This is the second novel that I have read by this author and it is equally as good as the first book. Relationships and emotions are well contained it this, making for a very good read. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

It’s my first book read written by the author, and definitely would hunt for more books written by her. This book is beautifully written through two person perspectives told over through the years. Although it is sometimes repetitive, the switching of narrative on each chapter works for me. As a reader, I get to see through each character’s mind and easy to connect with them. Though at the back of my mind, I am aware that the scenes are too coincidental; I am totally invested in their story that has made me rooting for them the entire reading experience.

Overall, it was a hopeful and touching story about two people and the life lessons we learn from the book – to be mindful of the fact that change takes time, so allow yourself all the time you need to grow.

How to Save a Life starts in December 1991, with our two main characters each having their respective 'worst day'. 20yr old Marianne walked in on her boyfried-slash-boss cheating on her at a work party, leaving her single and looking for work. 22yr old Ted has been struggling with PTSD and Depression for months after returning from fighting in the Gulf war. The two meet on the wrong side of the railings at the top of the Waterloo bridge - Ted preparing to jump, and a slightly drunk Marianne trying to stop him. This two-minute meeting has such an impact on each of them, shifting their lives onto a better course, despite neither even knowing the others name.

I expected this to be a heart-warming, long-term love story (think One Day, Normal People) and I think maybe that's what the author was aiming for? It didn't quite get there though - 30% through it was starting to feel repetitive; every other train of thought for one of the MCs is about the other and the night they met (however life-changing), and this goes on for over 20 years. I feel this could have been fleshed out more with some scenes that weren't constantly mirroring each ither, and would have found it satisfying to end with Marianne and Ted having saved each other, expressing gratitude for the lives they've gifted the other, but not actually ending up together? Overall this ended in a 2.5/5 for me personally, though I can see it being enjoyed by others.

Wow! This book really resonated with me; I found it to be compulsive reading and completed it in just a couple of sittings, stopping only for work and sleep. The synopsis gives an excellent insight into the book, which is packed with twists, turns and near-misses. I found myself willing them to discover each other’s identities and then cringing when the moment finally came about. Clare Swatman writes in an incredibly raw style that challenges the reader to examine difficult subjects.
Marianne - Fairy Girl meets Ted – Bridge Man, when she is starting on a downward curve as her work and love life implode. At that same moment, Ted is already at the very bottom of that curve, and he must start to climb back from the depths of his depression.
Despite the subject matter, this is a joy-filled story which left me feeling uplifted and hopeful. The sentiment that tomorrow is another day is epitomised by Ted’s climb from the grip that his PTSD held over him.
As I’m writing this review, the story is still resonating with me. There’s a strong cast of supporting characters who all play significant roles in the overall story, but it’s Marianne and Ted who carry this book. If I had to choose a favourite character, from the supporting cast, it would be Danny. His willingness to support his friend, even when he was clearly at the lowest possible point, is the epitome of a true friend. Finding his perfect partner in Danni was a lovely element and worked as the natural gateway to the bigger story.
Perfect is a strong word when reviewing, but How to Save a Life was just perfect, in my view.

The book begins on 13th December 1991 in London, where we see the same scene from the viewpoints of the two main characters Ted and Marianne. Ted has had enough of life and is planning to commit suicide by jumping off Waterloo Bridge. Marianne has just had the evening from hell and – still dressed in her fairy costume from the party – comes across Ted and persuades him not to kill himself.
Ted is twenty-two and kips on his friend Danny’s sofa. Marianne is twenty and still lives with her parents. They both have difficulties to deal with, they are both hurt, damaged from previous events in their lives. You immediately feel sorry for them and see they are good people at heart, so you root for them to end up with a happy ever after.
The book is written from Ted and Marianne’s viewpoints and covers a period of twenty years. It isn’t a predictable romance story, it’s more about following these two people who have had an impact on each other from their dramatic first meeting and seeing how things change for them during these years. Neither of them forget Bridge Man and Fairy Girl as the years go by.
It’s a bit Sliding Doors in places – missed opportunities and what if they had done that or said this instead of what actually happens. This begins right at the start when Marianne gets a taxi away from the bridge Ted was planning to jump off. The next day, they both regret not finding out each other’s names or contact details. There were many times when I was shouting at the book, because it’s so frustrating when they just miss each other!
There is a theme of relationships here – with friends and with parents. Ted has a great relationship with his best mate Danny while Marianne has her lovely friend Lance (a girl called Alison - Lance is a nickname). While Ted’s parents are largely absent from his life, Marianne’s are constantly present, as she lives with them.
I loved the characters straight away as they do feel real, they aren’t the kind of characters you find in some books who already have it all, they are struggling. I also enjoyed the way we were invested in both stories and it didn’t follow any of the predictable paths some novels go down. It never felt inevitable that Ted and Marianne would end up together (and I’m not telling you either!), so it was a surprise throughout which keeps the reader interested to see what their fates are.
My only small criticism is that with seeing both viewpoints, some of the scenes are recounted twice, which becomes a bit repetitive.
But overall, it’s a lovely book with amazing characters and I would definitely read more of Clare’s work.

This book is amazing! Written from two peoples perspectives, you get to see how one fateful encounter influences their lives through a rollercoaster of events. It's an emotional journey full of highs an lows that you just won't be able to put down. Be prepared for a long night!

In a Nutshell: For those who love a well-developed story of relationships (not romance) and enjoy a question of “what-if” in real life, this is THE book to go for.

Story:
December, 1991.
Twenty-two year old Ted is traumatised after his experiences in the Kuwait war and can’t readjust to common routine. Disillusioned with his life, he decides to give it all up and makes his way to Waterloo Bridge, hoping for an end to his emotional misery.
That same night, twenty year old Marianne is running away from her office Christmas party after seeing her boyfriend having s*x with a co-worker. As she is rushing through the South Bank, the lonely figure on the bridge catches her eye. Marianne ends up convincing Ted that life is worth a shot and she then disappears in a taxi, with them having not even exchanged their names.
This night in December becomes a turning point in their lives, but not in the way you would imagine. What happens next? Will the two meet again? When? Read and find out, my friends.
The story comes to us from the alternating first person perspectives of Ted and Marianne.

Where the book worked for me:
😍 The book didn’t go the way I thought it would, in a very good way. I had assumed it to be a variant of “When Harry met Sally”, which it is in a way, except that “Harry” doesn’t actually meet “Sally” for ages. I loved the slow-burn unfolding of the relationship.
😍 I love the realism of the main characters. Both Ted and Marianne aren’t your typical picture-perfect goody-two-shoes romcom leads. They are terribly human, terribly flawed, and terribly vulnerable. It feels so good to have characters you know exist in real life than the polished OTT version of people we get to see in light fiction nowadays.
😍 This isn’t a story of romance but of relationships. Ted’s flawed relationship with his father; Marianne’s volatile yet loving relationship with her parents; Ted and Marianne’s amazing connection with their best friends Danny (who is married to Danni – so cute!) and Lance respectively,… and of course, Ted and Marianne’s “relationship” with each other. (You’ll know why I have put the key word in quotation marks once you read the book.)
😍 The story spans an incredibly long time period (can’t tell you how long as that’s a spoiler.) With the frequent time jumps, it should have been easy to confuse the character ages, but the author subtly includes the time reference in her writing. There are also a few smart pop culture references or real life events in the narrative. As a result, not once did I muddle up the time frame.

😍 The story covers many dark themes in a light manner. Themes include alcoholism, PTSD, mental health issues, parental disconnections. I liked how dark it went without going too far, and loved the way the story covers the angle of “What if” and “Why me”.
😍 I found the book quite refreshing and unlike the typical fare in the contemporary fiction/romance market. There are so many moments when I went “Awww” and an equal number of moments when I went “Oh, C’mon!” I ended the book with a huge grin on my face and warmth in my heart. (No, not heartburn, y’all! A satisfied afterglow kind of warmth.) That’s the best compliment to the story, isn’t it?


Where the book still worked for me but might not work for some other readers:
😌 The pastel cover seems to suggest that this is a light-hearted romance. Further, there’s this tagline in that small red circle that says, “A love story you’ll never forget.” The problem is, it is not a conventional love story. The two characters don’t meet for a loooonnnngggg time, there are no frivolous romps in bed, no dating, no instant connections. As I wasn’t expecting romance, I wasn’t disappointed to find it not being so. This was my kind of love story, more emotional than physical.
😌 I read through some other reviews to see why the book is rated so poorly, and found that quite a few readers were disappointed at the time gap between the meeting of our two leads and at the lack of romance. Well, to quote a line from the book, “This isn't an ideal world and sometimes you have to take what you've been given.” That’s what Ted and Marianne did. I appreciated this decision of the author. Insta-love fiction is a dime a dozen nowadays. This is more real depiction of human connections.
😌 As the story comes from the pov of both Ted and Marianne, many incidents are narrated from both their angles. This might generate a déjà vu sort of feeling, but I appreciated looking at the same event from both their eyes. But…. (see below)

Where the book didn’t work for me:
😔 (continued from above)… this also lead to a repetition of feelings. Repetition of events was okay. But to have them both thinking of that night of December 1991 again and again felt like an overkill. Maybe a bit of editing in this particular aspect would have suited the book better. This would have also sorted out the length issue as it feels dragged at times.

In short, I loved this book. The book is clearly marked as “Women’s Fiction” on NetGalley. I would call it a “Contemporary Drama”. If you read it as a romance you'll be disappointed. Definitely not recommend for insta-love or steamy romance fans. But if you want to see a beautifully story that takes its time in bringing the lead characters together, going through various ups and downs along the way, please do give this a try.
4.5 stars from me. (I was torn between 4.25 and 4.5, but the ending sealed the deal.) It feels so good to be an outlier on the positive side of the ratings.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “How to Save a Life”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The book has been an emotional read although it has other qualities too. It is thought-provoking but a warm and romantic read too.

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE
BY
CLARE SWATMAN.

Ted is a Gulf war veteran in his early twenties. Suffering with PTSD, Ted has reached such a low, that he makes the choice to end his life.
Before he can take those final steps, a ‘fairy girl’ appears and talks him down.

Marianne has just caught her boyfriend up to no good. On her way home she meets Ted. Seeing his distress puts her own problems into perspective and she is determined to help him.

As Ted and Marianne move on with their lives, they never forget eachother. Their lives are inexplicably intertwined, but fate never seems to be on their side.

Starting from 1991 and spanning the following twenty years, this book is told in alternating chapters from the perspective of the two main characters.

There are some difficult subjects in this book that are written about with great sensitivity.

I found this story moving and compelling. I honestly wasn’t sure how it would end, but I wasn’t disappointed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Available now in all formats.

With thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for a digital arc of this title.

This book was a little hard for me to get into which surprised me because I liked the premise. I think the time jumps tripped me up and I didn’t really enjoy the ending. One tiny action can in fact save a life—was the clear theme but I still felt like it needed more.

How to Save a Life by Clare Swatman follows the main characters, Ted & Marianne, over 20 years. Their first meeting is on a bridge where Marianne actually saves Ted's life then hops in a cab before they even exchange names. We see Ted, after being given a second chance, seek help for his PTSD from the war. We also see Marianne, change as a result of their brief encounter.

I liked that the characters each had interesting stories and never forgot each other. However, I found their almost meetings throughout the 20 years frustrating. I was really invested in them but after a while just kept thinking when are they going to meet. Obviously it kept me reading so it was not a bad book, just too drawn out.

The focus on mental health was a definite plus - both from a patient and practitioner POV.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In How To Save a Life, the author brings the same warmth, mix of light and dark moments, and gentle exploration of human flaws as she did to her previous book, Before We Grow Old, which I read in January 2022.

The book is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Marianne and Ted. Sometimes the reader gets to see the same event from their respective point of view, meaning some repetition is inevitable. It also means, at times, the reader can see an event coming.

Of the two characters, it was Ted who I thought had the most depth and whose story I became most invested in. His traumatic experiences whilst on active service in Kuwait have left psychological wounds, a profound sense of guilt and a feeling that his life lacks any structure or direction. This has manifested itself in a dependence on alcohol. And, as much as Marianne’s actions on Waterloo Bridge on that fateful night saved his life, I thought the steadfastness and loyalty of his friend, Danny, did too.

Although Marianne and Ted’s initial meeting is fleeting, the significance of its circumstances provoke a change of life direction for them both: Marianne pursues a career as a counsellor and Ted studies to become a doctor. It’s significant that both roles entail helping others. Marianne and Ted both find themselves thinking about the other over the course of the years and during that time there are a number of ‘near misses’ in which their paths almost cross. Thinking of the film Casablanca, it’s not so much a case of ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’ as ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine… but I happen to have left five minutes ago’.

Despite the passing years, Ted and Marianne have become lodged so deep in each other’s mind that it becomes difficult for any other partner to displace them. I have to say I couldn’t blame those who try for eventually acting they way they do. After all, how can you compete with a fantasy? And I found it quite difficult to forgive some of Marianne’s and Ted’s actions.

Whether you consider the way the book ends the stuff of Hollywood movies, it demonstrates saving a life can occur in many ways and sometimes we don’t just get second chances but perhaps third, even fourth opportunities to get it right.

Oh I really enjoyed this! One event changes the course of both Marianne and Ted's lives, Fairy Girl and Bridge Man. I liked all the near misses they had at meeting each other again and the relationships they had over the years. Quite sad in places but always entertaining, I especially loved how both characters had their own individual enduring friendships over the years.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙏𝙤 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘼 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚

Clare Swatman
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Ted is on the brink of giving up on life. The effects of his time in Kuwait are too much to handle and he doesn’t want to be a burden. Enter “Fairy Girl” She ends up on the same bridge on the same night and talks him out of ending things.

Told in alternating POV’s I found this to be a very unique story. I throughly enjoyed the timeline however it moved too fast for me. The ending is as a big determining factor in my rating. I wanted more. More of the love story.
“Bridge Man” and “Fairy Girl” are definitely worth reading if you like unique storylines with alternating POV’s

TW- Suicide Attempt, alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety & terrorist attacks.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book.

thank you to boldwood books and netgalley for the e-arc!

okay so this book follows two people who meet on a very depression-filled night on a bridge, and then over the next 20-ish years, flit in and out of each other’s lives.

the premise was incredibly up my alley, but a few little things here and there throughout the book ultimately led to me not enjoying this as much as i could have. firstly, the time jumps were used strangely? i think they were too big and were used too often—they felt more like an excuse for the author to not have to write any actual development, and so she could just sum up what had happened. secondly, the dual pov did not work! it definitely could have if it were done right, but instead, a lot of marianne’s chapters were just repeating what we had just read in ted’s pov?

next, and this was probably the worst offender, i just didn’t care for the characters or their romance very much… if they had interacted more throughout the narrative, it would have been more compelling, but by the time you get halfway through you’re kinda just waiting for it to get to the inevitable end.

lastly, and this is probably just me reading way too much into it, but i think motherhood/pregnancy were dealt with very strangely? like… why was abortion (or even adoption!) not brought up as an option even once? it kind of was… but only as this taboo sort of nefarious option, and instead the women in this book just kept having children in attempts to save their marriages with men they didn’t even care about? weird behaviour idk, don’t inflict that on another human being

overall i think how to save a life was kinda underwhelming, and serendipity (2001) did it better

The alternating character views on each time stamp was very interesting, and quite frustrating to see them keep missing each other! I couldn't wait to finish to see how they ended though the ending wasn't as satisfying. Very reminiscent in a way of How I Met Your Mother. The characters were all great and while there was lots of happy, it had lots of sad too between how their lives started and how they ended up through different partners. Rounding up from 3.75 stars to 4 here.

I liked the idea behind this book. The fact that a chance meeting with somebody could change your life, but overall I felt the story was a bit rushed and not fleshed out enough. I enjoyed the first half of the book but after that I just found that it started to fall apart. The way Marianne and Ted treated Sam and Andy annoyed me. I also would have liked to see more about Marianne's work, the book just seemed to focus on Ted's career. I did enjoy Ted and Marianne's near misses with one another, until it became a bit too coincidental. What were the chances that they would be at the same holiday destination? I will say that this book not only highlights the serious issues regarding PTSD and the devastating affect it can have but also how important counselling is to those who need it.

This is the story of Ted, a war veteran struggling with nightmares and PTSD, and feels like the world would be better off without him in it. When he reaches the lowest of his low, he is saved by a mysterious “Fairy Girl” Although they don’t exchange names or info, that night has a dramatic effect on both of them over the course of their lives. They both move on with heir lives, but they both never let that fateful night be forgotten and search for each other in crowds and though several times they come shockingly close to meeting again, things never quite fit back into place until one fateful night 20 years later when they are finally reunited. It really makes you think how every action and decision both big or small affects the course of your life.
This was so well written, and the author handles the delicate subject of soldiers coping with life after war with such gentle hands but doesn’t sugarcoat it. I can totally see this as a Hallmark or Netflix movie!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was intrigued by the premise of this one. Marianne Cooper saves the life of Ted as he literally hangs off the edge of the Waterloo Bridge. She saves him and leaves him. They both regret this because it was a monumental moment for both of them. This is one of those epic love stories that spans many years. Both wish they could find the other. This book gives us dual POVs of our main leads and each chapter gives us an almost connection between the two. This technique is both intriguing and frustrating. We want them to meet again and that is what drives the story. But we are toyed with for most of the book. I was definitely engrossed by it though. It’s an emotional read with heavy topics involving mental health and alcoholism.
I wish there had been more with them meeting. I enjoyed the book but wish the payoff had been a little more although the way they finally did connect in the end was amazing. I guess I just would have liked to see them together for longer than we did.

Oh Clare you have done it again! I loved 'Before I grow old' and I think I love this one even more!
The tale of Marianne and Ted is a gorgeous, heart warming tale. The chance encounter they have leads them both down very different paths hoping to one day find each other again. There are so many twists, missed opportunities, almost meetings and fleeting missed moments that you keep wondering all the way through, what if.....

It was delightfully written, I will be sharing my full review as part of the upcoming #blogtour on June 12th - watch out for that.