Across the bay anyone watching would have seen a family enjoying a day out by the seaside, Ryan, Ciara and daughters Sophie and Ella. How would anyone know that it wasn't just the sea that was chilling, Ryan was too. Each word, each glance laced with tension gave a promise of what was to come when they got home. Ciara knew the signs.

It wasn't difficult to put myself in the shoes of a mother who can't take any more and makes the brave decision to leave, taking two young children away from the only home they've known leaving behind many toys and possessions. As the days and weeks passed she soon found that leaving was the easy part. With no family in the area she faced challenge after challenge when asking for help in a system that was clogged up with red-tape, checklists, sign in sheets and a husband who wasn't prepared to let her or the kids go without a fight.

This wasn't an easy read but it was certainly a thought provoking one. It was distressing at times but with the rough came the little acts of kindness, the support when least expected and the friendship. A powerful and moving novel.

Not my usual type of read but I thought I would give this new novel by Roisin O’Donnell a chance. I’m glad I did. This was a very well written and researched book. The topic has been covered many times in novels but O’Donnell has made this story so realistic that it was refreshing to read.

Unfortunately this was not a book for me and after 20% I was just not interested it was too slow and nothing happening so I decided to abandon - I am surprised as a lot of readers rated 4 star and above but it did not work for me.

An unforgettable debut, this searing voice will mark your hearts and minds. A story about leaving life behind and starting again.

This was a tough read at times but such an important subject matter - emotional abuse and coercive control. The characters were really well written and felt very real, as did the descriptions of the relationship dynamics and how easy it is for women to be sucked in and how hard to break out. It was ultimately an uplifting story about finding your power and coming back to your self and one I'd recommend.

This is a wonderfully insightful, profound, and compassionate Irish novel from Roisin O'Donnell that allows us to peer inside a relationship which may appear deceptively fine from the outside, but behind closed doors is more worryingly disturbing. Oddly enough, I recently read Irish writer Roddy Doyle's latest, The Women Behind the Door, with its echoes of similar themes to this and the repercussions in the years that follow, which I recommend too. Ciara May is from Sheffield, living in Dublin, she is a wife to Ryan and a mother, who at long last takes the chance to make a stand and bravely makes the decision to leave Ryan and her marriage, taking her beloved children with her.

Ryan had initially appeared to be a great guy, his true nature eventually emerging, an abusive husband, with his need to exercise coersive control over Ciara, not really engaged or connected with his children. This left an ill prepared and fearful Ciara isolated, constantly being manipulated and gas lit, her life taken over, and as we are to learn, it leaves a legacy and repercussions that are far from easy to address, particularly given the challenging stresses and pressures posed by society and the inevitable financial struggles that arise. This alarming situation is one so many women in similar circumstances have to negotiate, the pitfalls, who may make the mistake of returning home, having to handle a pregnancy, supporting another child within the family, difficulties in leaving the country, the constraints of hotel living, the toll it all takes, mentally and emotionally, finding support and so much more, the ups and the downs.

O'Donnell skilfully and sensitively burrows into her character, Ciara, a protective mother who loves her children, her sense of identity, what she thinks and feels, she develops her in a way that drips with a realistic authenticity that grips and resonates, especially in the light of the rich descriptions and all the tiny details provided. There is plenty of tension and suspense that is generated that you become immersed in, praying and desperately hoping that Ciara will make it through. I grew up in a household where my father was physically violent, heavily controlling, ruling through fear, in an era where the police did not intervene and such issues in society were swept under the carpet, and I can verify to just how difficult it was to walk out with children for women in that era.

It is still a tough and hard scenario for women today, requiring resilience and the strength to deal with the range of issues that arise upon leaving. A well written, unforgettable, and superb read that I highly recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

The story is beautifully told in the third person POV. I was hooked from the first few pages it had a Roddy Doyle feel to the tone as person who has read a lot books from Irish writers lately this is among the best I've read not just recently but of all time...what debut novel. This a wonderfully expertly written thought-provoking debut.

Roisin O’Donnell has created ‘Ciara’, a character who will stay with you long after you’ve reached the last page. Unfortunately, Ciara’s story mirrors the experiences of thousands of women, whose marriages are driven by manipulation and gaslighting. Humiliated, intimidated, and isolated from family and friends, Ciara flees with her two small children with little savings, no job, and no family close by. Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. O'Donnall captures this perfectly, it's so with tenderness and care. With echoing sense of realism. I could hear the Irish tones in the dialogue. I loved the focus on the little things throughout the story, the rice crackers, the saggy nappies etc. It made the book seem more real. These little touches gave a human face to Ciara which made her all more heart breaking as a character. The way author offers up information of Ciara before Ryan is truly insightful it highlights that anyone can find themselves in her situation which made for a hard truth.

Nesting could have made for a depressing read, but ultimately it’s a beautifully told story of love, hope and resilience in the most difficult times. It’s not just about survival but about a woman reclaiming identity and strength. Highly recommended

Gripping, beautiful, and haunting. I thoroughly loved this book. I'd say it's more book/ARC of 2024

Nesting is a moving story about Ciara, a mother who escapes her abusive husband in order to build a new life for herself and her children.

Despite the tough situation she finds herself in, Ciara’s fear and self-doubt slowly turn into strength and hope as she starts to rebuild her life. Whilst the subject matter is heavy (an abusive, coercive relationship) it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s a tough but ultimately uplifting read.

A highly recommended, but at times difficult, read

Wow, a powerful book which certainly engages the reader as it unfolds. The book follows Ciara who is scared whilst under the control of a coercive husband Ryan and her subsequent escape from this toxic relationship taking with her, her two daughters whilst also pregnant. This is a book which will resonate with a lot of people on several levels in how such a situation can wear anyone down as they battle against the odds without money or support. There is a lot of warmth amongst the community Ciara finds herself in with others who suddenly find themselves homeless for various reasons. A book to make one think what others may be up against.

Despite wanting to scream at Ciara, the main character, throughout the book, I did enjoy the story and found it very sad and believable and I was happy when the woman at the refuge gave a good talking to and made her look at herself and what she was accepting.
This is the story of Ciara and begins as she is trying to leave her abusive marriage. She is taking her two small girls to the airport to fly to the UK to be with her mother but finds that Ryan has put a stop order on her taking the girls from the country. Desperate she tries to get on the homeless register and is assigned a hotel room in the meantime. When she finds out she is pregnant she knows she must do something to protect the family and applies for a job teaching English - something Ryan has prevented her from doing.
The coercive relationship is well told and it was easy to see how Ryan wore Ciara down into believing everything she did was wrong. Isolated and intimidated Ciara feels there is nothing she can do except return to Ryan. At times in the book I wanted to shake her and at other points I wanted to hug her and give her money.
But gradually, with the help of a mismatched and misfit group of friends Ciara manages to turn her life about and the story ends with hope and uplift. The story is beautifully told and I could hear the Irish tones in the dialogue. I loved the focus on the little things throughout the story, the rice crackers, the saggy nappies and rice cookers.
With thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Leaving is one thing but staying away is another! Ciara finds this situation herself in yet again as she tries to stay strong when she leaves her husband Ryan. Ciara who is pregnant and has two young girls Sophie and Ella, battles with hardship and immense stress as she endures the broken Irish system of homelessness.
The obstacles and difficulties are horrendous and Ciara is constantly wondering if it would just be easier to go back to Ryan and put up with his controlling and manipulative ways.
I found this story an emotional and thought provoking read.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers Simon and Schuster for the advanced digital reader copy of this book.

This is one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. Thankfully, I have never been in an abusive or coercive relationship but I felt every single inch of Ciara’s pain. I wanted to go and scoop up her and her children, give them money, and take them to a safe and happy place. Really powerful and brilliant writing, well worthy of 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a wonderful and thought provoking read.

What a thought-provoking debut Nesting turned out to be. Roisin O’Donnell has created ‘Ciara’, a character who will stay with you long after you’ve reached the last page. Unfortunately, Ciara’s story mirrors the experiences of thousands of women, whose marriages are driven by manipulation and gaslighting. Humiliated, intimidated, and isolated from family and friends, Ciara flees with her two small children with little savings, no job, and no family close by. Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons.

As the reader, you are privy to Ryan’s controlling behaviour and how it’s affected Ciara. Even when she escapes from Ryan’s clutches, it’s obvious the legacy of abuse has left it’s marked on her. She faces many challenges throughout her journey to freedom. But gradually you see a new Ciara emerge, a woman who is far stronger that she ever thought. The author sympathetically explores tough hitting topics such as domestic abuse and homelessness and the housing crisis in Ireland. Nesting could have made for a depressing read, but ultimately it’s a beautifully told story of love, hope and resilience in the most difficult times. It’s not just about survival but about a woman reclaiming identity and strength. Highly recommended

Ciara is a young woman, a mother of two young ones (later, three), who is in a coercive relationship with Ryan.
She makes the difficult decision (again) to leave one day, and this is that story.
This is a respectful, authentic and tender accounting of the moving on, and the on-the-surface grey, but in reality, abusive realities of being in a coercive relationship. With families involved, the complicated traits of the controlling party, and the flaws of the victim simply deriving from being human but used against them by their abusers, this is an interesting novel. I am a bit based for my favouring of the landscape due to my familiarity with it, but I believe O’Donnell modern, gripping, engaging and authentic prose is the real winner here.
3.75 stars,
Amazing debut.
Please read the blurb and any content/trigger warnings prior to reading this book. We walk alongside Ciara and her loved ones in this book - it is best to be prepared if you can.

I am not sure how to review this book. I enjoyed reading it but also found it distressing and very sad. Ciara is a women from Sheffield married to a man from Ireland. The beginning of their marriage seemed perfect but Ryan becomes controlling mentally and physically although not the hitting kind. There are also two little girls in the mix who he ignores the majority of the time. Ciara leaves and goes to Sheffield but Ryan is contrite and she returns. A big mistake as once she is home he becomes abusive and unkind again. This time she feels she must leave and makes arrangements to fly home. On the flight she is stopped leaving the country by the Garda. Ryan obviously becomes worse. Eventually she makes the decision to leave but stay locally. She then finds herself pregnant with Noah but does not tell Ryan until obviously he finds out. Ciara is living in a hotel bedroom with three children, little money and frightened for those children. Ryan insists on his rights as a father to see the children but she has this maternal urge to keep them safe knowing that he will not look after them properly. Her other drama is that Ryan’s parents are in the mix thinking he is the best father in the work and this makes Ciara’s life even more difficult with their phone calls etc. The story brings home to readers that this is something that exists in some peoples’ day to day lives. Ciara becomes stronger and things improves very slowly. I enjoyed the characters as I felt they were believable and although the story is hard hitting it is worth a read

This is a powerful debut, following Ciara as she tries to take control of her life and escape her coercive controlling husband whilst caring for her children. Her fear is tangible and tension is high as he continues to manipulate her, using the children to make her feel guilty.

In her isolation, poverty, homelessness, helplessness, there is hope as increasingly she comes to rely on friends and family.

The only weak point is her finances. At the same time as she struggles to make ends meet, feed and clothe her children, she takes flights, runs her car, takes on a high rent home.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell

Ciara Fay cannot take her possessive, angry, abusive, controlling, manipulating husband anymore so one afternoon whilst he is in the shower she makes a snap decision to leave. She throws what she can into a suitcase, takes her two young daughters and leaves.

They end up living in a hotel whilst on the housing waiting list. Ryan’s texts and phone calls are relentless but she finally feels safe and will not give in. She manages to get a teaching job while studying at night and looking after her two children. trying to put on a happy face and deal with pregnancy tiredness. Yes, she finds out she is pregnant with Ryan’s child.

Ryan uses many tricks to get her to come home and when this doesn’t work he applies for permanent custody of his daughters. He messes with Ciara’s head in so many ways that she struggles to keep going.

She wonders how much longer she will be able to cope and stay strong against Ryan’s manipulation. Should she just do what’s best for her girls and go home? How will she be able to support her family? Her biggest worry is has she made a big mistake leaving her husband.

This was outstanding for a debut novel. O’Donnell captured the fear, trepidation and pure anxiety Ciara felt towards her monster of a husband superbly. She also characterized Ryan perfectly because I detested his Jekyll and Hyde persona and how he tried to squirm his way back into Ciara’s good books so this was a job well done.

Ciara’s love and protection for her daughters was beautiful and I loved their moments of closeness as they curled up in their hotel room. Ciara would read them books they picked up that day from the library as the wind blew outside and the rain pounded off the windows. My awe for Ciara and how brave she was grew with each page. She made the drab hotel room into a haven for herself and her children where they felt safe and where worry and fear were left out in the corridor.

I'm fairly confident this will be in my top ten books this year and I will be recommending it to everyone I meet. A well-deserved five-star read.

Thanks to NetGalley for a ARC of this book. I will be purchasing my very own copy when this is published on January 30th 2025 for my book shelf.

This opens with Ciara and Ryan (mum and dad) on the beach in the Spring of 2018 with Sophie and Ella, their children. If things aren't exactly happy then neither are they apparently particularly bad. However there is a wonderfully telling quote, the gist of which is that people may look happy from a distance but when you look closely you might find they are screaming! In a sense that is a cornerstone of this book to me. How many people out there are seen to be at least OK who aren't actually. In a very different way that was once me. Actually Ciara has left Ryan once before and is wondering what to do now. This is the story of what happens.

Leaving is never easy. I guess on the face of it you simply go however there is so much more to it than that. This book does illustrate and explore that very effectively. Ciara may be coping although her family have an idea she is not. However internally there is turmoil and that is a vital part of this book. Of course there is also a third level which is what Ciara isn't even admitting to herself. There really isn't much more that I want to reveal about this book - it would be far better to hear about it in Ciara's voice, she is far more authentic than I ever could be.

I must advise that this is a book about coercive control and that may well affect some people. Personally I would still say read it however we are all different. As I said this does feel very authentic to me - I felt much of the emotions here but there is no way that I, as a man, can really fully grasp this. It is very edgy at times for me. I kept reading a little bit more and keeping my fingers crossed. There really are highs and lows and even towards the end, when you start having some hope, it is in jeopardy. Throughout Ciara internal dialogue and turmoil came over so well for me. The time covered by this story is roughly a year but the journey is longer and harder than that. A remarkable first book and well worth taking a look at. 4.5/5

My nerves are shredded and I am not OK.
This book is edge of your seat stuff.
The last ten minutes also had my heart in my mouth.
The Story of coercive control told unbelievably Well.
When you doubt yourself all the time, because there's no proof.
Along with all the tension, there's a lot of love in this book, Cathy and Sinead and how they step up for this little family.
As ridiculous as this may sound, I was proud of Ciara for every single step she took away from this marriage.
Absolutely brilliant book,especially for a debut.

Ciara is a victim of coercive control and like many women in a similar situation she constantly tries to persuade herself that her life is not that bad. This is a very sensitive look at the issues and sacrifices these women have to make to escape a toxic relationship and make a new start for themselves and their children.