love in galway – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 328 pages
Author: Ivy Fairbanks
Publisher: Lassen Press
Release Date: July 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner and a movie. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business and carry on their legacy under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. So it’s out of the mortuary and into the dating scene.

Lark Thompson would rather get crushed by a falling anvil than stay next to a funeral home during her stay in Galway, Ireland. The vivacious American cartoon creator and animator came here to embrace life, not be reminded of losing her husband.

When Lark learns of Callum’s dilemma and aversion to marrying out of necessity rather than love, she agrees to help the introverted mortician. Although sworn off love herself, she is optimistic that Callum can find The One and secure his inheritance.

But as the dating project progresses and their friendship grows, so does a mutual attraction. The more time she spends with serious, sarcastic Callum, the more she dreads finding him a match. And the more disastrous dates he endures, the more he dreads Lark’s imminent return to the states.

If they think it’s possible to ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

I LIKED THIS!

This was my first book by this author and it was a good read. I loved the audiobook too and thought the narrators did a great job with the accents. The general set up of this book is not one I’m drawn to (because death terrifies me) BUT, I loved the way this was handled and discussed throughout. I had no anxious moment from listening and loved seeing Callum’s perspective throughout.

I loved how these two slowly came together. There’s a building friendship that spirals into more and I loved how Callum and Lark grew to communicate with each other and be the sense of peace they needed. I do think the spice got to be a little much for me in the second half (but hey, if you love spice, read it).

There were a few things that bugged me throughout and the third act wasn’t my favorite. It’s a good book though and I might look into reading the next one.

Overall audience notes: