All the Hopeful Lovers

'Nicholson is a subtle and addictive writer who deserves to be a household name . . . [with] his remarkable eye for detail and for the weaknesses of human nature' Observer

This is our own familiar world rendered pacy, funny, emotionally on the button and hugely entertaining.

Belinda wistfully reflects how much better at sex she is now than when she was in her twenties. She's thought about taking a lover, but ultimately could never do that to her husband Tom. So imagine her despair when she discovers he's having an affair...

And what about Tom, and his lover Meg? It's not easy for them either. Alongside this knot of middle-aged lovers is a tangle of younger ones, as Belinda's flirty daughter Chloe tries to set up Jack with shy Alice, without realizing that Jack actually has a crush on her.

Nicholson casts an unflinching eye on men's attitude to sex, on women, love and family life.

“'You'll love it ... so intimate, so socially spot on. Nicholson writes beautifully about love, tear-jerkingly well about parents and children' Wendy Holden, Daily Mail.”

William Nicholson writes so well about love ... It's a comfortable scenario, yet heaving with emotion and yearning ... as we all do Daily Express
You'll love it ... so intimate, so socially spot on. Nicholson writes beautifully about love, tear-jerkingly well about parents and children Daily Mail
It's the simply truthfulness of his portrayal of men and women's emotional and sexual lives that will surely earn Nicholson another batch of happy readers Daily Telegraph
Nicholson is a subtle and addictive writer who deserves to be a household name ... [with] his remarkable eye for detail and for the weaknesses of human nature -- Observer
Nicholson's great strength lies in his ability to make the reader understand and care about his characters ... He is particularly concerned with morality and love, subjects that have inspired all great novelists. It is a joy to find a contemporary writer passionately engaged with both -- Elizabeth Jane Howard
Nicholson is a masterly writer -- Scotsman
Nicholson is excellent at dialogue and his eye for period detail is almost as good -- Spectator

William Nicholson grew up in Sussex and was educated at Downside School and Christ's College, Cambridge. His plays for television include Shadowlands and Life Story, both of which won the BAFTA Best Television Drama award of their year. His first play, an adaptation of Shadowlands for stage, was Evening Standard's Best Play of 1990. He was co-writer on the film Gladiator, and his film writing credits include Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Les Miserables and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He is married with three children and lives in Sussex. Visit his website at

Belinda reflects how much better at sex she is now than when she was younger. A lover would be nice but she'd never be unfaithful to her husband Tom. So when she discovers he's having an affair, she's more than angry. The seven days following her discovery see her through a rollercoaster of highs and mostly lows. Bt when she looks around her, she sees that she's not the only one who's having a bumpy ride.

Belinda wistfully reflects how much better at sex she is now than when she was in her twenties. She's thought about taking a lover, but ultimately could never do that to her husband Tom. So imagine her despair when she discovers he's having an affair... And what about Tom, and his lover Meg? It's not easy for them either. Alongside this knot of middle-aged lovers is a tangle of younger ones, as Belinda's flirty daughter Chloe tries to set up Jack with shy Alice, without realizing that Jack actually has a crush on her. Nicholson casts an unflinching eye on men's attitude to sex, on women, love and family life. This is our own familiar world rendered pacy, funny, emotionally on the button and hugely entertaining.

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