The Break is the story of a family unit hit by the Dad deciding he needs 6 months of to travel. The family are from Dublin and Amy the mother works in London 2 days a week the rest in her Dublin office. She lives with a strong family around her which introduces some great characters, with comedy, romance and life all mixed in to this wonderful read. I have enjoyed this read and yes a real page turner that will keep you hooked till the last page.
I have been given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review.

This is, unbelievably the first Marian Keyes book I have read! It won't be the last as I really enjoyed it. Rather disfunctional family with some strong characters. Reminded me of Maeve Binchy, must be the Irish humour. Highly recommended

I love Marian Keyes' books, so I was delighted to see she had a new one out. And it didn't disappoint. Her books are always page turners, easy to read, but with a bite of realism that makes you sit up, laugh, and shed a few tears - The Break is as good as they get. A hugely believable heroine, quirky friends and family (though I did sometimes lose track of who was who!) and a troubled, complicated husband, an interesting mix, and one which worked well.
The story was written in the first person by Amy, who I identified with very easily. And since this was a Marian Keyes book, it wasn't always obvious how it would end up!
I loved every page - thank you.

Amy and Hugh are long married and quite happily trundling along with their non-standard thrown-together family unit. Complacency has snuck in; they take each other a bit for granted, inappropriate crushes on colleagues have developed but not been acted on – the kind of thing that tends to happen when you've been with the same person for a long time. But all said and done, they're happy. Then Hugh drops a bombshell.

Following the recent death of his father, he appears to be having some kind of mid-life crisis and decides he needs to take 6 months out from his domestic life and go backpacking around some exotic countries to find himself. No, seriously. "Finding himself" also appears to include enjoying whatever fate unravels with any willing females he happens to find, but he promises Amy that he will come back and this is a temporary blip on an otherwise satisfactory landscape. Amy is devastated by his decision and is not convinced that it will be fixable when he decides to come back, but she loves Hugh, and tries to be the understanding wife - albeit rotating between being completely broken, then furious, then confused. Left with all the mental, physical and emotional load of supporting her family, all the while managing to maintain her demanding role as a publicist, hopping between London and Dubin every week, Amy does her best to hold it together - but let's face it – who wouldn't struggle under those circumstances? Throw into the mix a ridiculously good-looking TV star client, a handful of sexy co-workers and the right circumstances – what would you do if you got the chance to make that heart-stopping crush a reality, seemingly without consequence? More importantly, what does Amy do?

One of the most interesting things for me about this novel was that when you read the synopsis, you could be forgiven for thinking that Amy is just a silly cow who should have kicked Huw out when he came up with his stupid idea, but as you read the book, it becomes clear that it's perhaps not all that simple. Life isn't black and white, it's shades of grey, and Amy, veteran of a disastrous starter marriage with a self-obsessed footballer who ran out and left her holding the baby, isn't stupid. Or a doormat. She just really doesn't want to mess up her future with Huw over a silly phase he's going through because she knows Huw isn't a bad person. He's proven that on many an occasion - he's essentially a nice guy who is behaving badly. But Amy knows that she deserves better than that, she knows she needs and deserves to be first prize.

Slowly, but surely, Amy adapts to the new world she is forced to enter. She (re)discovers her self respect and though Huw's behaviour, has knocked her for six, she gets stronger, she makes decisions she never thought she would be strong enough to make, and ironically, while her husband is off 'finding himself', she actually begins to find herself too.

Most readers will be familiar with Marian Keyes - a wonderful writer, her reputation for building larger than life characters and cleverly observed, complex, relationships is well deserved. In 'The Break' her ability to turn the minutia of daily family life into such tragi-comedy situations is an absolute joy to read. But as with her previous work, it's never without pathos and a good dollop of realism – the person who seems to be behaving particularly badly, may well have their reasons – you're just not aware of them. There's also a lesson about not getting complacent with your life and taking those in it for granted– you never know the moment you'll realise how lucky you once were to have everything you had – even if you didn't realise it at the time.

To sum up, "The Break" is yet another fantastic novel from Marian Keyes – sure to be one of Autumn's big hitters.

Another great book from this fabulous author.
Move over Mammy Walsh, there's a new Nan in town.

I always love Marian Keyes novels and this one was no exception; she writes with humour above all and I find her voice equally authoritative on serious issues affecting women and absent of condescension or judgment.

This book follows the travails of a middle aged woman whose erstwhile loving husband sudddenly announces his inability to continue in their marriage as it is due to bereavement-related stress and unhappiness. The six month 'break' duration seems arbitrary and I wondered if it was entirely necessary to put that time limit there, as there was no sense that he had any idea that would be long enough (or too long) to work through his problems. But it was still interesting to join Amy as she processed this twist in her relationship and its impact on her and the extended family.

I'm always pleasantly surprised at how unique and well-developed the families in Keyes' stories are; you never get bored because she always comes up with intriguing mixes of people and interesting connections between them. Here we have an elderly Alzheimers sufferer; a half-Latvian, informally-adopted daughter; a blended second family; single women (both happily and unhappily so); women who have sacrificed for their families and some who seem unconcerned by the responsibility of motherhood; two fathers who habitually neglect their offspring and one who doesn't, yet who (sort of) abandons them anyway; career men who sleep around honestly and married men who sleep around dishonestly or married men who don't sleep around but perhaps wish they could.

A circus of characters who are easy to identify with is one of the most appealing features of Marian Keyes books (that and her reliable obsession with make up/skincare poducts!) and I look forward to reading her next adventure.

loved the book, had me gripped from the start, loved the style of writing the story....Felt sorry for Amy at times, full of different emotions, laughed cried, got annoyed.....really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down once I started, found myself waking up in the middle of the night to rea a bit more, cant wait for the next bo

Great easy read. Love Marion Books this was no disappointment

A new novel by Marian Keyes is ALWAYS a moment to celebrate - and in #TheBreak we have a fabulous story of real people, dealing with real emotions in real relationships. A wonderful heartbreaking and at times heartwarming story, this is Marian at her very wisest, peppered with just the right amount of LOLs and tears.

This is definitely one of the better books that I've read this summer. The characters were a hit for me from the beginning, with the dialogue so naturally written that I could hear the Irish accents in my head. This is not at all an easy achievement so the author has certainly made a fan of me. When Mrs. Keyes writes 'Ask not who the "U ok hun? tolls for, it tolls for thee', anyone who uses social media in this day and age knows exactly what she means.
What struck me the most is how very relatable the situation is between Amy and her husband Hugh. I found myself nodding along more than once at Amy's introspection as she unpacks her relationships in her mind. Even as we learn that she may be more than a little complicit in her turn of events, many women will understand her dilemmas. There is also a great turn later involving Amy's young daughters and ward that I felt was apt, considering the fight for women's rights and proper healthcare that we see so often now both home and abroad.
The whole book is shored up by an amusing cast of characters, all of them just as interesting as the quirky lead. Although I felt the epilogue several years on a bit of overkill, I found myself thinking that I might enjoy visiting this family, their friends and acquaintances later down the line. I'm glad I stumbled upon this author via Netgalley, and I'm sure to check out more when I have the chance.

Amy is on her second marriage, which she thinks is her forever family, but work, children, parents, death and everyday life start to impact and she and her husband both start looking for some excitement. She has a friend she just meets for dinner once a week, but her husband decides they need a 6 months break whilst he goes travelling to find himself.

6 months is a very long time to be left behind with a family, and there's only so much shopping a girl can do. Will things be the same when he returns?

This is an amusing, well crafted book that takes you through a whole range of emotions. Many of these things could happen if n any family, and the fact that it is taking place in Ireland adds its own interest and set of problems.

All in all a good read.

It is always a delight to read a Marian Keyes book, I just love her inclusive, chatty, easy-to read writing style; her books always make me feel like I’ve met up with a good friend for a coffee and they’re telling me the latest goings-on in their life.

In The Break we meet Dubliner Amy O’Connell just as she has her world turned upside down when her husband, Hugh, decides he needs a break – six months off to travel around Asia to be precise – and there’s not much she can do about it. He’s adamant it’s not a break-up, just a temporary break from his life at the moment.

However, as Hugh leaves Amy with three teenage daughters (technically two daughters and a niece), Neeve, Kiara and Sofie, to look after on her own, while dealing with this huge emotional blow, balancing relationships with her friends, large family and busy job in PR (I loved the little insight into the way PR really works), Amy is understandably overwhelmed by her new set of circumstances and really has to figure out what she wants and how to deal with everything.

I have to say, Amy is one of the most rounded, developed characters I have encountered in a while. I really felt like I knew her, genuinely cared about her and when I’d finished the book, missed her daily life updates, as it were. She was just so relatable – by no means perfect, but trying her best and, like all of us, could be irrational, anxious and uncertain, but equally loving and funny. For me, it was all the little details that really gave her depth and realism – the references to her retro dress-sense, love of make-up and off-the-cuff comments about celebrities.

I haven’t read all of Marian Keyes’ books, so couldn’t say for certain, but, to me, Amy felt like one of Marian’s most autobiographical characters. Having previously read Marian’s collection of real-life essays and columns, Making it Up as I Go Along, there were a few anecdotes from that book that I recognised happening to Amy in this one, from Amy’s love of Strictly Come Dancing and Sephora to her friend she nicknames, ‘Posh Petra’.

Also, there is an interesting – and important – sub-plot about Amy’s niece having an abortion. Abortion is illegal in Ireland, and Marian is a supporter of Repeal the 8th – an Irish campaign that is gathering signatures to call for a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment that makes abortion illegal. So, when the below exchange happens to Amy at a UK abortion clinic, I read this as Marian making her feelings quite clear on the issue:

The woman says, ‘We have a lower rate for those coming from Ireland. Because it’s already costing you so much.’

‘Thank you.’ It’s decent of them, extremely so. And yet I feel ashamed that a foreign country is helping us because our own country won’t.’

These links between Amy’s fictional world and the author’s real one made this an even more interesting read for me and the fact that Marian makes you think about big issues, while drawing you in with such endearing, realistic characters is a wonderful combination – and the reason that I will always look forward to her clever, charming stories.

'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.'

'A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'

If only. Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her. He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in south-east Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.

This beautifully written yet poignant story makes you feel every emotion possible. Although the main story is about Hugh & Amy's break, there are many subplots that come out of nowhere but keep the story going.

In true Marian Keyes fashion, the family are Irish so there are plenty of LOL moments amongst the doom & gloom. Marian Keyes, the fabulous author that she is has pulled it out of the bag yet again and this is one of my most favourite books that I have read so far this year. Her talent is endless & I am looking forward to meeting her on the book tour.

*Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*

The Break. Marian Keyes
When Amy's husband, Hugh, decides to take a six month sabbatical from their marriage it disrupts the entire family and the repercussions extend to Amy's friends too. Amy finds that, in some ways, her whole life has changed but the stress of the daily grind remains the same. What brought their marriage to this point? Is Hugh the only one to blame for ruining their relationship? What is the impact on their three girls? How will Amy deal with the break and Hugh's planned return? Can Amy love someone new? This is not just about Amy and Hugh and their relationship, the whole family of strong female characters, Amy's colleagues and her friends play their own part in the drama. I have enjoyed all of Marian Keyes novels and find her characters live with you even when you put the book down. I'm sorry I've finished it. This is a fair review in exchange for a copy from netgalley and I'll be buying a paper copy when it is published.

I enjoyed this book even though I had visions of 'Mrs. Brown's boys' !! during the comedy bits. I liked the underlying storyline more than the tongue in cheek, and couldn't put it down towards then end. Some of the sub plots did not help the overall story and I found myself skimming past to get back to the main story. Overall it was a good book with some poignant underlying themes. I liked Amy and Hugh and was pleased the ending was happy.

I am a huge fan of Marian Keys and although her previous book was good it wasn't up to her usual standard in my opinion but the old Marian is back with this one and I love it!

Hugh and Amy have been married a long time with the new "modern" unconventional family, but that, along with two sudden deaths in the family changes Hugh and he decides he needs a break away from them all, leaving Amy to keep everything together while dealing with the issues in her relationship.

I think I felt every emotion going in this book, sadness, anger, anxiety, excitement, you name it! The great thing about Keyes is she presents you with real relatable characters and situations that you believe in but adds wit and humour to the mix creating a perfectly balanced story. I liked the way the whole social media and issues that go with it was brought into this book. I also have to give props to Marian for the sex scenes some of which she made quite funny but still steamy!

I went through a similar situation to the drama of this book years ago and the way the raw emotions described in the book are just like how I felt so I found this totally relatable!

There is one criticism I have,- there are too many "name drops" for me of designers and it just came across as though the author was hoping to blag some free stuff from them rather than add anything to the story but other than that I loved reading this book!

I loved this book and could not put it down!

Amy's husband Hugh decides he wants a break - from his marriage, three daughters, his life - and everything else that comes with it. He wants to find himself and just one more time live a life full of possibilities and without responsibilities - for six months. Then he promises to come back. Amy is devastated and left to deal with the fallout - emotionally and practically.

I thought this book was funny and sad and most of all real. Initially, I had a hard time making sense of the Hugh from the flashbacks and the Hugh that packed and went away but as the book progresses, we find out that not everything in Hugh's and Amy's relationship was as black and white as it seems at the beginning. Life (in a longterm relationship) happened and both of them dealt with it differently.

I loved the characters and reading this book just felt like having a peak into a family's life. It's well written, truly captivating and for a long time I didn't know who or what ending to root for but it all developed wonderfully. From the first to the last page a great read!

Amy is told by her husband Hugh that he wants a six month break from their marriage. Amy has already had one marriage breakdown and has moved forward, marrying Hugh. Understandably, she is shocked and grieved by his decision. Amy copes well with her children for support and her niece - a surrogate daughter. Amy, a busy working mum, sometimes, seems too good to be true. Quite a few men fancy her too. Her work colleague Alistair and editor Josh. Amy doesn't cheat on Hugh though. She steps away from the temptation of Josh. However, when she sees Facebook evidence of Hugh cheating with a Scottish lady called Raffie, well, this really brings the truth home. Her marriage is over! Amy has the affair with Josh. I didn't like this part. Felt it was a little contrived and they really didn't have anything in common. Eventually Hugh returns home. He wants Amy back. This book looks at the theme of forgiveness, finding yourself, depression and the realities of marriage. Felt the book was a little long. Didn't like Sophie moving on with David (who appeared last chapter.) An enjoyable, thought-provoking read with flawed characters. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

This book did not disappoint. Marian Keyes has managed again to write a very readable story about everyday life. If you like her novels you will love this. The characters all have believable personalities and the issues facing them are real and told in a easy humourous way. A brilliant easy holiday read.

Really heartwarming and well written . I loved the story of Amy , Hugh and their massive family . I really felt for Amy when Hugh decides he wants a break from their marriage and his life and wants 6 months off to go travelling . Amy Is left to pick up the pieces and still me a mum to her almost grown up children , we find out in flashback that Amy also has a secret and things in their marriage were far from ideal , but I really enjoyed reading about Amy and her daughters becoming more independent and even closer to each other . Funny in parts , I laughed out loud but also had a few tears ... excellent .