This brilliantly written tale about Meredith, who hasn't left her house in over 1200 days, deserves more than five stars. We don't know why she won't leave her house at first, but we eventually find the truth through flashbacks to the past and present. This is a novel that could appeal to a wide range of readers. From the beginning, I was smitten by Meredith. She's brave, witty, and incredibly relatable. I can't say enough good things about it!!

My goodness me. Why can't Meredith be a real person, and more importantly, why can't she be my best friend? I devoured this stunning debut in days, when I should have been working on my own. I just wanted more and more of this delightful character who is still very much real to me, even weeks later. I cant' wait to watch this book fly, which it inevitably will.

Sensitive and gentle telling of a story that you feel could so easily happen to anyone. The background is deeply sad and yet there are small glimpses of redemption and recovery that keep hope alive. Beautifully depicted characters that show just how important our contacts and friendships are to sustain us.

Meredith, Alone was an easy read with a somewhat predictable storyline, however, it was still an enjoyable read. I was particularly interested in her relationship with her mum and the childhood she endured and how that affected her relationships later in life.

The friends she picked up along the way were very tolerant and I do wonder if it would have been more realistic for some of the friendships to have faded away due to her agoraphobia and the effort to maintain them. She was very lucky to have a friend like Sadie. What a star!

Meredith Maggs hasn't left her house in 1,214 days. But she insists she isn't alone. She has her cat Fred. Her friend Sadie visits when she can. There's her online support group, StrengthInNumbers. She has her jigsaws, favourite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson, the internet, the Tesco delivery man and her treacherous memories for company. But something's about to change. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door. Does she have the courage to overcome what's been keeping her inside all this time?

I just loved this read, Meredith is such an endearing, likeable character. I could not help but fall in love with her and immerse myself in her world. There are plenty of moments of laughter and happiness during this read but Alexander does write about some very tough subjects. This book is not all sunshine but it is hard-hitting, emotional and an important read. Learning about Meredith and what has happened to her was not only entertaining but powerful. I was rooting for Meredith the whole way through.

I think I have already made it clear but I adored the character of Meredith. Alexander's supporting characters are equally strong and charming. They all bring something to the life of Meredith and I enjoyed getting to know about them and how they fit with Meredith.

'Meredith, Alone' is a very powerful read and one that I was completely gripped by. I highly recommend this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for an advance copy.

This was SO heartwarming. A perfect lazy Sunday read. It really felt like you were there with Meredith and she was such a likeable character. Really enjoyed the writing style and the character were well thought out and brought to life so well.
Throughly enjoyable. Would recommend!

There was something about the title of this novel that really appealed to me and I wasn’t disappointed.
We meet Meredith who is crippled by her depression and anxiety, unable to leave her home. Moving backwards and forwards through Mer’s timeline we learn about all of the aspects of her life that have made her into who she is now. The faithful friend Sadie who has been by her side for many years and the introduction of two new friends as the story progresses.
I had ideas of what may happen but actually to my delight the book did not unfold in a perfect cookie cutter way and much more realistically reflected a believable path. The amount of baking did make me starving hungry and I had to make cheese scones after one reading session!! I haven’t mentioned much about my favourite feline character but you will get to meet him yourselves and if you have a furry family member you already know how much they mean.

I read this book during a couple of sleepless nights and couldn't put it down. I was intrigued by the blurb, and loved the cover, but the story still exceeded my expectations, high as they were. The story is beautifully written, and despite its potentially depressing subject matter (abuse, depression, isolation) I found it an easy, enjoyable, and uplifting read. Despite the title, and the fact that Meredith has not left her house for a couple of years, I never really felt she was completely alone. Her small but loyal support network consists of a few wonderfully drawn characters, each with their own story and subplots, but all woven n so seamlessly by Claire Alexander that they never seem contrived or unbelievable. My only problem with the book was that I didn't want it to end. It was the penultimate book I read in 2021 and easily makes my top 3.reads of the entire year. I would love to see a sequel, and I was so invested in Meredith and her life that I am worried she may relapse during the Covid lockdowns and I need to know she'll be ok! She really did become that real to me :)
I can't wait to see what Claire comes up with next, but meanwhile, I hope this becomes a film. Meredith, Alone is easily one of my small handful of 'five stars are not enough' books of 2021.

Meredith Alone is one of those very special novels that come along very rarely. The last time I felt so excited about a book was reading Eleanor Oliphant for the first time. This is an amazingly clever novel. Totally unique, but also totally relatable; with a main character with an ability to make you feel very emotion possible. Meredith alone is definitely one to watch in 2022.

I really enjoyed this book. I though Meredith as a character was really likable and suitably complicated.

Her history and relationships and the story behind her isolation were incredibly sad but relatable. Makes the topic of loneliness present in a different way for the reader.

Would highly recommend, especially for those who enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine.

An interesting light read about a woman who hasn’t left her home in over 3 years. The story tracks back and forth between the trauma of her past, and the present where she tries to break the cycle and start living again. Not fast paced and at times I was tempted to skim but a lovely uplifting story about overcoming the past and finding your happiness.

This is a beautifully written book about someone growing up but no away from an abusive childhood. Meredith is a beautiful heroine around whom interesting characters revolve. I loved the writing and all of the characters are rounded and relatable, even Meredith’s mother who you are l ft wondering about. I really appreciated that some things were left un unexplained because, let’s face it, that’s life….

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'Meredith, Alone'.

I loved this book! Meredith has suffered a trauma and is dealing with mental health issues. She is trying to survive but has not left her home for three years. With the support of her best friend and a volunteer befriender, Meredith's life slowly begins to change.

Claire Alexander has written beautifully and created lovely characters with depth. I relate to the struggles Meredith experiences and found the book to be uplifting and a delight to read.

Five stars does not seem enough for this beautifully written novel about Meredith who has not left her house in over 1200 days. Initially we don't know why she has refused to leave her house but between the flashbacks to the past and the present we gradually learn the truth. This is a novel which could resonate with so many people. I fell in love with Meredith from the beginning. . She's strong , funny and enormously relatable to. I cannot rate it highly enough. Out in June 2022. One to definitely put on you TBR list. I look forward to reading more from this very talented author. (less) [edit]

Oh my word, how much did I love this book? Totally. I almost didn’t request it because I usually only read thrillers. There’s nothing really thrilling about this story but something about the description struck a chord with me. Actually, I’m lying – there were some thrilling parts to the book, just not the usual sort. I was thrilled when Meredith took her first tentative steps outside, and when Fred the cat returned home after three days. I was even more thrilled when I read the last page, in fact the last sentence, and it caused me to burst into tears. Anyone who has suffered from anxiety or depression will understand Meredith and have so much empathy with her. Such a sensitively-written book this was, I can’t stop thinking about it and I’ll certainly be reading it for a second time. It makes you realise how our upbringing forms our future self, and how lucky we are if we have true friends who will support and understand us no matter what. This was a complete joy to read, and parts of it made me chuckle out loud. It’s not a good book – it’s a fantastic book. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Meredith Alone drew me in from the very beginning. Meredith's situation is heart-breaking: she has nor left her house for more than three years. Gradually the complex tangle that is her past is unravelled for the reader. And to heart-breaking we can add strong, courageous and determined. At the point that we join her story, Meredith is on the threshold of a few tiny changes in her life and I swept along, willing her to survive and thrive.

There are very few characters in the novel, perhaps needless to say. But those there are are well-drawn and differentiated. The novel is set in Glasgow and the author feels no need to explain the city or wider Scottish issues. The publisher is to be congratulated on allowing this lack of explanation. So often, the assumption is that English readers will struggle with Highers, MSPs and fish suppers and therefore be put off a book. I've long thought that that attitude does a disservice to them!

Meredith can't leave the house. She's been indoors for over 1,300 days. She has a pleasant life within her four walls, with hobbies like baking, jigsaw puzzles and fitness, and the love of Fred the cat. In fact life sounds pretty good, until a traumatic rape and the childhood deprivation, which both affected Meredith's ability to go outside, gradually unfolds.
This is a beautifully told story. Meredith is a great character, there's no hand-wringing or pity demanded for her situation. She has a wonderful, kind best friend, Sadie, and gathers up two more friends, Tom and Celeste, during the book.
I really enjoyed this book. It's hard to imagine how a character trapped at home could command your interest throughout, but she does. I couldn't put it down.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph UK and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very readable novel with interesting and quirky characters. It didn't really break any new ground, and was a bit predictable, but overall a good lighter read.

It took me a while to get through this. On the whole it was… ok. I didn’t love it. It’s as if the story reached a certain point and stayed there with little evolution or climax. It felt like downward slow rollercoaster without many thrills, twists, or turns. A bit of a boring ride :( Nevertheless, it was original (at least it felt like that to me) and I did read it until the end so 3/5 for those two things alone. I also loved the cover for whether that’s worth!

Just why hasn’t Meredith left her home in over 3 years?
As the book goes backwards and forwards from the present to the past, we find out the reason.
I loved Meredith and her friends Sadie, Tom and Celeste, who try their best to make her see what a wonderful person she is and gently guide her to take the steps she needs to get back into the outside world.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.