Thank you Netgalley and the publishers fir this copy in exchange for an honest review.


This was a cute story but for some reason I couldn't relate to it much even though my mum had endometriosis and I have those symptoms as well.

For me it was an average read.

Giving this one three stars. I didn’t finish the book, because ultimately the story wasn’t for me. It was way too insta-love/love at first sight. The way that Darby is a man who seemingly hates everyone (we’re told), but on the first page is obsessed with one random tourist… I think it would work for someone else.

Things I liked:
- The banter
- The map + sights at the beginning
- The setting

Health challenges and our history can prevent us from living fully. What if those two meet in a story with the potential for a sweet romance.

Well, here you go. Grab this one for your book club, especially if you have members struggling with chronic illness. It's encouraging, eye-opening, and you'll turn the last page with a smile. The questions will lead you to a deeper understanding of the author's intentions as well.

When Brooke reached out to me, I was super excited. I truly enjoyed this novel even though instalove is not my favorite. It is a sweet, emotional read revolving around Darby and Eyre.

Don’t love the instalove trope, it feels stilted and not at all true to reality. The setting was great, the idea of a lovely Irish romance, but it just didn’t hold up

I wanted to love this SO much. I was going to Doolin for a family trip and found this. I was so excited about reading about where I was going to visit. Unfortunately, the writing was not my cup of tea and I didn't think it was quality writing. I gave up and lost interest.

I am still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster that is "The Irish Fall" by Brooke Gilbert. This book is a masterclass in storytelling, tackling sensitive topics with care and compassion. From the opening pages, I was hooked by the author's unique voice and the relatable struggles of her characters.

The story follows Eyre, a young woman struggling to cope with chronic health issues and depression, who embarks on a solo trip to Ireland after a painful breakup. There, she meets Darby, a gruff but kind-hearted tour guide who is hiding his own secrets. As they explore the Emerald Isle together, they form a connection that goes beyond their surface-level differences.

What sets this book apart is its unwavering commitment to realism. Gilbert does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of living with chronic illness, mental health struggles, and the stigma that often accompanies them. Yet, she does so with sensitivity and compassion, never resorting to melodrama or clichés.

The characters are richly drawn and authentic, with flaws and vulnerabilities that make them relatable and endearing. Eyre's struggles with her health and Darby's past traumas are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a sense of depth and nuance that is rare in contemporary romance.

The romance is slow-burning and tender, with a palpable chemistry between the leads that simmers beneath the surface. The secondary characters are equally well-crafted, particularly Mak and Sinead, who bring warmth and humor to the story.

Gilbert's writing is descriptive and evocative, transporting me to the lush landscapes of Ireland and immersing me in the world of her characters. The author's inclusion of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book is a testament to her commitment to reader safety and sensitivity.

In conclusion, "The Irish Fall" is a triumph. It is a heartwarming romance that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. Brooke Gilbert's writing is a gift, and I eagerly await her next release. If you're looking for a story that will touch your heart and challenge your perspectives, look no further than this outstanding novel.

Trigger warnings: This book deals with sensitive topics such as suicide, infertility, chronic illness, mental health struggles, and depression. While these themes are handled with care and compassion, readers may still find them triggering or upsetting. The author provides trigger warnings at the beginning of the book for these topics.

Recommendation: I highly recommend "The Irish Fall" to anyone looking for a realistic and romantic tale that explores complex themes with sensitivity. Fans of contemporary romance, new adult fiction, and women's fiction will find much to appreciate in this outstanding novel.

The book opens with a trigger warning, but for the rest of the story, I found it to be a good book with wonderful characters and, with a feel of watching a T.V. movie at times nothing wrong with that. Just, a good book, and the description of the different locations was excellent and made you feel part of the book.

This book was one of my favorite reads of the year so far! As someone who also deals with chronic health issues, I felt very connected to Eyre and her struggles. Darby and Eyre's struggles were so heart wrenching, and I couldn't stop rooting for them when reading. This book does a great job at showing how patience and open communication goes a long way.

I really want to visit Ireland now after reading this book. I would definitely recommend this to all my friends!

Reading this book while in Ireland was amazing! I loved visiting the places that the book talked about. I loved the whole romance and how the author wrote this whole book overall.

What a lovely book! The romance was so sweet. The Irish setting was my favorite part! The descriptions were amazing and it made me want to visit Ireland ASAP! I love the chronic illness representation as well. The found family and friendships in the novel were so touching. Overall a delightful read and I am looking forward to more from the author!

A cute but heartfelt read set in the lush green fields of Ireland, the Irish fall tells the story of two ordinary people traveling together. The challenges they face, and thier romance along the way. While a sweet read, this book does contain content regarding health, both mental and physical, that added a certain realism to the story. It does a wonderful job expressing both mental health and disability representation.

I would recommend this book to sweet romance readers looking for a unique cast of characters and fun setting.

I've picked this up and put it down a few times now, I just don't think it's the story for me! Such a bummer because I really enjoyed the premise and usually like Christian Fiction!

DNF at 52%
I really wanted to love this book. I’ve picked it up and set it down at least a dozen times since July, but I simply think, at this point, that it is not for me.
The writing was not working for me. It was a but stilted, and it felt like it was sorely lacking in the editing department—I went and bought the finished ebook copy after release, hoping that might solve some of my problems, and while it was maybe a little better, it still didn’t get where I needed it to be for my preferences.
I really enjoyed Eyre as a character, and I loved the discussions she had about her chronic illnesses. I teared up during the discussion of her endo and infertility. There was a lot of real, raw, heart to the portrayal, from the way Eyre explained it to Darcy, to her internal monologue, to the portrayal of her symptoms. That was by far my favorite aspect of the book.
I also really enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery. They were beautiful and visceral and it felt like I was there, in the Irish countryside. I did feel like some of the irishness came off a bit heavy handed, in a way that felt very much like being stuck in tourist central, which worked in the scenes where they were in tourist shops and such, but when it’s just Darby and Eyre by themselves or hanging out in the local joints, it still felt more like the kind of irishness catered to American tourists as opposed to genuine life-as-a-person-in-Ireland on occasion.
There was a lot to the story that just felt a bit heavy-handed to me, from the themes to the dialogue. It was all so direct, more telling than showing. It made the narrative feel stilted.
I do think that this was one of the books that just didn’t work for me. I didn’t mesh well with the writing. However, I know others who absolutely love this book, so I think it’s worth giving a shot if it piques your interest.

I am very undecided about this book. While I understand the authors desire to write about her medical condition which is an important part of her life, I had a hard time enjoying the story because of it. I want an escape, not reality.

The story was good, the characters were fun, I loved the setting but experiencing someone's medical pains isn't relaxing or enjoyable. I understand but I don't like feeling like that.

IM SO INLOVE I CERTAINLY FELT SINGLE AS I READ THE BOOK
i love darby and eyre, their story is beautiful; both as a couple and as individuals
both of them are
so strong in the way they faced their fears, conquering them, and moving forward. their support for one another during their lowest, and their love all throughout the book blossomed beautifully that it made me cry.
Loved so much

This book checked off a lot of boxes for me in terms of tropes I enjoy. IRELAND. CHRONIC ILLNESS. BROODY MMC. CLEAN ROMANCE......and it didn't disappoint!

As someone that has a chronic illness that includes a lot of pain and fatigue, I feel like the author really portrayed what life is like from day to day. It was extremely well done! Eyre's feelings that her illnesses make it too difficult to be with her, were so relatable, and it was nice to see a book representing that.

Darby was the perfect protective hero, and his broody nature just increased his appeal. The side characters of Mak and Sinaed were delightful and added a wonderful second layer of angst, affection and definitely humor! Even Lucky, their dog, was adorable and his little personality came alive on the page.

This book was such a cozy read. I will say that there was definitely a lot of talk about trauma, anxiety and chronic illness, but if you relate with that I recommend this book for sure!

I'll be picking up more Brooke Gilbert books for sure! 5 STARS!

DNF not for me I didn’t like it at all, felt too boring for me. I’m sure it’s a great book for someone else but not for me.

I loved this story by a new to me author! Funny and sweet! I was laughing out loud so many times, and I enjoyed the banter and sweet romance, along with the life lessons that accompanied some pretty difficult things both of the main characters were going through, such as PTSD and chronic illness.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Darby and Eyre's story. I look forward to reading more Brooke Gilbert stories!

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own!

Overall this is a cute quick romance read. I love the setting. I appreciate the authors content warnings for those who may still struggle through certain things and find the content triggering (chronic illness and PTSD). The setting of Ireland drew me in and I enjoyed the story for a quick autumn read curled up on the couch. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.