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There are currently 18 member reviews
for The Seven O'Clock Club
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NM
A New Kind of Therapy
Amelia Ireland's debut novel The Seven O'Clock Club is the story of four people who have volunteered for a new type of grief therapy. This sounds like a simple story, but it is anything but simple. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's such a creative narrative, such a unique look at grief and loss. It's a real page turner that had me reading late into the night, lost in time and lost in the story. Ireland has created characters that are at once grief-stricken, funny, fearful, and strong. The things they come to learn about themselves and each other help mend their broken hearts. Such a refreshing way to look at second chances and new beginnings. I highly recommend this book, so mark your calendars for the April 15, 2025, publishing date! Thank you to Book Browse and Berkley/Penguin Random House for my advanced reader copy.
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Barbara J. (Tucker, GA)
Mind Games
Four strangers with diverse stories are invited to join an experimental therapy group. As they attend,or opt out of, these meetings, we learn
pieces of their story. At some point, I felt that I was a participant in the meetings of The Seven O'clock Club as author Amelia Ireland asked questions to draw each person out. I found myself connecting with some of these questions. You will be surprised by what you learn about each character and perhaps even a bit about yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration.
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MariaH
Heartfelt Characters
Amelia Ireland's debut novel is ostensibly about four people who come together to heal from their respective traumatic experiences. The grief group therapy theme was initially off-putting to me. However, the author is able to quickly enmesh you in the protagonists' lives and leaves you seeking more information about them. Each chapter is presented from the point of view of a different character and allows the characters to develop slowly and thoroughly. Almost imperceptibly, you come to care deeply for the four main characters. I was equally shocked, saddened and elated at different times throughout the book. This is quite difficult to achieve and makes the book a special read.
This is also an effortless read that still has me thinking about the characters well after the story's conclusion. I highly recommend this debut novel.
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Peggy H. (Erie, PA)
Could Not Put This One Down
Four strangers come together with a therapist to work on an experimental technique to help each recover from a personal trauma. Over the course of the novel, each character unravels. We learn about them, without learning about their actual trauma throughout the novel. Each of them starts to relate to the other, finding that the relationship and act of communicating is, in itself, healing.
Then we find out why they are there. (No spoilers here.) I came to alternately love, hate, and feel for each of these characters more and more throughout the book. What a great debut novel!
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Victoria B. (Little River, SC)
Exceeded Expectations
When I first read about this book, it seemed like an interesting read. It is a story of four strangers who are finding it difficult to move past a traumatic event in their lives. As the author weaves the tale of the four who have been put into an experimental group therapy program, the reader becomes invested in the lives of the strangers. There is Mischa who is a young woman recently off being a caretaker to her mom. Freya, is a 30-something year old who finds it impossible to get on with her life and is still very much grieving. Victoria, imperious and cold, in the denial of her own grief. Finally, the reader meets Callum, a rockstar battling addiction and sorrow.
Over the stages of grief teased out by Genevieve, the counselor, the reader gets to know the people, the stories, and how they help each other out of the stasis which each character is in.
The book has two unexpected turns at the end which make the story that much richer and more interesting. For a debut author, Amelia Ireland has captivated this reader with her story, the novel construct, and the quality of the writing. Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
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Marianne L. (Syosset, NY)
Full of Surprises
Working through grief is the premise upon which this book opens with four of the most unlikely characters expected to meld successfully into a cohesive support group. Just as I was thinking I could predict where this story was going, the bombshell lands and blows all my predictions out of the water. The characters draw you in as the book proceeds and brings you to a satisfying ending. This book surprises with its twists and turns, a really fun read, time well spent!
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Rebecca H. (Bolton, CT)
Enchanting Story
I loved this; it's a really different premise and an excellent read. You wouldn't expect a story about a disparate collection of people who come together for group grief therapy to make such a completely absorbing novel, but it does. Each character has such a unique voice; I could have told which one was speaking in each chapter without looking at the chapter heading, and I pretty much fell in love with each one. The story says some profound things about bereavement and grief and its stages while doing so with delightful touches of humor. The story takes an unexpected turn at a certain point, which I won't say any more about because of spoilers, but I found it engaged me in the novel even more as I raced toward the conclusion. Excellent pacing and even a touch of suspense and romance add to the enjoyment.
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