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In Every Possible Way
One woman’s luck changes in an instant when she hits her head and wakes up in Ireland, in this whimsical, whirlwind romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.
After yet another disastrous date where Jess is too awkward, too earnest, too whatever, she’s ready to put her romantic daydreams aside. Other than an enchanting Irish accent, her latest date is no prince charming. Then the night goes from bad to worse when she’s mugged in the parking lot and hits her head. Hard.
Hard enough that when Jess wakes up, she’s in Ireland.
The first person she meets is Eamonn, a quiet, gruff mechanic. Since Jess is stranded with no passport, cell phone, or way to get home, Eamonn becomes her reluctant knight in shining armor.
Over the next forty-eight hours, they meander through the cobblestone streets of Dublin and explore the Irish countryside, sharing their deepest fears, quiet hopes, and softest aches. It’s a connection that is as electrifying as it is terrifying, because what if Jess falls asleep and Eamonn vanishes like a dream? But a love like this—touched by magic and a little bit of luck—is never quite as it seems.
After yet another disastrous date where Jess is too awkward, too earnest, too whatever, she’s ready to put her romantic daydreams aside. Other than an enchanting Irish accent, her latest date is no prince charming. Then the night goes from bad to worse when she’s mugged in the parking lot and hits her head. Hard.
Hard enough that when Jess wakes up, she’s in Ireland.
The first person she meets is Eamonn, a quiet, gruff mechanic. Since Jess is stranded with no passport, cell phone, or way to get home, Eamonn becomes her reluctant knight in shining armor.
Over the next forty-eight hours, they meander through the cobblestone streets of Dublin and explore the Irish countryside, sharing their deepest fears, quiet hopes, and softest aches. It’s a connection that is as electrifying as it is terrifying, because what if Jess falls asleep and Eamonn vanishes like a dream? But a love like this—touched by magic and a little bit of luck—is never quite as it seems.
Audible Audio
First published June 23, 2026
About the author
Alicia Thompson
9 books1,579 followersAlicia Thompson is a writer, reader, and Paramore superfan. As a teen, she appeared in an episode of 48 Hours in the audience of a local murder trial, where she broke the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
May 1, 2026
thank you netgalley for providing this arc!!
oh this was so, so sweet. i absolutely adored the magical realism side to this story (as an avid ashley poston fan), and the romance was absolutely adorable. it was definitely cheesy and silly in places but i feel like that added to its charm. this was super quick to read and gorgeously paced, and the atmosphere of a cold, rainy ireland was perfect. loved this!!
oh this was so, so sweet. i absolutely adored the magical realism side to this story (as an avid ashley poston fan), and the romance was absolutely adorable. it was definitely cheesy and silly in places but i feel like that added to its charm. this was super quick to read and gorgeously paced, and the atmosphere of a cold, rainy ireland was perfect. loved this!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I love you.”
“All the way."
"𝓘𝓷 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝔂.”
This ended up being a completely different reading experience than I expected—softer, stranger, and way more dreamlike. Magical realism isn’t usually my thing at all, but this one did it so well that I barely questioned it; it just felt so hazy and intimate.🫶🏼🫶🏼😌
Jess brought this nervous, rambling, overly earnest energy that made everything feel more real. She asks the questions you’d actually ask & reacts the way a normal person would. There’s something endearing about how unpolished she is.
Eamonn however, almost single-handedly kept me emotionally invested. 🙂↕️🙂↕️ The way he kept coming back to Jess, noticing tiny things about her, caring even when he didn’t really know why… it was oddly tender.
THISSSS. It was such a small confession but somehow one of the most intimate ones. It made all Eamonn’s actions before that click into place. He wasn’t just helping her out of obligation, he was already emotionally in too deep.
And when the romance actually hit, it HIT. After going through the slow burn of the getting to know each other, it wasn’t too loud or flashy. More like soft and aching and a little desperate.
Every moment felt so fragile, almost sad, because you could feel how temporary everything was. 😭
Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, the pacing MAJORLY started to drag for me. I understood why those slower moments were there—to build the connection—but I could feel myself drifting instead of being completely immersed.
Jess and Eamonn’s connection is the kind that makes you hold your breath, wondering if it’s real or just a moment suspended in time… and honestly, I can’t tell you if it all works out. I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out. 🫣🫠
Overall, this was tender, dreamy, and quietly swoony. Even when the pacing slowed, the soft longing and the way Eamonn cared stuck with me. It’s the kind of story that leaves a faint, wistful feeling, like waking from a really nice dream.😴🩷💜
things to know about the book ↓
✨ slow burn romance
✨ magical realism
✨ life-changing encounter
✨ strangers → lovers
✨ single pov (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ ✨ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
Love me some Alicia Thompson!! Never Been Shipped was a top read for me last year so I’m looking forward to this one!!
“All the way."
"𝓘𝓷 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝔂.”
This ended up being a completely different reading experience than I expected—softer, stranger, and way more dreamlike. Magical realism isn’t usually my thing at all, but this one did it so well that I barely questioned it; it just felt so hazy and intimate.🫶🏼🫶🏼😌
Jess brought this nervous, rambling, overly earnest energy that made everything feel more real. She asks the questions you’d actually ask & reacts the way a normal person would. There’s something endearing about how unpolished she is.
Eamonn however, almost single-handedly kept me emotionally invested. 🙂↕️🙂↕️ The way he kept coming back to Jess, noticing tiny things about her, caring even when he didn’t really know why… it was oddly tender.
“But I saw those flowers in your hair, and I wanted … I don’t know, 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹. Your hair looked so soft, and I wanted to know what it would feel like. I wanted to help you, to make something better for you, even if in a small way.”
THISSSS. It was such a small confession but somehow one of the most intimate ones. It made all Eamonn’s actions before that click into place. He wasn’t just helping her out of obligation, he was already emotionally in too deep.
And when the romance actually hit, it HIT. After going through the slow burn of the getting to know each other, it wasn’t too loud or flashy. More like soft and aching and a little desperate.
“He kissed me like I was the dream he didn’t want to wake up from.”
Every moment felt so fragile, almost sad, because you could feel how temporary everything was. 😭
Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, the pacing MAJORLY started to drag for me. I understood why those slower moments were there—to build the connection—but I could feel myself drifting instead of being completely immersed.
Jess and Eamonn’s connection is the kind that makes you hold your breath, wondering if it’s real or just a moment suspended in time… and honestly, I can’t tell you if it all works out. I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out. 🫣🫠
Overall, this was tender, dreamy, and quietly swoony. Even when the pacing slowed, the soft longing and the way Eamonn cared stuck with me. It’s the kind of story that leaves a faint, wistful feeling, like waking from a really nice dream.😴🩷💜
things to know about the book ↓
✨ slow burn romance
✨ magical realism
✨ life-changing encounter
✨ strangers → lovers
✨ single pov (hers)
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ ✨ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
Love me some Alicia Thompson!! Never Been Shipped was a top read for me last year so I’m looking forward to this one!!
March 18, 2026
oh he has a whole collection of silvia moreno-garcia books? i’m proposing hand in marriage (and not just for the irish citizenship)
hottest thing a man can be: whatever eamonn has going on fr
manifested so hard on a date in which you said “i wish i was on a date with your brother” in jest because it was just so terrible, that you woke up on front of his apartment in ireland
for the real rom com enjoyers
thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
hottest thing a man can be: whatever eamonn has going on fr
manifested so hard on a date in which you said “i wish i was on a date with your brother” in jest because it was just so terrible, that you woke up on front of his apartment in ireland
for the real rom com enjoyers
thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
June 27, 2026
In Every Possible Way is a whimsical and endearing romance full of whirlwind tension and so much yearning. The story follows Jess, who, after a terrible first date on her birthday ending with a mugging, wakes up in Ireland with no clue how she got there, and Eamonn, a gruff mechanic who offers to show her around Dublin until she can get home.
I loved every minute of this magical and tender romance! Eamonn and Jess were just perfect together, I loved that they had an instant banter and that their connection grew as they opened up to one another. Their fast paced infatuation was perfectly balanced with all the travel and exploring they did around Dublin. I appreciated that we got a little tour and were able to explore the island while the two fell for each other and found themselves unable to stop their mutual attraction. The resulting slowburn steam was well worth the wait as their longing grew with every undeniable moment they shared and all the deep conversations they had. Filled with enchanting magic and heartfelt emotion, this swoony romance wove one of the most charming and unforgettable stories I've ever read.
~All the thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I loved every minute of this magical and tender romance! Eamonn and Jess were just perfect together, I loved that they had an instant banter and that their connection grew as they opened up to one another. Their fast paced infatuation was perfectly balanced with all the travel and exploring they did around Dublin. I appreciated that we got a little tour and were able to explore the island while the two fell for each other and found themselves unable to stop their mutual attraction. The resulting slowburn steam was well worth the wait as their longing grew with every undeniable moment they shared and all the deep conversations they had. Filled with enchanting magic and heartfelt emotion, this swoony romance wove one of the most charming and unforgettable stories I've ever read.
~All the thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
June 24, 2026
Jess is fresh off a bad first date in her home of Florida, and she's ready to throw in the towel when life throws her for a loop: She's mugged, she hits her head...and she wakes up in Ireland. No passport, no money, no idea how she got there or how to get home. And no contacts except Eamonn, the first man she meets there...
I am predictable: I like travel books (even if that travel is accidental), and I like books set in places I don't know well, and I like nontoxic relationships. Also, I don't always read (or remember) the entire description before I commit to reading a book, because aren't books a bit more fun with an extra element of surprise?
Fortunately, this one delivered. Jess ends up seeing a fair amount of Ireland over a short couple of days, some of it touristy and some of it a little more off the beaten path. There's a sort of dreamy sense to her experience there, because she knows full well that she shouldn't be there, that it makes no sense that she's there, that it can't last. And every so often we get a reminder from Florida that the universe, too, knows that the time can't last. (Jess tries to go to the US embassy to get things sorted out, but it is conveniently a holiday weekend, so there's time to get caught up in things.)
The romance is sweet. Jess and Eamonn have a good dynamic, initially pretty uncertain but always respectful. We have some of the typical "he thinks she's dating someone else", but they get over that reasonably quickly. The chemistry is there early, but the figuring out what to do with it is more complicated...especially for Jess, who of course knows things Eamonn doesn't.
A few quibbles: I didn't like the epilogue—in retrospect I should have just skipped it, but of course you never know that going in! Late-in-game POV shifts always throw me for a loop, and it just didn't feel necessary. I'd also like to know just what Jess would expect at the US embassy in Ireland. Contacting the embassy is the logical thing to do if you've lost your passport on vacation, yes...but imagine the questions for someone in Jess's situation! No passport, but also no record of ever entering the country...and also no record of her ever having a passport, because, well, she doesn't have a passport. I mean, obviously there's a reason the story goes off in a different direction, but I am bad at suspending disbelief (see: me being predictable), and I think I just could have used a bit more acknowledgement that as complicated as things are, they have the capacity to get much worse, very quickly.
But overall? Much fun. This is the second of Thompson's books that I've read, and it was a better fit for me than the first (which was also fine, just—it wasn't set in Ireland). Would read more along these lines.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I am predictable: I like travel books (even if that travel is accidental), and I like books set in places I don't know well, and I like nontoxic relationships. Also, I don't always read (or remember) the entire description before I commit to reading a book, because aren't books a bit more fun with an extra element of surprise?
Fortunately, this one delivered. Jess ends up seeing a fair amount of Ireland over a short couple of days, some of it touristy and some of it a little more off the beaten path. There's a sort of dreamy sense to her experience there, because she knows full well that she shouldn't be there, that it makes no sense that she's there, that it can't last. And every so often we get a reminder from Florida that the universe, too, knows that the time can't last. (Jess tries to go to the US embassy to get things sorted out, but it is conveniently a holiday weekend, so there's time to get caught up in things.)
The romance is sweet. Jess and Eamonn have a good dynamic, initially pretty uncertain but always respectful. We have some of the typical "he thinks she's dating someone else", but they get over that reasonably quickly. The chemistry is there early, but the figuring out what to do with it is more complicated...especially for Jess, who of course knows things Eamonn doesn't.
A few quibbles: I didn't like the epilogue—in retrospect I should have just skipped it, but of course you never know that going in! Late-in-game POV shifts always throw me for a loop, and it just didn't feel necessary. I'd also like to know just what Jess would expect at the US embassy in Ireland. Contacting the embassy is the logical thing to do if you've lost your passport on vacation, yes...but imagine the questions for someone in Jess's situation! No passport, but also no record of ever entering the country...and also no record of her ever having a passport, because, well, she doesn't have a passport. I mean, obviously there's a reason the story goes off in a different direction, but I am bad at suspending disbelief (see: me being predictable), and I think I just could have used a bit more acknowledgement that as complicated as things are, they have the capacity to get much worse, very quickly.
But overall? Much fun. This is the second of Thompson's books that I've read, and it was a better fit for me than the first (which was also fine, just—it wasn't set in Ireland). Would read more along these lines.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
June 7, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
words that probably aren’t regularly used to describe a romance book but nail this one: calm & steady
idk if it was the mental state i was in while reading this, other factors, or what - but this story just felt so calm. The exact brand of calm that I’d have if I was looking out over a still lake when it’s a little chilly & cloudy but in a good way?? Does that make any sense???
readers who like Ashley Poston books will love this I think
things to know:
- contemporary romance with a dash of magic
- she gets hit in the head in Florida & wakes up in a field in Ireland
- enter hot moody Irishman
read this!
the only reason this wasn’t 5 stars for me is because the FMC is supposed to be 37 but acts like she’s in her 20s. no hate no shade - I loved my 20s!!! but there is just something DIFFERENT (affectionate) about women in their thirties
words that probably aren’t regularly used to describe a romance book but nail this one: calm & steady
idk if it was the mental state i was in while reading this, other factors, or what - but this story just felt so calm. The exact brand of calm that I’d have if I was looking out over a still lake when it’s a little chilly & cloudy but in a good way?? Does that make any sense???
readers who like Ashley Poston books will love this I think
things to know:
- contemporary romance with a dash of magic
- she gets hit in the head in Florida & wakes up in a field in Ireland
- enter hot moody Irishman
read this!
the only reason this wasn’t 5 stars for me is because the FMC is supposed to be 37 but acts like she’s in her 20s. no hate no shade - I loved my 20s!!! but there is just something DIFFERENT (affectionate) about women in their thirties
March 25, 2026
ARC Review- preview received from Netgalley (ty!)
The magic of birthday wishes really comes alive in this book! Itwas everything I hoped for from her and more. I laughed out loud so many times, mostly because of how relatable the main character’s inner conflicts were—messy, funny, and completely human. This is a sweet, slow-burn romance that I’d absolutely recommend. It’s the kind of story you want to sink into and stay with for a while!
I really loved the music references sprinkled throughout the story as well as the poetry and books. Even the song of Molly Malone had me smiling! One of my favorite parts was how vividly Dublin was brought to life—I felt like I was walking the streets right alongside the characters, so shoutout for the immersive setting and the free tour ;)
“It’s hard to feel jaded when the daffodils are out.”
The magic of birthday wishes really comes alive in this book! Itwas everything I hoped for from her and more. I laughed out loud so many times, mostly because of how relatable the main character’s inner conflicts were—messy, funny, and completely human. This is a sweet, slow-burn romance that I’d absolutely recommend. It’s the kind of story you want to sink into and stay with for a while!
I really loved the music references sprinkled throughout the story as well as the poetry and books. Even the song of Molly Malone had me smiling! One of my favorite parts was how vividly Dublin was brought to life—I felt like I was walking the streets right alongside the characters, so shoutout for the immersive setting and the free tour ;)
“It’s hard to feel jaded when the daffodils are out.”
March 21, 2026
Alicia Thompson likes to take risks with her writing and I'm here for it. This is an unconventional magical contemporary romance. I went into this expecting Before Sunrise but in Ireland...and it is, to a large degree. But it's also not because Jess is mugged after a bad date where she lives in Florida and when she comes to, she's somehow been transported to Dublin. She doesn't seem to be dreaming but she doesn't have an explanation for her whereabouts either.
Luckily for her, she runs into Eamonn, a gruff mechanic with a heart of gold, who can't help but make sure she's okay after their initial encounter. Thus ensues a ramble around Dublin during St. Patrick's Day weekend. Ireland is my favorite country so this quite the various treat for me. I adored watching them get to know each other better whether they were popping into a bookstore or visiting Eamonn's childhood home.
At the same time, I was worried about the pacing and how this could have a satisfying HEA. If they're together but she's really in a coma, then is she imagining all this? How will she find Eamonn again once she wakes up? If he doesn't know her then, are they going to have to fall in love all over again?!
Or maybe I just desperately want a non-magical version of Before Sunrise in Ireland. Two things can be true!
In any case, Jess and Eamonn are well-suited for one another and all's well that ends well.
Characters: Jess is a 37 year old white American law firm receptionist and artist. Eamonn is a 29 year old white Irish mechanic and vegetarian. This is set in Florida and Dublin, Ireland.
Content notes: panic attack, MC in coma, tourists grope statue of Molly Malone, mugging, physical assault, past incarceration (car theft and arson), minor skin burn, past abortion, sexism, diet culture, past death of MMC's mother, past parental divorce (MMC's father was alcoholic), past shoplifting, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention; MMC says he'll pull out), on page sex, boss-employee role play, restraint, edging, alcohol, past recreational drug use, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction
Disclosure: I received a free advanced copy from Berkley.
Luckily for her, she runs into Eamonn, a gruff mechanic with a heart of gold, who can't help but make sure she's okay after their initial encounter. Thus ensues a ramble around Dublin during St. Patrick's Day weekend. Ireland is my favorite country so this quite the various treat for me. I adored watching them get to know each other better whether they were popping into a bookstore or visiting Eamonn's childhood home.
At the same time, I was worried about the pacing and how this could have a satisfying HEA. If they're together but she's really in a coma, then is she imagining all this? How will she find Eamonn again once she wakes up? If he doesn't know her then, are they going to have to fall in love all over again?!
Or maybe I just desperately want a non-magical version of Before Sunrise in Ireland. Two things can be true!
In any case, Jess and Eamonn are well-suited for one another and all's well that ends well.
Characters: Jess is a 37 year old white American law firm receptionist and artist. Eamonn is a 29 year old white Irish mechanic and vegetarian. This is set in Florida and Dublin, Ireland.
Content notes: panic attack, MC in coma, tourists grope statue of Molly Malone, mugging, physical assault, past incarceration (car theft and arson), minor skin burn, past abortion, sexism, diet culture, past death of MMC's mother, past parental divorce (MMC's father was alcoholic), past shoplifting, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention; MMC says he'll pull out), on page sex, boss-employee role play, restraint, edging, alcohol, past recreational drug use, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction
Disclosure: I received a free advanced copy from Berkley.
June 25, 2026
problably 4.5 stars, this was just an amazing surprise
May 20, 2026
Ahhhhh this was so so cute and so dreamy! I’m such a sucker for magical realism romance and this was done so well! It’s so incredibly atmospheric all of the descriptions of Ireland make you feel like you’re really there! You can tell that Alicia did her research when right this book; it’s very well done!
I love books about books and that mention books! I love the mentions of Irish folklore and the importance it plays in the story! I feel like it added the much more to the story and I really enjoyed that edition!
Eamonn was a big sweetheart! He was so willing to drop everything to help Jess and it was so sweet! I genuinely think he’d do the same for anyone else and that it is just in his nature to help! We love a man who reads! I loved all the mentions of all of the books he has around!
Jess is tougher than me tbh. All of coworkers are booo the worst! I wish she would’ve just freaked out at them about not doing anything for her birthday she deserves better. ALSO the first date at the beginning of the book was sending me. Good for being like mmm I’m gonna date the brother instead 😂 I also love her “whatever happens, happens” attitude. Her whole thought process of I wouldn’t typically do this, but I might be in a coma so…. 🤷♀️ like yess queen I strive to be as free.
I loved their fun couple dynamic and how comfortable they were able to get with each other despite only knowing each other for a short amount of time! They were able to joke around together and it was so nice to see. They were a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed them as a couple!
I highly recommend this book! If you need me I’ll be busy planning a trip to Ireland!
Read if you like:
🍀 magical realism
🍀 age gap
🍀 he falls first
🍀 strangers to lovers
🍀 forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Alicia Thompson for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I love books about books and that mention books! I love the mentions of Irish folklore and the importance it plays in the story! I feel like it added the much more to the story and I really enjoyed that edition!
Eamonn was a big sweetheart! He was so willing to drop everything to help Jess and it was so sweet! I genuinely think he’d do the same for anyone else and that it is just in his nature to help! We love a man who reads! I loved all the mentions of all of the books he has around!
Jess is tougher than me tbh. All of coworkers are booo the worst! I wish she would’ve just freaked out at them about not doing anything for her birthday she deserves better. ALSO the first date at the beginning of the book was sending me. Good for being like mmm I’m gonna date the brother instead 😂 I also love her “whatever happens, happens” attitude. Her whole thought process of I wouldn’t typically do this, but I might be in a coma so…. 🤷♀️ like yess queen I strive to be as free.
I loved their fun couple dynamic and how comfortable they were able to get with each other despite only knowing each other for a short amount of time! They were able to joke around together and it was so nice to see. They were a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed them as a couple!
I highly recommend this book! If you need me I’ll be busy planning a trip to Ireland!
Read if you like:
🍀 magical realism
🍀 age gap
🍀 he falls first
🍀 strangers to lovers
🍀 forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Alicia Thompson for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
June 7, 2026
In Every Possible Way took my breath away. It is a story I consumed, inhaled, devoured in practically one sitting. I fell right into the heart of the story and nestled myself so comfortably in it. This book reads like a movie playing in my mind. Like I need this to become a movie now, y’all! It’s that serious for me! But gosh, guys, gosh…this story is true love. I swooned endlessly all throughout. I was blissfully charmed by the chemistry of Jess and Eamonn and kept every finger and heck even toe crossed that whatever was this magic, dream, hallucination, happenstance would result in a happily ever after. Because no one deserves it more than Jess and Eamonn.
One second Jess is being mugged after leaving a disastrous date in Florida, the next she’s waking up in Ireland and meeting her bad date’s younger brother. What on earth is happening?! It doesn’t really matter, not when the heart of the story isn’t about how Jess ended up in Ireland, but how Ireland changes Jess. The beautiful, potentially magical connection formed between Jess and Eamonn is nothing short of extraordinary. They are mere strangers, it should be an easy manner of the Irish man sending the confused American woman on her way, but instead they simply fall into step with one another. Exploring Ireland and its folklore and somehow falling in love over the course of a weekend. It shouldn’t make sense, but it does. Oh how it does! This is a love story that will have you yearning for dreams to come true.
And for Jess and Eamonn to be true love.
Quick sidenote, I love a romance where the fmc is the older half! And it’s not a big deal (at least not to Eamonn). Jess is 37 to Eamonn’s I believe 29. And it doesn’t change anything about their compatibility, because let me tell you…these two? Dynamite. Absolute dynamite together. And it’s crazy how well they mesh together with so little time spent together! That’s why I think it’s extraordinary. All of this story, including the romance, is extraordinary to witness. Like Jess is literally one second in Florida, then she gets mugged, and is suddenly in Ireland?! We do get some hints at what’s happening and yet that doesn’t detract or distract from the here and now. Ireland. Eamonn. Romaaaance! There’s such an ease in which Jess and Eamonn connect.
There’s also a very healing element to this work. Jess is tired of raising her hopes in love just to have them crushed. And right when she’s throwing in the towel, her entire life is turned upside down. It’s total confusion and yet, dare I say, it's also totally liberating. Jess doesn’t know what the future will bring, if she will close her eyes and suddenly be back home, but I love how she embraces her present situation and allows it to change her positively. She comes to realize the beauty of striving for dreams, of wanting things, and doing one’s best to attain it. To obtain change in life for the better. Jess gets to live in a way she never had before. Which is ironic since we have no idea if she’s truly living given the whole her-head-suffered-an-injury-upon-being-mugged, but gosh, the time she spends with Eamonn in Ireland is seeing Jess explore every possibility. Whether it’s to dance wildly as she did in her younger years or to simply live love in a way that is unabashed. It’s gorgeous to witness, especially in how she shares this with Eamonn who joins her on her unexpected journey. Eamonn is someone who doesn’t think himself very deserving of anything good. Not even a pet dog. He blocks his own path to a happy ending, preferring to wallow alone. But Jess illuminates his world. Absolutely illuminates it. We don’t need his POV to feel that effect. Their connection is mutually transformative. Jess is one a transformative journey that results in the most stunning of transformative human connections.
It’s crazy amazing how this story had me believing in a love born in under 48 hours. But I did. I believed it wholeheartedly. I cheered for it wholeheartedly. I desperately yearned to see it make it to the finish line, so wholeheartedly.
I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again and again: In Every Possible Way is utterly, exquisitely, beautifully breathtaking.
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily .
One second Jess is being mugged after leaving a disastrous date in Florida, the next she’s waking up in Ireland and meeting her bad date’s younger brother. What on earth is happening?! It doesn’t really matter, not when the heart of the story isn’t about how Jess ended up in Ireland, but how Ireland changes Jess. The beautiful, potentially magical connection formed between Jess and Eamonn is nothing short of extraordinary. They are mere strangers, it should be an easy manner of the Irish man sending the confused American woman on her way, but instead they simply fall into step with one another. Exploring Ireland and its folklore and somehow falling in love over the course of a weekend. It shouldn’t make sense, but it does. Oh how it does! This is a love story that will have you yearning for dreams to come true.
And for Jess and Eamonn to be true love.
Quick sidenote, I love a romance where the fmc is the older half! And it’s not a big deal (at least not to Eamonn). Jess is 37 to Eamonn’s I believe 29. And it doesn’t change anything about their compatibility, because let me tell you…these two? Dynamite. Absolute dynamite together. And it’s crazy how well they mesh together with so little time spent together! That’s why I think it’s extraordinary. All of this story, including the romance, is extraordinary to witness. Like Jess is literally one second in Florida, then she gets mugged, and is suddenly in Ireland?! We do get some hints at what’s happening and yet that doesn’t detract or distract from the here and now. Ireland. Eamonn. Romaaaance! There’s such an ease in which Jess and Eamonn connect.
There’s also a very healing element to this work. Jess is tired of raising her hopes in love just to have them crushed. And right when she’s throwing in the towel, her entire life is turned upside down. It’s total confusion and yet, dare I say, it's also totally liberating. Jess doesn’t know what the future will bring, if she will close her eyes and suddenly be back home, but I love how she embraces her present situation and allows it to change her positively. She comes to realize the beauty of striving for dreams, of wanting things, and doing one’s best to attain it. To obtain change in life for the better. Jess gets to live in a way she never had before. Which is ironic since we have no idea if she’s truly living given the whole her-head-suffered-an-injury-upon-being-mugged, but gosh, the time she spends with Eamonn in Ireland is seeing Jess explore every possibility. Whether it’s to dance wildly as she did in her younger years or to simply live love in a way that is unabashed. It’s gorgeous to witness, especially in how she shares this with Eamonn who joins her on her unexpected journey. Eamonn is someone who doesn’t think himself very deserving of anything good. Not even a pet dog. He blocks his own path to a happy ending, preferring to wallow alone. But Jess illuminates his world. Absolutely illuminates it. We don’t need his POV to feel that effect. Their connection is mutually transformative. Jess is one a transformative journey that results in the most stunning of transformative human connections.
It’s crazy amazing how this story had me believing in a love born in under 48 hours. But I did. I believed it wholeheartedly. I cheered for it wholeheartedly. I desperately yearned to see it make it to the finish line, so wholeheartedly.
I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again and again: In Every Possible Way is utterly, exquisitely, beautifully breathtaking.
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily .
June 23, 2026
4⭐️
In Every Possible Way is my favorite Alicia Thompson book so far!! As a lover of magical realism in books, I loved how it was woven into this sweet sweet romance. Jess hits her head and wakes up and finds herself in Ireland with Eamonn, a quiet gruff mechanic. The romance that develops between them was really sweet (silly at times too) but just a heartwarming read! Ireland added a wonderful backdrop to the story with incredible atmosphere and I just loved this!! If you are a fan of Ashley Poston books, I think you will love this!!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
In Every Possible Way is my favorite Alicia Thompson book so far!! As a lover of magical realism in books, I loved how it was woven into this sweet sweet romance. Jess hits her head and wakes up and finds herself in Ireland with Eamonn, a quiet gruff mechanic. The romance that develops between them was really sweet (silly at times too) but just a heartwarming read! Ireland added a wonderful backdrop to the story with incredible atmosphere and I just loved this!! If you are a fan of Ashley Poston books, I think you will love this!!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
June 21, 2026
I had a grand time reading this book! It made me want to pack my bags and go to Ireland!
I really adored how many deep and intimate conversations our FMC and MMC had. Their romance never felt rushed. While they had only just met recently, by the end of it, you’d think they knew eachother for a lifetime. It was so genuine!
The writing was so easy to get lost in. Magical realism is one of my favorite tropes/ genres in contemporary romance. It just adds such a fun element to the story and this was done beautifully.
This is my first book of Alicia’s but it will not be my last!
You’ll find…
🍀Ireland setting
✨magical realism
💜 age gap (she’s older)
🌿 broody MMC
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
I really adored how many deep and intimate conversations our FMC and MMC had. Their romance never felt rushed. While they had only just met recently, by the end of it, you’d think they knew eachother for a lifetime. It was so genuine!
The writing was so easy to get lost in. Magical realism is one of my favorite tropes/ genres in contemporary romance. It just adds such a fun element to the story and this was done beautifully.
This is my first book of Alicia’s but it will not be my last!
You’ll find…
🍀Ireland setting
✨magical realism
💜 age gap (she’s older)
🌿 broody MMC
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
June 23, 2026
Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars. I found Jess's story to be relatable and really sweet. Her chance encounter with Eamonn was crazy, but I loved how they both just rolled with it. Their journey through Dublin was fun and I enjoyed seeing how they got more comfortable with one another as time went on. I wished this unfolded over a longer period of time, I'm usually not a fan of instalove. There were so many great passages that I highlighted throughout the book, and I can't wait to share them. I wasn't sure how the story was going to end but Alicia did a great job with the ending.
*Magical realism
*Chance encounter
*Forced proximity
*Age gap
*Ireland
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Alicia Thompson, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
*Magical realism
*Chance encounter
*Forced proximity
*Age gap
*Ireland
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Alicia Thompson, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
March 22, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Straight off the bat I have never read a more accurate representation of going on a first date with an Irish man than in the first chapter of this book. Insane and diabolical. It had me nodding away 🙂↕️
Also I think it’s extremely obvious that Alicia did some great research when it came to geography and history. She has an amazing way of being accurate but bringing fun and colour onto the pages. I really appreciated this as an Irish person because more often than not the representation leaves more to be desired. I also think she did a really great job at not making us into stereotypes or upping the irishness and accents to fit the book. There also some gaeilge thrown in which is always appreciated.
The romance. First of all I want to say that I absolutely love that the fmc was 8 years older than the mmc. It was a breath of fresh air and all too often we see an fmc in her early 20’s with an older man and never the opposite (even though the age gap isn’t even that massive). While I do think Jess and Eamonn had chemistry I think the timeframe for these two just didn’t work for me. I know there would have had to be time constraints because of the fact she was literally in a coma in America but I think I was nearly too aware of that fact and things moved too quickly. Instead of progressing the romance, at times it felt like we were going through a tour of Dublin I think we could have been doing without half of the tourist attractions and more time spend building tension and the bond between the two.
The characters. I really enjoyed Jess. Despite everything that happened to her she kinda took everything in her stride. I like how open she was even during her failed first date at the start and how she kept her personality and slowly opened up to Eamonn throughout the day.
Eamonn. I won’t lie I still feel like I don’t know much about him and I think it’s just down to not having dual pov (which I don’t think works all of them time but I do think it could have been utilised here). We never get to see what he’s his thoughts on the whole speculative element were, which brings me to why I didn’t fully enjoyed this book…
I’m not a massive speculative/magical realism element reader so I do think that’s why I maybe didn’t gel with this too much which is 100% on me but I thought we might have gotten a bigger declaration from Eamonn and what it meant to him at the end. I did pick this up because I wanted to try out the sub genre, I’m not sure I totally bought it with this book but I know a lot of readers who love that element will adore this.
The sex. I think the explicitness was fine, I do think there was some randomness of where it was placed though the last sex scene was probably my favourite as it felt like narratively it fit where both characters seemed to be at. It wasn’t gratuitous or cringe!
All in all a great book, I know a lot of readers will love this even if it didn’t 100% work for me. I’ll continue picking up Alicia’s book in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for sending me the arc. All opinions are my own.
Straight off the bat I have never read a more accurate representation of going on a first date with an Irish man than in the first chapter of this book. Insane and diabolical. It had me nodding away 🙂↕️
Also I think it’s extremely obvious that Alicia did some great research when it came to geography and history. She has an amazing way of being accurate but bringing fun and colour onto the pages. I really appreciated this as an Irish person because more often than not the representation leaves more to be desired. I also think she did a really great job at not making us into stereotypes or upping the irishness and accents to fit the book. There also some gaeilge thrown in which is always appreciated.
The romance. First of all I want to say that I absolutely love that the fmc was 8 years older than the mmc. It was a breath of fresh air and all too often we see an fmc in her early 20’s with an older man and never the opposite (even though the age gap isn’t even that massive). While I do think Jess and Eamonn had chemistry I think the timeframe for these two just didn’t work for me. I know there would have had to be time constraints because of the fact she was literally in a coma in America but I think I was nearly too aware of that fact and things moved too quickly. Instead of progressing the romance, at times it felt like we were going through a tour of Dublin I think we could have been doing without half of the tourist attractions and more time spend building tension and the bond between the two.
The characters. I really enjoyed Jess. Despite everything that happened to her she kinda took everything in her stride. I like how open she was even during her failed first date at the start and how she kept her personality and slowly opened up to Eamonn throughout the day.
Eamonn. I won’t lie I still feel like I don’t know much about him and I think it’s just down to not having dual pov (which I don’t think works all of them time but I do think it could have been utilised here). We never get to see what he’s his thoughts on the whole speculative element were, which brings me to why I didn’t fully enjoyed this book…
I’m not a massive speculative/magical realism element reader so I do think that’s why I maybe didn’t gel with this too much which is 100% on me but I thought we might have gotten a bigger declaration from Eamonn and what it meant to him at the end. I did pick this up because I wanted to try out the sub genre, I’m not sure I totally bought it with this book but I know a lot of readers who love that element will adore this.
The sex. I think the explicitness was fine, I do think there was some randomness of where it was placed though the last sex scene was probably my favourite as it felt like narratively it fit where both characters seemed to be at. It wasn’t gratuitous or cringe!
All in all a great book, I know a lot of readers will love this even if it didn’t 100% work for me. I’ll continue picking up Alicia’s book in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for sending me the arc. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2026
4.25⭐️
This story grabbed my attention immediately and from the first chapter I knew that we were in for something special. In Every Possible Way delivered a fun, emotional, and deeply profound story about love and the ordinary lives we all tend to live.
Our FMC, Jess, finds herself alone in the unfamiliar land of Ireland with no knowledge of how she ended up there after an unfortunate birthday accident. Convinced she is in some kind of coma induced dream, she explores the sights and sounds of the city with our MMC, Eamonn. Their connection is immediate and neither of them can fathom just how much they care about one another in such a short amount of time. It has to be some sort of magical fluke in the timeline. But the more time they spend together and learn about one another, it’s obvious something cosmically different is happening here. Eamonn is the sweetest, gentlest, and most kind MMC I’ve read in quite a while and he immediately feels like a safe space not only for Jess, but for the reader. He is also very different from the FMC in the way they see the world and how they approach it after dealing with their own hesitations and misfortunes. The growing love between the two of them is the easiest thing to believe in because of how strongly they started in friendship. It felt simple and natural, which lent itself beautifully to the entirety of the story. Plus their humor and silly dynamic was a breath of fresh air. I also really admire stories that center around an older FMC. I related to Jess so much as she explains how stuck she felt in her life after having to take alternate routes in her career and future. The author makes you feel like no matter where you are in your personal journey, you could also find yourself in the same unexpected love story and happy ending as Jess and Eamonn.
In the end, I took away so many good things from this book. It teaches you that life is not linear, and it's big and grand and nothing should be taken for granted. Our FMC & MMC find their bigger purposes in life and learn to embrace everything they have been given to the fullest in a conclusion that had me in tears. The magical realism, the humor, the tension, the adventure, and the pure love in this book really made me enjoy it so much and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on it!
Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This story grabbed my attention immediately and from the first chapter I knew that we were in for something special. In Every Possible Way delivered a fun, emotional, and deeply profound story about love and the ordinary lives we all tend to live.
Our FMC, Jess, finds herself alone in the unfamiliar land of Ireland with no knowledge of how she ended up there after an unfortunate birthday accident. Convinced she is in some kind of coma induced dream, she explores the sights and sounds of the city with our MMC, Eamonn. Their connection is immediate and neither of them can fathom just how much they care about one another in such a short amount of time. It has to be some sort of magical fluke in the timeline. But the more time they spend together and learn about one another, it’s obvious something cosmically different is happening here. Eamonn is the sweetest, gentlest, and most kind MMC I’ve read in quite a while and he immediately feels like a safe space not only for Jess, but for the reader. He is also very different from the FMC in the way they see the world and how they approach it after dealing with their own hesitations and misfortunes. The growing love between the two of them is the easiest thing to believe in because of how strongly they started in friendship. It felt simple and natural, which lent itself beautifully to the entirety of the story. Plus their humor and silly dynamic was a breath of fresh air. I also really admire stories that center around an older FMC. I related to Jess so much as she explains how stuck she felt in her life after having to take alternate routes in her career and future. The author makes you feel like no matter where you are in your personal journey, you could also find yourself in the same unexpected love story and happy ending as Jess and Eamonn.
In the end, I took away so many good things from this book. It teaches you that life is not linear, and it's big and grand and nothing should be taken for granted. Our FMC & MMC find their bigger purposes in life and learn to embrace everything they have been given to the fullest in a conclusion that had me in tears. The magical realism, the humor, the tension, the adventure, and the pure love in this book really made me enjoy it so much and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on it!
Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 20, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
Thank you to Berkeley, NetGalley, and of course Alicia Thompson for the opportunity to read this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever read a book that felt so achingly familiar? Familiar in the sense that you understood the main characters motivations and feeling because they mimicked your own? That was this one for me. Jess is aimless and just wishes life could go the way she wanted. I loved her instantly for her scattered mind and dreamy view of life.
This novel opens to our hero— Jess — meeting her terrible date for the first time on her 37th birthday nonetheless. After this disastrous date is over Jess makes a wish but is then mugged and left unconscious (bummer right). She wakes up in Ireland in a small town where a man named Eamonn helps her get to sorts. The rest unspools from there.
I loved how dreamy this was, the element of magical realism only helped make this one more whimsical. Not to mention that Thompson must have done some extensive research on Irelands landscape, literature, folklore, and history. I felt like I was there living this dream like experience with Jess.
The overall story felt like a fever dream and so fleeting. I had a joyous time and laughed with our main characters and ached with them too (specifically with sweet Eamonn). Despite this the story started dragging for me around the 60% mark. I wanted more plot and kept getting sweet slice of life moments. Admittedly I loved these moments, but after a while I just kept waiting for her to wake up. I was equal parts excited for that but also dreading it like our main character.
I loved how inquisitive Jess was and how she really got Eamonn to open up. Their romance was built upon dreams but based in reality. It was grounded in mutual respect and childlike wonder. Jess and Eamonn learned in this that it’s okay to want things for themselves. I’ll admit I teared up at the epilogue and am leaving this story with a happy heart.
Should this spill into your TBR?
Yes— if you love romance and want to escape into magic this is for you. I wish I could get my hands on the audiobook because I am sure it’s even dreamier.
You’ll love this one if you enjoy…
Age Gap (she’s 8 years older)
FMC is 37+
Dreamy + Whimsical Writing
Magical Realism
Slow burn romance
Ireland setting
Thank you to Berkeley, NetGalley, and of course Alicia Thompson for the opportunity to read this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever read a book that felt so achingly familiar? Familiar in the sense that you understood the main characters motivations and feeling because they mimicked your own? That was this one for me. Jess is aimless and just wishes life could go the way she wanted. I loved her instantly for her scattered mind and dreamy view of life.
This novel opens to our hero— Jess — meeting her terrible date for the first time on her 37th birthday nonetheless. After this disastrous date is over Jess makes a wish but is then mugged and left unconscious (bummer right). She wakes up in Ireland in a small town where a man named Eamonn helps her get to sorts. The rest unspools from there.
I loved how dreamy this was, the element of magical realism only helped make this one more whimsical. Not to mention that Thompson must have done some extensive research on Irelands landscape, literature, folklore, and history. I felt like I was there living this dream like experience with Jess.
The overall story felt like a fever dream and so fleeting. I had a joyous time and laughed with our main characters and ached with them too (specifically with sweet Eamonn). Despite this the story started dragging for me around the 60% mark. I wanted more plot and kept getting sweet slice of life moments. Admittedly I loved these moments, but after a while I just kept waiting for her to wake up. I was equal parts excited for that but also dreading it like our main character.
I loved how inquisitive Jess was and how she really got Eamonn to open up. Their romance was built upon dreams but based in reality. It was grounded in mutual respect and childlike wonder. Jess and Eamonn learned in this that it’s okay to want things for themselves. I’ll admit I teared up at the epilogue and am leaving this story with a happy heart.
Should this spill into your TBR?
Yes— if you love romance and want to escape into magic this is for you. I wish I could get my hands on the audiobook because I am sure it’s even dreamier.
You’ll love this one if you enjoy…
Age Gap (she’s 8 years older)
FMC is 37+
Dreamy + Whimsical Writing
Magical Realism
Slow burn romance
Ireland setting
June 23, 2026
5/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
I am fully in my magical realism era, so In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson had me questioning everything.
Is Jess having a coma dream, or is this an actual meet-cute? Did she really go on a terrible date with a guy and then wake up in Ireland with his gruff, mechanic brother? How is any of this possible?
After being mugged and suffering a head injury, Jess wakes up in Ireland with no passport, no phone, and no way home. There she meets Eamonn, who reluctantly steps in to help her. Over the course of just 48 hours, they wander through Dublin and the Irish countryside, sharing their fears, hopes, and vulnerabilities. The connection between them is immediate, intense, and surprisingly believable.
Then Jess wakes up.
She remembers every detail of those 48 hours, but everyone around her insists it was just a coma dream. Yet it feels too real. The emotional impact stays with her long after she recovers, giving her the confidence to stand up for herself and start pursuing what she actually wants out of life. She even begins quietly searching for Eamonn and takes steps toward getting a passport, just in case.
And then Alicia Thompson does something that made me lose my mind.
Eamonn shows up.
In Florida.
With flowers.
Apparently he’s been searching for Jess too.
I spent this entire book wondering whether I was being tricked, whether Jess was being tricked, and whether the author was deliberately making us question our own sanity. The emotional payoff absolutely worked for me. Yes, they fall hard and fast. Yes, it’s only two days. And somehow, despite every reason it shouldn’t, I completely bought into it.
This book is sweet, emotional, magical, and surprisingly grounded in the way it explores healing, self-worth, and taking chances on the things that matter.
Just trust me on this one. Read it. Listen to it. Question reality alongside Jess. Then come find me so we can talk about it.
Thanks to Alicia, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1.5/5 🌶️
I am fully in my magical realism era, so In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson had me questioning everything.
Is Jess having a coma dream, or is this an actual meet-cute? Did she really go on a terrible date with a guy and then wake up in Ireland with his gruff, mechanic brother? How is any of this possible?
After being mugged and suffering a head injury, Jess wakes up in Ireland with no passport, no phone, and no way home. There she meets Eamonn, who reluctantly steps in to help her. Over the course of just 48 hours, they wander through Dublin and the Irish countryside, sharing their fears, hopes, and vulnerabilities. The connection between them is immediate, intense, and surprisingly believable.
Then Jess wakes up.
She remembers every detail of those 48 hours, but everyone around her insists it was just a coma dream. Yet it feels too real. The emotional impact stays with her long after she recovers, giving her the confidence to stand up for herself and start pursuing what she actually wants out of life. She even begins quietly searching for Eamonn and takes steps toward getting a passport, just in case.
And then Alicia Thompson does something that made me lose my mind.
Eamonn shows up.
In Florida.
With flowers.
Apparently he’s been searching for Jess too.
I spent this entire book wondering whether I was being tricked, whether Jess was being tricked, and whether the author was deliberately making us question our own sanity. The emotional payoff absolutely worked for me. Yes, they fall hard and fast. Yes, it’s only two days. And somehow, despite every reason it shouldn’t, I completely bought into it.
This book is sweet, emotional, magical, and surprisingly grounded in the way it explores healing, self-worth, and taking chances on the things that matter.
Just trust me on this one. Read it. Listen to it. Question reality alongside Jess. Then come find me so we can talk about it.
Thanks to Alicia, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️💫(2.5)
Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance for the books! #PRHAudioPartner
After a disastrous first date on her birthday, hopeless romantic Jess is mugged and wakes up in Ireland with no passport, phone, or way home. As a gruff mechanic helps her navigate Dublin and the countryside, a whirlwind connection develops over forty-eight unforgettable hours. But if this magical journey is only a dream, what happens to the romance they’ve shared?
48 hours seems a lot longer in this story—the plot, setting, character development, and effervescent atmosphere are drawn out to create a meandering romance. Meaning: the two very things I didn't love about this book. It was too slow and felt draggy, yet the whirlwind romance felt too insta-love. Contradictions, I know, but accurate nonetheless.
Age gap is one of my very favorite tropes because it's so fun to watch the characters figure out how to support one another anyway! However, Jess acted like she was in her mid-twenties instead of 37, so the age gap felt like it was just stated and not actually shown. There wasn't enough maturity difference between them to make it feel believable (if anything, Eamonn felt older!).
I read this via audio, and while I didn't hate it, the narrator seemed to be trying a little too hard to sound seductive/suggestive/sultry, and it kept taking me out of the story.
If you're a fan of Ashley Poston's magical realism and sentimental romances, add this to your TBR! It wasn't a hit for me, but I think it'll be a favorite for readers who enjoy ethereal, wistful insta-love romances.
Perfect for you if you like:
Strangers to lovers
Leap Year/ Ireland
Magical realism
Similar:
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Boston
Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner (I have not read)
🌶️chapters 23, 29, 32 & 33 contain explicit romance scenes (open door)
⚠️explicit language, all non-graphic: panic attack, she’s in a coma, mugging, physical assault, past incarceration, previous abortion, previous death of a parent
Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance for the books! #PRHAudioPartner
After a disastrous first date on her birthday, hopeless romantic Jess is mugged and wakes up in Ireland with no passport, phone, or way home. As a gruff mechanic helps her navigate Dublin and the countryside, a whirlwind connection develops over forty-eight unforgettable hours. But if this magical journey is only a dream, what happens to the romance they’ve shared?
48 hours seems a lot longer in this story—the plot, setting, character development, and effervescent atmosphere are drawn out to create a meandering romance. Meaning: the two very things I didn't love about this book. It was too slow and felt draggy, yet the whirlwind romance felt too insta-love. Contradictions, I know, but accurate nonetheless.
Age gap is one of my very favorite tropes because it's so fun to watch the characters figure out how to support one another anyway! However, Jess acted like she was in her mid-twenties instead of 37, so the age gap felt like it was just stated and not actually shown. There wasn't enough maturity difference between them to make it feel believable (if anything, Eamonn felt older!).
I read this via audio, and while I didn't hate it, the narrator seemed to be trying a little too hard to sound seductive/suggestive/sultry, and it kept taking me out of the story.
If you're a fan of Ashley Poston's magical realism and sentimental romances, add this to your TBR! It wasn't a hit for me, but I think it'll be a favorite for readers who enjoy ethereal, wistful insta-love romances.
Perfect for you if you like:
Strangers to lovers
Leap Year/ Ireland
Magical realism
Similar:
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Boston
Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner (I have not read)
🌶️chapters 23, 29, 32 & 33 contain explicit romance scenes (open door)
⚠️explicit language, all non-graphic: panic attack, she’s in a coma, mugging, physical assault, past incarceration, previous abortion, previous death of a parent
April 20, 2026
☘️ I was “lucky” to have the chance to ARC read one of my favorite author’s new books.
☘️A poor dating history, an unexpected weekend in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, doing the things that make you happy, human connection, stories about fairies, and lost and found love. Yep, this story is right up my alley.
☘️This book made me want to plan a visit to Ireland. It felt like I was whisked away and now I wanna go! The use of poems, books, and familiar songs (from one of my favorite bands from the 90’s), makes the story feel like it has extra layers and care to detail.
☘️ Thompson’s ability to bring characters to life is my favorite ring another her writing. These characters are flawed and feel very real.
☘️ I highly recommend this book when it comes out. In fact, every book Alicia Thompson has published so far has been a highly enjoyable read for me. She has become quite the automatic read for me.
☘️A poor dating history, an unexpected weekend in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, doing the things that make you happy, human connection, stories about fairies, and lost and found love. Yep, this story is right up my alley.
☘️This book made me want to plan a visit to Ireland. It felt like I was whisked away and now I wanna go! The use of poems, books, and familiar songs (from one of my favorite bands from the 90’s), makes the story feel like it has extra layers and care to detail.
☘️ Thompson’s ability to bring characters to life is my favorite ring another her writing. These characters are flawed and feel very real.
☘️ I highly recommend this book when it comes out. In fact, every book Alicia Thompson has published so far has been a highly enjoyable read for me. She has become quite the automatic read for me.
May 25, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up
In the best way, I felt like I was following two people on a first date that ended up lasting two days.
Up to this point. Thompson has written pure romcoms, so the addition of a little magical realism was surprising and lovely! It reminded me of Ashley Poston's The Dead Romantics but if you were reading from the MMC's point-of-view. This romance was... comforting. Hopeful. Cozy. It felt like wrapping yourself up in a cocoon of blankets with a hot drink on a cool fall day. It felt like... falling in love. That's what the characters did, of course-this is a romance book, but it also felt like that's what I was doing. Falling in love with two people falling in love.
It also depressed me bc wdym I'm not ACTUALLY in love irl... but that's a personal problem. Lol
Thompson's romances always hit, but this is her most romantic book yet. <3
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review.
In the best way, I felt like I was following two people on a first date that ended up lasting two days.
Up to this point. Thompson has written pure romcoms, so the addition of a little magical realism was surprising and lovely! It reminded me of Ashley Poston's The Dead Romantics but if you were reading from the MMC's point-of-view. This romance was... comforting. Hopeful. Cozy. It felt like wrapping yourself up in a cocoon of blankets with a hot drink on a cool fall day. It felt like... falling in love. That's what the characters did, of course-this is a romance book, but it also felt like that's what I was doing. Falling in love with two people falling in love.
It also depressed me bc wdym I'm not ACTUALLY in love irl... but that's a personal problem. Lol
Thompson's romances always hit, but this is her most romantic book yet. <3
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review.
Read
June 12, 2026I’m always on the hunt for books set in Ireland, but find that I’m often left feeling disappointed. Very few books actually FEEL like they’re set there. I want to be transported, and not just see a sprinkling of stereotypical *Irish things*. With In Every Possible Way, I really felt like I was in Dublin with Jess and Eamonn. I loved how the author wove the setting into their story and brought it to life. And oh, what a sweet, lovely, heartfelt story it was. It made me grin and swoon, and had me happy-crying at the end. Considering the story took place in such a short span of time, I really felt like I got to know the characters, and I was rooting for them (and stressing out over how things would turn out!).
This was definitely one of my favourite books from the first half of 2026. I need to get a physical copy for my Favourites Shelf!
This was definitely one of my favourite books from the first half of 2026. I need to get a physical copy for my Favourites Shelf!
June 25, 2026
2.5.
Oh yeah, this is one of those insta-romance books. The author actually did a good job hiding it, so it didn't really show in the narration, mostly because the story is so fucking slow and drags on a lot.
BUT THEN, you remember the timeline. The whole story, from the beginning up until right before the epilogue, takes place in only 48 hours (just like the blurb says). Once you realize that, you can't really call it anything but insta-love. I mean, what else would it be? What am I even reading???
Well, if you like travel books and want to explore Dublin with the MMC as your tour guide, then I guess you'll like this book. But since I didn't really care about any of that ... rounded up tp 3 stars.
Oh yeah, this is one of those insta-romance books. The author actually did a good job hiding it, so it didn't really show in the narration, mostly because the story is so fucking slow and drags on a lot.
BUT THEN, you remember the timeline. The whole story, from the beginning up until right before the epilogue, takes place in only 48 hours (just like the blurb says). Once you realize that, you can't really call it anything but insta-love. I mean, what else would it be? What am I even reading???
Well, if you like travel books and want to explore Dublin with the MMC as your tour guide, then I guess you'll like this book. But since I didn't really care about any of that ... rounded up tp 3 stars.
June 27, 2026
RTC!!
February 24, 2026
This book was SO CUTE! The beginning tripped me up a bit bc it starts with her saying something cringe but it quickly became a book I devoured!!!
I am so obsessed with Eamonn. I loved the premise of this! I want to live inside of this book. Alicia hit this out of the park.
The moral of the story is never let anyone gaslight you no matter how insane you sound
I am so obsessed with Eamonn. I loved the premise of this! I want to live inside of this book. Alicia hit this out of the park.
The moral of the story is never let anyone gaslight you no matter how insane you sound
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**ARC REVIEW**
Thank you Alicia Thompson, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
It's so hard to do a review without quoting when the book is this good!
There are so many scenes that were described beautifully with the perfect dialog to match.
This whole book from Jess' bad date to Eamonn's flawless epilogue captured my heart and held onto it. The build up of their evolving relationship from strangers to lovers was the kind of angst I always look forward to in a romance book. Eamonn was *chefs kiss* troubled youth and all
The Molly Malone scene, I wish I could live in this book! The little places he showed her. The man is a dang treasure and Jess is more than worthy of him.
I dont have a single critique on this book and immediately recommended it to my best friend. I cannot wait to buy this for my shelf. The cover is GORGEOUS and after finishing the book it makes it even better (there's a connection). I feel like I fell in love in this book right alongside Eamonn and Jess. Perfection. Absolute beautiful love story perfection.
And now I need to go to Ireland.
Thank you Alicia Thompson, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
It's so hard to do a review without quoting when the book is this good!
There are so many scenes that were described beautifully with the perfect dialog to match.
This whole book from Jess' bad date to Eamonn's flawless epilogue captured my heart and held onto it. The build up of their evolving relationship from strangers to lovers was the kind of angst I always look forward to in a romance book. Eamonn was *chefs kiss* troubled youth and all
The Molly Malone scene, I wish I could live in this book! The little places he showed her. The man is a dang treasure and Jess is more than worthy of him.
I dont have a single critique on this book and immediately recommended it to my best friend. I cannot wait to buy this for my shelf. The cover is GORGEOUS and after finishing the book it makes it even better (there's a connection). I feel like I fell in love in this book right alongside Eamonn and Jess. Perfection. Absolute beautiful love story perfection.
And now I need to go to Ireland.
January 3, 2026
After experiencing the worst date of her life, Jess gets mugged on the way to her car. She wakes up in Ireland with an oddly familiar man named Eamonn, and after a failed trip to the embassy, he shows her around the country. Sparks fly… but it’s just a dream, right?
This book is utterly whimsical, and I’m obsessed. Fairies, folklore, poetry, and a hot Irish man? Sign me up! I thought based on the synopsis it would be a little more lighthearted, but I didn’t mind the depth. Jess and Eamonn bare their souls to one another within the first 48 hours of meeting, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though it touches on some heavy topics like grief, family tension, and loneliness.
The setting was delightful, and I loved the “local shows tourist around” vibe — it gave a rich exploration of Ireland through Jess’s eyes. And the romance… chef’s kiss. Eamonn is the sweetest, most tender man ever, with the coziest sweaters. The chemistry and slow burn? Absolutely to die for. There’s a bit of miscommunication early on (I’m a stickler for that), but it’s handled so well and feels very realistic.
This book is perfect for readers who love magical realism and aren’t afraid of a little depth! I’m so glad this was my first read of the year — utterly charming and completely immersive.
As always, I was thrilled to receive a Berkley title. Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is utterly whimsical, and I’m obsessed. Fairies, folklore, poetry, and a hot Irish man? Sign me up! I thought based on the synopsis it would be a little more lighthearted, but I didn’t mind the depth. Jess and Eamonn bare their souls to one another within the first 48 hours of meeting, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though it touches on some heavy topics like grief, family tension, and loneliness.
The setting was delightful, and I loved the “local shows tourist around” vibe — it gave a rich exploration of Ireland through Jess’s eyes. And the romance… chef’s kiss. Eamonn is the sweetest, most tender man ever, with the coziest sweaters. The chemistry and slow burn? Absolutely to die for. There’s a bit of miscommunication early on (I’m a stickler for that), but it’s handled so well and feels very realistic.
This book is perfect for readers who love magical realism and aren’t afraid of a little depth! I’m so glad this was my first read of the year — utterly charming and completely immersive.
As always, I was thrilled to receive a Berkley title. Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2025
I’m pretty sure it’s in Alicia’s DNA that she can only write bangers. This one is for those of us who still believe that it’ll happen.
June 25, 2026
Thank you so much Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC of In Every Possible Way! ❤️
I loved this more than I thought I would! This was such a fresh and beautiful story of finding yourself in places you never thought possible and sharing moments through time and space.
Eamonn was a gem. A national treasure. I absolutely adored how he just wanted to show her every piece of Ireland that he could, whether it was to keep their time together going or because he thought she deserved the grand tour it doesn’t really matter. He made it happen anyway.
And for Jessica to be in such a vulnerable state but still not take any of it for granted was a bold move because I would be having a PANIC ATTACK. But she was so eager to take her recent life experiences and turn everything on its head. To prove people like Niall wrong who look down on her or belittle her life because she hasn’t seen the world. I commend you, Jess.
All that to say, loved this story and I loved the adventure ❤️
I loved this more than I thought I would! This was such a fresh and beautiful story of finding yourself in places you never thought possible and sharing moments through time and space.
Eamonn was a gem. A national treasure. I absolutely adored how he just wanted to show her every piece of Ireland that he could, whether it was to keep their time together going or because he thought she deserved the grand tour it doesn’t really matter. He made it happen anyway.
And for Jessica to be in such a vulnerable state but still not take any of it for granted was a bold move because I would be having a PANIC ATTACK. But she was so eager to take her recent life experiences and turn everything on its head. To prove people like Niall wrong who look down on her or belittle her life because she hasn’t seen the world. I commend you, Jess.
All that to say, loved this story and I loved the adventure ❤️
June 22, 2026
This was a really enjoyable read! I was invested from the first chapters; the date that Jess goes on is hilariously awful. What follows is Jess getting robbed and knocked out, then waking up in Ireland and meeting a gorgeous Irish man. I really liked Jess as the narrator. I liked seeing zest for life ignite, since it was lost on her for so long. I liked her growing relationship with Eamon; though I didn't feel the chemistry full force, I still really enjoyed them together. Also, I loved the magical realism aspect - it worked really well! Overall, this was a really cute story, with a beautiful message, and I'm excited to read more from Alicia Thompson!
Thank you so much to Berkley for the eARC!
Thank you so much to Berkley for the eARC!
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