Secrets in the Little Irish Village

The Little Irish Village #4

by Michelle Vernal

Grace Kelly can’t escape the draws of Emerald Bay; the sweeping cliffs, the sparkling sea… and her gorgeous new flatmate. The problem is, she has to keep him a secret from her family. And she isn’t the only one in the village with something to hide this summer…

Grace really needs someone to help cover the rent for her London flat, but Christopher Dorrance? Everyone in the little Irish village of Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families, though no one knows how it started. But, both being in a tight spot, they try and make it work, swearing to tell no one back home. Until a mutual friend and her son in the bay are left homeless after a storm. Grace and Christopher must head back to Ireland to help… together.

As they flesh out their idea to raise money for their friend with a village charity concert, Chris’s blue eyes light up. Even though they have to hide out for every planning session, and after all her father has said about the Dorrances, Grace can’t believe how kind he is. Soon sparks are flying as they laugh together, chasing dairy cows from a field to set up the stage. Could Chris be more than just a flatmate?

But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. The two men still argue constantly. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything…

Could the events of the past destroy any chance of a future for Chris and Grace? Or, if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families?

You’ll love Michelle Vernal’s stunning new book set in the Little Irish Village. This gorgeous and unputdownable Irish small-town romance is perfect for fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber.

Genres: Romance

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2024

About the author

Michelle Vernal is a bestselling author of warm, witty, and uplifting Irish fiction. Born in England to parents from Liverpool – often called “Little Ireland” – she grew up on her mum’s tales of Iocal families, music, and humour. Later, she lived, worked, got engaged, and travelled extensively in Ireland, experiences that inspire her much-loved novels, including the hilarious Guesthouse on the Green series. Her stories, filled with heart, humour, and unforgettable characters, have earned her a loyal readership worldwide.

For updates on Michelle's latest book releases you can follow her here: https://www.amazon.com/author/michell...

Reviews

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Kelly has always felt drawn to Emerald Bay. One person she is renewing an acquaintance with is Christopher Dorrance. They were childhood friends and haven’t seen each other for years. They are about to become flatmates and Grace is not sure how that will go, especially with their families. One touching and not surprising thing about this story is that Grace had always been called by her nickname, “Princess Grace”.

When another childhood friend, Clara Casey, has just lost her home due to torrential rain, Chris and Grace come up with a plan to fundraise by means of a music festival to help Clara and her son, as well as the school in Emerald Bay,

Clara’s son Alfie has leukemia. Grace is worried about the loss Clara and Alfie have experienced all while worrying about Alfie’s treatment. As Chris is the front man for a group called The Shamrockers, they will be the basis of the festival that should be able to help Clara and her son.

This flatmate situation and the upcoming festival are things that Grace feels impelled to keep from her family, especially her father due to a longstanding family feud that seems like it could go on forever. However, sparks begin to fly between Grace and Chris so they definitely have some hurdles to overcome. Will their fathers be able to bury the hatchet for the good of the families, but especially for Grace and Chris? After all their friendship in the past has definitely not lost its spark.

Although this is the fourth book in a series, and having not read the previous books, I was still really drawn into Grace and Chris’s story. Finding out what caused the family feud in the first place, as well as watching their romance bloom despite the feud, kept me riveted to the story from beginning to end. In fact, I inhaled this book in one siting. While Michelle Vernal might be a new name for me, I won’t be so quick to let her books pass by me in the future.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
After reading New Beginnings in the Little Irish Village I was eager for more of the garrulous Kelly family. The main character in New Beginnings is Imogen Kelly and Secrets features the love life of Grace Kelly. I enjoyed being back with all the familiar and well loved characters.

I'm reading the books all out of order but it's easy to pick up on where each sister is in the family.

I loved that Michelle Vernal's Little Irish Village series is not only a romance story, although I do like a HEA ending. Secrets in the Little Irish Village has lots of substance that kept me immersed in the story.

An emergency trip to hospital has the family re-evaluating petty squabbles, secrets from the past raise their head and a disastrous storm has the community banding together to raise money.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the Emerald Bay township, it was warm and inviting. Being Australian I loved the Irish setting and could hear the lilting Irish accent as I read.

Secrets in the Little Irish Village is light and heartwarming, funny, uplifting and entertaining. The perfect story to lose yourself in.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fat shaming in this day an age is not ok, and not funny.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Kelly has always had a heart for Emerald Bay. She grew up there and loves the wonderful people, and of course the beautiful sparkling sea. The sun hits the sea and dances like little diamonds on the water. She could use some help with rent at her London flat and does not want to ask her family. She reunites with Christopher Dorrance a friend that she hasn’t seen or talked to in eight years. He happens to need a place to live so he moves in. They haven’t told their feuding families back home in Ireland, knowing that they wouldn’t approve. But when a mutual friend, Clara and her son Alfie lose their home because of a flooding rain storm, Grace and Christopher decide to help them. They decide on a village charity concert to raise money for Clara and her son. Alfie has leukemia and needs to keep up with his treatments. So, all the money raised from the concert will go to him. However, this concert could also be exactly what the feuding families need to bury the past hurts once and for all?

Secrets in the Little Irish Village written by Michelle Vernal is a lovely tale of new beginnings and seconds chances. This light hearted story will have you flipping the pages at a rapid rate. I couldn’t put this one down until I got to the end. I love this fabulous series and this last installment was fantastic. I too am drawn to Emerald Bay as the author does a fine job of describing how wonderful it is to live there. I would definitely add this little beauty to your summer reading list. I highly recommend it.

[Sapphyre Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets in the Little Irish Village is a great comfort read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Grace and Chris and would love to find out how they get on.
I think one of my favourite side characters has to be Napolean the klepto kitty 😂
I've not read any of the other Little Irish Village books by Michelle Vernal, but I'll definitely be checking them out.
It gave me the warm and fuzzies as well as flashing me back to the year I lived in Ireland. I heard some of the phrases used in this book in Irish accents in my head - loved it!
100% recommend this book.

[Helen Maddix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to get into the story in this book, but just couldn't stay interested in this one. I've read other books in this series and enjoyed them.
The book is well written, with no obvious grammatical errors. If you haven't read the prior book, you may have some questions about the main character Grace.
I was given an ARC through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

2 dimensional and for a writer who shoves every trope she can think of down your throat she absolutely cannot tell a good story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Emerald Bay series focuses primarily on Grace. Though she loves her hometown of Emerald Bay, she loves her life in London. She and her twin settled into their lives there until Ava fell in love and married in the previous book. Grace has a tough time making ends meet after Ava moved out until she found a new flatmate, Chris. The only downside is that she has to keep him a secret from her family. Chris is an old friend from Emerald Bay, but their fathers have been in a feud for many years.

When Grace learns that a devastating storm has damaged her best friend's house in Emerald Bay and significantly damaged the local school, she and Chris plan to hold a music festival to raise money to help. Their fathers' feud complicates their planning sessions back in Emerald Bay, but it is impossible to keep their partnership a secret.

A lot is going on in this book. Grace and her father have words about her involvement with Chris, but her father refuses to discuss the cause of the feud. This puts a strain on their usually close relationship. Liam is stubborn, and Grace's frustration with him is evident throughout the book. However, a near tragedy makes her wonder if the issue is worth the stress. My curiosity about the cause of the feud was nearly as great as Grace's, and I was glued to pages waiting for a resolution.

Grace and Chris work together and involve friends and family in their festival plans. I loved seeing the variety of personalities and how their quirks create a unique blend of teamwork to make the festival happen. I laughed out loud at some of the actions and reactions, from Hannah and her bees to the scooter controversy between two older residents. They encountered a few bumps in the road of making the festival happen, and I enjoyed seeing them work through the obstacles.

Complicating matters are Grace's growing feelings for Chris. Their childhood friendship has remained strong, and their time together is easy and comfortable. However, Chris has a girlfriend and has shown no romantic interest in Grace, so she keeps her feelings to herself. It doesn't help that everyone around her can see how she feels, but he seems oblivious. I occasionally saw a glimmer of possibility, but I often wondered if he would ever open his eyes. A misdirected text puts Grace on pins and needles as she worries about repercussions. Chris's reaction was not what she expected, and I loved the result of his face-to-face response. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the adventures of Napoleon, the kleptomaniac kitty. He's been a regular character in the series, but he outdoes himself in this book. The hilarity that results from his habit of stealing underwear (clean, thank goodness!) had me in stitches, especially at the end.

I loved catching up with family members and village residents. Family relationships can be complicated, but there is no doubting the love they feel for each other. Liam's health issues add layers of worry and fun as the family tries to help him heal, from resting to changing his eating habits. The sisters' love and support for each other is undeniable, but they also have no problem teasing or calling out questionable behavior. I'm looking forward to the next book, which should be Hannah's story.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Secrets in the Little Irish Village" in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story starts in Emerald Bay where we learn that 12 year-old Grace's father Liam Kelly is feuding over something with Christopher Dorrance's father Mark but no one seems to know what they're on about. We also learn that Grace has a twin sister Ava and three other sisters: Imogen, Hannah and Shannon. When Christopher falls off his bike it's Grace that takes him to the doctor to be patched up.

The story then continues in Tottenham with a 24 year-old Grace who we learn is housemates with Chris after Ava (who was her housemate) married Shane and moved to New York. The reader will feel that Grace has feelings for Chris but she hides behind the fact that he has a Finnish girlfriend named Ulla.

When Grace hears that her best friend in Emerald Bay Clara Casey has lost the roof off her home is a summer storm she knows she has to do something to help. Clara's son Alfie has leukaemia so she also wants to help the hospital where he was treated. They also hear that the school lost all it's electronic equipment.

Together with Chris they come up with the idea to have a music festival and use the money to help those affected by the storm. They know that Clara would not just take money from them but if they were helping other people as well she would have no reason to resist.

Everyone in the village is behind them - Chris' dad gives them the funds to set up the festival, Enda offers his land for the stage. Others are donating food, their time...

The reader will eventually learn what the feud was about and whether the two dad's decided it's time to move one.

The best part of the book has to be Napoleon the kleptomaniac cat with a penchant for stealing knickers. They set up all night surveillance to see how he gets out of the pub to steal these knickers. They don't belong to anyone in the house so it has to be village women that he's stealing from. There are many laugh aloud moments in this story!

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are once again swept away to Ireland and the beautiful Emerald Bay. The sparkling sea, waves crashing and breathtaking view are more than enough to make anyone want to stay.
Grace Kelly has memories of the geeky, awkward glasses wearing chicken legs boy she knew back in school. This fine specimen that is built, a handsome hunk and without glasses surely could not be who she thinks he is, but it is and he's her flat mate helping to pay the rent. One look and she's convinced she's fallen in love if only the sad reality didn't exist that he has a girlfriend.
Over the years when she'd mention Christopher Dorrance or his family's name to her father, he'd get furious but would never tell her what the family feud was over.
When it seems the possibility of a romance is ready to develop as they spend a lot of time together at a fundraising concert her hopes come crashing down as their fathers still argue constantly neither wanting to give an inch.
When the cause of the rift between families is finally revealed will it cause it to continue or will forgiveness and understanding take place?
Once again, I loved spending time with the Kelly family. This series is so heartwarming and Emerald Bay just pulls me right in. Sounds like the perfect relaxation spot. I'm hooked on this series and can't wait to read more.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely book in this series.

Amazon synopsis:
The second twenty-five-year-old Grace Kelly arrives in Emerald Bay she can almost taste her Nanna Kitty’s fresh-baked Irish shortbread. But even her grandmother’s cooking can’t distract Grace from the secret she’s carrying. Her handsome, twinkly-eyed flatmate from London, Chris Dorrance, is a local too: and she’s never been able to tell her family who he really is…

Everyone is Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families. She could never tell her beloved daddy she lives with Chris Dorrance. (Let alone about her very inconvenient crush on him!)

But Grace and Chris are home for a reason. Their schoolfriend is in trouble without a roof over her head. As they plan to raise money with a village charity concert, Chris’s blue eyes light up. Soon they’re laughing together, chasing dairy cows from a farmer’s field to set up the stage. Could their shenanigans turn into sparks?

But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything… but if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families? Or will the luck of the Irish run out?

[Jennyfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kelly family is back in another heartwarming tale from Emerald Bay!

This time the focus is on Grace, who has flown the coop to work in London. By sheer chance she meets the only other Emerald Bay resident in London - musician Chris Dorrance, the son of the only person her publican father has a feud with - and they become roommates as Chris moves into the room vacated by Grace's sister Ava in the previous book. When they receive word that Emerald Bay has been hit by a freak storm, damaging the school and the home of Grace's bestie, Grace and Chris decide to throw a fundraising festival to raise money for the repairs.

In amidst the planning and the preparations, Grace still needs to broach the subject of rooming with Chris to her dad. Will she be able to run the festival and repair her relationship with her dad before it's too late?

This is another heartwarming Irish romcom/slice of life tale from Michelle Vernal, that drops you into the warm, welcoming heart of Irish village life, full of gossip and a strong community. This hearkens back to 90's boom in Irish women's fiction, with an update for the 21st century.
Ms Vernal is fast becoming one of my "buy on sight" authors.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this charming cozy novel, readers join Grace, a social media coordinator, and Chris, a band performer, from the same small Irish town of Emerald Bay as they join forces to set up a local music festival to raise money for locals struggling to rebuild their homes after a flood. However, Grace’s dad and Chris’s dad have a long history of antagonism that Grace does not understand, and her work with Chris on the festival begins to strain her relationship with her father. Traveling back and forth between London and Emerald Bay, Grace’s investment in the success of the Emerald Grooves music festival will shake up the town and perhaps a few of her relationships. Full of charming characters and a whimsical Irish town, Vernal’s latest book is charming and heartwarming. Grace is a fun and lively heroine, and Vernal brings the closeness and coziness of a small town to life in this novel. With realistic major and minor characters, the setting of Emerald Bay acts as another character in the story, and Grace’s relationship to the town and her family are particularly enjoyable to read. A nice, lighthearted, and cozy read for fans of modern fiction and romance, readers are sure to enjoy Michelle Vernal’s latest novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

[Carolyn Shalhoub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another chapter in the Kelly family saga - this one focused on one of the younger daughters. Grace was living in London, first, with her sister Ava, but Ava gets married and moves to the US and she needs a new roommate to pay for the rent. Along comes a friend from childhood, Chris, who is a musician now. He needs somewhere to stay so he moves in. Grace is having feelings for him, no matter how she tries to squelch them. Her father and his father have had a feud for more than 20 years, which neither will discuss. Even the mention of Chris living in the same house would infuriate her father! After a terrible storm in which her friend Clara's Irish cottage roof is destroyed, Grace wants to do something to help. Grace and Chris come up with the idea to stage a one day music festival in their town, called "Emerald Grooves" to raise money to fix Clara's house and replace all the computers at the school also ruined by the rain. Clara has already had a difficult few years as her young son Alfie had leukemia but has recovered. The townspeople take to the idea, but then she has to tell her dad about Chris being involved, and living with her. He did not take it well! Just enough drama, and pleasant story!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Kelly family and I enjoyed this story. This boisterous family of five sisters leaves me with such a warm feeling! They feel like friends and I want to be part of their circle. Add in the quirky, caring residents of Emerald Bay and I am ready to move there. This book focuses on Grace. Grace is alone in London after her twin Ava gets married. She needs someone to help cover the rent. When she runs into Christopher Dorrance from Emerald Bay it seems like a perfect solution, except for the fact that their father’s are in a bitter feud. Grace and Chris decide to keep it secret from everyone in Emerald Bay until a local tragedy has them heading home to help. Will the secret destroy Grace’s relationship with her family? Is there more between Grace and Chris than friendship? This is a story of family secrets, letting go of the past, and learning to follow your heart to create a future you love. It is a part of the Little Irish Village series but can be read as a stand-alone, but once you read one you will want to spend more time in Emerald Bay with the Kelly family.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bookoutre for providing a copy for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the community of Emerald Bay. Theres so much life there and very realistically has all sorts of characters you'd find in actual village life. From the busy body to the lovable publican, the attractive vet to the hopeless romantic, and the over attentive police officer to the knicker thieving feline.

It's a place I'd love to visit and I'm sad that this may be the second to last book in the series. I've read all of the sister's stories so far and think that Grace is a lovely protagonist.
This story had all of the feels from the embarrassment to the anger, disappointment to the laugh out loud humour. (All of the above felt from a characters perspective and being the sign of a great writer to envoke so many)

I guessed at the secret that was holding the 2 families apart and I enjoyed the scene that brought it to the light. All in all, a fab book and can't wait to read Hannah's story next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is shared on Goodreads and Storygraph.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in a series focusing on the Kelly sisters. I had read book 1 but not 2 or 3. They are all standalone in that they focus on a different sister each time, however there is a bit of crossover in that you continue to see the sisters so will ruin their happy ending if you read a book ahead of another in the series.
Set in the beautiful Emerald Isle is a winner for a summer romcom. This one had a real heart, delving into some tough but realistic topics such as Clara's financial position. It is great to see this kind of mishap addressed as its all too easy for someone to find themselves in that sort of situation.
The idea of the canal boat really interested me, and I'd have loved a little more time with it.
The music festival sounded great fun, and I loved it bringing the sisters back together for sibling relationship fun.
I also have to say that the Lacy Larceny angle gave me a really good giggle.
This is a super quick read, I finished it in two sittings. It's perfect to curl up and devour if you need a light-hearted escape.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, romantic, and sweet are the words I use to describe Michelle Vernal's lovely Secrets in the Little Irish Village. This sweet story was effortless to predict from the start, but this aspect makes it perfect for a light-hearted romance. This book will make an excellent little beachy read if you are looking for something to relax and plunge into. The relationship between love interests is charming and uncomplicated, refreshing. Funny enough, I could hear the story in an Irish lilt while I read the words on the pages. I loved how authentic the voice(s) of the story allows readers to immerse themselves in this story.

I'm grateful to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. It was just the sweetness I needed.

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the main character's name is Grace Kelly and the story is set in a little Irish village, it was a no-brainer to pick up this book! I only regret that it took me too long to read it. Even though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

Grace is living in the "big smoke" and has a new flatmate, who just happens to be the son of a man that her father is feuding with. They have to keep their situation a secret, although neither Grace nor Chris have any clue as to why their dads don't see eye-to-eye.

When Grace and Chris band together to put on a fundraiser for a mutual friend, sparks fly.

I guess it is obvious what happens in the end, but that is ok :)

A lovely, easy read.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catching up with the Kelly family who owns a pub in little Emerald Bay is always fun and heartwarming. This time daughter Grace is coming home to put on a music festival to raise money for a local cause. Grace's roommate in London just happens to be Chris, a son of her father's bitter enemy. The fact that Grace and Chris happen to run into each other in London is maybe a bit far-fetched but it leads to all kinds of complications and tension in the families. The kelly sisters are fun and quirky, there is a cat who steals town underwear and there are some colorful local characters who frequent the pub. All together a satisfying and romantic story.

[Vicki F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets. Long kept secrets. Secrets resulting in a Romeo and Juliet type of estrangement. Secrets as a 'knicker' stealing Napoleon. Who did the 'knickers' belong to and would Napoleon be revealed as the thief? Would the long-held secrets come to light? Would the 'Romeo and Juliet' type characters get to become more than 'flat mates'? Secrets in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal is a fun, light read. Releases May 15th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I read in the Little Irish Village series and it was the right book at the right moment.
I needed some escapism, a good and honest enemy to lover story, and a lovely setting. There's also a very funny pet but you have to read this book to know more.
I had fun, rooted for the characters, and had some good time in reading this heartwamring and cute story.
4.5 upped to 5
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have given this a 2.5 if it was an option. Very cute story, but felt it stayed at a superficial level. And I usually love me a book set in Ireland, but the dialect dialogue was difficult to get through at times and took away from the story for me. I really wanted to like this one, but was just ok for me.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story in this series of the family Kelly who own and run a pub in the small village of Emerald Bay. Herr we follow daughter Grace who finds herself reconnecting with Chris, the son of a man who Grace's dad has a long and secret spat with. I enjoyed the story which stands fine alone.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets in the Little Irish Village: A completely addictive small town romance Michelle Vernal.

I loved reading this little love story of the Irish Village. I just had to keep reading and laughing and swooning over the lovey dovey bits. It had fun laughter and looney moments with the cat. On to the next in the series. 💕

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Grace and Chris’s story. We learn what feud was between Chris’sdad and hers. It was great returning to the family bar. I love how the townspeople come together the writing was terrific. I felt as though I was in the story with characters.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny in places but the author needs to do a bit more research, I’m not nit picking , it’s the small things like this that would make me want to leave the book aside. As I’ve said it’s the humour and spot on characters that made me finish it.

[Joyce R. Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

You never fail to amaze me with your story telling. Its like sitting in my friend Anne's front room in Kenmare and listening to good tales being told.
Thank you again for bring the Kelly family, Emerald Bay and Ireland to life.

[Mary Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s like catching up with old friends!

Really enjoyed catching up with the residents of Emerald Bay. I’ve read all the books so far and have enjoyed them all, looking forward to reading Hannah’s story! Love the Irish humour!

[Margaret lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Band's

What a great read it was so refreshing and a good comfort read just a cuppa and your all set ,the characters are amazingly good and the storylines these books tell are so so good a very well deserved 5 stars