Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisOn a sharp winter's morning, a man turns his back on prison. Joseph Scott has served his term. He's lost almost everything: his career as a teacher, his wife, the future he'd envisaged. All he has left are his three children but he is not allowed anywhere near them.This is the story of Joseph, who killed his wife, Zoe. Of their three children who witnessed the event. Of Zoe's parents, Hannah and Frederick, who are bringing up the children and can't forgive or understand Joseph. They slowly adjust to life without Zoe, until the day Joseph is released from prison...Trade ReviewEngrossing. * Woman and Home *The author's third novel, this is another wonderful and very thought-provoking story that I consumed in a single day. * The Sun *A gripping tale that would appeal to fans of Jodi Picoult and Joanna Trollope... A page turning book to while away a winter's evening. * Red Online on After the Fall *Original, wonderfully written and utterly gripping, this is a corker of a tale. * The Sun on After the Fall *Jodi Picoult had better look over her shoulder - she's got a new contender by the name of Charity Norman. * Sydney Morning Herald on After the Fall *Will appeal to devotees of Joanna Trollope and Jodi Picoult... [Norman] is hot on their heels. * Daily Mail on Freeing Grace *Easy to read, hard to put down, it'll move you to tears. * Easy Living on Freeing Grace *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2015 Miles Franklin Literary AwardShortlisted for the 2015 Voss Literary Prize and the 2015 Stella Prize Longlisted for the 2016 International IMPAC Dublin Literary AwardMeet Jimmy Flick. He's not like other kids - he's both too fast and too slow. He sees too much, and too little. Jimmy's mother Paula is the only one who can manage him. She teaches him how to count sheep so that he can fall asleep. She holds him tight enough to stop his cells spinning. It is only Paula who can keep Jimmy out of his father's way. But when Jimmy's world falls apart, he has to navigate the unfathomable world on his own, and make things right.Trade ReviewIt is outrageous that someone as young, beautiful and - goddamit - as happy looking as Sofie Laguna has written this wee beauty of a novel... As a "domestic" novel, it could be cliched, but Laguna, through Jimmy's wonderful eyes, makes every sentence, every word, sing and soar. * Irish Times *A book that crosses the boundaries of adult and YA fiction. * Guardian *Quite an achievement... It is quite a feat to write characters with such nuance... Laguna is an author proving the novel is a crucial document of the times. -- Louise Swinn * The Weekend Australian *Harrowing, beautifully written, insightful and absorbing... Unique, forceful and absolutely hypnotic... Fresh, honest writing. -- Emily Macguire * Canberra Times *A beautiful, sombre style, relieved by occasional happy-go-lucky moments and strangely surprising resilience... Laguna has vividly brought to life what it must be like to be a different child and the effect his condition can have on a family. * Sydney Morning Herald *Jimmy is a tour de force of a character, brilliantly maintained... Laguna's great skill is in conveying the contradictory human depths in all her characters. * Adelaide Advertiser *A book that intrigues and affects every essence of your humanity... A dark and terrible tale told in lyrical, poetic language and stark imagery. * Australian Bookseller and Publisher *Laguna's child narrator both emphasises and conceals, through simple yet articulate images, the complicated extent of suffering and release. * Guardian on One Foot Wrong *An extraordinary achievement. Hester's voice is original and compelling...compels us to see our familiar world as new and intriguing - no small feat. -- Jo Case * Big Issue on One Foot Wrong *

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Book SynopsisSong of the Sun God is about the wisdom, mistakes and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. Nala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension. As the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family; and live with the consequences of their mistakes. Over time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto; and why some parts and people have to be left behind. Song of the Sun God spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Funny, warm and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors and each other.

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Book SynopsisGathering the best twenty stories from Cynthia Flood’s career, these spare, stylistically inventive stories explore subjects ranging from the domestic to the political.In this collection, Flood navigates a wide range of subject matter with a writing style which gradually becomes more intense, tighter, and sometimes experimental with each story. Most themes are familiar—love, hate, children, the natural world, parents, failure, despair, anger, regret. Other stories are more unusual, dealing with topics such as far-left political activity. Containing what may be some of Flood’s most poignant work, You Are Here is a sharp and engaging exploration of the world today.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR YOU ARE HERE"These stories defy categorization; they are wonderful, layered, powerful, and imbued with clear senses of their often-Canadian settings and eras ... And they infuse bursts of joy into their cadences and descriptions of people’s literal and mental landscapes ... You Are Here is a rich and beautiful short story collection via which the voice of an era can be savored."—Foreword Reviews (starred)"You Are Here presents insightful, often incisive, glances into fictional lives ... Cynthia Flood employs a realistic style to glances into characters who are products of their respective time and place, while at the same time surprising, sometimes jarring, us with unpredictability."—BC ReviewPRAISE FOR CYNTHIA FLOOD“The prose of short story writer Cynthia Flood is sharp, minimalist and concise. Her 2013 collection Red Girl Rat Boy was shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Her latest book, What Can You Do, is a collection of 12 short stories that features flawed characters who are emotionally broken and adrift.”—Ryan B. Patrick, CBC Books"As the fifth collection of short stories from an award-winning author, it’s no surprise that What Can You Do is an exceptionally written and thought-provoking read. The twelve stories make up just under 150 pages, and in each one Flood does a masterful job creating a sense of existence for her characters that extends beyond the pages of their story."—Joanna Graham, The Winnipeg Review“Cynthia Flood scatters fleeting moments of personal insight throughout the dozen intriguing stories of What Can You Do, her fifth collection. Funnily, though, they’re sporadic, unreliable, and not what Flood’s characters (or readers) might expect. With characters muddling through or getting by with what life hands them, wisdom of the transcendent clarity variety turns out to be a rare commodity. In understated yet nuanced pieces that are bittersweet, sobering, or chuckle-inducing, the Vancouver-based author introduces a gallery of figures for whom paths fork unexpectedly, plans go awry, and expectations require extensive revising. Still, Flood’s characters are managing. And committed to their decisions, as on-the-fly as they might be.”—Brett Josef Grubisic, Vancouver Sun“Her latest collection, What Can You Do? cements her reputation as a gifted and observant storyteller. Technically superb, demonstrating Flood’s unstinting grasp of complex, subterranean emotion, these twelve stories tread familiar territory. The haunting “Struggle,” about a disturbed woman’s memories of her activist past, mines the rivalries and chauvinism of far-left politics in 1970s Vancouver.”—Trevor Corkum, Toronto Star“With rapid-fire narration, power-point prose, and darts of minimalist description, Flood nails her subject. Her characters are impatient to be heard, grabbing your attention, word bullets flying, hope and despair spilling over the pages.”—M.A.C. Farrent, The Vancouver Sun

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Book SynopsisA poignant novel imbued with music from the Giller Prize ? shortlisted author of Like This and Twenty-Six that follows two social outcasts as they navigate through their traumatic pasts.The worst moment of Sam''s life was captured on video and shared across the Internet for all to gawk at. This is something she has in common with Robot, who just wants to move past the mistakes he''s made, if only his small town will let him. When the two meet in a high school music class, they start to find their way to each other. Music might offer a way not only forward, but forward together, if Sam and Robot can overcome the echoes of the moments that made them infamous.The past reverberates in ways we don''t expect, in this new novel by Giller Prize ? shortlisted author Leo McKay, Jr. From family secrets and old relationships that resurface, to the tape loops that endlessly replay private moments of trauma and despair, What Comes Echoing Back travels back and forth in time to get to what''s true, with humour, humanity, and the healing power of music.

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Book Synopsis***Shortlisted Author For Historical Writers' Association's Debut Crown For Best First Historical Novel***What will it cost to hide your deepest secrets from those you love most? At Fourwinds they gather: Alice and Ralph, Patricia and Peter, to celebrate the marriage of their children. But the bride is nowhere to be seen. What could have caused Sarah to vanish? As both families search for the answer, the past floods through the corridors of the old house. What secret has Ralph been keeping from his wife? What is it about Alice's wartime encounter with Peter that has haunted her ever since? Return to Fourwinds is a sweeping, lyrical story of the things we choose to tell and the secrets that we keep.Trade ReviewBeautifully written, brilliantly observed... a wonderful and intriguing book -- Barbara ErskineA moving novel of great sweep and depth -- Tim PearsSecrets of the Sea House is an arresting tale of the things that haunt us. But the real pleasure in this debut novel is Elisabeth Gifford's finely wrought prose; at turns acute, delicate and fierce -- Liza Klaussmann on SECRETS OF THE SEA HOUSEGifford moves nimbly between the centuries and voices of her intriguing tale. She is a singular and poetic writer -- Rhidian Brook on SECRETS OF THE SEA HOUSESure to ignite an interest in sea mythology partnered with real-life ground-breaking sightings and discoveries, this is the perfect read if you're heading to a British beach this summer * Red Magazine on SECRETS OF THE SEA HOUSE *Fans of historical fiction, folklore and Scotland will all enjoy this wonderful debut; Gifford is a writer to watch * We Love This Book on SECRETS OF THE SEA HOUSE *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BOOKER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE PROMISESHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE, 2003A year ago Patrick Winter was in Namibia completing his military service. Now, during the first free elections, Patrick has returned to the country he defended; the place where he fell in love for the first and only time. With the country poised to change forever, Patrick is forced to revisit his past and scale the wall that he has built around his painful memories of love, war and loss.'An astonishingly sensitive writer.' Irish Times'Engaging and enduring... devastating in the lucidity and austere assurance of its prose.' TLS'A work whose psychological observation is as subtle as its political analysis.' The Times'A beautifully written and thoughtful meditation on love, loss and longing.' AttitudeTrade ReviewAn astonishingly sensitive writer. * Irish Times *Engaging and enduring... devastating in the lucidity and austere assurance of its prose. * TLS *A work whose psychological observation is as subtle as its political analysis. * The Times *A beautifully written and thoughtful meditation on love, loss and longing. * Attitude *

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Book Synopsis‘A mesmerising, beautifully-written domestic thriller that really stands out from the crowd. I flew through it.’ Mark Edwards, author of HERE TO STAY‘A domestic noir to race through’ Sunday Mirror'Enjoyably twisty, this is most impressive for its chilling insights into obsession and where it can lead' Observer ******Everyone brings baggage to a new relationship.When Alex met Natalie she changed his life. After the tragic death of his first wife, which left him a single parent to teenage daughter Jade, he’s determined to build a happy family.But his new-found happiness is shattered when the family home is gutted by fire and his loyalties are unexpectedly tested. Jade insists she saw a man in the house on the night of the fire; Natalie denies any knowledge of such an intruder.Alex is faced with an impossible choice: to believe his wife or his daughter? And as Natalie’s story unravels, Alex realises that his wife has a past he had no idea about, a past that might yet catch up with her.But this time, the past could be deadly . . . *******************‘Beautifully written and well-crafted. I read it in two days, though I would have read it in one if I could’ Sandie Jones, author of THE OTHER WOMAN'Engrossing, original and hugely enjoyable' Emma Curtis, author of THE NIGHT YOU LEFTPraise for Rebecca Fleet:‘This is very much a heart-thumping, read-in-one-sitting story, and absolutely delivers on its smart and original hook’ Heat‘A fantastic thriller – dead-on domestic noir, full of tension and surprises. I loved it.’ Lee Child‘An enthralling thriller that lives up to its chilling premise.’ Renee Knight, author of Disclaimer‘Rebecca Fleet has created a perfectly contained cast of credible characters in a story so intriguing that you will be guessing right up to the last page. And it’s beautifully written too. I loved this book.’ Liz Nugent, author of Lying in Wait'Dark, smart, sexy, gripping, totally brilliant.’ Erin Kelly, author of He Said She Said'Sinister and compelling' Woman & Home'You'll be whipping through the pages' StylistTrade ReviewBeautifully written and well-crafted, the characters of Natalie, Rachel, Sadie and Alex stayed with me long after I finished reading and I resented anything that stopped me from getting back to them. I read it in two days, though I would have read it in one if I could! * Sandie Jones, author of THE OTHER WOMAN *A mesmerising, beautifully-written domestic thriller that really stands out from the crowd. I flew through it. * Mark Edwards, author of FOLLOW YOU HOME *Engrossing, original and hugely enjoyable. * Emma Curtis, author of THE NIGHT YOU LEFT *A fabulous read. * Woman & Home *A menacing new thriller . . . Expect to be gripped! * That's Life! *

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Book Synopsis'Shimmering, lush...will keep you up all night' - Rene Denfeld, author of THE ENCHANTED'Eerie and addictive' - New York TimesWhen I think of Byrne Hall - which I do more often than I'd like - it's the dead weight of the heatwave that comes back to me, and the smell of things going rotten.Freya Lyell is struggling to move on from her sister Stella's suicide five years ago. Visiting the bewitching Byrne Hall, only a few miles from the scene of the tragedy, she discovers a portrait of Stella - a portrait she had no idea existed, in a house Stella never set foot in. Or so she thought.Driven to find out more about her sister's secrets, Freya is drawn into the world of Byrne Hall and its owners: charismatic artist Cory and his sinister, watchful mother. But as Freya's relationship with Cory crosses the line into obsession, the darkness behind the locked doors of Byrne Hall threatens to spill out.Trade ReviewShimmering, lush, with prose that beats at the heart, The Whispering House will keep you up all night -- Rene Denfeld, author of THE ENCHANTEDEerie and addictive...A chilling, masterly study in all the ways love can lead to misery. Like Wuthering Heights...terrifying yet wholly believable * New York Times *A spellbinding gothic story ...an exquisitely creepy page-turner * Publishers Weekly *A slow-simmering, psychological, gothic novel about grief and longing * Booklist *A gothic romance for the contemporary age * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Daisy Styles, a heart-warming wartime saga about a group of women who work in an armaments factory. No matter how hard the times, despite bombing, short rations, cruel men, unwanted pregnancy, through thick and thin friendship will pull you through. Autumn, 1944. Doodlebugs are the latest threat to war-battered southern England. At Priddy's Hard munitions factory though, Em Earle is about to suffer a threat to her livelihood from much nearer home. Local crook Samuel Golden is back and up to his old tricks, trying to find ways to exploit people's hardship for his own gain.As well as Samuel's unwanted attentions, Em has to deal with some huge revelations from within her own family. Her daughter Lizzie is pregnant, and a strange woman has turned up on Em's doorstep claiming to be her sister. Em is excited, but wary - could this woman be too good to be true? Once again it will be up to the girls from the bomb factory to rally round and support one of their own.Trade ReviewA nostalgic story packed with drama, tension, passion and the grim realities of life in wartime England * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Not the Booker Prize 2019Longlisted for The Desmond Elliott Prize 2019Observer: Fiction to look out for in 2019The i Paper’s 30 of the best new debut novels to read in 2019Scottish Review of Books: 2019 in ProspectAs featured on BBC Woman’s Hour, Sky Sunrise and London Live‘Filled with cerebral intensity and scintillating dialogue’ —The Desmond Elliott PrizeExploring themes of ownership and abandonment, Eleanor Anstruther’s bestselling debut is a fictionalised account of the true story of Enid Campbell (1892–1964), granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Argyll. Interweaving one significant day in 1964 with a decade during the interwar period, A Perfect Explanation gets to the heart of what it is to be bound by gender, heritage and tradition, to fight, to lose, to fight again. In a world of privilege, truth remains the same; there are no heroes and villains, only people misunderstood. Here, in the pages of this extraordinary book where the unspoken is conveyed with vivid simplicity, lies a story that will leave you reeling.Trade ReviewEleanor Anstruther’s superb debut, A Perfect Explanation (Salt, March), the fictionalised story of the granddaughter of the eighth Duke of Argyll, who sold her son to her sister for £500. -- Alex Preston * The Observer *I have read many stories of minor historical figures and the troubles they encounter despite their privileged existences. This tale offers much more depth and nuance than is typical. The writing pulls the reader under the skin of each character from where they may view the pain of selfish frustrations. There are truly shocking moments yet they are never sensationalised. Rather there is a balance in the telling that allows the reader to form their own opinions. The complexities of family relationships and the pressures these create offer much to consider. A riveting tale of grown children damaged by the relentless actions of their entitled parents. Well paced and skilfully written, this is a haunting, recommended read. -- Jackie Law * neverimitate *A Perfect Explanation is an extremely engaging story of the bizarre culture of the aristocracy, where love is secondary to money, and the cycle of maternal deprivation across generations is difficult to escape. * Annecdotal *The book is both a revelation but also deeply poignant as mental illness estranges Enid and her options narrow … Using letters and archival evidence, and acknowledging her debt to her father 'for giving me this story in the first place', Eleanor Anstruther has explored her subject with objectivity laced with compassion. It's hard not to feel desperate sorrow for Enid, and for a family floundering in the face of something they couldn't bring themselves to accept nor understand. -- Lynne Hatwell * dovegreyreader *Eleanor has cherished her role as the family’s retrospective therapist. In her head she listened to the voices of all her relatives; she tried to understand the culture that surrounded them, and she feels she’s finally put their pain and agonies to rest. -- Joanna Moorhead * You Magazine *Gripping, insightful and written with a breathtaking elegance and eloquence that makes this first novel doubly impressive, Anstruther’s beautifully crafted story sets out to examine and understand how the intolerable weight of expectation and responsibility can damage and destroy lives. -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire post *Based on the true story of Enid Campbell, a duke’s granddaughter whose battles with mental illness cost her custody of her children, Anstruther’s debut novel follows a desperate Enid as she offers to give her son to her sister for £500. With a narrative that moves fluidly between time periods, this is a historical read that really resonates. * Woman Magazine *Eleanor Anstruther has written an astounding debut novel that bravely and completely brings to life a difficult family history. It also deftly holds up a mirror to our own world and asks us who are we to judge, when behind closed doors our family may not be as perfect as we like to show to the outside world either. I loved it. * Years of Reading Selfishly *You can’t fail but be touched by A Perfect Explanation and the tragedy of a family torn apart by abandonment, lack of communication and understanding, anger and jealousy. There are no winners in this story, which is the saddest part of it. * Over 40 and a Mum to One *This is just superb. Elegant, intense, completely bewitching. -- Xan BrooksI was gripped by A Perfect Explanation, and found it to be a compelling and fascinating debut which explores the extraordinary story behind Enid Campbell, and how a woman coming from a seemingly privileged world is impacted so heavily by the pressures and traditions that surround her. * The Owl on the Bookshelf *This is a story of family ties and allegiances, deeply buried secrets, status and wealth. It also looks unflinchingly at the struggles of motherhood and mental health. If you’re a fan of family drama’s spanning over a number of years then I would recommend this book, the fact that it’s based on real life events gives it that extra fascinating gravitas. * Bookish Chat *This is an outstanding family history put together in a way that tells of paths that were demanded to be followed through tradition, heart breaking that children could be used as a means to an end or sadly hidden away. In the epilogue the author describes how the writing of this book came about, Finetta the only one, besides her father that she ever knew. The feelings have been put together as how she believes they would have occurred and this worked perfectly for me. This has to be one of my favourite reads of this year. Just outstanding! -- Susan Hampson * Books from Dusk Till Dawn *This is as much a story of emotional deprivation as of entitlement or riches, and one which underlines that no group has a monopoly on humanity, fragility or fallibility – these are universal and so is this devastating and exquisitely written novel; we are all just people, in the end. -- Isabel Costello * The Literary Sofa *Throughout the book Anstruther perfectly combines human drama and emotion with evocative settings and haunting description. Each individual comes alike thanks to the writer’s skilful descriptions and human-focused narrative, which hones in on each member of the family and brings them to vivid life. * Dorset Book Detective *This is a fascinating and heartbreaking read. I often find that the books I enjoy the most, are ones with flawed characters who frustrate the life out of me. A Perfect Explanation did that – I really wanted to reach into the story and bang some heads together; and when I didn’t feel like doing that, I wanted to mother the children who were denied the love and care they needed … It’s a fabulous book which deserves a very wide audience. * Emma’s Book Blog *Writing this, I find myself less concerned with the story – although it’s undeniably riveting – & more enamoured of the storytelling. With the way the author lays her words on the page. This book unfolds in layers of exquisitely fierce prose. The dialogue scalds – characters show scant compassion for Enid & her situation. They are often horribly, crushingly cruel. She was clearly a deeply flawed woman but obviously ill & a victim of the mores of the time. -- Carol Lovekin★★★★★ It’s a quirk of fiction that the most extraordinary stories are those that have their origins in real human affairs and this is a prefect example of truth proving stranger than fiction. In lesser hands this story could come across as a curio or an idiosyncratic tale but Anstruther has taken something that might appear marginal and imbued it with psychological depth and great emotional understanding. A Perfect Explanation will brings it home to everyone just how connected we all are, how common our unhappinesses and joys can be. -- Paul Burke * NB Magazine *★★★★★ A moving exploration of a life plagued by mental illness, A Perfect Explanation is a tale of historical fiction told through modern eyes – sympathetic, studied, and beautifully written. -- Luke Marlowe * The Bookbag *A Perfect Explanation, is a fictionalised account of how her father, Ian, came to be sold to her great aunt Joan for £500. It’s a sombre, anguished tale of tradition, motherhood and inheritance within an appallingly dysfunctional clan where “heritage dictates and heritage always wins”. -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Observer *Eleanor Anstruther never met this troubled woman, but she recreates her with empathy and compassion in this novel, which has been longlisted for the Desmond Elliott prize for debut fiction. Anstruther’s writing is elegant and intelligent, and the closest possible thing to a perfect explanation. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *Almost all the protagonists were dead by the time Miss Anstruther was born, but, armed with the facts revealed to her by her father before he died, as well as family archives, she has used her imagination to bring her family vividly back to life through a novel that is both beautifully written and transfixing. -- Richenda Miers * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisAfter many generations, it is now Harold who runs Ard Farm. Out on the fells, he feels his father’s presence, and there is hope that he, his grandmother and his Uncle Joe will be able to take the farm forward and prosper. But their way of life is under threat: farming is undergoing huge change and increasingly harmful intervention. Towards Mellbreak is a hymn both to the landscape of Cumbria and to a disappearing world. Poetic, beautiful and tragic, it exposes the struggle to preserve traditions and beliefs in the face of change, and an assertion of the power to be found in the rituals we pass down through our families.Trade ReviewA really extraordinary, beautiful meditation on place and time, tradition and identity... passionate, quiet, political * Rowan Williams *This novel is so subtly written, building up the stories of good people and their tough lives, that we feel and then understand the depth of their relationships to each other and this beautiful, hard land - and so the tragedy of what happens is all the more heartbreaking. -- Tim PearsHow refreshing to find a first novel that does not read like the stilted product of a creative writing course… Bragg… not only displays a remarkable gift of observation – of human beings, animals, landscapes – but has written an impassioned elegy for a way of life that has come into head-on collision with the modern world -- Max Davidson * Mail on Sunday *A literary force... In so richly depicting the hermetic bond between the Cumbrian landscape and the people who live there, she makes a subtle political point about the ease with which governments and big business disregard those whose lives are, for the most part, hidden from view -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *Toward Mellbreak tells the story of struggling Cumbrian fell farmers, with a blunt lyrical richness that is resonant of Ted Hughes * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisREAD THE TENSE TWIST-FILLED RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE OUTCAST.Family secrets can be deadly...Newly-weds Dan and Bea decide to escape London. Driving through France in their beaten-up car they anticipate a long lazy summer, worlds away from their ordinary lives.But their idyll cannot last. Stopping off to see Bea's brother at his crumbling hotel, the trio are joined unexpectedly by Bea's ultra-wealthy parents. Dan has never understood Bea's deep discomfort around them but living together in such close proximity he begins to sense something is very wrong.Just as tensions reach breaking point, brutal tragedy strikes, exposing decades of secrets and silence that threaten to destroy them all.'A suspenseful, beautifully written thriller about the corruption of money and abuse within a dysfunctional family' GuardianTrade ReviewSadie Jones is such an enjoyable novelist to spend time with. Her books are so easy to read, while each sentence is rich in meaty observation… Elegantly atmospheric… The Snakes left me breathless -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *The Snakes is superbly written, each sentence punctuated by a drumbeat of menace, each word placed with a master's touch. I keep thinking about the questions it poses: about what it is to be good in these imperfect times; about how we can protect our humanity in the face of narcissism and greed. Yet for all its depth and mystery, The Snakes is also just a thrillingly good read -- Elizabeth DayThe Snakes asks serious questions about human nature, avarice and justice, wrapped in the fast-paced rhythms of a thriller. It is written with Jones’s trademark economy and a fierce attention to the nuances of familial cruelty… I finished The Snakes with a juddering heart, strangely close to tears -- Elizabeth Lowry * Guardian *The Snakes is gripping from the outset, then finally unputdownable. The writing is magnificent. One of the most powerful and uncompromising novels I've read in years. -- Jonathan CoeEver since her debut, The Outcast, Jones has peopled her propulsive plots with nuanced, dimensional creations imbued with human failings and graces. The Snakes is no exception… Jones crafts a pitiless shock ending; a denouement that refuses closure and resonates long after the book is set aside… [the ending is] bound to become a talking point -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *I am blowing the trumpet for The Snakes to anyone who'll listen. I devoured the book, awed by its beauty and brilliance. We'll be lucky if 2019 brings us much else of this rank. This is wickedly good writing and something really special. Sadie Jones has talent to burn. -- Billy O'CallaghanA suspenseful, beautifully written thriller about the corruption of money and abuse within a dysfunctional family * Guardian *Masterful, terrifying, dangerous, with an ending that is as uncompromising as the build-up is truthful. The Snakes is as beautifully written as it is dark and honest. -- Rachel JoyceA menacing, beautifully written novel * Guardian, *Summer Reads of 2019* *I was absolutely gripped by this original and beautifully-told story of a couple enmeshed in a nest of vipers -- a rich family of criminals. Its evocation of a sinister French house, the corruption of love and the powerlessness of good is both haunting and chilling. Nobody contemporary writes about unhappy families as well as Sadie Jones. -- Amanda CraigThis gripping read drips with a menace that builds of the shocking final pages -- Joanne Finney * Good Housekeeping, *Book of the Month* *[A] menacing new contemporary thriller… a tantalising set-up, after which the plot zigzags unpredictably to a brutally stark finale that steals the breath -- Anthony Cummins * Metro *The Snakes has all of Jones’s trademark depth and layered storytelling -- Sarra Manning * Red *Sadie Jones… knows how to construct a narrative of great emotional power. Her prose is crisp and precise, studded with spiky observations -- Andrew Taylor * Spectator *An all-encompassing read from the first page to the devastating final paragraph -- Alice O’Keeffe * The Bookseller *The ending is devastating -- Jeffrey Burke * Mail on Sunday *Unsettling, thought-provoking and beautifully written, you won’t be able to get this out of your head -- Caroline Robb * Heat *Jones’s style is immediate and lively and she is particularly good at dialogue, which she uses a great deal, often to advance the fast-paced plot -- Elisa Seagrave * Literary Review *The Snakes unfolds in clean, functional prose and Jones has a lot to say about the way we live now -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Evening Standard *Determined to escape the nine-to-five monotony, Bea and Dan head to France to visit Bea’s wayward brother Alex, who runs a hotel where the only guests are snakes in the attic. The peace is shattered when Bea’s parents arrive, bringingconflict and misery. From a sedate start, Jones deftly builds the tension to a horrific and powerful conclusion. * The Telegraph *Jones’s fifth novel is a fantastic read as a thriller, but where Jones excels, is in her microscopic yet compassionate scrutiny of relationships: the unconditional doting of a flawed sibling; the sickening toxicity of a vicious but powerful parent; the watchful care and explosions of irritation between spouses -- Maria Crawford * Financial Times, *Summer Reads of 2019* *Deliciously wicked... the perfect antidote to a relaxing summer's day... hypnotic -- like staring into the serpent's eyes just before it strikes -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *Both a cautionary tale and a pitch-black race-to-the-end thriller -- Justine Jordon * Guardian, *Books of the Year* *Sadie Jones is a talented writer. She is able to burrow down into the heart of feelings and yet does so in a matter of fact way. The ending shocked me… [The Snakes is] the sort of read I could spend ages thinking about what lies beneath the story of greed, wealth, jealousy and flawed family relationships -- Nicola Smith * NB *

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Book Synopsis'A masterpiece of hurt' New York TimesWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY MONIQUE ROFFEYIn the Caribbean, at the beginning of the last century, a poor rice-growing family struggle to exist. Four siblings pass their days in the ricefield, as does Ma. But Pa is an angry man ready to vent. It is the August rainy season and above their heads the black sky crackles with lightning.On the day that Pa nearly drowns Ma in a tub of washing water, the children and their mother escape into the cane fields to wait out Pa's rage. But eight-year-old Rama, catches a chill in the rain and falls ill. What follows is a tale of the inheritance of loss. It contains a heart-stopping intensity that places it as one of the greatest Caribbean novels ever written.'It is a novel unconcerned with anything but truth-telling' Dionne Brand'To anyone who knows Caribbean literature his novel is infamous, and Ladoo is seen as one of the region's great literary stars' Independent'Ladoo drags you through this terrific hurricane, and you can never forget it' Amanda Smyth, author of FortuneTrade ReviewI have read the book several times and it is my favourite novel written by a Trinidadian novelist hands down. It deserves to be known -- Monique Roffey * Independent *It is a book whose enduring gift is that someone had the courage to write it, without illusions, beneath a black sky -- David ChariandryRereading this book has given me the gift of seeing it not only as an ode to violence, as it has come to be characterized, but also as a compassionate work by its end. I am indeed in love with this book. -- Shani MootooLuminous and harrowing * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisTHE RUNAWAY FAMILY was previously published as EVIL ON THE WIND. From bestselling author Diney Costeloe, a gritty drama about a mother's struggle to protect her family and escape Nazi persecution in World War Two Germany. Germany 1937: Fear and betrayal stalk the streets. People disappear. Persecution of the Jews has become a national pastime. When Ruth Friedman's husband is arrested by the SS, she is left to fend for herself and her four children. She alone stands as their shield against the Nazis. But where can she go? Where will her family be safe? Ruth must overcome the indifference, hatred and cruelty that surrounds her as she and her family race to escape the advancing Nazi army's final solution. What readers are saying about THE RUNAWAY FAMILY: 'A powerful and moving account of the dark era of Germany's history... A story which needed to be told and should be read by people of all ages' 'I personally loved this book... A harrowing insight into the lives of a young Jewish family at the beginning of Hitler's reign of terror... A sound reminder of man's inhumanity to man!' 'My university studies had to go on hold for a while because I couldn't put it down!' 'Another great story by Diney Costeloe'

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Book SynopsisThe perfect read for Christmas, from bestselling author Nadine Dorries. 1950s Liverpool. Christmas is the most harrowing time of year for the nurses of St Angelus Hospital. A brilliant nurse secretly battling a fatal illness over Christmas... A starving baby boy abandoned in the freezing cold... A cruel, controlling mother, determined to block her daughter's nursing career at all costs... In the run up to Christmas, nurses Pammy and Beth are aiming to win the coveted national decorating competition for the St Angelus children's ward, but drama after drama threatens to upset their plans. Amid the hardship and poverty of 1950s Liverpool, only the humour and community spirit of nurses and patients will get the Angels through their toughest Christmas yet. What people are saying about CHRISTMAS ANGELS: 'It had everything from laughing out moments, to those times where tears were not far away' 'Nadine Dorries is an excellent story teller and her characters are so well written... Not many authors have that effect on me' 'I have enjoyed all The Lovely Lane series so far but for me this is the best one yet' 'In my opinion she can do no wrong and this latest book is just wonderful, such a heart warming story!'Trade ReviewIf you enjoy historical fiction full of heartwarming moments that keeps you glued to the pages look no further than this... Five sparkly festive stars from me: Christmas Angels is perfect reading material for this time of year' -- Ali the DragonslayerDorries writes about life and death in a beautiful honest way... The Lovely Lane books are true gems and Christmas Angels is another gorgeous story with an ending that moved me to tears... I highly recommend this series' * With Love for Books *I adore the Lovely Lane series and Christmas Angels may be the best yet... It's a great read for this festive time of year. Some parts will bring a tear to the eye. Others will have you laughing' -- Rachel BustinA heartwarming, heart-wrenching and captivating new novel... Christmas Angels is a wonderful story that touches the heart and tickles the funny bone' * Bookish Jottings *Touching, moving and heartbreakingly beautiful, Nadine Dorries puts the spotlight on community spirit at Christmas time in the most humble and poignant manner * The Writing Garnet *A beautifully written novel which had me totally absorbed from the start... I'm hoping there is another novel featuring the characters of Lovely Lane as I don't think I could tire of reading about them ever' * That Thing She Reads *Dorries will make you feel all of the emotions while underpinning it all with strong, intelligent characters that convey hope throughout * Books of All Kinds *A truly beautiful read which authentically demonstrates how high a hospital is held in esteem by the staff, patients and local residents * Reviewer Lady *The hospital, children, Christmas, and a close-living community provide a highly emotional backdrop to crises: medical, social and romantic. Readers engaging with this story will find some strands intriguingly left unresolved * Historical Novel Society. *

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Book SynopsisCan this orphan ever fulfil her nursing dreams...?After her mother's death, Dora is sent to live with her father and his other family. But the fact that Dora is mixed race and illegitimate see her treated as little more than a servant by her step-mother and half siblings. This doesn't stop the son of the house abusing his position and Dora finds herself on the streets and pregnant...Sent to the local workhouse, Dora's future looks bleak but she still dreams of a better life where she can help others as her late mother did with her herbal remedies. But can a girl from a workhouse ever achieve anything, let alone become one of Florence Nightingale's nurses?________________________________Make sure you've read all the books in the Workhouse series:1. Workhouse Orphans2. Workhouse Angel3. Workhouse Nightingale4. Workhouse GirlAnd don't miss Holly Green's new series about wartime nurses:1. Frontline Nurses2. Frontline Nurses On Duty3. Secrets of the Frontline Nurses

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Book SynopsisCan she find somewhere to call home?Victoria Wild is only four years old but already knows about heartbreak, having been abandoned by her unwed mother when she was only a baby. Luckily her Aunt Eliza was there to take her in but times are still hard on Pit Lane and while Eliza does her best to make sure there is always food on the table, Victoria bears the stigma of her illegitimacy. Her aunt also fears the day when Victoria will start to ask about her father…But even when Eliza is offered a chance to make a better life for herself and her niece, there are sacrifices to be made. And more trouble is around the corner – in the form of Victoria’s mother, Mary-Anne Wild, who is finally coming home not to be a proper mother to her daughter but to exact her revenge on the man who ruined her life…A gritty, heart-warming saga perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Maggie Hope

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Book SynopsisFrom rags to riches?Eliza Wild has come a long way from her hungry childhood days in a rented miner's cottage on Pit Lane on the outskirts of Leeds. Her sewing skills have enabled her to go into business with a wealthy patron and to give her young niece, Victoria, a better life than she and her sister, Mary-Anne, ever dreamed of.There's also Eliza's sweetheart, Tom, who is determined to marry her but having worked so hard to get to where she is, will Eliza take a chance on love when it means she might lose everything she has ever worked for?

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Book SynopsisPreviously published as Tilly's Family and in ebook as A Home for Tilly.A warm-hearted and nostalgic family saga from the author of The Winter Baby and The Gingerbread Girl, for readers of Katie Flynn and Sheila Jeffries. Will she finally find a family to call her own?Tilly, a young maid, is sent away from her home in London to care for a sick child in an old cottage on the Isle of Sheppey, and she little imagines how her life will change . . .Having settled in with her new family, Tilly dares to believe that the happiness she's longed for could be hers at last, and that she might finally be free from the secrets of her past. But tragedy strikes, and Tilly is forced to return to London, leaving the cottage under the sea wall - and her new life - behind. As war approaches and new challenges arise, will Tilly be able to overcome her struggles and find her way home? 'Warm and cosy'DIANE ALLEN'Gloriously nostalgic'MAUREEN LEE

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Book SynopsisA warm-hearted and nostalgic family saga from the author of The Winter Baby and The Nursemaid's Secret, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn. When her family is torn apart, can she find her place in the world?Emma is growing up in the beautiful Norfolk countryside. Life seems idyllic, but little does she know things are about to change. Soon she finds her family split. Her younger siblings are destined for the workhouse, whilst Emma takes a job as a cook in a wealthy London household. Then she meets a dashing young fireman. As Emma marries and her own family grows, so does her happiness. Until tragedy strikes.Will Emma turn her life around once again? And can she finally find her happily ever after?Praise for Sheila Newberry 'The Forget-Me-Not Girl is a drama-packed and emotional saga full of nostalgia, warmth and charm' The Lancashire Post'So gloriously nostalgic . . . a perfect example of her talent.' Maureen Lee, bestselling author of The Seven Streets of Liverpool'Like having dinner with your mother in her warm and cosy kitchen.' Diane Allen, bestselling author of For the Sake of Her FamilyTrade ReviewThe Forget-Me-Not Girl is a drama-packed and emotional saga full of nostalgia, warmth and charm * Lancashire Post *

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Book Synopsis'THIS BOOK IS A DELIGHT. WARM, FUNNY AND FULL OF LOVE!' Katie Fforde, author of A Springtime Affair'LOVELY, SUNSHINEY . . . A TREAT' Carole Matthews, author of Sunny Days and Sea Breezes___________________________"...Before anyone or anything else could stop her, she pulled the flimsy airmail letter from her pocket and opened it. The writing was black, small, and cursive, and there was a lot of it . . ."THE SUNNIEST AND MOST UPLIFTING AUTHOR RETURNS!___________________________DISCOVER WHY READERS LOVE CHRISTINA JONES . . .***** "Left me with a massive smile on my face and great warmth in my heart" Netgalley reviewer***** "Lovely and sunny, with the right mix of drama and romance . . . The chip shop, the beach and the sunshine just add to the joy" Netgalley reviewer***** "I've been reading Christina's books for longer than I care to remember . . . I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone" Netgalley reviewer***** "A wonderful book of a family built up of friendships . . . Just loved it" Amazon reviewer***** "So great to see Christiana Jones back writing again . . . Left me with a massive smile on my face and great warmth in my heart" Amazon reviewer___________________________After trials, tears and a torturous break-up, Kitty Appleby has finally found where she's meant to be. Tumbledown Sandcastle Cottage, in the delightful seaside village of Firefly Common, is home, and Kitty's eccentric band of friends and neighbours are enjoying a glorious summer.There's just one tiny little problem. Sandcastle Cottage doesn't belong to them. And Mavis Mullholland, Kitty's landlord, is on her way home from her round-the-world cruise . . .Kitty can't bear to lose the community that's welcomed her in. But secretly, she can't bear to leave Sandcastle Cottage without finding out more about the mysterious and enigmatic Vinny . . . Why can't she stop thinking about him, when she's faced with losing everything?___________________________PRAISE FOR CHRISTINA JONES'MAGICAL' Heat'FABULOUS' The Times'A WONDERFUL WRITER' Jill Mansell, author of AND NOW YOU'RE BACKTrade ReviewLovely, sunshiney . . . A treat * Carole Matthews *'This book is a delight. Warm, funny and full of love!' * Katie Fforde *'If I could give this more than 5 stars I would . . . it goes all the way to 11! This is one of the loveliest books I have genuinely ever read. It just bathes you in sunshine' * Vicky, Bookseller & Librarian *

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Book SynopsisA dark and thrilling tale of Victorian addiction, vengeance and self-discovery, perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist and Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent.______________________Love. Desire. Vengeance. A deadly alchemy.Edinburgh, 1869: Newly married, Rebecca longs for the life of a well-heeled gentlewoman. Her husband Alexander, a respected pharmacist, is eager to join pioneering fellow inventors in the history books. But beneath his ordered exterior, Rebecca is horrified to find a world of dark secrets. As she struggles with his infidelity and strange sexual desires, Alexander tries to pacify her so-called hysteria with his magical new wonder-drug, heroin...As Rebecca's forced dependence takes her further from herself, Alexander's desire to profit from his creation leads him along a path that blurs science, passion and death. Soon, they both learn that addiction, obsession and vengeance make for a deadly alchemy...'With shades of Sarah Waters, independence and vengeance make for a winning tale.' StylistTrade ReviewWith shades of Sarah Waters, independence and vengeance make for a winning tale. * Stylist *This chilling atmospheric novel will appeal to fans of The Miniaturist and The Essex Serpent. * RED Online *A fascinating, darkly powerful novel with biting attitude... Raw, elemental and disturbing, The Pharmacist's Wife is an entirely captivating, enthralling read - highly recommended. * LoveReading *A truly addictive, deeply atmospheric, sensual yarn... similar to the works of Sarah Waters and Michel Faber, it makes for a compelling, irresistible, utterly delicious read. * Goodreads *A captivating book.... It is a story that is both whimsical and disturbing. * Lady on The Looking Glass House *Tait's engaging novel... is sensuous and lyrical * Sunday Telegraph on The Looking Glass House *Moving and original. * Kate Saunders, The Times, on The Looking Glass House *

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Book SynopsisThe hotly anticipated sequel to The Dark Lake, this is perfect for fans of The Dry, police procedurals, and classy, clever crime fiction._____________Highly recommended - LoveReading______________Senior Detective Gemma Woodstock is a small-town policewoman working on the biggest homicide cases in Melbourne. When an up-and-coming movie star is stabbed to death while the cameras are rolling on his new blockbuster, Gemma, eager to prove herself, is assigned to the case.With the whole thing caught from multiple angles, how hard can it be to catch the crazed culprit? And who would want to hurt Australia's adored boy-next-door? As Gemma uncovers the deadly underside of fame, her investigation turns into a dangerous game against those with money, power and everything to lose...Trade ReviewHooked me from page one! [A] stunning debut thriller... With clever twists and all-too-human characters, this book will keep you racing toward the end. * Lisa Gardner, author of the Detective D.D. Warren series, on The Dark Lake *A stunning debut that gripped me from page one and never eased up. Dark, dark, dark - but infused with insight, pathos, a great sense of place, and razor-sharp writing. It's going to be big and Sarah Bailey needs to clear a shelf for awards. * C.J. Box, author of the Joe Pickett series, on The Dark Lake *A crime thriller that seizes you from the first page and slowly draws you into a web of deception and long buried secrets. Beautifully written, compulsively readable, and highly recommended. * Douglas Preston, author of the Agent Perdergast series, on The Dark Lake *Highly recommended * LoveReading *

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Book SynopsisAs selected by Jodi Picoult for #TeamWorkTuesdays'A heart-pounding, can't-take-your-eyes-off-it debut' O, The Oprah Magazine'[A] sweeping and raw story of courage, resilience, and clear-eyed grace [that] will never leave me' Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling authorA dark, compelling story about one girl's fierce struggle to reclaim her life from her abusive father. Perfect for fans of My Dark Vanessa and Room.Fifteen-year-old equestrian prodigy Roan Montgomery has only ever known two worlds: inside the riding arena, and out.Both are ruled over by her father, who demands strict obedience in all aspects of her life. However, the warped power dynamic of coach and rider extends far beyond the stables, and Roan's relationship with her father has long been incestuous.A ruthless ambition for the Olympics allows her to compartmentalise this dark aspect of her life, until she meets Will Howard, a boy her age, who brings everything into focus.______'The novel takes every narrative hurdle as nimbly and astonishingly capably as Roan does the courses she rides. This is a powerhouse' Publishers Weekly (starred review)'Dark Horses is a pulse-pounding, unflinching tale of one teenaged girl's iron-willed determination to wrest control of her life from her abuser. Roan Mongtomery's sweeping and raw story of courage, resilience and clear-eyed grace will never leave me' Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants'Mihalic is an expert in creating narrative drive; the urge to keep reading is powerful ... A provoking and needed book' Booklist (starred review)'A searing examination of love and lust, power and control, as the narrator's rising sense of self yearns to take the reins' Kirkus (starred review)'Mihalic astutely builds her absorbing debut novel ... A narrative that reaches shattering heights. Deftly sketching the relationships here (including the relationship between horse and rider), Mihalic gives a powerful and insightful account of Roan's abuse and her path to freedom' Library Journal (starred review)'[A] heart-pounding, can't-take-your-eyes-off-it debut novel' OprahMag.com, Most Anticipated Books of 2021Trade Review'A pulse-pounding, unflinching tale of one teenaged girl's iron-willed determination to wrest control of her life from her abuser. Roan Montgomery's sweeping and raw story of courage, resilience and clear-eyed grace will never leave me' -- Sara Gruen, bestselling author of Water for Elephants.

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Book SynopsisAbandoned and alone, can she find new hope? Liverpool, 1848. Meg Shaw is the middle child of eight siblings, not quite old enough to bring in a wage to help her struggling family, but not young enough to be a babe to be cared for.When the family realise they can't feed all the children, Meg makes a choice. She volunteers to go to the workhouse for one season, and she'll take her little sister, Rosie, with her. As long as they are together, they can make it through.But the moment they enter the workhouse, Meg and Rosie are separated. Abandoned and alone, Meg is determined to make it through, and soon finds herself surrounded by a new family of vulnerable girls in need of protection and love.Meg does all she can for her new sisters, but when a season passes and no one comes for her or Rosie, can she find a way to keep them all safe? Trade Review'I thoroughly enjoyed this book... The characters are well drawn and believable' -- Lyn Andrews'Fascinating insights into Victorian Liverpool and a heart-warming story make for an inspiring read' -- Mollie Walton

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Book SynopsisA rich and complex story full of warmth, humour and unforgettable women. A deeply moving novel about family, memory, lies and secrets, perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Jenny Eclair. As a child, Maggie Faraday grew up in a lively, unconventional household in Tasmania, with her young mother, four very different aunts and eccentric grandfather. With her mother often away, all four aunts took turns looking after her – until, just weeks before Maggie's sixth birthday – a shocking event changed everything.Twenty years on, Maggie is living alone in New York City when a surprise visit from her grandfather brings a revelation and a proposition to reunite the family. As the Faradays gather in Ireland, Maggie begins to realise that the women she thought she knew so intimately all have something to hide...If you loved Those Faraday Girls, don't miss Monica McInerney's The Godmothers, out now. ___________Praise for Monica McInerney: 'Monica McInerney is at the very top of her game . . . If you've yet to read her books, treat yourselves IMMEDIATELY!' Patricia Scanlan, bestselling author of A Time For Friends'You'll be laughing out loud one minute and crying the next' Cosmopolitan'Heart-warming . . . A lovely read' Hello! Magazine'McInerney is a must-read author for women's fiction fans around the world' Huffington Post'The sort of feel-good read you long to get back to' Hilary Boyd, bestselling author of Thursdays In The Park'Exploring universal family issues of loss, rivalry, ageing and grief, this is a warm, witty and moving novel' Woman's Day'McInerney's bewitching multigenerational saga lavishly and lovingly explores the resiliency and fragility of family bonds' Booklist'A world of family, love, warmth and heartbreaking secrets that will sweep you up . . . Superb' Books of all Kinds'You'll be laughing in one breath, crying in the next . . . If you haven't discovered McInerney yet, now is the time to do so' Better Reading

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword from Martina Cole, the Queen of CrimeMost authors write what they know. Linda Calvey writes what she lived. They grew up with nothing. Just a regular family scraping by, living an honest life while crime ruled the East End. Until all that honesty and all that hard work left them with nothing.Poor, destitute and hungry, young Ruby decides to pull them from the ashes. It starts as one job, one step outside the law. Yet that one step sets her on a path – straight to the top.But in the East End you don't build an empire without making a few enemies . . . Welcome to the underbelly of London, where criminals run the streets and one woman will do anything to protect her family.The crime debut novel of the year, perfect for readers who loved No Mercy and Queenie.If you loved The Locksmith, don't miss the sequel, The Game, coming March 2022.

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Book SynopsisAuthor shortlisted for the Romantic Novelist Association's 'The Romantic Saga Award 2023' for A Mother's WarNorth Yorkshire, September 1940. It's a year since war was first announced and the dangers are becoming all too real for Rosina Calvert-Lazenby and her courageous daughters. When Raven Hall is requisitioned by the army, Rosina must do all she can to protect her family home from the rowdy troops. After Rosina's burgeoning relationship with young sergeant Harry is interrupted as he's posted abroad, the arrival of an older officer who takes a keen interest in her could also spell trouble...Meanwhile, Rosina's fearless second daughter, twenty-year-old Evelyn Calvert-Lazenby, decides to join the Auxiliary Fire Service. Determined to help with the Blitz effort in London, she faces extreme danger. Two kind professional firemen, the Bailey brothers, take her under their wing to help protect and guide her. But with the bombings getting worse, there can be no guarantees...Who will be safe? How can Rosina protect all those she loves? And is love still possible with such high stakes? Praise for Mollie Walton: 'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley'Great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson

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Book Synopsis*** Pre-order THREE PERFECT LIARS now, the gripping new novel from Heidi Perks *** ____________________________WILL YOU UNCOVER THE TRUTH?The breathtaking thriller from the author of the Richard and Judy bestseller NOW YOU SEE HERA DEADLY DISCOVERY.AN ISLAND WRAPPED IN SECRETS.A tiny community is stunned when long-buried body is found.For Stella Harvey the news is doubly shocking. The body has been uncovered in the garden of her childhood home - the home her family fled without explanation twenty-five years ago.Desperate to unearth the truth, Stella returns to the isolated island. But the community she left isn’t as welcoming as she remembers – and people will go to any length to protect their secrets.One thing rings true…You can’t bury the truth forever. ____________________________'A highly addictive and thrilling read.' HEAT'Subtly, elegantly told, and with enough twists to satisfy any detective fan, it is razor sharp and impossible to put down.' DAILY MAIL____________________________Fans love Heidi's latest five-star thriller:'This is a read not to be missed!!!''Family secrets, mystery and intrigue. This is the perfect book that won't disappoint''A surprising plot and lots of twists with interesting characters. I loved the writing style and the setting of the story''Come Back For Me is easily the best thriller I've read in a long time''Lots of twists and turns, guaranteed page-turner that keeps you guessing until the end''Come Back For Me was a really engaging and addictive read, about family secrets, a tight-knit community and family ties''Fascinating family drama with more than a hint of psychological thriller''A fantastic thriller that grabbed me from the start''Full of twists and turns, this book will have you riveted to every surprise event''I literally finished this book in a few hours - I couldn't tell myself to put it down.''Perks has a real knack for throwing red herrings at the readers - I had a long list of suspects and theories, but she still managed to pull it out of the bag and surprise me''If you're looking for a thriller with plenty of mystery and intrigue, you've got the perfect book here'‘The twists and turns held me rapt throughout, and when it was all revealed it left me a bit gobsmacked. And very shocked!’‘This book had me gripped from the start, will be looking at more from this author.’‘What really sets Heidi Perks’ stories apart is that the stories are thought provoking. The characters and situations will stay with you long after you have finished the last page.’‘The combination of a strong story, realistic characters and brilliant writing gives you one of the best books I've read in the last year’‘An absolute cracker of a read.’‘This is a must have for your holiday reading pile.’‘Another gem from Heidi Perks!’‘Keeps you reading late into the night!’Trade ReviewA highly addictive and thrilling read. * Heat *Subtly, elegantly told, and with enough twists to satisfy any detective fan, it is razor sharp and impossible to put down. * Daily Mail *

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Is a marriage worth saving – whatever the cost?Ruby didn’t plan to have an affair. She doesn’t love her husband, but wouldn’t set out to steal someone else’s. Yet when she met Harry they simply couldn’t keep apart. Now, she’s brave enough to leave her marital home and start again, and so is Harry. Or so she thinks. Waiting at a hotel for her lover to arrive, Ruby realises she has made a mistake. Harry won’t come. He will never leave his wife. What Ruby hasn’t worked out is that someone else knows all about the affair. They have been watching Ruby’s every move. They are determined to punish her. And they are even closer than she thinks… Don’t miss this taut and gripping novel packed with edge-of-your-seat tension and a tale of love that goes badly wrong, perfect for fans of Shalini Boland and Lisa Hall. Praise for The Closer You Get ‘A compulsive, addictive read with twists around every corner. I loved it and would highly recommend.’ Jenny Blackhurst, author of How I Lost You‘Heart-pounding and intense... with so much tension and suspicion that I was constantly holding my breath. Absolutely superb!’ Lauren North, author of The Perfect Betrayal'So tense and taut, The Closer You Get keeps you on edge right to the very last page. I devoured the book in one weekend as Mary’s tight plotting drew me into a web of suspense and paranoia, never quite sure, just like Ruby, who to trust. A compelling read that will have you hooked to the very end!' Amy McLellan author of Remember Me'Wow! Another thrilling, 5 star read from Mary Torjussen that kept me hooked from the very first page and guessing until the end. A must-read for psychological thriller fans.' Caz Finlay, author of The Boss'If you haven’t read Mary Torjussen, what are you waiting for? Her latest, The Closer You Get, is domestic noir at its very best.' Wendy Walker, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Night Before'A tightly woven tale of suspense that doesn’t let up until the very last page, a must-read for lovers of tense psychological thrillers.' Amanda Brooke, author of The Missing Husband'I read Mary's book in one sitting – it's amazing! Fast paced, sharp and intriguing ... so many twists I never quite knew what was going to come next.' Daisy Pearce, author of The Silence

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2022. A gorgeous love story that will restore your faith in humanity Lisa was a professional astronomer: a stargazer. And when she gazed at her husband Alex, she saw that behind his tough exterior was a man full of love. Alex, Lisa and their young son Connor made a happy little universe. But when Lisa dies suddenly, their universe is shattered. Then Alex meets four strangers. Two men and two women, who never met Lisa, but whose lives changed profoundly because of her. As Alex hears their stories, he begins to find his way back to love, and to hope. Perhaps, after all, the future is written in the stars... Praise for Dani Atkins: 'A captivating story that packs an emotional punch' Heidi Swain 'Beautifully written... A simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting tale of love, loss and sacrifice' Heat 'Atkins writes with immediacy and compassion' Mail on Sunday 'Powerful. Ruthlessly honest. Hauntingly moving... Intense and emotional, I loved every moment of it' Kate Furnivall 'A stunning, heartfelt story of fierce maternal love, sacrifice and second chances' Alice PetersonTrade ReviewA powerful story addressing issues of love and loss – and just a hint that perhaps fate has brought them all together for a reason * My Weekly *The queen of emotional love stories returns with another gorgeous read... Don't forget the tissues!' * Sun *The subject matter is sensitively handled though have tissues on standby * Belfast Telegraph *A beautiful story * Bella *Uplifting * Choice *An 'unputdownable' novel that kept me up half the night as I raced to the last page... Atkins is in a field of her own but comparable writers are Diane Chamberlain, Cecelia Ahern and Amanda Prowse. Have a box of tissues to hand' * Guernsey Press & Star *A complete, emotive tale, this was easy to compare to Nicky Pellegrino's Tiny Pieces Of Us. All the right ingredients for a satisfying read to snuggle with as these cooler nights close in * Paper Plus (NZ bookshop) *A passionate story of love, loss and healing * People's Friend *Dani Atkins' captivating story is a rollercoaster of a read, infused with heartbreaking tragedy and an uplifting sense of hope * Woman's Own *

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author Dani Atkins, a new collection of three irresistible love stories, all linked by one very special dress. Suzanne is engaged to be married to the man of her dreams – except the lead up to her wedding is beginning to feel more like a nightmare. Can Suzanne uncover the truth about her fiancé ahead of her big day? Bella's life was on track until the day of the hen party when everything changed. Now she must find the strength to rebuild her future – and decide who she wants to spend it with. Mandy's grandmother has fallen in love but her family don't approve. For her grandmother's dreams to come true, Mandy has a secret wedding to plan, and a very special dress to find. These are the three strangers whose stories are about to be woven together by one perfect wedding dress. Praise for Dani Atkins: 'Emotionally intelligent, absorbingly rich... Atkins is a brilliant writer who has created wonderful characters' Daily Mail 'Genuinely moving... Every character is immaculately thought out. Once you start reading it, you won't stop' Heat 'What a gorgeously emotional and heart-warming read this is' LoveReading 'A gorgeous story with a perfect ending' Faith Hogan 'A captivating story which packs an emotional punch' Heidi SwainTrade ReviewThis award-winning romance writer ticks all the boxes! * My Weekly *PRAISE FOR DANI ATKINS: 'Emotionally intelligent, absorbingly rich... Atkins is a brilliant writer who has created wonderful characters' Daily Mail. 'A true love story, written by a mother's heart' Milly Johnson. 'Beautifully written... A simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting tale of love, loss and sacrifice' Heat. 'A stunning, heartfelt story of fierce maternal love, sacrifice and second chances' Alice Peterson. 'A captivating story that packs an emotional punch' -- Heidi Swain

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Book SynopsisShe wants to learn everything – about you.Mel has practised law for twenty years. She is well-regarded by her peers. Her clients are happy. But behind the scenes her life is disordered. Her son grows increasingly distant from her. The married man she is sleeping with fails to give her what she needs.When a trainee lawyer is allocated to Mel it is poor timing. The last thing she wants is a pupil watching her every move. And Natasha does watch. She sees each detail – and every mistake. Mel cannot shake the feeling that Natasha isn’t just learning the job. She is learning Mel.Natasha is good at getting what she wants, and now Mel has the power to give her all she desires. But when Mel chooses not to, Natasha knows just what Mel’s vulnerabilities are – and how to turn them against her. Mel’s secrets could ruin her. But who will be believed?A twisted and gripping tale of desperation and revenge perfect for fans of Renée Knight, Sarah Vaughan and Michelle Frances.Praise for The Pupil ‘Tense, twisty, and a great read.’ Sharon Bolton, author of The Split‘I really enjoyed this book... For fans of Apple Tree Yard and Blood Orange’ Reader review‘An excellent novel... highly recommended’ Reader review‘A brilliant suspenseful novel’ Reader reviewTrade Review‘Tense, twisty, and a great read.’ Sharon Bolton, author of The Split

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Book SynopsisWhen tragedy strikes, she must find a new path…Lily Thorpe is spirited, ambitious and desperate to escape the poverty of her Lake District home, and marry her secret sweetheart Dick Rawlins. But tragedy strikes and Dick is killed in a boating accident caused by the wealthy and arrogant Clermont-Read family. Lily is forced to reassess her future, and she embarks on a quest for revenge and marries Bertie Clermont-Read. The young couple are rejected by his family and suffer the same poverty Lily had tried to escape. Lily starts a passionate affair with local steam boat captain Nathan Monroe and when she is threatened with vengeance she must decide who is more important – her husband or her lover.A page-turning saga of love and heartache, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Val Wood.

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Book Synopsis‘A treat of a book about love and friendship - sip a Prosecco and enjoy!’ Jacqueline Wilson, bestselling author of The Story of Tracy Beaker How do you move on after The One?April 16th is always one of Charley’s worst days of the year. It’s her husband’s birthday, a painful reminder of his death four years ago.So naturally, her car breaks down.She nearly gets run over trying to catch the bus.And then she’s made redundant.Her friends see the redundancy as a chance for her to start again and live the life she always wanted, but since being widowed Charley has clung to familiarity and avoided change like the plague. Then, out of the blue, her mother-in-law Pam pitches up in need of a place to stay after walking out on her 40-year marriage.Together, Charley and Pam find themselves at a crossroad. It’s not easy to move on after The One, but they can’t stand still forever. A gorgeously heartwarming and feel-good story for fans of Libby Page and Nicola Gill.Praise for After the One ‘I loved this sweetly engaging story of two women overcoming heartbreak at different stages of life – it envelopes the reader in a warm hug of friendship and hope.’ Sarah Steele, USA Today bestselling author of The Missing Pieces Of Nancy Moon‘This was such a sweet and cheering read. With the first fictional mother-in-law I’d actually be glad to have! Everyone needs a Pam.’ Joanna Nadin, author of The Queen of Bloody Everything'A feel-good story which will appeal to many ages and I look forward to recommending it to customers.' Coles Books, Bicester‘A beautifully written and heartwarming story about love, loss and finding the courage to start again ... so witty and yet packed full of emotion throughout. I totally loved every second of this story – it really is a must-read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review'I fell in love with the story from the start. The relationship between Pam and Charley is delightful’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This is my first Cass Lester book but I'm hoping it won't be my last! This book is full of emotion and truthfulness so you may need a few tissues to hand if you tend to get a bit blubbery but I just absolutely loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisHer new colleague is about to shake things up...When her love life crashed down around her, Edie found solace in work. But her job rapidly goes from uplifting to unbearable, with the departure of her work wife, Ruby, and the arrival in the office of new guy, Cameron - a chauvinist, a womaniser, and the very opposite of a team player. And just as things start to go downhill at work, Edie’s personal life takes a downturn too, when her ex, Jason, decides that right now would be the perfect moment to get back in touch and deliver some devastating news. Edie's increasingly miserable work life and her complicated personal life are suddenly on a collision course. The big question is, will she be able to salvage anything from the wreckage? A tender uplit novel of one woman’s accidental rediscovery of the perfect work-life balance. Ideal for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sophie Kinsella and Jenny Colgan.

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Book Synopsis‘I do’ is about to become a death sentence…When five friends arrive in Miami for a destination wedding, they appear excited for the forthcoming celebration as their friend, Fiona, is about to become a wife. No one would guess that each of them has a reason to want the groom dead.Trevor wooed his bride-to-be by bonding with her close-knit friends. But Trevor’s intentions weren’t honourable. He uncovered each of the group’s darkest secrets and used them as blackmail to get their help in persuading Fiona to say ‘yes’ to his proposal. Trevor has his own reasons for wanting to marry Fiona, and he’ll stop at nothing to make his plan a reality. But when he dies at the wedding, surrounded by enemies, the possibility of murder isn’t far behind. The pool of suspects is wide, but who was desperate enough to kill? A twisty domestic thriller that will appeal to readers of Lisa Jewell, Sue Watson and Tammy Cohen that will stay with you long after the last page.*Her Husband’s Murder is also published as It Could Be Anyone in the US and Canada.*Praise for Jaime Lynn Hendricks‘Full of head-spinning, mind-boggling, Gone Girl-sized twists.’ Michele Campbell‘I loved it! A thrilling read, a book you just can't put down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Absolutely superb! I was riveted all the way through and finished it in one day – fantastic!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow. Finished it in a single sitting. A captivating read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘It’s so gripping you won't want to put it down. Highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wooooww!! Sooooo amazing! Mind games, twists you never see coming… action-packed, whirlwind, shocking, jaw-dropping… The author is a trick master and she may blow your mind...’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Holy Smokes! Chills, Spills, and Thrills!… We truly need a ten-star rating for exceptional quality reads as this has it all!… Superbly written, perfectly crafted.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I loved this book so much. Truly. I'm sad it's over... Exceptional story. Captivating writing. 5 stars unquestionably.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'Kept me furiously turning the pages. What a ride!...A dark, devious and devastatingly twisted tale.' Alice Hunter, author of The Serial Killer's WifeHer missing daughter was just the start of the nightmareTwenty years ago, Christine Donovan took a call she should have ignored while shopping. In those few seconds while her back was turned, her toddler, Heidi, was kidnapped. She’s never been seen again.Despite having two other children with husband Greg, Christine remains guilt-stricken that her neglect caused her child to be stolen, while haunted by a secret that consumes her. Just as she takes measures to finally heal, a note is posted through her door, with the words she has always longed to hear: Heidi isn’t dead.Christine might finally get the answers she craves - but what she doesn’t know is that finding her daughter will uncover dark secrets close to home. In seeking the truth, Christine might destroy everything that she loves … so how far is she willing to go to find Heidi?With a truly jaw-dropping end twist, She’s Mine is a dark, scandalous, and gripping read from a major new talent in psychological thriller writing. For fans of Harriet Tyce, C.L. Taylor and Apple Tree Yard.Praise for She's Mine:'Beautifully written, immaculately plotted, very clever and deliciously dark. Loved it.' Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet and The Chateau‘Ten stars for this read!...The plot, writing, and characters all together make for a mind-blowing experience.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'What an absolute cracker of a debut!...Totally deserves to be a bestseller!' Lisa Hall, author of The Perfect Couple‘The twists kept coming and even when I thought I figured it out, the last chapter blew my mind. Absolutely loved this one!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘May be the most disturbing and twisted book I've read this year… You won't want to put it down.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'A compelling debut from an exciting new voice in thriller writing. A. A. Chaudhuri is one to watch!' Samantha Lee Howe, author of The Stranger in Our Bed‘This book was wildly addictive. Super twisty and twisted. I never saw the ending coming.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Five stars is not enough for this truly jaw-dropping story…This needs to be your next read!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'The tangled web of secrets and lies kept me turning the page...the electrifying ending left me breathless!’ Jane Isaac, author of One Good Lie‘Achingly well-written and infused with devilish bite…Just excellent.’ Rob Parker, author of The Ben Bracken series and Blackstoke'Dark, chilling and emotionally absorbing. This is a thriller everyone will be talking about!' Awais Khan, author of No Honour'This book blew my mind! One of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a very long time’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'One hell of a dark and twisted thriller!...kept me guessing until the last page.’ Ruby Speechley, author of The Face At The Window'Will keep the reader turning those pages, desperate to know how it ends. I absolutely loved it.' E.C. Scullion, author of Intruders'Deeply emotive and exceptionally twisty, I defy you not to be gripped by this story.' Liz Mistry, author of Dark Memories'Anyone who likes their child abduction stories drenched in dark and twisted sexual revenge might like this torturously twisty tale.' Tina Baker, author of Call Me Mummy

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Book SynopsisEvery decision has a consequence…The break-up of Olivia’s marriage is hard on all involved, but especially her nine-year-old daughter, Ellie. They attempt to build a new life, and focus on the future. But Olivia is crushingly lonely, so when her new neighbour, Michael, extends the hand of friendship, it’s all she can do to stop herself clutching at it and never letting go.Olivia has no idea how the course of her life will be altered by that choice.Before long, Michael and Oliva are a couple. There are some difficulties making it work – after all, both parties have emotional baggage. Doesn’t everyone keep some secrets? If only Ellie could adjust, and Michael’s erratic sister, Chloe, didn’t keep bringing drama to their door.But Olivia doesn’t listen to the warning signs before it’s far, far too late. By the time she realises something is badly wrong with the man she’s involved with, she cannot escape. The only way out is for the truth to explode like a bomb, shattering their lives, and ensuring no one caught in the middle will ever be the same again…A compelling psychological thriller with an unforgettable ending from #1 bestseller Kathryn Croft. Perfect for readers who love Samantha Hayes, Alison James and S. E. Lynes. *** Previously published under the title Behind Closed Doors. ***Praise for The Neighbour Upstairs ‘Twisty, shocking and deliciously dark! The writing is superb, a real treat to read. Definitely one of the best books I have read this year.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An excellent psychological thriller. I loved the dark foreboding atmosphere and the ongoing mystery… It’s extremely suspenseful and full of drama with an explosive climax.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This book has all the excitement you could possibly want. Unputdownable!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Kathryn Croft is brilliant! I totally loved this dark edgy thriller. This one hooked me right away and just never let go. Highly recommend.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I’m hooked on Kathryn Croft. Once I start one of her books I can’t put it down. I was so shocked and speechless at that ending. I would definitely recommend it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This is a really good book… I really recommend it to anyone who loves solid mystery and thrillers!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'What a charming book. Charlie Lyndhurst observes society with a keen eye.' Sue Moorcroft, author of A Home in the SunEven wedding planners struggle to get it right…Jason is the best wedding planner around, known as the Fairy Godfather to the couples whose special days he plans. But coming up against workplace prejudice is taking a toll on his love for his job.His mother-in-law, Mel, has just discovered her husband has been cheating on her with a younger woman. Nearing fifty, jobless and struggling, she needs to work out who she is aside from a mum and a wife, and get her life back on track.Meanwhile, up-tight wedding planner Harriet is struggling to find her own true love – if such a thing exists. Between liars, married men, and disaster dates, she thinks she may never find the one. And her outdated attitude toward LGBT marriages make her even more bitter.When Jason starts Extra Weddings – helping people marry whoever they like, in whatever way they want – he, Mel and Harriet find themselves coming together to help couples make memories to last a lifetime. But can they bridge their gaps, and be a unit when others need them most?Fans of Casey McQuiston, Lindsey Kelk and Justin Myers are invited to the most heartwarming and extravagant wedding event of 2022.Readers are loving The Grooms Wore White:'A super cute read - you'll be laughing and crying.' Mandy Baggott, author of Staying Out for the Summer‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reader Review‘I adored every character… I truly loved it.’ Reader Review‘I loved jumping between these three stories. I really fell in love with all of these characters.’ Reader Review‘The story was fantastic. An almost Love, Actually kind of vibe.’ Reader Review‘Had me laughing out loud. The writing is good, the storyline is adorable and the characters are lovable.’ Reader Review‘Didn't let me go until I read the final page…I became fully invested in their lives.’ Reader Review‘A heartwarming story of staying true to yourself charming and heartfelt.’ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis‘I absolutely fell in love with Port Willow and its gorgeous residents...Simply wonderful.' ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader ReviewBeatrice found love at Port Willow – now she’s helping othersSince arriving in the Scottish Highlands village of Port Willow six months ago while nursing a broken heart, Beatrice Halliday has turned her life around.Now she’s running The Princess and the Pea Inn, madly in love with gorgeous boyfriend Atholl Fergusson, and welcoming visitors from around the globe. Life couldn’t be sweeter – until a surprise discovery threatens to turn her life upside down. Trying to distract herself, eternal romantic Beatrice sets her sights on rekindling the romance between an empty-nester couple holidaying at the Inn, while also trying to bring together city girl Nina, who’s hiding her pain behind a tough exterior, and Atholl’s handsome, easygoing cousin, Mutt.But as Beatrice is about to learn, sometimes the magic of Port Willow doesn’t work on everyone…A gorgeously uplifting read all about finding love and friendship, set in the beautiful Scottish countryside – fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley will love this heartwarming, totally romantic read.Readers are falling in love with Matchmaking at Port Willow:‘Stunningly warm and beautiful!...the literary equivalent of a hot cup of cocoa on a winter’s night.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'One of those books you don’t want to end...you will be transported to a little oasis of calm and romance.' ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Be prepared to be drawn into the magic of Port Willow…a heart-wrenching but delightful read!' ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'A heartfelt, easy read that makes you want to keep reading on...Highly recommend.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review'Fabulous...The story sure felt like a comforting hug.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisHold My Girl picked as 'The best Canadian fiction of 2023' by CBC Books'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain '[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023'This tense and emotional novel follows the fallout after two women's eggs are switched during IVF. ___________TWO WOMEN. ONE BABY. A FIGHT LIKE NO OTHER.Katherine has everything under control. After years of struggling to conceive with her partner, Patrick, she finally gives birth to Rose, her IVF miracle child. But she's afraid that Rose may not be her daughter, her pale skin not matching Katherine's own.Tess never got her happy ending. Just like Katherine, she was also a hopeful IVF mother, but her daughter, Hanna, was stillborn. Now divorced, broke and stuck in a dead-end job, she's beginning to lose all hope.But when Rose is ten months old, both women get a call from the fertility clinic. There was a mistake: their eggs were switched.It will take a custody battle like no other to decide who will get to be Rose's mother - a battle that will push them both to the brink...This is a story about what it means to be a mother, and the lengths we go to for the people we love. ___________'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023''Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page-turner' Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss, and motherhood' Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy.Trade Review'Raw and affecting ... This book really pulls at the heart-strings' * CultureFly *'Carr gracefully explores the moral dilemma and custody battle ... Fans of The Herd will love it!' * Grazia *'Complex, tender and compelling' * Platinum 'Book of the Month' 5 stars *'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' * Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023' *'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' -- Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' -- Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' -- Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page turner' -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss and motherhood' -- Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' -- Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' -- Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'Beautiful and unflinching' -- Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures'Intensely propulsive ... I was spellbound' -- Heather Marshall, #1 bestselling author of Looking For Jane'An absolute triumph' -- Julianne Maclean, USA Today bestselling author'Tense and captivating ... Will set your heart racing' -- Ronali Collings, author of Love and Other Dramas'A breathtaking, gut-wrencher' -- Kerry Lonsdale, Washington Post and Kindle bestselling author'Holds nothing back' -- Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye'So many twists and turns' -- Christy Ann Conlin, author of The Speed of Mercy'I couldn't have loved it more' -- Joanne Gallant, author of A Womb in the Shape of a Heart'Unforgettable ... A storyteller at the top of her game' -- Barbara Joseelsohn, bestselling author of The Lilac House and The Cranberry Inn'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' -- Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy

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Book Synopsis'Before We Grow Old had me from the first page, and crying buckets by the last!' Katy Regan When seven-year-old Fran first met Will they knew instantly that they were made for each other. For eleven years they were inseparable, but then, at the age of eighteen, Will just upped and disappeared.Twenty-five years later Will is back.Is fate trying to give them a second chance?Still nursing the heart break from all those years ago, Fran is reluctant to give Will the time of day. The price Will must pay is to tell the truth – the truth about why he left, the truth about why he’s back…And Fran has her own secrets to hide. The time has come to decide what Fran and Will really want from life – before it’s too late.Unashamedly romantic, Before We Grow Old is a book full of love, laughter and tears, and you’ll be rooting for Fran and Will from the moment you meet them. Let Clare Swatman whisk you away for the love story of the year. Perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Isabelle Broom.Praise for Clare Swatman:'Before We Grow Old is an unashamedly big, life-affirming, tear-jerking love story. Beautifully told, characters Fran and Will had me from the first page, and crying buckets by the last ! Just gorgeous.' Katy Regan'Heart-breaking and life-affirming in equal measures, Before We Grow Old is the tender story of a chance meeting between former childhood sweethearts Fran and Will, and is packed with secrets and revelations. Through her beautiful writing, Clare Swatman delivers a powerful lesson in learning to love with your whole heart and accepting the same, no matter what life throws at you.' Sarah Bennett'Before We Grow Old took me on an intense emotional journey, and I cried at the end (and I rarely cry when I'm reading!) The portrayal of the mother and son bond - with its peaks and troughs of intensity and frustration - felt incredibly real, and the dialogue in particular was brilliantly done.' Victoria Scott 'A beautifully written tale of enduring love' - Rowan Coleman 'Irresistible . . . A delightfully bittersweet story that will appeal to fans of One Day' - Sunday Mirror 'Wonderful' - Sun

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Book SynopsisIn 1965, nineteen-year-old Robin Farnham believes he ran over an old man but on stopping his car, finds no body, merely a gold bracelet of a snake biting its tail. In 1981, sixteen-year-old Jane Foster is sexually abused by her adoptive father and attacks him before fleeing to London where she consults Dr Peter Lakmaker, a psychiatrist. In 2021, now retired, Farnham is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and prescribed a drug on clinical trial. He attempts suicide but awakes in hospital to be told he is suspected of murder. Protected from the police by Dr Lakmaker, Robin is encouraged to write about his life to monitor the new drug’s effectiveness. Over a period of half a century, Robin and Jane’s lives are interrelated although it is not until the year 2000, they finally meet. Robin’s quest for the truth behind his involvement in not one, but three murders and Jane’s tormented search for her birth parents and the close family relationship denied her as a child are muddied by the strangely prophetic Oroborous bracelet Robin wears and the appearance of the vengeance seeking Krait. Separating fact from fiction has rarely presented more of a challenge, for the characters in the story or the reader.

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