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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
funny
medium-paced
I adored this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator’s Irish brogue made it even more charming. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and beautifully told story about friendship, love, and the messy bits of life in your twenties. The humor is dry and sharp, the relationships feel so relatable, and it left me both laughing and completely invested. Highly recommend.
Favorite read of the year so far. I knew an hour in I would love it. The writing is super smart and so relatable in a way I haven’t felt before. It’s the perfect balance of plot driven and character driven,
and I didn’t want it to end.
and I didn’t want it to end.
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Caroline O'Donoghue's writing in The Rachel Incident is defined by a vivid, authentic voice that immediately immerses you in the mind of its twenty-something protagonist, Rachel. The novel's strength lies in its ability to navigate the messy realities of young adulthood with a unique blend of humor and tragedy. The humor often arises from the sheer absurdity of the characters' situations: their desperate financial state, their ill-advised romantic pursuits, and the chaotic nature of their friendships. This wit is not a shield, however; it serves to highlight the poignant moments of heartbreak and insecurity that are just below the surface. O'Donoghue shifts from laugh out loud moments to profound sadness, making the narrative feel deeply human and relatable. She captures the specific feeling of being on the cusp of adulthood: the simultaneous hope and dread, the reckless decisions and the unexpected moments of clarity.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark academia mixed with a complicated and very messy life story
A chaotic story about being confused in your 20s. This definitely a good option if you're trying to catapult yourself out of a reading slump.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
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
I really loved this book. I think it captured being a young g person w some direction like going to college but also directionless like not knowing what to do after. Also having a best friend who is your world and then growing away from them. And being obsessed w older people who seem to have it all together but really don’t. And how love is hard.