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Stations
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Expected 3 Nov 26Long after he drifts out of reach, a woman is haunted by the troubled boy who befriended her as an outcast teenager, in this heart-rending novel by the internationally bestselling author of Trespasses.
In 1980s Ireland, Róisín and Red bond as only two precocious and disaffected teenagers can. Soon he is privy to the secret source of her shame and the father who’s abandoned her and her mother to their damp house and never-ending strife. But what does Róisín know about why Red avoids going home to his own posh parents and house—the house he soon flees forever?
When a Christmas visit to her father reveals the devastating truth of his new life in London, Róisín tracks down Red and moves into his Pimlico squat. But the path he is now on is a disturbing one, and gradually they drift apart. And yet the great, never-consummated passion of her youth remains a visitation upon the years that follow. Will Róisín ever stop longing for Red? Will she ever learn to let someone else love her—or learn to love herself?
Stations is a gorgeous, wrenching novel about the terrible—and sometimes redemptive—power with which the past hovers over the present.
In 1980s Ireland, Róisín and Red bond as only two precocious and disaffected teenagers can. Soon he is privy to the secret source of her shame and the father who’s abandoned her and her mother to their damp house and never-ending strife. But what does Róisín know about why Red avoids going home to his own posh parents and house—the house he soon flees forever?
When a Christmas visit to her father reveals the devastating truth of his new life in London, Róisín tracks down Red and moves into his Pimlico squat. But the path he is now on is a disturbing one, and gradually they drift apart. And yet the great, never-consummated passion of her youth remains a visitation upon the years that follow. Will Róisín ever stop longing for Red? Will she ever learn to let someone else love her—or learn to love herself?
Stations is a gorgeous, wrenching novel about the terrible—and sometimes redemptive—power with which the past hovers over the present.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Louise Kennedy
5 books770 followersLouise Kennedy grew up near Belfast. Trespasses is her first novel. She is also the author of a collection of short stories, The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac. She has written for The Guardian, The Irish Times, and BBC Radio 4. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a chef for almost thirty years. She lives in Sligo, Ireland
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 23, 2026
ugh yes louise kennedy has done it again ⭐️
April 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read the arc for this book.
The story follows the characters of Róison and Red who become friends in their childhood and evolves over time.
The story focuses on the obstacles and unexpected paths life takes you on. The writing and description is very well done. However there was quite a few times I felt lost in the story with the time jumps and the shift from scene to scene and following along with the plot.
One thing I appreciated as an interesting choice was how the book didn’t follow in any route I could have expected, especially the ending which left it up for interpretation.
It tells the story of how friendships come and go and the people who come back into your life after years apart.
The main themes of the book are friendship, love, life choices, coming of age and loyalty.
Spoiler warning !!!! :
As much as the ending being left open for interpretation is interesting I would have enjoyed some form of closure on what happened in terms of Ró searching for Red and what happened to him.
The story follows the characters of Róison and Red who become friends in their childhood and evolves over time.
The story focuses on the obstacles and unexpected paths life takes you on. The writing and description is very well done. However there was quite a few times I felt lost in the story with the time jumps and the shift from scene to scene and following along with the plot.
One thing I appreciated as an interesting choice was how the book didn’t follow in any route I could have expected, especially the ending which left it up for interpretation.
It tells the story of how friendships come and go and the people who come back into your life after years apart.
The main themes of the book are friendship, love, life choices, coming of age and loyalty.
Spoiler warning !!!! :
As much as the ending being left open for interpretation is interesting I would have enjoyed some form of closure on what happened in terms of Ró searching for Red and what happened to him.
June 4, 2026
Louise Kennedy up there with one of my new fave writers. Devastating and real and so fucking SAD!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded up
In October 1982 Róisín McCaffrey is a reluctant go-between delivering a letter from her bête noir Tina Doyle to Red (Redmond) Camelin who’s reputation for trouble precedes him. However, Róisín finds him to be intelligent and funny and an unlikely friendship develops. After a brush with the law, Red leaves Ireland to start a new life in England and they drift apart, although there’s some kind of invisible thread that binds them together. As it turns out, he’s always with her even when he’s not.
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy is a favourite book of mine and so I quite simply had to read this and I’m definitely not disappointed! It’s a beautifully written, emotional, character driven novel with a strong sense of time and place, taking the reader from 1982 to 2007, a twenty five year journey of friendship, love, loss and family through many ups and downs and multiple layers in the storytelling. The characterisation is outstanding, especially of Red, Róisín, her sister Mary and Barry/Finbarr but all are portrayed well. Many are complex and complicated and some are damaged, with Red being especially intriguing. He’s a troubled soul, extremely unpredictable, highly intelligent and very well read. His issues take him into many self-destructive places and in the process, he causes pain. Despite his difficulties it’s easy to understand why people are drawn to him and I don’t think I’ll forget him in a hurry.
The end result of all this is sad but also funny especially through the dialogue, it’s heartbreaking and bleak at times, but it feels very true to life. The ending is open ended which feels just right after what has gone before and that’s life sometimes, it’s incomplete.
I love the book for its messy honesty, it’s heartache and for showing characters vulnerability with well placed humour along the way. I hope this is another best seller for the author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
In October 1982 Róisín McCaffrey is a reluctant go-between delivering a letter from her bête noir Tina Doyle to Red (Redmond) Camelin who’s reputation for trouble precedes him. However, Róisín finds him to be intelligent and funny and an unlikely friendship develops. After a brush with the law, Red leaves Ireland to start a new life in England and they drift apart, although there’s some kind of invisible thread that binds them together. As it turns out, he’s always with her even when he’s not.
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy is a favourite book of mine and so I quite simply had to read this and I’m definitely not disappointed! It’s a beautifully written, emotional, character driven novel with a strong sense of time and place, taking the reader from 1982 to 2007, a twenty five year journey of friendship, love, loss and family through many ups and downs and multiple layers in the storytelling. The characterisation is outstanding, especially of Red, Róisín, her sister Mary and Barry/Finbarr but all are portrayed well. Many are complex and complicated and some are damaged, with Red being especially intriguing. He’s a troubled soul, extremely unpredictable, highly intelligent and very well read. His issues take him into many self-destructive places and in the process, he causes pain. Despite his difficulties it’s easy to understand why people are drawn to him and I don’t think I’ll forget him in a hurry.
The end result of all this is sad but also funny especially through the dialogue, it’s heartbreaking and bleak at times, but it feels very true to life. The ending is open ended which feels just right after what has gone before and that’s life sometimes, it’s incomplete.
I love the book for its messy honesty, it’s heartache and for showing characters vulnerability with well placed humour along the way. I hope this is another best seller for the author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Roisin and Red meet as teenagers in a small town in Ireland and become unlikely friends. Their connection remains even when he is thrown out by his family and flees to England, and eventually she follows and they live a life of decadent sqalor for a while in a squat. Roisin wants a deeper relationship than Red seems willing or able to give, and eventually their paths diverge and they lose touch, but she can never forget him, and as time passes the past begins to catch up with her. Raw and emotional, this novel really brings to life what it was like to be young, troubled and Irish at the end of the twentieth century. Parents struggle and fail, angry children lash out and forgiveness and understanding are hard won, and sometimes come too late. The demons of drink and drugs are ever looming, pride and shame lead to bad choices, but still in this world there is beauty and reconciliation. Red seems to personify the misery of previous generations through history; showing Roisin an old part of London, he asks her, “ ‘Can you not feel it? All those wretched lives layered up underneath us.’ Can you not, because he knew she wouldn’t understand.” Exquisitely written and often heart-wrenching, this second novel from Kennedy more than lives up to the promise of the first, and will surely be one of the best books of the year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've not read anything that hit me like this in a long time.
In full
It's October 1982. Róisín has been asked by a girl she knows (but doesn't like) to give a letter to a boy from their school called Red. Róisín is not that popular and not bothered by him either (although he is seen as attractive). They sit smoking and then start talking about favourite things. He follows her home and they talk a lot more. There's a lot of teen angst as well as some very Irish aspects. She was originally from the north and has only moved to the south quite recently. Red is from the south. For me this felt teen like, funny, Irish and quite convincing.
The book is about Róisín as she grows and the narrative changes as she grows. It's about her family too (& that's complicated). Her relationship with her mother is probably quite normal (ie less than good). Her father is now absent having left to work in England - he is a troubled character. Some people are quite constant over the book while others are transient. Red features in this from time to time and that's complicated too. Both of them leave Ireland for London though not together - there's an inevitability about some things.
Having written that I actually realise this book is simply about life and for many people that can be very complicated. Róisín starts off by hating almost everyone else. Over time she hates herself just as much. I guess that could sound a bit depressing and parts of the book really are quite dark. However other parts are funny, powerful and uplifting. Maybe worth saying that this book does have parts that might affect some people. There's homelessness, drugs, mental health issues, alcohol abuse. Personally I became engaged with this book fairly quickly - for me it has a strange charm and authenticity to it. As time went by I simply tried to avoid putting it down. I really wanted to know how everything worked out.
I rate very few book at 5 star these days however this one really does have something special for me. Róisín's journey from anger and hate of others to the same feelings for herself was just so powerful. Please don't take this as meaning that this book is depressing though. It's dark at times however there is such warmth and humanity at other times. It's maybe 4.5/5 but I'm rounding it up for the tears! I'd read something else by Louise Kennedy without hesitation.
My thanks to the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book
In full
It's October 1982. Róisín has been asked by a girl she knows (but doesn't like) to give a letter to a boy from their school called Red. Róisín is not that popular and not bothered by him either (although he is seen as attractive). They sit smoking and then start talking about favourite things. He follows her home and they talk a lot more. There's a lot of teen angst as well as some very Irish aspects. She was originally from the north and has only moved to the south quite recently. Red is from the south. For me this felt teen like, funny, Irish and quite convincing.
The book is about Róisín as she grows and the narrative changes as she grows. It's about her family too (& that's complicated). Her relationship with her mother is probably quite normal (ie less than good). Her father is now absent having left to work in England - he is a troubled character. Some people are quite constant over the book while others are transient. Red features in this from time to time and that's complicated too. Both of them leave Ireland for London though not together - there's an inevitability about some things.
Having written that I actually realise this book is simply about life and for many people that can be very complicated. Róisín starts off by hating almost everyone else. Over time she hates herself just as much. I guess that could sound a bit depressing and parts of the book really are quite dark. However other parts are funny, powerful and uplifting. Maybe worth saying that this book does have parts that might affect some people. There's homelessness, drugs, mental health issues, alcohol abuse. Personally I became engaged with this book fairly quickly - for me it has a strange charm and authenticity to it. As time went by I simply tried to avoid putting it down. I really wanted to know how everything worked out.
I rate very few book at 5 star these days however this one really does have something special for me. Róisín's journey from anger and hate of others to the same feelings for herself was just so powerful. Please don't take this as meaning that this book is depressing though. It's dark at times however there is such warmth and humanity at other times. It's maybe 4.5/5 but I'm rounding it up for the tears! I'd read something else by Louise Kennedy without hesitation.
My thanks to the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this advance copy!
„Trespasses“ was one of my favourite books last year and so I had high hopes (potentially overinflated) for Stations. We follow our two main characters Ró and Red who become friends in childhood and how their relationship evolves over time. The writing itself is excellent. For me the issue with this book was that the main characters deeply unlikeable. Ró comes across as immature and petulant and Red seems disinterested and absent. As a consequence, I didn’t understand their connection that forms the basis for many actions in this book. This leads me to the second issue: the plot. Because this is a very character driven novel, I didn’t invest heavily in any of the characters‘ actions either and the plot felt very meandering and lacking direction. Whilst this was an enjoyable read, I felt that more could have been done by the author to establish plot and characterisation.
„Trespasses“ was one of my favourite books last year and so I had high hopes (potentially overinflated) for Stations. We follow our two main characters Ró and Red who become friends in childhood and how their relationship evolves over time. The writing itself is excellent. For me the issue with this book was that the main characters deeply unlikeable. Ró comes across as immature and petulant and Red seems disinterested and absent. As a consequence, I didn’t understand their connection that forms the basis for many actions in this book. This leads me to the second issue: the plot. Because this is a very character driven novel, I didn’t invest heavily in any of the characters‘ actions either and the plot felt very meandering and lacking direction. Whilst this was an enjoyable read, I felt that more could have been done by the author to establish plot and characterisation.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was so pleased to receive an ARC of this book but often the proofs are kind of 'set aside' until nearer publication date ... well this one had me in its grip from the opening pages. It reminded me of when I used to have a book at my side through lunch, in the bathroom ( before the evil phone days) ... the characters have a darkness that is flawed, compelling and oh so vulnerable. The story moves through the decades with an attention to detail, but an immediacy in the writing. No spoilers will be given, but suffice to say it's not the obvious outcome but is all the more powerful for it. If you enjoyed Claire Daverley's Talking at Night, or the TV series It's A Sin .. a story full of young characters with heart-breaking circumstances, not only was I thoroughly invested in them but I kind of need to know what they are at now, already. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don't want to be mean, but if possible, this may be the most nothing book ever. I'm not mad at it or anything I just feel nothing. It is a thing I read and was able to make it through without too much difficulty, but it failed to truly engross me or interest me. The writing isn't bad, but incredibly detached, and I lacked the character elements that make a character driven work like this - such as any sense of Ró's rich inner life or raw feeling. I lacked any awareness of the true pain or unease that comes with loving someone devolving into active addiction, but maybe that was the point.
All of this being said, after DNFing 'Trespasses' for being thoroughly miserable, I will not be picking up a book by Louise Kennedy ever again. (Special thank you to my boyfriend for translating some lines of dialogue and description I am too American to comprehend)
All of this being said, after DNFing 'Trespasses' for being thoroughly miserable, I will not be picking up a book by Louise Kennedy ever again. (Special thank you to my boyfriend for translating some lines of dialogue and description I am too American to comprehend)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐
This is Louise Kennedy's follow up to Trespasses which I loved.
Stations is the story of the on off friendship between Róisín and Red who meet as teenagers in their small Irish hometown in 1982 and end up in London. It was a nostalgic read for me as I grew up near Kilburn where much of the book is set in around the same period and the time and place is really well and accurately captured in the book.
It is a sad but lighter read than Trespasses and I missed the political angle of the earlier book. I think Stations would translate well to screen and it has something of David Nicholls' One Day about it.
Overall, I liked Stations but I didn't love it. That being said, it's really well written with sparky dialogue and interesting characters and I think it would make a great beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an ARC of this novel.
This is Louise Kennedy's follow up to Trespasses which I loved.
Stations is the story of the on off friendship between Róisín and Red who meet as teenagers in their small Irish hometown in 1982 and end up in London. It was a nostalgic read for me as I grew up near Kilburn where much of the book is set in around the same period and the time and place is really well and accurately captured in the book.
It is a sad but lighter read than Trespasses and I missed the political angle of the earlier book. I think Stations would translate well to screen and it has something of David Nicholls' One Day about it.
Overall, I liked Stations but I didn't love it. That being said, it's really well written with sparky dialogue and interesting characters and I think it would make a great beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an ARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Trespasses so had to read this asap.
In 1982 Róisin and Red meet as teenagers, both are outsiders in their small town in Ireland. Róisin is a recent arrival from the North, while Red already has a reputation for trouble. An unlikely close friendship blossoms.
Stations follows their friendship through the years, sometimes close, sometimes miles apart, to a London squat and beyond, through drink and drugs. It’s often fairly bleak and really quite moving.
Louise Kennedy’s prose has that same natural flow that you loved from Trespasses. It pulls you into the page and carries you along.
If you enjoyed Trespasses you won’t want to miss this. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ)
In 1982 Róisin and Red meet as teenagers, both are outsiders in their small town in Ireland. Róisin is a recent arrival from the North, while Red already has a reputation for trouble. An unlikely close friendship blossoms.
Stations follows their friendship through the years, sometimes close, sometimes miles apart, to a London squat and beyond, through drink and drugs. It’s often fairly bleak and really quite moving.
Louise Kennedy’s prose has that same natural flow that you loved from Trespasses. It pulls you into the page and carries you along.
If you enjoyed Trespasses you won’t want to miss this. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book I've read by Louise Kennedy but it certainly won't be the last. We are introduced to Róisin and Red who meet in 1982 in Ireland, but we follow them to London over the years after they both endure various struggles. It was a tragic read, and bleak at times but I really couldn’t put this down. I loved the characters in this story, despite their flaws but also because of them and their actions just felt so real to me. There was so much vulnerability and complexity in them. I think they will stay with me for a long time. 4.5 stars rounded to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy :)
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read Louise Kennedy’s brilliant debut novel and was so excited to be able to read Transitions. With such an assured, emotionally cogent first novel I was sure things could only get better. I was right. This is a beautiful coming of age novel set against the twin issues of addiction and abuse and with the effects of the Troubles always present in the background. The intensity of youth and its selfishness and the simultaneous inability to cope with the problems of others is beautifully represented. The way those traumas ripple on through the following decades is also well handled. I loved this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two teenagers forge a friendship that endures over the years, with all the usual messiness and misunderstandings. The lives of the main characters are blighted by their past and the choices of their parents, and it is frustrating that they seemed unable to break away or chose an easy path to tread. I enjoyed the cultural references to the 1980s. It felt thin on plot, maybe that is the point and actually what I should be taking with me is that we don't know what is going on in other people's lives and we can't understand why people chose to make certain decisions.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank god for Louise Kennedy. She just writes so beautifully and I ache for her characters every time. The settings of growing up in Ireland and London in the 80s are incredibly vivid. She’s one of the only authors I will let ease me into inevitable heartbreak and thank for her for it; picking up the book again and again despite it all.
Pretty much everything a book should be, she just does everything incredibly well.
Pretty much everything a book should be, she just does everything incredibly well.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC.
There's something about Irish story telling which is beguiling and Louise Kennedy is a master of the craft.
This is a gripping and easy to read story about unrequited love, friendship, coming of age, loyalty and choices.
If you've read and enjoyed Close to Home and Thirst Trap you will like this.
There's something about Irish story telling which is beguiling and Louise Kennedy is a master of the craft.
This is a gripping and easy to read story about unrequited love, friendship, coming of age, loyalty and choices.
If you've read and enjoyed Close to Home and Thirst Trap you will like this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Stations is an unmissable novel about love that spans decades, sometimes messy, sometimes unrequited (but can we be sure?), entwined with the peaks and valleys of finding one’s way to adulthood. Louise Kennedy excels at writing young women who have choices to make and who must grapple with the events that follow.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my god
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Stations is Louise Kennedy’s second novel after the wonderful Trespasses and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.
It is set from the early 1980s up to the year 2007, between a midland town in Ireland (which is not named but easily recognisable as the one I live near) and London. The main characters are Róisín and Red who are friends since their schooldays during which Red practically lived with Róisín’s family in order to get away from his own. Like so many Irish during that time period they find themselves trying to build a life in London. Red is forced away by circumstances and Róisín follows not too long after, at first to visit her estranged father but finds herself staying and dropping out of university.
This is a story of dysfunctional families, unrequited love, alcohol abuse and addiction, but also how we do not see what we do not want to see and the consequences and guilt that can result from this selective blindness.
For me, what is also really impressive is the way the author vividly and accurately recreates place and time... the music, clothes, food, language and with characters, including the the supporting ones like Barry, Mary, and Lynne that really resonate and could easily be someone you know. As someone who grew up during that time period I found myself completely transported back and I highly reading recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Louise Kennedy is an author with a fierce talent for capturing Irish voices in prose. This book is a whirlwind of emotion - raw and tragic. Readers are going to devour this!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was absolutely stunning. Wow. Just a beautiful, heartbreaking book
May 25, 2026
staff rec blurb, nov 26: After an awkward first encounter at age 15, Róisín and Red are inseparable... until they aren’t. She loves him and follows him to London. Despite himself, he loves drugs more. 18 years later, attempting to find Red, Ró uncovers dark truths about his childhood. What was he running from? Why didn't he tell her? One of our greatest living writers, Kennedy’s Stations meditates on addiction and family in all their forms.
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