Romance & Ireland in One Book? What’s Not to Love?

It’s five a.m.  I’m exhausted and really just need sleep.  Since I’m at a hotel and have to leave in a few hours, I shouldn’t be awake at all, but I’ve just finished a book, and I’ve got things on my mind.

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Romance & Ireland in One Book? What’s Not to Love?

Okay, so that is a weird title for me. After all, I’m not exactly a big romance lover.  But really, in the Anne Shirley scheme of things, I do call the aching beauty of Irish greenness and history romantic all in itself, so…

This book has a lot of things going for it. For one thing, it’s solid Christian fiction.  The story would absolutely die without the faith element.  It wouldn’t work.  Full points on that score.

I liked the characters–their believability as well as their virtues and flaws. Ellen and Payne are people you’d meet almost anywhere.  They just happened to meet in Galway.  The instant attraction even works well.  It isn’t overdone, but the author acknowledges through the story she weaves that this thing happens.  But can it turn into something deeper?

Well, in this story it does.

There were parts that didn’t grab me. For example, most of the section from the time Helen went home until the professors arrived with their proposal could have been cut. That says something to me. Despite that, I doubt readers would be bored by it–just uncertain of its necessity. I’m a strong proponent of “showing” over “telling” but maybe in this case it would have been stronger to just “tell” in dialogue.  Actually, I’m pretty sure that happens anyway.  So…?

The conflict (and I admit there isn’t tons but I actually think the amount of it is realistic).  Still, that conflict is a bit cliched.  The guy misunderstands the obvious.  The woman assumes something else… cue typical romantic formula.

However, despite that, I really did enjoy most of the story and think it was a nice way to spend an evening (or early morning, actually).  Absolutely am not sorry I requested the review copy I was sent, and I’ll be checking out more from this author. Recommended for people who enjoy solid Christian fiction, who are looking for protagonists who are a little older and more mature, and for people who like a glimpse of a nice setting outside the norm as a fine backdrop for their stories.