Mansfield Woodhouse author K.L. Loveley has highlighted autism in her latest novel, Love, Secrets & Absolution.

The retired NHS nurse-turned-writer used her medical knowledge to create the thought-provoking family drama about a boy with undiagnosed Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism that affects how people perceive and interact with others.

The release of the new book coincided with World Autism Awareness Week, which was pioneered by The National Autistic Society.

Its aim is to increase awareness of the range of conditions that fall under the autism spectrum.
Approximately 700,000 people in the UK are on the spectrum, which includes similar conditions like Asperger’s.

In addition to the work of charities like the autistic society, several programmes have helped to raise awareness too, such as. For example, the BBC’s The A Word and Netflix’s Atypical.

“It is reassuring to see the increasing number of books, films, and TV shows that sensitively address autism,” said K.L. Loveley.

“I conducted thorough research about Asperger’s and used my medical experience and knowledge to sensitively write about this important topic.

“My novel delves deep into the condition and explores the psychological angst of both parent and child, from birth to adulthood.”

K.L. Loveley has set her latest novel in Nottinghamshire against the backdrop of the 1984 miners’ strike. She has mentioned many local places and incorporated local dialect.

Within her novel, she has acknowledged local librarian archivist Ann Sewell, who helped with local research.

Writing under the pen name K.L. Loveley, the author published her debut novel, Alice, in February 2017.

Love, Secrets & Absolution, by K.L. Loveley, is available from Amazon, Waterstones and other bookshops.