i was worried at first about whether i should read this book. i knew i wanted to. but i was slightly worried of how the issues would be tackled. because both the issues followed in this book still have (WRONGLY) so much misinformed and ignorant narration around them. but take a tender step i did and im so glad. this book is just wonderful.
the plot follows these two lost souls in their own way. who both have some kinda ill hearts and minds at play. and they both like many emotionally poorly folk take it out on any way they can. for one its hoarding. and this is a very real and very heart breaking illness. and its not about the "stuff" its about why the stuff came to be their safety, or their way to cope" and so dealing with that is key. which as the book progresses you slowly see. and any progress made is not down to emptying this poor man house and therefore heart of safety. its about the changes that go on in his life, how he feels, how hes cared for. sadly this is not the help he gets even in this book. the lack of compassion and true help had me raging.
but Abigail handles this subject and this illness so well. i dare anyone to judge people suffering with this disorder if they ever truly got to know why.
the second story is just as important. and handled just as well. and also offers the healing link for both. Kian is a boy who also is lost and seeks safety or a way to cope. hes not had it easy at all. hes had a rough start to life. noone to keep him safe or guide him. so his behaviour take a darker turn. and in doing so he and Alfred are smashed together. literally in the form of Kain breaking Alfreds window. and in doing this a beautiful union is formed. because its agreed that Kian will help get Alfreds house in order. but in doing so this isnt the emptying of all Alfred knows in a cruel way. its a changing of worlds and minds for both our characters. one that helps them heal and move forward with the care and support they deserve both from each other and for themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy to review in exchange.

I adored this story. Abigail has carefully and cleverly told a very normal story in the most extraordinary way. The whole book, with its skillful and human interactions, had me flipping the pages nightly.

Alfred is a dream and is really is my hero. I yelled at him sometimes to make contact with his family, but still found his protective charm and care of Kian, a delight that really kept me reading way more than I should, late at night. Alfred is humble, true to himself and in fact, just like Kian. A dreamy duo.

Kian's journey was emotional, I shouted at him too sometimes but knew he had to make his own choices because he hadn't been guided, until he met Alfred.

Wonderful debut with real life tender moments and characters and I hope to read more from this writer.

This was such a heartwarming read following the symbiotic friendship that blossoms between Alfred and Kian after Kian's bad behaviour causes a snowball effect that actually turns out for the best, and forms the most beautiful union.
I felt so sad for Alfred and his situation and was really irritated at the behaviour of the social worker when she was 'dealing' with him and, as a nurse myself, felt there was such a lack of care and compassion towards Alfred as a person rather than just a patient to tick off the list. I also felt so deeply for Kian who had had such a rough start to life and didn't have anyone to rely on or guide him properly, which made it even more beautiful when the chain of events caused Alfred and Kian to end up as each others person. I loved the ending and thought it was wrapped up beautifully.

What an amazing debut novel. This book slowly sucked me in and I found myself really rooting for Kian to accept help and turn his life around, his heart was always in the right place; and for Alfred to open his heart to let Kian in and enjoy a friendship safe in the knowledge that it doesn’t mean he has to loose the memories of his late wife.

Really thought provoking and moving at times. I could really identify with Alfred, he was almost stuck in a loop. If he kept collecting things, then his wife never really left him, it made him feel connected to her. It was interesting that out of everyone, it was Alfred who spotted Kian’s talent in the kitchen and encouraged and supported him, even though he was scared and shut off himself. Two kindred spirits that recognised similar qualities within each that they had themselves.

A fantastic debut and certainly worth a read.

Stunning! Just wonderful in every way; I loved every word and really didn't want it to end.

The main characters, Alfred and Kian, though generations apart, are more similar than they realise. Kian has been let down by the care system and has fallen into petty crime. After throwing a brick through Alfred's window, Kian is tasked with helping Alfred reluctantly clear his house, where he is hoarding vast amounts of possessions,

The two main characters are so well written. I was entirely absorbed in their story and felt like they had become a part of my life. After a very rocky start, the two men forge an initially reluctant friendship that grows to genuine warmth, care and support. Although they have both had some difficult times, there were some wonderful laugh out loud moments and some unexpected twists and turns.

If this is what Abigail Johnson pulls out of the bag for her debut, then I can't wait to read whatever is next.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Abigail Johnson and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A charming read, full of emotion and heartwarming moments.

Sometimes a book comes along that soothes your soul and makes the world ok for a moment. Kian and Alfred find each other through a difficult circumstance and they are not at all happy about it.

With time and understanding, both realise how they can use the other for what they need and decide to work together. Can their plans work or will things get in the way?!

A great read, wonderful writing and characters that will take up space in your heart - eventually!

4.5 stars

I loved Alfred and Kians friendship and watching it grow throughout the book. There were some predicable parts but also a lot of moments I did not see coming.

Both of the main characters are very well written and super believable. Even though I haven't been in either situation it is very easy to relate to what they are both going through.

I think for both of them, they were the person the other needed most at that point in their lives. There is a line very early on in the book that I think sums up this book really nicely - "Things that other people had thrown out, discarded ot considered worthless were often. given a place in his heart".

Beautiful story and beautifully written.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

Alfred has always collected unusual objects but since the death of his wife five years ago it's become an obsession. Things are so out of hand that he can barely move in his own home. When a teenager vandalises Alfred's home his social worker and the justice system see the opportunity for the pair to work together and restore Alfred's home to normal.

The Secret Collector by Abigail Johnson is one of those stories that will tug at your heartstrings. It features characters at the opposite ends of the age spectrum, elderly Alfred and teenager Kian, who are forced to work together, a situation neither wants nor likes.

The book is set in 1999 and Alfred lives alone, his wife died five years before and he's estranged from his daughter. Alfred is a bit of a recluse, he doesn't want to get to know his neighbours, and his only interest is adding to his growing mountain of unusual objects. He collects things other people throw away, not because they're valuable but for their "beauty, uniqueness or even an imagined past". As soon as I started reading Abigail Johnson's description of Alfred my mind immediately thought of the 1999 TV series Life Of Grime and elderly Mr Trebus.

Seventeen-year-old Kian is the other main character. He's been raised in care for most of his life but now lives alone while his young brother, Dan, remains in foster care. Kian has no job and no prospects, the only things he cares about are getting custody of Dan when he turns eighteen and getting drunk with his friends. It's following a drinking session that the lives of Kian and Alfred collide when Kian throws bricks through Alfred's window, causing Alfred to have a heart attack.

It is decided that restorative justice needs to happen, with Kian helping Alfred clear out the junk in his house. Alfred is opposed to this but realises it's the only way of getting the social worker who seems determined to consign him to a care home off his back. Neither of the pair is happy and a battle of wills ensues, it becomes an immovable object against an unstoppable force. As Kian moves stuff into a skip by day, Alfred moves them back into the property at night - and continues to add to the collection. You can really feel Kian's frustration with the situation.

Slowly the pair begin to chip away at each other's rough exterior, realising that they do have some things in common, but it is not an easy road, sometimes it's a case of one step forward then two steps back. Alfred is proud, self-reliant, wily and stubborn, whereas Kian is headstrong, impetuous and has low self-esteem. It is the fact that Kian knows if he doesn't complete his restorative justice programme he will end up in jail and that will put an end to his chances of becoming Dan's guardian that keeps the relationship alive.

The author doesn't shy away from some difficult topics, particularly the reality of siblings in care, and while the ending is uplifting Abigail Johnson avoids waving a magic wand, keeping the overall story grounded and realistic.

Alfred is an elderly collector, with a house rammed full of items holding great importance to him. Teenager Kian throws a brick though Alfred's window, and social services finally realise the extent of Alfred's hoarding. When the authorities decide Kian has to help Alfred clear his house to repent for his crime, no one forsees the friendship that forms.

A beautiful story of finding friendship in unusual places, and how family is not always via blood. The book is full of fabulous characters, and a lovely easy written style.

I always like stories that feature a relationship between young and old and usually enjoy them. This one turned out to be not quite what I had anticipated. I did find it quite a dark story and found there was so much doom and gloom most of the way through that it didn't really click with me. I couldn't help but empathise with Kian, the young teen aband0ned by his mum at a young age, who desperately wanted to keep himself and his younger brother together. Nevertheless the amount of problems and trouble bestowed on him seemed relentless and put a dark cloud over reading this book, finding myself struggling to pick it up and carry on. It is very true to life, but I did feel it needed some lighter moments to encourage the reader along.

It's described as uplifting, hopeful and encompasses the power of community, but none of this is evident until the very last chapters of the book and I just felt it took too long to get to the uplifting bit. The ending was good but the rest of it wasn't for me.

The story of how Kian and Alfred become each others family is not a sweet breezy tale of a young lost man helping an elderly man to regain his home, but it is a good one.

This story has a lot of reality or at least some harsh realities embedded into it, and these were not easy to read for anyone whose life has even marginally touched upon these areas. Kian is contemptible, and destructive to himself and others. Yet he is also suffering and struggling from being abandoned. Alfred is the opposite. He is lost in his own world of grief, not harmful to anyone, and yet, pestered by and prodded at by the local authority. When restorative justice is advised and agreed to it seems that both Kian and Alfred have been thrown in at the deep end. What happens after that is the story of friendship and of ‘found family’.

Themes /Triggers include: abandonment, grief, hoarding, binge drinking, drink driving, theft, destruction of property, social worker, care home, foster home, care system, war, friendship.

I really struggled with this book. In all honesty I was 65% into it before I could really enjoy reading it. The Secret Collector by Abigail Johnson is well written and has a few moral tales to it. The story illuminates the history of people – we are all more than our actions. The last chapters of this book were such a pleasure to read. I wholly recommend this book.

A heartwarming tale of an older man and a troubled young man and how they help each other find reasons to keep going, when all seems lost. It's also a lesson in how other people and community can save you when the weight of the past literally proves too much. A straightforward read that's perfect for curling up with.

Firstly, I completely fell for the cover. A story about a widower with a cluttered house and a very troubled teen who helps him clear his house. A story about grief, abandonment and a wonderful bond between the two. I'm looking forward to the audiobook of this. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy

Brilliant book about coming together. Meet Alfred an elderly gentleman who having lost his wife has got into a rut of hoarding things he sees as his treasures.
Kian a wayward teenager throws a brick through Alfred’s window starting a chain of events involving social worker and parole officers.
The two become friends and end up helping each other in ways they never expected.
Heartwarming read.

This is a very easy to read, feel good book with some lovely characters. It gave me the same sort of vibe as the very successful book A Man Called Ove. Well paced, no great surprises but a book that many will enjoy. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book! From the very start, I found myself deeply invested in the main characters. Their growing friendship felt so relatable and real, and I was surprised by how much I connected with Alfred, a man much older than me.

The story begins when Kian, a troubled young man, throws a brick through Alfred's window, an act that leads to Alfred's hospitalization and Kian's enrollment in a restorative justice program. From there, their paths intertwine in unexpected ways. Initially filled with resistance and resentment, their relationship blossoms into something beautiful—a genuine friendship. Alfred becomes a father/grandfather figure not only to Kian but also to his younger brother, Dan.

What struck me most was how similar Alfred and Kian were despite being at completely different stages in life. Their perspectives on each other evolve in such a natural and heartwarming way. The community spirit that emerges through their bond is equally uplifting and left me with a sense of hope and joy.

That said, there was one part of the story that felt a little off to me. Alfred's fear of what the social worker might think and his concern about being placed in a home seemed unrealistic for a man who was still active, cooking, and perfectly capable of taking care of himself—his collections aside. However, I acknowledge that perhaps things were different in 1999, when the story is set.

Overall, this was a fantastic, feel-good novel that celebrates friendship, redemption, and the power of human connection. I highly recommend it!

In this book we meet Alfred who fought in WW2 at the tender age of 17. He has been widow for 5 yrs and estranged from his only daughter. Alfred is a collector of things,,anything. His house is so full he can hardly move. When he ends up in hospital he is assigned a social worker who is making it her business for Alfred to get his house emptied.

Kian is 17yrs old and has been in care since he was eight. He and his younger brother have been separated and Kian's greatest wish is to have his brother live with him. If only Kian could find a job, stop drinking, stop smoking, have enough money to feed himself. Things have escalated and Kian is on the cusp of going to prison and if that happens he will never get custody of his brother.

Oh my goodness I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I wanted the best for everyone but everytime Alfred or Kuan made a mistake and did something stupid my heart plummeted.
If there was a moral to this story I think it would be , " It only takes one person who believes in you to change your life"
It would be lovely to have a follow up to this book I would love to know how it works out for them all.
One more thing, Brilliant ending!

Where do I begin? I loved it doesn't quite cover my feeling on this story. I cared about the main characters straight away - their growing friendship touched me and I connected so much with a man in a generation older than me - I usually read books with female leads and so this was a new direction for me and wow did it blow me away.

I loved the concept of his collections and I felt protective of thenm on his behalf - this is a man who has been so deeply impacted by what he has lost, whether through wrongly places self blame, or just through the weight of the loss. I wanted to h0ld on to his collections tightly for him - I found the invasive nature of the social worker to be very real - there was no attempt to really get to know him or connect with her, he felt backed into a corner and afraid. Then we have the other main character who is so much younger and has had such a difficult start in life - both share the experience of a hard start in life and lack of family, but what they don't realise is that they will be family to each other.

It ends so well also - a really nice way of staying true to the characters and who they are as people. I may have seen the loft incident coming, but I did not predict the ending and I felt it wrapped up really nicely. I really wanted to stay within the pages of this book for longer, I miss them both now I have cone to the end and wish I were settling down with them again tonight!

A rare 5 stars from me!

Perfect for fans of Sally Pages ‘Book of Beginnings’
I loved the unlikely friendship that blossomed between these two very different characters. The book was charming! Touching on friendships and the deep understanding of people from all walks of life. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC

Abigail Johnson’s »The Secret Collector« takes readers on a heartwarming journey through unlikely friendships and personal growth against the backdrop of a house filled with memories and treasures.

The story centers around Alfred, an elderly widower who finds solace in nostalgia and hoarding, and Kian, a troubled teenager grappling with the failures of the care system. Their paths collide when Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, leading to Alfred's hospitalization and Kian's enrollment in a restorative justice program.

As the plot unfolds, Alfred and Kian are forced into each other's lives, initially with resistance and resentment. Alfred, clinging to his antiques as a way to cope with grief, faces the harsh reality of his hoarding when social services intervene. Kian, on the other hand, struggles to navigate his turbulent emotions and past traumas. The novel's ambiance is rich with tension and warmth, capturing the chaotic yet touching atmosphere of Alfred's home—a physical manifestation of his emotional state.

As the story progresses, we witness the transformation of Alfred and Kian's relationship, from resentment to understanding and empathy. This evolution is beautifully depicted, evoking a range of emotions from frustration to joy. Johnson's writing style is accessible and sophisticated, blending humor with profound moments of introspection that deeply resonate with readers.

Johnson skillfully tackles heavy themes such as loss, loneliness, and redemption without resorting to melodrama. While the premise may seem straightforward, the depth of character development and emotional resonance elevate the novel beyond typical narratives about friendship. The dialogue feels authentic, capturing the generational gap while highlighting universal themes of hope and connection.

»The Secret Collector« is more than just a story about an old man and a troubled youth; it’s a thoughtful commentary on finding hope in unexpected places.

Johnson’s ability to infuse humor into poignant moments makes this novel not only enjoyable but also deeply moving. It serves as a powerful reminder that an open heart and an unexpected friendship can change our lives in unimaginable ways.