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How to Save a Life
“A beautifully written tale of enduring love” Rowan Coleman
One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.
That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.
Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.
When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.
In a story spanning twenty years, join Ted and Marianne as they navigate life’s twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, while all the time wondering - will fate ever bring them together again… Perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Isabelle Broom.
One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.
That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.
Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.
When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.
In a story spanning twenty years, join Ted and Marianne as they navigate life’s twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, while all the time wondering - will fate ever bring them together again… Perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Isabelle Broom.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2022
387 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
June 28, 2022
A GLOWING 5 stars for me!
This will go down as one of my 2022 favourites!
I loved the audio! The narrators were perfect with their tone, and expression. I could not stop listening. I know I would equally have enjoyed this story had I read it. It is written beautifully and every moment is compelling.
This is not a typical romance novel. Two strangers meet on a cold wintery night in 1991 on a bridge. Ted, is ready to end his life. Marianne, needs to collect her thoughts. Both need someone to talk to. It's a chance meeting and the story about both their lives spans over twenty years. I think the least you know about this one the better. Just go with the flow. This book enchanted me, surprised me and ever so captivated me. Each chapter alternates with Ted and Marianne's story.
SOMEONE MAKE THIS ONE INTO A MOVIE!!!
This will go down as one of my 2022 favourites!
I loved the audio! The narrators were perfect with their tone, and expression. I could not stop listening. I know I would equally have enjoyed this story had I read it. It is written beautifully and every moment is compelling.
This is not a typical romance novel. Two strangers meet on a cold wintery night in 1991 on a bridge. Ted, is ready to end his life. Marianne, needs to collect her thoughts. Both need someone to talk to. It's a chance meeting and the story about both their lives spans over twenty years. I think the least you know about this one the better. Just go with the flow. This book enchanted me, surprised me and ever so captivated me. Each chapter alternates with Ted and Marianne's story.
SOMEONE MAKE THIS ONE INTO A MOVIE!!!
June 9, 2022
In a Nutshell: For those who love a well-developed story of relationships (not romance) and enjoy a question of “what-if” in real life, this is THE book to go for.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The book didn’t go the way I thought it would, in a very good way. I had assumed it to be a variant of “When Harry met Sally”, which it is in a way, except that “Harry” doesn’t actually meet “Sally” for ages. I loved the slow-burn unfolding of the relationship.
😍 I love the realism of the main characters. Both Ted and Marianne aren’t your typical picture-perfect goody-two-shoes romcom leads. They are terribly human, terribly flawed, and terribly vulnerable. It feels so good to have characters you know exist in real life than the polished OTT version of people we get to see in light fiction nowadays.
😍 This isn’t a story of romance but of relationships. Ted’s flawed relationship with his father; Marianne’s volatile yet loving relationship with her parents; Ted and Marianne’s amazing connection with their best friends Danny (who is married to Danni – so cute!) and Lance respectively, and of course, Ted and Marianne’s “relationship” with each other. (You’ll know why I have put the key word in quotation marks once you read the book.)
😍 The story spans an incredibly long time period (can’t tell you how long as that’s a spoiler.) With the frequent time jumps, it should have been easy to confuse the character ages, but the author subtly includes the time reference in her writing. There are also a few smart pop culture references or real life events in the narrative. As a result, not once did I muddle up the time frame.
😍 The story covers many dark themes in a light manner. Themes include alcoholism, PTSD, mental health issues, parental disconnections. I liked how dark it went without going too far, and loved the way the story covers the angle of “What if” and “Why me”.
😍 I found the book quite refreshing and unlike the typical fare in the contemporary fiction/romance market. There are so many moments when I went “Awww!” and an equal number of moments when I went “Oh, C’mon!” I ended the book with a huge grin on my face and warmth in my heart. (No, not heartburn, y’all! A satisfied afterglow kind of warmth.) That’s the best compliment to the story, isn’t it?
Where the book still worked for me but might not work for some other readers:
😌 The pastel cover seems to suggest that this is a light-hearted romance. Further, there’s this tagline in that small red circle that says, “A love story you’ll never forget.” The problem is, it is not a conventional love story. The two characters don’t meet for a loooonnnngggg time, there are no frivolous romps in bed, no dating, no instant connections. As I wasn’t expecting romance, I wasn’t disappointed to find it not being so. This was my kind of love story, more emotional than physical.
😌 I read through some other reviews to see why the book is rated so poorly, and found that quite a few readers were disappointed at the time gap between the meeting of our two leads and at the lack of romance. Well, to quote a line from the book, “This isn't an ideal world and sometimes you have to take what you've been given.” That’s what Ted and Marianne did. I appreciated this decision of the author. Insta-love fiction is a dime a dozen nowadays. This is a more real depiction of human connections.
😌 As the story comes from the pov of both Ted and Marianne, many incidents are narrated from both their angles. This might generate a déjà vu sort of feeling, but I appreciated looking at the same event from both their eyes. But…. (see below)
Where the book didn’t work for me:
😔 (continued from above)… this also led to a repetition of feelings. Repetition of events was okay. But to have them both thinking of that night of December 1991 again and again felt like an overkill. Maybe a bit of editing in this particular aspect would have suited the book better. This would have also sorted out the length issue as it feels dragged at times.
In short, I loved this book. The book is clearly marked as “Women’s Fiction” on NetGalley. I would call it a “Contemporary Drama”. If you read it as a romance you'll be disappointed. Definitely not recommended for insta-love or steamy romance fans. But if you want to see a beautifully written story that takes its time in bringing the lead characters together, going through various ups and downs along the way, please do give this a try.
4.5 stars from me. (I was torn between 4.25 and 4.5, but the ending sealed the deal.) It feels so good to be an outlier on the positive side of the ratings.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “How to Save a Life”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
December, 1991.
Twenty-two year old Ted is traumatised after his experiences in the Kuwait war and can’t readjust to common routine. Disillusioned with his life, he decides to give it all up and makes his way to Waterloo Bridge, hoping for an end to his emotional misery.
That same night, twenty year old Marianne is running away from her office Christmas party after seeing her boyfriend having s*x with a co-worker. As she is rushing through the South Bank, the lonely figure on the bridge catches her eye. Marianne ends up convincing Ted that life is worth a shot and she then disappears in a taxi, with them having not even exchanged their names.
This night in December becomes a turning point in their lives, but not in the way you would imagine. What happens next? Will the two meet again? When? Read and find out, my friends.
The story comes to us from the alternating first person perspectives of Ted and Marianne.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The book didn’t go the way I thought it would, in a very good way. I had assumed it to be a variant of “When Harry met Sally”, which it is in a way, except that “Harry” doesn’t actually meet “Sally” for ages. I loved the slow-burn unfolding of the relationship.
😍 I love the realism of the main characters. Both Ted and Marianne aren’t your typical picture-perfect goody-two-shoes romcom leads. They are terribly human, terribly flawed, and terribly vulnerable. It feels so good to have characters you know exist in real life than the polished OTT version of people we get to see in light fiction nowadays.
😍 This isn’t a story of romance but of relationships. Ted’s flawed relationship with his father; Marianne’s volatile yet loving relationship with her parents; Ted and Marianne’s amazing connection with their best friends Danny (who is married to Danni – so cute!) and Lance respectively, and of course, Ted and Marianne’s “relationship” with each other. (You’ll know why I have put the key word in quotation marks once you read the book.)
😍 The story spans an incredibly long time period (can’t tell you how long as that’s a spoiler.) With the frequent time jumps, it should have been easy to confuse the character ages, but the author subtly includes the time reference in her writing. There are also a few smart pop culture references or real life events in the narrative. As a result, not once did I muddle up the time frame.
😍 The story covers many dark themes in a light manner. Themes include alcoholism, PTSD, mental health issues, parental disconnections. I liked how dark it went without going too far, and loved the way the story covers the angle of “What if” and “Why me”.
😍 I found the book quite refreshing and unlike the typical fare in the contemporary fiction/romance market. There are so many moments when I went “Awww!” and an equal number of moments when I went “Oh, C’mon!” I ended the book with a huge grin on my face and warmth in my heart. (No, not heartburn, y’all! A satisfied afterglow kind of warmth.) That’s the best compliment to the story, isn’t it?
Where the book still worked for me but might not work for some other readers:
😌 The pastel cover seems to suggest that this is a light-hearted romance. Further, there’s this tagline in that small red circle that says, “A love story you’ll never forget.” The problem is, it is not a conventional love story. The two characters don’t meet for a loooonnnngggg time, there are no frivolous romps in bed, no dating, no instant connections. As I wasn’t expecting romance, I wasn’t disappointed to find it not being so. This was my kind of love story, more emotional than physical.
😌 I read through some other reviews to see why the book is rated so poorly, and found that quite a few readers were disappointed at the time gap between the meeting of our two leads and at the lack of romance. Well, to quote a line from the book, “This isn't an ideal world and sometimes you have to take what you've been given.” That’s what Ted and Marianne did. I appreciated this decision of the author. Insta-love fiction is a dime a dozen nowadays. This is a more real depiction of human connections.
😌 As the story comes from the pov of both Ted and Marianne, many incidents are narrated from both their angles. This might generate a déjà vu sort of feeling, but I appreciated looking at the same event from both their eyes. But…. (see below)
Where the book didn’t work for me:
😔 (continued from above)… this also led to a repetition of feelings. Repetition of events was okay. But to have them both thinking of that night of December 1991 again and again felt like an overkill. Maybe a bit of editing in this particular aspect would have suited the book better. This would have also sorted out the length issue as it feels dragged at times.
In short, I loved this book. The book is clearly marked as “Women’s Fiction” on NetGalley. I would call it a “Contemporary Drama”. If you read it as a romance you'll be disappointed. Definitely not recommended for insta-love or steamy romance fans. But if you want to see a beautifully written story that takes its time in bringing the lead characters together, going through various ups and downs along the way, please do give this a try.
4.5 stars from me. (I was torn between 4.25 and 4.5, but the ending sealed the deal.) It feels so good to be an outlier on the positive side of the ratings.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “How to Save a Life”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
May 6, 2022
I liked the concept of the story, and the blurb and cover caught my attention. The story is about Ted who wants to end his life and Marianne who just caught her boyfriend cheating on her. While she's ready to go home, she finds Ted on the bridge about to follow through with his thought and convinces him not to jump. After that there were some time jumps where they coincidentally keep crossing paths but don't actually meet. Though twelve years later they finally manage to stay together. Their individual character growth was amazingly portrayed. But there were a lot of time jumps and through the span of all those years, sometimes I found it hard to keep up with what's going on. The ending felt lackluster but I would've liked it more if it had been a little longer. All the missed connections had me on the brink of frustration. Though the message that the book conveyed was trivial and real. Overall, it was a normal, drama free, lovely, refreshing read about how one little action can save someone's life. So, if you like the right person wrong time trope, you should definitely try this one.
Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood Books for this ARC
Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood Books for this ARC
November 10, 2022
4.5 Stars
You know that excitement you feel when you discover a new author? The one that makes you want to devour their entire backlist? Well, I’m feeling it 🎉
This is a deeply emotional, clever book that’s best to crack open fresh, no plot summaries needed. You’ll be glad you did.
(The audio, available free on Hoopla, is the way to go here!)
You know that excitement you feel when you discover a new author? The one that makes you want to devour their entire backlist? Well, I’m feeling it 🎉
This is a deeply emotional, clever book that’s best to crack open fresh, no plot summaries needed. You’ll be glad you did.
(The audio, available free on Hoopla, is the way to go here!)
June 6, 2022
This is the story of Ted, a war veteran struggling with nightmares and PTSD, and feels like the world would be better off without him in it. When he reaches the lowest of his low, he is saved by a mysterious “Fairy Girl” Although they don’t exchange names or info, that night has a dramatic effect on both of them over the course of their lives. They both move on with heir lives, but they both never let that fateful night be forgotten and search for each other in crowds and though several times they come shockingly close to meeting again, things never quite fit back into place until one fateful night 20 years later when they are finally reunited. It really makes you think how every action and decision both big or small affects the course of your life.
This was so well written, and the author handles the delicate subject of soldiers coping with life after war with such gentle hands but doesn’t sugarcoat it. I can totally see this as a Hallmark or Netflix movie!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
This was so well written, and the author handles the delicate subject of soldiers coping with life after war with such gentle hands but doesn’t sugarcoat it. I can totally see this as a Hallmark or Netflix movie!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
June 27, 2022
2.5/5
The description and the book blurb was really promising. I also liked the beginning of the book but was really disappointed with the timeline after that. 70% in and still the main characters haven’t reunited. I didn’t like that it took like 20 years for them to reconnect and the ending was weak. This book had a lot of potential in my opinion, if it didn’t dragged that long and had better ending. I think the characters deserved more.
The description and the book blurb was really promising. I also liked the beginning of the book but was really disappointed with the timeline after that. 70% in and still the main characters haven’t reunited. I didn’t like that it took like 20 years for them to reconnect and the ending was weak. This book had a lot of potential in my opinion, if it didn’t dragged that long and had better ending. I think the characters deserved more.
June 16, 2022
2.5⭐️
This is not what I thought it would be. I wanted romance. I wanted romance. And so I ask again, was this a romance? A love story?
I searched and searched and never found it. Lots of potential and it felt a little like Normal People that I watched (not read) on Hulu.
I didn’t hate it and it wasn’t the writing but something else. At 88% I knew it was over. This was really about a chance in counter and a chance encounter another million times. I just can’t suggest this as a romance.
Thanks Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
This is not what I thought it would be. I wanted romance. I wanted romance. And so I ask again, was this a romance? A love story?
I searched and searched and never found it. Lots of potential and it felt a little like Normal People that I watched (not read) on Hulu.
I didn’t hate it and it wasn’t the writing but something else. At 88% I knew it was over. This was really about a chance in counter and a chance encounter another million times. I just can’t suggest this as a romance.
Thanks Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
April 7, 2025
This is a tale of Ted and Marianne, whose paths cross one December night. Ted, feeling like he cannot go on any longer, has made his way to Waterloo Bridge, wanting to put an end to his suffering once and for all. However, Marianne happens to be coming across the bridge at just the same time and, not willing to pass on by, is able to talk Ted round and convince him back onto the pavement.
Even though the characters go their separate ways, this chance encounter has a profound impact on their lives. They don’t know each other’s names, have no contact details, but know that this moment will have significant consequences. Ted is keen to thank this stranger, even to the point of putting an advert in the newspaper, and Marianne can’t help but think she should have stayed longer – check Ted had somewhere to go and that he hadn’t felt like rock bottom was beckoning again.
I loved how the story develops as Ted and Marianne’s paths are so close to crossing over the years. Brief flashes of backs of heads to passing within minutes of one another, I was sometimes screaming at the book in despair, wanting to see Ted and Marianne come back together. Yet, fate has other ideas and the story sees the two characters take different paths in life, sometimes drawing them closer together (without them realising it).
Although they barely know each other, neither cannot stop thinking of the other. They idolise the other person in their heads and this has an impact on their romantic lives. The theme of loneliness appears throughout the book and it makes for quite poignant reading. Despite being surrounded by people, Ted and Marianne are often alone and craving that person who shared such a profound moment on Waterloo Bridge.
Spanning the years, I loved the cultural references that Swatman includes. Not only do we see the characters lives change through mobile phones and technology, but the music references made this even more of a fun read. I really enjoyed reminiscing on these songs, especially as some were ear worms, and I think this helped ground the plot in the year being described.
Alternating between Ted and Marianne, this was a lovely story that was well-deserving of five stars. It was a great read and I knew Swatman had me from the opening chapters. Throughout the book I was continuously hoping that Ted and Marianne would get together, especially as one had saved the other, but it seems like fate always had other ideas…
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the characters go their separate ways, this chance encounter has a profound impact on their lives. They don’t know each other’s names, have no contact details, but know that this moment will have significant consequences. Ted is keen to thank this stranger, even to the point of putting an advert in the newspaper, and Marianne can’t help but think she should have stayed longer – check Ted had somewhere to go and that he hadn’t felt like rock bottom was beckoning again.
I loved how the story develops as Ted and Marianne’s paths are so close to crossing over the years. Brief flashes of backs of heads to passing within minutes of one another, I was sometimes screaming at the book in despair, wanting to see Ted and Marianne come back together. Yet, fate has other ideas and the story sees the two characters take different paths in life, sometimes drawing them closer together (without them realising it).
Although they barely know each other, neither cannot stop thinking of the other. They idolise the other person in their heads and this has an impact on their romantic lives. The theme of loneliness appears throughout the book and it makes for quite poignant reading. Despite being surrounded by people, Ted and Marianne are often alone and craving that person who shared such a profound moment on Waterloo Bridge.
Spanning the years, I loved the cultural references that Swatman includes. Not only do we see the characters lives change through mobile phones and technology, but the music references made this even more of a fun read. I really enjoyed reminiscing on these songs, especially as some were ear worms, and I think this helped ground the plot in the year being described.
Alternating between Ted and Marianne, this was a lovely story that was well-deserving of five stars. It was a great read and I knew Swatman had me from the opening chapters. Throughout the book I was continuously hoping that Ted and Marianne would get together, especially as one had saved the other, but it seems like fate always had other ideas…
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2022
Well, I’m not sure where to start with my review of this one – but only because I absolutely loved every single moment, read it in a single sitting, laughed and cried, got totally caught up in the characters’ lives, and put it down at the end (with a bit of a wrench, returning to my own life again…) with the thought “that was just wonderful”.
Both Marianne and Ted had a place in my heart from the very start (isn’t it lovely when that happens?) – particularly Ted, plagued by nightmares only dulled by alcohol, badly damaged by his experience in the Gulf war, homeless and jobless, placing rocks in his rucksack and pockets before making his way to Waterloo Bridge to end it all. But he hadn’t reckoned on Marianne – on her way home from a disastrous party, wearing fairy wings, her face a mess of tears and glitter – who calmly stops him jumping, before getting into a cab and disappearing into the night. Ted tries to find her with an advert in the Evening Standard that she doesn’t see, moves on with his life with the support of a counsellor, gets a fresh sense of purpose by training to be a doctor – but never forgets the Fairy Girl who saved his life. And Marianne, while moving on with her own life too, can’t get her thoughts of Bridge Man out of her head.
The book follows their separate lives over the next twenty years – their careers, their relationships, their mistakes and successes, their moments of joy and despair – each of them hoping that their paths will cross again. Although the impact of that moment on the bridge is actually much more significant than that – it affects every decision they make, every aspect of their lives, although they can barely remember each other’s faces as the years pass and don’t even know each other’s names. Until… but no, this is a story I’ll let you discover for yourself, follow every twist and turn of their lives, and see if you find its ending as absolutely fitting and thoroughly perfect as I did.
It’s one of those books with a wonderful balance of light and dark – moments of sheer joy, plenty of laughter, counter-balanced by its sensitive handling of a number of fairly serious issues that arise in both their lives. I enjoyed its focus on families and all their complications – and on friendship, with Ted’s friend Danny one of the loveliest and most genuine of the many well-drawn supporting characters. The writing is just wonderful too – the story is told from both their perspectives, sometimes the same story when they have some of the near misses that inevitably happen over a lifetime, and that works ever so well. As the years pass, the cleverness of the story’s construction quite took my breath away – but the scaffolding never shows as the pages turn and you’re totally immersed in (and enthralled by) the developing story. At times the emotional content is difficult, and tears flow – but I always felt in a safe pair of hands as the author led me through.
This book is just wonderful – one you live and experience rather than read – and I now want to go back and enjoy everything Clare Swatman has ever written. Highly recommended and, without question, one of my books of the year.
Both Marianne and Ted had a place in my heart from the very start (isn’t it lovely when that happens?) – particularly Ted, plagued by nightmares only dulled by alcohol, badly damaged by his experience in the Gulf war, homeless and jobless, placing rocks in his rucksack and pockets before making his way to Waterloo Bridge to end it all. But he hadn’t reckoned on Marianne – on her way home from a disastrous party, wearing fairy wings, her face a mess of tears and glitter – who calmly stops him jumping, before getting into a cab and disappearing into the night. Ted tries to find her with an advert in the Evening Standard that she doesn’t see, moves on with his life with the support of a counsellor, gets a fresh sense of purpose by training to be a doctor – but never forgets the Fairy Girl who saved his life. And Marianne, while moving on with her own life too, can’t get her thoughts of Bridge Man out of her head.
The book follows their separate lives over the next twenty years – their careers, their relationships, their mistakes and successes, their moments of joy and despair – each of them hoping that their paths will cross again. Although the impact of that moment on the bridge is actually much more significant than that – it affects every decision they make, every aspect of their lives, although they can barely remember each other’s faces as the years pass and don’t even know each other’s names. Until… but no, this is a story I’ll let you discover for yourself, follow every twist and turn of their lives, and see if you find its ending as absolutely fitting and thoroughly perfect as I did.
It’s one of those books with a wonderful balance of light and dark – moments of sheer joy, plenty of laughter, counter-balanced by its sensitive handling of a number of fairly serious issues that arise in both their lives. I enjoyed its focus on families and all their complications – and on friendship, with Ted’s friend Danny one of the loveliest and most genuine of the many well-drawn supporting characters. The writing is just wonderful too – the story is told from both their perspectives, sometimes the same story when they have some of the near misses that inevitably happen over a lifetime, and that works ever so well. As the years pass, the cleverness of the story’s construction quite took my breath away – but the scaffolding never shows as the pages turn and you’re totally immersed in (and enthralled by) the developing story. At times the emotional content is difficult, and tears flow – but I always felt in a safe pair of hands as the author led me through.
This book is just wonderful – one you live and experience rather than read – and I now want to go back and enjoy everything Clare Swatman has ever written. Highly recommended and, without question, one of my books of the year.
May 9, 2022
2.5 Stars
I feel like the blurb doesn’t do a great job describing what this story is, and I think a large part of that is it fails to mention the time jumps.
Ted is about to end his life, when a random girl dressed in a fairy costume convinces him not to jump. The girl, Marianne, quickly leaves after saving Ted. The two of them never exchanged names or numbers, but they both become obsessed with finding the other again after that night.
This story spans 20+ years. Each chapter switches POV between Ted and Marianne and also states the month and the year the chapter takes place in. I found the dual POV to be ineffective in this book. Ted’s chapters would go first, and then we would read the exact same thing from Marianne’s perspective next. Sometimes they would be doing different things, but most of the time it was basically a repeat of the previous chapter.
This is because Ted and Marianne end up being in the same place and just passing one another by very often without realizing it. I understand the point is to show how their fates are entwined and how close they come to meeting so many times, but it started feeling gimmicky. Especially when they both happened to travel to Spain at the same time and stayed at the same resort but still did not bump into each other… It was just so random and unnecessary.
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the giant time gaps. It took me out of the story and made me not connect with the characters as well. Ted would meet a girl in one chapter, and the next time we get his POV it’s been a couple years and now they’re engaged. I just missed this entire relationship!
Despite all the flaws this story had, I still cared about the characters. I found Ted’s perspective more interesting than Marianne’s, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading what these characters were up to and how their lives progressed. The repetition and time jumps did annoy me and ruin my reading experience, but at the same time I’m not mad I read this book. I loved Clare Swatman’s novel Before We Grow Old and I want to continue reading her other work. This one just wasn’t a favorite of mine, but she’s still a great writer.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
I feel like the blurb doesn’t do a great job describing what this story is, and I think a large part of that is it fails to mention the time jumps.
Ted is about to end his life, when a random girl dressed in a fairy costume convinces him not to jump. The girl, Marianne, quickly leaves after saving Ted. The two of them never exchanged names or numbers, but they both become obsessed with finding the other again after that night.
This story spans 20+ years. Each chapter switches POV between Ted and Marianne and also states the month and the year the chapter takes place in. I found the dual POV to be ineffective in this book. Ted’s chapters would go first, and then we would read the exact same thing from Marianne’s perspective next. Sometimes they would be doing different things, but most of the time it was basically a repeat of the previous chapter.
This is because Ted and Marianne end up being in the same place and just passing one another by very often without realizing it. I understand the point is to show how their fates are entwined and how close they come to meeting so many times, but it started feeling gimmicky. Especially when they both happened to travel to Spain at the same time and stayed at the same resort but still did not bump into each other… It was just so random and unnecessary.
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the giant time gaps. It took me out of the story and made me not connect with the characters as well. Ted would meet a girl in one chapter, and the next time we get his POV it’s been a couple years and now they’re engaged. I just missed this entire relationship!
Despite all the flaws this story had, I still cared about the characters. I found Ted’s perspective more interesting than Marianne’s, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading what these characters were up to and how their lives progressed. The repetition and time jumps did annoy me and ruin my reading experience, but at the same time I’m not mad I read this book. I loved Clare Swatman’s novel Before We Grow Old and I want to continue reading her other work. This one just wasn’t a favorite of mine, but she’s still a great writer.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 8, 2022
In How To Save a Life, the author brings the same warmth, mix of light and dark moments, and gentle exploration of human flaws as she did to her previous book, Before We Grow Old, which I read in January 2022.
The book is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Marianne and Ted. Sometimes the reader gets to see the same event from their respective point of view, meaning some repetition is inevitable. It also means, at times, the reader can see an event coming.
Of the two characters, it was Ted who I thought had the most depth and whose story I became most invested in. His traumatic experiences whilst on active service in Kuwait have left psychological wounds, a profound sense of guilt and a feeling that his life lacks any structure or direction. This has manifested itself in a dependence on alcohol. And, as much as Marianne’s actions on Waterloo Bridge on that fateful night saved his life, I thought the steadfastness and loyalty of his friend, Danny, did too.
Although Marianne and Ted’s initial meeting is fleeting, the significance of its circumstances provoke a change of life direction for them both: Marianne pursues a career as a counsellor and Ted studies to become a doctor. It’s significant that both roles entail helping others. Marianne and Ted both find themselves thinking about the other over the course of the years and during that time there are a number of ‘near misses’ in which their paths almost cross. Thinking of the film Casablanca, it’s not so much a case of ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’ as ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine… but I happen to have left five minutes ago’.
Despite the passing years, Ted and Marianne have become lodged so deep in each other’s mind that it becomes difficult for any other partner to displace them. I have to say I couldn’t blame those who try for eventually acting they way they do. After all, how can you compete with a fantasy? And I found it quite difficult to forgive some of Marianne’s and Ted’s actions.
Whether you consider the way the book ends the stuff of Hollywood movies, it demonstrates saving a life can occur in many ways and sometimes we don’t just get second chances but perhaps third, even fourth opportunities to get it right.
The book is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Marianne and Ted. Sometimes the reader gets to see the same event from their respective point of view, meaning some repetition is inevitable. It also means, at times, the reader can see an event coming.
Of the two characters, it was Ted who I thought had the most depth and whose story I became most invested in. His traumatic experiences whilst on active service in Kuwait have left psychological wounds, a profound sense of guilt and a feeling that his life lacks any structure or direction. This has manifested itself in a dependence on alcohol. And, as much as Marianne’s actions on Waterloo Bridge on that fateful night saved his life, I thought the steadfastness and loyalty of his friend, Danny, did too.
Although Marianne and Ted’s initial meeting is fleeting, the significance of its circumstances provoke a change of life direction for them both: Marianne pursues a career as a counsellor and Ted studies to become a doctor. It’s significant that both roles entail helping others. Marianne and Ted both find themselves thinking about the other over the course of the years and during that time there are a number of ‘near misses’ in which their paths almost cross. Thinking of the film Casablanca, it’s not so much a case of ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’ as ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine… but I happen to have left five minutes ago’.
Despite the passing years, Ted and Marianne have become lodged so deep in each other’s mind that it becomes difficult for any other partner to displace them. I have to say I couldn’t blame those who try for eventually acting they way they do. After all, how can you compete with a fantasy? And I found it quite difficult to forgive some of Marianne’s and Ted’s actions.
Whether you consider the way the book ends the stuff of Hollywood movies, it demonstrates saving a life can occur in many ways and sometimes we don’t just get second chances but perhaps third, even fourth opportunities to get it right.
June 14, 2022
Round up to 3.5 stars⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t sing How to safe a life from the Fray a dozen times while reading this.
Marienne and Ted are not having a great day as we speak. Marienne just found out her boyfriend is cheating on her, and well Ted is a war veteran struggling with extreme nightmares and PTSD, that has led him to a bridge, where he is quite sure the world won’t miss him. Marienne sees Ted at the bridge, and this lovely and mysterious ‘Fairy Girl’ swoops in and talks Ted out of his lowest of low points. They don’t exchange names or anything, but this night is embedded into both of their minds vividly. As they both move on with their lives, we can see these two fated characters searching for each other in crowds, always so close but never close enough. That is until one fateful night 20 years later they are reunited.
I really enjoyed the timeline jumps, as you sit and experience how Ted and Marienne develop but still hold onto that night that brought them together. The angst of seeing them go through all of life’s ups and downs, joys and heartbreaks alone made me yearn even more for them to find each other, and quick. But in a sense this is why this book is so good, because life doesn’t always work out that easily. Reuniting only 20 years later made it all the more realistic for me, and how the author addresses the subject of war veterans was accurate, without sugarcoating it, and respectively written.
I loved the concept that one interaction with a stranger can so deeply touch you and build roots in your heart that it changes your life. I legit wanted to take them both by the hand and drag them to each other at multiple points in the book, you will finds yourself wishing gravity could pull two people towards each other.
I did except however to cry or be more moved when they finally got together, it just fell a bit flat for me. But I would still say that it is beautifully written, and if you like any of the following this is the book for you:
💌 Missed opportunity
💌 Lost Love Trope
💌 PTSD awareness
💌 Happy Endings
💌 90’s era love story
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t sing How to safe a life from the Fray a dozen times while reading this.
Marienne and Ted are not having a great day as we speak. Marienne just found out her boyfriend is cheating on her, and well Ted is a war veteran struggling with extreme nightmares and PTSD, that has led him to a bridge, where he is quite sure the world won’t miss him. Marienne sees Ted at the bridge, and this lovely and mysterious ‘Fairy Girl’ swoops in and talks Ted out of his lowest of low points. They don’t exchange names or anything, but this night is embedded into both of their minds vividly. As they both move on with their lives, we can see these two fated characters searching for each other in crowds, always so close but never close enough. That is until one fateful night 20 years later they are reunited.
I really enjoyed the timeline jumps, as you sit and experience how Ted and Marienne develop but still hold onto that night that brought them together. The angst of seeing them go through all of life’s ups and downs, joys and heartbreaks alone made me yearn even more for them to find each other, and quick. But in a sense this is why this book is so good, because life doesn’t always work out that easily. Reuniting only 20 years later made it all the more realistic for me, and how the author addresses the subject of war veterans was accurate, without sugarcoating it, and respectively written.
I loved the concept that one interaction with a stranger can so deeply touch you and build roots in your heart that it changes your life. I legit wanted to take them both by the hand and drag them to each other at multiple points in the book, you will finds yourself wishing gravity could pull two people towards each other.
I did except however to cry or be more moved when they finally got together, it just fell a bit flat for me. But I would still say that it is beautifully written, and if you like any of the following this is the book for you:
💌 Missed opportunity
💌 Lost Love Trope
💌 PTSD awareness
💌 Happy Endings
💌 90’s era love story
October 13, 2022
Having read and loved another of this author’s books, I knew I had to read more of her novels and I’m so glad I did as it didn’t disappoint.
This is a story that had me on tenterhooks through out. This isn’t your straight forward love story. A chance meeting leaves a lasting impression on both Ted and Marianne but things are very far from straight forward when it comes to these two coming together.
The story takes us through twenty years of these two characters lives from their first meeting. From that first encounter, both their lives take a different direction. Whilst these two characters paths in life seem to be going away from each other, they actually weave in and out and you are left wondering if fate will ever give them a helping hand.
I thought the storyline to do with Ted’s mental health was important more so with how his friend Dan deals with it. It is so important to get people talking, more so men as some think it is weak to admit to suffering with depression. The author handles this topic sensitively and I personally thought she did a great job. I found the parts with Ted and Dan to be endearing as well as tugging on my emotions.
How To Save A Life sucks you in and I didn’t want to be released from it. I went through so many emotions with the characters and I think I wanted them to come together more than they did! I was on the edge of my seat as I couldn’t relax as I was desperate to know whether Ted and Marianne get their happy ever after and was constantly routing for them throughout. Of course you will need to read it for yourself to see if they do or don’t! A captivating story that readers won’t want to put down!
This is a story that had me on tenterhooks through out. This isn’t your straight forward love story. A chance meeting leaves a lasting impression on both Ted and Marianne but things are very far from straight forward when it comes to these two coming together.
The story takes us through twenty years of these two characters lives from their first meeting. From that first encounter, both their lives take a different direction. Whilst these two characters paths in life seem to be going away from each other, they actually weave in and out and you are left wondering if fate will ever give them a helping hand.
I thought the storyline to do with Ted’s mental health was important more so with how his friend Dan deals with it. It is so important to get people talking, more so men as some think it is weak to admit to suffering with depression. The author handles this topic sensitively and I personally thought she did a great job. I found the parts with Ted and Dan to be endearing as well as tugging on my emotions.
How To Save A Life sucks you in and I didn’t want to be released from it. I went through so many emotions with the characters and I think I wanted them to come together more than they did! I was on the edge of my seat as I couldn’t relax as I was desperate to know whether Ted and Marianne get their happy ever after and was constantly routing for them throughout. Of course you will need to read it for yourself to see if they do or don’t! A captivating story that readers won’t want to put down!
April 23, 2022
I liked the concept of a love story stretching over the course of 20 years but the execution of this one fell short for me. Not at all what I expected. It felt overly repetitive, the time jumps were tough to follow, and the serendipitous way the MCs would always almost see each other felt a tad ridiculous after awhile. It was like missed connections on steroids.
Good things that came from reading this? I remembered that the song How to Save a Life by The Fray exists.
Good things that came from reading this? I remembered that the song How to Save a Life by The Fray exists.
June 24, 2022
Marianne Cooper was running away from her office party to avoid the embarrassment of finding her boyfriend with another girl. Little did she realize that as she made her way that December night, along London’s South Bank, she would end up saving a life! But when she spoke to the man trying to jump off the Waterloo Bridge, she stopped Ted Green from certain death. Although they didn’t exchange names, both Marianne and Ted never could quite forget that night or each other.
After getting saved, Ted began to make something of his life – getting therapy and eventually becoming a doctor.
Marianne too gave up her job and with her experience of being able to talk Ted off the bridge, realized that she was cut out to be a therapist.
The author takes us on a journey through the lives of Ted and Marianne. Both their lives were definitely not easy, but that night set them on a new course, that made them both hopeful and strong. Their struggles made them very credible characters.
I love how the book took us through their lives, allowing them to get glimpses of each other but never quite being certain if it was indeed the other. This kept up the element of surprise and kept me absorbed throughout.
The idea that an act of kindness can bring change not only to the beneficiary, but also make a huge difference to the life of the benefactor, is a theme that came through to me in this story.
I loved the premise of this story, all the characters and the author’s writing style.
After getting saved, Ted began to make something of his life – getting therapy and eventually becoming a doctor.
Marianne too gave up her job and with her experience of being able to talk Ted off the bridge, realized that she was cut out to be a therapist.
The author takes us on a journey through the lives of Ted and Marianne. Both their lives were definitely not easy, but that night set them on a new course, that made them both hopeful and strong. Their struggles made them very credible characters.
I love how the book took us through their lives, allowing them to get glimpses of each other but never quite being certain if it was indeed the other. This kept up the element of surprise and kept me absorbed throughout.
The idea that an act of kindness can bring change not only to the beneficiary, but also make a huge difference to the life of the benefactor, is a theme that came through to me in this story.
I loved the premise of this story, all the characters and the author’s writing style.
June 6, 2022
thank you to boldwood books and netgalley for the e-arc!
okay so this book follows two people who meet on a very depression-filled night on a bridge, and then over the next 20-ish years, flit in and out of each other’s lives.
the premise was incredibly up my alley, but a few little things here and there throughout the book ultimately led to me not enjoying this as much as i could have. firstly, the time jumps were used strangely? i think they were too big and were used too often—they felt more like an excuse for the author to not have to write any actual development, and so she could just sum up what had happened. secondly, the dual pov did not work! it definitely could have if it were done right, but instead, a lot of marianne’s chapters were just repeating what we had just read in ted’s pov?
next, and this was probably the worst offender, i just didn’t care for the characters or their romance very much… if they had interacted more throughout the narrative, it would have been more compelling, but by the time you get halfway through you’re kinda just waiting for it to get to the inevitable end.
lastly, and this is probably just me reading way too much into it, but i think motherhood/pregnancy were dealt with very strangely? like… why was abortion (or even adoption!) not brought up as an option even once? it kind of was… but only as this taboo sort of nefarious option, and instead the women in this book just kept having children in attempts to save their marriages with men they didn’t even care about? weird behaviour idk, don’t inflict that on another human being
overall i think how to save a life was kinda underwhelming, and serendipity (2001) did it better
okay so this book follows two people who meet on a very depression-filled night on a bridge, and then over the next 20-ish years, flit in and out of each other’s lives.
the premise was incredibly up my alley, but a few little things here and there throughout the book ultimately led to me not enjoying this as much as i could have. firstly, the time jumps were used strangely? i think they were too big and were used too often—they felt more like an excuse for the author to not have to write any actual development, and so she could just sum up what had happened. secondly, the dual pov did not work! it definitely could have if it were done right, but instead, a lot of marianne’s chapters were just repeating what we had just read in ted’s pov?
next, and this was probably the worst offender, i just didn’t care for the characters or their romance very much… if they had interacted more throughout the narrative, it would have been more compelling, but by the time you get halfway through you’re kinda just waiting for it to get to the inevitable end.
lastly, and this is probably just me reading way too much into it, but i think motherhood/pregnancy were dealt with very strangely? like… why was abortion (or even adoption!) not brought up as an option even once? it kind of was… but only as this taboo sort of nefarious option, and instead the women in this book just kept having children in attempts to save their marriages with men they didn’t even care about? weird behaviour idk, don’t inflict that on another human being
overall i think how to save a life was kinda underwhelming, and serendipity (2001) did it better
June 22, 2023
God that was annoying, maybe a 2.5
May 18, 2022
He was on the edge and ready to leave the life he had. She'd had the rug pulled out from her and was leaving her relationship behind when a chance meeting meant he was still alive and she was ready for a new life. For years and years they constantly thought about each other, each never far from the others thoughts. Such a wonderful book that also deals with depression in a very sympathetic way. The 2 stories entwined effortlessly and created one beautiful story.
June 12, 2022
How to Save a Life starts in December 1991, with our two main characters each having their respective 'worst day'. 20yr old Marianne walked in on her boyfried-slash-boss cheating on her at a work party, leaving her single and looking for work. 22yr old Ted has been struggling with PTSD and Depression for months after returning from fighting in the Gulf war. The two meet on the wrong side of the railings at the top of the Waterloo bridge - Ted preparing to jump, and a slightly drunk Marianne trying to stop him. This two-minute meeting has such an impact on each of them, shifting their lives onto a better course, despite neither even knowing the others name.
I expected this to be a heart-warming, long-term love story (think One Day, Normal People) and I think maybe that's what the author was aiming for? It didn't quite get there though - 30% through it was starting to feel repetitive; every other train of thought for one of the MCs is about the other and the night they met (however life-changing), and this goes on for over 20 years. I feel this could have been fleshed out more with some scenes that weren't constantly mirroring each ither, and would have found it satisfying to end with Marianne and Ted having saved each other, expressing gratitude for the lives they've gifted the other, but not actually ending up together? Overall this ended in a 2.5/5 for me personally, though I can see it being enjoyed by others.
I expected this to be a heart-warming, long-term love story (think One Day, Normal People) and I think maybe that's what the author was aiming for? It didn't quite get there though - 30% through it was starting to feel repetitive; every other train of thought for one of the MCs is about the other and the night they met (however life-changing), and this goes on for over 20 years. I feel this could have been fleshed out more with some scenes that weren't constantly mirroring each ither, and would have found it satisfying to end with Marianne and Ted having saved each other, expressing gratitude for the lives they've gifted the other, but not actually ending up together? Overall this ended in a 2.5/5 for me personally, though I can see it being enjoyed by others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
This was very slow but the end was not as satisfying as it should’ve been. You know how you’re supposed to root for the main couple throughout the entire book and then when they finally get together you feel excited about it? Well, yeah, that didn’t happen.
Even though the night that they first met was very monumental to Ted and Marianne’s story, I just didn’t feel their chemistry. For two people who are obsessed with each other, their chemistry felt lacking. They’re both okay as separate characters, Ted especially. I liked how Ted’s character was developed.
But it’s really hard to root for them when you make the side characters have no flaws at all and then seeing how Ted and Marianne’s infatuation with each other affect their life and relationships… well…
2.75 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the night that they first met was very monumental to Ted and Marianne’s story, I just didn’t feel their chemistry. For two people who are obsessed with each other, their chemistry felt lacking. They’re both okay as separate characters, Ted especially. I liked how Ted’s character was developed.
But it’s really hard to root for them when you make the side characters have no flaws at all and then seeing how Ted and Marianne’s infatuation with each other affect their life and relationships… well…
2.75 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2022
Top favorite read of 2022!
Grab the tissues this story had me in my feels. I knew immediately that this would be an unforgettable story. We are starting in what feels like the end but in reality, it is a new beginning.
Ted feels like his life has not meaning and he no long can see his place in the world. He makes the untimely decision to bring his existence to an end. As luck would have fate had other plans for him when he realizes he is not along. When Marianne arrives, he knows he cannot take his life with someone watching. This is exactly what he needed to start his life over with a new beginning.
Marianne a woman who has had an unfulfilling life, stumbles upon Ted and although she has had a few to many at a party she knows she cannot let him commit the awful act. Having accomplished this not so easy feat, Marianne leaves as fast as she arrives.
At this point you realize this isn't going to be your typical love story. This novel is exactly what your heart needs because as we all know life isn't easy. Sometimes you have to take the hard road before you get to the good stuff.
Fate will always step in at the right time and you won't be able to fight it. This story of enduring love is simply amazing.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Grab the tissues this story had me in my feels. I knew immediately that this would be an unforgettable story. We are starting in what feels like the end but in reality, it is a new beginning.
Ted feels like his life has not meaning and he no long can see his place in the world. He makes the untimely decision to bring his existence to an end. As luck would have fate had other plans for him when he realizes he is not along. When Marianne arrives, he knows he cannot take his life with someone watching. This is exactly what he needed to start his life over with a new beginning.
Marianne a woman who has had an unfulfilling life, stumbles upon Ted and although she has had a few to many at a party she knows she cannot let him commit the awful act. Having accomplished this not so easy feat, Marianne leaves as fast as she arrives.
At this point you realize this isn't going to be your typical love story. This novel is exactly what your heart needs because as we all know life isn't easy. Sometimes you have to take the hard road before you get to the good stuff.
Fate will always step in at the right time and you won't be able to fight it. This story of enduring love is simply amazing.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2022
How To Save A Life by Clare Swatman
The book begins on 13th December 1991 in London, where we see the same scene from the viewpoints of the two main characters Ted and Marianne. Ted has had enough of life and is planning to commit suicide by jumping off Waterloo Bridge. Marianne has just had the evening from hell and – still dressed in her fairy costume from the party – comes across Ted and persuades him not to kill himself.
Ted is twenty-two and kips on his friend Danny’s sofa. Marianne is twenty and still lives with her parents. They both have difficulties to deal with, they are both hurt, damaged from previous events in their lives. You immediately feel sorry for them and see they are good people at heart, so you root for them to end up with a happy ever after.
The book is written from Ted and Marianne’s viewpoints and covers a period of twenty years. It isn’t a predictable romance story, it’s more about following these two people who have had an impact on each other from their dramatic first meeting and seeing how things change for them during these years. Neither of them forget Bridge Man and Fairy Girl as the years go by.
It’s a bit Sliding Doors in places – missed opportunities and what if they had done that or said this instead of what actually happens. This begins right at the start when Marianne gets a taxi away from the bridge Ted was planning to jump off. The next day, they both regret not finding out each other’s names or contact details. There were many times when I was shouting at the book, because it’s so frustrating when they just miss each other!
There is a theme of relationships here – with friends and with parents. Ted has a great relationship with his best mate Danny while Marianne has her lovely friend Lance (a girl called Alison - Lance is a nickname). While Ted’s parents are largely absent from his life, Marianne’s are constantly present, as she lives with them.
I loved the characters straight away as they do feel real, they aren’t the kind of characters you find in some books who already have it all, they are struggling. I also enjoyed the way we were invested in both stories and it didn’t follow any of the predictable paths some novels go down. It never felt inevitable that Ted and Marianne would end up together (and I’m not telling you either!), so it was a surprise throughout which keeps the reader interested to see what their fates are.
My only small criticism is that with seeing both viewpoints, some of the scenes are recounted twice, which becomes a bit repetitive.
But overall, it’s a lovely book with amazing characters and I would definitely read more of Clare’s work.
8.5 out of 10
The book begins on 13th December 1991 in London, where we see the same scene from the viewpoints of the two main characters Ted and Marianne. Ted has had enough of life and is planning to commit suicide by jumping off Waterloo Bridge. Marianne has just had the evening from hell and – still dressed in her fairy costume from the party – comes across Ted and persuades him not to kill himself.
Ted is twenty-two and kips on his friend Danny’s sofa. Marianne is twenty and still lives with her parents. They both have difficulties to deal with, they are both hurt, damaged from previous events in their lives. You immediately feel sorry for them and see they are good people at heart, so you root for them to end up with a happy ever after.
The book is written from Ted and Marianne’s viewpoints and covers a period of twenty years. It isn’t a predictable romance story, it’s more about following these two people who have had an impact on each other from their dramatic first meeting and seeing how things change for them during these years. Neither of them forget Bridge Man and Fairy Girl as the years go by.
It’s a bit Sliding Doors in places – missed opportunities and what if they had done that or said this instead of what actually happens. This begins right at the start when Marianne gets a taxi away from the bridge Ted was planning to jump off. The next day, they both regret not finding out each other’s names or contact details. There were many times when I was shouting at the book, because it’s so frustrating when they just miss each other!
There is a theme of relationships here – with friends and with parents. Ted has a great relationship with his best mate Danny while Marianne has her lovely friend Lance (a girl called Alison - Lance is a nickname). While Ted’s parents are largely absent from his life, Marianne’s are constantly present, as she lives with them.
I loved the characters straight away as they do feel real, they aren’t the kind of characters you find in some books who already have it all, they are struggling. I also enjoyed the way we were invested in both stories and it didn’t follow any of the predictable paths some novels go down. It never felt inevitable that Ted and Marianne would end up together (and I’m not telling you either!), so it was a surprise throughout which keeps the reader interested to see what their fates are.
My only small criticism is that with seeing both viewpoints, some of the scenes are recounted twice, which becomes a bit repetitive.
But overall, it’s a lovely book with amazing characters and I would definitely read more of Clare’s work.
8.5 out of 10
February 19, 2023
A sweet and heartfelt story of fate and true love. I really enjoyed Ted and Marianne’s journey…an emotional first meeting leads to so many missed connections over two decades. Amazing how lives can be linked after one short encounter. Their storyline was so full of growth as both Marianne and Ted try to figure out life and love.
January 24, 2023
Honestly, the story had a lot of potential but sadly, it didn't/couldn't deliver.
I love me some angst and this story had a drawer full of it but the execution lacked. As a subplot, the MMC has mental health issues and I feel they were dealt with very indelicately. FMC says things like 'selfish fuckers' and 'you're not the only one with problems' to the MMC (who is also suicidal) when she herself has been crying about the unfairness of life because she got cheated on. The MMC has PTSD from war. This to me was very triggering and offensive. This also ticked me off the book in the beginning, but I can't DNF a book to save my life, so here we are.
Now, in the story. the FMC & MMC meet, part ways and through the years they live their separate lives while also barely missing each other for the sake of angst. The story covers personal events for both characters for over twenty years when they finally meet again and continue life together. Now, like I said before. The plot was so strong, it would have carried the book to Everest but I was absolutely bored with the narration and repeating POV. Both MMC & FMC get into other relationships and while with MMC it seemed flowy enough, FMC's life seemed forced and only revolved around the MMC's thoughts.
The writing is not lucid enough to keep me entertained and while it was all bittersweet, I must admit that I skimmed through most of the book reading only dialogues because it became too repetitive and boring.
I love me some angst and this story had a drawer full of it but the execution lacked. As a subplot, the MMC has mental health issues and I feel they were dealt with very indelicately. FMC says things like 'selfish fuckers' and 'you're not the only one with problems' to the MMC (who is also suicidal) when she herself has been crying about the unfairness of life because she got cheated on. The MMC has PTSD from war. This to me was very triggering and offensive. This also ticked me off the book in the beginning, but I can't DNF a book to save my life, so here we are.
Now, in the story. the FMC & MMC meet, part ways and through the years they live their separate lives while also barely missing each other for the sake of angst. The story covers personal events for both characters for over twenty years when they finally meet again and continue life together. Now, like I said before. The plot was so strong, it would have carried the book to Everest but I was absolutely bored with the narration and repeating POV. Both MMC & FMC get into other relationships and while with MMC it seemed flowy enough, FMC's life seemed forced and only revolved around the MMC's thoughts.
The writing is not lucid enough to keep me entertained and while it was all bittersweet, I must admit that I skimmed through most of the book reading only dialogues because it became too repetitive and boring.
May 28, 2022
This was just ok. It was a lot of buildup for repeated let down scenarios and then I found the ending very unsatisfying. The story takes place from 1991 on until close to present day. Lots of time to cover over two perspectives. The choices the characters made were beyond frustrating.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review
April 18, 2022
I love this authors books so couldn’t wait to get into this one. It was as always a brilliant read so so much more than just a romantic read as it also highlighted a lot of sensitive and important topics along the way and brought them out into the open.
The two main characters Marianne and ted have a chance meeting on the bridge one dark winters evening when they are both at a crossroads in their lives and things have got too much for Ted after his return from the gulf war and is struggling with the haunting memories from
It and feels that his life isn’t worth living as he is currently sofa surfing at a friends and can’t see a future. Marianne is on her way home from a party where she found her boyfriend with someone else.
After the events on the bridge that night neither ted or Marianne see each other again although they do
But neither of them realise just how close they come to their paths crossing again as they go about their daily lives and how they are so close to one another yet so far away.
I loved the timeline of
The book as it started with the early 90’s and whilst reading also gave me a trip down my own memory Lane as for what I was doing during those times as it followed how Marianne and Teds life was panning out since their first meeting and how they were both being tormented with their feelings and love for each other yet neither of them knew this about the other.
The burning question is so they actually get together in the end and be in the right place at the right time for
Their paths to finally cross. To get the answer to that then I highly recommend you read this beautiful poignant book that is heartwarming and heart wrenching in equal measure.
I am already excited for this authors next book. This is one of my best reads so far of 2022 and one that will stay with me for a long time.
The two main characters Marianne and ted have a chance meeting on the bridge one dark winters evening when they are both at a crossroads in their lives and things have got too much for Ted after his return from the gulf war and is struggling with the haunting memories from
It and feels that his life isn’t worth living as he is currently sofa surfing at a friends and can’t see a future. Marianne is on her way home from a party where she found her boyfriend with someone else.
After the events on the bridge that night neither ted or Marianne see each other again although they do
But neither of them realise just how close they come to their paths crossing again as they go about their daily lives and how they are so close to one another yet so far away.
I loved the timeline of
The book as it started with the early 90’s and whilst reading also gave me a trip down my own memory Lane as for what I was doing during those times as it followed how Marianne and Teds life was panning out since their first meeting and how they were both being tormented with their feelings and love for each other yet neither of them knew this about the other.
The burning question is so they actually get together in the end and be in the right place at the right time for
Their paths to finally cross. To get the answer to that then I highly recommend you read this beautiful poignant book that is heartwarming and heart wrenching in equal measure.
I am already excited for this authors next book. This is one of my best reads so far of 2022 and one that will stay with me for a long time.
May 5, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
How to Save a Life is definitely one of the most unique books I have read this year, both in writing style and in plot. The story follows two characters, Marianne and Ted, after a night where the former stops the latter from jumping off a bridge. Although it's yet to be published, it takes place in 1991 and spans 20 years, alternating between POVs of the two characters. This book deals with heavy topics like depression and anxiety, shows healthy and toxic familial relationships, and shows quite literally what I would think a "normal" day would look like for these characters in that time period. The reader feels that sense of normalcy, which allows for a complete immersion into the lives of Ted and Marianne. I was completely invested in their story, waiting to see how it would turn out.
Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters and their decisions, I know that it was all to build up to a certain moment. . I love how the author played with the idea of near-chance encounters, showing how one second can be all that it takes to miss a moment. She also highlighted the importance that one action or word can have in the life of a complete stranger. Everything that we do matters, even if it seems trivial for us.
I found the ending to be a little disappointing and anti-climactic, but perhaps that was the point: we were to experience Marianne and Ted's journeys, not necessarily the outcome. Overall, this is an enjoyable read that is refreshing from the drama and craziness in most modern contemporaries!
How to Save a Life is definitely one of the most unique books I have read this year, both in writing style and in plot. The story follows two characters, Marianne and Ted, after a night where the former stops the latter from jumping off a bridge. Although it's yet to be published, it takes place in 1991 and spans 20 years, alternating between POVs of the two characters. This book deals with heavy topics like depression and anxiety, shows healthy and toxic familial relationships, and shows quite literally what I would think a "normal" day would look like for these characters in that time period. The reader feels that sense of normalcy, which allows for a complete immersion into the lives of Ted and Marianne. I was completely invested in their story, waiting to see how it would turn out.
Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters and their decisions, I know that it was all to build up to a certain moment. . I love how the author played with the idea of near-chance encounters, showing how one second can be all that it takes to miss a moment. She also highlighted the importance that one action or word can have in the life of a complete stranger. Everything that we do matters, even if it seems trivial for us.
I found the ending to be a little disappointing and anti-climactic, but perhaps that was the point: we were to experience Marianne and Ted's journeys, not necessarily the outcome. Overall, this is an enjoyable read that is refreshing from the drama and craziness in most modern contemporaries!
May 15, 2022
How To Save A Life follows Ted and Marianne after a fateful night where Marianne stops Ted from jumping off a bridge. The story spans over the next 20 years, alternating between each characters POV on the same days and their just-missed encounters.
Although I loved the idea of this book, the execution fell a little flat. It was a quick, easy read with short chapters which I enjoyed. I loved that the story highlighted the impact that one moment can have on a person and their trajectory. That fateful night led to important paths in both Ted and Marianne’s lives, including their careers.
There were many moments in the book where they cross paths, but don’t actually meet. Instead of this building excitement and anticipation for me, I was left wanting more. Although I liked getting dual POV, there were times where it felt very repetitive. The time jumps were sometimes hard to follow and I didn’t love the huge time gaps between chapters.
The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I would have liked to see it played out more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Although I loved the idea of this book, the execution fell a little flat. It was a quick, easy read with short chapters which I enjoyed. I loved that the story highlighted the impact that one moment can have on a person and their trajectory. That fateful night led to important paths in both Ted and Marianne’s lives, including their careers.
There were many moments in the book where they cross paths, but don’t actually meet. Instead of this building excitement and anticipation for me, I was left wanting more. Although I liked getting dual POV, there were times where it felt very repetitive. The time jumps were sometimes hard to follow and I didn’t love the huge time gaps between chapters.
The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I would have liked to see it played out more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
June 10, 2022
How to Save a Life is reminiscent of a real-life account I saw on Twitter recently where someone opened up about being suicidal a few years ago and being saved by a stranger on the London Underground. This individual randomly bumped into their saviour later and simply hugged them and hasn’t exchanged details or spoken since. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking story that gives you hope and makes you think about how your smile or simply kindness one day could be the difference between someone staying or leaving.
This story starts bluntly with Ted heading to Waterloo bridge, rocks in his pockets, ready to end it all. But he’s interrupted by Marianne, drunk, heartbroken, freezing but hopeful. Marianne’s quick run of the mill conversation with Ted is enough to halt him and keep him going.
We then follow Ted and Marianne through their lives over the next 20 years as they find love, fall out of love, change careers, go to parties, and narrowly miss each other time and again.
Both Ted and Marianne are highly relatable characters in vastly different ways, and we can see how both of their life trajectories are altered based on their chance meeting on the bridge. However, I found the repeated near-miss meetings quite frustrating as a reader and the whole ‘will they won’t they’ nature to their relationship. For me, I don’t think a romance aspect to their relationship was needed at all, and it could simply have been a study of how one-off chance encounters can impact you indefinitely.
That being said it’s a beautifully written story, with in-depth and captivating characters who you are constantly cheering on or being exasperated with as their futures unfold.
Verdict: A lovely story, with great characters, it could have been slightly shorter and without the romance aspect.
This story starts bluntly with Ted heading to Waterloo bridge, rocks in his pockets, ready to end it all. But he’s interrupted by Marianne, drunk, heartbroken, freezing but hopeful. Marianne’s quick run of the mill conversation with Ted is enough to halt him and keep him going.
We then follow Ted and Marianne through their lives over the next 20 years as they find love, fall out of love, change careers, go to parties, and narrowly miss each other time and again.
Both Ted and Marianne are highly relatable characters in vastly different ways, and we can see how both of their life trajectories are altered based on their chance meeting on the bridge. However, I found the repeated near-miss meetings quite frustrating as a reader and the whole ‘will they won’t they’ nature to their relationship. For me, I don’t think a romance aspect to their relationship was needed at all, and it could simply have been a study of how one-off chance encounters can impact you indefinitely.
That being said it’s a beautifully written story, with in-depth and captivating characters who you are constantly cheering on or being exasperated with as their futures unfold.
Verdict: A lovely story, with great characters, it could have been slightly shorter and without the romance aspect.
April 23, 2022
We are in 1991 and Ted is 23 and not long back from Kuwait with all that war entailed. He’s had enough and his fathers voice in his head telling him he neer does anything right resonates. He takes himself off to a London bridge to end things once and for all. The next minute a fairy with a wobby halo appears next to him telling him he really shouldn't do this. The woman talks him down and then disappears in a taxi. Marianne has her own issues- she's just come from a work party where she found her boyfriend who also happens to be her boss in a compromising position with one of her so-called friends. She thought at the time this was the end of her life and job until she saw a man on the bridge wanting to end his life which put things rather in perspective. This tells of their lives, the close shaves and how one small thing can ultimately save someone's life.
I love Clare’s books- they quickly envelop you like a warm blanket and that favourite pair of slippers. There's a wonderful depth of characters that quickly comes across and a mystery that keeps the pages turning. It's hard to describe the warmth of these books. Each one is simply stunning and makes you think about life a little, treasuring the little things and thinking about always being kind. That one small gesture from you could have far reaching consequences you never thought possible. for around 10% of the (200+) books I read each year I award a 5** rating for those that have been that something extra, that something special. This one touched me so, so much. 10* if I could.
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
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