Reviews with content warning for Abortion - The Rachel Incident

One of the better contemporary women-struggling-with-life novels I’ve read (or bailed on) in the last couple of years.

Smooth writing and quite believable dialogues. I also liked that the main focus lies on friendships and not on romantic relationships.

Some of the incidents that drive the story are happening a bit too conveniently, but overall a good debut novel that touches on important topics.

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amelia_pj's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Captures the intensity of best friendship, young love, and trying to find your way in the world perfectly. Caroline’s writing is superb.

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milliemark's review

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emotional lighthearted sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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infusedchai's review

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adventurous emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

definitely not what i was expecting but still an interesting read! just two 21 year old codependent besties trying to figure out life and affairs

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oz2021's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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crodgers90's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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blondylocks23's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this coming of age story about living in your 20s in Ireland. It showed real insight into the life of a young adult learning to find their feet.

I also appreciated how O’Donoghue tied everything together at the end of the book for most characters/ plot.

The book also explores some key important issues of that time period that is still relevant today.

Would definitely read again!

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I'm not typically a fan of messy millennial fiction. I'm not the right demographic, too old and curmudgeonly. But this one worked for me for a few reasons.
* The uniqueness of a key premise. Rachel has a crush on her professor. James encourages her to pursue him but ends up having an affair with him himself.
*The focus on a female--male friendship
*The fact that its told retrospectively with Rachel looking back at this eventful period in her 20s, meant we got to see and learn about the charcaters, after they have left the messy millennial years behind them and are living mostly happy, fulfilling lives.
*It's nuanced abortion storyline.
* Carey. No idea why I had a soft spot for him, but I did.
* Rachel's jobs in a bookstore, publishing, and journalism were a bonus for me as a booklover and one-time wannabe journalist.

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