What a completely enchanting book.! Principally this book was about the special and unique relationship between a parent and child; it was about loving, giving, believing, letting people in and letting them go. It dealt with the raw nature of human emotion but also dealt with the magic of the theatre, the magic of storytelling and the magic of mankind at its best. The story was supported (and I was utterly enraptured) by the cast of wonderful characters that made up Tom and Hannah's friends and the local theatre drama group: they were quirky, eclectic, completely three dimensional and so very endearing that everything in me wanted to leap into the page and join them. I am loathe to say more as I would not want to spoil a single moment of this gorgeous novel. I enjoyed Keith Stuart's last book but this one went straight to my heart.

This book really did make me wonder – how can Keith Stuart possibly follow A Boy Made of Blocks? Believe me, he can and he has! A story about a young girl with a life-limiting heart condition, brought up by her single father who runs a provincial theatre that’s on its uppers, could have been so many things. It could have been depressing, or sentimental. It’s neither. Hannah is an edgy, intelligent girl who, though haunted by her probably lack of future, though often scared, takes life by the horns and twists them. She’s trying to fix her dad up with a woman ‘for afterwards,’ so he’s not alone.

It’s a story about the magic of stories. About not giving in, and believing in each other, and of course, about love. Both major characters are believable and funny. You feel their pain, you laugh with their joy. It’s brilliantly done and backed up with a cast of lovely characters, each with their own troubles. I adore this book.

Wow what a truly special book. A wonderful story of single dad Tom and his teenage daughter Hannah. It follows their life through the theatre, a theatre that has become their home and their family. Even though Hannah is extremely ill with a heart condition they make sure that life will go on as always. I so didn't want this book to end

I loved this book, it follows the story of Tom and Hannah (father and daughter) through there life as they deal with Hannah's heart condition. Hannah grew up around the theatre as Tom was a theatre manager. Hannah mum left when she was 3 and the local amateur dramatics group became Hannah's extended family. This book will make you laugh and cry in the same sentence. A must read.

I really enjoyed Keith Stuart's previous story about a Dad connecting with his son via the power of Minecraft in "A Boy Made of Blocks" and was eagerly looking forward to reading his next novel 'Days of Wonder'.

Relationships again form a core part of this book, particularly between a Father and Daughter and those of family and friends.

Tom is a single parent father to Hannah, who has a rare, life-threatening heart condition. They manage as best they can day to day and interact with a wide variety of characters who are mostly all members of the local drama society.

Tom manages the local theatre in their hometown, and together with the aid of his local drama group, they manage to make each birthday of Hannah's special via a specially produced play. To say more would give the plot away too much, but this is a lovely story of community, family, and the power of storytelling.

The relationship between Tom and Hannah is wonderfully detailed and told alternatively from Tom and Hannah's point of view throughout the plot. We see Tom worrying constantly about Hannah and her condition, and in return, Hannah worrying about her father's loneliness and whether he would be able to cope in future on her own.

The story mixed together a great blend of emotion, comedy, and amateur drama. A great read and a rarely given 5 star.

Many thanks to Clara from Little Brown Book Group Limited for providing this book for review in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved A Boy Made of Blocks and wasn’t sure if Keith Stuart could follow it up with an equally moving story. He most definitely has.

The story is split between Tom and his daughter Hannah, who has a serious heart condition, and I loved them instantly. Keith has captured their relationship beautifully. Hannah’s chapters are especially well done as she goes through everyday teenage issues, but with the added pressure of her condition looming over her.

The supporting cast of characters are fantastic too, especially the theatre group and their adventures. There is a lot of comedy throughout what is at times a very emotional story.

I highly recommend this wonderful, magical book to everyone!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I was lucky enough to be invited to read this book by the publisher and absolutely loved it. Thank you and I will definitely recommend it to others.

This is a well written, heartwarming story from Keith Stuart about living with a life limiting illness, in this case heart disease.
The characters are well developed, likeable and relatable. The story has a sense of community, people helping each other in times of need and true friendships. It is a lovely story and one I totally recommend.
5 *****

Wow what an incredible moving and compelling read and a fantastic follow up to A Boy Made Of Blocks. The author has the knack of making you think you are reading a true story. It is sad in parts but also uplifting, although Hannah has a life threatening heart condition she wants her life to be as normal as possible and to do the things other 15 year olds get the chance to do. She has an amazing relationship with her father who is always there for her. even though sometimes she feels stifled by his care and attention. He is a single parent and is terrified of losing her to the terrible condition that is gradually taking over their lives. Their other love is a small provincial theatre that her dad Tom has run for the past decade, when the future of the theatre is threatened Tom misses a vital meeting to challenge the closurer.. I loved reading their story and finding out the outcome, thank you for the ARC

Lovely story that made me laugh and cry. I really don’t want to anything about the plot that you won’t have already seen from the summary or it will just spoil an excellent read.

Days of Wonder is a story told in alternating chapters between Tom and his daughter Hannah. By doing this, the reader gets to see how both characters deal with Hannah's heart condition.

Being a parent I could very much get behind Tom with wanting to wrap his daughter up in cotton wool. After his wife left them both, Tom has very much had to be both mum and dad and deal with things on his own for numerous years. My heart really went out to him. It's obvious what a fantastic dad he is. He has dedicated his life to bringing up his daughter and the theatre is like a second home to them both.

Hannah to a point is a typical teen. She loves her dad with all her heart but wants some normality to her life. Due to her condition, which has gradually got worse over the years, she is struggling coming to terms with it all. I just wanted to reach out to her and take it all away.

There is a great cast of characters within the theatre group, especially Margaret, of which I loved how the theatre plays a big part in the book also. You get a real sense of community spirit and how something can really pull people together.

Days of Wonder is a beautiful tale of a father and daughter bond so strong that Hannah and Tom literally stole my heart. A heart warming and emotive read that grabs you by the heart, body and soul. Without a doubt this is going to be a lot of peoples top reads of 2018, I know it's one of mine! It's just one of those books you really have to read for yourself just to see how wonderful it is. No amount of words could do this stunning book justice.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Days Of Wonder’ written by Keith Stuart in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Tom is the manager of the Willow Tree theatre and every year he produces a magical production for his daughter Hannah’s birthday. Hannah has always thought of the theatre as her second home and is very close to everyone working in the theatre. From the age of four Hannah develops a heart condition and when she’s fifteen it worsens. At the same time Tom also discovers that the Council don’t want to pay for the upkeep of the theatre and intend closing it. Tom and Hannah have more than one fight on their hands, Tom to make the council realise that the theatre is important to the community, and Hannah for her life.
This is an enchanting novel of love, hope and magic. It’s about a young girl growing up, finding her place in the world, the friends she makes in the theatre, and the special bond she has with her father. It’s funny, especially the hilarious descriptions of Tom’s attempts at online dating, but oh so sad. The epilogue which jumps to September 2025 brings the story of Tom and Hannah to a close and I admit I was in tears. This was such a lovely story. Thank you Keith Stuart for creating a poignant and beautiful story with such wonderful characters.

A little bit of a slow burn for me, with fabulous characters that took their time to weave their way into my heart.

At its core, this is a book about a girl with a life-limiting heart condition, and the way that she and her dad deal with it. But it’s so much more than that. From teenage friendships, to local theatre, to marriages, to dating, to everyone’s got a story; there’s so many layers to this book it’s hard to know where to start.

I loved A Boy Made of Blocks. But I loved this as much, if not more. I was moved to tears on several occasions - and totally unexpectedly on one occasion. What seems like a simple story is so much more.

Highly highly recommended- a 5* read I will keep with me. In my Top 10 for 2018 and we are only in March!!

Brilliant!!

I loved A Boy Made of Blocks but this one blew my mind. Its the best book I've read this year so far and in my top 3 all time favourites.

I instantly connected to the characters, in particular Tom and Hannah. The love they had as father and daughter was perfectly written in my opinion. Their crazy games and banter was so funny and I laughed a lot throughout but their love and respect for each other shone through.

Margaret was another favourite character for me, I would love to have a friend like her. Even at her age she was hilarious, caring and a very special lady.

I've only been to the theatre a handful of times but this story makes me want go. The theatre staff were a family, they had their good times and bad times but were always there for each other no matter what.

The author is an amazing writer, he draws you in from the first page, makes you laugh and cry, sometimes he made me laugh then cry in just one sentence. He described the characters perfectly (I have images in my head of every one of them). I felt I was with them throughout their journey, in the same room with them listening to their conversations. I was inside their world.

This book will stay with me forever.

I absolutely loved "A Boy Made of Blocks" when I read it a couple of years ago so I was beyond excited when I was invited to read this book. It's not out for a while and I usually read my review books close to their publication dates but I just had to start this one early as I was too excited and couldn't wait. I was also a little scared as I had very high expectations. Bear in mind that my main go to reads are crime fiction, the gorier the better so to say that this is not my usual cup of tea would be an understatement.
Well, what can I possibly say that can do this book justice? My words will never be enough to be able to get across the way this book affected me. Me, a bit of a hard nose cow, reduced to big sobbing tears at times by the powerful emotions I experience whilst read this book. Tears of pain, but also tears of joy, relief and, occasionally, tears of laughter. It's a magical tale that is beyond moving in content.
It's the story of a family; not all blood related I hasten to add. Tom is a single father to Hannah. A hard enough job I would imagine, having to pick up the pieces after Hannah's mother left them and bringing her up solo, but then Hannah starts to fall ill and is diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Determined to make her life as special as he can in the time they have left together, Tom recruits all his friends at the theatre where he works to help him make each and every birthday special for his little girl by staging a play for her based mostly on the fairytales she loves. She soon starts to join in with the production process and the theatre and its people become a big part of her life too. But she is rapidly growing up and starting to find her own way in the world and her thoughts start to settle on what happens when she's gone. What will happen to her father? He has dedicated his life to her to the detriment of his own. Or so it seems to her. She thinks he has looked after her long enough and now it's her turn to look out for him.
It's told from the POVs of both Tom and Hannah in the present with some flashbacks to Hannah's past. I found this to be a very effective way of portraying the story told within and it was easy to follow as both characters have their own distinctive voice.
Oh. My, days. I'm not usually a very emotional reader but I think I invested my whole soul into this book. If I could have jumped in and joined the cast I would have. I made friends in this book. Friends that I am really going to miss. People that have made my life richer for their inclusion. People that have both challenged and changed the way I look at certain things. People that I grew to love, admire, argue with, fall out with, make up with, the whole shebang. In fact, I said to someone when I was about 80% though that I really didn't want to finish the book. Despite wanting and needing to know what happens, I was very reluctant to carry on, knowing that it would soon be all over and I would have to leave my new friends behind and go on without them.
I am not going to speak about any of the characters individually here as I really think they are best off met and got to know as the author intends them to be. Suffice to say that they are are brilliantly drawn and real, so very real. This author definitely has a big talent with regard to characterisation and character development.
Boy did I have a big book hangover when I finished.
Normally when I finish a book I go straight on to the next one. It is very rare (so rare I can't remember the last time) for me to not want to pick up another book and crack on. But I finished this one at about tea time Friday and couldn't pick up another one until about the same time the next day. I was spent, exhausted, emotional, affected by what I had read. I do have to just mention that although the book is quite heavy emotional wise, it never gets too heavy. It is very well balanced all told.
It's a book I feel very privileged to have read. It's a story which will stay with me for a while yet. It might also deserve a re-read in the future; another thing I very rarely do. It has also catapulted itself into my top five reads of all time. And I've read a lot of books... Mr Stuart, how are you possibly going to follow this?
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Amazing story that tugs at the heart strings. Wonderful characters

This was a fabulous story. Lots of sadness but times of joy too. The story was very sensitively written and very realistic. The main message was how strong is the human spirit and what can be achieved if you stay strong and always believe. I found the story very moving and couldn't put it down.

I wanted to read this book as I loved the first novel by Keith, A Boy Made of Blocks. Yet again Keith has not disappointed with this his second novel. I needed to brush away the tears to write this review. I was a little worried about reading on public transport as I thought I might cry. Why wouldn't you with a description containing the words "Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early". Fortunately I only gave way to tears at the end of the book in the safe confines of my home.

The book is divided into Tom and Hannah each telling their version of events, both in the past and when the story is set. If I have one tiny criticism it is not knowing when in time the book is set. There is flipping back in the story to when Hannah is a little girl, but I had assumed wrongly that the present day was where the story was set. Then cultural references popped up such as dial up, Sugababes, Pop Idol and I began to realise that this was not the case. Just a personal thing but it began to bug me, as I wanted to place it in a time slot. In the end I decided it was 2004 with the many references throughout the book.

I settled into the story and it was a joy to read despite having a sad undertone. So many lovely characters and each with their own back story, that it had a real community feel to it. What interesting lives too. Although they are all there to support Hannah, each of them also has their own private turmoil, which we get to know about as the book unfolds. There is also a lot of humour in the book which I loved. I think my favourite character was Margaret who at 81 is Hannah's closest friend and they have afternoon tea together.

I felt I knew each and every one of them by the end of the novel. There is something about the quality of Keith's writing that I can't describe, it's like no other author I have read. You feel like he's taken you by the hand and led you gently through other people's lives.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for an advance copy to review. Mark your diaries for the 7th June 2018 when it will be published.

Days of Wonder is astonishingly good. The settings and characters are so simply, yet beautifully written that you can hear and see them in your head when you read. The theatre is a memorable character in a tale that is bursting with them; I especially loved Margaret. The two narrators are perfectly pitched; sincere and authentic. For a story about a girl with heart disease, this book is uplifting and life affirming. I laughed out loud so many times when reading this that my husband was giving me funny looks! This story celebrates family, friendship, drama, storytelling and community. I absolutely loved it and will be recommending it to everyone. This is the best book I have read in a long time.

An absolutely beautiful story based around a very genuine, believable father-daughter relationship. Peopled with unique, imperfect and wonderfully likeable characters, Days of Wonder is funny, charming, very moving & a little heartbreaking but never false or sentimental. Highly recommended.

What a read, I opened this book and was hooked till I finished it in two days, this is the kind of book that has everything, strong witty characters, sadness and hope and an overall plot that kept me wanting more.
Tom is a single dad, his wife left ten years ago leaving him to look after their young daughter Hannah. Both Tom and Hannah have a love for the theatre. Each year on Hannah's birthday, Tom gets the theatre to put on a production, however this years it's a little different, Hannah is coming up for 16, she is growing up, finding boys, loving her comic's and wanting to be a normal teenage girl but she feel's so far away from that. Hannah has a heart condition, she has no idea what her future holds and she doesn't want her dad left alone and unhappy so she sets about finding him love.
Written from both Toms and Hannah's POV this is so well written, I felt like I was with them in this story, hoping and praying for a happy ending. I really enjoyed the author first stand alone book The boy made of blocks however I felt this book was outstanding and can only say this author just keeps getting better and better!

Thanks to Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group Uk for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Wow! What a beautiful, heartfelt, touching read. Warm real characters bring this book to life,
Hannah who is 16 has a serious heart condition, her dad Tom is a single parent, Hannah is his life, he functions to protect her, manages the local theatre, The Willow Tree, where he puts on a play each year for Hannah on her birthday, make believe stories. Margaret who has had a long and colourful life is Hannah’s friend and she plays a big part in Hannah’s life, always encouraging her to put her fears aside and live for the moment.
Callum, Hannah’s first boyfriend who has his own demons to battle with, they seem though to bring out the best in each other.
There’s is also a whole support team of friends at the theatre.
The story is about the relationships Hannah has with the many people who love and support her, it’s also about the theatre family and the local community fighting together to save the theatre from closure.
Many performances and stories have been told in The Willow Tree and each person watching sees the story differently just as we each take different things from the stories we read. For me this book is about living the special moments, never giving up and believing in yourself
A brilliant, cleverly written story.

I loved the Boy Made of Blocks due to the loving father and son relationship depicted so well. As soon as I saw this book on Netgalley I excitedly requested it and when approved it was instantly top of my tbr list. Well Keith Stuart has done it again with Days of Wonder by masterfully writing about a realistically touching father daughter relationship this time. Hannah's health problems could have over shadowed the whole story, however it is only part of it. The way Tom and Hannah look after each other is beautiful and I really didn't want the book to end. Also it made a refreshing change that the other members of the drama club were not just there to pad out the story they added their own richness and depth to an already emotional narrative. I particularly liked Calum as he was not the typical fictional teenage boy as is so often written about. As I did with Boy Made of Blocks I will recommend this book to everyone know!

A unique relationship between father and daughter, perfectly written. A magical book full of wonder and headache. Another fantastic inspirational novel

I didn’t think that Keith Stuart would be able to write a book any better than ‘A Boy Made of Blocks’ which I loved, but in ‘Days of Wonder’ he has managed to do so with ease. A story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride, literally making you laugh out loud one moment and then burst into tears the next. With characters you can’t help but fall in love with, you feel every emotion right along with them.

There isn’t anything I didn’t love about this book, and it is easily my favourite read of the year so far. I savoured every word and did not want this wondrous journey with Hannah, Tom and the Willow Tree Theatre to ever come to an end. An incredible read and one that will stay with me for some time to come. A very easy 5 stars..

I loved every second of this book and didn't want it to end. It wraps you up like a lovely warm hug. It's got everything, family drama, friendships, community, coming of age breakthroughs. Unlike so many of the books I've read recently it's a decent length and doesn't have a rushed unsatisfactory finish. Everyone's getting this book from me this summer. Is it to early for best book of 2018?

This book deserves a standing ovation.

When I read the blurb I thought this may be unbearably sad but in truth I found it uplifting. That’s not to say there were no tears. Ton and Hannah are very likeable characters and you definitely feel the love between them. All the characters felt real and most had their own everyday issues to contend with. Collectively the theatre group showed what can be achieved when you have a common purpose. I need to mention Margaret too, she’s definitely someone you would want to take afternoon tea with. There are some really funny almost slapstick moments and the entire book is just a joy to read. I loved it and highly recommend it and it’s a solid five star rating.

I loved A Boy Made of Blocks by the same author, but it didn't blow me away. Days of Wonder did.
This is the story of a single father who through stories and fairy tales, is desperately trying to shield and save his young daughter who has a life-limiting heart condition. The book is narrated alternately between Tom (the father) and Hannah (the daughter). It's a book that will have you laughing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. It's also surprisingly uplifting. A wonderful book and one that I feel very privileged to read.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

This beautiful, funny and moving second novel by the author of A Boy Made of Blocks, a father and his daughter discover that stories can save lives.
Hannah is a teenager with a life threatening heart condition who knows that life is precious and time is short. Tom is her father, and is the Manager of a local theatre, who raises Hannah alone after her mother leaves the family to pursue her own dreams and ambitions. He uses the theatre as therapy for both himself and Hannah and is where she spends her childhood.
The story is told from both Tom & Hannah's perspective and is one of love and life and finding family in unusual places.
Days of Wonder is a beautifully written story. I recommend everyone pick up a copy!

I read Keith's first book which was one of my favourites. This story, whilst different, was excellent again. Whilst the subject matter could have been very sad, it was written with humour and I enjoyed the characters. Highly recommended

Charming, absorbing and moving read. I thoroughly enjoyed his first book and was expecting something along the same lines. Well, in one sense there are similarities - a great story arc, sweet and charming characters, moving relationships - but otherwise a quite different story. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this, but found myself with tears in my eyes at the end (no spoilers). In fact, couldn't put it down.

Days of Wonder is a wonderful heartwarming book full of love, soul and hope. For fans of A Fault in Your Stars and anything by Tony Parsons, you need to put this on your 'to read' list! I can't believe Richard and Judy didn't pick up this book. Buy a big box of tissues, a big block of chocolate and turn the phone off...

The novel is about a dad and his daughter, who has a heart defect. Their relationship is so believable, both funny and poignant in equal measures. I especially loved the kaleidoscope of folk who made up their 'village'. The story really wouldn't have been the same without them. I was hooked into the story from the get go... I cried twice and had to stop and tell mum why I was crying and then she cried too,(and I have not cried at a book for over a decade). I thought the author might struggle to follow his last book, but I feel this one is even better and he has just moved into 'my favourite author' list. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

This book is about a beautiful relationship between a father and daughter. Tom's daughter Hannah has a potentially fatal heart condition and this book follows them dealing with this and everything else life has to throw at them.

I was diagnosed with a heart murmur when I was a child and, although it wasn't life threatening, it was something that stayed with me as I was growing up. The book switches between Tom and Hannah's point of view and it was heart-warming (and sometimes heart-wrenching) hearing both perspectives.

I adored Keith Stuart's first book, A Boy Made of Blocks, and I love his new novel even more. I highly recommend it.

Let me start with what this book is not, it’s not gritty or gripping, it’s not depressing or morose even though it deals with the lives of a father and daughter growing up with a life limiting disease and it’s not an overly sentimental tear-fest as some books on this sort of subject are.
So, what is it? For me, it is just a delight. It is poignant and thought-provoking, gentle and a bit magical. The story is strong and throughout I did wonder what the outcome would be but I wondered in the nicest, gentlest way. It was funny and sad as well as endearing and uplifting, and the characters are wonderful. I have, as I think will be a common view, a real love for Margaret, some of her lines are brilliantly funny, as well as Tom and Hannah and in fact all of them!
I loved the author’s first book - A Boy Made of Blocks; it was one of my outstanding reads of the year so I was absolutely delighted to see this new one but also wondered whether it would live up to my expectations. It certainly did that and more.
This book is simply stunning. I am so pleased I read it and it will stay with me for a long time.

The first thought that came to my mind after finishing this book was, wow what a magical story this was. I am pretty sure I won't make this book justice with my review but I'm gonna try.

Days of Wonder is a stunning story. It's an ode to theater and fairytales. To the magic of stories and how they inspire people and change lives. It's tender, it's sweet, it's funny and it's heart-wrenching. I haven't felt such deep emotions with a story in so long.

I was completely enthralled with Hannah's story. She was such a strong character. I loved her dark humour, her strength and her determination. The story was narrated in alternated chapters by both Hannah and her father, Tom, so as a reader you got to know them both quite well. Tom was also a fantastic character. His love for her daughter and his theater shone through the pages of this book.

Supporting these amazing main characters, there was a whole cast of secondary characters. The amateur theater group was like a little family, they all supported each other and were always there to celebrate their joys but also to mourn their loses. And then, there were Hannah's friends from high-school and the comic book store. They all added their own touch to the story and I came to love them all too.

Days of Wonder stole a tiny piece of my heart that I don't think I'll ever get back. After I finished reading it, all I wanted to do was start all over again and go back to these characters. It's one of those rare books that make you feel privileged to have read it. I definitely recommend this story to everyone looking for a bit of magic.

The story evolves around Tom and Hannah. Tom is a single father and manager of a local theatre. Hannah has a life limiting heart condition, and the theatre is threatened with closure. The story is beautiful from beginning to end and I had tears in my eyes at the end. There are so many different aspects to the story that the reader can relate to me, for me as a father to two teenage daughters the transition to adulthold really touched me. Would be difficult to explain the story without spoiling it. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful stories I have read in a long time and would totally recommend it.

The tale of the relationship between Tom and his daughter Hannah is very cleverly written. Both think they know the other so well, but as so often happens, both are often wrong.
Tom is a single parent after his wife, Hannah's mother, walks away. Hannah is a teenager with all the usual teenage angst about future plans, exams and boys. But Hannah has an extra factor to complicate life - a limiting and deteriorating heart condition.
Told with emotion and humour, with some great one-liners, this has a lovely ending, without being mawkish or too much of a fairy tale to be believable.
And as an added bonus we have the side stories of the theatre group where Tom works, where friends become family and their social life line is threatened.
Lovely story, thoughtfully written.

Oh I haven't read a book that I've loved quite this much in a long time! I was a huge fan of Boy Made of Blocks and when a friend recommended me Days Of Wonder and told me I'd love it even more- I was slightly sceptical. Hannah has had a life threatening heart condition since she was young and unable to handle it, her mother left and Hannah was brought up by her father. Her father runs a local theatre and the sense of wonder is incredible. The stories that take place in the theatre and the people who surround the pair as a surrogate family- the whole thing is just beautiful. This is an incredibly well written and moving novel and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.
But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen on the brink of adulthood, that time is coming.
With the theatre under threat of closure, Hannah and Tom have more than one fight on their hands to stop the stories ending. But maybe, just maybe, one final day of magic might just save them both.
A tale about growing up, the beauty of a special bond between father and daughter, and finding magic in everyday life,
I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. I was so involved with it, I could have been one of Tom and Hannah’s friends. It made me laugh and cry (especially cry!) I really didn’t want it to end! 5*

I loved this enchanting tale and was drawn in from the start. The characters are believable and one empathises with them. The story is written from two viewpoints, Tom and his daughter Hannah, with different styles. The Hannah sections are chatty and young whilst Tom's more serious and parental both looking out for the other. Two battles are going on, Hannah's illness and a fight to save a small local theatre. I grew up with the Andrew Lang fairy tales and still have 2 volumes in my bookcase and love the way these dark tales form a background to this book. This book has coincided with a particularly poignant time when a school friend of my daughter has been battling with a life limiting condition from childhood with many parallels. A sad emotional read but with admiration for the true grit shown by young Hannah which I saw with my daughter's friend. A thoroughly recommended read.

Delightfully wonderful!! This is one of those books that I was a little apprehensive in picking up, after loving The Boy Made of Blocks so much, as I always worry that the follow up won't be as fabulous. But within a few pages I was emotionally involved with the father and daughter who this story revolves around, and the tenderness and respect between these characters was just so charming that you cannot help but keep turning the pages as you are eager to find out what challenges they are set to face and hopefully conquer!

There's always been a strong bond between Tom and his daughter Hannah, as he has bought her up on his own and has had to be there for her as she fights her illness, a heart condition that has led to many restrictions on her life. But they've faced these things together and he's always looking for ways to make each day more magical for her, and each year on her birthday actors from the local theatre that he runs, put on a play for her. Within the group there are such a wide range of characters that add a nice mix to the story, and they all become like a little family as they're all so involved with each others' lives.

Hannah is always a realist though and is looking for her dad to find some happiness and so the story is also told from her point of view as she shares her own viewpoint on how challenging she finds her life and those that she meets along the way. She soon becomes close to Callum at her school, and he's not without his own problems, so she gets him involved in helping to find some romance for her dad.

I loved how the story went between the two characters, and the supporting cast were also fascinating to read about that there was always something going on and new to discover. It helps put the 'now' into perspective and to appreciate those little things that can make each day special in its' own little way! It was a touching, emotional and humorous book that was a delight to read!!

It's a lovely funny and heart warming story and the author has a wonderful way of bringing all the characters to life. 

The story of Hannah and Tom are wonderfully real and make you feel like you sharing the journey of some very special friends . 
Will definitely be recommending it
#daysofwonder

As a huge fan of Keith Stuart’s debut book ‘A Boy made of Blocks’ I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity by the publisher to read and review a pre-release copy of his latest novel. As always on such occasions when I eagerly look forward to a new publication, I hesitated for a fraction before plunging in to read … I just hoped the book would not disappoint. I need never have feared – it is truly a gem!

From the first couple of paragraphs into ‘Days of Wonder’ I knew I was in for a treat and settled back to enjoy, savouring the story, becoming engrossed with the characters and their lives. By the end my emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride, ending in tears, at times laughing out loud, all the time moved and touched to the core.

Keith Stuart’s first book was based on his own life experience as a father with an autistic son, ‘Days of Wonder’, his first fiction novel, also centers on the relationship between a father and his child; in this case a 15-year-old daughter, Hannah and her father Tom. Not only is Hannah seeking her natural independence, experiencing first-love, fretting about A-level options, she also has to contend with an uncertain future – and perhaps none at all. Since being diagnosed with a life-threatening heart-condition cardiomyopathy, her whole life has been under its shadow.

The disease has brought father and daughter wonderfully close together, their bond inseparable since her mother left whilst Hannah was still young. Tom has raised Hannah on his own, with the support of his eclectic theatre group which he manages. The members are close-knit and effectively a second, albeit quirky, surrogate family to Hannah, caring and understanding.

Since the initial diagnosis at the age of five, Tom has sought to bring magic into her life and a professionally produced birthday play at the theatre has been key to this … a tradition Tom is desperate to continue, one that Hannah feels less keen on in the cusp of adulthood… an adulthood that may never exist for her.

Starting the book my one fear was that the disease would dominate the book, that it could become mawkish and moribund. Not at all! The disease is a backdrop to so many stories within the book; the uncertain future of the theatre, how it has saved so many people. It’s about lives, relationships, friendships, love. Of living and dying. I became totally absorbed into not only Tom and Hannah’s lives but that of Ted, Angela, Margaret, Callum, Sally to name a few. Their fears, frustrations, courage and perseverance were uplifting and soulful.

Throughout feisty gutsy Hannah is insightful and wise beyond her years, whilst loving and worrying about her father as she desperately seeks to find him a date. Furthermore, she finds and becomes supportive of her first boyfriend; a young man equally crippled with a very different illness.

The book is effectively and skilfully told through the two-viewpoints of Tom and Hannah. With the latter, it is as if overhearing a private conversation, immediate, at times raw, at times swinging perfectly into modern jargon. As with Tom and the other characters, the sense of humour is impeccably narrated, the put-downs perfectly timed. Through Hannah’s words we learn about her best friends, including a very special 81-year-old lady, the dramas of school, relationships.

Tom’s narrative is personal, emotional, realistic … comically sardonic at times, other moments relating such humorous dating escapades I cried with laughter! As a reader, I couldn’t help but warm to him and feel for his predicament- caring and being over-protective and struggling to let go of his daughter. All the time, unaware his daughter is trying hard to protect her father from the future and for the future. His gentle, confessional tones mingled with the comic and drama persona whilst the ghost of his ex-wife lingered in the background, the possibility that they might yet be a family.

For both of them, there will never be a normal life … and as the novel develops they learn to embrace their predicament; their love and bond growing stronger as a result.

An interesting additional narrative format is the occasional letters in the book … deeply revealing about past events in Hannah’s life and written by her, it is only towards the end the reader becomes aware for whom they were written. This is yet one more poignant and emotional revelation in a novel which has heart-wrenching moments cascading throughout.

The descriptive detail by the author is superb, he is wonderfully visual in creating settings, presenting plays, and I became engrossed in them all and felt as if I’d been watching a film.

‘Days of Wonder’ is ultimately, and perhaps unexpectedly, a powerful, life-affirming and inspirational book. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not want to put it down for any breaks. It’s one of those books that I just had to read one more chapter until I sadly had to say goodbye to my new friends!

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

I was apprehensive about reading this book as I had loved “A Boy Made of Blocks” so much but it was an absolute delight.
The book follows the story of Tom and his daughter Hannah. Tom is the Manager of a small local theatre and every year he puts on a performance for his daughter’s birthday. Hannah has a life-limiting heart condition so these performances are especially poignant
I particularly loved the relationship between Hannah and Margaret, an 81 year old member of the theatre company. The theatre group serve as her family since her mother left when she was young and the relationships within the group are described exquisitely.
The book is told from both Tom and Hannah’s view which gives a deep perspective. The writing is style is simple and moving and I really felt that I cared about the characters.
A well-deserved 5 stars!
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.

This is an amazing book! I adored the author's first book A Boy Made of Blocks and if anything, I would say this one is even better. It is funny, poignant, and sad and the relationship between Tom and his 15 year old daughter Hannah is just wonderful. I love the banter between them, the way Hannah is trying to spread her wings at the same time Tom is being overprotective of her is so accurately done and a true representation of father/daughter relationships. Hannah's serious heart disorder makes the story even more heartbreaking.
I loved the motley crew of characters who belonged to the theatre group that Tom ran and the friendship between Hannah and 81 year old Margaret was fabulous. All the characters were so well written which really helped bring the book to life and bring a sense of realism. This book really is magical, life affirming and a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone.

I loved a Boy Made Of Blocks, and was hoping this would be equally as good, and it was even better!

I have just finished the book with tears in my eyes, but feeling amazing. This will give me a ‘book hangover’ for a while!

This is the story of Tom, the Theatre Manager, who is bringing up his daughter Hannah after his wife left them - deciding she wasn’t cut out to be a wife or mother. Hannah has a faulty hear, which gets worse over time, so the father and daughter are as close as they can be. Every year on her birthday Tom makes magic happen for his daughter and her friends, by putting on a magical play for her in the theatre, supported by all the cast and crew.

When Hannah reaches 15, her heart is finally bad enough to reach the transplant list, her beloved Theatre is in danger of being closed, and Hannah decides to take matters into her own hands - to set up her father with a girlfriend so he won’t be alone if she dies, and to save his Theatre.

A wonderful and moving story you won’t want to put down.

Once again Keith Stuart has channelled the essence of his characters so empathically that the reader roots for them and falls in love with them totally. He paints beautiful images and tells moving truths. To use a theatrical metaphor (as this book has a theatrical theme), a great show has a song, a dance a smile and a tear. This book is the perfect show! Can't wait for the next novel.

I loved ‘A Boy Made of Blocks’ and was therefore ultra excited to be offered a copy of 'Days of Wonder' to read and review. Keith Stuart’s novel had so much to live up to. What a tremendous amount of pressure that must have put on his shoulders, but he was certainly up to the job and this novel more than exceeded my expectations. It is fantastical, magical and a gift of a story for a booklover.
Single devoted Dad Tom was truly devastated when his daughter Hannah was diagnosed with serious heart disease at the age of three. For years he has nurtured, encouraged and coaxed her through endless hospital visits and crises. She is his very reason for living and everything is centred on her. Is she spoilt and precocious? Not a bit of it: she is kind, caring and an all-round nice teenager now aged fifteen. For year after year he has organised magical birthday treats for her. He is the manager of a provincial theatre and its thespian group. They come together to perform a play just for Hannah’s birthday. She is involved in every way. Her ideas are used and she is delighted with every single performance. The theatre is a second home to her and the actors and actresses are like family. Everyone loves and cares for her and her for them.
Two terrible pieces of news totally throw Tom and Hannah from all their normality of their being. The fact is their life is about to descend into chaos; it’s two bitter pills to swallow in one gulp. The Willow Tree Theatre looks set for closure, making way for housing. At the same time Hannah’s condition considerably deteriorates and she is forced to make a game-changing decision. Can Tom spin some more magic and save both Hannah and their precious theatre? That would be just too much to hope for. What happens next is a magical treat for you to savour and marvel at. I’m devastated to have finished this excellent novel, beautifully told and with true mastery, but conversely I had to read on and on right to the last page just so that my inner consciousness was satisfied, and I knew how the story ended and what a truly wonderful finale it was, well deserving of thunderous applause.
I’ve already written about some of the issues enfolded into this novel, but there is so much more to it than that. There’s passion, devotion, a whole range of marvellous relationships, depression, bullying, romances, grief, love, hope, commitment and even more. I loved the eclectic mix of characters, but Tom and Hannah were my stand out favourites. They were absolute gems. They had such a loving symbiotic relationship it made my heart melt. The story was full of love and laughter, empathy and courage and of the enchanting power of stories and what they truly mean. I cried, I’ll admit it, but I was awed by the power of this novel. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Sphere through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest opinions without any outside influences. It’s an excellent read and an all-round 5* review from me.

Days of Wonder is the gem of a book that you pick up and it draws you in, it's based around Hannah who has a rare heart condition and her father who has been a single parent most of her life.

This book brings the theatre to life, it weaves stories within stories and brings the magic of fairytales to centre stage.

Hannah has struggled for a long time with her heart condition and alongside her Dad they have both found coping mechanisms and love within their theatre family.

A book that makes you want to tell your kids a story before bed and just squeeze them a little tighter when kissing them goodnight. A brilliant and emotional read that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure, it oozes with love and is a reminder to us all that time is precious