Two Metres From You written by Heidi Stephens, publisher Headline Accent, is available NOW in ebook, audiobook and paperback format.
Book Blurb
Love might be closer than you think . . .
Gemma isn’t sure what upsets her more. The fact she just caught her boyfriend cheating, or that he did it on her brand-new Heal’s cushions.
All she knows is she needs to put as many miles between her and Fraser as humanly possible. So, when her best friend suggests a restorative few days in the West Country, it seems like the perfect solution.
That is, until the country enters a national lockdown that leaves her stranded. All she has for company is her dog, Mabel. And the mysterious (and handsome!) stranger living at the bottom of her garden . . .
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.
I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating the launch of the paperback of Two Metres From You by Heidi Stephens.
This is the second book I’ve read that is very topical and uses the current global COVID 19 pandemic as part of it’s storyline. The author, Heidi Stephens, has written a romcom that focuses on the unexpected positives of life living in lockdown. If you thought a story set in these unprecedented times would be too raw please think again and try this book as I adored it. Two Metres From You is topical, funny, uplifting, heart-warming, thoughtful, community spirited and oh so romantic … I was glued to the storyline and was keen to learn what happened next and when I did get to the end I felt bereft to leave these wonderful characters behind.
Gemma has just caught her shameless boyfriend with another woman, she’s so enraged with him she packs her belongings and most importantly her dog, Mabel and sets off to the Wiltshire countryside to escape the city of London and the mess of her love life.
Her friend Caro has given Gemma the opportunity to stay in her country cottage. Wallowing in heartbreak Gemma drowns out her sorrows and crashes out on the sofa and is awoken by a handsome stranger who seems pretty knowledgeable of the cottage.
Waking up hungover in a strange house in the countryside with a strange man roaming around and now the country has gone into lockdown Gemma has no option but to stay put.
Gemma loves the city life in London with high strength WIFI, delis and friends around the corner. Acquiring temporary emotional refuge is taking some readjusting as there is hardly any WIFI and just one village shop! However, Gemma’s dog, Mabel, feels right at home with ample space to walk and new areas to discover and Mabel has even found a new friend with the stranger who happens to live in a converted barn at the bottom on Gemma’s garden. Gemma and Matthew’s unorthodox introduction certainly broke the ice in introductions and a friendship soon blossoms.
As the days and weeks of the first lockdown fly by as an outsider Gemma notices changes in the locals lives and how it is effecting their wellbeing. With home schooling, working from home, isolation of the vulnerable, loneliness and boredom Gemma devises a project to help the community survive this united ordeal.
Two Metres From You is an accomplished debut novel that will hearten your soul, make you smile, it’s very poignant in places and so very relatable with a cast of likeable characters, a swoon worthy romance and a village scene to make you want an idyllic country escape. This time away from her normality gave Gemma the chance to reassess her life and home is not necessary where you think it may be. I can’t wait to see where Heidi Stephens will take her new readers to next.
About the Author
Heidi Stephens has spent her career working in advertising and marketing; some of her early writing work includes instruction manuals for vacuum cleaners, saucepans and sex toys. For the past ten years she has also freelanced as a journalist and, on autumnal weekend evenings, can be found liveblogging Strictly Come Dancing for The Guardian. She lives in Wiltshire with her partner and Labrador, Mabel.
Two Metres from You is Heidi’s debut novel.
Twitter: @heidistephens
Website: Heidi Stephens
Instagram: Heidi Stephens (@heidistephens) • Instagram photos and videos
kraftireader 