Published by Berkley on April 15, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
Four strangers are brought together to participate in an experimental treatment designed to heal broken hearts in this surprising and heartfelt debut novel from author Amelia Ireland.
In a perfectly ordinary building, four strangers who couldn't be more different meet for the first time. Their skepticism of this new kind of grief therapy—and the unnervingly perceptive group leader—means they're all wary, but as the weeks go by, they find themselves returning again and again, pulled to work toward healing, even if it means first facing the pain head-on.
A sharp-tongued lawyer who has no intention of letting down her walls, a fragile young woman looking for a place to belong, a musician at the top of his game who's one drink away from losing it all, and an interior designer facing the crumbling of her picture-perfect life—this unlikely group slowly opens up, not only to the possibility of a happier future but to friendship, change, and even romance.
When a shocking revelation reveals the real reason they were chosen for this group, it shakes the very foundation of what they thought they knew. What began as a journey designed to heal turns out to be a much greater test of friendship, strength, and love as they realize happiness is just outside the door...if they're brave enough to seek it.
Four strangers who had experienced a profound loss are brought together in an attempt to heal and move on.
Those who know me, you know that I am always down for a good grief and loss book. I appreciate the the healing process and the resilience of the people involved in these stories. They never fail to touch my heart and give me hope. I got all this from The Seven O'Clock Club and so much more.
This was described as an experiment, a group approach that Genevieve was attempting with Mischa, Freya, Victoria, and Callum. I am not sure if she could have assembled a more different group of people, but for some reason, they were able to connect in a special way. The bond they formed was lovely. I especially enjoyed the way straight-laced and overly honest Victoria took Mischa under her wing. She was a mother figure to this young woman who had lost her own mother and also seemed to have lost her way.
The friendships formed were very special, and I was eager to learn more about each person and their loss. I was totally absorbed, flipping those pages, and then, at one point, the story took on a direction I had not anticipated. It was FANTASTIC! I went from flipping pages to devouring them as I could not wait to see what happened next. I can honestly tell you, this book did not disappoint.
The Seven O'Clock Club was a grief and loss story with a fresh spin. It was about healing, friendship, and the power of connection. I was terribly invested in each character's personal journey as I whole-heartedly consumed this heartwarming and moving tale.
Published by Simon & Schuster on April 22, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
One family. Four generations. A secret son. A devastating addiction. A Texas family is met with losses and surprises of inheritance, but they’re unable to shake the pull back toward each other in this big-hearted family saga perfect for readers of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo.
Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love, recently married, and now parents to a baby girl, Georgette. But Lillian has a son she hasn’t told Ryan about, and Ryan has an alcohol addiction he hasn’t told Lillian about, so Georgette comes of age watching their marriage rise and fall.
When a shocking blow scatters their fragile trio, Georgette tries to distance herself from reminders of her parents. Years later, Lillian’s son comes searching for his birth family, so Georgette must return to her roots, unearth her family’s history, and decide whether she can open up to love for them—or herself—while there’s still time.
Told from three intimate points of view, The Bright Years is a tender, true-to-life novel that explores the impact of each generation in a family torn apart by tragedy but, over time, restored by the power of grace and love.
This is the story of family with secrets which could be their undoing.
This was quit a tale! It was often heartbreaking, but also hopeful. I got to know the four generations of the this family over 60 years, and there were plenty of ups and downs. My heart was broken, over and over, as I read this story though there was always something there to keep hope alive.
The was a tale of generational trauma, and how it can propagate. It was about addiction and how a person's addiction affects those who love them. It was about the choices we make for the future knowing the past. It was about failing and forgiving. It was super emotional and many tears were shed.
The story was structured in a way that maximized its impact. I loved that the it was told in blocks from three different points of view. Each character brought a different context to the story that way. Beautifully and thoughtfully written, I was extremely impressed by this debut and look forward to reading more from Damoff.
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The Seven O'Clock Club sounds fantastic! I could definitely go for a cathartic, emotional read!
ReplyDeleteIt was what I expected with so many surprises. Really glad I picked it up.
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