Marian Keyes does it again!
The Break is a fantastic story of marriage, family, friendships, love and desire.
Amy and Hugh are having a six month break. After the death of his father and close friend, Hugh feels he needs to find himself and needs a six-month break. Amy’s world is rocked by this revelation and we watch her try and deal with the fallout of Hugh’s departure.
As with all Marian Keyes books, the characters are relatable and realistic. Amy’s family are a wonderful blend of young, old, eccentric, modern characters that really connect you to the book and the story. The book is filled with Keye’s usual laugh out loud moments that had me chuckling to myself. But there’s moments of heartbreak too as Amy deals with the fallout of Hugh leaving. Without giving anything away, this is a fantastic story of a “middle-aged” woman who learns to find herself when her world seems to have fallen apart.
I absolutely loved The Break and couldn’t put it down! 5 great big stars from me!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 Star Review for Netgalley

When Amy’s husband Hugh announces that he needs a break – away from his life, away from his home, and away from his marriage – Amy is completely lost. Tasked with supporting her husband as best she can while her heart is breaking, staying strong for her family and maintaining a hectic professional life, the six month ‘break’ she never asked for seems more like an ending.

I read The Break, funny enough, while recovering after breaking my wrist. In the boredom of “resting up and feeling better”, I found it hard to connect to anything. I thought I would catch up on loads of TV series, but everything seemed to annoy me. Reading anything too light wouldn’t hold my interest, but anything too complicated was too much for me when I wasn’t able to concentrate or, in particular, if I had to pass time in a doctor’s office or hospital waiting room.I think I read a lot of the book on my first trip back to the emergency department, a day I had been dreading; I had to get up hours in advance to get back to Dublin from my parents house, hang around in various waiting rooms all day, and kill time later that evening, when I would be able to do nothing for myself until someone came to visit and, essentially look after me.

I couldn’t have picked a better novel. It was so engaging that I lost all sense of what was going on around me, and it didn’t bother me that I was uncomfortable or sore or worried, or on edge in the busy hospital. It was also that sign of a brilliant book that meant that, no matter the disruption – a brief visit to one nurse and then back to wait for an x-ray, for example – I was ready to dive back in straight away. Marian Keyes is the ultimate comfort, not because her writing is not serious or harmless in any way, but because it provides both escape and solace in the familiar. I warmed to Amy so quickly I couldn’t believe how I was jumping to her defence in the initial chapters. If this book was written by any other author I would have hated Hugh with a vengance, but instead I raged at him, so much so that I missed a doctor calling my name several times, but ultimately the character didn’t seem “evil” or unrealistic. I ended up seeing how complicated the situation was, and ended up learning and awful lot from reading about a relationship, so realistically written, with people older than I am who have lived lives I have not, and have not experienced yet.

I couldn’t have loved The Break more and will recommend it to everyone I know.

This book is Keyes back at her best, i have not been overly impressed with her last few, but this felt like her earlier work, where you were crying with laughter one minute and crying from despair the next. I love big dysfunctional families like Amy's, and I loved Amy, I'm not sure how i would cope if my husband just decided to up and leave for 6 months, to do whatever they want. Its a must read and so happy to see Keyes back at her best

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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