Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisOfficial, original James Bond from a writer described by Len Deighton as a ''master storyteller''.James Bond is back in action, with the stunning Flicka von Grusse at his side and his licence to kill renewed once more. His target is Sir Maxwell Tarn: a businessman whose legitimate empire spans the globe, whose wealth is uncountable, who also deals in illegal weapons on a breathtaking scale.But even Bond is unprepared for the speed of events, as a sting operation in a Cambridge hotel leads rapidly to an assassination in Spain, a fugitive in Israel and neo-Nazi plotters in Germany. Bond finally catches up with Tarn in Puerto Rico where his prey becomes his captor. Can he escape in time to stop Tarn?

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Book SynopsisJames Bond has lost his licence to kill... Ian Fleming's 007 returns in an original, authorised James Bond thriller from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

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Book Synopsis''A very 21st Century blockbuster, this has all the classic elements - nailbiting narrative, absorbing relationships, glamorous locations - with an extra shot of intelligence'' COSMOPOLITAN''Best described as a sort of Blockbuster Plus - in this case plus a little bit more intelligence and social and political grip than is normal . . . Agreeably glamorous and pageturning'' DAILY MAILTake four friends... Rianne: beautiful, wealthy and thoroughly spoilt, she has the world at her feet but is about to risk everything. Gabrielle: intelligent, loyal and always worrying about everyone else, now it''s time for her to start looking after No.1. Nathalie: petite, pretty and with a shrewd eye for business, she uses her work to help her forget the one man she can''t have. Charmaine: flirty and outrageous, she knows all about the good life. She just needs someone to pay for it... Then a chance encounter changes everything - andTrade ReviewA very 21st Century blockbuster, this has all the classic elements - nailbiting narrative, absorbing relationships, glamorous locations - with an extra shot of intelligence . . . Much more than a coming-of-age tale, this creates a glamorous and exciting world that is so contemporary and convincing you'll feel like a special fifth member of their group * COSMOPOLITAN *A big-hearted women's read * DAILY MIRROR *Best described as a sort of Blockbuster Plus - in this case plus a little bit more intelligence and social and political grip than is normal . . . Agreeably glamorous and pageturning * DAILY MAIL *This is an absolute treat of a read set in the uber-chic worlds of modelling, politics and international corporations and set against the glamorous backdrops of London, Los Angeles, Johannesburg and Martinique. If this sexy and intelligent debut is anything to go by, Lesley Lokko is set to be a big thing in contemporary lit * DAILY RECORD *Make way Jackie Collins - there's an exciting new writer on the block . . . [Sundowners] has glamour, forbidden love and exotic locations. What more could you ask for? * BELLA *I just wanted to say that AT LAST I have managed to read Sundowners - I went away for 5 days and couldn't put it down. It had a wonderfully international feel to it, with a bit of politics for one's sharper end, and I enjoyed all the characters enormously -- Annabel GilesAre you fed up with contemporary commercial fiction? Do you yearn for those '80s sex and shopping blockbusters featuring the super rich bitch? If so, you'll love Sundowners . . . an entertaining read with a dollop of intellect * IRISH EXAMINER *Entertaining and thought-provoking * DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book Synopsis''Every new novel by Giles Foden is something to celebrate'' Paul Theroux''An amazing and profound work, rich in memorable detail'' Jay Parini''Foden has cleverly reworked the grand African adventure novel'' Aminatta Forna, Guardian''A perceptive, compassionate history of an enormously complex conflict'' Irish Times''Sharp and fast-paced. Foden does a fine job of locating the reader in the maelstrom of this brutal period in Congo''s past, taking us deep into the heart of a complex conflict'' Observer1996: in a Ugandan dive bar, the ''freight dogs'' gather. An anarchic group of mercenary pilots from Texas, Russia, Kenya and Belgium who transport weapons between warring African nations, without allegiance. And tonight they have a new recruit - Manu, a nineteen-year-old cowherd fleeing Congo''s bloody war. Taken in by this band of unlikely brothers, Manu hopes to reinvent himself. ButTrade ReviewAn amazing and profound work, rich in memorable detail. * Jay Parini *Every new novel by Giles Foden is something to celebrate - my hand leaps to the shelf. * Paul Theroux *Audacious, shrewd and spirited * William Boyd on THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND *Freight Dogs is an ambitious and intricate novel. Foden's understanding of the nature of war, and of this war in particular, is exemplary... Freight Dogs is also a fast-paced adventure yarn featuring battles, exploding volcanoes, buried secrets, a deathbed revelation, daredevil flying and an elusive love interest. In this Foden has cleverly reworked the grand African adventure novel epitomised by Rider Haggard and Wilbur Smith, or later, John le Carré's The Constant Gardener or Michael Crichton's Congo... This book is a testament to all those civilians, in Congo, Afghanistan, Syria, Colombia and elsewhere, whose lives have not so much been touched by violence as tossed round like flotsam on the waves of history and conflict. -- Aminatta Forna * GUARDIAN *A perceptive, compassionate history of an enormously complex conflict... compelling, vivid and surprising. -- Kevin Power * IRISH TIMES *Sharp and fast-paced... Foden does a fine job of locating the reader in the maelstrom of this brutal period in Congo's past... he takes us deep into the heart of a complex conflict, showing how even the innocent can get caught up in acts of horrifying violence. -- Alex Preston * OBSERVER *Underpinning and directing everything are ever-restless time and history, the biggest characters of all. At one point Manu "senses the rub of history, of past events [. . .] jointly seeking form, seeking a stable meaning". That's a pretty good description of what a novelist seeks too, and in Freight Dogs Foden makes a damned good job of it. -- John Self * THE TIMES *Full-throttle adventure -- Anthony Cummins * THE MAIL ON SUNDAY *Foden is a brilliant voice and African observer. * SPECTATOR *

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Book SynopsisIn the bestselling tradition of Rosamund Pilcher, a gloriously romantic novel of secrets and history, from the author of the highly popular THE CORNISH HOUSE.''A heart-tugging story of loss and recovery'' WOMAN AND HOMERunning out on your wedding day never goes down well. When the pressure of her forthcoming marriage becomes too much, Jude bolts from the church, leaving a good man at the altar, her mother in a fury, and the guests with enough gossip to last a year.Guilty and ashamed, Jude flees to Pengarrock, a crumbling cliff-top mansion in Cornwall, where she takes a job cataloguing the Trevillion family''s extensive library. The house is a welcome escape for Jude, full of history and secrets, but when its new owner arrives, it''s clear that Pengarrock is not beloved by everyone.As Jude falls under the spell of the house, she learns of a family riddle stemming from a terrible tragedy centuries before, hinting at a lost treasure. And when PengTrade ReviewA heart tugging story of loss and recovery -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *This is a book about loss, misguided decisions, heartbreak and change, but it's also about hope, long held secrets and friendships formed between the unlikeliest of people ... [it] made me laugh out loud and cry a few times. I loved it * NOVELICIOUS *The story is beautifully told with characters who reach out to you * SIDMOUTH HERALD *A heart tugging story of loss and recovery. -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *This is a book about loss, misguided decisions, heartbreak and change, but it's also about hope, long held secrets and friendships formed between the unlikeliest of people ... [it] made me laugh out loud and cry a few times. I loved it -- Debs Carr * NOVELICIOUS *... the story is beautifully told with characters who reach out to you * SIDMOUTH HERALD *THE CORNISH HOUSE is an escapist and often emotional book, in which relationships are put to the test. * STAR MAGAZINE *Totally absorbing, a delightful debut novel * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

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Book SynopsisSet during the Second World War in Liverpool, this is a wonderful Maureen Lee tale - written specially for the World Book Day Quick Reads promotion.On 3 September 1939, Amy Browning decided to start writing a diary. It was a momentous day for so many reasons: it was Amy''s eighteenth birthday; her sister had just given birth to a baby boy; and on the radio it was announced that Great Britain was now at war with Germany.For a while, life didn''t change very much for Amy. Living with her family in Opal Street, Liverpool, Amy and her friend both got jobs at a factory and spent their free time looking round the shops, or watching the ships being loaded at the docks. But as the months went by, things began to change. The bombing started, and Amy''s fears grew for her brother, fighting in France, and her boyfriend Ian, in the RAF...

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Book SynopsisEvery family has a secret: a dramatic family saga with a dark thread of suspense lurking at its heart.Trade ReviewThe theme of a cataclysmic event that continues to shape the lives of all those involved is central to Hannah Richell's ambitious, wide-ranging family saga * DAILY MAIL *A compelling tale of grief and forgiveness -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *A compelling debut tale of infidelity, betrayal and tragedy that will have you turning the pages until the early hours * GRAZIA *Moving between the past and present it's a gripping story of troubled young women * STAR MAGAZINE *The Tides in Hannah Richell's forceful debut are a family ... the revelations of what happened, and the burden of guilt the Tides carry, are powerfully evoked in a classy melodrama with very well-realised characters. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked -- A.N.Wilson * READERS DIGEST *This confident debut novel is a dark but compelling read. The characters are so believable your heart will ache for their pain, and you'll be driven to ask yourself the question - could you forgive and forget? * CANDIS *The story of a family that almost tear themselves apart before discovering the ties that bind them. It offers engaging characters, tension and pathos * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Assuredly written and impeccably structured, it excavates the emotional layers of family drama when something goes terribly wrong - think Jodi Picoult without the formulaic writing...Moving and darkly suspenseful * SYDNEY MORNING HERALD *A Rosamund Pilcher-esque family saga, very cleverly structured and compulsively readable * THE BOOKSELLER *Set against the ebb and flow of the ever-present sea, this complex family drama is a page-turner of a debut novel * AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisThe first novel in Kate Williams' groundbreaking new historical series which begins in the First World War. For fans of BIRDSONG and DOWNTON ABBEY.Trade Reviewa big juicy drama set on the eve of the First World War. TV historian Kate Williams paints a spellbinding portrait of a family clinging on desperately to their privileged way of life * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *A beautifully conjured family saga. Fans of DOWNTON ABBEY will love it -- Alison WeirBrilliant - a passionate and poignant story of a glittering family on the precipice of a vanished world. Spellbinding, gripping and beautiful - a must read . . . the new CAZALET CHRONICLES -- Lisa Hilton[An] all-encompassing, sweeping epic. It's a book to get immersed in for hours at a time . . . powerful . . . a wonderful achievement -- Katherine WebbA wonderful evocation of a family torn apart by war, packed with drama and written with a sensitive warmth and fantastic historical insight -- Imogen RobertsonCelia de Witt is the 15 year old daughter of a German born industrialist and his aristocratic wife who live in a magnificent country house; her elder sister is about to have a grand society wedding. What could go wrong? The First World War, that's what ... shades of Downton, with a dash of Atonement * TATLER *This is the first part in a trilogy set against the the First World War that delves into the complexities of loyalty and survival as life in the de Witt family is ineradicably changed. * WOMAN & HOME *The new novel by the historian Kate Williams, is an epic story about a young woman whose idyllic world is shattered by the First World War, * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH STELLA Magazine *Williams is too good a historian for melodramatic sentimentality; trusting the historical detail, the reader can relax into a well-paced, truly affecting narrative . . . Richly detailed, light of foot, Williams tantalises with loose ends and disturbs with shocking shadows * INDEPENDENT *This terrific saga comes with a fascinating twist ... Williams has a gift for showing how great movements in history affect the lives of people caught up in them -- Kate Saunders * THE TIMES *Williams keeps her story moving and the result is a vivid portrait of a perennially fascinating period of history. -- Stephanie Merritt * THE OBSERVER *Wartime-saga lovers will be kept on their toes to the end. * DAILY MAIL *Historian Kate Williams's epic about the First World War starts in the idyllic country mansion of the wealthy de Witt family ... [she] outlines the tragedy of war but also reveals .. how this first modern conflict changed British society beyond recognition. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Kate Williams in a vivid writer, conjuring atmosphere through scents and tastes as well as period props. The enjoyable elements of a sweeping family saga are present, but Williams also develops a sense of the emotional and psychological revolutions, both collective and individual, that were catalysed by the conflict -- Lisa Hilton * TLS *This book has more firepower than DOWNTON . . . Powerful storytelling. -- Alex Gordon * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *Deeply researched and intelligently written, 'The Storms of War' brings Edwardian England to life - life overshadowed by the war that is recreated here in vivid and visceral fashion. Historical fiction that mostly manages to be both cerebral and educational without feeling dull. * THE BOOKBAG *'As spellbinding as Ken Follett's Fall of Giants' * BOOKLIST *

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Book SynopsisEvery bouquet tells a story in this delightful novel woven around a Dublin florist from Irish author Ella Griffin.Trade ReviewOne of my favourite books of all time -- Marian KeyesThis beautifully written story explores the joys and sorrows of Lara, who opens a flower shop in the heart of Dublin following the death of her baby son ... it's a gentle and poignant story ... Marian Keyes fans will enjoy this lovely book. * CANDIS *The Flower Arrangement is one of the most charming books I have ever read * REVIEWED THE BOOK *Ella Griffin.. offers an astonishing insight into people. As the tales accumulate and details build up, it becomes clear that this collection of interweaving short stories is a little masterpiece. The writing is exquisite and I cared deeply about the characters. -- MARIAN KEYES * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *A pleasure to read - assured, witty, and highly likeable.. Ideal holiday reading. * IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY *A charming and moving story. * WEST AUSTRALIAN *'Beautifully interwoven stories, perfect for Maeve Binchy fans.' -- Karen Byrom * My Weekly *'Beautifully interwoven stories, perfect for Maeve Binchy fans.' -- Karen Byrom * My Weekly *

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Book SynopsisReturn to Everdene Sands, setting for the THE BEACH HUT, and discover secrets, love, tragedy and dreams. It''s going to be a summer to remember...Summer appeared from nowhere that year in Everdene...and for those lucky enough to own one of the beach huts, this was the summer of their dreams.For Elodie, returning to Everdene means reawakening the memories of one summer fifty years ago. A summer when everything changed.Vince and his brother are struggling to come to terms with the death of their father - but they have very different ways of coping. And for Jenna, determined to put the past behind her, the opportunity to become ''the ice cream girl'' once again might just turn her life around.But this summer is not all sunshine and surf - as secrets unfold, and some lives are changed for ever...Trade ReviewIt's a glamorous and absorbing read, a well-written romp with a cast of believable, empathetic characters whom you'll be fascinated by from the start * DAILY MAIL *For one group of passengers, there's more at stake than the trip of a lifetime. Compulsive reading. * WOMAN & HOME *The perfect summer read, full of glamour and intrigue * NOVELICIOUS *[A] tale packed with warmly-painted characters...Not only does Veronica...keep the intirgue and pace moving, she offers glorious descriptions of the ever-changing landscapes, and particularly of the romantic environs of their final destination - Venice * WESTERN MORNING NEWS (Devon) *Jemima is an artist in residence for the summer, capturing the antics of holidaymakers on canvas. But it's not long before she is embroiled in their lives * WEIGHTWATCHERS MAGAZINE *Elodie hasn't been back to Everdene since a fateful summer 50 years ago, Vince and his brother are struggling to get over their father's death and Jenna is looking for a new start. * PRIMA *Henry's picturesque descriptions transport you to the seaside, making it a perfect summer read. * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *

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Book SynopsisIn Rebecca Shaw''s latest scintillating tale of village life, hearts will be broken, families reunited and long-hidden secrets will finally come to light.You can''t escape your past. At least that''s what the residents of Turnham Malpas would say . . .While clearing out the rectory''s loft, Reverend Peter Harris makes an unsettling discovery and a dark secret is exposed that soon sets tongues wagging in the village.Having received a letter from the sons she hasn''t heard from in 15 years, local gossip Greta Jones is delighted at the prospect of seeing them after all this time - despite her husband''s misgivings. And Craddock Fitch''s unruly grandchildren, newly arrived in the village, are causing not a little trouble for the townsfolk.Meanwhile Fran Charter-Plackett has a difficult decision to make. Her parents would like to see her settled with kind and reliable Alex Harris. But when Chris Templeton, the man whom Fran once lost her heart to, rTrade ReviewRebecca Shaw mixes all the ingredients for a winning novel of village life - THE TIMESAkin to relaxing with a hot buttered teacake and a good Audrey Hepburn film - gentle, reassuring pleasure - GOOD BOOK GUIDEFans of Shaw's delightful tales of Turnham Malpas series will love this - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

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Book SynopsisTreat yourself to this charming, feel-good story from Sunday Times bestseller Veronica Henry!A new home, a new circle of friends, a new chance at happiness? Suzanna and Barney Blake are swapping city life for the countryside, determined to breathe new life into the Honeycote Arms and a marriage touched by tragedy.Recently separated Ginny Tait is also seeking solace in country living, desperate to rein in her rambunctious twin daughters.They all think that moving to a calm, quiet and beautiful village in the Cotswolds will solve their problems. But in Honeycote, things are never quite as they seem . . .Irresistibly good fun and bursting with heart, A Country Life is the second book in the Honeycote series, which includes A Country Life and A Country Wedding. It can be read on its own or as part of the series.** This book was originally published as ''Making Hay'' **Trade ReviewVeronica Henry writes like a dream and I enjoyed every minute of this brilliant novel. A glorious Cotswold setting, lots of naughty goings-on and pacy storytelling par excellence - who could ask for more? -- Jill MansellA real page-turner * South Wales Argus *

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Book SynopsisDON''T MISS THE STUNNING AND ROMANTIC NEW NOVEL FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR VERONICA HENRY - ORDER THE SECRET BEACH NOW!*Shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year 2016*Pennfleet might be a small town, but there''s never a dull moment in its narrow winding streets ...Kate has only planned a flying visit to clear out the family home after the death of her mother. When she finds an anonymous letter, she is drawn back into her own past.Single dad Sam is juggling his deli and two lively teenagers, so romance is the last thing on his mind. Then Cupid fires an unexpected arrow - but what will his children think?Nathan Fisher is happy with his lot, running picnic cruises up and down the river, but kissing the widow of the richest man in Pennfleet has disastrous consequences.Vanessa knows what she has done is unseemly for a widow, but it''s the most fun she''s had for years. Must sheTrade ReviewA delightful story of love, death, compassion and resilience -- Tania Findlay * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Rosamunde Pilcher, a heart-warming romantic novel set in Cornwall from the bestselling author of THE CORNISH HOUSE and A CORNISH AFFAIR.There''s an old Cornish saying: ''Save a stranger from the sea, he''ll turn your enemy . . .''When her reclusive grandmother becomes too frail to live alone, Gabriella Blythe moves into the remote waterside cabin on Frenchman''s Creek which has been her grandmother''s home for decades. Once a celebrated artist, Jaunty''s days are coming to a close but she is still haunted by events in her past, particularly the sinking of Lancasteria during the war. Everything is fine until a handsome stranger arrives in a storm, seeking help. Fin has been left a family legacy: a delicate watercolour of a cabin above the creek which leads him to this beautiful stretch of Cornish water. As Fin begins to pick at the clues of the painting, he is drawn into the lives of Gabe and Jaunty, unraveling a remarkable story Trade ReviewYoung hearts run free and dangerously in this Cornish romantic escapade . . . [a] gentle and touching tale * NORTHERN ECHO *A spellbinding story * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisUpstairs, downstairs... it''s all going on at the manor.From the bestselling author of THE LONG WEEKEND and A NIGHT ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.Before THE BEACH HUT there was AN ELIGIBLE BACHELOR...When Guy wakes up with a terrible hang-over and a new fiancée, he tries not to panic. After all, Richenda is beautiful, famous, successful... What reason could he have for doubts?As news of the engagement between the heir of Eversleigh Manor and the darling of prime-time television spreads through the village, Guy wonders if he''s made a rash decision. Especially when he meets Honor, a new employee of the Manor who has a habit of getting under his skin...But Honor has her own troubles - a son who''s missing a father, and an ex-boyfriend who has made an unexpected reappearance...Trade ReviewA saucy chick lit narrative with a feel-good factor. * TELEGRAPH AND ARGUS *Warm and brilliantly written * Heat on THE LONG WEEKEND *Veronica Henry writes like a dream * Jill Mansell *First class ... a great beach read * Sunday Express on THE LONG WEEKEND *

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Book Synopsis''Gripping, heart-wrenching and painfully real. An absolute triumph'' Iona GreyWhat was hidden will be revealed...When Frances'' best friend Bronwyn disappeared over twenty years ago, her body was never found. The mystery over what happened has cast a shadow over Frances'' life ever since. Now, it''s 1942 and bombs are raining down on Bath. In the chaos a little boy - Davy Noyle - goes missing. Frances was meant to be looking after him and she is tortured by guilt at his disappearance. Where has he gone, and could he possibly have survived?But bombs conceal, and they reveal - and as quiet falls and the dust settles, a body is disturbed from its hiding place. What happened all those years ago? And can Frances put the wrongs of the past right again...?Praise for The Disappearance:''A wonderful wartime story . . . A huge treat'' Kate Riordan''I couldn''t have loved it more. Riveting, hauntingTrade ReviewPrepare to have your heartstrings pulled. * WOMAN'S WEEKLY *A beautifully written and emotionally involving mystery... A multi-layered, gripping and evocative read - highly recommended! * Amanda Jennings *

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Book Synopsis It all began with that awful business about my mother...Flavia de Luce''s world is turned upside down when she is banished to Miss Bodycote''s Female Academy in Canada - her mother Harriet''s old boarding school. With its forbidding headmistress, intimidating teachers and bizarre rules, adapting to Miss Bodycote''s could be a matter of life and death.But Flavia is soon on familiar ground when she is presented with a gruesome puzzle to solve. And the mystery of a withered corpse is only the beginning. Girls have been disappearing from Miss Bodycote''s, leading Flavia to wonder what exactly the academy''s true purpose is, and why were her father and Aunt Felicity so keen that she enrol?Praise for the historical Flavia de Luce mysteries: ''The Flavia de Luce novels are now a cult favourite'' Mail on Sunday ''A cross between Dodie Smith''s I Capture The Castle and the Addams family...delightfully entertaining'' Guardian Fans of M. C. Beaton''s Agatha Raisin, Frances Brody and Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy the Flavia de Luce mysteries: 1. Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie 2. The Weed That Strings the Hangman''s Bag 3. A Red Herring Without Mustard 4. I Am Half Sick of Shadows 5. Speaking From Among the Bones 6. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches 7. As Chimney Sweepers Come To Dust 8. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew''d 9. The Grave''s a Fine and Private Place If you''re looking for a cosy crime series to keep you hooked then look no further than the Flavia de Luce mysteries. * Each Flavia de Luce mystery can be read as a standalone or in series order *Trade ReviewPraise for the cosy crime Flavia de Luce Mysteries - perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders: The Flavia de Luce novels are now a cult favourite * Mail on Sunday *Certain to become a national treasure * Daily Mail *Delightfully entertaining * Guardian *Flavia is enchanting * New York Times *A breath of fresh air to the world of period-piece sleuthing * Independent *Flavia is mercilessly addictive * Daily Telegraph *A clever, witty and totally gripping read with lots of surprises * Essentials *At once precocious and endearing. Flavia is a marvellous character. Quirkily appealing, this is definitely a crime novel with a difference * Choice *It's like entering the lost world of the Mitford sisters where the girls are allowed to run completely wild * Crime Squad *Hilarious, eccentric and mischievous * Deadly Pleasures *Engaging, entertaining, bright and breezy; and above all, great fun! * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisStella has life under control - and that''s the way she likes it. For twenty-five years, she''s been trusted assistant to a legendary fashion designer but after her boss dies suddenly, she''s left with nothing to do apart from clear the studio.It seems as though the life she wanted has vanished. She is lost - until one day she finds a house swap website and sees a beautiful old villa in a southern Italian village. Could she really exchange her poky London flat for that?But what was just intended as a break becomes much more, as Stella finds herself trying on a stranger''s life. As the villa begins to get under her skin, she can''t help but imagine the owner from the clues around her. She meets his friends, cooks the local food he recommends and follows suggestions to go to his favourite places. But can an idea of someone ever match up the reality?As Stella wonders if she can let go of the safety of her past, perhaps there''s a chance for her to find a way intTrade ReviewWhat readers are saying about Nicky Pellegrino's uplifting and feel-good escapist novels:Enchanting...a delightful feel-good story * Amazon reviewer *I couldn't put it down * Amazon reviewer *An easy and relaxing read that took you to a warm and inviting slice of life...an enjoyable read * Amazon reviewer *Left me craving some Italian food and wanting to book a holiday * Goodreads reviewer *

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Book SynopsisSuperb storytelling from one of the world''s best-loved writers.Just round the corner from St Jarlath''s Crescent (featured in MINDING FRANKIE) is Chestnut Street. Here, the lives of the residents are revealed in Maeve Binchy''s wonderfully compelling tales:Bucket Maguire, the window cleaner, who must do more than he bargained for to protect his son. Nessa Byrne, whose aunt comes to visit from America for six weeks every summer and turns the house - and Nessa''s world - upside down. Lilian, the generous girl with a big heart, and the fiancé not everyone approves of. And Melly, whose gossip about the neighbours leads to trouble in the form of the fortune teller, ''Madame Magic''...''In Chestnut Street [there is] enough kindness, wisdom and insight into human nature, to remind readers why Maeve Binchy was one of the most beloved writers this country has ever produced'' Irish TimesTrade ReviewMaeve Binchy's work continues to inspire ... thought-provoking, warm and funny in equal measure. * Woman *A master storyteller -- Marian KeyesThanks to Binchy's characteristic compassion, we find ourselves sympathising with her underdogs, welcoming the punishments visited on her scoundrels, and wishing for justice for those long-suffering characters who keep trying to do the right thing without any hope of recompense ... an unexpected treat. * Irish Mail on Sunday *In Chestnut Street [there is] enough kindness, wisdom and insight into human nature, to remind readers why Maeve Binchy was one of the most beloved writers this country has ever produced. * Irish Times *Written over the past decades, these heartwarming stories of Dublin life, set around Chestnut Street, are collected together for the first time ... Binchy's last book is one to treasure. * Woman & Home *Binchy wrote as naturally as she breathed, and this collection has all her trademark humanity and humour * Saga magazine *An unsurpassed grasp of what makes a good story -- Anne EnrightThe author gives us one last extraordinary look at ordinary people as they struggle with family relationships, romances gone awry, and the possibility for a better future ... all with Binchy's thoughtful and loving touch that will be sorely missed * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA compelling story of hidden secrets and forbidden love, from the bestselling author of The Secrets of the Tides''If she could reach back through the years and warn the person she once was, what would she say? ... What would she say to the ghosts who now inhabit her days? So many of those she has loved are now nothing but dust and memory.''At twenty-six, Lillian feels trapped by life. Her marriage to Charles Oberon has not turned out the way she expected it would. To her it seems she is just another object captured within the walls of Cloudesley, her husband''s beautiful manor house tucked away high in the Chiltern Hills. But, with a young step-son and a sister to care for, Lillian accepts there is no way out for her. Then Charles makes an arrangement with an enigmatic artist visiting their home and his presence will unbalance everything she thought she knew and understood. Maggie Oberon ran from the hurt and resentment she caused. Half aTrade ReviewA juicy mix of secrets and betrayals make The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell a perfect holiday read. * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Even more beguiling than her previous books. Stuffed full of family secrets, it's a tale of longing and dappled sunlight and the shimmering heat of lust. Exquisite, glamorous and breath-holdingly plotted -- Veronica HenryPoignant, romantic and beautifully written, I was completely captivated by this dual narrative story about forbidden love. Hannah Richell is a gifted storyteller; The Peacock Summer a wonderfully immersive book. Absolutely gorgeous -- Kate RiordanA heartwarming, compassionate story * PRIMA *A beautifully crafted story of heartbreak and hope. A bygone summer, simmering tensions, illicit passion, heroines to really root for - The Peacock Summer is thoroughly captivating. A treat of a read. * Emylia Hall *A wonderfully atmospheric novel that skilfully weaves together past and present * REDONLINE *A rich, evocative and very moving piece of writing. The story drew me in and kept me immersed right to the final pages -- Katherine WebbA beautiful and compelling story of forbidden love, grief and guilt... -- Liz FenwickWonderfully written, a visual treat, compelling and full of excellent characters - highly recommended -- Cesca Major, author of The Silent Hours and The Last NightSecrets, passion, sadness and sacrifice, more secrets... Wonderful book! -- Susan Elliot Wright, author of The Things We Never SaidA gorgeous, gorgeous book -- Cressida McLaughlin'A truly compassionate read' * PRIMA.CO.UK *a beautifully written, wonderfully evocative read * FABULOUS MAGAZINE, SUN ON SUNDAY *I loved being swept away in this heartwarming and fascinating novel. A great read -- Katie FfordeA wonderful emotional read that drew me in and didn't let go till the last page. * WOMAN AND HOME *A beautiful and compelling story of forbidden love, grief and guilt... * Liz Fenwick *Wonderfully written, a visual treat, compelling and full of excellent characters - highly recommended * Cesca Major, author of The Silent Hours and The Last Night *Secrets, passion, sadness and sacrifice, more secrets... Wonderful book! * Susan Elliot Wright, author of The Things We Never Said *A gorgeous, gorgeous book * Cressida McLaughlin *

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Book Synopsis''Heart-rending'' CLARE MACKINTOSH''Utterly gripping'' VERONICA HENRY''Beautiful and gripping'' LIBBY PAGE''There''s something I need to tell you.''Eight years ago, Margot Sorrell left the crumbling family home in the Somerset countryside under a dark cloud, hoping never to return. And until she tells her two sisters why she ran away, they refuse to forgive her... But with her sisters'' perfect lives starting to unravel, Margot knows she must go back. The river by her home has kept her secret all this time - as well as the memories of the terrible night that tore her family apart. As the past threatens to surface, will the truth destroy the Sorrell family - or bring them back together?Don''t miss this heartrending and utterly gripping book club read from Richard & Judy recommended author Hannah Richell!***More praise for THE RIVER HOME: ''An unfTrade ReviewBeautiful, heart-rending, life-affirming * CLARE MACKINTOSH *Beguiling, beautifully written and richly evocative, The River Home will sweep you away * VERONICA HENRY *I've just finished The River Home, trying hard not to start sobbing on the crowded train... beautiful and gripping * LIBBY PAGE *[A] heart-wrenching and beautifully written page-turner... Loved it! * SUSAN ELLIOT-WRIGHT *The most life-affirming novel... wise, big-hearted and beautifully written * EMYLIA HALL *Stunning. All the feels, all the tears. Utterly heart-breaking * KATHERINE SLEE *A beautifully told story of love and pain within one family * SOPHIE GREEN *This character-driven tale flows effortlessly with the author's descriptive prose painting every emotional scene with care. Her skill at peeling away the layers of and revealing the raw pain in this incredibly complicated family is exemplary * Library Journal *An unforgettable read * BELLA *

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Book SynopsisEveryone knows who killed the Clutters. But who murdered the Walker family? A thrilling novel based on the unsolved true crime that features in Truman Capote's IN COLD BLOODTrade ReviewThe book is stunning, best villain in a decade. The plot is mesmerising, with a narrative that shocks as it enthrals. Fantastic. * KEN BRUEN *

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Book SynopsisLiterary legend James Bond returns to his 1950s heyday in this exhilarating thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz. It''s 1957 and James Bond (agent 007) has only just survived his showdown with Auric Goldfinger at Fort Knox. By his side is Pussy Galore, who was with him at the end. Unknown to either of them, the USSR and the West are in a deadly struggle for technological superiority. And SMERSH is back.The Soviet counter-intelligence agency plans to sabotage a Grand Prix race at the most dangerous track in Europe. But it''s Bond who finds himself in the driving seat and events take an unexpected turn when he observes a suspicious meeting between SMERSH''s driver and a sinister Korean millionaire, Jai Seong Sin. Soon Bond is pitched into an entirely different race uncovering a plan that could bring the West to its knees.Welcoming back familiar faces, including M and Miss Moneypenny, international bestselling author AnTrade ReviewA humdinger of a Bond story, so cunningly crafted and thrillingly placed that OO7's creator would have been happy to own it.... The book is the best Bond movie you'll ever see without actually having to see the movie. -- Simon Schama * FINANCIAL TIMES *TRIGGER MORTIS is a blast. Set two weeks after the end of the novel Goldfinger in 1957, it has a superb plot based around the early space race and features the return of the best Bond girl of them all, Pussy Galore. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Fleming fans certainly won't be disappointed. Trigger Mortis contains all the adrenaline you'd expect from a Bond novel with bags of humour, international jet-setting and a compelling cast of inventively named characters. It is, one suspects, a novel Fleming would be proud to have in the 007 canon. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Almost too good * EVENING STANDARD *Horowitz is doing something both clever and audacious...a clever and enjoyable pastiche, which manages to press many of the buttons that were the purview of 007's creator. * INDEPENDENT *There is a delicate line separating imitation from parody and Horowitz stays on the right side of it to perfection. * DAILY EXPRESS *'Sexy, slick and full of suspense, this new Bond novel is perfect escapism.' * GRAZIA *Anthony Horowitz knows exactly what ingredients are required to satisfy even the most gluttonous James Bond fan and serves them up with the confidence of the self-confessed aficionado that he is... In Trigger Mortis the reader finds set pieces expertly handled and genuinely exciting... it all makes for an energetic and satisfying read. * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *'This supremely well-crafted thriller is an expertly shaken martini of authentic flavours, right down to several heart-pounding set pieces that surely belong on the big screen. Women... are in the driving seat in more senses than one, while Bond is an alluring mix of emotional detachment and death-defying heroics. Pure Pleasure.' * METRO *'Ultimately, Horowitz seems to me to have captured the spirit of Fleming more successfully than his recent illustrious predecessors in the Bond-sequel game.' -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *Trigger Mortis is cool and restrained... Fleming's best work was possessed of a rather insouciant tone; a wry, weary, mid-century tone that Horowitz captures exactly. * NEW STATESMAN *The tension-filled opening sequence is there, the threat to world peace, the race to prevent central Manhattan being blown to smithereens, beautiful women and dodgy gangsters, but, somehow, Bond is more likeable. Daniel Craig would be hard pushed to describe this one as sexist and misogynistic. Mr Horowitz has introduced us to a more rounded hero, but one who won't disappoint the traditionalists. * COUNTRY LIFE *'Horowitz's brings her [Pussy Galore] back as something like a three-dimensional woman, giving her an arc that surpasses Bond's hackneyed Freudian masculinity... He delivers the tersely precise prose that makes Bond so compelling, but more than that, he also supplies touches of Fleming's cruel poetry.' * GUARDIAN *'Horowitz has an amazing facility for narrating action, and the set-pieces are terrific... the final 50 pages pass in a breathless rush of excitement.' * SUNDAY TIMES *Anthony Horowitz produced as good an ersatz James Bond novel as one could hope for in TRIGGER MORTIS * DAILY TELEGRAPH - Christmas Books *A fast-paced Cold War thriller that should please literary Bond fans... a modern take on a period series: Bond doesn't seem quite as cold and brutal as Fleming's original and in a couple of places, the writer's 21st century morality seems to seep almost unconsciously through. * YORKSHIRE POST *'All elements are in place. We have the fast cars, the dead-eyed villain with a penchant for playing cards, a mysterious woman and an intricate plot involving rockets.' * RTE GUIDE *'A cocktail of speed, danger, strong women and fiendish villains.' * GAINSBOROUGH ECHO *'A pacy Cold War thriller that will please Bond fans.' * OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE *Fervent fans and completists will likely not be disappointed. * Weekend Australian *Bond and his creator have been under siege from the second-rate and politically censorious for decades. It has taken 50 years for one author, Anthony Horowitz, to finally deliver the respectful and tender homage both have long deserved. It is a cause for celebration. * Canberra Times, Saturday Age Melbourne, Sydney Morning Herald *Endorsed by the Bond estate, Anthony Horowitz does a sterling job of bringing the spy's bygone era to life, helped in part by access to Fleming's papers. * Herald Sun, Melbourne *The Fleming chapter slips in almost seamlessly, a testament to how attentive Horowitz has been to his master's style. * GUARDIAN *"A masterly feat of literary ventriloquism." * TIMES *"A pleasingly modern perspective while still managing to retain the essence of Ian Fleming's original novels. It also happens to be a great read." * CHOICE *'If you like the original Bond books it's a safe bet that you'll like Trigger Mortis, too. Horowitz captures the flavour and feel of the originals.' * CRIMEREVIEW *'Break-neck pace, complex and entertaining plot, and thrilling action... Expertly structured with plenty of twists and turns, this is classic Bond.' * BOOKBAG *

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters and one betrayal that will carry across generations . . .''Engrossing and romantic - a perfect holiday read'' Rachel Hore''Liz Fenwick''s romantic story of twin sisters in wartime Cornwall is as heartbreaking as it is absorbing. I got so wrapped up in Adele''s story that I read it in one day'' Kate RiordanIn wartime Cornwall, 1943, a story between two sisters begins - the story of Adele and Amelia, and the heart-breaking betrayal that will divide them forever. Decades later, the efforts of one reckless act still echo - but how long will it be until their past returns? The Returning Tide will sweep you away to the beautiful Cornish coast, full of secrets and mystery, and will be loved by fans of Kate Morton and Rachel Hore.Trade ReviewI really enjoyed this book. It had a wonderfully intriguing and compelling story line and I found the wartime details especially fascinating. Together with Liz's usual beautiful evocation of the Cornish scenery this was a brilliant read. I recommend it. -- Barbara ErskineAn unforgettable read. -- Sam's Book CornerTHE RETURNING TIDE by Liz Fenwick is a powerful novel that brings the reality of war, loss, heartbreak, and ultimately love, to life for the reader, and all of it eloquently written with the sophisticated style and flair that is synonymous with Liz Fenwick. * Books Of All Kinds *

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Book Synopsis ''An unforgettable first novel'' The Times * * * * *THE EBOOK BESTSELLER ABOUT FATHERS, SONS AND LOVETen-year-old Jonah lives in a world of his own.He likes colours and feathers and the feel of fresh air on his skin.He dislikes sudden loud noises and any change to his daily routine.Jonah has never spoken, yet somehow he communicates better than all of the adults in his life.Inspired by the author''s experiences with his own son, SHTUM is a novel about three generations of a family learning to get along.* * * * *''A book with true heart and soul'' Joanna Cannon''Whether you think Shtum is a novel about autism or about marriage (it''s both, by the way), you will agree that it is, in the end, a love story infused with wit, charm, and a deep appreciation for the complex beauty of damaged souls.'' Jonathan TropperTrade ReviewPraise for the heartwarming novel of 2017:Jem Lester writes so beautifully, it feels as if you're eavesdropping on a conversation. Shtum is a book with true heart and soul, and I loved every word -- Joanna Cannon, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEPA darker, sadder version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, but just as moving * OBSERVER *Angry and fiercely funny . . . The ending tears the heart out; this is an unforgettable first novel * THE TIMES *This is the literary territory of Tony Parsons and Nick Hornby, infused with the Jewish humour of Howard Jacobson and Shalom Auslander . . . an impressive novel that gives a very accurate portrayal of the struggles some families of autistic children endure, while taking the reader on an exhilarating roller coaster ride between pathos, comedy and anger * GUARDIAN *Moving and, at times, painfully sad, Lester's account is also darkly funny. It is an important reminder of the complex spectrum of human emotion, and a profound insight into an often misunderstood disorder * STYLIST *'SHTUM is a thought-provoking novel about the silent ties between generations, with a wonderful child character at its heart. I loved Jonah and ached for the impossible decisions his family had to face' -- Julie CohenHighly intelligent, warm-hearted and clearly based on experience * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Powerful, unapologetic and deeply moving, Jem Lester mines a hard-hitting story to discover dark humour and surprising warmth. It's a book that breaks your heart but ultimately uplifts. A simply stunning novel -- Miranda DickinsonA tale of family, loss, self-discovery and forgiveness. Prepare to be moved by its beauty * HEAT MAGAZINE *Warm, funny and sad * DAILY EXPRESS *Funny yet heart-breaking, the book is likely to be enjoyed by fans of The Rosie Project and The Shock of the Fall * INDEPENDENT *Jem Lester manages to capture a difficult and often heart-wrenching story of a family coping with an autistic son, writing with a fast pace and levity that somehow doesn't lessen any of the emotion of this wonderful novel. A must for your reading list * GRAZIA *With shades of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this former journalist's debut is informed by his own experiences with his non-verbal autistic son * BIG ISSUE *A book that has you laughing one minute and is breaking your heart the next. * WOMAN AND HOME *An emotive, button-pushing read that should come with a packet of tissues * RED MAGAZINE *'[Lester] tells a memorable story full of dark humour and heart twistingly sad insight, about the bond between fathers and sons' * SUNDAY MIRROR *[Lester carries] off this challenging storyline with spectacular success. There are some very sad moments, but far more that are blackly funny. Lester is superb at comic cameo, and the local authority jobsworths with whom Ben must deal are hilariously drawn. But it is Georg, Ben's severe and loving father, who is the novel's towering achievement; a complex man whose tragic past illuminates the present * DAILY MAIL *Bleak, candid, funny and touching, this impressively impassioned debut novel reveals how a lack of words does not signify a lack of love * SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE *Drawing on his own experience of raising an autistic child, Jem Lester has made this a frank and warm portrait of three men bumbling through life * INDEPENDENT *'At its heart are the things they need to say to each other but often keep "shtum" about - and the child who says nothing, but communicates his needs eloquently' * FINANCIAL TIMES *Shtum is a novel of compassionate understanding, and it is absorbing from start to finish. -- Ian Thomson * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Gritty, heart-breaking and wonderful all at once. -- Natasha Harding * THE SUN *Prepare for an unsweetened heart-shredder of a novel, as raw as it is real. -- Madeleine Kingsley * JEWISH CHRONICLE *Heart-wrenching and thought-provoking story of a family coping with an autistic child. -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *This touching novel tells the story of Jonah, a 10-year old boy who can't speak. * NOW MAGAZINE *Lester's unusual book conveys a profound message about the whole spectrum of humanity... a thought-provoking and moving read. -- Helena Gumley-Mason * THE LADY *It's the territory of Tony Parsons and Nick Hornby, infused with the Jewish humour of Howard Jacobson and Shalom Auslander. This impressive novel leads the reader through pathos, comedy and anger. * GUARDIAN *Whether you think Shtum is a novel about autism or about marriage (it's both, by the way), you will agree that it is, in the end, a love story infused with wit, charm, and a deep appreciation for the complex beauty of damaged souls. * Jonathan Tropper, author of THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU *

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Book Synopsis''Her storytelling ability is second to none'' SUNDAY EXPRESS''Maeve Binchy is a master storyteller'' NEW YORK TIMES''The Irish do love telling stories, and we are suspicious of people who don''t have long, complicated conversations. There used to be a rule in etiquette books that you should invite four talkers and four listeners to a dinner party. That doesn''t work in Ireland, because nobody knows four listeners'' Maeve Binchy Maeve Binchy''s bestselling novels not only tell wonderful stories, they also give an insight in to how Ireland has changed over the decades, and how people remain the same: they still fall in love, sometimes unsuitably; they still have hopes and dreams; they have deep, long-standing friendships, and some that fall apart. From her earliest writing to her most recent, Maeve''s work has included wonderfully nostalgic pieces and also sharp, often witty writing which is insightful and topical. But at the heTrade ReviewBinchy ... is a class act * DAILY EXPRESS *This new collection of Maeve's beloved short stories will force you to put down your smartphone in favour of your favourite armchair and this hardback. Featuring some of her best works it is a fine tribute to a very fine author * IMAGE magazine *The stories bring to life well-developed characters, often in the space of a few paragraphs, and brim with Maeve's warmth and common sense. She writes particularly well on loneliness, and about the hopes and fears of young people on the cusp of adulthood * IRISH INDEPENDENT *A brilliant writer -- Jilly CooperThese stories are full of warmth and humour...easy to read and an ideal present for any of her fans * WOMAN'S WAY *The wit, humanity and truths of dearly departed Maeve Binchy live on in her absorbing fictions as this collection of 41 stories proves. * RTE GUIDE *Reading Maeve Binchy has always acted as therapy of a sort. Her witty, literate small-town tales exude a rosy glow to ease the troubled mind * THE TIMES *Binchy makes you laugh, cry, and care. Her warmth and sympathy render the daily struggles of ordinary people heroic and turn storytelling into art * SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE *A brilliant storyteller who wrote from her heart -- Lorraine KellyThe warmest, funniest and most inspiring author . . . I've read everything she ever wrote -- Dame Jennie MurrayYou can see why, for a legion of female readers, Maeve Binchy is a one-woman opiate of the people * EVENING STANDARD *

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Book SynopsisThere are sixteen contestants, but only one will survive.The last thing Jack West Jr remembers is arriving for a meeting at a top-secret military base with his family in tow.Now he awakes to find himself in a hellish scenario. Jack has been selected to take part in the Games, a series of deadly challenges designed to fulfil an ancient ritual. If he chooses not to compete, both he and his daughter will be killed.With the fate of the Earth at stake, Jack will have to traverse diabolical mazes, fight ruthless assassins and face unimaginable horrors that will test him to the limit.In the process, he will discover the mysterious and powerful group of individuals behind it all: the four legendary kingdoms.The thrilling new Jack West adventure from the bestselling author of The Great Zoo of China and The Five Greatest Warriors.Trade ReviewI was on the edge of my seat for this whole book, I couldn't believe that Matthew Reilly grabbed me from the first page and didn't let me go until 400 pages later. -- Always Trust in BooksDamn good fun. -- Crime Review

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Book Synopsis''Lyrical, heartrending and compelling'' JOJO MOYES on Recipe for LifeKat is an adventurer, a food writer who travels the world visiting far-flung places and eating unusual things. Now she is about to embark on her biggest adventure yet - a relationship. She has fallen in love with an Italian man and is moving to live with him in Venice where she will help him run his small guesthouse, Hotel Gondola. Kat has lined up a book deal and will write about the first year of her new adventure, the food she eats, the recipes she collects, the people she meets, the man she doesn''t really know all that well but is going to make a life with. But as Kat ought to know by now, the thing about adventures is that they never go exactly the way you expect them to...******''Warm, engaging and truly delicious'' Rosanna Ley, author of The Little Theatre by the Sea''A delicious and sensual adventure'' Fiona Gibson, author of <

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Book SynopsisThe million copy bestseller - an utterly captivating story of three young British women in search of freedom and love in 1920s IndiaTrade ReviewThis engaging novel perfectly captures the last days of the Raj * DAILY EXPRESS *What a gorgeous read. Exciting, romantic, unpredictable and funny. I didn't want it to end. You'll crave curry for weeks. -- Tracey UllmanA finely written story full of characters you can care about...highly descriptive and persuasively told * THE LADY *A unique and fascinating historical novel * PRIMA *For passion in an exotic landscape, check out Julia Gregson's EAST OF THE SUN -- Giles Foden, CONDENAST TRAVELLERWarm, charming, masterfully written and impossible to put down once begun * AUSTRALIAN WOMENS WEEKLY *Time, place and that pivotal moment in history are skillfully and engrossingly involved * BEST *The Orion staff gave this beautifully written book an overwhelming thumbs up, and it isn't hard to see why * COUNTRY LIFE *A richly imagined and thoroughly rewarding book * NHS MAGAZINE *This novel is utterly engaging * ASIAN AGE *

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Book SynopsisA lively, entertaining sequel to Pride and Prejudice, following the fates of the unmarried Bennet sisters in the 200th anniversary year of Jane Austen's deathTrade ReviewPraise for PERCEPTION - a heartwarming sequel to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice:A charmingly written evocation of what might have happened to the remaining Bennet sisters. Very enjoyable -- Katie Fforde, Sunday Times Number One bestseller

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Book SynopsisDISAPPEAR INTO THE WORLD OF THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING CHOCOLAT . . . ''So wise, so atmospheric, so beautifully written'' Marian Keyes''The most magical, stunningly beautiful novel'' Joanna Cannon''It will intrigue and charm readers every bit as much as Chocolat'' Monica Ali---------------------------Faith. Secret. Magic. Murder...?Vianne Rocher has settled down. Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, the place that once rejected her, has finally become her home. With Rosette, her youngest child, she runs her chocolate shop in the square, talks to her friends on the river, is part of the community. Even Reynaud, the priest, has become a friend. But when old Narcisse, the florist, dies, leaving a parcel of land to Rosette and a written confession to Reynaud, the life of the sleepy village is once more thrown into disarray. Then the opening of a mysterious new shop in the place of the florist''s acrossTrade ReviewSheer pleasure from start to finish...a delight -- James RuncieCompelling, captivating, incredibly moving...A perfect novel that shimmers with brilliance and truthSo wise, so atmospheric, so beautifully written -- Marian KeyesIt will intrigue and charm readers every bit as much as Chocolat -- Monica AliBeautifully written, enchanting yet oh-so real * Independent *Evocative...sure to delight fans of Chocolat * Observer *Deliciously compelling * Prima *

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Book SynopsisA funny and heartwarming romantic comedy about forging your own path, perfect for fans of Master of None and The Big SickTrade ReviewBright and vivid, and fresh and funny - I was utterly charmed by this insight into Raina's struggle to be the perfect Indian daughter. A delightful debut -- VERONICA HENRY, bestselling author of The Forever HouseAn absolute treat - I loved it. My senses were buzzing with delight as I read it -- MILLY JOHNSON, bestselling author of The Queen of Wishful ThinkingA perfect romance to lose yourself in * STYLIST *Impossible to read without a huge smile on your face. A superior slice of romantic comedy -- Best Books To Read This August * RED *A riotous odyssey into the pressures of cross-cultural modern dating that will chime with every 20-something singleton * ELLE *A gorgeous summer read about the complications of balancing family, friends and love. It's warm and funny, cringeworthy and romantic, and above all wonderfully uplifting -- CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN, bestselling author of The Canal Boat CafeA delightfully different story of friendship, family and getting over heartbreak. It's fresh, funny and fabulously written - it had me hooked from the get-go -- ANNA BELL, bestselling author of The Bucket List to Mend a Broken HeartTHE ARRANGEMENT is a funny and moving exploration of modern love. Sonya Lalli's observations on being single while Indian and female certainly resonated with me, and reminded me of the challenges of balancing family pressures with my desire for independence in my twenties. I enjoyed meeting all the men on Nani's list, even the disastrous dates, because they reflected the hit or miss reality of the modern arranged marriage experience -- BALLI KAUR JASWAL, bestselling author of Erotic Stories for Punjabi WidowsAn Indian Bridget Jones, full of warmth and wit and so wise. What a fab book, I loved it -- LAURA KEMP, author of The Late Blossoming of Frankie GreenTHE ARRANGEMENT is a funny and thoroughly enjoyable read. Sonya Lalli had me rooting for Raina as she faced the pressures of her family's expectation. It's an engaging and very entertaining debut -- EMILY KERR, author of Who Does He Think He Is?Heartwarming and funny * WOMAN'S OWN *

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Book Synopsis''Totally relatable and hilarious - one of the best books I''ve read'' - Heat''Laugh-out-loud funny. Truly, the Bridget Jones for our generation'' - Louise O''NeillWhat do you get if you cross a dozen drunk hens with one shiny Butler in the Buff?Meet Lilah Fox. She''s on the hen do from hell. Then she gets a message (44 of them, actually) from her best friend with big news: she''s getting married in six months. Oh, and Lilah''s her maid of honour. Which means she just got signed up for:- A military schedule of wedding fairs and weekly planning meetings- Excel spreadsheets and endless hen emails- All the enforced, expensive fun you can imagine...What fresh hell is this?**********Everyone loves Lucy Vine:''So ridiculously accurate I had to take a lie down from all my genuine laughing-out-loud'' Laura Jane Williams''Relatable to the max...faTrade ReviewLaugh-out-loud funny. Truly, the Bridget Jones for our generation -- Louise O'NeillRelatable to the max...fans of Hot Mess will love it * Grazia *Very funny and a joy to read! I adored it! * Joanna Bolouri, bestselling author of THE LIST *Totally relatable and hilarious - one of the best books I've read in a while. Laughed from start to finish * Heat *So ridiculously accurate I had to take a lie down from all my genuine laughing-out-loud -- Laura Jane WilliamsI LOVED this. Caps for emphasis...This is relatable AF and you need it in your life -- Hanna DoyleOne of my very favourite writers... It's wildly funny AND about my very favourite genre of everything - painfully obsessive wedding planning. I inhaled this. If you like laughing a lot, I recommend that you pre-order immediately -- Daisy BuchananWhat Fresh Hell is so brilliantly, hilariously, on-point about the nutso psychology of hen dos. For anyone whose ever found themselves thinking, "Oh £260 for the weekend. That's not too bad." READ IT -- Holly BourneBrilliantly written * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis''The characters jump right off the page and into your heart.'' Amazon reviewer, 5 starsNineteen-year-old Jennifer is regretting her hasty move into Sunset Promenade, an unusual retirement home taking in students to save money. Despite their differences in age, Jennifer and the older residents thrive and embark on a series of new adventures. But when Sunset Promenade is threatened with closure, cracks begin to show, and this quirky group of friends must work together to save their home.The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert, aged 19 going on 91 is a funny, warm and uplifting novel about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how it''s never too late to have the time of your life...''I loved every word of this book and would advise people take an afternoon off, find a comfy spot and lose yourself for a few hours in the world of Sunset Promenade.'' - Amazon reviewerReaders are loving The Growing P

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Book Synopsis''A lovely holiday read about female friendships past and present. Warm and engaging'' Catherine AlliottOne perfect villa, four old friends, and a holiday that will change everything...Amy, Linda, Kate and Jane were best friends at school. Now, years later, they have grown apart. When Amy discovers her husband has been stealing from her successful interiors business, and with a milestone birthday looming, she decides it is the time to reach out to her old friends once again. So, she decides to invite the other three to her beautiful villa in Mallorca for a reunion weekend. As the four friends gather, secrets are unearthed, old scores settled and new friendships forged. Will this holiday bring them together or tear them apart? And will each of them grasp their second chance for happiness...?''A warm and uplifting read. I really enjoyed it'' Rosanna Ley, author of The Lemon Tree Hotel''A skilfully woven story of old frieTrade ReviewA skilfully woven story of old friendships, secrets and lies set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Mallorca. The ideal summer read -- Sarah MorganA Summer Reunion is a deceptively innocent title for the engrossing tension Blake weaves so skillfully into this lovely book. Intriguing characters in a gorgeous setting -- Hilary BoydFabulous, fun and full of wisdom * Woman & Home *An insightful look at female friendship with a beautiful sunny backdrop * Sunday Express, S Magazine *

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Book SynopsisOur Life in a Day is the story of a ten-year relationship told in twenty-four individual hours - and a love story that also explores issues around male mental health. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver's One Day in December, Jojo Moyes, and Roxie Cooper's The Day We Met.Trade ReviewClever, moving, funny, insightful . . . Enlightening to read a modern love story through the eyes of man living with anxiety and addiction * Zoë Folbigg, bestselling author of THE NOTE *Without a shadow of a doubt this will be one of my favourite books of 2019 . . . An astounding debut * Nina Pottell, PRIMA *A much-needed depiction - perhaps now more than ever - of a man struggling with his mental health . . . Real and honest. * HEAT MAGAZINE *Moving, honest, sad and hopeful, it's a beautifully told story of real love and real life. I loved it. * MIRANDA DICKINSON *I raced through it . . . [It's] about honesty, intimacy, and male mental health * DAILY MAIL *This will melt your heart * VERONICA HENRY, Sunday Times bestselling author of A FAMILY RECIPE *April 2019 Paperback of the Month * Woman&Home *[An] enjoyable debut . . . Deals convincingly and movingly with issues around mental health * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Fans of One Day will love this * RED MAGAZINE *Didn't start work when I woke up this morning. I had a cuppa and finished Jamie Fewery's book and it made me do a proper ugly cry. So that's a glowing endorsement for Our Life in a Day' -- Sian Meades * Domestic Sluttery *

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Book Synopsis''It''s BRILLIANT. I enjoyed it hugely'' Marian Keyes*****Two people. Two lives. One chance to see the same world differently. Louis and Louise are the same person born in two different lives. One was born female, and one male.They have the same best friends, the same red hair, the same dream of being a writer, the same excellent whistle. They both suffer one catastrophic night, with life-changing consequences.Thirteen years later, they are both coming home . . . A tender, insightful and timely novel about the things that bring us together - and those which separate us, from the author of Richard & Judy recommended book Together*****A NOVEL PEOPLE CAN''T STOP TALKING ABOUT...''Not often does a story remind us of what beautifully complex creatures we are. Julie Cohen has given us that rare gift'' Christina Dalcher, author of VOX''LoTrade ReviewCohen has written an engaging, moving novel, at its most arresting in the pivotal scenes when she explores the personal fallout of industrial and class conflict in Louis/Louise's beleaguered hometown. * SUNDAY TIMES *Book of the Month: The idea behind Louis & Louise is one of the cleverest I've seen: a baby is born on 8 September 1978 - from that point, the narrative splits, with the child growing up female in one strand and male in the other... This tender, moving, fantastically readable story is expertly handled by Julie Cohen. * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Emotional and seriously powerful. * FABULOUS MAGAZINE, SUN ON SUNDAY *Told over two, initially parallel, narratives (or, indeed, universes), this is a nuanced exploration of how the social expectations of gender can push us down certain paths. * THE INDEPENDENT *This elegantly written novel also examines much that is universal: teen love, parent-child relations, class division and small-town prejudice. * DAILY MAIL *In this fascinating novel, Cohen explores the paths taken by Louis and Louise, which run almost parallel until a life-changing event on the night of Lou's high school graduation. It's a poignant look at how our gender can determine the way we are treated and the knock-on effects that can have, even if all the other circumstances of our lives are exactly the same * Emerald Street *In the hands of a less skilful author this could have been an unsubtle gimmick to make a point about gender but Julie Cohen has written a powerful and memorable story of small town secrets, family dynamics and the sense that some things are just meant to be. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Not often does a story remind us of what beautifully complex creatures we are. Julie Cohen has given us that rare gift -- Christina Dalcher, author of VOXPoignant and heartfelt * PRIMA *Tender and thought-provoking -- Isabelle Broom * Woman & Home *this is a modern take told with heart * GRAZIA *Elegant, thoughtful and powerful -- Daisy BuchananHugely original and heartbreakingly real -- Rosie WalshFierce, intricate and intriguing -- Fanny BlakeA timely read that will stay with you long after you put it down -- Libby PageLouis and Louise is Julie Cohen at her absolute best. So cleverly done and authentic, and you feel as if you live in the town with the characters and have been in the story with them. -- A J Pearce, author of DEAR MRS BIRDLouis & Louise is moving and beautiful, but it will also make you wonder and question -- Joanna Cannon, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEPWhat a brave, warm and wise book this is. I loved it -- Tamar Cohen, author of THE BROKENBeautifully written and thought-provoking -- Kate Eberlen, author of MISS YOUA cobweb of a book: beautifully intricate and delicate -- Veronica HenryWow. What a beautiful, ballsy and brilliant book -- Sinead MoriartyA beautifully written, heartbreaking and important novel about gender, self, family and, ultimately, love -- Claire FrostThe premise here is radical, but worth the effort... this elegantly written novel also examines much that is universal * Daily Mail *Exploring two alternate realities - one in which the Alders have a son, the other a daughter - the Sliding Doors-style scenarios of growing up male or female in a small US town make for an intriguing looks at gender and destiny. * SUNDAY MIRROR *

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Book SynopsisPeople Person is a triumph. Caleb Azumah Nelson Wonderful. Marian Keyes I loved it. Sara CollinsTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE BRITISH BOOK AWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF QUEENIEIf you could choose your family, you wouldn''t choose the Penningtons Dimple, Nikisha, Danny, Lizzie and Prynce are half-siblings who don''t have much in common except abandonment issues. But when a catastrophic event forces them to reconnect with each other and with Cyril Pennington, the absent father they never really knew, things start to get complicated fast . . . People Person is a propulsive story of heart, humour and homecoming, about the true nature of family and the complexities of belonging.Trade ReviewWonderful. People Person is about 5 half-siblings (1 dad, 4 mothers) who, in response to a crisis, meet as adults and start shaping themselves into a family. It's a warm novel, funny and full of emotional intelligence. The tone is light-hearted, even comic at times, but underneath there's an undertow, a steady drumbeat reminding us of all the microaggressions black people experience on a daily basis - and that white people are mostly oblivious of. I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Marian Keyes *People Person is a triumph. I was so moved by this tender, often humorous, portrait of these five siblings, their burgeoning relationships and all their complexities. I loved every one of these beautifully rendered characters and I'm sure the world will too. I couldn't put it down. * Caleb Azumah Nelson *People Person is fresh, funny and tender - Candice is the voice British fiction needs. * Pandora Sykes *People Person is a portrait of a family that is as poignant as it is hilarious. It had me belly-laughing, then picking up my jaw from the floor, then nodding in delighted agreement. Candice is a writer who is not only revealing modern Britain with each of her novels; she is defining it. Cyril Pennington is a character for the ages, but this story truly belongs to the children he never managed to parent. I loved it. * Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton *I loved People Person. Candice is so gifted at pulling you in as a writer. The storyline is hugely arresting and I was gripped immediately. Candice is remarkably perceptive in the way she writes people; her characters that are so well drawn, and so believable. When I wasn't reading People Person I was thinking about it and I had to finish it at the earliest opportunity. * Annie MacManus, author of Mother, Mother *People Person is more than just the title of this phenomenal second novel. It's a statement of intent. It's a declaration that when Candice Carty-Williams writes she captures the hearts and minds of readers everywhere. * Melissa Cummings-Quarry, Black Girls Book Club *The Pennington's are a large, messy family and I got to know each member intimately. This is an expertly crafted novel about family secrets that kept me on my toes from start to finish. * Liv Little *A dark comedy full of zinging dialogue and all the consolations and complications of family. A treat. * Jesse Armstrong *As warm and infectious, as familiar and true as Queenie. A funny and touching study of sibling relationships. * Diana Evans *It's a funny, heartwarming story of inheritance, kinship and influencer culture, told through one dysfunctional south London family, and as with Queenie, a maddening but loveable protagonist. Candice puts in print the word on the street; her eye is on a thriving Afro-Caribbean social and lyrical tradition. * Paul Mendez, author of Rainbow Milk *People Person is a fresh blend of brilliant wit, delicious drama, and all the ways family ties can be strained and strengthened. I fell head over heels for the Penningtons, quirks, flaws, and all. * Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of The Other Black Girl *People Person makes explicit the extremity of inheritance. It's a funny, vibrant exploration of the failures that happen among family and it asks difficult questions about healing and what we owe blood. * Raven Leilani, author of Luster *Carty-Williams has written another big-hearted blockbuster that will make her many fans smile and ache. She paints a vivid picture of the pressures on young people in modern Britain and a poignant one of how a vulnerable outsider can, with the right network, find a sense of belonging and self-acceptance. * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Where Candice reigns is in writing humorous speech... poignant. * OBSERVER *Funny, tender, poignant...everything you'd expect from Carty-Williams * EVENING STANDARD *Delivering a great second novel after a stellar debut is a big ask, but Queenie author Carty-Williams has done just that. * HEAT, Book of the Week *Carty-Williams's prose is snappy and propulsive, full of busy, telegenic set-pieces * GUARDIAN *

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Book SynopsisWhat doesn''t kill you makes you stronger...Monty Bannerman''s father is a leading genetic scientist, and Nobel Prize winner, whose company has just been taken over by what will soon be the world''s biggest pharmaceutical giant. He had some misgivings about their company ethics - but ultimately, he needs their money, and they need his mind. Then a journalist comes to Monty''s door, with a far-fetched story about the pharmaceutical company. She doesn''t believe what she''s being told for a moment - but within a few short weeks, events are making the apparently fantastic claims look horrifyingly like the truth.Behind the respectable facade of the multi-national company which calls itself the ''World''s Most Caring Company'' lies an outrage against the whole human race...''Peter James is getting better with every book.'' Times''Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business.'' Karin SlaughterRead more from

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Book SynopsisHow far would you go to live forever?Brilliant scientist Joe Messenger believes that people can be made to live for ever. Knowing the human body can be frozen indefinitely, Joe devises a way of downloading the human brain into a supercomputer called ARCHIVE. But Joe''s wife, Karen, is worried by his preoccupation with ARCHIVE, which seems to be developing signs of a distinct and sinister personality of its own.Then, just as Joe is on the brink of a scientific breakthrough, a series of macabre accidents befall him and his family - and Joe finds himself facing the terrifying consequences of his own obsessions.''Easily James''s best book to date; a thought-provoking menacer that''s completely technological and genuinely frightening about the power of future communications.'' Time Out''Compulsive ... I cannot remember when I last read a novel I enjoyed so much.'' Sunday TelegraphRead more from the multi-million cTrade ReviewEasily James's best book to date; a thought-provoking menacer that's completely technological and genuinely frightening about the power of future communications - Time OutAn awesome talent ... one of the few writers working in the genre today whose work is always a pleasure to read - StarburstIrresistibly readable as well as utterly believable - Robert GoddardBritain's answer to Stephen King and Michael Crichton. Brilliant - Sunday Express

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Book Synopsis25 Days in December is an heart-wrenching Christmas romance that will give you all the feels this holiday season. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Debbie Johnson, and Holly Martin.

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Book SynopsisA warm, feel-good novel perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Holly Hepburn

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE RNA ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019''Such a funny, sparky book... An ideal read for anyone who is a fan of Christmas or dogs - or both!'' Sophie KinsellaCharlie hates the holidays, and this year is shaping up to be her worst yuletide ever. Her boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, her flat is out of bounds after a gas leak, and her mother has gone to spend Christmas in Melbourne with her fifth husband. Finding herself single, mildly concussed and temporarily homeless, Charlie hesitantly agrees to dust off her wellies and spend the festive season in Devon, looking after Cosy Canine Cottages, her cousin Jez''s dog-care centre. However, her plans for a quiet rural Christmas with only the four-legged friends for company are dashed as soon as she meets Malcolm the deaf Great Dane, Hugo, his gorgeous (but engaged) owner, and Cal, the undeniably attractive but unbearably haughty and patronising localTrade ReviewSuch a funny, sparky book. I thoroughly enjoyed romping through the pages with Charlie and all the characters - especially the canine ones. An ideal read for anyone who is a fan of Christmas or dogs - or both! -- Sophie Kinsella

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Book Synopsis''As uplifting as summer sunshine'' Sarah MorganSunshine, cider and family secrets...Dragonfly Farm has been a home and a haven for generations of Melchiors - arch rivals to the Culbones, the wealthy family who live on the other side of the river. Life there is dictated by the seasons and cider-making, and everyone falls under its spell. For cousins Tabitha and Georgia, it has always been a home from home. When a tragedy befalls their beloved Great-Uncle Matthew, it seems the place where they''ve always belonged might now belong to them...But the will reveals that a third of the farm has also been left to a Culbone. Gabriel has no idea why he''s been included, or what his connection to the farm - or the Melchiors - can be.As the first apples start to fall for the cider harvest, will Dragonfly Farm begin to give up its secrets?A Home from Home is the very best of Veronica Henry''s storytelling - gorgeous scenes you wishTrade ReviewA gorgeous read. I loved the warmth and depth of all the characters...but particularly the overarching loveliness of Dragonfly Farm, which seemed to perfectly personify generations of love and family and survival -- Hilary BoydA lovely story of families, love and loyalty -- Milly JohnsonGuaranteed to slip down as perfectly as a second glass of rosé * i newspaper *As uplifting as summer sunshine. I savour every book she writes -- Sarah Morgan

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