I wasn't a fan of the book on my first read last year, but I recently tried the audiobook, and it's so much better!
I was able to keep track of characters and their stories so much easier.
15 likes

So many characters but everyone of them lovable in their own way!

Thoroughly enjoyed this face paced action packed book.

I was unable to finish this boo I could not get into this book. I did try a few times, but it just didn't grip me. I am really sorry, but it just wasn't for me. I have read and loved all of this author's previous books, but I just could not get into this one. I tried numerous times over a few weeks, but just couldn't get into it. I didn't engage with any of the characters, nor did I really like any of them. The story just plodded on and I found it very difficult to read. Sorry

Marian Keyes presents another batshit crazy, complex, dysfunctional family drama featuring The Caseys. A glamorous trio of charming brothers and their wives and children.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

Struggled to read this one, and I'm a fan of Marion. The characters were relatable buy the plot unfolds a little too slow for me. Thank you for the chance to read it.

It has been a while since I last read a Marian Keyes book, and I'm not entirely sure why as I do tend to enjoy them.

The prologue had me intrigued all these secrets suddenly being revealed, but then we instantly go back 6 months and most of the book is leading up to the prologue.

From it we get a good look at Jessie and her family and just how complex the dynamics between them are.

It took me while to just work out the basics of who is related to who and how.

I loved all 5 of Jessie's children, especially the middle one who sounds more like an adult than a child TJ is rather cool, and it touches on something very important.

Equally Ferdia is misunderstood at first, but I loved seeing how he matured over the course of the book.

Then there is Cara, Ed's wife, (Ed and Liam are brothers to Johnny who is married to Jessie), and we see large portions of the book through her eyes.

I believe her key storyline was dealt with with enough emotion and sensitivity to be rather real.

And then there is Nell, Liam's wife, who has some great personal values and tries to live by her beliefs.

It took a while to get going but once I was happy with the basics of the characters, I really got into the story and enjoyed seeing what would happen next.

A really enjoyable way for me to spend a day of my holiday poolside, and reading Grown Ups.

Thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Sweet, charming, witty.

I absolutely adore Marian Keyes and have read every book ah has written.

This one was a slow burner for me. It took me longer than normal to really get into the story and feel for the characters but it did happen eventually.

I absolutely loved Nell and Ferdia; they were my two favourite characters.
The kids were all hilarious and well rounded characters.

I would recommend this book.

A modern family saga by the queen of Irish rom coms

I had been disappointed by Marion Keyes last novel 'The Break' so it was with some trepidation that I read 'Grown Ups.' However, I need not have worried! Keyes is back on form with this well crafted story that skilfully combines laugh-out-loud moments with touching insights and a realistic cast of characters.

The Caseys are a big family who do a lot together a lot; think lavish holidays and parties. Slowly, as the story unfolds we learn that not all is as rosy as it first appears. Initially, it was a little difficult keeping track of the different branches of the family and, as the narrative jumps around, I had to stop and remember which Casey brother was which. But by the end of the novel I felt I knew them as well as real life friends, such is Keyes mastery at penning her cast. Some people got their comeuppance, some lived happily ever after, and some learn the true meaning of happiness. But you'll have to read the book to find out which!

Whilst this lacks the hilarity of her earlier novels (think: the Walsh family saga) and Keyes has developed a more literary, sophisticated style of writing. Whether this will appeal to her hardcore fans remains to be seen, but for me I think Grown Ups packs a real punch for all of its lighthearted credentials.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

The Grown-ups by Marian Keyes is a charming family saga, overflowing with complex and relatable characters. On the surface, the Casey family is a happy, tight-knit unit but everyone is holding on to secrets… It’s witty, wise, honest and moving, I devoured it.

I love Marian Keyes's books and this was no exception. There is nobody that does a modern family saga better. The interconnecting stories and the revelations along the way make it hard to put down. Highly recommended.

There are a lot of characters in this book and thus it is quite a complex story. Marian keys generally writes about families with messy lives and this is no exception. The book tackles difficult issues in a funny and yet poignant manner and is a fantastic read
I really enjoyed this book once I had sorted out all the different and varied characters. Highly entertaining and I would recommend this book to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin- Michael Joseph, and Marion Keyes for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

The last book I read by this author gave me so many emotions, I fell in love with it. This book however was a little disappointing. As well as the family dynamic seemed to work, we all have similar issues, I just felt as though the story was quite slow and didn't pull me in.

it's like being a fly on the wall to one large family and whilst I was expecting more drama and for it to be funnier I did still enjoy this family drama. The characters were well thought out and easy to relate to with detailed descriptions.. I'd have quite liked an epilogue to see where they all were a year from now, See how Nell's letter to her future self matched reality.
I found it a little slow in places and thought that this could have been just due to the genre of the book but also maybe a little too many pointless scenes / page fillers.
Overall the book was entertaining and fun to read, certainly makes you realise all families have a different life going on behind closed doors!

I am already a fan of Marian Keyes, She has an amazing ability to grab your attention from the first page. She has a large cast of characters and deftly manages to give them all an identity, so that the reader understands and empathizes with each of them. The three Casey brother's are all married and the three couples spend a lot of time together courtesy of the eldest Casey's successful and family-conscious wife. Life looks glossy but there are a lot of secrets under the veneer, that threaten to be uncovered when Cara receives a concussion and in her confusion, reveals too many truths.

In true Marian fashion, you know there will be satisfyingly happy ending, but the journey is unpredictable and entirely addictive. She covers some heavy hitting topics (bulimia, refugees), but is quite masterful in not wallowing in the drama but still bringing the issue to the stage. She also manages to weave so many different stories, that in any other book I would say is too ambitious, but she successfully keeps the ship on track. I could not put this down and remain convinced that Marian is a master storyteller.

I love, love, love Marian Keyes and always get so excited when I see she has released something new.

I find the way she writes about family dynamics and relationships utterly realistic and her character development of main characters is excellent.

I read this book during covid lockdown and it was pure escapism

I loved this book so much I pre-ordered it to give to other people for birthday's, Mother's Day etc. Full of different characters - some more likeable than others but it was interesting and entertaining to see how their lives were intwined.

For much of this choral novel, I felt like a rather confused guest attending one of the Casey family reunions for the first time, desperately trying to keep track of the characters' names as well as of their relationships to each other. Using the not entirely original plot device of a character who is unable to lie (a side effect of Cara's concussion), Keyes takes us (and the various members of the Casey clan) back six months to reveal some of the dark secrets lurking beneath all the warmth and banter. Despite her brilliant ear for dialogue and ability to create a wholly realistic bougie microcosm, Keyes' masterful story-telling was let down by a couple of false notes. Firstly, the introduction of the Syrian refugees Perla and her daughter Kassandra who seem to exist merely to provide two of the characters with an opportunity to reveal their moral integrity rather than as fully-fledged characters. Then there is the one-note character of the irritating Bridey, insufferable even to her own father. Lastly, the very extensive and detailed description of Cara's (re)descent into the hell of bulimia resulted in this character (my favourite, by the way) ending up by being little more than the sum of her eating disorders. I love Marian Keyes' writing (I have read both her fiction and non-fiction works) so found myself expecting a bit more from this novel. However, this wouldn't stop me from buying it for my sister (another big Keyes fan) or recommending it to friends.

I’ve been a fan of Marian Keyes for many years now and read anything she writes and lap it up. I read Grown Ups in about 3 nights, reading 4 or 5 hours at a go, having to force myself to shut my kindle and sleep. I was totally gripped and invested in her characters and the Casey family and all their drama and secrets.

However, this was far from my favourite of Marian Keyes many books, I just couldn’t warm to the characters as much as i could to characters in her previous books. There was something I couldn’t quite put my finger on that made me miss the feels you usually find in her books. This didn’t stop me enjoying it though, just not quite as much as I usually do with her books.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin U.K - Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this ARC, in return for an honest and unbiased review.