I really enjoyed reading this book. I found the settings of France and Oxford added interest. Essentially it is about a group of friends and what happened to their close relationships post University. I found the diversity of characters and their individual storylines captivating and helped keep the story flowing The element of intrigue added to the pace of the book. Highly recommended summer read.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for this e-arc of So Good To See You by Francesca Hornak. Out the 1st May!

This book is following a group of friends who met at University and are now in their 30's who don't speak. One of the friends is getting married in France so the group reunite for the first time in 15 years- we follow them over the space of the weekend as they reflect on where their lives are at and what happened between them all.

I really enjoyed this one- the characters felt super raw and I think the author done an amazing job of capturing the feelings someone might have after a friendship break down and not getting that closure. The book was humorous in places but also dealt with some heavy hitting topics which I think was perfectly balanced.

4 stars! I flew through this!

So Good to See You would make a perfect holiday read, in my opinion: primarily set in France during a rich-person wedding, it follows a cast of characters who have mostly known each other since their time at Oxford more than fifteen years earlier. I didn't always think everything was brilliantly done but I really enjoyed the setting, the fast pace combined with a pretty low-key plot, the way the characters are shown from all angles and dissected through the lens of different prejudices and viewpoints. I would recommend! ✨

this book is so real and human. its somehow both heart breaking and heart warming. i felt taken in and found myself wanting to know so much more about the characters both on their own and how they fit together. they were all just trying to find there way at this point. and life has handed them some challenges since they all first met and became a friendship group. there is so much more going on for each of them and as we find out there they are now and what happened to bring them to this point you become more and more involved.
the characters you could feel for and want to shake(some a little more than others). the book is light and shade in all the right places. there is a sprinkling of humor in the right places but it doesnt feel like it skips the hard bit nor overwhelms with them.
we meet Rosie,Serge and Daniel. they are each putting up the front of people who are too scared to show the struggles underneath. Rosie is struggling with her break-up with Serge and has confusion over her future. Serge is in debt and struggling with his separation from his girlfriend. and Daniel is struggling with addiction and also still upset with Serge and what he believes he did to him.
they all are ready with their mask for a wedding they must all attend together. but when does that ever go to plan eh?
as i learnt about each of the characters my opinions deepened and even changed throughout. i felt myself being on one persons side then the other and if not sides then an understanding of the whys to their predicaments.
this book scopes so many issues us humans have. also that we might be flawed and make some bad decisions but there can be more to it than just being "bad" people. and if you arent bad people then there is a chance to turn things around. there is a chance to show up and do different. or at least try.
i love how we literally followed these characters lives from their very beginning of each other, right up to the moment of the wedding. and by the time the celebrations came about i felt like i wanted to be there at said wedding to witness these three together and maybe hold a few hands, give some hugs.
this is such a smart and sensitive look on humans and many a life. you could see so many different aspects of personalities and what happens when they go through what they go through.

An interesting study of various characters, who knew one another during their university years and meet up again 15 years later.. Although they intended not to bring up the past, once the champagne starts to flow their true feelings come to light.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

This is a good read although it flags a little in the middle. It is a story of people who become friends at university, who stay friends more or less after uni and what becomes of them in later life.

I certainly enjoyed the book but I suppose, when you think about it, the characters are a bit cliched - there is wealthy, confident, handsome Serge who is not quite your typical gilded , arrogant and entitled youth - or is he? Rosie, who has always loved Serge, eventually had a relationship with him but then Serge broke up with her. All she wants is to get back together with him, or is this really what she wants? Daniel is a boy from a different kind of background who becomes very famous and successful. Were his experiences at uni all that he remembers them being? Is the fame worth it?

It is all this uncertainty that compensates for the stock characters and elevates the book into a good read. Everything comes to a head at Serge's cousin's wedding in France. I found Caspar and JP to be the least well drawn, I think they were just there to provide a reason for all the friends to be together again and to allow the drama to unfold and resolve.

I liked how things worked out, the various "resolutions" were not what I expected and I liked the ending.

A good, light read.

I so enjoyed the layered narrative of this book! Successfully getting across the history of the friendship group and unravelling what's going on in the present moment is a hard feat. One that Francesca Hornak really pulls off! It is my first of her's I have read and I shall definitely be going back for more!

So good to see you is a read that fully enveloped me; it's a story with many layers as it tells the tales of a group of university friends who are reunited at at a wedding years later. How the stories are interwoven and how things are revealed is very cleverly done, with the reader slowly finding out how each person remembers things differently.
It very quickly becomes a compelling read as their personalities and stories interweave; the characters are believable and largely likeable, there's a bit of glamour and a lot of reality that makes it easy to engage with too.

I'd say it's similar in a small way to 'One Day' but with a happier ending!

Such a great book that details the complexities of past relationships, but make it raw and full of heart.

Francesca Hornak’s ‘So Good to See You’ is an emotionally engaging and intricately woven story about friendship, change, and the unexpected twists that life throws our way. The novel centers around three university friends — Sophie, Will, and Lucy — whose lives and relationships have evolved in ways none of them could have anticipated since their time together at university.

One of the things I loved about the book is how Hornak masterfully builds her characters, turning those who could easily have been grating or one-dimensional into individuals you care about. Each character’s journey is both compelling and complex, and even though their actions may not always be likable, you can’t help but feel invested in their growth and personal struggles. The portrayal of their changing relationships — from their youthful university days to their adult lives — feels authentic, and the slow burn of tension between them kept me hooked.

The interwoven timelines — flipping between present-day moments and flashbacks to their university years — work well. Hornak uses this technique to reveal how the characters have transformed over the years, and it’s fascinating to see how their past selves contrast with the people they have become. This back-and-forth storytelling gives a deep sense of the characters’ histories, their motivations, and how the friendships that once seemed so simple now feel much more complicated.

I also appreciated how Hornak doesn’t shy away from addressing social issues through the various perspectives of the characters. These themes resonate on a deeper level, adding layers to the narrative and making the characters feel more relatable. As the story progresses, there’s a palpable sense of growth in each protagonist, and it’s refreshing to see how Hornak explores the nuances of adulthood, including the shifting dynamics of friendships and personal identity.

What makes this book stand out, however, is its sense of drama. Each character is carrying their own burdens, and their interactions bring about moments of tension and catharsis that are as captivating as they are unpredictable. The unraveling of long-held secrets and the drama surrounding their past and present is riveting.

If you’re looking for a novel that explores the complexities of friendship and personal growth, while offering a dose of relatable drama and heartfelt moments, ‘So Good to See You’ is definitely a book to pick up. Francesca Hornak has proven her talent for creating characters that linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of the book.

I really enjoyed this fresh and original take on what I think of as the 'summer friendship novel'. A perfect poolside read in the sunshine

i didn't know what to make of this one at the start but by the midway mark, I thought it really hit it's stride. It was really moving to follow the characters from when they've graduated and how they overcome (or not) their issues. For the most part, I thought that actually, the characters were really realistic and empathetic! A great read for the summer for sure.

Will a group of friends who have lost touch rekindle their friendship some fifteen years later at a wedding in France? The answer lies in this tale of the dynamics of the group and their relationships. Am not usually a fan when a story dips in and out of past and present, but this author seemed to make that work. Enjoyed it.

So Good to See You by Francesca Hornak is such a cozy, easy read—perfect for a rainy day with a cup of tea in hand. I really enjoyed the friendship dynamic between the characters; it felt super relatable and real. Even though the book touches on heavier topics like addiction, miscarriage, and privilege, it’s done in a respectful, straightforward way without being too intense. Overall, it's the kind of book that feels comforting but still has some depth to it. Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for something light but meaningful.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts in 2004, where a group of friends are enjoying their last week at Oxford. 15 years later they are all back together at a wedding in Provence. As the champagne flows, old grievances surface. This is a great coming of age story, with the friends hiding their secrets until now.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Hornak does a great job capturing the awkwardness of reconnecting with old friends when the people you once were no longer match who you’ve become. I enjoyed the insightful moments about ambition, adulthood, and the expectations we place on ourselves.

I also really loved the cover!

Francesca Hornak’s So Good to See You is a beautifully crafted and insightful exploration of the complexities of relationships, personal growth, and the pressures of modern life. This poignant, and at times hilarious, novel follows the journey of three former university friends—Serge, Rosie, and Daniel—who reunite for a lavish wedding in Provence, fifteen years after their time together at Oxford.

In 2004, Serge, Rosie, and Daniel were young, full of hope, and inseparable. They shared dreams, ambitions, and an optimistic outlook on the future. Fast forward to 2019, and while they are reunited at a wedding, their friendship has splintered, and they no longer share the closeness they once had. Life has not unfolded as they had imagined. Serge is a successful filmmaker but is drowning in debt and struggling with a fractured relationship. Rosie appears to be effortlessly sociable, but beneath the surface, she is heartbroken. Meanwhile, Daniel, now famous, is grappling with severe anxiety, a far cry from the confident young man he once was.

Throughout a three-day celebration, filled with wine, laughter, and forced social interactions, all three characters are determined to keep their emotions in check, adhering to the unspoken rule of "do not bring up the past." But, as the Champagne flows, the layers of self-control begin to slip, and the true feelings and unresolved issues emerge.

Hornak’s writing is sharp, witty, and deeply empathetic, capturing the bittersweet nature of reconnecting with the past while navigating the disillusionment of adulthood. The novel delves into themes of class, privilege, and creative ambition, offering a candid look at the societal pressures and personal struggles that often lie beneath the surface. The interactions between the characters are wonderfully drawn, full of nuance and authenticity, making it easy to become deeply invested in their individual stories.

So Good to See You is an exploration of how time and experience change us, often in ways we don’t expect. The humour is balanced perfectly with moments of deep emotional reflection, offering a captivating blend of drama and nostalgia. The richly developed characters will stay with you long after you finish reading, making this a highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys beautifully observed character-driven fiction with plenty of heart.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I really enjoyed this! I thought that the relationships between the characters were very well crafted and I liked how there were a few chapters that flicked back to their time at university, showing how the groups’ dynamic had changed. The social issues included in each POV really helped to make the characters relatable and allowed the reader to feel sympathetic towards all three protagonists (even if they aren’t always likeable) at different points in the story. Overall, loved all the drama that took place!

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy!

So Good To See You focuses on a group of friends, who met studying at uni in Oxford, and reconnect years later in the run up to a wedding.

The book is set in the present day, alongside flashbacks to their uni days. The reader is taken on a journey as the group navigates a myriad of ups and downs, including fame, privilege, relationships, friendships, family, and fall outs.

The pace and overall story is good, and it’s an easy read. I liked how the story focused on different perspectives throughout, I think it really helps the reader to get to know the main characters on a deeper level.

With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC.

A wedding in France is our setting, and we see the relationship dynamics between Serge, Daniel, Casper and Rosie.
Many years after their time together at the uni, how close are they?
Their life struggles and relationships were interesting to read about, sometimes relevant and relatable too.
As for the writing, I tried to get past my apathy for it, and focus on the story, but to be perfectly honest, the writing style was not for me.
Plot and characters 3.5
Writing 3
Themes 3.5