The Shabby Old Cottage

The Irish Escape #3

by B.E. Baker

Three old friends in Ireland. Two months and change running their new hotel. One big holiday season in a strange place. How could a shabby old cottage ever shine like new?

Natalie’s move to Ireland was supposed to be uncomplicated. Her priorities were to turn an old estate into a hotel and help her kids integrate into school across the globe. But when surprise visitors change her plans and her feelings for a helpful friend turn into more, she struggles to focus on what really matters.

Samantha always longed for children, but when that never happened for her, she chose to pursue her other great horses. Now that her whole job revolves around riding, she expects to be happier than ever. Only, dreams are hard to shake, and now her love-life makes it hard to appreciate the joy that’s in reach.

Vanessa spent the past few years putting herself back together after losing her husband Jason. Her kids are thriving in Ireland, but she’s finding it difficult to find her place in a new culture. She’s also discovering with her beloved mother-in-law that there’s such a thing as too close.

Can these three women find a way to survive the busy holiday season in a new (old) place where everything feels strange? Or will the stress of family demands, disappointed dreams, and unwanted surprises turn shabby into downright depressing?

Genres: Romance

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2026

About the author

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

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

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

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

Reviews

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

This no spice women’s fiction was really good. It is not all neat and tidy though. It kept me on my toes not knowing what would happen next with whom. This is the third book in this Irish saga of 3 best friends, a passel of kids, a countryside hotel, a lot of horses, holidays, and so much more.

When I finished the last book, I wished that I had this book to read right away and this book is no different. I need more! That’s the thing about sagas, these ends aren’t tied up yet for these ladies and their love lives. This book contains tropes like age gap, single parents, billionaire, and sports. We also get to celebrate a few holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I’m continuing to love the Irish locale and learning new things about their traditions, people, and countryside. I’m loving this series and cannot wait to see where it takes us because I’ve been surprised at pretty much every twist and turn. We get some important a background information on Samantha that completely switches things up and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

The romance in this book is just kisses, intimacy level 2 (though there is a reference to a past fade to black activity).

TW: Miscarriage, Language: 1 instance (Biblical swear), LGBT minor reference

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

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different Priorities
Ms Baker gives her FMCs no easy lives. Three single American women, eight children between them, on an emigrating adventure in Ireland. With all the differences in culture and lifestyle. Turning an old castle into a hotel and stables for education and trail rides. During all the festivities at the end of the year. With romantic interests that all have their thorns and problems to stumble over. Horses make up a lot of their time and have a big part in the happenings in the story. Where so many people live and work together, there is joy, disappointment, misunderstanding, parenting, flirting, humor, chaos (a pig is loose!) and lots of love and loyalty. Love to find out where the story goes.
Reading the end left me with a tear in my eyes. Beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the two previous books in the series, this one kept me flipping the pages. The thing I liked most about it was Samantha's story arc. Some of it surprised me. I do wish that her love interest wouldn't have pushed for things to happen so quickly. She just started dating him and things moved way too fast. This and the thing Sam was hiding led to a surprising outcome. I liked that things didn't go the way I thought they would.

I continue to enjoy the friendship between the three women in the series and how they love and support each other through all the unexpected things that come up. I hope that both Natalie and Vanessa stop ruminating over their hesitations when it comes to dating the men they care about in the next book. I could relate to Vanessa's insecurities in quite a few ways though. Most of them had nothing to do with her dating Jack but the way she felt about herself in general. I did feel like Vanessa had a big reason to hesitate when it came to Jack's mom. Natalie's concerns were valid as well but I thought she overreacted at one point. I'm looking forward to seeing how these problems are navigated in the rest of the series, and how they each build love and trust with the new men in their lives.


Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book.


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[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this closed-door women’s fiction from B.E. Baker. This is the third book in the Irish Escape Series following three childhood friends, Natalie, Samantha, and Vanessa, who have banded together to purchase and run an Inn on an old estate in Ireland. I really loved seeing the growth for Samantha through the story. My heart both broke and cheered for her through the story. And I really resonated with Vanessa and her worrying that her friends didn’t like her as much as they liked each other. The characters feel real and I would love to be friends with these ladies.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the third book of the series we follow Samantha's story, thru indecision, doubt to full love we see her personal growth.
I love reading about the way these three friends are always there for each other proving that family is not the one you are born into but the one you choose, and these three friends are definitely family.
Like all the books by the author, this one is completely engrossing, with lots of funny laugh out loud moments, but also with serious introspect moments that make you think and look at your life with different eyes.

[Becky Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends are Family
I enjoyed the third book in the Irish Escape series as our friends get into their roles running the B&B, with horse riding tours ... while also trying to negotiate families and love interests. Lovely characters, and all individuals (including all the children). I find the extended relationships (partners' families) most interesting, from great to ... strained! Contains horse shows, proposals, Thanksgiving dinner, and break ups.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shabby Old Cottage is a book that will tug at your heart. Each of the three friends, Samantha, Natalie and Vanessa are working through their joint venture of their Inn. Between their own personal issues that pull them in all directions, their friendship stays strong with learning to live in Ireland and running the inn and finding new love.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story keeps getting better and better! We are following the friends as they face new trials, new insecurities, and fledgling relationships. I love seeing their friendship unfold in the most beautiful way. Book 3 deals with themes of not feeling good enough, miscarriage, parenting, mean girls, all while trying to launch a new business. I can't wait to see where the story goes next! I love every single one of these ladies!

[Marsha A. Barnum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe my favorite in this series

3 women are making their lives In Ireland in their new hotel venture. They find men they really care about There are the ones that they want to live the rest of their life with and with their kids be OK with it. I've been a single mom and know their dilemma

[Kassandra Tallarico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to love reading about the friendship between Samantha, Natalie, and Vanessa. They are so fiercely loyal to each other, as they navigate family and relationships. This book is a fun read that leaves you excited to read the next book.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it was like the day to day life of a big family with horses and boyfriends and ex husbands and mother in laws. It is amazing how close Vanessa, Natalie and Samantha are, closer then sisters, they are best friends through everything.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. I love watching these friends show up for each other over and over. Life is not easy for them but they keep stepping up for each other. I thought I knew where things were going but boy was I surprised. I love it and can't wait for the next one!

[Monica Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series, story is great. Could do with fewer horse details.

[Natasha Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about true friendships, family, and love of all kinds. I loved all the new developments, and I'm already counting down until the next one!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really enjoyable story by B.E. Baker. I am not a horse fan, but I still love that part of the book because it shows the love, friendship, and kindness of the characters.

[Jane Arellano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book wasn’t as good as the others. There was too much information about horses which bored me.