This is one of the very rare Marian Keyes books that I couldn't get behind. It's got way too many characters and the family tree simply doesn't translate well into e-book format. So, it took a while to understand who was who – and why! I love Marian Keyes' books because of their wit and emotional depth but somehow found it lacking here. The pace was too slow for a book this long and I almost gave up halfway through! That said, it's a good book if you are fond of dysfunctional families... just know that it begins slow, so hold on!

I know that our patrons will love this book and will be purchasing for our library. However, I didn't particularly like any of the characters and I thought the humor was nonexistent.

Grown Ups is about an Irish family and secrets kept for too long. The author is not afraid to show the characters' dark sides and she effortlessly writes the complexities within this family's dynamic. Highly recommend to those who love character driven stories.

Grown Ups is the ninth stand-alone novel by award-winning Irish author, Marian Keyes. If their extended family looks friendly and agreeable on the surface, like most families, the individual members of the Casey family have more going on than they’re willing to reveal: either outside the family, or within. Behind their harmonious façade, individual tensions, resentments, attractions, and anxieties may be festering, but they present a united, happy front.

The Casey brothers, Johnny, Ed and Liam, and their families get together regularly for important occasions, all through the flawless organisation of Johnny’s wife, Jessie. Whether they can afford it or not is irrelevant: Jessie insists on participation, and covers the costs to ensure it.

But at Johnny’s forty-ninth birthday dinner, the cracks below the surface widen, perhaps beyond repair, when Ed’s wife’s customary expert diplomacy vanishes in the wake of a bump to the head: Cara speaks her mind, and some uncomfortable secrets are exposed.

Most of the story is set over a six-month period in 2020, and for the bulk of that, the reader encounters the family at gatherings: holidays, birthdays, first communions, anniversaries; and despite most being on their best behaviours, frictions soon become apparent. Indeed, the children often behave in a much more adult manner than do the Grown Ups.

At 643 pages, this is not a quick read but the length does allow the reader to get to know the major characters intimately and, except of course for the psychopath, to like them (Ed will be a favourite) and care about their fates. The psychopath, whose nature is perhaps not obvious at introduction but soon becomes clear, proves more despicable at every turn.

As the story slowly builds to its climax, the cast of characters is studied in plenty of detail, via their dialogue, actions and reactions, with numerous flashbacks filling in backstories. Their perceived inadequacies, lack of self-esteem, and guilt, are catalogued, and Keys also explores other topical themes: the environment, the plight of refugees, and bulimia.

Keyes does seem to labour the point on a certain issue, but if a little tedious, it is worth persisting with for the relevance to the plot. Overall, though, it’s difficult not to become so immersed in the lives of these people that the pages just fly by. There may even be a tear or two on the final page. So very readable!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada

Loved this book of a crazy Irish family. The story moves forward by focusing on family events that bring a variety of family members together - couples, little kids and almost-adult kids and all of the complexities that families have.

It''s grand.

I love Marian Keyes’ books and this was no exception. She brings the characters to life and captures complex relationships between families and middle aged couples trying their best. So good

Another brilliant Marian Keyes novel.Full of so much emotion characters that come alive a story I didn’t want to end..All the complications of real life relationships family another Maria Keyes gem.#netgalley #Grown ups

goodness gracious this was a long one.
unfortunately it took me awhile to get into it, i struggled to connect to the characters. eventually it picks up and overall i did enjoy it, but the struggle in the beginning dampened my experience.

This was way too slow and way too long. There were too many characters (I read it in an ebook so I couldn’t see the family tree properly). The writing was well done but it moved at too slow a pace for me to really get into it. But if you love a story about dysfunctional families, this is your jam!

This book was so good. I didn't to put it down! The characters were well rounded, and the storyline sucked you into it and made you feel like you were really there. The author did an great job telling this story.

I didn't think this had the quirky, amusing dialogue/ writing as much of her other books. While it was good to see someone writing about food addiction/ bulimia I didn't think it was as well handled as other issues eg alcoholism. And part of why I like her writing it there's usually a love story with a resolved issue/problem but this one was more sidelined and just didn't grab me.,

Marian Keyes is back with another loveable family dramedy like her classic Walsh family series.
Except this time the siblings are brothers. Somehow though, the brothers' wives are at the center of the story.
Only Keyes can gently and perceptively guide her audience through difficult topics and conditions, that lead them to deeply self-reflect and empathize.
In particular, in Grown-ups, Keyes addresses the worldwide refugee issue which is highly appreciated.

Thank you for the lovely ARC from a lovely author.

Keyes finds a way to make loss, deception, grief and love entertaining in a very long book. I was afraid I would have a hard time finishing or trail off, but another winner in my column.

The Casey Family is flawed like every other. They are dysfunctional, dramatic, intriguing and they are real.