I love Marian Keyes. I could just leave it there, but I won't. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to read this in advance of publication and will gladly sing its praises for anyone to hear. Marian is just the best at writing realistic but entertaining people and relationships. Would recommend as a balm to these bleak times.

Reuniting with the Walshes is liking meeting up with old friends. I love Marian Keyes and this re-visit to the Walshes is just gorgeous. Great storyline and character development and I just didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Marian Keyes is gas! It's such a thrill to read her books and enjoy her wit, wisdom and insight.
My Favourite Mistake reunites us with the chaotic Walsh family and in particular Anna, who returns to Ireland for a spell to get over burn out in her PR job in New York.
She finds herself in a small Irish town, working on a project for friends. Unfortunately her "go boy", the man with the money, is Joey Armstrong, with whom she has history.
There are some fantastic characters in the book. Anna undergoes a transformation but not in the usual clichéd way of novels. We see her growing in confidence, but also shooting herself in the foot repeatedly. I liked Joey and would prefer him any day to the feathery strokers!
Marian takes her time in filling in the back stories but all the better to keep us engaged, as if we need encouragement!
Thanks for the advance copy, and thanks Marian for another great read,

Another Marian Keyes novel that revisits the Walsh family, this time focussing on Anna. Living in New York, working as a beauty PR, in a relationship with art promoter Angelo, her world is rocked when lockdown hits. She moves in with Angelo, and life changes. She realises she wants to move back to Ireland, and she finds herself helping friends Brigit and Colm with PR nightmare. A will they won't they love story is included with old acquaintance Joey, and comedy is added with numerous visits from her family, along with some new characters she meets along the way.

This is definitely not one of my favourite Keyes novels, I found it far too long and repetitive - I loved how perimenopause and its issues were discussed, but did feel it got a bit over- powering after a while, when it felt like it was all Anna mentioned! It was however lovely to revisit characters that I've been connected to for years, and to enjoy the scenery of Ireland again.

Marian Keyes' writing just gets better and better. What may seem light-hearted turns out to be thought-provoking and honest dealing with themes like the menopause and single parenting. Anna has always been my favourite Walsh sister, I absolutely loved "Anybody out there" and this is a worthy successor. The dialogue is hilarious and the warmth of the Walsh family and the local community is like a huge hug, plus it's a really interesting story! Highly recommended.

I want to stay with the Walsh family forever! Another fantastic, hilarious and well-thought out novel by Marian Keyes- she never fails to disappoint. I love revisiting the sisters from earlier books and I was so surprised at how much more depth we got to know Anna. Really can’t recommend this book enough, don’t think I’ve laughed or loved characters and their banter so much!

Definitely in the minority but I struggled so much with this book that I abandoned it at 35%. I am so disappointed as I loved the other books in this series about the Walsh Family. This one I just couldn’t click with. . Perhaps I’ll go back to it another time .

Ah the joy of being back with the Walshes. Reading these books is like taking your heels off after a night out. I’ve grown up with these women and there is such a fantastic sense of nostalgia coming back to their stories.

My Favourite Mistake is no exception. This time the story centres on Anna. Having something of a midlife crisis, she has ditched her job, her man and her life in New York and moved back to Ireland.

Finding herself employed to save a development in Maumtully, she is soon caught up in the life of the small town and its many ‘characters’. Complicating everything though is the reemergence of old flame Narky Joey in her life.

Small town Ireland, heartbreak, sexual tension and the perils of life as a 40 something woman all blend beautifully to create a brilliantly engaging story. As ever with Marian's books it's often hilarious and always packed with brilliant observations on being a woman.

Though this is just over 600 pages, I rattled through it in a couple of days. I should say too that if you haven't read any of the other Walsh stories, don't let that put you off. You can definitely read this one on its own as there's plenty of background info given to keep you right

This is another fabulously fun and relatable tale from the absolute Queen that is Marian Keyes.

Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the chance to read early

I loved reading about Rachel in ‘Rachel’s holiday’ and ‘Again, Rachel’ so I was excited to read another book by Ms Keyes. I hadn’t realised that this one centred on another of the Walsh sisters – Rachel’s sister Anna, and that Rachel and Luke would appear in the book with the rest of the Walsh clan.

Anna is living in New York with her boyfriend, and with a fantastic job in PR. Unfortunately the lockdown happens, and living in each other’s pockets is too much for Anna and Angelo and they break up. Work is also becoming too stressful, so Anna decides to take a sabbatical in Ireland with her family, and moves in with one of her sisters. However, she soon gets purloined to help out some friends with their new high end development, which is getting some major resistance from the locals, and Anna’s PR experience is needed to smooth the way. The problem with this is that it brings her back to Joey Armstrong – the one who broke her heart several times, and the one who got away.

I love reading about the Walsh family, and was happy to meet this crazy family again in Anna’s story. As with all Ms Keyes’ books it is well written, with strong characters, gritty and hard hitting and definitely not shying away from difficult subjects. If you loved the iconic Rachel’s holiday, you will adore this book.

Marian Keyes is an amazing writer, This book once again follows the Walsh family and focuses on Anna.. I loved it. Every time I read a book of Marians it feels like coming home and being wrapped in your favourite blanket. I love Anna Walsh and the family and I had to ration this book as I didn't want it to end, Anna has left her partner and her job in New York and returns to Ireland and settles in a tiny village of Maumtully., Marian describes so well the small Irish village and the characters you meet in them, I loved how the Walsh family feature, and the return of more like the gorgeous Joey Armstrong.

As always Marian writes so well this book is hilarious, relatable and engaging. I have no doubt that this book will do incredibly well as it is superb and I cannot recommend it enough.

It was just brilliant to be back with the Walsh family. This time we were with Anna, Rachel’s sister and I adored her. I galloped through the chapters, devouring 600 pages in two sittings. It was perfectly paced, and so emotionally intelligent, thought-provoking and hilarious. I've said it before and I will say it again- no one willl ever be able to find funny in the familiar quite like Marian Keyes. A must-read. Thank you, Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the advance copy.

I was delighted to receive a review copy of this as I’ve read most Marian Keyes books and had had plans to buy this when it came out!

Fans of Marian Keyes will be pleased as this has all of the things we look for in her books. Lots of believable and funny characters and a good and gripping story. I read it really quickly and enjoyed it very much.

I rediscovered Keyes a few years ago, and was genuinely thrilled to see she had a new book out AND it had a member of the Walsh family in.
Unfortunately it didn't hit the mark for me.
Too similar to previous books? Too predictable? Not enough other Walsh family members?
I don't know, it just felt like hard work sometimes.
But then other times it felt warm, and funny and just what I expected.
I'm glad I read it, but I'm not racing for the next.

So this is a story about Anna. Anna is one of the Walsh sisters; so prevalent across Keyes’ novels either in their own story or side characters. Anna is in her late 40’s, perimenopausal and following a break up, on her way home to Ireland. Given a role to help friends out in a far flung corner of the country, Anna soon finds herself amongst a cast of old and new friends, as she investigates events at Brigit & Colm’s country retreat.
Back in the day, I lived for Marian Keyes’ novels and so I guess it’s loyalty that keeps me coming back, even though over recent years I have really struggled with some of them.
The writing is trademark Keyes with all of its wonderful Irish spirit, family strife and will-they-won’t-they romance. I just don’t think this type of plot is original enough for me anymore. I mean we could all see the ending a mile off!!
However what Keyes did really well was to highlight, and celebrate, a woman going through menopause. The highs, the lows, the struggle for HRT and ‘shock horror’ the portrayal of a character who at 48 still wants to have sex. Thank you Marian for representing!

I was delighted to receive an ARC of Marian Keyes’ new foray into the lives of the Walsh sisters in ‘My Favourite Mistake’. Fans of Marian will know the Walsh family intimately through some of her previous novels such as ‘Rachel’s Holiday’ and (also involving the protagonist Anna Walsh) ‘Anybody Out There?’. If you a newcomer to Marian though, don’t worry! My Favourite Mistake gives you all the background you need and I envy that you then have all of Marian’s back catalogue to work through. For me, reading a Marian Keyes novel, is like wearing your favourite outfit - you feel secure and safe but it is also a pure joy! She is a master at writing romantic, comedic novels that cover more serious issues. My Favourite Mistake visits Anna post-pandemic in New York questioning her life choices and considering a major change in moving back to Ireland. It examines friendship, loneliness, community, marriage, the realities of mid-life and menopause but all with Marian’s special light touch. It really sparkles, however, when all the Walsh family is together - I have never read any other author who can write the banter and conversation of Irish families like Marian. This is another brilliant read from Marian Keyes!

FROM THE COVER📖


She has a life to envy. An apartment in New York. A well-meaning (too well-meaning?) partner. And a high-flying job in beauty PR. Who wouldn’t want all that?

Anna, it turns out.

Trading a minor midlife crisis for a major life event, she switches the skyscrapers of Manhattan for the tiny Irish town of Maumtully (population 1,217), helping old friends Brigit and Colm set up a luxury coastal retreat.

Tougher than it sounds. Newflash: the locals hate the idea. So much so, there have been threats – and violence.

Anna, however, worked in the beauty industry. There’s no ugliness she hasn’t seen. No wrinkle she can’t smooth over.

There’s just one fly in the ointment – old flame Joey Armstrong.

He’s going to be her wingman.

Never mind their chequered history. Never mind what might have been.

Because no matter how far you go, your mistakes will still be waiting for you . . .

REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First want to say a massive thanks Netgalley and Michael Joseph for the ARC, it really made my day.

As I long time fan of Marian Keyes’s work in particular anything with Walsh sisters in it, this review was always going three stars at the very least.

Rachel’s Holiday is still my favourite book after these years and is one I have read again and again, I have grown up reading Keyes wisdom and wit. I was so excited and really intrigued to see what happened to her next when Marian revisited Rachel in Again Rachel however I was a little disappointed but still really enjoyed it so when I saw she was revisiting Anna I was both excited and a little weary.

The last few of Marian’s work haven’t quite hit the mark in the way her earlier did, The Woman Who Stole My Life and The Break really didn’t work for me they were of course good reads and were well deserved three stars but I didn’t connect with them. I loved Grown Ups and felt it was a return to best.

Anna Walsh’s first outing was a book that stayed with me long after reading so I was hoping her next instalment would not only be a return to Keyes best but also leave me wanting to reread again and again in the same way I have done with Rachel’s Holiday and Anyone Out There.

Starting off in the middle of the covid pandemic we hear from Anna Walsh in the first POV as she starts to reflect on her life the reflects lead to big changes. We follow Anna as she faces her past while moving in a new direct. We are given insight to her life before and her life now.

Told with the usual wit, heart and craic I was charmed as ever with Walsh family and cast of characters ( be warned there is a lot, while I love the vast mixture of minor characters I did think there was maybe one too many in this a lot were just names with real no purpose) with their true life realism and the little quirks that give them nuance and character. Marian sure can capture people she writes such strong well developed characters that make you want hear more and more about them all. In this novel I fell in love with the newest addition to the Walsh family Regan she was pure "gas"

Marian manages to interweave as serious topical news subject in the novel( the menopause and how women are treated in general regardless of age) and does with a good humour and realistic scenes. Making her point all the more.

The story is well paced and keeps your interest. I loved how the snippets about the past discussed events from the previous Walsh books but with more detail and background, each novel adding to the depth of the novels . I love the fact that all the characters experiences in the past have clearly made them the people they are, so everything that happens now comes with the added baggage of what’s gone before. Impacting the story in the now.

As always Keyes captures a time and place beautifully with her observations within the book. Her use of language is what I can only call unique but utterly fabulous from the names of the characters, the saying and the nicknames I chuckle away and often find myself using them. I was overjoyed to hear my all time favourite expression "feathery stroker" by chapter 3.

I never thought I'd fancy a male character as much as I did Luke Costello...until this book...Renter Narky Joey/The Go-Boy/Mr Joseph Armstrong...In my mind Jamie Doran😍😍😍

What I always loved about Keyes earlier work was that despite being classed as chick lit it very much wasn't there was always a darker edge and a not quite so happy ending but I have found in her later work things are maybe just a little too perfect in the end and I find some of how of the issues are play out little too good to be true this novel was bit like that in places and the ending certainly was. That being said I loved it all the same.

It was delight to reunited with the Walsh family and there friends I found this book charming, well written and a total gas.

Make no mistake about it this my favourite book this year

This return to the Walsh family drama and chaos was just what I needed this week, I not only love this latest book from Marian Keyes but I want to now go back and revisit the previous Walsh titles to enjoy all over again.
Funny, sexy, feisty and pure joy, this is something to bring so much comfort and hope, with a focus on friendship, grief, and all of our fears and flaws. I just loved it.

A new book about the Walsh family is like catching up with old friends. By now, many of us have grown up with the Walshes – I was in my mid 20s when I read my first (Rachel’s Holiday) and I’m now in my early 50s and still eagerly awaiting each new book. Just like all the others, this one doesn’t disappoint.

Marian Keyes is a wonderful writer. Her characters are completely believable, each with their strengths and weaknesses and each novel adding to their depth. I love the fact that all their experiences in the past have clearly made them the people they are, so everything that happens now comes with the added baggage of what’s gone before.

My Favourite Mistake centres again around Anna, who’s had enough of New York and is ready to move back to Ireland, particularly after the strains of the pandemic. She is recovering from the loss of Aidan, recently split from Angelo and, to find work and help friends through a crisis, moves to a small town a few hours outside of Dublin. Here she works on the launch of a new resort, makes new friends, gets reacquainted with old faces and is frequently swallowed into the Walsh chaos.

Once again, this is everything you want from a Marian Keyes novel. I’ve always loved the fact that there are plenty of romantic situations and relationships but those with friends and the often maddening family are just as important, and the friendships between women are central in many ways. This book is hilarious, relatable, sexy and moving by turn and I inhaled it within a day. Fabulous.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

#MyFavouriteMistake #NetGalley

First I must confess that I have never read a Marian Keyes book. Luckily that doesn’t matter at all and it’s perfectly possibly to jump in with this book. I think I have found them at just the right time of life.

Anna has returned home to Ireland after becoming disillusioned with life and her partner Angelo post-Covid. She lands a job helping Cold and Brigit manage some PR disasters at their new luxury retreat venture. In doing so she has to work with Joey, the source of long standing angst and repressed lust. Can they work through their differences and help save the retreat? This is small town Ireland. Gossip is rife and everyone knows everyone’s business.

The writing is warm and engaging. The characters are relatable (mostly). The pacing is good and kept me wanting to read on without getting too bogged down at any point. I would happily go and read more of these books even though they wouldn’t usually be my first pick of genre.