I miss my mornings with Meredith!
What a lovely heart warming read this was. Sometimes you need something to read which doesn't involve a lot of brain power yet draws you in and this one hits that spot.
Meredith hasn't left the house in over 1000 days but she is ok, she has her cat , her best friend and Tesco delivery so that's all she needs, she's alone but isn't lonely . But things are about to change , new friends and an estranged sister come into her life and her home is no longer her safe haven .
The story switches between the past and present so we get to see why Meredith has become the person she is . An incident happened ( which i won't mention to avoid spoliers) which makes the reader warm to Meredith. She is such a likeable relatable character . It's not a page turner but the characters and writing are enough to keep you engaged . It is also refreshing to have a protagonist which is 40 and not 20!
It's a great debut and i look forward to more from this author!
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy

I've never read a fictional book that handled trauma and mental illness as well as this one. It is so beautiful and sensitively conceived and executed, it made me quite emotional.

My go-to book length is no more than 300 pages, so at 400, I had my doubts. But this absolutely flew by. It sucks you in and holds you close that you can't put it down. Everything had to go on hold - work, housework, cooking - until I'd finished it. I have since told everyone I know that, without fail, they must buy it when it comes out. I may even buy myself a physical copy of it, as gorgeous as the Kindle version was, I think it's a book I need to physically hold in my hand.

It goes without saying there's some difficult topics in this book; sexual abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, divorce, domestic violence, death, agraphobia, abandonment, miscarriage. And whilst they are there for entertainment purposes - it's a book at the end of the day, it's meant to be entertaining - they're not over the top or made to be gratuitous. They're there because unfortunately that's the reality for some people.

Meredith is a gorgeous character. She's isolated and alone, but she's got such a huge heart. Once she's read to open up, she'll hold you in an embrace that neither of you want to break. She's possibly one of the greatest written characters I've read.

The collection of secondary characters - her sister Fe, her mum, her aunties, her best friend, her neighbour, her support network - are all beautifully created and reflect Meredith perfectly. No matter how big or small their part in this, they have such an impact on her life and wellbeing and future.

It's such an accomplished piece of writing; the character exploration, the emotions, the sadness and the happiness, the optimism and the hope, it's all just so good. I haven't come across Claire's writing before but I will definitely seek it out in the future. Every so often you come across an author whose work was missing from your life, and she is definitely one of them

This is a sweet read, all about a lady called Meredith, who following a trauma, has become a hermit in her own house and hasn't left the house for more than 3 years.

Meredith has friends and her cat, works from home, and accesses everything she needs online.

However her life's about to change - she makes a new online friend Celeste who gently encourages her to engage with the world, along with a charity worker Tom who comes round once a week and is soon a firm friend.

I enjoyed experiencing Meredith's challenges and the way she approaches life. We can all see bits of her inside ourselves.

3.75⭐️
For over 3 years Meredith has been unable to leave her house. She has agoraphobia (although she strenuously denies this) She even knows how long is it is in days.

Meredith is a likeable character.
She is caring and very sensitive absorbing others emotions. I really liked Jacob the young boy from across the street and the volunteer visitor Tom he was just so easy going and relaxed, he was so sweet and loveable. There’s a couple of characters you’ll love to hate too.

It’s a character study of Meredith’s life, but also those she knows and interacts online with. Then there’s Diane the counsellor who is trying to help fix her.

The time frame moves from the present, back to her childhood and the time before she stopped going out in the form of memories. It ties together well.

I found it very slow paced in the first half. It took some time for the layers of Meredith’s life to be unravelled and revealed. When they were I really felt for her, it tugged on my emotions. I understood her life and reactions only wishing she had more help sooner.

I think you’ll love it if you loved Eleanor Oliphant and The Maid. My only wish is that it got more involved sooner.

A beautifully written novel. There are a few subplots and at all times I felt for Meredith. This book was really hard to put down. Would highly recommend.
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Meredith hasn't left her house for 1,214 days. The thing is, although we might think Meredith is trapped, she's been trapped before, and she got out. Meredith is a great protagonist. I really liked that, although she has retreated from the world, she still invites people to come to her. I liked that she looks after herself (using online fitness videos) and her home, keeps herself working at home with a strict routine, and I liked how she takes her jigsaws and baking very seriously. Essentially, she doesn't fall into a stereotype.

The book is narrated by Meredith and starts when she is first visited by Tom, from a befriending charity. She tells us about how she is supporting other people who have mental health issues on an online forum, and we know that is currently estranged from her family, especially her sister. She welcomes Tom, who over the course of the book eats a LOT of her food, and she also begins an online friendship with Celeste from the forum. These two friendships are about to play a big part in her life. Larger than the page is Meredith's best friend Sadie, a single mum with two children who has always been there for Meredith and I really loved the portrayal of the two women's friendship.

The action of the book, such as it is, takes place over about six months but this is a book that is really driven by the characters and how they interplay.

In short, I raced through reading this book and thought it was well done. Meredith is a fabulously drawn character and you want her to succeed. I enjoyed seeing how she supported others without really knowing her own worth, and her relationships with others are sensitively and skilfully drawn. An enjoyable read that takes its subject matter seriously and never messes about with its audience for kicks.

Meridith, Alone follows the story of Meredith Maggs who has spent more than 3 years in her house without leaving. It's a multi faceted story and we learn along the way that there's more to Merediths issues. The book moves between the past and present to explore the various relationships and treatment that she received in her life thats ultimately shaped the person that she is now.

I really enjoyed the book. The characters were vivid and the writing really conveyed how Meredith was feeling. I liked the way the subjects of mental health and abuse were handled sensitively and it was an incredibly uplifting and hopeful tale. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to Penguin, Claire Alexander and Netgalley for the ARC.

There's a lot to like about this book; the author tackled difficult topics (abuse / mental health) in a sensitive way and it was well-written. I thought the characters were easy to connect with too. Where the book fell flat was the pace. It felt, for a long time, like nothing happened and there were moments where I was bored and tempted to give up. However, I continued and I liked the positive uplifting ending but it felt very quick compared to the rest of the book. Overall, I think the book length could be reduced - over and over again, we see Meredith making tea and baking and it got a bit repetitive.

Although this book deals with mental health issues it has been covered in a very readable way.
Meredith has not left her home in over 1000 days. She stays at home with her cat Fred for company. She has her shopping delivered to avoid going out. Meredith knows that things do need to change but how and when will this happen?
An emotional read with humour threaded throughout.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it.

Meredith hasn't been outside for over a 1,000 days. She lives alone with her cat, Fred, has visits from her best friend and has her shopping delivered by Tesco's. She likes baking and doing jigsaws and is a freelance writer.
She is also haunted by her memories.
However she needs to change and who or what will bring that change and will she embrace it or shut the door on it?

This was at times quite a depressing read as dealing with mental health can be.

The story itself was too slow in places but did gradually improve and did finish with a really good feel that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

This is a sensitive book on mental health, dysfunctional families, friendships, and life in general. Even though the main character spends years stuck at home, it's not about the pandemic. It's about how one person is coping with life, and previous traumas by creating seemingly indestructible routines and life, which hold physical boundaries of the house they live in.
Very clearly written, and easy to read, even though the topic is definitely not an easy one - I consider this to be the author's talent.

@currentlyreading__
Book 34 of 2022

Thank you to @claireawriter, @michaeljbooks and @netgalley for the advanced e-copy of the upcoming 'Meredith Alone'. This debut book by Claire Alexander holds a place in my heart and I absolutely loved spending time with "the most hopeful heroine of 2022". Meredith is a woman who keeps herself busy - between running up and down her stairs fifty times in just under nine minutes, cleaning her already immaculately clean kitchen, immersing herself in a jigsaw puzzle, ordering her online Tesco delivery, baking cakes and working remotely as a freelance writer. Meredith lives a solitary life and she is aware that some days, weeks and months seem to slip away, like sand trickling through fingertips. Meredith hasn't left her house in 1214 days when the narrative starts and we, as the readers, have to piece together what has been the catalyst for Meredith to make such a life-changing decision to stay indoors for over three years.

The book was moving and uplifting in equal measure. We can't help but pity yet celebrate Meredith and it's this dichotomy of feeling which really encapsulates the essence of Meredith. She is a contradiction - she is alone but not lonely. She has her sister, her best friend Sadie, her new friends Celeste and initially a support worker Tom, he becomes a friend and someone she can rely upon. Meredith's story will certainly stay with me and I do wonder, now we advanced readers have gotten to know and love Meredith, will there be a sequel? I certainly hope so as I think there's plenty of scope for what happens next on the adventures of Meredith.


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I really enjoyed this book. All the characters were very believable. It was a very pleasant change to my usual gender of murder mysteries.

I will certainly recommend this book and will look put for more novels by Claire Alexander.

I would like to thank Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House & NetGalley for the ARC for which I have given my honest and unbiased review.

Ad/gifted copy from Net Galley.

I adored reading this book.

I can't comment on the portrayal of some of the issues as I don't necessarily have experience, but it seemed to be treated sensitively to me.

I liked how there were 2 timelines, but that the timeline in the past also jumped about between Meredith's childhood, her teenage years and more recent adult years. I felt this helped to keep me curious as to why Meredith is in the position she is in.

I love Meredith and had fun reading what she got up to in a day; especially all of the baking. The descriptions made me hungry at times and I baked Cheese scones this morning to say goodbye to Meredith . I also really appreciated reading about a woman turning 40. I love reading about people over 40 because it's just less common.

I think Claire Alexander's creation of the characters is wonderful, they all felt so realistic and I feel like I'm missing Meredith already. I think there's so much to enjoy in this book, the characters, the observations on what make people do what they do, the Kevingrove and the Dali. I have pre ordered my own copy, because despite some difficult topics, I feel like this will be a comfort reread for me in the future.

Meredith has lived alone for 1,214 days - but she insists she isn't lonely. She has routines to keep her fit and healthy. She has a cat, a best friend who visits as often as possible and an online support group who she shares a little of herself with. She is doing just fine. But when new friends enter her life - Tom, through a support charity, and Celeste, an internet turned IRL friend - it looks clear that things can't carry on as they are. There's a whole world out there just beyond her front door.
Moving, heartfelt, charming, funny - just a total pleasure to read.

This book synopsis intrigued me and I kept hearing about it on Twitter and Instagram so I felt like I wanted to know more so requested an early advance readers copy which I was lucky enough to receive.

Meredith Maggs hasn't left her house for 1,214 days but she is quite happy. She has her cat Fred, her best friend from school Sadie pops round as much as possible with her two children, and along with her jigsaws, her Emily Dickinson books, the internet support groups, and not forgetting the Tesco delivery man, she is anything but lonely.

But there are bad memories from her life that keep her locked up in her own world, memories from her childhood that have affected every stage of her adult life and that is why her home is her safe haven. She doesn't need any input from the outside world but that is soon all about to change with the introduction of two new friends, and along with the return of an estranged sister, the world is suddenly feeling very different for Meredith.

This is definitely reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant and also has a very similar writing style, which is not a bad thing by any means! The story being told solely from Meredith's perception and detailing her days alongside her feelings is very detailed and seamlessly links with flashbacks to her childhood and past experiences. There are some heavy issues discussed and it is soon evident that past traumas have had a major impact on the way Meredith now leads her life. This book will make you laugh, make you smile and make you cry but it is a book filled with hope, a guiding light for everyone that no matter what bad things life can throw at you, there is always a way out.

I am afraid that I found this book to be quite hard work to read, I found it a little dull. It is my fault for venturing out of my safe zone of thrillers and sci fi trying a different genre. As this is not the typical book that I usually read other readers may like to take no notice of my review, and I am fine with that. Hope others who like this genre will love this book.

I predict Meredith will become a bit of a literary hero this summer in the same vein as Eleanor Oliphant a few years back. Meredith is such a likeable, strong woman and yet the fact she hasn't left her house for so many years gives her a real vulnerability. Through the story we learn what it was that drove her to stay at home and you'll find yourself really rooting for her by the end. A truly heart warming and I expect relatable for many tale.

My wife read this book and she Informs me it is quite hard going to get fully engaged with the characters and story