Title: RACHEL’S HOLIDAY
Author: Marian Keyes
ISBN: 978 0060 0903 88
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 640
Source: Private Copy
Meet Rachel Walsh. She has a pair of size 8 feet and such a fondness for recreational drugs that her family has forked out the cash for a spell in Cloisters – Dublin’s answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She’s only agreed to her incarceration because she’s heard that rehab is wall-to-wall jacuzzis, gymnasiums and rock stars going tepid turkey – and it’s about time she had a holiday.
But what Rachel doesn’t count on are the toe-curling embarrassments heaped on her by family and group therapy, the dearth of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll – and missing Luke, her ex. What kind of a new start in life is this?
Official Summary
17 July 2023
This book has been sitting on my TBR since my birthday last year, when I received a copy of Rachel’s Holiday and Again, Rachel. My big book fear has kept me from reaching for these books. They are huge. However, I finally make a start and Rachel’s Holiday is a brilliant read. I cannot wait to start the next book. When you reach for this book, you are in for a treat. This book is full of laughs and colourful characters. Despite my ‘Big-Book Fear’ I found myself racing through this book in two days. It is brilliantly entertaining and you are guaranteed some good laughs.
This was my second book by this author and I love how she brings humour to situations that really is no laughing matter. I love the Walsh family. These women are a brilliant creation. The author shows how easily bad communication can lead to misunderstandings within a family. Her writing draws you into her character’s lives and you are left feeling as if you are a part of this wacky family.
Rachel Walsh is a woman trying to fit into life in New York. Her love for recreational drugs is not something she thinks is a problem. However, after landing herself in hospital her family insist that she returns to Dublin – and they fork out the money for Rachel to go to the Cloisters – a local rehabilitation clinic.
Rumoured to be a venue frequented by celebrities and filled with luxuries Rachel believes this would be the perfect holiday. What she did not count on was her family embarrassing her and extensive group therapy. Missing Luke, her ex was not part of the plan either.
I loved this book. I do not often reach for chic lit, but Marian Keyes brings wonderful humour to her stories and I cannot wait to read more of her books. I plan on starting Again Rachel very soon.
Rachel is a brilliant character; from the opening page you know this woman has issues. Her attitude to drugs, while extremely sad is brilliantly funny. Her relationships are a disaster and she appears oblivious to any fault of her own. I loved the changes in her. You have no choice but to love this woman.
I cannot believe I allowed this one to sit on my TBR pile for so long. This book is a fabulous read and I cannot wait to read more about Rachel. If you enjoy chic lit and a book that will make you laugh, then I cannot recommend this one highly enough. However, I am sure everyone has read this title already. Remember to drop me a line, or leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on this book – but no spoilers on the next Rachel book, please.
Also By Marian Keyes
Watermelon
Claire has everything she ever wanted: a husband she adores, a great apartment, a good job. Then, on the day she gives birth to their first baby, James informs her that he’s leaving her. Claire is left with a newborn daughter, a broken heart, and a postpartum body that she can hardly bear to look at.
She decides to go home to Dublin. And there, sheltered by the love of a quirky family, she gets better. So much so, in fact, that when James slithers back into her life, he’s in for a bit of a surprise.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women’s literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes including domestic violence and alcoholism.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. This book may not be a new release, it was originally published in 1997, but if you haven’t you really should add this one to your TBR. This book is a light-hearted read that is perfect for a break from all the crime and thriller books I normally spend my time with.
