***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
“The brilliant author of this brilliant book” will have you laughing and crying as Meredith, after spending three years inside her house, figures out how to rejoin the world one step at a time (Gillian McAllister, author of the Reese’s Book Club Wrong Place Wrong Time).
She has a full-time remote job and her rescue cat Fred. Her best friend Sadie visits with her two children. There's her online support group, her jigsaw puzzles and favorite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson poems. Also keeping her company are treacherous memories of an unstable childhood and a traumatic event that had sent her reeling.
But something's about to change. First, two new friends burst into her life. Then her long-estranged sister gets in touch. Suddenly her carefully curated home is no longer a space to hide. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door...
Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander is an emotional story about a woman who hasn’t left her home in months. It is both heartbreaking and inspirational and a book I won’t soon forget.
Story Recap:
Meredith lives with her rescue cat Fred, and never leaves her home. The only visitors she gets are her friend Sadie and her two children. She has an online support group and loves her jigsaw puzzles. But, things are about to change for Meridith and it’s time for her to face her traumatic past.
My Thoughts:
This is such an emotional book, and I loved every minute of it. It’s not a romance, but a story of abuse, mental health, and coping. And yet, it’s also so inspirational and beautiful. Agoraphobia is such a misunderstood illness, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about it through the mind of Meredith and her interactions with the few people she allows around her.
At first, it seems as if Meridith really is alone, but as the book progresses we see a support system emerge. The chapters flip back and forth in time and we see the trauma that Meridith faced that led her to her agoraphobia. And in the current chapters, we see the way she starts to heal and all the people around her that love her.
While the book and Meridith’s situation are sad and emotional, I liked the way this debut author sprinkled in little bits of humor making this a very well-balanced story. I liked the way the author was able to communicate the seriousness of the illness and the trauma, and still be able to write a book that was so enjoyable to read.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Meridith, Alone to everybody. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Claire Alexander
Claire Alexander is a writer living in Scotland. Her first novel, Meredith, Alone, is out soon.
Sounds like this book did a great job of highlighting agoraphobia, and helping readers understand what those that face it go through. Excellent review, Wendy🙂🙂
Great review. I think people, even without being diagnosed with agoraphobia, find it easier to be isolated than in the past. The lockdowns have separated people from other people, and all of the deliveries to our doorsteps make it easy to just be at home. People have to work harder at interaction than they used to.
This does sound wonderful and very moving. I love that it brings Agoraphobia to light. All mental health disorders need to be better understood and I always cheer when authors take that task on. Excellent review!
This book was emotional but amazing, I loved it. As you said there is humour in parts to lift the story so that it isn’t sad all of the time, great review😊
Great review, Wendy! I don’t think I’ve personally read a book about a character facing agoraphobia but I think this would be a great story to read and learn more about it as well. Thanks for sharing!
That does sound like quite a deep, emotional read!
You are terrible for my TBR! This sounds fantastic and I like that the author didn’t gloss over agoraphobia.
Would love to read this one and see how Fred keeps Meredith company.
Beautiful review Wendy.
Have a good week ahead!
Elza Reads
Sounds like this book did a great job of highlighting agoraphobia, and helping readers understand what those that face it go through. Excellent review, Wendy🙂🙂
Yes, that’s exactly right Mallika. I learned so much.
Great review. I think people, even without being diagnosed with agoraphobia, find it easier to be isolated than in the past. The lockdowns have separated people from other people, and all of the deliveries to our doorsteps make it easy to just be at home. People have to work harder at interaction than they used to.
That is very true, Linda. I see it in my kids, and their friends.
This sounds like a heavy read.
There was a good bit of humor in there as well, so it wasn’t too heavy, but yes, the subject matter is tough
This sounds like a great read! Meredith and I both like our Emily Dickinson poems. Thanks for the review!
Thank you, Jolene!
Sold. This sounds wonderful Wendy.
I hope you enjoy this, Kimberly!
This does sound wonderful and very moving. I love that it brings Agoraphobia to light. All mental health disorders need to be better understood and I always cheer when authors take that task on. Excellent review!
I agree, Tessa! Thanks!
This book was emotional but amazing, I loved it. As you said there is humour in parts to lift the story so that it isn’t sad all of the time, great review😊
Thank you, Jenny! I’m glad you enjoyed it too. And yes, there is some good humor in there as well.
This sounds like one for the tbr. Thanks Wendy!
Thank you, Cathy, I hope you enjoy it
Great review, Wendy! I don’t think I’ve personally read a book about a character facing agoraphobia but I think this would be a great story to read and learn more about it as well. Thanks for sharing!
I learned a lot about agoraphobia and it was interesting to read about someone going through it.
Great review! We don’t know much about agoraphobia.
I didn’t either, it was so interesting
I really enjoyed this emotional read too Wendy! Wonderful review.
Thank you, Jodie!
Awesome review Wendy! This sounds like a very emotional story!🤗📚☕💜
Thank you, Susan. It was very emotional.
Great review, Wendy!!
Thank you, Cindy!
Sounds very emotional.
It sure was, Rosie, but well written.