Imagine sitting around in a therapist's office sharing the deepest feelings of loss that have left you in the extremist depression, to the point where your daily living routine is rocked, your behavior is atypical, you've sequestered yourself from friends and family. Then imagine doing this in front of 4 other people, all strangers to you. Could you really open yourself up and be vulnerable?
This is the experiment that Genevieve attempts with 4 patients lost in grief. It is her hope that these 4 people can come to terms with their loss and understand that the behavior that followed is understandable and with the help of these new co-patients, that their experiences can help others in the group. And so the bonding this group has which includes a famous rock star, a lawyer, a carer, and an office worker begins and over their several sessions, they come to depend on the friendships that evolve and in the case of two of them, an even closer relationship. Their behaviors change on so many levels for each of them, they become open and hide less from who they are in their outside lives. They care more, are less obnoxious, show more compassion to each other and don't hide behind behavioral barriers that normally they use to protect themselves. As they each come to terms with their losses, their anger is managed and understood. So the experiment seems like a success. But then, a huge twist that had this reader's mouth dropped for a solid minute trying to wrap my head around it!! When I say I didn't see it coming, it was like a freight train coming through my living room!
What a novel and completely unique concept. I am not going to say much about it because to do so will spoil everything. But, I will say that writing is easy to digest. The characters are really well rounded even though at the same time, complex. The author has really done a great job building the tension for what is to come and while for some, it might be a bit out there, it is actually comforting to imagine what she conjures. She titles each section with the 5 stages of grief as was adopted after Kubler-Ross presented these behaviors for dealing with loss whether with death or some other form of abnormality. I will only ding it in a small way-- Genevieve was the only character that needed to be more fleshed out. I didn't feel she had as much substance or backstory as the other characters did and I think it could have added so much more to know her better.
An interesting book, unique premise and would be fun thing to discuss for a book club.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book for my unbiased thoughts.

4.25 stars - WOW!!! This was an absolutely stunning read. All of the characters were magnificently written and had so much depth and nuance to them. Watching them grow closer and grow as people was so mesmerizing and tugged at my heartstrings. Plus, the “revelation” was truly shocking and made all of the moments leading up to it so worth it. This was an excellent debut novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!

Wow wow, this was different and in the first 70% of the book, the author did a phenomenal job, creating characters in life situations that I as a reader could really relate to, and feel for and felt engaged in. Clearly, there’s some fantastic writing talent here. But at the 70% mark, the plot took a sharp right turn and personally I didn’t care for it. I wouldn’t ding an author just because the way the plot goes isn’t necessarily what I enjoy reading, but I noticed that the writing or story dropped off. That deeply engaged feeling and caring about the characters and how this part of their journey would go almost seemed an afterthought and not very well developed. There is a clear difference in the writing, almost as if someone else wrote that last 30%. Other reviewers have mentioned an improbable, plot, twist, etc. as a writer I think one can make almost anything work in a book. I hope the author has time to redo or think about doing something with that part of the book before it’s published because this has the potential to really go somewhere.

#TheSevenOClockClub #NetGalley

This was a really enjoyable book until about 70% when a sudden event spoiled it for me. 4 strangers meet every Tuesday at 7 to talk about grief. The four people couldn't be more different and everyone eventually talks about what happened to them. 2 people in the group fall in love. The person running the group is hoping to help them overcome their problems. Until this point, the story was very enjoyable and quite humorous at points. Then it became weird. I guess some people may enjoy the revelation.

Thank you to #netgalley for another ARC read. I went into this book blind but loved the cover art. I originally was interested in the book from the prologue and trying to figure out what the book would be about based on that information and was a bit baffled. Shortly into the book I realized that this was an overwhelmingly deep book about four people who experienced grief from loss in some event in their lives and they were brought together in a study to see if group therapy helped them overcome their individual grief more effectively than 1:1 therapy. There is a major twist toward the end of the book, and unfortunately I wasn’t shocked at the turn of events and I felt it was a bit “outlandish”. I am not a fan of books that hint or are about an after-life so it lost my interest at that point. I think it was an interesting concept in general, well-written and thought provoking, and drew high emotions from me while reading most of the book. Therefore I rated it 4 stars, but would not be something I would have chosen to read had I known more about it from the beginning. Also, there are a couple of sentences throughout the book that have errors or duplicate words that might need to be reviewed before being published.

This book is a breath of fresh air — clever, original, and packed with charm and heartache. The story follows therapist Genevieve Dempsey and her four patients: Freya, Mischa, Victoria, and Callum, each dealing with grief through mysterious weekly sessions at seven o'clock. The alternating first-person perspectives give each character a unique voice: Freya struggles with adulthood, Mischa's innocence leaves her vulnerable, Victoria hides turmoil behind her polished exterior, and Callum is a rock star haunted by his own emptiness. The pacing is snappy, the twists are surprising (one of them really caught me off guard), and the emotional depth makes it hard to put down. If you love psychological suspense, layered characters, and unexpected turns, this one’s for you. Big thanks to #Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC — all opinions are my own!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advance copy of "The Seven O'Clock Club." I appreciate the opportunity to give my review.
This book tells the stories of 4 people: Mischa, Victoria, Freya, and Callum. These individuals, who have never met before, attend group counseling to help them work through tragedies they experienced. During the process, much is unpeeled in each of their lives.
I've given this book a 4. It is fast-reading and thoroughly interesting as each character works through their emotions, both individually and with each other. I found the psychological aspects brought to life to be fascinating and sometimes therapeutic as well. I loved the interactions between the characters and their growth as they engage with each other. The first two thirds of the book was totally satisfying. I gave this book a 4 because the last third, where we discover what's really been going on, started to fall apart for me. It was a bit too unbelievable for me. But should you read it? Sure. Like I said, it was fast-paced and interesting.

Man!! I didn't see that coming! This book was really well done, but I will say I lost major interest after that twist. Book should be marketed as fantasy. Would have been a 4 start read if not for the curveball.

First I would like to thank NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Cast of Characters - awesome. So different and so distinct. I could totally see the group sitting around the apartment, drinking their watered-down squash.
Plot - characters going through group therapy, each has suffered a loss and is dealing with it in totally different ways. But wait, plot twist! HUGE twist! Did not see it coming and LOVED it! This twist put a whole new perspective on what each one of them was going through and how it had been affecting them. It was so very thoughtful and meaningful.
Pace - it took a few chapters to really get involved and interested. But, once I did, I was hooked!

This book ticked all of the boxes for me: emotionally involved, intelligently written, good pace, great characters, and most importantly, didn't want it to end. I can't wait to see what she gives us next!

When I started this book, I went into it somewhat blind and was immediately drawn in to the different characters and their stories. I didn't quite know how these strangers would cope in this type of environment and I didn't see how they all tied together until the reveal. To say I was in shock at the reveal is an understatement and I gasped out loud.

I loved that each character had their own POV and we got to see the story from their side. The character development was superb. This book does switch POV's quite frequently so if that isn't your thing, this may annoy you a bit, but the transitions are smooth between chapters and the read is well worth it.

Not only was I captivated by each character's life and story but I was intrigued by the potential romantic interest between two of these individuals. I love how this particular storyline played out and I was so happy with the outcome.

The epilogue was adorable and I would likely read a novel based solely on the characters involved.

I was planning on giving this one 4 stars but by the emotions and reactions this book elicited I have no other option to give it 5 stars. Also, the fact that this is a debut novel is mind blowing and I cannot wait to read more from Amelia.

There are several other novels and movies I could liken this book to but I fear I cannot for possible spoilers and I do not want to ruin this for anyone.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<b> “Trust me, baby cakes, I got this.”<\b>

Well I did not see that one coming. What a genuinely captivating and poignant tale of grief and all that comes with the process of grieving a loved one.

<b>The plot</b> was simple enough, but well-executed. Amelia Ireland did such a phenomenal job at intertwining our main characters’ stories in a way that kept you right there in the meeting with them each week. Never giving too much away but still enough o keep you right there.

Without going into too much detail, <i><b>the big reveal</b></i> was not something I had initially considered. It comes in like a mic drop and gave me a genuine full body reaction. I promptly spent the following 30 minutes remembering every instance that could have been foreshadowing and resolved I simply would have to give it another read at some point.

TLDR; just go in as blind as you can and take the journey with them. Worth the read for sure.

<b>Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review! </b>

I really enjoyed this. I found the characters to be interesting and diverse even though they were all at the support group for the same reason. I also enjoyed the plot and found a group therapy story to be entertaining. The only thing I did not like about this book was the relationship between two of the characters. It felt out of nowhere and really rushed, even though it is explained why at the end, I did not like reading about them two and it took me out of the story.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

Four strangers walk into a grief therapy group with no idea that their lives are about to change forever. Each is grappling with pain and loss, though their personalities and circumstances couldn’t be more different. There’s the sharp-tongued lawyer who refuses to let her guard down, a fragile young woman desperate for a sense of belonging, a talented but troubled musician teetering on the edge of self-destruction, and an interior designer whose seemingly perfect life is falling apart at the seams.

At first, their skepticism of the unconventional therapy—and the eerily perceptive group leader—keeps them closed off. But week after week, they return, drawn to the possibility of healing and connection. Slowly, the group begins to bond, learning to face their pain, open up to one another, and rebuild their lives. The story explores themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection, creating a heartwarming yet emotional journey.

However, what begins as an inspiring tale of friendship and personal growth takes a shocking turn. A stunning revelation about why these particular individuals were chosen for the group throws everything into question. Suddenly, their journey is no longer just about healing—it’s about testing the strength of their newfound relationships and their ability to embrace love, forgiveness, and the possibility of happiness.

This was well on its way to being a solid 4-star book rating. Even though the book started a bit slow I did get interested in the experiences of the characters and their interactions. However, about 70% of the way in, I was like WTF.

A clever and compelling story with plenty of pathos and charm, refreshingly unlike anything this reader has encountered between the pages.

The story is told through narratives alternating in the first-person voices of five people: a therapist, Genevieve Dempsey; and her four subjects: Freya, Victoria, Mischa, and Callum; each of whom is dealing with an emotional crisis anchored around grief that is to be treated with an experimental (and mysterious) process, delivered through weekly sessions scheduled at seven o’clock.

Freya, a thirty-one-year-old tiny sparrow of a woman, had a perfect childhood, but now clearly wishes she had never grown up.

Mischa, a vulnerable, fragile, twenty-year-old, struggles with an innocence that leaves her unable to understand why awful things happen to good people.

Victoria, fifty-two-years-old, is a perfectly kitted-up partner in a law firm, with an outward perfection that belies her ongoing internal turmoil.

Callum, twenty-nine-years-old — a mega-watt idolized rock-star — has emerald eyes and a gift for both music and storytelling, along with a haunted hollowness that is impossible to ignore.

With impeccably snappy pacing, the authors narrators unwind personal backstories into traumatic revelations, each of them deeply emotional and engrossing, intermingled with several plot twists (at least one of which is massive) a reader would be impossibly challenged to predict.

A terrific read (and a quick one), this book is highly recommended for lovers of psychological suspense, tricky and skillful storyline maneuverings, and heart-rending, character-driven insights.

A great big thank you to #Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

*** four and a half shiny stars

I absolutely loved the different POVs, which added so much depth and intrigue to the story. It was very character-driven, making it all the more engaging and immersive.

If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing until the very end, this is it. Get ready for a thrilling ride with memorable characters and a plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

At first this appears to be a simple story about people working their way through grief. The different point of view chapters draw you in to each character’s life. Then along comes the Chapter 50 PLOT TWIST which rocketed the story from a 3.75 to a 5. And the Epilogue made my heart so happy.

Pub Date 4/25/25

#TheSevenOClockClub
#AmeliaIreland
#NetGalleyARC
#PlotTwist

Such a creative story. It is well written with multi-faceted characters and a great twist. It is a surprisingly fun read for a plot with such a heavy topic at its core.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Okay WOW this was fantastic, I'm usually pretty good at guessing where a plot is going but this had me shook, so many unexpected twists and turns, I loved the different POVs, very character driven, throughly enjoyed this and would recommend to any thriller fans!

I loved this book! Was not expecting it to hit me like it did and I am so happy it did.

It starts with 4 people grieving and you have no idea what their stories are or why they are grouped together until they are brought together for a couple of group therapy sessions. They are all so different with different stories and you fall for each and every one of these flawed people. It takes a while for them to open up and when they do, your heart breaks a bit for each of them. Grief is a hard pill to swallow and just clings onto your soul until you can make peace with it at some point. I was picturing The Breakfast Club for adults! Every one of their stories are captivating.

Then there is a twist that I never say coming but loved every minute of it. Once I hit this point, I couldn't put this book down. Bravo to the writing! I will definitely be on the lookout for this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review.

How to describe this beautifully engrossing, immersive story? It was almost impossible to put this book down - it was that good.

These descriptors come easily to mind: intelligently written, highly imaginative, empathetic, unflinching examinations of weighty issues like grief and depression, and, above all, the importance of reaching out and banding together as a group for support.

Four people respond to an ad seeking participants in a group therapy study. These four participants range in temperament from the ferociously strong, middle aged Victoria, to the young and sweetly docile Mischa. Beautiful Freya is a shadow of her former vivacious self, and Callum has hit rock bottom - thanks to the usual overindulgence in drugs, sex and partying - after his meteoric rise to the top of the music industry.

Each of these four are having issues with grief, despair and anger: Each has experienced a profound loss or life changing event that has effectively put the brakes on their everyday lives and plunged them into emotional and physical inertia.

You might think that this is one big cry-fest, but Callum and Victoria, in their own unique ways, provide much needed comic relief to temper the weighty emotions and themes in this fascinating story. The characters became very real to me - Amelia Ireland's skillful layering of the various back stories and the stages of the group study kept you turning the pages for more.

There were several "I did not see that coming" moments: no spoilers, but this story had just about EVERYTHING in it: drama, suspense and even a mystery or two to solve. I exclaimed out loud more than once, so well orchestrated were those bombs dropped as the plot unfolded! (Do not be fooled by that somewhat "cozy" title: this is anything but cozy!)

I highly, highly, highly recommend this great read: I'm rating this one a 10 out of 5 stars because this story so obviously came from a true, lived experience and I was sorry to have turned the last page. (This appears to be Amelia Ireland's debut novel. Well done!)

My thanks to the author, Amelia Ireland, her publishers, and NetGalley for an ARC of this beautifully written, heartfelt novel in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!