It is surprising that this novel was Brookfield's debut novel writing about a season in life she can't know anything about. I do, though. I know how lonely and long days can seem when the children have left. The problem is that our heroine is acting out in a way I can't relate to and her manipulative manners are hard to digest.

On the day that her youngest child leaves home, Alice Hatton discovers two disturbing truths in a matter of hours. The Empty Nest cliche is absolutely true, and she does not love her husband Peter at all. Horrified at spending another thirty years with Peter in their North London suburb, Alice embarks on a dubious course of self-fulfillment. When she must cope with loss for a second time, she discovers what even the most respectable woman can be capable of.

Set in the 1980s. Alice is in her fifties when her last child, Robin, leaves home. Alice doesn't know what to do with herself now that she has no purpose in life. So, Alice has an affair. With Christmas looming, robin returns home, and tells Alice her secret. Now, Alice feels she has something to look forward toas she and her husband drift further apart.

This is an enjoyable read but I did not like Alice at all. I couldn't even feel any sympathy for her and her predicament. This book was first published in 1989.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #AmandaBrookfield for my ARC of #AliceAlone in exchange for an honest review.

It’s the late 80’s and Alice is coming to terms with an empty nest after her youngest daughter leaves home and Alice is left with endless days ahead of her with not much purpose. She then embarks on a secret life of affairs, bringing excitement into her life.

Peter, Alice’s husband, has dreams about one of his employees. It’s his escape from his loveless marriage.

I don’t agree much with Alice, as far as what she does in the end, but it’s the 80’s and that’s what we did, sweeping it under the carpet.

I found the writing to be amazing, but the story to be boring.

Much thanks to the publisher, Author and NetGalley for the chance to read in exchange for an honest review.

A poignant book about an empty nester who is set adrift when her youngest child leaves home. It felt a bit dated which made sense when I realised it was a re-release of an old book. An easy read but not one of her best.

This is a fantastic book about what life is like when the last of the children who have always needed you leave home and you feel redundant. I was totally engrossed from page one. A real page turner where I was unsure of the outcome until the last page. Alice Hatton is totally lost when youngest child leaves home and realised that empty nest syndrome is very much a real thing. The story then follows Alice as she tries to find herself again. A very honest and thought provoking that really looks at human nature, relationships and also friendships for women in the age bracket of 50+ I liked the fact that it also touched on how her husband dealt with it all. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This felt like a book of two halves - the first was 50-something Alice coming to terms with an empty nest after her youngest daughter Robin leaves home and Alice is left with endless days ahead of her with no substance. She realises that she no longer loves her husband and so embarks on a different, secret life which brings excitement and love back into her life.

The second half of the book is set around when Christmas when Robin returns home for the festive season but and never leaves and life takes a different twist and turn for Alice
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Set in the 80s this feels like a book of its time - although Alice is in her 50s the way she is described she seems a lot older and quite dowdy and as I'm a woman in my 50s I hope to god, I'm nothing like her!

I didn't like her as a character, she came across as being really spoilt and selfish and even her daughter Robin seemed to be quite similar in personality.

I always am intrigued by the cover or storylines of this author, but this may be the first book I have finished by her. I find that this storyline engaging, leading me to want to find out what happens, but I notice she leaves a lot up in the air and I feel incomplete by it. Please note this review may contain some spoilers but I needed to write what I understood in order to share where I felt off.
We have a story about a couple facing empty nest syndrome. Alice’s youngest child moves out and Alice struggles with finding herself and going through almost a midlife crisis; simple changes in her life like dying her hair is something unusual for her, and I recall minute details which are unclear, such as the friend who laughs about it thinking it looks funny. I don't get the friendship if these people are so mean. The relationship Alice has with her husband is even more odd, the two do not connect and Alice has a fling which leads her even more distant from her husband, who also is having an affair. It sounds like both do not find happiness even in their affairs and yet neither know about the other's affair.
The final part of the story has to do with their youngest child returning home finding out that she is pregnant and the parents decide what is the best course of action for their future grandchild, removing the decision from the daughter. The decision ultimately leads Alice to find her purpose in life.
Each character struggles with their own issues independently and I do not feel any connection with the relationships to deepen the storyline.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books!

This book was originally published in the 80s.

Alice's last child has left the nest! She realizes she isn't in love with her husband anymore.

There's a lot in this book as Alice tries to figure out her life. It does feel dated at times (a cell phone would have made certain things easier), and I thought Alice was written a lot older than she actually was. It's not a bad book, but I had a hard time rooting for Alice. I think it was written like that though since she is doing things for herself and discovering her life in this new phase. It comes off at selfish at times, and I'm wondering if that was the intent of the author.

A poignant and intriguing exploration of human emotion, longing and loss. Set in the eighties, a thought-provoking reminder of the role of women and mothers and the loss of self that can develop over the course of life. Beautifully written, perceptive and sharp, you see Alice making dubious and out-of-character decisions in an attempt to regain what she feels she has lost over the years. A very beautiful and thought-provoking read.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
What an intriguing book! After years of raising her children- the last one leaves home. Alice is so lost and realizes she doesn’t love her husband. With many empty hours she decides she must find herself and a new life.
She wanders around and ends up having a one night stand and then an affair. Will this last? Will this bring happiness?
And then the shock of her daughter moving home pregnant . Anna’s life becomes full again - but what will happen if her daughter and baby leave?

Alice Alone
by Amanda Brookfield
On the day that her youngest child leaves home, Alice Hatton discovers two disturbing truths in a matter of hours.
The Empty Nest cliche is true.

And she does not love her husband Peter at all.

This was a pretty good book. Poignant. Made a 50-year-old sound ancient. With so many family problems, I did feel for Alice.
I guess when my son went off to I felt now what. But at 65 I found my way with my husband intact.

A poignant relatable read for any middle aged woman!
Empty nest syndrome, menopause, a loss of purpose and falling out of love with your significant other!
We all deal differently with life events and Alice is no exception, once her youngest leaves home Alice has a revelation that there must be more to life now she is no longer needed as a parent at home, her relationship with her husband is stilted and stale so being adventurous and spontaneous she embarks on extra marital activities and starts to feel rejuvenated and with purpose!
As Alice and her husband drift further apart, Xmas looms ever closer,Alice is dreading Xmas and all it entails but after a surprise disclosure from her youngest daughter suddenly Alice has a purpose in life once more as she is needed once again!
Although rather dated I really enjoyed this book and felt it was a very real reflection of middle age!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. Things change, but for many women things stay the same. This is a thought provoking book.

I found this a hard book to read, not easy to get into the storyline or gel with the characters and for me, personally it was a bit too sad and I ended up feeling sorry for Alice.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Set in 1986, Alice lives with her husband Peter. Her last grown child has just flown the nest and Alice is at rather a loss. She has spent all her years looking after the three children and also Peter who struggles to find even the sugar in the kitchen and whom she realises she probably doesn't even like let alone love. Being invited to what she anticipates as rather a dull dinner party she gets her hair dyed. The next morning, she refuses to get out of bed as she usually does to make Peter's breakfast, being fed up with being defined as the wife, the mother- anything but her own self. What transpires awakens Alice and she even surprises herself.
I enjoyed this, it's very much a story of the era. For those that perhaps didn’t live through it, yes times were different in lots of ways. Although women worked they were rather under valued at times and in different professions. Misogyny was alive and kicking as were several things we women would rather forget. I mention these as they are a part of the story and the era. Peter having a few glasses of something and then driving would be something we are horrified about now but sadly then it happened far more often than it should- which is why things have changed since.

A story of realising and trying to be yourself, which isn't always easy given circumstances.. A read of an era and a woman's choice.


#blogtour

The empty nest…love and romance…family…friends…intrigue..this book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. The main character is facing an empty nest and realizes she does not love her husband…in her fifties, what does life mean to her? Goals? Dreams? Happiness or not? This story is unusual…most women facing this dilemma do not go out and start such a life…