Marian Keyes at her finest!! This book is a laugh-aloud, cry aloud kind of book. Amy and her husband Hugh are together a long time, had ups and downs and have raise a chaotic blended family. After some sad times Hugh decides he needs a break to go travelling, away from home and Amy. She is left to pick up the pieces and hold the family and their lives together. The reader gets to see her struggle, warts and all.
This journey is well told and we get to see the family life/work life stresses and strains all thrown together. Amys life is shown through flashbacks and present day scenarios. There are some fabulous characters in this story, their daughters all have their own lives and personalities, Amys work colleagues all have their stories and her family is as chaotic as they come!!! Her mother (the famous LOCMOF) has to be one of the funniest characters I have come across in ages. There are some serious topics explored too particularly the role of social media in our lives and the political/medical minefields that exist. Throw in some sexy men (I don't think I have ever heard a man called "ridey" before) and it makes for a delicious, fun and entertaining mix.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am happy to report that Marian Keyes is on her most cracking form with her latest novel, the Break. In fact I would go so far as to say that at times this book is masterful in its telling. The plot seems straightforward- it’s the story of Amy, a fortysomething Dublin woman juggling the demands of home, kids, work- and a marriage which suddenly capsizes dramatically when her husband Hugh suddenly announces he needs six month break to travel in Asia as a single man and “find himself”. Hugh’s decision and Amy’s reaction sets off a ripple effect resonates through their lives- and those they encounter- in both interesting and unexpected ways.

Amy as a character is vintage Keyes- sharp-witted, insightful, yet appreciative of frivolities like shopping sprees and make-up. She is extremely relatable, with a rich internal voice- and while not perfect, she’s never dull. One of the things I most liked about Amy is that- as the story unfolds- we begin to see that her relationship with Hugh is truly complex. Keyes slowly reveals aspects of Amy’s history, both as a wife and as a person and her actions that demonstrate that marriage is complicated and things might not quite as simple as Amy being a victim of Hugh’s impulsive move to leave.

There is a large cast of characters, many of whom make up Amy’s circle of Irish friends and family. I confess this was the one down side of the novel for me- at times I found it hard to keep track of all the family relationships between various siblings and their children- and any goings on with the seemingly standard wacky mother/grandmother figure bored me a little. However Keyes does a fine job at illustrating through Amy’s various interactions with friends and relations how people perceive- and respond to- other people’s marriages in ways that are sometimes helpful and sometimes very negative. Amy plays well off these other characters and at times the dialogue is absolutely laugh out loud funny.

There is a sub-plot with a bit of a political aspect to it that I felt was very timely and relevant. One of things I’ve always loved about Marian Keyes’ work is that even as she is entertaining us one hand with light hearted fiction she manages to also say something about important issues like unplanned pregnancy, depression, addiction or abuse.

If I had one main criticism of the book it would be that the resolution ending seemed to come too quickly and possibly be wrapped up too neatly. But on the whole, this was a highly enjoyable, well paced and entertaining read which deserves high ranking in Marian Keyes’ overall body of work. I recommend it highly.

Absolutely blooming fantastic! One of my best of 2017! This is to be one of the best Marian Keyes I've ever read. I don't want to spoil any of it for you, so go on, read it! If I could give it more than 5 ⭐️ I would!!

Amy is a likeable main character, I think I'd like to go for a drink with her. I like the way her vintage clothes are described, though this seems to tail off in the later chapters, almost as if they're forgotten. I enjoyed the first half of the book more, and the incident (not wanting to give the plot away so no spoilers here) near the end with the video blog feels a little contrived, as though something had to happen to bring the family together. All the characters are fully fleshed out, no cartoon people on the side lines. I enjoyed the people Amy worked with, and her whole working life was interesting too. I love the way Marion Keyes describes women with low self esteem, and confidence crises, this is so real for me.
Overall, a good read.

Breathtaking and beautiful. Raw and full of emotion - but not in a shit soppy way.<br>Marian Keyes has been in my life since being a teenager and I am so past being a teenager it's not even funny! What is funny though is that I can't remember the last time I picked up a book of hers but in each and every one, there has been something so <i>relevant </i>to me at the time; this is no different, really.<br><i>The Break</i> is about grief, first and foremost. The unexpected adult emotions that we assume we know how to deal with, but we don't. The way we worry about other's perceptions of us and how we should be feeling. Ultimately, as ever, it's about <i>love</i>. Blended families, love, lust, let-downs and passionate encounters - <i>The Break</i> has it all. I couldn't wait to see what happened and it didn't disappoint. Relationships are never black and white, it's too easy to judge others when you are not living it yourself.<br>I loved the charcters: Marian Keyes has such a way of seamlessly exploring the characters little quirks so you fall in love with each and every one of them. I've always found her writing to be a little more mature than most chick-lit writers and it works so well here. I'd happily give this 8.5 out of 10.

Marian Keyes is one of my favourite authors and this book does not disappoint. It is very well written and I could really identify with the emotions of the main character. Quite sad in places but with Marian's usual comedic bits interspersed. Thought provoking if you're of a certain age.

The Break, by Marian Keyes - I loved this read. I found the main character, Amy, at times frustrating, but, realised as the story developed that was probably because she is so real and three dimensional.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Marian Keyes and was reminded of her when I heard her on Desert Island Discs, so was thrilled to have received this preview copy of her latest book which I loved. I found myself laughing and crying, sometimes within the same paragraph. A story of true feelings, real family challenges and I shall now be returning to read her previous books again. Wonderful!

This is the first time I have read a book by Marian Keyes.
The one thing which I liked about it was the somewhat humorous style of some of the writing. The characters were believable most of the time.
There was a pacey section towards the end.
I don't really know what I expected from the book.
I stuck with this book to the bitter end.
It was too long-winded for my liking.

I give thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK (Michael Joseph) for a copy in exchange for this review.

Ok so a new Marian Keyes book is always cause for celebration right? Weeeelllll, yes. And also not so much. I love Marians writing and have read all her books, some more than once. I love her humour, her warmth, her honesty, her sense of hope even in the most difficult emotional trauma. And this book has all of that. In parts it is enjoyable, well paced and thoroughly readable. And in other parts it's so slow I found myself skipping pages and pages and not missing them. Too much descriptive narrative which does nothing to add to the story. And the story. Well it's about a couple who take a break in their marriage. And the reasons for the break is not fully explored so a bit thin. And the emotions explored are not fully explored. We are just expected to accept that they just are. And, on a personal level, the use of young people's social media terminology is verging on the ridiculous. If th book was half as long as it is it would read better, if you are a Marian fan there are elements you will enjoy, if you are new to Marian it would not make you pick up another of her books. It was ok. Not great. Not awful. Just ok

Marian Keyes writes good books. The Break is a good book and very readable. For me it would be a down time lazy kind of read. There is no need to get all worked up about it; although I did have to stop reading to look up Bechdel Test. Then I got annoyed with myself because I should have known about that.
Marian Keyes writes much of this book in Amy's head. Her brain is never at ease. None of her friends or colleagues would label her introspective, but she is. She is also scared andworries that she is not, never has been, and never will be, good enough.
I live in my head. I need books that fill it with things that take me away from the humdrum of cooking, working, laundry. Once in a while I can read about real things. The Break is my real book for this year.

After a slow start, I fell head over heels for the family in this book. I pressed forward on my kindle again and again before I realised that the book was finished and how disappointed I was, that it had. An eclectic bunch of normal people, who struggle with the normality of life. Trials and tribulations; ups and downs; call them what you like and they appear here in abundance. I placed myself in their situation over and over again! We all have our 'what if' scenarios and wonder if this is all life has to offer. I am happy with mine...let's hope their happy with theirs.

A man decides he wants 6 months off of his marriage. How will the wife handle it? A deep descent into marriage and Irish family life, with angst, joy, pain and love. Not my favorite read of the year but interesting to explore the protagonist’s mind and heart.

(Will add reviews on goodreads, amazon after it's published)

I always love a Marian Keyes book. Yes, I did enjoy it but possibly not as much as some of her other brilliant books. Worth a read. Always nice to read something new. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

I couldn't put it down! The book features forty-something Amy whose husband Hugh decides he wants a 6 month break from the relationship and the story follows Amy (and her family) as life goes on without Hugh. The story was completely relatable (woman trying to work full time, raise a family, elderly parents and still have time for herself) and current including touching on the situation around abortion in Ireland. How Amy learned to be on her own was became more important than wondering if Hugh would return. I would recommend this book.

Ah, Marion, you never disappoint. You make me laugh, you make me blink away the odd tear, and most of all you make me want to meet your characters.
Loved The Break, especially the daughters and LOCMOF. I did feel irritated with the whole idea of a husband "needing" to get away and expecting to return and find all as it was, but that aside, it was enjoyable and had me immersed in the story.

The Break by Marian Keyes a strong a great four-star read. I have been a fan of this author for so many years, when I was a sad 17-year-old who had moved three hundred miles away from home, she kept me laughing with her stories. I will always be a huge fan, and jumped at the chance to read this story.
I thought this book was so well written, it tells the honest to goodness story of a grown-up relationship. It’s all about how just because you love someone doesn’t always mean you are in love with them. It also shows us that being in love is one of the hardest things to do, and sometimes you need to fight for love. I wonder if it’s true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I also wonder if what happens on a break, really stays on a break?
Amy faces a battle with everything she has ever known, her friends and family are all wondering and enquiring, and all the drama pushes her close to the edge, will her husband pull her back or push her over?

I love Marian Keyes' novels. I think she is one of the best authors in her genre. I have read nearly all of her books and will look forward to reading the next ones. However, I was not fully happy with this novel. The problem might be that I could not like the main character Amy. She had everything and she put it all at risk. Then she put the blame on his husband (who was not faultless admittedly). The other thing I did not like was the constant changing of the time and perspective. This is not what I expect in a "chick lit" book however high standard it is. Also, I felt the author wanted to cram too many issues into the plot. Some of them are really important and I can understand that she wanted to take a stand on them, but the outcome was that light hearted parts mingled with serious ones so the novel did not have a unified tone.
But despite all this the book was brilliant at parts, and really enjoyable as is customary of the author. I can recommend it to everyone who is interested in the difficult relationships and different roles of modern women.

I’ve always been a fan of Marian Keyes, especially her earlier novels, but this one has brought me firmly back into the fold. The Break is wonderful, an authentic and heart-warming portrayal of a marriage’s ups and downs, which had me alternately laughing and in tears. Great pace, a sympathetic and likeable heroine, brilliant secondary characters (I particularly loved Amy’s three daughters) and a lovely twist at the very end that brought the story to a satisfying close. Highly recommended.

Reading this was like catching up with an old friend after not seeing them for years. I remembered how warm and comforting this author's 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 miserable at home. Recommended.

To read what happens when Amy is told by Hugh her husband that he is taking a break from family life and their marriage is quite a shock. This must be every woman's nightmare when they'think they are in a stable relationship. You have to keep turning the pages to find out what happens to all the family . A very enjoyable read