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I received this book from Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

I found it difficult to write a review for this book mainly because it was by far the most irritating book I read in 2021.

Ostensibly, this is a book about the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.
In truth the Covid-19 aspect is mostly a McGuffin, clickbait, to draw attention to a story about a selfish woman acting self-indulgently and thus endangering kind strangers and causing her family and friends much worry.

The story centres on Kate who seems to be almost completely inept at coping with the day-to-day requirements of life. She lives in a badly maintained cottage with her son who, rather than bringing her comfort, she sees as just another burden: eating too much food and creating too much housework.
The only parts of her life she enjoys are her job, which provides her with social interaction and some extra food, and the wild beauty of the Peak District, the area where she lives.
And now she is required to isolate for two weeks, deprived of the socialization of her job and hikes in the Peak District.
While I could have some sympathy with her frustration this is not the story of someone isolating in an airless apartment in a dreary city, or someone trapped in lockdown with stressing-inducing or abusive family members. She is lucky enough to live in a cottage in the country with a garden.

A second point of view is that of her son Matt, a relatively passive teenager, who spends his time in his room gaming or pondering on his relationship with his best friend. I would have liked to hear more from Matt but his contribution is minor and mainly involves worrying what has happened to his mum.

We also have the point of view of the elderly neighbor Alice who is sheltering at home due to the fact she is recovering from cancer. Her POV is the most Covid-relevant narrative. She muses on the restrictions and difficulties, the problems big and small, and her rather unsatisfactory relationship with her daughter’s family.

The fourth perspective is that of one of the volunteer rescuers who must leave his disgruntled teen daughter at home in order to assist in the search for Kate.
Although he is unexpectedly on-call due to a Covid- related shortage of available volunteers he is happy to be tramping around on fells and tors and enjoys the excuse his volunteer work gives him to wander freely outside even during lockdown.
Incredibly, the author seemed to be implying that his ‘selfish� pleasure derived from his volunteer work in some way equates his actions with those of Kate!


I was not as impressed as others by the writing style but was quite good even though I tend to dislike stream of consciousness. However, it was not good enough to elevate my opinion of this book.
2.5 stars