The Light a Candle Society: The most heartwarming, joyful, uplifting read for 2025

(Hardback, Main)

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'LIFE-AFFIRMING AND FULL OF LOVE' CELIA ANDERSON
'WARM, COMPASSIONATE, WITTY' MIKE GAYLE

Every flame tells a story...

George McGlory has been struggling since the death of his beloved wife, Audrey. But when he witnesses a public health funeral - with no flowers and no mourners - he is inspired to create The Light a Candle Society.

As George and his friends join together to celebrate forgotten lives, their care, compassion, humour and friendship become gifts not only to the people they are remembering, but to each other.

And the kindness of strangers gives them strength to confront the secrets of their own histories, forging joyful and unexpected new connections...

Praise for Ruth Hogan:
'Magical ... uplifting ' ANTON DU BEKE
'Told with wit and heart' BETH MORREY
'Every page is a joy' PIP WILLIAMS
'Delightfully uplifting' WOMAN'S OWN
'Full of hope' PRIMA

Reviews

Warm, compassionate, witty and thought provoking, The Light a Candle Society is Ruth Hogan at her very best. -- Mike Gayle, author of THE SONG OF YOU AND ME
Moving, uplifting and thought-provoking in equal parts. George is determined that nobody should leave this life without a fitting celebration. As he builds his team with this end in mind, lives are changed, bonds are forged and something joyful emerges from the sadness. Life-affirming and full of love, this book is one to treasure. I adored it! -- Celia Anderson, bestselling author of 59 MEMORY LANE
A lovely, lovely novel, full of humanity, humour and kindness. I loved it! -- Elizabeth Buchan, author of TWO WOMEN IN ROME
I LOVED the latest novel from Ruth Hogan. It's bursting with her signature warmth and heart but this time tackles taboos and issues that aren't spoken about with compassion and hope. Nobody does it quite like Ruth Hogan. If you're looking to be uplifted and to feel better about the world, this is the book for you! -- Matt Cain, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF ALBERT ENTWISTLE
Written with Ruth Hogan's trademark humour and generosity of spirit, The Light a Candle Society shines warm with life. An uplifting celebration of the joy of small things, and the big - kindness, community and love. -- Kate Lord Brown, author of THE GOLDEN HOUR
The ballroom is a magical place, and Ruth Hogan's love and warmth for all the things within it shine brightly in the pages of this wonderful story. She has created such an uplifting world, and the Phoenix Ballroom feels like an old friend of mine -- Anton du Beke on THE PHOENIX BALLROOM
A rich and joyful story told with wit and heart. And the most glamorously-named protagonist ever. Look out for this sweeping waltz of a novel. -- Beth Morrey on THE PHOENIX BALLROOM
Delightfully uplifting * Women's Own on THE PHOENIX BALLROOM *
Full of hope * Prima on THE PHOENIX BALLROOM *

Author Bio

Ruth Hogan studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College and went on to work in local government. A car accident and a subsequent run-in with cancer convinced her finally to get her act together and pursue her dream of becoming a writer. The result was her debut novel - The Keeper of Lost Things, which went on to become a global bestseller. She is now living the dream (and occasional nightmare) as a full-time author, along with her husband and rescue dogs in a rambling Victorian house stuffed with treasure that inspires her novels.Insta: @ruthmariehoganauthor