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THE THIRD ACT
Shannon O'Connell is broken. She is sixty-five years old and looks twenty years younger - there's not much that makes her happy. Her partner of thirty years left her for a mutual friend offering only the cliché: "I love you, but I'm not in love with you." Her mother is disappearing before her eyes with dementia. And now, the death of her best friend - Linda - from metastatic breast cancer brings her to her knees. In this dark night of the soul - filled with endings -- she could not have predicted that this moment could be a beginning. The "Tribe," Linda's group of lifelong friends, gather at Shannon's family's beachside resort to celebrate her life as they have for countless celebrations over the years. And while Shannon finds comfort in their company, it is an old flame, the beautiful and sexy Elizabeth Matthews, who awakens something in her that was forgotten long ago. Can they overcome the emotional roadblocks they put in their own way? Will falling in love again make this Third Act the best one of all?
- GenresAudiobook
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2024
8 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen A. Brehony
10 books7 followersKathleen Brehony is a personal and executive coach whose work blends decades of experience as a psychologist, writer, speaker, and media personality. Guided by the belief that people already hold the inner resources needed for growth, she helps clients pursue meaningful goals and live with purpose. A former Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, she spent more than twenty years in private practice and has taught at the university level while leading workshops on creativity, spirituality, and life transitions.
Kathleen is the author of several acclaimed books, including Awakening at Midlife, Ordinary Grace, After the Darkest Hour, and Living a Connected Life. Her work has inspired national media features, including a PBS special based on Awakening at Midlife. Alongside her writing and coaching, she has contributed widely to radio, television, and print, always aiming to bring insight to a broad audience.
Kathleen is the author of several acclaimed books, including Awakening at Midlife, Ordinary Grace, After the Darkest Hour, and Living a Connected Life. Her work has inspired national media features, including a PBS special based on Awakening at Midlife. Alongside her writing and coaching, she has contributed widely to radio, television, and print, always aiming to bring insight to a broad audience.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 17, 2024
4.5 stars
Besides being exasperated with one of the mains for a minute (listen to or read it and find out why) I loved this book!
First - it's about a group of friends in their 60s and 70s who are still vital, productive, sexual beings. How often do we get those?!
Second - it's a love letter to close friendships between women and how valuable they are when you find the right tribe. Again - so rare!
Third - it's a really lovely second chance romance with sexy times. Thank you very much, Kathleeen Brehony, and more of that in general, please!
The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Abby Craden who pulls off a new American accent I've never heard her do before. You'll have to listen to it yourself to hear what I'm talking about. So many teasers in this review, eh?
At just over six hours, the audio is great to enjoy between longer listens or just when you need something more like tasty dessert than a full course meal.
Besides being exasperated with one of the mains for a minute (listen to or read it and find out why) I loved this book!
First - it's about a group of friends in their 60s and 70s who are still vital, productive, sexual beings. How often do we get those?!
Second - it's a love letter to close friendships between women and how valuable they are when you find the right tribe. Again - so rare!
Third - it's a really lovely second chance romance with sexy times. Thank you very much, Kathleeen Brehony, and more of that in general, please!
The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Abby Craden who pulls off a new American accent I've never heard her do before. You'll have to listen to it yourself to hear what I'm talking about. So many teasers in this review, eh?
At just over six hours, the audio is great to enjoy between longer listens or just when you need something more like tasty dessert than a full course meal.
October 23, 2024
What I liked the most about this book was that all the characters were in their 60s and 70s. It’s one of the very few romances that focuses on finding love later in life, in unexpected places and moments. Accomplished MCs, a group of friends that stayed close more than 30 years despite distance and life events, this is a beautiful story about friendship, loss and healing and it gives a wonderful perspective on “it’s never too late”.
It is NOT!
It is NOT!
March 2, 2025
Cover: Cute! I would have gone for something a bit more sophisticate, though.
I had to ask for one more day to get my thoughts in order. To do The Third Act justice, you know. Yes, it deserves that and more—it’s been such an emotional rollercoaster, I’m not so sure where to begin.
Let’s start with what enticed me to begin with just to stop me dead in my tracks: themes. From a superficial look, you get love, loss, second chances; nothing out of the ordinary nor to write home about, right? These are common tropes, after all, and a gazillion books already explored them.
True, I ain’t about to say otherwise. But. But.
Second chances at life, no matter the age is a theme that’s really dear to me. It also hits close to home, in a beautiful and full of hope way. Now, this is neither the time nor the place to digress about my personal life, haha, just. I feel it. Like, I can really relate to some events that happen to Shannon throughout the story. Her strength, her refusal to give up when everything around her seems to be in ruin gave me a lot to think about, in a good way. Uplifting, even. It shone a light on things I’ve got told, but I found hard to believe.
Good fiction needs to touch inner chords in a reader, and, if I can fall into purple for a moment, Brehony knows how to play them.
Tl;Dr, the themes are spectacular. The plot is a heavy one—talk about a gut-punching beginning, for example—but the pacing is good, well timed. It doesn’t let the story get overwhelming. Grammar and punctuation are on point, just as much as the general structure. First point of view will never be my favorite, alas, but here it’s handled in a skillful way and I can't complain about it.
What I didn’t like? Well. Hard to say. Probably the book format. .Pdf files are messy since they don’t let me take notes as I go. That’s hardly a flaw, however.
5 stars on GR and a heartfelt thank you.
I had to ask for one more day to get my thoughts in order. To do The Third Act justice, you know. Yes, it deserves that and more—it’s been such an emotional rollercoaster, I’m not so sure where to begin.
Let’s start with what enticed me to begin with just to stop me dead in my tracks: themes. From a superficial look, you get love, loss, second chances; nothing out of the ordinary nor to write home about, right? These are common tropes, after all, and a gazillion books already explored them.
True, I ain’t about to say otherwise. But. But.
Second chances at life, no matter the age is a theme that’s really dear to me. It also hits close to home, in a beautiful and full of hope way. Now, this is neither the time nor the place to digress about my personal life, haha, just. I feel it. Like, I can really relate to some events that happen to Shannon throughout the story. Her strength, her refusal to give up when everything around her seems to be in ruin gave me a lot to think about, in a good way. Uplifting, even. It shone a light on things I’ve got told, but I found hard to believe.
Good fiction needs to touch inner chords in a reader, and, if I can fall into purple for a moment, Brehony knows how to play them.
Tl;Dr, the themes are spectacular. The plot is a heavy one—talk about a gut-punching beginning, for example—but the pacing is good, well timed. It doesn’t let the story get overwhelming. Grammar and punctuation are on point, just as much as the general structure. First point of view will never be my favorite, alas, but here it’s handled in a skillful way and I can't complain about it.
What I didn’t like? Well. Hard to say. Probably the book format. .Pdf files are messy since they don’t let me take notes as I go. That’s hardly a flaw, however.
5 stars on GR and a heartfelt thank you.
December 16, 2024
Love, loss and rediscovery, framed against a celebration of life event, “The Third Act” is a beautiful sapphic contemporary fiction novel by Kathleen Brehony.
Shannon O’Connell is a 65-year-old woman facing several life challenges. She’s reeling from the death of her best friend Linda, struggling with her mother’s advancing dementia and raw from the betrayal of a partner who left her after thirty years. When Linda’s close group of lifelong friends, “The Tribe,” gathers at Shannon’s family’s beachside resort to honor her life, the reunion brings both solace and an opportunity for transformation.
Among the attendees is Elizabeth Matthews, an old flame whose presence reignites long-buried emotions in Shannon. Can Shannon and Elizabeth summon the courage to open their hearts to love – even as they navigate decades of unresolved emotions and lingering scars? Will the bonds of friendship, the bittersweet celebration of life, and the promise of a rekindled connection help Shannon embrace a future she thought was out of reach? As she faces her “third act,” Shannon must decide whether she’s ready to let go of her past and step into a new chapter filled with love and possibility.
WOW. Kathleen Brehony’s writing pulled me in and never let go. The story is told through the alternating voices of Shannon and Elizabeth, allowing readers to intimately experience the characters’ contrasting perspectives—Shannon’s guarded hesitance and Elizabeth’s quiet determination—while also digging into their shared vulnerabilities and the history between them.
I love how the dual narration enriches the story, making Shannon and Elizabeth’s rekindled connection feel authentic and deeply human. The celebration of life serves as the perfect emotional backdrop, capturing the bittersweet mix of grief, laughter, and shared memories that bind these characters together. The seaside setting, with its restorative beauty and dynamic energy, mirrors the novel’s themes of renewal and hope.
The romance offers a refreshing look at love later in life. Brehony captures the hesitance, the longing, and the vulnerability that comes with reconnecting on a level deeper than friendship, as they had been, for decades. Their relationship doesn’t grow through grand gestures or unrealistic fairy tales but through small, meaningful interactions that feel raw and genuine. The courage it takes to open your heart after profound loss and life changes is shown so powerfully and I was completely captivated.
Also well done is the way Brehony expertly handles physical intimacy with care and intensity, portraying it as an extension of their emotional bond, resulting in a romance that feels both sensual and heartfelt. I love how she illustrates that love at any age can be life-affirming, and profoundly meaningful. You’re never too old to rediscover yourself or find love.
The characters in “The Third Act” are richly developed, with Shannon’s growth anchoring the story. The Tribe, as secondary characters, adds so much variety with their witty banter and unique personalities. They bring moments of levity that lighten the heavier emotional themes, and their camaraderie shows how a chosen family can offer joy and strength during life’s toughest times.
I highly recommend “The Third Act” by Kathleen Brehony. The story will appeal to readers who enjoy heartfelt, authentic stories about love, loss and rediscovery. Fans of sapphic fiction and character-driven narratives will find so much to enjoy in this beautifully crafted novel.
Shannon O’Connell is a 65-year-old woman facing several life challenges. She’s reeling from the death of her best friend Linda, struggling with her mother’s advancing dementia and raw from the betrayal of a partner who left her after thirty years. When Linda’s close group of lifelong friends, “The Tribe,” gathers at Shannon’s family’s beachside resort to honor her life, the reunion brings both solace and an opportunity for transformation.
Among the attendees is Elizabeth Matthews, an old flame whose presence reignites long-buried emotions in Shannon. Can Shannon and Elizabeth summon the courage to open their hearts to love – even as they navigate decades of unresolved emotions and lingering scars? Will the bonds of friendship, the bittersweet celebration of life, and the promise of a rekindled connection help Shannon embrace a future she thought was out of reach? As she faces her “third act,” Shannon must decide whether she’s ready to let go of her past and step into a new chapter filled with love and possibility.
WOW. Kathleen Brehony’s writing pulled me in and never let go. The story is told through the alternating voices of Shannon and Elizabeth, allowing readers to intimately experience the characters’ contrasting perspectives—Shannon’s guarded hesitance and Elizabeth’s quiet determination—while also digging into their shared vulnerabilities and the history between them.
I love how the dual narration enriches the story, making Shannon and Elizabeth’s rekindled connection feel authentic and deeply human. The celebration of life serves as the perfect emotional backdrop, capturing the bittersweet mix of grief, laughter, and shared memories that bind these characters together. The seaside setting, with its restorative beauty and dynamic energy, mirrors the novel’s themes of renewal and hope.
The romance offers a refreshing look at love later in life. Brehony captures the hesitance, the longing, and the vulnerability that comes with reconnecting on a level deeper than friendship, as they had been, for decades. Their relationship doesn’t grow through grand gestures or unrealistic fairy tales but through small, meaningful interactions that feel raw and genuine. The courage it takes to open your heart after profound loss and life changes is shown so powerfully and I was completely captivated.
Also well done is the way Brehony expertly handles physical intimacy with care and intensity, portraying it as an extension of their emotional bond, resulting in a romance that feels both sensual and heartfelt. I love how she illustrates that love at any age can be life-affirming, and profoundly meaningful. You’re never too old to rediscover yourself or find love.
The characters in “The Third Act” are richly developed, with Shannon’s growth anchoring the story. The Tribe, as secondary characters, adds so much variety with their witty banter and unique personalities. They bring moments of levity that lighten the heavier emotional themes, and their camaraderie shows how a chosen family can offer joy and strength during life’s toughest times.
I highly recommend “The Third Act” by Kathleen Brehony. The story will appeal to readers who enjoy heartfelt, authentic stories about love, loss and rediscovery. Fans of sapphic fiction and character-driven narratives will find so much to enjoy in this beautifully crafted novel.
January 15, 2025
Audio version
October 21, 2024
Excellent book! Well written! I enjoyed every minute of it
February 3, 2025
Kathleen Brehony’s The Third Act is a heartfelt novel that chronicles the emotional journey of Shannon O’Connell, a woman navigating love, loss, and self-discovery in her sixties. Shannon faces a series of seismic shifts—her partner of thirty years has left her, her mother is fading into dementia, and her best friend Linda has succumbed to cancer. Despite the darkness, a reunion with her late friend’s close-knit group and a rekindled connection with an old flame, Elizabeth Matthews, sets the stage for Shannon to embrace the possibility of renewal and love.
The writing is deeply evocative. Brehony brings the reader right into Shannon’s grief with vivid details. The opening scene, where Shannon witnesses her friend Linda’s final moments, is wrenching. You feel the weight of Shannon’s sorrow as she observes the “brutal knowledge” of Linda’s death. Brehony captures the painful minutiae of loss—like the absence of the familiar sound of medical equipment—and uses them to craft an intimate portrait of her protagonist’s suffering. This attention to emotional and sensory detail made me feel like I was standing beside Shannon as she grappled with her pain.
The dynamics between characters, particularly among Shannon, Elizabeth, and their shared “Tribe,” are a standout feature. I loved how Brehony weaves humor into the grief, like the playful teasing about lavender sweatpants when Elizabeth’s luggage gets lost. The chemistry between Shannon and Elizabeth is electric, especially when their shared past and unresolved feelings bubble to the surface. Elizabeth’s reflection on their 30-year friendship, tinged with longing, brings an obvious tension to their story. The text makes you root for them, not just as lovers but as two people rediscovering hope.
The Third Act is a novel about second chances and the courage to embrace them. It’s a story for anyone who has felt lost and wondered if it’s too late to start again. With its lush writing, complex characters, and honest exploration of aging, love, and grief, I recommend it to readers of women’s fiction and fans of deeply emotional storytelling. Shannon and Elizabeth’s journey reminds us that life’s third act might just be the most beautiful.
The writing is deeply evocative. Brehony brings the reader right into Shannon’s grief with vivid details. The opening scene, where Shannon witnesses her friend Linda’s final moments, is wrenching. You feel the weight of Shannon’s sorrow as she observes the “brutal knowledge” of Linda’s death. Brehony captures the painful minutiae of loss—like the absence of the familiar sound of medical equipment—and uses them to craft an intimate portrait of her protagonist’s suffering. This attention to emotional and sensory detail made me feel like I was standing beside Shannon as she grappled with her pain.
The dynamics between characters, particularly among Shannon, Elizabeth, and their shared “Tribe,” are a standout feature. I loved how Brehony weaves humor into the grief, like the playful teasing about lavender sweatpants when Elizabeth’s luggage gets lost. The chemistry between Shannon and Elizabeth is electric, especially when their shared past and unresolved feelings bubble to the surface. Elizabeth’s reflection on their 30-year friendship, tinged with longing, brings an obvious tension to their story. The text makes you root for them, not just as lovers but as two people rediscovering hope.
The Third Act is a novel about second chances and the courage to embrace them. It’s a story for anyone who has felt lost and wondered if it’s too late to start again. With its lush writing, complex characters, and honest exploration of aging, love, and grief, I recommend it to readers of women’s fiction and fans of deeply emotional storytelling. Shannon and Elizabeth’s journey reminds us that life’s third act might just be the most beautiful.
April 11, 2025
Set against the salt-kissed backdrop of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Brehony’s latest is a deeply moving, late-in-life love story wrapped in grief, longing, and the quiet strength of enduring friendships. Sixty-five-year-old Shannon O’Connell returns to her family’s beachside inn grieving the loss of her best friend Linda, who’s just died from metastatic breast cancer. Her partner of thirty years has left her. Her mother is disappearing into Alzheimer’s. Enter Elizabeth Matthews, Shannon’s old friend, and, once upon a time, something more. Will Shannon fall in love once again?
Brehony writes with an open heart and a steady hand, weaving grief and desire with psychological insight. Her dual-perspective chapters give Shannon and Elizabeth equal space to reflect, hesitate, and yearn. The result is a romance that doesn’t rush, but lingers. And it’s not just a love story between two women. The novel is also about the fierce, decades-long bond of female friendship. Shannon’s “Tribe”—her chosen family of women—rally around her with casseroles, Scotch, and inappropriate humor. They are the book’s heartbeat, offering both levity and collective wisdom. “We’re in our sixties and seventies,” Elizabeth muses, “but still call ourselves ‘the girls.’”
With crisp prose and unflinching honesty, the novel dares to explore what happens after the fairy tale ends. It honors the complexity of aging, the weight of memory, and the surprising freedom that can come with starting over. Heart-aching in some parts, quietly swoonworthy in others, this novel is for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late for a second chance.
Brehony writes with an open heart and a steady hand, weaving grief and desire with psychological insight. Her dual-perspective chapters give Shannon and Elizabeth equal space to reflect, hesitate, and yearn. The result is a romance that doesn’t rush, but lingers. And it’s not just a love story between two women. The novel is also about the fierce, decades-long bond of female friendship. Shannon’s “Tribe”—her chosen family of women—rally around her with casseroles, Scotch, and inappropriate humor. They are the book’s heartbeat, offering both levity and collective wisdom. “We’re in our sixties and seventies,” Elizabeth muses, “but still call ourselves ‘the girls.’”
With crisp prose and unflinching honesty, the novel dares to explore what happens after the fairy tale ends. It honors the complexity of aging, the weight of memory, and the surprising freedom that can come with starting over. Heart-aching in some parts, quietly swoonworthy in others, this novel is for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late for a second chance.
April 11, 2025
When a grieving writer returns to her beachside hometown to say goodbye to her best friend, she’s stunned to discover that her former flame is not only back—but staying in her guest room in Brehony’s compelling romance. Shannon O’Connell thought she knew how the rest of her story would go. At sixty-five, she’s been through the wringer: her partner of thirty years has left her for someone else, her mother is fading into dementia, and now her dearest friend, Linda, is gone after a long illness. She texts her closest friends—"She’s gone"—and prepares herself for the inevitable: a house full of casseroles, Scotch, and sorrow. But what she didn’t prepare for was Elizabeth Matthews.
This is a quietly gorgeous story about love and second chances. With alternating perspectives, the story explores the complicated intersection of memory, longing, and the lives we build when we think our best years are behind us. The characterization is skilled, and the setting, a Jersey Shore inn run by Shannon’s family, is steeped in generational history and carries the rhythm of healing and homecoming. A treat for fans of stories about chosen families, mature love, and the brave, beautiful mess of starting over.
This is a quietly gorgeous story about love and second chances. With alternating perspectives, the story explores the complicated intersection of memory, longing, and the lives we build when we think our best years are behind us. The characterization is skilled, and the setting, a Jersey Shore inn run by Shannon’s family, is steeped in generational history and carries the rhythm of healing and homecoming. A treat for fans of stories about chosen families, mature love, and the brave, beautiful mess of starting over.
May 1, 2025
The Third Act is a tender, beautifully written novel about grief, aging, and rediscovery. Kathleen Brehony captures the pain of endings and the surprising joy of new beginnings with grace and depth. Shannon’s story will move you and remind you that it’s never too late to fall in love again.
May 1, 2025
A stunning portrait of female friendship, heartbreak, and rebirth. Brehony’s prose is poetic yet grounded, painting Shannon’s emotional journey with honesty and empathy. The rekindled romance with Elizabeth is both sensual and soulful. An inspiring read for anyone starting over.
May 1, 2025
Brehony gives us a rare, powerful story centered on a woman in her sixties flawed, grieving, but still vibrant and evolving. The Third Act is a deeply emotional exploration of love, memory, and second chances. I laughed, cried, and reflected on my own life while reading it.
May 1, 2025
I was swept away by this novel’s emotional depth. Shannon’s struggle through loss and rediscovery is heartbreakingly real. The Tribe adds warmth and humor, while her rekindled romance with Elizabeth feels genuine and earned. This book stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
May 1, 2025
The Third Act is a novel full of heart, loss, and unexpected hope. Shannon’s pain is palpable, but so is her resilience. Brehony’s writing is emotionally intelligent and gorgeously layered. A story about what we carry, what we let go of, and the courage it takes to begin again.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews