David Nicholl’s new novel is a contemporary tale set in post-COVID London and the North of England, focusing on the lives of two main characters, Marnie and Michael, who are approaching mid-life. The novel takes the reader on a journey as Marnie and Michael embark on a challenging walk across the Lake District and the Dales, gradually falling in love. Both characters are somewhat damaged and sad due to their past experiences, but they are functioning adults, which ultimately allows them to find happiness in each other.
Marnie, aged 38, comes from a working-class background and has never attended university. She works as a copy editor and has gained a small but well-deserved reputation for her skills. Her life has revolved around working from home, especially after COVID, and she rarely ventures outside or interacts with others. Her marriage ended in disaster, leaving her struggling to make ends meet. Marnie’s best friend, Cleo, persuades her to join a hillwalking trip across the Lake District and the Dales, a journey that the reader experiences alongside her.
Michael, aged 42, is a middle school teacher in the North of England. He is separated from his wife, Natasha, but their parting was amicable. Michael has been dealing with depression and trauma-related anxiety for almost a year. He is a physically fit and capable hillwalker who has plotted the route for the trip organized by Cleo, who is his colleague. The story unfolds as Marnie and Michael, along with a group of other walkers, set out on their journey.
The novel kicks off with Michael spotting Marnie on the train, dressed in new hiking gear that makes her appear somewhat out of place. Despite her less-than-ideal outfit, Michael is drawn to her. Cleo and her son, Anthony, are also part of the group, and Conrad, a pharmacist Cleo believes Marnie might like, joins them. Michael was supposed to walk with Tessa, who cancels at the last minute. On the first day of the walk, the group struggles to find their footing. Conrad, ill-prepared and overly talkative about Formula One, abandons the group after the first night.
The second day sees the group facing torrential rain, causing Cleo and Anthony to call it quits and take a train back. Marnie decides to continue the journey with Michael, and as they walk together, they begin to connect through their shared sense of humor. Marnie’s resilience and ability to make the walk enjoyable earn Michael’s respect. Despite Marnie’s occasional complaints, their friendship deepens.
Their evenings in hotels along the route, though less than luxurious, become enjoyable as they make the best of their situations. Their experiences lead to a growing connection, which culminates in a passionate kiss after a night of drinking. However, Michael has a prior engagement to meet Natasha in his hotel room the night before the last day. Marnie decides to surprise him, but when she arrives, she discovers Natasha is pregnant and seeking a divorce. Michael agrees, and Marnie returns home, feeling embarrassed.
Marnie’s life takes a positive turn as she reconnects with friends and even goes on a date with Conrad. Her newfound confidence helps her demand the money owed to her by her ex-husband, putting her on more solid ground financially. Michael briefly dates Tessa, but their connection is lacking. He sells the house he shared with Natasha and moves into a flat.
Michael plans a school trip to London and suggests to Marnie that they meet. During a walk in Hyde Park, he expresses his desire to start a relationship. Marnie gives him a gift – a nice shirt – and agrees to give their relationship a chance. The novel ends with the possibility of them meeting again for the final leg of their walk to the East Coast.
You Are Here is a bittersweet and humorous love story that feels very plausible. It explores themes of class, education, coping with life’s challenges with wit, and the struggles of introverted or socially anxious individuals. The story portrays modern life realistically, with both Marnie and Michael dealing with financial constraints. It is a classic rom-com with a British twist, marked by the unpredictable and often challenging English weather, bad pub food, and a charming sense of humor. The characters are relatable, and the story is far from elitist or entitled, focusing on people who know who they are and what they want but find it challenging to navigate modern relationships and life in contemporary Britain.