Contemporary Fiction Books

Book Synopsis'A superb debut novel... Anyone who enjoyed The White Lotus will love Thomas's scalpel-sharp skewering of the mores and idiocies of the idle rich' Observer' 'A classy thriller that will appeal to fans of Leila Slimani's Lullaby . . . A hot holiday read to brighten up the last few weeks of winter' Sunday Times Queen K is as compulsive as a Netflix binge, but it also asks timely questions about status and what constitutes a dignified life' Sheena Patel, Guardian 'Balzac in Balenciaga... Queen K lures you in with escapist, beach-read vibes, then bares its teeth with a devastating portrait of the emotional cost of greed' Times 'Patricia Highsmith-esque ... an untrustworthy narrator judging her employer's life of excess and desperate attempts to infiltrate a glittering world' Evening Standard, 'The Debuts You'll Love in 2023' 'A dark and brilliant read . . . our bet is that this is going to be on the small or big screen' Glamour On a balmy evening in late March, an oligarch's wife hosts a party on a superyacht moored in the Maldives. Tables cover the massive deck, adorned with orchids, champagne bottles, name cards of celebrities. Uniformed staff flank a red carpet on the landing dock. This is what Kata has wanted for a long time: acceptance into the glittering world of high society. But there are those who aim to come between Kata and her goal, and they are closer to home than she could have imagined. Witness to the corruption and violence underneath the shiny surfaces is Mel, a young English woman employed to tutor Kata's precocious daughter and navigate her through the class codes of English privilege. Now the closest Mel gets to such privilege is as hired help to the wealthy, and she is deeply resentful. Exquisitely written and deliciously unreliable, Queen K takes the reader to some of the most luxurious places in the world. But a dark refrain sounds from the very beginning of the story and grows towards its operatic finale: a novel about insatiable material desire can only ever be a tragedy. 'A world of butter-cream-beige luxury, brimming with toxicity and darkness, that pulls you in, and under' Calla Henkel, author of Other People's ClothesTrade ReviewMelanie is an outsider keeping her wits in a world of wealth and privilege . . . Thomas evokes these complex lives with compelling insight -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *Beautifully crafted and compelling. Thomas perfectly captures the textures of entitlement and the inner workings of Russian plutocratic life lived between Moscow and Europe's glamour resorts -- Caroline Knowles, author of Serious MoneyThrilling, revealing and disturbing, Queen K dives deep into the hidden lives of the mega-rich, the dark structures of privilege and power, and the lies we tell ourselves to keep the illusion afloat. Thomas knows her subject inside out and it shows - her dazzling debut is both a gripping mystery and a relevant treatise on the dangers of wealth without limits -- Emma Stonex, author of The LamplightersA wry, unsettling take on privilege, avarice and corruption. This book pulls back the curtain on the lives of the ultra-rich and reveals a world fatally distorted by greed and arrogance; it navigates questions of class and complicity with a rare deftness. -- Keiran Goddard, author of HourglassMeticulously crafted * i-D *An enjoyably voyeuristic drama of ambition, exploitation and betrayal, which illustrates how desire for acceptance can lead us to neglect others * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice, Pick of the Month *Thomas has created a world of butter-cream-beige luxury, brimming with toxicity and darkness, that pulls you in, and under * Calla Henkel, author of Other People's Clothes *Trust us and order this because you won't be disappointed, and our bet is that this is going to be on the small or big screen. A dark and brilliant take of a Russian oligarch and his family ... such an easy, brilliant read * Glamour Magazine, Best New Books of 2023 *What a compulsive read this was! A real eye-opener into a world I knew little about. * Prima *Tensely charged ... an intriguing and absorbing debut * Buzz Magazine *Echoes of The White Lotus ... A classy thriller that will appeal to fans of Leila Slimani's Lullaby ... A hot holiday read to brighten up the last few weeks of winter * Sunday Times *A superb debut novel... Anyone who enjoyed The White Lotus will love Thomas's scalpel-sharp skewering of the mores and idiocies of the idle rich * Observer *Balzac in Balenciaga... Queen K lures you in with escapist, beach-read vibes, then bares its teeth with a devastating portrait of the emotional cost of greed * Times *Patricia Highsmith-esque ... an untrustworthy narrator judging her employer's life of excess and desperate attempts to infiltrate a glittering world -- The Debuts You'll Love in 2023 * Evening Standard *A fascinating journey with lots to draw us in * Independent *Queen K is as compulsive as a Netflix binge, the bouncy prose propelling you forward, but it also asks timely questions about status and what constitutes a dignified life -- Sheena Patel, author of I'm A Fan * Guardian *Neither of the two female characters are straightforward; the relationship between them is well-drawn and they successfully propel the plot at a rattling pace. Thomas has a flair for telling a good story with wit and candour * Daily Mail *Gripping * i Paper *

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Book Synopsis'That's brutal violence on a defenceless person, and quite unnecessary, declares Sophie, and she pulls with an audible tearing sound at the hair of the man lying in an untidy heap on the ground. What's unnecessary is best of all, says Rainer, who wants to go on fighting. We ageed on that.' It is the late 1950s. A man is out walking in a park in Vienna. He will be beaten up by four teenagers, not for his money, he has an average amount ? nor for anything he might have done to them, but because the youths are arrogant and very pleased with themselves. Their arrogance is their way of reacting to the maggot?ridden corpse that is Austria where everyone has a closet to hide their Nazi histories, their sexual perversions and their hatred of the foreigner. Elfriede Jelinek, who writes like an angel of all that is tawdry, shows in Wonderful, Wonderful Times how actions of the present are determined by thoughts of the past.

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Book SynopsisA powerful and beautiful Syrian novel set in Aleppo during the early days of the civil war that followed the Arab Spring. 'Beautiful... brings to a wider audience one of the best Syrian novelists of his generation' TLS 'A sublime distillation of one of the tragedies of the early twenty-first century' Independent 'Masterful... Kaleidoscopic: personal and collective, serendipitous and fatalistic' Los Angeles Times Jumaa is a schoolteacher in Aleppo. He observes and lives through the literal disintegration of his beautiful native city. Through his eyes, in a mixture of first and third person narration, we experience the razing of entire neighbourhoods, the apparently random dropping of barrel bombs, the bewildering variety of militias and government security forces loyal to Assad, the arbitrary cruelties and the complicated journeys that people have to make simply to cross the city. Roundabout of Death offers powerful witness to the violence that obliterated the ancient city's rich layers of history, its neighbourhoods and medieval and Ottoman landmarks. Aleppo was home to Arabs, Armenians, Kurds, Christians and other sects. The war tore those communities apart and made their city a wasteland.Trade ReviewA masterful distillation of one of the great tragedies of the twenty-first century, as stripped of artifice and sentimentality as it is undergirded with insight and empathy. Roundabout of Death is essential reading -- Dan Mayland, author of The Doctor of AleppoA brilliant, kaleidoscopic and claustrophobic portrayal of the Syrian civil war. Khartash's spare prose eloquently conveys horrors that require no rhetorical elevation. This is a fine book that deserves a wide readership, both on its own merits and because the Syrian disaster is by no means over -- Jonathan Spyer, author of Days of the Fall: A Reporter's Journey in the Syria and Iraq WarsSome books stand as monuments to wars from which they arise. This is one of those books -- Elliot Ackerman, author of Green on Blue and Waiting for EdenA heartwrenching and shocking work of historical fiction, Faysal Khartash's Roundabout of Death focuses on the human cost of Syria's civil war... The novel follows Jumaa, an unemployed Arabic teacher who struggles to live peacefully in a dangerous city... A powerful novel that takes a humane view of Syria's devastation' * Foreword Reviews *Bleakly arresting... Readers are ushered into a landscape that feels surreal but couldn't be more horrifically factual... Heartbreaking in its matter-of-factness, Khartash's work delivers a clear sense of life amid war in his book's brief span' * Library Journal (starred review) *The strength of Roundabout of Death lies in its credibility, and in a specificity that defies detail. The BBC has declared the war in Syria to be the most documented in history, but no one can generalize from records of documentation alone. What we are left with in this novel is the geography of Aleppo [...] as much a character as Dublin is for James Joyce * The Arts Fuse *To read a novel, presumably partly autobiographical, written by a Syrian author living in Aleppo amidst the city's destruction is a moving experience... I feel I've been to Syria and got a glimpse of what it's like to be living there as an ordinary person – and that is an incredible gift' * Five Books *Khartash draws a protagonist who seeks only peace amid the bombs and explosions around him. Roundabout of Death is a book for those searching for new perspectives on an ongoing tragedy that continues to impact the lives of many people today * artmejournal *News reports and images have exposed the horrors of the Syrian crisis: millions of refugees, bombing and chemical weapons. But this powerful novel makes the grim reality of survival through the fierce fighting in Aleppo truly comprehensible -- Itamar Rabinovich, co-author of Syrian Requiem: The Civil War and Its AftermathKhartash's sparse and harrowing English-language debut offers an account of life in Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War... Readers will find this fragmented tale of war-torn Aleppo and its displaced intellectuals chilling and insightful' * Publishers Weekly *A remarkable book, a vivid testimonial to the horrors of the Syrian civil war -- Robert F. Worth, author of A Rage for Order: The Middle East in TurmoilMasterful... Kaleidoscopic: personal and collective, serendipitous and fatalistic, marked by a bitter irony that can't help flirting with despair... What Khartash is tracking is the precariousness of memory – and identity' * Los Angeles Times *Beautiful... Faysal Khartash's English-language debut brings to a wider audience one of the best Syrian novelists of his generation and one of the most exciting writers to emerge from the region since the Arab Spring' * TLS *A searing, soaring firsthand account of the ravages war can produce * Dorset Living *A sublime distillation of one of the tragedies of the early 21st century * Independent, 4 stars *Short but deeply powerful novel... A searing, soaring firsthand account of the ravages war can produce * Tyne Valley Living *A haunting elegy to a devastated city * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''Brilliant... a biting critique of the orientalist, gender and class attitudes that shape Britain today. I loved it.'' Preti Taneja It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime: the open road, London to Kathmandu, just three young people looking for adventure. No one could have predicted the way it ended, and for fifty years the truth has been buried. But now, Joyce is ready to tell her story. London, 1970. Fresh out of a dead-end job, Joyce answers an ad in the local paper: Kathmandu by van, leave August. Share petrol and costs. Joyce is desperate to escape life in suburbia, and aristocrat Freddie looks like he can show her a wild time. Together with Anton, Freddie's best friend from boarding school, they embark on the overland trail from London to Kathmandu in a beaten-up old Land Rover. But as they cross the borders into Asia, Freddie can't outrun his family's history, leading to devastating consequences for everyone.Overland is a novel about youth, privilege, class and the sharp echoes of British imperialism from one of the most exciting new voices in literary fiction.

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Book Synopsis'A rollicking romantic read!' Phillipa Ashley Escape to the frost-sparkling Yorkshire Dales for some festive fun under the mistletoe! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for costume shop owner Becky Finn. Leaving London to move back home to the twinkly rural village of Egglethwaite, she plans to build a new life for herself with fiancé, Cole. Keen to raise funds for the struggling village hall she loved as a child, Becky finds herself at the head of a colourful group aiming to revive the Egglethwaite Christmas pantomime. But when that festive feeling sets in, she discovers there's more to panto than innuendo and slapped thighs. Falling in love was not in the script! But as opening night grows closer, she starts to wonder if the panto will ever make it to the stage and, with handsome co-star Marcus on the scene, if she has chosen her right leading man... Readers love The Perfect Fit! 'Amazingly British story that brightened up my day!... My newest, most favourite authors around. Her stories are full of romance and comedy... I feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside' Goodreads 5* Review 'Unleash your inner child and sit back and relax with this joyous book that will make you groan and also smile, laugh, believe in magic and fairy tales' Goodreads 5* Review 'Loved this book .... A great fun book with loads of comic episodes that leaves you with a big smile on your face' Goodreads 5* Review 'Charming and fun read with loads of humor and shenanigans. The characters are likeable, witty and engaging' NetGalley 5* Review 'Had me laughing in the most unladylike way. I literally laughed until my stomach ached. I will never see, eat or think of Madeira cake again and not chuckle... By the end I felt like I was sat in the audience watching the panto's opening night. I wanted to stand up and applaud but I'd have dropped my kindle' Goodreads 5* Review 'Such a heart-warming story with VERY laugh out loud moments in typical Mary Jayne Baker style. If you know someone who needs cheering up, just purchase this book. I guarantee it will be the best tonic ever' Goodreads 5* Review 'A giggle-inducing read... Light-hearted, funny, romantic – and perfect for this time of year! ... I could hardly believe how quickly I got through the pages. So much fun!... Worth every one of its five sparkling stars!' Goodreads 5* Review 'Words cannot describe how much I loved this book... I wholeheartedly recommend this book if you want to be swept away with a tightly knit community of colourful characters and never-ending laughter' Goodreads 5* Review 'This book fits in perfectly in everyone's library!... The best way to spend some funny hours in this summer and end-summer, it's like having a full glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. Be ready to get big laughs!' NetGalley 5* Review 'I literally cracked out laughing throughout the whole of this book... I just couldn't put this book down and was gutted when it ended... I will be recommending this book to everyone, loved it!' Goodreads 5* ReviewTrade ReviewA wonderful book with a great story and a sparky, unusual voice. I loved it! -- Katie FfordeA rollicking romantic read! -- Phillipa Ashley

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Book SynopsisAn emotional read in the Seabreeze Farm series, from best-selling author Jo Bartlett... have your tissues ready!.A summer to remember...Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.This book was previously published as One Last Summer at Channel View FarmPraise for Jo Bartlett:'I love second chance stories. I love returning home stories. So a book combining both is an absolute winner for me. The Cornish Midwife is simply gorgeous. Stunning setting, wonderful characters, and oozing with warmth. A triumph from Jo Bartlett.' Jessica Redland'Perfectly written and set in the beating heart of a community, this story is a wonderful slice of Cornish escapism.' Helen J Rolfe

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Book SynopsisBrand new from the bestselling author of Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life!Jennifer McAndrew thinks she’s living her best life in London – wonderful man, great job, happily child-free. Except the ‘wonderful man’ turns out to have a secret that ruins everything...Shocked and devastated, Jen doesn’t know what to do. So, she packs her bags and runs for the hills – away from her problems, all the way to her childhood home in Scotland and the safety of her dad.But her dad is a changed man. Busy with his girlfriend, golf and G&Ts, he doesn’t have time for Jen’s worries. And she can’t see her sister, Isla, who she fell out with years ago.So, Jen rekindles friendships with her old school pals, Alison and Rory. They’re juggling work and young families, but still find time to take her out and set her up with some terrible dates.The more time she spends with Rory and his daughters, the more Jen thinks there could be something big missing from her life. But could she ever go back to small town life? And can she forgive what happened in the past? Should a good friend become something more?The biggest question for Jen is – will she try to solve her problems, or will she cut and run for the hills again?Another brilliant laugh out loud emotional read, perfect for fans of Fiona Gibson, Tracy Bloom and Sophie Ranald!Praise for Carmen Reid:‘Escapist summer reading at its best.' Jill Mansell

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Book Synopsis A selection of fifteen of Ukraine's most important, dynamic and entertaining contemporary writersUnder USSR rule, the subject matter and style of literary expression in Ukraine was strictly controlled and censored. But once Ukraine gained independence in 1991 its literary scene flourished, as the moving and delightful poems, essays and extracts collected here show. There are fifteen authors included in this book, both established and emerging, and in this anthology we see them grappling with history and the future, with big questions and small moments. From essays about Chernobyl to poetry about Robbie Williams, from fiction discussing Jimmy Hendrix live in Lviv to underground Ukrainian poetry of the Soviet era, WRITING FROM UKRAINE offers a unique window into a rich culture, a chance to experience a particularly Ukrainian sensibility and to celebrate Ukraine's nationhood, as told by its writers.Trade ReviewTimely ... an excellent anthology of the work of Ukrainian writers from the past fifty years ... as this collection eloquently shows, Ukraine's writers have forged their own unique cultural identity ... these writers tell the story of modern Ukraine through entrancing meditations on Ukrainian daily life ... powerful -- PD Smith * Guardian *Some of the liveliest and most moving literature in the world is also some of the least known in English. So blessings on editor and translator Mark Andryczyk and the team of expert and eloquent translators he has assembled for bringing us this abundant new anthology of poetry and fiction from Ukraine of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. It's a great public service to enlarge our acquaintance with this indispensable work, an act of moral generosity. But what the reader will be most grateful for is the sheer pleasure of it. -- Lloyd Schwartz, Poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning criticA rich and dramatic anthology that covers predominantly the post-independence period of Ukrainian literature, bringing together writers from a host of generations and genres. From authors whose work has become synonymous with Ukraine's modern-day cultural revival, such as Yuri Andrukhovych, Victor Neborak, and Yuri Vynnychuk, to an array of new voices representing the emerging literary vanguard, this masterfully translated, lucid, and engaging selection showcases the extraordinary power, vitality, and diversity of writing in contemporary Ukraine. -- Maryna RomanetsWhen it comes to writing, freedom is often assumed to mean the freedom to write on political themes without fear of state reprisal. In the formerly Communist countries of Europe, however, the freedom not to write on political themes can be just as meaningful. These fifteen authors bring us stirring reflections on nature, hilarious morning-after surprises, touching spiritual insights, rich family histories, computers and snowy mountains and gay bars and slag heaps. -- Alex Zucker

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Book SynopsisAll NEW from Kate Frost. Follow your heart and then your dreams…'A perfect escape to Italy, with sunshine, devastating secrets, tears, smiles and a hero you will fall in love with.' - Jennifer Bohnet 'A beautiful novel about life choices and moving on, set on the sundrenched island of Capri. Should be read by a pool with a glass of Prosecco in one hand' - T.A. Williams 'A lovely escapist tale full of heart, friendship and promise' - Annie Robertson Best friends since childhood, Fern Chambers and Stella Shaw have been through everything together and are at a crossroads in their lives. Carefree Stella has a monumental secret and down trodden Fern’s happy life is not all it seems.With their 40th birthdays approaching, a luxury holiday to the island of Capri is a chance for them to reconnect, let their hair down and celebrate in style. But untold truths and frustration bubble beneath the surface, turning what should be a holiday of a lifetime into an opportunity to make life-changing decisions.Far from home, where anything feels possible, secrets are revealed, heartache is shared, love discovered and new friendships forged. Will their Italian dream turn into a nightmare or lead to newfound happiness?

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Book SynopsisFrom A to X is a powerful exploration of how humanity affirms itself in struggle: imagining a community which, besieged by economic and military imperialism, finds transcendent hope in the pain and fragility, vulnerability and sorrow of daily existence.Aida lives in a dusty ramshackle town. Everyday she writes to her lover Xavier, a rebel who has been imprisoned for his beliefs. She tells of daily events in the town, and of its motley collection of inhabitants whose lives flow through hers. But the area is under threat, and as a faceless power inexorably encroaches from outside. through the letters, the smallest details and acts of humanity are transformed into an intimate dance, an act of resistance against the forces that might otherwise extinguish them.What is threatened, and what will survive? In Berger's exquisite prose, the fight for justice and beauty braid into a stunning work of defiant resistance.

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Book Synopsis'A gorgeous setting and wonderful characters, just the loveliest place to cosy up and escape to.' Beth Moran Pia Temple has always had a soft spot for Jackson Moody following a passionate teenage love affair that burnt out over one long summer, more than ten years ago. First loves can be hard to forget, and the devastatingly gorgeous Jackson, is harder to forget than most.After putting aside her ambitions while she cared for her parents, it is finally time for Pia to think about herself. So, when she’s offered the perfect job running the social calendar at Primrose Hall, with a dreamy flat included, how can she refuse? There’s only one problem… The new owner of the refurbished seventeenth-century manor house set in the idyllic Primrose Woods, is none other than Jackson, the man she’s thought about every day for years. In a whirl of weddings and craft fairs, literary festivals and tea parties, Pia blossoms in her new role. But with the delectable Jackson a daily distraction, maybe this isn’t the dream job after all – especially when Jackson’s unfeasibly beautiful ex-girlfriend Tara, comes back to visit the hall… Dreams Come True at Primrose Hall is the perfect feel-good love story to brighten even the darkest day. Just right for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.What readers say about Jill Steeples:‘Jill Steeples skilfully weaves together the contrasting lives of these three likeable women. I soon found myself rooting for each of their journeys and I loved the beautiful setting of Primrose Woods. Romantic, feel-good and heartwarming, I loved it!’‘This book was wonderful and heartwarming and a lovely romance featuring friendships and second chances. I also fell in love with the setting of Primrose Woods. The descriptions had me wanting to go and visit there. Starting Over at Primrose Woods was a wonderful, uplifting book that left me with a warm and happy feeling.’‘After finishing reading this book I felt like I had had a hug from a mug of hot chocolate – I was left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.’'If you are after a heart-warming and uplifting story, with side orders of romance, enchanting backdrops and loveable characters… Then I HIGHLY recommend reading Jill Steeples!'

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Book SynopsisDear Aline, You asked me to write to you and tell you things about life in England, so here I am again… Alasdair Took, resident of Knaresbridge (based on Knaresborough, North Yorkshire), keeps up a regular correspondence with a woman in Vermont he met only once; the escapades of his daily life seem utterly fantastical and too odd to be true, but is that really the oddest part of all of this? Alasdair’s letters certainly raise more questions than can possibly be answered, including (but not limited to): Why is it always Tuesday in Knaresbridge, and why hasn’t anyone noticed? Why does his daily, Mrs Daley, blame everything on the Bossa Nova? Why has her husband Ted been hiding in the woods for three years? (Or has he?) Why does Alasdair collect clock ticks? What about the tocks? Told in the style of a light, slightly surreal epistolary novel, Alasdair Took’s Letters to America boasts a cast of lovably eccentric characters doing silly things that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

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Book SynopsisAlice Peterson's warm, heartfelt novel about the way life can change in an instant -- and change again; now available in stunning new edition.

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Book SynopsisPOWERFUL, COMPELLING, WITH A MIND-BLOWING CONCLUSION! A hilltop village in Southwest France. The view is idyllic, and to an outsider, the lives lived there are too… Suffering from mental illness since a child, retired Russian scientist, Karolis Dante Valentin, spends his days crafting puppets under the watchful eye of Dr Yves Chéron, who ponders upon his own solitary life. Father Gabriel wants no more than to stay in his beloved church, whilst the mayor, Robert Rousseau, seeks harmony in all things. Clémentine Laffitte spies from her château tower, and local farmer, Lavigne, tends his vines, which produce the earthy wine that sustains them all. Together they weave a rich tapestry of life, but things are rarely what they seem… The Interloper gives a vivid portrayal of human frailty, the complexity of friendships and relationships, the interconnectedness of all things, and the delicate balance held by love, fate, and an ever-ticking clock. HAUNTING… ONCE READ, NEVER FORGOTTEN!

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Book SynopsisA historical saga from TOP 50 bestselling author AnneMarie Brear. A gripping, emotional tale of love, betrayal and a daughter's duty...A broken heart, a shameful secretWakefield, Yorkshire 1871Loretta Chambers has spent her life working at her father's boatyard down at the docks. She's tried hard to keep the business afloat, but with the railways taking trade away every day, Lorrie fears for the worst. The arrival of handsome Italian, Matteo Falcone brings a brief glimmer of hope and a yearning inside Lorrie for another life, away from the filthy grime of the dockside. But despite her feelings for Matteo, she could never travel to Italy with him, and leave her father alone. But one reckless, impetuous moment leaves Lorrie with a secret she will struggle to hide. And when tragedy strikes at the boatyard, Lorrie is left feeling more alone than ever before. Always a dutiful daughter, Lorrie now carries a shame that could ruin her life foreverA heartwrenching and emotional tale of courage and lost love, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Rita Bradshaw. Praise for AnneMarie Brear:'AnneMarie Brear writes gritty, compelling sagas that grip from the first page' Bestselling author Fenella J Miller'Mesmerising from beginning to end' Bestselling author Lizzie Lane'I love this author's books. They hold you until the very end' ?????????? Reader Review'I enjoyed it so much I didn't want the story to end' ?????????? Reader Review'Just loved this book, will definitely read more from this brilliant author the characters just came to life bringing out lots of emotions' ?????????? Reader Review

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Book SynopsisFour strangers are caught in journeys they never intended to take. Jo-Jo is swept from the futility of his everlasting life into a ‘slice-of-unused-history,’ the very one that Alice has made her catastrophic escape into. Punch, a hardened renegade, is blown backwards through a hedge into a magical wood. Finally, scooping them all into the 21st century, comes Evie, an androgynous and perplexed refugee from her own existence. Four now become eight and eight find new meaning on the derelict site of No-Name Roundabout. As they resurrect a collapsing transport café, they take a brief break on a parallel planet, chaperoned by a luminous, self-important rabbit. The travelling showman’s van takes its perplexed dinner guests on an uncanny trip through time. There’s also the question of the burned man under the hill to be resolved and how does the siege of Ryazan, in the 13th century, fit into the picture? All the while, our players are haunted by one baleful, inhuman presence. Until it is excised, an ugly knot will remain tangled in the weave of the planet’s cloth. Within a comedy of errors, tempered by mutual love and affection, can metaphysics and morality finally be resolved?

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Book SynopsisA stunning collection of stories that weaves Hawaiian mythology with a vivid fabulism and rich sense of place - for fans of Mariana Enriquez and Carmen Maria Machado

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Book SynopsisSoon Come explores and celebrates the nuances of the Windrush generation as they try to establish a home and family, revealing their struggles both within and beyond the community.

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Book Synopsis'ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE' KATE SAWYER'WILL GET UNDER YOUR SKIN AND LODGE ITSELF IN YOUR HEART' ERIN KELLY'HEARTBREAKING AND LIFE-AFFIRMING' LOUISE HARE'POWERFUL, TIMELY, IMPORTANT' BETH UNDERDOWN'BEAUTIFUL, COMPLEX AND MOVING' PLATINUM MAGAZINE'POWERFUL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING' RED'I URGE EVERYONE TO READ THIS NOVEL' ERICKA WALLER'THESE CHARACTERS WILL WRAP AROUND YOUR HEART' ARAMINTA HALL From the Observer debut novelist of the year, comes a blistering, heart-wrenching new novel of complicity and atonement, delving into one nurse's experience of the little-known history of conversion therapy and the heart-breaking betrayal of the AIDS crisis.March 2020. Annie is alone in her house as the world shuts down, only the ghosts of her memories for company. But then she receives a phone call which plunges her deeper in

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Book SynopsisA thrilling anthology of 30 original stories paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock's legacy of suspense. Featuring renowned authors like Lee Child and Ian Rankin, the collection reimagines Hitchcockian themes of ordinary lives disrupted by peril and psychological intrigue, offering a modern tribute to the master of suspense.

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Book Synopsis'Brimming with hope, heart and intrigue' JESSICA RYN'What a beautiful, compelling book! . . . I loved it' HEMA SUKUMAR'A real hug of a book' HAZEL PRIORYou can choose your home, but you can't choose who lives next door . . .Twenty-five-year-old Kat Bennett has never felt at home anywhere, especially not in crumbling Shelley House. The other residents think she's prickly and unapproachable, but beneath her tough exterior, Kat is plagued by guilt from her past and looking for somewhere to belong. Seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling has lived in Shelley House for longer than anyone else, and if you believe the other tenants, she's as cantankerous and vindictive as they come. Dorothy may spend her days spying on the neighbours, but she has a closely guarded secret herself - and a good reason for barely leaving her home. When their building faces demolition, sworn enemies Kat and

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Book SynopsisA completely addictive psychological thriller from the UK Top 50 bestselling author of The Bride It was meant to be the perfect getawayAs I board the plane, all I can feel is hope and excitement. One whole week away. Just me and the man I have promised to be with forever. Time to repair what has been broken. Maybe even try for another baby, and pray that this time it doesn't end heartbreakingly. I just need to not think about what George has done. He's my husband. And this is the holiday where we make things right. But then I realise he can't take his eyes off the beautiful woman who's just boarded the plane in front of meIn that moment, everything changes. And nobody is safe. A gripping, twisty, breathtaking psychological thriller that will keep you reading late into the night. If you loved The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and The Couple at No.9, you'll be addicted to The Holiday. Praise for John Nicholl:A dark, gritty, and compulsive read' Daily Express'The chill is tangible' Owen Mullen'A frightening book that lures us into the darkness where monsters live. John Nicholl's knowledge of this world from his years of police work makes his characters ring true' Billy HayesAn outstanding piece of work by a truly masterful storyteller' Anita Waller'Dark and disturbing. One to really get your pulse racing. This is a story you won't forget' Ross GreenwoodThe hairs on the back of my neck are still up! Makes your skin quiver I was well and truly hooked The twist had my mouth dropping and rereading twice!' ????? Reader ReviewAbsolutely addictive and gripping. I seriously WOULD NOT even start this book unless you have cleared your schedule because you will not be able to put it down!!! I absolutely blew through it in one sitting and it genuinely was unputdownable!!! A true page turner absolutely rammed with suspense, tension and everything you want when you read a psychological thriller' ????? Reader ReviewI was hooked Will leave you with shivers down your spine and chills in your heart. Some of the twists in this book left my jaw on the floor. And the ending blew me away. Outstanding!' ????? Reader ReviewA real psychological thriller with a dark side. Creepy, chilling with undertones of something darker. At times I had goosebumps on my goosebumps. I found this book impossible to put down and finally turned the last page at 1am. Yes. this book is that good!!! MUST READ!!!!!' ????? Reader ReviewAbsolutely brilliant Immensely readable Gripping Never slows down at all' ????? Reader ReviewA completely unputdownable psychological suspense thriller that reeled me in right from the very start. [The twists] left me speechless. I did gasp out loud at the ending which I thought was brilliant' ????? Reader Review

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Book SynopsisThe brand new laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers romantic comedy from international bestseller Portia MacIntosh!Save the date...!Olivia can’t believe it when her boyfriend, Teddy, proposes out of the blue. She loves him (of course she does!) BUT it does seem sudden, especially when they don’t even live together yet…There is only one place that Olivia has ever wanted to get married - a gorgeous venue on the Cornish coast, built by her grandfather. The problem is they only have one date available - and it's only a few weeks away! Olivia isn't so sure about rushing but Teddy jumps at the chance to be married within the month.Thrown into a whirlwind of wedding planning, alarm bells start to ring for Olivia. Are they doing this for the right reasons? Why is Teddy in such a rush? And when he fails to help with any part of the preparations, Olivia must find help elsewhere, with unexpected results...As the countdown begins, will the wedding go ahead? Or will Olivia find that her future happiness lies elsewhere...?Don't miss bestseller Portia MacIntosh's brand new laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers romantic comedy, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

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Book SynopsisThe fifth instalment in the thrilling Lonely Island series, returning to the mysteries of the island, with its rich folk lore and brave inhabitants.

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Book Synopsis'A loveable heroine and a swoonworthy hero - yes please! The perfect mix of humour, heart and romance.' Sandy Barker Mercy Alexander doesn’t believe in love, let alone love at first sight.There’s one sure fire way of steering clear of heartbreak, and that’s not to get your heart involved in the first place. So what is that irritating flutter she feels every time she sees Brooks Hudson, and why is she finding him so hard to ignore?Brooks Hudson can’t understand where he’s going wrong.Doting single father to six-year-old Ali, supportive co-parent with his ex, much-loved friend and respected colleague, not to mention he’s smoking hot. So why is he constantly being dumped, told in no uncertain terms he’s ‘too nice’? Since when was being nice a crime?Mercy is in serious need of someone to restore her faith in men, and Brooks needs a girl he likes to stick around long enough for him to believe in love again. But when Mercy’s past threatens to remind her of everything she’s scared of, will love be enough to save the day?You won’t be able to put Aimee Brown’s new sexy, swoony, sultry romance down. Perfect for all fans of Sariah Wilson, Lindsey Kelk and Abby Jiminez.What readers say about Aimee Brown:‘Loved, loved, loved this book. After reading The Lucky Dressthis was next in line to see if one of the characters gets a happy ending. Well all I’m going to say is please read it, an amazing book.’‘I really enjoyed this fun, whirlwind romance, which I can really imagine on the big screen. I give this 5 out of 5.’‘I just loved this novel, the characters are authentic, the story is gorgeous and it won't fail to bring a smile to your face.’‘This is a book that any romantic lover will enjoy and the ones that are not fans of romance will not be disappointed, the story has a happy ending, of course, but the characters will have their path till the ending, because sometimes you have to be happy with yourself before starting a new relationship, don’t you think?’

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