Nesting

Ciara Fay, a young mother with two daughters, decides that she must leave her family home to escape from her abusive husband. Since her marriage she has been under her husband's control, has had no access to money except to purchase specific items, is not allowed contact with friends or family and has been prevented from returning to work. Her  husband does not help with the children's care or housework. Ryan has never hit Ciara or the children but he is verbally abusive, controlling and intimidates her psychologically and sexually. She also later discovers that he has placed an app on her phone so he always knows where she is.

Ciara has left home with the children before but was forced by Ryan to return. She is determined not to allow this to happen again. Finding suitable accommodation that she can afford is not easy and she spends nine months in housing accommodation where she needs to sign in each night to keep her room. However she does begin to make friends who help her and she finds temporary employment. However Ryan will not leave her alone and is determined to regain control.

In Nesting Irish author, Roisin O'Donnell has written a moving account of the difficulties faced by women if their marriage breaks down. She also writes about the difficulties of the homeless in finding accommodation and employment in Ireland.