The Reluctant Expat: Part One - Surprised by Spain

The Reluctant Expat #1

by Alan Laycock

THE RELUCTANT EXPAT is Alan Laycock’s light-hearted account of his transition to life in a new country.Alan has no desire to move to Spain, but his sister Cathy and brother-in-law Bernie are going regardless, so he decides to tag along. Despite his initial pessimism, he soon sees that life in their new home has more to offer than he first suspected, and by befriending a pair of local oldies he finds surprising new opportunities opening up to him. A coin dealer by trade and an idler by nature, his new, dynamic attitude surprises Cathy, Bernie and, most of all, himself, as he gets to grips with the language, tries out new activities and embraces the outdoor life. When the bar in the nearby village is reopened by two enterprising ladies, he also begins to realise that bachelorhood may not be his destiny after all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spain, Travel

213 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2018

Reviews

[Barry O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny account of expat in Spain

I enjoyed reading Alan's tale of being forced to become an expat. It's great how he becomes integrated into society so quickly and tries hard with the language and locals. As an expat in Seville I know how hard it can be.

Looking forward to the next book to see if he gets even more involved with the culture (especially of the female type).

[Vicky Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable easy read

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do have a tendency to read a lot of the ex-pat/move abroad genre books and the majority of them I like a lot. I loved this one. So much so that I bought his next 3 books in the series this morning. The story moves along and he really integrates himself into the community. I wonder about his relationships with the people whose secrets he has divulged. Are they still friends?!

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than I thought!

After the first few pages I thought "Going to detest his sister if she thinks she doesn't need to learn Spanish or integrate", but thankfully her attitude swiftly changed and they all made such an effort. Enjoyable, easy read. Will probably read part 2.

[mrs c a hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Really brilliant book enjoyed it imensly it lifts your spirits and shows the experience of living in Spain recommend others to read this book you won't be dissappionted

[Rita Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read for siestas. Going to download part 2 straightaway. I love in Monova r so I think the author lives near Pinoso, cos he mentioned Fortuna, Yecla, Elda, La Romana and Elche.

A great read for afternoon .siestas. Going to order part 2 straightaway.
I think the trio live in a hamlet near Pinoso, cos nearby towns of Yecla, Fortuna, La Romana and Elda are all mentioned.
I live in Monovar so felt very comfortable reading about this area which comes across as authentic to me.

[John Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, light hearted, read.

This was an enjoyable tale of ex-pats building a new life for themselves in rural Spain. An idyllic picture was painted and the story was both pleasant to read and quite amusing. Personally, I like my comedy more gritty but this made a pleasant change.

[JoJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this as an Amazon prime read, and as the selection is normally pretty poor I wasn't expecting much. However, it proved to be an enjoyable read and a little different from most 'I went abroad' novels in focusing on the older generation.

[Clive Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving from uk to Spain

Really enjoyed reading about Alan, Cathy and Bernie's move to Spain.
Alan blossoms learning Spanish and becoming friends with the locals.
Worth reading have to read part to now

[Irene Moyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

A quick, light read. I love the quirky book and its humor. Get there is some substance there, too. Learning Spanish, making changes, embracing a new life. I am off now to buy his next book.

[Lisa Overman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected and Enjoyable

The once reluctant expat has many adventures. He brings his readers into his everyday Spanish experiences, and shares his growing interest in the country, and its countrymen.

[Sandra Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Alan's adventures in Spain - from the point where he really did not want to move to Spain with his sister and her husband, to the point where he became a changed man (for the better), meeting new friends and having new experiences in a new country. You could see him really grow as a person and become happier and more at peace with himself as well. It was also interesting to get a glimpse of the Spanish people and how the live. Alan made a choice to make the best of the move and fully dive into the Spanish life. I enjoyed watching him do so!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this much better than I expected to. Although Alan was reluctant to go to live in Spain at first (he moved there with his sister and brother-in-law with whom he had been living in England), he almost immediately plunged into the local culture, working on his Spanish proficiency, and going to the local bars more than the ones catering to expats. He has a humorous writing style which is entertaining and easy to read. I will be moving on to part 2 soon. 3.5 stars

[Kenny Parris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off interesting with the planning and eventual move to Spain, reading all the adjustments they had to make and about the culture. As it went on though, about 30% of the way through, it got extremely repetitive and dry. From him working odd jobs, to his brother's obsession with cars, to his sister's judgment of him, it was kind of boring. It only got interesting again in the parts where he had a love interest at the bar.

[Jez Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read

Bought as was only 99p and looked a light read and included my interest about moving abroad. Been in my library a while bur as I’m on holiday decided to give it a go.
Glad I did, read through it quickly and enjoyed it so much already bought following three books.
Fun to read with great commentary about the people in the book, really get to know them.

[Rodney Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, Witty Read

Saw this in my suggested books and thought I'd give it a try since the price was right. The author us fun to read, and his account makes one want to pick uo and move to the Spanish countryside. I am looking forward to the sequel as this one ends suddenly, but overall a great read.

[Michael O'Keane]

Very enjoyable easy reading and witty book
Many of us dream of retiring abroad but it does not always mean you spend your time lazing by the pool
Work and play go well together even more so when the sun shines and there are some other expat's around but not too many
Ideal holiday read
Treat yourself

[Michael Hyndman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good story of a newbie in Spain

Loved this story of how a 50 year old confirmed bachelor was reluctantly dragged with his sister and brother in law to their Spanish retirement. Well written. An easy read. I’m just about to start the sequel!

[Eric Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Into.

Very enjoyable start to a series. Characters a plenty. Humorous and informative , particularly the new language learning. Anyone who has visited non touristy Spain would enjoy this.

[Christy Olesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. I liked how the author blossomed after moving from England to Spain. I'm impressed how he immersed himself in the local culture when a lot of expats hang out with their own kind and seem afraid to mingle with the local culture.

[Terry Lynn Corsello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, he starts out kinda grouchy.

I thought he might be a drag, but he lightens up and actually has a good outlook on living authentically. Interesting , breezy read. Headed to part two. I'd be interested in more depictions of the trees, and grasses, views .

[Nanette Fandino-Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan reluctantly relocates to Spain when his sister and brother-in-law retire. He decides to embrace the experience, learning the language, meeting locals, making friends. I am envious of his opportunity.

[carol taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spain

Looking forward to the next installment this was a funny read I enjoyed it hoping he finds life in Spain enjoyable

[karl walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

A great book,it flowed very nicely. Very entertaining.I'm just about to start book 2 and looking forward to it immensely.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant and easy read. I've already downloaded parts 2; 3 and 4 and am looking forwards to reading them.

[Fred Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spain,,, aaaah Spain

A delightful little book, reminiscent of that one on Provence. Quite well written, looking forward to reading the next one.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Alan's writing style and the interaction between his characters. Excellent read.

[Anne C Kerrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love to read real stories. A nice chsnge'

O very much love to read real stories but the author very little cautious in writing his feelings in the story but guess an older Brit.

[Alexander Gusak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishing lifelike, decently British and enormously Spanish by spirit. Enjoyed a lot, looking forward to reading the second part.

[Roberta Hofmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a very good writer. His language is very amusing and the events are very amusing. I enjoyed the book, and I am a hard judge of books.