Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisKate Atkinson''s brilliant and unforgettable first novel, which won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year Prize.''Delivers its jokes and its tragedies as efficiently as Dickens...outrageously funny...will dazzle readers for years to come'' - HILARY MANTEL, author of The Mirror and the LightRuby Lennox was conceived grudgingly by Bunty and born while her father, George, was in the Dog and Hare in Doncaster telling a woman in an emerald dress and a D-cup that he wasn''t married. Bunty had never wanted to marry George, but here she was, stuck in a flat above the pet shop in an ancient street beneath York Minster, with sensible and sardonic Patricia aged five, greedy cross-patch Gillian who refused to be ignored, and Ruby...Ruby tells the story of The Family, from the day at the end of the nineteenth century when a travelling French photographer catches frail beautiful Alice and her children, like flowers in amber, to the startling, witty, and Trade ReviewDelivers its jokes and its tragedies as efficiently as Dickens...outrageously funny on almost every page...will dazzle readers for years to come. -- Hilary Mantel * London Review of Books *A debut novel of astonishing confidence and skill...Acutely observant, overflowing with good jokes, it is the work of an author who loves her characters and sets them playing with gleeful energy * Spectator *An astounding book...without doubt one of the finest novels I have read for years * The Times *Little short of a masterpiece...Fizzing with wit and energy, Kate Atkinson's hilarious novel made me laugh and cry * Daily Mail *A blinding debut from a Yorkshire mother-of-two who could be Alan Bennett's baby sister...straight-up simplicity veils the depth, poignancy and poetry of her story * Time Out *A first novel written so fluently and wittily that I sailed through it as though blown by an exhilarating wind; a first novel with a touch so light I only felt its truth and sadness after I'd finished it. It lifted my spirits enormously. I loved it. -- Margaret ForsterEnchanting. It hops with sprightly omniscence from past to future and back again * The Sunday Times *A really gripping, emotionally satisfying family saga written with warmth and wit. I've re-read it countless times. * Red *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan true love conquer all?Sisters Bette Tredinnick and Sara Marrack live quiet lives, content with the comings and goings of their small Cornish hometown. But when hundreds of US Marines arrive, everything changes.Bette, footloose and fancy free, embarks on a whirlwind romance and finds herself bound for America as a GI bride. Meanwhile, married woman Sara finds herself falling for officer Charles Denham, despite her better judgement and her husband’s jealous attempts to control her.As the GIs prepare to invade Normandy it becomes clear that this is a bigger operation than ever before – one that they might not come back from, one that will change the lives of both sisters forever…An emotional saga of sisterhood set in wartime Cornwall, perfect for fans of Betty Walker, Donna Douglas and Tracy Baines.

Read more less

Book SynopsisKristin Hannah is a New York Times bestselling author. She is a former lawyer turned writer and is the mother of one son. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, and Hawaii. Her first novel published in the UK, Night Road, was one of eight books selected for the UK's 2011 TV Book Club Summer Read, and her novel The Nightingale was a New York Times number one bestseller, selling almost three million copies worldwide.Trade ReviewBy reversing traditional expectations, Hannah calls attention to the modern female soldier and offers a compassionate, poignant look at the impact of war on family * Publishers Weekly *A wrenching depiction of war’s aftermath * Kirkus Reviews *An unusual premise, with mum going to war as an army reserve whilst dad has to stay home and keep things together. Interesting characters and the very real depiction of ‘life must go on’ as tragedy strikes and everyone comes to terms with what’s going on. Brilliant dialogue makes this a compulsive read * Books Monthly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Norton Critical Edition is based on the 1985 corrected text and is accompanied by detailed...Trade ReviewA masterpiece of dark humour * Daily Express *The greatest American writers of the last century were William Faulkner and Saul Bellow...As I Lay Dying and The Adventures of Augie March: it's hard to think of two better novels written in this country in any century -- Philip Roth * Observer *One of America's greatest writers * The Times *A beautiful novel * Independent *By universal consent of critics and common readers, Faulkner is now recognised as the strongest American novelist of the century, clearly surpassing (Ernest) Hemingway and (Scott) Fitzgerald, and standing as an equal in the sequence that includes Hawthorne, Melville, Mark Twain and Henry James . . . As I Lay Dying may be the most original novel ever written by an American -- Harold Bloom

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A brilliant, original read' - Daily Mail'Totally absorbing, this is a story that will keep you gripped' - Janice Hadlow, author of The Other Bennet SisterThe case is unexceptional, that is what I know. A house full of stuff left behind by a dead woman, abandoned at the last . . .When trauma cleaner Essie Pound makes a gruesome discovery in the derelict Edinburgh boarding house she is sent to clean, it brings her into contact with a young policewoman, Emily Noble, who has her own reasons to solve the case. As the two women embark on a journey into the heart of a forgotten family, the investigation prompts fragmented memories of their own traumatic histories – something Emily has spent a lifetime attempting to bury, and Essie a lifetime trying to lay bare.Emily Noble’s Disgrace is the third novel from Mary Paulson-Ellis, the bestselling author of The Other Mrs Walker, a Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year.Trade ReviewPaulson-Elis writes with poetry and compassion about the forgotten and overlooked . . . A brilliant, original read * Daily Mail *Totally absorbing, this is a story that will keep you gripped through all its unexpected twists and turns -- Janice Hadlow, author of The Other Bennet SisterThis book is a swoon and slither of silk with the grit of salt underneath. Mary Paulson-Ellis is a genius at peeling away the layers and slowly, skilfully putting flesh on the bones of an extraordinary, sinuous story -- Sarah Hilary, author of FragileSuperb -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail *The territory of the dead — and the objects they leave behind — is the subject of this beautifully written, compelling contemporary gothic novel. Mary Paulson-Ellis strips back the secrets and lies hiding within one house with a deft touch -- Andrew Wilson, author of I Saw Him DieThe author writes with such compassion about people and there is poetry in her prose * Prima *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe No.1 Sunday Times bestseller from the author of A Little Life.To Paradise is a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the elusive idea of utopia; driven by Hanya Yanagihara’s understanding of our desire to protect those we love – lovers, children, friends, family and even our fellow citizens – and the pain that ensues when we cannot.In an alternate version of 1893 America, New York is part of the Free States, where people may live and love as they please (or so it seems).In a 1993 Manhattan besieged by the AIDS epidemic, a young Hawaiian man lives with his much older, wealthier partner, hiding his troubled childhood and the fate of his father.In 2093, in a world torn apart by plagues and governed by totalitarian rule, a powerful scientist’s damaged granddaughter tries to navigate life without him – and solve the mystery of her husband’s disappearance.What unites these characters, and these Americas, are their reckonings with the qualities that make us human – fear, love, shame, loneliness – and the longing to find a place in an earthly paradise.'I’m not sure I’ve ever missed the world of a book as much' - Observer‘Not only rare . . . revolutionary’ - Michael Cunningham‘Prepare to weep in public and be utterly transformed’ - StylistTrade ReviewAfter the painfully affecting A Little Life, To Paradise gives us three stories far apart in space and time but each unique in their power to summon the joy and complexity of love, the pain of loss. I’m not sure I’ve ever missed the world of a book as much as I miss To Paradise now I’ve left it. * Observer *To Paradise is a transcendent, visionary novel of stunning scope and depth. A novel so layered, so rich, so relevant, so full of the joys and terrors – the pure mystery – of human life, is not only rare, it’s revolutionary. -- Michael Cunningham, author of The HoursHanya Yanagihara's To Paradise is as good as War and Peace -- Edmund White, author of A Boy's Own Story One of the most anticipated books of 2022 – if not the decade . . . Prepare to weep in public and be utterly transformed. * Stylist *To Paradise becomes unputdownable . . . Amidst the worst travails and political pressures, the primacy of human bonds is irreducible, a truth that lies at the heart of this frightening and very beautiful novel.' * Literary Review *A future classic . . . For those captivated by Yanagihara’s A Little Life, her next is equally gripping . . . Ultimately, it asks the question: is love really all we need? * Telegraph *A bravura achievement . . . Behind this impressive, significant novel stands the question: what is a life, if it is not lived in freedom? * Guardian *A very unusual sensibility and a burning subject matter have come together here . . . Highly affecting. Read it and hope not to revisit it in your dreams. * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe brand new page-turner from the bestselling author of The Life You Left Behind.'When the world says “give up”, hope whispers, “try it one more time”.’Callie’s always been the least ambitious of her sisters but also the happiest, until fate snaps her fiancé away before they can say I do.One year later, she is still putting her life back together, but she might be ready for more. With so much life left to live, she has to find a way to be happy.Nathan knows not everyone gets a second chance at life and he’s not going to waste his. He’s left the city behind, moved to Cornwall and is starting over. When he meets a beautiful woman at the beach it feels like fate, but her heart belongs to someone else. Could Callie and Nathan be just what each other needs?

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon't miss this gripping novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author!A loving marriage Golden couple Annie and David Crayce have it all. A perfect marriage, three beautiful children and a thriving family business. Life couldn't be better. Until the unthinkable happensA long-buried crime Suddenly, David is the prime suspect of a murder committed twenty years ago. As the police investigate the cold case, so does Annie. But it all comes down to a few lost hours she can't solve.Now Annie must prove the man she loves is innocent.The clock is tickingPraise for Susan LewisSusan Lewis has a gift for telling warm family stories that also take you by surprise' Jane CorryA master storyteller' Diane ChamberlainFull of drama, intrigue with so many twists and turns' Carmel HarringtonRich, seamless and masterful storytelling' Rebecca ThorntonTrade ReviewAcclaim for Susan Lewis: ‘A gripping read’ Bella ‘A gripping and compelling tale of justice and forgiveness,’ The Courier ‘A compelling, timely mystery’ Lisa Ballantyne ‘My Lies, Your Lies has gone straight to the top of my favourite Susan reads. Full of drama, intrigue with so many twists and turns, I promise you'll be surprised and captivated right to the end’ Carmel Harrington ‘Rich, seamless and masterful storytelling with so many ‘oh my god’ twisty moments… Absolute genius. I was totally gripped’ Rebecca Thornton ‘Susan Lewis has a gift for telling warm family stories that also take you by surprise.’ Jane Corry ‘A master storyteller’ Diane Chamberlain ‘Utterly compelling’ Sun

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe key to contentment in the Scottish climate is the right attitude to rain - just as in life the key to happiness lies in making the best of what you have.Bruised in love by her faithless Irish husband, Isabel Dalhousie is a connoisseur of intimate moral issues: she edits a philosophical journal and spends a great deal of her time considering how to improve the lives of those around her. There is her housekeeper Grace, whose future she must secure; her niece Cat, who is embarking on a new relationship with a dubious workaholic mummy''s boy; and even an American couple newly arrived in Edinburgh on a tour. And then there is Jamie, Cat''s ex-boyfriend, a handsome, gifted musician fourteen years Isabel''s junior, with whom she is slowly and hopelessly falling in love.Intensely thoughtful and consistently entertaining, THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO RAIN is shot through with compassion and unassuming intelligence.Trade ReviewBrimming with discreet charm * Mail on Sunday *Like [Barbara] Pym, McCall Smith believes that the small stuff in life matters * Scotsman *** 'Delightful ... McCall Smith is a writer who celebrates kindness, in short supply in the world today * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *** 'Isabel is an appealing character, always trying to work out the right thing to do, and McCall Smith presents her with a series of dilemmas. One is personal, the ethics of beginning an affair with a younger man who used to be her niece's boyfriend, and * SUNDAY TIMES *

Read more less

Book Synopsis THE BRAND NEW DISNEY+ SERIES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Read the gripping word-of-mouth sensation that''s now a major new series by Oprah Winfrey on Disney+*** SERIES STARS MIA ISAAC, ADRIENNE WARREN, CHIPO CHUNG AND ASHLEY THOMAS ***Everyone wants to discover what they''re made of . . .**Featured on Barack Obama''s Summer Reading List****A Grazia Instagram ''IT'' book to watch out for**''A story as meaningful as it is delicious'' TAYLOR JENKINS REID''A roiling soup of family secrets, big lies [and] great loves'' NEW YORK TIMES''Special, beautifully written. Rich and intoxicating'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING''Brilliant writing. A stunning book'' PRIMA''EPIC'' GUARDIAN________Eleanor Bennett won''t let her secrets die with her.When Eleanor''s estrangedTrade ReviewUnputdownable. Astonishing. Twists and turns so shocking they will leave your head spinning and your heart aching * Grazia *An extremely assured debut which pulls in threads and echoes from across the Caribbean diaspora to deliver a rich, complex and really satisfying novel -- Alison Finch, BBC Radio 4A delicious novel. The chapters come fast and furious . . . A satisfying literary meal, heralding the arrival of a new novelist to watch * Independent *Black Cake is a beautiful, deeply resonant story of children trying to understand the mother they have lost. Charmaine Wilkerson transports you across the decades and the globe accompanied by complex, wonderfully drawn characters. She has managed to tell a story that is as meaningful as it is delicious. At turns delightfully juicy and then stunningly wise, Black Cake is a winner -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones and The SixBlack Cake explores the ways we use meals not just to nourish ourselves but to help tell unspeakable stories. Family, food, festering resentment - you'll find plenty to chew on . . . Wilkerson approaches her plot like a mad chef, grabbing ingredients from all over the world, slicing and dicing with abandon, tossing characters and palm fronds and a few drops of rum into a pot and letting it all come to a simmer . . . A roiling soup of family secrets, big lies, great loves, bright colours and strong smells * New York Times *I was instantly taken in by this multi-generational tale of identity, family, and the lifelong push and pull of home. This novel has a tremendous heart at its centre, and I felt its beat on every page. What an extraordinary debut -- Mary Beth Keane, bestselling author of Ask Again, YesA special, beautifully written novel that's as rich and intoxicating as the Jamaican rum cake of its title * Good Housekeeping *So beautifully written I'm struggling to believe it's a debut. The cake is the glue that holds all the layers together and the scenes are so well drawn I could almost taste the cake, feel the warm sea on my skin. My heart broke and was put back together. Bravo -- Nikki May, author of WahalaI [. . .] was immediately drawn in -- Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry * i *An intricately woven tale that deliciously captures the experience migration, family, love and loss with such empathy and pathos - a book that is both universal and unique. -- Afua HirschI loved the brilliant writing, the characters and the clever and beautiful way the story melded together. A stunning book * Prima, 'BOOK OF THE MONTH' *Wilkerson explores the nuances of racial identity and betrayal in a powerful novel * Vogue *BLACK CAKE has all the ingredients of the tastiest stories: secrets, romance, danger, and a cast of characters so real you want to scream at them one moment and hug them the next. I felt nearly breathless while reading Eleanor's truth - as if I were right there in the room with Byron and Benny, wholly immersed in their mother's tragedies and triumphs -- Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal and NevA stunning page-turner, with characters that felt real and relatable. I can't recommend this book highly enough. An incredible debut -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely CityBlack Cake took a hold of me from the first page and didn't let go ... A gripping, poignant debut from an important new voice -- Naima Coster, New York Times bestselling author of What’s Mine and YoursA sparkling debut, which examines migration, estrangement and the stories we tell about ourselves * METRO *Included in 'The books we're looking forward to in 2022' * Good Housekeeping *This powerful debut about family and identity, set against a backdrop of Caribbean culture, history and traditions, already has the stamp of approval from Oprah * Heat *A powerful, beautiful debut * Woman's Own *A multi-generational debut generating hype * Grazia *You can't help but fall in love with this book * Stylist *Utterly engrossing and full of twists, Black Cake is absolutely worth the calories * Red *A testimony to how migration, memories and the life decisions of our elders can trickle down the generations and shape us. The careful cultural references to the Caribbean diaspora are deliciously nostalgic - I couldn't get enough! * Good Housekeeping, Books of the Year *A shining family saga . . . Readers will adore this highly accomplished effort from a talented new writer * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *A heartfelt story of loss, lies and reconciliation * Daily Mail *Black Cake is such an engaging novel. The structure works brilliantly with its dual narrative and short, sharp chapters. As I read, I felt like I could taste the sweet and spice of the black cake that links generations of the same family. Wilkerson's Black Cake is filled with secrets, family ties and hidden desires. It is an extremely satisfying read that stays with you long after the final page. As moreish as its title. If you want to be transported, read this book -- Jodie Chapman, author of Another LifeA family drama meets murdery mystery * Sunday Times *The perfect recipe for an epic family drama . . . Feuds, grief, and a murder make Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake unputdownable * Grazia Book Club Online *One of the most feverishly anticipated debuts of the year * Daily Mail *A delicious and gripping tale that sweeps the reader across decades and continents * Guardian *I really savoured this rich, layered family saga ... Charmaine's writing is subtle and lyrical, pulling you into a powerful story of secrets, roots and identity. The flavour of it will linger long after you've finished -- Beth Morrey, bestselling author of Saving MissyAn extraordinary debut * Hello! *A sweeping story, with Wilkerson masterfully bringing together all the different threads, making social history the backbone of everything * Independent *Completely blew me away ... I loved the brilliant writing, the characters and the clever and beautiful way the story melded together ... this is a stunning book * Red, Book of the Month *Delving into ideas around identity, familial bonds and lifelong secrets, Black Cake looks to be a wildly moreish page-turner * Refinery29 *Touching on racism and acceptance, betrayal and loyalty, this emotional, heartfelt debut explores the meaning of home and the family that define it * Daily Express *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson weaves social history into the backbone of the story, in a way that's nothing short of masterful * Courier *This emotional, heartfelt debut explores the meaning of home and the family that define it * Sunday Express *A skilful debut about family secrets - and food * i news *A wonderful immersive experience * Daily Mail *A beautiful read - a real pageturner * Women's Hour, BBC Radio 4 *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson weaves social history into the backbone of the story, in a way that's nothing short of masterful. * Herald *A resonant story of identity, family and the meaning of home * Mail on Sunday *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson masterfully weaves social history into the backbone of the story * Press Association *Prepare to be hooked * The Handbook *Impressive * Evening Standard *A rich story around immigration and identity ... the novel beautifully captures the struggles of family and identity and the liberation that comes from those struggles * Irish TImes *Engrossing . . . Wilkerson's brilliant descriptions are positively sumptuous for the mind's eye * Heromag *An incredible family saga spanning 60 years, jumping across continents and time, forming a multi-layered book about secrets and inheritance * Guardian.com *A delicious and gripping tale that sweeps the reader across decades and continents, turning everything the siblings think they know about themselves and their family on its head' -- Jyoti Patel, Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe BRAND NEW instalment in the bestselling Mulberry Lane series!With Mulberry Lane's favourite pub, The Pig & Whistle undergoing renovation, proprietors Peggy and Able Ronoscki leave the chaos behind and head off on a trip of a lifetime to America. But disaster hits and Peggy finds herself in a critical condition in hospital. Meanwhile, business is booming for young entrepreneurs Fay Ronoscki and Maggie Rowan with their new restaurant and catering empire. It seems neither has time for love. But when fate throws a famous global singing sensation and glamourous racing car driver into the girls paths, falling in love with Jace and Greg seems beyond their control. Cupid has struck. Life is made up of laughter, love and tears. What is next for the folk of Mulberry Lane - can they find the happiness they all so crave? Another passionate tearjerker from Rosie Clarke in the Mulberry Lane series.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Butterfly Room is a spellbinding, multigenerational story full of heartbreaking secrets, from Lucinda Riley, international bestselling author of the Seven Sisters series.'Captivating . . . poignant yet uplifting' – Woman's OwnPosy Montague is approaching her seventieth birthday. Still living in her beautiful Suffolk family home, Admiral House, she is surrounded by memories of her idyllic childhood catching butterflies with her beloved father, and of raising her own children. But Posy knows she must make an agonizing decision.Despite the memories the house holds, and the exquisite garden she has spent twenty-five years creating, the house is crumbling around her, and Posy knows the time has come to sell it.Then a face appears from the past – Freddie, her first love, who abandoned her and left her heartbroken fifty years ago. Already struggling to cope with her son’s inept business dealings, and the sudden reappearance of her younger son after ten years in Australia, Posy is reluctant to trust in Freddie’s renewed affection. And, unbeknown to Posy, Freddie has a devastating secret to reveal . . .'Utterly enchanting . . . Prepare to be intrigued, moved to tears and ultimately uplifted' – Lancashire Evening PostTrade ReviewAbsorbing family sagas set in glamorous locations . . . A perfect beach read. * Daily Mail *Captivating . . . This multi-generational tale is a poignant yet uplifting novel that strikes just the right balance with its tone and characters. * Woman's Own *Riley brings us a cast of exquisitely drawn characters and as you slip effortlessly into their lives and share their hopes, dreams and fears, prepare to be intrigued, moved to tears . . . and ultimately uplifted -- Lancashire Evening PostA warm, romantic read * Prima *This multi-generational story is the perfect summer read * Woman's Weekly *Perfect summer escapism, with twists galore. -- Best magazine reviewing The Love Letter

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, PICKED FOR THE ZOE BALL TV BOOK CLUB'Ruth Jones is excellent on human nature and why we make the mistakes we do. I felt for every character. Unputdownable.' Jojo MoyesThe past has a habit of tracking us down. And tripping us up.When Kate was twenty-two, she had an intense and passionate affair with a married man, Callum, which ended in heartbreak. Kate thought she'd never get over it.Seventeen years later, life has moved on - Kate, now a successful actress, is living in London, married to Matt and mother to little Tallulah. Meanwhile Callum and his wife Belinda are happy together, living in Edinburgh and watching their kids grow up. The past, it would seem, is well and truly behind them all.But then Kate meets Callum again.And they are faced with a choice: to walk away from each other . . . or to risk finding out what might have been.Second chances are a rare gift in life. But that doesn't mean they should always be taken . . .-In her unmissable debut, actress and screenwriter Ruth Jones shows us the dangers of trying to recapture that which was once lost and failing to realise the beauty of what we already have.Praise for Ruth Jones:'I love books about gnarly, messy relationships and this one kept me gripped from the beginning. A great read.' Jane Fallon'Heart-rending, provocative and astutely written, Never Greener is a love story about getting what you want and losing everything you need. Ruth's characters will stay with me for a long time.' Cathy Bramley'Easy to read and full of laughter - and truth.' Daily MailReaders have fallen in love with Never Greener:***** 'Loved this book from start to finish.'***** 'I fell in love with all the characters and could not put it down.'***** 'Brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud hilarious yet tear-jerking.'****RUTH'S BRILLIANT NEW NOVEL LOVE UNTOLD IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW. COMING IN 2022****Trade ReviewRuth Jones is excellent on human nature and why we make the mistakes we do. I felt for every character. Unputdownable. * Jojo Moyes, bestselling author of ME BEFORE YOU *Heart-rending, provocative and astutely written, Never Greener is a love story about getting what you want and losing everything you need. Ruth's characters will stay with me for a long time. * Cathy Bramley, bestselling author of THE LEMON TREE CAFE *I love books about gnarly, messy relationships and this one kept me gripped from the beginning. A great read. * Jane Fallon, bestselling author of MY SWEET REVENGE and STRICTLY BETWEEN US *Easy to read and full of laughter - and truth * Daily Mail *A great debut * Bella *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘The Namesake’ is the story of a boy brought up Indian in America.Trade Review‘Extraordinary…a book that spins gold out of the straw of ordinary lives. The calm, pellucid grace of her prose, the sustained stretch of crystal clear writing, its elegant pianissimo tone, pulls the reader from beginning to end in one neat arc. Every detail, every observation, every sentence rings with the clarity of truth. The Namesake is a novel that makes its reader feel privileged to be allowed access to its immensely empathetic world.' The Times ‘The kind of writer who makes you want to grab the next person and say "Read this!"' Amy Tan 'Impeccably written' Daily Mail 'Gracious….in refined, empathetic prose…each of Lahiri's characters patches together their own identity, making this resonant fable neither uniquely Asian nor uniquely American, but tenderly, wryly human.' Hephzibah Anderson, The Observer ‘This is certainly a novel that explores the concepts of cultural identity, of rootlessness, of tradition and familial expectation…but …it never succumbs to the cliches those themes so often entail. Instead, Lahiri turns it into something both larger and simpler: the story of a man and his family, of his life and hopes, loves and sorrows. She has a talent – magical, sly, cumulative – that most writers would kill for.’ Julie Myerson, The Guardian ‘Jhumpa Lahiri’s excellent first novel… is the work of a fine writer, discriminating, compassionate and surprising. It is, too, a story for our times.’ Rachel Cusk, Evening Standard ‘A joy to read.’ Sunday Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD AND THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE AND THE WOMEN'S PRIZEThe moving, powerful and urgent English-language debut from one of the brightest young stars in world literatureSuppose you and Pa were gone, and we were lost. What would happen then?A family in New York packs the car and sets out on a road trip. This will be the last journey they ever take together.In Central America and Mexico, thousands of children are on a journey of their own, travelling north to the US border. Not all of them will make it there.Trade Review'Fascinating, haunting, poetic' Sunday Times ‘A mould-breaking new classic … The novel truly becomes novel again in her hands – electric, elastic, alluring, new’ New York Times ‘Daring, wholly original, brilliant … a twist on the great American road trip novel, a book about alienation that chronicles fractures, divides, and estrangement’ NPR ‘Timely and poignant’ Vogue ‘A wonderfully subtle story in which the experience of migrant children is filtered through the delicate, funny, effortlessly poetic account of a family’s road trip from New York to the Mexican border’ Guardian ‘Roving and beautiful … a searing indictment of America’s border policy' Daily Mail ‘Powerful and urgent’ Stylist

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe tender and moving novella from the author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People''I read this beautifully imagined and moving novella in one sitting, utterly wowed, wanting to share it with everyone I know'' Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice_________Grandpa and Noah are sitting on a bench in a square that keeps getting smaller every day.As they wait together on the bench, they tell jokes and discuss their shared love of mathematics. Grandpa recalls what it was like to fall in love with his wife, what it was like to lose her. She''s as real to him now as the first day he met her, but he dreads the day when he won''t remember her.Sometimes Grandpa sits on the bench next to Ted, Noah''s father - Ted who never liked maths, prefers writing and playing guitar, and has waited his entire life for his father to have time for him, to accept him. But in their love of Noah, they have foTrade ReviewWinsome, bittersweet ... Wise and heartbreaking. Backman's slim novella celebrates the joy of connecting even in the midst of letting go * People Magazine *A novella to be savoured and reread about a boy, his dad and his grandpa as they learn to say goodbye. It's a little book with a big message * San Francisco Chronicle *I read this beautifully imagined and moving novella in one sitting, utterly wowed, wanting to share it with everyone I know -- Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still AliceBeautiful, dreamlike, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Bring tissues. Bring all the tissues * RealSimple.com *The saddest, sweetest book ever ... It is heartbreakingly sad, but also beautiful and uplifting in the end * LaSalle News Tribune *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A sheer delight from start to finish'' Sophie Kinsella Come and meet Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Café . . . ''An evocative, sweet treat'' Jojo Moyes ''Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting'' Marian Keyes ''Irresistible'' Jill Mansell ''Just lovely'' Katie Fforde ''Naturally funny, warm-hearted'' Lisa Jewell ''A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book'' Mike Gayle ___________________________________Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe''s bakery, she has undoubtedly inherited his talent.When she''s made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment. Armed with recipes from Grampa, and with her best friends and local bank manager fighting her corner, The Cupcake Café opens its doors. But Issy has absolutely no ideTrade ReviewSheer indulgence from start to finish * Sophie Kinsella *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree friends, three single mums, one quest to find loveIt's 8:30am and I'm already utterly exhausted. My son has lost his football boots, my daughter is ready for school dressed only in her vest and knickers, and of course, my 1-year-old has filled his nappy for what feels like the tenth time this morning.As for my husband? He's decided marriage doesn't suit him, and well buggered off.All hope of me time' has but dwindled to sipping half a glass of wine whilst shouting after the kids. But everything is about to change.I'm taking control of my life! I've joined a book club.Yes, I know what you're thinking. Wow live a little.' But my fellow book clubbers, Amanda and Janey, are my lifelines. They understand the daily struggle because they're mothers too.And in between the prosecco, Doritos and googling everything about Mr Darcy on SparkNotes, they've convinced me to go on a date with my boss.A single mum of three looking for romance what could possibly go wrong?A gloriously funny and rel

Read more less

Book SynopsisFour little words can ruin a life.When Jess meets five-year-old Daisy and her mum, Morag, in a local London park, they seem a perfectly happy and loving pair. Until Daisy whispers four little words that send ice seeping down Jess's spineShe's not my mum.Determined to save Daisy, Jess becomes obsessed with unearthing Morag's secrets. As she digs ever deeper, her friends and family start to question her own increasingly paranoid behaviourFour little words can end a life.But Jess knows what she heard and she's certain the fear in Daisy's eyes was real. Of course she isn't imagining things Or is she?Mummy's Little Secret is a nerve-shredding new psychological thriller from the author of The Missing Children Case Files perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and C.L. Taylor.Praise for M. A. Hunter:Kept me guessing throughout and I raced to the end' Caz Finlay, bestselling author of the Bad Blood seriesDarkly thrilling' R. J. Parker, bestselling author of The Dinner Party''Explores and exposes tTrade ReviewPraise for M. A. Hunter: ‘Kept me guessing throughout and I raced to the end’ Caz Finlay, bestselling author of the Bad Blood series ‘Darkly thrilling’ R. J. Parker, bestselling author of The Dinner Party 'Explores and exposes the dark side of human nature’ Emma Christie, author of The Silent Daughter ‘Did not want to put it down. This is a solid 5 star read from me… Highly recommended to fans of crime fiction’ Rebecca Kelly, author of Monstrous Souls

Read more less

Book Synopsis''As ever, Rosamunde Pilcher has kept me enthralled to the very last page'' Reader review ?????The endearing bestseller from the much-loved Rosamunde PilcherBorn in Colombo, Judith Dunbar spends her teenage years at boarding school, while her beloved mother and younger sister live abroad with her father. When her new friend Loveday Carey-Lewis invites Judith home for the weekend to Nancherrow, the Carey-Lewises'' beautiful estate on the Cornish coast, it is love at first sight. With the family''s generosity and kindness, Judith flourishes from a naïve girl into a confident young woman, basking in the warm affection of a surrogate family. But the gathering storm of war cannot be ignored. Judith herself has far to travel before at last . . . coming home.READERS ARE IN LOVE WITH COMING HOME:''In her typical writing style, the book has you engrossed in the characters'' lives and it is both upliftTrade ReviewThe novel has a gently sweet flavour, it continues to beguile because of Pilcher's warmth, sincerity and easy, undemanding prose * Sunday Times *Compelling pages packed with convincing characters, vivid settings and weepy bits * Daily Mail *A great featherbed of a novel, all the right ingredients * Woman & Home *Especially good on atmosphere and a lonely teenager's bewilderment, Pilcher's storytelling skills are serene and beguiling * The Times *Much-needed balm to soothe the troubled mind * Sunday Express *A well-upholstered good read * Daily Mail *Classy, lavish entertainment . . . literate pleasure * Publishers Weekly *Captivating . . . The best sort of book to come home to . . . Readers will undoubtedly hope Pilcher comes home to the typewriter again soon. * New York Daily News *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCompelling and provocative, True Colours is an unforgettable novel about jealousy between sisters, betrayal, passion and forgiveness – and what it means to be a family, by Kristin Hannah, the international number one bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone.The Grey sisters have always looked after one another. Growing up on a sprawling ranch with an emotionally distant father, they had nowhere else to turn after their mother died. Winona, the oldest, craves her father’s approval. Happier reading a book than riding a horse, she knows she isn’t the daughter he wanted – but she’s determined to prove her worth. Aurora is the peacemaker, trying to keep everyone happy, whilst hiding her own feelings. Vivi Ann, the youngest, is the star of the family. Beautiful and spirited, everything comes easily to her – until a stranger comes to town. When Vivi Ann makes a fateful decision to follow her heart, everything changes. Suddenly the sisters are pitted against each other. Loyalties are tested, secrets revealed – and then a terrible crime threatens to tear their whole community apart.Trade ReviewAs Hannah explores the deep, emotional connection between sisters, she creates a beautiful and captivating story of love and rivalry, family and community, that readers will happily devour * Booklist *[Hannah] really knows what women – her characters and her audience – want * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis_______________Katie Fforde's brilliant new book, A SPRINGTIME AFFAIR, is now available in paperbackShe has only one chance to turn her life around...Allie is bored with her job and starting to wonder whether she even likes her boyfriend, Ryan.The high point in her day is passing a café on her walk home from work. It is the sort of place where she'd really like to work.Then one day she sees as advert on the door: assistant wanted. But before she can land her dream job, Allie knows she must achieve two things:1. Learn to cook2. End her relationship with Ryan, especially as through the window of the café, she spies a waiter who looks much more like her type of man.And when she learns that the café is in danger of closing, Allie knows she must do her very best to save the day ..._______________This is a short story, not a full-length novel._______________'Modern-day Austen. Great fun' Red'Warm, brilliant and full of love' Heat'Deliciously enjoyable' Woman and Home

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERThis is Pride and Prejudice 2.0 and I must confess, I liked it more than the original' STYLISTBold and brilliant' GLAMOUR''Sheer joy Giddy and glam and a hearty update of Pride and Prejudice' JESSIE BURTON, author of The MiniaturistLiz and Jane Bennet are good daughters. They've come home to suburban Cincinnati to get their mother to stop feeding their father steak as he recovers from heart surgery, to tidy up the crumbling Tudor-style family home, and to wrench their three sisters from their various states of arrested development.Once they are under the same roof, old patterns return fast. Soon they are being berated for their single status and for two successful women in their late thirties, it really is too much to bear. That is, until the Lucas family's BBQ throws them in the way of some eligible single men . . .In this dazzling, heart-warming read, the much-loved classic Pride and Prejudice is catapulted into our modern world, singing out with hilarityTrade ReviewPraise for ELIGIBLE: ‘A masterpiece … I found Eligible so relevant and relatable. Whether or not you’re an Austen fan, you’ll adore this version: This is Pride and Prejudice 2.0 and I must confess, I liked it more than the original. There I said it’ Stylist ‘These days, if Curtis Sittenfeld writes it, I read it’ Judy Blume ‘If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it’ Elle ‘Bold and brilliant … Sittenfeld’s prose is so witty and sparkling that she keeps you entranced from first page to last’’ Glamour ‘Eligible has all the charm, wit and romance of Pride & Prejudice and also takes these characters who are such a stalwart feature of our literary landscape and treats them with such affection and humour, that I defy anyone not to find Eligible an absolute delight’ Red ‘Dazzling’ Woman and Home ‘Fizzy’ and ‘Funny’ Psychologies ‘Such a feast of a book’ Nigella Lawson ‘Three cheers for Curtis Sittenfeld and her astute, sharp and ebullient anthropological interest in the human condition… not since “Clueless,” which transported Emma to Beverly Hills, has Austen been so delightedly interpreted’ The New York Times ‘An enjoyably light-hearted romp’ Financial Times ‘Hilarious and endearing family drama’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Effortlessly entertaining and delightfully readable’ National ‘A delightful romp for not only Austen devotees but also lovers of romantic comedies and sly satire, as well . . . Bestselling Sittenfeld plus Jane Austen? What more could mainstream fiction readers ask for?’ Booklist ‘Sittenfeld adeptly updates and channels Austen’s narrative voice—the book is full of smart observations on gender and money. . . . A clever retelling of an old-fashioned favourite’ Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book Synopsis'His relish is infectious' Times'The funniest book I've read in ages. Savage but compelling' Ian Rankin'Funny, rumbustious, unstinting and wonderfully Hogarthian' The Observer'Sharp, funny, and beautifully written... a brilliant reflection on the landscape we now live in' Joanna Cannon_______________What a thing of wonder a mobile phone is. Six ounces of metal, glass and plastic, fashioned into a sleek, shiny, precious object. At once, a gateway to other worlds - and a treacherous weapon in the hands of the unwary, the unwitting, the inept.The Cleverley family live a gilded life, little realising how precarious their privilege is, just one tweet away from disaster. George, the patriarch, is a stalwart of television interviewing, a 'national treasure' (his words), his wife Beverley, a celebrated novelist (although not as celebrated as she would like), and their children, Nelson, Elizabeth, Achilles, various degrees of catastrophe waiting to happen.Together they will go on a journey of discovery through the Hogarthian jungle of the modern living where past presumptions count for nothing and carefully curated reputations can be destroyed in an instant. Along the way they will learn how volatile, how outraged, how unforgiving the world can be when you step from the proscribed path.Powered by John Boyne's characteristic humour and razor-sharp observation, The Echo Chamber is a satiric helter skelter, a dizzying downward spiral of action and consequence, poised somewhere between farce, absurdity and oblivion. To err is maybe to be human but to really foul things up you only need a phone.The new novel by John Boyne, WATER, is available for pre-order now.Trade ReviewAn uproariously funny novel... John Boyne skilfully skewers the cruelties of social media and the absurdities of wokeness ... a brave and timely foray into the contemporary culture wars. * Financial Times *A fearless romp with big laughs along the way * Graham Norton *A comedy of manners and lack of manners ... good fun and cheeky as hell * Ryan Tubridy *His relish is infectious * The Times *Funny, rumbustious, unstinting and wonderfully Hogarthian * The Observer *

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘I love Sarah’s novels because they are a burst of pure happiness’ Cathy Kelly ‘A gorgeous Christmas gift of a book – big-hearted, cosy and joyful’ Lucy Diamond ‘Unputdownable and gorgeous, I adored Snowed in for Christmas. It’s the ultimate feel-good festive novel’ Phillipa Ashley ‘Sarah is so bloody good at creating worlds and characters you fall instantly and hopelessly in love with, and Snowed In For Christmas is no different. Heartfelt, evocative and romantic’ Laura Jane Williams * * * She’s snowed in with the family. The only problem? They’re not her family. A family gatheringThis Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal – to avoid their family’s well-meaning questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention. An uninvited guestLucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone, and the prospect of losing her job – unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller. She’ll deliver her proposal to his family home in the Scottish Highlands and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller’s perfect family Christmas. A Christmas to rememberWhen Lucy appears on the Miller’s snow-covered doorstep, she is mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. But by the time the confusion is cleared up, a storm has hit and Lucy is stuck. As everyone settles in for a snowed-in Christmas, tensions bubble to the surface and suddenly Lucy finds herself facing a big family fallout with a family that isn’t hers… * * * Readers have fallen head over heels for Sarah Morgan! ‘For me, Sarah Morgan really knows how to write the perfect Christmas book’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A book you can’t put down. Loved every minute of it’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gorgeous, feel-good festive treat of a read’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A magical read that deserves at least a ten-star rating’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review Praise for Snowed in for Christmas ‘I love Sarah’s novels because they are a burst of pure happiness’ Cathy Kelly ‘Unputdownable and gorgeous, I adored Snowed in for Christmas. What a warm and wonderful novel for Christmas. It’s the ultimate feel-good festive novel’ Phillipa Ashley ‘A gorgeous Christmas gift of a book – big-hearted, cosy and joyful’ Lucy Diamond ‘I feel like I was actually in the Scottish Highlands with Lucy and the Miller family. Sarah is so bloody good at creating worlds and characters you fall instantly and hopelessly in love with, and Snowed In For Christmas is no different. Heartfelt, evocative and romantic, I felt like this was the perfect book at the perfect time. Gorgeous’ Laura Jane Williams ‘Can always count on Sarah Morgan to create a cosy Christmas book full of comfort and joy’ Alex Brown 'Heartwarming, uplifting, funny and sparkling!' Faith Hogan ‘Funny and often poignant . . . will thaw even the biggest Grinch’s heart’ The Independent ‘A mug of hot chocolate in book form’ Good Housekeeping ‘A feel-good pick-me-up you’ll love’ Fabulous magazine ‘A funny, warm and festive feel-good read’ The People’s Friend ‘The perfect cosy escape’ My Weekly ‘Full of drama to enjoy snuggled up in the warm’ Woman & Home ‘A warm and funny festive romance’ Daily Mirror ‘A heart-warming read packed with seasonal cheer’ Daily Express

Read more less

Book SynopsisA magnificent epic of love, war and Russia from the international bestselling author of TULLY and ROAD TO PARADISELeningrad 1941: the white nights of summer illuminate a city of fallen grandeur whose palaces and avenues speak of a different age, when Leningrad was known as St Petersburg.Two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha, share the same bed, living in one room with their brother and parents.The routine of their hard impoverished life is shattered on 22 June 1941 when Hitler invades Russia. For the Metanov family, for Leningrad and particularly for Tatiana, life will never be the same again. On that fateful day, Tatiana meets a brash young man named Alexander.The family suffers as Hitler's army advances on Leningrad, and the Russian winter closes in. With bombs falling and the city under siege, Tatiana and Alexander are drawn inexorably to each other, but theirs is a love that could tear Tatiana's family apart, and at its heart lies a secret that could mean death to anyone who hears it.ConfTrade ReviewPraise for Paullina Simons Tully‘Pick up this book and prepare to have your emotions wrung so completely you’ll be sobbing your heart out one minute and laughing through your tears the next… Read it and weep – literally’ Company Tatiana and Alexander'This has everything a romance glutton could wish for: a bold, talented and dashing hero, a heart-stopping love affair … It also has – thank goodness – a welcome sense of humour and discernible characters rather than ciphers.'Victoria Moore, Daily Mail The Bronze Horseman‘Pulling off the passionate love story embedded in a truly epic narrative is a difficult thing to do. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind remains the blueprint for the genre, while Tolstoy's War and Peace carries off the literary honours … it's quickly apparent that the Russian-born author Paullina Simons has the measure of this kind of epic romantic saga … She is able to make some powerful statements about the durability of the human spirit, but never at the expense of descriptive passages refulgent with power and beauty’ Barry Forshaw, amazon

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the top 10 bestselling Cornish Midwives series!Midwife Izzy is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is dying. Abandoned as a baby by her own mother, her grandparents have been the only family Izzy has ever known and she wants to spend every last precious moment with them.New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words?When Izzy and Noah are brought together to support grieving parents, Noah reaches breaking point. He can't stay in Port Agnes and live a lie. But Izzy is adamant it’s the only place she can be….Will love find a way or will Izzy's hopes of a future be dashed?Praise for The Cornish Midwife Series:'Stunning setting, wonderful characters, and oozing with warmth. A triumph from Jo Bartlett.' Jessica Redland'Perfectly written and set in the beating heart of a community, this story is a wonderful slice of Cornish escapism.' Helen J Rolfe“I absolutely love the Cornish Midwife series, especially being an aspiring midwife from Cornwall. Despite being fiction, these books never fail to motivate me to carry on studying when things get tough and really become The Cornish Midwife myself.” Tegan from Reading with Tegs (book blogger and trainee midwife)“I get so absorbed in the books from the Cornish Midwife series, I can’t put them down. The characters are like my colleagues, a tight group of people who love the job they do. The stories are truly captivating and make me feel like I am working alongside the characters, as the series mirrors my working life as a Midwifery Care Assistant so well.” Sandra Twyman, Midwifery Care Assistant and avid reader

Read more less

Book Synopsis***The instant Sunday Times bestseller***'Love, mess, secrets; this story of four generations of women is shot through with Ruth Jones's warmth and wisdom.' JOJO MOYES'A hug in a book' Prima'Her best book yet' Woman & Home'Compassionate, wise and life-affirming' The ObserverThe funny, moving and uplifting new novel from Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin & Stacey and author of the Sunday Times bestsellers Never Greener and Us Three.Grace is about to turn ninety and she doesn't want parties or presents or fuss. She just wants a quiet celebration: her daily swim in the sea and a cup of tea with granddaughter Elin and great-granddaughter Beca. More than anything, she wants to heal the family rift that's been breaking her heart for decades.And to do that she must find her daughter, Alys - the only person who can help to put things right.But thirty years is a long time.And many words have been left unsaid.So is it too late now to heal the pain of the past?This is a story about mothers and daughters: the love inherent in that bond and the heartache that miscommunication can bring. More than anything, it's about the importance of being true to oneself. Meet Grace, Alys, Elin and Beca - a family you'll come to know, and to love.PRAISE FOR RUTH JONES'Heartfelt, joyful, brave, utterly compelling' RACHEL JOYCE'I adored it' JOANNA CANNON'Joyful, life-affirming' ADELE PARKS'Beautifully warm and totally absorbing. I cried and I laughed. I adored it' JANE FALLONWHAT READERS ARE SAYING*'Good grief. This is truly a novel that pulled on every last emotion.'*'Warm-hearted, beautiful and heartbreaking.'*'Ruth's best book yet... entertaining and incredibly moving.'*'A gorgeous, emotional read that I was completely immersed in.'*'I'm absolutely gutted it's over... loved every single page.'** Sunday Times bestseller July 2023 **Trade ReviewLove, mess, secrets; this story of four generations of women is shot through with Ruth Jones's warmth and wisdom. A big warm blanket of a book. I loved it * Jojo Moyes *Rich in warm, engaging characters and a judicious mix of humour and pathos... it's a compassionate, wise and life-affirming book * The Observer *Full of such warmth and kindness, and the writing is utterly beautiful. I adored it * Joanna Cannon *A 'hug in a book', with characters that felt so real it was like I knew them * Prima *Heartfelt, joyful, brave, utterly compelling, it is a giant tribute to the love between women. You leave this book feeling you have made new friends * Rachel Joyce *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy people love This Child of Ours...''Excellent... An important and moving story''CLARE MACKINTOSH''This book broke my heart and gently pieced it back together''CATHY BRAMLEY''Thought-provoking, moving and incredibly insightful'' AMANDA BROOKE''Will have you in cheers as well as tears''THE SUNIf you''ve been watching and enjoying Butterfly on ITV then this book is perfect for you. ---------------------You know what''s best for your child. Don''t you? Riley Pieterson is an adventurous girl with lots of questions. There''s plenty she doesn''t know yet; what a human brain looks like. All the constellations in the night sky. Why others can''t see her the way she sees herself.When Riley confides in her parents - Sally and Theo - that she feels uncomfortable in her own skin, a chain of evTrade ReviewExcellent read, perfect for book clubs... An important and moving story. -- Clare MackintoshSadie Pearse has written a truly sensitive and involving novel about gender, identity and family that has important things to say, but does so with warmth and great storytelling. It feels like a book that all modern parents should read -- Keith StuartBoth thought provoking and emotional, it will have you in cheers as well as tears * The Sun *This book broke my heart and gently pieced it back together. It is original, sensitive and intensely moving and I was constantly questioning myself: what would I do. An incredibly accomplished novel. -- Cathy BramleyHeart-wrenching * Fabulous Magazine *An important story that will prompt discussion * Good Housekeeping *The kind of book that everyone will have an opinion on. Thought-provoking, moving and incredibly insightful. -- Amanda BrookeA thoughtful and sensitive account of parenting a transgender child and the emotional and practical challenges it raises. -- Cath StaincliffeAbsolutely brilliant -- Rachel BurtonThere is nothing more I can say than I absolutely loved this book. What a sensitive issue, dealt with beautifully. -- 5* Netgalley reviewThought-provoking, nerve-wracking and poignantly relevant -- 5* Netgalley reviewA fantastic read with a sensitive subject at its heart -- 5* Netgalley reviewReally really enjoyed this book about a subject I'd not really thought of before. -- 5* Netgalley review

Read more less

Book Synopsis*Make sure you read Trent Dalton''s irresistible new novel, LOLA IN THE MIRROR, out now*Electric'The TimesThrilling'New York TimesExtraordinary' Joanna CannonTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERA MAJOR NETFLIX SERIESAustralia, 1983Life is pretty tough right now for twelve-year-old Eli what with his mute brother, a convicted murderer for a babysitter, a drug-dealing stepfather, an incarcerated mother and a long-lost father surely it can't get any worse?Think again. He's about to fall in love, break into prison and cross paths with one of the most notorious criminals Brisbane has ever seen.A coming-of-age story like no other, Boy Swallows Universe is the most exhilarating novel you'll read all year.WHAT READERS LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK:''Profound, endearing, brutal this will move you beyond belief and keep you hooked until the very last page'' ?????''Poetic and beautiful, fast-paced and thrilling One of my all-time favourite books'' ?????''Trent Dalton has captured the humour and tragedy that colours everyday life for kids just getting by. This novel is part true-crime, part hopeless romance, part magical realism and laugh-out-loud funny!'' ?????''One of the best books I''ve read in years I promise you won''t be disappointed'' ?????Trade Review‘Extraordinary … you will want this’ Joanna Cannon ‘Many coming-of-age novels set in the 1980s are little more than a roll-call of pop songs, retro snack foods and chopper bikes. Not this one. This is a proper literary novel about addiction, poverty, parenting and the power of love … Dalton has created an electric novel out of a troubled childhood … it’s a lively, funny affirmation of the human instinct for survival in a hostile environment’ The Times ‘Chock full of magic and what it really means to be a good person. The Bell brothers will stay with me for a very long time’ Rachael Brown, Guardian ‘Thrilling’ New York Times ‘Stellar … makes the typical coming-of-age novel look bland by comparison …This is an outstanding debut’ Publishers Weekly ‘Boy Swallows Universe hypnotizes you with wonder, and then hammers you with heartbreak. The events of Eli’s life are often fatal and tragic, but fate and tragedy do not overpower the story. Eli’s remarkably poetic voice and his astonishingly open heart take the day. They enable him to carve out the best of what’s possible from the worst of what is, which is the miracle that makes this novel marvellous’ Washington Post ‘Marvellous … filled with beautifully lyric prose … exceptional’ Booklist (Starred Review) ‘The best Australian novel I have read in more than a decade' Sydney Morning Herald ‘The most extraordinary writer – a rare talent' Nikki Gemmell ‘Unsuspectedly joyous… sad, warm, witty’ The Australian Do you remember what it felt like as a kid when you poured an entire package of Pop Rocks into your mouth and felt them all explode at once? That’s what it feels like to read this astonishing, captivating novel — except more violent and bloody and urgent, and maybe the Pop Rocks are live grenades? … I absolutely loved it. Bravo, Trent Dalton. Thank you for the wild, beautiful, heart-exploding ride. Elizabeth Gilbert

Read more less

Book SynopsisAuster''s Booker Prize-shortlisted epic from the author of contemporary classic The New York Trilogy: ''a literary voice for the ages'' (Guardian) A masterpiece.' Daily MailAbsorbing and immersive . . . the author's greatest novel.' FTSHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE 2017On March 3rd, 1947, Archibald Isaac Ferguson, the only child of Rose and Stanley Ferguson, is born. From that single beginning, Ferguson's life will take four simultaneous but entirely different paths. Family fortunes diverge. Loves and friendships and passions contrast. Each version of Ferguson's story rushes across the fractured terrain of mid-twentieth century America, in this sweeping story of birthright and possibility, of love and the fullness of life itself.Remarkable . . . A novel that contains multitudes.' New York TimesA vast portrait of the turbulent mid-20th century . . . wo

Read more less

Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023A BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick 2023'Not since Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger has the rotten core of modern India been exposed in quite such blackly antic fashion as Parini Shroff manages here in this intermittently absurd, feminist revenge caper about a group of snarky, much-abused, predominantly Hindu wives...sheer gutsy verve.' The Times'A darkly funny revenge drama rooted in the reality of rural India . . . [A] vivid, unsentimental story that succeeds in being both satirical and moving.' Guardian'A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women' - New York Times'Mordantly humoured, pacey feminist revenge thriller' - The Sunday Times__________________________________For Geeta, life as a widow is more peaceful than life as a wife...Until the other women in her village decide they want to be widows, too.Geeta is believed to have killed her vanished husband - a rumour she hasn't bothered trying to correct, because a reputation like that can keep a single woman safe in rural India. But when she's approached for help in ridding another wife of her abusive drunk of a husband, her reluctant agreement sets in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of all the women in the village....A darkly irreverent and fresh take on a feminist revenge thriller, perfect for readers of My Sister the Serial Killer, How To Kidnap The Rich and the Sharon Horgan series Bad Sisters.'Tender, unpredictable, brimming with laugh-out-loud moments' Téa Obreht, author of THE TIGER'S WIFE'Original, memorable, and endearing' Charmaine Wilkerson, author of BLACK CAKE'A rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy' Cristina García, author of DREAMING IN CUBANTrade ReviewNot since Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger has the rotten core of modern India been exposed in quite such blackly antic fashion as Parini Shroff manages here in this intermittently absurd, feminist revenge caper about a group of snarky, much-abused, predominantly Hindu wives...sheer gutsy verve. -- Claire Allfree * The Times *Shroff's debut is a darkly funny revenge drama rooted in the reality of rural India . . . Shroff doesn't pull any punches in this vivid, unsentimental story that succeeds in being both satirical and moving. -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women -- Chandler Baker * New York Times *This funny, feel-good read is a rollicking ride rife with memorable characters involved in ill-fated hijinks. It also serves up commentary on class, power dynamics and the role of women in society, with a feminist history lesson to boot. -- Good Housekeeping * Good Housekeeping *Shroff cleverly considers how women might achieve autonomy within rural India's patriarchal society through shrewd, if complicated, female friendships. -- Washington Post * Washington Post *The Bandit Queens is an original, memorable, and endearing story. At times deeply serious, at times laugh-out-loud funny...a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances. -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of BLACK CAKEParini Shroff captures the complexity of female friendship with acuity, wit, and a certain kind of magic irreverence, turning on a dime from humor to horror, horror to heart, and then back again, exhilarating her reader until the very last line. Tender, unpredictable, brimming with laugh-out-loud moments, The Bandit Queens heralds a prodigious and sophisticated literary talent. -- Téa Obreht * Téa Obreht, Orange Prize-winning author of THE TIGER'S WIFE *Parini Shroff's splendid The Bandit Queens is a hilarious romp about serious things - as serious as a novel gets, and as funny, too, with characters who are dear and maddening and indelible and gorgeously drawn. Twisty, compulsive, bold, surprising, moving: it's a wonderful book. -- Elizabeth McCracken * Elizabeth McCracken *Parini Schroff's debut novel, The Bandit Queens, is a rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy. Rooted in a rural village in India-and led by the pariah widow Geeta, who everyone believes to have killed her husband-a handful of women band together to take back their lives, and take down the patriarchy. An immensely enjoyable read! -- Cristina García, author of Dreaming in Cuban and The Lady Matador’s HotelAn extraordinary caper of a novel. I've never met a character like Geeta...it is dark - but also it's utterly compelling and funny. -- Louise Minchin * Louise Minchin, Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 Judge *This is the best book I've read in a while. THE BANDIT QUEENS is an original, memorable, and endearing story. At times deeply serious, at times laugh-out-loud funny, THE BANDIT QUEENS is a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances in an Indian village. -- Charmaine Wilkerson * Charmaine Wilkerson, author of BLACK CAKE *One of the most talked-about debut novels of the year lives up to the hype and then some. The story of Geetha, a tough-but-wounded young woman in a remote Indian village who, after her abusive husband disappears, gains a reputation as a black widow. These rumors prove somewhat beneficial to Geetha in her desire to be left alone...until other women start approaching her for help in disposing their own shitty husbands. Uproarious, tender, and at times quite harrowing, with razor-sharp dialogue and a truly magnificent cast of characters, The Bandit Queens is a darkly hilarious delight of a novel. -- Dan Sheehan, Book Marks Editor-in-Chief * LitHub *a dark yet uplifting story of village women who fight domestic violence and caste discrimination -- Susan Blumberg-Kason * Asian Review of Books *an audacious high-wire act of a novel that mingles the deadly serious with the highly comic, yet never loses its profound empathy for the women at its heart * Apple Books *Parini Shroff's colourful debut novel, The Bandit Queens, [is] an irreverent and unusual tale of struggle and sisterhood in rural India. -- Radio Times * Radio Times *This mordantly humoured, pacey revenge comedy succeeds in being both feelgood and gleefully nasty, tender and violent. -- Patricia Nicol * The Sunday Times *...a fast-paced, dark comedy of female friendship, revenge, murder and survival. * Mirror *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon't miss Stacey Halls' captivating new novel THE HOUSEHOLD - available to pre-order now!*WINNER of the WOMEN'S PRIZE FUTURES AWARD*A Waterstones Best Book of the YearLonglisted for the Walter Scott PrizeLonglisted for the Portico Prize'Highly atmospheric and tense' Richard Osman From the bestselling author of The Familiars and The Foundling comes Stacey Halls' most compelling and ambitious novel to date.'Something's not right here. In the house. With the family.'West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly-graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple form a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England. Ostracised by the other servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, soon a series of strange events will force Ruby to question everything she thought she knew . . .Simmering with slow-burning menace, Mrs England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, weaving an enthralling story of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception. Set against the atmospheric West Yorkshire landscape, Stacey Halls' third novel proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our times.Praise for MRS ENGLAND:'Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again' Kate Mosse'As treacherous and invigorating as the moors. I didn't want it to end' Laura Purcell 'Enticing and beautifully written' Sunday Express'The new Hilary Mantel' Cosmopolitan'Utterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller' Daily Mail'Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric' Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters'Mesmerising, entrancing, a spellbinding novel of emotion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns and lies. Gripping to the very last page' Kate Williams'Full of gothic menace, this Edwardian mystery is convincing and absolutely enthralling' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City'A captivating, sensuous novel' Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon'I was gripped from start to finish' Joanna Glen, Costa shortlisted author of The Other Half of Augusta Hope'Jaw-droppingly brilliant. Exquisitely written, incredibly atmospheric, a masterclass in rising tension. The deliciously addictive love-child of Daphne Du Maurier and Henry James' Liz Hyder'Brilliant. An utterly gripping exploration of female fortitude in adversity, with a propulsive, atmospheric plot. Ruby is a wonderful protagonist' Caroline Lea**THE HOUSEHOLD, the brand new novel from Stacey Halls, is available to pre-order now***Sunday Times bestseller June 2021 and January 2022**Winner of Women's Prize for Fiction x Good Housekeeping Futures award - Good Housekeeping 14 Oct 2022*Trade ReviewUtterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller. * Daily Mail *Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric. * Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters *Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again. * Kate Mosse *With a desolate setting that shimmers with menace, Stacey Halls' tense novel masterfully tackles issues such as the abuse of power. This enticing and beautifully written story should delight those fans of historical fiction. * Sunday Express *Hugely readable with a palpable sense of dread, this is a truly brilliant book. * The Sun *The Familiars author has fast become the queen of historical lit and this new offering, set in 1904, might be her best yet... Evocative and captivating. * Heat Magazine *Halls hits the sweet spot between commercial and literary historical fiction and this feminist gothic thriller is a lovely stealth read, simmering with tension. * Metro *Mesmerising, entrancing, a spellbinding novel of emotion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns and lies. Gripping to the very last page. * Kate Williams *Halls shows genuine skill in building the sense of menace within the England household and in the unfolding of its secrets. * Sunday Times *This enthralling read is a powerful examination of an Edwardian marriage, and the underlying currents of control, courage and power. * Woman & Home *

Read more less

Book SynopsisReaders are GRIPPED by ALL THAT'S LEFT UNSAID:The beautiful prose delivers a complex and heart-wrenching (but at times funny) story' Reader review, ?????A stunner of a novel . . . powerful' Reader review, ?????Beautifully constructed . . . gorgeous' Reader review, ?????Tragic, beautifully written, a mystery inside a family saga' Reader review, ?????This is a brilliant read . . . had me engaged from the start' Reader review, ?????Written with a raw, aching tone, it grabs you and spits you out wiser and sadder, yet cautiously optimistic' Reader review, ?????Winner of the Australian Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction Winner of the MUD Literary Prize Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist* * *They claim they saw nothing. She knows they're lying.Just let him go.' Those are words Ky Tran will forever regret. The words she spoke when her parents called to ask if they should let her younger brother Denny out to celebrate his high school graduation with friends. That night, Denny optimistic,Trade Review Praise for All That’s Left Unsaid ‘The best book I’ve read this year. Achingly tender and savagely honest, it is both a riveting mystery and a complex portrayal of displacement, trauma and the crippling cost of assimilation. I can’t remember a novel that made me feel so seen’ Kia Abdullah, Next of Kin ' All That’s Left Unsaid is honest, aching, and filled with beauty. It will transport you' Julia Phillips, internationally bestselling author of Disappearing Earth ‘A stunning debut, an unputdownable mystery combined with a profoundly moving family drama about the ways we hurt and hide from those we love most – and how we mend and strengthen those lifelong bonds. It blew me away’ Angie Kim, Miracle Creek ‘An extraordinary work of Australian literature about who we are as a nation. This book deserves to be a classic in our literary canon. Profoundly moving, riveting, tender and heartbreaking. What a read. Tracey Lien is a major new voice in our literary landscape and I can’t wait to read what she writes next. Bravo’ Nikki Gemmell ‘Memorable and powerful . . . Lien’s debut communicates the specific operation of generational trauma with nuance and insight . . . A fictional tragedy evoked with such clarity and specificity that it will linger in your memory as if it really happened’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Quite simply one of the best books I’ve ever read’ Good Reading ‘A powerful read that explores community and racial discrimination’ Good Housekeeping ‘An eye-opening, honest portrayal’ Adele Parks, Platinum magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat if your LONG-LOST SISTER holds the key to a family secret?A much-loved gripping novel from the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author about two sisters and a heartwrenching secret.Claire leads a busy, fulfilled and happy life, a life she wouldn''t trade for anything . . . but that is about to change for ever.When Claire fails to prevent a young woman''s suicide, the incident seems to trigger something in her - forgotten images of a long-lost sister and a childhood she had always remembered as being close to perfection. Realising that this was not the case, Claire runs the risk of uncovering the dark secrets that are locked away in her memories.Caught in a complex struggle between the present and past, between the man who wants to help her and the husband who cannot, Claire must discover the terrible truth for herself...Unlock the secrets you''ll love to discover with Diane Chambe

Read more less

Book SynopsisApproval follows would-be parents David and Cici through a series of forays into the past as they go through the motions of applying to adopt a child. Their story builds a picture of hope, vulnerability and fear as David is put under intense and intrusive scrutiny during their battle against faceless bureaucracy. From family background and early experiences to adult relationships, he is forced to revisit uncomfortable – sometimes painful – episodes, in the hope of meeting the authority’s requirements. Confronting a lonely, difficult and uncertain path to family life, Approval is a brave novel told from a perspective rarely explored in fiction: a man’s response to a couple’s infertility. Approval follows would-be parents David and Cici through a series of forays into the past as they go through the motions of applying to adopt a child.Trade Review“John Rutter's Approval is many things at once. A powerful meditation on judgement. A transfixing fable of a Kafka-esque application process. A complex tragedy about fatherhood. But it's also a simple, affecting and beautifully wrought story of one couple's journey towards what they most desire – a child – and the cost of reaching out for one. A hugely promising debut.” -- Rodge Glass"An authentic voice … the issues it raises are very real and have contemporary resonance." -- Lancashire Evening Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisEnter THE PINK HOUSE, the heartwarming new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors''Stepping into the world of The Pink House is like getting home and discovering someone has already run a hot, bubbly bath for you after a hard day''s work'' CELIA ANDERSONWhen Emma and Hugh move into The Pink House, it''s a welcome new start.Lazy summer afternoons in the sun, quiet Sunday mornings reading the paper.Or so Emma hoped. Unfortunately, life in the country is far from a peaceful idyll.There''s Hugh''s sister Sally, who lives in the garden cottage.Their son''s upcoming wedding, which they''ve promised to host.The old barn which Emma wants to transform into an art gallery and a new career.But Emma has it all under control. Until she runs into Rory McCloud -the one who got away so many years ago . . .Is The Pink House the only new beginning for Emma,or could Trade ReviewI've always been a Catherine Alliott fan, and this was an absolute joy.A delicious tangle of secrets and hidden desire. Alliott's heroines are always a delight - like Bridget Jones' posher cousin: a bit dizzy, but with a huge heart and a strong sense of what's right and what's important. And in this case, that's family. A complicated, messy, imperfect family and all the baggage that brings, all playing out in the most gorgeous setting. How I longed to live in the Pink House!It's a modern fairy tale of mistakes and the lengths we go to to pretend everything is perfect: wise, funny, glamorously chaotic and achingly romantic. -- VERONICA HENRYThis deeply satisfying read brings Emma's desirable world to life and will keep you guessing until the end * Daily Express *Another fantastic family drama with superb characterisation from this much-loved author * Woman's Weekly *A great family drama * Woman & Home *A joyful read about love and new starts * The Sun *Stepping into the world of The Pink House is like getting home and discovering someone has already run a hot, bubbly bath for you after a hard day's work. Emma and Hugh's story is intriguing and twisty. They've been married for what feels like forever and it's been mostly...well...okay. The children are great but they're independent now, and the chance to relocate to Hugh's idyllic family home in the country is too difficult for Emma to resist. What follows is a voyage of discovery for them all that turns Emma's largely contented life upside down. A kaleidoscope of family complications tends to threaten Emma's equilibrium but nothing daunted, she breezes forward and gets right on with socking it to them all. I adored every moment of this blissful book! -- CELIA ANDERSONPraise for Catherine Alliott * - *Warm, witty and wise * Daily Mail *A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignantHer writing is both intelligent and sparklingHilarious and full of surprises * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER from the author of STILL LIFE''Thronging with incident and wonder'' Guardian''Beautifully true . . . superb'' The Times''Captivating'' Observer''Beguiling . . . You can''t get the voice out of your head'' Daily MailThis is a book about a brother and sister.It''s a book about childhood and growing up, friendships and families, triumph and tragedy and everything in between.More than anything, it''s a book about love in all its forms.Trade Review'Gloriously offbeat... Winman's narrative voice is beautifully true, with a child's unsentimental clarity. A superb debut' * The Times *'Beguiling... you can't quite get the voice out of your head' * Daily Mail *'Captivating... rendered with an appealing frankness, precision and emotional acuity' * Observer *'Thronging with incident, wonder and outré language... sharply funny, whimsical and innovative' * The Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hilarious and totally relatable book about the adventures of a single mum, for fans of Catastrophe and Motherland. Readers of Why Mummy Drinks, Unmumsy Mum and The Single Mum's Wish List will love this debut novel from parenting blogger Slummy Single Mummy.'You'll end up warming to Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life!' MIKE GAYLE, bestselling author of The Man I Think I Know________________________________January 3rdJaffa Cakes - 7. Times I was forced to watch a small child do a dance involving a dusty piece of ribbon found under the sofa - 4. Inappropriate thoughts about Zac Efron - undisclosed. Single mum Frankie’s whole life revolves around her kids. But when your toddler has a more active social life, something has to change. Forget ‘me-time’, Frankie would settle for some adult conversation, and watching something other than the Disney channel. The local playgroup may be ruled by Instagram mums with perfect husbands but Frankie accidentally forms a splinter group of single parents. After all, Mummy really needs a playdate of her own. (Now pass the prosecco.)________________________________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING'As a mum of three I could totally relate to this novel on so many levels' - Titian'Hilarious - made me laugh out loud' - Dominique'Lots of funny anecdotes parents will recognise!' - Claire'With shades of Bridget Jones, Frankie stumbles through life as a single mum' - Ann'A very funny and realistic look at motherhood' - KatrinaTrade ReviewThis is both extremely funny and insightful. I loved every page -- KATIE FFORDEA funny, fresh, debut with some real laugh out loud moments and you'll end up warming to single Mum Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life! -- MIKE GAYLEA great-big glorious giggle from start to finish. I loved Jo Middleton's debut and can't wait for the next one -- CHRISSIE MANBY

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘A glorious and festive read’ Cathy Kelly, Sunday Times bestseller ‘Absolutely stunning, with gorgeous characters and even more gorgeous locations. You will fall head over heels! An exquisite escape – the perfect Christmas read to get you in the mood’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestseller ‘This romantic, wintry read is perfect for a cosy night curled up by the fire’ Woman’s Own ‘This is Sarah's best Christmas novel yet. It's got it all: romance, escapism, heartache, redemption, secrets . . . I really enjoyed it. Sarah is as much a Christmas staple as mince pies!’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop ‘Utterly magical’ Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from Paris * * * It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for? There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own. As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship? * * * Readers have fallen in love with The Christmas Escape ‘One of my favourite books this year, The Christmas Escape is the perfect festive read’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A must for any reader looking for some Christmas cheer and I can’t recommend it enough for the festive season!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is storytelling at its very best. Put aside some quiet time and curl up and read this fantastic heartwarming and enjoyable book’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Sarah Morgan writes THE BEST Christmas books, full of winter warmth, charm and festive feels’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review Praise for The Christmas Escape ‘A glorious and festive read’ Cathy Kelly, Sunday Times bestseller ‘Absolutely stunning, with gorgeous characters and even more gorgeous locations. You will fall head over heels! An exquisite escape – the perfect Christmas read to get you in the mood’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestseller ‘This is Sarah's best Christmas novel yet. It's got it all: romance, escapism, heartache, redemption, secrets . . . I really enjoyed it. Sarah is as much a Christmas staple as mince pies!’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop ‘Utterly magical’ Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from Paris ‘This romantic, wintry read is perfect for a cosy night curled up by the fire’ Woman’s Own ‘[A] warm book full of festive delights on every page’ The People’s Friend Praise for Sarah Morgan ‘I loved every sparkly, big-hearted, warm-hug moment of this gorgeous wintry tale’ Miranda Dickinson, author of Our Story This is escapist fiction at its absolute best, full of warmth, humour and heart . . . Irresistible, joyful and a celebration of family love’ Katie Marsh, author of A Life Without You ‘Sarah Morgan is back in style with a perfect snow-filled read’ Woman & Home ‘An emotional, uplifting and heart-warming winter novel that’s perfect for those chilly nights in’ OK! ‘As always, Sarah Morgan takes us to a glamorous setting and throws in a whole heap of drama. Such fun!’ Heat

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne rainy afternoon in Istanbul, a woman walks into a doctor''s surgery. ''I need to have an abortion'', she announces. She is nineteen years old and unmarried. What happens that afternoon will change her life.Twenty years later, Asya Kazanci lives with her extended family in Istanbul. Due to a mysterious family curse, all the Kaznci men die in their early forties, so it is a house of women, among them Asya''s beautiful, rebellious mother Zeliha, who runs a tattoo parlour; Banu, who has newly discovered herself as clairvoyant; and Feride, a hypochondriac obsessed with impending disaster. And when Asya''s Armenian-American cousin Armanoush comes to stay, long hidden family secrets connected with Turkey''s turbulent past begin to emerge.''Wonderfully magical, incredible, breathtaking...will have you gasping with disbelief in the last few pages'' Sunday Express''A beautiful book, the finest I have read about Turkey'' Irish Times''Heartbreaking...the beauty of Islam pervades Shafak''s book'' VogueTrade ReviewA brave and passionate novel * Paul Theroux *Tremendous exuberance . . . I do like a writer with a purpose * Margaret Forster *An astonishingly rich and lively story … handled with an enchantingly light touch' Kirkus Reviews Overflows with a kitchen sink's worth of zany characters … an entertaining and insightful ensemble novel that posits the universality of family, culture and coincidence -- (starred review) * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew friends. New beginnings. Old secrets Sweet and heartwarming' Bestselling author MARIAN KEYESThe word uplifting was invented for this tender and poignant story. It's a beautifully written debut, a must-read' Bestselling author JUDY LEIGHThough they come from the same small Irish village, lonely widow Ruby and struggling single mother Frankie couldn't be more different.Then they discover the Moonlight Gardening Club, founded to remind its members that even on the darkest of nights, beauty and light can still be found. As they plant flowers chosen specially to be enjoyed under a carpet of stars in the gentle glow of moonlight, an unexpected friendship starts to bloom and it might be just what each of them needs.But when shocking secrets from the past are revealed, both their worlds are turned upside down. If their friendship is going to survive, each of them must face what they've been running fromFans of FAITH HOGAN's The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club, SHEILA O'FLANAGAN and MARY Trade Review PRAISE FOR THE MOONLIGHT GARDENING CLUB: ‘Sweet and heartwarming’ – Marian Keyes ’A fabulous book, the writing is superb, the characters (including the town itself) are fully realised and credible…Full confession: The Moonlight Gardening Club melted my cynical old heart, which says a great deal about how good it is.’ Anne Marie Scanlon, The Independent Ireland ‘I absolutely loved it. The word “uplifting” was invented for this tender and poignant story about the unlikely friendship of Ruby and Frankie … It's a beautifully written debut, a must-read’ – Judy Leigh ‘What a delight. It was a gorgeous, emotional read with characters to hold your heart’ – Liz Fenwick ‘A poignant, heartwarming, uplifting story of the enriching gift of friendship. A terrific debut novel that will enthral readers’ – Patricia Scanlan ‘Full of warmth and heart, The Moonlight Gardening Club is an absolute delight. Ruby and Frankie are characters to really care for and will definitely inspire you to grab your wellies and get out into the garden! Rosie Hannigan is an exciting new voice in Irish fiction’ – Hazel Gaynor ‘A beautiful, warm book with relatable characters and plenty of surprises’ – Rachael English ‘Rosie Hannigan weaves a delightful tale showing how friendship can pull us from our darkest moments. Secrets, love and forgiveness – the perfect seaside read!’ – Amelia Addler ‘Frankie and Ruby’s voices were beautifully distinct … well done to this stunning writer, Rosie Hannigan is one to watch!’ – Amanda Geard

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe stunning new novel from the author of the National Book Award–finalist A Children’s BibleTrade Review"Tender but never sentimental, wearing its intelligence in a low-slung style, Dinosaurs is a garden of earthly delights." -- Laura Mechling - Vogue"Deceptively simple and quietly lovely, Dinosaurs is a compassionate character study of a loner who discovers community. " -- Adrienne Westenfeld - Esquire"Effortlessly readable... there is something new and unusual about Dinosaurs." -- Sam Sacks - The Wall Street Journal"Quietly powerful" -- Adam Begley - The Spectator"This gentle, redemptive novel follows a damaged, trusting man as he heals through human connection and requited love… it leaves a warm afterglow and an optimism that lingers." -- Sally Morris - Daily Mail"Dinosaurs’ solidifies a new phase of Millet’s career. . . . The spaciousness of the style makes the sense of loss richer and the questions posed — what constitutes moral action, how best can we help one another — at once simpler and more profound." -- Christine Smallwood - The New York Times"Millet has perfected charged, science-based prose that takes a surgeon’s loupe to how people interact with nature." -- The San Francisco Chronicle"Dinosaurs is sharp and implacably funny; it evades the sanctimony you’d expect." -- Katy Waldman - The New Yorker

Read more less

Book SynopsisFans of Beartown and A Man Called Ove will love this festive novella, from the 13 million copy internationally bestselling author. ________It is Christmas Eve and a father and son are meeting for the first time in years.The father has a story he needs to share before it''s too late. As he tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away, he reveals even more about himself; his triumphs in business, his failures as a parent, his past regrets, his hopes for the future. Now, on this night before Christmas, the father has been given the unexpected chance to do something remarkable that could change the destiny of a little girl he hardly knows. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he must find out what his own life has actually been worth, and only his son can reveal the answer.With humour and compassion, Fredrik Backman''s novella The Deal of a Lifetime reminds usTrade ReviewThe Deal of a Lifetime strikes straight at the heart and hits you -- Deccan Chronicle * India *This (dimensionally) tiny book comes packed with huge emotion. Readers will speed through it in under two hours, then spend the rest of the day - at least - pondering the astonishing ideas it unleashes. The Deal of a Lifetime quite literally will grab you from the start and set you off in a host of incredible directions. Fredrik Backman has a wonderful ability to reach deep inside his readers, pull out feelings they didn't know they had, and set their minds spinning. What a blockbuster! -- The Book Reporter, US[This] book is short but every word counts and that'll hit you square in the heart. . . . You may shed tears over this book. You may need to savor it a second time, to feel its words again. However you read it, The Deal of a Lifetime is an experience you'll never trade. -- Rushville Republican, USPraise for Beartown -- -Surrounded by impenetrable forests, it recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. This is a mature, compassionate novel. * Sunday Times *A story about families, about friendship and loyalty, inequality, female vulnerability, male back-slapping, and parenthood ... No person's story is too little to be told, Backman includes them all. A novel with a big heart * Jönköpings-Posten, Sweden *A kind of problem play that moves extremely skilfully near the melodramatic without derailing. Its originality is substantial and the book credibly conveys the dual faces of everyday life. An impressive novel, like no other * BTJ, Sweden *Friday Night Lights for Swedes * O Magazine *As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson. * The New York Times Book Review *Backman is a masterful writer, his characters familiar yet distinct, flawed yet heroic. . . There are scenes that bring tears, scenes of gut-wrenching despair, and moments of sly humor. . .Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction. A thoroughly empathetic examination of the fragile human spirit, Backman's latest will resonate a long time. * Kirkus Reviews *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A truly moving, uplifting story about love, connection and finding the courage to start over' - Rowan Coleman'The perfect holiday read' - Josie LloydWhat are you most afraid of . . . ?Gemma is terrified of slowing down, because if she does, she’ll have to admit how lonely she’s felt since losing the love of her life. So she fills her days with work and taking her dog, Bear, to comfort young patients at the local hospital.Dan is scared of anyone getting to know the real him. He’s the life and soul of every party, but he’s certain that if people find out what he’s done, everything will fall apart.Casey is Dan’s twelve-year-old daughter – though they barely know each other. She’s starting four weeks of treatment for a benign tumour, and is scared this summer could be her last.When Gemma, Dan and Casey meet one scorching July, the connection is instant. Yet they’re all used to protecting themselves from heartbreak by keeping their distance. Now that fate – and a small, scruffy terrier – have brought them together, can they find the courage to connect?'Heartwarming and full of insight, this book will lift your spirits and make you smile' - Katie Fforde'A beautiful read' - Julie CohenTrade ReviewHeartwarming, immersive and hopeful . . . A beautiful read -- Julie CohenA truly moving, uplifting story about love, connection and finding the courage to start over -- Rowan ColemanHeartwarming and full of insight, this book will lift your spirits and make you smile -- Katie FfordeThe perfect holiday read - wonderfully plausible characters, dark secrets and a fabulously teased-out love story. When I got to the end, I gave it a hug -- Josie LloydA gorgeous novel about messy, scary, wonderful love in all its forms -- Katy ReganSensitively and beautifully written. This is a book that will stay with you long after the last page is turned -- Milly JohnsonOne of the most beautiful books of the year. Brilliant * The Sun *'I adored this incredibly moving and touching tale, with an unlikely hero who will steal your heart. Deeply emotional but with a light touch, this should be the love story of summer 2022 - an absolute delight.’ -- Veronica Henry'Eva Carter has done it again. The perfect book to relax, unwind and warm up your heart.' -- Suzy K Quinn

Read more less

Book SynopsisFROM THE WRITER OF THE OSCAR-WININNG WOMEN TALKINGINTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHORLONGLISTED FOR THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARDGo Grandma Elvira!' Margaret Atwood''Wickedly funny and fearlessly honest.'' The New Yorker''Glorious.'' Sarah Moss____________You are a small thing, and you must learn to fight.Swiv has taken this advice too literally. Now she's suspended from school, in the care of her foul-mouthed, hilarious grandmother. Mom is busy being pregnant, so Grandma gives Swiv a very different education. Swiv learns maths with Amish jigsaws and How to Dig a Winter Grave. Grandma's methods may be unorthodox, but she has faced the worst of life with a wild, independent spirit and this is what she hopes to pass on. Time is running short. Grandma's health is failing and the baby is on the way can Grandma inspire this fire in Swiv, and ensure it never goes out?Poignant, hilTrade ReviewWickedly funny and fearlessly honest.' - The New Yorker'Fight Night is glorious: funny and sad and beautifully written.' - Sarah Moss

Read more less