Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a great read from an author new to me, Claire Alexander. This is a stunning read, and I’ll be checking out this writer’s other works. I discovered this book via NetGalley. Although I read and reviewed this book back at the very end of February, the publisher has requested that I not post on my blog until a week prior to release. The book publishes on Thursday 9th June, and here’s my review  >>>

About the Book:

All that stands between Meredith and the world is her own front door . . . but what will it take for her to open it?

Meredith Maggs hasn’t left her house in 1,214 days. But she insists she isn’t alone.

She has her cat Fred. Her friend Sadie visits when she can. There’s her online support group, StrengthInNumbers. She has her jigsaws, favourite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson, the internet, the Tesco delivery man and her treacherous memories for company.

But something’s about to change. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door . . . Does she have the courage to overcome what’s been keeping her inside all this time?

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A Heart-wrenching and Heart-warming Read.

I haven’t read Claire Alexander previously, but I’ll be sure to check out her other books after this excellent read. I finished this book in one sitting, and it’s not a short read.

“My name is Meredith Maggs and I haven’t left my home for 1,214 days.” … from this highly interesting opening line, we’re taken into the life of “Mer”, who hasn’t left her house for about three years, following a trauma.

The writing is powerful and packs a punch. This book will make you cry and have you laughing out loud at various points. Any traumatic references are in the past and covered sympathetically and aren’t too arduous to read about. Here are some lines I loved …

“… all the pretending in my life is a ten when the truth is that most days barely scratch the underside of a six.”

And …

“I told her that I didn’t think affirmations were supposed to be lies, which led to a long conversation about self-sabotaging behaviours.”

And …

“… she told me in the cross voice she uses to hide more complicated emotions.”

And …

“… my mouth was shaped for a Chardonnay, so I decided I might as well make the most of it.”

I could go on and on … the writing was so good. Okay, so I lied … here’s one final line … “Maybe it wasn’t too late to consider a different version of myself from the one Mama had strapped meinto, like a too-tight coat.”

As you might have guessed, Meredith, Alone gets a resounding 5 stars from me. Read this book: you will love it!

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/