Samantha Tonge writes such beautiful stories and this is no exception, I loved reading every page of this, it’s such a wonderful feel good story. My heart broke a little, but ultimately I knew it had to be this way, but it’s so uplifting and reminds you of the good that still exists in people, love it

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The title 'A Single Act of Kindness' lets you know what this book is going to be about, which is a little bit of a spoiler, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this novel by the wonderful Samanthat Tonge, one our most accomplished writers; full stop, forget genre, etc.
This is a book with heart, soul and no lack of tenderness, despite Milo being a little hard to love at first. Tilda is, of course, hiding secrets, which I won't let slip. Though serious, I loved how it made me feel, and the twists kept me guessing. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next!
My thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for the reading copy.

***TRIGGER WARNING:*** Past abandonment, estrangement, homelessness, health issues.

I have really enjoyed past books by Samantha Tonge which were women's fiction/romance.

This is very different and has a message of life's realities and what we each have to deal with. The beginning was atmospheric and I quickly got into the book. I did like Dettel the cat and he was very visually described. I quickly understood that Tilda had difficulties in life. As the book went on, I wish she'd have had more of an ability to look for the good within her reality every day and practise gratitude. This helps me daily.

I felt annoyed at Tilda for being so quick to judge Milo, even after he'd stayed more days at her house. How immediately grateful he was for her help and just anything she could offer was so touching.

There were some clichés (I won't give spoilers here) and they were down to Tilda's way of thinking, which was very closed off and untrusting. I know she had a hard past herself so that played a part in it I also know she was used to the simple, comfortable life she'd created for herself and wary of Milo at first, but he was willing and wanting to be helpful. I liked that side of him.

I was interested in meeting Milo and wondered how things would work out between him and Tilda. I actually liked him more than Tilda. The scenes with Dettel and Milo were so cute and made me miss the cats I have known and loved in my own life.

A Single Act of Kindness was a book to make me think and does tackle issues that aren't seen too often (and not nearly often enough) in books. It's heartbreaking, heartwarming and is a real lesson in life.

I hope this book goes a long way in showing us all how to be kinder. It's full of life lessons actually: be kind, think of others, help those in need and be more observant of the world around you: you never know when someone may need you and how your help could change their life.

Thanks to Samantha Tonge and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

The story of Tilda and Milo who meet when he is down on his luck. Will her single act of kindness change both their lives?. Deals well with some difficult issues.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Single Act Of Kindness' by Samantha Tonge.

Read and reviewed for Samantha Tonge, Boldwood Books, Bold Book Club, Book & Tonic, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication date 23rd April 2024.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'When We Were Friends' which I would also highly recommend!!!

This novel consists of 34 chapters. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

'A Single Act Of Kindness' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Samantha discusses/includes homelessness, assault and addiction.

This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

OMG I absolutely loved this book!! I absolutely adored the unique storyline which is hard to come by when it comes to books as there are so many out there but Samantha has created an absolutely beautiful storyline!!!! In this beautiful book we meet Tilda Wright who is in her late 20's. Tilda runs her own cleaning company and likes to have everything in her work and home life to be organized, tidy in place. Tilda has her daily routines and keeps other people at arms length. That is until she comes across a homeless man called Milo living on the same street as her who is unwell and has been attacked and beaten up by thugs. Tilda has had a difficult life in the past and decides to help Milo by offering him to stay with her for a few nights. Tilda and Milo form a friendship and start to open up to each other about their pasts. Can they help to heal each other? Will they learn to trust again? Grab your copy of this absolute stunner today to find out for yourself!! I can promise you wont regret it!! This absolutely gorgeous book is filled with friendship, heartache, kindness, humour, warmth, tragedy and everything you could ask for in a beautiful story!! I was completely invested in this book from the very first page and was hooked throughout. I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting!! Samantha's stunning evocative writing skills really do bring the locations, emotions and the characters to life!! Samantha does a beautiful job of weaving difficult topics such as homelessness, assault, addiction and more into a beautiful storyline while sensitively discussing difficult topics. This is one of those books that is very easy to read and perfect for any reading situations whether you are laying on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. It is an absolutely ideal read for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and heart warming read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely LOVED the realism of this storyline which made it so easy to picture everything that was going on which had been helped by Samantha's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of her books so I hope she is busy writing her one while I get stuck into her previous books!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. It also really does prove how much difference a single act of kindness can make!! Grab your copy today and fall in love with 'A Single Act Of Kindness' today!!!

Clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready as this is one stunning book that you will NOT be able to put down!!


Well done Samantha on yet another absolutely beautiful book!!! Clear your schedules before picking this up as you'll not be able to put it down!!

The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. It also makes them more realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would. They each had their own unique personalities with positive and negative behaviours. My heart completely went out to both Tilda and Milo who have both had such a rough time in life. I adored 'seeing' their interactions and 'watching' them talk about each other's history and learning from each other. I cannot forget to mention Tilda's adopted cat Dettol (a very apt name lol)!! I am a huge animal lover and actually run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media so any animals mentioned in books are a huge bonus for me, especially cats!! The fact that Samantha cares about her characters absolutely shines through the pages in her descriptions and the way she brings them to life. They very quickly felt more like friends than fictional characters and I was gutted to come to the end where I had to say Goodbye to them. I just loved learning about them as individuals as well as seeing their interactions with each other and seeing their friendships and relationships between each other as well as other characters change and develop throughout. There were just so many amazing characters that I loved getting to know that I could write about them all day but I don't want to bore you so I'll start to wrap it up here. Each of the characters are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group that I wont be forgetting any time soon! A thought provoking and amazing group of unforgettable characters that will stay with me for a very long time!!!

Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely gorgeous page turner! This has got to be one of the most heart-warming books I have ever read 💜!!!

Congratulations Samantha on yet another absolutely stunning read that I just could not put down!!! I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is the exact reason you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue of Samantha's 'When We Were Friends' which I have read myself and would highly recommend!!!

Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with holidays, regrets, memories, forgiveness, friendship and so much more!! A perfectly relaxing, thought provoking and stunning unique read!!!!

293 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this read, it was a heartfelt and emotional story with a diverse set of characters to help drive the story on. This book also had learning moments for readers as it focused on some hard topics such as trauma, addiction, and homelessness. I feel that the overall feel of the book was to leave readers knowing the importance of kindness and was really thought provoking.

Tilda has her life sorted, running her successful cleaning business and living her solitary life in regimented routines. By chance she meets Milo, going through a difficult time has found himself living on the streets. Tilda decides that she is able to help Milo and lets him enter her home for a short time to do so, but by letting Milo in he ends up helping Tilda.

I loved this story. I found Tilda and Milo, despite their flaws, lovable and I instantly warmed to them both. The connection between the two even though Tilda is very reserved and reluctant to let Milo in is clear. They both have an unknowing understanding of each other.

Seeing the two characters develop, especially Tilda was heart-warming and inspiring.

This book is the perfect story in showing how you can turn your life around, once you have the belief and the right people in your corner, anything is possible.

There are some big tough topics throughout this book but they are tackled with sensitivity, and in a way that helps you, especially as a reader who hasn’t dealt with them, understand.

I loved this story and can’t wait to read more by Samantha Tonge.

Never forget that a single act of kindness could not only make someone’s day but it could change their life.

I have read Samantha Tonge’s books before and she’s an author where I’d read anything she had written. I love the warmth of her style and the authenticity of her writing. So I was very excited to read her latest novel – A Single Act of Kindness.
Tilda Wright is in her late twenties and lives in a rundown area of Manchester where she owns a cleaning business. She sticks to a tight routine and a tidy house. She lives alone with her inherited cat Dettol and likes it that way, not wanting to make friends or get to know anyone that might let her down. But then she meets Milo, a thirty-year-old homeless man.
I don’t really want to give away any more of the plot, as there’s a lot of character development, hidden secrets and self-improvement. I love how Tilda and Milo are quite different and unusual main characters for a book. Milo is at a very low point in his life and although Tilda seems as though she’s doing okay, she really isn’t. She has to shut out a lot to get through her days and the reader really wants her to enjoy life and find happiness. It turns out Tilda and Milo have more in common than they expected.
Despite both the main characters being flawed, you really come to know them and love them and want them to find their way to happiness. The novel has a perfect balance of highs and lows and the reader will find themselves going through all emotions as you read the unfolding story. I kept shouting at Tilda’s character, telling her to do something different or make the other decision, because I really cared about her. When you’re that invested, you know it’s a really good book!
It does make you think about a lot of things too – what people get from life and whether it’s enough; what you should (or shouldn’t) do to help your fellow human; whether to trust people; whether by protecting ourselves, we end up doing more damage. Ultimately though, it’s an uplifting, feel-good story and in a world which can seem quite frightening these days, it’s a joy to get lost in a story with so much good at its heart.

Another winning read from Tonge that's worthy of every star bestowed upon it!

I was pulled into the story from the opening pages and immediately took to Tilda. Tilda is the new Eleanor Oliphant, she's eccentric, finds it hard to trust and likes to stick to routine. I found her to be such a likeable and somewhat relatable character. She has a cat too, he's called Dettol and he was a proper little character in his own right wasn't he?

My emotions were put through the wringer, I laughed, I cried and finished the book with a satisfied smile.

A Single Act of Kindness is definitely my favourite by Tonge to date. Its an enjoyable page turner that I would definitely recommend.

A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Meet Tilda Wright… Tilda has done everything she can to make her life neat, protected, tidy. No longer the girl who was scared of everything, whose family pushed her away, who hit rock bottom. Now she runs her life – as she does her successful business – with the utmost organization. As long as she keeps everyone at arm’s length, she will be fine. She will be safe.

But then a chance encounter with a man who’s fallen on hard times changes everything. Milo needs a break, and self-contained Tilda surprises herself by deciding she should help him. Just for a while. A few days at the most.

Maybe all he needs is someone to organize him, to help him clean up his act? She is sure she knows how to kick-start Milo into turning his life around.

My Opinion

Of course the title of this book is a spoiler, but knowing that Tilda was going to do something selfless instantly made me connect with her. However Milo was a character that I struggled with at first - it was very easy to see why Tilda was so cautious around him when we first meet him but he very quickly grew on me.

Samantha Tonge is one of those authors that I will always read - whilst vastly different each book is always enjoyable. For me Tonge writes in such a lovely way that I am instantly hooked on the story. I struggled with the first chapter of this book - there was a lot going on around me so I put the book down. As soon as I was in a quieter environment I restarted the book and I am so glad that I did, I had missed a lot the first time around. This was one of those books that I wanted to read in one sitting but unfortunately I had plans that couldn't be changed.

Rating 4/5

Samantha Tonge - A Single Act Of Kindness.

Oh my goodness! This book is quite a read.

Tilda, it seems, has her life together. She runs a successful business, owns her own home and lives her life to a strict routine. She relies on no one but herself.
Tilda carries a lot of sadness in her heart, bit still manages to show kindness to others.

Milo is living on the streets. With no job and no home, his life seems to be at rock bottom.

Despite her strict rules and rigid self control, something about Milo touches Tilda and against her better judgment, she offers Milo a second chance.

The pair form a tentative friendship and find that they have more in common than either of them could have imagined.

The past is of course never far away. And it doesn't take long before old ghosts come knocking at the door.

Will Milo and Tilda be dragged into the darkness or can they both reconcile with their respective pasts and find a brighter future.

#ASingleActOfKindness is a compelling and tender story.
At times I felt so sad for Tilda and Milo. Life had dealt them both some cruel blows.
I loved how a single act of kindness kicked off a chain of events that were potentially life changing for them both.

Samantha Tonge is an exquisite writer. Her words flow effortlessly and capture the reader with their magic.

This is a book that touched my heart. A book I won’t forget and a book that you truly need to read.

If my heart had a library, A Single Act Of Kindness would have a special place on its shelves.

A beautifully written book, full of love and the power of kindness.
An emotional but glorious read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title.

I have read a number of Samantha Tonge's books now and the most recent ones are often interesting, issues based reads. This time, one of the issues was kind of close to home for me.

Tilda lives a very tidy, very organised life, and not just because she runs a cleaning business. Everything in her life is compartmentalized. She knows exactly what she is going to have for dinner on any given day of the week. Everything in her house has it's very specific place, at least in the public rooms. Her routine is very regimented

It is therefore out of character when she invites a homeless man named Milo to stay at her home, just for a couple of days, to recover from some injuries that he gained when he was mugged whilst living on the streets.

Milo has an unfortunate backstory as to exactly how he is on the streets. He has good job references, but to get a job you need an address so he is in a vicious cycle.

Having someone in her house other than her very distant cat Dettoll is actually very confronting for Tilda. She is very independent. She is estranged from her mother and brother (her mother is a real piece of work), and she doesn't seem to have any real interpersonal relationships. She focusses on her business and her routine, oh and a budding online relationship with a Frenchman named Yves. After being treated very badly by her last boyfriend, Tilda wants to prove that she can be loved. She has set herself a goal and she is determined to meet it. I was a bit worried about this aspect, about whether Tilda could see the red flags or if she is just so determined to meet her goal that she was blind to them.

The longer Milo stays, the more Tilda's routines are challenged, and she doesn't like it, because that routine is what has helped her stay on track over the years. It causes conflict, but it also brings positive change. For example, Milo has some business acumen and he really challenges her to think bigger when it comes to her business. He also challenges her to maybe let down some of the barriers that she has spent so long building, especially when it comes to her estranged brother.

If you are looking for light and fluffy, this is not that book. The way that Tilda feels she needs to protect herself comes from years of trauma, and for some of those years she used the bottle to help with coping, or at least masking the pain. You have to respect her commitment to her coping mechanisms, to knowing what works for her. And whether by changing those routines it might have unintended consequences to her sobriety.

I mentioned that one of these issues was a bit close to home for me. My dad was an alcoholic who managed to stay sober for more than 40 years before he passed last year, and yet he talked about still needing to actively work on making good decisions all that time. He definitely relied on AA to help get him through over those years and didn't like it when he could no longer go to meetings.There are also other family members who struggle with alcohol. I guess you could say that we definitely have addictive traits in our family. Mine relates to food.

Whilst this is a serious book, it still is uplifting. The idea that just one single act of kindness sets in motion a whole series of decisions and choices, and can lead to such fundamental changes for both parties is inspiring

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog. Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour and see what they have to say about this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

It's a contemporary story about two lonely people who are dealing with tragic events in life. Tilda has built up a cleaning company and outwardly lives her life in an ordered and precise way. Milo is living rough and seems to be punishing himself. Their developing relationship reveals their life details, which shows why they are the people they are now. It's about homelessness, addiction and loss and how small acts of kindness can make unforeseen differences. Some clever twists, combined with the characterisation, make this an engaging read. I like the story's believably flawed characters and the emotional richness; Tilda and Milo's developing relationship is beautifully crafted and takes the reader on a resonating journey.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Oh my goodness my heart feels full after reading this really emotional and heartwarming story.
From the first few pages I was absolutely hooked into the story and the characters of Tilda and Milo, and completely intrigued into discovering why they were in the situations that they were.
Both characters had set themselves up to be on their own, both had issues in their past that affected how they behave. It was amazing seeing them come together to support each other and make a huge difference to their lives in the process.
I loved how all throughout the story, small acts of kindness happen and you could see the ginormous difference it makes at the end.
Some traumatic experiences really makes your heart break for them, but the uplifting moments that happen completely heals them too.
Such a well written story with some really unexpected twists, it had me turning the pages avidly.
A beautiful story that highlights the importance of kindness, it was inspiring to read and very thought provoking too. A wonderful book that touched my heart on every page.

A wonderfully touching and emotional story. So there are aspects of alcoholism, bullying, homelessness and parental gaslighting which may make it sound like a depressing read, but actually it is so not. This story is beautifully written & uplifting, written with depth,knowledge, understanding and positivity. I truly believe this is one of Samantha's best books to date and I heartily recommend it. Thank you so much to netgalley for an advanced copy.

I am a huge fan of Samantha and her work and I have been for a few years now. I haven't quite caught up with everything that she has written to date but that is something that I hope to rectify in the not too distant future. I read the synopsis of 'A Single Act Of Kindness' and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Samantha - an emotional but ultimately uplifting and heartwarming story. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Single Act Of Kindness' but more about that in a bit.

The main character is a young lass called Tilda. Tilda lives a very structured life but that is how she likes it. It soon becomes clear that Tilda has been hurt in the past and that is why she has constructed such a big wall around herself and her feelings. We don't find out everything that has happened to her in one go but she gives little clues and when you put the pieces together you get the bigger picture. In a sense I identified with her in that respect as I too have been hurt in the past and I don't find it easy to trust people or let them in so to speak. One day she meets Milo and her life starts to change. I kept everything crossed that she would find happiness and find the 'happy ever after' ending that she so deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.

The fact that I saw Samantha's name on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet, was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I started reading I quickly realised three things - firstly that I was reading something special, secondly that I was going to become addicted to the story and thirdly I was going to find it nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. I was spot on with all three predictions. I picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I should have known better because I was still sat there several chapters and two hours later. I was blown away by the story. Part of the reason why I enjoyed the book so much was that I could certainly identify with Tilda. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'A Single Act Of Kindness' and I had to say goodbye to Tilda, Milo, Dettol and the other characters. I found 'A Single Act Of Kindness' to be a gripping and emotional but ultimately uplifting story.

'A Single Act Of Kindness' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Samantha Tonge. Samantha has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy get along with. In fact reading one of Samantha's books often feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Samantha clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I grew to consider Tilda, Milo and Dettol as being friends rather than characters in a book. I felt as though I was part of the story and at the heart of the action, which is all thanks to Samantha and her vivid and realistic storytelling. It's true that Samantha tackles some difficult and emotional subjects in 'A Single Act Of Kindness' but she treats them with great honesty, compassion and sensitivity. Reading 'A Single Act Of Kindness' certainly took me on an emotional journey but ultimately left me with a smile on my face and left me feeling as though I had had a hug from a mug of hot chocolate - in other words I was left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

In short, I adored reading 'A Single Act Of Kindness' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Samantha's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

A single act of kindness can change lives....

Tilda Wright is a very tidy and organized individual. Which comes in handy when you own your own cleaning company. Everything in her life is planned and there are no surprises. Things were not always this way. Tilda was pushed away by her family, had a less than enjoyable relationship, and has hit rock bottom. She has suffered loss and pain in her life. She has created a way to protect herself, by keeping others at a distance and having a highly organized life.

Milo has fallen on rough times and is sleeping rough on the streets. He had plans and goals for his life, but he too has hit rock bottom. He could use a break.

When they have a chance encounter, things change for them both….

I enjoyed this warm-hearted book which also touches on real issues such as homelessness, estrangement from family, addiction, friendship, trust, being vulnerable, trauma, and starting over. I enjoyed both Tilda, Milo and of course, Tilda's adopted cat Dettel.

I enjoyed how both characters slowly began to open up to each other and how their growing friendships led to both of them making positive changes in their lives. I adored them both, Tilda with her rules, her organization, and her kind nature that she keeps hidden away. Milo has his own issues, but is caring, funny, hardworking, and adept at nudging Tilda into opening up.

I found this book to be adorable, warm, well written, and captivating. If you are looking for a book that leaves you with a smile on your face, look no further! I look forward to reading more books by Samantha Tonge in the future.

From being pushed away by her family
To being the independent business owner that others see
Tilda Wright won't let anyone get close again
Rejection and hurt cause too much pain.

A chance meeting with a homeless man on the street -
Who isn't someone she would normally greet -
She's shocked to see her cat with him there.
He needs a break to get away from despair...

He helps her without expectation of anything in return
Maybe she can help him return to the life for which he yearns?
A few days won't hurt either of them now
An act of kindness could help him somehow?

What an emotive read this proved to be
With a dramatic revelation at the end you'll see.
Helping someone else can help you, too,
Changing the future for the better for both of you!

I really can't recommend this book highly enough
It shares hope when things are looking too tough.
A single act of kindness can have such a positive impact
Not just on the recipient and that's a fact!

For my copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

What an amazing feel good read, just what we need when life starts to get tough, Tilda has her life in order, if she has everything set out planned exactly as it should be. Then she meets Milo, Milo needs some help and Tilda is the woman for the job!

Tilda’s routines are how she keeps her life under control – the same breakfast every day (cereal flakes with fruit, five walnut halves, a small handful of raisins and two tablespoons of probiotic yoghurt on top), the same lunch (the sandwich cut in four triangles, a sliced apple, a pack of low-fat crisps and a glass of iced water), the same seven evening meals on specified days (fish and chips on Fridays…).

While she keeps her demons at bay, she runs a really successful cleaning business: she’s even (rather aptly) called her cat Dettol, but she likes to keep him at arm’s length, and she’s not sure they really like each other. In fact, she’d really prefer to keep the whole world at arm’s length – she’s shut herself off from her family (her mother treated her atrociously, and as for her last boyfriend…), and if she doesn’t let anyone get close there’s no chance of them hurting her.

But Milo gets under her defences – a homeless rough sleeper, he helps her out when there’s a problem with her washing machine. And when he needs her help – he’s attacked on the streets, and injured – she finds herself inviting him in, feeding him (yesterday’s leftover beef stew), and allowing him to sleep on the sofa (but only after she’s moved everything valuable). He’s hurt more badly than it looked, and he ends up staying rather longer – but she can put some work his way too, and she rather enjoys his company.

And although Tilda keeps some parts of her life (like her “special project”…) secret, it turns out that they have far more in common than it first appears – they share the same demons, although they choose to manage them differently. In fact, it turns out they rather need each other – the cat approves too – until he tries to bring about some well-meant changes in her life. But, as they grow closer, Tilda becomes more willing to consider alternative options – including a possible reconciliation with her famous footballer brother, helped along by his precocious (and entirely delightful) daughter Riley. But it really was the relationship between Tilda and Milo that entirely won my heart – both of them damaged, both slowly revealing their deeply hidden secrets and finding, in each other, their own paths to healing.

This is a book that deals with some pretty heavy issues – with a few real edge-of-the-seat moments, and not for the usual reasons – but balances them with a warmth, lightness, and humour that was totally enchanting. It’s a book that made me sob at times, sometimes in frustration – but there were so many other times when I found myself laughing out loud. It’s powerful and emotional, really broke my heart before slowly putting it together again, is filled with love, and I adored every single moment – and I really don’t think the author has ever written better. Without question, this will be one of my books of the year – quite wonderful!