I raced through The Break. It made me laugh, it made me think and it made me sob. In short - a perfect read!

The Break is a novel about a modern family from Dublin whose lives are thrown in turmoil when the father announces he wants a six month break from his marriage to travel around Asia.. Told from the point of view of Amy, his wife, we see the effects of this break on those left behind.
The novel is well written in a dialogue which, though distinctly Irish is still accessible to all English readers.
I have followed the author Marian Keyes on twitter for a while and to my shame this is the first of her books that I have read. Her twitter presence has always amused and entertained me and I am happy to report that this novel conveys her sense of humour magnificently. Keyes has an amazing gift of being able to make the reader howl with laughter and sob like a baby, often in the same paragraph. I will most definitely be seeking out her back catalogue.

This isn't the usual type of book I read but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lovely mix of fun, laughter and sadness that you just wanted to keep reading but also didn't want the book to end. The family of characters was one that almost everyone would relate to in some way. I would recommend to anyone who likes an easy read.

Having read almost all of Marian Keyes earlier stuff, but very little of her more recent books I wasn't disappointed.
I enjoyed reading The Break, it was funny, sad and thoroughly enjoyable. Would I recommend? Absolutely.

Another great read from Marian Keyes. This book had all of Marian's usual humour while tackling the serious subject of marriage, relationships and trust. The characters, especially of Amy and Josh, were beautifully drawn and I was captivated right until the end, desperate to find out what happened. There are some bitingly funny moments satirising modern day blogs and social media, which Marian manages to weave with some incredibly sombre storylines (one in particular to do with Irish law and women's rights stands out, but I don't want to ruin the plot) A fantastic read from a wonderful author.

I consider reading a Keyes novel as a break from more serious or challenging books, because they're so enjoyable and I look forward to reading them so I consider them as a bit of light relief.
But of course as soon as I start I'm thrown right into real life relationships - and what could be more serious or challenging than that?
The Break is another classic 'slice of life' which I enjoyed (nearly as much as 'The Other Side Of The Story') full of well rounded characters and believable situations. In fact the only gripe I have is that it was too realistically detailed - eg listing out cosmetic brands and discussing face washing routines was a little too in-depth for me.
But I loved the story, I fell right into it and it stayed with me during the day as I wondered what was going to happen, in fact I was so involved with Amy's life that when the book was finished I worried about what was going to happen to her and the others as there were a few questions left unanswered - Did Amy get her Serbian painting eventually? Did Josh find happiness? Was Amy going through the menopause?
As usual Keyes is honest and heartwarming, the emotional responses from the characters was absolutely spot-on and I miss them all!

I love Marian Keyes books and this was a long book, it started slowly making sure the reader knew who everyone was and their part in the family. Then Amy's husband leaves her to find himself, she is devastated and can't understand why. But whilst trying to keep the family stable she and her girls go through really hard times, the author treats every side story with complete respect even when discussing sensitive issues in Ireland, like abortion and how even in 2017 it is still illegal in Ireland
The stories all unfold around and including Amy at times I was so engrossed I found myself shouting at her!
This book is a treasure trove of love, laughter and life is not a straight road its full of bumps just like everyone else and it is that the gives the reader enjoyment as most can relate to Amy's life.

The Break. Amy and her Husband are having a break- yet her Husband Hugh seems to be the only one on it!
When he decides to leave the marriage on a temporary basis to "find himself"- Amy is devastated but has to carry on as usual.
This is a story about finding love, keeping love and changing.
It's funny and good humoured- although I really didn't think too much of Hugh leaving and the subsequent ending (won't give it away).
This is modern living at it's finest and is a great Summer read!

Marian Keyes' last few books have been a bit of a gamble -
Sometimes a bit of a disappointment, leaving one with a yearning for the likes of Watermelon and Rachel's Holiday. Fear no more! Marian is back with a vengeance with this page turner!

Amy is middle aged and happily settled with her husband Hugh, three children, and a comfortable job. All this is blown apart when Hugh wants 'a break'.. Suddenly Amy has plans of her own, and also has to cope with her daughters' lives becoming more complex at the same time. Oh, and throw in the usual madcap family and friends and it's quite the adventure.
I did find there were a few too many unnecessary family members and friends, but could soon enough keep track of who was who.
Enjoyable, predictable fun from Marian, with some serious thinking points thrown in for good measure.

I love Marian Keyes and wasn't disappointed. Hugely witty with loads of wonderful insight into the lives of these people. Such a good turn of phrase as ever. A really enjoyable read!

This is probably my favourite Marian Keyes novel since the peerless Rachel's Holiday.

Capturing perfectly the mixture of anger, shame and despair accompanying a mid life split, it also conveys the nuances of twenty first century relationships and female friendships in particular.

The gallows humour is spot on, as always.

My only criticism would be a touch of smugness in the attractive, successful, popular protagonist. Although I may just be slightly jealous.

I finished the novel in two days and would whole heartedly recommend it as an alternative to the current wave of saccharine whimsy masquerading as women's fiction.

This author always delivers humour and connection, but I think this is my favourite of hers so far. Amy's husband has a mid-life crisis and decides he needs six months off from being a husband and a father. Where does that leave Amy? But she's been having a crisis of her own.

Funny as always but also incredibly moving, Marian Keyes has captured the bittersweet nuances of middle-aged marriage perfectly.

A classic Marian Keys - warm, funny and captivating.
I enjoyed her earlier books much more than the later ones, but Marian Keys is definitely back on form with The Break. Well drawn, memorable and realistic characters, hilarious one-liners and feel-good story lines (with some quite raunchy scenes) - it's all there!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy.

I enjoyed this book but found it difficult at the beginning because too many people were introduced in a short space of time.
I''m glad I persevered because the perception of emotions were interesting but I found some descriptions quite hard going.

I have read one Marian Keyes book before - The woman who stole my life-, and did not think much to it, but I thought this one sounded more interesting. It is the story of Amy and how she copes when her husband Hugh, decides to take a break in their long marriage. It doesn't take Amy long to find someone else for casual sex (far too much description of it) and she copes with various crises until he comes back and wants to be with her again. I had best not reveal whether he does or does not stay. Amy's character is a strange mixture of little housewife who can't cope without a man, and (literally) high flying career woman, hob-knobbing with minor celebs. Her daughters all more likeable. Hugh sounds like an idiot but he's not in it much. The irish banter and snappy dialogue grates - a lot. There are some introspective parts but on the whole the story is frivolous. Is it meant to be funny? I didn't like it at all, sorry. Final remark - what the feck does asshat mean? Is it Irish for arsehole? If you can say fuck (and she does a lot), then surely you can say arsehole!!!

I have blogged before about my love (bordering on total fangirl-ness) for Marian Keyes, and so was very excited when her next book was put on Netgalley – so I downloaded an advanced review copy for free in return for feedback!

Here’s the Amazon blurb:

“The Break is the brand new, funny, touching and truly fabulous novel from Marian Keyes . . .

‘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.
Yes, it’s a mid-life crisis, but let’s be clear: a break isn’t a break up – yet . . .
However, for Amy it’s enough to send her – along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers – teetering over the edge.
For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman?
Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then isn’t she?
The Break isn’t a story about falling in love but about staying in love. It is Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest and brilliant best.”

The central character is Amy – who at 44, is a very similar age to me, which is always a winner. She and Hugh seem to have a secure – if slightly complicated – family set up. I was concerned I’d be confused as to which ‘daughter’ was which – but soon settled in to it.

The extended friends, family and colleagues are also an important part of the storyline – and you feel like you get to know all of them – and most are really likeable in their own way.

I liked Amy a lot (although a couple of times wanted to shout at her to get a grip, or at least stand up to her mother about ‘babysitting’ her Dad when she had such a busy life already) but was always in her corner.

The way everyday references are brought in are great – social media, vlogging, internet shopping – all used in a totally ‘normal’ way. I particularly liked the fact that not ‘liking’ a friend’s Facebook posts for over a week clearly showed you were upset with them!!

I also enjoyed the Strictly references – knowing that the author is a superfan (and quite frankly a joy to watch every time she’s on It Takes Two!) – I could almost hear her reading out that section of the book!

There was also an amusing section about people bringing round casseroles in time of trouble (although maybe the casserole is an Irish thing – as when a friend was having a tough time it was mince and tomato based meals in Worcestershire!!) – but the principle was totally the same.

I really enjoyed that throughout the book you didn’t know what was going to happen after ‘The Break’ – exactly as Amy didn’t. And obviously I won’t give away what does!

There are so many interesting characters in the book, this could quite easily turn into the start of a series?? #wishfulthinking?!

Overall this is another great book from Ms Keyes – I would definitely recommend you read it when it comes out in September. Now – to see if I can shoehorn it into my 2017 Reading Challenge!

I have not read anything by Marian Keyes before so was very interested in this book. I felt I really understood all the characters in this book and wanted the best for them all. Well observed characters with feelings and thoughts you easily identify with. I found it a little too predictable though.

Not up to her usual page turner standard, but still a pleasant read.