The Seven O’Clock Club is about four grieving people from different backgrounds who are recruited to join group therapy.

Four strangers, each at a difficult point in their lives, find themselves in the same group therapy meeting. They’re all struggling with painful memories and grief, and as they’re asked to share out loud, it brings them closer together. But not everything about this therapy is quite what it seems, and the group will have to face both their past and their future.

The first thing I noticed about this book was how simplistic the writing style was. Because it covers such a heavy theme, I expected a more beautiful and moving narrative, but the inner dialogue and conversations felt very trite. The characters’ voices weren’t unique enough, despite how different they were supposed to be, and it was difficult to connect with any of them. The backstories were definitely compelling, but I felt the actual writing didn’t do them justice. The series of reveals toward the end brought a little energy to the plot, but it got a bit corny and made me eager just to wrap it up.

Overall, I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the execution wasn’t there for me.

Rating: 2.5 stars

My Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
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I read the blurb, looked at the cover and thought... Oh this is going to be a good slice-of-life fiction that's going to deal with grief, loss, guilt, healing and more.. Did I get them all? YES. WAS I PLUNGED INTO A DIFFERENT FEELING THOSE LAST FEE CHAPTERS?? also yes. I was speechless. I absolutely binged this book in a single day!
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<i> "Trust me. Two tiny words. Said like it was so easy to do. But trusting someone you hardly knew was like agreeing to play Russian roulette. You might be fine, or you might shoot yourself in the head." </i>
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This book follows four of our characters who are going through some difficult times. Now this is a multiple Pov book which jumps timelines as well to give us context about every character's background and insight towards their mental and emotional health. I really loved reading the diverse personalities, and the way each person served as a support system towards others'healing journeys. I really loved Victoria and her character development. Callum was the tortured soul who needed someone else to believe him and while I liked the other, I loved these two.
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<i> "Genuine fulfillment comes from learning to understand yourself. That sounds cheesy but it’s true. And being able to appreciate not just your talents but your flaws also.” </i>
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Let's talk about the FREAKING PLOT... It was going well for the first 80% of the book. Sometimes the pacing was slow and I almost put this book down because of the obnoxious ways the characters reacted to certain things, but.. BUT those last few chapters happened, AND I WAS MIND BLOWN!! Not to give spoilers, but I seriously did not expect that ending and the direction the characters took, but I was so glad they did when I finished the book. Especially that last chapter and the nickname 'Babygirl' destroyed me..
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<i> "We just have to accept that sometimes people don’t end up where we want them to. But that’s not getting it wrong. That’s just free will.” </i>
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If you are looking for a book to give you that adrenaline rush when you finish it, while also dealing with a healing journey, an unlikely band of characters coming together to support each other, some bad decisions and amazing friendships then this book is definitely for you!! PICK THIS BOOK UP!! you won't be disappointed seriously.
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first reaction: WHAT THE HELL WERE THOSE LAST FEW CHAPTERS?? i am speechless. I absolutely binged this book!
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Thank you @berkleyromance @netgalley for the e-arc !

The Seven O'Clock Club is the story of grief, healing, and human connection. Four very different individuals from different walks of life are chosen to participate in experimental group therapy to help them deal with their grief. The story is told in five POVs: the therapist, Genevieve, and the four participants, Freya, Collum, Mischa, and Victoria. These four people have nothing in common except that they have all experienced a devastating loss.

Despite five different POVs, the narration flows easily. We learn slowly about each character and the events that brought them to therapy. Secrets are revealed gradually, with a big twist at around 60-70%. Some people will love the twist, and some may not. At first, I didn't love it, but as I continued reading the book, I made peace with it. The ending was emotional and very satisfying. I don't always enjoy character-driven stories, but The Seven O'Clock Club impressed me. I am glad I've read it. It's a a beautifuly written thought-provoking debut, one I highly recommend.

Four strangers join an experimental therapy meant to heal deep emotional wounds. Reluctant at first, they keep returning and find unexpected growth through shared struggles, friendship, and even romance. But when a shocking secret about why they were chosen comes to light, they must decide if they’re brave enough to claim the happiness waiting just outside the door.

I went into this not knowing where it was headed, but my curiosity kept me turning pages. The twists genuinely surprised me, and I found myself wondering at every turn what could possibly happen.

This novel offers a powerful look at how grief weaves through our daily lives. It broke my heart more than once and the isolation one of the characters experienced was truly harrowing. Yet seeing them all learn to let others in and form genuine bonds reminded me that community is at the heart of life. Opening yourself to connection can be one of the greatest gifts you give yourself.

The buildup is slow and deliberate. It lulls you into one expectation before the story veers in an entirely unexpected direction and I literally gasped out loud. It is one of the most compelling, emotionally resonant reads I have encountered, heartbreaking, thought provoking and a profound reminder of the strength found in shared experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an early copy!

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free ARC + ALC ♡

This was the weirdest reading experience because the first two thirds reads like a moderated group therapy session. I was a bit bored at first, trying to figure out where this was going.

We aren’t told much other than these are 4 people from different walks of life, strangers in essence, that are each dealing with a deep personal loss, and are not coping well.

We have a high powered corporate lawyer, a pompous rockstar, and two others who are a bit more nondescript. Plus their youngish, hippy-ish therapist who is trying a brand new experimental approach.

Then it gets wild.

I always enjoy found family. The dialogue and descriptions of grief moved me, I found it well written. I feel less time could have been spent on the mechanics, of how the twist worked - those were the parts that lost me.

This was a really unique debut and I found myself enjoying it more and more the further I got in!

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 🎧 I would recommend audio for this one, as we are treated to a full-cast narration with 4 different actors (Clare Corbett, Emma Gregory, Luke Francis, and Nikki Patel) for each of the main characters.

TW: Drug Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts, Pregnancy Loss, Death, Depression

“Sometimes it’s the ones who seem fine on the outside who are suffering the most.”

This book was nothing like what I expected it to be…at first.

Somehow, I got it into my head that this was a story rooted in magical realism. I’m not sure where I got that idea, but wherever it came from, it stuck. And then I jumped into the story completely blind. I never read the synopsis or blurbs, I never read other reviews…I just started reading. And each chapter that passed became a deeper, more heart-aching story about grief.

This therapy-centered story is about loss. It’s about grief. It’s about love and life. It’s about how to live beyond your loss. How to continue on in the every day when someone you loved is no longer part of your life.

Beyond the grief of the four people in this group therapy session is the slightly teased concept that there’s something unique about this process. That the therapist is conducting a bit of an experiment to help these four unique people through their grief—to come to terms with their loss.

And then about 70% of the way in…we get the truth. We get SO many truths. And I won’t spoil them for you here. But let’s just say this is where the magical realism/paranormal component comes in. And SO much happens in the last 30% to these people you’ve grown to love and care for just as much as they’ve grown to love and care for one another.

This was such a unique story, and while it felt like a slower read (for the first 70% anyway) compared to what I typically read, it was well-paced for the subject matter and truly packs a powerful punch when it comes to valuing the life you have in front of you.

The Seven O’ Clock Club is Amelia Ireland’s debut novel, and it packs an emotional punch. It is equally heartwarming and mysterious with plenty of surprising twists. Ms. Ireland brings together an eclectic group of people in a grief group, and as the story progresses, we readers learn of their tragic losses and hope for their eventual release from suffering.

The participants in this particular grief group have not randomly joined. They have been chosen. The story is told from each of the characters’ perspectives. I appreciated that sections of the book were named after different stages of grief. I also appreciated the leisurely pace of the book’s start; it allowed for ample character development.

The Seven O’Clock Club is a thought-provoking tale of grief and the healing process. Ms. Ireland’s writing is intelligent, imaginative, and empathetic. She wrote a story that balanced grief and happiness making it a wonderfully immersive read. Whether you’ve lost a loved one or not, The Seven O’clock Club is an unforgettable read.

4 unique story stars

The first half of this one introduces us to four people and their therapist, Genevieve, as they work through the stages of grief.

There's Callum, a brilliant young songwriter who has gotten on the wrong side of his record label and is trying to redeem himself.

Then there’s Victoria, an older, beautiful woman who is a lawyer.

Freya, an interior designer, has panic attacks and is struggling in her marriage.

And finally, Mischa, the quietest of the group, devoted to caring for her ailing mother.

At first, we don’t know who they are grieving as they work through their sessions, meeting once a week at 7 o’clock. They don’t seem to have much else in common and are not all happy to be part of the process.

The group bonds in different ways, and I wondered if this was all part of Genevieve’s plan.

In the last phase, we learn some interesting details that completely changed my reading experience. This one made me think about some of my beliefs.

This debut novel was unique and engaging, and I’m anxious to read what she writes next!

I was so pleasantly surprised by The Seven O’Clock Club. The depth and emotion behind the characters immediately drew me in. Grief is so subjective but also so universally understood that seeing the situations in this book kept me captivated. There is a part that I was completely surprised at and it increased my enjoyment of this novel. I was shocked that this was a debut book and I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this Amelia Ireland.

What an amazing debut novel! The author did a masterful job of introducing us to a group of diverse characters and then throwing us a curve I totally did not see coming. To avoid spoilers, let me just say that I was reminded of a television series that I watched some years ago. I will definitely be watching for the next book from this author. Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

As far as debut novels go, The Seven O'clock Club truly blew me away. Four strangers are brought together to participate in an experimental group therapy project. Each carries with them a past of emotional trauma and baggage. Told in alternating pov's of each participant, the reader learns what brought them to this point in their life.

While a novel about grief and letting go of the past isn't a new concept to the literary world, @ameliaireland_author brings a unique plot to the pages. With nuanced characters and a well written story, the book is emotional and riveting. The pacing of the book was excellent. It moved along without any stalling but had enough hesitation to the places that needed to be digested.

This book would make for a great book club pick. There is a lot to discuss and plenty of chances to pause to analyze what exactly you would do.

I read and reviewed honestly an advanced digital copy provided by netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you for the free book @penguinrandomhouse and @berkleypub! #penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyIG #BerkleyBookstagram. Thank you for the free audiobook, @prhaudio!

For four Tuesdays, four strangers meet at 7 o’clock for an experimental treatment for grief.

That’s pretty much the plot. With the book being about grief, please know that you’d be reading about different kinds of losses and if you need trigger warnings, please DM me.

That being said, let’s go to the review:
I loved how this book takes you to the stages of grief, that different kinds of people deal with grief differently, and that sometimes, one could get stuck at a certain stage of grief -and that is okay.

I was surprised with how fast I was able to finish this book given the heavy content but the author was able to create characters that you’d definitely be invested in. Then short chapters help too!! Audiobook was also a full cast narration and it helped make following the storyline better! M

I also did love the twist! I thought I was only reading about grief and then the twist came and the whole concept of grief became even more effective and was definitely very thought provoking!!!

There were some parts that I dont agree with 💯 but I think that’s normal if you’re reading a book about a very complex emotion. So book club friends, this might be a good pick for you to read and discuss!!

This book just came out yesterday! Overall, I do recommend reading this but please DM me for triggers if you think you’d need it. Please proceed reading with care 💗

💭Are you guys good at recognizing people through voices?
☕️ I thought I was but sometimes it’s hit or miss 😂 I surprisingly don’t have any problems when it comes to listening to audiobooks though 😂

Freya, Callum, Mischa, and Victoria have all been chosen to participate in a group meeting, every Tuesday night at seven to help them deal with the personal loss they are each experiencing, and help them to be able to move on. They aren't sure why they were chosen for this group - they don't seem to have anything in common. However, as the weeks pass, and they begin to open up, they become friends, leaning on each other when times are tough. When they discover the real reason they were chosen, everything they thought they knew is thrown out the window, and chaos ensues.

This book started out as a bit of a slow burn. It is told in the viewpoint of the different group participants, as well as the group leader. Once I really started getting into the book, which was when the group members started sharing their stories and started spending time together out of sessions, then I could not put the book down. Then there was a twist that I did not see coming and it floored me. I announced to my cats, "I need a cup of tea for this" and once I had my cup in hand, I was prepared to go on. Then, by the end of the book, I needed my box of tissues. So, just be prepared - this book will move you. I highly recommend this one!

Wow, my first 5 star read this year.

Hey Siri please play- Never Felt So Alone by Labrinth

I went into this story almost completely blind, all I knew was that it centered around strangers in group therapy. But from the very first chapter, I was hooked. I read it in one sitting, completely swept up in the raw vulnerability and quiet strength of these characters. What caught me most off guard was how deeply emotional it turned out to be, I genuinely didn’t expect to cry, but I found myself in tears, feeling everything right alongside them. I thought it would be a mellow read, but instead, it reached in and touched something tender in me.

Told through the eyes of four very different people, Freya, Callum, Mischa, and Victoria, each of them carries their own unique kind of heartbreak. A once passionate interior designer barely holding her marriage and anxiety at bay, a former rockstar numbed by addiction and regret, a young woman who’s never truly lived for herself, and a high-functioning lawyer with emotional walls so high you can’t see over them. What brings them together is an unconventional grief therapy group that meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and what unfolds is something quietly extraordinary.

The story is thoughtfully framed through the stages of grief....denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, allowing each character their own space to breathe, break, and begin again. What makes this book truly powerful is how intentionally each voice is given room to be heard. Their perspectives didn’t just add depth, they felt necessary. Their pain was palpable, their growth hard-won, and their connection with each other felt like something sacred slowly blooming. Every chapter flowed like a gentle current pulling me deeper, not just into their stories, but into their grief, their loneliness, their tentative hope. The character development was nothing short of remarkable. It felt real, messy, vulnerable, and beautifully human. This wasn’t just a book about grief, it was a story about love in all its forms, about the courage to open your heart again, and about the healing power of being truly seen.

By the end, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I felt like I had lived with these characters, ached with them, and in some quiet way, healed with them. If you’re drawn to emotionally rich, character-driven stories that explore the messy beauty of healing and human connection, I can’t recommend this enough. Readers who love Fredrik Backman will feel right at home here. And if The Wedding People left a mark on you, this one absolutely will too.

I was instantly drawn into this story. I love stories that dive into the deeper elements of life and especially topics of grief and healing. There is a sort of mystery/question that is setup early, but isn't the driving point of the novel and I actually grew to appreciate that. I fell more and more into the world of these characters and their experiences and, like them, grew to accept and desire these group therapy sessions. I thought the different characters and their experiences were really fascinating and emotional and also relatable. The sense of guilt, hope, yearning, etc that really drive our characters while they also must come to terms with the reality of life after grief was really compelling.
There is a reveal that does sort of turn the book on its head and really thrusts the story through the rest of the book. At this point, the pacing and intrigue really pick up and I am thrown right back into the initial question of the book. I think the overall format and framing of this story is really well done. While the mystery is always present in the text, the reveal doesn't come before they (or we) need to see it and, as I was able to allow myself to fully engage with the text, the emotional pull of the revel and the aftereffects were impactful.

I will concede that, while I was drawn into the emotional side and characterization of the book, I do wish that we could have had more time and development with the characters and really get to see more of who they were and how the grief had taken over. The sessions, beyond being mostly info-dumpy, didn't get a lot of time to really swell and resonate. I think seeing more of how they lived and were impacted before and between sessions would have really elevated the overall story (but obviously there's a page constraint). But I feel like a saw and connected the most with the handful of scenes we do get outside of their therapy. And more would have made the development and grief progression deeper and easier to see.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I was roped in and really connected with the real heart of the story and the conversation around grief and, especially, the importance for some people to receive earnest support during these hard times.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SO.GOOD!

Tysm @prhaudio for the early listening copy and @berkleypub for the early reading copy.

Honestly it will probably be one of my favorites of the year.

I am finding that I am giving less books 5 stars this year. I think for a book to be 5 stars it really needs to have a unique story with characters I really, really love. I don’t know if it is just the season of my life right now, but a lot of books have been a struggle for me to get through. That was not the case for this one.

I cannot believe this is a debut. I started this on audio and if you can, I really suggest you do the same. It’s a full cast and I LOVED every single narrator. Especially the voice of Victoria.

I am really going to miss these characters and wish this was a series. Ireland really, really developed each character in a relatable and meaningful way and the premise of this book really was so interesting to me. I don’t want to give anything away so just read this one. You wont be disappointed.

5 stars

You know that feeling when a book quietly sneaks up on you? You think you’re just signing on for a mellow little story about strangers in group therapy, and then—you’re all in, emotionally tangled up with characters you didn’t even know you were rooting for. That’s The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland.

Fundamentally, it’s a story about four very different people—Freya, Callum, Mischa, and Victoria—each dealing with their own brand of heartbreak. An interior designer with a fraying marriage and anxiety attacks, a washed-up rockstar numbed by addiction, a young woman who’s never had a chance to live her own life, and a lawyer who could win medals in emotional lockdown. They’re brought together for an experimental grief therapy session every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.—The Seven O’Clock Club. Grief therapy with strangers: what could go wrong? Or better yet—what could go right?

This isn’t just another ‘unlikely group of people become friends and grow emotionally’ novel. Well…it kinda is, but much more. The characters don’t become instant friends. There’s resistance. Skepticism. Snark. They eye each other like they’re waiting for the twist.

Ireland writes with clear empathy such that even when a character is being frustrating, you still want to understand why. And once those emotional walls start crumbling, the connections that form feel earned, not scripted. Found family tropes can get overly sweet or predictable, but this one strikes a balance—heartfelt without being saccharine.

And, to be fair, there is a big twist, and it lands when you’ve let your guard down. No spoilers, but let’s just say it’s a “Wait, what?!” moment.

This was one of those books that made me feel immersed, less like I’d read a novel and more like I’d been part of a process. I didn’t want to leave the club. And if Amelia Ireland ever decides to check back in on this group five years later, I’ll be the first one to RSVP. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy for review.

This was not what I was expecting AT ALL. More than halfway through the novel, you realize you've been duped, but in the best way possible.
Freya, Callum, Victoria and Mischa have nothing in common but deep, personal loss. They are taking part in a therapy-type group every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM. Genevieve, the group leader, believes she can help where no one else has been able to before. While this is a novel about grieving, it is also a deeply moving portrayal of love and moving on. Very sci-fi and an amazing premise. Amelia Ireland is one to watch!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital e-arc.*

Four strangers of varying ages are selected to join a group therapy session every Wednesday at 7 o'clock to explore a new way to recover from grief. None of them know what the others have experienced but through sharing their experiences, they will come to trust one another, and that is how this healing will be successful.

In Amelia Ireland's debut, there are unordinary twists and reveals the reader definitely would not expect. I came into this with my own grief over the death of a husband, wondering if this would trigger something too deeply emotional. While I found tears streaming down my face, I was intrigued by the differences in how others deal with different types of grief. There is a heartwarming element to it with the exploration of friendship and a little bit of romance. Another keen aspect is that there is a bit of a supernatural turn to this story, which makes it all the more interesting.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

This book was about therapy and a group of people meeting weekly to share their experiences.
I struggled with this one.
I failed to connect to connect ti any of the characters and I just couldn’t immerse myself in the story
I did like the sharing but each character was very angsty.