Nightclub Cactus and Old Friends

Maggie, Harley, and Róise, lifelong friends in Belfast, try to bring a cactus into a nightclub for Róise's birthday. The night is a swirl of nostalgia, drugs, and awkward encounters, including Maggie's complicated feelings for Cate, her on-again-off-again lover. The club is a familiar haunt, but the absence of their late friend Lydia is palpable. The girls' banter masks deeper anxieties about aging, relationships, and the shifting ground beneath their friendship. The night ends with hangovers, regrets, and the looming anniversary of Lydia's death, setting the tone for a year of reckoning with the past and uncertain futures.

Lydia's Absence, Lingering Grief

The friends attend a memorial Mass for Lydia, whose sudden death fractured their group. Lydia's memory is everywhere: in the turtle she left them, in the house they still share, in the rituals and jokes that now feel haunted. The girls struggle with unresolved guilt and anger—especially Maggie, who was harsh with Lydia before she died. The house, once a symbol of their shared youth, now feels like a mausoleum. Each woman copes differently: Harley clings to routine, Maggie to therapy, Róise to withdrawal. Lydia's absence is a wound that refuses to heal, and the question of whether to move out hangs over them all.

Birthdays, Breakups, and Office Crushes

Róise turns thirty, quietly dreading attention at work and reflecting on her failed relationships. She develops a crush on Adam, her charming but oblivious boss, which stirs both hope and self-doubt. Social media memories and awkward family dynamics—her parents' divorce, her mother's overbearing concern—underscore her sense of drifting. Meanwhile, Maggie and Harley navigate their own romantic misadventures, and the group's dynamic is strained by unspoken resentments and the ever-present specter of Lydia's death. The passage of time feels both relentless and stagnant, as each woman wonders if she's falling behind.

Therapy, Trauma, and Family Ties

Maggie's therapy sessions with Astrid, her Australian counselor, reveal layers of anxiety rooted in her mother's suicide and her upbringing by her aunt and cousin Liam. Therapy is both a lifeline and a source of frustration—progress is slow, and Maggie feels stuck in cycles of panic and guilt. Her job in family court, processing adoption cases, triggers reflections on what might have been if she'd had no family to take her in. The friends' shared house is crumbling, both literally and emotionally, and Maggie's fear of change is matched only by her fear of staying the same.

Sex, Drugs, and Self-Sabotage

Harley's sexual escapades and substance use are both a source of pride and pain. A visit to the sexual health clinic triggers memories of an abortion Lydia helped her through, highlighting Lydia's kindness and the group's tangled history. The friends' relationships—with men, with each other, with their own bodies—are fraught with insecurity and longing. The house's physical decay mirrors their emotional disarray, and the arrival of their landlord Frankie (who also supplies their drugs) adds another layer of complication. The women's attempts at self-care often backfire, deepening their sense of being lost.

Dating App Disasters

Róise's foray into dating apps is a parade of awkwardness and disappointment, culminating in a disastrous date with Will, a man-child obsessed with Shakespearean banter. The experience leaves her feeling more isolated and misunderstood, reinforcing her nostalgia for simpler times and her ambivalence about moving on. Meanwhile, Maggie's entanglement with Cate grows more confusing, as Cate's emotional unavailability and secretive nature keep Maggie in a state of suspended hope. The friends' attempts to find love and meaning in a digital age only highlight their longing for genuine connection.

Running, Reunions, and Regret

Inspired by Lydia's old plans, Maggie takes up running, using it as both a coping mechanism and a way to reconnect with Cate. Their runs are wordless, charged with unresolved tension. A chance encounter with Cate leads to a coffee date where Maggie finally shares the story of Lydia's death and the group's falling out. The conversation is both cathartic and unsatisfying, as Cate remains emotionally distant. The friends' efforts to build new routines—running, piano lessons, therapy—are attempts to impose order on chaos, but the past keeps intruding.

Memorial Mass and Moving On

The first anniversary of Lydia's death brings the friends together for a memorial Mass, followed by a series of awkward family gatherings and drunken confessions. The rituals of grief—visiting graves, lighting candles, sharing stories—are both comforting and suffocating. Each woman is forced to reckon with her own role in Lydia's life and death, and with the ways their friendship has changed. The question of whether to stay in the house or move on becomes urgent, as the physical and emotional rot becomes impossible to ignore.

House of Ghosts and Mould

The house's decay accelerates—mould, damp, and structural issues mirror the friends' unraveling relationships. Frankie, the landlord, is both a source of help and a reminder of their dependence. The women's attempts to maintain normalcy—parties, cleaning, cooking—are increasingly desperate. Old resentments flare, especially around Lydia's memory and the unresolved fallout from her betrayal. The house, once a symbol of their independence and unity, now feels like a trap. The decision to move out is both a relief and a loss, as they realize they can't go back to the way things were.

Party, Panic, and Collapse

Harley's thirtieth birthday party is a microcosm of the group's dysfunction: drugs, jealousy, awkward exes, and simmering tensions. Maggie's panic attack on the stairs is the breaking point, both literally and figuratively—the staircase collapses, forcing everyone to flee and leaving the house uninhabitable. The physical collapse is a metaphor for the group's emotional state: fractured, unstable, and in need of rebuilding. The aftermath is a blur of blame, regret, and logistical chaos, as the friends scatter to family homes and temporary shelters.

Aftermath and Estrangement

In the weeks after the collapse, the friends are estranged—Maggie and Harley's relationship is especially strained after Harley's drunken confession about Cate. Each woman struggles with loneliness, guilt, and the challenge of starting over. Róise, living with her cousin Liam, tries to broker peace but is met with resistance. Attempts at reconciliation are halting and fraught, as old wounds are reopened and new boundaries are tested. The loss of the house forces each woman to confront what she wants from her friendships, her future, and herself.

Reconciliation and New Beginnings

Gradually, the friends begin to reach out to each other—apologies are made, truths are told, and forgiveness is offered, if not always accepted. Maggie and Harley's confrontation is raw but necessary, clearing the air and allowing for the possibility of moving forward. Róise, meanwhile, faces her own demons, including her eating disorder and her complicated relationship with Adam. The process of finding a new home is both practical and symbolic—a chance to redefine their relationships and their sense of self. The past is not forgotten, but it no longer dictates the future.

Letting Go, Letting Grow

The friends return to their old house one last time to pack up Lydia's things and say goodbye. The process is emotional and messy, filled with tears, laughter, and unexpected moments of grace. Each woman takes something meaningful—a mug, a moisturizer, a memory—and leaves behind what she no longer needs. The act of letting go is both painful and liberating, as they realize that their connection to Lydia, and to each other, does not depend on a physical space. The new house is a blank slate, full of possibility and uncertainty.

Saplings: Roots and Renewal

On Lydia's birthday, the friends gather at her grave with a cactus—a symbol of resilience and survival. They toast to their accomplishments, their losses, and their enduring bond. The cactus, like their friendship, is prickly but persistent, capable of thriving in harsh conditions. As they settle into their new home, they reflect on what they've learned: that grief and growth are intertwined, that letting go is not the same as forgetting, and that the future is unwritten. The story ends with a sense of cautious optimism, as the women set out together into the unknown.

Characters

Maggie

Maggie is the emotional heart of the group, deeply affected by her mother's suicide and Lydia's death. Raised by her aunt and cousin Liam, she struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and a persistent sense of guilt—especially over her harshness toward Lydia before the accident. Her on-again-off-again relationship with Cate is a source of both hope and heartbreak, mirroring her ambivalence about change. Therapy is both a comfort and a frustration, as progress feels elusive. Maggie's journey is one of learning to let go—of the past, of toxic relationships, and of the need for certainty. Her development is marked by small acts of courage: taking up running, seeking help, and finally standing up for herself.

Harley

Harley is the group's wild card—funny, sharp-tongued, and always up for a party. Her bravado masks deep insecurities and a fear of abandonment, rooted in family dynamics and past trauma. Sex and drugs are both escape and armor, ways to feel alive and in control. Harley's relationship with Frankie, the landlord, is emblematic of her tendency to blur boundaries and seek validation in risky places. Her friendship with Maggie is tested by betrayal, but ultimately proves resilient. Harley's arc is one of self-acceptance: learning to forgive herself, to ask for help, and to value stability as much as excitement.

Róise

Róise is the most guarded of the trio, processing her pain through withdrawal and self-discipline. Her parents' divorce and her father's absence have left her wary of intimacy, and her eating disorder is both a symptom and a shield. Róise's crush on Adam, her boss, is a rare spark of hope, but also a source of anxiety. Her relationship with Lydia was complicated by betrayal, and her grief is tinged with unresolved anger. Róise's journey is about learning to trust—herself, her friends, and the possibility of happiness. Her decision to move out and start fresh is a turning point, signaling a willingness to embrace change.

Lydia

Lydia's death is the story's central trauma, shaping every character's arc. In life, she was the group's organizer, fixer, and sometimes meddler—practical, opinionated, and fiercely loyal, but also capable of betrayal. Her affair with Róise's boyfriend Brendan shattered the group's trust, and her sudden death left wounds that never fully heal. Lydia's legacy is both a burden and a blessing: she is mourned, resented, and idealized in turn. The process of letting go of Lydia—her possessions, her room, her memory—is the emotional core of the novel.

Cate

Cate is Maggie's love interest and source of endless frustration. Charismatic and mysterious, she keeps Maggie at arm's length, refusing to define their relationship or commit to anything beyond the moment. Cate's duplicity—her secret boyfriend, her flirtations with Harley—mirrors the group's larger struggles with trust and vulnerability. She is both a mirror and a foil for Maggie, embodying the dangers of living in denial and the pain of unrequited longing.

Liam

Liam is Maggie's cousin and surrogate brother, a steady presence in the group. His relationship with Lydia was serious, and her betrayal and death hit him hard. Liam struggles to express his emotions, preferring humor and practical help to open displays of grief. His own attempts at therapy are short-lived, and he often feels caught between the women's dramas. Liam's loyalty is unwavering, but he is also learning to set boundaries and prioritize his own healing.

Adam

Adam is Róise's boss and eventual lover, representing both possibility and risk. He is supportive and attentive, but also guarded about his own past. His flirtation with Róise is a source of excitement and anxiety, complicated by workplace dynamics and the baggage each brings. Adam's willingness to listen and adapt makes him a stabilizing force, but his reluctance to fully commit mirrors Róise's own ambivalence.

Frankie

Frankie is the group's landlord and Harley's occasional drug dealer and lover. He is helpful but emotionally distant, embodying the transactional nature of many of the women's relationships. Frankie's interactions with Harley are marked by flirtation, miscommunication, and a mutual reluctance to get too close. He represents the limits of escapism and the need for real connection.

Tess

Tess is a hairdresser and writer who becomes Maggie's new love interest. She is patient, funny, and refreshingly straightforward, offering Maggie a chance at a healthier relationship. Tess's presence is a reminder that growth is possible, and that new connections can be forged even in the aftermath of loss.

Brendan

Brendan is Róise's ex-boyfriend and the unwitting catalyst for Lydia's betrayal. He is well-meaning but emotionally limited, unable to offer the closure Róise seeks. Brendan's attempts at reconciliation are awkward and ultimately unsatisfying, highlighting the impossibility of returning to the past.

Plot Devices

Interwoven timelines and shifting perspectives

The novel employs a non-linear structure, moving fluidly between past and present, memory and reality. Each chapter centers a different character's perspective, allowing for a kaleidoscopic view of events and emotions. This fragmentation reflects the characters' inner turmoil and the way grief disrupts the passage of time. The use of flashbacks, social media memories, and recurring motifs (the cactus, the turtle, the house) creates a sense of continuity amid chaos.

Symbolism of home and decay

The shared house is both a sanctuary and a prison, its gradual decay mirroring the friends' unraveling relationships. The collapse of the staircase is a literal and metaphorical breaking point, forcing the women to confront the need for change. Objects like Lydia's turtle, the cactus, and the piano serve as touchstones for memory, loss, and the possibility of renewal.

Humor as coping mechanism

The novel's sharp, irreverent humor is both a defense and a lifeline, allowing the characters to navigate trauma without succumbing to despair. Banter, in-jokes, and self-deprecation are tools for survival, but also barriers to intimacy. The tension between laughter and grief is a constant undercurrent, highlighting the complexity of healing.

Cycles of self-destruction and growth

The characters' patterns—substance use, bad relationships, avoidance—are depicted with both empathy and critique. Attempts at self-improvement (therapy, running, new jobs) are often undermined by old habits, but incremental progress is possible. The narrative structure itself, with its recurring motifs and mirrored scenes, reinforces the idea that growth is a process, not a destination.

Foreshadowing and delayed revelation

The novel withholds key information—about Lydia's betrayal, Cate's duplicity, the state of the house—until moments of crisis, heightening tension and emotional impact. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense and to underscore the inevitability of change. The gradual revelation of each character's pain and resilience allows for a nuanced exploration of forgiveness and renewal.

Analysis

Thirst Trap is a novel that captures the liminal space between youth and adulthood, where the certainties of the past give way to the ambiguities of the present. Through the intertwined lives of Maggie, Harley, and Róise, Gráinne O'Hare explores how loss—of friends, of homes, of illusions—can both fracture and forge identity. The book is unflinching in its portrayal of mental health struggles, substance use, and the ways women are taught to perform wellness even as they unravel. Yet it is also deeply funny, finding humor in the darkest moments and celebrating the resilience of female friendship. The lessons are hard-won: that grief is not linear, that forgiveness is a process, and that letting go is not the same as forgetting. Ultimately, Thirst Trap is a testament to the power of community, the necessity of change, and the hope that, even after everything falls apart, something new can take root and grow.

Last updated: November 11, 2025