Meredith is a troubled character that finally with the help of new friends unlocks her life. It was a good read and carefully written.
Thank you for letting me read this book.

Interesting read. I liked the way the characters interacted - there's a lot of talking through doors! However, I cared about them and was rooting for them to overcome their obstacles. Meredith is one to watch and I'd love a sequel!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Meredith has not left her house for 1,214 days. But she's not alone: she has her cat Fred, her friend Sadie visits as often as possible, and she regularly logs on to an online support group. But something is about to change, and Meredith's world is about to get bigger. Does she have what it takes to face her new challenges?

This is a character-driven novel, which is not usually my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it. I connected with Meredith and got to know her in the dual-timeline chapters. I could relate to parts of Meredith's story and really felt for her.

It is a thoughtful book, told by the author sensitively, covering many complex topics, such as anxiety, depression and rape. However, although emotional and heartbreaking at times, these moments were far outweighed b by the heartwarming moments.

Definitely a character that I'll remember.

What a fabulous read. I couldn’t put this down and read it in a day.
The story follows Meredith, who hasn’t left her house in a long time. But is happy and safe. It follows her journey to expand her horizons and develop new friendships that help her to grow and move on, the story also flashes back to her childhood and the impact it has on her as an adult.
Meredith is a brilliant character, strong, intelligent and coping. Over time she begins to grow and thrive and it’s wonderful to see. An excellent read.

What. A. Book.
I absolutely adored it, heartbreaking, touching, thought provoking, covering some very tough issues in a sensitive way. This book will stay with me for a very long time!
Huge thanks to Netgalley for sending it.
5 stars from me.

An agoraphobic woman counts the days she hasn't stepped outside. It has been more than a thousand days but she doesn't believe that she is alone. She is right.

This is a story about hope, resilience and friendship. The woman has visitors and online contacts, including a counsellor, and lives with her cat who is her greatest source of comfort and therapy. Despite her anxiety about going outside, which includes difficult symptoms, she has made her life quite full with engrossing hobbies and therapeutic décor. However, at some point she has to face up to her family trauma to enable her to move forward.

A well written debut book by this author, told in the first person with wit and good spirits without being depressing at all. There are flashbacks to her childhood and these are clearly laid out, showing a typical relationship with her sister, which are quite charming. Setting the scene at the opening of the book is a tad slow, but the pace improves as the reader becomes involved in her world and the characters in it, especially the cat.

​A beautiful book and a writer to look out for.
See more of What I'm Reading

Meredith Alone made me feel everthing from sadness, anger but ultimately about hope in the face of mental health struggles and the power of love and friendships. Meredith is brave and courageous and I felt I knew her. This book touched me and was totally thought provoking, a must read.

Such a sad story but filled with so much hope. Meredith may be trapped within her own 4 walls but this is where she is happy, this is where she is safe. Can she go back out into the world and reconnect with her family despite the past. A past where she couldn't trust those shelved the most.
Compelling read

I have read so many wonderful reviews about Meredith and I couldn’t agree more.

Meredith is a character who you can love, embrace and grow with.

This book is full of heart break but also hope, laughter and joy.

Joining Meredith on her journey to overcome her struggles was emotional- I laughed and I cried on several occasions.

The overwhelming feeling though was hope which grew as the story progressed.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Trigger warnings: sexual assault, family trauma, abuse

This novel is, as the clunky subtitle says, uplighting and beautifully written. You can't NOT fall in love with Meredith and her friends, you can't not will her on, hoping she'll get better. It is, indeed, a lovely portrait of a beautiful, damaged soul.

BUT... as a story: frankly, very little happens. In the current-day story: Meredith takes baby steps and her new friends help but in terms of plot/story, it's all very gradual. In the flashback story, Meredith's mother starts horrible and finishes horrible so nothing much develops there either. it's just the same all the way through (with the exception of the traumatic event that shatters Meredith's world).

You know those really long interviews you get in the Sunday supplements? And the interviewee relates the story of their life which usually involves recovery from some past trauma? Well, 'Meredith Alone' was like reading one of those. So, yes, certainly an interesting read, just not a great story / novel.

And then somehow, with no real climax to speak of, the story ends.

Oh, a quick hat tip to Fred, one of the nicest fictional cats you're ever likely to meet!

Meredith hasn't left her house for about 3 years. She claims to be happy with her life and not needing company until one day, Tom knocks on her door. He is offering her company and although initially Meridith is reluctant to let him in, the pair become friends. Along side this Meredith 'meets' Celeste on an online forum for reclusive people and soon has another friend.
The book explores events in Meredith's life and how they have led to her agoraphobia. The characters are well rounded and comp,ex. Definitely worth a read

A lovely book which was a delight to read. Characters you really root for and an interesting slant on moving the timeframe about. It worked for me and very happy to recommend.

A book that gives you pause for thought, even long after the last page has been turned.
I didn’t want the book to end but then with all good things, they always come to an end!

I liked this one, I found some of it a little draggy but overall it was a lovely story around Meredith who has not left that house in about 3 years, she has complex relationships with others including her sister and her mother & the reason why she does not leave is soon revealed and is heartbreaking. Overall it was an enjoyable read!

I loved his book. I was lucky to get a proof copy and I read this book in one sitting.
Merediths character developed was very well done and explored. She is a very complex and complicated person and you wont always agree with her choices and decision making but the author does a brilliant job in making you realise why Meredith has/is making them choices.
I enjoyed reading about the people in Merediths life and how some of them characters play a great role and they integrate into the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Loved Meredith, I loved the Glasgow setting and was instantly hooked from the moment I picked this one up.
I really felt for Meredith from the start, for how small her life had become and then as it's revealed how it became that way and I felt that her issues were explained well.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline for past and present and liked the characters of Sadie, Tom and Celeste too.
Heartbreaking but hopeful
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.

Warm and delightful, Meredith Maggs is an exceptionally cheery character with a story to tell. She goes about her day working, baking, assembling jigsaw puzzles and cuddling her cat but hasn't left her house in 1214 days. Easy enough to do in this day and age, but why?

In Meredith, Alone we go about each day popping back and forth in time with Meredith who is so bright and sweet anyone would love her. It is easy to care for her and worry about her situation, which is explained gradually as the story unfolds. Luckily, Meredith is not actually alone. She has friends and family who care for her and help her as much as she helps them. A truly lovely book, Meredith, Alone brought a smile to my face.

Meredith, Alone is a rare book in how good and assured it is for a debut novel. Congratulations Claire,

We follow Meredith who lives in Scotland but hasn’t left home in more than 3 years. The reason why is soon revealed and it’s powerfully heartbreaking, Meredith is largely estranged from her mum and sister.

Claire doesn’t hold back on painting fully dimensional relationships which are messy, complex and endearing. Meredith’s connection with her sister has weathered many storms but at the heart of it, there’s love. Meredith’s mum is plain toxic and harmful on all levels.

I loved the jigsaw analogy of what Meredith lives as a hobby but also a metaphor for her life - how she is trying to fit pieces together after a traumatic experience. How will she forge ahead and re-engage with the outside world?

Meredith, Alone is a beautifully observed book - Claire takes time and care to help Meredith and you as the reader to navigate the here and now of the plot.

It contains a spectrum of emotions so be prepared for that. I loved it and will be recommending it to my friends and family.

Thank you to Michael Joseph team for my advance copy. There’s been a lot of talk about this debut, and it’s been well worth the wait now that Meredith is out in the world for all to enjoy meeting on the printed page.

I enjoyed ‘Meredith, Alone’ because it’s one of those rare books which feels so understated in its premise but is a story centered on a multi-layered MC.
Meredith hasn’t left her home in years and although maintains a job and a relationship with her best friend but hides away from the world. Her home is her sanctuary but it is about to be invaded by new friends and her estranged sister.
I did find this story quite sad at times as the reason behind Meredith’s seclusion is revealed. Although Alexander has a great writing style that helps you become invested in her characters, because the plotline acts more as a character study, the events do feel a little slow at times.
Overall I liked the story but the pace did lack a little for me personally.
(3.5 stars overall)

Thank you very much @netgalley.
This book is so original very one of a kind.

This book will bring out all emotions, you will laugh, cry, be happy and feel sad as you see life from Meredith point of view

With love and support from her friends you get very invested.
I enjoy it so much I went and bought a hard copy in Asda.