This story really resonated with me - I actually found it quite emotional.

The author deals with tough life situations, loneliness and really getting to know who you are in raw and sensitive ways, all while staying credible and honest. The main characters, Tori, has fears about society and social media that I think most people would be able to related too and deals with them compassionately.

It had a good range of supporting characters, all of them with their own issues and who come together to support and uplift each other. Really poignant and topical issues that inspire and encourage connection in a society where doing everything by yourself is seen as a the ultimate success.

Would highly recommend.

Tori Williamson is a well – known blogger, writing about loneliness, though nobody knows who she really is, and she wants it to stay like this. Some really tragic things happened in her life and, not being able to open up to other people, she now has three online friends that she’s never seen in life but feels very comfortable to chat to and to confide in them. When an opportunity of going to a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review appears, Tori is not so sure but her friends quickly convince her to go – what could go wrong there, right?
Well, it turns out that many things can go very wrong, but also that many things can go very well for our Tori – she only needs to give them a chance.

There was a bunch of lovely, colourful characters in this story, and you will fall for all of them, not only for Tori, keeping your fingers crossed for them and hoping all their problems will be resolved. I must admit that I was probably as much invested in their lives as I was in Tori’s, maybe even this little bit more. The author has written about their troubles and fears in a very compassionate way, bringing the fears to life, easily and effortlessly. She explores Tori’s life, helping her to find what has happened that she now feels so isolated and has no real friends and why she’s not able to open up and trust other people – there was really much, much more to Tori than meets the eye at the beginning, guys.

The setting fort his story couldn’t be better chosen – I loved the retreat at the Farm that, yes, have been a bit primitive, but with the people there, and also Rowan’s little help, it was simply brilliant and alluring.

I absolutely, totally missed Than/Nathan’s point of view. Like, totally. I have no idea what has made him tick this way, I have no idea why it was Tori that he has chosen, I have no idea what has happened to him after the world has seen the other side of the story. It felt like a huge, unfilled hole, as if a great chunk of the book has been ripped off and, for me, the whole story simply lost a huge part that could make it deeper, that could give it this “something” that makes a book unforgettable. There was also this feeling, and it was a bit too overwhelming for my liking, of a self – help book.

Altogether, it was an easy, simple and relaxing story, a lovely debut from Laura Bambrey. It was full of warmth and heart and the author has already tried her hand at something deeper and heavier and she really succeeded at writing this. She writes gently and with sensitivity.
This was a lovely and ambitious story about a journey to self – discovery, about overcoming your fears and having the courage for confrontations. It was uplifting, thought – provoking and also emotional read about opening up and accepting other people’s help and friendship, which, as it turns out, may not be as easy as we think. Recommended!

Firstly, Happy Publication day Laura. I’m so chuffed to be able to share my thoughts on your special day. This is a debut that I’ve been excited to read since first hearing about it, I feel like it’s been on my kindle for a while and it’s come down to the wire in terms of me reading it.

I must admit in some aspects it’s a slow burn although once in Tori’s world I was completely swept up by her story. This year has been a weird one with more of us relying on social media and such whilst the outside world seems terrifying and this book is just the tonic.

Laura has created a story, a world that’s not only full of humour but full of heart. If you’re not completely taken with the retreat then who even are you? At first I was a little unsure of some of Lizzie and Ted’s methods but there was a reason behind the madness. Embracing their teachings will show all of us how heavily we rely on certain things and how opening up can be the best thing for us. Hiding our ‘real self’ means we’re lying to everyone including ourselves and sabotaging our own happiness. I can safely say I’ve been in that boat and this book has made me think of how I can always be truly me warts and all.

On this journey as well as slowly finding out what’s eating up Tori we are also introduced to a diverse bunch. Each and every one of them has an interesting story from start to finish and I truly loved seeing them develop and watching the friendships blossom. There was something about Than that unnerved me but I was not expecting the outcome and I honestly cannot say anymore than that.

Laura has covered a real and quite frankly scary topic and she’s done it with grace, emotion and humour. I truly believe that The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness is an extremely important read about the good and bad aspects of opening up, listening to our instincts and who we trust, as well as how we use the Internet.

I love being a bookworm and I truly love being able to champion authors especially from the very start of their career. I look forward to where Laura goes from here after reading her extremely compassionate and heartfelt debut focussing on more than just loneliness.

The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness is the debut novel from Laura Bambrey, and from the outset I could see why it was picked from the Books and the City’s #DigitalOriginals #OneDay2019 open submissions day.

I could resonate with how the lead character felt so was enthralled following her personal journey in dealing with this once at the retreat and also in the past.

I found that Tori was a believable, relatable and loveable character that I was cheering for from the start. There were also many wonderful characters, and a nice variety, that she meets at The Farm. I especially enjoyed Doreen, Bay and the adorable dog Dennis.

There is so much warmth and hope in this book that makes it such a feel-good and heart-warming story. Throughout Laura tackles many different issues that society deals with which results in many people at some time feeling lonely; grief, breakdown of relationships, social media and more. It shows that many people can result in feeling the same way although for many different reasons. The way that Laura deals with these issues across Tori’s story, and those also at the retreat, is done so beautifully and with compassion.

This book definitely struck a chord with me and left me wondering if the blog exists and when I can go on this retreat? It sounds like exactly what I need!

I’m already itching to see what Laura writes next!

This story spoke to me so much, I found it quite an emotional read I think because it did resonate with me so well. Laura deals with loneliness, Tori’s fears and society/social media so well, so compassionately and full of empathy, the author really does Tori justice. I loved all the supporting characters, with their own problems and issues, showing Tori she wasn’t really alone, how others are sharing the same experiences and feelings. This is just a great journey we go on with Tori and it’s so uplifting and rewarding a read.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The Beginner's Guide To Loneliness is EVERYTHING I wanted and more. It is a sensitive, heartwarming, beautiful story about one woman and her journey of self-discovery.

Full of warmth, heart, perfectly drawn characters and a well executed plot, TBGTL is a novel that will have you rooting for the main character Tori from the first page and wanting everything for her til the last. Not only do you fall for the main character, you can't help but become invested in the lives of the secondary characters who support Tori on her journey.

Tori's fears are dealt with and written about in a compassionate way and the growth and character development of Tori over the book is gorgeous to read. There are also some other equally gorgeous parts to the story (a certain tent-sharing-friend and his dog!) and the end of the book is one big, warm, squishy cuddle and it left me feeling so happy.

I loved this book and I really cannot wait for what Laura writes next!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK for granting my wish on NetGalley to read and review – my thoughts are my own and not influenced by the gift.

2020 will be remembered for many different reasons, primarily the global pandemic. One small positive of this, is that I have been able to read and review more books this year, and I now have another lovely debut novel to shout about to fellow booklovers – I really enjoyed reading The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness.

In March 2020 most countries across the world had to lockdown, to keep their populations safe from an invisible killer. Thankfully many of us have access to modern technology and can stay in touch with family and friends via messages or video chats. However, millions of people across the world will be in Tori’s situation – lots of virtual friends but no close real friends. In my grandparent’s generation, people tended to not move far from their families when they left home and had their own families. However, this has now changed, especially as more of us travelled for university courses or fell in love with another county or country when on holiday.

I moved to Wiltshire from Yorkshire just over 25 years ago, and although I’ve made some good friends, I do find myself feeling lonely at times without my family living nearby. Loneliness is a big issue in our world and Laura’s book shows how easy it is to end up in this situation, especially now more people are working from home every day.

I loved the way the characters developed in this story, my favourite characters were actually secondary characters – Doreen and Rowan, who both help Tori in so many ways. There is also a dog called Dennis in this story and all the best stories include a dog (with a handsome owner). The story looks at how Tori found herself feeling so isolated and lonely and why she found it hard to trust other people. It also looks at the dangers of social media – how we need to be careful when chatting to strangers. However, it is a voyage of self discovery for Tori during her stay at The Farm, and without any spoilers, this is an uplifting read, not a tale of doom and gloom.

Thank you Laura Bambrey for such a thought provoking and touching story. I look forward to seeing this ebook flying high in the digital book charts after publication at the end of July 2020.

The Beginners Guide to Loneliness is Laura Brambrey debut novel and being a book blogger who I have connected with over the years I know we have similar tastes in books so when I see that she was releasing her debut as part of Books and the City’s Digital Originals I was intrigued and excited to read her novel.



Our main character is Tori, she has been through a devastating time and as a result has found herself not just alone but lonely which is why she set up her blog The Beginners Guide to Loneliness and as a result she has made a trio of friends but none of whom she has ever met. When an opportunity arises for Tori to attend a wellbeing retreat to review on her blog she is hesitant but with the push from her friends she sets off not knowing what she has let herself in for.


What an incredible debut by Laura she captured my attention from the first chapter and as the storyline moved along I found myself connecting and relating to Tori. She wasn’t an instantly likeable character, it was as the storyline moved along and her barriers began to come down and I found out more about her background and her issues that I slowly began to warm to her character.


There was also a great amount of supporting characters in this novel all of whom have their own problems they need to work on and they brought friendship, entertainment and even a little romance to Tori.


This novel touches on a number of issues that many of us have faced and also raises awareness of other issues too. Loneliness is something that isn't spoken about or always understood with many assuming that you don't have to be on your own to experience loneliness that sometimes you can be in a room full of people and still feel so incredibly alone and the author has brought great awareness to this topic in her novel which isn't something that crops up regularly in novels. What I loved most was the opening of each chapter where there were motivational quotes to open each chapter and I actually found some of these rather inspiring. There was a surprising revelation that I was not expecting until it was being revealed right under my nose and I was so shocked that the small clues had been there all along and yet I had no idea.


I would definitely recommend this novel if you are looking for a motivational, life affirming fictional read with the workings of friendships and the blossoming of romance to keep you gripped until the very end. A praiseworthy debut in my eyes.

#TheBeginnersGuidetoLoneliness #NetGalley
Tori Williamson is alone. After a tragic event left her isolated from her loved ones, she’s been struggling to find her way back to, well – herself. That’s why she set up her blog, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, as a way of – anonymously – connecting with the outside world and reaching others who just need a little help sometimes.
 When she’s offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, Tori is anxious about opening herself up to new surroundings. But after her three closest friends – who she talks to online but has never actually met – convince her it’ll do her some good, she reluctantly agrees and heads off for three weeks in the wild (well, a farm in Wales).
It was a fun read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for giving me an advance copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Tori Williamson finds herself alone after a tragic event. She’s struggling to find her way back - to being her.

This is the reason she set up her blog(anonymously) - The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness,. A way of connecting with the outside world and reaching others who might be feeling like her and needing help/advice.

Shes offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, But Tori is not sure about opening herself up to new surroundings.

Her three closest friends - who she’s been talking to online, but she’s never met, convince her that it’ll be good for her and so she heads off for three weeks in Wales - well a farm.

After arriving, Tori quickly finds herself drawn to fellow sceptic Than, the retreat’s dark and mysterious latecomer.

She slowly finds herself opening to the fact that it might not be a bad place to be

She shares a yurt with Bay, also, she finds not a bad thing..

But as she starts opening up to fellow retreaters, things reach a head and she finds that suddenly she’s not that anonymous person when Than turns out to be someone she confided in.

The characters in this book were relatable and the story, too one that we can relate to and perhaps been through ourselves.