Northern Soul by Phil Earle
Book of the Week: 14 January 2024
Cover illustration: Shutterstock
If you are looking for a quick, funny read and want to feel better about behaving in the cringiest way in front of someone you’d like to impress, look no further.
Marv has never thought about girls – he’s too busy playing football and hanging out with his best mate Jimmy. Then, a new girl arrives in school and he is unexpectedly smitten. What’s more, she lives on his street.
‘You’re in my form, aren’t you?’ Carly said.
Her accent was northern too, but not from round here. Barnsley maybe. God, it sounded exotic.
Marv contemplates asking his dad for advice, but what’s the point of telling a man who wears Crocs and shorts everywhere and runs a failing record shop, that you are hoping to date someone you consider to be way out of your league?
Fortunately, or catastrophically, help arrives in an unexpected form from the past. Marv does his best to follow the advice, but to say things don’t always work out smoothly, would be an understatement.
A relatable and entertaining read.
If you would like to sample the first chapter, it is available here.