Reviews

Jessica by Nicholas Hill is a very interesting novel set in London. Even though the book is called Jessica, the story is told by a middle-aged man named Harry. Jessica is the person who moves the story forward.
The book talks openly about adult topics like relationships, sex, prostitution, homosexuality, and drug use. These scenes are detailed but not dirty. They are meant for mature readers.
I give this book five out of five stars. The ending makes you think deeply about Harry’s life and choices. It leaves you with important questions. I truly enjoyed reading this book.

Nicholas Hill's novel is set in London, where the author has lived. His brilliant use of sensory language enabled me to see the historical buildings, smell the traditional foods being cooked, and hear the different accents at the local pubs.
My rating for this book is five out of five stars. I wish I were allowed to comment on the ending because it raises some thought-provoking questions. 

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.