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The Hope Family Calendar

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The Hope Family Calendar

By: Mike Gayle
Narrated by: David Morley Hale
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About this listen

 Tom Hope is broken. Ever since his wife Laura died he hasn't been the same man, and definitely not the same father. Luckily however, his mother-in-law Linda is there 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.

She decides on drastic action, and in a final attempt to make Tom reconnect with his daughters, Linda leaves for Australia. Now, with two fast-maturing girls on his hands, Tom has to learn how to accept his responsibilities and navigate the newly discovered world of single fatherhood - starting immediately.

While Linda finds her journey brings more than she bargained for, Tom suddenly has only himself to rely on.
Will he fall back into grief or finally step up and be the father his girls need?

Bittersweet, funny and sad, THE HOPE FAMILY CALENDAR is a novel about grief, love and family.

(P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton©2016 Pizza FTD Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Grief & Loss Literature & Fiction Parenting & Families Personal Development Relationships Single Parents Feel-Good Funny Marriage

Critic 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)
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.
An emotional and surprisingly funny story you'll want to read in one sitting.
A delightfully easy and poignant read.
Praise for Mike Gayle
Wise, witty and wonderful . . . a triumph! (Jenny Colgan on TURNING FORTY)
Not just readable, fresh and witty, but sophisticated in execution . . . funny but also poignant.
A funny and frank account of a hopeless romantic.
Mike Gayle has carved a whole new niche out of the male confessional novel.
Unique, funny and full of drama . . . Genius! (Closer on THE STAG AND HEN WEEKEND)
Wise, witty and with endearing characters, this is a feel-good-read with lots of laughs.
All stars
Most relevant
Another completely brilliant story with characters you become fully invested in. I love the way Mike Gayle writes. Another 10/10 for me!
Sad, funny and heartwarming ♥️

Mike Gayle Never Disappoints!

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I devoured this book. I haven't read a Mike Gayle book for a while, and this didn't disappoint . It's like slipping into your favourite comfy slippers. The narration was excellent - a very soothing voice, who gave each character their own personality. My only suggestion would have been the title - surely this should have been Shoe box shrine. Buy this audio book to find out why.

Another fantastic Mike Gayle book

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Warm and engaging, Beautifully thought through and a good twist at the end. I love that

Excellent

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As ever a lovely story from Mike Gayle about family life and the ups and downs of the grief process. Parts will make you smile - especially teenage angst - and parts make you really feel the sense of loss.

Another great story about dealing with loss

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it was easy to listen to and well written.

As usual great writing by Mike Gayle

thoroughly enjoyed this book

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