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Strangers For Breakfast: A warm, wickedly funny Irish novel
THE HILARIOUS DEBUT NOVEL FROM IRISH JOURNALIST JACQUELINE KAVANAGH…
When Lisa Jones got the call to collect her aunt’s body, she didn’t expect to inherit a B&B along with it.
That was before the rampaging camels, the priest with too-tight skin, and the discovery that a very permanent guest has been quietly occupying the back garden for forty-five years.
At forty, Lisa had hit every wall New York had to offer. So when a crumbling Dublin guesthouse lands in her lap — complete with nudist pensioners, a transvestite postman, and a Garth Brooks-obsessed gentle giant in an Afro wig — it turns out that running away and running towards something can look a lot like the same thing.
The past, however, has other ideas. And in this house, it refuses to stay buried.
Strangers for Breakfast is a warm, funny and quietly moving novel about the lives we stumble into, the secrets we inherit, and why wine before noon is sometimes entirely reasonable.
When Lisa Jones got the call to collect her aunt’s body, she didn’t expect to inherit a B&B along with it.
That was before the rampaging camels, the priest with too-tight skin, and the discovery that a very permanent guest has been quietly occupying the back garden for forty-five years.
At forty, Lisa had hit every wall New York had to offer. So when a crumbling Dublin guesthouse lands in her lap — complete with nudist pensioners, a transvestite postman, and a Garth Brooks-obsessed gentle giant in an Afro wig — it turns out that running away and running towards something can look a lot like the same thing.
The past, however, has other ideas. And in this house, it refuses to stay buried.
Strangers for Breakfast is a warm, funny and quietly moving novel about the lives we stumble into, the secrets we inherit, and why wine before noon is sometimes entirely reasonable.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 7, 2026
funny in parts, but overall pretty boring.
June 29, 2026
Cute, fun. I was frustrated for and with the main character though.
June 14, 2026
I genuinely cannot remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud this much while also sneaking up on me emotionally. “Strangers for Breakfast” is an absolute triumph — equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, with a cast of characters so vivid and quirky they practically leap off the page. I found myself completely swept up in the chaos, the secrets, and the sheer warmth of it all. There were moments I had to put the book down just to catch my breath from laughing, and other moments that genuinely tugged at my heart. This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve finished it — I was sad to say goodbye to these characters! If you’re after a book that’s funny, clever, moving, and impossible to put down, do yourself a favor and grab a copy (or three — you’ll want to pass it on to everyone you know). Hands down one of the best reads I’ve had in years. Cannot wait to see what this author writes next!
June 28, 2026
Strangers for Breakfast was laugh out loud funny. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I laughed as much as I did with this one. Of course there were parts that definitely had me in my feels too. I was entertained from start to finish. And all the characters…the absolute best!!!
When Lisa unexpectedly inherits her late Aunt’s B & B she’s nervous but grateful for the fresh start. What she doesn’t realize is the B & B and its guests are not at all what she expected and nothing is as it seems. A group of delightful, albeit quirky, people who have made themselves into the family they all needed. On top of the hilarious characters and their “antics” that keep you intrigued, there’s some mystery as an added bonus.
Strangers for Breakfast is one of a kind!
When Lisa unexpectedly inherits her late Aunt’s B & B she’s nervous but grateful for the fresh start. What she doesn’t realize is the B & B and its guests are not at all what she expected and nothing is as it seems. A group of delightful, albeit quirky, people who have made themselves into the family they all needed. On top of the hilarious characters and their “antics” that keep you intrigued, there’s some mystery as an added bonus.
Strangers for Breakfast is one of a kind!
April 6, 2026
I absolutely loved “Strangers for Breakfast.” It’s one of those books you pick up intending to read a chapter or two and suddenly realise hours have passed.
The story follows a brilliantly funny and wonderfully complicated Irish family, and it manages to be hilarious and compassionate in equal measure. The characters are fantastic - warm, chaotic, frustrating, and lovable. There were moments that reminded me of my favourite characters from Gavin and Stacey, but done with a distinctly Irish charm and voice.
It’s rare to find a book that makes you laugh out loud one minute and really feel for the characters the next. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and was sad when I finished it.
The story follows a brilliantly funny and wonderfully complicated Irish family, and it manages to be hilarious and compassionate in equal measure. The characters are fantastic - warm, chaotic, frustrating, and lovable. There were moments that reminded me of my favourite characters from Gavin and Stacey, but done with a distinctly Irish charm and voice.
It’s rare to find a book that makes you laugh out loud one minute and really feel for the characters the next. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and was sad when I finished it.
April 5, 2026
As an Irish person now-abroad, this book transported me right home (though they are probably fewer eccentric characters in my life than in the book!). The author manages to create a whole unique world, where every person has their own intriguing story to tell. Heartfelt and funny, with some sad bits at the same time, it’s definitely one to read, and will leave you with lots to think about. Definitely a book to recommend.
April 1, 2026
What a great read - a real page turner. I could not put it down. Made me laugh a lot, sigh a bit and cry a little.
April 5, 2026
Amazing book from a brilliant first time author. Would recommend to anyone! Can’t wait to read what Jacqueline writes next!!
April 22, 2026
Such a funny book and wonderful read! The characters are amazing - the story is engaging - highly recommend!
May 7, 2026
such a fun read!
I loved this story and the characters, wow! Such a fun, good read! Please, let there be a sequel :)
I loved this story and the characters, wow! Such a fun, good read! Please, let there be a sequel :)
May 16, 2026
I laughed, I cried . I gasped. This book is so fun. An amazingly fun time!!
August 3, 2026
This book was so outlandish I really enjoyed it.
July 3, 2026
The subtitle suggesting that the book is "warm and wickedly funny" does more harm than good by creating an excessive expectation for the reader which it fails to deliver in any way, shape or form.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews