The Best Man (From Connemara With Love #1) by Alex Kelly; Narrator: Jenn McGuirk

ABOUT THE BOOK

I always turn up at just the wrong moment. I never know how to make the most of a situation; I don’t know the right thing to say, or when I should come or go.

Let’s just say I have really shit timing.

I’m not a smart guy. I don’t have great ideas.

I’m practical, a hard worker; someone who lives for his family, and for the air that she breathes.

It’s just a shame that the “she” in question never knew this. It’s a shame that I waited all these years to make my move. It’s useless to tell you, readers, that it was already too late; that I’d screwed everything up, once again. And, this time, my mistakes forced her to come home.

Except she didn’t want to stay.

And now she hates me – or maybe she doesn’t. I still haven’t worked out what’s going on between us, but like I said, I’m not the sharpest tool in the box. And even though this could be my last chance, I’m not going to be the one to ask her to stay. Not even if she turns out to be the one I’ve always waited for.

Because she doesn’t belong in this place.

And she doesn’t belong in my life.

My name is Alex Brennan, and this is my story: of how I realised I’d lost the most important person in my life, before I even had her.

MY REVIEW

I first fell in love with Alex Kelly’s writing when I read the second book in this series, The First Man. I love how this story is told first from Alex’s point of view as he pours out his undying love for a woman he felt he could never have. Then Ellie’s voice is brought in as she tries to navigate her life after the bombshell Alex drops. There is nothing more romantic than to see a man be at his most vulnerable to the only woman he has ever loved. To risk everything, including losing her friendship, to save her from the wrong man…at her wedding. Yes, it is a hell of a beginning, but Alex makes up for it by implementing a long-awaited, slow and beautiful courtship to win her heart (or lose her forever) and it is totally worth waiting to find out.

Alex is stable, a nice guy, a wonderful single father, and an excellent friend. He has lived all his life in Letterfrack, Ireland, growing up with the Johnston family, Shane, Reed, and Ellie, whose dad owned the local distillery. When he found out Ellie was marrying his best friend, Chase, he was crushed, until his dream came true and a drunken Ellie crawled into bed with him the night before the wedding. Something he couldn’t forget, something he confessed during that critical moment when the guests are asked if anyone can show just cause… well you know. Alex is not known for his good timing. Not only does he get decked by the groom, but the bride thought she had slept with her husband-to-be instead. Talk about a blow to the ego, her blow to his face, and a blow to his heart. She will never forgive him. She will leave town again and he will never see her again. But what if he told her how he really felt? First, he has to build up thirty years of courage.

I adore Alex’s gentle ways and his big heart. He’s the one person in Ellie’s life that understands her the best. He’s always been there for her in good times and bad. He has always let her be herself and sacrificed his happiness as he watched her walk away so many years ago. He wants the best for her and if that means her moving away again so be it, but after their night together, he wants to plead his case. Alex’s slow, exquisite, wooing of Ellie is some of the best I’ve seen. How splendid to have someone love you that much. But Alex has to make an important decision for his son that will change everything and it is Ellie’s love for Alex that is the catalyst for a good outcome. Ellie is humbled at Alex’s confession and she slowly realizes the gem she has in such a good man. She also makes peace with her dad and the family business, and she chooses her future with the best man she knows. They are definitely one of my favorite couples and seriously, I didn’t want the story to end.

The charming supporting characters are essential to the story. Reed and Shane are Ellie’s brothers and Alex’s friends who only want the best for the couple, Ellie’s Dad is a loving father who lets Ellie decide her own future in his own way, and Alex’s adorable son Justin is a force to be reckoned with with his shameless questioning phase. In addition, Alex’s loving mother and gruff grandfather are always there with their support and sage advice.

I highly recommend this beautiful and romantic story that will make you laugh, cry, and celebrate with happiness. The lovely Irish lilt of Jenn McGuirk’s audiobook narration makes the enchanting characters and Irish countryside come to life. Give this book and the series a read. It won’t disappoint.

Thank you to Ms. Kelly for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.