An Irish Summer: A Novel

by Alexandra Paige

A new romantic comedy in which a young woman embarks on a summer adventure—and summer fling—in Ireland, perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Beth O’Leary. 

Boston has everything Chelsea needs: her best friend, her family, a great job. She’s worked and lived at the same bed and breakfast since graduating college, and she relishes the sense of stability. That is, until she’s informed that O’Shea’s Bed and Breakfast is being sold and she has less than a month to find a new job and apartment. Desperate, she takes a summer gig at the B&B’s sister hostel in Galway, Ireland. It’ll be an adventure, she convinces herself, and it’ll give her some time to plan her Next Act.

As it turns out, Galway has everything Chelsea hates: nonstop rain, no iced coffee, shared bathrooms. Working at The Wanderer might grant her time and a few extra lines on her resume, but Chelsea can’t help but feel like she left her life back in Massachusetts. Her new coworkers, however, are determined to change her mind, especially the handsome and charming tour guide Collin.

Collin and Chelsea strike a deal: he’ll show Chelsea everything Ireland has to offer, and only then can she pass judgement. Sure enough, Chelsea finds herself warming up to the hostel and Irish lifestyle… and falling for her charismatic new friend. But as the summer comes to an end, she finds herself torn between the familiarity of home and the tantalizing adventure of life abroad.

An Irish Summer is a heartfelt, transporting story perfect for readers looking for the thrill of moving away from home and the unique magic of summer love. 

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Ireland, Summer Reads, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

ALEXANDRA PAIGE is a writer and educator. She is enthusiastic about all things romance, and her work often serves as a love letter to European travel and the chaos of being twenty-something. She currently writes in an apartment she shares with her boyfriend above a pizzeria downtown, though her stories are always taking her elsewhere. She has an MFA from Lindenwood University and lives in New Jersey. Weekends with You is her first novel.

Reviews

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 1 star

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Paige, and Avon/Harper Voyager for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. An Irish Summer is out now!

"I'm just saying you should consider letting go of these ideas about how you think life is supposed to go, that's all," she said after a minute, noticeably quieter than she'd been speaking before. "There's not even a 'supposed to' at all, really. There is only what is."

♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊
I'M FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Holy crap, this book gets an award for being the ONE book that put me in a reading slump the last week. This was an absolute drag to get through, complete with an insufferable FMC and a slow pace.

This review is going to be short and sweet (compared to my other reviews, anyways) because I honestly don't have much to say about this other than my hatred for Chelsea. If you know me, I NEVER DNF a book, especially ARCs. I try my best to see ARCs all the way through because I voluntarily requested the book and the publisher expects an honest review in return, so an honest review they will get. This was one of the very first ARCs that I almost DNF'ed.

Chelsea is a twenty-eight-year-old who's trying to find a stable career. After she gets laid off of her current job at a small, local bed and breakfast in Boston due to the owners' retirement, the owners suggest that she travel to Ireland, where the owners' relatives own a B&B. Chelsea figures that she would be there for the summer while she attempts to apply for jobs in Boston, since Ireland isn't a long-term goal. But when she arrives, she meets Florence, the B&B's chef from Italy, and Collin, the B&B's tour guide, and they whisk her off to explore Ireland and what it has to offer. Will she fall in love with Ireland, or will she wish she had never come?

Let's start with the only good thing I found about the story. It's mostly Chelsea and Collin going on adventures around the country as he shows her the sights and important landmarks in Ireland. I think it was super cool to learn a bit about Irish storytelling, the Irish culture, and how much history they have rooted in the Emerald Isles. It's very obvious that the Irish are super proud of their culture, and I loved that that was prominent throughout the story. As someone who would love to travel to Ireland one day, I loved that I could feel the culture and the sense of community the bed and breakfast had with employees and visitors alike. Reading this book obviously doesn't replace actually TRAVELING to Ireland and experiencing everything for yourself, but I liked how the author managed to create that sense of culture and community nonetheless.

However, that was probably the only thing I liked about the entire story. Chelsea was absolutely INSUFFERABLE. I think her personality was what made the book drag for me. The book's only 320 pages, which is something I could usually finish in a day, maybe two if I'm busy. This took me almost an entire week to get through. Chelsea was rude, arrogant, felt like everyone was beneath her, and that nothing could get better than Boston. Listen, I love Boston. I've visited the city, I have family over there, and I would love to travel back one day. However, I also know that there's a whole entire world out there that's waiting to be explored and life's too short to confine yourself to one place forever. What bothered me the most was how Chelsea would CONSTANTLY go on all of these super cool adventures with Flo and (mostly) Collin, and she would sit there in front of this beautiful scenery and visit all these landmarks and participate in and immerse herself in the Irish culture, but instead, she would think about how much she hates Ireland and how she wants to go back to Boston to "get her life back on track."

Look, I get it. Chelsea is a very Type A character. She has long-term goals, plans, dreams, and aspirations, and she wants to stick to those goals and plans. There is NOTHING wrong with being a Type A person, because I'm the same way. However, she immediately steps foot into The Wanderer, the bed and breakfast she'll be working at for the summer, and already decides that she hates it because it's not this big, sprawling, high-end hotel. Afterwards, she spends pretty much ALL of the book—no, this is not an exaggeration—thinking about applying to jobs back home in Boston, wanting to leave, and refusing to enjoy her time here despite her friends telling her to keep an open mind while she's there. Her personality was so grating, rude, and arrogant. The banter she had with Collin that she thought was "sarcastic" was just flat out rude and nasty, in my opinion. She shows up, and Collin tells her he's going to take her around the country, and her first thought is basically along the lines of, "good luck trying to get me to like it here." Like...what? You VOLUNTARILY showed up to make money to hold you over while you were between jobs. The least you could do is attempt to assimilate and adapt to your new normal, or else it's going to be a very long summer.

Because of Chelsea's personality, I felt she and Collin had zero chemistry. Most of their conversations were Collin trying to convince Chelsea to just let herself go and enjoy the time she has in Ireland and embracing the Irish culture, and then Chelsea would continuously go on about how Ireland is just a "temporary" thing and how she wants to go home where she has a salaried job and an apartment and her family and friends nearby. It sounded as if she was looking down on people who worked for an hourly wage, and she was above working in a "hostel" (aka The Wanderer). I genuinely think Collin and Chelsea broke up after the story ended.

Overall...just...no. Save your time, money, and energy. I'm so mad that this book put me in a reading slump over the last week, and looking back, I wish I DNF'ed it.
♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊˚ ☘️・₊✧ ♡₊
⋆˙⟡ 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒 (7/3/2025, 8:35 AM): I have no idea why, but I'm STRUGGLING to finish this. I don't know if it's burnout or what, but the FMC is absolutely insufferable, and I'm halfway through. I'm hoping things change, but it's not looking good for this ARC right now.

⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I have no idea what the odds are that I read two ARCs in the same month that are both rom-coms that take place in Ireland, but here we are anyways😂🍀

This is ARC 2/14 for my ARC reading schedule for July 2025, and ARC 2/3 for my first July deadline of July 1st, 2025!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

❥ My Thoughts & Rating ❥

This was such a beautiful and cozy romantic comedy novel! From the scenery to the characters, this book is the perfect summertime read! It’s in Ireland, where a young woman takes a trip! It made me feel hopeful, lighthearted, adventurous and relaxing. It felt like I was by a land of water, just enjoying the sun and being surrounded by nature! This book also gave me some much needed laughs, which I loved! It is a medium paced read that is character driven. It makes me want to pick up my bags and travel to Ireland right now. It had lovable characters, vivid imagery and a golden retriever Irishman! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 star rating!

❥ Who I think would enjoy this & Content Warnings ❥

I think fans of the movie Notting Hill would enjoy reading this book. Content warnings include wanting to take a trip to Ireland as soon as possible!

❥ Thank You ❥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Alexandra Paige and Avon and Harper Voyager for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

❥ Release Date ❥

This book is expected to be published on July 1, 2025!

[chan ☆]

truly so so so bland. didn't give a single fuck about the heroine, zero personality. and i kept waiting for some backstory or like even "i like hot chips" or SOMETHING. literally NOTHING. all i know is she has red hair, got fired, and got a cool job in Ireland that she didn't want to take.

dnf @ 12%

[Alina ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

☆☆

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige had the potential to be a delightful, heartwarming read. With its beautiful Irish setting, visits to iconic landmarks, and a slow-burn romance, the story definitely had some strong ingredients. The picturesque backdrop of Ireland was a real highlight for me - there was something enjoyable about following the characters as they explored the country. I also liked Collin; he had a warm, easygoing charm that made him likable and someone you could easily root for.

That said, the story didn’t quite come together as I’d hoped. The main issue for me was Chelsea’s confusing relationship with Ireland. Throughout the book, she’s very resistant to being there, despite having supportive people around her. In contrast, when she’s back in Boston, it seems like she has no one except Ava. The connection between Chelsea and her parents felt superficial and more like a plot device than a genuine relationship. The constant back-and-forth between Chelsea wanting to return to Boston and her romantic connection with Collin started to feel repetitive. She repeatedly expressed her desire to leave, while Collin kept pleading with her to stay. This dynamic lost its impact pretty quickly.

Chelsea herself was a difficult character to sympathise with. She often came across as selfish, she wanted a relationship or fling with Collin, even though she already knew she was planning to go back to the US. She was aware of Collin’s feelings for her but didn’t seem to consider how that might affect him. There was an opportunity for her to reflect and grow, especially during a conversation with her friend Florence regarding this very topic, but instead, her friend dismissed it and defended her choices. There was no real character development, despite the clear potential for it.

Also, a minor note - why was the Italian character named Florence? That just felt odd to me.

Ultimately, An Irish Summer had a lot of promise but fell short. The setting was beautiful, and the premise was intriguing, but the execution didn’t quite hit the mark. I was hoping for a deeper, more satisfying story, but it ended up feeling flat.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, An Irish Summer, by Alexandra Paige, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Chelsea decides to leaves Massachusetts and spend the summer in Galway, Ireland. There is no place in the world like Galway, Ireland. The people, the food, the weather, the craic. Such a great place to visit and set a book in. I enjoyed this book.

[Obsidian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

This was just boring. I wanted there to be something interesting about this one, but there just wasn't. You cannot have the heroine or hero be straight up insufferable in a romance book unless you are doing enemies to lovers IMHO. Unfortunately, the heroine in this one, Chelsea was insufferable. I really needed to know what everyone else saw in her, because she complained throughout this book, acted entitled, above people, etc., but I am supposed to believe that the love interest Collin was into her? It also made zero sense to me why anyone at the hostel she eventually works at even cared that Chelsea enjoyed her time in Ireland. She was that coworker with the bad attitude that everyone would avoid in real life. The other characters were not developed at all.

Also, not that it should matter much, but Chelsea is Jewish and living in Boston before Ireland, I would have been curious about that background to a character, but it's not brought up much. I think it was jarring because the character of Collin is so focused on Chelsea fitting in and looking Irish (she has red hair) and I really was wondering why she didn't bring up her religion and say hey, I don't want to "fit in" and "look Irish." The whole thing kept rubbing me the wrong way.

All in all, not a great read and was glad that it was over.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, easy summer read—set in coastal Ireland, where a skeptical American who’s a bit uptight has a summer fling with a charming local bartender.

Chelsea isn’t exactly the adventurous type, so when she loses her job (and home) at a New England Inn, she reluctantly takes a seasonal gig at a hostel in Ireland. She treats her job like a layover on the way to her “real” life, but of course Ireland—and Collin, the fun-loving bartender/tour guide—have other plans. Collin whisks her off on amazing tours of the country on their days off. I love how everyone is so welcoming of Chelsea. It makes me want to pack my bags and visit the Emerald Isle myself.

The romance is a slow simmer, full of gentle moments, culture clashes, and some magical Irish charm (Collin’s love for his homeland and belief in fairies was one of my favorite things). Chelsea took a bit of warming up to, but I appreciated her journey—figuring out what she really wants instead of just what feels safe.

This book doesn’t reinvent anything, but it doesn’t need to—it’s soft, cozy, and full of feel-good charm. A Hallmark-style romance, it’s perfect for a weekend by the pool or anyone who believes the biggest risks sometimes lead to the best surprises.

[Arielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

the girl from italy being named florence??? be so for real rn 😭😭

dnf

[Brianna ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖࣪ | briannasbooknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

An Irish Summer is a very lighthearted read that is, of course, set in Ireland. Chelsea has moved there for a new job where she is working as a receptionist for a hostel. While being in Ireland, she meets a handsome tour guide named Collin, and they spend the summer in a slow-burn romance.

I think this one missed the mark for me a little bit, because I found the lead character, Chelsea, to be a little insufferable. Her character was very selfish and she kind of strung Collin along even knowing how he truly felt about her. She seems to have a confusing relationship with Ireland and also with her life back in America as well. Most of the book, she is very resistant to being in Ireland or the idea of staying there at all. But when she moves back to Boston at the end of summer, she seems to dislike it more than she seemed to dislike Ireland and has no one there except for Ava. The back and forth of her longing to be in either Ireland or Boston kind of go repetitive at some points and just drug the story out for seemingly no reason.

For a more positive note, I really loved the setting of where this took pace for the most part, in Ireland. And I think the story had a lot of promise, but just fell short. It was a cute summer romance read, but I don't think it will be very memorable or that I would ever read it again.

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑨𝒏 𝑰𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒆

Release Date: July 1, 2025

4.5⭐️3🌶

This was a fresh and wanderlust fulfilling summer read! I don't know about you, but I cannot currently afford to spend the summer in the beautiful small town of Galway, Ireland, but 20 something Chelsea can and did.

Chelsea recently lost her job as an event planner and hostess at a quaint bed and breakfast in the suburbs of Boston. She lived in a little apartment in the upstairs of the B & B. But when the owners tell her they plan on retiring at the beginning of the summer, Chelsea is given only a couple of weeks to decide where live will take her next. The elderly couple offers her a position with her sister's hostile in Galway Ireland for the summer while she figures out what she wants to do next.

Chelsea arrives in Galway and is immediately underwhelmed by amenities and accommodations at the Wanderer Hostile, but the cheeky bartender Collin keeps ribbing her and her lack of enthusiasm for Ireland. Collin offers to take her on day trips around all the sites in Ireland on their days off to help her get the full Ireland experience. She resists his offer and all Ireland has to offer at first, but as the summer wears on she slowly starts to realize that Ireland may have more to offer her than Boston.

This was an amazing summer read, and checked all the wanderlust boxes for me!

Themes/Tropes:

🍁Travel romance
🍁Finding oneself
🍁Summer read
🍁Ireland tourist destinations
🍁Contemporary romance
🍁Grumpy-sunshine
🍁Irish countryside
🍁Temple bar district

TW:

✨Immediate need to travel to Ireland

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Avon Books) for promotional purposes.

This was a cute rom-com set in Ireland!

The best part of the book was definitely the setting. Ireland makes for an incredible backdrop to the story. I enjoyed how the book gave you a little tour through Ireland and explored some Irish culture like fairy stories.

The book is fairly short (around 300 pages) which was the perfect length. It was short and sweet and didn’t drag on, which is exactly what you need in a summer read.

Like many romances, the story was incredibly predictable. I knew exactly how everything would play out. Because of this, the book didn’t feel that exciting. I would have loved to have seen a few unexpected twists or turns.

Many reviews mention that they didn’t like how the main character, Chelsea, was super hesitant about going to Ireland for the summer. Like how could you not be excited to go to Ireland? I didn’t mind her hesitancy and understood where she was coming from. Some people are really into their comfort zone and what they have always known, so moving to another country (even for a short time) is a super adventurous and big life event. It can be scary and create some apprehension.

Overall, if you are looking to take a (romantic) trip to Ireland via a book, consider this one!

[Maven Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige is a heartfelt contemporary romance about Chelsea, a young woman whose carefully plotted life in Boston suddenly falls apart when the bed and breakfast she’s worked at and called home is sold, leaving her without a job or a place to live. With little choice and a desire to avoid panic, she accepts a summer gig at a sister hostel in Galway, Ireland, convincing herself it’ll be just a temporary adventure while she figures out her “Next Act.”

What greets her in Ireland isn’t immediately idyllic endless rain, shared bathrooms, and no iced coffee but the vibrant atmosphere of Galway, its warm locals, and especially the handsome tour guide Collin gradually begin to shift her perspective as they strike a deal: he’ll show her the real Ireland before she passes judgment. Over the course of the summer, Chelsea finds herself opening up to a new life, new experiences, and a romance that makes her question whether she truly wants to return to the familiarity of home.

What I found most delightful about An Irish Summer is how much the Irish setting itself feels like a character: the rolling green landscapes, quirky hostel life, and even the persistent drizzle embody Chelsea’s emotional journey from resistance to openness, almost as if Ireland is coaxing her into growth and wonder. Collin, with his easy charm and genuine warmth, serves as both a romantic anchor and a catalyst for Chelsea’s transformation, making their slow‑burn connection feel authentic and earned rather than contrived.

The novel captures the thrill and uncertainty of stepping outside your comfort zone, and while the central premise is familiar in the realm of contemporary romance, Paige peppers it with witty banter, cultural color, and genuine emotional beats that lend the story real heart.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving An Irish Summer four stars because it’s a delightful escape with warmth, charm, and a feel‑good spirit that makes you feel the magic of a summer you’ll never forget. Chelsea’s personal evolution, from clinging to the predictable to risking her heart on something unknown felt believable and moving, even when parts of the narrative leaned into rom‑com familiarity, and the Ireland backdrop made me daydream of green fields and cozy pubs long after reading.

For lovers of escapist romances with rich setting and real emotional growth, this is an uplifting, smile‑inducing read.

[Bethanys_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect summer romance book! I loved the messages of found family and finding what you truly want in life. It made me want to travel to Ireland ASAP, and I would definitely recommend if you like romance

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Irish Summer
2✨

ahum, I was bored listening to this audiobook. waiting and more waiting for the flip point this book would get me hooked. unfortunately, it was just boring.

[Talor North · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon and Net Galley for an early copy of An Irish Summer!

Despite the two stars, I really enjoyed reading book. The writing was great, I liked the plot, and I appreciated most of the characters.

The one character I found to be insufferable was the female main character, unfortunately. By the end of the novel, I was rolling my eyes at most of her comments and decision making, and I couldn’t help but feel like I wouldn’t have such disdain for her if we saw her through someone else’s eyes? Even just a few short chapters from Collin would have helped me see why she was redeemable and worth the fight.

I do wish we got more detailed writing when it came to Ireland. I think the author tried, but I wanted more. I also wish we heard more about Chelsea’s upbringing and Jewish background because I think that could have been a beautiful blend of cultures, but instead it just felt randomly planted throughout the book without any real exploration.

[audrey (completely gone rn)]

start on: 4.15.25.
dnf on: 4.20.25

‎‧₊˚✧post-read (no review)✧˚₊‧
i didn't even get far enough in to review it 😭 arcs are just not my thing ig

‎‧₊˚✧pre-read✧˚₊‧
╰┈➤release date: july 1st, 2025

i actually got this ARC a while ago and forgot about it until i opened my kindle just now...i'm excited tho, i love ireland!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel that this book had so much potential. The premise of the story was interesting and it could have led to a really fun read. However, the story just fell so flat and was boring. Here's why:

The characters. I didn't care for either of the main characters. I tried so hard to like them but I just couldn't. They weren't that interesting and there was just no chemistry between them. Chelsea and Collin together just didn't do it for me. I did, however, like the friendships that Chelsea made with the other employees of the hostel.

The writing. This story just didn't have a good flow in my opinion. There were times when the story picked up the pace and then other times seemed to stall. This book isn't my first by this author and I enjoyed her writing style in the other book I read so I was disappointed in this one. There were too many ups and downs and the story felt stagnant at times which had me going back and rereading paragraphs because my attention was lost.

The story. The story was ok I guess. The premise was fine and seemed interesting from the blurb I read before accepting the ARC.

To sum it up this wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it wasn't the greatest. While disappointed I will still give this author another try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

An insufferable main character whose “problem” was circled back to in nearly every chapter. Boring. 2 stars for Ireland, which tbh, if more of a focal point, wouldve made the book more tolerable.

[Carly Guari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.

Let me first say that I am not much of a romance or rom-com reader. So, I may not be the target audience.

Honestly, I was drawn to the cover of this book first. I visited Ireland and hiked the Cliffs of Moher a year ago almost to the day. This book was a fun little jaunt into remembering special parts of my trip there. But I also think that may be why I was disappointed in the book. Unlike other reviewers, I didn’t feel like the description of the places Chelsea visited in Ireland were as vivid as I hoped they would be. I knew the places she references mostly because I had been there, not because they were well described. There is also so much more to Galway, Dublin, and the history and culture of Ireland than what gets mentioned in this book. I think the characters could have explained or explored it just a little more to flesh out the magic of Ireland a little better.

Chelsea the main character is super boring to me. Other characters love her for some reason but she has no personality and no interests. Her whole personality is being type A and needing to have a plan. Yawn. I kind of get that its also a plot point, but it makes for a boring character. Somehow, though, she is witty in her banter with the MMC. Where does that come from? Who knows?
That being said, the banter is pretty good, I will at least give it that.

Who it may be for: Rom-Com fans; grumpy/sunshine trope; hallmark movie lovers.

Who it may not be for: people looking for more complex characters; people looking for more exploration of Ireland

[Kia (hoesreadtoo) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 34%.

I couldn’t get past a third of this book because I found the protagonist really frustrating. Chelsea’s sarcastic comments felt more like rudeness than cleverness, and her choices left me exasperated. The story might have benefited from additional perspectives, perhaps Collin’s point of view, to provide more insight into her character and make her more relatable. The portrayal of Ireland lacked depth and felt surface-level, and the brief references to Chelsea’s Jewish heritage were left unexplored, missing an opportunity for richer cultural context. What confused me most was that Chelsea is from Boston, a city famously rich in Irish heritage and one of the largest ethnic groups in Boston, yet she seemed completely unaware of basic Irish customs, like how to properly pour a Guinness or the meaning behind a Claddagh ring. This lack of cultural knowledge felt unrealistic and made her character less believable. Overall, the combination of Chelsea’s attitude and the shallow setting made it hard for me to stay engaged.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book I should have added to my DNF pile. I did not connect to the FMC character and found her to be whiny and self absorbed. Her remarks that were described as "sarcastic" came off as her being rude. After losing her job in Boston because the owners decide to sell, Chelsea moves to Galway, Ireland to work at a hostel. She seems to hate every single moment of it and spends 96% of the book letting everyone know that she can't wait to go back to Boston. There were several times in the book that I had to remind myself that Chelsea was supposed to be in her mid to late 20s because she behaved like a teenager who didn't know her way in the world.

I also had a hard time believing that Chelsea was from Boston which is the most Irish city in the United States, and has no idea that there is a proper way to pour a Guinness (she actually makes fun of them saying the bartender pours the "perfect Guinness), has no idea what Claddagh ring is, and overall seems to know nothing about Ireland.

I didn't really feel the chemistry between Collin and Chelsea and overall felt like Chelsea took the fun out of this book for me.

[Liz Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chelsea must start fresh after her life is upended, losing both her job and apartment. She accepts a summer position at a hostel in Galway, hoping to diversify her hospitality experience and hurry back home to Boston as soon as possible.

The majority of this book focuses on the push and pull of what being successful means, changing dreams, and struggling with abandoning what you thought you always wanted.

This was a very cute read and would be an entertaining vacation or plane read. Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy.

[Lily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I’ll have to call it quits and DNF this read. I cannot connect with Chelsea. Not to mention she is just plain rude. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very immersive summer romance read. It was hard not to feel like I was right there in Ireland with the characters and experiencing everything right alongside them. The author did a really good job at describing the setting in such a way that left me wanting to visit Ireland myself.

This book is about Chelsea who works and lives at a bed and breakfast that closes. She ends up taking an opportunity in Ireland to work at a hostel until she can figure out her next move. This is where she meets Collin, who makes it his mission to show her everything Ireland has to offer.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main female character, Chelsea. She was kind of a downer and always complaining. However, I did really enjoyed the banter between Chelsea and Collin and I think that his character helped balance out what I couldn’t stand about Chelsea.

Read this if you like:
🍀 He falls first
🍀 Slow burn
🍀 Friends to lovers
🍀 Set in Ireland
🍀 Workplace romance

If you are looking for an atmospheric summer romance this might be the one for you.

Thank you @avonbooks for the gifted copy of the book.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Irish Summer follows Chelsea, a hospitality worker in her late 20s who has just been fired from her B&B job in Boston. To avoid a gap in her resume, she takes on a summer gig at a Galway hostel.

2.5 stars. This unfortunately didn’t work for me. While I wanted to love An Irish Summer, I struggled with most aspects of story. This book has lots of telling rather than showing, which made me feel disconnected from the characters and the world itself. Had this not been an ARC, I may have DNFed for that reason alone. I also didn’t appreciate Collin’s constant need to convince her to stay. It felt more overbearing than romantic to me.

Despite these issues, I enjoyed the Irish setting. My best friend who has spent a lot of time in Galway and her Irish husband verified the cultural accuracy. I’d love to visit one day!

For the closed door girlies, Chapter 17 contains an open door scene. I’ve seen some reviews call this closed door, which I don’t find accurate. I understand that this comes with ARC reviewing territory, so my rating is purely based on other aspects aside from the surprise spice.

Thank you to Avon Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes a book has all the elements I look for and still falls short. That was my experience here.

The premise held promise: A young American woman takes a job in Ireland after her seemingly ideal life in Boston falls apart. The Galway setting in the Irish countryside is idyllic. And there’s a handsome tour guide willing to highlight the best parts of Ireland.

What didn’t work? The FMC. Chelsea was insufferable. She wanted to be miserable and worked hard at making it a self fulfilling prophecy. It was hard to get invested in the story because she made it impossible. Admittedly, we got off on the wrong foot and I didn’t make much of an effort to give her a second chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an ARC copy of the book in a Goodreads giveaway.

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige was such a heartwarming and fun read. The setting was beautiful, and Collin, the charming lead, completely sold me on Ireland—I’ve officially added it to my travel list. While the female protagonist could be a bit annoying at times, it honestly just made her feel more real and human. Their chemistry and the cozy vibes made this the perfect feel-good story.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick romance perfect for vacation reading. Chelsea has lost her job but she gets an invite to work at a hostel in Ireland for the summer, so she takes it with every intention of going back to her Boston life afterwards. She has a plan for her life and Ireland is not in that plan. She loves Boston. She goes begrudgingly and her coworkers try to get her to love Ireland but she is not making it easy. She meets Collin, a tour guide, and he makes it his mission to show her the beauty of Ireland and why making lots of money living in a big city may not be all there is to life. I loved that there was actual romance in this book. They have a first kiss, go on dates, and fall in love. A proper romance. I enjoyed it. And the Ireland backdrop just made me want to go to Ireland. Also, I inherited a Claddagh ring from my stepmom and I now know it matters which way the heart faces when you wear it.

-"You've had one in Ireland, then?
"Well, no, but-"
"Then you've no idea what a Guiness tastes like."
(I laughed at this quote because my dad loves Guiness and after drinking it in Ireland, he no longer can drink it here in the States)

-"Guilty pleasure?"
"No one should ever feel guilty about pleasure."

-"It's just to say that the people you're related to aren't necessarily where your home has to be. If you have enough love for each other, it shouldn't matter where you are, so long as you're happy."

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Imagine the most insufferable, rude, and entitled female main character you’ve ever met. Once you’ve imagined that, times it by ten. The way I could not stand this woman from almost the second after she was let go. The way she talks to everyone was like nails on a chalkboard to me. And listen, this could have been a great book because the setting really hit, but we couldn’t even enjoy that because this Beantown groupie wouldn’t shut up about how her life was in Boston. There is no way this woman is good at any people facing job.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

[Shanon]

DNF @23%