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Black Irish #1

Black Irish

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Abbey couldn’t believe he was gay. She nearly ran away from her dreams of being a children’s book writer when she was introduced to her illustrator Sloan O’Riley, a dark, sensual Irishman with incredible blue eyes. He certainly couldn’t be good for Abbey’s relationship with her boyfriend back in Iowa. How could she stay in New York and work with the sinfully sexy Sloan even if he was gay? And when Sloan is threatened to be deported, how far would Abbey go to keep him in the US?

Sloan was forced to tell a little white lie. He had no choice. He couldn’t let the sweet, beautiful, Abbey Wright flee from his life – not without a chance to explore the sudden desire he felt for her. But what would Abbey do if she ever discovered the truth about Sloan’s sexuality – or learned the deeper, darker secret he’s been hiding?

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2012

21 people are currently reading
145 people want to read

About the author

Tricia Andersen

64 books52 followers
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband and her three children. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.
For the past five years, Tricia has been a member of Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an affiliate of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has experience in kickboxing and currently trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Even though she has never competed in an MMA cage, she’s witnessed and been a part of a fighter’s journey from fight camp to their walk to the cage. She also has competed in jiu jitsu.

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5 stars
55 (47%)
4 stars
32 (27%)
3 stars
19 (16%)
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5 (4%)
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6 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Harper.
Author 60 books507 followers
June 27, 2014
3.5-4.0 stars

Like all my reviews, this one is honest and only done to help the author and future readers.

BLACK IRISH (Black Irish #1) by Tricia Andersen tells the story of naïve Iowan, Abbey Wright, whose dreams come true when her children books are accepted for publication by Panda Publications in NYC. When she travels to the big apple and meets her tall, dark, and Irish illustrator, Sloan O'Riley, there is an instant connection between them. But there are two problems: Abbey already has a boyfriend waiting for her back in her hometown...and Sloan's gay! At least that's what he claims. But when Abbey finds out the truth behind the Irishman's ice blue eyes, can she really handle it?

The relationship Andersen creates between Sloan and Abbey is true to the romance genre. Their bond is tested, bended, broken, and super-glued back together again and again by everything and anything. There were times I really wasn't sure this book would have a romance HEA because Andersen kept me guessing until the very end. Every time I thought the couple was safe, she would throw another twist into the mix. I enjoyed not knowing what was coming. Andersen succeeds in keeping the reader engaged and cheering for the HEA Abbey and Sloan deserve until the very end.

Sloan, Robert, and Gordon's relationship is probably my favorite. I like how the dynamic between them started and—even better—how it ended and what it's really revealed to be. It explains their closeness and just...fit the story. I don't know how else to describe it. The three of them acted more like brothers than anything, and I loved reading scenes with them together. Andersen does a great job establishing their characters and the unique connection between them.

I did wonder a little about some of the plot in this story. I found it a little predictable, but that may be me. I do read a lot. I figured out the solution to every conflict and sub-conflict before the reveals— Also, (and this is honestly) Abbey annoyed me...a lot. In the beginning, she came across as calm and level-headed, but the moment she met Sloan, she was irrational and dramatic. There was a 180 switch in her. She had a thing for running off, and most of the time, there was no reason for it. Then she wouldn't talk to Sloan for weeks at a time. If she had just stayed put and spoke to someone once in a while, more than half the issues she had would have been solved. But then, I guess the book would have ended a lot sooner. I experienced some moments when I just wanted to read into the book and shake Abbey. There aren't many female characters I like, in general, so this is just my honest opinion.

BLACK IRISH (Black Irish #1) by Tricia Andersen is a contemporary sweet romance with a couple to rival other romance couples. A roller-coaster of emotions, ups and downs, and high and lows. I will admit I have already read the blurbs for the next books in the series, and I'm curious about what else is in store for the O'Reilys.
Profile Image for Sandra Nachlinger.
Author 2 books49 followers
March 18, 2014
From New York City to Belfast to St. Thomas – Tricia Andersen’s heroine isn’t in Iowa anymore!

When a children’s book written by Abbey Wright is accepted by a New York publisher, she travels from small-town Mount Vernon, Iowa, to the big city. Her dreams are coming true! But then she meets drop-dead-gorgeous Sloan O’Riley, the artist who will be illustrating her book. Shaken by her strong reaction to him and concerned that her boyfriend back in Iowa won’t approve of her working with such a handsome man, she runs from the room and demands a different illustrator. To allay her fears, Sloan lies and tells her, “I’m gay.”

Thus begins a series of complications between Abbey and Sloan. Abbey eventually learns that Sloan really is not gay, and as their attraction to each other grows, so do the twists and turns of the story. Sloan has a background that he is hiding; Abbey accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Whenever things go wrong, Abbey tends to jump to conclusions and her reaction is to run away from the situation, making things worse. Throughout the story, she doubts that the wealthy, handsome Sloan could really be attracted to her.

The plot kept me wondering what would happen next. Just as it seemed that Abbey and Sloan would get together and live happily ever after, something would happen to sabotage their relationship. BLACK IRISH was a fast, entertaining read that I enjoyed. Tricia Andersen has created two likable characters in this first book of the series, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better in her future stories.
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,490 reviews31 followers
July 14, 2013
Just looking at this book and I knew there was no way I was going to pass this book up. I also loved the title.

Just looking at this book and I knew there was going to be something dark and sexy going on. You can just tell that he has secrets that he's not telling and it will take a magical woman to bring him to his knees.

Abbey and Sloan makes the perfect couple. I just think that Abbey needs to quit running away and stay and talk it out. Sloan isn't perfect by any means. I loved this story and I can't wait to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Carrie Gubish.
1,031 reviews11 followers
December 18, 2016
Great story

This was really good. Loved the whole story. What did bother me was her. Talk about a don't ask questions just run. It was starting to piss me off. Especially the last time. He should just leave her butt before she does it again. I would have given 5 stars if not for her. I liked her in the beginning. Also she didn't do anything with the X when he came back? This book is loaded with drama and romance and finally sex but only PG13 lol.
Profile Image for Molly.
Author 34 books27 followers
October 24, 2014
Loved this! I found Abbey slightly too naive, but that was part of her charm. Sloan was amazingly patient, and anyone who reads this will want more of him:) Excellent, well-paced story:)
Profile Image for Rhiannon Marina.
Author 12 books115 followers
March 12, 2017
I got completely sucked in by the title of this book.
Once I started reading, I could not stop!
I had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
And once I got to the next books... I did not expect what happened. But I was still so intrigued.
I really liked this book series and am eagerly waiting for the next one to come out!
Profile Image for Michelle.
Author 22 books153 followers
June 2, 2014

Review:
Black Irish is a damn good book! Being Irish, I am often apprehensive about reading Irish characters created by a writer not from Ireland. There is a plethora of Irish stereotypes, which are used and over used continuously. Trisha Andersen avoided every one of these. The Irish character Sloan O’ Reilly is written in such a real and authentic way. Not an easy feat. The story begins with Abbey Wright, a children’s author, and genuine nice girl, signing a dream contract with a publishing company with an advance of half a million. One of the contract stipulations however, is that she has to work with illustrator and Artist, Sloan O’ Riley. Her boyfriend Michael is a bit of a control freak when it comes to Abbey working with men, so she runs out of their first meeting, worried because Sloan O’ Riley is hella HOTT!!!!! Sloan eases her worries by declaring he is gay and therefore no threat to her relationship!!!! In reality nothing could be further from the truth. Sloan is hot all right, hot for Abbey! Abbey and Sloan are very compatible and have loads in common, and soon Abbey is thinking of Sloan all the time. Sloan is about to be deported and Abbey agrees to marry him to keep him in the states. How will he keep up the pretence that he is gay, and does he want to? As the reader we are constantly waiting for the bombshell to drop, and Abbey to find out the truth about Sloan. And boy, when it does!! Abbey gets a double whammy in one day when both of the men she trusted betray her in different ways. Can Sloan convince her to trust him again, to love him again? This is a great storyline and the characters are so well fleshed out. You really feel for both Abbey and Sloan who each carry their own heartaches and struggles. Sloan is hiding a secret of his own, and the sequence of events within the book had me at the edge of my seat. There is real chemistry between the two leads and I was rooting for a happy ending for these two. Will they get one? I really enjoyed ‘Black Irish’ it was a heady mix of sexual chemistry and an excellent plot. Tricia Andersen really knows how to reel a reader in and keep them hooked until the very last page. Five well earned stars.
Profile Image for Teresa LaBella.
Author 14 books128 followers
November 10, 2016
Storytellers sometimes sacrifice facts to tell a good story. That's OK if the facts are elusive and lie outside the reasonable boundaries of research. Not so with Black Irish.

Point 1: Abigail's offer to marry the illegal alien Sloan and allow him to stay in the U.S. stopped me cold. Even with legal counsel, my Canadian husband and I had to jump through a number of hoops to keep him in the country. Contrary to popular belief, marrying a citizen from the country you wish to live in does not gain automatic legal residency status.

Point 2: Despite Brexit, Northern Ireland has an extradition agreement with The Netherlands. A suspected terrorist taking refuge in Amsterdam to avoid incarceration wouldn't be advisable.

Fact checking aside, the author satisfied the unwritten rule of romance with Sloan but ignored the same rule with Abigail. I fell in love with Sloan, felt his emotional and physical pain, empathized with his moral dilemma and strength, got and stayed firmly in his corner rooting for his happily-ever-after. Abigail, the unlikely and unlikable object of his love and affection, grated on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. Quick to jump and run at every bump in the road, she whimpered and whined her way through the story. I kept wondering why Sloan had fallen so deeply in love with her that he was willing to die for her. His best friend Robert saw her for what she was. Why couldn't Sloan? Was his love really that blind?

The author squandered a golden turning point opportunity to elevate Abigail to Sloan's level of heroism and honor in love. But she didn't, leaving me the reader disillusioned and disappointed.

Black Irish is a good read. It could have been so much more.
Profile Image for Diana.
188 reviews3 followers
May 14, 2014
I finally read this book and Wow! Loved it. I did think that Abbey was a little to stubborn for her own good, but I can see that happening. Young, gullible, idealistic, trusting, open and honest. She has not had trauma or trouble in her life. Not much to mention at least.

Throw in her exact opposite, Sloan O'Riley. Holy hotness! Anyone's fantasy made real. Irish, troubled with a dark past, rich, devastating good looks, talented and artistic if maybe a little too controlling to Abbey's independent nature. But she also loves that about him.

I just won't go into the particulars of their lives. I just want to learn more about Gordon and Liam. And, Robert I could totally see his losing a battle against loving someone. I will definitely want more of this story Tricia Andersen.

Just a note, though not distracting, there are some spelling errors that spell checker would not catch. I guess I am OCD in that respect because I notice such things. Still rating this 5 stars!

Profile Image for Deborah Bean.
225 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2014
I loved this book. Black Irish sucks you right in and does not let you go. It had me cracking up at the lie he comes up with to keep her from walking away from the deal. This book also serves to show you to follow your instinct when you have a bad feeling about someone in your life. I was not expecting a twist so early in the book. I loved it. These two people are so opposite that they cannot help but be attracted to each other.
There is another book toward the end. This is where the book will show you that insecurities can turn you into an idiot. I had to slap my own forehead a couple of times at how naïve Abby is. She is also so very stubborn and that is what causes some of the complications in the book.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars just because it kept me so entertained. I would love to read more from this author. If you do not have this book on your TBR or one-clicked it yet, you should.
Author 1 book56 followers
June 17, 2014
Abbey is an Iowa girl lucky enough to get her books signed by a publisher in New York. Trouble is the illustrator, very handsome, very gay, Sloan is entirely too tempting. Sloan, not knowing why, chose to lie to her keep her from leaving (So not gay). Then things get real and are taken to another level of serious. She may just be falling for Sloan after all, but will his secrets turn her away from him for good?


This story had me laughing and on pins and needles anticipating what came next. Tricia Andersen made the thoughts of each character clear, known and it flowed. I loved that I didn't have to re-read to know who was talking; perfect transitions. I thought that Sloan was going to kill Michael (you'll have to read to find out why). I love these characters and I can't wait to get into the next book!
Profile Image for Lisa.
560 reviews16 followers
April 15, 2016

Sloan O'Riley is man of many secrets, but his love and desire for Abbey is not one of them. He will fight for her unlike anything else in his life, even if he has to deceive her in their beginning.

This story is full of heart and emotions that will hold on to you long after the last page is read. Although this is a re-release and most of the original story is intact, there is enough twist and turns to make it more than worth it's price for past series fans and guaranteed to be a favorite to new readers. The heat level is increased along with the complexity of the characters.
Profile Image for Monica M.
465 reviews4 followers
January 29, 2019
The annoying-childish-unresponsible heroine who is a woman but acting like a stupid teenager ruin it.

Update: I change from 2 stars to 1 star, because the last 16 pages are just..infuriating! ANOTHER silly negative assumptions without directly confirming at the person (Sloan) involved Abby? Really? Is she thirteen? Abby just Too Stupid Too Live! Arrrghhhh!


“I have never met someone as stupid as you,” Robert growled.
“Robert,” Gordon warned.
“No. I’m tired of this bullshit.


Indeed Robert, indeed.
Profile Image for Jean.
Author 108 books588 followers
July 26, 2013
I couldn't put this book down! The Hero, Sloan O'Riley, is amazing, drool-worthy and a real man. Every time he appeared on the page, he stole the show. The plot kept me guessing and turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I loved the descriptions of the settings, clothing and such. The writing was terrific. If you're looking for a romantic read with some steam and a plot with twists and turns, I highly recommend Black Irish.
Profile Image for B. U..
564 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2016
What a great story!! Love this beginning to Sloan and Abbey's story. Lots of action and steam and twists to keep you reading long into the night. Sloan is a Hot Alpha bad boy with a dark past and Abbey is a naive farm girl from Iowa love how they come together and can't wait to see where their story goings!!
353 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2017
Irish Bond

This for me begin as a strange book,I felt like the people in the book were Robot's. At 50% read, I almost stopped reading! Finally at around 70% it begin to be better.My goodness with A wife like Abbey you would never need a enemy! She drove me BONKER'S! Four Stars because part of the last of this writing was much better. You read, you decide.
17 reviews
June 12, 2018
Cute

Cute read. The damsel in the story and yes I used that term is a bit typical of an annoyingly self-concious clutz. She repeatedly gets annoyed with a man who seeks to value her and argues with common sense. It's a cute read but the very typical of a romance novel. The male is over the top and the female while naturally a survivor struggles with her own issues.
Profile Image for Terra Oenning.
3,549 reviews
March 18, 2019
Omg I am absolutely in love with sloan O'Reilly wowsa I absolutely loved this book and storyline and characters in it and I was hooked from page one until the end and I need more from them please lol I loved the chemistry and romance and action packed and suspense and it brought this book together and I am so blown away. Love it and need more.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
180 reviews34 followers
September 17, 2025
I couldn’t stop turning the pages! The setup is so unique an illustrator pretending to be gay to keep his new partner from bolting? It’s clever, a little scandalous, and full of tension. Abbey and Sloan’s chemistry is undeniable, and the immigration/deportation subplot adds real stakes.
380 reviews3 followers
March 14, 2018
Excellent

OMG... Loved this book... Couldn't put it down.. excitement, wonderful love story. Great characters, strong, beautiful, caring. Couldn't ask for a better story.
234 reviews
April 5, 2020
Once you start one you have to read them all. What a great series!! Sloan O`Riley is complicated so hense everything around him everything he touches gets complicated.
Profile Image for Jessica N..
546 reviews3 followers
October 3, 2016
Intriguing

An intriguing story that had quite a few loops thrown in it.
There were a few snags in the storyline that didn't make sense. It may or may not be enough to store me from reading the rest of the series, but I hope the little details and the fluidity of future stories are smoother n
Profile Image for Lisa.
560 reviews16 followers
January 7, 2016
First of, I had no idea about this book until I received it as a gift from the author. I started reading and could NOT put it down. Black Irish is a sweet, loving romance with just enough twists to keep you anticipating the next page. Abbey is naive in a small town way, but Sloan has a dark hidden past. When these two finally connect it's amazing! Can not wait to read more from Tricia Anderson!
305 reviews
November 15, 2016
Gripping novel of survival and love

Sloan was hired as an illustrator to Alicia's children's book. After the book was published her life took a nosedive. Then Sloan's life followed. Together and separately they work to find a solution. For history buffs, mystery lovers and those enjoying a love story..
Profile Image for H.N. Sieverding.
Author 44 books13 followers
May 8, 2014
Because I'm also from Iowa, the blurb for this book really got my attention. This book promised an interesting plot, and delivered perfectly. It's a great read that I would definitely recommend. I can't wait to see what happens with Abby and Sloan in the sequel!
Profile Image for Amy Garrett.
Author 6 books11 followers
November 21, 2014
Great characters... a sexy handsome illustrator and a children's author. he is facing deportation and he informed her that he is gay. she loves his company and wants to keep him in the states. well written, great setting, great writing!
Profile Image for Chrissy McNeill.
89 reviews
November 22, 2016
Love the Irish

Every Celtic fantasy realized. Contemporary romantic fiction at it's finest. The protagonist is not as likable, or smart, and a bit of a whining crying coward, that I prefer, but is ok. I liked the story more than the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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