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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Some people leave your life but never completely leave your mind. In If I Had You by Paul G. O'Connor, Nick Sullivan travels from Massachusetts to County Clare, Ireland, before he starts college. He stays with his grandmother, Una, works at his cousin's pub, and meets Molly Hourihan. What begins as a summer romance becomes something neither of them is prepared to forget. But he goes home promising to return for her. Years later, he’s working as a bartender in Boston and still thinks about the young woman he left behind. Things take another turn when Una’s financial troubles draw Nick back to Ireland. Seeing Molly again brings old feelings to the surface. However, she’s built a life of her own. The two must face their choices, misunderstandings, and time apart. There’s also the matter of Una’s money problems. Can Nick and Molly figure out whether their first love belongs in the past or still has a place in their future?
If I Had You by Paul G. O'Connor made me think about how easy it is to look back and wonder, “What if?” I liked the dynamic between Nick and Molly and could understand why their feelings for each other didn’t simply disappear with time. However, Una was my favorite character. She’s tough, a bit feisty, and not afraid to speak her mind. Some of the situations she gets herself into also added humor to the story. I haven’t read many books set in Ireland, so I liked getting a glimpse of County Clare. The Cliffs of Moher stood out to me, along with the pubs and local expressions. O'Connor's writing is casual and easy to read. The short chapters also kept things moving, even with several storylines to bring together. Plus, the book balanced funny and more serious moments well. Anyone looking for second-chance romances with memorable characters and an Irish backdrop should give this one a try.
