This is one of those books that caught me a bit by surprise. I generally prefer a book with more of a plot, but I think just the woman in her 20s just trying to figure out life is a specific subset that I will still enjoy without a heavy plot focus. I love just following around this young woman as she tries to find her place in the world amongst all of the messy, chaos, and sometimes ugly that life throws at us. I feel like Rachel is a character that grows on you in that she is incredibly relatable. Overall, I really enjoyed this one but know going into it that it’s very character based and the plot falls to the wayside.

I'm sad that this book isn't for me. I enjoyed reading it but I have trouble remembering the book in its entirety. Hopefully, the author's other books works for me.

This was a really interesting novel, but I especially loved the audiobook! It dealt with themes of friendship, growing up, pregnancy, and abortion. I loved seeing the main character grow up, and I especially identified with seeing her wild side as a teen/young person in her 20s. The book read more like a biography rather than a novel, which I found to be an interesting and compelling way to tell a story. Overall pretty enjoyable, but didn’t quite draw me in enough to get that extra star.

🌈Queer rep: secondary gay male character, in MM relationships

this was such a wild lesson in perspective and it made me feel a whole lot. the little that feels big, the big that feels bigger, and a little frasier to get one through their 20s. and that’s it, that is the review, read it

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for this wonderful eARC.

Caroline O'Donoghue's "The Rachel Incident" is a novel that captures the essence of youthful exuberance and the complexities of love and friendship against the backdrop of a tumultuous Ireland. The story follows Rachel, a bookstore employee and student, as she navigates the chaotic waters of her life, love interests, and the looming financial crisis.

O'Donoghue's writing is sharp and witty, with a humor that resonates deeply with the Irish spirit. The characters are vividly drawn, particularly Rachel, whose first-person narrative is both endearing and relatable. Her escapades with James, her effervescent and "insistently heterosexual" roommate, are the heart of the novel, providing a dynamic that is both hilarious and touching.

The novel is a comedy that delves into deeper themes such as unrequited love, the desire for connection, and the search for identity. The setting of Cork city during the financial crash adds a layer of urgency and realism to the narrative, grounding the characters' experiences in a specific time and place that many readers will find familiar.

"The Rachel Incident" is a triumph of contemporary fiction, blending the light-hearted with the profound, and presenting a story that is as much about finding oneself as it is about finding laughter in the chaos of life. O'Donoghue's first novel for adults published in the United States is a sensational new entry in the millennial-novel genre, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.

In summary, Caroline O'Donoghue's "The Rachel Incident" is a brilliantly funny and deeply moving novel that perfectly encapsulates the trials and tribulations of young adulthood. With its sparkling humor and poignant moments, it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story well told.

Five stars from this enthusiastic reader! 🌹❤️

If you like Irish novels this book is for you. The Rachel Incident is what I would consider a campus novel that includes and illicit love affair. The writing is strong and I loved Rachel's best friend and side kick.

This is the story of 2 best friends in their twenties growing up in Cork and figuring out the complexities of life. Although Rachel is a bit of a shit show at times (aren't we all?) the characters were relatable and likable.

This book was seriously so good! I enjoyed every page of it, and while Rachel made a lot of questionable choices, I felt like I could empathize with the bad choices she was making.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a great read and will definitely recommend!! The cover is also so cute. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. I wanted to love this book and I know a lot of people who do but it just didn’t do it for me. It took me a bit to get through it and it was fine. I struggled a bit to relate to the characters though I really wanted to. Am I glad I read it? Yes. Is it the best book I have read lately? No.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely loved this book so much and can't wait to tell all my friends to get their hands on a copy ASAP! This book has all the feels of starting out and growing up in your 20's and made me think of my younger self. Great read and I can't wait to read more by this author in the future.

I'm a sucker for Irish contemporary, and though it's easy to say young woman/older professor is an overused trope, it always works for me. Fantastic, scratched the literary/contemporary (dare I say Sally Rooney-esque) itch.

This book has stuck with me like glue. Rachel and James navigating early adulthood is heart wrenching yet their love story was magnetic.


If you like books featuring…
Platonic love stories
Nineties Irish politics
Coming of age stories

Great for fans of…
The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel
Happy Couple by Naiose Dolan
You’re the Worst (FX)

I had a hard time connecting with this book. I enjoyed the overall story but this was more of a me issue on what I didn’t enjoy I think. I think if you are a big fan of literary fiction this will be a great read, it was just a bit slow for me.

The was in my top five favorite books of 2023. I honestly think that Caroline O'Donoghue is better than Sally Rooney. This book was funny, heartfelt, and really excellent.

I was so surprised by this book the description didn’t do it any justice. The Rachel Incident perfectly captures that particular time in a young person's life when they’re experiencing their first platonic love, first romantic love, financial struggles, not knowing what to do with their life and how that all feels. Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I finally got around to this one and I’m so mad at myself for waiting this long! It was AMAZING. I inhaled it. Everyone was right - If you’re a fan of Sally Rooney you’ll love it. 10/10 recommend!!!

I absolutely loved this book. A perfect depiction of when our past collides with our future and life works out for the best. I felt like the character of Rachel perfectly depicts the struggles so many of us go through and allows us to see what the beauty that life can bring by coming full circle. I would recommend to anyone who has experienced life as a young something and has come through it. This was a breath of fresh air and appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

Caroline O'Donoghue's "The Rachel Incident" feels one-part Sally Rooney novel and one part narrative nonfiction. The novel follows 20-something Rachel, a young woman who has fallen in love with her male professor. In the midst of this, Rachel and her life become upheaved leading us down a path of self destruction. O'Donoghue expertly crafts a tale of finding yourself in your 20's--or at least attempting to do so--and the qualms that come with a decade bound to change you.

After meeting at a bookshop, Rachel and James become fast friends. At the heart of their friendship is their desire for a bohemian lifestyle and utter disregard for the world around them. Rachel and James become infatuated with her married professor and insinuate their way into his life, the catalyst for the story. From there, the two wander through their early twenties, sowing chaos all the while.

O'Donoghue captures the frenetic decade that is your twenties without prettying it up. You'll sigh and scoff and groan and gasp at the things Rachel and James do in the same way you would 20-year-old you. The dry humor and fascinating friendship will keep you hooked.

If you're a fan of characters in the vein of Sally Rooney and Dolly Alderton, you'll probably love this book.