Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book and apologies for taking so long to read it.
I read this really quickly as it was such a good book. Well written, good characters and I enjoyed it.
I hope to read more of Alice's books in the future.
Highly recommended

This book is filled with tales of community spirit
It was touching, heartwarming and interesting
The plot was quite slow but this didn’t spoil my enjoyment. It actually made it an easier read.

I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

On The Up is the touching tale of Sylvia and her young family. They live in a small 1970's council flat which is in dire need of refurbishing. Living in such close proximity to others is hard as is the lack of green space and anti social behaviour from the neighbours means that Sylvia yearns for a place of their own. However, her not-quite-husband Obe doesn't share the same vision or mind set and on top of that a shock redundancy soon scupper any ambitions to own their own home. This is such a such a relatable tale as we all want to better ourselves, better our lives not only for yourself but for our children too. We see Sylvia face the same money worries and troubles and parenting dilemmas we all do. The author has done a fabulous job of making Sylvia and Obe very real. This story is a true reflection of the ups and downs of family life. I also enjoyed reading about Sylvias relationship with Bill. A character in the book who is the council's anti social behaviour officer because she speaks to him so much he becomes a kind of confidante.
Once it comes to light the council want to regenerate the area, including knocking down their block of flats Sylvia decides to take action and decides the flats are worth fighting for. Neighbours, despite living in the same block, who have never needed to interact with each other now need to join forces to save their homes. I loved the highlight on community and being neighbourly as I feel this is lost in modern society. The pacing in the story was excellent, giving you enough time to get invested in Sylvia, her story and actually connecting with her. Without giving anything more I'd just say I really enjoyed reading this book. Very clever writing about everyday life. Needs more than the 5 stars on offer.

Sylvia dreams of a better life, away from her council flat. A home with wisteria around the door, a garden and no noisy neighbours. Meanwhile, her financial situation and the challenges of parenthood are putting a strain on her relationship with her partner, Obe. While Sylvia is desperate to leave her estate behind, when it’s threatened she finds herself ready to defend it. A warm humorous book about family, community and modern life.

Quite honesty this felt a bit like reading about my own life at different times. It is a slice of realism but funny and touching along with it. I enjoyed reading the journey of the different characters in the story. It is a completely realistic observation of people living in a block of flats; the neighbours who barely know each other no matter how long they have been living there. The description of parenthood was also something I identified with, which is the main pull of this book...you really can identify with the characters. Everyone has had some of the same problems these people are facing, and sometimes there is nothing better than sitting down to read about something and someone you really identify with.

A decent enough read but I have to admit that I found Sylvia quite irritating. The author's insistence on having her constantly refer to her children as 'That Baby' and 'The Toddler' really started to grate. I understand why other reviewers found the book uplifting. At the heart of it is a sweet story, overcoming adversity and fighting for what you believe in but I cringed every time the two names were used.

My thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this copy.

‘On the up’ is a perceptive and well observed novel about modern day living.
Sylvia is definitely at a crossroads in her life, struggling with two small children, financially unstable and living in a cramped flat above the anti social Dawn who seems to be the noisiest neighbour ever! Added to that her relationship with poetry loving but very laid back Obe is suffering. What happens when disillusionment with your current circumstances colours your view and you can only see the ugly in your surroundings?? That’s exactly what is happening with Sylvia.
We probably all recognise a bit of ourselves in poor Sylvia and the dynamics of her and Obe’s relationship. This is a novel written from the heart in my opinion and so relevant to many of us. Exploring many themes,this novel highlights the ever increasing responsibilities and demanding roles that adulthood brings and how this can impact on our view of the world and the way we interact with others.
The author writes so eloquently about modern day living and with such humour, which for me is what really brings this novel alive. It also proves that humour can be found in the direst of situations, giving Sylvia the hope she needs to survive. The references to That toddler and That baby really made me laugh as does the exaggerated caricature of the estate agent desperately trying to sell Sylvia and Obe ‘the dream house’ in an upcoming area, when in reality it is a complete hovel!!
Setting is so important in this novel so London is the ideal place for the themes that are explored;lack of space, community (or lack of),property prices and what happens when your love affair with a place turns sour. A sense of community is often lacking in our modern times, with many of us locking ourselves away behind closed doors. Sylvia and Obe are no exception and it doesn’t help that they have outgrown where they live in more than just the physical sense, a common phenomenon when children arrive on the scene. ‘On the up’ is also a commentary on motherhood, negotiating sleep deprivation, post natal depression, the boredom and repetitiveness of each day that goes hand in hand with being alone all day, every day with very small children.
There are some great characters in this novel, that could easily be people we know or live next door to and they all add to the richness of the storyline.
How will Sylvia and Obe resolve their issues? Is it really time to grow up and move on or should they resign themselves to their current situation?? Please read this wonderful novel as in my opinion it deserves to be on the bestseller list!!
Thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. How I liked the characters in this book and the whole story line. Really enjoyed this book

Sylvia and Obe live in a council estate flat with their two children. She yearns to own her own home. But her dream is cut short when she is made redundant. Try are constantly annoyed by the loud music that their neighbour below them plays. Sylvia is keeping a noise diary for Bill Baker, the councils Anti Social Behaviour Officer. And now, Sylvia has heard that they are planning to sell off Priory Court for development. Things couldn't get much worse for the couple. The threat to her community gives Sylvua a new determination. She enlists the help of her activist sister and her film maker friend. Sylvia is ready to take on anyone she has to to save her home.

I really liked this book. I loved Sylvia and Obe who always seemed to be down on their luck. When the news broke that priory Court might be sold off, it awoke something in Sylvia and made a mutual trust and friendships form within her neighbours. This book is funny in parts. A heart lifting read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author Alice O'Keeffe for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sylvia has not long given birth to her second child, living in a poky council flat, nightmare neighbour next door, and little money coming in. She spends her time day dreaming about. A better life, until she is spurred into action by the threat of potentially losing her home. This felt a lot like The Lido to me- a real community feel, hope, finding a sense of purpose in life. Really well written with great characters, very timely novel.

A young couple with real life issues.Struggling to live in a small council estate flat.Their struggles issues drew me in their lives could be drawn from today’s news.Totaly involving drew me right in kept me turning the pages .#netgalley#hodderstoughton

On the up-Alice O’keefe

Great book which shows the reality of living in a council flat in London. It is about Sylvia and her partner Obe and their two children. The daily struggles with sleep deprivation and how they are faced with limited finances yet have a dream of buying there own home one day . Relationships and friendships made within the community when their home is under threat and how they work together to try save the tower block. Really good read I would recommend this book.
Thankyou to the author and net galley for the opportunity to read this book.

I really enjoyed this book. This is a beautifully written story about the struggles of one couple. It feels like a refreshingly honest story that seems real.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Great uplifting novel full of humor that I loved. It's about a couple trying to go through hard times, but very thoughtful, very hopeful and I loved the characters.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this well-observed book about a couple struggling in their marriage in a too-small council flat and trying to make a difference in their world. Would appeal to fans of "The Lido".

Full review on my blog under the link https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/book-review-alice-okeefe-on-the-up/

This story is set in London but not among the rich bankers and City types or the privileged of Mayfair, Highgate, Wimbledon, etc. The setting is a tower block in Hackney and the "heroine" is a struggling young mother of 2. Though sleep-deprived and poor the warmth of Sylvia is apparent. Her friend Frankie, with whom she was at school, has a completely different lifestyle, but they still remain friends. Read how Sylvia turns her life around, with help from family and friends, and rediscovers her community spirit. Warm, funny and uplifting.

This is the story of Sylvia, her nearly husband Obe and their two children- Larkin who is like Tigger, and That Baby Elliot. They live in Priory Court in London which are 70’s flats which need serious refurbishment. They are constantly disturbed by their anti social downstairs neighbour Dawn, with loud music and partying. Syl keeps a journal for the councils Anti Social Behaviour Officer, Bill Baker. Bill becomes a kind of touchstone for Syl as she asks his opinion on a wide range of worries. This is a story of survival, of the worries of parenthood, of financial difficulties, of a desire for something better, set in a rapidly changing multi cultural world.

I like the characters in the novel which are acutely observed and the exchanges between Obe and Syl are often funny but tinged with sadness and at times despair. Obe with his poetry and his aura of calm is fabulous as are the children. I like Syl too as all she wants is something better than they have now although as wise Obe points out this is an endless cycle of want. Life is changing for them now they are parents of two boys and the story is about balancing the need to work(and sleep with a wakeful baby and a noisy neighbour) for financial security which they don’t have and , working out what kind of life they want. I really like how this disparate community came together when the news broke that Priory Court could be sold off for redevelopment and how this reawakens Syl and helps her to reflect on what’s important. Through this she meets her neighbours and real camaraderie develops.

This book shows the reality of life but in a very entertaining way. It is interspersed with humour and gently pokes fun at some of the characters. There are some lovely descriptions of the ‘Hackney Riviera’ demonstrating the cosmopolitan, multi cultural mix. I like the ending as indeed it looks like they are on the up.

This book is about a woman named Sylvia and her partner Obe who live on a council estate in London. They have two young children and don't see any potential to upgrade their surroundings- until now. This is a wonderful, lovingly written look at modern day Britain and the issues that face families regarding housing. It's a book about relationships and community and makes for a funny and charming read. Would thoroughly recommend.