The G Club Reviews

Perfect December Reading

Transport yourself half a world away to London but be careful these people become your friends - Paul Madden has crafted a superb book - a random encounter across the generations, sprinkled with a 21st Century Christmas Card and a must have soundtrack - perfect December reading !!

 A fantastic read

This book is so thoughtful and beautifully written. I felt like I was walking the streets of London with Jamie and Teresa. I could hear the music playing throughout the story, I could visualise the bars in Old Compton street , I could feel the grief and frustrations of different characters. The writer is observant, thoughtful, and witty which makes for a brilliant read. I loved it. I can see this being made into a short film or series. Please keep writing Paul and I will keep reading.

One person found this helpful

Love and hope

A page turning read of grief, love and hope. Thought provoking and touching. Definitely brought tears to me eyes.

This is a fantastic book, beautifully written and one that draws you ...

This is a fantastic book, beautifully written and one that draws you in from the first chapter. It’s a story which will resonate with many readers, not just those who live and work in London. This story is expertly told and I loved reading it.

Can't wait for the sequel!

Fantastic first time novel from Madden. You'll be pulled into the story from page 1. Heartwarming, funny and also informative, with an insight into the subculture of drug use within the gay community in Central London. This sub-plot is carefully woven into the story, alongside other themes of grief, loss and relationships. There really is something for everyone.

A beautiful Journey

This book is amazing, you are transported to London and are entwined in the lives of a group transcending age, culture and sexuality. It keeps you engrossed throughout and explores many of the issues facing today's society. You will find yourself smiling and having a little cry but also lauging throughout and it has an amazing soundtrackwhich I played while reading which helped me to imagine each scene more clearly, it was beautiful . If you have ever loved and lost somebody dear to you I think you'll get alot of perspective from this story . It was beautiful :-)

 It could be anybody, even me.

I took this book on a short Xmas break and read it just short of 2 days. Really surprised me, I read mostly non fiction and occasionally digress to “the other side” and I must say I loved this book. I identified so easily with the characters, the trials and tribulations of life and the overcoming of grief, isolation and sadness. No crazy plots or hugely unsuspecting twists just a really good read where I was present and able to embody the characters. And of course when you can do that it’s a page turner.
A great read and a feel good book.

​Gorgeously written and beautifully engaging!

It is rare that when I read a book I love it enough to think 'I'd love to see this as a film', each time I have, exactly that has happened . The G Club also had this quality.

The characters and flow of the story are so enchanting and vivid. Having lost a parent myself, the emotions of Jamie felt spot on. It's easy to understand his path to escapism, especially when feeling so lost.

A highly thought provoking read which I'd recommend to everyone!

 Beautifully written ❤️

I can honestly say that reading this felt like therapy in the most wonderful way.

The story is interesting and relatable, I could see it adapted into a short film or stage show.

Simply put, I highly recommend this book and congratulate the author on what is a beautiful first of what I hope is many great reads.

An excellent read. This book hits the heart strings from ...

An excellent read. This book hits the heart strings from the start, because the characters are very easy to relate to. You feel connected and end up feeling the emotions of the main characters throughout the book. This book deals with grief, experienced by different characters from all walks of society and age groups. The excellent descriptions of London draw you into the book and, coupled with the unique sound track link, this book really has the ability to reach out to the reader. Highly recommended must read from this first time novelist. Well done, and continue this beautiful writing

A true insight into emotional pain and the power of connection

A seamless bond between the familiar dimensions of humanity and those that are silenced. The G Club gives voice to individuals through the solicitude of others, reminding us of relational power. Madden uses diverse characterisation to solidify the meaning of friendship and love, carefully reshaping expectations.

Immersed in a world of non-judgement, there is a profound sense of normality which inspires layers of compassion. Thank you for capturing the beautiful transition between solitude and connectedness.

I hope your work doesn’t stop here!

Would well recommend

Arrived just in time for my Christmas holiday! Really enjoyable and thought provoking read. Would well recommend.

This is an amazing story about friendship and love

This is an amazing story about friendship and love, that everybody will love.I want Jamie, Tom and Max as my besties! I can see this amazing, compassionate book being made into a film! With the best soundtrack! Loved loved loved this book! A must read!

Evocative and beautifully observed novel

A tender, evocative and beautifully observed novel. Holds up a mirror very gently to our human fragilities, whilst trumpeting our strengths. Ultimately a love story in the broadest sense of the word with characters that leave you feeling youve made friends, and you miss them when its finished. I loved it!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

What a great book! Loved it! Great company during my travels across London, in the last 3 days 😀👍I am already missing Teresa, Jamie, Tom and Max. Thank you for such an amazing story! Great way to touch subjects that affect our community!
I loved to read every bit of it! The way to describe people, environment, feelings, and to face some of the major issue in our community, I think it’s great! Thank you again!!

A monumental piece, heart quenching and engaging throughout.

This book is a monumental piece, heart quenching and engaging throughout. All characters are relatable people where emotions and feelings seamlessly transpire through the pages. This book will leave you feeling as though you're unable to put it down as you feel for the welfare of Jamie and his potholed journey through the stages of grief. The book conveys perfectly the relatable experience of providing support to others as friends, family, and colleagues all whilst each individual character is on a journey of their own. This is not the story of one man but the story of many people ensuring the storyline is a constant surprise where nothing is predictable. Reading this book will explore feelings of impulsivity, joy, sadness, nostalgia, loss, happiness and rumination from places within yourself that you weren't aware of!

Loved it

Super story which plunges you into a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end. Highly enjoyable. Must admit I was initially wary as I did what one should never do ..... judged this book by its cover and decided it might not be for me ..... how wrong was I. An amazing insight into life and love in modern day London and the normality of gay life, true friendships, mental health and compassion. Highly recommended read for men or women, old or young, gay or straight.

The G Club

Really good read! Brilliant!

 Recommend

Great read!

A realistic, cautionary tale of the dangers of drug use.

This will be a long & slightly rambly review, sorry. I enjoyed it very much, the book flowed very well, especially for your first novel. There was enough exposition to make me emphasise & care for the characters, which can be rare in books now.

Your knowledge of the city shone through, it made me smile to think about the places that you mentioned which I know. I also liked the fact that Tom gave Jamie a bit of tough love which was both needed & realistic. I also appreciated a hopeful, happy ending. I really was dreading a much sadder, predictable potential ending. Which can be very common and I don't know if I could've gotten through that.

Congratulations Paul and I hope you write another book. 🙂👏