'This is the book we all need right now: a story of kindness and hope. I absolutely loved it'

Anstey Harris, bestselling author of Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton

She's not lost. She's just waiting to be found...

Dawn Elisabeth Brightside has been running from her past for twenty-two years and two months, precisely.

So when she is offered a bed in St Jude's Hostel for the Homeless, it means so much more than just a roof over her head.

But with St Jude's threatened with closure, Dawn worries that everything is about to crumble around her all over again.

Perhaps, with a little help from her new friends, she can find a way to save this light in the darkness?

And maybe, just maybe, Dawn will finally have a place to call home....

The utterly charming feel-good debut novel of summer 2021 about friendship, community and kindness to curl up with.

escape with the perfect new uplifting and feel-good fiction debut novel about hope and kindness

About the Author

Jessica Ryn is a former midwife and homeless resettlement worker. She has recently completed her MA in Creative Writing at CCCU, and her stories have been shortlisted for the Kimberly Chambers' Kickstarter Award, Wordsmag and the Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing. When she's not scribbling away, Jessica can be found meandering through the woods, reading stories that pull on the feel-strings and eating yoghurt-covered skittles. Jessica lives in Dover with her husband, two children and their high-spirited springer spaniel. The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside is her debut novel.

Reviews

'This is the book we all need right now: a story of kindness and hope. I absolutely loved it'
Anstey Harris,The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton

'Dealing with heartbreaking issues with humour, this will uplift your soul' Heat

'Completely beguiling - a messy, loveable cast of characters with Dawn at the centre bringing the light' Beth Morrey, Saving Missy

'Beautifully written, and oozing warmth and compassion. It will make your heart melt' Closer

'Charming, moving and joyous'
Alice Peterson,If You Were Here

'Jessica Ryn writes with such warmth and sensitivity, I felt my heart crack more than once. Dawn Brightside is the heroine we never knew we needed'
Roxie Cooper,The Day We Met

'I fell instantly in love with Dawn Brightside. She made my heart soar and ache all at once. Clever, funny and full of heart'
Lia Louis,Somewhere Close to Happy

'The book equivalent of a glass half-full. It is love and light and brimming with a compassion that will inspire you to see the bright side. Not just within its pages, but within life'
Amy Beashal, The Sky is Mine

'Beguiling and captivating. The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside tackles homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness and the vulnerability that goes with it with warmth, humour and most of all, courage' Sunday Post

'A warm-hearted and utterly gorgeous read. The irrespressible Dawn heads up a wonderful cast of characters and the life-affirming story is one of kindness and hope. I loved it!' Nicola Gill, The Neighbours

'A joy of a book: funny, sad, enlightening and feelgood' Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man

'Spending time with Dawn Brightside has been a joy from start to finish! An uplifting story that will break your heart, then mend it again' Louise Mumford, Sleepless

Book Information
ISBN 9780008364656
Author Jessica Ryn
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint HQ
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 25mm