Contemporary lifestyle fiction

Book SynopsisFrom the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of Daughters of the Lake comes an enthralling spellbinder of love, death, and a woman on the edge. After a devastating loss, Brynn Wilder escapes to Wharton, a tourist town on Lake Superior, to reset. Checking into a quaint boardinghouse for the summer, she hopes to put her life into perspective. In her fellow lodgers, she finds a friendly company of strangers: the frail Alice, cared for by a married couple with a heartbreaking story of their own; LuAnn, the eccentric and lovable owner of the inn; and Dominic, an unsettlingly handsome man inked from head to toe in mesmerizing tattoos. But in this inviting refuge, where a century of souls has passed, a mystery begins to swirl. Alice knows things about Brynn, about all of them, that she shouldn’t. Bad dreams and night whispers lure Brynn to a shuttered room at the end of the hall, a room still heavy with a recent death. And now she’s become irresistibly drawn to Dominic—even in the shadow of rumors that wherever he goes, suspicious death follows. In this chilling season of love, transformation, and fear, something is calling for Brynn. To settle her past, she may have no choice but to answer.Trade Review“The action builds to a satisfying and uplifting ending…Webb consistently entertains.” —Publishers Weekly “Endearing and greatly readable…[a] tale that is both warm and poignant.”—Kirkus Reviews “Webb’s chilling tale of a woman running from a tragic loss will put a spell on you.” —E! Online “Prepare to lose yourself in Wendy Webb’s lusciously written The Haunting of Brynn Wilder.” —POPSUGAR “Enchanting.” —The Nerd Daily “Wendy Webb weaves a searing gothic tale with elements of horror, mystery, and romance…It is incredibly absorbing and atmospheric.” —Bookreporter “Wendy Webb is a rising voice in thrillers, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.” —CrimeReads “Suspenseful and engrossing, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder is a ghost story, a love story, and a chilling fireside tale in one. Readers will be drawn in from the first page, and they won’t want to stop until they read the eerie conclusion, probably in the wee hours of the night.” —Simone St. James, New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel “Evocative and beautifully haunting, Wendy Webb’s latest transports you to a location you’ll soon want to call home, in a story you won’t want to put down. It’s no exaggeration to call this the standout gothic novel of the year.” —Darcy Coates, USA Today bestselling author of The Haunting of Ashburn House “A haunting tale of grief and loss that is beautifully layered with new beginnings and woven into a gothic ghost story both bone-chilling and heartwarming.” —Melissa Payne, author of The Secrets of Lost Stones

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Book SynopsisHere’s the thing about secrets: they change shape over time, become blurry with memory, until the truth is nearly lost. 2009. Lindsey and Georgie have high hopes for their summer on Martha’s Vineyard. In the wake of the recession, ambitious college graduate Lindsey accepts a job as a nanny for an influential family who may help her land a position in Boston’s exclusive art world. Georgie, the eldest child in that family, is nearly fifteen and eager to find herself, dreaming of independence and yearning for first love. Over the course of that formative summer, the two young women develop a close bond. Then, one night by the lighthouse, a shocking act occurs that ensnares them both in the throes of a terrible secret. Their budding friendship is shattered, and neither one can speak of what happened that night for ten long years. Until now. Lindsey and Georgie must confront the past after all this time. Their quest for justice will require costly sacrifices, but it also might give them the closure they need to move on. All they know for sure is that when the truth is revealed, their lives will be forever changed once again. From a fresh voice in fiction, this poignant and timely novel explores the strength and nuance of female friendship, the cost of ambition, and the courage it takes to speak the truth.Trade Review“A plot that keeps you guessing…an ominous trauma that can set your teeth on edge with the tension it creates…Spiro so viscerally renders Georgie’s feeling of awkward adolescent alienation as she tries desperately to be part of the older crowd that you might cringe with memories of what that stage of life felt like.” —Martha’s Vineyard Times “The stage is thus very neatly set for a sweet, sun-drenched summer-on-the-Vineyard novel but Ms. Spiro has other, darker ideas in mind. The combined forces of lust, envy, conspiratorial scheming and townie resentment are churning just under the surface at all times, culminating in an incident at a lighthouse that will reverberate in the lives of both Lindsey and Georgie…There is personal and emotional wreckage between them that needs courage and self-honesty to clear away.” —Vineyard Gazette “From a fresh voice in fiction, this poignant and timely novel explores the strength and nuance of female friendship, the cost of ambition, and the courage it takes to speak the truth…unputdownable!” —Frolic “All the more impressive when considering that Someone Else’s Secret is the debut novel for author Julia Spiro, this deftly crafted and narrative-driven story of the challenging yet enduring friendship between two women is a thoroughly absorbing read. This is the kind of novel that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf.” —Midwest Book Review “Suspenseful and dishy, Someone Else’s Secret exposes the dark underbelly of a moneyed summer town and the lengths one outsider will go to belong. Spiro brings Martha’s Vineyard to life with delicious precision; I felt like I was there with my toes in the sand, a glass of rosé in my hand, and plenty of reasons to look over my shoulder. If the walls in these summer estates could talk, they would say, ‘Trust no one.’” —Jessica Knoll, New York Times bestselling author of Luckiest Girl Alive “Someone Else’s Secret is a sandy, sun-soaked, character-driven exploration of what happens when there are no good options, when the truth turns out not to be enough, when following your heart proves impossible. It is a novel about being young and very young and then not so young after all and about finding the strength to fight for all those former selves.” —Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is “Someone Else’s Secret explores the realities of young love, coming-of-age, and the traumatic events women often face. Julia Spiro handles these difficult issues gracefully by pulling us into her fictional journey but also elevating the voices of women everywhere who are sure to recognize a part of themselves along the way.” —Wendy Walker, national bestselling author of The Night Before “In Someone Else’s Secret, debut author Julia Spiro has crafted a timely exploration of the weight of secrets and what it takes to tell the truth. When an ambitious recent college graduate lands a ‘cushy’ job among the elite of Martha’s Vineyard, she gets an unwelcome lesson on the dark side of power and privilege. A compelling and cautionary tale that pulses with authenticity.” —Karen Dukess, author of The Last Book Party “Someone Else’s Secret is a gorgeous debut that, from page one, sets itself apart from the rest…Julia Spiro has written a story that is truly a breath of fresh air. The layered plot and rich cast of characters plunge the reader into a masterful story of secrets, ambition, and the fragile bonds of friendship. Someone Else’s Secret is perfect for book clubs and should be on everyone’s summer 2020 list.” —Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, bestselling authors of The Two Lila Bennetts “In Someone Else’s Secret, Julia Spiro weaves a relatable, heart-wrenching tale full of secrets, lies, denial, and redemption. A dizzying dance with the truth for fans of Kristin Hannah and for women everywhere.” —Rea Frey, author of Not Her Daughter and Because You’re Mine “Someone Else’s Secret is at once an arresting work of storytelling and a page-turning exploration of the violent power dynamics that weave throughout Martha’s Vineyard and other glamorous summertime retreats. I was left haunted, moved, and in awe of Julia Spiro’s taut prose. A propulsive riptide of a book.” —John Glynn, author of Out East: Memoir of a Montauk Summer “Engaging and perceptive, Someone Else’s Secret uses the sunny idyll of Martha’s Vineyard as the backdrop for a coming-of-age story about two women navigating class, desire, and the things that go unspoken.” —Sam Lansky, author of The Gilded Razor

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Book SynopsisAn aspiring photographer follows her dreams and faces her fears in a poignant novel about finding beauty, promise, and love amid the chaos of war-torn Kurdistan. It’s 1979. Olivia Murray, a secretary at a Los Angeles newspaper, is determined to become a photojournalist and make a difference with her work. When opportunity arrives, she seizes it, accompanying her Kurdish boyfriend, Delan, to northern Iraq for a family wedding, hoping to capture an image that lands her a job in the photo department. More important, though, the trip is a chance to understand Delan’s childhood and bridge the differences of their pasts. Yet when the return home proves less safe than Delan believed, Olivia is confronted with a reality she had not expected, and is awakened to the dangers of a town patrolled by Iraqi military under curfew and constant threat. But in this world torn apart by war, there are intoxicating sights and scents, Delan’s loving family, innocence not yet compromised, and small acts of kindness that flourish unexpectedly. All of it will be tested when Olivia captures a shattering, tragic moment on film, one that upends all their lives and proves that true bravery begins with an open heart.Trade Review“This is an unforgettable story about war and family, responsibility and love, but Sardar also pays tribute to the priceless connections we forge at the most terrible moments…A heartbreaking story about war, family, and love.” —Kirkus Reviews “Olivia is a secretary at a Los Angeles newspaper aspiring to be a photojournalist, so when her Kurdish boyfriend Delan is invited home to Iraq for a wedding, she sees tagging along as her chance to not only broaden her work, but to learn more about Delan’s culture. In 1979, Iraq is plagued by war and when the trip proves to be even less safe than they anticipated, Olivia is confronted with a side of the world she’s never experienced. But amid the war is beauty, family, and love—until Olivia captures a tragic moment and upends all of their lives.” —Buzzfeed “Timely, romantic, and thrilling from start to finish, Gian Sardar crafts a story with great beauty and heartbreak, reminding us the harder we work to truly know one another, the better we come to understand ourselves. Those of us who love books know this is exactly why we read.” —Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor “At once heartbreaking and hopeful, this story’s magic is in the power its characters have to love—a partner, a family, a homeland, a people—deeply and unconditionally. I was gripped by Gian Sardar’s emotional storytelling until the final page.” —Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of More Than Words “Lush and sensual and dangerous, Take What You Can Carry is an eye-opening story that deserves to be told. Gian Sardar’s prose is breathtaking; and her book took me on a fascinating journey that I’d never before imagined. A true original.” —Janelle Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Things and Watch Me Disappear “Take What You Can Carry by Gian Sardar is a beautifully written, absorbing novel that swept me away to 1979 Kurdistan and Los Angeles. Filled with richly drawn characters, it’s by turns a love story and a war story, a coming-of-age and a tragedy, but ultimately a story about hope and the depth of family bonds. Lush, atmospheric, and gorgeous, this is an unforgettable novel.” —Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time “With lush, vivid settings, Take What You Can Carry is a story of love and family, and of the heartbreaking power of returning home to the place that knows you best.” —Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight “Take What You Can Carry is that rare dream of a novel that transports readers to a time and place—late 1970s Kurdistan, Iraq—with the power and immediacy of a lush perfume. Sardar delivers a high-stakes love story between a Kurdish immigrant turned Hollywood actor and a fierce aspiring photojournalist that uncovers the burden and blessing of family, ambition, and privilege during times of political upheaval. A thoroughly modern journey to the recent past, this novel is an aching pleasure, a revelation.” —Yoojin Grace Wuertz, author of Everything Belongs to Us “Take What You Can Carry is a poignant tale of love and loss, persecution and betrayal. Gian Sardar vividly portrays the heartbreak of two lovers swept up in a political turmoil that threatens to tear them apart as it rips at the fabric of the Kurdish way of life. It’s both a sweeping love story and an epic adventure that will have you frantically turning pages while brushing away tears.” —Bianca Marais, author of Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh “Set forth in vivid, propulsive writing, Take What You Can Carry is a love story that is also a love song to the Kurdish people and an adventure tale that balances the risks of ambition with the costs of responsibility. Blending romance and near history, Gian Sardar has produced a tale filled with indelible images and characters one comes to know as family. A rich and satisfying read.” —Meg Howrey, author of The Wanderers “Take What You Can Carry is a beautifully crafted, heartrending portrait of the disparate worlds of America and Kurdistan in the 1970s woven together with an epic love story that is rich, tragic, compelling, and realized with deep care and insight. Powerful and moving.” —Suzanne Redfearn, bestselling author of In an Instant “Take What You Can Carry is a heart-wrenching journey of understanding between two worlds as foreign as they are familiar that will change everything you thought you knew about Iraq.” —Kristin Fields, author of A Lily in the Light and A Frenzy of Sparks

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Book SynopsisA life-affirming story from million-copy bestselling author Amanda Prowse about having it all, losing it all, and how new friends can show each other the way back to happiness. With kids to look after, an ailing mother and a neglected husband, life is full for Emma Fountain—too full, she realises, when she wakes up in IKEA after falling asleep in one of the show beds. Only her crazy, funny best friend Roz keeps her sane. But when Roz climbs in through her bathroom window one day to deliver terrible news, Emma’s belief that she can find a way around any obstacle crumbles in the face of a problem she just can’t fix. For recently widowed Thurston, life without his beloved wife of sixty-two years has lost all its joy and sense of purpose. That is until he finds himself driving his niece to work one day and meets Emma, whose busy days are the opposite of his own. As Thurston is drawn into the whirlwind of Emma’s chaotic life, and as his calming influence starts to bring her troubles into perspective, an unlikely friendship grows. In a world where grief is the price we pay for love, can two very different people realise that the little things in life are precious, that love is all around us, and that, even after all, they might still be very, very lucky?

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes a love story about taking chances and the surprises that come with them. My love story all started with a letter. Only it wasn’t from the man I’d eventually fall in love with. It was from his daughter. A sweet little girl named Birdie Maxwell who’d written to the magazine that I worked for. You see, once a year my employer fulfilled a few wishes for readers. Only that column didn’t start up again for months. So I fulfilled some of her wishes myself. It was harmless…so I thought. Until one day I took things too far. While anonymously granting yet another of Birdie’s wishes, I got a look at her father. Her devastatingly handsome, single dad father. I should have stopped playing fairy godmother then. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t help myself. I had a connection to this girl. One that had me acting irrationally. Like when I showed up on their doorstep.Trade Review“Hilarious mishaps, unexpected twists, and a large dollop of sweetness combine into an irresistible romance. This one is sure to tug at readers’ heartstrings.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward is the Sleepless in Seattle of our times.” —POPSUGAR

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Book Synopsis“Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page.” —Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels. Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper…Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years. It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever. Key by key, Lettie’s life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.Trade Review“A clever prologue referring to Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for Bowen’s…diverting romantic adventure in Venice, complete with intrigue, mystery, and, woe…This novel’s engaging entertainment is enhanced by its dual time line that uncovers Juliet’s secrets, and a plot enlivened by coincidences and romance. A must-read for Bowen fans and historical fiction enthusiasts.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Bowen’s vivid storytelling style holds readers enrapt…Bowen has written a tender, poignant story balancing dark and light.” —Historical Novel Society “The Venice Sketchbook is that rare book, both epic and personal, and utterly compelling. Two women, decades apart, escape to Venice, each forced to grapple with the influence of world events on her own life. This is a tale brimming with secrets, romance, and possibilities, cast against the colorful setting of irresistible Venice. I was utterly captured.” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids and The Lost Girls of Devon

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Book SynopsisIn occupied France, two people sacrificed everything. Now their granddaughter has come looking for the truth… Ruth’s childhood was a happy one, and her family—on her mother’s side—large and loving. But her father’s French origins have always remained a mystery. Now, with aged relatives beginning to die, Ruth decides to research her father’s family before it’s too late. When she discovers a series of long-lost cassettes, everything she thought she knew about them shatters. The tapes expose an unimaginable truth – an epic wartime story of hidden love and sacrifice, stretching back to occupied France. These long-buried confessions will rock Ruth’s family—and finally piece together the puzzle of her father’s heritage. But are any of them ready for the truth?

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Book SynopsisA meddling app says she’s about to meet her match, but which of the four possibilities is the one—and more importantly, is she ready for love? Find out in this novel about family, soul mates, and chasing dreams by the author of Have We Met? Tiwanda Harris’s thirtieth birthday is a turning point. Gifted her late mother’s journal, Tiwanda is finally getting a glimpse of who her mother was as an adult. Shortly after, the budding entrepreneur receives a grant to jump-start a delicious business opportunity—and her sweet dreams don’t end there. Tiwanda’s been sent a dating app called Met that promises four matches, and among them, her soul mate. All Tiwanda has to do is tap “Yes”… Though she’s doubtful about fitting romance into her life, the choices are hers. As the matches begin to surface, Tiwanda is surprised to find that maybe there is some future potential there after all. But which one could lead to real love? Only time will tell. That is, if she can find the time. With her focus split between launching her career, helping heal old family rifts, maintaining friendships while building new ones, and also trying to open her heart to romantic love, chasing so many dreams is leaving Tiwanda breathless. But who knows? With destiny on her side, maybe there’s a chance all those dreams could come true.

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Book SynopsisHeartwarming, funny and bold, Natalie K Martin’s Unplanned asks: what if the unplanned moments are what life’s all about? Travelling the world for eleven years, Zoe and Sam have been living the dream—Sam’s dream. But when Zoe discovers she is pregnant, she decides it is time to find a new dream, even if Sam isn’t a part of it. Back in London and sleeping in her childhood bedroom, Zoe’s new life at first seems nothing more than her old single life, but with a bump. But then her best friend, Nina, challenges Zoe to take the next nine months to complete a pre-baby bucket list. Now forced to look at her life through a new lens, Zoe has to decide what she wants, and whether that includes a man or not. But after a decade of being part of a ‘we’, is nine months enough time for Zoe to find out who she is as a ‘me’?

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes a bittersweet romance about the power of love in the face of heartbreak and loss.Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. He’s her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesn’t anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diego’s Little Italy.Luca D’Angelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, he’s angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?As Luca learns of Brooke’s difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Luca’s struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him, too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?

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Book SynopsisThree siblings. Three promises. Three lifetimes of saying all the wrong things… “A family drama with a huge amount of heart… A powerful, hopeful read.” —Bobby Palmer “A layered and powerful story about family and identity. Tufayel Ahmed is a talented and vital voice.” —Lauren Ho “Entertaining, poignant, and eye-opening.” —Justin Myers (The Guyliner) Since their mother’s death, siblings Imran, Sumaya and Majid have drifted in three very different directions, trying to live up to the last promises they each made to her. But when a viral news piece throws an unwanted spotlight on the family, they’re drawn back into each other’s lives for the first time in years. With the media attention exposing the cracks in Imran’s already fragile marriage, he begs Sumaya to return from New York to help—but living under the same roof again after all this time brings up all the secrets they’d both thought long-buried. And now nothing can stop the truth from coming out… With the promises they once made in tatters, is this a chance for the siblings to finally live the lives they’ve always wanted and rebuild the bond they once had? Or has too much already been said?Trade Review“With its vividly-rendered cast of characters and an intriguing plot that gives up its secrets with great emotional precision, Better Left Unsaid is a layered and powerful story about family and identity. Tufayel Ahmed is a talented and vital voice.” —Lauren Ho, author of Last Tang Standing and Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic “A family drama with a huge amount of heart, I tore through it in about two days. A powerful, hopeful read.” —Bobby Palmer “With insight and sensitivity, Better Left Unsaid explores complicated family dynamics and the eternal push-and-pull conflicts between tradition, repression, grief and the desire for openness, healing and joy. Entertaining, poignant, and eye-opening.” —Justin Myers (The Guyliner)

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Book SynopsisFour cousins navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family over the course of one memorable year in this heartfelt family drama.Cousins Mari, Erica, Selena, and Gracie are inseparable. They aren’t just family but best friends—sharing secrets, traditions, and a fierce love for their abuelita. But their idyllic childhood ends when Mari’s parents divorce, forcing her to move away. With Mari gone, the girls’ tight-knit bond unravels.Fifteen years later, Mari’s got the big house and handsome husband, but her life is in shambles. Erica’s boyfriend just dumped her, and her new boss hates her. Selena can’t seem to find her place in the world—not Mexican enough for her family, not white enough for her colleagues. And Gracie is a Catholic school teacher with an all-consuming crush, but she can’t trust herself when it comes to romance.As rocky as the cousins’ lives have become, nothing can prepare them for the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. When tragedy reunites them, will they remember their abuelita’s lessons about family and forgiveness—or are fifteen years of separation too much to overcome?

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes the moving story of a man whose life is changed in an instant. How do you start again when you lose the only love you’ve ever known? When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly. In the depths of his heartbreak, Nick must find a way to navigate life that pleases his son, his in-laws, his family and his friends—while honouring what Kerry meant to them all. But when it comes to his own emotions, Nick doesn’t know where to begin. Kerry was his childhood sweetheart—but was she really the only one who could ever make him happy? And in the aftermath of tragedy, can Nick and his son find themselves again?Trade Review“Amanda Prowse manages to talk about [grief] with heartbreaking accuracy…It seems strange to call a book like this uplifting, but it really is.” —Yahoo! “A moving read.” —Bella “There’s sorrow and joy to be found in this emotional story.” —My Weekly “[An] absorbing and emotionally acute tale of grieving, family, and new beginnings. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.” —The Lady magazine “…a moving story.” —Yours Magazine “Prowse writes about these life-changing situations with such finesse.” —Woman Magazine

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Book SynopsisIn these buoyant and inventive stories, Karen Tei Yamashita transfers classic tales across boundaries and questions what an inheritance—familial, cultural, emotional, artistic—really means. In a California of the sixties and seventies, characters examine the contents of deceased relatives' freezers, tape-record high school locker-room chatter, or collect a community's gossip while cleaning the teeth of its inhabitants. Mr. Darcy is the captain of the football team, Mansfield Park materializes in a suburb of L.A., bake sales replace ballroom dances, and station wagons, not horse-drawn carriages, are the preferred mode of transit. The stories of traversing class, race, and gender leap into our modern world with and humor.Trade ReviewLonglisted for the 2020 Believer Book Award in Fiction Kirkus, “Best Fiction of 2020” Poets & Writers, “New and Noteworthy Books Esquire, “Best Books of Spring 2020” Literary Hub, “Most Anticipated Books of 2020” Salon.com, “Must Read Spring Books” Refinery29, “Best Spring Books of 2020” “The range of characters, sparkling humor, connective themes, and creative ambition all showcase Yamashita’s impressive powers.” —Publishers Weekly,, starred review “An elegantly written, wryly affectionate mashup of Jane Austen and the Japanese immigrant experience. . . . Yamashita’s reimagining of Austen is sympathetic and funny—and as on target as the movie Clueless.” —Kirkus, starred review “Sansei and Sensibility challenges and delights, while laying bare the familial loyalties we work to preserve and eschew.” —Boston Globe “Karen Tei Yamashita is a contemporary virtuoso of milieu. . . . As gently humorous and entertaining as it is innovative and thought-provoking, Sansei and Sensibility is full of truths universally acknowledged, delivered in one of the most astute, idiosyncratic and important voices writing in America today.” —Star Tribune “Karen Tei Yamashita contends with the Western canon in this astute, pitch-perfect, and wryly funny short story collection. Yamashita recasts Jane Austen characters as Japanese Americans navigating themes familiar to anyone who has read Austen and her contemporaries—social tension, familial obligation, clumsy personal growth, all of the mundanities that add up to meaning—through the lens of Japanese immigrant and Japanese American experiences. A genuine pleasure to read.” —Buzzfeed “A dazzling array of short stories. . . . Yamashita explores the question of inheritance—of how and what we inherit from our cultures, families, and histories—with poignant insight and humor.” —Preety Sidhu and Jae-Yeon Yoo, Electric Literature “[C]ompelling. . . . Yamashita is a clever and spare writer. In many of her touching, surreal short stories, she uses Austen as a springboard into tales featuring Japanese Americans in California. . . . Yamashita’s writing echoes the pain and strength of the Japanese American experience. A potent mashup of Austen and Japanese American culture, Sansei and Sensibility is both entertaining and profound.” —BookPage “Exciting. . . . remarkable. . . . The tone of Sansei and Sensibility is lighthearted, yes, but under the surface is outrage against persistent racism and hierarchies of cultural influence that make evoking Austen here less an act of playful transposition and more a provocation. . . . ironic, wry, playful, with bright, shimmering surfaces and undercurrents strong and political.” —Ariel Djanikian, The Rumpus “[I]t’s in the section’s later stories that [Yamashita’s] trademark flamboyance comes forth and you can really feel her mind at work. It’s that torrent of voice she can spin out of anything, whether riffing on a visit to the gastroenterologist in ‘Colono:Scopy’ or testing out Marie Kondo’s world-famous tidying methods in ‘KonMarimasu’. . . . It doesn’t take a Janeite to enjoy these stories, or to sense that Yamashita’s engagement with Austen runs somewhere between pastiche and parody.” —Jed Munson, Full Stop “ What do you get when Jane Austen meets the Japanese-American community of contemporary California? This smart, witty, perfectly pitched collection of stories—definitely the best Austen adaptation since Clueless.” —Refinery29 “Karen Tei Yamashita is one of America’s great unsung geniuses . . . Here she’s mapped a series of stories onto the plots of Jane Austen novels, telling the tales of Japanese immigrants to the United States through the lens of their shared themes: inheritance, marriage, familial heritage. Yamashita is writing some of her finest stories yet.” —Literary Hub “The range of characters, sparkling humor, connective themes, and creative ambition all showcase Yamashita’s impressive powers.” —Buzzfeed “A dynamic collection. . . . Yamashita reconsiders canonical works, questions cultural inheritance, and experiments with genre and form.” —The Millions “Yamashita’s latest work sparks joy and acknowledges pain, remembers history and sources pop culture, traverses the modern American West, and returns to Japanese traditions—all in under 200 pages. By the book’s finale, the only thing you’ll want to do is pick up everything Yamashita has ever written. . . . Yamashita seamlessly incorporates the Sansei experience into all seven of Austen’s timeless stories, and the result is brilliant, impactful, and of course, hysterical. . . . An unmissable work.” —Paperback Paris “Yamashita’s dizzying amalgamation of fiction and history results in something that is both speculative and truthful. . . . Offers such Sansei/Janeite delights as an LA County Mansfield Park, a 1960s Emma with revolutionary inclinations, and a Lady Susan consisting of post-war postcards and aerograms between Tokyo and California. . . . A gratifying jigsaw puzzle of a book, certain to enrapture readers with both its individual pieces and the larger picture those pieces create.” —Arkansas International “Dazzling. An extraordinarily inventive collection of short stories that takes us from Japan to Brazil to the fractured heart of suburban postwar Japanese America. Whether she is riffing on Jane Austen, channeling Jorge Luis Borges, or meditating on Marie Kondo, Yamashita is a brilliant and often subversive storyteller in superb command of her craft.”—Julie Otsuka “Through vignettes, recipes, and correspondence, master writer Karen Tei Yamashita takes us through the rabbit hole of Japanese America—in particular, her hometown of Gardena, California, where an ethnic community culturally transformed a middle-class bedroom town. Part Ozu meditation of everyday life, part modern folk tale with colorful characters like a truth-telling dental hygienist, Sansei and Sensibility offers a unique and necessary perspective of what it means to be the aging grandchild of Asian immigrants, wondering what you will leave behind for the next generation. As in all of her books, Yamashita deconstructs form and genre to create a work that both delights and challenges” —Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of Snakeskin Shamisen and Hiroshima Boy “This capacious collection is witty, sharp—funny at times, angry at times—always amazing, and never, never dull. I think Jane Austen would be surprised, but delighted. I surely am.” —Karen Joy Fowler Praise for Karen Tei Yamashita Finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction “This powerful, deeply felt, and impeccably researched fiction is irresistibly evocative and overwhelming in every sense.”—Publishers Weekly “Immensely entertaining.”—Newsday &ldquoShaped and voiced with literary flair, this is clearly a book Yamashita felt compelled to write, and her sense of purpose makes this historical excavation feel deeply personal.”—Kirkus “Yamashita incorporates satire and the surreal in prose that is playful yet knowing, fierce yet mournful.”—San Francisco Chronicle

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Book SynopsisSugar Land is a southern fried novel about love, Lead Belly, and liberation. According to a starred Kirkus Review, Sugar Land "is a postcard of small-town Texas life from Prohibition through civil rights, tracing the treatment and awareness of gay people through these decades. The love child of Fannie Flagg and Rita Mae Brown… [a] ravishing debut.” It’s 1923 in Midland, Texas, and Miss Dara falls in love with her best friend―who also happens to be a girl. Terrified, Miss Dara takes a job at the Imperial State Prison Farm for men. Once there, she befriends inmate and soon-to-be legendary blues singer Lead Belly, who sings his way out (true story)―but only after he makes her promise to free herself from her own prison. Sugar Land is a triumphant, beautiful novel about the heart’s refusal to be denied what the heart wants.Trade ReviewAudio recording of an excerpt from Sugar Land on The Other Stories Review in Dallas Voice Hasty Booklist Interview with tammy lynne stoner Featured in Deep South Magazine's Fall/Winter 2018 Reading List.Once you start reading, you will not be able to stop nor will you want to.—Amos Lassen Reviews Sugar Land follows a smart and feisty lesbian liberating herself from prisons literal and figurative in Depression-era West Texas. She meets real-life blues legend Lead Belly, marries a warden (part of both her escape and imprisonment), and becomes a stepmother — but her life spirals downward with the deaths of the two men. Crumpling under the weight of life, she purchases a mobile home, falls in love with a local seamstress, and becomes matriarch of a family of misfits....Sugar Land is a beautiful next step — a book that will remind you a bit of Fried Green Tomatoes and could one day be a film about a determined woman struggling against her own secrets, as well as homophobia and misogyny in small-town Texas. —Diane Anderson-Minshall, Editorial Director of Advocate How can you not adore a novel about love, food, and how working in a prison can help you discover who you really are? Every page has a beating heart; every character is so alive, you swear you hear them breathing. Stoner is an original and this debut is just fantastic.—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times Bestselling author of Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You It's 1923 in Midland, Texas, and Nana Dara, newly employed by the Imperial State Prison Farm for men and newly awakened to a secret she'd rather lock up than face, has encountered the most unlikely of allies: Leadbelly. Yes, that Leadbelly. Out from this very particular pairing spools a Southern epic that spans decades. With beautiful peculiarity of detail and a perfect combination of sharpness and sensitivity, Tammy Lynne Stoner pens a gorgeous debut novel about race, class, sexuality, and the prisons we make of ourselves.—Gigi Little, Powell’s Book Seller and editor of City of Weird With Sugar Land, Stoner creates a captivating story for the ages—a young, southern girl in the 1920's who becomes a ballsy broad in a double-wide, and on the journey learns about love the hard way. This heartbreaking and hysterical book inspires us with a brave and unusual life. Sugar Land is for anyone who still believes in love.—Jillian Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of Some Girls: My Life in a Harem and Everything You Ever Wanted Much of what occurs in the novel is difficult to swallow, in great part because the story takes place in a time when Dara’s identity is not readily accepted, even by herself . . . Sugar Land is a raw, spiraling, and hopeful story about a woman who wishes that she didn’t love as she does, and the life she leads in the wake of her self-realizations.—Hannah Hohman, Foreword Review Stoner has written a book that is heartfelt and tender . . . These characters linger and are quite unforgettable. It’s very much a Southern book in language and with Stoner’s observations that are wry and thoughtful. Sugar Land spans decades in a well-told, easy going manner and I finished the book with a satisfied smile.—Sarah Leamy Overall, Sugar Land is a precisely-told, gritty, redeeming story about second chances filled with hope and inspiration, if you look for it. —Jennifer of Tar Heel Reader...the story takes many delightful twists and turns, always described succinctly and colorfully by this narrator, who is irresistible even on days when she's "retaining enough water to grow rice in Arizona." By the end of it, she comes to believe "that each and every life has the number of trials it is destined to have, and if you take one away, another one fills its place….No life is easy and no life is hard; it's just what adjectives you choose to use to describe it." Dara's story is a postcard of small-town Texas life from Prohibition through civil rights, tracing the treatment and awareness of gay people through these decades. The love child of Fannie Flagg and Rita Mae Brown, Stoner is sure to win her own devoted following with this ravishing debut.— STARRED Kirkus Review Sugar Land by Tammy Lynne Stoner follows a wise and feisty lesbian woman as she frees herself from her own emotional and physical prison to a place of self-love and acceptance... Stoner has penned a novel that reads like Fried Green Tomatoes and The Secret Lives of Bees, and will touch hearts with its tale of a courageous and determined woman struggling against her own secrets, as well as of the patriarchy and intolerance of small-town, West Texas life.—DP, Advocate Dara is a teenager in 1923 when she falls in love with her best friend, another girl, in their small town of Midland, Texas. Scared of what might happen, she takes a job at the Imperial State Prison Farm for men, where she meets the legendary Lead Belly, a real-life blues singer who eventually sings his way to freedom, and in the process, shows Dara how to achieve her own. A powerful paperback that doesn't pull any emotional punches, Sugar Land is a debut you don't want to miss. —Sadie Trobetta, Bustle In 1923 rural Texas, 19-year-old Dara has fallen for her best friend Rhodie. In order to hide her forbidden love, she flees to a job as a cook at the Sugar Land Prison, where she befriends the incarcerated Blues singer Lead Belly and tries to stay in the closet by marrying the prison warden. “Dara's story is a postcard of small-town Texas life from Prohibition through civil rights, tracing the treatment and awareness of gay people through these decades. The love child of Fannie Flagg and Rita Mae Brown, Stoner is sure to win her own devoted following with this ravishing debut.” (Kirkus)—Oakland Public Library, "Ten Great Reasons to Read Fiction October 2018" [Sugar Land] is about improbable kindnesses stubbornly taking root in harsh environments; the resourcefulness of people who feel they’ve been cursed not just by society but their own desires; and how the toughest prisons are often the ones we create for ourselves. —Houston Chronicle It’s a story that deals with heavy themes such as racism and gender and sexual discrimination and violence, but one that stoner writes with such a tender, warm lilt that readers don’t get bogged down. Her characters are complex, fully drawn and utterly alive thanks to stoner’s deft deployment of pitch-perfect regional dialogue.—ArtsAtl

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Book SynopsisSuch a quiet and ordinary wife and mother. Who will even notice what she’s done? Lillian Smith leads an unexceptional life, writing obituaries and killing time with her inattentive husband and disconnected son. Then she meets David, a handsome stranger, in a coffee shop. Lured into an affair, she invents a new persona, one without strings, deadlines, or brooding husbands. Lillian has never felt so reckless, unpredictable, or wanted. But as her affair with David intensifies, she withdraws from everything that’s real, even her closest friend. When evidence of her life as a secret lover finds its way onto her son’s social media, she risks ruining much more than her marriage or reputation. As lies beget lies, Lillian’s two worlds spiral dangerously out of control. And betrayals run deeper than she imagines. Because Lillian isn’t the only one leading a double life.Trade ReviewPraise for A. R. Torre A Familiar Stranger “A whiplash suspenser that’s a model of its kind.” —Kirkus Reviews “The author skillfully reveals the characters’ many lies and secrets. Torre knows how to keep the reader guessing.” —Publishers Weekly The Good Lie “Ambitious and twisty…Great bedtime reading for insomniacs and people willing to act like insomniacs just this once.” —Kirkus Reviews “This kinky tale is compulsively readable.” —Publishers Weekly “A blend of serial killer story, court cases, and even romance, this is a tricky story that will keep readers going.” —The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Every Last Secret “Deliciously, sublimely nasty: Mean Girls for grown-ups.” —Kirkus Reviews “Torre keeps the suspense high…Readers will be riveted from page one.” —Publishers Weekly “A glamorous and seductive novel that will suck you in and knock you sideways. I love this story, these characters, and the raw emotion they generated in me. I devoured every word. Exceptional.” —Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author “Raw and riveting. A clever ride that will make you question everyone and everything.” —Meredith Wild, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisIn this romantic tale in the Escape to France collection from bestselling author Fiona Valpy, Sara has one summer to make wedding wishes come true. But can she save her own happy-ever-after? Revised edition: Previously published as The French for Always, this edition of The Season of Dreams includes editorial revisions. Once upon a time, in an ancient château nestled above a golden river among the vineyards of Bordeaux, Sara and Gavin opened a wedding venue where fairy tales come true…But when Sara discovers Gavin in the arms of a wedding guest, their own happiness crumbles to dust. Faced with five beaming couples yet to say ‘I do’, she realises it’s up to her to host the rest of their first make-or-break season alone. For the summer to go off without a hitch, Sara must bury her broken heart and her fear that she’ll soon be packing her bags for London, and lean on her local team of helpers. So when handsome Thomas Cortini, wine salesman and amateur DJ, crosses her path, Sara’s thrilled to draft in further reinforcements—and finally dares to hope the summer might not be a total disaster… But with her life savings at stake, can Sara pull off a successful season, save her budding business and—just maybe—find her own happy-ever-after before the summer ends?

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Book SynopsisA bighearted novel about motherhood, friendship, moving on, and love of all kinds. Ever since Beth Bailey was a girl, she’s been in love with her best friend’s older brother, Mark. She’s continued to hold out hope that maybe, someday, he’ll love her back. But now Beth is thirty-five years old, and on the day of Mark’s wedding to another woman, she finally accepts the wake-up call she needs to move on. Beth’s dream of marrying her first love may be over, but her other biggest desire is still within reach: becoming a mother. Having lost her own parents very young, there’s nothing Beth wants more in life, and nothing she’ll stop at to make her wish come true. Over the course of five years, and with unexpected twists along the way, Beth will come to startling realisations about family, friendship, the meaning of love, and most importantly, herself on the winding path to happiness and, she hopes, to motherhood.Trade Review“Kitty Johnson’s Five Winters features such a warm, relatable protagonist in Beth and is a wonderful story about finding yourself—and love, of course! I very much enjoyed this read.” —Emily Stone, author of Always in December “This book is such a tonic. Entertaining characters, a heartwarming story line, and an ending guaranteed to make you smile.” —Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Impossible to Forget “Told in a fresh and original voice, Five Winters is a moving and hopeful study of one woman’s quest for love and motherhood. Readers will adore Beth and cheer for her all the way. Kitty Johnson’s book follows the tradition of all the best Christmas books: it gives you that warm feeling that, if you try hard enough, you can make all your dreams come true.” —Anita Hughes, author of A Magical New York Christmas

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Book Synopsis“Bursting with humor, banter, and cringeworthy first dates, Sonali Dev’s The Vibrant Years is a joyful and fun read, but it’s also very much a timely tale about a group of underestimated women demanding respect and embracing their most authentic selves.” —Mindy Kaling Living on their own terms means being there for one another. When sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars, she’s astounded—and horrified. The windfall threatens to expose a shameful mistake from her youth. Desperate to keep the secret, Bindu quickly spends it on something unexpected: a condo in a posh retirement community in Florida. The impulsive decision blindsides Bindu’s daughter-in-law, Aly. At forty-seven, Aly still shares a home with Bindu even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. But maybe this change is just the push Aly needs to fight for the segment she’s been promised for years at the news station where she works. As Bindu and Aly navigate their new dynamic, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is faced with losing the business that made her a tech-world star. The only way to save it is to deliver a new idea to her investors—and of course they want the half-baked dating app she pitched them in a panic. Problem is, Cullie has never been on a real date. Naturally, enlisting her single mother and grandmother to help her with the research is the answer. From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes a heartfelt novel about three generations of hilarious, unconventional, ambitious women navigating bad dates, a spiteful HOA board, reemerging exes, and secrets that refuse to remain hidden. Join the Desai women on a shared journey of self-discovery as they dare to live their most vibrant lives.Trade Review“These Indian American women and their struggles will appeal to readers from every age and culture.” — Washington Post “An intergenerational tale of self-discovery and the relationships that matter most…A cozy cup of chai for the soul.” —Kirkus Reviews “Dev easily gets the reader to root for her well-rounded characters, and the intertwined story lines wrap up with a delightful ending. This effervescent tale is sure to please the author’s fans and win her new ones.” —Publishers Weekly “Three generations of Indian American women strive to find what makes them happy in this heartwarming rom-com about the compromises that held them back and how they finally reclaimed their freedom.” —Booklist (starred review) “Dev weaves humor and romance through her tale of three generations of women.” —Audible “A super-fun, bingeable story about three generations of vibrant women navigating relationships, friendships, mishaps, and ambitions.” —Ms. magazine “Fun and heartfelt.” —BookRiot “A sweeping intergenerational tale showcasing the importance and value of family, relationships, and finding oneself as the world does what the world does: change.” —Apartment Therapy “A laugh-out-loud story full of love, regrets, and secrets.” —Marie Claire “I would give this book five stars for the concept alone, but it’s Sonali Dev’s trademark character depth and beautiful writing that really make The Vibrant Years shine. A gorgeous story of evolving female relationships and how love, hilarity, and the bonds between three generations of women help them thrive in even the fiercest winds of change.” —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation “Oh, what a glorious tangle of love, career, the past, and family is The Vibrant Years! Sonali Dev writes beautiful prose and complex, delightful characters in this story of rediscovery and girl power for three generations of the Desai women. A delicious treat.” —Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author “A vivid and touching story of the relationships between three women who love each other and their quest to find each other’s soul mates. Funny, fast paced, and insightful, The Vibrant Years gracefully explores questions of meaning and hope and regret and most of all the love between women. A beautiful book!” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of This Place of Wonder “I loved this story of three generations of women navigating life, love, and the patriarchy. Sonali Dev’s writing is lush and evocative, her characters vibrant with rage, humor, and wisdom.” —Virginia Kantra, New York Times bestselling author of Meg & Jo and Beth & Amy “Sonali Dev has done it again in this sparkling page-turner about the unbreakable bonds of women and the necessity of forging an authentic path. Three generations of women from one dynamic family band together to navigate each chapter of life proving that, with the right people by your side, they can all be vibrant years. Dev’s storytelling shines!” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil “Just the kind of book I love to get lost in. Great characters, tons of energy, perfect pacing. Sonali Dev absolutely nailed it. Loved it!” —Susan Elizabeth Philips, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters fulfilling their grandfather’s dying wish uncover decades of secrets in a powerful novel about family, truth, and forgiveness. Dallas, Dealey Plaza, 1963. Nineteen-year-old Mariah Byrne is following her dream of a career in photography. One moment she’s filled with joy and hope watching the president and Mrs. Kennedy drive past. In the next, the world—and Mariah’s life—is split into before and after. What follows, and the unconventional decisions Mariah makes, will affect her and her family forever. Sixty years later, sisters Raine and Jessica grieve the death of their grandfather. For both his beloved grand girls, Papa leaves behind a last wish and an unexpected keepsake: the key to their grandmother Mariah’s hope chest. Explore its contents, he writes, and follow where they lead. But what secrets can their family history possibly hold? Raine and Jessica unite to piece together the mystery of a past they never knew existed. But facts can’t reveal the whole story. With Mariah’s memories fading, the sisters struggle to understand her choices before the truth disappears forever.Trade Review“This poignant novel tells of trauma, abuse, young love, secrets, lies and estranged family…A lovely story of family dynamics told with warmth and understanding.” —Historical Novels Review “A riveting and emotional read! Langston takes us on a generational journey of discovery, uncovering secrets that threaten to tear a family apart. Fast paced and heartwarming, The Measure of Silence illustrates the struggles of motherhood, and power of love and forgiveness with endearing characters.” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire “The Measure of Silence is a touching, compelling novel of the family secrets that bind generations and can also tear them apart. Elizabeth Langston deftly weaves the trauma of President Kennedy’s assassination through the pain and difficulties of her character’s lives. The family dynamics are very relatable and the characters' struggles with both their present experiences and the past kept me reading until the end.” —Georgie Blalock, author of An Indiscreet Princess and The Last Debutantes “The Measure of Silence delves into the explosive results of a last wish that rips up deep family secrets. Elizabeth Langston powerfully illustrates the struggle of mental health issues in a world where they weren’t understood and will leave you rooting for the heroine to succeed. This is a moving historical fiction with a past that will keep you riveted as all is revealed.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London “A captivating read. The Measure of Silence is a bittersweet story of how one young woman’s choice in 1963 dominoes through two generations to intertwine with her grandaughters’ search for the truth.” —Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls “Elizabeth Langston’s The Measure of Silence is a gripping story of family, hidden truths, and the after effects of a tragedy that changed not only the course of Mariah Byrne’s life, but that of an entire nation. Tautly paced and brilliantly crafted, this is a must-read for fans of family drama and JFK-centric fiction. Simply riveting from start to finish.” —Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of The School for German Brides and A Bakery in Paris “A moving multigenerational story of motherhood, love, and powerful family secrets.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

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Book SynopsisTaking refuge on a remote island, a grieving woman develops unlikely connections with the community and the wild in this haunting novel of hope and perseverance from debut author Jessica Bryant Klagmann. After the mysterious disappearance of her fiancé, Alma Hughes moves to a remote island in the North Atlantic, where she hopes to weather her grief and nurture her ailing dog. But the strange town of Violette has mysteries as well. Townsfolk say that the radio tower overlooking their town broadcasts messages through their home appliances, their dreams, even the sea itself. When lightning strikes the tower, illuminating the sky in a brilliant flash, Alma finds herself caught in the unexplainable aftermath of one of Violette’s deadliest storms. As the sea consumes the island, threatening its very existence, the deaths and lost memories of the recently departed also devastate the community. Alma, with a unique link to the lost, may be the only one who can help them move on. But to do so, she must confront a tragic loss of her own. On this doomed island haunted by echoes of the departed, Alma searches for meaning in her future—and dares to discover the power of hope among the living.Trade Review“At once haunting and visionary, Jessica Bryant Klagmann’s This Impossible Brightness asks us to consider ghosts in their many forms—literal ghosts, the ghosts of grief that follow all of us, and the ghost of a present-but-disappearing earth amid climate devastation. In the face of sweeping loss, this novel resists despair by weaving an expansive web of interconnectedness and also of hope. Klagmann’s debut is both wildly imaginative and gorgeously moving.” —Anne Valente, author of Our Hearts Will Burn Us Down “In the eyes of This Impossible Brightness, humans bear a particular mark of distinction, one that’s spiritual or psychological rather than physical. We are the species that tries to change direction in midair; we attempt, impossibly, to take our fall and transform it into an ascent. Jessica Bryant Klagmann’s writing seems motivated by this same desire. Everywhere in her novel’s pages, you sense some force yearning to turn the future into the past—to forestall the autumn of the world, spin it around, and allow it to burst into spring. Through her focus on this effort, she produces a feeling that’s sustained and powerful, a clear-eyed grief leavened by a mad hope.” —Kevin Brockmeier, author of The Ghost Variations “Part ghost story, part adventure yarn, part death meditation, Jessica Bryant Klagmann’s This Impossible Brightness is a tour de force of storytelling. Spinning us through multiple time frames and character perspectives, Klagmann captures the beauty and largeness of nature and our tenuous place in the world. A wonderful debut novel from a remarkable new voice.” —David Nikki Crouse, author of Copy Cats and The Man Back There

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Book SynopsisThe second in Catherine Jones's wonderful series about the goings-on behind the facade of the market town of Little Woodford. The market town of Little Woodford seems peaceful and beautiful, with its thriving high street, ancient church and immaculate allotments. But behind this facade, troubles are brewing. Olivia Laithwaite has come down in the world, thanks to her gambling husband. she hates the modern showbox they've moved into and knows she must now humble herself to apply for a local job. Miranda Osborne has arrived with a flourish in Little Woodford and bought Olivia's beloved Grange. Now she starts to throw her weight around – objecting to everything, from the church bells to the local market stalls. It isn't long before the town is in turmoil. 'Delicious ... A cracking story. I absolutely loved it' Emma Lee-Potter. Trade Review'Little Woodford may be fiction but, through this author's creative skill, it is believable. And entertaining, too' Vale Life (Aylesbury).

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Book SynopsisA cheeky chappy comedianCharlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah thinks he is anything but amusing.The woman who’s got it coveredWeddings are always a difficult time for widow Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it's clear her friends are trying to set her up with.And only one room left at the rental...When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.

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Book Synopsis**AN IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER**___________________________'Funny, endearing, mysterious and outrageous, this book is wildly entertaining and hugely enjoyable.' Liz NugentOn this street, no secret is safe.___________________________The Pine Road WhatsApp group is the place to be for gossip. But the last thing Martha, Robin and Edie need is nosy neighbours.What mysterious circumstance forced Martha to leave the home she loved and move to Dublin?Why has school 'it'-girl Robin moved back in with her parents as a single mum?And if Edie's life is so perfect, why is she so unhappy?As the lives of these very different women become entwined, they will discover the secrets, rivalries and scandals that lie behind every perfectly painted front door...______________________________'Liane Moriarty meets Maeve Binchy meets Marian Keyes.' Jo SpainTrade ReviewThis novel knocked me for six... This carefully and beautifully written tale, which brilliantly blends tragedy, comedy and romance, explores secret lives behind closed doors and the public faces that people present to the world. As Noel Coward once said, I couldn't have liked it more. * Daily Mail *Funny... relatable, contemporary and exceptionally witty... you are drawn in with a smile, and left contemplative afterwards. * Irish Times *Unputdownable * Daily Mail *Witty... A twisty mystery that'll keep you guessing. * Caroline Robb, Heat *Eithne Shortall writes a community of neighbours so vividly that I feel like I'm one of them, adjusting my telescope and keeping a glass to the wall for fear that I'd miss anything. Funny, endearing, mysterious and outrageous, this book is wildly entertaining and hugely enjoyable. * Liz Nugent, author of Unravelling Oliver *Within a few pages I felt like the newest neighbor on Pine Road, where the women are unique, interesting... and have a lot of secrets. I didn't want to put it down until I knew all of them! By the end, these women felt like friends... or frenemies. * Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife *One of the funniest books I have read this year... The characters are colourful, the plot unexpected and, naturally, the parking is dire. * Sarah Breen, Irish Sunday Independent *Heartwarming with a voice of its own. Now this is women power! * Jane Corry, author of My Husband’s Wife *Liane Moriarty meets Maeve Binchy meets Marian Keyes. I laughed, I cried, I shuddered, I was agog. * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *Excellently good * Aaron Monaghan, RTE *This entertaining novel is very much in the vein of 'dramedy' Desperate Housewives and Liane Moriarty's sparkling Big Little Lies... skillful * Irish Examiner *A darkly comic and expertly plotted novel, proving we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. * L V Hay, author of Do No Harm *One of the most enjoyable books I've read in ages. It's so clever. I loved it. * Rachael English, author of The American Girl *Three Little Truths deals with the overlapping lives of the residents of Pine Road and the secrets behind their closed doors and WhatsApp Groups. A big cast of relatable characters make this a very enjoyable read. * Sheila O'Flanagan, author of The Hideaway *The perfect next book for fans of Liane Moriarty... I was torn between never wanting the story to end and dying to know what would happen. With its big heart, biting humor, and unforgettable women, this is a summer must-read. * Bunmi Laditan, author of Confessions of a Domestic Failure *A skilfully woven and unpredictable story - it drew me in effortlessly, and by the end, I felt as though I lived on Pine Road myself. A wonderfully satisfying read. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *The many unpredictable plot twists are nicely executed... readers will be gripped and shocked at each turn. * Irish Independent *[A] charming and witty read. * Image Magazine *

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Book Synopsis· · NAMED ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019 BY NYLON, ELECTRIC LITERATURE, THE MILLIONS AND LITHUB · ·____________________'Soulful, striking and ablaze with promise' Observer__________________At the Beijing Olympics, a pair of synchronized divers stand poised at the edge of success and sexual self-discovery. A Chinese-American girl in Paris finds her life changed when she begins wearing a dead person's clothes. And on a winter evening, a father creates an algorithm to troubleshoot the problem of raising a daughter across an ever-widening gulf of culture and experience.From second-generation rich kids and livestream stars to a glass-swallowing qigong grandmaster, this funny and wise debut collection upends the well-worn path of the immigrant experience to reveal a new face of belonging: of young people testing the limits of who they are and who they will one day become, in a world as vast and various as their ambitions.__________________'Artful, funny, generous and empathetic' Lauren Groff, author of Florida'Sublimely captivating' Vogue'Striking, soulful and ablaze with promise.' ObserverTrade ReviewStriking, soulful and ablaze with promise. * Observer *Remarkable...Wang captures the strivings and uncertainty of Chinese youth establishing themselves in America and beyond...[A] deft, striking debut. * New York Observer, Spring 2019 Must-Read Books *The sixteen stories in Home Remedies are so artful, funny, generous and empathetic that they'll linger in readers for weeks after you finish the book. Xuan Juliana Wang is a radiant new talent. -- Lauren Groff * author of Fates and Furies *In just 12 stories, Wang manages to whip up the portrait of a generation...Proving herself to be anincredible new talent and giving voice to Chinese millennials, this is a short story collection you need to read this summer. * Stylist *An exciting, electric new voice... Sublime. * Financial Times *The dozen stories in this dazzling and unclassifiable collection interrogate the fractures, collisions and glorious new alloys of what it means to be a Chinese Millennial. Xuan Juliana Wang has the dark soul of an old poet's inkwell, the deep knowing of an ancient remedy, and linguistic incandescence of a megacity skyline. Trust these stories to show you the way. * Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Orphan Master's Son *With style, verve and grace, Wang brings a new perspective to stories about family and community. Both modern and innovative, her stories surprise and challenge in wonderful, wonderful ways. * Weike Wang, author of Chemistry *Tasty little bits of perfection. One of the great debuts of the year. * Gary Shteyngart, author of Super Sad True Love Story *The American dream goes global in Xuan Juliana Wang's spectacular debut.... Moving from lower Manhattan to mainland China, the dozen tales in the collection are peopled by immigrants in limbo and Asian millennials riding high on WeChat and rock'n'roll.... Sublimely captivating. * Vogue *Endearing characters with bizarre fixations fill Wang's superb debut collection, a perfect book to dip into this summer.... Wang's striking characters are fresh, clever, and shouldn't be missed. * Publishers Weekly *Bright * Elle *Studded with poetic lines... Home Remedies is full of soulful, Beijing-based coming-of-age stories. * Skinny *Clever and strange, these stories move from America to China and back again, with themes of identity, privilege and race. * Independent *Elements of the surreal and the elegiac mixed in with the comedy and social satire. A memorable collection. * Dan Brotzel, The Scotsman *A striking demonstration of Wang's versatile storytelling gifts, presenting a range of characters, perspectives, and formal choices that prove she has the tools to write a story in whatever way it needs to be written. Home Remedies is filled with characters facing boundaries to be crossed: cultural, familial, economic, political. The magic of these stories radiates from the friction created as characters enter new worlds and try, imperfectly, to make a home for themselves. * The Rumpus *Xuan Juliana Wang's remarkable debut introduces us to the new and changing face of Chinese youth... her dazzling, formally inventive stories upend the immigrant narrative to reveal a new experience of belonging: of young people testing the limits of who they are, in a world as vast and varied as their ambitions... In stories of love, family, and friendship, here are the voices, faces and stories of a new generationnever before captured between the pages in fiction. What sets them apart is Juliana Wang's surprising imagination, able to capture the innermost thoughts of her characters with astonishing empathy. * Book Riot *

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Book SynopsisRome is where the heart is… The heartwarming read of the summerJo has had enough of handsome men. After a painful break-up, she’s decided she doesn’t believe in love.Then, while on a professional trip to the magical city of Rome, she meets Corrado, a scientist and her brother-in-law to be, who doesn’t believe in love either. To him, it’s just a biochemical reaction. So what’s the problem?Well, he’s gorgeous for a start, as well as charming, generous, intelligent and attentive, and she feels herself immediately falling for him, despite her new outlook.The majesty of the Eternal City brings them ever closer together. But is their relationship doomed, or will love conquer all?Heartbreaking and hilarious in equal measure, Dreaming of Rome is a joyous and uplifting read from T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny OliverPraise for T A Williams'An intelligent will they won't they novel that leaves you guessing almost to the very end!' Reader review'Made me want to jump immediately on a plane and fly back to Italy and never come back' Reader review

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Book Synopsis‘This book is hilarious! I have not been able to put it down… and I have literally belly laughed on a number of occasions.’ Reader ReviewIt’s Annie Beaton’s 50th birthday! But instead of getting roses and perfume, she gets sacked, her son, Ben, tells her she’s growing a beard and her husband Joe tells her he wants a divorce.Moving to the countryside to stay in her eccentric aunt’s house, Annie must find her mojo again – and fast. So when she discovers a stack of self-help books, Annie vows to use their advice – from Chicken Soup for the Soul to The Secret – to get her life back on track. Never mind that her 9-going-on-19-year-old daughter, Izzy, is currently engaging Annie in psychological warfare and her adorable 6-year-old son, Ben, spends more time wetting the bed than making friends at his new school…But now, armed with a load of affirmations/inspirational quotes/positive vibes, Annie’s determined to kick her Crappy Old Year to the kerb and have a brilliantly Happy New Year. Just as soon as she’s had her chin waxed… A hilarious, laugh-out-loud feelgood read - fans of Gill Sims, Sophie Ranald and Tracy Bloom will be hooked!Readers are loving Annie Beaton's Year of Positive Thinking!‘nothing short of a delight. Annie is a likable and relatable protagonist whose antics had me laughing out loud more than once. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a lighthearted and feel good read to brighten a dreary winter's day. Reader Review‘This was a great book to start the year on, it was full of laughs…I really liked the character of Annie Beaton and would love to see what else she gets up to in the future…engaging and fun.’ Book Before U Leap‘so fun to read. It reminded me of Bridget Jones’ Diary (for 50 year olds!). She definitely turned her life around and had fun doing it. Highly recommend!’ Reader Review ‘A wonderful read, Annie had me laughing hysterically and falling in love with her, her thoughts, life, her “go get it” attitude. So entertaining’ Reader Review ‘This book had me laughing because it is so relatable and down to earth. It is a great read for learning to move forward and accept who you are. Within the first few pages, I found myself chuckling…Highly recommend this read.’ Reader Review‘I really enjoyed reading this in a tough season - it was lighthearted and full of comedy…the story was relatable and enjoyable.’ Reader Review‘A really easy, feel good read which is particularly relatable for those of us of a certain age!!!’ Reader Review‘A brilliant, enjoyable and entertaining book that made me smile and laugh. It also made me reflect on how a positive outlook on life can help to succeed…well written, I loved the humour and the likeable cast of characters. Highly recommended.’ Reader Review‘this book was hilarious…a great way to escape for a few hours.’ Reader Review‘we should always think positive!!! I loved this book! Mink Elliot has caught on to something good and I look forward to more of her books in the future.’ Reader Review‘a fun and light hearted read which I’m sure most women will be able to relate to. It’s a good reminder to not take life so seriously and try and focus on what is good in our lives instead of the negatives.’ By The Letter Book Reviews‘I really enjoyed this, from the outset it has that upbeat feel about it and is easy to sit back with and enjoy…A wonderful uplifting read.’ Nicki’s Book Blog

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Book SynopsisSummer is approaching in the market town of Little Woodford, which can only mean one thing: the town fete! But the winds of change are blowing through the sleepy town high street and trouble is on the horizon... Two hot properties have come up for sale: The Talbot, Little Woodford's much-loved local pub and The Reeve House, a beautiful country manor cut off from the rest of the town and closed to the community. A 'for sale' sign means new members of the community, and gossip begins to fly about an offer on the Reeve House... who could be the new millionaire in their midst? Meanwhile, Heather, Jacqui and Miranda are desperately trying to organise the fete as an opportunity to bring the town together. But devastation strikes when a newcomer threatens to derail the whole operation. The fourth novel in the fantastic Little Woodford series; full of drama, secrets and community spirit, you'll love this foray into small town living!

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Book SynopsisGet in the Christmas spirit with this charming and funny festive rom-com perfect for fans of Elena Armas, Sophie Kinsella and Catherine Walsh! It's going to be a holly jolly Christmas... Toy Store owner Elodie Martin is not one to get into the festive spirit but nothing gets her fired up more than the chance to get one over on her nemesis, Callum Ashley – the frosty, infuriatingly handsome owner of the local department store. Christmas is the only time she can compete thanks to her grandad Jim, everyone's favourite Santa Claus. But when he has to unexpectedly hang up his red suit, Elodie is at risk of losing the business for good and has no choice but to rely on last-minute replacement out-of-work actor Nick Winter. Can a sprinkling of Christmas magic warm Callum's heart and help Elodie find her happily-ever-after? Or is it just possible that love is to be found a little bit closer to home? Readers love Santa Maybe!: 'Oh my heart!!! Mary Jayne Baker has straightened her crown and taken her seat back on the throne, fully deserving of a QUEEN title... I have literally been transported by this book... impossible to put down... It's a must read!!' littlemissbooklover87, 5* Review 'Santa Maybe is a great big love triangle with tinsel and flashing tree lights decked all over it... Impossibly, breathtakingly romantic... Invitingly sigh-worthy... reality wrapped in a shimmery sheen of hopes and hearts fulfilled.' SparklyPrettyBriiiight, 5* Review 'A five-star read that is worthy of any Santa list... So sweet and funny and had me so wrapped up that I sobbed buckets!!... I am well into the Christmas spirit now.' NetGalley 5* Review 'Aw, what a wonderful festive romance and with such a perfect ending!... This is such a brilliant story and the perfect festive romance to read this Christmas!... The ending is good and so perfect... I can't believe how much I have enjoyed reading this and how I couldn't stop turning the pages! Just want to re-read it again already!' thestrawberrypost 'A gorgeous story that takes all the ingredients of a perfect romantic comedy, and adds that extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to the mix... There is so much here to laugh out loud about, but Baker also knows how to reduce you to a weeping mess – and I loved every extra sparkly magical festive moment.' @brownflopsy, 5* Review 'I loved this so much... Think Miracle on 34th Street vibes, I could see this as a movie, it really was so good!!!!' @reemareads, 5* Review 'It had a You've Got Mail vibe to it and I loved that... Super festive and uplifting... If you're looking for a super festive and speedy read then I'd definitely recommend Santa Maybe.' @youngcreativepress 'Loved this christmassy read. Lovely story very enjoyable will be rereading come December.' @SarahOates10, 5* Review 'Fun festive rom com in book form, that made me smile... Enjoyable quick read, savour with a mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows.' @librarianwithattitude1 'This is a sweet and lovely story; it will make you laugh and believe in love... Because, let's be honest, love is a little bit magic, it happens the moment you least expect it and it transforms your life... You'll have to read the book to know all the answers! And believe me when I say that this is a book that will make you smile!' Varietats2010 'Wonderful Christmas book... filled with so much love, warmth and Christmas spirit. Wonderful.' NetGalley 5* Review 'I have never read a Mary Jayne Baker book I didn't love. This one was no exception... A fun book which I enjoyed reading, whatever the season.' Goodreads 5* Review 'Another smash. This book is funny and clever, with a resolution to a potential love triangle that was done in a careful and believable manner... Add this to your Christmas reads.' Sikonat, 5* Review 'An absolute joy to read – it was gorgeously festive and I was so invested in the characters, even the ones I didn't want to like.' christmaslover1985, 5* Review

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Book SynopsisIt was the perfect marriage… until they fell in love.Chaya is a young woman torn between her duty to family and her life in the UK. While her traditional Sri Lankan parents want her to settle down into marriage, what they don’t know is that Chaya has turned away the one true love of her life, Noah, terrified of their disapproval.Gimhana is hiding his sexuality from his family. It’s easy enough to pretend he’s straight when he lives half a world away in the UK. But it’s getting harder and harder to turn down the potential brides his parents keep finding for him.When Chaya and Gimhana meet, a marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution to their problems. Together they have everything - friendship, stability and their parents’ approval. But when both Chaya and Gimhana find themselves falling in love outside of their marriage, they’re left with an impossible decision – risk everything they’ve built together, or finally follow their heart?Will they choose love, or carry on living a lie?An emotional, page turning read about love, family and the secrets we keep, for fans of Amanda Prowse, Ayisha Malik and Susan Lewis.Praise for Jeevani Charika:‘A compelling, passionate and captivating must read!...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautiful book’ Dash Fan Book ReviewsThis Stolen Life is a journey that is not to be missed…this story moved me beyond measure…I just know it will be one book that will stay with me in the coming months.’ Stacy is Reading‘I loved this book... Jeevani Charika has created such soulful characters that they make reading this book an absolute pleasure… This is a heart-warming 5 star read.’ (5 stars) Jan’s Book Buzz'truly engaging characters that are believable and a story that is applicable the world over. I found myself not wanting to put the book down.' Jen Med’s Book Reviews‘filled with emotional turmoil and love, this is a story that took me completely by surprise. A gorgeous and memorable gem of a book with well written and likeable characters who will stay with me for some time to come.’ Cal Turner Reviews‘The story is gripping, emotional and really unique… I loved it and I heartily recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer‘From the very first few pages I was hooked… This was just beautiful in many ways.’ (5 stars) Goodreads reviewer

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