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The Lifeline
Everybody needs saving sometimes…
For Kate, having a newborn baby means she is almost never alone. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t lonely. The move from London to Somerset with her husband Jay was supposed be the start of an exciting new chapter. But sometimes she can’t help but wonder if she turned the pages too soon . . .
Phoebe needs help. As a mental health nurse serving her community, the wellbeing of her patients has always come before her own. Yet there’s only so long she can pour from an empty cup.
Looking for a lifeline, Kate and Phoebe find a sense of community – and each other – through their local river swimming group. But when things get tough, they realise that good friends can both raise us up and stop us sinking.
For Kate, having a newborn baby means she is almost never alone. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t lonely. The move from London to Somerset with her husband Jay was supposed be the start of an exciting new chapter. But sometimes she can’t help but wonder if she turned the pages too soon . . .
Phoebe needs help. As a mental health nurse serving her community, the wellbeing of her patients has always come before her own. Yet there’s only so long she can pour from an empty cup.
Looking for a lifeline, Kate and Phoebe find a sense of community – and each other – through their local river swimming group. But when things get tough, they realise that good friends can both raise us up and stop us sinking.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2024
About the author
Libby Page
8 books572 followersLibby Page previously worked in marketing, moonlighting as a writer. She graduated from The London College of Fashion with a BA in Fashion Journalism before going on to work as a journalist at the Guardian. THE LIDO is her first novel. It was pre-empted within 24 hours of submission for six figures in the UK, pre-empted for six figures in the US, and will be published in 2018 by Orion UK and Simon & Schuster US, followed by eleven other territories around the world.
Libby has been a leading campaigner for fairer internships and has spoken on TV and in parliament in support of fair pay for interns. Libby has been writing from an early age and when she was 16 she wrote an illustrated book called Love Pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.
After writing, her second passion is outdoor swimming. Libby lives in London where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city.
Libby has been a leading campaigner for fairer internships and has spoken on TV and in parliament in support of fair pay for interns. Libby has been writing from an early age and when she was 16 she wrote an illustrated book called Love Pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.
After writing, her second passion is outdoor swimming. Libby lives in London where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
August 7, 2024
Although this was a sequel to The Lido, you could easily read it as a stand alone.
I loved how Libby tackled the subject of mental health in this novel. It's an uplifting gem of a book, and you get all the warm feelings at the end.
I loved how Libby tackled the subject of mental health in this novel. It's an uplifting gem of a book, and you get all the warm feelings at the end.
July 27, 2024
alles wat ik later wil in mijn leven is wonen aan water!!! mooi boek en vond het leuk dat er personages waren van allerlei leeftijden!! oh en arsenal mentions!!!! (also dit is blijkbaar een follow up van een ander boek van haar wat ik niet gelezen heb oeps)
August 1, 2024
I didn’t realise when I got this book that it was a follow on from the Lido which I loved. Honest and raw at times, obviously everyone gets their happy ending but it felt more real than that.
March 17, 2024
Libby Page has done it again with this one! Although I have loved every one of her books, The Lido has probably always been my favourite - and The Lifeline is the best follow-up that I could have hoped for.
I loved being back in Kate and Jay's world, where they have moved away from London and started a new life in Somerset - along with their newborn. We see Kate struggling to adjust to her new life with a new baby in tow, and she really misses the sanctuary that the lido provided back in London. It's here that we see her seeking refuge at a local beauty spot at the River Avon, where she longs to be back in the water.
I also loved the addition of Phoebe to the story, where although she loves her job as a Community Mental Health Nurse, is facing struggles of her own. Through the Farleigh on Avon River Swimming, Bathing and Waterbased Activity Club, we see Kate and Phoebe's worlds collide as they form a strong, powerful friendship.
I finished this book with a smile on my face, but in true Libby Page style, the story takes some heartwrenching turns where some difficult themes are explored. Before picking this one up, please be aware that the book features topics of antenatal depression, mental health and cancer quite heavily.
This is the most exciting proof I've received to date, and I'm so grateful to the publisher for sending me a copy 💧🏊♀️💙
I loved being back in Kate and Jay's world, where they have moved away from London and started a new life in Somerset - along with their newborn. We see Kate struggling to adjust to her new life with a new baby in tow, and she really misses the sanctuary that the lido provided back in London. It's here that we see her seeking refuge at a local beauty spot at the River Avon, where she longs to be back in the water.
I also loved the addition of Phoebe to the story, where although she loves her job as a Community Mental Health Nurse, is facing struggles of her own. Through the Farleigh on Avon River Swimming, Bathing and Waterbased Activity Club, we see Kate and Phoebe's worlds collide as they form a strong, powerful friendship.
I finished this book with a smile on my face, but in true Libby Page style, the story takes some heartwrenching turns where some difficult themes are explored. Before picking this one up, please be aware that the book features topics of antenatal depression, mental health and cancer quite heavily.
This is the most exciting proof I've received to date, and I'm so grateful to the publisher for sending me a copy 💧🏊♀️💙
April 8, 2024
I cannot emphasise enough how delighted I was to recieve an #arc of #thelifeline. I have been a huge fan of Libby Page’s work since #thelido and her books always transport me to a #happyplace so this was a real treat.
Like so many of you, I adored The Lido - Kate and Rosemary’s story - and it was wonderful to pick up Kate’s story as a new mother: struggling but surviving. It felt so familiar and like being back with old friends.
The smaller town setting - away from London - worked beautifully and I liked how swimming played such a key part in the story but with a switch from a lido to a local river spot. This allowed for so many extra characters to come into the mix: the swimming group, the new mums, Pheobe’s patients as well as the families of the two women which really created the sense of lovely sense of #community which permeates Page’s work.
Particularly, I loved the character of Luca with his scrumptious food and Italian dancing - the deli created around him sounds utterly delightful.
And, of course, Page ensures that she addresses some important themes: being a new mother, break ups, mental health and the importance of self care. Her honest reflection on these issues is thoughtful and sincere, as always.
So, a lovely #sequel - delightfully warm and ultimately uplifting.
Like so many of you, I adored The Lido - Kate and Rosemary’s story - and it was wonderful to pick up Kate’s story as a new mother: struggling but surviving. It felt so familiar and like being back with old friends.
The smaller town setting - away from London - worked beautifully and I liked how swimming played such a key part in the story but with a switch from a lido to a local river spot. This allowed for so many extra characters to come into the mix: the swimming group, the new mums, Pheobe’s patients as well as the families of the two women which really created the sense of lovely sense of #community which permeates Page’s work.
Particularly, I loved the character of Luca with his scrumptious food and Italian dancing - the deli created around him sounds utterly delightful.
And, of course, Page ensures that she addresses some important themes: being a new mother, break ups, mental health and the importance of self care. Her honest reflection on these issues is thoughtful and sincere, as always.
So, a lovely #sequel - delightfully warm and ultimately uplifting.
July 3, 2024
Libby Page is one of my favourite authors and I was lucky enough to win this new novel via Litalist.
It’s a lovely book with a gentle pace, told from Kate and Phoebe’s points of view, who are both really lovely characters. I loved both of them for different reasons.
It was lovely catching up with Kate from Libby’s debut, The Lido, and seeing how she was coping in her new life in Somerset now that she had a new baby. I felt for her as she struggled with trying to settle into her new identity as a mother and wife, whilst also trying to retain who she was before her baby had arrived.
I must admit when I first heard about this book I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, as I didn’t particularly want to be reminded of my own early days of motherhood. I needn’t have worried though, as once again Libby Page has created a wonderful book full of community, and close friendships between the women, something that Libby Page is so good at creating. It brought tears to my eyes at one point, something her books always do, but tears of joy, not sadness this time!
Highly recommended, if you enjoy gentle contemporary novels, featuring small communities and strong female friendships.
It’s a lovely book with a gentle pace, told from Kate and Phoebe’s points of view, who are both really lovely characters. I loved both of them for different reasons.
It was lovely catching up with Kate from Libby’s debut, The Lido, and seeing how she was coping in her new life in Somerset now that she had a new baby. I felt for her as she struggled with trying to settle into her new identity as a mother and wife, whilst also trying to retain who she was before her baby had arrived.
I must admit when I first heard about this book I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, as I didn’t particularly want to be reminded of my own early days of motherhood. I needn’t have worried though, as once again Libby Page has created a wonderful book full of community, and close friendships between the women, something that Libby Page is so good at creating. It brought tears to my eyes at one point, something her books always do, but tears of joy, not sadness this time!
Highly recommended, if you enjoy gentle contemporary novels, featuring small communities and strong female friendships.
September 22, 2024
Read this at an emotionally fragile time and basically just sobbed the whole way through. I love Libby Page’s stories, they’re just hugs in a page. She writes characters that you really root for, and I just love seeing it all work out for them.
October 16, 2024
Moments in this book conveyed that tender new mum feeling so well. I cried at every single one!
A book that felt like it was written for me, I thoroughly enjoyed and it gave me such a yearning to be back in the water!
A book that felt like it was written for me, I thoroughly enjoyed and it gave me such a yearning to be back in the water!
June 8, 2024
I am so sad this book is over. It was absolutely incredible. It made me laugh out loud and properly sob. Soooo heartwarming and uplifting. Definitely a story I will revisit!
December 12, 2024
Felt like a hug in book form
5 stars for the way it made me feel
Really enjoyed the writing style and got me out of my book slump (again…)
5 stars for the way it made me feel
Really enjoyed the writing style and got me out of my book slump (again…)
April 26, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
August 31, 2024
Fantastic! I picked it up because it said Libby Page on the front so I knew it would be good. I didn't realise it was a follow on from The Lido - which I also loved. How fab to find out how Kate coped with the move and having a baby. Beautifully written and the introduction of new characters but also achingly familiar all at the same time. You never know what goes on behind closed doors but this book makes you realise everyone just needs to know they have someone there for them.
June 12, 2024
A solid 8/10.
October 26, 2024
A beautiful sequel to The Lido. 5/ 5
December 15, 2024
4.5 (RTC)
October 19, 2024
Loved the beginning and found it totally relatable. The middle/end got quite cheesy but hey, sometimes that’s no bad thing!
July 29, 2024
Nice easy read although why do I keep reading sequels before the first one 😤
August 9, 2024
Having read the lido a long time ago, as soon as I started this booked I remembered all the previous characters, as well as enjoying getting to know the new ones. Perfect for an uplifting read, whilst difficult topics covered it wasn’t written in a negative way
August 17, 2024
It's a wonderful heartwarming book. Brilliant and engaging characters . Highly recommended.
Read
May 7, 2024A very sweet & heartwarming bank holiday read.
The follow on from The Lido which is also lovely.
Quick& lighthearted with a happy ending, if that’s what you need!
The follow on from The Lido which is also lovely.
Quick& lighthearted with a happy ending, if that’s what you need!
March 29, 2024
I hadn't realised that this was a follow up to The Lido, but I was very happy when I realised.
This time it's an area of river that the local wild swimmers are trying to save, we have new mother Kate, mental health nurse Phoebe and they are both struggling. We also have a wonderful cast of characters all of whom have their own fights, the river is the place that they feel happiest.
Interestingly the big bad this time is the local water authority who are responsible for leaking sewage, which is currently a big issue for a lot of waterways across the country.
This time it's an area of river that the local wild swimmers are trying to save, we have new mother Kate, mental health nurse Phoebe and they are both struggling. We also have a wonderful cast of characters all of whom have their own fights, the river is the place that they feel happiest.
Interestingly the big bad this time is the local water authority who are responsible for leaking sewage, which is currently a big issue for a lot of waterways across the country.
September 14, 2024
It was ok, but I preferred The Lido.
The setting was good but I didn’t think the story really developed
The setting was good but I didn’t think the story really developed
February 14, 2024
Oh my lovelies are you in for a treat… where to start! This was a book that I desperately wanted to read and yet kept stopping myself because I didn’t want it to end! If you’ve read The Lido (and if you haven’t why not!) you will love being back with Kate and Jay witnessing them navigate this new stage in their life.
Having started a family Kate has lived back to Somerset to be near family but is not surprisingly missing the lido, her friends and her old life. Throw in the care of a newborn (which will really resonate with readers who have experienced this) and Kate’s not sure she’s made the right decision until she finds wild swimming and the Farleigh on Avon recreational swimming and other water based activities club (I may be paraphrasing!)
The addition of Phoebe the mental health nurse is exquisite and the river swimming setting divine. Like curling up with a set of old friends… ready for a good natter with, of course, a large glass of wine… there is no doubt I will be recommending this to everyone when it’s finally published.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion publishing group for the arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Having started a family Kate has lived back to Somerset to be near family but is not surprisingly missing the lido, her friends and her old life. Throw in the care of a newborn (which will really resonate with readers who have experienced this) and Kate’s not sure she’s made the right decision until she finds wild swimming and the Farleigh on Avon recreational swimming and other water based activities club (I may be paraphrasing!)
The addition of Phoebe the mental health nurse is exquisite and the river swimming setting divine. Like curling up with a set of old friends… ready for a good natter with, of course, a large glass of wine… there is no doubt I will be recommending this to everyone when it’s finally published.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion publishing group for the arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
March 9, 2024
In this sequel to The Lido Kate is now living in Somerset and struggling to adjust to life with a new baby in a new village. It should be everything she ever wanted but she doesn't feel how she expected. Phoebe is a mental health nurse whose personal life flounders as she focuses on her patients - in dedicating her care towards them she neglects herself. Both women find a community within a group of local wild swimmers that changes everything for them.
There's a huge focus on mental health with this book (not just because of Phoebe's career). Following on from the themes in The Lido is the importance of friends, family and finding your place. Thoroughly recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the review copy.
There's a huge focus on mental health with this book (not just because of Phoebe's career). Following on from the themes in The Lido is the importance of friends, family and finding your place. Thoroughly recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the review copy.
May 19, 2024
The Lido was absolute perfection, and in my opinion a sequel would struggle to come near. This manages it.
It's a beautiful story of struggle, finding your place and the incredible healing power of good friendships and the natural world. It's not The Lido, but it's pretty close.
A must read; I was left with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.
It's a beautiful story of struggle, finding your place and the incredible healing power of good friendships and the natural world. It's not The Lido, but it's pretty close.
A must read; I was left with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.
April 20, 2024
After rereading The Lido this week I dived into my ARC of The Lifeline.
Great characters, more thought provoking and believable stories, and a much needed honesty about how difficult those early months of motherhood can be.
Loved the book.
Great characters, more thought provoking and believable stories, and a much needed honesty about how difficult those early months of motherhood can be.
Loved the book.
April 25, 2024
Another beautiful story by the wonderful Libby Page. Her stories flow just like the river she describes swimming in, in her new novel The Lifeline, published on 25th April. Before you know it, there you are on the final page having been immersed in the ebb and flow of the characters’ lives. I miss them already.
It was wonderful to be back with Kate now having left London and living back in Somerset with her husband and new baby girl, Rosie. Kate is struggling to bond with Rosie at the beginning of the book and she feels almost ashamed to admit it, escaping to the river early in the morning where she longs to be back in the water. Missing her old life, she feels the inevitable guilt of most mothers: so grateful to have a baby, but desperate to have time to herself and a glimpse of her old life. Motherhood is of course not as perfect as we expect. It reminded me of the struggles I had after my own first child was born. I turned to the books, when I really needed to trust my instinct, which eventually we all do.
We’re also introduced to Phoebe, a mental health nurse out in the community, who has several patients heavily reliant on her. She loves her job and gives 100% commitment to these people, caring for them with compassion and dedication to the detriment of her own relationships. She struggles with her work life balance and it costs her when her current boyfriend leaves their flat taking virtually everything with him, when she is almost at burn-out stage. Phoebe is encouraged to take some time out to reassess. Stumbling across a group of women by the river one morning, she finds herself taking a wild swim. Could this be her lifeline back to a life in balance?
Kate’s ever-supporting husband Jay desperately wants to help his wife in these difficult first few months, so encourages her to get back into swimming too, giving her early mornings free to indulge in her passion.
Both Phoebe and Kate meet at the river where they can truly be themselves, to enjoy the thrill of the cold plunge, the surrounding sights and sounds of nature and to ease their mind and relax their bodies.
But just as they have found this wonderful opportunity, something threatens the existence of the wild swimming club and all the benefits they and their friends and Phoebe’s patients have just discovered.
Can the community pull together to save the club? Can Kate’s skills as a journalist galvanise the group into finding a solution?
Libby Page has once again created a human story to which we can all relate on some level. Her characters ooze compassion and a sense of community, something we should all try to encourage in this world. I adore her uplifting, life-affirming stories, which I literally absorb in one sitting, such is their comfort appeal. Like being wrapped in a warm blanket, cradled and gently rocked. Not without addressing real issues however and this story faces those – mental health issues, post-natal anxiety and ill health as well as terminal illness. But it’s the compassion for her fellow human being that shines through. Her novels are a joy to the senses and this one excels in every way.
Looking forward to hearing Libby talk about this novel on 9th July at a Rossiter Books Author Event in Malvern.
And just like that, another new Libby-Page-book-experience is over…like unwrapping a much-anticipated Christmas present. Here’s to the next!!
It was wonderful to be back with Kate now having left London and living back in Somerset with her husband and new baby girl, Rosie. Kate is struggling to bond with Rosie at the beginning of the book and she feels almost ashamed to admit it, escaping to the river early in the morning where she longs to be back in the water. Missing her old life, she feels the inevitable guilt of most mothers: so grateful to have a baby, but desperate to have time to herself and a glimpse of her old life. Motherhood is of course not as perfect as we expect. It reminded me of the struggles I had after my own first child was born. I turned to the books, when I really needed to trust my instinct, which eventually we all do.
We’re also introduced to Phoebe, a mental health nurse out in the community, who has several patients heavily reliant on her. She loves her job and gives 100% commitment to these people, caring for them with compassion and dedication to the detriment of her own relationships. She struggles with her work life balance and it costs her when her current boyfriend leaves their flat taking virtually everything with him, when she is almost at burn-out stage. Phoebe is encouraged to take some time out to reassess. Stumbling across a group of women by the river one morning, she finds herself taking a wild swim. Could this be her lifeline back to a life in balance?
Kate’s ever-supporting husband Jay desperately wants to help his wife in these difficult first few months, so encourages her to get back into swimming too, giving her early mornings free to indulge in her passion.
Both Phoebe and Kate meet at the river where they can truly be themselves, to enjoy the thrill of the cold plunge, the surrounding sights and sounds of nature and to ease their mind and relax their bodies.
But just as they have found this wonderful opportunity, something threatens the existence of the wild swimming club and all the benefits they and their friends and Phoebe’s patients have just discovered.
Can the community pull together to save the club? Can Kate’s skills as a journalist galvanise the group into finding a solution?
Libby Page has once again created a human story to which we can all relate on some level. Her characters ooze compassion and a sense of community, something we should all try to encourage in this world. I adore her uplifting, life-affirming stories, which I literally absorb in one sitting, such is their comfort appeal. Like being wrapped in a warm blanket, cradled and gently rocked. Not without addressing real issues however and this story faces those – mental health issues, post-natal anxiety and ill health as well as terminal illness. But it’s the compassion for her fellow human being that shines through. Her novels are a joy to the senses and this one excels in every way.
Looking forward to hearing Libby talk about this novel on 9th July at a Rossiter Books Author Event in Malvern.
And just like that, another new Libby-Page-book-experience is over…like unwrapping a much-anticipated Christmas present. Here’s to the next!!
July 11, 2024
The Lifeline is an absorbing, heart warming read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The story is told from the point of view of two characters, Kate a new mother who’s struggling with early motherhood and Phoebe a mental health nurse who’s struggling to find that illusive work home balance. I really liked both character’s and enjoyed following them throughout the book. Kate’s journey in particular really resonated with me as I remember the emotions of life with a baby very well. I liked that Libby was brave enough to describe the reality of early motherhood rather than the sugar coated version we are normally presented with. I also really liked Phoebe and found it very interesting to learn more about community health nursing which seemed very stressful at times. I admired Phoebe’s drive and how much she obviously cared for her patients but found myself wishing she would give herself a break sometimes as I think she was often very hard on herself.
I loved the wonderfully vivid descriptions of wild swimming that almost made me want to try it. I’ve always been a little afraid of finding out what lurks beneath the water so I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to actually try it. The authors descriptions however made me smile as I read and I loved the peace it seemed to give the characters. The friendship group that develops between the swimming party members was lovely to read about, especially how much they support each other.
Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone. I thought the book had a great pace to it and it made me feel all cosy with its wonderfully heartwarming vibes. The author tackles some quite serious topics in this book like mental health and post natal depression but does it in a way that helps the reader understand the issue more. As a mum of there I loved the way this book normalised the struggles of mother hood and the importance of self care for everyone. This book is a follow on from The Lido as it features Kate again but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’m hoping there may be another book featuring Kate and the wonderful swimming ladies again soon as I’d love to spend more time with them.
The story is told from the point of view of two characters, Kate a new mother who’s struggling with early motherhood and Phoebe a mental health nurse who’s struggling to find that illusive work home balance. I really liked both character’s and enjoyed following them throughout the book. Kate’s journey in particular really resonated with me as I remember the emotions of life with a baby very well. I liked that Libby was brave enough to describe the reality of early motherhood rather than the sugar coated version we are normally presented with. I also really liked Phoebe and found it very interesting to learn more about community health nursing which seemed very stressful at times. I admired Phoebe’s drive and how much she obviously cared for her patients but found myself wishing she would give herself a break sometimes as I think she was often very hard on herself.
I loved the wonderfully vivid descriptions of wild swimming that almost made me want to try it. I’ve always been a little afraid of finding out what lurks beneath the water so I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to actually try it. The authors descriptions however made me smile as I read and I loved the peace it seemed to give the characters. The friendship group that develops between the swimming party members was lovely to read about, especially how much they support each other.
Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone. I thought the book had a great pace to it and it made me feel all cosy with its wonderfully heartwarming vibes. The author tackles some quite serious topics in this book like mental health and post natal depression but does it in a way that helps the reader understand the issue more. As a mum of there I loved the way this book normalised the struggles of mother hood and the importance of self care for everyone. This book is a follow on from The Lido as it features Kate again but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’m hoping there may be another book featuring Kate and the wonderful swimming ladies again soon as I’d love to spend more time with them.
April 9, 2024
Following a move from London to Somerset, with the arrival of her baby daughter not long after, Kate is finding it hard to never have time alone. Yet that doesn’t mean she’s not lonely, this exciting new chapter with husband Jay wasn’t meant to be like this. And then there’s Phoebe, a mental health nurse who always puts her patients before herself, oblivious that her emotional cup is emptying rapidly. The two women find each other, alongside a sense of community, when they join their local river swimming group. When things get tough they realise that good friends can both raise us up and stop us sinking.
Libby Page is one of my must-read authors and ‘The Lido’ is one of my favourite ever books, therefore getting a sequel is something very special indeed. The book does work well as a standalone too though - but please do read The Lido as well!
Libby’s writing style is one that instantly creates a character connection, you just can’t help but feel the emotion of everything Kate and Phoebe go through and, as the other characters are introduced, become one of the friendship group as the plot progresses.
There are some serious topics covered in this book and, although I don’t have children, the fears and realisations about having a baby are something I can relate to, and to have the reality portrayed, in such a beautiful way, is extremely profound. It is refreshing to see the worries and concerns of women having a platform without criticism - all whilst wrapped up in an empowering story. The author has clearly put a lot of personal experience within this and her bravery to discuss these topics so openly, to help others realise it’s ok to feel this way, should be applauded.
I also LOVED the idea in the book suggested by Erin to Kate, of cherishing one moment each day, and is something I am definitely going to try to take forward, just as that reminder that there is something to always be grateful for, each and every day.
Libby Page is one of my must-read authors and ‘The Lido’ is one of my favourite ever books, therefore getting a sequel is something very special indeed. The book does work well as a standalone too though - but please do read The Lido as well!
Libby’s writing style is one that instantly creates a character connection, you just can’t help but feel the emotion of everything Kate and Phoebe go through and, as the other characters are introduced, become one of the friendship group as the plot progresses.
There are some serious topics covered in this book and, although I don’t have children, the fears and realisations about having a baby are something I can relate to, and to have the reality portrayed, in such a beautiful way, is extremely profound. It is refreshing to see the worries and concerns of women having a platform without criticism - all whilst wrapped up in an empowering story. The author has clearly put a lot of personal experience within this and her bravery to discuss these topics so openly, to help others realise it’s ok to feel this way, should be applauded.
I also LOVED the idea in the book suggested by Erin to Kate, of cherishing one moment each day, and is something I am definitely going to try to take forward, just as that reminder that there is something to always be grateful for, each and every day.
April 26, 2024
The Lifeline is a follow-on novel to The Lido, Libby Page's first novel. Readers of that book will remember Kate, one of the main characters, but if you haven't read it you can still read The Lifeline as things have moved on by a few years and anything important is explained. I would just add that I highly recommend The Lido if you haven't read it yet.
In The Lifeline, the story alternates between new mother, Kate, and mental health nurse, Phoebe. Kate has moved to Somerset with her husband and baby daughter for a few reasons, mainly the close proximity of her family and for a more relaxed pace of life. Motherhood isn't quite turning out how she thought it would though, and as she struggles through she needs something to make her feel like her old self again. Phoebe absolutely loves her job and gives so much of herself to her patients at the expense of her own mental health. Both Kate and Phoebe end up being drawn to a local river and then into the river swimming group, and it's there that they feel able to relax and truly be themselves.
I follow Libby Page on social media and recognise a lot of her in Kate's story. I thought the way she writes about being a new parent was spot on and so much of it resonated with me. I also really loved the Somerset village life, the independent shops and cafes, and the sense of community which made for such an appealing setting. I want to be eating at the Italian deli and wandering down the riverbank to the Kingfisher Café and Book Barge. I won't be tempted into wild swimming, but despite that I could sense the calm freedom that the river offers to all the characters.
The Lifeline is a candid look at two big issues: motherhood and mental health, but it's also crammed with friendship and love. It's a joyful and uplifting novel full of heart, beautifully written with such empathy for the characters who I really loved reading about. What a lovely book!
In The Lifeline, the story alternates between new mother, Kate, and mental health nurse, Phoebe. Kate has moved to Somerset with her husband and baby daughter for a few reasons, mainly the close proximity of her family and for a more relaxed pace of life. Motherhood isn't quite turning out how she thought it would though, and as she struggles through she needs something to make her feel like her old self again. Phoebe absolutely loves her job and gives so much of herself to her patients at the expense of her own mental health. Both Kate and Phoebe end up being drawn to a local river and then into the river swimming group, and it's there that they feel able to relax and truly be themselves.
I follow Libby Page on social media and recognise a lot of her in Kate's story. I thought the way she writes about being a new parent was spot on and so much of it resonated with me. I also really loved the Somerset village life, the independent shops and cafes, and the sense of community which made for such an appealing setting. I want to be eating at the Italian deli and wandering down the riverbank to the Kingfisher Café and Book Barge. I won't be tempted into wild swimming, but despite that I could sense the calm freedom that the river offers to all the characters.
The Lifeline is a candid look at two big issues: motherhood and mental health, but it's also crammed with friendship and love. It's a joyful and uplifting novel full of heart, beautifully written with such empathy for the characters who I really loved reading about. What a lovely book!
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