With the world seemingly in turmoil after COVID-19, she wanted to cheer up her readers by giving them another book centred around her beloved Walsh family characters.
"I had plans to write an entirely different book, but I was finding the world so dreadful and hard post-pandemic. The war in Ukraine and everything else was just too much," she tells HELLO! in our exclusive interview.
"I didn't want to be someone who wrote a book with bad things and bad people, so I wrote something I wanted to read, where any trouble is local and small and can be fixed."
This year is already proving an epic one for the author, who lives outside Dublin with Tony Baines, her husband of almost 29 years. Not only is her 2020 novel Grown Ups being turned into a Netflix series, but - having sold 30 million books worldwide - her portrait is now hanging in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Having turned 60 last September, Marian is finally happy in her own skin after living a life "full of ups and downs" that includes entering rehab for alcohol addiction - she is now 30 years sober and battling depression.
"Turning 60 used to be the age where you were just shuffled off," she says, laughing. "I feel most days that I am a much more confident person than I used to be: I've got so much better at asking for what I want; the fear of people not liking me is dialled down, and I feel kinder to myself in that I don't push myself as hard.
"I used to work all the time, but now there are other things I do. I have hobbies! It was knitting until recently. Before that, I was painting and upcycling furniture. I take care of myself physically and I make time to see my friends and my mother. I prioritise things differently and I like that."
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MAKING A CAREER COMEBACK AND DEEPLY IN LOVE KEANU REEVES HITS NEW HIGHS AS HE CELEBRATES TURNING 60
He has long held a reputation for having the biggest heart in Hollywood, and as Keanu Reeves celebrates his 60th birthday, life seems to be treating him well in return.
OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS ALICIA VIKANDER ON PLAYING HENRY VIII'S LAST WIFE IN NEW FILM
When Alicia Vikander signed on to play one of the most famous women in British history in the new movie Firebrand, she knew it was important to get her portrayal right. But despite spending many hours researching the significance of Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, she also acknowledges that becoming a mother she shares two children with her actor husband Michael Fassbender was invaluable when it came to getting into such a historical character.
BERNARDO SILVA AND MODEL WIFE HAVE A BALL AT DAUGHTER'S FIRST BIRTHDAY BASH
Dribbling, (sleep) training, athome games, even changing ends for Premier League footballer Bernardo Silva, they have all taken on new meaning over the past 12 months.
QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN RADIATES ELEGANCE IN LATEST BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT
Becoming a grandmother certainly hasn't robbed Queen Rania of her sparkle. Judging by a new official photo released in celebration of her 54th birthday (left), it has merely enhanced it.
NICOLE KIDMAN A PERFECT BELLE IN BALENCIAGA AS SHE STEALS SHOW AT LONDON PREMIERE
She and her husband Keith Urban might be considered The Perfect Couple, but Australian superstar Nicole was only too happy to go it alone when she donned a stunning black Balenciaga gown for the London premiere of the new Netflix show, in which she stars as matriarch novelist Greer Winbury.
KATE BECKINSALE PLAYS A SHORT - AND A LONG-GAME AT VENICE GALA
The star-studded amfAR Gala in Venice was a peachy occasion for actress Kate Beckinsale, who walked the red carpet dressed in the cheerful hue last week.
RED HOT ON THE RED CARPET COUPLES COSY UP IN VENICE THAT'S AMORE FOR GLAMOROUS STARS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
For many it's the city of love - and Daniel who looked smart in a Meanwhile, fans of Lady Gaga who accompanied her to the the film stars descending on bespoke suit by Loewe plays one of were treated to a glimpse of her new year, we offer film, in which she Venice for this year's International Film Festival certainly made it live up to that name, cosying up to their partners on the red carpet.
AS SHE UNVEILS HER LATEST FASHION COLLECTION LAURA WHITMORE ON STYLE INSPO AND THE JOY OF A MULTI-FACETED CAREER
Posing up a storm in our exclusive HELLO! photoshoot, Laura Whitmore is reminiscing about when she first discovered an interest in fashion growing up in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
PROVING THAT HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS THE PRINCE OF WALES SHARES STORIES WITH ARTISTS AT SHOW INSPIRED BY HOMELESSNESS CAMPAIGN
Fresh from his summer break, the Prince of Wales returned to royal duties last week, sporting the beard he debuted in August.
VINTAGE FASHION FAN LADY AMELIA WINDSOR ENJOYS AN INTIMATE BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH
When it comes to celebrating in style, Lady involved. Sipping on a chardonnay from Chile's neither confirms nor denies if she will be attending Amelia Windsor knows how to deliver.
