𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★

I just ate up this sweet holiday story with all the Hallmark movie vibes! Talk about an easily lovable story to capture your heart and give you all the holiday charm in New York City and Ireland!

A Merry Irish Christmas brings us two broken hearted main characters who head off to Ireland to get away from NYC for Christmas. I adored how the grumpy celebrity who was hiding away in a small town in Ireland ended up with an unexpected houseguest who was there to visit her family.

The close proximity, the fun holiday traditions in Ireland, the unexpected friendship that blossomed, the small town with all the close family friends and the meddling side characters all made this such a heartwarming story!

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
Small Irish Town
Forced Proximity
Celebrity Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Christmas in Ireland
Hallmark Movie Vibes

4 stars for me. Clodagh Murphy didn't disappoint. Mary get dumped by her boyfriend just before Christmas. Taking last minute decision, she fly to Ireland to be with her family. What Mary didn't expect is that her family had the same idea ,and they flew to New York to surprise her. They also house swap with grumpy New Yorker Evan , who is not happy that instead of quiet and alone he have to share house with Mary. One thing led to another, and maybe they will have Christmas that none of them plan, but will it be a bad thing?

It was fun to read Mary and Evan tale, his grumpy attitude and Mary manipulation about Christmas dinner was clever and made me smile. I like that there was first friendship and then romance, it didn't feel rushed.

Full of humor, this Christmas story is perfect to curl up and forgot about rainy days.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for arc.

When Mary is blindsided by a breakup just before Christmas, she does what any heartbroken heroine might—books a last-minute ticket to Ireland to surprise her family. But when she arrives, suitcase in hand, she finds that her family has jetted off to New York in a holiday house swap…and in their place is a handsome television star who is not thrilled about his privacy being invaded. Cue the sparks—and plenty of sharp, funny banter.

This story has all the charm of the Irish countryside, a cozy holiday vibe, and characters you’ll want to have a pint with. Mary and Evan’s back-and-forth keeps things fun and flirty, while the secondary cast—especially Mary’s formidable but lovable mother, Sheena—adds even more warmth and humor.

A Merry Irish Christmas is pure festive escapism: light, romantic, and perfect for curling up with in December. If you love holiday rom-coms, family chaos, and a touch of armchair travel, this one belongs in your stocking.

Thank you to Clodagh Murphy, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Ok this was super cute. Cross The Holiday with a hallmark movie and you get this adorable romance that is perfect for the holiday reads but would also be a fun read anytime of year as it’s short and light and full of festive moments. And the steam factor is minimal for those that like closed door romance.
Mary decides at the last minute to surprise her family and fly back home to Ireland for Christmas after she breaks up with her boyfriend and is shocked when she gets there and they’re not there. She’s even more surprised to find out they felt bad about her being alone for the holidays and flew to New York to see her! She can’t change her ticket so she decides to stay but then things get even stranger when she finds out her mother has done a house swap and a stranger will be staying in the family home where she is and not only that, but he is a famous celebrity who is just trying to hide out and have a quiet Christmas there where he hopes no one will know him and her family is in his swanky apartment in New York
I mean, what else could you want from a holiday story? You’ve got grumpy/sunshine, friends to lovers, ALL the holiday vibes, small town Irish setting and lots of yummy food and festivities.
If you need a book with love, friendship and Christmas spirit, look no further.
Thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

A Merry Irish Christmas had a sweet, cozy, warm, and sexy vibe. Truly enjoyed both characters who had so much in common they just don't see it.

Mary has a boyfriend, Greg. He will be taking her to his parents for the Christmas holidays. However, Greg is still in love with his ex, Juanita. So when Juanita arrives, having canceled her wedding, Greg takes her back, and Mary is left with nothing. Mary had canceled her plans to visit her family in Ireland so she could visit Greg's parents. But now that she is free, she surprises and visits them. So their story begins when Mary arrives at her parents' empty house and with a man who claims to be renting the place.

Mary and Evan are so cute and completely crazy for each other. They just don't know it yet. He is hot, famous, and was just cheated on. Mary is going through the exact same, and having to share the holidays with Evan doesn't seem that bad.

Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.

A Merry Irish Christmas was an absolute delight—sweet, heartwarming, and full of holiday charm.

The story follows Mary, who, after a sudden breakup right before Christmas, heads back to her small Irish hometown. A misunderstanding leaves her without her family around, and instead, she finds herself sharing her family home with Evan, a grumpy and broody house guest. As Mary introduces Evan to her childhood Christmas traditions, their connection grows, and it’s impossible not to feel your heart warm right along with theirs.

I especially loved how the author gave depth to both Mary and Evan’s backgrounds, as well as the wonderful supporting characters. They added so much richness to the story and made the whole small-town setting come alive.

This was a quick, easy, and cozy read that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas. The small-town charm, sweet romance, and festive traditions make it a wonderful choice for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This story delivers everything you need in a cosy, festive romance. All the vibes of "The Holiday," but set in a small village in Ireland, with a sprinkling of New York magic. As Evan and Mary are accidentally spending Christmas together, they soon make the best of it and bond over their very recent bad break-ups.

If you want a light-hearted, Christmas romance filled with charming characters (and meddling mothers) then this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this delightful holiday romance.

This story follows Mary, who after a painful breakup in New York decides to surprise her family by flying home to Ireland for Christmas. What she does not expect is that her family had the very same idea and swapped houses with Evan, a Hollywood actor also looking to escape heartbreak. Suddenly Mary finds herself face to face with a grumpy stranger in her childhood home, while her family spends the holidays in New York.

I loved how quickly the story drew me in. The premise felt both fresh and comforting, like a modern take on The Holiday but with its own warm Irish charm. The writing was engaging and had a cozy flow that made it so easy to keep reading. I really enjoyed how the story alternated perspectives at times, giving us a better look into Evan’s guarded but kind personality as well as Mary’s hopeful resilience.

The characters were what made this such an enjoyable read. Mary is instantly likable, the type of heroine you root for from the very beginning. Evan plays the perfect balance of withdrawn yet vulnerable, slowly softening in Mary’s presence. Their chemistry is sweet and believable, built on quiet moments, playful banter, and the healing that comes with companionship. The side characters, especially Mary’s warm family, added heart and humor to the story and gave it that small town festive spirit.

The Irish setting was magical and beautifully described. Between the traditions, the community gatherings, the festive foods, and even the sea swimming, the backdrop felt authentic and alive. It created the perfect cozy atmosphere and made me feel as though I had been transported right into the village.

This is a heartwarming, feel good romance filled with family, laughter, love, and plenty of holiday cheer. It is the kind of book that leaves you smiling, like being wrapped in a big hug. Perfect for fans of festive romcoms who want something light, uplifting, and full of charm.

I highly recommend it as the perfect companion for the holiday season.

A Merry Irish Christmas is a cozy holiday romance with plenty of charm. Mary’s plan to surprise her parents in Ireland takes an unexpected turn when she instead finds Evan waiting for her. Meanwhile, her parents are off in New York trying to surprise her. What follows is a sweet, heartwarming story full of festive cheer, family mix-ups, and just the right touch of romance. With its cozy Irish setting and holiday magic, this is a perfect read to curl up with by the Christmas tree.

A very cute Christmas romance. who doesn't love a celebrity romance. This is a clean, short romance novel. perfect for a light quick read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.

This was delightful to read in August! Mary flies home to Ireland to surprise her parents at Christmas, but when she arrives she finds Evan. Apparently her parents had the same idea to surprise her in New York. I enjoyed the humor and the characters. Thank you to Boldwood for a copy.

The writing was light and engaging, and I found myself hooked from the very beginning right through to the end. I flew through it in just a couple of days, always looking forward to picking it back up. The chapters were long but well-paced, and I really enjoyed getting Evan’s point of view at times—it made him even more likable.

The characters were excellent, both the main couple and the side characters. I was rooting for them to find their happy endings, and the warmth of family and friends gave the story such a cosy, festive feel. Even the few unlikable characters were overshadowed by the love and kindness throughout. Add in the lovely seasonal details and it all came together as a heartwarming Christmas read full of love, friendship, and spirit. Highly recommend!

As the title suggests, this was a very sweet, easy to read book. However, it was also extremely predictable. Within pages, I knew the main character and her family were going to go and try and surprise one another so to be with together for the holiday. Evren though I had that part figured out, it was still a pleasant read as the characters worked out their relationship hardships and found their way back to one another.

After breaking up with her boyfriend Mary’s coming home for the holidays but she wants to surprise her family. Imagine the surprise when she gets there and her family have decided to surprise her to and are currently on route to New York!
They done a house swap with New Yorker Ethan what can go wrong?
Funny and captivating this book was a great read which I couldn’t put down full of laughter and Christmas cheer, perfect to curl up with.

Clodagh Murphy’s A Merry Irish Christmas is a festive romance brimming with charm, humor, and heart. The story opens in New York, where Mary’s Christmas plans are shattered when her boyfriend reconciles with his ex, leaving her both single and suddenly without holiday plans. Hoping to salvage the season, she heads home to Ireland to surprise her family—only to find they’ve done a house swap and are spending Christmas in New York. Instead of a warm family reunion, she’s faced with an empty home… and Evan, a grumpy but undeniably handsome actor who is also staying there.

Forced to share the space, sparks soon fly between Mary and Evan. What begins as sharp banter and frosty tolerance gradually transforms into genuine friendship and undeniable attraction. Murphy balances the grumpy-sunshine trope perfectly, weaving in laugh-out-loud humor, tender moments, and just the right amount of festive spice.

With cozy Irish traditions, snappy dialogue, and standout supporting characters like Mary’s vibrant mother, this is the kind of holiday romance that’s short enough to read in a couple of sittings but warm enough to linger in your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Evan is an actor living in New York. After a public breakup with girlfriend Olivia, he flees to a tiny village on the panoramic Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, to lay low over the holiday period. Mary is an Irish woman living in New York. After her boyfriend dumps her just before Christmas she thinks she's left it too late to go home to her family in Ireland over Christmas, but then decides to surprise them. Unfortunately, they thought the same, flying to New York, doing a house swap with Evan just like in The Holiday. To say both Evan and Mary are surprised to find each other in her family home is an understatement. Can they figure out a way to coexist for the holidays?

This charming read is like taking a warm bath followed by sitting in an armchair next to a roaring open fire with a glass of hot chocolate in your hand. It's a quick read that's a perfect palate cleanser after something heavier. It's festive, warm and very Irish, with a sprinkle of New York life thrown in. The entire cast of side characters is fabulous, especially Mary's kind Mum Sheena. I liked all the food traditions and the community ocean swimming. Evan is the grumpy to Mary's sunshine but she soon gets him thawed out. Apart from two lousy exes, there is no drama, just a nice, festive romance to get you in the mood for Christmas. Recommended.

A cute, comfort and quick romcom. Since I love reading Christmas stories, this one quickly became one of my favorites. Normally, I start reading this kind of book in November, but this one is so timeless and filled with hope that it can be enjoyed in any season. The writing is so unique, fun and smooth that I have to admit I’ve become a new fan of the author! ❄️🎁🎄

If you enjoy holiday fiction and cute books; then this one is definitely for you!

This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

The writing was light and kept me engaged from the beginning right through to the end. I read it in a couple of days, always looking forward to picking it back up at each reading session.

The chapters were long and occasionally split which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. I liked that on a couple of occasions you got to see Evan's point of view. It actually helped to make him an even more likable character.

There was a good pace to the story and a good flow between the chapters. I happily sat and read the story for long periods of time, desperate to know what was going to happen next!

The characters were excellent. I enjoyed reading about the main two characters and wanted them to have happy endings. They had both been hurt and it was nice to see them work things through together.

I enjoyed the side characters too. It made for a nice cosy, festive read. There were a couple of unsavoury characters, but actually their personalities were drowned out by the overall love of the family and friends surrounding the main characters.

Lastly the settings. It was mainly a character focused story, but there were some lovely festive details added which gave the cosy feel to the story.

Overall it was a lovely festive read, full of love, friendship and Christmas spirit. I recommend.

Having just returned from a trip to Ireland, this story immediately swept me away. I could picture every setting so clearly and it brought back great memories. From the very first page, I was hooked and ended up finishing the entire book in one sitting.

Mary becomes more than a character—she feels like a friend. Your heart breaks alongside hers as she’s dumped right before Christmas, and you share in her disappointment when she realizes she won’t be able to spend the holidays with her family in Ireland. But Mary refuses to give up on her Christmas dreams. When she finally makes it across the ocean, what she discovers is not at all what she expected. With her family gone and an unexpected guest in their home, her story takes an emotional and surprising turn.

You’ll find yourself rooting for her every step of the way—through heartbreak, hope, and the chance at love. Just when she seems to have found her happiness again, you’re left wondering if it can really last.

This Hallmark-like rom-com is warm, heartfelt, and full of Irish charm. It’s the perfect book to cozy up with this holiday season, especially if you’re looking for a story filled with family, love, and a touch of Christmas magic.

Thank you to Clodagh Murphy, Boldwood Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.