Patrick Gale on Love Lane + Brilliant Escapist Book Recommendations — Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

Bestselling author Patrick Gale joins Philippa on the Quick Book Reviews Podcast to discuss his powerful new novel Love Lane, plus brilliant escapist book recommendations including The Selection and An Offer from a Gentleman.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to bestselling author Patrick Gale about his moving and deeply personal new novel Love Lane.

Patrick returns to the podcast to discuss the inspiration behind the book, how family history shaped the story, and why this emotional historical novel might be his most personal work yet. The conversation also dives into writing routines, fountain pens, notebooks, and the joy (and therapy!) of storytelling.

If you enjoy powerful character-driven fiction, family sagas, and historical novels filled with heart, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Pre-order Love Lane

Patrick Gale’s beautiful new novel Love Lane publishes soon — and pre-orders really help authors and bookshops.

Pre-order your copy here:

👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781472257468

👉 https://www.waterstones.com/book/love-lane/patrick-gale/9781472257468

👉 https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/love-lane/patrick-gale/9781472257468

(Choose your favourite bookseller and support authors and bookshops!)

In This Episode

Philippa chats with Patrick Gale about the emotional story behind Love Lane
Why writing about family history can be both revealing and healing
Patrick’s unusual writing routine — fountain pens, notebooks, and writing in ink
The real people who inspired the novel
The secrets hidden in family letters
Dream writing locations vs nightmare writing locations
The biscuit that powered the writing

Books Reviewed in This Episode

Philippa also shares some unexpected reading choices while recovering from illness — stepping away from crime fiction and diving into romance and escapist reads.

Books discussed:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Elite by Kiera Cass
The One by Kiera Cass
An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
A New Start at the Happily Ever After Bookshop by Emma Bennett

Expect reality-TV-style royal romance, Bridgerton escapism, and the ultimate cosy bookshop novel set in Cornwall.

About the Podcast

Quick Book Reviews is the podcast where you get book recommendations, interviews with bestselling authors, and honest reviews — always spoiler-free.