Back to Belfast

by Emma L. McGeown

When the opportunity of a lifetime comes knocking, Claire Brennan is ready for a break from responsibility and the stuck feeling that won’t go away. Move across the world to Vancouver for six months? Absolutely.

Stacie Farran is a career-obsessed eternal optimist, so when the opportunity to trade jobs with a colleague in Belfast comes up, she jumps at the chance. That it gives her a bit of space from her girlfriend doesn’t hurt either.

Living in each other’s shoes, Claire and Stacie discover so much about each other and get a fresh perspective on their own lives as well. When a family emergency has Claire returning home early and they finally meet, the attraction they felt from afar is real.

But Stacie’s stay is temporary. Are they on a collision course to a long-distance dating disaster or will love find a way?

Genres: Romance, Ireland, LGBT, Queer

266 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Emma L McGeown is an Irish writer. By day, Emma works for a global market research company, but she has spent most of her twenties reading and writing queer romantic novels that offer three-dimensional characters full of depth and complexity, with a touch of humor.

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about Claire Brennen who works for an international marketing company headquartered in Belfast, Ireland. She is asked to swap jobs with a Canadian woman, Stacie Farran. Claire leaves behind her mother whom she has been taking care of for years. Her mom has serious mental health issues and is on medication to stay on track. Claire is a natural leader and caretaker. She struggles in Canada and misses her family and friends back in Ireland. Stacie loves Belfast and easily assimilates into the workplace there.

The POV alternates between the MCs in each chapter. This book had several funny parts playing off of many lesbian tropes . It was well written and brought out a lot of emotion from both MCs. All the friends and family members were fully developed and part of the story. It also dealt with mental illness in a compassionate and meaningful way, which increased the depth of the story.

I thought the ending was fairly predictable and I would have liked a more unique finish to the story.

Overall a good book and I’d recommend it to my book friends.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

[Rosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty messy story at first, definitely original, and all in all, it was interesting from my point of view. In it, two women swap jobs within the same company, having to move from Belfast to Vancouver, giving up their apartments and client base for a month, so that the Vancouver office can increase its productivity.

Initially, this change means they won't meet in person, but they will talk on the phone and video chat to discuss any issues that might come up with the switch. Claire is the one moving from Belfast to Vancouver to boost productivity at the Canadian office. She'll find a pretty cold and unfriendly atmosphere there at first. Stacie, on the other hand, is moving from Vancouver to Belfast and she's super excited about it because it's a major upgrade.

From the beginning, they talk to each and connect somehow. Claire finds it harder to fit in in Canada, while Stacie is welcomed and embraced by Claire's environment as if she were one of them. But an unexpected event will make Claire have to return hastily and ahead of schedule, which will cause conflict, first at work for having to go back to the initial situation but also personally, because that can't be easily reversed.

The story's got some rough patches, and the whole situation is gonna make things hard for them. But if they really want it, they can overcome anything.


Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First review yay!!

This novel was awesome! It’s super cute, lots of fun, and there is a cat (although only in a minor role). There were lots of emotions; happy, sad, and everything in between. There were a lot of elements that I’ll describe as clever, which is something I really appreciated and love to see in a novel. The romance was a sloooooow burn which I love, although it was also one with a doomed expiration date which I always find stressful and enjoy a little bit less. Regardless of that, the couple was delightful and they worked so well together. This novel also tackles some more serious issues including mental health issues and the struggles of being a full-time caregiver for a loved one. These heavier topics were handled respectfully and with care.

Overall, I think this was a well-rounded novel with romance, plot, and a core of solid substance. I would recommend.

My Rating: "A-"
GoodReads: 5-Stars

Highlights:
-I loved the plot device of having the protagonists living in each others’ spaces/lives. This worked well to allow them to “get to know each other” prior to them actually interacting in any significant way. It was incredibly clever and well utilized. Little things like having the same favorite tea, becoming close with the others friends, and visiting the others favorite restaurants and sights.
-The plot felt very organic and realistic, instead of convoluted and contrived. I love myself a silly and wacky plotline, but I also really appreciate something more realistic and grounded.
-The protagonists were so sweet together, complimented each other well and were just a nice couple. I fully bought into the chemistry and see the attraction. Claire’s reactions when Stacie took care of her were heartfelt and hit the feelings right on the nose.
-I really felt for Claire and all of the struggles that she was facing in her life. The author did a great job depicting the reality of what her situation would be like, how hard it can be on a person, and how it would affect them long-term. This part of the plotline added a great deal of depth to the novel, beyond a standard romance.

Nitpicks:
-A large amount of the conflict and plot stemmed from one character not being able to express what they want to the other character. This wasn’t quite “miscommunication trope” but it annoyed me in a similar way. It made sense in the context of the novel, but I found this to be a weak plot point.
-A huge chunk of the novel doesn’t reeeeeeeally contain much in the way of romance, or even the characters interacting. I loved this earlier part of the novel and it laid the groundwork for what came later, but I feel like there could have been more interaction during this stage. The protagonists could easily have been calling/emailing/messaging/whatever each other (for work!) and beginning to form the foundation of their relationship prior to meeting in person. This somewhat happened, but mostly off-page which was a missed opportunity. As a result I found the overall romance somewhat rushed and I didn’t feel like there was enough development shown to support the eventual emotional stakes.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first chapter. Back story for one main laid out. A few lines and accurate details about office life made me smile. The same with the other main in chapter 2.
25% in and I'm loving it. I often find with dual pov that the change can be jarring, I'm wanting to know more about one pov and it changes to the other. Not with this book. It's almost like the chapters are complete episodes rather than cliff hangers. Well paced, well written and amusing. I did wonder about the No dating at work policy but other loose ends nicely tied. Rounded up to 4.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

claire and stacie work for the same company though not in the same country but when the opportunity came up that they could swop roles for 6 months they both took the leap of faith

claire was sent in to sort out stacie office they were underperforming and could likely face closure

stacie was the best of the group and was trusted with claires clients for the 6 months

what they hadnt expected was how well stacie fitted into claires life with her friends and work colleagues

claire was struggling though with loneliness and the morale of the office she was trying to sort out... and they werent willing...

but it was the interaction between claire and stacie that started and when claire had to do an emergency back home visit that thing between then zinged....

but with claire home stacies days were numbered.... if only....

well it kept my attention right to the end i loved the little things that the author subtlety added to make the story more life like. will be keeping an eye out for more from this author

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot going on, almost felt too much was being pushed into the story. I needed a break, as a reader. Good characters but wanted more on the side characters who were promoted too far, crowding the story.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book *because* of the unique structure where the main characters only meet when they switch jobs and cities. Then we learn about them through their individual adjustments to their change in circumstances. I was ready to read something that wasn't a pure romance, and enjoyed the job-related and family portions of the story that add depth and richness. It made me want to live and work in Ireland. :)

[Sapphic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This charming sapphic romance is as heartwarming as a Hallmark movie, but with a refreshing twist. The two protagonists, Claire and Stacie, are not only strong and thoughtful but also incredibly kind, making their love story both relatable and inspiring.

Unlike many romance novels that rely on clichéd drama, this story focuses on the genuine challenges the characters face, such as moving to a new country and managing the responsibilities of being a full-time caregiver. These real-world obstacles add depth and authenticity to their journey toward a well-earned happily ever after. My only critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed, with the resolution of the third-act breakup squeezed into the final chapter.

Despite this, the story remains a delightful and heartfelt read that I enjoyed.

[Liv Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice and easy read.

The set up and context was well fleshed out and I could easily picture both characters lives in my head. I kind of found I was more invested in the office aspect than the romance, it just felt more well thought out.

I enjoyed the characters and the romance of it, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like the plot devices thrown in to break them up were a bit weak so that took me out of the story a bit. The ending was also wrapped up way too quickly. It was also quite insta-love which always feels a little bit unrealistic to me, but I suppose this was a very short book so it had to be that way.

There were a few typos and inconsistencies like whether Stacie was flying on Saturday or Sunday, minute details but it still annoyed me nonetheless. Also the fact that Stacie lands in London, in Northern Ireland. Surely it should be Londonderry or just Derry. Given how much the Troubles was mentioned, you’d feel like you wouldn’t call Londonderry “London”.

Reading this made me want to go to Northern Ireland and learn more about their history.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me this ARC!

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cutest long distance romance ever!

Claire cannot ignore the opportunity to switch places with Stacie from the Vancouver office and just get away from all the responsibility she has for a little while. But that is short lived when a family emergency drives Claire back home and she and Stacie end up getting a chance to really know once another before Stacie has to return home herself.

I loved every second of this. It had such an excitement to start, and both Claire’s and Stacie’s reaction to their exciting adventures was infectious. From the first moment they spoke, they seemed to have a spark and just got one another, so living in each other’s homes, albeit for a short while made them feel closer and then it was almost like a dream when they got to spend time together in person when Claire came back early. The reasons for Claire’s return were heartbreaking, but I was in awe of how Stacie supported her, even if she didn’t know her that well yet, and this all had an impact on the length of her stay.

When they really got to spending time together, their connection was undeniable, and a part of me hoped that Stacie wouldn’t even have to consider going back to Vancouver. She’d not just been falling in love with Claire, but also Ireland, in a way that allowed the reader to fall in love with it too, so in the end I was just wishing and hoping for things to work out. It wasn’t all plain sailing though, and realisation of that broke my heart the way it did theirs, but with the love they had, I had hope.

Such a sweet and lovely romance, perfect for anyone who loves a cute story with two adorable characters who more than deserved the happiness they found together.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did I feel reading my home city? Big heart eyes!

I think, from the start, Emma McGeown was always going to get the stamp of approval from me because of how authentic her representation of Belfast is. Belfast is the city they’re fighting over! Belfast is where everyone wants to be! I love that. Why shouldn’t we be the city of people’s hearts and dreams? And how much did I love reading the queer side of Belfast! I couldn’t have felt more at home with these characters. I was already wholeheartedly, unabashedly all-in with them when I looked up and saw that I was only at 20%.
 
Straightaway, I could see that one of McGeown’s principal strengths here is in managing the switches in a dual point-of-view narrative. McGeown will often have Stacie, at the start of her chapter, finish a thought that Claire is having as we exit her chapter, or she’ll open Claire’s perspective with her saying or thinking something contradictory to what Stacie has just felt or thought. And this really works! It drives you on.
 
Wow, what a joy to write a glowing review! There’s nothing in this novel that didn’t please and fulfil me: I was so chuffed to be reading Sapphic characters outside of their twenties; workplace settings act effortlessly as the backdrops; and the normalising of same-sex coupling is done expertly. McGeown writes with such warmth towards her characters: compassion and empathy are key to her representation of women struggling under church-imposed sexual repression. She also writes with striking clarity of perception when it comes to examining the impact of alcoholism upon individuals and upon a family. Her character insight and sensitivity of portrayal extends to by-lines of friendship dynamics, sibling relationships, anxiety disorder, and a particularly delicate portrayal of loneliness living away from Northern Ireland:

'As long as I was here, she was there.'

In stark contrast to some novels where you question, "why are they in love with them?", where an author just smooshes two people's lives together without providing the build-up of interest, Emma McGeown tracks both women's thoughts and feelings so that Stacie and Claire's attraction is substantiated and relatable. I also appreciated the speed of the ending: everything feels rushed at the close of the book because Claire’s emotions all rush in on her, and the months when we are lifted out of the action leave us gasping for information and an update, and that brief, brief glimpse of the women’s ‘final’ life, as things end up, is made all the more tenderly intense by the cutting-off-short of it.
 
This isn’t a spicy novel. There’s no voyeuristic or frivolous content. What heat there is, is key to the plot; physical intimacy is written into the characters’ development. So, I’d say that ‘Back to Belfast’ is more of a character novel than anything. Ultimately, it’s a ‘coming-out novel’. It deals with the diverse and often traumatic experiences of women coming out, with some focus on Northern Ireland, where we must confront not only family shock, regret, or disownment, but the threat of church intervention, religious approbation, and conversion therapy, which is very much alive in the far-right, church-governed culture here. McGeown makes a deep dive into the effect of homophobia: “[Hate] like that ... Eats you alive”, exploding outwards to the fallout from a North-American devout Muslim coming out. I admire Emma McGeown for giving airtime to both.
 
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel. I would’ve loved to have been able to recommend it to my younger self. I also wish I could’ve given it to myself in my last relationship, where I was Nuala and she was Jane. It’s so important to read your own stories:

‘That Jane had to stay in the closet or risk losing her family and that Nuala had to hide their connection or risk losing her girlfriend.’

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for the absolute pleasure of reading an advanced review copy via NetGalley.

[Shannon bagnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was beautifully written and a wholesome love story.

I loved how in depth the author went in regard to the mums mental health and how that made Claire worried about her own future because of genetics and showing how much she loved her mum but how much she struggled being her carer

I really hope there is another book, I’d personally like one on Jane too, I need to know what happens next with her parents

* disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this! First third was awful, second third was better, but then the author misspelled Guinness and I had to stop reading.

Who the fuck edited this?!

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Back to Belfast caught my eye when I read the blurb and it sounded like such a fun premise with two characters who switch job and houses and fall in love with each other. Unfortunately I felt like this book was completely different than what I had expected and I didn't enjoy it.

I had expected a story of them living in each other's houses and communicating with each other and throughout that fall in love. Instead they hardly communicate until they end up in the same place and most of the romance develops only then. I also found it odd how neither of the main characters communicated much with their friends back home, as if the physical distance just made them stop talking with them.

I considered DNF'ing this book when I realized this was not at all the book I had expected. The focus and message of the book seemed to focus way more on how important real life connection was and not the long distance online communicating type romance I had expected. And while I had assumed they would meet in real life eventually, I had expected the romance to develop a lot before that point, but that wasn't the case. I just didn't want to do a DNF and didn't know what I wanted to read instead, so I stuck with it.

The story got a bit better when they spend time together and the romance developed, although the romance pacing felt a bit off. The first part was very slow with them hardly talking and the focus being on their work and then the second half had way less work stuff and more romance development. The romance felt slow first and then a bit rushed when they finally meet in real life.

I wanted to like the romance, but something was just missing. I also didn't like how Stacie had a girlfriend at first and how that went. I often struggle with this in books as the relationship is written in such a way I can't understand why they ever got together in the first place and it just feels simply like a way to create drama and in this case to have a reason why Stacie couldn't fall in love with Claire yet.

Claire on the other hand has to care a lot for her mother who is mentally ill. And I didn't really like that plot line either. The way her mother's mental health was described made me feel uncomfortable and there also is never any clear diagnosis or term for it, which I thought was odd as that's usually how these things work. Again it mostly felt like a plot point to get Claire to be in a certain place or not be somewhere or have some struggles for which she wasn't fully available for a romance.

And then there was the conflict. I really hated the way the conflict was handled. Stacie just kinda expected Claire to ask her something and then gets disappointed when she doesn't, despite knowing how Claire is and how she has trouble communicating at times. And despite Claire communicating he feelings and being clear about that, that wasn't enough for Stacie. I didn't like how Stacie just expected Claire to do this thing without her communicating that. And the whole last bit of the book was just so frustrating to read with them both not communicating. It dragged on for quite a bit as well. And then the way it got resolved didn't work for me either, it just bothered me how there had to be a big gesture and how at the same time all these issues suddenly got resolved super easily. And there was no epilogue either.

To summarize: I had expected a totally different book and was disappointed this book wasn't what I had hoped for. I had expected the focus being on their romance developing while they live in each others house while communicating online, instead the romance hardly starts until they meet in real life. The first part has very little romance and a lot of focus on the work they do, while the second part flips that with way less work stuff and more romance. The romance pacing felt off due to this. I didn't like the plot points with Stacie already having a girlfriend and Claire having to take care for her mother, neither worked for me and they just felt like ways to add hurdles to the romance. The conflict at the end really bothered me with how Stacie just expected Claire to do something and then get disappointed when she didn't while not communicating any of this. I really disliked the way some simple communicating could've resolved it and it dragged on for way too long. Then the ending felt very rushed, things got resolved very easily suddenly and there was no epilogue. This book just didn't work for me.

[honeyvee · Rating 4 out of 5]

sobbed through the last few chapters don’t hmu

[Amanda Lovette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caution: Spoilers ahead

In this cross country sapphic story told in a DOV, Claire and Sadie find themselves switching lives in order to help their global marketing company. Claire lives in Belfast Ireland, is a hard worker, great friend, steady big sister, and caretaker of her mother who suffers from mental illness. Stacie lives in Vancouver Canada, mostly works from home because no one on her team bothers showing up at the office, loves plants, not close with her family, doesn’t have many friends, and is in a complicated long distance relationship. When the two get the opportunity of a lifetime to literally switch lives, it seems like a win win. But when Claire’s mom’s mental health spirals out of control, she is forced to get on a plane back to Belfast to help take care of her. Even though Claire and Stacie have talked on the phone, emailed, and texted, something changed when they met in person. Unable to be apart from each other and instantly becoming friends, the two find out just how hard it is to not fall for each other. But with Claire returning early and doing such a great job getting the Canada office up and running, it threatens Stacie’s job and forces her to either be deported, or tell Claire how she really feels and hopefully find a way to stay.

I found myself admiring much of Claire’s character because it seemed like she was forced to group up at such an early age and was burdened with more responsibility than she should have been. Not only having to take care of her mentally ill mother, but had to go through the death of a parent, a divorce, and basically raise her younger twin sisters. She always has to put on a brave face to keep her family together, which is probably one of the reasons she has trouble expressing her emotions and letting herself be vulnerable. When Stacie enters the picture, it makes Claire do and feel things that she never let herself feel in the past. Stacie helped Claire realize her worth and that its okay to lean on people in times of need and not always hold in your emotions. Stacie was exactly what Claire needed, which is why I think their relationship was so special. I wish we had more time with the two of them romantically together instead of so much focus on the job. I also thought there wasn’t enough information given about Stacie’s past, like why she doesn’t have many friends or what exactly went down with her family and life growing up in Winnipeg.

In terms of side characters, I didn't connect to anyone or care about anyone on the Canadian side, but I absolutely loved Jane, Naula, and Jonny. Jane and Naula especially had such an interesting story and dynamic. I loved them each individually and together, you could and clearly feel how much they loved and cared about each other. I definitely wouldn’t object to them having their own book to learn about how they met, the story behind Jane’s homophobic family, and what the future holds for them. Jonny was hilarious, and I love how much he took care of Claire and how he welcomed Stacie immediately into their group. Even though I found a lot of the office scenes boring, their group dynamic made it a little more tolerable. It would have been nice if Stacie had a friend or someone other than a married man to confide in (Luke), while she was in Canada.

My biggest critic was the lack of romance and spice. I honestly could have cared less about their job and would have liked for their chemistry to have been built up more and more swoony dates or bedroom action. It was too much of a slow burn for me, especially in regards to their limited timeline, which made everything feel extremely rushed towards the end. The storyline was thought out, but I think because it was so plot heavy, it didn’t allow for a fully fleshed out romance and subplot action or detail. Even though the plot was incredibly predictable, I still felt emotionally connected to the characters and rooted for them to have their happily ever after.

I do think the author did a great job portraying the reality of Claire’s character and her circumstances regarding being the power of attorney and caretaker of her mother. Both the ups and down of everything involved with loved ones dealing with mental illness and how much it truly affects a family. Jane’s character was also extremely heartfelt and relatable, not all families are as understanding and supportive of their child when they come out, so it was understandable why she felt the need to hide her sexuality. Homophobia is not an easy subject to tackle, so in regards to Jane and her relationship struggles with Naula, I think they were done with great care and respect, while also depicting the hate and worries that people still face and experience everyday. Claire and Stacie both also were hit with the reality of how hard it is to get a work visa, what some companies have to go through in order to keep or attain employees, and how hard it is to uproot your life in the pursuit of a job or love.

Overall, the story had substance, likable characters, and a solid storyline, but the lack of romance and overuse of the workplace made me feel slightly disappointed that Claire and Stacie never developed into something truly memorable.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy for review!

[ReadingwithCaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were never supposed to meet, but fate made sure they did. Can they forget again when reality comes crashing down?

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Claire’s life has never been easy. As the oldest daughter of three kids it has always been her job to take care of her mentally unstable mom and her twin sisters. Working as an account manager for a global firm at least gives her financial security. It does make Claire feel stuck. When one of her twin sisters announces she is getting married and the other is expecting her first baby, Claire feels more than ever like she is just spinning her wheels. A new job opportunity is bound to break her out of that cycle. Six months of whipping the Vancouver office into shape. A Canadian colleague will take her place in the Belfast head quarters in the meantime. Claire jumps at the chance and switching roles with Canadian Stacie sounds perfect. Come to think of it, Stacie will fit right into her life.

Stacie is working her butt off in her role as an account manager but it seems like she is the only one of her colleagues trying to give her best to the Vancouver office. Headquarters seems to have noticed as well, because they offer Stacie a chance for a six month exchange with a colleague from the Belfast office. This Claire is tasked to bring the Canadians up to standard. With the few emails and videocalls they’ve had before the switch. Stacie decides that Claire is charming and she would have loved to have met her in person. That’s not the plan though. They will change lives for half a year before returning back to their own countries. Stacie has no problem integrating into Claire’s office life and is enveloped by her work friends immediately. Belfast feels like home. It all makes Stacie feelings stronger that she would have really liked Claire. Her theory is about to get tested when Claire unexpectedly returns home because of a family emergency. While they share Claire’s apartment Stacie’s gut feeling about her Belfast counterpart are proven right. Too bad it’s all just temporary…

This story is told from both Claire’s and Stacie’s perspectives and that setup really gives you an intimate look into their inner worlds. Claire is a strong woman but she has been forced to be. Taking care of her mother and sisters is a role she was forced to adept to. It is one she plays with enormous grace and responsibility. I loved the way she inherently felt like she could trust Stacie with her inner fears and doubts. It also made it clear why she acts the way she does sometimes. That being said her lack of honest communication towards Stacie in the end made me want to hurl the book at her head.

Stacie starts the story being in a long distance relationship with a woman who clearly doesn’t give her what she needs. I was counting the pages for Stacie to get the strength to end that farce. For me she took a little too long to do it, but the timing of her break up and Claire’s arrival was perfect. Stacie’s life in Vancouver was kind of perfunctory. Yes, she worked hard and got recognized for her efforts, but I got the sense that she wasn’t tethered to her hometown in Canada. It all became clear when she immersed herself in the Belfast life that this is supposed to be her home. When her unexpected connection to Claire turns out to be real, it’s easy to see Stacie would want to uproot her life for good. If only Claire could have the same guts to go for it.

I loved Claire’s friend group! Jonny is the ultimate gay man showering everyone with bitchy but right on the mark comments. Underneath it all he sees everyone so clearly and his care for his friends is amazing. Jane and Nuala are in a secret relationship that has some similarities with Stacie and Claire’s. The friends speak hard truths but also support each other, it’s heartwarming!

While Claire’s relationship with her family is complicated it is based on a deep love. When Stacie picked up on that immediately, I knew the connection between the two women was strong. It wouldn’t be a sapphic romance if there wasn’t a third act break up, but luckily Claire got to her senses in time! I would have loved to see more of their growing relationship when they both returned to Belfast, maybe in an epilogue.

I had fun spending time with Claire and Stacie. I believed in their connection and I feel like I really got to know them. If I’m ever in Belfast, I’ll be sure to look for them at the bar on Fridays!

[Ash Dougan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Belfast follows the main characters Claire and Stacie as they swap roles at work for a fixed period with the purpose of aiding their company and addressing issues with one of their branches. Their agreement means Stacie will be moving into Claire’s apartment in Belfast, Ireland while Claire takes over her space in Vancouver, Canada. While things are off to a great start for Stacie, Claire seems to be having a more challenging time. As the two begin to connect more, it’s clear that their feelings extend beyond a professional working relationship. The problem is, they were never meant to be in the same place, but could they be?

First off, thank you so much to Emma L. McGeown, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved how cute and cozy this read way overall. It felt like a feel good romance movie in some respects, and overall I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters as well as the supporting characters. It had a lot of sweet moments but Emma also did a great job delving into some heavier topics such as grief, addiction, and coming out to unsupportive family members.
I loved the differences between the main characters lives up until that point in regards to their relationships with their families and friends, and their cities because it made for a really interesting dynamic when they were getting to know one another. You could see them helping each other to grow in different ways which was so beautiful to read.
I think the friendship aspect of the novel was my favourite part and I honestly wished so badly they all existed and that I could be friends with them too! The way they took Stacie in and loved her just as they did Claire made my heart so happy!

The reason I couldn’t quite give this a five personally was just that the end felt a little rushed and left me with some questions. With how much HR seemed to be unhappy with relationships in the office, it seemed odd that they so easily accepted transferring Stacie to Belfast at the end knowing they were dating especially with how much Jane and Nuala avoiding PDA to throw off HR with their own relationship outside of them avoiding people from her family’s church. I wish we got to see Stacie reunite with her friends and an update on how it was working out with Jane. I also felt the end with the time skip and how it all worked out to be a little quick and easy to predict.

Overall, it was a cozy read that kept me interested from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful sapphic love story!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will pick up pretty much anything that has a setting in Ireland. I miss it terribly, so I always love to re-immerse myself there through books. Some days I kick myself for not staying another year to get residency, but let's just say immigration is a tricky thing to navigate as is shown in the book. Back to Belfast by Emma McGeown had an interesting premise. Two women essentially swap lives for six months, so that one (Claire), can try to save the potentially failing office of the other (Stacie).

Claire heads off to Canada, while Stacie jets to Northern Ireland. Claire winds up miserable and feeling alone but starts to see improvements in the office she's tasked with making successful. Stacie on the other side of the Atlantic however is finding a place that she loves, and community in her co-workers. On top of the difficult task set before her, Claire also finds herself worrying about her mother's health and mental state. While she doesn't hear anything for quite a long time, when she does it sets in motion her return to her home in Belfast.

With forced proximity, Claire and Stacie begin to admit to themselves that they had developed feelings for one another over the course of video chats and their time spent together. Eventually, they do begin a relationship but agree to keep it casual due to Stacie's looming (forced) return to Canada. The rest of the story revolves around the tension of the looming departure date and if/how the relationship could work.

Overall, the writing in the book was more casual than most of the books I've read recently. It was a fairly quick and easy read. There were a few predictable twists and outcomes. I loved the LGBTQA+ representation, and that this was written in such a way that so many dynamics of the queer experience were explored. There were several LGBTQA+ characters, each with a different life story and experience, and the story wasn't told just form the perspective of "oh hey, everyone didn't care and treated me the same," when they came out. The true pain and fear of coming out that still exists today was present in the book, and I appreciated the multi-faceted representation of the queer experience.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, Back to Belfast is a cozy sapphic office romance, centering on Claire and Stacie - both employees at the same company, who exchange positions for a short term work assignment, and step into each other’s shoes (and hearts).

What I did not expect was an honest, thoughtful novel about the realities of these women’s lives and circumstances - about the meaning of family (by blood or by bond), about the struggle to maintain meaningful relationships in a modern world, about the struggles of being one’s authentic self without being selfish… I found myself falling in love not just with the main characters, but with their friends, families, cats, and even house plants (seriously, the concern over Bennie made me giggle out loud). Claire and Stacie’s attraction to each other progressed out of friendship in a very natural way - the little acts of caring for each other (cooking a meal, taking care of a friend in crisis, etc) developed their relationship around respect and admiration. Fear not, there is some amount of spice, but it is definitely not the focus of the story.

Both women are strong, thoughtful, and extremely kind. And while we do get our happily ever after eventually, the story doesn’t fall victim to the typical romance drama - Claire and Stacie have to first overcome very real obstacles of moving countries, work visas, being full time caregivers, etc. It makes it all the more satisfying when they reunite, because they had to work to make it happen.

My only constructive comment on the story is that while the small time jumps kept the story moving steadily, it did sometimes feel rushed. I would have loved to see more of Claire and Stacie’s quiet moments, to enjoy watching their feelings develop , especially as they were getting to know each other after Claire’s sudden return to Belfast.

Overall, a very poignant story about very real people, finding the kind of love that wraps your heart in a warm, cozy blanket.

My thanks to the author, Emma McGeown, Netgalley, and the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, for the ARC of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacie, career-driven, is living in Vancouver, Canada and in a long distance relationship that has mostly unsatisfying when an opportunity presents itself to trade places with her counterpart in the company and move to Belfast for 6 months. Eager for the change and break from from less that satisfying relationship, she jumps at the opportunity!

Claire lives in Belfast and is feeling stuck under the weight of family responsibility when she is tasked with the job of moving to Vancouver for 6 months to bring the office there up to par. She jumps at the opportunity and is ready fr a change. Claire only dates casually and isn't looking for a relationship.

She and Stacie decide to swap apartments to make the moves easier. As each settle into their new environments they form a friendship through facetime and support each other with the changes. As time goes by, they become closer and enjoy each other's company even if they are across the ocean from each other. When a family emergency occurs, Claire hurries back to Belfast and the meet in person and end up sharing Claire's flat together until Stacie has to return to Vancouver. They become even closer friends and realize their is more that bonds them than the job. Will they be able to open up to each other and overcome obstacles in their path?

This is a sweet, slightly angsty love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved both main characters and the side characters only serve enliven the story more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the arc. I leave this review voluntarily

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Sapphic romance about swapping places and falling in love with a new home.

Claire and Stacie are both high-performing in their jobs at the same company - Claire in Belfast and Stacie in Vancouver, but both are surprised when the company's boss asks them to swap places for a six month stint. The two decide to swap apartments also to make it easier, but when Claire's mom has an alcoholic relapse, Claire returns home early, and thus begins a courtship with an eventual expiration date.

Claire and Stacie are really sweet, caring characters with their own challenges and dynamic histories. I love that they are mature and communicative through most of their relationship (which made Claire's eventual refusal to talk about her feelings kind of frustrating). I absolutely adore the friend group in Belfast. It would have been better if Claire and Stacie had more interactions prior to Claire showing up back in Belfast, maybe with some emails or calls or something since they took over each other's clients. Something more than the two times that somehow led to a crush immediately. I really loved how the author depicted the difficulty and conflicting emotions that comes with being a parent caregiver.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and would definitely read another by the author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stacie had a way to make me feel calm. Like a floating leaf. Like the weight of the world was no longer pressing down on my shoulder.”

I was captivated by Claire and Stacie’s story from page one and read the book in less than 24H. I particularly loved how feelings are written by the author, and tears rolled more than once (I laughed a lot too).
Claire’s relationship with her family is beautiful (so is the description of mental illness, with a perfect balance), just as much as the relationship she develops with Stacie. All the “found family” characters are amazing, and particularly endearing.
I adored that that romance was completely different in its structure, as both MC spend most of the book separated from each other, living in the other’s shoes. It was sweet, yet spicy, tender and that life-switch, in which both MC discover the other by exchanging their life, getting to know their friends, before meeting for good, was truly a great finding and I loved every page.

PS: Just so you know –if it might trigger you– there are some repetitive mentions of COVID and its impact on the economy at the beginning of the book.

Thank you so much Emma L. McGeown, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for that arc. My opinions are my own

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming trading places, f/f romance. Claire Brennan is good at her job in Belfast. Her company sends her to a struggling branch in Vancouver, Canada for six months. She decides it is a good time to take a break from watching over her mom who suffers from “the Troubles”. Stacie Farran enjoys her job in Vancouver and is surprised when she is picked to cover in the Belfast office for Claire. To make things simpler they decide to rent each other's apartments.

Claire struggles feeling homesick and trying to make friends in the less friendly office. But she is improving their numbers when she is called home for family issues. Stacie welcomes her back to her own place and the pair decide to share it till her time in Belfast is over. There are very sweet friends pushing them together even if it is temporary. I’ve read a couple of the author’s previous books and love how she brings Ireland in almost as a character itself. (The other books were set in Dublin.) Beyond the naturally progressing romance there are drinking and mental health issues covered and also coming out in religious communities. I enjoyed the story and characters, except maybe the overtop male (gay) friend who could be too outspoken.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Claire Brennen who works for an international marketing company headquartered in Belfast, Ireland. She is asked to swap jobs with a Canadian woman, Stacie Farran. Claire leaves behind her mentally ill mother whom she has been taking care of for years. This was handled very well.

Claire struggles in Canada and misses her family and friends back in Ireland. while Stacie ends up loving Belfast and easily assimilates into the workplace there where everybody is nice and friendly and she doesn't want to leave.

Its complicated when Claire comes back early and they finally meet in person after the calls and video chats. The whole story was set up nicely, but the third act breakup was predictable and consistent as most books have them and this one was no different. I adore Ireland and really enjoyed the parts set there, but maybe I'm biased.

Overall, a decent book. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Emma McGeown, and I now have a new author to follow. I enjoyed the storyline. The angst was expected. I love how it was remedied, but I wish there was a little more to the explanation of why the MC was holding back. The resolution was timely. We were set up that it would take time. I am happy with the way it was done.
The chemistry was great. It was felt throughout the book. I loved how they met and grew their relationship.
The secondary cast of characters was valued and well defined. They were a good support system. I liked how it was one MCs friends that was consistent with both MCs and helped them both equally.
Although I felt that some scenes were rushed, I will continue to follow the autjor and look forward to new releases that come our way.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Claire and Stacie both work at the same company but different part of the world. Claire is task to go Vancouver where the branch is struggling while Stacie is surprise to be pick go Belfast to takeover Claire office as they swap lives. Claire’s struggles while there but she been doing well improving the branch but then she has return home for emergency because she is caregiver of her mom and that’s when we really get into Claire and Stacie romance as we see how Stacie fits well in Claire life even though she dealing with relationship problems as they both grow closer I like how they were honest and communicate with each other and learn things about themselves. Overall good read.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed lovely cosy sapphic story set mostly in Belfast (awarded extra star for that!). I loved the premise of a six month job swap between two lesbians based in Vancouver and Belfast respectively. No spoilers here but early on it’s made pretty clear that Belfast is the better place, because of the people and the possibility of larger apartments! In a way that was believable, even though they didn’t even mention the scenery, which is stunning. The group of friends in Belfast are great craic, so fun to see an LBGT community thriving, with a clever nods to the tricky history of the place. Cracking read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 ⭐️ What a fun romcom! I loved the workplace “The Holiday” like premise, though there were times I got a bit lost and almost bored with the business side of it. Overall, I absolutely loved this story, the character development, the dual settings, and the chemistry between the characters. In such a short book, McGeown was able to add a lot of depth and development that made it enjoyable and something I did not want to put down. A really fun ride and I will definitely be reading her backlist and look forward to new releases in the future!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
-
Claire (from Belfast) and Stacie (from Vancouver) get the opportunity to swap jobs (therefore, move countries) for a while; both - for their own personal reasons - jump at the opportunity.

They were never intended to meet in person, just swap apartments and communicate via emails/text/calls, however a family emergency brings Claire back to Belfast - unannounced...

As much as I enjoyed the plot/setting, it was confusing at first with the swapping, but once I wrapped my head around it, the book turned into a page turner! I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.