I have always enjoyed Mike Gayle's writing but although this does feature male friendship this a book that is sweet, heartwarming, and talks of new chances and two characters who really do experience huge personal growth as the story progresses. James, oh how my heart broke for him and his family. His sister, mother and father treats him like a small boy and whilst you can completely understand that they want to wrap him in cotton wool and protect him from the world having nearly lost him, reading from James' point of view, you can see why he is utterly frustrated. He is a grown man with adult thoughts and cannot always express how he feels articulately. It is food for thought thinking of those living with acquired brain injury (ABI) and those supporting them. It's a question all of us find ourselves asking at some time and Mike Gayle's powerful, poignant novel answers it with regard to Danny Morgan and James McManus - rivals for top honours in everything throughout their school years in Birmingham.

Mike Gayle is the king of touching, human stories, and this big-hearted book is his best yet. 5* * Heat *This is one of those books that is tugging on your heartstrings one moment and has you laughing out loud the next – another stunning plot line and narrative from Mike Gayle.’ I was charmed by the innocence that the brain injury seems to bring to everyone's lives and liked the use of the recovery stages. James DeWitt should also be in a high flying job, having previously been elected as an MP, but things took a drastic change when he was involved in an incident that left him with a brain injury.

Secrets and procrastination are a part of everyone's lives whereas inspiration and confessions are less common - here we see all four and they make for a good story. I couldn't help thinking this is an unlikely plot but the friendship is so lovely that I ended up believing in them. Mike Gayle is the king of touching, human stories, and this big-hearted book is his best yet’ Heat, 5* It doesn't necessarily take a bad man to commit an action that can have serious repercussions to many: it can just take a good man making a bad decision. There are many touching and heartfelt moments in this novel. I personally loved It.Selepas buat pemeriksaan doktor, saya tak dibenarkan membuat aktiviti lasak lagi. Harus berpada-pada. Boleh lagi bersukan, tapi tak boleh keterlaluan. Cuma saya tertarik dengan kisah James, yang menghadapai kecederaan otak dan kemudian dijaga oleh kedua ibu bapanya bagai menatang minyak yang penuh. James, akhirnya bosan dengan kehidupan begitu tetapi kemudiannya menjadi teragak-agak ketika mula melepaskan diri dari kongkongan. Mike Gayle is the king of touching, human stories, and this big-hearted book is his best yet. 5* ( Heat) When I first started reading the way the Character of James was written I thought, Hmm! I don't know if I can be dealing with what seemed like awkward writing making for awkward reading. I couldn't have been more wrong. A new voice in my head took on the role of James in the book. I put that down to superb writing.

Bob Mortimer wins 2023 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction with The Satsuma Complex To sum up, The Man I Think I Know is an extremely well-written novel about new opportunities and second chances at life and friendship. I was gripped by it and finished it in a matter of hours. This is the first book by Mike Gayle I have had the pleasure of reviewing and I am honoured to be a part of the blog tour for this title. Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.I could see parts of myself in both characters, not the clever parts but elements of their lives and minds trying to come to terms with and deal with unexpected tragic events that can occur throughout life. I loved it and could see myself taking on a role if it's ever turned into a movie or television drama. Wink Wink! Right, where's that number for acting lessons? This appeared to be a gentle story about male friendship which is rarely the main topic of novels so I started it positively.