Review: A Fun Sweet Australian Romance With An Irish Connection
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 10, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this romance novella by Claire Baxter for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which was the Irish connection.  The heroine, Nicola Doyle, might have grown up next door to me.  The fact that she had an elder sister named Una and that her parents were an elderly, mildly eccentric Irish couple who were also loving parents - just let's say I related.The experience is so common.  Was there ever a boy you had a crush on at school, or maybe when you were still on the naive side, at work?  And did someone ever betray you and let him know how you felt?  And how did he react?  Was he honoured to be your choice, or did he laugh you to scorn?  And when his reaction was the latter, didn't you hate him forever and ever? Of course you did.  I know I did.But just suppose there was a heart rending reason behind that dismissal of your heart's true feelings?  Suppose he really, really hearted you but had a very pressing reason why he couldn't follow up on that attraction?  Well, wouldn't it be just great if, a few years on, when you're both mature and responsible adults, you got a second chance at a relationship?  Wouldn't it be,  fabulous, fantastic and superlative, to say the least?  'Course it would.Mind you, Miss Nicola Doyle will have to get past a few things first.  Like having the man who humiliated her as a teen as her next door neighbour.  Ever ready with a helpful cup of sugar, not to mention a maddening little dog called Dammit.  Yes, indeed.  Irish ladies are not to be trifled with even if they are first generation Australian. Until Nicola sees the light, she'll continue to date losers and wonder what is the matter.Another thing I love about this book is, it's a sweet romance, which means I can share it with my teenage daughters. Provided they've done all their homework, of course.And a note to the author, Claire Baxter.  I particularly enjoyed that conversation the heroine had with Opal on the relevance of designer labels and whether it's really sensible to just cut them off and have done with it.  I hope my girls will read that and take note. They'll probably relate to the eccentric Irish mother, though.Because this ticks all the boxes where a romance is concerned and a few more besides, I'm giving it a hi five (or is it high five?  And does it matter?).I received a review copy of this book in return for an honest review.