Swimming For Beginners

Name: Swimming For Beginners
Author: https://www.simonandschuster.net/authors/Nicola-Gill/265591636
ISBN: 9781915798701

A moving and gently humorous story of unlikely motherhood, rediscovery and the surprising magic of second chances

By Nicola Gill

LIST PRICE $17.99

Rave and Reviews

About The Book

Funny, heart-breaking and life-affirming, Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren’t a mother.

'The perfect mix of funny, poignant and heartwarming.' - Good Housekeeping

‘Warm, witty but also heart-wrenching read' - Red Magazine

'Touching and witty. I adored Loretta and her relationship with Phoebe' - Lisa Snowdon.

'This heart-warming and creative contemporary fiction is a story of unexpected self-discovery.'- Woman's Weekly

'Full of heart and depth.' - Nina Pottell Prima Book of the Month

‘Funny, heart-warming read - it made me laugh and cry' — Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party

'Eleanor Oliphant meets About a Boy' — Gillian Harvey

'An absolute joy' — Nancy Peach

'Brilliantly funny' — Louise Hare

Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren't a mother.

Loretta has her life under control. She's chasing a big promotion, she's marrying the "perfect man" and she has a flawless five-year plan.

This plan does not include children.

But when a complete stranger asks her to watch her six-year-old daughter in an airport and never returns, both their lives will be changed forever.

A little human in fairy wings and sparkly cowgirl boots will turn Loretta's world upside down and maybe, just maybe, show her exactly what she's missing.

Overflowing with humour and heartbreak, Nicola Gill takes us on a relatable journey of self-discovery through the power of a child's love.

'Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable.’- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

‘Please meet my new favourite book.' - Jessica Ryn, author of The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside

'Heartbreaking and life-affirming, an absolute must read’ - Tim Ewins, author of We Are Animals

About The Author

Nicola Gill

Product Details

Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers (July 21, 2026)
Length: 352 pages
ISBN13: 9781915798701

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Raves and Reviews

It’s funny, smart and will break your heart.

– Eleni Kyriacou

This book swam away with my heart. Poignant and uplifting, it addresses loss, sadness and the horrible feeling of never quite fitting in, but with a lightness of touch and humour that makes it a pleasure to read.

– Eleanor Ray

A heartfelt tale of love, loss and coming back to life

– Gillian Harvey

Brilliantly funny, incredibly touching and so relatable. Another fabulous book from Nicola Gill

– Louise Hare

Please meet my new favourite book. I roared with laughter and wept buckets for Phoebe and Loretta. So much heart on each beautifully written page and one to read again and again

– Jessica Ryn

As a parent, this book absolutely killed me. It's spot on and a complete page turner

– Tim Ewins

I ADORED it. It’s original, refreshing and full of soul. A truly unforgettable read that’s heartbreaking and spirit lifting in equal measure, with characters and life lessons that will stay with me forever

– Helly Acton

I love, love, LOVED this book! A massive great hug of a story: warm, funny and big-hearted. Uplifting fiction at its very best!

– Louise Mumford

This story was so compelling and easy to read . . . I devoured it in two sittings

– Sharon M. Peterson

I loved this book which made me both laugh and cry, often at the same time. Nicola Gill has expertly crafted a page-turning, emotional and relatable novel which will warm every heart. The perfect book to curl up with. I absolutely adored it.

– Louise Fein

A Nicola Gill book is always a treat and I loved this so much - laugh out loud funny, warm-hearted and feelgood, with characters that jump off the page.

– Frances Quinn

A beautiful read full of heart and depth

– Nina Pottell

Once again, Nicola hits that sweet spot between humour and heart. Loretta is a character that everyone will be able to see a little bit of themselves in. A truly charming read.

– Holly McCulloch

Funny, smart and heart-warming, Swimming For Beginners is an absolute gem of a novel. Loretta's story was so brilliantly written, with every character crafted to perfection. I'll be recommending this gorgeous book to all my friends.

– Holler Miller, author of 'The Sight of You'

‘Funny, heart-warming read - it made me laugh and cry'

– Nikki Smith

The perfect mix of funny, poignant and heartwarming.

– Joanne Finney