Victoria, Freya, Mischa, and Culum lead very different lives and have each suffered devastating trauma. Needing help, they each respond to an ad for an experimental treatment group run by Genevieve. They believe they were randomly selected, but were they? As they finally start to open up to Genevieve and each other, friendships grow, and they feel they might actually be able to come to terms with their grief.

This book started out slowly then the pace picked up and, out of nowhere, comes a totally unexpected jaw-dropping twist that will blow your mind. Well done, Amelia Ireland!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!

This book started off strong! It follows 4 people who are forced into therapy to talk about their trauma as the book goes through the 7 stages of grief. They don’t know why the psychologist has chosen them but they’re willing to do nonetheless.

If this book continued like the first 70%, it would probably be 5 stars.

However, the author threw in a crazy twist that seemed to make the story get increasingly worse. What I thought would be a realistic story of grief just seemed cliche and cheesy by the end.

Overall, I would rate this story a 3 star!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Four strangers agree to go to counseling under the supervision of Genevieve. They think that they will be undertaking an experimental therapy for their grief. Little does it change them all and the lives that they thought that they knew.

The four main characters- Freya, Callum, Mischa and Victoria, know nothing about one another. They all agree to meet once a week for four weeks. The story unfolds to be so much more than any of them realized,

The story of the four individuals, told in alternating POV, in itself is interesting. Slowly they all disclose what brought them there. And develop a bond that saves them all.

But there is more to this group, they were not chosen at random. What secrets does Genevieve have to share about why they were brought together?

This was a beautiful book, with a twist ending. I admit that I have been thinking about this book since I finished it. I am intrigued what else the author will bring us, after this captivating debut.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Highly recommend.

Grief has five stages … or is it seven? Even more? It depends on who you ask.

Genevieve Dempsey has, through various means, advertised an experimental grief therapy group that promises a “different approach” to healing based on her unique theory. Four participants are selected. Their job? Show up at 7 o’clock every Wednesday night for four weeks.

Who are they?

✦ 52 year-old Victoria: a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is, emotionally charged lawyer who takes a more skeptical stance on things.

✦ 31 year-old Freya: a kind, sensitive wife and interior designer struggling in her marriage and given to panic attacks.

✦ 20 year-old Mischa: a quiet girl prone to occasional outbursts who’s lost her sense of self after giving up so much of her own life to care for her ailing mother.

✦ 29 year-old Callum: an arrogant once-successful rock star who’s fallen from grace with his record label after spiraling from drug and alcohol abuse.

All four of these have experienced a loss or tragedy, which are only alluded to initially, but not revealed to the reader until later. I actually liked this, because it kept the focus on the four getting to know each other and bond, which they did pretty quickly despite a rough start.

Watching their wildly different personalities bounce off each other and Genevieve during the therapy process was my favorite part of the book. Dealing with intense guilt and grief, at any given moment they could be loving, sensitive, funny, combative, supportive, sarcastic, heart-warming or hostile, so be ready for ALL the emotions!

So what makes this story unique from every other work of fiction dealing with the topic of grief?

The answer comes about three quarters of the way in when one of THE best twists I’ve seen in a LONG time came. It certainly changed the course of the rest of the book! If you can be patient with the slower build-up, it’s worth the wait!

I don’t want to say too much about the specifics of the characters’ relationships with one another, because this is a book where you’ll want to discover those things for yourself. I’ll only say that the love that grows between them was heart-warming and such a special thing to witness.

I’ve never read a book quite like this one, and in a sea of books that struggle to be unique, that’s about the HIGHEST compliment I can give! If you enjoy a thought-provoking book with a creative premise, complicated character dynamics, magical realism, romance, and an emotional arc that will have you both laughing and reaching for the tissues, I whole-heartedly recommend this stunning debut by Amelia Ireland. I can’t wait to see what she thinks up next!

I enjoyed the multiple perspectives. The writing felt immature at times, however, and I wish the story had hooked me more from the beginning.

THis is a book about a group of people brought together for an experimental grief therapy book. Each has a experienced loss, but in different ways. The characters have different personalities and approach the process differently. In the second half, a twist is revealed. At first, I was annoyed by this twist, but I continued reading. The twist allowed for additional development of the characters.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: They are all stuck-up on either their mother or a mother figure, neonatal death, drug addictions, reincarnation, death and grief. Swearing.
The first few hours of reading reminded me of East of Anywhere by Rick Thorpe. Five people, very much different from each other, get together every week. Mischa is really young and lacks life experience; she's bubbly, overeager, loves her mother to death - literally, but most of all, inappropriate and getting on my nerves. Freya is clueless to other people's vibes and makes many wrong choices; it's really sad. Callum is pressured on all sides, can't really take it, loses the love of his life but ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, twice. Such a 180°! Victoria is the most rigid one, really needs the therapy, and has the most support; she carries her name well. At 72%, there is a twist to the story. At 75%, it starts getting weird and mostly predictable and/or not surprising until the end.

4.5🌟
A support group like no other.
Four individuals, all suffering from their own personal grief, have been brought together to participate in an unconventional support group run by a woman named Genevieve.

It takes time before they let their walls down and begin to share their stories. Their individual reasons for attending this group aren't disclosed until about midway through the book. But that was ok, it gave me the chance to bond with the characters before their big reveal.

Then, grip your kindles tightly because there’s a twist that will shock and rock your world. I literally said out loud, “Well…I did NOT see that coming!”

And that’s all you're getting from me! Go in blind as I did and I think you’ll have the best experience.

I loved all four characters, and of course Genevieve. I grew to feel and understand their pain and wanted the best outcome for each one. Brilliantly plotted…well executed!

This was an extremely clever and moving debut. I’m always looking for something a bit out of the box and this fit the bill perfectly! Looking forward to seeing what this very talented author comes up with next!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley

The concept grabbed my attention, but it failed in its execution. The pace was too slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. The pacing was off at times. Sadly, each character felt the same, as their voices were not distinct. I was also not a fan of the twist. I was expecting so much more. The attempt at a romance felt forced. The book could have benefited from a bit more editing, and perhaps some sensitivity readers. The book was more paranormal than I was led to believe by the blurb.

This book was a two-star read for most of it due to the writing being very trite and the four “different” characters all having the same voice. But then the twist happened and it was…so dumb. The whole plot was just silly and the “wait we can’t do this…except maybe…let’s try! But we can’t do THAT…except maybe…” random rules were unnecessarily complicated. I appreciate what the author was trying to do, but this just wasn’t it.

"The Seven O'Clock Club" is the story of four strangers suffering a loss they can't get past on their own, brought together for a new type of grief therapy:

Victoria - 41, lawyer; acerbic and openly cynical.
Freya - 31, interior designer; appears sickly and disoriented.
Mischa - 20, Insurance CSA; lonely and confused.
Culum -29, rock artist; cocky, and craving booze and drugs.

Once a week, group sessions occur at 7:00 PM. led by Genevieve, the group facilitator, who poses questions to be answered by each participant in a round-robin style.

The group slowly melded, interacted, and became comfortable with one another. This is when Genevieve threw the group a curve...

"The Seven O'Clock Club" had a slow start, but not in a bad way. Getting to know the characters and the storyline takes a minute, and Ireland took the right time. The storyline is creative, the writing has a simple, easy flow, and both kept me flipping the pages.

That leaves the characters my favorite part of this story. All five were interesting, but I liked Victoria and Cullum best. This story wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is without either one. They are both unlikable at first, and then something changes all that. Are you curious yet?

The story lost a little of its magic toward the end, the last 15%, when it became too predictable. That's just me, though, and it is magical realism. So who's looking, right?

Lastly, I want to share why I chose to read this book. I have been struggling with grief for almost two years now from my sister's passing. I am working through it with help, including friends and family, but it becomes overwhelming sometimes and surfaces when I least expect it. My takeaway from this book is you are never alone in your feelings, and talking to others and sharing your story is genuinely beneficial.

"The Seven O'Clock Club" is an impressive debut novel, and I look forward to more from this talented author!

4.25⭐

Thank you to Berkley and Amelia Ireland for the DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

Genevieve is leading a grief group made up of Freya, Mischa, Callum and Victoria. These four are stuck in their grief, unable to face what has happened, unable to move on. The four think they chose to join this grief group but there is more behind them being in this group than they can know. Despite the four being so very different, it's important that these four make up the group. This is a first of its kind experiment and Genevieve is going out on some very shaky limbs with her breaking from the protocol she is supposed to follow. She wants to help these people move past their grief, there is so much at stake if they don't do so.

At first it was hard to like Victoria and Callum. Victoria is a lawyer who takes no prisoners. Her words hurt and she doesn't care...until she does care. She finds she is becoming attached to the other three although the therapy leader seems like an unknown wild card. Callum probably wins the award, from me, for the most F-bombs uttered by a character. If the guy wasn't F-bombing he'd be mute. He's rich, famous, spoiled, had reached the top and had become bored, until the "thing" happened. Now he's a mess, as are the other three group members.

I had an idea of what might be going on by about the first 5th of the book...surely not, I told myself. But I was right. The story was predictable to me although I didn't trust my judgement, yet I enjoyed the story a lot. I cherish likeable characters, character growth, and comradery and this story has that in spades. Once this group bonds, none of the four wants the others to suffer any more than necessary. There is a limit to how much Genevieve can help these four but she'll break the rules for them despite the trouble it will cause for her. I'll be reading this new author again, after this debut offering.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 ⭐️
DENIAL-ANGER-BARGAINING-DEPRESSION -ACCEPTANCE

These are the five most recognizable stages of GRIEF, but not everyone shares the same journey toward healing and sometimes a person can get stuck in one of the stages.

Genevieve Dempsey is a therapist who is leading a “first of its kind” experimental treatment designed to heal the broken hearts of those who find themselves in this predicament.

To participate the subjects have to agree to attend at least 4 sessions on 4 consecutive Wednesday nights at 7 O’Clock PM.

Four strangers with seemingly “nothing in common” -Freya-Mischa-Callum and Victoria will be her first patients. The story unfolds from their alternating POV’s as they move through the process in their weekly sessions and become more than just confidants.

But, Genevieve may have to flexible if she hopes to deem this experience a success….because these four were not selected at random.

I have been seeking out unique stories, having grown tired of the endless “locked room” mysteries that dominated last year’s thriller market, and this one definitely DID fit the bill, with short chapters moving the story along at a quick pace.

Because I wasn’t shocked by the reveal, this didn’t score as high for me as it has for some other reviewers- but it is definitely a DEBUT that I was pleased to discover.

If you are intrigued you can pick up a copy on April 15, 2025.

Thank You to Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book! I couldn't wait to read it!
"The Seven O'Clock Club" by Amelia Ireland is a charming and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of feel-good fiction. It tells the story of a group of friends who form a book club with a twist: they meet at 7 a.m. to discuss not just books, but also life, love, and everything in between. Ireland's writing style is light and engaging, making it easy to connect with the characters and their individual stories. Each member of the Seven O'Clock Club is well-developed and relatable, with their own set of challenges and dreams. The story is filled with heartwarming moments and witty banter, making it a truly enjoyable read. If you're looking for a lighthearted and feel-good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to Berkley and the author again for giving me the chance to read it!

The set up for this novel is that 4 individuals, who have suffered a serious bereavement, work together to find a way to move past their grief. Victoria, Freya, Mischa, and Callum meet every Tuesday at 7 pm, for 4 weeks. During each meeting, the participants in this group therapy talk about their lives before and after. These confessions create a bond between the participants and the readers. The Seven O'Clock Club is a totally different novel than any novel I have ever read. Amelia Ireland's debut novel challenges readers in several ways. Because of the group therapy setup, readers begin to care about these characters.

In The Seven O'Clock Club, Ireland takes a risk with a twist in the last section of the novel. I really liked most of this plot and the characters. The big twist, and it is a very big twist, should have been the end of the novel. The continuation really did not work for me. And the longer it went one, it worked even less well. This section should be condensed quite a lot. But that is my opinion. Other readers, who love Sci Fi and fantasy, may feel very different.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC for me to read and review. I am not going to provide spoilers.. 3.5 stars, bumped to 4.

This started out slow... but boy did this TAKE OFF! I was intrigued by the entire process and felt so deeply for the characters. I was interested in seeing if the group counseling sessions would work and help all of their grieving processes. I was absolutely SHOCKED by the first twist. Like, audibly gasped so loud I scared my kid. Lol, everything after that point was also fascinating and wonderful. I loved this, every single part! I will absolutely be reading more books by this author now.

I received this book from NetGalley and Berkley to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

Poignant, mesmerizing, and deeply moving—this book was absolutely fabulous.

The cover first caught my eye, but I went into this one without knowing too much about it. And honestly, I think that made the experience even better. From the very first page, I was drawn in by the characters and the depth of their stories. I didn’t know how or why their lives would connect, but I was captivated by each of them, eager to understand the threads that would eventually weave them together. And then—when that moment came, the shock of it hit so hard I gasped out loud. I had to sit with it, letting it all sink in.

What made this book so powerful was the way it gave each character their own space to be heard. Their individual perspectives weren’t just compelling; they felt necessary. Each chapter flowed seamlessly, pulling me further into their lives, their grief, their guarded hopes. The character development was incredible, unfolding in ways that felt honest and deeply human. I couldn’t help but root for them—not just in healing, but in discovering what might be waiting for them on the other side of pain.

And then there was the relationship between two characters that had me absolutely hooked. I don’t want to give anything away, but the way it developed felt so natural, so well done. By the end, I was just so pleased with how everything played out.

This book was so much more than I expected—it wasn’t just about grief or healing, but about connection, resilience, and the quiet bravery it takes to step forward. I spent time with these characters, truly sat with them, and by the end, I didn’t want to let them go. There’s so much I want to say, but I can’t, because this is a story that needs to unfold exactly as it’s meant to—for each reader, in their own time.

Agh- more like a 2.5 for me I think! I really enjoyed the premise of this book and what the author was shooting for. There were some characters I connected with and I enjoyed the discussion of grief. Unfortunately, it just dragged too slowly for me and it was hard to remain engaged. I also did not love the plot shift towards the end, it felt rushed and delivered poorly in timing. I can understand why the book had to “build” a bit first, but overall felt a bit clunky.

I thought the concept of this book sounded interesting. Actually reading it was a different story. It was a bit slow and didn’t totally match the description of the book. Reading through the book was a difficult. I did like that I related to the a few characters!

For the first two-thirds of this, the novel seems to be about four people of various ages and income levels and marital statuses, who come together because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Led by Genevieve, the four individuals are at first reluctant to meet at all and are resistant to saying what brought them to this group. Over time, they reveal their individual heartbreaks. Then things take a dramatic turn for what they need to do to move on.

Even though all of these folks are dealing with difficult stuff, this is largely an uplifting novel, not depressing or sad.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES APRIL 15, 2025,