Mr Right All Along

by Isobel Mahon

'This book was so much fun. it had those really rich heartfelt moments but also those quirky laugh out loud moments . . . a really lovely story that just hugs you all the way to the end. ' Reader review, 5 stars

Absolutely hilarious and utterly uplifting, discover this fun and fresh new Irish rom com that will melt your heart this Christmas!

Sometimes, the perfect man is right under your nose . . .

Ally has just got out of a long-term relationship with the lovely but unfortunately extremely predictable Francis. It's hard enough being single when your Dad still meets your ex every weekend to play golf . . .

She decides to focus on a new man - after all, she's always had a crush on confident, sporty William from work. That is, until she goes and gets herself fired from her corporate office job in the worst 'Reply All' gaffe of the century.

So Ally pulls up her socks and gets a job at her lovely local café. There she meets hunky, down-to-earth Pete, the builder. They're having such craic together, it's a shame that he's clearly so hung up on his ex . . .

Should she get back together with Francis, or focus on a future with William?

Ally is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants, but will she see that her true love has always been Mr Right All Along?

A heartwarming, relatable and laugh-out-loud Christmas rom com perfect for anyone who loves Bridget Jones, or books by Mhairi McFarlane, Beth Moran, and Maxine Morrey.

Readers are falling in love with Ally and her quest to find Mr Right All Along!

'This book is such a fun, feel-good Christmas rom-com! . . . The genuinely sweet chemistry makes it an easy, uplifting read. I truly loved it.'

'Loved this book! . . . What a beautiful cover. Such good characters and storyline.' Reader review, 5 stars

'Cute but not in a immature way. Great characters, Love the tone and pacing. Page turner form the beginning.' Reader review, 5 stars

'I enjoyed this heartwarming novel, I liked Ally from the start, her attitude towards life is right up my street. I really like her friend Rosemarie and their friendship along the way.' Reader review, 5 stars

'I loved this cozy romance book! The characters were so engaging and likeable . . . the wit and heart makes it unputdownable.' Reader review, 4 stars

'This book is a charming and heartwarming story with great humor, an excellent cast of characters, and a mix of charm and chaos. I adored this book!' Reader review, 4 stars

'Amazing book. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much.' Reader review, 4 stars

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded down from 3.5, I liked this one but didn’t love it!!!

So after two really big dud “thrillers” I have retreated back to romcom territory, well I initially was going to DNF this one… it started off a bit of a fizzer… but honestly it grew on me and I started to really like Ally.

Ally is an underdog who has had some pretty bad luck, and the start of this book doesn’t go great for her, fired for the classic, emailed my boss the email I wrote about my boss but wasn’t meant to go to my boss (and everyone in the company) issue!! Oops!!

She kind of takes it like a trooper (shes still devastated) but keeps on going… and I liked that about her. I wasn’t a fan of William, I hated Francis and I did like Pete… this was a love triangle scenario without it being too weird (not weirdly sexual of course I would DNF something like that quicker than you an say ick)!!

But this was a bit heartwarming, kind of giggly and just mostly nice. It was predictable but I like that in my romcoms… its what we go in for (well I do) and it was closed door which I appreciated.

The secondary characters were good too so that was a nice little bonus.

Overall, I think this one is worth the read but there are better romcoms out there… if you have it definitely read it… its not bad at all. I liked it a lot but didn’t love it.

Thank you to Embla Books, NetGalley and the author for and advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of like an Irish Bridget Jones, Ally is awkwardly chaotic, which tends to get her into situations. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she asks out the IT guy at her corporation. He's hot and nerdy, slightly awkward, but they really hit it off. Until a reply all email gets her fired. She takes a job at a café and, surprisingly, find somewhere she truly fits. Her coworkers are friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, and she stops trying to live up to the pressure of her family's high expectations. If only she could figure out her love life. Should she go back to her ex, try again with William, or a new guy Pete the builder?
I thought this story was funny. Ally was awkwardly charming, and the café atmosphere was cozy and one of my favorite things in the book. But I never really felt the connection between Ally and any of the guys, the pacing was OK but lagged a bit in the middle, and some of the Irish jargon had me confused (not the fault of the author, obviously) and took me out of the story a bit. Overall it was a funny and cozy story perfect for the holidays.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

[Sweta · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man I really wanted to like this one, I love a good hallmark story but I could not get into it. Unfortunately, the writing style just didn’t work for me. I’m not ever picky about writing, but I just found myself rereading several sentences trying to figure out what in the world she was trying to say lol Maybe some phrasing just doesn’t translate well for american readers and I’m the problem, but it pulled me out of the story so much.

Story-wise, it felt so scattered. Random scenarios thrown in without much buildup, and the romantic tension never really developed in a satisfying way. Not enough interaction between Ally and William, Fran felt underutilized, and I kept waiting for something more to happen with Pete like well into 80% of the book. And then the rom-com part of the book never fully landed for me.

Ally’s time at the coffee shop was cute, and that was probably the only part of the book I liked, but overall the plot didn’t hold my attention. I found myself skimming just to get through it.

Received ARC from netgalley in exchange for honest feedback.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick and easy fun read that I just flew through and couldn't stop smiling the whole way.

 

After splitting up with her predictable long term partner, Ally is looking for a new love in her life.

Once again, I spent a good portion of this book thanking my lucky stars that I'm married and don't have to navigate this crazy world of modern dating.

It's honestly a minefield.

 

I was a little apprehensive of Ally at first as I really felt for poor Francis, who hadn't really done anything to deserve being dumped.

I think I'm just comfortable with my predictable guy!?

I definitely warmed to Ally over the course of the story though and felt that although chaotic at times, she was still pretty relatable and I found myself cringing and laughing at all her faux pas and efforts in flirting etc.

 

The writing style was so much fun and I had a great time with Ally and the boys.

The storyline was pretty predictable, but this didn't matter at all.

The perfect book to grab and devour over a quiet weekend.

 

 

[Cathy Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Ally who is still single after ending her long-term relationship on New Year’s Eve the previous year. But she’s okay, she’s ready to move on, she has her best friend Rosemarie and has a good job that covers her mortgage, with enough leftover to paint the town red with her Bestie.

That is until she doesn’t. Suddenly, she finds herself unemployed after she accidentally sent a less than complementary email to the whole company. But Ali can’t be kept down for long and in an effort to figure out who she really is at heart and what she wants in life she finds herself making some new friends at her local café. And life starts to look up.

This was a funny, sweet, cozy Christmas romance. The characters were great, really likable and relatable. I loved Ally, and I just wanted her family to be happy for her without trying to force her to be someone she wasn’t, it was like they didn’t really see her at all. I thought Rosemarie was funny and had Ali‘s back no matter what. And whilst I liked her work crush, but soon as she met her other potential beau I was totally invested in their relationship and I really wanted Ally to choose him, I thought they were much better suited.

I enjoyed Isobel’s writing style and I thought this book was great. It is the perfect Christmas romcom and was a four star read for me. One I would definitely recommend.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

is a light, feel-good romantic comedy with a charming Irish touch. It follows Ally, who’s recently out of a long-term relationship and trying to navigate single life, career mishaps, and the ever-confusing world of modern romance. From a disastrous “Reply All” email to awkward encounters with her ex and flirtations with new men, Ally’s journey is full of relatable chaos and self-discovery.

What works well here is the warmth and humor—Mahon’s writing has an easy flow, and Ally’s voice feels genuine. The café setting and small-town vibes add a cozy charm, and the side characters bring some heart and humor to the story.

However, the plot itself is quite predictable, and the romantic tension never fully sparked for me. Ally’s indecision between her various love interests feels a bit repetitive, and some moments that should have packed emotional depth come off as surface-level. It’s a pleasant, breezy read—but not one that leaves a lasting impression.

Overall, Mr Right All Along is a sweet, comfort read perfect for fans of lighthearted, easy-going romcoms.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that drew me in with the engaging promise of a person who seems to always find the worst luck, but still has the strength to keep moving forward and try to make life the best possible. Plus the extra people in her life that she cannot seem to find a way to choose between, though I am not sure why as two of them are easily rubbish.
I really thought Ally was a strong and preserving woman, with a kind heart, but she allowed herself to become a doormat, sadly. She was too caught up in what was expected of her and not what was best for her and what she wanted, and she always seemed a wee bit lost in her way. Bill and Francis are absolute rubbish. They are not worth anything and just rotten men, so how she got caught up in them, bleh. Pete is interesting, fun and good for her in some ways. She has to be weary though with the ex, but all the fun they have throughout, can slowly lead somewhere. Where it goes and with who, you will have to read yourself, but it is a fun read, slow to start, but fun.

[Katy Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Right All Along, while not being a standout rom-com, was still enjoyable. Some of it was kind of a slog to get through, but most of it was well written. Ally was admittedly a bit hard for me to connect with, but partially I think that is just more preference rather than quality. I did enjoy Pete, although his lack of communication went just a bit over the top for me. I enjoyed the plot and if you are a fan of 90s and early 2000’s rom coms, then I think you will too. I definitely wanted to like it more than I did but part of me just couldn’t get into it. I think that I just may not be the target audience for this book in particular, namely I am Gen Z and not Irish! I definitely did do a lot of fun googling while reading this book cause I ran into quite a bit of slang I was not familiar with.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Stevie-Lea Nightingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Right All Along follows Ally, as she navigates life after heartbreak and humiliation which leads her to some self-discovery and unexpected love!

It’s the perfect time of the year for a romantic comedy! It’s very well suited to the winter season. Mr Right All Along was full of all the cosy vibes, humour and romance.

I thought it was very well written, well paced and easy to get through. The characters are very likeable. It definitely gave off some Bridget Jones vibes, which I loved!

Although there are many moments of humour, we also have the more serious moments of self-discovery for Ally as she navigates figuring out who she is, family expectations and what she really wants from a relationship.

Overall a great read and I would absolutely recommend it to lovers of romantic comedies!❤️

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, easy read, that i found myself sitting and finishing it in one afternoon. I was so quickly hooked into Ally's world, where things kept going poorly for her, many of her own making, but she just had something that drew me to her.
I loved Pete, a complicated male main character, but oozing with goodness.
Evelyn, Dave, and Rosemary made wonderful side characters. I had a huge soft spot for Evelyn and thought her knitting and stories regarding it were great lessons to be learning.
The story progresses very quickly, and isn't set over a huge timespan, I really enjoy that. I did find a few of the chapters to be very long though, thats something I don't particularly enjoy, I prefer them to be short and snappy.
I really enjoyed having a 6 months later chapter where we had some bits tied up nicely.
I think romcom lovers will really enjoy this.

[Bern · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This book was really cute. Reminiscent of Bridget Jones with her quirkiness and romantic escapades. I thought the characters were adorable and the storyline entertaining. The reason for the slightly lower score is I do feel like the ending was rushed and everything was wrapped up in the last few chapters vs letting it flow naturally. Also, this is an ARC and expect typos and formatting issues but this looked like a very very ROUGH draft, so hopefully that will be cleaned up by release date.

Thank you Netgalley and Isabel Mahon for selecting me as an ARC reader in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was written well but, I am going to be honest. It was essentially a reworking of Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's Diary." I am not a reader who is shy with spiciness but, for this book it was unnecessary. It came all the way at the end so it would not have been missed. Plus, this book was fairly clean and then out of seemingly nowhere a graphic description. It made no sense with the tone of the rest of the book. For me also a lot of the references were lost because I am not from Ireland and I had to stop and look up products and slang that was used. Overall though, still an enjoyable enough read. #MrRightAllAlong #NetGalley

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Right All Along is a cozy, feel-good rom-com filled with charm, chaos, and heart. Ally is an underdog you can’t help but root for, and her mix of awkward moments and resilience made me smile more than once. The humor lands, the side characters are fun, and the overall story has that comforting, giggly energy I usually love in a romance. That said, I think I just wasn’t fully in the right mood for it this time—so maybe it’s a me problem, not the book’s. Still, if you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and heartwarming, this one definitely delivers.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶

💚 Friends to lovers

💚 Forced proximity

💚 Insta attraction

💚 Soulmates

💚 Only she sees the real him

I really enjoyed this. It is a sweet, light-hearted, feel good read.

Down on her luck the FMC has to move on from her old life (even if it keeps popping up) and is left pulled in three different directions.

I loved the MMC and wanted him for her from the start.

This book felt like a coming of age story for grown ups and shows that despite the pressure that says otherwise there is no age limit on when you get your life together.

I would love a spin off for the side characters but will have to wait and see if that comes 💚

[Paterson Loarn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read romantic fiction, but when I was offered a free copy of this novel in return for an honest review, I decided to give it a whirl. The story is humorous and set in Ireland - two elements that always grab my interest. Because the book is well written, I stuck with it and liked some parts, especially the quirky characters. I would have enjoyed it more if there had been a darker side to the plot, to contrast with the humour and happy times. This is definitely one for fans of bright and sparkling romantic comedy, with its message that 'sometimes the perfect man is right under your nose....'
Thanks to Embla Books and Love Books Tours for the review copy.

[Catherine Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cozy romance book, with Bridget Jones vibes.

The characters were so engaging and likeable. The plot isn’t complex, and at times seems a little meandering, but the wit and heart makes it unputdownable.

The two main characters were so endearing, and the cast of side characters provided the perfect balance. There was some laugh out loud moments too.

This is a fun, straightforward read that will leave you feeling lighter by the end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun and cute. I thought it really gave off some Bridget Jones vibes. The characters were very likable and endearing. The story is easy to follow and lovely. There were definitely some funny moments that had me chuckling. Ally sending an email that shouldn’t have been sent (about her boss) to everyone in the company, including her boss was very funny. The book was at times quite predictable, but I felt it made the story more comfortable and readable. All in all,
I really enjoyed this book.

[Lauren Flewett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr right all along is a heartwarming romance by Isobel Mahon which is so easy to read.

The main character Ally is really down on her luck by making a mistake I’m sure we have all nearly done at some point. She is such a believable character and I love how she finds herself despite the expectations of her family and almost societies pre-conceived ideas of success.

Pete is such a lovely character proving you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Of course we can’t forget little Patsy the dog!

If you love a romcom which gives all the good vibes then pick this book up.

[Kate Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little love story! Ally is a main character that you are rooting for who finally falls on her feet!
It's a story of love and friendship throughout the whole story she is also there for her friends as they fall in love too!
It's a perfect Christmas holiday read.. can we say the C word yet - I just did! It is the perfect rom com with a happy ending.
The writing was great and the story had a good tempo as you went through in Ally's mind and as above you really did feel for her.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet easy read, with great characters.
A book you can just sit down, relax and read. A closed door romance with humour, Ally is a fun character and I found myself captivated by her story.
A cosy read perfect for keeping warm and relaxing with.
My first read by this author and I’ll be looking forward to what comes next.

#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeBookReview

[Noemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a review calling this an Irish Bridget Jones and in all fairness I think that’s a perfect summary. It felt a little chaotic with three love interests and our FMC not knowing which way is up or down. But I suppose that’s also always been the appeal of Bridget Jones so I can’t say I didn’t love it.

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ally just can’t seem to get her life on track. Her parents can’t understand why she broke up with her long term but predictable boyfriend Francis. She’s finally scored a date with new guy William from work when she manages to get herself fired. Then when she finds a job she actually quite likes at a cafe she’s sure she failing to live up to everyone’s expectations. Plus she’s drawn to handsome but unavailable builder Pete. With the help of her new pet fish, Ally has to figure out what she wants, not what everyone else wants for her.

This book was charming and funny. Ally was a great protagonist and the varied cast of side characters kept the farcical plot moving in a really entertaining way. Although some of the situations Ally found herself in felt a little over the top to me, Ally felt like a real person and I was definitely rooting for her to work things out for herself. Harry and Sally (the fish) and Patsy the dog brought added cuteness factor.

Overall an enjoyable book and I would read other books by this author. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies and Irish humour you’ll enjoy this.

Thanks to Love Book Tours and Embla Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!! ✨✨✨

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute but not in a immature way

Great characters

Love the tone and pacing


Page turner form the beginning

[Brooklyn Taylah · Rating 3 out of 5]

it gave hallmark Bridget Jones in Christmas which I enjoyed the do it for the plot but I can not relate to the shenanigans fmc went through for the men in this book 😅

[Momma Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. But storyline is just okay. Very typical of books from that region. Nothing special. No great hook or high stakes. Which is what agents and publishers want but somehow, it’s published:

[Gales Tales70 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is well written that you can just sit down and get on with it. Some LOL moments for a closed door romance. All characters were very likeable, especially Ally the main character. A story about love and friendship but she is also there for her friends, regardless. Some parts a little predictable but overall a lovely Christmas read 💚

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this heartwarming novel, I liked Ally from the start, her attitude towards life is right up my street. I really like her friend Rosemarie and their friendship along the way.

I did wonder about Pete, I could imagine him being one of those guys that are a bit cagey but also because they didn't want to open up too much incase they got hurt.

There is a classic case of money doesn't always bring happiness and Ally can see right through that. I enjoyed how much she got along with Pete, a budding friendship was forming.

Evelyn is a gem! I liked that she knits and each row tells a story, cute! Kathleen also sounds wonderful!

I wasn't expecting the spice, it was very tame but unsure it was needed, you got the gist of what was coming.

Enjoyable overall, would recommend.

[G C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Christmas rom com and appreciated the humour in it.

I love a Christmas rom com but it wasn’t in your face and I sometimes forgot it was set at Christmas (for those who don’t care as much for Christmas set stories).

I found Ally (and the side characters she was close with) to be realistic and likable and would love to sample some of the food and drinks at the Owl’s Nest!

I will echo what another reviewer wrote about the spiciness. It came totally out of nowhere and was completely unnecessary in what was essentially a pretty clean romance up until that very small half a page at most.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.