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THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

Meet Rosemary, 86, and Kate, 26: dreamers, campaigners, outdoor swimmers…

Rosemary has lived in Brixton all her life, but everything she knows is changing. Only the local lido, where she swims every day, remains a constant reminder of the past and her beloved husband George.

Kate has just moved and feels adrift in a city that is too big for her. She’s on the bottom rung of her career as a local journalist, and is determined to make something of it.

So when the lido is threatened with closure, Kate knows this story could be her chance to shine. But for Rosemary, it could be the end of everything. Together they are determined to make a stand, and to prove that the pool is more than just a place to swim – it is the heart of the community.

‘Feel-good and uplifting, this charming novel is full of heart’ LUCY DIAMOND

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Reviews

WOMAN AND HOME
A novel of friendship, love and the importance of community - this is an absolute pleasure
THE OBSERVER
a joyful celebration of community and friendship
DAILY EXPRESS
Brimming with charm and compassion
SUNDAY EXPRESS
a feel-good novel about friendship and belonging
SARAH WINMAN, author of When God Was a Rabbit and Tin Man
A joyous and uplifting debut - a testament to kindness and friendship
THE INDEPENDENT
The next Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
GRAZIA
What will win you over is the story of two women and the strength of their friendship
BELLA
Uplifting.. the pool is not just a place to swim - it's the heart of the community
Garry Bushell, DAILY EXPRESS
Brimming with charm and compassion... It's tender, thoughtful and above all a feelgood celebration of community and life-changing friendship.
SUN ON SUNDAY
This lovely book is about the power of friendship and community.. Heartwarming and uplifting, The Lido is set to make quite a splash.
SUNDAY EXPRESS
a timeless tale of friendship, love and chilly swims
Clare Mackintosh
Did I #lovethelido? So much my heart broke a little turning the last page. A stunning debut
Lucy Diamond
Feelgood and uplifting, this charming novel is full of heart
Stylist
A standout hymn to female friendship and the power of collective action
GRAZIA
This debut is set to be one of the biggest of the year
DAILY MAIL
A beautifully written testament to unlikely friendship, the galvanising pursuit of common goals and lifelong passions which link individuals with their community
Daily Express
Brimming with charm and compassion
PRIMA
This is a wonderful story of friendship and believing in yourself
Francesca Jakobi, author of Bitter
A beautiful book. Sweet and heartwarming but also wise with a strong message about the importance of community and friendship. It reminded me of a Richard Curtis film, life-affirming, romantic and impossible to resist.
SUNDAY TIMES
Switching mainly between Rosemary and Kate's viewpoints, we quickly come to see that Rosemary is just as lonely as her new friend, steeped in a lifetime's memories of swimming in the lido
Grazia
This debut is set to be one of the biggest of the year
SARAH WINMAN, author of When God Was a Rabbit and Tin Man
A joyous and uplifting debut - a testament to kindness and friendship
Bath Magazine
This is a tale of loneliness, belonging and reconnecting with the world and people around us
AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird
Such a kind and lovely novel, The Lido has a heart that shines from every page
Independent
The next Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
RADIO TIMES
A testament to kindness and friendship
CATHERINE ISAAC, author of You, Me, Everything
A lavish depiction of an unlikely friendship, a London community and life-long love, all charmingly told in rich, yet gentle prose
IRISH INDEPENDENT
A bright, uplifting tale of friendship and community resilience
Andreina Cordani, DAILY MIRROR
This summer's poolside must-read... a timeless tale of friendship, love and chilly swims. It may be about freezing-cold water but it will give you a warm glow.
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Heart-warming