There are some books that you find on your ereader randomly, and have no idea what they are about, when you got them, or what they are. This is one of those books.
I started reading this book because my phone was dead and I had nothing else to scroll on. I am glad I did though!
Let me introduce the book, and then we will get into my review!
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In her twenties, single and with the Covid-19 pandemic almost behind her, Abigail should be living her best life.
Which she is, as long as it’s within the confines of her own home.
The problem is, Abi can’t bring herself to leave the house. Suffering from agoraphobia, her life now revolves around her work as a freelance web designer, her art hobby business, and her infrequent chats with her attractive delivery driver, Sean.
When things progress towards a relationship, Abi’s happy to welcome him into her home, but what will happen when Sean wants to take her out?
A story of courage and limitations, of anxiety and baby steps, interwoven with sweet romance and more than a sprinkling of hope.
There are no miracle cures or quick fixes in this standalone novella, just support, understanding, and a whole lot of love!
My Review!
Some phobias are small, but can feel big. Being scared of spiders, for example, comes on different levels. It can be that spiders make you a little uncomfortable, or that you freeze in fear whenever there is a spider around. Agoraphobia, though, is a little different. There are some things that people take for granted in this world. Warm clothes, a roof over your head, fresh air outside. But one that doesn’t seem to fit on that list is the ability to go outside.
While COVID-19 gave everyone at least a little concern over leaving the house, it gave Abi more than a little. The threshold of the front door is one that she cannot cross, and even the thought of doing so is enough to throw her into a panic attack. And, when she finally works up the courage to ask the cute delivery guy who has been bringing her art supplies out, she finally had to face the fact that people go outside on a regular basis, and while it terrifies her, it might become a necessity.
I was not aware of the extent agoraphobia could get to. I was not wholly aware of the phobia itself, to be fair. To physically be unable to step outside, to only feel safe within your own home, but also trapped within it, is portrayed perfectly in this story. This is not a particularly long novel, you could easily read it within an hour, if not less, but that does not take away from the feelings or the story at all. Sean, the delivery driver, is the change in Abi’s life that prompts her to realise just how debilitating her illness actually is. It is normal for couples to go for a walk together on a nice day, but, scared to tell Sean about her inability to do so, Abi ends up coming up with lies, reasons to stay inside. Her fear that this man, whom she cares for, will turn and walk away when he finds out about her issues with mental health, is heartbreaking to read about. She is so scared that he will judge her and turn his back to her that she would rather continue to live a lie than to tell the truth.
Sean and Abi are a lovely couple to read about. While Sean does not know about Abi’s agoraphobia for the majority of this book, he is no less of a wonderful and supportive man. Even when he barely knows her, he does what he can to make sure she is comfortable. He is not without his own issues, for a past relationship has left him with a guarded heart and a careful approach, but Abi’s beauty, both that inside and out, seems to be simply irresistible to him. Their relationship was so incredibly sweet to read.
Once again, this is a very short novel and, sometimes, books this short can miss out on some of the emotion to make way for the backbone of the story. Not so, in this novel. There is not only emotion, it is felt by the reader as well as the characters. This book has been written with a certain touch that makes it such an incredibly experience to read it. There are some people who can decorate cakes beautifully, and in a way no person could ever replicate. This author has written the story version of that metaphorical cake. And it is one that you don’t want to say no to, but one that you must pick up eagerly, and simply devour it, every single word, until there is nothing left. Not even crumbs.
And done!
I recommend you grab a copy of this book! It is short and sweet, and the chapters are wonderfully bitesized – perfect for a coffee break, five minutes of relaxing, or an hour curled up in a cosy blanket.
I started reading this as a break time thing, but I stopped being able to put it down, so I didn't.
That's all for now...
Bye!
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