Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
I think I've read all of Nick Alexander's books and loved all of them. This one was no exception.
Two families, two couples with three kids, decide to vacation together in Spain. Neither of the couples are in a good relationship, but the kids are having a great time. Heather is constantly belittled by her husband Anthony, even in company. Being naturally shy, she puts up with it, but is constantly on edge. Easygoing Joe loves Amy, but she never seems happy and chops and changes their lives regularly.
One night in Spain Heather can't sleep and discovers something so earth shattering, it causes a seismic change and things will never be the same for any of them.
The story is wonderful, full of humanity, understanding and compassion, something that's always in Mr. Alexander's books. No judgement... I really empathized with Heather and Joe, disliked Ant and found Amy selfish, even though I understood where she was coming from.
A great read that I recommend highly.

Once again, Nick has written a beautifully crafted, well researched book that makes you want to turn off your phone, get a coffee, ignore the world and read it in one sitting! As with all his novels, I was hooked from page one. The main characters are between them, charming, endearing, frustrating and rather unpleasant in equal measure but weave together to make a captivating storyline with a heartwarming ending. A perfect summer/lockdown read,

I received an advance copy of. From Something Old, by Nick Alexander. I thought this was going to be a really good book, I was wrong. It was boring and I did not like the characters.

Nick Alexander does it again !! ... I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Nick's new book via netgalley a few days ago. I decided to start it yesterday and once started I did not put it down until I had finished it at 1am in the morning (it's been quite a while since I have done that with a book).
I have been a huge fan of Nick's books for many years now and this new book certainly didn't disappoint. The storyline is very easy to get into and follow - the characters had a great back story as to who they were and why they were like they were. A great story of love, betrayal, heartache and finding true happiness in-between it all.
I absolutely loved this book .. thankyou (easy 5 star rating)

‘From Something Old’ is a thoroughly absorbing exploration of the web of power unhappy marriages yield on everybody involved. Two ill-matched couples end up sharing a holiday home in Spain, cut off from the internet and with limited reception. What follows, is the aftermath of what happens there and the domino effect a single decision can evoke.

This is a second novel I’ve read by the author, and on both counts I’ve been impressed by his masterful ability to juggle multiple POV and have me actually enjoy them (I’m normally not an overly huge fan of these). Nick Alexander makes it work by developing these very real, three dimensional characters that you can’t help but want to understand and find out more about what they’re thinking and their motivations. In the end, the book passes in a breeze as you are so engaged by them and their problems, you don’t even realise that you’re almost done.

In essence, the book was like watching a boiling pot explode and then checking what can be salvaged from the mess. If you strip one of the person holding you back, what happens then? Identity is a major theme in the book, and I’ve enjoyed the conclusions the author had drawn and the questions the book brought along. I found Nick Alexander providing us a look into the character’s childhoods expanded on the reasons for some of the decisions and personality traits. In the end, each character had something unique to offer ensuring the plot moved along swiftly, all whilst maintaining your engagement. If you’re in for some drama, definitely worth reading!

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve never read something by Nick Alexander before but will definitely look for others. I was drawn in immediately by Heather’s character and the story of her marriage and progressive decline in her self esteem was sad but authentic. I thought all the characters were convincing and realistic and although the ending is somewhat predictable by half way, it was lovely that it ended that way. It wasn’t at all trite or soppy- just very heart warming! Would highly recommend.

Heather meets Anthony in B and Q whilst weeping over toilet roll holders! He’s smoking hot, out of her league but none the less a relationship begins... Joe meets Amy on a yoga retreat in Spain and you guessed it, a relationship begins. Joe is prepared to make sacrifices to make Amy happy. Eventually, the two couples meet through their children. The story is told mainly by Heather and Joe.

I’ve read several of Nick Alexander’s books now and I like the way he writes. His novels are perceptive, written with clarity and he creates authentic characters with believable dialogue. This is a good and intriguing analysis of relationships, of who wears the trousers, charting the normal ups and downs, some that are not so normal and demonstrating that you can’t always see the truth of something unless you are on the inside. Anthony is a character you love to hate, there’s precious little about him that is redeeming whereas Joe is his polar opposite and very likeable. Amy is flakey, never satisfied and always on the prowl to fill a void. Heather is nice but at times I want to yell ‘Spine’ at her as in develop one, PLEASE!! She does, thankfully. It’s very easy to read and it’s absorbing too as you find yourself investing in their futures. Not Anthony, let me be clear! Their emotions and thoughts are well expressed and you feel the growing tension between the couples. Joe is reflective and makes thought provoking points about priorities and not letting opportunities dribble through your fingers. Heather becomes honest and similarly reflective and develops a sense of purpose away from the almost malevolent ‘enchantment’ of Anthony. It does follow a fairly predictable path but it’s a route I’m happy the book takes.

Overall, this is a compelling analysis of relationships, warts and all, with interesting characters you invest in.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book pleasantly surprised me. As the novel began, we followed the perspectives of a couple, Heather and Ant. During this period we see how they meet and how their relationship progresses rather quickly. We then jump ahead to their married life with children and the introduction of their neighbors, Joe and Amy. The two families decide to vacation together in Spain, when the unexpected marriage complications occur. The book left me feeling sad for Heather and Joe. But we then follow their lives post vacation, and things were not as great as they seemed but ultimately work out for the best, especially the children. Great read!

Thank you to Amazon Publishing for the advance copy to review.

I loved how this story is told through the perspective of each of the four adults in the story. This perspective allows for the behind the scenes true feelings of each to be shared.

The story opens with Heather, a thirty something singleton who meets Anthony (Ant) in the hardware store. When she bumps into him again, her friend encourages them to get together. And as happens in real life, things get away with them.

They eventually have two children together although they don’t marry. The problem is that Ant is controlling and Heather doesn’t at first stand up to him. She looses her confidence, as really happens to the best people in these circumstances.

Years later, they are invited to holiday in Spain with their daughter’s friend Ben’s family and the story introduces Amy and Joe.

The holiday in Spain is a turning point for both families and the relationship between the two couples.

Without giving away the entire plot, I enjoyed the rest of the story and especially the peace that came to the characters in the end.

This is a thought provoking book. Themes of taking control of relationships, abuse, fidelity and families all come together. Loved it.

NICK ALEXANDER – FROM SOMETHING OLD

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

From Something Old is a very satisfying novel to read, and I think one of Nick Alexander’s recent best.

Plot put simply? Two families who live close together and whose children form a school friendship go on holiday together to Spain, sharing one of the picturesque cave-dwelling holiday homes, with an outcome that changes each of their lives.

Chapters are told in the first person by three of the four main protagonists and reveal the truth behind their public exteriors, while we enjoy the private interplay of their relationships. Nick’s ability to “write women” is one of his strengths and comes to the fore here with two particularly strong female leads.

Each of the characters is distinctive and well-drawn; needing to know what happens to them draws the reader swiftly through the pages. One feels empathy for the three characters whose stories loom large and understand why the fourth is not given the space to speak for himself. Spain, too, looms large as a character, more so than some other destinations in his recent novels, which is particularly welcome. This time you can feel the heat and cool off in the pool or stroll to the tree down the road where you finally get reception for your phone.

I have no doubt that his legions of fans will lap this up, and, hopefully, it will find many new disciples who will then have the pleasure of exploring his back catalogue.

Typical Nick Alexander style with characters who are developed, crafted perfectly into their stories. They fit well into other plot lines, as if they were meant to be all along. Characters are relatable, they’re your best friends, neighbors, colleagues and family. It’s like cozying up with a story you find familiar yet unwrapping a gift at the same time.

It had been a while since I’d read anything by Nick Alexander. I remembered enjoying his writing so that's why I picked this up. Well, from the first paragraph to the last page, I remembered ...and was hooked again.

Pleasantly surprised that the story kept going way beyond where others might have ended. So many sharp observations of human nature in all its variations. I stayed up too late reading this. Really enjoyed getting to know these characters. You will, too.

Thank you @NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Nick Alexander's novels are always a really good read and this did not disappoint. The exploration of each of the four main characters was well crafted, and whether you liked them or not, you could see what has shaped them and how as married couples, they were not good for each other. The journey for each of them was painful and challenging but the ultimate outcome gives you a feel good experience.

Loved the story and the characters whom are made to me I grossed within their own stories too. Couldn’t put down.

This is my third book by Nick Alexander and he is quickly becoming a favourite author, I inhale his books I don't read them. He really knows how to write about the human condition, in this story it is about love, sex, marriage and parenthood. I adore the covers of his books as well, they always grab my attention and give a sneak peek as to what's inside.

I love the way that Mr. Alexander can write from the perspective of both male and female characters. I also appreciate the way that the chapters are broken up, from the different characters point of view, which makes for easier reading and lets you feel emotions from everyone's perspective. Even though there were two not no nice characters in this story it was refreshing to read why they themselves didn't feel like the bad guy.

Nick Alexander is an author who makes the ordinary extraordinary and magical, describing his characters so effortlessly, really bringing them to life and making you, as the reader, care deeply. Once again he writes a beautiful story which shows insight into the lives of others and made this reader turn the pages at an impossible to put down rate. All the stars.

At thirty-three, nurse Heather is desperately waiting for her romantic life to begin. Then she meets handsome, strong Anthony and is sure she’s found the one. Brushing any doubts aside, she projects all her hopes for true love onto him. Meanwhile, at a yoga retreat in Spain, happy-go-lucky Joe can’t believe his luck when he meets vivacious, witty Amy. She’s the sharpest, most beautiful woman he has ever dated, and the fact that she’s interested in him feels like a dream come true. But new love can be blind, and when the two couples meet, the cracks are easy to see. Will their crossed paths lead the way to happiness? Or are they all destined for heartbreak?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this. It is not the most scintillating plot and is not one for twists and turns but nevertheless I found myself wrapped up in the goings on of the characters and completely immersed in their world. Why is this? Well Alexander's characters are some of the most realistic characters I have ever read. I could really imagine them and see them as real people, interacting in the real world. They all seemed very human, not all of them are likeable, that will become clear when you read this, but they all have something about them that made them easy to connect to. Alexander has developed them really well and they carry the plot fantastically.

My other love for this book centres around the location. A large section of the book is set in the area local to me so I could easily imagine where the characters were and envisage them slotting into life and the local landscape.

Alexander does write about some sensitive subjects that could be triggering for readers but they are handled sensitively and are integral to the plot. At times, it makes for uncomfortable reading but Alexander brings everything together and ties all the threads up beautifully.

'From Something Old' is just a beautifully written, well crafted read that is a pure joy to read. I adored reading this and highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy.

I’d say this is one of the most topical, profound, thought-provoking novels I’ve read this year, and it’s hard to do it justice in a review. It has such an edge on relationships that I was immediately engrossed. The characterisation is portrayed to perfection. Fairly soon, I figured out who should be with whom, who should have been shot at dawn or cheerfully strangled at birth. Although it is not a thriller, the suspense, twists and evolving problems are out there. Two couples are wrongly paired. One marriage is between polar opposites, and the other is an abusive marriage. There’s an emotional, marital shipwreck when the two families decide to go abroad on holiday together. The pendulum is ticking on what can be retrieved from the chaos. Most impressive is the vividly defined pattern of abuse. All the symptoms and effects of emotional and verbal abuse are subtly threaded through, that they could be almost overlooked until the fires burn brighter and explode. Heather is already suffering from self-denigration and unworthiness before her marriage. Will she find the inner strength, reserves, and resources to survive reasonably unscathed? Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I like everything this author has written and this was no exception. Great story, lovely characters and I really enjoyed it.

I make no secret of how big a fan of this author I am... I started with the 50 Reasons series back in something like 2011 when I got my first Kindle and have devoured and loved everything he has written since. So... it'll come as no shock for me to say - I Loved This Book!
OK so... I could kinda see where we were probably going with the storyline - but, as I often say with this genre of book - it's not the destination, it's the journey. And the journey this book took me on was delightful and wonderful and, well, so many emotions both positive and negative. But all very valid.
It really helped that I connected with all four main characters right from the off. Some more than others, some also in a more positive way. But, as with ALL of the characters this author has created over his stellar career, all were well crafted and all felt completely real. Throw them into a cracking storyline, full of life twists and turns, sprinkle with some ups and downs and more of the sht that life generally throws at people and you got yourself one heck of a compelling read. Well.. that's how I saw it anyway.
Oh and there is no waffle or padding to be found. Nothing to distract from the story and characters. Enough description to colour the narrative and not a word more. Which means that the story gets on with itself very well and it's easy to fall under its spell and stay there for the duration.
In fact, the only bad thing about it is reaching the wholly satisfying end and having to leave the characters that I have got to know along the way. It's always a wrench doing this but I guess we have to leave them to get on with things on their own...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 This book is a perfect example of how unexpected changes can lead to significant new beginnings. This book, From Something Old by Nick Alexander, is a cautionary tale about “settling” or cautiously agreeing to live without trials and tribulations. It’s simply isn’t good to play it safe all the time. Let’s be honest. No marriage, no matter how great it is, will go through some bumps in the road, that is how couples communicate and grow healthy marriages or relationships. But always trying to avoid those bumpy roads is going to lead to a wreck. From something old, you can get to something new, and this book was excellent. The author introduces us to love, marriage, children, homes, verbal abuse, poor negotiation, lack of communication, and so much more. But it’s told in a fresh way and with a wee bit of humor at times. I liked it and was pleasantly surprised. That’s always a good thing. Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC. #marriage #divorce #FromSomethingOld #nickalexander #familylife #may-publication

Heather and Ant are in a relationship where Heather is being pushed around constantly by Ant. Their daughter, Lucy, is friends with Ben, a son to Amy and Joe. The 2 families go on a holiday to Spain together, mostly for the sake of their children. A good holiday turns out horrible, but the ending is good!

This book is about compassion, love and sacrifices. The book is engaging, although I have read a more-engaging can't-stop-reading books. Ultimately, I put this on the genre (personal preference) - love stories cannot be as engaging as thriller/horror books. Throughout reading the book, I did have some kind of expectation on how I want the ending to be, and it turns out just as I wanted it to be. So the shocking element, to me, is sort of lacking. The way Alexander describes the background, all the information, it feels like an autobiography. I thought the story might be boring at first, but further into the book, I find that it is actually a good book.

What I do like about the book is that it's different. I read love stories quite a lot, but this one is different from the others in a good way. I like that the opening sets a great and relevant background to the story, but at the same time I find it a bit too long.

I always enjoy Nick Alexander's books, he is such an expert at characterisation. He writes so perceptively about relationships and you really get under the skin of his characters. The abusive relationship which features mostly in the first half of the story is difficult to read but very believable. I guessed the direction the story was heading in but that isn't a criticism, we don't always need massive twists to satisfy us as readers, a well crafted character driven story is extremely satisfying. Very enjoyable read and I would recommend all of Nick's books.

Heather and Antony and Joe and Amy. Two couples who are very different - and very alike. They all have their say in this novel that put them together, along with their three kids (two for Ant and Heather and one for Joe and Amy) in a house in Spain. There aren't many distractions there so this forces them to face some truths they've been avoiding. This could have gone hard to the nasty but it doesn't. No spoilers from me on how things work out but know that it isn't easy for anyone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Heather is aware she’s unexceptional, so when she’s pursued by handsome, charming Anthony, she’s initially bowled over. Unfortunately all is not the fairytale she hopes for, and by the time her children are at school, Heather is desperately unhappy.

Maybe a holiday with new friends Joe and Amy will be good for them all?
Just kidding - of course it’s a disaster!

Thus was an enjoyable, if slightly predictable story, and the alternate first person characters work well. I’ll be looking for more of this author’s books.


Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy. All my opinions my own.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Deep, realistic exploration of family👨‍👩‍👦🐈

From Something Old was a riveting read, focusing on the dynamics of two English families and their sudden transformation during a summer vacation together in rural Spain.

It's really well-written and I particularly loved the change of perspective alternating between three of the main characters. I truly got a strong sense of who these three were and how they'd ended up in their predicament. The extra pages used to paint a thorough picture of both marriages right up to the moment of crisis and in the aftermath were well worth the extra reading time. For me, this extended internal glimpse into Joe, Amy and Heather made the story especially appealing.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
I've read several of this author's books before and really enjoyed them. This is a well written story of two 30-something couples whose ostensibly happy relationships unravel whilst on holiday together. Some of the characters are especially dislikable, others are a little more charming. It's an easy read, there are no real surprises and some difficult issues are explored very well, e.g. emotional abuse, difficult childhoods.
I recommend this book to those looking for something which goes deep into the characters, and doesn't dwell on the negative.

I’d like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘From Something Old’ by Nick Alexander in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Heather can’t believe her luck when she meets handsome charismatic Anthony and with their two daughters her life is complete but Anthony is aggressively controlling and belittles her at every opportunity. When their daughter Lucy becomes friends with Ben at school it’s not long before Heather and Ant meet his parents, vivacious Amy and Joe, who live just along the road from them. The two families go on holiday to Spain together where cracks soon appear and on their return to England their lives are change, but for the better or worse?

‘From Something Old’ is the beautifully written story of four people who’ve ignored the cracks in their marriages until an event brings them to the surface. The descriptions of the characters are so lifelike that I feel that I know them, Heather’s mother-in-law the vicious and mean-minded Marge and her narcissistic son Anthony who in her eyes can do no wrong, hardworking Joe who’s always done his best for family, Amy who’s never been satisfied with her life, and kind and gentle Heather who’s learnt not to answer back to Ant’s put-downs.
The further I got into the story the more enthralled I became with the characters until I couldn’t stop reading as I needed to know what was happening next. The author has this amazing ability to keep the reader completely involved and I’d give it more than five stars if I could. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel that I’m sorry I’ve finished, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this well written, easy to read story. The characters weren’t exactly all likeable but they were very real and the way the author explores their dynamics and back story kept my interest.

I have read quite a novels of this genre in the last few months and enjoyed this as much as the others. The author writes about the characters in a way it does make them seem real and relatable. This for me is very important sometimes and keeps my interest until the end.

Would definitely recommend

It takes quite a remarkable writer to create such a compelling story from what looks like an unremarkable domestic drama, but this is what we have from Nick Alexander. Two unhappy couples and their children go on holiday to Spain. Without internet and wi-fi, the unravelling of their relationships happens at pace and we look at the consequences from the perspectives of three of them - Heather, Joe and Amy. The novel explores their back history and what has made them who they are and the way they rebuild their lives after the holiday. It gives some pause for thought over what makes some relationships tick and other relationships toxic and by giving the reader insight into the parents of the four main characters, makes you think about how parenting shapes personalities and the way people handle relationships. Not surprising therefore that Joe is the most grounded and resilient of the four, with such a kind and thoughtful father. A great book club read, with lots to analyse and talk about. I loved it and will seek out more books by this author. Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the novel pre-publication.

Four people looking for love. Four choices could be the start of everything. At thirty-three, nurse Heather is desperately waiting for her romantic life to begin. Then she meets handsome, strong Anthony and is sure she’s found the one. Brushing any doubts aside, she projects all her hopes for true love onto him. Meanwhile, at a yoga retreat in Spain, happy-go-lucky Joe can’t believe his luck when he meets vivacious, witty Amy. She’s the sharpest, most beautiful woman he has ever dated, and the fact that she’s interested in him feels like a dream come true. But new love can be blind, and when the two couples meet, the cracks are easy to see.

The characters are developed, crafted perfectly into their stories. They fit well into other plotlines as if they were meant to be all along. The characters are relatable, they’re your best friends, neighbours, colleagues and family. It’s like cosying up with a story you find familiar yet unwrapping a gift at the same time.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you, Nick, for giving me back my reading mojo!

Five minutes after starting “From Something Old” I felt as though I was watching a film, each character lit up the screen and my imagination was caught by the breath-taking scenery. A grandiose but remote villa in Spain, where to get a phone signal you had to walk halfway down the mountains. The seaside towns of Whitby, Filey and, my favourite, Robin Hoods Bay made me so nostalgic for those childhood holidays.

Heather is a nurse who puts family first. Anthony, her “Smoking Hot” husband, is a good father to their two girls, but he has been chipping away at his wife’s self-confidence since the first day they met.

Joe thinks he was punching way above his weight when he married the beautiful Amy. He absolutely adores her and will go to any lengths to keep her happy, but Amy is a dreamer and always on the lookout for her next big project.

When Lucy asks her mum and dad if they can go on holiday with Ben and his family, it starts a chain of events that will have leave an imprint on everyone’s life.

The conversations between the four characters are spellbinding, but Mr Alexander is also aware of when a simple glance, a shrug or a touch of hands can say far more than any words. He, above all other authors, has mastered the art of storytelling.

I have to say that the scenes starring Heather’s mother-in-law made my jaw drop with admiration for the way she is portrayed.

Reading a Nick Alexander book is like catching- up with your best friend, the conversation just flows and before you know it the night has ended, and you find yourself crying as you wave goodbye.

Great drama from Nick Alexander, in this read about two unhappy marriages told from the perspectives of three of the central characters.

Heather and Anthony’s marriage is controlling and difficult. Amy and Joe seem to have it all but nothing can make Amy feel fulfilled.

Circumstances lead to the two families spending a summer holiday together in rural Spain, but can their marriages survive the trip?

Each character has their own issues, and themes of alcoholism, and child abuse are explored throughout the book.

This was a deep, intense read, which was difficult to put down as I wanted to find out what happened next. I would definitely recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Forty something Heather is married to Anthony. It is not a happy marriage. He constantly puts her down leaving her feeling insecure and unloved. When she meets Amy, the mother of one of her son's friends, life looks up a bit. Amy invites them to come to Spain with her and her family and with some misgivings she agrees. It doesn't take much imagination to see what's coming. Amy and Ant hook up leaving Joe (Amy's husband) shattered and Heather... well, she doesn't know if she's relieved or distressed. The author gives us the viewpoint of three of the foursome so we get their take on it all. The loathsome Anthony isn't given a voice which was a wise decision I think.

I enjoyed this book. The characters are realistic though somewhat annoying at times (aren't we all?). Heather is so passive you want to shake her and Ant so controlling it's quite upsetting at times. Surprisingly, the character I liked best was Amy. I really felt for her and I have met people like her who never seem able to settle to anything and are always looking to the latest self help book for help.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Review of From Something Old by Nick Alexander

This is the story of two couples Heather, who is a 33 year old Nurse, hopelessly waiting for her romantic life to begin. Then meets Anthony in B&Q and projects all her hopes of true love onto the relationship. Then couple number two is Joe and Amy, who meet in a yoga retreat in Spain. Joe feels incredible lucky to have found her as she is the most beautiful woman he has never known.

Queue the story of how love can be blind and when the two couples meet through their children the cracks start to show. Overall a good story and well written, with good character development. Told mainly through the eyes of Heather and Joe.

Another great read from Nick Alexander!
Two very different couples who end up going on holiday together although they don’t really know each other! Both couples are at different stages in their relationships and are now set on a totally different path due to an indiscretion that occurred on holiday! Nick has a fantastic ability to write from both the male and female perspectives particularly when relating to relationship issues, emotions and feelings.
The two wronged partners initially feel devastated, distraught and bitter at their partners betrayal but as with many things time is a great healer and ultimately they come out of the situation much happier, fulfilled and loved and realise that they have been done a favour by their errant partners.
A brilliant read that covers marital infidelity,control and abuse and the power of love! Would highly recommend.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

I really enjoyed this story. I smiled and I even shed a tear!

The story is basically about two couples, each consisting of one nice person and one I really didn’t like. The first couple we meet is Heather and Anthony. Heather is sweet, but naive and a little to eager to find a boyfriend so when she meets Anthony she has her blindfolds on and just goes with it even though he is far from nice. The other couple is Joe and Amy. Joe is just the kindest man possible and much too nice for Amy, but he falls in love with her and no matter how egocentric she is, he’s there for her. When these two couples meet it ends up being a recipe for disaster, at least to start with.

Chapters are told first person, from the perspective of different characters so we really get inside their heads. The story flows smoothly and is touching and cringeworthy at times, showing not just the good, but also the bad when it comes to love, relationships and parenting.

I would like to thank Nick Alexander, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book. It started of with two couples where at least one of each of the couples was a less than likeable character. Although it is not a new subject, it is tried and tested, it is lovely. A very gentle read and leaves you full of hope and joy. Definitely a great summer read.

A gentle well written book about a fairly ordinary situation which was still compelling to read. The book is mainly written from the perspective of two of the main characters, Heather and Joe who one feels empathy with as opposed to their self-obsessed partners, Ant and Amy. Set in Kent, Canterbury and just outside (an area I grew up in, though I chuckled at the thought of luxury flats in Marshside!) plus Spain where the main plot unfolds. The book explores a lot of the hidden world of relationships, both marital and parental, shaping the person. One can almost predict the outcome but this doesn't detract from the book as a whole. A thoroughly enjoyable read and well recommended.

'Sometimes, in order to build something new, you first have to break something old into pieces.'...An easy read

I wasn't as enamoured with this book as I usually am with Nick Alexander's books. I think it's probably because I didn't warm to the characters. Heather allows herself to be bullied by Ant and doesn't stand up for herself. Joe believes Amy is out of his league and wonders what he has done to deserve her. He can't understand her depression after the birth of their son Ben and how Amy keeps trying to find herself.

When the four of them go on holiday together with their children things happen that change the course of their relationships.

I enjoyed the book but didn't find it as capturing as I was hoping it would be.

I’ve read a few books by this author and loved them all. This was no exception!
Characters were well drawn out even though they were some in there I never quite liked but that’s what a good author does, all characters don’t need to be likeable. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A lovely little romance/fiction – definitely a quick and easy read.

This book was a lot more complex than expected for a novel about two couples swapping partners! I ended up really liking it. The author put a lot of work into creating well rounded characters, so you could understand their motivations and really understand that there are just different types of people, who deal with the same set of circumstances differently. It doesn’t make you bad or weak, and going through and dealing with trauma doesn’t make you bad or weak, it just is.

My biggest issue with the book is the concept that a nine-year-old can and should decide where they live. Should you take their ascertainable wishes and feelings into account? Yes. Should you go up to them and give them the responsibility to decide how often or not they see their other parent? No. An adult has to take ultimate responsibility for that decision, if only so that the nine-year-old doesn’t take responsibility for the devastation of their other parent in the long run. I think it was an unhealthy way to set an example of how to deal with such issues. And it was done by people considered emotionally intelligent. Save for that aspect, it was a pretty fun read and I enjoyed it.

Centred around four people looking for love. When they think they have found the one they overlook the imperfections and faults for fear of being alone again. A stay in Spain together sees everything come to a head and their lives implode, never to return to how they were again. Very well written with many sensitive subjects covered with empathy.

This is the third Nick Alexander book I've read and is my favourite by far. I really enjoyed the story line and the characters were generally well-developed and interesting, including Ant and Amy who are both less likeable as we get to know them more. I was invested in the developing relationships and was pleased with the outcome.

Nick Alexander has an amazing way of creating believable characters and storylines that grip you and you want to carry on reading. I finished this book in a few days (as I had to work in between - and couldn't read it all in one sitting!).

From Something Old is beautifully written and a fantastic read, covering painful subjects with well constructed, believable characters and a bittersweet rawness. Told from the perspectives of two couples with similar age children, the book centres on the relationships we might somehow find ourselves in, the feeling of the grass being greener, and the changes we go through. Given the amount of books he has written, and how much I love his style, I'm surprised to say that I think this is the first book I've read by Nick Alexander but I will definitely read more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely book with really well-written characters. I really connected to them and was excited to see what happened next. Highly recommended.

I have never read anything by Nick Alexander before, but having read reviews was excited to try this novel.

It was a fairly quick read, though I felt like the plot was fairly predictable with the ending being obvious from quite early on. This is a book about two couples who both have dysfunctional relationships with each other. An unexpected holiday invitation to Spain throws the families into close quarters which quickly reveals the fractures in the relationship.

I found the gaslighting of Heather by her husband Ant, particularly powerful and distressing. Her lack of self-esteem was difficult to read and I was glad to see her push back and take control of her life by the end of the novel. Amy is so unlikeable that even when her back story is revealed, it is hard to feel any sympathy for her. Joe, Amy's husband is a decent hardworking man, and perhaps overlooks her faults because he seems to genuinely love her and want the best for his family. I was more interested in each characters' history and what made them the people that they were than actually what happened to them. There are 3 children caught in the middle of this whole messy situation, but they seems rather accepting and resilient to the merry-go-round of relationships.

This was an acceptable read. I didn't really connect with the characters and felt just a sad inevitability of the situation and how it would be resolved.

A book about relationships, love and the choices we make. The book just flows and the format of alternating points of view works very well, seeing things from the perspective of the differing characters.
As ever the author has a knack of describing emotions and how the characters are feeling and conversations are beautifully and believably written. It makes it easy to get into the minds of the main characters .
I found this book engaging and eminently readable although I didn't find myself quite as emotionally involved as with his previous novels.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

With FROM SOMETHING OLD, Nick Alexander tells the story of two couples, Heather and Anthony & Amy and Joe, who bring their children on a vacation to Spain. While the couples do not know one another well, their children are friends and the parents believe this getaway will be an opportunity for something new and interesting as well as a welcome escape. The trip proves to be all of that and far more than that, causing permanent, wrenching chasms from the well-tended and ignored cracks in long-term relationships. The aftermath of that ill-conceived getaway is told well, feeling true and ultimately uplifting as real life challenges. I enjoyed the characters, the writing, the realistic children, all the large and small moments during a truly difficult time for everyone. I received an advance reader copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.