This is beautifully written and moving storytelling from Tom Lamont that explores the complexities and flaws of human nature with the authentic characters he creates and skilfully develops as life throws them curve balls they do not see coming. In his thirties, there is Teo Erskine's tricky relationship with his elderly father, Vic, as he returns outwardly improved circumstances, but his inner terrain is littered with issues and needs from when he was young, staying away from any demands that might tie him down. There is Teo's friendship with Ben Mossam, Ben has feelings for Lia Woods, who has no room for him, she is drowning, she is a single mom to toddler, Joel, and it is an understatement to say that she is not coping.

Coming from 4 different perspectives, that of Teo, Ben, Vic, and Rabbi Sybil, troubled by how her faith seems to be slipping away from her, their lives converge more closely together as they try to handle their surprising new responsibilities for Joel. Lamont astutely observes and artfully captures the dynamics of male friendship and evolving relationships, a father that is dying, he writes with humanity and compassion of love, loss, responsibilities, and what constitutes family. Joel himself is a wonderful warm spring of fun and comic humour and love, the central focus, but can those around him overcome their obstacles and challenges and provide him with a real home, 'parents', and family?

This is a superb, delightfully touching, and emotional read with its distinctly different cast of characters that soon caught my attention and who I became invested in and I think many other readers will enjoy this too. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I found it very difficult to connect with this book. I couldn’t get a handle on any of the characters, except perhaps toddler Joel. I found the stream- of- consciousness style of writing jarring, whilst Teo and Ben seemed to switch back and forward at every meeting from being responsible adults, caring for Joel, to jousting, arguing, and going into a huff like 13 year old boys. The character Sybil, the local rabbi who becomes involved in overseeing Joel’s care, is yet another angst-ridden individual, struggling with her faith.
I persevered till 25% until I conceded that this book is not for me sadly.
I know that many other readers will enjoy it, and urge you to read it for yourself.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

This book has a curious underlying comedic tone, though it is mostly tender and bittersweet. That this was set in North London was interesting. It was also worthy to see the inner lives and growth of men, who learn to take more responsibility and charge thanks to unconditional love. The writer is very skilled and this does not read like a debut.

Think Three Men and a Baby, but told in a literary, almost stream-of-conscious style from the viewpoints of three men left to bring up a little boy after his mother commits suicide. We also hear from the local rabbi, keeping an eye on the care they’re giving. The challenges facing the four characters become existential as they ponder their own past actions, grief, relationships and places in the world.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Remember Three Men and a Baby? Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, etc? Well this is the updated book version of that with ill-prepared singleton men looking after one of fiction's most charming (but not cloyingly so) toddlers. The circumstances of how the men come to be in charge of young Joel is a bit darker though and there is thread of seriousness running through what is, in the end, a heartwarming and uplifting read.

Two friends in their thirties, both muddling along avoiding responsibilities. They are then faced with the triple whammy of a friend killing herself, a toddler and a dying father. It took me a while to get into the book but the winning characters of toddler and his carer drew me in - I really wanted them to succeed, even when it seemed to be an impossible feat. One to keep going with as it proved to be a satisfying read.

This was a wonderful, heart-felt book about going home, moving on and growing up. I loved the melancholy sweetness, the characters and the incredible sense of place. Heartbreaking.

In Going Home Tom Lamont explores issues surrounding parenthood, father-son relationships, grief and loss, friendship, faith and religion, ageing and mortality.

Tom Lamont’s novel spans a year in the lives of three men and a toddler whose mother takes her own life.
Téo’s finds himself in sole charge of a two-year-old after a weekend visit to his hometown, installing Joel in his father’s flat, to Vic’s delight. Social Services’ machinery grinds into action with the help of Sibyl, the local rabbi, deeming Téo a suitable temporary carer, his life upended, plunged into a parenting he didn’t ask for while his best friend Ben, the hedonistic son of wealthy parents, looks on, unreliable and inept, but throwing money at the situation. Over the next year, a kind of family is formed from this disparate set of characters, all of whom are changed irrevocably, with Joel at its centre.
Lamont narrates his novel from the perspectives of Téo, Vic, Ben and Sibyl, each dealing with the fallout from Lia’s death: Téo’s life is changed beyond recognition; Ben is finally forced into adulthood; Sibyl grapples with the waning of her faith and Vic struggles with his deteriorating health making a terrible error of judgement which could result in disaster for Joel. It’s the kind of set up which might well have descended into sentimental schlock but Lamont steers it well clear of that. Joel’s appearances are wisely kept rare, and when they are made he’s both heartrending and funny but never cute. An enjoyable, smartly delivered piece of fiction, funny, warm-hearted and empathetic.

There's so many interesting characters in this book, the young and entertaining toddler Joel who brings so many of the comedic moments to the storyline, Ben who is the boy that never grew up, Téo who's return to visit his father Vic brings more questions than answers and triggers a chain of events none of them are prepared for. They all show what love and family really means, the highs, the lows, the infuriating, and the complexity of being vulnerable. It took quite a few chapters in before I got into the prose and writing style of the book but once it clicked I enjoyed it thoroughly and felt a strong connection to the characters.