This Is How It Ends [Hardcover]

It's impossible to look away from this love story. Addie may be struggling when we meet her . . . but she's cool and funny and she carries this novel with the charisma of a classic heroine. It will leave you a weeping mess just as Em and Dex's story did. It will also leave you feeling utterly bereft to no longer be in its company (Observer )

Be warned. MacMahon subtly - almost imperceptibly - weaves her readers so tightly into her story that when she rolls out her shattering ending it's best to be alone, far from prying eyes. Stave off the tears if you can: I was a wreck (Sunday Times )

When you have long forgotten many other fictional lovers, there is something about Addie and Bruno, their past and their world, that will not go away (Maeve Binchy, The Irish Times )

This richly poetic first novel combines a strong contemporary feel with a sense of timelessness. MacMahon's prose fizzes from page one, capturing the imagination and holding the reader. As the title suggests this is a poignant book yet remarkably life-affirming thanks to the sheer quality of MacMahon's writing. Her characterisation is deft and believable. She has perfect control of tone and a gift for piercing metaphor. I predict a glittering future. (Daily Express )

It has 'future classic' written all over it (Glamour )

An exceptional novel . . . It is truly a story for our time. This is How it Ends signals the belated arrival of a new Irish commercial writer with an extraordinary gift and a voice that is entirely her own (Irish Independent )

This is How it Ends is an unforgettable story of love and hope - a moving tale which touches the heart (Cecelia Ahern )

Kathleen MacMahon's prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful . . . The twist in this tale is utterly unexpected and satisfyingly unpredictable . . . A bittersweet, engaging novel that will no doubt become a book-club darling (Sunday Independent )

A tender love story. A book about love, family, children and that glorious sense of being alive (Irish Examiner )

The beginning of bank protests, alongside the American election and how crucial it seemed, send a tremor through the narrative (Sunday Times, Ireland )

An engaging and ultimately uplifting read. It's a well drawn love story, the characters are believable and the writing is elegant. This is a book with film rights written all over it (Irish Mail on Sunday )

This is a love story like no other (Mirror )

An all-consuming love story . . . that can't fail to enchant you (Heat )

I found myself relating to every character, charmed into enjoying their world and not wanting it to end . . .

a brilliantly drawn, empathetic and believable cast of characters

(Stylist – winner in their ‘Book Wars’ feature )

Moving and beautifully drawn (Metro )

A tender love story (RTE Guide )

This wonderful new author is a force to be reckoned with (Dubray Books )

Throughout the book, the narrative remains both beautiful and understated - and is perhaps all the more dramatic for it (Fabulous magazine )

Sometimes you read a book that takes your breath away - this was the book . . . This Is How It Ends grabs you very gently at the beginning and urges you to continue, it wraps you up in its charm and leaves you bereft (in a good way). An emotional rollercoaster of two people thrown together, at a strange time in a less than ordinary way, I defy you not to be moved (Woman's Way )

From the atmospheric description of the wet and windy Dublin beach to the gentle drawing out of the thaw of Addie's thoughts and feelings, MacMahon proves herself to have a sensitive and heartfelt understanding of human emotions and an ability to transcribe it with fine delicacy and beautiful simple writing. This is an outstanding debut novel which will linger long in your mind (Red Magazine )

Good writing and realistic characters will see this warm-hearted novel riding the bestsellers lists (Choice )

Summer 2012's One Day, this is a love story with an ominous feel that haunts from page one (Easy Living )

Everybody in Addie's life, up to and including the dog, is given a full back-story, as her relationships with her dad and her married sister's family are explored with a winning mixture of thoughtfulness and warmth. And all that's before the crunchingly big finish which packs an undeniable punch (Daily Mail )

MacMahon's enthralling debut novel features marvelous characters who will linger long in readers' hearts. Tissues will be needed (Library Journal )

A story of unexpected, life-changing love, set in the autumn of 2008.