Surrender

The O’Brians #7

by Jude McLean

Sometimes the future begins with letting go of the past.

Starting over is never simple.
Keefe O’Brian has finally made his dream a reality—owning a pub in the Irish countryside alongside his sister. Though raised in Massachusetts, Ireland has always felt like home—the place his heart returns to. He’s charming, successful, and more than ready to find someone to share his life with. But after too many failed relationships, Keefe’s starting to think lasting love might not be in the cards.

She didn’t intend to fall in love, but fate had other plans.

Gwen McKenna has never truly known love—not from her powerful, emotionally distant father, and not from anyone else. She’s built walls to protect herself, and they’ve served her well. But when her father dies and she discovers she has a sister, Gwen sets out to find the one piece of family she’s never had. What she doesn’t expect is Keefe O’Brian—infuriatingly confident, maddeningly attractive, and the only man who’s ever made her want to let her guard down. From the moment they meet, the tension crackles. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and completely inconvenient.

But not everyone welcomes the past with open arms.

As Gwen and Keefe’s bond deepens, not all of the O’Brians are eager to welcome her into the fold. And as truths come to light and loyalties are tested, Gwen and Keefe are already in deep—their hearts entangled before either of them saw it coming. In a family rooted in loyalty, can they find the courage to surrender to passion, to forgiveness, and to each other?

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Jude McLean, a lover of whiskey and chocolate, vividly depicts her passion for sensory experiences within the pages of her Irish romance novels. Known for her boisterous laughter, she assures her readers that they’ll never be deprived of laughs, gasps, perhaps a tear or two, and a heartwarming smile.

Sign up for Jude’s newsletter to receive updates, exclusive offers, and a few laughs. She’s a hoot!
www.judemclean.com




Reviews

[Hillary Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just amazing!!! I loved watching Keene get his happily ever after!!! Bring some tissue though be this one really tugs at the heart!!!

[Julie Camino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrender

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
Love at first sight ✔️ (the O'Brien way)
unable to stay way ✔️
deceit, forgiveness, loss ✔️
Over protective twin ✔️
Second chances ✔️

I love Jude and the entire O'Brien series, specially because not one of the characters are on the younger side and they all had lived and experienced a life before finding their HEA. Total chef's 😘

In this book I loved watching Keene get his HEA! But the twists and turns he had to deal with to get it was just perfect for his story. For his Cinniúint.

It took a bit, but I loved the fact that after all the misunderstandings with Gwen and Keefe, they were able to find a way back to each other.

What I didn't like is the way Sophie reacted to it all in Keefe's story, it didn't happen to her and had nothing to do with her. She just really pissed me off here, she just couldn't be happy for Keefe and support her like he supported her. Ugh she was just too possessive of her twin and it almost cost him his HEA because she couldn't cope. I'm just glad she came to her senses before she lost her brother and he lost the love of his life.

[Literature and Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun novel following our favorite Irish family! It’s Keefe’s turn, and he’s not going to waste it. This was a quick, easy read- but you really start to worry for him where his sister is involved. They have that hilarious twin connection and Keefe is definitely the sane one. I truly admire his patience with his sister and where she finds the audacity! Keefe is sweet when he’s in love, and it’s great to finally meet Gwen. I was a little worried at first because I wasn’t a fan of how her sneakiness came off- but the more you learn about her the more you understand it. Their romance was sweet- and in true O’Brian style fast to the point of whiplash! All your favorites are there- including the new babies! It’s a family affair because family is what matters. If you love crazy-insta-fate-love, crazy families, even crazier siblings and good Irish fun- I recommend this book!

Thank you to the Author for the Arc, my opinions are my own!

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read.
I was hooked from the first few pages and after that I felt that I was in the ‘room’ with Keefe and Gwen.
The language of this story flows effortlessly.
It holds you so beautifully that you never want to put the story down. Shame life gets in the way…
However, I finished this book in one day. I just had too. It was too gripping (in a good way) to put down.
I was (initially) disappointed in Sophie’s reaction to Gwen, but perhaps I needed to read previous stories to understand her back story again. She’s unforgiving. Then, she’s not, which made her human again.
I smiled and cried with joy in this story. What an emotional roller coaster - a small one, but still a ride!
Congratulations. I loved it.
Best wishes,
Sharyn x
NSW Australia

[Jeanne Chepko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another O’Brian family story. Gwen, Darcie’s sister has come to town to try and connect with her sister. Knowing she is probably hated, she lands in Keefe and Sophie’s bar calling herself Ruby. Unexpected and unexplained chemistry between her and Keefe takes over and they fall hard. How can she tell him the truth, can she get Sophie to accept her, will it all come crashing down?
Irish family can come on strong, be protective and be a bit too involved where they shouldn’t be. Can Gwen make them see her as family too?
Great quick read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read.
A love at first sight or fate sets you up. A fierce family that’s there for the MMC and a protective sibling ready to jump in ferociously to safe guard their loved sibling.
FMC finds that a small white lie is still a lie and the consequences of that lie and how that impacts a close knit family.
Family learning the difference of when you’re right or when you’re assuming and stubborn.
Certainly glad it had a HEA.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful novel in the O'Brian's series by Jude McLean. One of the spiciest love connections yet! Heart warming, heart breaking and heart healing. If ever there was a love story destined by cinniúint (fate), this is it.

[Krystle Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love loved reading about Gwen and Keefe’s love story. Their story had depth and angst and family interference that we’ve come to know and love from the O’Brian family. The imagery of Ireland that Jude provides is just top-notch. I highly recommend reading this WHOLE series!

[Lynda Hitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

might be the best one

Having read all of the stories in this series, this just might be the best of them. I’m really glad I got this when it came out! Sometimes series seem to drag on and on, but this isn’t one of those.

[June Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book... Can't wait for the next one. It took a few twists and turns but I loved the fact that after all the misunderstandings Gwen and Keefe found each other again and were happy..

[Karen Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book…can’t wait to read the next book in the series!