Thank you to the author and publishers for this arc.

When a book is so well written that it reads like a true life story and the struggles that someone goes through,it’s hard to say how much I enjoyed it. It was as if Ciara was an actual person and this is because her story is a true reflection of what many people are experiencing everyday in many towns and cities.

This is a hard hitting story about coercion and verbal manipulation and a woman’s struggle to get away from her husband with her 2 young daughters and a baby on the way. Ciara’s story and the fact that she has been placed in a hotel room and having to report in daily, so she does not lose the room is not uncommon. Beautifully written and this book and Ciara’s story will stay with me for a while.

A powerful hard hitting story. Women have to be incredibly brave to leave an abusive relationship, especially when they have children. This tells such story. The heartbreak of making yourself homeless to living in temporary accommodation in a hotel. Well researched.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advance copy of this book.

I did mostly enjoy this. It felt like a sort of book version of the film "I Daniel Blake" in how realistic it was. That said, some parts of it were almost too realistic? Like just an account of what happened, not so much a story as a list. It was also stressful as I have a friend who has a partner very similar to Ryan and we're all waiting on tenterhooks for the day she finally leaves him and finds joy in life again. When this is published I'd actually love for her to read it, see that even though it's a difficult and horrible process, it is possible and there is always help available.

Thank you for the ARC :)

Couldn’t put this one down. Nesting is a powerful novel.The writing is outstanding and the plot hard hitting. The author takes us on a heart-breaking journey into the difficult subject of domestic non-violent abuse. Ciara’s husband Ryan might seem like the perfect husband to others, but inside the marriage he is controlling, manipulative, and relentless in his mental abuse of Ciara.

While taking place in Ireland, Ciara’s situation is very real and experienced by women everywhere, daily. Her resilience and courage is heart-rending. This story will linger for days, if not weeks after reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*4.5 stars*

On a beautiful Spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a decision, a spur of the moment thing, but actually one that’s been a long time coming - she frantically grabs clothes straight from the washing line, straps her two young daughters, Sophie and Ella into the car, and drives away from her home and husband, Ryan. She has no idea what she’s going to do or where she’s even going, but the need to escape Ryan is overwhelming, not just for herself but for her daughters too.

On the face of it, Ryan Fay appears to be Mr charming himself, but behind closed doors he uses emotional abuse to control and cause utter fear- he has isolated Ciara from family and friends and she can take no more. This won’t be the last she hears from Ryan though, because he’s relentless in his pursuit of her, demanding that she returns, telling her what a bad mother she is.

With very little savings and no job, Ciara’s future looks very bleak and she becomes one of the many who rely on emergency accommodation, living in a ‘hotel’ with others in the same position, where somewhere they can call home is something they can only dream of.

Set against the backdrop of the housing crisis in Ireland, this is tense and emotionally charged, and relates just how hard it is to escape a controlling relationship and at the same time find the courage and strength to make a new life out of the tatters of a marriage - because leaving is one thing, but staying away takes enormous strength. A heart wrenching but hopeful read, and I loved it.

Nesting, the debut novel by Roisin O'Donnell, is an accomplished work, which makes it surprising that it is a debut. This is a writer that feels at the top of her game. It is all too-true fictional story of a woman and her children attempting to escape a non-physical but nevertheless abusive relationship. I have been a child in such a relationship, and I can see how accurately O'Donnell has portrayed this. Not a word is wasted. This is the type of novel that will leave you feeling breathless, make you care deeply about it's characters and situations, and move you totally by the end. It could easily have been sensationalist, or manipulate in it's use of emotion, but O'Donnell keeps tight control of the work. This is highly recommended and I fully expect to see it on some awards lists by the end of the year (2025). I am also very keen to read what she does next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

The agony of having no money and nowhere to turn, as well as Ciara's decision to leave her abusive husband, are the subjects of this nerve-racking, suspenseful novel. This is a tale of optimism and how, after years of being afraid to do anything that would irritate her spouse, a life can be transformed and new friendships can be formed. Strong and endearing, the writing is incredible, and it will stay with me for a long time.

From the first page, Nesting is addictive.

Ciara's story is not an uncommon one, but it is a story so often hidden out of shame and guilt.

Roisin O'Donnell has written a powerful novel that explores emotional and psychological abuse within intimate relationships. Set against tge backdrop of the housing crisis in Ireland, the situation becomes even more desperate. There is a panicked, claustrophobic energy that permeates this novel and will have you staying up late to find out what becomes of Ciara and her children.

I highly recommend 'Nesting'.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A truly inspiring book. More than a “story” - I also learned so much about emotional abuse and the scale and hideous reality of homelessness when you have a family. The sheer scale of the issue blew me away. But this is not a sad story, though at times I felt both sad and angry, it’s an uplifting tale of triumph over adversity, love, and the unexpected kindness of others.
Thanks to the author, publisher and to netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

What a fantastic read. Ciara's story is absolutely heartbreaking but it is a must read for everyone out there who has been through this,the struggles she encounters as she tries to protect and care for her children and keep them safe but all the time thinking it must be her fault as her cohesive husband continues to make her life a nightmare. With the help of friends and family will she eventually get the strength to finally break the cycle and find some healing for herself and her family. I was in tears reading this book but think it gives a very important message and highly recommend it

A heart breaking and emotionally charged story that had me racing through the pages with my heart in my mouth. A story of domestic abuse and coercion that is extremely well told. On a bright sunny afternoon in Dublin Ciara Fay makes a difficult but necessary decision that will change her and her young family’s life forever. She walks out on a life of torment into the unknown with just a bag of clothes and very little money to start over. This is an important story and I could not stop thinking about the characters. What it takes for a women walk out of a relationship with two small children without any means of support and a more important question is what it takes for women to stay in an abusive relationship. The author captures the the fear and terror of Ciara and the real struggle of staying or leaving. A heartbreaking story but a very real look at what it takes to navigate the system and the desperation of a mother to protect her children. A book that will stay with me a long time. The question of “ Why do women stay in an abusive relationship” is heartbreakingly answered here. This would make a terrific book club read.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Nesting is a heart and gut wrenching debut from the short story prizewinning Roisin O’Donnell. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride as mum of two, with another of the way, Ciara makes the incredibly tough decision to leave her coercive husband. With very little money and equally little help Ciara tries everything she can to leave Ryan but he seems to thwart her every move. With her only family over in the UK in Sheffield Ciara has limited options. This is at times a difficult read but it’s impossible not to will Ciara and the kids to find a better life. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC.

Nesting is a compelling and emotionally charged book that explores the difficult realities of escaping domestic abuse and the challenges of starting over. Set in Dublin, it follows Ciara Fay, a woman who, in a moment of desperation, decides to leave her mentally abusive husband, Ryan, and take her two young daughters with her. What begins as an attempt to find safety and freedom soon turns into a daunting struggle, as Ciara faces a broken housing system, dwindling resources, and the emotional toll of her decision.

The strength of this book lies in its portrayal of Ciara, a character full of courage and resilience. From the very first page, I was rooting for her as she navigated the immense difficulties of fleeing an unsafe home. The story vividly depicts her battles—not just with external forces like housing and finances, but also with her inner demons as she tries to protect her children and create a new life for them.

The book brings to light the painful complexities of domestic abuse, shedding light on how hard it can be to leave, especially when starting afresh with little money and nowhere to go. Ciara’s journey resonates on many levels, making the reader feel her anxiety, frustration, and fierce love for her daughters. The struggles she faces are not just physical but emotional, as Ryan relentlessly tries to pull her back, showing just how difficult it is to break free from an abusive relationship.

Nesting is a powerful story of survival, courage, and the strength of a mother’s love. It will evoke a range of emotions in every reader—anger, sadness, hope—but most of all, it will inspire. This is a book that will give strength to those who are struggling and waiting for a sign to find their way out of a dark situation.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Emotional compelling read.

This book makes you really take a look at your own life and the people around you. Thank goodness mine are the good ones. You really felt the heartbreak and despair for this broken family. How difficult it is to live in temporary accommodation even if it is in a hotel, with no light at the end of the tunnel. How to cope with 2 small children and a third on the way.

Made me really grateful for what I have.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell is a novel that you become immersed in as you root for the protagonist. A powerful and emotive read.

Thank you to the publishers for my access to review .
Firstly how is this a debut !?? It is expertly written and one of the best books I’ve read on this subject .
I was in ciaras shoes in 2008 and I want to thank her for articulating the emotions both positive and negative experienced.
Whilst of course this is a heavy subject it also shines a light on a woman’s determination,courage and resilience.
Along with meeting supportive people in unlikely places this is a tale of growth and a real journey .
Incredibly thought provoking and emotive this is a book that will stay with you .
It’s realistic, genuine ,raw and encapsulates a world that many have the unfortunate business of experiencing .
I highly recommend this and wish the author every success with it

Wow. I have devoured this book! What a tense and emotional read this was! The story follows Ciara who has left her emotionally abusive husband and fled with her two children. We follow their story as they navigate being homeless whilst Ryan the husband still tries to maintain control over Ciara. Ciara has been worn down and as a fiery person myself, this was a hard read. So many times I wish she’d just stand up for herself and tell him to eff off!! But as the story follows on, you realise just how much damage Ryna has done to Ciara. This book is a page turning type of book. I read it overnight. I could not put it down! It’s written so well. Highly recommend this one. It’s a hard read but it’s one that will stay with you! Fantastic!

In spite of the rather dark nature of this plot, I enjoyed the book very much. Ciara suffers domestic abuse. But it's the psychological kind, there are no bruises, Ryan makes sure of that, instead she suffers emotional abuse. He doesn't want Ciara to work, he wants her to be a stay at home mum with their two children, he doesn't want her to see her family, he has gradually isolated her. Ciara puts up with Ryan's moods, feeling like she's forever walking on egg shells. If anything goes wrong he always finds a way to blame her, tell her she's useless, she brings it all on herself. Until one day, Ciara decides she's had enough, she can't take any more, she packs a bag and she leaves with the intention of going over to England to her mum and sister. Unfortunately that's not to be, Ryan has put paid to that.

As well as Ciara's marriage, the book also covers the housing crisis too. Trying to escape her abusive marriage is made all the harder in that she has nowhere to go. She ends up in temporary accommodation - a hotel. Stuck in one room with two young children, unable to afford child care, she can only work part time as she tries to save enough money to be able to rent somewhere half decent.

With each step forward, she seems to take two steps back and the book is written so well, so realistically, that it just has you on tenterhooks at times, hoping that things can only get better, that there surely can't be many more obstacles put in her way. With characters and situations depicted so realistically, it makes you realise that there are many women out there facing all the same challenges that Ciara is enduring.

A sad story that has you rooting for Ciara, and gives real food for thought that there is no safety net any more for the vulnerable, for those who have fallen on hard times, just obstacles to make life ever harder so that only the most determined survive.

I've just skimmed the surface in this review, there is so much more to this book, it isn't all dark, there are some lighter moments, there are some wonderful friendships, there's kindness in there, it's moving, emotional but also hopeful, that with determination, good can win out over adversity.

Ciara has been forced to take her children and flee from her husband. To others he is a caring family man, but to his wife he is a cruel, violent abuser.

This gripping story gets inside the subject of domestic violence and how the partner becomes terrified, at times blaming herself. Also, the few resources available when someone become terrified in their own homes. The bureaucracy and challenges faced make this a thought provoking, powerfully described novel.

Ciara’s desperate journey, her resilience and strength of character are highlighted as the story unfolds. She is a fighter determined to survive the intolerable circumstances she and her children have been forced into. She has little money, her family unable to support her. The failing housing system, lack of resources when faced with a threatening situation. And Ryan, her husband’s determination that the family return back under his control.

This is a gripping, must read novel, fast paced, emotive, drawing you in from the first page. Well researched and described. I couldn’t put down this book, hoping that Ciara could escape from the past.

What a heart wrenching story of Ciara, who one day just decides to leave behind her brute of a husband and escape from his clutches with her two children and not much else. How she survives and manages to cope with all that life throws at her is truly admirable. Beautifully written, I guarantee you will shed a tear or two as you follow Ciara's journey