I feel like the marketing description of "Where Do We Go From Here" by Nick Alexander doesn't do this novel justice. I expected a story of a woman who became fed up with the mental and physical load of caring for her family and patients and hence decided to go away for a while, to be by herself, but got something way more multi-layered and complex. Minor spoilers ahead.

"Where Do We Go From Here" is a well-crafted story of addiction, which at first is introduced almost in passing until it intensifies. Alexander, I want to believe that it's done intentionally, explores the addiction as a symptom and how it came about in Wendy's life seems highly probable. Other things worth mentioning that I very much enjoyed about this book were mixed narrative styles (3rd and 1st person perspective as well as play-like dialogues) that added depth to the story, well-crafted descriptions of the world surrounding the character, and the bad therapy scene that was just chef's kiss.

It wasn't an easy read in any way, considering the subject as well as events that the story touches on. Challenging and uplifting at times, it would be a great read for someone who likes a complex plot.

I love the idea of the story. Its a good vibes setting in France. Its about family, and finding the freedom after devoted all of lives for family (Thinking that Wendy actually facing a burnout issue due to yhe pack schedule and pack routine). Thanks for the arc,

Thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

This is my first Nick Alexander book & maybe I'm just not in the headspace for Where Do We Go From Here just now, but I couldn't click with it at all - I'm so sorry!

The mix between first and third person really confused me & the subjects within the book are quite deep / hard hitting, so it can be quite intense. I'm also not a huge fan of massive chapters, which this book has!

I appreciate the main character has a lot going on but it made it difficult to like her &, if I'm honest, I skim read the majority of the book after the first 4 chapters.

The other reviews love the book so it's probably just be me in the minority. I really appreciate the opportunity to read this book & I apologise for the negative review.

A family drama involving nurse Wendy, her husband Harry, and her two kids, Toby and Fiona. Wendy discovers a remote "off-grid eco-cabin" in France, outside of Nice, and books it for six months following the tensions with her husband and children during and after the Covid crisis.

I loved seeing how Wendy copes with the changes in the winter weather that makes her have to be creative and proactive to survive in her rustic cabin, which uses solar panels on the roof for electricity. Heating is from a wood stove that she has to keep feeding with logs to keep herself warm. Her only help comes from the mail deliverer, Mason, who will deliver groceries that she can't get herself from walking to the local bakery/grocery. Her nature walks in the hills and the descriptions of the hills and forests that calm her down is refreshing.

Seeing how this solitary time and experience helps Wendy come to terms with herself, her alcoholism, and her family life is a rewarding reading experience.

This is not an easy read – accompanying someone in denial on a slow and painful journey to rock bottom is an emotional experience and the author skillfully leads us through the process.

Wendy is a middle-aged nurse who has been traumatized by her mother’s death and her obligations as a care provider during the COVID epidemic. Her coping mechanisms with the stress of long hours and a multitude of deaths, coupled with isolation from her family, have been cigarettes and alcohol. In a desperate attempt to shore up her life, she rents a cabin in a remote area of southern France with the intent to stay six months for self-reflection and healing. Wendy’s experience does not match her vision, but with the help of unexpected friendships, she confronts her demons and begins her journey of redemption.

This is a well-crafted story that has a deep emotional impact for anyone who has addressed addiction issues and/or been submerged in a caretaker role to the point of exhaustion or burn out. Wendy is not a particularly sympathetic protagonist for most of the book, but her honesty and commitment to rectifying her relationships is admirable, even heroic. I found the conclusion realistic and satisfying.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Nick Alexander – Where Do We Go From Here? *****
Cards on the table. I have read most of Nick Alexander’s books. This I have to say is one of his best.
Wendy is an embarrassing chain-smoking alcoholic highly stressed nurse with chain-smoking alcoholic friends. Because of her behaviour, her family – long-suffering husband and two children, as well as brother and his wife - are disintegrating. Obvious to everyone but her.
She rents an idyllic mountain cottage in the south of France and goes to live there on her own to ‘find herself’ and drunkenly crashes her hire car in the snow. This being Nick Alexander’s neck of the woods, it’s described beautifully, scenery and seasons and local people.
Wendy is her own worst enemy. She’s a little like the mother who at the parade ground who turns to her friend and says, look, my son is the only one in step. Fortunately, she meets the local postwoman and her girlfriend who befriend her and, because of their own family background, understand what she’s going through. They are there for her when she stumbles and falls.
Cleverly told from Wendy’s blinkered point of view but allowing you to see where everyone else is coming from, even though she can’t see their POVs herself, this is mature, beautifully realised, very readable tale.
I couldn’t put it down. I can’t rate it highly enough.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC.
Another wonderful book by Nick Alexander, great read!
Having been a nurse during Covid and also still grieving her mother's death, the protagonist is alienated from her family and decides to take a 6-month break in the French mountains to figure out what's causing the difficulties at home. She realizes her drinking is part of the problem when she meets and befriends a young French girl.
It's a truly lovely story of a woman's redemption, quite moving at times.