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Swimming for Beginners
'The perfect mix of funny, poignant and heartwarming.' - Good Housekeeping
'Warm, witty but also heart-wrenching read' - Red Magazine
'Touching and witty. I adored Loretta and her relationship with Phoebe' - Lisa Snowdon.
'This heart-warming and creative contemporary fiction is a story of unexpected self-discovery.' - Woman's Weekly
'Full of heart and depth.' - Nina Pottell Prima Book of the Month
'Funny, heart-warming read - it made me laugh and cry' — Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party
'Eleanor Oliphant meets About a Boy' — Gillian Harvey
'An absolute joy' — Nancy Peach
'Brilliantly funny' — Louise Hare
Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren't a mother.
Loretta has her life under control. She's chasing a big promotion, she's marrying the "perfect man" and she has a flawless five-year plan.
This plan does not include children.
But when a complete stranger asks her to watch her six-year-old daughter in an airport and never returns, both their lives will be changed forever.
A little human in fairy wings and sparkly cowgirl boots will turn Loretta's world upside down and maybe, just maybe, show her exactly what she's missing.
Overflowing with humour and heartbreak, Nicola Gill takes us on a relatable journey of self-discovery through the power of a child's love.
'Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable.'- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City
'Please meet my new favourite book.' - Jessica Ryn, author of The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside
'Heartbreaking and life-affirming, an absolute must read' - Tim Ewins, author of We Are Animals
'Warm, witty but also heart-wrenching read' - Red Magazine
'Touching and witty. I adored Loretta and her relationship with Phoebe' - Lisa Snowdon.
'This heart-warming and creative contemporary fiction is a story of unexpected self-discovery.' - Woman's Weekly
'Full of heart and depth.' - Nina Pottell Prima Book of the Month
'Funny, heart-warming read - it made me laugh and cry' — Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party
'Eleanor Oliphant meets About a Boy' — Gillian Harvey
'An absolute joy' — Nancy Peach
'Brilliantly funny' — Louise Hare
Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren't a mother.
Loretta has her life under control. She's chasing a big promotion, she's marrying the "perfect man" and she has a flawless five-year plan.
This plan does not include children.
But when a complete stranger asks her to watch her six-year-old daughter in an airport and never returns, both their lives will be changed forever.
A little human in fairy wings and sparkly cowgirl boots will turn Loretta's world upside down and maybe, just maybe, show her exactly what she's missing.
Overflowing with humour and heartbreak, Nicola Gill takes us on a relatable journey of self-discovery through the power of a child's love.
'Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable.'- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City
'Please meet my new favourite book.' - Jessica Ryn, author of The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside
'Heartbreaking and life-affirming, an absolute must read' - Tim Ewins, author of We Are Animals
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2023
285 people are currently reading
1602 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
January 26, 2025
Loretta has her life organised. Good job, which she does very well and is up for a promotion. Engaged to solicitor Robert. Neither want kids when they are married. Loretta is not a very sociable or nice person, who finds herself looking after a six year old hyper girl at the airport while her mum goes to the toilet.
And from there we slowly see the transformation in Loretta's life as it takes a totally different course than planned. It was mostly predictable in the end, but still well done. Not a HEA, but things are looking up. Phoebe is a real character who grows on you as the story progresses, as does Loretta. 4+ stars.
"An old woman with a face like a scrunched paper bag and ankles that puddle around her feet looks over at Phoebe and smiles indulgently."
And from there we slowly see the transformation in Loretta's life as it takes a totally different course than planned. It was mostly predictable in the end, but still well done. Not a HEA, but things are looking up. Phoebe is a real character who grows on you as the story progresses, as does Loretta. 4+ stars.
"An old woman with a face like a scrunched paper bag and ankles that puddle around her feet looks over at Phoebe and smiles indulgently."
August 28, 2023
What a gorgeous novel. I ended this sobbing, with a huge smile on my face. I didn’t have any prior expectations of this and was completely wowed.
The characters are what really makes this and they are all crafted so beautifully, from awkward but driven Loretta, to the bundle of energy and sequins that is Phoebe, to nice guy Chris, exhausted Sylvia and hard nosed Robert (and all of the others)…everyone has their good bits and bad bits and this really helps to make the story so emotional but also uplifting.
Thank you Netgalley and Bedford Square, I adored this
The characters are what really makes this and they are all crafted so beautifully, from awkward but driven Loretta, to the bundle of energy and sequins that is Phoebe, to nice guy Chris, exhausted Sylvia and hard nosed Robert (and all of the others)…everyone has their good bits and bad bits and this really helps to make the story so emotional but also uplifting.
Thank you Netgalley and Bedford Square, I adored this
March 14, 2025
This is not my usual choice of genre (chick lit) but I was intrigued by the title, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It is an endearing tale about a woman who is forced to assess her life after meeting a child and coming to terms with her own vulnerabilities.
On the face of it, Loretta has a very successful life working at a high level in advertising and expected to gain a promotion anytime soon. She is engaged to be married to someone she seems to be well matched to and she keeps a check on her routines and work relationships to ensure nothing out of the ordinary happens to derail her very orderly life.
Into the mix lands Phoebe, a six year old little girl, and Loretta finds herself suddenly having to rethink her priorities, and indeed her life, as a result. What becomes apparent is that Loretta is hiding something from her past that explains her obsession with cleanliness, order and the need to keep driving forward and this is revealed little by little as the book moves on.
This is quite a thoughtful story with warm and believable characters. Yes, it is a bit too sweet to be true and the ending is tied up almost too neatly as you would expect from this kind of book, but there is something touching about Loretta's and Phoebe's relationship that makes this story a bit special.
On the face of it, Loretta has a very successful life working at a high level in advertising and expected to gain a promotion anytime soon. She is engaged to be married to someone she seems to be well matched to and she keeps a check on her routines and work relationships to ensure nothing out of the ordinary happens to derail her very orderly life.
Into the mix lands Phoebe, a six year old little girl, and Loretta finds herself suddenly having to rethink her priorities, and indeed her life, as a result. What becomes apparent is that Loretta is hiding something from her past that explains her obsession with cleanliness, order and the need to keep driving forward and this is revealed little by little as the book moves on.
This is quite a thoughtful story with warm and believable characters. Yes, it is a bit too sweet to be true and the ending is tied up almost too neatly as you would expect from this kind of book, but there is something touching about Loretta's and Phoebe's relationship that makes this story a bit special.
February 15, 2025
DNF. So slow and boring! I can't understand all these rave reviews...
April 24, 2024
This was a lovely and emotional read 💙
I loved that the author chose to keep Loretta child free whilst also having her accept and care for Phoebe. Too many books go down the route of ’oh, but all women must change their mind and have children eventually’ - so this was a welcoming change of pace.
I would have, however, liked for Loretta to have the best of both worlds. I don’t think that she should have had to give up an ideal career prospect for Phoebe, but I guess that is often the reality when caring for a child, so definite points for realism!
I loved that the author chose to keep Loretta child free whilst also having her accept and care for Phoebe. Too many books go down the route of ’oh, but all women must change their mind and have children eventually’ - so this was a welcoming change of pace.
I would have, however, liked for Loretta to have the best of both worlds. I don’t think that she should have had to give up an ideal career prospect for Phoebe, but I guess that is often the reality when caring for a child, so definite points for realism!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
Genuinely one of the most shallow and painful reads of my recent life. I really tried to like Loretta but she remained selfish and snobby for nearly 80% of the book and then MIRACULOUSLY had a personality 180 and it was not believable at all.
June 1, 2024
Really loved this book. I could have kept on reading about Loretta and Phoebe for a good while longer.
July 2, 2023
I truly loved this book which made me both laugh and cry, often at the same time. Little Phoebe and the wonderfully quirky Loretta captured my heart from the very beginning with all their imperfections, social awkwardness and complex emotions. Nicola Gill has expertly crafted a page-turning, emotional and relatable novel which will warm every heart. The perfect book to curl up with. I absolutely adored it.
February 6, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley UK and Bedford Square Publishers for sending me this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I need to be honest; I wasn’t expecting what I got from this book. I thought it would be enjoyable, a 3-star book. However, I was left in awe of how beautiful this story is. I finished the book and found myself dealing with a mix of feelings. Happiness, and joy, but also longing for those characters that have made me cry, laugh, and be completely immersed in this book. I was dreading a reading slump for the past month and then I got this gem of a book in my hands.
The synopsis doesn’t give many details about the book, which is great. Reader, go into this book completely blind and fall in love with this story. It is so rare nowadays that I feel completely involved in one book, completely undisturbed by anything around me, without any preconceived ideas because I’ve read the tropes, or I feel like I know what is going to happen. Once you are an avid reader, few things can impress you or surprise you. So here I am. Impressed. Surprised.
It is so pretty when you can see a character growth step by step, in a way that feels so natural and realistic. Loretta and Phoebe’s relationship flourishes from trauma, but in such a beautiful way, gradually, full of ups and downs. The author created an introverted and quick character without making her annoying or mean, just showing how Loretta is a bit socially inept, but has a great heart. Phoebe’s character was also fantastically created by the author, showing a child that sounded so real that I could feel the difficulties in raising one. She has her perks, her tantrums, her sweetness, her naivetes, and her moments of energy and sadness. She is a 6-year-old girl trying to deal with adversities that can be hard for adults, so I was heartbroken for her so many times. It is easy to judge parents from an outside perspective when we don't have children until you are in charge of one and seeing how Loretta experienced that from her early encounters with Phoebe to the end of the book, it's so so so special. I don’t know how to recommend this book more than that because it truly left me speechless and not enough words can do justice, but in a nutshell: I adored this book.
I need to be honest; I wasn’t expecting what I got from this book. I thought it would be enjoyable, a 3-star book. However, I was left in awe of how beautiful this story is. I finished the book and found myself dealing with a mix of feelings. Happiness, and joy, but also longing for those characters that have made me cry, laugh, and be completely immersed in this book. I was dreading a reading slump for the past month and then I got this gem of a book in my hands.
The synopsis doesn’t give many details about the book, which is great. Reader, go into this book completely blind and fall in love with this story. It is so rare nowadays that I feel completely involved in one book, completely undisturbed by anything around me, without any preconceived ideas because I’ve read the tropes, or I feel like I know what is going to happen. Once you are an avid reader, few things can impress you or surprise you. So here I am. Impressed. Surprised.
It is so pretty when you can see a character growth step by step, in a way that feels so natural and realistic. Loretta and Phoebe’s relationship flourishes from trauma, but in such a beautiful way, gradually, full of ups and downs. The author created an introverted and quick character without making her annoying or mean, just showing how Loretta is a bit socially inept, but has a great heart. Phoebe’s character was also fantastically created by the author, showing a child that sounded so real that I could feel the difficulties in raising one. She has her perks, her tantrums, her sweetness, her naivetes, and her moments of energy and sadness. She is a 6-year-old girl trying to deal with adversities that can be hard for adults, so I was heartbroken for her so many times. It is easy to judge parents from an outside perspective when we don't have children until you are in charge of one and seeing how Loretta experienced that from her early encounters with Phoebe to the end of the book, it's so so so special. I don’t know how to recommend this book more than that because it truly left me speechless and not enough words can do justice, but in a nutshell: I adored this book.
February 28, 2025
A really nice read. The protagonist is a possibly autistic ("weird", "oddball") woman. Very hard working and career focussed. Meets a child due to circumstances, and the story goes on. The ending is quick, but you could sort of see it coming, and really nicely done. Too much happens in the last 30% of the book, and the initial few chapters.
And that was fast. After a long long time I finished a book in two days! I had a long wait at the airport, the flight to read, so worked out nicely.
And that was fast. After a long long time I finished a book in two days! I had a long wait at the airport, the flight to read, so worked out nicely.
February 22, 2024
An enjoyable, light read about a socially awkward career woman who unexpectedly gets involved with a young child.
February 7, 2025
Yndisleg bók
January 2, 2024
Lovely read that is an easy page turner, great characters that draw you in especially Loretta and Phoebe. More character driven than plot driven but I really enjoyed it!
November 19, 2025
Nice light read. Overall 3.5 rounded up
January 22, 2024
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this book.
But I ended up sobbing and smiling because of this warm story. Phoebe became so close to me that I was worried about any issues: her meltdowns, her struggles to find friends.
And there were many important lessons in this book.
I’m not very good at writing reviews, but I can surely say that I LOVED this book and I want to erase my memory to read it again
But I ended up sobbing and smiling because of this warm story. Phoebe became so close to me that I was worried about any issues: her meltdowns, her struggles to find friends.
And there were many important lessons in this book.
I’m not very good at writing reviews, but I can surely say that I LOVED this book and I want to erase my memory to read it again
August 23, 2023
I loved this book. It was heartbreaking but also life affirming and special, and I mean really special. Phoebe is spot on, and so are all of the characters. So far, my book of the year.
October 9, 2024
Read as part of my book group and it was OK. Can't say anything horrible about it and it really was quite sweet but I failed to notice the connection to being 'out of her depth' or 'keeping her head above water' as other book groupers saw. I was feeling more sympathy with Loretta as someone who has also written notes to remind myself to ask how people's weekends were, or how their children were, so I think her colleagues treated her quite unfairly. As someone who really couldn't care less about other people's children, without being horrible about it, I need to remind myself to 'be nice'. Unlike Loretta, I doubt I am going to change my mind about other people's children.
August 4, 2023
What a beautiful story.
A woman with her life planned, finds everything deraild by a young child.
After being present during a tragedy that has nothing to do with her, Loretta can't stop thinking about that little girl. Even though she has never had any interest in children in her life.
This was a lovely tale about how sometimes we need a catalyst to find that human compassion side within.
There are hints of different ASD behaviours in both the MC and the child, which was interesting to read.
And the way Loretta's connections with her colleagues, friends and loved ones, also evolves in a satisfying manner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for an ARC.
A woman with her life planned, finds everything deraild by a young child.
After being present during a tragedy that has nothing to do with her, Loretta can't stop thinking about that little girl. Even though she has never had any interest in children in her life.
This was a lovely tale about how sometimes we need a catalyst to find that human compassion side within.
There are hints of different ASD behaviours in both the MC and the child, which was interesting to read.
And the way Loretta's connections with her colleagues, friends and loved ones, also evolves in a satisfying manner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for an ARC.
February 25, 2024
Very good reading
This was a lovely read. Poignant and very real in so many areas and yet so simply written, with an even pace and touches of humour.
Parenthood is hard enough normally but becoming one as Loretta does is totally confusing especially when Loretta has difficulty with emotions and understanding the correct social behaviours in most circumstances. The book’s appeal lies in the way serious subjects are covered and understood/misunderstood by the leading character. There are pieces of all of us at different times in our lives and having it put out there with such care really makes us stop and think and understand.
So much more in this than first appearance suggests. Very good reading.
This was a lovely read. Poignant and very real in so many areas and yet so simply written, with an even pace and touches of humour.
Parenthood is hard enough normally but becoming one as Loretta does is totally confusing especially when Loretta has difficulty with emotions and understanding the correct social behaviours in most circumstances. The book’s appeal lies in the way serious subjects are covered and understood/misunderstood by the leading character. There are pieces of all of us at different times in our lives and having it put out there with such care really makes us stop and think and understand.
So much more in this than first appearance suggests. Very good reading.
December 9, 2023
The story nestled between the cover of Swimming for Beginners is truly something special and I really didn't want it to end.
Characterwise, I immediately fell in love with both Loretta and Phoebe, their bond became so wonderful and unbreakable.
So many emotions were evoked, I laughed, cried and finished the book smiling through the tears. It was an absolute delight to read and is one of those books that shot straight into my top ten favourite reads for this year!
Characterwise, I immediately fell in love with both Loretta and Phoebe, their bond became so wonderful and unbreakable.
So many emotions were evoked, I laughed, cried and finished the book smiling through the tears. It was an absolute delight to read and is one of those books that shot straight into my top ten favourite reads for this year!
February 11, 2024
This novel is surprisingly sweet. I picked it up on a whim and ended up enjoying it so much that I read it in two days. I think it’s not as polished as it could be as there’s too much repetition in the narrative for my liking, but the character development is soooo good.
August 12, 2024
A great read, with the main character, Loretta that reminds me of Sally Diamond or Eleanor Oliphant.
The story is initially really sad as it introduces Loretta's work situation, horrible fiance and an unforeseen tragedy at an airport! As the story developed I was hooked and just wanted Loretta to break free and escape to a life that she really deserves.
The story is initially really sad as it introduces Loretta's work situation, horrible fiance and an unforeseen tragedy at an airport! As the story developed I was hooked and just wanted Loretta to break free and escape to a life that she really deserves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2024
This book was so much better than I’d expected, I read it so quickly. I personally found the main character so funny and relatable and enjoyed seeing her character development. This book had me feeling so many emotions. It was the perfect beach read.
February 24, 2025
Very predictable but still highly enjoyable. It’s hard to write a first person book where the main character is supposed to be very imperfect, without making it an insufferable read. It was so clear why Loretta is the way that she is that reading her POV was still enjoyable.
December 23, 2023
3.75 ⭐️
I honestly enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would, I love the message behind the book and how Lorri just wanted to make sure Phoebe was happy
I honestly enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would, I love the message behind the book and how Lorri just wanted to make sure Phoebe was happy
January 28, 2024
Loved this book. Funny, sad and very well observed - especially 6yo Phoebe’s exasperating behaviour… ! A nice easy read I enjoyed snuggling up with. Sad to finish it.
February 10, 2024
CAWPILE 6.29
3.5 STARS
Read for Polarthon 2024 's' on the cover prompt.
This was a layered read tackling a whole host of different topics including anxiety, grief and germophobia. I'm pleased I picked this one up and I'm glad it's been read so I can pass it onto another reader.
3.5 STARS
Read for Polarthon 2024 's' on the cover prompt.
This was a layered read tackling a whole host of different topics including anxiety, grief and germophobia. I'm pleased I picked this one up and I'm glad it's been read so I can pass it onto another reader.
May 25, 2024
Fell in love with Loretta and Phoebe and was so invested in their journey! Easy, fast read but also super enjoyable and relatable. One of my fave books I've ever read.
September 27, 2024
A really refreshing take on a main character. An heart warming read.
December 16, 2025
lyssnad. fin berättelse, men lite förutsägbar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews