Another poignant and powerful tale from the King of the Emotional Drama, Hope Street is a moving story, full of tragedy and sadness, but with a satisfying and uplifting ending that had me in tears. Reminiscent of Helen Fisher's Joe Nuthins Guide to Life, Connor is an unforgettable character that will stay with me.

Told from three points of view (Lila, the local newspaper reporter; Connor, who is neurodivergent and trying to avoid eviction from his home; plus flashbacks to Bernie, Connor’s mother who disappeared in 2020) Hope Street has an engaging plot that tugs on the heart strings, and even
made me cry at one point. With well-drawn characters, a touch of romance and a mystery to solve, it kept me turning the pages. Overall, another excellent book from Mike Gayle.

What a beautifully written book. I absolutely loved it and the characters were thoughtfully written with an honest perspective, not being too sentimental or stereotypical.

Lila is a local author who has set her sights on journalism in London and living there with her long term boyfriend. When asked to cover a story about one resident refusing to leave their family home Lila sets out to Hope Street. This begins what is to become a story of love, loss, friendship, betrayal and finding hope, when none could be found.

I will definitely be recommending and sharing my thoughts about this book and would recommend it as a unputdownable story which I am sure anyone would fail to fall in love with.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me gripped from start to end.
Connor is the only resident left on Hope Street but despite his community disappearing around him he needs to remain in case hi mum returns.
Lila is the journalist sent to tell his story.
The intertwining of their lives and stories is brilliant and I ended feeling that there is hope because most people are kind.

I love Mike Gayle and this book didn’t disappoint. A story of a mother and son relationship, a best friend, a journalist and a heartwarming story of kindness. Connor’s mum leaves the house one day and doesn’t return, the house he lives in is due to be demolished but he wants to keep it for her to come home to. The place he works is closing down. He contacts the local news and so builds new relationships and friendships.

Another incredible moving and emotive read from Mike Gayle 📚

What a fantastic read; I couldn’t put it down! An emotional journey of hope, standing up for what is right and having compassion for others. When Connor is faced with having to leave the only home he has known, his community rally round to help him in all the ways he needs, even if he doesn’t realise what they are doing is for the best. Marcus and Lila are both incredible friends to him, it warmed my heart so much especially when things were going so wrong.

Writing about sensitive topics in an empathetic way is something I know this author is brilliant at and Hope Street is no exception. Great characters, each unique with great bonds, I loved how the story progressed as their relationships strengthened.

This story has it all - laughter, heartbreak, drama. An emotional rollercoaster but one that cannot be missed! Highly recommended.

A very nice, gentle, easy story to read from Mike Gayle. I wasn't exactly excited by it but enjoyed the good story telling we've come to expect from this author. A very slow burning tale coming to a satisfactory conclusion. Gayle's fans will be happy with this new offering.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is another heartbreaking and heartwarming book from Mike Gayle. Loved it so much, as it was so realistic and brilliantly written. I was obsessed with it from the very first page and couldn't stop reading. Devoured it in less than two days and was so sad when it finished as I got so attached to the characters.

Nowadays Hope Street is deserted and the only person that still lives there is Connor. He doesn't want to move out even if the local council is threatening him, because he is waiting for his mum to come back home to him. His mum left one day and never came back. In the meantime, local journalist Lila hears about the story and meets Connor. After hearing his story she decides to help him to find his mum and get him closure.

This book is written in 3 POVs alternating from Lila's, Connor's and Bernie's life stories. For me, this format was perfect as each POV gave so much and as a reader, I was able to get close to all of the three main characters, their life and feelings, as well as felt emotions that they felt.

I just adored how developed the characters were in this book but at the same time how much their all grew through the story. The story itself is about friendship, love, hope and never giving up on your loved ones. Yet it also tackles more important and wider social issues such as bullying, discrimination, and urban redevelopment and how it affects and changes the lives of communities and individuals.

As always adored a book written by Mike Gayle. Beautiful story, amazing characters and its definitely going to be one of the top 2025 books for me.

The council want to knock Connors house down but his Mum left one day and hasn't come back so he needs to stay there so she can find him. Lila a journalist looking for a story interviews him and consequently changes both their lives.
I have read several Mike Gayle books and I really love them . Easy reading, with relatable characters his books are always like a warm hug. I really loved the way Connor and Lila's life's got intertwined through the book.
There were a couple of passages in the book where things were over-explained to Connor (a vulnerable adult) , but overall Gayle treated this part of the story with care.
Mike Gayle fans will know they are in safe hands when picking this book up and newcomers will have a nice introduction to an enjoyable author.

This was such a lovely heartfelt read that I just didn’t want it to end. The story focuses on Conner a vulnerable young man whose home in Hope Street is about to be demolished. He doesn’t want to move because he’s been waiting for years for his mum to come back . Bernie would never leave Connor so what has happened to her. We then meet Lila who is a local reporter and Marcus his friend. Together they help to look for his mum. Along the way we meet all kinds of characters , some who want to help Connor and some who take advantage of his vulnerability. I loved the warmth this story gave and the goodness that can be found in people. There are moments of anger at people who take advantage and who are downright cruel. It’s a love story, a story about friendship and community spirit. I loved it and need to read more Mike Gayle books .

Journalist Lila is tasked with finding out Connor's story - a young man who is refusing to leave us house on Hope Street. The council need Connor to move so they can knock down the street, but Connor refuse to leave until his mum returns. The problem is, she went missing three years earlier.

Hope Street is an emotional book about friendship and compassion, with some lovely relationships and a bittersweet story. It is beautifully written and easy to read, packed full of compelling characters.

I was really excited to be able to read an advance copy of Hope Street by Mike Gayle. It’s an absolutely delightful heartwarming and uplifting story which will completely restore your faith in human nature.

It’s a real page turner which I read over two days. It moves along from the point of view of the two protagonists, Connor and Lila.

Lila is a trainee journalist for Derby’s local newspaper who dreams of working for national newspaper and moving away from the mundane local news stories. She is given a tip to visit Hope Street and the last occupied house on a street earmarked for redevelopment. There she meets Connor, a man in his late 20s living alone and refusing to leave his council house because he’s waiting for his mum, Bernie, to come home. She left three years ago and wouldn’t just leave him.

This becomes so much more than a story about urban redevelopment, Lila gets a break at a much bigger story of helping Connor find his mother.

The story is one of hope, friendship and love with social issues weaved in for good measure. I found Connor’s story of trying to navigate his way through life with the help of his childhood friend Marcus and his mum Bev really utterly compelling. Lila breaks her own rule of journalism and becomes involved and invested in helping Connor, which felt really believable.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The greatest adventure is coming back home.

Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby and 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 and 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.

My thoughts:

This book was all expected it to be. Beautifully written and packed full of hope.

The story is told through 3 pov’s: Bernie, Lila and Connor and the chapters go back and forth alternating between them, building a picture of their lives.

Mike’s storytelling is exceptional. I was drawn in and fell in love with the characters. Lila was incredibly compassionate and caring, and the way she helped Connor was incredible. I loved reading through Bernie’s pov, the love and devotion she had towards her son, and in the end discovering what really happened to her. Connor, a vulnerable adult, it was interesting to read how he viewed and understood the world around him.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder & Stroughton for the advance egalley of this book. Opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is a real heart-warmer! Lila is a journalist who is investigating why the final resident of a cul-de-sac refuses to move.
Connor is living alone on Hope Street, with every other house around him empty and waiting to be demolished by the council but he won’t leave. A firm friendship develops as we find out the reasons for his situation.
This is a story of friendship, having faith in people, doing what ever it takes, the family you are born with, the family you choose, and fighting for what you believe in.
I could not have guessed how this story developed, and that’s what brought so many emotions. Fabulously written. Read it in 2 sittings.
“Hope Street” is published 6th February 2025, and is available for pre-order now!
Thank you @NetGalleyUK for my ARC, it was wonderful to read.

I really, really, really enjoyed this one; it was so heartwarming and beautiful. Definitely one to look out for next year.

I am ashamed to admit that this is my first book by Mike Gayle; I have been gently nudged to read his other works, but I just hadn't (and I don't really know why). But boy oh boy will I know go back and read his entire back catalogue, because I adored this story so very much.

It is such a touching story; my heart just bled for Connor and his Mum on almost every page. They have such a beautiful and special relationship, one that you think has been turned on it's head.

This is a story about characters, relationships and family (both found and actual). Conner is such a fantastic character; he's so complex and interesting. There is so, so much more to him than meets the eye. He's so passionate, and loving, and caring; he builds really beautiful relationships with people who are important to him. It breaks my heart whenever anyone is less than caring towards him. I just want to give him a massive hug. I also think it's really beautiful that he has this community that has been built around him; even though it's just been Conner and his Mum for such a long time, he has so many people who love and care about him.

Something that I really enjoyed about Hope Street, is that it's not simply a contemporary fiction book, there's also a mystery that you have to unravel. And more importantly, it's all connected to the main story, and helps you gain a deeper understanding of all of the events. I really enjoyed this fusion of genres, and I think it worked really well.

Mike has such a fantastic style of writing; he writes and crafts his characters with such love, care and attention. It may sound silly, but it just reads like he really cares about his characters. They feel really well fleshed out and authentic.

I very much enjoyed Hope Street, and would definitely recommend it!!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Hodder&Stoughton for this ARC. Connor is the last one living on Hope Street. The council has sold to a development and he is being forced to move. When the local paper heard about his fight, they sent Lila to interview him. She learns he is suffering from social anxiety and his mom disappeared three years ago. He doesn't want to move because when his mom comes back, she needs to be able to find him. This book was such a sweet, sweet story and I absolutely loved it! #HopeStreet #MikeGayle #HodderandStoughton #Feb2025

Thirty-year-old Connor is the last remaining resident of Hope Street. Despite repeated warnings from the council he refuses to move out. When local newspaper reporter Lila gets hold of the story she discovers the heartbreaking reason for Connor's refusal to move.

Mike Gayle is one of those authors who you know is guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings and Hope Street is no different. Filled with wonderful characters and a plight that would melt the coldest heart the reader can't help but become immersed in the story.

The book opening does pull you up a little as we join 64-year-old Bernie McLaughlin taking a cup of tea to her 27-year-old son Connor who is still in bed. You immediately form an unfavourable opinion of Connor, thinking he's a layabout. Bernie then leaves the house, telling her son she has a few errands to run.

We then rejoin the story three years later and discover Connor living alone in the house on Hope Street, his mother has been missing for three years having never returned from her day out. It is slowly revealed that the reason Connor was still living with his mother was because he has a learning disability. He's had a job in the local DIY store since he was sixteen and copes well on a day-to-day basis because he likes routines.

When the local newspaper hears about the sole resident of soon-to-be demolished Hope Street they send a local reporter to find out more about the story. Reporter Lila is sucked into Connor's life when she learns about his mother's disappearance. Connor has never given up the belief that his mother will return. He is worried that if he moves and Hope Street is knocked down she won't be able to find him. Lila promises Connor that she will help him try to find his mother.

Hope Street is the perfect title as your hopes are raised, then dashed, then raised again as Lila investigates what happened to Bernie. Not everything centres around Connor either, some of the other characters have issues to contend with. The author also uses the story to shine a light on some real-life problems but this is done with a light touch so as not to detract too much from an uplifting tale.

I was dreading the conclusion, particularly after Mike Gayle's last novel, A Song Of Me And You. My heart was in my mouth as the events from three years ago were slowly revealed, bringing tears to my eyes.

I love Mike Gayles writing and was really looking forward to this.

I was not disappointed a great read.

Mike creates the best characters that you just want to be friends with and really hope they get the ending they deserve.

Loved this touching book

What a wonderful heart-warming story of friendships, love, never giving up and what home really means.
I adored Connor and thought the story really highlighted the challenges and injustices that happen to normal people who just want a quiet life, and yet how there is always good around us even in our darkest times.
I already know this will be one of my best books published in 2025.

This was a slow burner in the most heart warming way. It highlighted how horrifically some people can be treated in order to build bigger and better infrastructure, while forgetting the impact it will have on others. A beautiful story.