The Opposite of Lonely

by Hilde Hinton

From the bestselling author of THE LOUDNESS OF UNSAID THINGS comes a compelling new novel that illuminates the joys and sorrows of an ordinary life and delivers profound insights into human nature.

'She glanced back at the sleeping boy on the back seat and flashing blue and red lights caught her eye in the rear vision mirror. A police car pulled up behind her. There was nowhere to go. What had she done?'

Rose knows that she should be happy. She has a thoughtful son, a kind boss and a dream box full of savings for a rainy day. But sometimes the brick in her chest gets so heavy that it's all she can do to simply watch the minutes tick by on the oven clock.

Things change when a stranger arrives. Rose can't believe that someone like Ellie would want to be her friend. Ellie always knows what to do. She is bright and shiny and so caring. With Ellie by her side, things feel possible again, and Rose starts to remember who she is. Soon, she can't imagine how it was without Ellie there.

Sometimes, all you need is one friend to change your life. Because the best things in life are free. Aren't they?

A novel about discovering that what you need is often right in front of you. And that friendship can hide many truths.

'In her third novel, Hilde Hinton delicately confronts the complexities of motherhood and friendships . . . [Her] strength lies in her ability to create characters who feel remarkably familiar, holding up a mirror to the reader and telling us something about ourselves. Fans of Kim Lock's The Other Side of Beautiful will enjoy this important story about finding your way back to yourself.' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'Hilde Hinton has written another gentle and perceptive look at the travails of life' THE BOOKLIST

'A delight . . . Hinton again demonstrates her talent for exposing her characters' emotions and vulnerability' DAILY TELEGRAPH

'A big-hearted novel about friendship and the devastation of betrayal' THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2025

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this one is what attracted me to this book. I did find the first half of this book slow, but I’m pleased to say the second half did pick up pace and I started to enjoy it a bit more. Worth reading.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about betrayal, vulnerability, trust and control. Everything and everyone are not what it seems. Rose is going through so much, parenthood, loss of a loved one and a breakdown of her relationship. This leads her to being vulnerable and too trusting. I didn't see the ending coming at all and it made me feel so sad and angry for Rose at how someone could do that.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
Navigating life and facing its challenges is a path we all undertake and some phases of life present challenges that leave us vulnerable.
Latching onto something or someone is a sign of desperation.
Rose is a single mum with a good child.
The end of the marriage knocked her confidence and avoiding the ex in-laws made the isolation real.
Meeting Ellie illuminated hope that a friendship may fill a void.
Ellie and Rose firmed a strong friendship that at times over stepped boundaries but was often overlooked as the positives outweighed the negatives.
Oblivious to the clues it was a liaison that flourished.
Did Rose really know who Ellie was?
The desire to know escalated quickly and was like a ball rolling down a hill. Momentum gathered, observations solidified and the book could not be put down.
The intricacies of friendship and personal inadequacies explored beautifully.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The Opposite of Lonely is an insightful exploration into human nature, trust and mental health.

Hinton has a writing style and way with words that creates real vulnerability in her characters, especially Rose. It is slow paced, focusing on the day to day of life of Rose, her support network and how one person can completely change the dynamics.

The Opposite of Lonely showcases the joy and sorrow of everyday life in a gentle and insightful way. It has me wishing I could reach through the pages, make a cup of tea and give Rose a hug.

[Janine Hills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I persisted to finish, I still found this book mundane. I kept waiting for a twist but it was predictable.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why aren’t more people talking about this book?!

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from Hachette Publishing (thank you), and ripped through it months ago.

It looks so innocent with that orange cover and title.

Not giving much away, the first third of this book moves deceptively slowly, lulling the reader to see one thing, but then slowly…

Some pretty big topics present themselves.

After reading this book I thought author, Hilde Hinton probably has some psychology training/degree and plotted this perfectly.

But, after listening to Richard Fidler’s Conversations Podcast episode with Hilde Hinton, I realised this is a lot more than textbook learning.

Well done, Hilde Hinton. Great read.

[Gavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Very difficult to describe and categorise. (And difficult to review without giving away the plot) Rose was clearly experiencing significant mental health issues. And something was never quite right with her new friend Ellie. The book was almost Gothic as the tension built through their many banal interactions - it was never clear whether Ellie was friend or foe. I felt that the first 2/3 was sometimes a bit slow in pace (but it did add to the tension). But the conclusion was good and addresses an important issue not often covered in fiction.

[Emma Balkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilde Hinton has a way of conveying the struggles of getting through our days by portraying unique characters who are dealing with the wake of sad things. Rose is another such character, who endeavours to manage parenting her son Max and working in a coffee shop while grieving her beloved father’s death and her separation from Max’s dad. Ellie appears on the scene and fills a much needed gap of friendship. There are some lovely descriptions of the power of trees and also observations about Melbourne and its inhabitants. There is a sense of curiosity and unease throughout the novel, but the final events were still somewhat surprising.

[lily parwak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of an eh kind of book - started off slow for the first two thirds of the book, with the last 60 pages being much more gripping than the rest of the book. I will admit the twist was pretty predictable and I just wanted to finish this book as quickly as I possibly could.

Borrowed from the library

[Louise Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow and predictable

[Caren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The novel was rather disappointing in contrast to Hinton’s “A Solitary Walk on the Moon”. The friendship with Ellie that seemed to bring Rose out of her inactivity was not what it had seemed. But the narrative led me to sense that betrayal early on and made me suspicious too soon to truly enjoy what the author had presented. In fact, apart from the exuberant characterisation of Rose’s young son, Max, and their deep love, I became bored with the two women. The conclusion seemed rushed and its “twist” did not surprise me in the least.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up The Opposite of Lonely after hearing Hilde Hinton speak on Conversations on ABC Radio, and I’m so glad I did. From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the distinctly Australian setting - so familiar and relatable it felt like I was walking the same streets as the characters.

This is a novel that rewards patience. The slow burn is part of its magic: Hinton allows space for the characters to unfold gradually, often through beautifully mundane conversations that somehow carry weight. There’s tension in the quiet moments, in the little details, and it builds without you even realising until suddenly, you’re in deep.

The ending caught me off guard in the best way - unexpected, but earned. I kept thinking about it long after I’d finished. This was one of those rare books I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I had to put it down.

Highly recommend if you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth, subtle suspense, and writing that captures the nuances of everyday life.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a story that made me feel a little uncomfortable. The friendship between two women and the constant wondering of when it would all go bad alongside a considered approach to depression and finding your own way. I’m glad I read this but it’s running around in a loop in my head. It has given me an opportunity to pause and reflect and that itself is a rare gift! The writing was smooth and the portrayal of real life accurate. I am open to reading others by author Hilde Hinton.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While a sensitive portrayal of mental health struggles and the desire to become a 'shut-in' the two main characters weren't sympathetic or engaging. The plot was predictable and the writing relied upon a lot of cliches. Personally I prefer something with a bit more substance, but if someone gets some help or insight from this book then it's a valuable piece of writing

[Carol Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hinton has written an intriguing story in The Opposite of Lonely.

You’re never quite sure what’s happening, but Rose and Max are so relatable.

The writing’s clear and rollicks along.

A very enjoyable way to spend the day.

[Missyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked what this book was trying to do. Having recently read Andrea Goldsmith’s excellent the buried life which explored similar themes, I think it suffered in comparison. Very simple, “telling” with very obvious sign posts of what would happen.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I really liked Hilde Hinton’s other books, but this one was just so boring. The only upside was the short chapters – at least I got regular reminders that it was nearly over. Definitely felt like a ‘leave-in-the-laundry-at-a-caravan-park’ kind of book. 2 stars at best.

[Bec Deuchar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without sounding like Ellie (i.e. a biach), I spent most of this book quite bored and wishing it would get to the point - which I could see coming from a quarter of the way in already. Not bad writing by any means, but just not very gripping.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Hilde Hinton. Her books are so full of warmth and life.

[Jacquelyn Raby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed. But only 3 stars as I felt anxious with some parts waiting for the “bad” maybe that should make it a 4 star!?!?

[Jenny Dougan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kristy Wallis · Rating 2 out of 5]

i found this book very boring, I stuck with it to see if there was a twist but did not enjoy it unfortunatly.

[Sue Gould · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Not my cup of tea. I thought the plot was absolutely predictable and the characters stereotypes with little depth or complexity.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when I think I know which direction a book is going and it completely surprises me. That’s what happened with this book. The cover line was perfect - “Is she a friend, or is she not” - because this book really kept me guessing.

We follow Rose, a single mum to five-year-old Max who has an ordered and peaceful life with a job she loves and a kind and thoughtful son. But she feels like something is missing. Enter Ellie, a woman with a confident, can-do attitude that Rose meets randomly one day.

Ellie helps Rose step outside her comfort zone and embrace life, filling it with promise and excitement. The two become inseparable, each seeming to fill a hole in the other’s life. Until little cracks start to appear…

The subtle tension that builds will have you guessing one thing then another, in a way mirroring the subtle confusion in Rose’s mind. Hinton is so clever at exposing personalities and relationships in perfectly subtle ways. I think that is at the heart of what makes this book so enjoyable.

It’s really nice to read a book about female relationships; this book explores the important role special friendships hold in our lives, as well as the role of motherhood.