Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisIn the aftermath of the First World War, the painter Walter Cox cherishes the place of his childhood to keep the pulse of his art alive. Haunted by his work, his young daughter Meredith has her own fight: to quell the power of her inner life.Deeply affecting, shot through with a shimmering apprehension of the natural world, EARTH AND HEAVEN is about life''s fragility, and the power of love and painting to disturb, renew and reveal us to ourselves.Trade Review'A nicely-turned, old-fashioned narrative. In an evocative period piece, the smell of Woodbines and turps curls up from the page' The IndependentBeautiful... Clever, compelling * The Times *A compassionate account of the life of an artist, particularly strong in its evocation of post-war London and the countryside of Kent * Woman and Home *'...a painterly sensibility...' TimesMemorable, poetic... Wonderfully evocative writing - you can almost smell the hop vines as you read * Ms London *'Gee's subtle and sensitive romance evokes the inter-war years, a period that already feels impossibly far away' The Mail on Sunday'So atmospherically written, you feel you're living through a Kentish summer' Northern EchoDescriptive brilliance... Its emotional tenor remains buoyant and unfaltering from the first page to the last * TLS *'A terrific writer' Adele Geras * Adele Geras *

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Book SynopsisHartlepool Hall has been in Ed''s family for generations - but is that about to change, and who is the mysterious Lady Alice?''A deliciously dark comedy about class, snobbery and a vanishing way of life'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING''Gloriously enjoyable'' DAILY MAIL''Excellent'' METROEd Hartlepool has been living in self-imposed exile for five years, but with a settlement regarding his inheritance looming, he must return to his ancestral seat, Hartlepool Hall. On his return, he discovers that his father has left him, along with the house, a seven million pound tax bill, two massive overdrafts, an 80-year-old butler, and a vast country estate that is creaking at the seams. Not only that, but there is a strange woman in residence - Lady Alice - who seems to have made herself very much at home. With the debts mounting, it seems that Ed''s only recourse is to turn to his friend Annabel''s new boyfriend, a property developer who Trade ReviewIt's a novel that should enhance his reputation for excellent, ingenious writing * METRO *More intriguing is the skein of darkness that, in common with much of Torday's fiction, runs discretely through the story - one sequence is sufficiently macabre as to recall the work of a young McEwan * LITERARY REVIEW *It grabs you right from page one and is another great read from the author of SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN * ESSENTIALS *A novel that's quirky, funny, moving and peopled with superbly drawn characters * CHOICE *A deliciously dark comedy about class, snobbery and a vanishing way of life * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *This is a novel about decay and destruction, but bracingly unsentimental and surprisingly moving * GUARDIAN *Gloriously enjoyable * DAILY MAIL *A black comedy of manners and a poignant social commentary. * THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisOpening at the Hay Festival, and ending with the prospect of a spring wedding, Sue Gee''s novel is a lively story of tangled relationships and the sustaining powers of good books, loyal friends and conversation. Friends since university, with busy working lives behind them, Dido and Georgia have long been looking forward to carefree days of books and conversation, when each finds herself caught up in unexpected domestic drama. Dido, for the first time, has cause to question her marriage; widowed Georgia feels certain her husband will return to her. Meanwhile, an eccentric country cousin goes wildly off the rails, children are unhappy in love, and perfect health is all at once in question.Trade Review'as seductively readable as its title suggests...draws the reader in with its skilful portrayal of real-life situations' * The Times *

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Book Synopsis'A wonderful contemporary novel... transforms the stuff of life into art' Philippa Gregory, The Sunday TimesTrade Review'A delightful and - in the best sense - serious novel' Penelope Fitzgerald 'A memorable achievement' Valerie Grove, Daily Express 'Gee writes with startling freshness' The Times 'A complex story, beautifully told' Mail on Sunday

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestselling Lyn Andrews writes touchingly and evocatively of the aftermath of war in BEYOND A MISTY SHORE, not to be missed by readers of Maureen Lee and Kitty NealeIt is 1945 and the war is finally over. But for sisters Sophie and Maria, who have no choice but to leave their beloved home on the Isle of Man, the upheaval is just beginning. Eighteen-year-old Maria is loath to leave the island as it''s there she met Hans Bonhoeffer, a young Austrian interned during the war. For widowed Sophie, however, Liverpool offers exciting opportunities. As Maria longs for a reunion with Hans, Sophie is drawn to Frank Ryan, a man who is not free to be with her. Will the sisters ever find happiness?.

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Book Synopsis''Grab a box of tissues because this beautiful story will make you cry'' Amazon reviewer, 5 starsWhen Rachel and Aidan fell in love, they thought it was forever.She was a brilliant, high-flying scientist. He was her loving and supportive husband.Now she''s gone, and Aidan must carry on and raise their daughter alone.But Rachel has left behind her life''s work, a gift of love to see them through the dark days after her death.A gift called iRachel.A surprising and emotional story starring an unforgettable heroine, for fans of Together, The Summer of Impossible Things and Little Fires Everywhere Your favourite authors can''t stop talking about THE AFTER WIFE:I found The After Wife thought-provoking, compelling and strangely real - I loved it. And it kept me reading into the early hours several nights in row! Isabel Ashdown The healing power of love transcends death - This was such a beTrade ReviewIt was original, beautiful, moving and insanely addictive - I wept and I laughed and I will be recommending it to everyone I know. * Katie Marsh, author of MY EVERYTHING *I found The After Wife thought-provoking, compelling and strangely real - I loved it. And it kept me reading into the early hours several nights in row! * Isabel Ashdown *The healing power of love transcends death - This was such a beautifully written, emotionally compelling book. I loved it. * Rachael Lucas *Absorbing, moving and insightful. A compelling vision of what we all stand to gain (and lose) from the rise of the robots. * Ann Morgan *A wonderful, moving novel about family, love, and loss - and how, we can often find in the past what we need in the present. I adored this book - it's fresh, beautiful, profound and at times funny, it made me cry, but also made me smile. * Sue Watson *An original moving story about what it means to be human... and what it means to truly love. All the feels! * Tracy Buchanan *A story of love, loss and the future; it'll bamboozle and confound you in the best of ways * EMERALD STREET *Whatever our future brings, The After Wife shows us that the human heart never needs an upgrade. * David M Barnett *I was emotionally wrung out by the end. * Caroline Hulse *Unique, poignant, clever. Such a great idea brought to life (or to humanoid) beautifully. * The Unmumsy Mum *The After Wife is a beautiful, engaging story that deals with grief, love, and what makes us human. I adored iRachel! A unique tale that stayed with me long after I finished reading. Fans of The Time Traveller's Wife will love this book. * Libby Carpenter *this is a genre-crossing novel about what it means to be human, with a skilful and genuinely touching character arc for its non-human protagonist. * Julie Cohen, author of TOGETHER *The After Wife is a wonderful, original, and moving story - don't miss it! * Victoria Walters *...one of 2018's most captivating reads * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book Synopsis''Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you'' Books With Wine and Chocolate''Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart'' Peterborough Telegraph ''Packed full of Jennie''s signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing'' MNR JournalIn the grand tradition of Josephine Cox, Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin, comes a powerfully heartrending new saga from Jennie Felton, ''one of the nation''s favourite saga writers'' (Lancashire Post). A Mother''s Sacrifice is a story of family secrets, romance, and triumph in adversity.................................................................................Will shTrade ReviewBelievable characters, a vivid sense of time and place, thoroughly enjoyable -- Rosie GoodwinOne of the nation's favourite saga writers * Lancashire Post *Fans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Believable characters, a vivid sense of time and place, thoroughly enjoyable -- Rosie GoodwinEnthralling . . . Jennie Felton . . . writes her stories straight from the heart . . . evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *Fans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Has everything a family saga should have - happiness, extreme sadness, love, death, births, etc. but above all it was a real page turner... Thank you, Jennie, for writing such a wonderful book * Boon’s Bookcase *Writes her stories straight from the heart...evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *If you like the style of Catherine Cookson, Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this * Books With Wine And Chocolate *Has everything a family saga should have - happiness, extreme sadness, love, death, births, etc. but above all it was a real page turner... Thank you, Jennie, for writing such a wonderful book * Boon’s Bookcase *A great read with a cast of believable characters * People’s Friend *If you like the style of Catherine Cookson, Josephine Cox or Katie Flynn then you'll enjoy this * Books With Wine And Chocolate *A great read with a cast of believable characters * People’s Friend *

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Book Synopsis''Real sagas with female characters right at the heart'' Woman''s HourIf you love Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin, you''ll LOVE Glenda Young''s ''amazing novels!'' (ITV''s This Morning presenter Sharon Marshall)''In the world of historical saga writers, there''s a brand new voice'' My WeeklyWhat readers are saying about Glenda''s dramatically powerful and romantic saga of tragedy and triumph:''Better than a Catherine Cookson'' 5* reader review''Wonderful read, full of rich characters, evocative description and a touch of romance'' 5* reader review''Just wanted it to go on forever and read more about the characters and their lives'' 5* reader review............................................''Any rag and bone!''Everyone recognises the cry of Meg Sutcliffe as she plies her trade along the back streets of Ryhope. She

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Book Synopsis''Entertaining, in the best sense of the word, and a true page-turner'' Ann Napolitano''I read it in a single gulp'' Karen Joy Fowler''A smart and lively novel'' Jess Walter_________________________________________________''How differently the Geller sisters'' lives would have turned out had C. J. Reynolds not been released from prison that February. . .''Marti Geller is going to die soon, and she''s hoping to take her secrets with her.To do this, Marti has stipulated in her will that the family''s summer home on Mount Desert Island, Maine, must be sold as soon as possible. This request comes as a shock to her three daughters, a trio of strong-minded women who are each hiding a secret of their own.For the eldest daughter, Beck, the Maine cottage is essential to her secret wish to write a novel, and selling is the last thing she waTrade ReviewIt All Comes Down to This answered a need I didn't even know I had-to read a big-hearted novel about middle-aged women reckoning with their own heavy secrets, and each other. This novel is entertaining, in the best sense of the word, and a true page-turner. * Ann Napolitano *A compulsively readable, thoroughly enjoyable tale of three sisters, their histories, their problems, and their unravelling secrets. Contemporary, but with a delightfully Austenish tone. I read it in a single gulp. * Karen Joy Fowler *A smart and lively novel, one that had me turning its faster and faster, wondering if this indelible family could really untangle the deep lies that reveal an even deeper truth * Jess Walter *Fowler writes like a contemporary Edith Wharton, peeling back layers of class and custom to reveal the mysteries of love, longing, and fate. A stunning tale * Wiley Cash *

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Book SynopsisNanny Wanted is a gripping thriller, as one woman faces ghosts from the past - and a deadly threat to her future. From the bestselling author of Out of Her Depth, Lizzy Barber.'Nanny Wanted is the perfect gothic suspense novel, with complex characters and a creeping sense of dread that will have you turning the pages long after you need to sleep.' - Clare Mackintosh, author of The Last PartyA remote Cornish mansion. The perfect couple. And the deadly secrets that bind them.When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’s lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies . . .'A masterful read-in-one-sitting thriller' - B P Walter, author of The Dinner Guest‘Creepily atmospheric’ - Crime Monthly‘A hair raising read’ - Woman’s Own'Reminiscent of a modern Daphne du Maurier novel . . . an unsettling and gripping read.' - The People's Friend Magazine'A tense, slow-burn du Maurier style domestic noir. Loved it.' - Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet and The Cruise'A gorgeous setting that hides a multitude of dark secrets, I devoured this book in less than twenty-four hours.' - Nikki Smith, author of Look What You Made Me DoTrade ReviewNanny Wanted is the perfect gothic suspense novel, with complex characters and a creeping sense of dread that will have you turning the pages long after you need to sleep. -- Clare Mackintosh, author of The Last PartyA masterful read-in-one-sitting thriller -- B P Walter bestselling author of The Dinner GuestA hair raising read * Woman’s Own *Creepily atmospheric * Crime Monthly *Reminiscent of a modern Daphne du Maurier novel, Lizzy Barber's Nanny Wanted is an unsettling and gripping read. * The People's Friend *A tense, slow-burn du Maurier style domestic noir. Loved it. -- Catherine Cooper, bestselling author of The Chalet and The CruiseWritten by and about an admirer of Daphne du Maurier’s novels, this mixture of Gothic romance and crime would make good holiday reading. * Literary Review *A gorgeous setting that hides a multitude of dark secrets, I devoured this book in less than twenty-four hours. Charles and Laurie are so deeply flawed, it was a case of not being able to tear myself away as I watched their family implode following Lily’s arrival. -- Nikki Smith, bestselling author of Look What You Made Me DoI absolutely raced through this. A tense, beautifully written and twisty read, full of atmosphere that had me second-guessing every character. I loved it and can't wait to read Lizzy's next book. -- Charlotte Duckworth, author of The Wrong MotherI read this entire book with my heart in my mouth. Nothing is what it seems in this tense and twisty thriller. Deliciously atmospheric and with a deeply satisfying ending, Nanny Wanted is a masterclass in the sinister slow burn. Lizzy Barber is one hell of a writer. -- Amanda Cassidy, author of Breaking and The ReturnedA dark Cornish gothic, with an unsettling feeling at its core that will keep you reading. Loved it.Laure Van Rensburg, author of Nobody But Us -- Laure Van Rensburg, author of Nobody But UsIn Nanny Wanted, Lizzy Barber has written an Intricately layered and beautifully deceptive novel which holds its readers perfectly on the edge of suspense - what can you trust when the stories don’t match up? -- L.V. Matthews, author of The TwinsA deliciously suspenseful and dark domestic noir that had me riveted from the first page -- Victoria Selman, Sunday Times Best Selling author of Truly, Darkly, DeeplyExploring grief and guilt, this thriller is an easy page turner. Heartfelt but with a dark streak. -- Emily Freud, author of What She Left BehindCancel your plans: once you start reading this book you won't be able to stop. Nanny Wanted perfectly blends Du Maurier-esque gothic suspense with dark, complex characters that you'll be thinking of long after reading. Not to be missed. -- Jack Jordan, author of Do No Harm

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Book SynopsisA "big-hearted, lively, and expansive portrait of a family" that follows a neurodivergent father, his nonbinary teenager, and the sudden, catastrophic reappearance of the woman who abandoned them (Claire Lombardo, New York Times bestselling author).Morgan Flowers just wants to hide. Raised by their neurodivergent father, Morgan has grown up haunted by the absence of their mysterious mother Zoe, especially now, as they navigate their gender identity and the turmoil of first love. Their father Julian has raised Morgan with care, but he can't quite fill the gap left by the dazzling and destructive Zoe, who fled to Europe on Morgan's first birthday. And when Zoe is dumped by her girlfriend Brigid, she suddenly comes crashing back into Morgan and Julian's lives, poised to disrupt the fragile peace they have so carefully cultivated.Through it all, Julian and Brigid have become unlikely pen-pals and friends, united by the knowledge of what it's like to love and lose Zoe; they both know that she hasn't changed. Despite the red flags, Morgan is swiftly drawn into Zoe's glittering orbit and into a series of harmful missteps, and Brigid may be the only link that can pull them back from the edge. A story of betrayal and trauma alongside queer love and resilience, ALL THE THINGS WE DON'T TALK ABOUT is a celebration of and a reckoning with the power and unintentional pain of a thoroughly modern family.

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Book SynopsisThe war is drawing to a close, but the munitions girls are still hard at work in the factory. Gladys, who's been promoted to overseer, has been feeling lonely lately. Her friend Em, and Em's daughter Lizzie, have moved away, and a lot of others have left Gosport too. Then an act of kindness towards Goldie, a homeless teenager, provides Gladys with a new friend and lodger.But Goldie has run away from her dangerous family - a group of local gangsters and black-market smugglers, including a particular thug, a pimp, who is determined to make the girl his ownCan Gladys keep both of them safe while dealing with her own unexpected pregnancy?Trade ReviewA gripping story packed with darkness and light, love and friendship, greed and betrayal - Lancashire Evening Post on The Canary Girls

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Book SynopsisSixteen-year-old Lizzy is trapped, caught between her passion for science and the teachings of her Seventh-day Adventist father and Mennonite mother. When her nurse father refuses to be vaccinated, he moves the family to a remote Adventist commune. Have the end times begun for the teenager, her drug addicted mother and her vulnerable younger brother?

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Book SynopsisSOMEONE ALWAYS TAKES THINGS TOO FAR . . . The gripping Sunday Times bestselling psychological thriller from the No. 1 bestselling author of My Lovely Wife ''So addictive it should come with a warning'' Alice Feeney ________ No-one knows you better than your family.They know the little things that make you smile.They know your darkest secrets.Sure, you haven''t always been best friends. But if it seemed as though someone was after you, that you might be in danger, then you''d be on each other''s side . . .Right?So gripping you won''t stop reading.So twisty that you won''t know who to trust.And so dark that you''ll realise something truly chilling:No-one is more dangerous than the ones who know you best.________''My Lovely Wife was one of my top books of 2019. He Started It is even better!''Trade ReviewMy Lovely Wife was one of my top books of 2019. He Started It is even better! Following a dysfunctional-to put it mildly-bunch of siblings on a bizarre and deadly road trip with their grandfather's ashes, He Started It is deliciously twisted, laced with Downing's trademark black humor and packed with one grisly twist after another. I loved it. All hail the new Queen of the psycho thriller!! * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Chalk Man *I absolutely loved it: whip-smart, lean, deliciously dark and addictive. One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time -- Ali Land * bestselling author of Good Me, Bad Me *Once you start reading He Started It you won't want to stop. Dark, twisted, original, and so addictive it should come with a warning -- Alice Feeney * bestselling author of Sometimes I Lie *A thrill ride through the darkest parts of the American landscape - funny, scary and twisted until the explosive final page -- Michele Campbell * bestselling author of It's Always The Husband *Samantha Downing shows how to pack a punch in her latest phenomenal thriller, He Started It. A twisty, sneaking tale of greed, lies and betrayal, with each character as conniving as the next and an ending that will make your heart stop. This one needs to be on the top of everyone's to-read list! -- Mary Kubica * New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl and The Other Mrs *Clever and very twisty: the razor sharp dialogue slices through to the dark heart of sibling rivalry. There are delicious echoes of Succession to savour -- Jane Shemilt * bestselling author of Daughter *Samantha Downing is an absolute genius at creating twisted characters you're desperate to follow. He Started It is superbly structured, deliciously dark, and kept me guessing, heart pounding, through every single razor-sharp sentence. A psychological thriller like none other, this addictive read is impossible to put down. * author of forthcoming Woman on the Edge *A wicked-fun read with razor-sharp wit and a killer twist, He Started It is compelling, captivating, and deliciously dark. Samantha Downing writes with a wry, sparse elegance that steadily entangles you until you're utterly addicted. * USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell *Downing ups her game in this deliciously twisted tale of family deception. He Started It has layers upon layers of clever, shocking twists that begin in the first chapter and never let up. Breathless pacing and terse, impeccable writing create a phenomenal reading experience. I am obsessed! * USA Today bestselling author of The Night Before *He Started It is a diabolical drive into a dysfunctional family's past. The story is chillingly twisted, perfectly paced. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. * USA Today bestselling author of Best Day Ever *Smart, twisty * Sun *Utterly compelling * Woman's Own Magazine *Sibling rivalry reaches new and downright despicable heights in He Started It, a novel where nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. Creepy, unnerving and deliciously evil, Samantha Downing is one of the boldest authors I know. A must read! * national bestselling author of Her Secret Son and The Neighbors *"Samantha Downing has done it again! With her second novel, He Started It, this master of sarcasm and suspense brings us a story that is impossible not to relate to. Initiated by a dead grandfather's will, we find ourselves trapped in a car journey with siblings that loathe each other's presence. As the miles pass, secrets and deceptionsabound, and we are kept guessing until the very last line. Downing's style remains in a league of its own, with to-the-point crisp language and snappy dialogue readers are taken on a gripping and edgy adventure." - * author of Little Lovely Things *You'll be gripped as siblings Beth, Portia and Eddie set off on a mission that will ensure them each a share of their inheritance but what does their dead grandfather really have in store for them? * Prima *If you like your thrillers dark, then join this road trip from hell. A toxic thrill ride into the ultimate family dysfunction * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisSheila O''Flangan''s wonderfully gripping, dramatic and touching novel YOURS, FAITHFULLY is essential reading for fans of Marian Keyes and Freya North.Iona Brannock has always been impatient. Not one to hang around, she married her gorgeous husband just months after meeting him and they have lived happily ever since. Now all she needs is a baby and her life will be perfect. Sally Harper has been blissfully married for almost twenty years. She has a beautiful daughter, a loving husband and a great job. Her life is complete. But a surprise pregnancy is about to change everything.Two women - strangers leading separate lives. But their two worlds are about to collide in the most shocking way...Trade Review'Bound to delight fans and guaranteed to put O'Flanagan on the bestsellers list - yet again' * Irish Independent Review *'An absorbing and upredictable drama' * Australian Women's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisRosie Goodwin brings back Catherine Cookson's classic family in this fantastic sequel to the Mallen trilogyTrade ReviewPraise for Rosie's first novel, THE BAD APPLE: 'Rosie Goodwin is a born storyteller - she'll make you cry, she'll make you laugh, but most of all you'll care for her characters and lose yourself in her story. An author destined for the top * Jeannie Johnson, author of THE REST OF OUR DAYS *Rosie deserves all her success. She is a talented storyteller and will go all the way to the top * Dee Williams *The tearjerker of the season...[a] heart-rending tale * Western Mail *A promising and well-drawn debut * Lancashire Evening Post *A good tearjerker...compelling * Reading Evening Post *A gifted writer... Not only is Goodwin's characterisation and dialogue compelling, but her descriptive writing is a joy * Nottingham Evening Post *A heart-throbber of a story from Goodwin that puts many other so-called emotional blockbusters in the shade * Northern Echo *Goodwin is a fabulous writer...she reels the reader in surprisingly quickly and her style involves lots of twists and turns that are in no way predictable * Worcester Evening News *A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisMy husband asked me to lie. Not a big lie. He probably didn't even consider it a lie, and neither did I, at first . . . A thrilling debut novel for fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng about how far we'll go to protect our families, and our deepest secretsWINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHORIn rural Virginia, Young and Pak Yoo run an experimental medical treatment device known as the Miracle Submarine: a pressurized oxygen chamber that patients enter for "dives", used as an alternative therapy for conditions including autism or infertility. But when the Miracle Submarine mysteriously explodes, killing two people, a dramatic murder trial upends the Yoos' small community.Who or what caused the explosion? Was it the mother of one of the patients, who claimed to be sick that day but was smoking down by the creek? Or was it Young and Pak themselves, hoping to cash in on a big insurance payment and send their daughter to college? The ensuing trial uncovers unimaginable secrets from that night - trysts in the woods, mysterious notes, child-abuse charges - as well as tense rivalries and alliances among a group of people driven to extraordinary degrees of desperation and sacrifice.'Engrossing . . . Miracle Creek turns a courtroom murder trial into a page-turning exploration of parenting, experimental therapies, and the emotional toil of immigration' Elle'A marvel, a taut courtroom thriller that ultimately tells the most human story imaginable, a story of good intentions and reckless passions. Compelling, generous, at once empathetic and unsparing . . . the perfect novel for these chaotic times in which we live' Laura Lippman'Kim has written a bold debut novel about science and immigration and the hopes and fears each engenders - unforgettable and true' Alexander Chee'Grabbed me hard right from the start. This is a terrific courtroom thriller, a sly whodunit that's beautifully written and also full of heart' Scott TurowTrade ReviewI picked up MIRACLE CREEK and literally couldn't put it down. It's that wonderful, brilliant sort of book you want to shove at other people as soon as you've finished so they can experience it for themselves. -- Erin MorgensternCombining the tense atmosphere of a courtroom drama with a moving study of the sacrifices that parents are prepared to make for their children, Angie Kim's debut is pacey and thought-provoking. * Sunday Express, S Magazine *Miracle Creek is a tense, addictive and brilliantly written story of small-town secrets * Stylist *With twists and turns at every chapter, this will leave you gripped - especially with its didn't-see-that-coming ending * Heat *Engrossing . . . Miracle Creek turns a courtroom murder trial into a page-turning exploration of parenting, experimental therapies, and the emotional toil of immigration * Elle *A powerful and intriguing courtroom drama, which will resonate with readers who enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere * Irish Times *With so many complications and loose ends, one of the miracles of the novel is that the author ties it all together and arrives at a deeply satisfying?though not easy or sentimental?ending. Intricate plotting and courtroom theatrics, combined with moving insight into parenting special needs children and the psychology of immigrants, make this book both a learning experience and a page-turner. Should be huge. * Kirkus *I know this story but have never seen it in a novel - the struggles of the Korean immigrant entrepreneur in America, with a technology that seems like magic, who can go from hero to villain in an instant, now at the center of what is possibly a murder - a bright seam of crisis, mystery, and love emerges in these pages. Kim has written a bold debut novel about science and immigration and the hopes and fears each engenders?unforgettable and true. -- Alexander CheeMiracle Creek is a marvel, a taut courtroom thriller that ultimately tells the most human story imaginable, a story of good intentions and reckless passions. Compelling, generous, at once empathetic and unsparing. I am wrecked, I am heartened and hopeful, which means, in short, that Miracle Creek is pretty much the perfect novel for these chaotic times in which we live. -- Laura LippmanMiracle Creek is an engrossing puzzle-box of a book: a twisty courtroom drama that also manages to be emotionally astute, culturally perceptive, and deeply empathetic. Angie Kim tackles hot-button subjects with a delicate touch, proving herself a master of both portraiture and storytelling. I loved this novel. -- Janelle BrownA stand-out, twisty debut...Kim, a former lawyer, clearly knows her stuff...a masterfully plotted novel about the joys and pains of motherhood, the trick mirror nature of truth, and the unforgiving nature of justice. * Publishers Weekly *Stunning . . . an utterly engrossing mail-biter of a courtroom drama * Nylon Magazine *Great for book club... In Miracle Creek, Angie Kim (a former trial lawyer) delivers a propulsive courtroom drama * Real Simple *Like a Law & Order episode tossed into an immigrant's bildungsroman, Miracle Creek has the heart of a Celeste Ng novel and the pacing of a thriller * Vulture *Stellar . . . Full of texture and humanity, with a gripping mystery at its centre, Miracle Creek is an excellent debut. Angie Kim is one to watch * CultureFly *Miracle Creek grabbed me hard right from the start. This is a terrific courtroom thriller, a sly whodunit that's beautifully written and also full of heart -- Scott TurowThe story of the disaster twists and turns from the beginning... The whole makes for gripping reading, with characters whose concerns are brought vividly to life * Crime Review *A story that's both murder mystery and reflection on otherness * TIME *

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Book SynopsisIf you love Dilly Court, you'll love Sunday Times Bestseller Rosie Goodwin.1884, Nuneaton.Fourteen-year-old Sunday Small has never lived outside the Nuneaton workhouse. The regime is cruel, and if it weren't for Miss Beau - who comes in every week to teach the children their letters - and her young friend Daisy, Sunday's life wouldn't be worth living. And now she's attracted the unwelcome attention of the workhouse master.With no choice but to leave behind everything she knows, Sunday strikes out on her own to make her fortune and to fulfil her promise to come back for Daisy. And, secretly she dreams of finding the long-lost mother who gave her away.But she's about to discover that, try as she might to escape, the brutal world of the workhouse will not let her go without a fight . . .Mothering Sunday is the first book in Rosie Goodwin's Days of the Week Collection. Why not try the rest, The Little Angel, A Mother's Grace, The Blessed Child, A Maiden's Voyage, A Precious Gift and Time to Say Goodbye?Trade Review10 books you need to read in March - Rosie Goodwin, who's been hailed as the new Catherine Cookson, is the author of over 20 bestselling novels. This March, she returns with a moving, heart-warming new saga set in 1884...Mothering Sunday is an incredibly consuming, uplifting read that will have you rooting for its kind-hearted, good-natured characters within the first couple of pages. Sunday's life-affirming energy and kindness breathe life and joy into the story, making her splendid company for when you're feeling down in the dumps. * Readers' Digest *

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Book SynopsisWith the grand sweep of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, this enduring tale transports us to a picturesque seaside town haunted by its colonial past. Considered one of Europe’s most influential contemporary writers, Portuguese novelist Lídia Jorge has captivated international audiences for decades. With the publication of The Wind Whistling in the Cranes, English-speaking readers can now experience the thrum of her signature poetic style and her delicately braided multi-character plotlines and witness the heroic journey of one of the most maddening, and endearing, characters in literary fiction. Exquisitely translated by Margaret Jull Costa and Annie McDermott, this breathtaking saga, set in the now-distant 1990s, tells the story of the landlords and tenants of a derelict canning factory in southern Portugal. The wealthy, always-scheming Leandros have owned the building since before the Carnation Revolution. It was Leandro matriarch, Dona Regina, who handed the keys to the Matas, the bustling family from Cape Verde who saw past the dusty machinery and converted the space into a warm—and welcoming—home. When Dona Regina is found dead outside the factory on a holiday weekend, her body covered in black ants, her granddaughter, Milene, investigates. Aware that her aunts and uncles, who are on holiday, will berate her inability to articulate what has just happened, she approaches the factory riddled with anxiety. Hours later, the Matas return home to find this strange girl hiding behind their clotheslines and with caution, they take her in. Days later, the Leandros realise that Milene has become hopelessly entangled with their tenants, and their fear of political and financial ruin sets off a series of events that threatens to uproot the lives of everyone involved. Narrated with passionate, incandescent prose, The Wind Whistling in the Cranes establishes Lídia Jorge as a novelist of extraordinary international resonance.Trade Review"[T]he book’s distinctive blend of social history and the most intimate of family sagas . . . Jorge’s book is very much its own thing, with a razor-sharp postcolonial subtext that asks deeper questions about who we consider the outsider, and why." -- Liam Hess - Vogue"A big, satisfying national saga...A long, immersive novel that parcels out information and plot turns at a methodical pace. This feels very natural: The novel is a flexible art form, of course, but among its signal virtues are patience and deliberation. Depicting the decline of an old order is something it is uniquely good at doing and there is great pleasure to be had in Ms. Jorge’s confident handling of the classic subject. As private desires clash with public appearance, a quiet moral accounting emerges in Milene’s consciousness. “What did goodness have to do with strength?” she wonders. “Were the two qualities mutually repellant?” The answer is as layered and ambiguous as the rest of this fine book." -- Sam Sacks - Wall Street Journal"The novel moves rhythmically, as if wavering under the blazing sun...This is a thrillingly immersive 'parable about life, about the struggle between rich and poor, between one race and another.' Even the trees and surrounding landscape — “mute figures who, of course, had knowledge and memory” — have their point of view." -- Anderson Tepper - The New York Times Book Review

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Book SynopsisSunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Cathy Glass returns with her first novel. The Girl in the Mirror is a moving and gripping story of a young woman who tries to piece together her past and uncovers a dreadful family secret that has been buried and forgotten.When Mandy learns her much-loved Grandpa is dying, she is devasted and returns to the house where she spent so many wonderful summers as a child. But the childhood visits ended abruptly and those happy days are now long gone. Having lost touch with the rest of her family, Mandy returns as a virtual stranger to her aunt''s house to nurse her grandfather.Mandy hardly recognises the house that she loved so much as a child and it is almost as though her mind has blanked it out. But as certain memories come back to her, Mandy begins to piece together the events that brought a sudden end to her visits that fateful summer. What she discovers is so painful and shocking that she understands why it was buried and never spoken

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Book Synopsis‘Seductive and unpredictable’ KARIN SLAUGHTER ‘Brilliantly propulsive’ JP DELANEY ‘An ending that left me thunderstruck’ SAMANTHA DOWNING __ SOON TO BE MADE INTO A NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM__ Every marriage has its secrets… Sadie has it all: a handsome husband, two beautiful children, a highly respected job. But when she finds out Will is having an affair, her perfect life falls apart at the seams. Camille is hot-headed, beautiful, fiery – everything that Sadie isn’t. And she’s obsessively in love with Will. When Sadie and Will’s neighbour is violently murdered, Camille is the only person to witness the crime. But who is really behind the woman’s death? And how is it linked to Camille’s plan to make Will hers… at any cost? Unsettling, darkly compelling and with a jaw-dropping twist, you won’t be able to put this novel down. Perfect for fans of Behind Closed Doors and Sometimes I Lie.___ Readers LOVE The Other Mrs: 'Woah, prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride of a book!' 'The twists in this book are insane. I thought I knew it was going, but then I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY!' 'I loved this story; I was unable to stop rapidly turning the pages. A 5-star read for me.' 'Buckle up , you are in for a heck of a ride with this book!' 'A tense and chilling read.' 'Intriguing and atmospheric.' 'Extremely gripping, dark, gritty and very twisty… it kept me on my toes!' **The brand new thriller from Mary Kubica, LOCAL WOMAN MISSING, is available to pre-order now*** Trade Review Praise for The Other Mrs: ‘Kubica ratchets up tension and intrigue in The Other Mrs. Her salacious, thoroughly mysterious characters bear the qualities we all crave in a thriller – seductive, seemingly unknowable, and altogether unpredictable’ Karin Slaughter ‘Brilliantly propulsive and engrossing, with twists you won’t see coming, The Other Mrs is that rare thing: a thriller with heart’ JP Delaney, author of The Girl Before ‘A labyrinth of deception and family secrets, each one more shocking than the last, with an ending that left me thunderstruck’ Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife ‘Mary Kubica's best book yet! I tore through the twisty, spine-tinglingly creepy pages’ Sarah Pekkanen, co-author of The Wife Between Us ‘An utterly absorbing tale of deception and subterfuge’ Liv Constantine, author of The Other Mrs Parrish ‘Holy moly, it took my breath away’ The Daily Record ‘Heartstopping’ Crime Monthly ‘An unsettling read’ Woman & Home Praise for Mary Kubica ‘Creepy and oh so clever, with a brilliant twist I did not see coming!’ Alice Feeney, bestselling author of Sometimes I Lie ‘Brilliant, intense, and utterly addictive. Be prepared to run a gauntlet of emotions!’ B A Paris, bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors ‘A captivating edge-of-your-seat read’ Megan Miranda ‘With Every Last Lie, Mary Kubica spins an utterly mesmerising tale of marriage and secrets. Haunting, psychologically deft and full of hairpin turns… it’ll have you rapt until its final pages’ Megan Abbott ‘Single White Female on steroids’ Lisa Scottoline ‘Grabs you from the moment it starts’ Daily Mail ‘Gets right under your skin and leaves its mark. A tremendous read’ The Sun

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Book Synopsis*Winner of the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013*Jenny's new novel is full of warmth, humour and fun - an homage to Star Bars and spangles and refreshers and licorice allsorts and gobstoppers and Hubba Bubba and friendship, and all the best childhood memories of buying sweets in paper bags with your pocket money.Trade ReviewThis delightful, nostalgia-inducing story is utterly charming - and left us craving a paper bag stuffed with treats! * Closer *A fabulously sweet concoction of warmth, wit and lip-smacking childhood treats. Willy Wonka would be proud * Candis *A cute and cosy read . . . indulge your sweet tooth with this touching tale * Heat *Sweeter than a bag of jelly beans . . . had us eating up every page * Cosmopolitan *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Aimie K. Runyan whips up a feast of a novel, full of the warmth and heart characters give each other during two despairing periods of French history. Recipes for boulangerie classics remind us of the power of simple ingredients, artfully assembled. Lisette and Micheline walk their own unique paths to happiness, fighting for their independence and finding loves that support their true selves. As delicious and satisfying as a perfect cup of chocolat chaud." — Kerri Maher, international bestselling author of THE PARIS BOOKSELLER "This captivating story is a tantalizing blend of history and culinary inspiration, weaving a poignant dual narrative that links two women to one Paris Bakery. From the pivotal moment of the Commune of Paris uprising to life in the aftermath of the world wars, Runyan provides a mouth-watering journey through French history with delicious baking recipes sprinkled throughout the narrative. This book is sure to satisfy your senses so don't miss out on this delicious read!" — Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author "Two remarkably strong women—one under siege during the War of 1870 and the other struggling in the aftermath of WWII—both find strength and hope within the walls of a tiny Parisian bakery. With meticulous attention to rich historical detail, heartfelt characters and a page-turn tale that's peppered with recipes, Aimie Runyan has the perfect ingredients for a most satisfying work of historical fiction. " — Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces "An often heart-wrenching and always heartfelt exploration of two difficult periods in French history and two courageous women who exemplify the lasting legacy of the human spirit. Baking is a science, literature is an art, and Aimie K. Runyan's A Bakery in Paris is an absolute treat for historical fiction fans!" — Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory “A Bakery in Paris is a delicious novel that will have you hungering not only for French confections but to turn the next page. Set in two tumultuous wartime periods in Paris, Aimie K. Runyan weaves a spellbinding story of family, friendship, love, self-discovery, and power of healing through cooking. Connected through time by family recipes, Runyan will delight the senses of every reader, as they follow along the emotionally charged journeys of each endearing character.” — Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of STARRING ADELE ASTAIRE “The School for German Brides is a fascinating deep-dive into the German home front during World War II. Aimie K. Runyan deftly paints the details of Nazi-run Berlin through the eyes of two lovable heroines destined to cross paths at one of the Fuhrer’s sinister Bride Schools: independent Hanna, fighting her engagement to a high-profile SS officer tooth and nail; and Tilde, a resourceful Jewish dressmaker struggling simply to survive. Moving, unsettling, unforgettable!” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye on The School for German Brides “In The School for German Brides, Aimie Runyan has penned the thoughtful and original story of an SS officer’s bride and a young Jewish mother, whose lives collide in unexpected ways in World War II Germany. This is a moving and memorable tale of sisterhood, strength and survival, which will resonate deeply with readers of historical fiction.” — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star on The School for German Brides “The Stepford Wives meets The Alice Network in The School for German Brides. Aimie Runyan brilliantly evokes the sinister, gilded world of 1930’s Berlin—a world where young women are forcibly groomed to become perfect mates to men who hide their brutality behind toothy grins and perfectly pressed uniforms. It’s also a world where secret acts of feminine resistance flare beneath the surface, along with heart-tugging compassion and daring bravery. You won’t be able to put this one down.” — Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams and Unnatural Creatures on The School for German Brides “Equal parts fascinating and horrifying, Runyan offers a riveting tale of love, loss, and survival not only of life but of the human spirit. Readers are dipped into a genteel world of young ladies, wooing suitors, satin dresses, and proper etiquette, but this world is a thin veneer for hatred and intolerance for anything less than perfect. Compelling from start to finish, this is Runyan's finest work yet.” — J’nell Ciesielski, author of The Ice Swan on The School for German Brides “Tense and compelling, The School for German Brides tells the story of courageous young Hanna who becomes an unwilling pawn in a game of political chess when forced to marry a high-ranking Nazi official, and also of Rachel, a Jewish woman fleeing to save herself and the life of her unborn baby. Both characters are endearing and well-drawn, and the narrative is beautifully crafted—readers will need a tissue for the deeply moving end! In Runyan’s latest, she proves she’s at the top of her game.” — Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Ship Home and Last Christmas in Paris on The School for German Brides

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Book SynopsisAn incredible psychological crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling authorThis is creepy storytelling of the highest order: spine-chilling and difficult to put down' Daily MailA race against time to save her childIn seven days, Maggie's son, Max, turns three. But she's not planning a party or buying presents or updating his baby book. She's dreading it. Because in her world, third birthdays are the days on which the unthinkable happens she loses her child.For the last twelve years Maggie has been imprisoned in a basement. Abducted aged fifteen, she gave birth to two sons before Max, and on their third birthdays her captor came and took them from her.She cannot let it happen again. But she has no idea how to stop it. And the clock is ticking''Great hook, fast-paced, fully engrossing. Don''t miss out read it now!'' Sam Carrington, author of The Missing WifeA superb read for suspense fans, this taut thriller will have you racinTrade Review'With an unrelenting sense of urgency, this brilliant book will get under your skin. Great hook, fast-paced, fully engrossing. Don't miss out – read it now!' Sam Carrington, author of The Missing Wife ‘This is creepy storytelling of the highest order: spine-chilling and difficult to put down’ Daily Mail ‘A superb read for suspense fans, this taut thriller will have you racing for the finish’ Heat ‘A gripping page turner’ Closer ‘An expert at crafting chilling scenes that will instantly capture a reader’s imagination, Alex Lake’s latest release is no exception…The emotional rawness will take you to dark depths, but the journey towards that last flicker of hope is one you can’t pull back from’ Woman & Home ‘Dark psychological thriller’ The i ‘Evocative writing and emotional rawness’ Woman’s Weekly ‘I found Seven Days to be an addictive, tense and chilling read, and a worthy addition to any psychological or crime thrillers lovers bookshelf’ The Book Review Cafe ‘The way this plot was laid out was exceptional…Lake absolutely nailed the characterisation of the abductor…by far the best proof I’ve received this year’ Reviews by Chloe ‘OMG – WOW!!! I have no other words…go buy and read this book now, it is that AMAZING!’ Rachel’s Random Reads ‘WHAT. A. RIDE. The adrenaline raced through me as I read this jaw-dropping thriller’ Emma’s Biblio Treasures ‘I couldn’t put the story down until I discovered [Maggie] and Max’s fate…Seven Days is an absolutely fascinating psychological thriller’ Jaffa Reads Too Praise for Alex Lake: ‘A lip-smackingly twisted tale’ Heat ‘A tense and twisty domestic noir that oozes with intrigue. Perfect for devouring in one sitting’ Woman & Home ‘A thoroughly entertaining, gripping read’ Cass Green, bestselling author of In a Cottage In a Wood

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Book SynopsisWill Ella ever find what she's looking for?Voluntary nurse Ella is haunted by the soldiers' cries she hears on the battlefields of Dieppe. But that’s not the only thing that haunts her. When her dear friend Jim breaks her trust, Ella is left bruised and heartbroken. Over the years, her friendships have been pulled apart at the seams by the effects of war. Now, more than ever, she feels so alone. At a military hospital in France, Ella befriends Connie and Paddy. Slowly she begins to heal, and finds comfort in the arms of a French officer called Paulo – could he be her salvation?With the end of the war on the horizon, surely things have to get better? Ella grew up not knowing her real family but a clue leads her in their direction. What did happen to Ella’s parents, and why is she so desperate to find out?The Abandoned Daughter by Mary Wood is the second book in The Girls Who Went To War series.Trade ReviewWood is a born storyteller * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Extraordinary…. Pulling out all the stops, [Hobson’s] carved a striking new benchmark for fiction about Native Americans.” — Los Angeles Times “[A] mythic, sweeping novel.” — New York Times Book Review “Deeply resonant and profound, and not only because of its exquisite lyricism. It's also a hard and visceral entrance into our own reckoning as a society and civic culture with losses we created, injustices we allowed, and family separations we ignored…. The Removed is powerful storytelling.” — NPR “A subtle, powerful novel that connects the Echotas’ immediate struggles with loss and memory to a wider swath of Cherokee history, from the Trail of Tears to the present. It’s a surprisingly magnetic and eerie book, like a concrete brick that cracks open to reveal a sparkling geode, throwing off a strange light.” — USA Today “A funny, sensual, realistic, thoughtful, horrific, and ultimately truthful account of the ongoing scourge of racism in American life…. Intelligent and compassionate.” — LA Review of Books "Blurring the boundaries between the tangible and the spiritual, Brandon Hobson’s latest novel draws on Cherokee folklore to offer a moving meditation on family, home, and ancestral trauma." — Harper’s Bazaar "A soul-stirring saga... very much about the power of storytelling, how telling tales—true or otherwise—can be bittersweet but a necessary balm." — O, the Oprah Magazine “Spirituality is woven into the story like a soft thread of silk, binding the everyday lives of the characters with otherworldly warnings and messages of strength…. This gut-wrenching tale of broken hearts and shattered dreams spotlights the devastation caused by ongoing racism in our country, while also providing a ray of hope on the distant horizon.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “Though rooted in—and inseparable from—the Cherokee culture, the book is also a complex, inventive and thoughtfully universal tale of love and longing.” — Bookreporter.com "Stunning.... Hobson uses Cherokee folklore to great effect in this profound, powerful look at the ways in which trauma — both recent and generational — infuses every aspect of our lives, but that it is possible to heal, to recover without ever forgetting what happened and what is still owed in order to reach a place of true understanding." — Refinery 29 “Splendid…. Hobson, a National Book Award finalist for his novel Where the Dead Sit Talking, weaves strands of the past and present so skillfully that events that would be improbable in the hands of another author are inevitable in The Removed. More than anything, in the case of the beleaguered Echota family, Hobson understands William Faulkner’s adage, ‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past.’” — BookPage "If we tell ourselves stories to expand our worldview, then modern literature is one of society’s most powerful tools.... Rich in Cherokee folklore." — San Francisco Chronicle “Hobson uses magical realism to deftly draw a line connecting the historical atrocities committed against Indigenous people to how this violence is manifested today, while also challenging us to consider the power of grief, love and family in the face of immeasurable loss.” — Time “If you’re looking for a powerful read that explores the generational impacts of trauma, The Removed is the book for you…. Hobson’s tale will leave readers wiser in many ways.” — New York Journal of Books "A disconnected web of tragedies—loss, loneliness, dementia, and drugs—draw together a disparate Cherokee family in this powerful novel that blurs the lines between spiritual and earthly. Pulling from centuries-old Cherokee folklore to ground this present-day tale, Brandon Hobson has built a grave and unforgettable legend." — Elle “A beautiful, elegiac narrative that seamlessly blends the real and supernatural…. [A] wondrous, deeply felt book.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune

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Book SynopsisBoy, Snow, Bird is a haunting and beautiful retelling of the Snow White myth, from author of the award-winning White is for Witching.Trade ReviewA spellbinding, wholly original look at families and the secrets they keep . . . An absolutely amazing and absorbing read * Marie Claire *Gloriously unsettling . . . it's clearly the book she's been waiting for . . . the greatest joy of reading Oyeyemi will always be style: jagged and capricious at moments, lush and rippled at others, always singular, like the voice-over of a fever dream. * New York Times *Boy, Snow, Bird is a haunting, tender portrait of three women from one of our generation's most talented literary writers * Stylist *Boy, Snow, Bird is among my favorite new releases for this year already. A retelling of the Snow White fairy-tale that focuses on race, it's a sensitive, intelligent treatment of a subject most fiction still sidesteps. Fans of Adichie's Americanah who also like a little fantasy in their coffee will be enchanted, I think. * Flavorwire *You don't want to leave Boy, Snow, Bird . . . a joy; the kind of fiction where you can wallow in the language and thrill at her inventiveness. * Emerald Street *One of my favourite books this year is Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi. It is a modern version of the Snow White fairy tale and challenges the origins of meaning. -- Jenni Fagan * The Herald *Vibrant, funny and poignant * Big Issue *Striking, shimmering fiction . . . Boy, Snow, Bird is an intoxicatingly immersive riff on the myth of the evil stepmother * Metro *Oyeyemi writes beautiful prose, can adopt a sassy American idiom with assurance and produces sentences that no one else would think of . . . Boy's is a unique narrative voice * The Times *An extraordinary modern fairy tale, with huge international buzz * Red magazine *A powerful intertwining of fairytale and reality . . . Boy, Snow and Bird are brilliant creation, and through these three appealing and mysterious characters Oyeyemi examines female identity in all its delightful and terrifying complexity . . . Oyeyemi is a master of language; her writing is beautiful and precise, and her ability to hide deep meaning in unassuming words is breathtaking. This is a bewitching book, in every way. * The List *Oyeyemi is the cleverest in the land * Washington Post *'Riveting, brilliant and emotionally rich . . . Dense with fully realized characters, startling images, original observations and revelatory truths, this masterpiece engages the reader's heart and mind as it captures both the complexities of racial and gender identity in the 20th century and the more intimate complexities of love in all its guises. * Kirkus *Helen Oyeyemi consolidates her position as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists 2013 with the publication of her fifth novel, a story about the perception and power of appearances and race, and their potential destructiveness . . . An enchanting and captivating book. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe sensational final instalment in comic legend Sue Townsend''s hilarious and iconic Adrian Mole series''Effortlessly hilarious. Brilliant satire and tragedy'' Times''My comfort read. The best diaries ever written - with apologies to Samuel Pepys, Bridget Jones and me'' ADAM KAYRead as Adrian continues to struggle with his love life, endures a painfully awkward school play and contemplates the unsettling prospect of applying genital poultice . . .__________Sunday 1st JulyNO SMOKING DAY. A momentous day! Smoking in a public place or place of work is forbidden in England. Though if you are a prisoner, an MP or a member of the Royal Family you are exempt.Adrian Mole is thirty-nine and a quarter. He lives in the country in a semi-detached converted pigsty with his wife Daisy and their daughter. His parents George and Pauline live in the adjoining pigsty. But all is Trade ReviewSue Townsend was simply one of the funniest writes who ever wore socks, and her Adrian Mole series is a satirical gem that follows her hapless protagonist from adolescence to middle age, revealing some sharp home truths about British society in the process. At thirty-nine and a half, Adrian is convinced he's too young to have prostrate problems. He's wrong. If anyone can shake a comic first at cancer, it's Townsend. * Independent *Couldn't be funnier * Gillian Reynolds, Sunday Times *An exquisite social comedy * Daily Telegraph *In this book the comedy is all the sharper, and more poignant, for its melancholy contrasts, the emotional danger and the sense that time is always running out. * The Guardian *Sue Townsend has always had an unflinching sense of humour - the more incongruously awful the situation, the more she can make us laugh...this is a seriously lovely book. * Sunday Times *Like Evelyn Waugh's Captain Grimes, Adrian is 'one of the immortals' and the series of his diaries the comic masterpiece of our time * The Scotsman *This hilarious and poignant tale of Adrian Mole's early middle age reaffirms that Sue Townsend has created 'one of the great comic characters of our time' * The Scotsman *The funniest person in the world * Caitlin Moran *

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Book SynopsisFor better. For worse. Forget him. Over You is a compelling story of friendship pushed to its limits by bestselling author Lucy Diamond. What the fans say: 'Full of friendship, family and how when life throws something at you, you have to fight back!' Emily Josie, Nell and Lisa go back a long way - they were flatmates, soulmates and best mates back in their twenties when life was one long party.Five years later, things are different. Josie is married with kids in deepest suburbia, free-spirit Nell has travelled the world, and Lisa is on the path to career glory (and the salary Premiership). A reunion weekend in London seems a great idea to Josie . . . until she discovers something which will change the course of her life forever.Praise for Lucy Diamond:'A hugely satisfying read' Heat'An absolute treat' Katie Fforde, bestselling author of A Summer at Sea'Warm, witty and wise' Daily MailTrade ReviewSassy, sexy and very funny, this is a great novel about following your fantasies - and then facing up to the consequences * Kate Harrison *

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Book Synopsis''An emotional rollercoaster of a read... profoundly touching and moving''- Daily Express.Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Jodi Picoult. Abi has been given the second chance she never expected: she''s in remission. Now she''s trying to get her life - and her family - back on track after facing the worst. But it''s hard to trust in happiness again, and reconnecting with her husband John proves more challenging than she thought. Can you really go back to ''normal'' after thinking you''re going to lose one another? With Abi''s son Seb struggling with a secret of his own, the three of them are in danger of falling apart just when they need each other most. But how do you pick up the pieces of a family still suffering emotional shockwaves? And can Abi bring the people she loves most in the world back together again... before it''s too late? *****What readers are saying about This Beautiful Life**Trade ReviewBursting with warmth, honesty, poignancy, love and such wonderful depth, this book more than cements Marsh's bestseller status. 5*****' * Heat *A beautiful, warm and moving story... I hugged my family tightly when I finished it -- Amanda Jennings'This story of love, courage and survival will tug at your heartstrings' * The Mirror *Wonderfully joyous and funny... without a moment's hesitation, one of my books of the year -- Being AnneA beautiful, soaring story about love, survival, forgiveness and understanding... highly, highly recommended! -- On My BookshelfI loved every word of This Beautiful Life... Katie Marsh has that deftness of touch that enables her to make her readers smile as well as cry. It resonates through my days and dreams even now. A wonderful, wonderful book. Read it. -- Linda's Book BagAn insightful and heartfelt read that will stay on my mind for a long time to come. This author has really touched my heart and I can not wait to delve into another of her novels, even if it is to have my heart broken all over again! -- Rea's Book ReviewVery moving and real -- Kate Eberlen, bestselling author of Miss You'This heartfelt read will make you think about life' * Prima *Brilliantly written, this book is both raw and beautiful * Fabulous (Sun on Sunday) *The author deals with the realities of life after cancer in a truly poignant way -- SunKatie's extraordinary writing is full of warmth and honesty; she examines the power of love in great depth...an absolutely superb read. Highly recommended; an utter delight! -- Random Things Through My LetterboxA honest, emotional and quietly powerful book which will stay with me for a long time -- Cosy Books

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rhys Bowen comes a haunting novel about a woman who braves her father’s hidden past to discover his secrets… “Pass the bread, the olives, and the wine. Oh, and a copy of The Tuscan Child to savor with them.” —NPR In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal. Nearly thirty years later, Hugo’s estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father’s funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation. Still dealing with the emotional wounds of her own personal trauma, Joanna embarks on a healing journey to Tuscany to understand her father’s history—and maybe come to understand herself as well. Joanna soon discovers that some would prefer the past be left undisturbed, but she has come too far to let go of her father’s secrets now…

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Book SynopsisAmidst the glamour of high society, a tawdry secret will change Lily’s life forever…1958. The last year debutantes will be presented at court to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nicholls agrees to debut and do the Season – a glittering and gruelling string of endless balls and cocktail parties.There she befriends two women: aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career after helping her parents find their place among the elite.But the sparkle of the Season dims when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a murky past, what will she choose for her future: her family legacy, or her own, uncertain happiness?A fast-paced and compelling historical novel for fans of Kate Morton and The Crown.Praise for The Last Dance of the Debutante "Between the crinkling of crinolines and the popping of champagne corks, Last Dance of the Debutante leads us on a glorious dance through the traditional glamour and suffocating expectations of a bygone era." Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters across the Sea"Julia Kelly elegantly brings to life the last official presentation of debutantes at court with her exquisitely researched and beautiful written detail. This story was so decadent, I wanted to don silk and crinoline and read it with a glass of champagne." Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London"Refreshing, intriguing, oozing with elegance, and with three female leads who will keep you thoroughly engrossed, a charming gem of a novel which will delight fans of The Crown." Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter"An insightful and engaging look at this neglected subject … an unforgettable journey of a young woman's liberation." Piper Huguley, author of By Design: the story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret"Peels back layers of lush glamour and the extraordinary expectations of the London Season to give us a glimpse into a world teetering on the brink of change and the choices facing those who navigated it. Woven with heartfelt emotion, this novel is a captivating, unforgettable story of one woman's journey to find love, truth, and, most importantly, herself." Kelly Bowen, author of The Paris Apartment"Kelly's descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time." Booklist"The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace... Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life." Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisIn Can''t Look Away, Carola Lovering delivers another winner...a propulsive page-turner about young love and second chances. You won't be able to put this down. Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me.Fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins will enjoy this one. Publishers Weekly It is 2013, and twenty-three-year-old Brooklyn barista Molly Diamond has just locked eyes with Jake Danner, the front man of an up-and-coming Southern rock band. It's not long before Molly and Jake fall deeply in love, inspiring each other's writing and planning for a life together filled with creativity, passion, and adventure.But nearly a decade later, Molly is teaching yoga and living in a posh Connecticut suburb with her young daughter and husband, Hunterwho is decidedly not Jake Danner. Molly is lonely in picture-perfect Flynn Coveuntil Sabrina walks into her studio. A newcomer in town, Sabrina has he

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Book SynopsisMother and Child by Sunday Times bestseller Annie Murray is a moving story of loss, friendship and hope over two generations . . .Jo and Ian’s marriage is hanging by a thread. One night almost two years ago, their only child, Paul, died in an accident that should never have happened. They have recently moved to a new area of Birmingham, to be near Ian’s mother Dorrie who is increasingly frail. As Jo spends more time with her mother-in-law, she suspects Dorrie wants to unburden herself of a secret that has cast a long shadow over her family. Haunted by the death of her son, Jo catches a glimpse of a young boy in a magazine who resembles Paul. Reading the article, she learns of a tragedy in India . . . But it moves her so deeply, she is inspired to embark on a trip where she will learn about unimaginable pain and suffering.As Jo learns more, she is determined to do her own small bit to help. With the help of new friends, Jo learns that from loss and grief, there is hope and healing in her future.'Humane, heartbreaking yet hopeful. Annie Murray at her absolute best.' - Kate Thompson, author of Secrets of the Homefront Girls

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Book SynopsisOne of BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.Heart-rending and darkly comic, V. S. Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas has been hailed as one of the twentieth century's finest novels, a classic that evokes a man’s quest for autonomy against the backdrop of post-colonial Trinidad.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an introduction by writer Teju Cole.Mr Biswas has been told since the day of his birth that misfortune will follow him – and so it has. Meaning only to avoid punishment, he causes the death of his father and the dissolution of his family. Wanting simply to flirt with a beautiful woman, he ends up marrying her. But in spite of endless setbacks, Mr Biswas is determined to achieve independence, and so he begins the gruelling struggle to buy a home of his own.Trade ReviewA work of great comic power qualified with firm and unsentimental compassion -- Anthony BurgessA marvellous prose epic that matches the best nineteenth-century novels * Newsweek *Why, at 20, did I fling A House for Mr Biswas across the room, where it sat unfinished for 10 years, only to pick it up at 30, devour it practically in one sitting, and think it as near to perfect as a book gets? -- Joshua Ferris * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisOrange Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning Carol Shields' tender, funny and wonderfully insightful portrait of two sisters struggling to rediscover themselves amidst the perplexing swirl of family life.Judith is a biographer whose life is subsumed by others: her eccentric husband, her secretive children and the Victorian novelist who is her subject. Her sister Charleen is a single mother and lapsed poet. While Judith analyses the minutiae of lives past and present, Charleen battles her own past ghosts and wonders desperately what her life has been about. As their mother's wedding approaches, both sisters must come to terms with the paths they have chosen.Originally published as two companion novels: Small Ceremonies and The Box Garden.Trade Review‘Carol Shields sings with the charm of a true siren.’ Guardian ‘Carol Shield’s prose is addictive. Her writing is both smoothly intelligent and sensually immediate, conflating concrete domestic realities with the elemental and miraculous.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Her perceptions are so quick, her style is so acute, that she can tack a breath to the page and skewer a thought on the wing. It is her speciality to isolate moments that remain distinct in the mind for years, perhaps for a lifetime.’ Hilary Mantel, Sunday Times ‘Shields is about the best we have. She does not just express what oft was thought; she snags the shadows of those thoughts, the thoughts we did not know we had. The effect – at once elating and visceral – feels like a conjurer pulling a handkerchief from your heart.’ Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisTake a trip to the Yorkshire village of Burley Bridge, where a very special little cookbook shop is about to open its doorsIn the beginningKitty Cartwright has always solved her problems in the kitchen. Her cookbooks are her life, and there isn't an issue that Cooking with Aspic' can't fix. Her only wish is that she had a book entitled Rustling Up Dinner When Your Husband Has Left You'.Forty years laterOn Rosemary Lane, Della Cartwright plans to open a very special little bookshop. Not knowing what to do with the hundreds of cookbooks her mother left her, she now wants to share their recipes with the world and no amount of aspic will stand in her way.But with her family convinced it's a hare-brained scheme, Della starts to wonder if she's made a terrible decision. One thing's for sure: she's about to find outLose yourself in Della's world of food, family and friends. The perfect read for fans of Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews.Trade Review‘Warm, funny and poignant.’ The Daily Mail ‘A novel as comforting as a slice of homemade apple pie.’ Red ’Brilliant…manages to capture family life perfectly.’ Chick Lit Reviews

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Book SynopsisA story of struggle and hardship and one girl's battle for survival from the best-selling author of If You Were the Only Girl and Another Man's Child.Angela McCluskey comes to Birmingham from Ireland with her family as a young girl to escape the terrible poverty in her homeland. But the dream of a better life is dashed as bad fortune dogs the family.When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart, she has hopes of a brighter future, which are dashed when her husband is called up to fight in the Great War. Tragedy strikes and Angela is left to rear her frail daughter on her own, though the worst is yet to come when Angela suffers another terrible misfortune.Pregnant and destitute and already with one mouth to feed that she can ill afford, there is nowhere left to turn. What destiny awaits Angela and her unborn child? Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, will Angela forever be punished for the choices that she makes?Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Bennett: ‘A powerful read that will have you gripped’ Yours ‘Another Man's Child is a fantastic book’librarianlavender.com ‘[Anne Bennett is] blessed with a vivid imagination and a natural aptitude for writing’ Daily Post ‘An affecting story, populated with rich, beautifully drawn characters.’ Choice ‘The beauty of Anne’s books is that they are about normal people and are sewn through with human emotions which affect us all’ Birmingham Post

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Book SynopsisA sweet and charming story.' Kaye Temanson (NetGalley reviewer) on The Little Cottage in the CountryA delightfully heartwarming romantic comedy to get you in the mood for summer! A summer of new beginningsDaisy Ronaldson's whole life is turned upside-down when her husband dies from cancer. So when she discovers that he left her a wish: to turn their big English country house into a guest house, she's in shockAt first it seems like just too big a challenge, but in the rush of making beds, painting rooms and preparing breakfasts, with her helpful (and handsome) neighbour James, Daisy realises that her heart is beginning to heal. In fact, she might even be falling in love again!Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Holly Martin and Tilly Tennant.Readers love Lottie Phillips:This book has left me with a great big smile on my face and a great big warm hug around my heart.'There is no amount of love and gushing too big for how much I simply adored this book. A must read for all.'such a charmi

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller returns for a fourth book! Alfie and his mischievous kitten George are back for more adventures this time taking them a long way from homeAlfie and George just can't seem to keep out of trouble. So when they hear that their owners have got a new holiday home, they can't wait to visit it and enjoy some new adventures.But when they arrive, they don't find the comfort they're used to. Crumbling walls, peeling paint, dripping ceilingsthis little Cornish cottage is clearly on its last legs.Family and friends rally round to try and save the cottage but it soon becomes clear that the locals don't want them there at all. It's up to Alfie and George to make sure their family is welcomed into the village that's if they can keep out of the way of the nastiest cat they've ever encounteredTrade ReviewPraise for Rachel Wells: “The first book, ‘Alfie the Doorstep Cat’ was absolutely brilliant – and now this follow up is even better.” Reader review “A must for all cat lovers.” Reader review “I loved this book! Loved the first book 'Alfie the Doorstop Cat' and this one was just as good as the first. I couldn’t put it down. Great for a cat lover to read!” Reader review

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Book SynopsisA charming and nostalgic read, perfect for fans of Coronation Street and readers who love stories set in wartime.They've waited a long time to be togetherAfter years of war, the residents of Coronation Street are looking forward to saying goodbye to rations books, blackouts and bombs. However, life is slow to change and they are still waiting for the good times to return.Ida Barlow thought she was happy to have her husband back from the war. Frank can't understand that his wife has no intention of giving up her new independence to wait on him hand and foot. Wendy Collins, a new arrival to the street, wants a fresh start, but struggles to fit in to her teaching job at the local school.Elsie Tanner's latest fella has put a spring in her step. She thinks the rest of the street need a pick-me-up too, and they are soon planning a trip to Blackpool. The folk of Coronation Street have waited a long time to let their hair down ? will sticks of rock and kiss-me-quick hats be enough to bring theTrade ReviewPraise for Maggie Sullivan: ‘A wonderfully nostalgic tale’ Choice Magazine ‘A perfect festive read’ Woman Magazine ‘A must read’ Amazon ‘A real page-turner’ Amazon ‘A wonderful trip down memory lane’ Goodreads

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Book SynopsisIt's possible to find home in the most unexpected placesSoon after upending her life to accompany her boyfriend Ryan to the Arctic, Maya realises it's not all Northern Lights and husky sleigh rides. Instead, she's facing sub-zero temperatures, 24-hour darkness, crippling anxiety and a distant boyfriend as a result.In her loneliest moment, Maya opens her late mother's recipe book and cooks Indian food for the first time. Through this, her confidence unexpectedly grows she makes friends, secures a job as a chef, and life in the Arctic no longer freezes her with fear.But there's a cost: the aromatic cuisine rekindles memories of her enigmatic mother and her childhood in Bangalore. Can Maya face the past and forge a future for herself in this new town? After all, there's now high demand for a Curry Club in the Arctic, and just one person with the know-how to run itA tender and uplifting story about family, community, and finding where you truly belong guaranteed to warm your heart despite the icy setting!Readers are loving The Arctic Curry Club:I absolutely loved this and read it in one sitting absolutely perfect cozy, escapist, and comforting kept me hooked a fabulous book club pick.' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Absolutely fabulous! Loved truly amazing.' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Yes, yes, yes, and more yes you never want to stop reading.' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Like the most delicious, intricate curry you've ever tasted. You can't help yourself for secondsthirdsor, in my case, staying up until the wee hours to finish. Highly, highly recommended.' Goodreads reviewer, ?????I ADORED this book! I hope there''s a sequel!' Goodreads reviewer, ?????I loved this warm and delicious will pick you up and take you away!' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Trade Review‘This unusual book was a real highlight in my festive reading this year’ My Weekly ‘Perfect for cold winter nights’ Hello ‘A heartwarming read for those long winter nights’ OK! ‘A heartwarming read for those long winter nights’ S Mag ‘An uplifting story’ Bella ‘A heartwarming story’ Fabulous ‘The perfect winter read’ My London ‘Sit back and snuggle down for just over 10 hours of warm, feel-good audio all about belonging’ The Sunday Post ‘A really different Christmas read’ Bishops Stortford Independent

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