Hey Friend,
How are things? We’re in the last stretch of the year with people starting to mention the ‘C’ word already… It is forbidden in my house until at least the 20th November (although in recent years, the troops have begun to revolt and Christmas songs are heard playing/sung MUCH earlier…). Luckily, with Older Miss not back from uni until mid-December, all decorations will have to wait until then as she refuses to allow anyone to do those things without her.
So, last post I shared my reading list for the year and promised to do a few book reviews. I’m going to start with Hope Street by Mike Gayle.
Now, as I said previously, I’ve been waging a silent war against Mr Gayle for some time. This is due to him killing off perfectly good characters and ruining my idea of what his story should be.
I know. The cheek of him.
It was after reading A Song of Me and You that I said ‘No more!’ and have pretty much stuck to my guns.
Then we had our trip to 66 Books and there was a book with a cute cover on the shelf. I picked it up with some trepidation and turned to the back. The blurb peaked my interest and I decided to call a truce with Mr Gayle, desperately hoping he wouldn’t fail me. Again.
Usually when we get back with our haul from 66 Books, I’ll look at all of the blurbs again and decide what order to put them in. I’d placed Hope Street second to last because I thought if the book was bad, I’d have something else to fall back on at least.
However, when I reached the last two books, I picked up Hope street and read the prologue.
Okay, Gayle. We’re officially friends again.
I put the book back on the top of my bureau and read the other book first, deciding Hope Street was worth the wait.
And it was.
The story centres around Connor and his refusal to leave his home on Hope Street, which the council need him to do as the whole street is being demolished in favour of a new development. Connor’s reluctance is due to his mum, Bernie, disappearing three years ago. He believes she will return so, he has to stay put so she can find him.
Lila, a reporter for a local newspaper, covers the story whilst also telling Connor she will try to find his mum, which turns out to be a tall order.
There’s a real spotlight on community and friendships, showing not everyone is what they always appear to be – in good and bad ways.
I loved the characters in this book, there was a real emotional connection. I was invested in the story but, because it’s Mr Gayle, I was concerned about the outcome. In fact, I assumed the worst so as not to be disappointed.
But I’m happy to report that I was pleased with the ending.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints, with Bernie’s being in flashbacks so the reader gets the background of how she ended up bringing Connor up by herself, the community she had that becomes Connor’s and the love she has for her son.
There’s a bit of romance thrown in for good measure, which is just how I like it – enough to keep me interested but not too much to distract from the actual story.
I don’t want to give spoilers so I will leave it there but I highly recommend this book.
And, Mr Gayle? Should you read this (unlikely, but I’ll say it anyway), I forgive your past sins and will happily (but also cautiously) read another of your books.
Would love to know your thoughts if you’ve read Hope Street!
I’m off to get a blanket and make a hot chocolate. It may be November but the heating isn’t going on yet!
Speak soon xx
