When you read as many books as I do, you realize that there are very few that will keep you up all night, waiting to see how it ends. How To Save A Life is certainly one of those that gave me a sleepless night! 😉
How To Save A Life
One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.
That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.
Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.
When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.
In a story spanning twenty years, join Ted and Marianne as they navigate life’s twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, while all the time wondering – will fate ever bring them together again…
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My Review
Marianne Cooper was running away from her office party to avoid the embarrassment of finding her boyfriend with another girl. Little did she realize that as she made her way that December night, along London’s South Bank, she would end up saving a life! But when she spoke to the man trying to jump off the Waterloo Bridge, she stopped Ted Green from certain death. Although they didn’t exchange names, both Marianne and Ted never could quite forget that night or each other.
After getting saved, Ted began to make something of his life – getting therapy and eventually becoming a doctor.
Marianne too gave up her job and with her experience of being able to talk Ted off the bridge, realized that she was cut out to be a therapist.
The author takes us on a journey through the lives of Ted and Marianne. Both their lives were definitely not easy, but that night set them on a new course, that made them both hopeful and strong. Their struggles made them very credible characters.
I love how the book took us through their lives, allowing them to get glimpses of each other but never quite being certain if it was indeed the other. This kept up the element of surprise and kept me absorbed throughout.
The idea that an act of kindness can bring change not only to the beneficiary, but also make a huge difference to the life of the benefactor, is a theme that came through to me in this story.
I loved the premise of this story, all the characters and the author’s writing style.
Meet The Author
Clare Swatman is the author of three women’s fiction novels, published by Macmillan, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire. Before We Grow Old, was published in January 2022.
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Thanks to Clare Swatman, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for an ARC of the book.