Published By: Oneworld
Pages: 384
Released On: 06/08/2026
Following a tragic incident, rising-star Beatrice is struggling. Having retreated from life entirely, she finds herself unable to leave the house. With her acting career now over, (Though don’t tell her agent), and discovering who her real friends aren’t, her world has shrunk – its only inhabitants, an elderly Polish neighbour, the world’s most boring postman, her therapist with issues of her own, and Piano Bitch from across the road. Thank God for Matisse, her beloved, foul-mouthed parakeet.
When she hires Irish gardener, Finn, to tame the overgrown garden that she cannot even enter, things take an unexpected turn. Their connection blossoms, and she’s no longer isolated and alone. But can a relationship survive the restrictions that control her, or will love enable Beatrice to confront her fears and step outside again?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I had this pre-ordered but had to cancel it after having money issues so I’m thrilled I was sent an e-copy.
I found this instantly fabulous. Beatrice is a difficult character to like at times, but I found myself really warming to her. She has her issues yes, but they’re not just used as a side story or just to tick a box. They’re so deep and considered and done with such empathy, I loved her. Charlotte’s talent at creating a character that has been through grief and other difficulties, and has struggled with coping with all of that – she’s just a very familiar and well written character and I just wanted to hold her hand throughout.
It flits between the “now” and the “before”. Whilst the “before” scenes are interesting and I enjoyed them, I preferred the present scenes. I felt there was more, personally, for me to get my teeth into.
It is so effortless to read and feels like it was effortless to write (although I don’t want to dumb down the writing experience). The sentences are written well, the dialogue natural, the characters so deep and familiar, the chapters a reasonable length, the emotion deep and moving and identifiable and just, yeah, really effortless storytelling.
I love how intense it is. That sounds weird, let me explain. There’s some difficult topics covered in this book, some intense feelings, but she’s handled them so well. They’re not hidden but now are they sensationalised. She’s got the right balance. And she’s injected humour into it. Not OTT humour and it’s also not a morbid humour, it’s a natural humour which helps lighten the tougher moments.
It’s not a short book at nearly 400 pages but it’s so easy to read that I finished it in just a day. It flows so well and it is so enjoyable that the page count just flies by.
My one…not negative, because it’s not a negative, more of an observation and what I wanted. The ending was a little abrupt. It was really good, don’t get me wrong, and I think it’s because it was so good that I wanted more. I’d have liked the resolution and relationships just to be drawn out a bit more so I could enjoy it more. But what is there is very good, works well with the story, and leaves you satisfied.
I believe Charlotte has her own experiences with agoraphobia, which is why this book is so important to her and I can really see that personal touch. People think it’s not as serious as it is, that you’re lazy, you don’t want to go out, you want to stay home – but that’s simplifying it. It’s not a condition that means you want to stay at home. It’s a condition that means you can’t leave the house. That’s completely different and I think it will do a world of good to see it as a main plot point in a mainstream book by a popular author.
What I can’t believe is this is the first of her books I’ve read. I would have put money on having read her others but apparently not. But this is a good thing because now it gives me an excuse to buy them.
Books By Your Bedside 