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Member Reviews

Norma and the Blue Hour by Chris Delyani was a total surprise—one of those rare books that slowly sneaks up on you and then completely wins you over. I’ll be honest: the first hundred pages felt slow, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was for me. But something about the writing and the characters kept me going. And I’m so glad I did, because what followed was a rich, beautifully layered story full of heart, humor, and emotional depth.

The book follows Norma and a wide cast of characters whose lives intertwine in both quiet and dramatic ways. Multiple POVs are used to great effect, not just as a storytelling device, but as a way to reframe our understanding of Norma herself. Each perspective adds something vital, showing how people are shaped not only by their actions but also by how others see them. The narrative becomes a kind of kaleidoscope, constantly shifting and deepening.

Once the plot hits its stride, the story ramps up in a way that feels organic but still exciting. The emotional payoff is absolutely worth the slow burn of the beginning. Delyani’s strength lies in his ability to write people, their flaws, hopes, quiet fears, with realism and tenderness. By the time I reached the final chapters, I found myself fully invested in the lives of these characters.

What I also loved was how the novel captures the nuance of everyday relationships, friendships, missed connections, the ache of growing older and wondering what still lies ahead. The “blue hour” metaphor resonates deeply, capturing that in-between time when the world feels a little softer, more open, more uncertain. The book touches on themes of personal reinvention, the power of chosen family, and the quiet persistence of hope.

For readers who like:
-Literary fiction with strong character development
-Multi-POV narratives
-Subtle humor

Final Verdict
Norma and the Blue Hour is a slow-burning, quietly powerful novel that ultimately delivers a rewarding emotional experience. It’s about life’s quiet pivots, the bonds we form, and the messy beauty of becoming who we are. If you’re patient with the pacing, you’ll find yourself swept up in a rich, human story that lingers long after the final page. Give this one to a friend and tell them to stick with it.

Grateful to NetGalley, Solid Oaktown Books and Chris DelyanI For the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

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This book has a heart, a pulse, it's alive. A slow build that spreads and develops it's characters and storyline into something truly unique and beautiful. It's colourful and richly vivid, I was spellbound.

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I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately it didn’t quite land for me. The mystery plot felt quite thin and lacked the depth or intrigue I was hoping for. While the writing had its moments, the build-up to the ending stretched believability a bit too far and left me feeling more puzzled than satisfied. I can appreciate the effort and imagination that went into it, but overall, it just didn’t resonate with me.

Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

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This book was 100% a surprise for me! The first 100 pages felt slow but intriguing enough to continue reading. It suddenly ramped up with a great story and exciting drama. I am delighted to have read it all and to be surprised! I was certain it would not be my cup of tea and yet, I loved it! The characters, their motivations and thoughts all came to life in such a realistic way. I would give this one to a friend and say persevere as you will not be disappointed.
As a side note, I really liked the title and the main's character's name.

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-By Chris Delyani

My newest 5 star read!!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and especially the author for providing this ARC.

At first I was scared that I wasn't going to like this book, and I almost DNF'd it. I am so happy that little voice that said continue spoke up because this is one of the most heartwarming books I have read in a long time.

In this story we follow Norma, a famous retired fashion designer, after she has had a car accident. New characters are introduced as the story continues and by the first half we have met everyone. I must say that I truly learnt to love all the beautiful characters and their problems. The only character that I still am not crazy about is Kevin....

At first I only liked a few of the characters but now that I finished I can say that I truly love almost all of them!

The comic relief was also always there on time so that even though heavy topics were discussed you never felt triggered.

I love how the author decided to end the book and the twists that was decided to be included. It was so well done and the found family trope and finding yourself trope were so well executed that I was getting all warm and fuzzy.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a good heartwarming read to get them going again or to give them hope for life. I would love to buy this book as soon as it is available in my local bookshops.

Characters 5/5

Setting 5/5

Story 5/5


Overall 5/5

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3.5 stars This was a compelling yet languid read. I loved the unhurried narration of this novel, and the slow unfolding of the lives of Norma, Julie, Alex, and all the others. Oh and Harry Winston, of course. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the ending—was expecting a bit more clarity on the Kevin situation. However, altogether, I'm happy with the book. I was also very surprised to discover that the author is a man.

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Norma has been in a terrible car accident and wants to find her long-lost son. Has she succeeded or not?

This book is full of grief, lost love and second chances.

I love how this book takes us through Norma's life and her feelings. The writing style is full of beautiful phrasing.

However, I wasn't really hooked up with the plot or the characters. The story moves along quickly, but sometimes I just didn't understand their thoughts.

But overall, I would recommend this book to people who want a book without much thought, just to enjoy reading.

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This is really not the sort of book I’d usually read, but I was drawn by the LGBTQIA+ theme. This book is a very quick and very easy read. The storyline is easy to follow, no big plot twists or moments of horror, it’d be a great holiday read.

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Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written with characters that draw you in and hook you almost instantly.
I could picture everyone so well: Norma and Julie, Alex and Pratyush and even Charles and Kevin, not to forget the famous house.
Lovely story, I do wish we saw/heard more from Kevin, at least at the end. But this was a lovely book with lovely characters, and great pacing. Didn’t want it to end!

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Summary:
The Blue Hour is a multiple POV novel that follows 79-year-old Norma, her younger sister Julie, and Julie’s tenant Alex. The story begins in the aftermath of Norma’s car accident, which necessitates physical therapy. This is where Alex enters the picture. He’s a physical therapy nurse currently facing unemployment, so Julie persuades Norma to hire him until he finds a new job or recovers—whichever comes first.

Norma ends up essentially treating him like an errand boy, and Alex is happy to fulfill her requests; the paycheck is appreciated. However, this irritates Norma’s adult son, Charles, who believes she should be asking him for help instead, or better yet, move into a nursing home. He’s somewhat of a disappointing son, but he’s better than her other son, Kevin, who hasn’t spoken to his mother in 25 years.

Thoughts:
I was ABSOLUTELY hooked for a majority of this book. There was a rough patch in the middle where I didn’t see where the plot was going, and it left me a little uncertain how I would end up liking the book. But then it started rolling again, and it was lovely.

There was a huge emphasis on Harry Winston, the stray cat, for most of the front end of the book. Then chapters go by without so much amid a mention, before his presence returns and he is once again a main character.

I felt slightly off put by Alex and Pratyush’s relationship - specifically why Alex would continue to dote over his husband, despite Pratyush portraying a conditional love. The fact that Alex justifies Pratyush’s behavior following his unemployment just felt icky. Pratyush is able to enjoy his hobbies and spend time out in the evening, while Alex sits home and feels bad about being without a full time job.

Writing: The storytelling in this book was absolutely amazing. It had a magical way of weaving through each of the characters’ lives and then coming back full circle.

Some lines used vocabulary that felt forced and unnatural, almost as if the author wrote it first and then went through with a thesaurus to improve. It interrupted the flow.

Plot Holes:
Without giving any spoilers, there were some parts that felt incomplete. Pretend Kevin’s presence throughout the first half is fairly insignificant, considering it’s mentioned in the book’s description. I expected far more impact of this little muse.

The reasoning for actual Kevin’s estrangement is never truly explained. His reasoning doesn’t feel justified for 25 years of no-contact, nor does Norma’s compliance to just let him disappear for nearly half of her life.

Four stars.

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