I adored this book. It is one that will stay with me for a really long time. There are so many things I loved about it.

Firstly, let's start with the structure. I loved the dramatic opening and the fact that the story moved across and around different locations and timeframes. I loved that the story went back to the beginning towards the end, to fill in the gaps in an almost cylical way. This was far more effective than a story which just tells you what happened.

I had so much sympathy and deep respect for the character of Connor. Every choice he made seemed to be based on the need for love and acceptance, whilst always trying to protect his.family.

This story provides some important historical context and social commentary on the issue of gay rights, and it made me feel truly proud to live in an era where for most part, love is love, irrespective of age, gender or sexuality.

This book is so important to me and carries such a wonderful message about resilience, honesty and pride. This book will stay with me for a long time and I'm genuinely excited to read more by the delightful Graham Norton.

This is a novel that, while well-written and thoughtfully structured, didn’t leave a particularly strong impression on me. The story, which begins with a tragic car accident in a small Irish village and follows the ripple effects on those involved, certainly has all the elements of a compelling narrative. Norton’s portrayal of small-town life and the lingering impact of guilt and secrets is handled with care, and the shifts between timelines help to build a fuller picture of the characters’ lives.

However, despite these strengths, I found the novel somewhat underwhelming. The plot felt predictable at times, and while the characters are sympathetic, they didn’t quite grab me or leave a lasting impact. The themes of guilt, forgiveness, and reconciliation are well-explored, but there wasn’t much that set this story apart from other similar tales. It’s an easy read with some emotional moments, but for me, it was just okay—pleasant enough, but nothing particularly memorable. If you’re a fan of Norton’s previous work or enjoy stories set in small Irish communities, you might appreciate it more, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

I really enjoy reading Graham Norton's books. He has an easy style and he writes well-rounded characters and develops good plot lines. In this story, a car crash has devastating repercussions for the inhabitants of a village in Ireland, and especially for Connor who is held responsible for the crash in which his friends died. His life from that moment is very different from what he expected it to be, and we see it unfold, with flashbacks to the events before the crash. Everything comes together at the end in a very satisfying denouement. At times, this was a difficult read because some of it was so sad, but the ending was uplifting and felt completely right.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fast paced read with a gripping storyline
The characters feel so realistic
A wonderful book to snuggle down with

Another brilliant story by Graham Norton. What a talent he has for creating these small, Irish, gossipy communities, that feel so real; with beating hearts and characters that bounce off the page.

This book was both devastating and uplifting in equal measure. It broke my heart and made me feel joy and hope. I love the humour Norton infuses in his stories, and I found myself eager to come back to the these people's lives every time I put the book down.

A moving and thought-provoking read about belonging, embracing your true self and understanding the differences in other people.

Heart warming and endlessly compelling.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

In 1987 a fatal accident the day before a wedding rocks a small Irish community. Lives are ruined and families torn apart as the repercussions echo down the decades. The survivors struggle with guilt, grief and consequences, particularly Connor, the driver on that fateful day. The anger of his neighbours and the guilt force him him to leave, fleeing to Liverpool where he is forced to confront his sexuality and the prejudice of the 1980s. But as far as he runs Connor can't escape the accident and there are secrets about what actually happened that day that will need to be confronted.

Graham Norton captures all the conflict of the different characters and their particular circumstances. In particular Connor, a young gay man growing up and coming out in a community and a society that still see homosexuality as a moral failing and a decision. But despite all the darkness of those bad old days (sadly still not behind us) Norton's writing is full of tenderness, love and hope and his story is ultimately uplifting. There's not much to surprise the reader but there's a lot to like and enjoy in this warm-hearted story

Connor is one of only two people who managed to walk away, relatively uninjured, from a car crash the day before his sister's wedding. A day at the beach ends up killing the bride and leaves one girl unable to walk. Connor was driving the car and, in the way of small towns in most countries, the locals find it very hard to forgive him. Like so many young Irishmen before him (and since) he makes his way to the UK, firstly to Liverpool and then London, and then he moves on to New York. At least there he is free to admit to his sexuality and finds love, for a while. However, when his nephew Finbarr meets him in the States, Connor decides to go home and try to make his peace with his family and the community they live in.

Norton's own voice shines through the writing (I love an author who can write with the lilt of Irish brogue) and this is a good read. I'm a fan of him as a comedian and presenter - I can now add 'as an author' to that list.

A thoroughly enjoyable read - Graham Norton's excellent storytelling skill was evident throughout and it has been recommended to others following my reading.

This is such a stunning novel – I read it all in one sitting because I just didn’t want to put it down for a second. Home Stretch follows a small community in rural Ireland who are reeling from an horrific car crash that has killed three young people and seriously injured a fourth. Two young men escaped with no injuries. The ramifications are huge for the town as parents and siblings and friends try to come to terms with what happened. The novel starts in 1987 but goes back and forth in time up to 2019. We mainly follow Connor, a young gay man who was driving the car, and we see how much this has affected him and his family. The snippets we get from the other families affected by the accident are so moving. Norton really captures people’s thoughts in such a real way – there is a moment at one of the funeral’s when one mother is relieved that the wedding didn’t happen when she see’s what the bride’s mother is wearing at her daughter’s funeral and this felt so true to life. We all know these people in our own lives. There are twists and turns, and things that I didn’t see coming, but more than that this is a beautiful novel about finding your way in the world, and about how you find home again when the absolute worst thing has happened to you. I adored this book; it will absolutely be in my top books of this year! I highly recommend it!

Another home run from Graham Norton. By the end of the book I deeply cared for all of the characters and was overjoyed with the ending.

An emotional journey through the confined lanes of repressed desire and selfhood. I felt so heavy after the first section and was so pleased to jump forward in time with the narrative and know we've moved forward in reality too.

I got an ARC of Home Stretch and I’m sorry it took me so long to get around to reading. Like Norton’s other novels, this is an incredible book with much darker undercurrents than it would initially appear. The true darkness isn’t revealed until almost at the end of the novel, almost thirty years after the accident when the truth of that awful night and the lives changed forever is revealed. I cried a lot reading this because the character’s and their lives grew to mean so much to me.

The opening of this book was difficult for me as my teenage son is just about to take his driving test but there is so much more to the novel than just the tragic opening event. I just loved the ways in which the characters and the stories developed and, somehow, the intertwining of the stories was convincing. There were several shocks along the way but, above all, the characters were warmly drawn and truly believable. I highly recommend this book.

I thought this book was just wonderful. I love the Irish setting and the writing flowed so well. Some extremely memorable characters, some hideous and some heartbreaking. It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book as a lot of characters and families are introduced quite quickly. I went back to the start and really concentrated on who was who and soon got into it!
A story about families and relationships set in small town Ireland before moving onto Liverpool then New York, but always coming back to Ireland. I would highly recommend Graham Norton's books, they are a lot more complex and dark than you might expect.

I have been impressed with Norton’s writing. His 1st book was more of a safe whodunit in a sleepy Irish Village, this book he has started from an inward looking Irish town but used it to tackle more gritty emotive issues.
Starting out in 1987, Connor is deemed responsible for the accidental death of 3 friends in an RTC. It brought shame on his family, and due to the stigma caused he has to move away. The act causes much distress to Connor and his parents. However it allows his younger sister to breathe and not be perpetually tarnished by his actions.
Connor initially moves to London to work. Guilty and shamed by his actions, he has a lonely and private adjustment to make. He longs to return home, but cannot expect his parents/family to want him to be seen home again. Never completely banished but neither able to return, finding himself and realising he is gay provides an opportunity Ireland could never have otherwise allowed him to live quite as he is.
The chapters are told from the perspective of a number of characters. All of them are memorable and bear their own crosses. Most are young, lacking confidence in themselves, and having low esteems they are also notably vulnerable. Tapping into many of the narrow mind sets that were of that time, Norton has deftly captured the lived feeling of the late 80’s and early 90’s. The emotions are tangible, complex and full of a heavy angst and worry that does not readily go away. Burdened, haunted, facing prejudice and stigma – moving away doesn’t necessarily make it go away.
A very immersive and a vivid step back in time

Home Stretch was a wonderful read. I felt the emotions of all of the characters, particularly their anger and their sense of injustice and I shed a few tears on occasions. Graham Norton.'s descriptions of 1980's Ireland and New York some 20 years later were super. A very pleasant way to while away a few hours!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my own unbiased opinion.

A nice, easy read; I held off writing my review as I read this immediately after reading a very intense thriller. Home Stretch was exactly what I needed - easy, warm and sweet. However, I don't think I'd have chosen this book if Graham Norton hadn't written it. I found the format rather awkward and jarring and the whole book rather forgettable. A month after reading it, I haven't thought about it once, nor felt any desire to recommend it or gift it to anyone. It's a book for when you're too tired to give yourself entirely, inoffensive and easy.

It is 1987. A group of young people go on a trip to the beach the afternoon before two of the crowd get married. On the way home there is a car crash, two are killed, one is severely injured & two escape with minor injuries. One of them is Connor Hayes who was the driver. He never really fitted in, but in the small community he cannot cope with the looks & mutters of folk so he sets off to Dublin, leaving behind his parents & sister. His mother is devastated that they never hear from him. The story follows Conner & his life in Dublin then in the USA & that of his sister, left behind. Times move on, ideas & prejudices change.

Like Graham Norton's previous books this was an engaging read with interesting characters, capturing the atmosphere of small Irish towns. I was totally unprepared for the surprise reveal. All in all a good story. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This was my first read by Graham Norton and I really enjoyed it. I found it an easy read, gentle and flowing. The story was well told and it was interesting to see how the characters developed. I also listen to the Audio book and particularly liked this version, Graham read it really well and his voice is nice to listen to, it also added just that little more to the book for me.