The book world lost an absolute treasure when Emma Hannigan lost her brave fight with cancer in 2018 but it is testament to her spirit that she kept writing right up to the end of her life. It would be easy to assume that Emma's final novel would be a weepy but it is in fact an effervescent story brimming with hope, love and friendship. I was actually crying before I started the story, just from reading the letter to the reader from Emma's publishing family at Headline. I wiped my eyes and put my tissues away as I let Emma Hannigan transport me to Kingfisher Road.

Kingfisher Road has some amazing characters living there, with so much laughter, tears and drama it reminded me of an Irish Coronation Street. It all starts with a new resident, Danielle, moving into the street and the ladies welcome her into their fold. Danielle seems to have it all, engaged to what is seemingly Ireland's most eligible bachelor, but Danielle is full of insecurities as she doesn't feel like she fits into Justin's posh horses and hairbands life. Her insecurities aren't helped by her evil mother-in-law to-be who is definitely the villain of the piece, or at least one of them.

As we get to know each of the women, we realise that life isn't quite so rosy as it first appeared as each of them struggle with their own problems. It just shows how quick we are to make snap judgements based on appearances, when you don't know what is lurking beneath the surface or behind that shining front door. Even with their own personal struggles, what doesn't falter is their friendship for each other and we all know that a problem shared is a problem solved. The strength and fortitude of these women constantly amazed me but I shouldn't have been surprised as they all have a little bit of the amazing Emma Hannigan in them.

The Gift of Friends is an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish; somehow it's equally serious and lighthearted as some stressful issues are dealt with but it seems to have a sprinkle of magic in the pages as we know that everything will be ok in the end. The Gift of Friends is a beautiful sparkling addition to Emma Hannigan's everlasting legacy to the literary world.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )

The Gift of Friends is my first Emma Hannigan book, although I do have a few of her others on the TBR mountain. Sadly, it's also bittersweet as it's her final book, and a wonderful one it is too.

Kingfisher Road is one of those posh and exclusive roads but it's home to some of the most kind, down to earth women you could find. There's Betsy, Maia, Nancy and Pearl, and they're joined at the beginning of the book by a new resident, Danielle. Each of the women have a problem to deal with. That makes it sound like they've broken a nail or something but actually each 'problem' is a serious one, from domestic abuse to the possible loss of a home.

I'll be honest, when I started this book I thought it might be just a bit too.....well 'nice'. Then I got totally embroiled in the lives of these women and I ended up loving it. They have such a lovely friendship going on and it could be totally twee but it's not, it's just so heartwarming.

As each of the women work through their particular issues, they never have to do so alone as the others have their back every single time. It was refreshing not to have any squabbles or petty digs, just genuine friendship and loyalty. I didn't even have a favourite character as the author wrote all of them in a very likeable way, and what it highlighted to me was that we're all different but if we're tolerant and kind to each other then we can all get along.

The writing is perfect. It's warm, it's witty, it's vibrant and uplifting. The Gift of Friends is one of those charming novels that are just so satisfying to read, a pleasure from start to finish. ( )