The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle

Ever since The Incident, James DeWitt has stayed on the safe side.

He likes to know what happens next.

Danny Allen is not on the safe side. He is more past the point of no return.

The past is about to catch up with both of them in a way that which will change their lives forever, unexpectedly.

But redemption can come in the most unlikely ways.

I have read many of Mike Gayle’s novels but having just finished reading his latest release The Man I Think I Know it is easy for me to say that this book is by far his best book yet and will be a book that everyone will be talking about.

The storyline is told by James and Danny who both used to go to the same school but were more in competition with each other than friends. Being at such a thought after school the lads were destined for big things but for them both life has thrown life changing events their way which has changed their paths.

After an accident leaves James with a brain injury he has lived back home with his parents but when they are surprised with a break away there is no one to look after him so he has to go to a respite home. The last person he expects to see working there is Danny Allen from school.

This was such an addictive read that I was desperate to get back to at every available chance. Both Danny and James were so well developed that it soon felt like I was hearing from friends and I was rooting for them the whole way through.

The friendship that quickly forms between James and Danny felt so honest with James beginning to get some kind of independent life and confidence back with the help and support of Danny and little does he realise at the time how much James is helping him in return too.

Mike Gayle writes James character perfectly and delicately giving us an insight into someone living with ABI, the effects it has on their friends and family as well as on the sufferer’s day to day life. The feeling of wanting others to know that although they have changed in some aspects in others they are still very much the person they were before quite capable of cracking a joke. This book will bring great awareness to ABI in a wonderful way with humour and emotion that will touch each readers heart and stay in their mind for a long time yet.

The storyline really gets you thinking that life is too short and you never know what is around the corner so you have to grab life with both hands and make the most of every day. I urge you all to read this book and I can guarantee you will full in love with both James and Danny.

Kindle                     Hardback

Wish You Were Here by Mike Gayle

Their holiday brochure said 18-30 . . . But they've just turned 35. After ten years together Charlie Mansell has been dumped by his live-in girlfriend, Sarah. All he wants to do is wallow in misery, but mates Andy and Tom have a better idea: a week of sun, sea and souvlaki in Malia, party capital of the Greek islands. But Charlie and his mates aren't eighteen any more. Or even under thirty. And it shows. It isn't the cheap beer, the late nights or even the fast-food that's the problem. It's girls. And life. And most of all . . . each other.

I have been waiting for my holiday to come around as I have been saving this book as it sounded like the perfect beach read.

Poor Charlie is heart broken but his best mate Andy is determined to give him the best time of his life to get over his ex by booking an 18-30's lads holiday to Malia. Charlie is less than thrilled by this unexpected holiday especially because he is way out of the clubbing age range and also it is the same place he met his ex! But maybe some time away with his friends is what he needs.

I totally loved this book. The majority of my friends are male so I have always enjoyed male humour and it is great to see a light read told from a male author and main character. With all chick lit books I read I am used to the different ways the girls deal with heartbreak so it was a nice change to see how a guy copes in the same situation and also to see what his friends think is the ultimate cure!

This was by far my favourite Mike Gayle book, the storyline was realistic and light with a down to earth humour so this was perfect holiday reading for me especially because of the setting of the book although my honeymoon sounded a hell of a lot calmer than the lads holiday! The chapters are short too which I always love for a beach read so you can easily pick up and put down.

There are three main characters Charlie, Andy and Tom they are all friends but each have extremely different personalities but I liked this as they all brought something different to the storyline.

If you want a little change from chicklit but still want a light read that will have you chuckling away then give this one a try. Thank you to my friend Kayla for sending me this book.

Turning Thirty by Mike Gayle

Matt is actually looking forward to turning thirty. His career, finances and love life are finally sorted. No more dodgy flats. No more overdrawn bank balances. And no more searching for the perfect woman. But on his thirtieth birthday his girlfriend makes a shocking confession. Unable to cope Matt moves back to his Mum and Dad's in Birmingham. Only his school mates can keep him sane. But can things ever be the same again? Because when you're turning thirty nothing's as simple as it used to be.

I have had Turning Thirty on my To Be Read pile for a while now, I had been putting off reading it because the reviewers I follow had said that they didn’t enjoy it and because I have similar taste to them I didn’t think I would enjoy it. But I couldn’t decide what book to read next so my partner picked this one out randomly for me so I sat down to give it a try only to then finish it in one night! It made a nice change for me not only to read a book by a male author but also for the main character to be male too.

Matt as the title suggests is turning thirty but Matt’s life, or more to the point, Matt’s love life is not what he thought it would be by the time he reached the grand old age of 30! After a break up with his recent girlfriend Matt decides to spend 3 months leading up to his birthday back at home in the UK and he plans to visit his old school friends to see how things have worked out for them.

This was a relatively quick read that was a light read that wasn’t challenging, easily one you could read on a commute to work as it is easy to pick up and put down without losing pace. The author has taken a subject that many of us can all relate to, the dreaded 3 oh count down! I am currently on the run up to my 30 so I could definitely relate to this character and it does make you question what you thought you would be doing or what you would have thought you would have achieved by the time you reach your thirtieth and I think because I could relate to it so much was why I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a depressing though for many and although Matt seemed rather depressed about it the author manages to show this but bring a lighter tone to the storyline with his wit.

I loved that I was proved wrong whilst reading this book, as the one thing that kept coming to my mind was how predictable the book was but actually what I thought was so predictably going to happen wasn’t actually the outcome so congratulations to Mike Gayle for pulling the wool over my eyes!

Although this wasn’t a mind blowing book that will stay in my mind for a long time it was still a very entertaining read and I would definitely recommend this book and it has left me wanting to try more books by this author.

Paperback                  Kindle

The Stag and Hen Weekend by Mike Gayle

Author: Mike Gayle
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Pages: 401

Plot
The Stag and Hen Weekend is the story of Phil and Helen, a couple in their thirties about to commit their lives to one another . . . that is of course if they can just manage to get through their respective stag and hen weekends (his: Amsterdam; hers: a country house and day spa in the Peak District) without falling apart. Told in the unique form of two separate stories that have common characters as well as themes and conclusion, The Stag and Hen Weekend can be read from front to back or from back to front putting the reader in the driver's seat as to which story they wish to read first. Feisty, fun and thought provoking.

My Opinion
This is the first book I have read by Mike Gayle and also it is the first romance book I have read by a male author. I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons firstly to see if a romance book by a male author compares to female authors and also to see how well the book comes together in this unique structure with it being two books in one as I have only ever read a handful of books which are set out in this way and I have to say I have never liked the books set out this way as there is usually a lot of repetition.

This was a fresh new storyline for me as I have not read a book featuring both a hen and stag weekend. I enjoyed the storyline and the humorous touches that are added her and there throughout the book. Because of the layout of the book both of our main characters are very well developed because we get to see both of the characters thoughts and feelings first hand.

I have to say if I didn’t already know this book was written by a male author I wouldn’t know any different in my opinion Mike Gayle’s style of writing is similar to the likes of Paige Toon who is another favourite author of mine. Gayle manages to create the element of suspense as I couldn’t predict what the outcome was going to be right up to the last chapter.

You can read the book either way around but I decided to start with the Stag week end and I am glad I did and I would recommend you to start this way around. I didn't find with this book that there was any repetition once you switch over to the  next book which I was glad about!

I will definitely be looking out for more books by Mike Gayle.