As soon as i read the first page I knew this was my kind of book. It tells the story of a local choir and the stories of its members. This book was so uplifting it actually made me want to live in this town and join in. A great read that I will tell the world to read ( )

As soon as i read the first page I knew this was my kind of book. It tells the story of a local choir and the stories of its members. This book was so uplifting it actually made me want to live in this town and join in. A great read that I will tell the world to read ( )

All Together Now was not as easygoing to read as I had hoped for. Not that I didn't enjoy the book. I did like parts of the book. However, I also found the book a bit dry to read. Just not as funny and engrossing as I had hoped it to be. For instance, I had a pretty hard time getting into the book and enjoying all the different characters plight and quirkiness. But, somewhere along the way I started to enjoy the book more and more and some characters situations did come to intrigue and amuse me.

For instance, I wasn't that interested in Bennett, but when he started the choir and started to change he suddenly becomes more interesting, the same thing happened with Tracey. What was her big secret and how come Bennett thought he recognized her from somewhere? And, then we have Annie, who to be honest could be a bit annoying in the beginning, but the more one got to know her the more one could see that this busybody also had her problems. And, the last part of the book was quite good, secrets were revealed, injustice was discovered and taken care of and the choir really started to become an important part in Bridgeford.

So, the book actually did turn out quite good, despite a slow start for me with some problem with the story and its characters. I even laughed out loud at one part towards the end of the book and I came to like the quirky characters in the choir.

2.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book and for letting me taking part in the blog tour!
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When Constance is seriously injured in a car crash, the Bridgeford Community Choir is left rudderless and in disarray without their leader. To complicate matters, the accident coincides with the radio announcement that after several years the Choir is entering the County Championship and looking for new recruits.

Welcome to the world of the BCC and it's choristers - and what a world it is. As well as facing the challenge of rebuilding the choir, from what in all honesty is a pretty low base, the members are also supporting the demonstration against the building of a new superstore.

The basic plot is quite a simple one, but it works brilliantly due to the quality of the writing and the characterization. I loved the characters, even the nasty ones because they all help to create a blend that really works. There's do-it all organiser and do-gooder Annie, jobsworth Lewis and his wheelchair bound daughter Kate, reluctant newbie Tracey and her workshy son Billy, Jazzy who works at the local cafe, just waiting to be discovered on the X Factor and newly separated and somewhat bewildered as to why, Bennet. Throw in the snippy and caustic Lynn and Pat - ever ready to critise but never help, along with several others, and they represent the mainstay of the choir.

As with all good plots, all is never as it seems, there's the public face and the private traumas that all play out to sometimes comic effect and sometimes not. What becomes apparent throughout the book is that while the choir may be ridiculed by some and revered by others, the changes wrought by the newcomers also brings changes to their personal lives.

I loved everything about this book, simple but effective plot, great characters, humour and pathos and brilliant dialogue. I'd never come across Gill Hornby before this book, but I'll happily be seeking out more based on this.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review ( )