The Irish Cottage by the Sea

by Clodagh Murphy

Discover the BRAND NEW charming, and uplifting book from BESTSELLER Clodagh Murphy, perfect for fans of Rachael Lucas and Susanne O'Leary

A fresh start by the Irish coast – and a second chance at love where she least expects it...

When single mum Lou moves from the chaos of Dublin to a forgotten seaside cottage in Dingle, she hopes for a calmer life for her son, Jack – a place where he can grow up surrounded by the warmth of a small community.

But village life isn't without its challenges. The cottage needs work and Lou needs a job, but at least Jack quickly makes friends – including Bo, the spirited daughter of Aidan, the head chef of the restaurant where Lou eventually finds work. Aidan is serious, skilled, and a little distant, yet there's something about him Lou is drawn to.

Lou is firm in her decision not to get involved with anyone, not after the heartache Jack's father caused them both. But as Lou and Aidan grow closer, they may just discover what matters family, community, and the unexpected joys of opening your heart again.

Set against the windswept beauty of Dingle, this is a story of new beginnings, the bonds that hold us together, and love that grows when you least expect it.

Audible Audio

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

Clodagh (rhymes with Yoda) is an Irish writer of romantic comedies. She lives in Dublin with a large circle of imaginary friends.

You can find Clodagh on Facebook too:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clodagh...

Reviews

[Ann-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Irish Cottage by the Sea
by Clodagh Murphy

I absolutely loved my "trip" to Dingle while reading this enchanting book! If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping the chaos and demands of city life for the serene beauty of a secluded cottage and a chance to start anew, Lou’s heartfelt journey will resonate deeply with you.

Clodagh Murphy paints such a vivid picture of Dingle that I felt as though I could almost smell the salty sea air and hear the gentle waves lapping against the shore. The way she describes the town's breathtaking landscapes, with rolling green hills and rugged coastal views, makes it come alive in your imagination. Watching Lou take a neglected cottage, filled with memories of the past, and transform it into a warm and inviting home was both uplifting and inspiring.

The romantic slow-burning storyline between two single parents, who find themselves drawn together from the start, but as Aiden becomes Lou's boss, the line is drawn before it can begin. As they navigate their new lives, their children become fast friends, creating a sweet and heartwarming bond amidst the challenges of blending their families.

Overall, this book is a truly heartwarming and atmospheric read that has officially moved Ireland to the top of my travel bucket list. The combination of romance, personal growth, and the charm of small-town life makes it an irresistible choice. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories filled with love, community, and the rugged beauty of the coast. Plus, it’s a quick and easy read that you won’t want to put down!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story of Lou and her young son Jack. They have been left an old cottage in Dingle. It's run down and in need of a good clean, but it will give them both a new start. she is hoping to get a job that will work around Jack as he begins school. luckily for her there is a restaurant that is run by a successful and easy on the eye owner, Aiden. she nails her interview and she begins working there as one of the waiting staff. Aiden has a daughter, Bo, same age as Jack and as their friendship grows so does that of them adults.

This is a cosy romance story full of warmth, close family, friendships and I soon became addicted to it. Lou and Aiden have their own issues, Lou is not one who holds back and Aiden can be super protective of his restaurant. Between them they form a friendship but at the same time Aidens family are trying to get him to start dating again, this by the way is hilarious as he meets his dates the family have set him up with.

Not everything is a smooth running, and a blast from the past could send Lou's hopes and dreams off the rails. She has friends of her own from Dublin that have her back, as well as the ones she has made in Dingle.

This is a lovely read and one that fans of heartwarming rom come and supportive family and friendship can help you in a crisis. It's one I would definitely recommend.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC, releasing April 22nd.

I absolutely adored The Irish Cottage by the Sea by Clodagh Murphy.

Set in beautiful Dingle, Co. Kerry—truly a stunning backdrop for a story like this—this is a warm, hopeful novel about fresh starts, family, and finding the courage to build a new life when everything feels uncertain.

Lou, a single mum, inherits a cottage and relocates from Dublin to Kerry with her five-year-old son, Jack. It’s a big leap into the unknown, but one she hopes will lead to something better for them both. When she begins job hunting, she meets Aiden, the owner and head chef of a local restaurant, Coast—and from there, the story unfolds in the most comforting, engaging way.

This is a lovely slow-burn romance wrapped in gorgeous coastal scenery, delicious food, sharp banter, and so much heart. I especially loved how the story balances the romance with Lou’s personal journey as she pursues her dream of becoming a chef. And Aiden’s family? Absolute chaos—nosy, over-involved, zero boundaries—but somehow still completely lovable and full of warmth.

It’s such an easy book to sink into, the kind you don’t want to put down. If you love Irish settings, slow-burn romance, and stories filled with resilience, community, and second chances, this is one I’d absolutely recommend.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Irish Cottage by the Sea is by a new to me author. I enjoyed her writing style.
The book had a warm homey feel. A welcoming vibe to it.
A woman leaves a bad relationship behind moving with her five-year-old son to an Irish cottage by the sea.
The setting was welcoming and sounds so cozy, a place I definitely would love to visit.
Dublin life is chaos and she is hoping the calm environment in Dingle will be just what she and her son need.
The cottage hasn't been lived in for a while and needs so many repairs. Though it is livable it needs a lot of money put into it and she knows she'll need to get a job very soon while her son is in school.
Will she be able to follow her dreams or will this move prove to be a big mistake with all that needs done to settle in?
I enjoyed seeing her son warm up to other children as he settles into the routine of school and a new way of life.
A possible romance may be on the horizon after not too long but do pleasure and business really mix or will this be another mistake she makes?
Very much enjoyed reading this new to me author and now I'll need to see what else she has out.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Susanne Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, it was like reading a hug. Aiden and his family were amazing at making Lou feel wanted and cared for. They made her feel like family right from the beginning and you could see the positive impact it had on her and Jack immediately.

I liked the relationship Lou had with Jack, how she always included him in ‘grown up’ decisions so he never felt powerless, and allowed him to enjoy just being a kid, something she never had.

The chemistry between Lou and Aiden was immense and when it finally boiled over, you knew it was something special.

I loved all of this book and I didn’t want it to end. A great summer read for the beach.

[Katie Awdas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick & easy read. Perhaps a little predictable as to what the ending would be but sometimes everyone needs a book like this where the inevitable happens. There are some twists and turns through the book with the restaurant and the ex-partner storylines. It did feel to end very quickly and we can only assume that they "lived happily ever after?!"

I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a light hearted love story that you can easily finish in a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read and review a preview copy.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, well-written novel about reinvention and about finding yourself. Lou and her five-year-old son Jack move to a cottage in the small town of Dingle! She soon starts working at a restaurant headed by determined and serious head chef Aiden, whose daughter Bo rapidly strikes up a friendship with Jack. Lou decided she wouldn't have any romantic relationships, but can she resist as she draws closer to Aiden? 5 stars. thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for the E-ARC

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars rounded up to five. Lou and her son, Jack, have left Dublin for a fresh start in Dingle. Lou starts off waiting tables at Coast, but ends up as a line chef, after making a dish that only Aidan, the owner and chef, is famous for. And is there a spark of attraction there?
What a cozy book! It was totally predictable and I loved every page. I got totally lost in the story. Highly, highly recommended.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Irish Cottage by the Sea, by Clodagh Murphy, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Lou and her son Jack move to Dingle, Lou has to get a job right away. Starting over is never easy, but Lou has such a great personality, people love her. This was a great uplifting read, nice to know people have your back, when you need it the most.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance of two single parents who find themselves bright together after an unexpected inheritance and their kids becoming best friends. I enjoyed the story and chemistry between the restaurant owner and chef and the new woman to town looking to support herself and her son.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Jen Stradling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whole review contains spoilers✨✨✨

Im read this book as part of LBT book tour I throughly enjoyed it I loved the story as I felt it resonated with my own I moved from the city to an irish country side and started my life here and it felt so similar even reading it.

Lou and Jack her 5year old inherited a cottage in Dingle from her late father, they moved with help of her friends and she started her new life there, she meets Aiden the owner of a restaurant in Dingle and asks him for a job she eventually gets a job there waitressing but has always loved to be a chef she does end up becoming a trainee chef for Coast after cooking a dish which only Aiden cooks no body else and she’s fired for it but when he realises how talented she is he begs her to come back and work in the kitchen.

Aiden is also a single parent to Bo his daughter and him and Lou start to have feelings for one another and there relationship blossoms after a couple of hiccups they end up together I loved the relationship between the pair and there children also.

Everything is going to well Jacks made friends Lou has the job she always wanted and is able to work around Jack but something turns up unexpectedly trying to jepodise everything and she has to fight it.

I loved this whole book my only gripe is that it wasn’t long enough, I loved Lou’s found family and her friends she’s so loved by everyone around her and it shows whole heartedly, i wanted more on her and Aidan’s relationship as soon as they eventually got together I felt it was coming to close near the end the children aren’t in it a lot so you don’t really here there thought on Lou and Aiden I just think this could be a whole series more on the McBrides and there relationship I can’t fault anything else I still gave it 5stars as I loved the story so much it was so moreish.

[Linda Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: this book will make you want to plan a trip to a small seaside town in Ireland.
This is a book that felt so cozy right from the beginning. Small Irish seaside town, nice friends and people happy to help, never mind the handsome chef/single dad. I was invested right from the beginning, hoping that everything would go well for Lou and her son Jack.
What I loved most is that Lou and Jack seemed to fit right in, and Jack was quick to make friends with Aiden’s daughter Beau.
The interaction between Aiden and Lou was sweet but also realistic. They made a great team and I think they had each other’s hearts from the beginning.
There were plot twists and grand gestures, and most of all a lovely found family.
If you like small town, new beginnings, found family this is a delightful read filled with hope and a second chance at love.