Family life fiction / Stories about family

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Book SynopsisA heartwarming novel about what we are prepared to give—and give up—in the name of love, from the author of Star-Crossed and The Lost Love Song. Two boxes, both alike in size and shape . . .Marnie Fairchild is the brains and talent behind Wish & Co., a boutique store that offers a bespoke gift-buying service to wealthy clients with complicated lives. Brian Charlesworth is Marnie’s most prized customer, and today she’s wrapping the perfect anniversary gift for his wife, Suzanne . . . and a birthday present for his mistress, Leona. What could possibly go wrong? For years, Marnie’s had her heart set on moving Wish & Co. to the historic shopfront once owned by her grandfather. When the chance to bid for the property unexpectedly arises, Marnie—distracted—makes an uncharacteristic mistake. Soon Brian is in a fight to rescue his marriage, and Marnie is scrabbling to keep her dreams al

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Book SynopsisA story about family, politics and journeying through a fractured country in a delicate time, The Havoc of Choice explores the long reaching effects of colonisation and corruption within the context of a singular household and the disparate experiences of class and clan they encapsulate. 2007, Kenya. Long held captive by her father's shadow of corruption, Kavata has spent her life suffocated by political machinations. When her husband decides to run in the next election, these shadows threaten to consume her home. Unable to bear this darkness, Kavata plots to escape. As her family falls apart, so too does her country. In the wake of Kenya's post-election turmoil, Kavata and her family must find their way back to each other across a landscape of wide-spread confusion, desperation, and heartrending loss. One of the first pieces of long fiction from Kenya to explore its 2007 post-election violence (PEV) in such detail, The Havoc of Choice is a delicate and deeply personal attempt to understand the root of this spontaneous yet organised conflict and to figure out what healing looks like for the people of Kenya.Trade ReviewWanjiru Koinange turns the story of a Kenyan election into a study of Nairobi and Kenya itself. Her vision is warm and intelligent, her storytelling impeccable, and her cast of characters unerringly plausible and fascinating. One of the best accounts of the new Africa in years. -- Imran Coovadia * author of The Wedding and The Posioners *Through the intimate and abiding lens of family, Koinange - a new and compelling voice - skilfully weaves an intricate story of corruption, betrayal, love and loss. Tension-filled and moving. -- Yewande Omotoso * author of Bom Boy and The Woman Next Door *

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Book SynopsisAmidst the glamour of high society, a tawdry secret will change Lily’s life forever…1958. The last year debutantes will be presented at court to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nicholls agrees to debut and do the Season – a glittering and gruelling string of endless balls and cocktail parties.There she befriends two women: aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career after helping her parents find their place among the elite.But the sparkle of the Season dims when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a murky past, what will she choose for her future: her family legacy, or her own, uncertain happiness?A fast-paced and compelling historical novel for fans of Kate Morton and The Crown.Praise for The Last Dance of the Debutante "Between the crinkling of crinolines and the popping of champagne corks, Last Dance of the Debutante leads us on a glorious dance through the traditional glamour and suffocating expectations of a bygone era." Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters across the Sea"Julia Kelly elegantly brings to life the last official presentation of debutantes at court with her exquisitely researched and beautiful written detail. This story was so decadent, I wanted to don silk and crinoline and read it with a glass of champagne." Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London"Refreshing, intriguing, oozing with elegance, and with three female leads who will keep you thoroughly engrossed, a charming gem of a novel which will delight fans of The Crown." Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter"An insightful and engaging look at this neglected subject … an unforgettable journey of a young woman's liberation." Piper Huguley, author of By Design: the story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret"Peels back layers of lush glamour and the extraordinary expectations of the London Season to give us a glimpse into a world teetering on the brink of change and the choices facing those who navigated it. Woven with heartfelt emotion, this novel is a captivating, unforgettable story of one woman's journey to find love, truth, and, most importantly, herself." Kelly Bowen, author of The Paris Apartment"Kelly's descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time." Booklist"The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace... Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life." Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP TEN BESTSELLER'Dark, clever, terrifying' Paula HawkinsGripping and moving' Erin KellyYou won't want to eat, sleep or blink' Tammy CohenImagine your doorbell rings in the middle of the night.You open the door to the police.With them is your husband's eleven-year-old love child. A daughter you never knew he had.Her mother has been found dead in their south London flat.She has nowhere else to go.WOULD YOU TAKE HER IN?Compulsive, dark and devastating, Give Me the Child is a uniquely skilful thriller with an unforgettable twist.___What readers are saying about Give Me the Child:''Chilling and unnerving. I loved it.''''A brilliantly crafted psychological thriller full of surprises, with a breathless climax.''''A tension-filled family drama with plenty of twists and turns along the way, that will have you racing to the end.''''A brilliant suspense-thriller. I highly recommend this book.''I read this in one sitting. It''s an excellent read, chilling and well written.''''A psychologicalTrade Review‘You won’t want to eat, sleep or blink’Tammy Cohen ‘A triumph. A mesmerisingly written examination of desperation and evil’Financial Times ‘Taut and compelling’Good Housekeeping ‘Gripping and moving’Erin Kelly 'A beautifully written and very unsettling read.'Ann Cleeves ‘Hugely addictive and highly recommended’Sarah Hilary ‘Completely unputdownable’Lisa Hall ‘Utterly terrifying – it plays on every mother’s deepest fear’Annabel Kantaria ‘Among my favourite books of the year. I loved it’Mark Hill ‘Prepare to whizz through this addictive read… edge-of-your-seat stuff’The Sun ‘A stimulating, powerful, entirely captivating and deliciously entertaining read’Liz Robinson, Lovereading ‘I was totally blown away’Crime Book Junkie ‘I actually thought within the first few chapters, that I had it sussed and knew exactly who did what and why – I was wrong’A Cornish Mum ‘I was addicted’Mumsnet

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Book SynopsisThe Buchanan sisters share everything-even ownership of their beloved Juniper Inn. As children, they spent every holiday there, until a feud between their mother, Lillian, and Aunt Sassy-one that would last for decades-kept them away. When plans for a grand re-opening of the inn coincide with Sassy's 70th birthday party, youngest sister, Rose, decides it's time for a family reunion. Only she'll need help from a certain handsome hardware store owner to pull off the extravagant celebration . . . And when Lillian's return brings family secrets flooding into the open, will the Buchanan sisters find the strength to heal the pain of the past and maybe even . . . find love?

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Book SynopsisFrom this "fabulous storyteller" (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes the third book in a bestselling western romance series.Jenna Owens spent her young adult years helping raise her three teen nephews after they were removed from their abusive father's care. Now that they're grown, it's their turn to take care of her with the perfect gift: a stay at the Meadow Valley Guest Ranch for her and her supposedly psychic chicken, Lucy. Colt Morgan---one of the owners of Meadow Valley Ranch---is in town visiting his sister and has offered to give Jenna and Lucy a ride. But a storm leaves them stranded for a night in a farmhouse guest room where things get cozier than expected for the barely introduced travel companions.Colt can't deny his attraction to Jenna, even after they make it to Meadow Valley and no long have to share a bed. But Jenna is overly cautious, not only because Colt is ten years younger but because the life he wants isn't one she's able to give him. Their time at the ranch, though? They can at least have that. But what if two weeks of fantasy between strangers might actually have a shot in the real world, or will their final destination be two broken hearts?

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Book Synopsis*** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2022***THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GROWN UPS, MARIAN KEYES''JUST BRILLIANT'' SUNDAY TIMES___________''Myself and Hugh . . . We''re taking a break.''''A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?''If only.Amy''s husband Hugh says he isn''t leaving her.He still loves her, he''s just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together.Six months in South-East Asia. And nothing she says can stop him.But when does a break become a break-up?A lot can happen in six months. And it''s enough to send Amy and her family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers teetering over the edge.When Hugh returns, if he returns, will he be the same man she married?Will Amy be the same woman?BecaTrade ReviewInvolving and beautifully told . . . There's a reason why Marian Keyes is the queen of commercial women's fiction * i Newspaper *Classic Marian Keyes: a blizzard of wit and wisecracks. Mercilessly funny * The Times *There is such a variety of stories and the characters are believable and relatable. She writes funny parts, but then there are those moments that knock you down with sadness * Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido, Woman & Home *An addictive book . . . lust and desire is described brilliantly * Independent *The Break races along with Keyes' trademark energy, lightness of touch and plenty of laughs * Sunday Express *The Break is Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest, glorious bestThe Break makes me laugh out loud * Sunday Express *Breathlessly entertaining * Connaught Telegraph *Keyes writes extremely well about modern women. A breezy, candid and deeply felt account of a wife, mother and career woman rediscovering herself * Metro *Girl-power at its best. I laughed . . . I cried * Daily Mail *Another belter. Full of brilliantly fun characters, genuine emotion and heaps of charm. We loved it! * Heat *A snappy narrator and a raucous cast of characters make The Break another classic from Marian Keyes * Sunday Express *Fabulously entertaining. Classic Keyes. The queen of intelligent women's fiction * Sunday Mirror *A pleasure. Keyes writes women who are absolutely themselves, even when society tries to insist they be something else * Irish Times *Hilariously wise * Prima *Marian Keyes's latest novel will have you enraged one moment. Half laughing. Half crying the next. While nodding in recognition * Psychologies *Marian Keyes writes about modern relationships and families with brutal yet endearing honesty, wonderful humour and astonishing acumen * Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things *There is no finer writer than Marian Keyes and The Break is her at the top of the game; funny, real, with characters that speak to all of us. Only Keyes can combine pathos and humour with such effortless skill, to produce a novel that stays with you long after you've turned the final page * Rowan Coleman, author of The Summer of Impossible Things *Underline Keyes' status as an international treasure. The ultimate choice for a binge read * Stylist *A gripping story with great heart, intensity and wisdom * Sunday Business Post *Hilarious and moving, a zeitgeisty look at how couples splinter or stay together in the face of life's obstacles * Irish Times *I bloody loved it. Many moments of comic genius, empathy and heartbreak. She really is unparalleled when it comes to making serious points with the lightest of touches. * The Pool *I absolutely LOVED The Break - such energy, wit and good humour * Fanny Blake, author and books editor, Woman & Home *One of the most reliably brilliant novelists writing with humour and insight about women's lives, I think Keyes gets better and better * Alice O’Keeffe, The Bookseller *Hilariously warm and wonderful * Image *Amy's husband Hugh has run away to 'find himself'. But will he ever come back? 'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.''A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'If only. * from the publisher's description *September's best pulse-quickening pager-turner. Marian Keyes at her most classic and brilliant best * Red *The ultimate choice . . . filled with the author's signature themes, think turbulent relationships, tricky families and the need for self-belief. Keyes' [is] an international treasure * Stylist *Fabulously entertaining, classic Keyes . . . a delightful reminder of why best selling Keyes has earned her crown as the queen of intelligent woman's fiction * The People *Cause for celebration . . . An engrossing novel full of wit and warmth. The humour never once detracts from the emotional depth. * Red *Cause for jubilation . . . This proves her to be the reigning queen of British chick lit . . . insightful, funny and poignant * Daily Mail *Praise for Marian Keyes -- -Gloriously funny * The Sunday Times *Funny but poignant * Marie Claire *A total triumph * Daily Mail *Not only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisTurn a Blind Eye is the third instalment in the gripping story of Detective Inspector William Warwick, by the master storyteller and Sunday Times number one bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles.William Warwick, now a Detective Inspector, is tasked with a dangerous new line of work, to go undercover and expose crime of another kind: corruption at the heart of the Metropolitan Police Force. His team is focused on following Detective Jerry Summers, a young officer whose lifestyle appears to exceed his income. But as a personal relationship develops with a member of William’s team, it threatens to compromise the whole investigation.Meanwhile, a notorious drug baron goes on trial, with the prosecution case led by William’s father and sister. And William’s wife Beth, now a mother to twins, renews an old acquaintance who appears to have turned over a new leaf, or has she?As the undercover officers start to draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go deeper still, and more of his colleagues than he first thought might be willing to turn a blind eye.‘Peerless master of the page-turner’ – Daily MailTrade ReviewProbably the greatest storyteller of our age * Mail on Sunday *If there were a Nobel Prize for storytelling, Archer would win * Daily Telegraph *Jeffrey Archer is one of my literary heroes. * Fraser Nelson, The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisYOU''LL BE HOOKED BY THE FIRST PAGE, AND SHOCKED BY THE LAST . . . THE TWISTY NEW THRILLER FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FRIEND REQUESTThey thought the killer had no motive. But these murders are not what they seem . . .On 15th June 1994, Travis Green - husband, father, upstanding citizen - walked through the streets of Hartstead and killed eleven of his neighbours. The last victim was little Cassie Colman''s father.As the twenty-five-year anniversary approaches, Cassie tries to forget the past - even as her mother struggles to remember it at all. Then something hidden in her mother''s possessions suggests the murders were not what everyone believes.Cassie can''t stop herself from digging up the past. But someone will do anything to keep it buried . . .PRAISE FOR THE ANNIVERSARY:''A poignant and unsettling page-turner'' SUN''A book to keep you guessingTrade ReviewPraise for The Anniversary * - *Queen of the irresistible premise, Laura Marshall returns with a book to keep you guessing and pull at your heartstrings -- Erin KellyChilling, moving, compulsively readable. The Anniversary is Laura Marshall's best yet -- Chris WhitakerFascinating * Sunday Times *A poignant and unsettling page-turner * Sun *I kept thinking 'just one more page' and was genuinely unable to put it down. Expertly written and plotted -- Karen HamiltonA tense, twisty one-sitting read -- Tammy CohenA brilliant, twisty thriller you'll want to race through * Fabulous Magazine *The perfect compulsive summer read -- Fiona CumminsClever, pacey and compelling. A cracking thriller that also examines the relationship between mothers and daughters with honesty and compassion -- Emma CurtisLaura Marshall's unsettling psychological thriller is utterly gripping * Woman's Own *A storming return by one of my favourite thriller writers and could well be her best. Turning the whodunnit on its head to focus on the "why", Marshall crafts a chilling and emotionally complex read . . . Sensitive, intelligent, and hugely entertaining -- Caz FrearI love Laura Marshall's books and this is my favourite. The twist at the end is delicious! -- Amanda ReynoldsFast-paced, intriguing, and with plenty of twists and turns * Irish Examiner *The type of book that'll make the hairs on your arms stand up, as you delve further into the twists and turns * Belfast Telegraph *Grabs hold of the reader and digs in its nails from the chilling first chapter, not letting go for the rest of the novel -- Nikki SmithA twisting tale that stuns you, written with real heart. A wonderful read -- Rachel EdwardsA gripping, tense and addictive psychological thriller . . . I wasn't able to put it down -- Olivia KiernanA knockout hook, full of twists and turns. Expertly crafted and it kept me guessing right until the very end. Highly Recommended -- Neil LancasterEverything I love in a thriller: a stand-out concept and beautifully drawn characters. Clever, emotionally astute - and totally gripping -- Phoebe LockeThis book! A poignant exploration of family dynamics and a white-knuckle ride. Full of truth, it feels very real. You'll not put it down -- Rachael BlokDelivers suspense and tension at great pace . . . there is a deliciously shocking final twist. This is superior 'domestic noir' * Crime Shots *Praise for Laura Marshall * - *Supremely gripping with an excellent twist -- Marian KeyesIntriguing and compulsive . . . I raced to the end -- Louise CandlishA read-it-in-one-sitting thriller . . . Twisty and gripping but always relatable -- Erin KellyAddictive, expertly-plotted -- T.M. LoganThe twist is genuinely unexpected * Independent *A devour-in-one-sitting must * Heat *Sharp, relevant and tightly plotted, with a fabulous twist * Sunday Mirror *Brilliant, compelling -- Karen HamiltonA slick psychological thriller with a killer hook * Red *Superb * Sun *Ramps up the tension page by page . . . I loved it -- Rachel Abbott

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Book Synopsis''Faultless storytelling . . . Wise, generous, atmospheric'' ObserverGrowing up after the war in Westmere, an English seaside town, Kitty has been sheltered by her parents, but meeting Danny changes all of that. She decides to leave everyone and everything she knows to follow Danny to London, in pursuit of glamour and opportunity, and this sets in motion a series of events that will echo down the generations. Over fifty years later, when Kitty''s body is found in her beach hut with a suicide note by her side, her great-niece will help to unravel all the secrets which the family has kept hidden over the decades.''Explores familial legacy, generational secrets and the effects of long-lasting trauma with a distinct tenderness'' New Statesman''A portrait of sisterhood . . . powerful'' Daily Mail''A writer who never lets you down'' Ali SmithTrade ReviewDuffy is a fearless writer ... A portrait of sisterhood in the wider sense - one that's as powerful and gritty as it is wise and celebratory -- Stephanie Cross * DAILY MAIL *Lullaby Beach explores familial legacy, generational secrets and the effects of long-lasting trauma with a distinct tenderness * New Statesman *Whether it's down to the sure rhythm of Duffy's faultless storytelling or the faded backdrop of the south coast of England, her latest novel is a comforting tale despite some gritty subject matter. It opens as eighty-something Kitty takes her own life, leaving behind not just a gaping hole in the world of her two great-nieces, but a mystery, too. Four dates contained in a note seem to hold the key, concealing secrets that bind three generations of Beth and Sara's family. Wise, generous and atmospheric -- Hephzibah Anderson * Observer *A suicide in a sleepy English seaside town exposes family secrets that have lain dormant for three generations in thisatmospheric novel . . . The action is set in the present day and the 1950s. We meet Kitty as an idealistic young girl keen to escape the monotony of her small-minded seaside existence. She elopes with an unsuitable man and starts a new life in London. But it doesn't quite match up to her expectations and she comes running back home, licking her wounds. The narrative masterfully interweaves her story with that of other women in her family, leading to a dramatic finale * The Lady *A writer who never lets you down * ALI SMITH *First class * MARCEL BERLINS, THE TIMES *Sharp insights and sharper wit * DAILY MAIL *A powerful talent * GUARDIAN *Nobody turns the screw of tension tighter than Stella Duffy * VAL MCDERMID *Duffy writes with a judicious combination of power and subtlety * SUNDAY TIMES *A versatile and gifted novelist * LAURA LIPPMAN *

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Book SynopsisDaylight is the gripping follow up to Long Road to Mercy and A Minute to Midnight featuring Special Agent Atlee Pine, from one of the world’s most favourite thriller writers, David Baldacci.The huntEver since Mercy was abducted aged six, Atlee has been relentless in her search for her. Finally, she gets her most promising breakthrough yet – the identity of her sister’s kidnapper.The captureAs Atlee and her assistant, Carol Blum, race to track down the suspect, they run into Pine’s old friend and fellow agent, John Puller, who is investigating the suspect’s family for another crime.The killWorking together, Pine and Puller must pull back the layers of deceit, lies and cover-ups that strike at the very heart of global democracy. And the truth about what happened to Mercy will finally be revealed.That truth will shock Atlee Pine to her very core.Continue the gripping series with Mercy.Trade ReviewA riveting brain teaser as well as serving up vivid action scenes -- John Dugdale, Sunday TimesA fabulous new character from a master storyteller. Readers will love Atlee Pine -- Jane Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost ManFBI Agent Atlee Pine is a heroine I'll never forget -- Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling authorIn FBI Agent Atlee Pine, he has envisioned a new kind of heroine, forged in the fire of trauma and driven by a rare kind of strength. It should come as no shock that a thriller writer for the ages has created a character for the ages! -- Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan X

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Book Synopsis‘Brilliant . . . A deeply unsettling, excellent read’ - Daisy Johnson, author of Everything Under 'A potent contemporary fable . . . riveting' - Guardian‘Genuinely thrilling . . . one long beautiful scream’ - Evie WyldLucy lives with her husband Jake and their two boys. Her life is devoted to her children, her days mapped out by their finely tuned routine.Until a man calls one afternoon with a shattering message: his wife has been having an affair with Lucy’s husband. He thought she should know.Lucy is distraught. She decides to stay with Jake, if only for the children’s sake, but in order to even the score, they agree that she will hurt him three times. Jake will not know when the hurt is coming, or what form it will take. And so begins a delicate game of crime and punishment, from which there is no return . . .Told in dazzling, musical prose, The Harpy by Megan Hunter is a dark, staggering fairy tale, at once mythical and otherworldly and fiercely contemporary. It is a novel of love, marriage and its failures, of power and revenge, of metamorphosis and renewal.‘Utterly compelling . . . precise and darkly truthful’ Esther Freud Trade ReviewThe Harpy is brilliant. Hunter imbues the everyday with apocalyptic unease. A deeply unsettling, excellent read. -- Daisy Johnson, Booker shortlisted author of Everything UnderIn The Harpy, Hunter has articulated female rage in a way that lives on in your bones and in your gut. A genuinely thrilling read, one long beautiful scream. -- Evie WyldMegan Hunter’s potent contemporary fable about the enduring taboo of female fury becomes especially relevant. Every bit as riveting as her debut The End We Start From . . . the ensuing drama blends mythic motifs with pointed swipes at modern motherhood’s double binds. * Guardian *The Harpy is an almost perfect book. The premise is so simple, and the execution so flawless . . . I've talked about it more than anything else I've read so far this year: I love explaining the set-up to friends and watching their eyes widen. It's so dark and so much fun. -- Kristen Roupenian, author of Cat PersonHunter writes viscerally and incisively about the taboos of female desire and rage . . . [a] striking, pared-down modern myth * Daily Mail *A fiery tale of infidelity . . . she manages to elevate her story to something that is at once rooted in the everyday and effortlessly transcends it . . . a gripping, psychologically astute account of a relationship in free-fall * Scotsman *Sentence after sentence made my skin bump. Not just with what the sentence said, but because the writing was so very, very good. It's a brilliant piece of work. -- Cynan Jones, author of CoveUtterly compelling . . . so precise and darkly truthful. I thought it succeeding in illuminating - with flair and originality - the damage done by betrayal. -- Esther FreudI was utterly spellbound. Her dark humour and pointillist prose puts her in league with Lydia Davis and Jenny Offil, masterfully rendering the emotional shock of a protagonist finding her life has become story. -- Olivia Sudjic, author of SympathyA sharp, timely and darkly funny novel about maternal love and sacrifice, and the incandescent rage that festers beneath it. Hunter's writing is beautiful and spare, uncanny and hilarious. I utterly loved it. -- Luiza Sauma, author of Flesh and Bone and WaterA beautifully written, viscerally disturbing novel that turns the narrative of the cheated-on wife on its head -- Laura Kaye, author of English AnimalsMegan Hunter effortlessly compels us to feel both heartbreak and the momentary gratification of revenge . . . devastating in its evocation of the expense and sometimes fatal strain of passion, grief, and rage.’ -- Susanna Moore, author of In the CutThe Harpy is a taut and lyrical novel about cosily calibrated lives coming spectacularly undone. Compulsively absorbing yet otherworldly, both a fever dream and a gorgeous and alarming howl of rage. -- Sharlene Teo, author of PontiIn hungry, restless prose, Megan Hunter tears apart the seam between motherhood and the monstrous. She confronts the fear of female anger and asks us what happens when pain that has been swallowed through generations begins to rush to the surface. -- Jessica Andrews, author of SaltwaterOn one level it is the psychological excavation of a suburban marriage on the rocks, on another, a spell to summon primeval feminine power. Above all, it is prose informed by poetry . . . a brilliant and eviscerating work of literary fiction * Review 31 *With shades of Carmen Maria Machado and Karen Russell, Hunter turns in an unforgettable magical realist story of power, revenge, and transformation. * Esquire *A blisteringly tense, brilliant book about adultery, betrayal, motherhood and revenge -- Amanda Craig

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Book SynopsisRelationships come together, fall apart and are reinvented over time in this warm-hearted novel by the world’s favourite storyteller, Danielle Steel. Eileen Jackson was happy to set aside her own career dreams in order to raise a family with her husband Paul. But when she discovers Paul’s affair with a younger woman, she begins to question all those years of sacrifice and compromise. On the brink of forty, she fears it is too late to start over. Meanwhile, Paul’s girlfriend Olivia is struggling to find herself while in the shadow of her mother, a famous actress, and her grandmother, a fiercely independent artist. With their love and support, Olivia takes a major professional step. But she realizes she still has much to learn about herself before committing her life to someone else. Ultimately, Eileen decides to chase her own dreams as well, thousands of miles away in Paris. What awaits is an adventure that transforms her life. At every age, there are challenges to be met and new worlds to discover. The Numbers Game is a reminder that it’s never too late to turn a new page and start again.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling novel, set to be a major TV drama series.'You can't help feeling that Jane would have approved.' OBSERVER'So good, so intelligent, so clever, so entertaining - I adored it.' CLAIRE TOMALIN________________________Throughout her lifetime, Jane Austen wrote countless letters to her sister. But why did Cassandra burn them all?1840: twenty three years after the death of her famous sister Jane, Cassandra Austen returns to the village of Kintbury, and the home of her family's friends, the Fowles.She knows that, in some dusty corner of the sprawling vicarage, there is a cache of family letters which hold secrets she can never allow to be revealed.As Cassandra recalls her youth and her relationship with her brilliant yet complex sister, she pieces together buried truths about Jane's history, and her own. And she faces a stark choice: should she act to protect Jane's reputation, or leave the contents of the letters to go unguarded into posterity?Based on a literary mystery that has long puzzled biographers and academics, Miss Austen is a wonderfully original and emotionally complex novel about the loves and lives of Cassandra and Jane Austen.________________________'The perfect book to wrap yourself around on a dark night' STYLIST'Celebrates unexamined lives, sisterhood and virtues such as kindness and loyalty' SUNDAY TIMES'This is a deeply imagined and deeply moving novel' KAREN JOY FOWLER, author of The Jane Austen Bookclub'It's a delight, one of those that you don't want to end.' RTE'A charming novel' SUNDAY MIRROR'Hornby brings to life the Austen family, using the known to speculate on what might have been.' THE TIMES Audio Book of the Week'Extraordinary and heart-wrenching.' LARA PRESCOTT, author of The Secrets We Kept'Gill Hornby ingeniously imagines what Cassandra Austen's own life might have been like.' DEIRDRE LE FAYE, editor of Jane Austen's Letters'Tender and touching' DAILY MAIL'Utterly absorbing.' ARTEMIS COOPER'Delightful.' SUE RYAN, founder of Henley Lit FestTrade ReviewWithout romanticising its period setting or underplaying the precariousness of any woman’s position in this society, it celebrates unexamined lives, sisterhood and virtues such as kindness and loyalty. * SUNDAY TIMES *This is the perfect book to wrap yourself around on a dark night. * STYLIST *Miss Austen voices the (hitherto) shadowy figure of Cassandra, the villainies of the piece, and makes her flesh and blood…. Gill Hornby is at her best describing the complex bonds between the “excellent women” of her story. She describes the horrors, but also the pleasures, of spinsterhood. * THE TIMES *So good, so intelligent, so clever, so entertaining – I adored it. -- CLAIRE TOMALINHornby's gift to the world of Austen lovers is to return to Cassandra her rightful recognition as Jane's most intimate and sustaining relationship, her greatest love. This is a deeply imagined and deeply moving novel. Reading it made me happy and weepy in equally copious amounts. -- KAREN JOY FOWLER, author of THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB and WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Wilde’s second novel set in Moonglow Cove is a redemptive story of the healing power of unconditional familial love and the potential to grow through life’s struggles. It’s sure to please the author’s many devoted readers, and fans of similar authors, like Susan Mallery and Kristan Higgins." — Library Journal "Fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery will relish the complex family relationships Wilde creates." — Booklist “The Keepsake Sisters grabs your attention and heart right from the start…mesmerizing.” — Fresh Fiction “The Moonglow Sisters is everything I love in a book. It's emotional, funny, tender and unforgettable. I couldn't stop reading until the last wonderful page. Lori Wilde writes characters who always speak to my heart.” — RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author "The resilience of the bond between sisters is tested on a rocky path toward healing in this engrossing tale of secrets and betrayals. Lori Wilde's infinitely relatable characters make The Moonglow Sisters a must-read." — Julia Quinn "Page-turning and passionate, Lori Wilde's novels are always a delight!" — Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author "Every now and then a book comes along that touches every emotion, from heart rending tears to belly laughs. The Moonglow Sisters is a one of those rare books. From the first line to the last sigh, it was amazing." — Caroline Leavitt

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Book SynopsisLark Rise to Candleford captures a piece of social history in this ever popular fictional account of an English rural upbringing between the wars. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful hardbacks make perfect gifts for book lovers, or wonderful additions to your own collection. This edition contains all three books – Lark Rise, Over to Candleford and Candleford Green, with an introduction by Bill Gallagher, screenwriter of the hugely popular BBC television adaptation.Laura Timms spends her childhood in a country hamlet called Lark Rise. An intelligent and enquiring child, she is always attentive to the way of life around her – the lives of a farming community and nature as it transforms through the seasons, their working lives together and their celebrations. Whilst much is to be admired and cherished about her community, when she looks back on it as an adult she doesn’t shy away from describing hardship too. Laura attends the village school and leaves at the age of fourteen to work for the postmistress of the village of Candleford. There her eyes are opened to wider horizons.Trade ReviewLark Rise to Candleford is remarkable for its celebratory realism. It neither romanticises poverty nor underplays it -- Richard Mabey * Guardian *Thompson’s timing was perfect. The Second World War was looming and Englishness was being redefined in the face of modernity. -- Alice Spawls * London Review of Books *

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Book Synopsis 'My favourite book of all time' Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie A finalist for the New York Public Library Fiction Award A Grand Prix Littéraire of the Association of Caribbean Writers Selection Named a Best Book of 2016 by: New York Times, NPR, Buzzfeed, San Francisco Chronicle, The Root, Book Riot, Kirkus, Amazon, WBUR's 'On Point' and Barnes & Noble In this radiant, highly anticipated debut, a cast of unforgettable women battle for independence while a maelstrom of change threatens their Jamaican village. Capturing the distinct rhythms of Jamaican life and dialect, Nicole Dennis-Benn pens a tender hymn to a world hidden among pristine beaches and the wide expanse of turquoise seas. At an opulent resort in Montego Bay, Margot hustles to send her younger sister, Thandi, to school. Taught as a girl to trade her sexuality for survival, Margot is ruthlessly determined to shield Thandi from the same fate. When plans for a new hotel threaten the destruction of their community, each woman – fighting to balance the burdens she shoulders with the freedom she craves – must confront long-hidden scars. From a much-heralded new writer, Here Comes the Sun offers a dramatic glimpse into a vibrant, passionate world most outsiders see simply as paradise.Trade Review‘Stuns at every turn... It's about women pushed to the edge, Jamaica in all its beauty and fury and more than anything else, a story that was just waiting to be told.’ * Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings *‘An expertly timed examination of race, class, gender and sexuality, weaved seamlessly into an engaging narrative…brilliantly written.’ * Guardian *‘A vibrant debut.’ * Good Housekeeping *'I think Nicole Dennis-Benn has found the pressure points that nobody talks about, and is exploring those through the most gorgeous fulsome writing. It’s my favourite book of all time.' -- Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie‘Capturing the distinctive rhythms of Jamaican life, Here Comes the Sun sees a band of women battling for independence... As well as being a page-turner, the book left me with food for thought – there’s never been a more apt time to learn about women living realities so different from your own.’ * Grazia *‘A dazzling debut.’ * Guardian *‘Superb, insightful debut.’ * Sunday Herald *‘Vividly captures the fraught dynamics of familial and romantic relationships.’ * The New Yorker *‘Here Comes the Sun was the first Jamaica-set book I read. As a Jamaican woman, that was really exciting. It follows three women: two sisters and their mum. The older sister is navigating sexuality and being a queer woman, the younger is battling identity, being a darker-skinned girl, bleaching. It’s really addictive.’ * Liv Little, Observer *‘This buzzy novel dives under the shimmering surface of paradise to expose its dark secrets.’ * Elle *‘An indelible portrait of a woman in motion. Nicole Dennis-Benn has created in Margot a fierce and fearless striver. A fantastic debut.’ * Laila Lalami, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *‘Margot is one of the reasons to read this book. She is a startling, deeply memorable character. All of Ms. Dennis-Benn’s women are.’ * New York Times *‘Brave, clever and ambitious… Readers of this important debut will no doubt see Jamaica in a new and different light.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘I read it the way I read a thriller, holding my breath, waiting for the next new revelation. It’s Shakespearean-level drama and compulsively readable.’ * Bookriot *[An] engrossing tale... Here Comes The Sun explores the sinister side of tourism through the eyes of three brilliant local women, and Dennis-Benn captures the rhythm and beat of Jamaica with extraordinary skill.' * Red magazine *‘Her prose is lyrical and vibrant, but Dennis-Benn has a deeper purpose, and she takes the reader on a trip that is impossible to forget.’ * Brooklyn Magazine *‘Here Comes the Sun sheds much-needed light on the island’s disenfranchised, particularly on the hardships suffered by its L.G.B.T. community. [An] important debut.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘Haunting and superbly crafted, this is a magical book from a writer of immense talent and intelligence.’ * Kirkus *‘[A] striking portrayal of a vibrant community.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Dennis-Benn's writing is so assured, so gorgeous, that it's hard to believe Here Comes the Sun is a debut novel. There are no wasted words; every sentence is constructed with care and a clear eye […] Here Comes the Sun is tough, beautiful and necessary, and it feels like a miracle.’ * NPR *‘Here Comes the Sun is a powerful reflection on femininity and sexuality in Jamaican culture […] Dennis-Benn's stunning, multi-layered novel explores the implications of race, reputation, class and money – and how they can push people to trade on today for the promise of a better tomorrow.’ * Shelf Awareness *‘Intense, unapologetic and remarkably powerful, Here Comes the Sun is a startling and melodic experience.’ * Bookreporter *‘A compelling exploration of exploitation, sacrifice, tourism, poverty and the drive for freedom, Here Comes the Sun will transport your mind – and heart – this summer.’ * Buzzfeed *‘An essential read for anyone who has ever found themselves mulling over questions of the relationship between tourism and poverty.’ * HelloGiggles *‘Dennis-Benn reveals a sure hand, creating a world she knows well, while offering intimate portraits of characters readers will care deeply about […] An impressive debut.’ * Booklist *‘This beautiful cover belies the darker story it holds. Debut novelist Dennis-Benn captures the beautiful Jamaican setting in a novel of sacrifice and forbidden love that offers commentary on race, class, gender and sexuality without distracting from a gripping plot, eloquent and moving writing, and vivid characters.’ * Bookriot *‘A superbly realized tale of gender, class, race and sexuality in Jamaica. Nicole Dennis-Benn is a powerful and brave new voice in American literature.’ * The Root *‘Nicole Dennis-Benn has delivered a really special read with this one.’ * Bustle *‘[Nicole Dennis-Benn] conjures vivid and passionate characters […] The novel buzzes with eroticism.’ * Bookpage *‘Here Comes the Sun arrives in the season of the beach read, but with eloquent prose and unsentimental clarity, Dennis-Benn offers an excellent reason to look beyond the surface beauty of paradise. This novel is as bracing as a cold shower on a hot day, a reminder that sometimes we need to see things as they are, not as we wish they would be.’ * Miami Herald *‘There is a richness to the way the [Nicole Dennis-Benn] writes about Jamaican culture and identity, along with the New World colonialism that has cropped up along the nation's shores […] This book treads into brave territory. The struggle is not a beautiful one. But it is deeply powerful.’ * Refinery29 *‘[Nicole Dennis-Benn] deploys an art of an altogether different kind [in] language of cumulative, almost radiant beauty.’ * Bay Area Reporter *‘Nicole Dennis-Benn’s scorching debut is both desperately sad and impossible to forget.’ * Boston Globe *‘With Here Comes the Sun, Dennis-Benn announces her literary presence with a novel that conjures something transcendent from the darker corners of human nature.’ * Dallas Morning News *‘A talent to watch.’ * Newsday *‘In saturated paragraphs and rich patois, Here Comes The Sun lays out the stark realities of an island whose entire economy relies on natural beauty, cheap labor, and limited resources – and explores what it means to live in a place where, as one character says, ‘nobody love a black girl. Not even herself.’ * Entertainment Weekly * ‘[A] dazzling and gutting novel.’ * Lambda Literary *‘Here Comes the Sun is a vivid and intimate portrayal of lives woven together by adversity.’ * Politics & Prose *‘Here Comes the Sun is every bit as dazzling as its title suggests. Nicole Dennis-Benn draws us so deeply into the fates of her unforgettable characters that we can’t help but dream, suffer, celebrate, and grieve alongside them. Each page of this terrific debut vibrates with power, heart, and unflinching honesty – I couldn’t put it down, yet didn’t want it to end.’ * Mia Alvar, author of In The Country *‘Here Comes the Sun is a moving portrait of a Jamaican family and community wrestling with the great questions in life – how to live and love freely in a world filled with obstacles to both. Nicole Dennis-Benn's exploration of Caribbean women's desires for themselves and each other, is an important contribution to our literature.’ * Naomi Jackson, author of The Star Side of Bird Hill *‘In Here Comes the Sun, Nicole Dennis-Benn boldly takes on the emotional and psychosocial effects of colorism and classism, among other topics. Here is a story of love and betrayal within the parameters of friendships and families in one Jamaican community. Dennis-Benn has written a book that is full of culture and crackling with life.’ * Chinelo Okparanta, author of Under the Udala Trees *‘Remember this title: It'll likely be the buzzword in all upcoming literary awards competitions.’ * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisComplete and unabridged.One of BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.Dickens exposes the corrupting power of money in his last complete novel, Our Mutual Friend, with its expansive cast of characters and interweaving plots.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition has an afterword by Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and original illustrations by Marcus Stone.John Harmon made his fortune collecting ‘dust’. On his death his estranged son is due to inherit his wealth on the condition that he marry Bella Wilfer, a young woman who he has never even met. But when his son is presumed dead, John’s riches pass to his servants Mr. and Mrs. Boffin and they in turn take Bella into their own home. They hire a secretive young man, John Rokesmith, to be Mr. Boffin’s secretary – but what is this man’s real identity and what is his interest in Bella?Trade ReviewI find it irresistible: the autumn evening closing in, the crazy little boat afloat on the filthy Thames, the strong young woman plying the oars and a ragged, grizzled man, her father, busying himself with something towed in the water behind them. You are some way into the narrative before it dawns on you that it is a drowned body. -- Shirley Hughes * Independent *Dickens's last completed novel is a marvel of play-acting and posturing, of taking on roles through delusion, calculation and ambition -- Philip Hensher * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAn emotional journey portraying the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of four women. City of Friends is the number one bestselling novel from the highly acclaimed author, Joanna Trollope.The day Stacey Grant loses her job feels like the last day of her life. Or at least, the only life she'd ever known. For who was she if not a City high-flyer, Senior Partner at one of the top private equity firms in London?As Stacey starts to reconcile her old life with the new – one without professional achievements or meetings, but instead, long days at home with her dog and ailing mother, waiting for her successful husband to come home – she at least has The Girls to fall back on. Beth, Melissa and Gaby. The girls, now women, had been best friends from the early days of university right through their working lives, and for all the happiness and heartbreaks in between.But these career women all have personal problems of their own, and when Stacey's redundancy forces a betrayal to emerge that was supposed to remain secret, their long cherished friendships will be pushed to their limits . . .'It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour' - Daily MailTrade ReviewJoanna Trollope's novels address the issues and emotional journeys that face women today. In this, her 20th novel, she turns a sharp and reflective eye upon four friends in their workplaces . . . As the novel progresses, each woman is forced to question herself and to ask what really matters. How important is work? How much more do women have to put up with in the workplace than men? What price transparency, especially among friends? The author addresses all these questions with her customary insight and wisdom, depicting the characters with warmth and psychological veracity, drawing the reader deep into their lives. * S Magazine, Sunday Express *Ventures into tough new territories of female experience. * Sunday Times *It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour * Daily Mail *Explores the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of the lives of modern women * Metro *This is a delightfully grown-up tale, deftly balancing escapist details with relatable office and home challenges, including ageing parents, rebellious teens and boardroom ethics. Poised and insightful, it's a paean to the joys of leaning in - especially when the going gets tough. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Bestseller   “A powerful coming-of-age story that looks at ambition, friendship, identity, desire, and power from the much-needed female lens. —Bustle “Ultra-readable.” —Vogue    From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Interestings, comes an electric novel not just about who we want to be with, but who we want to be.To be admired by someone we admire—we all yearn for this: the private, electrifying pleasure of being singled out by someone of esteem. But sometimes it can also mean entry to a new kind of life, a bigger world.Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman when she meets the woman she hopes will change her life. Faith Frank, dazzlingly persuasive and elegant at sixty-three, has been a central pillar of the women’s movement for decades, a figure who inspires others to i

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Book SynopsisMaria knew about guilt. It was a stubborn, pervasive and toxic emotion, and incredibly difficult to shake. Especially if really, deep down, you didn't think you deserved to let it go.Maria spends her days tending to the bees of Honeybee Haven and creating wonderful honey products to fund children in need. A former nun, Maria's life has long been shaped by a shadowy secret and her own self-imposed penance for events in her past. The arrival of two letters, one pink, from nearby Noosa Heads, and one marked with a government crest, herald the shattering of Maria's peaceful existence.Before they were married, Tansy made a very serious deal with her husband, Dougall. With their elegant apartment and beachside lifestyle in Noosa, they have everything they agreed they wanted in life, so Tansy is going to ignore the feelings that might suggest she has changed her mind. On top of those not-really-there feelings, Dougall wants to move to Canada!Surprising and intriguing, The Beekeeper's Secret is an exploration of family in all its facets, and the astounding secrets we keep from those we love.Trade ReviewI loved it - a perfect blend of sweet and spice. * Jenny Colgan on The Tea Chest *You will want to move into the wonderful world of Josephine Moon's The Tea Chest - it is so self-assured, so beautifully written, so evocative with its sense of place and smell. Really glorious on every level. And what a cracking story. * Cathy Kelly on The Tea Chest *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Summer at Shell Cottage comes The Year of Taking Chances, a novel full of warmth, humour and romance. Because love is always worth the risk . . .It's New Year's Eve, and Gemma and Spencer Bailey are throwing a house party. There's music, dancing, champagne and all their best friends under one roof. It's going to be a night to remember.Also at the party is Caitlin, who has returned to the village to pack up her much-missed mum's house and to figure out what to do with her life; and Saffron, a PR executive who's keeping a secret which no amount of spin can change. The three women bond over Gemma's dodgy cocktails and fortune cookies, and vow to make this year their best one yet. But as the months unfold, Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin find themselves tested to their limits by shocking new developments. Family, love, work, home - all the things they've taken for granted are thrown into disarray. Under pressure, they are each forced to rethink their lives and start over. But dare they take a chance on something new?Trade ReviewWell-written, full of humour and filled with a reminder about what it means to be kind * Closer *Warm, witty and wise - perfect for lazy afternoons on the sofa * Daily Mail *Sparkling tale of love and friendship * Heat Magazine *An exciting read perfect for this time of year! * OK Magazine *Another sparkling read * Sun on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisTwo women. Two children. But whose is whose?''An emotionally charged and thought-provoking read that any parent will relate to'' Woman''s WeeklyWhen two strangers, Tess and Annie, undergo IVF at an American clinic, their embryos are mixed up and each woman gives birth to the wrong child.The women only discover the devastating error three years later. Tess wants to swap the children back; Annie doesn''t. As the pair wrangle, neither of them expect what unfolds.*******PRAISE FOR THE SWAP''A gripping, heartbreaking and original story which asks some important questions about motherhood and keeps you guessing until the very end, absolutely loved it.'' - Clare Empson, author of HIM''A wonderfully written, thought provoking and moving read. I raced through the pages, desperate to know the outcome. Such a clever, originalTrade ReviewPraise for The Swap * : *An emotionally charged and thought-provoking read that any parent will relate to * Woman's Weekly *A gripping read. * CLOSER *An insightful and emotionally charged read * Woman's Own *A thought-provoking and tense tale * Woman & Home *This is a real heartbreaker of a read. * HEAT *Gripping * BELLA *I read the book in one weekend and emerged wanting to hug my loved ones a little bit tighter. A compelling, thought-provoking, emotional thriller of a book -- Katie MarshA gripping, heartbreaking and original story which asks some important questions about motherhood and keeps you guessing until the very end, absolutely loved it. -- Clare Empson, author of HIMA wonderfully written, thought provoking and moving read. I raced through the pages, desperate to know the outcome. Such a clever, original idea. I loved it. * Claire Douglas *Oh how it was worth the wait! Fiona has crafted an emotive and credible read . . . Harrowing in parts, but uplifting in others, Fiona keeps the pace constant . . . deeply moving and beautifully written. -- Louise Jensen, author of THE SURROGATE and THE DATEThe hook on the cover - Two Women. Two Children. But Whose is Whose? - would grab anyone, but it's the gorgeous writing, the stunning attention to detail, and the searingly difficult themes explored that kept me. I read this in just two days. The impossible dilemma is so sensitively addressed, and yet Mitchell has still created an addictive, page-turner. An unforgettable book. -- Louise Beech, author of THE LIONJust finished the brilliant THE SWAP by Fiona Mitchell and my heart aches. It explores the gut-wrenching dilemma of two women following an IVF mix-up. A gripping tale written with great sensitivity and humour, even in its darkest moments. Book club gold. * Francesca Jakobi, author of BITTER *Praise for The Maid's Room:A modern-day The Help * Emerald Street *A brilliant and eye-opening read * Prima *A beautifully written and deeply moving novel . . . crafted with a mixture of grim detail, dark humour and poignancy, at times it's hard to believe that this book is a work of fiction. Genuinely excellent. ***** * Heat *I loved The Maid's Room with its exquisite writing, married with a shocking and powerful story line that had me gripped and moved until the uplifting conclusion. A fascinating read about survival and the strength and resilience of the human heart. * Katie Marsh, author of A LIFE WITHOUT YOU and THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE *

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Book Synopsis** The New York Times bestseller **'To be taken hostage by Fatima Mirza’s heartrending and timely story is a gutting pleasure... She captures your mind and heart with an urgency that defies you to stop reading. I guarantee you will be different when you close the book' Sarah Jessica Parker'I loved this book' Anne Tyler'The depth of the storytelling and the beauty of the language makes this debut something to treasure' John BoyneAn Indian–Muslim family is preparing for their eldest daughter's wedding. But as Hadia's marriage – one chosen of love, not tradition – gathers the family back together, there is only one thing on their minds: can Amar, the estranged younger brother of the bride, be trusted to behave himself after three years away?A Place for Us tells the story of one family and all family life: of coming to terms with the choices we make, of reconciingly past and present and of how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest betrayals.Trade ReviewI'm particularly interested in stories of immigrants and I loved Fatima Farheen Mirza's A Place for Us, about an Indian family living in America -- Anne Tyler * Observer *Deeply moving... The story comes together gradually, through the perspective of various family members, as it weaves through different points in time. Mirza's writing is poignantly beautiful * Daily Mail *I loved every minute of this novel; Mirza's prose and her story squeezed my heart, and I had to take a very long, deep breath upon finishing the book. This is a writer to watch out for * Stylist *The depth of the storytelling and the beauty of the language makes this debut something to treasure. Highly recommended -- John BoyneTelling the story via multiple perspectives, the author paints an incredibly textured and compassionate portrait of the characters’ lives. Their love for one another is undeniable, yet their inability to communicate it is devastating. As they collectively and individually struggle with the expectations of their heritage as well as contemporary life, A Place For Us is a timeless, yet also timely, family epic -- Aisling O'Leary * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis**Longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction 2018** 'Haunting ... poetic ... Full of sorrow and aching sweetness' Washington Post Gun Love is a hypnotic story of family, community and violence. Told from the perspective of a sharp-eyed teenager, it exposes America's love affair with firearms and its painful consequences.'My mother called anyone or anything that seemed alone, or ended up in the wrong place, a stray. There were stray people, stray dogs, stray bullets, and stray butterflies.'Fourteen-year-old Pearl France lives in the front seat of a broken down car and her mother Margot lives in the back. Together they survive on a diet of powdered milk and bug spray, love songs and stolen cigarettes. Life on the edge of a Florida trailer park is strange enough, but when Pastor Rex's 'Guns for God' programme brings Eli Redmond to town Pearl's world is upended. Eli pays regular visits to Margot in the back seat, forcing Pearl to find a world beyond the car. Margot is given a gift by Eli, a gun of her own, just like he's given her flowers. It sits under the driver's seat, a dark presence...'One of those rare books that the reader might wish to be a few dozen pages longer, to spend more time in this fully realised world ' Observer*Soon to be a film adaptation directed by Julie Taymor*Trade ReviewJennifer Clement's new novel is appallingly timely ... Ms Clement creates a weird poetry of murderous force. Chekhov’s narrative principle—that a gun hung on the wall in the first act must eventually go off—has become a metaphorical rule of storytelling. To reflect American reality, Ms Clement puts a gun on every wall in every room * The Economist *A neon fairytale... written in the punchy, exaggerated style of a graphic novel, it’s surprisingly enjoyable -- Lois Beckett * Guardian *Clement's book is charged with gut-punch sentences and indelible images, but [the] second act is particularly searing ... Propelled to its inevitable denouement less by plot than by the intensity of its author's prose and singular vision, this is an uncompromising snapshot of America's ills -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Clement's spare, often oblique style makes this book feel like a great lost murder ballad by the likes of Johnny Cash or Nick Cave ... excellent at describing the intensity of the love between a mother and child within a claustrophobic environment, and the disruption that a hostile male presence causes to this bond ... One of those rare books that the reader might wish to be a few dozen pages longer, to spend more time in this fully realised world -- Alexander Larman * The Observer *Haunting ... poetic ... Full of sorrow and aching sweetness, “Gun Love” provides a glimpse of people who dwell every day knee deep in the toxic waste of our gun culture. They may be America’s forgotten children, but after reading this novel, you are not likely to forget them -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisOn paper, Sadie's got it all - the partner, the children, the house. But in real life, that doesn't feel quite enough. Sadie can't help harking back to the time when she was a career woman by day and a party animal by night. And what happened to feeling like a sex kitten, anyway? The only sleepless nights she's getting now are due to the baby. Maybe a little reinvention is the answer . . . Sadie can't resist creating a fictitious online identity for herself as a hot TV producer. It's only a bit of harmless fun . . . until truth and fantasy become dangerously tangled. It isn't long before she's wondering if the exciting alter ego she has dreamed up really is the kind of person she wants to be after all . . .Wry, funny and with a wonderful twist in the tale, Lucy Diamond's debut novel Any Way You Want Me is an enchanting story of infidelity, motherhood and friends reunited.

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Book SynopsisThere are some things which even the closest friendship cannot survive . . . Welcome Home is an enthralling and moving drama from bestselling author Margaret Dickinson, set during the Second World War.Neighbours Edie Kelsey and Lil Horton have been friends for over twenty years, sharing the joys and sorrows of a tough life as the wives of fishermen in Grimsby. So it was no surprise that their children were close and that Edie's son, Frank, and Lil's daughter, Irene, would fall in love and marry at a young age.But the declaration of war in 1939 changed everything. Frank went off to fight, and Irene and baby, Tommy, along with Edie's youngest son are sent to the countryside for safety. With Edie's husband, Archie, fishing the dangerous waters in the North Sea and daughter Beth in London doing 'important war work', Edie's family is torn apart.Friendship sustains Edie and Lil, but tragedy follows and there&Trade ReviewThe Queen of Saga * Daily Express *A gripping saga full of heart-rendering drama * Yours *Her novels bring to life her love of the Lincolnshire landscape * Lincolnshire Echo *An outstanding story of love, courage, and family life during World War Two told by an author who knows how to touch your heart - another Margaret Dickinson triumph -- Mary Wood, author of Time Passes TimeMargaret Dickinson's, Welcome Home is an outstanding story of love and war set in the bleakness of WW2. It will tug at your heart-strings, make you cry, smile and leave you wanting to read more by this wonderful author -- Diane Allen, author of For The Sake of Her FamilyI cannot thank Margaret Dickinson enough for the hours of pleasure she's given me with this book. Welcome Home has everything you would expect from the Queen of saga; family life, friendship, heartaches, love and betrayal and much, much more. I not only came to appreciate the privations for those left behind on the home front but the heart stopping moments when one of the family is behind enemy lines, will live on in my memory for a long time to come. A thoroughly enjoyable read -- Pam Weaver

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Book Synopsis 'THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOVEL OF OUR TIMES.' Lemn Sissay, Booker Prize judge From a critically acclaimed author comes a searing novel about maternal love pushed to the brink by environmental crisis 'Brutal and beautiful in equal measure' (Emily St. John Mandel) Bea's daughter, Agnes, is slowly wasting away, her lungs ravaged by the smog and pollution of the overpopulated metropolis they call home. The only alternative is to build a life in the vast expanse of untamed land known as The Wilderness State. No one has been allowed to venture here before. That is all about to change. But as Bea soon discovers, saving her daughter's life might mean losing her in ways she hadn't foreseen. Passionate and exhilarating, The New Wilderness is the story of a mother's fight to save her daughter in a world she can no longer call her own. Longlisted for the DUBLIN Literary Award 2022 * A Guardian Best Science Fiction Book of the Year * A 'Best Book of the Year 2020' according to BBC Culture * An Irish Times Best Debut Fiction of 2020 Trade Review'The New Wilderness is a virtuosic debut, brutal and beautiful in equal measure.' Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel'Soulful, urgent... Supremely well-crafted... What lingers, though, beyond the awesome power of Bea and Agnes as heroines, is pure wonderment at all in this world of ours that is not human.' Observer'Wonderfully imagined and written, this is a tense future-shock novel that's also a tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship under extreme pressure... An urgent novel reflective of what is happening in society right now.' Booker Prize judges'A wildly imaginative and terrifying dystopian story... Touching on humanity and our contempt for nature, this is a timely and compelling novel.' Independent'This Booker-longlisted novel's driving questions – who will live and who will die? And which kind of leadership will triumph along the way? – remind us, in a compelling fashion, why we read at all: to learn how better to survive.' New Statesman'A visceral, elemental performance... Dense with believable detail.' The Sunday Times'Riveting... Bleakly compelling, and leavened by wry, sparkling humour that Cook combines seamlessly with existential dread.' Daily Telegraph'This gut-wrenching story of survival, danger, power, control and, most importantly, love is one you won’t want to put down.' CNN'This Booker-longlisted novel’s driving questions – who will live and who will die? And which kinds of leadership will triumph along the way? – remind us, in a compelling fashion, why we read at all: to learn how better to survive.' New Statesman'It is the anthropological acuity in Cook's writing that makes it so persuasive… The chief power of The New Wilderness, and what distinguishes it from less successful environmental dystopian fiction, is Cook’s talent for world-building.' TLS'Cook leavens her satire with sly wit and real wisdom, expertly deconstructing the borderline separating human beings and other animals.' Guardian, 'Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books 2020' 'Cook's is a fresh and vivid voice; it's unsurprising the likes of Miranda July and Roxane Gay are fans.' Observer'Cook has a keen eye for the relentless weigh-ups of parenthood... The tale of a hazardously self-denying lifestyle pursued on health grounds, it has uncanny resonance.' Metro'Urgent and inventive... This quietly raging novel deserves its place on the Booker longlist. People who switch off when they hear the phrase "climate change" should read it. And so should everyone else.' Irish Times'As close to experiencing a Picasso as literature can get.' Téa Obreht, author of The Tiger's Wife (on Man V. Nature)'A big book full of characters and rich in imagination... The only debut novel on the shortlist that never feels like one.' Irish Times'5 of 5 stars. [A] gripping, fierce, terrifying examination of what people are capable of when they want to survive in both the best and worst ways. Loved this.' Roxane Gay'A damning piece of horror cli-fi, but it's also a gripping and profound examination of love and sacrifice.' BuzzFeed'The New Wilderness left me as stunned as a deer in headlights. Gut-wrenching and heart-wrecking, this is a book that demands to be read, and urgently.' Rachel Khong, author of Goodbye, Vitamin‘Propulsive... The New Wilderness is a well-formed and powerful piece of writing.’ The Times

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Book SynopsisThe wonderful new novel from Chrissie Manby, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Trisha Ashley and The Great British Bake Off.Trade ReviewI've been a fan of Manby's writing for years and thoroughly enjoyed this * Daily Mail *A lovely book which brought a tear to my eye in places -- BroadbeansbooksHeartwarming... truly funny * The Bookbag *Chrissie Manby has cooked up a fine tale...the food is so lovingly described that I felt that I could cook the dishes mentioned -- Cultural WednesdayThis really is such a fabulous read. I dare you not to try and laugh, as I for one couldn't control it! Funny, heart-warming and engaging, The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club is this year's must-read -- By the Letter Book ReviewsThe perfect place to find a recipe for happiness. I adored this hilarious book... [it's] the perfect laugh-out-loud romantic paperback comedy -- I Read NovelsWhat a wonderfully lighthearted and uplifting novel -- Bloglovin'I loved everything about this book, it has a little romance, a little mystery, and great insights into family dynamics but most of all it's hilarious. It's Chrissie Manby at her absolute best and is the funniest book I've read all year' -- That Thing She ReadsAn absolute joy to read...a gentle romantic comedy that ticks all of the right boxes. I highly recommend this book when you need a little pick me up. It's a lovely read. -- Brew and Book Reviews'[This novel] was funny and emotional, it was heartwarming, it was so genuine and realistic and it is a MUST READ this autumn. Highly recommended!' -- On My Bookshelf

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Book Synopsis''I loved this book, everyone needs a Jack Eversea in their life'' 5* reader review Following Eversea, Forever, Jack is the second gorgeous Butler Cove novel from Natasha Boyd. Nicholas Sparks introduced you to Noah Calhoun. Jamie McGuire brought you Travis Maddox. Now meet Jack Eversea, and prepare to be swept away...When Hollywood movie star Jack Eversea stumbled into sleepy Butler Cove, he had no idea he would encounter the only ''real'' thing that''s ever happened to him - only to let her slip through his fingers... Small-town girl Keri Ann Butler''s life changed the night she met Jack Eversea. But suddenly he was gone, and she had to pick up the pieces and start again.Now Jack is back, with one thing on his mind. Winning back the girl who stole his heart. Whatever it takes. But is it too late? Passionate. Devastating. Explosive. Unforgettable. <Trade ReviewBoyd creates magic once again * A Bookish Escape *Natasha Boyd weaves a fascinating tale of love, loss, heartache and redemption * Tome Tender Book Blog *A perfect blend of heartbreak, angst, romance, steam and pure love in its rawest and sometimes most painful form * All Romance Reviews *5 Eversea* glass Loving Stars! * Sizzling Pages Reviews *

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Book Synopsis ''Eversea is captivating, romantic and a stunning read to get lost in! I''ll be honest - this is a book that I have been DREAMING of reading'' 5* reader review Eversea is the first gorgeous Butler Cove novel from Natasha Boyd. If you loved Nicholas Sparks'' Noah Calhoun and lusted after Jamie McGuire''s Travis Maddox, you''ll be dreaming about Jack Eversea...An orphaned, small-town, southern girl, held hostage by responsibility and self-doubt.A Hollywood A-list mega-star, on the run from his latest scandal and with everything to lose. A chance encounter that leads to an unlikely arrangement and epic love affair that will change them both for ever.As powerful as the pounding surf, as intoxicating as the sea breeze, this is one love affair you won''t be able to forget about...Don''t miss the electrifying sequel, Forever, Jack, and return to Butler Cove in the noTrade ReviewA completely captivating read * Romfan Reviews *You will get lost in the characters and their stories. This book is escapism at its very best. A beautiful coming of age story with lots of lovely romance mixed in * Bookish Treasures Blog *An absolutely sexy, heart-touching tale of finding oneself and discovering love along the way. Eversea is brilliantly written with lovable characters and wonderful story that left me wanting more * Tome Tender Book Blog *So if you'd like a book that's full of vibrant characters, swoon (fracking hot) males that leave you hot under the collar, and just generally a book that leaves you wanting so much more, then pick this book up! * Book Passion for Life Blog *

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Winner of the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award ''A life-affirming story full of joy and hope'' CATHY BRAMLEY ''A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure'' MILLY JOHNSON When does time out become the time of your life? Jodie Jackson is all at sea, in every sense. On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she''s leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She''d like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she''ll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill''s beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days. But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it''s clear she''ll struggle to keep herself to herself. If it isn''t Marilyn, who cleans for Bill and is under strict instructions to look after Jodie, then it''s Ned, the noisy sculptor on the next-door houseboat. Ned''s wood carving is hard on the Trade ReviewSparkling . . . light-hearted, laugh-packed fun * Sunday Mirror *If you love romance, quirky humour and animals you can't do better than to sink into Happiness for Beginners. -- Katie FfordeA bright and breezy summer story, the next best thing to a seaside trip * Sunday Mirror *Fun, fantastic and brimming with Matthews magic... from the first to the last page - an absolute joy -- Milly JohnsonThis is a wonderful summer read ... The houseboat may be moored, but still it takes the reader on a strong emotional trip with tears, laughter, fun and friendship along the way. * My Weekly *An irresistibly warmhearted story with a cast of captivating characters, both animal and human -- Trisha AshleyWarm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed -- Sarah MorganI laughed and cried and marvelled * Cathy Bramley on Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses *Happiness For Beginners once again confirms Carole Matthews as the queen of funny, feel good fiction. Put your feet up, and switch off your phone because you're in for a real treat. -- Mike GayleWitty, funny and incredibly touching . . . perfect for lifting the spirits * Heat *Heartwarming story of new beginnings. * Candis *As ever from this author, a lively story that fizzes with fun * Best *Full of quirky characters and often laugh-out loud funny, it's a delightful read. * Choice *Delightful and humorous... as joyful as its cover * Woman's Weekly *Another lovely tale from bestselling writer Carole Matthews * Hello! *

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Book SynopsisA quietly powerful presence in American fiction in during the past two decades, these collected stories show the true scale of Hempel's achievement. Her compact fictions, populated by smart neurotic somewhat damaged narrators, speak grandly to the longings and insecurities in all of us, and in a voice that is bracingly direct and sneakily profound. These are stories about people who make choices that seem inevitable, whose longings and misgivings evoke eternal human experience. With her trademark compassion and wit, Hempel takes readers into the marriages, minor disasters and moments of revelation in an uneasy America.Trade ReviewThe toughest party of reading The Dog of the Marriage is how much your jaw muscles ache from the effort it takes not to laugh and cry in front of strangers. Amy Hempel is my god among writers' Chuck Palahniuk. * Chuck Palahniuk *Her work is an exemplar of the truth that the short story can be the briefest of affairs, but it can stay in the mind forever - Glasgow Herald. * Glasgow Herald *These are astonishing stories, hilarious and surprising and insightful... if there's a funnier, smarter or richer book published this year, I will eat my shoes - Guardian. * Guardian *Reaffirms her impressive mastery of fiction … Hempel's wit, insight and crisp writing make her work consistently powerful' Observer. * Observer *Table of ContentsOn Amy Hempel. Reasons to Live: In a Tub; Tonight Is a Favor to Holly; Celia Is Back; Nashville Gone to Ashes; San Francisco; In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried; Beg, Sl Tog, Inc, Cont, Rep; Going; Pool Night; Three Popes Walk into a Bar; The Man in Bogota; When It's Human Instead of When It's Dog; Why I'm Here; Breathing Jesus; Today Will Be a Quiet Day. At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom: Daylight Come; The Harvest; The Most Girl Part of You; Rapture of the Deep; Du Jour; Murder; The Day I Had Everything; To Those of You Who Missed Your Connecting Flights Out of O'Hare; And Lead Us Not into Penn Station; In the Animal Shelter; At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom; The Lady Will Have the Slug Louie; Under No Moon; The Center; Tom-Rock Through the Eels; The Rest of God. Tumble Home: Weekend; Church Cancels Cow; The Children's Party; Sportsman; Housewife; The Annex; The New Lodger; Tumble Home; Notes. The Dog of the Marriage: Beach Town; Jesus Is Waiting; The Uninvited; Reference #388475848-5; What Were the White Things?; The Dog of the Marriage; The Afterlife; Memoir; Offertory; Notes.

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Book Synopsis Can she keep her son safe? Previously published as A Father’s Revenge. When Pearl’s ex-husband Kevin was sent to prison, she left her old life in Battersea behind, determined to protect her son from the truth about his father. But when her dear friend Bessie dies, she is forced to return to the one place she’d rather forget. While Pearl makes plans to take over Bessie’s shop, Kevin is released from jail and begins to swindle his parents for money. Once he gets what he wants, he’ll soon be after his child. Pearl will do whatever it takes to keep her boy out of his father’s reach – but will it be enough? A gripping and emotional family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn. Readers love A Mother’s Struggle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant book, couldn't put it down as usual, the characters seem so real. Looking forward to reading the next one.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I am a bedtime reader and Kitty Neale certainly kept me up until the wee small hours; just keep reading one more chapter.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me gripped from the first page to the last one. I could not put it down. Brilliant.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘There were loads of twists to this one and I couldn't put it down. Absolutely fantastic read.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an amazing book, I can't put in down. The story is brilliant, I'm obsessed with Neale’s Books.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastic… I read it in a few days, could not put it down. Kept me on the edge if my seat all the way through.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kitty Neale never ever lets you down, from the first page to the last. You feel you are right there in the story with them. Great.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wonderful… Loved every moment of this, hard to put down! A very heartfelt tale and lovely story.’ Reader reviewTrade ReviewPraise for Kitty Neale: 'Heartbreakingly poignant and joltingly realistic.’ Annie Groves ‘A moving tale of love, hope and family…full of drama and heartache.’ Closer

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