What do you think?
Rate this book
O'Keeley's Irish Pub #2
Her Irish Chef
When a man like Rian O'Keeley pursues you, holding out forever is hopeless.
Mara Andrews knew of Rian O’Keeley. He co-owns O’Keeley’s Pub in Atlanta, has won dozens of culinary awards, and pictures of him with beautiful women cover the tabloids. But nowhere in the media coverage did it say the color of his eyes shifted from green to blue, depending on the light, or that his sharp sense of humor would make her laugh. And he’d offered her a date.
One date. One, no-strings attached night with the gorgeous chef.
Rian O'Keeley has no interest in forming a long-term attachment to a woman. Traveling the world, working, and meeting new people keeps him one step ahead of the tragic memories he's outrun for over a decade. When he returns to Atlanta, he's there to spend time with his brothers and regroup...alone. But meeting the sweet, selfless Mara changes that when he realizes she's not designed for a simple fling he offers.
He knows he should walk away, but he can't. He wants Mara.
Her Irish Chef is Book Two in the O’Keeley’s Irish Pub series by Georgia native and award-winning author Palmer Jones.
Mara Andrews knew of Rian O’Keeley. He co-owns O’Keeley’s Pub in Atlanta, has won dozens of culinary awards, and pictures of him with beautiful women cover the tabloids. But nowhere in the media coverage did it say the color of his eyes shifted from green to blue, depending on the light, or that his sharp sense of humor would make her laugh. And he’d offered her a date.
One date. One, no-strings attached night with the gorgeous chef.
Rian O'Keeley has no interest in forming a long-term attachment to a woman. Traveling the world, working, and meeting new people keeps him one step ahead of the tragic memories he's outrun for over a decade. When he returns to Atlanta, he's there to spend time with his brothers and regroup...alone. But meeting the sweet, selfless Mara changes that when he realizes she's not designed for a simple fling he offers.
He knows he should walk away, but he can't. He wants Mara.
Her Irish Chef is Book Two in the O’Keeley’s Irish Pub series by Georgia native and award-winning author Palmer Jones.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2019
101 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 12, 2020
I loved this book! 4.5 stars!
After seeing Rian in the previous book, I knew that I wanted to read this!
Rian has gone through a lot. He lost a baby, and his hope for a family. He's determined now never to get close to someone.
Too bad sweet Mara gets under his skin!
Mara is kind, always looking after the kids in her care. The only thing she wants is to be in control of the youth center and make sure things are run well, so the kids have a chance. But Rian seems to derail most of her plans! Especially when her boss finds the relationship a problem.
I felt a bit lost at the end of this. I felt bad for Mara and what she had to give up to be with Rian but I like how it progressed in the next book. I enjoyed their relationship, even if I was a bit stressed at her job troubles! All around a great book!
After seeing Rian in the previous book, I knew that I wanted to read this!
Rian has gone through a lot. He lost a baby, and his hope for a family. He's determined now never to get close to someone.
Too bad sweet Mara gets under his skin!
Mara is kind, always looking after the kids in her care. The only thing she wants is to be in control of the youth center and make sure things are run well, so the kids have a chance. But Rian seems to derail most of her plans! Especially when her boss finds the relationship a problem.
I felt a bit lost at the end of this. I felt bad for Mara and what she had to give up to be with Rian but I like how it progressed in the next book. I enjoyed their relationship, even if I was a bit stressed at her job troubles! All around a great book!
June 11, 2025
Her Irish Chef bk 2 [O'Keeley's Irish Pub Trilogy]
This book trilogy follows the O'Keeley brothers and how they find love.. This book was so sweet, funny, sassy characters, A bit dark, some sad bits as well.. This Trilogy is really good and i can't wait to read the 3rd book
This book Follows Rian and how he finds love with Mara.. Rain has a strong family relationship with his brothers but he has went through a lot and finds it hard to let people in until he meets Mara.. Rain is a chef and owns a bar with his two brothers..
Rian owns a Irish Pub with his two brothers Brogan and Cathal.. He is A world famous Chef who travels around the world looking for idea's to come up with new dishes for his Pub.. He has a sad and dark past because he lost someone close to him and he has closed his heart off so he does not get hurt again but once he meets Mara he starts having feelings that he does not know what to do about it because of his past.. He finds it hard to talk about what makes him unhappy and also he has a tattoo that reminds him of what he lost.. He has a lot of things to work out but the one thing he can not let go of is Mara because he loves her
Mara is a teacher and she loves her job looking after kids at the Center.. She has had a hard time with an ex in the past and had to move away from her town and family.. She meets Rian and starts to have feelings for him but can not do anything because her boss told her that if she wants the boss job then Mara can not date the chef.. One day when she was out with her friend at a pub she sees Rian and they talk then before he leaves the pub he kisses her and the walks away.. She starts seeing Rian not long after the kiss but does not let her boss know.. She falls in love with Rian
This book is packed full of:
⦁ Awesome characters
⦁ Chef/Teacher Romance
⦁ Strangers to Friends to Lovers
⦁ Tattooed Hero
⦁ Cooking Contest near the end
⦁ Everyone knows about the relationship apart from heroine boss
⦁ Some steam
⦁ Hero is a pub owner with his brothers
⦁ Forced Proximity
⦁ Dark themes
⦁ Strong Friendships
⦁ Strong Family Relationship
⦁ Protective Hero
⦁ Touch her and die trope
⦁ Sweet Strong Hero
⦁ Fast Read
I really liked the Friendship between Mara and Rachel because it was awesome and i also liked that Rian's family took her under their wing as a new friend and part of the family because she was with Rian.. It was sweet that she has people who look out for her.. The Way the brothers look out for each other is awesome and you can see they will do anything for each other..
Fav characters:
⦁ Rian [Chef, Owns pub with his brothers]
⦁ Mara [Teacher]
⦁ Brogan [Owner of the Pub with his brothers, Brother to Rian]
⦁ Selena [Waitress, Married to Brogan, Best friends with Katie]
⦁ Cathal [Lawyer, Rian's Brother, Owns pub with his brothers]
⦁ Fiona [Owns a bar]
⦁ Katie [Works for Brogan, Best friends with Selena]
⦁ Rachel [Best friends with Maria]
I like the way the brothers are close and how they own a Irish Pub together
I really enjoyed the relationship between Rian and Mara because they are so cute together.. I also liked the strong relationship between Rian and his brothers Brogan and Cathal.. You can see that the O'Keeley brother's are very Protective of their family and friends...
This book trilogy follows the O'Keeley brothers and how they find love.. This book was so sweet, funny, sassy characters, A bit dark, some sad bits as well.. This Trilogy is really good and i can't wait to read the 3rd book
This book Follows Rian and how he finds love with Mara.. Rain has a strong family relationship with his brothers but he has went through a lot and finds it hard to let people in until he meets Mara.. Rain is a chef and owns a bar with his two brothers..
Rian owns a Irish Pub with his two brothers Brogan and Cathal.. He is A world famous Chef who travels around the world looking for idea's to come up with new dishes for his Pub.. He has a sad and dark past because he lost someone close to him and he has closed his heart off so he does not get hurt again but once he meets Mara he starts having feelings that he does not know what to do about it because of his past.. He finds it hard to talk about what makes him unhappy and also he has a tattoo that reminds him of what he lost.. He has a lot of things to work out but the one thing he can not let go of is Mara because he loves her
Mara is a teacher and she loves her job looking after kids at the Center.. She has had a hard time with an ex in the past and had to move away from her town and family.. She meets Rian and starts to have feelings for him but can not do anything because her boss told her that if she wants the boss job then Mara can not date the chef.. One day when she was out with her friend at a pub she sees Rian and they talk then before he leaves the pub he kisses her and the walks away.. She starts seeing Rian not long after the kiss but does not let her boss know.. She falls in love with Rian
This book is packed full of:
⦁ Awesome characters
⦁ Chef/Teacher Romance
⦁ Strangers to Friends to Lovers
⦁ Tattooed Hero
⦁ Cooking Contest near the end
⦁ Everyone knows about the relationship apart from heroine boss
⦁ Some steam
⦁ Hero is a pub owner with his brothers
⦁ Forced Proximity
⦁ Dark themes
⦁ Strong Friendships
⦁ Strong Family Relationship
⦁ Protective Hero
⦁ Touch her and die trope
⦁ Sweet Strong Hero
⦁ Fast Read
I really liked the Friendship between Mara and Rachel because it was awesome and i also liked that Rian's family took her under their wing as a new friend and part of the family because she was with Rian.. It was sweet that she has people who look out for her.. The Way the brothers look out for each other is awesome and you can see they will do anything for each other..
Fav characters:
⦁ Rian [Chef, Owns pub with his brothers]
⦁ Mara [Teacher]
⦁ Brogan [Owner of the Pub with his brothers, Brother to Rian]
⦁ Selena [Waitress, Married to Brogan, Best friends with Katie]
⦁ Cathal [Lawyer, Rian's Brother, Owns pub with his brothers]
⦁ Fiona [Owns a bar]
⦁ Katie [Works for Brogan, Best friends with Selena]
⦁ Rachel [Best friends with Maria]
I like the way the brothers are close and how they own a Irish Pub together
I really enjoyed the relationship between Rian and Mara because they are so cute together.. I also liked the strong relationship between Rian and his brothers Brogan and Cathal.. You can see that the O'Keeley brother's are very Protective of their family and friends...
June 14, 2024
I was expecting this book to be more of the same, like the first one and it was, but I felt like the first one was actually a full rating better. This one felt like it dragged. I still got a decent story and the connection Mara gained with Rian’s two brothers but this was very slow paced. I felt like the book didn’t really go anywhere, it just kept going on at a snail’s pace. Rian going all in with a relationship with Mara, but never fully giving himself. It was this endless cycle of Rian fighting with his issues about commitment and Mara not knowing where they were going, just going with the flow, hoping Rian will commit and open up. While there was definitely more romance in this book than the first one, there was never really a full exploration of their physical connection. In fact, Mara danced around doing that with Rian, but that was from her own insecurities and she didn’t feel like she could really let go with this. Meanwhile, Rian had to at least have some physical connection with her but it always fell flat. It was never hot and heavy or emotional. Rian used it as a crutch so he wouldn’t get lost in his thoughts about what Mara is to him and what is on the line with his cooking creativity. I just felt like there was chemistry, but no connection, probably why there wasn’t a highly detailed intimate scene. Then again, there wasn’t really one in the first book either. The next book would have you think otherwise but I feel like there will be more fight from the heroine in the next book and more frustration on Cathal’s part, further omitting the physical connection. I just feel like that is a big part of the romance book and one of the reasons I read them, to get lost in the passion and imagine that for myself or as an exploration. There was no passion in this book and the first one lacked it too. The last book better have this, but something tells me there won’t be either.
December 9, 2020
Rian is a chef who doesn't stay in one place for long. He is running away from his past. A past that he is unable to face as he is not willing to go through the same agony again.
Mara works with underprivileged kids. She loves her job and is aiming to go further up the ladder. She doesn't get involved easily due to the the bad experience of her previous relationship.
They both have demons, but Rian keeps his secret. It's too painful to talk about. When he realises that his feelings for Mara run deep, he is torn. He fears losing her if he comes clean. Will he ever be able to face his demons?
Rian and Mara are well matched, but him asking her to make such a big sacrifice is a little selfish. Granted that he is afraid of the past repeating itself, still he should have told her sooner. Besides that, they have good chemistry and her acceptance is proof enough. There is a little drama in the business and between them. Overall, it's a good romance.
Mara works with underprivileged kids. She loves her job and is aiming to go further up the ladder. She doesn't get involved easily due to the the bad experience of her previous relationship.
They both have demons, but Rian keeps his secret. It's too painful to talk about. When he realises that his feelings for Mara run deep, he is torn. He fears losing her if he comes clean. Will he ever be able to face his demons?
Rian and Mara are well matched, but him asking her to make such a big sacrifice is a little selfish. Granted that he is afraid of the past repeating itself, still he should have told her sooner. Besides that, they have good chemistry and her acceptance is proof enough. There is a little drama in the business and between them. Overall, it's a good romance.
April 3, 2023
Second book
I definitely admired the book and how there was a female lead of color. I also liked how there was different traditions that the second brother was trying to involve into his life and tried to respectfully get the approval of her parents. It didn't really touch much on her background learn how she looked. With all the other characters they were defined to the tea. All it said was that her skin contrasted with his and she had plump lips. I wanted to figure out what she look like if she related to me or not. But it was a good read. I recommend it to anyone that wants to read it. There was also a lot of build up and climax that was interesting.
I definitely admired the book and how there was a female lead of color. I also liked how there was different traditions that the second brother was trying to involve into his life and tried to respectfully get the approval of her parents. It didn't really touch much on her background learn how she looked. With all the other characters they were defined to the tea. All it said was that her skin contrasted with his and she had plump lips. I wanted to figure out what she look like if she related to me or not. But it was a good read. I recommend it to anyone that wants to read it. There was also a lot of build up and climax that was interesting.
January 14, 2023
Love it
Such a great continuation! I loved Rian in the first book and seeing him being the star of the show was lovely. This book seemed to fly and I’m sad it’s over. I wanted even more in depth information. I loved Mara also and loved seeing some of the familiar faces in the story. Off to read the third one!
Such a great continuation! I loved Rian in the first book and seeing him being the star of the show was lovely. This book seemed to fly and I’m sad it’s over. I wanted even more in depth information. I loved Mara also and loved seeing some of the familiar faces in the story. Off to read the third one!
July 29, 2022
Loved it
I think I liked this one even better than the first book. Palmer really knows how to draw you in. I really need to start these earlier in the day. This is twice I have stayed up until 4am to finish the book. I am sure book 3 will also be amazing.
I think I liked this one even better than the first book. Palmer really knows how to draw you in. I really need to start these earlier in the day. This is twice I have stayed up until 4am to finish the book. I am sure book 3 will also be amazing.
June 9, 2024
I honestly liked this one more than the first. I felt like they had more chemistry and it didn't feel like the main characters were just going round and round in circles. It definitely feels like more thought was put into this book than the first one.
October 27, 2024
Her Irish Chef
I really enjoyed reading this story as it continued on from the first one Her Irish Boss. It continued to keep me quickly turning the page to see what happened next. I know everyone will love this book goo.
I really enjoyed reading this story as it continued on from the first one Her Irish Boss. It continued to keep me quickly turning the page to see what happened next. I know everyone will love this book goo.
June 11, 2020
in Boxed Set
Read
August 10, 2020Review to come
January 19, 2021
I love their relationship, and the way he uses her family recipes later in the series is cute.
December 3, 2021
Sweet
Yeah, I'm a sucker for a sweet romance with a sexy Irishman. Add in the fact that Rian is a chef and I'm lost. Lol.
Yeah, I'm a sucker for a sweet romance with a sexy Irishman. Add in the fact that Rian is a chef and I'm lost. Lol.
did-not-finish
January 4, 2023Dnf’d at 57%
It’s a fade to black and that’s my own fault.
It’s a fade to black and that’s my own fault.
October 12, 2023
3.5 stars
October 22, 2023
Great book!!
This book was a true love story with suspense and drama. I have enjoyed reading the series, and this new author. I'm looking forward to the next book.
This book was a true love story with suspense and drama. I have enjoyed reading the series, and this new author. I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 28, 2023
Wish we could do half, I think this is more of a 3.5 mainly for writing but I liked the story. Obviously like, so obsessed with Rian, he has to be my favorite O’keeley brother.
March 8, 2024
Very fun Irish romances, set in America.
December 5, 2024
Super sweet, cut scene romance 🥰 A feel good quick read that will bring you joy.
February 17, 2020
I was really curious about Rian after reading the first novel. This book did not disappoint.
Mara and Rian are a good pairing. They complimented each other. Mara was just lovely. I really liked her character. She was a calming presence in the cast of characters and I think she fit in nicely with the O'Keeley clan.
I never expected Rian's story with losing his daughter after she was born. There could have been more of Mara in helping him come to terms with what happened, but that could be part of a side story in the next novel.
Mara and Rian are a good pairing. They complimented each other. Mara was just lovely. I really liked her character. She was a calming presence in the cast of characters and I think she fit in nicely with the O'Keeley clan.
I never expected Rian's story with losing his daughter after she was born. There could have been more of Mara in helping him come to terms with what happened, but that could be part of a side story in the next novel.
February 12, 2020
Hit the spot.
Palmer did it again. I love the O'Kelley family. They watch out for each other. When the brothers fall for a woman they call hard and fast. The heroines in the story are strong, smart and good women. Love them. I love Amara's mom Lindsay. She's a pretty sharp woman. Very romantic love story. Sitting by a fireplace with a roaring fire, a cup of coffee with all the creamy goodness and the love of my life next to me romantic.
Palmer did it again. I love the O'Kelley family. They watch out for each other. When the brothers fall for a woman they call hard and fast. The heroines in the story are strong, smart and good women. Love them. I love Amara's mom Lindsay. She's a pretty sharp woman. Very romantic love story. Sitting by a fireplace with a roaring fire, a cup of coffee with all the creamy goodness and the love of my life next to me romantic.
January 3, 2020
Another great story in this series. Loved Rian and Mara and their journey. So great to see the rest of the family too.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews