Ask Again, Yes

Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so glad I got an email advertising this book otherwise I probably would have read this one. This is indeed one book that I have never read before; I thought the author handled the sensitive, tough topics uniquely. I wasn't put off by the nitty-gritty topics Keane dealt with, but she had written them such a way, it made it feel for the characters. Keane's writing was fantastic. I was sucked into the novel right away and could not believe how much I had read in one sitting. I was so close to finishing the story; it's always an excellent novel for me when I'm just lost in the novel and not looking at how many pages are left in the book.

This was truly a powerful story. A well told story about 2 people and their families, their ups and downs with some dramatic events thrown in. Not everyone's story is smooth sailing and this book illustrated it again for me. I loved how the story flowed seamlessly from 1973 until present, from one year to the other, from one character to the other, telling each one's story. There was nothing about the book that I did not like. I loved the writing style, it was difficult to put the book down and I constantly found myself picking up the book again. I loved how the book turned out and I think this book will be loved by all who read it. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

I absolutely loved this book! It has all the ingredients of a great book - interesting and relatable characters, a really good story, and to top it off it's beautifully written. Once you start reading, you won't leave it down. I know that I'll be searching for more of Mary Beth Keane..

A gripping thriller of strong love Mental illness and love thy neighbour. Kate and Peter are neighbours both their dads are Police officers in New York guess that is NYPD I'm a Brit I've of those waiting to leave Europe.
So they have known each other all their lives and have had string bonds and week I let you read the rest. Peters Mum and Kate's Dad are from Ireland Kate's Mum is also European and Pete's Dad's is the American. Neighbours but assist from Kate and Peter their parents don't get in that well and then the events of one night that start of innocent enough the two teenageers decide to meet up after everyone else is settled, apart from Kate's Dad who is on a late shift so well it of the way. By the Morning it all changes and life is never the same for any of them. Once the horse had bolted so to speak it's hard to see how any of them will recover and can love survive. Don't worry guys this is no sloppy love story this is a story with bit and of dealing with what life throws at you.
How lasting is the effects of your parents obviously that is strong no matter how hard the resistance and strength to conquer their weaknesses, and puch on past their pain for what is right for you. This is not a story of rebellion fighting against establishment but of honest families dreaming with life with twists that come at them.
I was totally hooked with this thriller it was honest and real informative in the best way possible with plenty of action and passion of spirit rather than actually it best you read it for yourself and you will understand what I mean. It's a great book and we'll worth getting infact I highly recommend you do get it.

My thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of Ask Again, Yes. Mary Beth Keane's novel is a magnificent tour-de-force. In 1973 two NYPD rookies are assigned to a Bronx precinct. Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are not close friends. When Gleeson graduated from the police academy he asked Lena Teobaldo to marry him. They moved to the suburb of Gillam, soon to be followed by Stanhope and his wife Anne. Children follow: three girls for the Gleesons - Natalie, Sara and Kate. Kate - born just six months after the Stanhope's son, Peter.

Two families living side by side, one neighbourhood and a sense of false domesticity. All families have problems, don't they? And then one violent, tragic event, unexpected, unpredictable (or was it?) tears the fabric of family life apart.

The broad canvas of Ask Again, Yes spans four decades. Despite everything that has occurred, years later Peter and Kate get married. Old family wounds sit just below the surface and lives spin out of control. A very moving story told with great skill and wonderful character development. A story that draws you in and gets under your skin.

Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended.

Two young teenagers separated by a tragedy that affected both families, finally reunited and all reconciled in the final chapter.
There are many interesting characters in this story and each has a story that would make a novel in it’s own right. This is a family story which mirrors so many of the pitfalls and incidents of real life. Unfortunately by trying to fit them all into one story has diluted the characters and their frailties to thumbnail sketches. And don’t get me started on the final scenes !!
I do not want to write plot spoilers but there are so many interesting and insightful snippets that are not followed up. I was quite frustrated – there is so much potential for a here for a family saga.

Those who like family sagas will love this book. It is well written and entertaining. However, it was far too long and slow moving for my personal taste. It covered over forty years of two families history and while certain traumatic events occurred, I kept hoping for something more.
I am very grateful to the publisher and author for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'Ask Again, Yes'. It follows two New York families, specifically a child from each family, and how their lives are intertwined. I thought the characters were well formed and I loved the gentle tone of the narrative. It was easy to empathise with all of the characters and I felt that I travelled with them as they aged. This is a book I really enjoyed reading and I definitely recommend it.

The book is well written and the characters well drawn. The inter-relationships between two families is cleverly done. The way the author manages illness, tragedy alcoholism and mental illness I found very believable. I particularly liked the way the author handled the changes in society over the period of the story. It starts in the 1970s with Irish immigrant families and the role of 'the wife' for two NY police officers is clear. It ends some 30 years on when gender roles have changed considerably. The characters were both interesting and intriguing. Their relationship with each other was fascinating. So for me it was an enjoyable book to read with a lot of positives. I did find the book a little slow in places, Interestingly my overall view of the book is better now that I have finished it then it sometimes was when I was reading it!

A story about being content with what you have - a great moral message which delivers through careful description of everyday happenings - apart from a huge event which rocks the family's world. In my view this is an exploration of mental health issues probably developing from post natal depression with traumatic loss. The whole story is built on this issue but explores other family issues carefully and I recommend it without avoiding the families responses to the horror.
It is very American to a British reader. There are many assumptions about the American way of life which can be puzzling. The whole summer experience of American children is different and there are police procedures which are not quite clear but can be picked up along the way.
It is an engrossing read and I recommend it.

Ask Again, Yes is a beautifully written, gripping and compassionate family drama. It spans over four decades and follows the lives of the Gleeson and Stanhope families.

Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope meet when they were NYPD rookies and end up by chance living next door to each other in suburban New York. The families don't particularly get on but Francis's daughter,Kate and Brian's son, Peter form a very strong friendship. However once night a tragic event changes everything and the families are torn apart. Kate and Peter's friendship is challenged as they lose touch and then reconnect years later. The events of that night are still impacting on their lives and the pair are faced with some difficult choices and decisions.

This is a story about love, marriage, tragedy, addiction and depression. The challenges of families whose lives have been affected by tragedy. Mary Beth Keane has developed her characters brilliantly in this book. The stories are told from alternative perspectives which gives the reader a good understanding of the characters and their motivation.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Penguin Michael Joseph, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the way this was written, there was lots of detail which brought it to life. The setting is New York with a pair of families whose fathers, of Irish origin, are police colleagues, living next door to each other. Their respective children, Kate and Peter, form a strong bond and are obviously meant to be together. However, a horrific accident blows them apart. It was a compelling story and had me gripped from the start. The characters were well-rounded and interesting. Although it was basically the love story of Peter and Kate, it was also about the ties that bind families together. It had strong themes; depression, alcoholism, mental illness, but in the end all comes right.

This is quite a powerful and poignant story.

The focus is on two main characters and their families and just how their lives intertwine.

Weaving between past and present, there are many ups and downs and along with them an abundance of emotional trauma.

I think what this book, (one that I probably wouldn't have picked if it wasn't from an invite from Netgalley) cleverly demonstrates is just how easily we can miss certain moments, little pieces of time that might not seem significant at the time but they could in fact impact a person/s future in one way or another.

We all know that life isn't all black and white, what we might not realise is the courage it takes to get through things that we may not be so prepared for.

Mary Beth Keane perfectly demonstrates the dynamics of a not so typical family life and just how life has a strange way of working itself out in the end if the fates allow.

Starting from the year 1973 moving seamlessly to the present day, changing from one character to the next in a way that is not confusing in the slightest.

This novel carefully tells a story of love, loss, friendship and family.

I was moved and compelled to turn the pages in a strange way I wanted to slow down my own reading pace to fully appreciate the tale that was unfolding in front of me.

There isn't anything that I thought could be improved, if anything I guess I'd like to go into more detail with some of the supporting characters as they were all interesting, each with their own stories to tell.

Highly recommended.

ASK AGAIN, YES

BY

MARY BETH KEANE




Francis and Brian, work together in NYPD and with the idea of living outside the city, they move out to a quiet area. Warm and friendly Lena, married to Francis, is delighted to welcome Brian and his very glamorous wife, Ann, as neighbours. But Lena’s kindly approaches are rebuffed with frosty aloofness.
However Lena’s youngest daughter, Kate and Ann’s son, Peter, born a few months apart become close friends from early childhood. Ann’s disapproval is voiced often especially when the youngsters approach their teenage years and the innocent friendship shows signs of deepening into romance. Like a woman driven with bitterness, at every opportunity, with sharp words she disparages her neighbours’ ways. Brian and Peter choose to ignore her snide comments. Was that a mistake? Should they have intervened?
A horrific tragedy shatters any relationships between Peter and Kate and within each family. Peter and Kate go their separate ways to college without further contact but often they recall that special bond they shared and many years later there is a chance they may renew their friendship? Time, is supposed to be a healer but how will their parents, damaged by that one drastic event, react if the young couple rekindle their relationship?
This gripping story raises many questions about human emotions. Who is really to blame for the initial catastrophic event? Trying to forget may be challenging but forgiveness could prove impossible. This is a character led tale where many concepts of human frailty are highlighted, involuntary and self imposed.
What a delight to read a novel with such depth, gripping this reader from start to finish. The characters are realistic and finely drawn, and I was soon caught up in all the various strands of friendship, relationships, and family unity. An emotional book focusing on love and loyalty and the damage caused by a lack of empathy.
Written by a skilled writer who weaves an engrossing and fascinating family tale that holds the reader from start to finish, I look forward to reading more of her work.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I first saw it but I gave it a chance and I am so happy that I did. Such a well written and engaging story. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.

My favourite kind of book is a good family saga and this didn’t disappoint. The characters are intriguing and some are very complex. Mary Beth Keane isn’t an author I’m familiar with but I will be looking out for more of her work. The story is centred around Peter and Katie whose families lived next door to each other in Gilliam, New York. Their relationship began as they started school together and progressed into adulthood. Along the way a tragic incident forced their separation for a while until they find each other and the relationship continued. The story occasionally does veer from one time frame to another although it doesn’t detract from the story or make it difficult to follow. I would have liked to have read more detail about the important events in their family life as it occasionally seemed to skip past them. The story covers lots of personality traits in the characters such as mental health issues, violence and alcoholism all cleverly woven into the story. Highly recommend. Thank you netgalley.

I didn't know what sort of book this was when I got sent it, just that I'd read similar things before and I'd like them. So I picked it up, didn't look it up, didn't read the blurb and I just started reading. I have to say , this was a very touching and moving book.

The story follows two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes, two beat cops, two neighbours, two families, both with Irish roots, and in some ways mirror images of each other, and in some ways polar opposites. But families are difficult and complex and there are underlying struggles that one cannot even begin to imagine. When tragedy strikes both families they're wrenched apart, and it's Katie and Peter, the two youngest children that feel it the most. Everything changes in an instant, and it's up to them to figure out their way forward, figure their way back to each other.

It's a really compelling read, beautifully written, complex characters and totally engaging. I challenge anyone to read it and this book not touch their soul. At the heart of this book is a love story, and it's beautiful.

This is an original story, set in suburban upstate New York where 2 policeman and their wives set up home. Lena has a daughter Kate, and is struggling to settle away from life in the city so is delighted when Anne moves in next door, and has a baby Peter. Although Peter and Kate grow up as friends, Anne seems cold and keeps to herself. No one realises how mentally unstable she really is until tragedy strikes. I loved the story of Peter and Kate, as well as their parents, it kept me reading too late! Some difficult subjects were tackled but it always felt like a very real story.

At the end of ‘Ask Again Yes’, Lena says to her husband as they think back over half a century, ‘“I think we’ve been luckier than most people.”’ This might seem strange when the reader considers that this novel has focused unflinchingly on mental illness, alcoholism, abuse, abandonment and physical disfigurement. Yet Mary Beth Keane’s focus on two families living in the New York suburbs has at its heart the importance of love and forgiveness. If this sounds shmaltzy, fear not. Throughout the novel, she writes bravely and with clear insight about familial friction and dysfunction.
Those who enjoy the novels of Celeste Ng will find plenty to be engrossed by in ‘Ask Again Yes’. Mary Beth Keane’s creation of real, engaging and important characters allows the reader to appreciate just how difficult it is to live with someone whose mental illness means that she has a very different view of the world, who often withdraws, who feels as if everyone is against her. This is how it is for Anne Stanhope’s family.
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, both originally from Ireland, meet through training together in the NY police academy and a few years later become neighbours, bringing up their families in respectable suburb of Gillam which is ‘nice enough but lonely’ for Francis’ wife, Lena, who has three daughters in quick succession. Try as she might to befriend Brian’s wife, Anne, the latter refuses these overtures. Nevertheless, over the years her son, Peter, and Kate, the youngest Gleeson girl, become the best of friends.
When Anne behaves in such a way that has terrible consequences for Francis, ensuring that she is sectioned indefinitely, the teenage Peter moves to New York city to live with his uncle George, no longer able to rely on his father. He appears to cope magnificently with the family breakdown and it is only when he has a young family himself that the wounds of the past open, threatening to destroy all that he loves. Mary Beth Keane shows us that previous tragedies always make their mark. It is how the afflicted are treated that will make the difference between a life well led or one that mirrors the past.
My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

Couldn't put it down, intrigued right to the end.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to Penguin, Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book to read for free for an honest review

The book is set in New York city and surrounding areas and spans a period of around 40 years from the 70’s onwards. It tells the story of two police colleagues who live next door to each other and how their children Kate and Peter form a bond which threatens to be broken by one horrific night’s events.
The story is one of families pulling together, through difficulties such as depression, alcoholism and mental illness The characters are complex and the story compelling, it had me hooked, to find out how their lives would progress and how the problems they had faced could be resolved. Having just visited New York, I really connected with the story and could visualize the areas described by the Author. I read this in two or three sittings as I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

This is a family saga: two American families become neighbours and (the husbands) work colleagues, and their lives are entwined for both good and ill.
I liked the complexity of the relationships between the Stanhope and Gleeson families and the way that no character is ultimately good or bad. This really resonated with me.
Other reviewers have said they found it very American but I really didn’t feel that. Their lives felt very universal to me.
I wouldn’t give it five stars - there was something about the pacing that didn’t quite work for me, and I thought it occasionally needed more momentum - but I think that Keane is a great writer and this is a really good novel. In fact, it reminded me of some of my favourites: Anne Tyler, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Forster.
Recommended. A really engrossing read.

This is quite a schmaltzy, American affair. A long tale of two friends, from early on in their careers to being neighbours and friends with their respective families. It is a descriptive prose, painting a picture of the US through the years and the writing style reminded me of Anne Tyler, always a good thing!

If you can get past the phrasing and Americanisms, it is a good heavyweight of a story, plenty of life is laid out bare and pecked over. It makes you sad in parts, happy in others. Cleverly written and well laid out. Not a light read by any means, but a very enjoyable and reflective one.

This book was completely unknown to me at the time - I was given an ARC. I didn’t know what to expect but found I was presently surprised by the way the story unfolded. What seemed to be a typical story took a number of unexpected turns, with deep emotional consequences and many trigger points. Overall, it was a great piece of writing and I’m glad I got to read it as it wouldn’t have been something I’d pick out usually.

A great family saga to get your teeth into, this absorbed me and kept me reading. I got through it quickly and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Highly recommended.

Ask Again, Yes starts in the 1970's with two young rookie cops who are paired up with each other on their first beat in NYC and finishes in the present day. It's almost a saga, following them as they marry, move to neighbouring houses in suburbia and have children who grow up together. The story then pivots on a tragic event that comes to pass one night and changes their lives forever, and we then follow the effects of this over the coming years.

What this book did really well was to explore how much we are products of our families, both in terms of upbringing but also more fundamentally- the author treats themes of alcoholism and mental illness particularly convincingly. We also see how important childhood is to the author- events that have happened to the children in the book (or the adults when they were children) reverberate through the generations .

I really enjoyed the author's writing and was completely absorbed by the plot and satisified by the ending. My disappointment lay with the characters themselves who I just didn't feel I got to know well enough, and I'm not sure why. I didn't feel that I could picture any of them in my mind's eye. Although I felt sympathy for various characters as the book went on, I just didn't feel as emotionally invested in them as I felt I should have done.

Overall I did enjoy reading this book and am very grateful to the publisher and to netgalley for this reading copy, but in the end I didn't completely fall in love with it.

Ask Again, Yes is a moving family saga set around two blue-collar police families in New York State.
Kate and Peter are two star-crossed lovers that are destined to be together, despite their respective families' best efforts. They grow up next to each other until a shocking incident separates them.
This novel explores the strength of families, desertion, mental illness and alcoholism. How the families come through that makes for a good read. Four stars.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This book was quite hard to get into at first, it was confusing as it went from one thing to another. I found it hard to read so it took a while to read. It was a good story but just not for me.

Peter and Katie have known each other since they were babies. Now teenagers they have a growing attachment but in trying to do something about this they inadvertently bring about their separation. Peter moves away from their home town to New York and they don't meet again until years later. Will their relationship survive the trauma that was part of their earlier years or will this drive them apart?

This is a sensitively written novel about mental illness, functional alcoholism and whether we can ever really redeem ourselves for a terrible act. It is also about forgiveness and acceptance. I found the characters believable especially Peter's mother whose experience of mental illness is realistic and moving. I don't know whether I actually enjoyed the book as it is quite difficult to read about subjects like that but I nonetheless wholeheartedly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC>

A well written and thought provoking novel. It addresses some big issues but in a fairly sensitive way. I liked the setting of New York and the way the book tells the story over four decades. It was sometimes moving, sometimes sad but overall gripping and made me want to read it to the end, hoping to see a satisfactory conclusion. I think there were some threads that got lost along the way but it didn’t really detract from a damn good read. I would recommend it to those who like a family saga with drama.

I found this book quite easy to read and well written, I became a little disconnected and struggled a little with not being familiar with the American way of life plus some differences in vocabulary, however the basic story over rode this. It deals with a lot of thorny issues with the emphasis on mental health and lack of help when tragedies happened a while ago before there was such help available. The book covers quite a long period in time and focuses on two characters who are children at the start of the book plus their respective families who are mainly first generation immigrants so there is little fall back on a wider family and background. A few twists and turns which keeps the readers attention but on the whole I found the book rather long and a little slow at times.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I was at a loss on what to read and then I received an email offering me this book to review and I'm so glad I read it.

This story spans many years. It's a love story, a story of life, families, friendship and so much more. It's definitely a lovely read which will give you all the feels. It deals with some difficult subjects, but it does not retract from the readability of this book. I highly recommend this book.

I will definitely look out for more books by this author.

I found this book really moving and quite gripping in parts. It's not the sort of thing I'd normally pick up, but from very early on I started to care about the characters and wanted to know how their lives unfolded.

This book starts roughly in the 60s and comes right up to present day. It follows the lives of two families in north east US. All the characters feel real and flawed and complicated and I loved how the author didn't make any parts of their lives saccharine or soppy. That's not to say it wasn't moving - I had tears in my eyes twice whilst reading, but it always felt very real and raw.

For some characters, it's a coming of age story. For all the characters, it's a study about how life doesn't go the way you planned and you can't always behave the way you'd like. I think the themes here, particularly the theme of forgiveness, will stay with me and I'll turn them over for a while.

About two thirds of the way through the book did slow, but recovered. And sometimes there was too much 'tell' or I'd feel like a page was a summary of something that should have been more filled out. But overall I just think this is an absolute gem of a book that makes you reflect on the importance off love and kindness, to others and ourselves.

I did enjoy this book but found it a little slow in parts
It is a very poignant tale about 2 families whose lives were torn apart following a serious incident one day
The book takes the reader through the lives of the families both prior to and following the incident and leads us concisely through the years
Definitely a thought provoking novel worth reading and I would recommend to others

This was the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and the characters were well thought out.

Although the themes of mental health, alcoholism and the results of family trauma were investigated and portrayed credibly, in the main the characters themselves lacked the depth that would have lifted this book to a five star rating. I also found the title somewhat confusing.

Thank you though to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read this book and I wish it well on its publication..

The story of two childhood sweethearts who live next door to each other and how one tragic event pulls them apart . The story intertwines between all the characters in a gripping page turner. A really enjoyable read to the very end.

This is a compelling story of families, neighbours, mental health, addiction and above all forgiveness and love.

It is well written, with characters you actually care about and a story that spans forty years. It is a little drawn out in places but the last quarter of the book moved along quickly.

A gripping and emotional tale of two families growing up in the New York suburb of Gillam:
An emotionally charged novel, which maps the fortunes of two neighbouring families: The Gleesons and Stanhopes, as their children grow up. Both families have superficially much in common: Irish ancestry and both fathers are cops. Gradually however, the reader is made aware of their differences: the Gleesons are sociable, affable and responsible whilst the Stanhopes keep themselves to themselves: unusual in an immigrant community determined that their offspring will live the American Dream. Attempts by Lena, Francis Gleeson’s wife, to befriend the Stanhopes end in failure. As the novel progresses, we learn that the Stanhope family has serious fault lines which will have effects on all the community and the Gleeson family, in particular.
The story is mainly told through the eyes of Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope who become close childhood friends. The novel follows their coming of age, separation and later convergence after tragedy strikes. Can an individual overcome traits or genes in their family bloodline to lead a wholesome and fulfilling family life? Kate and Peter find that they face this challenge to achieve that.
This is Mary Beth Keane’s third novel and is a marvellous read: a novel which I found difficult to put down once I had started. That says a lot for the author, since the issues dealt with in “Ask Again Yes” are not those which I would normally choose to read about. My only negative comment on the novel is that I thought it might have benefited by being shorter. That comment aside, this is a novel about the good and bad in family life, and how, by pulling together, the good can overcome the bad. I highly recommend this novel to other readers.

I loved this book. Having read a few stinkers, this was the book I needed to make me remember why I love reading.

An enjoyable tale of two families who are linked throughout their lives. Engaging characters, interesting plot line and satisfying conclusion - this book is a joy.

This was a gripping read, so damn unexpected that I couldn't put the book down. One more chapter had me reading the book from midnight till 3am.

The story was about families and the problems that life brings with it. It told the story about the life of Kate and Peter neighbors who had known each other since forever. But the families had a past, a friendship turned sour where one night changed it all.

I thought it would be a good emotional read but it turned out to be a thriller which caught me in its grips and did not let me go till I finished the book. The story spanned decades, repercussions of one incident seen later when Kate and Peter wanted to marry. Characters were well etched, each made an impact.

A slow read in some parts, but overall an enjoyable one.

I got hooked on this book quickly and wanted to race through to the end. It was a captivating story with a small character list but spanning two generations and I liked the history this gave the characters. There were times when the writer lost me with some nuanced expression and I had to reread more paragraphs than I’d like a few times before shrugging and moving on (most often when the plot was skipping a few years and trying to catch us up) but this didn’t really matter, it was just a minor irritation. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys following a plot that is about characterisation.

This is a really cleverly written book. A pure family saga type drama with plenty to keep you interested in.

We have two families who end up living next door to each other.
Each character has its flaws or talent.
But something bad happens and one family move.

The two eldest from each family had grown fond of each other now only to be told to stay clear from one another.

I’ll be perfectly straight, I struggled at the beginning due to the style of the writing plus it was very slow moving.
I eventually understand one of the moms and her over reaction to things.
But there were several characters in this book which I tried to like. In the end I just gave up trying.

I tossed between three stars and four.

Let me tell you that the ending isn’t jaw dropping or amazing either, but, there was plenty in here that helped to redeem and overcome my negatives.

It was the emotions, the sincerity and the way that the author led me. I somehow became trapped within its pages. I had to read it. I had to finish it. There were life lessons within these pages that made my mind tick over.

Love and forgiveness and moving on is one of life’s hard lessons.
We tend to reflect on the past. And by doing so we ignore where we are right now.

Two families. Can they heal the rift?

The mental health in this book was written well.

I’ll be seeking out more from this author as she had my thoughts tossed all over the place. Now that’s making an impact!

Good. Interesting story. Centres on two families that live across from one another and how one tragic event can reverberate down the years. Deals with issues such as mental health and Alcoholism.

A really compelling family saga. Starting in the 60's with newly wed neighbours striving for the American dream in suburban New York. Their children Kate and Peter become inseparable friends. A tragedy strikes involving both families. A stunning story of friendship, love, loyalty and family. Taking us into present day the story involves Irish immigrations, NYPD, mental health, alcoholism and the strength of characters. A riveting story which had me enthralled and grabbing time whenever I could to pick up the book over the weekend.

Francis and Brian both Irish immigrants and both working for NYPD move into neighbouring houses with their wives and families. Francis has three girls and Brian one boy.
Francis's daughter Kate is best friends with Brian's son Peter but his mother,Anne doesn't approve of the friendship and does everything possible to keep them apart.

Anne is jealous,unpredictable and could be dangerous. Her husband has lived with this for years,has seen how she treats her son and ignores it,does nothing about it and that is the main reason everyone's lives fall apart.

After a catastrophic event we follow the lives of Kate and Peter and of their parents. We see how they come to terms with events and if there can ever be any kind of forgiveness.

This was such a good story. My feelings for Peter changed during the book.
First, I liked him,felt sorry for him then I lost my patience with him. Kate was a strong girl who turned into a strong,loyal woman.

The other events in the book, mental illness,alcoholism are dealt with sensitively.
Are there some things we can't forgive? Do we just accept that and get on with our lives? Why do some people run away and begin new lives while others stay and face up to what they have left to deal with.
I asked myself all those questions at the end of the book. Some were answered.
Good story,good ending.
This will be on my book review blog and Amazon on publication day.
www.bookswithwineandchocolate.blogspot.com

Two families inextricably linked by the events of one life changing evening. This is a story that by contrasts seemed filled with hope and yet ached with despair.

I was moved by the sadness which ran through the story. Both families touched by addictive natures of one kind or another. The story put across a real understanding of these forces and made me feel sad and sure there was no hope to be had for our two families - but, isn’t there always hope if we look hard enough and keep trying? Maybe - if someone is strong enough to keep battling.
This book is a captivating read and will draw you in and on to its conclusion.

Peter and Kate are neighbours that have known each other and been best freir did their whole lives, one day they both sneak out of the house to meet up, but trashed strikes when they arrive home. The book follows the lives of Peter and Kate from babies to adulthood and all the ups and downs that go with it. A story of friendship and love in good and bad times.

The book is beautifully written and flows well. Definitely a book I would recommend.

I really enjoyed this novel! Ordinarily I would have dismissed it as a romance based on the title, but I'm so glad I didn't because it is much more than that. It's a family saga that spans generations, with extraordinary insight into characters and their motivations in a well-researched and rich setting. So well-written and finely-wrought. Highly recommended for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Anne Tyler.

A really good family saga. There is a lot happening but through it all there is a lot of love and hope. My only gripe is that I thought that it was a little too long.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Kate and Peter grow up next door to each other. Their dads are policeman and Kate's mum would love to be friends with Peter's mum but she is rather cold and aloof.
Just as the two are beginning to explore new feelings for each other their lives are torn apart by a terrible tragedy
which badly affects the two families.
This is a compelling story of families, enduring love, tragedy and understanding. It is written with compassion and will stay with you long after the last page.

A really compelling read in an all-American setting.

Two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes, both move into a new neighbourhood, both fathers working together in the local police department; yet the mothers have less in common and Anne Stanhope actively avoids all social contact.

As the children, Peter Stanhope and Kate Gleeson form a firm friendship, tragedy strikes within the heart of their families.

An exploration of the impact of how our childhood experiences can form our future selves, this is beautifully written with characters to care deeply about.

A profoundly moving novel about two neighboring families in a suburban town, the friendship between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, and the power of forgiveness.

The novel deals with many issues such as mental health issues and alcoholism, all of which are beautifully written and have obviously been researched vigorously by the author. I had read the blurb and seen this book several times as it has appeared on many upcoming and new releases book lists. It drew me in & I was highly intrigued to know what the tragedy was. It was a fascinating read that I couldn't put down. The ending, although not surprising or astounding, summed the story up perfectly.

I honestly loved this book. It made me cry. Usually books that make me cry do so with either sadness or joy, but this was something in between.

I just loved the complexity and dimensions of the characters in this book. Keane takes the notion of a ‘protagonist’ and ‘antagonist’ and throws them in the bin.

Instead we follow two families, the Gleeson’s and the Stanhope’s, over a period of 40 years in New York. The main focus is on Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope and the evolution of their relationship over the four decades that the book spans; a relationship which endures violence and trauma against all odds.

Although Kate and Peter dominate the narrative we are also invited to view the world from others perspectives, namely their parents. Most of the characters featured, in their own way are deeply flawed. Yet they all are capable of unconditional love, of forgiveness and of repentance. I think this is what I enjoyed most about this story. The level of empathy that Keane creates is captivating and it undermines the idea that humans can be defined in black and white. The book questions the notion of a ‘happy ending’ and illustrates that they don’t always come in the way we expect.

If you enjoy family dramas, complex characters and a good old romance then definitely give this a go!

**I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FREE FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

'Ask Again, Yes' is a carefully-crafted family drama, exploring how a single tragic event shapes the lives of two families.

The writing is wonderfully assured and there are some beautiful moments of insight. I felt from the first few pages that I was in safe hands, and I quickly became immersed in the story. This is an author who really gets her characters.

I sometimes felt the pace was a little too measured - some chapters detail small moments, while others span years in a couple of sentences, but the prose never loses its steady rhythm. There were also moments when the characters thoughts felt a little too cloying, their actions too inevitable.

But I suppose this reiterates the main theme of the novel: that whatever happens, whatever tragedies fracture our lives, life goes on. 'Ask Again, Yes' touches on many dark issues - mental illness, alcoholism, abuse - but the underlying tone is always one of hope: this too shall pass.

An extremely enjoyable read, which at times brought me to tears. The characters were well drawn and believable which made the story all the more involving.

What a FANTASTIC read. This is not my normal genre but I was captured after the first couple of pages. Mary Beth Keane is on my "watch list" for the future. After reading the book I reflected on my childhood and friends I have had for over 50 years and how we were when we were growing up from 6 and the fun we had in our teens and how some changed for the better and some for the worse which made this book so real and honest even though it was set in the USA and my memories are of the UK. I recommend this book for people who like a good honest read and want to reminisce on their life and friends they have grown up with.

A family drama told over decades in beautifully realised detail.

Two NYPD rookies end up living next door to each other just outside of the city. They are definitely colleagues rather than friends, but their lives are forever interlinked first when their children Kate and Peter become friends, then after a tragic incident that none of them will ever be able to forget.

The author changes viewpoint and time period frequently as we follow these families through their lives. But somehow she draws them as real full people very quickly.

Peter's mother, Anne Stanhope, does not like the friendship between Peter and Kate. But then she doesn't like much of anything. It becomes clear that she has been struggling with severe mental illness for years without any help, and that Peter has been looking after himself (his father preferring to look the other way) for most of that time. When Anne is driven to extremes, Peter and his father move away and the friendship torn apart.

As the children grow up, the families try to repair themselves. One almost succeeds, the other definitely fails at the first hurdle. Then as adults, Kate and Peter rediscover each other and find that their inclination to spend as much time together as possible is still mutual. But what does that mean when their past is so broken?

This is a story of mental health, marriage and forgiveness, skilfully told. It has a few moments that moved a little slower than others, or I might've given it a 5, but then again I still might!

Really loved this book. Engaging family saga with a number of twists and turns. Tragic and heartwarming.

This reminds me of Anne Tyler...literature with a Liane Moriarty twist.
Two families live next door to each other. The fathers are both policemen, not friends but perhaps partners. Peter and Sara grow up together but the marriage of Peter's parents is damaged by her mental illness. A mistake, a gun and the two families are split apart.
Keane tells a story in a strangely dispassionate way, as if she is afraid to become involved. We are voyeurs, looking through the window of Peter and Kate's lives, in the same way as Peter's mother, Ann, watches them.
The objectivity of the narration seems almost to reflect the numbness of Ann, wanting to repair the past and not knowing how.
This is a deceptively simple story but what seems at first to be a "family drama" is far more complex than that. I suspect it will replay in my mind for some time as I unravel what makes these characters so real.

I don't often cry, but this made me. It's a story of two families - imperfect, hopeful, ordinary - and the love that connects them: that between the son of one family and the daughter of the other. It could so easily have been cliched, a contrived modern-day Romeo and Juliet - but the characters were all so real, so intricately drawn that it wasn't. Instead there was something epic about the scope of the novel. By the time I'd finished the novel, I'd spent so long with the characters, and believed in them so completely, I felt completely wrung out, I loved it.

From the moment I began reading Mary Beth Keane's story of a trauma that shatters the lives of neighbouring families in New York in the nineteen seventies, I was gripped. The characterisation is so authentic and the emotional narrative so compelling. It has the feel of an instant classic.

What is particularly appealing about Keane's writing is the way her characters develop. We witness them slowly gaining articulacy as they gradually come to terms with the mutability of history.

"A memory is a fact that's been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking unrecognisable to anyone else who was in that room," Kate, one of the central characters, concludes when reminded of an incident she witnessed in which a neighbouring child climbed a telephone pole only to get paralysed with fear when he had nearly reached the top. It's an event that she had entirely dismissed from her thoughts; but now, forced to recall it, she understands the emblematic significance it holds for herself and her husband.

This is what makes the writing so effective: we are witnessing the characters thinking their way through their own experience. And that experience has included shocking violence, mental illness, addiction and child abuse.

But this is no catalogue of misery. Keane's book is essentially optimistic. It's about survival through empathy, and the author displays an emotional reach that I found hugely impressive. Without a doubt this is the best book I have read this year.

I enjoyed this book, the characters drew me in to the story. The relationship between Kate and Peter was one I was rooting for in the book..

This is a beautifully crafted family saga. I absolutely loved it, from beginning to end. It tells the story, ultimately, of Peter and Kate, who live next door to each other as children, until terrible events intervene. The author has immense empathy, and made me see someone else's point of biew, in a way I never thought I would. I can not recommend this book highly enough.

I could barely put this book down, I actually read it for an hour before I put it down to add to Goodreads (as currently reading). This book certainly covers a lot of time the main characters being 20 at the start of the book and in their late 60's at the end.
There were plenty of twists and turns in this book and I liked all the characters (even the nasty ones)
I would certainly be looking for another book by Mary Beth Keane to read again.
After finishing the book I felt a little out of sorts, perhaps because I didn't feel that the characters story was finished, but it wouldn't stop me recommending it to other people as a good read.

An amazing opus of a book. Keane has created a labyrinth structure of a novel featuring memorable characters, the setting of recent late millennium gives a nostalgic tinge that you would think of how Revolutionary Road or Ford novels read. I have cherished reading this book when I can, long but savoured every page

I loved this book - I have already recommended via social media and will continue to do so closer to publication. It is the sort of big American family novel that I love - reminded me of Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer and so on. The author does an excellent job of getting inside the heads of complicated characters and really making you care.

My one criticism is the title - which of course makes sense when you finish the book, but will sell the book to no-one and gives very little sense of what it is.

Wow!!!
This book!
I was immediately invested in the story.
The writing was beautiful.
The ending brilliant.
A coming of age so heartbreakingly real.
I felt my heart in pain and also be hopefull for this characters.
Probably one of my favorite characters was Lena.
the story begins with Brian Stanhope days as a new copy and evolves as the characters!
Thank you so much for the opportunity of reading this one!

Wow! This started off a little slowly for me but it didn't take long to be drawn in, thanks to beautiful writing and extremely well-drawn characters. Once I got into it I didn't want to put it down and was totally enthralled in this family saga about two families whose intertwined lives across three generations are fraught with trauma and complication. Mary Beth Keane writes so well that you cannot help but feel drawn into the life of the characters, each with their own flaws and issues, and as I got further into the book I felt more and more emotionally invested in each and every one of them.

Whilst at a simple level it is a story about two families dealing with life and all that it throws at us, what for me set this book apart was the extent to which I found myself thinking about it and reflecting when I wasn't reading it, primarily about how much baggage we all carry in life and how much it affects everything we do as well as all those around us. It is for that reason it will stay with me long after I have finished turning the pages.

It was a slow-moving novel and verbose on a lot of unnecessary trivia. At last, the plot shifts gear with a tragedy and nothing is ever the same again. I was unfamiliar with their strange lifestyle, social interaction and dialogue. There’s an admirable insight into the ignorance over mental illness. After which, everything settled into a humdrum phase, and it dips again into tranquil obscurity. It was brought out well how children perceive their parents and accept their eccentricities and idiosyncrasies as the norm until they grow older and start to understand matters. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph.

Not my normal genre but I did enjoy this book. There were interesting twists and difficult topics handled very well and it was beautifully written throughout. I had sympathy with most of the characters and found that I cared what happened to them. Recommended.

This story will test your emotions to their limit. It deals with some deep and difficult issues. Its a powerful, moving story. Beautifully written. Its hard to describe the book without giving too much away. I would just say, grab a copy plus a box of tissues and read for yourself.

I tried this again and LOVED it! I loved Kate and Peter and Francis especially. I loved how the book took us over forty years within two families. Loved it.

I could not drag myself away from the haunting, sad story of how a family passes on its dysfunction to next generation. Fathers and sons are cops, the women are home makers and office workers. But one major tragic event, and a sequence of mental disability turns the two linked families to near lethal solutions, haunting their lives in ways they don't always suss out themselves. It wraps up realistically if sadly but well worth hanging in.

I love a good family saga. Ask Again, Yes is a compelling one, a great read to get yourself lost in. It follows the lives of Gleeson and Stanhope families over a span of forty years. Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope meet as rookie cops in New York in 1973 and end up living next door to each other in the suburbs. While Francis’s wife, Lena tries to make friends with the neighbours, Anne, Brian’s wife is standoffish. Kate, Gleesons’ youngest daughter and Peter, Stanhopes’ son become best friends on a cusp of something more until a tragedy separates them and Stanhopes move away. Over the years that follow we see Kate, Peter, Anne and Francis as they move on with their lives.

At times profoundly moving, Ask Again, Yes is about love and forgiveness, mental illness, abandonment and addiction. Keane writes with great sensitivity and humanity, especially about mental illness and learning to live with and move on from past mistakes. At times, I felt deeply for some of the characters but, at others, I felt that the book was somewhat slow and uneven and wished that Keane gave us more than a glimpse into other characters. I had questions about Brian, Lena, the two elder Gleeson sisters that I did not find answers to. Still, this is a very good book, beautifully written and observed.

My thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Ask Again, Yes.

Stretched over four decades, Ask Again, Yes, is a deeply moving and poignant story of two families bound together by a tragedy that is impossible to forget and hard to forgive. Next door neighbours, Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are both cops in the NYPD, both newly married and with children on the way. Francis' wife Lena is keen to be friends with her neighbour Anne, but Anne does not wish to have anything to do with her neighbours. Their children, Peter and Kate are born only 6 months apart from each other and become friends despite Anne's disapproval and her strange behaviour which is getting out of control.

There's been a bit of hype surrounding Ask Again, Yes and after reading it, I believe it is justified. I love a good family drama, especially the ones that span over a lifetime with a cast of characters you get to know and like. This is definitely one of those books. The character and plot development was slow to start with, but once you get through the first few chapters, you will want to stay around the two families to see how their lives progress and where their story goes. What I appreciated in the book was the contrast between the two families - flawed Stanhopes versus lovely Gleesons - and then suddenly the realisation that the seemingly unblemished characters such as Francis Gleeson also had their flaws. The book also deals with some tough issues such as alcoholism and mental illness which I found to be portrayed in a sensitive but realistic way.

Ask Again, Yes is a fascinating story about relationships, love and ultimately, forgiveness that I recommend to anyone interested in relationships and nuances of human behaviour. Many thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely beautiful read!

This story explores love, forgiveness and the ability to move on. It questions whether we can move on and how this will define and impact on our lives. This book profoundly affected me and made me think of my own family and upbringing.

I implore you to read this.

Oh.My.God. What a book! I really loved this one. This is a story about 2 families and their relations over a period of time. Peter and Kate are kind of the main characters, they're connected by the same neighbourhood. The opening of the book starts in 1970's and their fathers are working together as policemen.
Mary Beth Keane, is a storyteller. The dialogue, the plot, it's all amazing, and I loved this book full of amazing characters, beautiful scenes, this will be something that will be staying with me!

A beautiful exploration of the power of relationships and the strengths and weaknesses of individuals within and between two families connected through the fathers' tenuous friendship. This is a family saga, following the twists and turns of both the mundane and the dramatic, through many years. Mary Beth Keane writes both happiness and tragedy equally fluently and draws such authentic characters with depths that she draws on throughout the narrative. I will look out for this author and certainly recommend her books.

This would not usually be my preferred genre of novel, however once I started reading it I did not want to put it down. This is a powerfully written family drama which begins in the early 70’s with the partnering-up of 2 rookie NYPD police officers and follows how their lives and the lives of their families become linked over decades by friendship, love, tragic events etc. Difficult subjects are very much part of the story and include mental illness, addiction, betrayal and so much more. The book is so well written the characters become people you feel are real, who you can empathise with and believe in. I highly recommend.

Ask Again, Yes is a set in New York and covers two families intertwined forever during the course of their lives.
A family saga type drama that was both heartbreaking yet uplifting.
A fast paced book filled with secrets, betrayal, attempted murder, family feuds, mental health, infidelity, alcoholism and ghosts of the past.
I read this slowly and digested every piece of information, as there is so much to keep you interested.
I normally read thrillers, so this is a step away from my usual genres, but I quite enjoyed this. I must admit I spent a lot of the book wondering what was going on and where this book was heading, but it kept my attention and left me wanting to read more.
A very talented writer, she writes with empathy and and concern for her character, emotions you as the reader also feel.
It’s raw, it’s real and touching. Relationships are messy, and Keane portrays this brilliantly.

Excellent!
This was a compelling and thought provoking read. Set in the suburbs of NYC this is the tale of two Irish American families, living side by side whose lives and woven together on one fateful day.
A mature and sensitive exploration of the subjects of mental health and addiction, provoking the age old questions of nature over nurture. Is it our experiences and circumstances that’s define us or we all held hostage to our genetic make up.

A really great read, very absorbing, very sad but uplifting at the same time, hooked me from start to finish, a story about family and tragedy and how it can all still come together

One of my favourite books this year. Two policemen in New York marry and end up living next door to eVh other in the suburbs. Their lives intertwined, their youngest children the very best of friends. Until a terrible event shatters them forever. Reminded ,e strongly of Ann Patchett in that I could have happily just read this forever. I didn’t need a plot, or a compulsion to keep turning because it was full of twists and turns. Just fantastic engaging writing with two truly memorable families. I’d be underselling this by describing this as family drama. Go read it!

Two rookie cops, Francis and Brian, patrol together in New York for 6 weeks. They move to adjacent houses in an upstate suburb. Brian's wife is standoffish and the families don't socialise. Brian's only son and Francis' youngest daughter become soul-mates though. A dramatic event changes all their lives,

A story of love, compassion, human decency and redemption. An emotional family drama well told.

Ask Again, Yes tells the story of two families - the Gleesons and the Stanhopes - over several years, focusing particularly on the friendship between the youngest Gleeson daughter, Kate, and Peter, the only child of the Stanhopes.
The book centres around a tragedy which has a lasting impact on both families, and explores both the circumstances leading up to that event, and the journeys of the families as they try to move forward and find peace.
It is beautifully written - I was completely drawn in and wanted to read more. The characters are vivid and realistic, each with their own flaws and issues but very relatable.
The book touches on themes such as love, family ties, friendship, mental illness, addiction, and forgiveness, which means that while it's an easy and enjoyable read it is also thought-provoking, and it is definitely one that will stick with me.

4.5 stars

This was a fantastic family drama. Mental health and addiction are two of the main themes in the story of two families who live next door to each other, and spend their lives intertwined.

A must read - beautifully written and completely engrossing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Pubishing for the ARC of this book!

This is a moving story of families and love. At times it felt quite slow and drawn out but as it spanned over several decades I felt this was right. Beautifully written.

Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a great read; the story had a good pace, not an overly complex plot but the characterisation made for quite a profound, intense book. I enjoyed it and will look out for this author.

A most wonderful book. There is lots going on and there are dramatic events, but these are almost secondary to the characters and their relationships. The writing is beautiful - gentle and heartfelt.
I loved it.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

I absolutely loved this, it was exactly my sort of book. Subtle and profound, an enjoyable and moving journey through the lives of two families. It made important points about mental health and addiction, touching on big topics and tragedy whilst also showing that they're the fabric of normal life. It felt similar to a Celeste Ng or Anna Quindlen title where both everything and nothing happens.

I adored this book about 'suburban' life in New York state. Thinking back I don't think that many of the characters were likeable, but that certainly doesn't stop your enjoyment.

The novel paints a rather harsh picture of how families and family history can impact on one's life but, apart from one major event, it's all about the minutiae of everyday life.

‘Ask Again, Yes’ is a totally absorbing read, beautifully crafted and written with empathy and care. This novel pretty much encapsulates everything about life; love, pain, faults, goodness, misunderstandings, judgements, prejudice and reconciliation. This is the bittersweet love story of Kate and Peter and that of their families, stretching from the 1970s to the present day. Two families, with some lives lived well and others living with awful repercussions and terrible remembrances.

Kate and Peter are childhood best friends and next door neighbours. They just know that they will be together forever: that is until there is a dreadful incident which drives their families apart for decades. When Kate and Peter find each other again they face the challenge of bringing their families to some kind of reunion, whilst individually suffering from their memories of the past. The narrative delves into the darker aspects of family life, mental illness, alcoholism, mental and infidelity.

This is not my normal genre but I was fully engrossed in the story and totally invested in the lives of Kate and Peter. The characters are beautifully drawn and the descriptions of addiction and mental illness are created with sensitivity and compassion. The relationships described are deeply moving and complex. This is the kind of book that I would read more than once. It is a wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of two families, the Stanhopes' and the Gleesons', and covers approximately forty years of their lives.
The families are linked first because the two dads' work together for six weeks one summer in the seventies, and that's where the story begins.
This was wonderful. It was exquisitely written, and I will definitely read anything else that this author puts out.
This book is not the genre that I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the character of Peter best, and loved the way his life went in the book. It felt very real, and absolutely understandable about the drinking, because of what happened to him in his early life.
I thought all the characters were real, flawed people. Honestly, I felt like they could be living in a neighbourhood somewhere, they were so well-drawn.
Highly recommend this book, it was an excellent read, and will stay with me for a long time.

3.5 rounded up

A solid novel covering around four decades which tells the story of two neighbouring families whose lives become inextricably intertwined after a tragic incident takes place. I'd describe this as great book club fodder but don't let that put you off -- while it's a family saga on the impacts of mental health and alcoholism on relationships it makes for an engaging and compelling read. More on the women's fiction side of literary fiction, but I reckon it'd make for a great beach read for many.

Beautifully written. Looking back at childhood from an adult’s View. I found this absolutely mesmerising.
4/5 on goodreads.

I throughly enjoyed this book, it was calming despite the heavy story line. The story was delivered in such a lovely way that it wasn’t a read where your heart is in your mouth but you were quietly rooting for them all as people, as family and as a whole.
Some books with a storyline like this you have a racing heart and rush through the pages to find out who did it but this was transparent and not a book to be rushed though I did finish it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down!
It made me smile, laugh, tear up and even silently, willing them to move forward with their lives.
It’s special with many levels to the story but still I felt a calmness whilst reading it which is quite an achievement.
It’s written in such a clever and new way and I’m happy I’ve read it.
I will praise this book and the author to everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book, it reminded me a little of Little Fires Everywhere which is not a bad thing! Spanning four decades, it tells the story of two families who live next door to each other, their highs and lows, friendships and tragedies. It was easy to get swept up in the narrative, particularly Kate and Peter's stories-their friendship despite the circumstances. There's a lot in the book but it's the characters that make it. They're so well drawn and I cared about each and every one.

Ask Again, Yes is an epic family saga that follows the lives of two families from the early 1970s to the present day. It is hard to review without giving too much away, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was extremely compelling - one of those books you look forward to reading, and take time out of your day for. The characters are well-developed and multi-faceted, and it deals with some difficult, very important topics. Keane does a great job at exploring and explaining each character’s perspective, and I was pleased to find myself constantly questioning my own reactions to them. If I have one criticism, it’s that it was slightly too long for me personally, and became a little repetitive just before the end. At a few points I wondered “what is the point of all this?” But overall, believe the hype and definitely read it to form your own opinion.

I have to be honest, Psychological thrillers aren't usually my thing, and I did take a little time to get in to the story, but once I was in there, I was IN there!

A tale of two dysfunctional families with ties to each other that become tighter, as they try to loosen them.

Can I liken this a little to Romeo and Juliet?

Possibly.

Two children who have grown up together.
Two teenagers who feel the beginnings of affection for each others.
Two families with issues.
One gun.
One shot.
Many lives changed as a result.

What does this book cover? Alcoholism. Depression. Mental health. Attempted murder. Forbidden love. Fractures relationships between parents and their child.

It was pretty intense.

Two rookie cops end up partnered together, and though it's not so much a friendship, their connection runs deeper, as they become neighbours. This story follows the twists and turns of their families relationships with one another, especially after a huge tragedy.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin and Michael Joseph for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

This is a family drama - I quite enjoyed it - I wouldn't say I was wowed by it but maybe I need to reread to get all the subtleties

The story jumps about a little too much for me - I think too many characters, the mix was a little confusing at times - For me, this lost a little bit of focus - there were no clear protagonists for me

I think I need to reread with no distractions - maybe on a beach !!

Have you ever read a book which you couldn’t put down? Well this was the book for me. Even though I knew I had an very early airport drop off for my son I was still page turning into the small hours.

Set over four decades from Ireland to New York we read of two families whose husbands are both in the NYPD . They find themselves neighbours in Gilliam, a suburb of New York . Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are work buddies , but their friendship doesn’t extend to their personal lives. Lena Gleeson is finding life lonely in the suburbs and hopes the arrival of Ann Stanhope will bring her companionship but with all her best efforts, Ann seems not to share Lena’s hopes.

The two woman have babies six months apart, Kate and Brian. The closeness and friendship which evade their mothers , happen naturally between the children. Childhood happy experiences bond them together. Kate lives a blessed life in the Gleeson home but Brain struggles to find happiness in his more troubled family. As teenagers their lives are changes forever by a tragic event which tears both the families apart leaving the teenagers no option but to try and forget each other.

Can love conquer all? Or do life's events get in the way? Will Peter and Kate be reunited? These were the burning questions which kept me page turning. As an adult we see things from a different angle as when we were children. Hopefully we learn events have consequences and not everything is black and white. Everyone reacts to experiences differently and I feel this was eloquently explored throughout this book. Many times I found a part of the book heartbreaking only to understand it fully as the whole story unfolded.

The authors emphatic writing style is brilliant, I felt I personally knew the characters. Having experienced some of the issues personally I felt they were so well explored. Mental health, addiction, cancer, tragedy, police families and early retirement were all portrayed, but forgiveness and love were the major ones I took with me. In her acknowledgements the writer says the only secret of love is kindness , and this resounds throughout this beautiful book. I can’t recommend reading this enough thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my copy.

I'm adding this book to my recent favourites. I loved it, lived with it, and didn't want it to end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this. I want to read it all over again.

Ask Again, Yes was compelling from start to finish. It’s a family saga, but more specifically the growing up and growing together of two children from very similar yet very different families through both extreme and ordinary circumstances.

The story jumps around various time frames, particularly in the first half of the novel, and also focuses on different characters at different points. At times I found this a little frustrating, simply because it meant some blanks in the story weren’t fully developed, and because I wanted to see events from a particular character’s perspective.

The plot has a sense of inevitability despite some twists, but I was please there is no easy or cliched conclusion and found the ending satisfying.

Although the plot and characters are different, this did remind me a little of Saints for all occasions, which I also loved!

Overall: I thought the writing was fantastic, I quite liked the characters and found they had good depth to them. However, for me, the plot let this book down. It started off pretty well paced, and I was really enjoying the build up to “the incident” but after this it slowed down significantly and didn’t really go anywhere …There was also quite a lot of summarising as we were taken through the years of the characters lives - sometimes pretty quickly. Unfortunately, this book didn’t wow me.
will be on blog tomorrow

'Ask Again, Yes' is a complex story of two families who are neighbours, the Stanhopes and the Gleesons. Two of their children have been friends since childhood until one day a tragedy rips them apart.

Many themes are explored in the novel: love, family relationships, friendship, loyalty, mental health, addiction and forgiveness, which make for an enthralling story. However, although beautifully written, for me the narrative dragged in some places. I felt it lost some momentum even with the variety of issues affecting the families.

Finally, what does the title 'Ask Again, Yes' mean?

Thanks to NetGalley and PenguinMichaelJoseph for the opportunity to read and review this book.

When I saw Meg Wolitzer had endorsed this book, I knew it’d be a winner. I love novels that centre around families and this is exactly what Ask Again, Yes does.

Set in New York, we follow the lives of the Stanhope and Gleeson families, in particular the relationship between Peter and Kate. Spanning a number of decades you really get to know each family and the way in which one particular incident is the catalyst to the rest of their lives.

I really enjoyed how Keane explored the complexities of families and intertwined themes of mental health, addiction, forgiveness and friendship (to name a few) throughout the plot. As the book progresses my heart was constantly pulled apart- I felt anger, empathy, hope and betrayal for both families.

I was completely engrossed whilst reading Ask Again, Yes and I don’t think I appreciated what an amazing job Keane had done until I let the story sit with me for a while.

Mary Beth Keane's Ask Again, Yes is a character driven drama that examines two families surviving through trauma and affirms that, despite all the set backs and hurt, life is still worth living. In these dark days of political turmoil and social media slanging matches, Ask Again, Yes focuses on the things that matter closer to home. The best times come with support and love from those close to you, and forgiveness and understanding to those who we could so easily harbour hate.
The author treats all the characters very sympathetically and you can understand their motives and emotions. I did start off worrying that Anne's state of mental health was just going to be used as a trigger for events and not explored but I was later reassured by the handling of this subject as well as other issues.

This is a novel spanning several decades and following the fortunes of two families. It starts with the introduction of two rookie NYPD officers who don’t have much in common but soon find themselves living next door to each other. Francis Gleeson’s daughter Kate and Brian Stanhope’s son become close but the four parents don’t have a close relationship at all.

A shocking incident then occurs and the after effects reverberate throughout the novel. Although a crime takes place this is not crime fiction but an exploration of the cycle of violence, love, forgiveness and redemption. Difficult issues such as mental illness, addiction, loss and rehabilitation are explored and these themes are handled sensitively and without sensationalism.

Keane’s writing is superb and this is a truly engrossing saga. It’s also a brilliant character study and one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. The characters are not always likeable and make some bad decisions but I found myself drawn to them and rooting for them.

The only part that fell a little flat for me was the beginning as I felt it took a while to get going and wasn’t immediately drawn into the story of Francis and Brian. Once it all started to unfold though the plot flowed brilliantly and I couldn’t wait to learn more about the families.

Thank you very much to Netgalley, the publisher and Mary Beth Keane for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I found this a fascinating read full of emotion. Gripping and a real page turner. Extremely well written and manages to hold the reader's attention from beginning to end. Brilliant read.

An interesting, well written book although at times depressing.
Skilfully written with excellent descriptions and narrative.
The story focuses around two families in New York from the seventies through the noughties - with serious issues in one family which leads to attempted murder.
Deals with some very challenging issues including abuse, alcoholism and mental illness.
As an Irish woman I was disappointed in the usual Irish ‘drinking’ problem which featured throughout the book.
I am not sure that all the storylines were believable - someone forgiving a person for shooting them and almost destroying their family is a bit hard to accept - particularly for someone who grew up in NI Troubles and worked in the medical field in Belfast during that time.
It did have a good hook and I was intrigued to see how it ended.

It took me a little while to get into this because it’s so unclear what and who it’s actually about in the beginning, but I’m really glad I got there in the end. It starts with two police officers in New York in the 1970s but that’s just the first layer of the unravelling onion that is this novel. Although there are clear protagonists eventually (Peter and Kate, the police officers’ children), the narration zooms in and out of them, and shifts to other characters and slightly different timelines, meaning that the reader gets a really broad view of the story. The slightly detached narration, as well as the focus on drama and trauma within families, actually reminded me a lot of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, which I love. I would say that I would have liked a little bit more on Kate and her motivations though, as Peter’s story often dominated.

When I first started reading I wasn’t sure that I wanted to know about the lives of Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope a couple of 1970’s NYPD rookies , the writing kept me reading and I’m glad I did. The characters of the novel are all well fleshed out and they drive this story, spanning 40 or so years, forwards. The two men move into different areas of the police force, each marries and moves out to the city’s suburbs and they end up as neighbours .. The adults don’t really mix ; Anne,Brian’s wife is viewed as “off” by Lena ,Francis’s wife ( turns out Anne is mentally ill something not really understood in those times) however, the children do. Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope are pretty much inseparable until one day a horrible tragedy occurs and Kate is forbidden from seeing Peter again . The rest of the story looks at how we are affected by things that happen throughout our life and how the past looks different when viewed from the future. Loss, addiction, mental illness , perseverance are just a few of the themes in this brilliant novel .

The story is about two neighbouring families - how a tragedy turns everyone's life uoside down,mental illness and alcoholism(both not recognised or acknowledged),and the road to forgiveness.The husband's had started out as rookie NYPD cops ,One,Francis Gleeson , did well ,progressed up the ranks and had a promising future ahead of him..The other ,Brian Stanhope , didn't do as well and was an alcoholic .
They ended up living next door to each other with two of the children - Francis' youngest daughter,Kate ,and Brian's son ,Peter,becoming inseparable .
Their childhood friendship was abruptly brought to an end by a violent incident in the Stanhope household one evening.This resulted in Francis being seriously injured ,Peter's mum,Anne,being detained in a psychiatric institution and Peter going to live with his uncle.
The intervening years sees ups and downs in both their lives - more so for Peter - but they still seem to retain some form of telepathy.
Eventually they find each other again and marry though the Gleesons are non too pleased as they are unable to forgive Peter's mother for her actions and the subsequent consequences to their lives.
It's Kate who reaches out to Anne ,albeit in desperation,when she realises that Peter is following in his father's footsteps and is an alcoholic.
Eventually there is forgiveness. all round.
The story unfolds through the eyes of the different characters,so you really get under their skin and feel as if you too are involved in the rollercoaster that is their lives..-though sometimes thee jumps in time got a bit confusing.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it

This book was simply incredible. It's already getting rave reviews and I can see why. Although on the surface, most of the story is about family life and how it ebbs and flows, the characters were beautifully portrayed. And the main event in the book - an accident which affects everyone in the story - was described really well, it wasn't the focus of the whole narrative, which I loved. I really connected with the characters and still think about them, a few weeks after finishing. A fabulous, fabulous book which I really didn't want to end.

This family saga is quite a heavy read, woven through with melancholy threads concerning loneliness, loss (of homeland, family, children and more), alcoholism, mental illness, and physical impairment.

However, threads of the best of humanity run alongside - fellowship, love, loyalty, strength of character, determination, optimism. recovery, and forgiveness.

It's a book that plays with your emotions - particularly if you've ever had experience of any of the sad times that some of the characters go through - but it's heartening too.

Not a book for holiday reading - or if you are feeling remotely melancholy already - but a worthwhile read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC.

This is a long and flowing drama across two generations of two families in the suburbs, the Gleesons and the Stanhope. The fathers are both police officers, and Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope are friends from an early age, always seeking each other out. Their families are torn apart by a shocking event one night, and the rest of the book follows them as each character tries to come to terms with what has happened and find a way to live with it. It feels very long (not in a bad way), and Keane writes with generous sympathy and care for every single character, even those who are more challenging. There’s a lot of love at the core of this book, and forgiveness too.

I received an ARC of this book via net galley. Two police officers meet in training and end up as partners for a short period eventually becoming neighbours. This book chronicles their lives and the lives of their family, but particularly the relationship between the youngest Gleeson child and the only son of the Stanhopes.

It is beautifully written with pivotal events throughout, yet at the same time the narrative is almost "soft".
I particularly liked the way the narrative moves backwards and forwards in time through the eyes of the different characters. The author manages to imbue each character with something to like although none of them are perfect. She crafts relationships that engender love and grief, tragedy and hope.

This is an author to watch

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, but overall, I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s beautifully written, at times quite haunting and evocative. It’s a family saga which covers two families over some forty years. There’s drama, heartbreak, loss but there’s also live and I found it totally immersive. It made a change from my usual genre and I enjoyed it.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

An epic read of family saga. Lots of sensitive issues covered as we follow the two families over 4 decades as their lives intertwine. A long read and quite a slow burner, this is a good holiday read.

Ask Again, Yes is a character driven family saga and it is filled with plenty of drama and character depth. If you appreciate a good literary fiction novel, look no further. The story covers three family generations as you see the way these families are affected by a tragedy. There is some light mystery in the way that Big Little Lies is considered a mystery. Readers who enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere will want to check out Ask Again, Yes. Highly recommended!

I've not read any books by this author but was nicely surprised. I must admit it took me a few chapters to get into it but once I did I loved it and just wanted to keep reading. Whilst I have no knowledge of the American Police or alcoholism I could easily follow the story line and engage with the characters. The different characters and their relationships was interesting and the author kept us guessing the outcomes several times which I enjoyed. Each chapter also had a different character taking the lead and although I can't pretend to like each character I did enjoy the book and her writing style. Thank you Mary Beth Keane and NetGallery

Oh what a book ! I absolutely loved this . It is a poignant story about 2 families- their relationships and the tragedy that changes their lives forever .. Your heart goes out to each character as we learn of the struggles they try and overcome. It's fabulous -I urge you to read it -5 stars from me !

Thankyou Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

Ask Again, Yes is one of my favourite books of 2019. It begins with an introduction to Francis and Lena Gleeson and a glimpse into their family history. The pace is languid, reflective of the hot weather described in the first few chapters. I loved the slow build up to the heart of the story which really begins when we are introduced to the Stanhopes. Anne and Brian, haunted by tragedy have one son, Peter who becomes best friends with the Gleeson's daughter Kate. This friendship is to shape the lives of all around them. Keane writes perceptively and sensitively about mental ill health and the effect it has not just on the person with the condition, but also how it affects loved ones. Historically, there was a stigma and a lack of knowledge about how to treat mental health conditions and while Anne is destructive and at times cruel and vindictive, it is a testament to Keane's writing that we are also able to feel a level of empathy for her as we see her as a victim of her own ill health.

As the story builds and Peter and Kate are reunited many years later following a tragic event, we are privy to the reality of marriage and the damage childhoods can wreak. Keane tackles alcoholism and the insidious nature of addiction. Ultimately Ask Again, Yes is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, it's capacity for forgiveness and the power of love. I enjoyed every word of this beautiful and moving story. It did everything a good book should. It made me forget the world around me existed. It made me cry, it made me smile. And feeling slightly bereft when I turned the last page. Authentic and poignant. I can't recommend this book enough.

This was a story which was gripping from beginning to end. Two families whose children are friends but one of the mothers causes problems. A tragedy shatters the families and the children move off to college. Can their friendship be reignited in the future or is the damage too great?

I enjoyed the depth in which the writer explored each character and the character's relationships with other characters. The interactions and responses were life like and real meaning it was easy to imagine yourself in the shoes of the characters. Looking at other reviews this seems to be a love it or hate it book, I loved it and would recommend that everyone reads it to find out which they are.

I’ll not rehash the plot, since the publishers’ blurb says as much as could be said without giving it all away. I will say this is a perfect American family story, charting several generations through good times and bad. It touches on a few important issues, including mental illness, alcoholism, parental responsibility, to name just a few, all handled with sensitivity and in a non-judgemental way. Characterisation is key and, since that is the main thing I look for in my reading, I was happy. Characters are not set in stone - those who seem most unsympathetic at the beginning become more understandable and forgivable by the end. All done with an impressively delicate and subtle touch.

Terrific writing - a couple of examples:

‘[She] thought about their wedding day as a conclusion to something, where he thought about it as a beginning. Rising action versus falling action. They were reading different books.
….
And besides, if their marriage was a conclusion to something, what did that mean for every day that came after?’

‘He let that swell over him like a wave, and when he looked up from the black water, his chest full, his body tired, the sky looked more blue than when he went under.’

Highly recommended.

An enjoyable family saga, which kept me gripped all the way through. I would definitely recommend it as a great holiday read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book about family life

this book is so much more than mental health issues and how it wasnt dealt with properly, its about family life and how things are swept under the carpet, how some people walk away and how some people are dealt a vicious blow and try to recover and how all the little itty bitty things in life can suck but how people can come through life and feel happiness and contentment

this is a book that makes you feel all sorts of emotions...to peter who has to grip onto life and grab all that he can to take control

to the other family that have to come to terms with how life dealt that an awful blow and how they slowly got on with life

a gripping novel that makes you want to carry on reading to find out what happens to all the characters and how their lives pan out

another author to keep an eye out for

Oh, I love a good family drama.

Ask Again, Yes is a book about the members of two families-- the Gleesons and the Stanhopes. They are first brought together through the New York City police academy when young rookies Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope work together. Later, they become neighbours and start families next to one another. Except any chance of cordiality between them is destroyed on one fateful night.

This is one of those intimate character portraits that explores the interactions between the characters in depth and with an unusual level of insight into human nature. There are some perfectly-crafted scenes where as the reader I felt like, yes, that is exactly how someone would behave in that situation. While the book is busy focusing on the characters, many issues emerge over the course of the novel, integrated so seamlessly that it wasn't until I looked back at the end that I fully appreciated what Keane had done.

I don't want to make the book seem sentimental, because it is not at all. But it is very empathetic, and the author writes each character with love and sensitivity. Anne's mental illness causes ruptures in her marriage with Brian, amongst other things, while the Gleesons seem determined to honor commitment no matter what troubles befall them.

I love the understanding that consequences can be far-reaching, both over time and to other people. The book follows the Gleeson daughter, Kate, and the Stanhope son, Peter, over many years, and yet they can never fully escape their beginnings.

You probably know by now if this is a YOU book. It's one of those for readers who like to explore the nuances of human behaviour and relationships. An obvious choice if you loved Ng's Little Fires Everywhere.

A superb read, predominantly about two Irish-American families in New York, beginning with the two men (Brian and Francis) meeting on the job as NYPD officers. What follows is an epic journey through the lives of the Stanhopes and the Gleesons, with Peter and Kate destined to be together despite their families’ differences.

‘Ask Again, Yes’ is accomplished and complex. Initially, Peter and Kate have a perfect relationship, until Peter’s mother, Anne, commits a crime, perhaps through no fault of her own, which has life-changing consequences for both families. Anne gets locked away in institutions for years; her husband Brian leaves for North Carolina, and Peter ends up staying with his uncle George - a fairly stable, caring influence in his life. Peter and Kate go their own separate ways, finally finding each other despite their lives being very different.

This is a sad novel but Keane manages to marry pathos will a sense of spending a significant amount of time with a family who deserve empathy and respect. I hope others enjoy this as much as I did.

I absolutely loved this winding tale of a book. Parts of Peter's lonely teenage years reminded me of "White Oleander." Not quite as poetic but equally as beautiful.

I enjoyed the exploration that villains aren't always who they seem. By the end of the book I felt like the true villain of this story was circumstance and I truly cared for each of the characters.

A great read with some differing twists and turns. Demonstrating the trials and tribulations of family life and the impact of learned behaviour.

I loved this book, it covered so much. Family, friendship, love, mental health, depression, alcoholism, betrayal, tragedy and so much more, set from the 1970s to present day. The characters were realistic and I felt the author showed great empathy with them. This is one of those books that will stay with me and make me think about life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I took this novel by accident and don't have time to read or review it. I really apologise but it is not to my personal taste though I am sure it is very good.

I was offered this book out of the blue by Penguin/Michael Joseph and at first glance on Netgalley I almost turned it down. It didn't look as though it fitted into the genres I normally read and wasn't sure it was something I would enjoy. I am so glad I decided to take up the offer to read this book as it is a magnificent family saga.

Spanning four decades it examines the lives of two men who met at the New York police academy and were partners for a few weeks in the early 1970s.

We are given a few clues about their different personalities and how those traits will determine their futures. Those clues are subtle. Most will only become obvious upon refection after the book is finished.

Both couples move to the suburbs and start their own families. They are neighbours and we get to compare and contrast their lives. Francis and Leena Gleeson have three daughters while Brian and Anne struggle with miscarriages and eventually have a son.
Brian and Anne's son, Peter, and Francis and Lena's daughter, Kate, are inseparable. They embody the best and worst traits of their parents and we see glimpses of these traits being handed down to the next generation as well.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, mental health problems were not often recognised and if recognised not taken seriously. Anne's failing mental health and the problems it causes for both families is central to the story and led me to ask all sorts of what-if questions such as what if Anne had been diagnosed and treated earlier, what if her symptoms had been taken seriously, what if Brian had acknowledged the problems in his life instead of turning a blind eye in order to live a quiet life.

I found this book made me ask those serious questions without the book itself becoming overly profound or too earnest. It could be read as a simple multi-generational love story where a couple faces trials and tribulations but get together and stay together for a lifetime but I found it was deeper than that, it asked questions and required me to think about the solutions.

I couldn’t put this book down, returning to it as often as I possibly could. A page-turner, unputdownable, edge of seat stuff.
Relating the turbulent history of two families, entwined through love and hatred. A great read!

Ask Again, Yes is a moving, emotionally nuanced story of two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes. They are next-door neighbors when the novel opens. The adults are never more than acquaintances, in large part due to Mrs Stanhope’s odd and unfriendly behaviour towards the Gleesons, but the Gleeson’s youngest daughter, Kate, and the Stanhope’s only child, Peter, are childhood best friends-turned-sweethearts. Their relationship is torn apart in their teens when an incident of terrible violence occurs between the two families and the novel then follows Kate and Peter through their lives, as they reconnect after many years of separation and deal with the deep yet often unacknowledged repercussions of this violent act.

Keane expertly explores the effects of mental illness and alcoholism, the way we respond to tragedy, the choices we make and the regrets these choices leave us with. The characters are deeply flawed but relatable and I was rooting for them throughout. I would recommend this novel to readers who like multigenerational family stories that tackle hard issues but with an element of hope. I think Ask Again, Yes would appeal to fans of Celeste Ng, Anne Tyler or Ann Patchett.

3.5 – 4 stars

ASK AGAIN, YES is something of a heavy read with challenging topics; I felt like I had completed a marathon when I’d finished but I mean that in a good way. The book had wrung me out emotionally and I needed time to rest my mind and think afterwards.

This is a complex story of two families across two generations. Their lives were so interwoven and yet they were not close to one another. Through proximity, circumstance, tragedy and then attraction, they were repeatedly brought together and pushed one another away.

The storyline starts with the parents of these two families but over the whole of the book, it felt like the story centred on Peter and Kate. I held my breath over these two and I didn’t feel a completion at the end; I don’t think the reader is supposed to. Anne was incredibly difficult to like as a character and I admire the author for where she went with mental illness and this character. We rarely see books that will go to the extent of exposing the psychology and behaviours of someone with this level of illness. I liked Francis, I found him solid, reliable and real. George was the unsung hero of this book.

Most readers will feel the heaviness of the topics expored in this book, which include acute psychosis, addiction, cheating, first love, the effect of trauma on the psyche, grief and loss and abandonment. It’s a lot but it didn’t feel unrealistic for the timescale, the range of characters and the narrative gently and sometimes bluntly led you into these issues with skill.

This was an impressive, memorable and epic story. I felt a lack of completion overall and needed a bit more in terms of closure. Mary Beth Keane wrote the complexity with simplicity and I would read her work again.

Thank you to Michael Joseph for the early review copy.

This book was such a fantastic read and I enjoyed every single page. It started off quite slow, but in hindsight I realise the author was setting the scene for the rest of the story. It is a tale of family issues, trauma, illness, mental health, addiction, love, hope, forgiveness. I enjoyed how the chapters were told from points of view of different characters and how the author juggled the timelines by telling stories through those characters. They all seemed so realistic that at times I had to remind myself that this was all fiction. Keane’s prose is exquisite, so effortless and simple, making it easy to read. I have the utmost compassion the characters and their stories will say with me for the longest time. I will definitely be happy to read more from the author in the future and catch up on her previous books. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

A grown up love story, with all its bumps and obstacles along the way. Endearing without the saccharine.

'He told her he'd been thinking about it for a while, about a thing she'd said a few weeks back: that not all problems looked the same, but that didn't mean they weren't problems'
.
Kate and Peter grew up living side by side, experiencing everything together, although their parents were never thrilled about their friendship. The story explores the Gleeson and the Stanhope families and how there lives interlock before and after a tragedy.
.
I can already feel a book hangover coming on because this was incredible. Believe the hype people, this raw and emotional story had me absolutely gripped. I felt for every single character and needed desperately to know how their lives panned out. Keane's writing is so beautiful, and she leaves no stone left unturned. The book spans over 40 years but I never felt like it dragged, her writing was so effortless to read. How human and flawed all of the characters were really reminded me of Miracle Creek, so if you liked that, you'll love this! I highly recommend this book to everybody, it is out in the UK on August 8th so go get it preordered!💃

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
This is a novel about family, alcoholism and its devastating effects and the terrible damage wrought by mental illness. The story opens with Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope as partners and rookie cops in New York City. Francis moves to the small town of Gillam and when Brian moves in next door his wife Lena envisages that they will all be friends but this is not the case. From the outset it is clear that Brian’s wife, Anne is suffering from mental illness exacerbated by the birth of a stillborn child.
Peter, Brian’s son, and Kate, Francis’s daughter form a deep friendship and Anne finds this abhorrent. This friendship is the catalyst of a terrible event which tears Peter’s family apart and devastates Kate’s family. It is a very well written novel which keeps you reading desperate to find out what is going to befall these families in the future. You become involved in their lives and their story lives on after you have finished reading.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Wow. It's a struggle to write what I thought of this book because it made me feel so many things. It felt so real. The characters, their lives, their environment, it all felt so real. It was like peeking in on somebody's life. The book starts off a little slow but you realise later that everything in this book is relevant. Keane's style is varied and never forced, and her writing is easy to read.
I liked how the novel weaved together the different character's stories and how each character developed over time. The main character, Peter, is particularly well depicted, both as a teenager and as an adult. The characters all felt relatable even if I didn't identify with one in particular, and the book is clever in never forcing you to adopt a set perspective or outlook.
The exact genre of the book is a little hard to pin down but I would say that it belongs to General Fiction verging on Historical Fiction. It wasn't quite what I was expecting (I thought it would be a classically romantic story) but it blew me away. Read it!!

Oh my goodness. For some reason I had difficulty getting into this book when I first picked it up - definitely my fault, not the author's, because since I picked it up again two days ago it has barely left my hands since. It was beautifully written and thought-provoking. I feel absolutely bereft now that it is over.

Ive read a previous book by this author (Fever) and I was not disappointed with this latest book. I really enjoyed it and it was an easy read, the structure was easy to follow. I would certainly recommend this book to my book club.

This is the story of two families. The Gleesons and the Standhopes are not only neighbours but Francis and Brian work together. They are police officers. Brian's wife, Anne has mental health issues. The families don't really get along. Anne hates her son Peter's relationship with the Gleesons daughter, Kate. A horrific tragedy occurs and we follow both families for years after the event to see how the developments affected their lives.

The story covers over forty years. Be warned its heartbreaking at times. There is so much I could and want to say but I don't want to spoil it for other readers. The characters are true to life. The pace is set just right. The two families couldn't be any more different to each other. I loved this book from beginning to end and I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Michael Joseph and the author Mary Beth Keane for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A satisfying family saga with well drawn characters I came to really care about and, although we parted with a sense of optimism about their future, I was sad to say goodbye!

This is a well written study of family life; beginning in the 1970’s when two rookie police officers first meet. It is hard not to become embroiled in the events which overshadow the police officers and their families. All issues are sensitively approached and although bleak at times there always seemed to be a way forward.
From reading the blurb I was expecting a different type of story but I have been pleasantly surprised by the turn of events the story took.

A very well written and compassionate family saga. It spans over four decades in the lives of the Gleeson and Stanhope families.
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope meet when they join NYPD and end up living next door to each other in the suburbs. The adults aren’t close but the children form a strong friendship. However once night a tragic event changes everything and the families are torn apart. Kate and Peter's friendship is scuppered and they lose touch until reconnecting years later. The events of the tragic night still impact their lives and they face difficult choices.
The book navigates relationships, tragedy, addiction and mental illness. An enjoyable read and recommended.

This is yet another book that has left me hoping that the characters have a good life after the story ends. This is certainly moving and perhaps a bit heartbreaking in places depending on your personal background. There are some pretty strong characters here but for me it was all about Peter and he had my emotions all over the place while watching his life unfold.

‘Ask Again, Yes’ covers forty years in the lives of two Irish-American families in New York. Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, their wives Lena and Anna, and their children, live next door to each other in the suburbs. For a while the men work together as policemen, with a picture of their wife and a prayer card to St Michael tucked into their caps. If they hope that their families develop a warm neighbourly friendship, it is not to be. Haunted by what she ran away from in Ireland, Anna Stanhope loses a baby and the familial tendency to mental illness (the one which led to shameful unconsecrated graves in the homeland) crystallises. Her lonely and frightened son Peter focuses his ambitions to marrying Kate, the Gleesons’ youngest daughter.
One chaotic evening everything falls apart. The Stanhopes cleave. The Gleesons cling. The years pass.
We are privy to what is unspoken between them. Families who don’t talk about anything real, who tiptoe around their feelings, dusting around the elephant in the room, somehow get older, finding different dysfunctions to manage their unexplored anguish. Only crises provoke real understanding, and even then it’s contained and constrained by an emotional inarticulacy that’s painful to read. Somehow, though, there’s a beauty in it. Understanding arrives decades after it might have done, but it does arrive.
‘Ask Again, Yes’ has echoes Anne Tyler and Kent Haruf, but its soul is of the Irish immigrant experience. Even if that's not our story, we know and recognise the family who stays together - or falls apart - without ever raising a voice, even after the worst happens. A memorable novel.

This is a genuinely lovely book! I was so excited to read it and it did not disappoint. This book traces the story of two families over many decades of their lives. The characters are beautifully developed, I felt really invested in their story and feel slightly bereft that it has now ended and I don’t get to see what will happen next. The storyline is engrossing and moves gently through the years. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who fancies a book about life, the ups and downs and the importance of family.

I really enjoy family dramas and saga’s so I had high hopes for this book. It mostly lived up to my expectations. The characters are well written and fleshed out they feel like family or close friends. I found it strange that each character is created with love and sensitivity. This is unusual and I found it odd at first. I’m so used to reading books where there is at least one horrible character. Ask Again, Yes is the opposite. It reminds me a lot of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. The book takes an unexpected, violent turn midway which shocked me a little and has consequences for the rest of the book. The book is quite slow to start but well worth sticking with. I just loved the way the author shone a light on families. I also loved the way the tragedy that splits the friendship between the two families is constantly re-examined and reassessed by the characters as they try and make sense of what’s happened. The book is much darker than I expected and there’s a sense from page one that something unpleasant lurks just beneath the surface.

This is a really gripping and moving family saga, very reminiscent, as others have said, of the novels of Anne Tyler. The story covers forty plus years in the lives of the Stanhope and Gleeson families, particularly the childhood sweethearts Peter and Kate and Peter's mother Anne. The characters on the page are all interesting and relatable as they make mistakes, struggle and fail, learn to compromise and make the best of what they have. I felt the book had an almost old-fashioned but very powerful message about love and loyalty within families and especially within marriage.

The character of Anne Stanhope is fascinating and beautifully written, enabling a slow shift in the reader's sympathy towards her even as she remains essentially inscrutable. With other character arcs I felt a little frustrated at times, certain central characters seemed to almost dissolve through the passage of the book. That is a minor gripe however about a very well-written and uplifting family saga.

Ask Again, Yes is the story of two families who are neighbours in suburban New York in the 1970s. The two male heads of the houses, Francis and Brian, work in the New York City police. Francis’s wife, Lena, is unhappy with the move to this quiet town in the suburbs and misses being in the city. She is very happy when Brian and Anne move next door but then sad as Anne seems to want to keep herself to herself and does not want to socialise. Their two children, Kate and Peter, are close in age though and quickly become childhood friends. Peter’s mother, Anne, carries on being aloof and very private all though Peter’s childhood and seem very anxious. And then a terrible violent act happens that tears the two families apart just as Kate and Peter become teenagers and their friendship is deepening.

This is a well-written book about how two families deal with the violence that erupted and the long drawn out aftermath as we are brought from the 1970s up to present day with their lives. It is a tale of mental health issues, alcoholism, love and forgiveness. The writing is good but I didn’t especially enjoy reading it at times. While it deals well with some very dark subjects I’m not sure I would have read it if I’ve known more about the subject matter.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph Communciations for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Two policemen in America, they become neighbour's. One has three daughters, the other a boy. The youngest, Kate, forms a friendship with Peter.. The book takes the reader through a journey of discovery.. a poignant book, following the different paths of two families following a fateful night. The ending cleverly brings the book to an unexpected conclusion. Sad, positive, charming, a discovery and totally recommended.

This is a fantastic, epic family drama following the lives of two neighbouring families in New York over the course of more than 40 years. Engrossing and moving with wonderful characters. Don't miss this incredible book.

Interesting, poignant, unusual read. Two families, their lives, their loves, their flaws and their tragedies. Maybe you have to hit rock bottom, to experience the unbearable to appreciate what you have