Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book Synopsis''A richly emotional portrait of a family that had me spellbound from page one'' Cheryl Strayed, bestselling author of WildThe night before Janie''s sister, Hannah, is born, her grandmother tells her a story: Since the Japanese occupation of Korea, their family has lost a daughter in every generation, and Janie is told to keep Hannah safe. Years later, when Hannah cuts all ties and disappears, Janie goes to find her. It is the start of a journey that will force her to confront her family''s painful silence, the truth behind her parents'' sudden move to America twenty years earlier, and her own conflicted feelings toward Hannah.Weaving Korean folklore with a modern narrative of immigration and identity, Forgotten Country is a gripping story of a family struggling to find its way out of silence and back to one another.Trade ReviewIn Forgotten Country, Catherine Chung tells an inexpressibly beautiful story about a Korean family with a complex history... The story builds quietly, meticulously, and Chung does a masterful job of weaving the past with the present, incorporating mythology and memory in ways that both captivate and haunt * Roxane Gay, at The Rumpus *Luminous and surprising.... Chung brings a gentle, special gravity to this Korean family's tale of endurance... Forgotten Country is an impressive, memorable debut * San Francisco Chronicle *In her gorgeous debut, Chung offers a heartbreaking story about sisters, family, and keeping traditions alive * People magazine *Catherine Chung's wonderful first novel is a moving and deeply personal story of a family caught between two very different countries and very different lives * Alison Lurie *It is a rare novel - debut or otherwise - that can sing at once with such tenderness and ferocity, with such intense feeling and exquisite restraint. Forgotten Country is just that book, poetically crafted, shimmering with hard-won emotion, and wholly absorbing. A superb performance * Chang-rae Lee *A heartbreaking debut novel that will leave you quietly shattered in its wake. Forgotten Country is an exquisitely rendered account of a Korean immigrant family divided by two sisters, two countries and a curse that spans generations. Catherine Chung has written a haunting meditation on family loyalty and the lingering legacy of war * Julie Otsuka, author of The Buddha in the Attic *Chung delves with aching honesty and beauty into large, difficult questions - the strength and limits of family, the definition of home, the boundaries (or lack thereof) between duty and love - within the context of a Korean experience. Chung's limpid prose matches her emotional intelligence. * Kirkus Reviews (starred) *In this beautiful debut novel...Woven with tender reflections, sharp renderings of isolation, and beautiful prose...Chung simultaneously shines light on the violence of Korean history, the chill of American xenophobia, and the impossibility of home in either country * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Chung indelibly portrays a Korea viciously divided but ever bound to history, myth, and hope * O, The Oprah Magazine *A] lovely, elegiac novel . . . both heartbreaking and redemptive * Boston Globe *Published in the UK for the first time, this debut novel by Catherine Chung, author of The Tenth Muse, weaves together folklore and family ties. When Janie is a child, her grandmother tells her a story: since the Japanese occupation of Korea, their family has lost a daughter every generation. Years later, her sister Hannah disappears. Janie is left to unpick the truth about the brooding resentment and unspoken sacrifices that have led to history repeating itself * Herald (30 best beach and holiday books) *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Enchanting. Reading Barreau is like having me-time with your best friend'' NINA GEORGE, author of The Little Paris Bookshop''Heart-breaking . . . touching and magical until the very last page'' ELLE ___________Julien Azoulay is famous around the world for his beautiful romance novels. But last year, he stopped believing in love. When his beloved wife Hélène died, leaving him alone to raise his young son, Julien lost his faith in the happier side of life - and with it his ability to write. But Hélène was clever. Before she died, she made Julien promise to write her one letter for each year of her life . . . and now, in this moment, in the most famous cemetery in Paris, Julien stands with his painful first letter in his hand. Here, even though Julien wouldn''t believe it, something wonderful is going to happen . . . Come with us down the narrow streets, past the cosy red bistro o

Read more less

Book Synopsis''I have more privilege than any person in my family. And I''m still screwed.'' From award-winning author Olivia Wenzel comes a captivating and unsettling literary debut about race, politics, feminism, motherhood, nationality and enduring love.A young woman attends a play about the Berlin Wall coming down and is the only Black person in the audience.She is sitting with her boyfriend by a bathing lake and four neo-Nazis show up.In New York, she witnesses Trump''s election victory in a strange hotel room and later awakes to panicked messages from friends.Engaging in a witty question and answer with herself, the narrator looks at our rapidly changing times and tells the story of her family: her mother, who was a punk in East Germany and never had the freedom she dreamed of and her absent Angolan father. But in the background of everything is the memory of her twin brother, who died when they were nineteen.Heart-rending, opinionated and Trade ReviewSo exuberant, inventive, brainy, sensitive and hilarious that it's like a pyrotechnic flare illuminating the whole woman, past and present, radiant, unique, a voice and a novel to take with us into the future. -- FRANCISCO GOLDMAN, author of Monkey BoyBold and exceptional . . . Her impressive writing, born of a brilliant mind, surprises - stylistically, and by its frankness and associations. An uncompromising consciousness leaps from sentence to sentence, city to city, in love, depressed, alienated, afraid, and contradictory . . . I rode in the passenger seat, beside the beauty and strangeness of 1000 Coils of Fear -- LYNNE TILLMAN, author of Men and Apparitions and MothercareWenzel debuts with a powerful portrait of a woman finding, losing, and rediscovering herself in 21st-century Germany . . . Her simple but affecting story is told through scattered memories and personal histories . . Captivating . . . An exciting, confident debut * Publishers Weekly *An audacious and disturbing novel -- MICHELLE DE KRETSER, author of Scary MonstersGerman musician, performer, and playwright Wenzel makes an auspicious fiction debut . . . A prismatic novel, thoughtful and unsettling * Kirkus Reviews *Impressive, relentless, tender * FAZ *A strong debut, a touching family story * rbb Kultur *A debut novel as layered and melodic as any symphony or opera. -- Karla Strand * Ms Magazine *Wenzel's unique literary voice carries the reader through meditations on origins, grief, racial identity, love, and belonging. * Booklist *I was sucked in by Olivia's distinct style, biting yet swirling. In a bristling translation from Priscilla Layne, the cool, understated prose expresses so much of what goes unsaid about the weight of history, how you are perceived as you move through the world and the choices that come with deciding how you want to live. -- Tice Cin, author of KEEPING THE HOUSEWenzel writes with humour and emotion about loneliness and finding joy in life within the roles society assigns you * Bookseller *Experimental in form, this is a demanding but absorbing novel on the themes of race, feminism, motherhood and love. * Daily Mail *Personal, political and wildly experimental * Big Issue North *Wenzel's nuanced thoughts about injustice, marginalisation and the checking of privilege are timely and important, and the dashes of surreal, undercutting humour ... are refreshing ... [An] elegant translation ... cohesive, considered, emotive -- Michael Donkor * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brilliant, indelible novel of teenage alienation and adult complacency in a world whose climate and culture are unravelling.Trade Review"An American author steps out of the shadows with a dystopian novel of great power." -- Adam Begley - The Sunday Times"The pandemic amplifies the resonance of this brilliant end-of-days escapade… if the conclusion doesn’t leave you with goosebumps, then you should probably check your pulse." -- Stephanie Cross - The Daily Mail"New England children caught up in an apocalyptic storm have to fend for themselves in this powerful novel by a talented American writer who has often flown under the literary radar." -- 100 Best Holiday Reads - The Sunday Times"... in A Children’s Bible, Lydia Millet maps the consequences of an environmental apocalypse with unnerving, fable-like simplicity." -- The Best Novels of 2020 - The Telegraph"A haunting dystopia about climate change denial... Funny and sobering, Millet's 13th novel sees a group of adults settle into a mansion for a heady summer, idling away their time with drugs and sex." -- Best Paperbacks: March 2021 - The Guardian"A Children’s Bible... begins in a crumbling mansion where a group of bored, surly, privileged teens are spending the summer sequestered with their ne’er do well parents. Just as it begins to seem like a summer teen romp, the story takes a dramatic turn in the shape of a cataclysmic storm. What follows is brilliant—and feels both inevitable and strangely magical. How those teens tell the story, which transforms this climate emergency into a brutally honest, funny and moving indictment of the generations leaving a broken world for them to inherit, is especially refreshing." -- Diane Cook, The Best Books of 2020 - The Evening Standard"This superb novel begins as a generational comedy — a pack of kids and their middle-aged parents coexist in a summer share — and turns steadily darker, as climate collapse and societal breakdown encroach. But Millet’s light touch never falters; in this time of great upheaval, she implies, our foundational myths take on new meaning and hope." -- 100 Notable Books of 2020 - The New York Times Book Review"Here's an idea: As the world falls apart all around us, why not read a book about the world falling apart in a totally different way? Not just any book, though, it kind of has to be A Children's Bible, the brilliant Lydia Millet's latest, in which the oblivious destructiveness of a certain self-indulgent generation of adults is rightfully skewered, as a new generation of hyper-mature teens must figure out how to live without any concrete kind of guidance." -- Best Books of 2020, So Far - Refinery29"A perfect novel for now." -- Metro

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs Hurricane Ophelia bears down on New York City, millions are caught up in the horrific flooding it unleashes. Successful interior designer Ellen Wharton flies into New York from London, heedless of the hurricane warnings. She is intent on seeing her mother, Grace. But when the storm hits, the women are forced to wade through freezing waters to the police boats outside. British investment banker Charles Williams is travelling on business but is also eager to see his young daughters, who live with his beautiful, estranged ex-wife. As the hurricane rages, he desperately checks the shelters where thousands have taken refuge to find them, and runs into Ellen and her mother.Meanwhile Juliette Dubois, a dedicated ER doctor, fights to save lives when the generators at the hospital fail.The day of chaos takes its toll as New Yorkers struggle to face a natural disaster of epic proportions. But as lives are shattered, heroes are revealed and then the r

Read more less

Book SynopsisEllen thought she'd always live in the remote, pretty coastal village where she grew up. After all, her husband, Harry, works on a farm where he's guaranteed a job and home for life. But when the old landowner dies and the couple and their young children are forced from their cottage, the future is suddenly bleak. Rather than stay and starve in the countryside they love, Harry sets out to find a job in the factories and mills of nearby Hull, and Ellen must leave behind everything she's ever known to follow her husband and build a new life for her family on the unfamiliar city streets.The road ahead is full of hardships and challenges. But with love and determination, they make the best of things, forging friendships with other newcomers and refugees; even helping them to succeed in their new surroundings.Then tragedy threatens Ellen's fragile happiness. How much more can she sacrifice before they find a place to call home? Val Wood''s wonderful hTrade Review[A] finely crafted historical story with unforgettable characters and a feisty heroine * Peterborough Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSophie and Calliope have never been to school. Their mum ran away from home when she was seventeen to join the New Age movement and the girls were raised in a series of ashrams, communes and impromptu raves.When Sophie gets ill, they return to Birmingham - a strange new world where meditation and tree-hugging are replaced with maths homework and TV and the grandmother they have never met. And it''s against this bewildering new backdrop - the normality she''s always longed for - that Sophie must come to terms with her mortality.Lucy Caldwell''s Notes to Future Self opened at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in February 2011.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''It''s just to say that no-one has come to pick Nathan up from school, and we were wondering if there was a problem of some kind?'' As Mark Douglas photographs a pod of whales stranded in the waters off Edinburgh''s Portobello Beach, he is called by his son''s school: his wife, Lauren, hasn''t turned up to collect their son. Calm at first, Mark collects Nathan and takes him home but as the hours slowly crawl by he increasingly starts to worry. With brilliantly controlled reveals, we learn some of the painful secrets of the couple''s shared past, not least that it isn''t the first time Lauren has disappeared. And as Mark struggles to care for his son and shield him from the truth of what''s going on, the police seem dangerously short of leads. That is, until a shocking discovery...

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe fourth instalment of the bestselling Gabriel's Inferno series.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER AND RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB pick from the author of The Family Holiday''A moving and heart-warming novel about love in all its forms'' Sunday Express ________Did you ever have a secret you knew would change everything?Tess''s happy childhood memories are mostly of the grandmother who helped raise her. And now she has a secret to tell Iris - one which will turn so many lives upside down.But how can you confide your future in someone who barely remembers her past?Tess knows everything is about to change. What she doesn''t know is that chance will lead her into the lives of two strangers - and uncover her grandmother''s secret from the past.A secret which will illuminate her own future . . .An uplifting, unforgettable story about keeping secrets, taking chances and finding happiness where you least expect it.Previously publTrade ReviewNobody weaves a complex web of stories with quite the same skill as Elizabeth Noble . . . An uplifting read written with wry humour, insight and sensitivity * Sunday Express *With a collection of well-drawn characters whose stories intertwine, this is a heart-warming novel about relationships, secrets and love in all its forms * Choice Magazine *A beautiful tale of love, loss and hope * Sun *Noble specialises in warm-hearted tearjerkers with strong connections between women * Daily Mail *A moving and heart-warming novel about love in all its forms: between parents and children, husbands and wives and the very best of friends * Sunday Express *We all know the strange power of old letters . . . Could they be the secret to the missing pieces of her grandmother's life? Packed with intrigue * Yours Magazine *Prepare to be ensnared in a complex web of deeply satisfying secrets * Event Magazine *A heart-warmer * Prima *Praise for Elizabeth Noble * - *Noble is the mistress of the tearjerking message of love * Express *A wonderfully well-written book, full of emotion * Daily Mail *Witty, affectionate and unashamedly tear-jerking * Red *Impossible to finish without tears streaming down your face * Daily Express *Honest and beautifully written * Woman & Home *Incredibly thought-provoking and poignant * Sun *Witty, pacy and immediately engaging * Glamour *Tissues are essential. You'll ricochet between delicately watering eyes at the romance of it all and howling sobs at the unbearable tenderness * Heat *It would be a hard heart indeed that remained unmoved . . . the tender feelings that Noble engenders in her readers are to be cherished * Daily Express *So fluid, the pages turn themselves * Daily Mirror *Irresistible comfort read * Glamour *

Read more less

Book SynopsisJane Green''s The Accidental Husband is a powerful story about two women connected by an earth-shattering secret.Maggie and Sylvie are perfect strangers: two very different women, living very different lives on opposite coasts. But they share more in common than they could ever imagine.Both women have beautiful children on the verge of flying the nest, the home they worked hard to build and always longed for, and a handsome and devoted husband they can''t believe belongs to them. Both women think their lives are seamlessly secure, but they couldn''t be more wrong . . .For each is about to discover a secret that will shake their world to the very core, throwing into doubt everything they ever thought they knew, and bringing Maggie and Sylvie together in the most unexpected way.Praise for Jane Green:''A heartbreaking tale of love and family, truly compelling'' Closer''Compulsively readable. I raced through it'' Daily

Read more less

Book SynopsisA legend and a mystery, the Calhoun Emeralds vanished from the Towers, a mansion on the shores of Maine, long ago. Suzanna Calhoun has taken it upon herself to find them - only to discover Holt Bradford along the way. The last time they crossed paths was in high school. Now she''s a single mother protecting her family and he''s an exhausted ex-cop who''s turned his back on the world. But Holt is also the link to the Calhouns'' missing fortune - and when he agrees to help her, Suzanna realizes something even deeper and more passionate draws them together.This is a first-time regular print hardcover edition of a title previously available as a mass market paperback.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt had all seemed so exciting and romantic! Not even out of their teens, Kate and Cass, friends since boarding school, both marrying dashing naval officers within weeks of each other. But after all the glamour of naval balls and white weddings, passing beneath the arches of naval swords had not led Kate down the pathway to marital bliss. Not even her cherished twins can compensate for her husband''s coldness and mental cruelty and she yearns for the peace of her beloved West Country. Cass, on the other hand, revels in the freedom of movement her husband''s long absences on the submarines provide - even with the arrival of the first of her four children, she is not to be denied the frenzied activity of the 1960s sexual revolution! But it is a dangerous game that Cass is playing, and as the decades roll by, Kate may not always be around to pick up the pieces...

Read more less

Book SynopsisNell Woodward and Gussie Merton make unlikely friends - one a young married woman and the other a lonely elderly lady. Nell''s husband, John, is an estate agent fresh from the Navy, but he is ignorant of the outside world and, as others abandon the collapsing property market, he gets in deeper... It is at Nethercombe, the home of Gussie''s nephew, Henry, that a refuge is found. Henry has developed and sold a cluster of cottages, known as The Courtyard, and the people who buy them form a bond of friendship that embraces Nell and Gussie. But it is going to take all their strength to withstand the crises ahead...

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the depths of Dartmoor, Quentin and Clemmie Halliwell know that the onset of old age threatens their life together at The Grange. Phyllida Makepeace feels secure in her marriage to Alistair, but when a deep sorrow strikes them, she discovers that no one is untouched by human frailty. Claudia and Jeff Maynard seem the perfect couple. But they are hiding from the truth and Claudia is about to realise the shattering effects of denial. Turning to one another in their time of need, these friends and neighbours learn those vital lessons in how to love, forgive and, most importantly, how to trust again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA passionate and perceptive story full of the pain and the humour of growing upTrade Review'Painfully perceptive and passionate, NEVER FAR FROM NOWHERE hits a raw nerve with its powerful concoction of poignancy and humour' * Pride *'Passionate and angry' * TLS *'In this lively, crisp, raw voice, young black Londoners may have found their Roddy Doyle' * Independent on Sunday *'Levy's raw sense of realism and depth of feeling infuses every line' * Elle *'An inspired coming-of-age novel with a mature grasp of generational conflict, pressure to conform, and the fraught process of discovering one's identity, NEVER FAR FROM NOWHERE should be read by anyone who is growing up in Britain today' * Scotsman *'The story is well told, does not dodge complexity and rings true' * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHelen has retreated to the remote north-west coast of Ireland to paint the sea and the shore, and to be alone with her past. English war hero Roger Hawthorne has settled in the neglected railway station house nearby. Mutilated and sick at heart, with the help of a young lad he has begun painstakingly to restore the derelict branch line station. Soon Roger and Helen form a bond which, over gramophone music, dancing and champagne, deepens into love. But Helen, enjoying her first taste of happiness in years, is to learn just how brutally fleeting it can be.Trade ReviewOne of our most impressive novelists * Sunday Express *Beautifully crafted -- Anthony Burgess

Read more less

Book SynopsisBook editor Katie is in love with poet, Matt Harrison. He seems to share her feelings, but refuses to talk about his past. All she knows is that Matt was once married. One evening, he suddenly ends their relationship, leaving Katie devastated. A few days later, he sends her a notebook that he promises will explain everything. Katie opens the book to find it is the diary that Matt''s wife, Suzanne, wrote for their baby son. It tells the story of her love for Matt and Nicholas, and reveals the tragedy that haunts Matt''s life today. And Katie realises he needs her to understand his past if she is ever to be a part of his future.Trade ReviewSuzanne's Diary was no.7 in the Observer and the Daily and Sunday Telegraph bestseller lists'An affecting love story awash in tragedy and hope' Publishers Weekly, 7/6/04 * Publishers Weekly *'A moving, and fast-moving fable' Kirkus Reviews'A whimsical romance... more American than cherry pie' MirrorSuzanne's Diary For Nicholas was no.10 in the Sunday Times, Observer and Daily and Sunday Telegraph bestseller lists and no.3 in the Times fastseller list

Read more less

Book Synopsis1720: political intrigue besets the kingdom as the Stuarts try to claim the throne occupied by the Hanoverians and the Morlands have to use all their wiles to keep their fortunes intact.Jeremy Morland, sole heir to his father''s will, has no option but to marry to cold-hearted Lady Mary to secure Hanoverian protection and safeguard his inheritance. Then the rebellion of ''45 and the bloody massacre at Culloden thrust his daughter Jemima into the spotlight as the saviour of the family. Independent, single-minded, and a rare beauty, Jemima is a capable caretaker of the Morland heritage. Although Morland Place and its lands suffer from the excesses of her dissolute husband, Jemima''s quiet courage earns her an abiding love and loyalty...

Read more less

Book Synopsis1795: the shadow of Bonaparte has fallen across Europe and touches each member of the far-flung Morland family.As the century draws to a close, Jemima Morland wearily ackowledges that her life is also nearing its end, but she has scant peace as her unpredictable children behave ever more incomprehensibly: James''s marriage to Mary Ann is closer to falling apart; Lucy''s marriage de convenance is in the balance - her affair with Lieutenant Watson is an open scandal.Mary bears a daughter on board her husband''s ship during the battle of the Nile; and William supports a mistress whose marriage cannot be dissolved.Jemima''s death appears to unite the family but, as ever with the Morlands, the future holds more peril than hope.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Brilliant'' Sunday Express''Addictive'' Daily Mirror''Brutally funny'' ObserverMeet the Dobsons and the Jamiesons: two ordinary families on the verge of a nervous breakdown.Joe Dobson left his wife and kids when his young girlfriend Nina discovered she was pregnant. Now he feels like a cliche and Nina feels like a drudge, swapping her wild nights out with friends for mild nights in wiping baby sick off the carpet. So when Joe announces that he''s booked a week''s luxury holiday in Italy, Nina is thrilled - until she realises Joe''s kids Saul and Tabitha are coming along for the ride.Meanwhile Guy Jamieson is sure this will be his last family holiday; he plans to leave his wife Alice on his return. Guy is a high-powered advertising director, and Alice - with her elasticated skirts, inedible mince suppers and unshaven legs - just doesn''t fit his image. But Alice has a secret plan of her oTrade ReviewAddictive. One to shout about * Mirror *Addictive. One to shout about * Mirror *Brutally funny * Observer *Brutally funny * Observer *Brilliant * Sunday Express *Brilliant * Sunday Express *A funny, cleverly observed tale of modern family life, love and adultery * New Woman *A funny, cleverly observed tale of modern family life, love and adultery * New Woman *Attacks the myth of happy families with characteristic acerbic humour ... a good, light read, with some brutally funny lines * Observer *Attacks the myth of happy families with characteristic acerbic humour ... a good, light read, with some brutally funny lines * Observer *A heartbreaking yet funny read * Heat *A heartbreaking yet funny read * Heat *Honest and raucously funny * Glamour *Honest and raucously funny * Glamour *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLove can heal us, and it can tear us apart...Miles''s life is shattered when he loses his beloved wife to a hit-and-run driver. Struggling to hold things together for his son, Jonah, but obsessing over finding justice, a powerful new romance throws everything into uncertainty.As Jonah''s teacher, Sarah, discusses his struggling son with Miles, an attraction develops between them with bewildering intensity. But Sarah has a secret of her own, one that links her to Miles with a shocking force - and long-buried truths begin to unravel, putting the strength of their passion to the test.Trade Review'Definitely one to read with a box of tissues handy' THE TIMES 'A powerful tale of true love' BOOKLIST 'Sweet, accessible, uplifting' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'A Bend in the Road is a first-rate novel and Nicholas Sparks' finest book yet. Such well-turned books as The Rescue, and Message in a Bottle established him as a writer of skill and persuasiveness, with a particular knack for wry, well-rounded characterisations--qualities well in evidence in this book. Miles Ryan leads a relatively uneventful life in the small town in which he is sheriff--except for an incident two years previously that changed him irrevocably: the killing (by a hit-and-run driver) of his adored wife. Miles' obsession with uncovering the identity of the driver has led to problems with his nine-year-old son Jonah, who is having difficulties at school. And when Miles finds himself brought together with Jonah's teacher, the attractive Sarah, both of them are soon caught up in a relationship that will force them to re-examine what their lives mean--particularly as Sarah has a secret of her own. The secret of Sparks' success (here, as in his other books) is to carefully establish the problems of his main protagonists so that we come to be involved in their lives and care about them--before involving them with someone else, who we similarly come to know intimately. It's not an easy task, and many a novelist has come adrift by concentrating too much on the hero or heroine at the expense of those around them. Sparks is much too sure-footed for that, and we are utterly involved with the problems of both Miles and Sarah (not to mention the nine-year-old Jonah, who is handled without a trace of sentimentality, which is a refreshing touch). As the central characters' destinies intertwine, we are as keen for them to recognise each other's virtues as we are that they'll solve the problems that have been ruining their lives.' Barry Forshaw, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW 'Sparks' novels about small-town American life are designed to give you that Readybrek glow...You'll lap up the pure romance' MIRROR

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt began with The Notebook . . . After thirty years of marriage, Wilson is forced to face a painful truth. His wife, Jane, has fallen out of love with him.Despite the shining example of his in-laws, Noah and Allie Calhoun (originally recounted in The Notebook), and their fifty-year love affair, Wilson is unable to express his true feelings. With his daughter about to marry, and his wife thinking about leaving him, Wilson knows it is time to act. He will do anything he can to save his marriage. With the memories of Noah and Allie''s inspiring life together as his guide, he vows to make his wife fall in love with him . . . all over again.Trade ReviewAchingly moving ... will have you weeping for the joy and tragedy of it all Daily Mail A page-turner ... Sparks's fans won't be disappointed Glamour We have a soft spot for Nicholas Sparks ...his stories are a reminder of the man we wish our boyfriends could be Heat Definitely one to read with a box of tissues handy The Times Learn a touching lesson in romance Daily Mirror Moving Daily Telegraph Sparks tells his tale competently,without sinking too deeply into the mire of sentiment; a gasp-inducing twist comes at the very end. Satisfied female readers will close the covers with a sigh and a wish that a little of the earnest Wilson might rub off Publisher's Weekly Sparks writes with a depth of feeling and a tenderness rarely seen in male authors, and at times he brought tears of both joy and sadness to my eyes ... achingly poignant Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisA mesmerising psychological drama about desire and betrayal from the bestselling author of Our House.''Moving and thought-provoking'' Daily Mail''Superbly crafted'' Elle Be careful who you let into your heart - and your home When Davis Calder moves in next door to Kate Easton and her two children, no one has any idea of the devastation about to be unleashed. With Kate struggling to accept her teenage daughter Roxy''s independence and with tensions between Kate and her ex-husband Alistair still very much alive, there''s enough family drama to go around already.Before they know it, clever, charismatic Davis is the only one who seems able to keep the peace. Soon Kate has fallen in love and agreed to be his wife. At last she can come to terms with the betrayals of her first marriage. At last she dares hope she has the happy ending she deserves . . .Praise for Louise CandlTrade ReviewNot afraid to tackle darker issues... moving and thought-provoking * Daily Mail *Heart-breaking and heart-warming - we couldn't read it fast enough * Cosmopolitan *Superbly crafted...ripe for Hollywood * Elle *The page-turning plot should hook fans of Zoe Heller and Maria Semple. Thrilling and tautly paced, Candlish has an admirable flair for family drama. Candlish's story of lost innocence and new strength should enthrall readers * Booklist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A sheer delight from start to finish'' Sophie Kinsella How does an It Girl survive when she loses everything . . .? PRAISE FOR JENNY COLGAN ''An evocative, sweet treat'' Jojo Moyes ''Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting'' Marian Keyes ''Irresistible'' Jill Mansell ''Just lovely'' Katie Fforde ''Naturally funny, warm-hearted'' Lisa Jewell ___________________________________Sophie Chesterton is a girl about town - she knows all the right people, goes to all the right parties, and wears all the right clothes. But deep down she suspects that her superficial friends and lifestyle don''t amount to very much. Her father is desperate for her to make her own way in the world, and when after one shocking evening her life is turned upside down, she suddenly has no choice.Scraping a living as a ''glamour'' photographer''s assistant, living in a hovel on the Old KeTrade ReviewSheer indulgence from start to finish * Sophie Kinsella *A Jenny Colgan novel is as essential for a week in the sun as Alka Seltzer, aftersun and far too many pairs of sandals * Heat *A naturally funny, warm-hearted writer who creates characters to love and care about long after you've finished reading * Lisa Jewell *The perfect summer sunbather, easy to read, packed with gags and truths * Irish News *Sweeter than a bag of jelly beans . . . had us eating up every page * Cosmopolitan *Fast-paced, funny, poignant and well observed * Daily Mail *One for those lazy afternoons at the beach * Take a Break *A delicious comedy * Red *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Very clever and great fun'' Kate Eberlen, author of Miss YouWouldn''t it be great, if everyone had a team of smart machines to handle all the messy emotional stuff...*The last text Daisy Parsloe received was from her smart fridge about some mouldy potato salad. She''s not doing well at work, her love life is haphazard at best and her elderly mother seems to be losing her mind. And now, apparently even the appliances are judging her life choices.What Daisy doesn''t know is that the appliances are also plotting. They''ve joined together, across the internet of things, to nudge Daisy in the right direction. But it isn''t long before their well-meaning interference starts to get noticed and the race is on to find Daisy''s Mr Right before the plugs are pulled.Daisy is about to find out that sometimes, help comes from the most unlikely places.*Praise for P. Z. Reizin and his novels:Trade ReviewBeneath the madcap plot and spiralling absurdity lies an impish AI rom-com that skewers the data economy and the corporate erosion of private space * Mail on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE FOLLOW-UP TO BLACKPOOL''S ANGEL - ANOTHER HEART-WARMING, MOVING STORY FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR MARY WOOD, WRITING AS MAGGIE MASONThe perfect read for fans of Kitty Neale, Val Wood and Rosie Goodwin.Separated for years - will the Great War reunite them?1902. Babs and Beth are identical in looks, but very different by nature. Kidnapped by gypsies a decade ago as young girls, Beth has accepted their plight, but Babs has always yearned for their real mother, Tilly, and their beloved hometown of Blackpool. Desperate to be reunited with their mother, Babs hatches a plan to escape. But Beth is too afraid and Babs realises if she ever wants to go home she''ll have to leave her sister behind.1914. Babs'' life has been blighted by misfortune ever since she walked away from her sister. She''s never given up hope of finding her family, but now having found peace and purpose as a nurse, the war is sending her to France, away from them. Or so she believes . . .As the Great War continues to tear families apart, could it be that Babs, Beth and Tilly will be reunited at last?If you love Blackpool Sisters, don''t miss the next book in the trilogy, A Blackpool Christmas. And look out for Maggie Mason''s brand-new trilogy, beginning with The Fortune Tellers!Readers love Maggie Mason''s Blackpool sagas . . .''5 stars - I wish I could give it more. Wonderful read.''''Another must read book''''What a brilliant book. I couldn''t put it down!''''I was hooked from the first page . . . this author is a must read''''A totally absorbing read''

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet in a Lyons Corner House in London, this is the third compelling novel in the series set against the backdrop of the Second World War.The war is progressing for the Nippies, the girls who work at the Lyons Corner House in Marble Arch. With the air raids, rationing and blackouts, life no longer has the carefree attitude it used to have. But new pain and pleasure await as everyone decides what effort they can make towards victory. Jo yearns for Nick, but the burns he sustained when he was shot down are life-changing and need the new procedure of plastic surgery. Will their marriage ever go ahead? And does Jo want it to? She loses herself in her new role as lumberjill, one of the women hewing timber for the war effort. Meanwhile, Phyl has been selected, along with some other trusted Nippies, for secret work. Far from family and friends, she works with munitions and tries to forget her desire to be a Wren. Her husband is far away but she never loses fai

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A genuinely heartwarming yet unsentimental tale - a perfect recipe for restoring, if only briefly, our damaged trust in humanity'' SUNDAY EXPRESSIn order to spend more time with her four-year-old son Ned, Clara Costello trades in her secure, well-paid job and two-seater sports car for a camper van called Winnie, and the three of them set off on a mystery tour of England. Of course, her friends and family think she''s gone mad. But when they arrive in Deaconsbridge, a small market town on the edge of the Peak District, Clara and Ned become drawn into the lives of the locals. Two in particular seem destined to get under Clara''s skin: Gabriel Liberty, a cranky widower who terrifies his family; and Archie Merryman, a local dealer in second-hand furniture who possesses a heart of gold.Then Clara finds herself having to confront a problem much closer to home, and one she had hoped she would never have to face...Trade ReviewA genuinely heartwarming yet unsentimental tale - a perfect recipe for restoring, if only briefly, our damaged trust in humanity * SUNDAY EXPRESS *A very satisfying read * SAINSBURYS magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A captivating read: beautifully written and heartrendingly sad'' Daily Telegraph''A poignant story, written with humour and emotion'' Daily Mail''Heartbreaking, gripping novel about one woman''s attempt to sort out her best friend''s marriage'' Woman & HomeIt''s almost Christmas. But for Ali, the season of good cheer is the anniversary of her baby''s death. As she stands at her son''s grave, she is poignantly aware of how dramatically her life has changed. Determined to stand on her own two feet and get through Christmas alone, Ali turns down her ex-husband''s unexpected invitation to spend the holiday with him and his father, only to give in to her best friend''s cajoling to share the festive season with her. The only trouble is, it means having to be nice to Sarah''s awful husband, Trevor.Sarah may be a saint for putting up with Trevor, but Ali is no such thing, and as his cranky behaviour escalates, she takes it upon herself, in an extraordinary act of daring impetuosity, to play God with her friend''s incomprehensible marriage. But Ali''s meddling has consequences even she could not have foreseen...Trade ReviewA poignant story, written with humour and emotion * DAILY MAIL *Heartbreaking, gripping novel about one woman's attempt to sort out her best friend's marriage * WOMAN & HOME *Wise, observant and deeply moving it is a wonderfully realised novel and the clearest indication yet that Erica James is one of the select band of popular women novelists whose every book is compulsory reading * CHESHIRE LIFE *This book draws you into the lives of these characters, and often wants to make you scream at them to try and make them see reason. Funny, sad . . . an excellent, compulsive read * WOMAN'S REALM *A captivating read: beautifully written and heartrendingly sad * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A brilliant piece of storytelling with convincing dialogue ... One is plunged straight into the tale and it is very difficult to put down even for a short break * PUBLISHING NEWS *Full of warmth and appeal * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Erica James offers glorious escapism set in a house to die for. A sweepingly dynastic and satisfying end * SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn RUMOUR HAS IT by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Tilly''s not looking for love, but love certainly has its eye on her! Perfect for readers of Milly Johnson and Lucy Diamond. When newly single Tilly Cole impulsively quits her London job for a fresh start in the small town of Roxborough she finds she''s arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue and rampant rivalry for the most desirable men. Tilly has no intention of joining in - she''s just happy with her new Girl Friday job. Then she meets Jack Lucas. Jack is irresistible... and he''s got his eye on Tilly. But there are shocking rumours about his wicked reputation. Tilly doesn''t want to be just another notch on anyone''s bedpost. But is she being mature and sensible - or is she running away from the love of her life?What readers are saying about Rumour Has It: ''From the first page, the characterisation was outstanding and the writing strong -Trade Review'Mansell's endearing tale describes a situation all too familiar to us girls and will have you rooting for Tilly from the start. You won't put it down until you know her fate' * Heat *'A fast paced romantic saga that does not disappoint' * Launceston Examiner, Australia *'If you're looking for an entertaining "will they, won't they" saga that will last your whole holiday, this is it' * Telegraph *'The characters are so funny and the sub-plots are written with such a light touch' * Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHE''S GOT TO GO by No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O''Flanagan is a must-read for fans of Freya North and Fern Britton.What do you do when the man in your life lets you down? Show him the door? Chuck his clothes out of the window? Cut the crotch from his trousers? If only it was that easy - especially when you''ve got an eight-year-old daughter to think about and a part-time job that barely pays the milk bill. Nessa Riley, who believes that with her husband, her little girl, and the home she loves, she has it all, is suddenly faced with the hardest decision of her life. Can she ignore what Adam seems to be up to and hang on to the happiness they''ve enjoyed for the past ten years? Can they wipe the slate clean and start again? Or, as her sisters appear to think, has he really got to go?What readers are saying about He''s Got To Go:''So sweet and funny and so beautifully put together'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars<Trade ReviewA must-read * Woman's Own (Summer Special) *Packed with action, romance and loads of characters to identify with * Evening Herald (Dublin) *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s bestseller TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE is a brilliant, feel-good read about love, marriage and what comes next, perfect for readers of Freya North and Catherine Alliott.When Carey Browne decides it''s time for a holiday and flies into New York City - one of her favourite shopping destinations - she knows she''ll have a good time. What she doesn''t know is that she''s about to have the biggest adventure of her life. Within days she''s met and married Ben Russell, and a week later they''re heading back together to Dublin, where they both live, to share the happy news with family and friends. Except not everyone''s thrilled. And not everyone''s convinced this is really more than a holiday romance. Carey and Ben are about to discover whether they''ve found the kind of love that can survive a blast of reality...What readers are saying about Too Good To Be True:''I loved every minute reading Too Good To Be TrueTrade Review'Leaves you guessing right up to the very last page... Written with her usual sensitivity and sparkling wit, Too Good To Be True is possibly Ms O'Flanagan's best one yet' * Irish Independent *'A great read for anyone who has ever been in love - as well as for those still waiting to find it' * Liverpool Echo *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat do you do when you find yourself suddenly single? Find out with the bestselling author of HOW WILL I KNOW? and IF YOU WERE METrade ReviewPraise for Sheila O'Flanagan: 'Escapist in every sense, this easy-to-read romance has a steely edge' * Sunday Mirror *Smart and twisty * Heat *An exciting love story with a deliciously romantic denouement * Sunday Express *I read the book in one sitting as it was so enjoyable, full of romance and kept you riveted until the last page * Woman's Way *Romantic and charming, this is a real must-read * Closer *This GONE GIRL-esque novel will have you gripped until the very end * Look *A fabulous tale with refreshingly inspiring heroines * Heat ***** *A lovely book that will keep you guessing right up until the end * Bella *A real page turner * Best *Make some space in your suitcase * Candis *'The Sheila O'Flanagan guarantee is a pretty powerful one' * Irish Independent *'Hugely enjoyable' * Best *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s bestseller FAR FROM OVER is a captivating novel for anyone who ever wondered if they made the right decision about the man they used to love. Not to be missed by readers of Marian Keyes and Freya North. Gemma Garvey''s marriage has been over for ages. Gemma ended it and chose to be a single mother rather than continue the pretence that her marriage to work-obsessed David Hennessy was working. So why is she so upset when he marries bimbo Orla O''Neill? Is it that Orla''s thin and gorgeous whilst Gemma, at thirty-five, feels more like fifty-five? Or that David''s starting a new life whilst she''s facing middle age alone? For Orla, being wife no. 2 isn''t all she''s imagined, always aware of how Gemma coped with a house, family and job while she can''t even cook dinner without setting the kitchen alight. To David, who has loved them both, there isn''t a problem. But actually the trouble''s just begun...What readers are saying about Far From Over:''If you want a fun book which will keep you amused then you don''t get much better than Far From Over'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Pacy, interesting, poignant'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Emotions run high as the story focuses in on the feelings of each character, including those of the ''other woman''. I really got to know the characters well'' Amazon reviewer, 5 starsTrade ReviewAn insight into modern-style marriage... a rollercoaster ride through lives of affluence and destruction * Irish Times *Well written, down to earth and honest * Woman's Way *The appeal of Sheila's books is obvious; they have a romantic, feel-good factor, they're funny and she doesn't shy away from dealing with troublesome emotional issues * Irish Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn an autumn day in 1909 wealthy young Richard Finborough catches sight of twenty-year-old Isabel Zeale at the harbour at Lynmouth in Devon. Her beauty captivates him. Aware of shameful secrets in her past, Isabel has no intention of letting anyone into her life, but Richard''s persistence and ardour eventually win him her trust - and her hand in marriage. The decades pass and Isabel and Richard raise a family through the turbulent times of the First World War and the 1920s. As her children reach adulthood, Isabel is convinced her secret is safe - until an old acquaintance emerges from the shadows, turning her world upside down. To protect the happiness of those she loves most, Isabel must find the courage to confront what came before, and live with the consequences...Trade ReviewPraise for Judith Lennox's novels: 'A fast-moving, complex story * The Times *A beautifully turned, compassionate novel. Judith Lennox's writing is so keenly honest it could sever heartstrings * Daily Mail *Great, old-fashioned storytelling in the best sense * Daily Express *A definite contender for Rosamunde Pilcher's crown * Bookseller *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAll families have secrets. In Sunday Times bestseller Penny Vincenzi''s WICKED PLEASURES lies a family secret that will tear it apart. ''Penny Vincenzi is the doyenne of the modern blockbuster'' Glamour. Sexy, glamorous and fun, WICKED PLEASURES is the story of a brother and two sisters who find out that they all have different fathers: none of them Alexander, Earl of Catherham, who was married to their mother for almost twenty years. It is the story of the power and the greed of the mega-rich, as the great family banking business upon which fortunes are won and lost comes to the brink of ruin, and family ties are tested to the utmost.Trade Review'Penny is the doyenne of the modern blockbuster' * Glamour *'Every Penny Vincenzi is a guaranteed bestseller' * Grazia *'These pleasures may be wicked, but they won't make you fat' * The Times *'Deliciously readable' * Mail on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA complex marriage, treachery and blackmail - all in Penny Vincenzi''s THE DILEMMA ''A total indulgence'' Ideal HomeAll Francesca Channing had to do in order to keep her marriage alive, her children safe, her life intact, was to tell a lie. One simple, straightforward lie. But it wasn''t that simple or straightforward at all. Her life, as Bard Channing''s third wife, was very far from easy. He was charismatic, powerful and rich - and he adored her. He was also manipulative and scheming, with a family as large and complex as his business. But it was an emotional crisis of her own which finally put Francesca''s dilemma into perspective, and made her wonder if she loved Bard enough to lie for him...Trade Review'Mesmerising from start to finish' * Evening Standard *'A juicy page-turner' * Cosmopolitan *'A super read that will keep you guessing right until the end' * Company *

Read more less

Book SynopsisParagon Place, an ordinary square of two-up, two-down houses in Bermondsey, has pretty well survived the Blitz. But it''s taken its toll on a hard-working and tight-knit community. Despite going through the very worst of times - the never-ending fight against poverty, rationing and bombs - the residents of Paragon Place have been brought closer together by laughter and tears in the face of despair. There is Sally Brady, who is torn between two men, local drunk Alf Porter, the prim Carey sisters, the gossips and the villains. After surviving the horror of the war, they face new dramas as they rebuild their lives together...

Read more less

Book SynopsisA captivating novel about family ties, romance and leaving the past behind - THE PERFECT MAN by No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O''Flangan. A perfect read for fans of Fern Britton and Veronica Henry.Brit doesn''t believe in love. One painful mistake was all it took. So she''s as surprised as anyone when her novel THE PERFECT MAN becomes a huge bestseller - how did she manage to write so convincingly about love if she really thinks it''s a myth?Heartbreak has never stopped her sister Mia from being a hopeless romantic. She can''t be with the love of her life, but she''s never stopped hoping. They both need to let go of the past to stand a chance of being happy in the future. Could a Caribbean cruise be just what they need to open their hearts?What readers are saying about The Perfect Man:''A soul-bearing story. Beautifully written as always. Two very different sisters at similar points in their lives'' Trade Review'A big, touching book sure to delight O'Flanagan fans' * Daily Mail *'[A] really great read, with a fabulous set of characters as well as great descriptions of some beautiful places. I wholly recommend it!' * chicklitreviews.com *'A big, touching book sure to delight O'Flanagan fans' * Daily Mail *'Another romp of a read from O'Flanagan that will have you turning the pages with speed, eager to know the fate of the McDonagh sisters. Filled with romance, humour and as always a twist in the tale... A definite pick-me-up during the current gloom!' * RTE Guide, Ireland *Acclaim for YOURS FAITHFULLY and BAD BEHAVIOUR: 'A big, comfortable, absorbing book...bound to delight fans and guaranteed to put O'Flanagan on the bestsellers list - yet again' Irish Independent Review; 'A variety of sub-plots keeps the pace going, making for an absorbing page-turner' Irish Mail on Sunday; 'This heart-wrenching story of love, loss, betrayal is captivating... The depth of characters, snappy dialogue, and emotive storyline... should make this...[a] number one bestseller' * North West Evening Mail, Australia *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O''Flanagan''s STAND BY ME, abandoned wife Dominique Delahaye could crumble - or she could start to enjoy a whole new life... Not to be missed by readers of Marian Keyes and Freya North. Dominique Brady''s life changed the day she met Brendan Delahaye. He was a man with big dreams and she was the girl he wanted to take with him. Madly in love, she married him without hesitation. Now she''s half of one of the most powerful and glamorous of couples.Then suddenly Brendan disappears without a trace.As her world crashes around her, Dominique must find a way to hold it all together. Will Brendan ever return? And if he does, will Dominique stand by her man?Don''t miss the irresistible new novel from Sheila O''Flanagan, THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR, coming in May.What readers are saying about Stand By Me:''Sheila O''Flanagan reallyexcels at telling stories and I got lost in the book while I was reading it. The perfect read to curl up with'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''It''s human, raw and relatable. I fell in lovewith the vulnerability of each character and saw myself in them. I did not want it to end'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''I just got lost in the book while reading it. It''s pure mind candy - definitely one of my favourites'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 starsTrade Review'A spectacular read' * Heat *'An evocative and entertaining story' * Irish Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s No. 1 bestseller ALL FOR YOU is a wonderfully engaging read not to be missed by fans of Lisa Jewell and Jane Green. ''A good summer read'' HeatAs TV''s favourite weather forecaster, Lainey is good at making predictions. But what she doesn''t foresee is that her own life is about to hit a stormy patch. With a string of failed relationships behind her, surely history isn''t about to repeat itself with her beloved Ken? To add fuel to the fire, her career-woman mother is returning to Dublin. Deanna has never approved of Lainey''s decisions about men, and her mother''s views are the last thing Lainey wants to hear now!Yet is there more to her mother than she knows? Uncovering some long-concealed family secrets, Lainey begins to reassess her life. Is the happy-ever-after she''s always dreamed of really what she wants after all?What readers are saying about All For You: ''ATrade Review'O'Flanagan's latest offering deserves its place on the bestseller list - it entertains, surprises and provokes' * Irish Independent *'A good summer read' * Heat *'O'Flanagan uses her considerable skills as a writer to keep the reader absorbed throughout - expect another huge success' * Irish Examiner *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller Adele Parks gets right to the heart of the dilemmas women - and men - face in their lives in this unforgettable and heart-wrenching novel of love, loss, and the secrets we all keep.Trade Review'Wonderfully plotted, moving and insightful...this is Parks' best yet, completely deserving of the accolades currently being heaped upon it and shot through with funny, tender and observant moments. I loved it' * Daily Mail *'Full of emotional set-pieces and real insight into relationships between men and women' * 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 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisGlasgow 1961.It is ten years since we last visited the close at 18 Dalbeattie Street in Maryhill.The stalwarts are still there...Ella, Drena, Rhea and ''Granny'' Thomson (86).Irma the German war bride speaks fluent Scots nowadays. Well, ''Fluent'' if you were brought up in the same close as the Broons and Oor Wullie. Glasgow''s beloved trams still run on the Maryhill Road. But not for long. There will not be a tramcar left in Glasgow by the end of next year. The new tenant, Frank Galloway knows all about this - he''s a driver. The other new arrival is Ruby Baxter who impresses no one with her attitude - as Granny Thomson says ''She''s no better than she ought to be, that yin!''Robert Douglas brings his usual blend of laughter and tears to this latest novel and his many fans will not be disappointed.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA lie will save one family. The truth will destroy another.Which would you choose?The emotional page-turner that will have you hooked, for fans of Susan Lewis and Amanda ProwseI don't know how to tell you what I did.Would you read a letter never meant to be opened? Would you want to know secrets never meant to be told? Or should a woman''s mistakes stay buried?An unfinished letter was hidden amongst Tara and Emerson's best friend's things after her suicide. Noelle was the woman they entrusted to deliver their precious babies into the world, a beloved friend.Her suicide shocked them both. But her legacy could destroy them. For her letter reveals a terrible secret that challenges everything they thought they knew. Taking them on a journey that will irrevocably change their own lives and the life of a desperate stranger forever.Praise for Diane ChamberlainFans of Jodi Picoult will delight in this finely tuned family drama, with beautifully drawn characters and a string of twists that wiTrade Review"So full of unexpected twists you'll find yourself wanting to finish it in one sitting. Fans of Jodi Picoult's style will love how Diane Chamberlain writes." (Candis) "Diane Chamberlain is the Southern Jodi Picoult." (New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe).

Read more less

Book SynopsisA modernist tour de force from an exhilarating new talentTrade Review'Mauro Javier Cárdenas has knocked down the novel as we know it, and built a cathedral out of the debris. Aphasia is monumental, funny, potent, and fresh. It marks a new beginning.' * Carlos Fonseca, author of Natural History *'Mauro Javier Cárdenas's Aphasia batters at the limits of guilt, of masculinity, of love and promiscuity, of the American family and English syntax.' * Nicole Krauss, author of Forest Dark *'Brainy and decadent, playful and outrageous, Aphasia marks the comeback of the Self in a spiraling trip into contemporary manhood and the Latin American spirit that will render you speechless.' * Pola Oloixarac, author of Dark Constellations *'Long, breathless sentences dizzying and richly packed with memories, connections, and literary references. Cárdenas undercuts the idea of a single, stable identity and suggests the self as a many-layered work in progress... Fans of the author's inventive, ambitious debut novel will find the same sardonic intelligence, paired here with a deep humanity... Original, richly felt, deftly written.' * Kirkus (starred review) *'In the follow-up to his wildly ambitious debut novel, The Revolutionaries Try Again (2016), Cárdenas again deploys his sense of invention and irreverence, jettisoning conventional paragraph and dialogue breaks and embracing long-running sentences that delight in playful exasperation... [Aphasia] will appeal to fans of Latin American fiction that navigates the bleeding edge of experimentation.' -- Booklist'Buckle up, kids, Cárdenas is taking us on a bumpy ride. A mild-mannered bank clerk, who wishes to be a novelist, meditates on memory, loss, family, and other things both real and imagined. Aphasia is an avalanche of language, perfect for readers of Thomas Bernhard and Lucy Ellmann's Ducks, Newburyport.' -- Book Culture'Excellent... Aphasia's spirit is one of blending and border collapse... [It] dramatizes our ability to occupy multiple narratives at once – and proves that literature itself can do the same.' -- High Country News'A rollercoaster of a run... [A] worthy journey and universal themes emerge... It’s the ‘as it’s happening’ narration style that makes Cárdenas’s new work so innovative and exciting to read.' -- Chicago Review of Books'Thrilling... A writer of originality who makes the English language sound like music.' -- KCRW's Bookworm“What I don’t transcribe I will forget,” Antonio, the protagonist of this roving novel, remarks. A Colombian divorcé living in Los Angeles, he obsessively documents the stories of those he encounters. He spends nights with women he meets on a sugar-daddy Web site and makes notes of their childhood stories the mornings after. He records his mother’s childhood recollections and the ramblings of his sister, who suffers from schizophrenia, and whose experience of abuse at the hands of their father haunts them both. The result is a collage-like meditation on the ephemeral. “I have come to define happiness collectively,” Antonio reflects, “and it’s ridiculous, given that most adult relationships end anyway.” -- New Yorker'Threads are woven together in an often-dazzling performance akin to a DJ's mashup, in which two different songs can be heard separately as well as together... Cárdenas’s deft characterization of Antonio’s confused, troubled masculinity is one of the novel’s most impressive achievements.' -- Southwest Review'As exhilarating as it is dizzying... Postmodern and flamboyant, rich and daring... Cárdenas is a new force to be reckoned with in Latin American fiction.' -- Morning Star'[Antonio] writes down his erratic, erudite thoughts in a rush of breathless, brainy, convoluted sentences… The relentless restlessness of the prose reveals the fragility of [Antonio's] past and the possibilities of a more stable future as a better brother and more involved parent.' -- Daily Mail'Modern, psychological, and very poignant...[Aphasia] has made a strong impression on its readers, myself included.' -- Sounds and Colours'Reading the boldly inventive and fast paced novel Aphasia, is like road tripping through a warm country with your smartest friend; it might be one of the best trips you are likely to take this year.' -- New York Journal of Books'Cárdenas is able to achieve a kind of dramatic momentum while also maintaining clarity and recognition for the reader... Seriously impressive.' -- American Book Review'Pacy, dense and enlivening... Vividly, colourfully assembled, sensitive to the small contradictions and failings of our lives and histories, Aphasia reminds us not so much that we contain multitudes as that multitudes contain us.' -- ABC Arts, Australia

Read more less