Small Acts of Kindness

by Caroline Day

Kiki grew up in New Zealand, dreaming of one day going to Glastonbury Festival. Now, mourning the loss of her beloved Yaya - the woman who raised her - she travels to the UK to follow that dream. It is only when she leaves home that she realises just how sheltered her life has been up until now.

Ned lives an active and exciting life. Well, he did until the accident. Now, he's woken from his coma, except no one knows. He can hear everything happening around him but can't make his body respond.

Still grieving for her best friend, the one person who'd known how difficult her marriage was, Mrs Malley finds herself lonely and isolated with only her dog, Wordsworth, to keep her company.

These three strangers are each in need of a little kindness in their lives, and this beautifully poignant and uplifting novel shows us the world through their eyes whilst highlighting the power of human connection.

Genres: Contemporary

400 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[CarolB · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a huge, magnificent book that will be read for decades, but it was precisely the book I needed now: full of considerate, caring people going through various levels of crap but getting to a good place. I listened to the audio, read by three people for the three major characters: Kiki, a young hippy-ish woman from New Zealand; Mary Malley, an elderly fuss-budget of a woman with a basset hound; and Ned, a former singer and athlete who has suffered a severe head injury and is immobile.

The story takes place in an English town somewhere near Glastonbury, where a big annual festival has played an important role in Kiki's life. She has come here looking for answers to a family mystery.

When we meet Mary Malley, called Mrs. M, we see her as a complainer and a bit of a know-it-all. She's been a widow for some time but still hears the controlling, disapproving voice of her late husband in her mind.

Ned is recently out of a coma at the beginning of the book, in that terrifying situation of being locked in, fully conscious but unable to speak, move or eat. When Mrs. M has a stroke (and is also hardly able to communicate) the three characters meet in the hospital. Despite their differences and their difficulties, they grow to care about each other.

Hearing what's going on inside the heads of all three people has been quite a trip, especially the two who can't talk. We hear their fears, their frustrations, their glimmers of hope. Kiki, who constantly tries to not talk too much, is a bit of joy to the others. There are several other people, and the basset hound, playing important roles in the story and, of course, the plot thickens but in a good way.

So right now, with all the stress and drama and craziness and overall bad news this was a balm to the reader's soul. These people are true to themselves and are deep-down full of goodness. They embrace life as they find it. What a lesson. Thank you Caroline Day.

[Caroline Wishart · Rating 4 out of 5]

My good friend and book expert, Julia Flyte, recommended listening to this on audio and I’m so glad I followed her advice. As my first ever audio book (what have I been missing!) it was terrific to follow the narrators of the three key characters throughout the ups and downs of their lives. A lovely read (or listen!).

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to admit – and I know it’s no way to start a review – that it took me a little while to settle into reading this book. First, a moment on a football field that has life-changing consequences for one character, then we pick up the voice of Kiki – apparently wronged by everyone whose path she’s crossed, arriving in the pretty village in her ill-fitting frog wellies. And then another voice – a distinctly miserable older woman, still berating her dead husband and with an apparent grudge against the world in general. I really thought it might become rather heavy going – I’m not a massive fan of quirky, that looked to be the way it was developing, and over a whole book I really thought those voices might begin to grate. But no – I’m really delighted to tell you that this proved to be a book I thoroughly enjoyed, with its three main characters entirely winning my heart, making me laugh and cry in equal measure until I closed it at its perfect end with tear in my eye and a satisfied sigh. Honestly, it’s just wonderful…

Kiki is from New Zealand, brought up by her grandparents in a gypsy caravan after the death of her mother – after losing them, she’s in England to try to find out what happened to her, maybe discover more about her father, and it all hinges on securing an elusive ticket for Glastonbury. And then there’s the mystery of Stan Douglas – in her mixed up mind, she becomes convinced that he’s the man who killed her mother. But, for now, she’s staying at the local pub, working behind the bar – directed there by that misery whose doorstep she turned up on, Mrs Malley. We find that she’s rather struggling after a recent bereavement – not so much her husband Roger, but the loss of her vibrant close friend Harriet a few months earlier. But she does have company – Harriet’s disobedient dog Wordsworth, digging up her lawn, constantly escaping from the garden, and with his own starring role in the story. And then there’s Ned – that accident on the football field first leaves him in a coma, then paralysed, aware of everything happening around him but entirely unable to communicate.

The story is told through their three clear and consistent voices, as their lives intersect and their relationships develop – with unexpected twists and turns, lots of humour, more than a few problems with communication, a number of misunderstandings, interventions (timely, and otherwise) by equally well-drawn supporting characters, moments that are so beautifully uplifting and others that entirely break your heart. The way it unfolds – streams of consciousness from all three distinctive (and yes, definitely quirky…) individuals – might not be to everyone’s taste, but I thought it was just excellent. The pacing of the story is just right too – gentle at times, but a page-turner in every possible way – and the author’s emotional touch is simply perfect. An unusual read, and very different – but I have to say that I absolutely adored it.

[Glenys E.Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book totally absorbing. Three such different characters writing their thoughts in alternating chapters start by being interesting in their own right. You can't wait to read on to find out what happened next, or indeed what happened before? As their stories develop though, it becomes clear that their lives will be intertwined. But how and why? Caroline Day manages to leave us wanting more at the end of each chapter and so often we are left on tenterhooks, mystified and concerned, frustrated yet hopeful. The three narrators have had great misfortunes in their lives but the way they become linked enriches them all. Keenly observed character studies, a sound knowledge of the topics, no doubt taken from personal experience, humour and the ability to bring scenes to life in just a few words, all make this an engrossing read. The construction of the plot and the twists in the tale are however the qualities that set this book apart. It made me laugh, it made me cross, it made me cry and I was sorry when it was finished.

[Jacki (Julia Flyte) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most delightful read – I loved it! If you enjoyed books like Away with the Penguins it will be right up your alley.

It cycles between three narrators. Kiki is a New Zealander in her early 20s who has come to live in Somerset in the hopes of finding out more about her mother who was from the area. Mrs Malley is a slightly stand-offish character (think Penelope Keith in The Good Wife) who lives in the area and has recently lost both her husband and her best friend. Ned is a local musician who is in a coma in hospital.

For a while it’s hard to work out how these three strands will connect, but eventually they do. It’s SUCH a sweet read which manages to be loveable without becoming irritating or saccharine. Nor is it completely predictable, which books in this genre so often are.

If you’re after an easy read that gives life affirming summer vibes, I recommend this one.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

It looks like I’ve taken a short break from my usual dark psychological thrillers, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the heartwarming, uplifting books that I’ve been reading for some of the blog tours that I’m on. Today’s book – Small Acts of Kindess by Caroline Day – is another one that reminds us that we’ll never know how deep the impact of kindness can be on others. We can never assume what other people are going through, but by treating them kindly, even if only in passing, we can make a huge difference in their lives.

At first glance, it’s quite easy to wonder how on earth three such diverse characters could ever be drawn together?! Well that is the beauty of gorgeous writing! A wonderful author creates a tapestry, weaving the threads together until everything combines to make a perfectly understandable picture that’s beautiful to look at. That’s what Caroline Day has done with her three main characters, Kiki, Ned and Mrs Malley (oh, and we can’t forget Wordsworth, her dog!).

Kiki has come to England from New Zealand and quite honestly I had to question if she was brought up in another century and teleported to this one! Her beloved Yaya (Grandmother) has passed away, and she’s left home in pursuit of her dream – one that her grandmother always encouraged her in: she has always wanted to attend the Glastonbury Festival. But she clearly has no clue what that entails! She seems to think that when she spots anything with the word ‘festival’ in it, that might have something to do with it! She’s somewhat naive, to put it mildly!

Then there’s Ned, who admits that he had taken life very much for granted: things like looking stuff up on Google, walking to the shops, answering a phone … being free! Because Ned has ‘locked-in syndrome’ he is literally locked into his own body with a fully active mind, but the inability to move at all, not even to blink!

Mrs Malley is a grouchy, cantankerous woman who doesn’t have a kind word or thought for anyone. She can barely scrape together a civil word for her dog, Wordsworth! But we discover that he’s not actually her dog. She inherited him from her closest friend and confidante, Harriet – the only person who really knew and understood her. Now that Harriet’s gone, she has nobody left, and she’s absolutely certainly that not a single soul will be able to care for her and what she’s been through, the way Harriet did.

Three very different people, each suffering excruciating pain and trying to get through it in their own way. This story is a reminder that we never know what others are going through – it’s not like a visible scar that’s instantly recognizable. Pain can be so deep-seated, buried so deep down in our psyches that it becomes part of our makeup, and we all react to it in varying ways. But we don’t need to understand it in order to show people kindness. We just need to accept that they are carrying something with them and we might in some small way be able to help them share the load.

It’s a beautiful read (although have tissues handy!) that’s uplifting and hopeful.

[Yamini Prashanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 strangers - each staunchly lonely in their own right - turn unlikely friends, finding parts of themselves in the process. Each of the 3 protagonists is
a) driven by strong impressions from their past that are holding them back in some way
b) facing challenges in the present
As they serendipitously develop associations with each other (and other characters central to the story) they discover more about themselves, their pasts, and what they would like for their futures.

The first half of this book read pleasantly, but didn't give me the impression that it would be anything mindblowing. However, the revelations, relationships, and incidents that came up in the second half made it a most heart-wrenching and heartwarming read that I will remember as one of my favourites from 2024.

[Jane Couttie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes things happen and for that reason we meet people we might never have met.
Kiki is travelling and trying to find her history. It involves Glastonbury and finding a ticket. She finds herself working in a village where she meets Mrs M and they go on an unexpected journey. Through this Kiki meets Ned and Maxwell who are also on a journey after an unfortunate accident causes Ned a life changing injury.
The story takes us on their lives entwining.
It’s a good book, it took me a while to read so I wouldn’t say it’s one you can’t put down but I enjoyed it. I’ll look out for the authors books in future.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d read Caroline Day’s previous book Hope Nicely’s Lessons for Life and absolutely loved it, so couldn’t wait to read this one.

The story surrounds the 3 main characters, Kiki, Mrs Malley & Ned, who give their own narrative. They become linked together through meeting each other unexpectedly.

This book will definitely make you think about friendships and communication. It’s quite slow paced, which I did struggle with at times, but has lots of heartwarming moments.

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this advanced copy in return of an honest, unbiased review.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told chapter by chapter from the thoughts of the three key characters, this is a feel good, heartwarming tale about small acts of kindness leading to unlikely friendships. It's a lovely and enjoyable read, the characters are very likeable, and eventually it draws you in so you want to know how it's all going to end. It just lacks something to push it up to four stars

[Mr Geoffrey Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic and delightful

The characters were so true to life. I lived in New Zealand for many years and Usually dread characterisation of Kiwis but this was so real right down to calling wellingtons gum boots. I enjoyed every minute of it . Very brave to have a major character with locked in syndrome.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like it in the beginning few chapters . Perhaps because I have had a stroke and I know how bad it could have got . So it was disconcerting . But the characters and story grew on me . Endearing , poignant , thoughtful. Funny .

I liked this authors other book too .

[Nancy Noffke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Light read. Girl from New Zealand moves to England. She's kind of a ditz. Musician/soccer play has neck injury that leaves him quadriplegic. Mrs. M kind of eccentric. How they lives interact.

[Alyson Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Three very different characters, all introduced in the 1st person, skillfully written. Flowed easily and gave an insight into very different lives that intertwined. The characters were very believable, for me, and each of them gained something from each other.

[Executive Chief Lesemaus Severin · Rating 5 out of 5]

es isch so CUTE und TRURIG und HERZIG und AAAAAAAAAAA
ich hans gfühl, normalerwiis wär mier das amigs chli zu kitschig aber es isch so unglaublich schön gsi und hans eifach immer müsse wiiterlese

[Sarah Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Particularly poignant to me having spent so much of 2024 in hospital and having to adapt to a new life style. Heartwarming and likeable characters.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to warm up to this one but it was sweet and engaging by the end.

[Mairi Byatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely positive novel, I loved the characters and the intentions. A lovely easy read to make you feel positive!

[LilBuddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and was different to my typical read but the writing style and the short chapters were hard to get a grasp of, i would have loved if the povs were longer for each chapter.

[Jennifer Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming read - enjoyed it!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Three strangers lives ‘collide’ and unlikely friendships develop. A heartwarming story of loneliness, friendship and hope. Uplifting

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10

[Jess]

Dnf 50

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF to much like a milky tea.
Didn't care to carry on reading

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this feel-good book, though it covers gritty topics of ill health.

[Elizabeth Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading. Sweet and fun. I enjoyed all the characters and I liked how none of them were "villains"

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading, I thought ‘what is this?’ A kooky girl from New Zealand called Kiki, who is so naive she appears to have no idea what’s going on. Then there’s Ned, whose active life was cut short by an accident which has left him with locked-in syndrome. Except he’s awake in his head but can’t tell anyone. Then we have Mrs Malley, a crotchety 84-year-old who never minces her words. Not many people like her, apart from her dog Wordsworth, who is always escaping and causing trouble.

How on earth are these characters going to form the basis of any kind of novel? I’ll admit it took me a while to get into it, but when I did, it was a revelation. Not all books need a beautiful heroine, with flowing locks and a size eight figure. Or a ruggedly handsome Mr Darcy, emerging from the water in a soaking wet shirt. Or even a kind old granny who would die for her offspring. Mrs Malley doesn’t have any.

Kiki wears frog wellies and dungaree shorts like a ten-year-old and Ned is – well – locked in, so he can’t fight his corner and win the girl. Mrs M is a cantankerous old bat, except no-one knows what she had to endure in her marriage of 60 plus years to the insufferable Roger. He made her give up work, even though she was runner-up in the Pitman typing competition in Cheltenham in 1952 (I remember this albeit 20 years later – I can even picture the building round the corner from where I live. In fact I think it’s still there).

Mrs M had a friend called Harriet who died shortly after Roger. He never approved of her. She wrote a poem about their bucket list (except she called it something that rhymes with ‘bucket’ but that would never pass Amazon’s rules). It included riding in an open top Jaguar, dying their hair pink and sunbathing in the nude. I’ll pass on the latter thank you.

Poor Kiki. After her Yaya died she came to England to go to Glastonbury and to search for the person who supposedly poisoned her mother. Except she can’t even work out how to use her phone let alone surf the internet. Poor Ned. His life is permanently on hold. Is there any hope that he might recover? His stepfather Maxwell thinks so and he used to be a doctor. And poor Mrs M. All she has left is Wordsworth. But now she has Kiki, who exploded into her life and is probably more trouble than a mad dog. But she reminds Mrs M a little of Harriet, eccentric, and no filter.

By the last few chapters, I didn’t want it to end. And I cried. I admit I cried on and off for about the last two hours. Not sobbing, just a few tears trickling down my face. Just peeling onions darling, nothing to see here. I shall miss them all.

Many thanks to @Tr4cyF3nt0n for inviting me to be part of the #CompulsiveReaders #blogtour and to NetGalley for an ARC.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every page of this book. What a beautiful, funny, touching story.

I read Caroline Day’s previous book Hope Nicely’s Lessons for Life, which told the story of a young adult living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder as a result of her mother’s consumption of alcohol whilst pregnant. Again, this new book features neurological conditions affecting the characters, where the author seems to have a real knack for understanding and portraying the difficulties that a person suffering these conditions experiences.

I’m not going to go into the plot too much. It is so special and should be enjoyed by the reader without anything more than what the blurb tells you. The story surrounds the three characters mentioned who come together quite by chance. Kiki is new to the country having come over from New Zealand looking for the man who she believes killed her mum. She feels she might find him or at least find out what happened if she can go to the Glastonbury festival. Kiki is a wonderfully unassuming young girl. She’s funny, always willing to help and meets up with the second character Mrs Malley or Mrs M as she likes to call her, whilst working at the local pub where Kiki has managed to find a live in position.

Mrs Malley lives alone, having recently lost both her husband and her best friend. She has Wordsworth to keep her company, a basset hound. He was her friends dog which she adopted after losing her friend. Then there’s Ned who we meet up with when he regains consciousness from the coma he was in after a football accident.

They’re all fabulous characters in their own right, with a back story to tell. All the supporting characters are interesting too, with excellent character development. You’ll go through a roller coaster of emotions reading this, smile, laugh, sympathise, cheer on and find out the fascinating background of Kiki’s life. While I was reading this book the weather was absolutely dire. It had rained for weeks and every time I looked out of the window I was so fed up, yet the situations within this book made me give myself a kick up the back side and look for all the things I had to be grateful for. It’s just that kind of story, both moving and uplifting at the same time.

It’s a story of friendship, perseverance and communication. Do we really listen? Is holding back information for fear of upsetting or hurting those closest to us really in their best interest? This is such a thought provoking book in many ways, yet despite some of the serious situations the narrative follows, it’s done with a lightness of touch that just delights the reader. Fab book

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, Inspiring, and Heartwarming - and if it features a dog, I am bound to love it.

“Small Acts of Kindness” is a poignant novel that weaves together the lives of three seemingly unrelated strangers. Caroline Day masterfully explores the complexities of empathy, human bonds, and the impact of fate on our lives.

Character Development and Relatability: The book introduces us to three main characters: Kiki, Mrs. Malley, and Ned. Each character has their own narrative, and their paths intersect unexpectedly. Their struggles and accomplishments are portrayed with dramatic depth, making them relatable and endearing. Ned, in particular, stands out as a well-researched and compelling character.

Interlinked Lives: Kiki, a traveller from New Zealand, is on her way to the Glastonbury festival after the loss of her grandmother. Ned, once a daredevil, now lies in a coma, aware of his surroundings but unable to communicate. Mrs. Malley grapples with life after losing her husband and friend. Their interactions create a tapestry of connections, emphasising the power of chance encounters.

Themes of Kindness and Communication: “Small Acts of Kindness” delves into the significance of friendships and communication. The novel reminds us that even in challenging times, kindness can illuminate our paths. The rollercoaster of emotions experienced by the characters resonates deeply with readers.

Pace and Heartwarming Moments: While the book is slow-paced, it compensates with numerous heartwarming moments. Day’s writing skillfully captures the essence of human connection, leaving readers both moved and reflective.

Neurological Conditions and Understanding: The author’s portrayal of neurological conditions affecting the characters demonstrates her keen understanding of the challenges faced by those with such conditions. This adds authenticity and depth to the narrative.

In summary, “Small Acts of Kindness” is a special book that invites readers to contemplate the threads that bind us all. Caroline Day’s storytelling prowess shines through, leaving us with a beautifully crafted, touching story. Whether you’re shedding tears or smiling, this novel will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Thank you to Compulsive Readers for including me in this blog tour!

#SmallActsOfKindness #CarolineDay #BlogTour #CompulsiveReaders

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and loving Hope Nicely's Lessons for Life by this author, I was expecting great things and I was not disappointed. The first few pages were hard to get into it, as we plunge into the stream of consciousness of main characters, Kiki, Mrs M and Ned, but the pace soon settles down to give a beautiful and moving story of three people brought together by chance and challenges, who are able to help each other no small way. Kiki is a wonderful character - perhaps a little on the spectrum, which complements her relationship with Ned, who has locked-in syndrome, and Mrs M, an old irascible lady who also has difficulty communicating, before and after her stroke. As Mrs M and Ned strive for some sort of recovery, Kiki is there for them both, even as she follows her own dream of finding out the truth about her long-dead mum. As a bonus, there's a gorgeous basset hound called Wordsworth and a lovely older man, Maxwell, whose sensible outlook is the perfect foil for Kiki's kookiness.
The narrative is well-paced, with plenty humour but also pathos as we are swept along with Ned, Mrs M and Kiki on their journey to a different sort of life to the one they envisaged. Sometimes heartbreaking, but also heartwarming, this is a wonderful follow-up to Caroline Day's debut novel.