I've read a few of Mike Gayle's books, and I love how he writes stories about everyday people that feel nostalgically British.

Hope Street follows Lila, a local journalist in Derby, who is sent to investigate a potential story about the last resident refusing to leave the street where the council is planning to build a new development. We also follow Connor, who is holding on to hope that his mother - who went missing a few years ago - will one day return.

Gayle’s writing style is light and accessible, and I flew through this book so quickly. It's heartwarming and emotional, and it made me shed a tear towards the end.

The only thing I struggled to care about was Lila's relationship drama, although thankfully, it didn’t overshadow the whole book.

This is the first book I have read by this author.
It concerns a journalist who is sent to interview the sole resident of a development who won't leave.
There is genuine friendship in the book and you start to care about the people in it.
Connor does not want to leave as he is waiting for his mother to return. He is vulnerable and lonely.
It is a sad book but it shows the good and bad in people.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

A Mike Gayle book is always a great read and this was no exception. Lila is a journalist on a local paper. She is sent to Hope Street, where a man is refusing to leave his home which is due to be demolished. This is how Lila meets Connor, a man with learning difficulties in his late 20s. Connor is refusing to leave because his mum went missing 3 years ago and he doesn't want to move in case she comes back. Lila offers to help him try to find out what happened to her. This is a heart warming and uplifting story which I recommend as a great read!
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

As one would expect from Mike Gayle, Hope Street is a heartwarming, engaging read, written with empathy and populated by characters you genuinely care about. It’s a hug in a book, a life-affirming story charged with emotion, hope, and the idea of found family.

The story plays out from three perspectives: that of journalist Lila, who is assigned to interview the one remaining resident of Hope Street, who’s holding up redevelopment plans; that of twenty-something Connor, the neuroatypical resident in question, who’s refusing to move out, as he’s waiting for his mum to return; and that of mum Betty, who left home on an errand three years ago and never came back.

As soon as Lila hears Connor’s tragic story, she pledges to publicize his plight and do what she can to try and track down his mum.

From the beginning you know that this is going to end happily, so there are no real surprises. That, however, doesn’t make the journey any less immersive. I loved the support network that Connor had around him and how people came together to help prevent his eviction. And I appreciated how Gayle explored topical issues like urban regeneration and bullying. This delicate balancing of the positive and the negative aspects of life added real depth to the overall story.

I must confess, however, to having a bit of an eye roll at the appearance of yet another fictional, neurodivergent character. I know that diversity in literature should be applauded, but I can’t help feeling that this is a bandwagon every writer of up-lit is keen to jump on, and if I’m honest, it makes me a little bit uncomfortable.

Another lovely book by Mike gayle. You can always trust his books are going to hit the right spot. Great story

Another brilliant read by Mike Gayle. As an author he is so skilled at creating believable characters and places so as the reader you can very clearly imagine it all. He is also very good at pulling the emotional strings and you really feel for the characters you get to know so well. Thank you to the author, publisher and efor my arc

Another feel good story from Mr Gayle.
Connor lives in Hope Street with his mother Bernie.
Bernie goes out one day and doesn’t return.
The police have no luck finding her and the case is closed.
The house in Hope Street is being knocked down for redevelopment but Connor refuses to leave in case Bernie returns.
Lila is a reporter for a local paper and gets wind of the story. She promises to help track down Bernie or at least find out what happened.
A really nice light read story with a twist.

Cosy domestic drama
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For an easy and digestible read, Gayle hits it out the park again, following the gentle tale of Connor, living alone in his council house after his mum’s disappearance three years before, and local journalist Lila who promises to help Connor, even while she faces her own life challenges at work and at home.

Told in alternating chapters, the mystery of Connor’s mum is the glue that holds together multiple domestic plots including romance and families. With moments of light peril and good character moments, this would be good for dipping into, the story never losing sight of its eventual goal.

Three and a half stars.

Great read, characters were really real and the story felt like you were part of it. Thank you for the advanced read,

It’s so rare to be able to read a book with a smile on your face and tears in your eyes, it was honestly such an incredible heartfelt story that I loved every second of. The council want to demolish Connor’s house, the local paper send journalist Lila to investigate and here we meet such amazing well written characters.
Such a special book I would highly recommend.

This is going to be one of my favourite feel good books of the year and I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it.

Hope Street starts one morning with Bernie, a loving mother, who wakes her son, Conner, up with a cup of tea. Initially, we see Bernie do everything for Conner and we might wonder why she is still running around her 27 year old as if he’s still a child.

But then we learn quite quickly, that it’s three years later and Bernie is missing. Conner is now the sole resident on his street. The council want him to leave as he’s holding up the development of a new residential area that is going to be built there. Conner is devastated for the situation he is in but absolutely positive his mum will return. And because of that, he’s refusing to leave his house.

In comes Lila, a journalist with a heart, Conner’s best friend, Marcus, and a story that will tug at your heartstrings because of the recognition of those that slip between the cracks of the system.

If there was only one way to describe Mike Gayle's writing it would be a warm hug from the pages of a novel. Every one of his books I've read have caused me tears of happiness whilst being a realistic representation of life in the 21st century.
At the start of this novel we are introduced to Lila, a local newspaper reporter just like her dad before her, but with dreams of bigger things. Her boyfriend lives in London but she's starting to feel a bit adrift from him as their long-distance relationship takes its toll. Perhaps it's time to for her be brave and apply for an opportunity to be a journalist in the capital?
Then Lila's boss tasks her with writing a piece for the local newspaper about the council's plans for redevelopment of an area of social housing, however one stubborn resident is refusing to move. A young man named Connor whose mum Bernie left home one day and failed to return. Despite extensive searches by the police and Bernie's best friend, she's never been located. Connor's reason for staying put: what happens when Bernie comes home and the house - and Connor - have both gone? In his mind, he can't possibly leave.
Lila quickly establishes that Connor has learning difficulties, so she is going to have to build a rapport with him if she's going to be able to research his story properly. Luckily, they take a shine to one another and it's not long before Lila has made him a promise she's not sure she will be able to keep. She's going to find his mum. But can she persuade her editor that this is a story worthy of the pages of the local paper? And how will she explain to Connor if she can't keep her promise?
The book follows Lila as she pulls in favours from all the contacts she can think of in order to locate Bernie. The diversity throughout this book is truly representative of life in the UK - the good, the bad and the downright ugly sides of modern life. Each character is written to perfection, one of the author's absolute strengths.
I can guarantee you'll have tears as you follow Connor's story, but whether they're the ones you'll be expecting will depend on the individual. Some readers may find the story a bit predictable in places, but for me the storytelling ability of the author cancels out that argument 100%.
Another resounding success from Mr Gayle in my humble opinion.

Connor’s Mum disappeared a few years ago, literally just didn’t come home. The police haven’t closed the case but they aren’t actively looking into it either. However, the council are trying to demolish his street and Connor is refusing to leave, worried if he moves his Mum will never be able to find him.

Lila is a reporter stuck in a local journalism job dreaming of being a national reporter in London. However, when she meets the slightly quirky Connor and writes a story about the council and his missing Mum she begins to find her love of writing again and finds herself amongst it all.

I love everything I’ve read by Mike Gayle and this one fit the usual bill of dual perspective, focus on kindness and general humanity with a little background romance. But, I was a little bit disappointed it didn’t quite pull on the heartstrings and make me cry like usual. A lovely read though, I’d say if you liked Crawdads, Victoria Park, that sort of lovely fiction this one is for you!

Lila Metcalfe works for Derby's local newspaper The Echo, she covers all the stories with local interest which is why she finds herself on Hope Street about to meet the last resident who is refusing to leave to allow redevelopment of the area. She is surprised to find she is moved by Connor's story and is determined to help him. Moving and exciting story.

Wonderful character descriptions. I felt I knew them all especially Connor. . This is a great story of friendships developing in unexpected circumstances. I just loved it from the start to the ending. Another brilliant work by Mike Gayle

Connor's mum went missing three years ago and he's still waiting for her return. When the council announce they are going to demolish the housing development they've lived in his whole life, journalist Lila decides to help investigate the case to finally give Connor the closure he needs to help him move on, and move out.

Initially I found this one quite hard to get into as I wasn't particularly enjoying any of the three povs and the storyline wasn't something I'd usually go for. However, its charm did grow on me and I was very intrigued on how the story would play out and what had really happened to Connor's mum Bernie. This book had lots of different side plots as well as the main investigation into Bernie and I felt like you really got to know the characters well - towards the end though I do think some relationships felt very rushed.

Similar vibes to a Beth O'Leary novel but was slightly lacking that spark for me. Haven't read any other Mike Gayle books before but I've seen a few others are quite popular so maybe will have to try out some more to see if they are for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc !!

**All opinions are my own !!**

Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby and aspires to work at a major news outlet in London. When her editor sends her to 121 Hope Street to visit a resident, Connor McLaughlin, she thinks she might be getting a long awaited big break. The local council have big plans to redevelop the area and despite all his neighbours moving, Connor's refusal to do so only raises the question why?

It is simple. Connor can't leave until he finds out what happened to his mum, Bernie. One morning, three years ago, Bernice left the house to run errands but never came back. Despite a police investigation and media attention, the results were fruitless and with the lapse of time and lack of interest, the search has simply stopped. Lila knows this holds the potential for a great story, but could there be something more that could eventually unravel the story and lead Connor back to his mum?

Another wholesome and heartfelt offering by Mike Gayle. This is the second book I have read of Mike's and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The love Mike has for his protagonists shines through the pages and he is great at exploring the depth of human emotions and vulnerability in a simple yet emotive way which stays with you till the end.

Connor has my heart. Life has not been easy for him as a vulnerable adult. People can be mean, the short interaction he shares with his father leaves your heart reaching out to him and even strangers who take advantage of him was heartbreaking to read and yet horribly realistic. Where there is bad, there is also alot of good. This book was more enjoyable as Connor's found family, Marcus Lila and Alan, hold genuine friendship, care and kindness in their hearts for him. Looking at the story develop from this angle is another reason to pick this one up.

The other issue of community vs regeneration and redevelopment is also dealt with in the book. The people who have to move from their homes at the cost of this vision rarely do benefit from the new housing and the question of affordability and showing how the issue generally is dealt with by local councils is an intriguing part of the narrative that keeps the story flowing.

The core element is the love - not just what Connor and Bernie have for each other but within other relationships too. They were all explored wonderfully and it almost felt you were watching a movie. This is a sweet, wholesome book that is definitely worth a read.

Thank you @netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unedited review.

What a lovely book. Vulnerable 27 year old Connor and his mum Bernie live a quiet life while resisting the council moving them out of their home in Hope Street. One day Bernie goes out and doesn't come home. Three years later, after the Pandemic and all it entailed, local journalist Lila comes across the story and features it in the local paper. Connor's friend Marcus, who keeps an eye out for him is incensed, but Connor trusts Lila and so begins a friendship among the three. A search for Bernie ensues. Beautiful relationships, friendships and against the odds situations. And above all hope. Just beautiful. #netgalley #HopeStreet

Hope Street is exactly that, a tale of hope.

Connor lives with his mum, works at DIY-Depot and is generally happy with his life. Until things start to go wrong…when Connor’s works starts falling apart he relies on his friend Marcus and reporter Lila, Connor tries to put his life back together..

I love the characters of the book, the plot and subplots are all perfectly woven together.

A story of family, hardship, love, loss and hope this really is a lovely read.

My favourite book of the year so far! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. Mike Gayle is one of my favourite authors and got me in to reading during lockdown, so I was very excited to be accepted to read this!

This book made me sad, happy and laugh all at the same time, I would definitely recommend this!