Ava Kelly is living with her twin sister, Grace, in London after an awkward split from her long term boyfriend in Emerald Bay. But when she hears news he has been swept overboard from his fishing boat and is lost at sea, she flies back home to hold vigil for him. While she is home, enveloped in the warmth and love of her family and the small town, Ava has a chance to reassess her life choices, and a second chance with her ex, Shane - if he is rescued.

Set in the Irish village of Emerald Bay at Christmas, this is a delightful, heartwarming story. It is book 3 in "The Little Irish Village" series, but it works well as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a romance, yes, but it focuses on relationships first and foremost: Ava's relationship with her family (all the banter and bonhomie of a large, multi-generational household); her particular relationship with her twin; her relationship with Shane; and the way the wider community supports one another in times of crisis, all with a backdrop of Christmas - without being a specifically Christmassy story.

I had the pleasure of listening to this as an audiobook through NetGalley (although I bought a copy for my Kindle as well, to read alongside the narration). Jessica Regan's narrations was warm and her different voices for each of the characters was fantastic. There are a LOT of side characters and her voice acting for each was spot on, allowing us to keep track of each of the (many!) Kelly women in the story and all their quirky neighbours.

A delightful read/listen.

~ I had been approved for an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, however I had been unable to download it prior to being archived. I purchased the audio version from Audible ~

I usually adore Christmas stories and especially audiobooks, but for some reason, I wasn't able to listen to this one. The quality of the audio was distracting and I was more focused on that than the story. I do plan to go back and read a physical copy of the book because I believe the storyline is a good one.

I ended up not finishing this audiobook. I just didn’t feel anything for the story or characters. Could be that I am American and just didn’t feel like I was in the book. I honestly can’t remember anything about what I did listen to and I stopped at about 50%. Thanks NetGalley for the free arc.

Thank you to Michelle Vernal, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to what was supposed to be a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bookouture did not notify me of their approving my request, however, so I failed to download the ARC before it was archived that same day. I had to buy a copy in order to review it and stop it counting against my NetGalley feedback ratio. Publishers aren't required to notify reviewers of approval, but in all my years using NetGalley, this is the first time one didn't.

To their credit, Bookouture has sent notifications since, so I forgive them . . . but I'm still salty about wasting an Audible credit.

Because a waste it was. While ostensibly charming and heartwarming, this book was mostly fluff.

SPOILERS

There was no reason the love interest had to go missing; that was purely unnecessary drama. Sure, it created tension, with Ava wondering if she'd have a chance to apologize for leaving him, but I didn't like that. On that point, I agree with Grace, Ava's twin, that Ava deserved a chance to do what she wanted with her life, and if Shane was unwilling to compromise, move on from him. HE should have approached HER with apologies, not the other way around, I don't care if he'd already seen the error of his ways or not. (And why did his dad wait to lay into him AFTER she'd left? What good did that do? *eye roll*) Once Shane was found, all the tension regarding that storyline dissolved, because no conflict remained. He was sorry, still loved her, wanted to get married immediately. Cue wedding planning fluff.

As for the main storyline, that of Ava and Grace's difference of opinion, it's resolution was awful. Ava and Grace both stubbornly refused to try to resolve the issue, and Mommy had to step in and force a resolution herself. Pathetic. Removed a great opportunity for character development in which the characters could mature enough to approach each other and fix the problem themselves. It also made it appear that Grace was in the wrong, when I don't believe she was. Yes, she had to learn to let go of Ava and stop resenting Shane, and she should have been able to resolve the conflict herself, but Grace's point in disliking the whole business--that Ava was bowing to Shane's whims when she shouldn't--I completely agree with.

The premise is absolutely solid, but the execution was terrible. Overall it came off like the author just wanted an excuse to write about a cozy Irish community, so she tossed together some half-assed conflict to make it a story. Or was contractually obligated to write another book and same. The journalist thread meant nothing, the Christmas setting was superfluous. Flashing back to when she and Shane--met? fell in love? It was unclear--was unnecessary. Shouldn't have needed to switch to Nora's point of view. The whole book was a mess. I'd have recommended starting the story where the conflict started, before the girls moved to New York, and made it more romance by switching POVs between Ava and Shane so we could experience their thoughts and emotions as they worked through the situation themselves. Lots more opportunity for character development and would hopefully cut down on the fluff.

Lastly, the quality of the recording wasn't great. Definitely not the worst I've heard, but not great either. I could hear a tinny/echoy quality, and the narrator sounded bored at times. In a few spots she repeated herself, as if changing her mind about how to deliver a line, but the mistakes weren't edited out. Also I believe chapter fourteen was repeated. Granted, these things might have been edited/fixed before the final audio copy was released, but if they're not, it's sloppy work and harms the experience.

I listened to the first book in this series last year so I was surprised to find that this was the third book...I guess I missed the second one completely!

I loved the first book 'Christmas in the Little Irish Village' and it is the same with this one as well. I like how these love stories are based around family and community with wholesome, funny and lovely characters.

The narration done by Jessica Reagan was wonderful which resulted in a pleasurable listening experience. Another lovely book written by Michelle Vernal which (like the first book) can be made into a good Hallmark Christmas movie.

The cover picture is absolutely stunning 😍.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author for the ALC of the book.

This book was just so sweet. it was so cute and so christmas cozy perfect. I loved everything about it. Its just the perfect book to cuddle up with during the christmas season

***This review, expressing my honest opinion, is voluntary, and I extend my gratitude to Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for providing the Audio ARC***

Emerald Bay transforms into a picturesque wonderland during Christmas, drawing Ava Kelly back year after year. The enchanting sight of snowfall and the festive aroma of the Shamrock Inn create a captivating holiday atmosphere. Returning home for Christmas, Ava reunites with her twin sister Grace, both having traded the hustle and bustle of London for the serenity of Emerald Bay. However, the return is bittersweet for Ava, who harbors hopes of rekindling her relationship with her ex, Shane, after a year of separation.

The reunion with Shane unfolds seamlessly, as if time had stood still. Resuming their connection from a year ago, they embark on planning a future together, reigniting the flames of their romance. Yet, the impending challenge lies in Ava's conversation with Grace, revealing her uncertainty about returning to London.

In 'A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village' by author Michelle Vernal, a heartwarming tale of second chances unfolds. This festive story gracefully tugs at your heartstrings as you immerse yourself in the pages, transporting you to the charm of Emerald Bay and the joyous celebration of Christmas in Ireland. The narrative not only sparks a desire to hang Christmas lights but also evokes the readiness to decorate the Christmas tree. Filled with themes of reconciliation, second chances, and new beginnings, this delightful book stands as a wonderful addition to the series, earning my enthusiastic recommendation.

**please note due to low rating I will not be leaving a public review for this book as I have not paid for it.**

Narrated by Jessica Regan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Michelle Vernal ⭐⭐

This is the second book I've listen to by Michelle Vernal and while I absolutely enjoyed the first book in this series (giving it a 3.5) this one just didn't grab my interest as much. Overall I found it flat.

Would I recommend this book? - yes, just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean one of my book buddies won't.

Would I purchased this book for a friend or myself? - no

Thank you to #NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a decent contemporary romance. Some of it didn't make sense though because I did not realize this was the 3rd in a series. I will have to go back and read the other two.

I really enjoyed this Christmas story, which was set in Ireland. The audiobook narrator had a lovely Irish accent, which was nice to listen to, and she did a great job.

The story is about Ava and Grace, who are twins who have moved to London. Ava ends up going back home to Ireland to find out what has happened to her ex Shane, as he has had an accident and is missing. She wants to get back with him, so she is hoping he will be found alive. Will she get her Christmas miracle?

This is a sweet, emotional and heartwarming book which is easy to listen to, to brighten up a cold, dull day. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

A second chance romance set mostly in Ireland. Sadly, I found myself struggling to connect to any of the characters. It's sometimes hard to root for characters when you feel like you're coming into a story after it's been told. The plot feels like it peaks a bit early and I would have preferred a stronger Christmas theme.

I'd recommend for fans of Irish contemporary romance. No spice at all if that's your preference.

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I couldn't follow along with the audio book. I tried 3 times. Maybe it was the narrator that just didn't connect with me because the story seemed to be good. I got about half way through the book, so I felt it was enough to leave a review.

A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal and
Narrated by Jessica Regan, was a heart-warming and utterly addictive small town Christmas romance. It was a lovely warm and comforting story that just melting the heart especially getting you ready for the magical time of the year, Christmas. The characters were brilliant and I did not realised it was the third book, but it didn't put a damper on this audiobook I loved it.

The only downside was the audiobook was very echoey but once you get used to it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ava Kelly has left the confines of the village she grew up in and moved to London. In doing so she ended her five-year relationship with her boyfriend Shane. When she hears that Shane has fallen overboard from the trawler he works on and is missing at sea her immediate reaction is to return home.

A Christmas Miracle In The Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal is the third book in the Little Irish Village series. Fans of the series will be familiar with the village of Emerald Bay, along with its residents, particularly the Kelly clan. This time around the focus of the story is Ava Kelly, one of the twins.

We quickly learn that twins Ava and Grace have left Emerald Bay and settled in London. The aim was to save money and travel but things haven't quite worked out that way and Ava is beginning to doubt her decision to move. Her doubt is amplified when she gets the distressing news that her ex-boyfriend, Shane, is missing at sea. Without a moment's hesitation she books a flight and returns home.

The first half of the story focuses on Ava's memories of her relationship with Shane. The listener shares in the highs of young love and the lows of breaking up. We discover that Ava didn't want the relationship to end, it was Shane who decided a long-distance relationship wouldn't work, and Ava has always felt guilty about her decision to leave. This guilt is now compounded with Shane missing.

This is a spoiler-free review but you can probably guess what happens from the title of the book. Yes, it's predictable, but for light relief the storyline works well. The fact that we know the characters makes the story feel as if we're visiting old friends and catching up on how their lives are developing. Alongside this, a Christmas setting makes it ideal for a December read/listen. I'll be more than happy to pay another visit to the Kelly family of Emerald Bay in the future.

A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Ava Kelly loves returning to Emerald Bay for Christmas. Snowflakes fall on the green rolling hills and mulled wine fills The Shamrock Inn with the smell of winter spice. But this year, the Kelly family is hoping for a miracle…

When twenty-four-year-old Ava Kelly and her adventurous twin Grace return home to The Shamrock Inn, their Ma’s favourite baubles bring back so many memories of Christmases past. They have always done everything together, even leaving their little Irish village for the excitement of London. But with the locket her handsome ex Shane gave her hanging just above her heart, Ava has just one wish this festive season…

After a year stuck in a job she can’t stand and going on dreadful dates, Ava longs to be back with Shane. Curling up in front of the fire with him, the brooding fisherman everyone else sees melts away as his blue eyes meet hers. But planning a future with Shane would mean telling Grace she’ll be moving back to the village for good. Ava knows it will break her sister’s heart for them to be parted.

But, before Ava can build up the courage to talk to her twin, terrible tidings about Shane hit The Shamrock Inn like a winter storm. With everyone but Grace rushing to the harbour, will Ava’s hopes for a future with both Shane and her sister in it be dashed? Or could a Christmas miracle bring them all together?

My Opinion

This is the second book I have read in this series but it is the third book that has been released, however missing the second book has not spoilt my enjoyment. A heart-warming, charming story that will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling that you can expect from a festive book.

Rating 4/5

I have not read either of the first 2 books in this series and had no trouble following along in this one.
Twins Ava and Grace have moved away from their small Irish village and live in London. Ava is longing to go back home, so when her ex Shane goes missing at sea, she rushes home to support the search for him. They parted on good terms, hoping for a long distance relationship that was too difficult to continue at the time. If Shane is found, Ava wants a second chance.
I liked Ava, she was very loving to not only an ex, Shane, but to her whole family. There was such a great family dynamic (for the most part). She was really trying to figure out what she wanted as her own person without Grace.
Possible Spoilers:
Shane gets found alive like halfway through the book so and then a lot happens after that. Ava and Shane's relationship is very cute, though I didn't feel a huge connection between them. Maybe it was because they already had this existing relationship before the book started. I would have liked a little bit more of their relationship.
Ava and Grace have words because Grace told her sisters that Shane was controlling and mean towards Ava (which was untrue) so their sisters would convince Ava to move to London with her. Ava felt that was actually Grace being controlling (which she kind of was) and it turned into them not talking to each other for a while. While I can see that the special relationship between twins really made Grace reluctant to go somewhere without Ava and she felt like Ava was choosing Shane over her, I still think that her actions were very petty and cruel. I was happy that it was resolved though.
This book didn't really revolve around Christmas. It just takes place around Christmas which was a little bit disappointing, but it was still a cute story!
The narrator had an incredibly thick Irish accent (which makes sense for the characters living in Ireland), but I did not find it hard to understand her and I actually loved her voice. I think she did a fantastic job.

I hadn't realised this was number 3 in a series, but it really didn't matter. It was a really sweet, easy Christmas story.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author. She narrated it really well, and it helped that she is Irish, where the book is set.
Likeable characters, nice story & it has put me in the Christmas spirit. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This book was a quick easy listen. I'm not a huge romance fan but was intrigued as I love a cute Christmas book a d this was well narrated and loved the Irish setting. Overall a nice easy listen , would round this up to 3.5 stars. Thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

A story of family and community and finding a way to be yourself in the midst of it all. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to with just the right amount of accent to make me feel like I was in the heart of the Irish village.

Ava is feeling a bit unmoored, she moved to London with her twin because she wanted to experience the world outside of their Irish village and broke up with Shane because he did not want to leave. London is not what she expected and there isn't enough money left to experience anything other than surviving in London. When she finds out that Shane has fallen into the sea and a search is on for him she immediately heads home. She realizes that she still has feelings for him and hopes that there will be a miracle and that he will be found and that he still feels the same. But leaving London means being parted from her twin, they have never been apart and Grace does not think Shane is enough for Ava. Will Ava have a Christmas miracle?

Enjoyed being immersed in this Irish village and the Kelly family and hope to return for more stories of the family.

Ava and her twin Grace are as close as can be, but are also at their core different people. Grace is the adventurous one who tends to lead the way and by lead, I mean gently coerce /push/bully/guilt Ava into doing whatever she wants. When she decides she wants to leave their loving quaint, but in her opinion stunted village for the bright lights of the big city, she convinces Ava that the ice she is living and enjoying isn’t good enough. Ava caves and together they head off to London for some wondrous adventures. Ava is not enjoying her time there and wavering about returning home. When near tragedy strikes she heads home and Ava is not happy about it. Grace finds herself feeling good about her choices and taking control of her life for the first time and rekindling things with the love of her life. Lots of drama, sister issues, small town nosiness, but ultimately about love and self discovery. A very sweet feel good story with everyone getting their happily ever afters. Looking forward to the next in the series.