Sally Rooney but better! (i.e. queer, not misogynistic)

Oisín McKenna's debut novel, Evenings and Weekends, follows a closely interwoven group of friends through a single summer weekend in London. Each person in the story has their own rich interior landscape that doesn't always mirror what others see. Maggie, newly pregnant, but unprepared for her new life as a parent, conceals her reservations from her boyfriend, Ed. On his part, Ed is looking forward to the new start but keeping his own secrets from her, namely his past history hooking up with men, and is afraid her best friend, Phil, will reveal the truth to her. Phil has his own concerns as he navigates his relationship with his partner and roommate, Keith, who is in an open relationship with his boyfriend, Louis. We get glimpses into the inner lives of peripheral characters, too, like Phil's mother, Keith's boyfriend, and even a marine biologist tasked with removing a whale from the Thames. (Oh, yeah, there's a whale in the Thames.)

Some have called this book a love letter to London. While I don't think the setting is the main event, I agree that a city of a certain size can have its own heartbeat; it can be an entity unto itself. In that way, the novel never isolates a single character without revealing their interconnection with the remaining cast and setting. The throughline pulsing through all of these stories is the difficulty each person has in opening up to their loved ones and revealing their true selves for fear of rejection. In place of these critical conversations, our characters find alternate ways to harm each other until everything comes to a head and the conversations can no longer be deferred. The ending is bittersweet, but the reading experience never is. Highly recommended—can't wait to see what McKenna writes next.

Read this if: you enjoy slow burns, interconnected character studies, and stories that explore love in all its quiet, everyday forms

This one definitely gave Sally Rooney vibes—in the best way. It follows a loosely connected group of young people in Ireland, and while not much “happens” in a plot-heavy sense, the emotional undercurrents are deep and well-observed.

The characters were the standout for me. Each one felt real and fully formed, like someone you might know (or have been at some point). The writing takes its time, slowly unpacking relationships, personal histories, and unspoken tensions. It’s definitely a meandering book, but if you’re in the mood for something reflective and character-driven, it really works.

What I loved most was how it widened the lens on love—it’s not just about romance here. It’s about what we do for friends, family, and even strangers. Those quiet acts of care and connection hit just as hard, sometimes more.

Not one for readers looking for big twists or fast pacing, but if you like sitting in the messiness of people’s lives, this is a really thoughtful, beautifully written read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner books for the chance to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

Did not finish - sadly was not for me! I admired the premise and was interested, but ultimately I lost momentum and didn’t feel compelled to pick it up.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley last spring--I read it last June, but I'm just posting a review because I realized I never did and this book deserves a review.

I read Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna last June when I was spending a couple of days in Paris by myself--but I unfortunately got sick shortly after I got there. This was the perfect accompaniment to spending a couple summer days in the hotel room of Paris in between venturing out in the hot weather to wander around.

Even now, 6 months later, I am still thinking about this book. McKenna created incredibly vivid characters in this story. Even though I was alone and sick while reading this book, I didn't even feel that alone because I had the company of the characters of Evenings and Weekends.

EVERYTHING you’ve heard about this book being incredible is true.

I don’t want to give away much more than what’s in the synopsis because I want everyone to let this story unfold upon them like it did me.

I feel seen, I feel differently about my own life, and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Oisín McKenna’s Evenings and Weekends is a thoughtfully observed debut set in London in 2019, weaving together the lives of a cast of interconnected characters. McKenna deftly explores themes of queerness, men’s body issues, trauma, and the complexities of modern relationships, all within the broader context of contemporary urban life.

The novel asks important questions about what it means to be queer, probing how it manifests differently for each person, how there is no one way to be queer. McKenna deftly explores the complexity of identity, revealing the fluid, deeply personal ways people experience it. This nuanced exploration is a key strength of the book, providing thought-provoking commentary on identity without reducing it to a singular narrative.

McKenna’s writing is observant and sensitive, capturing both the tenderness and the tensions that exist in the everyday. Yet, as with many novels that follow multiple characters, some storylines didn’t resonate as much as others. While certain threads captivated me with their emotional depth and insight, others felt less compelling, making it harder to stay fully engaged with every arc.

Still, Evenings and Weekends excels in its portrayal of modern life, marked by the hustle of work, the search for connection, and the struggle to reconcile personal desires with societal pressures. It’s a debut that is not only keenly attuned to the complexities of identity and relationships but also to the age old question: how do we best live with each other.

For all its shifts in narrative focus, the book remains an honest, compelling reflection of the myriad ways we define ourselves and others in a fast-paced, often unforgiving world. McKenna has created a world rich in texture, filled with lives that feel real and experiences that are achingly familiar.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to NetGalley for providing thid ARC of Evenings & Weekends, although it took me longer than expected to get around to reading. I’m not sure I have a lot to say about this book. Although I enjoyed it, it sits where a lot of LitFic sits for me - enjoyable but not particularly memorable. It follows a group of people (interconnected friends/family) in London during a weekend where a whale washed up on the Thames. Honestly, can’t quite figure out the whale piece; seemed a bit bizarre/out of place. The characters go through a lot of self-reflection, mostly about their childhoods, love, and sexuality. Wouldn’t particularly sway a recommendation to read either way to a yes/no, but would probably pick up something by this author again as I enjoyed the writing style.

I'm on a real Irish lit kick lately, so when I got approved for Oisin McKenna's debut, I was very excited! I love how contemporary and relatable McKenna's voice is--hyper specific references and classic dry wit are the hallmarks of a writer who is carving out his own path in this genre. You feel like you’ve met these characters before, especially if you’re a millennial. A very solid debut.

Evenings and Weekends was such a great read. I loved the character development and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

This had me at “for fans of Sally Rooney,” and the gorgeous cover! It was so good and exceeded my expectations!

This is a quiet story about 4 characters that are really going through a transition stage in their lives. They are all kind of teriyaki, but I felt for the woman the most. Lots of dialogue and I did find my mind wandering, but it offers a solid resolution.

The narrative follows a diverse cast of interconnected characters through London during the summer solstice of 2019. They struggle with personal crises, relationships (past and present), and major life events. Themes of queerness, polyamory, and financial uncertainty are explored through character-driven stories that highlight the intricacies of being a young adult in 2019 - mainly living for nights and weekends.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for my arc!

I really wanted to enjoy this but sadly this just was not for me. I was really bored with the charactrers and was just not engaged at all.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This felt like a jr. version of a Sally Rooney novel. I loved the idea of it, execution was just a bit flat. 3.5 stars.

A stunning literary work that explores the intertwined lives of three deeply connected individuals, brimming with charm and emotion.

At first, I wasn’t sure this book was for me. But it ended up being one of the most beautiful reads. Another reviewer mentioned that it reminds them of Sally Rooney's writing, and I have to agree with that. This is the perfect summer read, and I can’t wait to see what McKenna writes next!

I can't believe I forgot to provide feedback for this novel! I loved it! Set over the course of the weekend, telling the "weekend" through varied points of view. I loved this so much and would definitely recommend it for a book club.

gorgeous literary work discussing the lives and emanations of three deeply tied individuals. full od charm and passion.

An interwoven cast navigate changing relationships and must decide what comes next; a story about the weight of existence.

For the longest time, I wasn’t sure where the story was going. The abrupt jumps from character to character were difficult to follow, and I didn’t feel like I really got to know any of the characters (who, admittedly, were rather unlikable). The prose carried the story with metaphors and anthropomorphism- notably the whale, who was a unique albeit somewhat confusing add to the storyline. With a long build up I was expecting more of a climax, but instead the story fizzled and I left feeling underwhelmed.

4/5 Writing
2/5 Story
3/5 Atmosphere

eARC courtesy of NetGalley, opinions are my own

I was really excited for this book, but unfortunately it fell short. We weren’t able to get to know the characters until the very end of the novel. With either less focus on some characters or a longer book, it would have felt more cohesive.

Thank you SO much NetGalley, Oisin McKenna and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


I was super unsure if this book was for me at first- what's a whale doing stuck in the Thames?!- but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful books I've read this year. So touching and similar to how I feel when I read Sally Rooney, showing such beauty in simple moments. Ugh! what a great book to read during the summer. I will read whatever McKenna comes out with next!