The Lido

This book felt like a story for our time!
The characters are brought together by the threatened closure of the public lido and focuses on the lives of Kate and Rosemary who, despite their 60 year age difference, form a close friendship. The Lido is a lifelong companion that helps Rosemary remember the past, living through the war and her relationship with her beloved husband and campaigning to save it gives her a new sense of purpose and forces her out of her comfort zone.
Despite living and working in a busy city Kate feels very much alone but a challenge to swim in the Lido opens up new avenues and relationships in her life. The story goes back and forth in time and takes in a diverse community of people and events. It deals with the issues of planning developments, the financial pressures that influence council and business decisions, and a lack of community and communication that many people feel in a big city and the things that bring a community together. I fell for this book after a couple of chapters and it didn’t let me down as it carried on. A major event towards the end is not spelled out and it is left to the reader to realise what has happened. The author seems to have face a number of the issues portrayed by the younger lead character and I am sure this would make for a good conversation on the radio. Do read this
book, it is not a “worthy” book but the underlying themes are important for our society today and it is very engagingly written.

Enjoyed this book, a nice gentle paced story, centred in Brixton, London. It is a tale of community and friendship.

What a charming book this is. Set in Brixton - which is vividly brought to life with some gorgeous pieces of description - the story follows Kate and Rosemary, who, at first glance, seem to have nothing in common. Kate is in her early twenties, a new journalist on the local paper, who is lonely and insecure, not really knowing anyone in her new London home. Rosemary is in her eighties, a regular at the Lido in Brockwell Park, who has spent her entire life in the area. The two meet when the Lido is under threat from a development company, and a new friendship gradually takes root.
The story ostensibly follows the fate of the Lido with the community rallying round to save it, but there's so much more to it than that. We see flashbacks to Rosemary's younger years - falling in love with George and their marriage, and how the Lido was such an important place to them. We see Kate plagued by panic attacks and self-doubt, isolated in a house-share where she doesn't know her house-mates, and how the campaign for the Lido gives her something to believe in. There's a lovely sense of community too - both with Rosemary's friends and the local people she knows, but also the unnamed people - a pregnant woman, a teenage swimmer - who populate the Lido and remind us what it means to such a variety of people. I thought these passages really worked well I loved the sections with the fox too, loping through the dark streets, giving us a whole new perspective.
There are some funny comic scenes in the book as well as genuine poignancy. The ending is very nicely done too. If I had a criticism it would be that perhaps the minor characters are all too simplistically 'nice' - unbelievably nice, really and somewhat interchangeable. I would have liked to see some rougher edges, I think, and more grit which I think would have given the story something a bit extra.
But overall, this is uplifting stuff - a really feelgood read, which will have you longing to get your swimming things on so that you too can dive into your nearest pool.

The author paints a vivid and lasting picture of Brixton and a convincing sense of community. Her characters are well-drawn and their interactions are very believable.

A lovely story that keeps you wanting to read it in one go. Definitely recommended.

An easy-reading, feel good novel which succeeds in two respects.

Firstly in its non-clichéd characters at different ends of the age spectrum: Rosemary at 86 is still physically and mentally activist - mourning her recently deceased husband but full of memories of their wartime courtship and lengthy marriage: Kate at 26 affected with the same loneliness and hollowness of some mid-20s which was of course recently the key theme of "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine".

Secondly the book captures a sense of how community in Cities only really exists through shared social endeavours (in this case the Lido) and both the importance of and need for local activism to preserve those communities.

A touching story of love, friendship and community. A gentle, pleasant read. It wasn't one that immediately gripped me but instead drew me in chapter by chapter, until I cared deeply about the characters and the all important Lido. We are shown a beautiful, cross-generational female friendship in Kate and Rosemary that I very much enjoyed seeing develop. Kate's loneliness at the beginning, despite living in bustling London, is palpable and I'm sure a lot of people will be able to relate to it.

Recommend to all readers looking for feel good, character-driven fiction.

I'll be very surprised if this isn't in my top 5 reads of 2018. I loved this - it took me through a lot of emotions and it's different from other books out there at the moment. I cried buckets at the end! I'd definitely look out for something else from this author. Thank you.

Living in Brixton I loved the opening chapters, I could picture myself taking a walk with Kate down the streets.

This is a light, feel good read - I have to admit I was losing interest towards the end as you know where the book is heading, that said it did end with me in tears and surely that's a sign of a good book!

3.5 stars.

Off topic - Love the book cover, very eye catching.

Thanks to NetGalley, Orion and Libby Page for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book - a balance between young and old, experience and inexperience and how these things can come together to do great things.

Great read. Loved it. Wonderful characters good storyline

The Lido was a complete joy to read and I loved every minute I spent in these pages. Both heartwarming and moving, it’s one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. I look forward to seeing this book go out into the world, and to reading anything more that Page writes!

This book was a pleasure to read. It is a beautiful story which has been written brilliantly. I got totally immersed in this book. I laughed and I cried and I didn't want it to end. I could imagine all the characters and all the sights and sounds of Brixton. The story is about more than trying to save the Lido. It is about friendship, love and a community pulling together.

This is a lovely book written in an imaginative style and covering all sorts of subject matter. At the heart of the story are a lonely young woman and a lady 60 years older than her who form an unlikely friendship. The older woman, Rosemary, has an eclectic group of friends including a gay couple and people from different ethnic backgrounds. All these people unite when they have a common cause which involves fighting authority and big business. A wonderful, heartwarming read.

One of the most delightful books that I have read for a while. Two ladies, one 86, one 26. What do they have in common? At first sight, nothing. Rosemary has lived in Brixton all her life, her memories are firmly fixed there. Kate is new to the area, lonely , living with house mates who don't seem to know whether she exists or not.
What unites the two ladies? A Lido. A special place of memories for Rosemary, who has been swimming there since she was a child. Suddenly the Lido is threatened with closure, and
Kate is sent in her position as Junior reporter on the local paper to interview Rosemary about her long time connection with the Lido.
So many side stories emerge, all connected somehow to this magical place where so much more than swimming takes place. Meetings, friendships, romances...all are there.
The story of protests and attempts to save the Lido are funny, poignant and fascinating. No spoilers.
I just loved the delicacy with which the two main people in the story are portrayed. A super book.

I mostly read thrillers, dystopian books and I enjoy sci fi so this book is really a departure for me ,but I liked the sound of it.I must admit I do enjoy a lovely feelgood book like this occasionally as long as it is not too soppy ! This one was perfect for me it was believable with great characters that jumped off the page and although it has been years since I visited Brixton , the place really came alive made me want to go and check it out I feel like I just spend the last 2 days there it was so realistic.I really liked the central characters and the peripheral ones as well, and the story and pace of the book was good.I thought it was a lovely book and would have no hesitation recommending it as a great Summer read.No spoilers from me you have to read the book for yourself and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC.

What a lovely book this is-it restored my faith in human nature at a time when so many horrible things are going on in the world. It's about love,community spirit and intergenerational friendship,all seen in the context of the way a group,of people deal with the potential closure of their beloved outdoor swimming pool,The Lido. It's beautifully written,describing an area of London that isn't often seen as being a desirable place to live,and vividly creating a sense of its vibrancy and diversity through sights ,smells and sounds .The characters are beautifully drawn and some of the descriptions are so poignant,especially when Rosemary,one of the main characters who is 87 years old,thinks back to the happy times she spent at the Lido with her husband George.
I would,definitely recommend this book- it would appeal to,readers of all ages.

What a gorgeous feel-good read! Rosemary is in her 80s and her whole life has revolved around the local lido in Brixton, which is now faced with closure. Kate is a journalist on the local paper, in her 20s, and dealing with panic attacks and anxiety. Together they come together and develop a close friendship as they campaign to save the lido. A whole host of likeable characters in the community populate this story, and I thoroughly recommend it.

I absolutely loved this book! I welled up, in public, on three separate occasions. It's a heartwarming tale of community and relationships in London, of all places! I think the main characters are really well formed, fully rounded and I liked them all. Would definitely recommend this book and I think it'll be a great spring/summer read. And the cover is a beauty!

This book is like a hug! Kate, is on the brink of a journalist career and feels more comfortable in her books than she does in real life. Rosemary aged 86, is upset to think the lido might be closing and wants to try everything she can to save it. Kate starts to write a story about it and their joint friendships and campaign begins in earnest.

The story, history, look and essence of the Lido reflects the lives and loves of the two women. They have highs and lows, problems and worries and realise what is important to them and their lives. Its also a story about community and community spirit. But it’s also a nice tale of how swimming can soothe the mind, be a way to escape the city
It’s a gentle read but one I really enjoyed. Sometimes, it;s nice to have a story which warms your heart, makes you smile and leaves you with a glow inside. A female friendship and how young and old can gain in their own way through joining forces over a joint concern. The realisation that the lido is symbolic of so much in their lives.

I really enjoyed this. It just makes you wonder how much of our past with the closure of so many parks, libraries etc are so woven into the very fabric of us and how, if people came together, more good could be done.

I also now want to go for a swim and adopt a dog called Sprout.

I absolutely loved this feel good book. It’s touching, emotional and super sweet. All of the relationships in this story really moved me and I felt myself smiling the whole way through reading it.
It will definitely be one of my favourites of the year and it’s one of those books that I will keep thinking about.

An easy, warming read set in London, this is the story of a community coming together to try and save the local community pool The Lido intertwines stories of Rosemary, an octogenarian Brixton resident living partially in the past, and Kate, a shy woman from Bristol trying to make it as a journalist, whilst dealing with crippling anxiety. This book deserves to become a mass market best seller, filling the often empty space between the thrillers and romance books. I can think of many friends who would enjoy The Lido, an enjoyable quick read from a generous author.

This book is so sweet and tender! Really enjoyed the story and each and every character.

Brixton, south London....

Retired librarian Rosemary, at eighty-six, has lived in the area all her life and is deeply connected to it. Kate, in her twenties, has only recently moved there to work as a journalist on the local paper. Kate is socially isolated and experiences panic attacks - life is currently a struggle for her.

For Kate, the lido is initially just a story for her paper; but for Rosemary it is woven into the fabric of her life, and her marriage to George. It was witness to many of their key moments and when George died, it helped her to grieve. Rosemary in her eighties continues to swim daily; Kate is just beginning to rediscover the pleasures of water.

When the lido is threatened with closure - a property development company plan to turn it into an exclusive private gym - Kate, Rosemary and other local residents come together to campaign to save it, changing their own lives (Kate’s in particular) in the process.

A host of wonderful characters, a strong sense of place - both the lido itself and the wider area - and a fairly simple but inspiring plot make this a hugely engaging story.

The Lido is a warm and uplifting testament to the power of community and friendship. A lovely read.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

A lovely, gently-paced meander through a cross-generational friendship. The writing is good quality, with particular the rich description of place of particular note.

Unfortunately I did occasionally find the pace a little slow and the meandering omniscient point of view a little jarring, but that's a matter of personal taste, and for those who enjoy a gently paced dive into the heads of characters this novel will be very enjoyable.

A very easy to read book, with some really insightful and moving passages. Following a group of characters who meet at the Lido in Brixton and fight together to save it from developers, the characters are well-drawn and sympathetic. I really enjoyed this novel.

Rosemary is 86 and has lived in Brixton all her life. Kate has only recently moved to London, but is overwhelmed and unnoticed by the city around her. Only when Kate starts to report on the possible closure of Brockwell Lido, do these characters meet and discover that they can give each other something that is missing.

Cosy, sweet and safe, this novel was predictable but enjoyable.

I have a few issues - Kate's growing ability to overcome her panic attacks through the power of swimming, a non-explicit white-washing of Brixton and the quick-switching character point of views, which meant that a lot of characters weren't fleshed out properly, or remained nameless throughout - poor teenage swimming boy!

But it was still a nice story - a summary of one particular aspect of London life that will make a light summer read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Orion Publishing Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
What a lovely story. Rosemary is 86 and a widow, her beloved George dies at 85 years. He was what made her world come alive. She misses him, but she has the lido which was their special place and where they spent so much time.
The council are planning close and sell the lido. Kate is a young journalist working for the local paper, she lacks confidence, has no friends, lives in a shared house but never sees the other occupants, she is lonely, has panic attacks and feels a bit lost. Her boss sends her to the lido to get the story and stir up some interest, perhaps the lido can be saved.
Kate meets Rosemary and they build a friendship, each encouraging the other, sharing their story, Kate meets a whole group of new people , makes friends and is writing articles for the paper about the lido.
The story is about Kate and Rosemary’s friendship, Rosemary shares a lot of her precious mermoies of George with her new young friend and then the story of the community coming together to fight to save the lido.
A lovely book - 4 stars

A delightful, engaging read about love and loss and friendship across the generations. It also made me think about what's worth fighting for and what isn't- what's important and what isn't. The characters were fully three dimensional and I became engrossed in their struggle to stop closure of the lido. Rosemary's story was touching and the end was satisfying fitting. It reminds me that it's never too late to change yourself or your circumstances.

Rosemary and Kate pass by each other unknowingly, going about their separate lives but that's just the start of this story.



Kate is a busy journalist new to Brixton, Rosemary now an elderly lady a member of a tower block community where she lived with her husband once upon a time who can see her beloved lido from her window. She also still keeps up her seven am swims and meeting with her oldest friend, Hope and reminisces over the olden days gone between them before along with remembering her husband and believing she is still young.



So when Rosemary and Kate, covering the story for the Brixton News join forces to save the Lido when threatened with closure, they jointly set about proving it's the hub of the community and worth more than earning some company more money by becoming a private gym. From leafleting and making newspaper headlines and protesting to the council, we hear from all the community members the lido effects in some way and how lives have changed from their encounters there.



Both main protagonists are sad and lonely from absence and loss of members in lives but by joining forces a bond is created between them despite the generational differences they face. Both Rosemary and Kate's confidence grows and her anxiety/panic attacks lessen and as they cross paths with more people thanks to the lido, friendships are made and even a relationship for one of them!



I loved how we looked into so many lives during the novel and got an essence of how everyone in the community was despite their own separate lives how they all came together was so positive and lovely and gave everyone a support network and acceptance which is so good and needed in more real life communities. A touching read for all ages.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

This is a book which explores the human condition and fighting for the small fundamental things which might seem unimportant in the bigger picture. The story follows Kate and Rosemary who are joined together in their quest to save the lido. The personal history of the lido and the significance the place has for Rosemary lies with her husband George and the memories they built while swimming at the lido. Kate learns to open up and become a part of the community and finds friends in unlikely places. I enjoyed the book because I love swimming and the writer writes with wonderful metaphors and descriptions of the swimmers and the lido. At some points the prose reads like poetry. There are the symbols of capitalism with the presence of the fox and the book quietly questions if all change is good for our communities. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book.

A totally brilliant read. The characters are well rounded and beautifully written ands I would like them as my friends. The story is of love from the past and community and friendship. A completely addictive read that left me feeling happy and contented. .

This is a gentle story of new friendships and how a community comes together. Kate moves to Brixton to work on a local newspaper, she lives in a house share with people she has no connection with. She is feeling very lonely when her editor gives her a story to write about the closing of the local lido. She meets a much older lady who befriends her, this friendships is life changing.

Kate meets Rosemary through her job as a reporter for the local newspaper in Brixton. Rosemary lives on her own and is an 86 year-old enthusiastic swimmer at the local Lido, dubbed the ‘Beach of Brixton’. The Lido is her passion and she is the oldest member. She and her husband George lived opposite the Lido and found cold water swimming invigorating. Their whole romantic history was shackled to the Lido which has been threatened with closure after the local council was offered a much needed cash injection enticement to sell the land for development. Kate was looking for a human interest story and Rosemary was the obvious candidate. The trouble was Rosemary would only agree to an interview if Kate would first agree to go for a swim.
Kate lives locally but the thought of using the Lido would be a massive challenge for her. She is lonely and isolated in the big city; she is plagued by panic attacks and is also very shy and insecure about exposing her body. But she does reluctantly agree to Rosemary’s terms, and soon, although there is a 60 year age gap, the two ladies become firm, loving and supportive friends, and both of their lives are changed forever as they work together on a campaign to keep the Lido open. Rosemary’s eclectic friends become Kate’s treasured friends and her salvation as this charming debut novel continues with the story of their fight to keep open the Lido, the hub of the local community.
I loved this gentle story of a community coming together to try to keep their beloved Lido open. The characters were beautifully crafted, diverse and very interesting. They were from all walks of life; a student, market trader, photographer, bookstore owners, journalist, old aged pensioner and more, including a lovely, friendly dog! The storytelling was wonderful, filled with gorgeous descriptions and almost lyrical high grade language devices which greatly added to my pleasure. Reading this story was like looking at a grandmaster artist’s painting; vivid, expressive and very moving. Although this is a debut novel, Libby Page is up there with the best of my favourite authors. The story flowed and I was right behind the campaigners and their carefully thought our strategies. I cared about what happened and how it mattered to them.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Orion through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest opinions without any outside influences. This is a feel-good and highly enjoyable story. It’s a 4.5* review from me and I’m certainly keen to read more from this author.

What a fantastic read a poignant and emotional story set around a lido at the heart of the story is rosemary an old lady and Kate a young lady whose tales of their lives are so heartwarming their characters come alive as they petition to try and keep the local lido open along with Rosemary's friends a charming beautifully written novel that left me in tears but happy as well a must read novel

This is a story of an unlikely friendship, of two women who have one main thing in common The Lido in Brixton - and their mission to save it from being closed and turned into a private sports facility.

This is the story also of Rosemary and George and their shared history of over seventy years at the lido, and it is also the story of Kate and her attempts to once and for all conquer "the panic".

Kate and Rosemary only meet when Kate, is sent to the Lido to do a story on it closure, and wants to interview Rosemary. Rosemary is 86 years young, and loves the Lido, she swims daily and also spends time in the cafe just watching life pass by in her favourite place in the world.

Between the two ladies we also get a fabulous picture of Brixton itself, and almost makes the most dedicated North Londoner, in me, go south of the river and experience the multiculturalism of Brixton for myself.

There is some fabulous descriptions in this book which really give you a feel for the lido, its users and also Brixton as a whole.

However what I found frustrating was how frequently you seemed to be in the present with Rosemary and then suddenly she is reminiscing about her life with George, and I found I was losing track of the time lines, as we get a look at their lives at the Lido over a lifetime.

I found The Lido to be an interesting story of friendship, that was enjoyable to read and has me curious as to what else the author may write in the future.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I loved this book - it was a glorious read. Life affirming and tender. I loved Rosemary and Kate - their friendship and growing trust - how they both saved the other and their lido. They were surrounded by a lovely mix of characters who felt so real.

This book made me smile even in the bittersweet moments.

A book I will be recommending.

What a lovely book. I really enjoyed following the story of Kate and Rosemary in their quest to save the Brockwell Lido when it was threatened with closure. The novel has something for everyone. It is beautifully written and has believable characters that I was rooting for every step of the way.
It deals with grief and loneliness in a very real way, not shying away from the difficult subject of anxiety and depression. I loved both the main characters, plus the supporting cast. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Brixton, an area of London I know well. It reflected the dilemma between regenerating a deprived area, but losing a lot of what gives it a soul. I don't live in London anymore, but it made me want to re-visit Brixton and go and have a swim.
This book is going to be very big and it is well deserved. Thank you for giving me the chance to read and review this little gem. #NetGalley #LoveThe Lido

Review to appear on blog On publication day - an important book, more of an experience lived than a book read. Great metaphor crafter, real characters flawed and worth caring about. Great cover too.

A heartwarming read with good characterisation, this book tells the story of a community coming together in the face of developers trying to take their lido away from them. Kate and Rosemary form a close bond in the face of adversity and while Kate finds her confidence Rosemary finds her peace.

I loved this story. A ery simple story of a community comes together, but I really loved most the story of how Kate and Rosemary’s lives become joined as they together fought for the Lido for their own personal reasons. i loved hearing about Rosemary’s life and why she loved the Lido so much, and my heart melted for Kate and her ‘Panic’, and how puts on her brave face to her sister. Overall, I really enjoyed and would highly recommend.

I could almost smell the chlorine, see the sun sparkle on the blue water, hear the children’s screams.
Kate and Rosemary are a great pairing in this lovely, gentle book of personal and social triumphs. I was with them all the way, cheering them on, and crying with them in their sadnesses and disappointment. And I must say here - Ms Page’s description of widowhood was the most accurate I’ve read, and extremely moving.
The entire story was believable, possibly because so many of the places are real, including the Lido!
But why did she have to end the book like this? No spoilers, but it just seemed so unnecessary.

A charming book about friendship and family relationships, told through the story of saving Brixton Lido.

This debut novel is focused on the relationship between 2 women, one an 86 year old widow, who has not only swam in the lido nearly every day, but, who also fell in love with her husband, George whilst enjoying her swims and a 26 year old journalist who is stuck, full of anxiety and panic and who spends her days existing, rather than living. It walks us through Brixton and the shops, relationships and conversations and brings to life this vibrant area.
It's a lovely read. Publishing date 19 April and I believe there will be a film based upon this book.
Congratulations to Libby Page and many thanks to net galley and Orion Publishing Group for the opportunity to preview this joyous read.

Two women lonely in London. One is lifelong Londoner and lido patron Rosemary who at 86 years of age lives alone after losing her devoted husband George; the other is 26 year old rookie journalist Kate who has moved from the west country in search of her dream job in the newspaper industry. With no friends or family nearby and her confidence buried deep within herself Kate spends her time outside the office shut away in her room in a shared house with her books and the occasional ready-meal for company. Then Kate's boss assigns her the job of covering the potential closure of the community lido and a firm friendship is born as Rosemary and Kate join forces to save the lido.
This is a beautiful book which I easily lost myself in. The descriptive writing is gorgeous and very emotive at certain points. Rosemary is going through what most pensioners do: the feeling that time has ambushed them and left them with a body belonging to a much older person than the one they feel to be inside themselves. Kate is still young but is fighting anxiety and panic attacks which catch her at unexpected moments in the big City; she has lost her sense of who she is and what she is capable of.
Together Kate and Rosemary draw strength from each other in a common cause, and Kate encourages Rosemary to drum up support for their campaign from the network of friends she has built up over decades of living in the area. In doing so, Rosemary mentally revisits times and events she shared with her husband George who was a well known grocer in the area. She gradually realises how well loved and respected she is in her community as she introduces Kate to a whole new group of friends who all jump at the opportunity to support the ladies in whatever capacity they are able.
I really wasn't sure whether the ladies would be successful in their work but the way the community came together restored my faith in human nature and there were points I felt so proud of various characters as they found hidden strengths all in the name of the lido. Other scenes had me reaching for my tissues to wipe a tear - sometimes through laughter, sometimes in sadness.
This is a fantastic example of the new genre of up-lit which is sure to take the charts by storm this spring - a worthy companion on the shelves for the likes of Joanna Cannon's Three Things About Elsie.
5 stars and more if it were possible from me.
My review will feature on my blog www.sandiesbookshelves.blogspot.co.uk and I will be pushing a copy into the hands of anyone who asks for book recommendations any time soon

The sky is spotted with clouds the colour of elephant skin and there is a breeze arguing with the trees’ (Libby Page - The Lido)

Under this sky and sheltered from the breeze lies the Brockwell Lido. Since 1937 the lido has been an oasis of calm for residents, for wildlife and for a community that is losing it’s heart as gentrification threatens to take over. For 86 year old Rosemary, whose bright blue eyes mirror the exact colour of the sparkling water under the sunshine’s rays, the lido is quite simply her very essence. She has swam in these waters for over 80 years. A world without her lido is a world without her memories that richly spill from the page. To Kate the lido is an opportunity to turn her isolated London existence into a career - giving her a reason for being so far from home.

The lido to me felt like spring air in my lungs, I inhaled it in one straight sitting and relished every single breath. The characterisation is so vivid in its painting that it felt almost Dickensian. The sense of place so perfectly captured that I could hear the water lapping against the lidos side. As I read I opened the windows to hear the sound of birds singing in the trees and felt all of my day-to-day concerns just floating away.

That breeze in the trees combined with Rosemary’s memories breathed life into my own treasured stories - of times filled with love and laughter with my very own Rosemary. I was lucky enough to have my Rosemary (my Nan) in my life for 36 years. She had a light in her heart that created a radiance all around her. A warmth in her voice that sang to my soul and a twinkle in her eyes that belied her 82 years. As Rosemary inspired so many others - my Nan showed me how to be strong, how to love, how to live and to always try to be the kindest that you can be.

This is an exquisite story that provides the perfect reverie to a world that feels as if it has tilted on its axis. It is a debut full of courage, love and light.

To Libby - thank you for ‘sharing your story with us’ and for filling me with peace and tranquility. I hope that this book flies higher than high and have no doubt that it will do. To Rebecca Gray and Orion - thank you for letting me be a part of something so special. To the lido - I will remember you fondly, always.

The Lido is published by Orion on the 19th April.

A gentle feel good story outlining old fashioned community spirit which isn't around any more

This is a very gentle, feel-good story. Nothing fancy and what happens in exactly what you think is going to happen. But I think what makes this a lovely cuddly read is the quality of the writing, which is beautifully clear and flows along. It's a story about loneliness and hopes and false starts and expectations. but above all it is a story about a community coming together to protect something that has a special importance for a lot of different reasons. We all know these people in the book and that's what makes this story very relatable.

Thanks to Net Galley, the author and publishers for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

#TheLido is a real feel good, community spirited book in a very readable way. Libby Page has managed to draw you into the story and feel associated with the characters and becoming passionate about their cause. It is a story that will make you laugh and cry but thoroughly enjoyable!!

A feel-good, page-turning summer read! I am a keen swimmer - always have been - but I fully believe that you can fall in love with this book if you aren't. It is absolutely packed with heart and I challenge anyone not to be moved by Rosemary and Kate's stories. A glorious book that just makes you want to leap into a lido!

Very enjoyable story about a young reporter and an older woman who unite trying to save their beloved Brixton Lido from the developers.

Kate is the young reporter who isn't very good around people. She has anxiety issues and panic attacks, which she calls The Panic. She doesn't have any friends and hardly speaks to anyone, apart from work really. Then she gets asked to do a report on the Brixton Lido which has been there for years and years and is in danger of being sold to the developers. There she meets Rosemary, an 86 year old lady who has been using the Lido since she was a small child, all through the war years, and during her marriage to George, who has since passed away.

We get to meet lots of characters that Rosemary is friends with and Kate gets dragged into meeting everyone too because of the stories she keeps writing in the fight to save the Lido. The fight actually helps both Rosemary and Kate. Rosemary... because she feels more involved in everything and meets more people, and Kate... because Rosemary becomes a very good friend and helps her defeat 'The Panic' and actually start to enjoy her life again.

I did find it a bit confusing at the beginning as the story was flipping between the present day and when Rosemary & George were together and sometimes it wasn't clear. I did have to backtrack a couple of times because I'd really completely lost which part of the story we were in. But this improved and wasn't an issue as the book went on and the story gained momentum.

A very enjoyable book about finding friendships in the unlikeliest of places, and how a community pulling together can (sometimes!) change the course of the lives of the residents for the better. It was quite emotional at the end.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Rosemary and Kate. Watching their relationship blossom was the best part of the story.

Sometimes we need a reminder that friendship comes in many shapes and sizes. Not often do you expect to meet a friend in your 87th year of life but sometimes you do. The closure of a local lido causes an unlikely friendship between a lifelong user and a journalist covering the story. Kate learns to discover herself and as her confidence blossoms she conquers things she never imagined she could. Not often do you feel so warmed inside by a story

I was attracted to this book because I used to visit a lido,long since gone! The author has a wonderful way of describing all the characters that you end up feeling like one
The story is about how a local community tries to fight big business build on their lido. There is an underlying love story of almost 80 years, firstly with lido then with Rosemary's and George's romance which weaves its way gently through the story
Kate is one of the main characters who has just moved into the area and is feeling really lonely and sad until she meets Rosemary who shows her how to laugh and love again

The Lido is one of those books whose characters totally stay with you long after you have finished reading. This is a lovely book and I will be recommending it to many friends. The story revolves around a fight to save the local Lido in Brixton, but it’s really a story of friendship. Kate and Rosemary save each other, and develop the most gorgeous of friendships. It made me realise we can often be quite blinkered when looking for new friendships and maybe there is a great friend out there just waiting for us where we least expect it. Not many books make me emotional but I certainly spent the last few chapters of this book wiping up my tears off my kindle.

I’m now wondering if I can get away with putting this novel on my book club selections when its out in paperback (we have a newly released paperback rule) but we are supposed to select books we haven’t read - but I know my fellow book club readers will all love this book and it will lead to a great discussion.

A lovely story of how important community is, no matter where you live or how old you are.

This is a such a lovely book and I am planning to buy it for lots of family members and friends. It’s a wonderful, feel good story about two women, one young and starting out in London and one older looking back on her life, who become friends and get together to save a lido. The characters are so real and likeable, the plot is exciting and the writing is fresh and engaging. I loved the descriptions of Brixton. The streets come to life and there’s a great sense of community. The author cleverly builds up the scenes so you feel part of them. I often read a chapter and made myself put the book down, to savour what had happened, as I didn’t want to finish it too quickly. There are lots of examples of courage and overcoming adversity and at the end I thought, ‘What a great story’ and wanted to read it again.

This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me anxious, it gave me hope. I found it to be almost painfully human, if there's such a thing. I think that's what made it a surprisingly difficult read for me - it was so realistic that I kept getting distracted by other things and my mind kept wandering. On the other hand I also thought the story was heartwarming and in its realism it made me feel all the good even more powerfully. Overall I absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend this book to others.

When the Lido comes under threat of closure, Kate interviews Rosemary and learns of her lifetime association with the area. As the community get together in an effort to save the Lido so Kate learns the importance of friends and family, and Rosemary acknowledges that she too still has a role in life to play.
This warm and caring book had me laughing, crying and willing the community on to save the Lido. I cannot recommend this enough; it is the best book I have read this year.

This is a gently enthralling read. It is the story of Rosemary and Kate who are generations apart but come together to save the local lido. Both women are lonely and at a cross roads in their lives.

Rosemary has always lived in Brixton and the Lido has been a huge part of her life and is full of memories for her, particularly since her husband has died. Now that the Lido is under threat, everything seems different.
Kate has just moved to live in London and feels very alone in her new life. The closure of the Lido is Kate's introduction to the world of outdoor swimming and the start of something new for her.

The book is beautifully written with well drawn characters and a real sense of community. Libby Page's debut is a great read and I look forward to reading her next book.

I absolutely loved The Lido. The main characters are Rosemary and Kate. Rosemary is a larger than life 86 year old. She’s lived in Brixton all her life and been swimming at the Lido for 80 years. Twenty six year old Kate on the other hand works for a local paper and suffers from anxiety and panic attack’s.

When Kate is assigned to write about the closing of the local lido, she meets Rosemary. These two strike up an unlikely friendship and rally the community together to save the lido.

Beautifully written, this is a feel good book that will draw you in and keep you company to the very last page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for the chance to review.

Brrrr...

My grandkids swim in an outdoor pool, I doubt it is heated, but I know their mother sits and watches wrapped in several blankets with a hot drink and a hot water bottle! Me - I like my water 30 degrees at least  - above permitted heat I know but...

So I maybe wouldn't have joined the petition to keep the Lido open, not for me, but certainly there are lots of people who don't mind the cold so maybe I would join for them. And for a Community Asset which should be kept of course!

I read a recent article by Libby Page who wrote of friendship. Across age, backgrounds and cultures. And the importance of community assets as meeting places to facilitate these friendships. without somewhere where everyone is welcomed, we are impoverished and the lesser for it.

This novel reminds us of the richness of a locality where feet traverse the soil and encounters with others is the norm.

I really must visit Brixton and the market!