Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

Today is my 600th post! So, I thought I would celebrate with a review of a new publication by one of my favourite authors Marian Keyes.

 It’s very apt that the title of the book is called Grown Ups because it’s something that I struggle with despite being over fifty! Does anyone ever feel truly ‘grown up’ ?

This blog has been my escape, my retreat and my salvation over the last three years.

A sincere thank you to everyone who supports Waggy Tales Blog, you really keep me going!

Now, on to the book review:-

Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING A GROWN UP? WHY NOT ESCAPE IT ALL WITH MARIAN KEYES’ BRAND NEW NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Magnificently messy lives, brilliantly untangled. Funny, tender and completely absorbing!’ GRAHAM NORTON

‘It’s SUCH a treat. I felt like I was reading the cleverest cream cake of words’ CAITLIN MORAN
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They’re a glamorous family, the Caseys.

Johnny Casey, his two brothers Ed and Liam, their beautiful, talented wives and all their kids spend a lot of time together – birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, weekends away. And they’re a happy family. Johnny’s wife, Jessie – who has the most money – insists on it.

Under the surface, though, conditions are murkier. While some people clash, other people like each other far too much . . .

Everything stays under control until Ed’s wife Cara, gets concussion and can’t keep her thoughts to herself. One careless remark at Johnny’s birthday party, with the entire family present, starts Cara spilling out all their secrets.

In the subsequent unravelling, every one of the adults finds themselves wondering if it’s time – finally – to grow up?
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My Thoughts

I’m a huge fan of Marian Keyes and so excited to read her newest publication Grown Ups.

The book features the  Casey family from Ireland, three brothers, their partners and a host of unruly offspring.

Business owner and mum of five Jessie Casey takes great pride in organising family ‘get-togethers’. Her enthusiasm and family dedication is not shared by all, but the brothers and their families comply partly down to the fact that her soirees are free, luxurious and far out of their own price ranges.

At first, I did find it a little difficult to keep track of all the family members, but they are all completely diverse, individual characters and soon everyone fell in to place. Throughout the book relationships change, issues are uncovered, insecurities arise and all of a sudden the Casey’s become a complex, multidimensional and totally fascinating group of people.

The book deals with serious issues that are described in-depth, impeccably researched and entirely relevant. I enjoyed the humour introduced by the younger children which gave balance to the more complex storylines and gained insight into the angst-ridden and complicated life of teenagers and young adults.

This character-driven, family drama draws you in slowly and doesn’t let go until the final page. It deals with every emotion imaginable, problems which arise in every age group, the strength of relationships and the importance of family bonds.

The Irish wit and relatable characters make this another hit for this talented author.

‘Comic, convincing and true. Grown Ups has an almost Austenesque insight into character. Keyes knows how to make serious issues relatable – and get a few grownup laughs, too’ THE GUARDIAN

‘Hilarious, alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved everything about it’ DAILY MAIL

‘Superb. Warm-hearted, wise and highly entertaining’ OBSERVER

‘Keyes at her best: capturing everyday voices with humour and empathy with writing that you’ll devour in a weekend. Just pure and simple joy’ STYLIST

‘I loved every word. I will be missing those gorgeous vibrant characters for many weeks to come’ LIANE MORIARTY, bestselling author of Big Little Lies

‘Messy, tangled complex humans who reminded me that few of us ever really sort our lives out at all’ JOJO MOYES, bestselling author of Me Before You

‘Her best yet. Charming, funny and poignant, but also profound, heartbreaking’ NINA STIBBE, bestselling author of Reasons to be Cheerful

‘Sensitive, funny, wonderful, immensely touching’ NIGELLA LAWSON

‘A novel that is warm and witty but never afraid to tackle the big stuff’ ELIZABETH DAY, bestselling author of HOW TO FAIL

‘Funny & thoughtful and such brilliantly drawn characters that I am genuinely bereft my time with them is over’ HANNAH BECKERMAN, bestselling author of If Only I Could Tell You

‘She’s only gone and done it again! Brilliant as ever’ JANE FALLON, bestselling author of Tell Me A Secret

‘Marian Keyes manages to wrap family dynamics, female angst, good jokes and serious stuff into a really appealing form’ WOMAN’S OWN MAGAZINE