I really enjoyed this book. It is about three couples struggling with their relationships: one couple married with young children, one older couple at retirement age and a young woman with a medical condition struggling with a new relationship. They all end up at the same therapist.
I thought they were good stories that were true to life and very relatable. I was invested in each of their stories and wanted to see how they ended up.

This was my first Sinead Moriarty book. I typically gravitate towards thrillers. This book is about 3 couples from different walks of life and different stages in life. While some parts were filled with humour, some were just plain boring. I had to force myself to finish this one. It was quite slow paced for me and just kept seeming to drag. I will try another one of the Author's books - however that would be my last try with this author. I will stick with Thrillers- guaranteed page turners.

This book is different than what I’ve been reading/have read. It follows two couples, Alice and Niall and Ken and Ann, as well as Orla, a young single woman. Each are struggling in their relationships with different problems and decide that to save their relationships they’ll start seeing a therapist, Maggie. Maggie meets with each of them and slowly begins to get to the deeper issues surrounding the situations they’re facing, ultimately helping them decide if the relationship is worth saving at all.

I have mixed thoughts on this book. On a positive note I did enjoy it, it was different, it touched on many real issues that I feel aren’t always discussed or portrayed, and it kept me reading, I really did want to know what happened. However, on the other hand, the characters are very whinny, of course during the therapy this is obvious but outside of that it got extremely repetitive. All of their problems are of course their own doing, but it can be frustrating to read as they do take a really long time to overcome them. There aren’t many breakthroughs until very deep in, a lot is just rehashing the same things. The side characters are all horrible, the kids, the ex’s, the friends, the parents, there’s no way around it, except for Ann’s children; everyone is rude, mean, treats the others horribly, etc. And that really didn’t change by the end. I liked the characters enough, seeing them grow and change was lovely to read about. However, this book made me scared, if anything, for the future. I’m not in the same situation as any of these characters and can’t really relate to them, but this book really made me anxious of what could happen in the future.

Interesting, maybe schadenfreude !

This was a book very different from my usual romances... It dealt with three couples experiencing challenges who visited the same therapist. I learned a bit and found the stories engaging, sad, amusing, and real. I have to say, though, there was a bit of schadenfreude!

I will be looking into the author's other books as she is new to me!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligations. This review is my own opinion.

Thank you to @netgalley @penguinrandomca @penguinukbooks
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My thoughts…
Pleasantly surprised. I’m a mood reader, so I must have in the mood because I enjoyed this. Some marital/familial drama could have been annoying to me, but here I was more curious. I was entertained by the way this book was written: it was a novel but written in a way where I was an audience to three marital case studies at different stages of marriage life, respectively. Some may not like this as the counseling sessions may seem condensed and too detailed. But, the whole point was the messages being conveyed, so I got over the timeline. Overall, it was a quick and entertaining read.
3.5 ⭐️

You can also find my full review on my blog: https://rebekahreads.ca/about-us-by-sinead-moriarty/
And a mini review on my bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfdvX3rtNU/

Book: About Us by Sinéad Moriarty
Published: August 31, 2021 - OUT NOW
Rating: 4 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be such a pleasant surprise. About Us is an extremely relatable romance novel (family drama/contemp. fiction) that highlights the various issues and common hurdles that can arise in relationships, marriages, and families. Although it was a long-‘er’ book, I found that as soon as I was invested in the characters and their relationship dynamics I flew through it. It was surprisingly* a good, quick, and engaging read.

In About Us, Moriarty tells us the story of three very different couples: Ann and Ken; Alice and Niall; and Orla and Paul. Ann and Ken are a married couple in their 60s (married for 38 years) who are in a bit of a rut—Ann wants a bit of excitement in her life now that the kids have grown up and moved out and on with their lives, while Ken is stuck in his ways, unwilling to leave his T.V. chair and hardly wanting to go out or do anything fun. They don’t even sleep in the same bed anymore and haven’t for three years. Alice and Niall, on the other hand, are younger (40s) and the parents of four young, demanding children. Niall is a workaholic while Alice is a stay-at-home-mom who priorities her children’s needs above her own—leaving her with very little energy to take care of herself or spend time with her husband after his work day. With Orla (24) and Paul (30s), they have just met, are getting to know each other, and are quickly falling for one another—however, Orla’s past traumas seem to be getting in the way of their blossoming relationship. All of these different relatable real-life situations are what eventually lead each couple to Maggie: an American relationship and sex therapist. With Maggie’s help and advice, each couple slowly finds their way to a resolution, even if it isn’t the outcome they were hoping for.

I really enjoyed how real the struggles of each relationship were and how I could see myself in different ways, through Ann, Alice and Orla. I also just LOVED Orla—she was such a sweetheart and by far my favourite character.

*I say surprisingly because I recently read another romance novel (Ghosts by Dolly Alderton) that wasn’t at all what I was expecting it would be and was extremely disappointed by it—whereas with this one, I wasn’t expecting anything at all with it and I was surprised to see just how much I enjoyed it, especially when compared to the other novel.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for giving me a free electronic ARC of About Us in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I couldn't finish this. The premise sounded interesting, but the characters were just whiny and unsympathetic. Plus I really hate plots that revolve around the premise of couples not talking to each other and making wild assumptions about the other's behaviour instead of having a conversation like an adult.

I received an ARC of this from Net Galley.

About Us by Siena’s Moriarty was a new find for me, and I look forward to reading more from this author.. while the premise of this novel, it’s never too late to help yourself an improve your life’s situation, the book was written in a such a way that you could relate to all the characters. It was a very balanced and honest portrayal of life events that may hold us back. Told from the point of view of 3 women from 3 different age groups and life stages, this novel explores that changing your situation with help, in this case by a psychologist, you don’t need to accept your situation if you are not happy with where you you find yourself in your life’s journey. 2/3 women most people can relate too, but the 3rd woman’s issue was something I was unfamiliar with. So not only did I learn something new, the lesson of funding life satisfaction still applied. Although it is a tale as old as time, the issue of motherhood (case #2, if you prefer) and the many different hats that role alone requires reasonated with me the most. Case #1 Empty Nest syndrome is something I too will experience faster than I would like and what does that mean for me and my husband in the future? A very real take on very real problems some or all women face. Case 3, I’ll let you read the book to discover for yourself.

This was a novel that was just as educating as it was entertaining. I recommend you read About Us as you are likely to see yourself in at least one of these women. Thus realizing that none of us truly experience things alone, just differently depending on how you handle your situation.

Good job Ms. Moriarty! Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for an advance copy of About Us in exchange for an honest review. About Us came out on August 31, 2021.

In this novel Sinead Moriarty explored different relationships, their struggles and how couples can work together to overcome issues. I enjoyed the way the three couples, all in different stages in their relationships all dealt with their issues differently. Ann and Ken in their mid to late sixties dealing with the changes coming about near retirement and becoming empty nesters. Alice and Niall just hitting their forties, with four young children and seemingly no time for anything. And finally 24 year old Orla who is exploring a new relationship with Paul and working to overcome traumas from earlier in her life. All three couples work with an American therapist.

All three stories are all slightly connected, through Orla's roommate and her students, but I wish there had been more of them intertwining.

It took me awhile to get into the book, and figure out which characters were the important ones, but once I had that sorted I flew through the pages.

There were parts of every storyline that anyone will be able to see themselves in and feel a connection to.

The people in this book could be the family next door, the lady you work with, the teacher of your children, or the man next door. They are immersed in life and relationships just like you and me. I cried. I laughed. I felt raw emotion. I wish the characters all the best in their coming days. ;)

I struggled to get into the story. I couldn't figure out how these people would be connected together. And the design was perfect! Just like in any community.

I didn't understand a lot of the Irish slang words but I picked up enough that the story made sense and I got the general feel of things. I loved that the language allowed me to remain in the setting instead of transporting back to North America.

Loved this book! I would definitely read more by this author!

I found the characters to be very realistic. The fights between Ann and Ken as well as the fights between Alice and Niall are often repetitive as long-married couples are likely to fight over the same issues.

I was imagining that these couples were once the stars of their own rom-com. However, after decades of marriage, the idea that "love is enough" begins to crumble. I sobbed as the characters experienced heartbreak and loneliness, yet cheered as they worked to reclaim their happily ever after.

I was so engrossed with this book from the moment I picked it up. The stories felt so real and relatable. It revolves around three main characters at different stages of their life. There's Ann, a 65 year old woman whose kids are grown and have moved out. Her husband is approaching retirement and she's facing the serious question about what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Is she going to spend the rest of her life in monotony, or go out and do the things she's always dreamed of? Then there's Alice, a middle aged a full time mother of four struggling to keep up with all the demands of her kids and husbands while feeling like she's failing everyone including herself. The final character is Orla, a 24 year old teacher who holds herself back from entering a romantic relationship because of childhood trauma manifesting as a physical condition. All three start attending the same therapist and share the most personal aspects of their lives.

Each character has a story that is easy to relate to, but I found myself identifying most with Ann. So much of her inner dialogue could apply to my life and it really got me thinking while reading. The conflict and resolution in this book was so well done. It was a really slow burn. More than halfway through the book things were still looking down for these characters and I was starting to wonder if they would have a happy ending. But things d0 get resolved and I would say the ending is very hopeful but still in a realistic matter. I also really enjoyed the brief insights into their husbands mindsets as well and the interconnected elements of all the stories. Overall this book takes some very real, hard issues that could happen to anyone and weaves a entertaining story that is sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and sometimes happy. Definitely recommend.

I absolutely loved this novel, so much of it resonated with me and pulled at my heart strings. I’ve never read a Sinéad Moriarty book before and this certainly won’t be my last!
Three couples with their own intimate problems visit a therapist, discussing their various issues, disappointments in themselves and their relationships, and hopes for the future.
I loved that all three couples were at different stages in their lives: Ann and Ken are nearing retirement and empty nesters; Alice and Niall are in their forties, exhausted with with four absolutely hysterical and diabolical children, and mid-twenties Orla is a sweet primary school teacher with a very tragic upbringing and many issues of her own. I enjoyed each of their separate, but interwoven stories so much, I laughed and I absolutely sobbed through parts of this book, the depictions of what the characters were thinking and feeling so vibrant and so real. Thank you so much to Sinéad Moriarty for writing this absolutely beautiful book, and to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for review.

This relationship-focused novel started off very well, telling the story of 3 couples’ challenges, many of which readers can identify with (e.g., challenges of parenting, aging, boredom in long-standing marriages, wistfulness at the loss of youth). However, the middle portion of the book dragged on and repeated many of the same issues which had already been described earlier in the book. I became frustrated with several of the characters for their constant complaining. The ending was good but predictable. Overall, this is a story that will resonate with many readers but whose execution was a bit of the mark for me.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Us is marital advice written as a fictional story. The three case studies in the book give a wide range of different issues married people encounter. It is an easy read, but unfortunately it didn’t hold my attention. I did not finish halfway through.
The issue for me were the characters. There wasn’t a lot of depth, and I found the dialogue too convenient – everyone was able to verbalize every single issue they were having in one therapy session. It was like a condensed version of what would normally take about a year. And then the advice was applied and it seemed like everything was hunky-dory after a couple of sessions. The characters didn’t feel authentic to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the chance to read it.

This book is about several couples/singles struggling with their relationships or lack thereof, at different times in their lives (some were seniors, some twenty-somethings, some young parents) all with different circumstances/problems and all eventually seeking counseling with therapist,Maggie.
I was drawn into the different characters' lives, empathizing very much with them and hoping for their futures.
It was fascinating to see how the therapy affected their outcomes by the end of the book!
Highly recommend!

This is a new release from a successful Irish author. The story is set in Ireland and revolves around three woman who share the same therapist. Ann is in her sixties and as her husband Ken approaches retirement she finds herself unhappy with life and longs for more. Ken, however, is happy to stay home and watch television and has no longer any interest in sex. Alice is in her forties and is raising four young children. Her husband Niall is always working and Alice is not surprisingly always exhausted. Niall wants more - more sex, more life, etc. Orla is a young woman with a complicated background and considers herself a freak who will never be able to be in a relationship. Then she falls in love. Orla and the other two couples end up seeing the same therapist. The story has romance, humour, some explicit sex and does a great job of capturing some common relationship and sexual problems for women at three stages of life. I really enjoyed it.

It was interesting to read about 3 different couples and their struggles and be on the "inside" of a therapy session. It definitely made me wonder how my partner and I would respond in a similar situation. The story flowed well and kept me entertained!

Sinead Moriarty's new novel has three couples and one therapist's couch as the base for her new book, About Us.

Moriarty has cleverly chosen three couples of varying ages and stages of life, each with their share of issues and conundrums. So, there's a character or situation that any reader can connect with.

Ken and Ann are at the retirement stage of life, but it's not living up to what either had imagined. Niall and Alice have four children and not a lot of energy left for each other. Orla is carrying baggage from her past and has a medical issue. She meets Paul and adores him, but can their relationship thrive?

The therapist all three attend is an American who has set up practice in Ireland. I found this a bit odd. Do Irish therapists not tackle sexual issues? Sex does seem to be the biggest 'problem' brought to the office, although other issues are explored as well.

The chapters rotate through the three sets of characters. About Us is told from the women's viewpoints. I found myself most drawn to Alice, but the other two women are just as likable. I thought Moriarty did a good job portraying the women's inner thoughts, needs and wants. The therapist's advice seems reasonable and well written. But. Yes, for me there's a but. I grew tired of the therapist's scenes. While there is some what I assume is good advice (was an actual therapist consulted?), I found it becoming a bit 'textbooky' and repetitive for me. And that slowed down my finishing the book. I do think things could have been reconciled a bit sooner.

About Us was an okay read for me, but not a standout. And for me, not as funny as some have mentioned.

I received a e-galley of About Us from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Three different couples. Three different relationship complications and problems. One relationship and sex counselor. This was a quick and fun read about relationships and the varied relationship stages were interesting to read as they played out. I thought that there was a good balance between each couple and I didn’t particularly feel drawn to one couple over another.