Lots of things I really liked about this book. The which-sister-in-law do you identify with most element. The career v motherhood question. The themes of love, forgiveness, what makes a good relationship (not just in a romantic sense but across the board). A really enjoyable read

I've just read Sinéad Moriarty's latest novel The In-Laws in one sitting. It tells the story of the Fitzroy family. Three sons, their wives, various children and matriarch Nancy. All the sons, one of the wives and Nancy work in the family owned publishing company. Nancy rules every aspect of her family with a fist of iron but sibling rivalries run very deep between the boys. The wives (the in-laws of the title) have their loyalties to their husbands but also their own internal marriage crosses to bear and as for the children.......!!
The 'In-Laws' could be relating the dynamics of any family anywhere. The bickering and backstabbing. The hugging and supporting. The falling out and making up. We have all danced that dance of family politics. I absolutely loved every word of this book. Everyone, especially the women, just trying so hard to keep everything afloat. Sometimes they succeed and other times they fail but the outsiders, the in-laws, have each other's backs always.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The In-Laws
Sinead Moriarty
Read and Reviewed: April 2025
Publication Date: 3rd July 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Sinead's latest book in exchange for my honest review.

This one is due to be published 3rd of July 2025 guys so add it to the lists - its another excellent book by our lovely Sinead.

I have read 13 of Sinead's other books and thoroughly enjoyed them and keeping with tradition, this one was no different.

The In-Laws grabbed me from the very first chapter and every time I had to put it down to do work or get some jobs done or feed the family (why must they require feeding multiple times a day, everyday 🤣🤣) I was counting down till I could pick it up again and get back to this lovely story.

Written in Moriarty's typical style 'The In-Laws' makes for very easy and light reading - it is not at all taxing on the brain, needs no trigger warnings and is the definition of chick lit and womens fiction in it's simplicity - while still having a wonderful and engaging stotyline.

We're introduced to the Fitzroy family, Nancy, her three sons and their three wives (the three female main characters) ~ Mel, Amanda and Katie.

The story is told from the POV of the three sisters-in-law whose initial one primary thing they have in common is their problematic and annoying Mother in law.

Their relationship with each other and friendships grow as a result of their shared dislike (if thats not too strong a word to use here 🫢) of their mother in law Nancy.

The three women are such in depth, likable and well drafted characters and each one brings their own flair to the story.

Sinead Moriarty never disappoints - she has such a warmth about her writing style that I just absolutely love and cannot get enough of.

The In-Laws is a fabulous, witty and relatable story about marriage, motherhood, friendships and surviving the family you didnt choose.

The perfect escapism and will make a great summer read.

4 stars from me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sinéad Moriarty never disappoints! This was such an entertaining book about in-laws & how we deal with the them and how we have our differences but yet still have to make it work. It was so fun to see the three different woman showcased in this story find solace and connection in dealing with their mother In Law but yet find tons of laughs and relatable content along the way.

It is about three very different women who are related by marriage. Having to pretend to be nice to someone because they are your in law although you have nothing in common and would barely tolerate or be in their company if you weren't related by marriage. A compelling read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

This is a very funny read about something we can all relate to, family dramas. It does take a little while to get going but stick with it as when Moriarty starts to bring everything together, this is full of laughs and surprises.
With any book like this the characters need to be likeable and these really are. I warmed to all of them and simply enjoyed getting to know them and their family. We meet them at a crisis point when secrets are revealed and consequences being dealt with. This certainly made for interesting reading and it was amusing seeing the different relationships and power play play out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an advance copy.

I was beyond excited to be approved for a book by the wonderful Sinéad Moriarty, a super Irish female author who's books I have read and enjoyed in the past and this book was no exception. I thought it was a witty, deep, emotional and hopeful book about family, marriage, complex familial relationships and there were also strong themes of addiction and adultery as well. I really enjoyed the book and the storylines of each of the characters.
I felt like this book was like Bad Sisters without the murders. I loved witnessing the development of the strong female characters and also the strong bonds they develop with each other. Women backing and raising up other women.
This was a beautiful book. So well written. Exactly what I have come to expect of Moriarty.

Amanda and her husband Ross, find themselves suddenly back living in Dublin, after a hasty exit from their London life. Supposedly to help his mother Nancy who has had an accident but is there more to the story than meets the eye?
Katie, happily married to Ross' brother Jamie. Has 2 beautiful children. Not Nancy's favourite daughter in law by a long shot. Always feeling like an outsider, lesser than.
Melanie, hotshot literary agent, married to another brother Frank who, seems to be the exact opposite to highly strung. Sometimes cold and fiercely driven Melanie.
They are all tied together by the bonds of the family business and spending more time together since Nancy's accident. Will this time together bring them closer or drive them apart?

Sinead is one of my all time favourite authors, she writes characters that are so real and well rounded. This is another delightful family saga, I loved how their stories intertwined, such a great read. Sinead’s books are like a big cosy hug!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading my review copy of the in-laws by Sinéad Moriarty. She is an Irish author, whose books I always look forward to reading, as you know, you're going to see some strong, funny, female characters with enjoyable storylines. And The In-Laws is no different.
In fact, I raced through The In-Laws over a weekend, loving the storylines of Manda Melanie and Katie. These 3 women have quite a lot uncommon. First of all, they are all the "in-laws" of the Fitzroy family, each woman married to one of the three Fitzroy brothers. And all three are struggling with the mother-in-law from hell.
Nancy will never approve of her daughter in-laws and they will always be on the outside of our family, but yet these 3 women are struggling to find a way into the family to remain as part of the family. And This is a story that is eminently relatable.
There are just so many aspects of their lives that are relatable and make them likable characters, and they learn that there is only one way to survive in this family, and that is for the in-laws to band together, and their journey is 1 of fun bit of disaster, but it's a very enjoyable 1 and I think this is a book that many people, not just women, will understand and I would say, grab a coffee as soon as it comes to your local bookshop or library, because you were gonna enjoy and laugh out loud and cheer on our 3 outlaws and you know what?
I'd like to see what happens to them in the future.

Review of ‘The In-Laws’ by Sinead Moriarty due to be published on 3 July 2025 by Penguin General UK.

The book centres around the Fitzroy family, who run their own literary agency. There’s the formidable matriarch (Nancy), and her three sons (Ross, Jamie and Frank) and daughter in law (Melanie) all working at the agency, Amanda (wife to Ross and stay at home mum) and Katie (wife to Jamie, mum and part time hairdresser).

Nancy is really not a nice character, and only has good words to say about one of her granddaughters (Lucy) who’s she sees as her prodigy and the natural talent to take over, even though she’s only 9!

The sisters in-law are the stand out characters in the book, all three strong females and adept at dealing with whatever is thrown at them.

Another excellent book by bestseller Sinead Moriarty!

An absolute gem of a book. Sinead is an immensely talented writer. Katie Amanda and Melanie are all strong women . You end up caring about all of them and wonder how they put up with their horrible mother in law I loved this book and I know it will be a massive success

I absolutely adored this book and devoured it over a couple of days! It has easily been one of my favourite books of the year and I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

I loved this book from the first page until the last. It was so well written that I was hooked immediately and couldn’t wait to find out more. Really well-written characters both young and old. I’ve been a fan of Sinead Moriarty for a whike and this has only reinforced my opinion.
Can’t wait until the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

I have recently rediscovered Sinead Moriaty booked and was keen to read her latest book which didn’t disappoint …. The story line grips you from the start Amanda with husband Ross & son Theo have returned home to Ireland from London to care for Ross’s mum Nancy the powerhouse of the family as she recovers from a fall, however caring for her mother in law is not the life Amanda saw herself having and the reason why they returned home is unveiled. The other strong female characters Katie & Melanie have their own secrets and challenges . I loved this book and it’s made me want to read others my this author

This book was hilarious! I don’t have any in laws but it’s always fun reading about other people’s dynamics and life situations and I know from may friends and acquaintances just how interesting it can be having in-laws and trying to get everyone to get along. Such a great relatable story that I hope will make readers going through similar situations feel less alone!