After the last year who couldn’t relate just a little bit to Fiona Dexter’s story. Fiona lives alone and only has visits from a handful of people. She rarely ventures beyond her garden but you don’t get to find out why until much further into the book. From the safety of her own house, she can see her neighbours going about their daily business, but doesn’t have anything to do with them. That is until one day when neighbour Bethany, asks if she’ll babysit her young daughter Evie while she attends an urgent medical appointment. A friendship begins to blossom but can Fiona build up the courage to begin a new life?

This was truly a heart-warming read, showing the power of true love and friendship. I loved the main characters within this book, initially being able to relate to both Fiona and Bethany equally. I was intrigued early on in the book as to why Fiona felt the need to stay at home, but all is explained as the story moves on. I loved seeing how Bethany’s daughter Evie did something to Fiona which no one else could do, and it was captivating watching Fiona’s confidence grow through her looking after Evie. Bethany’s storyline was emotional and brought tears to my eyes at times but as it moved on it became so much more uplifting!!

With an easy-to-read storyline, I was hooked into the story right from the beginning. A little bit of me was curious as to where the story was going, but mainly I was captivated by the growing friendship between two women who you would never have imagined being friends at all! I certainly didn’t expect how their story was going end, but what a wonderful way it did!! Completely different to what I imagined the book to be, but you’ve got to love a happy ending and this was certainly one with an abundance of love, happiness and new beginnings! Of course, the star of the book has to be Fiona’s budgie, Wesley, who must have been very tired running up and down his little ladder all the time! This was a captivating and wonderfully written book which I would definitely recommend!

This is a thoughtful look at a woman struggling with agoraphobia except it's a tad unrealistic about Fiona's emergence. She's been inside her home for five years when Bethany shows up and asks her to watch Evie. The relationship they build is lovely. Miller has created good characters and has a nice storytelling style, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For those looking for a positive read.

The Girl Who Couldn't Leave by Catherine Miller Heartwarming story of love, hope and overcoming fears. Engaging characters, Fiona, Bethany and especially little Evie who is adorable. Love the quote “Home isn't always a place. Sometimes, it's a person” which is a reality highlighted in the story.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This was such a wonderful, heart-warming book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Fiona has become a bit of a recluse, but she wasn’t always so fearful. Something from her past sparked this need to remain within the confines of her home and she has never stepped beyond the edge of her property. As a result, she’s developed a routine that leaves her feeling comfortable and safe. But is she truly happy?

It isn’t until Fiona is asked to watch her neighbor’s daughter that her life really begins to change. She grows to love spending time with little Evie and her friendship with Bethany quickly blooms, enough so that she realizes something has been missing in her life. But the real challenge is facing her past and fighting to leave it behind instead of letting it loom over her for the rest of her life.

I really loved this story and didn’t want it to end! These characters had such unique and different personalities, but as the saying goes, opposites attract, and I was so happy when Fiona agreed to watch Bethany’s daughter. It honestly felt like kismet, and while they were both fighting their own battles, they were able to connect with one another in a way that helped them heal and move forward.

Highly recommend this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4026221733

Really beautifully written. This was so surprising how much I got into it. First time I've tried this author but will definitely be checking out more of her books from Kindle.

It must be very difficult for someone to feel that they simply cannot step outside of their home or yard for any reason. Events in her past have left Fiona feeling that the only way to be safe is to stay at home, and so, she has organized her life accordingly with online purchases, visits from her parents, and a hairdresser who will make home visits. But that all changes when she is asked to look after a neighbor's young child, and finds that she is able to let others into her life, and maybe, even venture out again.

Has the pandemic changed you? Increased anxiety? Fear of leaving your home? I have a deeper appreciation of what the protagonist in this book is facing. Although Fiona has stayed inside by choice, staying inside as mandated by the government in an attempt to curb the spread of this virus has produced similar anxious feelings in me. Like Fiona, I found ways to invest in myself in order to survive. Reading has been a life saver!

Please consider taking a journey into 14 Wellington Drive and let Fiona tell you about the knock on the door that changed her whole life. Her neighbour across the street, ‘On-the-run-mom’ a.k.a. Bethany, claims that Fiona’s kindness may well have saved her life. A single mom with nobody to rely on, Bethany takes a chance on asking Fiona to look after her toddler while she goes to a doctor’s appointment. It’s a good thing Bethany didn’t cancel as she discovers she now needs surgery. Fiona has agoraphobia and it took everything she had just to open the door and talk to her neighbour. Once she allows the outside to ‘come in’ it changes everything.

I loved how nosy she became as a necessary part of her survival. I found being home made me more aware of neighbourhood patterns, too, and, like Fiona, I found myself naming my neighbours.

I laughed when I found out what Reuben in #16 was really doing!

I’m sure it’s no coincidence that this book is published in June. (June 25, 2021)

Miller will remind you that crossing the threshold, although difficult, is what it takes to finding friendship, love and new beginnings.

“Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s a person.”

I was gifted this advance copy by Catherine Miller, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

With almost all the action taking place in one street I expected the story to be a bit tame but getting to know Fiona, Bethany and little Evie was a delight. Fiona has not stepped beyond her front gate in five years, works from home and relies on her budgie and a weekly visit from her parents for company, but the day she agrees to help out a neighbour by babysitting her toddler changes everything. As Bethany faces a huge medical worry and Fiona finally opens up about her fears, it is heartening see friendship, love and a new freedom slowly creep back into Fiona's life. Even the budgie gets a happy ending!

Wow, i really enjoyed this book. It was a beautifully written story. I loved the events and the characters. I definitely recommend I loved this book from the start. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for letting me reaf

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book, it reminded me of my mother who suffered from this for a long time.

I really loved this story and read it in one sitting. Beautifully written and put together and a credit to the author.

The girl who couldn’t leave is a heartwarming read that proves one can triumph over adversity with time patience and love!
Agoraphobia is such a limiting condition, preventing the sufferer from doing normal everyday things outside of their home/castle,this is particularly more poignant after recent covid 19 restrictions enforcing people to stay home so that the home can actually feel more like a prison than a haven!
Fiona lives alone, has a very structured orderly life and doesn’t go outside of her garden, due to deep seated issues! Whilst content with her lot and well adapted to living such a solitary life, Fiona is missing out on so much! One day unexpectedly Fiona is asked to babysit little Evie by her harassed single mum, this sudden change to her life and routine is the catalyst that changes Fionas life for the better!
A really inspiring feel good read!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Review left on GoodReads:

Sweetly told, old-fashioned drama that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite this not being my usual genre - I chose it specifically for a bit of escapism and it certainly provided that - I suspect I'll be reading more Catherine Miller novels this summer!

Many thanks to the author and to the publishers (Bookouture) for the opportunity to review.

A beautifully written story of friendship, love and hope. After a challenging and upsetting life experience Fiona decided the only way to stay safe was to stay at home. It’s been five years since she has stepped beyond her garden. When one of her neighbours, Bethany, has a medical emergency Fiona helps look after her two year old daughter Evie. Letting people into her home and a growing friendship makes Fiona think about what she has been missing. With their friendship growing the real test is when little Evie gets hit by a car. Will love or fear take over?
An easy heartwarming read, with lovable characters. It makes your heart melt.

I loved this book from the start. What a beautifully written heart warming story of life changing events and overcoming a past that once haunted you. The story was easy to follow and left you wanting to read more to see how it would end. Very loveable characters. I would recommend this to all to read.

This book pulled on my heartstrings pretty much from the beginning. It includes something so important & something that means a lot me too after losing a family member.

This story is so beautifully written & nearer the end with the shock & finally something amazing happening!

I would definitely recommend this book, it was one of those books I found really hard to out down.

I'm so glad I've read it, Catherine you should be so proud of this book you have done it's amazing!

A cute love story. Highly enjoyed the quick whit and poetic story telling. Full of hope and budding relationships and so in tune with current times making it so relatable. Really well done!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

This book.was AMAZING! I adored this read here! The Girl Who Couldn't Leave will break your heart in a million pieces! This was beautiful, heartbreaking, the writing will blow you away!
I was amazed! NetGalley. Bookouture (My Favorite Publisher) and author THANK YOU!!!!!