I received a digital ARC of this book from the author and Net Galley.

This is the second book I’ve read by Amanda Prowse and I loved it just as much as the first. I love that her characters are so relatable and she writes them so well. I loved this story and the fact that the main characters were male. It was a nice change from the norm. I don’t want to give away the story but I love the family bond that is woven throughout and I was very happy with the ending. I always appreciate closure to a good story. Amanda did not disappoint! I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!

Another brilliant book from this author. She never fails to write an excellent novel
I loved everything about this book. The author manages to drag you into the book.
I cried tears of joy and sadness at the end of this book

This is a book about love, grief, friendship, growing up and even parenting, And you know what? The main character is a man!

This book focuses on Nick, Eric and Alex. They've been best friends for years. Throughout the book there are flashbacks to their childhood where they enjoy an incredible summer.

The "present day" finds one of the characters going through the loss of his wife.

I loved this book and the way the author was able to write from the point of view of Nick.

A good read about a family, friends, survival, and moving forward. It started out a little dark, but you just jump right in. How could you not cheer for Nick and Olly, Eric and Alex, and the rest of the characters who fill this book?! There’s sad, there’s shock, there’s humor, there’s a mother’s love. Family dynamics, biological and not, are at the heart of this story. An excellent and very readable example of contemporary fiction.

This was a sad but heartfelt read. I enjoy Amanda Prowse's books and this didn't disappoint. A great book from the male perspective. Set in Yorkshire, will Nick and Ollie recover from their loss, without damaging their relationship? I love how Amanda writes so honestly about the loss of a loved one and how life goes on after the tragedy.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

#netgalley #thelightinthehallway

Thank you for the advanced copy of The Light In The Hallway by my favourite author. What a pleasure this book was to read.
It was sad bit also uplifting, showing that time does eventually heal and that happiness can be found again even if it is not an easy road to finding it.
Having a book written from a male point of view is also refreshing as most books show the emotional angst from a women's point of view so hearing how a man deals with heartache was enlightening.
I'd love to have follow up from the sons viewpoint.
Another well thought out, emotional
but excellent read by Amanda Prowse

Another well written heart felt story from Amanda Prowse with an amazing opening chapter that had me captivated from the off.

This tale tells of Nick a man who not only has to come to terms with living life without Kerry his deceased wife but also to overcome grief and be strong as Olly their son begins a new chapter in his life by going off to university. As Nick learns to laugh and love again he is helped by family and friends but it is no means an easy time and fraught with emotion.

Entwined with this current story are delightful chapters of Nick and his friends growing up in Burstonbridge showing us just how strong their bond is.

I was given an ARC digital copy of The Light In The Hallway from Net Galley in return for an honest opinion.

Another great story from Amanda Prowse - they just keep coming! In this one 35 year old Nick is coming to terms with the death of his wife. Their 18 year old son is about to go off to university. This is the story of loss, family and new beginnings. I especially liked the sections set when Nick and his 2 friends were young boys. These were funny and moving. I recommend this as a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This is a heart-warming story of loss, friendships, love and finding love again. This story is told through the eyes of Nick, a man who loses his wife, Kerry, to cancer early on in the book. Nick and Kerry have a teenage son, Oliver, who is all set to go off to University when his mother dies. Nick and Oliver need to start anew; figure out how to live and go on without Kerry. This book is a lesson on carrying on, learning to live again and forgiving oneself for living when an important person in your life is gone forever.
Thank you to Amanda Prowse and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book from the very talented Amanda Prowse. I loved the characters especially Eric who just made me laugh throughout. Such a lovely story from start to finish. I laughed and cried buckets but not once did I feel the story was sad. It was a story full of hope.

I absolutely love Amanda’s books and although this was a slightly different one it was still amazing. This is written from the perspective of a male character with references to a central female one. The family interactions are true to life cutting across different ages from a youngest who goes off to Uni, Dad and the older generation. When I read a review I don’t want to know all the details otherwise why read the book but suffice to say there is great truthful interaction as the timeline moves. Thanks Amanda Prowse and NetGallery

This book is magical. Amanda's ability to tell the story from a male perspective so accurately is incredible.
I love the characters so much. I'm in awe of the way she is able to create such remarkable relationship dynamics between all the characters, especially with the flashbacks and memories of a summer many years ago. I love that she once again tackles difficult subjects and complex relationships in such incredibly sensitive yet accurate ways. The stigma about mental health, the perception of men not showing each other their feelings, talking about personal issues or making physical contact and the way it goes on to have an impact on people throughout their lives, even on a subconscious level to me is staggeringly accurate. The story is beautifully told and although a little sad in places, which is necessary given the subject matter, it is uplifting and heartwarming and so very full of hope for the future.
I enjoyed it so much I can't wait to listen to in on audio. I always find, because Amanda narrates her own stories, that there is an added depth of passion and emotion that takes it one level up from using my own imagination with the book.
Another brilliant 5 stars for what is a truly remarkable and enjoyable read.

Another poignant story about families from Amanda Prowse. I don't know how she does it, but it is like she gets into the skin of the characters and from the first page I am absolutely on board with what they are going through. I FEEL the pain that Nick feels, not to have his beloved Kerry with him anymore and the special moments that she is missing, especially when it comes to Oliver.

I have to admit, this book took me a little while to get into, in terms of the going back and forth from Nick's childhood to the present day but slowly the story unravelled and it all made sense. I loved the relationship that Nick had with Eric and Alex and how the community rallied around. Living in a small town myself, I understand the annoyance with everyone knowing your business and yet, when the chips are down, people are there for you too.

Nick was a lucky man in so many ways, even though he spent his life working in a factory. Some things didn't go to plan but he was a decent man, father, husband and son. It was interesting reading about his extended family as well, and their various approaches to what he was doing, post-Kerry. I wanted to slap Di, so clearly the author was doing a great job with HER characterisation! lol.

Anyway, all in all, another terrific book.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

In his mid-30s with a teenage son, Nick loses his wife Kerry to cancer. He must navigate his new life and his relationship with son Olly. There are flashbacks to the life of 10 year old Nick and his 2 best friends.

This is a gentle tale well told. For me it was rather too gentle and I'm not sure that I would have continued, had I not chosen it to review. That said its a life affirming story of small town life with a mother always ready with the frying pan, an annoying sister and sister in law....a boss in a big leather chair....

If you are a fan of author Amanda Prowse, you will love her latest book, The Light in the Hallway. If you are not familiar with her books, this book will make you a life-long fan. Author Prowse once again had me smiling, laughing and crying. Her books are filled with sentimental sweetness that will pull at your heartstrings. But her stories are also uplifting and encouraging as she shows how regular people get through the tough parts of life.

In this book, which may be my favorite, we confront big, life-changing problems and sorrows through the lovingly and carefully described details of life in a small Yorkshire market-town. The characters are marvelous, not a cardboard place-holder among them. We grow to love Nick and his mates, his wife, his child, his extended family by seeing them go about their daily lives. Some moments are funny, some so sad, as the book draws you into their world.

The story alternates between the summer of 1992, and the present and I was enthralled with each time period. In 1992, Nicky and his two friends were free to wander the small town and moors and have adventures, and free to learn more about life and their place in it. That summer became Nicky’s “light in the hallway”, his touchstone. The book shines with the sweet and touching details- the boys’ innocent banter, made-up games, their big project. But even that season was fraught with sadness and problems.

Nick in the present day, at thirty-five years old, has the same life of small pleasures, mixed with grownup problems. He loves his wife and son, he works at the local factory, but hadn’t he always dreamed of more? Nick’s life changes when his young wife dies and he no longer has someone who turns on the “the light in the hallway.” Nicky fears that he is lost, but once again, it’s the ordinary rhythm and rituals that guide Nick to a new life.

This is a book where the joy of the writing itself equals the story. I know you will love and remember Nicky and his mates and family as much as I did. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

I am inclined to agree with some of the reviewers on here in that I too haven't particularly enjoyed Amanda's last few books. I have read so many of her earlier ones and absolutely loved them but this definitely wasn't for me.

I think it's about time that I stopped reading her books now but thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I love Amanda Prowse and her style of writing which brings her stores to life ! This is a book of loss and love and conflict and hope . As always an emotional read in places and uplifting In others . I enjoyed this read but I have to admit not as much as my previous reads from Amanda .thank you for the opportunity to read

After reading another Amanda Prowse book and disliking it, I decided to give her another try based on the great reviews she received. However, I was again disappointed and won't revisit anymore of her books. I think she writes well for the most part. An overuse of names in conversation is a bit distracting though. But mostly, I think I just don't enjoy the dismal narrative. Others may - this was simply my experience.
I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the story but I didn’t just love it like so many others. It was well written with likeable characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

Amanda Prowse is my go-to author when it comes to contemporary fiction, family drama, and emotional analysis. She often reminds me that writers hold the key to understanding the deepest, darkest, and most innate feelings a person can hold. The Light in the Hallway, due out on 11/11/19, is a prime example of why Prowse will always be one of those special few who have a tidal wave impact on my mindset. No other author has truly pushed me to think about a situation, feverish to determine what, if any, is the best answer to a problem with no solutions.

At the beginning of this book, we know Kerry is dying. When it happens, we are hurt but can move on, as we don't know a whole lot about her. Left behind are her mother, sister, husband, and son. Her husband, Nick, is strong, but we can feel his pain. Son, Ollie, is unable to show his emotions. Until he is. And then the entire story has you reaching for a tissue box. Less than 3 months after her death, Nick takes Ollie to his first year at college. Within a day, Ollie wants to come home. Nick drives there to get him, only to find things are not what he expected. A year goes by over the course of the remainder of this book... during which time we understand the profound loss Kerry's death has had on her family.

She wasn't a saint. She wasn't a sinner. She was human, made mistakes, and will be missed by many. Nick, on the other hand, has a group of friends who get him through each day. Through alternating chapters, we see Nick's life as a young teen with these friends... going through first love, becoming men, building friendships... each chapter tells us who he is today. We also see shades of Ollie in his father. Nick's life is tough, but he is determined to succeed. He and Kerry had Ollie when they were 18, so he's only 35 when she dies. His life is far from over... but how does his family react when he begins to date Bev?

Throw in a few complicated situations at work, Ollie's first girlfriend, an issue with Nick's in-laws, and money problems... this book covers so many heartbreaking moments, it's tough to get through without stopping for a breather. While not the most I've cried when reading a Prowse novel, there were a few moments where I felt it so intensely, I had to step away. A scene near the end with a watch broke me. I suspect it will break you too, but for all the reasons you won't ever expect.

Ah... reading days like this one are quite nearly perfect.