This wasn’t an easy read by any means, in fact I sometimes felt quite disturbed by it. It is a story of true friendship, and anyone who has ever felt depressed and worthless should read it and take joy from it. A thrilling, tender and joyful novel. Brilliant. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read it.

The book charts the journey of Harley and his budding friendship with Muddy. It charts his attempts to come to terms with his crippling anxiety and its causes, and which is improved by small joys, both literally and metaphorically as birds.

I'm having such a brilliant start to my reading year and it continues with this fantastic debut novel.

Harley is a young, gay, black man who drops out of university and heads back home with feelings of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. When one day his thoughts take him to a very dark place, he meets Muddy an outgoing, brash Mancunian who pulls him back from his intentions.

This leads to a friendship probably unlike any other I have ever read. The bond between two characters who seemingly have little in common blossoms and jumps off the page in such a heartwarming way I honestly can't describe it - other than to say I don't think I have ever rooted for a main character like I did for Harley.

Don't get me wrong, as tender and heartwarming as this book is, it is not sweetness and light. There are some dark passages about suicide, racism, depression etc. and it really does tug on the heartstring.

This is one of those books that will live long in my memory as will the characters of Harley and Muddy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK, Scribner UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review