'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



Nicola Gill lives in London with her husband and two sons. At the age of five, when all of the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her ballet teacher was very relieved.

When she's not at her desk, you can usually find Nicola reading, cooking up vast vats of food for friends and family or watching box sets. Occasionally she even leaves the house…



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



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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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.



A beautiful read full of heart and depth



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.



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.



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



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



The perfect mix of funny, poignant and heartwarming.