** spoiler alert ** I must admit, I've found Gayle's more recent novels to be almost dialing it in. There is the hint of a decent story here, exploring a father trying to look after his two girls when their mother dies suddenly. Alongside this, he also has an older character as a dual protagonist, which was an interesting take. But everything happened too quickly, and felt rather soulless. There was little warmth or heart to the writing - it seemed almost a sketched-out version of the novel rather than an actual novel. Also, I felt the sudden introduction of Laura's infidelity to be very rushed and unnecessary. Disappointing.

Tom is so wrapped up in his own grief on the loss of his wife that he’s emotionally abandoned his two daughters leaving it to Linda his Mother-in-law.

He throws himself into work and other things.
Although this author is known for the odd giggle and laughter in his writing this is much more serious although once or twice there are a couple of things that will cause you to smile.

Enough is enough, he needs to take care of his girls.

So Linda heads off. Leaving him to manage.

It’s a wonderful read, grief, yes, responsibly, yes, family, yes.
All making for a fab read

4.5 Stars

Far more serious in places than the average Mike Gayle novel, this is one family's journey to come to terms with the death of Laura, husband to Tom, and daughter to Linda, and mother to Evie and Lola. One year on from her death, and Linda is at her wits end, as Tom is still deep in grief but turning into a workaholic and barely spends any time with his daughters, while she has moved in and taken over Laura's role.

Linda realises there is only one thing she can do to force Tom to take control of his own actions, and make him step up to the world of single parenthood, and she flies off to Australia for 6 months, despite it hurting her to be separated from her grandchildren.

The book is told from both Tom and Linda's perspectives and on the whole it is an uplifting story, there are moments that will make you smile, and Mike Gayle's normal wit is definitely there to shine through in places, such as Clive, Tom's new friend.

I loved reading about what Linda was getting up to Australia, and how she was coping. She has her ups and downs but its lovely to read about. Tom on the other hand struggles big time at first, and slowly learns and remembers how to be a parent. He is scared of doing the wrong thing, but his daughters are generally great girls and I especially loved Lola the youngest.

Tom over the course of the book experiences a real rollercoaster of emotion, as he tries to get life back on track for him and the girls. Sometimes he is a typical non thinking man, others he is a compassionate father and goes to great lengths to make sure he can fulfill promises to his daughters.

The Hope Family Calendar is a pleasureable story that I think would give griefing people some hope at the end of the tunnel. Tom and Linda both do a lot of growing in the novel, and after part 1 was finished, and the story was moving in the right direction, I found it very hard to put down, as I was enamoured in their story, while crossing my fingers that things would work out well.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Quite enjoyed this one. A family saga of loss and betrayal. Wasn't expecting the twist at the end.