What do you think?
Rate this book
OMGWACA #3
Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling
Aisling’s turning 30, and she’s still a complete Aisling.
Business is booming at her café BallyGoBrunch, her best friend Majella is expecting the hen of the century, while Aisling is in the throes of a fling with the handsome and mannerly blow-in James Matthews. Life is all go.
When the big birthday hits, Aisling is faced with a huge surprise and an unexpected decision.
Throw in a hapless wedding planner, a mysterious American visitor, the unexpected return of her brother Paul, not to mention her ex John’s face around every corner, and Aisling’s got an awful lot on her plate.
When doubts, worries and an unfortunate clash threaten to get the better of her, Aisling needs to dig deep to see if she has enough strength and inspirational quotes to make it through.
Business is booming at her café BallyGoBrunch, her best friend Majella is expecting the hen of the century, while Aisling is in the throes of a fling with the handsome and mannerly blow-in James Matthews. Life is all go.
When the big birthday hits, Aisling is faced with a huge surprise and an unexpected decision.
Throw in a hapless wedding planner, a mysterious American visitor, the unexpected return of her brother Paul, not to mention her ex John’s face around every corner, and Aisling’s got an awful lot on her plate.
When doubts, worries and an unfortunate clash threaten to get the better of her, Aisling needs to dig deep to see if she has enough strength and inspirational quotes to make it through.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2019
334 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
August 28, 2020
Some heavy themes are tackled with trademark wit, warmth and insight.
June 7, 2024
We're back in BGB with Aisling as she tries to figure out a new relationship, run her cafe Ballygobrunch and help organise the best hen ever for her best friend Majella which involves coordinating accommodation and activities for over 40 demanding women. And now a celebrity event has come to BGB and Ais has NDAs flying out of her ears - for the first time ever, she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
This book is a nice edition to the OMGWACA series but it's definitely a bit of a step back from the second book (which I loved) and the weakest in the series so far for me. It could be that there wasn't lots happening for Aisling other than organising things for other people - her relationship is in a stagnant place, and we also keep seeing her think/look/ reflect on her ex John (which I honestly I don't like as they just don't work together and I'm stilling hoping for a Piotr era).
As someone getting married this year and also a couple of months away from my own hen (being organised by my very own Aisling), I did enjoy some of the crazy moments around wedding planning, dress shopping and the mad cap hen itself (and genuinely made me excited for my own haha). I'm also really happy that a character called Aisling up on something she's been doing since book 1 that's super annoying and that's always talking about her weight, dieting and in particular Weight Watchers and how many points every item of food has. At the start of this book when Ais was sill doing it, I was surprised as I feel like we're beyond this in books now (and I myself as a reader don't want to know how many points my Lindor chocolate has either) so I was delighted when Aisling was taken to task about the way she talks about weight, and hopefully we see a stop to it now.
I appreciated the inclusion of a male mental health story in the book though it felt slightly shoehorned in, and I feel like it could have gotten a bit more meat and more depth to it. But I appreciate why it's there and pointing out some of the subtler signs someone might not be having a good time mental health wise and it's always a good idea to suggest people seek additional help as well.
The audiobook for this series is a great time, and even though this isn't my favourite, I still laughed and rolled my eyes at Aisling and the BGD crowd lots of times,
This book is a nice edition to the OMGWACA series but it's definitely a bit of a step back from the second book (which I loved) and the weakest in the series so far for me. It could be that there wasn't lots happening for Aisling other than organising things for other people - her relationship is in a stagnant place, and we also keep seeing her think/look/ reflect on her ex John (which I honestly I don't like as they just don't work together and I'm stilling hoping for a Piotr era).
As someone getting married this year and also a couple of months away from my own hen (being organised by my very own Aisling), I did enjoy some of the crazy moments around wedding planning, dress shopping and the mad cap hen itself (and genuinely made me excited for my own haha). I'm also really happy that a character called Aisling up on something she's been doing since book 1 that's super annoying and that's always talking about her weight, dieting and in particular Weight Watchers and how many points every item of food has. At the start of this book when Ais was sill doing it, I was surprised as I feel like we're beyond this in books now (and I myself as a reader don't want to know how many points my Lindor chocolate has either) so I was delighted when Aisling was taken to task about the way she talks about weight, and hopefully we see a stop to it now.
I appreciated the inclusion of a male mental health story in the book though it felt slightly shoehorned in, and I feel like it could have gotten a bit more meat and more depth to it. But I appreciate why it's there and pointing out some of the subtler signs someone might not be having a good time mental health wise and it's always a good idea to suggest people seek additional help as well.
The audiobook for this series is a great time, and even though this isn't my favourite, I still laughed and rolled my eyes at Aisling and the BGD crowd lots of times,
Read
July 21, 2025The central conflict in these books, such as it is, is whether country-mouse Aisling should leave behind the dull-but-reliable boyfriend and go to live in the big city for a brand new glamorous Dublin life. She does, and makes some fabulous friends, and has some adventures, and then at the end of book two she decides that the dull boyfriend does belong in the past but actually she'll be happier in the tiny town of Ballygobbard running her tiny cafe (BallyGoBrunch). So she goes home for good, and everyone, me included, is very happy for her. Which sort of suggests there shouldn't be a third book in the series, but here it is anyway, about Aisling now she's back in the country with weddings and hen dos and relationship drama to contend with, and it's all great. I'm actually very impressed with the structure of this book - it sets up an impressive number of dominoes and knocks them all down at the end with style - and of course it's still very funny! What a joy.
December 10, 2019
I love Aisling - this book is just as charming and funny as ever, and as Aisling matures and becomes more thoughtful, so does this series. (14+)
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
November 9, 2019
As the first two books I loved following Aisling in her adventures - this time planning a wedding ! Read the book in 3 days it was super enjoyable. Gave only 4 stars as I didn't like it as much as the first two books - maybe because there was less going on for Aisling herself.
January 11, 2023
easy to read kind of fun story and look its always good news when i finish a book!
February 9, 2021
There are a few laugh out loud moments which made this a three instead of a two star review, but overall I felt it was a bit sloppy, with a few continuity errors (Aisling can’t remember the last time someone made her a cuppa when John makes her one - about six pages back actually, when we’re told James made her one), a lot of cringeworthy stereotypes (the posh English aristocrats, the Spanish contingent etc) and a cursory nod to the issues of the day (fatphobia, men’s mental health) without any real substance or attempt to delve into them. This is disappointing as the book is really warm and funny in so many parts but some of the above lets it down and makes it feel rushed out and a box-ticking exercise.
February 9, 2021
I know that there are a lot of people that are very attached to these books. I've never been completely in love with them and listening to the audio has been sweet and easy.
With the third installment, however, I'm officially done. This one annoyed me in a way the others didn't. Aisling just seems to try to help people on ways that end up, somehow, being self involved. I haven't warmed to her and in this book I really just wanted to slap her.
I wasn't a fan of her old or new boyfriend, of the tedious hen do and celebrity wedding storylines and I was really, really not a fan of the lack of attention paid to the importance of managing Anxiety and Depression with actual medical attention.
I think there's two more books planned. I managed three that could have been one. I'm done.
With the third installment, however, I'm officially done. This one annoyed me in a way the others didn't. Aisling just seems to try to help people on ways that end up, somehow, being self involved. I haven't warmed to her and in this book I really just wanted to slap her.
I wasn't a fan of her old or new boyfriend, of the tedious hen do and celebrity wedding storylines and I was really, really not a fan of the lack of attention paid to the importance of managing Anxiety and Depression with actual medical attention.
I think there's two more books planned. I managed three that could have been one. I'm done.
September 30, 2019
This was a fun read. It wasn’t quite as good as its two preceding books in my opinion and some parts dragged a little but it was still fun. It made me laugh out loud and I enjoyed it. I really feel like I know Aisling at this stage.
May 6, 2020
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
I love this series and the third release - Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling is another entertaining read. We return to Aisling's world and the small Irish village she lives in, and by book three she's a dating lovely English guy called James, and working ferociously hard on her business. She just can't say no to anyone, and she ends up in a bit of a pickle (of course!).
I really enjoyed this novel - it has lots of laugh-out-loud moments for me, and although I am not Irish, nor is any of my family, I still found her character hilarious. I didn't think this book was quite as brilliant as the first two - especially the first - because it felt like some of the storylines were a little rushed, or just 'touched upon' and then left. For example, the storyline about her brother Paul's mental health could have been explored a bit more, or just highlighted more as an important issue.
I wanted it to end differently but am quite glad it didn't really. It's an easy, funny read and I was left with a contented feeling at the end, which is always great, but also a desire to read more about Aisling - I hope there will be a book four!
I love this series and the third release - Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling is another entertaining read. We return to Aisling's world and the small Irish village she lives in, and by book three she's a dating lovely English guy called James, and working ferociously hard on her business. She just can't say no to anyone, and she ends up in a bit of a pickle (of course!).
I really enjoyed this novel - it has lots of laugh-out-loud moments for me, and although I am not Irish, nor is any of my family, I still found her character hilarious. I didn't think this book was quite as brilliant as the first two - especially the first - because it felt like some of the storylines were a little rushed, or just 'touched upon' and then left. For example, the storyline about her brother Paul's mental health could have been explored a bit more, or just highlighted more as an important issue.
I wanted it to end differently but am quite glad it didn't really. It's an easy, funny read and I was left with a contented feeling at the end, which is always great, but also a desire to read more about Aisling - I hope there will be a book four!
April 17, 2024
Once, Twice, Three Times An Aisling / Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ Would ya go easy Aisling, go easy pet ~
And my third visit back to Aisling was as always a pleasant one.
Jaysus, Aisling doesn’t play. Between her business, and being Majella’s only bridesmaid, her love life, and the hush hush of the event, there is no rest for the wicked.
While there were times I felt she was being taken advantage of, but it is just her nature, she wants to do everything but will not ask for help. It comes through in the end, but you can’t help but feel for her.
The James/John triangle, girl look after yourself. Don’t do things just because you think you should.
All the expected happens here and I’m not complaining. Sadhbh played more of a cameo role in this one. But glad to see more of Majella, and Paul had a good story too.
Overall, dying to crack into #4. So glad I started these.
First audiobook through Spotify too, times they do be a changing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ Would ya go easy Aisling, go easy pet ~
And my third visit back to Aisling was as always a pleasant one.
Jaysus, Aisling doesn’t play. Between her business, and being Majella’s only bridesmaid, her love life, and the hush hush of the event, there is no rest for the wicked.
While there were times I felt she was being taken advantage of, but it is just her nature, she wants to do everything but will not ask for help. It comes through in the end, but you can’t help but feel for her.
The James/John triangle, girl look after yourself. Don’t do things just because you think you should.
All the expected happens here and I’m not complaining. Sadhbh played more of a cameo role in this one. But glad to see more of Majella, and Paul had a good story too.
Overall, dying to crack into #4. So glad I started these.
First audiobook through Spotify too, times they do be a changing!
November 12, 2024
I accidentally started this series by listening to the last book first, so it is nice to understand how things get where they ended! Haha
June 16, 2024
Okaay the Aisling books are growing on me. But I am also bored out of my mind nursing this concussion which could make this review biased.
October 20, 2023
I swear, they’re getting worse. I thought the characters and plot of the first one was silly, then the second had an extra helping of silliness and now this third one just launched itself into the silly stratosphere.
Why on earth am I stressed out reading this book? The minute details of NDAs, Aisling’s catering job, the wedding planning, Majella’s hen. Jesus Christ almighty, I’ve seen and experienced fewer details while first hand at hen parties than I did reading the details in this book. Literally - NOBODY CARES. Where is the editor, telling the authors to chop massive chunks of junk out of this, cut the stereotypes and make it more relatable?
The best thing about this series is that it’s such trash that it’s easy to read on the bus in traffic.
Why on earth am I stressed out reading this book? The minute details of NDAs, Aisling’s catering job, the wedding planning, Majella’s hen. Jesus Christ almighty, I’ve seen and experienced fewer details while first hand at hen parties than I did reading the details in this book. Literally - NOBODY CARES. Where is the editor, telling the authors to chop massive chunks of junk out of this, cut the stereotypes and make it more relatable?
The best thing about this series is that it’s such trash that it’s easy to read on the bus in traffic.
October 21, 2019
Oh, what an ending. I've just finished this and I feel so... sad?
Aisling has been so busy making everyone else happy, and now she is where she is. Moving back home with her mum (she does seem happy about that though), and single.
I really thought SOMETHING was going to happen, or change at the end,
I am here for Aisling from now until she reaches her 100th birthday. I need to read more of Aisling's story, and I'm waiting patiently for book 4. She deserves the world, I hope book 4 gives it to her.
Aisling has been so busy making everyone else happy, and now she is where she is. Moving back home with her mum (she does seem happy about that though), and single.
I really thought SOMETHING was going to happen, or change at the end,
I am here for Aisling from now until she reaches her 100th birthday. I need to read more of Aisling's story, and I'm waiting patiently for book 4. She deserves the world, I hope book 4 gives it to her.
October 6, 2019
Aisling is one of my favourite protagonists ever, and this was a perfect holiday read.
It dealt with real life stuggles, relatable predicaments, mental health (and male mental health too which is fabulous and so important) as well as beinghilarious, relatable and so
Emer and Sarah have done it again and I cannot wait for books 4 and 5. I’m so exited to see what Aisling does next, and I’m rooting for her like you would a best friend!
It dealt with real life stuggles, relatable predicaments, mental health (and male mental health too which is fabulous and so important) as well as beinghilarious, relatable and so
Emer and Sarah have done it again and I cannot wait for books 4 and 5. I’m so exited to see what Aisling does next, and I’m rooting for her like you would a best friend!
April 25, 2020
I laughed so much that a man in a cafe approached me wondering what I was reading and where he could get a copy. Unfortunately I live in Sydney so I had to let him know that he wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I was !
July 11, 2022
4-
In this instalment Aisling is struggling to stay afloat amidst plans for Majella's hen and wedding, and running Bally Go Brunch. There's also a new relationship with dashing and romantic Englishman James Matthews to contend with.
Again I find that I don't really care about the events of the book, but the characters and setting is fun and it's perfect for where I'm at in my life right now, which is moving and doing up our new house. I can't focus on anything serious at the moment.
I did enjoy this one slightly less than the previous ones. Maybe it's becoming a little formulaic. Also, while I mostly felt they dealt with more serious themes with warmth and understanding, I found it a bit far-fetched that someone who's obsessed with weight and appearance didn't think about other people's weight and compare themselves. I've been that woman, and I've known many more such. That's how insecure people work.
In this instalment Aisling is struggling to stay afloat amidst plans for Majella's hen and wedding, and running Bally Go Brunch. There's also a new relationship with dashing and romantic Englishman James Matthews to contend with.
Again I find that I don't really care about the events of the book, but the characters and setting is fun and it's perfect for where I'm at in my life right now, which is moving and doing up our new house. I can't focus on anything serious at the moment.
I did enjoy this one slightly less than the previous ones. Maybe it's becoming a little formulaic. Also, while I mostly felt they dealt with more serious themes with warmth and understanding, I found it a bit far-fetched that someone who's obsessed with weight and appearance didn't think about other people's weight and compare themselves. I've been that woman, and I've known many more such. That's how insecure people work.
May 17, 2020
I read this slowly because I didn’t want it to be over! These books just get better and better. This one was the funniest, and they addressed Aisling’s fatphobia at last. I really love how realistic the men are in her life - disappointing! I wish Aisling were my best friend - she throws an amazing party.
January 16, 2024
2.75 ⭐️
Extremely underwhelming and quite a let down compared to the first two books. Quite boring, possibly because there was nothing major going on for Aisling herself although, that being said, Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen did do a phenomenal job in tackling heavy issues throughout this book.
Extremely underwhelming and quite a let down compared to the first two books. Quite boring, possibly because there was nothing major going on for Aisling herself although, that being said, Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen did do a phenomenal job in tackling heavy issues throughout this book.
September 19, 2019
The most wonderful rollercoaster of emotions. As good as a crisp buffet!!!
September 20, 2019
I adore Aisling, this book had me laughing out loud one minute and then wiping away silent tears the next, I can't wait for book number 4.
August 18, 2020
People keep giving me these books. Summer read but would have made a cute tv series.
February 24, 2024
My favourite of the Aisling books...so far.
October 21, 2024
Well, this got me out of my reading rut!
Absolutely adored it, gobbled it up.
Absolutely adored it, gobbled it up.
February 1, 2020
Not as good as the first two, though still funny and relatable. Not a huge fan of the end
February 25, 2022
Definitely my favourite in the series so far, so much more depth to it. I’m becoming a big Aisling fan
Stephanie Butler…it’s a 4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stephanie Butler…it’s a 4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 10, 2021
Aisling is such a kind soul, always ready to help others to the detriment of her own health and well-being. The Irish humour and sometimes 'madcap' situations are very entertaining! Reminded me of a grown up version of The Derry Girls! Recommend.
August 28, 2020
Yep I read the next one and yep I enjoyed it just as much! You just can’t help but like Aisling and her ways as well as her family and friends who enrich every event that comes her way (and there are many to be juggled in this book) I’m not sure she gets a happy ending this time but the door is open for the next instalment!
November 4, 2019
I just did not want this book to end! Full of laugh out loud moments, I looked forward to reading it every day. I only wish there were more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews