With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Having read all of Graham's other books it comes as no surprise as to what an amazing writer he is.
I was totally captivated from the beginning with Home stretch,and the sensitivity shown. I just adored this book.

I absolutely loved this book, read it in one day, just couldn't put it down. It was sad, realistic and uplifting in equal parts, I was pulled into this story from the very first page and felt I was on the journey with all the characters from beginning to end.
NetGalley very kindly sent me a copy for an impartial and honest review.
#HomeStretch #NetGalley

Home Stretch is the story of a tragic car accident in a small village in Ireland which blights the lives of the families impacted and, in particular, the young man charged with causing the accident; Connor. This is Graham Norton’s third novel. I have also read his two previous novels and I think this may be my favourite. It captures perfectly small town life in Ireland and the massive changes that have happened in Irish society in the last 30 years. While the plot developments are never a massive surprise, this did not spoil my enjoyment at all - I couldn’t put it down. A great read!

in 'Home Stretch', Graham Norton details life in a small village in Ireland in the late 1980's when a tragic car crash, on the eve of a wedding, destroys several lives and set in motion a series of events that will only be resolved 25 years later.
The crash leads to the death of three young members of the community, while a fourth is left paralysed. The driver of the car, Connor, becomes the lcoal pariah and his family decide to send him away to Liverpool to find work on the buildsites - anything ratehr than face the constant blame and accusations from their neighbours.
For Connor, the move to Liverpool is the start of a particularly lonely patch in his life but it is also the start of his freedom where he comes to realise that he is now free to be himself - to be gay without fearing any consquences.
The book flashes back and forth between the lives of Connor and his sister Ellen's lives for the next 25 years as they both fall in and out of love and learn to survive. Their reunion and relusting renewed relation is one of the more poignant moments in the novel and I enjoyed how Norton wrote so realistically of contemporary Irish society without resorting to any cliches.
My oinly regret is that we did not get to see any more of Connor's life in the village as I think that would have been an interesting contrast pre the accident.
A poignant and though-provoking read, Definitely one to read this summer.

I have read Graham Norton's previous novels and my thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this book.

Once I started reading it I could not put it down, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters from beginning to end. The basic premise of the book is a car crash that happens in a small town in Ireland, and the fallout from the accident in the following 25 years or more. I love the style of writing, it draws you in and involves you in the lives of the characters, and suddenly you realise how much you care about what happens to them in such a short space of time. Every character matters in this book and has a role to play in fleshing out the story, and as someone who lives in a small village, I can recognise the people and attitudes written about, as well as the desire to live an anonymous life in a big city. This book also describes the growth of Ireland in the past 25 years and the changing of the views and outlooks of people.

I would definitely recommend this book to people, it is an engaging read and a very good story. Fair play to Graham Norton, I have enjoyed every book of his so far for different reasons and this is no exception.

I was so excited to get the opportunity to review the newest book by Graham Norton, as I have enjoyed his previous publications. Home Stretch focuses on a tragic car crashes that kills three young people and its' tragic consequences for the survivors. I love Graham Norton's style of writing, he captures the spirit and charm of the Irish people brilliantly. I felt the storyline moved at a great pace and kept my attention for the entirety of the book. I liked the central characters and felt great pity for them at time. This is another triumph from Graham Norton, who I'm sure has a long future of publishing ahead of him.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

3.5 stars


This is the third book of Norton's I've read,and I've enjoyed them all.
This one deals with small town,an accident and it's repercussions.
How a lie can spiral out of control and change many lives.
Full of characters that have warmth and charm,without feeling like they've fallen into a stereotype of over the top Irish.

Pleasantly enjoyable.

I was drawn to read this book because of how much I enjoy Graham Norton the talk-show host. I'm not sure what I expected but when I finished I felt like it was a story with the purpose of giving a history of the gay man's experience in Ireland from the 80s to today. Some wholly unbelievable plot twists but likeable characters.