Watermelon

Marian Keyes begins Watermelon with a rather inauspicious romantic opening when the heroine's husband leaves her for Denise from the flat downstairs the day their first child is born. Claire, the deserted wife and mother, returns to her family in Dublin and, after going through the required stages of "Loss, Loneliness, Hopelessness and Humiliation", begins to feel much better--so much better that when James tries to win his way back into her affections, he gets more than he bargained for.

The author's style is too blunt and her setting too suburban (with its all-too-human heroine struggling to keep her sanity, tend to her new-born baby, fight it out with siblings and begin to love again) to be a traditional romance, but there is enough chemistry and mystery to keep you guessing in the lip-smacking Watermelon--a dish that may not fill you up but will certainly give you a taster of Marian Keyes' work, of which there is much to sample, including Lucy Sullivan is getting Married, Rachel's Holiday and Last Chance Saloon. --Nicola Perry

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A wonderful first novel - Rated
This was Marian's first tale about the Walsh family and as with all of them it has a wonderful mix of tears and laughter. Claire our heroine starts out as a victim, and you'll be cheering her on as she struggles to cope with a new baby, a slightly eccentric family, and her own low self esteem.

The woman is a genius - Rated
This is my forth MK book, and my second Walsh sisters one, and like the others I loved it. The characters are so well written, and funny, the mum is fabulous and def my favourite character. Was so pleased with the outcome of the story and had to stop myself turning back to the beginning and starting it again. Will be reading Angels next I think, I doubt I will be disappointed with that either.

Brilliant - Rated
One of her best. really really good. definitly a must read - you'l not be disappointed.

Good for a first attempt - Rated
I agree with the reviewers who said that this was not one of her best, as she had a way to go in developing her style and characters. I have never really warmed to Claire. Some of her asides seem a bit too clever-clever,and the way she blows hot and cold with Adam is cruel. I agree with James when he says: 'Living with you was like living with a spolit, demanding child', with her constantly wanting to go out partying.
Rachel may be a depressed, paranoid, selfish cokehead when we first meet her, but she seems more human and more rounded somehow. Maggie and Anna are more sympathetic too, but I've never liked Helen either.

Oh My God! - Rated
I totally loved this book! I was hooked by the end of chapter one! I previously read angels in this series and a couple of others by the same auther and this has to be the best by far! Although I did feel like jumping into the book and shaking James till his head fell off! What a really nasty person! How Claire didnt slap him I will never know!

I would seriously recomend this book for anyone wanting a night in and a laugh! Do not go out in public and read this book, its too embarrassing when you laugh out loud!