Member Reviews

Loved this story.I always like a romance story and nice to see the gentleman being kind to his ex partner.I read in a few days and loved the ending.Nice easy read just needed at this time of year.Perfect.

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In a twist of fate, Izzy finds herself on what was supposed to be her honeymoon in paradise, accompanied not by her intended spouse but by her cousin. Meanwhile, Charles occupies the same luxurious resort, seeking solitude to craft his next literary masterpiece. Abbie, his agent and not-so-ex-wife, adds another layer of complexity to the mix.

As Izzy and Charles unexpectedly embark on a holiday romance, they're forced to confront the challenges of a significant age gap, the lingering presence of Abbie, and the reappearance of Izzy's former fiancé who now regrets his decision. Amidst this whirlwind of emotions and entanglements, they question whether true love can prevail against such odds.

This is everything you need for that addictive, summer read. Two strong women, one complicated man, secrets, dreams and explosive consequences, what more can you want or need?!

Thank you so much to the author - Sheila O'Flanagan as well as Ollie and the team at Headline Books for running this book tour!

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A really lovely read with well written characters…..set initially in the resort that should have been Izzy’s honeymoon…she meets well known writer, Charles Miller…….their holiday romance continues, but what she didn’t realise is his ex wife who is very much on the scene. Easy reading and really enjoyed

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Books by Sheila O’Flanagan consistently offer just what a reader in search of relaxation needs. There are good characters, a story that keeps the pages turning and some luxurious settings. In this story, I also liked the literary quotes that begin each chapter.

Izzy is broken hearted as the novel begins. She was all set to be married in a gorgeous island venue when her fiancé concludes that he is not ready to settle down. Rather than give up the honeymoon trip, Izzy travels with her cousin to a resort that sounds amazing.

There is a well known author, Charles, staying there. He was once in a relationship with his agent Ariel who continues to represent him. Working on his forthcoming novel while holed up in this paradise, Charles meets Izzy. The lives of these three characters then keep readers engaged.

What will happen to each of them? Will Izzy or Ariel have a long term and more permanent relationship with Charles? If not, where will each of their lives take them?

I enjoyed that, in addition to the relationships, readers learn about the work of each character. Charles who had big success illustrates that writing the next books can be a challenge. Ariel offers insight into the life of a literary agent while Izzy taught me a lot about inspections at ports.

This book will be welcomed by fans of the author and those who flock to women’s fiction titles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.

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When Iseult goes on her honeymoon with her best friend after her break up she wants to lick her wounds in paradise but finds that there might be someone for her after all. Opposites attract and when she meets acclaimed author Charles Miller there is an attraction from the start but with quite an age difference and coming from very different lives can the make a go of it? Ariel is a very successful literary agent her biggest client is Charles Miller who has gone on holiday to finish his latest book that he has been struggling with. Two very different strong women and one man what could possibly go wrong? I absolutely loved this book a fantastic read

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This was the first book that I have read by this author and it won't be the last!

I devoured this book in one sitting, it had me gripped from the beginning, I just couldn't get enough!

I liked the characters and I really liked the quotes from authors at the beginning of each chapter

If you're looking for a book to read this summer this one is for you!

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This is Sheila O'Flanaghan at her best.
Unlike a few recent books mainly set abroad this one's back on home turf.

Ariel is a really interesting character. She's not a panto baddie just someone who hasn't needed to “uncouple.” till now.

It throws light on the role of literary agent, which seems to be fascinating and exhausting in equal measure.

Isault is a much “thinner” character, partly because her youth hasnt yet given her chance to act more maturely, but, even so, she is quite likeable. This isn't always the case in some novels.But you've got to take the side of someone in the depths of despair after a disastrous dinnrr party, finding herself hungry. tucks in to the abandoned trifle deserts. My kind of gal!

Although the outcome is somewhat inevitable, the journey there is really enjoyable. If you know the city you'll enjoy the sunsets etc and if you don't it will make you want to visit!

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I always look forward to reading the latest Sheila O Flanagan novel so was particularly excited to receive an advanced copy of this one. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for proving a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Honeymoon Affair is about a girl who is jilted before her wedding but still goes on the already arranged honeymoon where she meets an older, distinguished gentleman author. On returning to Ireland they continue to meet and quite soon he asks her to marry him. He doesn’t come without baggage however and that’s where things get really interesting.

To be honest I found the story a little hard to believe, although this didn’t stop me enjoying it. I would have preferred a different ending but maybe that’s just me..

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The Honeymoon Affair by Shiela Flanagan is an entertaining, glitzy glamorous affair that starts in the Caribbean, when Izzy goes on the honeymoon holiday, when her fiancé reneges on their wedding plans. Izzy goes with her girlfriend and whilst their meets Charles Miller, a successful writer who is at the same hotel trying to finish his long awaited novel.
In Ireland, Charles ex wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party,. She is in constant touch with Charles, awaiting news that his new novel is finally written, wondering if she and Charles should try again.
As Izzy, Charles and Ariel life is full of surprises as all three people are about to find out.
An entertaining and easy to read story.
Recommended

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I’ve read lots of Sheila O’Flanagan books over the years and as soon as I saw this one I knew I had to read it. It certainly didn’t disappoint, I loved it.

Izzy and her fiancée Steve have booked their wedding in the Caribbean. Just before they are due to go Steve tells her he can’t marry her and he calls the whole thing off. Izzy ends up going on her holiday / wedding trip/ honeymoon with her cousin Celeste. Their hotel is beautiful and Izzy can’t help but think how different things would be if she was here with Steve and their wedding was going ahead.

Izzy notices a handsome, older man in their resort and ends up talking to him. Izzy and Celeste spend time with him and discover that he’s a writer and is there working on his next book. Izzy and Charles become close and she points him in the direction of crime novels.

Ariel Barrett is Charles literary agent and his ex- wife , although they are yet to be divorced. Ariel works in her office which is a mews flat attached to their old marital home. She and Charles see each other daily and are still very close.

The book is spilt into chapters about Izzy and Ariel and is very easy to read. I loved the quotes from authors at the start of every chapter.

I loved this book, it’s the perfect summertime read. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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As one of my go to authors I was pleased to be allowed to read this advance copy of Sheila O’Flanagan's new book. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity.
Dumped shortly before her wedding Izzy takes her cousin to the Caribbean to make use of the already paid for holiday. There she encounters 20-years-her-senior author Charles Miller. As luck would have it he also lives in Dublin and their relationship is able to continue back home. However, he is married to his agent. Although separated she is very hands on in managing both his personal and professional affairs. The book revolves around the relationships between these three characters with the conclusion maybe leaving some wanting. The book was told from each of the women's perspectives so I did not feel I was on one or the others 'sides'. I enjoyed the literary setting of the story. Maybe as I am closer to Charles's generation I found the constant reference to 'Hashtag' annoying and the phrase 'agent-slash-ex' way over used. Overall an enjoyable read if you are a fan.

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This would not be a book I would choose browsing the shelves of a bookshop. However, I am glad I received an ARC as it is totally different to what I had expected. A very well written and enjoyable book.

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I just love this ladies books, they are a real treat when you start to read them
The Honeymoon Affair by Sheila O'Flanagan was no different, it was another excellent book from start to finish and a great book for lying by the pool on your holiday or just for a relaxing day.

I can't recommend Sheila's books enough, I just love the way she writes once you open any of her books you become apart of her story and this one was no different.

Just excellent from start to finish!

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Izzy is on her honeymoon in the Carribean, except that instead of being with the groom, she is with her cousin after the marriage was called off. Here she meets author Charles, 20 years her senior. After a whirlwind romance that transfers back to Ireland, Charles proposes. However, Charles' ex, Ariel, is still on the scene, as she happens to be his agent. Can Izzy handle their closeness, and will their relationship survive?

The story is told from multiple view points, and I enjoyed the glimpse into the literary world and that of the customs officer role that Izzy has. However I didn't connect with any of the characters, and simply didn't care what happened to them after a while.

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Another lovely story from Sheila O’Flanagan. I really enjoyed the way this was told and the multiple view points, the ending was exactly was I was hoping for too! A good summer must read.

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I know that a book by Sheila O'Flanagan will be a good read. Likeable and realistic characters and always a different slant to a story. The ideal read for holiday or a weekend read.

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This author is one of my all time favourites so I couldn’t wait to delve into their latest. This was a slow burning read about second chances and as always was beautifully written. I loved Izzy and how her character unfolded as the story developed.

We need a sequel to see what happens next

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A great story to get lost in and would make a brilliant holiday read. I loved the characters, the setting and storyline. A real page turner for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for a honest review.

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It’s always a pleasure to get lost in a Sheila O’Flanagan book. You’re immediately invested in the characters and their situations and this one is no different but please can we have a sequel- I need to know what happens next!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the story of Charles, Ariel and Iseult, who wants to be called Izzy, but no one ever does. Charles is 49 and a famous author, Ariel is 45 and his ex-slash-agent (you don't know how sick I was of this description at the end), and Iseult is the 29 year old customs worker who becomes Charles' new girlfriend, later fiancée, after they meet in the Caribbean where Iseult was supposed to get married to Steve. (Hence the book title, I guess.)

The problem is that Charles is separated but not yet divorced and his ex has her office in the garden mews. She is also still his agent and over at the main house all the time to discuss his books and drink wine with him. Neither Charles nor Ariel think there is anything wrong with that. With Iseult's arrival there begins a slow and astutely observed process of disentangling their lives and careers.

"I was too comfortable with being half in and half out of our marriage. Maybe I even grew to like it. I’m such an idiot."

We also get an interesting glimpse into bookworld, and it will surprise no one that if a woman writes romance, she gets a nice, floral cover and better never comes out of that corner again, but if a man writes romance, he gets feted and wins the Booker prize. We also get endless literary quotes and hashtags - if I never see another hashtag again, it will be too soon!

I found the book well-written and entertaining - I know what it's like when an ex hangs around as a friend, and it causes nothing but conflict. I'm not even sure what they all saw in Charles - he had the ego of Australia and the jealousy to match. There he was, being annoyed at Iseult for caring for her ex Steve who had broken bones, while he was sitting pretty on the sofa with Ariel. What a hypocrite. Also, why can't you set a date until you're divorced? Planning for a wedding takes ages anyway!

But hey, I still liked the book and read it quickly, because Sheila O'Flanagan is a very accomplished writer who knows how to write a story, and I actually liked both women very much. But then came the ending, and after 480 long pages, there was no conclusion? We get a cliffhanger? That's a first for a romance book, and I couldn't believe it. Please no one ever do that to me again!

"If you can’t annoy somebody, there is little point in writing."
Kingsley Amis

Oh, be quiet, Kingsley.

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