Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

I adore Marian Keyes’ books. They are the perfect holiday escape which is exactly why the release of this novel was such terrific timing. I devoured it while flying overseas (luckily when Covid-19 was still in its early stages – little did we know what lay ahead or what solace books would offer – something readers have always known and I hope others learn too through these really difficult times). 

This is the tale of the Casey family. A large sprawling Irish family who are constantly brought together through the largesse of the most successful of their siblings: Jessie. Re-married after the death of her beloved first husband, to his best friend, Jessie has since been estranged from her first husband’s family – a family she bonded with and adored. The wound of their rejection, of their assumption she had his best friend on the “side”, hurts deeply. But Jessie has other secrets and worries that she keeps from those she loves best.

She is not alone. There is infidelity, debt, obligation, control, passion, hatred, depths and shallows, and so much more. When the popular daughter-in-law, Cara, gets serious concussion and starts to spill family secrets at one of their big get togethers, things start to unravel swiftly. But is this what’s needed or the worst thing that could have happened to the Caseys?

Fast-moving, loads of characters who are alternately utterly believable and then only convincing within the world Keyes has created (which is fine), the dialogue crackles, you laugh, cringe, and, as the title suggests, wish they’d either all grow up or that the grown-ups would step up and start adulting.

Another great snapshot of family life that makes literary strengths out of weaknesses, that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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