I was a bit hesitant to read this one at first, as I felt like it was just another book trying to cash in on the popularity of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but I'm so glad I did. I really, really enjoyed this one, and loved the characters. It does all turn out a bit too well to be realistic - and the scenes in which Norman and his potential father James are in Whiskey a Go Go are definitely not anything near reality - I can forgive that because it was such a sweet read.

An enjoyable heart-warming story reminiscent of Adrian Mole. With light humour, Henderson managed to avoid the book becoming too sentimental Norman's first meeting with James was a bit OTT, but reinforced the humorous side of the story.

I cannot put into words how much I loved this book, Norman is one of the most loveable characters I ever met and I loved his story. Thus book is like a giant hug it makes you feel happy and smile. I loved it from start to finish 💕💕

I just loved it. I don't know what else I can say. This book breaks your heart in one sentence and makes you laugh the next. As someone who has also lost their childhood best friend I truly related to Norman in so many ways. The characters are all so unconventional and relatable. The plot was a zany adventure and a fantastic time. Plus the last quarter of the book had me racing to turn the pages and see what antics the characters got up to next. This book is all about love, loss, and family and it handles each of these themes with grace and wit. I'll say it again I just loved this book.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! This novel started during one of the lowest points in a family's life and showed their adventures.

The writing was amazing and I felt for Norman Foreman. I enjoyed meeting different characters during the journey and feeling closer to the main characters with everything I learnt about them.

I'm looking forward to reading more works by Julietta Henderson.

Norman is a truly lovable young man and his mum is a superstar!
Norman had a dream, shared with his best friend, to do a comedy double act at the Edinburgh fringe. Sadly his best friend dies, leaving Normal in a confusion of grief, pain and loneliness until his mum, seeing his amended life goals on his wall, sets out with him and Leonard, her slightly random new friend who latches onto the pair and the plan and drives them off on a crazy adventure seeking fame, comedy and Normans father.
So many wonderful characters, not least the main trio but also the 4 potential fathers and a wealth of others met along the way to the fringe.
A truly beautiful story of unlikely friendships, the truth of what makes a family and the courage needed to chase your dreams.

Laugh out loud funny. Sad in places and heartbreaking but really funny as well. Feels like it is written with honesty and understanding.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Such a Well written story. Having lost a friend at a young age I could really relate to Norman. A little lost, but on a mission. This poor lad just needs to find himself, his dad and then maybe he can move on. You are willing Norman in every step of the way. I just love a pilgrimage book.

12 year old Norman dreams of becoming a comedian, he and his best friend Jax have made plans to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. However when Jax dies the plan has to change. The new plan is to road trip to Edinburgh with his mum and her coworker, trying to find his dad along the way and performing at the Fringe by himself.

What a fantastic, heartwarming book!

Lovely Story
I loved this book. Delightful story that includes lifes everyday troubles as well as deep meaningful loss.
How much will a mum do to help her child?

How I felt sorry for Norman in the beginning of this book. And how Sadie and Leonard tried to make things better for him. This is a amazing book of determination and not giving up when things get difficult. Follow your dreams and see where the journey takes you should be a message for everyone.

When Sadie was a child her mum died then she lost her dad, and her way, at nineteen. She dealt with her dad’s death with a few weeks of madness however the result was her son Norman. She really loves her son but doesn’t believe she’s a good mum however she really does mean to do her best with him. Norman was not a popular child, his struggles with psoriasis probably didn’t help but when his mischievous friend Jax came into his life he found his true best friend however just before Norman’s twelfth birthday Jax dies suddenly and both his and Sadie’s world feels like it’s lost it’s light.

Jax and Norman were a young comedy double act and they had a five year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Norman was the straight guy and doesn’t know how to be funny without Jax however the five year plan changes to include finding his dad (who Sadie has narrowed down to 4 candidates) and perform at the Fringe himself. Sadie is desperate to see Norman happy again so with the help of her ever learning octogenarian coworker they set off on a road trip to achieve Norman’s plan.

The characters in this book are fantastic, Sadie is quite broken but still tries her best whether she feels she achieves it or not and Norman is just a really likeable boy who will never be most popular but has so many positive characteristics. I really enjoyed their adventures but for me it was the characters, especially Norman, who really made this story. It’s original and quirky and a very enjoyable read.

I loved this book. The main character Norman is a sweet young boy with a bad case of psoriasis, which he endures like a wise old man. He reminded me of the main character in Monica Wood's The One In A Million Boy. His mother Sadie is full of the typical guilt of mothers: "I'm not a good enough mother". The story unfolds from their two narratives as the author swaps their points of view during the novel. Both Norman and Sadie try to come to terms with their own grief. Norman has lost his best friend and Sadie has buried her painful memories about losing her father at a young age. The third character Leonard an extraordinary octogenerian takes them under his wings and helps them fulfil the plan the two boys had created.The novel draws from the traditions of the picaresque novels as they hit the road, meet people and these adventures form their characters. I loved all their adventures and nearly all the characters, even the ones with faults.
It is a heartwarming book beautifully written. I do recommend it to everyone who loves an uplifting story. I am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I will look out for the next books by the author.

This is the perfect summer book. It’s like a road movie but in your head.
I loved the characters and how the story was told from the perspective of Norman and his mom, Sadie. I loved the friendships and relationships between the various characters and how the topic of grief and healing from grief/trauma was handled with such care and humour at the right times.

Thank you for the Arc and a story I certainly won’t forget and would be happy to watch on the big screen.

Sadie is the mother of Norman . They live in Cornwall. This book is written from both of their viewpoints around the time of the death of Norman's best friend. There is a certain naivity of both of their viewpoints, Norman is 12 and Sadie has had to grow up very quickly . As the book moves on thepast becomes more apparant and you find out what has happened to create the situation. Poor Norman has a skin condition but is mature for his age and well portrayed. Being the mother of a son, I recognised lots of things he said and did and they way he described things .I also lovedthe other characters and liked that bits of their stories emerged throughout the book. It made this an interesting and thoughtful read.
Whilst reading the book, I went through lots of different emotions. I was definitely rooting for Norman and Sadie (and the others!)
I would give this book 4,5 stars, but that isn't possibleso it'll have to be 5 !
Thankyou to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Norman is a shy 12 year old boy with terrible psoriasis who dreams of being a stand up comedian. His best friend and himself had a five year plan to get to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe but when his friend tragically dies, Norman decides to live out their dreams on his own. He embarks on a road trip with his mother and a friend from her work and they try and seek out Norman's birth father along the way. This is a really sweet and heartwarming story. I did have reservations as I know the festival well and thought it might be portrayed in an unrealistic manner but it is well written and well researched.

A lovely story to brighten your day or lift your mood. Made me laugh out loud, shed a tiny tear, and reminded me that one honestly never knows what's coming next!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

What an absolute gem of a book this is.

Norman lives with his mother Sadie in Cornwall. They have no other family and quite like it that way. It takes the death of Norman’s best friend, Jax, to send them on an adventure of a lifetime with Leonard, an Octogenarian colleague of Sadie. A more unlikely trio would be tricky to find, but it works!

This book has everything. It’s beautifully written with memorable and likeable characters. Even the unlikeable characters have redeeming features! The story itself is well paced, with moments of comedy and moments of absolute heartbreak as we follow Sadie, Norman and Leonard, zig zagging over the country up to the Edinburgh Fringe. Every loose end was tied up neatly and I’d love to know what happens next!

I completely adored this book and will look for more works by this talented author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.