I absolutely loved this. It has been a while since I have felt so excited about a Marian Keyes book - she used to be one of my favourite authors but although I enjoyed some of her recent novels, they didn't have the same wow factor for me, until now! This is possibly her best novel. I loved it from start to finish and felt exhausted for several days after having stayed up late each night to read more. The opinions of friends and family when people split up can have a real impact on the individual and this is wonderfully conveyed in this novel. Although the protagonist is downtrodden for much of the novel, and we are constantly willing her to take control of her destiny and not wait for her husband to make a decision, we empathise with her. And there is a lot of humour in the book too, but tempered with the balancing of youngsters coming to terms with their parents' separation. All in all a fantastic book - hoping to see more in the same vein soon.

This book was Marian at her best! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Didn't want it to finish!

Really funny, heartwarming and true to life. Such brilliant characters. Thoroughly recommend.

I was a little underwhelmed by this tale of a somewhat dysfunctional Irish family, admittedly it’s wittily told from a women’s point of view. Hugh wants a six month break from their marriage to go off and “find” himself in Asia, stressing it is not the end. Amy is devastated and doesn’t know whether they can survive this., she is left to explain to friends and family who all seem a bit bemused. Amy slowly accepts that she is now by herself and is left to deal with their responsibilities including their children whilst working as well. Their are some poignant and amusing moments, the story is very much told from Amy’s point of view, we are left wondering whether Hugh will come back and they will come through this.

This is my first Marian Keyes and I was very curious as to how I would find it after hearing so much about the author. Well I wasn't at all disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed the read. It felt a bit like reading an early Maeve Binchy and not just because of the Dublin setting. The characters were on the whole very well drawn and behaved consistently which I always appreciate.
I would read Maran Keyes again and recommend this book as an easy interesting and at times hilarious read.

I absolutely loved this book and admit that I am not a staunch Marian Keyes Fan but thought this was a cut above her other books!!!! So many laugh out loud moments as Amy, the main character tries to come to terms with her husband's mid-life crisis and need to take a six month break from her and the rest of his life to travel the world! We follow Amy as she picks herself up, dusts herself down and gets on with running her household and looking after her children. There are many more parts to this story that I wont go into, but suffice to say it is absorbing, wonderfully written and a brilliant read! Women everywhere will be able to identify in some part with Amy and that is why she is such a great character. So many thanks to netgalley for my arc :-)

This was an addictive heart-wrenching tale about the break-up of a seemingly solid marriage leaving all parties dealing with tough emotional anguish.
Amy’s husband Hugh insisted on “a break” the story unfurls on how she copes with life when he leaves the family to loose himself and his inhibitions in Asia. Amy is left to cope with everything, her family, paying the bills, keeping things together for the children and going over and over in her mind why Hugh has left. I got thoroughly absorbed in this tale and loved not only her journey but her diverse family also.
I love that the author sensitively highlighted and tackled the difficult issue of abortion for the people of Ireland, this was beautifully done. I loved the irish link full stop, the story felt authentic and real. I especially liked the relationship between Amy and her mum (who was very spirited). There were just a few too many characters and backstories and got a bit too busy for me at times. I prefer fewer characters and a more detailed storyline and the ending was a little bit predictable but on the whole I loved it !!

Marian Keyes has been one of my favourite authors since her first book and I’ve read everything by her. Saying that, I was a little alarmed by the size of this book and wondered if it would hold my attention.
No need to fear, I found this book brilliant. We start the story just as we find out that Amy’s husband Hugh has decided he needs a break from his marriage, his family and wants to take a trip to Asia for 6 months. He says he will come back, but Amy is heartbroken and knows her marriage will never be the same.
Keyes writes great characters and as is often the case in her books, there is an extended Irish family who provide some entertainment. She writes in an amusing way but is able to write seriously too when the situation needs it and she also writes some pretty good sex scenes!
I liked everything about this book and would heartily recommend it to people of around my age (40s) as I think we can all relate to the struggles Amy goes through.

Enjoyed reading it. But I felt its bit dragging. But after finishing when I was thinking I couldnt think of something that can be avoided.

Ah, yes there is something that can be avoided. The unfortunate incident with one of the client. I feel that was not at all needed in the book.

Otherwise, it is a good book.

As a wife I would not suggest any wife to get back together if he went on break like this. but due to some reason, I started liking Hugh and really wanted them to be back together.

The author was able to portray the pain and hopes that Amy had gone through.

I really recommend this book.

Amy's life is turned upside down when her husband, Hugh, takes a six month sabbatical from their marriage to backpack around South-East Asia.

Marian Keyes' novels are often relegated to the auspices of women's fiction - undeservedly so as she explores a multitude of serious issues. It is probably why The Break is my first Keyes and I am so annoyed at myself for only now getting around to trying her out. Novels in this genre are frequently labelled as predictable and superficial; whether this is true is for another day but The Break is neither of these things. In this novel alone, she tackles issues ranging from abortion in Ireland, doxxing, tabloid culture, bereavement, infidelity, the burdens of being a carer as well as all the complex family dynamics you might expect. Further, The Break is truly a family drama with comedic moments; while there is of course romance, this is really relegated to the back burner. I like romantic subplots but the book was stronger with a light romance touch.

I knew going in her reputation for crafting wonderful stories about complex and loveable characters and I was not disappointed. I really grew to love Amy and her kooky family. The Break is a big book, and by the end of it, I felt a bit empty as I was wrenched out of Amy's Dublin life. I cannot stress enough how attached I got to Amy's story and her friends and family. It is interesting because I am sure I am not the core target audience. Amy is facing the demise of her second marriage and much of the book is focused on Amy's journey as she tackles single motherhood and raising teenage girls as well as feeling sexy and dating in your 40s. She struggles with finding her individual identity unattached to her spouse of twenty years and her overwhelming family. It was incredibly well done and I really think Keyes has crafted something special.

A highlight for me was the focus on Amy's job. She works in PR where she works with clients to make them look good and craft a good first (or second or third) impression, frequently after scandal. At the same time, in her social circles she has become a gossip reference point as her husband leaves for six months. I thought this was an interesting juxtaposition.

One of my only gripes about The Break is that it felt overly long and indulgent at first. It took me a while to get into and I did put it down a few times. However, I was repeatedly reeled back in and the second half was genuinely superb. I think my initial struggle was due to the way it has been marketed. Many of the main plot points in the synopsis and reader reviews do not take place until a third or half way through! For instance, going in I had read much about a passionate affair that Amy embarks on during the marital break. This subplot only takes off around 55% through. I understand the rationale behind it; this book is a misnomer in that it is not a rompy romance like so many of its shelf-mates. It is understandable from a marketing perspective to go for the romance angle. Yet it affected my early reading experience as I was continuously looking forward.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review.

I received a free copy of 'The Break' in exchange for an honest review.

Marian Keyes is an author who has been on my radar for a while, but I've never actually got round to reading one of her books. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found myself unable to put it down. It's the first time I've laughed out loud at a book in a long time - it was a nice change to have consistently witty humour throughout a story instead of over the usual 'over the top' attempts I seem to stumble across.

I found a lot of the issues in the book extremely thought provoking, and I felt that the characters dealt with them in really interesting ways. I found myself liking almost all of the characters - there were a couple that I found myself relating to, and some that I just couldn't stand!

A thoroughly enjoyable read - I will definitely be adding more Marian Keyes books to my 'Want To Read' list.

3.5* I enjoyed this book, but I did feel it was dragged out a bit more than necessary! Normally when you are enjoying a good book you really don't want it to end but I'd had enough of this one and just wanted to know what happened!

An easy read, with some great characters most of whom I warmed to, and a lovely side story about granny going viral on her granddaughter vlog!

Not my favourite book of the year though, but definitely not my worst either!

Loved this book funny but shows the life changing effect of a couple’s marriage break down and the impact it has on everyone around them. Marian atvhrr best again. Brilliant way to explore the possibilities of finding the main characters rediscover themselves very poignant moments makes you laugh and cry an emotional rollercoaster loved this book

I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to any/all fans of character study-based novels. It took me a while to get into it - I started reading it and put it down three times before I got well and truly hooked and scarfed the rest of it down in under a week. It’s a long book but that’s one of the things I loved most about it. The characters and situations described are all poigbant and relatable in some way. I loved how it described the rupture of a relationship and the ways in which those ruptures reverberate across different characters’ lives. All in all, I give this book 5/5. It was funny at times, sad at times, and a pleasure to read. I will miss these characters! They all felt so... real.

I have to admit that i grew up reading books by Marian Keyes. She was one of my go to authors, i knew that no matter how i was feeling, i could pick up one of her books and be transported to another place. This book is no different.

Amy and Hugh are married. Suddenly, Hugh decides they need a break. Not your typical two weeks in Greece kind of breaks. More of a break break. Where he goes off for six months to South East Asia while she is left trying to keep the house in order, the kids looked after and their life as normal as possible to everyone on the outside. Amy has to keep everything going while trying to work out what caused Hugh to have his midlife crisis and where that leaves her. This isn't helped by family and friends opening their mouths!

Because, surely if Hugh is on a break then Amy is too, right?

Hugh claims he doesnt want to break up, he just wants a sort of time out. He's trying to have his cake and eat it too. He wants to be young, carefree and single but have his normal stable life back home waiting for him when he's ready to jump back into it.

This book is about Amy, a woman who had everything and felt like she lost everything - including herself. A woman who, like many of us, never wants to give up on her family even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. You'll laugh, cry and be full of rage at times but trust me...read this book. You'll fall in love with the characters and you'll also find out a little bit about yourself when you imagine being in the shoes of Amy.

Just make sure you have some chocolate, tea and tissues before you start because you won't want to put the book down till you've finished it.

The Story starts off at a frantic pace, our main character, Amy, seems to be surrounded by chaos, and everything gets worse when her husband says he is taking a break from their life together for six months leaving her to cope with everything. At first, it is a little too much and over the top personalities, but gradually you start to get a feel for the characters, the story fleshes out properly, and what looked like a one dimensional issue of the husband leaving home, develops many facets. Written with warmth, no character is too perfect, standard cringe moments are avoided, and you are left with a very enjoyable read. perfect for holidays or a weekend on the couch.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of broken love and the journey to repair it during middle age. Poignant, funny and fabulous, Marian is at the top of her game and I am having some great hand selling conversations with my customers about this wonderful book.

Just before the Clothes in Books Italian holiday, I was lucky enough to attend one of the marvellous Fashion and Fiction events at the V&A Museum in London. Organizer Rosie Goldsmith interviewed Irish author Marian Keyes about her books, about fashion, about clothes in books – and about the TV programme Strictly Come Dancing. It was a great and joyous evening: Marian is obviously just as funny and nice in real life as she comes over in her books. For more on the Fashion and Fiction series, see their Facebook page or follow Rosie on Twitter.


These are my very bad pics of Marian Keyes signing books after the event:





Her books Mystery of Mercy Close and Making it Up as I go Along have featured on the blog in the past.

The new book is excellent… and full of wonderful clothes descriptions. And, as it is Dress Down Sunday on the blog, of underwear.

The Break by Marian Keyes



published 2017


‘Get my Finery dress!’


Kiara pulls out an ivy-dark, high-necked, ruffle-bodiced midi, as sexy as a sack. Hugh has never minded me shunning slinky body-con. He’s actively steered me towards shin-length dresses with statement sleeves.






[Later] My suitcase is mostly lingerie sets. In a reversal of most relationships, I’m only bringing out the big guns now. Asos were doing these fasbulous 50s-style knicker, a homage to the Dolce & Gabbana delights, all high-waisted lace-and-silk with built-in suspender belts and matching bras, the type you put on just so they’ll be removed quickly.



commentary: I found a very interesting review (recommended by Rosie Goldsmith) of a much earlier Keyes novel, Angels, here:
Keyes is a writer of romantic comedy who specialises in catastrophe and damaged lives… Indeed, Keyes is a kind of Chekhov of the abandoned woman, eloquent and inventive about women's feelings of rejection, loss and desperation, and their ceremonies of recovery.
And if that makes you think the books are just chicklit, or gloomy and depressing, then that is your loss. Keyes is a very funny writer, and she is a mistress of the recognizable detail – the make of the dress above, the family life described with such joy throughout, the passing comments:
It’s simply human nature – we mistakenly think there are only so many disasters to be allocated, and if it’s happening to someone else, we’ll be spared.
And she has some interesting and serious things to say in her so-very-readable books, and she has flatout great opinions about everything.

In this book, Amy thinks she had a good marriage with Hugh: but it turns out he wants a break, a six-month timeout during which he will travel and find himself – and perhaps sleep with other women. Amy is left at home with her job, her approximately three daughters, and her close, loving and maddening family. During the course of the book she curses her husband, deals with all kinds of problems, thinks hard about what led up to the current situation, and wonders who she might meet during the break. She works hard at her job in PR (and we find out a lot about the secrets of the business). And of course she wears wonderful clothes:



I was hurrying through Soho, dressed in a pair of dark blue clam-diggers, pointy pink stilettos and a button-through, candy-striped blouse…

I loved every minute of this book: it was funny, thought-provoking and informative by turns. I genuinely didn’t know how it was going to end up, whether Hugh would come back, whether their marriage was going to survive. And although I knew a lot about the abortion situation in Ireland, I learned more through a plot strand which I hope will be widely-read and discussed.


The underwear is by ASOS and the green dress is Finery – though sexier than the one Amy actually has I think. It is a very distinctive fashion label, and I have an admission to make: While searching their pages for a picture for this blogpost, I found a dress I rather like for myself, and it is winging its way to me now….

This latest book by Marian Keyes does not disappoint. It has a great plot and enough twists and turns which keeps you guessing until the final page, a real page turner.

I have read, re-read and loved Marian's books for years - since Rachel's Holiday and Watermelon were first published. She is one of my favourite authors and I eagerly wait for the next new book. I was not disappointed with The Break - it is Marian at her absolute best.

Marian is such a sparkly warm witty writer. She develops such fabulous characters in her novels. The story is about the break up of a marriage but Marian manages to be funny in her writing whilst dealing with such a serious subject. Amy is a fantastic character I warmed to her straight away and hoped she would get a happy ending. It is a sad story but is laugh out loud funny in places. I can relate to the wonderful cast of supporting characters in the book and really like them all.

Extremely highly recommended - I loved it, Marian has excelled herself this time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.