Such a sweet story ! I loved the characters and felt they were well drawn. A once in a lifetime love that was never forgotten and the strong bonds that friendship can bring all wrapped up in a lovely tale.

Peal has ben a recluse for 43 years, her fear of the outside is getting weary and she needs to start making a change. However, that is easier said than done. When she advertises for a gardener, teenage, Connor, who has his own daemons, becomes her new friend. And maybe this unexpected friendship is the answer to both of their problems.

I can’t speak highly enough about this gently moving novel. I loved every word.

What a story! Author has created a simple masterpiece. Beautifully written and just sucks you straight in. Could not put it down

Reasons To Go Outside follows Pearl, Connor and Nate.

Pearl hasn’t been outside in 43 years.
Connor is about to go to university to study for a degree he does not want to do.
Nate has just been made redundant and is at a loss with what to do with himself.

Heartwarming and uplifting, Esme King shows what can happen with grit, perseverance and a beautiful support system. She has created characters who are so real, so relatable and whose lives are about to get tangled up in the best possible way.

Reasons To Go Outside is everything I want in a book. Superb writing, a cast of wonderful characters and a message of hope.

Pearl lives alone, in a house on Dartmoor. It's idyllic, but it is also a prison. For Pearl has not stepped outside her house for forty three years.

Placing an advert by telephone for a gardener seemed innocuous. But that simple act is to change everything. Connor, a local lad of 18, takes the job and he is also a lost soul. Over time, Pearl and Connor form a beautiful friendship and the kindness they show one another moved me to tears. They save one another. And as Connor learns more about Pearl's life, he begins to share more of his. His friends become her friends, and suddenly Pearl is no longer alone.

But there is one main reason for Pearl to go outside, and that story takes us back to the summer of 1976. The summer she fell in love. And the summer that ended in tragedy.

But perhaps, the story is not over.

Reasons To Go Outside has incredibly sad moments. But it also has joy and hope and love. It is a book that restores faith and lifts a weary soul.

This is a great read – comfy, cosy, and completely heart-warming.

Pearl is the main character, 60 years of age and living alone in a remote cottage on Dartmoor, trapped inside by agoraphobia for the last 43 years by the traumas of her past.

Teenager Connor responds to her advert for a gardener, and sets about transforming the outside of her overgrown cottage; the transformation is so much more than this though, it becomes a transformation of both Pearl’s and Connor’s lives.

Pearl and Connor are both endearing characters – troubled, with difficult histories, yet both warm and loving. The supporting cast of characters around them are all written delightfully, and together make for a great read. The beautiful Dartmoor scenery is a bonus to this compelling story.

A delightful read, beautiful characters - Pearl, Connor and Nate. I’d love to meet them in real life. Lovely book which opened my tear ducts. Recommend.

A beautiful book, I loved it.
The characters were well described and delightful, making you feel like you knew them and cared about them.
I read an advance copy from Netgalley but I think I may now buy the book for my friend as I'm sure she would enjoy it as much as I did.

Oh what a delight this book is. So much love and care oozes through it’s pages, showing that love and friendship can be found in the most unlikely places. At the heart, is Pearl who has been lost and lonely for decades. The author very cleverly teases out the reason for Pearl’s problems without revealing them.
I loved how everyone comes together in this story, and broken hearts and spirits are healed; (even Frank’s), one way or another, particularly when it seems tragedy has struck.
This story truly tugged at my heart strings and I longed for a happy conclusion. You’ll have to read it to see whether I got that happy conclusion.
It’s a lovely story and I’d love to try Pearl’s raspberry and peach Battenburg.

A really beautiful book which explores the unlikely friendship between Pearl, a 59 year old agoraphobiac, and Connor, an 18 year old boy with his own troubles. The way in which their friendship develops as they help each other with their problems is so heartwarming. The ending was emotional and perfect in every way.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

This was such a beautiful book. Really well-written with amazing characters. It was incredibly heart warming and just so lovely. I can't recommend it enough.

What a beautiful book about life and friendships. loved the characters could not put it down a delightful read.
This is about a woman called Pearl who has lived in a house for years and has not been outside since a traumatic event that happened when she was young. When both her parents die she is left alone until eventually she hires Connor a young man to work making her garden good again as it has been neglected for years. Connor has problems at home so is delighted to work in the garden and would love to start a landscaping business of his own.
What develops is a heart warming friendship between Pearl & Connor who helps to track down Pearls lost love Nate who has never forgotten Pearl.
Highly recommended and looking forward hopefully to a follow up book.
Thanks to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton for a advanced copy.

Pearl hasn't left her house for 43 years, spoken to no-one, relied on her trusty computer to keep in touch with the outside world. Employing a gardener is the best thing she could do, Connor comes with his friends, is this the start of a new beginning for Pearl.? A lovely story of people reaching out, discovering old friends and new friendships.

I really liked the character of Pearl and wanted things to work out well for her at the end of the novel. She has a kind heart and has a difficult life. Connor, is a breath of fresh air and the turning point in Pearl's life - she turns out to be the same for him. They are an unlikely pair, both damaged by previous experiences, and needed to find someone to help them out of their doldrums.

Nate is cleverly plotted and not at all what I was initially expecting and I soon had to revise my first impressions. There are lots of other minor characters who only gain in their significance in the latter stages of the novel - Pearl is so lucky to find them!

I was a little disappointed with the tragedy which had led to Pearl's agoraphobia developing; it seemed a little obvious and an extreme response by her mother and partner, not to mention their long-term deceit - how could they have not wanted more for her? Nate was far too trusting in his own mother which led to his own unfortunate situation.

This is a heart-warming story, which was a slow burn, with flashbacks revealing some unpleasant truths. The ending is hopeful and satisfying,

An emotional read. Pearl hasn't left the house in years, but why? She employs Connor for the summer and Pearl and Connor form a bond and help each other.

I would have liked more of an epilogue to see what happens with Connor.

Beautiful,caring characters.

Pearl is one the main characters in the book and when pearl moves with her parents the house slowly becomes her prison

What a fabulous debut novel from Esme King.
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story of enduring love and friendship.
Nate and Pearl are in love but have been living separate lives for over 40 years.
Nate is lonely but finds friendship and purpose working at an animal rescue centre.
Pearl suffers from agoraphobia and lives an isolated existence high on Dartmoor.
The book tells their story in flashbacks, gradually revealing why they are apart and how it has impacted their lives.
Supported by a great cast of characters, this is well worth a read. It would make a pretty good movie too!

This is a really heartwarming story, about friendship and true love across the years . We meet Pearl and Connor and quickly grow to like and care about them both, with other characters in the mix you quickly become invested in them and you so root for a happy outcome for Pearl. Good debut novel by this author and il definitely be looking out for her future work. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this proof.

This is a truly special debut novel by Esme King and I feel really lucky to have been able to read it.
In this book we meet Pearl who hasn't stepped out of her house in 49 years. We meet teenage Connor who is hired to help look after Pearl and in turns tries to help her overcome the agoraphobia. We then start to meet other characters in the story.
It is such a delightful read, you must give it a go

This was such an enjoyable read. I loved the premise and it didn't disappoint. The story was engaging and the words flowed easily. I felt completely invested in the characters and following their emotional journey.

After a traumatic event, Pearl Winter has suffered from crippling agoraphobia. For 43 years, she hasn't even been as far as the garden in her home at Highview. Having lost her parents, the garden has become overgrown. 18 year old Connor is keen to take up the challenge but cake and conversation lead to him wanting to help Pearl on her mission to go outside.

I felt sorry for Connor. It is all too often the case that children are set to follow their parent's dreams. In this case, going to York to study Law, when his dream is to be a landscape gardener. Connor's friendship group were well cast- Derek and Molly with little Tommy.I didn't feel quite as connected with Nate's story, which is featured in the alternate chapters.

The ending came together so well and I loved the premise that Connor and Molly might get together.

I will definitely recommend this read and will be looking out for more by this author.