Family life fiction / Stories about family

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Book SynopsisThe perfect read for fans of Succession or The White Lotus “As a novelist, Tarkington is the real deal. I can’t wait to see this story reach a wide audience.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife When Charlie Boykin was young, he thought his life with his single mother on the working-class side of Nashville was perfectly fine. But when his mother arranges for him to be admitted as a scholarship student to an elite private school, he is suddenly introduced to what the world can feel like to someone cushioned by money. That world, he discovers, is an almost irresistible place where one can bend—and break—rules and still end up untarnished. As he gets drawn into a friendship with a charismatic upperclassman, Archer Creigh, and an affluent family that treats him like an adopted son, Charlie quickly adapts to life in the upper echelons of Nashville society. Under their charming and alcohol-soaked spell, how can he not relax and enjoy it all—the lack of anxiety over money, the easy summers spent poolside at perfectly appointed mansions, the lavish parties, the freedom to make mistakes knowing that everything can be glossed over or fixed? But over time, Charlie is increasingly pulled into covering for Archer’s constant deceits and his casual bigotry. At what point will the attraction of wealth and prestige wear off enough for Charlie to take a stand—and will he? For readers of Wiley Cash, Ann Patchett, and Pat Conroy, The Fortunate Ones is an immersive, elegantly written story that conveys both the seductiveness of this world and the corruption of the people who see their ascent to the top as their birthright.Trade Review“Ed Tarkington’s wonderful second novel, The Fortunate Ones, feels like a fresh and remarkably sure-footed take on The Great Gatsby, examining the complex costs of attempting to transcend or exchange your given class for a more gilded one. Tarkington’s understanding of the human heart and mind is deep, wise and uncommonly empathetic. As a novelist, he is the real deal. I can’t wait to see this story reach a wide audience, and to see what he does next.” —Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Love and Ruin “There's a sharpness to Ed Tarkington's view of the world, an exacting truthfulness of how things work, but he marries it to such an open-hearted and resonant humanity in his writing that it's hard not to place him easily in the company of Pat Conroy and Alice McDermott. In The Fortunate Ones, Tarkington examines privilege and friendship with that same incredible perspective, and he helps us see the difficulties of trying to hold onto yourself even as you want so badly to be transformed. An amazing, thought-provoking novel by one of our most generous writers.” —Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here “The Fortunate Ones has echoes of Gatsby . . . Tarkington [is] a talented and compassionate writer . . . [and] aspects of The Fortunate Ones echo a slew of classic novels, including As I Lay Dying, A Separate Peace, The Moviegoer, and Big Fish . . . Tarkington’s insight into the meaning of home rings true.” —The Washington Post “Readers who love a good wallow in the Southern Gothic steam bath of a Pat Conroy novel (The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini) are always ready to investigate a possible literary heir. The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington, set in Nashville through the 1980s and ’90s, bears all the markings of this lineage.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune “Tarkington’s prose glows like the sun hitting the chlorine-scented pool chairs lining the lush backyards . . . [H]is portrayals of quirky teachers, black tie galas and mysterious benefactors are biting and real. The Fortunate Ones is filled with good characters behaving badly, and vice-versa, perhaps best articulated by Charlie’s thoughts on his landmark painting: ‘I wanted it to express a feeling, an emotion I considered to be complex—the juxtaposition of allure and revulsion, guilt and desire, remorse and indifference.’ Tarkington succeeds, reminding the reader that the South is never perfect and privilege will always have a price.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution “A gorgeous, deep probing treatise on the myriad manifestations of love, envy, privilege, and longing… A fathoms-deep exploration of love, loyalty, and the ties that bind, written masterfully from all angles. It’s a laser-sharp look at the underbelly of power and privilege’s repercussions as told through the power of story.” —New York Journal of Books “In a narrative that smacks of privilege while also reckoning with its insidiousness, Ed Tarkington spins a southern yarn about manhood, family and desire . . . Although the relationship between [Charlie and Arch] could certainly be classified as toxic, it also compels the reader, and the intrigue intensifies as the novel depicts the reflections of the now-grown Charlie interspersed throughout his own coming-of-age story . . . I found myself rooting for a character that made deeply flawed decisions while still seeming like a deeply human (and indeed, humane) person.” —Jackson Free Press “In this well-considered coming-of-age novel set in Nashville, a boy learns that the trappings of wealth hide secrets, and he faces truths about loyalty and idealism.” —Shelf Awareness “The essence of Jay Gatsby’s self-destroying discontent charges the pages of The Fortunate Ones.” —Christian Science Monitor “For anyone disappointed in Tennessee’s response to any of this year’s crises, The Fortunate Ones is not to be missed.” —Memphis Flyer “Tarkington is a gifted storyteller, largely because he knows how to let his finely developed characters do the heavy lifting . . . An impressive literary balancing act that entertains as it enriches.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Delicious with drawn-out tension and intrigue, The Fortunate Ones is an atmospheric triumph.” —Booklist “[A] spirited coming-of-age story . . . Tarkington’s strong story of loyalty and the corruption of privilege transcends.” —Publishers Weekly “Ed Tarkington perfectly captures the heady, conflicted emotions that come with proximity to privilege—both the irresistible longing and the heartbreaking disillusionment. I’m recommending The Fortunate Ones to every book club I know.” —Mary Laura Philpott, author of I Miss You When I Blink “To the great literature of anointment, of the young person plucked from obscurity and given a place at the glittering table, we can now add Ed Tarkington’s lovely novel of a young man mystified by his good fortune until the reasons behind it are revealed and the cost is extracted. A beautiful read.” —Ann Packer, author of The Children’s Crusade

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Book SynopsisIn this rapturous coming-of-age debut, a naive-yet-determined Appalachian boy will go to any length to save his family over the course of one life-changing summer. “If you’re famous, you don’t have to go to war.” Summer 1968. When thirteen-year-old Jack Elliot overhears the barbershop men grousing, he devises a secret plan to keep his oldest brother, Pete, from the draft. If famous boys don’t go to war, he’ll make his brother their small town’s biggest celebrity. Jack gets unexpected help when his book-smart cousin Frankie arrives in their rural Pennsylvania town for the summer. Together, they convince Jack’s brothers to lead an expedition to find a fighter jet that crashed many winters ago—the perfect adventure to make Pete a hero. But with a greedy developer determined to flood their valley, a beautiful girl occupying his middle brother’s attentions, a wild motorcycle gang causing trouble in town, and a disturbed neighbor setting fires, Jack realizes it isn’t just Pete who needs saving. Set during a single, tumultuous summer, this beautifully told tale is a heartwarming tribute to innocence, first love, and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.Trade Review“A wonderfully evocative coming-of-age tale about a young boy’s determination to hold on to all he holds dear during the tumultuous sixties in rural America. The setting and the time period are perfectly captured, but it was the characters in Last Summer Boys that really pulled me in. I found myself rooting for these boys from the first page to the last in this unforgettable debut novel that’s sure to capture your heart, too.” —Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Every Now and Then and Whistling in the Dark “Over the course of one life-changing summer, one boy will do whatever it takes to save his oldest brother from the draft. But when other hurdles arise that threaten his family, he’ll summon every ounce of his courage and strength to try to protect them all. Part coming-of-age tale, part adventure narrative, this heartwarming and uplifting debut is perfect for fans of William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land or the beloved film Stand by Me (adapted from Stephen King’s The Body).” —Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and The World Played Chess

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Book SynopsisA bighearted novel about motherhood, friendship, moving on, and love of all kinds. Ever since Beth Bailey was a girl, she’s been in love with her best friend’s older brother, Mark. She’s continued to hold out hope that maybe, someday, he’ll love her back. But now Beth is thirty-five years old, and on the day of Mark’s wedding to another woman, she finally accepts the wake-up call she needs to move on. Beth’s dream of marrying her first love may be over, but her other biggest desire is still within reach: becoming a mother. Having lost her own parents very young, there’s nothing Beth wants more in life, and nothing she’ll stop at to make her wish come true. Over the course of five years, and with unexpected twists along the way, Beth will come to startling realisations about family, friendship, the meaning of love, and most importantly, herself on the winding path to happiness and, she hopes, to motherhood.Trade Review“Kitty Johnson’s Five Winters features such a warm, relatable protagonist in Beth and is a wonderful story about finding yourself—and love, of course! I very much enjoyed this read.” —Emily Stone, author of Always in December “This book is such a tonic. Entertaining characters, a heartwarming story line, and an ending guaranteed to make you smile.” —Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Impossible to Forget “Told in a fresh and original voice, Five Winters is a moving and hopeful study of one woman’s quest for love and motherhood. Readers will adore Beth and cheer for her all the way. Kitty Johnson’s book follows the tradition of all the best Christmas books: it gives you that warm feeling that, if you try hard enough, you can make all your dreams come true.” —Anita Hughes, author of A Magical New York Christmas

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Book Synopsis“Bursting with humor, banter, and cringeworthy first dates, Sonali Dev’s The Vibrant Years is a joyful and fun read, but it’s also very much a timely tale about a group of underestimated women demanding respect and embracing their most authentic selves.” —Mindy Kaling Living on their own terms means being there for one another. When sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars, she’s astounded—and horrified. The windfall threatens to expose a shameful mistake from her youth. Desperate to keep the secret, Bindu quickly spends it on something unexpected: a condo in a posh retirement community in Florida. The impulsive decision blindsides Bindu’s daughter-in-law, Aly. At forty-seven, Aly still shares a home with Bindu even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. But maybe this change is just the push Aly needs to fight for the segment she’s been promised for years at the news station where she works. As Bindu and Aly navigate their new dynamic, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is faced with losing the business that made her a tech-world star. The only way to save it is to deliver a new idea to her investors—and of course they want the half-baked dating app she pitched them in a panic. Problem is, Cullie has never been on a real date. Naturally, enlisting her single mother and grandmother to help her with the research is the answer. From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes a heartfelt novel about three generations of hilarious, unconventional, ambitious women navigating bad dates, a spiteful HOA board, reemerging exes, and secrets that refuse to remain hidden. Join the Desai women on a shared journey of self-discovery as they dare to live their most vibrant lives.Trade Review“These Indian American women and their struggles will appeal to readers from every age and culture.” — Washington Post “An intergenerational tale of self-discovery and the relationships that matter most…A cozy cup of chai for the soul.” —Kirkus Reviews “Dev easily gets the reader to root for her well-rounded characters, and the intertwined story lines wrap up with a delightful ending. This effervescent tale is sure to please the author’s fans and win her new ones.” —Publishers Weekly “Three generations of Indian American women strive to find what makes them happy in this heartwarming rom-com about the compromises that held them back and how they finally reclaimed their freedom.” —Booklist (starred review) “Dev weaves humor and romance through her tale of three generations of women.” —Audible “A super-fun, bingeable story about three generations of vibrant women navigating relationships, friendships, mishaps, and ambitions.” —Ms. magazine “Fun and heartfelt.” —BookRiot “A sweeping intergenerational tale showcasing the importance and value of family, relationships, and finding oneself as the world does what the world does: change.” —Apartment Therapy “A laugh-out-loud story full of love, regrets, and secrets.” —Marie Claire “I would give this book five stars for the concept alone, but it’s Sonali Dev’s trademark character depth and beautiful writing that really make The Vibrant Years shine. A gorgeous story of evolving female relationships and how love, hilarity, and the bonds between three generations of women help them thrive in even the fiercest winds of change.” —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation “Oh, what a glorious tangle of love, career, the past, and family is The Vibrant Years! Sonali Dev writes beautiful prose and complex, delightful characters in this story of rediscovery and girl power for three generations of the Desai women. A delicious treat.” —Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author “A vivid and touching story of the relationships between three women who love each other and their quest to find each other’s soul mates. Funny, fast paced, and insightful, The Vibrant Years gracefully explores questions of meaning and hope and regret and most of all the love between women. A beautiful book!” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of This Place of Wonder “I loved this story of three generations of women navigating life, love, and the patriarchy. Sonali Dev’s writing is lush and evocative, her characters vibrant with rage, humor, and wisdom.” —Virginia Kantra, New York Times bestselling author of Meg & Jo and Beth & Amy “Sonali Dev has done it again in this sparkling page-turner about the unbreakable bonds of women and the necessity of forging an authentic path. Three generations of women from one dynamic family band together to navigate each chapter of life proving that, with the right people by your side, they can all be vibrant years. Dev’s storytelling shines!” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil “Just the kind of book I love to get lost in. Great characters, tons of energy, perfect pacing. Sonali Dev absolutely nailed it. Loved it!” —Susan Elizabeth Philips, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters fulfilling their grandfather’s dying wish uncover decades of secrets in a powerful novel about family, truth, and forgiveness. Dallas, Dealey Plaza, 1963. Nineteen-year-old Mariah Byrne is following her dream of a career in photography. One moment she’s filled with joy and hope watching the president and Mrs. Kennedy drive past. In the next, the world—and Mariah’s life—is split into before and after. What follows, and the unconventional decisions Mariah makes, will affect her and her family forever. Sixty years later, sisters Raine and Jessica grieve the death of their grandfather. For both his beloved grand girls, Papa leaves behind a last wish and an unexpected keepsake: the key to their grandmother Mariah’s hope chest. Explore its contents, he writes, and follow where they lead. But what secrets can their family history possibly hold? Raine and Jessica unite to piece together the mystery of a past they never knew existed. But facts can’t reveal the whole story. With Mariah’s memories fading, the sisters struggle to understand her choices before the truth disappears forever.Trade Review“This poignant novel tells of trauma, abuse, young love, secrets, lies and estranged family…A lovely story of family dynamics told with warmth and understanding.” —Historical Novels Review “A riveting and emotional read! Langston takes us on a generational journey of discovery, uncovering secrets that threaten to tear a family apart. Fast paced and heartwarming, The Measure of Silence illustrates the struggles of motherhood, and power of love and forgiveness with endearing characters.” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire “The Measure of Silence is a touching, compelling novel of the family secrets that bind generations and can also tear them apart. Elizabeth Langston deftly weaves the trauma of President Kennedy’s assassination through the pain and difficulties of her character’s lives. The family dynamics are very relatable and the characters' struggles with both their present experiences and the past kept me reading until the end.” —Georgie Blalock, author of An Indiscreet Princess and The Last Debutantes “The Measure of Silence delves into the explosive results of a last wish that rips up deep family secrets. Elizabeth Langston powerfully illustrates the struggle of mental health issues in a world where they weren’t understood and will leave you rooting for the heroine to succeed. This is a moving historical fiction with a past that will keep you riveted as all is revealed.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London “A captivating read. The Measure of Silence is a bittersweet story of how one young woman’s choice in 1963 dominoes through two generations to intertwine with her grandaughters’ search for the truth.” —Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls “Elizabeth Langston’s The Measure of Silence is a gripping story of family, hidden truths, and the after effects of a tragedy that changed not only the course of Mariah Byrne’s life, but that of an entire nation. Tautly paced and brilliantly crafted, this is a must-read for fans of family drama and JFK-centric fiction. Simply riveting from start to finish.” —Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of The School for German Brides and A Bakery in Paris “A moving multigenerational story of motherhood, love, and powerful family secrets.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

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Book Synopsis2024 WHITING AWARD WINNERA NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION 5 UNDER 35REPUBLIC OF CONSCIOUSNESS PRIZE LONGLISTTHE STORY PRIZE LONGLISTSet in China and America, in the generations after the Cultural Revolution, The Sorrows of Others is a dazzling collection about people confronted with being outsiders—as immigrants, as revolutionaries, and even, often, within their own families."Writers with virtually perfect debuts are certainly rare; Zhang joins that short list with a magnificent ten-story collection filled with lost souls aching for connection on both sides of the world." —Booklist starred reviewIn New York City, an art student finds an unexpected subject when she moves in with a grandmother from Xi’an, and boundaries are put into question. When a newlywed couple moves to Arizona, adapting to unfamiliar customs keeps their marriage from falling apart. A woman grapples with what it means to care for another, and the limits of that care, when her dying husband returns from Beijing years after abandoning her. And during a rainy summer in Texas, a visitor exposes the unspoken but unburiable history that binds two families together. Ada Zhang writes with startling honesty and love about lives young and old, in a stunning debut that explores what happens when we leave home and what happens when we stay, and the selves we meet and shed in the process of becoming.

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Book SynopsisTHE EXPLOSIVE NOVEL FROM PULITZER PRIZE WINNER AYAD AKHTAR'Terrific' The Times'Extraordinary' Sunday Express'A great American story' MetroHOW OFTEN DOES SOMEONE YOU MEET TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE?Hayat Shah was captivated by Mina long before he met her: his mother's beautiful, brilliant friend is a family legend. When he learns that Mina is leaving Pakistan to live with the Shahs in America, Hayat is thrilled.Hayat's father is less enthusiastic. Ever wary of fundamentalism, he doesn't relish the idea of Mina's fervid devotion under his roof. What no one expects is that when Mina shows Hayat the beauty of the Quran, it will utterly transform him.Mina's real magic may be that the Shah household becomes a happy one. But when Mina catches the eye of a Jewish doctor and family friend, Hayat's jealousy is inflamed by the community's anti-Semitism - and he acts with catastrophic consequences for those he loves most. A DEVASTATINGLY MOVING NOVEL FROM ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST EXCITING WRITERSA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA Globe and Mail Best Book of the YearA Shelf Awareness Best Book of the YearAn O, the Oprah Magazine Book of the YearTrade ReviewA terrific first novel, warm and wise. -- Kate Saunders * THE TIMES *this book is prescient and timely in both recognising and dramatically exploring this increasingly unbreachable social divide. * ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS *his dialogue is free-flowing and natural, and he has a good eye for small visual details within a scene that colour the mood of the action around them. -- Alan Morrison * THE HERALD *Both extremists and the ambivalent are accorded even-handed coverage and the characterisation is strong -- Catherine Taylor * THE GUARDIAN *American Dervish is an extraordinary novel and one you certainly won't regret reading -- Roddy Ashworth * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Akhtar proves the capacity of the great American stories to be endlessly renewed by each generation of writers -- Claire Allfree * METRO *There are themes here reminiscent of The Go-Between by L.P.Hartley and Ian McEwan's more recent Atonement, of a life scarred by chame at a childish act that has catastrophic consequences in adult life. * TLS *American Dervish is about the collision of cultures, identity and religion in 1980s America. * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *a pleasing read * THE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST *Ayad Akhtar's first novel is deftly plotted, with a frame narrative that shows how Hayat's sense of shame pursues him into adulthood. There are shades of Ian McEwan's Atonement, but Akhtar's writing has a crisp, imagistic quality all its own. * THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2017 Costa First Novel AwardShortlisted for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2018Longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2018Longlisted for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical FictionNew Faces of Fiction 2017, ObserverObserver Fiction to look out for in 2017The Irish Times What To Look Out for in 2017 from Independent PublishersJen Campbell’s ‘Most Anticipated Books of 2017’Jean Bookish Thoughts ‘Most Anticipated Releases of 2017’A dark social-realist fairytale, spotlighting the shadowy underside of 1920s EnglandSummer 1923: the modern world. Orphaned Lucy Marsh climbs into the back of an old army truck and is whisked off to the woods north of London – a land haunted by the past, where lost souls and monsters conceal themselves in the trees.In a sunlit clearing she meets the ‘funny men’, a quartet of disfigured ex-soldiers named after Dorothy’s companions in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Here are the loved and the damaged, dark forests and darker histories, and the ever-present risk of discovery and violent retribution. Xan Brooks’ stunning debut is heartbreaking, disturbing and redemptive.Trade ReviewObserver Fiction to look out for in 2017 The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times (Salt) by Xan Brooks – a fairytale wrapped within a historical novel, it’s as quixotic and dreamlike as Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant. -- Alex Preston, author of In Love and WarThrilling, disturbing and somehow very funny … a bold, ambitious, weird novel with a lot of foliage to get lost in -- Hannah Jane Parkinson * Observer *A book with heart and soul that is original, penetrative and engaging. It should be relished by every discerning reader. -- Jackie Law * Never Imitate *Philly Malicka enjoys a strange fable about drugs. jazz and the scars of the Great War ... The year is 1923 and the trauma of the First World War has left Britain misshapen. Part of society hopes for social change, while others, ossified, look backward. This dark, magical tale explores the chasm between the two, and how a nation ravaged by “the storms of the things they once did, the people they once were” seeks redemption. -- Philly Malicka * The Telegraph *Genuinely amazing: quirky, thought-provoking, a wonderful read. -- Anne GoodwinThe Pink Earl’s stately home, where the clocks all tell different times, may be a relic from a vanished past, but the future is massively present there – and it’s the one we recognise, in which everyone is “embarked on their own adventure” and in which the rhetoric of constant change at one level disguises the perpetuation of entrenched power at another. -- M. John Harrison * The Guardian *This will be familiar to fans of Decline And Fall. But what Evelyn Waugh treated satirically isn’t so funny any more, and this well-written novel is more tender and sad than bitingly hilarious. -- Fanny Blake * Daily Mail *With its finely judged atmosphere of tainted innocence, Brooks’s novel frames the real horrors of post-conflict trauma as episodes of near-fairytale jeopardy: the grown-up terrors in the dark wood and the poisonous intoxications of the great house are trials in which his heroine’s strength of character is forged. As in fairy stories, the happy-ever-after consists of the simplest of fulfilled desires: a home, work, a family: love as ordinary and essential as bread. -- Jane Shilling * Evening Standard *The novel is a rich tapestry that interweaves the social fabric of interwar England with fairy tale touches. Lucy comes to feel that “the world is confusing, but the forest is not”, poignantly conveying the strangeness of the period. The author has a fabulously visual style, and I loved the ensemble of characters - some haunted, some scarred, all of them nimbly conjured by a debut author with considerable talent. -- Joanne Owen * Lovereading *The opening section and the overall premise of Xan Brooks’s debut novel is fascinating. Taken away from the pub she lives in with her grandfather for the afternoon, orphaned Lucy Marsh goes into the woods to meet ‘the funny men’. Alongside four other young people whose life circumstances have left them equally vulnerable, Lucy goes for a picnic with these funny men who she will soon know as The Tin Man, Toto, the Scarecrow, and The Lion. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that there is something sinister about five pre-teen children being taken to the woods to meet with four men who disguise themselves as characters from a children’s classic, but Brooks does a fantastic job of drip-feeding us the necessary information until we come to see the true nature of these interactions and realise that the ‘funny men’ are actually traumatised war veterans no longer comfortable in the real world. * Bookmunch *I don’t know what I was expecting going in to this book, but honestly what I got wasn’t anything like I imagined. Trying to explain what this book was is difficult – because honestly it’s very unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It was absolutely mesmerising, but also quite an uncomfortable read in places, and I really enjoyed it. * Ashleigh’s Bookshelf *Brooks writes stunningly and paints a dark, imaginative picture so vivid I could see it made into a film. -- Caz Roberts * Grazia *Set after the first world war, is a macabre and unsettling tale of a young girl who is made a plaything of the “funny men”, a group of damaged soldiers, so badly injured they have removed themselves from the world completely. The novel has a woozy, tainted fairytale quality – Brooks calls these molten men of his the Tin Man and the Scarecrow – and a heightened aspect, like looking at the world through a cracked magnifying glass. It’s a bizarre, horror-flecked novel, pleasingly distinctive in its oddness. -- Natasha Tripney * Observer *Whilst this is essentially about an alternate coming of age, set at a time when people are trying to adjust and cope post war, there is focus on living to excess, without care for the consequences and how for some, non-conformity is embraced. There is rising tension and dense escalating drama running through the story. There is offset by some limited and subtle dark humour. But in all, people are trying to make sense of the world and deal with the fall out of war. The perspectives of the soldiers with life changing injuries is unforgettable. The characters are strong, bold and intriguing. But ultimately we are all vulnerable, and perhaps there is a deeper thread about how we choose to live despite such vulnerability whilst also being true to ourselves. -- Sara Garland * Nudge Magazine *A stunning, beautifully written debut by Xan Brooks … A masterful first novel. -- Sophie Raworth * Read by Raworth *

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Book SynopsisMeet Charlie Savage.Charlie is a middle-aged Dubliner with an indefatigable wife, an exasperated daughter, a drinking buddy who’s realised that he’s been a woman all along … Compiled here for the first time is a whole year’s worth of Roddy Doyle’s hilarious series for the Irish Independent. Giving a unique voice to the everyday, he draws a portrait of a man – funny, loyal, somewhat bewildered – trying to keep pace with the modern world (if his knees don’t give out first).SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE PRIZE FOR COMIC WRITING 2019'A delight from start to finish' Irish Mail on SundayTrade ReviewA delight from start to finish. -- Max Davidson * Mail on Sunday *A refreshingly positive take on middle age, it’s optimistic, warm-hearted, blokishly moving and written with a master’s pin-sharp command of humour… a book that’s sure to be picked up and revisited time and time again. * Herald Scotland *More than comedy or insight, this work has tenderness… It does more than tickle our bellies, it warms our hearts. -- Niamh Donnelly * Irish Times *Brilliantly funny. Heart-warmingly, vulnerably hilarious in fact. Doyle has crafted Charlie Savage with great care and has imbued him with such depth of character that I can’t imagine a reader finishing the book without loving him, just a little… savour every page because Charlie Savage will enrich your life as long as he is in it. -- Ceire Duggan * RTE Guide *This portrait of an ordinary man (and one clearly past his best) is by turns hilarious and heartfelt. -- Rachel Lloyd * Economist, 1843 *

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Book Synopsis"Great, beautiful little studies of unspoken fear and longing and love, told with a sure-footed delicacy rare in a debut" Sarah Moss, Irish Times"An exciting, original, and very welcome new voice" Donal Ryan"These are startling, adventurous and often wonderful stories. I loved this collection" Roddy DoyleA sharp and insightful debut short story collection about the pitfalls of ordinary life A wife yearns to escape the tight-fisted confines of a package holiday. A boy dreams of footballing greatness as his mother mourns a loss. A man tries to assemble an absent child's playhouse, with impossible instructions and too much beer. A woman seeks clarity from automated voices. A father is distracted from Christmas tree shopping with his son by the looming pressure of quarterly sales targets.Shine/Variance captures the tiny crises and wonders of daily life with warmth, wit and decisive clarity. Ordinary people - commuters, call centre workers, children and parents - struggle for stability while craving more, and the schism between expectation and reality is only rarely bridged. Yet, amidst the faltering, recognition and bright moments of hope still illuminate their days.Fresh, tender and darkly funny, these stories are a window into the longings, frustrations and painfully human connections of ordinary life from a remarkable new voice in fiction."The most powerful new collection I've read in some years" John Boyne"Brilliantly bats, staggeringly compelling, and ferociously funny. Stephen Walsh rips the concreteness of reality straight from us and reflects back a more wobbly version of our turbulent lives... Completely unique" June Caldwell"Full of assured originality and freshness - a new writer much to be welcomed" Bernard MacLavertyTrade ReviewGreat, beautiful little studies of unspoken fear and longing and love, told with a sure-footed delicacy rare in a debut. Walsh is playful and often funny... Walsh's voices are small but strong, his triumphs and tragedies no less haunting for their intimate scale -- Sarah Moss * Irish Times *These are startling, adventurous and often wonderful stories. I loved this collection -- Roddy DoyleImmensely readable... the collection's sharpness, poetics and wit make for an immensely pleasurable read... [Walsh] looks to be a writer of great promise -- Niamh Donnelly * Irish Independent *Stephen Walsh writes of the complexities of family life with insight and humour. The most powerful new collection I've read in some years -- John BoyneHugely original... I loved these zany, thought provoking stories and felt empathy with most of the protagonists -- Sue Leonard * Irish Examiner *An exciting, original, and very welcome new voice. Stephen Walsh draws unexpected beauty from the familiar, the tragic, the darkly comic situations any of us could find ourselves in, composing perfect little symphonies from the haphazard chords of existence. He is a witty, insightful and very skilled writer, and the voices in this collection sing from the page -- Donal RyanEach of the stories packs a particular emotional punch but this is punctuated by humour... Shine/Variance is a hugely accomplished debut from a writer who sees beauty, struggle, and redemption in the everyday -- Paul Ring * Irish Examiner *Heartbreakingly real characters dealing with everyday hurts and misunderstandings -- Orna Mulcahy * The Gloss *Stephen Walsh's first collection is full of assured originality and freshness - a new writer much to be welcomed -- Bernard MacLavertyStephen Walsh's writing is at once original, sharp and funny. The richness of his insight and storytelling fits wonderfully into the breadth and depth of Irish writing today -- Anne Griffin, author of When All Is SaidThis is a brilliant collection; formally audacious, darkly funny, utterly unique. Stephen Walsh's characters are so terrifyingly authentic I read through slotted fingers, mortified for them, and several times he had me on my feet. I loved this book -- Louise KennedyThese stories are brilliantly bats, staggeringly compelling and ferociously funny. Stephen Walsh rips the concreteness of reality straight from us and reflects back a more wobbly version of our turbulent lives. Characters are lost, lonely, restless, confused, but always gagging to roll out the very best of havoc humanity can offer. Voice, style and structure are completely unique. If someone shoved George Saunders into a giant kaleidoscope, along with a few episodes of Black Mirror, popping candy and a mescal worm, and gave it a good twist they'd get Shine/Variance -- June CaldwellInventive, dazzling, devastating and laugh out loud funny, the stories in Shine/Variance are all this and more. It's exhilarating to read such remarkable writing. An astonishingly good debut from a writer who clearly finds joy in language -- Danielle McLaughlin, author of The Art of FallingThis collection depicts with caustic wit and insight the undersides of Irish domesticity: the quiet angers and atrophying dissatisfactions. Flaunting an enviable dexterity in both voice and style, Shine/Variance is an addictive collection, rich in moments that linger in your consciousness -- Susannah Dickey, author of Tennis LessonsStephen Walsh's stories are often playful, sometimes twisted, in form and tone, but the dexterity on display allows for deep, subtle and profoundly moving explorations of modern life -- Tim Finch, author of Peace Talks

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Book Synopsis**AN IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER**___________________________'Funny, endearing, mysterious and outrageous, this book is wildly entertaining and hugely enjoyable.' Liz NugentOn this street, no secret is safe.___________________________The Pine Road WhatsApp group is the place to be for gossip. But the last thing Martha, Robin and Edie need is nosy neighbours.What mysterious circumstance forced Martha to leave the home she loved and move to Dublin?Why has school 'it'-girl Robin moved back in with her parents as a single mum?And if Edie's life is so perfect, why is she so unhappy?As the lives of these very different women become entwined, they will discover the secrets, rivalries and scandals that lie behind every perfectly painted front door...______________________________'Liane Moriarty meets Maeve Binchy meets Marian Keyes.' Jo SpainTrade ReviewThis novel knocked me for six... This carefully and beautifully written tale, which brilliantly blends tragedy, comedy and romance, explores secret lives behind closed doors and the public faces that people present to the world. As Noel Coward once said, I couldn't have liked it more. * Daily Mail *Funny... relatable, contemporary and exceptionally witty... you are drawn in with a smile, and left contemplative afterwards. * Irish Times *Unputdownable * Daily Mail *Witty... A twisty mystery that'll keep you guessing. * Caroline Robb, Heat *Eithne Shortall writes a community of neighbours so vividly that I feel like I'm one of them, adjusting my telescope and keeping a glass to the wall for fear that I'd miss anything. Funny, endearing, mysterious and outrageous, this book is wildly entertaining and hugely enjoyable. * Liz Nugent, author of Unravelling Oliver *Within a few pages I felt like the newest neighbor on Pine Road, where the women are unique, interesting... and have a lot of secrets. I didn't want to put it down until I knew all of them! By the end, these women felt like friends... or frenemies. * Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife *One of the funniest books I have read this year... The characters are colourful, the plot unexpected and, naturally, the parking is dire. * Sarah Breen, Irish Sunday Independent *Heartwarming with a voice of its own. Now this is women power! * Jane Corry, author of My Husband’s Wife *Liane Moriarty meets Maeve Binchy meets Marian Keyes. I laughed, I cried, I shuddered, I was agog. * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *Excellently good * Aaron Monaghan, RTE *This entertaining novel is very much in the vein of 'dramedy' Desperate Housewives and Liane Moriarty's sparkling Big Little Lies... skillful * Irish Examiner *A darkly comic and expertly plotted novel, proving we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. * L V Hay, author of Do No Harm *One of the most enjoyable books I've read in ages. It's so clever. I loved it. * Rachael English, author of The American Girl *Three Little Truths deals with the overlapping lives of the residents of Pine Road and the secrets behind their closed doors and WhatsApp Groups. A big cast of relatable characters make this a very enjoyable read. * Sheila O'Flanagan, author of The Hideaway *The perfect next book for fans of Liane Moriarty... I was torn between never wanting the story to end and dying to know what would happen. With its big heart, biting humor, and unforgettable women, this is a summer must-read. * Bunmi Laditan, author of Confessions of a Domestic Failure *A skilfully woven and unpredictable story - it drew me in effortlessly, and by the end, I felt as though I lived on Pine Road myself. A wonderfully satisfying read. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *The many unpredictable plot twists are nicely executed... readers will be gripped and shocked at each turn. * Irish Independent *[A] charming and witty read. * Image Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIn the gloriously hot summer of 1936, a group of people meet at a country house party. Within three years, the country will be engulfed in war, but for now time stands still as they sip champagne on the lawn, engaging in casual flirtations and carefree conversation. Then a shocking death puts an end to their revelry, changing everything in an instant. For all of them, that summer house party will be a turning point. The mistakes made during that fateful weekend will change their lives for ever.Trade ReviewFraser keeps the reader hooked with the twists of her protagonists' love affairs, but the real star of this book is her portrait of a disappearing life, as Sonia Haddon and ilk face war with varying degrees of courage * The Sunday Times *This rich and engrossing novel follows them through the testing years of the coming war, including a movingly drawn forbidden love affair, all delivered with perfect period details * Sunday Mirror *A fabulously written book... a "must" read' * Read Along With Sue *Fraser skilfully combines many narrative threads to build a great big satisfying saga full of passionate love, ghastly betrayal and, as Britain tips inexorably into conflict, thrilling drama * Daily Mail *A wonderfully involving read * Sunday Express *Intriguing and multifaceted with its lifelike mixture of romance, heartache, tragedy, heroism, accomplishment and growth. The recounting is rich in atmosphere and detail, making for an absorbing reading experience * My Merri Way *It's one of those books where you just want to keep reading and it to never end * That Thing She Reads *A solid summer read, ideal to take on holiday * On: Yorkshire Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFor love to grow, Flora will have to first dig up the past.At a hen party on the remote Scottish island of Alana, Flora is dared to ask a handsome stranger to be her plus-one for the wedding. When the gorgeous Mac accepts her invite, she assumes he’s joking and thinks nothing more of it… Until he turns up at the church on the wedding day.But Mac has an agenda. He wants to hire her skills as a horticulturist to restore the gardens at Róisín House, his home back on Alana. Flora knows she should refuse – Mac has ‘heartbreaker’ written all over him – but she can’t resist uncovering the tragic truth behind the garden at Róisín.A heartwarming romance for fans of Victoria Walters, Trisha Ashley and Julie Houston.What readers are saying about The Garden of Little Rose:'The story got off to a really quick start and has a bit of everything; romance, mystery and friendship. This was a lovely read for a weekend!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer'I love this book. Funny, heartbreaking, uplifting and excellent.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer'Snow did a wonderful job with visualization. I felt like I was there in the gardens, on the beach with the sand between my toes, dinner with the family, all of it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer

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Book SynopsisSparks and tempers fly when Ben comes to stay in Daisy’s holiday cottage Daisy likes routine. She goes to work, makes dinner for her son, then loses herself for an hour or two in her sewing. She’s not looking for change, until Ben crashes – literally – into her life. Ben is training for a triathlon, working himself to the limit in an attempt to forget a recent trauma. Daisy wants to help, but even as they draw closer with every week that passes, he pushes her away whenever things threaten to get serious.Can Ben open himself up to love again? And with Daisy’s life in the Yorkshire Dales and Ben’s in New York, can they have a future together even if he does?For fans of Trisha Ashley and Tilly Tennant, this is a perfect and much-needed slice of summer escapism.'An utterly charming book, with interesting and compelling characters, where I was sucked into Daisy’s world. I found myself slowing down to savour both Snow’s writing and the delicious tension between Daisy and Ben. Highly recommend.' Jenni Keer, author of The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker

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Book SynopsisAn unexpected reunion… a second chance at love.Abigail Linton has devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighbouring estate. Unfortunately, her employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell – the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart.Since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to see him… Until, one day, he appears. Max is stunned to come face to face with the girl he fell for, before he went away and she stopped writing to him.Both Abby and Max have changed over the years, but has their passion for each other remained unchanged?A sweeping Regency romance for fans of Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh.

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Book SynopsisFoxmore’s inaugural Christmas fayre will be the toast of the town – or the downfall of their relationship...Harriet is facing her second Christmas on her own since her husband walked out. With little child support, she’s struggling to manage financially.When Owen, a passionate environmentalist and popular blogger, overhears Harriet bemoaning her situation, he challenges her to only buy second-hand until Christmas. What she doesn’t know is that Owen is reporting her journey anonymously to all his followers…Though the challenge is proving successful, it’s not without its troubles. Can Harriet really keep her children and bank balance happy this way? How will she react when she finds her life documented online?A festive romance with buckets of heart, for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Sue Moorcroft.Praise for The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field ‘A festive romance with a fabulous community feel, a real camaraderie amongst the villagers and strong friendships between the characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Like all Lilac Mills books, this is one to take onto the sofa with a few hours, a cuppa and totally lose yourself. A great story with great characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A lovely love story set in Wales…. It really makes you think and there are some great twists.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘So warm and filled with family and community spirit. It was such a joy to return to Foxmore Village. I think many readers will relate to Harriet and her situation. A festive romance with a lot of heart.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A beautiful tale of friendships, love and moving on, with an important message woven through. I would recommend clearing your schedule as you will want to stay immersed in this until the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This was such a lovely read, I’ll certainly be picking up more Lilac Mills books. Although this is a Christmas book it could be enjoyed at any time of year.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisDeep in the Somerset countryside, the Combe Pomeroy village library hosts a monthly book club.Ruth the librarian fears she’s too old to find love, but a discussion about Lady Chatterley’s Lover makes her think again.Aurora doesn’t feel seventy-two and longs to relive the excitement of her youth, while Verity is getting increasingly tired of her husband Mark’s grumpiness and wonders if their son’s imminent flight from the nest might be just the moment for her to fly too. And Danielle is fed up with her cheating husband. Surely life has more in store for her than to settle for second best?The glue that holds Combe Pomeroy together is Jeannie. Doyenne of the local cider farm and heartbeat of her family and community, no one has noticed that Jeannie needs some looking after too. Has the moment for her to retire finally arrived, and if so, what does her future hold?From a book club French exchange trip, to many celebrations at the farm, this is the year that everything changes, that lifelong friendships are tested, and for some of the women, they finally get the love they deserve.Judy Leigh is back with her unmistakable recipe of friendship and fun, love and laughter. The perfect feel-good novel for all fans of Dawn French, Dee Macdonald and Cathy Hopkins.Readers love Judy Leigh:‘Loved this from cover to cover, pity I can only give this 5 stars as it deserves far more.’‘The story’s simply wonderful, the theme of second chances will resonate whatever your age, there’s something for everyone among the characters, and I do defy anyone not to have a tear in their eye at the perfect ending.’‘With brilliant characters and hilarious antics, this is definitely a cosy read you'll not want to miss.’‘A lovely read of how life doesn't just end because your getting old.’‘A great feel-good and fun story that made me laugh and root for the characters.’Praise for Judy Leigh:‘Brilliantly funny, emotional and uplifting’ Miranda Dickinson'Lovely . . . a book that assures that life is far from over at seventy' Cathy Hopkins bestselling author of The Kicking the Bucket List'Brimming with warmth, humour and a love of life… a wonderful escapade’ Fiona Gibson

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Book SynopsisIn the third instalment of Rachel Brimble's exciting Victorian saga series, The Ladies of Carson Street will open the doors on a thoroughly modern marriage – and William is about to get a lot more than he bargained for... He needs a wife... Manchester industrialist William Rose was a poor lad from the slums who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, but in order to achieve his greatest ambitions he must become the epitome of Victorian respectability: a family man. She has a plan... But the only woman who's caught his eye is sophisticated beauty Octavia Marshall, one of the notorious ladies of Carson Street. Though she was once born to great wealth and privilege, she's hardly respectable, but she's determined to invest her hard-earned fortune in Mr Rose's mills and forge a new life as an entirely proper businesswoman. They strike a deal that promises them both what they desire the most, but William's a fool if he thinks Octavia will be a conventional married woman, and she's very much mistaken if she thinks the lives they once led won't follow them wherever they go. Perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin, Lizzie Lane and Emma Hornby. Readers love A Very Modern Marriage! 'Superb... A captivating Historical Romance' Dash Fan Book Reviews, 5* Review 'Passionate, compelling and immensely romantic... Unforgettable... Readers will be completely charmed' Bookish Jottings, 4* Review 'Heartwarming and romantic... A Very Modern Marriage is a step back in time with a wonderful romance at its heart!' Rae Reads, 4* Review 'Gripping... Kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat... Extremely well written' Ginger Book Geek, 4* Review 'Engrossing' Corinne Rodrigues, 4* Review 'Emotive... A story of shared love, goals and dreams' Quirky Book Reads, 4* Review 'Lavishly descriptive and utterly compelling' Chez Maximka, 4* Review 'Dramatic, accessible, escapist and interesting' Ceri's Lil Blog, 4* Review

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica RedlandWhen Seren’s brother Andrew signs her up to Yorkshire Dating, only for them to recommend that she ‘gets a life’ before they find her a match, Seren has to admit that they may have a point. She loves her job cooking at an elder day centre and her little flat, but it’s fair to say her life is a little short of hobbies and friends. Since she was young Seren has felt safer close to home, but now she’s a thirty-something divorcee, it’s time for a change.Change arrives in the shape of alarmingly clever collie Kez, who Seren offers to take in ‘temporarily’, and kind but mysterious new colleague Ned. But as Ned and Kez tempt Seren out of her shell, it means facing her fears. And when Andrew finally reveals the secrets of their childhood, Seren’s need for safety suddenly makes sense.A problem shared is a problem halved, and with friends by her side, Seren might be able to get a life that she loves at last.Praise for Jane Lovering:'I adored the dual timeline aspect of this gorgeous story and discovering the secrets from the past. Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica Redland'A funny, warm-hearted read, filled with characters you'll love.' Matt Dunn on A Country EscapeWhat readers are saying about Jane Lovering:**'A **heart-warming, entertaining and uplifting book about the importance of human connection, self-acceptance and making the most of any opportunities that come your way! I absolutely loved it and could not fault it.''I am a big fan of Jane Lovering’s books. She has a real knack for creating great characters and writing the perfect blend of romance and humour often with some more serious issues included. Her books will make you smile for sure but are also often rather emotional.''It wouldn’t be a book by Jane Lovering without that great balance between the ever-present humour – the set pieces and the wonderful one-liners – and the sensitively handled issues and emotional moments.' 'A compulsively readable, highly recommended book.'

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I took you, Becca. You are not my daughter.Becca Wall loves her family, so when her mother says these words, they strike her to the core. But then, her mum is ill, she has Alzheimers, so this can’t be the truth … can it? But then a woman disappears. Her name is Katie Collins and the day she vanished she was looking for Rebecca Wall. The police call Becca in for questioning but what can she tell them? She has never met Katie Collins. She has never heard of her.So why was Katie looking for her? As Becca starts to investigate, things take a dark turn. Someone knows the truth and it’s clear they will stop at nothing to hide it…A gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller, perfect for fans of T. M. Logan and B.A Paris.Previously published as Familiar Strangers.Praise for Jackie Walsh:‘Gripped me from page one and I raced through it to the end. The story is full of mystery and tension.’ Patricia Gibney, author of Three Widows‘OMG I could not put this book down…so many twists, turns and secrets and sucks you in from the very first chapter…I did not see the ending coming.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Definitely a book I’ll remember having read for a long time. I’d mark it a 6 out of 5 if I could.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This book had me hooked from start to finish - it is a long time since I finished a book as quickly!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I could not put this book down…I found it incredible and had to find out how it ended’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Secrets, twists and so much more. What a thrilling novel, I was hooked…Highly recommend it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Fantastic read! Great plot that grabs you from the very beginning. A masterful story that keeps you endlessly intrigued…HIGHLY RECOMMEND!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A stunning piece of writing with the tension and drama you expect from a top psychological thriller. Very highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisShe is determined to live the life she wants…Cassandra Trent does not like being told what to do. So when she is forced to leave behind her beloved Bardsley and join her aunt in London, she is furious. She wants nothing to do with polite society and useless noblemen.But Cassandra finds some comfort in the friendship she forms with her kind and gentle cousin, Susannah Berrinden. Despite being destined to marry Simeon Giffard, a charming and – more importantly – wealthy young man, Susannah has other ideas…And it seems Simeon does too. He has eyes only for Cassandra – but winning her over might prove to be a near impossible task.A heartwarming historical saga perfect for fans of Elisabeth McNeill, Rosie Goodwin and Gloria Cook.

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Book Synopsis***A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK***Oli and Joe are identical twins. But they will never be the same.Lizzie Truman gives birth to her sons at thirty-one weeks. From the start, the differences between the twins are clear. Oli is bigger, stronger, healthier. Joe is small and much less robust, his future inexorably altered by the trauma of his premature delivery.As soon as the boys are well enough, Lizzie checks out of the maternity hospital and leaves her old life behind. By the time Oli and Joe are grown, Beth has a new name, a thriving business, and she has successfully raised her sons alone.But when the truth about their past emerges, the twins are forced to reassess everything they thought they knew about their mother, their upbringing and themselves. 'Wonderful ... such a great read ... made me emotional' Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2 Book ClubTrade ReviewWonderful ... such a great read! You will fire through it. I couldn't put it down ... it made me emotional ... a delight -- Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2 Book ClubIn The Day We Left, Caroline Bond uses a truly original storyline to explore universal themes of fierce familial bonds, motherhood and what shapes us into the people we become. Together with a cast of brave, bold and nuanced characters, this is a novel that satisfies and delights in equal measure. Brilliantly paced and beautifully told. -- Katy ReganSharply observed and empathetic, many women will see themselves in this excellent novel * Elizabeth Buchan on Thea and Denise *There is a raw realism to all of Caroline Bond's novels ... Redemptive and satisfying * Carol Mason on The Legacy *The characters jump off the page! * Sam Blake on Thea and Denise *Caroline Bond has a gift for weaving heart-rending tales of impossible decisions. * Amanda Brooke on The Forgotten Sister *

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Book SynopsisI thought loving someone was simple. It isn't. Glorious, yes. Painful, yes. Unforgettable, yes. Simple, no. It took me the war to find out... Evelyn St. John has been parachuted into France to link up with the Resistance and to work undercover. Paul von Hoch's brief, as a member of the German Intelligence, is to track down enemy spies. When Evelyn and Paul meet and fall in love, their feelings for one another are fierce, but can never be uncomplicated. And when the battle lines shift, and patriotism gives way to deeper truths, they will both face the gravest of challenges.Trade ReviewA compelling love story ... the characters are utterly convincing... genuine tension and excitement ... an excellent novel -- Philippa Gregory * Sunday Times *Echoing with danger and tension, tenderness and truth, this is a love story and a picture of war that will haunt you... unforgettable -- Peter James, author of 'Possession'An immensely interesting novel. The evocative atmosphere and dangerous exploits keep you turning the pages. * Woman's Journal *

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Book Synopsis When her last two plays are dismal failures and her relationship with her temperamental mentor falls apart, writer Bree O'Brien abandons Chicago and the regional theater where she hoped to make a name for herself to return home. Opening Flowers on Main promises to bring her a new challenge and a new kind of fulfillment. But not all is peaceful and serene in Chesapeake Shores, with her estranged mother on the scene and her ex-lover on the warpath. Jake Collins has plenty of reasons to want Bree out of his life, but none of those are a match for the one reason he wants her to stay: he's still in love with her. Jake might be able to get past that old hurt if he knew Bree was home to stay, but is she? The only way to know for sure is to take a dangerous leap of faith.

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Book SynopsisNestling on India's southern coast lies the town of Kittur. Ranging through the city's streets and schoolyards, bedrooms and businesses, its inner workings and its outer limits, through the myriad and distinctive voices of its inhabitants, Aravind Adiga brings an entire world vividly and unforgettably to life.

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Book Synopsis'Immensely captivating and original’ The Guardian'A poetically written domestic drama with a wonderful magical-realist twist' Daily MailHow do you make sense of the loss of those you love the most? Delia Rabbit is already struggling to juggle three wayward children, a damaged relationship with her mother and an ill-advised affair with one of her students. Then her sixteen-year-old son Charlie vanishes in the middle of a blistering Brisbane heatwave. The family reels from the loss, as twenty-year-old Olive descends into hedonism and eleven-year-old Benjamin clings ever tighter to his superhero obsession. However, Charlie’s disappearance is stranger than it seems. And while his family search desperately for him, he may be closer than they think . . . A multigenerational tale of motherhood, grief and the tribulations of adolescence, The Rabbits weaves a thread of magic into a classic family drama novel.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2020 Penguin Australia Literary Prize‘A unique and captivating tangle of magic and mystery… [a] deliciously unsettling debut’ The Guardian 'I love an unsympathetic heroine and, here, two brilliant ones come along at once: art teacher Delia Rabbit and her surly daughter Olive. [... The Rabbits is] a poetically written domestic drama with a wonderful magical-realist twist', Wendy Holden, Daily Mail‘Overett brings a fresh eye to the suburban novel’ Booksandpublishing.com.au ‘A book that compels you to keep reading… deft and agile’ Readings.com.au

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Book SynopsisAfter building a successful group of restaurants, Val Reynolds meets and marries jeweller Hugo Gilard, and forms the Gilrey Corporation. On Hugo’s death, Val finds herself fighting against managers within the corporation who seek to take it over and turn into a more ruthless and profit-driven concern than she and Hugo envisaged. The battle involves Val’s four adult children and their partners, not all of whom are wholly supportive of her. The business jungle and its effect on the people within it is exposed in the ongoing battle for control of the Gilrey Corporation, and its effect on a family at a vulnerable time shows the different characters and aspirations of them all. After describing family matters historically in Howell Grange and over three days of a marriage in The Densham Do, Bruce Harris turns to the business politics and conflicts of the Gilard family in this latest work.

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Book SynopsisWho would you be without your memory??When Katherine Keene is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, her four grown children must grapple with how to care for her - and how to remake their relationships with each other. ?And then there’s the secret that threatens their family’s very identity. Will the Keenes find healing and reconciliation - or implode from within??Catchlight is the winner of the 2019 Fairfield Book Prize.

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Book Synopsis"Like a love song to my Oklahoma roots. Henderson House offers a sweet window into a past when lives and loves moved to the gentle rhythm of small-town cafes, front porch swings, and old two-lane highways." — Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were YoursAn enchanting boardinghouse tale of sisters, secrets, and later-in-life romance, Henderson House invites you to pull up a rocking chair and lose yourself in the heartaches and hopes of 1940s Oklahoma.In May 1941, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, hums with talk of spring flowers, fishing derbies, and the growing war in Europe. And for the Blackwell sisters, who reside in a quiet neighborhood boarding house, the winds of change are blowing.Bessie Blackwell, copy room manager at Phillips Petroleum and faithful churchgoer, is the reluctant owner of a new pair of glasses. The young women in the office swear by Bessie's romantic advice, despite the fact she's a self-proclaimed spinster. Frank Davis, Henderson House’s newest tenant, throws that status into question with his gentle eyes and ready smile. But the scar on his forehead and rumors of divorce speak of a troubled past.Bessie’s sister, Florence, a sales assistant at the men's clothing store downtown, knows all about troubled pasts. Her husband is dead, and it’s only with her sister's help that she’s able to raise Johnny. Life at Henderson House is luxurious compared to growing up in Cherokee Indian Territory, but Florence wants more for her boy than a rented room. When the flagship store in Tulsa offers her a management position, Florence sets her sights on the future and keeping the family together. And neither future nor family includes Frank Davis.Mrs. Henderson, the landlady, cook, and adopted matriarch of the Blackwell clan, possesses an uncanny intuition about all her boarders. She knows true love when she sees it. But soon even her vision becomes clouded as Florence schemes to undermine her sister’s budding romance. In a desperate attempt to keep Bessie by her side, Florence exposes the sisters' darkest secret. A secret that will change their lives, and the lives of those they love, forever.Trade Review"One of those rare novels that just makes you smile, [with] plenty of betrayals and secrets to keep you turning pages." —Addison Armstrong, author of The Light of Luna Park and The War Librarian"In Henderson House, McVicker has created a world that is both cozy and yet brimming with dark secrets, the possibility of new love, and conflicting plans for the future. The very walls of the building buzz with the hopes and dreams of its variety of inhabitants, from sweet Bessie, to scheming Florence, to the mysterious new boarder, Frank Davis. Alive with small-town, 1940s details, readers will be charmed by this sweet story." —Juliette Fay, bestselling author of Catch Us When We Fall and The Half of It"A charming novel about real people, flawed but lovable. Promises, heartbreaks, and betrayals are tenderly rendered, always with a dash of humor." —Kathryn Holzman, author of The Cost of Electricity and Real Estate: A Novel "A heart-warming tale of lost love and seemingly never found family, faith, and the deep dark secrets we all keep. McVicker’s Henderson House is far more than it seems, as she bursts into the Romance world with her innovative debut novel. McVicker’s writing breathes life into the story, much like the Henderson House itself. A story virtually decades in the making, McVicker’s ability to paint a picture with words proves that some things are worth waiting for." —M.B. Lewis, author of the Award-Winning novel The Pilate Scroll

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