I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. I enjoyed it a lot!

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

What a lovely book so many emotions and felt like I was actually in Ireland. Can’t wait to read more

A love story set in Killcawley, Ireland about families, friends and the power of social media.

Emma Wilson arrives at Killcawley Village in Ireland hoping to find a safe place.

Judith McCarthy aged 75, lives in a large house on Killcawley Estate and needs someone to help manage the house and be a companion.

Judith likes to get together with her small group of friends and have regular supper clubs where they share delicious food and lots of gossip. Judith also has a TikTok account where she does daily posts wearing outrageous outfits and fancy hats.

Emma and Judith become good friends as Emma settles in and helps Judith with her social media accounts. Emma has secrets and is afraid of being found. Judith and her friends also have secrets.

Lots of suspense with Emma constantly afraid of her ex-husband finding her.

I loved the descriptions of the clothes and hats Judith wore for her TikTok appearances.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read the E-Book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Escape To The Irish Village is a touching story of female friendships and found family. The characters are delightful and the story will stay with you long after you finish reading. There’s a little bit of everything in this book - drama, the many facets of love, buried secrets, fighting for a cause and second chances.

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6424522111

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5_2Oi6AQ1E/?igsh=NHJiOG45MnptaTg0

I received a widget of this book from Bookouture for a book tour.

Gosh, this story got me all in my feelings. I was a big baby reading this one. It was filled with joy, sorrow, life, family, love, sacrifice, and freedom. Oh that beautiful freedom.

This beautiful story was so rich with friendship, family, and community. It will truly make you stop and think about the people in your life, and make you value and appreciate them that much more.

Each character in this book was so well developed. It felt as if you knew them, as if you were in that little Killcawley Village in Wicklow county Ireland with them. (I am totally obsessed with the little village, take me there, please!) Emma, and her story of why she fled to Ireland because of her craptacular husband. Judith and her incredible quirky heart.

I really enjoyed the suspense and this one, it kept me reading way later than I should have. There is domestic violence descriptions, so just be warned.

A great read from Ann. Her books never disappoints us. This one tells the tale of Emma who turns up in a rural Irish village and gets a role as assistant to Judith who is a wonderful colourful character with a love of fabulous clothes and hats but who has a few secrets in her past. Emma has her own secrets. A wonderful story and the descriptions of the lake and house are spectacular.

Emma Wilson escapes a bad marriage and goes to work with Judith in a manor house in a small village. Judiths son Miles is determined that she get fired. Then comes a threat to destroy the house and the village and they all must work together to save their way of life.

Where to even start with this review.
I've read other books by the author but none quite like this one.
My emotions were on an absolute roller coaster while I read this one and I do wish the book could have gone on longer or maybe a sequel it.
Not many books can capture my heart and soul such as this one set in Killcawley, a small fictional village in Ireland.
Emma, escaping from an abusive marriage runs as far as she can where she thinks her husband won't find her. The description of Killcawley Estate took my breath away. Sprawling, spectacular I want to go there right now.
Owner, Judith is a quirky seventy-five-year-old woman who enjoys doing fun Instagram videos of all her spectacular vintage fashions. It works out well as Emma is hired as a personal assistant to Judith who in turn gets someone to shoot her Instagram videos. Though Judith enjoys her fashions her videos also have a more serious side to them, help save the manor from a buyout and destruction.
The longer Emma is there the more she gets to know the other staff of the estate and Judith's friends. Judith considers all her staff as family including Emma. I enjoyed seeing the tight bond the characters have with each other. The book had a bit of suspense and a feel of danger to it that was revealed as time went on. Emma and Judith both have secrets they have kept for various reasons, and it really brought the story into a clearer picture when they were revealed. Reading this I felt close to the characters as though I were part of the family observing the going on's firsthand.
I could barely put this down and I'm off to see what I've missed by the author I've yet to read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Escape to the Irish Village is the first title I have read from Ann O'Laughlin and I was torn up, chewed extensively, spat out but then glued back together and given a huge cuddle. While there are TW's for certain difficult themes, the main warning should be to stock up on tissues and eyedrops because you will need them throughout and after!

Ee my soul is fractured I swear down

There is a beautiful balance to this novel. Where your heart is put through a blender, you get a luxury spa bath, where you are made to walk on a floor in wet socks, you get a huffing great big choccie cake, that sort of thing

Family, friends, and always moving forward and grabbing life by the short and curlies. Absolutely brilliant

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and the authorAnn O'Loughlin for this compelling ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

#EscapetotheIrishVillage #NetGalley

I read into the early hours. I was intrigued by Judith who loved being the centre of attention and dressing up to the nines, especially for evenings with her friends.

When mysterious Emma answered an advert for Judith's assistant, things changed quite quickly. They formed a special bond and eventually secrets begin to emerge.

I couldn't help but shed tears as I got near to the end but oh my emotions were running high.

I loved this book. Thank you netgalley.

Desperate to get away,
To find somewhere safe to stay,
A new job, new home and a fresh start
A time to heal her broken heart.....

Emma runs to the Irish village mentioned by her gran
Hoping there a new start she can plan.
Finding a new job at the manor house there
And a role in the community that take good care.

Judith is a tik tok enthusiast who
Enjoys sharing her hats and dancing, too.
She may be seventy-five but she's still going strong
And she and Emma are soon getting along!

When Judith's son is antagonistic and argumentative, too,
Emma isn't quite sure what she should do.
As attraction builds dare she take a chance
Or should she forgo any chance of romance?

There's a great sense of community, with the manor at its heart
Which others are wishing to tear apart.
Can they fight the developers and thwart them, too?
Working together that's what they'll try to do!

A heartwarming story, with grief in the mix,
As folks work together any problems to fix.
With revelations and secrets threatening to tear them apart
You have to hope they'll all learn to share and listen to their heart!

For my copy of this book, I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Escape To The Irish Village' by Ann O'Loughlin.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Ann O'Loughlin, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture Anonymous

Publication date 18th April 2024.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'the Irish House' which I would also highly recommend!!

This novel consists of 40 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

'Escape To The Irish Village' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Ann discusses/includes Cancer and Domestic Abuse.

OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away from my Irish holiday when I read the last page. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

The book is so well written with its stunning and vivid descriptions that I genuinely felt that I was standing with Emma throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly.

Ann what on Earth are you doing to me!!! I am writing this with tears streaming down my face and it is all YOUR fault!!! Seriously, I do NOT cry easily and its normally only when it comes to animals but you managed it twice in a row with one being nothing to do with animals!!! Seriously, make sure you grab the tissues and clear your schedules before you pick this book up because not only will you not be able to put it down but it will eave you with tears streaming down your face too! This book is a stunning story of loss, fear, regrets, heartbreak, family, friendship, trust, love, grief and moving on with life. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, caring, moving on, and so much more. Ann's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was right next to Emma the whole time. While you are reading you can see the gorgeous surroundings of Killcawley Estate, feel the love and friendship and smell the Irish air. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with Emma and going through her stress, pain, heartache, joy, fear, love, struggles, hope and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, anger and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my kindle around with me to read it every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face several times and both happy and sad!! In this book we meet Emma Wilson who worked as a legal secretary but has moved from bustling London to beautiful Ireland. Emma finds an advert for a personal assistant and goes to the Killcawley Estate for an interview. She meets the delightful, bonkers and larger than life Judith McCarthy who explains that she has only advertised for the job as her son Miles who is living in America doesn't think she should be living on her own and worries about her. Judith offers Emma the job with free bed and board and Emma instantly agrees. Judith questions Emma why she would leave her job as legal secretary to downgrade to her assistant but Emma is reluctant to tell her. The reality is that Emma is fleeing an abusive relationship with her husband and has run away to escape him. Emma settles into life at 'The Big House' and so begins a beautiful friendship with not only the exuberant hat loving, overdressed and social media obsessed Judith but also Judith's friends Hetty and Marsha as well as Jack who works the farm and runs the estate. Emma has lots of fun uploading videos to TikTok with Judith, enjoying their themed supper clubs and more but Judith can at times be tiring so Emma likes to escape to the lake to watch the swans and skywalk. However, life at Killcawley estate changes when Judith's son Miles returns to the house and is not happy with Emma being there and has his suspicions of her. Along with Miles wanting Emma to leave there is also uproar when there are plans for a new motorway to pass through the estate. Can Judith, Emma and the gang save Killcawley Estate? Is Emma the only one keeping secrets? Will Miles get his own way and have Emma removed from the house? Grab your copy of this absolute beauty to find out for yourself and I promise you wont regret it! This book is a stunning story filled with emotions about love, self-discovery, hope, healing and grief that sweeps you into the stunning Killcawley Estate, Ireland where secrets are held, hope is given and lives are changed. Ann made Killcawley and the estate come alive and portrayed the village life perfectly. Ann describes life in a small community perfectly with everyone knowing who is who, living in a small village myself I see this all the time. I love the fact that there is a hint of mystery and some suspense weaved through the storyline as the reader discovers that Judith is hiding secrets that could change several lives. I would absolutely love to see Ann bring Killcawley Estate back to life in another of her stunning books and I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will as I would love to read more about Emma and what happens next along with many of the other characters. I was devastated when I turned the last page and realised I had come to the end of my holiday there and had to unpack my suitcase and return to rainy Wales!! You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and devour it in one sitting like I did!!! I was gobsmacked by the twists at the end which I did not see coming so a HUGE congratulations Ann for managing to shock me. It isn't an easy feat as I have read so many books of different genres that it gets harder and harder to not work out what is happening, especially in romance books so a huge congratulations is in order!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book by this amazing author and have already added all her books to my wish list. This would make a stunning movie and a gorgeous series (Hint, Hint Ann ;) !!

Clear your schedules as you will not be able to put this stunning page turner down!!

The characters are strong, well rounded, realistic and I became completely invested in Emma, Judith and Miles. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more. My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone). they became to feel like friends very quickly and I really was devastated to have to say Goodbye to them at the end. All of the characters were such strong people that they will stay with me for a long time!!! I have got to mention the absolutely Benny, Judith's dog!!! I am a huge animal lover so any pets and animals in books get bonus points for me!! I loved how each of the characters had their own unique personalities and although at times I shouted at each of them for one reason or another through the pages I still absolutely loved them, well all apart from Emma's husband who I wont waste any more words on, and each of them played their parts absolutely perfectly. I was both happy and devastated by the events at the end of the book and just when I thought Ann had finished brining me to tears something else happened that had me starting again!! I loved Judith's larger than life personality, watching Emma go from strength to strength, Jack's caring and sensitive personality, Miles protective side of his mother (although it did take a while for me to warm to him) as well as Marsha and Judith's hilarious and beautiful friendship! Regardless of how I felt about the characters they all worked perfectly together to make this gorgeous book an unputdownable memorable one that will send you off onto a stunning holiday away to Ireland!! Ann did a fantastic job of bringing each and every one of them to life and I would love to meet them all (well, almost all) again. Another hint Ann!!

Congratulations Ann on an yet another absolutely stunningly beautiful unputdownable book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is the exact reason taht you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapters of Ann's 'The Irish House' which i have actually read myself, fell in love with and would highly recommend!!

Overall an absolutely stunning, emotive page turner that will have you heading off to Ireland in the blink of an eye.

386 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#EscapeToTheIrishVillage #AnnOLoughlin #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #KindleUnlimited

@EscapeToTheIrishVillage @AnnOLoughlin @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Netgalley @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

The Tik Tok videos went overboard with all the outfits worn by an 75 year old woman. Not sure the purpose of them . I just found them annoying . The book is a slow burn with events happening towards the end. The story line seems to a frequent one with Irish authors where an estate is either in disrepair or in financial stress and someone comes along to save it . The topics discussed in this book are varied with domestic abuse, cancer , estranged relationships and government interference in allowing highways to be built anyway at the expense of communities and land . Not my favourites book by this author.

Emma is escaping an abusive relationship and runs to a village in Ireland where she has a remote connection. Interesting and diverse characters,a heart warming tale.

Escape to the Irish Village is the new book from Ann O’Loughlin set in the fictional village of Killcawley and specifically the Killcawley Estate where one of the main characters Judith lives. This is a very easy and quick read. Enjoyable but perhaps not my favourite story by this author. Emma is fleeing to Ireland from England in the hopes that no one will find her. The reasons for her fear and decision to leave are evident although she does her best to cover up her scars. The physical signs may heal over time but the emotional torment and hurt that she has endured will take some time. She is hoping that Killcawley will offer the refuge she needs and the space and distance to come to terms with her trauma. She arrives in the village lonely and full of fear, anguish and desperation. Responding to an ad in the village post office placed there by Judith looking for an assistant of sorts. She is soon interviewed up at the big house and is offered the job and live in accommodation. Will this new opportunity be the saving of Emma and also in some small way Judith who herself is battling her own demons?

For the first few chapters, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might have read this book before so I double checked and it is a new story. Elements of past books from this author are present and a lot felt very familiar but once I put this feeling to the back of my mind I began to settle into the story and establish what was going on with the characters and I hoped to discover why? Judith is exuberant and over the top and obsessed with social media and dressing up. Daily Tik Toks uploaded by Emma become de rigour and will be a strong force in fighting against the proposed motorway which would run right through the estate. Miles, Judith’s son, who lives in America is pressuring her to sell the estate as he feels she is not able to manage it anymore following the recent death of his father. But now that Emma is there and a group of solid and strong friends support Judith surely she shouldn’t be pushed from a place that has meant so much to her and still does. Judith’s vibrancy, energy and quirkiness were a ray of light throughout the book in contrast to Emma who at times let the gloom, frustration and sadness threaten to overwhelm her. I could see why she was like this as she slowly lets her guard down and reveals what she has been through.

Judith, Hetty, Marsha and Jack all form a lively and entertaining group who surround and embrace Emma at a time when she is very vulnerable but over time she starts to relax and becomes more comfortable in her own skin. I did think at times she was very judgemental of Judith and her unusual ways and I felt she should have been more accepting of her. After all Judith was the one who had provided her with a job and a safe space in which to recover but she soon to got to know Judith much better. Judith had many layers to her and in a way was buffeted by her supper club gang of Hetty, Marsha and Jack who were there for her no matter what.

Soon secrets start to be revealed and Emma gets beyond that external facade portrayed by Judith and in some ways she can identify with her. The development of their friendship felt natural and all consuming and when twists and turns began to emerge it was lovely to see the pair be there for each other and how the others rallied together with them too in times of stress and worry. Miles was a very divisive character who blew so hot and cold that I couldn’t keep up with him. He loved Judith fiercely and wanted to protect her but I think a lot of the time he read the situation and people’s intentions wrong. They say a leopard can’t change their spots but maybe that might have been different for Miles?

I did find that the book was slow to get going and to be honest for the first half it was a bit all over the place as not much happened and I felt there was too much repetition about Judith’s outfits which I understand showed her flamboyancy but there was too much of it for me. Descriptions of Emma going to the garden and describing the trees and flowers were very welcome in the first few chapters and the author did a very good job of painting a beautiful picture of the estate. She showed how calm, serene and healing it could be and if it was lost due to the threatened motorway it would be a tragedy for all. But I felt there were too many times where I read of Emma escaping to the garden.

The story as a whole took it’s time to settle down and find its rhythm which it did in the later half although there was still that element of rushing through major plot points. There were several subplots, some better than others but I found one was explored and dealt with and then before I knew the next chapter introduced something else and off we went at a hurried pace. The reader needed time to absorb each theme/topic as several of them were very serious and I felt I wasn’t allowed as much as I would have liked. Some of the topics needed more depth and exploration whereas others went on for too long. The ending was quite abrupt even though the last few chapters were wonderfully written, true and heartfelt. I was left with a burning question I would have loved to have had an answer to. Maybe I missed something or else it was left to the readers imagination but still I was prepared for a chapter or two more. All in all Escape to the Irish House was a heartwarming family story filled with secrets which hit the mark in a lot of parts for me but in some others fell short. Yet, that won’t stop me reading more from Ann O’Loughlin in the future.

Emma Wilson’s life has completely fallen apart. Will she ever recover and get back on track? She leaves England for a fresh start to a small quaint village in Ireland. She takes a job working for Judith McCarthy in her most exquisite manor. Judith is seventy five and a well known fashionista. Emma meets Miles, Judith’s son, and they immediately clash with each other. They seem to argue about everything under the sun. But Emma see’s through his tough exterior and see’s the hardworking man that he is. He will do anything to help his family.

This wonderful story of family, friendship, and new beginnings was a fantastic story. I enjoyed the characters very much and Emma’s story broke my heart. I reached for the Kleenex many times. I loved Judith’s stories and Miles was just as delightful. This heartbreaking story was also heartwarming and filled with hope from a fresh start and second chance. This one sitting, rapid read with its intriguing plot will have you coming back for more. Author Ann O’Loughlin pens wonderful, charming reads, located in quaint and beautiful places. If you want to escape to Ireland, this is the story for you. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Escape to the Irish Village by Ann O'Loughlin

Emma has come to Ireland to escape an unhappy and violent marriage. She. has a job working for a woman called Judith and things are going fairly smoothly until Judiths nephew Miles comes along to throw a spanner in the works where Emma is concerned.
This book then turns into a romance where they are concerned and Emma's life takes a better turn .

Another book by Ann O’Loughlin, another book that is like wrapping oneself in a favourite blanket.
A cornucopia of secrets abound as Emma, fleeing from her abusive marriage, arrives at Killcawley estate in response to a job advert, to work for the wonderfully flamboyant Judith. All is not as it seems and while this is a beautiful book it deals with some very serious subjects.
Read in the course of two evenings I couldn’t get enough of the characters as I laughed and cried with them. As with all of Ann’s books I want a sequel so I can catch up them again, as I’m feeling bereft to have left them.

Having read all of this wonderful authors other books I was delighted to have a early copy, Ann us amazing at setting the scene which draws you in, and again certainly does not Disappoint. I found Judith to be a bit annoying at times, rather like a spoiled child.
Emma was such gentle soul looking for peace and sort herself out.
Overall a lovely read
Thank you

DNF at approximately 30%

Trigger warning: Domestic abuse. I really wish this would have been included in the synopsis of the book or I wouldn't have requested the book. "Escaping a broken marriage" can mean many things, and I was not expecting descriptions of violence upon a woman.
 
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read the digital ARC. I had read Ann O'Loughlin's last book, which had all sorts of charm.