THE IRISH GOODBYE is #ReadwithJenna’s October Book Club Pick (9/25/25)

THE IRISH GOODBYE by Heather Aimee O’Neill is #ReadwithJenna’s October 2025 Book Club Pick!

It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all home in Long Island at the same time. Two decades ago their lives were upended by an accident on their brother Topher’s boat: a friend’s brother was killed, the lawsuit nearly bankrupted their parents, and Topher spiraled into a depression, eventually taking his life. Now the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, hungry to reconnect, but each of them carrying a heavy secret. The eldest, Cait, still holding guilt about the crash, rekindles a flame with her high school crush. Middle sister Alice’s been thrown a curveball threatening the career she’s restarting, and faces a difficult decision. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk of bringing a woman she loves home to her devoutly Catholic, often judgmental mother. Infusing everything is the grief for Topher that none of the Ryans have figured out how to carry together.

When Cait invites a guest to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface, nearly overpowering the flickering light of their family bond. Far more than a family holiday will be ruined unless the sisters can find a way to forgive themselves—and one another.

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“An extraordinary book about the power of family and sisterhood… shows how the ripples of loss and grief can shape even our closest relationships.”—Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show’s #ReadwithJenna

“A family saga that marries time-tested tropes with distinctly modern dilemmas… Fans of writers from Maeve Binchy to Alice McDermott to J. Courtney Sullivan will relish this big-hearted novel.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The central story question is whether or not the women will reconcile their differences and come to terms with their past trauma. This melancholy yet loving novel is perfect for fans of Jennifer E. Smith’s FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY (2025).”—Booklist