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mlcreads's review
3.0
This is a quick read that is a really sweet, second chance romance. We met Ruairi in Love and Shenanigans and in this story we get to meet his wife, Jayme and find out what happened to his marriage. The characters of Ballybeg are great and I look forward to more of this series.
paddlefoot55's review
5.0
Copy received from the author for an honest review
Love and Blarney is a novella in the Ballybeg series, and you dont not have to have read Love And Shenanigans first, but why would you want to miss out on the sweet fun read that it is.
Jayme and Ruairi's (Rory) marriage is in tatters, divorce about to become final and they are on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Misunderstandings, miscommunications and stubbornness have gotten them where they are today.
I loved that Jayme was the one to "man" up and travel across the globe to confront Ruairi about their situation. How strong she must have been to do that, with the fear of his rejection - again - at the forefront of her mind. I am pretty darn sure that I could not have done that.
I was a bit surprised with Ruairi's reaction at first, but as we got deeper into the story it was understandable - kind of? Some of the reasoning behind the leaving and the secrets and lies were a bit flimsy, but when your heart is breaking we don't always do the sensible thing.
I LOVED Ruairi's family - well, not his dad, but his mum and sisters, especially Sharon and Marcella. Love how they are all in each other's business, especially his and Jayme's, playing matchmaker.
So, will Ruairi and Jayme put the mistakes of their past behind them and have that fantastic relationship they used to have, or is it all too late for a HEA?
Uh Uh, for that you are going to have to read for yourself.
“If I do this, it’s because I’m insane or insanely in love,” he muttered underneath his breath.
Jayme’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m kind of hoping it’s the latter.”
His warm brown eyes met hers. “You know how I feel about you.”
“Do I?”
Ms Keane writes so descriptively that you can feel yourself being drawn into the landscape of the story. You can feel the cold rain, see the green fields of the countryside, imagine yourself up in the Blarney Castle, leaning back to kiss the Blarney Stone (and I whole heartedly agree with Ruairi, that thing has gotta be a hotbed of disease - cold sores anybody eeeww!!)
I was completely enthralled with Love and Blarney, read it in one sitting and didn't want it to ever end.
So Ms Keane, when can I have the next installment of the Ballybeg series?
Love and Blarney is a novella in the Ballybeg series, and you dont not have to have read Love And Shenanigans first, but why would you want to miss out on the sweet fun read that it is.
Jayme and Ruairi's (Rory) marriage is in tatters, divorce about to become final and they are on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Misunderstandings, miscommunications and stubbornness have gotten them where they are today.
I loved that Jayme was the one to "man" up and travel across the globe to confront Ruairi about their situation. How strong she must have been to do that, with the fear of his rejection - again - at the forefront of her mind. I am pretty darn sure that I could not have done that.
I was a bit surprised with Ruairi's reaction at first, but as we got deeper into the story it was understandable - kind of? Some of the reasoning behind the leaving and the secrets and lies were a bit flimsy, but when your heart is breaking we don't always do the sensible thing.
I LOVED Ruairi's family - well, not his dad, but his mum and sisters, especially Sharon and Marcella. Love how they are all in each other's business, especially his and Jayme's, playing matchmaker.
So, will Ruairi and Jayme put the mistakes of their past behind them and have that fantastic relationship they used to have, or is it all too late for a HEA?
Uh Uh, for that you are going to have to read for yourself.
“If I do this, it’s because I’m insane or insanely in love,” he muttered underneath his breath.
Jayme’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m kind of hoping it’s the latter.”
His warm brown eyes met hers. “You know how I feel about you.”
“Do I?”
Ms Keane writes so descriptively that you can feel yourself being drawn into the landscape of the story. You can feel the cold rain, see the green fields of the countryside, imagine yourself up in the Blarney Castle, leaning back to kiss the Blarney Stone (and I whole heartedly agree with Ruairi, that thing has gotta be a hotbed of disease - cold sores anybody eeeww!!)
I was completely enthralled with Love and Blarney, read it in one sitting and didn't want it to ever end.
So Ms Keane, when can I have the next installment of the Ballybeg series?
fictionbrarian's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I was hopeful when I started reading this--I do adore a romance set in Ireland, and I'm particularly fond of Cork. I didn't feel that I really got a feel for Ireland here, and even though the H/h were an established couple from the beginning, the story just skimmed along the surface. We never get to know the characters very well. They remain sketches rather than becoming portraits, with only the barest glimpses at what has kept them apart for a year and precipitated their pending divorce. I wanted more to sink my teeth into.
I was hopeful when I started reading this--I do adore a romance set in Ireland, and I'm particularly fond of Cork. I didn't feel that I really got a feel for Ireland here, and even though the H/h were an established couple from the beginning, the story just skimmed along the surface. We never get to know the characters very well. They remain sketches rather than becoming portraits, with only the barest glimpses at what has kept them apart for a year and precipitated their pending divorce. I wanted more to sink my teeth into.
bubblegirljulz's review
2.0
2.25 stars.
To be honest, I picked this book because it wasn't particularly long and it worked for two different reading challenges. It's set in Ireland and it's a place I've always wanted to go. This book didn't offer much because it was more of a novella. I haven't read anything else in this series but I'd say that these characters should have had a longer story. It all seemed a bit too rushed and compact. I didn't feel any of the sexual tension that was building up and I didn't connect with the characters. It was an okay story with okay characters. While I appreciated a little bit of the Irish culture and history, I would have liked to hear more about the hidden gems than the touristy spots.
I'm not likely to continue on with this series or the author.
To be honest, I picked this book because it wasn't particularly long and it worked for two different reading challenges. It's set in Ireland and it's a place I've always wanted to go. This book didn't offer much because it was more of a novella. I haven't read anything else in this series but I'd say that these characters should have had a longer story. It all seemed a bit too rushed and compact. I didn't feel any of the sexual tension that was building up and I didn't connect with the characters. It was an okay story with okay characters. While I appreciated a little bit of the Irish culture and history, I would have liked to hear more about the hidden gems than the touristy spots.
I'm not likely to continue on with this series or the author.
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