Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES CRITICS' TOP BOOKS OF 2017ONE OF VULTURE'S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY FINALIST FOR THE L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZE IN FICTION“A modern classic.” —The New York Times Book Review   A young man's close-knit family is nearly destitute when his uncle founds a successful spice company, changing their fortunes overnight. As they move from a cramped, ant-infested shack to a larger house on the other side of Bangalore, and try to adjust to a new way of life, the family dynamic begins to shift. Allegiances realign; marriages are arranged and begin to falter; and conflict brews ominously in the background. Things become “ghachar ghochar”—a nonsense phrase uttered by one meaning something tangled beyond repair, a knot that can't be untied. Elegantly written and punctuated by moments of unexpected warmth and humor, GTrade Review“A great Indian novel...Folded into the compressed, densely psychological portrait of this family is a whole universe.” —Parul Sehgal, The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)"[Shanbhag] is a master of inference and omission...What’s most impressive about Ghachar Ghochar...is how much intricacy and turmoil gets distilled into its few pages...[A] wise and skillful book." —Sam Sacks, Wall Street Journal"A classic tale of wealth and moral ruin and a parable about capitalism and Indian society." —The New Yorker"Within the tight confines of a hundred pages or so, Shanbhag presents as densely layered a social vision of Bangalore as Edith Wharton did of New York in The House of Mirth…He's one of those special writers who can bring a fully realized world to life in a few pages...The tense fun of reading this vivid, fretful story lies in watching the main characters grab hold of what they think will be rescue ropes, but instead turn out to be slip knots.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR“Great Indian novels…tend towards large tomes, written in English. Now, however, the arrival of a new work has shaken up the status quo: Vivek Shanbhag’s gripping Ghachar Ghochar. This slim volume…packs a powerful punch, both in terms of the precision of its portrait of one Bangalore-based family, and, by extension, what this tells us about modern India....Shanbhag is the real deal, this gem of a novel resounding with chilling truths.” –The Independent (UK)“A simple story, well told...Its gently comic tone belies a stunning satire, the full power of which is only apparent as the horror of the ending becomes clear.” —Louise Doughty, The Guardian, “Best Books of 2017” “Masterful…This stunning Bangalore-set family drama underlines the necessity of reading beyond our borders….Ghachar Ghochar is both fascinatingly different from much Indian writing in English, and provides a masterclass in crafting, particularly on the power of leaving things unsaid.”–Deborah Smith, The Guardian“The level of effortless glancing detail with which [Shanbhag] draws minor characters...is extraordinary. That it is one of the few novels translated (beautifully) from Kannada, a language spoken by millions and with its own literary tradition, to be published in the United States says a lot about our literary world’s myopia when it comes to the Indian novel.”—Vulture, “A Premature Attempt at the 21st Century Literary Canon”"Ghachar Ghochar introduces us to a master." —Lorin Stein, The Paris Review“One of the finest literary works you will ever encounter…a nuanced wonder.”–Irish Times"A feat of taut, economical storytelling...[with] moments of wonderfully dark, often unexpected, cynicism." —Financial Times "One of the best novels to have come out of India in recent decades." —Pankaj Mishra, author of Age of Anger“Vivek Shanbhag is an Indian Chekhov.” —Suketu Mehta, author of Maximum City"In this exquisitely observed, wry and moving novel, the smallest detail can conjure entire worlds of feeling. Vivek Shanbhag is a writer of rare and wonderful gifts." —Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to You"One of my favorite contemporary writers in English translates one of the leading figures of Kannada literature. The result is mesmerizing, distressing—and altogether brilliant." —Karan Mahajan, author of The Association of Small Bombs “Vivek Shanbhag is one of those writers whose voice takes your breath away at the first encounter.” —Yiyun Li, author of Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life“Ghachar Ghochar is one of the most striking novels you’ll read this decade. . . . In Shanbhag’s hands, the Indian family is revealed in layers; as one layer peels away, what lies beneath is left raw and exposed.” —Nilanjana Roy, Business Standard (India)"[Shanbhag is] an extraordinary storyteller — one astutely alive to the competing forces of self-interest and empathy."—Jonathan Lee, Electric Literature“Suketu Mehta deems Vivek Shanbhag ‘an Indian Chekhov’….Shanbhag has earned this lofty comparison.” –The Globe and Mail (Canada)"A firecracker of a novel...concise and mesmerizing." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"A Tolstoyan portrait of family conflict and shifting priorities in modern-day India....Captivating."—Shelf Awareness, starred review"A compact novel that crackles with tension." —Kirkus Reviews“A delight…You will read Ghachar Ghochar…in part of an evening, about the length of time you’d need to watch one of Chekhov’s masterpieces. You’ll experience the same pleasure.” –CounterPunch“Very rarely a book comes along that you want to thrust in the hands of everyone—readers and non-readers. Ghachar Ghochar is one such book.” —Prajwal Parajuly, The Hindustan Times (India)“Altogether a delight to read . . . Shanbhag gives us an insider’s feel for the concerns that have shaped the middle class in the last half a century.” —Girish Karnad, The Indian Express (India)“An ingenious tale of how material wealth robs a family of its moral fortitude . . . [Shanbhag] is obviously a master of the form.” —Mint (India)“Ghachar Ghochar reveals a consummate fiction writer at the height of his powers. . . . a literary sensation across India.” —Scroll.in (India)“Ghachar Ghochar is a book of distilled simplicity, its surface of seeming artlessness hiding that most complex and complicated of things—truthfully rendered human life. Beautiful, tense, surprising, utterly convincing and wise, and translated with real inspiration by Srinath Perur.” —Neel Mukherjee, author of The Lives of Others“A remarkable novel about the fragile civilities of bourgeois life. The reader becomes absorbed in the unforgiving self-knowledge and expansive humanity contained in every page.” —Amit Chaudhuri, author of Freedom Song and Odysseus Abroad

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author of THE PIRATE''S DAUGHTER comes a story of three women born into the divided, troubled paradise of Jamaica.Easter, 1981. With Jamaica in a state of emergency, the Landing family gathers to bury one of its own. For Monica Landing, who had not spoken to her daughter for fifteen years, the death of Lana is the cruellest kind of loss. For Lana''s youngest sister, Jean, it is an imcomprehensible tragedy. All she knows is that her beloved homeland holds no future for her. But flight means crossing a landscape where soldiers turned executioners and armed gangs rule. It means making her way through the memories that engulf her, with perhaps the only man she has ever loved by her side. THE TRUE HISTORY OF PARADISE captures the grace, beauty and brutality that are indelible parts of the Jamaican experience.Trade Review'Skilfully crafted... marvellously evocative... conveys a vivid sense of many worlds folded into one' * Washington Post *'Authentic... convincing... Cezair-Thompson writes with talent, grace and confidence' * New York Times Book Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDaisy Corkill has never known who her parents were - or why they left her to be brought up by the couple she calls ''Uncle'' Ern and ''Aunt'' Gladys. Daisy yearns for the love and security that a family of her own would give her, but she finds comfort in her relationship with Brenda, her older ''sister''. One day in 1919 Brenda arrives home flushed with excitement. She has agreed to marry businessman Gil Fox. Daisy is horrified, for she doesn''t trust the handsome Gil. And soon after their wedding, Brenda realises that Gil isn''t the man she thought he was. But Daisy''s dreams are about to come true; a family of her own is finally within her reach. But will it be enough to get her through some stormy times?Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Baker's previous Merseyside sagas: 'A stirring tale of romance and passion, poverty and ambition * Liverpool Echo *A compelling book that you just don't want to put down * Southport Visiter *A gentle tale with all the right ingredients for a heartwarming novel * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *Another nostalgic story oozing with atmosphere and charm * Liverpool Echo *

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohnny, an outstanding young swimmer, went missing nearly thirty years ago: drowned, or so everyone except his sister Imogen believes. How could this have happened? Encouraged, pushed even, from a child by his father, Johnny could have made the Olympic team, couldn''t he? As Imogen gradually pieces together bits of her family history, we hear the tragic echoes that connect her with the Great War and Ireland in the nineteen-twenties.Trade ReviewThe quiet, elegiac prose is well sustained * Guardian *Characters damaged by their upbringing are Jennifer Johnston's metier, and echoes are a favourite motif. In what is, despite its title, a very fine novel, the tragedies of her family's past recur as Imogen's words resound off the coastal bay. A taut narrative, pared prose and lyrical imagery add up to a sad affirmation of Philip Larkin's adage * Saturday Telegraph *Characteristically wry [and] intelligent * Eileen Battersby, Irish Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisStoner author John Williams's first novel is a searing look at a man's relationship with his absent father, and how early trauma manifests throughout one's lifeJohn Williams’s first novel is a brooding psychological noir. Arthur Maxley is a young man at the end of his emotional rope. Having dropped out of college, he’s holed up in a big-city hotel, living off an allowance from his family, feeling nothing but alone and doing nothing but drinking to forget it. What’s brought him to this point? Something is troubling him, something is haunting him, something he cannot bring himself either to face or to turn away from. And now his father has come to town, a hail-fellow-well-met kind of guy. They’ve been estranged for years, and yet Arthur wants to meet—and so he does, reeling away from the encounter for a night of drinking and dancing and a final reckoning with the traumatizing past that readers will not soon forget.This edition of Nothing but the Night includes an interview with Nancy Gardner Williams, the author’s widow.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA heartwarming novel about what we are prepared to give—and give up—in the name of love, from the author of Star-Crossed and The Lost Love Song. Two boxes, both alike in size and shape . . .Marnie Fairchild is the brains and talent behind Wish & Co., a boutique store that offers a bespoke gift-buying service to wealthy clients with complicated lives. Brian Charlesworth is Marnie’s most prized customer, and today she’s wrapping the perfect anniversary gift for his wife, Suzanne . . . and a birthday present for his mistress, Leona. What could possibly go wrong? For years, Marnie’s had her heart set on moving Wish & Co. to the historic shopfront once owned by her grandfather. When the chance to bid for the property unexpectedly arises, Marnie—distracted—makes an uncharacteristic mistake. Soon Brian is in a fight to rescue his marriage, and Marnie is scrabbling to keep her dreams al

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Buchanan sisters share everything-even ownership of their beloved Juniper Inn. As children, they spent every holiday there, until a feud between their mother, Lillian, and Aunt Sassy-one that would last for decades-kept them away. When plans for a grand re-opening of the inn coincide with Sassy's 70th birthday party, youngest sister, Rose, decides it's time for a family reunion. Only she'll need help from a certain handsome hardware store owner to pull off the extravagant celebration . . . And when Lillian's return brings family secrets flooding into the open, will the Buchanan sisters find the strength to heal the pain of the past and maybe even . . . find love?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom this "fabulous storyteller" (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes the third book in a bestselling western romance series.Jenna Owens spent her young adult years helping raise her three teen nephews after they were removed from their abusive father's care. Now that they're grown, it's their turn to take care of her with the perfect gift: a stay at the Meadow Valley Guest Ranch for her and her supposedly psychic chicken, Lucy. Colt Morgan---one of the owners of Meadow Valley Ranch---is in town visiting his sister and has offered to give Jenna and Lucy a ride. But a storm leaves them stranded for a night in a farmhouse guest room where things get cozier than expected for the barely introduced travel companions.Colt can't deny his attraction to Jenna, even after they make it to Meadow Valley and no long have to share a bed. But Jenna is overly cautious, not only because Colt is ten years younger but because the life he wants isn't one she's able to give him. Their time at the ranch, though? They can at least have that. But what if two weeks of fantasy between strangers might actually have a shot in the real world, or will their final destination be two broken hearts?

Read more less

Book SynopsisTurn a Blind Eye is the third instalment in the gripping story of Detective Inspector William Warwick, by the master storyteller and Sunday Times number one bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles.William Warwick, now a Detective Inspector, is tasked with a dangerous new line of work, to go undercover and expose crime of another kind: corruption at the heart of the Metropolitan Police Force. His team is focused on following Detective Jerry Summers, a young officer whose lifestyle appears to exceed his income. But as a personal relationship develops with a member of William’s team, it threatens to compromise the whole investigation.Meanwhile, a notorious drug baron goes on trial, with the prosecution case led by William’s father and sister. And William’s wife Beth, now a mother to twins, renews an old acquaintance who appears to have turned over a new leaf, or has she?As the undercover officers start to draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go deeper still, and more of his colleagues than he first thought might be willing to turn a blind eye.‘Peerless master of the page-turner’ – Daily MailTrade ReviewProbably the greatest storyteller of our age * Mail on Sunday *If there were a Nobel Prize for storytelling, Archer would win * Daily Telegraph *Jeffrey Archer is one of my literary heroes. * Fraser Nelson, The Spectator *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Wilde’s second novel set in Moonglow Cove is a redemptive story of the healing power of unconditional familial love and the potential to grow through life’s struggles. It’s sure to please the author’s many devoted readers, and fans of similar authors, like Susan Mallery and Kristan Higgins." — Library Journal "Fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery will relish the complex family relationships Wilde creates." — Booklist “The Keepsake Sisters grabs your attention and heart right from the start…mesmerizing.” — Fresh Fiction “The Moonglow Sisters is everything I love in a book. It's emotional, funny, tender and unforgettable. I couldn't stop reading until the last wonderful page. Lori Wilde writes characters who always speak to my heart.” — RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author "The resilience of the bond between sisters is tested on a rocky path toward healing in this engrossing tale of secrets and betrayals. Lori Wilde's infinitely relatable characters make The Moonglow Sisters a must-read." — Julia Quinn "Page-turning and passionate, Lori Wilde's novels are always a delight!" — Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author "Every now and then a book comes along that touches every emotion, from heart rending tears to belly laughs. The Moonglow Sisters is a one of those rare books. From the first line to the last sigh, it was amazing." — Caroline Leavitt

Read more less

Book Synopsis 'THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOVEL OF OUR TIMES.' Lemn Sissay, Booker Prize judge From a critically acclaimed author comes a searing novel about maternal love pushed to the brink by environmental crisis 'Brutal and beautiful in equal measure' (Emily St. John Mandel) Bea's daughter, Agnes, is slowly wasting away, her lungs ravaged by the smog and pollution of the overpopulated metropolis they call home. The only alternative is to build a life in the vast expanse of untamed land known as The Wilderness State. No one has been allowed to venture here before. That is all about to change. But as Bea soon discovers, saving her daughter's life might mean losing her in ways she hadn't foreseen. Passionate and exhilarating, The New Wilderness is the story of a mother's fight to save her daughter in a world she can no longer call her own. Longlisted for the DUBLIN Literary Award 2022 * A Guardian Best Science Fiction Book of the Year * A 'Best Book of the Year 2020' according to BBC Culture * An Irish Times Best Debut Fiction of 2020 Trade Review'The New Wilderness is a virtuosic debut, brutal and beautiful in equal measure.' Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel'Soulful, urgent... Supremely well-crafted... What lingers, though, beyond the awesome power of Bea and Agnes as heroines, is pure wonderment at all in this world of ours that is not human.' Observer'Wonderfully imagined and written, this is a tense future-shock novel that's also a tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship under extreme pressure... An urgent novel reflective of what is happening in society right now.' Booker Prize judges'A wildly imaginative and terrifying dystopian story... Touching on humanity and our contempt for nature, this is a timely and compelling novel.' Independent'This Booker-longlisted novel's driving questions – who will live and who will die? And which kind of leadership will triumph along the way? – remind us, in a compelling fashion, why we read at all: to learn how better to survive.' New Statesman'A visceral, elemental performance... Dense with believable detail.' The Sunday Times'Riveting... Bleakly compelling, and leavened by wry, sparkling humour that Cook combines seamlessly with existential dread.' Daily Telegraph'This gut-wrenching story of survival, danger, power, control and, most importantly, love is one you won’t want to put down.' CNN'This Booker-longlisted novel’s driving questions – who will live and who will die? And which kinds of leadership will triumph along the way? – remind us, in a compelling fashion, why we read at all: to learn how better to survive.' New Statesman'It is the anthropological acuity in Cook's writing that makes it so persuasive… The chief power of The New Wilderness, and what distinguishes it from less successful environmental dystopian fiction, is Cook’s talent for world-building.' TLS'Cook leavens her satire with sly wit and real wisdom, expertly deconstructing the borderline separating human beings and other animals.' Guardian, 'Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books 2020' 'Cook's is a fresh and vivid voice; it's unsurprising the likes of Miranda July and Roxane Gay are fans.' Observer'Cook has a keen eye for the relentless weigh-ups of parenthood... The tale of a hazardously self-denying lifestyle pursued on health grounds, it has uncanny resonance.' Metro'Urgent and inventive... This quietly raging novel deserves its place on the Booker longlist. People who switch off when they hear the phrase "climate change" should read it. And so should everyone else.' Irish Times'As close to experiencing a Picasso as literature can get.' Téa Obreht, author of The Tiger's Wife (on Man V. Nature)'A big book full of characters and rich in imagination... The only debut novel on the shortlist that never feels like one.' Irish Times'5 of 5 stars. [A] gripping, fierce, terrifying examination of what people are capable of when they want to survive in both the best and worst ways. Loved this.' Roxane Gay'A damning piece of horror cli-fi, but it's also a gripping and profound examination of love and sacrifice.' BuzzFeed'The New Wilderness left me as stunned as a deer in headlights. Gut-wrenching and heart-wrecking, this is a book that demands to be read, and urgently.' Rachel Khong, author of Goodbye, Vitamin‘Propulsive... The New Wilderness is a well-formed and powerful piece of writing.’ The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe wonderful new novel from Chrissie Manby, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Trisha Ashley and The Great British Bake Off.Trade ReviewI've been a fan of Manby's writing for years and thoroughly enjoyed this * Daily Mail *A lovely book which brought a tear to my eye in places -- BroadbeansbooksHeartwarming... truly funny * The Bookbag *Chrissie Manby has cooked up a fine tale...the food is so lovingly described that I felt that I could cook the dishes mentioned -- Cultural WednesdayThis really is such a fabulous read. I dare you not to try and laugh, as I for one couldn't control it! Funny, heart-warming and engaging, The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club is this year's must-read -- By the Letter Book ReviewsThe perfect place to find a recipe for happiness. I adored this hilarious book... [it's] the perfect laugh-out-loud romantic paperback comedy -- I Read NovelsWhat a wonderfully lighthearted and uplifting novel -- Bloglovin'I loved everything about this book, it has a little romance, a little mystery, and great insights into family dynamics but most of all it's hilarious. It's Chrissie Manby at her absolute best and is the funniest book I've read all year' -- That Thing She ReadsAn absolute joy to read...a gentle romantic comedy that ticks all of the right boxes. I highly recommend this book when you need a little pick me up. It's a lovely read. -- Brew and Book Reviews'[This novel] was funny and emotional, it was heartwarming, it was so genuine and realistic and it is a MUST READ this autumn. Highly recommended!' -- On My Bookshelf

Read more less

Book Synopsis''I loved this book, everyone needs a Jack Eversea in their life'' 5* reader review Following Eversea, Forever, Jack is the second gorgeous Butler Cove novel from Natasha Boyd. Nicholas Sparks introduced you to Noah Calhoun. Jamie McGuire brought you Travis Maddox. Now meet Jack Eversea, and prepare to be swept away...When Hollywood movie star Jack Eversea stumbled into sleepy Butler Cove, he had no idea he would encounter the only ''real'' thing that''s ever happened to him - only to let her slip through his fingers... Small-town girl Keri Ann Butler''s life changed the night she met Jack Eversea. But suddenly he was gone, and she had to pick up the pieces and start again.Now Jack is back, with one thing on his mind. Winning back the girl who stole his heart. Whatever it takes. But is it too late? Passionate. Devastating. Explosive. Unforgettable. <Trade ReviewBoyd creates magic once again * A Bookish Escape *Natasha Boyd weaves a fascinating tale of love, loss, heartache and redemption * Tome Tender Book Blog *A perfect blend of heartbreak, angst, romance, steam and pure love in its rawest and sometimes most painful form * All Romance Reviews *5 Eversea* glass Loving Stars! * Sizzling Pages Reviews *

Read more less

Book Synopsis ''Eversea is captivating, romantic and a stunning read to get lost in! I''ll be honest - this is a book that I have been DREAMING of reading'' 5* reader review Eversea is the first gorgeous Butler Cove novel from Natasha Boyd. If you loved Nicholas Sparks'' Noah Calhoun and lusted after Jamie McGuire''s Travis Maddox, you''ll be dreaming about Jack Eversea...An orphaned, small-town, southern girl, held hostage by responsibility and self-doubt.A Hollywood A-list mega-star, on the run from his latest scandal and with everything to lose. A chance encounter that leads to an unlikely arrangement and epic love affair that will change them both for ever.As powerful as the pounding surf, as intoxicating as the sea breeze, this is one love affair you won''t be able to forget about...Don''t miss the electrifying sequel, Forever, Jack, and return to Butler Cove in the noTrade ReviewA completely captivating read * Romfan Reviews *You will get lost in the characters and their stories. This book is escapism at its very best. A beautiful coming of age story with lots of lovely romance mixed in * Bookish Treasures Blog *An absolutely sexy, heart-touching tale of finding oneself and discovering love along the way. Eversea is brilliantly written with lovable characters and wonderful story that left me wanting more * Tome Tender Book Blog *So if you'd like a book that's full of vibrant characters, swoon (fracking hot) males that leave you hot under the collar, and just generally a book that leaves you wanting so much more, then pick this book up! * Book Passion for Life Blog *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA moving saga of family relationships and ambition in one Liverpool pub. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Ellie Dean and Dilly Court.When an unexpected event turns life upside down, Eve must summon all her strength to protect her daughters . . . 1933. Eve and Eddie Dobson have been running the George pub in Liverpool for over twenty years. Now, though, the Depression is taking hold and, with money in short supply, it''s galling for Eve that the barmaid they can barely afford spends the day making eyes at Eddie rather than pulling her weight behind the bar. At least her three daughters seem happy. Lily''s dreams of going on the stage haven''t led her into trouble, so far. Sarah is content as a waitress, while Maggie''s gently directing her devoted boyfriend to the altar. But when Eddie''s flirtation with the hired help takes an unexpected turn, everything changes, leaving none of Eve''s family untouched . . . and calling on all the strenTrade ReviewA MOTHER'S LOVE is another strongly-written saga that captures and holds the reader's attention from start to finish...an enjoyable, well-rounded novel' - Historical Novels ReviewHer mix of Irish and Liverpool backdrops have won this strong saga writer an assured place in the Sunday Times top 10...she's great! - BooksellerA compelling read - Woman's OwnThe Catherine Cookson of Liverpool - Northern EchoAn outstanding storyteller - Woman's WeeklyGutsy... A vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning - Daily ExpressA vivid portrayal of life - BestShe has a realism that is almost palpable - Liverpool Echo

Read more less

Book SynopsisA funny, poignant and unforgettable novel about Frank - one of the most lovable and unusual characters you'll ever meet.For some boys fitting in means standing outMeet Frank - he isn't like other kids. Intrepid explorer, sartorial connoisseur; he's as strange as he is brilliant. But Frank discovers the hard way that people don't like brilliant and they hate strange. What Frank longs for - aside from a father - is a friend. Meet Mimi - a reclusive literary legend and mother to Frank. Mimi has been holed up in her Bel Air mansion for years, keeping her secrets and hiding Frank from a cruel world. Until Alice.Meet Alice - the level-headed young woman charged with looking after Mimi's unusual son. In so doing, Alice discovers what it really means to love someone. And she finds a part of herself she never knew was missing. Funny, poignant and unforgettable, this novel - like Frank - is a one-off creation you'll fall in love with.Trade ReviewSit back...and enjoy the show. * New York Times Book Review *Hilarious, poignant and full of unexpected gems. * Huffington Post *Delightful. You will laugh out loud. * Slate *Johnson's magnificently poignant, funny, and wholly original debut goes beyond page-turner status. Readers will race to the next sentence. And the next. Her charming, flawed, quietly courageous characters, each wonderfully different, demand a second reading while we impatiently await the author's second work. -- starred review * Library Journal *Readers will find themselves captivated. * People Magazine *Witty dialogue, irresistible characters, and a touch of mystery make this sweet debut about a quirky Hollywood family an enjoyable page-turner. * Booklist *Johnson's magnificently poignant, funny, and wholly original debut goes beyond page-turner status. Her charming, flawed, quietly courageous characters, each wonderfully different, demand a second reading. * Library Journal *The curious incident of where'd you go, Salinger. * Kirkus Reviews *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Kamogawa Food Detectives is the first book in the bestselling, mouth-watering Japanese series, for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.What’s the one dish you’d do anything to taste just one more time?Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner serves up deliciously extravagant meals. But that's not the main reason customers stop by . . .The father-daughter duo are 'food detectives'. Through ingenious investigations, they are able to recreate dishes from a person’s treasured memories – dishes that may well hold the keys to their forgotten past and future happiness. The restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to vanished moments, creating a present full of possibility.A bestseller in Japan, The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a celebration of good company and the power of a delicious meal.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Beyond the Moonlit Sea comes an atmospheric tale of how one woman’s search for the truth uncovers long-hidden secrets and rocks the very foundation of her world. Scarlett Fontaine is a true Hollywood legend—a singer, actress, and beloved fashion icon. But Scarlett dies tragically at just thirty-six years old, leaving behind no children. Or so the story goes… Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator at a museum dedicated to Scarlett’s life. She’s also sole heir to Scarlett’s fortune as a descendant of the star. But all is not well in Gwen’s world. She’s dealing with a messy marital separation and is struggling to move forward. So when Peter Miller, a biographer and photojournalist, comes to the museum with shocking claims about Scarlett—a life of exile in Alaska, a baby born in secret—Gwen’s whole world is turned upside down. Again. Determined to uncover the truth, Gwen and Peter set out for Alaska together but soon find themselves on a path toward something far deeper and more meaningful than either of them ever expected. A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes readers on a breathtaking journey from a lush vineyard in Nova Scotia to a rustic lodge in Alaska where old family secrets are revealed and the quest for true happiness begins.Trade Review“Told using two equally captivating timelines and with elements of romance, this is a gripping and addictive read.” —Library Journal (starred review) “MacLean’s masterful storytelling captures the essence of resilience, love, and the power of revealing hidden truths, leaving readers captivated and yearning for more. With evocative descriptions and deeply resonating characters, this novel showcases MacLean’s prowess as a writer, delivering a compelling tribute to the human spirit.” —Booklist “Novelist and master storyteller Julianne MacLean offers her readers a truly fascinating and entertaining journey…Deftly crafted, [and] impressively original…” —Midwest Book Review “The reader is swept along on a tide of sadness and grief in both time periods that is then followed by a sense of hope and beauty unfolding in the lives of both Gwen and Valerie. The beauty of the physical landscape after a disaster becomes a metaphor for the sense of beauty that can emerge after grief.” —Historical Novels Review “A perfect storm of betrayals and secrets set in motion by an earth-shattering event in history leads to a heartwarming and beautiful journey of self-discovery and unexpected love.” —Genevieve Graham, USA Today and Toronto Star bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child and Bluebird “Captivating. With intrigue and tenderness, A Storm of Infinite Beauty unravels secrets of the past in this heartrending story about love, loss, and friendship. MacLean takes you on a journey through the stark landscape of Alaska’s snow-covered mountains, jagged walls of ice, and awe-inspiring wildlife while weaving a gut-wrenching tale that highlights the tragic beauty of life.” —Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this suspenseful and darkly funny debut novel, a sophisticated French woman spends her life obsessing over her perfect husband—but can their marriage survive her passionate love?“One of the most daring, provocative, unnervingly intimate thrillers I’ve read in years.Trade Review“One of the most daring, provocative, unnervingly intimate thrillers I’ve read in years. It’s a glass of Sancerre, crisp and cold and dry – and the more you swallow, the more you’ll lose your balance. Few writers besides Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith can evoke domestic unease with such sangfroid; fewer still can make it such delirious fun. My Husband is the novel for any woman with a husband. Or perhaps for any man with a wife. Merveilleux, Mademoiselle Ventura!” — A. J. Finn, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Woman in the Window “[A] wry, psychologically complex debut . . . This riveting emotional thriller requires serious willpower to not devour in a single sitting.” — Oprah Daily “What a wonderfully tense, obsessive, enveloping novel— almost like a feminist, introspective spin on Fatal Attraction! Ventura’s deftly spun debut is a sharply observed dissection of marriage that will haunt you for days.” — Virginia Feito, author of Mrs. March “While I tend to be more obsessed with my husband’s exes than my husband himself, this book had me reeling, laughing and re-examining my life choices. I loved every minute.” — Jenny Mollen Biggs, New York Times bestselling author of City of Likes "Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage meets Ruth Rendell. . . . My Husband possesses a dark, clinical and raspy humor. With a very well done final twist, as unpredictable as it is Machiavellian, you won’t want to read this vaudeville just once." — Le Nouvel Obs "As funny as it is fierce . . . An outstanding novel!" — Paris La Douce “Irresistible and delightful.” — Amelie Nothomb, author of Fear and Trembling

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Oh, you're not crazy, Denise. I think this is probably the sanest you've ever been...'Two women. An open road. The trip of a lifetime.Thea is confident, sorted, determined to have fun, but there are sorrows beneath the surface of her life.Denise is struggling under the weight of her many commitments and in desperate need of some excitement.When these polar opposites meet, and unexpectedly become friends, they realise they're both looking to escape.So begins a road trip that leads them far from home and yet closer to their true selves.But they can't outrun their pasts forever and when things start to become complicated, both women have an important decision to make. Do they give up or keep going? Turn around or drive on?Trade ReviewSharply observed and empathetic, many women will see themselves in this excellent novel * Elizabeth Buchan *Compassionate, wry and packed with acute observations on human behaviour. Like wrapping yourself in a warm shawl. -- Charity NormanAbsolutely captures the challenges of being a certain age - the characters jump off the page! * Sam Blake *There is a raw realism to all of Caroline Bond's novels ... Redemptive and satisfying -- Carol Mason on 'The Legacy'Caroline Bond has a gift for weaving heart-rending tales of impossible decisions and The Forgotten Sister is no exception. A beautifully written story that will stay with me for quite some time. -- Amanda Brooke on 'The Forgotten Sister'A deftly written novel [and] a moving exploration of love between sisters and the tangled, often complex emotions that exist in families. -- Madeleine Reiss on 'The Forgotten Sister'

Read more less

Book SynopsisA #1 bestseller on The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times!From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah''s The Womenat once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances Frankie McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble o

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NO. 1 BESTSELLER AND A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023''Giddily joyful. Moyes writes . . . with warmth and a wonderfully wicked sense of humour'' THE TIMES''Delightful. Nobody writes women the way Jojo Moyes does - recognizably real and complex and funny and flawed'' JODI PICOULT''Very few authors have the power to make you laugh on one page and cry on the next. Moyes is one of them'' NEW YORK TIMES''So much fun. Beautiful about female friendship'' MARIAN KEYES''A book we all need in our lives right now. A fabulous and funny romp'' WOMAN & HOMEWho are you when you are forced to walk in someone else''s shoes?__________MEET SAMShe''s not got much, but she''s grateful for what she has: a job she''s just about clinging on to and a family who depend on her for everything. She knows she''s one bad day away from losing it all - and just hopes todTrade ReviewThis blast of a book throws two wildly different women together for a giddily joyful caper that reminds anyone who may have forgotten — don’t mess with a woman over 40 * Sunday Times, Books of the Year *The antidote to February that we all need. A blast of a book . . . There's something rather giddily joyful about this tale of women pulling together, and Moyes writes about their high jinks, tribulations and amorous entanglements with warmth and a wonderfully wicked sense of humour * THE TIMES 'BOOK OF THE MONTH' *Do shoes make the woman... or does the woman make the shoes? Jojo Moyes' new novel is a delightful reverse-Cinderella story of two women who seem polar opposites - until circumstance forces them to experience each other's lives. Nobody writes women the way Jojo Moyes does - recognizably real and complex and funny and flawed - which is what makes her novels an auto-buy for me -- Jodi Picoult, #1 NYT bestselling authorSomeone Elses Shoes is SO MUCH FUN. Beautiful about female friendship and brilliant on being a woman of a certain age who won't take any more sh*te! -- MARIAN KEYESA book we all need in our lives right now. A fabulous and funny romp * Woman & Home Book Club *Very few authors have the power to make you laugh on one page and cry on the next. Moyes is one of them * New York Times *A paean to women's solidarity wrapped up in a very funny revenge-fuelled caper * The Times *Riotously fun and an ode to strong female friendships * Prima *[A] captivating new blockbuster. Superb. Once you step into the lives of Sam and Nisha, you'll be racing through the pages, breathless to find out what happens next. It's a sassy strut of a novel, full of twists and high-adrenaline moments, but ultimately it's got heart too. The characters are relatable, memorable and engaging, and you'll be rooting for your favourites to end up walking tall * Daily Express *A warm, witty and uplifting novel and it's a joy to spend time with Jojo Moyes' flawed, likeable characters. Another winner from a fabulous author * Sunday Express *One of our absolute fave authors . . . This brilliant story is a sure-fire hit * Sun *Someone Else's Shoes is a fantastic novel about the power of female friendships that hugely resonates with me; I'm such a big fan of Jojo's work and of her brilliant, joyful writing. It was an honour to be asked to narrate the story and I hope listeners enjoy the audiobook as much as I enjoyed recording it -- Daisy RidleyHer advice is invaluable * i *A compelling, full-of-heart novel about the power of female friendship * Kirkus *Hard-hitting and laugh-aloud . . . Two women's lives intertwine and change profoundly in this story full of richly imagined characters * The Times *It's a hit * Sunday Times *Freaky Friday is all grown up in this heartfelt and heartwarming tale of two women in very different circumstances.... From the storyteller behind Me Before You comes a story of reinvention that just might inspire you to make a change yourself-just buy your own shoes * Good Housekeeping *Empathy and an extravagant plot collide in Moyes's big hug of a novel. Its real heart is the burgeoning friendship between two brilliantly realised but very different fortysomething women * Mail on Sunday *Charming ... Moyes is never short on her trademark clever observations ...[her] fans will have a ball * Publishers Weekly *Somehow heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time * Yours *Explores themes of female friendship, motherhood, ageing, love and disillusionment. Moyes brings her main characters - a unlikely group of women thrown together - to life, each as flawed as they are brilliant, and stronger together * Grazia *Something to get excited about . . . [The] most compelling and readable of novels, which will make you wonder what it's really like to walk in someone else's shoes * Glamour UK *Showcases Moyes' ability to portray emotion and female friendship with themes of love, betrayal, family, and hope. It is action packed and will have readers rooting for Nisha and Sam * Booklist, Starred Review *Full of fun, unlikely friendships . . . and female empowerment, it's a welcome escape. A funny romp * Woman *A love letter to the strength of female friendship and how women can really be there for each other * Good Housekeeping *A stirring tale of sisterhood, survival and being seen * Red *A heartfelt story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances * Platinum *Praise for Jojo Moyes * - *Moyes is on dazzling form in this big-hearted story * Daily Mirror *Raw, funny, real and sad, this is storytelling at its best * Marie Claire *Blisteringly good * Sun *This truly beautiful story made us laugh, smile and sob like a baby - you simply have to read it * Closer *Entertaining, immersive and moving * Sunday Times *Dazzling * Sunday Express *Moyes somehow manages to break your heart before restoring your faith in love * Sunday Express *A genuinely entertaining book, a really cracking story * Stylist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Richard Powers is one of our country’s greatest living writers. He composes some of the most beautiful sentences I’ve ever read. I’m in awe of his talent." -- Oprah Winfrey"Extraordinary.…Powers’s insightful, often poetic prose draws us at once more deeply toward the infinitude of the imagination and more vigorously toward the urgencies of the real and familiar stakes rattling our persons and our planet." -- Tracy K. Smith, New York Times Book Review (cover review)"A heartrending tale of loss.…Powers continues to raise bold questions about the state of our world and the cumulative effects of our mistakes." -- Heller McAlpin - NPR"Nothing short of transportive." -- Newsweek"[A]stounding.…a must-read novel.…It’s urgent and profound and takes readers on a unique journey that will leave them questioning what we’re doing to the only planet we have." -- Rob Merrill - Associated Press"As in The Overstory, Powers seamlessly yet indelibly melds science and humanity, hope and despair." -- Dale Singer - St. Louis Post-Dispatch"Bewilderment is a big book about what matters most.…a brilliant, engrossing, and ultimately heartbreaking book." -- David Laskin - Seattle Times"[P]oignant…Bewilderment is a cri de coeur.…this is a hauntingly intimate story set within the privacy of one family trapped in the penumbra of mourning." -- Ron Charles - Washington Post"You could think of it as ‘The Innerstory’: It is about how and whether we see the world we inhabit.... It is enchanting, and it is devastating." -- Ezra Klein - The Ezra Klein Show"Immersive and astonishing.…Powers captures the tragedy of a species that could, but perhaps won’t, become a lasting part of a cosmic menagerie. But in this absorbing and effortlessly readable tale he seems to have also found uplifting poetry in our despair." -- Caleb Scharf - Nautilus"A moving depiction of filial love, as father and son confront a world of ‘invisible suffering on unimaginable scales." -- The New Yorker"In Bewilderment, [Powers's] mastery strikes a new vein.…it raises goosebumps and breaks our hearts." -- John Domini - The Brooklyn Rail"Achingly current and wise." -- Bethanne Patrick - Washington Post"[Powers] wants to challenge our innate anthropocentrism, both in literature and how we live." -- Alexandra Alter - New York Times"Remarkable.... Bewilderment channels both the cosmic sublime and that of the vast American outdoors, resting confidently in a lineage with Thoreau and Whitman, Dillard and Kerouac." -- Rob Doyle - The Guardian"One of America’s most ambitious and imaginative novelists.... In a year of unprecedented worldwide drought, fire, and flooding, [Bewilderment] couldn’t be timelier.... Whether concerning family or nature, this heart-rending tale warns us to take nothing for granted." -- Alexander C. Kafka - Boston Globe"The tenderness between father and son seem[s] so real and heartfelt that the novel becomes its own empathy machine. What’s more powerful, though, is how the emotions Bewilderment evokes expand far beyond the bond of father and son to embrace the living world." -- Ellen Atkins - Minneapolis Star Tribune"Powers [has] an emotional core to everything he writes, and this sets him apart from nearly everyone." -- David Yaffe - Air Mail"An unabashed tearjerker.... The most moving and inspiring of all Powers’s books." -- Gish Jen - The New Republic"Intimate.…Powers is an essential member of the pantheon of writers who are using fiction to address climate change." -- Carolyn Kellogg - Los Angeles Times"Powers succeeds in engaging both head and heart. And through its central story of bereavement, this novel of parenting and the environment becomes a multifaceted exploration of mortality." -- The Economist

Read more less