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The Sisters #3
Worlds Apart: The Murphys Series Book 1
Brennan
How can I want a woman so bad when she represents everything I despise? I can’t get her out from under my skin and I’m not entirely sure I want to. But there’s more at stake here than meets the eye. I’ve got responsibilities and she’s got secrets. Together, we’re destined for disaster, but I’m willing to risk it all for her, the problem is, I don't know if she’s willing to risk anything for me.
Samantha
Running from my problems is my specialty. That and managing to sabotage every relationship I’ve ever had. So it makes sense that I jumped at a chance to go film in Ireland and leave my philandering boyfriend at home in LA. Yup, I’d rather run across the ocean than deal with that. Then Brennan Murphy threw me out of his pub and I jumped into the very thing I was trying to avoid. I had worked too hard to bury my secrets and it would take a lot more than heated words and scorching looks to get me to give into the temptation of throwing it all away for one guy. Albeit, one hot, bearded mountain of a man.
How can I want a woman so bad when she represents everything I despise? I can’t get her out from under my skin and I’m not entirely sure I want to. But there’s more at stake here than meets the eye. I’ve got responsibilities and she’s got secrets. Together, we’re destined for disaster, but I’m willing to risk it all for her, the problem is, I don't know if she’s willing to risk anything for me.
Samantha
Running from my problems is my specialty. That and managing to sabotage every relationship I’ve ever had. So it makes sense that I jumped at a chance to go film in Ireland and leave my philandering boyfriend at home in LA. Yup, I’d rather run across the ocean than deal with that. Then Brennan Murphy threw me out of his pub and I jumped into the very thing I was trying to avoid. I had worked too hard to bury my secrets and it would take a lot more than heated words and scorching looks to get me to give into the temptation of throwing it all away for one guy. Albeit, one hot, bearded mountain of a man.
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About the author
Holly Mortimer
14 books74 followersTravel romance writer, Holly Mortimer, will transport you to the shores of romantic Ireland, where you'll lose yourself inside the drama and the love that is The Murphy family. From oldest to youngest, these five siblings fall in and out of love, travel the Irish countryside and learn that loving someone, doesn't always go as planned.
Holly transports the reader into her world, filled with travel, babies and lots of alphas!
Holly transports the reader into her world, filled with travel, babies and lots of alphas!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 19, 2016
Brennan is trying to keep his life together. He’s trying to be a single dad to a wonderful little girl, he’s trying to save the pub he was left from bankruptcy and he’s trying to get his drug addicted ex from uprooting his daughter’s life. The last thing he needs is a stuck-up princess of an actress and her snooty ways causing more turmoil in his life.
Samantha Lane is having a really bad day. Not only does she have a stalker threatening to make all her carefully kept secrets public, but she’s just found out her ex is a cheating scumbag. All she wants is to drown her sorrows in a bottle of Jameson and feel sorry for herself. The last thing she needs is a stubborn and angry pub owner being rude.
But sometimes the last thing we need, is the only thing we need. These two lost souls are trying everything to ignore their mutual attraction but all it really does is cause one heated argument after another and some hot as sin kisses when tempers flare. Both are stubborn and unwilling to admit their attraction and it makes for some very entertaining interactions and back and forth banter.
Worlds Apart was a very entertaining read and the tension between the two was scorching. However, around the halfway mark when the two came to a sort of agreement, I started to miss their back and forth banter. However, there are a few dramatic twists and revelations in the plot that kept the book entertaining and fast paced. As a whole this was an enjoyable read with some dramatics, a whole lot of sparks flying around and some funny interactions.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
Samantha Lane is having a really bad day. Not only does she have a stalker threatening to make all her carefully kept secrets public, but she’s just found out her ex is a cheating scumbag. All she wants is to drown her sorrows in a bottle of Jameson and feel sorry for herself. The last thing she needs is a stubborn and angry pub owner being rude.
But sometimes the last thing we need, is the only thing we need. These two lost souls are trying everything to ignore their mutual attraction but all it really does is cause one heated argument after another and some hot as sin kisses when tempers flare. Both are stubborn and unwilling to admit their attraction and it makes for some very entertaining interactions and back and forth banter.
Worlds Apart was a very entertaining read and the tension between the two was scorching. However, around the halfway mark when the two came to a sort of agreement, I started to miss their back and forth banter. However, there are a few dramatic twists and revelations in the plot that kept the book entertaining and fast paced. As a whole this was an enjoyable read with some dramatics, a whole lot of sparks flying around and some funny interactions.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
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Blurb:
Brennan
How can I want a woman so bad when she represents everything I despise? I can’t get her out from under my skin and I’m not entirely sure I want to. But there’s more at stake here than meets the eye. I’ve got responsibilities and she’s got secrets. Together, we’re destined for disaster, but I’m willing to risk it all for her, the problem is, I don't know if she’s willing to risk anything for me.
Samantha
Running from my problems is my specialty. That and managing to sabotage every relationship I’ve ever had. So it makes sense that I jumped at a chance to go film in Ireland and leave my philandering boyfriend at home in LA. Yup, I’d rather run across the ocean than deal with that. Then Brennan Murphy threw me out of his pub and I jumped into the very thing I was trying to avoid. I had worked too hard to bury my secrets and it would take a lot more than heated words and scorching looks to get me to give into the temptation of throwing it all away for one guy. Albeit, one hot, bearded mountain of a man.
Blurb:
Brennan
How can I want a woman so bad when she represents everything I despise? I can’t get her out from under my skin and I’m not entirely sure I want to. But there’s more at stake here than meets the eye. I’ve got responsibilities and she’s got secrets. Together, we’re destined for disaster, but I’m willing to risk it all for her, the problem is, I don't know if she’s willing to risk anything for me.
Samantha
Running from my problems is my specialty. That and managing to sabotage every relationship I’ve ever had. So it makes sense that I jumped at a chance to go film in Ireland and leave my philandering boyfriend at home in LA. Yup, I’d rather run across the ocean than deal with that. Then Brennan Murphy threw me out of his pub and I jumped into the very thing I was trying to avoid. I had worked too hard to bury my secrets and it would take a lot more than heated words and scorching looks to get me to give into the temptation of throwing it all away for one guy. Albeit, one hot, bearded mountain of a man.
March 5, 2017
A good book which flowed really well and was quick and easy to read. I enjoyed the relationship between Sam and Brennan, although it was rather a slow burn even though the chemistry was there.
The story line was good and there was plenty of humour and some angst which kept me guessing. I don't want to give away spoilers but I think there could have been more with Sam's 'follower'. I felt the ending was rather rushed to an extent and it was just abandoned...
I liked the indication towards Ryan's story though!
4 stars
The story line was good and there was plenty of humour and some angst which kept me guessing. I don't want to give away spoilers but I think there could have been more with Sam's 'follower'. I felt the ending was rather rushed to an extent and it was just abandoned...
I liked the indication towards Ryan's story though!
4 stars
January 20, 2016
Hands down, the best of the series.
Holly's writing has grown so much through these books, and I am so glad to have watched the journey. This book belongs to Sam, the last third of the boys-names-on-girls-club that started with George in BLINDSIDED. While each book is a standalone, my only note on the front of this particular title is that there isn't mention of Sam's profession at the beginning of the book -- if you've read the others, you know she's an actress, but if you haven't, all you know is she's "the great Samantha Lane" that has given her presence to Murphy's Pub.
While Sam may be an actress, she's currently in Ireland to co-produce a film and while there, she makes the not-so-pleasant acquaintance of Brennan -- who has just as an American accent as she does yet he lives there.
Sam and Brennan's story was definitely a comedy of errors. From the get-go, they simply rubbed against one another the wrong way. Sam was spunky and was not afraid to voice her opinion, and Brennan didn't care for the actress and what she represented. I loved watching Brennan's opinion of her thaw, though, especially when he was honest with himself as to why he acted like such a jerk around her. His sweet moments were definitely great and when these two finally stopped fighting, they were so dang cute.
The negative...
On one hand, their reactions, fights, and words could be viewed as hot-and-cold, but I got a very passionate feel about both these characters. Both had a world of hurt behind the fronts they put forth, and shielded their hearts with snarky attitudes. The only other part that I had a slight issue with was the plotline of the stalker -- it was there but the line didn't quite elaborate as fully as I'd like to see, and quite frankly, I forgot all about it until I was near the end (and when I questioned it, well, the answer happened shortly after). I appreciated the effort in the slightly suspenseful line, but Holly's strength is more in the contemporary sector than the added suspense. Oh. And then there was the end -- one of the last scenes in this book overlaps with IGNITE and while it lined up fairly well, I did find a couple of inconsistencies. But if you haven't read the other books, or if you don't have a graphic memory, you may not catch it.
So while there were a couple of things that should hold me back from rating this a 5-star, I found it to be better than the previous two books -- I liked the writing, I felt the characters were more developed, and I enjoyed the picture Holly painted of Ireland. I'm sad to see these friends leave, but am super excited to see that the next book to release will be Sam's "new best friend", aka Brennan's Irish cousin, Ryan. I liked that man and can't wait to see him fall.
*received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.
Holly's writing has grown so much through these books, and I am so glad to have watched the journey. This book belongs to Sam, the last third of the boys-names-on-girls-club that started with George in BLINDSIDED. While each book is a standalone, my only note on the front of this particular title is that there isn't mention of Sam's profession at the beginning of the book -- if you've read the others, you know she's an actress, but if you haven't, all you know is she's "the great Samantha Lane" that has given her presence to Murphy's Pub.
While Sam may be an actress, she's currently in Ireland to co-produce a film and while there, she makes the not-so-pleasant acquaintance of Brennan -- who has just as an American accent as she does yet he lives there.
Sam and Brennan's story was definitely a comedy of errors. From the get-go, they simply rubbed against one another the wrong way. Sam was spunky and was not afraid to voice her opinion, and Brennan didn't care for the actress and what she represented. I loved watching Brennan's opinion of her thaw, though, especially when he was honest with himself as to why he acted like such a jerk around her. His sweet moments were definitely great and when these two finally stopped fighting, they were so dang cute.
The negative...
On one hand, their reactions, fights, and words could be viewed as hot-and-cold, but I got a very passionate feel about both these characters. Both had a world of hurt behind the fronts they put forth, and shielded their hearts with snarky attitudes. The only other part that I had a slight issue with was the plotline of the stalker -- it was there but the line didn't quite elaborate as fully as I'd like to see, and quite frankly, I forgot all about it until I was near the end (and when I questioned it, well, the answer happened shortly after). I appreciated the effort in the slightly suspenseful line, but Holly's strength is more in the contemporary sector than the added suspense. Oh. And then there was the end -- one of the last scenes in this book overlaps with IGNITE and while it lined up fairly well, I did find a couple of inconsistencies. But if you haven't read the other books, or if you don't have a graphic memory, you may not catch it.
So while there were a couple of things that should hold me back from rating this a 5-star, I found it to be better than the previous two books -- I liked the writing, I felt the characters were more developed, and I enjoyed the picture Holly painted of Ireland. I'm sad to see these friends leave, but am super excited to see that the next book to release will be Sam's "new best friend", aka Brennan's Irish cousin, Ryan. I liked that man and can't wait to see him fall.
*received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2017
This story is set in Ireland and the descriptions of the beauty of the surrounding places are ideal for this romantic novel.
Samantha is a renowned American actress who is in Ireland to co produce a movie. She finds out that her long term boyfriend is a cheat, on Valentine night. Not the best time to face this type of situation, therefore she decides to drown her sorrows in this pub where she is a regular and she gets on well with the bartender. Her life hasn't always been easy and she keeps that part buried deep down. Her two best friends are the only ones aware of her past. She is seen as this beautiful and confident person but no one really knows the "real" Samantha.
Brennan is the pub owner. He too has been through a fair amount of hardship in his personal and business life. There is only one person who really matters to him and as far as dating is concerned, he has no intention of making his life complicated. When he sees Samantha having one too many, he decides to throw her out. It's a dark and rainy night. She has no transport and has to walk a fair way to get home. Brennan's first impression of her is that she is a rich spoilt brat. A princess!!
When Brennan realises how far Samantha has to walk to get home, he goes after her and gives her a lift. He is not very nice about it, in fact some of his comments are brutal! When he discovers that she has a stalker, he helps her out whilst at the same time hoping that he won't have to see her again. It turns out that circumstances don't allow them to stay away from each other for long. Their banters are somewhat interesting. Comical one minute, offensive the next and just about friendly at times. They have some tender and passionate moments too.
Samantha doesn't understand why Brennan hates her so much! When he starts seeing through her well constructed barriers, his protective instincts take over, to the point of being bossy. They have this love hate relationship which soon turns out into more than they both bargain for. They both start opening up to each other and what they learn only strengthen their relationship but the past is not so easily put behind. This gets in the way of any chances they have of moving forward. Will they ever be able to leave the past behind and give themselves a chance?
This is a very moving story and some of the contents can be disturbing. It's quite the page turner! I really enjoyed reading this book but I would have liked to have known a little more about the stalker.
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha is a renowned American actress who is in Ireland to co produce a movie. She finds out that her long term boyfriend is a cheat, on Valentine night. Not the best time to face this type of situation, therefore she decides to drown her sorrows in this pub where she is a regular and she gets on well with the bartender. Her life hasn't always been easy and she keeps that part buried deep down. Her two best friends are the only ones aware of her past. She is seen as this beautiful and confident person but no one really knows the "real" Samantha.
Brennan is the pub owner. He too has been through a fair amount of hardship in his personal and business life. There is only one person who really matters to him and as far as dating is concerned, he has no intention of making his life complicated. When he sees Samantha having one too many, he decides to throw her out. It's a dark and rainy night. She has no transport and has to walk a fair way to get home. Brennan's first impression of her is that she is a rich spoilt brat. A princess!!
When Brennan realises how far Samantha has to walk to get home, he goes after her and gives her a lift. He is not very nice about it, in fact some of his comments are brutal! When he discovers that she has a stalker, he helps her out whilst at the same time hoping that he won't have to see her again. It turns out that circumstances don't allow them to stay away from each other for long. Their banters are somewhat interesting. Comical one minute, offensive the next and just about friendly at times. They have some tender and passionate moments too.
Samantha doesn't understand why Brennan hates her so much! When he starts seeing through her well constructed barriers, his protective instincts take over, to the point of being bossy. They have this love hate relationship which soon turns out into more than they both bargain for. They both start opening up to each other and what they learn only strengthen their relationship but the past is not so easily put behind. This gets in the way of any chances they have of moving forward. Will they ever be able to leave the past behind and give themselves a chance?
This is a very moving story and some of the contents can be disturbing. It's quite the page turner! I really enjoyed reading this book but I would have liked to have known a little more about the stalker.
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2016
This is book 3 of the Sisters Series but I didn’t read the first two before reading this one. Believe me, having read this story, I am going to be getting book 1 and 2.
Samantha is a world famous actress who is in Ireland for a year producing a movie. Between the stress of the job, finding out that her rockstar boyfriend is a cheating rat fink and having to deal with a stalker, she does what most do…heads to the nearest pub and gets her drink on. The icing on the worst day ever, the pub owner comes in and kicks her out. She now has to walk home in the dark, while the rain is pouring down because she left her vehicle at the office.
Brennan, the pub owner isn’t all bad. Almost as soon as Samantha takes off, he heads out in his vehicle and picks her up. Brennan hasn’t had it easy either. He had come to Ireland to bury his mother and found out that he was now owner of the local pub. Leaving his uncle in charge, he headed back home to America… Well fast forward a couple of years and he finds out that his uncle has stolen most of the pubs profits and left the pub about to close. AND his one night stand with a local woman resulted in a daughter that he didn’t know about. Finding out that the mother of his child is a drug user and has left his daughter in the care of the baby’s Grandma sends Brennan back to Ireland to raise his daughter and save the family pub. He doesn’t want to get involved with anyone and definitely someone he thinks is out of his league.
This story is told in dual POV and works well. The characters are real and engaging. The storyline keeps you coming back for more. After all the books I have been reading lately, it was nice to see a sweet HEA!!
Holly Mortimer is most definitely an awesome writer and I can’t wait to read her other stories!!
Reviewed by Cryssy
Samantha is a world famous actress who is in Ireland for a year producing a movie. Between the stress of the job, finding out that her rockstar boyfriend is a cheating rat fink and having to deal with a stalker, she does what most do…heads to the nearest pub and gets her drink on. The icing on the worst day ever, the pub owner comes in and kicks her out. She now has to walk home in the dark, while the rain is pouring down because she left her vehicle at the office.
Brennan, the pub owner isn’t all bad. Almost as soon as Samantha takes off, he heads out in his vehicle and picks her up. Brennan hasn’t had it easy either. He had come to Ireland to bury his mother and found out that he was now owner of the local pub. Leaving his uncle in charge, he headed back home to America… Well fast forward a couple of years and he finds out that his uncle has stolen most of the pubs profits and left the pub about to close. AND his one night stand with a local woman resulted in a daughter that he didn’t know about. Finding out that the mother of his child is a drug user and has left his daughter in the care of the baby’s Grandma sends Brennan back to Ireland to raise his daughter and save the family pub. He doesn’t want to get involved with anyone and definitely someone he thinks is out of his league.
This story is told in dual POV and works well. The characters are real and engaging. The storyline keeps you coming back for more. After all the books I have been reading lately, it was nice to see a sweet HEA!!
Holly Mortimer is most definitely an awesome writer and I can’t wait to read her other stories!!
Reviewed by Cryssy
January 15, 2016
Brennan and Samantha. At first glace, they didn't seem at all compatible and that was only based on their occupations. He's a pub owner, she's an actress. But as I read along, I realized they were more compatible than I though.
They each had secrets. Brennan's wasn't so horrible and I understood why he hadn't come out and said to Samantha, "I'm a father." Who does that? It's like a first date no-no. The same goes for Samantha. Her secrets were, in her mind only, horrible and made her unworthy of a man's affection, especially a man who had a child. But the sins of her past do not define her to Brennan. The challenge was making her understand that.
The added twist of a stalker was...okay? I don't know. A part of me would have liked for that part to be more pronounced than it was, but the other part is really glad it wasn't. Samantha's past was why the stalker was after her to begin with. The weight of that alone was already too much. Making the plot more sinister and darker would have detracted from what she had to face alone and then with Brennan.
I liked this story. The swearing made me chuckle. The banter made me grin. While I enjoyed both, I also enjoyed the serious moments they had as individuals and as a couple. They began as strangers and ended as lovers, growing and moving on as they did. They learned to trust each other with their hearts and secrets; to see the past as the past and to let it go; to embrace the possibility of a future filled with everything they never had because they each other.
3.5*
Received from Enticing Journey Book Promotions for an honest review
They each had secrets. Brennan's wasn't so horrible and I understood why he hadn't come out and said to Samantha, "I'm a father." Who does that? It's like a first date no-no. The same goes for Samantha. Her secrets were, in her mind only, horrible and made her unworthy of a man's affection, especially a man who had a child. But the sins of her past do not define her to Brennan. The challenge was making her understand that.
The added twist of a stalker was...okay? I don't know. A part of me would have liked for that part to be more pronounced than it was, but the other part is really glad it wasn't. Samantha's past was why the stalker was after her to begin with. The weight of that alone was already too much. Making the plot more sinister and darker would have detracted from what she had to face alone and then with Brennan.
I liked this story. The swearing made me chuckle. The banter made me grin. While I enjoyed both, I also enjoyed the serious moments they had as individuals and as a couple. They began as strangers and ended as lovers, growing and moving on as they did. They learned to trust each other with their hearts and secrets; to see the past as the past and to let it go; to embrace the possibility of a future filled with everything they never had because they each other.
3.5*
Received from Enticing Journey Book Promotions for an honest review
January 17, 2016
Samantha Lane moved to Ireland to film a movie that would change her life. After a disastrous Valentines Day, she just wants to drink her sorrows away at Murphy's Pub.
Brennan Murphy's life is a mess. When his mother passed away, he inherited a pub, then he finds out he fathered a daughter from a drunken one night stand. Trying to straighten his life out, not wanting to deal with some Hollywood princess, Brennan throws a drunk Samantha out of his pub.
But when a stalker is after Samantha, surprisingly it is Brennan that comes to her rescue.
I have to say the first of the book was my favorite. It reminded me of an old black and white movie with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Where the hero and heroine can't stand each other but the sexual chemistry is off the charts. There was hilarious banter between Sam and Brennan. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at sarcastic Sam trying to deal with Brennan who just wanted to leave but was knew he had to do the right thing.
Brennan is an alpha male in the truest sense of the word. I love how he challenges Sam but could own up to being controlling at times. Sam was so spunky while having issues from growing up that she tried to hide, hoping nobody would recognize the demons she harbors.
This is the first book by Holly Mortimer I have read, but I can't wait to read more! This is the 3rd book in the series and it can be read as a stand alone but I plan on going back to read the others. And I wouldn't mind reading about a sexy bartender named Ryan!
January 13, 2016
This was my first in this series I've had the pleasure of reading and I can tell you that it definitely can be read as a standalone. With that being said I now really want to read the first two because I love the characters. This book was about two people who are not out looking for love but it strikes when you least expect it. I loved the dual POV and the characters that are in here. I really can't wait for the next one.
Sam is a famous actress and is in Ireland to produce her first movie. It's Valentine's Day and she just found out that her rockstar boyfriend of a year is cheating on her and her stalker is still leaving notes and being their creepy self. She is at a the only pub she likes getting drunk and trying to get over this awful day until the owner kicks her out. Thinking he is a total a$$ she isn't going to stick around and takes off walking the hour long walk home. Then here he comes and gives her a ride and it starts their crazy ride of knowing each other. As the book goes she has mixed feelings about him and events lead her to believe he'd be better off without her.
Brennan lives in Ireland trying to keep the doors of his pub open. His mom left it to him and he has made some mistakes, not only with the pub but with other choices in his life. One of those mistakes has given him something he loves dearly but it has put his dating life on hold. He sees Sam and is drawn to her but he knows that he isn't someone she'd ever think was good enough for her and takes an instant dislike to her. He catches himself being an a$$ to her and tries to make up for it but he ends up getting sucked into her crazy life.
Will Brennan be able to handle the craziness that is her life? Will he want to stay and continue things with her? Will he think that she is good enough for his life? Will they realize that what they feel for each other is love?
Sam is a famous actress and is in Ireland to produce her first movie. It's Valentine's Day and she just found out that her rockstar boyfriend of a year is cheating on her and her stalker is still leaving notes and being their creepy self. She is at a the only pub she likes getting drunk and trying to get over this awful day until the owner kicks her out. Thinking he is a total a$$ she isn't going to stick around and takes off walking the hour long walk home. Then here he comes and gives her a ride and it starts their crazy ride of knowing each other. As the book goes she has mixed feelings about him and events lead her to believe he'd be better off without her.
Brennan lives in Ireland trying to keep the doors of his pub open. His mom left it to him and he has made some mistakes, not only with the pub but with other choices in his life. One of those mistakes has given him something he loves dearly but it has put his dating life on hold. He sees Sam and is drawn to her but he knows that he isn't someone she'd ever think was good enough for her and takes an instant dislike to her. He catches himself being an a$$ to her and tries to make up for it but he ends up getting sucked into her crazy life.
Will Brennan be able to handle the craziness that is her life? Will he want to stay and continue things with her? Will he think that she is good enough for his life? Will they realize that what they feel for each other is love?
January 15, 2016
I haven't read Book One or Two yet, of the Sisters Series, but after reading Book Three... I'm all for it!
Holly Mortimer is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more from her and this series.
As a world famous actress, living in Ireland for a year while producing a movie, Samantha has not had it easy. Her Cheating boyfriend/rock star and dealing with a stalker is causing her stress. To top it off... she goes to a pub nearby to get drunk and forget her stress... The owner kicks her to the curb. Now, since she left her car at work, she has to walk home in the rain and dark... alone.
The pub owner, Brennan, takes off and picks Samantha up.
Brennan has a tough life too. He came from the states to bury his mother and found out he was the owner of the local family pub in Ireland. After leaving the pub to his Uncle and returning back to the states, he finds out a few years later that he stole the profits and the pub is about to close, but that's not all... He had a one night stand with a local women a few years prior which resulted in a child he had no clue about. His daughters mother is a drug user and left their child in the care of her Grandma. The Grandmother sends for Brennan to come back to Ireland to raise his daughter and save the family pub.
Brennan thinks Samantha is way out of his league and besides, he isn't interested in getting involved with someone.
Will these two fall in love and realize they need each other in their lives?
I loved that we got both Samantha and Brennan's POV, it made the story that much better. I couldn't put it down.
****I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.****
Laura Redmon
Cutting Muse Blog Review
Holly Mortimer is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more from her and this series.
As a world famous actress, living in Ireland for a year while producing a movie, Samantha has not had it easy. Her Cheating boyfriend/rock star and dealing with a stalker is causing her stress. To top it off... she goes to a pub nearby to get drunk and forget her stress... The owner kicks her to the curb. Now, since she left her car at work, she has to walk home in the rain and dark... alone.
The pub owner, Brennan, takes off and picks Samantha up.
Brennan has a tough life too. He came from the states to bury his mother and found out he was the owner of the local family pub in Ireland. After leaving the pub to his Uncle and returning back to the states, he finds out a few years later that he stole the profits and the pub is about to close, but that's not all... He had a one night stand with a local women a few years prior which resulted in a child he had no clue about. His daughters mother is a drug user and left their child in the care of her Grandma. The Grandmother sends for Brennan to come back to Ireland to raise his daughter and save the family pub.
Brennan thinks Samantha is way out of his league and besides, he isn't interested in getting involved with someone.
Will these two fall in love and realize they need each other in their lives?
I loved that we got both Samantha and Brennan's POV, it made the story that much better. I couldn't put it down.
****I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.****
Laura Redmon
Cutting Muse Blog Review
January 19, 2016
Holly Mortimer, where have you been all my life? I absolutely, and utterly LOVED LOVED LOVED Worlds Apart, and I devoured it in one sitting. Samantha moved to beautiful Ireland for a year while she's filming a movie. She's worked hard at burying her secrets, and refuses to expose them to more than a couple of people. While there, she learns her boyfriend is back home cheating on her, so she goes to her new favorite pub to get drunk. Brennan has no time for woman, especially when they represent everything he despises. He is super rude to Samantha, and then has to rescue her later that night. She's not sure what his problem is, but she knows that she can't stand him, although they have an instant connection. He can't get her out of his mind, nor can he stay away from her. When a stalker starts to escalate, will Brennan be able to keep her safe before it's too late?
OMG I was hooked from the very beginning. The character development is great, with secondaries that tried to steal the show. A highly addicting, hysterical, and well written story line flows very smoothly. Well placed humor had me laughing until my stomach was sore, and the twists came out of left field to shock me. Holly Mortimer has an easy and talented writing style the kept my attention without getting distracted throughout, while my heart raced cover to cover. The chemistry sizzled between Samantha and Brennan, leading to smoke detector blaring sexy scene goodness. I CANNOT WAIT to read more by this author, and so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
OMG I was hooked from the very beginning. The character development is great, with secondaries that tried to steal the show. A highly addicting, hysterical, and well written story line flows very smoothly. Well placed humor had me laughing until my stomach was sore, and the twists came out of left field to shock me. Holly Mortimer has an easy and talented writing style the kept my attention without getting distracted throughout, while my heart raced cover to cover. The chemistry sizzled between Samantha and Brennan, leading to smoke detector blaring sexy scene goodness. I CANNOT WAIT to read more by this author, and so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
January 12, 2016
My rating: 4.5
Samantha is a spitfire of a personality and after the day she'd been dealt, a night out at a local Irish pub was what she needed... Until she got cut off and kicked out for being snotty! Sam is an actress/movie producer currently residing in Ireland working on a new project - she's had many twists to her Valentine's Day, and things are looking grim. Not only does she find out her rockstar boyfriend is cheating on her while she's away, she's also got some crazy stalker person breaking into her house and leaving her creeptastic notes!
Then there is Brennan. A rugged, bearded, manly man and pub owner. He kicks out the "princess" for being a little overly drunk... Then ends up driving her home in the rain. He's got his own list of personal bull crap to deal with - a daughter and a pub that's days away from closing its doors... The last thing he needs is a woman to enter his life and become his everything! He feels a protective side come out when it comes to Samantha... And that's all she wrote.
There are two previous books in this series that I've not read, this was easily a stand alone for me. I plan to pick up the others one day though anyway, I really enjoyed the dual POV in this particular story. It gave a nice rounded view of these characters and the story developed so organically! I love a good HEA! (:
Samantha is a spitfire of a personality and after the day she'd been dealt, a night out at a local Irish pub was what she needed... Until she got cut off and kicked out for being snotty! Sam is an actress/movie producer currently residing in Ireland working on a new project - she's had many twists to her Valentine's Day, and things are looking grim. Not only does she find out her rockstar boyfriend is cheating on her while she's away, she's also got some crazy stalker person breaking into her house and leaving her creeptastic notes!
Then there is Brennan. A rugged, bearded, manly man and pub owner. He kicks out the "princess" for being a little overly drunk... Then ends up driving her home in the rain. He's got his own list of personal bull crap to deal with - a daughter and a pub that's days away from closing its doors... The last thing he needs is a woman to enter his life and become his everything! He feels a protective side come out when it comes to Samantha... And that's all she wrote.
There are two previous books in this series that I've not read, this was easily a stand alone for me. I plan to pick up the others one day though anyway, I really enjoyed the dual POV in this particular story. It gave a nice rounded view of these characters and the story developed so organically! I love a good HEA! (:
November 20, 2016
Brennan and Samantha are complete opposites. He's the owner of a pub that he's trying to save from bankruptcy who is also raising his daughter alone. He doesn't have time for Sam, a famous actress who is in Ireland producing a movie is having a really bad day. A stalker is threatening to expose her secrets, her boyfriend is cheating on her, and Brennan kicked her out of his pub. Despite their rocky start, they can't deny their mutual attraction.The problem is Brennan isn't interested in starting a relationship with anyone, and besides, Sam is way out of his league. And Sam is a runner. She's also sabatoged every relationship that she's had. They need to realize that they deserve happiness and overcome their past issues so that they can have a future together. My only issue with this book is that it begins rather abruptly, almost as though we should already be acquainted with Sam. Then I saw that this was book 3 in the Sisters series, even though it's book 1 in the Murphy's Law series. Thanks Holly Mortimer and Amber for this #QuirkyBlindDate. I really liked it. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work.
September 21, 2016
**Received a copy of this book for an honest review from the author through Blind Date with A Book**
Samantha and Brennan are just like the book title says, world's apart.
Samantha is your barbie girl from the US big time actress and Brennan owns a small pub and has a daughter. Single dad stories always make me fall in love with the author. because these stories are hard to write. But let me tell you she done a magnificent job at writing these characters.
Samantha's passed hit me hard. Brennan's passed didn't really surprised me all except for him taking all responsibility for his daughter.
There relationship was set up to fail. Never in a million was it suppose to work out much less last forever.
Did it?
Would it ever work?
Did Samantha's career have something to do with?
Is Claire going to be comfortable?
Please give this author a chance and find out exactly what happens with these 3.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I was crying one second laughing the next and so anxious to turn to the next page. I only bookmarked 1 time.
Samantha and Brennan are just like the book title says, world's apart.
Samantha is your barbie girl from the US big time actress and Brennan owns a small pub and has a daughter. Single dad stories always make me fall in love with the author. because these stories are hard to write. But let me tell you she done a magnificent job at writing these characters.
Samantha's passed hit me hard. Brennan's passed didn't really surprised me all except for him taking all responsibility for his daughter.
There relationship was set up to fail. Never in a million was it suppose to work out much less last forever.
Did it?
Would it ever work?
Did Samantha's career have something to do with?
Is Claire going to be comfortable?
Please give this author a chance and find out exactly what happens with these 3.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I was crying one second laughing the next and so anxious to turn to the next page. I only bookmarked 1 time.
January 13, 2016
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
This was a lovely story. The leading characters grabbed my attention right at the start of the book and really held it until the last page. I really particularly enjoyed the accent that you got to read and thought the author did an amazing job making that accent really shine through from the page of the book to the reader.
I’d have to say that these were both pretty strong characters. They aren’t the type to give in or at least not put up a fight. These types of characters, to me, are the most fun to read, because you get humor and attitude. So these two were perfect for me.
This was a good story, fun read, fun characters. There wasn’t anything “super fantastic” about it that will leave me gushing about it though. I enjoyed the story and will read other stories by the same author, it just wasn’t one of those “fireworks” books for me.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
This was a lovely story. The leading characters grabbed my attention right at the start of the book and really held it until the last page. I really particularly enjoyed the accent that you got to read and thought the author did an amazing job making that accent really shine through from the page of the book to the reader.
I’d have to say that these were both pretty strong characters. They aren’t the type to give in or at least not put up a fight. These types of characters, to me, are the most fun to read, because you get humor and attitude. So these two were perfect for me.
This was a good story, fun read, fun characters. There wasn’t anything “super fantastic” about it that will leave me gushing about it though. I enjoyed the story and will read other stories by the same author, it just wasn’t one of those “fireworks” books for me.
January 9, 2016
Five Amazing Stars! Samantha moved to Ireland to film a movie. She has secrets that she has hidden and after meeting Brennan is very worried about them being exposed. Brennan is the tough alpha male and feels he shouldn't be attracted to Samantha. I loved the characters and the story. This is the third book in the Sisters Series. I have not read the first two books but will definitely be reading them! This is an absolute must read you will not be disappointed. I will be following Holly and looking forward to her future books.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
January 8, 2016
I have waited for this book for which seems like forever!!!! I loved her first book and second even more but this is the best yet!! I read way too much but I have to say Ms Holly will not disappoint. She writes with dual pov which I love. This is the third book in a group of three women who are close friends. I have to say I didn't know I cld love her characters more than Frankie and Hardy (second book in sisters series) but this is my fav!! AlI can say is please read!! She will not disappoint! Thank you Holly!! I can not wait to see what you do next!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 21, 2016
This was the first book by Holly Mortimer that I have had the pleasure of reading. The storyline of one person seeming to have it all, and one person in a lower class and struggling daily, is not an uncommon issue. However sometimes you need to really look and see who has is all. Don't judge a book by its cover is something we all have heard and that includes people and thier lives. I really enjoyed reading this book and the back story of the characters and storyline are well developed. Add Ireland as the setting and I am a happy camper. I recommend this sweet love story.
September 9, 2016
This was the first book from Holly Mortimer that I've read, I'm not disappointed. The story is very well written. The characters and the attraction to eacht other, yes I really liked it. 4 stars for Worlds Apart.
December 5, 2021
I recieved this book for free with around 300 other books of similar genre. This is the 3rd book in the The Sisters collection by Holly Mortimer, however, they are stand-alone books and therefore the 1st and 2nd book do not need to be read before this one.
I wasn’t going to give this book a star rating at all but I had to. Worlds Apart, for me, was a DNF or Did Not Finish. This is VERY, very rare for me and I wish it wasn’t the case but I just hated it. I hate to sound harsh but I really did not want to finish this book.
Worlds Apart has 167 pages, so it is not a long book. I read up to page 40 before I decided to give up. There is so much anger in this book – this comes from both Sam (the female lead) and Brennan (the male lead). Sam is a stuck up actress who we meet in a pub completely drunk out of her mind and Brennan is the owner of said pub. Sam has had way to much to drink and is ‘bossing’ the bartender (Ryan) around but in my opinion, not to the point in which Brennan needs to come over, roughly grab Sam and tell her to get the hell out of his pub, and bar her. Sam then has to walk all the way home (over an hour) in a bad storm but Brennan decides to go and find her and give her a lift.
In the car, they pretty much have a screaming match all the way home. Then, when Sam is dropped off at her home she doesn’t have her keys so Brennan helps her get in the house (she is very unthankful) and they continue to have an argument. I couldn’t even tell you what the arguments were about to be honest. Something to do with Brennan wanting to wind Sam up and Sam being an arrogant princess. Eurgh it was infuriating. Anyway, Sam has to call the police because someone has broke in to her house so whilst they are waiting for the police the argument continues, Sam throws up on Brennan, Brennan gets in to bed with Sam whilst his pants are in the dryer, the police come and Brennan leaves.
The next day, Brennan has an argument with his ex who pays a visit, and then Sam goes to the pub because she left her bank card there and they have another argument. Then Ryan comes in and she flirts with Ryan, so Brennan then feels jelous and grabs her arm, storming her outside, pushing her against her car and then roughly kissing her. She goes home and then he follows her home and they start to argue again and she slaps him and then I just couldn’t take it anymore. I closed the book. 40 pages of arguing is giving me a headache. Even their internal monologue was angry as hell too. These people obviously need to go see a counsellor or something.
I really do hate leaving a book unfinished but I just couldn’t continue with this trainwreck.
I wasn’t going to give this book a star rating at all but I had to. Worlds Apart, for me, was a DNF or Did Not Finish. This is VERY, very rare for me and I wish it wasn’t the case but I just hated it. I hate to sound harsh but I really did not want to finish this book.
Worlds Apart has 167 pages, so it is not a long book. I read up to page 40 before I decided to give up. There is so much anger in this book – this comes from both Sam (the female lead) and Brennan (the male lead). Sam is a stuck up actress who we meet in a pub completely drunk out of her mind and Brennan is the owner of said pub. Sam has had way to much to drink and is ‘bossing’ the bartender (Ryan) around but in my opinion, not to the point in which Brennan needs to come over, roughly grab Sam and tell her to get the hell out of his pub, and bar her. Sam then has to walk all the way home (over an hour) in a bad storm but Brennan decides to go and find her and give her a lift.
In the car, they pretty much have a screaming match all the way home. Then, when Sam is dropped off at her home she doesn’t have her keys so Brennan helps her get in the house (she is very unthankful) and they continue to have an argument. I couldn’t even tell you what the arguments were about to be honest. Something to do with Brennan wanting to wind Sam up and Sam being an arrogant princess. Eurgh it was infuriating. Anyway, Sam has to call the police because someone has broke in to her house so whilst they are waiting for the police the argument continues, Sam throws up on Brennan, Brennan gets in to bed with Sam whilst his pants are in the dryer, the police come and Brennan leaves.
The next day, Brennan has an argument with his ex who pays a visit, and then Sam goes to the pub because she left her bank card there and they have another argument. Then Ryan comes in and she flirts with Ryan, so Brennan then feels jelous and grabs her arm, storming her outside, pushing her against her car and then roughly kissing her. She goes home and then he follows her home and they start to argue again and she slaps him and then I just couldn’t take it anymore. I closed the book. 40 pages of arguing is giving me a headache. Even their internal monologue was angry as hell too. These people obviously need to go see a counsellor or something.
I really do hate leaving a book unfinished but I just couldn’t continue with this trainwreck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2025
This book is part of the Murphy series. This book is set in Ireland.
This book is about a woman named Samantha Lane who is an actress. She is in a pub owned by a guy named Brennan. Brennan has two sisters, a young daughter named Claire and an ex. The minute Brennan meets Samantha she drives him absolutely nuts. His pub is near bankruptcy. He doesn’t have time for dating. He likes being labeled the broody alpha in his pub. He comes to her rescue over and over and over again. He sees that there is more to her than he realizes.
Of course the road to love in Ireland doesn’t leave any room for mistakes. Brennan knows how to make a lot of mistakes. Samantha isn’t your everyday actress. She eats carbs and she doesn’t care what others think of her. Brennan frustrates her to no end but she is attracted to him as well. There were funny moments in this story and you find that Samantha has a stalker in this story. I loved reading this book.
This book is about a woman named Samantha Lane who is an actress. She is in a pub owned by a guy named Brennan. Brennan has two sisters, a young daughter named Claire and an ex. The minute Brennan meets Samantha she drives him absolutely nuts. His pub is near bankruptcy. He doesn’t have time for dating. He likes being labeled the broody alpha in his pub. He comes to her rescue over and over and over again. He sees that there is more to her than he realizes.
Of course the road to love in Ireland doesn’t leave any room for mistakes. Brennan knows how to make a lot of mistakes. Samantha isn’t your everyday actress. She eats carbs and she doesn’t care what others think of her. Brennan frustrates her to no end but she is attracted to him as well. There were funny moments in this story and you find that Samantha has a stalker in this story. I loved reading this book.
Read
January 28, 2022his is one of those books that puts the Happily in the Happily Ever After.
It takes a leap of faith to fall in love. Brennan captures this so well, “She was going to break my heart, I knew it the minute I met her, but it didn’t seem to matter to me.” The heart wants what the heart wants.
I find names to be incredibly important to a story. I love when Brennan insists on referring to Sam as Samantha. “Everyone else gets Sam, but I get Samantha. I get the woman behind the brand. I get you, all of you, and that’s only mine to have.”
The primary setting of the story takes place in a small pub in Ireland is incredibly romantic. The way it is described conjures up images of warm homeyness. Admittedly, it also brought back a lot of great memories of college as I used to frequent a bar, also known as Murphy’s Pub, at the University of Illinois.
It takes a leap of faith to fall in love. Brennan captures this so well, “She was going to break my heart, I knew it the minute I met her, but it didn’t seem to matter to me.” The heart wants what the heart wants.
I find names to be incredibly important to a story. I love when Brennan insists on referring to Sam as Samantha. “Everyone else gets Sam, but I get Samantha. I get the woman behind the brand. I get you, all of you, and that’s only mine to have.”
The primary setting of the story takes place in a small pub in Ireland is incredibly romantic. The way it is described conjures up images of warm homeyness. Admittedly, it also brought back a lot of great memories of college as I used to frequent a bar, also known as Murphy’s Pub, at the University of Illinois.
February 24, 2019
Truly madly in love
When two people argue and fight as much bre and sam do yet still come back to each other usually means madly in love. Sam as a actress fought for so many yes to keep her past hidden and bre has a history and a future with a daughter. How they came together was funny and sad at the same tim
When two people argue and fight as much bre and sam do yet still come back to each other usually means madly in love. Sam as a actress fought for so many yes to keep her past hidden and bre has a history and a future with a daughter. How they came together was funny and sad at the same tim
October 14, 2021
DNF at 36%!!
There's alpha male and then there's assault. Brennen crossed that line. FULL STOP.
The personalities of Sam and Brennen were so awful and unlikeable, I just didn't see a point in reading. There is no way these two would ever work in the real world. Maybe if the plot was a little more flushed out? Either way, it's a no from me.
There's alpha male and then there's assault. Brennen crossed that line. FULL STOP.
The personalities of Sam and Brennen were so awful and unlikeable, I just didn't see a point in reading. There is no way these two would ever work in the real world. Maybe if the plot was a little more flushed out? Either way, it's a no from me.
January 3, 2017
wow! I love this book...Brennan and Sam are worlds apart but They are necessary for each other. This is my first book in The Sister Series and I really want to read the first two books. I enjoy the epilogue so much, I love to see beyond the life of the characters.
March 19, 2017
I floved World Apart so much! I could not put this book down and finished in one sitting. The book flowed so nicely, well-written and great storyline. The chemistry between was amazing, loved the feistiness turn into passionate romance! Definitely recommend this book!
August 18, 2018
Another great book in this series!
What a great couple! Loved them both. If ever a couple were made for each other, it was Samantha and Brennan. The description of Ireland makes me want to go there. The author made it sound truly magical.
What a great couple! Loved them both. If ever a couple were made for each other, it was Samantha and Brennan. The description of Ireland makes me want to go there. The author made it sound truly magical.
April 29, 2020
I enjoyed this story and the characters very much. But, the main thrust of the story was about a stalker, who was escalating. It felt like the ending was rushed to it’s HEA and the stalker explained in a quick sentence.
November 21, 2016
Couldn't help but fall in love with the story of this book. Brennan and Sam have a chemistry from another world! Hot, sexy and full of emotion
July 30, 2018
sorry but just don't get both the lead characters' personalities. stopped reading at 30%
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