I have to admit I wasn’t expecting to love Nesting as much as I did. It was delivered as part of my Goldsboro Premier subscription, and while I thought it would be a pleasant enough read, Goldsboro hit it spot on with this one. Roisin O’Donnell’s writing has this wonderfully warm yet haunting quality that just gripped me from the start. I was rooting for Ciara from the second I met her and was thinking about her even after I finished reading.
This book has deserved every accolade that has been awarded to it: Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025, an instant Sunday Times and Irish Times Bestseller, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick and most recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025.
Why I Loved It
- Emotional Depth: The story follows Ciara Fay, a mother who makes a split-second decision to flee her home in Dublin with her two young daughters. What starts as an escape soon becomes a desperate fight for survival in a broken housing system, as Ciara faces dwindling savings, no job, and relentless pressure from her husband Ryan to return home. The emotional weight of Ciara’s journey hit me hard, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn like she was my little sister.
- Powerful Themes: O’Donnell weaves themes of resilience, control, and hope beautifully throughout the story. I was struck by how well she portrayed the complexities of an abusive relationship – from the fear and manipulation to the strength it takes to break free.
- Memorable Characters: Ciara felt so raw and real. Her determination to keep her daughters safe, even while her own world was crumbling, made her such a compelling protagonist.
My Reflection
Nesting isn’t always an easy read – there’s a lot of tension and heartache woven through the pages – but it’s incredibly powerful. O’Donnell captures the emotional turmoil of leaving a toxic relationship with such honesty that I couldn’t tear myself away from Ciara’s journey. Her struggle to find stability while constantly looking over her shoulder made this book both hauntingly gripping and heart-achingly real.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a fast-paced story that blends emotional depth with heart-racing tension, Nesting is well worth your time.
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