Irish Meadows

Faced with an uncertain future, sometimes all you have left is the courage to dream.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry—as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My thoughts: I liked that this story is about two sisters in the early 1900's. There is a lot going on between the two of them, since the story goes back and forth between their journeys to discovering true love. I think the historical aspect, that of women trying to marry to elevate their family's social standing, was interesting and that the author did an excellent job of portraying the history side of the story.
That said, I would of liked for the story to be a bit more original. It is an interesting, nice read, but it isn't one that will stick with me.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.