Funny, heart-breaking and life-affirming, Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren’t a mother.

'The perfect mix of funny, poignant and heartwarming.' - Good Housekeeping

‘Warm, witty but also heart-wrenching read' - Red Magazine

'Touching and witty. I adored Loretta and her relationship with Phoebe' - Lisa Snowdon.

'This heart-warming and creative contemporary fiction is a story of unexpected self-discovery.'- Woman's Weekly

'Full of heart and depth.' - Nina Pottell Prima Book of the Month

‘Funny, heart-warming read - it made me laugh and cry' — Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party

'Eleanor Oliphant meets About a Boy' — Gillian Harvey

'An absolute joy' — Nancy Peach

'Brilliantly funny' — Louise Hare

Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren't a mother.

Loretta has her life under control. She's chasing a big promotion, she's marrying the "perfect man" and she has a flawless five-year plan.

This plan does not include children.

But when a complete stranger asks her to watch her six-year-old daughter in an airport and never returns, both their lives will be changed forever.

A little human in fairy wings and sparkly cowgirl boots will turn Loretta's world upside down and maybe, just maybe, show her exactly what she's missing.

Overflowing with humour and heartbreak, Nicola Gill takes us on a relatable journey of self-discovery through the power of a child's love.

'Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable.’- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

‘Please meet my new favourite book.' - Jessica Ryn, author of The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside

'Heartbreaking and life-affirming, an absolute must read’ - Tim Ewins, author of We Are Animals