The Education of Uma Gallagher

The Summer Abroad #2

by Stephanie Keyes

She's the poet who has all the words. He's the man behind the music. Together they'll write their own love song.

Uma Gallagher's been trying to move on ever since Caden Hannigan left her in Dublin two years ago. She's hoping for a fresh start when a teaching opportunity from Trinity College in Ireland rolls in. Yet with her future school on Caden's former stomping grounds, she might just find a new round of old ghosts.

Pop sensation Caden Hannigan never took things too seriously--especially his music. But after he met and lost the love of his life, Uma Gallagher, the pain propelled his career. Now, Grammy-winner Caden is one song short of a completed second album, and he's got no idea what to write. Frustrated, he heads home to where it all began, to find a new muse.

The day of Uma's first class dawns and the impossible happens. Caden's in her lecture hall--in disguise! When she comes face-to-face with the man her heart can't forget, she'll either find the strength to craft her goodbye or let Caden be the one to teach her a thing or two.

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2019

About the author

Author Stephanie Keyes is a geek, a dreamer, and a hopeful romantic who writes books ranging from young adult fantasy to adult contemporary romance. Keyes won the RONE Award for Best YA Book of 2019 and took 2nd place in the Romance Writers of America Athena Awards For Excellence in NA & YA Fiction, both for The Spellbinder’s Sonata. As a romance author, she was a finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards for her debut romance, The Internship of Pippa Darling. In addition, she has also written under the pen name Gemma McKay.

Steph is an ADHD coach, Tech Product Manager, teacher, and speaker. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and two boys. When she's not writing, Steph vibe codes, reads, paints, and loves game night with the rest of the fam. Fun fact: Steph's pen surname (Keyes) is borrowed from her great-great-great-grandfather John Keyes, who was forced to abandon it after testifying against wrong-doers in Ireland in 1856.

Reviews

[T.]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.

This story begins with a whirlwind, weekend ‘love fest’ in Dublin and meet Uma and Caden. Uma’s only in Dublin because her BFF Pippa is there. The Internship of Pippa Darling (The Summer Abroad Series Book 1). I wasn’t thinking, so I have as usual read book two first. Uma met Caden through Pippa and Nick (the author Pippa in interning for in Book 1. Uma has some issues and due to some serious communication issues she thinks Caden walked out on her. Two years later she still isn’t over Caden and gets admittance in Trinity College Dublin for her PhD. Caden is now a huge rock star recording with his band in London. He has writer’s block and sorta runs away to Dublin. Uma and Caden reconnect by accident and launch into a roller coaster adventure of trying to get back together again.

I have to say, these two have some serious passion together. The new relationship was a tad rocky, and she annoyed me at first, but eventually I really liked the two of them together. Ms. McKay wrote a very good and heartfelt story. I was sucked in immediately. This is so well written and engaging I couldn’t put it down! Now I have to go and read Book One with Pippa’s story!

[Lynn]

Wow! First book by Ms. McKay that I've read... and I'm definitely going to download book 1 (Internship of Pippa Darling)

The plot was tightly woven.... Second chance at love, with the first go at it thwarted by a misunderstanding on either side. Chance brings our main characters Caden and Uma together again... Caden is struggling with lyrics and fed up with all that comes with fame. Uma is a poet who is living under the soul crushing thought that everyone around her leaves .... and Caden proved her right a few years earlier.

When they come together, Caden is undeterred in his efforts to right the wrongs of the past. Uma isn't so sure. Amid the turmoils of finding their way again as a couple, this time moving slowly to make sure it's right, Uma struggles with challenges of her own ... her family, her poetry, and her belief in herself.

The supporting characters are solid and each one's personality comes through in a realistic way. For those of us not in Ireland, the country itself is another character that adds to the charm of the story. Trinity College, Dublin, and the countryside.

Well written, Ms. McKay!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Hare]

Caden is an internationally recognized musician who decides to take a class on poetry only he doesn’t expect that the instructor will be the one who got away. Uma accepts an internship in Ireland. She feels him, the one who broke her heart, before she sees him. The electricity between them is overwhelming even across a classroom full of students. Can they rekindle their love or has too much hurt happened?

This is an amazing, heartwarming contemporary romance that is about the kind of love we all dream about. The characters are simply wonderful, full of personality and likeable. You are hooked from the beginning, wanting them to be together. The storyline is full of emotional ups and downs as the characters deal with their past, family concerns and their own fears and insecurities. The interaction between them is just great. This is a romance that pulls at your heart strings, with beautiful poems and song lyrics added. If you think you might like it, I suggest reading both books in this romance series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger]

Loved the book it was great the story was well written and the characters were interesting. How far do you have to go for a fresh start, Uma finally left Dublin after being left there two years ago, Uma finally gets a break with a job in Ireland as a Teacher at a school. Caden goes home to Ireland for a break to try and write another song to finish his second album.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book it was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori]

This is a good story and well written. The characters were all good and the story flowed well. It was my first book by this author. I would recommend this read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W]

This was a charming story of a second chance at love. The characters were likable and the story had a nice flow. I would recommend this light read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira]

This is a great book that I enjoyed reading with well developed characters and the storyline flowed smoothly and kept me interested.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.