I've been hearing about this book for a while and was very excited to finally get to read it!
It definitely did not disappoint!

On the surface, it is a light and at times extremely funny read but there is so much depth to the story. It is a story that so many people can relate to. It is about finding yourself, about learning to accept who you are and learning to love yourself because only by loving yourself can you love others.
It focuses on addiction. How some people have addictive personalities and how cross addiction can happen when you are trying to work on the primary addiction. There are lessons in this book for everyone. You don't have to be an addict to find something here that will speak to you.

"When you've no belief in yourself, you just float, waiting for someone else to anchor you"

An amazing must-read story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin, Michael Joseph for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Rachel’s Holiday which I personally find hard to believe as a) I remember reading it so vividly when it was first published and b) I’m still convinced I am 28 and I know I couldn’t read at the age of 3.

If you follow my blog you may notice that I really don’t re-read books and off the top of my head can only think of 2 other books I’ve reread in all my 50+ years, but when I saw that Marian had written a sequel to Rachel’s Holiday called Again, Rachel which is being published on 17th February 2022, I knew that I HAD to re-read this book NOW.

Picking up Rachel’s Holiday again I naturally had a few reservations; would it be as good 25 years later? will it seem out-dated? has my taste in literature changed now that I’m older? was it really THAT good last time? – You’d be delighted to know that the answers are YES, NO, NO and YES!

For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of Marian’s books – this is probably the best one to start with and the good news is that you then have a back catalogue of approximately 18 books to read after.

Meet Rachel Walsh – a 27 year old Irish woman living in New York. She’s the middle sister of 5 girls and has been away from Ireland for the past 8 years. Rachel lives with her best friend Brigit, has a boyfriend called Luke, has a job at a hotel when she can be bothered to turn up and spends every waking minute partying, off her head on drink and drugs. After an accidental overdose she wakes up in hospital to see one of her sisters there ready to take her back to Ireland for a stint in a rehab centre.

Obviously Rachel doesn’t understand why she needs to go to rehab – she’s not an addict after all. Everyone takes cocaine before work, 8 valium at night and a bottle of JD to wash it down, but humouring her family and looking forward to 2 months of relaxing with famous celebrities and getting a daily seaweed massage at The Cloisters Rehab Centre Rachel reluctantly agrees to go.

There is NOTHING funny about addiction, but Rachel’s Holiday is bloody hilarious. This is a book that, unlike me, hasn’t aged at all – in fact I think it’s actually more relevant today. Rachel’s denial to accept her addiction and her often warped view of life was so believable that at times I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry with her.

The chapters based at The Cloisters when Rachel is in group therapy are both raw and brutal when dealing with Rachel’s addictions but she is such a phenomenal character that you just want her to face her demons and have a happy ending.

Rachel’s Holiday is a wonderful tale of family and love, trying to fit in, trying to find your own way in life and learning to love yourself as others do.

Ah this was even better than I remembered. Went through all the emotions and am now far far too excited for the much anticipated sequel.

I have always loved Marian Keyes books, so was happy to be approved for this book. I really enjoyed it, it is both sad and funny, and I was hooked from the start

Marian is one of my all time favourite authors & I don’t know why I hadn’t read this one of her books sooner. I knew there was a sequel coming out soon so I knew now was the time to read it. I absolutely love the Walsh family especially Mammy Walsh & I hope Marian continues to write about them. Rachel is a great character & I was rooting for her all the way through the book. The book made me laugh & cry in equal measure. Helen Walsh has some great lines in the book. Excuse the pun! I can’t wait to read the sequel now!

This is Rachel's holiday's 25th anniversary edition. I remember reading it all those years ago and it is great to step back into the shoes of Rachel of her 'holiday'.
I am really looking forward to the sequel "Again, Rachel" now that I have refreshed my memory with Rachel's story. Marian Keyes is Awesome

Just as good as it was when I first read it 20 years ago when I was only just in my 20’s. An absolute classic that feels like it was written only recently.

I read this a long time ago, and I wasn't sure whether it would still love it as much. I'm pleased to report I did! This is simultaneously funny and emotional, and a wonderful feel-good read.

This is my 3rd or 4th re-read of Marian Keyes' debut novel and it remains a classic example of contemporary women's fiction. Rachel and the Walsh family explore their difficulties with humour, love and compassion. (Copy received via Netgalley in return for an honest review).

I really enjoyed Rachel's Holiday. It took me a little while to get into it, but it was worth it in the end. Rachel is - at times - extremely irritating and I know that's sort of the point, but it was a little grating. The character development was brilliant though, and I am looking forward to Rachel Again!

Rachel's holiday was my first Marian Keyes book back in the mists of time. I loved it then and I loved it now.
Rachel is living the dream in New York and partaking in a little too much recreational drugs. After an accidental(?) overdose a family intervention is staged and she is shipped back to Ireland to attend rehab. In her head she thinks she will be mixing with stars and it will utter luxury. In reality it is not like that and she is forced to face her own demons. Combine that with her completely mad family, this book is a treat.
Please read it!

This is a good, quick read. I really enjoyed seeing Rachel’s character develop and come to the realisation of what her life had become.

I can hardly believe this book passed me by when it originally came out. I think I would have enjoyed it even more 25 years ago, although it was a thoroughly entertaining experience this time round. In spite of the potentially depressing subject matter - a rehab visit for a young woman in denial - it turned out to be a lively, upbeat and ultimately optimistic book, full of irreverent humour and un-PC views about her experiences. I look forward to dipping into more of the Marian Keyes' back catalogue and filling in the gaps of my literary experience.

Firstly I should say that I am a huge Marian Keyes fan and jumped at the opportunity to request and re-read Rachel's Holiday - possibly my favourite of all Marian's books (although it's hard to pick a favourite from all her amazing books!)
It has been 25 years (Yes! 25!) since the publication of Rachel's Holiday and with the much longed for sequel (Again, Rachel) due next month it's the perfect time for new readers to meet the fabulous Rachel or familiar readers to remind themselves of her fabulousness!
The story is told from the viewpoint of the hilarious but completely unreliable Rachel who is living the high life in New York where her only concern is where her next recreational drugs are coming from. Until a reckoning arrives in the form of an (accidental at least according to Rachel!) overdose. Rachel's friends and family are understandably horrified and immediately act by whisking her back home to Ireland to check into The Cloisters for a spot of rehab. Rachel is unimpressed by this as she's firmly in denial about her addictions however is mollified by the prospect of meeting 'celebrities' who must surely be having some 'me time' in The Cloisters and excitedly imagines attending yoga sessions before enjoying dinner and wine with her new 'celebrity' pals. Before long however, Rachel is forced to confront the realities of her past, present and future and the impact of her addiction on her loved ones.
Despite the subject matter this book is ridiculously real and funny with some real laugh out loud moments. The characterisation is flawless and the Walsh family are a dream with their 'say it like it is' approach to one another - obviously there is real love there but they are hilariously savage at times!
As well as the laughs it has moments of such heartbreak and pain and watching Rachel's eventual self-realisation dawn brought tears to my eyes.
The most surprising thing for me whilst re-reading was how very well this book has stood the test of time and how absolutely relevant it still is today which is testament to the fabulous Marian Keyes and her brilliant writing. The 17th February release of the follow up cannot come quick enough and I can't wait to see how life is going for the lovable Rachel!
5 stars and would be 10 if I could!

Quite a heavy, dark journey at times but is tackled well and Keyes’ sense of humour lightens the mood somewhat while also leaving you with some intelligent insights into addiction and life.
When Rachel’s accidental overdose leads to her being admitted to a rehab facility, she sees it as a chance to meet attractive celebrities and essentially have a relaxing spa holiday with some weight loss thrown in for good measure. Unsurprisingly, the facility turns out to be nothing like she expected but Rachel continues to assure anyone who will listen that she is not an addict.
I did find myself getting repeatedly frustrated with Rachel’s lack of awareness, naivety, and the way she treated some of the people around her. Some of the flashbacks felt a bit disjointed as the writing does seem to follow Rachel’s thought pattern so is slightly erratic at times in my opinion.
Despite this, I could relate to Rachel’s feelings of inadequacy and constantly comparing herself to those around her and felt that the issues noted were relevant to real life and felt authentic. The way Rachel’s mother and father support her in their own way, which is often not supportive at all, was also (personally) relatable but painful to read.
As I got pulled into Rachel’s point of view and wrapped up in her complete denial, I found myself cringing, laughing, and feeling humbled along the rollercoaster of emotions that Keyes’ describes. Luckily, I have never experienced addiction nor witnessed it, but I have to applaud Keyes’ for writing it so well as to make you feel each revelation and new step towards acceptance with Rachel.
Although this was a difficult read at points, there is humour and light-heartedness woven in, and the ending was sweet and a warm conclusion to Rachel’s journey.

I thought I'd read this when it came out but obviously not as the only school mentioned is the one I attended. I would have remembered! Brilliant. Looking forward to the follow-up.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I love Marian Keyes and her writing

I first read this when it was published and thought it was a great time to re read in anticipation of the sequel due in February

It was the first of Ms Keyes work that I read and it really is a standout for me - I have such lovely memories of reading this

It has all the wit and pathos as I remember it and would thoroughly recommend

Oh how I loved Rachel when I first met her and how I love her still, this book is ageless.
When I first read Rachel's Holiday over twenty years ago, although I had never been an addict (thankfully) I related to so much of Rachel's feelings of inadequacy, her low (lack of) self esteem and every time I have read it since it helps me heal a little more.
As always, I've laughed out loud and cried big sobby tears whilst reading and I just cannot wait to meet Rachel again. Marian Keyes has such an outstanding way with words, she should be made a saint, no-one comes near her.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my chance to revisit Rachel's Holiday and for the extract from the new book. If I could give more than five stars I absolutely would.

One of my favourite books and authors. Rachel's holiday is actually a trip to rehab but its nit as grim as it sounds. Keyes deals with such serious and weighty topics with such care and humour, I can't wait for the sequel!

Rachel Walsh is an Irish girl in New York and she's having the time of her life working (a little) and partying (a lot). But when a night out goes wrong, she finds herself first in hospital and then back in Ireland in rehab. Which, as far as she's concerned, is ridiculous: rehab is for addicts, and she is not an addict.

I first read Rachel's Holiday 20 years ago, when I was myself in my early 20s, and I was interested to find out if I'd enjoy it as much now, with a distance of years between me and the characters (and with a difference of 25 years in cultural attitudes to addiction and mental health). I didn't find it as laugh-out-loud funny as I did back then (although that might be more a reflection on me than on the book), and the tough bits hit harder (definitely a reflection on me, and approaching the book as a more mature reader rather than a party girl myself). The narrative is so cleverly structured, as Rachel's blindness to her issues is slowly revealed to both the reader and to herself.

Revisiting the Walsh family after all this time has made me desperate to read the upcoming Again, Rachel, so I'll be counting the days until publication in February.