Irish writer, Ciara Geraghty, touches on some tough issues, ethics, friendship, identity and family but interspersed with a warmth and humour that makes the sadness running throughout the novel much easier to bear. Terry is married to her husband, Brendan, and has brought up her two daughters, Anna and Kate, and feeling at a crossroads in her life. She picks up her father, Eugene, who loves Frank Sinatra and has dementia from his Sunnyside Nursing Home, which is closing down for a week. Her best friend, Iris Armstrong, is suffering from the terminal condition of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she has no family and is supposedly at a yoga retreat. However, she is not there and there is no record of a booking, this has the worried Terry tearing up to Iris's cottage and find the surprising and shocking note Iris has left her.

Iris has made the ethically controversial decision to end her life in Zurich, Switzerland in what she considers a dignified way whilst she still has control of all her faculties. She is planning to make the ferry crossing from Dublin port to Holyhead in Wales. Terry rushes to the port with her dad, Eugene in the car, with every intention of persuading her dearest friend to change her mind. However, Iris is insistent on her choice plans to continue her journey and Terry just can't let her leave without doing her best for her. She phones home to tell Brendan where she is and what she is planning to do, gets Eugene and her passports delivered to the port and the three of them embark on a life changing journey through Europe that includes a London stop and a Jason Donovan concert at the London Hippodrome.

The road trip has Terry reflecting more closely on her life and her sense of identity, and giving us glimpses of their past and relationships with each other. A memorable story of the trials and tribulations of what it is to live, love, dementia, MS, ethics, family and friendship. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

It's been a long time since I have read a book by Ciara Geraghty. I loved her earlier books so can't think as to a reason why I haven't read her last two but that has now changed as when presented with the chance to read her latest book, Rules of the Road I grabbed it. I didn't even read the blurb but just took it on face value that I would find it a good read given I knew I had enjoyed her books in the past. So I didn't know what to expect from the book in terms of subject matter or themes and therefore I wasn't expecting the serious, emotional and difficult overall subject raised. I truly wasn't prepared for the depth of feeling I would experience and had I known what Iris's intentions were, which were made very clear from early on, then perhaps I would have shied away from reading given it is such a raw, sensitive and poignant topic.

But saying that, that would have been a cop out and as shown in the book we must confront our fears and worries no matter how much they may affect us in many ways. I am glad I read Rules of the Road as Ciara Geraghty has written a very special book with two main characters, Iris and Terry alongside Eugene, Terry's Dad, who embark on a trip which will radically change them all. What starts out for Terry as a bid to stop the worst from happening becomes something totally different and the opinions she starts out with may very well not be the ones she returns with. This is a very emotional read but balanced with this sense of nervousness and anticipation throughout the groups journey is one of laughter, fun and above all else hope. What could have been the most terrible six days of Terry's life turn into some of the best as she gets a chance to reassess her own family life, the health and well-being of her Dad and of course her friendship that runs very deep with Iris.

Ultimately this book is about friendship although Terry and Iris's is put to the test many times over as they journey to a specific destination and for a clear cut reason. Terry is a worrier and anything that throws her off track only intensifies this. Having to have her Dad, who suffers for dementia, for a week as his care home is dealing with an infestation would not be in her plans. Nor would the disappearance of her best friend Iris be. Apparently Iris was going on a yoga retreat but she never turned up and in turn this sets Terry into a panic and she searches through Iris's house. What she finds there is deeply upsetting and Terry knows she must do anything to stop something occurring which there is certainly no going back from. Iris is the complete opposite to her friend. She has a fabulous personality, is a free spirit and doesn't let anything worry her. She has dealt with having MS well so for Terry to discover what has happened it throws her completely off kilter. She throws caution to the wind and knows she has to find Iris before it is too late and so sets in motion a roller-coaster of a ride that will last a short few days but will take them many miles away from home.

For Terry she is away from her comforts and the worry of her everyday life. But maybe that is a good thing as her marriage to Brendan has become stale and she feels that everything has become so mundane and routine. Her girls Anna and Kate have fled the nest, yet she still worries about Anna's exams and Kate's career with her new play about to be launched. But as it is only herself and Brendan at home, and he is working in a stressful job, has Terry lost her purpose in life? This purpose is reignited when she tracks down Iris and refuses to listen to what she has to say. Terry is determined that she can change things and she will not leave her friends side. Terry leaves the country with Iris and Eugene by her side and what ensues is a road trip that will deeply affect the reader. One minute you are laughing along at their antics as the funny situations they get themselves in are just hilarious but a page or two later there is a tear in your eye as you feel the inevitable may be about to happen. Or will it?

Ciara Geraghty balanced everything perfectly throughout this story. There are innumerable light moments that go hand in hand with more serious conversations and explorations. Yet never at any stage did I feel that this was all doom and gloom given the subject matter. It showed that celebration, enjoyment and cheer can be found in the most difficult of times and along the way both Iris and Terry learn an awful lot about each other but also how they individually feel and what they can actually do to change the problems in their lives. If I were to stand back at look at the two women separately I think I really warmed to Terry more so than Iris and this is perhaps because the story was told from her viewpoint. Yes through Terry we got to know Iris but I would have loved a chapter or two told from Iris' perspective but overall it didn't affect my understanding and appreciation of the book.

Eugene although dealing with dementia offered rays of light and comedic moments and I know I shouldn't have laughed but I think that's why he was there as well as giving us a deeper understanding of his illness. Having her Dad with her allowed Terry to see a bit more of Iris's stance and maybe she become more appreciative and a deeper understanding developed. Although Iris certainly had one goal in mind and wouldn't move from it. Eugene's constant retelling of his Frank Sinatra story was brilliant and I loved where it went. Not to mention his shouting out the rules of the road at times when Terry was griping the wheel driving in a strange country when back in Ireland the same routes were continuously driven. Terry was really taken outside of her comfort zone and perhaps Iris was much wiser than her friend gave her credit for. It was like Terry was receiving a gift that she never knew she needed. The gift of independence and the ability to think outside the box and to venture where she has never before. A transformation slowly starts to occur for everyone but will the end result be the one they all desire?

Rules of the Road takes the reader and the group on an exhilarating journey and one which you won't forget for quite some time. Many issues relevant to us today are explored but in the most effective of ways. It could have become a very heavy read and challenging to get through but thanks to the excellent writing of Ciara Geraghty this story turned into a celebration of life and friendship. It's the perfect read for a book club as there is so much that emerges that needs to be discussed and explored with a clear message to take from it. We must embrace every moment as it comes and to make the most of our lives at every given opportunity. Don't let this very special read pass you by and if you have never tried anything by this author before than I urge to start with this book.

Terry has always lived by her own self-imposed rules of life. Her roles as dutiful daughter, wife, mother and homemaker have served her well so far. And her voluntary charity work has been a joy and outlet she has willingly embraced. But now she throws caution and routine to the wind as she chases after her best friend.

Because Iris, who has M.S, suddenly abandons her home, having divested it of clutter and personal belongings, and left a chilling note for Terry which she isn’t supposed to know about or read the contents of yet. But Terry turns up unexpectedly, with her father in tow, and thus precipitates a frantic journey against the clock to locate her missing friend.

Each chapter title describes a relevant directive from the Highway Code, which directly relates to the situations as they unfold. Following the clues, and considering what Iris might do, Terry finds her on the ferry and insists on accompanying her the rest of the way, with the proviso that she won’t try to scupper her plans.

The trio travel across to France and towards Switzerland, with each part of the journey revealing aspects of their relationship, past and present, and a steely determination in Terry, who exhibits a new, less conformist side to her previously conservative personality. Terry’s father, Eugene, has dementia and his responses provide pathos, laced with humour.

Eventually they reach the point of no return. Terry goes further than Iris would like in trying to change her friend’s mind. They eventually see the need to reevaluate their future plans in light of where they are now. With gentle humour and grace this tenderly told, heartwarming story lingers in the mind and heart. I loved it!

Terry has been married for years and is a stay – at – home mum to two almost adult daughters. Her husband Brandon provides for the family, working hard, and actually Terry is rather happy with how her life has turned out, even though the girls are flying out of the nest and Brandon’s works is really stressful but well, Terry is his pillar and that’s great.
Her father Eugene is in a nursing home with dementia, where Terry regularly visits him. He used to be a taxi driver and what he can still very well remember are the rules of the road, always reminding his daughter of them. It is at one of the events hosted by the Alzheimer’s society that Terry meets Iris Armstrong and those two women, though totally different, quickly establish a friendship.
Then Iris disappears. Terry unexpectedly discovers why and where she’s heading and decides to follow her. As it’s a real on – a – whim decision, she doesn’t have time to inform her family, and she also has to take her father with her on the impromptu road trip through Ireland, Great Britain, France and Switzerland, as the nursing home has to close temporarily.
It is a journey that is going to change many lives.

The book is brilliantly written, with many feelings and emotions emphasized and is dealing with a difficult and controversial subject in a wonderful, not judging way. You know where it is heading almost right from the beginning, but I think I’m not alone here when I say that I was all the time hoping that I’m wrong, and for it to end differently.

The story focuses on a wonderful friendship between two women, and it is an absolute highlight of the book. They were very lucky to have found each other, as it was a truly unique and special bond between them, and the author has written it in a warm, enveloping way, not being shy of showing not only ups but also downs of such a relationship.

This is a lovely story with many funny and lighter moments but altogether it is also full of sadness and the feeling was a bit too overwhelming for me. I appreciate though how well the author has managed to lighten the mood, and the way she has created the character of Iris, quirky, sassy and full of irony.

So now please do not get me wrong. It was a brilliant, thought – provoking book. It started off so promising and kept me hooked but then, part way through, it started to feel repetitive. I mean, there was no high drama needed, as it was a very character driven novel, but there came a moment that it simply slowed down and I started to feel impatient.

“Rules of the Road” is about finding yourself and there was not better way for Terry to do this – I loved how she was forced to take the plunge, to find a courage, to try things she would never dream of doing. It is a truly special book that will for sure tug at many heart – strings and will make you think. It touches upon some heavier issues and topics that we are very likely to experience by ourselves. It is poignant and wise and beautifully written. It shows that we should celebrate every single day of our lives in a powerful and captivating way. It’s so great to have Ciara Geraghty back!

A fabulous story which is heart breaking, beautiful, funny and perfect!

This story covers the journey of two friends and an elderly father with dementia, travelling across Europe for purposes that are so right for one friend and so wrong for another.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the dynamic between Terry and Iris and how it developed over the course of the book. I think Ciara Geraghty is one of the best Irish writers at the moment and I hope to be able to get her to do a reading of this book in my library. Will certainly recommend this book to patrons.

A lovely feel-good nook, with relatable characters. This book is not at all demanding; a nice relaxing read.

Terry's week takes a very unexpected turn when first she has to take on the care of her elderly father Eugene when his nursing home has to close temporarily, and then she discovers that her best friend Iris has disappeared, which is completely out of character for her. Naturally worried for Iris, she starts to try to find out what has happened to her and comes across a note which soon has her and her father taking an impromptu road trip from Ireland to Great Britain and on into Europe.

This book is one of these which poses an ethical dilemma. I won't say what this particular dilemma is as I don't want to give away anything from the plot but as is often the case in fiction, I do not know what I would have done faced with the same circumstances. Terry is a character who I could very much identify with. She has always been there for her husband and their two girls (both now grown up but both still quite reliant on their mum). In some ways she's quite obsessive and controlling, but not in a bad way. She knows where everything is, knows what needs to be done when, knows everyone's routines and knows just exactly how everything can be cleaned. This makes her spontaneous decision to try to find Iris and to take her father with her seem even more surprising.

Eugene has dementia and is at the stage of the disease where he needs a lot of help but still has flashes of the person he used to be. It was touching to read about how tender Terry was with him and how kind other people were to him when realising his situation. It was also rather sad to read about his flickers of memory and his childlike confusion.

Sadness was an emotion I experienced a lot when reading this book. I wouldn't normally give a so-called trigger warning about a book but I feel I should mention that if you are coping with or know someone with a terminal condition or dementia you may find this a difficult read. On the other hand, you may find it comforting and reassuring. Because what comes out of the different situations is Terry's courage and the strength of friendship between herself and Iris. She also begins to learn that she can live for herself and not just for her friends and family, however important they are and continue to be in her life.

Rules of the Road is an emotional, beautifully written book. Although there are without doubt, some very poignant moments, there is also a lot of warmth and humour. This is a powerful and moving novel about friendship and courage and living life to the full.

I loved this book. It is a sweet exploration of friendship, love, illness, and driving. It made me laugh and cry, and wish I was friends with Terry and Iris. The perfect book to give to all your friends, and one I will certainly be recommending.

This book takes you on a road trip both geographically and also through the lives of our three main characters, Iris, Terry and Terry's dad, who is suffering from dementia.

There is such a lot of emotion in the narrative, it should be a gloomy story on the face of it but in the very cleverly written text there are memories which bring joy, moments of hilarity that will stick in your mind, and times when you have to laugh at the situation itself (pigeons spring to mind).

I couldn't put this book down and I can picture Terry and Iris vividly. Their friendship was a delight to read about. I laughed, I cheered them on, and at the end I cried but not for any other reason other than the way the beauty in friendship shone out of this book.

I received an invite to read this ARC from the publisher and I am so glad I accepted, it is such a fantastic book. I enjoyed it so much from beginning to end.

The story centres around two middle aged very good friends Iris and Terry. Terry has a husband and two daughters. Terry has been a stay-at-home mum but now her daughters are almost grown up she wonders what she will do with herself.  She still has her Dad Eugene to think about although he's now in a care home after succumbing to dementia. 

Iris is Terry's best friend of the last 7 years.  Iris has MS, lives alone and doesn't have children but she is fiercely independent and tries to live life to the full in spite of her MS.

When Terry becomes a little concerned that she hasn't seen her friend for a few days she decides to pop round to her house and check everything is OK. However en route she calls in to see her father only to find the care home are having to temporarily evict her father due to a problem at the home. When Terry calls into her friends home, with Dad in tow she stumbles across some shocking news about her friend. This is how this little motley crew of two middle aged women and an elderly gentleman in the throws of dementia come to be making their way from Ireland on a journey through France and onwards through Europe.

It's a truly funny story in the main with many laugh out loud moments. Terry and Iris are like chalk and cheese, with Terry being the worlds worst worrier ( though to be honest I can give her a run for her money in the worrying stakes) and Iris a true couldn't give a toss type person with the attitude of people can take me as they find me. 

As they journey on, some of Iris's blase take on life rubs off on Terry. Though Terry most of the time doesn't have much choice but to put her angst aside and just dive straight into things if she's to keep up with her friend and try to put her off her plans.

There's a serious and touching thread running right through the story but it's told with great sensitivity and there's so much fun and mad cap capers going on that it's so much easier to laugh along with these wonderful characters than to cry over the underlying sadness.

I absolutely loved it. It has some great supporting characters that they meet along the way and it all adds up to a fun and thoroughly entertaining read.

A beautiful story of love, family and friendship.
When Terry discovers that Iris plans to travel to Zurich to end her life, she offers to accompany her with the hope of changing her mind. With Terry's father with dementia in tow, we travel across Europe with this trio on a journey of self discovery.
A moving, sometimes funny, emotional rollercoaster. So well and thoughtfully written.

I loved this book - I did not expect to but I did. When I explained the premise to my husband he wondered why anyone would read it. I did struggle at first but the more I learnt about Terry and Iris the more I wanted to read it. I loved how Terry developed - how she came alive and found herself. I wanted Iris to change her mind but understood why she did not.

A book I will be recommending. A heartbreaking poignant read.

A really bag of emotions this book. I absolutely loved it. I cared so much about the characters and what would happen next. Couldn’t put it down!

An emotional roller coaster of love and friendship with a fair sprinkling of humour. It is a gentle sensitively written story which flows along well, about Terry who chases after her friend Iris, who is going to Zurich to end her life after deteriorating with MS. Add to this totally impromptu journey on Terry's behalf, she is encumbered with her father who has dementia. Sympathetically written without being sentimental or overly sad, there are feelings of panic and despair but also hope. Delightful characters all round and thought provoking.

I usually avoid books labelled as heartwarming or uplifting because I find them over-sentimental and mawkish. This one is unoriginal; Jojo Moyes style - three people embark on a journey full of unlikely picaresque adventures with a touch of Irish humor that is sometimes quite amusing, sometimes a bit silly. The quest fails but the ending is uplifting(!) It is well-written but I like a bit more of an edge. I gave it an extra point for the chapter titles - very clever.

Iris, who is dealing with MS, is on her way to Zurich to end her life. Her friend Terry decides to go along for the ride in the hope of persuading Iris to change her mind. With Terry’s father who has dementia in tow, the journey to Zurich will prove an enlightening experience.

An emotional uplifting story with gentle touches of humour. A tale about friends, family and discovering who you really are.

I laughed, I cried and I downloaded more of Ciara’s books after reading this. Touching, warm and full of love and tenderness. Loved it.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this heart warming, making you feel good enjoyable read. Read it in one sitting whilst waiting for a patient in hospital. Loved it.

Terry is an unlikely heroine. A married, middle aged, mother of 2 grown children who hasn’t worked in years. One thing she does have is a friend, Iris.

This story starts when Terry finds Iris is missing, once she realised what is happening, she sets out to find her and bring her home. One small complication- she has her father, who has dementia, along for the ride.

This story could very often have been maudlin and overly sentimental but it manages to stay on track as a heartwarming and thought provoking read about love and friendship.

I really enjoyed Terry’s progression through the story and she is a character I’d love to revisit. We are always more capable than we realise and Terry is a shining example.

Well written and nicely paced, you’ll enjoy this story of love, loss and friendship. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.