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Everything That Is Beautiful: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26"I absolutely loved it . . . So realistic about the complexity of loving people who will break our hearts."—Marian Keyes, internationally bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake
The #1 internationally bestselling, award-winning author of Snowflake returns with a luminous portrait of two Irish families riven by one great secret.
For Niamh Ryan, the Foleys are family. Her childhood flew by on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister Kate—while being doted on by their mother Helen and coached by their father Liam, a legendary former hurling player.
Now, following a distressing series of events, those ties are strained. Niamh receives drunken phone calls and messages from Peter who can’t understand what derailed their burgeoning relationship three years ago. Helen tries her best to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of old classmates. And Kate, living in Belfast, works to maintain her job and a relationship while carrying the weight of the family's secrets.
As a family wedding looms, Niamh, Helen, and Kate find themselves face to face once again—and the knotty love that has bound them might just bring them back together again.
Told through the perspectives of three very different women, Everything That Is Beautiful is an unforgettable story of love and family, heartbreak and hope—and who we might become after we pick up the pieces.
The #1 internationally bestselling, award-winning author of Snowflake returns with a luminous portrait of two Irish families riven by one great secret.
For Niamh Ryan, the Foleys are family. Her childhood flew by on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister Kate—while being doted on by their mother Helen and coached by their father Liam, a legendary former hurling player.
Now, following a distressing series of events, those ties are strained. Niamh receives drunken phone calls and messages from Peter who can’t understand what derailed their burgeoning relationship three years ago. Helen tries her best to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of old classmates. And Kate, living in Belfast, works to maintain her job and a relationship while carrying the weight of the family's secrets.
As a family wedding looms, Niamh, Helen, and Kate find themselves face to face once again—and the knotty love that has bound them might just bring them back together again.
Told through the perspectives of three very different women, Everything That Is Beautiful is an unforgettable story of love and family, heartbreak and hope—and who we might become after we pick up the pieces.
Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 5, 2026
wow what an unbelievable way to begin 2026 with. this was so heartfelt and complicated and fantastic
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A friend asked me last night how I read as much as I do. She's not a reader, so I joked and said, "It's Saturday night, what else would I be doing?"
In reality, its authors like Louise Nealon who make it easy. I've raved about Snowflake since it was released and was really hoping 'Everything That is Beautiful' would live up to my own expectations. It certainly did that and more. I started reading it yesterday and I'm done. That doesn't happen often!
It's funny, full of compassion, so beautifully written and shows the complexities of loving people who will shatter our hearts.
It's about community, in more ways than one, and leads us through how beauty and pain can live side by side.
Thank you Glimmer Book Club for gifting me a copy (which was very kindly gifted by Manilla Press).
It has been an emotional weekend for this reader!
In reality, its authors like Louise Nealon who make it easy. I've raved about Snowflake since it was released and was really hoping 'Everything That is Beautiful' would live up to my own expectations. It certainly did that and more. I started reading it yesterday and I'm done. That doesn't happen often!
It's funny, full of compassion, so beautifully written and shows the complexities of loving people who will shatter our hearts.
It's about community, in more ways than one, and leads us through how beauty and pain can live side by side.
Thank you Glimmer Book Club for gifting me a copy (which was very kindly gifted by Manilla Press).
It has been an emotional weekend for this reader!
February 9, 2026
I absolutely adored this. It is about the Foleys, a big messy family that has extended to include the next door neighbour Niamh. We see their lives through Niamh's eyes, but also Helen Foley, the mum, and Kate her daughter. There is tragedy and tension and their tight little community is rocked by it.
I think my only complaints are the name and cover do the book a complete disservice. I probably wouldn't want to pick it up if I wasn't already familiar with the author's brilliant debut! This is heartbreaking and heartfelt and funny and annoying in the way siblings are annoying. It hit every beat for me.
Sublime. Dolores supremacy!
*read via Netgalley
I think my only complaints are the name and cover do the book a complete disservice. I probably wouldn't want to pick it up if I wasn't already familiar with the author's brilliant debut! This is heartbreaking and heartfelt and funny and annoying in the way siblings are annoying. It hit every beat for me.
Sublime. Dolores supremacy!
*read via Netgalley
April 10, 2026
I was so engrossed by this book. It’s one of those reads that completely immerses you in the story, and you're there - in these lives and this place.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
April 9, 2026
Everything that is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (April 2026, Manilla Press/Bonnier) is described by author Roisin O’Donnell as ‘vivid and compelling. A big-hearted, immersive novel about the complex bonds of family and friendships’. With a family wedding on the horizon, three women are forced to think back on their past history and the reasons why their once close relationship is fractured.
When researching her second novel Louise Nealon was inspired by the MeToo movement and the experiences of women living in a rural environment. She sets her characters in a GAA town where hurling is central to the community. Helen loved being the wife of Liam Foley, a celebrated ex-county hurler who, in later years, became a hurley maker. With Mary Ryan, Helen’s best friend, as her neighbour, they had enjoyed years of harmony. Liam was looked up to by the entire county and beyond for his skill on the pitch as a younger man. His reputation was solid making him a legend among fans and also a respected club coach on retirement.
Niamh Ryan, Mary’s daughter, loved calling to the Foleys. She had a great touch with the sliotar (hurling ball) and was in awe of Liam Foley. With Peter Foley by her side, they would puck back and forth in the hope of catching Liam’s eye. Local players would drop by to get their hurleys from Liam leaving Peter and Niamh dazzled by stardom. These were their idols. These were the lads they wanted to emulate. As the years passed, the children grew up. Niamh became a popular camogie player (female hurling), with her leadership and expertise on the field recognised by many. But, as the years past, circumstances changed and the dynamic between the two families became fragmented
Niamh and Peter were always considered a likely match, a couple who would surely walk up the aisle together. Peter wanted their relationship to develop but Niamh, after a brief time together, kept him at a distance for reasons he could never fathom. Peter left for Australia but Niamh was always on his horizon.
With Maria Foley on the cusp of her wedding day tensions rise and secrets begin to unravel. Helen has taken to heading off on solo trips and ordering new clothes online. Kate Foley, now in Belfast, has had her own personal issues but she also carries a secret that weighs heavily on her heart. Niamh has faced her own demons, attempting over the years to move forward but the upcoming wedding is now bringing everything to the forefront and the house of cards is slowly starting to topple.
Everything that is Beautiful is an intimate and sensitive tale, one that vividly captures a rural community and it’s passion for the game. There are villages, towns and crossroads throughout the country where the GAA (football, hurling and camogie) is the life and breath of the local environs. There is a pitch in every parish and for many it is a religion, with the players venerated for their prowess and touch. Community is everything. The parish is everything. Reputation is everything. It is into this environment that Louise Nealon has set her novel. The dynamic between genders is well drawn, with fascinating insights into the different perspectives across various themes. This is an emotive read with a specific, yet quite subtle, thread that both angers and saddens in equal measure. There is a lot to be unpicked within these pages which makes it an excellent book club choice. A lingering novel with a very authentic feel Everything that is Beautiful is a pensive and stirring read.
When researching her second novel Louise Nealon was inspired by the MeToo movement and the experiences of women living in a rural environment. She sets her characters in a GAA town where hurling is central to the community. Helen loved being the wife of Liam Foley, a celebrated ex-county hurler who, in later years, became a hurley maker. With Mary Ryan, Helen’s best friend, as her neighbour, they had enjoyed years of harmony. Liam was looked up to by the entire county and beyond for his skill on the pitch as a younger man. His reputation was solid making him a legend among fans and also a respected club coach on retirement.
Niamh Ryan, Mary’s daughter, loved calling to the Foleys. She had a great touch with the sliotar (hurling ball) and was in awe of Liam Foley. With Peter Foley by her side, they would puck back and forth in the hope of catching Liam’s eye. Local players would drop by to get their hurleys from Liam leaving Peter and Niamh dazzled by stardom. These were their idols. These were the lads they wanted to emulate. As the years passed, the children grew up. Niamh became a popular camogie player (female hurling), with her leadership and expertise on the field recognised by many. But, as the years past, circumstances changed and the dynamic between the two families became fragmented
Niamh and Peter were always considered a likely match, a couple who would surely walk up the aisle together. Peter wanted their relationship to develop but Niamh, after a brief time together, kept him at a distance for reasons he could never fathom. Peter left for Australia but Niamh was always on his horizon.
With Maria Foley on the cusp of her wedding day tensions rise and secrets begin to unravel. Helen has taken to heading off on solo trips and ordering new clothes online. Kate Foley, now in Belfast, has had her own personal issues but she also carries a secret that weighs heavily on her heart. Niamh has faced her own demons, attempting over the years to move forward but the upcoming wedding is now bringing everything to the forefront and the house of cards is slowly starting to topple.
Everything that is Beautiful is an intimate and sensitive tale, one that vividly captures a rural community and it’s passion for the game. There are villages, towns and crossroads throughout the country where the GAA (football, hurling and camogie) is the life and breath of the local environs. There is a pitch in every parish and for many it is a religion, with the players venerated for their prowess and touch. Community is everything. The parish is everything. Reputation is everything. It is into this environment that Louise Nealon has set her novel. The dynamic between genders is well drawn, with fascinating insights into the different perspectives across various themes. This is an emotive read with a specific, yet quite subtle, thread that both angers and saddens in equal measure. There is a lot to be unpicked within these pages which makes it an excellent book club choice. A lingering novel with a very authentic feel Everything that is Beautiful is a pensive and stirring read.
December 6, 2025
Everything That Is Beautiful* by Louise Nealon is the much-anticipated sophomore novel from the Snowflake author. It is very different but there is a distinct cadence to her prose that feels familiar, as does her ability to cut right to the core of her characters.
All Niamh Ryan has wanted since she was a small child is to be part of the Foley family. She grew up pucking around with Peter and Kate, was doted on by mammy Helen and had the privilege of being coached by daddy Liam, the legendary hurler. Niamh easily exists within the dream until her teenage years when a catastrophic incident shatters her world, driving a wedge between her and the people who knew her best.
Three years on, Niamh is isolated from Peter, Kate still isn't speaking to her and Helen appears to be having some form of mid life crisis, struggling with secrets of many sorts. Now, against the backdrop of a family wedding, the three women will soon come face-to-face and what happens next is anyone's guess.
The Foleys and Niamh are so incredibly complex, each laden down with unspoken baggage that makes the dynamics between them, particularly the women, so blisteringly real and incredibly compelling. There's moments of genuine humour and warmth, but there is also a lot of melancholy, soul searching and sacrifice. Out 2/4.
All Niamh Ryan has wanted since she was a small child is to be part of the Foley family. She grew up pucking around with Peter and Kate, was doted on by mammy Helen and had the privilege of being coached by daddy Liam, the legendary hurler. Niamh easily exists within the dream until her teenage years when a catastrophic incident shatters her world, driving a wedge between her and the people who knew her best.
Three years on, Niamh is isolated from Peter, Kate still isn't speaking to her and Helen appears to be having some form of mid life crisis, struggling with secrets of many sorts. Now, against the backdrop of a family wedding, the three women will soon come face-to-face and what happens next is anyone's guess.
The Foleys and Niamh are so incredibly complex, each laden down with unspoken baggage that makes the dynamics between them, particularly the women, so blisteringly real and incredibly compelling. There's moments of genuine humour and warmth, but there is also a lot of melancholy, soul searching and sacrifice. Out 2/4.
January 19, 2026
Loved this, a big reminder of how good Irish fiction can be
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book and it tackles complex topics in a nuanced way, which makes it difficult to review (I find it a lot easier to write about problems I have with a book!). If I could think of one thing to say about this book, it would be about how realistic it is. The ending does not have all of the character’s issues resolved and we leave them at a point in their lives where they are in many ways not healed from the events of the book. Despite this, ‘Everything That Is Beautiful’ is an incredibly satisfying read and I couldn’t put it down, particularly towards the end. The pacing is very well done, with the perfect balance of past flashbacks throughout each chapter as the current timeline continues. The book moves seamlessly from present to past from one paragraph to the next, so do be aware of that if you struggle with following what time is being narrated without clear dates indicating a shift in timeline. I personally prefer multi-timelines to be done like it is here. One reason being that it feels more like I am following the thoughts and memories of the characters, where things in their present make them reflect on the past. Another reason is that having moving from one timeline only after it has been marked (often at the start of a new chapter) can feel clunky and jarring.
I don’t want to talk too much about the themes of this book and how well I think they were tackled as I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of this book. That being said, one idea that was extremely well done and interesting to read about in this book with these characters was about the worshipping of public figures by society and how that would feel for the people who actually know them. I also felt like the disordered eating that some of the characters had (whether it was diagnosed or not) where incredibly well portrayed - both in how it affected those characters and those around them. Nealon did very well at showing how seemingly small moments in the characters’ lives built up a character’s disordered eating, without making it too obvious for the reader which could have made those scenes feel too didactic. The way that these behaviours and thoughts persisted over time, yet were more or less intense at different times in their lives, was also very realistic.
I felt very angry at points of this book, and it is not an easy read. This may be a book that you can’t read if a particular topic is triggering for you (which I am stepping around so that this review does not contain spoilers). The aftermath of this potentially triggering event is very much the topic of the book so cannot be avoided, but I will point out that there are no needless descriptions of the potentially triggering event itself.
This is not just a family drama, but a book about friendship, misogyny, betrayal, and mental health (I could go on but I will stop before I start sounding too trite, because this book is anything but). All of which make it feel like a true reflection of real life. I have not read ‘Snowflake’ by Louise Nealon yet, but I will definitely be doing so at some point as well as keeping my eye out for any future work by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I don’t want to talk too much about the themes of this book and how well I think they were tackled as I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of this book. That being said, one idea that was extremely well done and interesting to read about in this book with these characters was about the worshipping of public figures by society and how that would feel for the people who actually know them. I also felt like the disordered eating that some of the characters had (whether it was diagnosed or not) where incredibly well portrayed - both in how it affected those characters and those around them. Nealon did very well at showing how seemingly small moments in the characters’ lives built up a character’s disordered eating, without making it too obvious for the reader which could have made those scenes feel too didactic. The way that these behaviours and thoughts persisted over time, yet were more or less intense at different times in their lives, was also very realistic.
I felt very angry at points of this book, and it is not an easy read. This may be a book that you can’t read if a particular topic is triggering for you (which I am stepping around so that this review does not contain spoilers). The aftermath of this potentially triggering event is very much the topic of the book so cannot be avoided, but I will point out that there are no needless descriptions of the potentially triggering event itself.
This is not just a family drama, but a book about friendship, misogyny, betrayal, and mental health (I could go on but I will stop before I start sounding too trite, because this book is anything but). All of which make it feel like a true reflection of real life. I have not read ‘Snowflake’ by Louise Nealon yet, but I will definitely be doing so at some point as well as keeping my eye out for any future work by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I highly appreciated Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake, that I remember reading in 2022. That's why I was highly anticipating her second novel, and I feel honored to be able to review it before its release in April this year.
Everything That Is Beautiful recounts the story of the Foley family and Niamh, a childhood friend of the Foley children. It's told from three different points of view: Niamh's own, Helen Foley's (the mother), and Kate Foley's (the youngest daughter). The women couldn't be more different from each other, but they share a secret that other members of the family know nothing about. The event that gives some structure to the novel is Maria Foley's wedding, but then we get numerous flashbacks to the past.
It's an incredible story about a family that is far from perfect, but very much appears to be from the outside. We get to know a big cast of characters who are fully themselves, and we slowly get to discover the event that disturbed Niamh's, Helen's, and Kate's lives.
I found myself very invested in this beautifully written novel. I appreciated the way the author created a microcosm of interesting people whose personalities develop throughout the story. I liked how Irish it felt, and how hurling felt important to the plot. I especially warmed up to Kate's character, but then Helen grew on me as well — both of their arcs were beautifully crafted. It was very interesting to read how the father figure (and a sports legend at the same time) was explored with much nuance. My main criticism is that we didn't get enough of Niamh's side of the story; I wish we got to see more detail about how the "event" really affected her emotionally. Also, the time jumps felt a bit confusing at times.
Overall, I truly loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. It's another example of how families can be messy, even (or especially) those who look perfect from the outside. However, I wish this book had been longer, and the plot a little bit more developed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Manilla Press for the ARC of this novel.
Everything That Is Beautiful recounts the story of the Foley family and Niamh, a childhood friend of the Foley children. It's told from three different points of view: Niamh's own, Helen Foley's (the mother), and Kate Foley's (the youngest daughter). The women couldn't be more different from each other, but they share a secret that other members of the family know nothing about. The event that gives some structure to the novel is Maria Foley's wedding, but then we get numerous flashbacks to the past.
It's an incredible story about a family that is far from perfect, but very much appears to be from the outside. We get to know a big cast of characters who are fully themselves, and we slowly get to discover the event that disturbed Niamh's, Helen's, and Kate's lives.
I found myself very invested in this beautifully written novel. I appreciated the way the author created a microcosm of interesting people whose personalities develop throughout the story. I liked how Irish it felt, and how hurling felt important to the plot. I especially warmed up to Kate's character, but then Helen grew on me as well — both of their arcs were beautifully crafted. It was very interesting to read how the father figure (and a sports legend at the same time) was explored with much nuance. My main criticism is that we didn't get enough of Niamh's side of the story; I wish we got to see more detail about how the "event" really affected her emotionally. Also, the time jumps felt a bit confusing at times.
Overall, I truly loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. It's another example of how families can be messy, even (or especially) those who look perfect from the outside. However, I wish this book had been longer, and the plot a little bit more developed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Manilla Press for the ARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this author's debut book, Snowflake, when I read it a few years ago and have been eagerly anticipating her next offering. And I wasn't disappointed.
We start in the past with two families the Ryans and the Foleys. Niamh Ryan spend most of her childhood at the Foley's farm, playing with best friend Peter and his sister Kate. Being looked after and fed by their mother Helen and coached by father Liam who is a legend in the world of hurling. He has retired but still keeps his hand in and also makes and sells hurls.
Then, when Niamh is a late teen, something happens to drive a wedge between them all.
Back in the present and things aren't so simple. Peter and Niamh have gone their separate ways although Peter still can't understand why. Helen is on a mission to escape her life and Kate is just ticking over, trying to hold down a job and just clinging on to a relationship.
But then a family wedding draws them all together again. Will they be able to face what happened or with there forever be a wedge? Will the secrets come out and, if they do, what of the fall out and, indeed, the future?
As with Snowflake, the author has once again created a bunch of characters that are very easy to connect to. To empathise with, to care about. And I did, boy I did...! It's all things emotional and actually tackles some rather complex, often dark, topics but manages to remain balanced with some great humour. As we follow the present, told by the three main female characters - Niamh, Kate and Helen - we also get flashbacks to the past to illustrate and explain. These are delivered in exactly the right moments for maximum effect and also to progress the story.
I invested a lot in this book and indeed the characters. So much so that I was so sad when the book ended and I had to say goodbye to them. So much that as soon as it is out in Audio I'm going to revisit them!
I guess all that's left now is waiting to see what she serves up for next time. Please don't leave it so long... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start in the past with two families the Ryans and the Foleys. Niamh Ryan spend most of her childhood at the Foley's farm, playing with best friend Peter and his sister Kate. Being looked after and fed by their mother Helen and coached by father Liam who is a legend in the world of hurling. He has retired but still keeps his hand in and also makes and sells hurls.
Then, when Niamh is a late teen, something happens to drive a wedge between them all.
Back in the present and things aren't so simple. Peter and Niamh have gone their separate ways although Peter still can't understand why. Helen is on a mission to escape her life and Kate is just ticking over, trying to hold down a job and just clinging on to a relationship.
But then a family wedding draws them all together again. Will they be able to face what happened or with there forever be a wedge? Will the secrets come out and, if they do, what of the fall out and, indeed, the future?
As with Snowflake, the author has once again created a bunch of characters that are very easy to connect to. To empathise with, to care about. And I did, boy I did...! It's all things emotional and actually tackles some rather complex, often dark, topics but manages to remain balanced with some great humour. As we follow the present, told by the three main female characters - Niamh, Kate and Helen - we also get flashbacks to the past to illustrate and explain. These are delivered in exactly the right moments for maximum effect and also to progress the story.
I invested a lot in this book and indeed the characters. So much so that I was so sad when the book ended and I had to say goodbye to them. So much that as soon as it is out in Audio I'm going to revisit them!
I guess all that's left now is waiting to see what she serves up for next time. Please don't leave it so long... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
April 1, 2026
One of the highest compliments I can give a book is that it keeps me up late or makes me bawl my eyes out. Well, this made me do both.
Everything that Is Beautiful tells a story of a messy, complex family in which almost everyone carries some sort of baggage. Louise Nealon writes about grief, self-discovery, and hurling (connecting Irish communities), among many other things, and she does it in a tender, heartfelt, engaging way. While in some parts I felt things could be explored a bit more, overall the emotions were well captured through the distinct voices of Niamh, Kate and Helen.
I sobbed for Peter and Niamh, and for the last 10% of the book, I just couldn't stop the quiet tears.
Synopsis: Niamh Ryan spends most of her childhood at the Foleys' house. She plays hurling with her friends, Peter and Kate Foley, is doted on by their mother Helen, and coached by their father Liam - a legendary ex-hurler. Some years later, Niamh, Kate and Helen share a secret, which has torn them apart. And Peter struggles to understand what derailed his and Niamh's budding relationship. As Peter and Kate's sister's wedding is approaching, Niamh, Kate and Helen find themselves facing each other again. Will they find a way to rebuild their relationship?
The novel was scheduled to be published tomorrow, 2 April 2026, but the publication date has been pushed out to 9 April as per author's recent post. Many thanks to Bonnier Books for the eARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for my honest review.
P.S. if you have not read Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake - have a look at that too. I enjoyed it a lot back in 2024.
Everything that Is Beautiful tells a story of a messy, complex family in which almost everyone carries some sort of baggage. Louise Nealon writes about grief, self-discovery, and hurling (connecting Irish communities), among many other things, and she does it in a tender, heartfelt, engaging way. While in some parts I felt things could be explored a bit more, overall the emotions were well captured through the distinct voices of Niamh, Kate and Helen.
I sobbed for Peter and Niamh, and for the last 10% of the book, I just couldn't stop the quiet tears.
Synopsis: Niamh Ryan spends most of her childhood at the Foleys' house. She plays hurling with her friends, Peter and Kate Foley, is doted on by their mother Helen, and coached by their father Liam - a legendary ex-hurler. Some years later, Niamh, Kate and Helen share a secret, which has torn them apart. And Peter struggles to understand what derailed his and Niamh's budding relationship. As Peter and Kate's sister's wedding is approaching, Niamh, Kate and Helen find themselves facing each other again. Will they find a way to rebuild their relationship?
The novel was scheduled to be published tomorrow, 2 April 2026, but the publication date has been pushed out to 9 April as per author's recent post. Many thanks to Bonnier Books for the eARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for my honest review.
P.S. if you have not read Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake - have a look at that too. I enjoyed it a lot back in 2024.
December 5, 2025
The story of three women intertwined in a very close knit family, and the enjoyment of the Irish sport of hurling and camogie.
The story centres around the Foley family who their patriarch is a legend of hurling, the stories three main characters that all weave together in their history of growing up, the truth of marriage as well as the shocks of their not so perfect family hidden in plain sight. We follow Helen, the mother and wife, Niamh the child who was brought into the family fold and Kate, Helen and Liams daughter.
It is very interesting how everything unfolds through childhood to adjusting to adulthood with Niamh and Kate and the slow realisation that Helen is unhappy in life. There are some tough subjects including an eating disorder, sexual assault and versions of loss / depression.
You do feel part of the family and the story slowly evolves to understand the trauma the family has created with each other. Yes it’s dysfunctional and a lot of hurt and shame but it’s an a strangely enjoyable story, you do want the best for them but it also feels very unapologetically irish which for me I loved, mentions of great spots in Belfast and the Irish countryside.
I will say everything is handled with great care and tenderness but honestly I would have just liked more and just felt very unresolved at the end but maybe this is the best ending as the family just continues so you can make your own opinions as to what may happen next with the three women.
Thanks you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, read this when it comes out 2nd April 2026.
The story centres around the Foley family who their patriarch is a legend of hurling, the stories three main characters that all weave together in their history of growing up, the truth of marriage as well as the shocks of their not so perfect family hidden in plain sight. We follow Helen, the mother and wife, Niamh the child who was brought into the family fold and Kate, Helen and Liams daughter.
It is very interesting how everything unfolds through childhood to adjusting to adulthood with Niamh and Kate and the slow realisation that Helen is unhappy in life. There are some tough subjects including an eating disorder, sexual assault and versions of loss / depression.
You do feel part of the family and the story slowly evolves to understand the trauma the family has created with each other. Yes it’s dysfunctional and a lot of hurt and shame but it’s an a strangely enjoyable story, you do want the best for them but it also feels very unapologetically irish which for me I loved, mentions of great spots in Belfast and the Irish countryside.
I will say everything is handled with great care and tenderness but honestly I would have just liked more and just felt very unresolved at the end but maybe this is the best ending as the family just continues so you can make your own opinions as to what may happen next with the three women.
Thanks you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, read this when it comes out 2nd April 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was a big fan of Louise Nealon’s first novel, Snowflake. I am now a big fan, too, of her second novel, Everything That Is Beautiful.
This is a family saga set in rural Ireland. That’s maybe all that needs to be said about the plot - the story is structured so deliberately (obviously, what book isn’t! What a silly thing to say!) that it feels a shame to go in knowing much more than that. The relationships between family members are so intricate and complex, and we was a reader are told just what we need to know to make each moment hit in the most impactful way. The story jumps back and forth in time constantly - a character will be mentioned and then we jump back to give more context to who they are, what we need to know about them, then back to the scene we were in - in a way that feels like it should be annoying, but never is. Instead it results in a novel that is really propulsive, engaging, and a proper page-turner.
I might have made a bigger deal about the plot than I should have. It’s not that plotty, there aren’t massive twists. It’s the characters that make it, but the characters are so well-written and well-rounded, they’re layered and complicated, they do things to hurt the people they love and get their hearts broken by people they trust, and it all just feels so real. As anyone who has read Snowflake will expect, Louise Nealon’s writing remains very sharp and funny, and the emotional moments are properly punchy.
A great book! Destined to be a big hit, hard to believe anyone could dislike this.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC.
This is a family saga set in rural Ireland. That’s maybe all that needs to be said about the plot - the story is structured so deliberately (obviously, what book isn’t! What a silly thing to say!) that it feels a shame to go in knowing much more than that. The relationships between family members are so intricate and complex, and we was a reader are told just what we need to know to make each moment hit in the most impactful way. The story jumps back and forth in time constantly - a character will be mentioned and then we jump back to give more context to who they are, what we need to know about them, then back to the scene we were in - in a way that feels like it should be annoying, but never is. Instead it results in a novel that is really propulsive, engaging, and a proper page-turner.
I might have made a bigger deal about the plot than I should have. It’s not that plotty, there aren’t massive twists. It’s the characters that make it, but the characters are so well-written and well-rounded, they’re layered and complicated, they do things to hurt the people they love and get their hearts broken by people they trust, and it all just feels so real. As anyone who has read Snowflake will expect, Louise Nealon’s writing remains very sharp and funny, and the emotional moments are properly punchy.
A great book! Destined to be a big hit, hard to believe anyone could dislike this.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC.
April 17, 2026
I was so excited to read this, especially when I heard the Irish accent on the audiobook and realised this is an Irish author.
I loved this story, we have three main POV’s but several more characters as this centres around a a large Irish family with a love for hurling (the sport). Amongst this large family sit one traumatic event and many people struggling. I always seemed to love the start and ending of the chapters most. There is some beautiful parts and some funny parts that made me smile. I really liked the characters and the messiness of things!
But the timeline was so confusing; it goes back and forth in time to explain the past but it left me very confused as to what happened when. I found it a little bit disjointed, there are just bits of the story dotted about and in the first half of the book it feels like the thread is missing a bit, I felt like it was just trying to do too much and then not doing it in enough depth? It was very observational, not a lot about the characters’ emotions at all. I kind of wanted to know what the as going on for them as there was A LOT going on for them. I can understand that most of this was to show that unspoken but known things can become very hurtful, but for me it kind of failed to connect and matter.
I really wanted to love this one, and there is lots here to love, but ultimately it didn’t deliver for me. Would I recommend you pick it up? Maybe, even to just tell me I must be mad not to have seen the magic in this book (it’s had really great early reviews).
3.5
I loved this story, we have three main POV’s but several more characters as this centres around a a large Irish family with a love for hurling (the sport). Amongst this large family sit one traumatic event and many people struggling. I always seemed to love the start and ending of the chapters most. There is some beautiful parts and some funny parts that made me smile. I really liked the characters and the messiness of things!
But the timeline was so confusing; it goes back and forth in time to explain the past but it left me very confused as to what happened when. I found it a little bit disjointed, there are just bits of the story dotted about and in the first half of the book it feels like the thread is missing a bit, I felt like it was just trying to do too much and then not doing it in enough depth? It was very observational, not a lot about the characters’ emotions at all. I kind of wanted to know what the as going on for them as there was A LOT going on for them. I can understand that most of this was to show that unspoken but known things can become very hurtful, but for me it kind of failed to connect and matter.
I really wanted to love this one, and there is lots here to love, but ultimately it didn’t deliver for me. Would I recommend you pick it up? Maybe, even to just tell me I must be mad not to have seen the magic in this book (it’s had really great early reviews).
3.5
April 7, 2026
'Everything That Is Beautiful' by Louise Nealon is a wonderful character driven novel set amidst the hurling community in rural Ireland. An incident that happened some time ago has repercussions into the present time and members of the two families involved need to deal and live with it and it's consequences. The story is told from the perspective of three women, namely Niamh, Helen, and Kate.
At the beginning I found that the forward and backward jumps in time were a little hard to follow but that eased in the course of the book. This is a tender and emotional novel about secrets, grief, friendship and Irish sports and culture. It is exquisitely written. The characters are described well and you feel very involved with the families' lives. I very much enjoyed this new work of one of the brilliant Irish female writers.
Many thanks to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
At the beginning I found that the forward and backward jumps in time were a little hard to follow but that eased in the course of the book. This is a tender and emotional novel about secrets, grief, friendship and Irish sports and culture. It is exquisitely written. The characters are described well and you feel very involved with the families' lives. I very much enjoyed this new work of one of the brilliant Irish female writers.
Many thanks to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 19, 2026
I loved this book! The author just captured dysfunctional families and the dynamics so well! I have sat here for about 5 minutes trying to work out how to describe the plot without spoilers but I don't think I can. The story is about so much more than sexual assault and the experiences of women but the aftermath and what is left for families. It is also about grief and the complexities of loss, eating disorders and sexuality. It's a bit like fleabag in some always and I can really see it as a series on tv!
I loved snowflake too but found myself really thinking about wanting to carry on reading this book and would really recommend!
Read through netgalley for an honest review but would have bought it anyways.
I loved snowflake too but found myself really thinking about wanting to carry on reading this book and would really recommend!
Read through netgalley for an honest review but would have bought it anyways.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
It took me quite a while to get into this, but once I did I was charmed by this funny and compassionate this tale of family ties.
I am not completely sure what the overall message is, and that may be down to my lack of experience when it comes to large families what can cause them to unravel and mend. However, the way that the characters were crafted made me warm to them over time and I found that all I wanted was for them all to find happiness. Of course, just as in real life, it is not always so easy and straightforward as all that.
This would be a great read for someone who loves modern Irish family sagas.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
It took me quite a while to get into this, but once I did I was charmed by this funny and compassionate this tale of family ties.
I am not completely sure what the overall message is, and that may be down to my lack of experience when it comes to large families what can cause them to unravel and mend. However, the way that the characters were crafted made me warm to them over time and I found that all I wanted was for them all to find happiness. Of course, just as in real life, it is not always so easy and straightforward as all that.
This would be a great read for someone who loves modern Irish family sagas.
November 20, 2025
An intimate exploration of a tight knit community, Louise Nealon's latest offering takes the reader into the heart of Irish life.
The authenticity of her portrayal feels indisputable, from the early relationship between Niamh and Peter - and her interactions with the Foley family as a whole - to the later years focusing on Marie's wedding. And the multiple view points are effective in giving the reader a better sense of this group of people and their thoughts, dreams, and motivations.
This will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, and easily earns 3.5 stars from me.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The authenticity of her portrayal feels indisputable, from the early relationship between Niamh and Peter - and her interactions with the Foley family as a whole - to the later years focusing on Marie's wedding. And the multiple view points are effective in giving the reader a better sense of this group of people and their thoughts, dreams, and motivations.
This will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, and easily earns 3.5 stars from me.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
February 9, 2026
I was a big fan of Louise’s first book, Snowflake, so when I spotted this on NetGalley and was approved, I was so ready to get stuck in, to the Irishness, small townness and colloquial way that I love so much.
We meet Farmer Foley, his family, his hurling dynasty and the secrets he kept. For fans of Eimear Ryan’s Grass Ceiling you will enjoy the female sportsmanship aspect, but this isn’t just a story about hurling, club and county. This is a story about secrets that can break a family apart, unrequited love and finding your true self within your small town, with a dash of Elvis for good measure.
There are triggers for disordered eating and suicide, so please do be conscious of these triggers.
We meet Farmer Foley, his family, his hurling dynasty and the secrets he kept. For fans of Eimear Ryan’s Grass Ceiling you will enjoy the female sportsmanship aspect, but this isn’t just a story about hurling, club and county. This is a story about secrets that can break a family apart, unrequited love and finding your true self within your small town, with a dash of Elvis for good measure.
There are triggers for disordered eating and suicide, so please do be conscious of these triggers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2026
I went to browse in a local bookstore in Belfast and saw this sitting on the display. I adored Snowflake so as soon as I recognised the author’s name I was already sold. The blurb confirmed it and I walked out with a signed copy. Later that day I opened it to read a chapter or two, ended up reading over half and finishing it the following day.
So beautiful and tragic. the characters are so real and the story has so much depth.
It’s also always fun to read a book set where you live.
I wonder does it get annoying seeing all the place name drops if you’re not from the place or do you not even notice? Can’t say I’ve ever noticed in a book not set in Belfast so maybe not.
So beautiful and tragic. the characters are so real and the story has so much depth.
It’s also always fun to read a book set where you live.
I wonder does it get annoying seeing all the place name drops if you’re not from the place or do you not even notice? Can’t say I’ve ever noticed in a book not set in Belfast so maybe not.
April 13, 2026
The writing was excellent, though Snowflake was a tough act to follow for me. The scope was also massive for under 300 pages, and I think it suffered slightly from this, as there are complex issues that don't necessarily get the focus required to explore them fully. Nonetheless, it had a great premise within an easily envisioned setting, and characters that felt both raw and real.
November 26, 2025
Everything That Is Beautiful" is truly that, such an affecting and gorgeous story. Space is given to let the characters share their stories and intertwining lives in their own way. So much space that the biggest events almost feel like asides. Time with them all passes so quckly and the conclusion feels true to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ | this book might not have been a 5 stars, but it was nonetheless absolutely incredible. i would read anything by Louise Nealon. Snowflake was a real treasure. Everything That Is Beautiful was deeply moving, about the joys and pains of living close with people you know. it was beautifully written, funny and emotionally complex.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I just finished Everything That Is Beautiful by @lulunealon and it’s a solid 5 stars 🌟 from me. This is the second book of hers I’ve loved, and she just has this way of capturing the characters stories so perfectly. I think its more about what's not said than what's actually said from each perspective!
My favorite line is near the end, my nana used to say this!! 🍦🍨
My favorite line is near the end, my nana used to say this!! 🍦🍨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this author's first read and couldn't wait to start this one. Although it discusses sensitive and pertinent women's issues, I found the pace a tad too slow and struggled to connect to the writing.
November 16, 2025
You won't want it to end, and when it does, you'll want to turn back to the start and begin again. A beautiful book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved every single second of this. Great Irish writing, an uncomfortable subject. Such sharp dialogue, I could hear my mum speak it. Thanks to netgalley for the advance copy
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Devoured it in two sittings!
March 25, 2026
Gorgeous! Loved loved loved, thanks so much to Manilla for my copy
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