Title: Outside

Author: Charlotte Levin

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Oneworld, Magpie

Publication Date: 6th August 2026

Rating: 5/5

Cover:

Summary:

She’s locked the door to the world. 
Is love strong enough to open it?

Following a tragic incident, rising-star Beatrice is struggling. Having retreated from life entirely, she finds herself unable to leave the house. With her acting career now over, (Though don’t tell her agent), and discovering who her real friends aren’t, her world has shrunk―its only inhabitants, an elderly Polish neighbour, the world’s most boring postman, her therapist with issues of her own, and Piano Bitch from across the road. Thank God for Matisse, her beloved, foul-mouthed parakeet.

When she hires Irish gardener, Finn, to tame the overgrown garden that she cannot even enter, things take an unexpected turn. Their connection blossoms, and she’s no longer isolated and alone. But can a relationship survive the restrictions that control her, or will love enable Beatrice to confront her fears and step outside again?

Review:

Outside is a fantastic portrayal of some complex subjects, handled with both sensitivity and wit. Our main character, Beatrice, suffers from anxiety and agoraphobia and Outside is a beautifully exploration of what led her to this state and how she attempts to overcome her challenging health conditions. As someone who has dealt with bad anxiety for a long time, I really have to commend Charlotte Levin’s piercingly accurate and authentic depiction of something which can be very difficult to truly explain, especially to people who have little personal experience of it. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been completely agoraphobic but there are elements to it that I am intimately familiar with and they are brought to life in Beatrice’s character in a way that is heartbreaking and yet hopeful at the same time. Levin has created a rich and nuanced character just beautifully, and I would highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end of the book for some context on why this depiction feels so real. 

Outside is split between the past and the present day. This works perfectly, showing how a condition like anxiety can take hold and begin to control a person completely. The relatively small cast of characters in Beatrice’s orbit are all compelling and again feel very genuine. Special mention has to, of course, go to Matisse the parakeet! I absolutely loved Outside and highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list. It is poignant, funny, empathetic, and achingly real. I was rooting for Beatrice from beginning to end. 

 ★★★★★

Huge thanks to Novel Tours and Oneworld for having me on the tour and sending me the book. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

Buy the book:

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