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

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Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with." - Lisa Jewell A Song of Me and You is vintage Mike Gayle! It's full of relatable characters and as Mike takes us on a journey through all their high and lows and we're with them every step of the way. A Song of Me and You is a wonderful story about the things that really matter in life - family, friendship and falling in love - and a poignant reminder to cherish them while we can. It's the perfect book to celebrate Mike's 25 years as an author!" - Ruth Hogan I loved seeing Helen and Ben walking down the memory lane of their love, heartbreak and friendship. Although they were dealing with their own crises and challenges, there was hope, a building anticipation of their budding romance for the second time and the promise of a future together. The author always creates really lovely characters although Helen’s ex is a •••• They feel so authentic and I fall in love with the personalities of Helen and Ben. The dialogue between them feels so real they could be standing right in front of you. The lifestyle is such a contrast to each other and yet…… It makes you think. The portrayal of Helen‘s marriage, break up, her actions and reactions to it and the impact especially on her children is done extremely well. Teens Esme and Frankie‘s portrayal is spot-on too and they are also very likeable.

A Song of Me and You by Mike Gayle - Fantastic Fiction A Song of Me and You by Mike Gayle - Fantastic Fiction

I absolutely loved the first 70% of this book. But sadly it took an unimaginable turn, that totally threw it’s rhythm and pitch off the scale, 😣becoming an unbearable screech rather than the soothing melodious ‘song’ it ought to have been. 😕As the story unfolds, we witness the rekindling of their connection and the gradual realization that their love has endured the test of time. It's a heartwarming exploration of the idea that sometimes what's missing in our lives is a person we've loved deeply in the past.

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

star, because I completely don't agree with the conclusion. It was not what I was hoping for and it disappointed me completely, overly. But it's funny the way life is sometimes. Just when you think you know how everything is, it surprises you. Helen, by far, is one of my favourite characters. She’s just been through so much and tries to give everyone all of her time and attention, with nobody really looking out for her. I’m sad that she’s not real but she genuinely is one of the best mother figures. I've loved every Mike Gayle title I've tried, and though I really liked this too, it constantly felt very cliché, as though I knew what every future step was going to be for the characters, and a better-class Mills and Boon. Sorry to say it, but I did feel that as I read this.A Song Of Me & You is an effortless read because Mike Gayle has such a natural and engaging style that it doesn’t feel as if you’re reading at all. It’s more like being in the room as action takes place. Indeed, I put life on hold for a couple of days to devour this story. 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! Well, Mr Gayle, you’ve done it again. I’m mush. He has the unerring capacity to get you right in your heart. Every. Single, Book! This is yet another wonderfully told story, it’s heartwarming, reflective, thoughtful (I’d expect nothing less!), empathetic, there are light touches of well-placed humour*, it’s moving and very poignant, especially at the end. *There is one part of the novel at the beginning where it resembles a French farce and this is such fun! The tone changes later but then you are so glad of these moments of levity. I adored this book, lovely story, great characters and relationships. It’s happy and sad (tear jerkingly sad!) and just gorgeous.

The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle | Waterstones The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle | Waterstones

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. I’m not usually a fan of romance fiction, being a bit too old in the tooth for hearts and flowers, but give me a story of second-chance love featuring more mature protagonists and I’m in. All the more so when it’s by Mike Gayle, whom you can always depend upon for an emotional, escapist read. Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she's ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold.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. A book about friendship, love and heartache. It really is a moving story that takes you through the highs and lows of the characters lives and it’s done so brilliantly.