London From My Windows by Mary Carter Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Netgalley
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Ava Wilder’s home in small-town Iowa is her sanctuary. A talented sketch artist with severe agoraphobia, Ava spends her days drawing a far more adventurous life than her invisible disability allows. Until she receives a package from London, explaining that she has inherited her Aunt Beverly’s entire estate—on condition that she lives in Bev’s West End flat for a year.Once overseas, Ava wonders if she’s simply swapped one prison for another. The streets and shops are intimidating, and Bev’s home appears to be a drop-in center for local eccentrics. Worst of all, Bev left a list of impossible provisos to be overseen by her quirky, attractive solicitor. Ava is expected to go out—to experience clubs, pubs, and culture; to visit Big Ben, Hyde Park, and the London Eye. After years of viewing the world through a pane of glass, she’s at the messy, complicated center of it. As exhilarated as she is terrified, will she be able to step up, step out, and claim the life she was meant for?In an insightful, poignant novel, Mary Carter delves deep into self-discovery and the meaning of courage, exploring the fears that serve to protect us—until life calls us to connect at last.
In An Oyster Shell- This book was an endearing read that could be slow at times, but one me over with incredible characters, sweet story of overcoming and love, with fabulous setting. I recommend this book.
The Pearls –
The storyline of this book was absolutely great. I am learning that mental illness provides plenty of fodder for writer’s.I think this is a subject we have hardly had the luxury in history to acknowledge until now. I find the explorations of such matters fascinating and the execution of this in this book was well done.
The story was absolutely great. Set by a great main character, this story just moved right along as we followed Ava through her story. The beginning had a great hook that had you empathetic for her right away. I found myself cheering and even laughing out loud as she bumbled her way through.
The supporting characters in this story are also worth mentioning. This author has a handle on character development. There is not a character in this book that wasn’t exposed and changed by the end of the story. Well done Mary Carter!
I have to end with talking about the setting of the book. The title London from my Window’s was so appropriate. Ava lives her life from looking out the window and learning to eventually move to the other side of it. The author had great landmarks included in the story that I felt weaved a believable tale of a story set in London.
The Sand –
I feel like the author was a bit zealous at times to share the main character introspection. It slowed the book down at some points.
I give this book 4 pearls!
