Book Review: Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O’Neill

Author: Ellie O’Neill
Title: Reluctantly Charmed
Genre: Literary, Fantasy
Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Publisher: Touchstone (Simon & Schuster)
Number of Pages: 416
Narrator: Kate McDaid
Amazon.com Reviewer Grade: I, Insufficient data; there are not enough ratings to accurately gauge the average reader rating.

What’s It About?

Kate McDaid, a 26 year old copywriter located in Dublin, Ireland, tells the story of how her world is turned upside down when she is called in to read the will of her deceased distant relative (who is also named Kate McDaid). Kate isn’t told how much the estate is worth but, in order to receive it, she must agree to publishing a series of poems each week under her own name. The mystery intrigues her, and she agrees to do it.

To publish her poems, Kate uses an old website of a musician with whom she is somewhat romantically involved. The poems are filled with imagery about Irish folklore and imply that fairies may actually exist. Unexpectedly, the poems go viral. Fans of the musician discuss it on online forums, a journalist covers the story in a prestigious paper, and Kate is skyrocketed to the limelight.

As the story proceeds, Kate must juggle her attempts to advance in her career with the development of a potential love interest and her newfound fame (and infamy) as what many begin to perceive as a modern day witch. All the while, Kate digs deeper into her heritage in an attempt to understand herself and her place in a modern world that has lost its touch with magic.

Should You Read It?

If you’re looking for a straight-fantasy novel, this probably isn’t for you. The presence of fairies and the realm of magic are alluded to and yearned for, but they aren’t explicitly there. The work is more literary in nature–a story about a young woman attempting to discover her heritage while at the same time integrating it into modern life. The voice of Kate is very witty and light. The novel draws deeply on Irish folklore, as well as how the country has evolved into modern day. If you’re looking for a book about self-discovery containing a strong sense of place–with a small touch of fantasy and romance–you might enjoy this one.

Links and References

Author Information: Website, Facebook, Goodreads

Book Reviews: Kirkus Reviews, Confessions of a Book Addict

Purchase: Buy It On Amazon.com

Other Books by Ellie O’Neill: Reluctantly Charmed is Ellie O’Neill’s debut novel.