**I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review**

Literary editor catches her fiancee cheating just days from their wedding and decides to take the Ireland honeymoon she booked as a writing retreat, a chance to finally give herself the time and space to explore her passion project. The cottage she ends up staying in on the wild sea coast puts her in close proximity with a sexy Irish professor who is also striving to complete his work while struggling with his personal issues. Two lonely souls, one delicious escape, until reality comes crowding back in to Tully Cross.

Some spoilers ahead:

A promising debut from an author to watch, but I struggled a bit with the overall arc. I adored Antonia, I loved seeing her take a chance, give her writing a shot, but I wanted her to have maybe had a bit more distance from her failed relationship. I loved Antonia's family, her sister and her mother, and hope maybe they show up in future stories! The descriptions of Ireland and the way Aiden said "Jaysus" were also completely satisfying.

The resolution of the very real issues that broke these two apart felt rushed. There was a lot of internal monologue where the characters talked themselves in to believing the best of the other, and I wanted more action and showing me why. Aiden's daddy-issues back story also didn't really interest me, I just wanted to get back to Antonia.

I'm happy for these two, but I don't know if I was convinced by the end that Aiden deserved her, but I think I just like her so much more as a character. And I mean, Aiden is hot and employed and sweet so, fine. I'm just happy to read about a Black woman finding her happily ever after on her terms.

I also want to point out that Antonia is a Black woman and there were great moments that showed her experience being a Black woman in a super white country, in a super white professional field. In the way her ex-fiancee's parents wanted her to act, wanted her to dress, wanted her to do her hair. All reasons I'm glad she left the dolt behind! He may have also been a secret-sex addict? I don't know, there was a lot going on there that felt a bit unexplored. There were also great conversations between Antonia and the very white Irish Aiden. I say this with the caveat I am reviewing as a white, cis-hetero woman, so please seek out Black reviewers (which I will do too) to see what they are saying.

As a final note, I was not pleased Antonia was able to secure personal contact information, including a HOME ADDRESS, for Aiden from the innkeeper after they broke up. Don't put service people in this situation. They don't know you, I don't care if "you are in love." Not okay. Antonia certainly knew where Aiden was a professor so she easily could have found his school email from the website.