Contacts: From the award-winning comedian, the most heartwarming, touching and funny fiction book of 2021

Great book by a great author. Really interesting and captivating.

I have always liked novels written by Mark Watson. They are funny without being annoying and he writes characters that you can empathise with and believe.It is a good book but the reason why I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars is that I felt a bit disappointed in the end. I wanted to know more about what happened to certain characters like Stephi but it kind of just ended.Other than that, it's a good read.

I’ve been a fan of Mark for years yet this is the first book I’ve read of his. It is so well written, drawing you into the lives of all who are part of making up this wonderful story. It is funny, engaging and heartbreaking throughout. Though this doesn’t ruin the ending, I sobbed when I finished it, something that a book hasn’t managed to do for a time. Read this book, if anything it will show you that you DO matter and that your life touches countless, often unknown, lives. I’m off to make a cup of tea and then download Mark’s other books! And thank you, Mark, this book is your masterpiece.

I remember when this came out and everyone was talking about it. So I was really looking forward to getting stuck in.I loved the premise (if that’s the right word, considering the topic) but I have to say this fell a little short for me.One of the main issues was Emil, I found him constantly wondering if he would get to be with Steffi very disconcerting. Would someone really be that creepy given the situation?However, I did like how the other characters were written, and I felt the storyline was realistic. You could easily see how James had got into this situation and to be honest, I think we have all been there when a chain of events seem to go wrong, and we aren’t close to people as we were.I did feel the story lacked something, and the ending was a bit strange as well.All in all, not an awful book, there were some pluses, but I wouldn’t rush to recommend it.

I love Mark Watson's previous books but this one didn't quite hit the spot for me personally. Not sure why but I usually can't put his books down and not the case with this one. However, it's a good read with a novel storyline and rich characters, so don't be put off if it's your first Mark Watson but please don't miss out on his earlier books.

James Chiltern has had enough. The woman he loves has left him, he's fallen out with his sister, he's lost the job he loved and worse, in the process he also lost his best friend. Seriously depressed, he gets on the sleeper train from London to Edinburgh, fires a farewell text to all his contacts and puts his phone into flight mode as he plans his suicide.We are used to seeing stories about how social media is the root of all evil in our modern lives, but here Mark Watson explores how in fact we are now connected more than ever before, and what a force for good, for positive change it could be. He handles the backstory to James's depression delicately, with empathy and wisdom. And he doesn't let any of the supporting cast off the hook, making them all face their culpability in the situation as they realise it may be too late to offer James the support he's clearly been needing - if they can even find him.

I loved this book. I don't know why people are saying its not funny. It's not side-splitting no but it has a gentle humour. More than anything else though it's made me want to check in with people more regularly.

A great read, but I could have done with about another chapter at the end to tidy up things and bring a stronger sense of closure.Strong characters, each of them broken in their own unique way, trying to manage an impossible situation.