Book Summary and Reviews of The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

Reader Reviews

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Anne M. (Madison, WI)

Ride the rollercoaster
I was very much looking forward to the book and the premise that four strangers join a therapy group together in order to get over some common, unnamed struggle. As the characters unfolded, the book took the reader into the backstories of the four strangers and there were, predictably, some intersections.

Then came the big reveal (which I won't mention here) and I immediately felt disbelief. I was dismayed that this novel was not what I wanted it to be about! How could I have been fooled?! Not one to put down a book and stop reading (I probably only left two books unfinished in all my years), I decided to continue out of curiosity, to see where it was going.

So glad I did! The book took a really delightful turn, unexpected and inspiring, and very comforting in many ways. You will get what I mean when you read it! Highly recommend! Just don't stop reading!

Ellen G. (Montclair, NJ)

The Seven O'clock Club
I loved this book! I was totally engaged from the first page. The characters were unique and each had a story to tell. As the stories unfold, each person reveals the devil they are dealing with, Friendships develop and the group comes together to help each other get through their issues. The surprise ending is what makes this book so rewarding. I highly recommend this book and will recommend it to my book club once it is published.

Darcy C. (San Diego, CA)

Holy smokes – – what a ride!!!
Oh my gosh, by golly!! THIS BOOK IS EXACTLY WHY I READ!!!
I never lost interest in this book at any point. To me, I could relate to all of the characters. I love getting goosebumps from a book! Each time revelations in the story made me pause and truly reflect on these magic moments. The book has a very understandable situation for the characters. I had no idea that I was going to be getting my socks knocked off. I am not trying to be vague as you can read the book synopsis. I'm trying to convey the ways that this book truly affected me. I certainly don't want to deny any reader of the too-rare-occasion of being 100 moved by a book.
There is a huge "U-turn " or "wtf" moment that gave me full – body – chills. Isn't that one of the best feelings ever — When a book can do this!?! As a matter of fact, I got full goosebumps five or six times reading a novel. That has never happened to me before. I believe I was in the absolute perfect state of mind to love every word in this book.

Melanie B. (Desoto, TX)

Thoughtful and Insightful Novel
I didn't want to put this book down. The author does an excellent job of moving the reader through the grief processes of four very different people who somehow manage to share a common experience of loss and the healing acceptance of letting go and moving through their pain. I highly recommend this book for anyone experiencing loss and looking for a way to accept and live with it. I think this is a very good book for reading group discussions.

Allison R. (Twinsburg, OH)

Connection in life and death
This book captured my attention right away because while you have a vague idea of what is going on, some kind of group therapy or grief counseling, you want to figure out how these people will manage to heal. The characters are interesting, mostly likable, and relatable. The author does a good job sharing their stories and their grief from their unique perspectives. And while they are all very different, they have a lot in common and form a very strong bond within the first couple meetings. I enjoyed the theme around the importance of human connection and telling one's story in order to heal and move on from grief. "Perception is reality" is a saying I have heard before and it rings true here in so many way as this book does an excellent job of walking you through different dimensions of truth.

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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