Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes

I picked this book up for 50p from a car boot as part of my new year's resolution to start reading again so that I get something different to think and talk about other than my son or what has been on TV. Although the reason I was attracted to the book was the fact that Marian has been on loose women a few times and I have found her very entertaining so hoped that her book would be the same. The plot The book starts when Rachel the main character is living in New York with her best Friend Brigit. She lives the party lifestyle and works to earn money to buy drugs, drink and little else. She falls for Luke who is also Irish but she battles ...  Read the complete review

I have read quite a few of Marian Keyes books recently (something to do with the job lot I bagsied on eBay not long ago!) I have a very wide range of reading tastes from historical romance books to Shaun Hutson gore fests! I fancied a change and after the popularity of all the hype about Brigit Jones type thirty-something books, I thought I would give them a go. Rachel?s Holiday was the third Marian Keyes book I have read, and in my opinion one of her better ones. The Characters Obviously Rachel is the star turn in this book. Rachel Walsh is approaching thirty, living in New York, had a history of tragic failed romances and has finally found a ...  Read the complete review

Having read and enjoyed a few Marian Keyes books recently, Rachel's Holiday was the next on the list and it comes to the usual standard I now expect from Keyes. Rachel is a 27-year old Irish girl living in New York with her best friend Brigit. Her life is an endless whirl of drugs and booze, she is always the life and soul of the party and she has a hunk of a man to fulfil her every desire. Her life is practicaly perfect....isn't it? Well, clearly, no it's not. Rachel gets shipped back to Ireland after accidentally taking an overdose which lands her in hospital. Her shamed parents sign her up for a 3-month stint at the local Rehab Clinic and Rachel ...  Read the complete review

I have spent many years reading 'chick-lit' for want of a better description. You kow the type; young girl stuck in dead end job with idiot boyfriend. Terrible things happen then she ends up with perfect boyfriend and brand new job. Etc. The end. And yes I do admit to liking them, it's a little bit of escapism. When I first picked up Marian Keye's Rachel's Holiday I was expecting pretty much the same story. And I am happy to say I was thoroughly surprise! Marian Keyes bases a lot of her books around one family, each book concentrating on a different sibling. This book is, obviously, based around the character of Rachel. A young Irish girl living in New York, ...  Read the complete review

This is a brilliant book. I found myself giggling away like a loony to some parts,which may seem an odd thing to do seeing as the book is about a drug addict's journey to recovery. I don't have a sick sense of humour. Marion Keyes writes with a mixture of humour, perception and poignancy. The story often leaps from extremely funny to sad in the space of a few pages. Rachel Walsh, middle daughter of the raucous Walsh family last seen in Marion Keyes's 'Water Melon', is a social drug user. Well, that's what she thinks, those around her aren't so sure. After a stomach pumping trip to hospital she is persuaded into the Cloisters, a ...  Read the complete review