‘The Beginner's Guide to Loneliness’, by Laura Bambrey.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK, via NetGalley, for the copy to review. 

This is one that I’ve been looking forward to reading, since it was first published in July 2020. Alas things got in the way. The pile of books to read got larger and larger and it slipped away from me. So when I stumbled on it the other day I was so pleased that I finally got to sit down and get stuck in, and thank goodness I did because - 

IT IS BRILLIANT!!! 

I cannot stress how much I loved this! 

About the book: 

Tori Williamson is alone. After a tragic event left her isolated from her loved ones, she’s been struggling to find her way back to, well – herself. That’s why she set up her blog, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, as a way of – anonymously – connecting with the outside world and reaching others who just need a little help sometimes.
 
When she’s offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, Tori is anxious about opening herself up to new surroundings. But after her three closest friends – who she talks to online but has never actually met – convince her it’ll do her some good, she reluctantly agrees and heads off for three weeks in the wild (well, a farm in Wales).
 
From the moment she arrives, Tori is sceptical and quickly finds herself drawn to fellow sceptic Than, the retreat’s dark and mysterious latecomer. But as the beauty of The Farm slowly comes to light she realizes that opening herself up might not be the worst thing. And sharing a yurt with fellow retreater Bay definitely isn’t.  Will the retreat be able to fix Tori? Or will she finally learn that being lonely doesn’t mean she’s broken . . .

This is Laura’s debut novel and I was hooked from page one. It was exciting and different. The characters loveable and full of depth, I enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the book. It kept me glued to my seat, second guessing all the time. It’s a brilliant, beautiful story about finding one self and having the courage to make the changes you need when things are not quite right or at their fullest. Refreshing and satisfying read that I cannot recommend enough. 

Fantastic, can’t wait for Laura’s next book. 

5 out of 5.