I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this story—and that uncertainty stayed with me throughout. The narrative meanders, and at times it’s hard to tell exactly where it’s headed. Still, I enjoyed it. The book tackles some serious subjects, but it does so with a realism that never feels too heavy or overwhelming.

The story follows Wendy, a worn-out nurse from England who retreats to a remote cabin in the mountains of France, hoping to get away and reflect on her life. She’s just come through the brutal years of COVID, her marriage is unraveling, and her children don’t want much to do with her anymore. She’s in desperate need of space and clarity.

But the cabin isn’t quite the peaceful escape she envisioned—it’s freezing, the electricity keeps cutting out, and isolation forces her into deeper introspection than she might have bargained for. What she uncovers about herself isn’t always easy to face.

Though the plot winds unpredictably (I’m not sure if there is a plot?), the story is thoughtful, reflective, and laced with dry British humor. It’s not a straightforward read, but it has depth and emotional resonance that make it worth sticking with. And, it was good as an audiobook—the narrator did well and due to the meandering story, it’s okay if your mind meanders a bit, too.

Book: Where Do We Go From Here?
Author: Nick Alexander
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Places Featured: England, France
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (rounded down)

"Where Do We Go From Here?" is a highly introspective book that follows the main character, Wendy, as her job, her marriage, and her life starts to implode.

Since Wendy has always been the one to take care of others, she's never really dealt with her own issues. But after nursing her mother alone as she lay dying in hospice and then being blindside by serving on the frontlines as a nurse during the pandemic, she finds it easier to numb her pain with alcohol.

Just as she's about to lose everything, she decides to go away for a while to sort out her feelings and what it is that she even wants out of life. And what she finds is a complete and utter shock to her, but it may just be the thing she needs in order to create a life she can truly love again.

I will say that as much as I appreciated the story, the cover did it an injustice. Looking at it, I had anticipated something a bit lighter, which is far from what I got. The story takes you through the wringer as Wendy reevaluates her life and takes a good like at her role in creating the state of chaos it's currently in.

But if you're looking for a powerful and honest read about a fallible character who finds herself, then you won't want to miss this story.

Thank you to Nick Alexander, Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to review this beautifully introspective listen that quietly unfolds into something deeply moving. Told through multiple perspectives and timelines, the story explores love, memory, and the complexities of relationships with honesty and heart. The narrator does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, capturing the emotional nuance without ever overdoing it. It’s a slower, more reflective kind of story—perfect if you’re in the mood for something thoughtful and character-driven rather than plot-heavy. Wendy, the main character has many roles that have her burnt out, so she goes to France for a break. Things aren't as she expected, so a journey of self discovery with the help of a post woman begins, with the character showing her flaws, and sounding real throughout the book. It's a well written story, addressing some serious issues, and I appreciated the characters realness.

Where Do We Go From Here? tells Wendy’s story: she has always put others first—as a nurse, a mother, and a wife. But with her children grown and her marriage unraveling, she escapes to a remote cabin in France to figure out what she truly wants from life.
Alone and far from everything familiar, Wendy begins to confront the pain she’s long avoided. Just when she feels most lost, an unexpected connection offers a glimmer of hope—and the chance to start again.

This book is a deeply moving exploration of new beginning after loss. Wendy’s journey—carried by Alexander’s compassionate writing and Beaton’s sensitive narration—makes for an emotionally rich and immersive experience.

Thank you Nick Alexander, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley!

WoW. . .. . . Where Do We Go From Here? by Nick Alexander and narrated by Eilidh Beaton was another beautifully written book. I always find Nick's books are written from his heart and they just take your breath away from the very first few pages. Where Do We Go From Here was an unforgettable and life-affirming novel about love, loss and new beginnings. This audiobook was a very hard read for me, as I lost my mum to COVID. I never got to say Goodbye to her. So, it took me a while to listen to it. It was an emotional and roller coaster ride for me and it broke my heart all over again.

The narrator Eilidh Beaton was excellent.

I highly recommend all Nick Alexander's books but you will need lots of tissues with this one and time to re think of what happened when COVID hit the world, I lived and still live in France so I could relate more to the main character Wendy.

This was my first book by this author. I’ve already added quite a few to my TBR list. The writing drew me in from the start. Wendy has been through a lot and needs a break from it all. Work, family and the crazy that they bring. She packs up and heads off to get some rest and relaxation away from it all. Turns out it isn’t the warm cozy place she was anticipating to put it lightly. The author has crafted a beautiful, emotional, emotional story of her finding her way back to herself.

I’m quite new to audiobooks and I did enjoy this narration. It was a little heavier to listen to than I was expecting, but definitely glad that I persevered with it.

Never knowing when rock bottom is going to hit, and realising that there is always support if you look for it, Wendy, the main character ploughs on.

Not the first book I’ve read by this author and definitely going to search for more. A gritty read.

The audio narration kept me engaged with the story. Tone, expression, gender and accents of all characters are very well executed.
Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Four stars

Where Do We Go From Here? by Nick Alexander is a beautifully narrated audiobook that dives deep into the complexities of relationships, love, and personal growth. The narrator did an amazing job, capturing the emotion and depth of the characters, which made the story feel even more immersive.

The plot is full of heart, with moments of tenderness and raw honesty. It’s a reflective and sometimes bittersweet journey that explores what happens when life doesn’t go as planned. The characters are wonderfully real, with flaws and strengths that made them feel incredibly relatable.

I gave it 4 stars because, while the story was thought-provoking and touching, there were moments where the pacing slowed down a bit, and I found myself wishing for a bit more excitement or tension. However, the emotional depth and the growth of the characters more than made up for it.

If you’re looking for an audiobook that’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and full of emotional insight, Where Do We Go From Here? is a fantastic choice. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, leaving you thinking long after you’ve finished listening.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was a heavier read than I thought it would be, but in a good way! It was interesting to watch the Wendy come to terms with herself and move past her issues. I would read more by this author.

Engaging, entertaining, and well narrated. A recommended purchase for collections where women's fiction is popular.

Wendy has left it all behind to find herself in a small remote house in France. Her marriage is barely hanging on by a thread, her children seem to dislike her and she’s given up the job she’s had for decades. She doesn’t know how it’s come to this but escape seems to be the best option. Can she figure out how life has taken this turn and will she like what she discovers?

Wendy was a nurse during Covid and saw the horrors that brought. She looked after her dying mother on her own. Dealing with both has brought a distance between her and her family. At first I felt sorry for Wendy. In her retelling she is practically kicked out of the family home , people more concerned with not catching Covid than understanding what she was dealing with each day. But as the story goes on the reader sees that Wendy hasn’t been completely honest with herself, or the reader as a result.

She comes to France to find herself and the self she finds is one she wasn’t expecting. It becomes apparent to the reader before it does to Wendy, and so the actions of her husband Harry, and children Todd and Fiona become more understandable.

I went into this book thinking it would be a lot more jolly and light-hearted than it was. I listened to it on audio and the narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. The only thing I did find distracting was the use in the story of referring to the characters by an initial during some conversations as I found it pulled me out of the story.

A story of self-discovery, realisation and recovery.

This was surprisingly emotional!

I really enjoyed this book and felt a lot for Wendy as she embarked on her journey of self discovery. The inclusion of the pandemic in the storyline made this feel all the more relatable and real. My one small gripe is that some of the issues felt slightly too quickly and easily resolved but overall I enjoyed it and will definitely look to read more of Nick's work.

I found Manon to be such a wonderful character and her relationship with Wendy was probably the highlight of the book for me.

I'd been wanting to read Nick Alexander for a long time so couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to his latest book on audio.
Eilidh Beaton is a favourite narrator of mine, and she really brings this story to life.
It's a challenging read, in that we see someone go to rock bottom and try and turn their life around. But it addresses these issues well.
I'd love to read more from the author, particularly if they are narrated by Beaton!

A very touching and compelling story of a wife and mother coming to terms with alcohol addiction during COVID. With Wendy being in healthcare during COVID it is already hard and to cope she drinks more and more till her family can't stand to be around her. She moves to France for 6 months to find herself and begins to repair her relationships with her family and friends. She also comes to terms with the alcohol addiction. This is not a light read...Wendy faces a lot of heartbreak. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy is one of the most real and raw characters I’ve read. Where Do We Go From Here? Felt more like an autobiography in the emotion and relativity it portrayed, than it did a novel. Nick Alexander’s writing style has the ability to leave the reader feeling just as drained and exhausted as the main character Wendy when she’s in the thick of it. Honestly, it was hard to read at moments because of this, but in pushing through, I found that I was fighting so hard for Wendy. The internal battle that Wendy faces throughout this story is vulnerable and relatable to readers. Alexander does not shy away from addressing heavy topics such as loss, trauma, suicide, drugs and alcoholism. These aren’t themes of the book as much as they are contributors to the storyline. If you enjoy books that cause you to reflect on your life choices, habits and all around relationships, this book is for you!

This was a very compelling and soul searching book. It caused me to be reflective of some of my own choices! The audiobook was narrated well.

Wendy’s job as a nurse undoubtedly showcases her compassionate nature. However, her personal life leaves much to be desired. In fact, her husband urges her to leave. Go away. After the pandemic and the lockdown, Wendy and her husband, Harry, have drifted apart. With their children older, Wendy agrees to leave for a while.

Wendy’s absence from her family isn’t new. Due to her job as a nurse and her concerns about the pandemic, she had already been spending time away from home. So, when Harry suggests they take a break, Wendy agrees. Unsure about the future, Wendy tries to assess her life and problems, hoping to find solutions.

Deciding to spend time in picturesque France, Wendy embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She even comes to terms with certain aspects of herself that require serious consideration. Finding a new friend in France proves instrumental in helping Wendy unravel the root causes of her problems. This emotional story by Nick Alexander delves into challenging issues, allowing readers to witness Wendy’s struggles while holding onto the hope that her life may take a positive turn.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me the perfect trifecta of a physical, digital, and audio ARC of the latest novel by Nick Alexander, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Eilidh Beaton, and for including me on the blog tour today! All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Wendy is a nurse, especially difficult in the time of Covid. At home things are no easier; her kids are getting older, and her marriage seems to just be hanging on. When everything comes to a boil, she decides to rent a remote cabin in France to spend some time figuring out what’s next. But being all by herself forces Wendy to take a good look at her own behaviors.

This was such a good character study, and I especially loved Wendy and the postal carrier, Manon. How many of us think escaping from everyone and everything would make our world better? But is it the people in our lives that make us better? It’s always tough to look inside and much easier to blame others when things go wrong. There’s a lot of humor in this book while tackling the tough subjects of loss, addiction, and social connection. It would be a great book club read!

One will find a very relatable, realistic character dealing with a very real situation in this emotional, character driven novel of self-discovery. Needing some time for herself after feeling a bit burned out due to work, mothering, her troubled marriage and just life, Wendy heads to vacation in France. Her cabin is a bit more isolated than she was expecting, but she also formed unexpected friendships and a whole lot of reflection that aided her in her journey to find her purpose again. The plot moved a bit slow in some parts and I still find it is not my favorite thing to read plots that involve Covid (totally a personal choice) but overall an emotional, relatable story.
I was able to experience and enjoy this as a tandem read. The sole female narrator, Eilidh Beaton did a great job bring Wendy and her internal thoughts to life.