Book Review: Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

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Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason | Book Review by Loraine Nunley

Synopsis from back of book

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well.  Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands.  Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college.  Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry – as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom.  When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate.  It will take every ounce of courage  for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts.  And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My review:

This was a wonderful story of an Irish family living in early 1900’s New York.  I very much enjoyed the story as well as the characters.  The descriptions were very well done and I could picture the historical time frame as if I were living in it.  I also liked the multiple points of view from the characters which really kept my interest.

It is unusual, at least in my reading, to have books be written in more than one or two points of view.  Sometimes a suspense book will include the bad guy’s point of view as well as the hero and/or heroine.  This author basically wrote two interconnecting story lines for both sisters from their points of view and included the points of view from both of the men they were involved with.   I have to say that I very much enjoyed this.  The author did a wonderful job of separating the characters and yet creating a cohesive story between all of them.  I thought that it added a great amount of depth to the characters.

I would have to say that my favorite character was Rylan.  I loved the way that he was easy going in nature, but also reflected strength.  At first, I wasn’t sure that I would like Colleen, but as I watched her grow throughout the story, she became another favorite.

There was so much to this story.  Between the people and the descriptions, I was completely drawn into their world until the last page.

What I enjoyed most about this book

The author’s use of multiple points of view.  It kept my attention and gave the characters more depth.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Nothing.  This one will be a keeper for me.

My rating:  5 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others?  Definitely.  The descriptions made me feel like I was there with the characters and the different points of view made me get to know them in a great way.  This is the first book in a series and I am already reading the next one!

Note:  I won this book in a giveaway.  I am not required to give a positive review.  All of the opinions I express here are my own.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Susan Anne Mason, author website

Loraine Nunley

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