BLOG TOUR: Stand by Me by S.D. Robertson

A heartbreaking tale’ THE SUN

‘Exceptionally beautiful’ MIRANDA DICKINSON

They’ll always have each other…won’t they?

Lisa and Elliot have been best friends ever since the day they met as children. Popular, bright and sporty, Lisa was Elliot’s biggest supporter when the school bullies made his life a misery, and for that, he will always be grateful.

Twenty years later, life has pulled the pair apart and Lisa is struggling. Her marriage is floundering, her teenage kids are being secretive, and she’s so tired she can’t think straight. So when Elliot knocks on the door, looking much better than she remembers, she can’t help but be delighted to see her old friend again.

With Elliot back in their lives, Lisa’s family problems begin to improve – he’s like the fairy godmother she never had. As their bond deepens, she realises how much she’s missed him, and prays that this is one friendship that will last a lifetime. But sometimes, life has other ideas…

A heartwarming story perfect for fans of Keith Stewart and Jojo Moyes, that will leave you with a tear in your eye but hope in your heart.

Extract Two: Chapter 93, pp.392-393

‘Can I ask you a question first?’

‘Of course.’

‘How are things going with my, er . . . body?’

‘Right. The doctors in Sydney have met with your mother and stepfather to discuss turning off the life support machine. They’re still weighing it up. It’s a horrendous decision to have to make, obviously, but having heard the overwhelming evidence that there’s no longer any brain function, I think it’s only a matter of time.’

‘I see.’ Elliot had known this was coming. They’d discussed it in detail last time. But that didn’t make it any easier to hear. It broke his heart to think of the torture his mum must be going through, seeing his battered, life­less body lying on the hospital bed; having to make this terrible decision. He wished from the bottom of his heart that he could be there for her. It felt so cruel that he’d been taken away so abruptly, without any warning and at such a young age, especially after the heartache she’d already experienced when his father died in that motorbike accident so many years earlier. Thank goodness she had Ian.

‘How’s Mum doing?’

Will pursed his lips, creating dimples in his ruddy cheeks. ‘She’s in bits. Ian too, although he’s doing his best to hold things together. They’re both heartbroken.’ His voice seemed to falter as he added: ‘It’s incredibly hard for any parent to have to let a child go.’

Claire's Review ⭐⭐⭐

This is the story of Lisa and Elliot; childhood best friends that life pulled apart. Twenty years later, Elliot returns to Lisa's life at a time when she needs him the most. Struggling with life and with her marriage, Elliot couldn't have returned at a better time.

This was sweet, well written and easy to read. I enjoyed the story, however, I felt it was missing something that I just can't put my finger on. Definitely worth a read, and I think it will be a reread for me in the future to see if I can put my finger on what I have missed.