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on June 4, 2016
This is not my typical download, and I am not sure why I decided to try it but I am very I glad I did. This is the story of one tour through Ireland conducted by a charming guide and a mis-matched bunch of people who go through a lot of changes that are such a well told example of character growth you can't help but get caught up in their lives. If I thought it would be anything like this one, I would be on the next plane to tour Ireland myself. It gives you what I felt was a good look at the real Ireland and the tour group's widely varied reactions to this charming country. And yes, it is definitely a feel good book that leaves you smiling.
on July 10, 2017
Conor O'Shea is a seasoned tour guide in Ireland but nothing could prepare him for the group of tourists on his latest tour. He has a mixed bag of tourists, a couple, a gold-digging mother with a slightly rebellious teenage son, a retired gentleman, a still-grieving widow, a know-it-all college professor, a woman searching for her family and more.
As the tour takes twists and turns through Ireland, the tourists begin to go through their own unexpected twists and turns and moments of self-discovery and awakening, including Conor.
By the end of the book there are quite a few surprises, mysteries solved and almost everyone on the bus has had a major change happen in their life. This was a very fun and entertaining read!
As the tour takes twists and turns through Ireland, the tourists begin to go through their own unexpected twists and turns and moments of self-discovery and awakening, including Conor.
By the end of the book there are quite a few surprises, mysteries solved and almost everyone on the bus has had a major change happen in their life. This was a very fun and entertaining read!
on May 24, 2017
I bought this book on a whim partially because it was set in Ireland which I have visited a few times. It is not one of the genres that I usually read so I thought I may not like it. After about a third of the way through I couldn't put it down. The pacing and character development is great. I realize that having all these characters on one small tour bus is unlikely but the interaction between them is the basis of the story. We have all met examples of these people at one time or another just not all at the same time. The author does a good job of moving the story along to keep your interested. Lastly, we all like happy endings to our stories some of the time.
on June 26, 2017
I really wanted to like this book. Some of the characters were very intriguing and I liked them. But the writing...The editing... Those things were very rough around the edges.
Jerry Lee Lewis is mentioned in the book as... Jerry Lee Louis. Those types of things just shouldn't happen anymore! The transitions were almost non-existent in places. The speaking style of the American tour group was peppered with Irish phrases that we really don't use. I'm 100% okay with those things coming out of the Irish characters, just not the American ones.
Having said that, I really liked Dylan, Conor, Ellen and Bert. They were all strong characters with something to offer the story. There were a few scenes that made me tear up, but overall, I was quite glad to finish the story. And I am honestly shocked at all the 5-star reviews!
Jerry Lee Lewis is mentioned in the book as... Jerry Lee Louis. Those types of things just shouldn't happen anymore! The transitions were almost non-existent in places. The speaking style of the American tour group was peppered with Irish phrases that we really don't use. I'm 100% okay with those things coming out of the Irish characters, just not the American ones.
Having said that, I really liked Dylan, Conor, Ellen and Bert. They were all strong characters with something to offer the story. There were a few scenes that made me tear up, but overall, I was quite glad to finish the story. And I am honestly shocked at all the 5-star reviews!
on June 2, 2016
The Tour: A Trip Through Ireland by Jean Grainger.
The author says that her books sound like Maeve Binchy with a historical twist, and I quite agree. Both authors use dialect and a profound sense of relationship that sets their books apart. The character development is excellent and a generous sprinkling of history and culture gives the book depth.
In THE TOUR, Connor, the tour guide, takes a group of strangers on a tour of Ireland. This setting allows for a variety of situations to spotlight the different personalities while developing the relationships that form between them as as the trip progresses. It also leaves room to describe the country, share snippets of history and talk about traditional Irish music. I loved the descriptions of the places they went and the people they meet. The characters experience personal tranformation as the trip nears it's end.
One thing for certain is that this book left me with a strong desire to travel through Ireland, especially with a tour guide like Connor to lead the way. This really was a delightful book and I hated to put it down.
The author says that her books sound like Maeve Binchy with a historical twist, and I quite agree. Both authors use dialect and a profound sense of relationship that sets their books apart. The character development is excellent and a generous sprinkling of history and culture gives the book depth.
In THE TOUR, Connor, the tour guide, takes a group of strangers on a tour of Ireland. This setting allows for a variety of situations to spotlight the different personalities while developing the relationships that form between them as as the trip progresses. It also leaves room to describe the country, share snippets of history and talk about traditional Irish music. I loved the descriptions of the places they went and the people they meet. The characters experience personal tranformation as the trip nears it's end.
One thing for certain is that this book left me with a strong desire to travel through Ireland, especially with a tour guide like Connor to lead the way. This really was a delightful book and I hated to put it down.
TOP 500 REVIEWERon February 6, 2016
Author does a great job luring you in with the location and then steadily introducing you to the characters and what plights bring them on the tour. Loved the humor in this book including passages like "Don't worry about falling to your death though, they never drop anyone on a Tuesday, it's the caretakers day off" and "The only difference between an Irish funeral and an Irish wedding is that there's one less drunk." I also liked the mention of uillean pipes and songs like '"The Lonesome Boatman" and "Kilkelly" which had me cranking up Youtube so I could listen to Irish music as I read along which helped add to the enjoyment. Updated version was genuine as for me since I wasn't noticing the editing errors mentioned by others. Very good book and one I would recommend to others!
on May 24, 2017
If I could go on a tour like this one, I'd leave tomorrow! Yes, it was predictable that there were happy endings all around, but what a nice way to get there. Conor was the epitome of the person you'd hope to be your tour guide connecting all the travelers and their stories. The "ugly American" was present, the surly teen, the gold digger, but all were drawn so well and so completely that they did not seem a caricature at all. The Irish history and depiction of the country added to this delightfully fanciful trip for all.
on May 6, 2017
And it's people. I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed, and learned from every book I have read from Ms. Grainger. She keeps me interested enough to stay up half the night reading on to see what will happen next. I like the happy ending and how she keeps me wondering just how we are going to get there. I am waiting for the next book as I have read them all now!
on June 22, 2017
Thank you Jean for writing such a wonderful book! I loved getting to know all the diverse characters, watch them grow and find themselves, and share in an Irish adventure. My only regret was reaching the end of this delightful tale,,,,,I wanted it to go on forever,,,,and am hoping you will consider revisiting it again with a series to keep us up on where this wonderful group of characters go with their lives. I am now headed to find more of Jean Grainger's books,,,,she is a pleasure to read!
