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His 'n' Hers
From their first meeting at the student union over a decade ago, Jim and Alison successfully navigated their way through first dates, meeting parents, moving in together and more! Then they split up and divided their worldly goods (including a sofa, a cat and their flat) into his 'n' hers. Now, three years on and with new lives and new loves, they couldn't be happier. Until a chance encounter throws them back together, and causes them to embark on a journey through their past to ask themselves the big question: where did it all go wrong, and is it too late to put it all right?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
57 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
About the author
Mike Gayle
38 books2,251 followersI was born in the 70s — the 70s were great. I would recommend them to anyone.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 14, 2021
A second romantic comedy in a row that I liked. Must be on a lucky streak although I will read something completely different now. Don't want to take the risk when it is going so well.
A very fun and sweet book. We are going through the relationship of a divorced couple starting with how they met in college to how they went to a divorce. It is done really well as it is a really fun comedy and at the same time makes one care for the characters. What I loved is that we like both of them. Both are good people and it is hard to blame anyone for it not working out.
Mike Gayle does a great job to make one feel all the different stages of their life and relationship. During their college times I could remember my own and he is great at observing different moments when one let's say moves in together or meets family. And yes he is very funny. I will sure come back to read some of his books because I really enjoyed his humor.
A very fun and sweet book. We are going through the relationship of a divorced couple starting with how they met in college to how they went to a divorce. It is done really well as it is a really fun comedy and at the same time makes one care for the characters. What I loved is that we like both of them. Both are good people and it is hard to blame anyone for it not working out.
Mike Gayle does a great job to make one feel all the different stages of their life and relationship. During their college times I could remember my own and he is great at observing different moments when one let's say moves in together or meets family. And yes he is very funny. I will sure come back to read some of his books because I really enjoyed his humor.
May 10, 2024
This book is essentially the early 2000s version of really good actually. It was weird to read almost exactly the same story so close together
September 14, 2014
His ‘n’ Hers, Mike Gayle’s fifth novel, is about Jim and Alison who met at a student union during college and later on became a couple, then got married, and got separated. Years after they separated, having had their new lovers, an incident happened and because of that incident, their new lives with their new lovers has changed.
I never got bored while I was reading the book. It was so exciting, and the events are unexpected. Unlike other love-story books, it is not a cliche one. It is just a simple read, but the story is really interesting and the way it was written is very good. It is like the book and the reader are somewhat connected.
“Love is so complicated, that is why it is love.”
I never got bored while I was reading the book. It was so exciting, and the events are unexpected. Unlike other love-story books, it is not a cliche one. It is just a simple read, but the story is really interesting and the way it was written is very good. It is like the book and the reader are somewhat connected.
“Love is so complicated, that is why it is love.”
April 1, 2025
A generous 2 stars! I really like this authors more recent books but have found his earlier writing to be quite boring. Nothing much happens in this book except a couple dissecting their relationship and why it didn’t work out the first time… no prizes for guessing how it ends
December 22, 2022
4.5 only because it took me 44 pages to get hooked
There was a lot of noise on bookstagram last year on Mike Gayle’s book, All the lonely people. I loved that British authors were getting a bigger spotlight but knew that that book was not for me (I am not into curmudgeons at all!). I had read a sample of another so knew the writing was excellent and would work for me.
I dived into this one on Saturday and finished it Monday morning before work (if not for loadshedding, would have been Sunday night).
This is a book that starts in the present time (about 14 years later) and then moves back to when Jim and Allison first met at university. We then move through the years with the two telling the story from their alternate viewpoints.
I would say this is romance without being romance. And definitely not how anything “romance” is written today which makes it a big win for me! It’s insightful, honest and comments on human behaviour in a funny and sad way. Maybe it’s because it’s a male writer but I loved reading both viewpoints to understand what the other was going through.
This is my first by the author but won’t be my last. 4.5🌟 as once I was in, I couldn’t put it down and my phone didn’t even call to me.
There was a lot of noise on bookstagram last year on Mike Gayle’s book, All the lonely people. I loved that British authors were getting a bigger spotlight but knew that that book was not for me (I am not into curmudgeons at all!). I had read a sample of another so knew the writing was excellent and would work for me.
I dived into this one on Saturday and finished it Monday morning before work (if not for loadshedding, would have been Sunday night).
This is a book that starts in the present time (about 14 years later) and then moves back to when Jim and Allison first met at university. We then move through the years with the two telling the story from their alternate viewpoints.
I would say this is romance without being romance. And definitely not how anything “romance” is written today which makes it a big win for me! It’s insightful, honest and comments on human behaviour in a funny and sad way. Maybe it’s because it’s a male writer but I loved reading both viewpoints to understand what the other was going through.
This is my first by the author but won’t be my last. 4.5🌟 as once I was in, I couldn’t put it down and my phone didn’t even call to me.
July 22, 2017
An easy read, as is all Mike Gayle stuff, and he does make some smart and hilarious observations about everyday life. I do think he has done better than this one though, the ending all seemed a bit rushed and I get the impression neither character knew what they really wanted.
November 17, 2020
I love the reviewer who said "the changing of fonts in this book for different characters - confused me" - As there were only two characters this made me smile - back to Red Book 1 for that reviewer I think (that's if you know what Red Book 1 is).
As I've previously said not all Mike Gayle books are for me but I really enjoyed this one.
Jim was her boyfriend and Alison was his girlfriend and this is the story of meeting, loving, parting and wondering if life could have gone a different way.
“In a relationship the details are everything because they remind you - just when you need to be reminded the most - why you fell in love with someone in the first place.”
― Mike Gayle, His 'N' Hers
As I've previously said not all Mike Gayle books are for me but I really enjoyed this one.
Jim was her boyfriend and Alison was his girlfriend and this is the story of meeting, loving, parting and wondering if life could have gone a different way.
“In a relationship the details are everything because they remind you - just when you need to be reminded the most - why you fell in love with someone in the first place.”
― Mike Gayle, His 'N' Hers
March 23, 2019
A gata de Allison morre e, apesar de estar de casamento marcado, decide contactar o seu ex-marido, Jim, pois a gata também lhe pertencia.
Vamos então descobrir o passado das duas personagens, sobre os seus pontos de vista, até chegamos à actualidade. Será que o amor pode voltar?
Foi uma leitura bem leve e bastante boa!
Vejam a minha opinião mais detalhada em vídeo, AQUI.
Vamos então descobrir o passado das duas personagens, sobre os seus pontos de vista, até chegamos à actualidade. Será que o amor pode voltar?
Foi uma leitura bem leve e bastante boa!
Vejam a minha opinião mais detalhada em vídeo, AQUI.
January 31, 2016
I'm not sure whether it was reading two books by this author within a month or two of each other, or whether I wasn't in the mood, but this felt disappointingly light to me. I know the author was probably not aiming to win high-brow literary prizes, but the writing style and vocabulary was somewhat simplistic - which grated at times. A book like this relies on having a funny and involving story and on making the reader identify with the characters and situations within. Whilst it did do this to some extent, much of it was predictable. I felt little joy at the happy ending, because it just made the previous three hundred pages feel like uninteresting wadding.
Read
July 30, 2011Gave up on page 97. Soooo dull and completely predictable.
April 30, 2021
I have been slowly but surely working my way through Mike Gayle's early novels in the last few months with mixed results. In general I've found them hard to engage with, especially when compared to his more recent novels. More specifically I haven't liked the lead characters or been able to connect to their story. For example, with Mr Comittment.
However, I enjoyed His 'N' Hers. The key for me was liking both Jim and Alison despite their flaws, even more I loved them together. I thought that their relationship was well captured and developed and I loved the slow layering of events and emotions which bought them together and made up their story.
The element that I didn't enjoy was their break-up. Not because it was an anti-HEA but because it came so left of field, even though we knew from the off to expect a break up at some point. It didn't stem from an event or even a series of tiny events that suddenly ignited. Literally one page they were Jim and Alison and then the next they hated each other and were splitting upand sorting their possessions into boxes. I kept re-reading the pages around this event thibking that I had missed some vital clue, but it was genuinely just so sudden and it was never properly explained, it felt like it undermined their relationship and by the end I wasn't fully in support of them anymore because I didn't trust them not to break MY heart again with their snap decisions.and sudden out of love falling.
However, I enjoyed His 'N' Hers. The key for me was liking both Jim and Alison despite their flaws, even more I loved them together. I thought that their relationship was well captured and developed and I loved the slow layering of events and emotions which bought them together and made up their story.
The element that I didn't enjoy was their break-up. Not because it was an anti-HEA but because it came so left of field, even though we knew from the off to expect a break up at some point. It didn't stem from an event or even a series of tiny events that suddenly ignited. Literally one page they were Jim and Alison and then the next they hated each other and were splitting upand sorting their possessions into boxes. I kept re-reading the pages around this event thibking that I had missed some vital clue, but it was genuinely just so sudden and it was never properly explained, it felt like it undermined their relationship and by the end I wasn't fully in support of them anymore because I didn't trust them not to break MY heart again with their snap decisions.and sudden out of love falling.
November 30, 2020
This is a cleverly observant book about the relationship of Jim and Alison. A relationship that is so realistic that I couldn't help but compare it to my own experiences. In my mind, the most visceral part of the book was when they were students; the dialogue, pretension and drunkeness of students was depicted so well, that for a while I felt thrown back into my own past. It was honestly unsettling to be placed back with my ex partner and lifestyle and for a moment it felt more powerful than my present. Mike Gayle may seem simple on the surface but his writing is powerfully transportative because of his ability to truly see nd understand people and situations!
It is structured across a decade in two narrations from the viewpoint of him and her. These narrations follows them as students who met at the SU to growing up together and splitting up. It is a book that details the mundane in such a relatable way that it becomes interesting. The milestones of relationships are met by them both and detailed throughout. It starts in 2002 and then goes back in time to detail the beginning of and the unfortunate breakdown of their relationship. It is everyone's story and you really want them to get back together.
It is structured across a decade in two narrations from the viewpoint of him and her. These narrations follows them as students who met at the SU to growing up together and splitting up. It is a book that details the mundane in such a relatable way that it becomes interesting. The milestones of relationships are met by them both and detailed throughout. It starts in 2002 and then goes back in time to detail the beginning of and the unfortunate breakdown of their relationship. It is everyone's story and you really want them to get back together.
October 9, 2023
This is my third Mike Gayle book and I am beginning to think of him as an author to go to when I want a read that is full of observations and character that are easy to connect with. We meet Jim and Alison in 2003 when a chance event throws them back together for the first time in 4 years and then we go back to 1989 to their first meeting at Birmingham University and their relationship back to 2003. They were such an easy couple to like and as I went to university in Birmingham, I was almost transported back to my student years, so many situations and places were familiar. We see their relationship through their own alternate perspectives, their first dates, meeting the parents, moving in together - and then splitting up. As I said this pair are relatable and Mike Gayle is brilliant at observing situations and people and then putting it down on paper. Mundane, boring activities seem to be interesting because they are described in such a way that we can recognise them - we've all been there. There is romance, there is humour, I really enjoyed it and I'm so pleased there are other Mike Gayle books to pick up.
August 3, 2023
The perfect book to finish on Valentine’s Day as so many of the parts throughout are all linked with it. I absolutely loved this one. Starting off and finishing in thr present with the Bulk being the whole love story. I loved both Jim and Alison and their whole story. I felt it could have been more nuanced if it was sort of like La La land with a story not ending up together, but just being appreciative of all that was. However, I still really enjoyed it as is. I liked all the little character traits of both leads, as well as the recurring characters, although it was a very focused story on the two of them. God I felt funny about the Damon stuff tho. Overall, really really enjoyable. I think possibly more so than my legendary girlfriend!
March 30, 2018
I read this book earlier last year as it was a charity shop book which was gathering dust on my shelves.. But has turned into one of my favourite books that I'm happy to read again and again. This is the second time reading it, the plot is really gripping, sad in some parts, but has a positive outcome overall.This is kind of similar to The Versions of Us or One Day in a sense that it records a relationship over a long period of time and shows the phases between Alison and Jim, and what they choose to do moving forward . What I also particularly enjoy is that this is an easy read, and you can easily get through 20 pages at least in one sitting.
April 4, 2022
I am an old romantic Fella, my Favourite film is Casablanca. So Mike's books are great for me, the others I have read are I feel Bromances, this one is pure romance. I thought it should have ended a chapter earlier leaving us hanging as to what happened, but that would not pleased a lot of readers.
I liked the typeface changing for the male / Female lead characters. The only slight annoyance I had was rechecking dates, but that is more to do with reading a Kindle than a proper book [A proper book distracts my Wife's sleep as I often read in the middle of the night].
I liked the typeface changing for the male / Female lead characters. The only slight annoyance I had was rechecking dates, but that is more to do with reading a Kindle than a proper book [A proper book distracts my Wife's sleep as I often read in the middle of the night].
August 15, 2022
loved it but with reservations
Mike Gayle’s characters are great. Not fairy tale perfect but real world lovable. But what I found difficult and the reason I docked a star from the rating was the book’s structure. The hooking of pov changes onto specific times and dates became tedious, distracting, and strangely intrusive, so that I became increasingly irritated by it as I progressed through the book. Nevertheless, it was worth putting up with this style for the lovely heartwarming ending, and I recommend this book.
Mike Gayle’s characters are great. Not fairy tale perfect but real world lovable. But what I found difficult and the reason I docked a star from the rating was the book’s structure. The hooking of pov changes onto specific times and dates became tedious, distracting, and strangely intrusive, so that I became increasingly irritated by it as I progressed through the book. Nevertheless, it was worth putting up with this style for the lovely heartwarming ending, and I recommend this book.
August 4, 2020
Another good book from Mike Gayle. It took me a while to get into as I had to get my head around who was who. I didn't know if I was going to like it but once I got into it, it was good. I loved that it was set in Birmingham as I'm originally from there and some of my family still live there. The characters even lived on the same road in Selly Oak that some of my relatives used to live on! It was relatable for that reason and also because like the main characters, I met my husband at uni.
January 3, 2021
Out of all the Mike Gayle books I’ve read (3 before this one and 3 waiting to be read) this is by far the worst one :(. The storyline and characters I didn’t connect with like the others. For me, all this story did was show a man take take take from a relationship, leave the relationship suddenly then end up coming back to her! It wasn’t a love story. It was disappointing and I didn’t like the male character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2022
I hadn’t read a Mike Gayle book in years and finally read this one. It was more over the top chick-lit in nature than I had remembered. Rated one star up for nostalgia. Same lovely easy to read writing style. This one was a lot of empty mental calories and full of artificial sweetener, but it did make me wonder what he’s been up to more recently. Hopefully I’ll come across a newer one at some point. The list book is still my favourite.
June 26, 2022
Mike Gayle's stories are a little predictable and not strikingly original but I always enjoy them because his characters are so relatable. The story of Jim and Alison's 'where did it all go wrong' relationship is classic romantic comedy. He perfectly captures student life and the challenges of transitioning to becoming a sensible working adult. A perfect holiday read.
September 23, 2023
This one's so relatable given my situation right now. You really couldn't commit to someone if you're not willing to give your 100% to them ✨ I think Jim and Alison became the best version of themselves after the separation. I believe sometimes, being apart is what a couple needed to really know what their hearts truly desire. 💖
July 23, 2017
I picked this book up at the thrift shop for 50 cents. An absolute bargain. I really enjoyed this book and I flew through it. I found it to be an easy, fun and enjoyable summer read and would definitely recommend it to a friend.
November 11, 2018
A lovely book, that I thoroughly enjoyed. The path of true love never runs smooth and Jim and Alison are proof of that!
I thought the story was humorous but also very real and their relationship had many real life faults.
I’m glad that they made their way back to each other
I thought the story was humorous but also very real and their relationship had many real life faults.
I’m glad that they made their way back to each other
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2020
Couldn't get into this one, mainly because of the writing style, different fonts for different characters I found it confusing. Read the first 50 pages, flicked to the end... nice ending.. bit of a disappointment as I have enjoyed other books by this author.
October 15, 2020
His' n' Hers (2004)
Come una coppia apparentemente perfetta può arrivare a separarsi (colpa delle ristrutturazioni e degli uomini che non esternano) e poi (forse) ritrovarsi. Carino, anche se non originalissimo, il punto di vista doppio e bravo Gayle in un genere di solito femminile.
Come una coppia apparentemente perfetta può arrivare a separarsi (colpa delle ristrutturazioni e degli uomini che non esternano) e poi (forse) ritrovarsi. Carino, anche se non originalissimo, il punto di vista doppio e bravo Gayle in un genere di solito femminile.
July 20, 2022
Nice easy read. Told from both male and female perspectives. Story of their relationship spanning 15 years. Beginning with them meeting in university fresher week. Both likeable characters. Their relationship proceeds well until the chap has an early midlife crisis.
March 23, 2023
Highly enjoyable story of Jim and Alison who, divorced, get flung together again after a sad event and the reader gets to go back through their lives to how they are where they are now. Witty and affectionate.
April 5, 2023
Jim and Alison met at uni. Fell in love, moved in together and got married.... then divorced. A few years after going separate ways and meeting new people, their paths cross when the vet calls!
I great book, I couldn't put it down. Some parts are funny and some are sad. I really felt for the characters and wanted them to work it out.....
I great book, I couldn't put it down. Some parts are funny and some are sad. I really felt for the characters and wanted them to work it out.....
June 12, 2024
The second Mike Gayle book I've read and this was even more enjoyable than the first one. He's great on the ups and downs of relationships. He slightly lost me towards the end but that's a minor quibble as it stayed interesting up to then and it came good again at the very end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews