THE GIFT OF FRIENDS by Emma Hannigan | Blog Tour Review |#TheGiftofFriends

Published by Headline Review
Ebook, Audio & Paperback (30 May 2019)
464 pages
Source: Copy provided by publisher for review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kingfisher Road – a leafy, peaceful street in the town of Vayhill. But there are whispers behind closed doors. Who is moving into Number 10?

Engaged to handsome, wealthy Justin Johnston, Danielle appears to her new neighbours to have the perfect, glossy life. But not everything is as it seems…

In fact, each of the other four women who live close by has a secret, and each is nursing their own private heartache.

But could a gift be waiting on their doorsteps? And, by opening their front doors, and their hearts, to each other, could the women of Kingfisher Road discover all the help they need?

This thirteenth and final novel from the beloved and inspiring Emma Hannigan is a life-affirming, uplifting story that celebrates the strength and joys of female friendship.

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the tour invite and to the publisher for providing a review copy. My apologies again to all for missing my tour stop. Since my blog changeover last week I have been playing catch up!

Despite buying a few of her previous books, this is my first read of a book by the late Emma Hannigan and what a lovely story it is too.  Sadly there will be no more but she has left a legacy of a back catalogue of stories to enjoy.

The Gift of Friends centres around Kingfisher Road.  A very select address and much sought after.  Most of the neighbours here all know each other very well and when someone new is spotted moving in, there is much interest and speculation about what they will be like, will they fit in etc.

The newcomers, Danielle and Justin, a young couple, have no idea how much they will become part of this small community.

What I so loved about this book is the myriad of different characters; all with their different personalities but so believable too.  And they are not just nosy neighbours – they all have a story of their own to tell, some have particularly distressing or difficult issues to deal with and for various reasons have been harbouring secrets of their own. Whatever their problem, the residents of Kingfisher Road only have to reach out to their neighbours for help and support, if only they could summon the courage to ask.

I became thoroughly engrossed in the lives of Nancy, Betsy, Maia, Pearl and Danielle.  There were some particularly nasty characters who I was desperately keen to see taken down.  One thing is for sure, the residents of Kingfisher Road look after their own – upset one and you upset them all!

As well as the more serious issues covered here, there is much laughter and humour.  It might sound a bit claustrophobic, living somewhere where everyone watches your comings and goings and wants to know everything but on the other side it fosters a fabulous sense of community, something which is sadly lacking I think.  I’ve lived in my house for 7 years and can count the neighbours I know to speak to on one hand.

The Gift of Friends is a gorgeous cuddle of a book, it’s ultimately a story about friendship and this warm and uplifting tale will leave you turning the last page with a satisfied smile.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Hannigan was the No. 1 bestselling author of eleven novels including Letters to Daughters, The Wedding Promise, The Perfect Gift, and The Summer Guest, as well as a memoir, All to Live For, which was about surviving an eleven year battle with cancer – facing cancer 10 separate times over the course of those years – and remaining strong, positive and warm. Very sadly, we have now lost Emma in the fight against cancer – she passed away at the end of February 2018.

The Gift of Friends went straight to number one on the bestseller lists in Ireland and has remained there ever since.

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