Be prepared for tears and laughter as you read this heartfelt story. I enjoyed the beautiful manner in which this book explores grief and coping from a loss.
Trying to navigate life's many unwritten rules is difficult for Nick. His son leaves for university soon after the loss of his wife. There is no rulebook for how to move on with life, but Nick tentatively feels his way though the process. He begins to spend time with a lovely co-worker but he suffers harsh judgement from his son and sister-in-law over this action. Woven throughout this story are flashes back to a special summer from Nick's childhood where he learned lessons that stick with him. As the story progresses Nick gives himself permission to live his life the best he can. I felt so many emotions reading this story, one moment I was in tears over an emotional exchange and the next I was laughing at the banter between Nick and his mates.

Amanda keeps surprising me with her books as they are completely different to each other and I loved this one, it's a bittersweet story of loss and misunderstanding that happens when someone you thought the world of is no longer there and I could empathise with Olly as he tries to to deal with losing his mum and starting college, the idea of everything changing for him can be overwhelming. I would definitely recommend reading this and I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

This book starts with the death from cancer of Nick's wife Kerry. Nick is left as sole parent to Olly who is just about to set out in to the big wide world and go to university. Yes it's sad but there are also laugh aloud moments. Two men shopping for supplies in Ikea was always going to end in disaster. Then there's the first Christmas and an incident with the dog and the turkey. This author keeps it real and tells it like it is.
Kerry always had the light in the hallway lit as a welcome beacon but now that light's gone out and the house is a lonely place.
Nick has great support from his childhood friends Eric and Alex and we see their relationships developing from the age of just 10 years old in a story that runs alongside the main story. Friends through thick and thin.
Nick struggles to move forward but with the support of friends and family and messages from above from his deceased wife he manages to move his life forward and become himself again and realise that there is a future.
This author goes from strength to strength and never fails to pull at the old heartstrings .

The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse. Well, Amanda is in top gear in this one. The very best of her. I laughed, pushed back quite a few tears and learnt a lot- all elements I have come to anticipate from her books. I wanted to shake Oliver but she took me right to his grieving heart. I just loved every bit of this story.
I hope this isn’t a spoiler....So many times I’ve been disappointed and angry at widowers jumping far too quickly (in my opinion) into new relationships. Amanda’s insight and handling of the topic gently reminded me again of the process of loss and grieving and that it doesn’t always begin at the point of death. Dora’s grace versus Di’s angry judgement..... I’ll try to remember that. Amazing Amanda! And yes, so much potential for what happens next or (as someone has suggested) Eric’s story. Loved loved loved it!

Amanda Prowse tugs at the heartstrings every time and this book is just as emotional. Kerry and Nick were childhood sweethearts who had Oli when they were very young. Right at the beginning we know that Kerry is not far from passing away, and this is the story of Nick and Oli’s journey from that moment. The chapters alternate between the present and the story of the Brilliant Summer when Nick was just a young boy. This was the most wonderful emotional story of moving on.

I couldn't stop reading Amanda Prowse newest book #LightInTheHallway I got it from #Netgalley on Wednesday afternoon and I finished it this morning (Fri). It is another brilliant book from Amanda. I cried a lot. I loved the back story of the absolutely best summer and the bond of childhood friends that shape us just has much as Nick and Olly's story. I would love if another book for Eric as part of a series to give his view point of that summer and then the following years.

I enjoyed this latest from Amanda prowse but it wasn't one of her best. This is the first of her novels that hasn't !ad e me cry, never the less still a lovely story and definitely worth a read

Yet another best-seller, me thinks!

Amanda Prowse has fast become one of my favourite authors, with her way of weaving a story, so relatable and believable that you could be living it yourself, or you may even imagine knowing someone in the same situation.

The Light In The Hallway is no different.

We are taken on a journey with Nick, a grieving widower and father, who is still young enough to be in his prime, yet old enough to 'really know better'. At home, alone, having dropped his son to University, he begins to wonder how his life will pan out. How is he to greave? How long for? And with a sister-in-law hell-bent on making sure he abides by the rules society have set, regarding being a widower, and a son who is finding it hard to accept his mother's death, it's not easy.

Alongside Nick's story, runs a parallel tale from nearly thirty years before, involving Nick and his two best friends, Eric and Alex. Three young boys, at the beginning of their summer holiday, given a challenge by Nick's dad to build a bike. And they do. They complete that challenge, and experience a whole host of ups and downs along with it, proclaiming it the best summer.

The friendship provides Nick with a lot of support while he comes to terms with losing his childhood sweetheart and wife, Kerry.

This was a bittersweet tale about loss, and expectations, coupled with hope, and a definite recommended read from me! Mrs Amanda Prowse, I am guessing there will be many calls for a follow-up. We will all want to know what happens to Eric!

May thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful heartfelt story of how a husband comes to terms with the loss of his wife, dealing with his son going off to University and living on his own for the very first time.

Nick is a gem of a character and my heart went out to him. Olly, his son, is a true teenager and Amanda was spot on in her telling of his angst and grief at losing his mum, mixed in with the excitement of spreading his wings but at the same time worrying about leaving his dad on his own.

Running alongside the grown-up Nick, is the tale of him as a young lad. Amanda really brought to life the Summer of 1992. The inspiration of Nick’s dad finding half a bike for him and his pals to rebuild is superb in its telling and how the ramifications of that Summer shape the boys’ adult lives is not only thought provoking but integral to the story. The early part of Nick’s life left an indelible mark on me and I was in turn, smiling, laughing and reaching for my tissues.

Amanda’s insight into relationships, especially between fathers and sons shone through every page. The connection between Nick and Olly is put to the test when their lives change and move on in different ways. The author deals with both their feelings in a sympathetic but very honest way and it left me wanting to put my arms around them both and hug them to bits.

Absolutely outstanding.

Well Amanda has done it again!! Another brilliant book just like all her others but this one is told from a male perspective rather than her usual female perspective. It gripped me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. It was a touch sad dealing with grief but flashbacks to happier times made me smile. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I highly recommend this book and all her other books.

Well I don't kniw where to start, what a truly fantastic read, loved it from beginning to end, the charecters the story, just everything, this is vintage Amanda, I'm gutted I've finished it and wish I could give it more then five stars

"Being adult is hard."
A beautiful, heartfelt, realistic story of love, loss, hurt and reconciliation.
Kerry may be gone, but she is still very much present and in the hearts of her family.
Leaving earth way too soon, her husband Nick tells this story of their perfect and not-perfect lives with laugh out loud moments mixed with sad times.
Their son, Oliver is eighteen and on his way to university.
It is really difficult to not have your Mum as you pack up and go off to your first year away from home.
Even the "reading list" can be overwhelming!
The novel brilliantly goes from present time to past days when Nick was growing up with his best friends and the life lessons learned. What would we do without our friends?

This book is terrific! I loved it! A quick read with characters you will not forget!

I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse so was really excited to read this book.

It totally took me by surprise as her other books are all written from the female perspective and this is from the male. It took me a little while to settle into this new direction but I throroughly enjoyed it.

The book starts with the ultimate emotional kick in the stomach of Nick’s wife dying. The story the. continues with Nick learning to live his life without her and also helping his son with the loss of his mother. This is a real rollercoaster of emotion even delving into Nick’s childhood and his friendships which adds a lot of humour and nostalgia but with depths of emotion you are not expecting.

All in although a different direction than her normal books this is up there with the best.

I have loved Amanda’s books since reading Poppy Day many years ago so was looking forward to this read!
The light in the hallway is a beautifully written down to earth book that explores loss and grief in a sensitive, tender, realistic manner that is easy to relate to and very believable. I found it very poignant as my cousin has just lost her battle with breast cancer so found it very relatable and realistic.
This book shows the capacity we have as individuals to cope with devastating circumstances and how we come out the other side as changed characters, this is beautifully illustrated via the characters particularly nick and his son Ollie who lost Kerry ( wife and mother) but also other family members and friends who were also affected.
Thank you net galley for this emotional, believable read.

Brilliant heart warming story dealing with loss,grief and relationships after loss.Makes you laugh and cry at some parts,areal emotional rollercoaster,.
The book looks at Nick happy childhood,with his friends and how he is at present coping with the loss of his wife,and his son going to university and trying to find his own way.
A must read book.

A study in raw grief soothed by family and friends, not forgetting Treacle, the dog

Nick has recently lost his wife, Kerry. He lives in a small northern town where everyone knows everyone else and most people work for the local factory. His marriage was loving but flawed after his wife nearly ruined them with her impulse buys and an affair. Their son, Oliver is about to go to university. Nick had wanted to go to uni himself but got his girlfriend pregnant so married her. Sometimes he regretted it, mostly not.

A strong storyline, interspersed with flashbacks to happier times, with Nick as an innocent lad larking about with his friends. Another gem from Amanda Prowse.

Another 5 star read from Amanda Prowse. You can always relate to her stories as they are based on events that could happen to any of us. This story is different as it’s told from a male perspective. It started off sad, but ended on a happy note. Highly recommend

Well, I've only got one thing to say at the moment and that's "SHIT STICKS"!!!!!! I will have a think for a proper review Mandy, but golly, that story was fabulous! The right amount of everything in there; grief, sadness, bewilderment, anger, wonder, enlightenment, empowerment, love, life! Actually, I might just stick with this as a review!

Another great read from Amanda Prowse a story of love, loss,friendship and so much more Father and son Nick and Oliver are in turmoil after losing Kerry a loving wife and mother Everyone deals with grief differently and try to do the best they can to move on with their lives and sometimes form new relationships The bond they share is at the heart of the story and they both face much heartache before finally finding happiness again Loved the way the story is told In the present day but also goes back to when Nick was young and had a happy childhood and two special friends who are still very much part of his life The three amigoes who learned so much from his parents that the memories stay with them forever As Oliver settles into life at university Nicks life also takes a new direction it's hard for them both but eventually they both find the happiness they deserve a beautiful story with lots of lovely little memories woven into the story that tugs at your heartstrings and your emotions The Bairstow boys love them and love this book

As always Amanda writes about a difficult subject with sensitivity, despite making me feel very emotional at times it was also uplifting. Nick and his son trying to come to terms with the loss of wife/mother while Olly is moving to a new part of his life at Uni.
Nick's story is seen through his past and present through tears and laughter.