Contemporary lifestyle fiction

Book SynopsisFour old friends. Thrown back together after forty years apart. What could possibly go wrong? In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they're in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age. Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn. As the women confront their demons they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other? Praise for The Girls: 'This wonderful book made me laugh, made me cry and most of all made me hope that my own gang of girls will be there for me when I need them the most. I loved it!' – Sarah Bennett 'Book club fiction at its best. A wonderfully uplifting story, funny, fabulous and full of heart – utterly brilliant!' – Faith Hogan Readers love Bella Osborne's books! 'Such a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! A touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' – Jill Mansell 'A touching tale that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face' – Hazel Prior 'A story that was deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting... Definitely recommended – it was one of my best reads this year' – Janet Gover 'Heart-rending and inspiring in equal measures. A wonderful story. I adored it!' – Celia Anderson 'Beautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb!' – Sue Moorcroft 'Absolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel' – Christie Barlow 'The Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about' – Cressida McLaughlin 'I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' – Talli RolandTrade ReviewA fabulously fun and thoughtful exploration of female friendship in which age is just a number to be ignored * The People's Friend *PRAISE FOR BELLA OSBORNE: 'Such a heart-warming and thought provoking novel! The Library is a touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity [...] and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' Jill Mansell. 'I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' Talli Roland. 'Beautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb' Sue Moorcroft. 'Absolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel' Christie Barlow. 'The Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about' -- Cressida McLaughlin

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Book SynopsisA snowstorm. A stranger. A spark. It should be the perfect start to the perfect love story. But real life is far messier and more complicated than in the pages of the books in Megan Taylor's family bookshop – the last few years have left this young widow in no doubt of that. Moving back home to York should have been a fresh start, but all it did was allow her to retreat from the world. When prize-winning author Xander Stone rams his supermarket trolley into her ankles and then trashes her taste in books, Megan is abruptly awoken from her self-imposed hibernation. It's time to start living again, and she's going to start by putting this arrogant, superior – admittedly sexy – stranger in his place. Just as she is beginning to enjoy life again, the worst happens and Megan begins to wonder if she should have stayed hidden away. Because it turns out that falling in love again is about more than just meeting under the mistletoe... Readers LOVE Rachel Burton! 'I loved this book from start to finish and could read it all over again' 5* Review 'A gorgeous read' 5* Review 'A feel-good read perfect for wintry nights' 5* Review 'Delightful. It gripped me from the first page' 5* Review 'Characters you'll connect with, scenes you'll picture perfectly, and cosy vibes you'll be absorbed by' 5* ReviewTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR RACHEL BURTON: 'A truly unputdownable read' Jenny Ashcroft. 'Gorgeous, touching story, wonderful heroine, and I'm totally smitten with the hero' Cressida McLaughlin, bestselling author of The Canal Boat Cafe. 'A gloriously romantic tale of family secrets' Rachael Lucas. 'This wonderfully warm debut is full of heart – I defy you not to devour it in a day!' -- Ali Harris

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Book SynopsisMill Grange is putting on a show this holiday season! When young Dylan Harris's former babysitter (and soon to be step-sister), Harriet, needs a last-minute venue for her acting troupe's outdoor production of Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, the staff at Mill Grange throw open its doors, keen to fill their halls with guests over the holiday season... but they may get more drama than they'd bargained for! With pageants and plays to arrange, a much-anticipated book launch, an unexpected arrival, a heart-warming offer, and a little bit of the manor's magic, this Christmas is one that Thea, Tina, Sam, Shaun, Helen and Tom – along with retirees Bert and Mabel Hastings – won't soon forget... Readers love Jenny Kane! 'Absolutely loved this story... Compulsive. I highly recommended this start to a new series from Jenny Kane... Flawless' Carol McGrath, 5* Review 'I loved this charming story and found it hard to put down. It was full of brilliant characters and really interesting plot lines and kept my attention throughout' Goodreads 5* Review 'Like coming home to old friends' NetGalley 5* Review 'My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me... Couldn't stop reading... A very well deserved 5* out of 5*' Ginger Book Geek, 5* Review 'Heart-warming, emotional and wonderfully uplifting, it's impossible not to fall under Jenny Kane's spell with her cosy and addictive new novel' Goodreads 5* Review

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Book SynopsisWrap yourself in the taste of Christmas with this fantastic festive romance! Christa Playfoot is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. Having lost her Michelin-starred restaurant, she hadn't expected to be job hunting and single just before Christmas. When her best friend says she's recommended Christa for a gig as a private chef over the Christmas period, Christa can't think of a reason to say no. Christa has no idea what to expect but it's certainly not grumpy billionaire divorcee Marc Ferrier and his rambunctious twin sons, or the beautiful but cheerless country estate, Pudding Hall, that they inhabit. With her knack for pouring love into her cooking, Christa is determined to make this Christmas sparkle for the Ferrier family and maybe get her life back on track in the process...

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Book SynopsisHold My Girl picked as 'The best Canadian fiction of 2023' by CBC Books'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain '[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023'This tense and emotional novel follows the fallout after two women's eggs are switched during IVF. ___________TWO WOMEN. ONE BABY. A FIGHT LIKE NO OTHER.Katherine has everything under control. After years of struggling to conceive with her partner, Patrick, she finally gives birth to Rose, her IVF miracle child. But she's afraid that Rose may not be her daughter, her pale skin not matching Katherine's own.Tess never got her happy ending. Just like Katherine, she was also a hopeful IVF mother, but her daughter, Hanna, was stillborn. Now divorced, broke and stuck in a dead-end job, she's beginning to lose all hope.But when Rose is ten months old, both women get a call from the fertility clinic. There was a mistake: their eggs were switched.It will take a custody battle like no other to decide who will get to be Rose's mother - a battle that will push them both to the brink...This is a story about what it means to be a mother, and the lengths we go to for the people we love. ___________'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023''Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page-turner' Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss, and motherhood' Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy.Trade Review'Raw and affecting ... This book really pulls at the heart-strings' * CultureFly *'Carr gracefully explores the moral dilemma and custody battle ... Fans of The Herd will love it!' * Grazia *'Complex, tender and compelling' * Platinum 'Book of the Month' 5 stars *'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' * Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023' *'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' -- Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' -- Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' -- Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page turner' -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss and motherhood' -- Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' -- Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' -- Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'Beautiful and unflinching' -- Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures'Intensely propulsive ... I was spellbound' -- Heather Marshall, #1 bestselling author of Looking For Jane'An absolute triumph' -- Julianne Maclean, USA Today bestselling author'Tense and captivating ... Will set your heart racing' -- Ronali Collings, author of Love and Other Dramas'A breathtaking, gut-wrencher' -- Kerry Lonsdale, Washington Post and Kindle bestselling author'Holds nothing back' -- Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye'So many twists and turns' -- Christy Ann Conlin, author of The Speed of Mercy'I couldn't have loved it more' -- Joanne Gallant, author of A Womb in the Shape of a Heart'Unforgettable ... A storyteller at the top of her game' -- Barbara Joseelsohn, bestselling author of The Lilac House and The Cranberry Inn'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' -- Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy

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Book SynopsisTinder, Hinge, Bumble – thirtysomething journalist Saffie has tried them all. Now she's wondering whether it's time to throw in the towel and give up on love for good – and she's not alone... Saffie's boss Tamara has been single since her divorce four years ago, but at forty-five, running her own magazine and with three kids at home, she doesn't feel she has the time, energy or confidence to go through the dating mill again. Meanwhile, Saffie's best friend Milo has just been dumped – again. A hopeless romantic with terrible taste in men, this is his fourth break-up in six months. There must be a secret to finding Mr Right, surely – but what? Step forward The 24-hour Dating Agency, a matchmaking service with a difference. Instead of wasting months on casual dates, they promise to send you on an intense twenty-four-hour date with your perfect match – like speed-dating but in reverse. And even better, the agency offers a soulmate guarantee: meet The One or your money back. Figuring they have nothing to lose, the three friends sign up. But when their matches turn out to be not what they were expecting, it seems like even the soulmate guarantee can't find them what they're looking for. Or can it? Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Kristen Bailey and Beth O'Leary. Readers love The 24 Hour Dating Agency! 'RUN to go read this book!!!! It was so stinkin cute, I loved every minute of reading it!!!!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Lovely, light, funny story with a very feel good ending and just a touch of magic making it a perfect summer read. I loved it' Goodreads Reviewer, 5* Review 'Couldn't put it down... Read the whole book in 2 days... Definitely worth a read and so well written' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Loved this one! Enjoyable from start to finish... Compelling and addictive characters and I found it such an easy read' NetGalley Reviewe, 5* Review 'Loved this book! The characters, the pacing, the storyline... All of it. A perfect beach read and I highly recommend it' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Light and fun with quirky characters and a cute premise... I highly recommend the adventures of this trio of underdogs' Goodreads Reviewer, 5* Review 'Fantastic book. I love the humour in Mary's books and her quirky, fun characters... A brilliant summer read for sure' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Wonderful, heart-warming story that made me smile' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Perfect summer beach read!!!! Add to your summer reading list, you won't be disappointed' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Another absolute winner from Baker... A lovely book... I enjoyed it very much!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review

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Book SynopsisA new fun and fresh rom-com set in Sicily by Canadian-Italian author Nancy Barone. In an attempt to resuscitate her twenty-five-year-old marriage, aerophobic Gillian Dobson knocks down a few tranquilisers and takes a dreaded flight to the Sicilian Island of Lipari to surprise her husband, away on a business trip. But her troubles are just about to begin... For fans of Jennifer Weiner, Kristen Bailey and Sophie Kinsella. Readers love Nancy Barone: 'I loved it!... It kept me flipping pages well past my bedtime!!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Finished this within 1 day, I devoured it!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Lovely lovely story and such a twist I really did not see coming.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Read the first page and you will be hooked.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Loved this fun, uplifting feel-good book. It really made me smile and at the moment is something that we all desperately need.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Really gorgeous, wonderfully feel-good, completely uplifting and wonderfully romantic. I absolutely loved it. Don't miss it.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Finished this in one sitting. A great uplifting read.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars 'Will tug at your heart so be prepared.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

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Book SynopsisErica Cantelli has found her Mr. Right. Hasn't she...? After a long overdue divorce, Erica has finally made it to Italy with her two children and, amazingly, her dreamy now-fiancé Julian Foxham. The plan was to start fresh and for Erica to run a country B&B, but two years in and her business is failing miserably, while Julian's career as a novelist is soaring and taking him all over the world with his gorgeous agent. Despite having set a wedding date, with every day that goes by, their dreams are heading in opposite directions. And when her sexy Italian chef Alberto offers her a shoulder to cry on – as the saying goes, When in Rome... Now Erica needs to decide what she wants her future to look like. Will their wedding cake hold together or are she and Julian skating on thin icing? Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Kirsten Bailey and Lindsey Kelk. Praise for Nancy Barone: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this utterly lovely story. Touching, heartwarming and a joy to read' Holly Martin, on New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse 'A big hearted, warm novel full of fun and surprises' Amazon review Readers love My Big Fat Italian Break-Up! 'Humor, love, and happy ever afters all rolled into one big fat italian romance! I so enjoyed this book by Nancy Barone!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Whirlwind of a story... Will have you laughing and crying... Funny and uplifting... I enjoyed it so much.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Lovely read... You can never go wrong with a book written by Nancy... Well worth 5 stars.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Wonderful romantic comedy set in the gorgeous region of Tuscany, Italy... Full of smiles and giggles... A must read for fans of rom-coms.' CYI Reads Books, 5* Review 'Absolutely adored this book!! Such a cute & fun summer read and the pacing made it easy to finish in a day.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Perfect beach read. This was a one-sitting read and kept me on the hook the whole time.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Perfect fresh start love story!' NetGalley Reviewer, 5* Review 'Cute and funny! It hooked me from the beginning and kept my attention the entire time. I laughed out loud at so many points and just loved it so much!' NetGalley Reviewer, 4* Review 'Absolutely loved this book! Kept me hooked the entire time.' NetGalley Reviewer, 4* Review 'Loved all the family dynamics (and dramas!)... This book has all the feels.' NetGalley Reviewer, 4* Review

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Book SynopsisWhich misunderstood creature still lives in Leith, hidden away in their home?Who is the sleeping lady, resting under Roslin Castle after all this time?What man could sell his own sister's dead body?Where does the headless coachman steer his carriage on a stormy night?Did an ogre really stalk the Pentland Hills?What is the Portal Tree?These are just some of the secrets waiting to be discovered within this collection of sixteen folk tales. Stretching from the mysterious Moorfoot Hills all the way to the magical coast of Portobello, each story unearths a new place to visit and explore. Some tales are magical, some are historical, some uncover the mysteries of mythical creatures, some are about animals and some will help you find the magic hidden in everyday life.

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Book SynopsisCyfarwydd yw'r hen enw am storïwr, un sy'n adrodd storïau.Yn y llyfr hwn cewch gipolwg ar ei stôr o storïau gwych.Dewch i gwrdd â môr-forynion swnllyd Bae Ceredigion, gwledydd cudd dan y môr, hen goeden lle mae drws i'r byd arall, a'r llyffant doeth holl-wybodus sy'n byw yng Nghors Fochno.Neu beth am y ferch glyfar drodd yn alarch, gyr o wartheg swyn sy'n byw dan Lyn Barfog, a'r eliffant a fu farw efallai yn Nhregaron?

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Book SynopsisFolk tales from the Jewish community of Britain

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Book Synopsis‘I love Leonie's books - so romantic!' Sandy BarkerWhen Luna Rowntree gets an unexpected and life-changing legacy from a man she’s never met, she’s determined to find out why – even if it is Christmas Day and her family are expecting her.So, with only her mother’s ashes for company – it’s a long story, but Luna knows her mother would have wanted to come on the adventure too – Luna sets off in her trusty Astra to the skiing resort in Chamonix, where her mysterious benefactor had lived.But her little car isn’t designed for driving through snow-covered mountains, and when she runs out of fuel heart-breakingly close to Chamonix, Luna is relieved to be saved by her very own knight-in-shining armour. Well, knight in mountain rescue uniform anyway.Yannick is charmed if baffled by Luna’s mission, and before he knows it, he has agreed to help. But Yannick has his own secrets calling him from the mountains, and his own reasons to run away. As he helps Luna understand her past he realises he has to face his as well if he’s ever going to risk opening his heart to love.Curl up with Leonie Mack’s new winter romance. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Sarah Morgan.‘I love her beautiful settings and brooding heroes!' Sarah BennettWhat readers are saying about Leonie Mack:‘A massive hug of a book. If you’re a fan of writers such as Mandy Baggot, Portia Macintosh, Heidi Swain then you will love Leonie Mack!’‘I was so excited to read this beautiful story and Leonie didn’t let me down at all, I hooked from the very beginning, I adore Leonie’s writing so much and her characters are just so relatable, I just connect with them so easily, it’s like making new friends or catching up with old ones.’‘The author has such a fabulous ability to create characters who are so real, one can actually almost touch them. In addition, she can evoke the landscape and culture of whichever area she sets her characters to work. I really want to go and visit the places she describes in all her books - they become so very real and vivid.’‘I’ve enjoyed every book the author has written – but this one really was particularly special. If you enjoy the same books that I do, it’s a romance to remember that I’d highly recommend you add to your summer reading list, and promise you won’t be disappointed.’

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Book SynopsisChinese Folklore is drawn from over three thousand years of storytelling, with early legends of the gods and heroes, weird mysteries of sorcery and elemental forces, tales of the land and the animals within, and delightful sketches of love. Fantasy and philosophy often play important roles as the young and the old, the wise and the ignorant, the obtuse and the curious, explore the world around them, and the best way to live. A new introduction highlights the delights within, including ''The King of the Ants'', ''The Ghost Who Was Foiled'', ''A Night on the Battlefield'', ''The Lady of the Moon'' and ''The Flower Elves''.Xiulu Wang and Chuanji Hu (Introduction), both from Sun Yat-sen University in China, bring their rich expertise to this collaborative project. Professor Wang, an expert in translation and comparative cultural studies, offers insights into modern interpretations and translations of Chinese folktales. Professor Hu, a distinguished literary criti

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Book SynopsisDig out your hard hat and gaze up at the snowflake-speckled sky in this uplifting story of friendship and second chances, perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Christie Barlow.Portia Fortescue has traded in the hustle and bustle of London to help renovate a magnificent French manor house on the beautiful island of Jersey with her boyfriend Charlie.But what they hoped would be a blissful escape to the chateau, turns out to be more of a DIY SOS. As the winter snow sets in, the stress of restoring the derelict building begins to take its toll on their relationship. Portia has known heartbreak before, but thought she’d found her happy-ever-after with Charlie…Then, just as all seems lost, Portia and Charlie discover the warmth of the community – the best friends anyone could ever ask for. This new life could be everything they want it to be... if only they can finish the chateau in time for its grand reopening!Readers love Georgina Troy's books:'A gorgeous beachside setting, divine ice-cream sundaes, and a scorching summer love story - this book has it all!' Christina Jones'I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this charming, evocative story. It's a perfect book to enjoy by the pool, in the sunshine, with a glass of Prosecco!' Kirsty Greenwood'A wonderfully warm and sweet summer read' Karen Clarke

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Book SynopsisWelcome back to Railway Lane. A feel-good story of new beginnings set in an idyllic English country village. When high flying, workaholic Katy Smith is suddenly made redundant, she needs to find a job fast! After mistakenly answering an advert online, she quickly realises that the rundown railway station in sleepy Cranfield isn’t the 5-star London hotels she’s used to working in! But a job’s a job. Right? Chef Ryan Connelly is having a crisis of confidence after his Italian dream turns sour. Returning home to try to pick up the pieces of his parents broken marriage, he soon discovers that his family home, the railway station, is close to financial ruin Can Katy use all of her skills and find a way to save the railway station? And can Ryan rediscover his passion of cooking once more? As winter in Cranfield begins to sprinkle its magic, perhaps Katy and Ryan can find their very own new beginning on Railway Lane.

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Book SynopsisSwoony, touching, and so entertaining, Aimee Brown hit this one out of the park.' Jacquelyn MiddletonJade Monroe has finally found the man of her dreams. Or has she? Despite them being newly engaged, her fiancé Conner has suddenly gone radio silent. And even though her family are all giving her the same advice, (he's just not that into you) she’s not convinced.River Matthews has always been his authentic self, without apologies. Honest to a fault, light-hearted and a little lonely. Currently he's the last single standing in his group of friends and he's starting to feel his clock ticking. He’s got close to happily-ever-after before, but now it’s once-bitten-twice-shy, and the only way he’s going to find love is if he takes a chance.The wisdom goes that if you just stop looking, your perfect partner will appear, but who will be there when Jade and River stop searching for ‘the one’?Sexy, sassy and downright irresistible, the brand-new friends-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of Sariah Wilson, Lindsey Kelk and Abby Jiminez.What readers are saying about Aimee Brown:‘Oh, how I loved this book! Aimee Brown has a supreme talent for writing beautifully flawed, authentically funny characters. This opposites-attract story stole my heart and since closing the book I haven't stopped thinking about the characters. A true gem, and my favorite read of the year.’‘Stories like this are why I love reading romance. This would translate well to film. Do you hear me Netflix gods?’‘This book has everything. It’s sexy, heartfelt, and packed with sarcasm – a modern twist on the classic boy next-door romantic comedy that will have you giggling from page to page.’‘You will laugh, cry, and cheer them both on while reading her newest romance. She is a true talent and I love her books!’

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She had everything she ever wanted – apart from love.As the wife of a wealthy but cruel businessman, Mona has all her heart desires: money, friends, social status… everything aside from freedom.Reconnecting with old friend, Meera, introduces her to a world of glamour, parties and covert affairs. And when she meets Ali, a young man whose beautiful exterior hides the pain of his humble roots and family tragedy, Mona feels alive for the very first time.Heady with love, Mona and Ali begin a delicate game of deceit that spirals out of control. But in a world where danger lurks on every corner, their forbidden love may not only destroy Mona’s marriage, but have tragic and long-lasting consequences.A captivating tale of love and loss, set against a backdrop of contemporary Pakistan that fans of Christy Lefteri and Lucinda Riley will love.Praise for Awais Khan:‘So powerful’ Heat magazine‘Deeply emotional’ Eastern Eye‘Beautifully rendered, moving and insightful' Neema Shah‘A stunningly written, immensely important book’ A. A. Chaudhuri‘Made me stop and think on so many occasions… A thought provoking and challenging read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Thought provoking, compelling and exquisitely beautiful, I’m not ashamed to say I cried more than once. Don’t miss it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I was captivated by the characters… The ending is both unexpected and satisfying.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Unutterably moving throughout… I was incredibly impressed with this book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A perfect balance of passion, humanity and scandal, I loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An absolute page turner! Beautifully written…What a story! I didn’t want the tale to end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis‘A charming, funny story… Ideal sunshine reading.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader ReviewIt’s the right time for love, but is it the right place?After the tragic, premature death of her husband Anthony, Martha has spent all her time focused on her teenage daughter Rosie in their small Welsh village.But with Rosie leaving the nest, and Martha’s own job on the line, it feels that life is passing her by.Inspired by her love for Scandi-noir dramas, Martha impulsively books a trip to Denmark, determined to push herself out of her comfort zone – even if the thought terrifies her…Her trip to the tiny island of Fano becomes something much more: in the form of handsome stranger, Lars. Can Martha find love under the Scandinavian skies… but more importantly, can she find herself?A romantic, warm and uplifting read, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Fans of Jenny Colgan and Kathryn Freeman will adore this feelgood read!Readers are loving A Scandinavian Summer:‘I loved every page and still think about the characters… lots of laugh-out-loud moments to be enjoyed’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A beautiful story…well worth 5 stars and I recommend this great summer read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘What a beautiful story…An absolute gem, I couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘Whilst I’m feeling a bit lost now I’ve finished it, I’m left with a lovely warm feeling... I can’t recommend it highly enough’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘Quirky, delightful and will whisk you away to a beautiful island in Denmark. The only problem is you'll never want to leave!’ Reader Review‘A lovely story of a cautious woman learning to embrace life once again…An enjoyable, heartwarming read.’ Reader Review‘This was a delightful read… Martha’s story was heart-warming’ Reader ReviewPraise for Helga Jensen:‘I simply couldn’t put this down. I laughed out loud several times before I’d even finished the first chapter.’ Jules Wake, author of The Spark and The Saturday Morning Park Run‘A joyous tale of rediscovering your dreams, love and sense of self. Sheer fun and absolute UpLit!’ Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World‘I love this book so much! All I wanted was for it not to end! It’s right there on my top romcoms list now.’ Natalie Normann, author of Summer Island

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Book Synopsis‘I'm still very much in shock...I don't even know how to put into words how truly amazing this book was.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewShe has your back.And may stab you in it.Wealthy, pampered Susan is living the perfect life in leafy Kingston. She’ll never let anyone see the darkness she’s concealing behind the diamonds and rosé.Grace is new to the group, seemingly the perfect wife and mum. Yet no one knows the truth of what’s happening behind closed doors.Loner Natalie hides the pain of her childhood behind a carefully ordered life. But how long can the past stay hidden?Three unlikely friends, brought together for a weekly class run by beautiful, friendly, instructor, Jade.But when Jade goes missing in mysterious circumstances, the group starts to unravel. And as their darkest secrets come to light, it seems that no one can be trusted. Even their closest friends…A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that builds twist after twist, culminating in an unforgettable ending. This shocking, tense and gripping read will delight fans of T.M. Logan, B.A. Paris and Big Little Lies.‘An intriguing and intricately plotted crime story, with so many twists and turns. I defy you to work out the ending.’ Howard Linskey‘Revelations and twists abound, and the characters evoke, by turns, empathy and disgust… with friends like these, who needs enemies?’ Vaseem KhanReaders are loving The Loyal Friend:‘This is now one of my best reads of 2022 so far– I was hooked from the beginning!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Every time I thought I had everything worked out, the plot took another twist, and the ending blew me away.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘One of the best psychological thrillers ever written.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I sailed through this suspense-packed thriller...And the ending? Wow!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘WOW. The plot twists were amazing and the ending was superb.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Secrets, secrets, and more secrets! My mouth hung open at several reveals' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This is an absolute blockbuster thriller! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Definitely a book to keep you up reading late, so many twists and turns.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A novel full of twists, pace, and betrayal, The Loyal Friend asks just how well can you leave your past behind before it catches up with you.' L.V. Matthews, author of The Twins'A dark, twisty tale of toxic friendship where no one can be trusted – a great read.' Catherine Cooper, author of The Chateau'Gripping, bold and incisive...will stay with you long after you've turned the final page' Awais Khan, author of No Honour'An absolutely thrilling ride...and the twist! I thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong…' Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods'Suburban jealousies, rivalries and dysfunctional relationships keeping you turning the pages long into the night... the perfect summer read.' Derek Farrell, author of The Danny Bird Mysteries'A tense, riveting read, packed to the rafters with twists and turns that kept me guessing to the final page!' Jane Isaac, author of One Fatal Secret

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Book Synopsis'An absolutely brilliant read with well crafted characters, a fabulous plot and the most wonderful happily every after!' Katie GingerA purrfect cure for lonely humans awaitsFive strangers meet at a cat sanctuary after each facing difficulties in their lives – leading them to the calming nature of the feline refuge.Sasha is struggling with the heartbreak of her past and is trying to forge a new life out of a difficult childhood.Paul has worked hard to break free from a controlling relationship and is ready to find real love.Luke is searching for his biological parents, desperate to discover the answers about his life he so fiercely needs.Anna finds solace from her troubled mind in animal therapy, and lastly, Mim, the social butterfly who no one expects is hiding a secret pain.Brought together by their love for cats, these very different people might just find friendship is in the last place any of them expected…Fans of Lindsey Kelk, Mike Gayle and Clare Pooley will love this uplifting story of how our feline friends can bring us together and banish loneliness.Readers are falling in love with The Cosy Cat Society:‘An adorable, cozy read full of kitties and a lovely happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I absolutely adored the characters in this book. The story line was absolutely amazing as well. I just loved this book all the way around!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was a delightful book - it warmed my heart, and I kept smiling as I was reading…This is definitely the type of book that I would choose on a day when I need cheering up.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘As a cat owner and a cat lover this book was right up my street…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A feel-good “tail”…I enjoyed the story of these human and feline characters…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Fiction that captures all facets of life as so many of us live it. The sheer amount of topics that this book touches on all wrapped up in a theme of animal therapy is amazing.' Reader ReviewReaders love Charlie Lyndhurst’s gorgeously uplifting fiction:‘I’m in awe of how Charlie Lyndhurst manages to tease out the extraordinary from ordinary lives and make me like every single character.’ Sue Moorcroft, author of Summer at the French Café‘An often witty, thoroughly charming and touching page-turner that was an absolute delight from start to finish.’ Virginia Heath, author of Never Fall for Your Fiancée‘This was a truly beautiful book to read…full of emotion, hope and joy.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Touched my heart in the best possible way…I honestly cannot recommend The Lonely Hearts Lido Club enough. I AM SO IN LOVE.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Well written with layered and likable characters. So glad I found this gem. My favorite read of the year, I am recommending to everyone I know.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The writing is beautiful, the characters rich, and the storyline keeps you wanting to turn the pages long into the night.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting novel…It is a fun, heartwarming novel and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisShe lives in their dreams. They die in hers.Nothing good can grow in the forgotten town of Bedford. After the closure of the paper mill, the town has become a wasteland. A decade of layoffs has caused a collective bitterness, leading many inhabitants to alcoholism, crime and abuse. The worst symptom, however, is the nightmare they all share every single night.Susan Marley haunts their dreams. The object of derision, lust and fear, she wanders the town barefoot, never saying a word. But when she dies, betrayed by life one final time, Bedford begins to suffer horrors far more terrifying than any vision.What dark secrets has Susan Marley been keeping?And why has she come back?For fans of A. M. Shine and Rebecca Netley, The Keeper is a chilling small-town horror from Bram Stoker Award winner Sarah Langan.'Inhabits the mind like a dark, lingering smoke' Jack Ketchum, author of Offspring'Sarah Langan combines a genuinely poetic sensibility with a taste for horror's most bravura excesses' Peter Straub, author of Ghost Story

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate escapist rom com for book and beach lovers! Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Josie Silver. When romance-fanatic Candice meets writer Alexis, she thinks her happy ending is finally on its way. He walks into her struggling Cornish surf school, and they hit it off straight away. Until she discovers that Alexis has been using their courtship as inspiration for the romantic novel he's struggling to write. When Alexis offers to bring her in on the deal if Candice helps him deliver a winning book to his publisher, she accepts, and along with Alexis' agent Daniel, they embark on a very unusual summer of love, as Candice tries to teach the men the recipe for a successful romance. But you can't have a great love story without a great romantic hero. Will Candice find hers before the summer is over?

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP 10 BESTSELLERSometimes when you can’t see the way forwards, the best thing to do is to look back...When Jessie left home at eighteen, she swore she’d never go back. But when life takes a turn for the complicated, she’s forced to move in with her twin, Isaac, and his two best friends. To her dismay, one of these is Elliot, the boy Jessie once loved, until his life was changed forever by a terrible accident that Jessie still blames herself for.Cohabiting with three alarmingly unhouse-trained males was not in Jessie’s life plan so when Isaac, Elliot and Arthur offer her a generous rent discount if she’ll help them with their ‘Boys to Men Project’, designed to end years of disastrous dating, she reluctantly accepts the challenge.As Jessie embraces the comfort of being home, revelling in her new job at her parents’ day centre full of people determined to grow old disgracefully, she realises her housemates aren’t the only ones needing to make some changes. And maybe, if she can finally forgive herself for Elliot’s accident, she can start to look forward to a future, with or without him by her side.Reading Beth Moran’s fabulous novels makes every day better. Heart-warming, soul-nourishing, with smart characters and irresistible romances, it’s impossible not to fall in love with a Beth Moran story. Perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Julie Houston, and Jenny Colgan.Praise for Beth Moran:'Beth Moran's heartwarming books never fail to leave me feeling uplifted' Jessica Redland'Let it Snow is so uplifting. It's cleverly written, witty and smart. A winner!' USA Today Bestseller, Judy Leigh‘Life-affirming, joyful and tender.’ Zoe Folbigg * 'Every day is a perfect day to read this.’ Shari LowWhat readers say about Beth Moran:‘I love it when a Beth Moran book is released, the sure knowledge that you’ve got a guaranteed book to whisk you away and warm your heart is worth its weight in gold! Never having to wonder if it’ll be as good as previous books, they’re all brilliant.’‘Another book by Beth Moran I couldn't put down! Can't wait to start the next one, lovely easy reading and feel-good storyline.’‘I read this in two days. I loved the characters so much. My ideal read - I am so pleased the author has written others!’‘A lovely heart-warming story I could not put it down and will be reading more.’

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Book SynopsisTWO PEOPLE. ONE SUMMER. A LOVE STORY THEY DIDN'T SEE COMING...Readers LOVE Summer Reading!'Wow! What a book!''I could not put it down!''Would definitely recommend to others!''What a lovely book - perfect summer reading''A sweet, light-hearted read that would be perfect for a relaxing beach holiday''Perfection - I can't say enough good things!'______________________Sam set out to spend the summer resurrecting her career as a chef but instead, has to chaperone her half-brother to a robotics competition at the local library.And naturally, because the universe hates her, the library's interim director, Ben, turns out to be the Hot Reader Guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry to the island.Sam doesn't do reading. Ben doesn't do romantic relationships.But when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she's always dreamed about, they discover there might be more than just a creative spark between them.Will this summer be a recipe for disaster... Or love?______________________Praise for Jenn McKinlay'This flawless romcom is sure to delight' Publishers Weekly'A whisk-you-away romcom ... It's the perfect summer vacation' Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script'A playful breezy read that I couldn't put down!' Abby Jimenez, USA Today bestselling author'I devoured this clever novel in one sitting!' Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author'A thoroughly satisfying read that tugged at my heart and made me happy-sigh when I reached the end!' Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man

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Book Synopsis'Electrifyingly good...sharply comic and perfectly poignant' Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable-------------------Everyone is moving on... and then, there's HannaBy thirty, Hanna expected to have it all (or at least some of it)· A fulfilling and successful career· A healthy, long-term relationship, maybe even an engagement ring· A house (or at least a flat) of her ownBut in reality, she's back at square one...· Single after breaking up with someone she's not sure ever loved her· Flooded with wedding invitations and pregnancy scan pictures from friends· Unable to afford to live on her own and forced to move in with her father who is also single and datingEveryone moves at different paces, but Hanna's life is in reverse. With the pressure to keep up and her dad's insufferable musings on Tinder, will she be able to figure out what she really wants?Trade ReviewElectrifyingly good...sharply comic and perfectly poignant * Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable *Keenly observed and hecking funny, this is a book for our times * Red *A fresh, funny novel filled with truths about relationships and perfect details. I tore though it * Amy Liptrot *The #HOTMESS manifesto... a relatable story about a slow-mo car crash of early 30s. * Evening Standard *Witty and heart-warming, we couldn't put this book down * Closer *

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Book SynopsisFeaturing the full Flame Tree treatment, with new stories from open submissions alongside the classic stories and fascinating background, this gorgeous new book reveals the man behind the myth of Achilles, the great warrior of the Trojan War in Ancient times, whose exploits and famously weak heel have been subjected to the norms of epic literature.

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Book SynopsisA witch, a healer, Morgana le Fay has deep roots in Celtic mythology and offers a fascinating canvas for the many writers in this new book. Created through open submissions and supported by an extensive introduction examining the origins of Morgana le Fay, is a wonderful new book in the best tradition of Flame Tree's collectable hardcover editions.

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Book SynopsisThis collection features an abundance of tales from around the world, offering explanations for where the universe, the world, and humans came from ('Chaos and Nyx'), reasons for natural phenomena and the characteristics of animals and plants, and stories of endings ranging from destruction ('Ragnarok') to the journey the spirit makes after death.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTis the season.... for a Christmas cynic to have his frozen heart melted by festive magic. When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he's found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country... Blythe is just one sale away from being Real Estate Agent of the Month, so she twists the truth to sell a home to city boy Sam, who is looking for the perfect house in the perfect location. Little does he know he's just bought a cottage in the middle of the most Christmassy village in the country. And if there's one thing Sam loathes, it's Christmas. Sam's arrival puts Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things. But as the festive season looms, maybe there's more than just Christmas in Holly Cross for Sam to fall in love with...Trade ReviewOne of Bella Osborne’s many talents is the way that she creates such a wonderful sense of community in her writing…Add in a sprinkle of romance and you have a perfect escapist Christmas read. We loved it! Highly Recommended! -- My Creative NotebookPraise for Bella Osborne: 'Such a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! The Library is a touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity... and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' -- Jill Mansell

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Book Synopsis'The Night We Met will warm and break your heart in equal measure, and make you laugh out loud and sob quietly. A lovely gem' Heat 'Beautifully written, utterly heartbreaking. An epic love story' Paige Toon, author of The Minute I Saw You 'I know this gorgeous love story will stay with me for a long time. Amazing' Lorraine Brown, author of Uncoupling As a man holds his wife's fragile hand, he recounts a journey like no other... Daniel and Olivia are destined to be together. At least, Daniel thinks this the night he sees Olivia across a sea of people. As he backpacks through Australia, Daniel and Liv continue to cross paths, yet never speak. Until one night, Liv joins Daniel for a drink. And that night everything changes. Back in London, stuck in a monotonous routine, Daniel finds himself daydreaming of the woman with amber eyes and fiery hair. Armed with only a name he vows to find her, yet with every passing moment, Daniel's hopes begin to disappear. What if it wasn't meant to be? But then fate steps in, and Daniel and Olivia's story can truly begin... This is a tale of serendipity, missed chances and the power of love. Readers LOVE The Night We Met! 'A beautifully wrought novel, exhilarating and devastating in equal measure, and filled with passion, warmth and humour' 'A testament to love' 'A wonderful, well-written story!' 'A book about looking back on life, about love and our reactions to it' 'Zoë Folbigg writes a story like no other. This romantic story leaves you wanting more and looking for your own Daniel' 'A really beautifully written book which explores the love story between two people spanning years' 'I loved the characters, the setting and the amazing journey the book took me on' Praise for Zoë Folbigg's The Note: 'A laugh-out-loud, tears-in-your-coffee story' OK! magazine 'A life-affirming, uplifting reminder that taking a chance can change everything' Woman's Weekly 'Maya and James are appealing characters and I love the idea that all you really need is the courage to pursue someone' Daily Mail 'Light and romantic... Classic beach reading' CosmoTrade ReviewBeautifully written, utterly heartbreaking. An epic love story -- Paige ToonI know this gorgeous love story will stay with me for a long time. Amazing -- Lorraine Brown, author of UncouplingNo one does an elevated romance-that's-rooted-in-reality like Folbigg (despite many imitators) * Stylist *[A] sweeping love story... It will warm and break your heart in equal measure, and make you laugh out loud and sob quietly. A lovely gem' * Heat *Tissues at the ready for this proper tear-jerker * Sun *A beautiful read * Bella *This emotional love story jumps from present to past as it charts the serendipity of crossed paths and finding a soulmate * Woman's Weekly *

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Book Synopsis'Sultry fun in the sun!' Heidi Swain. 'Clever, romantic and unputdownable' Julie Houston. 'Leave a piece of your heart in Greece with this beautifully told story' Sandy Barker. Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life. Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart. Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal demons. Late arriving in Athens, Becky and Elias have to spend a night in the Greek capital. When they have to emergency land in Kefalonia, Becky's got to decide whether to suck up the adventure and this gorgeous companion she seems to have been thrown together with or panic about when she's going to arrive at Corfu... Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa... Trade ReviewFor armchair travellers everywhere, this romantic read transports you straight to the evergreen island of Corfu * Woman's Weekly *[A] laugh-out-loud romantic comedy * Chat *PRAISE FOR MANDY BAGGOT: 'Sunshine in story form' Milly Johnson. 'A fabulous summer sizzler from the Queen of hot heroes!' Heidi Swain. 'A sizzling hot summer read from the Queen of Greek romance' Zara Stoneley. 'Another heart-grabbing romance from Mandy Baggot and it's her best one yet!' Lucy Coleman, bestselling author of Summer on the Italian Lakes. 'I loved it! Funny, sexy and warmer than the Corfu sun – every beach bag deserves to have Mandy Baggot in it this summer!' -- Shari Low, bestselling author of With or Without You

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Book SynopsisA retreat doesn't always mean safety...Following the death of her husband, Emily is happy to find herself surrounded by friends and fellow Oxford peers at the rustic Chalet des Anglais in the French Alps. With no electricity, running water, or access by car, surely this trip will offer her the time and space she needs to heal.But before she makes it to the airport, Emily interrupts a break-in at her home, and on the first night at the chalet, she discovers an inappropriate sexual liaison between an undergrad and a colleague. When the student suddenly disappears, and Emily sees her deceased husband's number in her call history, she realizes she had better figure out who she can trust - or the next disappearance may be her own...Trade ReviewTwists, turns, mind games - you'll be suspecting everyone * Women's Weekly on How to Kill Your Best Friend *Atmospheric, sinister and totally captivating * Alex Lake on How to Kill Your Best Friend *Uncannily creepy and grounded in the true horror of human evil. * The Observer on The Missing Years *

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Book SynopsisThe twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The Last House Guest.Everyone knows the story of the girl from Widow Hills...When Arden Maynor was six years old, she was swept away in a terrifying storm and went missing for days. Against all odds, she was found alive, clinging to a storm drain. Fame followed, and so did fans, creeps and stalkers. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and left Widow Hills behind.Twenty years later, Olivia, as she is now known, is plagued by night terrors. She often finds herself out of bed in the middle of the night, sometimes streets away from her home. Then one evening she jolts awake in her yard, with the corpse of a man at her feet.The girl from Widow Hills is about to become the centre of the story, once again...Trade ReviewAn unnerving and extremely classy thriller. * Observer *Sometimes you come across a thriller which stands out. This is one. This intelligent pacy read is a different take on the "missing girl scenario" with characters who aren't always what they seem. You might not get a good night's sleep again - especially if you're prone to go walkabout in the night. * Jane Corry, author of My Husband’s Wife *With Hitchcockian flair, Megan Miranda shrewdly examines what becomes of the people at the center of those rare, sensational news stories that capture the nation's attention. The Girl from Widow Hills gave me the creeps in the best way possible. * Chandler Baker, author of Whisper Network *A hauntingly atmospheric and gorgeously written page-turner, The Girl from Widow Hills is a deeply thought-provoking, riveting mystery about the complex weight of history and the dangerous power of the lies we tell ourselves. * Kimberly McCreight, author of Reconstructing Amelia *Sleepwalking is creepy. You're asleep, but you're walking through the night - like the living dead. I knew when I started The Girl from Widow Hills I was in for some shivers. But I had no idea the terrors that were in store. * R. L. Stine, author of Goosebumps and Fear Street *Miranda flaunt[s] her considerable talent for jaw-dropping, yet believable, twists. Even jaded readers might not see this one coming. An unusual heroine anchors this creepy, fast-paced chiller. This is Miranda's best book yet. * Kirkus Reviews *Another compulsive page-turner from an accomplished author. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisNot even the Blitz can shake a mother's love.Cathy was a happy, blushing bride when Britain went to war with Germany three years ago. But her youthful dreams were crushed by her violent husband Stanley's involvement with the fascist black-shirts, and even when he's conscripted to fight she knows it's only a brief respite - divorce is not an option. Cathy, a true Brogan daughter, stays strong for her beloved little son Peter.When a telegram arrives declaring that her husband is missing in action, Cathy can finally allow herself to hope - she only has to wait 6 months before she is legally a widow and can move on with her life. In the meantime, she has to keep Peter safe and fed. So she advertises for a lodger, and Sergeant Archie McIntosh of the Royal Engineers' Bomb Disposal Squad turns up. He is kind, clever and thoughtful; their mutual attraction is instant. But with Stanley's fate still unclear, and the Blitz raging on over London's East End, will Cathy ever have the love she deserves?Jean Fullerton, the queen of the East End saga, returns with a wonderful new nostalgic novel.Trade ReviewRichly-textured and engrossing... Jean Fullerton's meticulous research and background knowledge enable her to create a wholly convincing and engaging wartime novel... Completely immersive. With humour to lighten the mood as well it can be laugh-out-loud funny as well as deeply poignant, but it is the emotional richness and heart to the book that draws the story together and makes this such a rewarding read. * Nicola Cornick, Historia, on A Ration Book Childhood *Lovely... The author's writing captures the atmosphere and emotions and difficulties of life during wartime. It is a great piece of historical fiction which centres on World War II... The book was an emotional read with a few tears along the way. * New Books Magazine, on A Ration Book Childhood *Charming and full of detail... You will ride emotional highs and lows... Beautifully written. * The Lady on Jean Fullerton *A real page-turner with larger-than-life characters and convincing period detail * Daily Express, praise for A Ration Book Christmas *A lovely, fascinating, proper treat of a read set during the Blitz of World War Two... A Ration Book Christmas is food for the soul, it's simply deliciously readable and enjoyable. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, on A Ration Book Christmas *A delightful, well-researched story that really does depict nursing and the living conditions in the East End at the end of the war. * Lesley Pearce, on Call Nurse Millie *

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Book Synopsis'An enthralling page-turner' DILLY COURT'A heart-warming WW2 love story' ROSIE GOODWIN'The queen of East End sagas' ELAINE EVEREST Jean Fullerton, the RNA-shortlisted queen of the East End, returns with the final nostalgic and heart-warming story of the Brogan family. _____In the final days of war, only love will pull her through . . . Queenie Brogan wasn't always an East End matriarch. Many years ago, before she married Fergus, she was Philomena Dooley, a daughter of Irish Travellers, planning to wed her childhood sweetheart, Patrick Mahone. But when tragedy struck and Patrick's narrow-minded sister, Nora, intervened, the lovers were torn apart.Fate can be cruel, and when Queenie arrives in London she finds that Patrick Mahone is her parish priest, and that the love she had tried to suppress flares again in her heart.But now in the final months of WW2, Queenie discovers Father Mahone is dying and must face losing him forever. Can she finally tell him the secret she has kept for over fifty years or will Nora once again come between them?And if Queenie does decide to finally tell Patrick, could the truth destroy the Brogan family?___Praise for Jean Fullerton: 'Charming and full of detail... You will ride emotional highs and lows... Beautifully written' The Lady on A Ration Book Daughter'A delightful, well researched story' bestselling author Lesley Pearse*What are readers saying about Jean Fullerton?'I loved it. Easy to read and loveable characters. If you love novels set during WW2 then this is a must read.''A must-read story that I'd strongly recommend for readers who enjoy historical family stories.''This author never fails to keep you enthralled with each page. Hopefully this isn't the last we see of the Brogans.'THE RATION BOOK SERIESA Ration Book DreamA Ration Book Christmas A Ration Book Childhood A Ration Book WeddingA Ration Book DaughterA Ration Book Christmas KissA Ration Book Christmas Broadcast A Ration Book VictoryTrade ReviewRichly-textured and engrossing... Jean Fullerton's meticulous research and background knowledge enable her to create a wholly convincing and engaging wartime novel... Completely immersive. With humour to lighten the mood as well it can be laugh-out-loud funny as well as deeply poignant, but it is the emotional richness and heart to the book that draws the story together and makes this such a rewarding read. * Nicola Cornick, Historia, on A Ration Book Childhood *Lovely... The author's writing captures the atmosphere and emotions and difficulties of life during wartime. It is a great piece of historical fiction which centres on World War II... The book was an emotional read with a few tears along the way. * New Books Magazine, on A Ration Book Childhood *Charming and full of detail... You will ride emotional highs and lows... Beautifully written. * The Lady on Jean Fullerton *A real page-turner with larger-than-life characters and convincing period detail * Daily Express, praise for A Ration Book Christmas *A lovely, fascinating, proper treat of a read set during the Blitz of World War Two... A Ration Book Christmas is food for the soul, it's simply deliciously readable and enjoyable. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, on A Ration Book Christmas *

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Book Synopsis'Brings twist after delicious twist. I love this book.' Jo Spain______________________________Small town. Huge scandal.Beverley Franklin will do whatever it takes to protect her local school's reputation.So when a scandal involving her own daughter threatens to derail the annual school musical's appearance on national television, Beverley goes into overdrive.But in her efforts to protect her daughter and keep the musical on track, she misses what's really going, both in her own house and in the insular Glass Lake community - with dramatic consequences.Glass Lake primary school's reputation is about to be shattered...'Eithne Shortall mixes humour and tragedy with a deftness reminiscent of Marian Keyes' Irish TimesTrade ReviewThe queen of the character-driven plot returns with a slow-burn Irish mystery that brings twist after delicious twist. I love this book. * Jo Spain *Sharp, funny and brilliantly observed - I absolutely loved it! * Andrea Mara *A wonderfully gossipy read, layered with dark moments, dry humour and a mystery at its heart to keep you guessing right to the end * Carmel Harrington *As cleverly plotted as an Agatha Christie whodunnit ... thought-provoking, with well-drawn characters ... tempered by empathy and witty humour * Irish Independent *Insightful ... an engrossing page turner that'll leave you shocked and amused in equal measure * Belfast Telegraph *This novel knocked me for six ... carefully and beautifully written ... I couldn't have liked it more. * Daily Mail on Three Little Truths *Funny... relatable, contemporary and exceptionally witty * Irish Times on Three Little Truths *Funny, endearing, mysterious and outrageous, this book is wildly entertaining and hugely enjoyable. -- Liz Nugent on Three Little TruthsA smart, humorous and gripping whodunnit, clear your schedule: this is a book for devouring in one sitting * Sunday Business Post *'A witty take on school-gate politics ... a multi-layered story' * Sunday Independent *Many secrets are hidden and shared in this page-turner whose scandal-evolving plot is meticulously constructed * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisWhen a choice must be made between love and duty, solace comes in unexpected forms... Summer, 1929. The Hinton Dysart estate is dying from lack of money, and Kit Dysart, the heir, sees no way out. Then, at his sister's wedding, he meets the vibrant Daisy Chudleigh and her cousin, the heiress Matty Verrall. In love with Daisy but troubled by his family's decline, Kit chooses to marry Matty, though neither Kit nor Daisy is able to forget the other. When Matty, growing increasingly unhappy in her troubled, empty marriage, decides to re-create the estate's garden, she discovers solace and a gift of which she never dreamt. A haunting, passionate story played out between three people, Consider the Lily is also a poignant and beautiful novel of England between the wars that propels the reader into its own rich and nostalgic world.Trade ReviewA gorgeously well written tale: funny, sad, sophisticated * The Independent *The literary equivalent of an English country garden * Sunday Times *In her way Elizabeth Buchan is a chronicler of time and atmosphere as adept as Jane Austen. * Birmingham Post *An excellent story ... strong imaginative power ... wonderful atmosphere -- Joanna TrollopeAn outstanding, beautifully written and memorable story * Chicago Tribune *

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Book Synopsis'Modern marriage and its compromises ... a terrific, compassionate, compelling novel' Daily Mail Over twenty years of marriage to Max, Prue has remained a busy, contented mother and stepmother. Now, Prue's stepdaughter, Violet, has returned with her new husband from New York and, suddenly, Prue is precipitated into a secret life. As she moves between a sleepy village in Hampshire and buzzing London, Prue finds herself crossing the boundary between innocence and knowledge, exploring the line between the gluttony and surrender of desire and facing the stark realities that result. Because while marriage can be a battleground, extraordinary bargains and accommodations are often struck between people who love one another.Trade ReviewAdultery... handled with care and moral intelligence. What a good writer Buchan is. * Daily Telegraph *A powerful story: wise, observant, deeply-felt, with elements all women will recognise with a smile - or a shudder. Very highly recommended * Good Book Guide *Is Buchan the new Trollope?... A terrific new novel... Buchan's compassionate novel has an integral wisdom. * Daily Mail *The allure lies in the disparity between what its heroine is supposed to be and what she does. The intricacies of Prue's love affair keep the novel bowling along. * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis'An enthralling page-turner' DILLY COURT'A heart-warming WW2 love story' ROSIE GOODWIN'A great new series from the queen of East End sagas' ELAINE EVEREST A brand new historical romance series from Jean Fullerton, charting the loves, hopes and heartaches of three women who move into a rectory in Stepney, East London during WW2.*East London, 1940. Prue Carmichael never dreamed that she'd end up working at a railway yard. But when her reverend father is called up to Stepney, she and her family are uprooted from their country home for a new life in the turbulent city.Determined to help with the war effort, Prue signs up for work and soon becomes intrigued by handsome train engineer Jack Quinn. But as the spark between them grows apparent, so does his troubled past - a past that Prue's mother would certainly not approve of.In between cleaning train carriages and helping to shelter Jewish refugees, Prue manages to stay busy. But she has more than one admirer, and when Jack is recruited into Churchill's secret army, a very different suitor begins to pursue her.As air raid sirens sound overhead, Prue Carmichael is facing her own battle - the fight between her heart and her head . . .Amidst the ruins of war, will Prue and Jack's love find a way?*PRAISE FOR JEAN FULLERTON 'Food for the soul, it's simply deliciously readable and enjoyable' Liz Robinson, LoveReading'Charming and full of detail... You will ride emotional highs and lows... Beautifully written' The Lady'A delightful, well researched story' bestselling author Lesley PearseTrade ReviewAn enthralling page turner -- Dilly Court, no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling authorA heart-warming WW2 love story -- Rosie Goodwin, Sunday Times bestselling authorI can honestly say that Jean Fullerton still deserves the crown of 'The Queen of East End Sagas. A Stepney Girl's Secret - such a wonderful WW2 saga and a great start to a new series. * Elaine Everest *

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Book Synopsis'An accomplished and memorable debut full of heart and heartbreak - an absolute corker for reading groups!' Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost ThingsVal, a widow living in Weston-super-Mare, spends lonely evenings dressing up as the movie star Elizabeth Taylor. It seems to be a way of coping with the loss and sadness she has experienced in her life. One day, when Val sees a pram left unattended on the seafront, on a whim she kicks off the brake and walks away with it...Set in the present and the 1970s, BECOMING LIZ TAYLOR is a vivid and touching depiction of love, loss and bereavement - thought-provoking, moving fiction for fans of Rachel Joyce, Emma Healey and Ruth Hogan.****Shortlisted for the debut novel prize at the 'Festival du Premier Roman' in Chambéry.***Trade ReviewBecoming Liz Taylor is a truly compelling read and tackles the subject of loss and grief with brutal honesty and poignant sensitivity. It's such an accomplished and memorable debut full of heart and heartbreak - an absolute corker for reading groups! -- Ruth Hogan * Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS *

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Book SynopsisMargaret Bryce has been having a hard time since dying in 2014. In a place beyond, we join Margaret as she revisits her life, from her Aberdeen prefab childhood to the birth of her twin girls, through Thatcher’s Britain, the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster, Australia’s Black Summer bushfires, the death of Princess Diana and the COVID pandemic. But something isn’t quite right. Margaret is trying to remember, but also fighting to forget. A Country of Eternal Light will take you on a journey like no other. It is an utterly original, bitingly funny and poignant novel about life, death, what we choose to remember - and what we’d do anything to forget. A Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month Shortlisted for the Readings New Australian Fiction Prize Shortlisted for the Age Fiction Book of the YearTrade Review'This thoughtful novel hopscotches through the life of its late heroine, Margaret, a working-class Aberdonian whose posthumous thoughts roam freely over seven decades after she dies of cancer in 2014… A life-crammed mosaic, filled with pain and sadness as well as tenderness and beauty' * Daily Mail *'Inviting the reader on a rollicking, spellbinding journey as Margaret Bryce visits her past from the vantage point of the afterlife, A Country of Eternal Light is a fiercely original exploration of the way a person's life is constructed' * Waterstones Says *'A fearlessly ambitious and profoundly moving exploration of 'complicated grief', it is deftly delivered with an honesty, humour and compassion that make it wholly accessible and relatable. An uncanny and evocative original fiction with a stunning twist' -- Sally McDonald * Sunday Post *'a beautifully poignant record of a life that brought great sorrow but, nonetheless, was one well lived' -- Alastair Mabbott * Herald *'Dalgarno's novel illuminates experiences of loss with humour and tenderness' * The Bookseller *'Inventive, playful, poignant and deeply moving' -- Kerry Fowler * Sainsbury's Magazine *‘A Country of Eternal Light is one of those novels that probes very directly at the meaning of life, memory, and the power of grief.’ -- Damian Barr'Immediately went back and reread it with new knowledge. My god, this is outstanding. Beautiful and humble and totally suffused by the very ordinary joy of loving.' -- Kirstin Innes'Mesmerising, stimulating, and life affirming: Dalgarno delivers something immensely original and astute, without sparing entertainment. Following a deceased woman’s journey through lives lived and, along the way, discovering a question to be answered: 'What’s our purpose?' -- Angie Tsimaras, Judge for The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize'One of the most interesting and inventive novels of the year in terms of style and content' -- Alistair Braidwood * Scots Whay Hae! *

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Book SynopsisOne of O: The Oprah Magazine's Most Anticipated Books of 2021One of Publishers Weekly's Top 10 picks for Spring 2021Ethan, a young lawyer in New York, learns that his father has long kept a second family - a wife and two kids living in Queens. In the aftermath of this revelation, Ethan's mother spends a year travelling abroad, returning much changed, just as her now ex-husband falls ill. Across town, Ethan's half brothers are caught in their own complicated journeys: one brother's penchant for minor delinquency has escalated and the other must travel to Bangkok to bail him out, while the bargains their mother struck about love and money continue to shape all their lives. As Ethan finds himself caught in a love triangle of his own, the interwoven fates of these two households elegantly unfurl to touch many other figures, revealing secret currents of empathy and loyalty, the bounty of improvised families and the paradoxical ties that weave through life's rich contours. With a generous and humane spirit, Secrets of Happiness elucidates the ways people marshal the resources at hand in an effort to find joy.Trade ReviewSecrets of Happiness unfolds across families and lovers, across time and expectations, across the country and across the world, and the bigger it gets, the more it shows how deeply connected we are. Joan Silber writes with a frankness and freshness that draws the reader closer with every page. It would be impossible to overstate just how good this book is. -- Ann PatchettSometimes the dexterity and plenitude of Silber's plotting take your breath away, or make you want to laugh. Why isn't there more fiction like this? ... why isn't there more fiction that's such a pleasure to read, simply because of its clarity, wisdom, heart, and elegance? Secrets of Happiness feels like a benchmark, a guiding star, a minimum height requirement; I'd like to say I will never again settle for fiction that's not as good as this, but I know I will have to. -- Nick Hornby * The Believer *As usual, with Secrets of Happiness the magnificent Joan Silber manages to make great writing look absolutely effortless. A warm, smart, seductive, hugely satisfying novel. -- Sarah Waters[Silber's] clean, confident prose offers plenty to savour. * Daily Mail *In an angry world, absence of anger may be Joan Silber's most original quality. Subtle, funny, thoughtful * Literary Review *Secrets of Happiness is a swim in cool, clear water in which the contours and colours of all experience are magnified, purified, intensified. Joan Silber's translucent, morally attentive prose does something to the vision as well as the spirit: if you can look up from it, you'll find your own world altered - rinsed clean, and luminous. -- Charlotte Wood, author of THE WEEKENDThese stories unfurl with such verbal verisimilitude that they're like late-night phone calls from old friends. Every imperative page trips along with the wry wisdom of ordinary speech - the illusion of artlessness that only the most artful writers can create. -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *Rich with the complexities of life . . .Pull any life's thread and you discover a mesh of involvement that soon takes in all the others. It is a fine thing, subtly done, and truly exhilarating. * Wall Street Journal *Few make fiction feel as exciting as Silber - and not in plot, but mere structure. Characters impact one another. Tones shift with perspective. Scenes build with profound scope . . . This latest novel feels like vintage Silber: stories interlinked with the confidence of Elizabeth Strout, but all their own mood and power. * Entertainment Weekly *If E.M. Forster hadn't already scooped up "Only connect" as the epigraph for his novel Howards End, Joan Silber would have the perfect fit for it. In fact, Silber deserves it a little more...Silber's knack for inhabiting far-flung realities is remarkable...Secrets of Happiness pays the best kind of attention to its characters' desires, dilemmas and, of course, connections. * Seattle Times *The author of the award-winning Improvement once again takes her scalpel to the complex anatomy of family, dissecting, with stunning precision, one young New Yorker's struggles with his father's secret life, the toll of deceits that doom a marriage, and the pitfalls of his own sexuality. * O, The Oprah Magazine *A new novel in stories from the master of the form...[E]choes the great Grace Paley, to whom Silber is so close in spirit and voice. While Paley was an all-New York gal, Silber makes faraway places seem familiar - oh, for the time when we can work on knowing the world even one-tenth as well as she does. These secrets of happiness really will make you happy, at least for a few sweet hours. * Kirkus Reviews *I never wonder more at how little we know about how greatly we factor in other people's lives than I do when reading Silber at her best. She aims, in increments, at the ecstatic...Capable of ecstasy, this time Silber delivers merely something humane, elegant and wise. -- Joshua Ferris * New York Times Book Review *Silber's brilliantly realised bird's-eye view has shown us...[the] people we are connected to are crucial to our happiness, just as we are to theirs. * Irish Times *Silber has a power that the rarest old masters have: close up, you feel their breath breathing life, nothing less, across a rosy cheek. You hold your own breath in those suspended seconds. * The Monthly *

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Book Synopsis***From the author of The Girls Are Good***'A gripping story of love, death, art and deceit' - Sofka Zinovieff, author of PutneyAn internationally renowned writer, Valeria Costas has dedicated her life to her work and to her secret lover, Martìn Acla, a prominent businessman. When his sudden stroke makes headlines, her world implodes; the idea of losing him is terrifying. Desperate to find a way to be present during her lover's final days, Valeria commissions his artist wife, Isla, to paint her portrait - insinuating herself into Martìn's family home and life. In the grand, chaotic London mansion where the man they share - husband, father, lover - lies in a coma, Valeria and Isla remain poised on the brink, transfixed by one another. Day after day, the two women talk to each other during the sittings, revealing truths, fragilities and strengths. But does Isla know of the writer's long involvement with Martìn? Or that her husband had chosen Valeria for the years ahead? Amidst their own private turmoil, the stories of their lives are exchanged - and as the portrait takes shape, we watch these complex and extraordinary women struggle while the love of their lives departs, in an unforgettable, breathless tale of deception and mystery that captivates until the very end.'A stunning "pas de deux" that is enchanting, thrilling and incredibly moving.' Marie Claire ItaliaTrade ReviewA gripping story of love, death, art and deceit, which is also strange, beautiful and deeply original. The Portrait is unlike anything else I've read. -- Sofka Zinovieff, author of PUTNEYas brisk as an easterly breeze . . . A thread of deliciously dark humour is woven into this involving web of performances and fictions; Bernardini is good on the magical thinking of grief, too. Not all will swallow the final twist, but it's nonetheless a salutary reminder that we are players in others' stories, even as we are consumed by our own. -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Italian novelist Ilaria Bernardini's English language debut is a nuanced exploration of love, grief, deceit and secrets. When well-known businessman Martin has a devastating stroke, his secret lover Valeria Costas formulates a way to be by his bedside during his final days. She commissions Martin's artist wife Isla to paint her portrait, furtively inserting herself into his home, where both women simultaneously struggle to cope while the man they love lies in a coma. This is an affecting story that brings to mind Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels. * Culturefly *For 30 years, author Valeria Costas has conducted an affair with Martin Acla, a well-known businessman. After he suffersa stroke, she's desperate to find a way to be close to him and commissions his wife, Isla, to paint her portrait. This rich,seductive novel unfolds over a series of sittings in the London home where Martin lies in a coma. The question of how much Isla really knows adds suspense to a riveting story rich in feeling and humour. -- Hephzibah Anderson * Irish Mail on Sunday *The premise of this novel - a woman painting the portrait of her husband's mistress - is irresistible and full of dramatic possibilities. Valeria, a famous writer, is overwhelmed with joy when her lover's wife, Isla, agrees to paint her. Martin, with whom she has shared much of her life in passionate secrecy, has had a stroke and is now in acoma. Valeria can be near him by attending sittings. Bernardini's prose is wistful and gentle, with atmospheric descriptions of place, like Martin's hushed Holland Parkhome, where he lies upstairs while his wife and lover sit opposite one another downstairs. The intensity of feeling pulses through the rooms. And there is a faint menace hovering throughout: how much of the truth is really known?The portrait itself takes its place as a decisive symbol. As the finished result is revealed, something far bigger emerges that feels both astonishing and right. You close Bernardini's work with a quiet reverence. -- Elizabeth Fitzherbert * The Lady *Love a tale of complex women and tragedy? This is a story for you. An internationally renowned writer, Valeria has dedicated her life to her work and to her married lover, Martìn. When his sudden stroke makes headlines, her world implodes. Desperate to find a way to be present during his final days, Valeria commissions his artist wife, Isla, to paint her portrait, and insinuating herself into Martìn's family home and life. What could go wrong...? * Stylist *A dizzying and impassioned story of love, deception and loss...the stereotypical rivalry between wife and lover is broken down and examined through skilful characterisation and dynamic plot. * Business Post (Ireland) *An electric, impossible-to-put-down novel, Ilaria Bernardini's The Portrait is a brilliantly constructed, wildly astute plunge into the depths of love, rivalry, betrayal and the power of women. -- Bill Clegg (author of DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY)Anguished by the death of her secret lover of 30 years, a woman commissions the man's wife to paint her portrait so that she can be close to his family home and life. As one sits and one paints, things begin to materialise. This English-language debut by Italian bestseller Bernardini has a compelling ring to it. * Irish Independent *A fascinating, seductive novel, full of nuance * Grazia Italia *A stunning "pas de deux" that is enchanting, thrilling and incredibly moving. * Marie Claire Italia *With a beautiful voice in which the richness of perspective doesn't confuse or disturb the ruthless, sharp, linearity of the narration, in The Portrait, Ilaria Bernardini mostly speaks about braveness . . . The light of The Portrait is perfectly dim at the beginning and slowly, page after page, becomes bright and illuminates powerfully, to the point of blinding us. Ilaria Bernardini constantly tunes that light with wisdom but without giving any consolation. When a narration is that of real literature, it makes it impossible for us to wear glasses behind which to hide. -- Malcom Pagani * Vanity Fair Italia *Dizzying . . . astonishing . . . touching . . . stunning * Elle Italia *Bernardini explores loss, love and storytelling in this intimate novel told from Valeria's perspective. A multitude of stories, memories of her meetings with Martin and of the sister, ever present in her mind despite the four decades since her death, are woven through the few weeks Valeria sits for Isla. She's a pleasingly complex character, apparently strong and independent, rejoicing in her cosmopolitan life as an acclaimed short story writer, while in reality riddled with a constant questioning insecurity. It's also a novel about writing - Valeria is a stealer of stories, not above rifling other people's lives even at the risk of being exposed. There's a quiet thread of humour running through Bernardini's novel leavening the loss and hurt - Valeria's over-empathising assistant is a triumph with her adulation and need for hugs - while the question of how much Isla really knows hovers tantalisingly over the last half. Altogether an enjoyable read . . . * alifeinbooks.co.uk *In her debut English-language novel, Italian author Ilaria Bernardini tells a ceaselessly engaging, character-driven story of connection and deception, love, mortality and letting go. [...] an exquisitely heart-breaking and beautiful account of coming to terms with the complex sadness and simultaneous warmth of an imperfect world -- Ben Adams * The Advertiser (Adelaide) *. . . a dizzying and impassioned story of love, deception and loss [ . . . ] irresistible.The central relationship of Valeria, Ilsa and Antonia is beautifully rendered and complex, prioritising truth over aesthetics, but finding beauty in this process. Here, the stereotypical rivalry between wife and lover is broken down and examined through skilful characterisation and dynamic plot. It is not always clear who to root for, with many conflicting perspectives and shifts in sympathy throughout, but as Ilsa says of portraiture, "the winner is the one who gets to tell the story". * Sunday Business Post (Ireland) *

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Book SynopsisFour strangers from around the world arrive in India for a wedding. Together, they climb a mountain — but will they see the same thing from the top? Londoner Reema, who left India before she could speak, is searching for a sign that will help her make a life-changing decision. In pensioner Jackson’s suitcase is something he must let go of, but is he strong enough? Together with two unlikely companions, they take a road trip up a mountain deep in the Himalayas, heading for the snow line, where the ice begins. But even standing in the same place, surrounded by magnificent views, they see things differently. As they ascend higher and higher, they must learn to cross the lines that divide them.Trade Review‘Tessa McWatt is one of our greatest living writers. The Snow Line, her new novel, is a profound meditation on love, ageing, and what it is to be a woman of mixed racial identity and culture. Profoundly moving and epic in its scope, this book provides us with wisdom and reckoning on today’s world, one that is ecologically fragile and only just coping with a pandemic. Like all mature writers, McWatt’s range of reference is vast and her understanding of humanity plunges us into depths we all long to inhabit. She writes her characters with such intimacy we are thunderstruck by the book’s final pages. I closed this book and shed tears.’ -- Monique Roffey, author of The Mermaid of Black Conch‘Vivid, rich, and melodic ... Layers of images, memories, and facts ask questions of connections, accountability, and desire — political and personal — and how we meet the complexities that make us. A beautiful read!’ -- Olumide Popoola, author of When We Speak of Nothing‘Tessa McWatt’s writing is tender, unforgettable, utterly precise. Like performing surgery on a peach.’ -- Leone Ross, author of This One Sky Day‘A profound meditation on the music that strangers in a place can make together, and on how the music of a strange place can get inside us, and change us forever. I loved the journey the book takes us on, revisiting some of the geographies readers will remember from The Far Pavilions, while the echoes of King Lear provide an undercurrent of nature’s aloofness, its potential for violence.’ -- Preti Taneja, author of We That Are Young‘An exceptional, riveting read. Tessa McWatt's rare gifts never fail to enthrall me.’ -- Irenosen Okojie, author of Butterfly Fish‘The Snow Line holds up a mirror to the ways India is reflected in today’s diaspora.’ -- Anjali Joseph, author of Saraswati Park‘Tessa McWatt’s The Snow Line reveals life in overlapping panels: consciousness, memory, scenes of violence, and of untenable beauty, “everything dangerous enfolded into everything else.” Her prose has Michael Ondaatje’s elliptical exactitude, Jane Gardam’s terse confidence, but it accumulates, on behalf of her characters — a young woman and an old man, friends — a singular, lingering effect. The Snow Line is a small marvel.’ -- Padma Viswanathan, author of The Ever After of Ashwin Rao‘McWatt is a writer who tackles race and identity with great nuance, and from a very broad reach ... The Snow Line suggests that she has done a lifetime of thinking and reading about structural injustice … The Snow Line is about the displacement of people, the stories that never get told, the commonality of our humanity, and the ever presence of God. We don’t feel the full effect of its rare wisdom and gravitational pull until we are finished. The final pages had me in tears.’ -- Monique Roffey * The Guardian *‘Delicate and ruminative … A sympathetic and serious-minded exploration of how well-meaning individuals can abet the misery of others.’ -- Anthony Cummins * Daily Mail *‘Tessa McWatt has constructed a moving epic that rises from intimate, complex character portraits written with tenderness and precision.’ -- Cameron Woodhead * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘At its core … The Snow Line is a book about belonging. It conveys a message that many migrants to Australia will understand — carrying feelings of longing and displacement even as they try to carve their place in a new landscape.’ -- Rhea L Nath * IndianLink News *‘The Snow Line has wonderful moments of contemplation and compassion for the complexity of lives lived. We are reminded of the beauty of life, in the place where strangers’ lives may intersect. Throughout the book, we are transported, in our minds, to the smells, sounds, beauty, and madness of India.’ -- Brid Conroy * Mayo News *‘In itself this is an excellent story, but it’s the way it’s told that makes the novel stand out … you’ll have to read this beautiful, subtle, keenly observed novel to see how things develop in the end.’ * Shiny New Books *‘UK-based author Tessa McWatt’s narrative is densely, nay immersively detailed, both bleak and rich. Overarching is an intimate understanding of India with a nod to the magnanimity of Sikhs.’ -- Samela Harris * The Herald Sun *

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