Hardback: 354 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton 2025
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: Bernie McLaughlin made her way up the narrow flight of stairs, the treads squeaking and groaning with each step as she carried her son's morning mug of tea. She was so exhausted she felt more like eighty-four than sixty-four.
Review Quote: 'Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with' Lisa Jewell
Main Characters: Connor McLaughlin and Lila Metcalf.
Setting: England
My Opinion: This is only the second book by this prolific author that I have read, although I have wanted to read more of his work since 2018 when I read the last one. Somehow I have missed out on doing so, a shame if they are as good a read as this one.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton 2025
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: Bernie McLaughlin made her way up the narrow flight of stairs, the treads squeaking and groaning with each step as she carried her son's morning mug of tea. She was so exhausted she felt more like eighty-four than sixty-four.
Review Quote: 'Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with' Lisa Jewell
Main Characters: Connor McLaughlin and Lila Metcalf.
Setting: England
My Opinion: This is only the second book by this prolific author that I have read, although I have wanted to read more of his work since 2018 when I read the last one. Somehow I have missed out on doing so, a shame if they are as good a read as this one.
Hope Street is a poignant story with characters that are so believable. Connor McLaughlin is the male protagonist and currently the only resident of Hope Street of the title. The street is due for redevelopment but Connor is refusing to move. Lila Metcalfe becomes interested in Connor and the background to his refusal to move when she is sent to interview him, for her job as a local reporter. How she decides to help him is a story of friendship, sad yet heart-warming.
A realistic storyline with wonderful cast of characters makes this novel a throughly enjoyable read that I throughly recommend.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
Lila Metcalfe is a trainee journalist in Derby and she's very used to being given the stories that no one else wants. So, when her editor tells her that the city's Cossington Park development is being held up by a solitary resident on Hope Street who is refusing to leave, she knows she is going to be the one sent to find out more. And that's how she meets Connor.
Twenty-something Connor is the sole resident of Hope Street and he is not at all what Lila is expecting. And he has a very clear reason not to move: he is waiting for his mum to come home.
Previous Review: The Man I Think I know
Author Profile from Goodreads in his own words:
I was born in the 70s — the 70s were great. I would recommend them to anyone.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
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).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
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.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
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).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
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.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.