Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Half of It follows Juniper, who was raised by her emotionally distant grandmother with no other family to speak of. When her company provides free DNA kits she decides to take one which reveals that she has a half-sister, Cara, in Ireland that Juniper never knew about. Cara, excited at the prospect of meeting her sister having grown up an only child, invites Juniper to Ireland for a few weeks to attend her upcoming wedding. Juniper arrives in Ireland with few expectations. However, after meeting Cara and her family as well as Adian, her sister’s best friend, Juniper starts to feel like she has found people she belongs with for the first time.

As Juniper and Adian spend time together helping Cara with final wedding preparations, Adian, who has been feeling stuck lately, is reminded of his dreams outside of working at his family’s pub. As Juniper helps him break from the monotony of his day-to-day life he is reinvigorated to follow his passion and Adrian inspires Juniper to be vulnerable and open herself up to the possibility of new relationships.

I enjoyed how this book portrayed people in their late 20s who are still figuring out their careers and paths in life. I also enjoyed the friends-to-lovers trajectory of Juniper and Adian’s relationship. I appreciated how this book had several well-developed plots outside of the romance such as Juniper and Cara getting to know each other as sisters, and Juniper and Adrian grappling with their career paths and aspirations for the future. While Juniper did frustrate me occasionally, I think she has a lot of character development throughout the book. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy slow-burn romances with well-developed side plots.

This book was amazing. I purchased a physical copy after receiving this from the author via eARC and in person the cover and spine is even more gorgeous.

Okay, but actual content. So this starts off with a sweet premise, FMC going to Ireland to a half sister's wedding, a sister neither knew existed until they did a random DNA test linking them. When she arrives she has a meet cute with the local bartender who turns out to be her sister's best friend. But then sh!t got so real when a twist happens early on in the book that cranked up the angst level and really started to get me emotionally invested.

The FMC doesn't have any close familial relationships so having this instant family is overwhelming and exciting and at times confusing in a very human way when she makes missteps or says the wrong thing. I empathized with her so much and it never veered into second hand embarrassment, it was just so real. And I loved that she wasn't a caricature "lonely girl" either as she has a BFF back home who supports her from afar. Every character was just really well developed.

The romance was total crush vibes. I forgot how fun it is to have a crush and this story lets you live vicariously through those butterflies turned into something deeper. The intimacy is a bit of a slow burn (the emotional build is steady) but there is open door spice that is so fire.

Just overal LOVED this book and can't wait to read what this author writes next.

I enjoyed this one! I loved the premise, I have not read a storyline like this before. I loved the main characters.

- Small town romance
- dual POV
- Siblings best friend
- found family
- slow burn

Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this! I really LOVED this book. The characters were so relatable, sweet, and funny. The story line is one I haven’t read before & I ate it up. Would def recommend to a romcom fan!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s inside?
•Dual POV
•Cozy small town
•Irish setting
•Slow burn will they/won’t they
•Some spice
•Found family/chosen family

The Half of It is a beautiful book with an emotionally rich story. Set in the fictional Irish town of Ballygrá, we meet Juniper, an American writer who recently found out she has a half-sister after completing an online DNA test. She travels to Ballygrá to meet her half-sister and attend her wedding. As a writer, she also intends to write an article about her experience for the site she works for in hopes of earning a promotion.

This is one of those books where the town feels like one of the characters in the story. The author, Theresa Christine, does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the town and the people. I felt like I was living the story as I read it.

I felt the plot started a little slow, but once I was a bit of the way in, I literally could not put it down. There are layers to the story and it gets so emotional, but in a beautiful way. It does get into some heavy topics like alcohol and substance abuse, familial estrangement/abandonment, foster care, death of a close family member, and more. Each topic felt like it was handled with care and with the focus not on the grief, but on how to move through it and come out the other side stronger.

I really enjoyed reading The Half of It and will look for more from Theresa Christine in future!

If you like a slow-burn romance, an Irish setting and literal found family, then you’ll enjoy The Half of It!

When Juniper’s DNA testing reveals a half-sister she never knew existed in Ireland, this magazine writer travels from America to cover the story. But an error in her results may indicate this may not be the family she was missing her whole life. And that hot bartender? Yea, he could be a distraction too!

I found the story to be great, but the pacing of the book slow.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the advanced reader e-book copy of "The Half of It." Let's dive right in!

The Half of It follows our main character Juniper to Ireland, where she is headed to meet her half-sister — a half sister she didn't know she had until she took a DNA test. As a kid, June didn't grow up in a picture perfect family, and the chance to connect with family now seems to good to be true. But, on a quest to write something other than listicles at her day job, she takes the assignment of a lifetime and heads to the small town of Ballygrá to meet her half sister, Cara. But what she doesn't expect is Cara's best friend, Aidan, and the chemistry the pair feel as they race about Ireland crossing off items on Cara's pre-wedding checklist.

I really enjoyed this book! I could talk about a whole host of things I liked, but in the interest of people actually reading my review, I'll try to keep it brief.

In some books, the author can get away with being vague about the setting. In this book, Theresa Christine definitely could have, as it is more plot and character driven than setting driven. But I loved that she didn't! Making Aidan a photographer gave the reader a unique way to view Ireland: through the lens of a camera along with June and Aidan. I also loved that June and Cara's mom, Evie, went hiking, and exposed the reader to even more scenery.

Another aspect of this book I enjoyed thoroughly was the friendships. June and Lis, June's roommate turned best friend back in New York, keep in contact while June is in Ireland. Lis pushes June to examine her thoughts and actions, and to confront how her past trauma in familial relationships may be affecting how she sees her relationship with Cara, Cara's parents and Aidan. Cara and June get to know each other quickly, and both admit to having struggled making friends before, which I felt quite deeply, and I admired that the reason for that wasn't something like "they both have big personalities," but rather the reason lied in their circumstances: Cara lost friends because of a messy breakup. June didn't have many close friends because of how her childhood panned out. And finally, the friendship between Cara and Aidan made me smile so much. I have a male best friend quite like Aidan and seeing their friendship made me think of my pal! An added bonus? June and Aidan start off as friends, too. My favorite trope!

Last but not least, I loved the relationship between June and Aidan. My favorite romances are friends to lovers and this one did not disappoint. Both of them grew, both of them were independent outside of one another, and both of them worked through their previous traumas as they fell in love.

The book at first started out slowly, but picked up pace toward the end of the 1/3 mark, and once it got going, I didn't want to stop reading. There were a lot of plot lines to follow, however, because it was fast paced, I didn't feel like I was forgetting any of them in between.

The plot lines that I wish went a little deeper were Aidan's parents and June's mom. Both had complex storylines introduced — June's mom's addiction, and then Aidan's ma's grief to subsequent separation from his da — but I also understand why both were more surface level. They helped tell June and Aidan's stories, they weren't meant to be the stories.

All in all, this is a good cozy read. I picture reading in a hammock on a lovely spring day, cup of tea in hand and a light blanket wrapped around my shoulders.

I was looking forward to an Irish escape, cobble stone streets, a heart breaking love story and the best found family a gal could ask for.

When Juniper finds a half sister across the pond after taking a DNA test, she travels to Ireland so the two can meet. They strike up an exceptional friendship, June hits it off with Cara's best friend Aidan and thus a whirlwind romance is born.

However. This book just didn't really work. There was some heavy content that was glossed over despite the synopsis indicating this would put me in all the feels, this was a romance that got to more than 50% with no inclination that the two MCs would ever get together and to top it off, a whole lot of family drama that hindered the plot moving and wasn't resolved. To top it off, not really as much dreamy scenery as one would hope from a small quintessential Irish village.

50 % in and no hints of romance?

Thank you Netgalley and the Author for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Thank you NetGalley and Theresa Christine for this ARC of The Half of It!
The premise of this book had me hooked and eager from the beginning. A twenty-something American who finds out she has a long lost half sister in Ireland and then flies across the ocean to attend her wedding? Sold.
I think the author did a great job of setting the scene for you. I felt very immersed in their world and interactions.
The characters were flawed but real and for the most part pretty likable. The author did a great job of tying in past traumas and subsequent tendencies to make very well-rounded characters.
Something I struggled with was the pacing and structure. I felt like certain scenes were dragged on far longer than necessary while other info was glossed over, when it would have been more helpful to know more. There were also chapters where they'd be one place and the next line they were somewhere else without any sort of segue or break in the text, which threw me off a little bit.
While I liked the circumstances that brought Aidan and June together, I wish there had been more of a relationship development for them. I felt like they immediately fell in love and that was that. I would have loved to see more of that, as well as more from her relationship with Cara.
Overall, I enjoyed this cutesy little small town Ireland romance. I'd be interested to see what Theresa Christine releases in the future!

Plot: June travels to Ireland to meet her newly-found half-sister and attend her wedding. While navigating the new relationship with her sister and her feelings for a s bartender, she gets news about her DNA test results that could throw it all into chaos.

Full of fast-paced personal connections and slow-burning romance, this was a sweet dual POV read, perfect for cozying up with on a rainy day.

Read if you like: Found family, irish accents, taking chances, small town romance

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing me with a copy of the book.

Disclaimer: I don't like books where a lie is hanging over the heads of everyone the entire book. That said, I still enjoyed this book. It was full of Irish charm and a great story of found family.

In this story, Juniper goes to Ireland to meet her half-sister after finding out she has one from a DNA test. She and her sister, Cara, connect immediately, but all may not be as it seems. Along the way, Juniper also meets Aidan, her sister's best friend, and they have a great connection, but can they overcome the obstacles? And can Juniper figure out her job situation?

So, obviously there's a lot going on in this book. I enjoyed this story of found family. Juniper was a sympathetic character who was just looking for her place to belong. Some of my favorite scenes involved Cara's mom and family as they welcomed her in. I liked June and Aidan's relationship, although I didn't love the lie storyline. I think it all worked out well in the end. I would read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book and would pick up another of the author’s books.
I enjoyed the world-building and feeling like I got to spend some time in a small town in Ireland. I wish the writing was more show-not-tell, but overall it was an enjoyable light read.

Ireland is one of my favorite settings of a book. The romance was very fun to read and the plot was fast paced and easy to enjoy

The Half of It follows Juniper as she navigates her complicated relationships and struggles with her past while trying to find her place in a small Irish town. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque location, the book beautifully explores themes of family, self-discovery, and healing.

The small Irish town setting immediately transports you to a cozy vacation destination, and I loved how it added such charm to the story. The diverse group of characters brought richness to the narrative, and Juniper, while occasionally frustrating with her inability to move past her circumstances, had a beautifully satisfying character arc by the end. One of my favorite characters was definitely Evvie, Chloe’s mom, whose loving and supportive nature stood out. The theme of family being more than just DNA resonated deeply, especially as the characters grew and took steps to seek help and heal. This story was heartfelt, and I truly enjoyed the journey of self-discovery and healing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Theresa Christine for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!

Publication Date: March 11, 2025

First I would just like to say a huge thank you to both Netgalley as well as Theresa Christine for this e-arc !

In honour of saint patrick’s day I sat down and absolutely was GLUED to this book I can’t recommend it enough. I love a good slow burn romance and The half of it was one of my favourites of the year thus far.

The half of it is a small town slow burn romance based in a small town of the County Kerry within Ireland. it is a feel good romance book that had be giggling, swooning and was a tear jerker but so so good nonetheless the less

content warnings :
- childhood neglect
- death of a parent
- parent battling addiction
- emotional cheating of partner
- passive aggressive remarks to member of the LGBTQIA+ community
- sexist remarks within the work place

(I would rate this a 2.5 but half stars aren't available.) This really had potential! It grabbed my attention right from the start, and I flew through the first half. I think that was largely because the story focused more on the FMC’s family storyline and the family dynamics. We got glimpses of the MMC—just enough to build anticipation for when he and the FMC would eventually connect—but for the most part, the book was dedicated to world-building and character development.

Normally, I get antsy during world-building and really settle in once FMC/MMC dialogue takes over, but in this case, I almost felt the opposite. It was as if the decision to make this a romance was a little forced. I think this story would have really shined if the family plot had been the central focus, with the romance as a (closed! door! (I got the ick, I’m sorry!)) cute little subplot.

For a romance to work for me, I need a lot of "show, don’t tell"—the slow build of tension, chemistry, and yearning between the love interests. If there are spicy scenes, I want them to feel like the tension that was build is snapping, while still reflecting how the characters talk and interact with each other up to that point. The writing here just didn’t portray that for me. That could be entirely my perception/preference, but I found myself losing interest, and honestly, I might have DNF’d this if it weren’t an ARC.

That said, I really hope Theresa Christine writes more, maybe with an editor with a difference style when it comes to romance or in a slightly adjusted genre. I’ll definitely be looking out for her next release because I loved the sister/family storyline and the entire cast of characters!

*The Half of It* by Theresa Christine is a touching and inspiring story about love, self-growth, and having the courage to face the unknown. The author’s writing is heartfelt and easy to connect with, making it a book that pulls you in from the start.

Juniper, the female main character, feels very real, and her struggles and successes are written in a way that makes you root for her. The story mixes deep, emotional moments with light, fun parts, so it doesn’t feel too serious or too silly—it’s just the right balance.

The settings in the book are amazing! Each place is described in a way that makes you feel like you’re really there. It almost feels like the places themselves are part of the story, which makes everything even more engaging.

That said, the pacing could be a little off sometimes. Some scenes felt like they dragged on, while others went by too fast. But these small issues don’t ruin the book as a whole.

If you like stories about personal growth and finding your way in life, you’ll enjoy *The Half of It*. It’s a book that will leave you with hope and remind you to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Okay, so I just finished *The Half of It* and I am OBSESSED. Like, if you’re into small-town romances with dreamy settings, found family vibes, and a hot Irish guy who will absolutely make you swoon, this is your next read. Trust me, you’ll want to pack your bags and move to Ballygrá by the end of it.

The story follows Juniper Martin, a tough-but-tender NYC journalist who’s had her fair share of struggles. After a rough day at work (and maybe one too many cosmos), she impulsively sends in a DNA test her boss gave her instead of a bonus. Big surprise—it turns out she has a half-sister, Cara, living in a charming Irish town. Cara invites June to her wedding, and before you know it, June’s on a plane to Ireland, ready to meet the family she never knew she had.

Enter Aidan McCarthy. *Sigh.* Where do I even start with this man? He’s Cara’s childhood best friend, a loyal son running his family’s pub, and a secret photographer with dreams he’s put on hold after a tragic loss. Oh, and did I mention he’s Irish? Because yes, the accent alone is worth it. Aidan is the kind of guy who’s not just a love interest but a whole vibe—he’s kind, protective, and has this quiet strength that makes you want to root for him from the very first page.

The chemistry between June and Aidan is *chef’s kiss*. It’s slow-burn, friends-to-lovers perfection with just the right amount of spice. But what I loved even more was how real their relationship felt. They both have their own baggage—June’s trust issues and Aidan’s struggle to balance his dreams with his family responsibilities—but they help each other heal in the most beautiful way.

And can we talk about the found family trope? Because this book does it SO well. June’s journey to finding her place in Cara’s life and the entire town of Ballygrá is heartwarming and emotional. The way the community rallies around her, especially when things get tough, had me tearing up. Also, Cara’s grandma? Iconic. I would 100% fight her, but I also kind of love her.

The plot has this perfect mix of romance, drama, and a twist that had me STRESSED. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say June’s world gets turned upside down, and the way everything resolves is so satisfying. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s exactly what the story needed to keep you hooked.

Oh, and can we get a spin-off about Cara and Yaz? Because I need more of them in my life.

This book gave me all the warm fuzzies, a few tears, and a serious case of wanderlust. 10/10 would recommend—just be prepared to fall in love with Aidan and never want to leave Ballygrá.

This was a cute slow burn romance set in a small town in Ireland. I really enjoyed the small town/found family aspect of the storyline. However the big confrontation in the book fell a little flat for me. I didn’t find June and Aidan’s connection to really pull me in. I did, however, love Aidan. He had a good amount of character development throughout the story. All in all it was a cute story about finding your chosen family and healing from the past.

A writer with a troubled family past finds a connection through a DNA test to a half-sister she never knew about and travels to Ireland to meet her attend her wedding, and get to know her long-lost family.

This is a unique story that felt nostalgically reminiscent of the movie "Leap Year" with Amy Adams, and at times I could easily visualize it playing out as a movie in my mind's eye. I really liked Danny's character, and I felt the story had a lot of good ingredients for a great book. I especially feel like it would make a really good movie.

I appreciated how the characters in the story had hard things experiences (both past and current) in their lives, and were making the best of things and still finding hope and courage in their lives.

However, as a book, I struggled as a reader with the writer's first-person present narrative style, which intermittently made it feel hard for me to connect with the characters and feel depth in the story. The narration also fell into the "telling" trap: instead of" showing, not telling" through the writing, telling the narrator's thoughts instead of allowing them to emerge alongside action and dialogue. The writing sometimes drifted into passive voice instead of active voice within the first person narration, which felt unnatural and further detracted from the narrative style.. Occassionally, when there was a scene change within a specific character's POV chapter, sometimes I had a hard time realizing it and would have to go back and re-read the previous paragraphs, feeling like I had missed something when I actually hadn't recognized the scene shift.