Local author Dave Spence releases 'Jollies', a new summer adventure novel

Local author Dave Spence has returned with his second novel – and it promises sunshine, nostalgia and plenty of laughs for local readers.

Spence, who made his debut with Gate-Crashers in 2021, won fans across the UK and overseas with his warm, character-driven storytelling. That first book took readers back to a wintry Christmas in Sale in 1984, blending humour with a heartfelt coming-of-age tale that resonated far beyond Trafford.

Now the local author "turns up the heat" with Jollies, a summery lad-lit romcom that picks up with Nick and the gang for one last, unforgettable adventure of youth. Expect sun, chaos, a few sockless surprises – and the kind of eighties escapism that Spence’s readers love him for.

Sale locals will especially enjoy spotting familiar haunts throughout the story. From Sale Leisure Centre and The Little B to Ashton-on-Mersey Cricket Club, the book is packed with nods to well-loved places. Spence also tips his hat to venues that have since disappeared from the local area – The Pelican Hotel, The Wellgreen and The Old Nag's Head in Little Bollington among them.

From those hometown touchpoints, the novel heads off on a road trip to Blackpool before landing in Benitses, Corfu – once a lively holiday hotspot for British teens in the 80s. It's a journey filled with humour, heart and the same lived-in authenticity that made Spence's debut such a hit.

Jollies is available now in paperback and is free to read on Kindle Unlimited.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted read – and fancy supporting a local author while you’re at it – this one might just be your next pick!