LoveReading Says
Feel-good and then some, once finished I exclaimed in delight and actually gathered this book up for a hug! Loretta has life mapped out and even carries a notebook with a never-ending to-do list, but the unexpected inclusion of six-year-old Phoebe throws her carefully planned notes into disarray. I have rather fallen in love with Nicola Gil’s writing, she excels in being both thoughtfully warm and sharply witty. I can also recommend her debut The Neighbours which was an amusing and smart look at contemporary life. Swimming for Beginners waltzes its way into our LoveReading Star Books category, it is a delightfully quirky look at relationships, forgiveness, and also grief. Sadness is handled with huge empathy while beautifully thoughtful moments of humour are inserted with consideration. I particularly enjoyed the different relationships which thrum throughout, from work colleagues, to friends, and family each encounter with Loretta and Phoebe ensures a different emotion is speared. The two main leads are just gorgeous, and I am so glad to have had them in my life for the duration of this novel. One of my picks of the month, Swimming For Beginners is a fabulous slice of wonderful and comes with must-read stamped all over it.
Liz Robinson
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Swimming For Beginners Synopsis
Funny, heartbreaking and life-affirming, Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren't a mother.
Loretta has life under control.
She's good at avoiding things that make her uncomfortable, she's chasing a big promotion at work, and she's marrying a man whose five-year plan aligns perfectly with her own.
Children do not come into the mix.
This all changes, however, when a stranger in an airport asks Loretta to keep an eye on her sleeping six-year-old, Phoebe. The stranger never comes back.
Loretta knows that Phoebe's life will change forever from that moment. But so will hers.
This strange little person in fairy wings will turn Loretta's world upside down and cause her to question everything she knows about herself.
Dive into Nicola Gill's heart-warming and relatable journey into the power of a child's love and its ability to transcend motherhood.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781915798701 |
| Publication date: |
14th September 2023 |
| Author: |
Nicola Gill |
| Publisher: |
Bedford Square Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
1 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Feel-Good Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Nicola Gill Press Reviews
It's funny, smart and will break your heart. -- Eleni Kyriacou
This book swam away with my heart. Poignant and uplifting, it addresses loss, sadness and the horrible feeling of never quite fitting in, but with a lightness of touch and humour that makes it a pleasure to read. -- Eleanor Ray
A heartfelt tale of love, loss and coming back to life -- Gillian Harvey
Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable. Another fabulous book from Nicola Gill -- Louise Hare
Please meet my new favourite book. I roared with laughter and wept buckets for Phoebe and Loretta. So much heart on each beautifully written page and one to read again and again -- Jessica Ryn
As a parent, this book absolutely killed me. It's spot on and a complete page turner -- Tim Ewins
I ADORED it. It's original, refreshing and full of soul. A truly unforgettable read that's heartbreaking and spirit lifting in equal measure, with characters and life lessons that will stay with me forever -- Helly Acton
I love, love, LOVED this book! A massive great hug of a story: warm, funny and big-hearted. Uplifting fiction at its very best! -- Louise Mumford
This story was so compelling and easy to read . . . I devoured it in two sittings -- Sharon M. Peterson
I loved this book which made me both laugh and cry, often at the same time. Nicola Gill has expertly crafted a page-turning, emotional and relatable novel which will warm every heart. The perfect book to curl up with. I absolutely adored it. -- Louise Fein
A Nicola Gill book is always a treat and I loved this so much - laugh out loud funny, warm-hearted and feelgood, with characters that jump off the page. -- Frances Quinn
A beautiful read full of heart and depth -- Nina Pottell - Prime
About Nicola Gill
Nicola Gill lives in London. At the age of five, when all of the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her ballet teacher was very relieved.
When she’s not at her desk, you can usually find Nicola reading, cooking up vast vats of food for friends and family or watching box sets. Occasionally she even leaves the house…
Photo Credit: Stuart Gill
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