main couple. He has 'reptilian eyes'. Really? That's supposed to be attractive? Ew!
3. There is just the 1 sex scene, off screen, and so poorly written.

[Peggy Macleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book to read while I spent two weeks in Ireland. I wasn’t disappointed. The author captures dialogue that is typical of local Irish people I met, and also as I imagined local people from a small town would interact with one another.
Although I didn’t get to visit a small town pub,the book was able to bring “local Ireland” alive for me during my trip, and I looked forward to reading more and more each day.

[Gillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting much more than a cutesy love story and a quick read but this was awful. The characters are stereotypical and do not have many redeeming qualities but the author’s blasé depictions of mental health issues really bothered me. Also the author needs a better editor who can cut down on her prolific use of commas. Skip this one.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story with several different conflicts going on all at once. Some very clever writing. A bit of an overuse of the F word, but happily it did not diminish the story or the characters using it. Enjoyable!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy!
I laughed out loud (for real) in some parts.

I’m sad that it’s done.

It was perfect light, light-hearted, happy story for me at this time. I will definitely look for some more books by this author.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and highly entertaining (and clean) contemporary romance novel. The characters were so well drawn, and the plot was interesting with a small element of mystery to it. I really enjoyed it.

[Issa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan. I found the writing style a little tedious and slow moving.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me miss Ireland so much! The description of life in a pub in the beginning of the book is spot on.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing this book would give me great Irish brogue and mischevious witty characters I chose to listen to the audio book. I loved it! A fun story with twists and turns. A pleasure to read.

[Susie Shy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Surprising story- good language. A few confusing elements and seemingly unnecessary side stories. But its ok.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was kind of a slow start but then once it got going I was hooked.