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The Break

Marian Keyes

3.91 · Rating details · 26,386 ratings · 1,975 reviews

'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- ...more

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Hardcover, 576 pages

Published September 7th 2017 by Michael Joseph

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Average rating 3.91 ·

Rating details

· 26,386 ratings · 1,975 reviews

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Aug 02, 2017 Maureen rated it really liked it

Well - I feel as if I've been put through the wringer with this one and hung out to dry! Yes I've gone through the whole gamut of emotions along with protagonist Amy.

Amy and Hugh are having a break. Not a romantic weekend kind of a break, no this is much more serious. Hugh has decided that he needs a 6 month break from his marriage, his family and his home. He flies to South East Asia on an 'anything goes' backpacking vacation. Amy is completely devastated - she was married previously, and her ...more

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Aug 23, 2017 Paromjit rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, contemporary-fiction

For some reason, I really was in place where I loved reading this latest offering from Marian Keyes set in Dublin and London. I spend a lot of time reading dark fiction, that it is often necessary to have a book like this - comic, quirky, light and pure entertainment. Amy is 44 years old, married second time round to Hugh for 17 years. Neeve, with her youtube channel, Bitch, Please, is her daughter from her short lived marriage to footballer, Richie. Kaira, is her ultra mature and ethical daught For some reason, I really was in place where I loved reading this latest offering from Marian Keyes set in Dublin and London. I spend a lot of time reading dark fiction, that it is often necessary to have a book like this - comic, quirky, light and pure entertainment. Amy is 44 years old, married second time round to Hugh for 17 years. Neeve, with her youtube channel, Bitch, Please, is her daughter from her short lived marriage to footballer, Richie. Kaira, is her ultra mature and ethical daughter with Hugh. Living with them most of the time is heartbreakingly fragile niece, Sofie, whose messed up parents are unable to care for her, who they love as their third daughter. The premise holding this novel together is the fallout from a 6 month break from their marriage by Hugh, during which he backpacks round South East Asia. Hugh has endured two recent deaths, including that of his father, which has left him depressed and drowning in existential angst where he feels this is what he needs to do. Amy is not so happy,she is shocked and devastated as we follow her through Hugh's time away.

Amy makes a precarious living working in PR, at the Hatch Agency run with her womaniser colleague Alastair and the more taciturn Tim, who are there for Amy when her world collapses. Every week, Amy travels to London for a couple of days, representing her clients and trying to recruit new ones. Two years ago Amy met the married Josh Rowan, a features editor, and the two of them get emotionally involved and obsessed with each other, meeting regularly but matters come to a conclusion because Amy loves Hugh. Whilst going crazy with buying clothes and other items in an attempt to distract herself, she sees Josh again and the two of them fall headlong into a passionate love affair, temporary in nature, but fulfilling Amy's desires. Amidst all this are the increased pressures and responsibilities that fall on Amy's shoulders for the girls and the antics of her uproarious family and friends.

The main strength of the novel are the fabulous characters that Marian Keyes creates and develops aside from Amy. These include the man-hating Steevie, Posh Petra with her monstrous children, commitment phobic Derry who will ditch a man for the way he may say a word, selfish ex-husband Richie, her vlogging sensation of a mum, Amy's serial killer obsessed, cantankerous dad, and handsome client, Matthew Carlisle. Amy's mad and chaotic household of daughters with their strong support and love for each other, along with her oddball family members are a joy to behold. There are serious issues such as how to keep a marriage together as the years go by, the understandable times when needs are not met, and the much to be desired Irish attitudes to abortion. If you are looking for a class act in entertaining reading, look no further, this novel fits the bill. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

...more

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Oct 23, 2017 Dash fan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

5☆ Compelling, Funny, Emotional..Loved it!

This is my first book by Marian Keyes and it definitely won't be my last! I was gripped from the first few chapters!

The Break is a book about Marriage and the struggles of life and trying to make it work through the ups and downs. Its about Family, Love, Grief, Relationships, and starting over.

When Amy is suddenly told by her husband Hugh he needs a break as he can't take it any more.
He loves Amy he just needs to be free with the understanding there wil ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Dem rated it liked it

Shelves: penguin

3.5 Stars

The Break by Marian Keyes is just one of those lazy summer reads that you know you are going to relax have a giggle and just go with the flow. I read quite a bit of Non Fiction and War related books and every now and again I need a book just for a giggle and having read Rachel's Holiday

Rachel's Holiday (Walsh Family #2) by Marian Keyes

kand Watermelon

Watermelon (Walsh Family, #1) by Marian Keyes

many moons ago and knowing this author is good for a story as well as a laugh I was looking forward to her latest novel. and the The blurb alone had me intrigued.

A Mid Life Crise ...more

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Aug 10, 2017 Malia rated it really liked it

Shelves: women-s-fiction

I haven't loved Keyes last two, three books, though I gobbled up all of the others eagerly. I am happy to report, The Break did not disappoint. Without giving too much away, this is the story of a couple who goes "on a break" - cue Ross and Rachel. Like Keyes other books, this one offers a dose of themes like coping with mental illness, complicated family structures, humorous social critique, and romance. It is quite a long book for this genre, but Keyes has a chatty voice and very real characte ...more

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Aug 16, 2019 Theresa Alan rated it it was amazing

I loved this novel, even though it wasn’t as funny as some of Keyes’ previous work. I really got emotionally involved. As with Keyes’ other work, Amy is part of a large, complex Irish family. After struggling to survive as a young single mother when her first husband abandoned her and her daughter, she finally, finally lets herself fall for Hugh.

For seventeen years, Hugh and Amy have a good, strong marriage. When Hugh’s dad dies, and then a good friend dies not long after, he can’t shake his dep ...more

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Aug 28, 2017 Rebecca Carter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: chick-lit, contemporary, cultural-ireland, fiction, humour, netgalley, 2017-reads

Marian Keyes is an author on my auto buy list. I love her style and have been a huge fan of her for many years now! So when I was approved a copy of her new book to review, i was like an embarrassing fan girl whooping away like a mad 'un.

What I love about Marian is her writing really makes you feel like she's one of your mates. Her books are funny, heart warming, down to earth, wise, full of the dramas of families, never fail to make you fall in love with her characters, witty yet also touching Marian Keyes is an author on my auto buy list. I love her style and have been a huge fan of her for many years now! So when I was approved a copy of her new book to review, i was like an embarrassing fan girl whooping away like a mad 'un.

What I love about Marian is her writing really makes you feel like she's one of your mates. Her books are funny, heart warming, down to earth, wise, full of the dramas of families, never fail to make you fall in love with her characters, witty yet also touching on some serious subjects. It's the characters that make every book she writes feel as if she's writing about one of your close friends. The quick quips and insightful remarks, balanced by the overwhelming importance of family and touching moments. Other authors may try to imitate her style, but in my opinion, can't come close.

So I'll try to write an impartial review, but as I've adored everything she's written so far, unless she's written a book about watching 10 layers of paint dry, I'm practically guaranteed to be enthralled.

The Break is about trying to stay in love. Even with all that life has to throw at a marriage - death, sorrow, step families, illness, temptation, ageing parents, money struggles - it is a book about how many hurdles, and trials and tribulations marriages and partnerships have to overcome to stay strong and together.

When Amy's husband Hugh announces he is off travelling around South East Asia and wants "a break" for six months, Amy is naturally devastated. As if she hasn't enough to juggle - work, home, her three girls, ageing parents, troublesome siblings, finances and an obsession with online shopping - she now has to cope with everything by herself. Including all of the gossiping locals. Hugh is adamant he still loves her, doesn't want a divorce and will return. But Amy thinks he's going to meet some young carefree backpacker and not want to come back to her and their hectic, and at times, monotonous life. What follows is the six months leading up to the end of Hugh's "break" but also the months leading up to his shock announcement.

Staying true to her typical style, Marian Keyes writes in her usually witty and insightful way, yet also touches on some deeper topics. Such as pregnancy and abortion still being illegal in Ireland and many women having to travel to the U.K. Although this is a serious subject, and she treats it as such, the writing is still fabulously Marion. This is one of the reason Marion Keyes is the Queen of "chick lit, "women's fiction" "drama". She's hilarious, yet also introduces topics such as depression, suicide, addiction, dementia etc into her books and manages to get the balance perfect between wit and serious.

Would i recommend this book? Oh yes! Would I reread it again? Yes! I just loved the characters as a reader we grew to "know", and can only hope that we revisit the O'Connell family in future books. When this book is published I will be purchasing it to proudly add to my collection of Marion Keyes books. She's still in a class of her own with her own unique spot on blend of chick lit, humour, warmth, wit and seriousness. If her books were a recipe on Masterchef, she would win with the prize for the perfect blend.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Penguin U.K - Michael Joseph and Marian Keyes for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, in return for an honest and unbiased review. ...more

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Jul 10, 2017 Pauline rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Marian Keyes is one of my favourite authors and I was eagerly awaiting her new book 'The Break'. You can guess how happy I was to receive an ARC copy.
Amy's husband has announced that he is taking a six month break for his job, his marriage and his children. How will she cope without him? I loved this book about a dysfunctional family and how they cope with what life throws at them. There was plenty of laugh out loud moments too. This book reminded me of her earlier books Watermelon and Rachel's ...more

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Sep 08, 2017 Reader rated it did not like it

I've not read anything by this author before and I'm not sure I will in the future.
The two lead characters in this have been married some time they have a family, and everything seems okay till Hugh the husband has a mid life crisis and wants to go off on his own backpacking somewhere remote for 6 months and experience life, I just got the feeling he just wanted to have some new experiences with other women. Amy his wife doesn't really seem to know how to handle this, she doesn't seem to do much ...more

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Jul 28, 2017 Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-books

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
*3.5 stars
It seems like a significant amount of time has passed since I last read a Marian Keyes book. Keyes was one of my favourite authors in my late teens and early twenties and her books have always been on my auto buy list. When this one hit shelves, I admit to rushing out to the shops to immediately purchase a copy. The latest from Keyes, The Break, takes an introspective look at a 40 something couple’s marriage that falls into a deep rut and the fallo *https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
*3.5 stars
It seems like a significant amount of time has passed since I last read a Marian Keyes book. Keyes was one of my favourite authors in my late teens and early twenties and her books have always been on my auto buy list. When this one hit shelves, I admit to rushing out to the shops to immediately purchase a copy. The latest from Keyes, The Break, takes an introspective look at a 40 something couple’s marriage that falls into a deep rut and the fallout from this, delivered with an injection of Keyes’ trademark wit and emotional insight.

Forty four year old Amy knows something is up with her husband of seventeen years Hugh. Since the death of his father, followed by the unexpected death of a close friend, Hugh has been out of sorts for months. Eventually things come to head when Hugh proposes a radical scenario to Amy. He wants to take a break – from the responsibilities of family life, his marriage and career. He hopes that a six month break away from life in Ireland, with no contact while he travels around South-East Asia, will cure him of his overwhelming sense of hopelessness in his life. While Hugh sets off on his life affirming solo adventure, Amy is left to hold it together on the home front. She must deal with wayward daughters, ailing parents, a crazy extended family, gossiping neighbours and friends. At the same time, Amy must keep her head above water and maintain her high flying PR job, which involves a weekly commute from Dublin to London. In six months a lot can happen and change. The Break considers if a marriage on the rocks can withhold a test, such as a six month sabbatical and if this situation can help a couple grow stronger together or draw them further apart.

I was pretty excited about the prospect of a new Marian Keyes novel to read, as I am long standing fan of her work, since I read Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married . Since the first book I devoured by Keyes I have read nearly all her novels, bar one. I have always loved her warmth, wise cracking wit, focus on family drama and light touch approach to serious topics. Readers will find The Break contains all the elements that have made Keyes’ books so successful and readable in the past. But I will say that although I enjoyed most aspects of The Break, I didn’t love this book and unfortunately it isn’t up there with my favourite novels from this author.

I liked the opening concept that Keyes begins with in The Break. The marriage between Amy and Hugh is in crisis and the proposal for husband Hugh to take a break from life in general was a radical one. It is also the prime reason why I stuck with this book. I just had to know if this couple would eventually come back to one another and if Hugh would honour his promise by returning to Amy. The suggestion of a break in a seventeen year long marriage was an curly one. The scenario is tough one and it is a situation that Keyes explores well.

The leads in The Break, Amy and Hugh, are relatable and well formed characters. They are in no way perfect and as a result, we are able to sympathise with them quite readily. Amy was a little weak at times for me and I found it frustrating that she accepted the situation Hugh presented her with little fight. Perhaps this is true of most relationships, we are so scared to lose that person we love so much and ensure their happiness that we are willing to resort to such drastic measures. Hugh was infuriating and selfish for most of the book, but I did feel an overwhelming sense of sadness for him. The leads are supported by an eclectic array of side characters. These include the couple’s own blended family, Amy’s crazy extended family, colleagues and friends. Keyes representation of these characters is rich and humorous. However, their interactions at times had me scratching my head and feeling like I was on the outside, looking into this wild family from the sidelines.

Keyes is unafraid of tackling some fairly serious issues in The Break and I admire her for this great examination into some important issues in modern life. Whilst the focus is on a marriage that hits the skids at almost the twenty year mark, Keyes also looks as grief, loss, care of ageing parents, affairs and social media issues. One of the most eye opening side narratives explored in The Break deals with abortion laws in Ireland. Keyes certainly raised my awareness of the strict controls that exist in Ireland in relation to unplanned pregnancy options. All these issues are handled with just the right blend of emotion, insight, authenticity and wise cracking wit that also demonstrates Keyes’ long standing appeal. The journey Hugh and Amy go on is a push pull, through the wringer style emotional wreck of a ride and I didn’t pick the final outcome.

The pace of The Break was quite slow to be honest and I often felt like it was dragging. It does pick up a bit in the latter parts, especially in the ‘after’ section when Hugh’s break draws to a close. In general, I felt like The Break was a little too long and it seemed to ramble in places, thus my attention waned somewhat. What also struck me was the sexual content which was much higher than usual for a Keyes novel but was in keeping with the overall direction of the narrative. Despite some areas of this novel being a disappointment, there were segments of The Break that I hold in high regard. However, my loyalty to Keyes remains. I will read that one last book in her collection I have left to discover, while I will also continue to buy her books when they are released. This one just didn’t quite hit the Marian Keyes magic spot for me. ...more

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Dec 06, 2018 Bianca rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary, irish, 2018, audiobook, irish-author, female-author

I don't think I've read Marian Keyes before, so upon seeing this library audiobook, I decided to give it a go.

The Break is a life-lit novel, that in many ways was very relatable, as it addresses relationships and relationship breakdown, family, work and all the other things that make up modern life.

This was an easy read, but at times, there was way too much mundanity. I mean, you'll have to write all that in order to fill over 550 pages or 19 hrs on an audiobook. I call that self-indulgent. Sure ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 Amanda rated it it was amazing

I am a big fan of Marian Keyes' work - her books are always guaranteed to make me laugh! 'The Break' was another fantastic read from this wonderful author, I absolutely loved this book.

Amy is 44 years old and has been happily married (or so she thought) to her husband Hugh for 18 years. Hugh has been struggling after the death of two family members and decides he needs a 6 month break from his marriage, job and kids. Amy is convinced by family and friends to date other men, I mean if Hugh is on ...more

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Oct 14, 2017 Tania rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookclub, favorite-books, fiction, 2017, audio

Oh what fun!!! I listened to the audio and the narrator was perfect. I used to love all Marian Keyes books, but stopped a few years ago, when I read one or two that felt more depressing than uplifting. I am so glad that one of my friends convinced me to try her newest offering. I fell in love with the whole extended family, and laughed and cried with Amy. I especially loved that her colleagues formed such a big part of her support structure, and enjoyed the office banter. Yes this is light and f ...more

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Sep 10, 2017 Mikayla Gray rated it it was ok

Shelves: chick-lit, slice-of-life, eye-rolls, annoying-protagonist, made-me-yawn, annoying-character, facepalm, boring

I did enjoy this book, but I'd have enjoyed it so much more if it was about 40% shorter. The premise - husband has a midlife crisis and decides he wants to take a break from his marriage/parenting responsibilities and travel the world for 6 months - is simple, and there's no way this book needed to be as long as it was. Marian Keyes' books are always brimming with family drama, advice-giving friends and wonderful characters, but there was waaaaay too much of it here. I found myself checking the ...more

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Sep 03, 2017 Jacqueline rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-arc

This book owned me, took over my thoughts and stayed with me until I managed to find more time to pick it up again. Despite it being mega -angsty and gut wrenching it was the best book I've read in ages.

The author totally nailed the slightly boring, average, going through the motions family dynamic in this. I'm a similar age, been married a similar number of years and I recognise all too well that slightly depressing sense of watching life go on elsewhere while you taxi the kids around, go to wo ...more

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Jul 16, 2017 Trish at Between My Lines rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews-done

This review was originally posted on Between My Lines

Twitteresque reviews are for books where I never wrote a full review but I want to give you a flavour of how I felt during the book. All in 140 characters or less! These are all books I read during the summer, but I didn’t want to leave them drift away without reviewing them.

One of my favourite books of 2018. A realistic family portrait that made me laugh and cry, and full to the brim of fab characters.
...more

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Jun 12, 2017 Margaret Madden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: irish-fiction, books-i-own

Forty-four-year-old Amy is gobsmacked when her husband, Hugh, declares that he wants to take a break from their marriage. He plans to travel through South East Asia and sever all contact for six months. Leaving Amy and three children behind, he heads off with a rucksack, a quick-dry towel and a newly discovered sense of freedom. Amy is devastated but, in true Irish style, she picks herself up and carries on, regardless. With some words of (not your average) wisdom from her daughters, sisters and Forty-four-year-old Amy is gobsmacked when her husband, Hugh, declares that he wants to take a break from their marriage. He plans to travel through South East Asia and sever all contact for six months. Leaving Amy and three children behind, he heads off with a rucksack, a quick-dry towel and a newly discovered sense of freedom. Amy is devastated but, in true Irish style, she picks herself up and carries on, regardless. With some words of (not your average) wisdom from her daughters, sisters and feisty mother, Amy slowly learns what it is like to be a separated mother and struggles to adapt to her new role, albeit in great vintage clothes.

It is twenty two years since Marian Keyes burst onto the fiction scene, with her debut, Watermelon. Twelve worldwide bestselling novels later, she returns with a fresh and zingy new host of characters. Amy is an extremely likable and well-rounded personality; in her prime, yet delightfully immature; attractive, yet insecure; career confident, yet equally happy to be at home. She has raised three very unique children and is a loving aunt to many. Her eldest daughter, Neeve, (who's father is a virtually-absent former footballer) is a make-up vlogger, even managing to rope in her Granny for the odd session. There is her quiet and contemplative niece, Sofie, who has been living with Amy and Hugh since her early childhood and is rarely seen without boyfriend, Jackson. Finally there is Kiara, a dream-child who gives her parents no worries. This houseful of females is awash with ongoing shenanigans and all-round mayhem which builds up momentum for the weekly extended-family meal. Add in Amy's regular commute to London, for her celeb clients requiring media-makeovers, and the story line never dips.

Keyes has come back with a bang. She has deposited some of her own insightful, warm wit into her characters and let them come to life in their own unique way. Fans will recognise many familiar topics dotted throughout the narrative; a love of all things cosmetic-related; a monthly cheese-subscription; a wife who is weary with the arduous task of caring for her husband with dementia; a fear of hairdressers; the joy of seeing a baby car seat being removed from a sibling's car. However, there are more universal moments. The delight of the first sip of crisp, white wine at the end of a crappy day; the 'mean-girl' effect on on adults who need friends, not enemies; the pre-date preparations required to make an older-woman feel confident enough to strip-off. There are also very valid and serious issues addressed. The ongoing Repeal the 8th campaign is tackled head-on with a character needing to travel abroad to end her pregnancy. Women, on this island, have no rights to their own bodies. Under Irish law, it is a criminal offense to procure abortion pills or seek termination in Ireland. In The Break, a female has made her choice, but cannot legally do anything about it. Choice is the key word. It may not be a story line that everyone will be comfortable with, but it is a reflection of our times. Unfair treatment of females in the workplace is also alluded to:

"These days, my friends of child-bearing age, who work any sizable company, tell me that life is like a dystopian novel, one where women have to swallow their pill in a public ceremony every morning in the workplace. ('They watch over you like a hawk. You can't sneak off to puke from a hangover or put on even an ounce. If they suspect you're pregnant, you're immediately sidelined onto the worst project ever, to make you resign.')

But, there are lots of laughs. Bucket-loads of laughs. Amy is the kind of friend that you would want at your party. She's fun, sassy and you know she would have your back. Her ability to laugh and enjoy life, even through the darker moments, are endearing and despite being kicked in the teeth, she does not wallow in self-pity. (Instead, choosing to shop online, despite dwindling finances.) She is a great mother and a fantastic daughter. She gets her chance for her own 'mid-life crisis' and Jaypers, she gets right up on that horse. The sex scenes are real and raunchy, without being gratuitous, and are all the better for it. The body-shaming and 'things you should never wear over the age of forty' lists get the middle finger from Marian Keyes, and rightly so. There are some amazingly astute one-liners, all the way through:

"A soul-mate is like one of those seventy-nine-euro flights to New York - a lovely idea but they don't exist."

"There are times when your heart is bursting with love for them and there are spells when you tense up at the sound of them entering the room."

Flashbacks give the reader a chance to know more about Amy and Hugh, allowing more depth to their relationship. The pacing is great, the language is a balance of the colloquial and generic and all emotions are examined; grief, anger, joy, surprise, despair, excitement (sexual and retail - YES!) and acceptance. Amy's mother is a breath of fresh air and like The Walsh Family novels, the diverse personalities within the family unit are the making of the story. I cannot fault this book at all. I am delighted to see Ms. Keyes back in flying form and spreading the joy to her readers. We are definitely a better nation for her. An outstanding look at life for the modern Irish woman. Highly Recommended. ...more

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Jul 22, 2017 Claire Allan rated it it was amazing

It's not news to anyone who has ever asked me about writing and who I admire that I am a huge fan of Marian Keyes. Like - I even embarrass myself with how gushing I am about her - and having now met her a few times, I have made a complete gom of myself on each occasion.

You would think then that being such a huge fan of Marian Keyes would mean reading this book and reviewing it would be a breeze; but it hasn't been for a number of reasons.

1) Before I started to read I took the fear that I wouldn ...more

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Nov 09, 2017 Sarah King rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 22, 2018 Mandy White (mandylovestoread) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audible

It has been a rough week for our family and I needed a book that I would enjoy but was a bit lighter and required less thinking thank my usual thrillers and serial killers. Marian Keyes did not let me down.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry. It gave me the distraction that I needed. Great characters and story. Very enjoyable

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Jul 15, 2017 Bookphenomena (Micky) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-read, angst, contemporary-romance, strong-woman, married-couples, emotional, jerk, uncomfortable, 2017-read, netgalley

THE BREAK was a strangely refreshing read considering that it was, at times, difficult to read in terms of storyline. What Marian Keyes managed to accomplish was narrating the heartbreak of a seemingly solid marriage breaking up, with wit alongside real, tough emotional pain.

There are a number of key characters in this book, but Hugh and Amy are at the fore, it's their marriage on a break after all. I went through many changes in how I felt about both these characters. There were times I could ...more

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Aug 27, 2017 Sonja Arlow rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, 2017-read, recommended, favourite-audio

I started listening to this book over a weekend, and the weirdest thing happened.

While I was at the shops I had complete strangers coming up to me and just starting a conversation out of the blue. I figured out later that I was probably walking around, earphones in, with a big smile on my face, making me look way to approachable.

This is old school Marian Keyes at her best, but with a slightly more mature voice. There’s a big, eccentric Irish family that feels similar to the Walshes that featured ...more

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Aug 28, 2017 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, top-author, just-for-fun

Another enjoyable book from Marian Keyes. I just love the way she manages to blend humour and serious issues in a light hearted manner.
This is told from the POV of Amy a mother of three in her forties who is going through a bad patch with her husband...in fact he is leaving her...only for 6 months though!
Yes it's a bit predictable but aren't we all sometimes?!
Lots of laughs and a few tears I would recommend this comedy/family drama. ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 G.J. rated it liked it

A modern day Irish family/ relationship drama. I have read books by Marian Keyes in previous years and liked them. This one was OK ( I would give it a 2.5*). I found the excessive use of swearing to be unnecessary, nor did I think the sex scenes added anything to the whole angst driven drama. A pity really , as the author does tackle some very valid and interesting themes, the power of social media, fidelity, abortion laws in Ireland, and the dilemma of ageing parents, however I felt the story t ...more

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Jun 22, 2018 Heart.OfStonee.X rated it did not like it

If I could give this a zero stars, I would. What woman in their right mind allows their husband to go off for 6 months and fuck or 'explore' other women? You wanna do that, act like you're single? You're gonna find your ass single real motherfucking quick. I usually love the authors books, but this one just. Pissed. Me. Off. The characters were whiney, selfish, immature and annoying to hell and back. Sofie!! This bitch!! She annoyed the everlovingshit out of me!! Grow up, admit your mistakes, an ...more

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Aug 04, 2017 Bex Rees rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-books

A great beach read.Not my usual genre but thoroughly enjoyable.I have had a long stretch of intense thriller/dark novels and wanted a fun read.This definitely fit the bill,although there were times I felt so bad for Any I wanted to give her a hug.
Amy was left suddenly by her husband Hugh, who had decided he wanted 6 months off their marriage to go galavanting around the world.What a bad egg!However,Amy picks herself up for the good of her family and you learn what had happened in the lead-up to ...more

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Aug 01, 2017 Sharon rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-copy

Marian Keyes was one of the first "grown up" female authors that I read. I was a big fan of Stephen King and Anne Rice in my early teens, but it was Marian who taught me about families, friendships, loves, losses, and real life experiences. Life (and being a stroppy teenager) got in the way, and I hadn't kept up with her books. I follow her online, and love her on Twitter, YouTube and Podcasts - but I hadn't read any of her newer books in YEARS.

Reading this was like catching up with an old frie Marian Keyes was one of the first "grown up" female authors that I read. I was a big fan of Stephen King and Anne Rice in my early teens, but it was Marian who taught me about families, friendships, loves, losses, and real life experiences. Life (and being a stroppy teenager) got in the way, and I hadn't kept up with her books. I follow her online, and love her on Twitter, YouTube and Podcasts - but I hadn't read any of her newer books in YEARS.

Reading this was like catching up with an old friend after not seeing them for years. I remembered how warm and comforting her writing can be - how I always see myself, or a family member, in there somewhere; how it's like a warm hug; how it's just - engaging.

On the surface, there doesn't seem like there could be enough of a plot to keep a book going for 400 pages. Amy and Hugh are married (happily), with an almost-grown-up family of young women. Hugh suddenly declares that he needs six months off - a break. A break from family life, from Ireland, from his marriage. Amy is left behind to pick up the pieces while he's off doing who knows what with who knows who - will she cope? And what happens if she copes too well?

That's the story - but this author writes Irish families like nobody else. There's a brazen vlogger determined to see Hugh off once and for all; a sweet, adorable teenager who is wise beyond her years; a young woman facing the horror of a crisis pregnancy in a country where abortion is illegal; a hoard of "friends" who really just want all the gossip; a couple of dream work colleagues, a Granny who is trying to enjoy herself while looking after a spouse with dementia; and, at the heart of it, a woman who is trying to figure out who she is, what she wants, and how it's going to happen.

I loved this - and I instantly remembered why this author used to be my go-to when things were a bit shitty at home. Recommended.

I received a digital ARC via Netgalley, so thank you to whoever approved that request for me! That has no bearing on my review (check my review-copy shelf if you don't believe me, if it was shite I'd say so). ...more

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Sep 19, 2017 Bookread2day rated it it was amazing

Mariane Keyes is one of my favourite authors. It doesn’t matter what story she tells in her novels I am always totally booked out with my reading schedule glued to the story. I absolutely loved reading every page of The Break. As readers should know by know one of my favourite subjects I like to read about is fiction marriage problems. Here’s the problem poor Hugh needs to take a break from his marriage to Amy and the kids, but to matters worse he only wants to go to swanning of to South East A ...more

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Aug 06, 2017 Carrie rated it liked it

It's been a long time since I've read Marian Keyes, so I was eager to get my hands on her forthcoming book 'The Break'.

Whilst the book was entertaining, I felt as I was constantly waiting for something to happen but nothing ever did and at around 50% I started to get a little frustrated with the storyline. Perhaps it's because this book was so far out of my usual comfort zone of crazed killers but to me, it just didn't seem anything other than bog standard domesticity and I had predicted the ou ...more

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Mar 05, 2018 Hildy rated it really liked it

It was so great to be back into Marian Keyes' head. She does Women's Fiction right. The issues she deals with are so real but she always injects humour to help with the tough stuff. I'm always a little nervous when I see the length of her books. It stresses me out that there is so much time before things (hopefully) work out. As always, once I get a little farther along into the story, I realize how much I'm just so happy to be there, and I don't want it to be over.

I love her spin on things. I' ...more

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About Marian Keyes

Marian Keyes

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Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women's literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes includ ...more

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Quotes from The Break

“I should have learned mindfulness, and it’s too late now because it’s no good learning it when you’re already in crisis: you have to start when things are good. But only the very, very oddest would think, Hey, my life is perfect. I know! I’ll sit and waste twenty minutes Observing My Thoughts without Judgement.” — 9 likes

“Worse, neither of us has liked any of the other’s Facebook posts, the modern equivalent of pistols at dawn.” — 5 likes

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