Wow this was such a beautifully written story, I raced through it but didn’t want it to end!
It plays out over a long time line, late 90s onwards, I love the fact that the two main characters had their own brilliant stories which kept overlapping. It was a real ‘will they won’t they?’ story and I loved how the author didn’t rush to a conclusion, it made it seem all the more authentic.
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I’m definitely going to hunt out her other books.
I cannot recommend this story enough, definitely one of my favourite books read this year.
Huge thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

My ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review of how to save a life by Clare Swatman

I love this authors books so couldn’t wait to get into this one. It was as always a brilliant read so so much more than just a romantic read as it also highlighted a lot of sensitive and important topics along the way and brought them out into the open.

The two main characters Marianne and ted have a chance meeting on the bridge one dark winters evening when they are both at a crossroads in their lives and things have got too much for Ted after his return from the gulf war and is struggling with the haunting memories from
It and feels that his life isn’t worth living as he is currently sofa surfing at a friends and can’t see a future. Marianne is on her way home from a party where she found her boyfriend with someone else.

After the events on the bridge that night neither ted or Marianne see each other again although they do
But neither of them realise just how close they come to their paths crossing again as they go about their daily lives and how they are so close to one another yet so far away.

I loved the timeline of
The book as it started with the early 90’s and whilst reading also gave me a trip down my own memory Lane as for what I was doing during those times as it followed how Marianne and Teds life was panning out since their first meeting and how they were both being tormented with their feelings and love for each other yet neither of them knew this about the other.

The burning question is so they actually get together in the end and be in the right place at the right time for
Their paths to finally cross. To get the answer to that then I highly recommend you read this beautiful poignant book that is heartwarming and heart wrenching in equal measure.

I am already excited for this authors next book. This is one of my best reads so far of 2022 and one that will stay with me for a long time.

What a beautiful story . All the missed chances . So cleverly written. Sometimes you felt you were reading the same chapter twice. . The book was written in alternate chapters by the two main characters Marianne and Ted. They both saved each other .. Mental health is a issue covered and drink. A very deep love story. I really enjoyed it

Plot: Ted and Marianne meet one fateful night in London just before Christmas. Ted is determined to end his life by jumping off Waterloo bridge. Marianne ends up on the same bridge after catching her boyfriend in a compromising position with another woman and manages to talk Ted down from what he intends to do. That night stays with them for every part of their lives. As the years pass them by will they ever meet again or are they destined to never know what could have been between them?

Review: This is my first novel by Clare Swatman and I am sure it will not be my last. I absolutely adored this book. It had me literally screaming and shouting at the pages as their paths crossed so many times without them knowing. It was such an emotional rollercoaster of a book. I loved the main characters of "Bridge Man and "Fairy Wings" so much. I can not rate it highly enough, all I can say is read it as you wont regret it.

Last December I read and really enjoyed Before We Grow Old by Clare Swatman so when I saw this on NetGalley I just had to have it, I am so happy to report I loved How to Save a Life even more. This story is about Ted, a Gulf War veteran who wants to end his life by jumping off a bridge. We also have Marianne, who just found her boyfriend/boss in flagrante delicto with her friend and co-worker. On her way home, Marianne find Ted on the bridge and convinces him not to jump.

Their lives intersect in small ways over the years yet they don't actually "meet" and introduce themselves to each other about twelve years later....and they continue the almost and near misses for another eight years after that meeting. It is obvious to the reader that they both have feelings for each other but their timing just never seems to be right. I loved watching these two grow as characters and grow up as well. This book is very romantic without being overly sweet and the plot runs from 1991 to 2011 so there is a lot going on to keep the reader interested. I just loved this book so much and it was wonderful to be taken back in time with these characters.

One night in December Annie saves Ted‘s life. This one moment in time affects them both over the next 20 years. Told in dual perspectives this is a story about near misses and second chances.

This was difficult to read at points but, overall I enjoyed it.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Boldwood Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A quick read that was quite interesting and enjoyable.

This was a quick, easy and cute read that reminded me a bit of One Day but was also completely different. I read this in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.