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,

A high concept speculative book that has an unexpected twist, and the concept is hidden in that twist. This does it no favors and I suspect will throw off a lot of readers. Four people sign up for a program that would help them deal with their grief, and majority of it does take us through how they deal with the seven theorized stages. The reveal though, why? It felt more like a big book pitch than a well-planned story.

Full review to come on the blog.

What does it take to earn a five-star rating? Is it simply capturing and holding your attention? Is it making you feel things down deep in the depths of your soul? Is it creating a world/character/story that will linger in your mind for years to come? If your answer is yes to any of the above, The Seven O'Clock Club makes the list without even trying.

This is a book about grief - possibly the most complex of human emotions. Four people are selected to be a part of an experimental project, led by a woman named Geniveve. Each of them has a pain so deep and vivid they can't face it, it's ruining what is left of their lives. Geniveve brings them together once a week at seven o'clock for a gently led support-group style meeting. Slowly they are asked to introduce themselves: who they are, how they've changed, and eventually, what it was that happened to bring them to the group.

Each of them has a story, each of them a pain so great it fundamentally changed them. And together, they find community. Friendship. Family.

I knew early on this book was going to be a profound experience. The characters opening themselves up and pouring out their pain was so powerful. Chills were had. Tears were shed. My own heart broke a little bit for every one of them.

These characters and their situations were so well-realized, and when the twist came I was skeptical at first, but it allowed for the themes to resound even more powerfully and left me with a lot to ponder once the story ended.

I am so grateful I got the opportunity to read this book early through netgalley after being one of the chosen ones by Berkley for this title. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. I can't wait to see what's next for Amelia Ireland!

I liked this book. The idea of it was good, the pace was a bit slow but I can understand why that may have been. I did connect with some of the characters and I think it was a pretty solid idea. There were some things that just didn't make all that much sense and that may be a me issue? Overall it was a cool concept and maybe I will try reading it again when it is fully published

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. I used to be a mental health counselor so I am drawn to books about therapy. This group of people are brought together by a therapist who seems unsure of herself at the beginning, but gains more confidence as the group goes on. There is a major twist during the book and it made me raise my opinion of the book. I enjoyed the twist and the writing . The author did a great job with making each character seem complete and human in their grief. I found myself tearing up a couple of times while reading the book.

I struggled to make it through this one, but I think it was more of a 'me' issue as I was a bit burned out on reading. It was a good story with a good plot line, but the ending kind of took a turn that I didn't see coming and am not sure I enjoyed. All in all, it's a decent read.

This book is an absolute gem that took me on an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster. As the characters come together for an unconventional group meeting every Tuesday night, the author masterfully unravels their complex backgrounds and the mysterious reason they've been brought together. What truly captivated me was the raw vulnerability and authenticity with which each character shared their stories. The dynamic between the group members and their observant leader kept me hooked, eagerly turning pages to uncover the secrets that bind them. The themes of trust, courage, and the power of human connection are beautifully woven throughout the narrative, making it both a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. This book is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the profound impact of facing one's past to embrace the future.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring and deeply moving story.

The premise for this one seemed right up my alley but it was very slow and pretty easy to figure out what was happening pretty early on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for a DRC of this fascinating book. I loved the premise of a group helping each other move through the grieving process. I loved seeing each character grow and change as a result of their friendship and love. I LOVED BEING GOBSMACKED 71% into the book!! Things that make you go hmmmmm. A terrific read!