Laugh out-loud storylines and cultural relatability, the latest in the highly bankable Aisling series is the love child of Derry Girls and Bridget Jones Diary.
A genuine and heartwarming story, Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen's third installment of the Aisling series, Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling, brings bright characters and chaotic storylines from the page into the reader’s hearts.
Aisling is back with a bang. After taking the plunge and starting her own business, in the form of café BallyGoBrunch, Aisling is incredibly busy making sure that business is flowing and that every resident of BallyGobbard gets their fill of Carol’s sausage rolls.
The new café and minding Mammy, who has also become a booming business lady after setting up an eco-farm with posho Constance Swinford, has been keeping Aisling’s hands full. But it wouldn’t be Aisling if things ran smoothly, would it?
Listen to Ryan Tubridy's recent Radio 1 interview with the authors here
Best friend Majella is getting married and has appointed Aisling as chief (and only) bridesmaid. Running around after Majella to make her day perfect, as well as trying to plan the perfect hen weekend in Tenerife (who the hell has forty-eight women at a hen weekend?!) has taken its toll on Aisling.
But with her brother home from Australia, her ex, John, and his new girlfriend all loved up everywhere Aisling looks and ridey James Matthews being, well, 'ridey', it’s apparent that Aisling has bitten off more than she can chew. And of course all of this is taking place around the time of her dreaded thirtieth birthday.
When Aisling thinks she cannot possibly stretch herself any thinner, a mysterious American businesswoman appears with the opportunity of a lifetime. Worries and clashes result in hives and headaches, but with a Daniel Wellington watch on her wrist and a phone full of #inspo quotes, Aisling is determined to power through.
I had not read the first two books in the Aisling series, under a biased assumption that they were an internet craze that, like most crazes, were over-hyped and would fizzle out. However, I was proved completely wrong, and the hype around this book series is truly deserved.
Every word in this novel is perfectly crafted, in a word. Admirably, McLysaght and Breen manage to portray characters whom readers will relate to (I’d like to say I’m a Majella, but my friends would definitely call me Sadhbh) while also not letting these big personalities take over.
With different twists and turns occurring throughout the plot, it would be easy for all these story-lines to get lost in the mess, but these plot lines are woven together neatly. However, while Aisling’s life may veer on the messy side, this novel does not.
