Another winner from Nicholls...

I am not a romance reader but what I love about Nicholls is that he writes a love story without it being cheesy, cliched or silly. The characters are always normal people who feel like your friends . A lot of this book is the banter between our two main characters Michael and Marnie . It's essentially a story about solitude and finding oneself .
What I loved most though was the setting. I grew up in the English Lakes so it was such a nostalgic read for me , the memories of walking on those hills .... The book is also very 'English' , a lot of references to England and our culture and life in the country compared to that in the city . I can see this now as a BBC adaptation!

This was such a great book, I flew through it in two days. David Nicholls is absolutely unrivalled in his ability to write relatable and incredibly likable characters. “You are here” follows Marnie and Michael, who are both leading quite solitary lives following relationship breakdowns. They meet on a walking trip arranged by a mutual friend and end up walking coast to coast across the north of England together after everyone else leaves. The progression of their relationship was adorable and I found myself rooting for them right from the start. I loved the fact that it was set in such beautiful scenery too, it really made it feel like you were there with them. I’d recommend this book to everyone.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

I have read many books from this author so had high expectations from this. It did not disappoint. The author writes so well that it is easy to get drawn into the story. I found it to be a gentle but relatable read that never lost my interest from start to finish.

Nicholls has done it again! You Are Here is a beautiful, bittersweet romance, following Marnie and Michael as they unexpectedly fall in love... or do they? A kind of Beatrice and Benedick of the modern age, the reader certainly falls in love with them.

An ode to the north, to nature and to new chances, You Are Here is a gentle, humourous and affirming novel that belongs right where it is, at the top of everyone's reading list. Zero regrets with this read.

Marnie and Michael have met once. They live at other ends of the country and are both single and feeling a bit sad. They are both friends with Cleo who has arranged a walking holiday with Michael and some others. Cleo thinks Michael will get on well with Tessa, and Marnie with Conrad. Tessa doesn’t come; and Conrad only comes for one night. Michael and Marnie get on really weak but neither seem in a hurry to make a move. This is the story of their walking holiday and what happens after. I really enjoyed this book.

Beautifully written, the author is a wonderful observer of what makes us human. Marnie and Michael meet on a walking holiday, Marnie is a editor and Michael a geography teacher, and over the course of a few days they find that in eachother's company a future is possible. I love the author's gentle, yet seductive writing style, giving us all hope that in this unpredictable world, love and happiness is there to be found

A really clever story that pulled me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end.
David Nicholls has a beautiful writing style and this tale is skillfully structured and expertly plotted. The novel is intelligent with dark comedy scattered throughout. Marnie and Michael were completely immersive and relatable characters that you get to know throughout the trials of the coastal walk they are attempting. The description of the landscape and scenery added to the atmosphere.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

The first David Nicholls book I have read and it certainly won’t be the last! I really enjoyed this book, I loved Marnie and Michael they felt like real people and characters that most readers can probably relate to in some way. What kept me most engaged was the conversations between the characters and the banter, it was just effortless and so believable. I loved the scenic descriptions and I would have been happy if there was another 100 pages of this book, I didn’t want it to end.

This is a lovely story filled with wonderful, British characters. The banter between the characters is spot on and the descriptions of the hiking made me want to walk coast to coast too!

I’ve read and enjoyed all of David Nicholls’ books and this one was no different.

I would love to know what happens next. I would love a sequel

‘You Are Here’ takes the reader on a path with Michael and Marnie as they journey through a week of self discovery. The writing slowly builds your knowledge of the characters and it’s hard to believe it focuses on such a short time period when you discover so much about them. The descriptions felt beautifully representative of the British weather and landscapes. Similarly, the descriptions of the characters emotional thoughts and worries felt current to modern day concerns. I felt easily able to connect with the Cumbrian scenery. I really enjoyed the tale focusing on finding and connecting with someone when you’re least expecting it.

A really brilliant 5-star read from David Nicolls, You Are Here is a must read - here's hoping for a TV adaption!

"You Are Here" is a poignant tale of two individuals, Marnie and Michael, who find themselves stuck in life's complexities. Marnie feels trapped in her London flat, while Michael is grappling with the aftermath of his wife's departure. When fate and a mutual friend intervene, they embark on a transformative journey across the moors and fells, where they discover the possibility of a new friendship. Nicholls masterfully weaves together themes of loneliness, resilience, and the power of human connection in this heartwarming novel. "You Are Here" reminds us that sometimes, getting lost is the first step towards finding our way home.

You Are Here by David Nicholls is the long-awaited new novel by the author of One Day. Michael, a Geography teacher, and Marnie, a freelance copy editor, embark on a 190 mile long walk across Britain from the Lake District to the North Sea coast on a group holiday set up by their mutual friend Cleo. A connection begins to blossom between Michael and Marnie, but loneliness and insecurity caused by past relationships impacts their self-confidence in the present. Marnie’s slightly extreme self-deprecation is reminiscent of Emma’s personality in ‘One Day‘ while the road trip aspect is a smaller scale version of Douglas’s tour of Europe in Us. ‘You Are Here’ doesn’t have a shock ending like ‘One Day’ – which a lot of readers will probably be grateful for – but Michael and Marnie’s journey is witty, warmly written and very enjoyable. Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a review copy via NetGalley.

Nicholls' latest rom-com offers a charming escape into the world of Michael and Marnie, whose witty banter and realistic quirks make for an engaging read.

While the narrative flows smoothly and the humor is genuine, I couldn't help but feel it lacked the depth I anticipated. The story unfolds predictably, with few surprises along the way.

While enjoyable for a light holiday read, its reluctance to delve into more challenging themes left me wanting more.

Despite this, Nicholls' mastery of dialogue and knack for creating relatable characters shine through, making it a pleasant but ultimately forgettable experience.

Having read One Day and loving it as being of an age where it reasonated with me this book did the same. Time has moved on and he is writing about an older 'crowd' and the challenges faced by those finding life hasn't turned out how they thought and coupled with Covid meeting people hasn't been the same as it was and being more hermit like is a thing.

Walking can be cathartic and it's always easier to talk side by side rather than face to face - a simple but big difference.

It's not fast paced but tells the story of how friendship can be found quickly with shared experiences. A great read.

A really lovely and typically British book, full of banter, and warmth. The dialogue between Marnie and Michael was fabulous and I felt I was walking with them.

One day is one of my all time favourite books and like everyone else I thoroughly enjoyed the recent Netflix adaptation. The Anne Hathaway film was one of the first films I ever saw in the cinema with my husband years ago. I was absolutely delighted to receive and ARC of You are here and had high expectations going in. It did not disappoint. I was lost in the story and loved the main character Marnie and really wanted things to work out for her. I read this while under pressure with deadlines and it was brilliant escapism. The descriptions of the lake district helped bring the book to life and I felt like I was there walking with Marnie and Michael. I highly recommend this book- a heart warming funny book.
Thank you to the @netgalley , the publisher and @davidnichollswriter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#scottishreader #irishbookstagram #youarehere
You are here is out now.

Michael and Marnie meet on a walking break organised by a mutual friend. When they are left as the last two on the trip will they take a chance with each other? A great setting for the book too.

A gentle story of friendship, love and walking.

Michael organises a walking break with his friend Cleo and her family and some of their friends. Marnie joins them and after a couple of days, only Michael and Marnie are left.

Walking alongside each other, they find the confidence and space to talk about their lives and lost loves, as well as being honest to themselves about their feelings.

I loved Michael’s character, I wasn’t so keen on Marnie, however, I really enjoyed this book. I have thought about it since, it actually goes a lot deeper than just a book about walking. It sympathetically addresses so many emotions, fears, things we struggle to accept about ourselves let alone reveal to others.

It’s a cleverly written book, I’d definitely recommend it.

The premise of this book is a simple one - circumstances bring together a man and a woman on a walk from coast to coast across the north of England. Both of them feel old and have experienced past misfortunes in love which stick with them. The story progresses exactly as you would expect, gently ambling towards its inevitable destination.

Through not so strong as David Nicholls' previous works, 'You Are Here' is an enjoyable and genteel stroll through the countryside. It's undemanding, for the most part, and pleasant to spend time in the company of. The characters are fun and the repartee witty.

This is not a complex or deep book, but it's a journey worth taking.