Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so glad I got an email advertising this book otherwise I probably would have read this one. This is indeed one book that I have never read before; I thought the author handled the sensitive, tough topics uniquely. I wasn't put off by the nitty-gritty topics Keane dealt with, but she had written them such a way, it made it feel for the characters. Keane's writing was fantastic. I was sucked into the novel right away and could not believe how much I had read in one sitting. I was so close to finishing the story; it's always an excellent novel for me when I'm just lost in the novel and not looking at how many pages are left in the book.

This was truly a powerful story. A well told story about 2 people and their families, their ups and downs with some dramatic events thrown in. Not everyone's story is smooth sailing and this book illustrated it again for me. I loved how the story flowed seamlessly from 1973 until present, from one year to the other, from one character to the other, telling each one's story. There was nothing about the book that I did not like. I loved the writing style, it was difficult to put the book down and I constantly found myself picking up the book again. I loved how the book turned out and I think this book will be loved by all who read it. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

I absolutely loved this book! It has all the ingredients of a great book - interesting and relatable characters, a really good story, and to top it off it's beautifully written. Once you start reading, you won't leave it down. I know that I'll be searching for more of Mary Beth Keane..

A gripping thriller of strong love Mental illness and love thy neighbour. Kate and Peter are neighbours both their dads are Police officers in New York guess that is NYPD I'm a Brit I've of those waiting to leave Europe.
So they have known each other all their lives and have had string bonds and week I let you read the rest. Peters Mum and Kate's Dad are from Ireland Kate's Mum is also European and Pete's Dad's is the American. Neighbours but assist from Kate and Peter their parents don't get in that well and then the events of one night that start of innocent enough the two teenageers decide to meet up after everyone else is settled, apart from Kate's Dad who is on a late shift so well it of the way. By the Morning it all changes and life is never the same for any of them. Once the horse had bolted so to speak it's hard to see how any of them will recover and can love survive. Don't worry guys this is no sloppy love story this is a story with bit and of dealing with what life throws at you.
How lasting is the effects of your parents obviously that is strong no matter how hard the resistance and strength to conquer their weaknesses, and puch on past their pain for what is right for you. This is not a story of rebellion fighting against establishment but of honest families dreaming with life with twists that come at them.
I was totally hooked with this thriller it was honest and real informative in the best way possible with plenty of action and passion of spirit rather than actually it best you read it for yourself and you will understand what I mean. It's a great book and we'll worth getting infact I highly recommend you do get it.

Two young teenagers separated by a tragedy that affected both families, finally reunited and all reconciled in the final chapter.
There are many interesting characters in this story and each has a story that would make a novel in it’s own right. This is a family story which mirrors so many of the pitfalls and incidents of real life. Unfortunately by trying to fit them all into one story has diluted the characters and their frailties to thumbnail sketches. And don’t get me started on the final scenes !!
I do not want to write plot spoilers but there are so many interesting and insightful snippets that are not followed up. I was quite frustrated – there is so much potential for a here for a family saga.

Those who like family sagas will love this book. It is well written and entertaining. However, it was far too long and slow moving for my personal taste. It covered over forty years of two families history and while certain traumatic events occurred, I kept hoping for something more.
I am very grateful to the publisher and author for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'Ask Again, Yes'. It follows two New York families, specifically a child from each family, and how their lives are intertwined. I thought the characters were well formed and I loved the gentle tone of the narrative. It was easy to empathise with all of the characters and I felt that I travelled with them as they aged. This is a book I really enjoyed reading and I definitely recommend it.

The book is well written and the characters well drawn. The inter-relationships between two families is cleverly done. The way the author manages illness, tragedy alcoholism and mental illness I found very believable. I particularly liked the way the author handled the changes in society over the period of the story. It starts in the 1970s with Irish immigrant families and the role of 'the wife' for two NY police officers is clear. It ends some 30 years on when gender roles have changed considerably. The characters were both interesting and intriguing. Their relationship with each other was fascinating. So for me it was an enjoyable book to read with a lot of positives. I did find the book a little slow in places, Interestingly my overall view of the book is better now that I have finished it then it sometimes was when I was reading it!

A story about being content with what you have - a great moral message which delivers through careful description of everyday happenings - apart from a huge event which rocks the family's world. In my view this is an exploration of mental health issues probably developing from post natal depression with traumatic loss. The whole story is built on this issue but explores other family issues carefully and I recommend it without avoiding the families responses to the horror.
It is very American to a British reader. There are many assumptions about the American way of life which can be puzzling. The whole summer experience of American children is different and there are police procedures which are not quite clear but can be picked up along the way.
It is an engrossing read and I recommend it.

Ask Again, Yes is a beautifully written, gripping and compassionate family drama. It spans over four decades and follows the lives of the Gleeson and Stanhope families.

Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope meet when they were NYPD rookies and end up by chance living next door to each other in suburban New York. The families don't particularly get on but Francis's daughter,Kate and Brian's son, Peter form a very strong friendship. However once night a tragic event changes everything and the families are torn apart. Kate and Peter's friendship is challenged as they lose touch and then reconnect years later. The events of that night are still impacting on their lives and the pair are faced with some difficult choices and decisions.

This is a story about love, marriage, tragedy, addiction and depression. The challenges of families whose lives have been affected by tragedy. Mary Beth Keane has developed her characters brilliantly in this book. The stories are told from alternative perspectives which gives the reader a good understanding of the characters and their motivation.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Penguin Michael Joseph, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the way this was written, there was lots of detail which brought it to life. The setting is New York with a pair of families whose fathers, of Irish origin, are police colleagues, living next door to each other. Their respective children, Kate and Peter, form a strong bond and are obviously meant to be together. However, a horrific accident blows them apart. It was a compelling story and had me gripped from the start. The characters were well-rounded and interesting. Although it was basically the love story of Peter and Kate, it was also about the ties that bind families together. It had strong themes; depression, alcoholism, mental illness, but in the end all comes right.

This is quite a powerful and poignant story.

The focus is on two main characters and their families and just how their lives intertwine.

Weaving between past and present, there are many ups and downs and along with them an abundance of emotional trauma.

I think what this book, (one that I probably wouldn't have picked if it wasn't from an invite from Netgalley) cleverly demonstrates is just how easily we can miss certain moments, little pieces of time that might not seem significant at the time but they could in fact impact a person/s future in one way or another.

We all know that life isn't all black and white, what we might not realise is the courage it takes to get through things that we may not be so prepared for.

Mary Beth Keane perfectly demonstrates the dynamics of a not so typical family life and just how life has a strange way of working itself out in the end if the fates allow.

Starting from the year 1973 moving seamlessly to the present day, changing from one character to the next in a way that is not confusing in the slightest.

This novel carefully tells a story of love, loss, friendship and family.

I was moved and compelled to turn the pages in a strange way I wanted to slow down my own reading pace to fully appreciate the tale that was unfolding in front of me.

There isn't anything that I thought could be improved, if anything I guess I'd like to go into more detail with some of the supporting characters as they were all interesting, each with their own stories to tell.

Highly recommended.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I first saw it but I gave it a chance and I am so happy that I did. Such a well written and engaging story. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.

My favourite kind of book is a good family saga and this didn’t disappoint. The characters are intriguing and some are very complex. Mary Beth Keane isn’t an author I’m familiar with but I will be looking out for more of her work. The story is centred around Peter and Katie whose families lived next door to each other in Gilliam, New York. Their relationship began as they started school together and progressed into adulthood. Along the way a tragic incident forced their separation for a while until they find each other and the relationship continued. The story occasionally does veer from one time frame to another although it doesn’t detract from the story or make it difficult to follow. I would have liked to have read more detail about the important events in their family life as it occasionally seemed to skip past them. The story covers lots of personality traits in the characters such as mental health issues, violence and alcoholism all cleverly woven into the story. Highly recommend. Thank you netgalley.

I didn't know what sort of book this was when I got sent it, just that I'd read similar things before and I'd like them. So I picked it up, didn't look it up, didn't read the blurb and I just started reading. I have to say , this was a very touching and moving book.

The story follows two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes, two beat cops, two neighbours, two families, both with Irish roots, and in some ways mirror images of each other, and in some ways polar opposites. But families are difficult and complex and there are underlying struggles that one cannot even begin to imagine. When tragedy strikes both families they're wrenched apart, and it's Katie and Peter, the two youngest children that feel it the most. Everything changes in an instant, and it's up to them to figure out their way forward, figure their way back to each other.

It's a really compelling read, beautifully written, complex characters and totally engaging. I challenge anyone to read it and this book not touch their soul. At the heart of this book is a love story, and it's beautiful.

At the end of ‘Ask Again Yes’, Lena says to her husband as they think back over half a century, ‘“I think we’ve been luckier than most people.”’ This might seem strange when the reader considers that this novel has focused unflinchingly on mental illness, alcoholism, abuse, abandonment and physical disfigurement. Yet Mary Beth Keane’s focus on two families living in the New York suburbs has at its heart the importance of love and forgiveness. If this sounds shmaltzy, fear not. Throughout the novel, she writes bravely and with clear insight about familial friction and dysfunction.
Those who enjoy the novels of Celeste Ng will find plenty to be engrossed by in ‘Ask Again Yes’. Mary Beth Keane’s creation of real, engaging and important characters allows the reader to appreciate just how difficult it is to live with someone whose mental illness means that she has a very different view of the world, who often withdraws, who feels as if everyone is against her. This is how it is for Anne Stanhope’s family.
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, both originally from Ireland, meet through training together in the NY police academy and a few years later become neighbours, bringing up their families in respectable suburb of Gillam which is ‘nice enough but lonely’ for Francis’ wife, Lena, who has three daughters in quick succession. Try as she might to befriend Brian’s wife, Anne, the latter refuses these overtures. Nevertheless, over the years her son, Peter, and Kate, the youngest Gleeson girl, become the best of friends.
When Anne behaves in such a way that has terrible consequences for Francis, ensuring that she is sectioned indefinitely, the teenage Peter moves to New York city to live with his uncle George, no longer able to rely on his father. He appears to cope magnificently with the family breakdown and it is only when he has a young family himself that the wounds of the past open, threatening to destroy all that he loves. Mary Beth Keane shows us that previous tragedies always make their mark. It is how the afflicted are treated that will make the difference between a life well led or one that mirrors the past.
My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

Couldn't put it down, intrigued right to the end.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a family saga: two American families become neighbours and (the husbands) work colleagues, and their lives are entwined for both good and ill.
I liked the complexity of the relationships between the Stanhope and Gleeson families and the way that no character is ultimately good or bad. This really resonated with me.
Other reviewers have said they found it very American but I really didn’t feel that. Their lives felt very universal to me.
I wouldn’t give it five stars - there was something about the pacing that didn’t quite work for me, and I thought it occasionally needed more momentum - but I think that Keane is a great writer and this is a really good novel. In fact, it reminded me of some of my favourites: Anne Tyler, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Forster.
Recommended. A really engrossing read.

This is quite a schmaltzy, American affair. A long tale of two friends, from early on in their careers to being neighbours and friends with their respective families. It is a descriptive prose, painting a picture of the US through the years and the writing style reminded me of Anne Tyler, always a good thing!

If you can get past the phrasing and Americanisms, it is a good heavyweight of a story, plenty of life is laid out bare and pecked over. It makes you sad in parts, happy in others. Cleverly written and well laid out. Not a light read by any means, but a very enjoyable and reflective one.

This book was completely unknown to me at the time - I was given an ARC. I didn’t know what to expect but found I was presently surprised by the way the story unfolded. What seemed to be a typical story took a number of unexpected turns, with deep emotional consequences and many trigger points. Overall, it was a great piece of writing and I’m glad I got to read it as it wouldn’t have been something I’d pick out usually.

A great family saga to get your teeth into, this absorbed me and kept me reading. I got through it quickly and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Highly recommended.

Ask Again, Yes starts in the 1970's with two young rookie cops who are paired up with each other on their first beat in NYC and finishes in the present day. It's almost a saga, following them as they marry, move to neighbouring houses in suburbia and have children who grow up together. The story then pivots on a tragic event that comes to pass one night and changes their lives forever, and we then follow the effects of this over the coming years.

What this book did really well was to explore how much we are products of our families, both in terms of upbringing but also more fundamentally- the author treats themes of alcoholism and mental illness particularly convincingly. We also see how important childhood is to the author- events that have happened to the children in the book (or the adults when they were children) reverberate through the generations .

I really enjoyed the author's writing and was completely absorbed by the plot and satisified by the ending. My disappointment lay with the characters themselves who I just didn't feel I got to know well enough, and I'm not sure why. I didn't feel that I could picture any of them in my mind's eye. Although I felt sympathy for various characters as the book went on, I just didn't feel as emotionally invested in them as I felt I should have done.

Overall I did enjoy reading this book and am very grateful to the publisher and to netgalley for this reading copy, but in the end I didn't completely fall in love with it.

Ask Again, Yes is a moving family saga set around two blue-collar police families in New York State.
Kate and Peter are two star-crossed lovers that are destined to be together, despite their respective families' best efforts. They grow up next to each other until a shocking incident separates them.
This novel explores the strength of families, desertion, mental illness and alcoholism. How the families come through that makes for a good read. Four stars.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This book was quite hard to get into at first, it was confusing as it went from one thing to another. I found it hard to read so it took a while to read. It was a good story but just not for me.

Peter and Katie have known each other since they were babies. Now teenagers they have a growing attachment but in trying to do something about this they inadvertently bring about their separation. Peter moves away from their home town to New York and they don't meet again until years later. Will their relationship survive the trauma that was part of their earlier years or will this drive them apart?

This is a sensitively written novel about mental illness, functional alcoholism and whether we can ever really redeem ourselves for a terrible act. It is also about forgiveness and acceptance. I found the characters believable especially Peter's mother whose experience of mental illness is realistic and moving. I don't know whether I actually enjoyed the book as it is quite difficult to read about subjects like that but I nonetheless wholeheartedly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC>

A well written and thought provoking novel. It addresses some big issues but in a fairly sensitive way. I liked the setting of New York and the way the book tells the story over four decades. It was sometimes moving, sometimes sad but overall gripping and made me want to read it to the end, hoping to see a satisfactory conclusion. I think there were some threads that got lost along the way but it didn’t really detract from a damn good read. I would recommend it to those who like a family saga with drama.

I found this book quite easy to read and well written, I became a little disconnected and struggled a little with not being familiar with the American way of life plus some differences in vocabulary, however the basic story over rode this. It deals with a lot of thorny issues with the emphasis on mental health and lack of help when tragedies happened a while ago before there was such help available. The book covers quite a long period in time and focuses on two characters who are children at the start of the book plus their respective families who are mainly first generation immigrants so there is little fall back on a wider family and background. A few twists and turns which keeps the readers attention but on the whole I found the book rather long and a little slow at times.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I was at a loss on what to read and then I received an email offering me this book to review and I'm so glad I read it.

This story spans many years. It's a love story, a story of life, families, friendship and so much more. It's definitely a lovely read which will give you all the feels. It deals with some difficult subjects, but it does not retract from the readability of this book. I highly recommend this book.

I will definitely look out for more books by this author.

I found this book really moving and quite gripping in parts. It's not the sort of thing I'd normally pick up, but from very early on I started to care about the characters and wanted to know how their lives unfolded.

This book starts roughly in the 60s and comes right up to present day. It follows the lives of two families in north east US. All the characters feel real and flawed and complicated and I loved how the author didn't make any parts of their lives saccharine or soppy. That's not to say it wasn't moving - I had tears in my eyes twice whilst reading, but it always felt very real and raw.

For some characters, it's a coming of age story. For all the characters, it's a study about how life doesn't go the way you planned and you can't always behave the way you'd like. I think the themes here, particularly the theme of forgiveness, will stay with me and I'll turn them over for a while.

About two thirds of the way through the book did slow, but recovered. And sometimes there was too much 'tell' or I'd feel like a page was a summary of something that should have been more filled out. But overall I just think this is an absolute gem of a book that makes you reflect on the importance off love and kindness, to others and ourselves.

I did enjoy this book but found it a little slow in parts
It is a very poignant tale about 2 families whose lives were torn apart following a serious incident one day
The book takes the reader through the lives of the families both prior to and following the incident and leads us concisely through the years
Definitely a thought provoking novel worth reading and I would recommend to others

This was the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and the characters were well thought out.

The story of two childhood sweethearts who live next door to each other and how one tragic event pulls them apart . The story intertwines between all the characters in a gripping page turner. A really enjoyable read to the very end.

This is a compelling story of families, neighbours, mental health, addiction and above all forgiveness and love.

It is well written, with characters you actually care about and a story that spans forty years. It is a little drawn out in places but the last quarter of the book moved along quickly.

I loved this book. Having read a few stinkers, this was the book I needed to make me remember why I love reading.

An enjoyable tale of two families who are linked throughout their lives. Engaging characters, interesting plot line and satisfying conclusion - this book is a joy.

This was a gripping read, so damn unexpected that I couldn't put the book down. One more chapter had me reading the book from midnight till 3am.

The story was about families and the problems that life brings with it. It told the story about the life of Kate and Peter neighbors who had known each other since forever. But the families had a past, a friendship turned sour where one night changed it all.

I thought it would be a good emotional read but it turned out to be a thriller which caught me in its grips and did not let me go till I finished the book. The story spanned decades, repercussions of one incident seen later when Kate and Peter wanted to marry. Characters were well etched, each made an impact.

A slow read in some parts, but overall an enjoyable one.

I got hooked on this book quickly and wanted to race through to the end. It was a captivating story with a small character list but spanning two generations and I liked the history this gave the characters. There were times when the writer lost me with some nuanced expression and I had to reread more paragraphs than I’d like a few times before shrugging and moving on (most often when the plot was skipping a few years and trying to catch us up) but this didn’t really matter, it was just a minor irritation. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys following a plot that is about characterisation.

This is a really cleverly written book. A pure family saga type drama with plenty to keep you interested in.

We have two families who end up living next door to each other.
Each character has its flaws or talent.
But something bad happens and one family move.

The two eldest from each family had grown fond of each other now only to be told to stay clear from one another.

I’ll be perfectly straight, I struggled at the beginning due to the style of the writing plus it was very slow moving.
I eventually understand one of the moms and her over reaction to things.
But there were several characters in this book which I tried to like. In the end I just gave up trying.

I tossed between three stars and four.

Let me tell you that the ending isn’t jaw dropping or amazing either, but, there was plenty in here that helped to redeem and overcome my negatives.

It was the emotions, the sincerity and the way that the author led me. I somehow became trapped within its pages. I had to read it. I had to finish it. There were life lessons within these pages that made my mind tick over.

Love and forgiveness and moving on is one of life’s hard lessons.
We tend to reflect on the past. And by doing so we ignore where we are right now.

Two families. Can they heal the rift?

The mental health in this book was written well.

I’ll be seeking out more from this author as she had my thoughts tossed all over the place. Now that’s making an impact!

Good. Interesting story. Centres on two families that live across from one another and how one tragic event can reverberate down the years. Deals with issues such as mental health and Alcoholism.

A really compelling family saga. Starting in the 60's with newly wed neighbours striving for the American dream in suburban New York. Their children Kate and Peter become inseparable friends. A tragedy strikes involving both families. A stunning story of friendship, love, loyalty and family. Taking us into present day the story involves Irish immigrations, NYPD, mental health, alcoholism and the strength of characters. A riveting story which had me enthralled and grabbing time whenever I could to pick up the book over the weekend.

Francis and Brian both Irish immigrants and both working for NYPD move into neighbouring houses with their wives and families. Francis has three girls and Brian one boy.
Francis's daughter Kate is best friends with Brian's son Peter but his mother,Anne doesn't approve of the friendship and does everything possible to keep them apart.

Anne is jealous,unpredictable and could be dangerous. Her husband has lived with this for years,has seen how she treats her son and ignores it,does nothing about it and that is the main reason everyone's lives fall apart.

After a catastrophic event we follow the lives of Kate and Peter and of their parents. We see how they come to terms with events and if there can ever be any kind of forgiveness.

This was such a good story. My feelings for Peter changed during the book.
First, I liked him,felt sorry for him then I lost my patience with him. Kate was a strong girl who turned into a strong,loyal woman.

The other events in the book, mental illness,alcoholism are dealt with sensitively.
Are there some things we can't forgive? Do we just accept that and get on with our lives? Why do some people run away and begin new lives while others stay and face up to what they have left to deal with.
I asked myself all those questions at the end of the book. Some were answered.
Good story,good ending.
This will be on my book review blog and Amazon on publication day.
www.bookswithwineandchocolate.blogspot.com

Two families inextricably linked by the events of one life changing evening. This is a story that by contrasts seemed filled with hope and yet ached with despair.

I was moved by the sadness which ran through the story. Both families touched by addictive natures of one kind or another. The story put across a real understanding of these forces and made me feel sad and sure there was no hope to be had for our two families - but, isn’t there always hope if we look hard enough and keep trying? Maybe - if someone is strong enough to keep battling.
This book is a captivating read and will draw you in and on to its conclusion.

Peter and Kate are neighbours that have known each other and been best freir did their whole lives, one day they both sneak out of the house to meet up, but trashed strikes when they arrive home. The book follows the lives of Peter and Kate from babies to adulthood and all the ups and downs that go with it. A story of friendship and love in good and bad times.

The book is beautifully written and flows well. Definitely a book I would recommend.

I really enjoyed this novel! Ordinarily I would have dismissed it as a romance based on the title, but I'm so glad I didn't because it is much more than that. It's a family saga that spans generations, with extraordinary insight into characters and their motivations in a well-researched and rich setting. So well-written and finely-wrought. Highly recommended for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Anne Tyler.

Kate and Peter grow up next door to each other. Their dads are policeman and Kate's mum would love to be friends with Peter's mum but she is rather cold and aloof.
Just as the two are beginning to explore new feelings for each other their lives are torn apart by a terrible tragedy
which badly affects the two families.
This is a compelling story of families, enduring love, tragedy and understanding. It is written with compassion and will stay with you long after the last page.

A really compelling read in an all-American setting.

Two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes, both move into a new neighbourhood, both fathers working together in the local police department; yet the mothers have less in common and Anne Stanhope actively avoids all social contact.

As the children, Peter Stanhope and Kate Gleeson form a firm friendship, tragedy strikes within the heart of their families.

An exploration of the impact of how our childhood experiences can form our future selves, this is beautifully written with characters to care deeply about.

A profoundly moving novel about two neighboring families in a suburban town, the friendship between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, and the power of forgiveness.

The novel deals with many issues such as mental health issues and alcoholism, all of which are beautifully written and have obviously been researched vigorously by the author. I had read the blurb and seen this book several times as it has appeared on many upcoming and new releases book lists. It drew me in & I was highly intrigued to know what the tragedy was. It was a fascinating read that I couldn't put down. The ending, although not surprising or astounding, summed the story up perfectly.

I honestly loved this book. It made me cry. Usually books that make me cry do so with either sadness or joy, but this was something in between.

I just loved the complexity and dimensions of the characters in this book. Keane takes the notion of a ‘protagonist’ and ‘antagonist’ and throws them in the bin.

Instead we follow two families, the Gleeson’s and the Stanhope’s, over a period of 40 years in New York. The main focus is on Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope and the evolution of their relationship over the four decades that the book spans; a relationship which endures violence and trauma against all odds.

Although Kate and Peter dominate the narrative we are also invited to view the world from others perspectives, namely their parents. Most of the characters featured, in their own way are deeply flawed. Yet they all are capable of unconditional love, of forgiveness and of repentance. I think this is what I enjoyed most about this story. The level of empathy that Keane creates is captivating and it undermines the idea that humans can be defined in black and white. The book questions the notion of a ‘happy ending’ and illustrates that they don’t always come in the way we expect.

If you enjoy family dramas, complex characters and a good old romance then definitely give this a go!

**I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FREE FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

'Ask Again, Yes' is a carefully-crafted family drama, exploring how a single tragic event shapes the lives of two families.

The writing is wonderfully assured and there are some beautiful moments of insight. I felt from the first few pages that I was in safe hands, and I quickly became immersed in the story. This is an author who really gets her characters.

I sometimes felt the pace was a little too measured - some chapters detail small moments, while others span years in a couple of sentences, but the prose never loses its steady rhythm. There were also moments when the characters thoughts felt a little too cloying, their actions too inevitable.

But I suppose this reiterates the main theme of the novel: that whatever happens, whatever tragedies fracture our lives, life goes on. 'Ask Again, Yes' touches on many dark issues - mental illness, alcoholism, abuse - but the underlying tone is always one of hope: this too shall pass.

An extremely enjoyable read, which at times brought me to tears. The characters were well drawn and believable which made the story all the more involving.

What a FANTASTIC read. This is not my normal genre but I was captured after the first couple of pages. Mary Beth Keane is on my "watch list" for the future. After reading the book I reflected on my childhood and friends I have had for over 50 years and how we were when we were growing up from 6 and the fun we had in our teens and how some changed for the better and some for the worse which made this book so real and honest even though it was set in the USA and my memories are of the UK. I recommend this book for people who like a good honest read and want to reminisce on their life and friends they have grown up with.