Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisPraise for Judy Summers: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book... The characters are well drawn and believable' Lyn Andrews 'Fascinating insights into Victorian Liverpool and a heart-warming story make for an inspiring read' Mollie Walton Can she save her family when they need her the most? Liverpool, 1847. At seventeen, Delilah Shaw is the eldest of the eight Shaw siblings, and the one who must take charge when her mother and brother die in a tragic manner, and her father is left disabled in an accident at the docks.Taking care of the cooking, cleaning, washing and childcare is hard enough, but when they can no longer afford to live in the family home, Delilah must make the heartbreaking choice to leave it and to take two of her younger sisters to the workhouse.Determined to earn enough to get them back, Delilah conjures up a plan to start a flower-selling business, with the support of her new friends, Irish siblings Bridget and Frank, as well as trusted dockworker Abraham.But as her father's drinking habit gets worse, and her siblings grow weaker, Delilah must ask whether she can really forge a better life for her family before it's too late?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JUDY SUMMERS: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book... The characters are well drawn and believable' Lyn Andrews. 'Fascinating insights into Victorian Liverpool and a heart-warming story make for an inspiring read' -- Mollie Walton

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Book SynopsisOne small act can make a big differenceViolet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She's friendly but doesn't have many real friends. She's become good at keeping people at a distance ever since she left home at eighteen and never looked back.But when Violet is forced to return home to care for her estranged mother, Glenys, she quickly finds out that life as a carer isn't easy. Feeling overwhelmed, she's forced to turn to the other local carers, including childhood friend, Adam, for help.Although returning home still feels like a mistake, maybe it will help Violet right some wrongs. After all, she can't keep running from her past forever, and in learning to look after others, perhaps Violet can start to finally love herselfYour favourite authors LOVE Jessica Ryn's heartwarming novels:Well-written and entertaining' Katie Fforde, A Springtime AffairFull of hope, love and kindness' Kirsty Capes, CarelessWarm-hearted, moviTrade Review Praise for Jessica Ryn ‘This will uplift your soul’ Heat ‘A poignant reminder about the importance of connection and community, written with such heart’ Nicola Gill, The Neighbours ‘Completely beguiling – a messy, loveable cast of characters with Dawn at the centre bringing the light’ Beth Morrey, Saving Missy ‘Oozing warmth and compassion, it will make your heart melt’ Closer ‘The book totally swept me away. A warm, heart-felt story with a cast of unforgettable characters’ Olivia Beirne, House Swap ‘Charming, moving and joyous’Alice Peterson,If You Were Here ‘Jessica Ryn writes with such warmth and sensitivity, I felt my heart crack more than once. Dawn Brightside is the heroine we never knew we needed’Roxie Cooper,The Day We Met ‘I fell instantly in love with Dawn Brightside. She made my heart soar and ache all at once, and I was immediately rooting for her. Clever, funny and full of heart’Lia Louis,Somewhere Close to Happy ‘Utterly charming, uplifting and full of warmth. Dawn Brightside has found a very special place in my heart’ Katy Colins,The Best is Yet to Come ‘The book equivalent of a glass half-full. It is love and light and brimming with a compassion that will inspire you to see the bright side. Not just within its pages, but within life’Amy Beashal, The Sky is Mine ‘Beguiling and captivating. The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside tackles homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness and the vulnerability that goes with it with warmth, humour and most of all, courage’ Sunday Post

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Book Synopsis'Serrailler, Hill's brilliant detective, is the central character in the great writer's crime fiction novels' CAMILLA, DUCHESS OF CORNWALL'Beautifully told, Hill's gimlet eye and steely prose remind you how fierce she can be' Daily Mail One rainy night, a couple welcomes two strangers needing help into their home. It's an act they will regret for the rest of their lives. On the other side of town a woman is brutally murdered and her husband is left unconscious. Are the two crimes connected? Detective Simon Serrailler sets out to investigate but will his own demons get in the way?'Keepers the reader gripped until the last page' Sunday ExpressDiscover the bestselling Simon Serrailler series that over ONE MILLION readers have devoured.Trade ReviewSimon Serrailler, Hill’s brilliant detective, is the central character in the great writer’s crime fiction novelsBeautifully told, Hill’s gimlet eye and steely prose remind you how fierce she can be * Daily Mail *The Benefit of Hindsight evolves organically by way of a brilliant fusion of parts: plot, setting, characters, dialogue... I read it at a sitting. Not just a good book but an experience * Shots *Superb... It's a book to start when you have time to spare as you're not readily going to put it down until you get to the last page... I read it in just over a day and I'm still thinking about the characters days later * Bookbag *I love the Simon Serailler series and this was my favourite for a while... the ongoing family drama is hugely compelling. Add to that cleverly woven mystery elements and this, for me, puts this series somewhere near the top of my literary crime favourites * Liz Loves Books *

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Book SynopsisIf you live for your family, would you die for your family?The third novel in the compulsive Mitchells and O'Haras trilogy.Life is looking bleak for Frankie Mitchell.Not only has she lost custody of her two children to their sadistic father, gypsy Jed O'Hara, she is also pregnant and banged up in Holloway awaiting trial for attempted murder.In Frankie's absence, her father, underworld boss Eddie Mitchell, is determined to get his own back. Eddie plans the O'Haras' demise slowly and precisely. But when he finds out a secret and learns the real reason why his daughter is in the slammer, all hell breaks loose.Essex has never seen anything like the bloodbath that follows, but is either family capable of winning this long-running feud, or will they all become the victims of their past mistakes?The Mitchells & O'Haras TrilogyTrade ReviewPraise for Kimberley Chambers: ‘This beautifully crafted, sharp, well-paced novel will keep you hooked until the very end. An outstanding tale of betrayal, violence and love. Buy it. Read it. You'll love it. I did’ Amanda Prowse ‘[Kimberley Chambers is] the queen of the gritty, low-life tale . . .a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute ride that takes you on all sorts of twists and turns’ Bella ‘Easily as good as Martina Cole’ News of the World ‘Brilliantly delivers a story of violence, treachery and family ties… Easy to read and hard to put down’ News of the World ‘[a] fast-paced tale with gritty authenticity’ The Guardian

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Book SynopsisStep into the magical world of Cecelia Ahern in this heartwarming bestseller.If you could wish for one gift this Christmas, what would it be?Lou Suffern wishes he could be in two places at once. His constant battle with the clock is a sensitive issue with his wife and family.Gabe wishes he was somewhere warm. When Lou invites Gabe, a homeless man who sits outside his office, into the building and into his life, Lou's world is changed beyond all measureAn enchanting and thoughtful Christmas story that speaks to all of us abut the value of time and what is truly important in life.Trade Review‘Utterly irresistible . . . I devoured it in one sitting’ Marian Keyes, Irish Times ‘An intriguing, heartfelt novel, which makes you think about the value of life’ Glamour ‘A heavenly gift that speaks to the heart’ Irish Independent ‘Heart-warming, emotional, funny and filled with unexpected twists’ RTE Guide

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Book Synopsis ** Never Forget You, the newest emotional love story from Fiona Lucas, is available to pre-order now!** How can you ever move on, if you can’t let go? ‘A gorgeous book about second-chances, brimming with love and overflowing with hope’ Milly Johnson ***Trade Review Your favourite authors love The Last Goodbye ‘A poignant and emotional story about loss, grief, and the beautiful dawn of a second chance of love, life and happiness. Bittersweet but full of hope’ Judy Finnigan ‘A gorgeous book about second chances and moving from the darkness and back into the light. Brimming with love and overflowing with hope – I adored it’ Milly Johnson, My One True North ‘A beautiful story’ Bella ‘A poignant and uplifting read about loss, love and learning to put yourself back together again after facing the unimaginable’ Sophie Cousens, This Time Next Year ‘A beautiful story about learning to live and love again. Took me from heartache to hope, and left me smiling through my tears’ Zara Stoneley, The First Date ‘A poignant but hopeful journey through grief and the struggle to let go of those we have loved and lost’ Sunday Post ‘A beautifully written story of love, loss and hope. I adored it’ Emma Cooper, The First Time I Saw You ‘Full of heart and tenderness, Anna and Brody carried me with them every step of their journey – a truly outstanding book to lift you up’ Jane Linfoot, The Little Cornish Kitchen ‘Beautifully told and full of hope, this love story will touch your heart’ Helen Rolfe, The Little Village Library

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times and Richard & Judy Book Club bestselling author, comes a thrilling, suspenseful tale that will leave you breathless. An absolute belter of a novel' ELIZABETH HAYNES A sensational novel!' GILLIAN MCALLISTERYou come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don't expect to die.Two years ago, Fran's sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong.Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third victim: Jenna.Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat the first since his release and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister's disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna's secrets to stay hidden?The master of suspense is back. Prepare yourself for the latest heTrade Review Praise for Her Last Holiday: ‘Another twisty-turny and unputdownable read from the Queen of psychological thrillers. Her Last Holiday is a chillingly plausible tale of why you should never, ever go on a wellness retreat.’ Susi Holliday ‘An absolute belter of a novel. Cally is the absolute queen of the page turner.’ Elizabeth Haynes ‘An addictive page-turner that kept me reading through the night. Her Last Holiday is tightly plotted, with a cast of intriguing characters – none of whom are quite what they seem. Sure to be a huge hit!’ Lucy Clarke ‘Another corker! Her Last Holiday really doesn’t disappoint. Kept me hooked and kept me guessing.’ Jane Fallon ‘A thrilling, compelling read which delivered a fabulously satisfying ending. Clever, creepy and very intriguing. Loved it!’ Milly Johnson ‘Pure escapism and such a page turner!! ’ Debbie Howells Praise for C.L. Taylor: ‘I was glued from start to finish!’Shari Lapena ‘Shocking, compelling and entertaining.I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of it.’ Liz Nugent ‘This masterfully woven story comes together in a thrilling and unexpected climax.’Fiona Cummins ‘Wonderfully devious, clever cliffhangers and utterly addictive.’John Marrs ‘She’s done it again…what a brilliant read Strangers is.’Cass Green ‘Expertly woven and so pacy!’Holly Seddon ‘Twisty and clever.’Liz Barnsley ‘Great characters and a clever, complex and unpredictable plot.’Claire Douglas ‘Complex, absorbing, and brilliantly plotted.’Louise Jensen ‘A joy to read with a compelling plot, humour and a killer twist.’Mark Edwards ‘Clever, surprising and nuanced – C.L. Taylor is at the top of her game.’Gillian McAllister ‘Brilliantly plotted.’Louise Jensen ‘A fast-moving thriller from one of the masters of the genre.’Sharon Bolton

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE 2023 FRED KERNER BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION**LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 TORONTO BOOK AWARDS**FINALIST FOR THE 2023 RAKUTEN KOBO EMERGING WRITER PRIZE*Grief is like an inside joke: you have to have been there to really it.Trade Review‘A gem of a book: beautifully crafted, emotionally insightful, and full of sharply-drawn characters who linger long in the memory. Sophie is a literary star in the making’ LAURA BARNETT, #1 bestselling author of The Versions of Us ‘An incredibly intimate, tender story about grief, mourning, silences and secrets, loss, identity, love, sisters/mothers, and home… I'm hooked’ YVONNE BATTLE-FELTON, author of Remembered ‘I enjoyed it so much – one of my favourite things in literature is to be transported to a different place, ideally straight into the heart of a family whose history and characters are as alive while I’m reading as my own, and that was the experience that Wild Fires gave me. It reminded me of The God of Small Things, with the same intricate, confounding but completely relatable family relationships, secrets and darkness; I loved the rhythm of the language and the sharpness of the (often unexpectedly funny) observations … a beautiful book’ EMILY ITAMI, author of Fault Lines ‘A moving and compelling novel that explores a family's grief through both their shared stories and the words that should have stayed unspoken’ LOUISE HARE, author of This Lovely City ‘A dizzying, mesmerising puzzle of a novel… readers will find themselves so deeply invested and absorbed in this tale, and unable to forget it’ KERRY CLARE, author of Asking for a Friend There’s so much beauty in this book … I finished the last page with my eyes wet and my heart full’ DIANA FITZGERALD BRYDEN, author of No Place Strange

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Book SynopsisTook my breath away! The ending is mind-blowing. I loved it!' NetGalley review ?????WOW WOW WOW Heart-pulsing, non-stop, mind-blowing thriller' NetGalley review ?????OH MY GOD! Gripping Left me completely speechless! All the stars!' NetGalley review ?????Three couples. Three houses. One home to die forStacey and Felix are the glamorous owners of the stylish, modern Glass House, with its pool and floor-to-ceiling windows. Now they're downsizing, but Stacey can't sell to just anyone. She needs the right buyer, who will keep her secrets.Millie and Tom have always imagined living in the Glass House. Now it's for sale. With property prices booming, if they can sell quickly, it could be theirs. But are the house and its charming owners all they seem?Harper and Kyle are moving up in the world. They need a new house, in the right school district, to give their children the start in life they never had. Millie and Tom's is perfect. It'll take every penny they have, and more, but it'll be worth Trade ReviewReaders are gripped by Tess Stimson: ‘TEN STARS!… Utterly fabulous… One of the best books I have ever read… You won't be able to put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wait just one minute while I catch my breath and pick my heart up off the floor. Wow! This book grabbed onto me and would not let go… Five stars’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Made my jaw drop!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Omg, wow… just wow, this book is absolutely bloody brilliant…. Worth all the stars and more’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Crikey, reading this book has taken up my days and nights for 3 days! I couldn't stop reading it… I loved it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely unputdownable’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Boy was I gripped… I stayed up all night reading… So many twists and turns’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Twist, twist, twist – I loved it… Brilliant!’ Jackie Kabler, author of The Perfect Couple ‘Gripped me from the very first page… The twists and turns will have you at the edge of your seat!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow… The twists really blew me away!!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I went through so many emotions reading this… Hits you right in the gut… Such a powerful and emotional read. Grab the tissues’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisCaz Finlay has delivered a belter'Gemma Rogers''Caz Finlay has delivered a belter The Carter Family will never be the same after this epic roller coaster ride. With the family dynamics torn apart, I was on the edge of my seat until the final page'' Gemma RogersKeep your friends closeWhen Grace Carter''s boys are arrested for murder, she''s forced to call on her most trusted and loyal connections to keep the boys out of prison. She''ll even ask for help from those she would usually avoid like the plagueBut your enemies closer!DI Leigh Moss has the power to save Grace''s boys, but she''s determined to bring Grace and the Carter clan down once and for all. Leigh might owe Grace her life, but her loyalty now lies with her job and protecting the streets of Liverpool. Until Leigh needs Grace''s help, too.There is a battle coming to Liverpool and only the most loyal will survive.Readers love Liverpool Loyalty:Omg what a book. I couldnt put it down. BRILLIANT' MichelleAbsolutely PHENOMENAL!!!Trade Review‘Grace Sumner is back and taking no prisoners in Caz Finlay’s follow up to The Boss! A gritty, gangland read that will have you on the edge of your seat, Back in the Game is intense and explosive reading! I bloody loved it!’ Noelle Holten, bestselling author of Dead Inside ‘Caz Finlay’s gritty tale of twisted loyalties and brutal betrayal had me gripped from the very first page’ Amanda Brooke, author of The Widows’ Club ‘Grace is back, but she’s got a secret… This powerful story of family loyalties and vengeance will leave you breathless with excitement and terror as it twists and turns through the back streets of Liverpool. Fans of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers will love Caz Finlay; she’s fast becoming the boss of gangland thrillers’ Mary Torjussen, author of The Closer You Get

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Book SynopsisThe only book you need during lockdown heartwarming, uplifting and a cast of characters who will become your best friends!Love Heart Lane where friends are there for you no matter what There's a newcomer to the village of Heartcross and she's never been more in need of a friend.As the new waitress at the local bistro, The Lake House, Ella is ready to start afresh and that could mean there's love on the horizon in the form of the gorgeous Roman, the local water taxi driver. Every day Roman is there to ferry Ella to the restaurant on the other side of the lake and every night he makes sure she gets home safe. But Roman has secrets of his ownCan the Love Heart Lane community offer Ella a chance of a new life? Or will the ghosts of her past catch up with her?Readers can't get enough of the Loveheart Lane series:Christie Barlow has fast become one of my favourite authors! Her books are a ray of sunshine when you read them, even if sad things happen' SineadA lovely romantic story that willTrade Review‘Christie Barlow is one of the best writers in this genre’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café ‘Christie is an immensely talented author with the ability to spin words into heart-warming comedy gold’ Caroline Mitchell #1 bestselling author ‘Well-observed, highly-relatable and wickedly-funny’ Sunday Times bestseller Cathy Bramley ‘There’s always love, laughter and a happy-ever-after with Christie Barlow’s books!’ Mandy Baggot ‘What I absolutely love about the authors books is her attention to her characters, they are a joy to read about. they are so well developed by the end of the book you really do feel you are saying “goodbye” to old friends’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café

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Book SynopsisHow far would you go to protect your family?'Full of heart and essential truth, this moving book will sweep you to a very satisfying ending and perhaps a few happy tears' KATIE FFORDEA riveting family saga, with terrific characters, that has you utterly engrossed from start to finish. I loved it' PATRICIA SCANLANI absolutely adored every page of it . . . No one blends love and loss, happiness and heartbreak quite the way Carmel does. Not since the late, great Maeve Binchy' CLAUDIA CARROLLAn emotional family drama . . . full of the warmth we've come to associate with Carmel's writing' HAZEL GAYNORAn exploration of familial love and grief . . . and how in the face of our greatest trials, our strongest bonds can be forged' ROISIN MEANEY'Warm, uplifting and thought-provoking . . . The perfect book club read!' DEBBIE JOHNSONBeautifully written, warm and wise. I adored it' ALEX BROWNHawke's Bay, New ZealandWhile Rachel Butler likes her life in a pretty Dublin coastal village, her heart lies in Hawke's Bay, where she grew up. Visiting for the first time since tragedy tore her family apart, she and her stepchildren fall for its beauty and outdoor lifestyle.Malahide, IrelandAs Rachel picks up the threads of her life as a single parent, she can't shake off the memories of her loving family in New Zealand and her dream house, the villa on the bay. But it's time to move forwards with their life in Ireland, close to the children's grandparents, amid the familiar surroundings they all know well.Until the children's grandmother, still grieving, starts to interfere, questioning Rachel''s position as stepmother.Until Rachel's attempts to strengthen the family she loves so dearly backfires, pitting everyone against each other.And until her late husband's parents mend the rift that has existed as long as she's been married bringing with them an explosive secret . . .Trade Review More praise for Carmel Harrington: ‘A heart-warming story which shows the power of friendship, family and heritage’ Irish Independent ‘Heartwarming humour, with tears, laughter and friendship. Immensely enjoyable’ Irish Times ‘Carmel Harrington is a natural storyteller… with heart, humour and hope’ RTE ‘Beautifully written, emotionally intelligent and moving in the extreme’ Daily Mail ‘Heartwarming and heartbreaking’ Evening Herald ‘Uplifting, warm, endearing…a feel-good story, the kind that will bring tears’ Irish Echo, Australia ‘Warm, uplifting… a very special book’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Uplifting and powerful… I loved it!’ CATHY KELLY ‘A beautiful story brimming with warmth’ MILLY JOHNSON ‘A warm and beautifully evocative story of family and secrets, love and heartache, with a devastating twist’ ALEX BROWN

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Book SynopsisSeven friends. One killer. You can run, but you can't hideIt's Boxing Day and your friendship group has planned a hike.You know tensions are running high. You've heard the rumours flying around.But this trip is a chance for you to reconnect.As you head into the reserve, everyone is quiet. It almost feels like you've imagined the rift.But as the sun sets, you hear a gun shot.One of your group is dead.And someone you know killed themA fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a killer twist you just won't see coming. Fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley and T.M. Logan will be totally gripped from the very first page.Readers are completely gripped by HIDE!I am *freaking* out!! Has me on the edge of my seatI''ve had to turn the light on because I genuinely feel like I''m stumbling through pitch-black woods in blinding snow and trying to outrun a murderer! Incredible!' Reader Review ?????Tense, twisty and full of toxic secrets a chilly fight for survival guaranteed to give you shivers' T.M. LTrade ReviewPraise for Hide: ‘Tense, twisty and full of toxic secrets – a chilly fight for survival guaranteed to give you shivers’ TM Logan ‘There’s a touch of Agatha Christie to Hide…her humour is crisp and even and the plotting as keen as an axe in the skull’ THE TIMES ‘Gripping’Bella magazine ’Claustrophobic and intense’Fabulous magazine ‘Menacing mysteries will keep you guessing until the very end in this darkly atmospheric tome’Woman’s Own magazine Praise for Nell Pattison: ‘We loved this chilling and fabulously dark read’ Closer ‘A superb innovation for the crime genre . . . a brilliantly terrifying premise and a twisty, gripping tale’ Philippa East ‘Sinister, layered, atmospheric … I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough’ Debbie Howells ‘A nail-biting page-turner of a thriller … The sense of a community isolated, and all the conflicts and tensions that brings, adds satisfying layers of complexity’ James Oswald ‘Delicate, brutal, impossible to put down. The Silent House is a disquieting thriller’ Ross Armstrong ‘A strong and terrifically terrifying debut’ The Nerd Daily ‘Fans of female amateur sleuths will like this one, and the insight into the deaf community gives it a unique slant’ Shots Magazine

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Book SynopsisThe new addictive, compelling and immersive thriller from Nell Pattison, with enough dark twists to give you whiplashFans of Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell will be hooked.My name is Isabella Butterworth. Your name is Isabella Butterworth.We're around the same age. We live in the same town.But your life is more exciting than mine, isn't it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling.Imagine if I'd never found out about youBut I have. Because someone mistook me for you.And now I can't stop thinking about you because I know you're in trouble. You need my help.And I need a way to get to know you.To save you.To be youThe unputdownable new thriller from Nell Pattison that will turn everything you thought you knew on its headperfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell.Readers are GRIPPED by Friends Don't Lie:A real cracker! Fast paced and full of clever characters. Just when I thought I got itI hadn't' Reader Review ?????Whip smart, cleverly plotted and just impeccably written. To say I was gripped is an understatement. It completely and utterly blindsided me and I loved it' Reader Review ?????Twisty and unpredictable, I couldn't put it down' Reader Review ?????I was on the edge of my seat oh so many twists and turns and OMG jaw dropping moments' Reader Review ?????Utterly gripping, with surprises in every shadow' Reader Review ?????Kept me guessing the entire time!' Reader Review ?????I really did not see that twist coming' Reader Review ?????I read this in several hours I was completely swept away' Reader Review ?????If you love twisty books, this book is for you! If you love great characters, this book is for you! If you love great writing, this book is for you!' Reader Review ?????Will keep you reading into the early hours of the night I couldn't turn the pages quick enough!' Reader Review ?????Trade ReviewPraise for Nell Pattison: ‘Tense, twisty and full of toxic secrets – a chilly fight for survival guaranteed to give you shivers’ TM Logan ‘We loved this chilling and fabulously dark read’ Closer ‘A superb innovation for the crime genre . . . a brilliantly terrifying premise and a twisty, gripping tale’ Philippa East ‘Sinister, layered, atmospheric … I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough’ Debbie Howells ‘A nail-biting page-turner of a thriller … The sense of a community isolated, and all the conflicts and tensions that brings, adds satisfying layers of complexity’ James Oswald ‘Delicate, brutal, impossible to put down. The Silent House is a disquieting thriller’ Ross Armstrong ‘A strong and terrifically terrifying debut’ The Nerd Daily ‘Fans of female amateur sleuths will like this one, and the insight into the deaf community gives it a unique slant’ Shots Magazine

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Book SynopsisA big, beautiful, epic tale of war, heartache, betrayal, courage and most of all, love. I can't remember the last time I was so transported by a book . . . I can't recommend The Echoes of Love more highly. This story is a classic of our time' Louise Douglas, The Room in the AtticA magnificent, sweeping tale that I haven''t stopped thinking about since I turned the last beautiful page. The writing is incredible, the characters leap from the page . . . Unforgettable' Amanda Geard, The Midnight HouseWith the historical authenticity of Sebastian Faulks, the perfectly observed family relationships of Santa Montefiore, and the gut-wrenching twist of Jojo Moyes, The Echoes of Love is epic, enthralling and deeply emotional' Iona Grey, Letters to the Lost * * *Under the Cretan sun, in the summer of 1936, two young people fall in love Eleni has been coming to Crete her entire life, swapping her English home for cherished sun-baked summers with her grandfather in his idyllic shoreside villa. WhenTrade Review Praise for The Echoes of Love ‘Ashcroft has done it again with another deeply moving, beautifully romantic and vividly rendered story. This is a wonderful and resonant historical novel, focussing on family, loyalty and love without borders’ Katherine Webb, The Legacy ‘Haunting and heart-breaking . . . explores truth, beauty and the fragility of human relationships’ Rachel Burton, The Secrets of Summer House ‘The Echoes of Love is beautifully written, powerful and poignant. Time and place are brilliantly evoked, with a moving love story at its core. It is excellent’ Tracy Rees, The House at Silvermoor ‘The Echoes Of Love has every element you could hope for from a gripping historical novel – romance, heartbreak, evocative prose and expertly woven themes of loyalty, bravery and betrayal. Both captivating and devastating, this is a uniquely moving, unforgettable story’ Holly Miller, The Sight of You ‘The Echoes of Love has simply blown me away! Such a powerful and poignant love story set against the beauty and danger of wartime Crete. At times I could hardly bear to read on, and yet couldn’t put it down’ Liz Trenow, Searching for my Daughter ‘A gorgeous historical love story’ Fabulous ‘Enthralling and deeply emotional tale of secrets, love, loyalty and family’ Lancashire Post

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA DAZZLING DEBUT' SARAH WINMANFOR FANS OF ELENA FERRANTESTUNNING' WOMAN'S WEEKLYVIVID AND AUTHENTIC' WASHINGTON POSTNAOMI KRUPITSKY''S WORDS SINGI COULDN''T PUT IT DOWN' JOANNA GLENGRIPPINGA TENSE, NUANCED DEBUT' PLATINUMVIVIDLY-DRAWNBEAUTIFUL. I LOVED IT!' CHRISTINA SWEENEY-BAIRD*A TODAY Show Read with Jenna Book Club Pick**Book of the Month club**One ofCosmopolitan's Best Historical Fiction of 2021**One ofPopSugar's Best New Books of 2021*________________________________________________________A captivating debut novel about the tangled fates of two best friends and daughters of the Italian mafia, and a coming-of-age story of twentieth-century Brooklyn itself.Two daughters. Two families. One inescapable fate.Sofia Colicchio is a free spirit, loud and untamed. Antonia Russo is thoughtful, ever observing the world around her. Best friends since birth, they live in the shadow of their fathers' unspoken community: the Family. Sunday dinners gather them each wTrade Review‘I found this tense, nuanced debut to be gripping’ Platinum magazine, *Book of the Month* ‘Power struggles, secrets and friendships abound in this powerful novel’ Woman

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Book SynopsisIf Jane Austen and Kevin Kwan had a love child, it might well be Lucie Yi Is Not A Romantic' JODI PICOULTFunny as heck but also real and relatable, Lucie Yi Is Not A Romantic redefines the romcom' REDLucie Yi has tried love it didn't work.She's decided that finding Mr Right is a myth, and that finding Mr Right-enough-to-have-children-with is the next best option. So when she meets easy-going Collin Read on a platonic co-parenting website, it finally feels like she has found her version of happily ever after.But things take a turn for the worse when they move back home to Singapore where her very traditional family and remorseful ex-fiancé await.With pressure mounting on all sides and her perfect plan unravelling, Lucie has to decide how much she's willing to sacrifice for a chance at happiness and maybe, just maybe, love.LOVE for Last Tang Standing:I absolutely adored it. It is the funniest rom-com I''ve read in a very long time'Beth O'LearyA fun, funny, addictive adventure A perfeTrade ReviewPraise for LUCIE YI IS NOT A ROMANTIC: ‘If Jane Austen and Kevin Kwan had a love child, it might well be LUCIE YI IS NOT A ROMANTIC. Lauren Ho’s most recent novel sits delightfully at the juncture of modern fertility, modern women, and modern romance’ JODI PICOULT ‘LUCIE YI IS NOT A ROMANTIC kept me gripped from the very first page. It's full of humour and heart’ BETH O’LEARY ‘Lucie Yi is not a romantic but she is funny, clever and utterly compelling. A razor sharp story of family, friendship and love in all its many forms, I devoured Lucie Yi in a single sitting. Lauren Ho's writing is so witty and relatable, I would read her shopping list if she published it’ LINDSEY KELK ‘Smart, funny, heartfelt and definitely romantic – I loved it!’ SARAH MORGAN ‘Fresh, funny and thought-provoking – Lucie Yi is a romantic heroine for the 21st century’ SOPHIE COUSENS ‘Fresh, funny and moving, you’ll be hooked’ Heat ‘A gloriously entertaining and completely addictive read. Warm, sharply-observed and wickedly funny’ NICOLA GILL ‘A beautiful exploration of both grief and romance starring a lovably hilarious heroine’ Kirkus Reviews ‘With her signature warmth and wit, Lauren Ho explores the trials of elective parenting, pregnancy, dating and family conflicts. Lucie Yi is certainly not a romantic, but she navigates her relationships and friendships with love, generosity and vulnerability. This is a hilarious and honest novel about a woman living on her own terms’ BALLI KAUR JASWAL, author of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows ‘a story of love and friendship, humour and sadness, and, above all, of being true to yourself’ My Weekly ‘Prepare yourselves for a heroine who is laugh-out-loud funny and incredibly savvy. Lauren Ho is an auto-buy author for me!’ JESSE SUTANTO, author of Dial A for Aunties

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Book SynopsisA brilliantly inventive and often funny story of family and identity, inheritance and birthright, ambiguous loss and finding your way, Frank Walsh's voice will stay with you long after you've finished reading.Frank Whelan is the seventh son of a seventh son, so by now should have inherited his father's legendary healing power, but still hasn't managed to graduate beyond small-time skin afflictions.He already feels adrift when his twin, Bernie, reveals a life-changing decision that calls into question everything Frank thought he knew about his place in the family. And then he discovers his father had been keeping secrets of his own.And so Frank turns to an unlikely source for guidance and finds himself on a quest for answers from this world, and the next.A boundlessly inventive novel about the past's hold over the present, set in an Irish community alive with old magic and extraordinary possibility, The Deadwood Encore is an electrifying debut from one of Ireland's most acclaimed short-fiction authors.Trade Review‘Brilliant, full of vitality and voice … Kathleen Murray is a masterful writer of dialogue.’ – KEVIN BARRY ‘A flat-out page-turner. There's so much here to delight in – fizzing dialogue, offbeat characters, flights of fancy and mad escapades […] Kathleen has the guts to take on what's miraculous and eerie, and spins Frank's story shrewdly, irreverently, and fondly.’ – LISA McINERNEY ‘So much to admire in The Deadwood Encore: a free-wheeling, demotic freshness of manner, a sustained emotional intensity – and a small Irish town brought to life with vividness and bone-dry wit. What a remarkable debut from Kathleen Murray.’ – NEIL HEGARTY The Deadwood Encore is a warm, thoughtful, funny novel from a wise, inventive and gifted new writer.’ – LIA MILLS

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Book SynopsisThe brand new emotional and compelling novel from the bestselling authorWill their new lives bring happiness, or heartache?As the Blitz casts a dark shadow over London, Julie Miller, a teenaged orphan, is sent far away to keep her safe. Hoping this will be a new chapter after years of sadness, Julie voyages by ship across the Atlantic, and on the long passage, forges a bond with a young child called Beth, both of them dreaming of their new families and the happy like that awaits them.Upon arrival, Julie quickly realises that reaching their destination is just the start of their journey, with many hardships for the orphans. But taking matters into her own hands, Julie is determined that she and Beth will have their happy endingTrade Review Reader’s love Cathy Sharp ‘Loved this book … had me gripped waiting for the next page’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Another brilliant book’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘A must read’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘I could not put it down’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Keeps you captivated start to finish.’ 5* Goodreads reviewer ‘Absolutely brilliant’ 5* Goodreads reviewer

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Book SynopsisOne takeaway dinner. Two lonely hearts. Did somebody order a rom com?A really sweet, warm-hearted read a winner for fans of Jasmine Guillory or Beth O''Leary!' Niamh Hargan, author of Twelve Days in MayA delicious rom com!' Kate Bromley, author of Talk Bookish to MeGia thrives on risks. Ben plays it safe.She crossed continents to chase her London dream; he works the same job in the same restaurant, night after night.Then fate steps in. When Gia's takeout is delivered, her embarrassing list of New Year's resolutions accidentally makes its way to Ben's restaurant, stuck to the bottom of a delivery backpack.With each delivery Gia orders, Ben slips in a note of his own and eagerly awaits her reply. One by one, these notes transform their lives in unexpected ways, and an unlikely love story is written.A totally gorgeous and escapist rom com with a twist. Fans of Beth O'Leary, Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry will be totally hooked from the very first page.Readers are loving Love on the Menu:ATrade Review‘A delicious rom-com! In Love on the Menu, Deb pens a stirring story about serendipitous connections and chasing your dreams that readers are sure to enjoy’ – Kate Bromley, author of Here for the Drama and Talk Bookish to Me ‘This slow-burn rom-com has the most delicious payoff! With hilarious and witty prose and chracters who won’t leave your brain, Love on the Menu is a vibrant, fresh take on modern love!’ – Farah Heron, author of Kamila Knows Best and Accidentally Engaged ‘A really sweet and warm-hearted read’ – Niamh Hargan, author of Twelve Days in May

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Book Synopsis'The most gripping account of motherhood since Rachel Cusk's A Life's Work' IndependentA single mother wakes to blood in her mouth and flesh under her fingernails. A severed toe on the doorstep. A boy missing.But her child needs to get to school. There's a food shop to be done. Parents evenings, play dates and pasta for tea.Raising her child alone, she's done all she can to protect them. But what if she's the thing they need protecting from the most?Trade Review‘Punches you in the guts with beauty, pain and brevity, and pulls you along with the compulsion of a thriller. Lean, exquisite prose that shoots a dart to the heart. It’s about what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a woman, trying to grapple with her sanity, as she unravels and makes sense of her present by reaching back into her past. I adored it.’ Abi Morgan

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Book SynopsisA super cute, heart-warming, second-chance holiday romance.' NetGalley reviewer, ??????????Falling in love can sometimes go off-pisteThere's never a good time to bump into your ex so Maya Bashir is shocked when she comes face to face with her old flame Sam Holland, who is wearing nothing but a tiny apron, working as a naked butler at her friend's Christmas party.Having driven home for the holidays after losing her boyfriend, flat and job and dreading her father's inevitable disappointment that she still doesn't have a fifty-year plan perhaps Sam is exactly the distraction Maya needs.But as sparks begin to fly, Maya doesn't know if she can let Sam back into her heart so easily With Christmas day fast approaching, will Maya find love or disaster under the tree?For fans of Sophie Cousens and Mhairi McFarlane comes a hilarious Christmas romance that will warm your heart this winter! If you love:?? Enemies to lovers?? Second-chance romance?? An adorable meet-cute?? City girl/small hometoTrade Review‘A truly gorgeous Christmassy nearly lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story that will remind you just what happiness is.’ Lucy Keeling ‘A lovely heartwarming romance you can read curled up on the sofa in your big winter socks…’ Nancy Peach 'Full of chemistry and witty banter, Allison's Scottish ski story is lots of fun.' Leonie Mack ‘The Ex-Mas Holidays is the perfect winter read — warm and cosy and packed with feels and festive fun.’ Katherine Dyson ‘Do yourself a favour and snuggle up with this book as the weather turns chilly; this charming debut will keep you warm!’ Denise Williams ‘The Ex-Mas Holidays has all the Christmas trimmings: snowy ski slopes, sparkling lights, and family drama, not to mention all the hot cocoa you can drink! After this charming and cheeky debut, I can’t wait to see what Zoe Allison writes next!’ Amy E. Reichert

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Book Synopsis?A lovely, sunshiney story, bursting with wit and joy?MILLY JOHNSON?Has the Bella Osborne hallmark combination of wit, wonderful characters and meaningful conflicts ? a fantastic read?SUE MOORCROFTThe brand-new summery rom com from Bella Osborne, full of laughter, love and life?s twists and turns!Trade Review Praise for An Invitation to Seashell Bay: ‘A lovely, sunshiney story, bursting with wit and joy.’ Milly Johnson ‘An Invitation to Seashell Bay has the Bella Osborne hallmark combination of wit, wonderful characters and meaningful conflicts that never fails to provide a fantastic read.’ Sue Moorcroft ‘Sparkling and laugh out loud – Bella's books are like a glass of the finest bubbly.’ Phillipa Ashley ‘Bella’s done it again, another gorgeous page turner of a story. From the opening chapter I was completely hooked by this fresh, funny tale full of Bella’s trademark wit and warmth.’Jules Wake ‘An Invitation to Seashell Bay is the summer invite you need to accept. It’s a funny, warm and gloriously uplifting romance with loveable characters and, like all Bella’s books, is the perfect blend of hilarious and heartwarming.’ Cressida McLaughlin ‘Pure joyous escapism bursting with sunshine! An absolute delight to read!’ Christie Barlow ‘A gorgeous, feel-good summer read that will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart along with a heroine that you want to be best friends with. Absolutely adored my trip to Seashell Bay.’ Kim Nash ‘A perfect ray of sunshine. Packed full of love and laughter, this fun and funny read is Bella Osborne at her best. Once you visit Seashell Bay, you’ll want to stay forever.’ Sarah Bennett ‘I absolutely adore Bella Osborne books and An Invitation to Seashell Bay is no exception. Sparkling with warmth and wit, Bella’s books are guaranteed to put a smile on my face. An Invitation to Seashell Bay is the perfect escapist summer read.’ Cathy Lake ‘I loved this book! Funny, charming, with a wonderful heroine. We should all have a little Nancy in our lives.’ Susan Mallery ‘A contemporary romance novel perfect to pack in your suitcase’ My Weekly Praise for Bella ‘A page-turning summer sensation!’ Nicola May

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Book SynopsisIn this fresh and delightful debut, Christy Wilhelmi shows that there’s more to gardening than merely keeping pests at bay …Each time Lizzie steps through the gates of the Vista Mar Community Gardens, she knows she’s left the chaos of the outside world behind.Trade Review"You don’t have to be an avid gardener to fall in love with Garden Variety and the characters from Vista Mar… Every time I opened it, Christy Wilhelmi made me feel like I was coming back to a place of comfort, compassion, and sympathy with a good smattering of dry humor and no-nonsense honesty." — Milla Jovovich

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Book SynopsisMeet the Wapshots of St Botolphs. There is Captain Leander Wapshot, venerable sea-dog and would-be suicide; his licentious older son, Moses; and Moses''s adoring and errant younger brother, Coverly. Tragic and funny, ribald and splendidly picaresque, and partly based on Cheever''s adolescence in New England, The Wapshot Chronicle is a family narrative in the finest traditions of Trollope, Dickens, and Henry JamesTrade ReviewCheever's debut novel is skittish, mercurial and ringing with life * Guardian *The best introduction to Cheever's work...richly inventive and vividly told * New York Times Magazine *A tapestry woven from the threads of emotion, tragedy, comedy...and the irony so wonderfully evident in the author's short stories...a literary mosaic...Cheever is a pleasure to read * San Francisco Chronicle *A brilliantly written novel, vastly and sometimes sadly, amusing * Time *

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Book SynopsisAnne Tyler was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941 and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her bestselling novels include Breathing Lessons, The Accidental Tourist, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Ladder of Years, Back When We Were Grown-ups, Digging to America, A Spool of Blue Thread, Clock Dance, Redhead by the Side of the Road and French Braid.In 1989 she won the Pulitzer Prize; in 1994 she was nominated by Roddy Doyle and Nick Hornby as 'the greatest novelist writing in English'; and in 2012 she received the Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence. In 2015 A Spool of Blue Thread was shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and the Booker Prize; and in 2020 Redhead by the Side of the Road was longlisted for the Booker Prize.Trade ReviewAs exquisitely observed and quietly brilliant as the rest of Tyler's fiction * Guardian *Anne Tyler draws a comedy that is not so much brilliant as luminous - its observant sharpness sweetened by a generous understanding of human fallibility * Daily Telegraph *Noah's Compass is immensely readable. It displays many of Tyler's finest qualities: her sharp observation of humanity, her wry comedy; the luminous accuracy of her descriptions... a novel by Anne Tyler is cause for celebration * Sunday Telegraph *Anne Tyler is a novelist who has elevated pitch-perfect observation of everyday detail into an art form... a beautifully subtle book, an elegant contemplation of what it means to be happy and the consequences of a defensive withdrawal from other people * Observer *One of my favourite authors, one of the very few I rush out to buy in hardback. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author Lesley Pearse comes the compulsive page-turner about a girl searching for the truth, which may be a little too close to home . . .Her family is threatened and only she can save it.When sixteen-year-old Charlie witnesses a brutal attack on her mother by two strangers she is shocked and terrified.But after talking to the police, she realises that her father''s business dealings can''t be so innocent . . .With her father away, it is left to Charlie to protect her mother. And somehow she must find out who wants to hurt her family - and why - without losing faith in her beloved parents.Can she unravel the mysteries of the past that haunt her family?Or will the truth wreck everything she loves?___________''With characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelling at its very best'' Daily Mail''Evocative, compelling''<Trade ReviewFrom the international No.1 bestselling author Lesley Pearse, comes Charlie the compulsive page-turner. She has to protect her parents . . . even if they are keeping secrets.Her family is threatened and only she can save it . . . * from the publisher's description *With characters it is impossible not to care about, this is storytelling at its very best * Daily Mail *An emotional and moving epic you won't forget in a hurry * Woman's Weekly *A heartwarming tale of the triumph of the human spirit * Woman and Home *

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author Lesley Pearse comes a moving story of family, adoption and identityLosing her adopted mother threatens all she''s ever had . . .Daisy was adopted. But when her mother dies, she finds her secure existence thrown into turmoil by the discovery of a scrapbook.Inside it is information about her real mother.However, when Daisy drops everything to go in search of her roots, she uncovers a harrowing story of greed, misery and corruption. She also risks hurting her adored Dad, the only true family she has left.Can she cope with the truth about her real parents?And more importantly, who is the real Daisy?___________''With characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelling at its very best'' Daily Mail''Lose yourself in this epic saga'' Bella''An emotional and moving epic you won''t forget in a hTrade ReviewOrphaned, lost. Who is she really? One young woman's search across the globe for a past - and a future . . . Losing her adopted mother threatens all she's ever had . . . * from the publisher's description *With characters it is impossible not to care about, this is storytelling at its very best * Daily Mail *An emotional and moving epic you won't forget in a hurry * Woman’s Weekly *

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Book Synopsis''One of the greatest comic creations. I can''t remember a more relentlessly funny book'' Daily Mirror''My comfort read. The best diaries ever written - with apologies to Samuel Pepys, Bridget Jones and me'' ADAM KAYThe fifth book in his hilarious diaries, where Adrian faces divorce, fatherhood and (short-lived) television stardom . . . __________Adrian Mole is thirty, single and a father. His cooking at a top London restaurant has been equally mocked (''the sausage on my plate could have been a turd'') and celebrated (will he be the nation''s first celebrity offal chef?). And the love of his life, Pandora Braithwaite, is too busy as the newly elected MP for Ashby-de-la-Zouch to notice him. Frustrated, disappointed and undersexed, Adrian despairs until a letter from his past changes everything . . .__________ ''With the Mole books, Townsend has an unrivalled claim to be this countryTrade ReviewCelebrate Adrian Mole's 50th Birthday with this new edition of the fifth book in his diaries, where Adrian faces divorce, fatherhood and (short-lived) television stardom * from publisher's description *One of the greatest comic creations. I can't remember a more relentlessly funny book * Daily Mirror *With the Mole books, Townsend has an unrivalled claim to be this country's foremost practising comic novelist * Mail on Sunday *Adrian Mole really is a brilliant comic creation. Every sentence is witty and well thought out, and the whole has reverberations beyond itself * The Times *Three cheers for Mole's chaotic, non-achieving, dysfunctional family. We need him * Evening Standard *The funniest person in the world * Caitlin Moran *

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Book SynopsisJoff Winterhart is an artist, writer, occasional film-maker, 'drummer', and dog fan. His graphic novel Days of the Bagnold Summer was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award in 2012 and adapted into a film. His second graphic novel Driving Short Distances came out in 2017. He also made the animated films Two Guys I know and Violet and Turquoise, which won the Cymru BAFTA for best animation in 2003. He lives in Bristol, where he plays drums and writes songs in the long-running band Bucky, and thinks about getting a new dog.Trade ReviewDays of the Bagnold Summer is extremely original, funny, touching and beautifully observed in both the drawing and the writing. There is probably no truer portrait of teenage and parental angst. -- Posy SimmondsA universal crowd pleaser...my graphic novel of the year... I love this book so much, I would have to instantly excommunicate any friend who didn’t feel the same way – though such is its greatness, this won’t ever happen. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Britain’s got a new graphic novel star. This funny, sad, extraordinary study of a heavy metal-loving teen and his long-suffering single mum is so well observed it makes your heart tingle. -- Larushka Ivan-Zadek * Metro *Days of the Bagnold Summer captures the humiliation and agony of adolescence with excruciating precision. This short, devastating book haunted me for weeks. -- Seb Hunter, author of 'Hell Bent for Leather'This is a memorable household, seemingly passed over by history yet given their rightful place on these pages – and recommended by us as well worth meeting. * thebookbag.co.uk *

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Book Synopsis''It''s GREAT! Thought-provoking, gripping and moving'' Marian Keyes''It will crawl under your skin, refusing to let go. A heart-breaking read'' Sunday Independent___________Sarah loves being a mother - it defines her.Every year she writes a birthday letter of love to her adored daughter, Izzy, now seven. And after she falls pregnant, she promises Izzy that the arrival of a baby brother will make their family complete. So when she collapses a few months later, the safe happy life Izzy knows is shattered.With Sarah''s future, and the future of her pregnancy, in their hands, her husband and sister disagree fiercely about her treatment. The once close family starts to fall apart.The clock is ticking, and the doctors need a decision. Can those who love Sarah get beyond the fog of grief and anger to figure out what''s for the best? Can they ever forgive each other for the decisions they make? Will Izzy lose everything she knows and loves?___________''Compelling, deeply moving and heartbreaking ... a must-read'' Woman''s Way ''Might be her finest novel yet'' Irish Examiner ''What a devastating, gorgeous read'' Emily Hourican''I need a therapy session after reading Seven Letters - I''m an emotional wreck!'' Margaret Madden, Bleach House LibraryTrade ReviewIt's great! Thought-provoking, gripping and moving -- Marian KeyesWhat a devastating, gorgeous read -- Emily HouricanI need a therapy session after reading Seven Letters - I'm an emotional wreck! -- Margaret Madden * Bleach House Library *A must read for all and bravo to Sinéad for this beautiful, thoughtful read * Woman's Way *[Handles] her material with the greatest sensitivity and thought ... might be her finest novel yet * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisYou know she''s lying...But so are you.---------------------------''Grips with menace and dread, yet touches the heart'' Nicci French ''I couldn''t turn the pages fast enough'' Claire DouglasTwo women are staying in Willowmead House. One of them is running. One of them is hiding. Both of them are lying. Emily made one bad decision, and now her career could be over. Her family home on the Cornish coast is the only place where she feels safe. But when she arrives, there''s a stranger living with her father. Emily doesn''t trust the beautiful young woman, convinced that she''s telling one lie after another. Soon, Emily becomes obsessed with finding out the truth... But should some secrets stay buried forever? DON''T MISS THE CAPTIVATING NEW BOOK FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANE CORRY ---------------------------- ''I devoured We All Trade ReviewJane Corry is a master of her genre - consistently brilliant, with characters you care about and plots that knock you sideways. I loved We All Have Our Secrets - it's clever, gripping, nuanced and fantastically well drawn -- Phoebe Morgan, The Wild GirlsWe All Have Our Secrets combines a fiendishly twisty page turner with a story about who we are and what matters. Jane Corry's skill as a storyteller and natural empathy for her characters make this an unputdownable read. One of her best -- Emma Curtis, Invite Me inJane Corry is a master at building tension - by the final few chapters you'll be reading through parted fingers. The twists just keep on coming - until the breath-taking final chapter -- Celia Walden, Payday

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BALLROOM AND EXPECTATIONThey are separating, she and her husband, after two decades together.This fact is new.There are many ways of telling the tale ...There are many different sides to every story ... A minibus journeys through rural Mexico. Inside it are twelve strangers on a pilgrimage to the White Rock, which stands, ancient and sacred, off the Pacific coast. Like many before them, over centuries and from across continents, they find themselves irresistibly drawn here, for answers, to give thanks, to seek protection.One of them is a writer. She is travelling with her husband and young daughter, as her faith in her marriage, and the future itself, is foundering. She has come to the White Rock in the hope of excavating a beginning from the rubble of many different endings.Here she will find the echoes of many stories: oTrade ReviewPrecise and perceptive ... Deeply satisfying ... We may struggle to find hope, Hope tells us, but it is there in the landscape, in faith and memory and ritual, in the ancient unchanging silences that persist' * Guardian *An eco-novel you actually want to read ... She's an assured author with a knack for an arresting image ... It leaves you with a gentle sense that things keep going * The Times *Its narrative sweep is capacious ... It has ambition to match, musing on freedom and reciprocity, on the redemptive power of storytelling and the sustaining force of ritual ... Demonstrating impressive stylistic verve * Observer *Mesmerising ... Imaginative ... Among its many impressive elements is Hope's handling of the past ... Her greatest talent is in getting under the skin of her characters ... There is a subtle plangency in this powerful portrait of human folly and ferocity * The Herald *Deeply moving ... I, for one, hope we hear plenty more from her * i news *Full of wisdom about the blink-and-you'll-miss-it nature of our lives * Good Housekeeping *Lyrical and timely * Stella *Mysterious and beautiful. It reminded me of Cloud Atlas, but it's very much itself: so bold and wild, but controlled and fierce. It's stunning writing and it has left me with hope, that we can tell stories like these even as the carbon builds, and that imagination and ideas remain powerful and valid * Russell T. Davies, writer of It's A Sin *Perfectly crafted, evocative prose which effortlessly transported me through two hundred and fifty years of history * Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground *Brilliant. A stunning book of extraordinary, audacious scale * Sadie Jones, author of The Snakes *Poetic, philosophical and wildly captivating... Anna Hope captures the human condition and feeds it treats while you watch it shimmer. Her characters dance, crawl and blast off the page, like mystical beings who are at the same time solidly human. I swam in this book and didn't want to come up for air * Emma Jane Unsworth, author of Animals and Adults *I loved it. I became invested in each of the different eras and was struck by the sense of unknowable forces outliving us all. It is full of wisdom, intricate and emotional, and it will linger in my head for a long time * Dave Haslam, author of Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor *Anna Hope is such a generous and sensitive writer, and The White Rock is full of extraordinary voices and ideas. Absolutely a story for our times, and a fiercely important one, too * Clover Stroud, author of The Red of my Blood *I loved the sparseness, the moments of poetry, the quiet brutality. The voice throughout is fierce and graceful and utterly compelling; each central character is rich and beautifully pinpointed. It is her strongest work yet * Melody Razak, author of Moth *The White Rock is a sublime, poetic, and visionary work of art * Ron Rash, author of In the Valley *

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Book Synopsis''A DELICIOUSLY DARK STORY OF MURDER AND SECRETS'' CLAIRE DOUGLASYou can run away from your life. But you can''t run away from murder.When her family tragedy is splashed across the newspapers, Nancy decides to disappear. Her grandmother''s beautiful Regency house in a quiet seaside village seems like the safest place to hide. But the old house has its own secrets and a chilling wartime legacy . . .Now someone knows the truth about the night Nancy''s mother and stepfather were murdered. Someone knows where to find her. And they have nothing to lose . . .So what really happened that night? And how far will she go to keep it hidden?DON''T MISS THE CAPTIVATING NEW BOOK FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANE CORRY----------------------------''Deftly peeling back layers of family secrets, Coming to Find You is a compelling read'' Shari Lapena, author of Not a HaTrade ReviewYou won't know who to trust in this twisty, absorbing and intricately-plotted family thriller -- T.M. Logan, author of The Holiday on The Lies We TellGritty, real, interesting and clever. Highly recommended -- Gillian McAllister, author of That Night on I Made A MistakeEverything I love in a book -- Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Upstairs on The Lies We Tell

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Book SynopsisBY THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, CAROL AND STRANGERS ON A TRAININTRODUCED BY DENISE MINA''Highsmith probes to the very core of her heroine with a controlled ferocity and single-mindedness that illuminates every page of her novel'' THE TIMES ''A work of extraordinary force and feeling . . . her strongest, her most imaginative'' NEW YORKER ''One of the mere twenty or so that I would say were perfect, unimprovable masterpieces'' A. N Wilson, DAILY TELEGRAPH Edith Howland''s diary is her most precious possession, and as she is moving house she is making sure it''s safe. A suburban housewife in fifties America, she is moving to Brunswick with her husband Brett and her beloved son, Cliffie, to start a new life for them all. She is optimistic, but most of all she has high hopes for her new venture with Brett, a local newspaper, the Brunswick Corner BugleTrade ReviewHighsmith probes to the very core of her heroine with a controlled ferocity and single-mindedness that illuminates every page of her novel. It is a masterly book, a haunting book, a book that lingers long in the memory and constantly disturbs and delights * The Times *Edith's Diary is certainly one of the saddest novels I ever read, but it is also one of the mere twenty or so that I would say were perfect, unimprovable masterpieces -- A. N. Wilson * Telegraph *As original, as funny, as cleverly written and as moving as any novel I have read since I started reviewing -- Auberon Waugh * Evening Standard *Edith's fall takes the form of a psychological chiller, but there is also something larger, the poignancy of her struggle not to go under. She is betrayed by such ordinary dreams -- New York TimesA work of extraordinary force and feeling . . . her strongest, her most imaginative and by far her most substantial novel * New Yorker *Moral speculations surface about the respective responsibilities of the uncaring and the unloved, tenterhooks cushioned with an enveloping intimacy of character and place * Kirkus Reviews *Highsmith's novels are peerlessly disturbing ....bad dreams that keep us thrashing for the rest of the night * The New Yorker *Edith's fall takes the form of a psychological chiller, but there is also something larger, the poignancy of her struggle not to go under. She is betrayed by such ordinary dreams * New York Times *Highsmith probes to the very core of her heroine with a controlled ferocity and single-mindedness that illumines every page of her novel. It is a masterly book, a haunting book, a book that lingers long in the memory and constantly disturbs and delights. -- The Times * The Times *A work of extraordinary force and feeling . . . her strongest, her most imaginative and by far her most substantial novel -- New Yorker * New Yorker *As original, as funny, as cleverly written and as moving as any novel I have read since I started reviewing -- Auberon Waugh * The Evening Standard *Edith's Diary is certainly one of the saddest novels I ever read, but it is also one of the mere twenty or so that I would say were perfect, unimprovable masterpieces -- A.N Wilson * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisBarsetshire in the war years. Miss Bunting, governess of choice to generations of Barsetshire aristocracy, has been coaxed out of retirement by Sir Robert and Lady Fielding to tutor their daughter Anne, delicate, sixteen years old, and totally lacking in confidence. When Anne makes friends with Heather Adams, the gauche daughter of a nouveau riche entrepreneur, her mother is appalled. Miss Bunting, however, shows an instinctive understanding of the younger generation - perhaps, having lost so many of her former pupils to the war, she is more sympathetic to their needs. She may be a part of the old social order, where everyone knows their place, but is wise enough to realise that the war has turned everything on its head and nothing will ever be the same again - even in rural Barsetshire.First published in 1945, Miss Bunting is a charming social comedy of village life during the Second World War.Trade ReviewYou read her, laughing, and want to do your best to protect her characters from any reality but their own * New York Times *The novels are a delight, with touches of E. F. Benson, E. M. Delafield and P. G. Wodehouse -- Christopher Fowler * Independent on Sunday *Charming, very funny indeed. Angela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself * Alexander McCall Smith *

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Book SynopsisPoor put-upon Bertie is still struggling to escape his overbearing mother''s influence, his yoga lessons and his pink bedroom while wondering why new baby brother Ulysses looks uncomfortably like his psychotherapist. The insufferably handsome Bruce has returned from London to land, on his feet and rent-free, in the arms of heiress Julia Donald. But all is not well among the residents of 44 Scotland Street: Angus''s dog and constant companion Cyril is under threat of execution, victim of a miscarriage of justice, while pretty, indecisive Pat and hopeless romantic Matthew are on the verge of making the most terrible mistake of their lives . . . Big Lou finds a new man, Matthew and Pat edge their relationship towards something more permanent - although this development is not without complications, when a glimpse of someone who just might be her handsome, caddish ex-flatmate Bruce sets Pat''s pulse racing - and Domenica''s friendship with Antonia is tested to the limit when an assortment Trade Review** 'McCall Smith's confident brush picks out vivid and entertaining characters . . . A deliciously engaging Edinburgh comedy * FINANCIAL TIMES *

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Book SynopsisIsabel Dalhousie, philosopher and amateur solver of other people''s problems, meets an old foe, Minty Auchterlonie, at a birthday party attended by their young children. Ambitious Minty, now the head of a small investment bank, is in trouble with her shareholders. Isabel becomes involved, and is drawn into a murky world of financial concealment. Minty is not the only high-flier in Isabel''s life; her niece Cat has just become engaged to a tightrope-walking stuntman. Isabel fears his next job - and the engagement - could end in disaster. Meanwhile, her own boyfriend Jamie has marriage in mind too . . .Trade ReviewBrimming with discreet charm * Mail on Sunday *Like [Barbara] Pym, McCall Smith believes that the small stuff in life matters * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisWhen Rosie Featherstone finds herself unexpectedly jobless, the offer to help her beloved Italian grandmother out at the Lemon Tree Cafe - a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire - feels like the perfect way to keep busy.Trade ReviewFull of joy and fun * Milly Johnson *Delightful! * Katie Fforde *Brilliantly life-affirming * Good Housekeeping *Its gentle good humour and optimism will warm the stoniest of hearts * Daily Express *A lovely, warm, page-turner of a story filled with all the perfect ingredients - thought-provoking and emotional too, and with characters that feel like my kind of friends. Cathy’s best book to date! * Alex Brown *

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Book Synopsis''Riveting, moving and utterly feel-good'' Daily MailCara, Cosmo and Sam learn that for everything lost, there is something to be gained . . .After her husband dies, Cara no longer wishes to live in their London home. On impulse, she sells it and goes to stay with her brother in Salcombe, Devon, while she plans her next move. There, she begins to look back at her life and reflect on the choices that have led her to this moment.Cosmo has also escaped temporarily from his life in the city, finding the south-west a relaxing and appealing fit, especially when he meets local girl, Amy. But is he being entirely truthful about what he's left behind?Just out of uni, Sam has passed the Admiralty Interview Board and is set to follow in his naval father's footsteps. His future is secure but he feels cast adrift. With doubts and loosening family connections worrying him, an impartial new friend could be just the thing Trade ReviewLovely . . . Made me long for a long hot summer by the sea with friends and family. I loved that new beginnings turn up when you least expect them. * Jo Thomas, author of The Oyster Catcher *Warm summer reading * Choice Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''A captivating, suspenseful thriller that draws you in - with a twist that will take your breath away.'' TM Logan, bestselling author of The Holiday***After the sudden death of her husband, Tess is drowning in grief. All she has left is her son, Jamie, and she'll do anything to protect him but she's struggling to cope.When grief counsellor Shelley knocks on their door, everything changes. Shelley is understanding and kind, and promises she can help Tess through the hardest time of her life. But when a string of unsettling events happens and questions arise over her husband's death, Tess starts to suspect that Shelley may have an ulterior motive. Tess knows she must do everything she can to keep Jamie safe but she's at her most vulnerable, and that's a dangerous place to be . . .***READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH THE PERFECT BETRAYAL:This book floored me!' I'm still holding my brTrade ReviewAs satisfyingly intriguing and page-turning as you could possibly want. An emotional read - the end is a shocker! * Emma Curtis, acclaimed author of ONE LITTLE MISTAKE *A heart-rending evocation of grief that packs a devious punch. It left me reeling. * Lesley Kara, bestselling author of THE RUMOUR *A beautifully written psychological suspense about the power of love after a life-changing loss. A sense of impending doom and foreboding gripped me from the first page as I struggled with Tess to make sense of her new life. Lauren North brilliantly portrays Tess's fear, panic, and confusion, making me root for her throughout. The ending is stunning and powerful. * Mary Torjussen, author of THE GIRL I USED TO BE *A captivating, suspenseful thriller that draws you in - with a twist that will take your breath away. * TM Logan, bestselling author of LIES and THE HOLIDAY *Expertly executed characters who broke my heart and shocks that had me double checking I'd locked the doors, with one of those jaw-on-the-floor twists. What a book! * Jack Jordan, author of BEFORE HER EYES *The Perfect Betrayal had my head spinning 360 degrees . . . Brilliant. * Sandie Jones, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick THE OTHER WOMAN *

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Book SynopsisJo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, including time at Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Radio 2's The Steve Wright Show.Jo's debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller and won both the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the Festival of Romance Best eBook Award. Her book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook. Jo loves to explore new countries and discover the food produced there, both of which she thoroughly enjoys researching. Jo lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband and three children, where cooking and gathering around the kitchen table are a hugely important and fun part of their family life.Trade ReviewSprinkled with Christmas magic! * Milly Johnson *A warm romantic Christmas hug. * Katie Fforde *With a wonderful cast of characters and an evocative setting, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Jo's book in your stocking! * Jill Mansell *A scrumptious seasonal treat! * Heidi Swain *A feel-good festive feast * Best magazine *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award.When Fintan Buckley develops an interest in old autochrome photographs, strange things start to happen. To all appearances, Fintan holds down a successful job and enjoys life with his conventional middle-class family in Dublin, yet inwardly he starts to experience states of altered consciousness, with unsettling hallucinations and sudden insights. Meanwhile, Fintan''s sister Marina has been unearthing family stories from the past and the two of them, in different ways, find themselves renegotiating their history and the decisions that have brought them to this place, this present.Trade Review'With her latest offering, Madden adds a consummately crafted novel to an already formidable body of work ... the novel takes its title from the 'Burnt Norton' section of TS Eliot's Four Quartets ... by the end of the book the reader realises that Madden - cleverly, playfully, with sly wit and real skill - has translated this intellectual and poetic expression of time into a deeply moving portrait of domestic and family life. -- Adam O'Riordan Sunday Telegraph This is an exalting story that celebrates the survival of fragile folk, and revels in the mysteries of the commonplace. An outstanding book. -- Mary Shine Thompson Irish Independent Madden's precise, cool narrative is as condensed and rich as a stock cube, and there's always a confidence that she knows exactly what she wants to convey ... the book is beautifully written and gently invites us to consider the shifting patterns of time.' -- Andrea Mullaney The Scotsman Confiding and measured, and allows fantasy to challenge memory and yet remain the truth. -- Mary Leland Irish Examiner Slowly and gently Madden takes us by the hand and leads us elsewhere as Fintan reveals he's seeing things and past family stories collide with this new sensation. -- Lesley McDowell The Herald Enthralling ... Elegantly written, deeply reflective and beautifully shaped, this rich and luminous novel is more daring than it seems. It is an understated little masterpiece. -- Eilis Ni Dhuibhne Irish Times 'The novel begins as a low-key domestic drama before developing into a compelling meditation on memory, transience and loss ... I found it exquisitely done. -- David Evans Financial Times This is a subtle, deeply thoughtful novel, its tone so clear that the writing plays over character and action like water over stones ... This beguiling novel is also a clear-eyed, even forensic study of a family crammed with secrets to the point of sickness, reflecting a wider society that bolts down consumer goods in order to purge itself of the past. -- Helen Dunmore Guardian Since her 1986 debut,Hidden Symptoms, she has been investigating the relation between past and present with understated thoroughness ... Madden's clear, precise prose allows us to share Fintan's heightened, near-supernatural awareness, as does her trick of alternately drawing back to survey decades and homing in on a single moment. -- Hannah Rosefield Observer Where does it all begin, indeed, life in all its complexity? Nothing distinguishes the Buckleys but Madden's decision to invent them, to reveal their lives in all their ordinariness, to the reader. It is this democratic gesture and its philosophical implications that lift Madden's book from just very good to great. -- Sara Keating Sunday Business Post Gentle, ruminative novel ... suffuses the mundanity of family life with something timeless. -- Adam Lively Sunday Times 'In exploring the past, Madden reminds us of the personal dramas that occurred long before worries of crashing economies. The reader is left with a sense of longevity rather than fatalism, a reminder that, details aside, the world goes on. Press Association Madden achieves that old adage applied to Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men: that it takes two hours to read and twenty years to forget. -- Philip Cummins Irish Post Her compassion for her characters is so infectiously deep-seated and her prose so pellucid it's hard to resist this tale or ordainry people caught up in the vicissitudes of history. -- Daragh Reddin Metro

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Book SynopsisTHE STUNNING NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB SENSATION DAUGHTER ''Extremely clever, readable and elegant ... perfect for fans of Big Little Lies. Domestic noir at its best'' Suzy K Quinn, bestselling author of Don''t Tell Teacher Their children are friends first. They hit it off immediately, as kids do. And so the parents are forced to get to know each other. Three wildly different couples. Three marriages, floundering.There are barbecues, dinner parties, a holiday in Greece. An affair begins, resentments flare, and despite it all the three women become closer.Unnoticed, their children run wild. The couples are so busy watching each other that they forget to watch their children.Until tragedy strikes.Because while they have been looking the other way, evil has crept into their safe little world and every parent''s biggest nightmare is about to come trTrade ReviewLittle Friends is beautifully written and suffused with dread. Jane Shemilt's compelling literary thriller explores with acuity the pressure cooker challenges of adult responsibility, and the assumptions we make. The domestic settings are seductively vivid and the final outcome is profoundly shocking and terrifying -- Gilly Macmillan, author of The NannyExtremely clever, readable and elegant... perfect for fans of Big Little Lies. Domestic noir at its best -- #1 eBook bestseller Suzy K QuinnIntelligent, compelling and deeply unsettling. My kind of book!! -- Ali Land, bestselling author of Good Me Bad MeLittle Friends taps into your darkest fears. Beautifully told, with a rich cast of characters, I couldn't put it down -- Rachel Blok, author of Under the IceLittle Friends is beautifully written. I was in the kitchen; in the garden; on holiday with all the characters. And I was there at the fallout. Jane Shemilt has a talent for taking you into her world - but be careful. It might not be what you think... -- Sunday Times bestseller Jane CorryThe plot was breathlessly gripping, with an emotional punch that turned the last couple of chapters into a teary blur -- Sarah Naughton, author of The Hanged Man RisesSuch a clever, beautifully written read that was tense and thrilling throughout with an ending that gave me goosebumps. Highly recommended! -- Claire Douglas, author of Then She VanishesA fierce reminder that control is only an illusion * The Book Review Hub *A compelling, disturbing and beautifully told story. I loved Jane's debut Daughter and adored The Drowning Lesson but Jane has topped them both with Little Friends -- Diane Jeffrey, author of He Will Find YouCountless psychological thrillers get compared to Big Little Lies; Shemilt's is the real deal * People *Surefire suspense [. . .] riveting creepiness * New York Times *A fantastically clever novel with some wonderful twists * Jo's Book Blog *Praise for Jane Shemilt * - *A compelling sense of place, good twists, and a tense, intense ending -- Sarah Vaughan, bestselling author of Anatomy of a ScandalWe absolutely loved this -- Richard & Judy Book ClubThrilling * Sunday Express *Builds layer upon layer of tension in a novel you won't be able to put down -- Tess Gerritsen, bestselling author of I Know a SecretUtterly gripping. A tautly-coiled spring of suspicion and suspense which builds to a devastating ending * Mail on Sunday *A dark and twisty tale * Heat *Well-written, taut and tense -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail *Taut and thought-provoking * Woman & Home *Gripping to the last page * My Weekly *Suspenseful, brooding * Sunday Mirror *Clever * Sun *

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Book SynopsisHattie Weatherall''s heart leapt when she first saw Abbot''s Mill, and with her dog and an assortment of wild fowl for company she sets about renovating the mill. Sarah Farley feels a pang of envy for Hattie''s freedom. For over twenty years, Sarah has tolerated her husband''s infidelities - and her love for him is about to be tested again... As Hattie settles into life at the mill, she befriends two young boatmen. Toby is recovering from a broken marriage and, when he has a another chance at happiness, Hattie is glad welcome his new family into the fold. Joss''s problems are not so easily solved, but when he turns to Hattie for help, the motherly love that blossoms in her heart enables them both to heal old wounds...Trade ReviewPraise for Marcia Willett's previous novels: 'A fascinating study of character...a cleverly woven story * Publishing News *Poignantly told, with fine characterisation and a lavish sprinkling of humour * Evening Herald *This excellent first novel...is a rounded portrait of modern family life where light-hearted affection and friendship contrasts with the darker strands of human nature * Dartmouth Chronicle *A delight from start to finish * Kingsbridge Gazette *A must for women fiction readers * Booklist *

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Book Synopsis1659: Cromwell''s protectorate is drawing to a close, and the restoration of the monarchy can only improve the fortunes of the Morland family.The years of civil war and their aftermath have left Morland Place in dire straits, but with the return of the King, Ralph Morland believes he can rebuild the family estates. For his beautiful and ambitious cousin, Annunciata, the Restoration means a journey to London - one that leads to the amours and intrigues of Charles''s court and to the unlocking of her mysterious past.A new and kinder age is dawning - a time for healing wounds - but more uncertainty, conflict and sorrow await both Ralph and Annunciata before they can find peace and forgiveness...

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Book Synopsis''Funny, page-turning and addictive . . . just like Malory Towers for grown-ups''Sophie KinsellaClass is the first novel in Jenny Colgan''s beloved Maggie Adair series.**************Maggie went to the window and opened it wide, inhaling the lovely, ozoney air off the sea. Why had she never lived by the sea before? Why had she always looked out on housing estates and not the little white hulls of trawlers bobbing off in the distance?It''s gloriously sunny in Cornwall as the school year starts at the little boarding school by the sea. Maggie, the newest teacher at Downey House, is determined to make her mark - but will it be at the expense of her relationship with safe, dependable Stan? Simone has won a scholarship and wants to make her parents proud. Forced to share a room with the glossy, pretty, clever girls of Downey House, shTrade ReviewI have been waiting twenty-five years for someone to write a bloody brilliant boarding school book, stuffed full of unforgettable characters, thrilling adventures and angst and here it is. - Lisa JewellA wonderful first novel that had me in tears and fits of laughter. Definitely an A*! - Chris ManbyI love this book! It's funny, page-turning and addictive... just like Malory Towers for grown-ups - Sophie KinsellaAimed at fans of Malory Towers, this is a trashy, funny revisitation of the "best" years of your life: school - *** Red

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