So a mixed response on my part ….  I do think that Keyes tends to include too much dialogue in her books. I guess this is how she ‘shows’ rather than ‘tells’, but it reaches a point where it is intrusive. Whilst there is nothing wrong with some element of soul searching, self-revealing chat in any novel there’s no need to spell absolutely everything out for us. (We readers can infer and intuit!) Having said that Keyes books are so successfully representative of contemporary life that it is impossible not to forgive her for this occasional sledgehammer approach.  Keyes’ observations are incredibly astute and so perceptive that the reader is left pondering and worrying about the characters and their lives as if they are actual friends and neighbours. I don’t know what the magic writing ingredient Keyes has but I found this happened to me, not only when I read Grown Ups, but also when I read The Break. The issues explored kept entering my thoughts literally months after I’d finished reading
 
Grown Ups somewhat ironically named, explores the family relationships of the three Casey brothers. Keyes uses the brothers as a backbone around which to structure the book, but the focus is equally on their wives, children, nephews and nieces. There’s the eldest brother Johnny, a good-looking extroverted, moderately successful business and family man, who finds himself in the midst of something like a mid-life crisis. Next is middle brother Ed. Seemingly ordinary his love for his wife is unwavering and solid. Ed demonstrates an unnerving depth of understanding about life. Finally, there is spoilt brat youngest brother Liam – womaniser, selfish-pig and borderline paedophile, he has little going for him.
 
Keyes is never one to shy away from difficult issues and in this book bulimia is explored with skill and sensitivity. It helps the readers (as bystanders and observers to the action) understand what those with the illness go through. What doesn’t work so well is Keyes’, at times, clumsy and unlikely plotting. In Grown Ups Keyes creates an unlikely scenario where one of the characters becomes concusse. This plot detail is set up as a device to enable. Clara to share unwelcome truths about her relatives.. She exposes family members for who they really are and so keeps the story moving forward. I’m afraid didn’t find this tool for developing plot convincing or realistic, but perhaps, on the other hand, that doesn’t really matter.