Laura is watching the world go by without her.
Unable to leave her house since suffering a trauma, Laura is stuck gazing out of her window at Willow Crescent, relying on husband Jim and best friend Debbie for help.
Then one day, Jim doesn’t come home.
A day becomes two, days become a week, and still no sign of Jim. And with the police half-hearted in their efforts to look for him, Laura is forced into a decision. She’s going to have to face the world outside and find her husband herself.
But what Laura hasn’t realised is that Willow Crescent is a community, eager to help. From Arthur and Carol next door ready to rally the neighbours, to Marjorie and her daughter Faye at number nine looking for their own reasons to engage with the world. From Sonja at number seven who thinks she may have seen Jim in London, to widower Ben at number four who understands all about being lonely. Laura has a world ready to embrace her if she can just find the nerve.
And when it slowly dawns on them all, that the Jim they thought they knew, may have been hiding some unfathomable secrets, Laura has a choice – retreat back behind her window, or start living the life that was waiting for her all along.
Published Date: 5 June 2023
My Review
Following a traumatic attack in London, chef Laura becomes agoraphobic and moves to the suburbs with her husband, Jim. Her increasing dependence on him strains their relationship, and she resorts to alcohol when lonely. When Jim mysteriously doesn’t return from a trip, Laura is forced to seek help from her neighbors.
This book addresses relationships, trauma, and mental health with a mix of first-person and third-person narratives. While the portrayal of relationships and emotional manipulation is commendable, Laura’s failure to notice red flags over seven years seems implausible. The shifting perspectives can disrupt the reading flow, and the plot progresses predictably. Despite its shortcomings, the book offers insights into Laura’s emotional journey, though it may not resonate with all readers.
My Rating
My Sanctuary 