A Song of Me and You

Mike Gayle does it again! Every single one of Mike's books becomes a quick page-turner for me. I get so invested in the characters so quickly that I just have to know where their story is going. This latest book follows the story of the one that got away, but seen from a very different angle. There are lovely, tender moments and such real examples of our inability to be truly honest even with those we care about the most because of a lack of confidence. I just loved it. I won't spoil the ending, but prepare to be surprised. Thank you Mike for another wonderful read.

Helen and Ben were teenage sweethearts but now Helen is a primary teacher getting over her husband's infidelity while Ben is a pop superstar and multi millionaire.
She opens her front door one day to find him standing there and after having caught up, they realise they still have so much in common.
Can they make this work? How can they navigate the obstacles in their way? Does love never die?

I absolutely loved this book....one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Such an emotive book where the author brings the characters to life in such a way, the reader really is invested.
Brilliant, brilliant book......I couldn't put it down.

#mikegaylethenovelist

Oh, this story nearly made my heart burst, the sheer loveliness of the words and the beautifully written characters coming together in a wonderful, loving story that was so filled with love

Well I don't know what to say, what a beautiful story, wonderful warm charecters, I loved every page and I'm sitting here thinking I don't want to read anything else just yet, I'll think about this one a bit longer

There’s something rather special about reading a Mike Gayle book and I’ve read a few. Each and every one has taken me to a special place. One where within a few chapters I most certainly feel as if I'm amongst friends and willing and wanting the best things to happen for them. It's strange isn't it how fiction can make us feel? A sense of camaraderie and almost belonging. Books that I long to keep reading whilst all the time not wanting them to end. Mike is a truly gifted author and if you are looking for a comfort read, a pick-me-up perhaps, they could be just the tonic- each one stands alone (not a series).
In this one, Helen has split from her husband when she found out about his affair and his subsequent moving in elsewhere. He and his girlfriend have taken over what should have been their family holiday- the last one before their eldest goes off to university. There’s a knock at the door as Helen recovers herself from being parted from her two children and the general upset of it all.. She is surprised to say the very least to find a man she hasn't seen for decades- Ben- someone she used to go out with in her teens. Ben is now a huge success as a rock star but there’s something about him that tells her things aren’t quite as they seem. It appears that they both have secrets. What on earth is he doing in Manchester when he lives in the states after all these years and why come to her?
A treasure, a pleasure and an honour to read this. I was moved beyond words and I'm smiling as I write this. A life affirming read that there is good in the world and sometimes to reach out a hand can mean so much to someone in need. A rare gem of a book.

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