This book is an absolute hit, and I will be disappointed if it doesn’t get picked up by a network for a limited series adaption. This tale stars Rachel, a university student coming up on her last year of schooling. She instantly connects with her new best friend James and after moving together, they create a scheme to seduce Rachel’s beloved professor, Dr. Fred Byrne. Safe to say things don’t go as planned. This extremely enticing novel is a coming of age tale mixed in with secret affairs, complicated love and intense surprises. I devoured this story in days and still remain obsessed. The only negative feeling I have is that the book wasn’t longer. Well done.

The Rachel Incident is a perfectly enjoyable coming of age story, one where you might think it’s going down the route of a young student conducting an affair with her older college professor, but it swerves just before it reaches that and becomes something different. Instead of being a participant in the affair, she is merely witness to all sides of it, as it turns out.

It seems like a disservice to call this book like Sally Rooney’s, although it’s probably the kind of book big fans of Sally Rooney will get along with, albeit with fewer political interludes. It’s a book with that kind of literary college new-adult-ish age cast. Plotwise, at times, it reminds me a lot of Conversations With Friends, although perhaps a little subverted, since the main character is about the only person not having an affair.

It’s a very character-driven book so it’s a good thing the characters are likeable or, if not entirely likeable, then sympathetic enough. Compelling, primarily. You want to keep reading about them, you want things to turn out okay. But also part of the compellingness comes from the fact that they’re kind of a mess, Rachel, James and later Carey. It’s never quite like rubbernecking but it’s near enough. You know the affair isn’t going to end well, but you can’t help watching.

Most of the book covers the years that Rachel is at university, working at a bookshop and sharing a house with James. This is when the bulk of the events take place, seen through present Rachel’s eyes as she reminisces, having heard that Dr. Byrne, the subject of this affair, is now in a coma. Towards the end, however, it speedruns us up to the present day and I think this is where the pacing kind of let the book down. Just a little. After spending 280 pages or so on late 00s/early 10s Rachel, suddenly we find ourselves with 8 years having passed in the blink of an eye, and then another eight to get us to the end (although this as a timeskip seemed to make more sense). There was a reason for that first stop at 8 years, but I do feel it might have been better integrated, pacing-wise.

Overall, though, this was a book I enjoyed reading. And that’s all I ask for when it comes down to it.

Gorgeous slice-of-life 2010s Ireland. This is about a young woman- Rachel- in Cork Ireland as she finishes college and makes her way in the world alongside her best friend and housemate James. I love stories like this that are such a vivid picture of time and place. I will see these characters in my head long after I’ve finished reading The Rachel Incident. 5 stars

I was looking for a book that was refreshing, entertaining and thought provoking and that is exactly what The Rachel Incident gave me. What appeared as a simple coming of age book with a young woman sharing a flat with her best friend who is also gay turned out to be a thoughtful book about the challenges of being a young woman, sexuality and the challenges of relationships. Set in Cork Ireland for most of the story Rachel Murray is trying to find her way through employment and men and getting a better sense of herself. It was a quick read for me because I wanted to know what would happen next. O’ Donoghue crafts a good story ! Thank you #NetGalley and #Knopf for providing me an ARC of #TheRachelIncident.

I LOVED this novel; quite literally devoured it in 48 hours. The title and pretty cover may have piqued my interest, but the story is one that I could relate to and enjoy. This is a coming-of-age story in a time of uncertainty and economic recession in Ireland.

The story begins with Rachel reminiscing about her most formative year living with her gay best friend James, on Shandon Street. In her younger years, Rachel feels as if she had been launched into the world not fully formed. She is incredibly naïve, shy, and unprepared for life not at her childhood home. James, on the other hand, is literally fabulous. His boisterous fully formed opinions open up Rachel’s personality and are a source of great hilarity while reading. Their relationship is interrupted by the secret crush Rachel has on her professor, Dr. Byrne.

After a turn of events, Dr Byrne becomes and incredibly large and toxic part of her life with James. As the story progresses, the three of the them, Carey is an extra add to the trio, form an unhealthy dependency upon one another. There is no way for this scenario to end, but badly. However, this year shapes Rachel and James into the successful people they will become.

I laughed, got angry, and fully enjoyed this story. The history and references to Ireland and their abortion laws that existed until 2018 were very enlightening. There is also a great support for James, his coming out as a gay man, and the LGBTQ community.

I had zero expectations going in and now this is probably one of my favorite books I'll read all year with characters I'm going to be thinking about for a long time. O'Donoghue is writing in a genre that sometimes places more value on flowery words than it does plot, but the twists in this kept me up needing to know what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. Somehow, every book I read that is compared to Sally Rooney is actually about ten times better than Sally Rooney.

This book takes place in early 2010s Ireland and centers around Rachel, a young woman finishing college and her relationship with her gay best friend/roommate, James. We learn about their varying jobs, disastrous love affairs and plans for the future. The book is a little sad but also laugh out loud funny. A really great coming of age tale.

I absolutely loved this book! like catching up with an old friend for a late-night gossip session, The Rachel Incident is a stunning tale with so much charm. Rachel is the perfect narrator - flawed, naive, but so so likeable. The hijinks that ensue had me laughing out loud, gasping, and desperate to find out what happens next. I felt like I was a part of Rachel and James' inner circle, being privy to the most salacious scandals. This book made me feel so nostalgic for my early 20s, with all the social, professional and financial insecurity. I want to go live in a run down cottage in Cork now, browse the bookshops and eavesdrop on conversations in the pubs.
A stunning book, pure entertainment and soul, and definitely not to be missed.

Rachel is a 21 year old college student, living with her bookstore coworker, James, in a flat on Shandon Street. Rachel becomes infatuated with her English professor, Dr. Byrne, but she may not be the only one. In their year of living together, Rachel and James become more entrenched in the life of Dr. Byrne and his wife, Deenie, with secrets and tension mounting among the group.

Rachel was not always likable. Some of her behavior was quite cringey and definitely questionable, yet I couldn’t look away. At the end of the day, like many people, she sought happiness, a sense of purpose, and belonging. The question is, does she get all of it?

I saw The Rachel Incident described as a book for fans of Sally Rooney, and as a fan of Sally Rooney’s, I can see this comparison. Interestingly enough, even though the plot is different, TRI also reminded me in some ways of Fleishman Is In Trouble, a book I struggled to enjoy – I know there are some hot takes about this one! Regardless, I really enjoyed reading TRI, not exactly sure where it was headed, but curious to see how things played out.

Overall very unlikeable characters and storylines. I found Rachel, James D. & James C. to be immature, selfish, self-absorbed, lacking in self esteem and devoid of common sense. It was truly scary to find that she would become a parent in the plot. The best part of this book and the one positive, however, was Rachel's steadfast loyalty and the strength of her friendship with James D. through thick and thin. While this book turned out to not be my 'cup of tea', it did provide me with some insight into the mindsets of Rachel's generation. Thank you to NetGalley for the read.

My first read of O'Donoghue's and an incredible start - The Rachel Incident tells a coming of age story of a Millennial girl in Cork, at the peak of the financial crises. It is also a love story, a journey of self discovery and acceptance and a tale of the lack of reproductive healthcare in Ireland.

I adored this book! It was so relatable - parts of the story felt like being with old friends. As a young girl on the precipice of adulthood - Caroline O’Donoghue perfectly describes the insecurities, feelings, passions and the absolute mess of entering the adult age!

This book quickly got my attention and made me interested in the characters and their lives. I like the way O'Donoghue shapes her sentences. It feels a little snappy.

this is definitely women’s fiction and reminds me a lot of sally rooney novels for its britishness and overall unique style of writing. really focuses on the way someone thinks and their deepest, most intimate, obsessive, sometimes intrusive thoughts. didn’t really have any emotional effect on me besides one moment when the rachel does something simply world-shattering but no spoilers! thank you to netgalley and knopf for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I am always pretty quick to add modern college novels to my "to read" pile, and I was especially happy with this one--it adds a fresh twist to the professor/student relationship plot (which is not always easy to do--it is, admittedly, a little stale). I appreciate how The Rachel Incident develops the complexity of coming of age, infidelity, friendship, love, and a spiraling economy without being trite or superficial. It feels especially sharp now, in 2023, right at the edge of another economic recession not unlike the early 2000s.

Rachel's lack of female friendships is frustrating, and it's clear she's frustrated with it as well. This adds to the complexity of her decisions, I think, when her closest companions are men who care about her very much, but lack a nuanced understanding of her motives.

All of the characters are deeply flawed, but not so much that we despise them. Instead, we are left thinking critically about how they respond to what's put in front of them.

Rachel's resolution is really sweet and satisfying, after everything she had been through. I wish that the same could be said for James. His heartbreak was really touching. I loved this character and would absolutely read a similar novel centered on him instead of Rachel.

My favorite aspect overall was getting to experience how Carey and Rachel misunderstood each other so fundamentally--both assumed the other's distance was because of lack of interest (or an interest in others), when in reality they were doing what they thought was best for their partner. The author's slow, subtle way of developing their relationship, which, thankfully, never turns toxic, is refreshing.

Overall, I give it four stars. I'd read this again, and I'm interested in engaging with more of what O'Donahue has written.

It wasn't just the post-Great Recession Irish setting that made The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue call to mind Normal People by Sally Rooney, but it definitely didn't hurt. More than that, though, both books prompted me to consider and reflect on my own coming-of-age during the 2010s and the relationships that defined that decade. In the way the best novels do, The Rachel Incident features engaging characters living lives that feel familiar but help us to transcend our own experiences and connect to others.

Through Rachel's narration, I recognized so many of my own thoughts and experiences during the 2010s; O'Donoghue's precise prose struck me more than once by the way in which she captured sentiments that seemed so perfectly meant for me that I had to remind myself that I wasn't the only person who went to college, fell in love, set up our my first apartment, and had to figure out adulthood post-recession.
I imagine this book will be a popular summer reading choice given how honestly it deals with relevant social, cultural, and political issues against the backdrop of Rachel and James's friendship, and I will definitely be one of the people recommending it.

Thanks to Caroline O'Donoghue, Knopf, and #NetGalley for providing a digital Advance Reader Copy of #TheRachelIncident, available June 27, 2023.

Loved this book- so very hilarious and touching. A very readable story that confronts big themes in a beautiful way.

I debated claiming this from NetGalley, because it's Irish "New Adult" and I saw several reviews compare the work to Sally Rooney, an author I do not enjoy. That said, I'm glad I gave in and gave this a read. It really did not feel similar to Sally Rooney all that much.

The Rachel Incident is a coming-of-age novel about Rachel Murray, her roommate and best friend James, and how their lives intersect with a Professor at Rachel's university, Fred Byrne, his wife and all the mess in between. Rachel is our narrator and is straight forward and unflinching in her discussion of her early 20s and the choices she made.

Granted, I am American, but this still felt like what is likely an accurate representation of being a certain aged Millennial in Ireland during economic and social changes. I enjoyed being immersed in Rachel's life, her mistakes and challenges, and triumphs.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I hate to be that person but this was a DNF for me. I did not like the writing style from the very first page and it was just cringy but it may be good for you

Rachel is 21 and trying to figure out life when one pivotal year changes everything. The year is 2010 and the setting is Ireland where we follow the complex relationships between Rachel, her best friend James, and her professor. What events will butterfly effect out and how will it all end?

This is a poignant new novel that comes out in June 2023. While not as nostalgic or as woven as Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, it is in the same literary fiction vein. Well worth a spot on your shelf.

Sheesh - did this book take me back to the awkward twenties of my own life!

Rachel’s coming of age story feels similar to so many of ours - lost, misguided feelings, questioning…

It’s a very un-put-downable boom that I couldn’t wait to pick up again!