I thought this was a beautifully written book. In the face of tragedy, sometimes we find ourselves clinging to the familiar and the safe, for Pearl that was staying inside. But through her unlikely friendship with her new gardener, Pearl soon learns how to take small steps toward becoming a whole new person, one who ventures outside. I thought both Pearl and Connor's stories were very relatable. I also loved the cover image.

A lovely heartwarming story about love and friendship.
A lovely friendship develops and without knowing it, they save each other.
A truly heartwarming story

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Fantastic little gem of a book, great beach read and one I really liked even though I’d usually not go for this kind of book, really enjoyed it thank you

Uplifting with beautiful characters, this is a story all about friendship and courage. Connor and Pearl are unlikely companions but this only makes the book more special.

I believe that some books should be read at a certain stage of life. Some stories are so deep that we, as readers, need to have some life experience to fulfill them and understand them. And I know that many novels are valuable, beautiful, and are a real treasure for somebody.

But this book was not for me.

I don't want to say anything bad about it. It does not deserve it. I'm aware that Reasons are more than I can now see and discover for myself. It is just not the right time to immerse myself in it.


So, not really my cup of tea.

An uplifting and warming story told from the vantage point of three endearing characters: Nate, Pearl and Connor. All three carry trauma and heartache weighs them down. The story is told from two different time frames to give us the backstory to the characters - 1970s and present day. We first find Pearl trapped in her remote cottage for over 40 years, isolated now her family have passed away, and desperately needing a gardener. She interviews Connor, recently bereaved and needing an escape before he heads to uni, then there is Nate, made redundant in the 1970s and with a link to Pearl that is slowly unravelled. This is a wonderful debut about friendship and finding the courage to live. #reasonstogooutside #esmeking #netgalley

What a lovely story! Pearl was a beautiful character and her agoraphobia was dealt with such sensitivity, giving a fresh insight and helping us understand her state of mind. The friendship she strikes up with gardener Connor is splendid and it is the intergenerational friendship that makes this book special. It's an uplifting story about friendships, family, love and the courage to step outside.

Loved this book. Gutted that it took me so long to start it. Will be recommending on my book review blog and Bookstagram pages this month

Uplit has different tones - this one felt quite different. I felt like I was meeting these people for the first time and not as duplicates of those I had read about before.
I did not go in with any specific expectations since this is the author's debut. This helped me a lot since the story is not necessarily unique but was written well and welcomed me into the narrative.
The start is quite simple. We have two lonely people who are each contemplating their need for some kindness in the people they might encounter in the plans they are making.
Pearl has not stepped out of her house in years. She lives in her own little world, yearning for a little something more. Connor misses his mother and finds a way to do what he loves by applying for a gardener's position. This is how Pearl and Connor's lives meet. There is no sudden change for either of them. They are introduced to things that are already there around them, and they use these as support to move forward in life.
Parallelly we are also introduced to another man who seems to be disconnected from the main narrative, but it is not hard to understand what his place would be. The dual narrative further helps on that front.
As I mentioned earlier, this story is not unique, but the author has done a brilliant job of pouring heart into the narrative. The peaceful growth of the characters and the changes in their lives were delightful to be a part of.
I flew through the book and read it in one or two sittings. I would definitely pick up the next book that the author writes.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

As heart-warming books go Reasons To Go Outside is top of the list. A book that is a joy to read and leaves you feeling utterly satisfied and happy you have read it.

A nice read which was a little unbelievable but definitely a fantasy getaway for a few hours. Nice characters and a easy read for a Sunday afternoon

Excellent read, very emotional.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

What a lovely read. Really enjoyed this story Pearl had never been outside for over 40 years but when Conor takes up a gardening job for her they became very close and eventually you find out why , Loved their relationship it was beautiful and it also touched on other interesting subjects,,some fantastic heartwarming characters that made you want to keep reading and love and friendships were at the heart of the story.

Pearl hasn't left her house for 43 years - something happened in her past that traumatised her so much that she is unable to step foot outside her front door. Connor is an 18 year old who answers a request Pearl posted asking for a gardener. A friendship forms and they both try to help each other out - this is a lovely heartwarming story that had me in tears . Loved it

This is Esme Kings first novel and wow, what a utterly moving and powerful story.

Pearl Winter moved to Dartmoor with her mum and stepdad Ray, as a young teenager, They needed to escape from the painful memories of the summer of 1976, events that in an instant had turned Pearl into an isolated and troubled girl. Their isolated family cottage stands high up on Dartmoor, a safe haven, where Pearl never had to step outside again.

At 59 and living alone, Pearl hasn't stepped a foot outside foot out if the door for 43 years. Totally alone apart from the postman and the supermarket delivery. Pearl dwells on what could have been. The house is showing signs of its age and the garden once tended passionately by Ray is now overgrown and derelict. Pearl wonders .... could she let a gardener into her world to sort it out, then at least she could look out on its beauty once again?

Connor Matthews has never been given chance to grieve the loss of his mother, in the 2 years that have passed his dad has never talked to Connor about her death and he seems to be moving on. After his dad moves his new girlfriend in, who seems to want to change everything about Connors home, he feels lost and like he no longer belongs. Off to university after the summer to study law and follow in his father's footsteps, Connor is dreading it, its the last thing he wants to do. Desperate to get out of the house, he spots a summer job as a gardener and can't believe his luck.


As the unlikely friendship blossoms, can Pearl start to put the past behind her or us it too late?

Esme tackles difficult issues sensitively to develop the story.
A beautiful, heartwarming story of a friendship that bridges generations and makes you feel like you've been on a journey with the characters. Definitely one to curl up with and get stuck in. I hope Esme will be continuing her journey as a function author.

Such a sweet story of Pearl who hasn't left her home for decades. She gets a gardener in, Connor 18 who befriends her and wants to help her overcome her fear.

Made me cry, it was so nice! Read it super quickly too.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

Brilliant, heartwarming and such a emphasis on human kindness.

This book is told in multiple POV’s from very gripping characters. Pearl is a agoraphobic and haven’t left her house in 43 years. Connor feels pushed to go to university when he doesn’t feel like that is his path. Nate is just being run down by life at this point.

This story places so much emphasis on friendship, sadness and mental health. It was handled so beautifully and respectfully. A massive tear-jerker.

Such a beautiful book that was an absolute pleasure to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A beautifully written story of love and friendship that spans many decades, it pulled me in early and held my attention to the end. With 3 main characters who were well written and compelling this is a lovely book and well worth reading!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The information provided for this book makes it sound like a simple, easy pleasant read. This does not do it justice. Whilst there are a few mistakes in spelling and grammar these are insufficient to spoil the flow of the story which gently explores relationships, friendships and mental health. Characters' emotions and behaviour are believable and the author has conveyed the depth of feeling very well. It is completely unrealistic that an A and E nurse would deliver any patient care within an Intensive Care setting, but this is the only flaw in an otherwise credible and interesting read. The story is written so beautifully that I'm sure it will be a book that some readers will enjoy rereading time and again.