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The Irish Bride
She Vowed Never To Surrender To Him.
Farrell Kirwan thought she was in love with Liam O'Rourke, not his wild and unpredictable brother Aidan. But when a family crisis forces her hand, she finds herself Aidan's wife, boarding a ship bound for America-leaving Ireland and Liam behind. Secretly, Farrell resolves that it will be a marriage in name only...
Could He Make Her Trust In Love Again?
Aidan harbors a taste for adventure and an unrequited love for Farrell Kirwan. He will not be deterred and knows that he can win her trust and heart. But a menace that has been tracking them from all the way back home threatens to destroy everything they have built together unless they can join forces and place their faith in each other-and the power of love...
Farrell Kirwan thought she was in love with Liam O'Rourke, not his wild and unpredictable brother Aidan. But when a family crisis forces her hand, she finds herself Aidan's wife, boarding a ship bound for America-leaving Ireland and Liam behind. Secretly, Farrell resolves that it will be a marriage in name only...
Could He Make Her Trust In Love Again?
Aidan harbors a taste for adventure and an unrequited love for Farrell Kirwan. He will not be deterred and knows that he can win her trust and heart. But a menace that has been tracking them from all the way back home threatens to destroy everything they have built together unless they can join forces and place their faith in each other-and the power of love...
338 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 14, 2003
83 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Harrington
18 books184 followersI've been a self-employed working novelist for the past twenty years. Of all the books I've written I've had just one foreign sale, and that was THE IRISH BRIDE, which was translated into Norwegian, where I understand it was a big hit.
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 30, 2020
I liked it. It was a nice, sweet story. It flowed well and was never boring. The history about Irish immigrants was interesting.
October 9, 2017
Three stars, yes, but an additional half star just for one beautifully poignant, heartbreaking scene near the end of the book, centred about a little hand-carved statue of St Brigid as she stands guard…
In the 1850s, red-headed Irish lass Farrell is betrothed to her quiet, stolid fiancé Liam. Farrell’s ambitious, unscrupulous and ruthless brother Michael works as rent collector for the local English landlord, Lord Cardwell, in whose house he has managed to get Farrell a job as maid. On the very day that Farrell flees the house, after having slapped Lord Cardwell’s son Noel for trying to rape her, Michael, trying to wrest money from Liam’s family, is accidentally killed by Liam’s hot-headed brother Aidan. In one fell swoop, both Farrell and Aidan find themselves in danger of being caught and imprisoned—at the very least—by the Cardwells.
Their only hope is to flee, and together. A man and a woman together: they must marry, even if it was Liam Farrell was supposed to marry, Liam she loves. But a furious and heartbroken Farrell is compelled to marry Aidan and flee with him to America. Naturally, hate and contempt slowly begin to change to something more than just friendship…
Before I began reading The Irish Bride, I had been reading a book by a Nobel laureate. The next book I have lined up to read is also one by a Nobel laureate. Books by Nobel laureates aren’t often the kind one can simply breeze through. They need concentration, mind, depth. Not something I can sustain for two books at a stretch. I needed a break in between, and a romance novel—especially one with a marriage of convenience, one of my favourite tropes—seemed what the doctor ordered.
I’ll admit I had no great expectations of The Irish Bride: all I wanted was a quick, light read, which this was. It, however, held some pleasant surprises. Firstly, the setting and time were interesting (and the fact that a good bit of the book happens during journeys, as Aidan and Farrell flee, made it all the better, since I have a soft spot for road stories). Secondly, while Farrell is the beautiful and feisty (even red-headed!) heroine, she’s not idiotically and illogically belligerent towards the man she’s had to marry. And Aidan, while the handsome rake, is also shown to be a kind and even shy man around the woman he’s loved for so many years. Both are, but again aren’t, not really, the stereotypical heroes and heroines of most historical romances. The havoc Aidan wreaks by a well-intentioned but stupid desire to care for his wife was also, I thought, well-depicted.
Why, then, didn’t I give this book a higher rating? Because of the villain, Noel Cardwell, who came across as too much of a cardboard cutout. A caricature, and with what seemed to me a hard to believe motive for his actions. A more nuanced and three-dimensional Noel Cardwell, and I might have liked The Irish Bride much more.
In the 1850s, red-headed Irish lass Farrell is betrothed to her quiet, stolid fiancé Liam. Farrell’s ambitious, unscrupulous and ruthless brother Michael works as rent collector for the local English landlord, Lord Cardwell, in whose house he has managed to get Farrell a job as maid. On the very day that Farrell flees the house, after having slapped Lord Cardwell’s son Noel for trying to rape her, Michael, trying to wrest money from Liam’s family, is accidentally killed by Liam’s hot-headed brother Aidan. In one fell swoop, both Farrell and Aidan find themselves in danger of being caught and imprisoned—at the very least—by the Cardwells.
Their only hope is to flee, and together. A man and a woman together: they must marry, even if it was Liam Farrell was supposed to marry, Liam she loves. But a furious and heartbroken Farrell is compelled to marry Aidan and flee with him to America. Naturally, hate and contempt slowly begin to change to something more than just friendship…
Before I began reading The Irish Bride, I had been reading a book by a Nobel laureate. The next book I have lined up to read is also one by a Nobel laureate. Books by Nobel laureates aren’t often the kind one can simply breeze through. They need concentration, mind, depth. Not something I can sustain for two books at a stretch. I needed a break in between, and a romance novel—especially one with a marriage of convenience, one of my favourite tropes—seemed what the doctor ordered.
I’ll admit I had no great expectations of The Irish Bride: all I wanted was a quick, light read, which this was. It, however, held some pleasant surprises. Firstly, the setting and time were interesting (and the fact that a good bit of the book happens during journeys, as Aidan and Farrell flee, made it all the better, since I have a soft spot for road stories). Secondly, while Farrell is the beautiful and feisty (even red-headed!) heroine, she’s not idiotically and illogically belligerent towards the man she’s had to marry. And Aidan, while the handsome rake, is also shown to be a kind and even shy man around the woman he’s loved for so many years. Both are, but again aren’t, not really, the stereotypical heroes and heroines of most historical romances. The havoc Aidan wreaks by a well-intentioned but stupid desire to care for his wife was also, I thought, well-depicted.
Why, then, didn’t I give this book a higher rating? Because of the villain, Noel Cardwell, who came across as too much of a cardboard cutout. A caricature, and with what seemed to me a hard to believe motive for his actions. A more nuanced and three-dimensional Noel Cardwell, and I might have liked The Irish Bride much more.
January 30, 2008
I don't know why I got this book, I think I probably confused it the The Bridal Veil which was on my wish list and it's about a mail order bride. I can't resist one of those every once in a while.
Farrell Kirwan thought she was in love with Liam O'Rourke, not his wild and unpredictable brother Aidan. But when a family crisis forces her hand, she finds herself Aidan's wife, boarding a ship bound for America--leaving Ireland and Liam behind. Secretly, Farrell resolves that it will be a marriage in name only . . .
Aidan harbors a taste for adventure and an unrequited love for Farrell Kirwan. He will not be deterred and knows that he can win her trust and heart. But a menace that has been tracking them from all the way back home threatens to destroy everything they have built together unless they can join forces and place their faith in each other--and the power of love . . .
It's not that I didn't like the book but more that I was bored by it. I think most of Farrell and Aidan's problems were because they didn't speak with each other. They have to run away to America and not once does Aidan tell her he loves her, or that he is working too hard because he is afraid they wont have enough again... and Farrell never tells him how she starts loving him, never even tries to reason with him when he says he will let her leave... and after the villain has pursued them for the whole book we don't even have a closure scene with the villain being defeated... Despite the hardships I think the part I enjoyed more was the trip to America, on the boat they seemed to have reached some level of relationship. After they get to America there were too many external elements again.
I wanted more!
Grade: C
Farrell Kirwan thought she was in love with Liam O'Rourke, not his wild and unpredictable brother Aidan. But when a family crisis forces her hand, she finds herself Aidan's wife, boarding a ship bound for America--leaving Ireland and Liam behind. Secretly, Farrell resolves that it will be a marriage in name only . . .
Aidan harbors a taste for adventure and an unrequited love for Farrell Kirwan. He will not be deterred and knows that he can win her trust and heart. But a menace that has been tracking them from all the way back home threatens to destroy everything they have built together unless they can join forces and place their faith in each other--and the power of love . . .
It's not that I didn't like the book but more that I was bored by it. I think most of Farrell and Aidan's problems were because they didn't speak with each other. They have to run away to America and not once does Aidan tell her he loves her, or that he is working too hard because he is afraid they wont have enough again... and Farrell never tells him how she starts loving him, never even tries to reason with him when he says he will let her leave... and after the villain has pursued them for the whole book we don't even have a closure scene with the villain being defeated... Despite the hardships I think the part I enjoyed more was the trip to America, on the boat they seemed to have reached some level of relationship. After they get to America there were too many external elements again.
I wanted more!
Grade: C
January 1, 2023
3.5 stars. This book was much better than I expected based on its rating and the fact that the opening line had a typo. The expansiveness of the story - Ireland to New Orleans to Oregón - kept things moving.
I wish the author spent less time on that ridiculous storyline of Noel chasing them and instead used that space for more relationship development. There was enough natural hardship that the added conflict was unnecessary and unrealistic.
I wish the author spent less time on that ridiculous storyline of Noel chasing them and instead used that space for more relationship development. There was enough natural hardship that the added conflict was unnecessary and unrealistic.
March 7, 2011
A novel of Irish immigrants illustrating Stephen Colbert's quip before the House Agriculture Committee: "My grandfather did not travel across 4,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean to see this country overrun by immigrants. He did it because he killed a man back in Ireland." The hero of this book, an Irish peasant, accidentally kills the heroine's brother, a rent collector for an Evil Landlord. At the exact same time, the heroine (who is engaged to the hero's brother) smacks the Evil Landlord's Evil Son for attempting to rape her. Obviously they have to leave their village posthaste, buttheir relatives make sure they are married before they leave. So they cross the ocean together (unpleasant), and travel west (unpleasant) to begin their new life together (more pleasant but also haunted by tragedy), they need to work through all the fraught brother stuff and tragedy stuff and also evade or defeat the Evil Landlord's Son (who must have nothing else to do for years on end and unlimited funds, because he remains in hot pursuit throughout the WHOLE BOOK). So in the end the only thing in the book that does not really leave me scratching my head is the hero's plot device mad card playing skillz, because, really, how else does a dirt poor Irish peasant afford to travel west and establish himself as a businessman? POKER, of course.
I usually like Harrington but this was far from her best. Yet the glimmering of a good book is hidden here somewhere under the vast plot improbabilities, and the characters themselves were likeable and well-developed--squeaking this book, barely, into 3 stars.
I usually like Harrington but this was far from her best. Yet the glimmering of a good book is hidden here somewhere under the vast plot improbabilities, and the characters themselves were likeable and well-developed--squeaking this book, barely, into 3 stars.
January 15, 2011
I tried to like this book, but I had a lot of trouble suspending disbelief. The idea of a rich nobleman's son chasing these two from Ireland to Oregon because he wanted her -- well, I can't believe there were a shortage of attractive young girls in Ireland in 1855. Or at least, if there were, then this one didn't look any better -- she was as hungry and poor as anyone when she left.
The romance between these two was sweet and gradual, beginning with a bit of a shock, when the two find themselves having to flee Ireland, each for different reasons, and they hastily get married. Toward the end, when he starts working himself to the bone to give her material things he imagines she wants, I felt the gnawing grip of cliche that wasn't even artfully woven into the plot. Perhaps, if that was what this had been about from the start, it would have worked, but it seemed slapped in there at the end in a way that didn't make sense. This was supposed to be a story of harship and perserverence, not greed and materialism. And for that matter, his so easily claiming ownership of a sawmill when he got to Oregon was just one more in a long list of things I couldn't believe. (Oh, and the guy couldn't play poker to save his life. There was no way he would have won that $600 in the pot with the pitiful bluff he tried to pull.)
And one last nit -- the cover art doesn't work at all. The artist clearly didn't read the book, because she failed to note that this was about a desperately poor woman in Ireland in 1855, who didn't wear a nice dress, let alone a very modern white wedding dress.
The romance between these two was sweet and gradual, beginning with a bit of a shock, when the two find themselves having to flee Ireland, each for different reasons, and they hastily get married. Toward the end, when he starts working himself to the bone to give her material things he imagines she wants, I felt the gnawing grip of cliche that wasn't even artfully woven into the plot. Perhaps, if that was what this had been about from the start, it would have worked, but it seemed slapped in there at the end in a way that didn't make sense. This was supposed to be a story of harship and perserverence, not greed and materialism. And for that matter, his so easily claiming ownership of a sawmill when he got to Oregon was just one more in a long list of things I couldn't believe. (Oh, and the guy couldn't play poker to save his life. There was no way he would have won that $600 in the pot with the pitiful bluff he tried to pull.)
And one last nit -- the cover art doesn't work at all. The artist clearly didn't read the book, because she failed to note that this was about a desperately poor woman in Ireland in 1855, who didn't wear a nice dress, let alone a very modern white wedding dress.
December 19, 2022
Farrell was supposed to marry the other brother and, due to reasons, she had to marry Aidan. Aidan who had been secretly in love with Farrell since childhood. Aidan whom Farrell hated because he gambled and had charmed his way to many other women. I loved this plot. The angst, the misunderstanding... and to top it off, they had to go on a journey together from Ireland to Oregon. The journey itself almost took the whole book. I liked that we got to see how they grew closer together. The story went a little downhill after they got to their destination. And I absolutely hated that we spent too much time on the villain. Other than that, it was a great book.
March 31, 2014
My second book by Alexis Harrington, and I found myself completely unimpressed again.
A clueless heroine, a bumbling but sweet hero who probably deserves better, and a cartoonish, nonsensical villain. Not to mention the would-be complex plot points that are swept aside after being used in a rather convenient manner (i.e. the workers who hated Aiden and provided the plot twist that he was becoming what he despised, who then helped out at the end because he'd miraculously turned a corner and we're just told about it after it had become a major obstacle in Farrell and Aidan's marriage).
Alexis Harrington just isn't a good writer. She can conceive the characters, settings, and basic plot, but her method of tying it all together leaves the reader slightly confused and completely unsatisfied.
A clueless heroine, a bumbling but sweet hero who probably deserves better, and a cartoonish, nonsensical villain. Not to mention the would-be complex plot points that are swept aside after being used in a rather convenient manner (i.e. the workers who hated Aiden and provided the plot twist that he was becoming what he despised, who then helped out at the end because he'd miraculously turned a corner and we're just told about it after it had become a major obstacle in Farrell and Aidan's marriage).
Alexis Harrington just isn't a good writer. She can conceive the characters, settings, and basic plot, but her method of tying it all together leaves the reader slightly confused and completely unsatisfied.
October 5, 2014
Oh adventure to be had.
Escaping an accidental death, tyranny of an oppressive Lord & his lecherous son, quicky unwanted marriage, Farrell & Aidan fled Ireland to America. Lost dreams, epic journey across the ocean then half of America in search of a better life pursued by a depraved, unscrupulous, spoilt despot.
The loss, hardship, sheer determination, courage made it a compelling story to read.
Escaping an accidental death, tyranny of an oppressive Lord & his lecherous son, quicky unwanted marriage, Farrell & Aidan fled Ireland to America. Lost dreams, epic journey across the ocean then half of America in search of a better life pursued by a depraved, unscrupulous, spoilt despot.
The loss, hardship, sheer determination, courage made it a compelling story to read.
January 3, 2011
A good read for a rainy night. This is a short story (182 pgs) that does not have a lot of detail but if you are looking for a simple romantic read this is one you will love.
I only gave it three stars because it left me with a few questions that the author did not resolve in the story.
I own this book on my Nook.
I only gave it three stars because it left me with a few questions that the author did not resolve in the story.
I own this book on my Nook.
August 24, 2010
I read this one a few years ago. Set in both Ireland and America, its a tale that both interests you and frustrates you. So much could have been avoided if they had just been honest with each other and talked! Not bad but not good either.
December 11, 2015
This one started very well. I was enjoying it until the latter part where it came apart for me. I had envisioned a certain direction it could have taken, I don't get why Harrington let it go elsewhere.
May 20, 2025
This was supposed to be a five star read for me. And it is truly a very great read up until the last 3 or so chapters of the book. The beginning and middle parts were so great but the last part feels so rushed and empty in comparison, feels like the author just quickly typed it out from her phone to meet the deadline. It was suddenly an underwhelming ending. I had expected a very heartfelt resolution to their conflict as a married couple but instead, we got some generic dialogue that feels very removed from the rest of the story. Some generic words of love and apologies which didn’t make me feel anything after what the couple had gone through.
Furthermore, I also expected some action scenes for the final show-down with the villain and the hero but this little lording just up and dies behind the scenes. It was a let down. Not very satisfying at all.
The parts I do like, the ones in Ireland, the ship, the stage coach, was so well-written and the struggles these couple faced was very compelling and moving that it had kept me on my toes. I just wish this book had ended really well— it was not a bad ending per se but it was underwhelming and even disappointing.
Furthermore, I also expected some action scenes for the final show-down with the villain and the hero but this little lording just up and dies behind the scenes. It was a let down. Not very satisfying at all.
The parts I do like, the ones in Ireland, the ship, the stage coach, was so well-written and the struggles these couple faced was very compelling and moving that it had kept me on my toes. I just wish this book had ended really well— it was not a bad ending per se but it was underwhelming and even disappointing.
October 2, 2025
I didn’t like this book as much as The Harper’s Bride. There were way too many scenes with Noel, and I just didn’t care to read about him. It felt like the whole book was them running away from him, and it got frustrating. When they finally settled down, it still didn’t feel like they actually did.
Aiden also bugged me at times. We kept hearing about how he was such a playboy when he was younger, and it got mentioned so much that it was annoying. I hate that kind of thing, even if it’s just in the background. I also wish we got more about Aiden’s brother, the one Farrell was supposed to marry. We barely got to understand him or why he made the choices he did.
Overall, the book felt dragged out and had a lot of unnecessary parts. I am still excited to read Montana, Born and Bred though, because I’ve heard really good things about it.
Aiden also bugged me at times. We kept hearing about how he was such a playboy when he was younger, and it got mentioned so much that it was annoying. I hate that kind of thing, even if it’s just in the background. I also wish we got more about Aiden’s brother, the one Farrell was supposed to marry. We barely got to understand him or why he made the choices he did.
Overall, the book felt dragged out and had a lot of unnecessary parts. I am still excited to read Montana, Born and Bred though, because I’ve heard really good things about it.
June 14, 2023
**3.5**
This author just speaks my language! I love slow paced, historical western romances and this was just what I needed. I didn’t love the complication in this book and was just here for the romance.
- historical western romance
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- marriage of convenience
🌶️ 2/5
This author just speaks my language! I love slow paced, historical western romances and this was just what I needed. I didn’t love the complication in this book and was just here for the romance.
- historical western romance
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- marriage of convenience
🌶️ 2/5
December 27, 2017
I loved this book and Aidan is one of the best heroes I’ve come across in such a long time. The story had the right amount of angst, heat, plot, character development and suspense. I wish Alexis Harrington wrote more books!!
February 27, 2018
Irish Bride
Good read. I enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of a couple forced to leave their motherland in time of crisis. Their work towards a new life was encouraging
Good read. I enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of a couple forced to leave their motherland in time of crisis. Their work towards a new life was encouraging
April 1, 2025
The writing and story line are decent however it drives me crazy when there are misspelled words and sentences that clearly were unedited. It distracts from the story and generally I won’t bother finishing it.
October 11, 2025
I just wish the author didn't run out of pages 😭 We could've had satisfying exchanges...
Other than that, the MMC is a fool but a kindhearted fool. The villain is an absolute moron, and he got a fitting off-page offing.
Other than that, the MMC is a fool but a kindhearted fool. The villain is an absolute moron, and he got a fitting off-page offing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2018
3.5. Good, but not as good as the first one I read, A Taste of Heaven.
November 16, 2018
As Above
This Story is as good today as I thought a few years ago. This Lady is A Very Good Writer. Amazing
Thanks Again
Shirley Ketcham
This Story is as good today as I thought a few years ago. This Lady is A Very Good Writer. Amazing
Thanks Again
Shirley Ketcham
January 16, 2019
What a delight to pick up yet another of Alexis’s books!
August 1, 2020
Great book, interesting history
So very good. Different, than Alexis’ other work. I enjoyed it a lot and recommend. Well written, great storyline and keeps your interest.
So very good. Different, than Alexis’ other work. I enjoyed it a lot and recommend. Well written, great storyline and keeps your interest.
September 12, 2023
The Irish Bride
Circumstances change plans and the good can't be seen immediately but given time all things work together for the good.
Circumstances change plans and the good can't be seen immediately but given time all things work together for the good.
August 21, 2025
Love, loss, redemption
Riveting, adventurous marriage-of-convenience romance about two Irish people fleeing Ireland for a better life in America just after the great potato famine.
Riveting, adventurous marriage-of-convenience romance about two Irish people fleeing Ireland for a better life in America just after the great potato famine.
September 18, 2013
Hm I actually quite like this one before bumping this down a star after reading fellow reader's comment. Taught me to do this before I read comments next time and am I flaky or what...
I absolutely adore besotted H theme and this one doesn't do childish mean thing just to hide his feelings (well we are told he did but that was before the book). He shows her in every way possible how much he adores her and yes a lot of them are more or less forced by circumstance but with a guy like that treating you like a queen even though everything else in your life is going down the drain, really, isn't that more or less what every woman secretly hope for?
Though I see a lot of fellow readers grumbling about their journey I on the other hand, though usually shy away from travel romance, am totally enchanted by the author's description of the hard life the main protagonists had (no shoes!?) There are quite a lot of Irish immigrants books around but this one really gives me a better understanding of how really difficult life is for them (for some reason I just don't get the feeling that the other characters are in as desperate straits as this one.
It is also fun to see how the H figure out the way during the long journey using his charms and resources and wit. He shines with determination and grit yet at the same time this seemingly confident and energetic man is strangely insecure. He also lost his way and needed a good slap in the face to wake up to what really should matter. I was dreading beside the h when he picked the very different choice too, thinking to myself all along oh no I want them to farm and live a simpler livestyle, the one he chose just doesn't seem right right from the beginning to me either.
I like the h though I don't see as much character development in her. She is tough and loyal but we don't really see in her as strong a character as the H here. The romance happened all through the journey through all the little things they went through, though to me I can understand how sweet he is, it can also seem like gratitute or just simply because H is familiar in a foreign place that she got attached to him. It doesn't seem as strong for some reason, though of course we can also argue we got no idea why the H was so fixed on her too.
The love scene as usual is very well done and showed a lot more than a randy man and a putty in H's hands gal trying to get some. Especially when this don't happen till halfway through the book at least due to the H's consideration. For some reason I get that impression sometimes if all the H thinks about is the body and then the h thinks about nothing whenever the H is near...like they don't have other body parts they admire and no personality whatsoever...
I don't actually have much problem with the plot or believing the villain will go after them ten thousand miles from home. It really is quite difficult at times to figure out why villains make such a huge fuss, main point is some people do.get crazed and obsessed with a minor slight, especially with an inflated ego, that things just snowballed and got out of control. I do have a quibble with the resolution of the conflict though. Seems the build up took so long that I would imagine the ending will be much more than just a few explained sentences.
The ending is bittersweet. I think it is sad that they only get back after such a long time and also they never really see anyone of their families and friends anymore. But then again, this is probably a more realistic portrayal of how real life is during a time when travelling is dangerous and surviving is not a given.
I really love this author's style. Though this is not my favorite I just still adore it.
I absolutely adore besotted H theme and this one doesn't do childish mean thing just to hide his feelings (well we are told he did but that was before the book). He shows her in every way possible how much he adores her and yes a lot of them are more or less forced by circumstance but with a guy like that treating you like a queen even though everything else in your life is going down the drain, really, isn't that more or less what every woman secretly hope for?
Though I see a lot of fellow readers grumbling about their journey I on the other hand, though usually shy away from travel romance, am totally enchanted by the author's description of the hard life the main protagonists had (no shoes!?) There are quite a lot of Irish immigrants books around but this one really gives me a better understanding of how really difficult life is for them (for some reason I just don't get the feeling that the other characters are in as desperate straits as this one.
It is also fun to see how the H figure out the way during the long journey using his charms and resources and wit. He shines with determination and grit yet at the same time this seemingly confident and energetic man is strangely insecure. He also lost his way and needed a good slap in the face to wake up to what really should matter. I was dreading beside the h when he picked the very different choice too, thinking to myself all along oh no I want them to farm and live a simpler livestyle, the one he chose just doesn't seem right right from the beginning to me either.
I like the h though I don't see as much character development in her. She is tough and loyal but we don't really see in her as strong a character as the H here. The romance happened all through the journey through all the little things they went through, though to me I can understand how sweet he is, it can also seem like gratitute or just simply because H is familiar in a foreign place that she got attached to him. It doesn't seem as strong for some reason, though of course we can also argue we got no idea why the H was so fixed on her too.
The love scene as usual is very well done and showed a lot more than a randy man and a putty in H's hands gal trying to get some. Especially when this don't happen till halfway through the book at least due to the H's consideration. For some reason I get that impression sometimes if all the H thinks about is the body and then the h thinks about nothing whenever the H is near...like they don't have other body parts they admire and no personality whatsoever...
I don't actually have much problem with the plot or believing the villain will go after them ten thousand miles from home. It really is quite difficult at times to figure out why villains make such a huge fuss, main point is some people do.get crazed and obsessed with a minor slight, especially with an inflated ego, that things just snowballed and got out of control. I do have a quibble with the resolution of the conflict though. Seems the build up took so long that I would imagine the ending will be much more than just a few explained sentences.
The ending is bittersweet. I think it is sad that they only get back after such a long time and also they never really see anyone of their families and friends anymore. But then again, this is probably a more realistic portrayal of how real life is during a time when travelling is dangerous and surviving is not a given.
I really love this author's style. Though this is not my favorite I just still adore it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2012
I liked this story and thought it was interesting to read about this immigrant family. Although I like epilogues, and I like the fact that this one was so far into their future, I was disappointed as well. By the end of the book, the characters, and the reader, are resigned to the fact that they will never see Ireland again. But in the epilogue, they go back, and it's not what they expected. It's kind of a let-down and a depressing way to end the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2012
I read this book fairly quickly. Although I must say it held my interest for the most part I believe that it was a little too long winded. The history in the book was interesting to me also. The downside is that it was too drawn out and not really that great until a little over half way through. I will most likely try to read more by this author and hopefully some that are slightly better.
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