Cover Image: The Break

The Break

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

A fantastic book- Keyes back to her best! I loved this modern marriage story, about the everyday of running a household, whilst an extraordinary thing is happening- her husband has taken 6 months off. Brilliant.

Was this review helpful?

Quite simply the best book I have ever read! Fantastic characters, funny, sad, scarily real... a modern-day masterpiece! Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book - it's very funny and a story that I think people can relate too.

Was this review helpful?

It’s a touching, emotive and also very amusing novel about an Irish wife whose husband has a mid-life crisis and wants to take a 6-month break away from their marriage to travel the world. His announcement comes very much as a shock, and the novel follows Amy as she copes with him being gone. It’s all about how people change, and can you ever really have ‘a break’?! I love how Marian Keyes manages to find humour in often quite sad and upsetting situations.

Was this review helpful?

Marian Keyes is one of my preferred Chic Lit writers, so it was a pleasure getting the chance to read this eBook. I really enjoyed it and although it took me longer than expected to get through it, I am really happy I eventually did.
If that wasn't clear, I think it might be best to warn others that it is a somewhat longer book than your usual chic lit- leave your brain at home- book. The build up to the end is not unnerving, and although I expected it, it was an enjoyable journey nonetheless.

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely book!
It started a bit slow, but as I read on it made sense - setting the scene for the 'normal'; the unappreciated happiness of everyday. The Break is full of feeling, both happy and sad, and it is impossible not to relate to Amy, whatever your circumstances.

You will not be able to put it down - and when you are through you will look at the boring old normal life from a new angle.

100% recommend

Was this review helpful?

I was really looking forward to reading this book but I was disappointed. This is not the best of the author's books. The storyline seemed promising but I found myself getting annoyed with the characters especially the mother. I will not be recommending This book to any one.

Was this review helpful?

Another lovely book from Marion Keyes. Not my favourite but certainly a great read for fans of this author.

Was this review helpful?

My Dad was Irish. I spent a lot of holidays there, so books set in Ireland tend to appeal. I love Maeve Binchy & her ability to create crazy loveable characters and Marian Keyes has that same talent.

The Break deals with the 'non-break up' of Amy & Hugh's marriage. Hugh has been through the wringer emotionally, losing his father & a close friend in quick succession. He decides the only thing that can put him back together is to go travelling to Asia for six months but insists this is not the end of their marriage- just a break. Needless to say Amy is far from happy about this. She is the one who will face the gossip & cope with the somewhat dysfunctional family as well as her career, however doesn't have much choice.

The following months bring about profound change for everyone involved. I never warmed to Amy at all, although I could sympathise with her. I suppose we all have that - 'Life's passing me by' moments but I found her very self obsessed. I got rather tired of the constant sprinkling of Brand names and could probably have done without the more graphic sex scenes (must be getting old!) I did love the family- especially Lilian!

Although this wasn't a 5* read for me, I did enjoy it & couldn't put it down till I'd found out how it all turned out. It's a must for Marian Keyes fans & would not put me off reading more of her books. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for giving me the chance to read & review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book and think it will sell well as do all of Marian Keyes books. The story of a long-married couple having relationship problems rang true and I enjoyed the interplay between the characters. My query is, where are all the handsome men falling over newly single middle-aged women in real life? How come she has only to glance around and her life is full of lovely blokes? I found the extended family irritating, as I do with all her books, but it fitted better in this book.

Was this review helpful?

This started out for me as a jolly romp. Real laugh out loud phrases and conversations. In fact there are so many funny bits I nearly ended up quoting the whole book Putting this review together. I honestly did not know how this book would end and hoped for the ending that was delivered. Looking back tho there were hints that the one it might have been was not the one it would be. I know that is not remotely spoilery or clear but Marian is not a cruel writer so all was well!
I would sum this book up as laughs at the start, tears at the end and real people throughout. This book was an advanced review copy in return for a fair and honest review. To be fair it is a grand book and I honestly recommend it to all!

Was this review helpful?

I would highly recommend this book,im fact most of Marian's books. This comes in slightly second to 'Angels' for how much crying I did (not that it is sad per se,just very resonant with me right now).
It is just a wonderfully human,well written and resonant book that is proudly lined up with Marian's other titles on my 'good books' shelf

Was this review helpful?

I read an ARC copy in return for an honest review. It's been a while since I read anything by Marian Keyes and I'd forgotten just how easy to read they are. If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry and that you really don't have to think about as you read it, then this is the book for you. It's the type of thing I'd probably take on holiday.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RZZ7BENIWUMRO/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Was this review helpful?

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 will be no contact and he is free to be 'Single' meaning he can have no strings attached guilt free sex with other women!.
So what better way then to leave her and go on a trip to South East Asia for 6months without her. Promising to come back and start over!

Poor Amy is absolutely devastated and who wouldn't be.
If it was me and he wanted a guilt free pass, believe me he wouldn't be returning to me ever!!
Hugh is struggling with grief and depression and can't see anyway out.
He doesn't give Amy a choice his booked the tickets.
How is she going to explain it to the children and their families.

So Hugh goes leaving Amy to pick up the pieces, be a single parent, work, and still worry what the hell he will be up too whist he is away.

I adored Amy I felt for her so much. I was so mad at Hugh just leaving her like that just because he can. Never mind her feelings.
I loved watching Amy blossom throughout the book.

I also want to mention Amy's large Irish family. The atmosphere and family nights were so humbling. I don't have particularly a large family but my grandparents lived with us all my life and we was a house of 4 generations so when I see books where family time is important it warms my heart!

Marian's writing style was so easy to get engrossed in. Her relaxed and witty sense of writing and humour made the Characters even more relatable. Yes the story is particularly long but don't let that put you off. Before you know it your half way through.

The Break will have you exploring all emotions, laughing, crying, anger, upset, happy.. it will keep you thinking long after reading.
This is a fabulous read with emotional subjects but plenty of humour and Irish Charm!

I highly recommend The Break!
Especially for readers who love Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, humour, gripping and Compelling reads!

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book, but then anything by Marian Keyes is sure to be a winner.

Was this review helpful?

love in it's rawest sense. everyone wants to be loved and to love back.
Marian Keyes captures this in such amazing descriptive way.
I couldn't put this book down i am a new fan of Marian keyes and she hasnt disappointed with this book either

Was this review helpful?

Not my usual genre of book but I thoroughly enjoyed it/ funny/ witty/ so much more than chick lit

Was this review helpful?

Marion Keyes is as engaging as ever, although the subject was definitely darker than in some of her books. I always love the peripheral characters in her novels as they are so well drawn and relatable. I found the main character to be very human in her foibles and mistakes and I liked the fact that I couldn't tell how the story was going to end. Usually books in this genre are far more predictable. Definitely a page turner, and thought proving as well.

Was this review helpful?

Back on form with a bang. I loved this book. It was sad, funny and oh so believable. The last couple of Marian’s books left me a bit disappointed but not this one. Read it and weep....

Was this review helpful?

I think I enjoyed this book less than her earlier Walsh family novels; possibly because I read her every day on Twitter, and so this book felt like a rehash of a lot of the things she chats about there. But if I hadn't twittered with her, I would have adored getting into her mind, and feeling like we were just having a cup of tea and a natter together. All her books have this wonderful cosiness. She is still going strong!

Was this review helpful?