Keane's storytelling ability is seriously OUT OF THIS WORLD! Ask Again, Yes wove in themes of family drama, romance, and the power of forgiveness when an unexpected event bonds two families together for life. I loved the side story or Kate and Peter and found myself cheering for them from the very first page. Such a wonderful read that is available NOW!

Thanks to Scribner Books and NetGalley for my review copy!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. This book follows the lives of two neighbor families; the Gleasons and the Stanhopes. The story builds on traumatic events and how those events affect the lives of the people in the two families; like an intricate spiderweb. The story looks at topics of mental illness and alcoholism and shows the reader that persons suffering from either can be functioning and present in both society and relationships with appropriate medical and emotional support. Although I found the story-line to be a much slower one than I usually prefer, I think the author did a terrific job of portraying these events as they would play out in real life. Healing and forgiveness happen slowly. Sometimes a person has scars on the outside and sometimes the scars are on the inside...and it takes a long time before they are almost invisible. I found that part of the book beautiful, honest, and full of hope and grace. The title was subtle and oh-so meaningful; and although I can only guess my own guess here is what I think -- Each character in the story, when Asked Again, if they would relive the life they had lived, said Yes...

When an author can write a thought provoking novel in which you like, dislike, judge, forgive, emphathize, and root for each character at different parts of the book, you know you have the makings of a great read. That is exactly what Mary Beth Keane has given to us in Ask Again, Yes. My favorite part? I loved that Kate and Peter found each other again as young adults and persevered through the hard parts of their marriage...to have Kate be able to say, “Then and now, I say yes.”

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a story about two families who live next door to each other in a small town, Gillam. Intricate details are provided of the characters creating an understanding of bipolar disorder, alcoholism, family life living with a police officer, and living with dysfunctionality. It is a multi-generational book that the reader can easily become entrenched.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t wait to get back to it when I had to stop reading. I honestly didn’t want to put it down. I highly recommend this book.

A beautiful portrait of family. Ask Again, Yes dives into the complexity of what it means to be family - through all the wonderful and heartbreaking moments in our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of these characters. I laughed, I cried, and I thought about my own capacity to understand and forgive. Go get this book.

This was a lovely, sad, hopeful book that was both quietly paced yet full of action. I enjoyed how different things about each character were revealed bit by bit, and also how we could see how characters were allowed to change in response to life circumstances and also hold onto core truths about them. Anne and Peter were the two characters I ended up loving and rooting for the most, and I thought that the themes of mental illness and addiction were portrayed very well. Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so, so good. It reminded me of The Goldfinch in some ways, and I didn’t want to put it down. A story of love and loss and heartbreak, but also family and resilience. Loved it!

Ask Again, Yes is a dysfunctional family drama that follows the Gleesons and the Stanhopes. Brian Stanhope and Francis Gleeson work in the same police precinct and end up living next to each other although they aren't close. Francis' youngest daughter, Kate, and Brian's only son, Peter, were born 6 months apart and were inseparable until a tragic event forces the Stanhopes to move away and the kids are then forbidden to speak to each other again. But Pete and Kate find their way back to each other many years later and their relationship is tested by the ghosts of the past.

This is a powerful story about mental illness, family dynamics, love and forgiveness. It sucked me in from the very beginning and had me staying up late to find out the ending for these two families.

I was actually somewhat reluctant to read this book because of the title which sounded (to me) like it might be a light, frothy rom-com kind of a book. That couldn't be further from the truth!! I was hooked from the first few pages and resented 'real life' getting in the way of my reading! I couldn't wait to get back to immersing myself in the story for hours!

The writing is exceptionally well done with well-rounded characters, vivid descriptions, and a story that was totally mesmerizing. I love multi-generational novels and this is one of the best I've read recently.

I loved this book! A wonderful, tense family drama with well drawn characters and a great story that kept me reading long into the night!

This was a beautiful story that held many messages. It's a story of family, love, forgiveness, and hope. The reader follows the Stanhope and Gleeson families through the years and it is so difficult to stop turning pages! Mary Beth Keane has created well drawn characters that the reader will feel they know. This novel would make a wonderful choice for book clubs as there is so much to discuss. Very well done, a keeper for your bookshelf!

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for granting me the pleasure of reading this book and sharing my thoughts.

Ask Again, Yes, is a beautifully written story about family and friendship, which evolves into a story about the kinds of things which can happen to families, the kinds of things which change the trajectory of lives - mental illness, alcoholism, infidelity. Peter and Kate are born six months apart, grow up as neighbors and best friends, their fathers are cops in the same precinct. Early on, the two kids recognize the uniqueness of their connection, assume they will marry someday and be together always. But a moment of violence changes everything. Mary Beth Keane writes with deep sympathy and keen understanding about the ways we hurt each other, the ways we turn from the things we want so badly to fix, but can’t, the ways people talk to each other, and also refuse to talk to each other, and she gets the characters just right. This is a story which has gotten under my skin, and which I will be thinking about for a long time.

Unpopular opinion but this just wasn’t the book for me. Very slow burn and I struggled to connect to the storyline or the characters. I definitely understand the appeal though and would recommend to fans of this genre.

Thank you Netgalley and Scribner for the advance copy of this ebook.

I'm still reeling from this book. Ask Again Yes tells the story of two neighboring families--both headed up by police officer fathers--and the tragic scenario that inexplicably links their lives forever. The characters are rich and complicated. The writing is beautiful and searing. The events are gut wrenching. And it all comes together in a package that is impossible to put down. I found myself up late multiple nights because I *had* to find out what happened to Kate and Peter. It's the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish it. An absolute must read.

Ask Again, Yes, features family drama in the best way! The two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes are first brought together through the police academy, as neighbors, and then raising families until one fatal night. Each character's in depth look focus was done so well and that the understanding of consequences can take many years to fully come to fruition. This book was reminiscent of Little Fires Everywhere and I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC.

What a wonderful surprise!! A book that boasts family drama that is actually filled with drama! I really enjoyed this read and it will definitely be a top 10 of 2019 for me.

You don’t have to know too much about it before reading, it starts slowly but then picks up speed and zooms along. A great story of love and forgiveness.

Highly recommend

5 Stars.

“Ask Again, Yes” is Literary Fiction at its best!

This novel is an exploration of life, love, family, mistakes and the tragedies of everyday life. The Stanhopes and the Gleasons are at odds. Will they ever heal the rift that tore their families apart?

Alcoholism, friendship, forgiveness, mental illness, love and tragedy. These are the themes of “Ask Again, Yes.”

This is one heck of an engrossing novel. I truly felt for the characters of Peter and Kate. The trials and tribulations of two families - your heart will literally be pulled in two, feeling bad for each, at certain points in time, almost feeling as if you are betraying the other. Admittedly, parts of this novel totally shocked me. I felt as though I should have understood certain things from the get go and didn’t and when things came to light I was like “oh!” Then there is the ending… yes, tears sprung to my eyes, (some of you are like, yeah “big surprise, you old sap!”). Seriously though, I simply couldn’t help myself!

If you love literary fiction, fiction or are just looking for a great read, grab this and read it. You will not be disappointed.

This was a buddy read with Kaceey. I loved reading this one with you Kaceey and was so glad that you ended up liking this one too!

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 4.7.19.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on 5.28.19.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane is a moving story about friendships, love and family and how they are rarely perfect or straight forward. It also deals with themes of mental illness, place attachment and addiction.

I was sucked in almost immediately and didn’t want to put the book down. The story is compelling and the characters are all flawed and real, but many of them are endearing too.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy. This book was interesting. At first I had no clue where it was going. It picked up then slowed down again. It was a good book but I wouldn’t say it’s a page turner. A little heavy too so if you are looking for something light, this isn’t it.

Wow! What an beautiful book. This will suck you in from the first page and hold you until the last line.

This was such an emotional read, I highly recommend to all.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I will be recommending this one.