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The Force Between Us

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Geek girl meets hunky farmer… is there an app for that? Avery hadn’t flown to Ireland to kiss the locals. Her goal was to get to the famous sci-fi movie location, Skellig Michael, and gather data for her next killer app—the only thing standing between her and bankruptcy. Except that first kiss with Cathal—a huge Viking of an Irish farmer with a smoldering gaze and wicked touch—has made her forget what planet she’s currently on.
More at home with tractors than tractor-beams, Cathal enthralls her with stories of ancient monks and warriors while confessing his real-life mission—to spread his father’s ashes off the wild Atlantic island before his vacation runs out. As boat after boat gets canceled, Avery and Cathal find ingenious ways to ride out the stormy weather.
United with him in purpose—and in panty-melting lust—Avery knows she’ll never feel so cherished, so mesmerized, so utterly connected to another human being again. But on leaving Irish shores, she needs to know how much of Cathal is real and how much made up, because he seems too good to be true. Has she just missed her one shot at true love?
And how's she supposed to sext a man on a farm far, far away who doesn’t seem to use a phone?

264 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2017

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Ashlinn Craven

17 books44 followers

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5 stars
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12 (40%)
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6 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Johnnie-Marie Howard.
1,149 reviews43 followers
December 17, 2017
My first time reading anything by this author, She has a great way to tell a story and getting the words on paper where they made sense. I however just didn't like the story the way the characters got together the back and forth they seemed to do half the story then things change up again with them. I also didn't like the whole stars wars thing I'm not a big fan of star wars. I did however like the location and the story telling I also really liked the journey they went on. However I had a hard time really getting into the story it just wasn't for me.

***I received this ARC for free in exchange for my thoughts, I was in no way told what to write it's all me, myself and I***
Profile Image for Miranda.
458 reviews40 followers
November 28, 2017
This was a super cute, quirky, fun read. Although she could be a bit selfish at times, Avery kept cracking me up with her Star Wars refrences. Cathal seemed to be a quiet brood man who got crap from pretty much everyone in his life. The book seemed to drag some and I had a hard time keeping myself interested in the middle of it but I still really enjoyed it. I wish there could of be an epilogue to see what happens with Avery and Cathal afterwards, where they ended up.
Profile Image for Renee.
1,502 reviews8 followers
November 22, 2017
Avery decides to make an app that will super-impose Star Wars scenes over the real places the filming took place. While in Ireland, she meets the sexy Cathal. He is trying to get to Skellig Michael to put his father’s ashes.

Great romance. The two become determined to get to the island but Fate has other ideas. Fun incorporation of Star Wars themes. I liked how Cathal started living for himself and not let his siblings dump on him. Avery grew as a person and matured. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of the book.
Profile Image for Birdie BD Bookworm.
36 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2018
Really good, but the blurb lies… kinda

At least, it doesn’t really get into the meat of it. She’s really a big Star Warrior, with Skellig on her mind.

After having a blast at the Star Wars convention, Avery returns to work with her coding partners of 3 plus years only to find that they have thrown her under the bus. While she was gone, they signed up with a VC group without her, offering to buy out her contributions with a paltry sum when compared to the money awaiting the remaining partners upon sale of the app. Now unemployed, majorly broke, and with only a newborn idea, she heads off to Ireland. Her goal? Skellig Michael and the site of the newest Star Wars temple. Once there, she runs into drunken stag-lads, impassible seas and weather delays, match-making ladies, and a hot Viking farmer who is more than he appears to be.

Cathal has his own reasons for braving the trip to Skellig Michael; to lay his father’s spirit (and askes) to rest over the ancient monastery. His life since his father’s death isn’t what he had hoped for. His siblings abandoned the family years before, leaving him stuck with the farm, and his mother isn’t well.

What starts out as a competition for available seats on the boat turns into a whirlwind tour of the areas around Portmagee, gathering images and lore for her new app. Waiting for a boat that may never be available with a man she may never see again, her heart starts to fall. Things are a mess, and when she leaves, what happens to her Irish Viking? What happens to her heart?

I really liked this story. There is a definite Star Wars “moment” that made me smile. In the beginning, I didn’t really like Cathal or Avery. They were both so selfish and unwilling to compromise or see the other’s point of view. It worked out, though, so I forgave them.
Profile Image for Beyond The Covers Blog.
2,518 reviews92 followers
November 28, 2017

This is the first time that I have read anything by Ahslinn Craven. I found that this was a lovely, light on the drama story of two somewhat opposite people. After reading the blurb my interest was sparked and I knew that I just had to get to read this novel. Thankfully I was not disappointment at all. It was just want I hoped that it would be.

Avery heads to Ireland determined to make the next great Star Wars companion app for fans who travel to the sites where they have shot the movies. So I have to admit that all the Star Wars talk had me lost a little as I'm not really a fan. But I knew that up front that there would be a lot in it. It wasn't bad enough to make me not enjoy the novel. I did have to look a few things up from time to time but that was because it had peaked an interest for me. While on this journey to Skellig Michael, she meets Cathal, who is also on his own journey to Skellig Michael. I have to say I enjoyed how these two go back and forth before they finally give into their attraction to each other. I also enjoyed how fate just kept them together on their shared journey.

While I really did enjoy this book I will admit that the one thing that stopped it from being a five star read for me was that I had some issues with some of the Irish names. I am not referring to the places but the characters. Also there were a few times that I found the story went a little slow paced. But other then those two things I loved it and would read more by Ashlinn for sure.
Profile Image for Brandy Roberts.
2,082 reviews64 followers
November 25, 2017
I thought The Force Between us was a fun read with interesting Star Wars references , this would be the first book I've read by Ashlinn Craven and it wont be my last . The couple are so different from the characters I usually read about that makes them refreshing and unique . Avery loves Star wars so after returning home after being at a convention she gets some unexpected news from her fellow co works and supposed friends with that she comes up with a plan to visit a major Si Fi land mark unknowingly that this trip will change her life . Cathal is also going to that land mark for different reasons and get this he hasn't watched any of the Star Wars films (gasp) . These two are so different and yet similar in some ways they share some pretty intense moments that had me on the edge of my seat . The secondary characters also made the story by being some of the people that they meet along the way . So excited to see whats to come for this author .
copy provided for honest review 
****************************************
hero=8 heroine=8 secondary characters= 8 Chemistry= 8 steam= 3
romance= 7 humor= 3 darkness level=2 action= 3 mystery= 4
enjoyment=7 angst=3 story line=8 Story ending=8
character development=8 pacing= 8
cover= 10 stars= 4 author= 8
would I recommend this book=yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
Profile Image for Miriam.
928 reviews
November 27, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I never felt the romance between the MCs, lust was certainly there but not a deeper connection between Avery and Cathal. Avery I found to be very juvenile, her perspective is very "Me, Me, Me!". The book starts with her coming back from a conference (not work related) where she spent more money sending her further into debt and then seems shocked that her co-workers want to take a corporate job without her (she was offered a basically a buy-out)

Avery's idea for a VR Star Wars travel app was certainly interesting, but for something that was a last ditch effort for her she didn't seem to do any research before she left. Cathal's lack of planning was a bit more understandable . I felt like once Avery knew why Cathal was headed to Skellig Michael, her reactions made her seem even more selfish.
Profile Image for Britt Chaotic Creatives.
1,414 reviews93 followers
November 27, 2017
3.5 stars
Cute, sweet, and funny The Force Between Us is a great light read to spend the day relaxing with. Filled with quirky characters and lighthearted fun I had a blast kicking back with this one! Determined to make an app on her own and prove everyone back home wrong, Avery takes off to Ireland in the hopes to visit a remote location where a Star Wars movie was filmed. During her trip she meets the serious and *gasp* non Star Wars Fan Cathal. Both trying to make it to the same location and running into obstacles left and right the two opposites team up to try to make it while the sparks keep flying between them.

I had a difficult time connecting with these characters. While the writing is flawless and storyline is fantastic, I just didn’t have that Spark with Avery and Cathal which made it difficult to really fall into this book. I loved Avery’s spunky and quirky personality. She was a woman on a mission, but still kept her bubbly personality. Cathal fell a bit flat for me. I just couldn’t connect with him enough to really appreciate him.

Overall this really is a great relaxing read that will have you giggling and if you’re a fan of Star Wars cheering Avery along in her adventure.
Profile Image for a collective of books.
1,542 reviews4 followers
November 22, 2017
The book is ok. I was thinking this is supposed to be an opposite attract romance, but it really isn't. Avery is an app developer and is really into Star Wars. Cathal is a supposed farmer, but he's an accountant and also studied systems admin. They are both nerdy in a different kind of way and I didn't connect with the characters. The story just dragged on about these 2 trying to get to a certain destination that can only be reached via boat, and for some reason after planning the trip itself, neither planned to reserve a spot on any boats. It just didn't make sense to me to do all that planning, but not plan for that one thing. They just keep trying day after day hoping for a cancellation or no show so they can get on the boat. I was disappointed with the story, but I did enjoy the writing. I'd still read other works from this author. Note: I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Review Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,207 reviews27 followers
November 26, 2017
Reading this was like taking a beautiful trip to Western Ireland, even more so for Star Wars fans as our heroine is a Star Wars geek who is working on writing an app for movie fans to experience the various locations around the world where the movies were filmed. Along the way she meets Cathal, an Irishman who is focused on fulfilling his late father's last wishes. The romance is sweet and slow-building, but the lifestyle and distance problems seem insurmountable. This is a touching, poignant love story with wonderful characters and an enchanting look at Ireland from both a tourist's viewpoint and that of a true Irishman. I loved every bit of the story, right up until the stunted ending. It's a HEA, but it left me wishing for more details of how they worked out their issues rather than just letting us know they did. An epilogue would have been very welcome, indeed. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
3,950 reviews46 followers
November 27, 2017
A pearl of a warm, somewhat steamy romance, I fell in love with the plot and the main characters, down-trodden Irishman Cathal and American Star Wars geek and App developer Avery. The author knows how to build a slow-burning romance as she sends both characters to southwest Ireland and presents constant setbacks to their plans, all the while allowing them to grow closer and join forces to reach their goals in the limited time they can take away from their busy everyday lives. She has given the reader a romance that surmounts both time and physical distance, all mixed with a bit of mystical otherworldiness (including a possible banshee)! I regret that I have never been to the windswept rugged coast so lovingly described as they journey day to day while pursuing their ultimate goal. Follow them to the end of their quests and a truly lovely conclusion!:-)

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4,147 reviews25 followers
November 22, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Nice and sweet well written story but sometimes it seems too long for the characters’s relation to evolve. I really like the first chapter when Avery, an extrem Star Wars’s fan, discovers that her coworkers leave her for another entreprise. But then the rest of the story is about her trying to go on an island in Irland to see where Star Wars film took place, but it’s really difficult to go on it. Then she meets Cathal and they relation evolves to love but so slowly.
The story is built like a quest, with life compare to Star Wars ‘s characters, with a lot of descriptions of Irland.
Profile Image for Stephanie Parker.
292 reviews
November 28, 2017
This book was a true geek love adventure. Avery has gone to Ireland on an adventure after being stabbed in the back by her friends and Cathal had travelled to a part of Ireland where Avery was visiting, to scatter his fathers ashes. Although I have little interest In Star Wars I still found this story breathtakingly romantic. This book will take you on a journey through some of Ireland's landscape wrapped in the backdrop of the story of Cathal's siblings not helping with the responsibility of their mother and Avery starting a new blogging experience in Ireland. Absolutely a highly recommended five star read. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Angel.
276 reviews17 followers
January 3, 2019
I received an ARC of this story through Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I enjoyed this book, though at times it seemed a little forced. Being a geeky girl myself I thought this book sounded like it was going to be right up my alley, but Avery takes her love of Star Wars over and above all normal levels. In fact, Avery starts off this story coming off very selfish and self-centered once she makes it to Ireland and becomes completely fixated on getting to Skellig Michael to the exclusion of all else going on and I'm quite surprised Cathal was even willing to spark up an attraction to this crazy chick. She gets better though and so does the story!
Profile Image for _booknerd.4ever_.
1,537 reviews11 followers
December 21, 2017
This was my first time reading this author. Ashlinn Craven is excellent at telling the story and being descriptive with the scenery. She has a good writing style as well. The plot was okay - I'm not a Star Wars fan so that kind of put me off. I couldn't relate at all to the characters. I didn't feel the chemistry between them at all.I was disappointed in the way they acted as well as some other issues. I don't want to say and give away details of the story. I would be willing to read something else from the this author in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Shelly Celli.
2,249 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2017
From the very beginning of their journey, I was enraptured. The description of the places they visited, as well as the knowledge of the film she was following, was outstanding. There are times I wanted to cry in frustration when they couldn't make their trip, but if they'd been able to, the story wouldn't have been as involved as it was, and they may not have gotten their HEA. I enjoyed this book and I'm happy to leave a voluntary review for the advanced reader copy I received.
Profile Image for Jin.
1,175 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2017
more like 3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Star Wars fanatic and app developer Avery just lost all her coworkers while she was on a Star Wars workshop. Now without a job, she decides to go on a Quest of Skellig Micheal in Ireland, one of the site of Star Wars. When she landed in Ireland and starts her tour, she meets gorgeous yet grumpy Irishman Kathal who happens to be an accountant and farmer.
Both are on a same quest to get to the Skellig Michael with different reasons. as the tour goes on, they feel strong attraction and Avery decide to pursue her attraction.
Time is limited for both to achieve their goal to get there... Will they make it to the island and their happy ending.
Story was cute but it took me awhile to get into the story (more than 60% way in). i felt there were too many references to Star Wars and I love watching the movies. Cover really didn’t match the image of Kathal in my mind.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced Reader Copy of this book
2,717 reviews7 followers
November 27, 2017
This is my first book by Ashlinn Craven. It was a good read but the storyline didn't grab my attention. If you're a huge Star Wars fan then you might like all the references this book makes. I voluntarily received this book to review for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,683 reviews9 followers
December 1, 2017
The Force Between Us

Cute story. My only complaint was after the holiday was over Cathal thought about Avery. He missed her. Yet Avery seemed to put him out of her mind, until that one moment.
34 reviews
November 12, 2018
Really good

I enjoyed reading this story. Characters and story kept me engaged. Ireland was another character in the story. Modern elements like filming from a smartphone, using Uber, and modifying a Windows registry all rang true and were appropriate. Good job, Ashlinn.
Profile Image for Kim F.
2,873 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2017
Very interesting sexy read. Wonderfully written with strong characters and interesting plot. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
4 reviews
December 10, 2017
What a great idea

Thoroughly enjoyed reading The Force Between Us.
Both main characters were very likeable .
Wished the book was longer!! I wanted more!
Keep writing, Ashlinn.
Profile Image for Meryl.
1,542 reviews6 followers
February 14, 2018
For all lovers of Star Wars!! I loved references to all the movies. The history of Ireland was truly magical as well. A thoroughly satisfying read.
Profile Image for Donna Parrott.
458 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2017
I want to start out by saying that I would highly recommend this book to everyone.


Avery was basically backstabbed by her friends. The one guys who she helped bring out an app with. They turned their back on her for What? Money. But I feel it was the perfect thing that could have ever happened to her. Now she is on her way to Ireland to get to the famous sci-fi movie location, Skellig Michael. There she will gather data for her next killer app. It has to make it, it just has too. While on this adventure she meets Cathal a huge Viking Irishman with a wicked touch that has his own reason to try and get to the Island.  Can she trust him enough to help her get to the Island or will he do anything and everything to get there himself? Even if it costs them their hearts? Avery my soul sister you are stubborn and determined and you have a one track mind. Cathal is this perfect man, yes were there times I wanted to slap him in his face. There was times I even yelled at him, and you to. But your heart was the last thing on your mind but maybe it should have been the first.

Cathal is an accountant/farmer. He made one promise to his father and he will stop at nothing to keep it. When he meet Avery he didn't know what to think of her. For goodness sakes she wore the worst clothing to wear in the winter time in Ireland. She was a young attractive woman traveling alone and she was determined. Why he offered to travel with her to find a boat that would take them to Skellig Michael, he wasn't exactly sure. It probably has to do with the panty melting kiss they shared. One by one the boats got canceled but that didn't stop them from finding new ways to keep themselves occupied.

When it was time for them to go their separate ways they both didn't realize that their hearts were in the adventure they shared. Will they ever find there way back to each other?
Cathal you stubborn man. You are a very selfless man so you being selfish when it came to getting to Skellig Michael surprised me. But what can you do when the one promise you made is at stake. Honey you need to get those siblings in line also mister.

The way Ashlinn took me from the United States to Ireland was beautiful. The way she described everything I felt like I was right there with Avery and Cathal. It has been a dream to go to Skellig Michael and now I know to plan way ahead of time. Also to do it in the springtime. This was my first book by Ashlinn Craven but it won't be my last. I love her writing and the fact her romance had an adventure made it even better.


Okay i am going to geek out for a few so bare with me. Not only did that amazing author bring out my love of an amazing romance but it brought out my inner Star Wars Geek. The fact that this book was about to two people coming together to get to Skellig Michael. You know that beautiful island off the coast of Ireland. You know the scene where Rey finds Luke Skywalker again. That alone got me so excited to read this book. It was like a romance mystery. The mystery is will she make it or Not. Thank you Ashlinn Craven for bringing two of my favorites things together.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews