Overview

Auld Acquaintance is a warm, gently sardonic look at the friendships that define us—and the versions of ourselves we shed and reclaim. Against a distinctly Scottish backdrop, Sofia Slater follows old friends pulled back into each other’s gravity at a turning point, where nostalgia wrestles with realism and old promises meet present-day truths.

Writing & Atmosphere

Slater’s prose is bright and unpretentious—dialogue-led, lightly ironic, and dotted with sharp observational beats. The city and coast scenes feel lived-in: pubs that hum with history, wintry streets that invite long walks and longer conversations. It’s the sort of contemporary voice that trusts subtext and lets quiet moments do the lifting.

The pacing is steady rather than showy, building momentum through emotional reveals rather than big plot swings—well suited to a story about choosing who you’ll be in the next chapter.

Characters

The ensemble is the draw: flawed, funny, and recognisably human. Old patterns reappear—banter as armour, grudges disguised as jokes—while the novel makes space for tenderness and accountability. No one is a villain; everyone is a work-in-progress, which keeps the conflicts engaging and grounded.

Themes

Second chances, the tug of home, and the prickle of New Year reckonings. The book asks whether we owe loyalty to who we were—or to who we might finally become. Friendship here isn’t background colour; it’s the central romance: messy, sustaining, and worth the effort.

What Worked

• Authentic dialogue: witty, quick, and emotionally precise.
• Sense of place: familiar Scottish textures without postcard gloss.
• Emotional honesty: growth arcs that feel earned, not engineered.

Minor Quibbles

• The understated plot may feel low-stakes if you’re craving high drama.
• A few supporting players fade once their function is served; you may wish for more time with them.

Final Thoughts

Wry, warm, and quietly resonant, Auld Acquaintance captures the awkward grace of returning to old friends—and finding out you’re all new people. A thoughtful winter-evening read with a generous heart.

Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)