Another wonderful and beautifully written story by Mike Gayle.

Lila is a local journalist in Derby who is trying to get herself a new job on a national paper in London so she can live with her long-distance boyfriend Gabe. Lila picks up the story of Connor, the only resident left on Hope Street which is going to be demolished to make way for a new development. What Lila finds is a heartbreaking story of a son who is wanting to stay put so when his mum returns after being missing for 3 years, she will know where to find him.

I loved this book from start to finish, enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and found it moving and funny in equal measure. Mike Gayle writes fully developed characters that leap off the page.

I loved this book, I have enjoyed every book by this author and this did not disappoint. I felt so much affection for and almost protective of the main character, the story is just so heartwarming and really makes you think about what is important in life.

Gayle’s Hope Street is a poignant and beautifully written novel that captures the complexities of love, loss, and rediscovery. Both heartbreaking and uplifting, Gayle explores how far people will go for their loved ones.

What makes Hope Street, and Mike `Gayle's writing so compelling is his ability to create characters that feel so authentic and relatable. Through the tough topics of the novel, mood is still lightened by wholesome moments and quirky characters.

I believe 'Hope Street' strikes a real balance between nostalgia and forward momentum, helping the story to feel both rooted and dynamic.

It’s always interesting to read - what is essentially a romance - written by a man, and what a well-written romance it is too. The male characters are well-depicted and interesting, rather than the tendency to assume they are idiots as some fiction does. I like the story, it drew me in and although it was an easy read it was complex enough to keep my brain from rotting. I will definitely look out for some more of his books and thanks to NetGalley for the early copy.

@currentlyreading__
Book 3 of 2025

When I received the upcoming Mike Gayle via @NetGalley I jumped for joy as Gayle is a must-read author for me. I’ve been reading his books since the 90s and they never fail to make me experience a whole gamut of emotions but that’s what reading is all about for me - the human experience and being able to really feel both joy and sadness within the flicking of a few pages. If you’ve read anything by this author (and if not, errrr… where have you been?!?) you’ll know exactly what I mean.

‘Hope Street’ follows twenty-something Connor, a vulnerable young man with learning difficulties, who is the only resident of Hope Street after Derby council implement a compulsory purchase order. Connor lives amongst all of the boarded up houses and he has good reason for doing so. He’s waiting for his mum who disappeared over three years ago. Connor goes to work each day at DIY Depot and when it’s his mum’s birthday, he buys her a gift and puts it with all of the others he’s bought her in her room.

Then he meets Lila, a journalist, who wants to find out all about Connor’s predicament and why he’s refusing to accept the council’s offer. The mystery of Connor’s mum Bernie looms large for her and she goes into investigative mode. Throw a few curveballs along the wall and Lila moving to London, Connor remains hopeful but Lila needs more than hope - she needs a miracle.

As always with Gayle, we have a really varied cast of characters who are so thoughtfully written, they are tangible. From Adele, the bully who made Connor scared to go to school, his best friend Marcus who looks out for him, Alan, his colleague at DIY Depot and through flashback, the young struggling single mum Bernie McLoughlin. Hope is writ large throughout this book and if you want a book to really give you that rollercoaster of emotions, this is for you. Thank you Mike for another brilliant read. I look forward (with hope!) to the next one.

Out: 6th February 2015

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Another great book by Mike Gayle!

The story centres around Connor a young man who has learning/mental health challenges and those closest to him who look out for him and help him live independently.

His mum went missing 3 years previously, his house is due to be taken by the council as part of a development scheme and he is clinging on to stay there so his mum knows where to come back to.

A local journalist sets about helping him to first of all stay in his house by covering the story, but then this develops into helping him find his mum.

This was a lovely human interest story with all the feels, a ‘different’ type of story with an interesting plot, but not mushy - plenty going on. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is a beautifully written story, full of vivid characters, tragedy, change, sadness and hope.
Connor is an amazing character. Brought up by his single mum he was an easy target for bullies at school and even picked on by some adult customers at work. The bond between Connor and his mum was especially strong so when she disappeared three years ago he never gave up hope that she would return. When his home is listed for demolition, he refuses to move as he believes his mum will still return.
Lila, a reporter for the local newspaper becomes involved and promises to help to find Bernie, Connor’s mum.
I loved the way the characters developed; some not in the way I expected.. it was difficult not to become involved in Connor’s journey and to share in his hopes and determination.
A great read and certainly a recommended read.

Beautifully written and very well-rounded characters.
I am filled with 'Hope' after reading.
As usual, Mike Gayle has pulled it out of the hat again.
Thank you, Netgalley, for my review copy. I look forward to getting my hardback copy soon.

This is the 4th book by Mike Gayle that I've read, and yet again he hasn't disappointed. The heart and warmth in this book is there right from the beginning. He has a way of writing characters that you really care about and are rooting for. I really cared about Connor and Bernie and wanted there to be a happy ending. There were so many tense moments too. I can't wait to see what story he brings to life next.

An story that is easy to read and follow. The trajectory of the characters is very easy to predict. It has a very modern feel, dealing with disintegrating communities, different personalities, missing people, positive and negative friendships. It examines how hard it is to let people into your life and to trust them, especially when it is very easy to take them for granted or for them to manipulate .
Overall a feel good novel.

Another winner from Mike Gayle. Heartwarming, genuine and full of care and compassion.
Hope Street is told from three points of view : Connor, Lila and Bernie. Connor is a young, vulnerable man with learning difficulties trying to navigate through life with the support of some lovely supportive people following the mysterious disappearance of his Mum three years previously. Lila is a journalist on the local newspaper who meets Connor when she is sent to investigate a story of how the council are trying to force Connor out of his flat as they want to knock the block down. Connor doesn't want to leave as he believes his Mum will return and if he moves she won't know where to find him.
Bernie's disappearance remains something of a mystery until near the end of the book when her story is finally revealed.
Mike Gayle draws you into the lives of his characters with ease and has you rooting for them from start to finish.
A charming read.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this lovely book.

Another poignant and powerful tale from the King of the Emotional Drama, Hope Street is a moving story, full of tragedy and sadness, but with a satisfying and uplifting ending that had me in tears. Reminiscent of Helen Fisher's Joe Nuthins Guide to Life, Connor is an unforgettable character that will stay with me.

Told from three points of view (Lila, the local newspaper reporter; Connor, who is neurodivergent and trying to avoid eviction from his home; plus flashbacks to Bernie, Connor’s mother who disappeared in 2020) Hope Street has an engaging plot that tugs on the heart strings, and even
made me cry at one point. With well-drawn characters, a touch of romance and a mystery to solve, it kept me turning the pages. Overall, another excellent book from Mike Gayle.

What a beautifully written book. I absolutely loved it and the characters were thoughtfully written with an honest perspective, not being too sentimental or stereotypical.

Lila is a local author who has set her sights on journalism in London and living there with her long term boyfriend. When asked to cover a story about one resident refusing to leave their family home Lila sets out to Hope Street. This begins what is to become a story of love, loss, friendship, betrayal and finding hope, when none could be found.

I will definitely be recommending and sharing my thoughts about this book and would recommend it as a unputdownable story which I am sure anyone would fail to fall in love with.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me gripped from start to end.
Connor is the only resident left on Hope Street but despite his community disappearing around him he needs to remain in case hi mum returns.
Lila is the journalist sent to tell his story.
The intertwining of their lives and stories is brilliant and I ended feeling that there is hope because most people are kind.

I love Mike Gayle and this book didn’t disappoint. A story of a mother and son relationship, a best friend, a journalist and a heartwarming story of kindness. Connor’s mum leaves the house one day and doesn’t return, the house he lives in is due to be demolished but he wants to keep it for her to come home to. The place he works is closing down. He contacts the local news and so builds new relationships and friendships.

Another incredible moving and emotive read from Mike Gayle 📚

What a fantastic read; I couldn’t put it down! An emotional journey of hope, standing up for what is right and having compassion for others. When Connor is faced with having to leave the only home he has known, his community rally round to help him in all the ways he needs, even if he doesn’t realise what they are doing is for the best. Marcus and Lila are both incredible friends to him, it warmed my heart so much especially when things were going so wrong.

Writing about sensitive topics in an empathetic way is something I know this author is brilliant at and Hope Street is no exception. Great characters, each unique with great bonds, I loved how the story progressed as their relationships strengthened.

This story has it all - laughter, heartbreak, drama. An emotional rollercoaster but one that cannot be missed! Highly recommended.

A very nice, gentle, easy story to read from Mike Gayle. I wasn't exactly excited by it but enjoyed the good story telling we've come to expect from this author. A very slow burning tale coming to a satisfactory conclusion. Gayle's fans will be happy with this new offering.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is another heartbreaking and heartwarming book from Mike Gayle. Loved it so much, as it was so realistic and brilliantly written. I was obsessed with it from the very first page and couldn't stop reading. Devoured it in less than two days and was so sad when it finished as I got so attached to the characters.

Nowadays Hope Street is deserted and the only person that still lives there is Connor. He doesn't want to move out even if the local council is threatening him, because he is waiting for his mum to come back home to him. His mum left one day and never came back. In the meantime, local journalist Lila hears about the story and meets Connor. After hearing his story she decides to help him to find his mum and get him closure.

This book is written in 3 POVs alternating from Lila's, Connor's and Bernie's life stories. For me, this format was perfect as each POV gave so much and as a reader, I was able to get close to all of the three main characters, their life and feelings, as well as felt emotions that they felt.

I just adored how developed the characters were in this book but at the same time how much their all grew through the story. The story itself is about friendship, love, hope and never giving up on your loved ones. Yet it also tackles more important and wider social issues such as bullying, discrimination, and urban redevelopment and how it affects and changes the lives of communities and individuals.

As always adored a book written by Mike Gayle. Beautiful story, amazing characters and its definitely going to be one of the top 2025 books for me.

The council want to knock Connors house down but his Mum left one day and hasn't come back so he needs to stay there so she can find him. Lila a journalist looking for a story interviews him and consequently changes both their lives.
I have read several Mike Gayle books and I really love them . Easy reading, with relatable characters his books are always like a warm hug. I really loved the way Connor and Lila's life's got intertwined through the book.
There were a couple of passages in the book where things were over-explained to Connor (a vulnerable adult) , but overall Gayle treated this part of the story with care.
Mike Gayle fans will know they are in safe hands when picking this book up and newcomers will have a nice introduction to an enjoyable author.