The Aisling books must be read in chronological order, which coincides with their publication order, by following this sequence:[2-9]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling | 2017[2] | Introduces Aisling, her home life, and the relationships carried forward. |
| 2 |
|
The Importance of Being Aisling | 2018[3-4] | Continues after Aisling’s major losses and romantic complications. |
| 3 |
|
Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling | 2019[5-7] | Builds on Aisling’s cafe, friendships, and romantic history. |
| 4 |
|
Aisling and the City | 2021[8] | Follows Aisling after the events that send her to New York. |
| 5 |
|
Aisling Ever After | 2023[9] | Resolves major personal developments. |
1. Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling
Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling (2017)[2] introduces Aisling, a practical woman from Ballygobbard. Her long-term relationship with John reaches a breaking point as marriage and expectations clash. This novel establishes a central contrast between rural home, Dublin independence, friendship, family duty, and romantic uncertainty.[10]
Additionally, the novel introduces a recurring cast of characters and highlights how their choices continue to matter in later books.[10]
2. The Importance of Being Aisling
The Importance of Being Aisling (2018)[3-4] follows Aisling after her reconciliation with John. Earlier emotional complications linger, and a recent family bereavement remains unresolved. Job loss, a move back to Ballygobbard, and the creation of BallyGoBrunch push the series from recovery to reinvention.[11]
This book also develops Aisling’s friendships, community ties, and emerging independence from her old relationship patterns.[11]
3. Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling
Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling (2019)[5-7] finds Aisling nearing thirty, now established at BallyGoBrunch. She tries to balance romance, family expectations, and the whirlwind of her friends’ milestones. This novel draws on the earlier creation of the cafe, Aisling’s history with John, and her relationship with James.[12]
It moves the series toward a reckoning with independence and personal direction.[12]
4. Aisling and the City
Aisling and the City (2021)[8] sends Aisling to New York after romantic disappointment and a major catering success connects her to Mandy Blumenthal’s event-planning world. The new setting gives the series a broader scope. Yet, Aisling remains closely tied to Ballygobbard through family, friends, and her unfinished story with John.[13]
With this ending, the narrative naturally flows into the final book, bringing previous threads together for resolution.[13]
5. Aisling Ever After
Aisling Ever After (2023)[9] continues from Aisling’s New York life while John’s unexpected return draws the series back toward Ireland, family, home, and long-term commitment. This book weaves together Aisling’s career, her relationship with John, Marian’s future, Sadhbh and Majella’s lives, and Aisling’s attachment to the farm.[14]
It is the concluding stage of the series.[14]
References
- Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen. Curtis Brown.
- Humour – Oh My God What a Complete Aisling The Novel. Gill Books. Archived.
- Humour – The Importance of Being Aisling. Gill Books. Archived.
- The Importance of Being Aisling. Penguin Books UK.
- Humour – Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling. Gill Books. Archived.
- Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling. Penguin Books UK.
- Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling by Emer McLysaght. Penguin Books Australia.
- Humour – Aisling and the City. Gill Books. Archived.
- Stories – Aisling Ever After. Gill Books. Archived.
- Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling The Novel. Gill Books. ISBN: 9780717175536.
- The Importance of Being Aisling. Gill Books. ISBN: 9780717181599.
- Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling. Gill Books. ISBN: 9780717181643.
- Aisling and the City. Gill Books. ISBN: 9780717182688.
- Aisling Ever After. Gill Books. ISBN: 9780717182671.