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.

This is a powerful and very emotional story of a mother who would do anything to take care of her kids but also dealing with all the emotions and pressure from the society. I loved the book even though it's painful at times but it's part of a reality that many women go through so it's definitely worth reading.

I really liked this book. Ciara makes the decision to leave her controlling husband, taking her 2 small daughters with her. However, she has little money, nowhere to go and her family are back in Sheffield. Her husband refuses to let her take the children out of Ireland. This is the story of how she copes faced with a broken housing system and living in a hotel room. This is a harsh but ultimately uplifting story.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

A well written tale showing the lengths a mother will go to protect her children from a domineering husband. You do wish the protagonist would question a number of his actions later on rather than accept them at face value (one especially) and would have liked to see a bit more of what happened to him post events.

The Kindle edition btw has a number of formatting errors - where carriage returns are excessive. This was around 30% in and in the last 5%.

Perfectly depicts the suffocating, terrorising trauma of a coercively controlled relationship. Ciara is brave, brilliant and strong. A very difficult read but one which hit home, hard. This book will educate and implore people to empathise. I won’t forget this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First of all, a disclaimer - i'm a man and have never really been exposed to domestic abuse in any shape or form - i'm lucky and i know it

Secondly, i'm quite hard core with books - nothing really fazes me and i can read books with a sense of emotional detachment - not necessaily a good thing but it's how i roll

This book has literally snuck up on me and bashed me about the head - i don't think i've ever felt so angry at a book - not at the book itself but at Ryan for his coercive control and even at Ciara for allowing it to happen.. i wanted to put the book down as it really was getting me het up but i perservered as the stark truth hit me - that women, and men, go through this every single day. What they have to go through, just to survive a single day is incomprehensable.. and what they have to do to get out of that vicious circle appears to be unsurmountable... this book has given me a far greater understanding of the blight of domestic abuse and the difficulties in dealing with it and i have greater empathy for those victims and sincerely hope that they can, somehow, get themselves out and live a life that they deserve

By all means, this is not a depressing book - it does have it's moments of light-heartedness and humour - and that makes the book all the better for it.. but it is also a powerful book and one that needs to be treated with respect

You know what they say about writing about what you know? I was hoping that this wasn't the case for Rosin O'Donnell - but it looks like, from her ackknowledgements, that this was a very good piece of research that she carried out - not just on the abuse itself but on the whole process about trying to get out of that abuse cycle..

Fantastic debut from Roisin O'Donnell and i look forward to the next - alas, there will be high expectations!

Thankyou to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance review copy.

This was a read I had to do in stages as it is so intense, yet absolutely worth it. On the one hand the story of coercive control, on the other the structural and financial challenges some can face when trying to escape. It’s not an easy read yet it’s so visceral it’s essential

I feel so privileged to have been able to read an advance copy of this book.
After years of coercive control Ciara decides to leave the family home with her two small children.
Set in Southern Ireland this beautifully written book chronicles Ciara’s and both of her little daughter’s story which includes homelessness and Ciara being pregnant,all whilst still being under threat from the charming on the surface husband.
A novel filled with interesting characters(I loved Ciara and Cathy her homeless friend,whilst hating her cruel husband)
It is brave and honest with an important message,I honestly couldn’t put it down.One of my fave books ever.

A perfect novel for this time. It perfectly highlights coercive behaviour and how even the most charming man can be very different behind closed doors. The novel shows how the protagonist second guesses herself constantly and you are literally rooting for her through the whole book. As the book progresses you see how she is a shadow of the woman she once was. I thought the characters throughout the book were vivid and colourful. It did remind me of The Maid series on Netflix (which I loved). Overall definitely worth a read if you like a confronting emotional read. I want to gift this book to every female I know…especially my son’s female teen friends.

This book is a story of one woman’s struggle to build a life for her and her children as she leaves her controlling husband. It’s sad at times but there are joyous moments; there are new friendships made; and overall it’s heartwarming.

I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an emotional read.

My thanks to the author, to the publisher and to Netgalley for a copy of the book to read and review.

A beautifully written and emotional book, but I found it difficult read as it just seemed very bleak to me. Maybe I read this at the wrong time.

This debut novel from Roisin O'Donnell is a fantastic read and has the reader hooked from the very beginning. It is an unforgettable account of coercive control amid Dublin's horrific housing crisis and its effect on the protagonist, Ciara and her two children. It is raw, well written, poignant and a compelling read and will resonate with many. It is a fast paced book which adds to the development of the story. I really loved this work and would give it ten stars if I could.

Heartbreaking and uplifting, it beautifully tells of the very real struggles countless real women are facing daily.
Ciara is terrified that she will never be free from Ryan, despite leaving and ending up homeless and living in a small hotel room with her girls he keeps contacting her. The constant bombardment has her questioning if she has done the right thing. Ciara is so worn down by Ryan she is no longer sure of anything.
This is a wonderful story and one that is sadly very relevant in the world today. Highly recommend.

This was an extremely well-paced book, with the tension simmering continuously throughout making it a breathtaking read as you were urging Ciara throughout to break free of Ryan’s control and build her new life for her and her children. An incredible read, it was gorgeously written.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.