Welcome to the little Irish village of Emerald Bay where the sun is shining, the locals are gossiping, and romance is in the air. But will returning home be the fresh start Imogen Kelly needs?
Thirty-two-year-old Imogen Kelly is meant to be living her best life in Dublin but the bright lights of the city aren’t making her truly happy. So she leaps at the chance to take on an interior design job at the big country manor at the edge of Emerald Bay. It also gives Imogen an excuse to return to the place where she spent an unforgettable summer with her first love, Lachlan Leslie, the heir to Benmore House.
Imogen’s heart is full of hope at the thought of seeing her childhood sweetheart but on the way there she nearly has an accident on the winding, muddy country road. She arrives at Benmore House late and flustered, only to discover the builder working with her on the renovation project is none other than Ryan O’Malley – the class prankster who was forever pinging her bra strap at school.
Within seconds it’s clear he’s still a cheeky charmer, even if he’s transformed into a gorgeous guy who unexpectedly sets her pulse racing. Forced into close proximity with relentlessly cheerful Ryan, who’s forever (badly) singing rock ballads at the top of his voice, Imogen at first finds him an annoying distraction.
With St Patrick’s Day celebrations in full swing, Imogen has her work cut out to keep the job on track. Spending more time with Ryan, she discovers that, behind his warm smile and generous ways, he’s nursing heartache. But when she finally sees blue-eyed Lachlan again,Imogen has to face up to the truth about the secret summer romance they shared.
Published Date: 4 May 2023
My Review
Imogen, who now lives in Dublin with a thriving interior design business, returns to her hometown, Emerald Bay, for a design job at Benmore House. She hopes to confront past feelings for her childhood sweetheart, but on her way there, she narrowly avoids an accident when she stops for ducks crossing the road. To her surprise, the other driver involved is her former school rival, Ryan O’Malley. Though their reunion starts off tense, it turns out Ryan is also working on the Benmore project as a builder. Over time, their relationship becomes friendly, and Imogen realizes there’s more depth to Ryan than she thought. He returned to Emerald Bay from London to care for his ailing father and has embraced the comforts of village life.
The story revolves around families, self-discovery, and fresh starts, featuring a witty narrative and unique characters. Imogen, a successful businesswoman, grapples with finding her true love. Her journey is peppered with choices between various men and is backed by the unwavering support of her close-knit family and best friend. It’s a delightful read filled with heartwarming moments.
My Rating
My Sanctuary 