Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisWhat if The One was actually the one that got away?A riveting story of love and the paradox of choice from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of Lies Lies Lies, Just My Luck, and Both Of You.Natalie and Neil everything they could want: a stylish London house, two high-flying careers, a close-knit group of friends and family. And best of all: an ideal marriage. Having children, they've agreed, would only disrupt their carefree lives.But then Neil turns thirty-five, and suddenly he's longing for a baby. However, Nat has not had a similar change of heart.As they no longer agree on this fundamental issue, their once perfect relationship starts to crumble. Nat starts to think about her exes and wonders if one of the men she has loved in the past can offer her a future, or by looking over her shoulder is she simply going to trip up?Sunday Times Number One bestseller Adele Parks asks the ultimate what if' question in this insightful, smart, funny novel about revisiting your pastPraise Trade Review Praise for Men I’ve Loved Before: ‘Adele Parks’s novels are a fabulous mix of comedy, real life and emotional depth and her tenth, Men I’ve Loved Before, is no exception’ Daily Express ‘A wicked pleasure’ Woman & Home ‘Observant, sensitive and we like this a lot!’ Closer ‘A dazzling novel full of emotional set-pieces and real insight into relationships between men and women… This is Parks at her best’ Heat ‘She is a particularly acute observer of relationship ups and downs, and her stories are always as insightful as they are entertaining’ Daily Mirror Praise for Adele Parks: 'Gripping, moving and elegantly written' Marian Keyes ‘Brilliantly twisty… but is also so insightful about human nature. A triumph’ Lucy Foley ‘Adele Parks never takes her foot off the gas, every book is tighter, faster, better than the last… A gripping story of greed, lies and dark family secrets. I read it in a two-day frenzy’ Lisa Jewell ‘A compelling take on one of those “what if” scenarios that we’ve all wondered about. Addictive, provocative and thoroughly relatable – a brilliantly crafted reminder to be careful what you wish for’ T.M. Logan ‘An absolute joy: gripping, shocking and surprising. A cautionary tale about what one couple’s sudden wealth can do to old friendships’ Jane Fallon ‘Like a deft magician, this book reveals its twists only at the very end, I was completely astonished’ Rosamund Lupton ‘Something special… Adele has hit another home run – pacy, gripping and full of suspense, this is a novel you’ll still be thinking about for days afterwards’ My Weekly ‘A brilliant page-turner about the dark side of dreams coming true. The perfect summer read’ Tasmina Perry ‘Dark, devious and twisty, with extraordinarily clever plotting, this is compulsive reading at its best’ Nicola Moriarty

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Book SynopsisA warm and beautifully evocative story of family and secrets, love and heartache, with a devastating twist' Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from ParisWhen your heart belongs in two places, can you ever truly find home?Brooklyn, New York,Bea has grown up in the heart of the Irish community, always hearing stories of home. When she discovers a letter from her younger self, written years before, it sends her deep into her own family history.Kilmore Quay, Ireland.Years earlier, Lucy Mernagh leaves her much-loved home and family in search of the New York dream. The Big Apple is a world away from the quiet village she grew up in, and the longing for home aches within her.When Bea uncovers a shocking secret, it takes her back across the water to Kilmore Quay, where finally long-buried truths will come to light. But fate has one last twist in storePraise for The Moon Over Kilmore QuayA heart-warming story which shows the power of friendship, family and heritage' IndependentA lifTrade ReviewPraise for The Moon Over Kilmore Quay: ‘Love and laughter woven into a beautiful story brimming with Carmel’s trademark warmth’ Milly Johnson ‘Unashamedly full of heart … takes the reader on an unputdownable journey between New York and Wexford. It is a story about family and identity, about legacy and secrets … a touching love letter to Ireland’ Hazel Gaynor ‘A warm and beautifully evocative story of family and secrets, love and heartache, with a devastating twist that will break your heart’ Alex Brown ‘A heart-warming story which shows the power of friendship, family and heritage’ Independent Praise for Carmel Harrington: ‘Carmel Harrington is a natural storyteller … with heart, humour & hope’ RTE ‘Beautifully written, emotionally intelligent & moving in the extreme’ DAILY MAIL UK ‘Heartwarming humour, with tears, laughter & friendship. Immensely enjoyable’ IRISH TIMES ‘Convincing characters, always gripping, endearing, with a cracking pace’ IRISH INDEPENDENT ‘Heartwarming and heartbreaking’ EVENING HERALD ‘Uplifting, warm, endearing, an old-fashioned feel-good story, the kind that will bring tears’ Irish Echo, Australia

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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 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 SynopsisA joyful love story set against the backdrop of lockdown perfect for fans of The FlatshareDo you believe in love before first sight?Lockdown is putting Sophia's life on pause just as she planned to put herself out there and meet someone. When the first clap for the keyworkers rings out around her courtyard, she's moved to tears for all kinds of reasons.Jack is used to living life to the fullest. He's going stir-crazy after just days isolating. Until the night he hears a woman crying from the balcony under his. He strikes up a conversation with the stranger and puts a smile on her face.Soon their balcony meetings are the highlight of Jack and Sophia's days. But even as they grow closer together, they're always kept apart.Can they fall in love during a lockdown?Relatable and uplifting' OK! MagazineA beautifully warm, touching, heart-lifting tale of love in crazy times. I was rooting for Jack and Sophia' Fiona Gibson, author of When Life Gives You LemonsBeautifully written, Love in Lockdown is a lesson in how love can succeed against the odds' Sue Moorcroft, author of Christmas WishesA true love story for our time. Skilfully crafted, entertaining, tender and utterly credible. It's uplifting and I loved every word' Judy Leigh, author of A Grand Old TimeWonderful A heartwarming dose of romance that will lift your spirits' BellaI have never laughed and cried so much, and I truly hope this is made into a movie truly magical and will stay with me for a lifetime' ***** NetGalley ReviewTrade ReviewPraise for Love in Lockdown: A Bella must-read ebook of the week! ‘Relatable and uplifting’ OK! Magazine ‘A beautifully warm, touching, heart-lifting tale of love in crazy times. I was rooting for Jack and Sophia’ Fiona Gibson, author of When Life Gives You Lemons ‘Beautifully written, Love in Lockdown is a lesson in how love can succeed against the odds’ Sue Moorcroft, author of Christmas Wishes ‘A true love story for our time. Skilfully crafted, entertaining, tender and utterly credible. It’s uplifting and I loved every word’ Judy Leigh, author of A Grand Old Time ‘Wonderful … A heartwarming dose of romance that will lift your spirits’ Bella ‘I have never laughed and cried so much, and I truly hope this is made into a movie … truly magical and will stay with me for a lifetime’ ***** NetGalley Review

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Book SynopsisThe brand new thriller from the No.1 Kindle bestselling author of The Perfect Couple and Am I Guilty?Filled with suspense, intrigue and a cast of engaging characters. Fabulous!Lucy Clarke, author of The CastawaysSuspicion, secrets and shocking reveals!Sarah Linley, author of The TripMy family has just been reunited. So who is trying to tear it apart?A mother who disappearedWhen Beth was 10 years old, her beautiful, wild mother Alice disappeared. Beth's life since hasn't always been easy, but now she's settled, with a successful career, a loving family and a beautiful home.An unexpected visitorThen one day there's a knock at the door. Alice has returned. Desperate to rebuild their relationship, Beth invites her mother to move in.A life that comes crashing downAt first, everything is wonderful. But then Beth's friends start to drift away, strange things happen at home, andrumours about Beth begin to circle. Someone is out to destroy Beth's newfound happiness. But who? And how far will thTrade Review“Filled with suspense, intrigue and a cast of engaging characters, I devoured The Happy Family in two sittings. Fabulous!” Lucy Clarke, author of The Castaways “This has all the ingredients of a classic psychological suspense – suspicion, secrets and shocking reveals. Another great read from Jackie Kabler!” Sarah Linley, author of The Trip "Couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I don't often stay up all night reading, but Jackie did it to me again. Twisty with a killer finish!" Tess Stimson, author of Stolen ‘It’s impossible not to be drawn into the simmering, sinister uncertainty of this fabulous page-turner’ Sarah Steele, author of The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon Praise for Jackie Kabler 'An intriguing and gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing as you frantically turn the pages’ Sunday Times bestselling author C. L. Taylor ‘This is a psychological thriller that has everything: intrigue, mystery and constant twists and turns. I couldn't put it down!’ Alex Lake, bestselling author of Seven Days ‘There is no let-up in this twisty-turny thriller…Just when you think you've cracked its secrets, your expectations are upended again’ Kate Riordan, author of The Heatwave

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Book SynopsisDiscover the most feel-good romance of the year Perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory, Lindsey Kelk and Sophie Ranald. Kerry Fuller has worked at Joy Strong's knitting shop Strong Knits for years. And she's had a secret crush on Joy's son, heartbreaker Jesse Strong, for even longer.When Joy unexpectedly passes away, Jesse vows that he will keep the shop open, no matter what. And with no idea of where to start, he reaches out to Kerry for help. Soon Kerry is teaching Jesse all the knitty-gritty parts of the business all the while trying to keep her heart from getting broken.The longer they spend together, the closer they become. But Kerry doesn't believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl one. It's up to Jesse to prove her wrongA SWOONFEST' Lindsey Kelk, bestselling author of the I Heart seriesLike a hand-knit sweater, you''ll want to wrap yourself up in this delightful love story' Tracy Brogan,USA Todaybestselling authorTrade Review‘A SWOONFEST’ Lindsey Kelk, bestselling author of the I Heart series ‘Like a hand-knit sweater, you’ll want to wrap yourself up in this delightful love story.’ —Tracy Brogan, bestselling author of The New Normal ‘A believable and delicious romance’ —Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author ‘Prepare to fall in love with the Strong brothers!’ —Farrah Rochon, bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project ‘I loved every word of Real Men Knit. It’s a sweet and satisfying slow-burn of a romance’—Lyssa Kay Adams, bestselling author of The Bromance Book Club “Kwana’s characters and vivid world-building leap off the page in this hilarious and heartwarming frenemies-to-lovers story’ —Andie J. Christopher, bestselling author of Not That Kind of Guy ‘This emotional, funny, and sexy friends-to-lovers romance introduces us to the enticing Strong brothers & has me clamoring for more!"—Priscilla Oliveras, USA Today bestselling author of Island Affair

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Book Synopsis''Simply superb.'' NetGalley Reviewer, ?????''Excellent from beginning to end.'' NetGalley Reviewer, ?????''A bone-chilling thriller.'' NetGalley Reviewer, ?????WARNING: do not start reading this if you have things to do. It's a page-turner you won't be able to stop thinking about.' NetGalley Reviewer, ?????It started with a rumour. But rumours can be deadlyIn a small town, three mothers wave goodbye to their children at the school gates.Naomi has lived in Exton Cross since she was born, and she knows everything there is to know about everyone.Aleema hates it here. It's been three years and she's yet to make a single friend. And she's sure the other mums whisper about her behind her back.Kelly is an outsider. New to the town, she arrives with nothing but her son and a dark secret.By the end of the school day, one of their children will be missing. And rumours will swirl that one of them is responsibleSecrets and lies will come to light with devastating consequences in this dark and twTrade Review Praise for Bryony Pearce: ‘Such an accomplished thriller debut; I felt I was living Bridget’s nightmare alongside her. Twisty, emotionally charged and with an ending I didn’t see coming!’ Jackie Kabler, bestselling author of The Perfect Couple 'Bryony Pearce's compelling narrative pulls the reader through to the final heart pounding and haunting conclusion. A magnificent debut! ' Samantha Lee Howe, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Stranger in Our Bed ‘Dark, twisty and highly entertaining’ Cass Green, bestselling author of In a Cottage in a Wood ‘An addictive heart-pounding read’ Reviewer ‘WOW! WOW! WOW! This is the fastest book I have ever read in my life – in parts, my mouth went dry, my heart was hammering out of my chest, and I was rooted to the spot!’ Reviewer ‘This book doesn’t let you go. It stays with you for a long time.’Reviewer ‘Serious The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl vibes, but still uniquely captivating.’ Reviewer ‘This was a heartbreaking, chilling psychological thriller that I found difficult to put down.’ Reviewer ‘This is going to be this years hard to top thriller.’ Reviewer ‘Time to get your heart pumping! This is the thriller that will make your pulse race.’ Reviewer ‘Now this was a thriller! From start to finish I was hooked.’ Reviewer ‘I would give this more than 5 stars if I could!’ Reviewer ‘This book has everything needed for a perfect psychological thriller. The ending blew me away and brought the whole plot together. Definitely a 5+++ star novel.’ Reviewer ‘An extremely unsettling and chilling novel that fans of crime and psychological thrillers will not want to miss. It won't be a surprise if this one day gets turned into a film!’ Reviewer ‘If you are drawn to a thrilling premise, a masterfully executed plot that does not let up, and a narrator whose reliability remains in a constant state of flux, bump this one to the very top of your list.’ Reviewer

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Book SynopsisAn absolute joy to read Plenty of humour and romance A glorious read that I devoured in a couple of afternoons in the garden. I was able to lose myself in the story Fabulous' NetGalley review ?????One blind date. One chance encounter. One-life changing moment.Ella is in the business of making brides' dreams come true with yards of white tulle, delicate lace and sparkly sequins.But Ella's own love life couldn't be further from a fairy tale. Recently dumped by her boyfriend and with her best friend's wedding only months away, Ella feels more alone than ever so she finally accepts her friends' offers to set her up on a blind date.But a mix up on the night throws her into the path of Kit, instead.Kit is most definitely not the man she was supposed to meet, but he could end up changing her life in ways she never thought possibleA perfectly funny, feel-good summer romance that will whisk you away to sandy beaches and a seaside wedding. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson wiTrade Review Your favourite authors adore Bella Osborne! ‘A page-turning summer sensation!’ Nicola May ‘Instantly engaging, witty and brilliantly written.’ Phillipa Ashley ‘Fast-paced, spirited and fun.’ Heidi Swain ‘An utterly lovely, heart-warming tale of love, friendship and jam. Had me completely hooked.’ Holly Martin 'Full of hope, heart and a fabulous feisty heroine that I was rooting for from start to finish – I couldn't put it down!' Zara Stoneley ‘Pure escapism – full of wit, warmth, humour, and a moving look at the friendships and relationships that make us all tick.’ Debbie Johnson ‘Bella Osborne has such a nice touch with description … I was utterly charmed.’ Sue Moorcroft ‘I really enjoy Bella Osborne’s books.’ Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisChildhood betrayal casts a long shadowFrom the author of The Haven and The Cliff House, this is a devastating thriller set in a Cornish boarding school.A gripping page-turner' Tammy Cohen, author of The Wedding PartyAt a bleak boys' boarding school in Cornwall in the eighties when bullying is rife, Will and his best friend, Luke, are involved in a horrific incident that results in Luke leaving.Twenty-five years later their paths cross again and memories of a painful childhood come flooding back to haunt them both.Will's wife, Harmony, is struggling after a miscarriage that has hit her hard, and wishes Will would open up about what happened. But as Will withdraws further, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic stranger from her husband's past, Luke, and soon all three are caught in a tangled web of guilt and desire . . .From Amanda Jennings, author of The Cliff House, comes a haunting thriller about betrayal and revenge.Praise for The Judas Tree:That rare thing a gripping page-turnTrade Review Praise for The Judas Tree: ‘That rare thing – a gripping page-turner that’s also emotionally intelligent and very moving. I gulped it down’ Tammy Cohen, author of The Wedding Party ‘Astonishingly good and utterly haunting’ Oxford Times ‘A beautifully crafted tale. Emotional, dark and so very compelling’ Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time ‘AMAZING. Real and disturbing and brilliant, and so beautifully written. The kind of book you want to TALK about’ Iona Grey, author of The Glittering Hour ‘I LOVED it’ Miranda Dickinson, bestselling author of The Start of Something ‘A beautiful, sharply written novel about how we carry the past with us’ Louise Beech, author of Nothing Else ‘A compelling, moving and captivating book that had me hooked from the first page . . . At the core of the book is the profound impact that trauma, experienced at a young age, can have on the rest of a person’s life, and the lives of those who love that person’ Louise Douglas, bestselling author of The Room in the Attic ‘A powerful story about the shadowlands that can connect people with long-held secrets. What I particularly loved when reading it was the constant interplay between menace and damage: the menace posed by others and the damage Jennings’s gritty and deftly drawn characters actually do to themselves. A really great read’ Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie May

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and heart-warming tale of second chance love from the author of Kindle sensation The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything.Is he just a summer fling? Or the one she's been waiting for?How Lauren thought her summer holiday would go: Priceless mother-son memories made before Charlie leaves for university.How things actually are, now they're here: Charlie refusing to speak to her and a creeping sense of dread contemplating the rest of her life alone.Although Charlie has decided that holidays with Mum are now deeply uncool, Lauren is determined not to waste this trip. Then she meets James, who was supposed to be holidaying with his daughter but is now, like her, unexpectedly flying solo.Lauren is soon sneaking away for romantic dinners under the stars and the pair start planning for a future.But what happens when Lauren and James pick up their emotional baggage back home? And what will their kids make of their mid-life rom com in the making?Readers love The Man I Met On Holiday:Friendship, romance and parenthood combine to develop into a really strong narrative. The characters were well written and the story was fast paced a brilliantly written read, perfect for a bit of ''down time' ' ?????Fiona can do no wrong as far as I am concernedthis one is especially good. I really loved her descriptions of Corsica -I could feel the sun and smell the citrus and food aromas!'?????Thoroughly enjoyableRomantic with a dose of realism, you can't help but root for the main couple Lauren and James.'?????Reading this book was a treat, it was full of sunshine, food, families and a beautiful will they/won't they' ?????Fiona Gibson has written another wonderful story full of real life relevance and thoughtful looks at the ebbs and flows of relationships. It was a joy to read!' ?????Another stonkingly good read from the master of romcoms! Absolutely loved the twists and turns!' ?????Happy, lighthearted and funny. I guarantee it will leave you wanting to linger in the sunshine with a pina colada, with the sun on your back and the breeze blowing through your hair.' ?????Trade Review Praise for Fiona Gibson: ‘A terrifically entertaining, cheery romance, with an endearing heroine’ SUNDAY MIRROR ‘Warm, funny and poignant’ DAILY MAIL ‘Warm, witty and fun’ MY WEEKLY ‘The voice of modern women’ MARIE CLAIRE ‘More than funny, it’s true’ ELLE ‘Warm, funny and endearing’ BEST

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Book SynopsisBridget Jones meets menopausesharp, funny and real' Cecelia AhernTrade Review‘One of my absolutely favourite authors’ Sheila O’Flanagan ‘Slick, witty writing, laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes heart-wrenchingly sad’ My Weekly ‘Wonderfully witty’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A must-read […] Very witty!’ Closer ‘Really funny and relatable, you’ll want to be more Agatha by the end’ Heat ‘Laugh-out-loud, poignant and life-affirming’ Woman ‘So funny and so relatable’ Fabulous ‘Written in a deliciously dead-pan tone, this hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to readers at any age’ Irish Times, ‘25 Great Holiday Books’ ‘Hilarious, poignant and life-affirming’ Woman & Home Praise for Ciara Geraghty: ‘A fabulous read … [the] characters are so real … you’re immediately immersed in their stories’ Sheila O’Flanagan ‘Tender, emotional and uplifting…I loved it’ Lucy Diamond ‘Rules of the Road had me laughing and crying on the same page…such a talented writer.’ Patricia Scanlan ‘Very funny, very moving and utterly unsentimental’ Irish Times ‘A genuine feel-good hit […]Geraghty's tightly wound adventure is as touching as it is entertaining’ Independent ‘A book to be shared, a book to be cherished … an homage to the strength of friendship and a celebration of life in all its colours’ Mairead Hearne, Swirl and Thread ‘Tender, funny, and heartbreaking… Ciara Geraghty is a wonderful writer’ Hazel Gaynor ‘Infused with warmth, humour and human understanding. An homage to life and fantastic friendships, this book will warm the cockles of your heart.’ Justine Carberry, Sunday Independent ‘Funny, gentle, compassionate and wise’ Anne Cunningham, Meath Chronicle ‘A superb writer… the Irish Jojo Moyes. Her books are beautifully written, and infused with warmth, humour and human understanding.’ Irish Examiner

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Book Synopsis''This book has it all joyous, heartbreaking, uplifting with a perfect ending an utterly gorgeous escapist read!'' Faith Hogan, bestselling author of The Ladies' Midnight Swimming ClubBeautiful, emotional and full of heart' Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from ItalyFrom Now On is a gorgeous, emotional story about love and second chances . . . Amelia''s writing has real heart, so you get completely swept along in the story of this unconventional family . . . Heart-breaking and uplifting all at the same time' Clare Swatman, bestselling author of Before We Grow Old-A heartbreaking tragedy. Charlie left his hometown behind years ago and hasn't looked back since. These days, with a successful career and a beautiful soon-to-be fiancée, he couldn't be happier. But when he receives some unexpected news, his life is forever changed.A life-changing choice.Suddenly things are falling apart, and now Charlie has to care for his family. How is he supposed to look after a heartbroken lTrade Review Praise for From Now On 'This book has it all – joyous, heartbreaking, uplifting with a perfect ending – an utterly gorgeous escapist read!' Faith Hogan, bestselling author of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club ‘Beautiful, emotional and full of heart’ Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from Italy ‘From Now On is a gorgeous, emotional story about love and second chances; it's an intimate look at family dynamics, responsibility and learning to let people into your heart. Amelia's writing has real heart, so you get completely swept along in the story of this unconventional family, all the while willing them to achieve their own version of a happy ending. Heart-breaking and uplifting all at the same time’ Clare Swatman, bestselling author of Before We Grow Old ‘From Now On is a heartbreaking read with a sublime ending!’ Lisa Timoney, Her Daughter’s Secret ‘Bittersweet, tender and uplifting. A wonderful exploration of love in all its forms and what family really means’ Nicola Gill, The Neighbours ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting. Love just pours from these pages’ Fay Keenan, New Beginnings at Roseford Hall ‘With deft characterisation and lyrical writing, From Now On is a thoughtful and poignant portrayal of love, family and second chances that's also achingly real’ Jen Gilroy, The Sweetheart Locket ‘Poignant, heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures’ Hot Brands Cool Places Praise for Amelia Henley ‘A heart-achingly beautiful story of love, grief and hope that reflects on the power of love, family and friendship’ Jules Wake, The Spark ‘Broke my heart and then rebuilt it again. Just gorgeous’ Laura Jane Williams, Our Stop ‘Beautifully written and plotted. Get ready for the final chapter – you have been warned’ Candis

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Book SynopsisI was invested in this book from the first page. It literally drew me in immediately and my attention never waned. Classic thriller with a dynamic main character!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????His secret could destroy them, but her truth is even harder to bearOne year ago, my husband Jack left. I've longed for the moment he would walk through the door and tell me all he ever wanted was to be with me.Now he's back, but this isn't the reunion I had dreamt ofJack has been in a hit and run accident. He doesn't remember we aren't together, has no clue about his other family, and no recollection of the phone call he made before the crash I made a terrible mistake that I can't put right. All I can do is get out.Jack is different to the man that walked out and I'm certain he's hiding something too.But I finally have my husband by my side, and with Jack suffering from amnesia, surely the easiest thing would be to stay quietBut can you really trust a man who simply vanished from your life? And shou

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Book SynopsisTorn apart by war a promise will hold them togetherAs the shadows of the Blitz hang over London, young Davey finds himself the man of the house when his father leaves to fight in the war. Trying his best to support his mum and to protect his sister, Davey's good intentions find him mixed up with the wrong crowd.To keep him safe, and out of trouble, Davey is sent away from everything he has ever known, to a new life far away in Canada. He has always craved adventure and a place to fit in, though it could mean losing his family forever.Starting on his new journey will take all of Davey's courage, but he also made a promise to see his precious little sister again, and he'll need to be fearless if he is to keep it Reader's love Cathy SharpHad me gripped' 5* Amazon reviewerAbsolutely brilliant' 5* Goodreads reviewerTrade 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 SynopsisTwo womenTwo warsA secret that threatens to tear them apart 1916At the onset of war, Nurse Pru le Cuirot left her home in Jersey to care for injured soldiers at Ashbury Manor, Dorset. She wanted to do her bit but she never expected to meet American pilot, Jack Garland, so unlike any man she has ever met.When Jack is sent on a dangerous mission and vanishes, Pru is forced to make an agonising decision one that will haunt them both forever.1940Another lifetime, but another war and Pru's daughter Emma comes to Ashbury Manor. As Jersey falls to the Germans, Emma is fearful for her mother back home. And when she meets the mysterious beekeeper who lives in the grounds of the manor she finds herself caught up in a web of lies. As past and present collide, will the secrets of her mother's life finally be resolved?Readers LOVE The Beekeeper's War:It's almost impossible to convey how much I enjoyed this bookbeautifully written' BevI am writing this review in hopes that others will find the storyTrade Review Readers love Deborah Carr: ‘A book that drew me in…I cuddle up on my reading chair and entered the world of Boots’ Abby ‘Vibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot’ Tabby ‘This will definitely pull at your heartstrings…Loved it’ Beverley ‘I’m so glad this is the beginning of a series and I can't wait to read the rest! Wonderfully written’ Grace ‘If you like historical novels this is a book for you’ Bookoholic Cafe ‘A gorgeous start to a new historical series that captivated, charmed and inspired me’ Adele ‘A great and powerful read about love, relationships, and the trials and tribulations in between…a true thrill’ Donna ‘Watch this author–this is a series you'll want to stick with’ Micah

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Book SynopsisFrom the USA Today bestselling author comes a gripping new emotional WW2 historical novel. Inspired by a true story!Easily my favorite historical novel of the year If you love WWII fiction, this is a must read' Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Wives of War and The Last CorrespondentRumours of the Nazis coming for Czech children swept through the villages like a breeze through the trees, and the story was always the sameThey wanted our children to raise as their ownSince her husband, Josef, joined the Czech resistance three years ago, Anna Dankova has done everything possible to keep her daughter, Ema, safe. But when blonde haired, blue-eyed Ema is ripped from her mother's arms in the local marketplace by the dreaded Brown Sisters, nurses who were dedicated to Hitler's cause, Anna is forced to go to new extremes to take back what the Nazis have stolen from her.Going undercover as a devoted German subject eager to prove her worth to the Reich, the former actress takes Trade Review‘Fast paced and hard to put down…her best yet!’ Louise Fein ‘Wow! Tense, emotional and thought-provoking, this book ticks all boxes for me. Most definitely a 5-star read’ Lesley Eames 'A powerful debut!' Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife 'A captivating story with a twist of romance threaded throughout' Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan 'A heart-clenching emotionally evocative debut!' Terry Lynn Thomas, author of The Silent Woman 'A compelling tale of friendship, courage and espionage in a frightening and uncertain world' Charlotte Betts, author of The Dressmaker's Secret 'The Girl I Left Behind made me cry and left me wanting more, which to me are signs of a truly wonderful book, one that will stay with me long after I've finished reading' Lana Kortchik, author of Daughters of Resistance 'A compelling and powerful read' – Gill Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of The Child on Platform One 'A powerful and thoughtful novel' – Louise Fein, author of Daughter of the Reich 'A gripping tale of wartime sacrifice and innocence lost in the cause of freedom' – Jina Bacarr, author of Her Lost Love

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Book Synopsis‘Lisa Timoney's debut has all the elements of a fabulous family drama…it kept me turning the pages from beginning to end’ – Kerry Fisher the bestselling author of The Silent Wife ‘I devoured this’ NetGalley review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review'A warm-hearted, page-turning read about a family shattered by a disastrous past event.' – Ali Mercer author of His Secret Family 'A thoughtful family drama, with well-rounded characters and a tangle of past secrets.' – USA Today and Amazon bestseller Jill Childs ‘An assured debut about family, loyalty and secrets…I loved it.’ – Laura Pearson ‘A gripping story of family secrets, love and past tragedy. It kept me hooked from beginning to end. A seriously impressive debut.’ – Annie Lyons

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Book SynopsisThis disturbingly-brilliant thriller is chock full of lies secrets, cheating husbands and nosey housewives' MetroIn a world where appearances are everything you can't trust anythingIn a pristine suburb outside of London everything and everyone is perfect on the surface. But then one of their own an innocent teenage girl goes missing, and DCI Sue Fisher and her team start to investigate the secrets and lies of an interconnected web of bored housewives, cheating husbands, and disaffected teens.Now, as the veneer of perfection starts to chip away, dark secrets rise to fell the mighty and a community is brought to its kneesPraise for The Nail Salon:An explosive thriller not for the faint-hearted'' Woman''s OwnSecrets and lies on every page. Utterly absorbing'' BestA brilliant thriller' BellaWe couldn't put this down' That's Life! Crime SceneCreepy, shocking, addictive' Tammy CohenReaders can't get enough of this dark and disturbing thriller:I have never read a thriller like this. Buy o

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and heartwarming read perfect for fans of Judy Leigh, Caroline James and Maddie Please!As Margaret Adams buries her late husband she comes to a shocking realisation she was widowed long before Bob dropped dead on the ninth hole at his beloved golf club.Now, with her children grown and her unhappy marriage over, Maggie goes in search of something to make her happy. Enter Las Vegas bowling alley, Cactus Lanes!With its neon sign, legendary chilli fries and community spirit, stepping through the doors does more than put a smile on Maggie's face, it changes her life.As she discovers the friendships she's always craved and a chance at a true love with gorgeous owner Frank Martinez Maggie comes to realise that it's not about winning or losing, it's about choosing your lane and striking with determination in the direction that allows you to be you.Readers are loving Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes:????? Loved this life affirming story that tells you that it''s never too late to be a

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Book Synopsis''Hugely relatable!'' HeatFans of Alexandra Potter, Marian Keyes and Caroline James will love Divorced Not Dead, a no-holds-barred, heartfelt and laugh-out-loud hilarious romcom about being fifty, but absolutely not yet dead yet!-We're going to need a bigger drinkMeet Frankie: fifty, divorced and getting back on the horse.After leaving Twatface her husband of twenty years she''s starting again from scratch. And when her son also flees the nest for university, Frankie decides it's time to throw herself back into the dating game with a vengeance.On best friend Bel''s recommendation, Frankie signs up to two dating apps: one for love, another for casual hook-ups (because why the f**k not?!).However, as she navigates this new frontier of catfishing, kittenfishing, ghosts, GILFs and everything in between, she realises the whole dating thing has changed quite a bit and it really is a bloody jungle out thereWill Frankie find love on the apps? Or the perfect shag?Or if there's any justice iTrade Review Sneak peek of Divorced Not Dead: “I’d have been content to stay with my dementor-ex until doomsday because I thought that’s what middle age was all about. Being somewhere between vaguely and violently unhappy. Making do; putting up; sticking it out. Staying for the sake of the kids. Sleepwalking through midlife in a general malaise. But, somewhere along the way, I woke up. There’s that bit in When Harry Met Sally where Harry says, ‘When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’ Well, that’s how I felt the day I left the marital home and moved into the flat above my shop. Except that the somebody I want to spend the rest of my life with is me. She’s been missing for a while, you see. Me, that is. Frances Brumby. More commonly known as Frankie. And I just found her again…” –––––––––––––––––––––- ‘This book is like a (very big) glass of wine with a friend – honest, unfiltered, hilarious. Your cheeks will hurt from laughing so much!’ Louise Pentland, author of Time After Time ‘Brilliantly observed, hilariously documented, a celebration of life at fifty…Personal, funny, relatable and motivational.’ Shazia Mirza, award-winning stand-up comedian and writer ‘It's a blast – defiantly funny. We need more books like this!’ Georgie Hall, author of Woman of a Certain Rage ‘Entertaining and enlightening …Sex education was never like this the first time around!’ Julie Ma, author of Happy Families ‘Whipsmart, feminist and sex-positive…I defy anyone to read this without cackling!’ Kitty Wilson, author of The Love Experiment 'A funny, frank and loving book. Enjoy!' Award-winning actress Lesley Sharp ‘Hugely relatable…you will cheer on Frankie as she navigates a minefield of single men!’ Heat ‘A useful handbook for anyone back on the dating scene!’ Platinum

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Book SynopsisMore than a decade since her bestselling novel, The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar continues Bhima’s unforgettable story in this stunning sequel.“The women at the heart of this novel inhabit the harsh world of the urban Indian poor, and struggle separately and together for dignity and survival.Trade Review“The women at the heart of this novel inhabit the harsh world of the urban Indian poor, and struggle separately and together for dignity and survival. Thrity Umrigar has written a moving human tale that vividly brings to life both the women and the city of Mumbai.” — Salman Rushdie “This wonderful novel… is the rich, moving story of an amazing friendship… The lives of Bhima and Parvati are ones of unbelievable poverty and struggle, but the dignity and richness their friendship manifests took my breath away.” — Indies Choice Audiobook of the Year Finalist “The Secrets Between Us is a powerful, urgent novel that wields issues of gender and class like a blade. The weight of Bhima’s tragic past and her intractable present finds its counterbalance in the most unlikely of characters: Parvati, an elderly homeless woman who is haunted by a history of her own. This intergenerational novel asks hard questions about who we are, who we can become, and what awaits on the other side of our becoming. Thrity Umrigar is known as a bold and generous writer, and The Secrets Between Us only further establishes her reputation.” — Wiley Cash, author of The Last Ballad “The Secrets Between Us broke me open as thoroughly as any novel I’ve read in recent years. Bhima and Parvati, two proud, aging women hard-used by life, are as unlikely a pair of heroes as one could imagine, and yet they jump from these pages big and true as life, striving, surviving, learning to hope and even love long past the point where such things have come to seem like a cruel joke. Thrity Umrigar has given us yet another brilliant powerhouse of a novel.” — Ben Fountain, author of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk “Umrigar’s writing is vivid and elegant in its specificity, and the story is as resilient as its characters.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune “[The Secrets Between Us] provides an almost “Siddhartha”-esque experience of sharing a character’s spiritual journey, as the plot takes Bhima and Parvati to places where they must question their preconceptions, search their souls and ultimately change.” — Newsday “[Umrigar’s] amazing cast is coupled with shining prose and a plot that consistently startles and gratifies. This splendid tale should appeal to all readers with open hearts, regardless of their familiarity with the previous work or the culture of Mumbai.“ — Publishers Weekly “Picking up The Space Between Us first may enlighten readers about Bhima’s backstory, but this title easily stands on its own. It chronicles the triumph of women’s friendships and fortitude in the face of considerable obstacles—poverty, homophobia, illiteracy, gender discrimination, ageism, and sexual assault. It further displays Umrigar’s insights into the deep resilience of the human heart.” — Library Journal (starred review) “The Secrets Between Us is one of those books I want to shout about from the rooftops... [for] everyone to experience the depth and beauty of the author’s writing.” — All About Romance “[W]onderful…. [Umrigar] knocked it out of the park with this one. Her writing is beautifully descriptive and her characters are absolutely fabulous.” — BermudaOnion’s Weblog

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Book Synopsis?A powerful story of family and connection that is just as fun as it is heartbreaking. I didn?t want the story to end.??Jill Santopolo,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Light We LostandEverything AfterFollowing her acclaimed debut novel, You and Me and Us, Alison Hammer offers a deeply moving story of family and identity. When a DNA test reveals a long-buried secret, a woman must look to the past to understand her mother and herself.When Paige Meyer gets an email from a DNA testing website announcing that her father is a man she never met, she is convinced there must be a mistake. But as she digs deeper into her mother?s past and her own feelings of being the odd child out growing up, Paige begins to question everything she thought she knew. Could this be why Paige never felt like she fit in her family, and why her mother always seemed to keep her at an arm?s length? And what does it mean for Paige?s memories of her father, a man she idolized and whose death she is still grieving? Back in 1975, Betsy Kaplan, Paige?s mom, is a straightlaced sophomore at the University of Kansas. When her sweet but boring boyfriend disappoints her, Betsy decides she wants more out of life, and is tired of playing it safe. Enter Andy Abrams, the golden boy on campus with a potentially devastating secret. After their night together has unexpected consequences, Betsy is determined to bury the truth and rebuild a stable life for her unborn child, whatever the cost. When Paige can?t get answers from her mother, she goes looking for the only other person who was there that night. The more she learns about what happened, the more she sees her unflappable, distant mother as a real person faced with an impossible choice. But will it be enough to mend their broken relationship? Told in dual timelines, Little Pieces of Me examines identity and how the way we define ourselves changes (or not) through our life experiences.Trade Review“A powerful story of family and connection that is just as fun as it is heartbreaking. I didn’t want the story to end.” — Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost and Everything After "Kudos to Alison Hammer! LITTLE PIECES OF ME is a lovingly crafted modern family saga spanning decades and circumstances. It illuminates the question of family in a timely and thoughtful manner that’s perfect for book clubs. The intense and heartfelt story will make you think hard and hug your loved ones harder." — Amy Sue Nathan, bestselling author of The Last Bathing Beauty "Hammer’s second novel (after You and Me and Us) explores the true meaning of family in a timely, thought-provoking story of identity and self-discovery." — Library Journal (starred review) "A gorgeous, heartbreaking-yet-hopeful story about identity, truth, and most importantly, that tender—and sometimes tense—tightrope that connects mothers and daughters. Alison Hammer has that rare gift of writing true-to-life characters that feel like good friends, and I can't wait to see what she writes next." — Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of You Were There Too Hammer’s latest, Little Pieces of Me, an intricately woven tale told from a mother and her daughter’s perspective of their family’s hidden secrets. Hammer delves in deep, examining how we define ourselves – and how far we would go to learn untold truths. Readers will relish the complex characters and the captivating plot. Most of all, the powerful emotional tension is guaranteed to keep you turning pages well past your bed-time. — Lisa Barr, award-winning author of The Unbreakables "In Little Pieces of Me, Hammer expertly weaves past and present, capturing the threads that bind one family. A story of hidden truths, identity, and parent-child relationships, readers will be drawn to these memorable characters and their journey toward understanding. Be prepared to laugh and cry along the way. Brava, Alison Hammer for another fabulous read." — Rochelle Weinstein, USA Today Bestselling Author

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Book SynopsisIt is there, in a foreign city, under strained circumstances, that they will get to know each other and connect for the first time.A beautiful, gritty, and charming port city where French old-world charm meets modern bohemia, father and son stroll the streets sharing strained small talk.Trade Review"Reading this wondrous book is like wandering the streets of a bewitching foreign city, highly attuned to its pleasures and tensions, thrilled by its freedom and possibility. I was deeply moved by its tenderness, its honesty, and, most of all, by the unlikely journey father and son take to discover each other as if for the first time. Carofiglio is a master of voice and atmosphere, which gives this elegiac novel its satisfying and emotional punch." — Christopher Castellani, author of Leading Men “[A] poignant and moving father/son story…. Antonio’s catalog of intimate experiences, whether painful, pleasurable, or bittersweet, make for an enchanting coming-of-age tale.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Their primary task is simple: Don’t fall asleep. Instead they walk and they talk—about love, about mathematics (Dad’s specialty), about food, about philosophy, about life.... subtle precision informs every page, as does a deceptive simplicity laden with all that happens when you’re not paying attention....The title comes from a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o’clock in the morning.' Here those dark nights arrive with shimmering, unforced beauty, filling the pages with jagged moonlight like the finest neorealist film. A journey by foot: crisp, lean, yet quietly mournful." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Antonio tells the story in his own unadorned first-person voice from his perspective as a 51-year-old adult, a fact that adds wisdom to this absorbing novel of filial bonding.” — Booklist "A compelling, compact story...Gianrico Carofiglio’s Three O’Clock in the Morning is profound in its simple delivery." — New York Journal of Books "This offbeat, nostalgic work reminds us of the things that are most important in life." — BookBrowser “This is a wonderful book.” — Antonio D’Orrico, La Lettura “A coming-of-age journey that is as rational as it is touching, and that builds up some crucial symbolisms in the reflections of a beautiful dryness.” — Leonetta Bentivoglio, la Repubblica “It’s not a crime story but the suspense is still there, in Gianrico Carofiglio’s coming-of-age novel.” — Alberto Riva, il Venerdì di Repubblica “One of those novels for which you feel sorry in the last pages, when reading slows down to ward off the final word.” — Il fatto quotidiano "Three O’Clock in the Morning is a tender, heady and heartwarming tale where the strained conversation of a father and son transforms into a lifetime bond." — Seattle Times

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The novel is as poignant as it is funny, as thought-provoking as it is witty, and searingly relatable.” — Washington Post “Zigman's tenderly told novel is a realistic rendering of what it's like to care for and love a disabled child, and the toll that love takes on parents and siblings. It's also about the bonds that sisters share and how, in the case of the Mellishmans, unresolved grief nearly breaks them...[but] laced with the promise of a brighter future.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune “Zigman is terrific at melding heartbreaking situations with humorous, evocative details without once veering off into saccharine sentimentality…Zigman’s ability to elicit the transformative magic that happens when people find true connection with others makes these pages glow.” — Boston Globe "A graceful swan dive into the question of how a family rearranges itself after the death of a child…a brave and heartfelt book of truths." — New York Times Book Review "Zigman's quirky novel confronts the most painful family issues and is equally knowing—and funny—about what brings comfort and grace." — People “Entrancing. . . . Zigman does a stellar job of creating well-rounded characters, and a satisfying ending tops off her well-crafted paean to sisterhood. Readers will love this.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “I absolutely loved Small World -- a wise, warm, and often hilarious exploration of sisterhood and community, set against a nuanced portrait of one family’s tragic past.” — Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures “Like all of Laura Zigman’s books, Small World is wryly funny and sharply observed. But this moving story of two adult sisters reconnecting in midlife also tackles some weighty subjects—family secrets, disability, abandonment—with unusual grace and sensitivity.” — Tom Perrotta, author of Tracy Flick Can’t Win “Hilarious, wise, and deeply moving--I loved my time with the Mellishman sisters and didn't want it to end. No one captures the tragicomedies of life quite like Laura Zigman, whose compassion and brilliance shine through on every page.” — Mona Awad, author of All's Well and Bunny "[Zigman] excels at depicting the emotional push and pull of sibling relationships. . . Yet she never loses her sharp sense of humor. . . A compassionate, often funny examination of shared family grief and love." — Kirkus Reviews “A tender story of two sisters who, both in midlife and both recently divorced, move in together. . . A moving story about the power of family secrets, sisterhood, and memory. Readers of authors such as Jodi Picoult, Barbara Kingsolver, or Kristin Hannah will be affected by Zigman’s skillful and sensitive chronicling of a sisterhood simultaneously affected by the past and finding a new future.” — Booklist “Small World is a treasure: a family story that is wistful one moment, witty and wry the next. Few novelists write as beautifully about the damaged heart and the wounded soul as Laura Zigman, or understand the emotional bonds of siblings and sisters. I loved this novel.” — Chris Bohjalian, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and The Lioness “A profound exploration of the depths and limits of unconditional love, Small World examines what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a sister, a person in the world. By turns hilarious and haunting, this is a novel for the ages.” — Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year “Abundant humor. . . . Revolving around two middle-aged sisters who have recently been left by their husbands, Small World parses a bramble of secrets, hurts and other mainstays of the all-absorbing kin novel.” — Shelf Awareness “Small World offers a warming tonic against ice and gloom. . . . Zigman writes insightfully of the agonizing push-pull of a family raising a child with severe needs. . . . The book’s short, powerful epigraph is ‘I came to explore the wreck.’ – a line from Adrienne Rich’s ‘Diving into the Wreck.’ Choosing to enter an ancient vessel that has been deeply buried for years takes some courage — kind of like Joyce and Lydia bravely exploring their own history.” — WBUR "A tender, funny novel that proves the smallest stories can have the biggest heart." — The Hollywood Reporter "A deft writer, Zigman knits this story together like a beautiful scarf." — Lee Woodruff, Book Marks “Great wit and wisdom permeate Laura Zigman’s quirky story..Balancing grief with humor…A delight.” — Christian Science Monitor “I welcomed the chance to get lost in this compulsively readable novel and be drawn into a poignant family drama of remembrance, recrimination, and uneasy reconciliation, leavened by Zigman’s psychological acuity and capacity to reveal the unforgiving absurdities of intimacy.” — Mother Jones

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Book SynopsisToni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She was the author of many novels, including The Bluest Eye, Sula, Beloved, Paradise and Love. She received the National Book Critics Circle Award and a Pulitzer Prize for her fiction and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honour, in 2012 by Barack Obama. Toni Morrison died on 5 August 2019 at the age of eighty-eight.Trade Review'Toni Morrison was a giant of her times and ours... Beloved is a heartbreaking testimony to the ongoing ravages of slavery, and should be read by all'‘I adored her honesty. I admired the way she occupied her space in the world. I believed her’‘[Toni Morrison] led and we followed, and she showed us the beauty of the language, and the power that was unleashed when that beauty was allied to a great heart and a ferocious mind’‘No other writer in my lifetime, or perhaps ever, has married so completely an understanding of the structures of power with knowledge of the human heart’‘Toni Morrison is the greatest chronicler of the American experience that we have ever known’

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Book Synopsis ‘If you liked Atonement by Ian McEwan, you'll love this’ Harper's BazaarThe bestselling novel from the author of The Snakes, The Outcast is a powerful portrait of unexpected love and treacherous charades against the backdrop of a sleepy post-war English village August 1957.Trade ReviewAn elegant, subtle, haunting novel that stayed with me long after I finished it. Sadie Jones has a long literary future ahead of her -- Tracy ChevalierThe prose is elegant and spare, but the story it reveals is raw and explosive... Devastatingly good' -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *Jones's story is imbued with brooding atmosphere and drama. Understated and elegantly narrated with attention to period detail, this is a gripping love story with a twist. If you liked Atonement by Ian McEwan, you'll love this * Harper's Bazaar *Eminently readable first novel....reads like a thriller, the tension and menace build expertly...a powerful, promising first novel * Financial Times *She writes with simmering intensity... particularly strong on atmosphere... Jones uses small, startling phrases to convey depths of passion and information and she can make seemingly innocuous passages radiate beauty * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisStella Gibbons was born in London in 1902. She went to the North London Collegiate School and studied journalism at University College, London. She then worked for ten years on various papers, including the Evening Standard. Stella Gibbons is the author of twenty-five novels, three volumes of short stories, and four volumes of poetry. Her first publication was a book of poems, The Mountain Beast (1930) and her first novel Cold Comfort Farm (1932) won the Femina Vie Heuruse Prize for 1933. Among her works are Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm (1940) Westwood (1946), Conference at Cold Comfort Farm (1959) and Starlight (1967). She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1950. In 1933 she married the actor and singer Allan Webb. They had one daughter. Stella Gibbons died in 1989.Trade ReviewHer character drawing is perfection, and her sense of fun too subtle to permit quotation * James Agate, author of Ego *Chipper is the word: Gibbons's heroines are plucky, determined and quietly hedonistic. But she can do melancholy with the best of them, too, not to mention melodrama * Guardian *Stella Gibbons…an exception to that old canard: women can't make us laugh * Independent *The Jane Austen of the 20th century -- Lynne TrussStella is stellar * Sunday Herald *

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Book SynopsisSUSAN HILL has been a professional writer for over fifty years. Her books have won awards and prizes including the Whitbread, the John Llewellyn Rhys and a Somerset Maugham, and have been shortlisted for the Booker. Her novels include Strange Meeting, I'm the King of the Castle, In the Springtime of the Year and The Mist in the Mirror. She has also published autobiographical works and collections of short stories as well as the Simon Serrailler series of crime novels. The play of her ghost story The Woman in Black is one of the longest running in the history of London's West End. In 2020 she was awarded a damehood (DBE) for services to literature. She has two adult daughters and lives in North Norfolk.Trade ReviewStunning * Ruth Rendell *Exhilarating...addictive...fascinating * Independent *A master storyteller * Sunday Telegraph *THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN1. 'I loved this book. Masterly and satisfying. The result is stunning' Ruth Rendell2. 'This book must be judged as a potential successor to the great sequence of detective writing by P.D. James and Ruth Rendall ... excellent' Daily Telegraph4. 'Gripping ... and subtle' Daily Mail * reviews *Fans of Hill's earlier work like The Woman in Black will appreciate that she can still weave a jolly good story... Minor characters acquire an extra dimension in Hill's experienced hands... Crime fans on the look out for intelligent examples of the genre will enjoy The Risk of Darkness * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis''Stunningly sensual and visceral'' NEW YORK TIMES''Smart, beautiful . . . paints a lyrical picture'' STYLIST''Groff is a sensuous writer'' GUARDIANIn the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia House, a few dozen idealists set out to live off the land. Abe and Hannah''s only child, Bit, is born into the commune soon after its creation. He grows up there, becoming deeply attached to its way of life and everyone within it, in particular the beautiful but troubled Helle. While the commune rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. But when it''s time to find a way to live in the world beyond Arcadia, will he be able to let go of the past to forge a new start?''An exquisite tale of idealism and disintegration . . . Utterly absorbing'' MARIE CLAIRE''Intricately wrought . . . A powerful pean to the human desire to make the right sort of place live'' SUNTrade ReviewPowerful and affecting…Captures a five-year-old’s consciousness with rare, almost mystical intensity, this is a vivid, original and generous-hearted book. * Daily Mail *An exquisite tale of idealism and disintegration…Utterly absorbing. * Marie Claire *Richly peopled and ambitious and oh, so lovely, Lauren Groff's Arcadia is one of the most moving and satisfying novels I've read in a long time. It's not possible to write any better without showing off.The raw beauty of Ms. Groff’s prose is one of the best things about Arcadia ... stunningly sensual and visceral in describing behaviour straight out of a time capsule… extraordinarily rich imagination, she writes about this life as if she has known it. * New York Times *Groff is a sensuous writer. * Guardian *Intricately wrought ... A powerful paean to the human desire to make the right sort of place to live. * Sunday Telegraph *Smart, beautiful, rooted in an earthy and glorious location ... Groff’s beautifully written Arcadia paints a lyrical picture ... You fall in love with Arcadia’s protagonist, Bit, and find yourself transported to a different time, place and lifestyle. * Stylist 5 stars *Arcadia, her second novel, cements all of Groff’s promise, and then some…Deft-structural and convincing authorial control…Wonderful stuff. * Mirror, Book of the Week *With Arcadia, Groff has woven her own tale, in eloquent prose that’s rich in sense of place and depth of feeling * Independent on Sunday *The novel’s greatest strength is its vision of the violent fecundity of nature…Groff excels in writing with a kind of fairy-tale lucidity…The book’s structure and imagery are full of delightful intricacies and cruel ironies. * Times Literary Supplement *One of our most talented writers, and Arcadia one of the most revelatory, magical and ambitious novels I've read in years.

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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 CORNWALLHow do you catch a killer who doesn''t exist? One snowy night in the cathedral city of Lafferton, an old woman is dragged from her bed and strangled with a length of flex.DCS Simon Serrailler and his team search desperately for clues to her murderer. All they know is that the killer will strike again, and will once more leave the same tell-tale signature.Then they track down a name: Alan Keyes. But Alan Keyes has no birth certificate, no address, no job, no family, no passport, no dental records. Nothing. Their killer does not exist.''As addictive as Rankin'' ScotsmanTrade ReviewNot all great novelists can write crime fiction but when one like Susan Hill does the result is stunningEagerly awaited by all aficionados of crime fictionThe real joy of the Serrailler series is Serrailler himself…rich in incident and intrigue * Express *Arguably one of the UK’s best crime fiction writers * Pride Magazine *Hill is, as ever, a true writer and a true storyteller… Her writing, never fancy or over-elaborate, is sweet and and clear and true, lifting the story above mass-market mass-killer lit * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisIt is the height of summer. After she is expelled from boarding school, Anna Severell returns to the strict, orderly house of her father, a celebrated novelist. The family is soon joined by Oliver Canning, a talented young academic who urges her to take control of her future. As autumn begins and Anna enters university, the pair grow closer. A single mistake, however, could put her newfound independence at riskTrade Review"A.S.Byatt's first novel, written in her early twenties, is simultaneously a rehearsal of the themes of her later fiction and a major work in its own right. Her concern with precise nuances of thought and feeling and their representation in prose is almost unparalleled in contemporary writing. The Shadow of the Sun is a tremendous achievement" -- DJ Taylor "In her very first novel, The Shadow of the Sun, A.S. Byatt showed herself to be that rarity, and English writer unafraid of the novel of ideas. Yet she is also the most sensuous of novelists - fictions made flesh are her passion" -- Christopher Hope "Byatt is a wonderful writer, constantly engaging wherever she takes us" The Times

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Book SynopsisThe hilarious no. 1 bestseller by comedian and author of According to Yes and Oh Dear SylviaEveryone hates the perfect family.So you''ll love the Battles.Meet Mo Battle, about to turn 50 and mum to two helpless, hormonal teenagers. There''s 17-year-old daughter Dora who blames Mo for, like, EVERYTHING and Peter who believes he''s quite simply as darling and marvellous as his hero Oscar Wilde. Somewhere, keeping quiet, is Dad . . . who''s just, well . . . Dad.However, Mo is having a crisis. She''s about to do something unusually wild and selfish, which will leave the entire family teetering on the edge of a precipice. Will the family fall?Or will they, when it really matters, be there for each other?A Tiny Bit Marvellous is the number one bestselling novel from one of Britain''s favourite comic writers. Praise for A Tiny Bit Marvellous:''Funny, reaTrade ReviewBeautifully observed. Makes you laugh on every page * The Times *Hilarious. Chortle-out-loud turns of phrase, razor-sharp observations * Stylist *Fresh, extremely funny * Sunday Times *Has she cracked it with her first novel? Yes. Engaging from the first page * Heat *Really enjoyable and highly recommended. Dawn French is a wonderful writer - witty, wise and poignant * Daily Mail *A hilarious and compelling read * Good Housekeeping *Beautifully observed. Makes you laugh on every page * The Times *Hilarious. Chortle-out-loud turns of phrase, razor-sharp observations * The Stylist *Fresh, extremely funny * Sunday Times *Has she cracked it with her first novel? Yes. Engaging from the first page * Heat *Really enjoyable and highly recommended. Dawn French is a wonderful writer - witty, wise and poignant * Daily Mail *A hilarious and compelling read * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisThe marriage of Gertrude and Walter Morel has become a battleground. Repelled by her uneducated and sometimes violent husband, delicate Gertrude devotes her life to her children, especially to her sons, William and Paul - determined they will not follow their father into working down the coal mines. But conflict is evitable when Paul seeks to escape his mother''s suffocating grasp through relationships with women his own age. Set in Lawrence''s native Nottinghamshire, Sons and Lovers (1913) is a highly autobiographical and compelling portrayal of childhood, adolescence and the clash of generations.Trade ReviewLawrence's masterpiece... a revelation. (Anthony Burgess)

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Book SynopsisWharton?s sly and delicious novel about the ambitious social ascent of Undine Spragg, now in a Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, with a foreword by Sofia Coppola A Penguin Classics Deluxe EditionConsidered by many to be her masterpiece, Edith Wharton?s second full-length work is a scathing yet personal examination of the exploits and follies of the modern upper class. As she unfolds the story of Undine Spragg, from New York to Europe, Wharton affords us a detailed glimpse of what might be called the interior décor of this America and its nouveau riche fringes. Through a heroine who is as vain, spoiled, and selfish as she is irresistibly fascinating, and through a most intricate and satisfying plot that follows Undine?s marriages and affairs, she conveys a vision of social behavior that is both supremely informed and supremely disenchanted.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE SAGA PRIZE 1997: a literary award for trailblazing new Black British novelists''A quietly outstanding work of fiction . . . an exemplary novel'' Bernardine Evaristo A shattering portrayal of family, guilt and unshakable bonds as a family''s deepest secrets explosively unravel When Anita finally returns home to London after a long absence, everything has changed. Her father is dead, her mother is away, and she and her sister Beth are alone together for the first time in years. They share a house. They share a family. They share a past. Tentatively, they reach out to one another for connection, but the house echoes with words unspoken. Dazzling and heart-breaking, Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is a searing portrait of family, a rebellion against silence and a testament to the human capacity for survival.Selected by Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine ETrade ReviewBernard and the Cloth Monkey is the story of navigating adulthood with the weight of a marred and difficult childhood still straining familiar relationships . . . An important contribution to the literary landscape * Bad Form *[Bernard and the Cloth Monkey] crosses boundaries in what it's prepared to talk about, and it does that without melodrama or sensationalism . . . It's absolutely beautifully written. I was so drawn to the prose, to the rhythms of the prose -- Jacqueline Roy * Five Books *A quietly outstanding work of fiction . . . an exemplary novel -- Bernardine Evaristo

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Book SynopsisThe uplifting and big-hearted new love story from the author of Until Next Weekend and Saturdays at Noon''TOTALLY UNPUTDOWNABLE'' 5* Reader review''HAVE YOUR TISSUES READY'' 5* Reader review''THE ENDING WAS PERFECT'' 5* Reader review''Clever, poignant, and satisfying'' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde''An eminently real and relatable love story . . . Lucy and Jamie had me at Hello'' Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman''Heartbreakingly tender & poignant. It kept me guessing & hoping until the last page'' Sophie Claire, author of A Winter''s Dream_______From their very first date, Jamie and Lucy know they''ve met THE ONE.They''re as different as night and day. Jamie''s a home bird, while Lucy''s happiest on holiday. He has a place for everything - she can never find her keys.Yet, somehow, they make eacTrade ReviewClever, poignant, and satisfying -- Sunday Times bestseller Katie FfordeOh boy did I love Hello, Stranger, a moving and surprising love story -- Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong TImePoignant, profound and yet written with a light touch - Marks has done it again. The story engages from the off . . . This is a heartbreaking and heart-warming story * Woman *An eminently real and relatable love story about the tussle between head, heart and the costs of holding on to your own truth. Rachel Marks has perfectly captured the pleasure, pain and poignancy of being human - Lucy and Jamie had me at Hello... -- Julietta Henderson, author of Richard and Judy pick The Funny Thing About Norman ForemanHeart-warming . . . Lovely and thought-provoking * Hello! *A book to cancel plans for - we're still not over the ending * Closer *A heartbreaking and heartwarming read that deals sensitively with difficult issues * Woman's Weekly *A modern love story that's heartbreakingly tender & poignant. It kept me guessing & hoping until the last page. A fabulous read -- Sophie Claire, author of A Winter’s DreamPraise for Rachel Marks * : *Wise and wonderful. I adored it -- Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling authorRachel Marks packs a novel with all the emotions - hope, fear, love, despair and - ultimately - joy -- Clare Pooley, bestselling author of The Authenticity ProjectHeartbreaking, heartwarming, perfect -- Rosie Goodwin, Sunday Times bestselling authorHeartbreaking and hopeful; this book is a keeper * Woman's Weekly *Unpredictable and satisfying -- Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling authorBeautifully uplifting and at times unexpected * OK! *As tender and emotional as it is funny, it made me laugh out loud A LOT, and it made me sob -- Cressida McLaughlin, bestselling author of The Cornish Cream Tea BusHeartbreaking, funny and emotive * Sun *

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Book SynopsisGhost Children is a compassionate and gritty examination of love and loss from one of Britain''s most-loved writers, Sue TownsendHow can she leave the past behind when he won''t let her? Seventeen years ago Angela Carr aborted an unwanted child. The child''s father, Christopher Moore, was devastated by the loss and he retreated from the world. Unable to accept what had happened between them both went their separate ways. However, when Christopher makes a horrifying discovery whilst out walking his dog on the heath he finds that he is compelled to confront Angela about the past. As they start seeing each another again can they avoid the mistakes of the past? And will their future together be eclipsed by those mistakes of yesterday? ''Gripping and disturbing. Utterly absorbing'' Independent ''Bleak, tender and deeply affecting. Seldom have I rooted so hard for a set of fictional individuals''

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Book Synopsis''There is warmth and heart aplenty in this delicately told story'' Daily MailMoving back in with her dad was not part of Kate''s plan. Blindsided by her husband''s affair and the break-up of their family, Kate must balance the needs of three very different children - solo.Seven-year-old Bobby is having meltdowns at school. Eighteen-year-old Luke vows that he''ll never speak to his father again. And sweet middle-child Jess, always the peacemaker, is just trying to cheer everyone up as best she can.But when Jess is diagnosed with cancer, Kate''s resilience is put to the ultimate test. She knows she has to put aside her own hurt and do what is best for her little girl. But maybe doing the right thing means doing the unthinkable?''A heart-warming and a heart-breaking story, beautifully written and sensitive ... compelling'' Woman''s Way''A fascinating exploration of difficult subjects ... Moriarty writes with compelTrade ReviewAnother page-turner by the always reliable Moriarty * Mail on Sunday *Gripping and heartfelt tale * Sunday World *A heart-warming and a heart-breaking story, beautifully written and sensitive . . . compelling * Woman's Way *A fascinating exploration of difficult subjects . . . Moriarty writes with compelling authority * Irish Times *There is warmth and heart aplenty in this delicately told story * Irish Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE COSTA AWARD-WINNING, WOMEN'S PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF UNSETTLED GROUNDTwelve years ago Flora''s mother Ingrid disappeared, vanishing from a Dorset beach, presumed drowned. Everyone - especially her sister and father Gil - believes Ingrid is long dead. Everyone, except Flora. So when she hears that her father has had an accident, and is insisting that he saw his wife, Floral rushes home.But the answers she seeks are nowhere to be found - only further questions.Who did Flora's father actually see that day? Why is his house filled with towering piles of books? And might the letters hidden within them hold the truth behind her parents' extraordinary marriage? Thrilling and transporting' Sunday TimesAn eloquent tale of squandered love and seething secrets' Sunday ExpressA compelling portrait of a complicated, unconventional marriage, and of flawed humanity, with all its secrets, silences andTrade ReviewThrilling, transporting, delicately realised and held together by a sophisticated sense of suspense . . . more than matches the power of Fuller's debut . . . Powerful , pleasing and pleasurable. * Sunday Times *It's the sharp eye for detail, sometimes bizarre, that makes her writing stand out . . . A story suffused with the poignancy of miscommunication between people who love each other, of the things we can never really know. * Guardian *Claire Fuller has captured love in its fullest form, nursed on betrayal and regret and guilt . . . Swimming Lessons is so smoothly, beautifully written, and the human failures here are heartbreaking. * David Vann *Bewitching and page-turning . . . an extraordinarily smart and satisfying read. * Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife *With Swimming Lessons, Fuller confirms herself as a writer of emotional depth, technical skill and sensitive plotting . . . What Fuller evokes beautifully are the complicated dynamics between fathers and daughters, sisters, lovers, friends * Observer *A deeply moving read, with a mystery that keeps you turning pages * Oprah.com *Evocative, immersive * Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal *Extraordinary...From the opening sentence it is gripping...Fuller writes with a singing simplicity that finds beauty amid the terror...might well have you crying out for more. * Sunday Times on Our Endless Numbered Days *Bewitching...a rivetingly dark tale...spellbinding. * Sunday Express on Our Endless Numbered Days *Fuller handles the tension masterfully in this grown-up thriller of a fairytale, full of clues, questions and intrigue. * The Times on Our Endless Numbered Days *Fuller's twisted tale is compulsive, treading the fine line between charming and sinister. With its disturbing twist, Our Endless Numbered Days could well become a classic. * Stylist, 'Book Wars' on Our Endless Numbered Days *Rewardingly unsettling...as warped and sinister as any Brothers Grimm fairytale, this tautly written, tense novel is brilliant at evoking both the bewitching beauty of its setting - and its inherent dangers...haunting, suspenseful and deftly written...memorably chilling. * Metro on Our Endless Numbered Days *A debut novel that brings to mind such unlikely bedfellows as Thoreau's Walden and Emma Donoghue's Room...gripping. * Guardian on Our Endless Numbered Days *

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Book Synopsis''Both heart-breaking and heart-warming ... a joy to read'' Woman''s Way From the Richard and Judy Book Club author and Number One Bestseller!Lucy Murphy has a single goal in life - to give her children a brilliant future.An unplanned pregnancy forced Lucy to abandon her own dreams, so she is determined that her twin daughter and son will seize every opportunity. When they get a chance to move to a prestigious school, all Lucy sees is the fulfilment of her every wish for them.Loving them as fiercely as she does, Lucy is blind to the risks of taking two seventeen-year-olds away from everything familiar and dropping them into an alien world. Even when warning signs are flashing, she cannot see the dangers of pushing her vision on her children - especially her sensitive daughter - until it''s almost too late.For her family to survive, Lucy has to face up to some surprising and difficult truths - and figure out how to find herself again.''Moriarty [tackles] uncomfortable and painful subjects, weaving them into compelling thought-provoking stories ... heartfelt and deeply moving'' Irish Independent __________Praise for Sinéad Moriarty''s novels''A fascinating exploration of difficult subjects ... Moriarty writes with compelling authority'' Irish Times''There is warmth and heart aplenty in this delicately told story'' Daily Mail''OMG! I''m an emotional wreck after reading this novel, probably not helped by the fact that I pulled an all-nighter to finish it ... I just could not put it down'' Eileen Dunne, RTÉ''Heartfelt and deeply moving ... I couldn''t put it down.'' Susan Lewis''We ate this fabulous story up - 4 stars'' Heat magazine''Beautifully written and sensitive'' Woman''s Way ''Intriguing and thought provoking ... a great read.'' Katie Fforde''Gripping and thought-provoking - I was desperate to discover how it would pan out!'' Paige ToonTrade ReviewHeartfelt and deeply moving but also so gripping it is almost impossible to put down * Irish Independent *A first class novel which I couldn't put down. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The difficult subjects of the novel are dealt with in a sensitive way and the book was a joy to read * Woman's Way *

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Book SynopsisIs there such a thing as a perfect marriage?David thought so. But when his wife Mary Rose dies suddenly he has to think again. In reliving their twenty years together David sees that the ground beneath them had shifted and he simply hadn''t noticed. Or had chosen not to.Figuring out who Mary Rose really was and the secrets that she kept - some of these hidden in plain sight - makes David wonder if he really knew her. Did he even know himself?Nothing But Blue Sky is a precise and tender story of love in marriage - a gripping examination of what binds couples together and of what keeps them apart.______________''Touching and enthralling'' Sunday Times''What a beautiful novel ... Elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true'' Donal Ryan''Heart-rending ... MacMahon''s words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition'' Trade ReviewA poignant, gentle and astutely observed novel about marriage and the evolution of love * Sunday Times, Novels of the Year 2020 *A piece of perfection - a subtle, thought-provoking investigation of a marriage. It rings true. It's the best book I've read all year * Irish Examiner *What a beautiful novel ... elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true ... Beautiful, poignant moments, drawn with such quiet power. And that quiet power is alive and at work on every page -- Donal RyanBeautiful and moving -- Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled GroundInsightful and deeply moving, this is a story of one man's grief that somehow manages to hold onto its sense of humour. I loved this book -- Christine Dwyer HickeySkilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch ... An acutely observed portrait of a relationship ... filled with astute observations of human behaviour * Irish Times *Kathleen MacMahon's prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful * Sunday Independent *Heart-rending ... a tender and beautiful [love story] ... MacMahon's words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition * Business Post *A tender dissection of marriage * Independent *This elegant, tender novel is an absolute pleasure * Best *A beautifully written and powerful tale * Woman & Home *Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel steeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness -- Anne GriffinThe most beautiful prose I have read in years ... Not only my favourite novel of the year, but possibly of the decade -- Margaret Madden * Sunday Independent *I've been recommending Nothing But Blue Sky to anyone who'll listen ... It's about grief and eulogising and getting into the "habit of happiness" and I just loved it -- Emer McLysaght * Irish Times, Best Books of 2020 *Beautiful ... A gentle but deeply affecting read, and the perfect reminder of how sadness and hope can sometimes live side by side * Woman's Way *Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller -- Mike McCormackKathleen MacMahon has written an absorbing, grave, and emotionally resonant study of a marriage, of a life, of masculinity and of grief. A marvellous achievement -- Neil HegartyKathleen MacMahon sensitively explores the complexities of the human heart and reveals how even in the depths of grief, unexpected light can emerge from the darkness -- David ParkFull of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances * Irish Sunday People *An elegantly written and moving account of one man coming to terms with the sudden death of his wife * Irish Times Magazine *Excellent (and darkly funny) ... A sensitive, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful exploration of grief -- Eimear Ryan * Irish Examiner *Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances * Sunday Mirror *Touching and enthralling * Sunday Times *Stunning -- Henrietta McKervey * via Twitter *A tender portrait of a marriage and how we are formed by our closest relationships * Good Housekeeping *Heart-wrenching ... Almost a parable, it's a cautionary tale for those failing to appreciate just how short life can be * RTÉ Culture *It's rare to read an account of a happy normal marriage and she does it brilliantly -- Sue LeonardKathleen MacMahon writes with a confidence and ease and with an unerring sense of timing * Irish Times *Nothing But Blue Sky is quiet and thoughtful and very moving - Claire Fuller -- Claire Fuller

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Book Synopsis''My mother began me one evening in 1968 on a table in the café of the town''s only cinema . . .''One hot summer a stranger arrives at the Norfolk holiday home of the Smart family. Intriguing, beguiling, arresting, Amber brings love, joy, pain and not a little upheaval, throwing the carefully ordered world of the Smarts into the air. They will be forever changed by Amber but how will they know whether it is for the bad, the good or something else entirely?''Joyous ... writing as rapture, as giddy delight'' The Times''Funny, sexy, poignant, bewitching'' ObserverTrade ReviewBrilliant and engaging, frequently hilarious, exhilaratingly sharp-eyed . . . Smith makes one look at the world afresh * Sunday Telegraph *Joyous, a shot across the bows . . . writing as rapture, as giddy delight * The Times *An astonishing book - funny and moving, playful and shocking. It is what one hopes for in a modern novel, and yet it confounds all expectations. It is complex. It is beautiful. It is exhilarating. It is fiction at its most artful * Financial Times *A beguiling page-turner ... a brilliant creation. To read The Accidental is to be excited from first to last * Independent *Smith's novels fizz with pyrotechnic prose, whirl-wind openings, bewitching invention * Observer *Exuberantly inventive ... at once dazzlingly bright and profoundly dark * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICKA BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICKSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION FUTURES PRIZEAN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR''A captivating story about a mixed-race British woman who goes in search of the West African father she never knew'' REESE WITHERSPOONAnna is at a stage of her life when she''s beginning to wonder who she really is. She has separated from her husband, her daughter is all grown up, and her mother - the only parent who raised her - is dead. Searching through her mother''s belongings, she finds clues about the West African father she never knew. Through reading his student diary, chronicling his involvement in radical politics in 1970s London, she discovers that he eventually became the president (some would say the dictator) of a small nation in West Africa - and he is still alive. She decides to track him down and so begins a funny, painful, fascinating jouTrade ReviewUtterly compelling ... A disarmingly moving, surprisingly hilarious and fascinating journey * Stylist *I LOVED Sankofa SO MUCH. It explores identity, duality, belonging, racism, post-colonialism ... and the writing style is beguilingly cool, wry, detached * Marian Keyes *Onuzo displays astonishing imagination and versatility in this fantastic novel about a woman's search for her personal, familial and national identity, delivered with deadpan humour in captivating prose * Sefi Atta *Captivating... A beautiful book about a woman brave enough to discover her true identity * Reese Witherspoon (2021) *Slick pacing and unpredict able developments keep the reader alert right up to the novel's exhilarating ending * Guardian Book of the Day *Onuzo's sneakily breezy, highly entertaining novel leaves the reader rethinking familiar narratives of colonization, inheritance and liberation * New York Times Book Review *A real pleasure, it's funny, thought-provoking and holds a light up to everything from cultural differences to colonialism * Stylist Unmissable 2021 Fiction *I loved venturing from London to the fictional African nation of Bamana in Sankofa, a novel I found hard to put down -- Maggie Shipstead * Daily Mail *A really great book, very poignant but also told really straight * Sara Cox, Radio Times *A stirring narrative about family, our capacity to change and the need to belong * Time *Wonderful. Poignant and powerful and so timely and the beautiful ending had me in tears, reminding me to look within as well as without for my answers * Stella Duffy, 2021 *Spellbinding . . . Onuzu's spare style elegantly cuts to the core of her themes. The balancing of Anna's soul-searching with her thrilling discoveries makes for a satisfying endeavour * Publishers Weekly *Unscrupulous politicians, irresponsible journalism, and the yawning gap between rich and poor feel deeply personal as Anna's journey unfolds . . . Fresh and new * Library Journal *A hugely compelling novel about identity and the stories we tell about ourselves * Anna James (2021) *An engagingly written journey of self-discovery * Kirkus Reviews *Uniquely layered and lovingly written * Ms Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''You read her, laughing, and want to do your best to protect her characters from any reality but their own'' New York TimesIt is 1945. When peace breaks out at last, familiar wartime routines are interrupted, and the residents of Barsetshire seem as disconcerted as they are overjoyed. As the country''s eligible young men return home, life regains momentum: before long, everyone is spinning in a flurry of misunderstandings and engagements. The older generation, though, sees that the world will never be the same again.Both wry and poignant, Peace Breaks Out was written in the tumultuous year in which it is set. It is an unforgettable portrait of the joy and misgivings felt in the final days of 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 SynopsisA major US debut novel in 2019Shortlisted for the Centre for Fiction First Novel PrizeA New York Times Book Review Editors'' ChoiceIn Chia-Chia Lin''s piercing debut novel, The Unpassing, we meet a Taiwanese immigrant family of six struggling to make ends meet on the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska. The father, hardworking but beaten down, is employed as a plumber and contractor, while the loving, strong-willed, unpredictably emotional mother holds the house together. When ten-year-old Gavin contracts meningitis at school, he falls into a deep, nearly fatal coma. He wakes a week later to learn that his younger sister, Ruby, was infected too. She did not survive.Routine takes over for the grieving family, with the siblings caring for one another as they befriend the neighbouring children and explore the surrounding woods, while distance grows between the parents as each deals with the loss alone. When the father, increTrade ReviewLike the landscape it inhabits, this brilliant novel is composed of equal parts mystery, menace, and ravishment. It's difficult to think of another recent book in which emotion mounts so steadily and inexorably, nearly imperceptibly, until the last pages arrive with almost unbearable force. Chia-Chia Lin is among the best new writers I've read in years -- Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to YouThe Unpassing is a breathtaking novel, full of characters as strong and as wild as the Alaskan landscape they inhabit. Sentence after gorgeous sentence, I was pulled into their eery and beautiful world. Chia-Chia Lin is a remarkable writer -- Yaa Gyasi, author of HomegoingIn this spare, deeply felt debut novel, Lin resists received wisdom about the American Dream to craft a family saga about the difficulty of grieving far from home * Esquire *A singularly vast and captivating novel, beautifully written in free-flowing prose that quietly disarms with its intermittent moments of poetic idiosyncrasy. But what makes Lin's novel such an important book is the extent to which it probes America's myth-making about itself, which can just as easily unmake as it can uplift * New York Times Book Review *I can't stop thinking about The Unpassing. Chia-Chia Lin captures the strangeness and beauty of childhood better than any writer in recent memory, and she is a brilliant observer of physical and emotional landscapes. Readers should be excited: this debut novel, a true work of art, displays the kind of clear and uniquely-angled vision that announces the beginning of a remarkable career -- Jamel Brinkley, author of A Lucky ManLin's attention to detail is startling, and though she keeps close to Gavin's childhood experience, she also allows us to read between the lines and intuit the depth of the family's grief, financial straits and fear of belittlement from their white neighbors and colleagues. Anyone who has ever grieved - be it the loss of a person, home, country or security - will feel a sense of recognition. The Unpassing is a remarkable, unflinching debut * Washington Post *An arresting portrait of an immigrant family's pivotal moment of crisis . . . a nuanced portrayal of the American frontier . . . Lin's spare, lyric prose sets an elemental stage, a place indifferent to human suffering, cycling through life and death on a larger scale . . . The Unpassing is a powerful debut from an author to watch * San Francisco Chronicle *[A] grim, breathtakingly beautiful debut novel . . . Lin excels when she gets small, with finely observed renderings of the family's surroundings . . . The way this chilling, captivating book concludes will delight as much as it challenges, offering as it does a blend of escape, tragedy, triumph, loss and what we've expected all along * Los Angeles Times *Harrowing . . . In lyrical, intimate prose, Lin reveals the harsh realities of working class life in 1980s Alaska and the failed promises of the American dream * Wall Street Journal Magazine *Stunning . . . With powerful and poetic prose, Lin captures the uncertainty and insight of childhood . . . Lin's majestic writing immerses the reader in the bodily experiences of her characters, who writhe, paw, dig, salivate, and draw readers into their world * Booklist (starred review) *A terrifying bout of meningitis takes the life of a little girl but spares her older brother, leaving their Taiwanese-American immigrant family reeling in 1980s Alaska, navigating heartbreak and uncertainty in an unfamiliar world * TIME (Best books of 2019) *Graceful and precise * TIME *A striking debut by an unforgettable new voice * Cosmopolitan *Chia-Chia Lin's The Unpassing is a searing, open wound of a book, marvelously alive and, quite simply, remarkable. Traversing the oftentimes brutal frontier of an isolated family living in an isolated environment, I can't think of another novel as of late that relentlessly tackles headlong our deepest struggles for a sense of place, of home, and belonging. How do we push through grief? How do we find peace with not only our loved ones but ourselves? What sacrifices must we endure for friendship and connection? This is a story for our times. And a story unlike any other -- Paul Yoon, author of The MountainIt's hard to believe that The Unpassing is a debut novel, so confident and pitch-perfect is Chia-Chia Lin's portrayal of animmigrant Taiwanese family trying to settle into their new Alaskan life. Lin conjures up a compelling mystery - a young daughter's sudden fatal illness - via a cast of quirky protagonists so believable and enchanting that they dance around the page from the first chapter. Debuts often suffer from being over-written, busy with too many unnecessary adjectives, too much exposition. Lin's novel has none of these traits; whether through constant discipline or sheer talent, the graceful sentences flow, the characters grow. Delightful notions arise without a hint of enforcement or sentimentality * Big Issue *Lin is a superb chronicler of the Alaska landscape and its '19-hour nights' and 'ghost forests', where spruce 'had guzzled salt water and died. Decades later, the silvery skeletons of those trees still stood'.This stark backdrop mirrors the immigrant experience of isolation. This is powerful family saga, written in lyrical prose * Spectator *A stormy, beautiful story about loss and isolation and family that resonated deeply -- C Pam Zhang * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''An outstanding debut'' CHERIE JONES, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps her House''Vivid and authentic'' LEONE ROSS, author of This One Sky Day''Cacophonic, alive and heartbreaking'' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE, author of The Mercies''A gripping page-turner'' CAMILLE HERNÁNDEZ-RAMDWAR, author of Suite as Sugar and Other StoriesAs featured on BBC''s Cultural Frontline podcast At eighteen years old, Dinah gave away her baby son to the rich couple she worked for before they left Jamaica. They never returned. She never forgot him.Eighteen years later, a young man comes from the US to Kingston. From the moment she sees him, Dinah never doubts - this is her son.What happens next will make everyone question what they know and where they belong.A powerful story of belonging, identity and inheritance, What a Mother''s Love Don''t Teach You bTrade ReviewA cacophonic, alive, heart-breaking story of a particular place and time, made universal by its truths and wisdom about love. * Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies *Pulses with the colour and cadence of Jamaican culture in a multi-layered story told with empathy and intelligence. It is both an elegy of great elegance and a testament to the resilience and optimism of Jamaican people. Sharma's skilled storytelling drew me into the heads and hearts of the residents of Jacks Hill and Lazarus Gardens and did not let me go. I'll never forget this cast of characters or the voice of this accomplished writer - an outstanding debut. * Cherie Jones, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House *Imagine yourself on your front porch with your neighbour, in the cool of the afternoon when all your housework is done; get yourself a little coconut water and allow Sharma Taylor to tell you about all the goings-on of this neighbourhood of Kingston. Girl, if you see drama! Drama, girl! ! And this being the Caribbean, nobody's going to walk on by when they hear a good story being told, and before you know it, you have the whole cast of characters on the porch with you, everyone clamouring to tell their side of the story - the Jamaican dialogue in this novel is a particular strength. As one of the characters proclaims, about a particularly good spliff: "Is de real stuff, dis, my yute!" Rich and exuberant. * Claire Adam, author of the Desmond Elliot Prize-winning Golden Child *Truth-telling! Taylor's debut is tender, violent and uncompromising in turns. A vivid and authentic Jamaica that tells a tale too often hidden, for fantasies of sun, sea and sand. * Leone Ross, author of This One Sky Day *An arresting first novel. As if to nod to the Jamaican national motto "Out of Many One People," Taylor's novel gives voice to multiple perspectives on how class, race and gender are lived in this "exotic" Caribbean island and at what cost to human relationships. * Lisa Allen-Agostini, author of the Woman's Prize longlisted The Bread the Devil Knead *A sharp polyphonous story in which Taylor skillfully moves the reader through a world pulsing with pain, love, power, violence and tenderness. We are reminded of that tension between where we come from and what we gravitate towards, what steers us and why. An exciting read. * Yewande Omotoso, author of The Woman Next Door *Takes us on a wonderful multifaceted journey through the lives, loves, pleasures and atrocities of the folks of Lazarus Gardens and Jacks Hill. There is an impressive choral quality to What a Mother's Love Don't Teach You, with voices that shift with remarkable ease and seamlessness, between lyricism, humour and rawness. A very impressive achievement. * Jacob Ross, author of The Bone Readers *Warm, wise, unflinching. Taylor's skill with character and voice shines in this immersive story of living and loving under the shadow of betrayal. * Karen Lord, author of Redemption in Indigo *An astonishing book. In riveting, irresistible prose, Sharma Taylor's genre-crossing novel (a love story, a crime story, a yard fiction) tells a tale of Jamaica and America, of class, colour, race, history and the dignity of the dispossessed. The authenticity of its detail produces a searing truth that convicts us. The largeness of its vision challenges our ideas of what it means to be human. * Curdella Forbes, author of A Tall History of Sugar *Sharma Taylor's accomplished debut novel transports the reader from the rarefied air of Kingston's Jacks Hill to the gritty reality of inner city Lazarus Gardens. Told by an unforgettable cast of characters, each speaking searing truths of their own Jamaica, these compelling voices will linger long after the last page. What a Mother's Love Don't Teach You is a fine achievement. * Diana McCaulay, author of Daylight Come *In the opening chapter of What A Mother's Love Don't Teach You, Dinah describes her home, the tenement yard at Lazarus Gardens, as a place where, "is like everyday, the water have to decide if to come inside." In essence, the novel is about just that: choices. Written in alternating voices - sometimes Jamaican patois, sometimes Standard English - Sharma Taylor reveals how and why the choices of the denizens of Lazarus Gardens necessarily differ from the choices of Jamaica's uptown folk. Taylor's great accomplishment is how she captures the darkness of the ghetto while never dimming the vivacity, determination and exuberance displayed by its people. This is a thrilling read. * Celeste Mohammed, author of Pleasantview *This forceful novel offers a collision of pasts and present, mothers and sons and lovers, offered up in language that eloquently highlights our divisions and the (rare) possibilities of true connection. This is a character-led novel where pace is as important as tone and place comes singing off the page. Somehow Taylor has managed to create a work that is polyphony and cacophony and gloriously, simultaneously, symphony. * Stella Duffy, author of Lullaby Beach *Taylor portrays a complex web of Jamaican characters in settings ranging from tenement yards to mansions with an authenticity that radiates throughout the novel. Set in an important time in the island's history, it's a colourful portrayal of a young man searching for his soul, the two mothers desperate to claim him, and the ultimate sacrifice one has to make. A wonderful debut novel. * Gillian Royes. author of the Shad series *Sharma Taylor's live-wire debut is a crackling, earthy and colourful social realist polyphony that brings to life the bullet-strewn Jamaica of the 1980s. * Rob Doyle, author of Threshold *Sharma Taylor writes in extra high definition: colour, language, landscape and atmosphere. But it is her laser-like, yet careful study of the inner thoughts and emotions of her characters that fascinates. An astonishing first novel. * Esther Phillips, Poet Laureate of Barbados *Sharma Taylor's What a Mother's Love Don't Teach You explores essential aspects of Jamaica's Social Psychological Environment which Marlon James's A Brief History of Seven Killings leaves unpainted. In short, these two works could usefully be read together. May Sharma's work meet the kind of success that Marlon's work has. * Erna Brodber, author of Nothing's Mat *Voices are strong, resilient and compelling, right from the start, with sharp, vivid imagery. An ambitious novel about the Caribbean in the eighties, but also well before then and even now. What kind of Jamaica have we made, what may we yet inherit? * Robert Edison Sandiford, author of And Sometimes They Fly *This novel, a page-turner in every way, is skilfully plotted and brilliantly written. Taylor's unforgettable characters, vivid portrayal of human ruthlessness counterpoised with communal solidarity and generosity, and deft use of the Jamaican vernacular are some of the many striking features of this superb novel. * Nigel Thomas, author of Spirits in the Dark *Echoes the dilemma of having to give up home and family to find hope elsewhere. Precious things wagered in pursuit of better might never be regained. Taylor's intimate portrayals of this dissonance is communicated through authentic voices full of universal truth, love and forgiveness. * Roland Watson-Grant, author of Sketcher *A beautifully crafted debut, rich with rhythmic, lyrical patois and surprising revelations * Jacqueline Crooks *I was knocked out by this novel. It's a fantastic, enthralling story of clashing cultures: very funny and then utterly heartbreaking. The vibrant and terrifying world of Kingston in the eighties is totally gripping and the dialogue is so alive that I find it hard to believe it's a first novel * Mick Kitson, author of Sal *Sharma Taylor's debut novel What A Mother's Love Don't Teach You is a brilliant examination of lives in Jamaica. Taylor writes powerfully about those lives, trapped in often distressing social circumstances, with wit and a searingly analytical eye. Always, though, her empathy with the characters comes through, so the reader is ensnared by her artistry and is willing to seek to understand each character, no matter how superficially evil. The true power of the work comes from its thorough grounding in the Jamaican experience, the cascade of similes that enlighten and the descriptions of the physical landscapes. All of these combine to create an impression on the reader that is not only visual but profoundly emotional. An extraordinary first novel * Ronald A. Williams, author of A Death in Panama *Jamaican literature has a future. Her name is Sharma Taylor. * Kei Miller, author of THE CARTOGRAPHER TRIES TO MAP A WAY TO ZION *What a Mother's Love Don't Teach You is both heartbreaking and illuminating . . . Sharma's voice is vital and necessary * Shivanee Ramlochan, award-winning editor and poet, author of Everyone Knows I Am a Haunting (shortlisted in 2018 for the Forward Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection) *As Sharma Taylor's debut proves with fevered intensity, some threads remain unbreakable despite the cruel vicissitudes of fate. Guiding her novel with a tension-laced economy, Taylor offers a prismatic cast of figures swirling around Dinah and her estranged son. In the voices of gang leaders and snake-tongued statesmen, redoubtable matriarchs and kiss-teeth gossips, the multiple worlds of 1980s Jamaica soar to life, vividly and dramatically realised. What a Mother's Love Don't Teach You joins a formidable contemporary canon that refuses to portray the Caribbean as idyllic pastiche. It's a tender triumph * Caribbean Beat *

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