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anniina's review against another edition
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
taylorjadexo's review
5.0
Wow… speechless. I feel like I always learn something new from Catherine Isaac’s books - although they are fiction novels, there is always topics in there that it’s clear Catherine put a lot of research into it such as health issues or historical events (thanks for the spider plant tip
elincello's review against another edition
3.0
A nice undemanding summer read. To me the most interesting part of this book was the story of the main character and her mother, and the main character's road to recovery. The love story on the other hand was fairly predictable. But a good book for garden lovers, and for Instagram fans!
Oh, and I liked the fact that it portrays a loving, fully functional family. A refreshing change from all the "dysfunctional family" stories that seem to be everywhere at the moment :D
Oh, and I liked the fact that it portrays a loving, fully functional family. A refreshing change from all the "dysfunctional family" stories that seem to be everywhere at the moment :D
ljm57's review against another edition
4.0
A book set primarily in the English countryside, alternate chapters chronicle the story of mother, Harriet, a journalist whose career has taken her to many of the world’s hot spots and her adult daughter, Ellie, a keen gardener and popular Instagram influencer. The plot slips seamlessly between past and present with a focus on Harriet’s visit to the state orphanages of Romania in 1990, a work trip that ultimately changes her life for the better in several ways. Initially we are led to believe that Ellie has an idyllic life but we soon become aware of the struggle she has faced and continues to cope with. Although this book centres around one of the horrific outcomes of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s population boosting policies, the tens of thousands of children abandoned and neglected in ramshackle orphanages, as well as the debilitating illness of agoraphobia, it is quite an easy and light read. The characters are warm and likeable, although I found Ellie, at times, to be a little trying. And there is a splash of romance to temper the more serious issues.
alatarie's review against another edition
4.0
I almost cried at the end. So sad and yet so beautiful.
neeavenla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the_empty_bookself's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I picked it up having no idea what it was about and I spent my days looking forward to picking up up again in the evening.
A fairly easy read, flows well and good story line.
Ellie is agoraphobic. She is a gardening influencer on Instagram and this is her contact with the outside world. She was adopted by her parents from an orphanage in Romania. She needs to face her demons to be able to live her life and allow herself to love.
Enjoyable characters who all help Ellie in their own ways manage the rollercoaster of her mental health challenges.
I would recommend.
A fairly easy read, flows well and good story line.
Ellie is agoraphobic. She is a gardening influencer on Instagram and this is her contact with the outside world. She was adopted by her parents from an orphanage in Romania. She needs to face her demons to be able to live her life and allow herself to love.
Enjoyable characters who all help Ellie in their own ways manage the rollercoaster of her mental health challenges.
I would recommend.
sofia_ida_anneli's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kellylacey's review against another edition
4.0
The World at My Feet
I was delighted to be asked to be a part of the book tour for Catherine Issac’s latest release. I adored Messy Wonderful Us. So I said yes without knowing what the book was about. I didn’t realise quite the journey I would go on with it. My post is late but my review will explain why and hopefully the lateness forgiven.
Ellie Heathcote is an Instagram influencer. Her account features stories and grid posts from her garden. A little haven of delight and tranquillity. In reality, it is a safe bubble for Ellie who has agoraphobia. Ellie lives in a little annexe of her parent’s house. Ellie’s agoraphobia stems from her childhood.
I was blown away as I started to read the book. I have never read one with a character that has my illness. I have traumatic agoraphobia and it has consumed my life. I have to try and separate my life experiences from Ellie’s. However, the book made me have a blip. Reading about Elle’s anxiety and panic attack experiences opened up old boxes of emotion in my head. It made me reflect on old noise and the parallel between my life and Ellie’s was intense.
So I stopped reading for a few days and pulled myself together and started it again. I too live in a bubble. I moved home to get better and I have been here for over 11 years. For an intense five years, my foot never went outside. So I feel I am in good shoes to be able to understand Ellie.
I loved Ellie so very much. It was nice to see she found a way to have a life without having an outside life through Instagram. I’ve read comments online about her being unrealistic and people saying she was hard to connect with. I 100% do not agree all I saw was a vulnerable loving soul. It makes me sad that different equals weird to some people.
I cried at a certain bit that included music, trying hard not to give too much away. That was my favourite bit. I was worried that love was going to swoop in and make everything better. I have to be honest and say I strongly disliked Colette. I have had many therapist’s who have said you have to come to the office. I never called them again and in my opinion, they did more harm than good. So fictitious Colette can go and boil her head. She made me so mad! I know that she was trying to help Ellie by pushing her to go but it does more harm than good. I know myself being made to go in such a way put me in bed for weeks.
I can’t help but look at the book through my life’s journey. There were some situations where I was like Ellie wouldn’t be able to do that and it really frustrated me. But I had to remind myself too that this was fiction.
The book is perfect for fans of Rachael Hore and Liz Trenow.
I was delighted to be asked to be a part of the book tour for Catherine Issac’s latest release. I adored Messy Wonderful Us. So I said yes without knowing what the book was about. I didn’t realise quite the journey I would go on with it. My post is late but my review will explain why and hopefully the lateness forgiven.
Ellie Heathcote is an Instagram influencer. Her account features stories and grid posts from her garden. A little haven of delight and tranquillity. In reality, it is a safe bubble for Ellie who has agoraphobia. Ellie lives in a little annexe of her parent’s house. Ellie’s agoraphobia stems from her childhood.
I was blown away as I started to read the book. I have never read one with a character that has my illness. I have traumatic agoraphobia and it has consumed my life. I have to try and separate my life experiences from Ellie’s. However, the book made me have a blip. Reading about Elle’s anxiety and panic attack experiences opened up old boxes of emotion in my head. It made me reflect on old noise and the parallel between my life and Ellie’s was intense.
So I stopped reading for a few days and pulled myself together and started it again. I too live in a bubble. I moved home to get better and I have been here for over 11 years. For an intense five years, my foot never went outside. So I feel I am in good shoes to be able to understand Ellie.
I loved Ellie so very much. It was nice to see she found a way to have a life without having an outside life through Instagram. I’ve read comments online about her being unrealistic and people saying she was hard to connect with. I 100% do not agree all I saw was a vulnerable loving soul. It makes me sad that different equals weird to some people.
I cried at a certain bit that included music, trying hard not to give too much away. That was my favourite bit. I was worried that love was going to swoop in and make everything better. I have to be honest and say I strongly disliked Colette. I have had many therapist’s who have said you have to come to the office. I never called them again and in my opinion, they did more harm than good. So fictitious Colette can go and boil her head. She made me so mad! I know that she was trying to help Ellie by pushing her to go but it does more harm than good. I know myself being made to go in such a way put me in bed for weeks.
I can’t help but look at the book through my life’s journey. There were some situations where I was like Ellie wouldn’t be able to do that and it really frustrated me. But I had to remind myself too that this was fiction.
The book is perfect for fans of Rachael Hore and Liz Trenow.