In Every Possible Way

Alicia Thompson released one of my most anticipated books this week: In Every Possible Way. This contemporary romance is infused with magical realism and plenty of love towards the Cranberries. (Hence the book’s title!)

Jess celebrates her 37th birthday by going on a first date with an Irish expat name Niall. The date ends up being a disaster, they go their separate ways, and then Jess gets mugged and knocked unconscious. When she wakes up, she’s somehow all the way in Ireland. She meets her disaster date’s younger brother, Eamonn, who helps her during her impromptu, bizarre, possibly dreamed up excursion to Ireland. But as they explore Dublin and the countryside, Jess and Eamonn start to fall in love. It feels impossible, especially if this isn’t even real. Will they be able to have a future together despite the strange circumstances?

What I Liked:

• Whimsical, dreamy quality. I don’t always like magical realism, but when I do, I really do. The magical component in this novel has exactly the spark that I love. It’s like Jess has stepped into a new reality, one where everything is more vivid than usual. Eamonn, the Dublin streets, and everything else seem grounded enough, but with all the talk of literature and deeper feelings, there’s something fanciful there, too.
• A walking tour of Dublin. Most of this book follows Jess and Eamonn around Ireland, mainly the touristic areas of Dublin. I’ve only gotten to spend a brief time in Dublin once, and I loved getting to feel like I was there again. From the restaurant where James Joyce apparently ate sandwiches, to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College Dublin, to the Molly Malone statue inspired by a song, it felt like being in the Emerald Isle’s capital. Eamonn and Jess travel elsewhere in Ireland, too, offering a sense of the verdant landscapes.
• Aging, dreaming, and life. Jess has just turned 37 when this book starts; only a year older than I am! And I could relate to her feelings about getting older yet not feeling (or wanting to feel) old yet, her worries about whether her simple wishes will ever come true, and just wanting to be seen. There are some quietly monumental discussions here, and I enjoyed seeing Jess and Eamonn start to understand each other on a more profound level.
• References to the Cranberries. I’ve never delved into the Irish band’s whole catalogue, but I do love some of their better known songs, including the one that inspired this book’s title: “Dreams.” The author apparently put in the effort of sneaking more Cranberries lines into the novel, so if you’re a fan of the band, that can provide a fun hunt for those little Easter eggs!

Final Thoughts

In Every Possible Way is a beautifully written novel full of heart, whimsy, and just the right balance of dreams coming true. I really loved how it combines romance with magical realism; the result is a memorable novel that will surely connect with readers. So far I’ve loved both of the Alicia Thompson books I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read more of her work!

Special thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy In Every Possible Way here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance; Magical Realism
Setting	Ireland; Florida
Number of Pages	400
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	June 23, 2026
Publisher	Berkley

Official Summary

One woman’s luck changes in an instant when she hits her head and wakes up in Ireland, in this whimsical, whirlwind romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

After yet another disastrous date where Jess is too awkward, too earnest, too whatever, she’s ready to put her romantic daydreams aside. Other than an enchanting Irish accent, her latest date is no prince charming. Then the night goes from bad to worse when she’s mugged in the parking lot and hits her head. Hard.

Hard enough that when Jess wakes up, she’s in Ireland.

The first person she meets is Eamonn, a quiet, gruff mechanic. Since Jess is stranded with no passport, cell phone, or way to get home, Eamonn becomes her reluctant knight in shining armor.

Over the next forty-eight hours, they meander through the cobblestone streets of Dublin and explore the Irish countryside, sharing their deepest fears, quiet hopes, and softest aches. It’s a connection that is as electrifying as it is terrifying, because what if Jess falls asleep and Eamonn vanishes like a dream? But a love like this—touched by magic and a little bit of luck—is never quite as it seems.