I received this book as part of a FirstReads giveaway.

Only with Blood is a book about a fiercely intelligent girl sold into marriage by her father to a man twice her age. There is of course the dashing IRA agent who seeks to rescue her from her forced marriage and make her his own.

But this book is not the predictable romance I was expecting, and I'm very greatful. The heroine is intelligent, and headstrong and generally does not look to others to save her. The older man who buys her is not portrayed as the one dimensional ogre many authors would go with, but as a damaged and lonely soul. The dashing hero, while kind, intelligent, and outraged by the treatment of the heroine, nevertheless displays a streak of utter ruthlessness.

When I began this book, I had a specific idea about how the plot would work out, and I was pleasantly surprised by my inability to predict it's course up to the very end of the book.

Those looking for a typical romance may come away a bit disappointed, but someone looking for a story offset of the beaten path would enjoy this book. ( )

The altar of liberty totters when it is cemented only with blood. Daniel O’Connell

Only With Blood leads the reader back to Ireland in the 1940s with a story seldom told. World War II is in full swing but Ireland is neutral. Government leader Eamon de Valera wants to keep it that way. But certain forces within the country are not satisfied with mere neutrality. Instead the IRA seizes the opportunity to sabotage Britain’s war efforts by allying themselves with Germany to continue their terrorist activities at home.

A dangerous setting for Only With Blood’s poignant triangle: middle-aged Jack Flynn, tormented by his own devils, buys himself a young bride from a neighbouring farmer in financial difficulties; Caitlin Spillane, the young bride, sold without her knowledge or consent, dreams of going to university in Dublin; Donal Kelly, teacher and not entirely committed member of the IRA, plans to save Caitlin from her loveless marriage.

Thérèse Down has crafted a subtle plot that in several ways mirrors Ireland’s fraught relationship with England. Her research vividly supports the story’s framework with details that make you feel the farmyard muck sucking at your feet, the bone-chilling damp of an unheated farmhouse and a father’s power over his daughters.

7 out of 10 Recommended to readers of Irish and World War II historical fiction. ( )

At first I was a bit of worried about this book because of the cover and the blurb indicated a romantic novel and I'm not really a big fan of it. Although in the centre of the story setting in the WWII era Ireland are love and a tragic marriage, it's much better than just an average romance. In the background are the neutral Ireland and the anti-English actions of the IRA. Interesting fates, good characters, maybe sometimes it was just a bit too slow. ( )

I enjoyed this story about a man who spends most of his life alone. Upon realizing he will need an heir, he goes to the local matchmaker who makes a suggestion. What follows is an amazing story of human nature and an unexpected ending. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this look into Ireland's past. ( )

I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. When I started reading it I wasn't sure what to expect but the quality of the writing was excellent. What did surprise me was how mediaeval rural Ireland was during WWII. I found the whole concept of dowries and selling children quite shocking.

I really enjoyed the developing relationship between Jack and Caitlin and was genuinely saddened that Jack was unable to communicate the fact that he was genuinely quite a good man which meant Caitlin only ever managed to relate to her image of him until near the end. ( )