Contemporary Fiction Books

Book Synopsis''This is a novel about everything and nothing, sour and melancholy, with elements of sheer comedy and almost unbearable beauty... The older Deborah reflects that I''m surprised any of us lived to tell the tale, and if this subtle book has a message, it is how alien and yet how relatable the past remains'' Guardian Book of the Day''A glorious writer... witty, well-observed and full of heart'' Irish Independent''A bittersweet, nostalgia-tinged adventure... with a steadily growing voltage'' Daily Mail ''A deliciously unsettling read'' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures ''Lovely'' Patrick Gale A sharp eye and keen wit are brought to bear on the secrets and lies of a small rural community - secrets and lies that may prove deadly.It''s 1972 and ten-year-old Deborah is living a ten-year-old life: butterscotch angel delight and Raleigh chopper bikes, and Clunk Clic

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Book SynopsisThe latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES'' DETECTIVE AGENCY seriesCatch up on the latest from Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and other favourites in this new instalment of Alexander McCall Smith''s The No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency series.As the temperature rises in Gaborone, Precious Ramotswe, founder of the No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency, wonders whether the heat could be the reason that business is particularly slow. Luckily, a slower pace in life is her natural preference, unlike her colleague Mma Makutsi, who is alert to every passing observation and inclined to making snap decisions. With fewer cases to handle, Precious has time to contemplate her new neighbours, a couple who, by the sounds of it, have a rather volatile relationship . . .But then a distant cousin of Mma Ramotswe''s comes to the agency with a plea for help, and the ladies decide to pursue the issue together. Armed with Mma Ramotswe''s circuTrade ReviewBlake may have been able to see the world in a grain of sand, but McCall Smith can encapsulate the human condition in a plate of stewed pumpkin. His talent is to see the god in small things * Sunday Times Scotland *Nothing will dim the charm of McCall Smith's series, with its portraits of goodness, its sorrow over greed and its profound love of Africa. They are among the greatest comfort-reads of all time, written in plain, elegant prose * Sunday Times *The hypnotic ease of McCall Smith's style makes everything clear almost instantly . . . Throughout the Botswana landscape is richly evoked. Happiness and quiet wisdom prevail * Daily Telegraph *Everything about [McCall Smith] is appealing. He's just full of delight - it just bubbles out of him * Sunday Herald *

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Book Synopsis''This is an absolute riot - part thriller, part satire of contemporary urban India'' Mail on Sunday''If you''re fat and Indian, you''re rich; if you''re fat and poor, you''re lying. It''s only the West where the rich are thin and vegan and moral...Ramesh Kumar grew up deprived and unloved, working on his father''s tea stall in the Old City of Delhi. Now, brilliant but poor, he makes a lucrative living taking tests for the sons of India''s elite. When one of his clients, the sweet but hapless eighteen-year-old Rudi Saxena, places first in the All Indias, the national university entrance exams, Ramesh sees an unmissable opportunity.Cashing in on Rudi''s newfound celebrity, all goes well for both boys for a while. But Rudi''s role on a game show leads to unexpected love, blackmail and, finally, a dangerous kidnapping.As Ramesh leads Rudi through a maze of crimes both large and small, their dizzyingTrade ReviewA fun, fast-paced debut...HBO and the Oscar-nominated actor and producer Riz Ahmed have wisely already bought the screen rights to this Delhi-set, society-skewering debut caper...Raina, 28, was inspired to write How to Kidnap the Rich by the US "Varsity Blues" admissions scandal, but it is his depiction of bustling, hustling Delhi and its grafting populace that makes this tightly written, fast-paced, often sharply savage societal satire such a rollicking read. He conjures up a memorable world that is ghee-greased, polluted, mired in dust and corruption, but also thrusting...An impressively entertaining but also insightful debut * Sunday Times *This is an absolute riot - part thriller, part satire of contemporary urban India...Ramesh is a wonderfully vivid character and this is an explosively funny, surprisingly moving debut * Mail on Sunday *A joyous love/hate letter to contemporary Delhi . . . Genuine feeling flows beneath the potty-mouthed satire as it gradually spirals into farce. Rahul Raina suggests life may be "a relentless parade of fear", but it is far better to laugh than cry * The Times (The month's best crime novels) *India's politicians, endemic corruption, national obsession with the West and above all its super-rich come in for a bashing in How to Kidnap the Rich...what stands out in this book is its unapologetic depiction of a Delhi that's frankly a bit rubbish...But there's a fondness in this biting negativity, which convinces more than the graceful descriptive passages of other India-set novels. Chuck in twists and double-crossings, just the right amount of violence and a denouement in a besieged TV studio and you can't fail to be entertained * Novel of the Week, Sunday Telegraph *Like Mohsin Hamid's How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, How to Kidnap the Rich purports to be a how-to manual but is in fact a rollicking urban adventure and a biting satire of inequality. Mr Raina adds a fast-paced crime caper and a stream of caustic humour.... a highly entertaining first novel from a writer to watch * The Economist *A satire, a love story and a thriller, How To Kidnap The Rich by Rahul Raina has shades of The Talented Mr Ripley that also casts an unerring eye over the huge disparity in Indian society. A rollercoaster of a read, this is going to be big * Stylist *Energetic, vivid and funny, Ramesh's narrative voice is magnificent and full of vigour * Scottish Daily Mail *[A] savage cinematic caper . . . In Rahul Raina's satirical state-of-the-nation debut, which slices into the soul of contemporary Indian society, things aren't always the way they appear . . . Social commentary meets stand-up comedy, as with a biting wit reminiscent of Binyavanga Wainaina's essay "How to Write About Africa" or Paul Beatty's Booker-winner The Sellout, Raina stretches stereotype and cliche into incisive satire * Guardian *Rahul Raina's How to Kidnap the Rich has already been optioned by HBO: a Delhi-set, reality TV-based literary crime crossover, it will appeal to fans of Parasite and Crazy Rich Asians * Daily Mail *Fans of My Sister the Serial Killer, Parasite and Crazy Rich Asians will be enthralled by this riotous tale from the very first line . . . A hugely entertaining and unique debut that satirically dissects India's inequalities * Cosmopolitan *You can absolutely imagine How to Kidnap the Rich blazing across the screen. It roars through New and Old Delhi , sending up new money and old money, and taking an acerbic yet affectionately head-tilted, eyebrow-raised look at the corruption, hypocrisy and dynamism of modern India...Ramesh is a bracingly cynical and funny narrator: endlessly snarking about insincerity and greed, with a side helping of self-flagellation for being no better than he ought to be - just a kid from a chai stall, plucked from poverty and educated by a saintly white nun, who's somehow ended up a serial kidnapper. * Observer *Intelligent, witty and sublime. I'm hooked. Remember the name. You'll be hearing more of it in future -- Abir Mukherjee, author of A RISING MANFunny and satirical, this is like nothing else I've read * Clare Mackintosh *Brutally funny and fast-paced, this debut from Rahul Raina proves he is a star in the making -- Nikesh ShuklaA satirical crime thriller-cum-profound social commentary, this is an uproarious ride through the caste system of Delhi, new and old. Energetic wit pours out of Raina's prose, while an acerbic bite highlights inequalities in race, sex and social class . . . Veering from ridiculous to heart-rending, Raina's exhilarating debut is pure entertainment -- Rebecca Wilcock * i Paper *A wild and wildly funny ride through a modern day India that pits the poor against the rich, high tech against ancient traditions and one smart hustler against anyone who gets in his way * Red magazine *Eye-opening and huge fun . . . . A merciless attack on the iniquities of new India in the guise of a comedy thriller -- Claire Allfree * Metro *An exciting blend of crime caper, satire, love story and social commentary . . . Raina, who was born in Delhi, neatly skewers the inequalities of Indian society, racism (education is merely a tool to a "whiter life"), sexism, and celebrity . . . Along with the fast-paced twists, Raina also satirises the state of modern India: the repercussions of the ongoing rivalry with Pakistan; the spectre of China as the predominant world superpower; the shallowness of modern culture; and the country's pervasive corruption. * May's Best Reads, Independent *Through a thrilling cross-sectional tale - that feels like a crime caper-meets-reality TV show-meets-time-hopping love story - Raina lets loose a real rollercoaster of a read, complete with a delightful twist * Apple Books Best of the Month *Sparky satire on modern India . . . a lot of fun * Sainsburys magazine *Rahul Raina's voice crackles with wit and the affecting exuberance of youth. His ripping good story grabs you on page one and doesn't let go, taking you on a monstrously funny and unpredictable wild ride through a thousand different Delhis at top speed. How To Kidnap the Rich roars with brilliance, freshness and so much heart -- Kevin Kwan, author of CRAZY RICH ASIANSWhite Tiger meets Caddyshack the movie in Raina's lively novel, brimming with rat-a-tat-tat wit, breezy prose and a keen observation of colorism, casteism and social inequity. Unputdownable! -- Alka Joshi, NYT bestselling author of The Henna ArtistRaina's debut novel lives up to its billing as a fun caper and social satire thanks to strong characterisation, a fast-paced plot and an eye for the ridiculous. His delicious skewering of the social mores of Delhi's über-rich and clear-eyed rendering of India's social hierarchy propel sheer entertainment into striking elucidation in the mode of Aravind Adiga -- Shoba Viswanathan * Booklist *With its witty, ruthless skewering of the Indian middle classes, Rahul Raina's roistering, whip-smart and deliciously fun Delhi-set crime caper, How to Kidnap the Rich, is the first great state-of-the-subcontinent novel of the 21st century * The Bookseller *Reading How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina was like being put in a sports car with no seat belt. Rakesh Kumar, the protagonist, gets your attention in minutes . . . How to Kidnap the Rich promises wit, satire, strange twists and will leave you entertained, frantically turning page after page . . . This one's a wild ride -- Resh Susan * The Book Satchel *[A] funny and touching satirical action thriller, in a setting that feels very fresh * Morning Star *A splendidly enjoyable farcical crime caper * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisBerlin, 30 April, 1945As the Russian Army closes in on the war-torn City, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun take their own lives. Their bodies are burned and buried in the Reich Chancellery garden, above the Führer''s bunker.Buenos Aires, 9 January, 2012Three audacious thieves carry out the biggest safe depository heist in Argentine history, escaping with more than one hundred million dollars'' worth of valuables. Within hours, an encrypted phone call to America triggers a blood-soaked manhunt as the thieves are tracked down, systematically tortured, then murdered.San Francisco, 18 January, 2012Senator John Franklin, hailed as the ''Great Unifier'', secures the Republican Presidential nomination and seems destined for the Oval Office. Despite the sixty-seven year interval and a span of thirteen thousand miles, these events are indelibly linked.Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas of the Buenos Aires Police Department and Lieutenant Troy He

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Book Synopsis ''A love letter to the power of community'' Eleanor Ray, author of Everything is Beautiful ____________Alice is working hard to provide for her daughter, Mollie. But it''s a challenge juggling her job alongside her duties as a single Mum. Her neighbours keep to themselves and she longs for a friend to rely on.Bill has lived on Leodis Street for eighty years. It''s where he eventually cared for his wife in her final days. Since Sally''s death, Bill''s home is a place of solitude, his talisman against an unrecognisable world.When the residents of Leodis Street are threatened with eviction, Alice decides to make a stand. As she reaches out to her neighbours and learns about their lives, she is surprised to discover that she might already live next door to the friends she has been yearning for. Perhaps together they can build a community to be proud of and discover the true meaning of home . . .An uplifting novel about friendsh

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Book SynopsisTHE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS READERS WORLDWIDE. NOW, THE COFFEE SHOP DOORS WELCOME YOU HOME ONE LAST TIME...Kabul, August 2021 Sunny Tedder is back in her beloved coffee shop. After eight years away, she''s thrilled to reunite with her Kabul ''family'': Yazmina now runs a pair of women''s shelters from the old cafe, and dreams of a bright future for her two young daughters. Her sister Layla has become an outspoken women''s rights activist and, thanks to social media, is quite the celebrity. Kat, Sunny''s friend from America, is wrapping up her year-long stay in the land of her birth, but is facing some unfinished business. And finally there''s elderly den mother Halajan, whose secret new hobby is itself an act of rebellion. Then the US troops begin to withdraw - and the women watch in horror as the Taliban advance on the capital at ferocious speed...Set against the terrifying fall of Kabul in 2021, Deborah Rodriguez concludes her bestselling Little Coffee Shop trilogy with a heart-stopping story of resilience, courage and, most importantly, hope.

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Book SynopsisLet the magic of J.K. Rowling's classic series take you back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Issued to mark the 20th anniversary of first publication of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, these irresistible House Editions celebrate the noble character of the four Hogwarts houses. Featuring gorgeous house-themed cover art and interior line illustrations by Kate Greenaway Medal winner Levi Pinfold, each book will also have vibrant sprayed edges in the house livery. Entertaining bonus features exclusive to each house accompany the novel. All seven books in the series will be issued in these highly collectable House Editions.A must-have for anyone who has ever imagined sitting under the Sorting Hat in the Great Hall at Hogwarts waiting to hear the words, Better be GRYFFINDOR!'You'll always find a home at Hogwarts!

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Book SynopsisFriendship, a newcomer - and romance ... from the author of THE VILLAGE GREEN AFFAIR.When Seb joins Barleybridge, the last thing on his mind is romance. Keen to settle into his first real job and make a good impression he embraces the working life of a country vet. He has almost forgotten his high maintenance ex-girlfriend Carly and concentrates on settling down to a job he really loves.Seb is to find that his expertise with animals and their owners leads to a friendship with the upper-class Jilly and rather more than that with Maggie whose family is heartbroken when he diagnoses their alpacas with TB. But when a surprise meeting in the Practice itself turns his world upside down...Trade ReviewRebecca Shaw mixes all the ingredients for a winning novel of village life - THE TIMESReading Shaw's latest is akin 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 HOUSKEEPINGShe is a very gifted storyteller, and that is quite an art - TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE

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Book SynopsisA brand new Miss Read novel, set in the Cotswold village of Thrush Green at Christmas.The villagers of Thrush Green celebrate Christmas traditionally, in a way that has hardly changed over the generations. Children eagerly hang up their stockings, families go to church together and everyone enjoys the treats of the festive season. And when it snows as the carol singers make their way round the cottages on the green, it looks as if Christmas will be perfect this year. But not everything is as peaceful as it seems.Phyllida and Frank have their work cut out for them when they agree to take on the Nativity play - made all the more difficult by an outbreak of chicken pox. The indomitable Ella has lived in Thrush Green for as long as anyone can remember, but lately she has been behaving strangely. Then there are the dreadful Burwells, newcomers to Thrush Green, who cause something of a stir with their ''home improvements''. For Nelly, owner of The Fuchsia Bush tea sTrade ReviewThere is something profoundly consoling about a novel by Miss Read -- Stephanie Cross * THE LADY *Packed with unforgettable characters, enchanting stories and festive cheer. * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *

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Book SynopsisIf you''ve ever dreamed of starting over, then this superbly entertaining novel from Erica James is just what you need...Alice Shoemaker habitually goes to great lengths to avoid telling the truth about herself and her past. After agreeing to help out a friend by shopping and cleaning for the unknown man staying at Cuckoo House, she soon becomes suspicious that her strange and obnoxiously rude client has something to hide... Clayton Miller''s life is a mess. His career as one of the country''s best comedy scriptwriters has stalled and his long-term girlfriend has left him for his ex-best friend and ex-writing partner. Just when he thinks his life couldn''t get any worse, he commits a spectacularly public fall from grace and with the press hounding him, his agent banishes him to the middle of nowhere until the dust has settled. And there he meets Alice...When Alice and Clayton discover the truth about each other they form an unlikely friendship - until Trade ReviewJames is a great storyteller * Woman's Weekly *You know you have made it as a storyteller writer when readers simply cannot put your book down ... Erica James has this page-turning ability in abundance ... I wouldn't have thought this writer could get any better but she has! * Welsh Country *

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Book SynopsisA massive undercover operation turns personal for DI Faraday when his son is involved.Portsmouth''s major drug dealer''s time is up. For years Bazza Mackenzie has made millions selling cocaine and heroin into the streets of Portsmouth. He''s laundered the money and on the surface at least is one of Hampshire''s great and the good.The police have had enough and a year long undercover operation is set up to trap Mackenzie. But when one of the investigation''s leading lights is run over and put in hospital Joe Faraday is drafted in to wrap things up.It should be a dream job but Joe fears someone will move in to fill the vacuum when Bazza is gone. Bazza seems to be one step ahead of the investigation at every turn in any case. And then Faraday''s son J-J is arrested. He faces a manslaughter charge for supplying drugs to an addict who has subsequently overdosed...

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Book SynopsisA superb blend of humour and emotion in this moving tale of family love and sacrifice from the bestselling author of MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS and SUMMER AT THE LAKEMia Channing appears to have an enviable life: a beautiful home, a happy marriage, a job she enjoys and three grown-up children to whom she''s devoted. But appearances can be deceptive...When the family gathers for her son''s thirtieth birthday, he brings with him his latest girlfriend, who, to their surprise, has a nine-year-old daughter. Then, before the birthday cake has even been cut, Mia''s youngest daughter Daisy has seized the opportunity to drop a bombshell. It''s an evening that marks a turning point in all their lives, when old resentments and regrets surface and the carefully ordered world Mia has created begins to unravel.Trade ReviewThe Hidden Cottage is a heart-warming, romantic story full of engaging characters, an emotional rollercoaster. * DAILY EXPRESS *I raced to the end of this. * DAILY MAIL *Like Maeve Binchy, the characters are identifiable, yet somehow never predictable and always with an element of sympathy ... This novel, telling the story of a perfect family and its imperfect realities, is splendid and just right for an end-of-summer read. * PARENT TALK *A story of family ties, love and loss * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisThe brand new novel from queen of the saga and No. 1 bestselling author, Maureen Lee.In times of trouble, family is all you need...Liverpool, 1950. They say you can choose your friends, but you can''t choose your family. Yet when Violet Duffy is asked to give a home to the orphaned children of a distant relative, it is precisely the choice she must face. Abby and Will have had young lives full of tragedy. Life with Violet offers love and safety. But as they grow up, their past won''t let them be. Will they choose Violet, or the lure of bigger cities and new horizons?Private passions, tough choices, lost loves and second chances pull them in different directions, but wherever life takes them, Violet''s door is always open - after all, it''s love that makes a house a home.Trade ReviewA cracking start to the story and Maureen Lee doesn't let you down with this tale of wartime sacrifice, tangled lives and love - THE LADYA tender saga of family life that explores the themes of love and forgiveness - MY WEEKLYAnother powerful saga from a fine writer - EVENING TELEGRAPH

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Book SynopsisIt was the opportunity of a lifetime - a rundown hotel in Cornwall, just waiting to be brought back to life... Secrets, rivalry, sunshine - from the author of THE BEACH HUT and A NIGHT ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.When the rundown Rocks Hotel comes up for auction in Mariscombe, Lisa and her boyfriend George make a successful bid to escape and live the dream. But their dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Their arch-rival, Bruno Thorne, owner of the Mariscombe Hotel, seems intent on sabotage.Meanwhile, local chambermaid Molly is harbouring a secret that will blow the whole village apart. Then an unexpected visitor turns up on the doorstep. It seems everyone in Mariscombe is sailing a little too close to the rocks ...Trade ReviewThe perfect summer read, full of glamour and intrigue * NOVELICIOUS *Compulsive reading. * WOMAN & HOME *[Love on the Rocks] fizzles with surprise in a plot which makes it unputdownable and a brilliant holiday read * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *This page-turner is as thought-provoking as it is tear-jerking - and it will have you dreaming of sunnier places * CLOSER *

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Book Synopsis''A beautifully crafted and hugely uplifting tale of friendship, history and love. A real gem'' HEAT magazine''A captivating tale of love and loss'' SUNDAY EXPRESS magazine''A stunning book, brilliantly written ... THE SONG OF THE SKYLARK will totally captivate you and your emotions, impossible to put down'' Kaye ThorneLizzie has an unfortunate knack for attracting bad luck, but this time she''s hit the jackpot. Losing her heart to her boss at the radio station where she works leads directly to losing her job, and with no money in the bank she''s forced to swallow her pride and return home to her parents. As if that wasn''t bad enough, her mother finds her work at the local care home for the elderly, and it''s there that Lizzie meets Mrs Dallimore. In her nineties, Mrs Dallimore also finds herself in a situation which she''s reluctantly coming to terms with. Old age has finally caught up with her, and with her life Trade ReviewA thoroughly enjoyable feel-good read -- FANNY BLAKE * WOMAN AND HOME *A stunning book, brilliantly written, poignantly capturing the lives of both women. The Song of the Skylark will totally captivate you and your emotions, impossible to put down! Highly Recommended! -- Kaye Thorne * HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES *A beautifully crafted and hugely uplifting tale of friendship, history and love. A real gem. -- Isabelle Broom * HEAT MAGAZINE *A captivating tale of love and loss -- Kerry Hiatt * SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE *Written with tenderness and genuine affection, Song of the Skylark grabs you by the heartstrings and won't let go. Poignant, moving and totally captivating, this is a stunning story to savour from first page to last. -- Pam Norfolk * LANCASHIRE EVENING POST *Inter-generational friendship takes centre stage in this upbeat and heartwarming novel * THE LADY *Absorbing and uplifting -- Karen Byrom * MY WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisRICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER BOOK CLUB PICK 2018''This big, clever, tender and twisty love story reminded me of One Day & The Time Traveler''s Wife'' Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said ****Robbie and Emily they have been together for decades. Now, their joints are creaking and their eyesight is failing - but their love for each other is as fresh and fierce as the day they first met. They have had children and grandchildren, lived full and happy and intimate lives.But they have been keeping a secret since the day they met, when their lives changed forever. Over the years, the sacrifices and choices they made have sealed their fates together. Did they do the right thing? Read their story, and you decide.The perfect thought-provoking page-turner for anyone who has enjoyed Celete Ng''s Little Fires Everywhere and Gail Honeyman''s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.<Trade ReviewI absolutely loved TOGETHER, a beautiful love story told backwards with a truly shocking secret at its heart -- Laura MarshallOriginal, poignant and beautifully told, the novel takes a risk that pays off in spades. * S Magazine *Every now and again, a novel comes along that is so different, so affecting and so unforgettable, that you simply must tell everyone you know to read it...you will never forget this one - for all the right reasons. * Heat magazine *This is a beautifully written and evocative story about two lives, and their great love. * Independent online *A must read from Julie Cohen. * Good Housekeeping *Add Julie Cohen's Together to your reading list...prepare for a heart-breaking tale. * Vogue online *A book club must read - one you'll definitely want to discuss when you've finished reading it. * Prima Magazine *A clever, moving page-turner. * Woman & Home *This beautiful book is written backwards. Intrigued? You should be, as you'll be sucked into an unforgettable read. * Fabulous Magazine, The Sun *A taut, beguiling love-story-in-reverse that reveals just how far people will go to protect themselves from facing the truth * Elle *

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Book SynopsisAn uplifting story about second chances, perfect for fans of Hillary Boyd, Maeve Haran, Joanna Trollope and Celia Imrie.Trade ReviewI adored An Italian Summer... Fanny not only writes beautifully about relationships, but the descriptions of Rome and Naples are so ravishing, that you not only marvel at the scenery but also taste the delectable food and feel the hot sun on your back. A most beguiling read -- Jilly CooperIntelligent, grown-up and cheering, Fanny has cornered the market in "real" stories told well -- Fern BrittonA lovely, absorbing read, gently told, but with an intriguingly dark edge -- Hilary BoydLikeable and realistic characters in a glorious Italian setting, this is the perfect summer read -- Maeve HaranFrom the moment the mystery unfolds straight through to the last pages, Fanny wove an engaging, heartfelt and nuanced story in such a beautifully drawn setting. I didn't want to put this book down -- Michele GormanI loved this book. Fanny Blake excels at exploring the intricate detail of relationships -- Sarah MorganAs themes of friendship and love intertwine with mystery, the plot reels you in until you have no choice but to devour every word. 5 stars * Heat *Fanny Blake's writing is absorbing, intelligent and an absolute joy to read... Building to an unexpected and clever twist, this heart-warming and compelling novel is the perfect summer read * Daily Express *A gripping novel about family secrets. And you'll want to book a holiday to Italy immediately -- BellaThe clever plot, set in gorgeous Rome and Naples and full of glorious food and wine, has the group dynamics continually shifting ... A perfect summer read, full of heart and sunshine * Bella *The clever plot, set in gorgeous Rome and Naples and full of glorious food and wine, has the group dynamics continually shifting ... A perfect summer read, full of heart and sunshine * Daily Mail *You'll be enveloped in Italian sunshine with this great read full of warmth and insight * Fabulous Magazine *

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Book SynopsisEmotional, moving women's fiction about entangled lives, and people who are braver than they ever imagined. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Jodi Picoult.

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Book SynopsisFour women, all at different stages of their life, are brought together as they overcome the challenges that life tends to throw in our way - and learn to embrace the surprises too, as each faces a second chance at happiness.Trade ReviewHonest, funny, clever, it sparkles with witty, wry observations on modern life. I loved it. * Marian Keyes *Cathy Kelly shines an insightful light on female insecurity and, through Freya's journey, shows the healing power of self-belief and family support. * WOMAN & HOME *This bittersweet story about motherhood and modern families is the perfect comfort read for a cold autumn afternoon. -- Jo Finney * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Cathy Kelly shines her insight on female insecurity and the power of self-belief and family support. -- Zoe West * WOMAN'S WEEKLY *Easy to read escapism with a very likeable heroine * Sunday Mirror *Heartwarming -- Kirsten Jones * S MAGAZINE, SUNDAY EXPRESS *

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Book Synopsis'Astutely observed and so very tenderly told, The Moments is pure pleasure from beginning to end' The ExpressLife is made up of countless moments. Moments that make us who we are. But what if they don't unfold the way they're supposed to...?What if you get on the wrong bus, or don't speak to the right person at a party, or stay in a job that isn't for you? Will you miss your one chance at happiness? Or will happiness find you eventually, when the moment is right?Meet Matthew and Myrtle. They have never really felt like they fitted - in life or with anyone else. But they are meant to be together - if only they can find each other.A powerful and emotional story about missed chances, interwoven lives and the moments that define us.Readers are captivated by The Moments:'A joyful read for anyone who's happily in love, has loved, or is yet to find love. It will make you laugh -although keep the ti

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Book SynopsisIn life we have to grab the moments of happiness as they come, or they pass us by... Powerful and emotional storytelling for fans of Miss You and The Versions of Us.

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Book SynopsisWhen the country's favourite children's author dies, her only granddaughter Emily must track down her lost final manuscript. A charming, warm, uplifting novel about love, loss, and finding your way in the world - for fans of THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS and LOST FOR WORDS.

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Book SynopsisA priceless flower. A dangerous past. A terrible secret. On the eve of the Second World War, the last surviving specimen of a prized camellia plant lies secreted away on an English country estate. When amateur botanist Flora Lewis is employed to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom, she embarks on a perilous journey of discovery that leads her to a blossoming romance, and into terrible danger.More than half a century later, Addison Sinclair is spending the summer on her husband''s enchanting family estate. Unearthing an old gardener''s notebook, she finds herself drawn into the mysteries of the camellia orchard, and the darkness that lurks beneath its beauty. But as she pieces together the flower''s secrets, dangerous truths begin to surface - about Flora''s fate, and Addison''s own past...Trade ReviewI adore Sarah Jio's novels. They have all the right ingredients to keep me glued to the pages: compelling characters, mystery, family secrets and love, and they are skillfully written. What more could I possibly want? - Santa Montefiore

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Book Synopsis''Atmospheric, original and tension-filled, THE GUEST HOUSE will keep you on the edge of your seat.'' T.M. Logan, author of THE CURFEWKEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE.WHATEVER THE COST...Jamie and Victoria are expecting their first baby.With a few weeks to go, they head off for a final weekend break in a remote part of the North Pennines. The small and peaceful guesthouse is the ideal location to unwind together before becoming parents. Upon arrival, they are greeted by Barry and Fiona, the older couple who run the guesthouse. They cook them dinner and show them to their room before retreating to bed themselves.The next morning, Jamie and Victoria wake to find the house deserted. Barry and Fiona are nowhere to be seen. All the doors are locked. Both their mobile phones and car keys have disappeared. Even though it''s a few weeks early, Victoria knows the contractions are starting.The baby is coming, and there''s no way out.

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Book Synopsis''Creepy and unsettling - a tense, toxic read that will wrong-foot you at every turn'' CHARLOTTE DUCKWORTH Two people can keep a secret . . . if one of them is dead.Sisters Jo and Caroline are used to hiding things from each other. They''ve never been close - taking it in turns to feel on the outside of their family unit, playing an endless game of favourites.Jo envies Caroline''s life - things have always come so easy to her. Then a family inheritance falls entirely to Jo, and suddenly now Caroline wants what Jo has. Needs it, even.But just how far will she go to get it?You''ll be riveted by the new psychological suspense from Nikki Smith - a gripping gut-punch of a novel...* * * * * * Praise for Look What You Made Me Do:''Gripping and twisty, with real heart'' LAURA MARSHALL''Emotional and sinister, with characters that draw you in and a Trade ReviewA shocking WOW of a read!! This is a book that should be read in one giant gulp. The story will crawl under your skin and stay there for long after you've read it. Tense, clever and masterfully toxic * Lauren North *Another perfectly-crafted novel, in which family loyalties, dark secrets and revenge interact in a dangerous and disturbing mix. Nikki Smith weaves her story threads so cleverly and convincingly, drawing the reader step-by step to a final, explosive conclusion. A deeply-accomplished novel that combines razor-sharp characterisation with perfectly-pitched suspense. A fantastic, slow-burn thriller * Philippa East *You know those moments when you realise the power of the written word? I had a mega helping of those while reading the intensely unsettling new novel by Nikki Smith. Was so uncomfortable at times that I wanted to put it down - but couldn't! * Emma Christie *Bloody hell, Nikki Smith has a clever, twisted brain in that beautiful head. Look What You Made Me Do is so tense and twisty! I barely breathed! * Laura Pearson *The first time in a long time that I've sat and read a book in one day. An absolutely crackin' read * Jo Jakeman *Fantastic. Nikki writes so brilliantly, but what she's really good at is keeping the reader on the edge of her seat. I really enjoyed it * Emma Curtis *Another smart and emotional thriller - I devoured it in three sittings. It deserves all the success of her first * Louise Beech *Creepy and unsettling, Look What You Made Me Do is a tense, toxic read that will wrong-foot you at every turn * Charlotte Duckworth *Look What You Made Me Do is evocative and brilliantly written. I loved the clever observations of the complexity of human relationships and emotions which makes this such a gripping read * Karen Fickling *Nikki Smith's second novel is a terrifying, compulsive read, deeply psychological, with wonderfully drawn characters and an ultimately satisfying conclusion. Look What You Made Me Do deserves big things and I hope they are in store for this brilliantly crafted novel * Lisa Ballantyne *I was totally absorbed in this thriller by Nikki Smith. From the first page, rich characterisation draws you in, turning up the menace as the story between Caroline and Jo progresses. Engrossing with heaps of suspense. A must-read for psychological thriller fans * Olivia Kiernan *Emotional and sinister, with characters that draw you in and a story that keeps you turning the pages. Nikki Smith explores the darkness of family secrets and relationships with compassion and skill * Jenny Quintana *I loved Look What You Made Me Do - a gripping and twisty story with real heart * Laura Marshall *What a read! Absolutely gripping, and had me one-more-chaptering until the early hours! * Frances Quinn *There are casualties galore as a fractured family is torn apart in an un-civil war where secrets are deployed like nuclear weapons. Intense, compelling and increasingly terrifying, Smith ratchets up the tension to almost unbearable levels as you race to its dramatic conclusion * Trevor Wood *I loved it * Chris Whitaker *I loved Look What you Made me Do - a toxic, twisty, intelligent and emotional read * Roz Watkins *Look What You Made Me Do is so incredibly tense and atmospheric; a dark, beating heart of a novel with twists at every turn. [Nikki] creates toxic family ties and tension with expert precision. Highly recommended! - Jack Jordan

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Book Synopsis''Warm, thoughtful, clever - the sort of book you''ll think about long after you''ve finished. BETH O''LEARY, author of The Flatshare CantBeArsed8: Am I the villain for being furious my partner''s father changed my daughter''s pirate party into a princess party?REASONABLE PEOPLE is a sharp, funny and timely comedy-of-errors about a feuding family.After a kid''s party faux-pas, mother Janine anonymously vents about her father-in-law''s behaviour on internet forum Am I The Villain Here? When the community is invited to take sides the post goes viral, with mild-mannered Roy ending up in the national newspapers and sparking protests at his local library.REASONABLE PEOPLE explores how judging others reveals our deepest, most unreasonable selves - with Hulse''s trademark heart, humour and humanity.Praise for Reasonable People:''Funny and sweet'' JANE FALLON''An absolute treat from begiTrade ReviewReasonable People is warm, thoughtful, clever - the sort of book you'll think about long after you've finished * Beth O'Leary *Caroline Hulse is the queen of dry humour. Reasonable People is a brilliant, nuanced, and laugh-out-loud satire that holds up a mirror to all of us who use social media. I absolutely loved it! * Charlotte Levin *Absolutely hilarious! Witty, sharp and insightful, this book gets straight to the heart of the weirdly wonderful way we are all human. A must read! * Lauren North *Another corker from Caroline Hulse. Reasonable People follows the fallout from a woman venting anonymously online about something her father-in-law has done. The characters are brilliantly flawed and painfully relatable. Really enjoyed it. * Sarah Turner *Reasonable People is a wonderfully clever, on point, humorous novel which had me glued from page one. Hulse is the queen of nuance. Her observation and ability to capture of the vicissitudes of human behaviour are sharp, witty and second to none. She has an uncanny ability to engage the reader's sympathy with every character, despite their sometimes questionable judgements. I've read and loved all of her books, and Reasonable People is one I shall be recommending to everyone I know. * Louise Fein *Outrageously funny and totally heartwarming, I adored this book. The perfect summer read! * Sophie Flynn, author of If They Knew *I absolutely loved it. Caroline is a new author to me and I was wowed by her sharp, perceptive characterisation and social commentary and the warmth and humour of the story. I couldn't stop reading! A really accomplished book, interesting touching and different. * Tracy Rees *Caroline's wit and warmth shine through - I went from laughing to crying to laughing again in the space of almost a page. The characterisation is spot on - I have friends like Janine and Roy is a treat. Such a great book * Harriet Tyce *Reasonable People is a book full of anything but - nuanced characters that made me seethe at their actions, laugh at their foibles and blub with understanding. I'd pick a side only to change my mind a moment later. A terrific book full of heart and humour * Sam Holland/Louise Scarr *Clever, funny, and oh so truthful, with Reasonable People Hulse is a writer at the top of her game. She deftly skewers this modern age and all its pretensions while at the same time creating characters you simultaneously love and loathe. An absolute treat from beginning to end * Mike Gayle *This is a joy. Funny and sweet. * Jane Fallon *I'm so madly in love with Caroline Hulse's new book Reasonable People. It's funny, compelling, emotional and unique, with the most relatable, real characters I've read in years. I was crying by chapter one, and shriek-laughing by chapter two - with every other emotion to come by page 381 (and I say this as someone usually very much dead inside). Caroline is one of the smartest, most hilarious writers working today, and I can't wait to keep telling everyone I know to read this book. * Lucy Vine, author of SEVEN EXES *

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Book SynopsisI love Caroline Hulse''s books. She has an amazing ability to take unlikeable characters and make me fall unexpectedly in love with them. Reasonable People is warm, thoughtful, clever - the sort of book you''ll think about long after you''ve finished. BETH O''LEARY on Reasonable People''A nuanced and contemporary comedy of errors, like all of Caroline Hulse''s books, Reasonable People hits the perfect sweet spot of funny, endearing and heartbreaking. A must-read for anyone with other human beings in their life.'' CHARLOTTE RIXON, author of The One That Got Away.CantBeArsed8: Am I the villain for being furious my partner''s father changed my daughter''s pirate party into a princess party?REASONABLE PEOPLE is a sharp, funny and timely comedy-of-errors about a feuding family.After a kid''s party faux-pas, mother Janine anonymously vents about her father-in-law''s behaviour on internet forum Am I The Villain H

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Book Synopsis''In the top flight of crime writing'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPHTHE CHILLING NEW SUSPENSE THRILLER FROM THE AWARD-WINNING, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELSIn the dead of winter, even brothers become strangers...Running from a troubled childhood, Jack Devereaux left home as soon as he could and never looked back - until the day a stranger calls, begging him to return to his hometown of Jasperville, Quebec.Jack''s brother Calvis - the little boy he left behind more than twenty years ago - has viciously attacked a man and left him for dead. Nobody knows why he did it, though Jack suspects it has something to do with the Jasperville girls who were lost all those years ago.But as he begins the long journey home through the frozen, unforgiving landscape, Jack isn''t wondering why his little brother lost his mind. He''s wondering why it took so long . . .''The master of the genre'' CLIVE CUS

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Book SynopsisA shrewd yet soulful novel, Paperless is set in Oxford and revolves around three groups in the university town: the African students who entered the country legally on student visas, the blue-collar South African workers who overstayed their visitor visas and are illegal.

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Book SynopsisThe deaths of four British soldiers, two of them ex SAS, appear at first to be accidental. In fact, they have been targeted by a group of hired assassins, known as the Clinic. This group of contract killers is systematically tracking down elite servicemen and killing them one by one...Desperate to stop the murders, a group of four men, the Feather Men, are recruited to hunt down the Clinic and avenge the soldiers'' deaths. But will they get to them in time and what''s driving the Clinic''s own brutal form of justice? Ranulph Fiennes, himself a former SAS officer, uses his unique knowledge to craft this amazing thriller, now a major film, featuring Robert De Niro, Jason Statham and Clive Owen.Previously published as The Feather Men, the film KILLER ELITE was released in the UK on the 23rd September 2011.

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Book SynopsisThe Carmichaels and Grahams have gathered on Nantucket for a wedding. Plans are being made according to the wishes of the bride''s late mother, who left behind The Notebook: specific instructions for every detail of her youngest daughter''s future nuptials. Everything should be falling into place for the beautiful event - but in reality, things are far from perfect.While the couple-to-be are quite happy, their loved ones find their own lives crumbling. In the days leading up to the wedding, love will be questioned, scandals will arise, and hearts will be broken . . . In BEAUTIFUL DAY Elin Hilderbrand takes readers on a journey into the heart of marriage, what it means to be faithful, and how we choose to honour our commitments.Trade ReviewA wedding readers won't be able to resist crashing. * Kirkus *Takes the chick-lit trope of reclaimed friendship and updates it with a timely twist . . . Hilderbrand throws in a handful of plot twists that bounce the story along . . . SILVER GIRL [is] the kind of safe investment beachgoers should adore * Boston Globe *It provides a pacey read, with colourful characters that have fascinating motivations. I couldn't get them out of my head for days * Sunday Express on SILVER GIRL *So deliciously addictive that it will be the 'It' beach book of the summer * Kirkus Review on THE ISLAND *An honest, raw tale of friendship and love * Cosmopolitan on THE CASTAWAYS *This book was a great read - you really care what happens to the characters. Perfect holiday reading. I didn't want to put it down * Candis on BAREFOOT *A gem of a summer read with a glamorous location, elite lifestyle, and Hilderbrand's appealing take on the constant stress that fills the lives of women everywhere * Booklist on A SUMMER AFFAIR *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR ''Picoult is a master manipulator, weaving gripping, dramatic plotlines. We defy you not to be gripped.'' GlamourA woman is found in a graveyard in Los Angeles, unable to remember anything about herself or her life. No one is more surprised than she when her husband comes to the police station to take her home - and turns out to be Hollywood''s leading film star. Bewildered by the perfect life that has been suddenly thrust upon her, Cassie finds herself living a dream. But there is something dark and disturbing behind this glamorous façade - and it is only as her memory gradually returns that it will all come crumbling down . . .MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available nowTrade ReviewA riveting, unfailingly intelligent, and undeniably literary psychological drama. * Booklist *A riveting, unfailingly intelligent, and undeniably literary psychological drama. * Booklist *Picoult has an uncanny knack of dreaming up moral dilemmas that you cannot ignore: you must know the resolution * Sunday Express *Picoult has an uncanny knack of dreaming up moral dilemmas that you cannot ignore: you must know the resolution * Sunday Express *Jodi Picoult's novels often focus on lives turned upside down by some terrible event, and it's her way with the small emotional detail that makes them so rewarding * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisThe beautiful debut novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult.The first time Jane Jones tried to leave her husband, her daughter almost got killed. This time, she''s going to do it right.Taking Rebecca with her, Jane seeks the only place of safety she knows. But Rebecca isn''t a little girl any longer, and there are some things Jane cannot save her from, however far she runs . . .MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available now.Trade ReviewThis powerful and affecting novel demonstrates that there are as many truths to a story as there are people to tell it * Publishers Weekly *This powerful and affecting novel demonstrates that there are as many truths to a story as there are people to tell it * Publishers Weekly *Jodi Picoult's novels often focus on lives turned upside down by some terrible event, and it's her way with the small emotional detail that makes them so rewarding * Marie Claire *Jodi Picoult's novels often focus on lives turned upside down by some terrible event, and it's her way with the small emotional detail that makes them so rewarding * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR ''Picoult has an uncanny knack of dreaming up moral dilemmas that you cannot ignore: you must know the resolution'' Sunday ExpressPaige has only a few vivid memories of her mother, who abandoned her when she was five. Now, having left home for art school and marriage to an ambitious young doctor, she finds herself with a child of her own. But Paige cannot forget her mother''s absence or the shameful memories from her own past, and running away is in her blood. Emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed by the demands of her family, she knows that this time, if she runs, she must leave behind her newborn child - but could it be possible Paige''s baby would be better off without her?Exploring motherhood, absence and the legacy it leaves, this is an unputdownable story from bestselling Jodi Picoult.MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and JenniferTrade ReviewJodi Picoult explores the fragile ground of ambivalent motherhood in this lush second novel * New York Times *Jodi Picoult explores the fragile ground of ambivalent motherhood in this lush second novel * New York Times *Picoult is at her best when she is writing about motherhood * New York Daily News *Picoult is at her best when she is writing about motherhood * New York Daily News *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR''We defy you not to be gripped'' GlamourAs police chief of a small town, Cameron McDonald makes the toughest arrest of his life when his own cousin Jamie comes to him and confesses outright that he has killed his terminally ill wife. But was it murder, or mercy?It''s a question that will divide the town as a heated murder trial blazes on, forcing them to face the hardest questions of the heart: when does love cross the line of moral obligation? And what does it mean to truly love another?MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available nowTrade ReviewPicoult fans will not be disappointed . . . a pleasure to pick up, and impossible to put down * Daily Express *Picoult fans will not be disappointed . . . a pleasure to pick up, and impossible to put down * Daily Express *If you're after a book that will have you utterly enthralled and stay with you long after you've finished it, look no further * Heat *If you're after a book that will have you utterly enthralled and stay with you long after you've finished it, look no further * Heat *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER''Compelling, surprising and entertaining'' HeatSince the death of his fiancée Aimee, Ross Wakeman has been unable to fill the hole she has left in his life. Seeking to end his pain, he becomes a ghost hunter, despite never having seen a ghost. However, when his job leads him to the town of Comtosook, it becomes apparent that Ross isn''t the only one haunted by the past. When he meets the mysterious Lia, who brings him to life for the first time in years, redemption seems around the corner. But the discoveries that await him are beyond anything he could dream of - in this world or the next.MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available nowTrade ReviewImpossible to put down and stayed in my mind long after I had finished * Observer *Impossible to put down and stayed in my mind long after I had finished * Observer *High quality plotting and suspenseful pacing on every page * Saga *High quality plotting and suspenseful pacing on every page * Saga *

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Book SynopsisThe first novel in a provocative romance series that will captivate, exhilarate and intoxicate you like no other, perfect for those who loved the bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey but were left wanting more...It started with a spark...Everything changed when I met Dominic. My heart had just been broken, split into jagged fragments that can jigsaw together to make me look enough like a normal, happy person.Dominic has shown me a kind of abandonment I''ve never known before. He takes me down a path of pure pleasure, but of pain, too - his love offers me both lightness and dark. And where he leads me, I have no choice but to follow.Deeply intense and romantic, provocative and sensual, FIRE AFTER DARK will take you to a place where love and sex are liberated from their limits.Fans of E. L. James and Sylvia Day will find themselves kept awake late into the night with FIRE AFTER DARK...Trade Review'Sadie has a lovely, easy style of writing that makes the story flow so easily as it process along the ups and downs of the couples new relationship, that you really feel part of their world. Without the hint of repetition and wonderfully left open for a sequel, Fire After Dark is an intense and passionate book, that is perfect for those who tentatively want dip their toes into the exciting world of BDSM.' * www.handwrittengirl.com *This book is written at such an easy pace which allowed me to finish the whole book in one evening! I would definitely describe this book as sexy, sassy and exciting and I did find I was hooked * www.reabookreview.blogspot.co.uk on FIRE AFTER DARK *

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Book SynopsisIntensity, sensuality, and seduction awaits in the final part of the provocative romantic AFTER DARK trilogy that has left readers longing for more. Can a fractured love be salvaged?Parting with Dominic has left me broken in a way I could never have imagined. We held elation in the palm of our hands, but one misunderstanding brought it crashing down around us. Now the hurt and sadness follows me like a shadow and makes choosing the right path to take impossible. But one moment with him and the pulsing heat is singing in my blood again; his touch lights a fire that my body refuses to ever forget. I''m hopelessly lost in him. Finding our way back to one another will take trust and a leap of faith - only then we will know whether we have a chance at forever. If you were consumed by the first two books in the series, PROMISES AFTER DARK will not disappoint... This is a pleasure we should all indulge in.Trade Review'Sadie has a lovely, easy style of writing that makes the story flow so easily as it process along the ups and downs of the couples new relationship, that you really feel part of their world. Without the hint of repetition and wonderfully left open for a sequel, Fire After Dark is an intense and passionate book, that is perfect for those who tentatively want dip their toes into the exciting world of BDSM.' * www.handwrittengirl.com *This book is written at such an easy pace which allowed me to finish the whole book in one evening! I would definitely describe this book as sexy, sassy and exciting and I did find I was hooked * www.reabookreview.blogspot.co.uk on FIRE AFTER DARK *

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Book SynopsisBeth and Dominic embarked on the most intensely sexual and emotional relationship of their life in FIRE AFTER DARK - the first novel in Sadie Matthews'' erotic romance series. Now SECRETS AFTER DARK will take you one step closer to the bittersweet edge of passion: the perfect read for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James, Sylvia Day and Nikki Gemmell.Ours was a love bound by power...Falling in love with Dominic changed me. I relinquished myself completely and placed my heart and my trust in Dominic''s hands, but in one exquisite, excruciating moment he abandoned his control. Anguished by his actions, he has locked those darkest desires inside, unable to share my conviction that it would never happen again. Now it''s not only Dominic who craves that delicate, seductive game of give and take, of walking the line between pain and pleasure, abandon and release. Persuading Dominic to let those secret parts of himself unravel will be the biggesTrade Review'This series definitely offers something a little different from the wealth of intense, contemporary romances out there with characters much more deeply flawed than the norm and a twisting story that constantly surprises. It's well written and every scene comes vividly to life with the descriptive narrative.' * sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk *'Sadie has a lovely, easy style of writing that makes the story flow so easily as it process along the ups and downs of the couples new relationship, that you really feel part of their world. Without the hint of repetition and wonderfully left open for a sequel, Fire After Dark is an intense and passionate book, that is perfect for those who tentatively want dip their toes into the exciting world of BDSM.' * www.handwrittengirl.com on FIRE AFTER DARK *This book is written at such an easy pace which allowed me to finish the whole book in one evening! I would definitely describe this book as sexy, sassy and exciting and I did find I was hooked * www.reabookreview.blogspot.co.uk on FIRE AFTER DARK *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2016 WORLD FANTASY AWARD FOR BEST NOVELLONGLISTED FOR THE 2015 MAN BOOKER PRIZEAn Elle Book of the YearAn Independent Book of the YearOne to Watch Independent on SundayA Bookseller Best Debut of 2015One to Watch 2015 Huffington PostAn Amazon Rising Star''The Chimes is a remarkable debut. It''s inventive, beautifully written, and completely absorbing. I highly recommend it.'' Kevin Powers, author of The Yellow BirdsA mind-expanding literary debut composed of memory, music and imagination.A boy stands on the roadside on his way to London, alone in the rain.No memories, beyond what he can hold in his hands at any given moment.No directions, as written words have long since been forbidden.No parents - just a melody that tugs at him, Trade ReviewWINNER OF THE 2016 WORLD FANTASY AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL AND NOMINATED FOR THE 2015 MAN BOOKER PRIZETo call The Chimes striking is I dare say to underplay what might be the most distinctive debut of the decade. * Tor.com *SUPERB... intriguing, ambitious and strikingly written. * James Kidd, Independent on Sunday *The Chimes is a remarkable debut. It's inventive, beautifully written, and completely absorbing. I highly recommend it. * Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDS *A genuinely originalnovel that has all the tension of a well-told, gripping thriller, but which is elevated well above the ordinary by its shining, lyrical language. The author has created a believable, consistent and vivid world... * Clare Morrall *Cleverly orchestrated and poignantly conveyed throughout. * Guardian *The novel is hypnotic, melancholic and requires concentration, but it builds to an incredibly tense and emotionally satisfying climax that rewards all the effort. * Elle *Smaill is a former musician with a book of poetry already to her name. The Chimes has strong echoes of both these influences as we're taken on a strange and lyrical journey through a dystopian England . . . The intrinsic links between music and memory suffuse this dreamy narrative . . . the idiosyncratic world [that] Smaill has lovingly created using melodic and musical syntax - her narrative style brimming with invention and nuance. * The Big Issue *The pleasure lies in getting to grips with the rules of this eerie dystopia and the unusual vocabulary Smaill has minted to describe it. * Metro *Atmospheric, intensely-imagined strangeness * Daily Mail *Strangely compelling * Sainsbury’s Magazine *A dazzling debut piece of fantasy that marries great writing with compelling narrative. And the world Smaill has invented, where memory has been replaced by music and people cling to objects that link them to their pasts, is brilliantly imagined.... a serious book with serious talent behind it. * New Zealand Herald *Atmospheric, intensely-imagined strangeness * Daily Mail *Magical, tender, thought provoking and stunningly imaginative. * Lindsay Hawdon, author of JAKOB'S COLOURS *Dystopian fiction but not quite as we know it... Smaill's particular melodious inventiveness makes her story her own. * Independent *Anna Smail's ambition fiction debut is a strange, compelling tale; full of musical metaphors and striking imagery, it is wildly imaginative and challenging. * Choice Magazine *An exciting debut, a book full of rhythm, energy and melody... There's no doubt Smaill has created a distinctive and impressive debut, one that dares to create its own music. * The List *An enthralling read. * The Lady *lyrical debut * Sunday Express *This is a story that rivets us from the beginning but, for those wanting more, there are delicious depths that change an excellent story into an equally excellent thought provoking fable. As if that isn't enough, it also convinces us that Anna is a very clever lady. ... hugely compelling ... Oh yes, this is definitely a 'Wow!' book. * The Bookbag *For a story about music, The Chimes is a triumph on the printed page. * SFX Magazine *Cleverly orchestrated * Guardian *Entrancingly poetic and engagingly plotted, this is a story that brims with heart and soul. * Kirkus reviews *Cleverly orchestrated * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIs there a recipe for the perfect life?Thirty-two-year-old ''happiness guru'' Dr Cooper Hunziker has it all - a dream job as assistant psychology professor at Yale University, a soon-to-be published self-help book, The Happiness Connection, and the perfect man. But there''s a problem. Cooper isn''t happy.Of course, it doesn''t help that she''s facing cut-throat competition for her tenure at Yale, an accusation of plagiarism that could cost her everything, or that her new book has irritated the department chairman, who assigns her to co-lead a happiness group at the New Haven Library.As her friendship with the other women in the group flourishes, Cooper finds herself questioning her choices. Forced to face a life-changing betrayal and her own traumatic past, can she navigate a path to happiness with the help of a gargoyle''s wisdom?

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Book SynopsisTony Vicar is setting his sights on new (mis)adventures in this laugh-out-loud follow-up to The Liquor Vicar.Tony Vicar, now an internationally known celebrity due to greatly exaggerated news reports of his nearly miraculous powers has turned his attention to renovating his recently inherited crumbling old hotel in the wacky town of Tyee Lagoon. It's a good thing his level-headed girlfriend, Jacquie O, is on board to temper his more outlandish ideas, because the pair plan to turn the hotel's dumpy old beer parlour into the Vicar's Knickers a lavish and beautiful pub.Of course, building a tiny empire is not without challenges, shocks, oppositions, and calamities. Vicar's celebrity is threatened as he is assailed by Hollywood gossip journalist Richard X. Dick a cynic determined to undermine Vicar at every turn. On top of that, a surprise that changes everything is unexpectedly left on Vicar and Jacquie O's doorstep late one night in a heavy blizzard.Trade ReviewFunny, silly, lighthearted, sentimental, snarky, and often hyperactive with comic energy, The Liquor Vicar tells a tall, quirky tale of redemption in snack-sized chapters. * The Vancouver Sun, for The Liquor Vicar *Ditrich’s quick, clever, punchy prose will hold your attention, make you laugh, make you ponder, and make you forget about the chaos of the world. * Jann Arden, singer, and author of Feeding My Mother *The greatest sequel since The Wrath of Khan, if Tony Vicar was William Shatner. * Grant Lawrence, author and CBC Radio host *Ghosts, glam rock, and a golf-ball-stealing moose, who couldn’t have fun reading The Vicar’s Knickers, the latest by consummate musician and author, Vince R. Ditrich? Tony Vicar and his richly drawn band of wild and wacky characters will steal your heart as well as the show. * C.S. O'Cinneide, Edgar nominated author of the Candace Starr series *The Vicar's Knickers is a delightful humour noir novel. Vince Ditrich generously lends his trademark wit and cleverness to the characters of fictional Tyee Lagoon, with laugh-out-loud turns of phrase on every page * Sarah Chauncey, author of P.S. I Love You More Than Tuna *The residents of Tyee Lagoon are back! And under Ditrich's vivid storytelling, the results for the reader continue to be uproarious, hilarious, and unexpectedly touching. * Aaron Chapman, author of Vancouver Vice and BC Book Prize winner *They’re back! All the beloved characters from The Liquor Vicar plus a baby, two deliciously evil villains, a moose with a passion for golf balls and a mysterious entity. * Alison Kelly, performer and author of Granville Island ABC a Family Adventure *Tony Vicar is back at full throttle and this time round, using the same brilliant language and acerbic wit we came to adore in The Liquor Vicar, our star brings his own share of wild baggage. The question is: will the Vicar survive? Buckle up, it’s a helluva ride * Pete McCormack, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and author of Understanding Ken *To all the fans who bought the first book…Look at what you’ve done. You’ve only encouraged him. * Terry David Mulligan, host of CKUA radio’s Mulligan Stew *Round 2 with Vince Ditrich’s cast of prog-rock rejects and mill-town mavericks provided the knockout. Tyee Lagoon is as real as any Vancouver Island small town; scratch the surface and the psychedelics kick in. Heart, loyalty, and honour run deep * Craig Northey, songwriter and founding member of the band Odds *The Battle of Tyee Lagoon should be taught in classrooms, and be a Heritage moment. * Rob Baker, guitarist in The Tragically Hip *Filled with biting satire and social commentary, The Vicar’s Knickers is a wordsmith’s delight, weaving a convoluted tale of mystery, the supernatural, love… and fried chicken. * Winnipeg Free Press *

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Book SynopsisIt''s wedding season on Nantucket, and two unwelcome guests are crashing the partyWhen people begin disappearing from the island, Nantucket Police Chief Henry Kennis is baffled. The victims are not randomthey''re all Nantucket High School alumni. And the only clues left behind are pennies dropped at the sites of the kidnappings. There''s an old island tradition of tossing a penny from the ferry as you depart to ensure your eventual return Has someone come back to the island with a sinister grudge to settle?Sippy Bascomb and Doug Fraker were childhood best friendsbonded as fellow victims of bullying at the hands of their classmates. The two men hadn''t seen each other in years, but when Sippy comes across Doug''s blog airing grievances from the past, the two reconnect and hatch a plan to return to the island. Both seek revenge, but Doug wants their tormentors to face a tribunal and appoints himself judge, jury, and executionerWhen Henry''s fiancée joins the missing, he enTrade Review"Patterns in disparate actions and revenge are the themes that carry this thriller from a series of vignettes involving many of the island's year-round residents to an exciting culmination of the intertwined plots." - Booklist

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Book SynopsisPULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD From one of the most dazzling and iconic writers of our time comes an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the quest for authenticity, privacy, and meaning in a world where our memories are no longer our own--featuring characters from A Visit from the Goon Squad.It''s 2010. Staggeringly successful and brilliant tech entrepreneur Bix Bouton is desperate for a new idea. He''s forty, with four kids, and restless when he stumbles into a conversation with mostly Columbia professors, one of whom is experimenting with downloading or externalising memory. Within a decade, Bix''s new technology, Own Your Unconscious--that allows you access to every memory you''ve ever had, and to share every memory in exchange for access to the memories of others--has seduced multitudes. But not everyone.In spellbinding linked narratives, Egan spins out the consequences of Own Your UnconsciTrade Review'A complex, compelling read that showcases Egan's masterful storytelling' * Time *'Fans of A Visit from the Goon Squad will not want to miss this new novel' * jNews *'A thrilling, endlessly stimulating work that demands to be read and reread' * Kirkus Reviews *'Egan returns to the fertile territory and characters of A Visit from the Goon Squad with an electrifying and shape-shifting story that one-ups its Pulitzer-winning predecessor' * Publisher’s Weekly *'A forceful, wonderfully fragmented novel of a terrifyingly possible future, as intellectually rigorous as it is formally impressive, and yet another monumental work from Egan' * Library Journal *'Playfully twists various narratives into a series of compelling interconnected vignettes, featuring many of the same characters from her award-laden 2010 novel. Ever the consummate storyteller and with a deft and powerful sense of characterisation, Egan is sure to have struck gold once more' * Harper's Bazaar *'A fast-paced polyvoiced romp through America in the grip of a sinister tech that allows others into your mind. EEK! Includes a dazzling novella Egan wrote' -- Margaret Atwood, via Twitter'Egan is skilful, even masterful, at writing in a variety of styles and formats to suit each character's voice, making the book that much more real and that much more affecting' * Bloomburg Businessweek *Impressive * A Life in Books *A dazzling feat of literary construction that belies the profound questions at its core: Does technology aid our sense of narrative or obscure it? * Vogue *You don't have to read A Visit From the Goon Squad to love this sibling novel to Egan's stellar hit...complex and intimate * Good Housekeeping *Inventive, effervescent...Egan plaits multiple narratives and techniques to underscore the manifold ways our own desires betray us in a brave new coded world * Oprah Daily *Very funny, penetrating, and impactful * Glamour *Tech guru Bix Bouton creates 'Own Your Unconscious,' a technology that allows users to access and share every memory they've ever had. It's a concept so killer, it's hard to believe such technology doesn't already exist * USA Today *[The Candy House] does what only the best and rarest books can: peel back the thin membrane of ordinary life, and find transcendence on the other side * Entertainment Weekly *Haunting and often hilarious...a wondrous, riotously inventive work of speculative fiction * Booklist, STARRED review *'Humming with a sustained brio, The Candy House is especially rewarding on a micro level. Even post-BLM, Egan felt free to write from the perspective of a black character, as she should feel free, and she's apt to get away with it, too. The chapter narrated by an autistic character is convincing. Egan is particularly good at evoking the insecure teenage girl. The writing is stylish: "a man of so few words that the occasional word he did utter had the cleaving finality of an ax splitting a log". The novel is spirited, playful, sometimes incisive. So who cares if I can't remember anyone's name' * Financial Times *'Intellectually dazzling and extraordinarily moving . . . Egan's writing - as always - is flawless, offering plenty to think about' * The Book-It-List *A staggering story in concept and thrilling in delivery * Sainsbury's Magazine *A Time Magazine Must-ReadIt may be the smartest novel you've read all year * LOVEBYLIFE *Mind-bogglingly clever * The Telegraph *Playful... By means probably even they cannot explain, novelists loot the experiences of others and distribute them equably with no reference to fancy uploading machines. And no one writing now does it more generously than Egan. I hope she wins another Pulitzer. * The Times *The Candy House is just as compelling as its predecessor... some brilliantly executed scenes * Evening Standard *At the level of the sentence, The Candy House zings * i News *The Candy House is a bold, eclectic novel about the darker sides of the digital age. It's quietly captivating * Evening Standard *a collection of exceptionally clever, sometimes funny short stories * The Spectator *This novel is a triumphant exploration of analogue versus digital, surveillance versus freedom, literature versus technology * Irish Times *Poignant and entertaining * The Independent *At its best it reads as if AM Homes, George Saunders and David Foster Wallace took turns in rewriting Middlemarch for our modern age. It's full of melancholic commentary about the human need for redemption, reinvention and reconciliation. * Sunday Times *This novel is a triumphant exploration of analogue versus digital, surveillance versus freedom, literature versus technology. Egan's virtuosity in style and form allows her to reflect life online, her characters changing with the fluidity of a status update * Idependent.ie *[A] colourful tale packed with poignancy... Egan has produced a powerful satire of social media culture while telling a deeply intimate story about family * Spears Wealth Management *Egan is one of the few names that, when linked with the expression 'novel of ideas', makes the heart sing rather than sink * Mail on Sunday *Intellectual, philosophical, empathetic, moving - The Candy House further cements Egan's iconic status in contemporary literature * The Irish Times *[An] inventive, intelligent novel... rooted in human stories * Good Housekeeping *Part social-media satire, part treatise on nostalgia and ownership of experience, The Candy House is experimental and intriguing, with each chapter often vastly different from the last... The Candy House is a tour-de-force, an exceptional book...bold and inventive...stunning * Taum Herald *Exhilarating, deeply-pleasurable * Prospect *Just as innovative, wise, funny and confounding as its predecessor. * Metro *A mind-bending book full of techies and artists and savvy entrepreneurs...Just as you're in deep with one story, another unfolds in what is a true box of candy of a book * The Gloss.ie *Everything [Egan] writes fizzes with ideas and feels wonderfully warm and engaging at the same time... [The Candy House] gives you more insight into how people tick than you'd get from six months' scrolling on social media * The Daily Mirror *[A] mind-bending book full of techies and artists and savvy entrepreneurs catching various waves as the action moves from the late 1960s to the 2030s...Just as you're in deep with one story, another unfolds in what is a true box of candy of a book * The Gloss *The Candy House... offer[s] [a] powerful and nuanced critique of surveillance capitalism * The Guardian *Dazzling - and often very funny...Egan's style is compulsively readable * The Tablet *A clever, endlessly inventive exploration of our increasingly connected, surveilled society and the individual yearning for privacy and meaning * Guardian *For all its fluency in the languages of gaming, addiction and tech, this is a social novel with numerous characters and perspectives; a kind of 21st-century "Middlemarch" * Economist, Book of the Year 2022 *Dazzling inventiveness * Guardian, Book of the Year 2022 *As thought-provoking as it is entertaining * The Irish Times, A Best Book of 2022 *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION''A beautiful, well paced, enraging, funny and heartbreaking book'' the Guardian''Favorite novel of the year? Tough choice for me, but maybe The Wrong End of the Telescope, which was devastating and wondrous. Nobody writes like Rabih. Nobody gets anywhere close'' John Green (#1 bestselling author) via Twitter''Spectacular . . . Alameddine''s irreverent prose evokes the old master storytellers from my own Middle Eastern home . . . deeply poignant'' New York TimesMina Simpson, a Lebanese doctor, arrives at the infamous Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece, after being urgently summoned for help by her friend who runs an NGO there. Alienated from her family except for her beloved brother, Mina has avoided being so close to her homeland for decades. But with a week off work and apart from her wife of thirty years, Mina hopes to accompliTrade ReviewAlameddine's spectacular novel is rendered through the refreshingly honest lens of Dr. Mina . . . Alameddine's irreverent prose evokes the old master storytellers from my own Middle Eastern home . . . deeply poignant * New York Times *Alameddine hits a distinctly contemporary note with this new book about refugees . . . it feels totally authentic on Middle Eastern culture * The Sunday Times *'The Wrong End of the Telescope doesn't so much switch between emotional registers as occupy all of them at once - humour, grief, anger, melancholy, love of every stripe. It's a beautiful, well paced, enraging, funny and heartbreaking book' * The Guardian *The Wrong End of the Telescope is the best kind of prose. Lines break out like poetry and the story muscles on, telling. The setting is real history which I'm hungry for and Rabih Alameddine queers it handsomely with all kinds of love and a feeling that existence is pure experience, not language at all and the shape of this book, right up to the end, is a becoming. * Eileen Myles, author of Afterglow and Chelsea Girls *Rabih Alameddine is a master of both the intimate and the global -- and The Wrong End of the Telescope finds him at the top of his craft. A story of rescue, identity, deracination, and connection, this novel is timely and urgent and a lot of fun. * Rebecca Makkai, The Great Believers. *The incomparable Rabih Alameddine's latest novel shows sly wit, poetic turns of phrase, and the slow-burning outrage at the ongoing Mediterranean refugee crisis--but I particularly love his understated handling of Mina, the novel's transgender narrator. Her identity is not a battlefield for the culture wars, just a refreshingly unproblematic perspective from which a story unfolds. * Susan Stryker, Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution *'Devastating and wondrous. Nobody write like Rabih. Nobody gets anywhere close' -- John Green'I still can not understand why people do not jump up and down The Wrong End of the Telescope by Rabih Alameddine. I loved this one so much that as soon as I finished it, I went and bought the entire Alameddine's backlist' * jNews *A pointed, poignant and often hilarious story...He has an ability to collect and create beauty, and to remain in a state of incandescent anger at politicians and what they have done with the world * Financial Times *

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