I’ve read all Sinead’s books over the years and was really looking forward to reading ‘About Us’. It didn’t disappoint!

The story is set in Dublin and features three very different couples who are all seeing the same sex and relationships therapist.

Sinead always deals with real-life issues, and in a well-researched and sympathetic way. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This book tells the story of 3 Dublin ladies that all have in common is seeing the same therapist
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend everyone to read it
With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for this review

Ann and Ken who are in their 60's whose children have all flown the nest, Orla who is in her 20's and just about to start a new relationship and Alice and Niall who are in their 40's with 4 young children all end up going to see a therapist called Maggie as they are all struggling in different ways
A lovely story of them learning to listen to each others wants and needs and learning how to put the advice into practise

This is a great light read with some interesting characters and story lines. I felt at times it was a little too repetitive and felt as though there were stories lines which were underdeveloped but it was interesting to read a story trying to tackle so many issues that couples deal with throughout the cycle of their relationships. I'm sure most readers will relate to aspects of each character in the story.

This is the first book I’ve read by Moriarty. I really enjoyed her writing style so no doubt I will be reading more of her back catalogue. Set in Dublin we meet three ladies all at different stages in their life. Orla- a primary school teacher early in her career who had a troubled childhood and carrying guilt from her father on her shoulders. Alice- a stay at home mother of 4 who has lost her identity and struggling to keep her husband happy. Ann- married to a husband stuck in his ways who is about to retire. They all have their turn in the therapist’s chair.

I enjoyed this read.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was a light and enjoyable read while touching on some deeper relationship issues. Well written with good characters making it very readable! Not my usual style but I’ recommend it to anyone looking for a light book to enjoy.

About Us is a light, entertaining read about a group of characters who all attend the same sex and relationships therapist in Dublin. Each conflict is different, each client at a different stage of life - its interesting and well constructed, although the dialogue feels a little stilted in places.

I was enjoying this book until about halfway when it became too repetitive. I felt as though the characters were complaining about the same things and doing nothing to try and solve them for far too long. The dialogue wasn’t realistic; being too emotional and informative for real life. And Orla’s character became irritating, ‘falling in love’ so quickly. I didn’t believe that those emotions were real or lasting.

However....it was good to read something that faces issues with body image and sex so openly. The entire idea of the book held so much potential - I wished that I liked it more.

The story follows 3 women, going to therapy for very different reasons. We get to know them and their quirks and fears and humor in such a charming and real way that you feel you know them. They are very relatable and real and because there is 1 older, with a husband who is retiring, 1 who is closer to middle age with a house full of kids and no time for herself and then a young one, who should have everything she needs but yet, is still looking for the last piece of the puzzle that will unlock her happiness - anyone will find someone they relate to.
The therapist is a sex therapist so it is sometimes hilarious, often cringey, but also very touching and sweet.
As their lives intertwine so their stories unfold.
A very satisfying read.

A really enjoyable story from Sinead Moriarty. I loved all the characters & couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended by me.

I loved this book! The three main characters were all at very different points in their lives and all facing different problems in their relationships, but were so relatable. Each woman has a different reason to seek help from a sex and relationships therapist and I found the sessions and advice given really interesting. Each of their stories drew me in, I found myself identifying most with Amy and reading their therapist’s unpicking of the emotions behind the problems in their marriage was actually really eye opening. A definite must read - light enough for a summer read but enough depth to keep you reading!
Thanks so much for this arc.

Set in Dublin, Sinead Moriarty writes of the issues that arise in relationships, marriages, families, the stresses, pressures and exhaustion of being a stay at home mother with four young children with no support, and the trauma of a childhood and past that impacts on having sex and threatens the possibility of having a boyfriend. Ann is approaching her 65th birthday and the upcoming retirement of her husband, Ken, they have been married for 38 years, with fear and trepidation. She has raised her two children, Zoe and John, and with both having flown the nest, she misses them terribly. Ken is grumpy, stuck in his ways, unwilling to move from his chair, watching sports on TV, uninterested in sex, only going out when he has to, and then wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

There is no communication between them, and Anne is desperately lonely, feeling life is passing her by, and whilst working part time at a charity shop helps, she wants to be more adventurous, dreaming of dancing the tango and travelling to Argentina. With Ken refusing to entertain any change in their circumstances, Ann is going to have to consider making hard decisions when it comes to her marriage. Alice is the mother of 4 demanding children, prioritising their needs above those of herself, losing her sense of identity and plagued with low self-esteem. She has nothing left over for ambitious lawyer husband, Niall, and he has had enough. Niall and Ann drag their reluctant partners to a American psychotherapist, Maggie Purcell, in an effort to save their marriages, along with teacher, Orla. Orla is falling for the father, Paul, of one of her school children, Lulu, but serious issues stand in the way of their relationship, will Maggie be able to help?

Moriarity depicts with skill the realities of the situations facing Ann and Ken, and countless mothers will recognise Alice's situation, the chaos, mayhem and exhaustion that arises on bringing up children that are dearly loved, but which drive parents to the end of their tether. Orla's issues are more unusual, but they are destroying her from the inside out. With Maggie, they find themselves raising concerns and issues that they cannot do , learning to look at their positions from different perspectives and make efforts to address their worries with varying degrees of success. This is an engaging read, for me it is always fascinating to see the inner dynamics of marriages and families, and it was particularly eye opening to learn of poor Orla's dilemmas. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is a really relatable and thought provoking read about how people change over time and how that affects their marriages or how the past affects who you are now. Ann and Ken are in their sixties, Ken is happy with the status quo but Ann wants more from the life they have left, Alice is an exhausted full time mum of 4 and her husband Niall works all hours and doesn’t see why she feels pulled in from all angles leaving herself with no time for herself never mind him and Orla suffers from a rarely talked about medical condition which leaves her feeling incapable of having a relationship. I could see elements of myself in some of the characters, they’re really well written and reflect relationships really well, Orla’s story was really informative but sensitively handled and I really wanted her to overcome things. Overall this is a relaxing but thoughtful read.

I was obsessed with this. I read it in the precious few moments while waiting for my tea to steep at work, on lunch breaks and all the commute home. I found myself thinking about these characters throughout the day and wondering what would happen to them. I really love getting nosy into what makes relationships work (or fall apart...)

About Us follows three couples who all find themselves in the office of a relationship and sex therapist. All characters are slightly connected, in a Love Actually-kind of way. It was really simple yet emotional to read, I could see part of myself in every character and had empathy for all their very different struggles. Overall, I found this book to be really thought-provoking, heartfelt and uplifting. It would be great for fans of I Give My Marriage a Year by Holly Wainwright.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books UK for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I adore Sinead’s writing and was eagerly awaiting this one. It didn’t disappoint. Sinead always tackles difficult subjects carefully and her writing is always thought provoking.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a bit like a fairytale ‘... and they all live happily ever after’. This book explorers the protagonists after they have achieved their happy endings.

We follow 3 couples who are all attending therapy for help. Each person wants love and affection and they want to find the happiness they all need and deserve. Because of the easy nature of the book I got quite attached to the characters and found them quite relatable.

Another great read from Sinead Moriarty, An absolute favourite of mine. I was super excited to receive this advanced copy and devoured it in one day. The storyline is about the lives of three couples who are struggling in one way or another and engage the services of therapist Maggie for help. The first couple , Ann and Ken, are struggling to rekindle the flame of passion now that Ken is approaching retirement. Ann is feeling undesired and craves a bit of excitement. The second couple visit Maggie to see can she help reignite their spark as Alive seems to have gone completely off the idea of ever having sex with her husband Niall. She is simply tired minding 4 small kids. Lastly , young teacher Orla is struggling with her own demons as she is fighting a medical condition that is killing her sex life. Will she ever be able to date the young hunk she recently met. The couples all attend counselling in efforts to resolve their issues. A brilliant book can't recommend enough

Loved it - I always enjoy Sineads books. Again she tackles difficult subject matter for 3 different women and their partners while interlocking their stories. Mostly likeable and believable characters - although I couldn't take to Ken. Delighted to get this review copy and would recommend to a friend

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was a nice feel good Sunday afternoon read, great characters and a good storyline. I enjoyed it.

" ... and they all lived happily ever after". We are all familiar with the endline to so many of our childhood fairytales and stories. In ‘About Us’, author Sinéad Moriarty focuses on life after our protoganists have achieved their happy ending.

We have three interconnected couples, who are all visiting a therapist for help. First up, we have Ann and Ken, an older couple who are facing difficulties as Ann has realised how stagnant she finds their marriage. Ken has been happy to continue along in the same view, staying at home, not travelling, not trying new events or classes but Ann needs a chance and the couple struggle to find common ground. Alice and Niall have four very lively young children and as they primary carer, Alice is feeling underpressure and unappreciated. Meanwhile, Niall believes that Alice no longer loves him and he comes second to their family. Finally, we have Orla who faces physical and psychically problems as a direct result of her traumatic upbringing.
Each person is seeking love and comfort, they wish to find that happiness that they have dreamed about for years. The characters are well written and it is easy to relate to elements of each one as they talk of their daily lives and struggles. An enjoyable read.