I absolutely love Mike Gayle, and I’m always really excited when I see that he has a new book out. In this book we follow Connor whose mother disappeared three years ago and he’s facing eviction from his home in Hope Street where he has lived for the majority his life. Connor appears to be neurodiverse and all of the changes he is experiencing have a significant impact on him. A local reporter Leila agrees to help him look for his mother so together with Connor‘s friend Marcus they try to uncover what happened to his Mum whilst also supporting him to find alternative accommodation and deal with some of the unpleasant individuals that come into his life at this time.
A really heartwarming and highly recommended read and the easiest of 5 ⭐️ ratings. Put this on the top of your TBR lists for 2025 - you won’t regret it.

I was super excited to get an early copy of Hope Street on Netgalley, and it didn’t disappoint.

Told from the points of view of Lila, Connor, and his mum Bernie, this is a lovely story that’s heartbreakingly sad in parts, but always fun of hope.

Mike Gayle writes people like no one else and makes you genuinely care for his characters. I ached for Connor, and truly hoped his mum would come home. Connor is vulnerable, yet courageous adult, and his chapters give a real insight into the way people see and treat him.

This is a book full of friendship, and love, and is the perfect reminder for us all to be kind and compassionate.

I can’t wait to hear Mike Gayle talk about it at @Urmston Books in February!

Thank you netgalley and
HodderBooks andHodderPublicity for the opportunity to read an early copy of this gorgeous book.

Thank you to the UK publishers and Netgalley for an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Mike Gayle book, and it absolutely won't be my last!

I was expecting a cosy and easy read, and in some ways it was feel good, but it also tore my heart out in the best way possible. It was a story full of emotion and I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters.

Tissues might be needed at some points. Just warning you. But it was a beautiful story and I'm sure so many will love it!

I loved, loved, loved this heartwarming novel. I felt a real connection to all of the characters, except Gabe who was a self-entitled pig. I thought the book could have ended at several points so I was delighted to keep finding I was only partway through and could continue to enjoy the story for even longer. An easy 5 stars from me.

I knownthis part of the world well. And it's not one you hear of much in locations for books. So it felt strange but nice to be able to put names to the places and picture it too.
Mike Gayle always does such a beautiful way with his books. His stories are full of sensitive and heartfelt people, places snd plots. I just know I'm going to get emotionally invested in them and this one gladly was no exception.
This time journalist Lila is once again given "one of those jobs" but little does she know what it will.tirn out to be for all involved. Young Connor is the only one left in his housing development to leave. They want his home. But he is refusing to leave. And it's here that Lila learns he won't because he is waiting for his mother. His mother who went missing. It's is then she decides she must help. And so Mike's beautiful telling of their journey begins.
What a gorgeous book. Once againtugged at all my heart strings and created a few more.

A touching story with likeable characters and an intriguing premise. The ending was satisfying and there were plenty of problems along the way, making it hard to see how the author would create a happy resolution. I particularly liked the character of Connor and really rooted for him through this lovely book.

What a lovely heartwarming read. I really enjoyed this story beautifully written with such sensitivity full of warmth and charm. When journalist Lila goes to interview a young man Connor about refusing to leave his home which is needed for a new development she learns the real reason why which is that he is waiting for his mum to come home after going missing.and she does everything she can to try and help him.I loved the location as its where I come from and I recognised all the places mentioned which added to my enjoyment. A lovely story and one I highly recommend

First 5 star review of 2025. I am a big fan of Mike Gayle. This rivalled “the man I think I know”. 10 years since I read “my legendary girlfriend”.

Set in Derby (my home town). Lila a local reporter is sent to Hope Street to meet the final resident as the area is set for redevelopment.

Lila is captivated by Connor’s story. Lila makes it her mission to find out the truth.

Great read.

Oh this one will pull at the heart. What happened to Connor's mum? Why hasn't she come home? Lila, who is sent to find out why Connor won't leave Hope Street, goes all in to help him get answers as to why she's been gone for 3 years. This unfolds gently with bits of back story trickling out at just the right moment. No spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling- and a good story- make this a very good read.

I loved this! Heartfelt, uplifting, community spirited and shows the absolute best of people which left me reduced to tears, will always recommend a Mike Gayle novel.

The Greatest Adventure.

Connor is happy in his own little world, going to work and then returning to his house to wait for his mum to come home. Except she hasn’t come home and the council are wanting to demolish his house. Lila is tasked on covering the story for the local paper but she soon realises this is more than it seems.

What a wonderful book, I loved it and read it in less than 24 hours. Wonderful characters and my favourite part was the relationship between Connor and Alan. This book was a case of right book at the right time and was perfect for a break from my usual thrillers or murders. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and good luck to the author on its release.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publication Date - 06/02/2025

#HopeStreet
#MikeGayle

Another heartwarming, emotional rollercoaster of a read from Mike Gayle.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby & she's very used to being given the stories that no one else wants. So, when her editor tells her that the city's Cossington Park development is being held up by a solitary resident on Hope Street who is refusing to leave, she knows she is going to be the one sent to find out more. And that's how she meets Connor. Twenty-something Connor is the sole resident of Hope Street & he is not at all what Lila is expecting. And he has a very clear reason not to move: he is waiting for his mum to come home.

Needless to say I am a huge Mike Gayle fan so have excitedly been counting down to this latest release, and once again, the wait was most definitely worth it!

Mike has a wonderful talent of producing titles that are full of characters that you fall in love with instantly, accompanied by a beautiful, heartfelt story, written in his unique, embracing, captivating & emotional style.

Hope Street is no exception, introducing us to Lila, a character that knows what she wants, her journey in this title being one of deeper self-discovery. And then there’s Connor, someone who doesn’t believe in himself but lives in a world of gentle naivety, but with one clear focus; wanting to know what happened when his mum didn’t return home one day three years ago.

I loved reading how the story unfolded, as always in Gayle’s books there are moments that make you smile, moments that make you laugh & moments that make you cry, it’s an emotional rollercoaster that you enjoy every single minute of. It is a thought-provoking, cleverly executed story that can’t fail to leave you with a heartwarming, fuzzy feeling inside, reminding you to never ever give up hope - I didn’t want it to end!

“We can’t change what’s already happened, all we can do is deal with what’s in front of us”

This is another beautiful, engaging and moving story by Mike Gayle. Connor has a learning difficulty and lives with his Mum on Hope Street which is up for demolition by the Council. When his Mum fails to return home one day and is missing for 3 years, Connor refuses to move in case she returns and can't find him. This story has a cast of lovely, relatable people whose kindness is heartwarming and moving. Connor is a delightful, gentle soul and my heart ached for him as he faced numerous trials alone. I really couldn't put this book down and read it every moment I could as I was so concerned for, and engrossed in, Connor's story. I loved this book. Mike Gayle is a master when it comes to writing about good people and how kindness and love can overcome bad situations. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. My review is voluntarily given.

I love Mike Gayle's books, and Hope Street is another superb read. I know that I am in for a real treat, that I will love the characters and they will stay with me for a long time.
Connor won't leave his home in Hope Street as he is waiting for his mum to come home. He is the last resident in the once vibrant street. How will she find him when she comes back of he moves out as the council wants him to? Lila, a journalist with the local newspaper, is given the job of seeing if there is a story to be had in Hope Street. She does not think it will be much, but is soon scooped up into Connor's world and finds there is a real story to be told.
I adored this book. Connor and Lila are so wonderful. I knew I would go through ever emotion as always with one of Mike's books, and you never know which way one of his books will end!
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lila Metcalf is a journalist working on the Derby Echo. She is in a 5-year relationship with Gabe who lives many miles away in London. Lila is hoping to move there soon, to join one of the big tabloid newspapers and fulfil her lifelong ambition.

Lila is about to leave the office for the day when her editor asks her to interview a man living on a housing estate, who is refusing to move out of his home. Connor is the only resident in Hope Street as all his neighbours have moved out of the area which is to be regenerated, their old homes now having been boarded up. Connor is refusing to move out as his mum left three years ago and never came back. Connor believes that one day his mum will come back, but if he moves then she won’t know where to find him. Soon, Lila realises that there is much more to Connor’s initial story and promises him and his friend Marcus that she will track down Connor’s mum.

The story is told from various points of view and moved seamlessly between what happened to Bernie, Connors mum and Lila’s search for her. As the story develops, we learn much about the back story of the four main characters as their lives start to entwine with a bond that will last longer than the last page of the book.

I just LOVED this book. It was just such an enthralling story and is packed full of emotion and hope. There are many times you are lead to believe that all is lost, but determination and love win through.
A very easy 5 stars for Mike Gayle’s latest book.

Connor is the only remaining resident of Hope Street, and is resisting the council's attempts to make him move so that they can demolish the street.
Lila is a local journalist who's sent to write a story about his refusal to move.
She discovers that Connor won't leave Hope Street as he's waiting for his mum to come home - she went out three years previously and never came back.
This is a beautiful and engaging book.

4.5 stars!

I love when a new Mike Gayle book comes out as you know you will get a well-written story with a varied, believable and relatable cast of characters who you are rooting for before you know it! Hope Street was no different and I highly recommend if you are in the mood for a warm hug of a read!

5* (only because 6* isn’t an option) Hope Street - Mike Gayle. Spine tinglingly brilliant.

Trainee journalist Lila is sent to interview a man who refuses to move, despite all of his neighbours having been rehoused by the local Council to make way for a new development. But Connor has good reason to stay put and Lila can’t help be drawn into his life to try and help him - finding friends and adventures along the way.

So so good in every respect. With no exception, the characters are fabulous (even the horrors who we are suspicious of). The plot zips along, is twisty and utterly readable in the way only a masterful author can do. The journey is a rollercoaster but weaves throughout is such utter warmth that even the low points for the Lila and Connor have a sparkle.

I immediately knew I was going to love Hope Street and it just got better the further in I got. By the end I was utterly invested and the ending is breathless, uplifting and satisfying.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an ARC.

Mike Gayle does it again with Hope Street, a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that tugs at the heartstrings while keeping you gripped from start to finish.

The story follows Lila Metcalf, an ambitious journalist on the cusp of her big break, as she delves into the life of Connor McLaughlin, the last resident of 121 Hope Street.

While the council is eager to redevelop the area, Connor refuses to leave until he uncovers the truth about his mother Bernie’s mysterious disappearance three years ago.

This premise sets the stage for a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

As a former local reporter myself, Lila massively resonated with me.

Her passion for proper journalism, her determination to uncover the truth, and her drive to tell a story that really matters felt so authentic and relatable.

Mike Gayle captures her ambition and sense of justice perfectly, and it’s impossible not to root for her as much as for Connor.

Gayle’s writing shines with empathy and care, making you feel deeply connected to his characters.

Connor is a standout – vulnerable yet courageous, he’s a character who stays with you long after the last page.

The supporting cast is just as compelling, filled with people who show the best and worst of humanity.

From those who offer kindness and friendship to those who exploit Connor’s struggles, every character feels real and impactful.

The storyline surrounding the redevelopment of Hope Street is both timely and poignant.

Gayle masterfully captures the loss of community and heritage in the name of progress, weaving an emotional thread through Connor’s fight to stay put.

The balance of the mystery surrounding Bernie’s disappearance and the broader issues of gentrification makes for a layered and engrossing read.

As always, Gayle delivers an emotional rollercoaster.

The moments of heartbreak are softened by warmth and hope, and the themes of love and friendship add richness to the story.

It’s a book that reminds you of the power of connection and the importance of standing up for what matters.

With its authentic characters, compelling mystery, and emotional depth, Hope Street is another triumph from Mike Gayle.

A must-read for fans of character-driven stories that resonate deeply.

Highly recommended.

With huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.