Helpful Score: 9
I ordered this book since I am quite anal when it comes to reading series books, I want to read them all at once rather than one here, one there etc. This is the fourth book in Marian Keyes' Walsh Sister Serial. Now the only sister without her own book is the youngest, Helen, whom I am sure is soon to have her own turn. This story is the best so far, going into a bit darker places than the previous three novels, but still kept things light-hearted enough not to deter from Keyes' typical narrative. This book is about the next-to-youngest sister, Anna, whom has managed to pull herself out from the perpetual cloud she was in to get a real job, move to New York and get married. However the fairy tale she was living comes to a screeching halt and Anna finds herself back home in Ireland, bruised, broken and being taken care of by her Mum with no recollection of how she got there or where her husband, Aidan, is. She eventually makes it back to New York and to her PR job, dressing quirkily and promoting Candy Grrl while searching desprately for Aidan. The story is so good that when I got it yesterday I didn't do anything else but read it and only had one chapter left this morning which I quickly ate up. I think it's due to the fact I can relate a lot more to Anna than any of the other Walsh sisters, but this book really hit it for me and I'm now sorry it's over. Great dialogue, sad without being too depressing and funny without making fun of the sad bits that aren't funny. It is a definite keeper and I'll probably still be re-reading this one when I'm 80!
Helpful Score: 7
I love Marian Keyes, and I love reading about the Walsh sisters. But this book is incredibly sad. For the first 260 pages of the book you have no idea of what is going on. I was so curious I even went to Amazon.com to see if any of the reviews "spilled the beans" (they didn't). When I found out, it was like getting bonked on the head, really really hard. This is a serious tearjerker. Great book, but I promise you will cry.
Helpful Score: 4
I can't express how much I loved this book!! I picked it up because I really enjoy Marian Keyes, especially her previous books about the kooky Walsh family, but this is no doubt the best! Anna's journey to discover herself and a new life after tragedy broke my heart. I literally laughed and cried at the same time :)
Helpful Score: 3
I love Marian Keyes and I love her Walsh family charaters... Having said that, this novel is not as lighthearted as the others. It was sad... There were moments where I laughed (How can you not w/ Keye's humor?) but for the most part, it was more of a sad than a happy book.
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book, initially unaware that there were other books about the Walsh's. No problem. I thought this stood on it's own two feet, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty sad, and I don't usually enjoy sad reads, but there was enough humor in it to add a nice balance.
Helpful Score: 2
AWESOME plot and nice twist would have NEVER guessed it
Helpful Score: 2
This is the one book of hers I will never read again. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but too sad. Not what I expected from a Keyes novel. I generally prefer her more upbeat novels.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book!!!
Helpful Score: 1
This is right up there with "Watermelon"! A great book that is written in a very unique matter. It takes about half of the book to find out what happened to get the main character to the present time. But beware - have tissues handy if you're prone to crying at books!
Helpful Score: 1
This was my one of my favorite Marian Keys. Very different from her others, deals with more serious topic and a real tear jerker.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this! I was pleasantly surprised by it. A few plot twists turned an already entertaining story into something really heartfelt and exciting. I don't usually read this genre--it looks like the usual romance novel--but I'm glad I listened to the friend who lent it to me.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it got a little repetative in the middle but if you get through that you will love the surprise at the end.
Helpful Score: 1
If you like books that make you feel like you are going through what the characters are this book is for you. The sister books are good but there was a sadness about this book that was touching yet it left me feeling empty. The interaction of the family is very funny though and that kept me coming back.
Helpful Score: 1
I always love Marian Keyes, and this is her best I think. She showed tremendous insight into what the main character was going through. From personal experience, so much of it rang true. This is one I will want to reread.
A great story about female relationships...
I loved this book. The story was very sweet and funny. The mother is hysterical. She was my favorite character in the book.
Novel about a woman coping with loss. This was a continuation of "Rachel's Holiday" but about one of the other sisters. Same characters/different emphasis.
This book had humor, sensitivity with some mystery wrapped around the story. It was a great read, hard to put down.
I VERY much enjoyed this book. Usually Marian Keyes is a fun chick-lit author that I use to "chase" heavier books but she REALLY wowed me with this one. I've always enjoyed following along with the adventures of the Walsh girls, but Anna's story is by far the best. Great GREAT book by Keyes.
I have loved this book every time I have read it. I need something to read now that I know I will like because I've had too many duds in a row, too much wasted time. I thought that by the third? fourth? time I've read something it wouldn't keep me so engrossed, but I can't wait to get done with my grad school work so I can pick it up and keep reading.
I think I love this book more each time I read it. I think it's the character's in the novel. Each one is so well developed that I can truly imagine them being real people. I'm a lover of stories with well-rounded characters, so Keyes' books are right up my alley. I've finally bought my own copy, so I'll no longer need to rely on its availabilty at the library.
I think I love this book more each time I read it. I think it's the character's in the novel. Each one is so well developed that I can truly imagine them being real people. I'm a lover of stories with well-rounded characters, so Keyes' books are right up my alley. I've finally bought my own copy, so I'll no longer need to rely on its availabilty at the library.
It was fairly good with a lot of funny thigs that happen throughout the story...
This was very good and keeps you involved with the Walsh sisters. It centers on Anna and her life following a horrible event. I really enjoyed it.
Marian Keyes at her best. I have read and immensely enjoyed all her other books- lots of trauma and drama, that's for certain, but they are fantastic, can't - put- it- down reads. This is one of the better walsh sisters ones, fast-paced, engaging, really really charming.
I really enjoyed this book. Good summer read.
Listen to this book on tape! It is a scream! My husband and I loved it. We cracked up every day to and from work.
This book wasn't really what I expected. I've read almost all of Marian Keyes's books so I thought this would be like them. But, it really isn't like her other books. It's much darker and sadder than I expected. I cried a lot while I read this book. I usually laugh a good bit while reading her books but there wasn't much laughing going on during this one. And I almost stopped reading it in the beginning because I didn't think I was going to be able to handle it. That being said, I finished the book and really liked it when I was done. It's a heartbreaking story and it makes you realize how life can change in an instant.
I loved Anna and really felt like she could be a friend. She's not my favorite Walsh sister, but she's a close second to Rachel. As always, Marian Keyes does a wonderful job of making it feel like you actually know the characters and really want them to be okay.
I loved Anna and really felt like she could be a friend. She's not my favorite Walsh sister, but she's a close second to Rachel. As always, Marian Keyes does a wonderful job of making it feel like you actually know the characters and really want them to be okay.
Great book! The author captures the characters and the changes in their lives well.
Surprising twist. I loved this book. I was crying on the airplane.
Excellent story line. Made me so mad at the beginning, not knowing everything, but the truth comes out pretty quickly. You'll have to read to believe!
I loved this book! This author's books are great. I love the entire Walsh family.
The best of all the books about the Walsh girls. I didn't think I would like Anna so much, she came off as such a flake in the earlier books. Very engaging story.
Wow! I'm a Keyes fan, but this one is definately one of her best.
Very good book! You are led to believe one thing in the beginning of the book, but soon find out things aren't always what they seem. I was shocked about midway thru the book when certain things are revealed. I enjoyed it very much, although Rachel's Holiday is still my favorite Marain Keyes book.
I was really pleasantly surprised with this book. I couldn't stop reading it. Very good! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It reads quickly and keeps you guessing to the end.
good book
Loved this book! Yes, it was sad but in a poignant way. The main character also has a clever sense of humor and her quirky family provide plenty of humor as well. Very engaging prose and easy to get into the story. I thought she built suspense well as she lead up to her reveal. I also appreciated her leaving a bit of mystery around the question of afterlife communication.
Such a great read! I rate this writer up there with Maeve Binchy. I can't wait to read more books from this author.
Good book about family, tragedy and the process to deal with it.
I really enjoyed this book...an Irish girl returns to NYC to attempt to find her love...intriguing story...if you've liked other books by Keyes you need to give this one a try. -Mirah W.
