Rating: 
Summary: Something a little more serious from Marian Keyes
Review: I liked Rachel's Holiday quite a bit, though I have to admit that I didn't know that it was about a young woman's treatment for drug addiction when I started it. I had read Marian Keyes' two previous books, and liked them well enough to buy this one. I was pleasantly surprised! Rachel's Holiday features Rachel Walsh, sister of Claire, the heroine of Watermelon, Marian Keyes' first novel (and in my opinion, best). She's hustled back to Dublin by her family after she takes an almost fatal overdose of drugs when she's living in New York City. The book is a painful look at how debilitating drug addiction can be, and focuses on the incredibally strong stance of denial that Rachel takes when she first enters the treatment center. The novel follows her through her weeks there, and Keyes does a geat job of describing all of the eccentric characters that Rachel meets at The Cloisters, her drug rehab center. The book also follows Rachel after she is released from The Cloisters and is faced with the challenges of reality once again. Rachel's Holiday is not as laugh-out-loud funny as Watermelon nor as silly as Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, but it's a nice, relaxing read nonetheless.
Rating: 
Summary: No wonder not many of these are being resold...
Review: Excellent as excellent can be. Three good reasons to read it: 1. nice descriptions of inter-familiar relationships, and how one sibling's strengths end up being taken as the others weakness; 2. only-in-your-dreams Luke, Rachel's all supportive boyfriend (oh, my, but what a lucky girl!); 3. light though convincing picture of addiction and coming to terms with it. Definitely worth it if you are looking for a complete and fulfilling read about family relationships, and how apparently normal and ordinary relations can get someone as nice as Rachel in trouble from an early beginning, and out of it when she finally perceives herself as her main North. Well-paced character development, makes you change your mind about all of them as you read along. Great read.
Rating:
Summary: I learned a lot from this one
Review: Rachel is a semi-normal Irish native 20-something living in NYC. Marian Keyes gave her a drug and alcohol problem and then stuck her in a recovery treatment center in Ireland. I learned so much from this fictional character as she learned the ropes in 'the program', cooking and cleaning and doing her part while examining the lives of her fellow addicts. Rachel is in serious denial for the first portion of the book and thinks her problem is really everyone else's. She finally comes to the realization that she truly does need help and her journey begins from there. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but far from her best
Review: "Rachel's Holiday" was an enjoyable read, but was not at all what I expected. It certainly lacked the lightheartedness of both "Watermelon" and "Lucy Sullivan", but I still found Rachel to be a likeable, well-developed character.The most disappointing thing about this book to me was the ending -- I found it contrived and much too cute, considering the gravity of the situation covered throughout the novel. It was unrealistic and ended the book on a disappointing note.
Rating:
Summary: Beats the other Marian Keyes books with a stick!
Review: What would you say to an all-expenses paid trip, complete with three well-balanced meals a day, daily schedule of events, nightly activities, and limitless opportunities to meet people that share common interests? Well, have I got the vacation for you! Join 27-year-old Rachel Walsh on her journey from selfish, immature, irresponsible drug-addict to rehabilitated, humble and fully-functional adult. Watch the transformation and prepare to be totally swept away. Marian Keyes has written a humdinger here. A lively and perceptive view of real-life addiction and recovery, spiced with humor and wit, and written in a breezy, chatty, conversational tone that will take reader from page 1 to 565 in two shakes. All Keyes fans will revel in Rachel's Holiday. A very fast-paced, mature novel, a hilarious take on a most serious subject, and one that will have you reading into the wee hours of the morning. Her best yet!
Rating:
Summary: funny, good catchy story
Review: I read this story a couple of days after I read Watermelon (also by Marian Keyes) and I liked it even better. Rachel's Holiday is a perfect choice if you are looking for some quality light reading. Keyes still uses the same technique as in Watermelon, where Rachel talks directly to us and therefor is our only source of information about herself in the first half of the book. Later we get some more information about her trough the metings with others. It is written in the same chatty, humorous tone that makes all of Keyes' novels such a pleasure to read, but this story is a little different and a little more daring. When we first meet her, she is about to be admitted to the Cloisters, a Irish sort of Betty Ford Clinic. She is in denial. Anyone who has had personal experience with addicts (of one kind or another) will recognize how they may fool you (and sometimes themselves). In the first part of the book, she seems pretty shallow and definitely a bit dense, but she grows as a person through her therapy and her friendships with other recovering addicts. Rachel has not really got a clue about who she is in the beginning and why she is becoming an addict. She develops as a person in and trough the story and grows to become something more than a cartoon figure or a heroine of a cheap weekly magazine story. Keyes has written this story with much fine humor and I laughed out loud many times to the great fun of those who were around me. Two warnings: Highbrows who do not enjoy light reading should stay away from this book and secondly if you do not like happy endings of any kind, please also stay away from this book.
Rating:
Summary: Addictive reading
Review: Rachel's Holiday is a really great read. How Marian Keyes manages to write about drug and alcohol addiction without harrowing or trivializing is a wonder. This book is funny, sexy, sharp and fast. And though the plot hold no surprises Rachel has an journey of self awareness to which many could relate. Its a chicks book, but a good one....
Rating:
Summary: Marian Keyes Best!
Review: Now that I own all 5 of Marian Keyes' books, both being a mix of British and American editions, I can say without question that this is the best. Rachel's family is the same family that is showcased in "Watermelon" and luckily for us "Watermelon" gives Rachel's family a greater charm if you read it before "Rachel's Holiday". It is easy to become wrapped up in Rachel's life because so often you are able to see your own traits in Rachel. She denies her problems enough to be interesting without being allowed to go over the edge and become horribly annoying. In all of her books, Marian writes of women who can be you, your best friend, or, as in "Sushi for Beginners", that woman you hate but wish you were. As with all of Marian Keyes' books, I suggest going to Amazon.uk for the British editions. You may not understand every phrase but the richness of the story is increased by the Irishness.
Rating:
Summary: One of Keyes' finest!
Review: How is it that Marian Keyes seems to know the events that happen in my life??? Rachel's Holiday sums up the experiences of Rachel in rehab as well as pre and post rehab life. A very serious subject made thouroughly enjoyable. Keyes once again surrounds our heroine with a lovely cast of characters that support her on her journey.
Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: Rachel's Holiday truly captured the mind of the addict. I was very impressed with how the author managed to weave the seriousness of the disease with the incredible humor. She made Rachel a real and believable person.
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