Closer to 2.5 stars. This book would seem to tick off the list of things I sometimes enjoy - light and sweet, people rallying together, etc, etc. But there was one problem with it: it was just plain boring. ( )

I was a skeptic. Comparing a debut to Fredrik Backman--well, that's some lofty praise, and I was kind of prepared to hate it based on that decision alone. (Nothing against S&S's marketing team, really.) But this completely and utterly won me over, and Libby Page should throw more books at me soon because I'll totally read them.

Rosemary! Rosemary. If you thought it impossible to love someone as much as you loved Britt-Marie, think again. Her love story was sweet, sentimental, and sappy as you'd expect, but it wasn't overbearing and I didn't roll my eyes, not even once. Kate was similarly sweet, and felt very well developed--a lot of people I know are currently in her disillusioned state, and it was refreshing to see this expressed with optimism in a novel.

I'm a huge fan of the way that this community was portrayed and the way that development and money was causing it to change--this felt incredibly realistic, and I could see this happening to any small town. I liked the way that the community banded together and the various methods they used to attempt to save the lido. I loved how it demonstrated the importance of having someone to spearhead a campaign.

The web of characters from throughout the neighbourhood was woven delicarely but surely together. I, gasp, managed to actually remember everyone's names because each character had such a distinct role and such a unique personality. I especially loved the way that Kate and her sister interacted and evolved.

Someone please get me another book like this and soon. Highly recommended.

Thanks, Simon & Schuster, for the complimentary review copy!

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So lovely!!! Review tk. ( )

Een feelgoodboek over een groep mensen die gebruik maken van een zwembad in Brixton. Het zwembad wordt met sluiting bedreigd, een journaliste raakt betrokken en sluit vriendschap met de hoofdpersoon, een weduwe van 87 die haar leven lang al naar het zwembad gaat. Na wat verwikkelingen loopt het natuurlijk goed af. ( )

Actual rating- 3.7 ( )

This was a good story idea executed in a mediocre manor. The story of lonely people meeting like minded types in the local lido and coming together to try to save it as a pillar of the community is lovely. The characters, especially Rosemary and Kate were charming and definitely carried the story through. Unfortunately the style of writing drove me a little mad and detracted from what could have been a lovely read. I hovered over 3 - 4 stars but settled on three in the end as the narrative just didn’t quite live up to the plot. Still a nice gentle read, perfect for a poolside or beachside holiday (if we are ever allowed to do that again!). ( )