Chara is the protagonist of Nesting, a determined and loving woman with two kids and a husband, Ryan. Her character is one we can easily empathise with- her concern for her kids, her fear of Ryan , who is controlling and has angry outbursts.
She leaves Ryan suddenly and finds herself navigating the tumultuous world of emergency accommodation. She meets new friends and allies along the way, as the drama with her spouse plays out. One such friend is Cathy, the practical woman who lives on the same corridor in the hotel where she stays. I found Cathy to be an unengaging character, she seems to be a stereotypical salt of the earth working class woman and I pinpointed this character as a flaw in the book.
The other characters are multi- dimensional however, her husband, Ciara herself, her sister, her mother. The nuances of Clara’s relationships with these characters are depicted in detail and make for fascinating reading.
Overall, this is a compelling book about one woman’s journey to provide a safe home for her children and break free from a controlling husband.
