I enjoyed every page of this book. What a beautiful, funny, touching story.

I read Caroline Day’s previous book Hope Nicely’s Lessons for Life, which told the story of a young adult living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder as a result of her mother’s consumption of alcohol whilst pregnant. Again, this new book features neurological conditions affecting the characters, where the author seems to have a real knack for understanding and portraying the difficulties that a person suffering these conditions experiences.

I’m not going to go into the plot too much. It is so special and should be enjoyed by the reader without anything more than what the blurb tells you. The story surrounds the three characters mentioned who come together quite by chance. Kiki is new to the country having come over from New Zealand looking for the man who she believes killed her mum. She feels she might find him or at least find out what happened if she can go to the Glastonbury festival. Kiki is a wonderfully unassuming young girl. She’s funny, always willing to help and meets up with the second character Mrs Malley or Mrs M as she likes to call her, whilst working at the local pub where Kiki has managed to find a live in position.

Mrs Malley lives alone, having recently lost both her husband and her best friend. She has Wordsworth to keep her company, a basset hound. He was her friends dog which she adopted after losing her friend. Then there’s Ned who we meet up with when he regains consciousness from the coma he was in after a football accident.

They’re all fabulous characters in their own right, with a back story to tell. All the supporting characters are interesting too, with excellent character development. You’ll go through a roller coaster of emotions reading this, smile, laugh, sympathise, cheer on and find out the fascinating background of Kiki’s life. While I was reading this book the weather was absolutely dire. It had rained for weeks and every time I looked out of the window I was so fed up, yet the situations within this book made me give myself a kick up the back side and look for all the things I had to be grateful for. It’s just that kind of story, both moving and uplifting at the same time.

It’s a story of friendship, perseverance and communication. Do we really listen? Is holding back information for fear of upsetting or hurting those closest to us really in their best interest? This is such a thought provoking book in many ways, yet despite some of the serious situations the narrative follows, it’s done with a lightness of touch that just delights the reader. Fab book

A wonderfully uplifting book with a gentle subtleness which I loved. Told by the voices of three characters, Kiki, Ned and Mary Malley, thrown together in an unexpected way. Just adored Mrs. Malley's narrative, absolute gem of a character making for a few chuckles in the mix. One feels so sorry for Ned especially being manipulated by his best friend Toby and Annabella who I wanted to shake at times. Thoroughly enjoyable different read and will make the reader think about communication.

Absolutely adored this heartwarming tale of worlds colliding and small acts resulting in grand gestures.

I loved all the characters and it had a truly uplifting and brilliant feel to it. Whilst it’s not one for my students, my 6th formers and colleagues would love it.

This was a very considered and thoughtful read about three strangers who are at a transitional point in their lives - Kiki who is trying to find out more about the death of her mother many years ago now the grandparents who raised her in New Zealand have passed away; Ned who finds himself in a literal living nightmare when an accident puts him in a coma which leaves him aware of everything around him but unable to communicate and Mrs Malley who is adjusting to life after the deaths of both her husband and best friend just months apart. This is quite a stream of consciousness read told from each persons view of events around them so it’s quite subtle in how the relationships develop between each other. I found Kiki the loveliest character but the hardest to follow, Ned’s was for me the most interesting character but I loved Mrs M’s curmudgeonliness. This is quite a slow paced but optional read with plenty of uplifting moments in it too and a bittersweet ending.

Sam Acts of Kindness is a gorgeous book that follows different people at pivotal crossroads in their lives. I find readers can relate to at least one of the situations that the main characters are facing if not all. I’m so happy this title is available in the READNOW section and I so look forward to sharing more thoughts and a full review very soon. I find readers will enjoy thus inspiring, uplifting, novel greatly.