Reviews

Original, deftly crafted, well-defined characters immersed in an inherently fascinating and engaging storyline, "Jessica" by Nicholas Hill is an extraordinary novel that is lifted to an impressive level of extraordinary excellence by the author's natural flair for the kind of entertaining storytelling style that produces a compulsive page-turner literary experience for the reader. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Jessica" from Book Guild Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

 

A good story and an easy read. Perfect for a day at the beach or a lazy afternoon at home.

Jessica is both light-hearted and thought-provoking, balancing emotional weight with moments of refreshing candor. Hill poses profound questions about our responsibilities to our past and the challenges of discerning what we truly want from life. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to blend commercial fiction’s accessibility with a nuanced exploration of the human condition, making it an enjoyable and impactful read.

For readers seeking a gripping story that doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, Jessica is a standout. Nicholas Hill has crafted a tender, provocative novel that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that the past is never truly gone—and that honesty, however painful, is the only way forward.

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed the characters and situations that happened.
Look forward to reading the next book by this author.

Amazon: 20 April 2025. Verified Purchase.

I was surprised at how the plot developed and by some of the strong adult themes. Now I know what to expect, I want to read Jessica again.

I thoroughly enjoyed racing through the pages of Jessica, an engaging romp in the style of Jilly Cooper.  

Nicholas Hill’s novel Jessica is a gripping and thought-provoking story about family secrets, hidden truths, and the unexpected ways the past can come back to haunt us. What makes it stand out is how it tackles tricky subjects like sex work, power dynamics, and personal identity with a sensitive and thoughtful approach.

I got to chapter 8 of your new book on the train back out to deepest Buckinghamshire last night, and I’m hooked!

An easy, engaging and enjoyable read, Jessica takes the reader on a light-hearted exploration of love, life, naivety and the human condition, navigating family and relationships with warmth and refreshing honesty. Posing plenty of questions about our responsibility to our pasts and poignantly depicting the everyday difficulties of discerning what we truly want from life, Jessica is an accessible and personable work of commercial fiction.

Such a well-crafted novel, compelling enough to pull you through and a very quick read. I enjoyed it so much from the first page till the end. A good story like this needs a quiet afternoon, a sofa and a warm blanket.

I enjoyed reading this well-written book. Once you start reading, it is hard to put down as you can't wait to find out what happens to the main character, Simon, and his family and friends.

A sequel would be good!

However, I can't wait to read the next novel from this author.

This review also appears on Amazon.

"Nicholas Hill can clearly construct a story." Ben Dutton, Goodreads.

"I requested this book as I liked the look of the cover, and the title intrigued me. I really enjoyed it. I would never normally have chosen a book that involved a car garage business; however, I’m glad that I did!" Sian Reads, Goodreads.

"This was well written." Dominique H, NetGalley.

"Great book. Thoroughly recommend."  Jane Easton, Director-General, English-Speaking Union.

"Such a well-crafted novel, compelling enough to pull you through and very quick read. I enjoyed it so much from the first page till the end. A good story like this needs a quiet afternoon, a sofa and a warm blanket."  Reviewer 823951, NetGalley