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

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.