This was a very enjoyable read.

A group of 6 youngster go for a drive to the beach the day before two of them are getting married, and the resulting crash has serious repercussions for all. Three are killed; Connor is one of the survivors, but he cannot remain in his beloved village as everyone blames him for the crash. He leaves, and most of the book covers his journey to find a new life and accept his sexuality and believe in himself. However, his parents and sister Ellen are also badly affected, and the events, particularly within her life, are really heartbreaking.

A pacy tale, told very well. One is always doubtful if a 'celebrity' brings out a book - is it just puffing to boost sales with a high profile name or can they actually write? Norton can write, and very well indeed about topics with which he is clearly very familiar. I did wonder if some of Connor's experiences were autobiographical?

Set in Ireland, all the petty prejudices came through very clearly - the great concerns about 'what the neighbours would think', as well as the general prejudice against gays prevalent at that time. Its like a Maeve Binchy for grownups in modern times! (Which is not intended as derogatory - I love Binchy).

Thoroughly enjoyable, I would recommend it to all.

Thank you to NetGalley and for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ireland 1987: A small Irish community is preparing for the wedding of two of it's inhabitants. As the friends head home the night before the wedding, there is a car accident. Thee survive the crash but three are killed. Connor. the driver of the car, survives. But staying among the angry and mourning is almost as hard as living with the shame. He decides to go travelling. He eventually settles down in New York. But secrets and regrets have come to haunt those left behind and will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to face his past.

Graham Norton is a comedian, a TV chat show host and this is his third novel. The story takes us from 1987 through to the noughties. We don't know the full story when the book begins but it slowly unfolds whilst reading. This is quite an emotional read. There is quite a lot of characters but they all have their part to play. The book is written that well that you go through the emotions of the characters. I found this a thought provoking and enjoyable read. This is Graham Norton's best book so far.

Smart, sophisticated and very satisfying - this is a memorable read!

When a car goes off the road in a small town in Cork, the reverberations have long lasting effects. With three dead, the community make it clear they have no place for young Connor, the driver, among them. So he is packed off to Liverpool, then London, he eventually makes half a life for himself in New York, but always wonders about those he left behind, whilst his family mourn the loss of a son and a brother. But things are never are clear-cut as the first appear, and there are secrets which have been buried - but for how long?

In his latest novel, Graham Norton has really brought his writing talents to the fore and shows himself to be a skilled and talented author. Adroitly planned, the secrets are well hidden and revealed in a timely manner. This is such a compelling story, demanding the reader's full attention from the very first and entertaining all the way through. A tale of a changing Ireland, beautifully told and completely original; the kind of book I particularly love as I could finish reading with a sigh of total satisfaction. Such an inspiring and multi-layered novel demands no less than the full five sparkling stars which I'm delighted to give it, along with my highest recommendation to all those who love an absorbing story.

My thanks to publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I have read all of Graham’s books and each time they get better.
A car accident which kills three young people two before the day of their wedding has far reaching consequences for the survivors. Lives changed forever.
It is a story of secrets and lies as well as a story of self discovery.
It is in some parts a coming of age story but even better it tells of their achievements in the following years and how this awful event in their younger years helped to shape them as adults.

Thank you to Hodder&Stoughton for an e-copy of #Homestretch by Graham Norton via #Netgalley.
A car accident on the eve of a young couple's wedding shatters a small community in rural Ireland. There were 6 people in the car - 3 died and 3 lived.
Connor Hayes was driving the car and the repercussions of the accident on a beautiful summer's evening will be felt by all those involved for years to come. For the Hayes family Connor, his parents and sister Ellen life has changed in the blink of an eye and they will be affected for years to come.
Connor burdened with guilt at the shame and pain inflicted on his family leaves for England. He moves to America with his lover and decides to estrange himself from his family so he does not have to confront his actions.
His sister Ellen marries Martin the local doctor's son who also survived the crash but the marriage is not a happy one and Ellen is left wondering where she went wrong.
The novel deals with homosexuality in 1980s Ireland and the abhorrence of society and the Church for anybody who didn't abide to their strict moral code. The irony being that both society and the Church in 1980s Ireland were hypocritical to the core.
Graham Norton has a deft storytelling touch and brings the reader on a journey of self-discovery and societal change in a gentle and non judgemental manner.
The author's talent in telling a difficult and traumatic story in a non confrontational manner allows the reader to appreciate the nuances involved.
#Homestretch is a gentle approach and sings to the heart, I would wholeheartedly recommend reading it.

I gave five stars to both Graham Norton’s earlier books but this one I did not like at all. I found the characters flat and not at all engaging. The story was told in leaps and bounds but not a captivating tale in any way.
I will read any more books he writes because his first two were wonderful and I hope and expect he has better ideas than this in his mind.

Five stars. I couldn’t put this book down. Norton can really write and brings his characters to life. In a small Irish town a scandal changes the lives of so many people when 3 teenagers die and another is crippled in a car crash. Follow the story of the families involved over 30 years. This book would make a great film.

Brilliant book by Graham Norton love him on tv so even better as an author highs and lows but so much laughter

Well I never had Graham Norton down as an author. He’s also surprised me. He’s a very good author.
Home stretch is filled with so many emotions. It will have you crying in places. Centred around a small Irish community for which tragedy hits. A car crashes leaving three young people dead. The powerful storytelling of how the families found out the news.
Then we have Connor who was the driver. He survived but to be shunned. Heartbreaking when you think of the emotions he must have been suffering. We then have the book follow his life 20 years on.
I could hear Graham reading this in my ear in whole time and really wish I’d got the audiobook.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review

Home Stretch by Graham Norton has one of the most compelling and heartbreaking opening chapters I’ve ever read. I was hooked immediately, Norton’s beautiful writing ensuring that I didn’t want to stop turning pages until I’d read every one.

The day before the big wedding the bride, groom and 4 of their friends take a trip to the beach. Only 3 of the party make it home alive. A whole town and numerous lives shattered, Connor, the driver of the doomed vehicle, is forced to leave, travelling first to Liverpool, then on to London and eventually to New York. From the 1980s to the present day we see how the effects of that fateful day are felt long after life has returned to a kind of normal. Will anyone ever find out the whole truth about what happened?

This is a novel that gets you right in the feels. Connor’s exile and estrangement from his family, the sense of grief and loss felt throughout, and the prejudices that negatively impact the course of many of the characters’ lives all make for an extraordinarily moving story. How Ireland’s political landscape and attitudes altered over the 3 decades I found particularly thought-provoking, imagining how different things may have turned out if the accident had happened just 10 or 20 years later.

There was a time when I may have been a bit sniffy about TV personalities turning their hands to writing novels. But, seriously, consider my mind well and truly changed! Home Stretch is a great book and I’ll be keen to get hold of Graham Norton’s previous releases.

With thanks to Coronet/Hodder for gifting me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Yet again another addictive, brilliant book from Graham Norton. I’m becoming quite the fan of his work. I love the way he writes and builds the plot.

Simply amazing. I consumed this book so quickly- it was rich and emotional and had just the right amount of humour to go along with the story of sadness and small town tragedy.
I loved the settings of both Ireland and the US, the contrast between the two perfect for the story. Oh but the characters, these are what really made it for me. Graham has done the most amazing job of giving us characters to absolutely love and absolutely hate (you’ll know who I’m talking about! grrr). This book is clever, I could almost feel the shame of the family and the town on myself as if I were Connor after the accident.
There are twists in this book that I didn’t see creeping up on me, I was shocked right up to the very end.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I cannot wait to see it being spoke about along with the many successes I’m sure are inevitable.

I’d like to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Home Stretch’ by Graham Norton in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Six young people are at the beach enjoying themselves before the big wedding the following day but on their return home the car crashes, two of the passengers survive, three die and one is left with life-altering injuries. Connor confesses to driving and has to leave Mullinmore in Ireland, heading for Liverpool, then London, before eventually making a life for himself in New York. But Connor has secrets that can’t be hidden forever and he’ll have to return home eventually to face the past and those he left behind.

I enjoyed reading Graham Norton’s two previous books which I thought couldn’t be surpassed but ‘Home Stretch’ has done just that. It’s the moving story of the inhabitants of Mullinmore and their lives following the car crash, especially Connor who leaves under a cloud and his sister Ellen who endures a loveless marriage. It’s been beautifully written with poignancy and genuine characters, and I was totally captivated so that I had to keep reading. The emotive subject of same sex marriages was so touching that my eyes filled and my heart went out to Connor who’d lived a lie for most of his life. This is a wonderful story, an absolute joy to read, and I can thoroughly recommend it.

A thoroughly entertaining read throughout, many thanks to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton for the chance to read this before publication. The book follows characters from a small village in Ireland throughout their lives, with their ups and downs, and many secrets. Intriguing and poignant in many places, it does make you realise how far society has come in a few short years. But also just how far society still needs to go to stop any homophobia. Very enjoyable, i give this book 4 stars. A lot of people stay away from 'celebrities' writing books, however i love Graham Nortons style of writing, a bit of humour, a lot of warmth, great characters and easy to read.

It is the mid-1980s and a group of friends take a trip to the beach just before the wedding of two of their party. There is an accident and three are killed. Life will never be the same for them, their families or their community. Connor finds it impossible to stay and leaves for another life where he can forget. However, secrets and regrets follow him and it is inevitable that he will have to confront the past that he tries so hard to escape.

I enjoyed Graham Norton’s first novel and I’m delighted that he seems to be getting better and better. He is a great storyteller and his characterisations are so spot on that it is impossible not to feel the emotions. I highly recommend adding this to your reading list.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC

I went into this book blind; I didn’t know what it was about or even what genre it was. All I knew was that I’d enjoyed the one other Graham Norton book I’d read, so I took a leap of faith on this one when it became available on NetGalley.
I’m certainly glad I did, the story is beautifully written, and it draws you in, right from the start.
There are a lot of characters to get to know in the first chapter, which was overwhelming, as trying to keep everyone straight in your head and get into a new book can be quite challenging. Fortunately, this does settle down, and we predominately follow two main characters, Ellen and Connor. There are other voices interspersed throughout the story, and again it could be quite confusing whose head you were inside as it jumped from one to the other with no partition between the characters.
The story itself moves very swiftly through time. We started in 1987, and by the end, we were in 2019. The jumps were quite shocking as you were just getting to know the circumstances surrounding the characters, and then you were propelled through time. The time jumps did fill in the gaps of the past though, again, this was quite confusing trying to keep up with where you were in time. You could be in 2012 but reminiscing about the past five years. I’m not sure if there was a better way to do this and I can see what the author was trying to do, but it did just leave me a bit whiplashed trying to keep up.
The time jumps were needed though to really press home how one event in the past could affect the whole lives of our characters. If it had have been over a shorter period I don’t think it would have had as much of an impact.
I would put this in the contemporary fiction category; it is a story being told about secrets, hardships and consequences. Even though the two main protagonists were quite morose, you did really feel for them and want them to have a happy outcome.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I really must find the time to go back and read Graham Norton’s back catalogue. Despite the confusing layout of the book, it still made a profound impact on me, and I am giving this five stars.

Home Stretch was my first experience with Graham Norton's fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it- clearly I have been missing out. Norton looks at small town life in Ireland in the 1980s and takes his characters through a period of huge social change to the current day. At the heart of the story is the damage caused by secrecy and stigma, and Norton's characters are so vivid and believable that it is impossible not to empathize with them.
The book opens in 1987 with the news that there has been a terrible car accident involving a group of local young people on their way home from a day at the beach. Three of them died and the three that survive are scarred, physically, psychologically and emotionally. The ramifications of that day will echo through the town for decades to come. One family has lost one daughter, the other lies in a coma fighting for her life despite paralyzing injuries. Another woman buries her only son on the eve of his wedding , his wife to be also killed in the accident. Then there is the driver of the car, son of the local publican who sinks into a depression and at times wishes he did not survive. The only way for him to move on is to leave , first for the building sites in Liverpool , then London and eventually New York where he finally feels comfortable enough to leave the past behind and build a new life for himself. Decades later his old and new worlds collide when a chance encounter leads to a reunion with his estranged family , and a chance to face up to the day it all began and the secrets he has been hiding for years.
Connor is a truly wonderful character to hinge the book on, his story is tragic but ultimately hopeful and his journey and experiences mirror those of so many Irish immigrants of those days though his reasons for leaving were more dramatic than most. His journey also shows the huge change in society's attitude to homosexuality in Ireland, from the secrecy, stigma and shame of the 80's to the acceptance of today. Aside from Connor, Norton also does a wonderful job with Ellen, Connor's sister who stays at home and eventually ends up marrying another survivor of the accident. Her story also has secrets and lies and I found her struggles heart wrenching at times. His depiction of small town life is simply wonderful - from the claustrophobia of everyone knowing one another's business to the way people pull together in the face of tragedy , he captured the experience perfectly.
Overall and absorbing and compelling story of loss, deception and ultimately acceptance and one that I highly recommend.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Graham Norton’s books go from strength to strength and this is definitely the best so far.

The story starts with a tragedy in a small town in southern Ireland in the late 1980s, the night before a wedding is due to take place. It goes on to show how the repercussions of that fateful night continue to ripple down the years and how those involved do or don’t manage to come to terms with what happened.

Graham Norton is a superb storyteller and his books never disappoint, with authentic characters, great descriptions of both Ireland and New York and a believable storyline told with warmth and compassion Although very sad in parts this is also a story of hope, redemption and the strength of the human spirit.

Another excellent fictional offering from the ever lovely Graham Norton. Starting in a small town in Ireland in 1987, this is a thought provoking and heart breaking story. Starting with a horrific traffic accident, we follow the lives of the survivors and discover how it shapes their lives
I read this in two sittings, as it was so easy to read and so hard to put down.

Well, if this author's first two books hadn't made people sit up and pay attention to his ability as an author, this one cements that. Due to his prolific appearances on both radio and tv his unique voice is highly recognisable and, well for me anyway, I actually hear that voice as I am reading his books.
In this one, again spanning the years, we follow the aftermath of a car accident the night before a wedding where three die and three survive, shattering the Irish community in which they lived. The driver Connor flees the village as it is too painful (for many reasons) to stay. He moves to Liverpool to work and then onwards to London where his life finally starts to make sense as he opens up to himself. But, still estranged from his family, there is always that void and a coincidental meeting drags his past firmly back into his present forcing him to face a trip home to Ireland.
One of the best things about this author is his characters. They are all, supporting and main cast, so well described and all feel so very real. Coupled with the emotive storylines he weaves around them, and you really do get sucked into their lives and, for me anyway, form strong bonds with them. Connor's part in this all is really his coming of age, his awakening, his realising who he is and what he wants, becoming a successful person, despite the reasons for fleeing home.
It's all interconnected and occasionally convoluted, it's hard to try and guess ahead as to where we would eventually end up but the author's skill of weaving his threads all together culminates into an ending that completely satisfies.
All in all, a cracking read that I would thoroughly recommend and, if you haven't also read his previous two books, they're on that list too. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.