So Good to See You

by Francesca Hornak

A brand new read from the author of Seven Days of Us about a disparate group of people all linked by the garden they share. A joyful, sharply observed and life-affirming family drama for fans of David Nicholls or The Lido.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Drama, Friendship, Novels, Ebooks

Paperback

Published September 6, 2018

About the author

Francesca Hornak is a British author, journalist and former columnist for the Sunday Times. Her debut novel Seven Days Of Us was published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in October 2017. Little Island Productions and Entertainment One have pre-empted TV rights to the book.

Francesca's work has appeared in newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, The Economist, The Financial Times, The Guardian, Metro, Elle, Grazia, Stylist, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Red. She is the author of two nonfiction books, History of the World in 100 Modern Objects: Middle Class Stuff (and Nonsense) and Worry with Mother: 101 Neuroses for the Modern Mama.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was okay i guess?? wasn’t boring, just not remarkable really which is sad cus the cover is so beautiful and i was expecting more from it. the premise of 30 something year olds reuniting w their uni friend group that fell out actually seemed promising but any attachment i possibly could have w the characters + their relationship w each other never really came through. maybe if more of the book was abt their younger selves and their dynamics before the falling out and if the falling out itself didn’t feel so anticlimactic there would’ve been more tension to their interactions and it would’ve felt more compelling. idk they all seemed flat and one dimensional and whatever growth they had either felt cliche or forced. also kinda annoys me how many typos there were in this like do we not proofread before publishing anymore

[jocelyn • coolgalreading · Rating 1 out of 5]

i was fooled by the cover 😭

[Silke Drevel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's enjoyable and a nice read. I liked the different layers but sometimes it was a bit too much information with different places and times (past &present) and different pov's. I also thoroughly hated Serge, didn't like his pov's and his whining. It took me out of the story every time. Especially because he is the sole person the other three pov's have problems with for most of the book. So I don't really care how he feels or what he thinks because I already feel for the other three characters.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect this to be so good!! Similar vibes as One Day with extremely well-written characters. For 5 stars I was missing a certain spark tho

[Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I can absolutely see this in a film. Like a typical Richard Curtis movie.

But whilst engaging enough, I didn’t really warm up to the characters. They are all flawed in some way, and you kinda want to root for them but you feel frustrated instead because they are incapable of communicating properly.

Interesting premise, but I wish it went somewhere with a bit more depth.

[Catherine Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First holiday read and really enjoyed it. The whole premise of the book (4 young socialites navigating the world after going to Oxford) was really up my alley and I enjoyed the different POVs offered with each chapter. Very interesting to see 4 sides of the same story and what a lack of communication can do to a group. Perspective is everything. I grew attached to some characters more than others, and whilst I liked some at the start I grew to resent them and vice versa. I found the final chapter very satisfying and it was a warming, wholesome end. My auntie Anne shoved this book into my hands as the plane landed so shout out Anne thank you for the recommendation (?) albeit a forceful one.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down - Started strong, then kind of wandered off like it forgot what it was doing. Not terrible, not amazing — just vibing in the land of “meh” - will undoubtably forget this within 24 hours

[Milly Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a load of boring nonsense

[Stacey-Leigh Jappy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was meh, only word I can summarise with. Story follows a group of old friends reuniting again for a wedding with different points of view each chapter. Light and easy read but one I will probably forget as it wasn’t memorable -2.5 stars ⭐️ (rounded up for Goodreads)

[Floor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was everything I needed and I had a lot of fun

[Ananya · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly sped through this. seen some reviews say it was lackluster but overall i think it was a good blend of humor, friendship, nostalgia, etc

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley).

I really enjoyed Francesca Hornak's first novel Seven Days of Us, which I read 8 years ago when it came out. I was surprised she never followed it up, as I thought it was a great debut. So Good to See You follows a similar plotline with a group of old friends gathering together for a wedding, necessitating several days in one another's company, and coming to terms with the past. I especially like the way she swings the point of view between all the characters, it works well narrating a scene from different perspectives (and should transpose very well to a screenplay should the need arise).

Hornak's creation is very much the Oxbridge "set" with a sprinkling of characters from privileged and humble backgrounds, most working in the film industry. The difference in upbringing leads to much of the friction between the characters, as does gender. The women in the novel very much have to operate within the constraints of its male-dominated world, although artistic licence perhaps gives the women a happier ending than the men. All the characters have made bad choices in their careers, love lives or both, and the wedding represents a chance for all of them to make peace with themselves or one another.

There are no villains, every character is treated sympathetically. They all have their flaws and their prejudices, each has their own struggle to find their true vocation in life. If you like happy, resolved endings then you'll probably like this book.

I enjoyed this book, and it's the sort of read you just want to immerse yourself in and enjoy. It's funny and places and sad in others, and it's the sort of book that stays with you for a long time. I hope we don't have to wait as long for the next one.

[Zoe Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. I felt absolutely nothing for completely vacuous characters, in the context of a story that was not at all novel, and had no 'deeper' message.

[Charlotte Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice casual read which explores the complexities of adult relationships over time, particularly how university friendships change once people start getting married, having children, experience troubles etc. Parts of the book, particularly Isla’s account of being a first time mum, were very relatable. I enjoyed how the characters weaved together and how their situations evolved, however I feel that there is nothing remarkable about the story line and it felt relatively flat, in the sense that it felt like …. nothing really happened, and the revelations were not particularly striking. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read.

[robyn naylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Challenging myself this year to write reviews for the books I read, and unfortunately I’m starting off on a bad note.

Let this be a reminder that good artwork on a cover doesn’t mean a good book! The start of the book was promising and I was thinking it could get really juicy, but it just maintained pretty mild throughout.

None of the characters were likeable so I really didn’t care for their storylines after a while. I was rooting for Isla at the start and even for her and Rosie to join forces against Serge, but no she just gave in!

Took me way too long to read this and ended up sticking the audiobook on 2X speed for the last 7 chapters just to get it over and done with!

Can only go up from here let’s hope !

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start I enjoyed this novel, exploring a uni friendship group who reunite at a wedding in south of France 15 years after their time at Oxford.
Fast paced chapters, believably messy characters, and some good commentary on class/privilege, but I I wanted more exploration of the group’s history which felt a little brushed over at times.
3.5 stars 🌟

[Mehek · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first I was like mmm idk what makes this diff from any other slow moving British character novel and then I blinked and I was completely obsessed, racing through, and needed a drink and gossip with Rosie so yes, it was so good to read this

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice reflection on friendship and the difficulty of “childhood” friendships transitioning into adult friendships.

While I enjoyed the overall story and dynamic cast of characters, the story seemed to drag on for me. However, the ending was wholesome and worth holding out for.

[Jessica Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book, don't think the "hilarious"/"funny" description was very accurate as I didn't really find any of it funny, I guess it could be considered a bit of a comedy of errors, but not overly comedic. Overall, pleasant if slightly predictable book.

[Amelia Saccomani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book that gets to the core of complex relationships, friendship and allows you to really get into each individuals dynamics / feelings / projections. I loved it!

[Brooke Buonauro · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect sugary beach read, just what the dr. ordered, etc.

[Tiegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Pretty good.

[Helen Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
An enjoyable read but it took me a while to get into it. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives across the different timeframes. The ending was very satisfying and tied up any loose ends well

[josè mcguinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid easy read. Slow paced but really enjoyable!

[Clara Dahlgren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Den var inte dålig, den var bara ett stort ok. Men kan vara att jag har läst för mycket böcker i den här stilen (tack vare Pandora Sykes).

[abi slade · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

pros ✅
- pretty cover
- loads of dialogue
- very well structured around an auspicious occasion
- there was a conversation between rosie and nate where they were talking about her alienated at boarding school and him going sober and i was reading it being like … is this play about me?
- i liked that all of the characters did and said bad things at times but i still liked them and i still empathised. like daniel and serge did some nasty stuff but i could see why
- i didn’t find the miscommunication between serge and isla frustrating like i usually would because it felt human and believable rather than just stupid

cons ❌
- i was never itching to go and read it
- i would’ve liked more flashbacks to 2004 when they were at uni together
- at first it felt like there were far too many characters
- each chapter switched who it was following, and because it was 3rd person narrative, it always felt a bit jarring jumping back and forth between characters and time period. i think if it had been 1st person narration then i wouldn’t have felt in such disarray at the start of every chapter

[Anggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how they say don’t judge a book by its cover? Well, this time doing exactly that was what actually made me decide to pick up this book. So, I’m really glad I did!

Shoutout to Mariam ElReweny (@mariamrew on Instagram) who designed the cover of the book. It is so beautiful and perfectly captures the nature of the book.

I couldn’t stop reading the book because it was so full of relatable life quandaries such as the inevitable friendship breakups, finding your way as a new adult, and having to deal with repercussions from your decisions as sooner or later they will catch up to you.

Francesca is a master at writing very relatable and realistic characters who each have their own flaws, but also some redeeming qualities. Honestly, I find myself rooting for all of them to keep growing and becoming better people at the end of their separate hero journeys.

Anyway, if you are looking for a quick, but still meaningful and fun read then please give this book a go!

[Emily Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Good To See You is an incredible feat. Hornak drew me into the catastrophe of an old university friend group reunited at a wedding in France, and I loved every minute.

Hornak's work is vibrant, at times humorous, and other times heartbreaking. Our protagonists — Rosie, Serge, and Daniel — are struggling in various ways at the beginning of the novel. Rosie is recovering from her break-up with Serge and worried about her future. Serge is in debt and navigating a trial separation with his girlfriend, the mother of his twins. Daniel is struggling with addiction, upset with Serge over a previous injustice, and raging against an elitist culture prevalent at Oxford and in the film industry.

Each of these characters has their own rich narrative and backstory, and I really enjoyed their chapters. Rosie is very likeable and I enjoyed watching her show courage and develop a backbone at the wedding festivities. Daniel's backstory is sympathetic and I really felt for the way he was treated by his more privileged peers. Although he makes many bad decisions, he is shown as a hardworking self-made creative with a lot of love for film.

Serge, on the other hand, starts off as an extremely unlikable figure. However, he miraculously semi-redeems himself and I understood his character more as the story progressed. Like Daniel, he is a good guy who makes some bad choices. Similarly, I really enjoyed chapters from the POV of Isla, his girlfriend and mother of his children. As a make-up artist raised by a single, unreliable mother, she introduced a more grounded, working-class perspective. I also appreciated how Hornak treated her struggles with motherhood with such care.

Although most of the story takes place at Caspar's wedding, there are also chapters set in the far past during the friends' time at Oxford, and some chapters are set only a couple years before the wedding in Provence. Hornak excels at making her cast of characters feel very real, known, and accessible to the reader. By the end, I felt like an imaginary guest at the wedding, and an honorary member of the friend group.

Overall, So Good To See You is a sprawling epic that takes on a multitude of povs, social issues, and timelines. Hornak's novel is entertaining, smart, and a captivating visit to the South of France with some distinctive, extraordinary characters.

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

[Rachael Stray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francesca Hornak’s So Good To See You is a compelling, multi-layered novel that deftly weaves together the lives of old friends reuniting at a wedding in the South of France.

With a richly drawn cast of characters and an insightful exploration of class, privilege, and personal struggles, the novel offers a captivating blend of drama, nostalgia, and self-discovery.

At the heart of the story are Rosie, Serge, and Daniel- three protagonists grappling with significant personal challenges.

Rosie is still reeling from her break-up with Serge while also worrying about her future.

Serge, drowning in debt, is attempting to navigate a trial separation from Isla, his fiancée and the mother of his twins.

Meanwhile, Daniel, battling addiction, harbours resentment toward Serge over a past betrayal and struggles with the elitist culture of Oxford and the film industry.

Each of these characters is given a deeply engaging narrative, making their chapters particularly absorbing.

Rosie is endearing, and her character growth - especially her increasing confidence during the wedding festivities - is immensely satisfying to witness.

Daniel’s backstory is poignant; his experiences with privilege and exclusion make him a sympathetic and complex figure.

Despite his poor choices, he remains a dedicated, self-made creative with an undeniable passion for film.

Serge, in contrast, begins as an unlikeable character, yet Hornak skillfully peels back his layers, allowing the reader to understand and even sympathise with him as the novel progresses.

Like Daniel, he is flawed but not irredeemable.

Similarly, Isla his fiancée and a working-class makeup artist; provides a grounded, refreshingly different perspective.

Her struggles with motherhood are portrayed with care and nuance, adding another emotional depth to the story. I felt like I understood Isla's struggles with identity and losing part of herself to motherhood.

Although much of the novel is set during Caspar’s wedding, Hornak enriches the narrative with flashbacks to the characters’ university days at Oxford, as well as more recent events in Provence.

This shifting timeline adds depth, revealing past relationships and tensions that continue to shape the present.

Hornak’s ability to make each character feel fully realised and accessible ensures that by the end, the reader feels like an honorary guest at the wedding, intimately connected to the friend group.

Overall, So Good To See You is a sprawling, immersive novel that balances humour, heart, and sharp social commentary.

Hornak’s writing is intelligent and compelling, offering an entertaining yet thoughtful look at love, ambition, and the enduring power of friendship. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.