The narrative follows a diverse cast of interconnected characters through London during the summer solstice of 2019. They struggle with personal crises, relationships (past and present), and major life events. Themes of queerness, polyamory, and financial uncertainty are explored through character-driven stories that highlight the intricacies of being a young adult in 2019 - mainly living for nights and weekends.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for my arc!

I really wanted to enjoy this but sadly this just was not for me. I was really bored with the charactrers and was just not engaged at all.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This felt like a jr. version of a Sally Rooney novel. I loved the idea of it, execution was just a bit flat. 3.5 stars.

A stunning literary work that explores the intertwined lives of three deeply connected individuals, brimming with charm and emotion.

At first, I wasn’t sure this book was for me. But it ended up being one of the most beautiful reads. Another reviewer mentioned that it reminds them of Sally Rooney's writing, and I have to agree with that. This is the perfect summer read, and I can’t wait to see what McKenna writes next!

I can't believe I forgot to provide feedback for this novel! I loved it! Set over the course of the weekend, telling the "weekend" through varied points of view. I loved this so much and would definitely recommend it for a book club.

gorgeous literary work discussing the lives and emanations of three deeply tied individuals. full od charm and passion.

An interwoven cast navigate changing relationships and must decide what comes next; a story about the weight of existence.

For the longest time, I wasn’t sure where the story was going. The abrupt jumps from character to character were difficult to follow, and I didn’t feel like I really got to know any of the characters (who, admittedly, were rather unlikable). The prose carried the story with metaphors and anthropomorphism- notably the whale, who was a unique albeit somewhat confusing add to the storyline. With a long build up I was expecting more of a climax, but instead the story fizzled and I left feeling underwhelmed.

4/5 Writing
2/5 Story
3/5 Atmosphere

eARC courtesy of NetGalley, opinions are my own

I was really excited for this book, but unfortunately it fell short. We weren’t able to get to know the characters until the very end of the novel. With either less focus on some characters or a longer book, it would have felt more cohesive.

Thank you SO much NetGalley, Oisin McKenna and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


I was super unsure if this book was for me at first- what's a whale doing stuck in the Thames?!- but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful books I've read this year. So touching and similar to how I feel when I read Sally Rooney, showing such beauty in simple moments. Ugh! what a great book to read during the summer. I will read whatever McKenna comes out with next!

Really wanted to love this, but unfortunately there were just too many characters for me to get fully invested in any of them. Beautiful writing but all in all just kinda meh for me

I was excited to reads this for the 'fans of Sally Rooney' recommendations and was not disappointed. It was a beautifully written novel with a large cast of characters. Just when there were parts that started dragging, the author pulled me back in with breadcrumbs of secrets past. The realistic character development is definitely where I saw an overlap with Rooney. As someone who hasn't spent much time in the UK, I really enjoyed being taken on a hot summer weekend adventure in London.

4.5 stars- worth a read for the lovely character development. If you're looking for a fast-paced, plot-driven novel, save this one for later.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Absolutely loved everything about this book. The ensemble cast of characters and all of their stories kept me enthralled the whole book. I haven’t stopped thinking about this since finishing. Evenings and Weekends will stay with me for a long time.

I just had to suspend my belief for the whale. But this wwaas the perfect, slow, anad sumptous summer read. Very messy but great.

Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna offers an ambitious glimpse into the interconnected lives of multiple characters over one intense London weekend in 2019. While the novel attempts to capture the messy complexities of relationships and personal struggles, the sheer number of perspectives can be overwhelming, making it challenging to form deep connections with individual characters.

McKenna's writing shows promise, particularly in its portrayal of London's atmosphere and the characters' internal conflicts, but the pacing and structure may leave some readers feeling disconnected or bored at times. Despite its flaws, the book does provide some poignant moments and explores relevant themes of love, sexuality, and personal growth. For fans of character-driven narratives and British fiction, "Evenings and Weekends" might be worth a read, but it may not fully live up to the high praise it has received from some critics.

Really wanted to love this, but unfortunately couldn’t get into it until around the last 1/3 of the book, which I really loved! The way all the different stories come together and intertwine leading up to the end was really beautiful.

"Evenings and Weekends" by Oisín McKenna is a sharp, witty, and deeply relatable exploration of modern life, capturing the complexities of balancing work, relationships, and self-discovery. McKenna's clever dialogue and authentic characters bring a refreshing, contemporary voice to the page. It's a compelling read that resonates with anyone navigating the challenges of today's fast-paced world.

As someone who dislikes summer, the book's heatwave setting initially filled me with anxiety and climate dread. This discomfort made it challenging for me to connect with the characters introduced early on. However, by the time I reached the halfway mark, I found myself invested in the storylines of some characters and genuinely rooting for these complex, flawed individuals. Despite my initial unease, the strong writing and character development compelled me to continue reading. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone seeking an authentic, unvarnished portrayal of summer in London, featuring a rich ensemble of characters who undergo significant growth throughout the story.

this is about what happens when you spend a random weekend in the company of like 7-12 people who vaguely know each other and have 100,000 secrets.
some of these people are fully developed and make you feel things alongside them, and some of them are annoying and you can tell from page 1 how their secrets will be dramatically declared and play out accordingly.
still, while this had its strengths and its weaknesses, overall i liked it!

I was drawn into a vividly rendered narrative that unfolds during a sweltering weekend in London, exploring the intricacies of relationships amid the backdrop of a heatwave. McKenna's character development is commendable; each protagonist, from Ed and Maggie to Phil and Rosaleen, feels authentic and layered, with their struggles and secrets laid bare in a way that engages both the heart and the mind. The dialogue sparkles with realism, making their interactions feel relatable and poignant.
However, at times, the pacing dragged, particularly in sections that focused on character introspection, which occasionally disrupted the narrative’s momentum. While the thematic depth regarding modern urban life and queer identity is compelling, some plot twists felt somewhat predictable, diminishing their impact.
Despite these minor flaws, McKenna's evocative writing and insightful exploration of human connections make it a rewarding read that lingers long after the final page.

I understand the accolades this book has received. The author is ambitious in their undertaking and the writing is at once entirely readable but profound, capturing the meaning in the mundane. But it's just too long, to the point where the plot spends a lot of time going absolutely nowhere and the characters' thoughts and actions become repetitive. And while this is clearly a strong queer novel (which I celebrate!) I did find it a little hard to believe that every single character both main and secondary would be having the exact same problems (i.e. struggling with/hiding/and/or embracing queer identities and/or relationships) at the exact same time and it took me out of atmosphere a bit. I'm glad I read this, though, and will watch this author in the future.