Delk Sinclair can’t wait to get as far away from Nashville, Tennessee as she can. Her mother passed away two years ago, and her father has remarried someone that is only ten years older than her. And her new step-mother is going to have a baby. On top of that, it’s almost time to start presenting to society. Without her mom by her side, the last thing Delk wants to do is go through the frenzy of debutante preparations. So Delk finds herself in Ireland for the S.A.S.S (Students Across the Seven Seas) program at Tremain Castle. Along with twenty-four fellow students, she will be immersed in Irish culture for the semester. Thus, she will avoid everything at home.

Within the first twenty-four hours in Ireland, she befriends Iris, Lucy, Latreece, Trent, Brent, and most importantly, Pather. Pather is the local farmer’s son, and can relate to the loss of a mother. Delk and Pather form an instant connection and their friendship grows.

While in Ireland, Delk learns a lot about herself that she never knew. Slowly, by letting her new friends in, Delk realizes that that they accept her for who she is. She begins to accept her father is happy with his new wife. And she acknowledges that Paige isn’t trying to replace her mother, but to help her heal.

Ms. Supplee writes a novel that fits the S.A.S.S. series perfectly. A young student wants to leave their own home for some reason. And while on their own in a foreign country, they will come to learn much about themselves. WHEN IRISH GUYS ARE SMILING is a sweet addition to the series. Ms. Supplee paints a beautiful portrait of the lush landscape that is Ireland. The setting is realistic with the damp cold that the country can be known for. And the reader can get a taste of the drafty castle when the fire goes out. But even with the dreary weather, the reader falls in love with the Emerald Isle and becomes envious of what Delk gets to experience.