34460802A story about family, love and finding magic in everyday life, Days of Wonder is the most moving novel you’ll read all year.

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.

But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah’s diagnosis with a heart condition that will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen, that time is coming.

Hannah’s heart is literally broken – and she can’t bear the idea of her dad’s breaking too. So she resolves to find a partner for Tom, someone else to love, to fill the space beside him.

While all the time Tom plans a final day of magic that might just save them both.

My Review

What an absolutely fabulous book this was! You know when you can tell from the very first pages it’s going to be a great book? It was like that! So let me tell you more about what I loved about this fabulous book:

I loved both Tom and Hannah, although I definitely had more of a soft spot for Tom, maybe even a slight book crush. They felt so real and I felt like I was actually part of their lives, not just a fly on the wall.

I loved the way Hannah and Tom told their stories through alternating chapters, revealing their close father/daughter relationship.

I loved all the theatre, fairy tale, and comic book analogies, it made me want to read fairy tales again and try comic books. Any recommendations of where to start?

I loved everyone in the drama group, they made me want to join in, especially the trip to the drama festival with the cheap cider and acrobatic insect troupe!

I loved Tom’s dating adventures and really loved the sound of that adult music lesson. Where can I find one of those near me?

I loved the character development of both Hannah growing up, and Tom learning to let go.

I loved the comic book shop even though I’m not a comic book fan, but I wanted to hang out there with Hannah.

I loved how it made me smile, laugh out loud and nearly cry. It had such a sense of hope and wonder all the way through, making me think about my own life and how I might treasure and enjoy everything and everyone around me more.

I loved that I’ve found a new favourite author in Keith Stuart.

I could tell you about so many other moments that I loved, but that would ruin the story for you. It’s one of my favourite books this year and I will definitely be getting myself a paper copy so I can re-read it. I’m going to be recommending this to friends, family and, given the chance complete strangers!

Thanks so much to Clara Diaz at Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my digital ARC.

Days of Wonder by Keith Stuart will be published on 7th June 2018

Pre-order links: Hive – Wordery – Waterstones – Amazon

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