What a thought-provoking prologue! Straight away I was coming up with a variety of theories about what I’d just read. A fantastic start.

Ellie and Harriet couldn’t have been more different yet I was equally fascinated by both of them. I love a book that raises questions and this was certainly one of those books. Why was Ellie in the situation she found herself in? What happened to Harriet’s career? Was Guy trustworthy?

I must admit that I hadn’t expected some of the tougher scenes, they were raw and heart breaking but oh so vital to the storyline. I found myself holding my breath as I read about the horrors of the past and releasing that breath when I returned to the calm of Ellie’s garden.

There was a gentle sort of romance weaving it’s way through the storyline of both time periods which I rather enjoyed. Even with the odd bump in the road I felt as though everything that happened, happened for a reason and I finished the book with happy tears in my eyes.

The writing style was captivating and emotive, pulling me into the pages and enabling me to experience each character’s feelings for myself. If you’re looking for a book that you can fully immerse yourself in, this is definitely for you.

Favourite Moments:

• Oscar’s visits
• A spontaneous walk
• A trip to London
• Facing the past

This was a powerful and beautiful story that truly touched my heart, a must read!

This is such a beautiful story. Told from two perspectives and different timelines, we learn about Ellie, an Instagram influencer sharing her garden and gardening tips ,and her mother Harriet, a foreign news correspondent, more used to reporting on wars in the Middle East and the appalling conditions in the Romanian orphanages. I loved getting to know Ellie’s story and found the relationships she had with her family were wonderful. Characters in the story are so different but made the journey we followed with Ellie all the more emotional - especially Oscar, Gertie and Jamie. An emotional read, this story will stay with me for a long time.

This book covers some emotional topics and mental health issues, doing so with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. We gradually learn what Ellie’s background issues are and how she struggles and manages to survive. Parts of her story pull on your heartstrings and are distressing reminders of actual events which tear you apart as you recall them. The characters are lovely, you root for fragile Ellie, her parents and sister Lucy are wonderful and so supportively caring which is heartwarming. They are all very contrastingly different which makes the story even more interesting and maybe highlights Ellie’s issues more deeply. The storytelling shows that through friendship and love it’s possible to find a way through things that may appear insurmountable. Ellie develops a lovely and unlikely friendship with five year old Oscar who is such a sweetheart and makes you laugh and as for Gertie the dog!!! They are the literary equivalent of ‘never work with children and dogs’!! The support of her new friend Jamie is very important too and he is another lovely character.

This was a fab read, I thoroughly enjoyed this, The idea behind the book and the plot was extraordinary, I believe this book was fabulously written, the issues mentioned in the book was described explicitly and even though she faced these issue in the end she did not let them rule her.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I read this expecting a light-hearted and uplifting read and instead found a story that is powerful and steeped in history. Fantastic and heartbreaking read and I loved all the nods to modern culture too!

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started this, I did think it would be a light and fluffy one (and you all know how I struggle with them sometimes) but how wrong was I...
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The World at my Feet wasn't light and it contained the perfect amount of fluff to make me absolutely adore this book.
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Every character I LOVED (apart from one... no spoilers here 🤫) Main character Ellie was nothing less than an inspiration, her story was heartbreaking and brilliant all at the same time.
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We go back in time back to early 90s Romania and we follow Ellie's Mum Harriet's War Reporting career (like I said, this book is not light and full of fluff balls) this backstory turns out to be totally relevant in the present time and the way the author has managed to weave everything together was timed and written perfectly.
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Sometimes when the end is near I'm willing the book to hurry up and end, we've found out all there is to find out but I must say I didn't here, I devoured it right until the bitter end.
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Fantastic book I urge you all to read, even folk with black hearts like me who are most at peace reading a dark and deathly. This one may just convert you.
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My thanks to #netgalley #catherineissac
and @simonandschuster for allowing me to read this one early (sorry I didn't get there in time for pub day) but it's....

OUT NOW!!!!!!!!! Go buy it!!!!

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I really loved this book - absorbing with an interesting plot - so much so I stayed up way too late to finish the last third of the book!

The story focusses on Ellie who is an Instagram Influencer and agoraphobic. As it unfolds we hear more about her past, her friends and her family and what lead her to return her childhood home and become a gardener. The author draws you in to Ellie's world completely, the big issues in the story are dealt with sensitively and have been well-researched. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Huge fan of this author and this is another absolutely superb read. I have nothing negative I can say about this book. It has been a great read filled with interesting characters and a unique plot.

FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW ON BLOG TOUR

I am not quite sure what I was expecting when I sat down to read Catherine Isaac’s new release The World at my Feet but this book blew me away. I have taken so much time deliberating over this review working out how to give it the justice it deserves without giving away those dreaded spoilers!

Ellie is a successful Instagram influencer with followers following her daily tips on gardening and soaking up those picture-perfect images of her garden. From the outside in Ellie looks like she has a wonderful fulfilled life but what people are unaware of is that Ellie hasn’t stepped outside her garden gate in years.

The novel begins like so many books I have read and enjoyed with its easy uplifting storyline but then something completely unexpected is dropped on us and the story then takes on a whole new depth and direction and I was completely compelled from that moment on, unable to put my kindle down. I became so invested in Ellie’s life, she had such a beautiful nature and there was an air of vulnerability to her too which made me warm to her even more. By the end of the novel I couldn’t bare to let Ellie go.

The author has clearly undertaken extensive research into the subject matters of this book and the way she has poured everything into this storyline highlighting situations I was never even aware of, I found it devastating and hard hitting. The pure honesty and raw struggles of another subject that is a major part of this book also opened my eyes and my heart really went out to Ellie.

This is by far my favourite book by this author and I would urge you all to be careful when thinking of reading reviews for this book because I think it was because I was so oblivious to what lay ahead when the true heart of this storyline began and I believe that was why this had such a big impact on my enjoyment of this novel. It was a novel that broke my heart into millions of pieces and piece by piece Ellie’s strength and determination and the support and love of those around her gradually put those pieces back together again.

I am sorry to say I just didn't connect with this book. I tried but it wasn't grabbing me .I am glad to see that many readers did enjoy it, and I hope it does well, just not my cup of tea.

Catherine Isaac has become one of my favourite authors since picking up “You Me Everything” last year.

I had high expectations going in to my NetGalley copy of “The world at my feet” and I was not disappointed!

The story is told by 2 viewpoints, Ellie and Harriet.

The main viewpoint follows Ellie, an Instagram influencer who has a love for gardening but also crippling Agoraphobia - an extreme fear of leaving her own home.

The second viewpoint is Ellie’s mother, Harriet. A news correspondent who travels the world covering heartbreaking events.

This story is so beautifully told and the topics covered are so well researched. It’s an emotional story of trauma, healing and love.

It’s another 5* book from @catherineisaacauthor and I can’t wait to buy the paperback and gift it my mum for her birthday ✨

What a fantastic and moving novel! Although I really enjoyed the two parallel storylines (the present and the past), it was Ellie's backstory that had me completely compelled. Going into this book, I had very little knowledge about the orphan situation in Romania, but the author's beautifully engaging and authentic writing style had me engrossed from the first page onwards and made me want to learn so much more about these horrible circumstances that surrounded Romania at the time.

Ellie is such a brilliantly developed character and I loved getting to know her in such great detail. I also really enjoyed the relationship she has with her parents. Having such a fantastic support network made the whole story come to life!

No doubt, this novel with stay with me for a long time coming and will definitely have a spot in my top reads for 2021.

The World at my Feet - Catherine Isaac

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley.

1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule. 

2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life who could finally be the reason she needs to overcome her fears.

Ellie is an Instagram star, with her insight into her gardening lifestyle. Harriet, was a journalist sent to visit Romanian orphanages in the early 1990s.

This is a well researched description of agoraphobia and how therapy can help the sufferer. The characters are all well written and it is hard not to love them and want everyone to have a happy ending. Catherine has not shied away from showing the ugly side of social media and even uses that to her advantage in this book.

Throughout this book, the reader is slowly introduced to topics such as anxiety, child abuse and PTSD.

Rating 4/5

I was very shocked to learn that Catherine Isaac has previously written under the pseudonym of Jane Costello - an author who I have always enjoyed.

I had high expectations, fell in love with the amazing cover but this story didn't resonate and it fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is going to be the hardest review I have written in a while. There is so much I want to say and so much that I cannot say without ruining the true beauty of The World At My Feet. Catherine Isaac has once again created a beautiful story that is heartfelt, heartwarming and heartbreaking at times with such grace and compassion.

I read this over the weekend alongside a friend and that was a truly gorgeous experience, not only was it Mothers Day during a pandemic but also me and said friend are on different sides of the Atlantic. It was amazing to be able to share my thoughts with her seeing as there’s so much I cannot say.

The story follows Ellie and Harriet. Ellie is a social media influencer via Instagram – she’s a gardener so a skill based influencer sharing tips and gorgeous flowers to those far and wide. The vivid imagery had me almost seeing the flowers and the displays that Ellie has created. I liked how we got the differing text to show us Ellie checking, updating and responding on social media. Yet there is so much to Ellie – her back story is powerful to say the least. I warmed to Ellie from the start and I worried from the beginning as to what had shaped her to be the woman she was. I think Catherine explained all the obstacles and turning points in Ellie’s life well and with modesty, grace and reality.

Harriet is a journalist covering many types of roles but she’s very much a Kate Aide, right in at the deep end kind of woman. She’s my favourite type of journalist she’s not only about the story she’s an advocate of change. I found Harriets entries insightful having studied journalism and worked within differing news rooms. Catherine has depicted a woman who can have a career and raise a family and that aspect of Harriets life has been well documented on how that changed in the years of her children growing up and needing more of her maternal side.

For me reading is an escape but also in these types of novels it’s an education into a life I have never lived. During the 1990s I was at school and never knew of the hardships in Romania obviously as a now adult I understand about orphanages and the social system but this has been written informatively, heartfelt and has made me want to watch From Romania with Love.

This is a deeply poignant and thought provoking novel although in saying that there are some truly funny moments especially with Jamie, Oscar and Ellie’s sister Lucy. We are shown the good and bad sides of social media alongside mental health – showing how much this can change during seemingly normal aspects of everyday life. I have to mention the aspect of running not that it features massively but because it’s an outlet I have grasped during the pandemic.

The World At My Feet is definitely one of my books of the year. Yes, I’ve gone and said that a book I’ve read in March will make my books of the year come December. Catherine Isaac has tackled a number of hard hitting subject matters with grace, compassion and in a way that lets you escape, learn and become all encompassed by. This is a beautiful novel that will make you cry, laugh and want to spend time with those you hold dear. An escapist education written effortlessly.

This is a book you need to read this year

This is a dual timeline story set between the present day and the late 1980's. It follows Ellie (an Instagram infuencer) who hasnt left her house or garden for two years and her mother Harriet (a foreign correspondent/journalist.
The story is a very moving one which covers traumatic events in a very sympathetic way. In my opinion there is a perfect blend of the deep issues involved mixed in with romance.
I would highly recommend this book to others.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this advance read.

This was an interesting book. Not really my cup of tea, but I must say I enjoyed it.
This one made me speech less.

This book is so hard to review without giving away any spoilers but I really want you to be able to discover it without knowing anything about it just like I did because it really is a beautiful journey with highs, lows and everything in between.

I really loved meeting Ellie. I warmed to her straight away and I love the fact that she is an influencer as well. Massive well done to Catherine Isaac for not being afraid to tackle a job that someone can feasibly do in today's climate without needing to leave their own garden. This also meant that we got some mixed media text in the book with Instagram posts and also a little insight into Ellie checking how well her posts were doing. We also get to explore some little talked of mental health issues through Ellie. I love the fact that these issues were shown not to be as cut as dry as they are often portrayed in many forms of media and the fact that they are shown through Ellie's story make them all the more relatable.

This novel does jump about a little time wise and so it must have been carefully and intricately constructed. Although Harriet's story doesn't get as much coverage as Ellie's does throughout the book hers is great to read about too and I feel like hers would have been one that couldn't been overlooked by many writers or readers. It was great to hear of someone balancing career and family and also someone taking a stand when she saw injustice taking place. I would love to revisit her story again in the future because I feel like there is more to tell.

For all that this book has many emotional moments, there are also some really funny and heart warming moments too as well as some romantic explorations. This writer has balanced the romance with the other much more delicate topics of the book so well. I feel wrung out having read this book in the best possible way because I feel like I have gone through this journey with Ellie, felt every feeling she has felt and then some. Oscar, Lucy and Jamie definitely prove to be excellent side characters and I loved the fact that they also had their own fully formed lives and stories as well as being there for Ellie and adding depth to her story too.

This is a book that has to be experienced, I think everyone reading this will find something personal to take from it. Catherine Isaac has done it again, this really is another beautiful novel!

I really enjoyed You Me Everything and so I was delighted to see another of Catherine Isaac's novels on pre-release and immediately requested a copy!
Her novels are always so well written and researched, and The World at My Feet was no exception. It follows the story of Ellie through her journey with agoraphobia. The structure of the novel was so well executed and really kept the pages turning. The characters were true-to-life and really jumped off the pages. The Instagram format really enhanced the story and brought the 'Insta-reality' message home.
I practically read this in one sitting - it's been a while since I awarded a book 5 stars but this one totally deserves it!
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie seems to have a great life as an influencer, but she is agoraphobic, and it was heartbreaking to hear her story and the reasons for her condition. A really great, emotional, read