Outside - Charlotte Levin

She’s locked the door to the world.

Is love strong enough to open it?

Following a tragic incident, rising-star Beatrice is struggling. Having retreated from life entirely, she finds herself unable to leave the house. With her acting career now over, (Though don’t tell her agent), and discovering who her real friends aren’t, her world has shrunk—its only inhabitants, an elderly Polish neighbour, the world’s most boring postman, her therapist with issues of her own, and Piano Bitch from across the road. Thank God for Matisse, her beloved, foul-mouthed parakeet.

When she hires Irish gardener, Finn, to tame the overgrown garden that she cannot even enter, things take an unexpected turn. Their connection blossoms, and she’s no longer isolated and alone. But can a relationship survive the restrictions that control her, or will love enable Beatrice to confront her fears and step outside again?

Your next reading obsession, the poignant and darkly funny new novel from the bestselling author of If I Can’t Have You, perfect for fans of Sorrow and Bliss and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, what an absolutely stunning book!  It's my first Charlotte Levin book but I will definitely be picking up her earlier novels after being completely blown away by Outside.

It's a dual timeline novel with 'Before' and 'Now' chapters that are separated into parts that correspond with the four seasons.  Whatever the weather outside, it doesn't affect Beatrice as she is cocooned from the world behind her locked door and closed curtains, with only her foul-mouthed parakeet for company.   

Beatrice is agoraphobic and being unable to see a physical ailment makes it hard for people to empathise with her.  Surely, you just need to open your door and walk outside?   Oh if only it was that easy.  You cannot help but take Beatrice into your heart as the reason behind her condition is revealed and I struggled to hold in my tears on more than one occasion.

It is quite a heavy subject but Charlotte Levin perfectly balances this darkness with a bright shining light in the form of parakeet Matisse and Irish gardener/love interest Finn.  Charlotte Levin writes from the heart, delving into her own experience with anxiety and agoraphobia, to give the reader a true, honest and raw insight into this debilitating disorder.

Candid, poignant and surprising uplifting, Outside is an incredibly emotional book with an unforgettable protagonist who I completely adored.  So beautifully written, this is an unmissable book that is going on my favourites shelf.  An easy five stars for this very highly recommended read. 

I received a gifted hardback for the Insta Books Tours readalong and tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Christmas at Tillingford Hall (Tillingford Hall book 2) - Flora Dunn

Charlotte Patcham’s dream job running the Bath Physick Garden has turned into a nightmare: the underfunded garden has become a target for vandals, and her career and her social life are succumbing to mildew.

So why does she hesitate to take the job of Head Gardener at Hampshire’s famous Tillingford Hall? Could it be because her lying, thieving, cheating ex, Sebastian Seaton-Smyth, has also returned to work there after he left Tillingford Hall in disgrace?

But when fate pushes Charlie towards Tillingford Hall can she learn to work alongside Seb so they can get everything ready for the public in time for the opening Christmas concert?

And could Steve Silver, the foxy tree surgeon, be the kind of steady man Charlie could take to spend Christmas with her parents, or might Charlie and Seb reignite their sparkle in time?

 

What did I think?

Christmas at Tillingford Hall is the second book in the Tillingford Hall series but it is the first one that I have read.  Whilst I would have benefited from reading the first book, it works perfectly well as a standalone.  I think even though events from the first book are mentioned, I would still like to read Summer at Tillingford Hall to discover Alice and Guy's story.

Charlotte is nursing a broken heart after discovering her boyfriend Seb has been cheating on her so the last thing she needs is to keep running into him every day.  Charlotte really values her friends though and she returns to Tillingford Hall to help Alice and Guy bring life back to the walled garden.  Unfortunately for Charlie, Seb has also returned to Tillingford Hall as Guy has forgiven him for what he did in the summer but Charlie can't do the same.

I loved Charlie and her enthusiasm for gardening.  I can totally understand that she wants nothing to do with Seb but as times goes on she learns more of his story and the ice around her heart starts to thaw.  I really didn't like Steve the tree surgeon though; he's the type of guy who calls his girlfriend 'Princess' because he can't remember her name.  Charlie likes the attention at first but there's a dark and dangerous side to Steve...

Although Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a Christmas story, there are some serious and powerful topics covered including abusive relationships, addiction and forgiveness.  Flora Dunn covers these issues with sensitivity and respect and it makes the characters more realistic and relatable.

Heartwarming, uplifting and entertaining, Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a fun and thought-provoking festive romcom.  Any reader would be delighted to find this under their tree.

I received a gifted paperback from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Best Summer Ever - Heidi Swain

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

 

What did I think?

It wouldn't be Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer without a Heidi Swain book and the Best Summer Ever is her latest novel that is jam-packed with sunshine and romance.  I'm a huge fan of Heidi Swain books so it will come as no surprise to say that I loved Best Summer Ever.  I'm planning to read it again already - that's how much I loved it!

Daisy is well-named as her dad is a gardener and Daisy has a love of flowers too.  Daisy's life hasn't exactly gone to plan as she sets off home to Norfolk after breaking up with her boyfriend Laurence.  What makes it even worse is that Daisy's parents loved Laurence but what Daisy seems to forget is that they love her more.

To lessen the blow of her surprise return to the parental abode, Daisy decides to pop into the local pub to ask for work but also to calm her nerves after almost running over an American tourist.  The tourist, Josh, provides the love interest but with secrets and misunderstandings aplenty there's very much a will they/won't they about this blossoming romance.

I absolutely adored this gorgeous book from start to finish.  Just looking at the beautiful cover brings a smile to my face as I recollect my virtual visit to the fictional seaside town of Wynmouth.  I love how Heidi Swain's books are all standalones but often see a return to some of her fictional towns and villages so fans of her books really feel as if they're visiting a favourite destination.

Best Summer Ever is the perfect feel-good book to warm your heart and banish the winter blues.  Make sure you don't miss this fabulous heartwarming romance that is worth every single one of the five stars I have awarded it.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Grass Widow - Vanessa Edwards

Ditched by her married lover Hugh on the day she was made redundant, Leonie plans to make life difficult for Hugh while she searches for a new job. She inveigles her way into his house as a cleaner, intending to plant fake clues to his new liaison for his wife Amanda to find. But instead she discovers real clues to Amanda’s secrets.

Meanwhile, fellow cleaners Brenda and Tina also have hidden agendas as they work: Brenda is counting on a spot of blackmail and Tina is looking for financial information to sell to her dodgy brother-in-law.

At the centre of this web is Amanda’s gardener Simon: handsome, ruthless and plausible, with a shady past and lofty ambitions.

A death in an apparent accident arouses Leonie’s suspicions. Can she put aside her animosity towards Amanda and use her impressive – if sometimes unorthodox – investigative skills to find the truth before someone else dies?

 

What did I think?

The Grass Widow is a book that is filled with secrets, blackmail and plans for revenge.  Nobody is who they seem and it it feels like everyone is being played; even the players are being played and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see who would be left standing at the end.

Leonie's life fell apart when her affair with a co-worker ended and she found herself single and out of work.  Leonie is not going to go down without a fight and plans to take Hugh down with her so she poses as a cleaner to get into his house and plant evidence of his infidelity for his wife Amanda to find.  Leonie's conscience gets the better of her when she starts to uncover Amanda's secrets and an unlikely alliance is formed.

Oh this book just keeps on revealing secrets with every turn of the page and the intricately woven plot keeps the reader on their toes.  There is so much going on with every character hiding something and the fast-paced storyline twisted and turned right up to the outstanding conclusion.

Gripping and suspenseful from start to finish, The Grass Widow is an intelligent and unpredictable novel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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About the author:

Vanessa is a solicitor specialising in EU law who has worked in private practice in London and Brussels and for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

After taking early retirement from the legal profession she turned her hand to fiction.

She lives in Hampstead and likes wine, walking and music of many sorts. And of course reading and writing.

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