Review!!

NARVLA’S CELTIC NEW YEAR

BY THERESE GILARDI

 

Synopsis:

Narvla’s life is as precisely choreographed as the routines that have made her a national step-dancing champion. She has a loyal best friend, a devoted boyfriend, and a lock on admission to her dream college, the University of Notre Dame - until her mother is named U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, and her life unravels. First Narvla receives a disturbing picture of her boyfriend and her best friend. Then she struggles to qualify for the Irish elite step-dancing squad, and her grades plummet.

But the biggest obstacle in Narvla’s new life is Dublin Boy, a cheeky musician with a disdain for academics and a distrust of Americans. Although Narvla is upset when she’s paired with Dublin Boy for the most important semester of her life, her real concern is the growing attraction she feels toward him. As the Celtic New Year unfolds, Narvla is pushed to abandon her lifelong need for control and embrace the charm of the unexpected.

My Review (ARC provided)

4-4.5 Stars!

I don't read much YA romance usually because I find it to be too hard to get into the mind of someone that young, but this book I adored.  It was quick, smart, fun and so stink'n cute. I loved Narvla's character and for being a teenager that was pulled from her school, her boyfriend, and the states before her senior year of high school she was such a good sport about it all. I thought about myself at that age and don't think I would have handled it well at all. Narvla was a forgiving person especially after what her best friend and boyfriend did. She was sweet and not catty which I appreciated, definitely a nice change. In fact almost all the characters in this book had interesting qualities and quirks. 

Dublin Boy the popular musician that just so happens to end up being her partner for a school project gets Narvla all riled up. She can't seem to express her thoughts without them coming out rambled and misunderstood. She thinks he hates her but time and persistence proves her wrong...or maybe not. He is so hard to read, so hot and cold, one minute she thinks they are friends the next he doesn't acknowledge her. 

The other thing I really appreciated about this book was the slow build of the relationship, I felt I was really getting the connection and not just thrown into it. I thought it was so cute how she still called Colin and referred to him as "Dublin Boy" even after they became close. There were so many times in this book I was just smiling. The scavenger hunt made me laugh and I thought it was such a clever idea. 

Ireland is one of the top places I would love to visit and this book made me want to go all that much more. I definitely recommend!

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About the Author: 

Therese Gilardi adores blue cameos, Irish pub music and the Paris metro. She lives with her own Irish Man, fluffy dogs and Viennese hare in the hills above Los Angeles. Despite her fear of heights Therese's favorite place in Ireland is Slieve League Cliffs, near her family's ancestral home in Co. Donegal. Therese believes sticky toffee pudding, Celtic knot jewelry and Oscar Wilde are Ireland's greatest exports. She is available for guest posts and interviews. You can also find her on her website or on Facebook and Twitter.