Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Wendy lives near Nice in a B&B, away from her family. She wants to take time to think of what’s happened in her life and what she wants to do next.

She was working as a nurse during the pandemic and also lost her mom. Turning to drink, she’s forgotten who she was, as well as what her family were to how they are now.

This was a well researched, well written story, about love, life, and also it gives the messsge that we never know what is going on in other people’s lives.

I highly recommend this book.

I have read five other books by Nick Alexander The Other Son, The Road to Zoe, From Something Old, The Bottle of Tears as well as Perfectly Ordinary People and they were all four or five-star reads for me. He is an author that NEVER disappoints, so when I have a chance to read one of his books, I grab it.

As always, Nick has written an emotional and inspiring story about self-discovery, healing, and the power of love. The story is about Wendy, a nurse who is also a wife and mum. Wendy feels lost and is burnt out, so she goes to a cabin in France to get some alone time. But when she gets there, the cabin isn’t exactly what she hoped. It’s very isolated, but that makes Wendy face her feelings, such as grief, trauma and how her family is falling apart. Nick Alexander writes women believably. He is one of few authors who have impressed me with this capability. He captures Wendy’s emotions, vulnerability and growth very authentically.

I loved the relationship between Wendy and the postwoman. They supported each other and became friends despite their differences. Wendy found strength within this friendship. As always, Alexander found humour in the everyday, and he created relatable characters. The French Alps are a character themselves, and they’re a beautiful part of the story. This was such a touching story about personal growth and resilience, and it made me feel all the feels in equal measure.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The story flowed well, and I particularly liked the conversational moments. The plot took an unexpected turn, which kept me engaged, and I ended up reading it over just two evenings.

The book explores many important themes: grief, addiction, loneliness, friendship, depression, and the power of human connection. Maron is a likeable and kind character, while Wendy isn’t always easy to warm to, but I found myself rooting for her by the end. The book left me feeling confused at times about why her family wasn’t more supportive, but I realise now that was intentional, and it helped me see things through Wendy’s eyes. In the end, everything became clear.

I loved the descriptions of the French countryside: the scenery, the pastries, even the grocery shopping! I read an advanced review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Author Nick Alexander is one of my favorite writers of UpLit, a genre that blends uplifting, optimistic stories with heavier undertones. I always think of it as fluff with teeth, which is a perfect description of this, Nick’s latest novel,

Where Do We Go from Here is ultimately a heartwarming tale of second chances and new beginnings but, in getting there, also explores themes of grief, PTSD, social isolation and addiction. There’s a lot to unpick — just the way I like it —making for an immersive, thought-provoking read.

Estranged from her husband and adult children, nurse Wendy has taken herself off to a remote, off-grid cabin in the South of France for a period of reflection and renewal. She’s worn down by the traumatic death of her mother and the stress of working on Covid wards and needs time to figure out what she wants from life. It’s a decision that involves facing up to some unpalatable truths.

Nick is one of a small cadre of male authors that can write convincingly from a female perspective. And here, he beautifully portrays Wendy’s sense of dislocation, and her difficult journey of introspection, self-realisation and transformation. She’s not an easy character to warm to, but as the story unfolds and the reasons for her choices are revealed, she slowly garners sympathy.

I loved Nick’s descriptions of the French countryside and village life, which transported me to the rolling hills of Southern France and the spectacular views over Antibes and the Mediterranean. It was easy to believe that Wendy was in a place of nurture.

I also appreciated how Nick snuck in some commentary on the disaster that is Brexit and how it has negatively impacted the lives of British citizens resident in both the UK and Europe. It’s the first time I’ve seen this woven into fiction.

What more can I say? It’s another cracker of a read from Nick Alexander.

now, someone could you please take me off to a cabin in France? and even as im saying this im coming up with reasons why not. namely no wifi,no things to keep me distracted, wheres the supermarket!? and these are fickle things i could get over if i wanted to. so nothing compared to what our main character is going through.
non of us are immune to struggles. non of us can ever say we wont become ill be it mental or physical. but im remind of this quote as i read this book. "wherever you go, there you are" because as much as a idyll in france sounds like the answer to our main characters dreams. as much as it might sound it to alot of us... well, you yourself and i will still be there. so if youve got more going on, then your traumas and "illness" will still follow you. so a cautionary tale is to always be going somewhere with safety and knowing its truly the right decision. there is a difference between running away to get away or running away to be away.
this book isnt easy. it isnt always hard though either. its just very real and very raw. our main character is so poorly for most of us that is clear to see. for those who have seen this in people before its even starker to see. and you want to both shake her and cuddle her tight at the same time. you do just root for her though. to come to realize things she needs to and somehow reach out for that help she desperately needs. to realize what he problems are and just put the bottle down. but thats not going to happen until it happens sadly and this is the problem with addiction. because its also never about the drink etc. that is simply the weapon of choice used to cope with the pain they cant cope with. and that is something I thought was really well told in this book. our character wasnt loving the life of sadness and drinking. she just wasnt coping with the pain on the inside and that had to come out in another way.
but Wendy our nurse has had so much to deal with. she has been a nurse in the middle of the pandemic. she has troubles in her marriage and she has lost her mother. this is a woman dealing with too much to the point she cant deal with it anymore. so off she runs to a cabin in France. but sadly falling into herself isnt the ideal. and being alone with it all isnt either. so slowly and sadly she falls deeper. but her turn around and those who support her to do so is well worth the hopeful read. this book isnt all doom and gloom. no no its really not. its such a strong and brave and hopeful book too. its just a really good book. really true. really real. just really good. and the emotion depth in these pages is written to perfection. you feel so much for all involved in this book. and you want Wendy to be ok so badly.

Where Do We Go from Here by Nick Alexander

A moving and emotional read that delves into the challenges of being a nurse, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The story feels authentic and deeply relatable, especially for nurses who have faced similar hardships.

The book offers a powerful portrayal of the trials and tribulations nurses endured during the pandemic, while also navigating their own personal struggles. Though at times a sad read, it ultimately delivers an uplifting message, emphasizing resilience and reclaiming control after trauma.

The protagonist is especially relatable for those in the nursing profession.

While the pacing felt a bit clunky midway through, the ending was satisfying.

Where Do We Go from Here is a compelling story that will resonate with readers who appreciate narratives about overcoming adversity.

Publication date 23 April 2025.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed the journey the main character went through—her growth felt genuine and I found myself rooting for her the whole time. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the husband though. He just didn’t seem like he was trying that hard to be in the relationship, and maybe that’s because we didn’t get much of his POV, but the cheating really rubbed me the wrong way. It also felt like he was lowkey teaming up with the kids, which made things even more frustrating.

That said, the book was super engaging and definitely held my attention. I liked the time jumps—they added a nice layer to the storytelling without being confusing. The ending was really sweet too, which left me with a good feeling overall.

Turning the corner from trauma and anger; real🤔

A very thoughtful look into the disintegration of a British woman's connection with her family and friends in the era of pandemic, and the long road to self awareness and healing rifts. Wendy the female lead is a nurse, caught up in the COVID pandemic and the tragic loss of her mom. I found every step in her journey totally real. Her hurt and bewilderment at husband Harry and their teenagers as they grow distant and resentful, her journey to an isolated cabin for soul searching and her reaction to the hard truths of her life: all very relatable. And the unexpected push she gets from a sympathetic French postwoman to see what she's become and where she's heading seemed totally logical, since an outsider's insight had frankness and weight that her loved ones were unwilling to risk.

A profound thought from Wendy at a crucial turning point really hit me: "I just saw who I had become. And caught a glimpse of the person I could be instead." Very take control and make her choices count.

Not a quick or easy read, but I was happy with the way Wendy and her family handled things once the lightbulb went off and Wendy understood what she and they needed to move forward. Though the ending was a bit abrupt.

There were no villains per se. Just a group of normally flawed people. The family members too cowardly to broach the big issues; the wounded woman who has major problems getting over her anger and finds comfort in the bottle; the friend and brother who accept distance rather than admitting to their own crisis.

This one took me longer than normal to read and digest, but it really made me think and appreciate that old saying about not knowing a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. Well, I feel like I've walked in Wendy's and learned plenty.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 4/12/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM.

Having enjoyed Nick Alexander's previous works, it's a pleasure to report that his latest novel, "Where Do We Go From Here?", is another compelling read. The book offers a heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting story exploring mid-life relationships and new beginnings. Fans of Alexander's signature style will find this novel to be just as engaging and emotionally resonant as his earlier books. I found the end to be just a bit too neat and tidy but that’s often what makes for a joyful read and a delightful escape from everyday life.

This is an enjoyable read with well-developed and realistically flawed characters. Thankfully, the love angle progresses at a believable pace, and the characters must face relatable challenges. There is a lot of character growth, particularly with Wendy. Themes of self-discovery and trust run throughout the novel. This story is a reminder that love can show up in unexpected ways. It's not your typical romance novel. I really enjoyed the setting.

Where Do We Go From Here is a touching and uplifting story of a woman struggling with the enormity of life’s everyday battles. It’s a beautiful study of a journey towards self-awareness and beyond, to healing. As I closed my Kindle at the end I was left feeling gratitude and appreciation for my own life, especially my family. Ultimately this is a celebration of the value of honesty and people supporting one another through stress and grief, as well as an honest assessment of the cost of trying to carry a burden alone.

This was a heavy book with a lot of unlikeable actions by the characters. The ending was hopeful, but parts of it were a slog to get there.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy of this book.

This is a heavy, heartbreaking book that also is about loss and finding yourself and could be hard hitting for some.

I found some of the dialogue throughout a bit disjointed and broken which made it hard to follow sometimes. The conversations were a little stilted and kept stopping which I think was a writing choice to show the break in the characters communication as a whole.

I like how Wendy isn’t a flawless character in herself, she’s real, sometimes unlikeable and very much someone who you could meet in real life. You kind of see what everyone else around her sees but by also seeing from her POV you sort of let her off with things. She’s a strong protagonist too, as she has to face many peoples opinions about herself and make an active change but also rightfully sticks up for herself.

This is a great story which has so many wonderful moments woven in. This may look like a "typical" chick-lit book, which is fab if that's your preferred genre, but it has a deeper more serious plot woven through it which makes you keep turning the pages to find out what happens.

The serious plot element is balanced beautifully with descriptions of France, the weather, quirky one-liners, so you still get that warm fuzz of the book whilst also aware there's something heavier simmering away.

I love the way this main character questioned herself, her life, what she wanted. She blamed Covid and lock down for her troubles, but it was only when she took time out that she realised they had been going on for longer.

I loved this book. The characters were fantastically crafted, the plot intriguing and the setting incredibly atmospheric.

Where do we go from here? - Nick Alexander

Wendy finds herself at a crossroads in life, unsure of who she is after leaving her job as a nurse after 30 years, the Pandemic being the straw that broke the camels back. Unsure of how she feels about everything, including her marriage to Harry, she promptly takes herself off to a secluded cabin in France where she discovers some very unexpected things about herself and her life. Will she like what she learns about herself? And can she finally come to a decision about which direction her life is going to take from here on out?

This is a beautiful, hopeful novel about love, loss and starting over. The theme of addiction does feature quite heavily, particularly in the second half of the novel but the way in which the author develops this plot line is with the utmost sensitivity and care. It's a novel that makes you think and reflect. It's also a novel that depicts the reality of long lasting relationships, warts and all, while remaining heartfelt and emotive. I thought this was a genuinely lovely read and so reflective of the real life experiences of so many.

Nick Alexander delivers an emotional yet uplifting story in Where Do We Go From Here?, a novel that beautifully captures the turmoil of a woman at a crossroads. Wendy, a devoted wife, mother, and nurse, has spent years caring for others—often at the expense of her own well-being. Burned out from the trauma of nursing during COVID and struggling with the impact on her family, she makes the bold decision to rent a remote cabin in France for six months. With her children on the verge of adulthood and her marriage barely holding on, Wendy hopes that solitude will bring the clarity she desperately needs.

However, the reality of the cabin is far more challenging than she anticipated. Remote in every sense, it offers only intermittent power and a fireplace as the sole source of heat. As the days stretch into weeks, Wendy is forced to confront the truths she has long tried to suppress. Her isolation, coupled with the comforts she has relied on—like France’s renowned wine—only highlight the depth of her emotional struggles.

One of the novel’s most moving aspects is the friendship that develops between Wendy and the local postal delivery woman. Their bond is unexpected but profoundly life-changing, proving that help often comes from the most unlikely places. I especially loved that their connection continues even after Wendy returns home to England, reinforcing the novel’s message that healing and growth don’t happen in isolation.

Nick Alexander handles Wendy’s struggles with care and authenticity, making her journey deeply relatable. The depiction of PTSD, grief, and the emotional toll of caregiving is done with such respect that it’s impossible not to feel for Wendy. Her story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, reminding us that even when life feels like it’s falling apart, new beginnings are always possible.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars

Really enjoyed this book. I went through every range of emotions with it. Some parts I ddi find a bit slow but on the whole was an emotional read

Where Do We Go From Here offers moments that are thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring.
Wendy has struggled immensely with the grief of her mother’s illness and death, plus the harrowing experience of working as a nurse during the COVID pandemic. Wendy is an example of how the combination of trauma, social isolation and alcohol addiction lead to a downward spiral.

The outcome for Wendy and her family leaves readers with a satisfying ending. However, this novel is quite slow paced at times and the dialogue has a very rambling, ‘waffling’ feel to it.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Where Do We Go From Here is a story dealing with Covid related trauma, parenting woes, and marital problems and at the root of every problem lies alcoholism. Wendy is a nurse that Covid left feeling isolated and withdrawn from her family. Deciding to change her life, Wendy quits her job and goes to France on sabbatical alone. While in France, Wendy befriends the mail lady who is teaching Wendy French and dealing out some pretty impressive therapy while she’s at it. Denying, denying, and finally accepting, Wendy realizes she has a problem with alcohol and begins to deal with all the trauma that led her to this place in her life. Wendy is not particularly likable as the main character and I almost quit this book many times. Her family is pretty awful also but all the situations are believable in dealing with alcoholism. This story ended better than it began but I wouldn’t revisit it in the future. I found it just okay. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Well as always Nick didn't disappoint, a wonderful story with some lovely charecters, didn't want to put it down and was a bit gutted when I'd finished it, loved it, but I knew I would