This is my first novel by Mike Gayle and it certainly won't be my last - that's for sure!

An overused term recently but All the Lonely People is a piece of escapism and definitely a feel-good read. It helped me to ignore 2020 and to enjoy a few hours in my imagination.

Hubert Bird is lonely and I'm sure we can all relate to him to some degree, especially in the current climate. However, he was loved and people cared for him, regardless if he didn't see it at first. He had a stable group of friends that were unconventional, but it brought him solace.

All The Lonely People was easy to read (never a bad thing) and made you feel content. The pace did drop in parts but Hubert kept you going with his infectious personality.

The hardest reviews to write are the books you love the most. Or at least, that’s what I find. And that’s how I’m feeling right now, sat with my laptop on my knee, cheeks still hot with tears and my Kindle still warm from the monster reading session I’ve just enjoyed with All The Lonely People.

Mike Gayle is an entirely new author to me, but when the blog tour invite dropped into my inbox, there was something about this book which drew me to it. I’m finding myself drawn to uplifting, people-centred novels at the moment, and this ticked all of my boxes.

Not wanting to rehash the blurb, the novel centres on Hubert Bird, an OAP living in Bromley who has cut himself off from life. Predominantly focused on his point of view, the narrative slides between the present day and chronological flashbacks, starting with his youth in Jamaica and his decision to emigrate to England.

And what a character Hubert Bird is!

Mike Gayle writes about Hubert with such sensitivity and authenticity that he came alive for me very early on. Initially aloof when approached by his new neighbour Ashleigh, a single mother to a young daughter, Layla, there’s a sadness which accompanies his character which even without the benefit of the flashbacks indicates that there is far more to his tale than his simply being a grumpy old man.

As Hubert begins to bloom into life once more, thanks to the perseverance of the wonderful Ashleigh, his entire character unfurls into someone quite unforgettable. From his family in Jamaica, his friendships, his frequent battles against racism in England, his marriage, his determination for a better life and experiences as a parent; Hubert is created with such warmth and love that I fell in love with him, swept along wherever he took me. All The Lonely People is such an incredibly beautiful book.

I adored the developing friendship between Hubert and Ashleigh. Two people of completely different generations with completely different life experiences bound together by loneliness. As the title suggests, it’s a recurring theme throughout, and one that is bound to resonate with many people, especially at the moment. It really gives pause for thought too. Loneliness isn’t exclusively reserved for old age. I know the loneliest I’ve ever felt in my life is as a new mother. Despite a dizzying calendar of social activities and being surrounded by people – I felt so removed.

It’s a story about life, and most importantly about people. About how we shape one another – often without even realising the impact we have on the lives of others; whether it be good or bad. Whether it be love, friendship, family or mere acquaintances, each of us have the power to affect the lives of others somehow. A sense of community is too often underrated, and yet the power a group of people can wield as a force for good, is quite remarkable – as is the case here.

All The Lonely People is a novel I will be thrusting upon my friends and family enthusiastically, and as soon as I’ve posted this review I shall be treating myself to another Mike Gayle novel. I don’t give stars – but if I did, this would get them all and then some.

I’ve always loved Mike Gayle but this is definitely his best book yet.
It’s a touching, emotional and engaging read. It’s one of my favourite books this year and will stay with me for a while.
It’s a fantastic book and I would recommend this to anyone.

Mike Gayle keeps getting better with every book. Loved Hubert Bird and the back and forward in time was done perfectly. Both then and now was equally riveting. Wonderful read from start to finish and got me out of a reading slump.

I totally loved this read. Mike Gayle is fast becoming one of my favourite authors of the year.

We meet Hubert, an 84 year old man who lives alone and has got used to seeing no one. Before long a young lady and her baby knock at his door after moving into the area, forcing Hubert to partake in a conversation.

Hubert spins realises that he has been missing out on human interaction and needs to make changes to go out and make friends. The story of who he meets along the way is just so charming.

The characters that we meet in this book are wonderful. They aren’t sickly sweet but well rounded. I also loved reading about Hubert’s back story and how he came to be living in Brixton alone.

Please read this, it will be warm your heart.

Mike Gayle is a stunning storyteller and has absolutely discovered exactly what is needed to unlock the floodgates. Beautiful and brilliant.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC of this book.
After having a few mixed reviews on the last few thrillers I have read (my favourite genre) have decided to start reading books from different genres.
This book did not disappoint!!! I immediately fell in love with Hubert and whenever I read about him and Joyce I pictured Mr Frederikson from the disney movie Up!!
Half way through I literally had to stop reading as my heart was breaking 😭😭 this book has so many emotions and I loved it alot more than I thought I would!!
Without giving anything away, the middle and the ending had me shocked!
This is a beautiful story about loneliness in both elderly people and young people and how all ages can come together and be friends and mean the world to each other.
Would definitely recommend this book, it's such a lovely, emotional read!

When Hubert Bird moved to London from Jamaica he put up with the cold, the damp and the racism because he fell in love. 60 years later Hubert lives on his own with a cat to keep him company and weekly phone calls from his daughter in Australia. He has told her that he has an active social life but that is far from the truth and he knows he must do more - the catalyst is Ashleigh, a single mum, who pushes Hubert out of his comfort zone and makes him confront his loneliness.
Mike Gayle is just a great writer who always seems to hit the right note. Here in this tale of old age and loneliness in the big city he doesn't dwell on Hubert's brushes with racism, he doesn't overplay the problems that Hubert's son has with drugs and homelessness and he doesn't make Joyce's dementia anything more than it needs to be. The one twist really does come as a twist and the story ends up being both terribly sad and also heart-warming.

Awww I LOVED Hubert!
Hubert, a widower, doesn’t want his daughter to worry about him being lonely so invents friends who he can tell her about during her regular phone calls home. Then she tells him that she is coming to visit and he realises she will find out he is lying.
A new neighbour and child appear at just the right time and gradually help Hubert to leave his house and go out and make new friends.
The story alternates between Hubert’s arrival in the UK as a young man where we discover how he met his wife and present day where we find out why his son doesn’t visit. And why he doesn’t see his oldest friend,
A lovely gentle story about a lovely gentleman - look out for the surprise twist towards the end

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest reviewl.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime books and psychological ones too however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for  opening up my mind to something totally different.

Gloriously warm and glowing story of love, friendship and finding connection.

Mike Gayle does have a way of creating some incredibly moving characters in his novels. And for me, this one brought more lumps to my throat than any thus far. It's an immigrant's tale, a love story, a novel of a lifetime together, and an end-of-life redemption lesson, all in one.

Hubert Bird is part of the Windrush generation. Now in his eighties, he lives with his cat Puss and lives for the weekly call from his beloved daughter Rose, pursuing her career dreams in Australia. He paints for her an animated picture of a bustling, active life with a group of rabble-rouser pensioners. He is thus both delighted and horrified to hear that Rose is coming to visit him after years apart, and the reality of his drab and isolated real days compel him into seeking fellowship "an age appropriate friend", to placate his girl.

Just how did Hubert become the old man we see? Gayle takes us back to 1960s Britain, with a young immigrant seeking new opportunities, fresh off the boat and into a world of rain, drab food and intolerance. As well as the love of his life, a family and all the ups and downs that these can bring a person.

In the present, Hubert's cool exterior gradually starts to make sense... but also to thaw. He's never a Victor Meldrew, never an Ove, just a sad old man nursing the pains of a long life. A life that he needs to inject with some companions. And he might find that he's not the only one.

I've been deliberately vague here. It's a book of more than one part really. Hubert's story in the present is charming, with its own manic dream pixie and cast of eccentric bit-parters, some twists and a possible love interest, a purpose and a lot of tears brushed away.

Hubert's past brings us the immigrant's story, of homesickness, racism and trying to make a life. Of two very different young men, best friends whose paths diverge with their attitudes to women.

While Hubert's wife plays a key role in the story, she only really featured in a few important scenes. It's Hubert's voice, his tale we follow. At times an absolutely heart-breaking one, and once all the threads have been woven together and we end up back with Mr Bird in the present, fully armed with the knowledge of sixty years of love, pain and sacrifice, the potential denouement is all the sweeter and more rewarding.

I didn't want this to end, I even warmed to a few characters I'd been lukewarm about earlier whose roles filled out a little.

Oh please someone, make this into a film. It's got everything, and with a lot of very relevant issues for right now. Mike Gayle - thank you. You did something special here.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

I gobbled up the new Mike Gayle novel in one big smashing gulp. Layer upon layer of emotion, a heartbreakingly stark reminder of the damage inflicted by prejudice, loneliness and loss. Packed full of hope and the power we ALL have to change someone else’s life.

You can always count on Mike Gayle’s books to be heartwarming and beautifully written, and All the Lonely People is no different. It is an uplifting and heartwarming story of friendship and community, tracking some extraordinarily likeable characters as they try to put an end to loneliness in Bromley. I really enjoyed it!

Octogenarian Hubert Bird lives alone in Bromley, a town he moved to many years ago with his wife. Now Joyce and his 2 grown up children are no longer around and most of his friends have either died or moved away, he spends much of his time alone with his cat, Puss.

Then one day a phone call brings him to the realisation that he needs to make a change, and he begins to admit to himself that he’d quite like to make some friends. As luck would have it his new neighbour Ashleigh, a young single mum to a toddler, is keen to get to know people in the area too and they start to form a very unlikely friendship.

This is a dual timeline narrative with details from Hubert’s present day alternating with snippets from his past. As a young Jamaican man newly installed in London in the 1950s we see how Hubert has to battle racism and prejudice in both his personal life and the workplace. It’s a love story too, and we gain an insight into the wonderful highs and tragic lows of his long marriage.

What is particularly thought-provoking here is how the book shows that nobody is immune from becoming lonely at some point in their life, and the consequent potential value of inter-generational friendships.

If you’re looking for an uplifting book containing characters to fall in love with then I’d highly recommend giving All the Lonely People a try. With thanks to the publishers for gifting me a digital copy for review.

This book touches on so many subjects that are relevant today, loneliness, old age, racism and mental health.

Hubert Bird, my god, what a wonderful character, I just took him into my heart and kept him there.

Hubert is a widower, living on his own. Life has not been kind to him. His wife died, he has a son he never sees, all his friends have disappeared, just like his life. His daughter lives in Australia and she is the one shining light that he holds on to. She rings him once a week for a catch up on his busy life. His fictitious life, the one filled with outings and friendships, the one he has been lying to her about for years. But it is when she tells him she is coming home for a visit that he realises if he doesn’t want her to know the truth he must get out and go find a social life
.
The author writes with intelligence and more than a touch of honesty of the hostility and racism Hubert faces when he first arrives in England. The love story between Hubert and his wife and the problems and challenges they encounter, warmed my heart and held me captive. Tears were never far away, but neither was laughter.

Mike Gayle, you have hit the right notes at the right time and written a wonderful, poignant, but ultimately uplifting story of how one man fought loneliness and won!

Without a doubt, you have another winner on your hands.

What a lovely book this is. So touching and so heartwarming.
I instantly warmed to Hubert and really felt for him, especially when you find out more about him and the white lies he is telling so not to appear lonely. It really does pull at your heart strings. I was so pleased when his neighbour, Ashleigh and her little girl Layla, came knocking at his door. The friendship they develop is just wonderful. I just love how Mike Gayle has created these characters.
The book very much had a feel of A Man Called Ove, which I absolutely loved.
This book is written with a duel time line which explains all about Huberts life and how and why he’s in the position he is in. Great story with a few unexpected moments that you don’t expect.

I don't think I read this book so much as I lived it, absorbing it and feeling it with every fibre of my being. Calling it 'heart-warming' or 'uplifting' feels too much of an understatement, neither word does justice to how I felt reading this book or the feeling I have since finishing it. It's effected me profoundly, just as A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. All three books are about people who are isolated, existing rather than living - but that changes at the most unexpected time, courtesy of the most unexpected people.
This is the second of Mike Gayle's books that I have read, the other being 'Half A World Away'. I read that during the middle of lockdown, and reading this now as lockdown has ended but the impact it and the virus overall has and continues to have, feels hauntingly timely. This is the story of Hubert, a man in his 80s, whose new neighbour befriends him with inadvertent force! The novel hops between the present and the past, all the strands of life that led to Hubert where and who he is now.
This book is a necessary reminder of (at least!) two things. 1) Life is dangerous yet short, capable of ending at any moment, unpredictable and indiscriminate in how it plays out. 2) We will never know exactly what other people are experiencing or what it fees like to go through what they have gone or are going through.
This book is wonderfully compassionate and hopeful - exactly what I needed right now.

An octogenarian of the Windrush generation, living alone in Bromley who, with the help of young neighbour Ashleigh, decides to do something about the loneliness crisis in his area... Hubert Bird is the hero we all need right now.

Mike Gayle has captured the power of community and the family we choose for ourselves in his latest book, which may just be his best yet.

A beautifully written emotional story. I went through a whole rollercoaster of emotions. I loved Hubert Bird as a character. The 2 timelines expertly told about his life and the people in it. This is a gem of a book which I will remember for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Arriving in 1958 from Jamaica to Britain, Hubert Bird is a part of the Windrush Generation. Looking for a better future, looking for a better life, his rose – tinted glasses are broken when he starts to be a victim of racist attacks. Fortunately, even with his life being so challenging, there are also better moments for him. Hubert fells in love with Joyce and even though their relationship was considered to be very inappropriate, and Joyce’s family have never accepted Hubert, their love was strong enough to make it through.
After Joyce’s death and their children moving away, Hubert finds himself very lonely. In his weekly phone calls with his daughter Rose, Hubert invents a group of friends and tells her about their shenanigans. However, now, he’s got a problem: Rose is going to visit from Australia and can’t wait to meet her dad’s friends. What now? Now, he’s forced to go out, to find real friends, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Then, one day, a knock on his door is going to change his life, almost completely. But is Hubert ready for this change?

There was a great cast of characters in the book and I fell for all of them. There is an incredible depth to them all and they all have their own personalities and distinctive voices. Hubert is gentle, fair, loyal and so lonely. We can see that he already has given up on life – he lost everything he loved, lost contact with his old friends, cut himself off. Mike Gayle gives us such a gentle, understanding insight into Hubert’s soul, showing us the real Hubert, the man he used to be and what has happened to turn him into the hermit he is now. We are taken on a journey through his life, with all its challenges but also good times, and I had a feeling that Hubert is really a living and breathing person.
And all the other characters are as captivating as Hubert, with their own stories, troubles and problems, and the growing friendship between them is an absolute highlight in this story.

The story is told in alternating timelines and I really can’t say which one was better. They were both incredibly interesting, full of twists and turns and surprises. The events in the 1950´s get us close to that generation and show just how difficult it was for the Windrush Generation. There were so many heartbreaking moments and I could give Hubert and his friends a standing ovation for being so brave, resilient and determined – they have already experienced how difficult life can be and they truly appreciated all the good things that have happened to them after they emigrated.

It’s a very emotional and moving tale, so close to life and so true to life, Mike Gayle is one of the few that can write such stories. It resonates with you on so many levels and the author is a brilliant observer of life and people, giving us a real and raw insight into marriage, parenthood and loneliness and the changing (or not?) political and human attitudes through years. He writes about racism in a way that makes your heart break at the unfairness of it, makes you shake your head with disbelief and also makes you feel ashamed. He also writes in such a human, close to life way and it’s so easy to connect with the characters. They are full of feelings and emotion, and you simply feel with them. He has incredible way with the words, bringing everything he writes about to life. This is a very thought – provoking book, with some clear messages, showing what is really important in life.

The book focuses strongly on loneliness and let’s be honest, how often do we think about it? And it turns out that it’s such important societal issue nowadays, many people are so lonely as anonymity and looking away is a norm now, we’d better turn away than look deeply and see the problem. It is so easy to do it, to smile, to say a gentle word, to be kind. I absolutely loved the twists – I have not seen them coming! They mostly have broken my heart in thousand pieces but the author’s ability to patch it up again is one in a million – there is always hope in his stories, though I must admit that I though I’ll never be able to raise up again after reading the epilogue, but this is also what I love in this author’s books, that they are not too sugary and that he doesn’t shy from writing about heavier issues, making his characters’ lives complicated.

”All the Lonely People” was an uplifting and inspirational read about love, loss, loneliness and not giving up, clever and captivating, a book that will affect you, that’s sure. It is another cracker by Mike Gayle, this author never disappoints, so make sure to buy and read this gem of a book.

Mike Gayle's books are always a fun, enjoyable experience and All The Lonely People was no exception. I absolutely adored this book. I loved Hubert as a character, I loved the 50's to now comparisons, the romance, so much more. Such a great book, will definitely be recommending!