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.

When Kian throws a brick through Alfreds window, he has no idea how the old man will change his life.

Part of Kian punishment is that he has to help Alfred clear his house of the hoardingAlfred has accumualted since his wife died.

This is a novel of pure joy. I loved how the relationship developed between the two men and even the generation gap did not make a difference in the end.

There are some emotional moments and I loved it ..

I loved this book so much. It brings together the lives of two very different people in an unexpected way and the friendship they form. Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectables to fill the hole left by the death of his beloved wife. Kian is about to become an adult, let down by the care system, and not make the right choices. Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, which causes Alfred to end up in hospital. He ends up with a social worker, who finds out his secret. He is a hoarder. Kian is placed on a rehabilitation programme, which means he must help Alfred clear out his house so that Alfred can live a normal life. As the story unfolds, a beautiful friendship develops, and the two change each others lives for the better.