The Creaky Old Barn

The Irish Escape #2

by B.E. Baker

Three failing families. Two different continents. And one creaky old barn that heals them.

With her marriage over and her kids (mostly) excited about moving to another continent, Natalie’s finally en route to Ireland. There’s a lovely and expansive estate waiting for them in southern Ireland.

Samantha’s bags are packed (again) and she’s ready to jet across the pond as well. She’s said all her goodbyes, and she’s ready to fall in love with new horses in Lismore.

But when they discover that their dear friend Vanessa’s struggling, they reconfigure their plans to rally behind her, because that’s what friends do.

In the meantime, creaky old barns and crumbling old estates don’t just maintain themselves. Can these three best friends patch up the leaks and fix up the creaks in their lives (and their hearts) and find a way forward. . .together?

Genres: Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2025

About the author

Bridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days).

She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)

B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.

Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!

Reviews

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was a really good installment in this women’s fiction saga. A series filled with family and friends, this had a lot of real life in it. From the trials of motherhood to the pains of divorce to starting over in a new country, this book took us on a winding journey with drama, romance, and more.

After the divorces of two of our FMCs in the last book, I wasn’t expecting their ex-husbands to play so much of a role in this book. I wouldn’t necessarily say that the book glorified divorce, but it pushed pretty hard on the ladies being relieved and enjoying their new lives when the men came back wanting to reconcile.

That said, I really did enjoy the book. It had twists and turns that threw me for a loop and sometimes I was surprised and eager and other times I was wary, but then I would find myself smiling and laughing and just sinking into the dialogue and antics and just wishing I had the entire series. There is such depth to these characters. They have the realness and mess of living lives and being mothers. There’s the ups and downs of teenagers and both the love between siblings and the knockdown, drag out frustration. It left me anxiously awaiting the next installment. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 3. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Content: divorce, mentions of pot, a mean drunk scene, and one extremely minor gay side character

I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuation of the story of three friends, Vanessa, Natalie, and Samatha. I read a review of the first book that said it was unbelievable that three women all had marital problems at the same time. And I can see her point but also, I’ve seen friends have marriages fail at around the same time as each other. Also, it’s a story and I always feel that stories can have some coincidences that are too convenient to help drive the narrative. In this book, we see a returning cast of characters, with the side characters getting more development as these three women try to make a go at their hotel business endeavor. There are some fun (and not so fun) twists and turns throughout the story that kept me from wanting to put down the book. I even had some great laugh out loud moments, and loved the author’s Easter eggs. And while the story is far from over, Baker always does a nice job of wrapping up the ending so you aren’t stuck on a huge cliffhanger (looking at you Rebecca Yarros). 5 stars from me!

[Natasha Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Natalie and Samantha move to Ireland and Samantha convinces Vanessa it's the right thing for her, too. We get to see them figuring out life in a new country, working together to renovate and run an Inn, dealing with their ex-husbands and one deluded brother-in-law, flirting with some handsome Irish (and one British) men, and supporting their children in adapting to a new country. I enjoyed a few relationship and character twists I didn't see coming. It was a great second installment in the series and I can't wait for the third. These women are an amazing example of friendship and love and support.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one drew you in as we were introduced to some incredible women and their incredible holiday in Ireland and it’s not over yet. We had some shocking surprises as we saw three families fall apart for different reasons and these three best friends rally together and move across the pond to Ireland to start anew. There’s ups and downs and this author really knows how to throw a curveball or two our way as we embark on this incredible adventure full of trials and plenty of hard work. Old friends and new join us as we watch this new episode unfold and you will find yourself laughing, you will find yourself crying and you will find yourself glued to the pages from start to finish. Loved it!

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Adventurous Ladies
A widow and two divorcees, best friends since childhood, left everything behind and took their children to Ireland to start a B&B with extra’s in an old castle in a small village. There is laughter, mayhem, three unwelcome American men turning up, some very nice Irish men making their presence known and wonderful horses. From the first page until the last, this book gets your attention, keeps you entertained, makes you laugh and cry and is a wonderful continuation. Can’t wait for the next part in this story! Highly recommended. <3 <3 <3

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creaky Old Barn did not disappoint! I really thought I knew how this was going but in true Bridget fashion she threw us for a loop and we got some epic twists. When all three unwanted men show up in Ireland I knew it was going to be good. This one kept me turning the pages to see the shenanigans unfold. I can't wait to see these three women hopefully get their happy endings in the next and final book. I feel like I've gotten to know these three girls so well. Now all I want to do is visit Ireland and ride horses. 💚

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

On book number 2 of the series we find Vanessa, Nathalie and Samantha finally in Ireland making the hotel business happen, with all the ups and downs of a new business, adding to the mix the presence of the exes and the possibility of new loves, this book doesn’t disappoint at all.
This book made me laugh, cry and hold my attention from beginning to end.
As with all the books by Ms. Baker the human stories and relationships are front center and her writing make you feel you are living their stories with them.
I can’t wait to read the following book in the series.

[Nikki Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of so many ups and downs from the characters. Baker beautifully tells these women's second tale, including a love triangle (more like rectangle) but with Girl Code playing an important part and showing just how much more important the love of friends is to these women than romance. If you don't laugh, cry, and genuinely want to be part of this friendship, I'm not sure you're reading the book I read.

[Kassandra Tallarico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun as it takes you on the journey of Samantha, Natalie, and Vanessa navigating life as single women in a new country. As their previous relationships start to encrouch on their new lives and relationships, they need to make decisions about their relationships, while navigating the ups and downs of owning a new business. I highly recommend this book.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!

I love the series and this is one of my favorite authors! I love the way she writes characters and how alive and real they feel. I enjoy reading Irish tales and this is very inspiring. I like that the women are growing and becoming stronger. I see this because I am growing and I love the correlation with this book.

[Bernadette Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already looking for book 3!

This author has an amazing talent for creating relatable, interesting and endearing characters. This second book in The Irish Escape series is engaging and difficult to put down. Ireland, horses, romance and convoluted families, what's not to love? Impatient for the next one (please let this be a lengthy series..).

[Brandi Sartin lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up to our besties! This time Natalie, Vanessa and Samantha are on their way to their new castle. They are hoping to get it set up and ready for guest. But things don’t seem to go their way. It’s a lot of unexpected things. Especially their first guests! While they are there will they all find their happy ever after? I mean who doesn’t want to be with a soon to be Duke?

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my!😂😂 What do you do when all three newly single ladies arrive in Ireland to begin their new business venture, children in tow and a future to build, only to have the ex-husbands and persistent brother-in-law show up to throw a monkey wrench in the whole thing? What a wonderful read book 2 was…and now I’m stuck waiting several months for book 3 to tie it all up!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved all three women-- their strength, their love for their kids and each other, their loyalty and dedication to their new Irish endeavor. Every part of this story left me so satisfied but also wanting more!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Natalie, Samantha, and Vanessa continue to show up for each other. I did not expect the trials that happen right off. It is fun getting to know their children better and seeing how they all interact. I can't wait for more to come!

[Alexandra Morin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first one of this series but this one was a bit too much.. too many characters, all the exes in Ireland (wtf?) and all the crazy dating storylines.. couldn’t get into it much. Will read the 3rd one when it comes out but my expectations will be much lower.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about how the families are doing in Ireland, this book has it all, romance, humor, lots of horses and so many children. It was so interesting when three unexpected or wanted guests showed up and how Vanessa, Natalie and Samantha handled that.

[Becky Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is better with friends.
Great second book in the series. As we see our friends get past obstacles just to get there. And once there, nothing is as simple as it seems. But strong bonds help them get through, even problems of Exes.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this book too!

[Tracy Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read for lovers of Ireland

[Mellyssa Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the Irish Escape books and am looking forward to the next in series.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to the series. I can't wait to read the last book.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and I would say this one was just as good. One thing I'm really loving about this series is the friendship between the three women, and how they're there for each other. I'm also enjoying the love interests that have been introduced. There were a couple of surprises in this one that I didn't see coming. One involves the ex-husbands of two of the women, and the brother-in-law of the third one. Oh boy, let's just say I can't stand them. The other thing that surprised me involved a switch-up, but that's all I'll say, except that I liked how it ended up. I'm looking forward to book three!

Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.


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[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read The Creaky Old Barn. You will laugh, you will cry and you root for success for these three friends, Natalie, Samantha and Vanessa. They are leaving behind the states and moving to Ireland. To start a new life and business together. They are a hoot and doing this with children too. l love how they handle it all.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.