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The Winter of Our Lives
A brand new uplifting novel about friendship, nature and happiness.
An uplifting and meditative novel on friendship, the healing power of nature and how we should all embrace and re-imagine the winter of our lives as the time of our lives!She was the only human being down at the lake. Elbows, in need of a slather of moisturiser, pointed at the clouds; breasts, lifted to pre-children perkiness; baby belly stretched and flattened. She stretched her arms out wide as she started to walk barefoot into the lake. Peering down into the clear water, she pulled down her goggles. It was time to plunge forwards, succumbing to the embrace of the water. It was as if she were flying.
For friends Stevie, Holly and Angela, the last few years haven't been kind. With marriage breakdowns and sacrifices, their only moments of peace come when they are outside in the wild waters of the Lake District.
Now it's time for these three women to love themselves, just as they love the cold, and take charge of their own happiness in this uplifting and meditative novel of friendship and the healing power of nature.
An uplifting and meditative novel on friendship, the healing power of nature and how we should all embrace and re-imagine the winter of our lives as the time of our lives!She was the only human being down at the lake. Elbows, in need of a slather of moisturiser, pointed at the clouds; breasts, lifted to pre-children perkiness; baby belly stretched and flattened. She stretched her arms out wide as she started to walk barefoot into the lake. Peering down into the clear water, she pulled down her goggles. It was time to plunge forwards, succumbing to the embrace of the water. It was as if she were flying.
For friends Stevie, Holly and Angela, the last few years haven't been kind. With marriage breakdowns and sacrifices, their only moments of peace come when they are outside in the wild waters of the Lake District.
Now it's time for these three women to love themselves, just as they love the cold, and take charge of their own happiness in this uplifting and meditative novel of friendship and the healing power of nature.
- GenresFiction
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2023
28 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Sara Barnes
12 books3 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 13, 2024
A story of friendship, love, recovery and taking charge of one’s own happiness. Lovely book. 4.5 🌟
February 27, 2025
I enjoyed this
January 5, 2024
The Winter of Our Lives was the first book I read this year and although it hasn’t been particularly cold yet, it seemed a very appropriate time to be reading it. The Winter of Our Lives is Sara Barnes’ debut novel although she has previously written a non-fiction book about wild swimming called The Cold Fix.
Chance encounters lead to Stevie, Angela and Holly becoming swimming buddies and firm friends. I adored the way their friendship was portrayed. Not only did they support and encourage each other in their swimming challenges but also in other areas of their lives. The three women had varying challenges to face related to their marriages and physical changes due to aging. Many women will find their situations very realistic I am sure. The author shows too that it’s not just women who suffer from lack of self-confidence following big changes in their lives or in their physical beings, as she also brings some male characters with similar worries into the story too.
I was in the Lake District a couple of times on holiday this year and visited many of the places mentioned in this book, lakes the women liked to swim in. I feel I learned a lot about wild swimming as I read the book particularly about safety in the water. I’m not sure I’d be tempted though, beautiful though the lakes are, especially when the temperatures are as cold as they were described in the book.
The author wrote about the natural world so beautifully and is clear about the physical and emotional benefits of cold water swimming. I loved reading about how the women (and men) came to a quiet acceptance of their changing bodies and found a new confidence in their abilities. It was inspiring to read about the characters listening to their bodies and pushing the boundaries of their physical and mental limitations, becoming more resilient. The mutual support they gave each other enriched and enhanced their lives.
The Winter of Our Lives is a quietly engaging novel about friendships and just how important connecting to nature is not just for our physical health but for our emotional well-being too. It is an uplifting read showing that growing older can be a time to be embraced, not feared.
Chance encounters lead to Stevie, Angela and Holly becoming swimming buddies and firm friends. I adored the way their friendship was portrayed. Not only did they support and encourage each other in their swimming challenges but also in other areas of their lives. The three women had varying challenges to face related to their marriages and physical changes due to aging. Many women will find their situations very realistic I am sure. The author shows too that it’s not just women who suffer from lack of self-confidence following big changes in their lives or in their physical beings, as she also brings some male characters with similar worries into the story too.
I was in the Lake District a couple of times on holiday this year and visited many of the places mentioned in this book, lakes the women liked to swim in. I feel I learned a lot about wild swimming as I read the book particularly about safety in the water. I’m not sure I’d be tempted though, beautiful though the lakes are, especially when the temperatures are as cold as they were described in the book.
The author wrote about the natural world so beautifully and is clear about the physical and emotional benefits of cold water swimming. I loved reading about how the women (and men) came to a quiet acceptance of their changing bodies and found a new confidence in their abilities. It was inspiring to read about the characters listening to their bodies and pushing the boundaries of their physical and mental limitations, becoming more resilient. The mutual support they gave each other enriched and enhanced their lives.
The Winter of Our Lives is a quietly engaging novel about friendships and just how important connecting to nature is not just for our physical health but for our emotional well-being too. It is an uplifting read showing that growing older can be a time to be embraced, not feared.
April 2, 2024
Ein zufälliges Treffen verändert die Leben von drei Frauen: ausgerechnet im Schönheitssalon treffen Stevie und Holly aufeinander. Die beiden Frauen könnten nicht unterschiedlicher sein, trotzdem verstehen sie sich auf Anhieb. Stevie lädt Holly zum Schwimmen in einem der zahlreichen Seen im Lake District ein und auch wenn die Bedingungen alles andere als optimal sind, ist Holly begeistert. Bald treffen sich die Beiden regelmäßig mit Stevies Freundin Angela und fassen einen kühnen Plan: sie wollen an einem Winterschwimmen in Schottland teilnehmen.
Ich gebe zu, dass das Thema Schwimmen im Lake District das war, was das Buch für mich interessant gemacht hat. Aber ich war angenehm überrascht von Rest. Die Geschichten der drei unterschiedlichen Frauen und das, was ihre Freundschaft ausmacht, war angenehm zu lesen. Ab und zu hat die Autorin ein bisschen in die Klischeekiste gegriffen, aber unterm Strich hat mir der Teil, in dem es sich nicht ums Schwimmen dreht, überraschend gut gefallen.
Was die Beschreibung vom Freiwasserschwimmen angeht: hier hat sich die Autorin gut informiert, wenn sie nicht selbst eine Schwimmerin ist. Sie beschreibt die Auswirkungen des Schwimmens im kalten Wasser auf Körper und Geist so, wie ich sie selbst erfahren habe. Ganz nebenbei gibt sie auch Tipps, wie man sich im kalten Wasser verhält, unauffällig in ihre Geschichte eingebunden.
Das Ende mag ein wenig zu glatt und vorhersehbar gewesen sein, aber die Geschichte ist rund und hat mir gut gefallen.
Ich gebe zu, dass das Thema Schwimmen im Lake District das war, was das Buch für mich interessant gemacht hat. Aber ich war angenehm überrascht von Rest. Die Geschichten der drei unterschiedlichen Frauen und das, was ihre Freundschaft ausmacht, war angenehm zu lesen. Ab und zu hat die Autorin ein bisschen in die Klischeekiste gegriffen, aber unterm Strich hat mir der Teil, in dem es sich nicht ums Schwimmen dreht, überraschend gut gefallen.
Was die Beschreibung vom Freiwasserschwimmen angeht: hier hat sich die Autorin gut informiert, wenn sie nicht selbst eine Schwimmerin ist. Sie beschreibt die Auswirkungen des Schwimmens im kalten Wasser auf Körper und Geist so, wie ich sie selbst erfahren habe. Ganz nebenbei gibt sie auch Tipps, wie man sich im kalten Wasser verhält, unauffällig in ihre Geschichte eingebunden.
Das Ende mag ein wenig zu glatt und vorhersehbar gewesen sein, aber die Geschichte ist rund und hat mir gut gefallen.
September 12, 2023
This novel was a perfect find for me.
All my life I had been an avid hiker and outdoor adorer until my MS diagnosis and progression altered my future in a desolating way. Still needing a physical release and nature I have been testing out outdoor swimming and dipping. My sister-in-law encouraged me into the cold water as it is beneficial to MS and autoimmune diseases. I have been addicted ever since.
The Winter of our Lives, is an interwoven story of 4 unlikely people meeting up to swim in lakes and becoming the support group and friends that they all so desperately needed.
The perfect book for those female, middle aged, outdoor swimmers in your life. Maybe pop a copy in their thermal, neoprene Christmas stockings this year.
All my life I had been an avid hiker and outdoor adorer until my MS diagnosis and progression altered my future in a desolating way. Still needing a physical release and nature I have been testing out outdoor swimming and dipping. My sister-in-law encouraged me into the cold water as it is beneficial to MS and autoimmune diseases. I have been addicted ever since.
The Winter of our Lives, is an interwoven story of 4 unlikely people meeting up to swim in lakes and becoming the support group and friends that they all so desperately needed.
The perfect book for those female, middle aged, outdoor swimmers in your life. Maybe pop a copy in their thermal, neoprene Christmas stockings this year.
November 5, 2024
The Winter of Our Lives by Sara Barnes immerses you in the world of cold-water swimming. First up this is very firmly a novel. However, it came as no surprise to discover that Sara is a wild swimmer, so this woman knows her stuff.
The main protagonist in the story is Stevie May a middle-aged divorcee who has yet to fully resolve issues around the breakdown of her marriage.
“The underlying sadness and low-level stress she’d lived with since her marriage fell apart needed to be shaken off and ripped away from her shoulders. Her daily solo dips in the lake soother and comforted, but barely scratched at the scab that had formed over her pain.”
At her lowest ebb wild swimming rescues Stevie's. It gives her the reason to keep going and has a profound effect on the other three main characters – Angela, Holly and Chris. All four are middle-aged and facing their own challenges against the backdrop of getting older.
The Winter of our Lives by Sara Barnes is a story of four everyday characters, in that there is nothing particularly remarkable about any of them. And that’s the clever part because it means so many people of a certain age will identify with Chris who is battling grief and guilt for controlling wife or for Angela a farmer's wife who has to deal with a bitter and controlling mother-in-law. And then there’s Lake District outsider Holly whose husband lives in London during the week and who she thinks might be playing away. And then there’s Stevie who cannot face getting close to another man again.
Different chapters are told from different character’s point of view and reveals their emotions, hopes and fears as the story builds to a Scottish open water swimming competition. Although The Winter of our Lives deals with big themes it is a gentle paced story. It doesn’t contain high drama but life as we know it and because of that many will find solace and hope in its pages.
And when it comes to cold water swimming, I’ll give it a miss and stick to running.
The main protagonist in the story is Stevie May a middle-aged divorcee who has yet to fully resolve issues around the breakdown of her marriage.
“The underlying sadness and low-level stress she’d lived with since her marriage fell apart needed to be shaken off and ripped away from her shoulders. Her daily solo dips in the lake soother and comforted, but barely scratched at the scab that had formed over her pain.”
At her lowest ebb wild swimming rescues Stevie's. It gives her the reason to keep going and has a profound effect on the other three main characters – Angela, Holly and Chris. All four are middle-aged and facing their own challenges against the backdrop of getting older.
The Winter of our Lives by Sara Barnes is a story of four everyday characters, in that there is nothing particularly remarkable about any of them. And that’s the clever part because it means so many people of a certain age will identify with Chris who is battling grief and guilt for controlling wife or for Angela a farmer's wife who has to deal with a bitter and controlling mother-in-law. And then there’s Lake District outsider Holly whose husband lives in London during the week and who she thinks might be playing away. And then there’s Stevie who cannot face getting close to another man again.
Different chapters are told from different character’s point of view and reveals their emotions, hopes and fears as the story builds to a Scottish open water swimming competition. Although The Winter of our Lives deals with big themes it is a gentle paced story. It doesn’t contain high drama but life as we know it and because of that many will find solace and hope in its pages.
And when it comes to cold water swimming, I’ll give it a miss and stick to running.
July 4, 2024
I've really enjoyed spending the week in this world.
First, we have Stevie. A woman who learns she is much more than her divorce and the insecurities that have come from it.
Angela, who doesn't seem to have all that good of a home life... but is trying desperately to stand her ground, accept her past and make her lifestyle / relationship work.
Holly, struggling with the frustrations of life and things that come with getting older... not really enjoying the lifestyle of Cumbria, but also trying to make it work too. For her family. For herself.
Chris, a widower... But not wanting to be defined by his loss. He wants to find out who he really is after all these years.
These four come together all through their love of wild water swimming in the Lake District... They have a few months to get in gear, because Stevie is going to lead them in the swimming championship in Scotland!
This book is so much more than a love for swimming / water. It's about second chances, self acceptance, self love, body image, finding yourself, finding your people... and being able to do that regardless of age, regardless of status, regardless of the past and how it tries to haunt us. It's about learning our flaws, accepting them, and working to improve ourselves. It's about listening to others and listening to ourselves! As hard as that can be!
Of course, I loved that this tale was set in the Lakes. I also loved the realistic portrayal of it. It's beauty, but also it's faults. This book did feel like a honest reflection of all the things it spoke about. Age, relationships, friendships, farming life, loneliness, grief etc... (I could go on forever here. Everything life chucks at you basically!)
The writing is as beautiful as the lakes these characters swim in. While the book is not necessarily fast paced or action filled, it's cosy, inspiring and leaves us feeling thoughtful. I deffo recommend it! It's a memorable book with memorable characters. Plus it may make you want to go for a swim!!
First, we have Stevie. A woman who learns she is much more than her divorce and the insecurities that have come from it.
Angela, who doesn't seem to have all that good of a home life... but is trying desperately to stand her ground, accept her past and make her lifestyle / relationship work.
Holly, struggling with the frustrations of life and things that come with getting older... not really enjoying the lifestyle of Cumbria, but also trying to make it work too. For her family. For herself.
Chris, a widower... But not wanting to be defined by his loss. He wants to find out who he really is after all these years.
These four come together all through their love of wild water swimming in the Lake District... They have a few months to get in gear, because Stevie is going to lead them in the swimming championship in Scotland!
This book is so much more than a love for swimming / water. It's about second chances, self acceptance, self love, body image, finding yourself, finding your people... and being able to do that regardless of age, regardless of status, regardless of the past and how it tries to haunt us. It's about learning our flaws, accepting them, and working to improve ourselves. It's about listening to others and listening to ourselves! As hard as that can be!
Of course, I loved that this tale was set in the Lakes. I also loved the realistic portrayal of it. It's beauty, but also it's faults. This book did feel like a honest reflection of all the things it spoke about. Age, relationships, friendships, farming life, loneliness, grief etc... (I could go on forever here. Everything life chucks at you basically!)
The writing is as beautiful as the lakes these characters swim in. While the book is not necessarily fast paced or action filled, it's cosy, inspiring and leaves us feeling thoughtful. I deffo recommend it! It's a memorable book with memorable characters. Plus it may make you want to go for a swim!!
December 18, 2023
"The Winter of Our Lives" is an incredible and heartwarming story that focuses on the themes of aging and transformation. The author masterfully portrays how this journey can be approached positively and with immense support. The plot follows four individuals who team up to participate in a swimming competition, but not just any competition - they take on the challenge of outdoor swimming in cold climates, defying the freezing temperatures.
Personally, I was immediately drawn to this book because of its emphasis on the healing power of nature and the experiences of middle-aged individuals. The story beautifully illustrates how nature can revitalize our spirits and how friendship and support can bring new meaning and purpose to our lives.
This book was an absolute gem for me. As someone who has always loved hiking and being in nature, a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) forced me to change my lifestyle. Despite needing a physical outlet, it was challenging to find a suitable activity until I discovered the benefits of outdoor swimming and dipping. My sister-in-law encouraged me to try it since it's known to be beneficial for people with MS and autoimmune diseases. Since then, I have become addicted to the sport.
"The Winter of Our Lives" weaves together the lives of four unlikely individuals who come together to swim in lakes and, in doing so, become the support group and friends they all so desperately needed. It's a beautiful story that I highly recommend to any middle-aged female outdoor swimmers out there. It would make a thoughtful and incredible gift for any nature lover or someone going through a similar journey
Personally, I was immediately drawn to this book because of its emphasis on the healing power of nature and the experiences of middle-aged individuals. The story beautifully illustrates how nature can revitalize our spirits and how friendship and support can bring new meaning and purpose to our lives.
This book was an absolute gem for me. As someone who has always loved hiking and being in nature, a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) forced me to change my lifestyle. Despite needing a physical outlet, it was challenging to find a suitable activity until I discovered the benefits of outdoor swimming and dipping. My sister-in-law encouraged me to try it since it's known to be beneficial for people with MS and autoimmune diseases. Since then, I have become addicted to the sport.
"The Winter of Our Lives" weaves together the lives of four unlikely individuals who come together to swim in lakes and, in doing so, become the support group and friends they all so desperately needed. It's a beautiful story that I highly recommend to any middle-aged female outdoor swimmers out there. It would make a thoughtful and incredible gift for any nature lover or someone going through a similar journey
December 27, 2023
It is an intense and personal story about four older individuals who find acceptance, connection and the desire to live through physical exercise in the wilds of nature. Whilst I did not necessarily relate to the characters' circumstances or joy in physical exercise, the fear of ageing and loss is relatable to most, as is the solace found in being away from city life. The gentle pacing allows the reader to get to know the characters, and the sense of community, honesty and quirkiness makes this an entertaining and often poignant read. I like the vividly described setting, transparency and positivity in this story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 28, 2024
A lovely story, one I finished in one sitting. The writing was beautiful, and I found the characters interesting. The Lake District setting brought to mind my own fond memories of hiking there. As a cold water swimmer, I also connected with the joy and healing each character found in the water.
The one aspect of the book I did not enjoy was the author's tendency to dwell overly on body descriptions. Characters seemed to constantly be looking in mirrors or otherwise considering their physical appearances. Rather than telling us something about a character's vulnerability, it just made otherwise likeable characters seem a bit shallow.
The one aspect of the book I did not enjoy was the author's tendency to dwell overly on body descriptions. Characters seemed to constantly be looking in mirrors or otherwise considering their physical appearances. Rather than telling us something about a character's vulnerability, it just made otherwise likeable characters seem a bit shallow.
April 12, 2024
Wild swimming is becoming more of a thing, and therefore, I was interested in reading this story about its powers on the body and soul.
Set in the lake district, ladies in their 50s meet to reap the benefits of cold water in their local lake. The author is very descriptive on the effects cold water has on the anatomy in good and bad ways. The women want to enter a mixed cold water race, and the hunt begins for a man to join them.
This is a well written and enjoyable simple story about getting on with life, despite its ups and downs.
Set in the lake district, ladies in their 50s meet to reap the benefits of cold water in their local lake. The author is very descriptive on the effects cold water has on the anatomy in good and bad ways. The women want to enter a mixed cold water race, and the hunt begins for a man to join them.
This is a well written and enjoyable simple story about getting on with life, despite its ups and downs.
January 15, 2025
I have mixed opinions about this book and my real score would actually be 2.5. It had something because it kept me reading and made me feel very peaceful and slowed at times but in other places I cringed at the writing. More a book in praise of winter outdoor swimming than a well plotted novel I think.
July 23, 2025
I enjoyed this book for the insight it gave me, not only into icy swims in gorgeous lakes on the other side of the world, but into the hearts and souls of women at a time of life that brings new challenges. It was all very relatable and I almost felt like leaping into the pages and volunteering to be the fourth swimmer!
March 14, 2024
A very enjoyable story of friendship, romance and recovery in mid life, aided by the magic of cold water swimming. The plot is simple, in a good way, as it's the characters and locations that shine. I was entertained and encouraged to get back in the water.
February 21, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up
The author lost me after a random stereotype mention about Eastern European countries that was also (surprisingly) shallow and untrue. Google is free, please use it.
The author lost me after a random stereotype mention about Eastern European countries that was also (surprisingly) shallow and untrue. Google is free, please use it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews