A heartbreaking read but so brilliantly written that it wasn't at all sad. When I started reading it I did wonder if I would cope with it as I've been through a similar experience of losing a spouse and having to bring up teenage children on my own. However this was written so sensitively with humour, empathy for Nick in his current life time after the death of his wife and an interesting and relevant backstory about his friendships in childhood.

I loved the story and couldn't put it down. Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Light in the Hallway
by Amanda Prowse
Pub Date 11 Nov 2019
343 pages
3⭐⭐⭐
Description:
When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly.In the depths of his heartbreak, Nick must find a way to navigate life that pleases his son, his in-laws, his family and his friends—while honouring what Kerry meant to them all. But when it comes to his own emotions, Nick doesn’t know where to begin. Kerry was his childhood sweetheart—but was she really the only one who could ever make him happy?And in the aftermath of tragedy, can Nick and his son find themselves again?
⭐My Review⭐
The story moved and quite a slow pace and at times failed to keep my interest. It took me a very long time to get into it. The characters are all well written and very well developed. However to me they were not all that likeable. The story flips back and forth between two different timelines,1992 and present day ,with the story beginning in 1992 with three teenage boys, Nick, Eric, and Alex. Then we move to the present where Nick’s wife Kerry, is dying of cancer. Even though the story is very sad it did have a happy ending. I felt that Nick moved on far to fast and that the ending was tied up a little too neat. All in all this just was not a very good book to me. However I do want to read some of this authors other books. Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
♥️ About the Author ♥️
Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel, Poppy Day, in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty-two novels and six novellas. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops bestseller charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned ‘queen of domestic drama’ by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing.
#TheLightInTheHallway #NetGalley
The Light in the Hallway

I refused to go to bed last night until I finished this book. So tired, but so worth it!!

Amanda is brilliant at making her stories believable. This one is a very sensitive subject that many can relate to. The loss of a wife, mother, sister and daughter. By the end of chapter one, I had been reduced me to tears not once, but twice. Amanda writes beautifully and really know how to pull on her readers heart strings.

The story focuses on Nick and the aftermath of his wifes death. Given the summary, the book sounds very emotional, which it is. But I also found it wonderfully uplifting. Whilst Nick struggles to cope with his in-laws, being a singoe parent to Ollie, his job and the fact that his wife is gone, he tries to accept what has happened and move forward which was great to see. I was really rooting for him at times.

The book alternates between the present and the year 1992 when Nick was just a boy. The story from the past was such a sweet one. It tells us about a project Nicks dad gave him and his two best friends to get them through the summer holiday. Jump forward to now and they are still best friends which was lovely!

This is a beautiful story about love, loss and family. A very easy five stars from me!

Amanda Prowse takes you on an emotional journey of healing and letting go. Book deals with the lost of a spouse, wife, and sister. Book starts out with Nick having just lost his wife Kerry after a long battle with an illness. His life must still move forward so he can make sure his son Oliver's life stays on track. During all of this your taken back to the summer of 1992 and the lessons of the half bike. Journey of a lifetime friendships forged with a multitool and building of a bike. Friend's that later help Nick and Oliver heal and move on with their's lives. Can Nick find new love after the lost of his wife? Does Oliver learn that a new women in his dad's life doesn't have to replace his mom. There room enough to allow more love into their world.

Nick is trying to come to terms with the death of his beloved wife Kerry as well as looking after their teenage son Ollie and helping him deal with the loss of his mum. I loved Nick from the beginning, he has a beautiful soul and is trying his best to get through the situation the best he can. He pulled at my heartstrings that's for sure. Amanda's stories are real life, people all over the world are in this position every single day. This story is beautifully written, told from the heart and I felt I was on Nick and Ollie's journey with them, every step of the way. Highly recommend you read this book.

A light left on can signal warmth, welcome and perhaps even love.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher Amazon UK.
The review and comments below are my honest opinion.
This good book was different for me from the standpoint that the story is told by Nick, rather than from a woman’s perspective. Surviving his wife’s death, but left to raise their teenage son, Olly, Nick wishes there was a guide book as
how to live as a widower and single parent.
Going back between his childhood and current day, Nick’s story is an emotional picture of his childhood friendships, love, death and life. As the author wrote “Life is a gift and we have to live it as best we can”.

Difficult subject tackled well as usual by Amanda Prowse. I am an avid fan and have read most of her books. She writes with sensitivity and understanding and I always feel her characters are true to life. This tells Nick's story when he loses his wife...and the fall out from the tragedy is powerfully written. Not a book to necessarily be enjoyed but one that is emotionally touching.

How do you start again when you lose the only love you’ve ever known? This is the question that Ms Prowse puts to us in The Light in the Hallway. First thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for providing me a complimentary copy to read and review. Nick and his son Oliver are dealing with the loss of their wife and mother. We glimpse the life of Nick in flashbacks and through the perspective of Nick and his relationship with his best friend's, family and in-laws. We see the pain of a young man struggling with the loss of his mom and his foray into adulthood. In his yearning to have things the way they were and his uncertainty of watching his father's life go on. In Nick (The father) we see the bonds of family and friendship that have shaped him and the struggle to go and balance his personal life and the needs of his son. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was like a glimpse through a neighbors window. She exposes us to a world we have no knowledge of. Highly recommend this book. It also gives us a look at the future and the outcome of this family's struggle and their answer to the question. Their answer - you go on.

This is the absolute perfect book for a beach read. Despite the underlying tones of grief from the loss of one's wife early in the book, this is a seriously feel good book- family, recovery from loss, parenting, romance, friendship- everything one needs in a nice, easy weekend read. Even as an American, I can hear the characters talking in my head in their accents (thank you British pop culture for expanding my brains idea of accents!). I read this mostly over the better part of 2 days and Im glad I did. Great book. Anyone would enjoy it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, for an honest review.

When Nick loses his wife, he tries to manage his new life with his child, his family, his in-laws, and also by trying to understand how ultimately he can learn to be happy again.
This book is a very rewarding look at how family can learn how to be happy again, and how life can go on after death occurs. While the book did come together at the end, it was a very heartwarming story and was a great read.

I have just finished reading this book. I 'quite' enjoyed it but there were several things that made it unsatisfactory for me.

Enjoyment: the subject matter was interesting. A man is grieving for his wife who has died very young after a year of illness. Their son is just about to go to university and suddenly the man, Nick, has to negotiate emotional turbulence that he is not comfortable with. Fathers and their relationships with their sons is always interesting and when you add in a bereavement this promised to be an interesting book. The sub-plot is how it feels to belong to a working class community which gives both security and at times creates division and betrayal.

Dissatisfaction: I found the storyline a bit cliched. Nick the father is hopeless at cooking, at talking, at dealing with emotions. Ollie the son is angry and sad and not able to understand 'grown-up' needs. But the worst thing for me was that the narrator was too strong a voice. She/he spoke with a strong accent and a big personality. I found it intrusive. The narrator is so often barely audible yet here she/he is present and opinionated and yet not acknowledged.

I agreed with those who found it uncomfortable to witness Nick forming a new romantic attachment before a year had passed. Did he need someone to wash his smalls or what? Or just a cuddle on the sofa because he isn't able to really get intimate with anyone who isn't his partner? He has good friends and a very understanding mother but he seems unable to do more than try hard with 'those difficult conversations' and probably eventually will slip back into his old ways of non-communication. Perhaps he needs to ask himself why his ex wife developed a shopping habit and was so often seen with the butcher at the bus-stop.

Readable but in the end slightly annoying

Prowse has an almost unique talent for lifting stories of ordinary lives and showing the extraordinary that lies within all of us. The fears, the tragedies and the bravery that inhabits all our lives are laid bare in her books. This story of grief and the progress we are compelled to make to survive it is told with honesty and sympathy so that we end up willing these characters to take the right path. I read every book she writes and this is one of her best.

The Light in the Hallway, Amanda Prowse

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Women's fiction, General Fiction (adult)

Gah, I hate Women's Fiction as a genre heading, so outdated. Men and women can read the same books....its 2019, not 1919.

Anyway, that's just my personal gripe so...the book. Wonderful. One more Amanda delivers a story that's thought provoking, gripping, realistic and with gentle touches of humour when parts get too dark.
Nick, oh poor Nick. I've been there, had those days when you look around at the empty house and wonder “is it really worth carrying on? What's the point of it without your love beside you?” Yet he finds the strength to continue, mostly for his beloved son Oliver, who's also struggling, not just from having lost his mum to cancer, but with his first few weeks at university.
Nick talks to Kerry in his mind, seeking her advice, and I still do that with my husband nearly four years later. He pretends she's just in another room, and that's so real, I know I did that too, taking comfort from the fact that maybe, just maybe, they really could be there. Even now some nights I reach out in bed and pretend my arm is resting on his body. Logic tells you they aren't there of course, but comfort lets you believe the lie for a bit longer.

Its seems like it would be a heavy, sad story but its not. As in real life things happen that tug at the heartstrings whilst making you smile. The three boys, Nick, Eric and Alex and of course Half Bike. That's was such fun to read even while I shared their struggles. The story veers between Nick, Eric and Alex now and as young lads, when everything can be an adventure. I adored Eric, as a lad and a man. He had such a wonderful sense of humour, his constantly calling the others female names “ You OK Shirley?” stuff like that, he managed to make me smile even when I veered on tears.

Its not just a snippet of time, a vignette of life story, but one where the characters go through the tragedy of Kerry's death, and try to move forward. Such is the way of life that it moves on whether we are ready or not, so we see Olly's struggles at uni in his first days, Nick's return to work, trying to pick up his life, and of course his sister in law who's determined no-one will replace her sister.
Nick going to the shop the day after her death to be told by his mum he couldn't, it Wasn't Done. He's so right when he says its like wading through a minefield of unwritten rules, never knowing when you're about to break one. When he's talking about it only being x months since Kerry died, and yet for him he'd been grieving ever since they knew she wasn't going to recover, more than a year ealier. That's so true, that last year they went through she was alive, but not really living, and I can see how Nick's grieving started much earlier than people would suppose.

Slowly Nick starts to pick up his life and move forward, helped by his childhood friends, mostly the wonderful Eric. I adore that man, he made me laugh so many times with his phrases, and also made me tearful at what happened to him as a young lad.
Amanda really can write characters well, both as adults and as kids. I really believed in those boys, was there alongside them shouting sh it-sticks on the camping trips, searching for bits for the bike, heartbroken at the idea of Eric moving away. I keep thinking of little bits that made me laugh, other than Eric's wonderful name calling, and one that just sprung in my mind was the baby, when the boys wonder how long are women pregnant. “ They take at least a year to bake” says Eric knowledgeably, shocking Nick and Alex. I could just imagine the three of them mulling over the weird ways of adults.

Its a wonderful story, and one I really enjoyed once more. Amanda delivers the kind of story I love to read, real people, real scenes, stories that I can easily imagine happening, and of course always with an ending that neatly wraps things up. This time she really did bring things full circle, showing a path of happiness for these characters that had been through so much.

Stars: Five, another wonderful read. full of heartbreak and happiness, tears and triumphs.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

The Light in the Hallway begins by giving the reader a glimpse of ten year old Nick and his two best friends, Alex and Eric, before returning to the present where Nick’s wife, Kerry, is terminally ill. He is trying to persuade their son, Oliver, to go to the hospice with him for what would be the last time. Oliver, understandably, is finding difficulty in coping with the thought that his mother would never be coming home and refuses to go. If he doesn’t witness his mother’s death then he can still imagine she’s around.

Nick and Kerry were childhood sweethearts and circumstances meant that Nick’s plans changed. His dreams, and his father’s for him, were shelved. Although Nick and Kerry loved each other and built a solid marriage, it wasn’t always plain sailing. Now Nick has to be strong for Olly, despite his own heartbreak and pain, and he’s unsure how to handle a teenage boy in denial. Oliver’s A-level results were the catalyst that flung him into the reality he’d fought against facing.

Amanda Prowse is adept at understanding and articulating the spectrum of human emotions, writing with sensitivity and empathy. In this story she lays bare the feelings of loss and learning to deal with the grief felt by the people Kerry has left behind. Everyone copes in their own way, sometimes placatingly, sometimes acerbically, generally supportively as everyone navigates their own personal and life changing journey. Living in a small village with a close community made everything more stressful for Nick, as everyone knew his business and some people didn’t hesitate to offer opinions.

The characters are multi dimensional and believable. The lovely and somewhat complicated relationship between Nick and typical teenager, Olly is perfectly drawn and true to life. Nick’s relationship with his parents, and his two best friends, shown through flashbacks covering one particular summer, gives an insight into his character and what made him the man he became.

I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the male point of view, showing the struggles and differences of opinion encountered while trying to move on and build some sort of life when a partner dies. The recurring themes include the importance of friendships, family and having hope for the future however bleak things might look in the present. I love how the title resonates throughout the storyline.

The Light in the Hallway is beautifully written, with humorous moments to offset the sadder ones, and showing that life, more often than not, doesn’t turn out as expected. There are forks in the road, hills and sometimes mountains to climb and lessons to learn. Another winner from Amanda Prowse.

I love this authors books and this did not disappoint I really enjoyed this I read it in one sitting Thankyou to the author and netgalley for the arc I couldn’t recommend it enough!

THE LIGHT IN THE HALLWAY by Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse writes books that take your heart on a journey. This was a very sad story of love and loss. When Nick’s wife dies he has to figure out a way to make a life for him and their son Oliver. Oliver is 18 and getting ready to leave for university. That means Nick will be alone and he doesn’t know if he can do alone. Kerry was his wife since they were 17 years old.

Nick has a lot on his plate with in-laws, friends, a job, a son who is leaving and a special someone that may help him over this hurdle in life. Though to me four and a half months is not enough time for grieving this story is not about my life. It’s about Nick’s and his wife was sick for a long time. Can he possibly find love and happiness with someone else. Can Oliver accept another woman so soon after the loss of his mother? Oliver is a great kid and makes his dad very proud. He doesn’t want to accept Beverly at first and tends to run to his Auntie Di way to much but he’s pretty level headed so things may work out ok.

I have read a few of this author’s books and truly loved them so much. While this one was by far not my favorite it was very good. It has all the feels in it, laughter, tears, heartache, but it was a bit long to me. In some places I found myself wanting it to move on already. But overall it truly is a good story. It was well written. The characters were likable and the two storylines were great. One being Nick as a kid and the other Nick as a grown up. The things he went through during 1992 then jumping to after he is grown and what he goes through losing his wife. It was done beautifully. I enjoyed reading the antics of the young boys and what all they did and went through. The true friendships that led them into adulthood. Nick is very likable and so are his friends and family.

I have to thank #NetGalley, #AmandaProwse for this book. This is my own review.

I gave it 4 stars and recommend it to all. Be prepared for a very good read.

EXCERPT: 'Mum! Dad! I did it! I did it!' the boy called from the hallway. 'I got three...'

And then a bang as something hit the floor.

And then silence.

Nick had heard the words loud and clear, so naturally, so comfortably, called that it took a second or two for the universe to catch up. He looked towards the door, expecting his son to walk in. After a couple of seconds, he stood and went to investigate the silence. He put his head around the door and knew that he would never forget the sight that greeted him.

Oliver was sitting on the welcome mat, coiled into a ball like a small child with his chin on his chest and his knees raised. His arms were clamped around his shins and his whole body shook.

Nick sank down to join him on the floor and that was where they st on the bristly Welcome mat that felt anything but. Oliver raised his head and the sight of his distress caused Nick's own tears to pool.

'She's not here, Dad! She's not here, is she?'

'No, son. She's not here,' he managed through his own distress, hating to extinguish the faint look of hope in his son's eyes.

'Oh nooooooo! No!' Oliver's wail was loud, deep and drawn from deep within, he banged the floor with his hand. 'I wanted to say goodbye to her! I wanted to ... to tell her things and I wanted to say goodbye!' He sobbed noisily. 'I didn't want her to leave me, Dad! I want her here. I want her here with us! And now she's gone and I didn't have the chance to tell her...'

ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly.

In the depths of his heartbreak, Nick must find a way to navigate life that pleases his son, his in-laws, his family and his friends—while honouring what Kerry meant to them all. But when it comes to his own emotions, Nick doesn’t know where to begin. Kerry was his childhood sweetheart—but was she really the only one who could ever make him happy?

And in the aftermath of tragedy, can Nick and his son find themselves again?

MY THOUGHTS: I liked this book, sad though it was. I really liked it, but didn't love it as I have previous books by this same author, but I will get to the whys of that in a moment.

I liked that Kerry and Nick's marriage wasn't perfect. I liked that both were very normal people who had struggled, fallen, and got back up again to get on with things. I like the way the author deals with the emotions of the characters; she always manages to wring a few tears out of me, and The Light in the Hallway was no exception.

The situations that Prowse describes are so very real - they happen all over the world, every day. They happen to people like me, and you, and to our friends. Prowse reminds us, and this is a direct quote from her book, that 'life is a gift and we have to live it as best we can......we owe it to everyone who no longer has a life.' I loved that sentiment. We all know it, but we sometimes lose sight of it. We judge others for not living up to our expectations of how they should live their lives, how they should feel and act, when we are not in their shoes and have no right to judge them.

And I did love the reference to the title in the book. That was lovely.

So, on to what I didn't like - the ending. It was too 'tidy', too saccharine for my taste, with everything neatly tied up with a bow like a brightly wrapped gift under a Christmas tree. It was all very nice, but just didn't feel very realistic. I can say no more without giving away vital information, so that is the end of that.

****

#TheLightInTheHallway #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for providing a digital ARC of The Light In The hallway by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page, or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage

Thank you Netgalley for the arc for my honest review
Make sure that you have tissues when you are reading this book. It is a really beautiful and moving story. That will make you smile and make you cry. But it’s really lovely. This was my first Amanda Prowse book, but it certainly won't be my last! This novel explores love, loss, and life after in a very realistic way. Truly loved this book. Love love loved it.

I really don't have the talent to explain how wonderful The Light in the Hallway is. Amanda Prowse has put together a wonderful story of family, love, grief, lifelong friendships and moving on.

The primary characters, Nick and his son Oliver, are wonderful as are Nick's childhood friends that are still in his life. The backstory about Nick and his friends building Half Bike was just as fantastic as the current day story.

There is so much love in this book that I found myself tearing up multiple times. Oliver's struggle after losing his mom as he finds his way in life was particularly touching.

This is just a book that has to be read - it's far too difficult to explain just how deeply touched I was by The Light in the Hallway. Do yourself a favor and pick it up today.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for permitting me an ARC when I requested it. All thoughts in this review are mine and happily given.

Set in the north of England, I could relate to the adventures of the three boysas youngsters and the way the ffriendships had survived to adulthood. I did think Nick's new romance seemed contrived but thought Ollie's reaction to his dad's independence was confused but realistic. Did enjoy the book.