How do you follow the success of 'One Day'? Nicholls' last book was a word-of-mouth phenomenon which was turned into a popular film and meant that the author, on publicity tours, seemed completely bewildered by the attention and almost paralysed from writing again for fear of not matching everyone's expectations.

Well, this book does deliver. (Although it has been longlisted for the Man Booker which has left me rather puzzled as to the stipulations for a literary prize.)

Douglas Petersen has qualities which remind me of Don Tillerman from Graeme Simsion's 'The Rosie Project'. Douglas is well-meaning but very clear about what he believes is right and wrong, and sometimes oblivious to social niceties and nuances. He loves his wife and son, but he doesn't like to compromise his standards and belief system and sometimes causes conflict because of his refusal to back down. Now he's reached the point where his wife wants to move on (she thinks the marriage has run its course), and his son has reached adulthood and needs to be his own person.

Douglas seems resigned, there is a sense of inevitability that his life is going to change, but before letting go of the family unit he urges the three of them to take the European tour they had planned before these life-changing decisions were aired.

The holiday is a triumph and a disaster in equal measure. There are laugh-out-loud moments aplenty but also occasions which are touching and poignant.

Douglas changes during the tour, coming to understand himself and his wife and son more deeply. But does he do enough to redeem their relationships?

This is a lovely book, being both entertaining but also quite moving. We are all in danger of taking relationships for granted, and for failing to communicate our thoughts, feelings and intentions adequately. Ultimately I found the book quite sad, and I was disappointed in the conclusion.

This is a great read, but not a Man Booker prize-winner in my opinion.