The Lido by Libby Page @LibbyPageWrites @orionbooks @RebeccaGray #TheLido

Meet Rosemary, 86, and Kate, 26: dreamers, campaigners, outdoor swimmers.

Rosemary has lived in Brixton all her life, but everything she knows is changing. Only the local lido, where she swims every day, remains a constant reminder of the past and her beloved husband George.

Kate has just moved and feels adrift in a city that is too big for her. She's on the bottom rung of her career as a local journalist, and is determined to make something of it.

So when the lido is threatened with closure, Kate knows this story could be her chance to shine. But for Rosemary, it could be the end of everything. Together they are determined to make a stand, and to prove that the pool is more than just a place to swim - it is the heart of the community.

The Lido is an uplifting novel about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how
ordinary people can protect the things they love.

The Lido by Libby Page was published by Orion in hardback in April 2018. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.

I read The Lido whilst I was on holiday in Corfu, lazing by the pool in the glorious sunshine and it really was the perfect setting for this wonderful book.

Kate is a journalist, working on fairly mundane, everyday stories for a local newspaper. She's also very anxious; away from home for the first time and trying to put on a brave face. Kate is lonely, she spends her free time alone and wondering if she'll ever feel better.

Rosemary is also lonely. She's 86 and her beloved husband George recently died, they'd been married for over 60 years and he was the one love of her life. Rosemary's only joy in life is the Lido; she learnt to swim there as a young girl, she and George swam there together and she can gaze upon it from the balcony of her flat.

When the local council announce that due to funding pressures, they are going to sell the Lido to developers, Kate is given the story to cover. Rosemary is one of the fiercest opposers to the closing of the Lido and when she and Kate meet, there is an instant click.

Working together, Kate and Rosemary take on the big boys. They are determined that the Lido will not be closed and soon have an army of supporters.

Whilst this is a story of a community trying its best to save a much-loved amenity, it is, at the heart, a story of a blossoming friendship between two unlikely allies. As Kate discovers swimming and takes tentative steps into her local community, Rosemary regales her with stories of long ago. Their friendship is beautifully crafted, moving slowly but perfectly and this author cleverly examines both of these fascinating women, bring them to life for her readers.

The Lido is a joy to read. Character led, with Kate and Rosemary at the head, but with a supporting cast who are all fully formed, believable and fit perfectly into the story. The Lido itself becomes a character too, and I became almost as passionate as the characters about making sure that it stayed open.

The Lido is uplifting, fresh and touching. It's an absolute treat to read and I enjoyed it so much. I'm really looking forward to seeing what this talented author writes next.

Libby Page wrote The Lido while working in marketing and moonlighting as a writer. 
The Lido has sold in over twenty territories around the world and film rights have been sold to Catalyst Global Media. 
After writing, Libby's second passion is outdoor swimming. 
Libby lives in London where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city. 
Follow Libby on twitter @libbypagewrites
Find out more at www.libbypage.co.uk
Find her Author page on Facebook