Sinead Moriarty

Unfolding from multiple perspectives Yours, Mine, Ours by Sinead Moriarty explores the complications of blending families, especially when navigating step-parenting, and co-parenting.

There aren’t really any surprises in this book. Having fallen deeply in love, Anna and James are excited to be starting a new life together, and are sure that their respective children, 15 year-old Grace, 9 year-old Jack, and 14 year-old Bella will quickly embrace the merging of their lives. Neither are prepared when their dream of a happy family rapidly becomes a nightmare.

There’s plenty of drama as the children make life hard for Anna and James, putting a dent in their bubble of bliss. While Grace, a science geek, is willing to give the situation a chance, James’s spoilt daughter Bella doesn’t like sharing her father, and refuses to give Anna an inch. Jack, egged on by his immature father, Conor, is absolutely awful to James, and because of her guilt, Anna excuses his bad behaviour, which becomes a wedge between the couple.

I wasn’t very fond of Anna, though I had some sympathy for her, I found her lack of self awareness in several situations is irritating. James, a university professor, is a fairly bland character, though I admired his patience with Jack, and Anna. Conor, Anna’s ex, is an absolute douche who embraced every stereotype of toxic masculinity, while Bella’s mother, an ambitious career woman remarried to a wealthy hotelier, is focused on the wrong things when it comes to her daughter.

As you would predict, after tantrums, tears, break-ups and make-ups, it all works out in the end.

Moriarty writes well, there is genuine warmth, angst and humour in the story, but there was just not anything unique or particularly memorable about it for me.… (altro)

Sinead Moriarty's new novel has three couples and one therapist's couch as the base for her new book, About Us.

Moriarty has cleverly chosen three couples of varying ages and stages of life, each with their share of issues and conundrums. So, there's a character or situation that any reader can connect with.

Ken and Ann are at the retirement stage of life, but it's not living up to what either had imagined. Niall and Alice have four children and not a lot of energy left for each other. Orla is carrying baggage from her past and has a medical issue. She meets Paul and adores him, but can their relationship thrive?

The therapist all three attend is an American who has set up practice in Ireland. I found this a bit odd. Do Irish therapists not tackle sexual issues? Sex does seem to be the biggest 'problem' brought to the office, although other issues are explored as well.

The chapters rotate through the three sets of characters. About Us is told from the women's viewpoints. I found myself most drawn to Alice, but the other two women are just as likable. I thought Moriarty did a good job portraying the women's inner thoughts, needs and wants. The therapist's advice seems reasonable and well written. But. Yes, for me there's a but. I grew tired of the therapist's scenes. While there is some what I assume is good advice (was an actual therapist consulted?), I found it becoming a bit 'textbooky' and repetitive for me. And that slowed down my finishing the book. I do think things could have been reconciled a bit sooner.

About Us was an okay read for me, but not a standout. And for me, not as funny as some have mentioned.… (altro)