My Big Fake Irish Life

by Caitlin McKenna

Twenty-six-year-old Linda Symcox has been chasing her lifelong dream of becoming an actress for the last five years, so when she gets a chance to read for a popular television series, she takes an extended lunch in order to make the audition. After all, it could be her lucky break. But the “quick” audition takes over two hours costing Linda her telemarketing job; and when she doesn’t book the acting gig, her agent fires her too, explaining that she just doesn’t have “it.” The elusive “it.” As much as Linda wants to hate her ex-agent for being so insensitive, he gets her thinking in a new direction. If she doesn’t have it, what if she reinvented herself and became someone who did? Someone with red hair and an Irish accent? With nothing to lose, Linda gives herself a complete makeover and re-emerges as Meghan O’Connell from Galway, Ireland—and just in time. A high-powered casting director is looking for an unknown to fill the lead role of a new television series called "Soul Saver." And the actress must be Irish. Meghan gets an audition and is so convincing, she lands the role. Her life is changed forever. On the first day of filming her new television series, Meghan meets her co-star, Michael, who met her before as Linda, the American. He doesn't recognize her. Will he? Meghan decides to simply stay away from him, but how can she when they are working so closely together? Worse, how can she stay away from the guy she’s falling in love with? What had started out as an innocent little lie ends up snowballing into an insane comedy of errors. Meghan’s lie forces her to live a double life that eventually affects her family, friends, and most importantly her new boyfriend to the point that she has to decide on telling the truth and giving up her lifelong dream, or living the lie and losing the people she loves.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Adult, Ireland

330 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2011

About the author

Ever since she can remember, Caitlin McKenna has always loved a good story. Naturally, she landed Hollywood where she embarked on an acting and screenwriting career.

Now she enjoys writing any story where love drives the narrative. Caitlin lives with her husband and two spoiled dachshunds in Southern California, and is working on her next novel.

Please visit her website at: https://www.caitlinmckenna.com

You can also connect with Caitlin at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caitmckenna
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcaitl...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcaitli...
Email: AuthorCaitlinMcKenna@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jan Prichard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Had to stop.

[Kayla West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Symcox has it all: fame, fortune, the perfect boyfriend....Well, that's at least what she wants to have. In reality, she is an aspiring actress who, for the last five years, has been desperately trying to get work. The problem is she doesn't have any qualities that allow her to stand out in the crowd.

Her solution: become someone else entirely.

When her sister invites her on a free trip to Ireland, Linda jumps at the chance to put her training to good use and learn all she can about the culture, the people, the accents, and the geography. When she comes back, she is an entirely different personality altogether.

Add a new hair do, a new wardrobe, and the luck of the Irish, and she becomes Meghan O'Connell, an Irish actress who is best known for her Lucky Charms commercial. (Surprisingly, many people fall for this throughout the entire book.)

Meghan is going to help Linda fulfill her dreams of fame and fortune. However, when her Irish world begins to clash with her American one, Linda may reconsider how good of an idea this really was.

I was first drawn to this book because of the title. Having red hair myself, I have always felt close to my own Irish roots...sparse as they may be. This was a very enjoyable read, and I am definitely going to look up more of authoress Caitlin McKenna's work.

[Lyz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute premise, but the story is lacking. Here's the entire plotline: "Should I tell him? Should I not tell him? Should I tell him? Should I not tell him? Should I tell him? Should I not tell him?" and on and on and on. The premise really is cute, but it fails to lift your spirits. There aren't any laugh out loud moments. There's no...OMG, I would so love to say that. I made it to the end out of persistance, but was glad when it was over. It wasn't the worst book I've read and it gets 3 points for having a cute premise, but that's it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After my trip to Ireland I began binging on any kind of Irish book.... this is NOT Angela's Ashes. A light little jig about re-inventing yourself into the kind of person you wish you were. Linda is an actress that is just not getting the jobs because she is just too average. She re-invents herself as Meghan the sassy Irish lass and begins living her dream life. There are a few bumps in the road to instant fame.... this is a fun book.

[Dana Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I assumed this book was going to be really annoying and lame and some chick flick book. But, I was looking for some mind numbing reading so decided to give it a go. I was blown away! It was funny and witty and exciting! As a theater major it was fun to see this "fakers" take on Hollywood, and see the lies pile up for a character you can't help but love!! I would love to read more from this character for sure!

[Linda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda gives herself a complete makeover and re-emerges as Meghan O’Connell from Galway, Ireland—and just in time. A high-powered casting director is looking for an unknown to fill the lead role of a new television series called "Soul Saver." And the actress must be Irish. It's a book that you just don't want to put down until you finish reading.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was funny and light and a joy to read. I finished it in one day. It gave me a lot of laughs. Caitlin McKenna has another book MANAFESTING MR. RIGHT which is coming out in July. I have already decided to purchase it. She's an author with talent, and I for one, plan to follow her. If you purchase her book, you won't be sorry.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was cheap and I had money for Amazon. It was poorly developed characters. Very predictable. The plot just kept continuing on so much that you were hoping for the book to end. It is about an actress who is American who can't get an acting job in Hollywood so she pretends to be Irish.

[Darlene Ferland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caitlin McKenna has written a wonderful story. I hated to close the back cover. It is a funny, poignant and thoroughly enjoyable book. The story centers on an out of work actress who decides to change her life by becoming an Irish actress. What she doesn't realize is that she would not be able to claim her American family as her own. . . What ensues is a wee bit of trouble!

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! An out of work actress pretends to be Irish to get parts and gets trapped into a fake life. McKenna has a great command of the Irish accent and acting/TV business which lends reality to an otherwise outlandish premise. Charming heroine, cute romance, fun plot. Couldn't put it down. :)

[Denise Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love any book where the character is feisty and Linda was indeed that,especially when she went Irish. I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling down and wants to remember their dreams.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKenna's semi-autobiographical novel is witty and a very fun read.

[Lindy Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The Irish farce got a bit drawn out towards then end but it was fun and well plotted out. I especially enjoyed the ridiculousness of Megan's visit to Ireland. Totally OTT.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute....fast read...

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but the Irish thing felt too forced even though I love all things Irish :)

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very cute and an easy read!

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

good take your mind off life read.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was silly fairly quick read. Pretty easy to see where the story is headed, but still enjoyed getting there :)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, light story. The ending was predictable and the halfhearted attempts to spell out an Irish accent were jarring, but it was enjoyable reading.

[Alicia Prevost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing too special but if you're looking for a fun, light, fast and really cute read, it fits the bill perfectly. Pure fluff but well written and quirky.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical, and funny. A tad on the ridiculous side, but sometimes that's why I read books. I also have a crush on anything Irish, so that made this even more appealing.

[Dorothy Timm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a Sophie Kinsella book, only cheaper to buy for my Kindle.

[Peter Arpesella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, well written, fast moving story with very human and adorably flawed characters. It's a joy to read. It was hard to put down and was sorry when it ended.

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great page turner, story could have moved along faster though. But written fantastically. looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Liane Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this reading, it was funny. It was what I expected. The main reason why I decided to read this book was because it was about Ireland, since I am very fond of this country.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story to read. It was light and humorous - a good chick lit book.

[Sabina Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light cute read. Ending peters outa bit, but still a great read

[Pattydavelewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a fun book to read.

[Shandra Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny and adorable. An enjoyable pleasure read.