A review by patinass
My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes

funny relaxing fast-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

4.0

With a heavy heart, I have to say: My Favourite Mistake wasn’t everything I hoped it would be.

Let me be clear: the book isn’t bad. It’s fun, the dialogue is sharp, and the Walsh family is still hilarious. Mammy Walsh and Helen totally deserve a spin-off of their own. I’d also love a new book about Claire and how she’s dealing with aging. Anna, the main character, is charming and easy to like.

But the romance didn’t work for me. The person from Anna’s past who comes back into her life just wasn’t convincing. He was so boring. Marian Keyes tried to make me like someone she herself had taught me to dislike. And… some feelings just don’t go away. I couldn’t get behind that relationship.

Another thing that bothered me was the conflict with Jacqui. With all the tension around it, I thought Anna had done something truly serious. But the reason turned out to be so silly that I just thought, “Really?” Jacqui was clearly going through a rough patch, but the jealousy turned everything into this unnecessary drama.

In the end, it’s still Marian Keyes: fun, full of witty dialogue, and with an emotional, happy ending. But this one didn’t become a favorite.