*** REVIEW OF AN OLDIE I STUMBLED ACROSS *** IRISH THOROUGHBRED by Nora Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Come to America. Your home is with me now.'

For lonely but spirited orphan Adelia 'Dee' Cunnane, her uncle's invitation is a dream come true. And so she leaves her home in Ireland to work for him in Maryland, at one of the most respected stables in the country.

Starting as a groomer puts Dee in constant contact with the horses she loves -but it also brings her up close and personal with Travis Grant, the stable's proud but handsome owner. And as the lush Maryland horse country begins to work its charms on Dee, so does Travis, pulling her into a turbulent passion with unexpected consequences...

Irish Thoroughbred can be enjoyed as a gripping standalone. It is also the first in the Irish Legacy trilogy, which continues with Irish Rose and Irish Rebel.

 

 I was at the flea market a couple days ago and found some old books by authors I love.  Here is my review of the first in a trilogy.  Some people say this is Nora Roberts' first book.  I don't know, but it sounds good. 

This story is a sweet, short, boss-to-lovers romance.  Irish Thoroughbred, book one in the Irish Hearts series, is a quick read that is perfect for a relaxing day on the patio.  It doesn't take long to realize Irish Thoroughbred is an early Nora Roberts story.  It lacks the depth I'm used to in her current books.  However, she pulls the reader into the tale from the start, and I cannot help but root for the characters.

I loved the Maryland setting.  While I'm not sure that the horse farm I used to pass every day to and from work is the horse farm in Irish Thoroughbred, it was the picture in my mind throughout the story.   

There is little to no angst, which I appreciate after Hurricane Ian.  The characters of Dee and Travis are entertaining and comfortable.  They are both smitten early in the book, but there is some dancing around the relationship.  Travis ruffles Dee's feathers with his comments, and Dee's Irish temper strikes back--cute, sweet, and funny.

While this is part of a series, there aren't any unanswered questions.  Irish Thoroughbred works as a standalone if you need a short romance but don't have time to commit to two more books.  I will read the other two books in the trilogy.  It is a good flea market find.

                                4 STARS