This is a character based book
This is a really well written novel with some great descriptions
Some great characters
A great entertaining read

This reminded me of an under-appreciated film “Only the Lonely”. Lonely man, domineering mother, all struggling with loss and fear of change. This seemingly gentle story packs a wallop, in retrospect. No blurb or summary could do it justice. It’s so much more than it first appears.

In my imagination a funeral director has to be a bit awkward, and Oliver Clock totally fits the bill. I even expected him to be more socially incompatible, but he's actually doing great handling customers. Only when it comes to the woman he is secretly in love with he is quite shy. As always, I didn't read the blurb again before starting the book, and therefore was in for a some surprises. And in one aspect Oliver is just like everybody else: he never puts his resolutions in practice.

I also loved the idea of the memory candles, but I think I would have a hard time describing the scent of anyone in my family, or even my own.
As much as I loved the characters, including Edie and Jean, the story got a bit boring in the second half of the book. But it was still a very nice read in the unusual setting of a funeral parlour.

The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock is the first novel by British author, Jane Riley. Thirty-nine-year-old Oliver Clock has a secret: for fourteen years, he has been in love with Marie, the florist who supplies Clock and Son Funeral Home. He had the opportunity, before Henry came along and married her, to tell her how he felt, but he hadn’t built up the courage, and then it was too late. But now he wonders if there is a chance for him: he resolves to ask her out…

Ever since his father died, Oliver Clock has run Clock and Son Funeral Home. He’s good at his job, reading his customers well and able to give them what they need during a difficult time. Oliver is a methodical man (some would say obsessive), good at sticking to a routine. He hasn’t changed much at Clock and Son: everything runs well the way Andrew Clock organised it.

Oliver makes lists of resolutions any time “my life needs reviving – jotting them down in a yellow, dog-eared notebook I’ve had for ages” Things like “Thou shalt not grow too large to fit comfortably into a standard-size coffin: I must start exercising” although most are soon abandoned, if they are actually embarked upon. But “Thou shalt find a way to ask Marie out.”

And then it’s once again too late. Marie reveals that she is terminally ill; any chance for them is gone. Marie dies and “I had to grieve on my own in private and hide the full extent of my grief in public. For unrequited love and grief make awkward bedfellows.” Poor Oliver “I was a burst water mains of grief, expunging my sorrow for Marie, pity for myself, my unrequited love and the loss of my dreams – however fantastical they might have been.”

But then Henry (angrily) reveals the contents of Marie’s diary: she secretly loved Oliver! This pulls him up out of his grief a little and allows him to function, something that is necessary when the business comes under pressure from competition. He realises that “By the time I turned forty I could be an out -of-work, loveless, still grieving funeral director who had been unable to keep the family business afloat.”

Kind-hearted Oliver is an easy protagonist to like, despite his quirky ways and his very human flaws. He’s the sort of person we would all hope could smooth the course through a stressful time. It’s heartening to watch him step out of his comfort zone, even if “It was draining trying to love things that didn’t love me back. It suited me to keep my adrenal glands on energy save and my blood pressure simmering on low.”

The support characters that Riley creates are just as appealing, even if sometimes they disappoint. The memory candle concept is a fascinating one which would surely fill a niche. Riley’s beautiful story features many timeless topics: inheriting the family business, traditional vs modern, grief, loneliness, fear and guilt, but also empathy and kindness. A wonderful, heart-warming debut novel that will have readers eagerly anticipating whatever this talented author does next.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK

This book reminded me a little of Elinor Oliphant, it had some good ideas but it wasn’t quite there for me. Worth a read though.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jane Riley for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel. If you like a heart-warming story with a quirky lead character, this book is for you! 4 stars to Oliver Clock!

Oliver is approaching his 40th birthday. He runs the family funeral home, organizes his books and socks by color and even steam presses his underwear! He keeps a list of resolutions that he never quite reaches - especially the one about letting florist, Marie, know how he really feels about her. Then all of a sudden it is too late for him to do that. When he gets to read her private diary, he discovers that she felt the same way about him. His life is slowing falling down around him - the business is failing, he's gaining weight, his mom still runs his business and life, and he has no love in his life. When he decides to open himself up to possibilities, all the messiness ensues but it's a fun ride for the rest of us!

Jane Riley has created a book of interesting characters that will leave you charmed.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

Oliver Clock was a well written character, almost along the lines of Elinor Oliphant. This was a pretty quick read about love and loss, and I guess you could say pretty light hearted. Ideas good, not great, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 3.5/5

Oliver deciding to finally open to love at age 40 made him easy to root for, especially as he was put in situations outside of his comfort zone. I loved that he was forced out of this comfort zone in both his personal life and his professional one as a funeral director. This was a quick and enjoyable read.

The premise is intriguing, but the writing style fell flat for me. I found Oliver to be whiny and all of the other characters a bit on the annoying side. The plot was predictable and the only thing I truly loved was the idea of the funeral candles.

What a beautiful story to come out of a rather strange topic. A funeral director and his loves lost and found. I found this story very endearing, an easy read and left me with a smile in my face. Bravo! Highly recommend this book.

This is a heart warming debut book by Jane Riley which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Oliver Clock is a likeable character who lacks confidence. He is a funeral director in the family business, working with his elderly mum and receptionist Jean who has been there for several years. He has been in love with Marie, the florist for 14 years although she doesn't know it. When Marie dies he discovers that she secretly loved him too.

What does the future hold for Oliver?

If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant or A Man Called Ove then I think you will enjoy this quirky tale too.

Brilliant. This is a beautifully told story which is happy and sad. It is about love and loss and new beginnings. Oliver Clock is a wonderful memorable character with his own unique outlook on life. I read this book in one sitting. It was recommended to me by a friend and I will definitely be telling other people about it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Oh this is a great book!!
Oliver Clock is kind of the male equivalent of Eleanor Oliphant!
Although their stories are quite different, they both have that unintentional comedic way of thinking which is just so quintessentially British.
This book is a triumph and it really put a smile on my face.
For a light hearted good old read, give it a go!

What a lovely, gentle story Jane Riley has penned for her debut novel. Oliver Clock is 39 years old, he’s a funeral director at his family’s long established and traditional firm. He has a yellow notebook in which he writes his resolutions which start with ‘Thou shalt’! He’s a lovely man, he’s witty and funny, quirky, a natty dresser especially his colourful ties and he’s in love with married Marie but he’s far too honourable and gentlemanly to tell her and then it’s too late. This delightful story is told by Oliver himself.

The novel is really well written, there’s some good descriptions, it’s lively, a little bit different with some lovely touches of humour. There’s possibly a macabre element to his job depending on your point of view and he talks to the cadavers - well, why not?? At least he won’t get contradicted or he can choose whatever response he desires! Oliver is so likeable, he’s easy going, very ordered in his life, a little bit shy, he loves his food especially cake (a man after my own heart!) and so he’s a tad on the chubby side. Or is that cuddly?! There are some other lovely characters too especially Edie with her candles (I’ll say no more other than it’s unusual but creative!), Oliver’s mum and receptionist Jean with her brooches. Oliver realises from various incidents that he has to stop living in the past and start making choices for himself.

Overall, a read entertaining read and it made such a pleasant change from my usual twisty genre!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Not sure what I can write about this book to be honest, I finished it but has left no lasting impression, did not enjoy or dislike.

Oliver is a funeral director nearing 40 who is in love with his friend Marie, but only learns after her death that she loved him too. He makes a resolution to live his life more fully and turn his failing business around. It was what I would call a "nice" book, where you have a mostly endearing character dealing with a lot of problems that are all improved by the end in a nice way that leaves everything exactly where it should be. It wasn't spectacular, but nice, and I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

I fell in love a little with Oliver straight away, what a wonderful character he is! Its actually refreshing to read about something different (set in a funeral parlour). Not at all morbid but actually humorous in parts. Very easy to get into and enjoyed the writing style.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This book was hard to put down. I devoured it in two sittings. The story was so captivating it made you not want it to end. I love it!

Full review published on Booklover Book Reviews website >> https://bookloverbookreviews.com/2020/02/the-likely-resolutions-of-oliver-clock-by-jane-riley-review.html