Us - David Nicholls

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When Douglas' wife tells him that their marriage has run it's course, it comes totally out of the blue. He is devastated and desperate. He adores his wife, Connie, even if they are polar opposites. Douglas is a scientist with a clinical mind and a need for organisation. Connie an artist and free spirit who will go where the mood takes her.

With their son about to leave for uni they propose going ahead with the planned family holiday to Europe before parting ways. Douglas has never quite forged the father-son bond he had hoped for, with Albie taking after his mother and resenting the rigidity of his father. Yet another element in the wedge between Douglas and his wife.

This novel tells how the relationship between these three is stretched and pulled as Douglas tried to hold them all together in a desperate bid to keep his wife from leaving. The literal and emotional journey that this family takes seems to have only one final destination.

My overiding feeling when reading this was that I really struggled to identify with any of the characters on a level that allowed me to get emotionally involved with the story. Douglas seemed to be lacking in understanding and Connie was frustratingly impatient with his quirks, despite having lived with them for 20 years. Albie, well he's a typical teenage boy, embarrassed by Dad and very stroppy!

Having really enjoyed works by Nicholls before, I was left a little disappointed with this book. Maybe it's because it was all a little too stereotypical. Maybe the characters didn't go deep enough. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just didn't hit the spot. 

A positive to take away from this though, it really made me want to see more of mainland Europe! Holiday anyone?

One Day - David Nicholls

One Day tells the story of Emma and Dexter and all that goes on in their lives. Their story starts the morning after the night that they meet, proceeds through many years of friendship, details what they are doing on 15th July at intervals through their lives. The way that their lives intertwine is mesmerising, the ups and downs are all in there. They clearly belong in each-other's lives, but in what capacity? It makes you realise how much one person can influence another.

Nicholls writes in a way that flows from beginning to end, which is even more impressive considering that the narrative is written from the perspective of both the lead characters. An ability to tap in to the silly, insecure, totally barmy musings of women meant that I saw a lot of myself in Emma. I really did like her!

Luckily for me, this isn't a mushy romantic love story. That's not my thing at all. It is realistic! The characters are very endearing and I found myself longing for them to be happy!

From the very first page I was enthralled. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. Totally un-put-down-able! Not a bad word to be said. Also, if you weren't aware, One Day has since been made into a film starring the lovely Anne Hathaway. Has to be worth a watch after what I thought was an amazing novel.