Well, I've only got one thing to say at the moment and that's "SHIT STICKS"!!!!!! I will have a think for a proper review Mandy, but golly, that story was fabulous! The right amount of everything in there; grief, sadness, bewilderment, anger, wonder, enlightenment, empowerment, love, life! Actually, I might just stick with this as a review!

Another great read from Amanda Prowse a story of love, loss,friendship and so much more Father and son Nick and Oliver are in turmoil after losing Kerry a loving wife and mother Everyone deals with grief differently and try to do the best they can to move on with their lives and sometimes form new relationships The bond they share is at the heart of the story and they both face much heartache before finally finding happiness again Loved the way the story is told In the present day but also goes back to when Nick was young and had a happy childhood and two special friends who are still very much part of his life The three amigoes who learned so much from his parents that the memories stay with them forever As Oliver settles into life at university Nicks life also takes a new direction it's hard for them both but eventually they both find the happiness they deserve a beautiful story with lots of lovely little memories woven into the story that tugs at your heartstrings and your emotions The Bairstow boys love them and love this book

As always Amanda writes about a difficult subject with sensitivity, despite making me feel very emotional at times it was also uplifting. Nick and his son trying to come to terms with the loss of wife/mother while Olly is moving to a new part of his life at Uni.
Nick's story is seen through his past and present through tears and laughter.

Another triumph for Amanda Prowse! What a glorious book! Though dealing with the emotional and painful subject matter of a family learning to deal with the untimely death of young wife and mother Kerry, yet it manages to emerge as life affirming and hopeful . Amanda navigates the turbulent waters of mourning, guilt and pain , with her usual unerring touch . Young widower Nick , ties in the past to the present, by skilful use of flashback memories. We get glorious glimpses of his loving childhood where his less fortunate friends, particularly his best mate and soul brother, Eric, are welcomed into his family . We learn of friendships forged in childhood and lasting a lifetime ;dreams that were put on the back burner when life threw up other plans ; hope that burns eternal and love which does not alter "when it alteration finds or bends with the remover to remove" . The complex, loving relationship between fathers and sons is played out over two generations and is exquisitely observed , as are all Amanda's observations on people and life . I love the metaphor of the all round tool , gifted to Nick by his father along with his wisdom and knowledge and love-the tools to cope with all life would throw at him. Nick and his gang of 3 amigos have the " summer of brilliant " as they rebuild an old bike using their magic tool . Well in "The Light In the Hallway" Amanda has written the book of brilliant !- brilliant story, brilliant characters , brilliant writing and brilliant thoughts to shine a light on our own lives and grief and worries and offer hope -rather like the light beams shining through the clouds like the rays from God's torch as Amanda so eloquently puts it. Yes you will cry as you read this book. However you will also smile, laugh out loud and ultimately finish the final page with a song in your heart. Sheer brilliance!

Another 5 star read from Amanda Prowse. You can always relate to her stories as they are based on events that could happen to any of us. This story is different as it’s told from a male perspective. It started off sad, but ended on a happy note. Highly recommend

Brilliant heart warming story dealing with loss,grief and relationships after loss.Makes you laugh and cry at some parts,areal emotional rollercoaster,.
The book looks at Nick happy childhood,with his friends and how he is at present coping with the loss of his wife,and his son going to university and trying to find his own way.
A must read book.

A study in raw grief soothed by family and friends, not forgetting Treacle, the dog

Nick has recently lost his wife, Kerry. He lives in a small northern town where everyone knows everyone else and most people work for the local factory. His marriage was loving but flawed after his wife nearly ruined them with her impulse buys and an affair. Their son, Oliver is about to go to university. Nick had wanted to go to uni himself but got his girlfriend pregnant so married her. Sometimes he regretted it, mostly not.

A strong storyline, interspersed with flashbacks to happier times, with Nick as an innocent lad larking about with his friends. Another gem from Amanda Prowse.

I normally love Amanda Prowse books but I found this one a bit dull. Didn’t really see the point of the book at all . The story just plodded along but nothing really happened that you couldn’t already predict

The story revolves around quite a few characters but the two main characters are Nick and his son, Oliver/Ollie. The story is told from Nicks perspective.
Nick’s wife has recently passed away. She had been ill for over a year and Nick was with her every day. Oliver and Nick are devastated with her loss in their life. What follows is how they cope with the loss of a wife/mother but also with Ollie leaving to go to University.
The storyline is told in the present time and flashbacks to when Nick was younger. There is heartache, humor, grief, loss and nostalgia throughout the story.
A very lovely read and one I recommend you read.
Thank you to NetGallery, Lake Union Publishing and author, Amanda Prowse, for the opportunity to read and give my honest review of “The Light in the Hallway.”

A lovely book about friendship, love and loss, subjects that Amanda writes so well about. I have recently lost my own mum, so I was a little concerned that it maybe would be too emotional for me to enjoy properly, however as always Amanda dealt with the subject of loss and grieving so sympathetically and honestly that I was able to take some comfort from reading it.
Absolutely loved having the story of Nick’s childhood run along side his new life without Kerry as it gave you an insight to his friends that are helping him cope alone and it also showed you his character fully, his ability to put others before himself.
I cried at times and I laughed too, I willed him on and I tutted when things went wrong or he was judged.
Such a wonderful story that was uplifting and positive, and it certainly touched my heart.
I am grateful for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, and this is my unbiased opinion.

Be prepared for tears and laughter as you read this heartfelt story. I enjoyed the beautiful manner in which this book explores grief and coping from a loss.
Trying to navigate life's many unwritten rules is difficult for Nick. His son leaves for university soon after the loss of his wife. There is no rulebook for how to move on with life, but Nick tentatively feels his way though the process. He begins to spend time with a lovely co-worker but he suffers harsh judgement from his son and sister-in-law over this action. Woven throughout this story are flashes back to a special summer from Nick's childhood where he learned lessons that stick with him. As the story progresses Nick gives himself permission to live his life the best he can. I felt so many emotions reading this story, one moment I was in tears over an emotional exchange and the next I was laughing at the banter between Nick and his mates.

Amanda keeps surprising me with her books as they are completely different to each other and I loved this one, it's a bittersweet story of loss and misunderstanding that happens when someone you thought the world of is no longer there and I could empathise with Olly as he tries to to deal with losing his mum and starting college, the idea of everything changing for him can be overwhelming. I would definitely recommend reading this and I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

This book starts with the death from cancer of Nick's wife Kerry. Nick is left as sole parent to Olly who is just about to set out in to the big wide world and go to university. Yes it's sad but there are also laugh aloud moments. Two men shopping for supplies in Ikea was always going to end in disaster. Then there's the first Christmas and an incident with the dog and the turkey. This author keeps it real and tells it like it is.
Kerry always had the light in the hallway lit as a welcome beacon but now that light's gone out and the house is a lonely place.
Nick has great support from his childhood friends Eric and Alex and we see their relationships developing from the age of just 10 years old in a story that runs alongside the main story. Friends through thick and thin.
Nick struggles to move forward but with the support of friends and family and messages from above from his deceased wife he manages to move his life forward and become himself again and realise that there is a future.
This author goes from strength to strength and never fails to pull at the old heartstrings .

The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse. Well, Amanda is in top gear in this one. The very best of her. I laughed, pushed back quite a few tears and learnt a lot- all elements I have come to anticipate from her books. I wanted to shake Oliver but she took me right to his grieving heart. I just loved every bit of this story.
I hope this isn’t a spoiler....So many times I’ve been disappointed and angry at widowers jumping far too quickly (in my opinion) into new relationships. Amanda’s insight and handling of the topic gently reminded me again of the process of loss and grieving and that it doesn’t always begin at the point of death. Dora’s grace versus Di’s angry judgement..... I’ll try to remember that. Amazing Amanda! And yes, so much potential for what happens next or (as someone has suggested) Eric’s story. Loved loved loved it!

Amanda Prowse tugs at the heartstrings every time and this book is just as emotional. Kerry and Nick were childhood sweethearts who had Oli when they were very young. Right at the beginning we know that Kerry is not far from passing away, and this is the story of Nick and Oli’s journey from that moment. The chapters alternate between the present and the story of the Brilliant Summer when Nick was just a young boy. This was the most wonderful emotional story of moving on.

I enjoyed this latest from Amanda prowse but it wasn't one of her best. This is the first of her novels that hasn't !ad e me cry, never the less still a lovely story and definitely worth a read

Yet another best-seller, me thinks!

Amanda Prowse has fast become one of my favourite authors, with her way of weaving a story, so relatable and believable that you could be living it yourself, or you may even imagine knowing someone in the same situation.

The Light In The Hallway is no different.

We are taken on a journey with Nick, a grieving widower and father, who is still young enough to be in his prime, yet old enough to 'really know better'. At home, alone, having dropped his son to University, he begins to wonder how his life will pan out. How is he to greave? How long for? And with a sister-in-law hell-bent on making sure he abides by the rules society have set, regarding being a widower, and a son who is finding it hard to accept his mother's death, it's not easy.

Alongside Nick's story, runs a parallel tale from nearly thirty years before, involving Nick and his two best friends, Eric and Alex. Three young boys, at the beginning of their summer holiday, given a challenge by Nick's dad to build a bike. And they do. They complete that challenge, and experience a whole host of ups and downs along with it, proclaiming it the best summer.

The friendship provides Nick with a lot of support while he comes to terms with losing his childhood sweetheart and wife, Kerry.

This was a bittersweet tale about loss, and expectations, coupled with hope, and a definite recommended read from me! Mrs Amanda Prowse, I am guessing there will be many calls for a follow-up. We will all want to know what happens to Eric!

May thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful heartfelt story of how a husband comes to terms with the loss of his wife, dealing with his son going off to University and living on his own for the very first time.

Nick is a gem of a character and my heart went out to him. Olly, his son, is a true teenager and Amanda was spot on in her telling of his angst and grief at losing his mum, mixed in with the excitement of spreading his wings but at the same time worrying about leaving his dad on his own.

Running alongside the grown-up Nick, is the tale of him as a young lad. Amanda really brought to life the Summer of 1992. The inspiration of Nick’s dad finding half a bike for him and his pals to rebuild is superb in its telling and how the ramifications of that Summer shape the boys’ adult lives is not only thought provoking but integral to the story. The early part of Nick’s life left an indelible mark on me and I was in turn, smiling, laughing and reaching for my tissues.

Amanda’s insight into relationships, especially between fathers and sons shone through every page. The connection between Nick and Olly is put to the test when their lives change and move on in different ways. The author deals with both their feelings in a sympathetic but very honest way and it left me wanting to put my arms around them both and hug them to bits.

Absolutely outstanding.

Well Amanda has done it again!! Another brilliant book just like all her others but this one is told from a male perspective rather than her usual female perspective. It gripped me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. It was a touch sad dealing with grief but flashbacks to happier times made me smile. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I highly recommend this book and all her other books.

Well I don't kniw where to start, what a truly fantastic read, loved it from beginning to end, the charecters the story, just everything, this is vintage Amanda, I'm gutted I've finished it and wish I could give it more then five stars

"Being adult is hard."
A beautiful, heartfelt, realistic story of love, loss, hurt and reconciliation.
Kerry may be gone, but she is still very much present and in the hearts of her family.
Leaving earth way too soon, her husband Nick tells this story of their perfect and not-perfect lives with laugh out loud moments mixed with sad times.
Their son, Oliver is eighteen and on his way to university.
It is really difficult to not have your Mum as you pack up and go off to your first year away from home.
Even the "reading list" can be overwhelming!
The novel brilliantly goes from present time to past days when Nick was growing up with his best friends and the life lessons learned. What would we do without our friends?

This book is terrific! I loved it! A quick read with characters you will not forget!

I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse so was really excited to read this book.

It totally took me by surprise as her other books are all written from the female perspective and this is from the male. It took me a little while to settle into this new direction but I throroughly enjoyed it.

The book starts with the ultimate emotional kick in the stomach of Nick’s wife dying. The story the. continues with Nick learning to live his life without her and also helping his son with the loss of his mother. This is a real rollercoaster of emotion even delving into Nick’s childhood and his friendships which adds a lot of humour and nostalgia but with depths of emotion you are not expecting.

All in although a different direction than her normal books this is up there with the best.

I have loved Amanda’s books since reading Poppy Day many years ago so was looking forward to this read!
The light in the hallway is a beautifully written down to earth book that explores loss and grief in a sensitive, tender, realistic manner that is easy to relate to and very believable. I found it very poignant as my cousin has just lost her battle with breast cancer so found it very relatable and realistic.
This book shows the capacity we have as individuals to cope with devastating circumstances and how we come out the other side as changed characters, this is beautifully illustrated via the characters particularly nick and his son Ollie who lost Kerry ( wife and mother) but also other family members and friends who were also affected.
Thank you net galley for this emotional, believable read.

Amanda has yet again knocked it out of the park with her latest offering!

Right from the first few pages I was an emotional wreck with this story, I hadn’t expected to be hit so hard with the emotions that Nick was going through so early on. This story wasn’t all tears though, far from it. As Nick and his son Olly try to get on with their lives, the story takes a bitter sweet turn letting us see the highs and lows of life after the death of a loved one.

At the end of every chapter, we are taken back to Nick’s younger days when he lives at home in one particular summer. I absolutely adored these chapters. Seeing the bond between Nick and his dad as well as with his two best friends Eric and Alex. Eric in fact is very much the under dog in this story. He stole the show more than a few times and is a truly fabulous character.

Nick, I was routing for throughout the story. To lose your partner in life does not bare thinking about but of course it happens everyday to someone. This was a great insight into how not only someone deals with their own grief but the grief and pain that their partners family feels also. It certainly was a bit of an eye opener.

The Light in the Hallyway is a novel that I could never shut up about. I loved everything about it. The author writes in such a way that with every story and new set of characters, they steal a piece of your heart and you fully devote yourself to their story. This was so many things, death, loss, grief, moving on, bonds, relationships, friendships, it really did have it all. Nick definitely stole my heart and I cried tears of joy and sadness at the end. Perfect, just perfect.

First time reading this author and found it quite enjoyabke. It takes a bit to get into the story but it doesn't disappoint. All about friendships, life, death,family,childhood memories and succeeding in life. Yes, it is somewhat predictable but it's the story and how they get to a place of bonding and beginning to live again after a death. A few laugh out loud moments and some that might bring a tear and one character you'd really like to slap! So yes, some believable moments. It is a book to be read slowly and will challenge thought about life events.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.

Another great book from Amanda Prowse. A book of love, friendship and grief which kept me utterly engrossed until the end. Highly recommend

You know you’ve read (or are reading) a good book when you think about the characters while going about daily life, even after the book is finished, almost as if they were real, people you knew, could relate to, miss even…. And that’s exactly how you feel reading an Amanda Prowse novel. This one possibly more than others, as it was so real, so raw, so honest...
Nick has just lost his beloved wife, his first love, and Mother of his only son to cancer. He is desperately trying to deal with the grief of losing someone he has loved since the age of 17, along with keeping things together for the sake of his son, Olly, who is about to sit his final exams in the hope of heading off to college. Nick reflects on the past, on the issues in his marriage that mean it was less than perfect, and the battles of living in a small town where everyone knows your business whether you like it or not. His wife’s family are adding to the stress, and he feels torn in his own grief and helping his almost-adult son deal with the loss of his beloved Mum. Nick is trying to rebuild his life, Olly is trying to build a life, both of them not quite being able to find their way without Kerry. The two have a strong bond, but it is threatened when Olly feels that Nick is moving on too fast, replacing his Mum, and that is something they need to work through together. The fact that both Kerry’s family and Nick’s Mum have their opinions, only adds to the difficulties. The story is told with flashbacks to a Summer when Nick is around ten, happy times with his gang of three, who remain firm friends and colleagues to this day. It’s a nice tale that lets us understand a bit about the three boys and their upbringings.
There is such a theme throughout this book of friendship, family and love, and it all ties together so nicely in the way it is written, the references made and the fact that this could be absolutely any family, any group of friends in any small village.
My heart melted on a few occasions, but I don’t want to spoil the storyline for anyone who is yet to read it. I just loved how things came together, I adored Olly and his gesture of love and acceptance. He has struggled with so many issues and it shows the love of his Dad has gotten him through. He grows up and realises Nick is still young, still has a life to live, which doesn’t mean he loved Kerry any less.
The end was wonderful and so nicely done, it was heartwarming to see how it all panned out for everyone. I definitely think if any book deserves a sequel then this one does. And we all know how well Amanda can tie books together, perhaps we could find out how Olly gets on in future, or the story of Eric and Jen…. I’ll keep my fingers crossed on that one.
Thank you so much to Amanda & NetGalley for the privilege of this ARC.

Another tear jerker from the Amanda. Its a beautiful story of love and loss and growing through the process.

Amanda instinctively know just how to pitch her writing and does so in a way that makes you feel good whilst it breaks your heart.

Im looking forward to reading more.

I absolutely love reading Amanda's books and this book was another superb read that pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading.

Nick and Olly are left reeling after the loss of Kerry and this story is about how piece by piece they start putting their lives back together. Nick learns how to stand up for what he believes in and show Olly the importance of continuing to live, love and move on.

A book full of love and strength that is emotionally charged throughout and will have you reaching for the tissues.

Another great read by Amanda, a story of love, loss and moving forward, it brought a tear to my eye, great character that really grow in you, a recommend read.

Another brilliant book from Amanda Prowse. This book takes you through love, loss, friendship and survival. Amanda is extremely good at capturing the emotions of the characters which allows the story to flow and unfold. In this book and all her other ones, you can connect and feel the characters, I also enjoyed the flashback to the childhood era. Overall, a sad but at the same time, a heart warming story. Thank you.

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Amanda Prowse, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

First off, this book really struck home with me. My daughter is a high school senior and our lives will be changing very shortly. The main characters, Nick, and his son, Oliver/Olly are going through similar changes themselves with a recent tremendous loss in the family and with Olly going to University. I could totally relate to the characters and their stories.

The things that I like about Amanda Prowse is that she writes about REAL people in REAL situations. There is honesty, loveliness, and truth in all of her books. Her character development in this book is strong and the storyline was interesting and fun. Amanda has a beautiful way with words and I can totally visualize her characters and locations in my head. BTW, there is one scene in the book where I LITERALLY laughed-out-loud!! It has a LOT of fun moments, but that scene was HYSTERICAL!!

This is a DEFINITE recommend! 4 stars!!

Wow! Where to start? Amanda Prowse has done it again! She has a fantastic way of writing which connects with the author and has tears falling that you didn’t even realise! Although there are times that are sad, it is written so cleverly that you are just fighting for the main character Nick throughout. All the characters are so relatable and realistic, including Auntie Di! It is a truly ‘heart in the right place’ story that has you fully supporting the ‘Bairstow Boys’ from the beginning. As a family who have been affected by cancer, I feel it is an uplifting story that you can relate to.

Another brilliant read from this fantastic storyteller. I had mixed emotions reading this book, one minute I was laughing and the next I was reaching for the tissues. It is basically a story about everyday family life where they live through good and bad times. It is the way that it's told that kept me up while the early hours, I loved it.

This is another brilliant and beautifully written book by this author which I would highly recommend. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Another beautiful book by Amanda about a father and son moving through the motions of grief after Nick loses his wife and Olly loses his mother.

Amanda balances the emotions of this book perfectly as father and son try to deal with when is the right time to move on.

What rounded this book up was the links between the friendships made over the generations, the love shown from family members and new love and hope.

This is a feel good book, a very easy, relaxing read that will leave you smiling.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love Amanda Prowse books and this is no exception. It follow the story of 3 boys, Nick, Eric and Alex from 1992 until present day. It goes back and forth from when they were boys into adulthood,

This is a lovely Amanda Prowse book, sticking closely to what she does well - love, life, relationships and sadness. This one is definitely emotional as it deals with a father and son moving through their bereavement and examines how they cope with the loss of their wife/mum. I really really empathised with Nick, the main character and absolutely loved the flashbacks to his childhood. His friendships were so lovely and nostalgic. It’s not all easy reading, and it does make you think about what’s important in life, but it is ultimately an uplifting and enjoyable read.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and the publishers for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Light In The Hallway by Amanda Prowse.

I’m reviewing this book for Netgalley and of course because Amanda Prowse is an absolute favourite author of mine.

The story begins with heartache for Nick and his teenage son Oliver. Nicks wife Kerry, Oliver’s mum, dies after a long battle with cancer.
This leaves Nick with time he’d previously spent at her bedside suddenly to himself. This spare time is then added to, when Oliver gets into University.
There are money worries and guilt upon guilt, alongside questions of ‘how should I behave’. Also being in a small town where everyone knows everyone, isn’t always easy.

The emotional rollercoaster from this book hit me straight away. The feeling of how desperate and suddenly alone Nick feels is clear, with everything he now needs to deal with alone. Oliver would most likely talk to his mum about these feelings, but now Nick has to find a way of supporting him in a new way.
This was made relatable by the author, by Nick often asking himself ‘what would Kerry say’.

The book flips back and forth, smoothly showing Nicks childhood throughout one awesome summer!

There are so many funny parts to this book and even a Batman reference.
Eric, Nicks best friend was probably my favourite character, he’s cheeky and hilarious when many might expect him to be quiet and perhaps sullen.

This book exactly what I wanted it to do and I felt it to be a stand alone book. Questions were answered and I found myself smiling at the end of the book. I highly recommend it 5stars!

Another wonderful book by Amanda who has an uncanny talent of getting to the heart of a characters emotions. The Light in the Hallway is significant as it represents the welcome of a home. The story deals with the raw emotions of grief seen through the eyes of both an adult and his teenage son but intertwined in this emotion is the story of three ten year old boys and their escapades & heartaches one summer

As always I recommend Amanda’s books highly and reader you won’t be disappointed

With thanks to Lake Union Publishing & Amanda Prowse for ARC in return for an honest review

I have read and loved all of Amanda Prowse's books and always eagerly anticipate the new ones. Wow, Amanda has done it again - I am not sure how she manages to write such beautifully powerful but different stories!

This is a bittersweet story of how a husband comes to terms with the loss of his wife. I really enjoyed how this book is written from a male perspective as we follow Nick's journey throughout the book. This book made me cry but also laugh in places and is ultimately an uplifting story. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks to Nick's childhood summer.

I highly recommend this poignant story which has touched my heart. I would give it many more than 5 stars if I could. I can't wait for the next one!

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

I requested this book based on the very positive reviews on the NetGalley website, but I must confess I don’t get all the rave reviews. I plodded through ⅔ of it until I threw my hands up from an excess of boredom and a complete overload of trite and stale writing and situations.

I’m glad so many people like it. Obviously, I didn’t. This is the second book by Amanda Prowse that I’ve read this year. The first one was equally dull.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

Thank you for opportunity to read this book I am a huge fan of Amanda's work and this book did not disappoint.I loved the friendship between the men in this book and how it spanned over many years and the unrequited loved with the sister.A really lovely novel hope Amanda writes many more.

I was given this book from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, from the very first page. It was hard to put down and just a lovely story. Thank you NetGalley!

This was a sweet tale about loss and loving again that I very much enjoyed. More in the romance section thatn lit fiction but very enjoyable.

After reading another Amanda Prowse book and disliking it, I decided to give her another try based on the great reviews she received. However, I was again disappointed and won't revisit anymore of her books. I think she writes well for the most part. An overuse of names in conversation is a bit distracting though. But mostly, I think I just don't enjoy the dismal narrative. Others may - this was simply my experience.
I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the story but I didn’t just love it like so many others. It was well written with likeable characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

Amanda Prowse is my go-to author when it comes to contemporary fiction, family drama, and emotional analysis. She often reminds me that writers hold the key to understanding the deepest, darkest, and most innate feelings a person can hold. The Light in the Hallway, due out on 11/11/19, is a prime example of why Prowse will always be one of those special few who have a tidal wave impact on my mindset. No other author has truly pushed me to think about a situation, feverish to determine what, if any, is the best answer to a problem with no solutions.

At the beginning of this book, we know Kerry is dying. When it happens, we are hurt but can move on, as we don't know a whole lot about her. Left behind are her mother, sister, husband, and son. Her husband, Nick, is strong, but we can feel his pain. Son, Ollie, is unable to show his emotions. Until he is. And then the entire story has you reaching for a tissue box. Less than 3 months after her death, Nick takes Ollie to his first year at college. Within a day, Ollie wants to come home. Nick drives there to get him, only to find things are not what he expected. A year goes by over the course of the remainder of this book... during which time we understand the profound loss Kerry's death has had on her family.

She wasn't a saint. She wasn't a sinner. She was human, made mistakes, and will be missed by many. Nick, on the other hand, has a group of friends who get him through each day. Through alternating chapters, we see Nick's life as a young teen with these friends... going through first love, becoming men, building friendships... each chapter tells us who he is today. We also see shades of Ollie in his father. Nick's life is tough, but he is determined to succeed. He and Kerry had Ollie when they were 18, so he's only 35 when she dies. His life is far from over... but how does his family react when he begins to date Bev?

Throw in a few complicated situations at work, Ollie's first girlfriend, an issue with Nick's in-laws, and money problems... this book covers so many heartbreaking moments, it's tough to get through without stopping for a breather. While not the most I've cried when reading a Prowse novel, there were a few moments where I felt it so intensely, I had to step away. A scene near the end with a watch broke me. I suspect it will break you too, but for all the reasons you won't ever expect.

Ah... reading days like this one are quite nearly perfect.

I love Amanda Prowse and her style of writing which brings her stores to life ! This is a book of loss and love and conflict and hope . As always an emotional read in places and uplifting In others . I enjoyed this read but I have to admit not as much as my previous reads from Amanda .thank you for the opportunity to read

I am inclined to agree with some of the reviewers on here in that I too haven't particularly enjoyed Amanda's last few books. I have read so many of her earlier ones and absolutely loved them but this definitely wasn't for me.

I think it's about time that I stopped reading her books now but thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.