Reviews

Audiobook Version of Forever Home by Graham Norton 3.5 Stars (Almost 4!)

How did I not know Graham was an established author? I adore him feel ridiculous that I didn't know he had so many published books. When I saw this pop up in NetGalley as an auto approved audiobook, I thought it looked really interesting, had no idea that it was written by "My Graham Norton"! As I started the audiobook, I thought, "this sounds like Graham Norton...wait a minute". Hence the moment the lightbulb went on a revelation was born.

This book feels like it fits into so many genres. Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller. It has a bit of every flavor. We meet Carol, a school teacher who is divorced, her son is grown and gone and she is looking at what love looks like a second time around. However; Declan, the man she falls for isn't what other people would call conventional and they are the topic of all the town gossip. They don't care and build a beautiful life together and make a home together. Of course, it can't just be that simple. Declan's family becomes it's own main character and they throw a wedge in between the two as Declan's health is in decline. This is where the drama, secrets and tension start to unravel.

Overall, I thought this was a great reading experience. I would rate this a solid 3.5 stars. The only reason this isn't a 4 star read for me... the pacing. It felt really slow in the beginning. Especially as the character backstories are being built, felt clunky and long winded. The characters are so great thought and the plot is so great that you quickly get over it. I really enjoyed the audiobook version because Graham himself narrates the book, that was a treat. Plus the ending is so fun as we learn all about Declan's past and how Carol moves forward... or does she?

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.