Contemporary fiction titles are those which focus on the present or near past. Stories rooted in the current cultural, social, and political landscape which feature characters we can all recognise.
Contemporary Fiction Books
Orion Publishing Co The Wakes
Book SynopsisFOUR FUNERALS. TWO MARRIAGES. ONE PRECIOUS LIFE.''Delicious'' LIANNE MORIARTY''A delight'' SUNDAY EXPRESS''Uplifting'' OBSERVERThis is a story about Clare, Chris and Louisa. It is about two failing marriages, two strangers falling in love and two friends embarking on a potentially disastrous funeral catering business. It is most certainly not about frittatas (a terrible concession) and more to do with lemon tart (a perfect contrast of textures).This is a story about all the things that make life worth living, and how joy breaks in even when you least expect it.''Life-affirming and joyful, even as it breaks your heart'' EMILY ITAMI''Insightful'' THE TIMES''Comfort food for your mind'' HARPER''S BAZAAR
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co The Wakes
Book Synopsis''A truly delightful debut novel . . . Funny, moving, tender and wise, I ate up every delicious word'' Liane Moriarty''I adored this novel. Charming, poignant and moving but also very funny''Cathy RentzenbrinkIt''s winter in Sydney and the lives of two strangers have fallen apart. Newly separated and in need of a distraction, Clare agrees to help her neighbour Louisa with a funeral catering business that has bitten off more than it can chew. Meanwhile, emergency doctor Chris has witnessed too many deaths but still feels compelled to attend the occasional wake. When Clare and Chris meet, the good in their lives is slowly illuminated. After all, the thing about death is that it makes life matter.Funny, moving, wise and hopeful, The Wakes is an irresistible debut novel about old friends, lost love, good food and new beginnings.''Few people can write about food and heartbreak like Nora Ephron - that wTrade ReviewThe Wakes is a truly delightful debut novel about life, death . . . and chicken sandwiches. Funny, moving, tender and wise, I ate up every delicious word * Liane Moriarty *I adored this novel. It's charming, poignant and moving but also very funny and left me full of the joys of this hard yet beautiful business of being alive * Cathy Rentzenbrink *Some books grab hold of you and won't let you go until the last page - and far beyond that. The Wakes is just such a book, an unforgettable story of hope and regret, of love lost and friendship found, and of understanding how the past and present are always intertwined * Sophie Green *Few people can write about food and heartbreak like Nora Ephron - that was until Dianne Yarwood * Harper's Bazaar *Yarwood's poignant debut is infused with humour, pathos and gastronomic delights in an uplifting novel about friendship, death and how the joy of living can be found in the most unexpected places. * The Observer *I devoured it in two sittings - utterly wonderful! The kind of book where you want to stay in that world long after it's finished. Such a brilliant mix of gentle humour and devastating sadness. My favourite kind of poignant read * Kayte Nunn *The Wakes is an utter delight - warm, funny and profound. I can't wait for everyone to read it. I couldn't believe it was a debut * Sally Hepworth *Far from a book about mourning, The Wakes is a celebration of what it means to be alive, and the joy of finding friendship where you least expect it. Dianne Yarwood explores the messiness of middle age with warmth, humanity and wry humour, as well as fiction's most delicious lemon tarts! I'd eat this book if I could * Joanna Nell *An absolute delight . . . immensely human and warm and satisfying * Shelley Burr *The Wakes is a truly exceptional novel. Dianne Yarwood skilfully illuminates the breadth of the human experience through the eyes of a suite of perfectly imperfect characters. This novel is rich with wisdom, love, humour and a sparkling joy - that unique kind of story that can make you sob and chuckle in the very same scene. I flew through this book in just a few sittings and have been gushing about it ever since! * Kelly Rimmer *I loved it. So warm and poignant and sweetly funny * Jacqueline Maley *I fell head over heels in love with The Wakes - a truly beautiful, wise and funny novel about love, friendship and the perfection of a good morning bun. * Hannah Beckerman *A funny, clever novel about love and loss and midlife, executed with the lightest touch. I can't remember when I last read a book that captures so well the sheer sensory joy of being alive. * Marianne Levy *Brilliantly funny and human. A delicious reading experience with characters that feel vivid from the very first page, The Wakes is life-affirming and joyful, even as it breaks your heart. * Emily Itami *It's hard to believe that Dianne Yarwood is a debut novelist because The Wakes proves that she has the heart of a writer. This is a glorious book that will make you simultaneously want to eat Louisa and Clare's lemon tarts as well as forge a friendship like theirs. It reminded me that life is the most precious gift of all and every day is a treat meant to be enjoyed to its fullest. * Natasha Lester *Yarwood's feel for character-building is unerring, and The Wakes is a light-on-its-feet exploration of big themes that takes tragedy and farce in its stride. Her book is like an embrace, kind and never cloying. * The Times *Take a powerful friendship and delicious food, add a series of upbeat funerals, blend with an optimistic attitude to death and you have the raw ingredients of The Wakes . . . While death is inevitably a key theme, the discussions are always more hopeful than depressing, and the funerals provide an opportunity for funny and touching celebrations of life. With its brilliantly drawn characters and intricately linked storylines, this is a delight of a debut. Highly recommended * Sunday Express *While funerals and food seem to be an unlikely occasion to bring two singletons together, death and divorce offers the opportunity for new beginnings and an appreciation for life . . . A quietly powerful and tender read * Heat *There are funerals, friendships and people falling in love in this fabulous debut that carries a reminder to be grateful for what you have * Good Housekeeping *A brilliant book about life, death, love and friendship * The Sun / Fabulous *A delectable fusion of comedy, hope, loss, and great food * Weekend Australian *The Wakes is a book that will stay with you long after you finish the final page, as the author accurately captures the beautifully messy nature of life, death and love in all of its forms. For readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty, Meg Mason or simply a story with interweaving storylines, this debut novel poignantly and humorously explores how the many facets of grief can so strongly bind people together. With strong dialogue, fully formed characters and outrageously delicious food descriptions, The Wakes will leave you with a renewed appreciation for life * Books+Publishing Australia *While there is a lot of death in The Wakes - two of the main characters run a funeral catering business -this heartfelt and uplifting book is essentially about living * Who Magazine *A heartfelt and uplifting novel about failing marriages and starting over in the most unexpected ways. You won't put it down! * New Idea *It's a debut novel, but Yarwood has you in the hollow of her hand from the first pages * Country Style *A heartfelt debut novel that blends humour with poignant reflections on life and death * Better Homes and Gardens *The Wakes is a book that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, as the author accurately captures the beautifully messy nature of life, death and love in all of its forms. For readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty, Meg Mason or simply a story with interweaving storylines, this debut novel poignantly and humorously explores how the many facets of grief can so strongly bind people together. With strong dialogue, fully formed characters and outrageously delicious food descriptions, The Wakes will leave you with a renewed appreciation for life. * Books + Publishing Australia *
£15.29
Orion Publishing Co Midnight News
Book Synopsis''A tour de force'' IRISH TIMES''Riveting and moving'' NINA STIBBE''Gripping'' THE TIMES''It had me by the throat'' EMMA DONOGHUELONDON, 1940. As enemy planes fly over the city, twenty-year-old Charlotte Richmond is trying to make the best of things. She has a dull but steady job at the Ministry of Information, a friend to share gin and secrets with, and an attic room of her own. All she has to do is keep her head down. She knows where her father will send her if she makes a nuisance of herself again.But amid the chaos of the Blitz, Charlotte''s grip on reality starts slipping. Is someone following her in the blackouts, or is her mind playing tricks on her? In a city where nothing is safe, it''s hard to know who to trust - until she meets the boy who feeds the birds . . .''A late-night page-turner that will keep you guessing till the end'' JOANNA QUINN''Glorious'' RED''Exquisite'' DAILY
£999.99
Orion Publishing Co The Stranger in the Seine
Book Synopsis''THE FRENCH SUSPENSE KING'' NEW YORK TIMES''ONE OF THE GREAT THRILLER WRITERS OF OUR AGE'' DAILY EXPRESS''IT''S NO WONDER THAT GUILLAUME MUSSO IS ONE OF FRANCE''S MOST LOVED, BESTSELLING AUTHORS'' HARLAN COBENPARIS, a misty night a few days before Christmas: a young woman is saved from the waters of the Seine. Unable to remember her name or how she ended up in the river, she is taken to the hospital - only to disappear into thin air.DNA testing reveals the mysterious woman to be famous pianist Milena Bergman - but that cannot be. Milena died in a plane crash over a year ago. As police captain Roxane begins to investigate, she is plunged deep into an impossible enigma . . . Is it possible to be alive and dead at the same time?
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co Resonance Surge
Book SynopsisWhere are the broken? A propulsive question that unleashes a world of secrets in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh''s Resonance Surge . . .Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev have been a unit since their birth, but now Pavel''s life is veering in a new direction, his heart held in the hands of Arwen Mercant, a Psy empath - and the only man who has ever brought Pavel to his knees.This is it. A point of irrevocable change. For Pavel . . . for Arwen . . . for Yakov . . . and for another pair of twins whose bond has a far darker history.A low-gradient Psy, Theodora Marshall is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful twin, Pax. She is the sole person he trusts in their venomous family to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history - an unregistered rehabilitation center established by their grandfather.Places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, leaving the victims shells of
£17.00
Orion Publishing Co Strangers at the Port
Book Synopsis A TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023''Enchanting and haunting''RACHEL RODDY''A fable for our times''SPECTATOR''This novel amazed me. It is the work of a true original''LUCIE ELVEN''A seaside Gothic tale teeming with superstition and mistrust'' READINGS MONTHLYGiulia is ten. She lives on the greenest island in a volcanic archipelago. She has never left. Her best friend, apart from her older sister Giovanna, is a donkey. Giulia and Giovanna''s days on the island are shaped by ritual, community, superstition and isolation.Until the men arrive. And a foreign yacht anchors at the port. And the vines begin to fail. And everything changes.From the author of Dolores, Strangers at the Port is an exquisite, enchanted novel about myth and memory, suspicion and dislocation, emigrants and explorers.
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co Only Here Only Now
Book Synopsis ''THE SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE SUMMER'' HERALD ''Absolutely loved this. Funny and heartbreaking in equal measure''DOUGLAS STUART, Man Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain''Glorious . . . so unusual, so moving, so memorable''GUARDIAN''Tom Newlands may make several prize lists for his stunning debut''OBSERVER''This isn''t just a great first novel; it''s a great novel. And Cora, the mad, chaotic, wise, funny narrator, is one of the great characters''RODDY DOYLE''It''s not every day you read a modern classic. But this feels destined to become one. A thunderous achievement'' NATHAN FILER, author of THE SHOCK OF THE FALL''Only Here, Only Now heralds the arrival of an urgent and unique new voice''DAVID PEACEFife, in the blazing hot summer of 1994. Cora Mowat''s mates don''t understand he
£17.09
Orion Publishing Co Moral Injuries
Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning author Christie Watson, comes a heart-pounding new psychological drama of secrets, lies, morals and medicine.''Unique and compelling'' ELIZABETH DAY ''True literary perfection'' EMMA JANE UNSWORTH''Heart-stopping, twisting, funny and frightening'' CHRIS WHITAKER''Enthralling, gripping, deliciously dark... An immersive, unforgettable gem'' RACHEL CLARKE''Propulsive, funny and filled with suspense''SARAH LANGFORDYou''re trained to save the lives of others. How far would you go to protect your own? Ruthlessly ambitious Olivia, anxious perfectionist Laura and free-spirited risk-taker Anjali couldn''t be more different. Yet their friendship, which began on the first day of medical school, has kept them inseparable for twenty-five years. As wild all-nighters a
£15.29
Orion Publishing Co Practice
Book SynopsisSix o''clock in the morning, Sunday, at the worn-out end of January.In a small room in an Oxford college, cold and dim and full of quiet, an undergraduate student works on an essay about Shakespeare''s sonnets.Annabel has a meticulously planned routine for her day - work, yoga, meditation, long walks; no apples after meals, no coffee on an empty stomach - but finds it repeatedly thrown off course. Despite her efforts, she cannot stop her thoughts slipping off their intended track into the shadows of elaborate erotic fantasies.And as the essay''s deadline looms, so too does the irrepressible presence of other people: Annabel''s boyfriend Rich, keen to come and visit her; her family and friends who demand her attention; and darker crises, obliquely glimpsed, all threatening to disturb the much-cherished quiet in her mind.Exquisitely crafted, wryly comic, and completely original, Practice is a novel about the life of the mind and the life o
£17.09
Orion Publishing Co This Is Why We Cant Have Nice Things
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BBC NATIONAL SHORT STORY AWARD''Terrifically exciting . . . It''s a beautiful, electrifying thing to witness - a writer so hilariously and so reasonably voicing the unspeakable''Sarah Hall''I laughed and winced at these witty, shrewd stories . . . Hats off to Naomi Wood''Reeta Chakrabarti''Every story is glorious - full of dark mischief, so funny and unexpected and original. Brilliant''Emma HealeyIn my life, I had always been a good woman; controlling what it was that I wanted. But recently, I had started to notice my bad energy, and I began to follow it, wondering where it would take me . . .A woman has an unexpected outburst at a corporate therapy session for working mothers. A couple find some long-overdue time to rekindle their relationship and make an ill-advised home movie. A pregnant film director plots revenge on the actress who betrayed her. An ex-wife delibera
£15.29
Orion Publishing Co The Morningside
Book SynopsisThere''s the world you can see. And then there''s the one you can''t. Welcome to The Morningside.The Morningside was once the jewel of Island City. But now the luxury high-rise is crumbling and Island City is half-underwater.The building''s newest resident is an eleven-year-old girl, Silvia. Having arrived with only her mother, who is stubbornly secretive, Silvia knows little about the place they left behind. But her aunt, Ena, superintendent of the high-rise, delights in recounting the richly imaginative folktales of their demolished homeland to her little niece.Suddenly Silvia''s world fills with magic and myths. Myths that seem to be coming true, when she encounters the mysterious inhabitant of the building''s penthouse, Bezi Duras, and her three massive dogs that may or may not be humans in disguise . . .Consumed by curiosity, Silvia embarks on a mission to find out the truth about Bezi Duras, and her own haunted past.''Ob
£17.00
Hodder & Stoughton The Couple in the Photo
Book Synopsis''What a wild ride!'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Wow!... A page-turning domestic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I inhaled it in one day... Fast-paced mystery with many twists and turns... I was guessing until the final few pages how all of the threads came together. I absolutely could not put it down'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐They''re your best friends.Lucy and her husband do everything with their closest friends Cora and Scott. They''ve even bought a beach house together to enjoy summers with their kids. They''re more than friends: they''re family.They''re hiding something.When a colleague passes around photographs from her honeymoon in the Maldives, Lucy is shocked to see Scott in one of the pictures, his arm around another woman.The truth
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton And Now the Light is Everywhere
Book Synopsis''A vivid, involving and beautifully written story.'' JOSEPH O''CONNOR''A book that draws you in and holds you till the very end'' ANNE GRIFFIN''Sensitive and accurate . . . A page turner'' JAMES ROBERTSON''An eloquent novel . . . I was captivated'' MARGOT LIVESEYFor fans of Ann Patchett, Maggie O''Farrell and Louise Kennedy comes And Now the Light is Everywhere: a breath-taking mystery and a soaring, beautifully written examination of love in all its guises.******Where does a story end and the truth begin?Argyll, 1998.Stories run deep in the MacArthur family, passed from generation to generation. Tales not just of selkies and changelings, but of the lives and deaths of the family themselves. Anna MacArthur has heard how her beautiful grandmother Netta boarded a ship for Canada after the war, leaving behind her young son Donnie, and was never seen
£18.70
Hodder & Stoughton The Library Suicides
Book SynopsisYou can get in. But you can''t get out. Welcome to the library...Twins Ana and Nan are lost after the death of their mother. Everyone knows who drove Elena, the renowned novelist, to suicide - her long-term literary critic, Eben. But the twins need proof if they''re going to get revenge. Desperate to clear his name, Eben requests access to Elena''s diaries at the National Library where the twins work, and they see an opportunity. With careful planning, the twins lock down the labyrinthine building, trapping their colleagues, the public and most importantly Eben inside. But as a rogue security guard starts freeing hostages, the plan unravels. And what began as a single-minded act of revenge blooms into a complex unravelling of loyalties, motives and what it is that makes us who we are. Hauntingly written, with a fresh, captivating voice, The Library Suicides is an intensely memorable and provocative literary read for fans of high concTrade ReviewAn entrancing literary thriller; elegant and compelling. At the heart of a society that is spinning disturbingly off course, Dafydd's grand library guards the darkest of secrets. Step inside if you dare. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *
£15.29
Hodder & Stoughton The Sleep Watcher
Book Synopsis''Affecting . . . both tense and tender''Sophie Mackintosh, Observer''Thoughtful . . . nuanced and powerful''SpectatorOne summer, sixteen-year-old Kit''s life is upended by a strange sleeplessness. While her body lies in bed, she is able to wander through the night undetected, roaming the streets of her run-down seaside town, entering the houses of friends and strangers.But the most painful revelations are found closest to home. Unseen and unheard, she witnesses the dark tensions in her parents'' marriage and, as her family starts to implode, she is forced into an impossible decision that changes everything.''Rowan Hisayo Buchanan is one of the most distinctive and luminously original novelists of her generation''Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti''Elegant, atmospheric, sharp-edged'' Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Library Suicides
Book SynopsisTHE GRIPPING LOCKED-ROOM DYSTOPIAN THRILLER FOR FANS OF EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL AND ANDREW HUNTER MURRAY''A testament to the power of the written word'' THE TIMES ''Unsettling and thought-provoking'' CLARE MACKINTOSH ____________ This isn''t the world you know.This isn''t the story they expect. Twins Ana and Nan believe they keep no secrets from one another. They both think they know what pushed their mother to suicide. Only one of them does. They both think they know how their revenge plot will play out. Only one of them does. They both think they know what''s really happening at the library. Only one of them does. But neither of them know what will unfold once the library doors close and the chaos begins.No one''s getting out. But the truth finally might . . .____________''A thriller with a differeTrade ReviewAn entrancing literary thriller; elegant and compelling. At the heart of a society that is spinning disturbingly off course, Dafydd's grand library guards the darkest of secrets. Step inside if you dare. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Line In The Sand
Book SynopsisFROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE YELLOW BIRDS ''A cracking mystery''GUARDIAN''Entertaining, intelligent, and effortlessly readable''SUNDAY TIMES''Stunning''NEW YORK TIMES''A kickass mystery from a superb storyteller''DAVID BALDACCI, author of The 6:20 Man''Tense and enthralling''DAILY MAIL''Taut and enjoyable''DAILY TELEGRAPH''One of the best crime novels of the year''IRISH TIMESIt''s an early morning on a beach in Virginia when Arman Bajalan discovers a dead body. Convinced that the murder is connected to his work as an interpreter in Iraq, he knows he''s still not safe.Seasoned detective Catherine Wheel and her fresh-off-the-beat partner have little to go on beyond a bus ticket in the man''s pocket. But as victims mount around Arman, they find themselves in a deadly race,
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Flying Home for Christmas
Book Synopsis'A delightful love story brimming with heart and sparkling humour' FIONA GIBSON When her Christmas Eve flight home to London is grounded by a snowstorm, Thea is desperate to make it back to her family. The only flight available is first thing the next morning, so she books a night's stay at the closest hotel. But there's a problem: there's only one room, and someone else has beaten her to it. Logan is tall, gorgeous and charming - and determined to get home for Christmas too. The solution? They're going to have to share . . . One thing's for sure: it's going to be a Christmas to remember.Trade ReviewA delightful love story brimming with heart and sparkling humour. I loved it * Fiona Gibson *This charming festive romance is the perfect fireside read * Woman’s Own *A romcom novel that has more festive feels than a glass of eggnog * Woman's Weekly *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Remember Mr Sharma
Book SynopsisFeaturing on BBC2''s Between the Covers TV Book Club presented by Sara Cox ''Thoroughly accomplished, beautifully written''Adam Kay, BBC ''Between the Covers''''A magical tale of a troubled family''Daily TelegraphDelhi, 1997: It is India''s fiftieth year of independence, the year of Hindu nationalists and atomic bombs. But twelve-year-old Adi has a bigger problem: his Ma has gone missing - again. Left with an ailing grandmother, a raging father and no answers, he finds an unlikely ally: a talking vulture who reveals itself to be a bureaucrat from the ''Department of Historical Adjustment''. The Department holds Adi''s family files, which will take him on a journey through time and memory, through fifty years of India''s history, uncovering the darkest secrets of his Ma''s past. But first, he must unlock them by facing his greatest fears.As bright and hopeful as it is devastating, Remembe
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Fervour
Book Synopsis''Intriguing, propulsive and profoundly disturbing, this is a fearless look into the dark heart of family politics from a naturally gifted storyteller''JONATHAN COE''Magnificent, indelible . . . That a young British novelist, on his first try, should have so effectively taken up a gauntlet laid down by the greatest American novelist of an era [Toni Morrison] might seem surprising. But maybe not . . . Enriching his story with detail and above all heart, Lloyd has crafted a lasting allegory of our dark historical time''NEW YORK TIMES''Stylish, puzzling, mystical . . . Fervour marks the arrival of an intriguing and intelligent new voice''FINANCIAL TIMES''A suspenseful debut novel that propels the reader deep into the heart of an idiosyncratic family''OBSERVER''A rich and dark stew that mixes ingredients from the Bible and the headlines, with a biting send-up of the vampiric nature of
£15.29
Hodder & Stoughton Going Home
Book Synopsis''Shrewd, heartfelt and witty''DAILY TELEGRAPH, A BOOK OF THE SUMMMER ''Meltingly warm''OBSERVER, 10 BEST NEW NOVELISTS FOR 2024''Pepped up and gorgeous, just bristling with life''OLIVIA LAING, GUARDIAN''A different kind of love story, beautifully told . . . impressive''FINANCIAL TIMES''A beautiful, funny tale of London and lives new and old''SUNDAY TIMES''It has charm to burn''OBSERVER''Very funny in places and deeply poignant in others - I loved it . . . word-perfect''INDIA KNIGHT''Remarkable''LITERARY REVIEW''A spirit-lifting debut''DAVID MITCHELL, author of Cloud Atlas''Poignant yet very funny . . . Tom Lamont writes in clear, swift prose about the power struggles that exist in even the most loving of families and the longest of friendships. A lyrical,
£15.29
Hodder & Stoughton Mr Fixer Upper
Book Synopsis''He started to work the laces of his boots loose. Toeing them off, he tugged his t-shirt over his head.Oh my God. What are you doing? Paige''s voice barely rose above the spray from the showerhead.I''m washing your damn hair.''??????????It''s a constant battle on set between sexy home renovation reality star grumpy Gannon and his no-nonsense field producer. Paige has zero time for temperamental talent, especially one who acts like being in front of the camera is the last thing he wants.Mr. Sex in a Toolbelt has made it his mission in life to get a rise out of her, but Paige is a master at locking down her temper. They''re on the road together working long hours fixing houses and changing lives. When cracks in her legendary coolness start to show and sparks fly, Gannon is infatuated and the cameras are there to capture it.But he''s fallen for pretty packages before and Paige won''t be taken seriously if she''s caught sleeping with the star of h
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton D is for Death
Book Synopsis''A little bit Margery Allingham with hints of Mitford, definite tones of Eva Ibbotson and as delightful as I Capture the Castle, D is for Death is an instant classic. I loved it so much'' MARIAN KEYES''I absolutely loved D is for Death - mischievous and Mitford-esque and tender'' ALEX HAY1935. Dora''son the first train to London, having smuggled herself out of the house in the middle of the night to escape her impending marriage. But unluckily for her, Dora''s fiance is more persistent than most and follows.As Dora alights at Paddington station, she is immediately forced to run from the loathsome Charles Silk-Butters. She ducks into the London Library to hide and it is there, surrounded by books, where she should feel most safe, that Dora Wildwood stumbles across her first dead body.Having been thrown into the middle of a murder scene, it''s now impossible to walk away. Indeed, Dora''s certain she will prov
£18.70
Hodder & Stoughton BETWEEN LOVE AND LOATHING
Book SynopsisDominic Hardy was a taker, vicious in his pursuit of conquering the world, and I wanted him to conquer me now . . .??A HOT, DARK ROMANCE FROM THE TIKTOK SENSATION - SHAIN ROSE IS YOUR NEW OBSESSION??Fake dating my enemy should be easy . . . as long as I don''t fall in love with him.Dominic Hardy might have a fancy engineering degree, but he doesn''t know a thing about baking. He doesn''t even like sugar.So when he inherits my stepfather''s resort - with my bakery in the middle of it - neither of us are happy.But then Dominic gives me a proposal I can''t refuse. I''ll keep my bakery, with one condition:Fake date him for five months.Keep his ex away by pretending we''re in love.Stare into his piercing green eyes.Maybe share a kiss.But I loathe him and his filthy mouth.Even when he''s using it on me.There''s a fine line between love and loathing, and I think I''ve made the mistake of blurring
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton BETWEEN COMMITMENT AND BETRAYAL
Book SynopsisI shouldn''t have enjoyed him calling me his wife, but I also shouldn''t have had him between my legs . . .??A HOT, DARK ROMANCE FROM THE TIKTOK SENSATION - SHAIN ROSE IS YOUR NEW OBSESSION??OUR MARRIAGE ISN''T REAL. SO WHY DO OUR KISSES FEEL SO GOOD?Declan Hardy, heartthrob and retired billionaire, is my complete opposite.He''s commanding: I''m cooperative.He''s loud when I stay quiet.All we have in common is that both our names are on my father''s will.He''ll inherit an empire - and I''ll keep the one thing I hold dear.But there''s a catch: I have to marry him - or at least, pretend to.One year of fake marriage.One year of living together.But it''s not that simple.Especially when I can''t tell if his kisses are fake - and if I''m really still pretending when I kiss him back...There''s a fine line between commitment and betrayal... and neither of us knows where it falls. Declan and I would nev
£9.49
John Murray Press Neon Roses
Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE BETTY TRASK PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR WALES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024''A BIG-HEARTED STORY ABOUT FINDING YOUR FEET AND FOLLOWING YOUR HEART'' SARAH WATERS''JOYFULLY QUEER, FILTHY AND FUN'' CHLOE TIMMS''A HUG AND A SNOG OF A BOOK'' SO MAYEREluned Hughes is stuck. It''s 1984 in a valley in south Wales: the miners'' strike is ravaging her community; her sister''s swanned off with a Thatcherite policeman; and her boyfriend Lloyd keeps bringing up marriage. And if they play ''99 Red Balloons'' on the radio one more time, she might just lose her mind.Then the fundraising group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners comes down from London, and she meets June, a snaggle-toothed blonde in a too-big leather jacket. Suddenly, Eluned isn''t stuck any more - she''s in freefall.June''s an artist and an activist. With June, Eluned can imagine a completelyTrade ReviewNeon Roses is a big-hearted story about finding your feet and following your heart, set against a beautifully-realised backdrop of 1980s British life. Tender, sexy, uplifting and fun. -- SARAH WATERSA bold coming of age story that's joyfully queer, filthy and fun! Neon Roses transports the reader back to the passion and the protests of 1980s, in a voice that is fresh and proudly Welsh -- CHLOE TIMMSPitch-perfect in its vivid immersion in an Elnett-scented, fuck-Thatcher-yelling 80s sensorium, Neon Roses is bursting with the pride and DIY fashion genius with which small-town fierce femme Eluned stitches together her queer community. A hug and a snog of a book, stick it in your pocket to flag that you're here for queer love -- SO MAYER
£9.49
John Murray Press The Couples
Book SynopsisThree couples, one night. And the life that follows . . .
£9.49
John Murray Press The Pale Blue Eye
Book Synopsis**Now a major Netflix film starring Christian Bale and Gillian Anderson**April 19th, 1831. In two or three hours I''ll be dead.So begins the chilling last testament of Gus Landor, a retired New York City police constable, whose numerous talents include code-breaking, riot control and the ''gloveless interrogation''. A young cadet has been found hanged at a military academy on the shores of the Hudson River. Before his body could be buried, however, it was stolen and his heart brutally carved out.Fearing a scandal, the top brass at West Point have summoned Landor to help catch the culprit, and keep his discoveries away from prying eyes. As Landor embarks on a thrilling adventure to solve the case, he uncovers a series of dark secrets and finds unlikely assistance in the form of a mischievous young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe.Full of drama and unexpected twists, The Pale Blue Eye is a brilliantly haunting and atmospheric historical mysteryTrade ReviewReally outstanding crime fiction is rare . . . so it's a joy to see Louis Bayard pull off this coup . . . As gory and melodramatic as Poe's own writing . . . brilliantly plotted and completely absorbing, ending with the kind of shock that few novelists are able to deliver * Sunday Times *Hardback fiction worth looking out for * Publishing News *A most satisfying murder mystery * Bookseller *Bayard's shockingly clever and devoutly unsentimental new mystery reads like a lost classic . . . Bayard reinvigorates historical fiction, rendering the 19th century as if he'd witnessed it firsthand * New York Times *An immensely satisfying whodunit, richly imaginative . . . Good, clean homicidal fun -- Kate Saunders * The Times *The Pale Blue Eye kept me transfixed . . . a moody, cunning mystery . . . In the course of the narrative, Bayard ingeniously weaves in motifs from Poe's work to thrilling effect * Observer *A Dickensian thriller strong on atmosphere * Sunday Telegraph *Louis Bayard is a writer of remarkable gifts: for language, for imagination, for that mysterious admixture of audacity and craftsmanship that signals a major talent in the making -- Joyce Carol OatesA tour de force, an intense and gripping novel . . . This beautifully crafted thriller stands head and shoulders above other recent attempts to fictionalise Poe * Publishers Weekly *In THE PALE BLUE EYE, Louis Bayard pays a stunning and fitting tribute to Edgar Allan Poe - not only in his crafting of a twisty, Gothic mystery that would have delighted the master himself, but in his use of a young Poe as a character. A gorgeous, melancholic tale from a fearless writer. I can't wait to see what Bayard does next -- Laura Lipman, author of TO THE POWER OF THREEDazzling * Scotsman *A fictional mystery in a real historical background * Sunday Telegraph *PRAISE FOR THE FILMA Netflix historical thriller stuffed with Gothic flourishes * Financial Times *An appealingly icy, moody, twisty, Gothic fiction work rooted in the same themes that Poe explored * Flickering Myth *The Pale Blue Eye is all at once a melancholic romance, arevenger's tragedy, and an intriguing mystery * Little White Lies *A thrilling whodunnit with an irresistible gothic mood * The Upcoming *Moves with elegant severity, like a film about 19th-century murder should * Independent *The Pale Blue Eye feels both fresh and reminiscent of the golden age of the Western drama * Jewish Chronicle *As cozy as a blanket of thorns - but then, you don't go to Poe for a good cuddle, and The Pale Blue Eye gets that. This is one foreboding snow globe of a movie * Time Magazine *
£11.07
John Murray Press Gender Theory
Book Synopsis''An incredible debut from a blazing new voice in Scottish fiction'' Image''Beautifully captures the pain of growing into yourself, and the intensity of all-consuming female friendship'' ROSE WILDING''I inhaled Gender Theory in one intoxicating sitting . . . a powerful and necessary novel'' RACHEL DAWSONYou lose your virginity to a boy from your gender theory seminar, and the first person you tell is Ella.Ella''s with you at the party when you first kiss a girl. And Ella takes you to the hospital the first time you''re diagnosed. Over the next few years you have a string of relationships and jobs, but you can always count on Ella to be there for you - until the drinking and the parties, the hospital visits and late-night calls, blur the lines of your friendship into something unbalanced and fragile, at risk of breaking altogether.The worst part is you can see it coming. The worst part is you d
£15.29
John Murray Press The Borrowed Hills
Book Synopsis''Viscerally vivid . . . a sucker-punch of a novel, edged with knife-sharp black humour and shot through with moments of startling beauty . . . half Tarantino and half pitch-black northern realism'' Guardian''A tremendously exciting novel . . . A brilliantly realized voice: Steve''s every utterance is the product of where he comes from . . . as blunt and brutal as the fells he works among'' Times Literary Supplement''A spiky, precisely focused novel with flavour, intensity, and oodles of character'' The Times''Preston''s debut arrives like a punch to the gut . . . This is an elemental tale shaded in tones of heroism, machismo, moral intensity, and mythmaking. It''s also a love song to the landscape . . . Gritty, gripping, and fearlessly committed'' Kirkus''A blistering debut . . . This dark and inspired tale pulses with life'' Publishers Weekly''Taught, intellige
£15.29
Paper Records MAN
Book Synopsis
£14.25
Worms Publishing Nothing But My Body
Book Synopsis
£14.24
John McLellan Unconformity
Book Synopsis
£10.99
HarperCollins Focus Real Life and Other Fictions
Book Synopsis***If you''re fascinated by unexplained phenomena, hop in a beat-up Audi with the kooky and supersmart Cassie Klein and her dog Luna for a voyage of discovery involving a giant moth, a West Virginia bridge collapse and a hot cryptozoologist. The droll Ms. Coll strikes again!--People Magazine***Cassie Klein has always used stories to help her fly, but now her plot points aren''t lining up.In her 50s, Cassie has already weathered more than most. She was orphaned at the age of two and has never fully understood why her DC-based parents were on a bridge in West Virginia that just so happened to collapse as they drove across it. Her search for answers prompted a failed career in journalism, and now she''s an aspiring novelist teaching at a local community college waiting for her literary dreams to finally come true. She stood by her once-doting husband when his meteorology career took a nosedive, and now she has learned that the ma
£10.44
HarperCollins Focus What the Mountains Remember
Book SynopsisJoy Callaway weaves a dramatic, heartfelt story of self-discovery and a hard-won love against the stunning backdrop the ''Eighth Wonder of the World.'' --Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of Time is a RiverAt this wondrous resort, secrets can easily be hidden in plain sight when the eye is trained on beauty.April 1913--Belle Newbold hasn''t seen mountains for seven years--since her father died in a mining accident and her mother married oil and gas magnate, Shipley Newbold. But when her stepfather''s business acquaintance, Henry Ford, invites the family on one of his famous Vagabonds camping tours, she is forced to face the hills once again--primarily in order to reunite with her future fiancé, owner of the land the Vagabonds are using for their campsite, a man she''s only met once before. It is a veritable arranged marriage, but she prefers it that way. Belle isn''t interested in lo
£10.44
HarperCollins Focus Little Women Artisan Edition
Book SynopsisThe heartwarming classic is now available in an affordable softcover edition featuring a striking cover and distinctive interior design elements, making it ideal for classic fiction lovers, readers in high-school or college literature courses, and fans of annual reading challenges and Required Reading lists.The Little Women softcover edition: Presents Louisa May Alcott''s beloved coming-of-age novel of the four March sisters, viewed by many literary scholars as one of the most widely read novels of all time; its 1868--1869 publication helped secure Alcott''s place in literature''s pantheon of great writers Explores such important themes as women''s struggle to achieve personal growth vs. maintaining domestic responsibilities; the necessity of work; the ramifications of gender stereotyping; and the importance of being genuine to oneself. Is ideal for Louisa May Alcott aficionados, fans of literary fiction an
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Too Far
Book SynopsisTHE DANGEROUS AND SULTRY BLACKLIST DUOLOGY COMES TO ITS RIVETING CONCLUSION FROM THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR SYLVIA DAY Get lost in the twisty tale of three women fighting to outrun their pasts one for love, one for power and one for revengeLots of emotion, tension and violence but love finds a way through' 5***** Reader Review -----Lily Black was presumed dead for years. Now, she''s back in the arms of her devoted husband, Kane. Where she''s been is a mystery, but she can''t escape her past - nor the danger following her. Aliyah, Kane''s mother, has has never believed Lily is who she says she is, and seeks any opportunity to expose her. This leaves Amy, her daughter-in-law, a pawn in the dangerous games this family plays. But Amy has her sights on the biggest prize of all. Three women consumed by their different desires. But could they have more in common t
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Walking on Sunshine
Book SynopsisDiscover the uplifting and heartwarming new novel from Giovanna Fletcher, the perfect gift this Mother''s DayTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''This book is beautiful'' ZOE BALL ''Lovely, very moving. Giovanna''s books are very very relatable'' LORRAINE KELLYIn the darkness, we all need a little light . . .________After Mike loses Pia, his partner of seventeen years, their best friends Vicky and Zaza try to help pick up the pieces.But though Pia''s gone, she left a plan. A list of loving instructions to help Mike and her friends come to terms with their loss.And they''re each going to need it . . .Just-engaged Zaza fears committing any further.Exhausted mother and wife Vicky has lost sight of herself.While Mike just feels all the colour has gone from his life.When the list sends them trekking to Peru, where high mountains and sweltering rainforests push them to the brink,
£13.49
Penguin Books Ltd Oh Sister
Book SynopsisTHE LIFE-AFFIRMING NOVEL ABOUT REAL-LIFE RELIGIOUS FANATICISM AND THE COURAGE OF THREE WOMEN WHO CONFRONT IT, FROM AUTHOR OF BBC2 BETWEEN THE COVERS PICK, ANOTHER LIFE''So movingly told'' Good Housekeeping''A touching novel about female friendship and finding strength when you need it most'' Grazia____________HOW DO YOU LEAVE A CULT?Step into a world that lies behind the ordinary front doors of Britain.A place of loyal wives, obedient children, of faithful (and occasionally faithless) husbands.Meet Isobel, Jen and Zelda. They know how to please, and they know their place in this world is precarious.But what happens when they can longer be the person others want them to be when they stop lying to themselves? Will each woman stay quiet and keep pleasing?Or will they stand up and fight?____________Praise for Jodie Chapman:
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Hello Stranger
Book SynopsisAn uplifting and big-hearted love story, perfect for fans of One Day and You Are Here by David Nicholls''TOTALLY UNPUTDOWNABLE'' 5* Reader review''HAVE YOUR TISSUES READY'' 5* Reader review''THE ENDING WAS PERFECT'' 5* Reader review''Clever, poignant, and satisfying'' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde''An eminently real and relatable love story . . . Lucy and Jamie had me at Hello'' Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman''Heartbreakingly tender & poignant. It kept me guessing & hoping until the last page'' Sophie Claire, author of A Winter''s Dream_______ONE YEAR AGOThe moment they meet, Lucy and Jamie know they've found someone special. Opposites attract so their chemistry is instant. And by the time a blind date breakfast has become late-night shots in a bar, they're both certain: this is forever.
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Keep Your Friends Close
Book SynopsisYou thought you could trust her.You thought wrong . . .A gripping thriller from Leah Konen, author of You Should Have Told Me---------------Willa is the best friend Mary never had . . .Appearing in Mary's life in a moment of crisis after divorcing her rich and powerful ex, George Willa proves herself fun, charming and loyal.Until the day she vanishes, leaving Mary more alone than ever.Months later, Mary is looking to make a fresh start in a new town, when she runs into the last person she expects to see Willa.Except her former friend is going by a new name, with a new family in tow.Hurt, confused and troubled, Mary doesn't know what to think.She knows she can't trust Willa. But soon she'll have a choice to make.Because when George is found dead, Mary is quickly named the prime suspect in his murder.And what her former friend knows will either exonerate her or convict h
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd Call Time
Book SynopsisBack To The Future meets Call My Agent in this enthralling high-concept debut novel from Channel 4 F1 presenter Steve Jones.Joyously unpredictable, clever, witty and warm. Gorgeous!' RUTH JONES''A great read. A born writer'' LORRAINE KELLY --- ONE CALL CAN CHANGE YOUR PAST. AND F***-UP EVERYONE'S FUTURE . . . Bob Bloomfield is not a nice man. It's kind of his brand. The reason his celebrity clients pay him the big bucks. And definitely not some messed up way of dealing with a terrible childhood tragedy But then he finds a freaky 80s mobile phone. One that can dial up the past. And give him a chance to put things right. Only Bob has forgotten one key detail: he's the last person you'd bank on doing the right thing --- PRAISE FOR STEVE JONES: Funny, fast-paced and moving' SATURDAY LIVE Fa
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd The Guest
Book SynopsisREAD THE EMOTIONAL NEW NOVEL FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THURSDAYS IN THE PARK AND THE ESCAPE Perfect for fans of Faith Hogan, Cathy Bramley and Liane MoriartyWill past secrets resurface over a long hot summer as Kitty Cox lets an old friend back into her home?---- Over a long hot summer, the secrets of the past bubble to the surface . . . After years caring for her ailing husband, Kitty Cox is finding it hard adjusting to a new life alone. So when old friend Vee reappears in the village in urgent need of a place to stay, Kitty says yes. It's the obvious solution to both their needs. Soon Vee, her new partner Raf and young son Bear have moved in for the summer. At first, Kitty relishes the company. Yet, despite their renewed friendship, she feels Vee is keeping something from her.In the heat, tensions build and secrets simmer. It's clear that Vee isn't the woman Kit
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Hes A 10
Book SynopsisThe swoony and red-hot new football romance for fans of Sarah Adams and Amy Lea!**The perfect read for a summer of sports!** ''A fun football player romance. I would recommend!'' Reader Review ''Had me glued to the pages . . . everything you want from a sports romance!'' Ally Wiegand, author of First Base''Makes me want to read even more football romance'' Reader Review ----Will Genie, Head of Player Care at Covenly FC, put her job on the line when she falls for their controversial new number 10 Tony Garratt? Genie Edwards, Head of Player Care at Covenly FC, loves her job. Even if the club doctor is her ex-husband. When Covenly qualify for the Champions League, they''re determined to stay there and smash their record transfer fee to bring in renowned ''Number 10'' Tony Garratt, who urgently needs a career boost after recently being snapped falling
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Playing To Win
Book SynopsisEveryone''s a player on The Golden Eagles football team . . .From TikTok sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Lancaster Prep Monica Murphy comes the final instalment in her scorching sports romance series, The Players. Ace Townsend is the biggest player on campus the sexy new quarterback on the football team. And someone I need to avoid. But that's hard to do when I'm on the social media crew for the team. The more time I spend with Ace, the more I'm drawn to him. The problem? I signed a contract when I started with a no dating athletes' clause. They're strictly off limits. I love my new job and don't want to risk it, but I'm falling for Ace and he's determined to win me at all costs. So, maybe the two of us being together is worth the risk.Tropes/themes: 1. Cross the line 2. Spicy Books3. Boy Obsessed 4. Sports Romance 5. College
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Drive Me Crazy
Book SynopsisSome things burn hot on and off the track... Formula 1 World Champion Blake Hollis in desperate need of an image overhaul. To redeem his tarnished reputation, his team decides it's time for drastic measures. Their solution: a tell-all book that showcases his illustrious career and presents a more respectable public persona.Enter Ella Gold, a once-renowned sportswriter and podcast host desperate for a fresh start. She accepts the challenge of writing Blake's biography knowing that getting close to the brooding Brit will be challenging.As they spend the season together, sparks fly, barriers break and their dynamic shifts from antagonistic to something entirely unexpected. Throughout twenty-one races around the world, they'll face the ultimate interview question: can they write their own happy ending, or is their love destined to crash and burn? Drive Me Crazy is a spicy Formula 1 romantic comedy with heart, heat and humour. This
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Sand Sequins and Silicone
Book SynopsisIn her juicy debut novel, international recording artist Pia Mia gives an intimate, insider peek at love, the ups and downs of fame in the music industry and living life in the Hollywood spotlight----Sand in my toes, wind in my hair, and my friends by my side. . . What more could I ask for? Princess came to LA to make something of herself, to share her music and find real loveShe''s got an amazing squad of friends and a certain blue-eyed man who she can''t get out of her head. With a new single just released, everyone wants a piece of her: party invitations, paparazzi and custom couture dresses abound. She''s living her California dream. But Hollywood isn''t exactly what she thought it would be. Behind closed doors, there''s lies and loneliness disguised by smiles and laughter. It''s hard to know who to trust, or what''s fake and what''s real. Princess just wants success on her own terms but needs to make sure
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Ralphs Party
Book Synopsis25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE BESTSELLING DEBUT ABOUT A PARTY YOU'LL NEVER FORGETFOR FANS OF ONE DAY AND THE FLAT SHARE''Addictively readable'' The Times''It was so much fun being reunited with Ralph, Jem, Smith and Siobahn! . . . It still feels so sharp, fresh and cool. I''m so excited to see a new generation of readers falling in love with this iconic love story'' Daisy BuchananThe fabulous first novel by the fabulous Lisa Jewell: it''s pure 90s and completely brilliant''. Jenny Colgan, bestselling author of Little Beach Street Bakery. ----THE SMASH-HIT STORY OF LOVE, FRIENDS AND FLATSHARES TURNS 25Meet the residents of 31 Alamanac Road . . .Ralph and Smith are flatmates and best mates. Nothing can come between them until the gorgeous Jemima moves in. They're both falling for her, but which one of them does Jem
£9.49
