In The World at My Feet, Ellie is dealing with agoraphobia. As we move through the book, we learn about Ellie's bleak early childhood and the reasons why Ellie is struggling. This was a really unexpected storyline as I had not come across any fiction dealing with the aftermath of the horrendous orphanages in Romania. I think the topic was well researched and handled sensitively. I could have done without the romance aspect of the book as the most interesting parts for me were Ellie's relationships with Tabitha and her adopted family. A worthwhile and enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

🌟I was utterly captivated.
🌟This bittersweet tale moving & uplifting.
🌟The characters are so relatable and real I laughed and cried along with them and for them reading these pages.
🌟I don't want to give to much away and ruin it, so all I will say is this is stunning.
🌟A heart-breaking plot with gasp-worthy twists and turns makes this a poignant, uplifting story - one you will not want to miss!

3.5 stars rounded up. On the surface this is an easy diction read but it deals with some challenging issues in a very considerate and realistic way. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for the ARC

Really nice relaxing read, great for the summer holidays.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

From Post revolution Romania to the iddlylic countryside of the UK, this is the story of two women, two worlds and a journey of self discovery that spans a lifetime.

The writing is so beautifully written, it's easy to imagine yourself inside the book and in Ellie's garden. I laughed and cried and I rooted for the characters throughout. It's not the type of book I would usually be drawn to but I'm glad I did because I loved it!!

If you need some escapism, this book is perfect.

Just a lovely book. Covers topics that are hard to read and shows the impact that trauma has throughout the life of one girl Ellie. Great book and a great read.

A lovely novel that was well written. It had likeable characters and a believable storyline. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author but will certainly be looking for more of her work.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and follow, the characters were well thought out and very relatable. Wonderfully written. Would definitely recommend.

Ever since I finished this book at the weekend, I have been recommending it left, right and centre. I’m the age where I remember those television reports from Romania, and the challenge programme with Anneka Rice where she went out to the orphanages. I was so upset seeing those children with blank eyes, self- soothing by rocking themselves in filthy cots. Id never seen a building full of children be so quiet. These were children who had stopped crying because they knew nobody would come. I desperately wanted to go out there myself and do something and I was still idealistic enough to think that simple love and affection would ‘fix’ everything that had happened to them. Now I know how trauma works, I can’t imagine that any child came out of that situation unscathed.
I didn’t click with Ellie straightaway, although I did understand her love of gardening. I love it too. For people who’ve experienced trauma, gardening is a way of dealing with that. There’s something meditative and healing about being outdoors, working in the earth and creating a living painting. I think it creates a feeling of grounding. For Ellie, who suffers from agoraphobia, this is her way of being outside. It’s still close to home and is her being outside but in small steps. She’s close enough to the house to disappear back to safety when necessary. She’s an engaging character and the book itself has a lovely feel, my only caveat is that I wonder how many people who had an early life in one of these places, could be as adjusted and cope with the world like Ellie. Yes she has some mental health issues, but nothing like the attachment, abandonment problems I would expect. I would have expected personality disorders to appear, not agoraphobia. However, put that aside and it has been a interesting read which engaged me from the beginning,

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It was a very poignant and sober story of love, pain and suffering. So sad. Of course I would say its predictable but its one of those books that it just wouldn't have worked if it wasn't predictable. This story will stay with me for a while.

Highly recommended and well deserves the 5 stars and excellent reviews.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and Netgalley.

The World at my feet
Catherine Issac
Pub Date 1 jan 2022
This book is a lovely book well written enjoyable read with amazing characters. This is a moving story. This is my first Catherine Issac book I read and enjoyed. This book deals with family drama love friendship everything you need in a book I love the characters they were amazing read and lovely story line 💖

Ellie Heathcote is a successful Instagram influencer with followers hungry for her daily tips on gardening and perfect images of her garden. From the outside in Ellie looks like she has a fulfilled life but Ellie hasn’t stepped outside her garden gate in years. Told with great sensitivity, mostly from Ellie's point of view, the reader also hears from Harriet who is a journalist back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Covering a plethora of topics, such as mental health, fear and confronting the past The World at My Feet will pull at your heartstrings as it did mine. A beautiful story written by Catherine Isaac with compassion and care.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

.I would like to extend my gratitude to the author, #NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for a frank, fair and honest review.

Despite finding the layout of this book really bad I really enjoyed it. The characters had such depth to them and each their own story. The author deals with mental health problems in such an acceptable way; showing how people can still live with, and be challenged by, their own issues. It is a story of compassion, love, friendship, and courage. It is a story about empowerment.

Such a lovely read which at first is a very different book until you discover Ellie’s backstory. Ellie has the world at her feet with a successful Instagram account doing what she loves gardening but things aren’t right and Ellie can’t leave the safety of her garden. Her parents and sister are her tight knit support system. Her mum the famous war correspondent and her dad her rock who was always there for her and her younger sister whose no nonsense attitude to fake people is hilarious try so desperately to help Ellie deal with the nightmares from her past.

I don’t remember much about Ceaucescu’s horrific regime but do remember the haunted look on the children’s faces when the reporters arrived. A very cleverly written book with such likeable characters that you are totally with them and crying with them.

This is why Catherine Isaac is one of my favourite authors

I absolutely loved this book.
What an amazing tale told through the eyes of Ellie who is struggling with her mental health. It felt real and authentic while maintain a sense of the positive.
I was so pleased at the end and hopeful for the future of the characters.

I found it easy to connect with Ellie and how she lives her life. Having a close family member with similar needs I totally identified with this! It’s so realistic that at times I tried to hold myself apart but it was difficult not to get drawn in, especially with how sensitively the author writes about mental health. I found myself in tears a few times.

Even though Ellie is vulnerable I didn’t see her as weak. She has a lot of strengths and I was willing her on throughout 🙂

Harriet’s backstory was interesting. Being a part of an institution prejudiced about women and the war and her role as a correspondent shows the strength she has. You can tell the enjoyment she still gets from being involved. Harrowing scenes in Romania …

I loved the theme of Ellie’s gardening and IG. On the one hand it’s an activity that soothes her soul but as with all social media platforms, what’s on the surface isn’t necessarily what’s bubbling away underneath. There are some great juxtapositions in the story.

Some great characters. Ellie’s sister Lucy is the perfect foil for her. I thought Oscar (the cleaner’s son) played a key part in boosting Ellie’s emotions and the developing friendship between them made me smile. Guy gave me the creeps from the beginning! Jamie grew on me too.

My ultimate takeaway from The World at My Feet was one of hope and promise. Of new growth and new directions.

Recommended read.

Harriet is a journalist who has travelled to many dangerous places all over the world. She has covered many war – related stories but the one that has changed her life was in Romania. Following the fall of Ceausescu’s communist government, she travels there to report on the country’s orphanages, filled with thousands of children, victims of the dictator’s politics of having as many children as possible in a family. What she sees there is a shock but it’s also going to bring the biggest change in her life.
Ellie is an instagram influencer, posting about her garden and plants, sharing tips how to keep them growing and blossoming. Ellie hasn’t left the confines of her beloved garden in two years now. She suffers from agoraphobia, and just the thought of leaving the safety of her house and garden brings her close to panic attacs. Because those places are her sanctuary, her safe place. It wasn’t always like this, Ellie used to go to University in London, so what has changed? And is there something that could help? Something different than therapy which necessitates digging in the past, exposing Ellie to things that still terrify her so much, that she doesn’t want to think about?

This is Catherine Isaac’s best book yet. I was incredibly immersed in this story and read it over two days, what with life getting in the way – I’d read it in one sitting when possible! It was not easy to write this review and I’m sure I haven’t done the book justice, but let’s be honest, what can you tell about a book that is perfect instead of saying that it’s simply perfect and that you loved everything about it? I’ll be honest, I haven’t expected it to be so good, really, it truly exceeded my expectations. This book was simply so close to life and so human, it didn’t feel like reading a book, it felt like watching someone’s life, someone who quickly grew on you and became your friend, someone you fell for and kept everything crossed for them, no matter how annoying they sometimes were – and I loved this feeling! It doesn’t happen often that you feel like this about a book and I’ll be cherish this feeling – and this novel – for a long time.

I think this story was brilliantly researched. The descriptions of the orphanages and the condition of the children have broken my heart – you know such things really happened, not so long time ago, but there are things that you’d rather won’t know about. Catherine Isaac has written about it in a beautiful yet realistic and brutally honest way and hats off to her for doing it – because some things must be told as they really are/were. But also her covering the topic of mental health was brilliant and so very credible. Also the explanations why Ellie was getting panic attacks that resulted in agoraphobia was credible and realistic and you could actually feel Ellie’s fear and her emotions. It is amazing how well Catherine Isaac was able to also highlight the reasons why Ellie didn’t want to confront the past, so easily getting into her character’s head and making it crystal clear for the readers as well. But it isn’t only Ellie that was portrayed so well, because the characters surrounding her came across as living and breathing and real and I absolutely adored them all, with their own ways of supporting Ellie – with such a network you don’t have to be afraid of anything, really. Her parents and sister Lucy are absolutely brilliant and you really could see that this family feel good in each other’s company, there their bonds are strong and nothing will shake them. Ellie’s friendship with the little Oscar was heart – warming and brought some sunshine and funny moments and Gertie the dog is one and only. How they say, never work with children and animals, right? Ha! But the new friendship between Ellie and Jamie must have been the best ever, I loved seeing them together, especially after their cocktail – making session, and it was breaking my heart when they were arguing – Jamie was soooo great, so well drawn, just like the other ones.

The story is mostly set in the present, in 2018, though there are also flashbacks to 1989, telling us the background of Ellie’s tale through Harriet’s perspective. I must admit, at the beginning I thought this story is going to take in totally different direction, what with Harriet being a war – reporter, and I was puzlling over the fact what is the link to those two subplots, this of Ellie and this of Harriet. I mean, I knew they are a family, but what has happened, so significant, that both the stories are being told? I must admit, later on I started to guess what has happened, nevertheless the way leading us to this moment was thrillingly captivating, full of unexpected information and so compelling.

The book ended perfectly, and I don’t only mean the actual end but the fact that all the subplots and threads were beautifully wrapped up. It was a heart – wrenching, poignant story that made me cry at the end – and it doesn’t happen often those times. The writing style is gorgeous and it suits the story in every way. Catherine Isaac writes beautifully but in a modern way.

„The World at My Feet“ covers, in a very compelling way, with thoughtfulness and sensitivity, some emotional and controversial topics, the above mentioned orphanages in Romania, but also mental health issues. Those themes may sound disturbing and heavy, but the author overcame them with some truly wonderful moments, gentle humour and lightheartedness. Overall, it’s a powerful story about unconditional love, friendship, family and new beginnings. Poignant, realistic, brutally honest, witty and clever. Moving in places, humorous in others, I can’t recommend it highly enough!

‘The World At My Feet’ is the latest book by Catherine Isaac.

1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule. 2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life who could finally be the reason she needs to overcome her fears.

‘The World At My Feet’ is the third book by Catherine and just like her debut, it’s just as tearjerking and captivating.

The story is seen through the narrative of mother and daughter Harriet and Ellie. To the outside world, Ellie is a strong and powerful woman with a strong following on her gardening Instagram page but Ellie doesn’t move beyond her garden due to agoraphobia. Much as she’d love to step outside her garden, her fear and anxiety have prevented her leaving the house for a number of years, leaving her reliant on deliveries and support from her parents and younger sister called Lucy.

Although Ellie’s narrative is written in the present tense, her mother’s Harriet is written in the past tense at the height of her career when she was a war correspondent travelling to some of the most dangerous places in the world. One place that particularly triggered an emotion and connection with Harriet, was the Romanian orphanages, were children with haunting eyes who were not only malnourished of food but also love and affection.

The story seen through Ellie’s makes for frustrating and sad reading, she’s a wonderful young woman who quite literally has the world at her end but is consumed by her fear that her life is in limbo. Aware that she needs to make changes before it’s too late, she become friends with Jamie, the garden centre delivery man who gently coaxes her out into real world with his kind and fun nature. Their friendship makes for lovely reading as they get to know each other and their interactions.

Harriet’s narrative makes for quite hard hitting reading as she travels to war worn torn and poverty stricken countries. Catherine vividly describes the desperation and desolation of the orphanages as the children long for love and are horribly deprived of it and this make upsetting reading at times.

Like her previous novels, Catherine’s novels really strike a chord with its reader connecting with them on an emotional level that really pulls its audience in. The story focuses on genuinely upsetting topics such as agoraphobia and the orphanages in Romania, but she writes with such sensitivity and warmth which really captures the readers heart. Even in the darkest moments of the story, there are elements of light with the beautiful descriptions of the gardens and the inclusion of a friendly canine called Gertie.

Beautifully written with thoroughly researched subjects, Catherine has created another soulful story that captivates the reader. ‘The World At My Feet’ is a stunningly written story of hope, courage and new beginnings.

You can buy ‘The World At My Feet’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops

This is such a heart wrenching story about Ellie who is an Instagram gardening sensation but for the past two years had been unable to leave the house as she suffers from Agoraphobia. Luckily her parents live just a hundred yards away so they are always on hand if she needs them.

The story also features Harriet’s story, she is a war reporter and goes around the world raising awareness of conflicts and such like. It is through Harriet that we learn about the awful conditions in the orphanages in Romania which I remember seeing on the telly when I was younger and being very upset by. It’s unbelievable that people could allow this sort of thing to happen to children where babies don’t bother crying because no one will comfort them.

The writing is very sophisticated and is able to convey the emotions of the two main characters so well and their stories intertwine so wonderfully. I was rooting for Ellie to hopefully overcome this debilitating condition and get out there to enjoy the life she deserves. Although the book deals with a heartbreaking subject it is not gloomy and depressing it is quite the opposite in fact and I found it to be so uplifting.

Ellie’s journey was a difficult one for her to get through but she had the love and support of her parents and sister and a special someone who all gave her the comfort of feeling safe. I’m so pleased that Catherine Isaac has raised awareness for this charitable cause because although the orphanages are almost gone and those that remain are immensely improved they still need lots of help to find a family for each and every one of those children.

Evocative and uplifting, a story about love, family and belonging. x x

My first exposure to Catherine Isaac was with You, Me, Everything. I had never heard of her before and it was a random kindle purchase.

I fell in love with her writing style immediately. Her attention to detail and ability to create such vivid scenes, I truly feel like I am there with the characters- seeing what they are seeing; smelling; feeling. This book was absolutely the same and I'm in awe of that style.

I read the blurb to this book a while before finally managing to pick it up so had sort of forgotten what it was about. It is not like You, Me, Everything in terms of genre but is in terms of this writer's voice- she sucks you in wholeheartedly to the main character's life and draws every emotion possible from your heart.

Without giving spoilers, the depth of the main character Ellie and even that of side characters is incredible. Not one of them wasn't likeable (ok maybe 1, but that was intended) and I truly felt for Ellie on her emotional journey. I have never read a book with someone like Ellie, who has suffered / continues to suffer the way she does. You can tell how much research went into this writing...it paid off.

Finally, I loved how the story took so many twists and turns. So much happened that I didn't see coming and it left me wanting more. Even now, I really wish I knew where this fictional character was and how her life has progressed. Yes. I am aware though, she isn't real. But to put it simply, that's what Isaac does.