The Lifeline by Libby PageSynopsis “For Kate, having a newborn baby means she is almost never alone. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t lonely. The move from London to Somerset with her husband Jay was supposed be the start of an exciting new chapter. But sometimes she can’t help but wonder if she turned the pages too soon …

Phoebe needs help. As a mental health nurse serving her community, the wellbeing of her patients has always come before her own. Yet there’s only so long she can pour from an empty cup.

Looking for a lifeline, Kate and Phoebe find a sense of community – and each other – through their local river swimming group. But when things get tough, they realise that good friends can both raise us up and stop us sinking.

The Lifeline is the big-hearted and life-affirming new novel by Sunday Times bestselling author Libby Page.”

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My Review

Libby Page is one of my favourite authors and I was lucky enough to win this new novel via Litalist.

It’s a lovely book with a gentle pace, told from Kate and Phoebe’s points of view, who are both really lovely characters. I loved both of them for different reasons.

It was lovely catching up with Kate from Libby’s debut, The Lido, and seeing how she was coping in her new life in Somerset now that she had a new baby. I felt for her as she struggled with trying to settle into her new identity as a mother and wife, whilst also trying to retain who she was before her baby had arrived.

I must admit when I first heard about this book I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, as I didn’t particularly want to be reminded of my own early days of motherhood. I needn’t have worried though, as once again Libby Page has created a wonderful  book full of community, and close friendships between the women, something that Libby Page is so good at creating. It brought tears to my eyes at one point, something her books always do, but tears of joy, not sadness this time!

Highly recommended, if you enjoy gentle contemporary novels, featuring small communities and strong female friendships.

Book 3 of 20 Books of Summer