Such a delightful and heartwarming book! I was laughing, swooning and crying at times while reading this one. The writing was super descriptive that I could envision everything that was going on. There are relatable characters that I know readers will root for and cheer on. This is the perfect book to read during the holidays so I suggest warming up a cup of hot cocoa and sitting by the fireplace to read this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 A Merry Irish Christmas
💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun and cute read!

I enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other and the nods to Ireland. The notion of family is super important in this book.
The romance was short and sweet but the third act break-up wasn't for me.
I would definitely recommend this book as an early Christmas morning read before you rip open presents and spend the day with family.

Two semi-heartbroken people living in New York (but not from New York) meet in Ireland in this gender-swapped version of The Holiday.

I was really looking forward to this as it sounded so cute but it unfortunately missed the mark for me. I didn't feel any chemistry between the main characters, and despite the shenanigans I couldn't find myself that interested in the plot.
I do think it was a great premise and the author did a good job with characterization, but overall it wasn't for me.

If you are looking for a sweet, hallmark-inspired Irish Christmas book, “A Merry Irish Christmas”, by Clodagh Murphy is definitely for you. When Mary and Evan both end up single for the holiday’s they find themselves spending the holidays together, not by choice. This is a wonderful, quick holiday read that had a touch of the loved movie “The Holiday,” feeling.. Grab a mug of tea, a Chocolate Kimberely and enjoy this wonderful holiday book. Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Clodagh Murphy for this advanced ARC copy for my honest review.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I really appreciate it!

Oh my gosh this has stolen my heart! I devoured this book in hours, I honestly couldnt put it down! I haven't had that experience in a romance in what feels like months! This was such a fun read, similar to 'The Holiday' (movie) but so much better and more fun! This is the perfect fun, and cozy snuggle up Christmas read, you could completely read it anytime of the year, but just like your favourite Christmas movie this would be best to binge read again and again every Christmas! It's been a long time since I've said this but this would make an amazing Christmas movie too!

I loved Mary and I loved Evan! What Mary went through with her ex was a completely justifiable reason for dumping him, that was horrible! Both of them just have big welcoming hearts, and I truly appreciated the extremely well-done and well needed dual pov! Mary's mother Sheena takes the cake though! She's a fantastic mom! I truthfully can't say much then that without spoiling the whole book, even though I really want to. What I can say is that this book is so vivid! You will be transported to New York city and Inch, you will fall in love with this story and it's characters and you'll want to read this on repeat over and over again every Christmas! Picture your favourite Netflix/ Hallmark Christmas movie and this is honestly it in book form! It was just so cozy, uplifting and fun!

The only thing badish I could say about this is that if you've previously read the authors book 'Dingle All The Way' you might not need to read this book. As they are the same book this one is just published with Boldwood. However this one is a little longer, so I'm going to assume some things have been changed, maybe an added dual pov, but I'm not honestly sure what.

Thank you so much again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book! I truly loved it and I can't wait to bring it home, this was everything I wanted in a Christmas romance and so much more!

A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy is the perfect blend of festive charm and heartfelt romance. Set against the backdrop of a snow-dusted Irish village, it follows a woman returning home for the holidays—and right into old memories, family drama, and maybe even a second chance at love. Murphy’s writing sparkles with warmth, wit, and that touch of magic that makes Christmas stories irresistible. It’s funny, tender, and brimming with cozy holiday vibes—exactly the kind of book you want to curl up with by the fire and a mug of cocoa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the chance to read this book. I enjoyed it ,I couldn’t put it down quick and easy to read I read it in a weekend.
What happens when you try to surprise your family by coming back to Ireland for Christmas. but they’ve gone to New York to see you . I loved it
Great characters that you can relate to . I need to read more by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and a dash of holiday sparkle ✨🎄)

A Merry Irish Christmas is pure festive joy wrapped up in a bow—equal parts cozy Irish charm, sparkling banter, and heartwarming Hallmark vibes. Mary’s surprise trip home gone wrong (or maybe very right?) sets the stage for a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance with grumpy New Yorker Evan. Their “one day each” Christmas challenge made me laugh, swoon, and root for them all the way.

Clodagh Murphy balances humor and tenderness so well—the family chaos, the small-town warmth, the crackling chemistry all came together in a way that felt magical. Yes, it’s festive and a little bit predictable (in the best possible way), but that’s exactly what makes it such a comfort read.

If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday romcom with an Irish twist, this one belongs on your December TBR. I closed the last page grinning and ready to rewatch all my favorite Christmas movies.

If you’re craving all the cozy, twinkling, Hallmark-style Christmas vibes—but with an Irish twist—then A Merry Irish Christmas is the perfect holiday read. Clodagh Murphy delivers everything I want from a seasonal rom-com: festive charm, laugh-out-loud banter, a touch of family chaos, and a romance that warms you up like mulled wine by the fire.

Mary is instantly relatable—flying home heartbroken, only to find her family has ditched her for New York and left their house in the hands of a grumpy American stranger. Her run-ins with Evan, the reluctant house-swapper, are pure opposites-attract gold. I loved the “one day each” challenge—it’s such a fun, structured way to throw them together, forcing Evan to experience Irish holiday traditions while Mary braves his moody minimalism.

Their chemistry sizzles beneath all the bickering, and the slow thaw between them is both funny and swoony. Murphy balances the lighthearted humor with just enough depth to make the romance feel real—you see two people learning to let go, open up, and maybe find a little magic in the most unexpected place.

The Irish setting is another highlight. From the wild beaches to the cozy pubs and family traditions, it feels festive without being overdone, and it adds a unique flavor that sets this book apart from standard Christmas rom-coms.

By the time the snow (and sparks) started falling, I was fully invested and grinning like I’d just watched my favorite holiday movie. This is exactly the kind of book to curl up with under a blanket, hot chocolate in hand.

4 ⭐️

A Merry Irish Christmas is the kind of book that feels like stepping into a warm pub on a snowy night—cozy, comforting, and full of heart.

Mary heads home to Ireland after a painful breakup, hoping for the comfort of her family at Christmastime. Instead, she’s greeted by a total surprise: her family house has been swapped, and living there is Evan, an American celebrity with heartbreak of his own. He wants solitude. She wants healing. What they don’t expect is how much they’ll end up needing each other.

This story has all the ingredients of a Hallmark-style romance: forced proximity, celebrity romance, Irish holiday traditions, and plenty of festive chaos. I loved how Mary and Evan’s relationship unfolded—tentative at first, then growing into something genuine, sweet, and restorative. Both characters are dealing with real emotional wounds, and watching them find joy again—through Christmas traditions, banter, and quiet moments—made for a heartwarming read.

What I really appreciated is how easy this was to get lost in. The pacing is smooth, the dialogue sparkles, and the setting is described so vividly that I could almost hear the music, smell the food, and feel the glow of fairy lights. It’s wholesome, romantic, and filled with charm.

If you’re looking for a holiday escape that’s equal parts comforting, funny, and swoony, this is the one to add to your December TBR. I’ll definitely be revisiting it closer to Christmas when I want that perfect cozy rom-com vibe.

📚 Tropes you’ll find:
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Celebrity romance
✨ Irish Christmas traditions


Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Clodagh Murphy for the ARC 🎄

Loved this book. Mary wasn't supposed to be going home to Ireland for Christmas because she was going home with her boyfriend. They broke up prior to that., so Mary was going to spend Christmas in New York by herself. Her Mom was upset about that. Mary decides she is going to splurge on a airfare for Christmas and her family does a house swap top surprise her in New York. Evan is at the house in Ireland when Mary arrives and her parents are in New York. See how this works out with Mary and Evan and her parents in New York. A GOOD READ. First time I have read this author and am sure I will be reading more of her books.

Great book. I liked how sparky Mary was and how her and Evan sparred with each other. Crossed wires at Christmas have led them to each other and now they are spending time with each other at Mary’s parents home in Ireland. This is lovely romantic book with lots of festive fun and frolics. I liked the friendships, the scenery and the traditions. This could be a great netflix film. Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Yay!! I loved this one, it was such a fun read and made me chuckle. The main characters, Mary and Evan were so likeable. It’s 30C here, but don’t let that stop you reading a Christmas themed book. One of my favourites this year

A Merry Irish Christmas was a very lovely read. It was short, fast paced and very sweet – exactly what I needed. I basically devoured this book in just over 24 hours.

I adored The Holiday vibes of this book. It’s one of my favourite Christmas films and A Merry Irish Christmas had the same cosy feeling. Well, other than not getting the perspective of Mary’s family in Evan’s home. Basically, it was as if The Holiday only showed Cameron Diaz’s side of the story.

Speaking of the different perspectives, it would have been great to have more chapters from Evan’s perspective to make his feelings towards Mary more believable. He was pretty hostile towards her to begin with so when he suggested they make out on the sofa, just a few days later, I felt like I had whiplash. Yes, he had warmed up to her and they were being friendly with each other, but out of nowhere suggesting they start getting it on was a little wild. I did really love their witty banter though, especially as you find out later that Evan would purposefully wind her up because he loved hearing what comeback she’d come up with next.

I really liked him in the end and the fact that he plays Spider-Man on TV was hilarious to me. I’m a HUGE Spider-Man fan and had literally just watched the Tom Holland trilogy before starting A Merry Irish Christmas so that was a weird coincidence.

I also really liked Mary. I’m glad she got over her crappy ex so quickly. Usually I’d say she moved on too quickly but she clearly hadn’t truly loved Greg and he was the absolute worst. His ex-girlfriend came to his apartment and asked to get back with him, he said yes and they started making out. Mary hears all of this as Greg literally just got out of bed with her after asking her to move in. How horrific is that?

I wouldn’t say A Merry Irish Christmas was the most festive book I’ve ever read but I did really enjoy spending Christmas Eve and day with Mary and Evan. It was pretty much the perfect Christmas day, other than the crying. However, this scene did bring them closer.

The side characters were also great. Mary’s mom was brilliant and absolutely the driving force behind the whole story. I also loved the rest of her family and friends – I hope there will be a book about Abbie and Owen or even Aifric, she was great.

If you’re looking for a lovely, quick festive read I’d highly recommend A Merry Irish Christmas. There isn’t (technically) a third act break up and the characters have great chemistry.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Cute!

Mary decides to fly home to Ireland for Christmas when things end with her boyfriend. Unknown to her, her family plans a similar surprise visit to New York. The result: Mary is home, and her family is in NY.
As if that’s not enough, the family home is now occupied by a grumpy New Yorker, Evan, who wants nothing to do with her or Christmas. Can the two of them find a way to make Christmas memorable?
The story comes in Mary’s third-person POV with a few chapters from Evan’s POV (also in the third person).

My Thoughts:
This is a short and cute book you can finish in a single sitting. The descriptions are very well done. I could visualize the Irish setting, the weather, and cozy dinners.
The FMC is easy enough to like. This made the book enjoyable since we get most of the story from her perspective.
The MMC is a proper grump in the beginning, but he proves himself to be a sweet guy. Just how it should be. I did wish he had more chapters to balance the narrative.
There are many side characters, though my favorite has to be the mom. She pretty much runs the book, though her scenes are limited. There is also a bit of stereotyping, but given that those characters appear only once throughout the book, I didn’t mind it too much.
So far, the book seems to be a standalone, which means a subplot has been left open. Maybe there will be another book for that one. It’s not related to the main characters, though.
Given the timeline, this is no slow burn. It is insta-love. However, I don’t remember them actually saying the word, so that’s something. There’s a teeny bit of spice, but mostly closed door. The banter is fun, which I enjoyed.
The ending is nice and hopeful, but I do miss not having an epilogue. The only way to make up for it is to complete the subplot in another book.

To summarize, A Merry Irish Christmas is a lighthearted, cozy, and cute romance with some determined side characters added to the mix.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This story was very sweet and the perfect Christmas romance. It gave me the holiday vibes which is one of my favorite movies of all time. I looooved the setting so much!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

I devoured this book in one sitting—I simply couldn’t put it down. It’s the kind of story that feels like a warm hug: quick to read, lighthearted, and filled with joy.

The pages are brimming with cozy holiday vibes: shopping in New York City during Christmastime, soft sweaters, big festive meals, laughter, and just the right touch of romance. The banter sparkles, the character arcs feel satisfying, and the ending is perfectly heartwarming.

I especially enjoyed the glimpse into Irish traditions, particularly during the Christmas season—it even inspired me to try making soda bread!

If you’re looking for a book that will leave you smiling, laughing, and curled up under a blanket by the glow of the Christmas tree, this is one you won’t want to miss.

A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy is a great contemporary holiday romance that I truly enjoyed.

This was a cute, fun, and festive holiday romance. I enjoyed the small Irish village feel and the locations (NYC and Dingle, Ireland) and the wonderful descriptions of the traditions, feel, and activities during the Christmas Holidays. It helped add more of an overall sense inclusion of the reader into the characters’ experiences.

Mary and Even were a fun pair with banter, one-liners, and an enemies to friends to lovers story line. The time flew, and I finished it in no time. I definitely enjoyed it.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Boldwood Books this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/25.

A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy is a charming, festive read that really captures the magic of the holiday season in Ireland. The story is full of warmth, humour, and heart, with characters who feel real and relatable. I loved the mix of cosy Christmas traditions and unexpected twists that keep the story lively. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a hot drink and soak in the festive spirit.

A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy is a delightful festive romance full of warmth, humor, and charm. Mary and Evan’s clashing personalities lead to plenty of sparks, both romantic and comedic, as they learn to see past their differences. I enjoyed this book and rated it five stars.