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Everything That Is Beautiful
For Niamh Ryan, the Foleys are family. Her childhood flew by on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister Kate - all the while being doted on by their mother Helen and coached by their father Liam, a legendary former hurling player.
Now, following a distressing series of events, the family ties are strained. Niamh receives drunken phone calls and messages from Peter who can't understand what derailed their burgeoning relationship three years ago. Meanwhile, Helen Foley is trying her best to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of women she went to school with. In her life in Belfast, Kate is attempting to hold down a job and a relationship while carrying the weight of the family's secrets, and feeling like she is the one to blame.
As a family wedding looms, and the women find themselves face to face, the knotty love that still binds Niamh, Helen and Kate might just bring them back together again.
Told through the perspectives of three very different women, Everything That Is Beautiful unfolds the story of one complicated family in startlingly honest prose. By turns funny and deeply moving, and with unmatched emotional intelligence, this is an unforgettable story of love and family, heartbreak and hope - and who we might become after we pick up the pieces.
Now, following a distressing series of events, the family ties are strained. Niamh receives drunken phone calls and messages from Peter who can't understand what derailed their burgeoning relationship three years ago. Meanwhile, Helen Foley is trying her best to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of women she went to school with. In her life in Belfast, Kate is attempting to hold down a job and a relationship while carrying the weight of the family's secrets, and feeling like she is the one to blame.
As a family wedding looms, and the women find themselves face to face, the knotty love that still binds Niamh, Helen and Kate might just bring them back together again.
Told through the perspectives of three very different women, Everything That Is Beautiful unfolds the story of one complicated family in startlingly honest prose. By turns funny and deeply moving, and with unmatched emotional intelligence, this is an unforgettable story of love and family, heartbreak and hope - and who we might become after we pick up the pieces.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2026
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May 3, 2026«Embora tenha acreditado que estas pessoas poderiam existir, em momento algum deixei de me sentir como uma observadora relativamente afastada. Nunca fui capaz de ultrapassar um certo distanciamento emocional das personagens, e nunca fui capaz de compreender a 100% a maneira como algumas reagiram ao que lhes aconteceu.»
Review completa em: https://ritadanova.substack.com/p/eve....
Review completa em: https://ritadanova.substack.com/p/eve....
January 5, 2026
wow what an unbelievable way to begin 2026 with. this was so heartfelt and complicated and fantastic
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A friend asked me last night how I read as much as I do. She's not a reader, so I joked and said, "It's Saturday night, what else would I be doing?"
In reality, its authors like Louise Nealon who make it easy. I've raved about Snowflake since it was released and was really hoping 'Everything That is Beautiful' would live up to my own expectations. It certainly did that and more. I started reading it yesterday and I'm done. That doesn't happen often!
It's funny, full of compassion, so beautifully written and shows the complexities of loving people who will shatter our hearts.
It's about community, in more ways than one, and leads us through how beauty and pain can live side by side.
Thank you Glimmer Book Club for gifting me a copy (which was very kindly gifted by Manilla Press).
It has been an emotional weekend for this reader!
In reality, its authors like Louise Nealon who make it easy. I've raved about Snowflake since it was released and was really hoping 'Everything That is Beautiful' would live up to my own expectations. It certainly did that and more. I started reading it yesterday and I'm done. That doesn't happen often!
It's funny, full of compassion, so beautifully written and shows the complexities of loving people who will shatter our hearts.
It's about community, in more ways than one, and leads us through how beauty and pain can live side by side.
Thank you Glimmer Book Club for gifting me a copy (which was very kindly gifted by Manilla Press).
It has been an emotional weekend for this reader!
February 9, 2026
I absolutely adored this. It is about the Foleys, a big messy family that has extended to include the next door neighbour Niamh. We see their lives through Niamh's eyes, but also Helen Foley, the mum, and Kate her daughter. There is tragedy and tension and their tight little community is rocked by it.
I think my only complaints are the name and cover do the book a complete disservice. I probably wouldn't want to pick it up if I wasn't already familiar with the author's brilliant debut! This is heartbreaking and heartfelt and funny and annoying in the way siblings are annoying. It hit every beat for me.
Sublime. Dolores supremacy!
*read via Netgalley
I think my only complaints are the name and cover do the book a complete disservice. I probably wouldn't want to pick it up if I wasn't already familiar with the author's brilliant debut! This is heartbreaking and heartfelt and funny and annoying in the way siblings are annoying. It hit every beat for me.
Sublime. Dolores supremacy!
*read via Netgalley
April 10, 2026
I was so engrossed by this book. It’s one of those reads that completely immerses you in the story, and you're there - in these lives and this place.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
April 10, 2026
I was so engrossed by this book. It’s one of those reads that completely immerses you in the story, and you're there - in these lives and this place.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
It follows Niamh, Helen, and Kate: three women whose lives have been intertwined for years through family, friendship, and a shared history rooted in a tight-knit GAA community. Growing up around the Foley family farm, Niamh was as much a part of their world as anyone. But something happened years earlier that fractured everything, and as a family wedding approaches, old tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface.
What I loved most is how vividly this small-town community is realised. The GAA isn’t just background - it shapes everything: identity, reputation, and belonging. It all feels so familiar and true to life.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. They're complicated, flawed, and completely believable. You understand their choices, even when they hurt each other. And that’s really the heart of it: this is a story about how people love one another, and how they hurt one another too. The closeness, the loyalty, the damage that can sit quietly for years.
It’s moving and emotional without ever feeling overdone. There’s a real honesty to it that makes it linger.
I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough. Straight on my 2026 Favourites list.
April 25, 2026
A full Irish immersion!
Beautifully written and executed; a tale and a trail of devastation. There is so much to love about this book and its multitude of realistic, believable and compelling characters. This read is definitely a crash course on all things Irish!
A bit of concentration required for the first third to get my head around the full cast and a fairly abrupt ending - both aspects had me checking myself.
Overall, a brilliant audiobook by my favourite Irish narrator!
Beautifully written and executed; a tale and a trail of devastation. There is so much to love about this book and its multitude of realistic, believable and compelling characters. This read is definitely a crash course on all things Irish!
A bit of concentration required for the first third to get my head around the full cast and a fairly abrupt ending - both aspects had me checking myself.
Overall, a brilliant audiobook by my favourite Irish narrator!
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April 29, 2026#Gifted
Everything That is Beautiful is the second novel from Irish author Louise Nealon, following the huge success of Snowflake in 2021. I liked that book; mostly I really appreciated how well it was written but I struggled to relate to the main character. I got along much better this time.
The Foley family seem idyllic to Niamh Ryan, an only child growing up next door to this sprawling clan captained by Liam, a former hurling legend and now a farmer. Helen Foley dotes on Niamh as if she was one of her own, and Niamh grows up close to Kate and Peter, two of the Foley kids.
Fast forward to the present day and these close bonds are now broken. Niamh and Peter seemed like they might become more than friends but something abruptly put a stop to that and he’s still none the wiser as to what happened.
Helen Foley tries to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of women she went to school with, and Kate has jumped ship entirely, moving to Belfast to continue to hold all the family secrets, but at a welcome remove.
With a family wedding coming up, can Niamh, Helen, and Kate hold it all together, or will those secrets finally spill out?
This is a character study of three very different and interesting women. Hurling and rural life feature strongly here and I appreciated that; it felt believable and made for a nice change. The author examines ordinary lives that are also complicated and messy, as they often are in real life!
This book deals with some complex and upsetting issues that are expertly handled by Nealon. It’s a family drama but it’s more nuanced than that; there’s a lot going on here but it’s an engaging read and I flew through it.
Looking forward to reading whatever she writes next!
With many thanks @gillhessltd for my early copy. Everything That is Beautiful is available to buy now. All opinions are my own, as always.
* I went between print and audio on this one and didn’t love the audio narration. There’s a lot of characters in this book and I feel the narrator left me confused about them at times!
Everything That is Beautiful is the second novel from Irish author Louise Nealon, following the huge success of Snowflake in 2021. I liked that book; mostly I really appreciated how well it was written but I struggled to relate to the main character. I got along much better this time.
The Foley family seem idyllic to Niamh Ryan, an only child growing up next door to this sprawling clan captained by Liam, a former hurling legend and now a farmer. Helen Foley dotes on Niamh as if she was one of her own, and Niamh grows up close to Kate and Peter, two of the Foley kids.
Fast forward to the present day and these close bonds are now broken. Niamh and Peter seemed like they might become more than friends but something abruptly put a stop to that and he’s still none the wiser as to what happened.
Helen Foley tries to escape her life by checking into guesthouses under the names of women she went to school with, and Kate has jumped ship entirely, moving to Belfast to continue to hold all the family secrets, but at a welcome remove.
With a family wedding coming up, can Niamh, Helen, and Kate hold it all together, or will those secrets finally spill out?
This is a character study of three very different and interesting women. Hurling and rural life feature strongly here and I appreciated that; it felt believable and made for a nice change. The author examines ordinary lives that are also complicated and messy, as they often are in real life!
This book deals with some complex and upsetting issues that are expertly handled by Nealon. It’s a family drama but it’s more nuanced than that; there’s a lot going on here but it’s an engaging read and I flew through it.
Looking forward to reading whatever she writes next!
With many thanks @gillhessltd for my early copy. Everything That is Beautiful is available to buy now. All opinions are my own, as always.
* I went between print and audio on this one and didn’t love the audio narration. There’s a lot of characters in this book and I feel the narrator left me confused about them at times!
May 22, 2026
„Isn’t that all art is? People having breakdowns. How else are we supposed to get through each other?“ (p. 188)
To Niamh, the Foleys are family. She spent her childhood on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister, Kate. Their mother, Helen, looked after Niamh with even more love and care than her own mother did. Liam—the Foley's dad —was a legendary hurler (a Celtic team sport played with sticks and a ball) and was particularly keen on encouraging the girls to play.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
By now, however, the relationship between Niamh and the Foleys is fractured—the result of a chain of terrible events. A wedding brings Niamh, Helen, and Kate together again for the first time in ages. Each of the women is grappling with her own fate and with the specific incident that drove them apart all those years ago.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The blurb sounded a little "messy" to me (a premonition, perhaps?), but I absolutely fell in love with the cover and always have a deep appreciation for Irish literature. On the whole, I enjoyed the three distinct points of view offered by Niamh, Helen, and Kate. There is a flurry of names introduced right at the start, so it took me a little while to get everything sorted out.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, interspersed with numerous flashbacks. I felt, however, that it lost its way in certain aspects. There are queer characters (yay!), though I wasn't entirely pleased with how they were portrayed.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The narrative’s climax ultimately falls flat—something that left me feeling quite frustrated, given that the potential for something great was certainly there. In my opinion, the gravity of that initial event—the catalyst for all the subsequent turmoil—is not handled with the appropriate weight. I felt it lacked depth—specifically regarding the confrontation itself and the actual resolution of the underlying conflict.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A shame! In the end, it only earned a 3/5 star rating from me.
To Niamh, the Foleys are family. She spent her childhood on their farm, playing with her best friend Peter and his sister, Kate. Their mother, Helen, looked after Niamh with even more love and care than her own mother did. Liam—the Foley's dad —was a legendary hurler (a Celtic team sport played with sticks and a ball) and was particularly keen on encouraging the girls to play.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
By now, however, the relationship between Niamh and the Foleys is fractured—the result of a chain of terrible events. A wedding brings Niamh, Helen, and Kate together again for the first time in ages. Each of the women is grappling with her own fate and with the specific incident that drove them apart all those years ago.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The blurb sounded a little "messy" to me (a premonition, perhaps?), but I absolutely fell in love with the cover and always have a deep appreciation for Irish literature. On the whole, I enjoyed the three distinct points of view offered by Niamh, Helen, and Kate. There is a flurry of names introduced right at the start, so it took me a little while to get everything sorted out.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, interspersed with numerous flashbacks. I felt, however, that it lost its way in certain aspects. There are queer characters (yay!), though I wasn't entirely pleased with how they were portrayed.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The narrative’s climax ultimately falls flat—something that left me feeling quite frustrated, given that the potential for something great was certainly there. In my opinion, the gravity of that initial event—the catalyst for all the subsequent turmoil—is not handled with the appropriate weight. I felt it lacked depth—specifically regarding the confrontation itself and the actual resolution of the underlying conflict.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A shame! In the end, it only earned a 3/5 star rating from me.
January 19, 2026
Loved this, a big reminder of how good Irish fiction can be
April 9, 2026
Everything that is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (April 2026, Manilla Press/Bonnier) is described by author Roisin O’Donnell as ‘vivid and compelling. A big-hearted, immersive novel about the complex bonds of family and friendships’. With a family wedding on the horizon, three women are forced to think back on their past history and the reasons why their once close relationship is fractured.
When researching her second novel Louise Nealon was inspired by the MeToo movement and the experiences of women living in a rural environment. She sets her characters in a GAA town where hurling is central to the community. Helen loved being the wife of Liam Foley, a celebrated ex-county hurler who, in later years, became a hurley maker. With Mary Ryan, Helen’s best friend, as her neighbour, they had enjoyed years of harmony. Liam was looked up to by the entire county and beyond for his skill on the pitch as a younger man. His reputation was solid making him a legend among fans and also a respected club coach on retirement.
Niamh Ryan, Mary’s daughter, loved calling to the Foleys. She had a great touch with the sliotar (hurling ball) and was in awe of Liam Foley. With Peter Foley by her side, they would puck back and forth in the hope of catching Liam’s eye. Local players would drop by to get their hurleys from Liam leaving Peter and Niamh dazzled by stardom. These were their idols. These were the lads they wanted to emulate. As the years passed, the children grew up. Niamh became a popular camogie player (female hurling), with her leadership and expertise on the field recognised by many. But, as the years past, circumstances changed and the dynamic between the two families became fragmented
Niamh and Peter were always considered a likely match, a couple who would surely walk up the aisle together. Peter wanted their relationship to develop but Niamh, after a brief time together, kept him at a distance for reasons he could never fathom. Peter left for Australia but Niamh was always on his horizon.
With Maria Foley on the cusp of her wedding day tensions rise and secrets begin to unravel. Helen has taken to heading off on solo trips and ordering new clothes online. Kate Foley, now in Belfast, has had her own personal issues but she also carries a secret that weighs heavily on her heart. Niamh has faced her own demons, attempting over the years to move forward but the upcoming wedding is now bringing everything to the forefront and the house of cards is slowly starting to topple.
Everything that is Beautiful is an intimate and sensitive tale, one that vividly captures a rural community and it’s passion for the game. There are villages, towns and crossroads throughout the country where the GAA (football, hurling and camogie) is the life and breath of the local environs. There is a pitch in every parish and for many it is a religion, with the players venerated for their prowess and touch. Community is everything. The parish is everything. Reputation is everything. It is into this environment that Louise Nealon has set her novel. The dynamic between genders is well drawn, with fascinating insights into the different perspectives across various themes. This is an emotive read with a specific, yet quite subtle, thread that both angers and saddens in equal measure. There is a lot to be unpicked within these pages which makes it an excellent book club choice. A lingering novel with a very authentic feel Everything that is Beautiful is a pensive and stirring read.
When researching her second novel Louise Nealon was inspired by the MeToo movement and the experiences of women living in a rural environment. She sets her characters in a GAA town where hurling is central to the community. Helen loved being the wife of Liam Foley, a celebrated ex-county hurler who, in later years, became a hurley maker. With Mary Ryan, Helen’s best friend, as her neighbour, they had enjoyed years of harmony. Liam was looked up to by the entire county and beyond for his skill on the pitch as a younger man. His reputation was solid making him a legend among fans and also a respected club coach on retirement.
Niamh Ryan, Mary’s daughter, loved calling to the Foleys. She had a great touch with the sliotar (hurling ball) and was in awe of Liam Foley. With Peter Foley by her side, they would puck back and forth in the hope of catching Liam’s eye. Local players would drop by to get their hurleys from Liam leaving Peter and Niamh dazzled by stardom. These were their idols. These were the lads they wanted to emulate. As the years passed, the children grew up. Niamh became a popular camogie player (female hurling), with her leadership and expertise on the field recognised by many. But, as the years past, circumstances changed and the dynamic between the two families became fragmented
Niamh and Peter were always considered a likely match, a couple who would surely walk up the aisle together. Peter wanted their relationship to develop but Niamh, after a brief time together, kept him at a distance for reasons he could never fathom. Peter left for Australia but Niamh was always on his horizon.
With Maria Foley on the cusp of her wedding day tensions rise and secrets begin to unravel. Helen has taken to heading off on solo trips and ordering new clothes online. Kate Foley, now in Belfast, has had her own personal issues but she also carries a secret that weighs heavily on her heart. Niamh has faced her own demons, attempting over the years to move forward but the upcoming wedding is now bringing everything to the forefront and the house of cards is slowly starting to topple.
Everything that is Beautiful is an intimate and sensitive tale, one that vividly captures a rural community and it’s passion for the game. There are villages, towns and crossroads throughout the country where the GAA (football, hurling and camogie) is the life and breath of the local environs. There is a pitch in every parish and for many it is a religion, with the players venerated for their prowess and touch. Community is everything. The parish is everything. Reputation is everything. It is into this environment that Louise Nealon has set her novel. The dynamic between genders is well drawn, with fascinating insights into the different perspectives across various themes. This is an emotive read with a specific, yet quite subtle, thread that both angers and saddens in equal measure. There is a lot to be unpicked within these pages which makes it an excellent book club choice. A lingering novel with a very authentic feel Everything that is Beautiful is a pensive and stirring read.
April 30, 2026
Everything That Is Beautiful / Louise Nealon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ The way you're carrying on you'd swear you killed someone. Niamh, we don't care if you don't pick up a hurley again in your life - I mean, that's a lie, we do care, but we just want you to be happy?.. ~
What a little gem of a book. Louise Nealon is back with her folllow up to the excellent “Snowflake”.
This was such a good read. Dealing with loss, identity, grief, and long kept secrets, this book deals with it so well without ever rushing to scandal. It is also very Irish in the sense of community and GAA. And really, with the FMCs Helen, Niamh, and Kate that shine, we ALL know a Maria 😂
We even all know a Mary Ryan. Her at the wedding was peak!!!!
A story on healing, of using our knowledge of the past to grow in the future. As hard as it may seem. For Niamh, the Foleys were everything. Until they weren’t.
I suppose what I enjoyed in this was the ordinariness of it all. It was believable on all points. As ordinary as it can be with such intense and complex issues.
All have their motives, their demons, their stories, and as it ended I wished it could go on just a little longer. Is it as good as Snowflake? In my opinion, no. Does it matter? Not in the slightest. It’s its own story that more than stands on its own two pages.
TBR Pile: Graig
Bought: Hubb16, New Ross - 10/04/26
Read: 28/04/26 - 30/04/26
Release Date: 10/04/26
ISBN: 9781786581716
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ The way you're carrying on you'd swear you killed someone. Niamh, we don't care if you don't pick up a hurley again in your life - I mean, that's a lie, we do care, but we just want you to be happy?.. ~
What a little gem of a book. Louise Nealon is back with her folllow up to the excellent “Snowflake”.
This was such a good read. Dealing with loss, identity, grief, and long kept secrets, this book deals with it so well without ever rushing to scandal. It is also very Irish in the sense of community and GAA. And really, with the FMCs Helen, Niamh, and Kate that shine, we ALL know a Maria 😂
We even all know a Mary Ryan. Her at the wedding was peak!!!!
A story on healing, of using our knowledge of the past to grow in the future. As hard as it may seem. For Niamh, the Foleys were everything. Until they weren’t.
I suppose what I enjoyed in this was the ordinariness of it all. It was believable on all points. As ordinary as it can be with such intense and complex issues.
All have their motives, their demons, their stories, and as it ended I wished it could go on just a little longer. Is it as good as Snowflake? In my opinion, no. Does it matter? Not in the slightest. It’s its own story that more than stands on its own two pages.
TBR Pile: Graig
Bought: Hubb16, New Ross - 10/04/26
Read: 28/04/26 - 30/04/26
Release Date: 10/04/26
ISBN: 9781786581716
May 15, 2026
An unforgettable Irish story.
April 25, 2026
Interesting read. Humorous imagery in places. I enjoyed it.
Did Not Finish
May 2, 2026I couldn’t quite get into this and ended up not finishing. The tone and setting didn’t fully connect for me. While it includes recognisable elements of rural Irish life with hurling, farming, religion. The portrayal felt over simplified at times, with familiar character types like the strong family matriarch, a priest, a farmer. It came across more as a stylised version of Irish life from long ago. I can see how it might appeal to other readers, particularly those less familiar with rural Ireland.
May 6, 2026
While I did enjoy parts of this, it felt too disjointed overall to fully land for me.
April 10, 2026
Read in two days. Great characters, ordinary lives and that great big secret.
April 22, 2026
Too many characters introduced too early, and then I became confused by their importance.
December 6, 2025
Everything That Is Beautiful* by Louise Nealon is the much-anticipated sophomore novel from the Snowflake author. It is very different but there is a distinct cadence to her prose that feels familiar, as does her ability to cut right to the core of her characters.
All Niamh Ryan has wanted since she was a small child is to be part of the Foley family. She grew up pucking around with Peter and Kate, was doted on by mammy Helen and had the privilege of being coached by daddy Liam, the legendary hurler. Niamh easily exists within the dream until her teenage years when a catastrophic incident shatters her world, driving a wedge between her and the people who knew her best.
Three years on, Niamh is isolated from Peter, Kate still isn't speaking to her and Helen appears to be having some form of mid life crisis, struggling with secrets of many sorts. Now, against the backdrop of a family wedding, the three women will soon come face-to-face and what happens next is anyone's guess.
The Foleys and Niamh are so incredibly complex, each laden down with unspoken baggage that makes the dynamics between them, particularly the women, so blisteringly real and incredibly compelling. There's moments of genuine humour and warmth, but there is also a lot of melancholy, soul searching and sacrifice. Out 2/4.
All Niamh Ryan has wanted since she was a small child is to be part of the Foley family. She grew up pucking around with Peter and Kate, was doted on by mammy Helen and had the privilege of being coached by daddy Liam, the legendary hurler. Niamh easily exists within the dream until her teenage years when a catastrophic incident shatters her world, driving a wedge between her and the people who knew her best.
Three years on, Niamh is isolated from Peter, Kate still isn't speaking to her and Helen appears to be having some form of mid life crisis, struggling with secrets of many sorts. Now, against the backdrop of a family wedding, the three women will soon come face-to-face and what happens next is anyone's guess.
The Foleys and Niamh are so incredibly complex, each laden down with unspoken baggage that makes the dynamics between them, particularly the women, so blisteringly real and incredibly compelling. There's moments of genuine humour and warmth, but there is also a lot of melancholy, soul searching and sacrifice. Out 2/4.
May 15, 2026
(In audiobook format)
Unfortunately it turned out to be one of those books I should have read instead of listened to. Too many characters to keep track of and too many jumps in time made following the narration hard. I sadly, didn't enjoy the choice of making the narrator go onto fake deep voice mode to portray the male characters. I appreciate the effort but for me, the result was mostly cringey.
Now on to the book itself. I adored the small town feel of it and the very layered map of complex relationships portrayed. The author did a wonderful job as well at managing the tension of the story.
Unfortunately it turned out to be one of those books I should have read instead of listened to. Too many characters to keep track of and too many jumps in time made following the narration hard. I sadly, didn't enjoy the choice of making the narrator go onto fake deep voice mode to portray the male characters. I appreciate the effort but for me, the result was mostly cringey.
Now on to the book itself. I adored the small town feel of it and the very layered map of complex relationships portrayed. The author did a wonderful job as well at managing the tension of the story.
May 13, 2026
well that was just really quite lovely
louise nealon you’ve done it again
4.5/5 drtc
louise nealon you’ve done it again
4.5/5 drtc
May 4, 2026
Absolutely grand. I really like Louise’s writing and I adored Snowflake. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.
I’m not sure the author was able to fully connect with the gravity of the issue this book aims to talk about. I suppose it described the unspoken nature of the issue but I thought that was a real missed opportunity to speak to an enormously piercing incident and how it might impact the people surrounding. Perhaps missing just some interiority. One character, the voice of reason, was treated so poorly throughout, that was a real shame.
Otherwise, characters and family dynamics written very well. As a gay woman, really unsure how I feel the queer relationships were rendered. Tricky.
I’m not sure the author was able to fully connect with the gravity of the issue this book aims to talk about. I suppose it described the unspoken nature of the issue but I thought that was a real missed opportunity to speak to an enormously piercing incident and how it might impact the people surrounding. Perhaps missing just some interiority. One character, the voice of reason, was treated so poorly throughout, that was a real shame.
Otherwise, characters and family dynamics written very well. As a gay woman, really unsure how I feel the queer relationships were rendered. Tricky.
April 1, 2026
One of the highest compliments I can give a book is that it keeps me up late or makes me bawl my eyes out. Well, this made me do both.
Everything that Is Beautiful tells a story of a messy, complex family in which almost everyone carries some sort of baggage. Louise Nealon writes about grief, self-discovery, and hurling (connecting Irish communities), among many other things, and she does it in a tender, heartfelt, engaging way. While in some parts I felt things could be explored a bit more, overall the emotions were well captured through the distinct voices of Niamh, Kate and Helen.
I sobbed for Peter and Niamh, and for the last 10% of the book, I just couldn't stop the quiet tears.
Synopsis: Niamh Ryan spends most of her childhood at the Foleys' house. She plays hurling with her friends, Peter and Kate Foley, is doted on by their mother Helen, and coached by their father Liam - a legendary ex-hurler. Some years later, Niamh, Kate and Helen share a secret, which has torn them apart. And Peter struggles to understand what derailed his and Niamh's budding relationship. As Peter and Kate's sister's wedding is approaching, Niamh, Kate and Helen find themselves facing each other again. Will they find a way to rebuild their relationship?
The novel was scheduled to be published tomorrow, 2 April 2026, but the publication date has been pushed out to 9 April as per author's recent post. Many thanks to Bonnier Books for the eARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for my honest review.
P.S. if you have not read Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake - have a look at that too. I enjoyed it a lot back in 2024.
Everything that Is Beautiful tells a story of a messy, complex family in which almost everyone carries some sort of baggage. Louise Nealon writes about grief, self-discovery, and hurling (connecting Irish communities), among many other things, and she does it in a tender, heartfelt, engaging way. While in some parts I felt things could be explored a bit more, overall the emotions were well captured through the distinct voices of Niamh, Kate and Helen.
I sobbed for Peter and Niamh, and for the last 10% of the book, I just couldn't stop the quiet tears.
Synopsis: Niamh Ryan spends most of her childhood at the Foleys' house. She plays hurling with her friends, Peter and Kate Foley, is doted on by their mother Helen, and coached by their father Liam - a legendary ex-hurler. Some years later, Niamh, Kate and Helen share a secret, which has torn them apart. And Peter struggles to understand what derailed his and Niamh's budding relationship. As Peter and Kate's sister's wedding is approaching, Niamh, Kate and Helen find themselves facing each other again. Will they find a way to rebuild their relationship?
The novel was scheduled to be published tomorrow, 2 April 2026, but the publication date has been pushed out to 9 April as per author's recent post. Many thanks to Bonnier Books for the eARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for my honest review.
P.S. if you have not read Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake - have a look at that too. I enjoyed it a lot back in 2024.
April 11, 2026
Devoured in one day.
December 5, 2025
The story of three women intertwined in a very close knit family, and the enjoyment of the Irish sport of hurling and camogie.
The story centres around the Foley family who their patriarch is a legend of hurling, the stories three main characters that all weave together in their history of growing up, the truth of marriage as well as the shocks of their not so perfect family hidden in plain sight. We follow Helen, the mother and wife, Niamh the child who was brought into the family fold and Kate, Helen and Liams daughter.
It is very interesting how everything unfolds through childhood to adjusting to adulthood with Niamh and Kate and the slow realisation that Helen is unhappy in life. There are some tough subjects including an eating disorder, sexual assault and versions of loss / depression.
You do feel part of the family and the story slowly evolves to understand the trauma the family has created with each other. Yes it’s dysfunctional and a lot of hurt and shame but it’s an a strangely enjoyable story, you do want the best for them but it also feels very unapologetically irish which for me I loved, mentions of great spots in Belfast and the Irish countryside.
I will say everything is handled with great care and tenderness but honestly I would have just liked more and just felt very unresolved at the end but maybe this is the best ending as the family just continues so you can make your own opinions as to what may happen next with the three women.
Thanks you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, read this when it comes out 2nd April 2026.
The story centres around the Foley family who their patriarch is a legend of hurling, the stories three main characters that all weave together in their history of growing up, the truth of marriage as well as the shocks of their not so perfect family hidden in plain sight. We follow Helen, the mother and wife, Niamh the child who was brought into the family fold and Kate, Helen and Liams daughter.
It is very interesting how everything unfolds through childhood to adjusting to adulthood with Niamh and Kate and the slow realisation that Helen is unhappy in life. There are some tough subjects including an eating disorder, sexual assault and versions of loss / depression.
You do feel part of the family and the story slowly evolves to understand the trauma the family has created with each other. Yes it’s dysfunctional and a lot of hurt and shame but it’s an a strangely enjoyable story, you do want the best for them but it also feels very unapologetically irish which for me I loved, mentions of great spots in Belfast and the Irish countryside.
I will say everything is handled with great care and tenderness but honestly I would have just liked more and just felt very unresolved at the end but maybe this is the best ending as the family just continues so you can make your own opinions as to what may happen next with the three women.
Thanks you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, read this when it comes out 2nd April 2026.
February 19, 2026
I loved this book! The author just captured dysfunctional families and the dynamics so well! I have sat here for about 5 minutes trying to work out how to describe the plot without spoilers but I don't think I can. The story is about so much more than sexual assault and the experiences of women but the aftermath and what is left for families. It is also about grief and the complexities of loss, eating disorders and sexuality. It's a bit like fleabag in some always and I can really see it as a series on tv!
I loved snowflake too but found myself really thinking about wanting to carry on reading this book and would really recommend!
Read through netgalley for an honest review but would have bought it anyways.
I loved snowflake too but found myself really thinking about wanting to carry on reading this book and would really recommend!
Read through netgalley for an honest review but would have bought it anyways.
November 16, 2025
You won't want it to end, and when it does, you'll want to turn back to the start and begin again. A beautiful book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book and it tackles complex topics in a nuanced way, which makes it difficult to review (I find it a lot easier to write about problems I have with a book!). If I could think of one thing to say about this book, it would be about how realistic it is. The ending does not have all of the character’s issues resolved and we leave them at a point in their lives where they are in many ways not healed from the events of the book. Despite this, ‘Everything That Is Beautiful’ is an incredibly satisfying read and I couldn’t put it down, particularly towards the end. The pacing is very well done, with the perfect balance of past flashbacks throughout each chapter as the current timeline continues. The book moves seamlessly from present to past from one paragraph to the next, so do be aware of that if you struggle with following what time is being narrated without clear dates indicating a shift in timeline. I personally prefer multi-timelines to be done like it is here. One reason being that it feels more like I am following the thoughts and memories of the characters, where things in their present make them reflect on the past. Another reason is that having moving from one timeline only after it has been marked (often at the start of a new chapter) can feel clunky and jarring.
I don’t want to talk too much about the themes of this book and how well I think they were tackled as I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of this book. That being said, one idea that was extremely well done and interesting to read about in this book with these characters was about the worshipping of public figures by society and how that would feel for the people who actually know them. I also felt like the disordered eating that some of the characters had (whether it was diagnosed or not) where incredibly well portrayed - both in how it affected those characters and those around them. Nealon did very well at showing how seemingly small moments in the characters’ lives built up a character’s disordered eating, without making it too obvious for the reader which could have made those scenes feel too didactic. The way that these behaviours and thoughts persisted over time, yet were more or less intense at different times in their lives, was also very realistic.
I felt very angry at points of this book, and it is not an easy read. This may be a book that you can’t read if a particular topic is triggering for you (which I am stepping around so that this review does not contain spoilers). The aftermath of this potentially triggering event is very much the topic of the book so cannot be avoided, but I will point out that there are no needless descriptions of the potentially triggering event itself.
This is not just a family drama, but a book about friendship, misogyny, betrayal, and mental health (I could go on but I will stop before I start sounding too trite, because this book is anything but). All of which make it feel like a true reflection of real life. I have not read ‘Snowflake’ by Louise Nealon yet, but I will definitely be doing so at some point as well as keeping my eye out for any future work by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I don’t want to talk too much about the themes of this book and how well I think they were tackled as I wouldn’t want to spoil any aspect of this book. That being said, one idea that was extremely well done and interesting to read about in this book with these characters was about the worshipping of public figures by society and how that would feel for the people who actually know them. I also felt like the disordered eating that some of the characters had (whether it was diagnosed or not) where incredibly well portrayed - both in how it affected those characters and those around them. Nealon did very well at showing how seemingly small moments in the characters’ lives built up a character’s disordered eating, without making it too obvious for the reader which could have made those scenes feel too didactic. The way that these behaviours and thoughts persisted over time, yet were more or less intense at different times in their lives, was also very realistic.
I felt very angry at points of this book, and it is not an easy read. This may be a book that you can’t read if a particular topic is triggering for you (which I am stepping around so that this review does not contain spoilers). The aftermath of this potentially triggering event is very much the topic of the book so cannot be avoided, but I will point out that there are no needless descriptions of the potentially triggering event itself.
This is not just a family drama, but a book about friendship, misogyny, betrayal, and mental health (I could go on but I will stop before I start sounding too trite, because this book is anything but). All of which make it feel like a true reflection of real life. I have not read ‘Snowflake’ by Louise Nealon yet, but I will definitely be doing so at some point as well as keeping my eye out for any future work by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
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