Brooke Gilbert

“Your feet will take you where your heart is.”

Enjoyed this funny, sweet, romantic, emotional journey to the Emerald Isle! It’s not often you find a sweet, funny romance that also deals with chronic physical and mental illness. It’s a breath of fresh air for those who suffer from these types of afflictions to be represented in such a thoughtful, personal way.

Love at first sight and second chance love are such fun tropes, and both were done really well in this story. From the witty banter, beautiful descriptions of Ireland, and heartfelt romance, to the tears, pain, and grappling with faith, this book took me on an amazing journey.

Eyre suffers from esophageal Crohn’s disease and endometriosis. After undergoing a procedure with devastating results, she hops on a plane to Ireland with no real plan in mind. As she’s contemplating her life by the Cliffs of Moher, she’s approached by a handsome Irish tour guide ridiculously dressed who immediately rescues her from a rainstorm and offers her a place to stay in his small, quaint Irish village. Though he’s somewhat gruff on first acquaintance, she learns there’s a tender, caring heart underneath.

Darby, often mistaken for Darcy, shares his home with an equally gruff older man named Mak. Darby suffers from PTSD from a terrible incident that happened in his early teens. He believes he’s unlovable and tends to keep to himself. Yet, with Eyre, he’s a new person. As Eyre spends two weeks with Darby & the charming residents of Doolin, she discovers he has secrets of his own and as they help each other through their struggles, they find a love neither thought was possible. They also manage a little matchmaking between Mak and Sinead who’ve been friends for years.

I loved Darby & Eyre and Mak & Sinead! Their love stories were so good. Love at first sight can seem really improbable, but this story made me a believer. I also enjoyed watching Mak and Sinead get up the courage to admit their long held feelings for each other. Mak is such an endearing character and he often stole the show with his cute, gruff personality.

I loved all of the Irish sayings and slang. The fantastic descriptions made me feel like I was there. I felt like many of the Job like struggles Darby and Eyre experienced were relatable and well explained. There were times Eyre’s illnesses were briefly described in an educational way instead of a natural way, but it’s helpful for those reading who aren’t familiar with these rare conditions. There’s a good, thorough description of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book so readers can choose whether this book would be a good fit for them.

Don’t miss the Spotify playlist, movie list, Irish slang guide, recipes and diet suggestions, and discussion questions at the end. Highly recommend to those who suffer from chronic autoimmune diseases, other chronic conditions, and mental health challenges. I can’t wait to read more of Brooke Gilbert’s books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.… (mehr)

Paris, a whirlwind romance, secrets, deep understanding of chronic diseases/disorders, and nods to classic films made this sweet romance such an enjoyable read! It’s a great debut novel and I’ll definitely be looking for the next book from this author. While the story takes place over a mere week, the insta-love romance felt natural and believable.

Christine suffers from numerous autoimmune disorders. Her dream is to return to Paris now that she has more control over her body. In the airport, she meets a handsome stranger with a delicious Mr. Darcyesque accent and persona. Her cautious nature though kicks in and even over the ten hour flight with him sitting next to her, it’s hard to believe this guy is real. Throw in a caring best friend who can’t be with her because she’s getting ready to have a baby, a meddling older lady, a bet, and the romance of Paris, and you have the makings of a good story. Colin has his own secrets he’s hiding and just when he’s gained Christine’s trust, their budding relationship could all come crashing down.

This book really captured my heart. As someone who also suffers from autoimmune diseases, I could really identify with Christine and the emotions she feels. Her struggle with trying to be independent and yet having to constantly be aware of everything that triggers her symptoms was very realistic. The descriptions of Paris made me feel like I was right there with the main characters, visiting all the famous sites. I appreciated Colin’s compassionate nature and the way he cares for Christine without seeming pitying or condescending. Anyone who suffers from a chronic illness will appreciate all that Christine goes through and feel her triumph when she’s able to fulfill several of her wishes.

It’s a fun, sweet, story with great representation of those who suffer from autoimmune diseases. I also enjoyed the way the author wove faith into the story in a natural way. This is definitely an author to keep an eye on. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.… (mehr)