Nesting

A Novel

By: Roisín O'Donnell

Narrated by: Louisa Harland

In this beautiful, urgent, and ultimately uplifting novel by a rising Irish literary star comes a heart-pounding, life-affirming story about one woman trying to leave her marriage and start over.

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.

On the surface, she has a perfect life: her husband, Ryan, is a good provider, sometimes even kind and attentive, from a nice Irish family, and they have another baby on the way. But he also monitors Ciara's every move, flies into unpredictable rages where he convinces her she can do nothing right, and has isolated her from work, friends, and her beloved family.

Was fleeing the right thing to do? With no job and no support, Ciara struggles to provide a sense of normalcy for her little girls. Facing a broken housing system, they move into a hotel room on a floor reserved for women like her, eating takeout, washing their clothes in the bathroom sink, and building a community with the other residents. Ryan, meanwhile, wages a relentless campaign to win her back, and Ciara wavers. He never hit her, after all, and don't the girls need a stable home?

For fans of Claire Keegan and Louise Kennedy, Roisín O'Donnell’s extraordinary debut creates a devastating and suspenseful portrait of gaslighting and emotional abuse—and even better, a triumphant story about family, love, and finding a new place to nest.

©2025 Roisín O'Donnell (P)2025 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

"Nesting is a perfect portrayal of the insidious nature of intimate partner abuse where the bruises are not physical, but violently emotional. I fell in love with the voice of Ciara as she sets out to create a new life against all odds for herself and her children. A story of bravery, love, and redemption, chock full of emotional suspense—I couldn't look away. A high-wire act of a debut."—Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman and Godshot","

"Nesting is a haunting, deeply affecting debut novel—a gripping and unflinching exploration of coercive partner control, societal inequality, motherhood and the terrifying reality of a world closing in fast when you have no options left. An incredibly compelling tale of survival. It is as emotionally charged as it is brutally real, the writing is flawless. I was profoundly moved."—Elaine Feeney, Booker-longlisted author of How to Build a Boat

"A dazzling debut, pin-sharp in its depiction of the insidious hooks of behind-closed-doors coercive control. O'Donnell handles her heroine's pain and potential power with nuanced, page-turning aplomb. I was gripped to the end."
—Cristín Leach, author of Negative Space

Jarring narration at times

While I found the writing and storytelling to be top notch, the narration of the children’s voices was jarring and distracting. All other narration was lovely—almost soothing, in fact, despite the harrowing story.

Strong woman

I really liked the main character and the story was realistic. The story of the birds and care of the children by the husband was difficult to listen to.

I related to the main character

This story showed how mental / emotional abuse can affect a person as much as physical abuse.

Loved the book - very well written

I loved the book and most of the narration, apart from how the narrator did the children’s voices.

The main character feels like me- like my life.

The writing is utterly heartbreaking and breathtaking and I loved the setting and the main character and her bravery

The odds are set against women and mothers

Unbelievably accurate account of how extraordinarily difficult it is for women and mothers when they leave an abusive relationship.
What to know what it's like to be in a relationship with a narcissist? Want to know how society, the odds, and the entire court system are dead set against women rescuing themselves and their children from dangerous partners & parents? Read this! Her success is NOT the norm.

Ciara Tries so hard

Is it really abuse if there are visible marks? But what if it is abuse? You leave and try your best, even if everyone including you, sometimes thinks you're wrong. Well not your sister and Mom, they've always known who he really is. Really well written!

Gorgeous

Honestly, an almost perfect book. Lyrically beautiful. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

Horrific marriage and courageous split

This was a difficult yet mesmerizing first person account of a marriage ending. The woman fleas to save her children and herself she suffers incredibly as to her children, and yet they survive and have the hope of a future without anxiety and fear.

Validation for anyone who has been emotionally abused.

If you can get beyond the narrator’s voices of little girls sounding like middle school boys, it’s a wonderful story. I am watching someone go through a similar situation currently, doubting herself and her perceived reality. This story is very validating. It is a must read for anyone wondering if they too are in an emotionally abusive relationship.