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Article  •  16 April 2024

 

A guide to Marian Keyes

Want to read Marian Keyes’s books but aren’t sure where to start? Check out this run-down on the bestselling author and her many wonderful works.

Marian Keyes is an internationally bestselling author whose books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, she studied law at university before moving to London where she began dabbling in writing. After submitting several short stories to a publisher, she decided to attempt a novel, and thus, her first book, Watermelon, came to fruition in 1995.

With its impressive mix of witty humour and serious themes, Watermelon quickly won the hearts of readers and set Marian’s life on a new track.

Today, she has published twenty-four books, with the newest addition to her body of work, My Favourite Mistake.

Read on to learn more about her series, books and the order in which to read them.

Series and standalone books by Marian Keyes

Which order to read Marian Keyes’s Books

All of Marian Keyes’s books can be read as stand-alone. However, if you want to read The Walsh family series in the order the books were published, refer to the list above.

Marian Keyes's most recent books

My Favourite Mistake Marian Keyes

Anna Walsh had a dream life – according to everybody else.

She lived in New York, had a long-term boyfriend, and had The Best Job In The World working as a highly successful beauty PR.

So why did she decide to take a flamethrower to the lot?

Because now she's back Dublin, living with her parents. She's undeniably forty-eight, with no partner, no job, and no direction.

Anna's lost her purpose. She needs a new challenge to help her fall back in love with life again.

When an opportunity arises to solve a PR crisis in the tiny town of Maumtully, Anna leaps at the chance.

But will the appearance of an old love interest derail her plans?

Buy now

Again, Rachel Marian Keyes

Back in the long ago nineties, Rachel Walsh was a mess.

But a spell in rehab transformed everything. Life became very good, very quickly. These days, Rachel has love, family, a great job as an addiction counsellor, she even gardens. Her only bad habit is a fondness for expensive trainers.

But with the sudden reappearance of a man she'd once loved, her life wobbles.

She'd thought she was settled. Fixed forever. Is she about to discover that no matter what our age, everything can change?

Is it time to think again, Rachel?

Buy now

Grown Ups Marian Keyes

MEET JESSIE, CARA AND NELL.

Married to brothers Johnny, Ed and Liam Casey.

Three very different women tied to three very different men.

Every family occasion is a party – until the day the secrets spill out.

PLAYTIME IS OVER.

BUT WHERE ARE THE GROWN-UPS?

Buy now

The Break Marian Keyes

At 44 Amy O'Connell thinks she's seen, heard or done it all. Until her husband Hugh announces he needs a break – from her. He is going backpacking for six months round Asia where he can do what he wants – and this is the scary bit – with anyone he wants.

'WTAF?' thinks Amy. What's she to do? Stay loyal to disloyal Hugh? Allow her ex-husband back into her life? Run away herself? And what about the children? A lot can happen in six months. Will Hugh return as the same man? And will she still be the same woman there waiting for him?

Buy now

Making It Up As I Go Along Marian Keyes

Welcome to the magnificent Making It Up as I Go Along – AKA the World According to Marian Keyes™ –  A bold and brilliant collection of Marian's hilarious and often heartfelt observations on modern life, love and everything in between.

From a guide to breaking up with your hairdresser to entering the fifties-zone, the joys of her nail varnish museum to singing her way through insomnia, Marian will have you laughing with delight and gasping with recognition throughout - because at the end of the day, each and every one of us is clearly making it up as we go along.

Buy now

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