I just love Mike Gayle books !! I have read every single one of them since his first book, ‘My Legendary Girlfriend’ which was first published way back in 1998.
A majority of Mike’s books are what I would like to describe as the guy’s equivalent of a chick flick and that is more of a compliment that a derogatory remark about Mike’s writing talent !! There aren’t enough writers that write in Mike’s style and his books will often feature a guy who for some reason is out on his luck in some way or another but generally ends up coming good.
‘The Man I Thought I Know’ follows Mike’s tried and tested format, this time telling us about Danny and James and it is a really nice feel good book to read. Both went to a top boarding school during their childhood but came from very different backgrounds, Danny getting a Scholarship after being identified as having amazing talent at his local school, and James coming from money. Their school has produced a number of top academics, politicians, business men and famous people over the years and in Danny and James’ final year they are head to head to win the coveted school award which brings great things to the winner. To everyone’s surprise including himself, Danny wins the award.
Fast forward 18 years and we find Danny down and out, unable to hold on to any work, in financial debt and his relationship with his girlfriend almost over. Added to that, he is an alcoholic who hasn’t drunk for a number of years but appears to be one step away from the bottle, having been banished from seeing his 15 year old daughter pretty much since birth due to his addictions.
James has been successful having built a property empire and being elected as an MP for Birmingham South before, whilst out celebrating his election win, he is punched in the head and falls to the ground sustaining a serious ABI which restricts his cognitive behaviour and requires a lot of care and attention to help him. James is becoming frustrated at his condition and the way he is being treated by his parents and wishes he was back the way he once was.
By chance, whilst James’ parents are away and he stays in a temporary care home, he is reunited there with Danny who has not long worked there and is beginning to enjoy his job. However James gets Danny unwittingly sacked by persuading him to take him to the pub for a drink.
James wants to return to living in his penthouse flat in central Birmingham and wants Danny to become his carer. What follows is a lovely tale as to how James and Danny bond over each of their challenges in life and how they help each other to front up to their issues. We also learn about their lives since school and exactly why they are in the position that they are in now.
The story is very carefully written and the chapters alternate between Danny and James and I found it amazing that as you read James’ chapters in particular, you found yourself talking like James in his slow voice due to his mind being hampered by his ABI.
I really loved ‘The Man I Thought I Know’ which was of no surprise to me and I didn’t want to put this book down. For me it was clearly a very good 9 out of 10 and once again leaves me wanting more from Mike more frequently. Although in my belief it is written for guys to read, the ladies will also love this book and irrespective of sex you will be able to associate with the main characters.
So when to read this on holiday. This is definitely a great book to read on your hot sunny days on board whilst sat on your sun lounger having a nice cold beer or cocktail. You will not want to put it down so will probably read through it quite quickly. This is definitely one for holiday 2018 shortlist.
If you have not read any of Mike’s other books, I can happily recommend having a look at his website and his previous books as all are worth a read. Mike’s website can be found at http://mikegayle.co.uk/
Happy reading
Canberralover
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