This is one of those books you’re sorry to say goodbye too and just don’t want to end. I’m missing the characters already. I mimic other reviews when they say it was like watching a film – and what a great film it would be!

The story follows Heather, who hasn’t had much experience with relationships. She meets and marries charming Ant and have 2 daughters together. But Ant turns out to be a complete bully and puts Heather down at every opportunity.

The offer of a holiday to Spain away with their neighbours, Amy & Joe, offers Heather a chance of a break away without the hostile mother-in-law. Whilst they are all away events take an unpredictable turn and gives Heather the chance to start life again without Ant.

A real page-turner and fabulous book. Highly recommended. The only reason I have given 4 stars is I guessed the story-line very near the beginning of the book – but this in no way made the book any less enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in return for a honest and unbiased review.

If I’m honest, I found this book somewhat difficult to get into to start with, as there were so many plot changes in time, scene and character. I couldn’t easily keep up with who was who, but I eventually got there! The characters divide into those you love, those you hate and those you feel completely indifferent to! Nick Alexander writes in an insightful way from a woman’s point of view which I found interesting to discover. It was easy to see how best to rearrange the two couples so their relationships would work, so in many respects the story was predictable, but this didn’t seem to detract from my enjoyment. In the denouement, justice was certainly done!

Not sure why, but struggled to fully get into this one. Had trouble connecting with the characters and ended up skipping over parts. Maybe just me, but not my cup of tea. Perhaps just too many stories running together.

An engaging story about love and relationships and how things can appear different on the surface than they are in reality. We never know what goes on behind closed doors and this book makes that clear. Vivid characterisation and some beautiful descriptions of settings from this talented author. Five stars!

Heather meets Ant (Anthony) and they end up together, although it is clear quite early on that he is controlling and she is not assertive enough to stick up for herself. Amy and Joe get married, even though she is selfish and never seems satisfied with what she has.

Years later, having met through their children, the couples end up on holiday in Spain together and it is there that things take a dramatic turn, causing Heather and Joe to reassess what they really want. And, as it turns out, that may not mean going back to what they had settled for.

Nick Alexander writes realistically about these relationships, in particular how Ant takes over Heather's life and asserts his control, diminishing her sense of worth and causing her to hate him in the process. His mother is a piece of work, to put it mildly, and very well written as a character.

Amy is the dominant partner in her marriage, but has major issues of her own that relate to her childhood; these come to light later on and explain a lot about why she ends up the way she is, although it doesn't excuse her behaviour. Joe's dad, on the other hand, is lovely.

I felt this novel explained toxic relationships very well and how difficult it can be to escape from them; also, the impact this has on the wider family. Toxicity is shown as coming from a parent-child as well as an intimate relationship. Ant channels the negativity learned from his mother - someone else who is never satisfied - into belittling and undermining Heather.

Positive relationships are also highlighted - Joe's father is the opposite of Ant's mother, always looking to build people up rather than diminish them and this rubs off on his son who has learned to treat others and their feelings with respect.

What is particularly gratifying as events progress is that Heather discovers a sense of self-worth and learns to move on with her life. Joe's struggles are also well conveyed and he too is able to move forward. Amy and Ant are not nice people, but Amy at least is heading in the right direction by the time the story finishes. We are left in no doubt that Ant will never change.

Having not read any books by him before, Nick Alexander is an author I will return to.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Amazon Publishing UK, in return for an honest appraisal.

Another great read from Nick Alexander. A story told from several different view points definitely keeps you on your toes and reminds you that nothing is ever that simple. But it's well written, flows beautifully and keeps you rushing from page to page until you are sorry to find..... It's the last one!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 July 2021
I absolutely loved this book! To begin with, reading from Heather’s perspective, I thought it was going to be an uncomfortable dark read but as I continued reading I learned it was going to take me on an inquisitive adventure.
Nick Alexander has such a wonderful talent to portray insightful character view points that keep the reading guessing what could be coming next!
The story unfolds with Heather’s miserable and intolerable life with her husband, she is existing but not living the life she deserves. Fate deals her a unusual hand which turns her life around completely and finally provides her with the comfort and attention she dearly needs.
I am always impressed with the author’s style of writing and this book doesn’t disappoint, the reader is invited to listen to the inner thoughts and feelings of all four main characters in such an intense manner.
Well worth a read!

Really good book from Nick Alexander - again!
Heather and Joe are both in relationships which are difficult. They meet under strange circumstances and end up on holiday together where their lives fall apart.
Really good story where I felt for each of the characters and was completely invested.
Really good book!

This was such a beautiful book and am certainly going to read more by this author This was a very insightful book focussing on why people shouldn’t feel they need to settle for second best and that sometimes live can take an unexpected turn. This is no normal romance story and covers lots of topics in a very sensitive and poignant way from controlling and verbal abuse in relationships and break down of marriages The then running throughout is that someone new can be achieved from breaking the chain of something old and moving forward and that old habits and situations can be changed into new and more happier ones for all concerned.

This book made me laugh and cry at several parts and I found the characters to be very relatable and Warmed to heather and joe in particular and was rooting for them throughout.

I read this book in just over a day as once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended

As always, Nick Alexander does not disappoint with this latest novel. I have always enjoyed his books in the past and this one was not exception. This is a lighthearted, easy read and I delved into it, finishing it in a couple of days. The characters are easy to imagine, relatable and mostly likeable, except for Ant, I don't think anyone likes him! This is the story of 2 couples, brought together by their young kids, and soon becomes a completely different dynamic when they decide to holiday together in Spain. Although I did guess the outcome, it was still a nice read and highly recommended, especially if you have been a fan of his past books.

Thanksto both Netgalley and the Publisher. I have like everything MNick Alexander has written and this was no exception. Great story with super characters, I really enjoyedreading it. Thank you.

An enjoyable book with a story told from several different character's points of view. Quite an easy read and recommended

From Something Old is a unique story that alternates from the points-of-view of Heather and Joe. It starts with the origin of both Heather and Joe’s relationships, then follows them as they go through about a year of relationship and personal dilemmas. I had a hard time getting into the book at first, but as I kept reading, I got more and more invested in Heather and Joe’s lives. The story is clever and I enjoyed reading the story from multiple perspectives.

A really good read .I really enjoyed this book it told of troubled relationships and had some interesting if troubled characters. Would recommend it ,was a first for me by this writer but will definitely look forward to reading some more of his books

An intriguing occurrence in the opening pages kept me reading, however it was all a bit too predictable. Though the essence of ‘being transported into the book’ hovered around, I was never able to truly get to know any character or feel a depth to them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this in return for an honest review.
A tale of 2 relationships, drifting on and wasting time for some and some never happy and appreciating what they have. An interesting story of how the 2 couples and their children's lives intertwine, i felt myself really wanting a happy ending for 2 of them. No spoilers here though! recommended book and author, I'll definitely seek out more of his books
#FromSomethingOld #NetGalley

This novel is about two ill-suited couples with a young family, whose lives change dramatically after holidaying together in Spain. I found the characters believable and the themes relatable, but the story itself overly predictable and not that absorbing. Not exactly a page-turner but a well-written, thoughtful and relaxing read to dip in and out of.

Well researched book. Easy to get into, with well written characters. Heartwarming ending. An enjoyable easy read.
My thanks to Net galley the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic read, a great story with great charecters, love all of nicks books and this is another one that didn't disappoint, off to find the next read of his

This novel is written from 4 peoples viewpoints but is well written and is not confusing.
Go on holiday with all the characters and explore all there different characters.
Another excellent novel by Nick Alexander.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review