January 16, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- A Merry Irish Christmas By Clodagh Murphy

A surprise visit home, an unexpected houseguest, a Christmas she’ll never forget… ☃️

Mary hasn’t told her family that she’s coming home for Christmas. After breaking up with her boyfriend just before the holidays, she decides to surprise them and get a last-minute flight home. But when she arrives in Ireland after a long journey, she discovers her family have had the same idea, and gone to New York to surprise her.

To make matters infinitely worse, they’ve done a house swap with grumpy (but sexy) New Yorker Evan, who makes it clear he doesn’t want her, or her Christmas cheer, around.

Mary is determined to keep the festive spirit alive, so she proposes that she and Evan each get one day where the other has to do things their way. But can Evan put aside his grouchiness to embrace a proper, Irish Christmas? And how will Mary cope with a day of sulking and moody walks on the beach?

One thing’s certain: as the temperature drops outside, things start to heat up inside the McBride house. Maybe it’ll be a merry Christmas after all …

About The Author

My Review

Clodagh Murphy’s A Merry Irish Christmas is a festive romance brimming with charm, humor, and heart. The story opens in New York, where Mary’s Christmas plans are shattered when her boyfriend reconciles with his ex, leaving her both single and suddenly without holiday plans. Hoping to salvage the season, she heads home to Ireland to surprise her family—only to find they’ve done a house swap and are spending Christmas in New York. Instead of a warm family reunion, she’s faced with an empty home… and Evan, a grumpy but undeniably handsome actor who is also staying there.

Forced to share the space, sparks soon fly between Mary and Evan. What begins as sharp banter and frosty tolerance gradually transforms into genuine friendship and undeniable attraction. Murphy balances the grumpy-sunshine trope perfectly, weaving in laugh-out-loud humor, tender moments, and just the right amount of festive spice.

With cozy Irish traditions, snappy dialogue, and standout supporting characters like Mary’s vibrant mother, this is the kind of holiday romance that’s short enough to read in a couple of sittings but warm enough to linger in your heart.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 16 January 2026

A Yorkshire Affair By Julie Houston

🏠 Jess Allen has always played it safe. 🏠

She married her high school sweetheart, stayed in her hometown and lives right next door to her mum Lisa and younger sister Sorrel. But with a new job on the horizon and her family no longer living a stone’s throw away, she’s going to have to get used to her comfortable life shifting into something new.

Jess finds the idea of being a part of the White House – the village’s new and stylish restaurant – incredibly daunting, but she knows she is more than capable. And with her role at the care home uncertain, this would give her the chance to finally pursue her passion for cooking.

But as her professional life soars, her romantic life is thrown into turmoil. Having welcomed back into her life her no-good ex, she’s quickly questioning her decision – especially as new faces in Beddingfield begin to catch her eye.

As the familiar rhythms of life shift and long-held routines are upended, she starts to see that sometimes change is no bad thing at all. And someone who encourages her to take a risk – even if it’s the last person she ever expected – might be just the thing she needed.

Review Card & Book Review- Chaos Theory By Sylvia Leatham

Sometimes the future arrives whether you’re ready or not. A charmingly quirky, feel-good Irish comedy about accidentally finding yourself.

Maeve McGettigan has just landed a job as Dublin’s least prepared robot babysitter. One minute she’s coasting through her boring marketing job; the next, she’s responsible for Kobi: a well-meaning robot assistant with zero filter and a knack for publicly humiliating her. As chaos erupts around her, Maeve finds herself unexpectedly caught between two very different men: Shane – her on-again, off-again messy situationship – and Josh, Kobi’s nerdy-in-a-hot-way creator who makes her question everything she thought she wanted for her life.

But then Maeve and Kobi’s story takes a truly shocking twist, and it’s suddenly time for her to decide: what – and who – is she really fighting for?

A wonderfully heartwarming read about finding your people and embracing the unexpected, even when it’s a mischievous robot. After all, sometimes the most chaotic situations lead you to exactly where you belong.

About The Author

My Review

This is a quirky and entertaining workplace comedy with a surprising amount of heart. The story centers on Maeve, who is assigned to help a robot named Kobi assimilate into her office. Kobi quickly becomes the heart of the novel—his awkward attempts to fit in are both hilarious and touching, and his evolving bond with Maeve is a joy to watch. The alternating chapters between Maeve and Kobi add another layer of charm, offering unique insight into Kobi’s perspective and making their dynamic even more engaging.

Where the novel doesn’t quite succeed is in its romance. Maeve’s primary love interest feels underdeveloped, reading more like a casual fling than a meaningful connection. Their lack of chemistry makes the sudden leap toward love unconvincing, especially compared to Maeve’s natural spark with another potential love interest. Maeve’s reaction to Josh at the end also feels uneven, as her unwillingness to forgive him comes across as hypocritical given her own choices.

Despite these flaws, Chaos Theory shines in its humor and heart. Maeve and Kobi’s relationship carries the book, making it a fun, lighthearted, and worthwhile read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble