Love is the Easy Bit

Jan 18, 2026 2:01 AM

Author:Mary Grehan

'The characters are real, earthy and believable ... the issues are thought-provoking and relatable ... the ending is uplifting' Novelicious.com

For fans of the luminous and emotional story-telling of Maggie O'Farrell and Kim Edwards, Mary Grehan's Love is the Easy Bit goes on a shattering and exhilarating journey that will resonate with anyone who has questioned how they have ended up in the life they have.

For eleven years Sylvia Larkin has been a mother - and she knows, deep down, that she's no good at it. Seeing her husband's loving relationship with their daughter Kate, she believes she's simply been going through the motions. She feels like a fake.

When a former lover turns up, reminding her of the striking young artist she once was and the life she gave up, Sylvia finally loses her grip and nearly destroys her own world, and that of her family.

Coming so close to the edge, however, brings Sylvia face to face with her demons and the realization that she must try to fix her life. It is a journey of heartbreak, challenge and painful surprises. And for Sylvia, her husband and Kate it is one in which the destination will remain unknown until they get there ...

'Love. It feels like a word from science class that you nod along to but don't really understand,' Sylvia says. And anyone who has ever felt the strangeness and wonder of being in a role that doesn't quite fit will be captivated and moved by Sylvia's journey into the heart of being a wife, mother and daughter.

'What a talent! ... An unforgettable heroine' Irish Examiner

'Her descriptions are scalpel sharp and her perception deep. This book, about an artist, is itself a work of art.' Metro Herald

'Her descriptions are those of an artist ... [her] observations have charm and originality' Irish Independent

'Real in its story-telling and sometimes frightening in its honesty ... a fine accomplishment' Dublinduchess.blogspot.com

Mary Grehan trained as an artist and now works as an arts manager and curator. She has travelled widely, lived in many places and is now based in Co Waterford. Love is the Easy Bit is her first novel

Reviews

What a talent! ... An unforgettable heroine

—— Irish Examiner

The characters are real, earthy and believable ... the issues are thought-provoking and relatable ... the ending is uplifting

—— Novelicious.com

Her descriptions are scalpel sharp and her perception deep. This book, about an artist, is itself a work of art.

—— Metro Herald

Her descriptions are those of an artist ... [her] observations have charm and originality

—— Irish Independent

Real in its story-telling and sometimes frightening in its honesty ... a fine accomplishment

—— Dublinduchess.blogspot.com

Aldridge is a skilled observer and the novel is full of detailed, sometimes strangely beautiful descriptions... Aldridge shows her eye for detail: there is joy to be found in the mundanities of day-to-day life

—— Times Literary Supplement

Immensely powerful

—— Independent on Sunday

A wonderfully funny, original novel ... joyous and life-affirming

—— Guardian

This small but perfectly formed third novel from Kitty Aldridge is over too soon but is impressively accomplished, nailing the distinctive voice of its protagonist… Inventive coming-of-age tale

—— Metro

Kitty Aldridge’s latest novel mixes pathos and bathos in industrial quantities…he [Lee Hart] is an immensely likeable protagonist and Aldridge has absolutely captured his engagingly open inner voice

—— Scotland on Sunday

An uplifting tale of life after death. Dead good

—— Time Out

Wonderful… I am completely convinced by Lee and drawn along with his narrative voice which Kitty Aldridge has pitched to perfection… Kitty has taken a taboo subject and achieved that fine balance, writing engagingly and openly, and with great sensitivity and humour about something most of us just don't like to think or talk about

—— Dove Grey Reader

Aldridge’s writing is a rare find: startlingly original without being showy, skilfully crafted but not selfconsciously literary, a genuine, honest voice… Harrowing and hilarious, profound but unpretentious, this book conjures up a compelling world and an eminently likeable protagonist. For all the dead bodies and thwarted lives, it is surprisingly uplifting

—— Juanita Coulson , The Lady

Peebles' keen eye for social observation adds a comic touch to the narrative, expertly showing how black humour is used in bleak times.

—— Rowena McIntosh , The Skinny

Peebles writes poetic prose, capturing Aggie's imaginative character and her need to find meaning in the puzzle of circumstances she finds herself in. The insight into dementia and its impact upon a family is poignant, with Aggie desperate to recapture the history of a beloved Gran who is disappearing in front of her eyes. The novel strongly evokes the Scottish countryside, its link to the past and the secrets it keeps. The story may be a slow burner, but keep going because its gentle pace builds up to a satisfying conclusion

—— Penny Batchelor , We Love This Book

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