A Song of Me and You: The escapist pageturner of the summer

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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. Noah Martineau thinks he knows who he is: a successful barrister, with a wife, daughter and big house in Primrose Hill.

Mike Gayle | United Agents Mike Gayle | United Agents

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. My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.) Meet Helen, part-time teacher and single mum to two teenagers, after being abandoned by cheating husband Adam. Helen is careworn and valiantly fighting to keep things together both emotionally and financially. Twenty years later, mother-of-two-teenagers Helen is still in Manchester, a part-time primary teacher, stunned by the behaviour of her love-rat husband. In an old T shirt and scruffy jeans, she feels at the lowest point in her life.Hodder & Stoughton has acquired two new novels by Mike Gayle, and unveiled A Song of Me and You, a new novel forthcoming on 6th July 2023 that forms part of a prior acquisition.

A Song of Me and You by Mike Gayle | Hachette UK

I adored this book, lovely story, great characters and relationships. It’s happy and sad (tear jerkingly sad!) and just gorgeous.I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs). As they begin to delve into the history of the objects in their care, Alex and Jess not only unravel heartbreaking stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long buried secrets that lie much closer to home.

A Song of Me and You by Mike Gayle | Waterstones

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my taste of a lavish lifestyle so clearly depicted here. It gave me an experience I’d never normally have and with reference to real people like Elton John, for example, there’s a sensation of genuineness in the narrative.It is heartwarming to be part of Ben and Helen’s story and see if they can rekindle their friendship and love for each other. I loved the characters who felt real and relatable, and I would have to say Helen’s mum was one of my favourites who was very funny! Gayle shows a lot of compassion to all of the characters which makes the story very moving. If you cry easily at books this is definitely a tear jerker! But it's funny the way life is sometimes. Just when you think you know how everything is, it surprises you. But when in the process Jess stumbles across the mysterious Alex, together they become custodians of a strange archive of letters, photographs, curios and collections known as The Museum of Ordinary People. 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. Formerly a teen magazine agony uncle Mike Gayle is the author of many bestselling novels including: MY LEGENDARY GIRLFRIEND, MR COMMITMENT, TURNING THIRTY, DINNER FOR TWO, HIS 'N' HERS, BRAND NEW FRIEND, WISH YOU WERE HERE and THE LIFE AND SOUL OF THE PARTY , as well as a non-fiction book entitled THE TO DO LIST . He has contributed to a number of publications including: the Guardian, The Times, FHM, Cosmopolitan and Top Of The Pops magazine.

A Song of Me and You: The escapist pageturner of the summer

Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with’ Lisa Jewell It was a brilliant book, guys, on every level. Mike Gayle has this incredible ability to get into the hearts of his characters and make them living, breathing people with problems the same as yours. The banter between them feels real. It's beautifully written and the author can so well capture feelings and emotions and bring them to you in words. Life is not a bed of roses and while Mike Gayle shows it as it is, he also gives hope. I just finished reading the book that tells the compelling story of Helen and Ben, and I must say, it left quite an impression on me. The narrative skillfully weaves together the complexities of their lives, exploring themes of love, change, and second chances.I am beyond devastated. I really thought I knew where that was going and how it would end and yet, I still ended up heartbroken. Despite the example of their own parents' enduring marriage, the three Bachelor brothers show no signs of settling down. Adam has a string of glamorous girlfriends, but they aren't suitable wife material. Luke has just proposed to Cassie but his refusal to consider having children looks like an insurmountable barrier. And baby of the family Russell is in love with the one woman he can't have. Ah what a beautiful book this is! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It’s an emotional one too, the last sentence really got me ohhh I was sobbing! Turns out Ben is feeling burnt out by the constant cycle of writing, recording, touring and promo, and he’s on the run from his demanding manager, the influential Rocco Roberts, so like any good friend would, Helen invites him to stay under the radar in her ordinary Didsbury house. After all, her teenaged son and daughter are on a week’s vacation with their father (and his new girlfriend), so his presence in Manchester can be kept secret. Loved this perhaps even more than MGs other books. I love how he writes about people and their lives in a way that just feels like you know them.