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Cold Feet: The Lost Years
All the love. All the drama. All you missed.
HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING OFFICIAL NOVEL FROM THE HIT TV SERIES.
Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son.
Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man's child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies?
Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce - but that's before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . .
THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It's an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.
HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING OFFICIAL NOVEL FROM THE HIT TV SERIES.
Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son.
Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man's child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies?
Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce - but that's before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . .
THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It's an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.
- GenresFiction
339 pages, Unknown Binding
Published September 7, 2017
45 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Carmel Harrington
21 books461 followersCarmel Harrington is an International bestseller of thirteen novels. She is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband, Roger, children Amelia and Nate, and their beloved rescue dog, George Bailey.
Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, was a Sunday Times best crime fiction of the year selection and was described as ‘Endlessly surprising. This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’ Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She is a regular on Irish TV screens and radio and has been a guest speaker at Literary events in Ireland, UK and USA. She was also Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.
Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters, twisting plots and evocative locations, has captured readers' hearts worldwide. Her novels, including The Lighthouse Secret, The Girl From Donegal, A Mother’s Heart, and The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, have been Irish Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers.
Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @HappyMrsH, or join Curl Up With Carmel Book Club, an online book club on Facebook.
Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, was a Sunday Times best crime fiction of the year selection and was described as ‘Endlessly surprising. This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’ Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She is a regular on Irish TV screens and radio and has been a guest speaker at Literary events in Ireland, UK and USA. She was also Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.
Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters, twisting plots and evocative locations, has captured readers' hearts worldwide. Her novels, including The Lighthouse Secret, The Girl From Donegal, A Mother’s Heart, and The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, have been Irish Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers.
Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @HappyMrsH, or join Curl Up With Carmel Book Club, an online book club on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 29, 2017
I am a die hard Cold Feet fan and cried buckets when Rachel died at the end of the original series. I'm enjoying the new series and looked forward to reading this story but I also felt some trepidation, what if it ruined it for me? I needn't have worried, Carmel Harrington has caught the characters perfectly and this book seamlessly catches us up with developments in their lives in my opinion. Shed a few tears at the end and giggled out loud several times, particularly at the 'rat incident' , didn't want the book to end as I felt absorbed completely in the Cold Feet world recreated by this, obviously a fan herself, author.
October 29, 2017
4.5 stars.
Last Year Cold Feet fans were delighted to see the Bafta-winning series return after a 13-year absence. Ratings for that season and the just-broadcast seventh series suggested that viewers’ love for the Manchester-based show was still strong, with millions tuning in to catch up on the lives of Adam, Jenny, Pete, Karen and David. The Irish author Carmel Harrington was asked to bridge the gap from the original storyline to the current one, in her novel Cold Feet: The Missing Years. The friends’ circumstances may have changed, but the bonds are as strong as ever. New characters are introduced alongside the original ones, adding a dimension to the heart-warming humour. From Manchester to Belfast and back, the novel spans a year of tears, laughter and friendship in true Cold Feet style. Harrington has captured the characters’ colloquialisms, personalities and group dynamic. An immensely enjoyable companion to the TV show.
Last Year Cold Feet fans were delighted to see the Bafta-winning series return after a 13-year absence. Ratings for that season and the just-broadcast seventh series suggested that viewers’ love for the Manchester-based show was still strong, with millions tuning in to catch up on the lives of Adam, Jenny, Pete, Karen and David. The Irish author Carmel Harrington was asked to bridge the gap from the original storyline to the current one, in her novel Cold Feet: The Missing Years. The friends’ circumstances may have changed, but the bonds are as strong as ever. New characters are introduced alongside the original ones, adding a dimension to the heart-warming humour. From Manchester to Belfast and back, the novel spans a year of tears, laughter and friendship in true Cold Feet style. Harrington has captured the characters’ colloquialisms, personalities and group dynamic. An immensely enjoyable companion to the TV show.
September 7, 2017
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher through bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
Cold Feet was a TV show on ITV (UK) that ran for five series between 1997 and 2003. It was recommissioned and returned for series six in 2016 thirteen years after the original run of the show ended. Series seven will air from Monday 11th September 2017.
Now, I realise that this is a rather strange book review for you to be reading a review of on my blog and that in reading Cold Feet: The Lost Years any credulity that I had accrued as the foul-mouthed and sarcastic ‘bad boy‘ of book blogging has well and truly gone out the window! But, who cares! I had a fantastic time reading the book and that’s all that matters!😀
The Lost Years takes place a few months after the tragic and heartbreaking death of Rachel that occurred at the end of series five. And acts as a buffer helping to bridge the gap between series five and six.
Adam has lost his wife and friend and is now left alone as a single parent with baby Matthew. And everyone else (Pete, Jenny, David and Karen) have lost one of their best friends. Her death has left a hole in their hearts and along with their own problems they are all still trying to come to terms with her death, get by and move forward with their own problematic and chaotic lives.
Whilst reading The Lost Years it really felt like it could have been the next series of Cold Feet in its original run. The characters are spot on to their TV counterparts and you find yourself lost in the lives of Pete, Jenny, David, Karen and Adam. I’m old enough (please feel free to make old man comments in the comments section it’s fine) to have watched the original run of the show. The Lost Years effortlessly transported me back in time as Harrington brings the characters to life on the pages. They are for all intents and purposes the exact same characters that you came to love in the show. You lose yourself in their everyday lives as you are transported down memory lane back to the early 90’s (or if you’ve watched the reruns then whenever you watched them).
Adam (James Nesbitt in the TV show) was always my favourite character in the show, Irish and always up for the craic (a good time) and he is in the book too. He’s grieving the loss of Rachel but trying to get by and keep strong for baby Matthew. Out of the core group of characters, it is Adam (well, it was for me) that takes you through a wide variety of emotions with him. But, you will feel for them all at some point during your reading of the book, you will get hit in the feels! Even David and I always found David to be a toff and a bit of an arse! Yes, I’m being polite in this review as usually, I’d use a far worse term than arse!😂
You can tell that Harrington is a fan of the show. Both that fan in her and her knowledge of the source material is clear to see on the pages recreating what made the original TV show so popular in book form. The Lost Years also makes it startling obvious to anyone out there, that if you are going to commission an adaptation of a TV show, video game or movie then get someone who knows and loves the source material to do it!
One of the things I remember about the Cold Feet show is that at its core, it was a show about the characters, the flawed yet likeable group of characters. The ups and downs of their lives and their friendship with each other. The Lost Years manages to keep that exact same tone. It’s a book about their lives but it’s also a book about their friendship too and you really get the feeling that they would do anything for each other, mates to the end.
I’m not the fastest reader (I’m more like a sedate meandering older dude reader than a fit young sprinter speed reader) and I read The Lost Years in under a 48hr span – that’s quick for me!
The writing and pacing are both spot on in The Lost Years as the pages and chapters (you will smile at some of the chapter names) fly by in a mix of humour, emotion and some poignant moments too. Even if it’s only something trivial and minor there is always something happening and Harrington knows how to tell a story. You find yourself turning the pages and wanting to continue reading as you are that engrossed in the dysfunctional lives of Pete, Jenny, David, Karen and Adam.
If you are a fan of Cold Feet then simply put, buy The Lost Years. If you know anyone who is a fan of the show then simply put, tell them to buy the book and if they won’t either drag them to the bookshop and make them buy it or buy it for them.
The Lost Years is a fantastic adaptation that keeps the essence of everything that made Cold Feet, Cold Feet and for fans of the show, it is a must-read.
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher through bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
Cold Feet was a TV show on ITV (UK) that ran for five series between 1997 and 2003. It was recommissioned and returned for series six in 2016 thirteen years after the original run of the show ended. Series seven will air from Monday 11th September 2017.
Now, I realise that this is a rather strange book review for you to be reading a review of on my blog and that in reading Cold Feet: The Lost Years any credulity that I had accrued as the foul-mouthed and sarcastic ‘bad boy‘ of book blogging has well and truly gone out the window! But, who cares! I had a fantastic time reading the book and that’s all that matters!😀
The Lost Years takes place a few months after the tragic and heartbreaking death of Rachel that occurred at the end of series five. And acts as a buffer helping to bridge the gap between series five and six.
Adam has lost his wife and friend and is now left alone as a single parent with baby Matthew. And everyone else (Pete, Jenny, David and Karen) have lost one of their best friends. Her death has left a hole in their hearts and along with their own problems they are all still trying to come to terms with her death, get by and move forward with their own problematic and chaotic lives.
Whilst reading The Lost Years it really felt like it could have been the next series of Cold Feet in its original run. The characters are spot on to their TV counterparts and you find yourself lost in the lives of Pete, Jenny, David, Karen and Adam. I’m old enough (please feel free to make old man comments in the comments section it’s fine) to have watched the original run of the show. The Lost Years effortlessly transported me back in time as Harrington brings the characters to life on the pages. They are for all intents and purposes the exact same characters that you came to love in the show. You lose yourself in their everyday lives as you are transported down memory lane back to the early 90’s (or if you’ve watched the reruns then whenever you watched them).
Adam (James Nesbitt in the TV show) was always my favourite character in the show, Irish and always up for the craic (a good time) and he is in the book too. He’s grieving the loss of Rachel but trying to get by and keep strong for baby Matthew. Out of the core group of characters, it is Adam (well, it was for me) that takes you through a wide variety of emotions with him. But, you will feel for them all at some point during your reading of the book, you will get hit in the feels! Even David and I always found David to be a toff and a bit of an arse! Yes, I’m being polite in this review as usually, I’d use a far worse term than arse!😂
You can tell that Harrington is a fan of the show. Both that fan in her and her knowledge of the source material is clear to see on the pages recreating what made the original TV show so popular in book form. The Lost Years also makes it startling obvious to anyone out there, that if you are going to commission an adaptation of a TV show, video game or movie then get someone who knows and loves the source material to do it!
One of the things I remember about the Cold Feet show is that at its core, it was a show about the characters, the flawed yet likeable group of characters. The ups and downs of their lives and their friendship with each other. The Lost Years manages to keep that exact same tone. It’s a book about their lives but it’s also a book about their friendship too and you really get the feeling that they would do anything for each other, mates to the end.
I’m not the fastest reader (I’m more like a sedate meandering older dude reader than a fit young sprinter speed reader) and I read The Lost Years in under a 48hr span – that’s quick for me!
The writing and pacing are both spot on in The Lost Years as the pages and chapters (you will smile at some of the chapter names) fly by in a mix of humour, emotion and some poignant moments too. Even if it’s only something trivial and minor there is always something happening and Harrington knows how to tell a story. You find yourself turning the pages and wanting to continue reading as you are that engrossed in the dysfunctional lives of Pete, Jenny, David, Karen and Adam.
If you are a fan of Cold Feet then simply put, buy The Lost Years. If you know anyone who is a fan of the show then simply put, tell them to buy the book and if they won’t either drag them to the bookshop and make them buy it or buy it for them.
The Lost Years is a fantastic adaptation that keeps the essence of everything that made Cold Feet, Cold Feet and for fans of the show, it is a must-read.
September 7, 2017
Like millions of others I was and am a huge Cold Feet fan so when I heard there was going to be a book describing the lost years in between I was a tad anxious. What if the author got it wrong and completely ruined my memories of this show? What if it just didn't feel the same? But when it was announced that it was Carmel Harrington that would be writing this story I knew that it would be perfection itself, and I was right. Everything this author releases is pure gold and COLD FEET THE LOST YEARS is no exception.
The novel begins in the aftermath of Rachel's death as Adam struggles with his grief. If it wasn't for his beautiful son and his conversations with Rachel inside his head, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed. Back in Belfast, Adam is enjoying getting to know his father again, but as the pain from the past begins to resurface, Adam may just have to face his demons as well as his sorrow, if he is to find a way to make a future for himself and his little boy.
Jenny and Pete may be living together and giving it another go, but as Jenny's due date gets closer, she can feel Pete moving further away from her. She desperately wants to make this work but what if Pete is already regretting his decision to give their relationship another go?
As David's relationship with the divorce lawyer seems to be getting more serious, Karen is struggling with juggling her career, her children, and her grief for the death of her best friend. And that bottle of gin is starting to look all too tempting...
Throw in a few more secondary characters that add even more spice to the pot, and this novel is everything I wanted it to be and more. As I read the words, I could see each character from the tv show act it out in my mind, and you can tell that the author must be a huge fan of the tv series, as she gets all of the nuances, language, style, and character's mannerisms absolutely spot on. The drama is heartbreaking, hilarious, and emotional just as you would expect it to be, and nothing was done in my house the night I started to read this book.
COLD FEET THE LOST YEARS by Carmel Harrington is a necessity for fans of the show but also for readers who just want a damn good read.
*I won a copy of this book on Twitter
The novel begins in the aftermath of Rachel's death as Adam struggles with his grief. If it wasn't for his beautiful son and his conversations with Rachel inside his head, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed. Back in Belfast, Adam is enjoying getting to know his father again, but as the pain from the past begins to resurface, Adam may just have to face his demons as well as his sorrow, if he is to find a way to make a future for himself and his little boy.
Jenny and Pete may be living together and giving it another go, but as Jenny's due date gets closer, she can feel Pete moving further away from her. She desperately wants to make this work but what if Pete is already regretting his decision to give their relationship another go?
As David's relationship with the divorce lawyer seems to be getting more serious, Karen is struggling with juggling her career, her children, and her grief for the death of her best friend. And that bottle of gin is starting to look all too tempting...
Throw in a few more secondary characters that add even more spice to the pot, and this novel is everything I wanted it to be and more. As I read the words, I could see each character from the tv show act it out in my mind, and you can tell that the author must be a huge fan of the tv series, as she gets all of the nuances, language, style, and character's mannerisms absolutely spot on. The drama is heartbreaking, hilarious, and emotional just as you would expect it to be, and nothing was done in my house the night I started to read this book.
COLD FEET THE LOST YEARS by Carmel Harrington is a necessity for fans of the show but also for readers who just want a damn good read.
*I won a copy of this book on Twitter
August 29, 2017
I enjoyed this and it did bridge the gap between the old series and the new. Though I do feel more used to the characters on the screen than in a book and found it a little hard to visualise what I was reading to the screen characters. Still worth a read.
September 16, 2017
Oh my goodness, this book is AMAZING! Cold Feet fans, stop reading right now and head over to your favourite bookshop to buy your very own copy of this fabulous book! You probably don't have to be a fan of the TV show to enjoy this book, but who hasn't watched Cold Feet? I don't think I will ever recover from THAT episode and just thinking of it now brings tears to my eyes. Carmel Harrington is clearly a huge fan of Cold Feet as she has written the book that every Cold Feet fan has been waiting for - what happened in the thirteen years between the traumatic end of series 5 and the start of series 6?
We join Adam and his baby son, Matthew, as they are trying to remember to breathe after the death of the love of their life, Rachel. I was crying from the very first page, just remembering losing Rachel as if it was yesterday, and as if I knew her - yes, I know it's fictional TV, but it still brings raw emotion to the surface over a decade later. I suppose because it is based on TV, you can hear the characters talking to you, but it is also due to the talented writing of Carmel Harrington that enables us to get so very much under the skin of each character. Carmel Harrington is clearly a huge Cold Feet fan, but also a super-talented writer, to be able to tap into their personas so brilliantly.
All of our favourite characters are here and I felt as if I knew them even better than before after reading Cold Feet The Lost Years. I found myself watching series 7 and knowing, before it became clear, how a certain character was feeling. Rachel is clearly a huge gap to fill but she is remembered in every chapter as we join Adam & Matthew, Jenny & Pete and Karen & David on their life journey.
You really don't want to miss this one, Cold Feet fans! Cold Feet is a timeless series that I could watch over and over again, which is why Cold Feet The Lost Years is also a book to read over and over again! It's not so much a series companion as a series enhancing book, and I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone! This is one book that definitely gets under your skin without you even having to think about placing a rose between your naked bum cheeks! ♫ I've Got You Under My Skin ♬
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
We join Adam and his baby son, Matthew, as they are trying to remember to breathe after the death of the love of their life, Rachel. I was crying from the very first page, just remembering losing Rachel as if it was yesterday, and as if I knew her - yes, I know it's fictional TV, but it still brings raw emotion to the surface over a decade later. I suppose because it is based on TV, you can hear the characters talking to you, but it is also due to the talented writing of Carmel Harrington that enables us to get so very much under the skin of each character. Carmel Harrington is clearly a huge Cold Feet fan, but also a super-talented writer, to be able to tap into their personas so brilliantly.
All of our favourite characters are here and I felt as if I knew them even better than before after reading Cold Feet The Lost Years. I found myself watching series 7 and knowing, before it became clear, how a certain character was feeling. Rachel is clearly a huge gap to fill but she is remembered in every chapter as we join Adam & Matthew, Jenny & Pete and Karen & David on their life journey.
You really don't want to miss this one, Cold Feet fans! Cold Feet is a timeless series that I could watch over and over again, which is why Cold Feet The Lost Years is also a book to read over and over again! It's not so much a series companion as a series enhancing book, and I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone! This is one book that definitely gets under your skin without you even having to think about placing a rose between your naked bum cheeks! ♫ I've Got You Under My Skin ♬
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 17, 2017
What a fantastic read, love Cold Feet and this book didn't disappoint at all, was lovely to catch up with all the characters again, I'm a bit gutted I've finished it
September 4, 2017
I am a huge fan of this TV series and was really excited when they brought it back recently for a sixth series. Obviously several years have gone by since last we saw the characters in series five and although some was explained in the new series, there is still a bit of a missing chunk. This book tells the stories of what happened to them in the intervening years.
We learn what happened to Adam in the time just after Rachel's death. We see Jenny reuniting with Pete and how they cope with her being pregnant to another man. We see how Karen and David are doing with their divorce. I am not going to go into any more detail than that here. Suffice to say that there is quite a good chunk of what happened then to be had by each character.
It's a funny thing to read a book about a TV series, it is usually the other way round but someone somewhere thought it would be a good idea to write a book about the intervening years and, you know what, it wasn't a bad one at all and as far as I am concerned, it worked very well indeed. Most of the characters were exactly as the show and I was easily able to visualise the action depicted in the book with the actors as they played them. I say most. I have to be honest and say that I wasn't quite 100% convinced by Adam. I can't quite put my finger on why but he wasn't quite there. The others, yep... spot on, well done!
The stories depicted along with the catch up were also very consistent with the characters as I remember them from the early series as we left it and the new series as it picked up. A lot of what I wanted to know from the missing years was explained satisfactorily. It also took me through a whole host of emotions as I read it. As with the TV series, we get laugh out loud comedy as well as bawl my eyes out sadness and pretty much every emotion in between. I actually had to put the book down at one point as I felt my eyes welling up and I wasn't in the right place to be seen to be crying!
All in all a well written book that fits in almost perfectly with the TV series. With the seventh series about to be aired, I wonder if another book would be appropriate or if indeed it is just a one off. I am not sure what I want really as I really want the TV series to go on and on. But I guess if it was ever cancelled, I'd love this author to pick up the characters and take them further in print.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We learn what happened to Adam in the time just after Rachel's death. We see Jenny reuniting with Pete and how they cope with her being pregnant to another man. We see how Karen and David are doing with their divorce. I am not going to go into any more detail than that here. Suffice to say that there is quite a good chunk of what happened then to be had by each character.
It's a funny thing to read a book about a TV series, it is usually the other way round but someone somewhere thought it would be a good idea to write a book about the intervening years and, you know what, it wasn't a bad one at all and as far as I am concerned, it worked very well indeed. Most of the characters were exactly as the show and I was easily able to visualise the action depicted in the book with the actors as they played them. I say most. I have to be honest and say that I wasn't quite 100% convinced by Adam. I can't quite put my finger on why but he wasn't quite there. The others, yep... spot on, well done!
The stories depicted along with the catch up were also very consistent with the characters as I remember them from the early series as we left it and the new series as it picked up. A lot of what I wanted to know from the missing years was explained satisfactorily. It also took me through a whole host of emotions as I read it. As with the TV series, we get laugh out loud comedy as well as bawl my eyes out sadness and pretty much every emotion in between. I actually had to put the book down at one point as I felt my eyes welling up and I wasn't in the right place to be seen to be crying!
All in all a well written book that fits in almost perfectly with the TV series. With the seventh series about to be aired, I wonder if another book would be appropriate or if indeed it is just a one off. I am not sure what I want really as I really want the TV series to go on and on. But I guess if it was ever cancelled, I'd love this author to pick up the characters and take them further in print.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 7, 2017
Well, first off, it must be said that I am huge fan of Cold Feet and felt bereft when the original series ended, leaving so much left unsaid, and so much still to be revealed, which is why this book really works as it fills us in on the events which happened during the lost years when these well loved characters were missing from our TV screens.
I must admit to feeling a smidgen of trepidation as I opened this book as I so much wanted for it to blend seamlessly and for the characters to still have that delicious quirkiness about them which I had grown to love so much from watching them on screen. I wasn't disappointed, the author has captured the essence of the characters so very well that they appear uninterrupted in the imagination and continue as if there had never been any sort of lull in the story. As always, the characters made me laugh out loud and yet, they also made me a little bit sad, but such is the nature of the Cold Feet phenomenon, there's always a clever mix of light and shade which is continued in this novel.
I think that the author has been really brave for taking on such a massive task as I am sure there are some Cold Feet purists who would argue that the action will always work better on television but, for me, the novel worked really well as not only did it give an added dimension to the story, but also allowed me a privileged glimpse into the past as I went back in time to the lost years.
I must admit to feeling a smidgen of trepidation as I opened this book as I so much wanted for it to blend seamlessly and for the characters to still have that delicious quirkiness about them which I had grown to love so much from watching them on screen. I wasn't disappointed, the author has captured the essence of the characters so very well that they appear uninterrupted in the imagination and continue as if there had never been any sort of lull in the story. As always, the characters made me laugh out loud and yet, they also made me a little bit sad, but such is the nature of the Cold Feet phenomenon, there's always a clever mix of light and shade which is continued in this novel.
I think that the author has been really brave for taking on such a massive task as I am sure there are some Cold Feet purists who would argue that the action will always work better on television but, for me, the novel worked really well as not only did it give an added dimension to the story, but also allowed me a privileged glimpse into the past as I went back in time to the lost years.
October 22, 2017
Last Year Cold Feet fans were delighted to see the Bafta-winning series return after a 13-year absence. Ratings for that season and the just-broadcast seventh series suggested that viewers’ love for the Manchester-based show was still strong, with millions tuning in to catch up on the lives of Adam, Jenny, Pete, Karen and David. The Irish author Carmel Harrington was asked to bridge the gap from the original storyline to the current one, in her novel Cold Feet: The Missing Years. The friends’ circumstances may have changed, but the bonds are as strong as ever. New characters are introduced alongside the original ones, adding a dimension to the heart-warming humour. From Manchester to Belfast and back, the novel spans a year of tears, laughter and friendship in true Cold Feet style. Harrington has captured the characters’ colloquialisms, personalities and group dynamic. An immensely enjoyable companion to the TV show.
February 9, 2022
I LOVE THIS BOOK
i really expected more crying tho OR MAYBE I WAS SUPPOSED TO CRY BUT I DIDNT IDK but there was def crying during a moment of audrey and pete 3
but i do feel the 'chemistry between bill and karen' unnecessary... because like... ahahahahahahaha...?
but overall i really just enjoyed adam and rachel :( god when adam said "I have to let you go now, don't I?" GOD MY HEART BROKE A MILLION PIECES I CRIED AND IM SURE IM DEHYDRATED NOW I HATE YOU HARRINGTON
AND WHEN DAVID PROPOSED TO ROBYN THEY DRANK DOM PÉRIGNON AND I WAS LIKE *GASSSSSPS* IS THIS A TAYLOR SWIFT CONNECTION AND ROBYN IS GOING TO REJECT HIM???? but it was just that taylor swift ruined me and she accepted <3
and bro the karen proposal??? i cried and screamed and pulled my hair out btw beware xx
i really expected more crying tho OR MAYBE I WAS SUPPOSED TO CRY BUT I DIDNT IDK but there was def crying during a moment of audrey and pete 3
but i do feel the 'chemistry between bill and karen' unnecessary... because like... ahahahahahahaha...?
but overall i really just enjoyed adam and rachel :( god when adam said "I have to let you go now, don't I?" GOD MY HEART BROKE A MILLION PIECES I CRIED AND IM SURE IM DEHYDRATED NOW I HATE YOU HARRINGTON
AND WHEN DAVID PROPOSED TO ROBYN THEY DRANK DOM PÉRIGNON AND I WAS LIKE *GASSSSSPS* IS THIS A TAYLOR SWIFT CONNECTION AND ROBYN IS GOING TO REJECT HIM???? but it was just that taylor swift ruined me and she accepted <3
and bro the karen proposal??? i cried and screamed and pulled my hair out btw beware xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2017
This is a brilliant book, well written and worth a read if you are a fan of Cold Feet.
The book beautifully bridges the gap between the two series of the TV Series, although it obviously wasn't as good as watching them on TV. I felt overall it wasn't a bad effort.
The book beautifully bridges the gap between the two series of the TV Series, although it obviously wasn't as good as watching them on TV. I felt overall it wasn't a bad effort.
June 15, 2022
Just like a warm hug .. lovely to hear these familiar voices in my head. Not lost “years” though … just the six months from the end of season 5
September 24, 2024
Just like the tv show. I read the dialogue in the characters voices. Good story.
August 25, 2017
I am a big fan of the TV series of Cold Feet so I was really looking forward to reading this. However, it fell very flat for me. I felt it didn't have the same spark between the characters and I would much rather watch them being portrayed on the TV screen than on paper.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2017
loved this book. I love Cold Feet and was thrilled it was coming back to our screens and it didn't disappoint. Neither did Carmels version of events in the "Lost Years". As is usual for Carmel, she didn't lose her "voice" in this book. You could pick up one of hers and know its her writing it ! loved the Cold Feet story intertwined with her insightful, funny way of depicting a scene.
Well done Carmel. Another success xx
Well done Carmel. Another success xx
October 31, 2017
I do not understand all the good reviews of this book. It’s terrible, I love the tv show and reading this I couldn’t picture them at all. The words in the book weren’t words I could ever imagine the characters saying. This is a complete letdown of the tv show and I thank my lucky stars I borrowed it from the library and didn’t waste money on it! I gave up at page 101. The only good thing about this book is the cover!
January 18, 2018
The television series Cold Feet has been a part of my life for around 20 years now, when it ended back in 2003 it seemed that the chance to follow the lives of the gang of six close friends Adam, Rachel, Pete, Jenny, David and Karen had reached it end. We had suffered the death of one of the main characters and left the gang reeling from her loss. It was a great surprise therefore, but a joyous one when ITV in the UK announced that they would be reviving the show in 2016.
Since it's return I've watched the show with a sense of having reunited with lost friends. We are catching up on their lives now, how their children have grown and in the directions their lives have taken them and the show has been massively successful in reuniting the original cast, minus Helen Baxendale. It's just such a moving and funny and emotional show to watch and it was with a huge whoop of joy therefore that I spotted this book in my local book shop a few months ago.
The television show did return with a gap of 13 years in the lives of the characters and whilst the show has tried to fill some of the gaps of the time in-between it hasn't dwelt on it and instead has moved the characters forwards into new adventures and chapters in their lives. Therefore as a viewer we feel we missed all the in's and out's of the direction the gang's lives took in the intervening years. This book by Carmel Harrington seeks to address that gap by filling in some of the time we missed - hence it's title, The Lost Years.
Now, trying to find the voice of these well loved television characters was going to be no easy feat, I was worried I'd find the book lacking because it might not manage to portray all 5 of the gang in a way that would translate to the written word. Indeed, during the initial chapters I worried that this was going to be a problem that might not be overcome but then suddenly Carmel Harrington hits her stride and the voices coming off the page begin to convey exactly the personalities, speech patterns and friendships we've come to love.
It's a difficult book because it picks up immediately after the end of the 2003 series with Adam having gone back to Northern Ireland to live with his father only a few months after the death of his wife Rachel and with his young baby son Matthew in tow. He's broken, grief stricken and struggling to find his way in the world. This means that we are taken back to the time when we all cried with him, and let's be honest anyone who watched the show cried buckets.
Pete and Jenny are struggling to cope with getting back together, especially now that Jenny is pregnant with another man's child and Pete is trying to move on from his marriage to Australian Jo. We know from the new series that they remain together but it's great to follow their journey as they get there.
Then there's Karen and David who are trying to adjust to life after their divorce, with Karen battling every day to stay on the road to sobriety and David dating their divorce lawyer it's a difficult time for them all. In fact, in the book this relationship was the one that was at times most of a joy to read as Harrington has a wonderful way of writing David's character that means we warm to him, sometimes more than in the show, and really root for him.
There are some truly marvelous moments in this book which you can see so clearly in your minds eye appearing on the screen in the television show, the one where the boys end up in a line dancing class is classic Cold Feet and really made me feel Harrington had her writing spot on for this book. Also, those one on one moments where characters really sit down for the heart to heart moments were so wonderfully typical of the show and it's dynamic of everyone being there for each other it's impossible not to have fallen in love with this book.
I want more, is that selfish? This book takes us to just after Matthew's first birthday, so less than one year after Rachel's death. This leaves us some unexplored years left to go between this and the start of Season 6 of the television show. Please Carmel Harrington could we have some more Lost Years? I'd like to see Adam in his new journey's with Matthew, I want to know how Pete found himself as a taxi driver and I want to see David marrying Robyn and find out where it all went wrong. I just wanted to spend some more time with the gang, it felt like opening up a photograph album with friends you've not seen for years so you could see what you'd missed and I feel there are other albums on the shelf yet unopened.
If you are a fan of the television show this is a must for you, if you haven't seen the show then I would advise watching the first 5 Seasons as this book really bases itself on the presumption you will have seen it and then delve in before you start Season 6 and besides what are you waiting for? Cold Feet was and now remains one of the flagship shows of British television and for very good reason, this book is an amazing addition to the world of the show.
Since it's return I've watched the show with a sense of having reunited with lost friends. We are catching up on their lives now, how their children have grown and in the directions their lives have taken them and the show has been massively successful in reuniting the original cast, minus Helen Baxendale. It's just such a moving and funny and emotional show to watch and it was with a huge whoop of joy therefore that I spotted this book in my local book shop a few months ago.
The television show did return with a gap of 13 years in the lives of the characters and whilst the show has tried to fill some of the gaps of the time in-between it hasn't dwelt on it and instead has moved the characters forwards into new adventures and chapters in their lives. Therefore as a viewer we feel we missed all the in's and out's of the direction the gang's lives took in the intervening years. This book by Carmel Harrington seeks to address that gap by filling in some of the time we missed - hence it's title, The Lost Years.
Now, trying to find the voice of these well loved television characters was going to be no easy feat, I was worried I'd find the book lacking because it might not manage to portray all 5 of the gang in a way that would translate to the written word. Indeed, during the initial chapters I worried that this was going to be a problem that might not be overcome but then suddenly Carmel Harrington hits her stride and the voices coming off the page begin to convey exactly the personalities, speech patterns and friendships we've come to love.
It's a difficult book because it picks up immediately after the end of the 2003 series with Adam having gone back to Northern Ireland to live with his father only a few months after the death of his wife Rachel and with his young baby son Matthew in tow. He's broken, grief stricken and struggling to find his way in the world. This means that we are taken back to the time when we all cried with him, and let's be honest anyone who watched the show cried buckets.
Pete and Jenny are struggling to cope with getting back together, especially now that Jenny is pregnant with another man's child and Pete is trying to move on from his marriage to Australian Jo. We know from the new series that they remain together but it's great to follow their journey as they get there.
Then there's Karen and David who are trying to adjust to life after their divorce, with Karen battling every day to stay on the road to sobriety and David dating their divorce lawyer it's a difficult time for them all. In fact, in the book this relationship was the one that was at times most of a joy to read as Harrington has a wonderful way of writing David's character that means we warm to him, sometimes more than in the show, and really root for him.
There are some truly marvelous moments in this book which you can see so clearly in your minds eye appearing on the screen in the television show, the one where the boys end up in a line dancing class is classic Cold Feet and really made me feel Harrington had her writing spot on for this book. Also, those one on one moments where characters really sit down for the heart to heart moments were so wonderfully typical of the show and it's dynamic of everyone being there for each other it's impossible not to have fallen in love with this book.
I want more, is that selfish? This book takes us to just after Matthew's first birthday, so less than one year after Rachel's death. This leaves us some unexplored years left to go between this and the start of Season 6 of the television show. Please Carmel Harrington could we have some more Lost Years? I'd like to see Adam in his new journey's with Matthew, I want to know how Pete found himself as a taxi driver and I want to see David marrying Robyn and find out where it all went wrong. I just wanted to spend some more time with the gang, it felt like opening up a photograph album with friends you've not seen for years so you could see what you'd missed and I feel there are other albums on the shelf yet unopened.
If you are a fan of the television show this is a must for you, if you haven't seen the show then I would advise watching the first 5 Seasons as this book really bases itself on the presumption you will have seen it and then delve in before you start Season 6 and besides what are you waiting for? Cold Feet was and now remains one of the flagship shows of British television and for very good reason, this book is an amazing addition to the world of the show.
April 28, 2020
I love the 'Cold Feet' series. What i most dislike about the series makes up the entirety of this book. Instead of a solid story, this is instead a drifting bad soap opera with nearly non-stop crying, hugging and P.C. nonsense.
The characters are relatively well portrayed. But often certain emotional and political views skew the characters as portrayed in the series. The characters are all lovey dovey. Every bit of riff is concreted with crying, hugs and more love. Ugh!
The writing leans to all loving each other. not just the main characters.Everybody. The book evades real conflict. Based on what i just read, I believe the writer often uses the words "positive" and "negative" a lot. And she hates "negative". This book is just short of a massive orgy of love.
The writer is thorough and covers all characters. She does a great job interacting all of them. Then adds more and interacting them all. After half through, though, it was obvious where the book was going. All would love each other no matter any one of them did.
I kept hoping something would come along making the novel interesting. Unfortunately, the author went for an adaption of a television episode than writing a book. The writer should note others who adapted. A great adapter was William Johnson. A terrific story of adaption failure is John D. MacDonald's only real writing debacle with the adaption of 'I Could Go On Singing'.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of 10 points.
The characters are relatively well portrayed. But often certain emotional and political views skew the characters as portrayed in the series. The characters are all lovey dovey. Every bit of riff is concreted with crying, hugs and more love. Ugh!
The writing leans to all loving each other. not just the main characters.Everybody. The book evades real conflict. Based on what i just read, I believe the writer often uses the words "positive" and "negative" a lot. And she hates "negative". This book is just short of a massive orgy of love.
The writer is thorough and covers all characters. She does a great job interacting all of them. Then adds more and interacting them all. After half through, though, it was obvious where the book was going. All would love each other no matter any one of them did.
I kept hoping something would come along making the novel interesting. Unfortunately, the author went for an adaption of a television episode than writing a book. The writer should note others who adapted. A great adapter was William Johnson. A terrific story of adaption failure is John D. MacDonald's only real writing debacle with the adaption of 'I Could Go On Singing'.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of 10 points.
November 18, 2017
All the love. All the drama. All you missed.
Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son.
Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man’s child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies?
Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce – but that’s before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . .
THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It’s an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.
My Review
Cold Feet returned to our screens after a 13 year absence. But what happened to the characters we grew to love during those 13 years?
This is what happened after series 5 but before series 6.
It follows Adam, Jenny, Pete, Karen and David in the months, rather than years, following Rachel’s death.
It is funny eat times and yet also incredibly moving. I laughed and cried unashamedly and I am so pleased with the wonderful way it gives us an insight into what happened ‘after’
I hope that maybe there will be another book as I would love to read more.
100% Worth a read if you are a fan of Cold Feet
Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son.
Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man’s child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies?
Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce – but that’s before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . .
THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It’s an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.
My Review
Cold Feet returned to our screens after a 13 year absence. But what happened to the characters we grew to love during those 13 years?
This is what happened after series 5 but before series 6.
It follows Adam, Jenny, Pete, Karen and David in the months, rather than years, following Rachel’s death.
It is funny eat times and yet also incredibly moving. I laughed and cried unashamedly and I am so pleased with the wonderful way it gives us an insight into what happened ‘after’
I hope that maybe there will be another book as I would love to read more.
100% Worth a read if you are a fan of Cold Feet
October 24, 2017
The best thing about this book is getting to spend time with characters that you know so well and love, what a joy.
The characters in written form are just as believable as on television and as the characters are so well established on the TV there is very little for you to do other than to just enjoy this little treat!
This book was such an easy read that I genuinely didn’t want it to come to an end.
I must point out though that all through reading this book I assumed that the author was the person who wrote the television series, and when I found out at the end it wasn’t – I was shocked. To get the characters so spot on and the humour to feel exactly like it is on the show and wrap it all up with the tragedy of Rachel's death and the aftermath…… wow – what a talent this author has! I so was genuinely impressed that this is why I have given five stars. Not just because of the writing but the bravery to take on a project like this…hats off…. She did it justice and then some!
I would urge any Cold Feet fan to read this book – YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! I only finished reading this yesterday and I have already recommended it to two of my friends!
The characters in written form are just as believable as on television and as the characters are so well established on the TV there is very little for you to do other than to just enjoy this little treat!
This book was such an easy read that I genuinely didn’t want it to come to an end.
I must point out though that all through reading this book I assumed that the author was the person who wrote the television series, and when I found out at the end it wasn’t – I was shocked. To get the characters so spot on and the humour to feel exactly like it is on the show and wrap it all up with the tragedy of Rachel's death and the aftermath…… wow – what a talent this author has! I so was genuinely impressed that this is why I have given five stars. Not just because of the writing but the bravery to take on a project like this…hats off…. She did it justice and then some!
I would urge any Cold Feet fan to read this book – YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! I only finished reading this yesterday and I have already recommended it to two of my friends!
May 13, 2019
5 stars
I've been a cold feet fan, since it first aired on TV all those years ago. I've laughed and cried along with the show and have been loving the new series'. I was so glad when they brought it back.
This book was just like watching it on TV and it was great to read about what happened after it finished the first time.
The title is a tad misleading as the book is set over period of months not years but does hint at further events that may have taken place in future years.
Overall the book was very enjoyable and I was sad to come to the end. I'd definitely recommend it to all Coldfeet fans.
I've been a cold feet fan, since it first aired on TV all those years ago. I've laughed and cried along with the show and have been loving the new series'. I was so glad when they brought it back.
This book was just like watching it on TV and it was great to read about what happened after it finished the first time.
The title is a tad misleading as the book is set over period of months not years but does hint at further events that may have taken place in future years.
Overall the book was very enjoyable and I was sad to come to the end. I'd definitely recommend it to all Coldfeet fans.
August 13, 2022
Just finished watching the first series and found this. Gobbled it up in one day! Carmel Harrington has captured all of the characters perfectly. I read many of Adam’s dialogue segments and heard his voice in my head the whole time - same inflection, tone etc. Made me laugh out loud and of course cry as well at times. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Like others have said I’d like it to have continued on further but I’m happy with what was here. Thanks so much for this book and letting me live in the lives of David, Karen, Pete, Jenny and Adam just a wee bit longer!
November 29, 2019
Whilst I really enjoyed this glimpse into missing time with much loved characters, I do feel that the title is somewhat of a misnomer , in as much as - well - it only covers the first year after an event.
I had been looking forward to leapfrogging time and events being used as markers.
It was very good in the time it covered but, I wanted more - pretty much the same as the show.
We are getting another Season, aren't we?
I had been looking forward to leapfrogging time and events being used as markers.
It was very good in the time it covered but, I wanted more - pretty much the same as the show.
We are getting another Season, aren't we?
July 1, 2022
Really easy to read and an enjoyable read but only because I’ve watched the series and know the characters. I just found it overly simplistic as a stand alone read. If I hadn’t watched the series and wanted to know more about the characters I’ve come to know and love, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book as much. The style of writing probably matches the series as a bit of a script, but the characters had very little depth to them, other than what you already knew about them.
March 12, 2018
The author did a good job maintaining the essence of the characters taken from the television series but despite this, it ended up being a huge disappointment. It would have been better named "Cold Feet: The Lost Months" as it only covered the first months, ending at baby Matthew's first birthday. Hardly the 20 lost years that readers would be expecting !
August 22, 2019
What a really lovely read. As a huge fan of the TV programme I was very excited to be able to discover what happened to the characters between series. Harrington did an amazing job of capturing the voices of the characters. Everyone spoke and behaved in the way I would expect from watching the actors in habit their skins for many years.
November 10, 2018
I was a bit sceptical about this book when I bought it because I'm not usually they find of books based on characters from tv shows. however this was really top notch! I could almost see them as ibreas and heard their voices. I'm quote dissapkinres there a not another.
April 25, 2019
Kirjan tapahtumien piti täyttää tuotantokausien välit, mutta eipä se kyllä täyttänyt. Hieman avasi hahmojen taustaa. Melko kehnosti kirjoitettu, mutta toisaalta kaiken näki kuitenkin silmiensä edessä kässärinä. Ihan ok ”kesäpäivän kirja” Rimiksen ystäville, mutta ei mikään varsinainen lukuelämys!
October 7, 2019
Great story to fill in "the lost years" between series 5 and 6. I suppose the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because it wasn't a grouping thriller. But it was a lovely comforting read, just like the tv show.
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