I really enjoyed ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls a few years ago (although have avoided the film, as I think it would be pointless to watch it having read the book) – so I had high expectations of Us.  My only niggle of doubt was it was about 50 somethings rather than 30 somethings this time – and I thought it might be out of my reference points (being such a spring chicken!!)

Here’s the Amazon blurb:

David Nicholls brings to bear all the wit and intelligence that graced ONE DAY in this brilliant, bittersweet novel about love and family, husbands and wives, parents and children. Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2014.

‘I was looking forward to us growing old together. Me and you, growing old and dying together.’
‘Douglas, who in their right mind would look forward to that?’
Douglas Petersen understands his wife’s need to ‘rediscover herself’ now that their son is leaving home.
He just thought they’d be doing their rediscovering together.
So when Connie announces that she will be leaving, too, he resolves to make their last family holiday into the trip of a lifetime: one that will draw the three of them closer, and win the respect of his son. One that will make Connie fall in love with him all over again.
The hotels are booked, the tickets bought, the itinerary planned and printed.
What could possibly go wrong?

I have to say I really enjoyed this too!  It pretty much fills in Douglas and Connie’s life together – just not in chronological order – jumping from the current story of ‘the trip of a lifetime’ with flashbacks to other times during their marriage. It keeps you hooked right the way through – with teasers about past and future events.

I also realised I am worryingly like Douglas – hatred of glitter, having to have a plan for everything, thinking that trying to name a quiz team is more painful than a minor surgical procedure……

It doesn’t have the blow to the solar plexus ending of One Day – but still is not predictable at all.

I would really recommend this one!