Want to go to Rehab for a holiday? (Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes)

Member Name: wisemind

Product:	Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes
Date:	10/03/09 (212 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: amsing , easy reading

Disadvantages: a bit slow on places

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 between her own emotions and her desire to be looked up to.
After one night of too many drugs she end up in hospital having her stomach pumped and this is when her family get involved and encourage her to go to the cloisters , a rehab unit in Ireland. Rachel knows that some famous people have been there and although she doesn't believe she has a drug problem she thinks it will be like going to a spa and a chance to mix with the rich and famous.


The story from the cloisters is divided into chapters some of her life and experience in the rehab centre and the others of her memories of life with Luke in New York.



The Main characters

Rachel comes from a large Irish family but has followed her friend Brigit to work in New York. Rachel is a social climber who wants to be with the in with the in crowd, a boyfriend who everyone will be jealous. She struggles to keep her job due to partying all night and the uppers and downers of drug addiction but she is blissfully unaware she has any sort of problem and lives in a world of denial.

Luke is a down to earth Irish guy who lives with his mates. He has a different approach to life to most of the men Rachel has ever met. He has his own way of doing things which is challenging to Rachel but also makes him more intriguing.

My opinion

This book was interesting. I found some parts highly amusing but other times I found it quite slow and hoped it would move on.
Having lived with an addict I definitely recognise some of the behaviours and denial that anything is wrong. It is a great journey for Rachel and one that can easily be followed.
Despite the fact it is about a drug addict it is light hearted read and certainly not a depressing read. I found myself laughing at some of the antics and misconceptions throughout the book.

The book won't change your life but will amuse you.

This book is true chic lit and I would recommend it for a light and easy read.

It is currently £ 5.69 on Amazon but they have used copies from 1p plus postage.

Summary: an amusing chic lit book