Old Love

by Jeffrey Archer

Genres: Short Stories, Romance, Classics

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Jeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.

He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).

Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.

Reviews

[Aamina · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My father told me if I spent the night with
a barmaid then I should simply order an extra pint of beer, but if I spent the
night with the vicar’s daughter, I would have to marry her.”

That's one way to propose a girl, I suppose.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsession takes so many forms!! It is almost preordained that, although opposites attract, so do those that are extremely passionate about their craft or profession.

Hence, the apparently unromantic characters of William and Philippa permit an exceptionally credible story to build up. After their marriage, the fervor continues but on a utterly unusual echelon as the vicious antagonism that fuelled their inclusive loathe of each other, adults into reciprocated approbation. It guarantees that the reader does not irk with the inexorableness of it but savors it.

Read this story please. It is indeed a love story that outdoes time...

Me at 2025:

And this is Bob Marley at his best ----

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

[Popcornpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for good short stories but I’m not usually one for romance genre, So when I started reading “Old Love,” I was quite skeptical but it surprised me. This short story revolves around William and Philippa, two scholars whose competitive natures takes an unexpected turn into romance. Their transformation from adversaries to allies, and ultimately to something more is delightful and the banter, a mix of competition and affection, in the story felt genuine and heartfelt. “Old Love” reminds us of how love and life can surprise us with their unpredictability. Jeffry Archer’s storytelling skillfully brings out a range of emotions, from laughter to tears So I would suggest taking 30- 45 minutes of your day, make yourself some chamomile tea, and let William and Philippa take you on their beautiful journey and show you that love can be found in unexpected places. Who knows, they might just change your perspective on romance, like they did for me.

[CosmicLatte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is just a short story but this might be the best love story ever?!

I first read this in grade 12 when I was 16 and this story has, unbeknownst to me, single handedly shaped my expectations for a romantic relationship - fictional or otherwise.

Rereading at 21 by chance made me realise how empty my life is and how much I would kill to have even an ounce of what William and Phillipa had over the course of a few pages and an entire lifetime….

[Rooda Ebrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where can I find this kind of love and how do I stop crying?

[Suhasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When love isn't obvious or apparent...

[Kushagri · Rating 5 out of 5]

We also read Old Love by Jeffrey Archer in school, which made teenage me romanticise that if I am competitive enough, I will eventually find the love of my life. I’m 28, still highly competitive, still in academia… and still no love of my life :(

Though in all seriousness, I did cry when I read this story, and as a now more mature reader I do realise it was a bit melodramatic. But honestly, who cares — nostalgia wins, so five stars from 15 year old me (… and 28 year old me).

[GDM Nagarjuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those silly old things...that takes you through a short pleasant journey...

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg it only takes about an hour to read (even for a slow reader) and the enemies to lovers with the academic aspect and the old English vibe it all was so beautiful and the ending was nothing I could've expected. I loved how it all connected throughout the story and overall it was so enjoyable and I reccomened to read it whenever you have spare time!

[pirasalbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Love tells the story of a boy and a girl whose relationship begins as a competitive rivalry in school and gradually turns into love. Their banter remains a constant throughout their lives, giving the story its charm and warmth.

It’s a quick, cute read with a satisfying ending. Highly recommended, it took me about 30 minutes and was well worth it.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short story, which will make you giggle at quite a few instances, but the ending, although devastating, does make you wonder, about the power of loving someone without any untrue intentions and always wishing greatness for them first, even if it calls for you being in the co-pilot's seat.

[Komal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

This was such a beautiful short story. 🥺♥️ Each sentence makes you want to study Literature through and through. The joys of unsaid but understood Love! 🥀

[Audrey Meridiem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally found a copy online and I think this has become my favourite short story of all time. I usually never like short stories but Old Love felt old and new, something of the classics, a story that needs to be cherished. Philippa and William's story actually a pretty long story ranging from their uni years until both of their last breaths and Archer was able to write that long life in a short story that doesn't feel pressured or rushed. And their interactions with each other proved how much they cared for each other, and I love how they still even have rivalry so long after their uni days.

"My father told me if I spent the night with a barmaid then I should simply order an extra pint of beer, but if I spent the night with the vicar's daughter, I would have to marry her."

"No, I wanted to say: I do love nothing in the world so well as you, is not that strange?"

"Do you realize that I can complete The Times crossword puzzle in half the time my husband can?"

"No, it is not," William interjected, "this woman has been attacking me for over thirty years and to date the police have done deplorably little to protect me."

"Twenty years of living with you has made me fully qualified to deal with infants."

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my heart

[M J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffrey Archer might be a crappy politician but he sure is a very good writer!

[Anisha G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely enemies become lovers trope. Very enjoyable banter.

[Saniya (happyhappybookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this over and over and it would still hurt me the same

[Dahabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

[Nupur Lilaramani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chills. Heartwarming and heartbreaking. Absolutely loved the banter!

[Luiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely, brilliant and illuminating selection of short stories. It starts with Broken Routine that teaches you not to judge someone before judging yourself, the second story The Coup that shows presumed unimportant events come out to be the most important, The Luncheon that teaches you to inquire before walking blind into something and the last one and the most beautiful one: Old Love is a story about two academic rivals falling in love with each other and living and loving each other until the very end (and beyond!)

[aayushi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

the og academic rivals to lovers. (yes, we are going to ignore the fact that i was absolutely devastated in the best way possible after i read that ending.)
william and philippa are literally the definition of 'till death do us part'.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

to be in love and to be in Oxford are beautiful things; they are also the beautiful things I have luckily experienced. Archer captures the feeling of loving someone's brain (and later their heart) perfectly.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet but a bit highbrow for me. Good yarn though.

[Amit Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book 👍

[Cami Savi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story!! It’s so cute and nice to read

[Ashesh Solanki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story.

[anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny in the beginning . So sad in the end

[smreethee · Rating 3 out of 5]

OG Enemies to Lovers.

[HARINI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sweetest love story i’ve read in a while