Rating: 4 stars
Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Felix is on a backpacking trip with two of his friends. They’re not very good friends, however, and they leave Felix in the Irish countryside passed out, wearing only his underwear.
Ronan comes upon him and offers to help. He takes Felix to town, gets him some clothes, and tries to help him find his friends, but an unfortunate situation arises and Felix finds himself in debt to Ronan. A very nice police officer makes Felix a deal: work with Ronan and his grandfather on their farm until he’s paid back what he owes.
Felix finds this to be easier said than done. Ronan resents him for the situation, and Ronan’s grumpy grandfather, Lorcan, isn’t much better. Still Felix must come to terms with his fate and try to make the best of the situation.
I enjoyed this little book. I thought it was a pretty unique concept. Poor Felix. His so called friends thought it would be funny to slip him a mickey and leave him to the elements in his underwear. Losers. Ronan sweeps in like a knight in shining armor. Who doesn’t love that?
I also liked how the story took place in Ireland. I’ve read a lot of internationally set books, but I rarely hear of any that take place there. Robbins describes the scenery beautifully…the hills, the green, the farm. It was great.
Felix and Ronan, and to a lesser extent Lorcan and the police officer, were well written, and I got a real look at their personalities. Felix’s friends made me angry. They were total jerks, and I felt the urge to reach through the Kindle and throttle them.
When Ronan and Lorcan finally start to mellow toward Felix, some things come up and there are some misunderstandings and angst, but not too much, and it only served to move the story along. I didn’t feel the need to skim through anything.
The love story between Felix and Ronan is a slow burn. In fact, it’s pretty much taking a back seat to the story of the farm. If you’re looking for hot and steamy sex, you won’t find it here. In fact, I think there were only two kisses. There was romantic tension, and those kisses were toe curling, but I think if sex would have been included, it would only be gratuitous. I also didn’t mind the less steamy story because I was caught up with what was happening. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I will say Felix is a hell of a guy. Really.
The end was satisfying, and it was perfect for this story. It wrapped up neatly, and I enjoyed it.
I highly recommend When Irish Eyes are Smiling. It’s not very long, so it is a great way to spend an evening, and it will leave you a warm feeling to help you get through the cold of winter.
