Mostly set in Brixton Prison, Rob is nearing the end of a seven-year sentence and is allowed out on day release. These days Rob works sorting donations at a local charity shop.
While doing time, Rob has been a model prisoner.
While on day release he sees Steph, who piques his interest and it seems to be reciprocated. Rob begins to take risks.
Lives become increasingly complex for characters in and out of prison.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Lottie Moggach and LittleBrownBookGroupUK for my pre-publication digital download.

Largely set in Brixton Prison, the minutiae of prison life; the dynamic, the routine, the food, the noises, the smells, is itself enough to engage the reader.
Rob is nearing the end of a seven year prison sentence and is out on day release as part of his rehabilitation. He hardly enjoys the chore of sorting donations to a local charity shop but Rob is bright and looking forward to his release. Throughout his term, he has been a model prisoner, mindful of how easy it would be to wreck his chances of parole.
But one day on Brixton Hill, he catches sight of the glamorous Steph, who reciprocates his interest. And he begins to take risks.
Things soon become increasingly complex as characters inside and outside, become entangled in a web of deceit and grief and where truth becomes increasingly elusive.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #LittleBrownBookGroupUK for my pre-release digital download.

A very different book from anything I’ve read before, in a good way that is.
As the story starts I thought I knew what was happening but then it changed..
Quite a twist.
Very enjoyable read!

In the Author's Note at the end of Brixton Hill, Lottie Moggach says her intention was to write a novel depicting the daily life and routines of prisoners approaching the end of a long sentence. She achieves that with aplomb, and what a vehicle she has hung that detail on. This is a twisty, turn novel that forces the reader to reassess everything they know as each new chapter begins.

So: the story. Rob is applying for parole after seven years of an indeterminate sentence for manslaughter. He is staying in the open wing of a prison in Brixton, leaving every day to do voluntary work in a charity shop. He begins to form a bond with Stephanie, a woman he helps to her feet after a fall on the pavement. The story is about the way that relationship unfolds - and the jeopardy it may hold for Rob's release.

The balance between light and dark is perfectly judged. Prisoners have a bleak life and a bleak future. They have done reprehensible things to land themselves in prison, and generally have some fairly unattractive personality traits. Small things take on high significance in such a spartan life. Rob has some redeeming features, but he cuts a pretty pathetic, clingy character. He is fatalistic and submissive. He leaves himself open to exploitation by his fellow prisoners, his manager in the charity shop, and by those he meets on the outside.

The setting feels very real, the routines authentic. The characters are convincing too, even though they are living in situations that most of us would find extreme. The first person narrative - from both Rob and Steph - is done to perfection. This, more than anything, is what makes this such a compelling read and carries a plot that has moments of improbability. Yes, there is plenty of plot, but it's such a character driven novel.

Brixton Hill doesn't feel like a debut novel - and it reminds me more than a little of Toni Jordan.

Rob has been in prison for seven years and is soon to be released. He works in a charity shop in the back room sorting out their donations for his day release, it’s a way of easing him back into the community.

On his way to work he meets Stephanie, they start to talk as they walk down the hill together and he starts to look forward to seeing her daily. Rob tries to hide from her that he is in prison,but why is she so interested in him when they obviously come from different backgrounds.

As the story progresses you realise that Stephanie has her own agenda which could harm Rob’s release.

I couldn’t put this book down, it’s many twists kept me frantically turning the pages desperate to find out how this amazing story ends.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I loved reading Brixton Hill. Described as a character study, it also has the pace and tension of a thriller and I was hooked from the first chapter. I was intrigued by both characters (Rob and Steph), and their motives. The writing is rich with observation of prison life, life in London (or any city), and human behaviour. There are a few twists along the way as it's revealed what the characters are really up to. Original and compelling. Highly recommended.

So this book takes you from a closed prison to an open prison. You wonder through the book if the woman he meets was a coincidence or had been planned

This book was a bit of a rollercoaster of a read. It plays with your empathy and just when you think you’ve got a handle on the situation it twists again.
Initially I wasn’t sure I would finish it as the first chapter by Steph put me off the whole scenario. However I kept on reading and soon found it a compelling read.
Well written and obviously well researched it portrays a life in prison as I never would have considered before.
Persevere beyond Steph’s first point of view and you won’t regret it.

This is an interesting book, as it sheds a different light on the prison experience. The author conjures up the sheer tedium and pointlessness of prison life very well, and manages to make the central character sympathetic, in spite of his flaws. I found this book well-written and compelling, without slipping into cliche.

I read Kiss Me First by this author a few years ago and remembered enjoying it, and this book did not disappoint - I couldn’t put it down! One of the main characters is a prisoner, and having read a few non fiction books about prison (A Bit of a Stretch by Chris Atkins is one that springs to mind), you can tell the author has done her research. This is quite a short story (less than 300 pages) that still manages to pack in some great twists and takes quite a simple plot, yet makes it believable and thrilling.

* spoiler alert ** I know the Brixton hill area quite well,though not the prison .
It gave an immediate sense of familiarity to the book.
I enjoyed the friendship between the two pad mates,and knew from early on that Rob was being set up for something.
I wasn't quite expecting to feel mild outrage when the fuller picture came out.
A book that paces itself perfectly,dropping hints along the way.
Food for thought on life after prison for offenders too.

So well written characters that come alive..A book with so many twists and turns I could not put down.A book that will surprise you.Highly recommend.#netgalley#littlebrownbooksuk

Things are never quite what they seem. Took me a while to get into this but once I did I couldn't put it down, full of twists & turns. Thank you Netgalley for my ARC in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this – a very good depiction of prison (although familiar to those who have read A Bit Of A Stretch!); pacey, twisty, enjoyable characters.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This took a darker turn than was expected- Although after the author’s previous works I shouldn’t be surprised. Definitely an enjoyable London Neo-noir.