After thirty years of marriage, Nikki’s announces he’s met someone else and wants a divorce. This novel explores their story; firstly from Bea’s perspective, then from Nikki’s and finally both views are drawn together. It doesn’t sound terribly exciting, but I was drawn in to what turned into a fascinating insight into relationships, honesty and truth. What appears on the surface very much hides what’s going on below and this is very much a take of two sides of the same story.

Herngren explores each character with sympathy. Neither is perfect and at times I was irritated by selfishness and lack of generosity of spirit on the part of one character. There’s give and take, but one takes more than is deserved. It’s engrossing and really well written and to my surprise, as it’s not my usual genre, I really enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It presented a difficult situation between a couple getting a divorce but I liked seeing both sides of the story and how things fall into place in the end, one way or another.

I absolutely loved this book! It tells the story of a couple going through a divorce from both the perspective of the husband and the wife. It really delves deep into the emotional and mental experiences of the characters, and it is so rich, multilayered, and beautifully written. All characters are fully fleshed out and so real. This book made me feel things! It reminded me a little bit of Sally Rooney's type of story - a daily situation which is seemingly so simple because it happens to so many people, but explored in the way the author does, it transforms into a completely new, unique and captivating experience. 100% recommend this novel - it's one of my favourites.

I quickly devoured this exploration of two points of view. This novel is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of divorce. Neither main character was faultless but there were some heartwrenching descriptions of what they went through. Sad but very well written.

The Divorce by Moa Herngren (translation by Alice Menzies)

Beneath the surface normality of Bea and Niklas’s middle age lives, lurk unrecognised, pent up feelings which explode and fragment their marriage.

A beautiful flowing translation describes in almost forensic detail, the fallout effects on children, extended family and friends.

A perceptive, cautionary tale. Are we victims of circumstance or do we create such situations ourselves;however inadvertently?

This could be a sensitive book for those going through relationship struggles but may also offer an opportunity for reflection if reconciliation is still possible.

#docs.reading.room

Phenomenal, raw and real. This is NOT a marmite book, but it may be a marmite scenario. I definitely came down on one side as to who was right or wrong. But I’m not telling you. Go read it yourself! Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I can’t say I’ve ever been a position where I’d have to experience or witness divorce, but this book gave such an amazing insight into both Bea and Nikas life and that was the most unique dynamic, because seeing the divorce from both their sides was really well written

i enjoyed this book

having both perspectives - i sympathized so much with bea before getting Niklas side
and then it gave me more understanding
i love a book thats written like this, brilliantly written

I found this book compelling, and interesting as it gave both sides of the breakdown of the relationship in a very balanced manner. I didn't really like either of the main characters though, and always felt very detached from them. However, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Going through divorce myself, I was quite excited about this book but unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations. I found it rather dull at times.

Bea and Niklas have been happily married for many years and have a beautiful home and two lovely twin teenage daughters,
When Niklas leaves the house and doesn’t return, Bea completely and utterly bewildered. She has no idea how Niklas has been feeling due to her being more focused on creating that *perfect family".
I absolutely devoured every page of this excellent novel about marriage, perceptions and reality. There was some parts that I could relate to myself. I would highly recommend it.

The first half of the novel is written from the perspective of Bea and I found myself thinking no wonder her husband wanted out. She was so manipulative and only saw things from her point of view.
As her husband Niklas’s story is told he revealed as a people pleaser who has spent so long making sure everyone was happy he no longer knew what he wanted from his life. As his unhappiness unfolds he starts to assert himself and Bea is horrified to see real life is not how she wants it to be viewed.
There is a suggestion about how and why Bea’s brother died but other than a throw away observation nothing more is made of the actual reasons for the death.
A perceptive examination of family life.

Bra is happily married until she is not. Niklas has other ideas and the consequences are disastrous. Set over a year in Sweden how will the end. A must read for a little bit of difference.

Bea and Niklas have been happily married for many years and have a beautiful home and two lovely twin teenage daughters, Niklas is, a successful doctor., And Bea enjoy her work, for a charity, commanding a Lesser salary
When Niklas leaves the house and idoesn’t return, Bea completely and utterly bewildered. She has no idea how Niklas has been feeling, as she has been too preoccupied with creating the ‘perfect life for her family’.
I absolutely devoured every page of this excellent novel about marriage, perceptions and reality. I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to have read this book ahead of publication, and an exchange for an honest review. I would give this more than five stars, if it were possible.

Quite the devastating read that will surely resonate with those who’ve been through the dissolution of a marriage. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, though.

Bea and Niklas have been married for over 30 years. They live in a very nice apartment in a desirable area with their twin daughters, Alma and Alexia. When Niklas says he needs time alone to think, Bea can’t imagine what she has done wrong. After some weeks, when Niklas still doesn’t return to the family home, Bea realises that this is more than just thinking time.

Told from the POV of the two main protagonists, this story gives both sides of the same relationship, and how each see and feel for each other.

Not a genre I would normally bother with, but I did enjoy how the two POV interacted, and how nothing is ever one sided. The characters were interesting, though neither MP appealed, both self serving and irritating, especially Bea who seemed to think herself very entitled and unbending in her attitude. Niklas was a bore.

Nicely written. An easy, one sitting read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonner Books UK.

I received this arc in return for a review.
I did not warm to the main female character, Bea, I have very different ways of thinking to her and she wound me up and irritated me! Niklas was easier to relate to.

The description of the book on net galley sells it as more of a dramatic read with lots of secrets, but I didn’t feel that was the case and found the narrative quite boring.

I loved this book.
It’s really nice to read a book where the main characters are in their 50s.
I enjoyed the dual perspective and seeing the relationship and the issues from both sides.
These two have zero communication skills with each other! Before it changed to Niklas’ POV I was not a fan but then we got his POV and then I found Bea frustrating.
Really well written and really happy with the ending

This is the story of Bea and Niklas' marriage break up. Niklas just does not come home one day and eventually tells Bea that their marriage is over and that he has met someone else. Bea is totally blindsided and refuses to admit there is anything wrong. She loves being part of Niklas' extended family as her own are not supportive, and is reluctant to give up this lifestyle. Their separate points of view are explored sensitively and the background history of their marriage is gradually revealed. I was on Nilklas' side from the start, even though the way he did it was wrong, as Bea was focussed on her lifestyle and was unsympathetic to her husband's stresses. It takes her a long time to come to terms with her new situation and she clings to the belief that he will come to his senses and return to what they had. The novel is very well written and a compelling read. The translation is excellent. I can see this as a TV mini-series..

This was such a hard read because of the topic and very emotional if you have ever been through something like this, i had to keep reading it to find out what happens. I sympathised with the main character Bea so much as the husband wouldn’t communicate with her at all and I just wanted to scream at him lol I wouldn’t read this if you are going through a divorce or a break up as I found it triggering in some places as I’ve been in Bea shoes and it’s not very nice and it’s absolutely soul destroying and I felt the frustration in Bea through the writing. Well done in writing this topic so well