‘Grown Ups’ is the latest book by Marian Keyes.
Love a good family drama? If you answered yes, you will like this book. In this story we meet the Casey brothers, Johnny, Ed, and Liam. The three brothers, their wives, and all their children spend most holidays and family celebrations together.
Johnny’s wife Jessie is the glue that holds the family together. Johnny and Jessie foot the bill for all the family trips. Jessie insists on it. Johnny is worried about their spending and ED’s wife Cara manages their accounts, knowing far too much about their finances.
Jessie has children from her first marriage to Rory, who, before he died, was Johnny’s best friend. Jessie’s eldest son Ferdia, has had a hard time accepting Johnny into his life, however he doesn’t dislike him as much as he dislikes his uncle Liam.
Liam and his much younger and hip wife Nell seem happy, but are they? Ferdia and Nell become close. A little too close. Is Ferdia trying to spite his uncle Liam, or is there more to their relationship?
Cara is hiding the fact that she is bulimic from her husband. Nell is struggling to suppress her feelings for Ferdia, and Johnny is hiding money from Jessie. Every one of the brother’s marriages has a problem, even if they don’t know it yet.
All the family secrets come spilling out when Cara gets concussion and reveals everything she knows at a family dinner. Following these revelations, not one marriage will ever be the same again.
I am one of Marian Keyes biggest fans, having read all of her books. I did find a couple of disappointing elements in this book. The author introduces too many characters too quickly and the first 100 pages were a bit confusing for me, trying to get my head around who was who in the zoo.
I also found the first few chapters slow and almost gave up on the book, but I am glad I persevered. Once I got into the story and more drama unfolded, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened.
This book is sad, funny, confronting and full of drama. Once you get your head around all the characters and get into the nitty gritty, it is a good read.
I give it four stars. ****