My thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for providing my review copy in exchange for my honest review. Let me admit that this genre is not my normal habitat. But I am very pleased I took the step out of my comfort zone because i enjoyed the novel immensely. The reader lives in Amy's head for the duration her thoughts are yours and even when you disagree she has a way of showing how right she is. Hugh - poor Hugh a pencil sketch at the beginning but he fights back and suddenly Amy is in danger of becoming a schizophrenic - or was that just me? A thoroughly good read plenty of angst but no bodies instead we have laugh out load sentences and a sense that it could have been my family we were dissecting. Five stars

I was sent an uncorrected advance proof copy to read and review by NetGalley
This is a novel about love, betrayal, infidelity, grief, guilt, and relationships in general. Set mainly in Dublin the story focuses on the O’Connell family, the protagonist being Amy. She is a mother of two daughters, part time guardian of her niece and married to Hugh who is the instigator of The Break of the novel’s title.
The book is well written and quite structured, moving between the present day and occurrences happening within the previous 18 months or so. There is a lot going on to keep you interested, the O’Connells are a large family, and though it’s not exclusively about Amy and her fight to come to terms with Hugh’s decision, the author also tackles how this also affects the rest of the family, it is basically Amy’s story.
I loved the descriptions of Amy’s clothes and her daughter Neeve’s vlogs and the sexy bits were, well, very sexy! There was however a fair amount of repetition regarding Amy’s feelings throughout the book, perhaps too much explanation here and there reiterating what we have already learned, but it is an enjoyable and insightful novel dealing brilliantly with the way we as humans respond to each other and the decisions we make or have made for us.

Downloaded for my wife and she loved it. Having read previous books By Marian she was certainly not disappointed with this one which was full of emotion making her laugh, cry and everything in between! Great characters and a story that tackles difficult situations well. Highly recommended and thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Must be honest was really disappointed in this book as one of my favourite authors. It did not gel for me at all.

I really enjoyed reading this book - great characters and a good storyline running throughout the book. However, it felt like I was going to take forever to read the book and it was quite depressing knowing you'd read over 30 chapters and it was still telling you you'd nearly 8 hours to read! If someone was going on holiday, this would be the only book they'd need to bring with them!!!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of The Break in return for an honest review! I've been a huge fan of Marian Keyes ever since I read her first book Watermelon she has a wonderfully unique way of writing that makes you fall in love with her characters and laugh and cry along with them! In her latest book Amy's husband isn't leaving her he's just taking a break ...for 6 months ...to go back packing!!!!! Amy is such a lovely character and the book consumed me until I finished it and reminded me so much of Marian's earlier books watermelon and Rachel's holiday The Break gets 5 huge stars from me!!!!!!!

This isn't my usual genre but I found it really enjoyable. Marian Keyes paints characters beautifully. In The Break, we have Amy and Hugh who are separating for six months for Hugh to go travelling, after which time he promises to come back. I found it laugh-out-loud funny in places, painfully sad in others, but at all times Keyes' characters are vivid and interesting. You find yourself really wanting the best for Amy. It's a good summer read - and I'm not saying that in a disparaging way. It's fun, engaging and witty but without being shallow.

What fun! My first Marian Keyes but certainly won't be the last. Such a fabulous, heartwarming, authentic voice - real women, real life situations, told with genuine intelligence, insight, sympathy and laugh-out-loud wit. A great balance between 'issues' that Keyes feels are important (e.g. Irish abortion laws), fun, up-to-the-minute details about life with teenage daughters (and life as a business woman and mother!) and true food for thought about love and relationships. I also loved the length - what a treat to read a 'chick lit' book that isn't over in half an hour! An absolute blast. Highly recommended.

'But I suppose things don’t have to end with a bang, they can also expire with a whimper.'

I've read a couple of books by Marian Keyes before and always enjoyed them so when I saw that this book was available to request on netgalley I jumped at the chance. And I'm so glad I did.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought the character of Amy was pure brilliance. I don't know how I'd cope if the love of my life ever decided that they wanted a break from being with me and wanted to be single for a little while. (God forbid.) I couldn't let them do it I couldn't watch them leave and then welcome them back with open arms. Amy is stronger and braver than me I'll tell you that for sure. I also loved the characters Neeve, Kiara and Sofie they were all such funny, charming and brilliant characters. I don't want to spoil this in any way so I think I'm going to leave it there.

Overall this was a really light, fun and emotional read. Definitely a rollercoaster.

Another really good book from Marian Keyes, the characters are always so well written and I love the insight into their family life.

A Marian Keyes book never disappoints. Plenty of humour, while dealing with sensitive and topical issues. I love the Irish vernacular throughout, and while I couldn't actually speak in an Irish accent, being Scottish, I feel that I read it with the accent. I chuckled long and hard at the descriptive word "ridey" and think it should be an accepted description in the English Language! To the story. It didn't grab me all the way through but there was enough to keep me interested, empathising with the characters, slagging off Hugh with the friends and imagining in great detail the Friday gatherings at the family house. The main story is about "the break" in Amy and Hugh's marriage while he goes off to find himself. Serious issues being raised alongside such as Alzheimers and abortion in Ireland are handled sensitively. The book is very up to the minute with Neeve and her blogging and I joined Amy's colleagues in feeling I was crowded round the computer waiting for the next hilarious instalment. Lots going on, but a sensitive story running through it.

Great book. I have to say, I didn't have a clue how it was going to end. Well written, funny and just overall an enjoyable read.

I very nearly didn’t finish this book as I found it a little hard to get in to but once I got there I couldn’t put it down! This story definitely put me through it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.

Been a few years since I have read a book by Marian Keyes. I did find it hard to get into , but really glad I perservered as I really enjoyed it in the end. Quite a long book, leaving you with all dirrerent emotions (especially going a divorce myself) A nice heart warming story with a nice happy ending.

Love Marian Keyes books and this one is no exception. Amy's husband Hugh has told her that he needs a break hence the title. Since his father died he has become more withdrawn and decides he's taking 6 months off to go to Asia and that if he decides if he meets someone he likes he will go with them but still loves Amy and will be back home. It's mostly about Amy's journey and how she copes without Hugh,

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. This is definitely a chick flick story.
Where does it all start to go wrong, is it when Amy develops a crush, has regular lunch dates and flirts withJosh, or when Hugh feels lost following his dads death and decides to go travelling for six months, leaving Amy devastated.
Hugh’s absence frees Amy to have an actual fling with Josh, the weekly meets with him help get her through each week. Her three daughters are also missing Hugh.
When Hugh returns unexpectedly on Christmas morning, Amy’s world is rocked again... she’s angry and can’t bear to be around him, nothing feels right anymore, she knows it’s not Josh she wants to be with.
Hugh and Amy find themselves thrown together a lot to please and help their daughters. Amy’s mum, her sister and the girls all seem to think they belong together. Can Amy forgive Hugh, can they forgive each other? 3.5 stars.

'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.'
'A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'

If only. Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her. He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in south-east Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it. Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . . However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge. For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman? Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then isn't she?

When I saw this book I thought ooh a Marian Keyes book I’ve got to get this as she’s a really good author. And yet … and yet on actually reading it I felt a bit let down. Son’t get me wrong – it’s still a good book, but I just expected … more.

The characters are good, believable, and the storyline is good too, but it just didn’t grip me as much as I expected. 3.5*

Simply loved this book. Haven't read a Marian Keyes book for a while and I had forgotten how skilled she is at creating characters who draw you in to their lives. Here the story begins and you feel that Amy has been wronged, but as the story develops, through flashback memories and narration, you realise that as is often the case the blame does not lie wholly with one person.
The book brings so many different characters to life, from Amy and her children to her mother as she gains game as a vlogger. There is a great deal of humour and some poignancy too, especially as she goes through a child's unexpected pregnancy and the emotions that raises. The development of Amys emotions and the reactions of her friends and family are skilfully drawn.
I loved this book and am going back to see which other Marian Keyes books I haven't read, or maybe just to reread those I have.
Thank you netgalley for this reminder.

I just loved The Break. Witty, full of laugh out loud moments, heartbreak and sorrow. It's a really great read.

Hugh decides he needs a break after his dad's death and sets of on a 6 month trip round the world. Amy, his wife is totally devastated. She's sure this will be the end of her marriage and she doesn't want to be single again.. She broke up badly with daughter Neeve's dad and can't bear it happening again. But she picks herself up and gets on with life until she sees the photo on facebook.. She's brokenhearted and throws herself into her work and looking after the girls and then she meets Josh, a features Editor based in London who she used to meet for lunch a while back. Their attraction again is instant and they fall head over heels into a hot, passionate affair...Then Hugh returns from his travels early and expects to slot back into family life... A great read. Highly recommend.

As usual Marion Keyes delivered. A really enjoyable read which delved into the complexities of modern day relationships. Humor and sadness wrapped up in an interesting storyline. Warmly recommend this book and grateful to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advance copy.