A compelling and emotional novel, for fans of Jojo Moyes and Jenny Colgan.

'With a style similar to David Nicholls, Gayle's writing is incisive, lyrical and very beautiful . . . It's impossible not to fall in love with the Hope family' Irish Independent

Tom Hope is broken. Ever since his wife Laura died he hasn't been the same man, and definitely not the same father. Luckily for Tom his mother-in-law Linda is around to pick up the pieces and look after his two struggling daughters, Evie and Lola.

But Tom getting arrested on the first anniversary of his wife's death is the last straw for Linda.

In a last bid attempt to make Tom reconnect with his daughters she takes drastic action and leaves for Australia. With two fast-maturing daughters Tom has to learn how to accept his responsibilities and navigate the newly discovered world of single fatherhood - starting immediately.

With only himself to rely on, will Tom fall back into grief or finally step up and be the father his girls need?

Order Mike's brilliant new novel A Song of Me and You now!

About the Author

MIKE GAYLE was born and raised in,Birmingham. After graduating from Salford University with a degree in Sociology, he moved to London to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a features editor and agony uncle. He has written for a variety of publications including The Sunday Times, the Guardian and Cosmopolitan.

Mike became a full-time novelist in 1997 following the publication of his Sunday Times top ten bestseller My Legendary Girlfriend, which was hailed by the Independent as 'full of belly laughs and painfully acute observations', and by The Times as 'a funny, frank account of a hopeless romantic'. Since then he has written eighteen novels, including The Man I Think I Know, selected as a World Book Night title, and Half A World Away, selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club. His books have been translated into more than thirty languages. In 2021, Mike was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Romantic Novelists' Association.

He lives in Birmingham with his wife, kids and greyhound.

You can find him online at mikegayle.co.uk and on Twitter @mikegayle.

Reviews
I didn't move a muscle for a whole afternoon in my eagerness to finish this book. Gayle writes with such warmth and wisdom about the human condition, at the same time creating a page-turner in this charming family tale which centres so movingly around unbearable loss. His easy, confident writing style draws you in to become another member of the Hope family and share with them the - often humorous - ups and downs of learning to live again after bereavement. Neither Tom nor Linda - the main characters - are perfect, but both are endearingly real. I highly recommend this novel - I know it will stay with me for a long time. -- Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park
I didn't move a muscle for a whole afternoon in my eagerness to finish this book. Gayle writes with such warmth and wisdom about the human condition, at the same time creating a page-turner in this charming family tale which centres so movingly around unbearable loss. His easy, confident writing style draws you in to become another member of the Hope family and share with them the - often humorous - ups and downs of learning to live again after bereavement. Neither Tom nor Linda - the main characters - are perfect, but both are endearingly real. I highly recommend this novel - I know it will stay with me for a long time. -- Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park
The Hope Family Calendar is the most heart-wrenching novel I've read this year...With a style similar to David Nicholls, Gayle's writing is incisive, lyrical and very beautiful...It's impossible not to fall in love with the Hope family. * Irish Independent *
The Hope Family Calendar is the most heart-wrenching novel I've read this year...With a style similar to David Nicholls, Gayle's writing is incisive, lyrical and very beautiful...It's impossible not to fall in love with the Hope family. * Irish Independent *
An emotional and surprisingly funny story you'll want to read in one sitting. * Fabulous *
An emotional and surprisingly funny story you'll want to read in one sitting. * Fabulous *
A delightfully easy and poignant read. * Closer *
A delightfully easy and poignant read. * Closer *
Praise for Mike Gayle * : *
Wise, witty and wonderful . . . a triumph! -- Jenny Colgan on TURNING FORTY
Praise for Mike Gayle * : *
Wise, witty and wonderful . . . a triumph! -- Jenny Colgan on TURNING FORTY
Unique, funny and full of drama . . . Genius! -- Closer on THE STAG AND HEN WEEKEND
Not just readable, fresh and witty, but sophisticated in execution . . . funny but also poignant. * Independent on Sunday on TURNING THIRTY *
Not just readable, fresh and witty, but sophisticated in execution . . . funny but also poignant. * Independent on Sunday on TURNING THIRTY *
A funny and frank account of a hopeless romantic. * The Times on MY LEGENDARY GIRLFRIEND *
A funny and frank account of a hopeless romantic. * The Times on MY LEGENDARY GIRLFRIEND *
Mike Gayle has carved a whole new niche out of the male confessional novel. * Evening Standard on WISH YOU WERE HERE *
Unique, funny and full of drama . . . Genius! -- Closer on THE STAG AND HEN WEEKEND
Mike Gayle has carved a whole new niche out of the male confessional novel. * Evening Standard on WISH YOU WERE HERE *
Wise, witty and with endearing characters, this is a feel-good-read with lots of laughs. * Woman on WISH YOU WERE HERE *
Wise, witty and with endearing characters, this is a feel-good-read with lots of laughs. * Woman on WISH YOU WERE HERE *



Book Information
ISBN 9781473608955
Author Mike Gayle
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 226g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 20mm