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The in-laws

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THE NO. 1 BESTSELLER

'Classic Moriarty emotional, relatable and rooted in the messiness of real family life’ RTÉ Guide

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Family life is enough of a juggle without ... The In-Laws

Amanda. Katie. Melanie.

Three wildly different women with one big problem – their impossible mother-in-law, Nancy.

When an unexpected crisis hits the family business, the sisters-in-law find themselves navigating stormy waters. Amanda is back in town and ready to reclaim her spot at the top. Katie, the feisty outsider, knows she'll never earn Nancy’s approval – and has stopped caring. Melanie, ambitious and savvy, is more than capable of running the business, if only Nancy would loosen her iron grip.

Forced to confront messy truths about marriage, motherhood, succession and family loyalty, the three women soon realize their greatest strength might just be each other.

The In-Laws is a sharp, funny, and relatable novel about surviving the family you didn’t choose.

400 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2025

179 people are currently reading
194 people want to read

About the author

Sinéad Moriarty

31 books496 followers
Sinéad was born and raised in Dublin where she grew up surrounded by books. Her mother is an author of children’s books. Growing up, Sinead says she was inspired by watching her mother writing at the kitchen table and then being published. From that moment on, her childhood dream was to write a novel.

After university, she went to live in Paris and then London. It was at the age of thirty, while working as a journalist in London that she began to write creatively in her spare time – after work, at lunch times … and, truth be told, during work hours.

After a couple of years toying with ideas, she joined a creative writing group and began to write The Baby Trail. The bitter-sweet comedy of a couple struggling to conceive hit a nerve in publishing circles. It was snapped up by Penguin Publishing in the UK and Ireland and has, to date, been translated into twenty languages.

Since writing The Baby Trail, Sinead has moved back to Dublin where she lives with her husband, two sons and baby girl.

Her second book A Perfect Match has been published worldwide. The US version of A Perfect Match is called The Right Fit. Her third novel – From Here to Maternity – is the third installment of the Emma Hamilton series. Her fourth book – In My Sister’s Shoes – is about two sisters who help save each other. Her fifth book has been published under two different titles: Whose Life Is It Anyway? in Ireland and Keeping it in the Family in the UK.

Her sixth book, Pieces of my Heart, about a family dealing with a terrible crisis, went straight in at number 1 in the Irish charts and was nominated for an Irish Book Award.

Her seventh book – Me and My Sisters – went straight in at number 1 in the Irish charts and was nominated for an Irish Book Award.

Her most recent novel Mad About You is the fourth novel in the Emma Hamilton Series.

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5 stars
238 (45%)
4 stars
180 (34%)
3 stars
82 (15%)
2 stars
20 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie M.
1,437 reviews89 followers
November 19, 2025
Girl power!

Excellent characters, realistic and honest plot, and outstanding narration. Brilliant read in the contemporary women’s lit genre.

An author I’m adding to my TBR list.
120 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2025
Another easy read from Sinead moriarty, humorous and touching moments … sum it up
Profile Image for Agi.
1,676 reviews105 followers
July 20, 2025
"The In - Laws" - the hilarious and heartfelt novel...oops, we have a problem here, right at the beginning. Personally, I didn't find this book neither hilarious, nor heartfelt. It was actually very stereotypical and predictable and I really like Sinead Moriarty, so it really pains me to say this, but I was hoping for something more.
But altogether it is not a bad book, no, it deals with family relationships and business, with family dynamics, betrayal, addiction and many more, and it would be great, but it all felt so superficial and I missed depth to this story, it was simple and predictable. Some of the characters' behaviour felt too grotesque to take them seriously.

Altogether, it was a neasy and undemanding read and I liked the growing relationship between the three sisters - in - law. Also. the way the author has dealt with Melanie and her motherhood's issues was a brilliant idea - I think Melanie was the one that felt the most real. Like I said, it's not a bad book, it has its moments, but I expected more execution and twists.
Profile Image for Síle.
645 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2025
Thank you to Sinéad Moriarty, Penguin UK and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book feels like home. It’s almost strange how comforting it is. Like slipping into the rhythm of a familiar heartbeat.

Sinéad Moriarty has this uncanny ability to write characters who feel like real people you’ve known all your life. There’s warmth, compassion, and something profoundly safe in their presence.

That’s not to say the topics are easy, they’re not. Grief, self-harm, addiction, and emotional abuse (mostly off-page) all find a place in this story. But they’re handled with such grace and empathy that instead of overwhelming, they soothe.

This isn’t just a book about in-laws. It’s a book about connection, redemption, and how family, the one we’re born into or the one we build, can carry us through the dark.

Sinéad, you nailed this one!
Profile Image for Michaela Hopkinson.
64 reviews
June 17, 2025
It’s been several years since I last read a Sinead Moriarty novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Baby Trail” series, so I was eagerly anticipating receiving an advance copy of her forthcoming book, “The In-Laws.”

The novel follows the intertwined lives of three sister-in-laws, each married to a Fitzroy brother. Their mother-in-law, a formidable figure, leads the family literacy agency business. The in-laws’ find each other through the web of family life, secrets, the family business and their respective relationships with the brothers. They learn that blood isn’t always thicker than water!

The book features a compelling cast of strong, likeable female characters who navigate the challenges of life with resilience.
“The In-Laws” is an enjoyable read that I highly recommend. Out in July.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Penguin General UK for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#book18in25 #sineadmoriarty #theinlaws #netgalley #arc #bookreview #bookrecommendations #sisterinlaws #familyties #strongfemalecharacters #booklove
Profile Image for Leona.
1,501 reviews
July 9, 2025
Family life is enough of a juggle without ... The In-Laws

Amanda. Katie. Melanie.

Three wildly different women with one big problem – their impossible mother-in-law, Nancy.

When an unexpected crisis hits the family business, the sisters-in-law find themselves navigating stormy waters. Amanda is back in town and ready to reclaim her spot at the top. Katie, the feisty outsider, knows she'll never earn Nancy’s approval – and has stopped caring. Melanie, ambitious and savvy, is more than capable of running the business, if only Nancy would loosen her iron grip.

Forced to confront messy truths about marriage, motherhood, succession and family loyalty, the three women soon realize their greatest strength might just be each other.

This was another brilliant read by one of my favourite Irish authors Sinead Moriarty. I loved the characters and how they all each had their own problems and at first wanted to keep their various problems to themselves. It was great to see them all develop as the story moved on . This is a lovely easy read perfect summer reading.
Profile Image for Andrea.
136 reviews6 followers
May 13, 2025
Review of ‘The In-Laws’ by Sinead Moriarty due to be published on 3 July 2025 by Penguin General UK.

The book centres around the Fitzroy family, who run their own literary agency. There’s the formidable matriarch (Nancy), and her three sons (Ross, Jamie and Frank) and daughter in law (Melanie) all working at the agency, Amanda (wife to Ross and stay at home mum) and Katie (wife to Jamie, mum and part time hairdresser).

Nancy is really not a nice character, and only has good words to say about one of her granddaughters (Lucy) who’s she sees as her prodigy and the natural talent to take over, even though she’s only 9!

The sisters in-law are the stand out characters in the book, all three strong females and adept at dealing with whatever is thrown at them.

Another excellent book by bestseller Sinead Moriarty!
Profile Image for Amy Walsh.
164 reviews
May 31, 2025
The In-Laws
Sinead Moriarty
Read and Reviewed: April 2025
Publication Date: 3rd July 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Sinead's latest book in exchange for my honest review.

This one is due to be published 3rd of July 2025 guys so add it to the lists - its another excellent book by our lovely Sinead.

I have read 13 of Sinead's other books and thoroughly enjoyed them and keeping with tradition, this one was no different.

The In-Laws grabbed me from the very first chapter and every time I had to put it down to do work or get some jobs done or feed the family (why must they require feeding multiple times a day, everyday 🤣🤣) I was counting down till I could pick it up again and get back to this lovely story.

Written in Moriarty's typical style 'The In-Laws' makes for very easy and light reading - it is not at all taxing on the brain, needs no trigger warnings and is the definition of chick lit and womens fiction in it's simplicity - while still having a wonderful and engaging stotyline.

We're introduced to the Fitzroy family, Nancy, her three sons and their three wives (the three female main characters) ~ Mel, Amanda and Katie.

The story is told from the POV of the three sisters-in-law whose initial one primary thing they have in common is their problematic and annoying Mother in law.

Their relationship with each other and friendships grow as a result of their shared dislike (if thats not too strong a word to use here 🫢) of their mother in law Nancy.

The three women are such in depth, likable and well drafted characters and each one brings their own flair to the story.

Sinead Moriarty never disappoints - she has such a warmth about her writing style that I just absolutely love and cannot get enough of.

The In-Laws is a fabulous, witty and relatable story about marriage, motherhood, friendships and surviving the family you didnt choose.

The perfect escapism and will make a great summer read.

4 stars from me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
230 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2025
When Amanda, Ross and Theo suddenly arrive home to Dublin to mind Nancy after her fall, things aren’t adding up for the rest of the family.

Secrets are spilled, words are said, relationships are on the brink, friendships are bonded and we realise blood isn’t always thicker than water.

This book deals with the intricacies of a family business, succession planning, workaholic mothers, substance and alcohol abuse and female empowerment. It was a great read and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much to Penguin Books and Sinead Moriarty for this early release copy. The In-Laws is out July 3rd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Megan Jones.
1,552 reviews25 followers
July 3, 2025
This is a very funny read about something we can all relate to, family dramas. It does take a little while to get going but stick with it as when Moriarty starts to bring everything together, this is full of laughs and surprises.
With any book like this the characters need to be likeable and these really are. I warmed to all of them and simply enjoyed getting to know them and their family. We meet them at a crisis point when secrets are revealed and consequences being dealt with. This certainly made for interesting reading and it was amusing seeing the different relationships and power play play out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an advance copy.
Profile Image for Veronica Castignani.
15 reviews
November 11, 2025
☘️ Book Review for The In-Laws by Sinéad Moriarty

Three sisters-in-law. One formidable mother-in-law. Endless family drama. 😅

Sinéad Moriarty does it again. The In-Laws is sharp, emotional, funny, and so incredibly relatable. It captures the chaos, love, and tension of family life with honesty and warmth. Each woman felt real and flawed in the best way, and I devoured this story from start to finish.

⭐️ 5/5 stars
💚 Emotional, witty, and full of Irish heart.

If you love stories about family, resilience, and the messy beauty of real life, this one’s a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for the opportunity to read this gem in exchange for an honest review.
2 reviews
September 14, 2025
This is my first Sinéad Moriarty novel, and I really enjoyed it!
The In-Laws is a story about 3 very different Sisters-in-law who, despite their differences, bond over their mutual dislike of their not very kind Monther-In-Law. It tells the story from the viewpoints of Amanda, Katie and Melanie, who married 3 very different brothers.

I felt this took a while to get me hooked, but once I'd got used to 3 different viewpoints, I couldn't stop reading.

It was funny, emotional and I thoroughly enjoyed reading! This won't be my last Sinéad Moriarty novel!
97 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2025
Meet Amanda, Katie, and Melanie are in-laws. Each of them is juggling their own chaos, and just to spice things up, they also have to deal with Nancy, the impossible mother-in-law who seems to thrive on drama.

Amanda’s just moved back from London with her family and lands straight into Nancy’s house (which, as you can imagine, doesn't help an already tricky situation). Melanie’s the dependable one, holding the family business and her own household together with barely a moment to breathe. And then there’s Katie the sharp, fiery one and never quite on the receiving end of Nancy’s approval. A bit of wine at a family lunch loosens her tongue, and let’s just say things unravel fast.

They’ve never been particularly close, but as they start navigating their messy lives together, something shifts. Secrets are shared, truths confronted, covering everything from affairs, motherhood to substance use.

Despite the heavier topics, the story never felt too heavy. It was a really easy, engaging read with just the right mix of heart and drama. I especially loved Katie, her relationship with her husband felt the most real to me. Amanda and Melanie both had strong story arcs too, and I enjoyed getting each of their perspectives through the alternating chapters.

It’s been a while since I picked up a Sinéad Moriarty book, and this one reminded me why I love her writing, relatable, warm, and so readable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
430 reviews
September 28, 2025
This book had plenty of potential but was disappointing in how it presented the lives of modern women . It portrayed the usual problems of family relationships, motherhood , alcoholism drug abuse and infidelity . There were no twists in the story just a dull portrayal of typical family life . Disappointed
Profile Image for Corinne Johnston.
1,004 reviews
November 6, 2025
I began this with a personal problem, my late mother-in-law was called Nancy. Whilst probably no-one was ever going to be perfect for her only child, she was always lovely to me. Nancy in this novel is a right bitch. How the sons have not reined her in a bit over the years is beyond me. The family intertwining of loyalties and secrets was interesting.
3 reviews
July 26, 2025
Another Must Read book from Sinead Moriarty
Three Sons Three Wife's, Grandmother from Hell and Grandchildren
A Family of Book Agents and a life full of challenges. The Neglected Daughters - In- Law became friends and They Bring a Big Change to the Family. A Book I Couldn't Put Down
Profile Image for Nicola Whelan.
165 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
This is a beautiful book about family working together in a publishing agency, about the trials and tribulations of the kids, their parents, the Granny, etc. It’s a great read and very enjoyable for anybody who likes chick lit books. I recommend it.
12 reviews
December 15, 2025
This was my favourite book of the year. Not really a book I would usually pick up and read, I am so glad I did. Any spare moment I had over a few days I was reading it. Such a beautiful and honest story. I will be reading more of Sinéad Moriarty’s books. 11/10, I cannot recommend enough!
Profile Image for Joanne Hattersley.
Author 1 book6 followers
July 11, 2025
perfection as usual.

Sinead Moriarty does not disappoint with her latest book. Characters that are written so well, you always feel like you know them personally.
Profile Image for Gill Brown.
712 reviews7 followers
July 27, 2025
A story of 3 women supporting each other and I loved it.
Profile Image for Caroline Croezen.
585 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2025
I read this in a day! Couldn't put it down, great story, loved the characters. Sinéad Moriarty can do no wrong!
Profile Image for Trish.
503 reviews8 followers
September 2, 2025
Great story. An easy and enjoyable read.
A messed up family in a lot of ways, but those girls find each other and the future looks better.
Profile Image for Patricia Williams.
431 reviews14 followers
June 3, 2025
I've just read Sinéad Moriarty's latest novel The In-Laws in one sitting. It tells the story of the Fitzroy family. Three sons, their wives, various children and matriarch Nancy. All the sons, one of the wives and Nancy work in the family owned publishing company. Nancy rules every aspect of her family with a fist of iron but sibling rivalries run very deep between the boys. The wives (the in-laws of the title) have their loyalties to their husbands but also their own internal marriage crosses to bear and as for the children.......!!
The 'In-Laws' could be relating the dynamics of any family anywhere. The bickering and backstabbing. The hugging and supporting. The falling out and making up. We have all danced that dance of family politics. I absolutely loved every word of this book. Everyone, especially the women, just trying so hard to keep everything afloat. Sometimes they succeed and other times they fail but the outsiders, the in-laws, have each other's backs always.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Patricia Williams.
431 reviews14 followers
June 3, 2025
I've just read Sinéad Moriarty's latest novel The In-Laws in one sitting. It tells the story of the Fitzroy family. Three sons, their wives, various children and matriarch Nancy. All the sons, one of the wives and Nancy work in the family owned publishing company. Nancy rules every aspect of her family with a fist of iron but sibling rivalries run very deep between the boys. The wives (the in-laws of the title) have their loyalties to their husbands but also their own internal marriage crosses to bear and as for the children.......!!
The 'In-Laws' could be relating the dynamics of any family anywhere. The bickering and backstabbing. The hugging and supporting. The falling out and making up. We have all danced that dance of family politics. I absolutely loved every word of this book. Everyone, especially the women, just trying so hard to keep everything afloat. Sometimes they succeed and other times they fail but the outsiders, the in-laws, have each other's backs always.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Oonagh Considine.
165 reviews
July 21, 2025
I like Sinead Moriarty writing but the story line reminded me of ladies midnight swimming club by faith hogan. Sinead is still able to keep ya reading though . Still one of my favourite authors
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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