Maybe Tomorrow by Penny Parkes

 

Jamie Matson had once enjoyed a wonderful life working alongside her best friend, organising adventures for single-parent families, and her son Bo’s artistic flair a source of pride rather than concern.

She hadn’t been prepared to lose her business, her home and her friend. Not all in one dreadful year.

Jamie certainly hadn’t expected to find such hope and camaraderie in the queue at her local food bank. Thrown together with an unlikely and colourful group of people, their friendships flourish and, finding it easier to be objective about each other than about themselves, they decide that – when you’re all out of options – it’s okay to bend the rules a little and create your own.

Maybe Tomorrow is the latest novel by Penny Parkes and it is one that the author should be proud of as it tackles the current financial crisis that many of us are finding crippling since covid and the cost of living crisis reared its ugly head.

Jaime is barely keeping her head above water, after losing her business and a dear friend which also lead to the loss of her home she finds herself in a poorly paid job stacking shelves and renting a less than adequate flat for her and her son Bo which is ridden with mould which triggers poor Bo’s breathing issues.

With not a penny to rub together they rely on the local food bank. One morning rather than getting their early so as not to be seen they arrive in the hustle of it all but this is where their life line comes in the shape of a community and friendship that understand the situation and struggles they face.

Let me start by saying that this is by far Penny Parkes best book by far, it is real, honest and insightful and gets to the heart of so many issues that far too many people all around us are finding ourselves in. Penny Parkes has such a wonderful way of showing the devastating lows that so many are struggling with from losing jobs, homes but also the loss of self belief and confidence too but she manages to do all this without the book feeling really depressing because she uses the support and friendship to lighten the tone and show that there really is light at the end of the tunnel but you need help and support along the way.

I also loved how despite Jaime’s on struggles and worries she still found it in herself to want to help others to succeed and to better themselves which just shows what a big heart this character has. Her son Bo is a breath of fresh air to this storyline and although he has his own battles in life he was a joy to watch as he began to relax and be himself as he found his tribe.

This is a poignant and insightful read that many will relate to in some way and hopefully will bring awareness and hope to its readers.

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