The World Outside My Window

 The World Outside My Window by Clare Swatman-women’s fiction

Laura was once attacked not far from her home and although she and her husband have now moved house, Laura hasn't stepped outside the door as she is too afraid. She relies on her husband Jim and her friend Debbie who lives several miles away. One evening Jim, who works away several days at a time, doesn't come home and the police won’t do anything for 48 hours. Debbie provides some support by phone but finally Laura realises that she may just have to step outside to find out what has happened to him. Between Laura and Debbie they make a plan to ask the neighbours on the close, several of whom spoke to Jim regularly and see if they can piece together anything about where he could be. The first step is to get Laura through her own door.

I really enjoy Clare’s books. There’s a special something about them- a warmth and depth of character and plots that quickly draw the reader in. There is also that “ je ne sais quois”  that keeps the pages turning and that extra something that isn't in the story if you get my meaning. Maybe a reflection on life, of our own lives perhaps or just how little we know of others or may judge incorrectly, and be grateful for what we have in our own. Of resilience and determination, of life and being brave.“ You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think” (AA Milne)

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The World Outside My Window Laura is watching the world go by without her. Unable to leave her house since suffering a trauma, Laura is stuck gazing out of her window at Willow Crescent, relying on husband Jim and best friend Debbie for help. Then one day, Jim doesn’t come home. A day becomes two, days become a week, and still no sign of Jim. And with the police half-hearted in their efforts to look for him, Laura is forced into a decision. She’s going to have to face the world outside and find her husband herself. But what Laura hasn’t realised is that Willow Crescent is a community, eager to help. From Arthur and Carol next door ready to rally the neighbours, to Marjorie and her daughter Faye at number nine looking for their own reasons to engage with the world. From Sonja at number seven who thinks she may have seen Jim in London, to widower Ben at number four who understands all about being lonely. Laura has a world ready to embrace her if she can just find the nerve. And when it slowly dawns on them all, that the Jim they thought they knew, may have been hiding some unfathomable secrets, Laura has a choice – retreat back behind her window, or start living the life that was waiting for her all along. This is Clare Swatman's tour de force. At the same time emotional, uplifting, page-turning and breath-taking, Laura is a character you will never forget. Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/worldoutsidesocial

Author Bio – Clare Swatman is the author of three women’s fiction novels, published by Macmillan, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire. Before We Grow Old, was published in January 2022. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clareswatmanauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/clareswatman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clareswatmanauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ClareSwatmannews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/clare-swatman