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The Half of It: A Spicy Small-Town Ireland Romance
In a small town halfway around the world, she might just find her whole heart.
Tough but tender Juniper Martin should have tossed that DNA test. A frustrating workday and one too many cosmos later, she mails a sample that unearths her half-sister in Ireland. Raised in a broken home, Juniper grants trust sparingly. But when she’s assigned a career-changing article about the findings, Juniper travels to the small town of Ballygrá to meet Cara and attend her wedding.
After Aidan McCarthy’s brother died, he dropped out of postgrad to help his parents. Only his best friend Cara knows he wants to pursue photography and not pour pints at his Da’s pub forever, but duty to family comes first. He desperately needs something—or someone—to inspire him and breathe new life into his old dreams.
When Aidan and Juniper must work together and help with Cara’s wedding preparation, neither can deny the chemistry between them. But Juniper can’t stay in beautiful Ballygrá forever—and when a discovery calls into question everything she’s worked for, she must decide how much to open her heart to the family she never knew she wanted and to the man she never anticipated falling for.
The Half of It is a spicy slow-burn romance set in the small town of Ballygrá, Ireland, perfect for fans of the Irish setting in Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks, the cinnamon roll male main character in Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, and the heart and heat of Kate Clayborn books.
Tough but tender Juniper Martin should have tossed that DNA test. A frustrating workday and one too many cosmos later, she mails a sample that unearths her half-sister in Ireland. Raised in a broken home, Juniper grants trust sparingly. But when she’s assigned a career-changing article about the findings, Juniper travels to the small town of Ballygrá to meet Cara and attend her wedding.
After Aidan McCarthy’s brother died, he dropped out of postgrad to help his parents. Only his best friend Cara knows he wants to pursue photography and not pour pints at his Da’s pub forever, but duty to family comes first. He desperately needs something—or someone—to inspire him and breathe new life into his old dreams.
When Aidan and Juniper must work together and help with Cara’s wedding preparation, neither can deny the chemistry between them. But Juniper can’t stay in beautiful Ballygrá forever—and when a discovery calls into question everything she’s worked for, she must decide how much to open her heart to the family she never knew she wanted and to the man she never anticipated falling for.
The Half of It is a spicy slow-burn romance set in the small town of Ballygrá, Ireland, perfect for fans of the Irish setting in Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks, the cinnamon roll male main character in Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, and the heart and heat of Kate Clayborn books.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2025
52 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Christine
2 books42 followersTheresa Christine writes contemporary romances where wanderlust meets heartfelt heat. Drawing on her years as a travel journalist, she sets her stories in unforgettable places around the world. She is the author of the vacation novella Match Made in the Maldives and the small-town Ireland romance The Half of It. She currently lives in Hamburg, Germany, with her husband and their two energetic cats. To stay up to date on Theresa's books, follow her on social media @theresachristinewrites or sign up for her newsletter at her website: www.theresachristine.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 11, 2025
This was such a good book. It was an easy read and something I really recommend. I never felt lost during this whole book and I was never confused about the setting. Because of this book I honestly want to now take a trip to Ireland and explore it. Aiden and June’s connection was strong and wonderful from the beginning and I’m so happy with how it turned out. I do wish there would have been some more wanting from each of them in the beginning but overall it was good. What June had to go through not just in the time she was in Ireland but her whole life growing up and with work is heartbreaking and it is surprising she was able to turn it around the way she did. I loved this romance and it made me feel good from beginning to end!!
March 1, 2025
3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Theresa Christine for this eARC copy. I will be giving my honest review.
Anyone who knows me will tell you of my obsession with all things Ireland so this book was right up my alley.
The author did an amazing job at setting the scenes to make you feel like you were there. Even though Ballygrá isn’t a real Irish town (more an amalgamation of all the different places the author has traveled to in Ireland) it gave all the cutesy small town & townspeople vibes that I love to read.
The story starts out with Juniper, who finds herself in Ireland to primarily connect with her half-sister Cara that she only recently discovered she had via DNA test. Once there she meets someone and while Aiden is dreamy the romance kinda took a backseat to all the other layers of the book for me. While the romance is unfolding, you’re also getting budding familial relationships and workplace drama which I’m here for.
Be warned, this book definitely has a slow burn aspect so I was HERE for it and the pining/will they?/won’t they?of it all.
My favorite things:
•cozy small town
•3 dimensional dynamic characters
•exploration of dreams & goals
•slow step by step unfolding of the romance
•the Irish setting ☘️
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Theresa Christine for this eARC copy. I will be giving my honest review.
Anyone who knows me will tell you of my obsession with all things Ireland so this book was right up my alley.
The author did an amazing job at setting the scenes to make you feel like you were there. Even though Ballygrá isn’t a real Irish town (more an amalgamation of all the different places the author has traveled to in Ireland) it gave all the cutesy small town & townspeople vibes that I love to read.
The story starts out with Juniper, who finds herself in Ireland to primarily connect with her half-sister Cara that she only recently discovered she had via DNA test. Once there she meets someone and while Aiden is dreamy the romance kinda took a backseat to all the other layers of the book for me. While the romance is unfolding, you’re also getting budding familial relationships and workplace drama which I’m here for.
Be warned, this book definitely has a slow burn aspect so I was HERE for it and the pining/will they?/won’t they?of it all.
My favorite things:
•cozy small town
•3 dimensional dynamic characters
•exploration of dreams & goals
•slow step by step unfolding of the romance
•the Irish setting ☘️
March 7, 2025
"The Half of It" is a story of found family - literally. When Juniper takes a DNA test and finds out that she has a half-sister that she never knew of, she finds herself arriving in Ireland to meet her new family member and attend her sister's wedding. While visiting, Juniper is also collecting stories and documenting her personal journey with the plan to write a personal narrative for the online magazine for which she is a journalist who aspires to move up in her career. What Juniper doesn't expect is to have a strong and immediate connection with her half-sister, Cara; to develop romantic feelings for Cara's best friend, Aidan; and to receive unexpected news that could tear her new family away from her before she's even had time to accept their place in her life.
This book includes many layers and discussion of multiple serious topics, including alcohol & drug misuse, infidelity, foster care, family estrangement, divorce, the intricacies of family relationships, and more. This will allow many readers to find something that they relate and connect to while reading. The book also puts a focus on resilience, strength, independence, and ability to persevere in the face of struggle.
Overall, my rating for this book is closer to around 3.5 stars. While I enjoyed the book and was invested to get through the story in its entirety, I did feel like there was *something* missing that kept me from feeling completely invested or connected to the main characters and the romance between Juniper and Aidan.
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for providing an early digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book includes many layers and discussion of multiple serious topics, including alcohol & drug misuse, infidelity, foster care, family estrangement, divorce, the intricacies of family relationships, and more. This will allow many readers to find something that they relate and connect to while reading. The book also puts a focus on resilience, strength, independence, and ability to persevere in the face of struggle.
Overall, my rating for this book is closer to around 3.5 stars. While I enjoyed the book and was invested to get through the story in its entirety, I did feel like there was *something* missing that kept me from feeling completely invested or connected to the main characters and the romance between Juniper and Aidan.
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for providing an early digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 11, 2025
this book had me on a roller coaster of emotions!!!! I am OBSESSED.
I don’t want to talk TOO much about the plot, because I don’t want to spoil anything, BUT to give you a taste - June learns she has a half sister, Cara, through a DNA kit service and heads over to Ireland for her wedding. Before even meeting Cara, she meets Aidan, bartender at his family’s pub who also happens to be Cara’s best friend.
Tasked with prepping the wedding, June and Aidan spend more and more time together and find it increasingly difficult to deny their attraction to one another, even though they’re not sure it’s the best idea what with Cara being June’s sister and Aidan’s best friend. But they understand each other in a way that most people don’t. They see each other, and for June who’s never had a proper family of her own, and for Aidan who feels like he’s living in his late brother’s shadow and trying to hold his family together, that sort of connection is a BIG DEAL.
the evolution of their relationship felt sooooo well done, and was beautifully paced. Nothing felt rushed, and their connection was realistic, both of these being qualms I typically have with shorter contemp romances. But what really got me was June’s relationship with Cara and everyone else in Cara’s life - finally realizing that she’s worth and deserving of the love she never received growing up. it made me incredibly emotional and yes, certain things transpire that threaten everything she’s found, but when you love someone, do you give up?
Love love loved this book, easy 5 stars and I hope everyone picks it up on 3/11!
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the advance copy to review!!
I don’t want to talk TOO much about the plot, because I don’t want to spoil anything, BUT to give you a taste - June learns she has a half sister, Cara, through a DNA kit service and heads over to Ireland for her wedding. Before even meeting Cara, she meets Aidan, bartender at his family’s pub who also happens to be Cara’s best friend.
Tasked with prepping the wedding, June and Aidan spend more and more time together and find it increasingly difficult to deny their attraction to one another, even though they’re not sure it’s the best idea what with Cara being June’s sister and Aidan’s best friend. But they understand each other in a way that most people don’t. They see each other, and for June who’s never had a proper family of her own, and for Aidan who feels like he’s living in his late brother’s shadow and trying to hold his family together, that sort of connection is a BIG DEAL.
the evolution of their relationship felt sooooo well done, and was beautifully paced. Nothing felt rushed, and their connection was realistic, both of these being qualms I typically have with shorter contemp romances. But what really got me was June’s relationship with Cara and everyone else in Cara’s life - finally realizing that she’s worth and deserving of the love she never received growing up. it made me incredibly emotional and yes, certain things transpire that threaten everything she’s found, but when you love someone, do you give up?
Love love loved this book, easy 5 stars and I hope everyone picks it up on 3/11!
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the advance copy to review!!
May 22, 2025
3.5 stars
reviewed for Dear Author
https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
reviewed for Dear Author
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March 1, 2025
3.5 Stars
Anything set in Ireland is right up my alley. I adore the charm of Irish towns and their people, and the author did an excellent job of bringing the setting to life. Though Ballygrá isn’t a real town, it felt like an authentic, picturesque Irish village. While the story is primarily a romance, it also explores the growth of familial relationships and the challenges women face in the workforce. The romance itself is a slow burn—it’s sweet but left me wanting a bit more.
Despite that, I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you for a free copy of this book for my honest opinion
Anything set in Ireland is right up my alley. I adore the charm of Irish towns and their people, and the author did an excellent job of bringing the setting to life. Though Ballygrá isn’t a real town, it felt like an authentic, picturesque Irish village. While the story is primarily a romance, it also explores the growth of familial relationships and the challenges women face in the workforce. The romance itself is a slow burn—it’s sweet but left me wanting a bit more.
Despite that, I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you for a free copy of this book for my honest opinion
April 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this! I really LOVED this book. The characters were so relatable, sweet, and funny. The story line is one I haven’t read before & ate it up. Would def recommend to a romcom fan!!
February 20, 2025
3.5⭐️
Juniper ha vivido de manera solitaria; su madre la abandonó, su abuela solo la cuidó por unos años y luego fue ingresada en el sistema de acogida. No sabe lo que es tener una familia y se lleva una gran sorpresa cuando un examen de ascendencia le informa que tiene una media hermana en Irlanda. Cuando su jefe se entera de su historia familiar, la anima a escribir un artículo sobre ello, y ella acepta, ya que tendrá la oportunidad de conocer a su media hermana. Además, si hace bien su trabajo, podrá escribir los artículos que desee y no los que le encarguen. Al llegar, conecta inmediatamente con Cara y pronto se siente parte de su familia. Conoce a Aidan, el mejor amigo de Cara, y las chispas empiezan a volar. Todo parece ir de maravilla, pero todo cambia cuando recibe una llamada de la empresa que realizó el test de ADN.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Juniper ha vivido de manera solitaria; su madre la abandonó, su abuela solo la cuidó por unos años y luego fue ingresada en el sistema de acogida. No sabe lo que es tener una familia y se lleva una gran sorpresa cuando un examen de ascendencia le informa que tiene una media hermana en Irlanda. Cuando su jefe se entera de su historia familiar, la anima a escribir un artículo sobre ello, y ella acepta, ya que tendrá la oportunidad de conocer a su media hermana. Además, si hace bien su trabajo, podrá escribir los artículos que desee y no los que le encarguen. Al llegar, conecta inmediatamente con Cara y pronto se siente parte de su familia. Conoce a Aidan, el mejor amigo de Cara, y las chispas empiezan a volar. Todo parece ir de maravilla, pero todo cambia cuando recibe una llamada de la empresa que realizó el test de ADN.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2025
this sounded so promising based on the synopsis, but unfortunately it fell way short for me :/
first, i’ll say the things i did enjoy about this book. the setting. uh oh i think that’s it actually. the setting of small town ireland was fun. as a fan of the boys of tommen series, it felt like these characters were familiar to me solely because of their lingo sometimes.
if you’re expecting spice then you’ll be disappointed. i wasn’t looking forward to the spice by any means, but it is literally in the title on kindle unlimited so i was expecting a fair amount. turns out there was very minimal spice and only in the last 30%ish. just something i thought i’d mention!
for me personally, the plot felt choppy. it didn’t flow very well. granted, the entire last half of the book i pretty much was just skimming the dialogue. there were some things that happened where i thought to myself “okay why is this happening? this is doing nothing for the plot and leading nowhere”. some parts of the plot just felt like filler to me.
lastly, i felt 0 connection between the two love interests. forming the connections they claimed to have formed in 2 weeks is crazy. that goes for the romantic relationship between june and aiden, and also the family relationships between june and cara and cara’s family. there is also some overall emotional depth that both june and aiden lacked in my opinion. they both had perfect setups to be deep characters, but they both felt flat.
no part of me believes that if this scenario with the dna test were to happen in real life to someone, they would just accept each other as one big family after knowing about and being around each other for TWO WEEKS.
i am rating 2★ because i can see how other people could like this, and it was okay enough for me to not just give up and dnf it.
first, i’ll say the things i did enjoy about this book. the setting. uh oh i think that’s it actually. the setting of small town ireland was fun. as a fan of the boys of tommen series, it felt like these characters were familiar to me solely because of their lingo sometimes.
if you’re expecting spice then you’ll be disappointed. i wasn’t looking forward to the spice by any means, but it is literally in the title on kindle unlimited so i was expecting a fair amount. turns out there was very minimal spice and only in the last 30%ish. just something i thought i’d mention!
for me personally, the plot felt choppy. it didn’t flow very well. granted, the entire last half of the book i pretty much was just skimming the dialogue. there were some things that happened where i thought to myself “okay why is this happening? this is doing nothing for the plot and leading nowhere”. some parts of the plot just felt like filler to me.
lastly, i felt 0 connection between the two love interests. forming the connections they claimed to have formed in 2 weeks is crazy. that goes for the romantic relationship between june and aiden, and also the family relationships between june and cara and cara’s family. there is also some overall emotional depth that both june and aiden lacked in my opinion. they both had perfect setups to be deep characters, but they both felt flat.
no part of me believes that if this scenario with the dna test were to happen in real life to someone, they would just accept each other as one big family after knowing about and being around each other for TWO WEEKS.
i am rating 2★ because i can see how other people could like this, and it was okay enough for me to not just give up and dnf it.
February 25, 2025
3.75
It's sweet and well written, I really enjoyed it for the most part, it just seemed like there were some parts missing.
Like Aiden's mam is supposed to be at odds with her husband, but it mostly looked like she's tired of her husband and son fighting. Cara's Nan seemed rude and stuck in her ways, but not as cruel and heinous, as we were told. I wasn't sure if this was a mistake in the writing, or the editing (where some more backstory had been removed), or are June and Aiden were just unreliable narrators. June's editor is clearly a prick, but their discussions as the situation develops, and her big reactions, seem a bit at odds. Some more insights about past interactions or clearer depictions of said behaviours, would've gone far in relation to making their reactions be more understandable. Of course, it could just be me misinterpreting everything too. That really is the only complaint I have about the book.
There's a brief moment in the story where I didn't know which way it was going to go, and while I wish for them that the story had been simpler, I appreciate the meaning of that plot point.
For once in my reading history, I actually think the miscommunication couldn't have been fixed. Because they really were stuck in-between a rock and a hard place, there was no easy way out of it, and I would've done the same.
Overall this was a touching story about finding family and accepting love, and I adored the Irish setting.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine, for allowing me to read this ARC.
It's sweet and well written, I really enjoyed it for the most part, it just seemed like there were some parts missing.
Like Aiden's mam is supposed to be at odds with her husband, but it mostly looked like she's tired of her husband and son fighting. Cara's Nan seemed rude and stuck in her ways, but not as cruel and heinous, as we were told. I wasn't sure if this was a mistake in the writing, or the editing (where some more backstory had been removed), or are June and Aiden were just unreliable narrators. June's editor is clearly a prick, but their discussions as the situation develops, and her big reactions, seem a bit at odds. Some more insights about past interactions or clearer depictions of said behaviours, would've gone far in relation to making their reactions be more understandable. Of course, it could just be me misinterpreting everything too. That really is the only complaint I have about the book.
There's a brief moment in the story where I didn't know which way it was going to go, and while I wish for them that the story had been simpler, I appreciate the meaning of that plot point.
For once in my reading history, I actually think the miscommunication couldn't have been fixed. Because they really were stuck in-between a rock and a hard place, there was no easy way out of it, and I would've done the same.
Overall this was a touching story about finding family and accepting love, and I adored the Irish setting.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine, for allowing me to read this ARC.
March 3, 2025
Firstly, thank you NetGalley and Theresa Christine for having provided me with this ARC!
The Half of It is a spicy romance set in a small Irish town, but it is so much more than that. It's about found family, self-discovery, grief, and acceptance. I loved Juniper and Aidan. They had both emotional and physical chemistry, and all of the dialogue between them was well-written. I also especially enjoyed the side characters, namely Evvie, Cara, and Lis, and could really feel through my Kindle screen how much they all cared for the main character.
The setting was another favorite character in this story. Even though it is a fictional town, it was certainly one of the book's strongest features. The reader really feels like they are there, with Cara's family and friends, in a quaint little town in Ireland.
I was apprehensive about the "spice" element of the novel, as sometimes with spicy romance the spice is overdone and takes away from the couple's connection. However, there was a perfect amount of spice to develop June and Aidan's journey, while still emphasizing their emotional connection.
Overall, it was such a pleasant read!
The Half of It is a spicy romance set in a small Irish town, but it is so much more than that. It's about found family, self-discovery, grief, and acceptance. I loved Juniper and Aidan. They had both emotional and physical chemistry, and all of the dialogue between them was well-written. I also especially enjoyed the side characters, namely Evvie, Cara, and Lis, and could really feel through my Kindle screen how much they all cared for the main character.
The setting was another favorite character in this story. Even though it is a fictional town, it was certainly one of the book's strongest features. The reader really feels like they are there, with Cara's family and friends, in a quaint little town in Ireland.
I was apprehensive about the "spice" element of the novel, as sometimes with spicy romance the spice is overdone and takes away from the couple's connection. However, there was a perfect amount of spice to develop June and Aidan's journey, while still emphasizing their emotional connection.
Overall, it was such a pleasant read!
February 20, 2025
I have always wanted to go to Ireland, and reading this book made me wish for a trip even more. I know Ballygra doesn't exist, but I sure hope if/when I do eventually make it out to Ireland that I'll get to explore small, charming towns like the one in The Half of It. The community, I believe, was the true star of the show.
I read this book in one day. It's quick, light, and easy, but with some heavier thematic elements to keep it from being all fluff and no substance (though there is a time and place for those kinds of stories, too). I love a found family trope, and The Half of It delivered. I wanted to be wrapped up in one of Evvie's hugs, be championed by Cara, and take a photography walk with Aidan. Theresa Christine's cast of characters were exactly the kind of gang I dream of being part of one day.
My main downside to this novel is the driving tension of the novel. I understand conflict needs to arise from somewhere, I just had only hoped it would be different. I also don't love instalove stories, but Aidan was just too sweet and gentle with June that it didn't bother me as much as other books.
All in all, I had a good time reading The Half of It. As this seems to be Theresa Christine's debut novel, I look forward to reading more of her in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC copy!
I read this book in one day. It's quick, light, and easy, but with some heavier thematic elements to keep it from being all fluff and no substance (though there is a time and place for those kinds of stories, too). I love a found family trope, and The Half of It delivered. I wanted to be wrapped up in one of Evvie's hugs, be championed by Cara, and take a photography walk with Aidan. Theresa Christine's cast of characters were exactly the kind of gang I dream of being part of one day.
My main downside to this novel is the driving tension of the novel. I understand conflict needs to arise from somewhere, I just had only hoped it would be different. I also don't love instalove stories, but Aidan was just too sweet and gentle with June that it didn't bother me as much as other books.
All in all, I had a good time reading The Half of It. As this seems to be Theresa Christine's debut novel, I look forward to reading more of her in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC copy!
February 27, 2025
4.5⭐️
A charming, hope-filled, small town romance and a hot Irish boyfriend?? Sign me up!
The Half of It had so many great parts of a romance—friends to lovers, forced proximity, and a couple fun spicy scenes. However, it was much more than that! Each character was well-rounded and had their own issues to resolve. Even the secondary characters were extremely interesting to read about (fyi, I will fight Cara’s grandma on sight). This book is a dual POV between June & Aidan, but I would’ve loved another POV from Cara (hoping for a spinoff focused on her & Yaz)!
The found family trope in this book is so wholesome! Not only did I love the immediate acceptance that Cara & her mom had for June, but the entire town made everything so much better. Seeing an entire community rally around someone who struggles with love & acceptance was so heartwarming.
The twist in this book had me STRESSED for June, but the way things turned out couldn’t have been better. There needs to be something to stir the pot, and I think the main issue was a perfect way to do it!
Also, Aidan is a 10/10. He’s a great friend, loving son, invested boyfriend, and he has an Irish accent?? No notes!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A charming, hope-filled, small town romance and a hot Irish boyfriend?? Sign me up!
The Half of It had so many great parts of a romance—friends to lovers, forced proximity, and a couple fun spicy scenes. However, it was much more than that! Each character was well-rounded and had their own issues to resolve. Even the secondary characters were extremely interesting to read about (fyi, I will fight Cara’s grandma on sight). This book is a dual POV between June & Aidan, but I would’ve loved another POV from Cara (hoping for a spinoff focused on her & Yaz)!
The found family trope in this book is so wholesome! Not only did I love the immediate acceptance that Cara & her mom had for June, but the entire town made everything so much better. Seeing an entire community rally around someone who struggles with love & acceptance was so heartwarming.
The twist in this book had me STRESSED for June, but the way things turned out couldn’t have been better. There needs to be something to stir the pot, and I think the main issue was a perfect way to do it!
Also, Aidan is a 10/10. He’s a great friend, loving son, invested boyfriend, and he has an Irish accent?? No notes!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2025
This was a sweet and compelling journey about finding love, connection and family.
After DNA results show June has a surprise half sister, she bravely travels across the world to meet Cara and attend her wedding, and use the experience to write her journalism article.
I loved seeing June develop bonds with her unexpected found family, the sisterhood she forms with Cara, and the way she steps up to help support.
Her romance with Aiden was heartwarming too, and I liked the slow burn and hesitation over crossing lines. Their connection helped them heal and encourage each other, and I enjoyed the building tension, uncertainty and touches of drama.
I loved the backdrop of Ireland, the layers of emotional journeys experienced by all, and the themes of second chances, resilience, and forgiveness.
After DNA results show June has a surprise half sister, she bravely travels across the world to meet Cara and attend her wedding, and use the experience to write her journalism article.
I loved seeing June develop bonds with her unexpected found family, the sisterhood she forms with Cara, and the way she steps up to help support.
Her romance with Aiden was heartwarming too, and I liked the slow burn and hesitation over crossing lines. Their connection helped them heal and encourage each other, and I enjoyed the building tension, uncertainty and touches of drama.
I loved the backdrop of Ireland, the layers of emotional journeys experienced by all, and the themes of second chances, resilience, and forgiveness.
April 6, 2025
Such a lovely read the connection between Juniper and Cara’s friends and family was beautiful.
The descriptive writing of the characters and the small town really does draw the reader in, I could picture it all so clearly as I read it.
Junipers childhood was heartbreaking but the way her strength and willingness to let people in grew throughout the book.
A quick read that flowed so well, with a bit of spice made it hard to put down
Thank you @novel.tours and @theresachristinewrites for having me on the tour and for a copy of the ebook
The descriptive writing of the characters and the small town really does draw the reader in, I could picture it all so clearly as I read it.
Junipers childhood was heartbreaking but the way her strength and willingness to let people in grew throughout the book.
A quick read that flowed so well, with a bit of spice made it hard to put down
Thank you @novel.tours and @theresachristinewrites for having me on the tour and for a copy of the ebook
March 16, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you, Theresa Christine and team for this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
This book was a perfect, cozy little read that had me so excited to read and honestly kicking my feet giggling through most of it. And that’s not just because of the relationship between June & Aidan. The sisterly relationship between June & Cara also had me feeling all sorts of good feelings & just truly joyful for this found family.
Thank you, Theresa Christine and team for this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
This book was a perfect, cozy little read that had me so excited to read and honestly kicking my feet giggling through most of it. And that’s not just because of the relationship between June & Aidan. The sisterly relationship between June & Cara also had me feeling all sorts of good feelings & just truly joyful for this found family.
April 5, 2025
This was such a sweet, heartwarming romance! I really enjoyed the slow burn and absolutely adored the cinnamon roll male main character—he was so lovable. The small-town Irish setting gave it that extra cozy feel, and the road trip element added just the right amount of adventure.
The writing was lovely—easy to read and flowed so well, making it a truly enjoyable experience. A beautiful book that left me smiling. 4 stars!
The writing was lovely—easy to read and flowed so well, making it a truly enjoyable experience. A beautiful book that left me smiling. 4 stars!
February 24, 2025
**Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an advanced copy!**
4/5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Dual POV with a Hot Irish Bartender? Found family? Sign me up.
I honestly adored this. This book tackles the complications of grief and love, and the myriad ways in which each can look. From start to finish this story was a delight, even though it involves a trope that I’m not the biggest fan of (I hate when a main character keeps a secret/lies by omission) the way the author wrote it made me want to keep reading. It’s a quick but immersive read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
4/5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Dual POV with a Hot Irish Bartender? Found family? Sign me up.
I honestly adored this. This book tackles the complications of grief and love, and the myriad ways in which each can look. From start to finish this story was a delight, even though it involves a trope that I’m not the biggest fan of (I hate when a main character keeps a secret/lies by omission) the way the author wrote it made me want to keep reading. It’s a quick but immersive read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2025
The Half of It follows Juniper as she navigates her complicated relationships and struggles with her past while trying to find her place in a small Irish town. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque location, the book beautifully explores themes of family, self-discovery, and healing.
The small Irish town setting immediately transports you to a cozy vacation destination, and I loved how it added such charm to the story. The diverse group of characters brought richness to the narrative, and Juniper, while occasionally frustrating with her inability to move past her circumstances, had a beautifully satisfying character arc by the end. One of my favorite characters was definitely Evvie, Chloe’s mom, whose loving and supportive nature stood out. The theme of family being more than just DNA resonated deeply, especially as the characters grew and took steps to seek help and heal. This story was heartfelt, and I truly enjoyed the journey of self-discovery and healing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!
The small Irish town setting immediately transports you to a cozy vacation destination, and I loved how it added such charm to the story. The diverse group of characters brought richness to the narrative, and Juniper, while occasionally frustrating with her inability to move past her circumstances, had a beautifully satisfying character arc by the end. One of my favorite characters was definitely Evvie, Chloe’s mom, whose loving and supportive nature stood out. The theme of family being more than just DNA resonated deeply, especially as the characters grew and took steps to seek help and heal. This story was heartfelt, and I truly enjoyed the journey of self-discovery and healing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!
March 21, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Theresa Christine for this ARC of The Half of It!
The premise of this book had me hooked and eager from the beginning. A twenty-something American who finds out she has a long lost half sister in Ireland and then flies across the ocean to attend her wedding? Sold.
I think the author did a great job of setting the scene for you. I felt very immersed in their world and interactions.
The characters were flawed but real and for the most part pretty likable. The author did a great job of tying in past traumas and subsequent tendencies to make very well-rounded characters.
Something I struggled with was the pacing and structure. I felt like certain scenes were dragged on far longer than necessary while other info was glossed over, when it would have been more helpful to know more. There were also chapters where they'd be one place and the next line they were somewhere else without any sort of segue or break in the text, which threw me off a little bit.
While I liked the circumstances that brought Aidan and June together, I wish there had been more of a relationship development for them. I felt like they immediately fell in love and that was that. I would have loved to see more of that, as well as more from her relationship with Cara.
Overall, I enjoyed this cutesy little small town Ireland romance. I'd be interested to see what Theresa Christine releases in the future!
The premise of this book had me hooked and eager from the beginning. A twenty-something American who finds out she has a long lost half sister in Ireland and then flies across the ocean to attend her wedding? Sold.
I think the author did a great job of setting the scene for you. I felt very immersed in their world and interactions.
The characters were flawed but real and for the most part pretty likable. The author did a great job of tying in past traumas and subsequent tendencies to make very well-rounded characters.
Something I struggled with was the pacing and structure. I felt like certain scenes were dragged on far longer than necessary while other info was glossed over, when it would have been more helpful to know more. There were also chapters where they'd be one place and the next line they were somewhere else without any sort of segue or break in the text, which threw me off a little bit.
While I liked the circumstances that brought Aidan and June together, I wish there had been more of a relationship development for them. I felt like they immediately fell in love and that was that. I would have loved to see more of that, as well as more from her relationship with Cara.
Overall, I enjoyed this cutesy little small town Ireland romance. I'd be interested to see what Theresa Christine releases in the future!
September 29, 2025
When I read that this was an irish small town romance I was very excited, bud sadly the book did not meet my expectations.
The book is fun and lighthearted whilst still talking about some other deeper themes which I liked, but I think the way they were treated in the story could have been better.
Also, the book wanted to do to many things at once, which did not work, it feels like you are reading two different books that were combined since mid way the plot took a complete 180º turn, leaving the reader feeling a bit off.
I would recomend this book to readers that are looking for a bit of escapism without expecting a very deep romance.
Thank you Netgalley and the Author for the ARC.
The book is fun and lighthearted whilst still talking about some other deeper themes which I liked, but I think the way they were treated in the story could have been better.
Also, the book wanted to do to many things at once, which did not work, it feels like you are reading two different books that were combined since mid way the plot took a complete 180º turn, leaving the reader feeling a bit off.
I would recomend this book to readers that are looking for a bit of escapism without expecting a very deep romance.
Thank you Netgalley and the Author for the ARC.
March 22, 2025
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the advanced reader e-book copy of "The Half of It." Let's dive right in!
For those of you who may not know, I was in a fiddle group in high school, and through said group, I was afforded the opportunity to tour Ireland. A bit of Kyra lore! I play viola and sing, and I did both at pubs and castles and restaurants in Ireland when I was a junior in high school. Ireland holds a special place in my heart. So, when I saw The Half of It was set in Ireland and written by a travel journalist, I was hooked! Ireland and journalism are two of my favorite things, and this book did not disappoint.
The Half of It follows our main character Juniper to Ireland, where she is headed to meet her half-sister — a half sister she didn't know she had until she took a DNA test. As a kid, June didn't grow up in a picture perfect family, and the chance to connect with family now seems to good to be true. But, on a quest to write something other than listicles at her day job, she takes the assignment of a lifetime and heads to the small town of Ballygrá to meet her half sister, Cara. But what she doesn't expect is Cara's best friend, Aidan, and the chemistry the pair feel as they race about Ireland crossing off items on Cara's pre-wedding checklist.
I really enjoyed this book! I could talk about a whole host of things I liked, but in the interest of people actually reading my review, I'll try to keep it brief.
In some books, the author can get away with being vague about the setting. In this book, Theresa Christine definitely could have, as it is more plot and character driven than setting driven. But I loved that she didn't! Making Aidan a photographer gave the reader a unique way to view Ireland: through the lens of a camera along with June and Aidan. I also loved that June and Cara's mom, Evie, went hiking, and exposed the reader to even more scenery.
Another aspect of this book I enjoyed thoroughly was the friendships. June and Lis, June's roommate turned best friend back in New York, keep in contact while June is in Ireland. Lis pushes June to examine her thoughts and actions, and to confront how her past trauma in familial relationships may be affecting how she sees her relationship with Cara, Cara's parents and Aidan. Cara and June get to know each other quickly, and both admit to having struggled making friends before, which I felt quite deeply, and I admired that the reason for that wasn't something like "they both have big personalities," but rather the reason lied in their circumstances: Cara lost friends because of a messy breakup. June didn't have many close friends because of how her childhood panned out. And finally, the friendship between Cara and Aidan made me smile so much. I have a male best friend quite like Aidan and seeing their friendship made me think of my pal! An added bonus? June and Aidan start off as friends, too. My favorite trope!
Last but not least, I loved the relationship between June and Aidan. My favorite romances are friends to lovers and this one did not disappoint. Both of them grew, both of them were independent outside of one another, and both of them worked through their previous traumas as they fell in love.
The book at first started out slowly, but picked up pace toward the end of the 1/3 mark, and once it got going, I didn't want to stop reading. There were a lot of plot lines to follow, however, because it was fast paced, I didn't feel like I was forgetting any of them in between.
The plot lines that I wish went a little deeper were Aidan's parents and June's mom. Both had complex storylines introduced — June's mom's addiction, and then Aidan's ma's grief to subsequent separation from his da — but I also understand why both were more surface level. They helped tell June and Aidan's stories, they weren't meant to be the stories.
All in all, this is a good cozy read. I picture reading in a hammock on a lovely spring day, cup of tea in hand and a light blanket wrapped around my shoulders.
For those of you who may not know, I was in a fiddle group in high school, and through said group, I was afforded the opportunity to tour Ireland. A bit of Kyra lore! I play viola and sing, and I did both at pubs and castles and restaurants in Ireland when I was a junior in high school. Ireland holds a special place in my heart. So, when I saw The Half of It was set in Ireland and written by a travel journalist, I was hooked! Ireland and journalism are two of my favorite things, and this book did not disappoint.
The Half of It follows our main character Juniper to Ireland, where she is headed to meet her half-sister — a half sister she didn't know she had until she took a DNA test. As a kid, June didn't grow up in a picture perfect family, and the chance to connect with family now seems to good to be true. But, on a quest to write something other than listicles at her day job, she takes the assignment of a lifetime and heads to the small town of Ballygrá to meet her half sister, Cara. But what she doesn't expect is Cara's best friend, Aidan, and the chemistry the pair feel as they race about Ireland crossing off items on Cara's pre-wedding checklist.
I really enjoyed this book! I could talk about a whole host of things I liked, but in the interest of people actually reading my review, I'll try to keep it brief.
In some books, the author can get away with being vague about the setting. In this book, Theresa Christine definitely could have, as it is more plot and character driven than setting driven. But I loved that she didn't! Making Aidan a photographer gave the reader a unique way to view Ireland: through the lens of a camera along with June and Aidan. I also loved that June and Cara's mom, Evie, went hiking, and exposed the reader to even more scenery.
Another aspect of this book I enjoyed thoroughly was the friendships. June and Lis, June's roommate turned best friend back in New York, keep in contact while June is in Ireland. Lis pushes June to examine her thoughts and actions, and to confront how her past trauma in familial relationships may be affecting how she sees her relationship with Cara, Cara's parents and Aidan. Cara and June get to know each other quickly, and both admit to having struggled making friends before, which I felt quite deeply, and I admired that the reason for that wasn't something like "they both have big personalities," but rather the reason lied in their circumstances: Cara lost friends because of a messy breakup. June didn't have many close friends because of how her childhood panned out. And finally, the friendship between Cara and Aidan made me smile so much. I have a male best friend quite like Aidan and seeing their friendship made me think of my pal! An added bonus? June and Aidan start off as friends, too. My favorite trope!
Last but not least, I loved the relationship between June and Aidan. My favorite romances are friends to lovers and this one did not disappoint. Both of them grew, both of them were independent outside of one another, and both of them worked through their previous traumas as they fell in love.
The book at first started out slowly, but picked up pace toward the end of the 1/3 mark, and once it got going, I didn't want to stop reading. There were a lot of plot lines to follow, however, because it was fast paced, I didn't feel like I was forgetting any of them in between.
The plot lines that I wish went a little deeper were Aidan's parents and June's mom. Both had complex storylines introduced — June's mom's addiction, and then Aidan's ma's grief to subsequent separation from his da — but I also understand why both were more surface level. They helped tell June and Aidan's stories, they weren't meant to be the stories.
All in all, this is a good cozy read. I picture reading in a hammock on a lovely spring day, cup of tea in hand and a light blanket wrapped around my shoulders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for an ARC of this book!
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Spice: 🌶🌶
Darkness: ●
Quotes:
“I’ll go anywhere with you.”
“It means a lot that you’d ask me to stay. Nobody’s ever asked me to stay before.”
“Our laughter subsides, and we’re breathless and sopping wet and grinning like fools. The scenery around me blurs out of focus. No more thrum of the rain, no narrow road, and no biting wind. My world shrinks to me and June and the air between us.”
Short version:
A sweet, cozy slow-burn that explores love in all its forms.
Full review below:
Tropes:
- Slow Burn
- Sister’s Best Friend
- Forced Proximity
- International Romance
Plot Summary:
After a DNA test connects Juniper with her half-sister who lives in Ireland, Juniper finds herself flying across the pond to meet Cara and attend her wedding. There, she meets a handsome bartender, Aidan, that turns out to be Cara’s best friend. Sparks fly, but are both Cara and Aidan too scarred by their pasts to let it move forward?
The Good:
I really like the author’s writing style. It’s descriptive without feeling like it’s trying too hard. She adds background to each of the characters without feeling like she’s exposition dumping. The pace of the story feels natural. I had no idea this was a debut novel when I picked it up, and I’m very impressed at her talent!
As for the characters, I thought they were all well-developed, including the side characters within the story. The character development over the course of the novel was evident and well-done. I appreciated that many people helped heal Juniper, like her relationship with her sister. Her progress wasn’t entirely dependent on her relationship with Aidan.
The accents were fitting but they weren’t too over-written to the point of annoyance (this is a common gripe I have with a lot of international romance novels set in Ireland or Scotland, specifically).
Finally, I’ll disagree with some of the other reviews here. I don’t think Aidan and Juniper’s chemistry fell flat.
The In-Between:
At times, the “will-they, won’t they” back and forth, and the main characters’ inner monologues about their reservations towards the relationship got to be a bit repetitive.
The Bad:
I do think this book was trying to accomplish too much in a short novel. This resulted in some of the storylines being more surface-level than I think they deserved to be, and others resolved more quickly than I would’ve liked.
Spicy Chapters: 19, 22, 23
Cheating: No
Third-act Breakup: Yes
HEA: Yes
OWD: No
TW:
mentions of addiction, homophobia, and sexism
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Spice: 🌶🌶
Darkness: ●
Quotes:
“I’ll go anywhere with you.”
“It means a lot that you’d ask me to stay. Nobody’s ever asked me to stay before.”
“Our laughter subsides, and we’re breathless and sopping wet and grinning like fools. The scenery around me blurs out of focus. No more thrum of the rain, no narrow road, and no biting wind. My world shrinks to me and June and the air between us.”
Short version:
A sweet, cozy slow-burn that explores love in all its forms.
Full review below:
Tropes:
- Slow Burn
- Sister’s Best Friend
- Forced Proximity
- International Romance
Plot Summary:
After a DNA test connects Juniper with her half-sister who lives in Ireland, Juniper finds herself flying across the pond to meet Cara and attend her wedding. There, she meets a handsome bartender, Aidan, that turns out to be Cara’s best friend. Sparks fly, but are both Cara and Aidan too scarred by their pasts to let it move forward?
The Good:
I really like the author’s writing style. It’s descriptive without feeling like it’s trying too hard. She adds background to each of the characters without feeling like she’s exposition dumping. The pace of the story feels natural. I had no idea this was a debut novel when I picked it up, and I’m very impressed at her talent!
As for the characters, I thought they were all well-developed, including the side characters within the story. The character development over the course of the novel was evident and well-done. I appreciated that many people helped heal Juniper, like her relationship with her sister. Her progress wasn’t entirely dependent on her relationship with Aidan.
The accents were fitting but they weren’t too over-written to the point of annoyance (this is a common gripe I have with a lot of international romance novels set in Ireland or Scotland, specifically).
Finally, I’ll disagree with some of the other reviews here. I don’t think Aidan and Juniper’s chemistry fell flat.
The In-Between:
At times, the “will-they, won’t they” back and forth, and the main characters’ inner monologues about their reservations towards the relationship got to be a bit repetitive.
The Bad:
I do think this book was trying to accomplish too much in a short novel. This resulted in some of the storylines being more surface-level than I think they deserved to be, and others resolved more quickly than I would’ve liked.
Spicy Chapters: 19, 22, 23
Cheating: No
Third-act Breakup: Yes
HEA: Yes
OWD: No
TW:
mentions of addiction, homophobia, and sexism
February 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a sweet debut novel – a fun read if you love stories set in the Emerald Isle.
I have to say that books set in Ireland will automatically grab my attention, so I was already hooked from the beginning. I studied in Cork at UCC and toured around Kerry during the semester so it was wonderful to imagine those spots again while I was reading. Slang like craic and eejit made me smile and reminisce. I loved all the Ireland moments.
I thought the characters were three-dimensional and flowed together well. June's backstory about the lack of love she received growing up informed her fears of letting people in and it made sense why she leaned so hard into being part of Cara's family. These moments we got as readers made her actions later in the book make complete sense. Her character flaws were set up well and her actions felt justified even if they were mistakes. Cara was a beautiful character who took in June with open arms and gave her love generously. Everything about her character choices was fun to read and easy to believe. Aiden's loyalty to his family responsibilities and his brother played well against his interest in June and a life beyond his current situation. They had good banter that was fun to read.
I did have some issues with the writing. The first spicy chapter felt like it was the author's first time writing a scene like that and she included every cliche phrase she'd ever read in a sex scene. Suff like "hottest sex" "past the point of no return" "burst at the seams" and those are just some of the non-explicit cliches. What surprised me was the second sex scene was written much better and there were far fewer corny phrases. I was so confused at how the writing felt dramatically different from one scene to another.
I also had trouble with the last 25% of the book. Not the plot, but the writing. There were multiple times I noted disjointed sentences, sentences that were oddly phrased, and dialogue that seemed out of character all of which took me out of the story. A few times, in the middle of a chapter, a scene would change so abruptly that I had to take a moment to get back into the story. It was especially weird because I didn't notice any of that in the first 20 ish chapters, which I really enjoyed.
Overall, it was just good, but I liked it enough that I would read future work by this author.
Spicy rating: 2/5 🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a sweet debut novel – a fun read if you love stories set in the Emerald Isle.
I have to say that books set in Ireland will automatically grab my attention, so I was already hooked from the beginning. I studied in Cork at UCC and toured around Kerry during the semester so it was wonderful to imagine those spots again while I was reading. Slang like craic and eejit made me smile and reminisce. I loved all the Ireland moments.
I thought the characters were three-dimensional and flowed together well. June's backstory about the lack of love she received growing up informed her fears of letting people in and it made sense why she leaned so hard into being part of Cara's family. These moments we got as readers made her actions later in the book make complete sense. Her character flaws were set up well and her actions felt justified even if they were mistakes. Cara was a beautiful character who took in June with open arms and gave her love generously. Everything about her character choices was fun to read and easy to believe. Aiden's loyalty to his family responsibilities and his brother played well against his interest in June and a life beyond his current situation. They had good banter that was fun to read.
I did have some issues with the writing. The first spicy chapter felt like it was the author's first time writing a scene like that and she included every cliche phrase she'd ever read in a sex scene. Suff like "hottest sex" "past the point of no return" "burst at the seams" and those are just some of the non-explicit cliches. What surprised me was the second sex scene was written much better and there were far fewer corny phrases. I was so confused at how the writing felt dramatically different from one scene to another.
I also had trouble with the last 25% of the book. Not the plot, but the writing. There were multiple times I noted disjointed sentences, sentences that were oddly phrased, and dialogue that seemed out of character all of which took me out of the story. A few times, in the middle of a chapter, a scene would change so abruptly that I had to take a moment to get back into the story. It was especially weird because I didn't notice any of that in the first 20 ish chapters, which I really enjoyed.
Overall, it was just good, but I liked it enough that I would read future work by this author.
Spicy rating: 2/5 🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
March 12, 2025
ahh i'm not sure where to begin. First, thank you Netgalley and Theresa for the opportunity to read this ARC! I love being able to share my thoughts with others and the opportunity to do so.
Like I said, where do I begin!! Kicking and screaming because I do not have the option for half stars, but The Half of It truly deserves a 4.5 in my eyes.
I've never been much of a slow burn reader because sometimes I'm way too impatient to wait for the main characters to actually do something. But, this book was perfect. We start off with our main character Juniper (June), and find out just how much she's been through throughout her life. From losing family to trying to move up in her career, the silly DNA test kit she was given at work and the unexpected results that comes up turns out to be the change in luck she actually needs.
She sets off to Ballygrá, Ireland where she meets her half-sister, Cara, that she never knew about and meets the loyal friend of hers, Aidan. As June finds herself figuring out her new relationship with Cara and the wedding she is now involved in and helping Cara prepare for, you can't just sit back and deny the chemistry that is going on between Aidan and June. And, while Aidan has his own thing going on and navigating the hardships of losing his brother, you feel for him as you get a glimpse of his emotions and internal struggle. Of course, not all good things get to last but I'll leave that to you to read and find out.
Overall, this book had me captivated in the most unexpected ways. Like I said, I am not much of a slow burn reader so I wasn't necessarily gravitated towards this book where I needed to read it all in one sitting. But, I was surprised to find myself constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it and looked forward to the moments I did have time to pick it up again. This book had everything you could ask for. A good amount of spice, the tension between our two lovers, and the found family that anyone deserves.
I will say the only thing that kept me rating this book at 4.5 stars is because I do wish we had just a few more pages of June and Aidan's love story to unfold and get more glimpses of them together after everything happens.
Overall, this was such a great read, and I highly recommend to others if they want a feel good book that makes you emotional over found family, small town, and slow burn romance. ALSO, I'm not sure what's not to love about Aidan. He's such a green flag and perfect gentleman that I'm going to be thinking of this hot Irish hunk for a while.
I hope everyone gets to enjoy this book as much as I did.
Like I said, where do I begin!! Kicking and screaming because I do not have the option for half stars, but The Half of It truly deserves a 4.5 in my eyes.
I've never been much of a slow burn reader because sometimes I'm way too impatient to wait for the main characters to actually do something. But, this book was perfect. We start off with our main character Juniper (June), and find out just how much she's been through throughout her life. From losing family to trying to move up in her career, the silly DNA test kit she was given at work and the unexpected results that comes up turns out to be the change in luck she actually needs.
She sets off to Ballygrá, Ireland where she meets her half-sister, Cara, that she never knew about and meets the loyal friend of hers, Aidan. As June finds herself figuring out her new relationship with Cara and the wedding she is now involved in and helping Cara prepare for, you can't just sit back and deny the chemistry that is going on between Aidan and June. And, while Aidan has his own thing going on and navigating the hardships of losing his brother, you feel for him as you get a glimpse of his emotions and internal struggle. Of course, not all good things get to last but I'll leave that to you to read and find out.
Overall, this book had me captivated in the most unexpected ways. Like I said, I am not much of a slow burn reader so I wasn't necessarily gravitated towards this book where I needed to read it all in one sitting. But, I was surprised to find myself constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it and looked forward to the moments I did have time to pick it up again. This book had everything you could ask for. A good amount of spice, the tension between our two lovers, and the found family that anyone deserves.
I will say the only thing that kept me rating this book at 4.5 stars is because I do wish we had just a few more pages of June and Aidan's love story to unfold and get more glimpses of them together after everything happens.
Overall, this was such a great read, and I highly recommend to others if they want a feel good book that makes you emotional over found family, small town, and slow burn romance. ALSO, I'm not sure what's not to love about Aidan. He's such a green flag and perfect gentleman that I'm going to be thinking of this hot Irish hunk for a while.
I hope everyone gets to enjoy this book as much as I did.
February 24, 2025
“I’ll take you any way I can get you. My life is better with you. I’m better with you.”
The Half of It is my first NetGalley eARC which is super exciting! NY writer June is gifted a DNA kit by her company. After a crappy day and a few cocktails, June decides to send the kit in on a whim. Imagine her surprise when she gets a match to a half-sister (Cara)...who lives in Ireland! Cara invites her to come visit so they can get to know each other. June’s boss agrees to her vacation request and offers to fund the trip if June will write an article about it.
The story unfolds with dual POV chapters which are written in first-person, which I love- I think it helps me connect more to the characters. Though the majority of the book takes place in Ireland, it wasn’t saturated with Irish words or slang and my brain thanks Theresa Christine for that! June not only meets her new sister, but she also finds a gorgeous man named Aidan who also happens to be Cara’s childhood best friend. The story explores June’s broken childhood, and her path to learning to open up to love. It also follows Aidan in his quest to repair his family without sacrificing his dreams as they grieve the loss of his brother. I enjoyed the character development in both June and Aidan, and I was just waiting for them to act on that magnetic attraction they had brewing between them (though there’s not a ton, they have some good spicy scenes)! This book kept me so engaged and excited to see what happened next that I read it in one day! I especially couldn’t put it down when June gets an unexpected bomb dropped on her, which threatens to ruin everything she’s built with Aidan, Cara, and Cara’s family. The Half of It does explore some tough topics, but it helps with the character development and is part of what makes you want to root for the main characters.
If you love:
-sibling’s best friend tropes
-small town
-forced proximity
-found family
then add this to your TBR grab a copy when it comes out on March 11.
Thank you to Theresa Christine and NetGalley for the advanced copy. This review is my honest opinion.
#TheHalfofIt #NetGalley
March 10, 2025
Solid 3.8⭐️ This is an amazing debut novel for Theresa Christine! I was so exciting to receive The Half of It as my first ARC!
The Half of It immediately grabbed my attention with its gorgeous cover, and I couldn’t wait to dive in, especially since my husband and I visited the exact location during our honeymoon. Ireland is one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever been. The rolling green hills and the experience of stepping into a castle for the first time left a lasting mark on me. The author, Theresa Christine, does an amazing job capturing the feeling of Ireland, particularly through June’s eyes as she experiences it for the first time. It brought back so many personal memories for me!
The story itself is warm and cozy, a sweet small town romance with just the right touch of depth. While the plot offers a light, charming narrative, it also touches on more serious topics that added layers to the overall story. Juniper’s journey to find a sense of family was especially moving. She’s such a well rounded character, and I was instantly drawn to her. From the moment she meets Aidan, I knew he was a total green flag. The found family trope really shines here, and it’s by far my favorite part of the book. June’s evolving relationship with her Cara is incredibly authentic and lovely to witness. The connection between them felt so real, and I found myself invested in their growing bond. The author did a fantastic job crafting relatable, dynamic characters that are easy to root for, even the supporting characters were seamlessly integrated, making each one memorable.
That said, while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing when it came to the romance between Juniper and Aidan. It was sweet, but it didn’t quite spark the chemistry I was hoping for.
All in all, it’s a charming, easy read that beautifully captures the magic of Ireland. A solid 3.8/5 for fans of small-town charm, slow-burn romance, and a touch of Irish magic!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Victory Publishing for this early digital ARC in exchange for my honest view!
The Half of It immediately grabbed my attention with its gorgeous cover, and I couldn’t wait to dive in, especially since my husband and I visited the exact location during our honeymoon. Ireland is one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever been. The rolling green hills and the experience of stepping into a castle for the first time left a lasting mark on me. The author, Theresa Christine, does an amazing job capturing the feeling of Ireland, particularly through June’s eyes as she experiences it for the first time. It brought back so many personal memories for me!
The story itself is warm and cozy, a sweet small town romance with just the right touch of depth. While the plot offers a light, charming narrative, it also touches on more serious topics that added layers to the overall story. Juniper’s journey to find a sense of family was especially moving. She’s such a well rounded character, and I was instantly drawn to her. From the moment she meets Aidan, I knew he was a total green flag. The found family trope really shines here, and it’s by far my favorite part of the book. June’s evolving relationship with her Cara is incredibly authentic and lovely to witness. The connection between them felt so real, and I found myself invested in their growing bond. The author did a fantastic job crafting relatable, dynamic characters that are easy to root for, even the supporting characters were seamlessly integrated, making each one memorable.
That said, while I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing when it came to the romance between Juniper and Aidan. It was sweet, but it didn’t quite spark the chemistry I was hoping for.
All in all, it’s a charming, easy read that beautifully captures the magic of Ireland. A solid 3.8/5 for fans of small-town charm, slow-burn romance, and a touch of Irish magic!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Victory Publishing for this early digital ARC in exchange for my honest view!
March 1, 2025
Juniper Martin works as an exploited journalist for one of the “click-bait” companies. Her company collaborates with a DNA company, and she finds out about a half-sister in Ballygra, Ireland, a fictional, rural town near Cork. The book opens with her arrival in Ireland, and the first person she meets is Aidan McCarthy, who is bartending in his family’s pub. As luck would have it, Aiden is best friends with Cara, Juniper’s half sister. Cara is about to get married, and she warmly and lovingly folds Juniper into the family, an experience which is meaningful but foreign (pun intended) to Juniper.
The found family in this book shines as a strength. As Cara introduces Juniper to her fiance, community, and parents, Juniper learns to value family and joy. These scenes could have been a cliche, but they are not. Christine captures the warmth and hilarity of Irish culture, and the banter and love feel very authentic.
The other strong element in this book is the chemistry between Juniper and Aiden. The two end up rooming together, and while they try to delay the inevitable, they cannot deny their incredible attraction. Their scenes together are engaging, and the author shows great strength in the way she builds chemistry. Christine also incorporates the Irish scenery and atmosphere into their relationship, including a classic “stuck in the rain” moment that offers peak romance.
While many elements of this book work well, the book utilizes the “big secret” trope, and this brings stress to the end, and it causes the reader’s esteem of the heroine to lower. This secret is major, and while the heroine certainly holds on to it for too long, the other characters have an extreme reaction to it. This overwrought strife at the very end weakens what would have been a very sweet, heartwarming book.
I love Irish literature and culture, so this book still provided a fun escape for me. I want to thank @netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. As always, these opinion are mine alone.
The found family in this book shines as a strength. As Cara introduces Juniper to her fiance, community, and parents, Juniper learns to value family and joy. These scenes could have been a cliche, but they are not. Christine captures the warmth and hilarity of Irish culture, and the banter and love feel very authentic.
The other strong element in this book is the chemistry between Juniper and Aiden. The two end up rooming together, and while they try to delay the inevitable, they cannot deny their incredible attraction. Their scenes together are engaging, and the author shows great strength in the way she builds chemistry. Christine also incorporates the Irish scenery and atmosphere into their relationship, including a classic “stuck in the rain” moment that offers peak romance.
While many elements of this book work well, the book utilizes the “big secret” trope, and this brings stress to the end, and it causes the reader’s esteem of the heroine to lower. This secret is major, and while the heroine certainly holds on to it for too long, the other characters have an extreme reaction to it. This overwrought strife at the very end weakens what would have been a very sweet, heartwarming book.
I love Irish literature and culture, so this book still provided a fun escape for me. I want to thank @netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. As always, these opinion are mine alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
March is definitely the month to crack out a charming, swoony Irish romance, especially with St Paddy’s Day just a week away. I’ve got a perfect recommendation for anyone looking for a bit of Irish luck for a contemporary romance that will sweep you off your feet into an adventure on the Emerald Isle.
The Half Of It is an Irish small-town romance with a perfect blend of emotional depth and light-hearted rom-com, taking us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring what family is, and finding unexpected love (a nice slow-burn kind). The writing is engaging, descriptive, elegant, and fun to read, with some corny comparisons that had me giggling with the gentle pace of the storytelling, making this a cozy read with enough twist in the plot to keep conflict tension juicy and bring to life a heartwarming romantic connection between Juniper and Aidan that evolves emotionally with the deepening of their friendship after their initial sizzling spark of attraction.
Theresa Christine has captured the soul of Irish culture authentically and respectfully, showcasing the warmth and kindness of the Irish people to life in the characters of the fictional community of Ballygra. Her character building was incredibly well done, with vast layers for each character (side characters included). Juniper’s character struggles to trust and keep her distance from the Irish-loving family that adopts her without question and whose hearts she might break with her secrets. Aidan’s the perfect Irish hunk with a creative soul, honourable heart, and extra-sweet cinnamon roll vibes. His internal struggles of wanting to pursue his dreams and not letting his parents down as he tries to hold his family together in the wake of his brother’s death had me a little teary at times.
Thank you to Theresa Christine for approving my Netgalley eARC of The Half Of It. I loved reading this heartwarming romance. If you are looking for a romance to curl up with to celebrate St Paddy Day full of Irish charm, this is the perfect love story full of healing, found family and finding dreams set against the beautiful backdrop of Ireland with a sprinkling of spice.
The Half Of It is an Irish small-town romance with a perfect blend of emotional depth and light-hearted rom-com, taking us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring what family is, and finding unexpected love (a nice slow-burn kind). The writing is engaging, descriptive, elegant, and fun to read, with some corny comparisons that had me giggling with the gentle pace of the storytelling, making this a cozy read with enough twist in the plot to keep conflict tension juicy and bring to life a heartwarming romantic connection between Juniper and Aidan that evolves emotionally with the deepening of their friendship after their initial sizzling spark of attraction.
Theresa Christine has captured the soul of Irish culture authentically and respectfully, showcasing the warmth and kindness of the Irish people to life in the characters of the fictional community of Ballygra. Her character building was incredibly well done, with vast layers for each character (side characters included). Juniper’s character struggles to trust and keep her distance from the Irish-loving family that adopts her without question and whose hearts she might break with her secrets. Aidan’s the perfect Irish hunk with a creative soul, honourable heart, and extra-sweet cinnamon roll vibes. His internal struggles of wanting to pursue his dreams and not letting his parents down as he tries to hold his family together in the wake of his brother’s death had me a little teary at times.
Thank you to Theresa Christine for approving my Netgalley eARC of The Half Of It. I loved reading this heartwarming romance. If you are looking for a romance to curl up with to celebrate St Paddy Day full of Irish charm, this is the perfect love story full of healing, found family and finding dreams set against the beautiful backdrop of Ireland with a sprinkling of spice.
February 22, 2025
Thank you so much NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I first saw this book, I was immediately drawn in by the cover and the blurb. I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland, so I was intrigued by the premise of a girl going there to meet a long-lost half sister. Enter Aidan. Such a green flag of a MMC. You could really feel the chemistry between the character and that's such an important thing for me in romance novels. I don’t want to be gaslighted by the author into thinking that two characters like each other, but for these characters and this author’s writing, it was entirely believable.
These characters seemed entirely real. Their actions and reactions were natural, and you could feel their emotions through the page.
And not just the main characters, the side characters were also incredibly likable and I enjoyed the relationship dynamics we saw throughout the book.
The setting was beautiful, and I loved the way the author described the various places in Ireland we see.
Some things to note:
This book is labeled a “spicy romance”, and while there are elements of spice and some spicy scenes, it is not super spicy for a majority of the book.
In fact a lot of this book does focus more heavily on the characters and their individual issues and drama (which, again, made them complex and feel very real). But this meant that sometimes the romance seemed lacking/ the plot dragged on. For this alone, I could not give it a full 5 stars. The characters had a lot of chemistry but not enough romantic development for me.
Overall, a solid romance book! Definitely recommend it for when you're in the mood for an Irish book boyfriend ;)
I think if you liked Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez or Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy, you’ll like this book!
When I first saw this book, I was immediately drawn in by the cover and the blurb. I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland, so I was intrigued by the premise of a girl going there to meet a long-lost half sister. Enter Aidan. Such a green flag of a MMC. You could really feel the chemistry between the character and that's such an important thing for me in romance novels. I don’t want to be gaslighted by the author into thinking that two characters like each other, but for these characters and this author’s writing, it was entirely believable.
These characters seemed entirely real. Their actions and reactions were natural, and you could feel their emotions through the page.
And not just the main characters, the side characters were also incredibly likable and I enjoyed the relationship dynamics we saw throughout the book.
The setting was beautiful, and I loved the way the author described the various places in Ireland we see.
Some things to note:
This book is labeled a “spicy romance”, and while there are elements of spice and some spicy scenes, it is not super spicy for a majority of the book.
In fact a lot of this book does focus more heavily on the characters and their individual issues and drama (which, again, made them complex and feel very real). But this meant that sometimes the romance seemed lacking/ the plot dragged on. For this alone, I could not give it a full 5 stars. The characters had a lot of chemistry but not enough romantic development for me.
Overall, a solid romance book! Definitely recommend it for when you're in the mood for an Irish book boyfriend ;)
I think if you liked Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez or Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy, you’ll like this book!
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