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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I adored Grown Ups by Marian Keyes. The story of the Casey brothers. Johnny, Ed and Liam and their families. This story reminded me of great family tv dramas-Brothers & Sisters, and Parenthood. A big, dramatic, character driven book., it was everything I love in a book! And it takes place in some fabulous settings in Ireland so I felt like I had multiple holidays while staying home.
If I had one criticism, in each of the family get togethers, the interactions are basically the same. And this family gets together a lot!
Overall, I really did enjoy #Grownups and would recommend to anyone looking for a good family drama. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the e-copy in exchange for a review!
If I had one criticism, in each of the family get togethers, the interactions are basically the same. And this family gets together a lot!
Overall, I really did enjoy #Grownups and would recommend to anyone looking for a good family drama. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the e-copy in exchange for a review!
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
- Really enjoyed this book, as I’ve never read a family/drama type of genre book before, and would recommend for sure, as I think this book make a TV show / family soap opera in my opinion. So a few of my main points were:
- The plot lines were very interesting, especially the bulimia storyline with Cara, but felt like Cara’s storyline was more interesting than her as an individual. On the other hand, Cara and Ed’s relationship was strongest out of all the other relationships in the book.
- My favourite character were Nell, as she was ambitious and down to earth, as she knew what she wanted from life, and could relate to her the most out of the wives, as she was more younger and relatable. I wanted her and Ferdia (another fave character) to end up together, as they had more in common and were a better match, as she should have given him a chance, as they were growing on each other. (Maybe in the future!)
- Overall, my fave characters were Nell, Ferdia, Ed, and Bridey (fave out of the kids). Least fave were: Liam, Robyn, Izzy, Barty and maybe Jessie, as Johnny pleased her too much.
- I got more attached to one storyline than the others, as there were a lot of characters, so it was a lot of attention to detail.
- Some plot lines were rushed at the end, like I would have liked to know more insight about the asylum seekers, and Liam’a relationships with his daughters. Plus it was a coincidence that Ferdia, Nell, Cara, Johnny and Izzy were at the flat, and felt it was a plot device and catalyst to drive the plot forward quickly, there could have been a better way to tackle it in my opinion.
- The plot lines were very interesting, especially the bulimia storyline with Cara, but felt like Cara’s storyline was more interesting than her as an individual. On the other hand, Cara and Ed’s relationship was strongest out of all the other relationships in the book.
- My favourite character were Nell, as she was ambitious and down to earth, as she knew what she wanted from life, and could relate to her the most out of the wives, as she was more younger and relatable. I wanted her and Ferdia (another fave character) to end up together, as they had more in common and were a better match, as she should have given him a chance, as they were growing on each other. (Maybe in the future!)
- Overall, my fave characters were Nell, Ferdia, Ed, and Bridey (fave out of the kids). Least fave were: Liam, Robyn, Izzy, Barty and maybe Jessie, as Johnny pleased her too much.
- I got more attached to one storyline than the others, as there were a lot of characters, so it was a lot of attention to detail.
- Some plot lines were rushed at the end, like I would have liked to know more insight about the asylum seekers, and Liam’a relationships with his daughters. Plus it was a coincidence that Ferdia, Nell, Cara, Johnny and Izzy were at the flat, and felt it was a plot device and catalyst to drive the plot forward quickly, there could have been a better way to tackle it in my opinion.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've never read a Marian Keyes book. I will be reading her from now on. This is just the sort of family drama/domestic novel that I love to sink into. Rich characters who have lots going on. Reminds me of Liane Moriarty's better books, i.e. The Husband's Secret or Big Little Lies.
Irish fiction has been missing something since Maeve Binchy left us. Marian Keyes may be her predecessor.
Irish fiction has been missing something since Maeve Binchy left us. Marian Keyes may be her predecessor.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I keep waffling between giving this a 4.5 or a 5, but right now, this was exactly the kind of book I needed. It was so easy to get caught up in this family's drama and I enjoyed seeing the perspective of so many characters. I didn't always agree with their choices and sometimes they honestly acted a bit daft, but I was never once bored reading about their (mis)adventures. Their family gatherings reminded a bit of the chaos of my own family (although definitely not as extreme). Also now I am dreaming of a villa in Tuscany and an Irish seaside getaway trip !
light hearted, funny read
very much a book i could get lost in, loved it
very much a book i could get lost in, loved it
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated