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Nog lang en gelukkig
Een prachtige roman over een heel herkenbaar probleem: hoe vind je je plaats in een andere familie?
Bess wil iedereen laten zien hoe gelukkig ze is in haar kersverse huwelijk, en daarom wil ze een groot feest geven. Ze stort zich vol overgave op de plannen, maar op de achtergrond beginnen zich scheuren te vertonen. Waarom is deel worden van een familie zo moeilijk?
Jojo, Bess’ stiefdochter, wil een punt maken. Bess is niet haar moeder en zal ook nooit de vrouw vervangen die ze nu al twee jaar lang elke dag mist. En zal ze ooit de kans krijgen om zelf moeder te worden?
Cari, Jojo’s nicht, is een echte carrièrevrouw die nergens bang voor is – behalve om de man onder ogen te komen die haar voor het altaar in de steek liet. En laat hij nou net op de gastenlijst van Bess’ feest staan. Is het tijd om de liefde weer toe te laten in haar leven?
Een familie, drie vrouwen en een onverwachte gebeurtenis… Leren de Brannigans hoe je lang en gelukkig leeft voor het te laat is?
De pers over de boeken van Cathy Kelly:
‘Warm, geloofwaardig en intelligent: dit is fictie op zijn best.’ HeatMagazine
‘Een hartverwarmend verhaal over familie. Aan het eind van het boek zijn alle personages je vrienden geworden.’ Essentials
‘Ontroerend en bijna zo visueel levendig als een film.’ Irish Indepent
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2018
314 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Kelly
115 books1,089 followersBorn in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
February 10, 2017
I was lucky to score a copy of Secrets of a Happy Marriage from a friend who is a Cathy Kelly fan. I wouldn’t consider myself a devoted fan to Kelly’s works, but I do enjoy reading Kelly’s books from time to time. What I admire about Cathy Kelly’s writing is the warm and engaging tone she takes with each of her novels. For me, standout reads in the past I have enjoyed from Cathy Kelly are; It Started With Paris and The Honey Queen. I recall appreciating the lightness of the novels, as well as Kelly’s focus on the everyday complications that the modern woman faces in life.
Cathy Kelly’s latest novel, titled Secrets of a Happy Marriage, is focussed on a particular family – the Brannigans, their relations and the problems plaguing their relationships. As the book opens, preparations are in place for an upcoming big birthday celebration for one important Brannigan. It will bring all of the Brannigans together under one roof. However, what is meant to be a happy occasion, brings to forefront insecurities and current problems. The book chooses to focus on three main character voices to tell the unfolding problems faced by the Brannigan family. The first is told through the eyes of newest family member Bess. When the reader meets Bess, it is clear poor Bess is desperately trying to fit in with the Brannigans. Following in the footsteps of the much loved matriarch of the Brannigans is no easy task, as Bess discovers. The birthday party is Bess’ chance to prove her worth to her new family but it all seems too hard. The second character focus in Secrets of a Happy Marriage, is Bess’ stepdaughter Jojo. Jojo is not at a good point in her life, suffering from grief, infertility issues and marriage problems simultaneously. Jojo has her reservations about Bess and is adamant Bess will never replace her beloved Mother. Jojo’s angst about her stepmother is also exacerbated by her inability to conceive a child. Finally, the third perspective in this novel comes from cousin Cari. Career girl Cari has been hiding from the world, since her fiancé left her at the altar. The birthday celebrations, where this said fiancé is on the guest list, opens up old wounds that have only just started to heal. Secrets of a Happy Marriage looks at the problems each of these characters face, alongside a large cast of secondary characters, including a surprise visitor. It is a story that really gets the reader to consider what the true secrets are to a successful marriage. Are there any?
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a book that is doused with Kelly’s trademark catchy Irish storytelling. Overall, I liked the messages that are contained through the storyline, revolving around the themes of family, friendship, marriage, bereavement, trust, depression and infertility. These are issues that touch anyone, of any age or gender. What I also appreciated about this novel was the subject matter. I liked how Kelly gave the main storyline to two mature characters, who highlight it is possible to have a second chance at love later in life. Kelly explores the complexities of these relationships and second marriages, with the impact felt by immediate family members and friends. Kelly also looks at the ability to move past grief and move on from the death of a loved one, which is emotional, as a well as heartbreaking. Kelly tackled this delicate issue well and it was refreshing to read a male perspective on this situation. On the whole, the characters featured in Secrets of a Happy Marriage were believable and their situations realistic. I enjoyed reading about their various pathways but there were just too many characters overall. I felt confused by the sheer range of secondary characters featured in Secrets of a Happy Marriage and as a result, I didn’t completely engage with any particular character. However, despite the book being character heavy, the points that I did enjoy about the novel ensured that this added up to a good read overall.
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a touching book on family dynamics, love and hope that amounted to a satisfying read for me. While I just liked, not loved this book, I did appreciate the little advice anecdotes on marriage, contained at the opening of each chapter. It was a nice touch and had me thinking how I could apply these to my own marriage. Food for thought, thanks to bestselling author Cathy Kelly.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Cathy Kelly’s latest novel, titled Secrets of a Happy Marriage, is focussed on a particular family – the Brannigans, their relations and the problems plaguing their relationships. As the book opens, preparations are in place for an upcoming big birthday celebration for one important Brannigan. It will bring all of the Brannigans together under one roof. However, what is meant to be a happy occasion, brings to forefront insecurities and current problems. The book chooses to focus on three main character voices to tell the unfolding problems faced by the Brannigan family. The first is told through the eyes of newest family member Bess. When the reader meets Bess, it is clear poor Bess is desperately trying to fit in with the Brannigans. Following in the footsteps of the much loved matriarch of the Brannigans is no easy task, as Bess discovers. The birthday party is Bess’ chance to prove her worth to her new family but it all seems too hard. The second character focus in Secrets of a Happy Marriage, is Bess’ stepdaughter Jojo. Jojo is not at a good point in her life, suffering from grief, infertility issues and marriage problems simultaneously. Jojo has her reservations about Bess and is adamant Bess will never replace her beloved Mother. Jojo’s angst about her stepmother is also exacerbated by her inability to conceive a child. Finally, the third perspective in this novel comes from cousin Cari. Career girl Cari has been hiding from the world, since her fiancé left her at the altar. The birthday celebrations, where this said fiancé is on the guest list, opens up old wounds that have only just started to heal. Secrets of a Happy Marriage looks at the problems each of these characters face, alongside a large cast of secondary characters, including a surprise visitor. It is a story that really gets the reader to consider what the true secrets are to a successful marriage. Are there any?
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a book that is doused with Kelly’s trademark catchy Irish storytelling. Overall, I liked the messages that are contained through the storyline, revolving around the themes of family, friendship, marriage, bereavement, trust, depression and infertility. These are issues that touch anyone, of any age or gender. What I also appreciated about this novel was the subject matter. I liked how Kelly gave the main storyline to two mature characters, who highlight it is possible to have a second chance at love later in life. Kelly explores the complexities of these relationships and second marriages, with the impact felt by immediate family members and friends. Kelly also looks at the ability to move past grief and move on from the death of a loved one, which is emotional, as a well as heartbreaking. Kelly tackled this delicate issue well and it was refreshing to read a male perspective on this situation. On the whole, the characters featured in Secrets of a Happy Marriage were believable and their situations realistic. I enjoyed reading about their various pathways but there were just too many characters overall. I felt confused by the sheer range of secondary characters featured in Secrets of a Happy Marriage and as a result, I didn’t completely engage with any particular character. However, despite the book being character heavy, the points that I did enjoy about the novel ensured that this added up to a good read overall.
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a touching book on family dynamics, love and hope that amounted to a satisfying read for me. While I just liked, not loved this book, I did appreciate the little advice anecdotes on marriage, contained at the opening of each chapter. It was a nice touch and had me thinking how I could apply these to my own marriage. Food for thought, thanks to bestselling author Cathy Kelly.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
February 21, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Orion publishing group and Cathy Kelly for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I have been a fan of Kathy Kelly's for quite some time now. So when this book landed in my accepted and ready to download section I did a little happy dance around the kitchen.
This book is another brilliant addition to the Cathy Kelly collection. Full of drama, lies, secrets, love and family issues.
Bess has recently become step mother to a ready made family. Looking happy and joined together on the surface while it has actually been a struggle to be instigated into the family mould.
Jess, Bess's step daughter is lashing out. Bess Is not her mother and she cannot replace her either. It's not going to be easy getting Jess on her side.
Desperately Bess just wants to be the children's friend and confident. Someone they feel and that they can go to with their problems and doesn't ever want to try and replace their birth mother. Bess is also desperately wanting a child of her own but things aren't going quite to plan on that front.
As Bess plans a wedding to the children's family. Dreams of starting a family of her own and being excepted into this ready made family are keeping her up at night. While cousin Carl is a fierce careers woman. Nothing can unnerve her. Except perhaps her ex fiancé who is on the the wedding list and abandoned her at the alter in the day of their matrimony.
Can they all find out the meaning of a happy family before it's too late?
This book is full of love, laughter, tears, drama, happiness and sadness. This book had it all. It is a feel good gem of a book. Perfect for spending sunshine on the cold and miserable britsh weather.
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I have been a fan of Kathy Kelly's for quite some time now. So when this book landed in my accepted and ready to download section I did a little happy dance around the kitchen.
This book is another brilliant addition to the Cathy Kelly collection. Full of drama, lies, secrets, love and family issues.
Bess has recently become step mother to a ready made family. Looking happy and joined together on the surface while it has actually been a struggle to be instigated into the family mould.
Jess, Bess's step daughter is lashing out. Bess Is not her mother and she cannot replace her either. It's not going to be easy getting Jess on her side.
Desperately Bess just wants to be the children's friend and confident. Someone they feel and that they can go to with their problems and doesn't ever want to try and replace their birth mother. Bess is also desperately wanting a child of her own but things aren't going quite to plan on that front.
As Bess plans a wedding to the children's family. Dreams of starting a family of her own and being excepted into this ready made family are keeping her up at night. While cousin Carl is a fierce careers woman. Nothing can unnerve her. Except perhaps her ex fiancé who is on the the wedding list and abandoned her at the alter in the day of their matrimony.
Can they all find out the meaning of a happy family before it's too late?
This book is full of love, laughter, tears, drama, happiness and sadness. This book had it all. It is a feel good gem of a book. Perfect for spending sunshine on the cold and miserable britsh weather.
Happy reading everyone
March 8, 2017
I really would have liked to give this book more but for most of the book it just irritated the hell out of me. Once I began to get into it after a few hundred pages,it was good but it was too little too late.
Firstly there were seriously far too many characters, 16 characters on my last count around 300 pages and there were new ones after that and it wasn't like they were all background characters because they weren't. They all had their own dramas and stories to tell,interconnecting with each other.
It was just so hard to keep track of who they all were and every new paragraph moved onto someone else and someone else.
Every person would then go back in time and reminisce, but they spent more time looking back than actually being present in real time. It felt that no time was passing at all and if it was we weren't privy to it or what was going on. Which is the whole point of a book is it not!!
It was a book that tried to lean more towards empowering women rather than the men and their views/opinions/lives in too much detail. But I really felt sorry for the men when faced with the bitchy,selfish,deluded,childish women in their lives.
Take Jojo who is married to Hugh who lost her mum Lottie to cancer a few years ago and she detests her dad's new wife Bess,to the point that her dad Edward starts to reconsider his marriage to please his selfish brat of a daughter. Jojo is desperate for a baby after several attempts at IVF and in the process is pushing her long suffering husband Hugh further away. I actually hated her the most out of everyone.
Amy who is Bess's daughter is fooling herself into thinking her married boss is madly in love with her and is really separated from his wife. Such a cliche but Amy really is so needy and lacking in any self worth it's nauseating.
Helen who is Kits wife is a selfish cow who just loves to spend his money just so she can show off to everyone and look down her nose at everyone.
Cari would have been a focal character and I did like her the most but she was left at the alter by Barney 3 years previous and so she finds it hard to trust men. She finally meets someone and is happy but then something happens and she just runs and cuts him out of her life,she won't hear him out at all. You know it's gonna be a perfectly sensible explanation but no Cari has to play the martyr and ruin her chance at happiness.
The book really didn't get going till 300 odd pages in and then it was good and it finally started to pick up the pace and move along but it was all rather to late to save the majority of the book.
I didn't really see the point of Faenia at all,we only got glimpses of her life and it was nice that she came home after so long but why all the drama beforehand,what was the point of her storyline really.
Finally..was this a book on marriage as the cover suggests? I honestly couldn't have told u what it was really about,dysfunctional chaotic families perhaps but as for 'secrets of a happy marriage' cut the length of the book in half,cut the amount of characters in half and cut out the deadwood and pointlessness and it might have just achieved that!
Firstly there were seriously far too many characters, 16 characters on my last count around 300 pages and there were new ones after that and it wasn't like they were all background characters because they weren't. They all had their own dramas and stories to tell,interconnecting with each other.
It was just so hard to keep track of who they all were and every new paragraph moved onto someone else and someone else.
Every person would then go back in time and reminisce, but they spent more time looking back than actually being present in real time. It felt that no time was passing at all and if it was we weren't privy to it or what was going on. Which is the whole point of a book is it not!!
It was a book that tried to lean more towards empowering women rather than the men and their views/opinions/lives in too much detail. But I really felt sorry for the men when faced with the bitchy,selfish,deluded,childish women in their lives.
Take Jojo who is married to Hugh who lost her mum Lottie to cancer a few years ago and she detests her dad's new wife Bess,to the point that her dad Edward starts to reconsider his marriage to please his selfish brat of a daughter. Jojo is desperate for a baby after several attempts at IVF and in the process is pushing her long suffering husband Hugh further away. I actually hated her the most out of everyone.
Amy who is Bess's daughter is fooling herself into thinking her married boss is madly in love with her and is really separated from his wife. Such a cliche but Amy really is so needy and lacking in any self worth it's nauseating.
Helen who is Kits wife is a selfish cow who just loves to spend his money just so she can show off to everyone and look down her nose at everyone.
Cari would have been a focal character and I did like her the most but she was left at the alter by Barney 3 years previous and so she finds it hard to trust men. She finally meets someone and is happy but then something happens and she just runs and cuts him out of her life,she won't hear him out at all. You know it's gonna be a perfectly sensible explanation but no Cari has to play the martyr and ruin her chance at happiness.
The book really didn't get going till 300 odd pages in and then it was good and it finally started to pick up the pace and move along but it was all rather to late to save the majority of the book.
I didn't really see the point of Faenia at all,we only got glimpses of her life and it was nice that she came home after so long but why all the drama beforehand,what was the point of her storyline really.
Finally..was this a book on marriage as the cover suggests? I honestly couldn't have told u what it was really about,dysfunctional chaotic families perhaps but as for 'secrets of a happy marriage' cut the length of the book in half,cut the amount of characters in half and cut out the deadwood and pointlessness and it might have just achieved that!
November 12, 2018
Song for summary: Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson
What a captivating read! The characters are grieving, relatable, and unique; while the plot is a touching tale about the importance of family, friendship, and love. The author does a wonderful job of interweaving all the different characters together throughout this novel, forming one big, chaotic family. I really enjoyed this book, and will be sure to keep a lookout for more Cathy Kelly!
What a captivating read! The characters are grieving, relatable, and unique; while the plot is a touching tale about the importance of family, friendship, and love. The author does a wonderful job of interweaving all the different characters together throughout this novel, forming one big, chaotic family. I really enjoyed this book, and will be sure to keep a lookout for more Cathy Kelly!
March 10, 2017
Originally posted on This Chick Reads
3.5/5
I think I've said this a million times but I'm gonna repeat it once again. I LOVE Irish women's fiction and Cathy's books are at the top of that list. There's something about them, just so comforting and familiar. Every time I pick up her book I know I will devour it in a day and think about it for a long time.
Naturally I was over the moon to hear she's got a new one coming out and was thrilled when my copy arrived. Now that I've read it, I must say though it's still classic Cathy which I love, there were some things which made the reading a bit difficult.
As always, Cathy explores difficult subjects in her book, infidelity, second marriages, new beginnings, infertility are just a few. The thing is, while some books focus on just one issue, in this book you have a plethora of characters with issues. While I definitely liked the variety it made it a bit hard to follow, that I admit.
Bess Brannigan is organizing a party for her husband's 70th birthday. Bess is in her 60s and just recently married Edward. Edward has lost his first wife due to cancer and though he didn't think he'd ever remarry, he met wonderful Bess and they just clicked from the start. Edward has two children, Paul and Jojo and although they're grown up, independent and should understand his wish to move on with his life, Jojo just can't accept it. She can't believe her father is re-marrying just 2,5 years after losing the love of his life. She does everything in her power to make him change his mind, sabotaging Bess on every corner. I must say this was irritating as Jojo is not a kid, she's in her 30s yet allows herself to lead someone else's life. While I understand she's still grieving about her mother, she's not 10 and should know better. But things are not really easy for her, she's going through her 3rd IVF and is desperate to have a baby. The infertility problems, the sadness, the marriage problems are just some of the reasons that fuel her anger towards Bess even more. Which is not OK, but people do act like this in real life too, not able to control themselves and their actions.
And then there's Cari, Jojo's cousin who also shares her story. While being an amazing career woman, she's not that much lucky when it comes to love. Jilted at the alter a couple of years ago and being left for one of her cousins makes things really hard to forget and forgive. It's only natural that she can't trust men easily and this is just one of her issues. However, despite being complicated at times, I really liked her and think I got to connect with her the most. She's such a good friend and cousin and always is there for Jojo when she needs her. And especially now, when Bess is organizing Edward's birthday party at the same place where he and his deceased wife celebrated their 25th anniversary. This is the biggest shock for the family, especially Jojo.
Once you start reading this book you'll see there are so many characters and stories to follow. Some of them, at least in my opinion, were not relevant to the plot and this did kind of burden the book. The first half of it is a bit slower as we're getting introduced to Brannigans and some people connected with this family. It might be too hard to follow and you might need to go back and re-read some parts, which was what I experienced too. But the second half is when the story picks up and things get more interesting and full of drama.
You should know by now that this book is actually all about the characters. Yes, it's rather character heavy but if you're into women's fiction/family drama it will probably get on your radar. Cathy is amazing when it comes to portraying characters, you get to really feel them, their strengths and flaws. As I said, my favourite character was Cari, but I think I would probably connect to the other main characters more if there were less of side ones. That made things rather difficult to follow or establish a connection with them. But they seemed real, their roads are bumpy and sometimes their destination is out of focus. But isn't it that way in real life too? This is what I loved the most.
Another thing I absolutely loved is the quotes which open up every chapter. They were so amazing and carefully picked to fit the book and what's happening in that chapter.
Cathy is an amazing author who really digs deep into relationships analyzing them from every possible angle. She really knows how to stretch her characters and put them in all sorts of different and difficult situations. If you're looking for a complex women's fiction/drama about family with loads of issues and challenges ahead of them, then this is definitely a book for you.
3.5/5
I think I've said this a million times but I'm gonna repeat it once again. I LOVE Irish women's fiction and Cathy's books are at the top of that list. There's something about them, just so comforting and familiar. Every time I pick up her book I know I will devour it in a day and think about it for a long time.
Naturally I was over the moon to hear she's got a new one coming out and was thrilled when my copy arrived. Now that I've read it, I must say though it's still classic Cathy which I love, there were some things which made the reading a bit difficult.
As always, Cathy explores difficult subjects in her book, infidelity, second marriages, new beginnings, infertility are just a few. The thing is, while some books focus on just one issue, in this book you have a plethora of characters with issues. While I definitely liked the variety it made it a bit hard to follow, that I admit.
Bess Brannigan is organizing a party for her husband's 70th birthday. Bess is in her 60s and just recently married Edward. Edward has lost his first wife due to cancer and though he didn't think he'd ever remarry, he met wonderful Bess and they just clicked from the start. Edward has two children, Paul and Jojo and although they're grown up, independent and should understand his wish to move on with his life, Jojo just can't accept it. She can't believe her father is re-marrying just 2,5 years after losing the love of his life. She does everything in her power to make him change his mind, sabotaging Bess on every corner. I must say this was irritating as Jojo is not a kid, she's in her 30s yet allows herself to lead someone else's life. While I understand she's still grieving about her mother, she's not 10 and should know better. But things are not really easy for her, she's going through her 3rd IVF and is desperate to have a baby. The infertility problems, the sadness, the marriage problems are just some of the reasons that fuel her anger towards Bess even more. Which is not OK, but people do act like this in real life too, not able to control themselves and their actions.
And then there's Cari, Jojo's cousin who also shares her story. While being an amazing career woman, she's not that much lucky when it comes to love. Jilted at the alter a couple of years ago and being left for one of her cousins makes things really hard to forget and forgive. It's only natural that she can't trust men easily and this is just one of her issues. However, despite being complicated at times, I really liked her and think I got to connect with her the most. She's such a good friend and cousin and always is there for Jojo when she needs her. And especially now, when Bess is organizing Edward's birthday party at the same place where he and his deceased wife celebrated their 25th anniversary. This is the biggest shock for the family, especially Jojo.
Once you start reading this book you'll see there are so many characters and stories to follow. Some of them, at least in my opinion, were not relevant to the plot and this did kind of burden the book. The first half of it is a bit slower as we're getting introduced to Brannigans and some people connected with this family. It might be too hard to follow and you might need to go back and re-read some parts, which was what I experienced too. But the second half is when the story picks up and things get more interesting and full of drama.
You should know by now that this book is actually all about the characters. Yes, it's rather character heavy but if you're into women's fiction/family drama it will probably get on your radar. Cathy is amazing when it comes to portraying characters, you get to really feel them, their strengths and flaws. As I said, my favourite character was Cari, but I think I would probably connect to the other main characters more if there were less of side ones. That made things rather difficult to follow or establish a connection with them. But they seemed real, their roads are bumpy and sometimes their destination is out of focus. But isn't it that way in real life too? This is what I loved the most.
Another thing I absolutely loved is the quotes which open up every chapter. They were so amazing and carefully picked to fit the book and what's happening in that chapter.
Cathy is an amazing author who really digs deep into relationships analyzing them from every possible angle. She really knows how to stretch her characters and put them in all sorts of different and difficult situations. If you're looking for a complex women's fiction/drama about family with loads of issues and challenges ahead of them, then this is definitely a book for you.
March 13, 2017
Cathy Kelly is the queen of writing about relationships between women - let them be friends, family or enemies, she can spot on capture them and fill the pages with feelings and emotions and all of them are always honest and genuine. Even though Ms Kelly's last book was not my favourite one I was really excited to receive a review copy of her newest release "Secrets of a Happy Marriage" and couldn't wait to start reading it, as I knew that I am for sure for a real rollercoaster journey full of secrets, feelings and relationship dynamics - just what I needed at the moment.
Right now, after reading so many Ms Kelly's novels, I personally think that her older books are much better than her last releases, including "Secrets of a Happy Marriage". There was too much beating around the bush for me and too less of something actually happening. But please don't get me wrong - I liked the book, not as much as I hoped I will but still I liked it. There was something comforting in the words, and Cathy Kelly can for sure tell a story. The characters were also very well developed and even with the huge number of them I didn't have problems to quickly see who is who and to whom they belong and what's their story. They have many flaws, the characters, and probably this is what makes them so realistic. Cathy Kelly really knows how to write her characters in an interesting way and I really had a feeling that I know them inside out, with all their flaws, fears and secrets. I think that Cari was the one that I liked most. A great career woman, I absolutely loved how passionate she was about her job and the way she dealt with all the problems. However, she was not that lucky when it came to love - jilted at the altar - literally! - she still can't open enough to trust another man. She was also a brilliant friend, she was loyal and she had rules. With Jojo, I had some issues. I mean, I know she was sensible and all the things and events happening in her life just were too overwhelming for her, and I could understand it, however the way she was behaving towards Bess and her father made me roll my eyes. She was over 30 and was like a kid, trying to do whatever it takes to change her father mind about his second marriage. All the time I wanted to tell her, be careful, girl, karma is a bitch, and actually who gave you the right to think you know best? Yes, I also felt sorry for her a little, what with the infertility problems but Jojo was also a champion of isolating people and well, there always comes a moment when people say okay, I'll back off if you don't want my help. And it happened to Jojo eventually. There is also Bess Brannigan, Edward's second wife, the one Jojo thinks married her father only for his money. However, it's not true and the readers can see it from the very beginning. Bess has her own business, has her own money, she was alone for so many years, raising her daughter Amy and now when she married Edward, she did it because she loved him. You can easily see he is her whole world, her life. And it made this woman so genuine, in my opinion. She still had her own life but she married this woman because she truly loved him - only Jojo couldn't see it. Jojo was really messed up, both physically and emotionally and Bess was trying so hard to follow into Lottie's footsteps, to fit in with the Brannigans but she also have never crossed the magical line, she never tried too much.
The story was about Edward's seventieth party, but the actual party took maybe ten pages, out of over 500 pages long book! It really felt like a huge great introduction that, as it turned out, didn't have an end. I just feel there was no climax in the book and it led to nothing, in fact. However, I kept reading, as one of my friends told me that after around 300 pages there is eventually something going to happen. But I felt that even after the 300 pages mark there was nothing in particular happening. But I thought, oh well, if I am so far into the book then I'm going to finish it. And I'm glad that I've read till the end, as maybe there wasn't much happening but it felt as if the story has gathered pace a little and it was worth to see the end. It was a very happy end, let's be honest, but it cheered me up no end as I think that the characters deserved it, and it was the end (yes, the whole 10 pages of it) that saved this story for me.
While Cathy Kelly explored a huge number of subjects in this book, such as second marriages, infertility, betrayals, friendship, family relationships, mostly I felt as if I'm reading about the same, over and over again, only in different words. I have nothing against the book being so "broadband", with multiple points of view and subplots, but it must then deal with those subjects and not turn around in circles around them - and it's my feeling that this is how it was with this story. There is also something in the book that I really dislike when reading - when the characters communicate, when they talk and ask question it mostly takes them five, six or more pages to reply to the question, to utter a word because in between it is full of retrospections, inner thoughts and considerations and often I had to turn the pages back to see what the question was because I'd forgotten it. Every character would all the time go back in time to reminisce, and the hugest part of the book was set in the past instead of focusing on this what's happening now. I get it, we should get a glimpse into the past to understand what has driven the characters, of course I get it, but it's just that with all the things - that - happened - in - the - past, the present was left behind. I also missed Cari's confrontation with Traci at the party - was she there? Wasn't she? There were so many feelings and it was just left, like this.
So it was a very character - driven story and I think because of the huge number of them I had problems to connect with them and I, for example, couldn't be bothered by Faenia's story. I think the book could perfectly work without this character. Yes, it was nice that she's come back for the party but well, I'm sorry but I still couldn't see the point of this storyline.
It was not a bad book, guys, and I didn't not like it, I just couldn't wait for it to get to the point. It described stories of thousands of characters and they were great, those stories, but because there were so many of them I had a feeling that the author just can't pick on the one or two or three she wants to write most. But this way some of them were over - developed and some under - developed, and some just weren't relevant to the story, which made the reading so much more trying. Maybe if the book really focused on the three main characters and their problems my rating would be different. There was so much potential in this book, and the story could turn out so, so exciting, with all the secrets, animosities, ex - boyfriend's marrying cousins but there was just too much focus on the characters development, and while the characters were brilliant, the lack of the authentic story made it just a mediocre read. I wanted to love it, and there was so much potential to love it, and really, the raw way of writing about all the issues and lives made the reading very special and realistic.
What you also always get when reaching for Cathy Kelly's book is the way she explores the relationships. She writes about them in such realistic, down - to - earth way. She analyzes them from every possible angle, she works them till the end and she leaves no space for vague hints or questions. Sometimes it doesn't work, as you want your own space and place and a chance to make up your own mind but in this case I really liked it, it just fitted to the book and to the writing style, and the author created this way a complex, intelligent story, full of challenges and difficult decisions to be made. The lives of the characters were so sharply observed and described in a very detailed way. And they were complicated, the lives, they really were. Cathy Kelly writes about them with a lot of feeling and empathy, and she brilliantly deals with writing about all the issues she's decided to put her focus on. There is a lot of sadness in this story, but also there is a lot of hope, and I truly liked how well balanced it all was. "Secrets of a Happy Marriage" is a complex, multi - layered story about marriage and money problems, loneliness, reaching for help and if you're a fan of women's fiction and Cathy Kelly I am sure you're going to enjoy it!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
September 24, 2018
I honestly like most of Cathy Kelly books, but this is my least favorite book that she has published. The main problem is that no one feels very developed. Usually Kelly does a great job juggling multiple characters in a book, but too much was going on with anyone for you to even get settled with anyone. Also, two of the three "leads" sucked. I didn't like the characters of Bess or Jojo. Also Kelly's ultimate message that a widowed man needs to remarry (quite quickly) when he loses his wife since apparently they need a woman to take care of them just made me want to tear my hair out. Apparently women are fine after their husbands die (HUGE FREAKING EYEROLL). Also one wonders if this applies to gay men or just a man and woman? This whole book was problematic as hell.
"Secrets of a Happy Marriage" divulged very little secrets. Instead if just acted like it had these huge eye opening moments about marriages such as men need to be married after losing a wife cause they can't get by without some woman taking care of them. I don't know. I was pretty rageful while reading this book.
This book revolves around three characters. Bess, newly married to widowed Edward. Bess is so happy with Edward and doesn't get why her new stepdaughter (JoJo) hates her. It's not her fault her mother died and her father remarried less than two years after she passed. Bess proceeds to act entitled and whiny through this whole freaking book, so enjoy that. I think my last little bit of patience with her was when she literally cursed out Jojo and acted as if she was a monster that should not darken their doors again. Edward rightfully found his spine. However, these two never discuss anything and it was just frustrating to read.
Jojo is reeling from her mother's death, her father's fast second marriage, and also her suffering multiple miscarriages. She is pulling away from family and friends and can't seem to get a handle on her grief. I at times thought that Jojo was acting impossible with regards to Bess, but I get why she was so angry. I can't imagine my mom or dad getting married a year plus after the other one died and being okay with it. I was also sick of people acting like Jojo just didn't get that men need to move on after losing a spouse. It just made it seem as if her father was heartless and clueless.
Cari had the best storyline. She was jilted at the altar and since has thrown herself into work and avoiding men. After getting shafted at her job (she's an editor) she meets a new guy who seems to be everything she has wanted and avoided. Cari and her mom and dad were the best. Plus I loved her whole work storyline and how that was resolved. Kelly paints Cari as competent at her job and happy with her house though at times wanting more. If we had just stayed with her, things would have been better.
The book also includes perspectives from Edward, Edward's son (and Jojo's brother) and Bess's daughter. They honestly were not needed and took me out of the book a bit. There was no need to cram so many characters in.
The writing was not very tight in this one. I found some typos in my Kindle copy of this book and also a few times wondered if I had misread something. Seems to be an issue based on comments in other reviews I have seen.
The flow was awful too. The book drags until the end and then we spring forward to an ending.
"Secrets of a Happy Marriage" divulged very little secrets. Instead if just acted like it had these huge eye opening moments about marriages such as men need to be married after losing a wife cause they can't get by without some woman taking care of them. I don't know. I was pretty rageful while reading this book.
This book revolves around three characters. Bess, newly married to widowed Edward. Bess is so happy with Edward and doesn't get why her new stepdaughter (JoJo) hates her. It's not her fault her mother died and her father remarried less than two years after she passed. Bess proceeds to act entitled and whiny through this whole freaking book, so enjoy that. I think my last little bit of patience with her was when she literally cursed out Jojo and acted as if she was a monster that should not darken their doors again. Edward rightfully found his spine. However, these two never discuss anything and it was just frustrating to read.
Jojo is reeling from her mother's death, her father's fast second marriage, and also her suffering multiple miscarriages. She is pulling away from family and friends and can't seem to get a handle on her grief. I at times thought that Jojo was acting impossible with regards to Bess, but I get why she was so angry. I can't imagine my mom or dad getting married a year plus after the other one died and being okay with it. I was also sick of people acting like Jojo just didn't get that men need to move on after losing a spouse. It just made it seem as if her father was heartless and clueless.
Cari had the best storyline. She was jilted at the altar and since has thrown herself into work and avoiding men. After getting shafted at her job (she's an editor) she meets a new guy who seems to be everything she has wanted and avoided. Cari and her mom and dad were the best. Plus I loved her whole work storyline and how that was resolved. Kelly paints Cari as competent at her job and happy with her house though at times wanting more. If we had just stayed with her, things would have been better.
The book also includes perspectives from Edward, Edward's son (and Jojo's brother) and Bess's daughter. They honestly were not needed and took me out of the book a bit. There was no need to cram so many characters in.
The writing was not very tight in this one. I found some typos in my Kindle copy of this book and also a few times wondered if I had misread something. Seems to be an issue based on comments in other reviews I have seen.
The flow was awful too. The book drags until the end and then we spring forward to an ending.
March 9, 2017
For Bess Edward Brannigan is her life. She thinks she's lucky to be married to him and they are happy. She's organizing a party for Edward's seventieth birthday and the whole family has been invited. Edward's daughter Jojo, however, isn't happy with her father's second wife. She thinks he should still be grieving for his first love instead of being with someone again just two-and-a-half years after her death. Jojo and her husband Hugh have one big wish in their lives, having a family of their own, but things aren't going according to plan and Jojo is messed up both physically and emotionally because of everything that's happening to her. Will her animosity put pressure on her father's marriage or are Edward and Bess strong enough to deal with whatever comes their way?
Cari has sworn she will never date a man again after being left at the altar. Unfortunately Bess and Edward have invited her ex, who married Cari's second cousin, to their party as well. Cari has been through a lot, but what always made her feel better was her job as a successful editor. She's ready to make another step in her career, but one of her coworkers prevents that by stealing her most prestigious author from her. He was her discovery and she knows exactly what he needs, but Cari has to watch someone else take over. What should she do? She can't go to her best friend Jojo for support, because she's going through such a rough phase. Will Cari be tough enough to fight her way through this as well and by herself?
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a beautiful story about a fascinating family. Misunderstandings, secrets and crippling blows are making the lives of all the Brannigans complicated. Cathy Kelly describes every family member and whatever happens in their lives in detail and I loved her thoroughness and empathy. Edward has two brothers and a sister and they each have built a life with someone. Some of them have children and they have partners, so there are a lot of main characters. The story never becomes confusing though. Because of their different personalities it's easy to keep everyone apart and Cathy Kelly makes sure her readers know where her characters are coming from and what their lives are like. I was immediately intrigued and couldn't wait to find out more about every person in the story.
Cathy Kelly writes about difficult topics, like struggling with fertility treatments, money problems, marriage issues, loneliness, not being able to tell anyone what your life is really like, loss, insecurities and jealousy in a thoughtful empathic way. There's a lot of sadness in the story and for me that raw way of describing people's issues made it realistic and interesting. Everyone is on a hopeful journey towards happiness. It isn't smooth, there are plenty bumps in the road, just like in real life. I absolutely loved that about Secrets of a Happy Marriage. Cathy Kelly combines her honest angle with gorgeous writing and useful advice, which is something I enjoyed very much. Every moving scene put tears in my eyes and the Brannigans stole my heart. I highly recommend this book, it's a stunning genuine story.
Cari has sworn she will never date a man again after being left at the altar. Unfortunately Bess and Edward have invited her ex, who married Cari's second cousin, to their party as well. Cari has been through a lot, but what always made her feel better was her job as a successful editor. She's ready to make another step in her career, but one of her coworkers prevents that by stealing her most prestigious author from her. He was her discovery and she knows exactly what he needs, but Cari has to watch someone else take over. What should she do? She can't go to her best friend Jojo for support, because she's going through such a rough phase. Will Cari be tough enough to fight her way through this as well and by herself?
Secrets of a Happy Marriage is a beautiful story about a fascinating family. Misunderstandings, secrets and crippling blows are making the lives of all the Brannigans complicated. Cathy Kelly describes every family member and whatever happens in their lives in detail and I loved her thoroughness and empathy. Edward has two brothers and a sister and they each have built a life with someone. Some of them have children and they have partners, so there are a lot of main characters. The story never becomes confusing though. Because of their different personalities it's easy to keep everyone apart and Cathy Kelly makes sure her readers know where her characters are coming from and what their lives are like. I was immediately intrigued and couldn't wait to find out more about every person in the story.
Cathy Kelly writes about difficult topics, like struggling with fertility treatments, money problems, marriage issues, loneliness, not being able to tell anyone what your life is really like, loss, insecurities and jealousy in a thoughtful empathic way. There's a lot of sadness in the story and for me that raw way of describing people's issues made it realistic and interesting. Everyone is on a hopeful journey towards happiness. It isn't smooth, there are plenty bumps in the road, just like in real life. I absolutely loved that about Secrets of a Happy Marriage. Cathy Kelly combines her honest angle with gorgeous writing and useful advice, which is something I enjoyed very much. Every moving scene put tears in my eyes and the Brannigans stole my heart. I highly recommend this book, it's a stunning genuine story.
July 17, 2018
I love Irish family sagas!
This one centers around Edward's upcoming 70th birthday party, hosted by his new wife. It follows many of the family members and their reactions to the party as well as the complications that are going on in their everyday lives.
Some reviewers didn't like that there were so many characters, but I didn't find that this was a huge issue. Even having a few POV characters that didn't really matter to the story didn't really detract from my enjoyment of it. I also saw some people who got confused by the flashbacks and that didn't happen to me at all. I appreciated each one of the flashbacks and how they fleshed out each of the characters' stories and gave us more of a sense of who they were and their motivations.
I really liked Cari's story, it was one of the best ones, could feel the emotional anguish of her past and how it affected her present. Didn't like Jojo at all, although I got where she was emotionally and how it drove her actions, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to chill out and grow up.
Overall this is a satisfying and intriguing read, if you like Jojo Moyes and Marian Keyes, you should definitely pick this one up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This one centers around Edward's upcoming 70th birthday party, hosted by his new wife. It follows many of the family members and their reactions to the party as well as the complications that are going on in their everyday lives.
Some reviewers didn't like that there were so many characters, but I didn't find that this was a huge issue. Even having a few POV characters that didn't really matter to the story didn't really detract from my enjoyment of it. I also saw some people who got confused by the flashbacks and that didn't happen to me at all. I appreciated each one of the flashbacks and how they fleshed out each of the characters' stories and gave us more of a sense of who they were and their motivations.
I really liked Cari's story, it was one of the best ones, could feel the emotional anguish of her past and how it affected her present. Didn't like Jojo at all, although I got where she was emotionally and how it drove her actions, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to chill out and grow up.
Overall this is a satisfying and intriguing read, if you like Jojo Moyes and Marian Keyes, you should definitely pick this one up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
December 4, 2016
Lovely to have a new novel by Cathy Kelly. I overall enjoyed the book, but it is not my favourite of her repertoire. The characters were interesting and plot was occasionally interesting, but I think this book needed more fine tuning before publication. Possibly there is conflict between trying to write in the style that Cathy Kelly's loyal readers ( and I am definitely one of them) feel at home with, but with an author of Cathy Kelly's experience and growing maturity as a writer and life experiences that influence your work, I think Cathy needs to explore what she can do with a novel at this point in her life and career, rather than trying to couch it in the language and plot that her publishers probably expect from past commercial successes.
March 18, 2017
This one goes into my #boringbook list of this 2016! The top honour already went to Jojo Moyes' After You.
While passable, this book is so hard to read, in the sense that it is draggy and also due to its bad editing. Personally, this gets on my nerves as one of the character in the book is an editor herself.
Also, I found that the author has introduced too many characters - I got confused and found it hard to keep track in the beginning. I also did not like the development and revelation (?) of one of the characters at the end of the book. (You've got to read till the end to know what I'm talking about.)
As a Cathy Kelly fan, I'm disappointed - but nevertheless, I was able to finish the book, unlike the one by Jojo Moyes.
While passable, this book is so hard to read, in the sense that it is draggy and also due to its bad editing. Personally, this gets on my nerves as one of the character in the book is an editor herself.
Also, I found that the author has introduced too many characters - I got confused and found it hard to keep track in the beginning. I also did not like the development and revelation (?) of one of the characters at the end of the book. (You've got to read till the end to know what I'm talking about.)
As a Cathy Kelly fan, I'm disappointed - but nevertheless, I was able to finish the book, unlike the one by Jojo Moyes.
December 20, 2016
Always enjoy a new Cathy Kelly but this is not one of my favourites. Having said that the second half of the book was much more enjoyable than the first half. The first half is weighed down with so much repetition about the characters and their idiosyncrasies that you are constantly feeling a weird sense of dejavu!! Either that or you are reading the same pages twice. Once the story gets going it is usual Cathy Kelly enjoyable with some great three dimensional characters. Perhaps Cari could edit the first half.
November 28, 2016
Having read and loved all of Cathy Kelly's previous book I was excited to read this. Sadly however it did not live up to the expectations I had for it. I found it had too many characters in it and at times I had to keep skipping back to remind myself who was who. A good story but it dragged on a bit.
March 25, 2024
For me this was a three star till the end when suddenly it got better. It was quite long and with loads of characters but I didn’t get lost and they all developed well. Loved the family element and Nora was my favourite character.
February 3, 2022
Loved this book. The stories were real life family issues everyone goes through. The characters seemed so real
March 26, 2017
I’ve read a few duds lately, so I was so excited to be offered this novel via Netgalley. However, as it turns out, Secrets of a Happy Marriage too was a bit of a dud.
It started out well. We were introduced to Faenia, who left Ireland in her youth and is now thinking of returning after 40 plus years for her brother’s, Edward, 70th birthday. Edward has recently married Bess, after losing his wife, Lottie, three years previous. We’re also introduced to Edward’s daughter, Jojo, his niece, Cari, Bess’s daughter, Amy, Edward and Faenia’s two other brothers, their wives, their other children, their cousins, their siblings, their work colleagues, their work clients, their clients and colleagues siblings… You see the problem? I needed a spreadsheet to keep it all straight!
I don’t understand how the book got past the editors in this form. It could have been cut down, with Kelly concentrating on one or two characters and their plot lines, and been a wonderful book. Instead, it's a mishmash that's ultimately dissatisfying and difficult to finish.
The problem with having so many characters is needing so many plot conflicts. There might have been a touch of hope with Bess and Edward's story line, but on the whole, the conflict of plots' Kelly created were forced and ridiculous (a 30-something being upset because her 70 year old father remarries after being widowed for three years? I could spend an entire blog post on the insanity of this conflict of plot for starters).
There were other editing issues, with some characters’ thoughts being repeated from chapter to chapter. It was almost like Kelly needed to remind us about the plot and the character traits (and maybe she did!). My eyes glazed over at the wisdom of Nora and the goodness of Lottie on more than one occasion.
There is one small surprise near the end of the book which I would have enjoyed (regarding Faenia) but Kelly unfortunately went into some sort of politically correct psycho-babble about why this happened. Really… It just spoilt the whole effect. It also made it seem like she plopped the whole thing in to win over some minority group…
Ms Kelly, please remember next time: Less is more.
2 ½ out of 5.
It started out well. We were introduced to Faenia, who left Ireland in her youth and is now thinking of returning after 40 plus years for her brother’s, Edward, 70th birthday. Edward has recently married Bess, after losing his wife, Lottie, three years previous. We’re also introduced to Edward’s daughter, Jojo, his niece, Cari, Bess’s daughter, Amy, Edward and Faenia’s two other brothers, their wives, their other children, their cousins, their siblings, their work colleagues, their work clients, their clients and colleagues siblings… You see the problem? I needed a spreadsheet to keep it all straight!
I don’t understand how the book got past the editors in this form. It could have been cut down, with Kelly concentrating on one or two characters and their plot lines, and been a wonderful book. Instead, it's a mishmash that's ultimately dissatisfying and difficult to finish.
The problem with having so many characters is needing so many plot conflicts. There might have been a touch of hope with Bess and Edward's story line, but on the whole, the conflict of plots' Kelly created were forced and ridiculous (a 30-something being upset because her 70 year old father remarries after being widowed for three years? I could spend an entire blog post on the insanity of this conflict of plot for starters).
There were other editing issues, with some characters’ thoughts being repeated from chapter to chapter. It was almost like Kelly needed to remind us about the plot and the character traits (and maybe she did!). My eyes glazed over at the wisdom of Nora and the goodness of Lottie on more than one occasion.
There is one small surprise near the end of the book which I would have enjoyed (regarding Faenia) but Kelly unfortunately went into some sort of politically correct psycho-babble about why this happened. Really… It just spoilt the whole effect. It also made it seem like she plopped the whole thing in to win over some minority group…
Ms Kelly, please remember next time: Less is more.
2 ½ out of 5.
March 6, 2018
The story itself is appealing and written well. However, few themes are repeated constantly which make it jarring and at least to me, upsetting.
Problem #1 The book constantly states that women can survive without men but men cannot survive with women after their deaths. To me this concept and generalization is wrong. Almost every character makes the statement at least once during the course of the book.
Problem #2: A book that remarks about good grammar and has a character submerged in the publishing world should not have typos in its book.
Problem #3: Women do not need men to be happy and soft. The stereotype of the alps women softened by love was annoying and very regressive.
Problem #1 The book constantly states that women can survive without men but men cannot survive with women after their deaths. To me this concept and generalization is wrong. Almost every character makes the statement at least once during the course of the book.
Problem #2: A book that remarks about good grammar and has a character submerged in the publishing world should not have typos in its book.
Problem #3: Women do not need men to be happy and soft. The stereotype of the alps women softened by love was annoying and very regressive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2017
I've always loved Cathy Kelly books but I feel like the more recent ones haven't been as good. This one whilst quite readable just didn't get me in - it all felt way too predictable and I agree with some other reviews - there were too many characters so it took sooo long to work out who everyone was. Anyway I'm still giving it three stars as it was an easy read. Favourite and most likeable character was definitely Nora - she was a well written character. A lot of the others weren't particularly likeable.
December 4, 2016
Look, Cathy Kelly writes a good story. Typical of authors writing about the Irish family story.
And this one was okay.
Took too long.
Messy editing - drove me crazy. Which is ironic, since one of the main characters is a successful editor and they talk about bad and good editing :)
Look if you're not anal like me (and maybe it's because I just finished nanowrimo and I've been aware during my own writing) then you can go ahead and enjoy a good story.
All I have to say! :D
And this one was okay.
Took too long.
Messy editing - drove me crazy. Which is ironic, since one of the main characters is a successful editor and they talk about bad and good editing :)
Look if you're not anal like me (and maybe it's because I just finished nanowrimo and I've been aware during my own writing) then you can go ahead and enjoy a good story.
All I have to say! :D
September 30, 2018
#FirstLine ~ In London, Cari Brannigan kicked the door of the empty office shut with one of her killer heels and went over to the window where she stared out the imposing metropolitan skyline.
This book covers a lot of topics and does so in a way that slowly puts the pieces together. It starts out a bit slowly, but as I said the pieces do come together as the book progresses. I loved the setting of the story and although there are a lot of characters I enjoyed them all.
This book covers a lot of topics and does so in a way that slowly puts the pieces together. It starts out a bit slowly, but as I said the pieces do come together as the book progresses. I loved the setting of the story and although there are a lot of characters I enjoyed them all.
September 26, 2020
My love for Cathy Kelly, seems to come and go
Unfortunately, this book for me, was a tad bit slow.
Too many characters, too many boring flashbacks to the past.
I ended up skim reading just to finish it fast.
Unfortunately, this book for me, was a tad bit slow.
Too many characters, too many boring flashbacks to the past.
I ended up skim reading just to finish it fast.
July 27, 2018
When I first started this book and read the prologue, I have to say I was a little confused. I had read the synopsis but that snippet didn’t seem to match up with what I was reading. I kept on, and the pieces quickly started to fall into place, thankfully. Set in Ireland, Secrets of a Happy Marriage is somewhat of a family drama that involves a lot of different characters. Again, in the beginning I felt a little overwhelmed when I realized just how many characters we were going to follow and also get their point of view from, but I’m glad I stuck with the story. This is a long novel and we have several different plot points – death, remarriage, infertility, infidelity – and even though it was longer, I was able to stay invested. It became quite entertaining, emotional at times, and I was eager to see how the end would wrap up for all the characters. I would recommend this novel, and I just suggest being aware the beginning might start off slow, but to stick with it.
I received a review copy
I received a review copy
September 13, 2018
I love Cathy Kelly books and enjoyed immersing myself in another of her stories. I had purchased this book when I traveled to Scotland last year and finally picked it up to read. I have to admit that it was a bit confusing in the beginning due to the number of characters. Once I remembered who everyone was I really enjoyed the story and the trials and triumphs of everyone. The second half of the book moved quickly and I was sorry for it to end. The topics of infertility, second marriages and infidelity were all handled with compassion and forthrightness. I look forward to the next book by this author.
November 12, 2017
An enjoyable Irish family drama. I liked the mix of main characters, their storylines and their relationships to each other but there were so many fringe characters that it was often confusing!
December 4, 2017
Loved it.
March 21, 2018
i found this book confusing at times because for me it kept going forwards and backwards in time
July 25, 2018
Good book, enjoyed the story
August 28, 2019
This was a fun read, though at first it was a bit laborious to figure out the multiple POVs! It got quite engrossing and it didn't last long enough for my plane ride back from Europe. ;)
January 17, 2023
Love it love it love it love it looooooveeee it!!!!!
August 2, 2017
Cathy Kelly is an author I have read in the past but not since 2006. When I saw this brand new hardback for sale at a bargain price at a church fund raising event a few months ago I purchased as it looked like a read for lazy summer days. Just finished reading, it was perfect for taking my mind off the weather, where has the sunshine gone?
A heartwarming story in Cathy Kelly's style of Irish storytelling about modern life. The dynamics of the relationships from the protagonists Bess and Edward, the older couple that have found love in later life to the rest of the characters within the extended family circle, are written about in a realistic way. The themes of friendship, marriage, trust, bereavement, infertility and depression are all topics covered that will not be unfamiliar to many readers.
I also liked the anecdotal chapter headings, all about marriage, a compassionate addition to the novel. Recommended to fans of Irish women's fiction, contemporary fiction and Cathy Kelly, an overall easy read.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
A heartwarming story in Cathy Kelly's style of Irish storytelling about modern life. The dynamics of the relationships from the protagonists Bess and Edward, the older couple that have found love in later life to the rest of the characters within the extended family circle, are written about in a realistic way. The themes of friendship, marriage, trust, bereavement, infertility and depression are all topics covered that will not be unfamiliar to many readers.
I also liked the anecdotal chapter headings, all about marriage, a compassionate addition to the novel. Recommended to fans of Irish women's fiction, contemporary fiction and Cathy Kelly, an overall easy read.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
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