What do you think?
Rate this book
Outside
Not yet published
Expected 6 Aug 26Your next reading obsession, the poignant and darkly humorous long-awaited new novel from the bestselling author of If I Can’t Have You, perfect for fans of Sorrow and Bliss and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
She’s locked the door to the world. Is love strong enough to open it?
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?
She’s locked the door to the world. Is love strong enough to open it?
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?
- GenresContemporary
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 6, 2026
About the author
Charlotte Levin
4 books206 followersCharlotte Levin is the bestselling author of IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU and the Richard & Judy Book Club pick IF I LET YOU GO.
New novel, OUTSIDE - out August 6th 2026
She writes emotional yet darkly humorous character-led novels that centre on the morally grey, the outsiders, and those who could probably do with some therapy.
She has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the New Writers North Awards, and the Mslexia Short Story Competition, as well as writing for publications, including The Observer and Marie Claire.
She lives in Manchester, England, with her cats Opal Moon, Leonard and Walter.
Her third novel OUTSIDE will be published in August 2026
website - www.charlottelevin.com
New novel, OUTSIDE - out August 6th 2026
She writes emotional yet darkly humorous character-led novels that centre on the morally grey, the outsiders, and those who could probably do with some therapy.
She has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the New Writers North Awards, and the Mslexia Short Story Competition, as well as writing for publications, including The Observer and Marie Claire.
She lives in Manchester, England, with her cats Opal Moon, Leonard and Walter.
Her third novel OUTSIDE will be published in August 2026
website - www.charlottelevin.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 24, 2026
4 stars ⭐
Outside follows Beatrice, a burgeoning actress who suffers from agoraphobia.
As someone who, like Beatrice, suffers from anxiety, this book shows incredibly well how anxiety disorders can gradually ruin your own life without you even noticing. And also, how anxiety makes you selfish. It makes you turn inward because your nervous system demands you have to place your own survival above all else. All rationality goes out the window. It’s something that can’t really be explained or understood unless you’ve experienced it, but this book does such an amazing job at getting you to empathise with Beatrice that I think it comes pretty damn close.
I only wish there was a little more depth to the relationship between Beatrice and her mother, which is the crux of the novel and yet never quite becomes concrete. But I loved how all the other central relationships were written, and the easy flow to the author’s writing style made them feel real.
Outside toes the line between contemporary litfic and contemporary romance, so if you enjoy this intersection I really recommend this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Oneworld for the ARC!
Outside follows Beatrice, a burgeoning actress who suffers from agoraphobia.
As someone who, like Beatrice, suffers from anxiety, this book shows incredibly well how anxiety disorders can gradually ruin your own life without you even noticing. And also, how anxiety makes you selfish. It makes you turn inward because your nervous system demands you have to place your own survival above all else. All rationality goes out the window. It’s something that can’t really be explained or understood unless you’ve experienced it, but this book does such an amazing job at getting you to empathise with Beatrice that I think it comes pretty damn close.
I only wish there was a little more depth to the relationship between Beatrice and her mother, which is the crux of the novel and yet never quite becomes concrete. But I loved how all the other central relationships were written, and the easy flow to the author’s writing style made them feel real.
Outside toes the line between contemporary litfic and contemporary romance, so if you enjoy this intersection I really recommend this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Oneworld for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications for an advanced copy of this book.
From the opening pages, I knew I was going to enjoy Outside. Charlotte Levin’s writing is beautifully lyrical and deeply thoughtful- qualities I always hope to find and rarely do. I highlighted so many passages, including this one:
“The room drinks the sun as though it’s been dying of thirst, and she stands, straight, within the bright rectangle on the floor and blinks, adjusting her eyes to the glare. Particles of dust dance around her as though she were a maypole.”
The prose is gorgeous, but it is also balanced by wonderfully dry humour. Lines such as, “Better therapy then. I know a Chinese doctor who helped my sister-in-law’s depression, God rest her soul,” and, “She pours the milk first. That’s how tormented she is. She’s pouring the milk in first,” made me laugh while also revealing so much about the character of Bea.
This is a novel with heavy subject matter. Agoraphobia can be life-changing and can present in many different ways. Levin approaches the subject, which I later discovered is incredibly close to her heart, with sincerity, compassion, humour and honesty. For those looking in from the outside, it is an illness that can be difficult to understand. Yet the novel also conveys the sense that even the person experiencing it may not understand why their mind and body will not cooperate. Bea’s frustration, and her need to control the smallest details when the larger things feel impossible to control, come through powerfully.
Bea is an actress who has always lived comfortably in the shadow of her mother. When a life-changing event occurs, she retreats completely into herself. Physically and mentally trapped inside her home, she is too afraid, and unable, to go outside. Then she meets Finn. Could he be the person who helps her find a way back to herself?
I hope this book does really well. It has a great deal to say, but never feels self-indulgent or preachy. Instead, it is delicate, considered and quietly affecting. I came away with more than just a memorable story and beautiful writing; I also felt more informed and compassionate about the subject at its heart.
From the opening pages, I knew I was going to enjoy Outside. Charlotte Levin’s writing is beautifully lyrical and deeply thoughtful- qualities I always hope to find and rarely do. I highlighted so many passages, including this one:
“The room drinks the sun as though it’s been dying of thirst, and she stands, straight, within the bright rectangle on the floor and blinks, adjusting her eyes to the glare. Particles of dust dance around her as though she were a maypole.”
The prose is gorgeous, but it is also balanced by wonderfully dry humour. Lines such as, “Better therapy then. I know a Chinese doctor who helped my sister-in-law’s depression, God rest her soul,” and, “She pours the milk first. That’s how tormented she is. She’s pouring the milk in first,” made me laugh while also revealing so much about the character of Bea.
This is a novel with heavy subject matter. Agoraphobia can be life-changing and can present in many different ways. Levin approaches the subject, which I later discovered is incredibly close to her heart, with sincerity, compassion, humour and honesty. For those looking in from the outside, it is an illness that can be difficult to understand. Yet the novel also conveys the sense that even the person experiencing it may not understand why their mind and body will not cooperate. Bea’s frustration, and her need to control the smallest details when the larger things feel impossible to control, come through powerfully.
Bea is an actress who has always lived comfortably in the shadow of her mother. When a life-changing event occurs, she retreats completely into herself. Physically and mentally trapped inside her home, she is too afraid, and unable, to go outside. Then she meets Finn. Could he be the person who helps her find a way back to herself?
I hope this book does really well. It has a great deal to say, but never feels self-indulgent or preachy. Instead, it is delicate, considered and quietly affecting. I came away with more than just a memorable story and beautiful writing; I also felt more informed and compassionate about the subject at its heart.
June 12, 2026
Thank you to one world publications for sending me an early copy of Outside by Charlotte Levin.
I took this one on holiday with me and ended up reading it on the beach over two days. It was one of those books that you just think ‘one more chapter’.
The story follows Beatrice, an actress whose career is on the verge of taking off but after a tragedy, her anxiety becomes so overwhelming that she can’t leave her house.
My favourite part was the way the story unfolded across different timelines as I’m a sucker for jumps back & forth. Alongside present day Beatrice, we get to see her life a year earlier with how she got there, as well as flashbacks to her childhood and her relationship with her famous momma.
I gave this ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
I absolutely flew through this one. I loved the themes of grief, anxiety and identity & also the humour throughout.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me was that I wanted a little bit more from the ending. I became so invested in the characters and their relationships that I would happily have read a few extra chapters to see where things really went and how new relationships introduced very late in the book developed.
Overall, this was such an engaging and emotional read, and I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character driven contemporary fiction, complicated family dynamics, personal growth stories and books by authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid and Coco Mellors.
Outside publishes on 6th August 2026
I took this one on holiday with me and ended up reading it on the beach over two days. It was one of those books that you just think ‘one more chapter’.
The story follows Beatrice, an actress whose career is on the verge of taking off but after a tragedy, her anxiety becomes so overwhelming that she can’t leave her house.
My favourite part was the way the story unfolded across different timelines as I’m a sucker for jumps back & forth. Alongside present day Beatrice, we get to see her life a year earlier with how she got there, as well as flashbacks to her childhood and her relationship with her famous momma.
I gave this ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
I absolutely flew through this one. I loved the themes of grief, anxiety and identity & also the humour throughout.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me was that I wanted a little bit more from the ending. I became so invested in the characters and their relationships that I would happily have read a few extra chapters to see where things really went and how new relationships introduced very late in the book developed.
Overall, this was such an engaging and emotional read, and I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character driven contemporary fiction, complicated family dynamics, personal growth stories and books by authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid and Coco Mellors.
Outside publishes on 6th August 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow..
It seems weird to say you love a book when the subject matter is one that causes a lot of pain and grief for the person and their loved ones but this book deserves all the accolades. It would make for a powerful film or series and while I was reading it, it was being played out as a film in my head.
Charlotte Levin is an outstanding and gifted writer. Despite the subject matter, she finds time and the space to inject her humour and wit in this very human and emotional novel. She is wickedly funny and I laughed out loud many times throughout the book.
Charlotte wrote this book because she wanted to raise awareness of what it is like to have and live with agoraphobia. I think this book is a masterpiece and a triumph. I was rooting for Beatrice all the way through and lived through every single bit of joy and pain.. I loved the banter and the relationship she had with Finn.
This book deserves a wide audience. It's more than good. If I could give it ten stars I would.
It seems weird to say you love a book when the subject matter is one that causes a lot of pain and grief for the person and their loved ones but this book deserves all the accolades. It would make for a powerful film or series and while I was reading it, it was being played out as a film in my head.
Charlotte Levin is an outstanding and gifted writer. Despite the subject matter, she finds time and the space to inject her humour and wit in this very human and emotional novel. She is wickedly funny and I laughed out loud many times throughout the book.
Charlotte wrote this book because she wanted to raise awareness of what it is like to have and live with agoraphobia. I think this book is a masterpiece and a triumph. I was rooting for Beatrice all the way through and lived through every single bit of joy and pain.. I loved the banter and the relationship she had with Finn.
This book deserves a wide audience. It's more than good. If I could give it ten stars I would.
June 14, 2026
***Merci beacoup netgallery and the author for the advanced copy ***
This could quite possibly be my favourite book of 2026 and one that will stay with me for a very long time.
Oh Beatrice… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you. I found myself completely invested in your story and desperate to know what happened next. Charlotte Levin has created such a memorable, beautifully written character that I genuinely need more.
The story is emotional, thought-provoking and utterly captivating. It pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. I laughed, I worried, I hoped, and I was left thinking about it long after I’d finished.
I can only hope Charlotte Levin gives us a sequel because I need to know where life takes Beatrice next.
A truly unforgettable read and an easy 5 stars from me.
This could quite possibly be my favourite book of 2026 and one that will stay with me for a very long time.
Oh Beatrice… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you. I found myself completely invested in your story and desperate to know what happened next. Charlotte Levin has created such a memorable, beautifully written character that I genuinely need more.
The story is emotional, thought-provoking and utterly captivating. It pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. I laughed, I worried, I hoped, and I was left thinking about it long after I’d finished.
I can only hope Charlotte Levin gives us a sequel because I need to know where life takes Beatrice next.
A truly unforgettable read and an easy 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ever since a good book friend pestered me into reading If I Can’t Have You, Charlotte Levin has been a must read asap author.
Outside tells Beatrice’s story. She’s recently bereaved, her acting character was just about to take off and she’s agoraphobic. She can’t leave the house.
Charlotte Levin is truly gifted in empathetic, emotionally immersive writing. It’s meditative, thought provoking and deeply moving. Beatrice is one of the most memorable and complete characters you’ll meet in a book this year.
I know it won’t be for everyone but personally I loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications
Outside tells Beatrice’s story. She’s recently bereaved, her acting character was just about to take off and she’s agoraphobic. She can’t leave the house.
Charlotte Levin is truly gifted in empathetic, emotionally immersive writing. It’s meditative, thought provoking and deeply moving. Beatrice is one of the most memorable and complete characters you’ll meet in a book this year.
I know it won’t be for everyone but personally I loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book follows the experience of a rising starlet whose promising career is derailed due to a traumatic incident which leaves her with agoraphobia - and a world that has shrunk beyond recognition, to a handful of immediate neighbours and a badly behaved parrot.
When she hires someone to take care of her garden, which is almost as out of control as her life at this point, an unexpected relationship blossoms. But will it be enough to coax her back into the wider world, or will it wither on the vine?
An insightful story about the pitfalls and transience of fame, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
When she hires someone to take care of her garden, which is almost as out of control as her life at this point, an unexpected relationship blossoms. But will it be enough to coax her back into the wider world, or will it wither on the vine?
An insightful story about the pitfalls and transience of fame, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Outside is a novel about grief, guilt and how loss can completely derail a person’s life. Beatrice loses the human connections which are most vital to her wellbeing without much to replace them as her world shrinks to the space behind her own front door. Could the arrival of Finn, the gardener who undertakes to clear the overgrown garden which Beatrice can’t even look at, prove to be the start of a tentative re-engagement with the outside?
Charlotte’s writing is lyrical and absolutely beautiful, peppered with humour which balances the heavy emotional themes.
I liked the realistic ending; life is rarely neatly wrapped up a big bow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld for the ARC
Charlotte’s writing is lyrical and absolutely beautiful, peppered with humour which balances the heavy emotional themes.
I liked the realistic ending; life is rarely neatly wrapped up a big bow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
An exceptionally well crafted book, I have read all Charlotte’s books and this is the best by far. Her writing is always packed with extremely clever observations and a never letting up sentence by sentence detail, giving a rich intense quality to what must be in this case a very serious personal subject matter.
Humour runs through this book along with sadness and fear, loss and love.
Not a good read a great read.
Humour runs through this book along with sadness and fear, loss and love.
Not a good read a great read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh how I adored this book! Suffused with equal measures of pain and humour, this book is a triumph. Levin masterfully pulls the reader into the complicated mind of her glorious protagonist, Beatrice, so that we feel viscerally all of her loss and love, her agony and joy. A wonderful, compassionate and real exploration of the tragedy and triumph of being human. Very few books make me cry - this did, in the very best way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Outside is a thoughtful, introspective novel with a steady, atmospheric rhythm. Charlotte Levin writes about guilt, fear, and vulnerability with real sensitivity, and there are moments where the emotional detail lands beautifully. For me, the pacing felt very slow and the ending arrived quietly, but I can see this resonating with readers who enjoy character‑driven stories that unfold gently rather than dramatically.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
Review to follow
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews