I wasn't sure when I started this book, but I am glad I kept going as it really drew me in. Such a harrowing, but ultimately affirming story of a family surviving the War and the legacy of what happened. Very much enjoyed.

The title might be “Perfectly Ordinary People”, but this book is a far cry from ordinary. It raised in me a tsunami of emotions.

Ruth comes from a big boisterous loving home. However, whilst her mum’s relatives attend every party going, her dad’s side is a bit of an enigma to her. When her paternal grandmother dies, Ruth decides to take matters into her own hands and find out why her grandparents were estranged. But what she uncovers will send shockwaves through the whole family.

Pierre’s and Genevieve’s part of the story is set in France during the second world war. The author has written an extremely honest and moving account of how they were treated at the hands of the Nazis. At times this made for an uncomfortable, chilling and heartbreaking reading due to the persecution and atrocities that they were subjected to.

Every chapter left its mark on me. Nick’s writing took me to the edge one minute with all the tragedy and heartache but then pulled me back with wonderful comedy moments. And, always simmering away, is the greatest love story just waiting to be told.

Nick Alexander’s sympathy and respect for his characters shine through every page making this book feel like a true labour of love.

I have read all of this author's books, but this epic tale of love and war is far and away his best yet.

I was drawn to this book as I am dropbox set in WWII however, I have never read about the LGBTQIA experiences during ww2. The historical content is hard to read, the descriptions of how gays and Jewish people in particular, were treated in the war was incredibly harrowing. However, this is a must-read that will stay with you for a long time. Highly recommended!

A really enjoyable read that deals with family history and dynamics. It is a daul timeline of present day and World War Two. This was a compelling read that I couldn't put down. You should definitely read this book.

This is my first time reading anything from this author, but I will absolutely be going back for more! I read a ton of historical fiction and never have a read about the LGBTQIA experiences during ww2. The format felt a bit clunky at the beginning, but once I got used to it, I could not put this book down. I will absolutely tell everyone I know about this extraordinary story!

A novel of two halves, connected by one family. In the present time it is Ruth who is perplexed that she knows virtually nothing about her father’s family and how they came to England from France at the end of WW2. Delving back into the war raging in Europe we have the back story from Ruth’s aunt Genevieve’s recorded interview of the harrowing story of her escape from Mulhouse, in Alsace France, fleeing the Germans with her childhood friend Pierre and someone else’s baby. Against all odds the trio stay together and survive the war, protecting themselves by changing their names.

Ruth slowly, through the interview tapes, unravels her family’s past. Breaking the news she has uncovered to her father, that he is not who he thought he was, nor were the relationships between his peer generation, results in a major family rift. Sadly this takes time before the wounds are healed. It’s a fascinating, at times heartbreaking, story of survival not just during the war, but in the current time, of family unity and relationships.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Lake Union for this advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
What a lovely book this is, again; Nick Alexander is a wonderful writer, I absolutely love this author.
Ruth is trying to find out more about her father's family history and what she finds is shocking, sad, and at the same time becomes a wonderful and enlightening part of the family's life.
The parts taking place during WWII are horrifying and beyond belief: the extreme cruelty is overwhelming. The difficulties of staying alive are almost insurmountable for many, especially if you're Jewish, gay, a communist, Romany...unless you're blond and blue-eyed you're a target.
This is a must-read that will stay with you for a long time. Highly recommended!

Wow, loved it!

In occupied France best friends Pierre and Genevieve find themselves facing uncertainty and danger leaving them no option but to sacrifice everything to keep themselves and others safe.

With a large, boisterous, and close Irish family on her mother’s side, Ruth is aware that she doesn’t know much about her paternal grandparents. With her dad reluctant to talk about them, Ruth is even more curious and sets out to learn more, but can Ruth’s family cope with the secrets she uncovers?

Oh my goodness this is a rollercoaster! Never having read this author before, I wasn’t sure what to expect and the first chapter had me chuckling to myself over their big family Christmas as I was lulled gently into the story. But this is a book of contrasts and suddenly I was propelled back in time to France and all the angst, pain and heartache that those families faced under German occupation.

Interspersed with Ruth’s search for answers, Pierre’s and Genevieve’s story is told through a series of emotional interviews for a magazine some years later. I thought this worked brilliantly. It is a hard read at times and painfully detailed in places but I thought necessarily so to understand the characters, and the harrowing ordeals they experienced.

I liked all the main characters immensely, especially Ruth’s dad - a man of few words, misunderstood at times, by even himself - and his relationship with his daughter felt real and familiar, and I just wanted to give him a hug towards the end!

This is just the kind of book I love - contemporary mixed with some history, emotional with some real heartache moments, but with little bits of humour every now and then to lighten the mood. And of course with relatable characters about - well - perfectly ordinary people.

I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this advance copy in exchange for an honest review
 
Note - There are a few possible triggers in this book including anti-Semitism and homophobia. There are also references to suicide and drug-taking.

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of Nick’s latest book, and what a gift it was. Nicks books are always captivating, with well crafted characters, and a storyline that has you hooked from the beginning. This book was no exception. It has historical content that was hard to read, the descriptions of how gays and Jewish people in particular were treated in the war was incredibly harrowing,, but was necessary to ensure the history of the characters was truthfully told.. I devoured this book in three sittings, once again, Nick has written a wonderful , thought provoking book that deserves to be on every bestsellers list in 2022 and beyond.