Wow. I started this book with zero expectations. There have been so many comedians / entertainers that have taken up writing fiction and have produced books that are mediocre at best. This book is far from mediocre. I was hooked from the first few pages and 100% invested in James' physical, mental and emotional journey. This was definitely an emotional book and one that kept me guessing. Even at around 93% through, the ending was still open and of course this left me desperately hoping that the ending would be satisfying. I won't spoil the ending but I will say that it was beautiful and emotional. It really brought together a lot of threads from the earlier book: invisible struggles, kindness, the importance of connections, the complexities of family and the power of social media. This book was truly, truly unique and one that I won't forget for a long time. It really reinforces the message that you don't know what anyone is going through, and even if they paint on a smile, you should still be kind. In true Mark Watson style too, the earlier part of the book especially had some careful and clever humour.

This is a strange book which I wasn’t happy with. I didn’t enjoy it. I felt like it was hard to concentrate on. Not for me

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Contacts is a darkly funny novel about a man named James who is planning to commit suicide. He sends out a text message to all of his contacts, telling them what he is about to do. But then, something unexpected happens: he starts to receive messages back.

The messages are from people who James has never met, and they tell him about their own experiences with suicide. Some of the messages are hopeful, while others are more dark and despairing. But all of them offer James a different perspective on his own situation.

Contacts is a powerful and moving novel about the power of human connection. It is a reminder that we are all connected, even if we don't know it. And it is a reminder that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Contacts by Mark Watson appears to be a novel that delves into the intricacies of human relationships. The book explores themes such as loneliness, kindness, and the power of human connection. While some readers have praised the book for its emotional depth and humor, others have found it to be predictable or overly sentimental.

It seems that the novel has been written with the intention of evoking mixed emotions in the reader. The premise of the story - a man sending a message to all 158 people on his contact list before disappearing - is both intriguing and somewhat ominous. The fact that this message is received by people who have lost touch with James makes for an interesting and potentially emotional read.

However, some readers may find the plot predictable or contrived. The idea of a character disappearing and needing to be found is not a new one, and it remains to be seen whether Watson has brought a fresh perspective to this trope. Additionally, some reviewers have found the book to be overly sentimental, with characters and situations that feel contrived in order to tug at the heartstrings.

Overall, Contacts may be worth reading for those interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships and the power of connection. However, readers should be prepared for a potentially polarizing experience. While some may find the novel to be emotionally resonant and thought-provoking, others may find it to be a predictable, sentimental read.

I wanted to be able to enjoy this book, if alone for the fact I really enjoy Mark Watson's writing and I've read a couple of his books in the past. I couldn't connect with this though. I think partly this is also due to my frame of mind - since it's such a tough topic I struggled to even bring myself to read much of it. It's unfortunate as I'm sure it's a beautiful and moving story, but I'm not in the right head space to read it, and haven't been for a while.
Definitely check this out though if you're a fan of books about mental health or depression and seeing how it explores the impact surrounding others who might be affected.
I did not finish this, but this is 100% on me and nothing to do with the book itself. Maybe one day I will pick this one up once more and attempt to finish it.

TW: suicide

This was quite a tough read and as it was wrote by an hilarious comedian...I was expecting more dark humour throughout. I really think this was needed given the subject matter.

I did read it quickly and was so intrigued by how this could possibly end ..but was disappointed by the ending as it was so abrupt. We definitely needed alot more information about a character at the end.

I also think we needed to date it much more. Its obviously not present day and there was mentions of the first iPhone coming out,but how far in the past this was set...I couldn't quite get. (If I missed this apologies).

Is anyone as clueless as Jean? I just don't know any older person that refuses so much to be involved to this extent...but if its set in early 00s would make more sense!

Is anyone as selfish as Micheala? Who thought missing your sisters wedding isn't a big deal? It is...completely unforgivable!

The characters were all difficult and I think it could have done with a bit more editing...the whole Emil story wasn't needed at all.

However...it is, at times, a very touching and human story.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and Netgalley and I'm sorry I took so long to read this.

Heartwrenching, thoughtful and totally unexpected. I want to say I loved this book but it doesn't seem right. I would highly recommend this but do be in the mood for a few tears now and again.

A unique, timely & important premise.
It was funny, emotional & smart ...not that I'd expect anything less from Watson.

James boards the night train and sends a text to all his phone book to tell them he is ending his life then switches his phone off.
I really wanted to enjoy this and although it was a sensitive subject I hoped it would be a bit lighter but it didn’t keep me engrossed the way it would.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Well written, funny, and the characters have depth.
I didnt want it to end but I also wanted to reach the end - definitely the sign of a great book
Exploring mental health isnt always easy to read but this was done so well

Contacts tells the story of James Chiltern who sends a text to all 158 people in his contacts to say goodbye before he plans to take his own life. He then turns his phone to flight mode and so the story begins.

The story is told through a series of flashbacks from James's past alongside insights from some of the many people James has sent his final message to. As the story unfolds and those who have received the text try to save James from his untimely death we begin to see all the reasons which have culminated in James decision.

The premise is an interesting one and definitely shows the side of the person sending the message and indeed the panicked person on the other end receiving it. The book deals with the sensitive topic and it's triggers well with quite a frank and honest look at what made James get to that point.

I enjoyed seeing all the different facets of the story and just how far reaching an impact one message and act can have however felt the ending was a little bit rushed and quite random.

An interesting, poignant and tender story which looks at the wide ranging impact of depression and suicide.

It took me multiple attempts to even get through the first few chapters of this book before I eventually pushed through and finished this book. Something about this book did not connect with me, even though the synopsis sounds like something I would really enjoy.

I really enjoyed the messages about mental health and how even though this book tackles a darker subject matter, there were elements of happiness and humour throughout the book.

However, there was something about it that I could not connect with and that really did upset me. I did, however, really enjoy the writing style in this book.

At five to midnight in Euston station, James Chiltern sends one text to all 158 people in his contacts. A message saying goodbye.
Five minutes later, with two pork pies and a packet of chocolate digestives in his pocket, he disappears.
Across the world, 158 phones light up. Phones belonging to James’s friends, his family, people he’s lost touch with. All of them now wondering, where has James gone? What happened to him? And more importantly, can they find him before it’s too late?

Coming from a working background of mental health meant this book appealed to me enormously. When there’s a dark subject matter like this, people don’t realise there is often a capacity for great joy to be found too and I felt that here. There’s an ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ feel to the premise and I wanted to know who each individual was and why were they in James’s phone? Why had he lost touch with them? Without realising it, each one of us has a massive impact on the lives of others. It’s written in short, sharp chapters that keep the writing lively and has the impact of compelling you to read the next chapter. There’s a dark humour, which I loved. It asked me to think about my relationships, the people around me, and the way I use technology. I can’t divulge any more as I’m desperate not to ruin it, but I’m sorry I didn’t get to this book sooner.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book and was interested to see how the author would play it out across the storyline. The character of James was heartbreakingly real and the mental health discussions in the book were extremely important.

I thought such a sensitive topic was handled really well with an emotional and at times light hearted look at the accumulation of situations that can erode someone's sense of self worth over time.

We also got to see the situation through the eyes of several friends and family members and how they reevaluated past situations in light of what was happening.

I think this book and the messages it contains are important and the story was beautifully told.

A devastating and heartbreaking read - but also sweetly moving. I would recommend to people who like Jojo Moyes and Nick Alexander.

This is a little like the film 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I found it very modern and funny and I liked the switch between characters' heads. It's a book about connecting to others, and about kindness.

All in all it's a very enjoyable read, which sounds like a strange thing to say about a story which revolves around someone planning their suicide, but there's enough lightness to mitigate the darkness. A book, ultimately, about the importance of connection in whatever form it takes. Enjoyable read

I really enjoyed this book. Dealing with suicide it is a heavy storyline but incredibly well written. The characters were so well written I felt as if I was really immersed in James' world. Highly recommended.