readingwithkt's reviews
617 reviews

Mike Gayle strikes again! I really enjoyed this heartfelt story, filled with Gayle's characteristic warmth and emotional intrigue. 

In All the Lonely People we follow Hubert Bird as he comes to terms with the fact that he is lonely and works to form a support for other lonely people in his local community. It all starts with a visit from his new next door neighbour and her young daughter. The two push themselves into Hubert's world, and slowly into his heart too. Meanwhile his quiet existence is upended as he starts to engage with his neighbours, his community, and ultimately the truth of his own story.

I really loved Hubert, his neighbors, and the story that came to pass between them. I listened to the bulk of his story on audiobook but switched to digital for the final 20 or so %. The audiobook really brought the story to life and I enjoyed that reading experience very much. Would recommend!

DNF @ 37%. I'd been super excited about reading this book, having heard rave reviews online about it and also having to wait many months for a library hold to come through. As I started listening to the audio, I was reminded of the familiarity of Emily Henry's writing and how much I enjoyed their previous works. However, I became disengaged as I started to have to suspend disbelief in order to buy into the fundamental concept of this story - that the group of close friends wouldn't pick up that something was off between this couple. I found that their snatched moments of conversation and intimacy felt a little forced and uncomfortable, and I didn't really buy into the idea that they were good together. Not rooting for the couple, I saw no other ending for me and this book but to DNF it. Very disappointed, but at least hopeful that another reader can enjoy the library copy.

DNF at 16%. I started reading this at the tail end of last year and just really couldn't buy into our two central characters. Since reading Beth O'Leary's Flatshare, I've been desperate to connect with another of their books. Sadly, it just hasn't happened for me yet. I remain hopeful but unfortunately, this wasn't the book for me.

Thank you to Quercus for the Advance Readers Copy of this book.

DNF at 19%. Perhaps I took the beginning of this book in too many sittings - not allowing myself the time to get fully engrossed in it before falling asleep or moving on to do something else - but I found that I didn't gel with the central characters and my desire to pick this up was low. Sometimes I push on further when I feel that way about a book, but I'm trying to practice letting go of books like that.

Thanks to Canelo for the Advance Readers Copy of this book.

Thank you to Little Brown Group for the Advanced Readers Copy of this title. Note: this review may contain spoilers.

In Moving On, we follow Ellen's life from youth to older adulthood. From aspiring young woman setting out on her own in Galway, Ireland, to busy advertising executive in London, and finally living a quiet life as a successful author back in Galway. Ellen is an easy character to love - kind, honest, and quietly ambitious while still being content with that which life gifts her - and I certainly found myself really rather fond of her. I enjoyed spending time with Ellen, getting to know her and experiencing her life through her eyes. Her story takes all sorts of twists and turns, many of which I saw coming but there were a few surprises along the way. There was a real human element to this book, and I think Roisin Meaney does well to get the reader connecting with Ellen right from the get-go. I enjoyed her days in the bookshop and that chapter of her life possibly the most, though watching her have her daughters and explore new career paths was also really enjoyable. There is quite some hardship in the book too, and our Ellen doesn't have it easy at times. These moments were written very rawly, and I felt at times like I was a friend to Ellen, wanting desperately for her not to have to suffer.

This really was a great book, perfect for readers looking for a light, but heartfelt, read.