Member Reviews
This was surprisingly good. A tale of marital breakdown and relationships being re-built. Written from four people's perspectives. Gripping enough to follow the story without becoming confused. Felt current with lots of culturally relevant references. Well written...enough romance and spice without becoming crude, enough twists to avoid being entirely predictable, great imagery throughout. An enjoyable and believable read!
This book got me in all my feels
My what a read. I was sceptical about this book but as i read the more intriguing the plot became and the characters began to unravel which was amazing. I loved our main characters but i especially loved how the author gave each character a voice except for Ant whom i would love to know what went on in his mind tho.
I'd totally recommend this book to anyone looking for that Summer Read to curl up with a drink by the side.
A story of love and betrayal.
I first want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC. This did not impact my review.
This was my first book by this author but it will not be my last. This book was amazing. It started with the "backstory" of the characters.. You really felt like you were inside this marriage and inside the minds of some of the characters. Then these two couples go on vacation - you think you see what's coming, but you really don't. I think I might have said "wow" out loud a few times. or "no way".
The author did an amazing job of character development and I really felt like I was in Spain on vacation with these couples - in the sunny, hot, oppressive atmosphere. Excellent writing. This book kept me turning the pages all night..
Every book i read of Nick Alexander's is beautiful. Such a fabulous writer that really draws you into each character and the toils and troubles that affect their lives.
Four people find their lives entwined when their paths cross as a result of their children's friendships. A plan to go on holiday together at the whim of one of the wives results in changes to their lives they could not have imagined and overturns everything they thought and felt about each other.
A great story exploring each of the characters and their flaws.
Every time I read a book by Nick Alexander, I always think to myself: "I need to read everything he's ever published!”
"From Something Old" tells the story of two couples who think they know what true love is, but are actually very unhappy. Day by day, they try to ignore all their problems, but it's clear that eventually the truth will come to light. And that's when everything explodes, all at once.
I love the way the author describes their thoughts and feelings, because it seems real to me. It doesn't feel forced or exaggerated. I love how things take time to happen, it's not all miraculously solved overnight. The ending can be predictable but it still surprised me a bit. It was interesting to see their growth. I truly enjoyed this book!
(Ps: Ant's mother, though… pure hell. lol)
* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Really enjoyed this story and the twists it brought, some fun, laughter, tears and pure emotion throughout.
Very easy to read book that I enjoyed. Ups & downs of two families that go away on holiday together & the fall out when things do not go as planned. A happy ending eventually.
From Something Old by Nick Alexander tells the story of two couples in unhappy marriages who holiday together to please their children Ben and Lucy. Heather and Anthony (Lucy's parents) accept the invitation of Amy and Joe (Ben's parents) to holiday with them in a Spanish Villa. This is a romantic story that will keep you turning the pages as the story unfolds and the relationships are laid bare in each other's company.. As with his other works, Nick Alexander has a way of keeping you engaged even when you know which direction the story is heading. The characters are very well crafted which make them real and memorable. The story deals with love, parenthood, friendship, communication, and all the intricacies of family life. This book is so well written that it will provide many hours of book club discussion or just as an engaging book to be enjoyed quietly.
I really enjoyed "From something old"; it's a family drama with some fascinating characters. My absolute favourite part is the opening description of the origins of Heather's relationship with Ant: the slow, insidious creep of awfulness until it's impossible to escape, like a frog in a pan of water on a stove. Really skillful writing there.
I was surprised by some of the narrative choices, particularly chapter length at the start. Turns out, Nick Alexander is the type of writer who knows the rules but breaks them anyway: it shouldn't work, but it does!
I would have liked even more romance and "will they/ won't they" in the final part, but that which is there doesn't disappoint!
At first this seemed like so many chick-lit novels but part way thru it really came to life. It was very easy to identify with Heather and see how gradually she lost herself in her marriage. In fact although some of the situations are slightly exaggerated they are, in fact, very good illustrations of what at first is compromise becomes subservience.
Whilst examining some interesting themes throughout the book the ending was boringly predictable.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, but it often left me feeling quite sad while reading it. This book follows 2 couples who appear happy on the surface, but underneath, there are so many layers of self-doubt. There were so many thought-provoking moments in this book. Do our parents play a role in how we treat others? Is it ok to pursue happiness at the expense of hurting someone else? Do we settle for manipulation in relationships because we feel undeserving of a storybook romance? I loved Nick Alexander's writing style; I was captured on the first page and look forward to reading more of his books.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I am terrible for buying those 99p Kindle deals and have seven of @authornickalexander's books currently unread on my Kindle. I am in for a treat as I can spend summer backtracking and reading them. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and @authornickalexander for his most recent book 'From Something Old'. I loved the concept of two couples who apparently don't know each other that much, brought together through the friendships of their respective children and deciding to take a holiday in Spain. Heather and Ant are meandering along; Ant, thoroughly unlikeable, is controlling and dogmatic. Heather has become used to Ant's criticism and finding a similar pattern in the relationship of Joe and Amy, she realises just how utterly soul destroying loveless relationships are. Serious subjects such as infidelity, emotional abuse and depression are covered but, there are some really funny scenes and some memorable lines. I particularly liked the significance of the title 'From Something Old' and the image of, that with Lego as with other things, sometimes it is necessary to take something old apart to make something new.
I couldn’t wait to read this as I have enjoyed all of Nicks other books. I was not disappointed. He always creates great characters that you warm to. He also has a great insight into human nature and the way people’s minds work.
It starts off as quite a sad story really but Khama is served in a subtle but satisfying way. He doesn’t make any one person look like the bad guy as the book shows everything from different characters perspectives so you get an understanding of their psyche and how their lives journeys have made them what they are.
My only regret here was reading the book so quick but I just couldn’t help it. Now I will have to wait for him to written another one. Well done again Nick!
A good read following the complex personalities of 2 couple, each with seemingly polar opposite attitudes and morals who end up holidaying together in Spain through their childrens friendship and then watch as their worlds fall apart.
The characters in this book were easy to hate (Amy and Anthony) and to love (Heather and Joe) and their personalities are really well developed throughout the book. I struggled a bit to believe anyone would be desperate enough to go on holiday somewhere so isolated with complete strangers but I guess if your own relationship is faltering it may seem like a good idea!
Plenty of ups and downs throughout with a lovely ending.
From Something Old by Nick Alexander is a fascinating, complex book about two married couples - Ant and Heather, Amy and Joe - what happens when they're thrown together on holiday and the aftermath. The author takes the voice of each of the four characters in turn, giving you an insight into the story from all sides. Its a story of mistakes and betrayal, gaslighting and naivety, but also of love and acceptance - all handled sensitively and in such a way that they add depth to the characters and integrity to the plot.
From Something Old is a slow-burn but picks up pace as you get to know the characters. A great read and one I'll recommend to others.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Four people looking for love. Four choices that could be the start of everything.
At thirty-three, nurse Heather is desperately waiting for her romantic life to begin. Then she meets handsome, strong Anthony and is sure she’s found the one. Brushing any doubts aside, she projects all her hopes for true love onto him.
Meanwhile, at a yoga retreat in Spain, happy-go-lucky Joe can’t believe his luck when he meets vivacious, witty Amy. She’s the sharpest, most beautiful woman he has ever dated, and the fact that she’s interested in him feels like a dream come true.
But new love can be blind, and when the two couples meet, the cracks are easy to see.
Will their crossed paths lead the way to happiness? Or are they all destined for heartbreak?
I actually really ended up loving this book although in the beginning I wasn't sure. It took a while for the characters and the story arc to build. It really gets to the heart of the family and how communication really is key. If you're not being honest with your partner about who you are and what you want from life things will always feel forced and difficult.
Nick Alexander’s books always really get the details of a boring family life and make it interesting and he doesn’t add in a lot of fluff that really isn't needed.
I really got on board with these two families and couldn't wait to see how it would all pan out. A really enjoyable, light and entertaining read.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book
From Something Old was a lovely read. Two couples, both struggling. Heather and Ant and Joe and Amy. Heather is trapped in a miserable marriage with a critical and controlling husband. Amy is never happy and nothing Joe does is good enough. When circumstances bring the two couples together on a Spanish holiday, all their lives are turned upside down when Heather discovers Amy and Ant in a compromising position.
When they return to their lives, neither couple is together. Whilst Heather thrives without her overbearing husband dragging her down, Joe is not faring as well. He turns to the booze and plans to move away. But fate has other plans, and he's forced to stay.
Without spoiling this gorgeous story, all I'll say is that sometimes the worst of times lead to the best of times if you're prepared to take a chance after heartbreak.
This is such a thought- provoking book. I found myself wondering how many couples just meander along aimlessly in the wrong marriage/relationship because nothing provokes them enough into taking real stock of their situation and dealing with it.
The main players are so well drawn; Heather and the detestable Ant, where the minutiae of their day to day lives is portrayed in intimate detail; and hard- working Joe and his impossible-to-please wife Amy, endlessly searching for the ‘magic’ solution to life in her self- help books and theories.
How their lives intertwine, then ultimately collide is an intriguing and very relatable story, skilfully told by the author. The children from both couples go with the flow, as the author captures the inherent resilience of youngsters, who fortunately all get on well together.
I was hooked from the first page, and really enjoyed following the strands of the story to find out how these four very different people contInued their lives after the great Spanish holiday debacle.
The ending was somewhat predictable, but how the four adults got there made for an excellent and enjoyable story. Nick Alexander does not disappoint.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.
This book introduces two couples and the story is mostly narrated by Heather, who’s partner is Anthony, and Joe who is married to Amy. Very occasionally we gain a little insight into the reasons behind Amy’s actions through a brief stint of narration.
The background is set very well before the main event of the story which is a holiday. Weirdly these two couples don’t really know each other before jetting off together. Two of their children are friends which is the strongest link between these neighbours.
I did not feel that I identified with any of the characters and yet this book is written in such a way that I really felt that I knew and understood each of them by the end.
This book is definitely an emotional investment worth making. I would highly recommend it especially if you have yet to experience the writing of Nick Alexander. This is the first book by this author that I personally have had the pleasure to read. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read in advance in exchange for an honest review.