This book was such an interesting blend of light contemporary romance, with much deeper, really interesting aspects too. We follow the story of Ellie: a gardener sharing her work on Instagram; interspersed with chapters from her mother Harriet about her work as a news correspondent covering the orphanages in Romania.

This was such an easy read that, whilst a little slow to begin with, became so interesting. We explore the history of the orphanages in Romania, a topic I knew next to nothing about, as well as the long term impacts including adoption, mental health, and those who ran away from the institutions. I haven't had experience of the mental health topics discussed in the book, so it would be interesting to see reviews from those with that experience, but it felt thoughtful and it was great to see a positive representation of therapy.

The conclusions of this book were largely predictable, but didn't happen quite in the way I was expecting and this didn't affect my enjoyment of the read at all. So heart-warming and I cried happy tears!

I was looking forward to reading this book as I ve read others by the author which I have enjoyed. This one however blew me away, I was enjoying the Instagram life of the English gardener, and could almost picture her garden and life in her annexe while dealing with her mental health, all great and then her backstory ...........it was incredible, it took the book to another level absolutely incredible.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

A gorgeous book I loved Ellie & I foung that her struggles with mental health were very well written & dealt with in a sensitive manner. This writer clearly researched the topic & her talent shines through. It's like a hug & a bar of chocolate I really enjoyed it.

Set in a calm atmosphere of gardening, we meet Ellie. This young woman suffers from anxiety attacks and we

come to learn that her horrific childhood continues with her as she matures into an adult. .. She must learn to face

her demons and make happy relationships. in her life, Ellie has a supportive family and makes time for romance

along the way..

This is a realistic read. It shows us how to try and cope with life.

We are shown reality, not a polished version, The book truly inspires. us to survive,

I totally forgot how much I enjoy this authors writing style until I read this book. It’s like catching up with an old friend and so familiar.
Wonderful story, lovely book and brilliantly written characters.

Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
This was an absolutely excellent read. I loved this book. Its unusual, well written and insightful. In some ways it's a chick-lit novel, but it's a whole lot more than that. It's tells a story of a young woman with agoraphobia, and goes on to describe why this is. The characters develop, and their stories unfold. To read this book is an emotional journey, you may well not like what you're reading but it's so worth the effort.
Highly recommended 4.5 stars.

Ellie loves her garden and photographs everything she does in it for Instagram. She has lots of followers and feels the friendship from some whom she private messages. But Ellie is not being entirely straight with them. Gardening is the only thing that Ellie does. She doesn't socialise or visit garden centres or any kind of shops because Ellie has not gone further than her garden gate for a long time. Because of this she lives in an annex in her parent's garden, and that suits her just fine.
When an online follower wants to take things further with Ellie how will she cope? Is she resigned to staying in her garden forever ?
Harriet is a journalist. In 1990 she covered a breaking story in Romania about the orphans and the conditions hundred of babies and children were living in, This changed Harriet's life and now she has been asked to go back there to see the changes. Before she decides what to do she has to ask one person how they feel about it and she's just not sure how this person will respond. .

Right, I'm trying hard not to give spoilers away but I also want to tell you about everything that happened in the book.
I didn't know anything about agoraphobia but through Ellie's day to day worries it was explained so well. I could feel her fears and even tensed up while reading as Ellie tries new things.
Catherine Isaac has written another blooming good book with likeable characters such as Ellie ,her parents and sister and the lovely garden centre delivery guy.
What more can I say? I'm sorry to have came to the end of this book and will be waiting patiently for Catherine's next one.

The World at My Feet is a fabulous inspiring novel which I enjoyed immensely. The story depicts the struggles of Ellie, a young girl from Romania in the 1990s.
Harriet, a war correspondent travels all over the world often witnessing horrific sights but when she is assigned to Romania the conditions she is faced with shocks her to the core.. Both Harriet and her husband face challenges of a child not used to being cuddled or loved let alone not speaking English. However for Ellie, there is a deeper obstacle and that is not knowing what happened to her best friend Tabitha, this haunts Ellie well into adulthood.
Ellie suffers from agoraphobia but manages to work in her garden posting on Instagram where she can hide behind her real identity. Her anxiety peaks and she begrudgingly returns to see her counsellor Colette on several occasions, some more successful than others. Ellie knows life will always be difficult as she continues to overcome the event that changed the lives of so many.
This is a well written heart wrenching story and a stark reminder that Romanian orphanages in the 1990s were true events making the news on a daily basis with their awful conditions and distressing sights of the emotionless faces on their residents.
My thanks to Net Galley for the digital ARC.

A totally immersing engaging read with a roller coaster of emotions. The characters are wonderfully depicted with Ellie and her mental problems at the centre manifested in the form of agoraphobia.. Warmhearted and truly empathetic to the difficulties faced by Ellie especially after how her traumatic early childhood so obviously has had a lasting impact. The support Ellie has takes many forms and should make the reader more aware how some people are struggling behind closed doors in the seemingly idyllic English countryside.

I liked this book, yet can't say I was wowed by it. It's not a romance. There is romance in it, but it doesn't lead the story. Ellie has agoraphobia and it is her battle with this, which is the subject of the novel. There are some heart breaking moments, some touching moments, even some funny moments. I disliked the instagram side of things, though it definitely highlighted how so much on social media is fake. Ellie's parents, her dog, sister, and love interest (the second one) are wonderful characters. And the little boy, whose name escapes me. I enjoyed the gardening side of things. Learning about Romanian orphanages in the 1990s was eye-opening, and I thought Ellie's mental health issues were well-written. With thank to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The World at My Feet - Catherine Isaac

The story flicks between the timeline of present day to Ellie's mum Harriet's news reporting days, and also to her chats to different characters - even though she is agoraphobic the story doesn't feel contained at all to four walls (and a garden). As an introvert myself I found there were lots of aspects to her personality that I could relate to, I loved the line 'I know this is only to be expected, but there is one moment when I actually begin to wish it was all over so that I can just bask in the memories'.

This read took me on an emotional rollercoaster, it really is a beautiful book, I could not put it down and didn't want it to end.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this one!

In 2018 Ellie, a gardener and Instagram influencer has been unable to venture outside of her home and garden for years due to agoraphobia. In 1990 Harriet, a foreign news correspondent is reporting on the state orphanages in post revolution Romania. Isaac brings these two strands together movingly, in this, one of my favourite reads of the last few months. It is beautifully written and researched and looks at early trauma and mental health. It is also a book filled with joy and hope and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC>

A very interesting read. I really liked how the two women’s stories were developed and entwined. Sensitive and uplifting all at the same time.

A beautifully written memorable read. I remember the discovery of the Romanian Orphanages. I can still see the harrowing and heartbreaking images of the children who lived in them. Ellie’s story is an emotional read but heartwarming as well. The issues this story deals with are talked about with sympathy and empathy. So many people struggle with their mental health and their past. This book is telling the reader that it is ok to ask for help and don’t suffer in silence.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I have just finished reading Catherine Issac’s, The World at My Feet.

Thank you, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an early copy.

NOW. THAT. WAS. FANTASTIC. Wow, what a book. I admire and absolutely love Catherine’s novels, have done ever since I stumbled across her first book written as Jane Costello and this just blew my socks off.

First things first, about the book:

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.

From post-revolution Romania to the idyllic English countryside, The World at My Feet is the story of two women, two worlds, and a journey of self-discovery that spans a lifetime.

This story was just stunning, and catches my breath each time I think about it. The characters were loveable, it had all the perfects elements to a great book. Full of courage, love, despair, with poignant themes and all the emotions you can imagine. One minute I was laughing, then crying, my heart swelled with joy and crashed with sadness. It was beautiful and extremely interesting. No, it was fascinating!! I loved that it gripped me from the first page which set the scene and built to a terrific crescendo.

Perfect, just perfect 5 out of 5

This is out on 18th March 2021.

I have read other Catherine Issac books and was excited to get stuck into this one. The stunning cover is sure to attract many readers but the writing and storyline is by far the hidden treasure.

We are introduced to Ellie and her Mum Harriet and are transported between the beautiful English countryside and the Romanian orphanages of the 90’s. Ellie is an Instagram influencer but behind the pretty garden pictures she posts daily she is fighting a secret battle. One she has buried but also one she must confront to find happiness.

This story pulled at my heartstrings. The attention to detail and subject understanding is evident and added to my understanding of the characters , the fantastic storytelling could not be faulted in my option, not only giving me a great story but an understanding of a subject I had previously known very little about.

I cannot recommend this deeply moving story enough but be warned you may need tissues at the ready especially for the wonderful ending .

This is a warm fuzzy jumper of a book - you know it’s going to wrap around you and make you feel cosy. This was my first Catherine Isaac book, and I enjoyed every minute of The World At My Feet. It tackled some difficult subjects with dexterity and skilful writing, leaving me with a desire to find out more about the background to this book. With believable characters and a strong story, this book is highly recommended.

With thanks to Simon and Schuster UK for this review copy.

We focus on Ellie Instagram influencer who is a gardener and her mother Harriet Journalist who is sent to the orphanages in Romania.

This is set between Harriet in ths 1990s and Ellie in the present day what a beautiful story.

Heartbreaking and so well researched and written well, so worth a read.

I have loved all of Catherine's books and looking forward to more.

This was my first Catherine Isaac book and what an excellent read it was. The story tells of two main characters - Ellie and her mum Harriet.
Combining harrowing tales of Romanian orphanages in the 1990's and English country garden romance, this book is both sweet and poignant. The characters have depth and the back stories are very well researched.
The ending is a treat. Unexpected, it keeps you guessing until the last chapter. I couldn't put this book down but now I have, I'll be looking for more Catherine Isaac!

The World at My Feet was a very moving book dealing with traumatic events which I thoroughly enjoyed. The author got it just right, in my opinion, with finding a perfect blend of dealing with very deep issues but intersped with a lightness of romance and fun.

I was a teenager when the news broke about Romania's orphanages and the way those children and babies were treated. I remember being so upset when I saw the footage, even begging my mum to adopt a child (not so easy when you live on the other side of the world). I have also met a family that did adopt a young boy during the 90's and I saw him grow into a different child in the short space of time that I knew him. I would love to know how life turned out for him too.

This is a brilliant book and subject matter which I would definitely recommend. I don't mind admitting that I shed a few tears at the end too.