A story about the spirit of Christmas, about helping others and overcoming loneliness through small acts of kindness. My main criticism is that the story felt overstretched, with lots of repetition and hammering the point home. It became a bit preachy. Sometimes less is more. Three and a half stars from me but I am generously rounding up!

Ruth Ryans’ public persona is that of a well known and loved agony aunt who writes a weekly column for the city’s biggest newspaper. In private she’s totally different, leaving her celebrity image at the door to her lonely, sad existence. She has wise words, offering hope and comfort to others but is unable to do the same for herself. It’s eight days before Christmas and the first anniversary of her father’s death. This, together with the ongoing pain of her mother’s rejection, cause her to dread the festive season.

Of course Ruth isn’t on her own judging by the amount of mail she receives. Marian Devine was trying without success to carry on with her life after the death of her husband. Molly Flowers’ husband has been made redundant and money is more than tight. Molly doesn’t know how they’ll get through this Christmas. Paul Connolly is a young man fighting a drug addiction all alone. Nicholas Taylor is divorced, living in a tiny fourth floor apartment unable even to play the music he loves because the neighbours complain at the noise. Kelly Robinson was facing Christmas without her baby girl. It was her ex boyfriend’s turn to have their daughter. Real situations that impact on people’s lives.

A visit to her favourite cafe run by her friend Gloria, helps Ruth put things into perspective and form a plan, as she learns how a random act of kindness during one of her bleakest moments a year ago, changed someone’s life.

The underlying message of A Miracle on Hope Street is clear – kindness costs nothing and sometimes, by helping others, you reap more rewards than you could have imagined. Even if you never find out, your helping hand might just be the turning point for that person. Despite the unhappy circumstances of the characters and the topics it encompasses, this is a moving story full of hope and inspiration. Some of the introspective passages are a little too long and repetitive for me, but that aside it’s a perfect read for the season, showing what Christmas should be about. The romance aspect doesn’t overwhelm the narrative and if, now and again, the characters seem a little too effusive…we’ll, it’s Christmas and they’re all hoping for a new lease of life. A story of love, loss and kindness.

I love an author who writes with such skill to always trigger an emotional response and this story again pulls at the heart strings.

A Miracle on Hope Street is a beautiful story about loss, love and finding a reason to hope again. It is a story full of characters from all walks of life who have loved and lost and through being united are finding reasons to hope again.

A truly brilliant story that I absolutely loved and will definitely be recommending as it made me feel all of the emotions being portrayed as I read them throughout the story.

Tired of the pressure to make this Christmas the best ever, or feeling lonely in the midst of it all? This book is just what you need! It's a recipe for how to give more meaning to Christmas, and to those around you who may be struggling, the loneliest and alone. You won't need to be an "agony aunt" like the main character, Ruth; their are people all around you that you can reach out to. A beautiful, heartwarming book.

This heartwarming novel is encouraging and emotional. If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, you will love this book. Overall, I give it 4 stars.

If you read one book this Christmas, make it A Miracle On Hope Street, it's such an amazing, beautiful inspiring read, I adored Ruth, the agony aunt of a newpaper column, who, when she loses her dad who she was so close to, is left absolutely devasted but to everyone she has everything, money, beautiful house and a great job but is she happy as everyone seems to think she is, to find out you have to read this book, I enjoyed every minute of it. I will be looking out for more of Emma's books.

Another fabulous book by this author. One simple act of kindness can have such an impact on someone's life.

This book represents what Christmas should be all about!! Kindness and caring cost nothing and sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives we forget to reach out to others, reading this book reaffirmed to me how beneficial helping others can be.

Ruth is an agony aunt who is very good at giving others advice but underneath the surface of her dazzling life she is very lonely and unfulfilled. Her fathers death and a chance encounter with a homeless man changes the direction of her life.

Reaching out to lonely people and hosting a Christmas dinner for them sets her life in a new direction. She discovers a relationship with her mother who left the family when she was young and an unexpected romance which she never thought could happen. She also makes new friends and brings love and happiness to each of their lives.

This is a fantastic book which will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. I loved it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this delightful book.

This book popped up on my Facebook feed a few times and so I hopped onto Netgalley to see if I could get an advanced review copy – and I was accepted.

Disclaimer: It was only when I read the ‘thanks’ at the end of the book that I found out one of my friends was the editor for the book!! Thankfully that didn’t colour my judgement as I only found out afterwards.

Here’s the Amazon blurb:

“Remember the true meaning of Christmas with this heartfelt and beautiful novel from bestselling author Emma Heatherington.

Can a single act of kindness change a life forever?

To many people, Ruth Ryans has everything: the perfect job, a beautiful home and a loving family. But as Christmas approaches, Ruth feels lonelier than ever.

Then Ruth meets Michael. A man who she showed kindness to during his darkest moment. That one single act, his miracle, helped change his life forever.

Ruth decides to make this Christmas the most perfect one ever, opening up her home to those who need her help – the lonely, the lost and the ignored.

Actions speak louder than words and Ruth Ryans’ kindness will create little miracles for everyone … including her own battered heart.”

Initially I was a big confused and overwhelmed by the number of different characters – but it soon became evident they’d all written to Ruth Ryans in her capacity as an agony aunt – so that then made sense! I also wasn’t entirely sure where it was set – not that it matters – but I worked out during the book it was Ireland, but not Dublin, although can’t be more sure of the geography than that!

Once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. It gave a true festive feel – and whilst it’s out now (I finished it on publication day!) – I think it would be a perfect read in late December – maybe over the Christmas holidays in fact.

You really get a feel for how lonely people can be – and how this is magnified at a time like Christmas. It also shows how a bit of kindness can go a long way – from Ruth’s initial contact with Michael, through to her opening up her home to the lonely, lost and ignored. Each of the characters that write to Ruth are fleshed out and you feel you get to know them as Ruth does – which I enjoyed.

There is a twist in the middle – which I have to say I guessed – but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book. (I won’t tell you what it is, as I hate book reviews with massive spoilers).

Overall I really enjoyed it as a fun, easy, but still though provoking, read. I also think it would make a lovely festive film.

I’m not sure I can fit it into a category of my 2018 Reading Challenge – as I’ve already got books in the slots it would fit – but I’m trying not to get too hung up on that – and read things I want to read as well!

This is such a wonderful book. I had never read a book by this author before, but I was offered an early preview copy from NetGalley, so I thought that I would read it.
The theme of this book is lonliness, especially at Christmas, when it seems that everyone else is celebrating and getting together with family and friends. To the outside world Ruth seems to have it all, as a celebrated Agony Aunt she solves everyone else's problems. Ruth is hiding her unhappiness from everyone she is also grieving, and can't cope anymore.
A chance meeting shows her that she can help other people and make a difference, so she has an idea to try and make a group of strangers less lonely and show that people care. She picks people that have contacted her, and invited them to spend Christmas with her.
This book reminds the reader that loneliness can affect many different people in different ways. Someone can be very isolated and lonely, even if it is not obvious. This book makes you think about other people, and what they might be hiding, even if they appear to be alright. It is a very heartwarming book, which has much more depth to it than the usual light hearted festive story. It is a story that gives you hope, and affirms that good things can still happen.
The characters are all very different, and their reasons for being alone and lonely are varied. The characters are all likeable, and shows you that even people who you might disregard, or not even give a second chance to are all human, and all have a story.
This is such a lovely and festive read although some of the Characters have sad stories, it is a happy and life affirming read. It is well written, and definitely worth a read.

“A simple act of kindness...can sometimes change the world”

That’s how “A Miracle on Hope Street” by Emma Heatherington starts and it describes this lovely story completely.

“A Miracle on Hope Street” tells the story of Ruth Ryans who is an agony aunt (basically Dear Abby) who appears to live the perfect, glamorous life. One fateful night, eight days before Christmas, things will change for Ruth. While waiting on a ride to the hospital (her father is ill) she gives a homeless man money without knowing this man will eventually change her life.

One year later, eight days before Christmas, Ruth is in a serious depression. She lost her father one year ago, lives all alone in her big house, and has no one to share it with. She meets Michael at a cafe she frequents and finds out that he was the homeless man she gave the money to one year earlier. She changed his life that night, and now he will change her life, and the lives of other lonely people with her help.

This is not the type of novel I normally pick to read, but I’m so glad that I did. The book was so well written with relatable characters and a powerful message about the kindness of giving and what it can do for others. I highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day. It’s definitely a 5 star read for me, and I look forward to reading more books by Emma Heatherington.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperImpulse for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful book and a must read to get a feel for the true spirit of Christmas.

I had been meaning to read a book by Emma Heatherington for a while, and when this one appeared, I just couldn't resist any longer, especially with its gorgeous cover. I suspected that it might bit more emotional than some of the Christmas books out there, but nothing could have prepared me for just what a marvellous story it was.

This is a story that can potentially change if notl lives then the certainly people's mentalities. It is a story that doesn't focus on the material side of Christmas, but rather reaches out to those in need and are feeling lonely at Christmas and highlights a whole set of scenarios as to why someone may feel lonely at Christmas.

It is a timely reminder that you have no idea what is going on beneath the surface of anyone's lives, and not to judge based on how they appear to be the whole time.

If the blurb even sounds remotely like your sort of book, I would urge you to take a chance and you won't be disappointed. I've not really touched on the plot purely because I came into it with no knowledge or expectations and think that may be the best way to discover this journey you are going on with this book. I found it very compelling to read and finished it before i had finished the train journeys I was reading it on, as I was so absorbed.

It is amazing just how far one small act of kindness can really go, both to give and to receive - and all of this is highlighted in a simply lovely book. It is heartwarming, it gives a really feel good vibe to it and its a book I feel all the more enriched for having read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book has you feeling so many emotions but what an amazing book. A must read this Christmas will b3 looking for more from Emma

The premise of A MIRACLE ON HOPE STREET is: Can a single act of kindness change a life forever?
The answer, as written by Emma Heatherington, is YES!

Ruth Ryans is the Dear Abby of her city's newspaper. Her advice is spot on and she thinks she helps people, but is never really sure.

On the night her father dies, Ruth rushes from an event and changes the life of a man who will become very important in her life in the future, but she doesn't know it.

A sinking depression begins to overwhelm her due to her father's death. Ruth's mother abandoned the family years ago and now Ruth is living in her big family home all alone, with no real friends, and no family. With Christmas just a week away, she wonders what her life's purpose is.

Enter Micheal, the man who's life she changed a year ago, and never knew it. Together, the come up with a plan to help other people through the difficult holiday season. In so doing, they both find their purpose in life again.

This book was delightful. 5 stars from me for authentic and real characters. the story line was solid and the underlying message of hope and helping others was grand.
Thanks you to Netgalley and HarperImpulse for a sneak peak

I often read books that make me cry, I’m a sucker for a happy ending,
I have never ever found myself in floods of tears at the beginning of a book like I did with this one, possibly because I too have a father who is lost in his own head and I felt the sadness of the main character
To the outside world Ruth Ryan’s has it all. A job as a well known agony aunt for a newspaper and radio show, she lives in a big house, she always has a handsome suitor on her arm at public events and the public loves her. They are unaware she was abandoned by her mother as a child, her father is ill in a nursing home and she lives alone in the family home.
As the story begins just before Christmas, Ruth has just visited her sick father in the home where she spends all her time when she isn’t working. Whilst attending a public event she receives a call from her sister to tell her her father is on his way to hospital and she is on her way to pick Ruth up. Whilst waiting Ruth considers getting a taxi and takes money from her purse. As her sister draws up in the car, Ruth sees a homeless man sitting outside in the cold and hands the money to him. Sadly she is too late, and her father passes away before she gets to the hospital.
One year on and Ruth is still grieving, with no genuine friends except the owner of the local cafe and a boss who looks out for her.. She doubts that she is really helping the people who write to her as she has never seen any evidence of this. An unexpected encounter with the waiter who turns out to be the homeless man she helped a year earlier makes her see differently. She resolves to help others in the same situation as her, alone and dreading Christmas on their own. She handpicks a few people who have written to her, hopeful for help, and invites them for Christmas dinner. She enlists the help of waiter Michael who used to be a chef to help her and as their friendship develops she learns why he . ended up on the streets. As she meets each person before the meal she learns more of their stories, and finds in helping others that she helps herself too.
The true message of Christmas shines throughout the book - of being selfless, helping others, and finding true happiness at Christmas time.

Ruth has had an awful year. The last thing she wants is Christmas cheer but then she meets up again with Michael, who she helped the year before. A decision to assist others might not lead any of us to set up a Christmas meal but that's what she does. There's a critical twist here that turns Ruth's world upside down. Rest assured though that this is a warm read that will make you think and smile as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A beautifully written piece that reminds us about the importance of showing kindness and love to everyone at Christmas time. For some this time of year is excruciatingly lonely and a day filled with dread. This heartwarming and emotional story highlights the magic of reaching out to those who otherwise would be alone.

I was taken in immediately by this captivating story and taken on an emotional but uplifting journey. Ruth's story is a tough one to follow as it tackles the loss of both parents in more than one way, grief and feeling the loss of purpose in life. But willing her on the book takes a magical lift that sees lost souls come together and lives moving in better directions all because a hand of kindness was extended at just the right moment.

I loved everything this book stands for and it certainly provides plenty of food for thought in how we interact as human beings and just how much a moment of kindness can do.

Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author, Emma Heatherington for the opportunity to review 'A Miracle On Hope Street." All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Emma Heatherington is a new author to me and I have to say I really enjoyed her "A Miracle On Hope Street." I found it to be very heartwarming and a wonderful book to get ready for the upcoming Christmas season.
The book deals with something I know I have asked myself: Can a single act of kindness really change a life forever?' Reading this book brought me hope that this can actually happen.
Highly recommend reading this book, so well worth reading. I look forward to discovering more books written by Emma Heatherington.

I utterly adore this book.
From its cover to its characters and plot, all of which help to restore my faith in humanity.
I am an avid fan of festive romance and this is one of the most inspirational stories I've read in a long while.
The authors understanding of her characters problems and the compassion with which she has her main character respond warmed my heart.
Emma Heatherington is a new author to me but I look forward to reading more of her work.
It's 5 stars with me, I highly recommend this novel, it will make you laugh, cry and hopefully change the way you view those around you.
Many thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperImpluse #AMiracleOnHopeStreet

While this book has a happy ending, it is not a happy book. I wrote about this last year as well, but for many people, Christmas is one of the hardest periods there is. The idea that everybody should be happy, when so many people have it so hard? It can be hurtful to anyone who isn’t lucky enough to be able to fully “celebrate Christmas”.
For Ruth Ryans, that is exactly the case. Her sister is across the country, her father died almost exactly a year ago and her mother? Well, she walked out on them years earlier – just when, as Ruth put it, “she needed her most”. Faced with feeling even more alone now, as she is struggling with the grieve of her father’s death, Ruth just about breaks down. She has an advice column, but how is she supposed to help others when she’s feeling so utterly lost herself?
And then – she decides to do just that. Rather than just give people words of wisdom, of help and of comfort, she’s going to take action. Throughout the story, we’re shown fragments of 6 people’s lives as they decide to write in for Ruth’s advice column. The way Emma Heatherington set up the story so that we get to see exactly what brings these people to right to Ruth gave it a layer of depth that, honestly, I wasn’t expecting from “just a Christmas book”.
It’s been a while since I read a book that set out to be emotional, and was actually taken aback by how well that was done. The author manages to unveil the different layers both of Ruth’s and “the man whose life she changed” stories. The six people Ruth decides to help are all, in their own way, so incredibly deserving. And at the same time, they – along with that same man – give Ruth the framework she needs to deal with the biggest reason for her loneliness this season: her mother’s absence. The build-up of that final reveal is executed so masterfully that – even if you do figure out the last “plot twist” before it’s actually narrated (and you might, it is somewhat obvious) – it honestly left me in tears.
Now, A Miracle on Hope Street takes place during the 8 days before Christmas and on Christmas day itself, with a prologue one year earlier and an epilogue one year later. Honestly, I would’ve been fine with 6 more epilogues. Emma Heatherington so skilfully sets up this unnamed town in Ireland, the family situation and all of the invitees (heart breaking and hope giving all at once!) that I would’ve been happy to stay in her world a good while longer.
Rating: 4.75/5