I love Marian Keyes. There isn't a book of hers I would hesitate to pick up and read, cover to cover, because it's never a slog to read her stories. But while I enjoyed this one, I did feel a bit of a slog throughout. Possibly because I don't like stories that start with a prologue, take you back in time/earlier, take a while to build up to that bombshell of the prologue, and then it's just a few pages left in the story to get to the aftermath. The aftermath is what I'm here for...and it felt disappointing in this one because it's been such a long buildup to get there. Mind, the story and characters were artfully sketched, and the Caseys started to feel like family somewhere along the way, but it also was a terribly long book that didn't need to be this long because then the ending feels rushed and too short for all the waiting and buildup we've been doing to get there.
Possibly a great book to bring with you on a 1-2 week vacation and this is the only stuff you're reading so you'll savor and enjoy it. But otherwise, it's long and a bit of a let down at the end.

This book is quite long and I think shortening certain aspects of the book would’ve been great.
I just could not get through this book. This was also due to the poor quality of the ARC (not the books fault), there are so many errors, letters, words and entire paragraphs missing or moved around that reading this book was a chore.

I really enjoyed this novel. Marian Keyes manages yet again to concuct a wonderful story with original and lovable characters (a lot of them). Though it is a long book I never got bored with it. My only complaint is the status of the ARC. Very hard to read at times as there were missing words, paragraphs mixed up with others, spelling mistakes. Once I got the hang of it I managed to finish the novel safe and sound. But it was a chore, I admit. But it was NOT the book's fault. Hence the four stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read.

Man, this was long. Too long that it affected the story's quality.

The start of the book grabs your attention, and then the pace slows. There were too many characters to keep track off, and while I was initially interested in how everything would be resolved, I lost interest midway and didn't care too much for the ending. I typically like flashbacks when I read a book, but the writing style didn't particularly hook me this time. The characters also didn't appeal to me, and I didn't like how some of the relationships were handled.

This is my first Marian Keyes book and I'm not really impressed. I'll look into her backlist and maybe her older books would be a better fit for me.

Not my thing. Was looking forward to a new Marian Keyes book but it felt too long and just didn’t do it for me.

This book was honestly awesome! It was long, but the writing was so good that at the end, I honestly didn't believe I was at the end. I seriously thought there was more. That there had to be more. Don't get me wrong, it didn't end on a cliffhanger or anything, but the characters live such dramatic and interesting lives that the end of a 650 page book was not enough for me. Anyway, I can definitely say with certainty that I am so happy to have read this book! I'd also like to thank the author for writing this book with such relatable characters, modern setting, and just touching on such relevant content. There were such intricate details that pass you by and they don't affect the bigger picture of the story, but they give the story a much deeper and enhanced flavor at the end.

Regardless of how you feel about Jessie and Johnny, their parenting is actually quite good. I don't care much for the way Johnny regards his children or his step-children, but Jessie deals with her kids quite well, especially TJ who is non-binary and wants hairstyles and clothes and her name to reflect that and Jessie and Johnny do everything they can to support her wishes.

The speech that Ferdia made with Perla was so important, so woke, so necessary, and just so amazing.
Honestly, as much as these characters annoyed me, they also grew and learned and got better and did better for themselves and for others and in the end, the bow wasn't tied all nice and pretty, their lives will keep going because that's what happens in reality. All we got to see was a snapshot of their lives, the before and the after, and we got to see them change over time. It wasn't all happy endings, but it was satisfying in a wistful way. Like you can imagine a better ending or continuation for the characters and nothing is closed off.

To end this review of this awesome book: I'd just like to say, I'm so happy I got to read this, I know it will be very very popular I'm sure, and if there was show or movie made on it, I might not even be able to watch because of second-hand embarrassment, but I hope it does get made into something in order for more people to know these characters and their crazy stories and fall in love with the family much like I have!

<i>*Thank you to the publishers; Penguin Random House Canada, the author; Marian Keyes, and Netgalley for my free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.</i>

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I read this book for myself, not for school. I'm not sure that it would appeal to the high school audience. I did enjoy the read, as I think Marian Keyes is wonderful. :)

The Casey family is a big, dysfunctional, funny albeit crazy Irish family.

Three brothers and their wives form the crux of this story but they are accompanied by a whole lot of motley characters who add to the mix.

Johnny and Jessie are the eldest and the richest couple who don’t mind flaunting all their wealth regularly by means of all-expenses paid extended family get-togethers and celebrations.

Ed and Cara are the reasonable and practical, middle-aged couple but with serious issues under the surface.

Liam and Nell are the youngest couple and the most unconventional of the lot.

The plot begins with Cara who is concussed and right in the middle of a party begins to blurt out inconvenient truths that might have better remained hidden.

As the title goes this story is all about needing to grow up despite being technically a grown up.

The family dynamics at play are tremendous, intense, witty and very well thought out.

However, as a mammoth saga of some 650 plus pages it is a humongous read but the story could’ve probably been edited sharply and shed about two hundred or so pages without losing much content wise.

Also, the myriad collection of characters gets confusing many times which is why the family tree right at the beginning of the story is very, very helpful.

If you’re looking for an amusing, light-hearted, fun, domestic family drama look no further for this is what it exactly is.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Contemporary/Light Fiction read

Oh my GOODNESS. I loved this. I absolutely, head over heels, could not get enough of this story. I was so invested - so so very invested. I read it at the same time as listening to Normal People on audiobook, which was a strange experience as I had this weird kind of crossover going on in my head, ha. Honestly though, I loved this so much more than I thought I would, and I ended up caring so much about every single ridiculous person in this ridiculous family. I could have stayed watching their lives unfold for ever.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this novel and all of the characters in it. What a complex, bustling Irish family that Marian Keyes wove together seamlessly. It was endearing to not only read of the outward impressions of each character, but their internalized insecurities. I guess that's what made this family so relatable: however "together" anyone might seem, we all struggle with feelings of low self-worth. To see how each family unit came to terms with the various transgressions provided resolution without coming across like a fairy-tale ending.

Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said but Marian Keyes does it again. Whilst not my favourite of her work it is still a captivating tale of the Sullivan family perfect for a rainy weekend read.

This was a great read. Ever since I first read Sushi for Beginners many many years ago I have enjoyed Marian Keyes’ style of writing. Here she is at her best, intertwining the characters in the family in such a way that you really don’t know quite how it will end. Although some of the characters are a little stereotypical I did like the way in which the interrelationships were portrayed. Reading online I did not have the advantage of the family tree to explain whose offspring belonged to whom but it actually really didn’t matter.

A perfect holiday read. Recommended.

I was looking forward to this book by Maria Keyes but was very disappointed. I didn't like the characters or the writing style. Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I put this on my DNF list. I tried twice to read this book. Judging by the lateness of my review on an advance copy, it’s apparent that it was difficult. This would have been my first by the author, but there were too many characters with too much going on to get a good feel for the plot. While I realize ARCs have errors, there were so many missing letters. I had a hard time distinguishing slang from actual words. I might try to pick this book up again at a later date, but I’m not in the best frame of mind to do so at this point.

Ah I just love Marian Keyes. I fell in love with her Sullivan family series and have loved her ever since. She writes the most relatable characters who you want to become friends with and who remind me of people in my life already. Her depiction of big Irish families are always spot on. This crazy, dysfunctional but loveable and loving family are just what I needed to get through a few weeks of this pandemic. Yes, it took me a few weeks to get through because it is really long, but also it’s just like a hug, you just want to keep reading it. It’s so entertaining but also touches on sensitive topics like addiction and infidelity. I thoroughly recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this wonderful copy. Congratulations to the author.

I love previous works by this author and this one did not disappoint! Such a real and raw story. The character development is candid and honest and I definitely found myself relating to the events in the book. Would definitely recommend!

Whew!! 656 pages of absolute, non stop drama! I will admit that I have liked this more than I thought I would. Initially, I wasn't too sure but by the mid-way mark, I found myself becoming guiltily curious about how the story of the huge Casey family would pan out. It was 656 pages of Keeping Up With The Caseys...not one dull moment!

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Penguin Random House Canada/Double Day Canada and author via NetGalley.

Rating:⭐⭐⭐💫

While this book was hilarious, entertaining and powerful, it was balanced out with some beautiful tear jerking moments that made your heart stutter. I didn’t not expect anything less from Marian Keyes, whose previous works were also equally enthralling.

This was a really good read! I loved the mix of crazy family drama and the humour.

Despite never having been to Ireland, I loved the Irish setting! The descriptions of Tuscany were great too (another place I haven't been to!).

With so many characters it did take a few chapters to get a grip of which branch of the Casey family each character belonged to. My favourites were Ed (he really was the nicest brother) and Bridey (she was just hilarious). My least favourite was Liam..I though Johnny was ok too, but honestly Liam was just creepy and awful! I honestly don't know what made Nell marry him!

I loved that the book touched on a whole variety of issues from love, grief, loss, addiction, jealousy, self esteem and even the plight of refugees.

As usual with Marian's books, this was another well written book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for the chance to read an eARC of this book.