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Irish Country #15.5
An Irish Country Yuletide: An Irish Country Novella
A charming Christmas entry in Patrick Taylor's beloved internationally bestselling Irish Country series, An Irish Country Yuletide.
December 1965. ‘Tis the season once again in the cozy Irish village of Ballybucklebo, which means that Doctor Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, his young colleague Barry Laverty, and their assorted friends, neighbors, and patients are enjoying all their favorite holiday traditions: caroling, trimming the tree, finding the perfect gifts for their near and dear ones, and anticipating a proper Yuletide feast complete with roast turkey and chestnut stuffing. There’s even the promise of snow in the air, raising the prospect of a white Christmas.
Not that trouble has entirely taken a holiday as the season brings its fair share of challenges as well, including a black-sheep brother hoping to reconcile with his estranged family before it’s too late, a worrisome outbreak of chickenpox, and a sick little girl whose faith in Christmas is in danger of being crushed in the worst way.
As roaring fireplaces combat the brisk December chill, it’s up to O’Reilly to play Santa, both literally and figuratively, to make sure that Ballybucklebo has a Christmas it will never forget!
Bonus: This heartwarming Yuletide tale also includes several mouth-watering recipes, straight from an Irish country kitchen.
December 1965. ‘Tis the season once again in the cozy Irish village of Ballybucklebo, which means that Doctor Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, his young colleague Barry Laverty, and their assorted friends, neighbors, and patients are enjoying all their favorite holiday traditions: caroling, trimming the tree, finding the perfect gifts for their near and dear ones, and anticipating a proper Yuletide feast complete with roast turkey and chestnut stuffing. There’s even the promise of snow in the air, raising the prospect of a white Christmas.
Not that trouble has entirely taken a holiday as the season brings its fair share of challenges as well, including a black-sheep brother hoping to reconcile with his estranged family before it’s too late, a worrisome outbreak of chickenpox, and a sick little girl whose faith in Christmas is in danger of being crushed in the worst way.
As roaring fireplaces combat the brisk December chill, it’s up to O’Reilly to play Santa, both literally and figuratively, to make sure that Ballybucklebo has a Christmas it will never forget!
Bonus: This heartwarming Yuletide tale also includes several mouth-watering recipes, straight from an Irish country kitchen.
Audio CD
First published October 12, 2021
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About the author
Patrick Taylor
87 books1,370 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one years. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/patric...
Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one years. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/patric...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
December 16, 2022
Novella Missing something
Spoilers for those who have not read beyond book #7 at this point.
Wow this novella did not work at all. It also changed things up in the series since it's a look back at a time that we already saw in a prior book. I'm a little surprised Taylor did this and didn't adjust the story as needed. Also the novella being taken up with readers getting to read O'Reilly read letters he sent to Kitty when they started courting again was a baffling choice.
"An Irish Country Yuletide" follows Doctors Laverty and O'Reilly in December 1965. This novella actually takes between Irish Country #8 (Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) and Irish Country #9 (An Irish Doctor in Peace and War). Barry is back at Number One after finishing up his specialization and phoning O'Reilly to let him know that will be happy to be his partner. O'Reilly and Kitty are several months married and are still quite happy. With it being Christmas, there's a lot of holiday merry making, but an interesting case involving the Marquis and a young girl who is about to lose her trust in Santa.
I don't even know what to say. I am shocked at the highly rated reviews because this book had so many continuity errors I thought I was misreading things.
For example, what happened to Doctor Jennifer "Jenny" Bradley? (see Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) She was in competition to be O'Reilly's partner when Barry went off for his specialization. We know that in the end O'Reilly thought she was wonderful and would have happily offered her a partnership if Barry decided to not come back. Instead, we know from the ending of that book, Jenny was able to do a well women's clinic run out of O'Reilly's offices until she eventually left in the latter books.
Also, Kinky got engaged and they threw a party for her in the same book. Barry was there. Along with Sue. So why in the world did Taylor have a whole thing acting like Barry didn't know she was engaged to Archie? Book #8 (Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) ends on December the fourth which was Kinky and Archie's engagement party, but this novella has us in the same year, but ending the last two weeks of December. Sorry, my head hurts and I am really annoyed that I was realizing that things were "off" as I read and am shocked the editor didn't realize this and neither did Taylor.
I also have to say that this is a bit of a cheat. If Taylor wanted to do a Christmas "novella" he could have jumped ahead a year so we could see Barry and Sue celebrate with their newest arrival and see how the village was doing. That way the next book could have been set in 1971. Or whatever. To go back the way he did was a baffling choice.
The story felt very rushed and also dragged which is saying something. The Marquis storyline was a terrible idea. We have never read about the character who was introduced in this one and it made zero sense why Taylor did it. If you really wanted to do a look back at the village, just have some mysterious stranger come to the village and deal with that. I will also say the little girl losing her belief in Santa was a bit much. I can't believe that it became a major piece of the story.
The ending didn't work for me because honestly at that point the continuity errors drove me bonkers.
The last book/novella in the series was a sad send-off.
Spoilers for those who have not read beyond book #7 at this point.
Wow this novella did not work at all. It also changed things up in the series since it's a look back at a time that we already saw in a prior book. I'm a little surprised Taylor did this and didn't adjust the story as needed. Also the novella being taken up with readers getting to read O'Reilly read letters he sent to Kitty when they started courting again was a baffling choice.
"An Irish Country Yuletide" follows Doctors Laverty and O'Reilly in December 1965. This novella actually takes between Irish Country #8 (Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) and Irish Country #9 (An Irish Doctor in Peace and War). Barry is back at Number One after finishing up his specialization and phoning O'Reilly to let him know that will be happy to be his partner. O'Reilly and Kitty are several months married and are still quite happy. With it being Christmas, there's a lot of holiday merry making, but an interesting case involving the Marquis and a young girl who is about to lose her trust in Santa.
I don't even know what to say. I am shocked at the highly rated reviews because this book had so many continuity errors I thought I was misreading things.
For example, what happened to Doctor Jennifer "Jenny" Bradley? (see Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) She was in competition to be O'Reilly's partner when Barry went off for his specialization. We know that in the end O'Reilly thought she was wonderful and would have happily offered her a partnership if Barry decided to not come back. Instead, we know from the ending of that book, Jenny was able to do a well women's clinic run out of O'Reilly's offices until she eventually left in the latter books.
Also, Kinky got engaged and they threw a party for her in the same book. Barry was there. Along with Sue. So why in the world did Taylor have a whole thing acting like Barry didn't know she was engaged to Archie? Book #8 (Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor) ends on December the fourth which was Kinky and Archie's engagement party, but this novella has us in the same year, but ending the last two weeks of December. Sorry, my head hurts and I am really annoyed that I was realizing that things were "off" as I read and am shocked the editor didn't realize this and neither did Taylor.
I also have to say that this is a bit of a cheat. If Taylor wanted to do a Christmas "novella" he could have jumped ahead a year so we could see Barry and Sue celebrate with their newest arrival and see how the village was doing. That way the next book could have been set in 1971. Or whatever. To go back the way he did was a baffling choice.
The story felt very rushed and also dragged which is saying something. The Marquis storyline was a terrible idea. We have never read about the character who was introduced in this one and it made zero sense why Taylor did it. If you really wanted to do a look back at the village, just have some mysterious stranger come to the village and deal with that. I will also say the little girl losing her belief in Santa was a bit much. I can't believe that it became a major piece of the story.
The ending didn't work for me because honestly at that point the continuity errors drove me bonkers.
The last book/novella in the series was a sad send-off.
December 11, 2021
My husband loves this series and the Christmas entry looked perfect for the season for me and it was. What could be better than an old world story set in the early 1960s in a place called Ballybuckkebo. If you want a cozy Christmas story that isn’t too-too you will probably like this one.
December 10, 2022
Cheesy, cute Christmas fun! The audiobook has superb narration, John Keating really puts you there in Ballybucklebo with all these wonderful characters.
November 1, 2021
This lovely Christmas novella takes us back to the fictional village of Balleybucklebo in Northern Ireland, 1965. Doctor Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly is set to spend Christmas with his wife, Kitty, colleague Barry Laverty, and other friends and neighbors, but sadness, illness, and division threaten to ruin the holiday. This is Book 16 in the Irish Country Doctor series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the whole series.
I truly enjoyed the village of Balleybucklebo and its residents. The Christmas season arrives, along with a chickenpox epidemic, and the doctors are busier than ever. We are transported almost immediately to wonderful Christmas traditions, including caroling, tree trimming, Christmas Mass, gift exchanges, and delectable treats. We are also given a little bit of Irish folklore and legend during the story. While there is some sadness and hard news in this book, there is also faith and joy. The doctor’s quiet assistance to his fellow villagers is more than just medical, and his housekeeper, Maureen Kincaid (Kinky), who is “fey,” or “gifted with the sight,” is dependably on hand to provide insight and delicious food. As always, there is a selection of recipes at the end.
Longtime fans of this series will be overjoyed to visit Balleybucklebo once again at Christmas. New readers will want to learn more about this town and its people. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Christmas stories and/or Irish historical fiction.
I received a free copy of this book from Forge Books via Historical Novels Review Magazine. My reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I truly enjoyed the village of Balleybucklebo and its residents. The Christmas season arrives, along with a chickenpox epidemic, and the doctors are busier than ever. We are transported almost immediately to wonderful Christmas traditions, including caroling, tree trimming, Christmas Mass, gift exchanges, and delectable treats. We are also given a little bit of Irish folklore and legend during the story. While there is some sadness and hard news in this book, there is also faith and joy. The doctor’s quiet assistance to his fellow villagers is more than just medical, and his housekeeper, Maureen Kincaid (Kinky), who is “fey,” or “gifted with the sight,” is dependably on hand to provide insight and delicious food. As always, there is a selection of recipes at the end.
Longtime fans of this series will be overjoyed to visit Balleybucklebo once again at Christmas. New readers will want to learn more about this town and its people. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Christmas stories and/or Irish historical fiction.
I received a free copy of this book from Forge Books via Historical Novels Review Magazine. My reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.
July 21, 2021
This novel is set at Christmas time in 1965, in the Northern Irish village of Ballybucklebo. Dr. O’Reilly and Kitty are spending their first Christmas together as husband and wife. They had been sweethearts years ago in school, and have happily found each other again. The villagers don’t let sectarian differences bother them—some of the Protestants even attend Midnight Mass. Anyone looking for a wonderful and warm holiday read with themes of friendship, reconciliation and kindness need look no further. If you haven’t read Taylor’s previous Irish Country books, I highly recommend them, but this can be read as a stand-alone. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
June 18, 2022
I really enjoy books set in Ireland and to have it take place at Christmas time just adds another bonus layer to it.
It's 1965 in Ballybucklebo and the first Christmas as man and wife for Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reillyand his wife. He has a general practice in the village and plenty of illnesses come knocking on his door but that doesn't keep the holiday spirit away.
Heartwarming story of a bygone era.
Includes delightful recipes straight from an Irish kitchen.
Pub Date: 12 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
It's 1965 in Ballybucklebo and the first Christmas as man and wife for Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reillyand his wife. He has a general practice in the village and plenty of illnesses come knocking on his door but that doesn't keep the holiday spirit away.
Heartwarming story of a bygone era.
Includes delightful recipes straight from an Irish kitchen.
Pub Date: 12 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2021
Christmas in a small Northern Ireland village for a country doctor and the friends he has made over the years seemed just the thing. Until I spotted this book, I was unfamiliar with the Irish Country Doctor series, but a warm, cozy story and characters in the Irish village setting in the days before tech took over begged me to reach for the book and settle in near the fire with my blanket and my hot drink.
An Irish Country Yuletide is the sixteenth release in this long-standing series about an irascible country doctor to the Irish village of Ballybucklebo in County Down. It worked fine as a standalone. I noticed as I was perusing the earlier books that the series begins years earlier, but hops around in time to go back for the early days with some characters. It has a meandering approach to everyday events for a country doctor and the village so it was easy to slip into this segment of their lives during the 1965 Christmas season.
Doctor Fingal O’Reilly is the middle-aged doctor who has recently married his long-time sweetheart in a second chance romance, lives in a comfortable house attached to his examination rooms, and employs a housekeeper-cook, Maureen ‘Kinky’ Kincaid of many years. Kinky is newly engaged to the milkman. And, Fingal gets a wonderful early holiday gift when his younger associate, Barry Laverty, leaves specialized medicine in the city to rejoin him in country practice and his new fiancée’.
However, before they can all settle into the Yuletide festivities, the local lord of the manor must have Fingal’s help welcoming home the prodigal brother who, is gravely ill. And, Barry must help a young girl suffering from chicken pox and the grief of her parents recent separation find some Christmas cheer and maybe a miracle from Santa.
An Irish Country Yuletide introduced colorful, quirky characters, the Irish country village, and Irish Christmas celebrations. Most of the story is Northern Irish customs and people, but Kinky and the new little girl Jilly and her family are County Cork so there were a few regional phrases, holiday customs, and attitudes. There are some country doctoring going on, but mostly the focus was on the people and their preparations for the holidays and making things right within the MacNeil family as well as memories of time gone by. Fingal receives a packet of his old letters to Kitty when they were first dating and it was neat to see how their romance grew in the beginning. I always felt hungry because Kinky’s delicious food was described in mouth-watering detail when she served up whether at home for the holidays or the community parties.
It was a gentle, comfy piece that exuded the holiday spirit and makes me want to go back to the beginning for all the earlier stories of life as a country doctor in Northern Ireland of the 30’s through the 60’s. Those who enjoy rustic life and every day happenings, soft-colored situation and settings should definitely give these historical fictions a go.
I rec’d an eARC from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
An Irish Country Yuletide is the sixteenth release in this long-standing series about an irascible country doctor to the Irish village of Ballybucklebo in County Down. It worked fine as a standalone. I noticed as I was perusing the earlier books that the series begins years earlier, but hops around in time to go back for the early days with some characters. It has a meandering approach to everyday events for a country doctor and the village so it was easy to slip into this segment of their lives during the 1965 Christmas season.
Doctor Fingal O’Reilly is the middle-aged doctor who has recently married his long-time sweetheart in a second chance romance, lives in a comfortable house attached to his examination rooms, and employs a housekeeper-cook, Maureen ‘Kinky’ Kincaid of many years. Kinky is newly engaged to the milkman. And, Fingal gets a wonderful early holiday gift when his younger associate, Barry Laverty, leaves specialized medicine in the city to rejoin him in country practice and his new fiancée’.
However, before they can all settle into the Yuletide festivities, the local lord of the manor must have Fingal’s help welcoming home the prodigal brother who, is gravely ill. And, Barry must help a young girl suffering from chicken pox and the grief of her parents recent separation find some Christmas cheer and maybe a miracle from Santa.
An Irish Country Yuletide introduced colorful, quirky characters, the Irish country village, and Irish Christmas celebrations. Most of the story is Northern Irish customs and people, but Kinky and the new little girl Jilly and her family are County Cork so there were a few regional phrases, holiday customs, and attitudes. There are some country doctoring going on, but mostly the focus was on the people and their preparations for the holidays and making things right within the MacNeil family as well as memories of time gone by. Fingal receives a packet of his old letters to Kitty when they were first dating and it was neat to see how their romance grew in the beginning. I always felt hungry because Kinky’s delicious food was described in mouth-watering detail when she served up whether at home for the holidays or the community parties.
It was a gentle, comfy piece that exuded the holiday spirit and makes me want to go back to the beginning for all the earlier stories of life as a country doctor in Northern Ireland of the 30’s through the 60’s. Those who enjoy rustic life and every day happenings, soft-colored situation and settings should definitely give these historical fictions a go.
I rec’d an eARC from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
For avid fans of the series only!
We're jumping a few years back to learn that the Marquess of Ballybucklebo has a brother who's left Ireland in disgrace decades ago. Lady Mirna cannot forgive his past indiscretions. He is now coming back with a very grim medical diagnosis and, of course, Dr. O'Reilly helps him figure exactly what is going on medically.
A little girl away from home gets the chickenpox and is heartbroken because she can't go and see Santa. Here Dr. Barry Laverty steps in to help.
Will Barry succeed in performing a Christmas miracle? And will Lady Mirna forgive her ailing brother in this season of goodwill? If you know Patrick Taylor, you know the answers to these questions.
Also, Dr. O'Reilly spends time reading over his old love letters to Kitty.
I felt that this novella was too short and it felt almost as if there is not story here at all. As I said, this book is only for avid fans of the series. Because what could be better than Arthur Guinness being alive again, lady Macbeth a troublemaking kitten again, and Kinky still living with the doctors and making her amazing food?! It's nice, fluffy, and forgetful. The best Christmas story here is with the little girl and is pretty much a repetition of a previous Christmas story Patrick Taylor already wrote.
We're jumping a few years back to learn that the Marquess of Ballybucklebo has a brother who's left Ireland in disgrace decades ago. Lady Mirna cannot forgive his past indiscretions. He is now coming back with a very grim medical diagnosis and, of course, Dr. O'Reilly helps him figure exactly what is going on medically.
A little girl away from home gets the chickenpox and is heartbroken because she can't go and see Santa. Here Dr. Barry Laverty steps in to help.
Will Barry succeed in performing a Christmas miracle? And will Lady Mirna forgive her ailing brother in this season of goodwill? If you know Patrick Taylor, you know the answers to these questions.
Also, Dr. O'Reilly spends time reading over his old love letters to Kitty.
I felt that this novella was too short and it felt almost as if there is not story here at all. As I said, this book is only for avid fans of the series. Because what could be better than Arthur Guinness being alive again, lady Macbeth a troublemaking kitten again, and Kinky still living with the doctors and making her amazing food?! It's nice, fluffy, and forgetful. The best Christmas story here is with the little girl and is pretty much a repetition of a previous Christmas story Patrick Taylor already wrote.
October 1, 2021
4.5 stars
It’s December 1965 and everyone in Ballybucklebo, Ireland is getting ready for Christmas. Dr. Fingal O’Reilly is looking forward to spending it with his wife, Kitty, and his young colleague Dr. Barry Laverty is back in town to work and also to celebrate the holidays with his girlfriend, Sue. However, a couple things are putting a damper on the holidays for some families. The black sheep of a prominent family in town comes home from Australia for the first time in many years because of a grim medical diagnosis he has received. In addition, a chicken pox epidemic is spoiling Christmas for several of the young ones in the village. Fingal and Barry, with the help of some good friends, do what they can to help everyone they can to have as wonderful of a holiday as they are anticipating.
I have read several of the books in this series, but not all of them. This story works well as a standalone for those who haven’t read any of the other books. For those who do follow the series, the last few books have taken place in 1969, but this story goes back a few years prior to that. Fingal is my favorite character and I enjoyed seeing some of the history of his romance with Kitty through several love letters he had written to her before they were married. This is a lovely addition to this heartwarming story.
An Irish Country Yuletide is described as a novella, but it’s longer than most novellas I’ve read, but is the perfect length for a holiday story. In addition to following a few typical days in the lives of country doctors Fingal and Barry, there is a lot of information included about the Irish holiday traditions of the times. In addition to the romance between Fingal and Kitty, these were some of the best parts of the book. Topping off a sweet ending to the book are recipes for some of the dished mentioned in the story and a glossary with several words and expressions from the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forge Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
It’s December 1965 and everyone in Ballybucklebo, Ireland is getting ready for Christmas. Dr. Fingal O’Reilly is looking forward to spending it with his wife, Kitty, and his young colleague Dr. Barry Laverty is back in town to work and also to celebrate the holidays with his girlfriend, Sue. However, a couple things are putting a damper on the holidays for some families. The black sheep of a prominent family in town comes home from Australia for the first time in many years because of a grim medical diagnosis he has received. In addition, a chicken pox epidemic is spoiling Christmas for several of the young ones in the village. Fingal and Barry, with the help of some good friends, do what they can to help everyone they can to have as wonderful of a holiday as they are anticipating.
I have read several of the books in this series, but not all of them. This story works well as a standalone for those who haven’t read any of the other books. For those who do follow the series, the last few books have taken place in 1969, but this story goes back a few years prior to that. Fingal is my favorite character and I enjoyed seeing some of the history of his romance with Kitty through several love letters he had written to her before they were married. This is a lovely addition to this heartwarming story.
An Irish Country Yuletide is described as a novella, but it’s longer than most novellas I’ve read, but is the perfect length for a holiday story. In addition to following a few typical days in the lives of country doctors Fingal and Barry, there is a lot of information included about the Irish holiday traditions of the times. In addition to the romance between Fingal and Kitty, these were some of the best parts of the book. Topping off a sweet ending to the book are recipes for some of the dished mentioned in the story and a glossary with several words and expressions from the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forge Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
February 12, 2022
I have loved all the other books in this series but this one is just a huge disappointment. I doesn’t even make sense if you have read the previous books; what happened to continuity. It’s a confusing mess. I suppose it’s a nice quick read if this was read alone and not part of a continuing storyline.
October 16, 2022
This is a charming, moving, well written book by Irish writer Patrick Taylor set in a village in Northern, Ireland about a prodigal brother that is welcomed home, a sick little girl that finds healing and belief in Christmas, the rapturous love between Doctor Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly and his beloved Kitty, and what daily life is like in the village of Ballybucklebo. I highly recommend it.
December 27, 2021
I have been a big fan of this series since I read An Irish Country Christmas in 2008. Taylor, a retired MD who has lived in Canada for decades, has written this series to preserve details of of Northern Irish life, particularly rural and small town life. He sticks to a similar formula in each volume, while he continues to center on Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, and those central to his life. His young protege Dr. Barry Laverty, his new wife Kitty, and his housekeeper,K inky. There are various crises - small and large - the O'Reilly faces and solves. O'Reilly lives in the fictions town of Ballybucklebo, which is located between actual towns on the southern side of Belfast Lough, Holywood, and Bangor.
I appreciate the descriptions of community - the Catholic chapel and the Presbyterian church. The Catholic priest and the Presbyterian minister are friends, in an ecumenicalism that probably preceded Vatican II from 1962-1965. There is a local figure who is the head of the local Orange Order, and the village social life centered on the Ballybucklebo Sports Club. Taylor includes lots of phrases and terms that were used in Ulster of that time an important detail, as well as some phrases used by Kinky, who is from Cork. There is a glossary at the end of the book. The addition of recipes at the back of books always feels to me as more of a filler than something readers will actually use. But then again, there are some readers who enjoy them.
This was another winner for me. It is full of the Christmas spirit and reflects a way of life that is not that far in the past.
I appreciate the descriptions of community - the Catholic chapel and the Presbyterian church. The Catholic priest and the Presbyterian minister are friends, in an ecumenicalism that probably preceded Vatican II from 1962-1965. There is a local figure who is the head of the local Orange Order, and the village social life centered on the Ballybucklebo Sports Club. Taylor includes lots of phrases and terms that were used in Ulster of that time an important detail, as well as some phrases used by Kinky, who is from Cork. There is a glossary at the end of the book. The addition of recipes at the back of books always feels to me as more of a filler than something readers will actually use. But then again, there are some readers who enjoy them.
This was another winner for me. It is full of the Christmas spirit and reflects a way of life that is not that far in the past.
November 8, 2021
I have read every single book in the Irish Country Doctor series - so SIXTEEN books. Most of them I have listened to and I believe the narration makes these books even better. This volume, number 16 could easily have not been written at all. I know it was a novella but good grief.... I honestly wish the author would have saved his efforts on this one and focused on a new book in the series. I'd say this one is for the die-hard fans only. Disappointed.
December 30, 2021
I haven't read any other books in the series, but after this one, I have added this to my TBR. A very well written book about a Doctor in Ireland in the 1960's.
November 22, 2024
Disappointed. This books sits 15.5 in the series, yet the storyline sits halfway through the series. I’m so confused. I thought this would be the last book to wrap up the story of my ballybucklebo friends. Guess not.
December 3, 2021
This little shorter story, celebrates Christmas in the village of Ballybucklebo with Doctors, O'Reilly and Laverty. It was so nice to be back in the village with familiar characters. It is Dr. O'Reilly's first Christmas with his beloved, Kitty, housekeeper Kinky Kincaid is about to marry her sweetheart, Laverty is returning to the surgery and has started seeing his old love, Sue. Arthur Guinness and Lady Macbeth are sleeping by the fire and a long lost brother makes his unexpected return. Amidst an outbreak of chickenpox, a Christmas celebration is in the works, a child's wishes come true and love is definitely in the air for Dr. Laverty. The Irish Country Doctor series never disappoints. I love that there are Irish family recipes at the end of each book! If you are looking for a feel good story for the holidays, this one is perfect. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!
December 2, 2021
I loved the little peek into the life of the O'Reilly's Christmas story. I am a big fan of Patrick Taylor and this was the perfect read for this time of year.
November 18, 2021
As always, Patrick has a wonderful eye to detail for the intimate settings.
Although this was a novella, it was wonderful to "curl up" with the coziness of all my favorite characters in this series.
There was an interesting, and almost personal, "note" in this book.
Andrew, long "lost" brother of the Lord of the area, returns home as he has been diagnosed with leukemia. Further in the story, the type of leukemia named was the type that my late father had.
Was unusual to read about a fictional character with that form of leukemia, brought back "tons" of memories.
Although this was a novella, it was wonderful to "curl up" with the coziness of all my favorite characters in this series.
There was an interesting, and almost personal, "note" in this book.
Andrew, long "lost" brother of the Lord of the area, returns home as he has been diagnosed with leukemia. Further in the story, the type of leukemia named was the type that my late father had.
Was unusual to read about a fictional character with that form of leukemia, brought back "tons" of memories.
December 19, 2021
I wanted a heartfelt story of cute Irish characters at Christmas time. This book, upon opening, seemed like it might fit that bill. 1960s in Northern Ireland, in an area I have actually spent time in on holiday before. But the characters were so boring. So boring! And there was no conflict whatsoever. And the dialogue — so repetitive. Yet I managed to turn pages to the end, in hopes it would improve. Nope. I will keep searching for the perfect Irish Christmas book for me… This was not it.
January 9, 2022
I am finally getting around to rating and reviewing the last book that I read in 2021. It's been a busy time - but then aren't all holidays?!? AN IRISH COUNTRY YULETIDE by Patrick Taylor was a fitting end-of-the-year read since it was still Christmastime when I closed the book, but there were a few days yet before the New Year blasted in. And I was happy to have read it "within the Yule Season."
I have to confess that I've probably read only one or two of the more-than-a-dozen novels in Taylor's "An Irish Country Doctor series." But I never seem to pick up another edition in the series. I should, & I hope to get to a few. However, my TBR books seem to be taking over our small house, so I must try to take it easy purchasing new books. I do, however, own the author's AN IRISH COUNTRY COOKBOOK - which I will not let go of because it's one of the Irish cookbooks that I refer to as Saint Patrick's Day approaches. (My husband has Irish blood in him... even if he doesn't announce it to anyone, it's pretty clear when one takes a look at him!)
But getting back to the Irish Yuletide novel, I must keep this brief because I've already read two books in 2022 and would like to NOT EVER AGAIN get as backed up in listing my books-read on Goodreads. What potential readers need to know is simply that it contains an excellent storyline, has a well written plot with characters one enjoys following, AND that my reading it just as the holidays were winding down seemed a perfect cl0sure for a 2021 booklist (although there was still the Epiphany to come, when we quietly remember the legend of Italy's La Befana, the Christmas Witch. (No Italian relatives in our immediate family, although there are few via relatives - especially my cousin Mary, whose grandparents came to the USA from Puglia seeking a better life - may they now RIP.).
Patrick Taylor's AN IRISH COUNTRY YULETIDE got a well-earned 5-stars on GR from yours truly. You could wait until the holidays at the end of 2022 to enjoy it - or you could decide to get hold of a copy of it ASAP, to devour its heartwarming story sooner than later. After all, a feel-good novel is great to read at any time of year!
I have to confess that I've probably read only one or two of the more-than-a-dozen novels in Taylor's "An Irish Country Doctor series." But I never seem to pick up another edition in the series. I should, & I hope to get to a few. However, my TBR books seem to be taking over our small house, so I must try to take it easy purchasing new books. I do, however, own the author's AN IRISH COUNTRY COOKBOOK - which I will not let go of because it's one of the Irish cookbooks that I refer to as Saint Patrick's Day approaches. (My husband has Irish blood in him... even if he doesn't announce it to anyone, it's pretty clear when one takes a look at him!)
But getting back to the Irish Yuletide novel, I must keep this brief because I've already read two books in 2022 and would like to NOT EVER AGAIN get as backed up in listing my books-read on Goodreads. What potential readers need to know is simply that it contains an excellent storyline, has a well written plot with characters one enjoys following, AND that my reading it just as the holidays were winding down seemed a perfect cl0sure for a 2021 booklist (although there was still the Epiphany to come, when we quietly remember the legend of Italy's La Befana, the Christmas Witch. (No Italian relatives in our immediate family, although there are few via relatives - especially my cousin Mary, whose grandparents came to the USA from Puglia seeking a better life - may they now RIP.).
Patrick Taylor's AN IRISH COUNTRY YULETIDE got a well-earned 5-stars on GR from yours truly. You could wait until the holidays at the end of 2022 to enjoy it - or you could decide to get hold of a copy of it ASAP, to devour its heartwarming story sooner than later. After all, a feel-good novel is great to read at any time of year!
November 9, 2022
This novella was a fast and easy read and another pleasant installment in the long-running Irish Country series. Fortuitously for me, I just happened to have finished Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor, which comes right before this novella in the series' timeline. It seems odd to have book #16 go back in time to right after book #8, and I wondered why new doctor Jenny Bradley wasn't mentioned, but those continuity questions weren't a big deal. This book gives updates about the characters in 1965, and we find out that Dr. Laverty is going to be Fingal's new partner starting in January, and Barry is looking to ask Sue Nolan to marry him. And that's about all that really happens in this book. Nothing really consequential takes place at all, but you do get to read a lot about people eating and drinking and pouring wine, and rather too many sappy love notes from Fingal to Kitty. I also felt uneasy about the male-chauvinist storyline that had Barry helping a neglectful husband track down his wife and daughter, who had fled to the country to start a new life. What if the husband had been an abuser? One positive note is that the cover art is really pretty and looks cozy. Another plus is that Kinky included some more of her tempting Irish recipes at the end. One of these days, I'll have to try one of them.
December 5, 2021
A very cute Christmas read.
December 5, 2021
A seasonal novella, the perfect treat (and length) for this time of year.
January 17, 2022
A sweet Christmas read that had enough character development I wanted to finish reading the book after the Christmas season was over.
December 28, 2025
Elected to DNF it ¾s of the way through
February 20, 2025
Tohle bylo takový krátký, ale příjemný vyprávění, při kterým se člověk posunul do roku 1965 a mohl si alespoň krátce uvědomit, na čem lidem v té době nejvíc záleželo.
November 10, 2021
An Irish Country Yuletide is the sixteenth novel in Patrick Taylor's Irish Country series. To be fair, I accidentally jumped right in the middle of this series (whoops!). But honestly? I have no trouble following right along. Oh! And don't forget, this book (and series as a whole) contains actual recipes within the pages. It has been a hot minute since I read a book that blended together like this, so that was a fun surprise.
The year is 1965, and Christmas is right around the corner. One quiet and charming town, Ballybucklebo, is getting ready for all of the festivities, with citizens such as Doctor Fingal Flatherie O'Reilly and Barry Laverty looking forward to singing carols and the likes.
Unfortunately, the universe frequently doesn't understand what a holiday break is. As such, the town will still have to deal with a chickenpox outbreak and more before it is all said and done.
An Irish Country Yuletide is such a charming read – that really is the best way I can describe it. Charming. Also, don't read this book while hungry, as the recipes may just wake up your stomach if you're not being careful.
I've honestly never read something like An Irish Country Yuletide before. I love how the historical and fiction elements merged to seamlessly with recipes. It's such a, dare I say, cute idea! Maybe this is more common than I'm aware, but I really enjoyed this break from what I normally read.
I'm honestly not sure what else to say about An Irish Country Yuletide, so I'm going to leave this review short and sweet. Go read it, as this is such a perfect holiday book to pick up!
Thanks to Forge Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The year is 1965, and Christmas is right around the corner. One quiet and charming town, Ballybucklebo, is getting ready for all of the festivities, with citizens such as Doctor Fingal Flatherie O'Reilly and Barry Laverty looking forward to singing carols and the likes.
Unfortunately, the universe frequently doesn't understand what a holiday break is. As such, the town will still have to deal with a chickenpox outbreak and more before it is all said and done.
An Irish Country Yuletide is such a charming read – that really is the best way I can describe it. Charming. Also, don't read this book while hungry, as the recipes may just wake up your stomach if you're not being careful.
I've honestly never read something like An Irish Country Yuletide before. I love how the historical and fiction elements merged to seamlessly with recipes. It's such a, dare I say, cute idea! Maybe this is more common than I'm aware, but I really enjoyed this break from what I normally read.
I'm honestly not sure what else to say about An Irish Country Yuletide, so I'm going to leave this review short and sweet. Go read it, as this is such a perfect holiday book to pick up!
Thanks to Forge Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
July 27, 2022
I was really looking forward to the next installment in this series -- but this isn't that. It's more of an alternative history rewrite of Christmas 1965 -- 5 years previous than I was hoping for, and with some weird errors. At one point, Fingal was re-reading his letters to Kitty and I started to wonder if the author was mocking us -- I've never seen anyone beat a metaphor to death to quite this extent -- it's quite an achievement, really, but it's also tiresome. The book is a whole lot of mystifying, and I stopped reading so that I don't get confused -- I quite liked the storyline I was on.
November 6, 2021
This is the last book in the Irish Country Doctor series but doesn't fit at the end. It's set during the time between O'Reilly's marriage to Kitty and Barry's marriage to Sue Nolan. They're only dating in this one. Amusing stories but not one of the best. Also, it's a novella, much shorter than the other books. Guess Patrick Taylor is worn out, but he's earned his retirement.
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