Bloodhound Books - eBook / Paperback - December 2024
Every day counts when you're chasing love, life, and a little bit of madness…
Luke Milvaine is a drifting 30-something stuck in a dead-end job with an even deader love life. Then the sudden death of a school friend leaves him with a cockapoo puppy and a bizarre challenge: to celebrate a different fake holiday every day for a year.
Shower With a Friend Day, Talk Like Shakespeare Day, National Burger Day…
What starts as a ridiculous stunt becomes a life-changing journey filled with strange encounters, surprising friendships, and the unexpected realisation that love might be right under his nose. With humour, heart, and a dash of absurdity, Luke discovers that sometimes, the biggest adventure is learning to appreciate the little things and rethink what – and who – truly matters.
Reviews
'This is such a delightful read, I can't recommend it highly enough. Luke's journey on the Make Every Day Count challenge is so well written. The 'will they/won't they?' romance and Luke's bizarre job at Wordy Gigs are cleverly interwoven with his rather unorthodox home life and relationships with his strange flatmate and kind stepdad. A total joy to read and you'll be laughing about some of the 'days' for a while afterwards - personally i can't stop thinking about Flip Flop Day, Speak like an Elizabethan Day, Threading The Needle Day and Walk your Houseplants round the Neighbourhood Day. Great job!'
Sarah Edgehill, The Good Daughter
'This book is funny, tender, thoughtful, sad, and thoroughly engaging. Whilst there are many moments of brilliant humour, this book will make you think about life and what’s really important. Be prepared to shed a few tears, both happy and sad when you read.'
Rachael Gray, The Elderswick Chonicles
'I loved this - bittersweet, poignant and funny and with an enviably clever structure! Highly recommended.'
Ruth Thomas,
The Home Corner
'A superb romantic comedy and belated coming-of-age story – a hilarious and poignant reminder that life's big adventures can be hidden in the most ordinary days if only we take the time to appreciate them.
'Brotzel’s writing is full of his customary wit and charm, at some points laugh-out-loud funny and at others achingly sad. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a feel-good story about love, personal growth and the joy of life’s little moments!
Alex Woolf,
The Year I Lived Twice
'I couldn't put this book down, I loved the idea of the daily challenges, I laughed my way through this book. Dan has such a knack for creating believable characters.‘Dan Brotzel is a master story-teller and observer of people and relationships.'
David Sagman
I couldn't put this book down! The novel is the perfect mix of funny and serious. The engaging characters, quirky holidays, and laugh-out-loud scenes make it a joy to read. I also really enjoyed Dan Brotzel's engaging, tongue-in-cheek writing style. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes an upbeat, funny, and sometimes slightly absurd story.'
Kathrin Spinnler
'This is a witty and clever novel, that kept me engaged and amused. A definite hit.'
Jacqueline Moxon
'A genuinely laugh-out-loud writer'
CM Taylor, author of Premiership Psycho and Staying On
'A master storyteller.'
Matt Kendrick, writing tutor and mentor'
A master of the craft'
LM Cole and Jared Povanda, co-founders, Bulb Culture Collective
'Thoughtful and satirical, Alan Bennett meets David Sedaris meets Jasper Fforde.'
Stuart Hannabuss, Press & Journal
