I am very sad to say I did not finish this book. It was not because the book lacked, in any way. It was just not my cup of tea, it got very clicheic. I would recommend this if you've just started reading ( because the story is actually nice and heartwarming ) or if you are looking for a very warm, hopeful story :)

Having read, and loved, If Ever I Fall by S.D. Robertson back in February 2018, I was very much looking forward to reading How to Save a Life. I have not been disappointed. This author certainly knows how to write an emotional story.
In this book we meet Luke, who initially comes across as a grumpy character who doesn’t really have the time of day for anyone. You would think this would make it easy to dislike him, but somehow even from the start I was drawn to him. At 39 years old, living alone with his cat, Alfred (LOVE that name for a cat by-the-way!) and singlehandedly running a traditional barber shop I had a feeling he would have a history that wasn’t entirely a happy one. I wasn’t wrong.
When Luke survives a devastating accident, which claims the life of a stranger, he starts to re-evaluate his life and makes a promise to himself, and the poor young lady who lost her life, to be less negative.
Things go well for a while. He even starts to get along with the elderly ladies who have been his neighbours for years and finds he quite likes their company and being helpful to them where he can. He makes amends with his cousin who he has always been close to before a big falling out.
He takes the plunge and starts a new venture in an effort to give something back to his community but, as often is the case, one person ruins it for all and almost undoes all of his hard work to change his outlook on life. My heart really did go out to him.
I found this a very emotional yet uplifting read with a strong message of hope. It is also quite amusing at times. A captivating tale, beautifully written. I highly recommend!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley.

Luke Craven is a bit of a misery guts who has let life pass him by after the sudden death of his parents and getting divorced from his wife but one freak accident changes everything for him. After a storm leaves Luke's life in danger and a stranger (who saved him) dead he resolves to turn his life around and start to see the brighter side of life.

I loved that Luke was so real and relateable. I could just picture him and his little barber shop in my head and I was rooting for him to finally start enjoying life and to see all the goodness he actually did have in his life.

Luke's resolution to help the homeless opens Luke up to being vulnerable and this is no more true when halfway through the book we are truly shocked to the core when he finds himself victimised just for helping others. I found this part completely heartbreaking.

This was a nice and easy read that I could just settle into and lose myself for a while. It was a true page turner with a nice story that should remind us all to live life to its fullest especially during these crazy times.

Bravo! 10/10. I cannot wait to read more.

A really enjoyable story looking at the subject of mental health in a way that feels balanced and insightful. You come away with sense a hope and being uplifted.

A book that looks at the idea of how we see things and how positivity can make such a big difference in all of our lives.

i was given this ARC from netgalley and publisher for an honest review and opinion

great read! this is about an older man that had lived his life alone and happy about being alone. until one day he is in an accident and he survives but the woman does not. what is he going to do? instead of being a lonely old grumpy man....he is going to change his ways.
great book and read

I knew I was going to like this book, as soon as I started reading it. I loved the main character, it’s a very heart-warming book. One to recommend as a pick me up too.

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

Another great read by S.D Robertson.

How To Save a Life tells the story of Luke and Iris. After a chance meeting, an accident occurs that causes Luke to look at his life and get some perspective.

With the help of his cousin Meg, and dreams of Iris, Luke builds up a network of friends, all willing to help and support him in his venture to assist the homeless.

A genuinely good, heartwarming read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book I didn't want to end. We are going through a massive heat wave where I live and it was nice to have an escape for a couple of days! Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC..

Luke is a true pessimist. His glass is always half empty, never half full. After losing his parents, swiftly followed by his wife, Luke lives quite a solitary existence, with only his cat, Alfred for company. A freak accident during a storm proves a life changing experience for Luke, and the story that follows is heartwarming and quite lovely. Yes, at some points it's really, really cheesy, but that fits well with the story.

How to Save a Life is a wonderful story that I highly recommend. The story is beautiful and this author, who is new t me, does great job crafting this great story. Do yourself a big favor today and buy this book. You will be hooked from page 1 and a S.D. Robertson fan for life.

If you’re feeling a little glass half empty at the moment, this tale of near-death, charity and optimism will help you find your inner Mr Blue Sky. Gorgeous.

Since the breakdown of his marriage and his parent's tragic death, Luke has been alone, miserable and unsociable. A near death experience changes this, and he starts to rebuild his life. Well written and enthralling, a totally different story line.

I’d never heard of the author before but I loved the blurb for the book so had no real expectations. I’ve lost count of the number of times this beautiful, life-affirming novel reduced me to tears, in sad and happy ways. This reminds me of the book of Keith Stuart (A Boy Made of Blocks and Wonder). I love both of these books and it was a real treat to read something along a similar vein. I got so caught up in the book, so lost in Luke’s life I didn’t want the book to end. The author has written other books which I need to read. I’ll be in for a treat if How to Save a Life is anything to go by. This is the kind of book that touches you, deeply, even changes something in you. Utterly brilliant.

Loved this book, a brilliant read that just totally captures your heart and mind. A well worth read.

Something really bad happens at the beginning of the story which changes Luke Craven's life forever, and in a way that's no bad thing as Luke has sort of lost his way and it takes a really tragic set of circumstances to jolt him out of his, let's be honest, rather miserable life.

What then follows is a thought provoking read which has all the trademark characteristics which are so evident in this author's writing. We are skilfully maneuvered through the aftermath of loss and grief and taken on a life-affirming journey which will see Luke challenge himself in many different ways. Over the course of the story, I enjoyed watching how Luke's character went through a metamorphosis which, in a way, reiterated the thought, particularly in these challenging times, that we never really know what's around the corner and should appreciate more what blessings we have.

I must admit that it took me a while to warm to Luke's character he seemed such a cup half empty kind of guy however, by the end of the story I was cheering him on and hoped everything would work out for him. I thought that it was also interesting to have a male protagonist and written from a male perspective by a male author gave the story a different dynamic, which I enjoyed.

How to Save a Life is an interesting story about being kind to oneself and others.

I enjoyed this book, but found it a little hard going. It’s taken me weeks to read it. Yes, I dipped in and out, but I find a book that really grabs me, I don’t put down til I’ve finished it. It’s a lovely concept, perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood frame of mind to read it. It wouldn’t put me off reading another from the same author at all.

We meet Luke, and he’s one of life’s glass-half-empty people. He’s grumpy, pessimistic and as he even says himself, curmudgeonly, in spite of being relatively young.

But there’s more to Luke than meets the eye. He’s so lovely and sweet to his cat, Alfred, which made me realise that he actually has a heart of gold, and as the book goes on, we find out more about him, and what he’s been through to make him like this. I genuinely couldn’t help being fond of him right from the start, and even more so as the story progresses.

When Luke goes through a near-death experience, his whole attitude changes, and it’s lovely to be witness to his transformation. It’s not always easy, but it’s so heart-warming and life-affirming to see.

There’s some sad, and some very real, moments in this book, and it’s very thought-provoking, but there’s also great wit and humour.

I enjoyed every page of this uplifting and beautifully written book. The characters have such depth and I think this is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Even grumpy pessimists get second chances. Luke's story is so well written, joy to read from the beginning to the end.

Great characters and knowing that hope never dies.

Thanks to publisher Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

If you're looking for a feel-good story about a "glass-half empty" kind of guy, this is the book for you. Luke starts out as a man with a negative attitude, someone who is selfish and frequently feels sorry for himself. After a nearly fatal accident, he begins to make changes in his life, how he treats others, and opens his heart as he learns about hope and second chances. This was a comforting, heartwarming novel for these times.

A different type of reading for me, but I loved it. Eat read following Luke turning his life around. Thoroughly enjoyed and will be looking to read more by this author.