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Emerald Isle #2
An Irish Promise
Art historian, Rachel Ford has returned to the Irish village of Kilbrook intent on keeping her promise to take revenge on the school bullies who ruined her childhood and destroyed her family.
Australian actor Finn MacKenzie sets hearts fluttering when he turns up in sleepy Kilbrook to help his aunt with a school production. He seems to have a charmed life, yet his confident façade hides heartbreak and tragedy. Although Finn isn’t looking for love, when he meets the mysterious Rachel, there's a definite spark between them.
Rachel is torn between her desire for revenge and this new love affair. She doesn’t want to deceive Finn, but can she trust him to keep her real identity a secret? And will he understand why she must keep her promise, no matter the cost?
Australian actor Finn MacKenzie sets hearts fluttering when he turns up in sleepy Kilbrook to help his aunt with a school production. He seems to have a charmed life, yet his confident façade hides heartbreak and tragedy. Although Finn isn’t looking for love, when he meets the mysterious Rachel, there's a definite spark between them.
Rachel is torn between her desire for revenge and this new love affair. She doesn’t want to deceive Finn, but can she trust him to keep her real identity a secret? And will he understand why she must keep her promise, no matter the cost?
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2014
44 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 20, 2014
It started of good, and then the secrets started to roll out and I could no longer put it down. Revelations I had not seen coming.
This is the story of Rachel who goes back to the village she hated, where she was bullied. And omg I HATED the bullies, effing cowards! How can kids be so cruel?! My heart bled for her and I got so mad. At first I was a bit taken aback, why go back and look for revenge? But as the story progressed and we got to see her diary, well my mind sure changed.
Finn is an actor from Australia and is staying with his aunt. He meets a pretty girl and falls for her. But can it be? They will go separate ways soon, and then there is the whole revenge thing she has not told him about.
There are other characters I'd like to talk about. Those I hated and liked. But I will leave you with some secrets not told. All things are not what they seem. There was this one character that I started to like because, oh I can't say. Just read and you will like that character too.
With the whole revenge thing it's not as you can guess a contemporary romance. Yes there is romance, after some time, they take it slow, they get to know each other, as they should. There are doubts, there are secrets.
There is also friendship, heartache and a nice village (but I wish people had stood up to those bullies years earlier).
A story that got me hooked.
This is the story of Rachel who goes back to the village she hated, where she was bullied. And omg I HATED the bullies, effing cowards! How can kids be so cruel?! My heart bled for her and I got so mad. At first I was a bit taken aback, why go back and look for revenge? But as the story progressed and we got to see her diary, well my mind sure changed.
Finn is an actor from Australia and is staying with his aunt. He meets a pretty girl and falls for her. But can it be? They will go separate ways soon, and then there is the whole revenge thing she has not told him about.
There are other characters I'd like to talk about. Those I hated and liked. But I will leave you with some secrets not told. All things are not what they seem. There was this one character that I started to like because, oh I can't say. Just read and you will like that character too.
With the whole revenge thing it's not as you can guess a contemporary romance. Yes there is romance, after some time, they take it slow, they get to know each other, as they should. There are doubts, there are secrets.
There is also friendship, heartache and a nice village (but I wish people had stood up to those bullies years earlier).
A story that got me hooked.
September 24, 2018
The best
Love love love this book. Lots of twists and turns with a message. Lots of love,friends ,family and forever love. This book d deals with bullying and handles the reality of it. Please hurry up with another book.
Love love love this book. Lots of twists and turns with a message. Lots of love,friends ,family and forever love. This book d deals with bullying and handles the reality of it. Please hurry up with another book.
June 8, 2015
I haven't enjoyed a novel this much in ages. I really liked Beneath an Irish Sky, but this is even better. I'm almost a bit nervous to write a review for fear of giving away any spoilers because the twists and turns in the plot made it full of surprises. It's such a well woven tale of secrets, loss, love and redemption that I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. Unlike most novels in this genre, there was no guessing what would happen next, no predictability. The characters were well drawn, believable and as far from being stereotypical as it's possible to have in a romance. Yet the love story is still there and the telling of that, right up to the epilogue, was a thing of beauty. I can make you a guarantee, rather than a promise, that if you buy this book you'll be delighted with your decision. I can't wait for the next book from Isabella Connor, who has gone straight into my favourite authors list.
April 25, 2024
Loved this book, it took me on a journey of anger, and frustration, where the MC encountered struggles as she embarked on her quest of revenge, such as her morality which is often forgotten in books about revenge and how bystanders often get hurt, when trying to hurt the people who hurt you.
It’s very rare that a book sneaks a plot twist in that I can’t predict and this book did that, I managed to pick up on the first one re; Finn but the second one my jaw was dropped.
Was very well written, only wished we got to see a couple more chapters- or even another book between the final chapter and the epilogue to gauge the healing that both Rachel and Finn underwent after the fire, and how they were brought back together.
It’s very rare that a book sneaks a plot twist in that I can’t predict and this book did that, I managed to pick up on the first one re; Finn but the second one my jaw was dropped.
Was very well written, only wished we got to see a couple more chapters- or even another book between the final chapter and the epilogue to gauge the healing that both Rachel and Finn underwent after the fire, and how they were brought back together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2014
Yet again another outstanding book. I was gripped from the very first chapter and I felt an instant rapport with Finn, Rachael and Fr Daniel though loathed Mel and Jay. I was kept constantly guessing and was surprised through the whole book which I loved as it meant you could never second guess the author though was really happy Mel ended up marrying who she did ❤️
May 8, 2015
"An Irish Promise" is a skillfully crafted and a powerful story exploring the consequences of how one’s past actions reverberates through time to haunt one’s future.
Read full review in the 2015 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2015 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 13, 2018
just what I wanted
It might be predictable, it might be cheesy, but there's a quality and feel good vibe to the writing that can't be ignored. hard hitting at times and thoroughly enjoyable
It might be predictable, it might be cheesy, but there's a quality and feel good vibe to the writing that can't be ignored. hard hitting at times and thoroughly enjoyable
March 27, 2017
The plot thickens. I didn't guess the end until 3/4 of the way through and even then I couldn't believe the turn in the story. The ending was beautiful.
December 9, 2014
It’s not just her growing love for Finn that leads Rachel to have doubts about her plans for revenge. Her resolution wavers almost immediately when she discovers that one of the gang, Daniel, is now the Parish Priest and prepared to go out of his way to welcome her and help her settle in. Her meeting with Mel is a different matter and, judging by the rumours it seems that Jay, now married to Mel, is as bad as he has ever been. But what has happened to the fourth bully, Spook? She just has to hope he will turn up at the reunion.
The book is full of secrets: we are party to some from the start, there are others which are fairly easy for us to work out (or guess) before the characters do, but there was one I didn’t see coming, even though the clues were there. It’s also full of subplots, each of which reveals a little more about the lives and characters of the bullies. While none are exonerated, it eventually becomes clear that some are more deserving of forgiveness than others, not just because of the role they played at the time, but also because of their attempts to atone for it since and their continuing remorse. This means that not only does the story race along, with something new happening on every page, but everyone important has their own conflicts and they therefore feel real. Jay was the only one of the major characters who I felt was a bit obvious, although even he has a backstory that explains – but does not excuse – his continuing nastiness.
There was therefore lots to like and it was enjoyable to read, but there were a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. For example, how long it took for some of the secrets to come out, adult Jay’s stupidity in thinking he would get away with his behaviour, and the withholding of an identity for part of the Epilogue – it assumed we hadn’t got to know the characters well enough from what had gone before to be able to work it out, so I’m not sure if it demonstrates the writers having a lack of confidence in themselves or their readers. I also wonder if someone who hasn’t much experience of Irish Catholicism would understand why the final attack of the bullies had the consequences it did for the bullies and the town – even though it’s absolutely clear just how traumatic it was for Rachel and her family.
The issue of bullying is handled well in the novel: its slow and unpredictable effects on the life of a young person who just wants to fit in are chillingly described in the apparently artless diaries that Rachel re-reads when her resolution wavers, and the effects of their actions on (at least some of) the bullies themselves are central to the narrative. But it does all this without losing its sense of fun and so becomes a thought-provoking book that, in spite of its flaws, is thoroughly enjoyable to read.
Reviewed by Catherine This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
The book is full of secrets: we are party to some from the start, there are others which are fairly easy for us to work out (or guess) before the characters do, but there was one I didn’t see coming, even though the clues were there. It’s also full of subplots, each of which reveals a little more about the lives and characters of the bullies. While none are exonerated, it eventually becomes clear that some are more deserving of forgiveness than others, not just because of the role they played at the time, but also because of their attempts to atone for it since and their continuing remorse. This means that not only does the story race along, with something new happening on every page, but everyone important has their own conflicts and they therefore feel real. Jay was the only one of the major characters who I felt was a bit obvious, although even he has a backstory that explains – but does not excuse – his continuing nastiness.
There was therefore lots to like and it was enjoyable to read, but there were a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. For example, how long it took for some of the secrets to come out, adult Jay’s stupidity in thinking he would get away with his behaviour, and the withholding of an identity for part of the Epilogue – it assumed we hadn’t got to know the characters well enough from what had gone before to be able to work it out, so I’m not sure if it demonstrates the writers having a lack of confidence in themselves or their readers. I also wonder if someone who hasn’t much experience of Irish Catholicism would understand why the final attack of the bullies had the consequences it did for the bullies and the town – even though it’s absolutely clear just how traumatic it was for Rachel and her family.
The issue of bullying is handled well in the novel: its slow and unpredictable effects on the life of a young person who just wants to fit in are chillingly described in the apparently artless diaries that Rachel re-reads when her resolution wavers, and the effects of their actions on (at least some of) the bullies themselves are central to the narrative. But it does all this without losing its sense of fun and so becomes a thought-provoking book that, in spite of its flaws, is thoroughly enjoyable to read.
Reviewed by Catherine This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
November 11, 2024
Liked some of the twist and turns. I liked all the characters. Some were a bit religious for my liking but the village life felt real. Very very good book.
November 25, 2014
An Irish Promise is, not surprisingly, set in Ireland, however, I have to admit it did not feel overly Irish. As a girl with Irish family myself, from a dialogue point of view, I felt it could have just as easily have been set in England, although there are some lovely desriptions of Ireland in it and I particularly liked the reference to the Claddagh (symbolising love, loyalty and friendship). I was therefore not surprised to learn that this did not come from an Irish author; Isabella Connor is the pen name for Liv Thomas (who was born and raised in the South of England) and Valerie Olteanu (who grew up in Scotland). However, this does not detract from the book being a wonderful masterpiece.
This is Isabella Connor's second 'Emerald Isle' book, but the first that I have read. Having just finished An Irish Promise I can't wait to get my hands on the first book, Beneath an Irish Sky.
An Irish Promise is a story packed full of warmth and love, set against a backdrop of bullying and the quest for revenge. The book made me smile until my jaw ached but it also made me cry (in public, very embarassing!!). The book reveals both sides of the coin; the feelings of the bully and the victim (both then and years later) and the authors do a good job of portraying this. Of course, as with all ChocLit books, romance can't help but creep in!
About 150 pages in, a revelation was revealed that changed everything and I can honestly say made me gasp! Later in the book, another (similar) revelation was revealed that I also did not see coming and even made me turn back to the early parts of the book to see whether I should have known! This book was full of twists and turns, and the suspense at the end left me with the book inches from my face and I could not stop my eyes from darting down the page to try and work out whether Ella and Finn get their happy every after.
An Irish Promise is quite a long book at just under 400 pages, but every part is perfectly woven together to create a fabulous book that I do not hesitate to recommend. Despite its length, I flew through the book and having finished it, I now wonder whether I should have savoured it for a bit longer. The author makes you love the characters who you should and detest the characters who do not deserve your adoration.
This is Isabella Connor's second 'Emerald Isle' book, but the first that I have read. Having just finished An Irish Promise I can't wait to get my hands on the first book, Beneath an Irish Sky.
An Irish Promise is a story packed full of warmth and love, set against a backdrop of bullying and the quest for revenge. The book made me smile until my jaw ached but it also made me cry (in public, very embarassing!!). The book reveals both sides of the coin; the feelings of the bully and the victim (both then and years later) and the authors do a good job of portraying this. Of course, as with all ChocLit books, romance can't help but creep in!
About 150 pages in, a revelation was revealed that changed everything and I can honestly say made me gasp! Later in the book, another (similar) revelation was revealed that I also did not see coming and even made me turn back to the early parts of the book to see whether I should have known! This book was full of twists and turns, and the suspense at the end left me with the book inches from my face and I could not stop my eyes from darting down the page to try and work out whether Ella and Finn get their happy every after.
An Irish Promise is quite a long book at just under 400 pages, but every part is perfectly woven together to create a fabulous book that I do not hesitate to recommend. Despite its length, I flew through the book and having finished it, I now wonder whether I should have savoured it for a bit longer. The author makes you love the characters who you should and detest the characters who do not deserve your adoration.
November 14, 2014
I had the bar set high for this book because I had enjoyed this author’s first effort so much. I wasn’t disappointed. I was reading the first line, then next thing I knew I was reading the last line of the first chapter: ‘Karma was about to come calling’.
Whoa!
You see, Rachel has come to town. To keep a promise. And if revenge is a confession of pain, well there has been plenty of it. A wrong was done fourteen years ago. Done, but not forgotten. A young girl was mercilessly bullied, those responsible never called to account. But Rachel is back, and it’s time, time to tally up.
Her name is different, she’s unrecognizable, just an art student in Kilbrook to do some research.
But the years have had their effect on all involved. One of the bullies is now a quiet, kindly priest who befriends her, one gives her a job, one has a little girl who adores him, another has disappeared… Soon there is no black and white, no simple right and wrong – but there is still the promise. And Finn. Finn is in town, helping his aunt. And Finn doesn’t know what Rachel has in mind – but then again, Finn is keeping secrets of his own.
I gasped more than once, pumped my fist in the air a few times, laughed, and cried, sighed…it was quite a ride. I can’t wait to see what Isabella Connor comes up with next. Brilliant – simply brilliant!
Whoa!
You see, Rachel has come to town. To keep a promise. And if revenge is a confession of pain, well there has been plenty of it. A wrong was done fourteen years ago. Done, but not forgotten. A young girl was mercilessly bullied, those responsible never called to account. But Rachel is back, and it’s time, time to tally up.
Her name is different, she’s unrecognizable, just an art student in Kilbrook to do some research.
But the years have had their effect on all involved. One of the bullies is now a quiet, kindly priest who befriends her, one gives her a job, one has a little girl who adores him, another has disappeared… Soon there is no black and white, no simple right and wrong – but there is still the promise. And Finn. Finn is in town, helping his aunt. And Finn doesn’t know what Rachel has in mind – but then again, Finn is keeping secrets of his own.
I gasped more than once, pumped my fist in the air a few times, laughed, and cried, sighed…it was quite a ride. I can’t wait to see what Isabella Connor comes up with next. Brilliant – simply brilliant!
February 14, 2015
I loved Isabella Connor's first book so much that I went around raving about it to anyone who'd listen for weeks afterwards. So when I spotted An Irish Promise on special offer, I had to snap it up.
The story revolves around Rachel's desire to take revenge on a group of school bullies. The story explores the effects of the bullying on the victims, but also on the bullies themselves, especially those who were held in the group of bullies simply because they were too afraid not to be.
I really enjoyed this story, not least because the characters were so thoughtfully drawn and nuances of fear and guild explored. As with Beneath and Irish Sky, there were surprise twists that I didn't see coming. If I had one criticism, it was that one of the bullies got off lightly at the end.
If you like intriguing stories with plenty of twists and turns in it, you'll enjoy this book.
The story revolves around Rachel's desire to take revenge on a group of school bullies. The story explores the effects of the bullying on the victims, but also on the bullies themselves, especially those who were held in the group of bullies simply because they were too afraid not to be.
I really enjoyed this story, not least because the characters were so thoughtfully drawn and nuances of fear and guild explored. As with Beneath and Irish Sky, there were surprise twists that I didn't see coming. If I had one criticism, it was that one of the bullies got off lightly at the end.
If you like intriguing stories with plenty of twists and turns in it, you'll enjoy this book.
December 4, 2014
This book has everything - a wonderful setting, interesting characters and a plot that will keep you intrigued until the very end. As a young girl in a small Irish village Rachel's family was torn apart by bullying. Now she's a grown woman but she's not forgotten her promise to get revenge. She returns only to find things aren't straightforward and to keep her promise she may destroy far more than the guilty people from so long ago. Finn, a charming Australian actor, is struggling with tragedies in his own past and Rachel has to decide whether to trust him with her secret as they fall deeper in love.
August 10, 2015
I had the honour and the pleasure of reading An Irish Promise before it was released, Isabella Connor is so very talented and has a unique style of writing.
An Irish promise will have you gripped from page 1, it will have you second guessing as to what will happen, and you will always be wrong, it is unpredictable and addictive.
I love Finn, he couldnt be any more perfect!!
Keep an eye for the character Leanne, (she was named after ME) lol
An Irish promise will have you gripped from page 1, it will have you second guessing as to what will happen, and you will always be wrong, it is unpredictable and addictive.
I love Finn, he couldnt be any more perfect!!
Keep an eye for the character Leanne, (she was named after ME) lol
December 18, 2016
Intrigue and deceit, but it's the love story that winds its way through this wonderful story that keeps hope alive. You will laugh and cry, and feel angst and surprise as secrets are unveiled. And who can resist a visit to an Irish village to find out how things have changed since Rachel was last there? You'll have to download it to find out and you won't be disappointed!
March 26, 2021
It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I figured it out, I was totally engaged. I liked the characters & their interactions. Rachel was very interesting, and she & Finn were extremely likeable & fun.
May 3, 2015
Fantastic!
February 11, 2024
3.5 stars. Similar style to Emerald Isle #1 but none of the same characters (that I could tell). More character development in this novel compared to #1 and a couple of twists. Overall still a cosy comforting feel of Enid Blyton for adults with the real baddies staying true to type, and the good hearted people making up for their weaker lapses by living good caring lives afterward.
Audiobook Narrator did a great job with the Irish and English accents, but her Australian accents fell way short, in this Aussie’s opinion. We don’t pronounce ‘past’ and ‘last’ the way Americans do, for a start.
Audiobook Narrator did a great job with the Irish and English accents, but her Australian accents fell way short, in this Aussie’s opinion. We don’t pronounce ‘past’ and ‘last’ the way Americans do, for a start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2020
Kilbrook is a small village in Ireland which is the centre of the story. Rachel has returned here to take revenge on bullies who are about to have a school reunion. She manages to fit into village life but unexpectedly finds a romantic interest. The usual teen pregnancy, infidelity, bullying and tragedy run along side a vibrant village life. Didn’t work for me.
November 2, 2014
An Irish Promise is the second novel in the Emerald Isle Romance series from Choc Lit author Isabella Connor and I can easily say I loved it staying up late into the night eager to discover the ending. I had enjoyed their debut novel but this story just blew their previous offering out of the water. Despite being quite slow in the start with a lot of setting up to be done, once the action picked up it never stopped and the story held me firmly in its grip.
Isabella Connor is actually two people (Liv Thomas and Valerie Olteanu) writing as one but you would never guess this as the writing is superb and flows really well. It’s evident the authors have put a lot of time and effort into creating a strong plot with a varied cast of characters that will have you loving and hating them in equal measure. I often wonder how two people write as one – how do they spilt the workload and make the story read as if one person as written it?
This book opened with such a strong and impactful first page that I knew I was in for a roller-coaster of a read full of unexpected turns and plot twists. We are introduced to Rachel Ford as she travels to Kilbrook a small village in the west of Ireland. She is there under pretence to study frescos in the church and also work part-time in the local restaurant - The Fat Pheasant. But all is not as it seems as Rachel is really here to extract her revenge for the bullying she suffered at the hands of several residents of Kilbrook during the first few years in the local secondary school.
The novel is interspersed with extracts of her diary from her early teenage years and it gives detailed descriptions of the abuse and suffering she was dealt under the hands of four main bullies – Daniel (now the local priest), Jody (nobody seems to know where he disappeared to) and Mel and Jay (who are now married and a teacher and restaurant owner respectively). Reading the diary extracts really gave me an insight into how Rachel felt and why she now needs to come back so many years later and see the tables turned on her tormentors. Rachel bides her time and assimilates herself into the community waiting until a school reunion provides the perfect place for everything to come together and her bullies to receive what she feels has been coming to them.
Initially I thought the book would be all about Rachel and her quest but as the story progressed she turned out to be a totally different character than we had first read about. She seemed to nearly do a complete u-turn in her thoughts and opinions as she began to care for some of the people in Kilbrook and see that maybe everybody was not that bad in spite of the traumatic event that had occurred many years ago. There were numerous characters to get to grips with and with each character they had their own storyline – too many to mention here but at times these storylines overtook from the main plot and Rachel’s revenge. One or two side storylines could have been shorter and not have been explored throughout the book to the end but maybe in a chapter or two. Despite that minor gripe I found becoming familiar with the four main bullies and what they were up to now in Kilbrook was fascinating. Who could believe that Daniel would have ended up as the parish priest and I do have to say I don’t think any priest would have done half the things Daniel does in this book. I mean sneaking a kiss with Rachel and getting so drunk at a party - would this really happen in real life? Mel and Jay are still as nasty, evil and arrogant as ever and I loved their storyline as it highlighted that even later in life they were still the same bullies who had never changed and didn’t care whose lives they destroyed as long as they were happy and living their dream lifestyle.
There was some romance in this book but it is certainly not chick-lit as dealing with such a relevant topic of bullying and how its effects can have such far reaching consequences means that An Irish Promise takes itself into a totally different genre. Rachel does have some romantic encounters with Finn who was a great character having suffered a difficult past of his own he came across as such a kind, caring and supportive person to Rachel. There were two huge plot twists that I genuinely didn’t see coming and I literally gasped out loud. The author had done such a great job of setting the scene, developing the characters and the story and giving me false ideas about certain people that they deserve great credit for such dramatic but essential twists that only made the story even better.
I could go into much more detail about the various subplots but I think it’s best for you to read this book and make your own judgements and see how everything comes together. The issues and themes explored in this book are current and many people will connect with them. The author deserves great credit for daring to tackle some issues that often get swept under the carpet when they should be exposed and dealt with. I urge people to pick up this book as you won’t be left disappointed but instead will have a huge feeling of satisfaction by the last page. Isabella Connor has outdone herself and I am already looking forward to her next release.
Isabella Connor is actually two people (Liv Thomas and Valerie Olteanu) writing as one but you would never guess this as the writing is superb and flows really well. It’s evident the authors have put a lot of time and effort into creating a strong plot with a varied cast of characters that will have you loving and hating them in equal measure. I often wonder how two people write as one – how do they spilt the workload and make the story read as if one person as written it?
This book opened with such a strong and impactful first page that I knew I was in for a roller-coaster of a read full of unexpected turns and plot twists. We are introduced to Rachel Ford as she travels to Kilbrook a small village in the west of Ireland. She is there under pretence to study frescos in the church and also work part-time in the local restaurant - The Fat Pheasant. But all is not as it seems as Rachel is really here to extract her revenge for the bullying she suffered at the hands of several residents of Kilbrook during the first few years in the local secondary school.
The novel is interspersed with extracts of her diary from her early teenage years and it gives detailed descriptions of the abuse and suffering she was dealt under the hands of four main bullies – Daniel (now the local priest), Jody (nobody seems to know where he disappeared to) and Mel and Jay (who are now married and a teacher and restaurant owner respectively). Reading the diary extracts really gave me an insight into how Rachel felt and why she now needs to come back so many years later and see the tables turned on her tormentors. Rachel bides her time and assimilates herself into the community waiting until a school reunion provides the perfect place for everything to come together and her bullies to receive what she feels has been coming to them.
Initially I thought the book would be all about Rachel and her quest but as the story progressed she turned out to be a totally different character than we had first read about. She seemed to nearly do a complete u-turn in her thoughts and opinions as she began to care for some of the people in Kilbrook and see that maybe everybody was not that bad in spite of the traumatic event that had occurred many years ago. There were numerous characters to get to grips with and with each character they had their own storyline – too many to mention here but at times these storylines overtook from the main plot and Rachel’s revenge. One or two side storylines could have been shorter and not have been explored throughout the book to the end but maybe in a chapter or two. Despite that minor gripe I found becoming familiar with the four main bullies and what they were up to now in Kilbrook was fascinating. Who could believe that Daniel would have ended up as the parish priest and I do have to say I don’t think any priest would have done half the things Daniel does in this book. I mean sneaking a kiss with Rachel and getting so drunk at a party - would this really happen in real life? Mel and Jay are still as nasty, evil and arrogant as ever and I loved their storyline as it highlighted that even later in life they were still the same bullies who had never changed and didn’t care whose lives they destroyed as long as they were happy and living their dream lifestyle.
There was some romance in this book but it is certainly not chick-lit as dealing with such a relevant topic of bullying and how its effects can have such far reaching consequences means that An Irish Promise takes itself into a totally different genre. Rachel does have some romantic encounters with Finn who was a great character having suffered a difficult past of his own he came across as such a kind, caring and supportive person to Rachel. There were two huge plot twists that I genuinely didn’t see coming and I literally gasped out loud. The author had done such a great job of setting the scene, developing the characters and the story and giving me false ideas about certain people that they deserve great credit for such dramatic but essential twists that only made the story even better.
I could go into much more detail about the various subplots but I think it’s best for you to read this book and make your own judgements and see how everything comes together. The issues and themes explored in this book are current and many people will connect with them. The author deserves great credit for daring to tackle some issues that often get swept under the carpet when they should be exposed and dealt with. I urge people to pick up this book as you won’t be left disappointed but instead will have a huge feeling of satisfaction by the last page. Isabella Connor has outdone herself and I am already looking forward to her next release.
February 5, 2020
story of revenge and redemption set somewhere between Shannon and Galway without being "Oirish", which is a blessing. Hard to summarise the plot without spoiling the story, but it is worth reading it, and although it is set in the run up to Christmas, it is not a Christmas story. Enjoy!
January 4, 2025
Couldn’t put it down… bit cheesy in the end but still made me smile.
November 23, 2024
An Irish Promise by Isabella Connor is an intriguing story of deception and revenge. Set in a small Irish village the former bullies of the class are about to get their comeuppance as a class reunion approaches. However, nothing is straight forward and there are many twists and turns along the way, with secrets slowly being revealed as the plot develops. I really enjoyed reading this book and found the Prologue helpful in pulling any loose threads together to give a satisfying ending to the story.
April 28, 2015
Art historian, Rachel Ford returns to the Irish village of Kilbrook, ostensibly to study a rare set of art murals in the local church. However, Rachel is seeking revenge on the childhood bullies who once made her life a misery. Changed, beyond recognition, Rachel is quickly able to ingratiate herself into local society, whilst the bullies, now adults themselves, have no idea that they are about to get their comeuppance. Australian actor, Finn Mackenzie arrives in Kilbrook to help his aunt with a local school production of A Christmas Carol. Irresistibly drawn to Rachel, Finn needs to address some problems of his own before he can risk making a commitment.
What then follows is a well written look at the effect that childhood bullying can have, not just on the victim at the time, but also, of the effects that linger well into adulthood. What this story shows is that there are always two sides to every story and that judging people by their actions, isn't always the best way to react.
The story is written with warmth and sensitivity. The characters are believable, and whilst not always likeable, I can think of two in particular that I actively disliked, there is no doubt that they are all memorable in their own way. The charm of the Irish countryside comes alive and the small town mentality, of a town where everyone knows everyone else's business, is explored in fine detail. Everyone sits well within the story, and as their lives are revealed, it becomes obvious that there is far more to these characters than is at first revealed.
I really enjoyed An Irish Promise and look forward to the continuation of the Emerald Isle Romance series by this talented duo of authors.
What then follows is a well written look at the effect that childhood bullying can have, not just on the victim at the time, but also, of the effects that linger well into adulthood. What this story shows is that there are always two sides to every story and that judging people by their actions, isn't always the best way to react.
The story is written with warmth and sensitivity. The characters are believable, and whilst not always likeable, I can think of two in particular that I actively disliked, there is no doubt that they are all memorable in their own way. The charm of the Irish countryside comes alive and the small town mentality, of a town where everyone knows everyone else's business, is explored in fine detail. Everyone sits well within the story, and as their lives are revealed, it becomes obvious that there is far more to these characters than is at first revealed.
I really enjoyed An Irish Promise and look forward to the continuation of the Emerald Isle Romance series by this talented duo of authors.
August 2, 2015
*I won this book via the good reads giveaways*
This book was great. It gripped me from the start (I read about a third of the book in one night) and had a lot of plot twists and unsuspecting changes happen throughout. Just when you thought you knew what was about to happen it changed completely. I definitely had doubts when I first read the blurb because it seemed like a fairly typical love story but I didn't turn out that way at all and ended up being a book I will definitely recommend to friends and family.
My review on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAuHC...
This book was great. It gripped me from the start (I read about a third of the book in one night) and had a lot of plot twists and unsuspecting changes happen throughout. Just when you thought you knew what was about to happen it changed completely. I definitely had doubts when I first read the blurb because it seemed like a fairly typical love story but I didn't turn out that way at all and ended up being a book I will definitely recommend to friends and family.
My review on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAuHC...
February 13, 2024
Brilliant
Really believable characters , lots of suspense , a fabulous read . So glad a bought this book i was sorry when it fended
Really believable characters , lots of suspense , a fabulous read . So glad a bought this book i was sorry when it fended
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