Having thoroughly enjoyed The Keeper of List Things I was really looking forward to reading about Sally Red Shoes. I was expecting to plunge straight into the narrative but instead found myself a little overwhelmed by the cast of characters across separate time frames. Once I got into it my interest revived and I was glad I hadn’t given up. Look forward to reading another title from this author.

The characters in this book are extremely varied, with some being eccentric and memorable and others being much more relatable.

To describe a book that deals so prominently with grief and loss within the narrative as uplifting seems contradictory, however, there is a great deal of humour and hope within its pages, so we are able to empathise and also see redemption ahead.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone that wouldn't be overwhelmed by the considerable focus on loss and grief.

A lovely heartwarming story, told from multiple characters' perspectives. As usual the author writes with her usual warmth and charm, making the characters interesting and relatable.

I picked up this book after seeing the praise for, but not having read, the author's debut, The Keeper of Lost Things.

the story follows Masha as she tries to come to terms with her grief following the death of her young son. She meets a colourful cast of characters along her way.

I enjoyed this book enough, but it didn't grip me, and I didn't love it. A subplot which the reader knows must somehow be connected rumbles along in the background which, in the end, whilst I appreciated the reason for its existence and impact on the characters, felt almost surplus to requirements, and like it had been lifted from another book.

An easy read, but forgettable for me.

A brave, beautifully written and optimistic book about death and cancer written in a way that is thoughtful and humbling. A tear-jerker for me, and totally agree that you gotta have faith!

Another great book from Ruth Hogan, who always seems to collect an eclectic mixture of characters (mostly women) and intertwine them in an unusual way and produce an amazing colourful book.

It was a perfect holiday read, and I felt I took Masha on the vacation with me and she showed me a way to slow down, try some new experiences, meet some new people and come out the other side a changed person.

'When the music ends for someone you love you don't stop dancing. You dance for them as well.' This is something I will cherish and take with me and remember when grief comes knocking again.

A lovely ending and, of course, I will be reading more by Ruth Hogan.

I loved this book a lot. It was beautifully written and a wonderful story. The characters were great and the book kept my interest and was read really quickly. I would recommend to my book friends.

Ruth Hogan stole my heart with The Keeper of Lost Things so I was very excited for The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes. I was not disappointed. From the setting to the characters to the really incredible observations about people and life, Hogan nailed it with this book once again.

I really enjoyed this quirky novel by the author of The Keeper of Lost Things. Whereas I felt like the other novel had too many competing characters and an unnecessary subplot, this story felt tighter and more true-to-life. The characters were still wonderfully quirky, with the protagonist one the reader warms to, especially as she makes a reawakening to life. The novel deals with some hard issues - including the death of a child and sickness - but does so in a respectful and authentic way.

Ruth does it again. Another perfect read full of entertainment. I loved it in all its glory. Ruth is my go to author now when I need a lift in life.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan is the kind of book that I would describe as a warm hug. You get yourself completely involved with the intricacies of the lives of the characters and after you have turned the final page there is a nice feeling of satisfaction.

It is a multi-perspective story yet all the characters have lives that interconnect. The main character is Masha is suffering with a loss however it is through her relationships with other people that she can finally start to let go of the past. These fabulous characters show her that there is a future but also a present.

I really enjoyed reading The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes. It was a heart-warming story which makes you reflect on any sadness that you are holding on to. It is the kind of book that makes you feel better – even when you didn’t feel like you were holding on to anything in particular. That is the power of Ruth Hogan’s The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan is available now.

For more information regarding Ruth Hogan (@ruthmariehogan) please visit www.ruthhogan.co.uk.

For more information regarding John Murray Press (@johnmurrays) please visit www.johnmurraypress.co.uk.

What a wonderful, wonderful book. I didn't want it to end after many hours in the company of Kitty Muriel, her partner, Elvis (not the uh-huh-huh one, you can keep him, thank you very much), Edward, Marcus, Haizum (Irish wolfhound…I want one) and, of course, Sally Red Shoes. Delightful, joyful, colourful…nice people.

This was a book written by the author to try and show that from the quagmire of deep despair, there is life and there is love. Not least, because the author herself had her own battles to win (and did, I should add). In the book, it's Masha who needs to be shown the way…twelve years of grieving after her own tragedy was taking its toll on everyone, not least herself. Cue Kitty M and Sally Red Shoes. Two extraordinary, self-empowering ladies with the voices Masha needed.

Hogan is an artist with words. She paints a magnificent masterpiece with them. I lost count of the number of phrases I read and thought, oh, I love that, I must remember that. (How I wish I could!) This is a book bursting with grief and tragedy, poignancy, hope, love, humour, wit and candour. But there's no need for tissues, don't worry. Hogan's skill is wrapping sadness in a cacoon of humbling enlightment and surprise.

But what touched me most, let me tell you, is that in her acknowledgements, the author thanked her readers FIRST. Readers are usually in the….'and finally…'

Put this on your reading list right now!

Ruth Hogan is an author who can create the perfect picture and who makes you feel like you’re in the book yourself. Quotable, relatable and heart-wrenching! There’s sensitivity but also humour that make this book a comfort. Hogan writes about real life, while also giving it a general touch of love. I adore Hogan’s writing and I can’t wait to read what she has to offer next!

I loved Ruth's first book, the keeper of lost things and The wisdom of Sally Red shoes did not disappointment one bit.

A lovely read that had me sobbing like a baby at one point, but still a beautiful and moving book.

Having loved THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, I was so excited to read the second Ruth Hogan novel. And it didn't disappoint. It's a little bit deeper and more serious than her previous novel, addressing lots of small personal tragedies, losses and secrets, but the characterisation is brilliant as she gives each character their own unique voice.

What an amazing read. It took me a little while to get into but I loved the sentiment of this story and following the lives of different characters which then link up

This was a heart warming and sad book. It's a story about misfortune, loss, friendship and love of life. The characters are engaging and the story lets you renew your faith in humanity that little bit. A fabulous little treasure from Ruth Hogan.

This book is totally different to another I have read by the author. It was a quick read. A boy goes missing...presumed dead. We begin the story in the future and learn what happened all those years ago from 2 peoples perspectives. It is an emotional roller coaster with some very lively, diverse and eccentric characters to add to the story. A great read. I still haven't read the first book by this author (I am reading them backwards!) but it is next on my list. Thanks to netgalley for this free copy.

I didn't read Ruth Hogan's previous book so I came new to this author. The book started out a little confusingly with the introduction of two characters, how or why will they be connected? Then we fast forward to the same characters in the present day.

I did love the lyrical writing and the quirky characters, but somewhere about a third of the way through I didn't know why I was reading the book What was the story - what was the purpose of it all. I decided to stick with it - but only just.

I'd like to say it got better, but apart from glimpses of a story I began to get bored with it all. There was some light at the end of the tunnel when Kitty Muriel makes an entrance but that was short lived.
Then I thought I began to guess the story - but it seemed a little fantastical so I decided I was just trying to enliven a dull read.

I don't do spoilers so I can only say that the writing is beautiful and evocative, but pedestrian. Nothing really happens for most of the book - yes it is every day life but I want more from a book than that. There is grief - but really the book just goes on for so long I even began to lose sympathy at times.

At the end of the book I felt cheated and let down. I could not share a moment with the main character that surely the book had been building towards, I felt like I stuck with it and the book just closed down on me not letting be privy to the real story.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC to review.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and relatable and the story was well paced. She is definitely becoming a favourite author of mine.