Trigger warning this book deals with suicide and mental health. I loved this book and the depth of the characters as we meet them throughout the book at different points in their life. I thought the author dealt with the subject of suicide and what happens afterwards to that person if they don't go through with it really well.

Below is my review, as found on Goodreads with a bit more detail added in!

How to Save a Life is definitely one of the most unique books I have read this year, both in writing style and in plot. The story follows two characters, Marianne and Ted, after a night where the former stops the latter from jumping off a bridge. Although it's yet to be published, it takes place in 1991 and spans 20 years, alternating between POVs of the two characters. This book deals with heavy topics like depression and anxiety, shows healthy and toxic familial relationships, and shows quite literally what I would think a "normal" day would look like for these characters in that time period. The reader feels that sense of normalcy, which allows for a complete immersion into the lives of Ted and Marianne. I was completely invested in their story, waiting to see how it would turn out.

Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters and their decisions, I know that it was all to build up to a certain moment. I love how the author played with the idea of near-chance encounters, showing how one second can be all that it takes to miss a moment. She also highlighted the importance that one action or word can have in the life of a complete stranger. Everything that we do matters, even if it seems trivial for us.

I found the ending to be a little disappointing and anti-climactic, but perhaps that was the point: we were to experience Marianne and Ted's journeys, not necessarily the outcome. Although I believe it'd have been great to see how Ted and Marianne would have handled that conversation, and whether they would really have been "home" for each other. After all, despite the monumental moment of December 1991, they know nothing about each other! Emotional chastity is a big thing, and with the buildup of them being told by others that their images of each other in their heads may not match up to reality, I would have thought the ending to reflect that as well.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read that is refreshing from the drama and craziness in most modern contemporaries!

Mixed feelings.

An epic start that really had me on the edge of my proverbial seat: One night in December, a woman who has just had her heart broken, comes across a man on a bridge about to take his own life.

From there, the story just kind of fizzed out for me. Whilst I enjoyed the time lapse, I found the constant POV shift confusing and annoying, and I don't believe it assisted in moving the story forward as likely was intended.

Although I loved the two characters separately, and I felt for them, I didn't actually like them together, and thus I wasn't really rooting for them.

But all in all the story was well-written, very descriptive and raw with emotion I felt as a reader, and due to these factors I will definitely be reading more from this author.

This book tells the story of Ted and Marianne, who meet on a fateful London night in 1991. Ted is a war veteran, and since returning from overseas he is plagued with nightmares. He finally decides he is nothing but a burden, and the world would be better off without him.

But just when he reaches his lowest point, he is saved by the mysterious "fairy girl". He never gets her name, but that one encounter affects them both for the next two decades as they search for eachother, and come painfully close to meeting countless times. Will they ever find eachother? And how much can one seemingly small action change the course of your life?

This was a lovely book. I truly had no idea how it would end, and at times I became frustrated because I felt like I couldn't handle one more missed encounter between Ted and Marianne! But I think it was well written, especially how the author handled a difficult topic like suicide. I recommend this book if you like 'right person, wrong time' stories. Thanks to Clare Swatman, Boldwood Books, and Netgalley for this advanced copy. It comes out June 8, 2022!

#HowToSaveALife #NetGalley

I really appreciate the opportunity to review this book before its release, I liked how the characters were drawn and I really enjoyed the story. This book is a sweet story and it gave me vibes of normal people for some reason (it has nothing to do with one of the characters being named Marianne, okay?) I am a fan of normal people and so I really liked this book.

The story takes us over a couple of years with Marianne and Ted, starting with a night difficult for both in different ways (this is not a spoiler as you can see it in the book description). I was never once bored while reading this book and I could not put it down, if you like contemporary books about characters lives, that are more focused on the characters of course, I will definitely recommend this one.

It was truly a great time.

This book caught my interest based on the write up but it fell short for me. At the beginning of the book, Ted Green is considering taking his life by jumping off of the Waterloo Bridge. Marianne saves Ted’s life by convincing him not to jump. After saving Ted, Marianne ends up leaving in a taxi and both Ted and Marianne regret not asking for each other’s names. The story continues with Ted and Marianne being in the same places at the same time but never running into each other. That part frustrated me because it continued to be a theme throughout the entire book. Both Ted and Marianne try to move on with their lives but both and still thinking about one another constantly for years. At times, the book was depressing. The end had redemption but not enough to make me really appreciate the book. Thanks NetGalley for an early release copy of the book.

Ted and Marianne; Bridge Man and Fairy Girl. 20 years ago Fairy Girl talked Bridge Man away from Waterloo Bridge from where he was going to jump. They’ve not seen each other since but both have memories that have stopped them living their lives fully. One day Bridge Man unexpectedly bumps into Fairy Girl and this changes the course of their lives. A beautiful read

One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.

That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.

Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.

When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.

Another one I could not put down and devoured in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this book. Be ready for an afternoon or evening of completely neglecting any chores as this one will have you hooked within the first chapter.

This is my first book by this author but won't be my last. I loved the story which followed Ted and Marianne through from the 90s to 2011. An enjoyable read which kept my interest throughout. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book. I would recommend this book.

A really beautiful well written book. I haven't read any books by Clare Swatman before but I definitely will be looking out for more in the future.

In this book we meet the lovely Ted and Marianne. Ted feels like life is too hard and seeing no way for things to get better. He decides to head across to Waterloo Bridge to end his life.

Cue Marianne who is running away from a party, having just found her boyfriend cheating on her. As she makes her way across London she comes across Ted and she knows that she has to do everything she can to save his life.

What follows is a story of Marianne and Ted trying to navigate life and all the struggles that it throws at you. It also tells the story of their pursuit to find each other again and how their love story unfolds.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this book the characters were well drawn and I loved the story.

A very sweet book about two people and a lot of good life lessons that I like should be touched on more and that also seem to be very important and well thought out by the author. I would read again and recommend to anyone who wants to get into romance books.

This book was a sweet story about all the wrong timing. Well technically it started with the right timing when Marianne found Ted at his lowest point and pulled him back from the edge. However, following that day they constantly miss each other or find each other at the wrong time. I really enjoyed watching them grow as individuals and find their way in the world while hoping they end up together.

If you are fans of One Day in December or Normal People I think you’d really enjoy this book!

This was very slow and the end was not as satisfying as it should’ve been. You know how you’re supposed to root for the main couple throughout the entire book and then when they finally get together you feel excited about it? Well, yeah, that didn’t happen.

Even though the night that they first met was very monumental to Ted and Marianne’s story, I just didn’t feel their chemistry. For two people who are obsessed with each other, their chemistry felt lacking. They’re both okay as separate characters, Ted especially. I liked how Ted’s character was developed.

But it’s really hard to root for them when you make the side characters have no flaws at all and then seeing how Ted and Marianne’s infatuation with each other affect their life and relationships… well…

2.75 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept of a love story stretching over the course of 20 years but the execution of this one fell short for me. Not at all what I expected. It felt overly repetitive, the time jumps were tough to follow, I couldn’t connect with the writing, and the serendipitous way the MCs would always almost see each other felt a tad ridiculous after awhile. It was like missed connections on steroids. I appreciated the bones of the steroids and cannot pinpoint exactly what would’ve helped me enjoy it more. Perhaps a more consistent time jump? I know this has already been in book like One Day but it really works. I also couldn’t find it in myself to root for any of the characters. I’ve heard great things about Swatman’s books so, while this particular book wasn’t for me, I’ll still give her other books a chance.

Good things that came from reading this? I remembered that the song How to Save a Life by The Fray exists.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the very beginning, and really fell in love with the characters and story.

This story takes us over a couple of years with Marianne and Ted, starting with a night difficult for both in different ways. As they’re able to overcome their individual crossroads, the characters are left wondering about the what ifs.

As Marianne and Ted carry on with their lives, often curious about the other, they fail to see how closely knit their lives become over the years.

This book didn’t leave me bored for a minute, but there was still something that I felt was missing? Ted’s character was so interesting to me and I loved how he was explored in the first half of the book and would’ve loved a bit more of that, rather than a focus on his relationships alone.

Either way, I loved this book and would recommend for anyone who wants a quick read that still feels meaningful and wholesome <3

Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the arc!!!!

We are in 1991 and Ted is 23 and not long back from Kuwait with all that war entailed. He’s had enough and his fathers voice in his head telling him he neer does anything right resonates. He takes himself off to a London bridge to end things once and for all. The next minute a fairy with a wobby halo appears next to him telling him he really shouldn't do this. The woman talks him down and then disappears in a taxi. Marianne has her own issues- she's just come from a work party where she found her boyfriend who also happens to be her boss in a compromising position with one of her so-called friends. She thought at the time this was the end of her life and job until she saw a man on the bridge wanting to end his life which put things rather in perspective. Thistells of their lives, the close shaves and how one small thing can ultimately save someone's life.
I love Clare’s books- they quickly envelop you like a warm blanket and that favourite pair of slippers. There's a wonderful depth of characters that quickly comes across and a mystery that keeps the pages turning. It's hard to describe the warmth of these books. Each one is simply stunning and makes you think about life a little, treasuring the little things and thinking about always being kind. That one small gesture from you could have far reaching consequences you never thought possible. for around 10% of the (200+) books I read each year I award a 5** rating for those that have been that something extra, that something special. This one touched me so, so much. 10* if I could.
#blogtour

Sorry this review is a bit short. A bit under the weather. Full review to come…on here and blog. What an exquisite read. Bold wood Books are truly the crème de la crème of books. Clare Swatman you are one amazing author, I picked this book up and didn’t put it down till I finished. I loved how these characters connected under the most unexpected circumstances and how they could stop thinking abt each other. How there journey to come together is pieces together, it was all so beautiful! This would make a gorgeous movie, thank you thank you blossoms books. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to read your books. It is truly a privilege & Clare please keep up the stunning work

A beautiful story reminiscent of One Day and One Day in December. Two people’s stories spanning decades, sharing missed chances and ‘almost’ moments, and always asking the question of what will it take to truly save a life. Thank you to NetGally for the ARC!