- We met Amber in previous books; Despite her family's concerns she is traveling abroad on a three-month adventure. She just arrived in Dublin, Ireland the previous night and is cutting through Steven’s Greens, to make it to a scheduled tour when out of nowhere a young Irishman saves her life and runs off. The tale that unfolds shares growth, the complications of family and the realization that sometimes love is not at all how you imagined or where you thought you would find it.
- River Delaney is twenty-four and destined to run his family owned pub in Dublin. The Stag has been a part of his family for over two hundred years. He is the middle brother and has a lot on his plate for such a young man. There is his Dad’s health, his younger brother’s schooling and dealing with complications caused by his brother Aengus and his involvement with the IRA. River is complicated and I felt for him. Tucker gives us an inside look at the struggles one faces when a loved one is involved in violent activity. She pushes the boundaries of loyalty and love.
- Amber Welles has spunk. Imagine traveling alone to foreign countries. After the young Irishman saved her life, she cannot help thinking about him. She spots something on the street and it gives her the clue she needs to find the young man and thank him. Amber is adventurous and carries with her a bucket list of things to do on her journey from simple things like dressing like a bond girl to sun bathing naked. She also has her life mapped out from the type of guy she will fall for to where she will live and work. Life experience tells us this almost never happens and I enjoyed watching Amber push herself, discover new things and take chances.
- Ireland’s history and the IRA is a subject I know bits and pieces about and Tucker did a wonderful job of sharing its history. How the IRA formed and where it is today are vastly different and she gave us a clear untainted picture leaving the reader to reserve judgement and perhaps pique their interest. She also shared stories from the potato famine and this was one of my favorite scenes in the novel. It had me shed a tear and at the same time increased my longing to visit Dublin.
- Secondary characters, family and a delicious romance all set against the beautiful backdrop of Dublin, Ireland had me swooning. You could feel their attraction to each other, and his reluctance to bring her into his complicated world. I loved that she pushed back and chased River. Their romance certainly had a few bumps, but they talked and shared keeping the angst low. Tucker added suspense, danger and some intense scenes that forced growth keeping me fully vested in the outcome. She kept me flipping the pages in search of my HEA.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer