The Weekend Break

by Ruth O'Leary

'Fans of Carmel Harrington and Marian Keyes will love this.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Friendship, Lies, and Galway The Explosive Weekend that Redefined Everything!

VIVIENNE’S perfect life is a façade, and she at last wants out. She needs a divorce fast.

HELEN’S nightly glass of wine has become a bottle or two, and her drinking is threatening her marriage.

CLARA feels she must lie to her husband to save her sanity and reach towards some freedom.

MIRIAM, wanting to change her life, does so in the most dramatic way possible. Her friends are supportive when she tells them, but she knows there is still a hidden truth that can never be exposed.

Their time in Galway has life-changing consequences. As the weekend unfolds and their secrets are laid bare, will it be too much for some to cope with?

Will their friendship and loyalty to each other survive the weekend break and its painful aftermath?

Genres: Chick Lit

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2024

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW:// Death, Cheating, Alcoholism, Gaslighting

I really enjoyed this book. More than I thought I would. I think that the characters were strong and that the writing was there. If you are like me and like short chapters then I think that you will like that aspect of the book.

There were things that I didn’t like about the book. I do think that since we are following four different characters knowing when we were changing POVs would have helped. Because you will be following Helen’s POV and next thing you know you’re in Clara’s or Vivs or Miriam’s without knowing. I do think that it would have been helpful to know of the switch.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weekend Break is the debut novel by Ruth O’Leary and what a fantastic and unputdownable debut it is. I was originally drawn to the book by the cover and fancied a change from my usual crime and psychological thrillers. The book is about four friends who meet up a few times a year for a night or two away and have a good catch up. The four ladies this time head to Galway where they spend a few nights and during this time we discover each of them are dealing with various issues in their personal lives. It’s a story of friendships and relationships and how each of them are dealing with what life has thrown them. I loved the way the author described Galway city and the vibrancy of it. I could visualise the restaurants and the other places mentioned just as if I was there with the four women. Yes it’s an easy read but also one that I just wanted to keep on reading after I finished a chapter. I really couldn’t put it down. It’s an emotional read at times and one which I really recommend. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about four friends who go on a mini break to Galway. Each has her secrets, one in particular darker than others.
This started out strong but finished weakly. Some of the events that took place were just not plausible and some were incredibly mean spirited. I was disappointed.

[Anthea petersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

amateur writer

Not a great read. Light weight author I am sad to say. Lacked depth and good writing skills. Good idea, but should have been written with much more depth

[Vikki ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was so rushed… 👎🏼

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weekend Break is the debut novel by Ruth O’Leary which will be published March 4th with Poolbeg Books. The scene is instantly set as it ‘opens in Heuston Station where four friends board a train for Galway’. The sense of excitement and trepidation is palpable and immediate.

Vivienne, Helen, Clara and Miriam became accidental friends when they all met on a HR course. Their relationship developed over time, each valuing the quality and importance of the friendship. Minimal connections beyond their immediate group meant that there was an element of honesty that was missing in other parts of their lives. At the beginning they used to meet for dinner but this soon developed into weekends away. A weekend break in Galway was a bit more low-key than their previous trips but, it was two weeks before Christmas and the Galway Christmas markets were always worth a visit.

Vivienne, Helen, Clara and Miriam are all under pressure and stress in their lives, with each hoping that this trip might just be the catalyst to inspire change in their respective futures.

After settling into their apartments, the veneer slowly slips away over the days that follow. In sharing their stories with each other they each come to realise the true extent of their friendship and the importance of this group. But, as we discover, some truths are more challenging to accept than others.

The Weekend Break was inspired by short trips away that Ruth O’Leary had experienced with friends. These breaks, O’Leary says, ‘allow the space for important conversations to happen, ones that may never surface on a normal night out’. Vivienne, Helen, Clara and Miriam are four different women, all dealing with the complexities of life: family, parents, relationships, grief, sadness, passion and love. Identity, confidence and a sense of loss all feature strongly throughout as we peel away the protective layers that each individual has built up in order to function in their day-to-day lives. There is a lingering sense of sadness and loss for what could have been, but there is also that sense of hope, as the weekend passes, for what could be in the future.

I do believe that most readers will connect with at least one of the women, or will certainly have more empathy for one over another, maybe even finding comparisons in their own lives. There is a rawness and an honesty attached to each individual that has a very affecting edge. The Weekend Break is an engaging and emotive tale that explores the value of female friendship. It is a poignant story that will affect many readers in a multitude of ways and will hopefully encourage a few very important conversations.

[Melissa Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read; girlfriend power

Easy read about four friends going through different things in their lives and how they help each other through them. Everything cleans up relatively nicely at the end and the final “twist” may be too much for some readers, but it’s not awful.

[Cams Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time I used to regularly read women’s fiction so I settled into this book easily. It was engrossing reading about four similar women, all harbouring secrets that would change their life. Being of a certain age, I too have looked longingly at other peoples lives imagining how perfect they are, so this whole story really resonated with me.
Miriam, oh sneaky, sneaky Miriam. I feel bad for her but boy it’s hard to empathise when she had no guilt over betraying a close friend. My favourite of the quartet was Clara. I recognised myself in her and wish I had half the determination she has.
The mental health rep in this book was great, with the women seeking out therapy when needed. The talk about menopause was eye-opening as I’m on the cusp of that wondrous journey.
A book that by the end comes full circle celebrating friendship and supporting each other through life’s trials. It has reawakened my love for this genre.

Thank you to Booksirens for a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[MK07 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok. I thought the writing was pretty basic and there were some editing errors. That being said I finished it fairly quickly as it was an easy read which was what I was looking for. Very predictable throughout, saw the ending coming a mile off.

[Thegirlonthecliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weekend break is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s refreshing and light you’ll want a weekend break just like this after reading

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started slow but once the characters developed and the story line took its twist and turns it ended up being a great weekend read. Definitely hope there is more coming for these women in a future book

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hidden gem. A very slow burn to start and I almost decided to DNF but something made me continue. Next thing I know its 2am and I can't put it down until I'm finished!
I was not expecting those twists and turns in that last quarter of the book! Ruth really knows how to sink her claws into you and not let go with her writing style!

Fantastic read!

[Neeharika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of cliches. Additionally, a book clearly supported by sponsors to "influence" the readers- blatantly. It reads as an Instagram ad.

[Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was entertaining but really didn't like the ending. No, everything doesn't have a "happy" ending.

[Ita Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

The weekend break is a debut novel by Ruth O’Leary and what a fabulous one to kick off her writing career. I am not at all surprised it went straight into the bestselling charts.

Putting four mature friends together for a weekend, Vivienne, Helen, Carla and Miriam, automatically creates a scenario where they have time for deeper connections and conversations within the group. However, it also leaves nowhere to hide, and they are each hiding aspects of their lives that they want to leave behind when boarding the train at Heuston Station.

Having met on a HR course their friendship developed over time. Two weeks before Christmas they head for the beautiful city of Galway, each with the hope that the trip might just be what they need to instigate change in their lives. And change comes, in various and unexpected ways.

O’Leary deals with real life issues in the book with ease. It showcases very relatable characters dealing with everyday circumstances. Vivienne’s picture-perfect life is a total façade, Helen’s nightly glass of wine quickly becomes a bottle or two that leads to her behaving in ways she must later apologize for. Clara lies to her husband in the hopes of carving some time to save her sanity, while Miriam’s hiding a lifechanging secret she feel she can never reveal. It’s emotive, engaging, and relatable – all of which make for a compelling read.

Short chapters move the plot on at a great pace and I found myself reading just one more, to the point of devouring the book in two sittings. Not something I normally do but I just had to know how it was going to pan out. It is a light and easy read from Ruth without diminishing the seriousness of the subject matter she addresses. It’s friendship at its best, with love lies and Galway thrown into the mix on an explosive weekend that redefines everything. Secrets are laid bare to the point that one wonders will it be too much for some to cope with
.
Fans of Marian Keyes, or Carmel Harrington will love this.

I was more than happy to allow O’Leary to steal moments from my life to read her debut and look forward to more from this author.

The Weekend Break published by Poolbeg Press March 4th 2024

[Carolina Cioara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Ruth O'Leary's debut novel. I pre-ordered it and waited patiently for it to arrive.

The story was very easy to get into. Four women, Clara, Helen, Vivienne and Miriam, go on a weekend break to Galway during Christmas. It's a story about being brave and unravelling your deepest secrets to your friends, while hoping they won't judge you. What I learned in the end is that, although we may look at others and think they have it easier than us, each one of us is actually struggling with some difficulty, and when shared, we become braver and our friendships become stronger. If I was to describe this book in one word, it would be: self-soothing.

Coming back to read another chapter of the book made me feel like I was coming to an agony aunt who instantly made me feel better. I felt as though each of the four main characters had something to teach me, whether it was breaking free of a toxic relationship, standing up for what I believe in, struggling with personal health problems and addictions, or embracing your true self. The book addresses some of the biggest challenges women face in today's society and how to overcome them.

Ruth O'Leary shows her own bravery as she writers from the soul. She delves into matters that most women would be too embarrassed to talk about, or feel as though they would be judged. This unique approach makes the characters much more relatable and I really rooted for them! Suddenly they weren't characters on a page, but real people with real problems, just like me.

I also admired Ruth's writing style. Her ability to show rather than tell makes this a unique reading experience. You will feel the cold, chilly air, or the sweetness of cake and tea. You will hear the music and the chatter and smell cologne of sexy men. The story is set in Galway, and for those who have been there, you will recognise many places.

Overall, I think this is an absolute pleasure of a novel to read. I did not see the plot twist coming at the end. WARNING! You will find yourself turning the pages, excited to read more and more, and constantly on the edge of your seat as each secret unfolds and the impact it has on each character.

[Mark taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Weekend Break is a debut novel by Ruth O'Leary set in Ireland and tells the story of 4 middle aged women who become friends after being on an evening course together.

When the friends go away for a weekend in Galway a number of issues that the friends are having in their lives come to a head which will have shocking repercussions later on.

The Weekend Break is at its heart is a story about middle aged women, Vivienne, Helen, Clara and Miriam, who on the outside seem to have good life, however if you scratch the surface th veneer falls away leaving an unhappy marriage, a drinking problem, one who is lying to cope with her marriage and the final one who is pregnant by another's husband.

As a Reader Ruth O’Leary novel for a debut writer has written in the best sense of the genre a Women’s fiction novel, which can be looked down by readers with the name of the genre can count against a book,

However with the way that all of the women have individual issues some of which they talk about during the weekend while others they start on the process of improving their situation.

All the women are at heart very good friends who are able to accept people for the view they show the world no matter how flawed they are.

Yes there is one friend who is not as honest with the other because of her situation, because Ruth O’Leary has written this through multiple points of view you get to see the reasons for her actions, yes you may not like them but as a reader there is an understanding why.

Just as a little note The Weekend break as I said uses multiple Points of view however unlike some novels who only change perspective at the end of chapters this book changes them multiple times in one chapter.

At the start it can be a shock to the system and sometimes takes you as a reader out of the story. But as a reader the further you get into the novel the less of an issue it becomes as you get used to it.

All This makes The Weekend Break by Ruth O'Leary a great read about female friendship.

[Kate Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have lost my peripheral Vision because I have Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. My reading had slowed down and I then went in Spirit on A Weekend Break to Galway, and boy was It Busy.
However on this week I learned about True Friendship.
These 3 of the Group opened up to each other and brought the private parts of their life into the Open and they Resolved to help Each other. The 4th Member of the group confirmed that she was Pregnant with a Doner's Sperm, The three friends assured her that They would help her . They Planned another Weekend in Co Wexford, it's almost at the end of the Story, I stayed Reading until I Finished the Story. The Ending of The Story gives Hope of a New Beginning with some Very Different People. This Book is Well Worth Reading so go get it. Ruth O Leary is well worth watching and Definitely worth Reading.

[Mark Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which follows the lives of four women who meet up on an HR training course and form a friendship that leads to occasional weekend breaks away together. Because they are friends not through working with each other or being part of a family they can open up to each other about their lives and their true feelings. Each has issues which cause them heartaches and as we follow their time together their stories unravel. Nice to know what women get up to on weekends away. There are however some unexpected twists before the end of the book and they are worth reading on to find what they are. Well written Ruth.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a story of friendship, pain love and so more…

I needed this book on a dreary Sunday! You engage at page 1, the story of four lovely women at different stages of life .. their friendship spans 5 yrs. They meet for birthdays and a weekend getaway at Christmas. Mothers,careers,divorce and a single one Viv, Helen Clara and Miriam all face challenges in their lives but the friendship of these 4 weather the storms together… Ruth’s writing makes you want more . I look forward to more stories from this new writer ,

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this wasn't quite what I was expecting. I thought this was more of a mystery with secrets, etc. It is a group of women who have secrets but they aren't, on the whole, secrets from each other that could create melodrama but instead just secrets about what's going on in their lives. Each of them decides on a new course for their life and talks about it during the getaway weekend. They meet again 8 weeks later to see how far they come, but tragedy strikes.

I read this,but found it good, not great.

[Renata Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four women who couldn’t be more different from one another and who, had they met in their teenage years, would never have become friends. However, in their forties, they take a course together, form a deep connection, and start an annual tradition of spending a weekend just for themselves.

But this year might be their last, as Miriam is pregnant—with the husband of one of the other three friends. Will this secret be revealed? And what about the things each of the others has been keeping hidden? Will those secrets come to light during their time together?

[Jordan Bourg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weekend break was a very slow burn. I did contemplate not finishing it but I enjoyed the story of the 4 women, Their relationships with each other, how they became friends with having little in common as far as their friends, location, and social lives. I wanted to see how it all played out with them. The book is a story about how one weekend brought 4 women even closer together and the way their relationship grew to share some of their biggest and darkest secrets.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely beach read

This was an easy read and the characters were well rounded - a perfect holiday reading type of book. I do wish, however, that the author had done a check on how many times she had used the word ‘lovely’. There are at least twenty-five million ‘lovely’ words in the book, and it’s not even a word that tells the reader anything about the person/thing/emotion/sensation it’s supposed to be qualifying. Other than that I enjoyed the book.

[Chris O'neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Weekend Break is a fun read about 4 women who have become friends as adults versus childhood, teen or college friends. It was enjoyable to read about their different lives but they all seemed to have a connection and a strong friendship. All were dealing with crisis in their individual lives and it was interesting to see how they were resolved. Glad I got to read an advance copy thru BookSiren and am happy to leave this review.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about 4 women who met at a workshop and do a yearly girl’s weekend. In this story, the 4 women go to Galway for a weekend. The characters were relatable, had you laughing, and had you shaking your head. The women each are fighting their own issues and the weekend begins to show more than just casual time spent with near strangers. I felt that at times, the story dragged and at other times, more depth was needed.

[Patricia Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put it down

A heartwarming story to remind that we all have flaws. A definite reminder to never judge your inside by someone else’s outside, because you just don’t know what difficulties others are going through. And a reminder to be true to ourselves and to not feel guilty about doing so. Wonderful.

[Michelle Trivett · Rating 2 out of 5]

written by AI?

The storyline should have worked and the characters had a lot going for them but the writing was so clunky it was unbearable. It felt like chat GPT has a hand in writing it. It was worst during the spoken interactions with the characters ‘speaking’ in an oddly stilted and formal way.

[Karen Cino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this beach read. I'm from the United States so it was refreshing being taken through other parts of Ireland. I found the characters realistic as well as their problems. I would have like to know more about the characters three months later. There were a lot of twists and turns, but the friendship between these characters kept me going. Nice debut novel.

[Nicola Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicola’s review

It is a wonderful book with a wonderful storyline. The characters come to life and are easy to imagine. It reminded me a little of a type of book Patricia Scanlan would write. An easy read and enjoyable chick lit.