19th
Jun
Jun
Today I’m excited to participate in the Blog Tour of ‘All
Together Now’ by Gill Hornby. ‘All Together Now’ is a Fiction novel that was published on June
2nd, 2016.
About the Book:
A hilarious and heart-warming new novel about a
small-town singing group, by Sunday Times bestseller Gill Hornby.
small-town singing group, by Sunday Times bestseller Gill Hornby.
The small town of Bridgeford is in crisis. The high
street is half empty, businesses are closing and the idea of civic pride seems
old-fashioned to the commuters rushing home from work. Somehow, it seems to
have lost its heart.
street is half empty, businesses are closing and the idea of civic pride seems
old-fashioned to the commuters rushing home from work. Somehow, it seems to
have lost its heart.
But there is one thing that might just bring the town together: music. The
Bridgeford Community Choir has a chance of winning the county championship.
First though, the small band of singers must find a lot of new members and a
whole new sound. Enter Tracey – one of
life’s soloists, and hiding a secret past; Bennett – a church choir refugee,
baffled by the modern world. And Jazzy – who sees her voice as her passport
straight out of town to a future of fame and fortune. Can they really fit in
with dependable old regulars like Annie? Can they learn to work together, save
their singing group and maybe even their community?
All Together Now is a funny, sharply observed and moving novel about the joys
of singing, about living in harmony, about falling in love… and about the
importance of finding your own, true voice.
The Facts:
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Publication Date:
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June 2nd, 2016
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Series:
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–
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Genre:
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Fiction
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Pages:
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322
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Formats:
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eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, Audio
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Available at:
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My Review:
A view weeks ago I was approached to read ‘All Together
Now’ by Gill Hornby, for the blog tour. I haven’t read any books by Gill Hornby
before, and this book sounded different than the books I normally read. Since
getting out of your comfort zone is definitely a good thing at times, I decided
to participate in the tour.
Now’ by Gill Hornby, for the blog tour. I haven’t read any books by Gill Hornby
before, and this book sounded different than the books I normally read. Since
getting out of your comfort zone is definitely a good thing at times, I decided
to participate in the tour.
Well, ‘All Together Now’ definitely was a different read
for me. I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary romance novels lately, and ‘All
Together Now’ is definitely not that.
for me. I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary romance novels lately, and ‘All
Together Now’ is definitely not that.
It took me a long time to really get into ‘All Together
Now’. I don’t really know why. For one, I had some trouble with keeping up with
all the characters of which we get to read the point of views. I don’t mind
reading different point of views, but when there are more than two point of
views, and from the very beginning on, I always have trouble keeping everyone apart.
The other problem at the beginning of this book was definitely the whole choir
part. All the talk about a choir just wasn’t very interesting to me and it took
a while to really get my attention.
Now’. I don’t really know why. For one, I had some trouble with keeping up with
all the characters of which we get to read the point of views. I don’t mind
reading different point of views, but when there are more than two point of
views, and from the very beginning on, I always have trouble keeping everyone apart.
The other problem at the beginning of this book was definitely the whole choir
part. All the talk about a choir just wasn’t very interesting to me and it took
a while to really get my attention.
Half way through the book I began to like this story
more. The characters started to interest me, and I enjoyed the way of writing
more and more. There definitely were a view very funny parts in this read. And
what made it even more funny was how different all these characters were. Most
characters only had one thing in common and that was the choir.
more. The characters started to interest me, and I enjoyed the way of writing
more and more. There definitely were a view very funny parts in this read. And
what made it even more funny was how different all these characters were. Most
characters only had one thing in common and that was the choir.
What I really liked about this book was the little town
it took place in. Although it was forced at times, everybody seemed to want to
help out and there was a huge sense of community. I loved that. Especially
since I’ve never known that little town vibe myself. I love to read about these
little towns.
it took place in. Although it was forced at times, everybody seemed to want to
help out and there was a huge sense of community. I loved that. Especially
since I’ve never known that little town vibe myself. I love to read about these
little towns.
And not to forget, I really love the cover of ‘All
Together Now’ by Abacus. That cover can really cheer you up.
Together Now’ by Abacus. That cover can really cheer you up.
So, this read wasn’t perfect. But in the end I definitely
liked it.
liked it.
My Rating:
The Blog Tour:
Praise for ‘All Together Now’:
‘Witty and
brilliantly observed, with a passion for the pop song and an undertow of real
warmth’
brilliantly observed, with a passion for the pop song and an undertow of real
warmth’
– Kirsty Wark
‘Warm and gently
satirical All Together Now offers a light-hearted take on small-town life’
satirical All Together Now offers a light-hearted take on small-town life’
– Sunday Times
‘A sparkling
comedy of manners . . . a treasure trove of bittersweet comic moments and
wonderfully sympathetic creations, social satire and the lightest of touches’
comedy of manners . . . a treasure trove of bittersweet comic moments and
wonderfully sympathetic creations, social satire and the lightest of touches’
– Daily Telegraph
‘This gloriously
fun tale about a community choir group is packed with drama, love, and
brilliant characters’
fun tale about a community choir group is packed with drama, love, and
brilliant characters’
– Heat Magazine
‘A great idea,
written with heart and humour’
written with heart and humour’
– Daily Mail
‘Hornby’s writing
can be very funny indeed, and she’s as sharp as a lancet when it comes to group
politics’
can be very funny indeed, and she’s as sharp as a lancet when it comes to group
politics’
– The Times
‘I devoured this
well-observed, amusing feel-good story about small-town life in a sitting’
well-observed, amusing feel-good story about small-town life in a sitting’
– Woman & Home
‘Charming and very
funny’
funny’
– Good
Housekeeping
Housekeeping
‘Loveable
characters provide some laugh out loud moments in this charming novel’
characters provide some laugh out loud moments in this charming novel’
– Bella
About the Author:
Gill Hornby is a writer and journalist. She lives with
her husband, Robert Harris, and their four children in Kintbury, Berkshire. Her
first novel, The Hive, was a top ten Sunday Times bestseller.
her husband, Robert Harris, and their four children in Kintbury, Berkshire. Her
first novel, The Hive, was a top ten Sunday Times bestseller.
I received this book from the Little, Brown Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
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Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
I wonder what I would think of this one. I love to sing and enjoyed being part of different choirs in my younger years. And while multi-viewpoints don't bother me, too many can confuse me. I am glad you ended up liking this one, despite the rough start.
Yep this was definitely an interesting read. And if you like choirs, I can totally see you liking this read. I just didn't get the whole choir thing most of the time. But in the end this was definitely a fun read. 😉