Nick Alexander

She's given her daughter everything. Now it's time to give her the truth. Becky's father is not just absent: he's a mystery, a gaping hole in her past. He died before she was born and for her mother, Laura, the subject is strictly off-limits. But when Laura books an unexpected trip to Greece, Becky decides to join her, determined to get closer to her mother--and to the truth. As they make their way to the beautiful island of Santorini, it becomes clear that this holiday is not as impulsive as Becky thought. Laura's hiding something from her daughter--and she's been hiding it for as long as Becky can remember. Laura has been here before, and that last visit holds the answers to Becky's past. But Laura's memories of that first trip are tinged with pain and heartbreak, secrets she's kept buried for twenty-five years. Now, with the truth emerging into the sunlight at last, can mother and daughter lay the ghosts of their past to rest and find the happiness they've both been looking for?

You Then, Me Now

Lamia Hajani

You Then, Me Now is a tale told by two women - one mother and one daughter, both telling a story from age 23. Nick Alexander interweaves both stories towards the end of the novel when the big question is answered: who is Becky's father?

I found Laura's (the mother) chapters the most interesting and the ones I looked forward to. Becky's parts were not as compelling, which makes sense because she's not the one who holds the key to a mystery. To me, Laura came off as sympathetic and sheltered. Her response to abuse at first made sense to me, as many victims think, "It's the only time" or "It's the last time." I thought that the final few chapters told from Laura's perspective were the best pieces of writing in the entire book.

I felt that Becky's chapters were not as well-written, especially once they're in Greece. I felt like she was written as more of a 17-year-old than a 23-year-old adult. I did not feel as sympathetic towards Becky's actions as I did Laura's. 

It also seemed like the last few chapters were rushed - which could have been on purpose to give the narrative the whirlwind experience that's happening to the characters. I enjoyed how the big reveal went and how the narratives came together, and, besides feeling rushed, I couldn't put the book down during it. 

Overall, 4/5 stars! My first novel by Nick Alexander, and I doubt it will be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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You Then, Me Now

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