Nesting is a beautifully written and audio narrated work of what it takes to leave an abusive relationship and what it takes to stay gone especially when there are children involved. It is not an easy read but I had so much comfort in it after some of my own life experiences. Sometimes we just need to know we're not the only one who's felt this way. This book helps you feel unalone.

On a bright spring afternoon, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change everything. Grabbing an armful of clothes off the clothesline, she straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe—and that this time, when she leaves, she must stay away. Her husband Ryan seems like a good guy on the surface, but he's actually super controlling and constantly gas lights her.

The story takes off from here and tells of Ciara's struggles to get away from Ryan and start a new life without him. At times, I felt the tension and uneasiness for her and the kids. Other times, I was quite bored and felt like the story dragged on. I considered DNFing a few times, but I just increased the audiobook speed and finished. I also did not like the whiny voices of the kids, drove me crazy after awhile.

Overall, the writing seemed good, I just didn't fully connect to the story and found it not really to my taste. I may be in the minority here because it seems to be getting really great early reviews. If you like literary fiction, maybe give this one a try.

Thank you to @netgalley, @algonquinbooks and @hachetteaudio for this advance listener's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Publication Day!

5+ stars!

2025 Favourites List! 🏆

A mothers determination to protect her children.

A heart-wrenching, eye-opening, contemplative, heavy, unforgettable story.

A mother makes a split second decision to take her young daughters and flee her abusive marriage. With no family close by to help, she finds refuge in a hotel organized through the broken housing system in Dublin. Her husband bombards her with his endless demands for her return, all while she battles her own guilt and self doubt.

I had an immediate, intense connection to the main character. Her vulnerability as a wife, mother and woman was heartbreaking. She struggles to find her own sense of identity which has been attacked, manipulated, cut down and buried by her spouses abusive behaviour. Reaching the point of desperation, she finds the strength and determination to leave to protect her children and herself, even though the future is uncertain. I felt for her with every bone in my body.

This author explores motherhood in a raw and vulnerable way that makes the reader sympathize with the characters situation. The sense of desperation and loss was palpable and gut wrenching. The overrun government housing assistance system explored the endless struggles those in need face on a daily, weekly and monthly basis full of check ins, paperwork and constant judgement and limitations.

This was a heavy and dark story but there were glimmers of hope scattered throughout that helped to propel the main character forward and keep focused on improving the family life for her children. Self doubt is a major theme explored and one many people face in these desperate and uneasy circumstances.

Support systems are key, but not everyone has this and finding outside support isn’t as smooth a process as it should be. Friendships made in these dark circumstances can often become lifelines of support and comfort.

I adored everything about this multi-layered, thought-provoking novel. This won’t be for everyone, as the story is a slow burn, emotionally exhausting, haunting and heartbreaking reading experience. It is one that I feel will be most impactful for mothers who will certainly find themselves putting themselves in this main characters situation and contemplating how they would cope.

⚠️ there are plenty of trigger warnings in this story, so please review those before reading this.

Audio rating: 5+ stars! I adored this audio narrator! She greatly enhanced my overall connection to this story and the main character in particular. Her narrative pauses and expressions were done to perfection. There are times when she is contemplating thoughts and situations and these inner narratives were heartfelt and emotional. The audio narratives changed for the children’s voices and during phone calls that echoed distantly, which enhanced the overall audio listening experience. This will be an All Time Favourite audiobook for me! I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted reading copy and audio copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was a moving, heartfelt and at times heartbreaking debut that sees a pregnant Irish mother of two young children finding the strength to leave her abusive husband and try to forge a new life for herself and her children in Dublin. Ciara Fay is such a relatable character! I couldn't help rooting for and cheering on her strength as she struggles to find housing as a single mother, battles her ex for custody and fights the the urges to give in and go back to a bad situation. Great on audio and highly recommended! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!!

At some points, I have to say, this was very difficult to get through…

Imagine you’re a young Mom, living in Dublin with two little girls and a new baby on the way. Now, imagine that your husband is EXCELLENT at GASLIGHTING you…
every…waking….moment…of…your…life. 😮😮😮

Meet Ciara. She was a college student, training to be a teacher when she met Ryan. It was a whirlwind romance…and she thought she was in love. And then there was a pregnancy…and a quick wedding…
No more plans of teaching. No more dreams. Everything basically wiped out in a flash…. And then the mental abuse began….
And the little digs… And the fact that he dragged her family into their fights…etc, etc….

And it only gets worse from here…
And … she now has two little ones to worry about and protect.

Can she escape? Can she make a plan?

He controls everything… including the money.

Her family wants nothing more than for her to get away. To be happy! For her kids to be happy… and safe!!
But they live so far away… and they can’t really help her.

And so she makes a plan…. And, makes a move….

But it seems like everything and everyone is working against her.
Can she ever get away? Where will she go?
And he keeps trying to reel her back in to come home….

This one was a cyclone of emotions for me. Angry. Sad. Disheartened. Furious. And then…as she speaks of and interacts with her girls…elated, hopeful, happy…and sad all over again.

**** IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND IT UPSET YOU…PLEASE STEER CLEAR. IT’S A LOT! ****

If in fact, you can handle it, please consider giving this one a try. It was definitely eye-opening…to say the least.

And the justice system… just scary. 🫣

And let me just say, it’s a bit crazy to think that this could ACTUALLY happen…and yet it does…all the time. 😢

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!

#Nesting by #RoisinODonnell and narrated beautifully by #LouisaHarland.

**** Not yet released****. Coming out on February 18! So, look 👀 for it then!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HachetteAudio and #AlgonquinBooks for an ARC of the audiobook!

Thanks so much for checking out my review!!
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I received an ALC for Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell narrated by Louisa Harland and it was an excellent listening experience. I won't bury the lead here - I am giving this book 4.5 stars. The narration is excellent. Our main character, Ciara, is tired. She lives in a home with her husband and two young girls. She is responsible for the home and the raising of the kids while her husband, Ryan, works. One day, without any planning, she has had enough, and she grabs her two girls and she leaves. She doesn't feel it is safe to stay. It is not at first clear, how desperate she feels, but through the narrator, we know how tired she is. The story comes together steadily, and you learn why she had to leave. It is often this way for women who are emotionally and psychologically battered but not physically harmed. They don't want to talk about the emotional abuse because they don't think people will understand and they are embarrassed to be in this position. Ciara's situation is desperate because she does not have any money, she can't ask her family for money and her husband has long since separated her from her friends. My heart broke reading this story. Ciara really needs to find her own way and find her strength to forge a new path for her and her children. This is beautifully written and I highly recommend. Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette Audio for my advance listener copy. This book is being released on February 18, 2025. Highly recommend.

Ciara Fay grabs her two young daughters, her car keys and a handful of clothing. She’s leaving her husband, Ryan, and this time she’s staying away for good. Ciara’s family is in England and after she married Ryan her world in Dublin became very small. She constantly walks on egg shells around her husband, afraid of what will set him off. It’s hard for her to explain the abuse and gaslighting because it is not physical. On top of that, she’s pregnant with her third child.

This lyrical, character-driven novel follows Ciara as she attempts to separate herself from Ryan and begin a life on her own terms. Louisa Harland’s narration brings with it the heaviness of asserting independence after years of control. If you enjoy character driven novels, this one is for you. I was totally invested in the story.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for this advance listening copy.

Ciara lives a seemingly perfect life as a stay-at-home mum with a handsome and charming husband and two little girls in Dublin. Ciara loves her children more than anything, and when she finds out she's pregnant with her 3rd baby, makes a huge decision - to take her girls and run away from her husband and "perfect" home. However, Ciara has no money or savings of her own, because her husband gaslit her into thinking she couldn't work and he policed all finances and money in the household. Ciara can't have a conversation with her husband without him either love-bombing or calling her a selfish and awful mother who ruined his life. Though he hasn't been physically violent, Ciara is scared of her husband, and her decision to leave takes her on an emotional journey through social assistance programs, the custody court, found family, and discovering her definition of "home" in a incredibly difficult situation.  
 
O’Donnell expertly weaves Ciara’s delicate mental gymnastics of trying to rationalize her husband's behaviour, her fears, her love for her babies, her ambition to make it on her own, her love for her sister and her own single mum. Ciara’s characterization is immaculate and so believable. Gorgeous symbology throughout. This story was emotional and beautiful and I loved it.

I have been seeing such great advance reviews for Nesting and they are very deserved. Fantastic read!

Such a lovely flow to the words written. There was something very heartbreaking about Ciara's continued lack of confidence in her choices to escape Ryan's abuse, in how she couldn't quite fully commit to breaking away. Listening to her inner monologue was an insight into the trauma of abuse that is mental vs physical. The fear and impact on her children vs the continued suffering if she stayed.

I loved the parallels between Ciara and Chase the crow, both kept leashed and under Ryan's control in different ways.

Thank you to NetGalley, Algonquin Books, Hachette Audio, and Roisín O'Donnell for the opportunity to listen to an arc of NESTING.

A slice-of-life story following a mother who is abused by her husband, and the results of her deciding to leave him for herself, her daughters, and her unborn baby. This novel dives into the complexities of abuse and how it is perceived by family, friends, authorities, etc., as well as the long terms affects and the cyclical nature of abuse. It's a beautiful and heartbreaking story, one that is so important to tell as so many people (sadly) can relate to it. It also outlines societal achievements AND downfalls in terms of support and care specifically for women in domestic abuse situations.

There were moments where the mundanity of their day-to-day dragged a bit for me, which ended up making it a little harder for me to stay engaged and relate to the main character. However, the story was still told beautifully, especially when it came to the continuous imagery of birds as an analogy for what the main character was experiencing.

The audiobook itself was fantastic, a great narrator paired with well-mixed audio effects made the story immersive. I would recommend this to those who are interested in this type of story and/or have even experienced this and are looking for a story to relate to.

This title will be released on 2/18/25!

This is a novel about psychological abuse and how hard it is to get out of such a relationship.

When Ciara musters up the courage to finally leave her husband Ryan, she finds herself in a dire situation: no savings (because she wasn't allowed to work), no friends to stay with, two small children and pregnant of a third. As Dublin's social housing facilities are overloaded, she is awarded temporary accommodation in a hotel room. The temptation to go back home is big, but Ciara tries not to give in.

This is not the type of novel I would typically seek out for myself, but I found it quite well done. The style is quite raw and realistic. Ciara is a great character, trying not to despair, continuing to think rationally, always being there for her children. It also gives an interesting insight in the legal and practical consequences of separation in Ireland, where the fact that Ryan is not physically abusive creates further complications.

The audiobook is well read!

3,5

An amazingly gripping and heart-pounding story.
I just couldn’t stop listening to it, it truly captivated me from the start.

This was an absolute delight to read and it captures some sensitive real-life issues.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Hachette Audio for this wonderful opportunity.

Nothing short of extraordinary. From the first page to the last, this debut novel absolutely captivated me with its raw emotion, stunning writing, and deeply compelling characters. The story follows Ciara Fay, who makes a split-second decision to flee from her emotionally abusive marriage, grabbing her two daughters and leaving behind the only life she’s ever known. It’s a bold, courageous move that sets the stage for a heartbreaking journey of survival and self-discovery.

What struck me most about this book is how it shines a light on emotional abuse—a subject not often addressed with such honesty and sensitivity. O'Donnell beautifully captures how abuse isn’t always visible or physical, but just as damaging. Ciara’s struggle to rebuild her life while navigating the broken housing system, dwindling savings, and her husband’s relentless attempts to bring her back is both heartbreaking and empowering.

This book is already getting so much well-deserved attention, and it’s easy to see why. It’s an incredibly timely and important read, touching on themes of love, hope, resilience, and the strength it takes to break free from control. I honestly wish I could express more eloquently just how much this novel impacted me—Nesting is a gorgeous, powerful story that will stay with me for a long time.

Roisin O'Donnell has introduced an unforgettable voice in fiction, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for this book. It’s a must-read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that’s both moving and thought-provoking.

Louisa Harland was brilliant as the narrator. She brought life and emotion to Ciara’s character and story. I could listen to her read the telephone book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Dublin, Ireland
Genre: Literary Fiction

Nesting is an emotionally gripping and beautifully written novel that captures the raw, complicated reality of escaping an unsafe home. Ciara Fay’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring as she navigates the uncertainty of starting over with her two young daughters. The novel paints a vivid and unflinching portrait of the challenges faced by women in her position, from financial struggles to emotional turmoil, all while holding onto hope for a better future.

The audiobook is outstanding, bringing Ciara’s story to life with incredible depth and emotion. The narration enhances the novel’s impact, making every moment feel immediate and deeply personal.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page. Nesting is a testament to resilience, motherhood, and the strength it takes to break free and build something new. Highly recommended! #netgalley #nesting

Okay, first of all--Louisa Harland narrates this audio version, which was such an unexpected surprise. I love Derry Girls and her portrayal of Orla so I was thrilled to see she is doing narration. I love listening to audio versions when the story takes place in another part of the world than I live in because I feel like the accent of the narrator really gives the story an extra layer and that is absolutely true here.

As for the story itself, it's heartbreaking but beautiful. Ciara is trapped in abusive marriage with a man she met when she was young. One day, out of nowhere, Ciara decides enough is enough and leaves with their daughters in tow. The leaving was one thing but getting by is another altogether and O'Donnell beautifully paints the mental tug-of-war that happens when presented with the choice of surviving at the expense of your safety. Despite the tough subject matter O'Donnell manages to give Ciara's story hope. It was a beautiful, honest story and I am so so glad I got the chance to read it.

For fans of John Boyne's The Heart's Invisible Furies or Where the Heart Is.

i don't typically listen to all that many audiobooks, particularly when it comes to fiction. but i really wanted to read <i>nesting</i> ahead of its release, so i jumped at the possibility when i saw that audiobook arcs were available on netgalley – and oh, i'm so, so happy that i decided to give it a shot. i was delighted when i found out that the narrator was none other than louisa harland, whom i have followed since derry girls, and i'm glad to report that her work here is absolutely phenomenal. her irish accent really did add to the story, and having her mimick other accent from across ireland or even the uk was just delightful.

as for the novel itself, i really enjoyed o'donnell's style, as well as the angle she took regarding ciara's departure from her abusive husband's home. her relationship with her two little daughters was also beautifully written, and i really liked the way her sister sinéad was woven into the story, always so clever and assertive yet also deeply concerned with her sister's wellbeing. but, above anything else, what i loved the most was the solidarity network that ciara gradually comes to create with other women – from friends to coworkers to social workers and nurses, all of whom play a pivotal role in her development as a character and as a mother. i love stories about women who care for each other while also allowing themselves to be vulnerable and cared for, and <i>nesting</i> is the perfect example of why female solidarity can and should be a central point to nearly all narratives in which women play a major role.

on the other hand, i did feel that the story dragged a little bit towards the end, and i also felt that the climax was the tiniest bit nonsensical, but i am willing to look past that because i do think that it addresses some really important issues regarding domestic violence nonetheless. i wasn't necessarily a fan of the romance-y subplot either, but it didn't massively annoy me either.

overall, a very, very nice read! i think it has tons of women's prize longlist potential and i sure hope to get to prattle on about it if that's the case.

EXCERPT: 'Here, let Mammy have some of that.' She takes a bite of Ella's ice cream, aiming to get rid of it before it melts completely. The sweetness makes her stomach turn. She can feel Ryan watching closely. 'Oh, God. The state of them. Ice cream is never that brilliant an idea, is it?'
Ryan says nothing. Here it is. The start of another of his silences.
A headache is building at the base of her skull. Her body, flooded by the uncanny sense that she's trapped. Stuck in this bright day forever. She's invisible, walking unseen through the crowds. Other women are happily herding children, holding partners hands or strolling with friends, talking. Her little meandering family blends in perfectly, so why are these dark thoughts swirling again?
Two years since she returned to Ryan. A couple of months since she stashed the wetsuit money in the nappy bag on some blind impulse. A flush of guilt, as if she's a smear on the perfect day, sullying the moment. She remembers that wartime painting she once saw in the Tate on a school trip to Liverpool. People on a merry-go-round. From a distance they looked happy. It was only when you looked closer that you could tell they were screaming.

ABOUT 'NESTING': On a bright spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change her life. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, Ciara straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe.

It was meant to be an escape. But with dwindling savings, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. As summer passes and winter closes in, she must navigate raising her children in a hotel room, searching for a new home and dealing with her husband Ryan's relentless campaign to get her to come back.

Because leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.

MY THOUGHTS: If you have ever looked at a woman and her relationship and thought 'I don't know why she doesn't leave him,' you need to read Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell. Nesting is the heart-wrenching story of Ciara Fay and her struggle to leave her emotionally abusive husband and build a new life for herself and her three children.

Over the years, Ryan has steadily isolated Ciara from her family, her friends. Where do you go when you have nowhere to go? Isn't she just imagining the coercive control, the veiled threats? Who is going to believe her? Everyone loves Ryan.

Nesting is a story of fear, of courage, of resilience, of falling down only to get back up again. There were times, reading and listening to Nesting, that I struggled to breathe, Ciara's struggles oh so painful that at times they seemed futile.

O'Donnell has done a masterful job of conveying Ciara's desperation, her fears, her uncertainty. Could it be that it's her that is wrong, is the problem? That Ryan is, as he keeps telling her, a loving and kind husband and father.

But if you're thinking this is a depressing read, you'd be wrong. It is inspiring. It is hopeful. In places I snorted with laughter at the children's antics. But they're not angels - far from it. They are unsettled, frightened, whiny, defiant. But they are also loving and Ciara will fight with everything she has to give them a loving and stable home life.

I wish I'd had this book when I was married to my 'Ryan'.

A stunning debut novel. A 'must read'.

I loved both formats of this book but slightly preferred the audiobook due to the superb narration of Louisa Harland.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Nesting #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Roisín won the prize for Short Story of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards in 2018, and was shortlisted for the same prize in 2022. She is the author of the story collection Wild Quiet, which was longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and shortlisted for the Kate O’Brien Award.
Nesting is her debut novel.
She lives near Dublin with her two children. (Source: roisinodonell.com) (abridged)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing an e-ARC and Hachette for providing an audio ARC of Nesting written by Roisín O'Donnell and narrated by Louisa Harland for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Ciara has endured years of emotional and sexual abuse from her husband, Ryan. But he's never hit her. She can't take it anymore, but can she leave? Will anyone believe her? She reaches her breaking point and leaves- and has to navigate a nearly impossible existence with her two young girls. At every step, she wonders if she is doing the right thing.

I had a hard time connecting with this book. It made me feel that it was drawn out and never ending. I have no idea why there was a disconnect, but for whatever reason there was.

The story was detailed and heartbreaking (in theory), but a connection to the book was missing for me.

Louisa Harland narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an audio read about a young married woman in an emotional abusive relationship. The book chronicles her leaving with two small children and a third child born in her journey. The book is very detailed on the woman ‘s ability of finally to rid herself of this demeaning husband. She is able to navigate the system to find accommodations, food , a lawyer , a job and a network of friends and family to help. The journey is not easy and lots of moments of indecisions and returning to a hostile relationships but she manages to finally break away . The book is way too descriptive at times of mundane events and moments. Also the voice of the child in the audio was annoying .

"Nesting" by Roisin O'Donnell is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the complexities of relationships and personal struggles. The audiobook narration feels authentic, bringing the characters and their stories to life in a way that made it hard to put down.

There were moments when the book made me so anxious I had to stop listening. At times, the story felt slow, but it felt ibtentional, to make the reader feel uncomfortable. This is a testament to O'Donnell's skillful writing, which vividly conveys the challenges people in Ciara's situation go through. She really makes it easy to sympathise with the main character without making her perfect or unbelievable.

I really liked the symbolism in this novel. O'Donnell weaves symbolic elements throughout the narrative in a manner that feels natural and meaningful, without being overdone. These symbols add depth to the story and enrich the reading experience, providing a subtle yet powerful extra layer to the novel.

The hopeful yet realistic outcome added a positive note to the story, offering a sense of resolution without resorting to overly simplistic or idealized conclusions. This balance made the ending both satisfying and believable.

Overall, "Nesting" is a thought-provoking novel that leaves a lasting impact. It is an important story that needs to be told, that we need to hear. Definitely worth reading.