Honestly, Charlotte Levin has done it again with Outside. If you loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or Sorrow and Bliss, this is going to be right up your street. I so wanted to read this book as I have read the other two and this one is so good .Outside follows Beatrice, a total rising star whose life completely derails after a massive tragedy. She ends up with severe agoraphobia, completely stuck inside her own house and terrified to cross the doorstep. What I love about Charlotte Levin’s writing is that she doesn't just use mental illness as a cheap plot point. You really feel the absolute panic and frustration Beatrice goes through, but it’s balanced with this incredibly sharp, dry humour that keeps it from feeling too heavy. I was laughing and crying in the same chapter, and it gave me all the feels. It's a gorgeous, messy look at grief, family drama, and how the walls we build to protect ourselves can turn into our own prisons. This is definitely one to add to your reading list if you love books about beautifully flawed, complicated people and you love Charlotte Levin’s writing, which is so brilliantly crafted with emotion and wit and humour. I’m being deliberately vague about plot because the best thing about this is how it unfolds and I don’t want to spoil a second of your reading .

Great book, I really loved this and all the characters. Bea was so likeable and relatable. The neighbour, Finn, Matisse and even the “therapist” and Gerard, she had such a good network and it just shows jr doesn’t matter what u have mental health can always show up. I would have liked slightly more from the ending and how she progressed though

This is an engrossing and immersive read that I devoured in a day. I loved the sensitive and authentic handling of the underlying issues that the protagonist experiences. I rooted for her but also loved that her storyline wasn't sacharine and predictable. I found this moving but also funny and loved the author's sharp and pithy observations.
Charlotte Levin has written her best book so far with this.

What a brilliant book. I cried and laughed out loud while reading this. All the characters are so sharply observed - who would have thought a parakeet could provoke such an emotional reaction? Charlotte writes with such a wonderful dark sense of humour and Outside is an absolute triumph. My favourite of this author's books so far.

This is the third book I have read by.Levin and, I think this is her third book. Levin breaks every muscle and bone of her characters, to only build them back with a surgical like precision.
A superb writer.
Matisse steals the show, but he was always going to.

An uplifting, beautifully written romance, which is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Beatrice is a wonderfully complex heroine whose struggles with grief, anxiety and isolation feel deeply authentic. I laughed out loud at her quick wit and broke down in tears on more than one occassion.

Her heartbreaking story is filled with a cast of unforgettable characters and the chemistry between Beatrice and Finn is tender and charming. I was so invested in them finding love and freedom in each other.

Charlotte, thank you for a wonderful story that will live on forever in my heart and for your bravery in sharing your emotions. I pray one day you see the ocean again.

Outside is an emotionally immersive and quietly devastating novel about grief, anxiety, and the desperate need for connection. Charlotte Levin captures spiralling thoughts and social anxiety with painful accuracy (so much so that, as a fellow sufferer, I cried), but still balances the heaviness with warmth, humanity, and humour.

There was such an emotional intimacy to the writing. The relationships felt nuanced and believable, particularly the maternal dynamics and feeling of lost safety, which added so much depth to the story. There’s a tenderness running through the novel even in its most uncomfortable moments, and I found myself completely invested in Bea’s emotional journey to ‘recovery’.

The atmosphere of isolation and grief is handled beautifully, but the book never feels hopeless. Instead, it becomes a thoughtful exploration of loneliness, vulnerability, and the ways people try to survive loss. It’s realistic and reassuring to see no such depiction of a miracle being performed, of a ‘cure’, but rather the little victories in overcoming, or handling, anxiety.

A deeply affecting and psychologically sharp read that stayed with me after I finished - along with many tear stains!

This could quite possibly be my favourite book of 2026 and one that will stay with me for a very long time.

Oh Beatrice… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you. I found myself completely invested in your story and desperate to know what happened next. Charlotte Levin has created such a memorable, beautifully written character that I genuinely need more.

The story is emotional, thought-provoking and utterly captivating. It pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. I laughed, I worried, I hoped, and I was left thinking about it long after I’d finished.

I can only hope Charlotte Levin gives us a sequel because I need to know where life takes Beatrice next.

A truly unforgettable read and an easy 5 stars from me.

Wow..

It seems weird to say you love a book when the subject matter is one that causes a lot of pain and grief for the person and their loved ones but this book deserves all the accolades. It would make for a powerful film or series and while I was reading it, it was being played out as a film in my head.

Charlotte Levin is an outstanding and gifted writer. Despite the subject matter, she finds time and the space to inject her humour and wit in this very human and emotional novel. She is wickedly funny and I laughed out loud many times throughout the book.

Charlotte wrote this book because she wanted to raise awareness of what it is like to have and live with agoraphobia. I think this book is a masterpiece and a triumph. I was rooting for Beatrice all the way through and lived through every single bit of joy and pain.. I loved the banter and the relationship she had with Finn.

This book deserves a wide audience. It's more than good. If I could give it ten stars I would.

Ever since a good book friend pestered me into reading If I Can’t Have You, Charlotte Levin has been a must read asap author.

Outside tells Beatrice’s story. She’s recently bereaved, her acting character was just about to take off and she’s agoraphobic. She can’t leave the house.

Charlotte Levin is truly gifted in empathetic, emotionally immersive writing. It’s meditative, thought provoking and deeply moving. Beatrice is one of the most memorable and complete characters you’ll meet in a book this year.

I know it won’t be for everyone but personally I loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications

Superbly written - a moving & heartfelt novel about the difficult life of an agoraphobic. The reader can really understand the ramifications of what life is like for a sufferer and how this mental illness affects everyday life. It is a story of love too with phenomenal characters who will make you both laugh and cry. Highly recommended

4.5 stars

I had this pre-ordered but had to cancel it after having money issues so I'm thrilled I was sent an e-copy.

I found this instantly fabulous. Beatrice is a difficult character to like at times, but I found myself really warming to her. She has her issues yes, but they're not just used as a side story or just to tick a box. They're so deep and considered and done with such empathy, I loved her. Charlotte's talent at creating a character that has been through grief and other difficulties, and has struggled with coping with all of that - she's just a very familiar and well written character and I just wanted to hold her hand throughout.

It flits between the "now" and the "before". Whilst the "before" scenes are interesting and I enjoyed them, I preferred the present scenes. I felt there was more, personally, for me to get my teeth into.

It is so effortless to read and feels like it was effortless to write (although I don't want to dumb down the writing experience). The sentences are written well, the dialogue natural, the characters so deep and familiar, the chapters a reasonable length, the emotion deep and moving and identifiable and just, yeah, really effortless storytelling.

I love how intense it is. That sounds weird, let me explain. There's some difficult topics covered in this book, some intense feelings, but she's handled them so well. They're not hidden but now are they sensationalised. She's got the right balance. And she's injected humour into it. Not OTT humour and it's also not a morbid humour, it's a natural humour which helps lighten the tougher moments.

It's not a short book at nearly 400 pages but it's so easy to read that I finished it in just a day. It flows so well and it is so enjoyable that the page count just flies by.

My one...not negative, because it's not a negative, more of an observation and what I wanted. The ending was a little abrupt. It was really good, don't get me wrong, and I think it's because it was so good that I wanted more. I'd have liked the resolution and relationships just to be drawn out a bit more so I could enjoy it more. But what is there is very good, works well with the story, and leaves you satisfied.

I believe Charlotte has her own experiences with agoraphobia, which is why this book is so important to her and I can really see that personal touch. People think it's not as serious as it is, that you're lazy, you don't want to go out, you want to stay home - but that's simplifying it. It's not a condition that means you want to stay at home. It's a condition that means you can't leave the house. That's completely different and I think it will do a world of good to see it as a main plot point in a mainstream book by a popular author.

What I can't believe is this is the first of her books I've read. I would have put money on having read her others but apparently not. But this is a good thing because now it gives me an excuse to buy them.

Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications for an advanced copy of this book.

From the opening pages, I knew I was going to enjoy Outside. Charlotte Levin’s writing is beautifully lyrical and deeply thoughtful- qualities I always hope to find and rarely do. I highlighted so many passages, including this one:

“The room drinks the sun as though it’s been dying of thirst, and she stands, straight, within the bright rectangle on the floor and blinks, adjusting her eyes to the glare. Particles of dust dance around her as though she were a maypole.”

The prose is gorgeous, but it is also balanced by wonderfully dry humour. Lines such as, “Better therapy then. I know a Chinese doctor who helped my sister-in-law’s depression, God rest her soul,” and, “She pours the milk first. That’s how tormented she is. She’s pouring the milk in first,” made me laugh while also revealing so much about the character of Bea.

This is a novel with heavy subject matter. Agoraphobia can be life-changing and can present in many different ways. Levin approaches the subject, which I later discovered is incredibly close to her heart, with sincerity, compassion, humour and honesty. For those looking in from the outside, it is an illness that can be difficult to understand. Yet the novel also conveys the sense that even the person experiencing it may not understand why their mind and body will not cooperate. Bea’s frustration, and her need to control the smallest details when the larger things feel impossible to control, come through powerfully.

Bea is an actress who has always lived comfortably in the shadow of her mother. When a life-changing event occurs, she retreats completely into herself. Physically and mentally trapped inside her home, she is too afraid, and unable, to go outside. Then she meets Finn. Could he be the person who helps her find a way back to herself?

I hope this book does really well. It has a great deal to say, but never feels self-indulgent or preachy. Instead, it is delicate, considered and quietly affecting. I came away with more than just a memorable story and beautiful writing; I also felt more informed and compassionate about the subject at its heart.

Outside is one of those books that is difficult to describe but impossible to forget. Charlotte Levin has created a narrator who is lonely, vulnerable and often frustrating, yet I couldn’t help becoming invested in her story. The writing is sharp and atmospheric, with a creeping sense of unease running throughout.

I found myself constantly wondering where the story was going, and while some parts felt a little slow for me, the emotional payoff was worth it. Beneath the dark humour and awkward encounters is a thoughtful exploration of grief, isolation and what it means to belong.

This won’t be a book for everyone, but if you enjoy character-driven fiction with flawed protagonists and an offbeat edge, it’s well worth picking up. A memorable and thought-provoking read.

Outside
by Charlotte Levin
Publication Date: 6 August 2026

Charlotte Levin delivers a heartfelt and deeply moving story about grief, anxiety, healing, and the courage it takes to face the world again. Beatrice is an engaging and believable protagonist whose struggles feel authentic, making it easy to become emotionally invested in her journey from isolation towards hope.

The supporting cast adds warmth, humour and depth to the novel, particularly Finn, whose patience and kindness provide a gentle contrast to Beatrice's fears, while Matisse the foul-mouthed parakeet steals more than a few scenes with perfectly timed comic relief. The relationships throughout the story feel natural, balancing emotional moments with lighter ones that keep the narrative from becoming overwhelming.

The exploration of mental health is handled with sensitivity and compassion, never feeling forced or overly sentimental. Instead, the novel reminds readers that recovery is rarely straightforward, but that connection, understanding and love can make even the smallest steps forward feel like remarkable victories.

Outside is an emotional, uplifting and beautifully written novel that blends humour with heartfelt emotion. It's an inspiring story of resilience, second chances and rediscovering life beyond the walls we build around ourselves.

#OutsideBook #CharlotteLevin #BookReview #NetGalley #ContemporaryFiction

Outside is a novel about grief, guilt and how loss can completely derail a person’s life. Beatrice loses the human connections which are most vital to her wellbeing without much to replace them as her world shrinks to the space behind her own front door. Could the arrival of Finn, the gardener who undertakes to clear the overgrown garden which Beatrice can’t even look at, prove to be the start of a tentative re-engagement with the outside?
Charlotte’s writing is lyrical and absolutely beautiful, peppered with humour which balances the heavy emotional themes.
I liked the realistic ending; life is rarely neatly wrapped up a big bow.

After a tragic incident Beatrice becomes confined to her house, with little interactions other than with her sweary Parakeet Matisse, the postman Marvin (who is actually Martin) and her elderly neighbour. She is an actress but cannot leave her house.

I just knew I was going to love this. Charlotte’s writing is fantastic and Beatrice is a complex character that you grow to love throughout the book. Her trauma, experiences and relationships unfolding and leading us to where she’s currently at.

Outside has so much to offer, an unconventional love story, family secrets and a raw look at anxiety/agoraphobia. I loved that Charlotte Levin keeps the story believable in that it doesn’t always work out how we want it to. One of those books that has you laughing out loud but dreading what’s going to happen next. I especially loved the authors note and Charlotte sharing her own experiences.

Deserves all the love I think it’s going to get!

This book and characters are so real. Beatrice suffers from agoraphobia, and as we read her backstory, we gradually learn why. She is a trusting soul who has been let down by the people she loves. Trust is fragile and easily broken. Once lost it is hard to regain, so Beatrice turns inwards. But as an actor, that cannot be sustained. Gradually, with help of the unlikely pairing of a bird and a gardener, she begins to feel her way. Finn and Mattisse become not just the key, but the glue to her very gradual piecing together of her life.
Living in the shadow of a famous mother, and not knowing the identity of her father means that Beatrice appears full of insecurities. We travel with her through the ups and downs of her everyday life, where even putting rubbish in the bin is excruciatingly difficult, watching as she gradually blossoms into the 'real Beatrice'
As anyone who has ever suffered any kind of social anxiety knows, this is not an easy journey.
Not an easy read, but very interesting and well written.
With thanks to Charlotte Levin, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliantly written book by Charlotte with a realistic look into the life of someone who is suffering from agoraphobia after a traumatic event.

Outside was bleak and sad at times, but as always with Charlotte's work, the humour shone through in little glimmers, and I just thought this had the perfect balance. There were some very sweet friendships too which I absolutely loved.

The past chapters from both Beatrice and her mother were well executed with no confusion, and I also really liked the romance that developed in real time too.

What made this book for me though, was the ending! There is no neatly wrapped up bow, but  hope and reassurance that everything is going to be O.K. for Beatrice as she starts to move forward with her life.

This was a deeply moving novel that explores grief, agoraphobia & what it takes to re connect with the world after loss. Beatrice is an actress whose life has been turned upside down by a tragic accident that took her mothers life. She can no longer step beyond her front door & for over a year has been living a life controlled by fear & anxiety.

Beatrice is a superb protagonist, she's intelligent, witty & profoundly relatable. Her struggles are heavy but the undertone of dark humour provided some relief. The supporting characters are equally memorable especially Finn whose intentions never come across unauthentic.

Levins writing is empathetic capturing the reality behind anxiety & agoraphobia. It's very real, there isn't an easy approach for Beatrice to get better & this story shows just how linear recovery is.

Outside is a remarkable novel, beautifully written & shows that even the smallest of baby steps forward are an act of bravery.

Thank you to Netgalley, OneWorld Publications & Charlotte Levin for a digital ARC.

I’ve adored Charlotte Levin’s previous books so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one!

The story follows Beatrice, an actress who develops agoraphobia after a devastating loss. We get her story through three timelines – "Previously", "Recently" and "Now" – and I absolutely loved how everything slowly came together. Every time I thought I understood Beatrice, another piece of her past was revealed that made me see her differently.

Beatrice isn't always an easy character to like because of how dependent she is on the people around her but after everything she'd been through, her attachment issues made complete sense. I found myself really rooting for her, especially as she started to build new friendships and relationships and took tiny steps towards getting her life back. I also appreciated that her recovery wasn't rushed or made to seem easy. It felt realistic, and those small victories felt just as important as the big ones.

I also really enjoyed how this book explored grief and mental health. It didn't shy away from how messy and complicated both can be, but it also never felt hopeless.

The author's note at the end was the perfect way to finish the book. Finding out that Charlotte Levin has experienced agoraphobia herself and wrote this story to raise awareness made Beatrice's journey feel even more authentic.

This was a brilliant character-driven read with complex relationships, family secrets, grief, hope and a really honest portrayal of agoraphobia. If you enjoy books that focus on people rather than plot, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!

Outside is an incredibly intimate and affecting read that offers such a powerful insight into agoraphobia. Knowing that the story isn't entirely fictional adds another layer of depth and emotional weight, making it feel even more personal and authentic.

Charlotte Levin has created wonderfully complex characters who feel real, flawed, and deeply human. Their relationships and emotions are handled with such care that I found myself completely invested from beginning to end.

And I have to mention Matisse the parakeet, who completely stole my heart! Such a brilliant addition to the story, bringing moments of warmth, comfort, and personality that balanced the heavier themes beautifully.

This is a thoughtful, compassionate novel that explores mental health with honesty and sensitivity. It left a lasting impression on me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for character-driven fiction with genuine emotional depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Charlotte Levin absolutely ATE with this one.

I loved every single second of Outside. It made me laugh, it made me emotional, and I didn’t want it to end.

Beatrice’s journey felt so real, and I loved all the quirky side characters (Matisse was an icon). But Finn… oh my god. Finn is genuinely one of the sweetest fictional men to ever exist. He was so patient, kind and understanding, and I was rooting for them from the minute he appeared.

This book handles some really difficult topics so beautifully without ever losing its warmth or humour. It completely stole my heart.

An easy five stars. I’d recommend this to absolutely everyone.

This story completely immerses you in Beatrice's world. An acclaimed young actress living in the shadow of her even more prolific and legendary actress mother, Marianne. From the very beginning there is intrigue, with lifelong mysteries slowly unfolding and setting the tone for the events that have led Beatrice to a life of crippling anxiety, leaving her unable to step outside her home.

The way Charlotte Levin writes Beatrice's thought processes, safety behaviours, avoidance and attempts to justify her fears feels incredibly authentic. You really feel how exhausting and all-consuming anxiety can become. It also captures something so important; how powerful the mind can be, not only in trapping us in fear, but also in giving us hope. You can feel the frustrations and spirals of emotions through different situations.

The relationships throughout the story are beautifully written, with each one representing something different for Beatrice. They become symbolic of love, grief, trust, healing, acceptance and hope, all helping to shape her journey.

This book explores trauma, loss, love, grief, mental health, connection and resilience with so much compassion and empathy. Charlotte's writing is delicate, beautifully descriptive and balanced with moments of witty humour, making even the heavier themes feel approachable. She has woven the story so thoughtfully that it never feels too heavy, instead leaving you with a real sense of hope. It offers a refreshingly honest portrayal of anxiety, avoiding the glamorisation or generalisation of such complex experiences.

As a CBT therapist, I felt this was one of the most realistic portrayals of anxiety I've read. It doesn't just show how consuming it can be; it also reflects how powerful our own strength can be in taking back control. Creating new pathways through exposure, sitting with discomfort and recognising that progress comes from taking one small step at a time are all represented with such authenticity.

I really hope this book helps to break down stigma. It shows that anxiety can present itself in so many different ways and that every individual's experience is unique. The feelings are real, even if those looking in from the outside don't always understand or unintentionally minimise them.

Finally, I loved Charlotte Levin's author's note. Her openness in sharing the personal experiences that inspired this story made it even more meaningful and highlighted just how important this novel is.

A beautiful, compassionate and hopeful read that I won't forget.
(Bea and Finn, I'm cheering for you both!)

Thank you to Oneworld Publications and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.