Hearts Under Renovation

by Maeve McBride

She’s rebuilding the inn that broke her heart. He’s the grumpy contractor who never really left it.

Newly divorced and back in Dooncarra with two kids in tow, Eimear Walsh isn’t just fixing up the crumbling Willowbridge Inn—she’s facing the ghosts of her past. That includes Aidan Flynn, her high school sweetheart turned town handyman, who’s still as gruff and guarded as ever.

As the renovations heat up, so do old feelings—and when a hidden discovery in the attic throws everything into question, Eimear must decide if she’s ready to risk it all for the future she thought she’d lost.

Hearts Under Renovation is a heartwarming, clean Irish romance full of second chances, slow-burn chemistry, and a family inn ready to be reborn.

Genres: Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2025

About the author

Maeve McBride writes heartfelt, clean small-town romances set against the lush landscapes of Ireland. Her stories weave together the warmth of close-knit communities, the charm of cobblestone streets and cozy pubs, and the tender journeys of love and self-discovery.

Maeve’s fictional towns are alive with quirky neighbors, meddlesome matchmakers, and the promise of second chances, offering readers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters.

When Maeve isn’t writing, you’ll find her exploring Ireland’s hidden gems, enjoying a cup of tea by the fire, or dreaming up her next tale of love, laughter, and belonging.

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like these books, I really did. even after reading all the other reviews after I finished the first book, I still pressed on to read the second. Sigh. I love reading all things Irish, and the descriptions are on spot in the books, but that's about all I enjoyed. Instead of a cute, clean romance, the books read as an angsty diary of a forlorn person who wants to love but is just torn apart by everything in their life. I mean, the entire book! There is no real dialog in the book. Conversations here & there, but mostly just reading about the inner thoughts of an overly, anxious main character. Plus, there was no real interconnection between the first book and second, even with the same characters involved. I was a little confused with Niamh's gift shop from the first book, but described as a café in the second.

Overall, if you want to just read anxiety driven thoughts with very descriptive surroundings, this is it.