The Locked-Away Life

‘Oh my heart! It has positively melted away… Such a beautiful story… I read this in one sitting… So many times where I couldn’t help but sniffle… You will need tissues. Lots of them. Loved.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

At the grand old age of eighty-two, Esther Saul has just one regret in life. Today, she’s going to change that.

For decades, Esther has barricaded herself away, with only the roses in her garden for company. But, one spring morning, Esther wakes up and realises that time is running out.

Forty years ago, the love of her life betrayed her – the only man she allowed herself to trust. Where is Thackeray, the handsome Scot with a devilish smile and piercing blue eyes? Will she ever learn the truth? Will she ever understand why he lied to her? Esther has to find out. If she doesn’t act soon, her one regret will haunt her forever…

But she’ll need some assistance. That’s where Bruno comes in. After Esther places an advert in the local library, seeking internet lessons, the eighteen-year-old knocks on her door. Esther can see how out of place Bruno is in their sleepy village, and that the paid position could be his one-way ticket out of there.

An unexpected friendship forms between the two strangers, who have nothing in common except that they have spent most of their lives in hiding. It’s the beginning of a journey – featuring a secret motorcycle ride, an escape plan, and a garden party with whisky, apple pie, and dancing the jig. Along the way, can a locked-away life finally start living?

Just as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, this utterly gripping page-turner is for anyone who has ever felt left behind, came close to giving up, or needed a friend. Perfect for fans of Sally Page, Ruth Hogan and Mike Gayle.

See what readers are saying about The Locked-Away Life:

‘Had me shedding tears and crying with laughter… Uplifting, heartwarming… Wonderful.’ Ceri’s Lil Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my heart!!!! It has melted, broken and been pieced back together with this one. This is just completely fantastic from beginning to end… Amazing… Will stay with you long after reading… This is a book worthy of all the stars and definitely needs to be read.’ Little Miss Book Lover 87, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Tugged my heart … I laughed and got teary-eyed… If you’re looking for a heartwarming and heart-wrenching read that celebrates what it is to be human, do not skip this one. A 5-star read all the way.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow!… Absolutely heartbreaking… Absolutely captivating.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A big-hearted, wholesome, joy of a book… An utter joy of a read… I couldn’t have loved it more.’ @hook.me.a.book, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A heartwarming book that will make you fall in love with the characters but also really tug at your heartstrings. I was hooked from the prologue and remained hooked until the very end, which I absolutely loved.’ BookBucket, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Like getting that hug I didn’t know I needed… There was heartbreak… Tugged my heart… Will stay with me for a long time.’ Diagnosis: Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Finished this one over a weekend, I loved it and it hooked me from the start! It was really heartwarming… Amazing.’ @beaubooksbelle, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a pleasure it has been to read this book!… It instantly hooked me… Amazing… A rollercoaster I couldn’t get enough of!… Beautiful…I can’t recommend this enough!’ @sharada_reads_books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐