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Island Love: A Romantic Comedy Set on Ireland's Aran Islands
Bereaved, broke and recently dumped, Orla O'Shea thinks life can't get any worse. That is until, after a year of not paying her mortgage, the banks move in, and the only way she can save her home is to ask her eccentric Aunt Imelda for a loan.
Imelda readily agrees to help her niece, but on one condition - she must move to the tiny island of Inisheer for a year. With a population of 260, the majority of whom are drawing their pension, Orla thinks she's in for a bleak winter of loneliness.
That is until he arrived...
Sean McFury: The Infamous.
He's Ireland's most famous sports star, a multi- millionaire and occaisonal underwear model to boot. He's tall, handsome, has the body of a God -- and he's also an arrogant jerk.
As their paths cross constantly, Orla and Sean soon realise they have more in common than they think, and sparks begin to fly.
Can these two lost souls find love on a tiny island, or will the arrival of Sean's manager and ex-girlfriend put a halt to their budding romance.
This is Eva Birrane's first novel, and is due for release September 29th 2017.
Imelda readily agrees to help her niece, but on one condition - she must move to the tiny island of Inisheer for a year. With a population of 260, the majority of whom are drawing their pension, Orla thinks she's in for a bleak winter of loneliness.
That is until he arrived...
Sean McFury: The Infamous.
He's Ireland's most famous sports star, a multi- millionaire and occaisonal underwear model to boot. He's tall, handsome, has the body of a God -- and he's also an arrogant jerk.
As their paths cross constantly, Orla and Sean soon realise they have more in common than they think, and sparks begin to fly.
Can these two lost souls find love on a tiny island, or will the arrival of Sean's manager and ex-girlfriend put a halt to their budding romance.
This is Eva Birrane's first novel, and is due for release September 29th 2017.
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Published September 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 31, 2019
This is the definition of chick lit — and I loved it! It’s also the only modern day book I’ve been able to find that is set in the Aran Islands. It’s chock full of tidbits on local social culture, woven into a fun, silly romance. It’s all very cute; a fun read.
August 1, 2020
I loved it. A wonderful short romance without being OTT instalove. 4+ rounded up for the fun, unique setting.
Orla (h) is living on one of the Aran Islands while repaying a loan to her aunt and escaping the grief of her mother's recent death. Her tiny routine life is thrown for a loop when world-famous MMA fighter Sean (H) comes to the island as a retreat following a recent loss. On an island with a population of 249, their paths are bound to cross repeatedly, and sparks soon begin to fly. But these two find more in common with each other than they expected. Can their budding romance survive the pressures of the outside world intruding in?
This was just so much fun. I loved all the crazy villagers (both on island and on the mainland). Laughed aloud more than once. I enjoyed that she learned to deal with Paul. I was so glad that Niamh wasn't a horrible other woman, but was actually pretty cool. And for an OW touch, Muffy was really just a caricature, rather than an actual high-angst-inducing OW. And I loved the trip to the seventh son, and how each of them found something there. Very wizard of Oz-ish, but still, sometimes you need someone outside of your normal life to say something in order for you to actually hear it.
And yes, it's a short romance. Things aren't particularly deep, and they do feel rushed at a point or two, but it's not OTT insta-love. Sean's attracted to her from the beginning, but takes things fairly slowly. They are actually friends and supporters as well as lovers. It could have easily been one of the usual OTT quick romance stories, where they're hopping into bed immediately, completely lust-addled. This one took its time a bit more, just a bit softer and not all sex scenes, but a better balance. Really enjoyed that - spot on for a short romance.
1st person POV from Orla. No cheating. Minor OM and OW drama - nothing too angsty. No love triangle nonsense. Light and fluffy and funny with a really unique setting. Both characters do some growing, and come together for a HEA. No real epilogue, but no cliffhanger. Just a great fun read.
Would I read more from this author? Big yes. And I'd love to hear the story of Aoife and Michael the Guard!
Orla (h) is living on one of the Aran Islands while repaying a loan to her aunt and escaping the grief of her mother's recent death. Her tiny routine life is thrown for a loop when world-famous MMA fighter Sean (H) comes to the island as a retreat following a recent loss. On an island with a population of 249, their paths are bound to cross repeatedly, and sparks soon begin to fly. But these two find more in common with each other than they expected. Can their budding romance survive the pressures of the outside world intruding in?
This was just so much fun. I loved all the crazy villagers (both on island and on the mainland). Laughed aloud more than once. I enjoyed that she learned to deal with Paul. I was so glad that Niamh wasn't a horrible other woman, but was actually pretty cool. And for an OW touch, Muffy was really just a caricature, rather than an actual high-angst-inducing OW. And I loved the trip to the seventh son, and how each of them found something there. Very wizard of Oz-ish, but still, sometimes you need someone outside of your normal life to say something in order for you to actually hear it.
And yes, it's a short romance. Things aren't particularly deep, and they do feel rushed at a point or two, but it's not OTT insta-love. Sean's attracted to her from the beginning, but takes things fairly slowly. They are actually friends and supporters as well as lovers. It could have easily been one of the usual OTT quick romance stories, where they're hopping into bed immediately, completely lust-addled. This one took its time a bit more, just a bit softer and not all sex scenes, but a better balance. Really enjoyed that - spot on for a short romance.
1st person POV from Orla. No cheating. Minor OM and OW drama - nothing too angsty. No love triangle nonsense. Light and fluffy and funny with a really unique setting. Both characters do some growing, and come together for a HEA. No real epilogue, but no cliffhanger. Just a great fun read.
Would I read more from this author? Big yes. And I'd love to hear the story of Aoife and Michael the Guard!
November 27, 2017
Also published on Too much time, and too little.
I felt like I needed a palate cleanser after the third instalment of The Seven Sisters saga. I was still too full of Star and Flora’s stories to dive right into CeCe’s world. And I’m also conscious that after finishing book 4 I’ll have to wait for about a year for the next one, and that’s going to be a bummer (I’ve since decided to wait with book 4 until Christmas so I know I have something to look forward to reading during the holidays).
Anyway, Island Love was just the ticket. As I’ve previously mentioned I’m not big on romance, but I thought I’d have to make an exception for this one, as not only is it listed a romantic comedy (and it was indeed quite funny), it’s set somewhere very special to me: The Aran Islands. Admittedly it’s set on Inisheer – the one island I have yet to visit, but the area, people, climate etc., are all familiar to me. It is a place I have come to love dearly. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet, the people are very friendly (as I generally find Irish people to be), and you have a sea view pretty much wherever you are. What could be better? To me, not much.
Though while our protagonist Orla does find charm in her surroundings, she also laments her auntie-imposed exile from Dublin and big city life. Orla has been through a traumatic experience of loss, and a bad break-up, and has temporarily moved in with her aunt Imelda on Inisheer.
It does have the typical bothersome hallmarks of a romance novel:
Main character who is supposedly plain and can not possibly be interesting to the ridiculously handsome counterpart in the story;
Main character who is rendered speechless by the physical beauty of said counterpart, and copious descriptions of said counterparts positive physical attributes (something about nipples looking like toppings on a delicious cake or along those lines.. Yikes!);
A love story that moves way too fast;
A bit of a flimsy story overall
Yet I still give it four stars. Because it also has a lot of charm and humour and is just plain fun to read. And it’s quite well written (cake topping nipples notwithstanding). Although I definitely feel like the story could have been more fleshed out, there is a definite narrative thread here that’s both interesting and coherent. It has heart, and I find myself rooting not only for Orla and Sean, but Imelda and Maggie and Joe – all the weird and wonderful island characters. And with a dose of Irish wit and a meddling auntie, you’ve got yourself a winner.
This book was more or less exactly what I’d hoped it would be, and it’s really more of a novella than a novel so you can easily read it in a couple of hours. Recommended for fans of Ireland, islands, romantic comedies and blood sports (that last one kind of threw you, huh? All I can say is read the book).
I felt like I needed a palate cleanser after the third instalment of The Seven Sisters saga. I was still too full of Star and Flora’s stories to dive right into CeCe’s world. And I’m also conscious that after finishing book 4 I’ll have to wait for about a year for the next one, and that’s going to be a bummer (I’ve since decided to wait with book 4 until Christmas so I know I have something to look forward to reading during the holidays).
Anyway, Island Love was just the ticket. As I’ve previously mentioned I’m not big on romance, but I thought I’d have to make an exception for this one, as not only is it listed a romantic comedy (and it was indeed quite funny), it’s set somewhere very special to me: The Aran Islands. Admittedly it’s set on Inisheer – the one island I have yet to visit, but the area, people, climate etc., are all familiar to me. It is a place I have come to love dearly. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet, the people are very friendly (as I generally find Irish people to be), and you have a sea view pretty much wherever you are. What could be better? To me, not much.
Though while our protagonist Orla does find charm in her surroundings, she also laments her auntie-imposed exile from Dublin and big city life. Orla has been through a traumatic experience of loss, and a bad break-up, and has temporarily moved in with her aunt Imelda on Inisheer.
It does have the typical bothersome hallmarks of a romance novel:
Main character who is supposedly plain and can not possibly be interesting to the ridiculously handsome counterpart in the story;
Main character who is rendered speechless by the physical beauty of said counterpart, and copious descriptions of said counterparts positive physical attributes (something about nipples looking like toppings on a delicious cake or along those lines.. Yikes!);
A love story that moves way too fast;
A bit of a flimsy story overall
Yet I still give it four stars. Because it also has a lot of charm and humour and is just plain fun to read. And it’s quite well written (cake topping nipples notwithstanding). Although I definitely feel like the story could have been more fleshed out, there is a definite narrative thread here that’s both interesting and coherent. It has heart, and I find myself rooting not only for Orla and Sean, but Imelda and Maggie and Joe – all the weird and wonderful island characters. And with a dose of Irish wit and a meddling auntie, you’ve got yourself a winner.
This book was more or less exactly what I’d hoped it would be, and it’s really more of a novella than a novel so you can easily read it in a couple of hours. Recommended for fans of Ireland, islands, romantic comedies and blood sports (that last one kind of threw you, huh? All I can say is read the book).
October 17, 2017
Exclusive ARC review
this is a really cute story. It makes you laugh from the first scene with Aunt Imelda. The characters are relatable and fun. Orla and Sean both escape to the island to get themselves together. Orla suffered a devastating loss and a breakdown after her mother passed away. Her Auntie made her move to the island for a year to get herself together. Sean was flying high as the world champion fighter. He hit a low when he loss to a low ranked opponent. He lost his belt and his girl. It may not seem like the right time for them to find love, but it is the perfect time. The writing flows well and the story is easy to read.
this is a really cute story. It makes you laugh from the first scene with Aunt Imelda. The characters are relatable and fun. Orla and Sean both escape to the island to get themselves together. Orla suffered a devastating loss and a breakdown after her mother passed away. Her Auntie made her move to the island for a year to get herself together. Sean was flying high as the world champion fighter. He hit a low when he loss to a low ranked opponent. He lost his belt and his girl. It may not seem like the right time for them to find love, but it is the perfect time. The writing flows well and the story is easy to read.
November 21, 2017
Beautiful Irish Love Story.
For me it had a very slow and questionable start that didn't really spike my interest that much. But as the story went on I fell in love with the story, its characters and the entire setting. The main character is easy to love, we go on a journey with her loving herself and defeating that battle within herself after her mom died and its just amazing!
It is a fun quick read that you will sincerely enjoy! Hope this author makes more books.
For me it had a very slow and questionable start that didn't really spike my interest that much. But as the story went on I fell in love with the story, its characters and the entire setting. The main character is easy to love, we go on a journey with her loving herself and defeating that battle within herself after her mom died and its just amazing!
It is a fun quick read that you will sincerely enjoy! Hope this author makes more books.
October 16, 2017
This was really a cute book that made me laugh. Orla O'Shea was forced to live on a small island in Ireland for a year in order to get a loan from her aunt to save her home. She's none too thrilled until a gorgeous sports star shows up. A romantic comedy with some surprises and lots of attraction. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
October 16, 2017
Another amazing book. I was blown away with the story, I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want more.....I voluntarily reviewed an Exclusive Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 9, 2018
Funny and sweet story. I loved all aspects. MMA Sports theme with a little angst from both exes. I really felt the chemistry between the characters. They were so sweet together. I laughed out loud many times. Her aunt Imelda is a hoot! I received an exclusive Arc for an honest review.
April 8, 2019
Fun read
I love the wit and humor of Irish writers. I’ll be reading more from Eva. I am also familiar with all of the areas she wrote about as I recently toured the area with my mom and sister a few months back.
I love the wit and humor of Irish writers. I’ll be reading more from Eva. I am also familiar with all of the areas she wrote about as I recently toured the area with my mom and sister a few months back.
July 31, 2024
A Good Romance Book
The characters were witty and fun. There was so much humor in the story. The romance was awesome. It was nice to read about different cultures. The love shared was nice. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
The characters were witty and fun. There was so much humor in the story. The romance was awesome. It was nice to read about different cultures. The love shared was nice. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
October 19, 2017
Sweet story - though quite short....
May 22, 2018
Funny story
I love this book!! I am gonna buy the next one to. Everyone needs an Irish aunt like this one!
I love this book!! I am gonna buy the next one to. Everyone needs an Irish aunt like this one!
June 1, 2018
I loved this book! I loved the the main characters sense of humour? I laughed out loud in many places. I hope this author writes more books. Light, fun, easy reading.
June 16, 2018
Me encantó y no pude dejar de leerlo.
Combina romance con algo de comedia y también da un panorama de personajes irlandeses muy queribles. Recomiendo leer, muy entretenida
Combina romance con algo de comedia y también da un panorama de personajes irlandeses muy queribles. Recomiendo leer, muy entretenida
March 24, 2019
4 stars! Such a cute quick read! It was very light hearted and made me giggle a few times.
March 20, 2025
Loved the characters and the vibes of the book
March 6, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
**A Charming Story of Love and Strength**
"Island Love" by Eva Birrane takes you to a beautiful island with amazing scenery. The story is about Sophie, who is a strong and brave character. She faces many challenges but grows and discovers herself along the way. The romantic story between Sophie and her love interest feels real and engaging.
Birrane does a great job of mixing themes of love, loss, and resilience, making the story emotional and thought-provoking. The supporting characters are interesting, each adding to the overall charm of the book.
One of the best parts of "Island Love" is the way the author describes the island. The vivid descriptions of the beaches, forests, and natural beauty make you feel like you are actually there with the characters.
In short, "Island Love" is a beautifully written novel that stays with you even after you finish reading it. Eva Birrane has created a story that is not just about romance but also celebrates the human spirit and the power of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt and enchanting read.
**A Charming Story of Love and Strength**
"Island Love" by Eva Birrane takes you to a beautiful island with amazing scenery. The story is about Sophie, who is a strong and brave character. She faces many challenges but grows and discovers herself along the way. The romantic story between Sophie and her love interest feels real and engaging.
Birrane does a great job of mixing themes of love, loss, and resilience, making the story emotional and thought-provoking. The supporting characters are interesting, each adding to the overall charm of the book.
One of the best parts of "Island Love" is the way the author describes the island. The vivid descriptions of the beaches, forests, and natural beauty make you feel like you are actually there with the characters.
In short, "Island Love" is a beautifully written novel that stays with you even after you finish reading it. Eva Birrane has created a story that is not just about romance but also celebrates the human spirit and the power of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt and enchanting read.
January 23, 2018
I was lucky enough to read a preview of this book, and it's absolutely delightful! Very funny, but also a little bit sad in places. It has some very sexy scenes, so not recommended for anyone under 18.
All in all, a great laugh-out-loud comedy, that you're sure to enjoy.
All in all, a great laugh-out-loud comedy, that you're sure to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews