An Emerald Land -An Unknown Double -Successful advertising manager, Greta Conner travels to Ireland to fulfill a last wish from her mother. After arriving in Ireland, she is drawn to a colorful village named Angel’s Hollow. When a dark-haired stranger approaches and calls her by another name, Greta is intrigued to discover she’s the image of Aedan O’Riain’s ex-girlfriend. Does she have a close relative unknown to her?Aedan can’t understand his misfortune. Along with near bankruptcy in his future, his ex is trying to fool him by claiming she’s Greta Conner from the States. Is it some sort of plot to further ruin his reputation? Adding to his angst, his brother, Reece, insists on dating Greta if Aedan will not. All will certainly be lost if Reece falls into her plans.Angel’s Hollow becomes like home for Greta, and there’s no one her heart loves more than Aedan. But will an unknown twin threaten all she’s longed for?
Jackie Zack loves to read and grew up reading Phyllis A. Whitney, Victoria Holt, Agatha Christie, and many others. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Jackie has spent many years studying and practicing the craft of writing. Her light-hearted novels include a mix of romance, comedy, and suspense along with faith without being preachy. She loves serving up her special blend of entertainment and hopes it will bring much enjoyment to the reader.
This novel drew me in with the idea of a doppelganger as Greta who is from America - born and raised in Indiana had traveled over to Cork, Ireland as when she was five years old, and her mother died - the last words she heard was "Go to Cork." Twenty years later, Greta applied for a passport and as she looked at her birth certificate - discovered a different name under her father. She tried to ask her Dad about it, but he seemed to shrug it off. Has her whole life been a lie? Now in Cork, Greta heads to a local bar where she is called a different name Iona. It turns out that she looks just like Aeden O'Rian's ex-girlfriend, so much that when she puts on her Irish accent, she could be her. One thing leads to another and Greta ends up staying at the O'Rian's inn where Aeden has convinced his whole family that Greta is, in fact, Iona playing one of her games on the family. The thing is it is just plain old American Greta. During this book, we read as Greta tries to track down her father but has no luck and also she eventually comes face to face with the "real Iona." I have to admit I was hoping for a bit more of a story with Iona and a reason for their likeness but it was glossed over, and the truth about her father was a bit of a letdown too. Other than that you do get a good Irish romance and I did have a chuckle as Greta's mother's real last words are revealed, and it was not "Go to Cork."
This was a really cute story and I loved the Irish setting. I think it could have been more developed and deeper. I also found some of the actions of the characters unbelievable. Things happened that would have caused jealousy, surprise, or at least questions, but they were just overlooked. Also, for someone who went to Ireland to find her father, Greta didn't seem to spend a lot of time searching. Then the ending felt a little rushed and a bit confusing how everything worked out. Otherwise I did find it enjoyable and I would read more by this author.
This clean, quick, delightful read took me right back to my visit to Ireland. With just a tiny touch of suspense including an unknown biological father and a doppleganger, this book is a sweet modern romance with a happy ending. I loved the relationship between Greta and Aeden, the care and concern they had for one another, and yet the fun they brought out in each other. The touches of Irish brogue and colloquialisms brought back memories of the wonderful people I met in Ireland. A charming Christian romance that will land you on the Emerald Isle and make you want to visit.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Sadness weighed heavy on her. They, too, were people God loved, and in their trouble they ran the wrong direction."
This is a delightful taste of Ireland. I felt like I stood among ancient stone rings, felt the wind in my face as I walked along stone cliffs while waves crashed below. A bit of mischief, a bit of romance, a mystery, and the magic of family.
I’ll be thinking in an Irish accent for days after this fun breath of fresh air! My first Jackie Zack book, but definitely not my last. Great chemistry, intriguing storyline. Totally enjoyed it.
I loved Jackie Zack's, 'An Irish Heart.' It was a heart-warming story which had me smiling at times and also sad at times. To me, being able to feel emotion when reading, means the author has succeeded in getting my attention as a reader and I want to read more of her books.
I so enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. A young girl goes to Ireland about 20 yrs after her mom dies. To get a passport she needs her birth certificate. That is one mystery. Then she meets a young man who mistakes her for someone else. Mystery number 2. It is a must read.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️ & 3/4 (2.75 stars) Read: August 2024 Format: Kindle e-Book Challenge Prompt: EOW’s “book they takes place in England, Ireland, or Scotland (read anytime in 2024) — or has a character from there” (takes place in Ireland)
Book #78 of 2024:
I felt that the story to this book was very intriguing and the potential was there for a really great book. For me, it felt flat overall, somewhat unresolved (doppelgänger issue), and the revelation at the end about the identity of her father was pretty hard to believe.
It felt a little juvenile for twenty-something main characters. I never felt invested or moved. I felt that the potential for a great story was largely missed unfortunately. It’s a light, sweet story but just not for me.
An Irish Heart was a delightful read. The characters (O’Riains and Greta) were enjoyable. Each had their pasts in which to deal with present life but seemed to cope rather well. There were sad, funny, serious, and down-to-earth scenes throughout the book. I always like to get to know the people in a writing and I felt I knew Alice, Aedan, Greta, and Reece (that thumping flat tire).
This is a story of real life. How if you follow your heart, even with rash decisions you can find answers to your questions and lead you to where you heart should be. A little intrigued, some of lives hurdles to over come and some faith and prayer can achieve just about anything. I would highly recommend this book.
I was looking for a fun story set in Ireland, for St. Patty’s day, and this book checked all the boxes. Set in Ireland? Check. Likable characters? Check. Sweet romance? Check? If only Greta would have kissed the Blarney Stone. :-)
DNF, this book was poorly written and I couldn’t get over the grammatical/spelling mistakes. I’m sure the story itself is okay but it jumped all over the place and a lot of it didn’t make any sense
Great story clean romance. I loved the fact that most of the story takes place in Ireland. I don't really read to many romance novels but this one caught my eye because it took place in Ireland.
A little while ago a fellow author posted a link to this book and said she enjoyed it I ordered it and it's been sitting on my kindle ever since. Late last night I decided to give it a try and I was immediately hooked after reading the first chapter. I ended up thinking about it all day and here it is 12:44am and I just finished it. Such a cute little love story that I could not put down. The author is truly amazing with descriptions and I will be looking for more by this author in the future!
An Irish Heart is a beautifully written book by Jackie Zack. The story is about a young girl who travels to Ireland to fulfill her mother's last wish. "Go to Cork," were her last words to her.
As Greta was gathering her paperwork for her passport, she realized the name of her father on her birth certificate did not match the name of the man she knew as her biological father. The only information he had told her was the name is correct.
To complicate matters for Greta, she encounters a young man in Ireland who believes she is his ex-girlfriend, returning to Ireland to play mind games with him. He invites her to the family restaurant/boarding house for a drink with the intent of having his family check her out. She agrees to have a drink. Afterward, she stays at the boarding house.
While Greta is in Ireland, she looks up the name of the man listed as her biological father. She is determined to find him. Meanwhile, Aedan, the young man she met, is still trying to figure out who she is.
The book is well-written. The character’s personalities are captivating. A delightful read from the start to the end. If you love a good romance and a story with a happy ending, this book is for you.
About a American/Irish lady named Greta who goes to Angels Hollow in search of her biological dad she stays at the O Rein cottage, Aedan meets her and thinks at first that she is his ex girlfriend as she really looks like her and she begins to feel at home with friendly people this story is a sweet read.
"5 out of 5 stars! When Greta was five-years-old her mother tells her to go to Cork and, because her mother was on her deathbed at the time, it has stuck with her ever since. Now, years later, she is finally making that trip to Cork, Ireland with the goal of checking out the location and finding someone to help out to honor of her mother. Her first day there she meets Aedan, a handsome man who helps run his family’s inn and restaurant, who mistakes her for his ex-girlfriend because of how similarly they are in appearance. From then on, Greta and Aedan get close but will their growing relationship be enough to overrule Aedan’s past hurts and help Greta find out where she’s from?
An unexpected Christian romance that keeps you in suspense as to Greta’s heritage, while you fall in love with Aedan and the town of Angel’s Hollow along with her. This novel is very charming!"
With the advent of DNA it makes knowing your heritage so easy, but even if you do know it how many people get to take such as written about in this delightful book. The idea of my mother being of Irish heritage made the book even more fascinating to me.
I have been in love with Ireland for as long as I can remember myself. An Irish Heart is a lovely story that takes place in Ireland, so how can I resist?
Greta remembers her mother`s last wish to go to Cork. After finding out her father might not be her father after all, she packs her bags and does just that.
In Cork, she stays in O’Riain`s B&B, where she is mistaken with one of the owenr`s ex. Apparently she is so similar to Iona, Aedan`s ex, that Aedan, his brother Reese and his mother Alice all think Greta is actually Iona. For about half of the book.
Wonderful story of trying to find a father, only to find out he was always there. Miscommunication and omissions lead Greta to Ireland to search for her “biological” father, not realizing that the man who raised her was her father who changed his name when he came to America. This trip also brought her together with so many people that she comes to love including her soulmate, Aedan. Beautiful happily ever after.
Oh, that was great! I loved it. There’s something about books that take place in far-off places that make me want to travel there, and this book is no different. I kinda like that Aedan didn’t like Greta at first because he thought she was his ex-girlfriend pretending to be an American. Seeing the characters change their minds over time is a plot device used too infrequently, in my opinion. Plus it was just such a squee-worthy story!
Do you like all things Irish? Have you wanted to travel to Ireland? Read this story! It is a fun read about Greta,,who goes to Ireland because she is looking for something or someone. Does she find what she is looking for? Travel to Ireland with Greta and find out!!!
A great quick read! I actually spent the entire afternoon reading this. I got so engrossed in the story and the characters. I felt completely swept away by this sweet little story. Now I'm ready to go to Ireland.