This book follows Ciara, a pregnant mum of two who leaves her husband after a traumatic incident. Soon she is gets lost in the Irish housing system. At the same time, she is still under Ryan's web of gaslighting and manipulation, with a persistent fear of the consequences of angering him. A very important book that tackles very pertinent topics such as; the housing crisis in Ireland, abuse within marriage and its forms, signs of abuse and options available for abuse survivors. I think that it's of great import for people to know abuse doesn't always have to physical but that it can take the form of financial, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse. I would highly recommend.

<b> Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK in exchange for a free and honest review </b>

Thanks to NetGalley,publishers and author for an ARC of Nesting.

This book tackles some very tough subjects, emotion abuse, coercive control and homelessness. It was a tense read where I spent the whole time hoping things work out for main character Ciara. While this book is fiction, the sad fact is this story can be told all across Ireland, and around the world. A story that should be on a leaving cert required reading or the like, to show not all abuse is physical.
Highly recommend.

In her novel, Roisín O'Donnell brilliantly describes two major issues. First is the way one functions in an abusive relationship. How the abuser plays mind games, how he plants seeds of self-doubt, and low self-esteem in his victim's head, and how easily he influences and manipulates the other person. The victim is convinced that nothing is wrong for many years and defends the perpetrator making excuses and justifying his actions. Outside of the relationship, outside of the house the perpetrator often is seen as a decent person, they live among us undetected for decades.
It`s good to see that the author caught so many small details that often are overlooked or even ignored, such as constant stress, voices inside screaming horrible things (you're a bad mother, you're stupid, you're ugly, nobody will love you like I do, etc.). There's a scene when Ciara finally talks to someone about her situation. In a shaky, shy voice she explains that her husband was never physical, he never punched her. This made me stop and think. When people talk about their trauma, their experiences, especially women tend to say this as if their suffering is less dramatic, less important, and not as bad as those who experience physical violence. As if they're sorry that they dare to ask for help which they probably don't deserve, because things aren't that bad. Families of alcoholics do the same - my husband wasn't violent, sorry for suffering less than you, maybe I shouldn't be here? Why do we do this?
The second thing that Roisìn does well is describing the broken Irish system. When Ciara leaves her husband she immediately finds herself homeless with no help whatsoever. She ends up in a hotel in emergency accommodation on a floor of shame. The hotel put all the non-guests on one floor with strict prohibition of using the lifts and the main lobby so those who pay for the rooms won`t see those in need. Invisible people, people in hiding, people of shame.
The novel is set in 2018. Coincidentally this is the year when me and my family were forced to leave Ireland because we became semi-homeless. I was working two jobs seven days a week and had decent pay. My husband had a decent job and a decent salary, too. Yet when our landlord decided to sell the house we quickly realized that the only way for us to survive was to leave Ireland. I worked with homeless people so I knew how bad things were, oh the irony! It's 2025 now and I hear from my Irish friends that things are worse, way worse.
This heartwrenching book should be given to the authorities, to make them aware of how serious the problem is and what it does to people who aren't yet another number on a spreadsheet. Also, this book stands in opposition to the myth that the homeless are all drug users and they are in this situation on their own wish. Nobody wants to live on the streets, nobody deserves that kind of life, and don't think that this won`t happen to you.

Reading this was a rollercoaster of emotions. I have never wanted to scream at so many people in my life. Not only does this book show the agony and anxiety of living through domestic violence but it also highlights how broken the systems in not only Ireland but the U.K. are.

It baffled me how a judge couldn’t see a woman who was frightened in front of him. I would have liked to see some closure on some more of the characters but apart from that what a journey.

'Nesting' is a harrowing and viscerally immersive novel which explores intimate partner abuse and Dublin's housing crisis through the story of Ciara, a mother of two young girls trapped in a coercive relationship with her husband Ryan.

Very early on in the novel we learn that Ciara has previously left Ryan but ended up returning after a few weeks, after which Ryan's abuse of her worsened. After she realises she is pregnant once again and desperate to protect her daughters, Ciara decides on impulse to leave him again, but her plans to stay with her mum and sister in Sheffield are thwarted when she discovers that Ryan has put a block on the children's passports preventing her from taking them on Ireland. So instead, she finds herself in need of emergency accommodation (Ryan having taken complete control of her finances and prevented her from working) as she and her daughters spend months living in a hotel room, all the while continuing to negotiate Ryan's ongoing demands and battling the legal system to prevent Ryan from gaining custody of the children.

This sounds like a difficult read and it is - Roisin O'Donnell captures the paranoid claustrophobia Ciara feels, her constant fear but also her self-doubt as she questions whether she has made the wrong decision at the same time as fending off questions from others who wonder why she didn't leave sooner. The novel also presents the limited support for women in Ciara's situation in stark terms: Ryan tries to use the fact that they are living in a hotel room as evidence that she is not caring for them properly, but despite Ciara's repeated efforts, finding somewhere to rent proves impossible (not helped by Ryan's refusal to pay any maintenance.) Things become even more challenging after the arrival of her baby.

In spite of this, there is much warmth and hope in this novel, found in the love of Ciara's family for her, the bonds she forms with other families in similar situations, her growing sense of her strength and independence (particularly as she resumes her teaching career), and, above all, her fierce love for her children.

Written in present tense, this novel has the propulsive energy of a thriller whilst featuring beautifully poetic writing. It will raise awareness of major issues in present-day society for many readers, whilst also helping those whose lives may resemble Ciara's to realise that they are not alone, it is not their fault and there is a way out. As such, it may be one of the most important books of 2025. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

If there is one book you must read this year it is 'Nesting', the debut novel by Roisin O'Donnell! I feel that I don't have the words to describe this book but I just loved everything about it. It is captivating and emotionally gripping but also quietly devastating. Some tough subjects like homelessness and coercive control are prominent, so this book comes with trigger warnings. It is so well written that you feel you are immersed in the story. I had to keep reading, couldn't put it down. It stayed with me for long after I finished it.

A tender and intimate story of Ciara’s escape with her young children from a coercive and controlling marriage to Ryan. Not an easy read, and it’s hard even to call it enjoyable with the chest thumping panic it inspires, but Nesting is a painfully good novel.

Ciara Fay lives a very small life with her husband and 2 young daughters in Dublin. She has no job, no friends and her family live in UK. Her husband Ryan looks like a model husband, with his steady Civil Service job. Yet behind closed doors is another story. But Ciara can't complain right? He doesn't hit her or anything. Upon receiving some news, Ciara knows she has a decision to make but she feels stuck. Until one evening, out in the garden with her daughters, she decides she has to leave. She picks clothes off the washing line, grabs her handbag and drives off with her two girls. She eventually ends up living in a hotel in emergency accommodation. Can she navigate the broken housing system, get back to work and build a new life for her girls? Or will she be forced to return home to Ryan?

This book is a suckerpunch. It's heartbreaking, how Ciara is treated by the controlling and abusive Ryan. It's such a good portrayal of abuse that isn't violent. Ryan is demeaning, controlling with money and has isolated Ciara. As the book goes on, we see his different approaches to Ciara, from the grovelling apologies to the threats and demands and much more. He's truly a rotten character, I was seething reading this and know so many others felt the same way.

Another way it will make you angry is how it is set against Ireland's housing crisis, how people who live in hotels are treated and the fact that the numbers of people in emergency accommodation is rising. Seeing Ciara struggle with getting out of the situation and how inept the people she came across were is so frustrating.

The story has such an authenticity, I really felt like I was reading someone else's real life story. I was on the edge of my seat at times, so stressed that something would go wrong. And while the story is grim and the subject is harrowing, there is so much hope too. Seeing Ciara rebuild her confidence and make new friends really lifts the spirits. The fact this is a debut novel is incredible and I look forward to seeing what Roisin O'Donnell releases next.

Easy to see why this book has got such praise . I finished this a few weeks ago and am still thinking about these people . I hated Ryan so much that I was shouting at the book and I felt for Ciara like she was someone I knew .
Not an easy read but one that is all so real knowing that there are families out there living like this .
TW domestic abuse

‘He's telling her about the closeness of living in such tight spaces. Apartments turned into little palaces. And she wonders, do we carry echoes of the homes we grew up in?’
.
What an eye opening, unforgettable story. Roisín O’Donnell takes us to Dublin, where Ciara decides one day that the torment she goes through every time Ryan is at home is enough and she wants something else for her soon-to-be three children. Packing the car with everything she can grab, she leaves the house and another struggle begins. Set against the housing crisis in Ireland, Ciara has to fight for her family’s future, while also rediscovering herself and who she was before the abuse.
.
‘I cannot hear myself think. I do not know who I am anymore. I do not know if I exist. I feel like a ghost. Life energy drained. A bloodless, cowered feeling.’
.
A heartbreaking exploration of motherhood, friendships that bloom in dark times and a journey of healing. A very important discourse about domestic violence and a reminder that abuse is often time not physical.
.
Thank you Scribner and Netgalley for the copy!

Ciara has to make an impossible decision to grab what she can carry and run out on her life taking her little girls, Sophie and Ella, with her. But relying on a broken housing system with nonexistent savings will Ciara be strong enough to start life again.

This book is by far the most thought provoking book have read in a long time, I have a feeling it will stay with me long after I put it down. The way the words left the page and evoked the most intense images and feelings. She captured the experience so specifically that at times my breath caught in my throat, I was sent right back to seeing the exact look described of Ryan on the face of my ex husband.
I feel like this book tackled such a difficult topic with such deep sensitivity.

If domestic abuse is a trigger for you then this book might not be for you but I would recommend to everyone else as I could not put it down.

I started reading this novel with no knowledge of the subject matter. I would not have found the subject mater - domestic abuse - appealing. When I started reading I was initaially irritated by the conduct of the abused wife but I was drawn in to the story - which is very nicley written - and gradually appreciated the complexity of what felt like a real-life situation. I was able to finish the book quickly and in the end I was very glad that I started it.

📚Book Review📚
This week we took the train to Coventry to visit my eldest at uni as it’s half term so I decided I needed a new read for the journey and I chose Nesting by @roisinodonnellwriter from my @netgalley selection. Published by @scribneruk it came out in hardback this month and I’ve seen a lot of hype about it. I flew through it there and back but I must admit it did trigger all the feels and if you’ve ever been in a coercive relationship, thought about ending your marriage, had custody battles about your children and so on, then this might make you wobble a bit. I couldn’t put it down though and I needed to ensure that Ciara was going to be okay so kept turning the pages even when I didn’t want to.

Tense, gripping and so beautifully told. I adored the narrative style, the voice, the observations almost poetic at times. This is book I literally didn't put down until I'd finished. Simply wonderful.

My thoughts …

This novel is a gripping exploration of love, fear, resilience, and the suffocating grip of control. The protagonist, Ciara, is a mother fiercely devoted to her children, and her journey is both heart-wrenching and deeply compelling. From the arrival of her newborn son, Noah, to her struggle to navigate the oppressive emotional and psychological turmoil caused by her husband, Ryan, the novel masterfully portrays a woman caught in a web of coercion, fear, and survival.

The narrative structure is both immersive and powerful, you can experience Ciara’s internal battles as she gradually finds the strength to voice her fears and reclaim her life .
The relationships surrounding her—especially the unwavering love of her mother, sister, and close friends Cathy and Diego—serve as a beacon of support in her darkest moments, emphasizing the importance of community in overcoming trauma.

Ciara’s personal struggles, gives an insight into the system and particularly the harsh realities of homelessness. The story does not shy away from the raw, uncomfortable truths of social injustice, adding layers of depth and urgency to Ciara’s plight.

Ryan’s escalating control is one of the most chilling aspects of the novel. His psychological hold over Ciara is depicted with unsettling realism, capturing the insidious nature of coercive relationships. As Ciara begins to reclaim her strength, the tension heightens, making for an emotionally charged and deeply affecting read.

A novel of resilience the devastating impact of domestic control while celebrating the courage it takes to break free. It is a story that lingers, prompting reflection on love, fear, and the power of human endurance. A powerful read !!!!

Ciara Fay has a difficult decision to make, but it's one that she must do for the sake of her young family and herself.

Her husband Ryan on the outside is a loving, attentive and caring individual. He has a good job, is a respectable citizen, the sort of man who'd help your Granny cross the road...

However, on the inside, behind closed doors, he is manipulative, controlling and only one step away from physical violence.

But the emotional turmoil he throws at Ciara is far worse than any punch he could throw.

One bright Spring afternoon, Ciara makes a split second decision that will change her life forever, she gathers things together, throws them in the car with the kids and does a literal runner.

Her husband is upstairs in the shower, and she has limited time before he discovers that they've gone.

This, you would think was the hard part of Ciara's journey. But escaping such abuse is only the beginning as she is about to find out.

For so long Ryan has controlled all aspects of their lives, including their money, that Ciara only has a minimal amount to her name, she has family in England who she wants to escape to, but Ryan vetoes that idea pretty quickly after he realises she's gone.

Ciara is forced to declare herself and her Children homeless, and they end up in a local hotel, whilst they are put on a housing list, and she attempts to navigate a legal separation from Ryan.

What follows is one woman's battle with the legal system, the housing system and an absolute nightmare of a situation, where she showcases just how brave she is, and how far you can come when you are determined.

A vulnerable and emotional portrait of a mother who will do anything to protect her children. So beautifully paced.

Ciara has had enough of her suffocating life, walking on eggshells around her abhorent husband Ryan. She decides to leave the family home along with her 2 little girls. She leaves with a meagre amount of cash, a handful of clothes off the washing line and not even a full tank of petrol. Without any family in Dublin, Ciara has to declare herself homeless and ends up in temporary homeless accomodation. We see Ciara try to rebuild her life from the ground up all the while Ryan torments her with emotional abuse and his controlling ways whilst trying to weasel his way back into her life.

A really important novel that I think everyone should read. Highlighting that abuse does not have to be physical and that the threat of what could happen is enough to keep a firm grip on someone.

An absolute powerful debut from Roisin ODonnell.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In her powerful debut novel, Nesting, Roisín O’Donnell presents a poignant and compelling narrative about Ciara Fay, a mother who makes the courageous decision to leave her controlling husband, Ryan, to protect herself and her two young daughters. With limited resources and her family Living away, Ciara faces the daunting challenges of securing shelter within a strained housing system, all while confronting her own inner turmoil.

O’Donnell’s writing is both fluid and evocative, capturing the raw emotions and resilience of a woman determined to rebuild her life. The story seamlessly intertwines moments of heartbreak with uplifting instances of hope and strength, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of escape and survival. As Ciara navigates the complexities of starting anew, her journey resonates deeply, highlighting the profound impact of courage and the unyielding bond between a mother and her children.

Nesting is a remarkable debut that masterfully balances the darkness of its themes with the light of human spirit, making it a compelling five-star read that lingers long after the final page.

This was an intimate portrait of a woman escaping an emotionally abusive marriage which was just beautifully drawn out. Ciara’s journey to independence from a frazzled spur of the moment flight from her controlling husband, trying to maintain a happy life for her kids whilst negotiating the overrun housing system to the beautiful symbolism of the bird Ryan caged finding its wings. Clara in the beginning, unable to even verbalise the treatment she’s been enduring draws you in as a character and I loved the community she builds for her family. You’re there rooting for her the whole way, frustrated by lapses and the barriers put up against her at every turn. It’s also a wonderful snapshot of Ireland. I really loved it.