I found the story interesting and compelling for most part but the direction it went was a bit strange and surprised me and I wasn’t really sure what to think.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my digital copy.

Keith Stuart’s third novel, The Frequency of Us, sees him tackling a wider canvas story of love, history and a twist of the unexpected. It starts in Bath during the Second World War and the passionate affair between Will and Elsa. But then the couple are caught in a bombing raid that devastates the city. And when Will comes round from having been knocked unconscious, everything has changed. Asking what has happened to Elsa, the doctors tell him no such person existed.
Fast forward to 2007, and Laura is a home carer tasked with looking after Will, still living in the same house all these years on. Will is convinced that Elsa existed, but no-one else believes him. At first unconvinced, Laura sets out to find out if there is any truth in what he says. And as she does so, his remarkable story begins to both unravel and draw her in …
Switching between the timelines, The Frequency of Us is both an intriguing mystery and heartfelt love story wrapped into one.

(Reviewed in various Living Magazines, March 2021

I was given a copy of The Frequency of Us by Keith Stuart by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The book behind in World War 2 with Will. When a bomb is dropped on his home and his wife disappears he is the only one who believes she ever existed. I. 2008 Laura is a carer sent to assess Will. Will begins to share his story with Laura and when strange things happen Laura must decide is Elsa ever existed.
This is a great story, with a twist. Loved the characters Laura and Will. Will definitely be looking out for this author in the future.

Oh my goodness what a book it certainly kept you guessing what was going to happen and I found it mind blowing.

It is about Will and his life with Elsa leading up to 1942 when things suddenly change. We have Laura who ends up being is carer and the story that Will tells makes he think is he telling the truth or not.

What has happened to Will and why does everyone not believe he was living with a woman called Elsa, his neighbours think he is crazy and should be in a home.

I could not put this book down and I really like the ending it was very unusual and unique this book.

I would recommend this book.

The Frequency Of Us by Keith Stuart is a fascinating read and it kept me engrossed with the storyline of the Second World War and the preset day. There is the story of Will and Elsa who meet in Bath in the Second World War and then many years later, we have Laura’s story. It is a fascinating story about frequencies and time and different lives we could have led, if only.
Highly recommended

A really lovely, charming story although the direction it went was a bit woo woo and surprised me and I wasn’t really sure what to think. It was a lovely story though. Time and place very well researched.

A parallel universe love story

The plot is set during the Second World War and present-day and is located mainly in the area around Bath. Will Emerson and Elsa Klein have started their love affair which is destined to last a lifetime. Fate steps in though with the unexpected bombing of the city when whole rows of houses were wiped out along with their occupants.

It is exceedingly difficult to give any criticism of this book without including some spoilers. However, suffice it to say that Will and Elsa’s lives are ripped apart. We first meet Will as an 87-year-old who is being assessed by novice carer, Laura James, whose job it is over a 3-month period to determine whether Will can take proper care of himself or if he needs protection from Social Services. Laura also has her own demons to deal with and ultimately, it's clear that the unlikely pair can be of assistance to each other.

It’s transparent from the outset that Will is a man who has been mourning his true love throughout his lifetime. He instinctively knows that Elsa lives on and that the strange events during the bombing have been instrumental in separating them. During his whole life, he feels that he doesn’t fit in. No documentary evidence exists that Elsa was ever living in Bath or was associated with him. It will be Laura’s destiny to investigate further and as she does so, she finds facts that causally relate to her own family and upbringing.

There are some aspects about the style of writing which were highly frustrating. Each chapter was written in the first person but from the point of view of one of the main characters. This was immensely disturbing as it could be several pages before that particular character could be identified. Additionally, no evidence was presented regarding the whole premise of the plot in that there can be rents in time. The last few chapters were almost laughable in my opinion and the coincidence reference Laura’s father, too much to swallow.

Therefore, despite the truly romantic story and beautiful writing, the plot did not stand up to scrutiny although anyone who believes in a parallel universe will no doubt find it enchanting.

mr zorg


Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.

Another fascinating story by Keith Stuart. The previous on I read about a young boy with autism, amazed me by what could be achieved. This time my imagination was stretched to the limit. i was willing Laura to stay strong and complete the task. I wasn't disappointed , as the story had a brilliant conclusion following a totally immersive experience. Great read!

I adored his previous book “A boy made from blocks” this was a totally different read but brilliant all the same. The characters were well written and thought it was a slow burning one (and in parts slightly unbelievable) I really liked it. I thought once again it was an original story and plot and very enjoyable! Thank you !

It is 5 years since I read Keith Stuart's debut novel. It was clear from the outset that this would be very different. Iwas drawn to the novel because of the setting in Bath and the era around which part of the story was set: Namely, during the Second World War.

I grew to like the characters which are carefully crafted and developed as the story unfolds. The descriptions of Bath, past and present helped to add a sense of geographical perspective too.
Without saying too much about the storyline, I liked the way in which the historical themes of life during the blitz and attitudes towards Germanic immigrants was explored. Added to this the modern aspects of the narrative, which explored aspects of the care system for the elderly and an unusual theme for a novel is set.

It is difficult to say much about how the novel unfolds without spoiling the underlying themes within the book. I found it necessary to suspend my sense of normality as the story drew to it's conclusion. There is an ethereal quality to this book.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for a copy in exchange for this review.

University drop-out Laura is currently living in Bath, back at home with her mother and suffering severe anxiety. She gets a job working for an agency and is asked to visit 87 year old Will Emerson who lives in a decaying house and may or may not be suffering dementia. Will tells Laura that his wife Elsa disappeared from his house on the night the street was bombed in 1942 but no-one knows anything about Elsa. Laura determines to find the truth and slowly the universe turns full circle.
When I first finished this book I was disappointed in the whole parallel universe theme, I found it a little convenient and a little silly. However on reflection I realise how well it works and actually helps to tie the story together. At its heart this is a love story between two people which jumps 65 years. the writing is lovely and very gentle, the plot (apart from the final couple of chapters) is straightforward yet heartfelt. Overall a surprisingly wonderful book!

Lovely book. The characters are very well written and the book has the reader hooked from the start. It was nice to read something original.

I usually enjoy historical fiction, particularly set during this period of time. Living nearby and knowing the area well, was especially excited to read a book set in Bath. I liked the descriptions of the area and routes taken by the characters and enjoyed following them on the map. I liked the character of Will and thought that Laura was really realistic but once it became clear that the book was going to take a paranormal turn, I struggled to remain interested in the book as this is a genre that I really dislike. Up until this point, I was enjoying the book and so my rating will be based on this, rather than my dislike for the genre.

This is my third book by Keith Stuart and I loved his previous two. Unfortunately I made it halfway through this book before deciding it wasn't for me (at least at this moment in time). I love the story and really want to know what happens, however I struggled with the flashbacks as I didn't find them interesting. I absolutely understood the need for them to build a picture of the love story however I personally found it dull and it made me not want to continue. I've struggled to pick the book back up so I'm going to admit defeat. Thank you so much for the ARC and I hope to try and pick it up again in the future - if so I will update my review. I look forward to reading Keith Stuart's next book.

I've just finished and I'm still unsure what I've read and if I enjoyed it or not. This is unique and original in both plot and the narrative. Extremely thought provoking.

Thank you for the chance to read.

3.5-4 stars! Really great story! Very intriguing and had some great twists and turns. I loved the dual time lines, it was a great touch and kept me interested! I found myself more intrigued by the Will’s point of view in the past. I really liked how the author added in the idea of alternate realities, it had me wondering which way this story was going to turn out!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

This is the second book I read by this author and I loved both.
This is another excellent story, poignant and gripping.
I loved the well thought characters and felt for them.
The author is a talented storyteller and the plot kept me hooked.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I’d like to take a minute to thank the publishers and netgalley for a copy of this in exchange of an honest review.

TW: anxiety and panic attacks

Frequency follows the story of Will and Laura. Seventy years ago wills wife went missing, and now no one believes him that she ever existed. Laura suffers with terrible anxiety and panic attacks and is tasked with assessing if Will is mentally unwell or telling the truth. She becomes determined to help him.

I’m going to give some trigger warnings because if you also have terrible anxiety like me, though these scenes are very well written it did also make ME super anxious as a result. I sometimes had to put the book down.

Ultimately it’s a very slow book and didn’t really hold my attention enough to want to continue with it. While elements of a mystery are awesome it just didn’t hook me enough. I also kind of expected radios to play a bigger part but it seemed almost secondary.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to read on netgalley. I am a massive fan of his books ever since he captured my heart writing about autism .

His storytelling is magical and perfect escapism This is a beautiful heartfelt life affirming story of love , loss grief and hope .

It’s unique and original in both plot and the narrative. 2 very different peoples paths are crossed and their lives will never be the same again.

Thought provoking and sensitivity written as the reader is invited to explore the world and many layers of grief and crossroads in life.

Published 25th March

Wow! What an amazing book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this as it had me hooked from the start with its mystery from start to finish. You find you self asking ‘what actually happened to Elsa?’ more than once throughout it.

It is written so well that you feel emotionally connected to the characters straight away. Due to this connection I felt towards them it made me feel very emotional and I shed a few tears during their journeys. I highly recommend this book.

I don’t usually read about the Second World War but I loved the way it was described and spoken about in this novel.