Contemporary Fiction Books

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Book Synopsis*** HIDDEN FOIL ON THE CASE AND BEAUTIFUL ENDPAPERS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME. PRE-ORDER YOURS NOW! ***SMALL FORTUNES. BIG FEELINGS.''Joyful, heartwarming and utterly charming'' AMÉLIE WEN ZHAO''The warmest, loveliest book'' SANGU MANDANNA''Will soothe your heart'' SARAH BETH DURST A cozy fantasy about trying to find yourself - and finding a family instead. Perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes, A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The House in the Cerulean Sea. Fleeing a troubled past, immigrant fortune teller Tao roams the dusty countryside with only her mule for company, telling small fortunes, for small prices. Big fortunes come with big consequences . . . which she knows from bitter experience. It''s a lonely life, until she encounters an ex-mercenary and a (semi) reformed thief, who recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they''re joined by a bak

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Book SynopsisEscape to Nantucket for delicious drama, sizzling secrets, and one unforgettable weekend . . . The perfect summer novel from the New York Times bestselling ''queen of beach reads'' ''Undoubtedly her best yet'' JILL MANSELL Hollis Shaw, creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis, finds her life turned upside down when her heart-surgeon husband is killed in a car accident on a snowy February morning. As Hollis searches for comfort, she discovers the idea of the ''Five Star Weekend'': a gathering of the best friends from each stage of your life. But when Hollis decides to host her own version on Nantucket, the weekend isn''t exactly a Hallmark movie... First, there''s Tatum, Hollis''s best friend growing up on Nantucket - and her husband''s best friend, Jack, who just happens to be Hollis''s first love. Then there''s Dru-ann, her best friend from college, now a prominent Black female sports agent in Chicago, whose Tw

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Book Synopsis?Sizzling romance with a splash of intrigue? Julia Quinn, author of?Bridgerton **Regency Fiction with a sexy, modern twist, perfect for fans of Netflix?s Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte** _________________________________ ?Delightfully engrossing with a dash of peril? Woman?s Weekly ?Scintillating and scandalous? Cosmopolitan Readers love the Marleigh sisters! 'Such a joyous book' ????? 'Romantic, sexy, funny, exciting, touching and moving' ????? 'A scorching hot Regency romance' ????? ?This is a perfect read if you're into Bridgerton-style historical romances with a mystery twist? ????? ?I had a fun time while reading? ????? ?Enjoyable book ? well written? ????? _________________________________ He?s a rogue. She?s a liar. Together, they're scandalous? Mira Marleigh hides behind a pen name to write scandalous stories about the lords and ladies of society at the court of Queen Charlotte. Her world is turned upside down when an outrageous circular she writes sends Regency buck, Finnegan Underwood, on the run for murder. As Mira heads to the Devon coast in search of the real culprit, she finds herself caught in a den of ruffians and scoundrels, not least Finnegan himself. Now turned smuggler, he is proving to be one lawbreaker who is very hard to resist. Can Mira keep her head, and her heart, in her quest for the truth?? Good Housekeeping, 'Best Romance Books to Read'

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Book SynopsisThree sisters battle against their Nyx-given powers. Can they, the rulers of Fate, escape their own destiny?

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Book SynopsisA haunting ode to Cornish folklore and the secrets of the places we call home''This powerfully brutal novel is the most exciting thing I''ve read in years'' S. J. WATSON''A strange and beautiful novel'' OBSERVER''A book where language feels like hands reaching into the soil, where landscapes feel alive, where sentences, houses and memory are suffused with the uncanny'' TOM DE FRESTONEverything that comes from the ground has to go back down eventuallyMerryn grew up on the wilds of Bodmin moor, raised by her mother and her aunt in an old farmhouse. Here, the locals never leave the village, fear for the future of their farms and cling desperately to the folkloric tales that are woven into their history. Except Merryn, who has escaped to Manchester for university, briefly untethering herself from her past.When Merryn returns home for the memorial service of her ex-girlfriend Claud, she finds her childhood home stranger and more secretive than ever. She's sure that her mother is hiding someTrade Review‘Meet Me At The Surface is a book where language feels like hands reaching into the soil, where landscapes feel alive, where sentences, houses and memory are suffused with the uncanny. It manages to do the magic trick of containing a propulsive narrative whilst being formally inventive, weaving complex narrative strands into a compelling, beguiling tapestry. It is an astonishing book by a special writer, who I have no doubt has a hugely successful career ahead of her’ Tom De Freston, author of Wreck ‘Assured and beautifully written, Jodie Matthews’ novel is an astonishing debut. It’s rare to find the Cornwall which most of us Cornish recognise in modern literature, but it’s here in all its vivid and magical glory. Rhythmic, atmospheric and endearing’ Charlie Carroll, author of The Lip 'A brilliantly modern take on the Celtic folkloric tradition, Meet Me At The Surface is a beautifully written lament that creeps under the skin long after you have finished reading. An affecting and deeply absorbing read' Jade Angeles Fitton, author of Hermit

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Book SynopsisStep into the world of Dilly Court and uncover her utterly heartwarming and emotional historical romance!Clinging tightly to the penny in her palm, Flora's fortune was about to changeFlora is forever grateful for the day the Stewart family rescued her from her life of poverty on London's streets. Adopted as one of their own, she shed her rags and was finally given a place to call home.When a twist of fate calls her back to the cobbles, Flora's new life is torn apart.Flora must make her own way if she is ever to find where she truly belongsFrom the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rockwood Chronicles comes an emotional and captivating fireside read about finding home in the most unlikely places.Don''t miss Dilly Court''s next captivating novel, coming October 2024 available to pre-order now!Readers LOVE Dilly Court!''Another truly special book from Dilly. Warm and touching, with friendship and romance in the mix'' ?????''There is a great selection of characters, so vividly dTrade Review Praise for Dilly Court: ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA hilarious, emotional and thought-provoking book club read for fans of David Nicholls and Beth O'Leary.-?Nell has always known the date she''s going to die.After a psychic predicted her death date twenty years ago, she has lived life accepting she would never see forty embracing adventure and travelling the world, choosing fun over commitment and laying down roots.So, when the fateful day comes, Nell feels ready. She sends five excruciatingly honest confessions to her sister, parents and past loves, knowing she won't be around to face the consequences. Then, with her heart laid bare, all that''s left to do is check into a glamorous hotel and wait for the inevitableBut when Nell unexpectedly wakes up the next morning broke, single and very much alive, she must figure out exactly how to seize this second chance at life. And then it also hits her:What on earth happens now that everyone knows how she really feels?This is the perfect book club read for fans of David Nicholls, Holly Smale

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2023'Arnott has an eye and an ear for description that can elevate otherwise quiet moments to something genuinely transcendent... A luminously told, whole-life story of a young boy discovering how to be his own man.' GuardianNed West dreams of sailing across the river on a boat of his very own. To Ned, a boat means freedom - the fresh open water, squid-rich reefs, fires on private beaches - a far cry from life on Limberlost, the family farm, where his father worries and grieves for Ned's older brothers. They're away fighting in a ruthless and distant war, becoming men on the battlefield, while Ned - too young to enlist - roams the land in search of rabbits to shoot, selling their pelts to fund his secret boat ambitions. But as the seasons pass and Ned grows up, real life gets in the way. Ned falls for Callie, the tough, capable sister of his best friend, and together they learn the lessons of love, loss, and hardship. When a storm decimates the Limberlost crop and shakes the orchard's future, Ned must decide what to protect: his childhood dreams, or the people and the land that surround him... At turns tender and vicious, Limberlost is a tale of the masculinities we inherit, the limits of ownership and understanding, and the teeming, vibrant wonders of growing up. Told in spellbinding, folkloric spirit, this is an unforgettable love letter to the richness of the natural world from a writer of rare talent.Trade ReviewBursts with language... an ode to the fierce and the feral * Sunday Times *Arnott has an eye and an ear for description that can elevate otherwise quiet moments to something genuinely transcendent... A luminously told, whole-life story of a young boy discovering how to be his own man. * Guardian *Carries echoes of Ernest Hemingway... a beautiful, pared-back exploration of masculinity, and the sustaining nature of dreams. * Big Issue *Wonderfully vivid * Daily Mail *Limberlost is as close to flawless as any book I have read in years. The poise and precision of Arnott's writing lends restraint to the fury at Limberlost's heart. * Jessie Greengrass, author of THE HIGH HOUSE *Spectacular and stunning. In a novel steeped in the natural landscapes of Tasmania, Arnott captures a very relatable youthful male anxiety that exists between fathers and sons. Very subtle and deeply moving. * Nick Bradley, author of THE CAT AND THE CITY *It is an unforgettable story, humble, transporting, and filled with grace and bravery. It's one of the strongest things I've read for a very long time. * Cynan Jones, author of COVE and THE DIG *Robbie Arnott is the sort of young writer we all hoped would emerge in Australia, a Conrad-like storyteller whose tales always tremble on the edge of the mythic and legendary. And as well as being a splendid narrator of tales, he has a quality too easily overlooked now. He writes beautifully! * Thomas Keneally, author of THE DICKENS BOY *Ned-with his shame and pride-blazes his way into your heart. A tender, soaring novel from one of Australia's finest writers. * Sisonke Msimang, author of The Resurrection of Winnie Mandela *An immersive experience, a story that is deeply embedded in the language of its environment... Scaled right down to a single, humble life, Limberlost is lit up by the energy of that life's relationships. It serves as a reminder of the complicated position humans occupy, tangled as we are in the webs of interdependence, of pain and responsibility and care, that bind us to a world much greater than ourselves. * Australian Book Review *In Limberlost magic lies in lyrical language and the powerfully real characters brought to life through it...This is a novel about the deepest of emotions, about love, the fear of loss, and about joy. * Age *Robbie Arnott is a tremendously talented and unique voice in Australian literature, and his third novel, Limberlost, exceeded all my expectations. It is a gorgeously written coming-of-age novel...a touching and profound depiction of connection, grief and familial love. * Readings Monthly *This book is something special: tender, sad, exceptionally well-written [and] unexpectedly moving. * Ashleigh Wilson *Sad and satisfying * The Times on The Rain Heron *Timeless and poignant * Guardian on The Rain Heron *Shocking... Beautiful... Satisfying * Scotsman on The Rain Heron *

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Book SynopsisLori and Joe have lived in the Lake District for many years, in a quiet valley where one day is much like another. Bringing Joe his regular cup of coffee one morning, Lori finds him dead. She could call an ambulance, but what difference would it make? Instead, she heads out for a walk over the fells. As she makes her way through the November fog, Lori’s thoughts slip between past and present, revealing a marriage marked by isolation, childlessness and a terrible secret she’s never disclosed. Arnold’s musical prose merges form and content to express what cannot be communicated through language alone. Taking place over the course of a single day, yet revealing the secrets of a marriage of many decades, Lori & Joe is a sparse, intimate and deeply moving story of entrapment and isolation, and of a life in which desire is continually overcome by inertia: nothing changes and nothing is ever (re)solved.

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Book Synopsis THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2024 WILLIAM SAROYAN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR WRITINGLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024LONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE ''Captivating'' New York Times''Dazzling'' Financial Times''Heartbreaking'' Monica AliSLAVE. ESCAPE-ARTIST. MURDERER. TERRORIST. SPY. LOVER. MOTHER. TRICKSTER.At the Golden Sunset retirement home, it is not unusual for residents to invent stories. So when elderly Ms Mook first begins to unspool her memories, the obituarist listening to her is sceptical. Stories of captivity, friendship, murder, assumed identities and spying. A life that moves from WWII Indonesia to Busan during the Korean war; from cold-war Pyongyang to a Protestant church in China. The adventures are so colourful and various, at times so unbelievable. Surely they can''t all belong to the same woman. Can they?8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster longlisted for the Women''s Prize for Fiction 2024, announced on 5th March 2024.

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Book SynopsisEmmy is her own worst enemy. So why does she fancy someone who looks like her? Overthinker and recent drama school graduate Emmy Clooney (no relation) will do anything to be successful, despite the lack of roles for queer actors. But in the audition room for what should be her big break, Emmy collides with rising star, Mae Jones. Mae is the same casting type as Emmy (‘Short-haired Lesbian’), so they’ll always be fighting for the same parts. Unfortunately, Mae is also very talented, very charismatic, and very hot... She’s Emmy’s type in every way. When their opposite personalities clash, Emmy and Mae begin a fierce competition to be the best gay in showbiz. But if they’re cast in the same play, will they find a way to act nicely – or take their rivalry to the next stage? ‘Extremely fun’ - Kate Davies 'The world needs more queer frivolity and more genuinely funny books like this' - Bethany RutterTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MY OWN WORST ENEMY: ‘I adored this novel about love and belonging and fancying your sexy pirate co-star... Whip smart, wickedly funny and so much fun’ Laura Kay ‘Witty and heartfelt, with lashings of chemistry and dialogue that shines’ Lex Croucher ‘The world needs more queer frivolity. Lily Lindon has such a light, witty touch and such an acute understanding of love and relationships’ Bethany Rutter ‘Life-affirming and joyful, with a hilarious and loveable heroine’ Hannah Dolby ‘I loved, loved, loved it... Lily Lindon’s warmth and irrepressible sense of humour shines through on each page’ Emma Hughes ‘A clever reworking of the conventions of the rom com... It’s cupcake cute and really quite joyous’ Matt Cain ‘Tender, uplifting and laugh-out-loud funny’ Taylor Cole ‘Expect horny romps and big feelings as Emmy and Mae fight it out’ Lizzie Huxley-Jones 'EXTREMELY FUN - if anyone is in need of a funny, charming queer rom com set in the world of acting (yes please) with TWO BUTCH LESBIANS as the romantic leads (YES PLEASE), this is the book for you.' Kate Davies

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Book SynopsisThe number one bestseller, a tender and tragic story set against the turbulence of wartime LondonThe Night Watch us the extraordinary story of four Londoners: Kay, who wanders the streets in mannish clothes, restless and searching... Helen, who harbours a troubling secret... Viv, a glamour girl, recklessly loyal to her soldier lover... and Duncan, an apparent innocent, struggling with demons of his own.Moving back through the 1940s, through air raids, blacked-out streets, illicit liaisons and sexual adventure, to end with its beginning in 1941, this is an astonishing novel.''Burns with a slow but scorching intensity'' Mark Bostridge, Independent on Sunday''Beautifully written, deeply moving and utterly engrossing'' Elle''Waters is an author to cherish, and this is probably her finest achievement yet'' Justine Jordan, Guardian ''Terrific narrative tension'' Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisAs head of household for none other than Agatha Christie, Phyllida Bright finds her position includes polishing silver, serving luncheons…and drawing inspiration from the crime author’s fictional detectives when mysterious deaths at Mallowan Hall baffle her famous employer…Tucked away among Devon’s rolling green hills, Mallowan Hall combines the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930. Housekeeper Phyllida Bright manages the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses. For the manor is home to archaeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife—Agatha Christie… Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime writer, who is as much friend as employer. An aficionado of detective fiction, Phyllida has yet to find a gentleman in real life half as fascinating as Mrs. Agatha’s Bel

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Book Synopsis''This meticulously crafted gem is not merely read; it is experienced ''Steve Toltz, author of Here Goes Nothing''Haunting . . . perfectly attuned to what it means to roam freely as an immigrant in America''GuardianA heartbreaking novel about loss, family and exile, from the winner of the Guardian First Book AwardAfter abandoning his once promising career as a journalist in search of a new life in Paris, Mamush meets Helen - a photographer whose way of seeing the world shows him the possibility of finding not only love, but family. Now, five years later, with his marriage on the verge of collapse, he leaves his young family and returns to the close-knit immigrant Ethiopian community of Washington DC that defined his childhood. At its center is Mamush''s stoic, implacable mother, and Samuel, the larger-than-life father-figure whose ceaseless charm and humor have always served

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Book Synopsis''A taut, clever whodunit ... Kayte Nunn keeps the stakes high and the characters compelling, making for a fast, fresh, engrossing historical mystery!'' KATE QUINN 1949 It is the coldest winter Orcades Island has ever known, when a pregnant sixteen-year-old arrives at Fairmile, a home for ''fallen women'' run by the Catholic Church. She and her baby will disappear before the snow melts. 2013 Frankie Gray has come to the island for the summer, hoping for one last shot at reconnecting with her teenage daughter, Izzy, before starting a job as a deputy sheriff. They are staying with her mother, Diana, at The Fairmile Inn, soon to be a boutique hotel, but when an elderly nun is found dead in suspicious circumstances, and then a tiny skeleton is discovered in the grounds of the house, Frankie is desperate for answers. At once an evocative, unsettling tale of past misdeeds and a crime thriller that will have you reading with your

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Book SynopsisTHE CAPTIVATING NEW NOVEL, SET AGAINST CHARLES DICKENS' HOME FOR FALLEN WOMEN'Absorbing . . . Halls weaves together the elements of her story with great skill' Sunday Times'Acutely observed and beautifully written' Daily Mail'Compelling and richly detailed' Good Housekeeping'Captivating' Woman'Meticulously researched and compelling' Red'Keeps the reader enthralled' Prima'Exquisitely written . . . full of heart and hope' FabulousNOT ALL WHO ARE FALLEN WANT TO BE SAVEDLondon, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitute

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Book SynopsisFor fans of The Passenger, this thrilling tale of an ex-Nazi surgeon hiding in plain sight in 1960s London by the celebrated filmmaker is a lost noir gem, introduced by Anthony Quinn and narrated on audio by Mark Gatiss, as chosen by Ian Rankin on BBC Radio 4''s A Good Read.''Stunning: incredibly good, tense and compelling and morally complex.'' Ian Rankin''This extraordinary novel had me hooked from start to finish.'' Sarah Waters''An outstanding novel: gripping, tense and darkly unsettling. '' Jonathan Freedland''A wonderfully compelling noir thriller and audacious and challenging act of imagination.'' William Boyd''One of the best London novels of the 20th century.'' Benjamin Myers Nothing is more inviting to disclose your secrets than to be told by others of their own ...London, June 1965. Karl Braun arrives as a lodger in Pimlico: hatless, with a bow-tie, greying hair, slight in build. His new neighbours are intrigued by this cultured German gentleman who works as a piano tuner; many are fellow émigrés, who assume that he, like them, came to England to flee Hitler. That summer, Braun courts a woman, attends classical concerts, dances the twist. But as the newspapers fill with reports of the hunt for Nazi war criminals, his nightmares become increasingly worse ''A haunting, remarkable novel, as startlingly original as any of Pressburger''s films.'' Nicola Upson''A dark and harrowing window on the past: the ending will haunt your dreams.'' Janice Hallett

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Book SynopsisSnuggle up ready for winter with this gorgeous cosy romance!Love Heart Lane where friends are there for you no matter what Fashion designer Libby Carter has always loved weddings, so when her brother finds himself in a bind and asks her to step in and plan the perfect winter wonderland wedding for guests at his hotel, Starcross Manor, she happily takes on the challenge. But this is no ordinary Christmas wedding and when everything starts to go awry Libby asks gorgeous videographer Guy Hart for help.This isn't single dad Guy's usual gig and he is not a fan of weddings but saying no to vivacious Libby isn't an option especially when saying yes leads to one very unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe!Readers can't get enough of the Loveheart Lane series:Christie Barlow has fast become one of my favourite authors! Her books are a ray of sunshine when you read them, even if sad things happen' SineadA lovely romantic story that will make you smile and god knows we need it' TaraI absoluteTrade Review‘Christie Barlow is one of the best writers in this genre’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café ‘Christie is an immensely talented author with the ability to spin words into heart-warming comedy gold’ Caroline Mitchell #1 bestselling author ‘Well-observed, highly-relatable and wickedly-funny’ Sunday Times bestseller Cathy Bramley ‘There’s always love, laughter and a happy-ever-after with Christie Barlow’s books!’ Mandy Baggot ‘What I absolutely love about the authors books is her attention to her characters, they are a joy to read about. they are so well developed by the end of the book you really do feel you are saying “goodbye” to old friends’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café

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Book Synopsis''A brilliant rollercoaster of a thriller about obsessive love and hidden secrets. Tense, twisty and unputdownable. I loved it!'' CLAIRE DOUGLASCleo Forsum is a bestselling novelist turned scriptwriter whose TV series, ''The Baking Detective'' is a huge success.But now she has decided to walk away from it all and wants to divorce her husband, Wallace.But what is she really running from? As Cleo drafts the final ever episodes of the series, people she knows start getting hurt. It soon becomes clear that someone is trying to frame her for murder. She thinks she knows why, but Cleo can''t tell the police or prove her innocence.Because then she''d have to confess about her other husband . . . My Other Husband is the latest gripping thriller from the Queen of The Big Reveal. ''Dorothy Koomson really takes things to another level with My Other Husband. With shocking twists and an emotional, but satisfying coTrade ReviewA brilliant rollercoaster of a thriller about obsessive love and hidden secrets. Tense, twisty and unputdownable. Loved it! -- Claire DouglasDorothy Koomson is on formidable form. In My Other Husband, she crafts a richly textured thriller that simmers with a sense of menace. Clever, unnerving and utterly compulsive, the final few chapters left me breathless -- Kia AbdullahNever one to rest on her laurels, Dorothy Koomson really takes things to another level with My Other Husband. With shocking twists and an emotional, but satisfying conclusion, this is an expertly-crafted, rollercoaster of a novel that had me gripped from the beginning -- Jendella BensonGripping, chilling, and builds to a satisfying conclusion via many twists and shock revelations! * My Weekly *Dorothy Koomson is the queen of the killer hook line and master of the jaw-dropping twist * S Magazine *Dark and compelling . . . prepare for revelations aplenty! * Fabulous *A richly-crafted psychological thriller, Koomson's clever tale makes for disturbing and compulsive reading * Woman *Not one for the faint-hearted, this rollercoaster of a thriller has twists and turns galore * That's Life *Praise for DOROTHY KOOMSON:The very definition of a page-turner, it's suburban noir at its finest. A perfect holiday read -- Harriet TyceFrom the Queen of the Big Reveal... filled with chills, twists that make this the pacey domestic noir read * My Weekly *Another delightfully twisty thriller from the Queen of the Big Reveal * Heat *A superb thriller from one of our favourite authors * Bella *The bestselling Queen of the Big Reveals never disappoints... Koomson hooks us from the very first page. This is another Koomson you won't be able to put down * Refinery29 *Just like Desperate Housewives, but even darker and more devious * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisFrom Shion Miura, award-winning author of The Easy Life in Kamusari, comes a spirit-lifting novel about tradition, first love, and ancient lore in a Japanese mountain village. It’s been a year since Yuki Hirano left home—or more precisely, was booted from it—to study forestry in the remote mountain village of Kamusari. Being a woodsman is not the future he imagined, but his name means “courage,” and Yuki hopes to live up to it. He’s adapting to his job and learning constantly. In between, he records local legends—tales pulsing with life, passion, and wondrous gods. Kamusari has other charms as well. One of them is Nao. Yuki’s crush on the only other young single person in the village isn’t a secret. Yet how impressed can she be with someone at least five years younger who makes less money and doesn’t even own a car? More daunting, she’s in love with another man. Finally finding his place among the villagers, a feeling deepened by his crush, Yuki seems headed for a dream life of adventure and camaraderie—and Nao could be the missing piece of that dream.Trade ReviewPraise for The Easy Life in Kamusari “Fans of all ages should enjoy the author’s blend of the traditional and the contemporary…In a battle of Japanese settings, wondrous mountains win big over bustling cities.” —Kirkus Reviews Praise for The Great Passage Winner of an Earphones Award, Fiction “Mastery of words may not result in masterly communication, and a great dictionary, like a love story, is ‘the result of people puzzling over their choices’—a classic tension that has made The Great Passage a prizewinner in Japan, as well as both a successful feature film and an animated television series.” —The New York Times “Swirling with witty enchantment, The Great Passage proves to be, well, utterly great. Readers should be advised to get ready to sigh with delighted satisfaction and awe-inspiring admiration.” —Booklist (starred review) “The Great Passage has a philosophy of thoughtfulness and dedication to words that any reader will understand…Miura’s prose—and Carpenter’s translation—glides along, smooth and precise, with flashes of quiet poetry.” —Metropolis “The Great Passage is interwoven with romantic love stories, but ultimately it is the passion of the characters, their friendship, and their devotion to their task that direct and complete the narrative and turn it from simply a good book to a great one.” —Talia Franks, Three Percent

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Book SynopsisAuthor of The Mermaid of Black Conch, Rathbone Folio Prize 2021 longlisted, Winner of the Costa Best Novel Award 2020 & Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020 August Chalmin feels the weather like no one else. A large awkward recluse, with bright orange hair and sun-shy eyes, August hides himself away behind the counter of a Shepherd's Bush deli. One winter's day two things change his life forever: his mother's ex-lover Cosmo shambles back into his life, and he discovers a rash on his arm which looks like frost. A rash which is frost. As Cosmo raises questions about August's identity, August finds himself changing with the seasons, in a journey that takes him deep into his past and to the very centre of his soul...

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Book SynopsisAuthor of The Mermaid of Black Conch, Rathbone Folio Prize 2021 longlisted, Winner of the Costa Best Novel Award 2020 & Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020 Gavin Weald lives with his six-year old daughter Océan and their dog Suzy in a newly rebuilt pink house. It is only a few months since a devastating flood swept through their home, with heartbreaking consequences. Gavin is trying desperately to carry on, but wakes each night to his daughter's cries and his own fears for the future. So one day he does the only thing he can think of: he takes his daughter and his dog down to the marina, to his old boat Romany which hasn't set sail in years, and embarks upon a voyage to make his peace with the waters. They set sail into deep open ocean, watch fish and dolphins leap from the waves, and head for the Caribbean archipelago that Gavin longed to explore as a younger man, before he fell in love with a woman and moored his boat fo

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Book Synopsis''Edgy, dark, funny and perceptive'' The Herald''Immensely readable'' Jo Brand''Brilliant'' The Sun''Vulnerable and raw'' Tom AllenA life-affirming debut novel from one of Britain''s most-loved comedians, Kevin Bridges - exploring dysfunctional friendships, family, and how to face your problems head on.Declan Dolan has always wanted to be a writer, turning the ideas that spiral in his head into stories on the page. He longs to emulate his hometown hero, renowned writer and actor, James Cavani. Though their lives couldn''t be more different, they have a lot more in common than they think.With his pet labrador Hector and his best friend-turned-mentor Doof Doof by his side, Declan sets out to escape his world of binge-drinking, supermarket shelf-stacking and small-time gangsters. Meanwhile Cavani finds himself drawn back into this world that he thought he had already escaped.<Trade ReviewEdgy, dark, funny and perceptive ... and very sharply observed. * The Herald *One of the funniest stand-up comedians in world and now the author of a brilliant novel. Kevin's talent is starting to annoy me now. -- Rob Beckett, comedian and author of A CLASS ACTImmensely readable, fast moving and an insight into two sides of Kevin Bridges, I really enjoyed it. Kevin's warmth and wit shine through in his first novel. Never a dull moment and an array of engaging, quirky characters. A funny and absorbing read with some great insights into the world of negotiating being famous. -- Jo Brand, comedian and author of CAN'T STAND UP FOR SITTING DOWNI've just finished The Black Dog with a massive lump in my throat - what a brilliant book. Touching, raucous, visceral and really funny with some moments of real profundity. -- Harriet Tyce, author of IT ENDS AT MIDNIGHTI love this book. Brilliantly drawn, believable characters of raw heart and honesty. Cannot recommend enough. -- Matt Coyne, author of MAN VS TODDLERVulnerable and raw - this is a beautiful debut novel from the king of comedic storytelling. -- Tom Allen, comedian and author of TOO MUCHIt's funny (obviously) and dark (obviously) but tender and surprising, too. -- Bobby Palmer, author of ISAAC AND THE EGGWatching Kevin, I was sure he was born to be a stand-up comic, but reading his book it is clear he can do absolutely anything he sets his mind to. I look forward to visiting his Michelin starred restaurant and living on his self-built space community. Everything that is great about Kevin's stand up - the characters he creates, the unapologetic root in working class life, the straddling of worlds - is what's great about this book. -- Jon Richardson, comedian

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Book SynopsisA captivating novella about long-term relationships, getting older and how to live a good life, by the great Simone de Beauvoir.Nicole and André, a retired French couple, take a summer holiday to Russia. It is the 1960s and Russia is a beautiful, complicated place. Their guide is Macha, André's daughter from a previous relationship - a woman they both love. Adventure, inspiration, good food and good vodka are promised.Once thrilled by their romance, Nicole and André have now become too used to each other. Both harbour a growing feeling of not being fully understood - of being alone. Father and daughter engage in the grand debates of East-West relations, nationalism and socialism. But getting older, long-term relationships and how to enjoy life turn out to be the more pressing issues.Trade ReviewSimone de Beauvoir is a feminist icon. She didn't just write the feminist book, she wrote the movement's bible, The Second Sex * Guardian *A beautiful novel, depicting how aging intersects with life and love. Full marks * Lyransnoblesser, Sweden *Born from the challenge of transmitting ideas and real experiences into a story, Misunderstanding in Moscow relates the atmosphere of the cold war and the growing anxiety of aging * Il manifesto, Italy *Having experimented in life, De Beauvoir also experimented with literary form, finding new ways to write her autobiography and her philosophy simultaneously. Each of her novels, memoirs and works of philosophy was a new venture in this * Guardian *The French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir has drawn a nuanced portrait of an older couple * 8weekly cultuur, Netherlands *

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Book SynopsisNAMED ONE OF '51 FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023' (WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF BOOKS)LONGLISTED FOR THE BRIDPORT NOVEL AWARDIn beautifully rendered prose, a mother and a daughter struggle as outsiders in Baghdad and London in this intergenerational drama set against a background of political tension and intrigue“Who would be charmed by tales of life in the beautiful old house on the banks of the Tigris—looted now no doubt, its shutters torn and the courtyard strewn with mattresses?”One night in 2003, Anglo-Iraqi psychiatrist Mona Haddad has a surprise visitor to her London office, an old acquaintance Duncan Claybourne. But why has he come? Will his confession finally lay bare what happened to her family before they escaped Iraq? Their stories begin in 1937, when Mona’s mother Diane, a lively Englishwoman newly married to Ibrahim, an ambitious Iraqi doctor, meets Duncan by chance. Diane is working as a nanny for the Iraqi royal family. Duncan is a young British Embassy officer in Baghdad. When the king dies in a mysterious accident, Ibrahim and his family suspect Diane of colluding with Duncan and the British.Summoning up the vanished world of mid-twentieth-century Baghdad, Elizabeth Loudon’s richly evocative story of one family calls into question British attitudes and policies in Iraq and offers up a penetrating reflection on cross-cultural marriage and the lives of women caught between different worlds.Trade Review"This intergenerational drama is deftly written with graceful prose and psychological acuity. . . . Loudon pens the history of Western involvement in Iraq, dating back to the 1930s, with stunning acumen and imagination."—The New Arab“An intimate, intricate portrait of how people’s lives are jostled and remade . . . an engrossing read.”—Washington Independent Review of Books“A stirring novel about a family—and their involvement in Iraqi and British politics—who resist difficult times in Iraq, including political changes that have defined and highlighted their lives.”—World Literature Today“[A] sweeping debut novel. . . . a meditation on the impact of colonialism”—Daily Hampshire Gazette"The mastery of this novel is that the author gives equal importance to all the intricacies that she writes."—Middle East Monitor“A crisis of family and identity . . . recommend[ed].”—Enterprise"A haunting, beautifully written book about twentieth century Baghdad and the long aftermath of colonialism. Full of subtle, empathetic details that ring like bells, intricately plotted with unforgettable twists, this book will stay with you long after you think you finished it."—Annia Ciezadlo, author of Day of Honey"A Stranger in Baghdad is vivid and fascinating. There is an elegance to the writing which makes every page distinctive. I found it completely enthralling."—Lissa Evans, author of Crooked Heart"Original, beautifully written and intriguing. Elizabeth Loudon is an exciting new voice."—Katie Fforde, author of Stately Pursuits"A page-turner that is also full of marvellous description and atmosphere. It feels beautifully true and of its time but with a contemporary sensibility. The conflict between Britain and Iraq at a political and a family level is brilliantly done, with the cross-cutting allegiances dividing and uniting in a web of love, ambition and lies."—Sofka Zinovieff, author Putney“An intriguing and thoughtfully worked examination of one family’s cross-cultural collisions between Britain and Iraq.”—Justin Marozzi, author Baghdad and Islamic Empires"The story of Diane and Ibrahim and their torn loyalties to family and nation, and how their children grow up in post-royalist police-state Iraq, is told with mesmerizing power. Elizabeth Loudon's mastery of the historical, cultural as well as psychological details of such a narrative is truly moving."—Rana Haddad, author of The Unexpected Love Objects of Dunya Noor"Intriguing and atmospheric"—Alice Jolly, author of Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile

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Book SynopsisThe million-copy bestselling phenomenon: a funny, moving, uplifting tale of love and community that will leave you with a spring in your step. Now a major film starring Tom HanksTrade ReviewDelightful ... the perfect holiday read. * Evening Standard *It's the most enchanting, beautiful tale.A warm and tender story about love, loss and second chances, peppered with memorable characters, wonderful set pieces and some beautifully black humour. Ove is a joy from start to finish.An uplifting, life-affirming and often comic tale of how kindness, love and happiness can be found in the most unlikely places. * Sunday Express *A charming debut. * People *A Man Called Ove is a wonderful novel that will stay with you . . . Ove's story has an underlying sadness which the author tackles with great warmth and humour . . . It's a bittersweet, heart-warming tale which will leave listeners with a restored faith in the power of friendship and perhaps even a love for cats. * Psychologies Magazine *Hilarious and heart-breaking. * Stylist *It's warm, funny, and ultimately almost unbearably moving. * Daily Mail *The most charming book you'll read this year ... This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers . . . hysterically funny . . . wry descriptions, excellent pacing . . . In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden, generous heart. * Kirkus *My absolute summer-reading must is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: perfect beach reading for a grumpy old man. It has all the minimalist delicacy of Stoner, but with a delicious wry wit. The book works on a very small scale, yet it sweeps through intense life dramas, all the while remaining funny, moving, uplifting...and a cracking good tale.There is a method to the madness - by the end of this funny and touching book, you'll come round to Ove's way of thinking. * Mumsnet *A Man Called Ove finally rescued all those men who constantly mean to read novels but never get round to it. Crotchety old git Ove argues with neighbours, reluctantly inherits a cat, punches a clown and, by the end of the book, has you wanting to hug him. * Spectator BOOKS OF THE YEAR *Ove will upset us, cause us to be upset on his behalf and make us laugh till we daren't drink fluids and read simultaneously but by the end we're uplifted and don't want to go. * Bookbag *A Man Called Ove is exquisite. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and colour to an already spectacular party. Backman's characters feel so authentic that readers will likely find analogues living in their own neighbourhoods. * Shelf Awareness, starred review *A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love... The author writes with winning charm. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Readers seeking feel-good tales with a message will rave about the rantings of this solitary old man with a singular outlook. If there was an award for 'Most Charming Book of the Year,' this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down. * Booklist, starred review *

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Book Synopsis*NATIONAL BESTSELLER*A PARADEMOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEARA NEW YORK POST BEST BOOK OF THE WEEKIn her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60sFrom afar Talitha's life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world. When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of TaTrade Review"Jane Green has outdone herself with this mesmerizing and delicious story of a young girl trying to find her way—and losing control—in the Swinging Sixties in London. Jet-setting, glamorous, intoxicating, and a tad bit dangerous, Sister Stardust transports you to the very center of the glitterati and under the spell of Talitha Getty. A wild ride."—Taylor Jenkins Reid"Sister Stardust is wonderful and big-hearted, expansive and page-turning. A joy to read."—Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me “Sister Stardust is smart, sexy, and compulsively page-turning. Love, love, love.”—Lauren Weisberger, #1 New York Times bestselling author"A magic novel and a sumptuous feast for the senses. Sister Stardust is a thrilling trip.”—Elin Hilderbrand"This novel is a feast for the senses: a coming-of-age story about a shopgirl in the ‘60s who takes a magic ride to a world most people can only dream of—and finds it even more glamorous, intoxicating, and ultimately heartbreaking than she ever could have imagined. Exuberantly hopeful and thrillingly alive, Sister Stardust is Jane Green’s best novel yet!”—Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Sister Stardust unfolds like a wild ride on the Marrakech Express. Based on a true story, the heady and decadent world of 1960's socialite Talitha Getty comes alive in paisley perfection when she meets her soul sister Claire. We are in the hands of the master craftsman Jane Green, who paints the world with a vivid brush, dripping in style and emotion. An unforgettable, spectacular read."—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone“Green transports you into the fascinating and rarified world of the enigmatic Talitha Getty and makes you long to linger even as the pages fly by. I couldn’t get enough! An absolute must read.”—Liv Constantine, internationally bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish“Sister Stardust is a time machine into the most glamorous and dangerous world you can imagine—yet suffused with Jane Green’s trademark enormous heart. Addictive, dazzling, transporting—the most luscious book you’ll read this year.”—Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Woodrow on the Bench and The Lost Family “Jane Green transports readers to 1960s Marrakesh…a reimagining of the glamorous and tragic life of counterculture icon, socialite and Rolling Stones muse Talitha Getty.”—Parade “Chock-full of vibrant historical details about London and Morocco in the 1960s, Green’s first foray into historical fiction does not disappoint…Green portrays the scenery and atmosphere so vividly that readers will be instantly transported. The descriptions of Marrakech, with its bright colors and beautiful architecture, present an especial sensory delight…A provocative story about youth culture during the 1960s, overflowing with sex, drugs, and rock and roll.”—Kirkus Reviews “An enticing exploration of a bygone era in a fabled city and some of its real-life luminaries.”—Booklist "Shimmering... Green convincingly describes the appeal of the music scene, as well as the allure of her beautiful characters, both famous and fictional. Green’s fans will be delighted by this story of glitter and tragedy."—Publishers Weekly"Dreamlike...paints a vivid, intoxicating picture of a singular time in a singular place, where it seemed everything was possible... It's a rich and sensual read with delicate portrayals of real historical figures."—POPSUGAR"Readers are transported to the Swinging '60s in this lush and intoxicating saga inspired by the true story of icon Talitha Getty."—Woman's World

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Book Synopsis'Holds you captive like a blues song' Olivia SudjicIn San Padua you can never get the ocean out of your brain. Anne Marie's husband Cal left her on their first anniversary. Two years later and she is still adrift, living a precarious life of shift work and shared apartments. When he shows up on the doorstep, clearly in trouble, she reluctantly agrees to a drink. But later that night a gun goes off in an alley near the shore and the young couple flee together, crammed into a beat-up car with their broken past, desperate to fill their lives on this long stretch of road under hot skies. ______________________PRAISE FOR HIGHWAY BLUE'Poignant, moving and cinematic' An Yu'Beautiful' Observer'Unforgettable' Elaine Feeney'Gripping' StylistTrade ReviewPoignant, moving, and cinematic, this is a story imbued with love and loss that feels at once distantly dreamlike and vividly recognisable. * An Yu, author of BRAISED PORK *Highway Blue is a beautiful, inspired rendering of the on-the-road journey. At its core is an unforgettable protagonist in Anne Marie. McFarlane has written an irresistible story of love and life's meanderings. A very gifted writer, I was entranced. * Elaine Feeney, author of AS YOU WERE *Ailsa McFarlane's prose combines the razor sharp truth telling of Ottessa Moshfegh with the troubled heart of Raymond Carver, using plain language to conjure a shockingly intense way of seeing. I've never read anything quite like it. * Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of THE THIRD RAINBOW GIRL *I loved Highway Blue - a dark, glimmering, journey deep into modern America on a knife edge between love and dependence. * Rosie Price, author of WHAT RED WAS *Hypnotic, stylish, cinematic: Highway Blue holds you captive like a blues song or incantation. * Olivia Sudjic, author of ASYLUM ROAD *

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Book Synopsis40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, WITH A FOREWORD BY STANLEY TUCCI''I have bought more copies of this book to give to people, in a frenzy of enthusiasm, than any other . . . Heartburn is the perfect, bittersweet, sobbingly funny, all-too-true confessional novel'' NIGELLA LAWSON''I kept a copy of Nora Ephron''s Heartburn next to me as a reminder of how to be funny and truthful, and all I ended up doing was ignoring my writing and rereading Heartburn'' AMY POEHLERSeven months into her pregnancy, Rachel discovers that her husband is in love with another woman. The fact that this woman has a ''neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb'' is no consolation. Food sometimes is, though, since Rachel is a cookery writer, and between trying to win Mark back and wishing him dead, she offers us some of her favourite recipes. Heartburn is a roller coaster of love, betrayal, loss and most satisfyingly revenge.This is Nora Ephron''s (screenwriter of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle) roman a clef: ''I always thought during the pain of the marriage that one day it would make a funny book,'' she once said. And it is!''It is snortingly funny in its depiction of the death throes of a relationship. And it bursts with recipes. What more could you ask for?'' ADAM KAYPART OF THE VIRAGO DESIGNER COLLECTION. COVER FEATURES TEXTILE DESIGN BY ELZA SUNDERLANDTrade ReviewI am not a great reader of comic novels, but Ephron's hilarious, recipe-strewn, semi-autobiographical account of a heavily pregnant woman whose husband has left her for a woman with a 'neck as long as an arm' is a treat. A perfect example of Ephron's gift for turning tragedy into comedy, Heartburn is evidence that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold[Ephron] chatters up a storm, always on the verge of wisecracking up * Guardian *What really interested Ephron, for all her clever writing about food, politics and overcluttered purses, were matters of the heart. She is the exact opposite of Dorothy Parker. She is wit without cynicism, the ultimate romantic -- Gail Collins * New York Times *I have bought more copies of this book to give to people, in a frenzy of enthusiasm, than any other . . . Heartburn is the perfect, bittersweet, sobbingly funny, all-too-true confessional novel. There is not a wrong word - about food, marriage, life, love, lossFull of cynicism and gags, this autobiographical novel is comic writing at its finest -- Andrew Billen * The Times *Heartburn took the most miserable personal situation and made it hysterically funny, inspiring and utterly relatable to women of all ages. I became obsessed with its author and thinly disguised heroine * Stylist *Heartburn is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking and as brittle (very) as it is steely (even more)It is snortingly funny in its depiction of the death throes of a relationship. And it bursts with recipes. What more could you ask for?Not just the funniest novel ever written about divorce, but the funniest novel ever. Only the truly talented make writing as good as this look easy -- Hadley Freeman * The Week *I kept a copy of Nora Ephron's Heartburn next to me as a reminder of how to be funny and truthful, and all I ended up doing was ignoring my writing and rereading Heartburn -- Amy PoehlerThe real magic of the novel comes from Ephron's nonchalant conversationalism -- Helen Rosner * New Yorker *Simply one of the greatest novels involving food ever written from the writer of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. It's about love, sex, adultery and key lime pie -- Jay RaynerThis book taught me about love, loss and writing. It's a timeless classic * Independent *

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Book Synopsis ‘Compelling, elegant and bitingly smart.’ Nell Stevens, author of Briefly, A Delicious LifeA Frankenstein for the twenty-first century by the Dylan Thomas Prize-shortlisted author of Trinity and Speak A woman begins work on a novel about Mary Shelley while pregnant for the first time. Recently married, she has just moved from New York to Montana. As the woman writes, fragments of Shelley’s story begin to detach themselves from the page. Moving through her reproductive years, Shelley endured a catalogue of losses painful beyond comprehension. Still, she wrote, conceiving Frankenstein in 1816. The woman’s experiences of pregnancy, miscarriage and labour are traumatic and disorienting, especially in the context of political upheaval, climate crisis, and an ongoing pandemic. Finally, she gives birth to a daughter and together they emerge into another wTrade Review‘Compelling, elegant and bitingly smart, Reproduction left me reeling. It is playful and serious, witty and searing, inventive and heart-rending. I utterly loved it.' * Nell Stevens, author of Briefly, A Delicious Life *‘I read this novel in a single rapturous sitting, torn between the desire to hurtle through its hypnotic prose and the desire to reread every perfect sentence. Repro­duction exquisitely captures the lunacy of inhabiting an animal body with a human mind, and somehow manages also to be gross, funny, heartrending, and formally acrobatic. Louisa Hall is a singular talent and I am a devotee.’ * Melissa Febos, author of Body Work and Girlhood *‘A brave and dynamic novel about the creation of life and art – narratively free, compul­sively readable and true to life.’ * Tao Lin, author of Leave Society and Taipei *‘I was moved, troubled, enchanted; hardly able to breathe as I read. Hall’s dazzling and original tale has the force of myth, embodying the monstrous challenges of reproducing in our strange new world.’ * Andrea Barrett, author of Ship Fever and Natural History *‘It’s taken me seven years of reading, and about a thousand more books, to be able to say once again: “This is the best book I’ve ever read.” For one thing, Louisa Hall... has perfectly captured the hollow void of grief after the miscarriage of a wanted child... a deeply feeling, deeply observant narrator... When I read this book again in ten years I’ll surely be saying to myself: ‘Yes, that is exactly how it was.’ It’s a marvellous gift of a book.’ * Claire Oshetsky, author of Chouette *'What a gift this book is to anyone on the journey to motherhood. So much pain and heartache can surface with this choice, and I'm thankful to Louisa Hall for not shying away from that.’ * Szilvia Molnar, author of The Nursery *'At the heart of Louisa Hall’s brainily visceral new novel is a reading of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a book whose uncanny energy is forged in the crucible of reproduction... she writes the body with poetic clarity and beauty.' * Lara Feigel, Guardian *'One of the remarkable qualities of Reproduction is its way of showing the strangeness of medical procedures as they actually happen.' * New York Review of Books *'Devastating and sharp... uses Frankenstein as its foundation to conclude with a science fiction story of its own, but what is more powerful is how it captures the life-changing experience of pregnancy and birth.' * LA Times *‘Graceful, precise, and perceptive, this is a memorable take on the danger and strangeness of pregnancy.’ * Publisher's Weekly *‘This book would be valuable if only for Hall’s phantasmagorical depiction of childbirth and her honesty about how lonely mothering can be. But Hall also situates her story in a world in which gene-editing technology and climate change and global pandemics are real. Like Shelley herself, Hall provides readers a text composed of diverse parts, a text that readers can endlessly take apart and stitch back together to create new ideas. Body horror and philosophy commingle in this strange, enthralling novel.’ * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in Marsali Taylor''s thrilling Shetland Sailing Mysteries series. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Val McDermid, Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis, LJ Ross and Ann Cleeves!''This series is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea, or islands, or joyous, intricate story-telling.'' ANN CLEEVESWhen a visiting couple out on their yacht go missing from the Shetland oil capital of Brae, sailing skipper and amateur detective Cass Lynch is forced to ask her old adversary, DI Gavin Macrae, for help. His investigation brings to light surprising links to international art theft, and Macrae warns her to give this mystery a wide berth - but when one of her own sailing pupils disappears too, Cass can sit by no longer. As she sets out alone to explore a remote Neolithic tomb, Cass is unprepared for the secrets that lie buried there. Previously published as The

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Book SynopsisAn island of secrets. A runaway. And a promiseA rebellious daughter1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer's job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.A sister with a secret1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request: to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before.A rift over generationsBetrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence's only clue, the war an immovable barrier and time is running outPraise for The Hidden PalaceCompletely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story,Trade ReviewPraise for Daughters of War ‘A wonderfully evocative and sensual writer’ SANTA MONTEFIORE ‘A warm and engrossing tale of passion and courage. I loved it’ RACHEL HORE ‘Love, grief, abandonment, betrayal and secrets … I adored it’ LIZ NUGENT ‘A stirring, richly-imagined novel about bravery and love and family loyalty tested to its limits’ RACHEL RHYS ‘As layers of long-hidden family secrets emerge, you are sure to be hooked to the very last page’ LIZ TRENOW ‘Rich in courage, love and sacrifice, but chilling and taut in its portrayal of the horrors of war’ KATE FURNIVALL ‘Lushly descriptive, exciting and vivid, this is a warm and exciting tale that will pull you in and refuse to let you go’ TRACY REES A tender, moving and at times heartbreaking story’ SINEAD MORIARTY

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Book SynopsisOne small act can make a big differenceViolet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She's friendly but doesn't have many real friends. She's become good at keeping people at a distance ever since she left home at eighteen and never looked back.But when Violet is forced to return home to care for her estranged mother, Glenys, she quickly finds out that life as a carer isn't easy. Feeling overwhelmed, she's forced to turn to the other local carers, including childhood friend, Adam, for help.Although returning home still feels like a mistake, maybe it will help Violet right some wrongs. After all, she can't keep running from her past forever, and in learning to look after others, perhaps Violet can start to finally love herselfYour favourite authors LOVE Jessica Ryn's heartwarming novels:Well-written and entertaining' Katie Fforde, A Springtime AffairFull of hope, love and kindness' Kirsty Capes, CarelessWarm-hearted, moviTrade Review Praise for Jessica Ryn ‘This will uplift your soul’ Heat ‘A poignant reminder about the importance of connection and community, written with such heart’ Nicola Gill, The Neighbours ‘Completely beguiling – a messy, loveable cast of characters with Dawn at the centre bringing the light’ Beth Morrey, Saving Missy ‘Oozing warmth and compassion, it will make your heart melt’ Closer ‘The book totally swept me away. A warm, heart-felt story with a cast of unforgettable characters’ Olivia Beirne, House Swap ‘Charming, moving and joyous’Alice Peterson,If You Were Here ‘Jessica Ryn writes with such warmth and sensitivity, I felt my heart crack more than once. Dawn Brightside is the heroine we never knew we needed’Roxie Cooper,The Day We Met ‘I fell instantly in love with Dawn Brightside. She made my heart soar and ache all at once, and I was immediately rooting for her. Clever, funny and full of heart’Lia Louis,Somewhere Close to Happy ‘Utterly charming, uplifting and full of warmth. Dawn Brightside has found a very special place in my heart’ Katy Colins,The Best is Yet to Come ‘The book equivalent of a glass half-full. It is love and light and brimming with a compassion that will inspire you to see the bright side. Not just within its pages, but within life’Amy Beashal, The Sky is Mine ‘Beguiling and captivating. The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside tackles homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness and the vulnerability that goes with it with warmth, humour and most of all, courage’ Sunday Post

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Book SynopsisIn Chances, Lucky grew up in a top crime family. In Lucky, she was married three times. And now, in Lady Boss, she takes on Hollywood and wins! Featuring a brand new introduction from bestselling author, Julie Cohen, talking about what Jackie and her books mean to her!  'A galloping page-turner, full of Jackie Collins's signature sex and satire' JULIE COHEN'Jackie Collins’s daring, unapologetic stroke of the pen, combined with her glorious wit, has single-handedly given creative license to new generations of authors and storytellers.' COLLEEN HOOVER Panther Studios is the prize and Lucky Santangelo wants it. But Abe Panther won’t sell until she proves she has the guts to make it in Hollywood. Lucky never backs down from a challenge. She takes a chance and goes undercover. But no one is prepared for the shock waves that she sets off in Tinseltown.

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Book Synopsis**AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4**An interpreter has come to The Hague to escape New York and work at the International Court. A woman of many languages and identities, she is looking for a place to finally call home.She's drawn into simmering personal dramas. Her lover, Adriaan, is separated from his wife but still entangled in his marriage.Her friend Jana witnesses a seemingly random act of violence, a crime the interpreter becomes increasingly obsessed with as she befriends the victim's sister.And she's pulled into an explosive political controversy when she's asked to interpret for a former president accused of war crimes.She is soon pushed to the precipice, where betrayal and heartbreak threaten to overwhelm her, forcing her to decide what she wants from her life.One of Barack Obama's Favourite 2021 ReadsA New York Times Top 10 Book of 2021'One of my favourite novels of the past few years' Caleb Azumah Nelson'Captivating' Elif Shafak'Charged with tension and power' Avni Doshi'Simply stunning' Brandon Taylor'Gorgeous' Raven LeilaniTrade ReviewIntimacies is a novel about the ruthlessness of power, the check of virtue, and the purportedly neutral bureaucracy meant to mediate between them. Katie Kitamura is among the most brilliant and profound writers at work today; she reminds me how high the moral stakes of fiction can be. * Garth Greenwell *The thrill of Intimacies is in the taut precision of its language, which rings and hums off the page. It's forensic and inquiring, but also bright and alive. You forget to breathe while reading it, and feel with each crafted sentence, each building thought, that you're in the company of a magnificent writer. * Samantha Harvey *Katie Kitamura writes about being an outsider like no other author. Quiet moments are charged with tension and power. In short, the book is remarkable - beautifully written and intelligent. * Avni Doshi *Intimacies is a perfect novel-taut and seductive. Kitamura has made the existential thriller all her own, and she effortlessly negotiates the personal and the geopolitical with a complex moral nuance. Simply stunning. * Brandon Taylor *Katie Kitamura's Intimacies - she's an incredible writer. It's fiction and a really beautiful exploration of how we can live everyday life while complete horrors and atrocities are happening in the world - how both things coexist. -- Natalie Portman * Vogue *

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Book SynopsisThe Christmas Cocktail Campervan bringing love, laughter and friendship from coast to coast . . .The gorgeously romantic new novel in the Cosy Campervan series' next stop: Christmas markets, mince pies and kisses under the mistletoe!Christmas feels like a real gift for Lucy this year. Her cosy coastal cottage is starting to feel like home, her new pizza business is getting the locals All Fired Up', and she can't wait to spend it with her new flame Jack, the charismatic owner of the Cocktail Campervan.Winding along the snow-dusted Northumberland coast for a whirlwind of Christmas markets and celebrations, Lucy and Jack can't resist stealing a few kisses under the mistletoe. But there's a twist in their romantic tale when Lucy's ex turns up in the village. As her past closes in, Jack becomes increasingly distant. And Lucy worries he's holding back a few secrets of his own . . .Will Christmas bring a cold spell for Lucy and Jack? Or could it really be the most wonderful time of the yearTrade Review Readers love escaping with The Seaside Cocktail Campervan!: ‘Just the most gorgeous book, really summery, romantic and heartwarming’ Netgalley reviewer ‘THIS BOOK! I absolutely loved and read most of it in one sitting’ Netgalley reviewer ‘What a beautifully written uplifting story’ Netgalley reviewer ‘The perfect summer romance!’ Netgalley reviewer ‘A great story keeping you hooked in from page one’ Netgalley reviewer ‘A real feel-good read and a fresh take on a tale of romance. Five enjoyable stars from me’ Netgalley reviewer

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Book SynopsisWhat if going back means you could begin again?Rocked by a terrible accident, homeless Kelly needs to escape the city streets of Glasgow. Maybe she doesn't believe in serendipity, but a rare moment of kindness and a lost ring conspire to call her home. As Kelly vows to reunite the lost ring with its owner, she must return to the small town she fled so many years ago.On her journey from Glasgow to the south-west tip of Scotland, Kelly encounters ancient pilgrim routes, hostile humans, hippies, book lovers and a friendly dog, as memories stir and the people she thought she'd left behind forever move closer with every step.Full of compassion and hope, Paper Cup is a novel about how easy it can be to fall through the cracks, and what it takes to turn around a life that has run off course.Trade ReviewPaper Cup is very special indeed. Not only is it exquisitely written - and I mean catch-your-breath exquisite - the story is so real and told with such grace and compassion... Trust me (trust me), your world will be a better place for reading this story -- JOANNA CANNONGlowing with empathy and wry intelligent wit. Let Kelly into your life. She'll change you, and you won't forget her -- KIRSTIN INNESBig-hearted and poignant, Paper Cup is a joyous read -- SARA SHERIDAN[A] poignant and harrowing read. Campbell gambles on our empathy when she shows Kelly at her worst, and she wins because she has written, without judgment or criticism, an original and memorable protagonist; one who moves through a landscape described with love and care, and whose interior voice will continue to ring in the reader's head even after the long journey's end is reached -- CLAIRE FULLER * * Guardian * *A rough romance written in rich language and a truly original, brilliant novel * * Daily Mail * *[A]mbitious . . . picturesque . . . generous and often wryly comic novel: a nice variety of incident and characters, fine descriptions of street life in Glasgow and of Kelly's journey - a quest that is both physical and spiritual, offering the prospect of recovery and redemption . . . readers are surely likely to find pleasure and satisfaction in the humanity of Campbell's treatment of people who have led difficult lives -- Allan Massie * * Scotsman * *[A]n exquisitely written and compassionate novel of addiction, shame, hope and kindness * * Essential Magazine * *Wonderful, empathetic, timely and moving . . . With every page I shivered with love and warmth and nostalgia * * Bella Caledonia * *Full of compassion and hope * * Dumfries & Galloway Life * *Terrific -- Morag Kuc * * Galloway Gazette * *

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Book SynopsisShe’s twenty-three and in love with love. He’s older, and the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. The affair is quickly consuming.But this relationship is unpredictable, and behind his perfect looks is a mean streak. She's intent on winning him over, but neither is living up to the other’s ideals. He keeps emailing his thin, glamorous ex, and she's starting to give in to secret, shameful cravings of her own. The search for a fix is frantic, and taking a dangerous turn…We’re all looking to get what we want – but do we know what we need?Trade ReviewPlease believe the hype . . . Nolan's book describes a very particular experience and it does so with rare intelligence and courage . . . [Her] headlong, fearless prose feels like salt wind on cracked lips. You wince and you thrill. * Sunday Times *Deeply felt and seriously, spikily intelligent . . . The millennial author everyone should be watching right now. * Daily Telegraph *Tapping into the zeitgeist comes one of the books of 2021: Megan Nolan's Acts of Desperation . . . a heartbreaking-but-resonating portrait of one woman's savage mistreatment of herself in the name of love. * Stylist *There is so much to admire in this extremely impressive first novel, which captures an intense experience with clarity and style. It is fully itself, and flawless in its way. * Guardian *Nigh-on impossible not to devour. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisSometimes life changes direction when you least expect . . .Lainey Byrne is a woman in control, juggling a hectic job, her boyfriend Adam and a family with more than its fair share of dramas.Things go into a spin when she is wrenched from her life in Melbourne to run a B&B in Ireland for a year. Bed-and-breakfast quickly tumbles into bed-and-bedlam, especially when a reunion with childhood friend Rohan Hartigan sparks an unexpected romantic dilemma.Meanwhile, back in Australia, her father''s taken to his bed, her mother''s up the walls, her three brothers are running amok - and as for Adam . . .It''s going to take more than a game of spin the bottle to sort this one out!A warm and funny story about love, letting go, friendship and families.Praise for Monica McInerney:''Monica McInerney is at the very top of her game . . . If you''ve yet to read her books, treat yourselves IMMEDIATELY!'' Patricia Scanlan,

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Book SynopsisThe metro shudders to a halt: an unattended bag has been found, and terrorism is suspected. For the narrator, a young Vietnamese woman teaching English in the Parisian suburbs, time stops. Her son falls asleep on her shoulder and a long interior monologue begins, looking back over her life thus far.From a constrained childhood in post-communist Hanoi, to a period of study in '80's Russia, she tries to understand everything that has brought her to this point. Through it all runs her passion for Thuy, a writer who lives in Saigon's Chinatown, and who she has not seen for eleven years.Interspersed with extracts from Thuy's novel, the narrator's monologue is an attempt, at once desperate, humorous, and self-deprecating, to fix the past once and for all and exorcise the passion that haunts her.Winner of an English PEN Award'Chinatown is a fever dream, a hallucination, a loop in time and life that Thuân masterfully deploys to capture the disorienting and debilitating effects of migration, racism, and a broken heart in both Vietnam and France. I was completely immersed in this spellbinding novel' — Viet Thanh Nguyen.

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