A Song Of Me And You by Mike Gayle

 

Middle-aged Mum Helen is struggling to come to terms with her recent separation when there is an unexpected knock at the door. Stood on her doorstep is her boyfriend from over twenty years ago. The ex-boyfriend just happens to be the lead singer of one of the worlds biggest bands and he's run away from everything.

Mike Gayle has written a wonderful story in A Song Of Me And You. I've been a fan of the author since his first novel, My Legendary Girlfriend, and I reckon this is his best yet.

This is a story full of character, with people who come across as genuine. I was fully invested in the story, wondering how things would develop and willing the old romance to be rekindled. 

Helen is still reeling from the fact that her husband of over twenty years has left her. Helen has lost her way in life. She has always seen herself as a wife and mother, but with the separation and her eldest child about to leave home for university she feels a lack of purpose, of identity. This will really resonate with lots of women.

The ex-boyfriend, Ben, turns up in Helen's life at just the right time. Having left home, and Helen, at the age of 18, Ben and his band have become one of the greatest rock acts in the world. A music career spanning 20 years shows no sign of waning. The constant cycle of producing new music and touring has taken it's toll and Ben wants to give it all up and disappear so he can live a quiet life, however Ben's manager has other ideas.

Initially Ben sees Helen's home as somewhere to hide. Helen has always kept her relationship with Ben private so almost no-one would think of her home as a possible place he is hiding at. As they share memories their romance is rekindled. By this point I was wishing and praying that everything in the univesre would magically align and allow the couple a lifetime of happiness and contentment.

And that is where this review is going to stop. To say anything more would be a huge spoiler, I really don't want to give anything away to the reader. I had guesses about what was going to happen, and some wishful thinking, but I was very wrong. Mike Gayle has written a story that brings out every emotion possible, I really didn't want this fabulous book to end.

A Song Of Me And You by Mike Gayle will be published on the 6th July 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy.