All The Lonely People

Shortlisted for the British Book Awards Book of the Year: Pageturners.
The 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Romantic Novelists' Association.

From the bestselling author of The Man I Think I Know comes this heart-warming novel of family, friendship and human connection.

'Hubert Bird stole my heart' Beth O'Leary, author of The Flat-Share and The Switch

'Lovely, emotional, uplifting' Libby Page, author of The Lido

'A heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting look at isolation' Guardian

In phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun and friendship.

But Hubert Bird is lying.

Something has made him turn his back on people, and he hardly sees a soul.

So when his daughter announces she's coming to visit, Hubert faces a race against time: to make his real life resemble his fake life before he's found out.

Along the way Hubert renews a cherished friendship, is given a second chance at love and even joins an audacious community scheme. But with the secret of his earlier isolation lurking in the shadows, is he destines to always be one of the lonely people?

Readers love All The Lonely People:

'Best book of 2021 so far' 5*

'I absolutely adored every page' 5*

'Wonderful, moving, emotional and very thought provoking' 5*

'An emotional journey' 5*

'A beautiful book' 5*

'Heartbreaking and heartwarming' 5*

Review: A heartwarming story about the power of community and human connection. Hubert Bird stole my heart. * Beth O'Leary, author of The Flat-Share and The Split *
A lovely, emotional, uplifting book about loneliness and community * Libby Page, author of The Lido *
Mike takes ordinary people and makes them extraordinary. Hubert Bird is a gentle hero and I loved him. All The Lonely People is a book that is perfect for the times we live in, but also one to treasure for many years to come * Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things *
A tremendous read, as always. A funny, warm, heartbreaking, wonderful story about family and friendship and the power of caring in an imperfect world. Hubert, Ash & the gang are unforgettable characters * Tracy Rees *
I'm such a fan of Mike's, and think this is absolutely his best yet. The characters are so warm and so real, and the issues of loneliness and displacement are so very topical and important * Clare Mackintosh *
Mike Gayle is on World Beating Form with All the Lonely People. It's the right book at the right time and you're going to love it * Jenny Colgan *
A moving and uplifting story about unknown, possibly unsung heroes. I loved it * Katie Fforde *
An uplifting read of family, love and overcoming isolation * Prima *
This author's books just get better and better - this thoughtful novel is warm, funny and gives you all the feels * Good Housekeeping *
Mike Gayle is on a winning streak . . . a keen reminder that the smallest gestures are the most powerful. Heart-warming * Magic Radio Book Club *
A lovely uplifting and heartening read that feels incredibly relevant to our current times * Culturefly *
Mike Gayle strikes a chord with this novel . . . it feels relevant to our times * On Magazine *
A moving, thought-provoking story about the power of friendship and community, with characters you'll fall in love with. A timely exploration of family, loss and loneliness that's full of humour and heart * Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You *
Timely and poignant . . . Mike Gayle's writing is beautiful and engaging and All the Lonely People is both heartbreaking and uplifting, devastating and thought-provoking. It is the kind of book you will want to press into the hands of everyone you know and tell them to read immediately * Press Association *
Tender, funny and uplifting, it's the ideal isolation antidote * Fabulous *
Heartbreaking, yet also uplifting and thought-provoking * The i *
Tender, humorous and uplifting - reading this is the uplift we all need * Women's Weekly *
The loveliest story - we want to be friends with Hubert! * Bella *
A charming story packed with endearing characters and plenty of humour and insight * Candis *
As always, Mike Gayle's characters wrap around you like a cosy cardigan, while threads of love, race, friendship, community and old age weave through the pages and into your heart . . . thought provoking * My Weekly *
Outstanding... Despite heartbreak and pain, this is a heartwarming story of community and connection * Daily Mirror *
Mike Gayle is on fine form in this moving novel . . . A great summer read * Independent *
I defy you not to cry . . . funny and sincere, sweet and emotional, this is the sort of thing to read in one sitting, and it'll make you more appreciative of the people around you * Woman's Way *
Make sure, like Hubert, you have a nice clean hanky; you'll need it * Saga *
Charming . . . it'll warm your cockles * That's Life *
The author tackles racism, addiction and dementia, weaving a heart-warming, hopeful story of community and connection. Outstanding * Mirror *