Audiobook review: Her Fake, Irish Husband by Michele Brouder
Rachel prefers reading a book and watching the rain to travel. She loves her job at Bixby International solving problems for her clients. Thomas, Earl of Glenbourne, approaches Bixby because he needs a wife within the week, one who will stay married to him for 90 days so he won’t lose his estate. Rachel realizes not only will she solve her client’s problem if she marries the earl, but she’ll be able to use the bonus to help her friend build a new, much needed home.
Her Fake, Irish Husband is exactly what you get. Strangers become friends and fall in love. At first, Rachel is miserable. Despite loving the area, she’s got little to do and misses her family terribly. But in time, she finds ways to connect with the staff and villagers, much to the dismay of Thomas. Thomas views the marriage as a business transaction and gets upset with Rachel when she makes changes to the manor. Getting to know one another is a lot of two steps forward, one step back.
The book is sweet, and I honestly enjoyed the slow, cozy pace for a while but only to a point. But when both characters realized they were falling in love with the other, yet there had been no talk about feelings or even a kiss, I was disappointed. I don’t feel the author made a strong enough case to claim love. I also got very frustrated as Rachel’s return date crept closer and closer, that neither would talk about their feelings. I was really annoyed with Rachel because her only reason for not telling him how she felt is “if he wanted me to stay he’d ask.” Meanwhile, Thomas doesn’t want to express his feelings because he knows she misses her family.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating, third person POVs of Rachel and Thomas. Peterson uses the same low-key American-accented female for the narrator of both POVs. Peterson alters dialogue is altered based on gender and nationality and does a great Irish brogue. Most characters are distinguishable from one another. Peterson adds some emotion during heightened times. However, overall, the narrator speaks slowly and quietly, like put you to sleep soft and gentle, and it didn’t match the tone of the story at times.
In the end, Her Fake, Irish Husband held the promise of a great fake relationship romance, but fell short in its development.
My Ratings
Story: C
Narration: B-
Jen
About the Book:
It’s a marriage of convenience for three months. But will it turn into something more?
Rachel Parker is a problem solver for Bixby International. There is no problem that is too big or too small that she can’t solve. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to tackle the problems in her own personal life. Or lack of one. But when a unique problem lands on her desk, she quickly comes up with a solution that will make everyone happy. Or so she thinks.
Thomas Yates, the 12th Earl of Glenbourne, needs a wife in less than a week. If he isn’t married by his next birthday, he will lose the trust fund that runs his massive estate in Ireland. As a last resort, he hires an international problem solver. But when Rachel puts her own name forward, he can’t help but wonder what her agenda is. But it’s her conditions that have him rolling his eyes.
It’s only when she arrives in Ireland, that Rachel turns the Earl’s life upside down. She starts solving problems he didn’t even know he had. The biggest problem is they’re starting to fall for one another. But it’s a business arrangement and she’s going home in three months.
Different backgrounds. Different personalities. Different ideas about how thing should be done. Opposites attract, but can they find common ground?
Author: Michele Brouder
Narrator: Nancy Peterson
Series: Escape to Ireland #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Audiobook Release Date: August 4, 2026
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
Source: publisher
Audio Speed: 1.3x