Everything That Is Beautiful

by Louise Nealon

'I absolutely loved it . . . So realistic about the complexity of loving people who will break our hearts'
Marian Keyes

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.

'Intimate and panoramic, tender-hearted and clear-eyed, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, this dazzling novel brims with compassion and unforgettable characters. A book you'll read and love, then immediately buy for those you love' Colin Walsh, number 1 bestselling author of Kala

'A deeply moving exploration of all the joys and pains of living in community. Beautifully written, funny, emotionally complex and always quietly hopeful. I loved it' Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin, award-winning author of Ordinary Saints

Genres: Contemporary, Irish Literature

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 2, 2026

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what an unbelievable way to begin 2026 with. this was so heartfelt and complicated and fantastic

[Marta Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly appreciated Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake, that I remember reading in 2022. That's why I was highly anticipating her second novel, and I feel honored to be able to review it before its release in April this year.
Everything That Is Beautiful recounts the story of the Foley family and Niamh, a childhood friend of the Foley children. It's told from three different points of view: Niamh's own, Helen Foley's (the mother), and Kate Foley's (the youngest daughter). The women couldn't be more different from each other, but they share a secret that other members of the family know nothing about. The event that gives some structure to the novel is Maria Foley's wedding, but then we get numerous flashbacks to the past.
It's an incredible story about a family that is far from perfect, but very much appears to be from the outside. We get to know a big cast of characters who are fully themselves, and we slowly get to discover the event that disturbed Niamh's, Helen's, and Kate's lives.
I found myself very invested in this beautifully written novel. I appreciated the way the author created a microcosm of interesting people whose personalities develop throughout the story. I liked how Irish it felt, and how hurling felt important to the plot. I especially warmed up to Kate's character, but then Helen grew on me as well — both of their arcs were beautifully crafted. It was very interesting to read how the father figure (and a sports legend at the same time) was explored with much nuance. My main criticism is that we didn't get enough of Niamh's side of the story; I wish we got to see more detail about how the "event" really affected her emotionally. Also, the time jumps felt a bit confusing at times.
Overall, I truly loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. It's another example of how families can be messy, even (or especially) those who look perfect from the outside. However, I wish this book had been longer, and the plot a little bit more developed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Manilla Press for the ARC of this novel.

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer Scanlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intimate exploration of a tight knit community, Louise Nealon's latest offering takes the reader into the heart of Irish life.

The authenticity of her portrayal feels indisputable, from the early relationship between Niamh and Peter - and her interactions with the Foley family as a whole - to the later years focusing on Marie's wedding. And the multiple view points are effective in giving the reader a better sense of this group of people and their thoughts, dreams, and motivations.

This will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, and easily earns 3.5 stars from me.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jen Grá · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything That Is Beautiful" is truly that, such an affecting and gorgeous story. Space is given to let the characters share their stories and intertwining lives in their own way. So much space that the biggest events almost feel like asides. Time with them all passes so quckly and the conclusion feels true to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.