susannahmiller's review against another edition
3.0
It was nice seeing Rachel and Luke again but honestly seemed kinda pointless because the people they got with when they broke up were obviously not going to last as they were pretty unlikeable but I liked seeing Luke and Rachel back together in the final chapters, their moments together bumped this up to a 4 star as I like their relationship, but the rest of the book was very un needed but was fun to read because I like the family.
alicedanagher's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mettetette's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alterego's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
honnomushi13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Always good to catch up with the Walsh's. Unexpectedly sad but with all the usual warmth.
abigailyardimci's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s safe to say I devoured this book as quickly and gloriously as I did its predecessor. Yet again, here is a story with real wit, pace, warmth and ALL the feels. I think what I loved most about it was the way I felt completely aligned with Rachel’s discoveries and revelations. It was like I was making them in real time with her, which only added to how much I adored her and rooted for her. Loved, loved, LOVED the ending and genuinely had no idea where it was going to go until the last page. Now pass me the next book please. 🤣
jamescross's review against another edition
5.0
Ooh did I rub my hands together when I got a new @marian_keyes proof in the post!
Marian was one of the first ‘grown up’ authors I read purely for enjoyment outside of school. Now sure, reading Watermelon, about a newly single pregnant woman returning to her family in Ireland didn’t directly chime with a fifteen year old gently overweight, gay Yorkshire lad. But that’s the thing with The Lovely Marian (tm) - no matter the subject of the book, the characters SING to you. They’re alive. The dialogue is perfection and you would just read and read about them just to spend time with them.
Again, Rachel is no exception. It is a sequel to Rachel’s Holiday, and it continues the stories of the daughters of the Walsh family who I have been getting to know for over 20 years, but Keyes’ writing is so human you need no knowledge of all of this going in.
Rachel, an addict in recovery, is now head counseller at a rehab centre. Her marriage ended abruptly six years before, and an invitation that makes her confront her divorce and gives her an opportunity figure out exactly what happened.
But that isn’t the point. The point is to spend over 500 pages settling into Rachel’s life. Hearing about the people who comprise her friends and family.
Following on from the sublime Grown Ups I really feel that the author has entered a new era where the issues she writes about even more emotionally intelligently handled and more affecting.
Her style is funny, sure, but nuanced, considered and kind.
I could have read another 500 pages! After this, I definitely remain a committed fan.
This was a joy to read, and thank you to @penguinukbooks / @michaeljbooks for the #gifted proof.
CW: This book does have some trigger warnings whereby one of the characters experiences some pregnancy related issues, which I’m happy to explain the extent and nature of if needed - but to say anything specific would be spoiling part of one characters plot lines.
Marian was one of the first ‘grown up’ authors I read purely for enjoyment outside of school. Now sure, reading Watermelon, about a newly single pregnant woman returning to her family in Ireland didn’t directly chime with a fifteen year old gently overweight, gay Yorkshire lad. But that’s the thing with The Lovely Marian (tm) - no matter the subject of the book, the characters SING to you. They’re alive. The dialogue is perfection and you would just read and read about them just to spend time with them.
Again, Rachel is no exception. It is a sequel to Rachel’s Holiday, and it continues the stories of the daughters of the Walsh family who I have been getting to know for over 20 years, but Keyes’ writing is so human you need no knowledge of all of this going in.
Rachel, an addict in recovery, is now head counseller at a rehab centre. Her marriage ended abruptly six years before, and an invitation that makes her confront her divorce and gives her an opportunity figure out exactly what happened.
But that isn’t the point. The point is to spend over 500 pages settling into Rachel’s life. Hearing about the people who comprise her friends and family.
Following on from the sublime Grown Ups I really feel that the author has entered a new era where the issues she writes about even more emotionally intelligently handled and more affecting.
Her style is funny, sure, but nuanced, considered and kind.
I could have read another 500 pages! After this, I definitely remain a committed fan.
This was a joy to read, and thank you to @penguinukbooks / @michaeljbooks for the #gifted proof.
CW: This book does have some trigger warnings whereby one of the characters experiences some pregnancy related issues, which I’m happy to explain the extent and nature of if needed - but to say anything specific would be spoiling part of one characters plot lines.
ronjaerin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Boring and so slow pace