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Shibby Magee
A vanished mother. A fractured family. A lifetime of choosing the wrong men.
When their bold, brassy mother vanishes into Ireland’s Traveller community, Shibby Magee and her twin sister, Dorah, are left behind in a family already cracking at the seams.
Under the iron rule of their rigidly bigoted grandmother, the girls grow up on opposite tracks: Dorah, sharp-edged and defiant; Shibby, bruised and unmoored.
As an adult, desperate for love, Shibby is drawn to men who wound and discard her, caught in patterns she can’t yet see. She finds a measure of stability in the chaos of a restaurant kitchen — but a question persists: is her future in the settled world, or on the open road to God only knows where?
With the steadfast support of Alice Duffy, a housekeeper turned surrogate mother; Moochie de Barra, a stand-in for an emotionally absent father; and Kitty Dooley, who embodies the fierce pride and harsh realities of Traveller life, Shibby begins to confront hard truths about cultural identity, family, and what it will take to find where she truly belongs.
Set across the roads, towns, villages, and rugged coastlines of western Ireland—from Roscommon and Galway to a remote Atlantic island, the story traces how early abandonment echoes into midlife, revealing what endures, what shifts, and how the cycle repeats until it finally breaks.
When their bold, brassy mother vanishes into Ireland’s Traveller community, Shibby Magee and her twin sister, Dorah, are left behind in a family already cracking at the seams.
Under the iron rule of their rigidly bigoted grandmother, the girls grow up on opposite tracks: Dorah, sharp-edged and defiant; Shibby, bruised and unmoored.
As an adult, desperate for love, Shibby is drawn to men who wound and discard her, caught in patterns she can’t yet see. She finds a measure of stability in the chaos of a restaurant kitchen — but a question persists: is her future in the settled world, or on the open road to God only knows where?
With the steadfast support of Alice Duffy, a housekeeper turned surrogate mother; Moochie de Barra, a stand-in for an emotionally absent father; and Kitty Dooley, who embodies the fierce pride and harsh realities of Traveller life, Shibby begins to confront hard truths about cultural identity, family, and what it will take to find where she truly belongs.
Set across the roads, towns, villages, and rugged coastlines of western Ireland—from Roscommon and Galway to a remote Atlantic island, the story traces how early abandonment echoes into midlife, revealing what endures, what shifts, and how the cycle repeats until it finally breaks.
- GenresFiction
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2026
About the author
Carrie Kabak
10 books27 followersPublished by Penguin Random House, Carrie Kabak's novel, Cover the Butter, was an Independent Booksellers' Pick, won an Audiofile Magazine award, and was nominated for a Quill Award. Her essays appear in For Keeps and He Said What? (Seal Press), Exit Laughing (North Atlantic Books), Faith (Simon and Schuster), and Dumped (She Writes). Carrie's latest novels, Shibby Magee and Every Mole and Freckle, will be released in spring and fall 2026, and Mali Morgan's Summer in spring 2027.
Alongside her writing, Carrie works as a book cover artist for major publishers after working for many years as a production designer at Hallmark Cards.
Alongside her writing, Carrie works as a book cover artist for major publishers after working for many years as a production designer at Hallmark Cards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 4, 2026
Author Carrie Kabak explores the complexities of human relationships and sets her story against a vivid Irish setting.
Kabak’s novel is a “character-driven Irish tragicomedy” that will have you curling up with a blanket, a cup of tea and a thick, doorstopper of barmbrack slathered generously with Kerry Gold.
Expect “wit, heartbreak, and redemption” in this compelling examination of the search for connection and belonging and get ready to be inspired to claim self-worth and resilience.
Kabak’s characters are a quirky bunch that quickly grow on you, especially if your inner leprechaun emerges and you begin to read with an accent. The exploration of the ripple effect of poor decisions made as a result of early life trauma is the starting point of this novel and then the journey towards self-discovery and healing, an often overlooked theme, takes precedence in the second half. I was pulled into a narrative that offered a superb sense of place and the search for connection and belonging. Kabak presents social prejudice, the sibling bond, Irish Tinker culture and relationship struggles. I appreciated the idea that renewal is always possible, regardless of where we started or what we came from.
I was reminded of travelling adventures with my grandparents where a discussion about Tinkers arose after seeing a bright caravan and friendly people enjoying tea time at the side of the road one day.
Please avail yourself of language, dark themes, and triggers.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Kabak’s novel is a “character-driven Irish tragicomedy” that will have you curling up with a blanket, a cup of tea and a thick, doorstopper of barmbrack slathered generously with Kerry Gold.
Expect “wit, heartbreak, and redemption” in this compelling examination of the search for connection and belonging and get ready to be inspired to claim self-worth and resilience.
Kabak’s characters are a quirky bunch that quickly grow on you, especially if your inner leprechaun emerges and you begin to read with an accent. The exploration of the ripple effect of poor decisions made as a result of early life trauma is the starting point of this novel and then the journey towards self-discovery and healing, an often overlooked theme, takes precedence in the second half. I was pulled into a narrative that offered a superb sense of place and the search for connection and belonging. Kabak presents social prejudice, the sibling bond, Irish Tinker culture and relationship struggles. I appreciated the idea that renewal is always possible, regardless of where we started or what we came from.
I was reminded of travelling adventures with my grandparents where a discussion about Tinkers arose after seeing a bright caravan and friendly people enjoying tea time at the side of the road one day.
Please avail yourself of language, dark themes, and triggers.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 3, 2026
Shibby Magee is a beautifully written character driven novel that's split into two different timelines. We first meet Shibby briefly at a pivotal moment in her adult life to then be taken back to her childhood and then we say our goodbye being back with an adult Shibby.
The language in which the novel is written is gorgeously enriched with Irish, with the Travellers dialect, with that lovely sing song of a language and deep cultural setting that takes you to the time and place so vividly and gives you true feel of what Shibby's life must have been like. There are so many cultural references here, there's that undeniable feel of community and Irishiness pouring out of pages. The whole story made me feel so many emotions. There's sadness and laughter, there's longing, abandonment and family albeit fractured and so complex and complicated, just like the life itself.
Shibby is a character that I felt so much for. I just wanted to give her the biggest hug and make her feel wanted and loved and enough. There's so much that happened in her childhood that affected the choices she's made throughout her adult life, so much weight and longing.
Carrie Kabak wrote such beautiful characters. It's not just our Shibby, but Dorah and Alice, Benny and Moochie, Kitty and obviously Nanna Magee. And Vera, the mother who wouldn't mother, who couldn't and wasn't able to mother, whose choices affected so many people in so many different ways. The absent mother whose choices forever changed the trajectory of lives of so many people.
Shibby makes so many choices affected by that abandonment and sense of loss. There's that constant search for a place to call home, for people to not only call family but for people who will love her and make her reciprocate that love. The truth of Vera's deceit, when it's finally revealed, making things in equal measure easier and harder.
I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I loved that book. There's so much emotion here, that feel of authenticity that comes from deep cultural setting, the realness of Shibby's circumstances and feelings. It's a book that truly left its mark on me and will stay with me forever.
The language in which the novel is written is gorgeously enriched with Irish, with the Travellers dialect, with that lovely sing song of a language and deep cultural setting that takes you to the time and place so vividly and gives you true feel of what Shibby's life must have been like. There are so many cultural references here, there's that undeniable feel of community and Irishiness pouring out of pages. The whole story made me feel so many emotions. There's sadness and laughter, there's longing, abandonment and family albeit fractured and so complex and complicated, just like the life itself.
Shibby is a character that I felt so much for. I just wanted to give her the biggest hug and make her feel wanted and loved and enough. There's so much that happened in her childhood that affected the choices she's made throughout her adult life, so much weight and longing.
Carrie Kabak wrote such beautiful characters. It's not just our Shibby, but Dorah and Alice, Benny and Moochie, Kitty and obviously Nanna Magee. And Vera, the mother who wouldn't mother, who couldn't and wasn't able to mother, whose choices affected so many people in so many different ways. The absent mother whose choices forever changed the trajectory of lives of so many people.
Shibby makes so many choices affected by that abandonment and sense of loss. There's that constant search for a place to call home, for people to not only call family but for people who will love her and make her reciprocate that love. The truth of Vera's deceit, when it's finally revealed, making things in equal measure easier and harder.
I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I loved that book. There's so much emotion here, that feel of authenticity that comes from deep cultural setting, the realness of Shibby's circumstances and feelings. It's a book that truly left its mark on me and will stay with me forever.
May 4, 2026
4.75 stars
I must say a huge thank you to author Carrie Kabak for reaching out to me to offer a GIFTED ebook version of her novel, Shibby Magee, because had she not, I would have missed this superb, poignant read. It has all the elements that make up my favourite kind of novel: it's character-driven, heartwarming, tragicomic, and bittersweet, and it's set in Ireland.
In Shibby Magee, we meet the titular main character, and her twin sister Dorah, at 11 years old, when their bold, brassy mother vanishes into Ireland's Traveller community. Then in Part Two we meet them again, later in life, as 45 year old women.
Despite being twins, the girls are very different personalities and temperaments, and they each have different coping strategies for dealing with the maternal abandonment, the paternal emotional distance, and the cruel, strict upbringing of their prejudiced grandmother which they both experience.
The loss, grief and sadness which these issues cause, runs down the years and shapes Shibby's adult relationships in a negative and damaging way. In Part Two we see how she is, and has been, drawn to men who abuse or discard her, caught in patterns she can't see. She finds a measure of stability as a chef in the chaos of restaurant kitchens, but she is desperate for love and self-acceptance, and she yearns for marriage, a child, and stability.
As she says of herself:
'Trouble is, deep down, I never felt entitled or deserving of a man's love' and
'Sure, I've never known where I belong'.
Little wonder given her mother's desertion, her father's lack of any emotional expression and warmth, and the upbringing provided by Nanny Magee who rules with a rod of iron. Her weapons of choice are fear and a cutting tongue. She shores up her power and vice-like grip through bigotry, prejudice, and religion. Outward appearance, and the avoidance of shame and disgrace are everything to her.
Hers is a pernicious influence that is only mitigated by the kindness and care of housekeeper Alice Duffy, the family bakery employee Moochie, and the twins' friendship with Kitty Dooley from the local Traveller community.
Will Shibby find the happiness she craves? No spoilers here!
This is a wonderfully written character-focused novel, and Carrie Kabak has breathed life into her varied cast, making them completely convincing and believable. There are some whom you love, and some you love to hate, but your heart goes out to the twins. Shibby is especially well done, and I just wanted to reach into the pages and give her a hug, at both stages of her life. Despite her naivety, gullibility, desperation and bad choices, you really root for her and will her to find happiness and peace.
I loved the warmth, dedication and eccentricity of Alice too, with her pretend bike and her Carraway Seed cake to mend all situations.
With its brilliant sense of time, place and setting, and its depiction of prejudiced small-town attitudes towards the Traveller community and homosexuality, this is a novel examining the real meaning of family, and love. Lyrical, well observed and darkly funny, it explores the issues of cultural identity, abandonment, and self acceptance. It is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry, and will definitely warm your heart. I loved it. Recommended - especially if you've enjoyed books by Tish Delaney, Fiona Scarlett and Donal Ryan.
I must say a huge thank you to author Carrie Kabak for reaching out to me to offer a GIFTED ebook version of her novel, Shibby Magee, because had she not, I would have missed this superb, poignant read. It has all the elements that make up my favourite kind of novel: it's character-driven, heartwarming, tragicomic, and bittersweet, and it's set in Ireland.
In Shibby Magee, we meet the titular main character, and her twin sister Dorah, at 11 years old, when their bold, brassy mother vanishes into Ireland's Traveller community. Then in Part Two we meet them again, later in life, as 45 year old women.
Despite being twins, the girls are very different personalities and temperaments, and they each have different coping strategies for dealing with the maternal abandonment, the paternal emotional distance, and the cruel, strict upbringing of their prejudiced grandmother which they both experience.
The loss, grief and sadness which these issues cause, runs down the years and shapes Shibby's adult relationships in a negative and damaging way. In Part Two we see how she is, and has been, drawn to men who abuse or discard her, caught in patterns she can't see. She finds a measure of stability as a chef in the chaos of restaurant kitchens, but she is desperate for love and self-acceptance, and she yearns for marriage, a child, and stability.
As she says of herself:
'Trouble is, deep down, I never felt entitled or deserving of a man's love' and
'Sure, I've never known where I belong'.
Little wonder given her mother's desertion, her father's lack of any emotional expression and warmth, and the upbringing provided by Nanny Magee who rules with a rod of iron. Her weapons of choice are fear and a cutting tongue. She shores up her power and vice-like grip through bigotry, prejudice, and religion. Outward appearance, and the avoidance of shame and disgrace are everything to her.
Hers is a pernicious influence that is only mitigated by the kindness and care of housekeeper Alice Duffy, the family bakery employee Moochie, and the twins' friendship with Kitty Dooley from the local Traveller community.
Will Shibby find the happiness she craves? No spoilers here!
This is a wonderfully written character-focused novel, and Carrie Kabak has breathed life into her varied cast, making them completely convincing and believable. There are some whom you love, and some you love to hate, but your heart goes out to the twins. Shibby is especially well done, and I just wanted to reach into the pages and give her a hug, at both stages of her life. Despite her naivety, gullibility, desperation and bad choices, you really root for her and will her to find happiness and peace.
I loved the warmth, dedication and eccentricity of Alice too, with her pretend bike and her Carraway Seed cake to mend all situations.
With its brilliant sense of time, place and setting, and its depiction of prejudiced small-town attitudes towards the Traveller community and homosexuality, this is a novel examining the real meaning of family, and love. Lyrical, well observed and darkly funny, it explores the issues of cultural identity, abandonment, and self acceptance. It is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry, and will definitely warm your heart. I loved it. Recommended - especially if you've enjoyed books by Tish Delaney, Fiona Scarlett and Donal Ryan.
February 13, 2026
ARC Kindle Format provided by e-mail by Carrie Kabak. Publisher: Penguin Random House.
Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are the illegitimate twins of Irish traveller, Vera Coffey, who suddenly deserts her unwished for familial responsibilities for her preferred and former dissolute, care-free life as a roamer. The young girls are raised by their 'assumed' and indifferent father, Benny Magee, the aloof, caustic Nanna Magee and the loving, but simple Alice, employee of the household business Gilligan's Bakery. Shibby and Dorah's schoolday escapades and early strict Catholic upbringing are recounted in a tale packed full of gossip, shock, wit and blarney. A strong bond of friendship with peer, Kitty Dooley and her local gypsy community, is also formed.
In a book of two halves, Kabak introduces primarily the adult 45 year old Shibby, who longs for romantic love, acceptance, stability and a child of her own. The path to happiness is unsurprisingly a steep and rocky road leading to that of a forlorn and ill-treated traveller akin to her mother and back again to mundane normality. Who can Shibby trust among her circle of male acquaintances? Can her dreams realistically come true? It is certainly not a forgone conclusion.
For anyone in need of a fun, sympathetically drawn and, at times, tragic read, Shibby Magee is a must. The acerbic and dogmatic Nanna Magee in her attempts to maintain a cloak of respectability is an absolute treat and quite unforgettable. Even the incidental characters are delightful. This is a gently paced story with a sound plot, many unexpected twists and turns and dexterously incorporated mystery and intrigue. I'm so lucky to have discovered this author. She is descriptive, bringing Ireland, its quaint language and unique, warm culture to life. I've already visited Dublin, but now hanker for a trip to Galway.
Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are the illegitimate twins of Irish traveller, Vera Coffey, who suddenly deserts her unwished for familial responsibilities for her preferred and former dissolute, care-free life as a roamer. The young girls are raised by their 'assumed' and indifferent father, Benny Magee, the aloof, caustic Nanna Magee and the loving, but simple Alice, employee of the household business Gilligan's Bakery. Shibby and Dorah's schoolday escapades and early strict Catholic upbringing are recounted in a tale packed full of gossip, shock, wit and blarney. A strong bond of friendship with peer, Kitty Dooley and her local gypsy community, is also formed.
In a book of two halves, Kabak introduces primarily the adult 45 year old Shibby, who longs for romantic love, acceptance, stability and a child of her own. The path to happiness is unsurprisingly a steep and rocky road leading to that of a forlorn and ill-treated traveller akin to her mother and back again to mundane normality. Who can Shibby trust among her circle of male acquaintances? Can her dreams realistically come true? It is certainly not a forgone conclusion.
For anyone in need of a fun, sympathetically drawn and, at times, tragic read, Shibby Magee is a must. The acerbic and dogmatic Nanna Magee in her attempts to maintain a cloak of respectability is an absolute treat and quite unforgettable. Even the incidental characters are delightful. This is a gently paced story with a sound plot, many unexpected twists and turns and dexterously incorporated mystery and intrigue. I'm so lucky to have discovered this author. She is descriptive, bringing Ireland, its quaint language and unique, warm culture to life. I've already visited Dublin, but now hanker for a trip to Galway.
May 13, 2026
هي رواية إنسانية تدور بين أجواء مدينة غالواي الصاخبة وجزيرة بورين دروما الهادئة.
تدور القصة حول شِبّي، شابة تحاول فهم حياتها وإيجاد توازن بين الاستقلال الشخصي والارتباط العائلي والعاطفي. تمرّ بتجارب متعددة في العمل والعلاقات، وتجد نفسها ممزقة بين عالم المدينة وحياة الجزيرة، وبين رغبتها في الحرية وضغط العلاقات المحيطة بها.
تظهر في الرواية مجموعة من الشخصيات المؤثرة في حياتها، مثل دُوراه أختها القوية والصريحة، وآليس التي تمثل الحنان مع شيء من السيطرة، وبينّي الذي يلعب دورًا أبويًا معقدًا ومليئًا بالمشاعر المكبوتة، ورافرتي الطاهي الذي يدخل حياتها بعلاقة عاطفية معقدة، بالإضافة إلى نانا ماجي التي تمثل الصرامة والتقاليد، وكيتي التي تضيف خفة ظل وجرأة، وتوبي أو برينان الذي يمثل حضورًا هادئًا ومؤثرًا في مسارها.
من وجهة نظري، الرواية تعكس بشكل واضح الواقع الإيرلندي من حيث الثقافة اليومية، اللهجة، وطبيعة الحياة في الأرياف والجزر. شعرت أيضًا أنها تلمّح إلى وجود نظرة قاسية أو غير عادلة تجاه بعض الفئات مثل الغجر (Travellers)، حيث يتم تصويرهم أحيانًا بشكل سلبي، وهذا أعطى إحساسًا مؤلمًا أثناء القراءة.
أسلوب الرواية ممتع ومسلّي بشكل عام، لكن فيه صعوبة في بعض المقاطع بسبب استخدام تعابير ولهجة إيرلندية محلية، مما يجعل القارئ غير الإيرلندي يحتاج أحيانًا للتوقف والبحث لفهم المعنى.
الرواية طويلة ومليئة بالتفاصيل والمشاعر الثقيلة، وهذا يجعلها أحيانًا “نكدية” أو مرهقة عاطفيًا، رغم أن نهايتها جميلة ومريحة وتمنح إحساسًا بالإغلاق والهدوء بعد كل الأحداث.
It is a novel that moves between the lively atmosphere of Galway city and the calm yet harsh setting of Burren Droma island.
The story follows Shibby, a young woman trying to understand her life and find balance between personal independence and emotional/family attachments. She goes through many experiences in work and relationships, finding herself torn between city life and island life, and between her desire for freedom and the pressure of the people around her.
The novel features several important characters in her life, such as Dorah, her strong and outspoken sister; Alice, who represents warmth but also emotional control; Benny, a complicated father-like figure with suppressed emotions; Rafferty, a chef who becomes part of a complex romantic relationship; Nanna Magee, who represents strictness and tradition; Kitty, who adds humor and boldness; and Toby Ó Brennan, who has a calm but meaningful presence in her journey.
In my view, the novel clearly reflects Irish reality in terms of everyday culture, local dialect, and the lifestyle of rural areas and islands. I also felt that it hints at a harsh or unfair attitude toward certain groups such as the Travellers, who are sometimes portrayed in a negative way, which created an uncomfortable feeling while reading.
The writing style is engaging and entertaining overall, but some parts can be difficult due to Irish expressions and dialect, which often require pausing and looking up meanings to fully understand.
The novel is long and filled with heavy emotions, which can make it feel quite intense or emotionally draining at times. However, it has a beautiful and satisfying ending that brings a sense of closure and calm after everything that happens.
تدور القصة حول شِبّي، شابة تحاول فهم حياتها وإيجاد توازن بين الاستقلال الشخصي والارتباط العائلي والعاطفي. تمرّ بتجارب متعددة في العمل والعلاقات، وتجد نفسها ممزقة بين عالم المدينة وحياة الجزيرة، وبين رغبتها في الحرية وضغط العلاقات المحيطة بها.
تظهر في الرواية مجموعة من الشخصيات المؤثرة في حياتها، مثل دُوراه أختها القوية والصريحة، وآليس التي تمثل الحنان مع شيء من السيطرة، وبينّي الذي يلعب دورًا أبويًا معقدًا ومليئًا بالمشاعر المكبوتة، ورافرتي الطاهي الذي يدخل حياتها بعلاقة عاطفية معقدة، بالإضافة إلى نانا ماجي التي تمثل الصرامة والتقاليد، وكيتي التي تضيف خفة ظل وجرأة، وتوبي أو برينان الذي يمثل حضورًا هادئًا ومؤثرًا في مسارها.
من وجهة نظري، الرواية تعكس بشكل واضح الواقع الإيرلندي من حيث الثقافة اليومية، اللهجة، وطبيعة الحياة في الأرياف والجزر. شعرت أيضًا أنها تلمّح إلى وجود نظرة قاسية أو غير عادلة تجاه بعض الفئات مثل الغجر (Travellers)، حيث يتم تصويرهم أحيانًا بشكل سلبي، وهذا أعطى إحساسًا مؤلمًا أثناء القراءة.
أسلوب الرواية ممتع ومسلّي بشكل عام، لكن فيه صعوبة في بعض المقاطع بسبب استخدام تعابير ولهجة إيرلندية محلية، مما يجعل القارئ غير الإيرلندي يحتاج أحيانًا للتوقف والبحث لفهم المعنى.
الرواية طويلة ومليئة بالتفاصيل والمشاعر الثقيلة، وهذا يجعلها أحيانًا “نكدية” أو مرهقة عاطفيًا، رغم أن نهايتها جميلة ومريحة وتمنح إحساسًا بالإغلاق والهدوء بعد كل الأحداث.
It is a novel that moves between the lively atmosphere of Galway city and the calm yet harsh setting of Burren Droma island.
The story follows Shibby, a young woman trying to understand her life and find balance between personal independence and emotional/family attachments. She goes through many experiences in work and relationships, finding herself torn between city life and island life, and between her desire for freedom and the pressure of the people around her.
The novel features several important characters in her life, such as Dorah, her strong and outspoken sister; Alice, who represents warmth but also emotional control; Benny, a complicated father-like figure with suppressed emotions; Rafferty, a chef who becomes part of a complex romantic relationship; Nanna Magee, who represents strictness and tradition; Kitty, who adds humor and boldness; and Toby Ó Brennan, who has a calm but meaningful presence in her journey.
In my view, the novel clearly reflects Irish reality in terms of everyday culture, local dialect, and the lifestyle of rural areas and islands. I also felt that it hints at a harsh or unfair attitude toward certain groups such as the Travellers, who are sometimes portrayed in a negative way, which created an uncomfortable feeling while reading.
The writing style is engaging and entertaining overall, but some parts can be difficult due to Irish expressions and dialect, which often require pausing and looking up meanings to fully understand.
The novel is long and filled with heavy emotions, which can make it feel quite intense or emotionally draining at times. However, it has a beautiful and satisfying ending that brings a sense of closure and calm after everything that happens.
April 6, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
Isabella (Shibby) Magee and her twin sister Isadorah (Dorah) are abruptly abandoned by their mother who announces that she is a Traveller (an ethnic minority in Ireland with a tradition of nomadic life) and leaves the girls behind with their father, Benny, and their strict grandmother who run a family bakery in County Roscommon. Shibby's story is told in two parts which each encompassing approximately a year in her life - part one when she's 11 and part two when she's 45 and working as a chef in County Galway.
Shibby Magee is a character-driven story about the far-reaching impact of abandonment - funny at times yet also quite tragic. As an adult, Shibby continues to search for a feeling of belonging as she desperately wants someone to love her but she's drawn to men who are abusive or don't stick around. It's impossible not to feel for Shibby who makes some questionable choices but all because of her desperate need to be loved. A well-written and enjoyable read from a new-to-me author.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Isabella (Shibby) Magee and her twin sister Isadorah (Dorah) are abruptly abandoned by their mother who announces that she is a Traveller (an ethnic minority in Ireland with a tradition of nomadic life) and leaves the girls behind with their father, Benny, and their strict grandmother who run a family bakery in County Roscommon. Shibby's story is told in two parts which each encompassing approximately a year in her life - part one when she's 11 and part two when she's 45 and working as a chef in County Galway.
Shibby Magee is a character-driven story about the far-reaching impact of abandonment - funny at times yet also quite tragic. As an adult, Shibby continues to search for a feeling of belonging as she desperately wants someone to love her but she's drawn to men who are abusive or don't stick around. It's impossible not to feel for Shibby who makes some questionable choices but all because of her desperate need to be loved. A well-written and enjoyable read from a new-to-me author.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2026
This one had me sucked in from the very first page. The tension builds so quietly at first, and then suddenly you realize you’re completely immersed—questioning every character, every motive, every tiny detail.
The writing style is so sharp, making it impossible not to feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all. I loved how the story slowly unraveled, revealing twists I didn’t see coming but that made perfect sense once everything clicked into place.
If you’re into books that keep you guessing, make your heart race just a little, and leave you thinking about them long after you’ve finished… this one is absolutely worth picking up.
The writing style is so sharp, making it impossible not to feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all. I loved how the story slowly unraveled, revealing twists I didn’t see coming but that made perfect sense once everything clicked into place.
If you’re into books that keep you guessing, make your heart race just a little, and leave you thinking about them long after you’ve finished… this one is absolutely worth picking up.
February 25, 2026
3.5 stars - the first part of the book had a childhood flashback that was slow to get through, and I didn't feel invested in any of the characters. But the second part picked up, with interesting twists and mysteries starting to unravel! I enjoyed learning about Travellers, and the way that this was written with Irish dialogue I couldn't help but hear it in my head in the best way.
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2026
Carrie's been refining this book for years, and I can tell ye this, mo chara*: the tale has aged like a fine Kerrygold cheddar. Or whiskey, if you prefer. There is so much of Irish and Traveller culture in this book—language, food, song references,** religion, and more—that it is nothing short of an immersive experience.
When we first meet Shibby, she’s caught in the in-between. “Sure, my story would read like some tragicomedy.” And my oh my it is.
In Part One, her mother announces she’s a Traveller and makes quite the exit. That scene imprints on Shibby enough to replay in her head over and over. But that doesn’t seem to bother Dorah, her more pragmatic, sharp-tongued twin sister (“I couldn’t care a monkey’s arse about mammy”), who Shibby wishes she could be more like. But no, Shibby’s the good Catholic girl, the one who censors herself, hoping it’ll earn the love of mammy, Benny, and even Nanna. What does Shibby want and who will she be now that mammy’s clearly shown she doesn’t care a fig about her? Oh, one more thread to take note of: a minor character dies, which is related to one of the darker themes that Kabak will continue to explore in Part Two. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As for Part Two, hang on to your hat, because the ride is about to get bumpy…And by bumpy, I mean straight off a cliff. Shibby has learned some things, but she makes mistakes in new ways that really shake things up. She’s willing to overlook red flags just to welcome love into her life until…Arghhh Shibby, nooooo! But we can’t be hard on her. Given her childhood, you come to see why she does what she does. Anyway, a few startling experiences and revelations drive Shibby into her Dorah phase—not surprising all things considered.
You race to the end of the book, maybe not even suspecting anything more, until something *else* so shocking happens that you’ll drop your last bite of barmbrack (dust it off, it’ll be fine)***. Did [redacted] kill [redacted]?? Wouldn’t you like to know?
So…does Shibby finally get what she wants? Arrah, you eejit, you'll have to find out for yourself. All I’ll say is that you’re left with a mood tasting bittersweet and cautiously hopeful.
* ‘my friend’
** A couple songs referenced: “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” and “March of the King of Laois.”
*** Carrie has a recipe on her website! Check it out: https://carriekabak.wixsite.com/home/...
And my sincere apologies if I've completely butchered any of the irishisms.
When we first meet Shibby, she’s caught in the in-between. “Sure, my story would read like some tragicomedy.” And my oh my it is.
In Part One, her mother announces she’s a Traveller and makes quite the exit. That scene imprints on Shibby enough to replay in her head over and over. But that doesn’t seem to bother Dorah, her more pragmatic, sharp-tongued twin sister (“I couldn’t care a monkey’s arse about mammy”), who Shibby wishes she could be more like. But no, Shibby’s the good Catholic girl, the one who censors herself, hoping it’ll earn the love of mammy, Benny, and even Nanna. What does Shibby want and who will she be now that mammy’s clearly shown she doesn’t care a fig about her? Oh, one more thread to take note of: a minor character dies, which is related to one of the darker themes that Kabak will continue to explore in Part Two. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As for Part Two, hang on to your hat, because the ride is about to get bumpy…And by bumpy, I mean straight off a cliff. Shibby has learned some things, but she makes mistakes in new ways that really shake things up. She’s willing to overlook red flags just to welcome love into her life until…Arghhh Shibby, nooooo! But we can’t be hard on her. Given her childhood, you come to see why she does what she does. Anyway, a few startling experiences and revelations drive Shibby into her Dorah phase—not surprising all things considered.
You race to the end of the book, maybe not even suspecting anything more, until something *else* so shocking happens that you’ll drop your last bite of barmbrack (dust it off, it’ll be fine)***. Did [redacted] kill [redacted]?? Wouldn’t you like to know?
So…does Shibby finally get what she wants? Arrah, you eejit, you'll have to find out for yourself. All I’ll say is that you’re left with a mood tasting bittersweet and cautiously hopeful.
* ‘my friend’
** A couple songs referenced: “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” and “March of the King of Laois.”
*** Carrie has a recipe on her website! Check it out: https://carriekabak.wixsite.com/home/...
And my sincere apologies if I've completely butchered any of the irishisms.
February 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Engaging, heartfelt, and full of personality
I received an ARC of Shibby Magee in exchange for an honest review, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
This story immediately stood out because of its voice. Shibby is a memorable, well-written character, and the author does a great job bringing their world to life with strong emotion and personality. The writing flows smoothly, and I found myself quickly invested in the journey, especially the character dynamics and inner struggles woven throughout the plot.
What I appreciated most was how authentic the characters felt. Their reactions and growth felt earned, and there were several moments that stuck with me after I finished reading. The pacing was mostly solid, though a few sections felt slightly slower than others, which is the main reason this lands at four stars instead of five.
Overall, Shibby Magee is an enjoyable and thoughtful read that fans of character-driven stories will likely appreciate. I’d happily recommend it and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
I received an ARC of Shibby Magee in exchange for an honest review, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
This story immediately stood out because of its voice. Shibby is a memorable, well-written character, and the author does a great job bringing their world to life with strong emotion and personality. The writing flows smoothly, and I found myself quickly invested in the journey, especially the character dynamics and inner struggles woven throughout the plot.
What I appreciated most was how authentic the characters felt. Their reactions and growth felt earned, and there were several moments that stuck with me after I finished reading. The pacing was mostly solid, though a few sections felt slightly slower than others, which is the main reason this lands at four stars instead of five.
Overall, Shibby Magee is an enjoyable and thoughtful read that fans of character-driven stories will likely appreciate. I’d happily recommend it and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
February 10, 2026
Shibby Magee is an Irish family drama told over two parts. Shibby's world as she knows it changes drastically when her mother, a Traveller, leaves the family for the last time. Shibby and Dorah are 11-year-old twins left with their pub-loving dad, an ornery grandmother, and the loyal housekeeper Alice. Shibby is naive and Dorah is dubious. In part two we find Shibby still looking for answers and a sense of belonging.
I enjoyed learning about the Traveller culture and found myself pausing to look up Irish phrases. The writing is easy to return to. Funny, and sincere, Shibee Magee is a character study that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you Corbyn, and Carrie Kabak for this ARC.
I enjoyed learning about the Traveller culture and found myself pausing to look up Irish phrases. The writing is easy to return to. Funny, and sincere, Shibee Magee is a character study that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you Corbyn, and Carrie Kabak for this ARC.
March 26, 2026
Cleverly structured into two parts to match the protagonist’s childhood and adult life, Shibby Magee is a novel about a woman’s journey through abandonment and other traumatic experiences, all the way to self-discovery, liberation, and love. When I say “love”, I’m referring to the romantic kind, but also to the sincerity of friendship and the complex nature of the relationships that tie us to our biological and chosen families.
Isabel “Shibby” Magee’s life unravels in both rural and urban Ireland, her existence filled with questionable choices and speckled with colorful, sympathetic, and sometimes smothering and violent characters. Her twin sister Isadorah “Dorah” is a beacon in Shibby’s life—cutting, hilarious, and lovingly scolding—but only one of the many people of the “village” she keeps returning to.
The plot is curiously dark, tender, surprising, and a little wacky. I enjoyed its unfolding, but the fragrance writer and food lover in me was especially impressed with the mentions of scent and food throughout the story.
Carrie Kabak’s descriptions of scent vividly transported me to Shibby’s world as a chef and middle-aged woman navigating through life. I enjoyed it all: the smell of baked goods (“the scent turned sweet with the aroma of fermented yeast, and spices, and burst raisins”); the stenches of the outdoors and wildlife (“the earthy, iodine-rich reek of seaweed”; “the stink of Melva’s dung and the hen’s doo-doo”); the intoxicating scent of Shibby’s love interest (“he smelled of leather and wool. Along with earthy undertones of onions, garlic, fennel, sage—”).
The depictions of rich food and cooking simply offered a glimpse into her culinary world and made me hungry (“Over sizzling melts of lard, I laid rashers, black pudding, pork sausages, and cold sliced potatoes…”). Toward the end of the book, there is even a chef’s menu featuring gourmet Irish dishes!
Carrie masterfully weaved delightful sensory experiences into her novel’s fast-paced-plot, witty sense of humor, and moving character development, and I just want more of them.
The ending left me in tears (the good kind) and longing for a TV series adaptation!
Book copy gifted with no pressure to review.
Isabel “Shibby” Magee’s life unravels in both rural and urban Ireland, her existence filled with questionable choices and speckled with colorful, sympathetic, and sometimes smothering and violent characters. Her twin sister Isadorah “Dorah” is a beacon in Shibby’s life—cutting, hilarious, and lovingly scolding—but only one of the many people of the “village” she keeps returning to.
The plot is curiously dark, tender, surprising, and a little wacky. I enjoyed its unfolding, but the fragrance writer and food lover in me was especially impressed with the mentions of scent and food throughout the story.
Carrie Kabak’s descriptions of scent vividly transported me to Shibby’s world as a chef and middle-aged woman navigating through life. I enjoyed it all: the smell of baked goods (“the scent turned sweet with the aroma of fermented yeast, and spices, and burst raisins”); the stenches of the outdoors and wildlife (“the earthy, iodine-rich reek of seaweed”; “the stink of Melva’s dung and the hen’s doo-doo”); the intoxicating scent of Shibby’s love interest (“he smelled of leather and wool. Along with earthy undertones of onions, garlic, fennel, sage—”).
The depictions of rich food and cooking simply offered a glimpse into her culinary world and made me hungry (“Over sizzling melts of lard, I laid rashers, black pudding, pork sausages, and cold sliced potatoes…”). Toward the end of the book, there is even a chef’s menu featuring gourmet Irish dishes!
Carrie masterfully weaved delightful sensory experiences into her novel’s fast-paced-plot, witty sense of humor, and moving character development, and I just want more of them.
The ending left me in tears (the good kind) and longing for a TV series adaptation!
Book copy gifted with no pressure to review.
February 28, 2026
"It's like Shibby gets up on a nettle for a sting" said Dorah, "only to be surprised when it hurts."
Feck this, arrah that, "Shibby Magee" by the outstanding Carrie Kabak has it all with the relatably dark and manic Irish humour that we all love.
This tragicomic novel follows Shibby Magee after her mother Vera decides to leave and never return. Right before disappearing in a car with a man in a cowboy hat, she reveals to the family that she is actually a Traveller/Mincéir. Shibby and her twin sister Dorah are then left in the care of their emotionally distant father Benny, their caustic Nanna Magee, the lovable Moochie, and Alice, the motherly housekeeper.
The social prejudice of the community is revealed when there is a stronger reaction to Vera being a mincéir, than to her abandoning her children. A social prejudice so strong that even Nanna Magee, whose own business Gilligan's bakery is struggling financially, buys good clothes they cannot afford to keep up appearances with the "parish ladies".
Their father Benny may as well be absent for all the attention he pays to them, even calling them the "bane of his existence", yet there is more going on with Benny than it seems at first.
My favorite character had to be Alice with her mismatched eyes, her many quirks, and obsession with banshees. She is absolutely hilarious, but like many of the characters, is a bit lost and described as "three parts a woman, one part a child." Her love for Shibby and Dorah, though suffocating at times, is truly genuine and touching.
Another crucial character is Kitty, a traveller girl who joins Shibby's class and eventually becomes her lifelong best friend. Through Kitty, Shibby and Dorah are given an eye-opening insight into both the beauty and struggle of traveller life.
I also adored the sisterly bond between Dorah and Shibby. They are like chalk and cheese but they remain essential to one another and stick together through thick and thin. Dorah is brutally direct, observant and realistic with many memorable lines such as "Jesus ... I'd eat the balls off a low-flying crow!" Shibby meanwhile is more quiet and introspective than her twin, always hoping and dreaming for better. Wishing for her Mammy to come home, to have a better relationship with her father, and later, for a true meaningful love with another person.
Split into two parts, this novel follows Shibby in her unsettled girlhood and later as a woman still trying to find where she belongs, all while nursing the occasional pang of Catholic guilt.
The prose is lyrical and warm, the dialogue fast and hilarious, and the imagery so vivid that you feel completely immersed in the world Kabak has expertly built.
I cannot thank Carrie Kabak enough for the ARC of her immersive and thought provoking book. "Shibby Magee" is an instant classic I think everyone will love!
Feck this, arrah that, "Shibby Magee" by the outstanding Carrie Kabak has it all with the relatably dark and manic Irish humour that we all love.
This tragicomic novel follows Shibby Magee after her mother Vera decides to leave and never return. Right before disappearing in a car with a man in a cowboy hat, she reveals to the family that she is actually a Traveller/Mincéir. Shibby and her twin sister Dorah are then left in the care of their emotionally distant father Benny, their caustic Nanna Magee, the lovable Moochie, and Alice, the motherly housekeeper.
The social prejudice of the community is revealed when there is a stronger reaction to Vera being a mincéir, than to her abandoning her children. A social prejudice so strong that even Nanna Magee, whose own business Gilligan's bakery is struggling financially, buys good clothes they cannot afford to keep up appearances with the "parish ladies".
Their father Benny may as well be absent for all the attention he pays to them, even calling them the "bane of his existence", yet there is more going on with Benny than it seems at first.
My favorite character had to be Alice with her mismatched eyes, her many quirks, and obsession with banshees. She is absolutely hilarious, but like many of the characters, is a bit lost and described as "three parts a woman, one part a child." Her love for Shibby and Dorah, though suffocating at times, is truly genuine and touching.
Another crucial character is Kitty, a traveller girl who joins Shibby's class and eventually becomes her lifelong best friend. Through Kitty, Shibby and Dorah are given an eye-opening insight into both the beauty and struggle of traveller life.
I also adored the sisterly bond between Dorah and Shibby. They are like chalk and cheese but they remain essential to one another and stick together through thick and thin. Dorah is brutally direct, observant and realistic with many memorable lines such as "Jesus ... I'd eat the balls off a low-flying crow!" Shibby meanwhile is more quiet and introspective than her twin, always hoping and dreaming for better. Wishing for her Mammy to come home, to have a better relationship with her father, and later, for a true meaningful love with another person.
Split into two parts, this novel follows Shibby in her unsettled girlhood and later as a woman still trying to find where she belongs, all while nursing the occasional pang of Catholic guilt.
The prose is lyrical and warm, the dialogue fast and hilarious, and the imagery so vivid that you feel completely immersed in the world Kabak has expertly built.
I cannot thank Carrie Kabak enough for the ARC of her immersive and thought provoking book. "Shibby Magee" is an instant classic I think everyone will love!
April 15, 2026
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Shibby & her twin sister Dorah are abandoned one day by their mother Vera Coffey who they find out is an Irish traveller. The girls are raised by their disinterested father Benny, strict grandmother Nanna Magee and lovely Alice who is an employee of the family business Gilligan’s bakery.
As a child in school the girls befriend a young traveller girl named Kitty Dooley. A friendship that lasts a lifetime.
The second half of the book we see adult
Shibby searching for acceptance, stability and a sense of belonging.
Drawn to men who either use or abuse her you can’t help but feel such sympathy for her. I was rooting for her throughout the book to get her happy ending.
Shibby is a really likeable character, looking for acceptance, and answers as to her mother abandoning them, but Dorah on the other hand is rebellious & head strong and doesn’t care why anyone thinks. I love the fact that they are identical twins but have two completely different personalities but compliment each other & have such a close bond.
There were parts in the book I wanted to shout “don’t Shibby” 😂
There were lots of strong characters that really stood out especially Alice, Kitty & nanny Magee.
Also Benny’s partner “Moochie De Barra” who was such an important father figure to the girks, always filled with kindness & love.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the irishness of it. Loved the odd word of gaeilge thrown in too. I felt @carrie.kabak.writes fully embraced the Irish culture ☘️🇮🇪
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I’m excited to see what Carrie writes in the future.
Shibby & her twin sister Dorah are abandoned one day by their mother Vera Coffey who they find out is an Irish traveller. The girls are raised by their disinterested father Benny, strict grandmother Nanna Magee and lovely Alice who is an employee of the family business Gilligan’s bakery.
As a child in school the girls befriend a young traveller girl named Kitty Dooley. A friendship that lasts a lifetime.
The second half of the book we see adult
Shibby searching for acceptance, stability and a sense of belonging.
Drawn to men who either use or abuse her you can’t help but feel such sympathy for her. I was rooting for her throughout the book to get her happy ending.
Shibby is a really likeable character, looking for acceptance, and answers as to her mother abandoning them, but Dorah on the other hand is rebellious & head strong and doesn’t care why anyone thinks. I love the fact that they are identical twins but have two completely different personalities but compliment each other & have such a close bond.
There were parts in the book I wanted to shout “don’t Shibby” 😂
There were lots of strong characters that really stood out especially Alice, Kitty & nanny Magee.
Also Benny’s partner “Moochie De Barra” who was such an important father figure to the girks, always filled with kindness & love.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the irishness of it. Loved the odd word of gaeilge thrown in too. I felt @carrie.kabak.writes fully embraced the Irish culture ☘️🇮🇪
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I’m excited to see what Carrie writes in the future.
May 3, 2026
Shibby Magee is a life-spanning story about how one act of abandonment shapes a woman’s identity, and her long, uneven journey toward understanding herself. It is a character-driven Irish tragicomedy that follows Isabelle “Shibby” Magee across two stages of her life: childhood and middle age, after her mother abruptly abandons her family to join the Traveller community. This act of abandonment echoes through every stage of Shibby’s life. As a child growing up in Ireland, Shibby is raised in a lively but chaotic household. She struggles to understand why she was left behind, and the loss creates a deep sense of insecurity, confusion, and longing that has long-lasting effects that linger into adulthood. Despite the pain, these early years are infused with a dark humour; capturing family life, school, and Irish social dynamics. The story shifts to Shibby's life in middle age, where she navigates relationships, work, and identity. Her unresolved childhood trauma shows up in her romantic choices and self-worth. She often gravitates toward unhealthy or unfulfilling relationships, and her life becomes a pattern of searching: for love; for stability, and for a sense of belonging. Shibby Magee is a triumph in character driven storytelling, lingering emotionally long after reading. Despite its heavy themes, it is sharp witty and a wholy immersive read.
May 2, 2026
“And what led up to this? Sure, my story would read like some tragicomedy. A story told in two parts.” (Page 13)
This captivating tale about
Shibby (at ages eleven and fourty-five) and twin sister Dorah, after being left by their Irish traveller mother is clever, sharp and touching all at the same time.
‘It was as if they’d got well used to it. While I was left broken. Every single time.’ (Page 21)
Relationships, religion, abandonment, mistakes, family and self discovery are all explored in this poignant, delightfully warm and witty story. I just loved the humour that runs throughout the good and bad times.
Totally immersive with relatable characters ( I adored Alice!) I could not put this down.
Highly recommended - even though at times you’ll want to shout at Shibby!
This captivating tale about
Shibby (at ages eleven and fourty-five) and twin sister Dorah, after being left by their Irish traveller mother is clever, sharp and touching all at the same time.
‘It was as if they’d got well used to it. While I was left broken. Every single time.’ (Page 21)
Relationships, religion, abandonment, mistakes, family and self discovery are all explored in this poignant, delightfully warm and witty story. I just loved the humour that runs throughout the good and bad times.
Totally immersive with relatable characters ( I adored Alice!) I could not put this down.
Highly recommended - even though at times you’ll want to shout at Shibby!
May 1, 2026
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Shibby Magee. The cover definitely intrigued me. And then I was drawn into the life of Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah. What a tragic life they lived, with their mother leaving them at such an early age and being left with an abusive grandmother and a questionable, loving father.
The story of Shibby is told in two timelines—one when she and her sister are young and just trying to survive life, and then later in their lives when they are supposed to have it all figured out. I felt very connected to Shibby, not that I lived the same kind of life, but rather because I felt all that she was going through and empathized with her and her rough life. This was a story that opened my eyes to the life of the underprivileged and how the struggle to find happiness and peace is real for everyone.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shibby Magee and look forward to reading more by this author.
The story of Shibby is told in two timelines—one when she and her sister are young and just trying to survive life, and then later in their lives when they are supposed to have it all figured out. I felt very connected to Shibby, not that I lived the same kind of life, but rather because I felt all that she was going through and empathized with her and her rough life. This was a story that opened my eyes to the life of the underprivileged and how the struggle to find happiness and peace is real for everyone.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shibby Magee and look forward to reading more by this author.
April 19, 2026
Shibby has become part of my life for the last few days as I've been engrossed in her story!
It's my first traveller based story and it's enlightened me to how they live and interact with others. I do like how Shibby is a twin and her and her sister Dorah are so different from each other and they make their own name for each other.
I was sad at times for how Shibby has been treated by those around her, ones she thought she could trust, only to find out they are out for themselves. I like how she has her own job in a busy kitchen, making her way in the world but alongside a traveller life, she wants a husband and children.
A great read and a new author to me, an eye opener for sure!
It's my first traveller based story and it's enlightened me to how they live and interact with others. I do like how Shibby is a twin and her and her sister Dorah are so different from each other and they make their own name for each other.
I was sad at times for how Shibby has been treated by those around her, ones she thought she could trust, only to find out they are out for themselves. I like how she has her own job in a busy kitchen, making her way in the world but alongside a traveller life, she wants a husband and children.
A great read and a new author to me, an eye opener for sure!
March 12, 2026
thanks to the publisher for my ARC!
May 3, 2026
I was immediately drawn in to this story of Shibby, her twin sister Dorah, their unique family and the quirky members of their local Irish community. The book was well-written, engaging and atmospheric with excellent character development. I will definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 26, 2026
Loved it!
April 10, 2026
I know I'm only giving this book 4/5 stars, but I have my personal reasons. That said, I URGE you to get a copy of this book and read it SOON. This is a really good story, great characters, and Kabak is an author we should be on the lookout for. Trust me on this (have I ever led you astray? Remember, I said this with the debut novels of Backman, Rachel Joyce, and Ariel Lawhon!)
You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/04/1...
You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/04/1...
March 30, 2026
This book will make you laugh out loud and then quickly break your heart.
And somehow Carrie Kabak pulls it off on every single page.
Some books just get under your skin. Shibby Magee by Carrie Kabak is one of them.
When Shibby and her twin sister Dorah are eleven, their mother vanishes — dropping the bombshell on her way out that she’s an Irish Traveller returning to her community. What follows is a lifetime of fallout. Nanna Magee never forgives her son Benny for marrying a Traveller woman, and she makes sure everyone feels her contempt for it. Shibby spends decades chasing love and acceptance from people who seem constitutionally unable to give it — her cold, prejudiced grandmother, her emotionally absent father — all while carrying the wound of a mother who chose to leave.
The discrimination against the Traveller community is woven throughout the story, and Kabak handles it with real nuance. Shibby and Dorah’s lifelong friendship with Kitty, a Traveller girl, shows the other side. Kitty has all the loyalty, love, and warmth that Shibby’s own family rarely offered. In a desperate bid for connection, Shibby eventually marries a Traveller man. It’s a disaster. But it’s also the thing that finally cracks Benny open. He comes to her rescue, and in doing so, gives Shibby something she’d been waiting her whole life for.
The twins themselves are a study in contrasts. Dorah shrugs off every upheaval; Shibby takes everything to heart. Their saving grace is Alice Duffy, the family housekeeper, who becomes the mother figure they never had.
The writing is sharp, the Irish setting is atmospheric, and the characters feel so real they could walk right off the page.
This one is absurd and heartbreaking in equal measure. Highly recommend for fans of literary fiction, women’s fiction, and family dramas with real emotional weight.
Thank you Carrie Kabak for the gifted ebook.
And somehow Carrie Kabak pulls it off on every single page.
Some books just get under your skin. Shibby Magee by Carrie Kabak is one of them.
When Shibby and her twin sister Dorah are eleven, their mother vanishes — dropping the bombshell on her way out that she’s an Irish Traveller returning to her community. What follows is a lifetime of fallout. Nanna Magee never forgives her son Benny for marrying a Traveller woman, and she makes sure everyone feels her contempt for it. Shibby spends decades chasing love and acceptance from people who seem constitutionally unable to give it — her cold, prejudiced grandmother, her emotionally absent father — all while carrying the wound of a mother who chose to leave.
The discrimination against the Traveller community is woven throughout the story, and Kabak handles it with real nuance. Shibby and Dorah’s lifelong friendship with Kitty, a Traveller girl, shows the other side. Kitty has all the loyalty, love, and warmth that Shibby’s own family rarely offered. In a desperate bid for connection, Shibby eventually marries a Traveller man. It’s a disaster. But it’s also the thing that finally cracks Benny open. He comes to her rescue, and in doing so, gives Shibby something she’d been waiting her whole life for.
The twins themselves are a study in contrasts. Dorah shrugs off every upheaval; Shibby takes everything to heart. Their saving grace is Alice Duffy, the family housekeeper, who becomes the mother figure they never had.
The writing is sharp, the Irish setting is atmospheric, and the characters feel so real they could walk right off the page.
This one is absurd and heartbreaking in equal measure. Highly recommend for fans of literary fiction, women’s fiction, and family dramas with real emotional weight.
Thank you Carrie Kabak for the gifted ebook.
April 11, 2026
Shibby Magee by Carrie Kabak is a heartfelt and engaging read about a woman navigating life, love, and personal growth. Set in Ireland, the story has an extra special charm for me as it made me feel connected to my Irish roots, which really enhanced Shibby’s journey.
Shibby is a relatable and likeable character who is searching for where she belongs and what it truly means to feel loved. Her story is both funny and deeply emotional, striking a balance between lighthearted moments and more tragic, heavier themes. At the heart of it all are her abandonment issues, which stem from when her mother left her and her twin sister at just 11 years old to become a traveller. That experience clearly shapes Shibby’s outlook on relationships and her deep desire for connection, and it adds a layer of vulnerability that makes her character feel very real.
What I really appreciated was how the novel explores themes of self-discovery, independence, and finding your voice. Shibby’s journey isn’t always smooth; she makes mistakes, questions herself, and struggles with feeling worthy of love, but that’s what makes her so compelling. You can’t help but root for her as she tries to make sense of her past and build a future where she feels secure and valued.
There’s a strong emotional core to the story, but it never feels too heavy thanks to the humour woven throughout. The Irish setting also adds so much personality to the book, giving it a unique atmosphere that makes it stand out even more.
Shibby Magee is a touching and memorable story, funny at times, but also quite tragic, about love, belonging, and healing. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, especially because of how honestly it portrays the impact of the past on who we become.
Shibby is a relatable and likeable character who is searching for where she belongs and what it truly means to feel loved. Her story is both funny and deeply emotional, striking a balance between lighthearted moments and more tragic, heavier themes. At the heart of it all are her abandonment issues, which stem from when her mother left her and her twin sister at just 11 years old to become a traveller. That experience clearly shapes Shibby’s outlook on relationships and her deep desire for connection, and it adds a layer of vulnerability that makes her character feel very real.
What I really appreciated was how the novel explores themes of self-discovery, independence, and finding your voice. Shibby’s journey isn’t always smooth; she makes mistakes, questions herself, and struggles with feeling worthy of love, but that’s what makes her so compelling. You can’t help but root for her as she tries to make sense of her past and build a future where she feels secure and valued.
There’s a strong emotional core to the story, but it never feels too heavy thanks to the humour woven throughout. The Irish setting also adds so much personality to the book, giving it a unique atmosphere that makes it stand out even more.
Shibby Magee is a touching and memorable story, funny at times, but also quite tragic, about love, belonging, and healing. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, especially because of how honestly it portrays the impact of the past on who we become.
January 31, 2026
"Shibby Magee" is a book and a person I can't get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character, I mean it! There are many, many characters... main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn't deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a "Traveller", which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With reckless, careless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. :-)
Merged review:
“Shibby Magee” is a book and a person I can’t get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character I mean it! There are many, many characters… main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn’t deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a “Traveler”, which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With careless, reckless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. 😉
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a "Traveller", which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With reckless, careless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. :-)
Merged review:
“Shibby Magee” is a book and a person I can’t get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character I mean it! There are many, many characters… main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn’t deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a “Traveler”, which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With careless, reckless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. 😉
March 11, 2026
The author kindly sent me a copy of Shibby Magee in exchange for an honest review. Luckily for both of us, honesty is my default setting.
This is a story about love and loss, but not the Hallmark version. This is real life, where people move fast because there are urgent things to deal with and no time for dramatic gazing into the distance.
Shibby's mother leaves when she's a child, and everyone says good riddance except Shibby. She keeps hoping her mother will come back. That single moment scars her for life, leaving her searching for belonging and love for decades.
What I liked:
The second half of the book (when Shibby is 45) is much more energetic and emotionally complex than the first. The revelations hit hard. Shibby discovers her father isn't her biological father but raised her anyway. Her mother has no remorse about leaving. The man she married was involved with her mother as a teenager. These twists are perfectly timed and devastating.
The portrayal of Shibby's selfishness is brutally honest. She's so focused on her own pain that she can't see anyone else's struggles. She never tries to understand her father, her sister, or Alice the housekeeper. Only at 45 does she realise her family protected her all along. This psychological insight is the book's greatest strength.
Benny's character broke my heart. He's gay in a time when it's taboo, married to a woman who doesn't love him, raising children who aren't his, saving a failing bakery, and managing his bitter mother. All whilst hiding who he really is.
The Irish Traveller community is portrayed with respect and detail. We learn about this indigenous ethnic group with distinct heritage and language, and how they're treated by settled Irish society.
What could be better:
The first half is quite slow, setting up characters and context. Some actions feel unnecessary and disconnected from Shibby's main story. There are also many Irish words that required looking up, which interrupted the flow.
Bottom line:
If you want something real and are curious about Irish life, the Traveller community, and how childhood abandonment shapes a person's entire existence, read this. Just be prepared for a slow first half that pays off in a much more energetic second half. This book is so real it hurts in parts, and that's exactly why it's worth reading.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with psychological depth and cultural insight.
If you want to read my full review check my blog - https://reviewsinyellow.com/shibby-ma...
This is a story about love and loss, but not the Hallmark version. This is real life, where people move fast because there are urgent things to deal with and no time for dramatic gazing into the distance.
Shibby's mother leaves when she's a child, and everyone says good riddance except Shibby. She keeps hoping her mother will come back. That single moment scars her for life, leaving her searching for belonging and love for decades.
What I liked:
The second half of the book (when Shibby is 45) is much more energetic and emotionally complex than the first. The revelations hit hard. Shibby discovers her father isn't her biological father but raised her anyway. Her mother has no remorse about leaving. The man she married was involved with her mother as a teenager. These twists are perfectly timed and devastating.
The portrayal of Shibby's selfishness is brutally honest. She's so focused on her own pain that she can't see anyone else's struggles. She never tries to understand her father, her sister, or Alice the housekeeper. Only at 45 does she realise her family protected her all along. This psychological insight is the book's greatest strength.
Benny's character broke my heart. He's gay in a time when it's taboo, married to a woman who doesn't love him, raising children who aren't his, saving a failing bakery, and managing his bitter mother. All whilst hiding who he really is.
The Irish Traveller community is portrayed with respect and detail. We learn about this indigenous ethnic group with distinct heritage and language, and how they're treated by settled Irish society.
What could be better:
The first half is quite slow, setting up characters and context. Some actions feel unnecessary and disconnected from Shibby's main story. There are also many Irish words that required looking up, which interrupted the flow.
Bottom line:
If you want something real and are curious about Irish life, the Traveller community, and how childhood abandonment shapes a person's entire existence, read this. Just be prepared for a slow first half that pays off in a much more energetic second half. This book is so real it hurts in parts, and that's exactly why it's worth reading.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with psychological depth and cultural insight.
If you want to read my full review check my blog - https://reviewsinyellow.com/shibby-ma...
February 25, 2026
shibby magee by carrie kabak
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre: irish tragicomedy / lit fic 🇮🇪
316 pages (ARC, e-book)
16/50
synopsis:
this book follows shibby, and her journey after being abandoned by her mother who reveals that she’s a traveller (discriminated against ethic group of ireland similar to romani people).
this story is told in two parts: one where shibby is 11 living with her wily sister, emotional absent father, doting housekeeper, and prejudiced grandmother, and the other in which shibby is 45, unmarried, a chef, and dealing with horrible men.
review:
sometimes family is your twin sister, your dad, his boyfriend, the housekeeper, your Traveller best friend, and your geriatric uncle.
i absolutely loved this book. i got so attached to shibby and her family. my favorite character was alice, the childish but loving mother-figure for shibby and dorah who “takes care of business” in her own way.
this book was also hilarious and really sweet. the imagery is beautiful, and the way the author writes makes it feel immersive. the minor characters stand out. it’s such a fun cast of characters who you really grow to love and understand or love to hate (like nanna magee or all the men shibby deals with).
i got this book from the author, carrie kabak! thank you for trusting me with your work! it came out in february and i highly recommend picking up a copy. shibby magee is on the level of your fave lit fics, but like no one knows about it! so im hoping to spread the word because this book is incredible.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre: irish tragicomedy / lit fic 🇮🇪
316 pages (ARC, e-book)
16/50
synopsis:
this book follows shibby, and her journey after being abandoned by her mother who reveals that she’s a traveller (discriminated against ethic group of ireland similar to romani people).
this story is told in two parts: one where shibby is 11 living with her wily sister, emotional absent father, doting housekeeper, and prejudiced grandmother, and the other in which shibby is 45, unmarried, a chef, and dealing with horrible men.
review:
sometimes family is your twin sister, your dad, his boyfriend, the housekeeper, your Traveller best friend, and your geriatric uncle.
i absolutely loved this book. i got so attached to shibby and her family. my favorite character was alice, the childish but loving mother-figure for shibby and dorah who “takes care of business” in her own way.
this book was also hilarious and really sweet. the imagery is beautiful, and the way the author writes makes it feel immersive. the minor characters stand out. it’s such a fun cast of characters who you really grow to love and understand or love to hate (like nanna magee or all the men shibby deals with).
i got this book from the author, carrie kabak! thank you for trusting me with your work! it came out in february and i highly recommend picking up a copy. shibby magee is on the level of your fave lit fics, but like no one knows about it! so im hoping to spread the word because this book is incredible.
April 27, 2026
Shibby Magee is a novel in two parts. It paints a vivid picture of a childhood in Ireland under the thumb of a controlling grandmother in the early 1990s and of middle-aged adulthood on a rural island in the present. While both halves are engaging, more than once I found myself wishing there wasn't such a large time skip between them, and that I knew more of what happened in between.
Carrie Kabak writes with a charming voice, full of Irish vernacular that may seem intimidating at first, but quickly becomes second nature. The book is full of colorful and interesting supportive characters, from darling Alice Duffy to wonderful Moochie and delightful Kitty.
However, I found myself struggling to understand why Shibby thought and did the things she did. At times, she seems hopelessly naive in a manner that would make more sense if she were 25 than 45. This is made even more stark in contrast with her twin sister, who evidently had been her roommate and constant companion until their forty-fifth birthday, yet was much more worldly-wise than Shibby. It left me wondering whether I had missed something in the 35-year time skip: had Shibby been repeating the same cycle with men her whole adult life, or had she had limited experience with men until she moved to Burren Droma? I wish that had been better explained.
On the whole, Shibby Magee was just good enough to leave me wishing it were a little bit better.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Carrie Kabak writes with a charming voice, full of Irish vernacular that may seem intimidating at first, but quickly becomes second nature. The book is full of colorful and interesting supportive characters, from darling Alice Duffy to wonderful Moochie and delightful Kitty.
However, I found myself struggling to understand why Shibby thought and did the things she did. At times, she seems hopelessly naive in a manner that would make more sense if she were 25 than 45. This is made even more stark in contrast with her twin sister, who evidently had been her roommate and constant companion until their forty-fifth birthday, yet was much more worldly-wise than Shibby. It left me wondering whether I had missed something in the 35-year time skip: had Shibby been repeating the same cycle with men her whole adult life, or had she had limited experience with men until she moved to Burren Droma? I wish that had been better explained.
On the whole, Shibby Magee was just good enough to leave me wishing it were a little bit better.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the kind of book you'll want to share with your best friend. It's that good. It's about Shibby Magee and her twin sister Dorah and how they get on with their lives and endure after their mother abandons them when they are still children. It's set during two different years of Shibby's life in Ireland. One as that lost girl, the other as an adult navigating her way amongst the cafes and restaurants of Ireland where Shibby works as a professional chef. Shibby struggles emotionally because of her mother's zero-explanation disappearance. Then she gets into a relationship with her boss, Chef Rogan Rafferty. He is attentive, affectionate, and emotionally present—qualities that both attract and unsettle her. But this isn’t a romance, and the story never pretends that it is.
SPOILER-------------------
When Shibby becomes pregnant with Rafferty's child, the story shifts into something deeper. Rather than offering rescue or reassurance, the pregnancy forces Shibby into facing her fears of dependence and abandonment. By the end, the novel’s resolution is powerful and quietly radical: Shibby chooses herself. She decides to have the baby on her own terms, and finally claims her own worth. She puts her mother and the awfulness of her cold abandonment behind her. I thought Shibby Magee was a tender, funny, and deeply human novel written by a master storyteller at the top of her game.
Note: I was given the manuscript to review by the publisher.
SPOILER-------------------
When Shibby becomes pregnant with Rafferty's child, the story shifts into something deeper. Rather than offering rescue or reassurance, the pregnancy forces Shibby into facing her fears of dependence and abandonment. By the end, the novel’s resolution is powerful and quietly radical: Shibby chooses herself. She decides to have the baby on her own terms, and finally claims her own worth. She puts her mother and the awfulness of her cold abandonment behind her. I thought Shibby Magee was a tender, funny, and deeply human novel written by a master storyteller at the top of her game.
Note: I was given the manuscript to review by the publisher.
February 15, 2026
Shibby Magee
By Carrie Kabak
Thank you Carrie for gifting me a copy of this book
I hadn’t heard of Carrie prior to receiving this book and I had no idea what this book was about so I was going in blind. I read this book in one day, it was intriguing, insightful and moving.
The book spans over thirty five years- part one is where we meet 11 year old twin sisters Dorah and Shibby. Set in Co Roscommon, the girls mother Vera Coffey, abandons the girls and leaves them with their father as she rejoins her family who are members of the Travelling community.
Part 2 of the book picks up in Co Galway when the girls are 45 year old women and you can evidently see the impact that their upbringing has carried through to their adult life.
Dorah, the tougher of the two seems to have found her path, Shibby is struggling - she tries both settled life and life on the road as a Traveller until she ultimately finds her place in society.
This is an emotional read, Carrie does a wonderful job of describing and exploring the life of a Traveller in rural Ireland.
You cannot help but have sympathy for Shibby as she navigates her way through life, discovering information about her mother’s past and I found myself wishing and hoping that Shibby will find her happy ever after.
If you liked Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, you will like this book too.
Carrie is a new author to me but I will be go back and read more of her work, I really enjoyed this book.
By Carrie Kabak
Thank you Carrie for gifting me a copy of this book
I hadn’t heard of Carrie prior to receiving this book and I had no idea what this book was about so I was going in blind. I read this book in one day, it was intriguing, insightful and moving.
The book spans over thirty five years- part one is where we meet 11 year old twin sisters Dorah and Shibby. Set in Co Roscommon, the girls mother Vera Coffey, abandons the girls and leaves them with their father as she rejoins her family who are members of the Travelling community.
Part 2 of the book picks up in Co Galway when the girls are 45 year old women and you can evidently see the impact that their upbringing has carried through to their adult life.
Dorah, the tougher of the two seems to have found her path, Shibby is struggling - she tries both settled life and life on the road as a Traveller until she ultimately finds her place in society.
This is an emotional read, Carrie does a wonderful job of describing and exploring the life of a Traveller in rural Ireland.
You cannot help but have sympathy for Shibby as she navigates her way through life, discovering information about her mother’s past and I found myself wishing and hoping that Shibby will find her happy ever after.
If you liked Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, you will like this book too.
Carrie is a new author to me but I will be go back and read more of her work, I really enjoyed this book.
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