In This Life We Sing

by Nick Alexander

Three generations of women. One mysterious phone call that could change everything.

Claire has always been the one who holds things together — for her mother, slipping further away each day; for her brother, always just one bad decision away from falling; for a family shaped by a father whose endless cruelty no one has ever dared name.

Then, on a cold afternoon on Pendle Hill, her phone connects to a number that shouldn't exist.
Is she losing her mind? Or has she been given something impossible: a chance to give her mother the life she was always meant to have, even if it means losing her own?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Couldn’t put it down… As compelling as a thriller.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”One of the best books I’ve ever read.“
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A beautiful and heart-stopping love story too!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "At one point I found it impossible to breathe!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Will melt your heart, fill you with hope, and maybe even make you believe in magic!"

Free with Kindle Unlimited

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2026

About the author

My novels:

In This Life We Sing (2026)

A Little Bit of Sunshine (2025)

Where Do We Go From Here (2024)

The Imperfection of Us (2023)

Perfectly Ordinary People (2022)

From Something Old (2021)

The Road to Zoe (2020)

You Then, Me Now (2019)

Things We Never Said (2017)

The Bottle of Tears (2016) (also published as Let the Light Shine).

The Other Son (2015)

The Photographer's Wife (2014)

Two novels featuring Hannah:
- The Half-Life of Hannah.
- Other Halves (Dec 2013)

Two novels featuring CC:
- The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend
- The French House (May 2013)

The Fifty Reasons Series, following the life of lovelorn Mark
- 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye
- Sottopassaggio
- Good Thing, Bad Thing
- Better Than Easy
- Sleight Of Hand

And the standalone novel
- 13:55 Eastern Standard Time

The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend, The French House, and The Half-Life of Hannah have all been huge kindle hits, reaching number #1 in Amazon's kindle chart.

I live in the southern French Alps with three mogs (Mangui, Pastel & Pedro) and a very special ferret.

Reviews

[Penny]

One I wished I hadn’t read

I’m not really sure about the point of this story…it felt like it was a heavy drama and then the last chapter was in total contrast to the rest of the story…almost too convoluted.
I usually love Nick Alexander but it’s a no from me.

[Lois Thomson]

2.5

[Gertrude]

I usually love Nick Alexander and was looking forward to reading this. However thought it a bit silly. Some interesting story lines. Eg domestic abuse in the 1960’s. But spent quite a bit of the book trying to think where it was leading. Then with 10% to go realised where we were being lead and suddenly it all felt rather silly. Disappointed

[Tina J]

A love story with a difference that you will not want to miss!

It's no secret that I absolute adore Nick Alexander's books. I know I'm fangirling but it is so true! His latest novel tells a very special tale of a family of women.

Nick has a unique way of writing. His story unfolds through the conversations held between his characters. Some are hard to listen to, especially the domestic abuse story, which left me emotionally drained. This is such an integral part of the story and I really appreciate how much sensitivity, knowledge and intelligence was shown in these chapters. My heart broke for these women, not once, but many times and what they went through and how they coped left an impression that will haunt me for months to come.

Mr Alexander, I have to say, that at one point in your story I actually found it impossible to breathe!! That is how a twist should be done!

This author literally takes a blank canvas and paints a scene so vividly that I am instantly transported straight into the middle of either a beautiful villa in the South of France, or back to the austere 1970s.

This is a beautiful and heart-stopping love story. One that will melt your heart, fill you with hope, and maybe even make you believe in magic!

Or, is science at play?

What more can I say, except don't miss out, grab this book NOW!!

[danielle robinson]

Another masterpiece

Ok so I'm trying to reflect on this one as the individuality it deserves, yes, however.... After reading all of Nick's work so far, I can't help but share the different feel of this work, a surprising topic that at first navigated me away from the voice of the book, which I adore and admire so very much. I won't go into detail as to keep it for future readers, of which I'm sure there are many!
I'm in the room with each character, as Nick places me in every time, almost as though I can feel not only the environment but the physicality of what the character is experiencing. There are moments of anxiety, a heavy heart, joy, hope and anticipation (good and bad)
Each book has brought projection of my own experiences, and this one didn't fail also. The underlying storyline is a heavy, devastating subject, one I've needed to blink away in moments. That is testament to the talent of Nick Alexander, he gives a voice to all experienced topics he writes so incredibly.
In all honesty, I felt the last few pages kind of fell off the edge of a huge hill, I now get why but I'd have loved to have heard more from Sally.
Thank you for another masterpiece, no pressure but already looking forward to your next.

[Liz]

In This Life We Sing covers the effects of domestic abuse on three generations of women; Betty, Sally and Claire. Such a harrowing story told from the point of view of Sally in the past and present but also by her daughter Claire now. After a visit accompanying Sally to a hospital appointment Claire tries to piece together what her Mother actually went through during her teenage years spent with a coercive and abusive father and later what happened in their own family. To some extent, Claire has been protected from this knowledge but as she speaks to her older brother and her uncle she starts to get a better picture of all these relationships and realises the need to help Sally.
The characters of Sally and Claire came alive on the page and as a reader I became a part of their every traumatic lives.
But what if these lives had been different because at various stages of Sally’s life escape was actually possible had she been supported by her mother Betty? This made the story all the more poignant.
I really felt immersed in this story, it’s so well written and all that I would expect from Nick Alexander having read many of his books.

[Graham Humpage]

An exceptional story of an ordinary north west family coming to terms with the hidden differing values of post sixties life - behind closed doors. The trauma of young love, hopeful dreams and paternal control in a changing society and world. Not an easy read but lots of ups and downs that will bring back memories for those that lived this working class life and suffered in their efforts to simply do better whilst striving not to seem above their station. Not the normal Nick A.

[Fiona Marzella]

Another winner!

Great story and characters, brought to life in this gritty, compelling new novel by Nick Alexander. Some parts were difficult to read because of the domestic abuse storyline, but I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down. As always, I’m left wishing the book hadn’t ended. Great cover too!!

[Maureen Kennett]

Absolutely brilliant 👏 I was captured by this story from start to finish and everything in-between. I very rarely write reviews but for this fabulous book I just had to. 💯 recommend this book, I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days. I now wish I hadn't read it so fast so I could savour it. Enjoy...I know this is one book I will come back and read again.

[Jennifer Becker Rausi]

Unusual

Loved the book. Always a good read from Nick Alexander and this is not an exceptio. An unusual turn at the end of the book.

[Pauline]

compelling and unexpected !

Another quality read from Nick Alexander, in depth characters, evocative descriptions, and totally unexpected ending! I loved it Thankyou Nick

[Kitty]

Normally this author is an auto-buy but I can't condone using AI generated images.

[Kari Hoddeson]

Easy, quick read. Neat concept but felt a little weird. 3.5 stars

[TMSowry]

Another exceptional read

Read everyone of Nicks books and this is one of the best.
Great plot good characters and so so believable

[Melanie]

This was a strange story. It was a tough read with all the domestic violence.

[June Selby]

Excellent read. Quite different but very enjoyable

[sherrell winder]

Fabulous

I came across this book purely by chance. I am so glad I did . I really enjoyed reading it and such a different story. Amazing!

[Cathy]

Parallel universes. Generational domestic abuse.

[Natalie]

I really loved this one and was completely hooked trying to piece together the past and work out what had happened. I definitely didn't see the twist coming!
I loved about 90% of the book, but the reveal left me a little confused and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I did love seeing where everyone's lives ended up in the epilogue though. Overall, such an enjoyable read and one I couldn't put down.