Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisA stunning, heart-breaking literary debut with the feel of a big American classic.Trade ReviewA work of abundant talent * New York Times *A beautiful, evocative novel with an amazing sense of place and an understated, dark sensibility. A brilliant debut. I loved it! * Jenni Fagan, author of The Panopticon *A novel this good is a rare thing. Elegiac and timeless, THE BARROWFIELDS is an unforgettable evocation of an American saga gone wrong. Reading it is like cracking open the tattered first edition of a classic you somehow missed but just pulled from your father's bookshelf. * David Gilbert, author of & Sons *THE BARROWFIELDS knows that the worst hauntings happen not in old houses but in troubled minds. The psychological landscape is craggy in this vivid update on Southern Gothic steeped in gorgeous vernacular and full of characters ready to walk off the page. A narrator cultivated from birth like a hothouse flower to redeem his father's thwarted ambitions finds the ruthless strength to escape the gravity of a doomed life, but at great cost. Revelations abound about family secrets as the dextrous narrative shifts between viscerally urgent and beautifully languorous. Lewis goes down to the depths and back up in this powerfully hopeful book, and the reader is helpless in his hands. * Matthew Thomas, author of We Are Not Ourselves *Majestic and rich with the textures of life, Phillip Lewis's THE BARROWFIELDS is one of the great discoveries of the year. This is adebut so assured in its sense of place and history that it will leave you in awe of what Lewis has accomplished here: a sorrowful, beautiful ode to the bond of family, the ghosts that haunt us, and the stories that shape us.' * Paul Yoon, author of Snow Hunters *Beautifully written and deeply moving, THE BARROWFIELDS is a novel that centers on a man conflicted between his love of family and his devotion to literature. Phillip Lewis is a very talented writer, and his debut deserves a wide and appreciative readership. * Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author of Serena and Above the Waterfall *In this charming, absorbing, and assured debut novel, a young man tries to make sense of his father's life and the passions that unite them-namely, a devotion to literature and a rueful nostalgia for their Appalachian homeland. . . . Lewis evokes his settings beautifully, and his prose is bracingly erudite. This debut has the ability to fully immerse its readers. * Publishers Weekly *Stunning . . . rich in character and place, steeped in literature and music, and fraught with family drama. . . . With clear echoes of Poe and Wolfe, THE BARROWFIELDS also gives a nod to Richard Russo by reflecting an appreciation for the eccentricities of regional characters. . . . Lewis has put Old Buckram firmly on the map. * Shelf Awareness *In his evocative debut about disenchantment and identity, Lewis captures the longing of a southerner separated from his home, his family, and his ambition... Like fellow North Carolinian Thomas Wolfe, Lewis tackles the conflicting choice between accepting one's roots and rejecting the past, and he does so with grace, wit, and an observant eye. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWhat if your own husband was accused of sexual misconduct?''You will be left wondering just who George is, and indeed, who you are.'' Irish NewsFor readers who were gripped by Megan Abbott''s The Fever and Louise O''Neill''s Asking For It . SHORTLISTED FOR THE SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZETHE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE is a page-turning Canadian bestseller about a family on the brink of collapse. It gives no easy answers, but once you stay up all night reading it, you''ll want to talk about it with everyone you know.For the past ten years, science teacher George Woodbury has been hailed a suburban hero.But when his daughter Sadie turns 17, George is arrested for sexual misconduct with her own classmates, while his wife Joan looks on in shock.As George awaits trial, his son Andrew, a lawyer in New York, returns home to help, only to confront his own unhappy memories.How can the famiTrade ReviewWhittall places the reader right at the centre of their pain. It's the best depiction of female suffering I've read since Jane Smiley eloquently tackled sexual abuse in A Thousand Acres. - Toronto StarThe Best Kind of People is the best kind of book ? it's got a compelling story characters readers will recognize and come to love and writing that makes it effortless to turn page after page. - Vancouver SunAn astounding portrait of a character by omission. - National PostThe jury found Zoe Whittall's The Best Kind of People urgent and timely, nuanced and brave. This gripping story challenges how we hear women and girls, and dissects the self-hypnosis and fear that prevent us from speaking disruptive truth. - 2016 Scotiabank Giller Prize Jury

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary debut novel of family, migration and the desire for a homeland.Trade ReviewA personal migrant experience told with beauty and insight * Stylist *A riveting debut inspired by the writer's personal immigrant experience . . . An exquisite epic about the ties each of us share with our family and homeland * Bookriot *A likeable celebration of female friendship as well as the often unsung heroism of migrant experiences * Sunday Times Culture *Shahnaz Ahsan recalls how shopping and cooking with her Bengali family in Manchester shaped her life and her debut novel * Observer Food Monthly *A story of quiet striving and determination, of love and friendship * Guardian *Ahsan's biggest triumph is that her characters feel innately Bangladeshi . . . Her flowing prose is impressive with an ease and smoothness to it * Daily Star *A wonderful, enriching read, everything I want in a novel: epic, engaging, insightful and honest * Observer New Review *

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary debut novel of family, migration and the desire for a homeland.Trade ReviewA personal migrant experience told with beauty and insight * Stylist *A riveting debut inspired by the writer's personal immigrant experience . . . An exquisite epic about the ties each of us share with our family and homeland * Bookriot *A likeable celebration of female friendship as well as the often unsung heroism of migrant experiences * Sunday Times Culture *Shahnaz Ahsan recalls how shopping and cooking with her Bengali family in Manchester shaped her life and her debut novel * Observer Food Monthly *A story of quiet striving and determination, of love and friendship * Guardian *Ahsan's biggest triumph is that her characters feel innately Bangladeshi . . . Her flowing prose is impressive with an ease and smoothness to it * Daily Star *A wonderful, enriching read, everything I want in a novel: epic, engaging, insightful and honest * Observer New Review *

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Book SynopsisWould you take the chance that could change everything?After leaving university at the age of twenty-five with no idea what to do with her life, Hannah is stunned when she is left a mystery bequest by her rich, estranged great-uncle Donald. But there''s a catch: before she can find out what she''s inherited, she must undertake a series of unknown tasks alongside Alec, Donald''s reluctant (but rather gorgeous) PA.As the tasks progress and she and Alec grow closer, Hannah begins to think that Donald''s real gift might have more to do with love than money . . .This funny, romantic and uplifting novel is perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Cathy Hopkins and Anna Bell.Readers are loving WHERE THERE''S A WILL!''A great read for fans of Sophie Kinsella. I was drawn in instantly - 5 STARS''''Enchanting . . . made me smile, laugh, wonder and want to experience more of life for myself - 5 STARS''

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Book Synopsis''Quietly transformational''The Times ''A tour de force... I can''t recommend this too highly''Patrick Gale''Innovative... an original, at-a-sitting read''Daily Mail''A potent meditation on the intensity of women''s lives''Charlotte Wood, author of The Weekend''A miracle... Engaging and evocative''Washington Post''I loved and admired The Performance... Unmissable''Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters''Lively and intimate... The way Thomas plays with the reader is a sort of genius''Guardian''Thomas writes these women with such wisdom and compassion, that by the end we are all transformed''Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground The false cold of the theatre makes it hard to imagine the heavy wind outside in the real world, the ash airTrade ReviewThomas's innovative novel . . . [is] an original, at-a-sitting read -- Stephanie Cross * DAILY MAIL *Intimate, poignant and darkly funny . . . Thomas has an astute eye for social inequality, and how "wealth generates wealth, abundance delivers abundance". Her most impressive feat is to portray the novel itself as a playscript during the play's interval . . . Much like Beckett, Thomas is more interested in the untangling of inner truths than in external incident, and her novel is quietly transformational. As the curtain falls on both the book and the performance, it is us and the characters alike who are changed in thought, if not yet in deed -- Shabnom Khanom * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Claire Thomas carries off a tour de force in The Performance, managing to pack a lifetime of human experience into remarkably little space. Like Beckett's ambiguous masterpiece, Happy Days, around which her narrative is tightly woven, she celebrates humanity and humour in the face of the intolerable. Even to people who live theatre makes fidget, I can't recommend this too highly. * Patrick Gale *Restrained and adventurous at once, The Performance is a cool, potent meditation on the private intensity of women's lives. An enigmatic, elegant and assured novel that explores the power of art in revealing us to ourselves. * Charlotte Wood, author of THE WEEKEND *I loved and admired The Performance. It's a work of great elegance and precision, a sharp yet achingly tender contemplation of women's hearts and minds. Thomas employs the stage to dazzling effect, calling into question the way we participate in our own lives and the lives of other people. Frequently funny, often profound, The Performance is an unmissable show. * Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS *Firstly, I loved the whole idea of this book: that while the most extraordinary life happens onstage, three relatively ordinary women in the theatre's audience consider their most intimate fears and desires. And secondly, Thomas writes these women with such wisdom and compassion, that by the end we are all transformed. * Claire Fuller, author of BITTER ORANGE *Three women sit in the audience of a theatre production of Beckett's Happy Days while outside, somewhere beyond, bushfires present a looming threat. The Performance is an intimate, intensely brooding novel: at once claustrophobic and yet revelatory. Thomas touches on the climate crisis and the anxiety, grief and helplessness many of us feel. More than that, she gently questions the certainties of modern life that so many of us take for granted, and which have been thrown into stark relief over the past year by the pandemic we are living through. * Guinevere Glasfurd, author of THE YEAR WITHOUT SUMMER *This extraordinary novel contains multitudes. Grounded in the inner lives of three women, it expands to encompass so much that is of fundamental importance to our times, and indeed to the human condition itself. Profound, funny, full of empathy and oh-so-smart, this is a work of art in the truest sense. Read it as soon as you possibly can. * Emily Bitto, author of THE STRAYS *Witty, affecting, brilliantly wise and original: this is a wholly compelling examination of three women's lives triangulated through Beckett's Happy Days. Against Beckettian constraint, this is a "performance" of the gorgeous amplitude of everyday details and the densely lovely and scary texture of consciousness' * Gail Jones, author of THE DEATH OF NOAH GLASS *The Performance is a story that assuredly balances the connections between the inner self, the intimacy of our immediate world and lives that are both beyond reach and yet determined by the paths we choose. Claire Thomas writes with a sure eye and knowing heart. * Tony Birch, author of BLOOD, GHOST RIVER and THE WHITE GIRL *Graceful, complex, intriguing. I read from start to finish almost without looking up, and suspect I will be carrying these characters with me for some time yet. A brilliant contribution to Australian fiction. Bravo, Claire Thomas. * Claire Bowditch, Aria-Award-winning musician, actor, radio presenter and author of YOUR OWN KIND OF GIRL *I'd love to sit down with Claire Thomas and deconstruct The Performance. I am in awe of its architecture; the elegant circumscription of its staging; its multidimensional exploration of womanhood, the power of art, the geometry of relationships, and the state of the world; the vibrancy of its language, and the vividity of its character and place. This is a novel that thrums not with ferocious dramatic force, but with naked emotional power and insight... Thomas's gift is that she is able to make the most mundane detail beautifully compelling: she spins gold out of everyday material. Her novel is a sharply incisive, profound depiction of three women at different stages of their lives, rendered in gorgeously captivating prose. An indisputable masterpiece. * Simon McDonald, bookseller at Potts Point Bookshop (Sydney) and 2020 ABA Young Bookseller of the Year *Written with passion, The Performance is a brave book: unafraid of confronting the dissonances of living in a modern Australia -- Cecily Niumeitolu * THE CONVERSATION *

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Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us, delivers a tour de force novel about a troubled marriage and the one old forgotten promise that might be able to save it. Trade ReviewPraise for All Your Perfects "Colleen Hoover returns with an emotionally raw page-turner." -- Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly"Intimate and raw." * USA Today *"Heart-wrenching...another fantastic read." * Bustle *“Half-adorable, half gut-wrenching—and wholly a great read. Hoover captures the amazing side of a happy marriage, while at the same time connecting with the struggles of having one’s expectation of 'the perfect life' not being met.” * Library Journal (starred review) *"With a deft hand, Colleen Hoover crafts the unraveling of a marriage with brutal, unflinching honesty. The genius is in how she stitches together the perfect ending. This is one beautiful story." -- Tracey Garvis Graves, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl He Used to Know"A poignant love story…With Hoover’s evocative style, readers will experience the emotion of this story while sympathizing with both Quinn and Graham." * Booklist *"This depiction of a marriage in crisis is nearly perfect." * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for It Ends with Us "What a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down." * USA Today *“It Ends with Us tackles [a] difficult subject…with romantic tenderness and emotional heft. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author's note at the end that explains Hoover's personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read. Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors.” * Kirkus (starred review) *"Fans of Hoover's emotional stories, conflicted characters and intense romances will gleefully devour her new novel. If you're a Hoover newbie, this is a great place to start. It Ends with Us is a perfect example of the author's writing chops and her ability to weave together uplifting, romantic and somber plotlines. No matter your level of fandom, readers will love and respect protagonist Lily and learn something from her struggles." * RT Book Reviews (4 stars) *“Best-selling Hoover’s latest valiant and compelling…novel packs her trademark emotional punch… The power and pain of the relationship will stay with readers even as Hoover offers hope.” * Booklist *"It Ends with Us tackles tough subject matter with a deft and confident hand." * Huffington Post *

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Book SynopsisMeet 10-year-old Zac – a boy on a mission – in Katy Regan’s Little Big Man . . .You can't see the truth from the outside, that's what I've worked out. Ten-year-old Zac has never met his dad, who allegedly did a runner before he was born. But when his mum lets slip that he’s the only man she’s ever loved, Zac turns detective and, roping in his best friend, hatches a plan to find his father and give his mum the happy-ever-after she deserves. What he doesn’t realize, though, is that sometimes people have good reasons for disappearing . . .Little Big Man is a story about family secrets and fierce, familial love. It's about growing up and being accepted; grief and lies, and the damage they can do. Most of all though, it’s about a little boy determined to hunt down the truth; a boy who wants to give the Dad he’s never met a second chance to be a father – and his mum a second chance at love.Trade ReviewKaty Regan broke my heart and put it back together again with Little Big Man . . . Humour, poignancy, secrets, love – everything you could ask for from a book -- Lucy DiamondA beautifully written love story, with authentic, compelling characters. You’ll love Katy Regan’s new book -- Clare MackintoshA big-hearted, brilliantly pitched tale about family, love and finding your place in the world * Heat *As uplifting as it is heart-breaking in places, this sweeping story of one boy’s courage will effortlessly win your heart -- Rowan ColemanBeautifully written and brimming with people to love and root for, Little Big Man had me from the first page. Zac's voice is arresting, compelling and completely original – I absolutely loved this book -- Lisa JewellWith exquisitely drawn characters you’ll fall in love with, Little Big Man packs a huge emotional punch * The Sun, Fabulous magazine *Katy Regan's writing is effortlessly emotional and authentic, and Little Big Man had me hooked from the first page. Zac's voice is wonderful – vulnerable and tough and entirely convincing. It's a heartfelt novel about love, family, and self-belief, and I loved it -- Julie CohenSometimes you just need to read a novel that lets you sob. Little Big Man is that sort of novel. And Zac, its brave yet bullied 10 year old narrator, is an absolute TRIUMPH -- Sarah VaughanPoignant, funny and heartbreaking with a story that stays with you long after you have put it down * Psychologies magazine *Delightful, heart-wrenching, poignant, and absolutely real, Katy Regan has created a uniquely brave and beautiful voice. She writes with tremendous acuity and tenderness, with a story that you will not be able to stop reading -- Jane GreenAn extraordinary and wonderful book. A real 'just-one-more-page-before-bedtime' story . . . Lovely, clever and incredibly touching -- Milly JohnsonIt is Zac's bright, observant voice which pulls you into his world and exposes the truth – that love and loss make grown-ups do the silliest things * Sunday Express *A towering achievement: wise, funny, sad, deeply human – a perfectly timed reminder of the fundamental values of love and family . . . A book that provokes tears and sorrow as skilfully as it delivers deep belly laughs. It kept me up all night and will stay with me for years to come -- Rosie WalshFunny, sweet and brilliantly written -- this book totally stole my heart -- Eve ChaseA beautiful story about growing up and keeping those we love close to us . . . A heartfelt tale of courage, grief and familial love * Candis magazine *From the moment I started reading I couldn't put it down and I felt bereft when I finished. It's a beautiful, warm story about love, family and friendships, which will leave you laughing one minute and heartbroken the next . . . I was expecting a good story, but this exceeded all my expectations, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it -- Clare SwatmanConvincing and endearing . . . A compelling, provocative and astute story of families and long-hidden secrets * Daily Express *Juliet and her son Zac lodged themselves in my heart from the very first page, and are still there now. Katy Regan makes friends of her characters, and I couldn’t put Little Big Man down until I’d uncovered all their bittersweet, painfully real secrets, wrapping around their Grimsby family like fishing nets. Regan's writing is smart, funny and full of emotional truths that linger; Juliet’s brave and redemptive lifestory will stay with me for a long, long time. This is a wonderful one-sitting treat of a novel -- Lucy DillonHeartwarming * Bella *A touching, funny and original story of a little man with a big heart, with a cast of authentic characters that’ll have you laughing and crying in equal parts -- Jimmy Rice, co-author of The Best Thing That Never Happened to Me and The Night That Changed EverythingTouching * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of He Said/She Said and Anatomy of a Scandal, Penny Hancock’s I Thought I Knew You is about secrets and lies – and whose side you take when it really matters.Who do you know better? Your oldest friend? Or your child?And who should you believe when one accuses the other of an abhorrent crime?Jules and Holly have been best friends since university. They tell each other everything, trading revelations and confessions, and sharing both the big moments and the small details of their lives: Holly is the only person who knows about Jules’s affair; Jules was there for Holly when her husband died. And their two children – just three years apart – have grown up together.So when Jules’s daughter Saffie makes a serious allegation against Holly’s son Saul, neither woman is prepared for the devastating impact this will have on their friendship or their families.Especially as Holly, in spite of her principles, refuses to believe her son is guilty.Trade ReviewEnthralling and addictive with relationships so real I can't believe they're not still continuing somewhere . . . Utterly brilliant -- Lisa JewellBrilliantly written and totally gripping. I loved it -- S. J. Watson on TidelineA truly compelling story that captures exactly the complexity of friendship and motherhood and how everything we think we know can be challenged in one heartbreaking instant . . . Wonderful -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlA standout novel that blends irresistible characters with an engaging plot * Woman & Home *Thought-provoking . . . The characters' dilemma really does leave you on a knife-edge -- Michelle Frances, author of The Girlfriend and The TempEmotionally compelling, I Thought I Knew You gets under the skin of the conflict between family and friendship, loyalty and suspicion when a terrible crime is committed. The portrayal of a lost teenage boy is heart-wrenching, while both sides of the story are painted with equal plausibility, leaving only instinct and unflinching maternal love -- Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You and Her Sister's LieGuaranteed to send chills down every mother’s spine, cutting to the heart of what it means to be a parent. It’s also an incredibly clever, nuanced analysis of female friendship and its limits . . . Beautiful, highly atmospheric prose and superb plotting -- Kate Rhodes, author of Hell Bay and Burnt IslandThis emotive and thought-provoking book will l keep you guessing to the end * Woman's Weekly *The best books force you to question yourself. Penny Hancock's thought-provoking, morally complex novel, I Thought I Knew You, explores friendship and motherhood put to the ultimate test. Long after it ends, you'll still be tying yourself in knots asking, 'Well, what would I do?' -- Tammy Cohen, author of When She Was Bad and They All Fall DownA wonderfully nuanced, captivating page-turner -- Paula Daly, author of Just What Kind of Mother Are You? and Open Your EyesA fabulous premise, expertly delivered . . . constantly leaving you on edge and fearful for characters you care about -- Craig Robertson, author of Random and The PhotographerThis is a great example of 'grip-lit', where the narrative pull is strong * Literary Review *You'll probably want your friends to read it so you compare notes - were you Team Holly or Team Jules (or both, alternately)? And when you've finished discussing the book, you'll make extra sure you part on good terms * WI Life *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Joanna Nadin's The Talk of Pram Town tells a story about mothers, daughters and second chances . . .'Beautifully written and deliciously clever - the characters will stay with you for a long time and you’ll find joy on every page.' – Matson Taylor, author of Richard and Judy Book Club pick, The Miseducation of Evie EpworthIt’s 1981. Eleven-year-old Sadie adores her beautiful and vibrant mother, Connie, whose dreams of making it big as a singer fill their tiny house in Leeds. It’s always been just the two of them. Until the unthinkable happens.Jean hasn’t seen her good-for-nothing daughter Connie since she ran away from the family home in Harlow – or Pram Town as its inhabitants affectionately call it – aged seventeen and pregnant.But in the wake of the Royal Wedding, Jean gets a life-changing call: could she please come and collect the granddaughter she’s never met?We all know how Charles and Diana turned out, and Jean and Sadie are hardly a match made in heaven – but is there hope of a happy ending for them?Trade ReviewBeautifully written and deliciously clever - the characters will stay with you for a long time and you’ll find joy on every page. Really can’t recommend it enough -- Matson Taylor, author of Richard & Judy Book Club pick, The Miseducation of Evie EpworthFabulous on mothers and daughters, guilt and ambition and what it means to be alienated from the life you’ve always known * Daily Mail *Another triumph . . . I absolutely loved it -- Kate Eberlen, author of Miss You and Only YouI adored The Talk Of Pram Town. A brilliantly written, emotional and honest novel set in Essex and Leeds about mothers and daughters, dreams and dark secrets. It pulled at my heartstrings and the characters stayed inside my head long after I had finished reading. Highly recommend this wonderful book -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing Girl and The Hiding PlaceAn enchanting, heartfelt and nostalgic read -- Prima, on The Queen of Bloody Everything

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Book SynopsisThe Half Sister is the compelling, twisty novel from Sandie Jones, the author of The Other Woman. Perfect for fans of Sally Hepworth’s The Mother-in-Law and Michelle Frances’ The Daughter.Her arrival will ruin everything . . .Kate and Lauren. Sisters who are always there for each other. But as they gather for their weekly Sunday lunch, a knock on the door changes everything.The new arrival, Jess, claims to be their half-sister, but that would mean the unthinkable . . . That she’s the secret daughter of their beloved, recently deceased father Harry. Their mother Rose is devastated and Kate and Lauren refuse to believe Jess’s lies. But as the fall-out starts it’s clear that each is hiding secrets and that perhaps this family isn’t as perfect as they appear.Where there was truth, now there are lies and only one thing is certain, their half-sister’s arrival has ruined everything . . .Trade ReviewPlot twists galore! Totally addictive * Fabulous Magazine, The Sun *

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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 Mail

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Clockmaker's Daughter, Kate Morton, comes a breathtaking mystery of love, lies and a cold case come back to life, told with her trademark intricacy and beauty.Adelaide Hills, Christmas Eve, 1959.At the end of a scorching hot day, beside a creek in the grounds of a grand and mysterious mansion, a local delivery man makes a terrible discovery. A police investigation is called and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most shocking and perplexing murder cases in the history of South Australia.Sixty years later, Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for almost twenty years, she now finds herself laid off from her full-time job and struggling to make ends meet. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother, Nora, who raised Jess when her mother could not, has suffered a fall and been raced to the hospital.At a loose end in Nora's house, Jess does some digging into her past. In Nora's bedroom, she discovers a true crime book, chronicling the police investigation into a long-buried tragedy: the Turner Family Tragedy of Christmas Eve, 1959. It is only when Jess skims through the book that she finds a shocking connection between her own family and this once-infamous crime – a crime that has never been truly solved. And for a journalist without a story, a cold case might be the best distraction she can find . . .An epic novel that spans generations, Homecoming asks what we would do for those we love, and how we protect the lies we tell. It explores the power of motherhood, the corrosive effects of tightly held secrets, and the healing nature of truth.

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Book Synopsis'An eerie and atmospheric mystery that kept me guessing from start to finish' Allie Reynolds, author of Shiver One year ago, Leah's twenty-one-year-old niece, Amy, mysteriously drowned near her family-owned luxury resort on the shores of Lake Garda. Now, returning to Italy for the first time since Amy's death, Leah is shocked to find her family seem to have erased all reminders of Amy. Despite the murky circumstances, they insist her death was an accident but Leah knows she must look deeper if she is to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, in Derby, university counsellor Joanna is recovering from a surprising break-up when she is swept off her feet by a handsome bartender. But after she invites him into her home, Joanna is forced to accept that she doesn't know him as well as she thought.What follows is a propulsive game of cat-and mouse as both women begin to realise that appearances can be deceptive - and that the darkest secrets often lie closest to home.Trade ReviewA luxury Italian resort with a dark side. A cast of suspicious, secretive characters. The Other Guest is an eerie and atmospheric mystery that kept me guessing from start to finish * Allie Reynolds, author of Shiver *Teased out against the slick and stylish backdrop of Lake Garda, The Other Guest had me simultaneously glued to my seat and wanting to jump on a flight. It served up the perfect combination of glamour, intrigue and sibling rivalry. I really enjoyed it! * Polly Phillips *Sinister and beautifully atmospheric, The Other Guest lures you with the promise of a luxury island before revealing its darker, claustrophobic side. I loved it. * L. V. Matthews *A cleverly-plotted thriller in a luxurious and sun-drenched setting, where two seemingly-unconnected stories come together in a totally unexpected way. A great holiday read * Catherine Cooper *An exquisite setting masks layers of secrets in this captivating thriller . . . beautifully written, powerfully conveyed, and swirling with mysteries you'll race to the last page to solve * Megan Collins *Masterfully written, drawing you in to the lives of the fascinating characters as the tension builds and builds. Compelling, perfectly paced, and packed full of suspense * Sarah Bonner *Difficult-to-put down thriller... Brilliantly characterized, boldly plotted, and boasting an ending that readers will think they have figured out only to have everything turned around. The perfect vacation thriller. * Booklist *[A] strong psychological thriller...Credible characters enhance the suspenseful plot. Cooper remains a writer to watch. * Publishers Weekly *In this captivating slow-burner, dark secrets lurk beneath a luxurious lakeside resort in Italy with mysterious connections to a handsome bartender in England. Helen Cooper deftly navigates between what seems like two completely separate narratives bundled in The Other Guest: One involves a murder hushed up by the victim's own family, and the other involves a blossoming romance. You'll be hooked on trying to solve this puzzle! * Reader's Digest *A masterpiece of storytelling with twist after unguessable twist. I relished every delicious page. If you can't actually go on holiday, just read this book and you're in a luxury Italian resort, you can smell it, taste it, feel it. * Lucy Martin *

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Book SynopsisAn absolutely heartbreaking and gripping historical novel based on a true story, for fans of Suzanne Goldring, Bridgerton and The Girl Behind the Gates.***FROM THE 4-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR******RATED 5 STARS BY REAL READERS***"A wonderfully romantic novel that will capitvate you instantly" -Hart, 5* Amazon reviewer"A fantastic story - I can't wait to read the next volume!" -Michele, 5* Amazon reviewerOctober 1886. Catherine and Guillaume Duquesne set off to New York with their six-year-old daughter Elisabeth. But the young couple's dreams of freedom and independence soon turn into a nightmare when Catherine dies during the journey and Guillaume is assaulted and left for dead soon after their arrival on American soil. A wealthy family adopts Elisabeth, who grows up spoiled and happy. But when she turns 16, she learns the truth about her origins and decides to return to France to meet her real family. Upon her arrival she realises that her grandfather's house, too, is seething with secrets...What readers think"The author is hugely talented." -Julie, 5* Amazon reviewer"Very attaching characters ... I'm impatient to read the next installment!" -5* Babelio reviewer"I just have to read the rest of the series." -Jean-Pierre, 5* fnac.com reviewer"Reads very well - wait until you read the ending!" -Françoise, 5* Amazon reviewer"An extraordinary author. I strongly recommend!" -Nathalie, 5* Amazon reviewer"I didn't know the author - it's an excellent novel. -Mimi, 5* Amazon reviewer

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Book Synopsis'He won't tell Dan about the trees yet. In the spring maybe, when he knows if they're living or dead. Cahir is the right man for a secret. The great secrets of the world are best kept by fat boys and girls. Fat boys like Cahir with no shortage of capacity or cover or practice, the ones who've been hoarding for years, building heft in the quiet when backs were turned.'Cahir and Dan grew up on Inishowen, in north Donegal. It is their last year at home together. When his brother leaves, Cahir will be left behind, but he has plans too. Cahir plants trees outside the town, on a scrap of ground belonging to their mother. In a world full of badness, he wants to do something good. It is a secret, even from Dan. Dan works full time at the supermarket, content where he is. He has taken a year out before university and is messaging Lydia. If it works out with her, he might stay longer. But the land doesn't belong to Cahir or to Dan. It has been sold to Lydia's brother and when Lydia finds Cahir tending the trees, on ground that isn't his, things spiral out of Cahir's control, threatening everything he has worked for.Trade ReviewIdiom, insight and keen imagery are wonderfully blended in this funny and wise debut * Oisin Fagan, author of Nobber *Doherty brings a new, indeed original voice to the Irish fiction table, a voice that he has clearly nurtured like Cahir's trees * Irish Times *A funny, quirky character, Cahir will win readers' hearts * Irish Examiner *Subtle and well-paced and builds anticipation * On Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Evocative and unexpected, tender and fierce, The Origins of Iris is unlike any other thriller I've read in years . . . Outstanding' Sarah Hilary'This novel is like a dream, from the haunting narrative to the beautiful prose to the way Iris and her wilderness kept making their way into my subconscious at night. It is everything I could want from a book' Anna Bailey'I opened my eyes and the woman wearing my face opened hers at the same time.'Iris flees New York City, and her abusive wife Claude, for the Catskill Mountains. When she was a child, Iris and her father found solace in the beauty and wilderness of the forest; now, years later, Iris has returned for time and space to clear her head, and to come to terms with the mistakes that have led her here. But what Iris doesn't expect in her journey of survival and self-discovery is to find herself - literally.Trapped in a neglected cabin deep in the mountains, Iris is grudgingly forced to come face to face with a seemingly prettier, happier and better version of herself. Other Iris made different choices in life and love. But is she all she seems? Can she be trusted? What is she hiding?As a storm encroaches, threatening both their lives, time is running out for them to discover why they have been brought together, and what it means for their futures.Author of the critically-acclaimed debut The Wolf Road, Beth Lewis returns with her brand new novel The Origins of Iris where Wild meets Sliding Doors. An important, searing novel about one woman's journey in fleeing an abusive relationship and confronting the secrets of her past.Real readers have been captivated by The Origins of Iris: 'A truly unique book that tackles some sensitive topics head on . . . incredibly thought provoking''It will stay with me for a long time''A captivating and powerful read that touches on notions of self-discovery and survival as well as hope and optimism and explores serious themes bravely and sympathetically''A solid 5 star read . . . Haunting, poignant and human''One of the best books I have read this year''A raw, emotionally charged story that will grip you from start to finish'Trade ReviewAn empathic, brave exploration of serious themes. * Daily Mail *Extraordinarily raw, gripping and totally unforgettable. * Peterborough Telegraph *Gosh, this original and thought-spinningly intricate yet quietly simple read speared my emotions. I found myself utterly consumed ... and absolutely adored every word.A beautiful reflection on the great conundrum of choices made and abandoned, loves pursued and betrayedEvocative and unexpected, tender and fierce, The Origins of Iris is unlike any other thriller I've read in years . . . Outstanding'This novel is like a dream, from the haunting narrative to the beautiful prose to the way Iris and her wilderness kept making their way into my subconscious at night. It is everything I could want from a bookCompelling, original and highly readableAtmospheric, thought-provoking, complex. A haunting exploration of one woman's journey into the dark heart of herselfA tale of wonder, heartbreak and mystery, beautifully told. Loved every wordEvocative, transportive writing telling a story of regrets, choices, loss, and love in many forms. This is a lyrical, dark, and beautiful book

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Book SynopsisTHE UPLIFTING AND HEART-WARMING NOVEL YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS SUMMERPearl Winter hasn't been outside in forty-three years.Since she arrived on Dartmoor as a girl, an isolated family cottage has been her whole world. A place of safety. But now fifty-nine-year-old Pearl is utterly alone - except for the postman, the local crows, and memories of the summer of 1976.Teenager Connor Matthews feels like a stranger in his own home.Since his mother's death he's been adrift from his remaining family, troubled by the reality of moving on, and unable to see a future ahead. But when Connor begins a summer job as Pearl's gardener, an unexpected friendship opens the door to a fresh start for them both. If only Pearl and Connor can take the first steps . . .*****Readers love Reasons to Go Outside!'A book that will stay with you long after you've finished it'Reader Review'With a few tears and lots of smiles, I loved this story from the very start'Reader Review'One of my top favourite heart-warming reads'Reader Review'A beautiful book inside and out'Reader Review'The message of hope is conveyed brilliantly'Reader ReviewTrade ReviewA touching and moving exploration of courage, friendship, and how hope can be found in the most unexpected places. Reasons To Go Outside is the heartwarming and uplifting book we all need right now, a celebration of the power of connection and kindness. Poignant, absorbing and beautifully written - I loved it * Holly Miller *There is such a warmth to this story . . . The characters flew off the page and I took them instantly to my heart . . . a bittersweet book full of love and hope. Who doesn't need that right now? * Helen Fisher *Gentle writing and great characters . . . I loved this book and would not be surprised to see in this year's bestsellers list! * Goodreads Reviewer *I loved this heartwarming tale about the power of friendship and finding courage within * My Weekly *The gorgeous characters and the believable story make for a joyous read. * Sun *The characters are endearing and the journey for each of them is as sweet as one of Pearl's Victoria sponges * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Move over Ferrante, there's a new Elena in town' IndependentA gripping novel about family, loss and secrets, from the author of the Times bestselling sensation Can You Hear Me?The boy is almost eighteen and has a loving family. He's polite and well-educated, quiet but always smiling.When word spreads that he has broken into and stolen from a neighbour's house, his parents and sisters can't believe it. Then the unthinkable happens: an attack that will rip through the town and his family for years to come.Just a Boy is a gripping, incisive novel about secrets, adolescence and how we can love someone - a child, a partner - without ever knowing their mind.Praise for The Times bestseller Can You Hear Me?'A novel of crime and darkness that eschews straightforward domestic noir' Guardian'Utterly gripped me from beginning to end' Victoria HislopTrade ReviewVarvello knowns how to construct a drama full of suspense, working towards revelation . . . a fascinating read -- Josephine Felton * Irish Examiner *Darkly eloquent and moving * Observer *Haunting and surreal, Elena Varvello's JUST A BOY is beautifully written, a gripping and masterful account of a troubled family's struggle in the aftermath of tragedy. Shifting effortlessly between past and present, Varvello creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere as she interweaves each character's story, drawing their connections ever tighter until it's impossible to look away. I loved this book -- Karen Dionne, author of the #1 internationally bestselling The Marsh King's DaughterA moving portrait of a grieving family painted by the utterly compelling talent of author Elena Varvello. JUST A BOY is a beauty of a novel in which the pain and alienation of a teenage boy goes unnoticed until it is too late to halt its gripping conclusion -- Kate Mayfield, author of The Parentations

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Book Synopsis'A total joy to read' Torrey Peters, author of Detransition BabyA rebellious young musician reconnects with the matriarchs in her family as three generations of women strive for real freedom in this brilliant novel of family, sexuality, and feminism from the acclaimed author of The Best Kind of People. It's 1997 and Missy's band has finally hit the big time as they tour across America. At twenty-two years old, Missy gets on stage every night and plays the song about her absent mother that made the band famous. Missy is the only girl in the band and she's determined to party just as hard as everyone else, loving and leaving someone in every town. But then a forgotten party favor strands her at the border.Fortysomething Carola is just surfacing from a sex scandal at the yoga center where she has been living when she sees her daughter, Missy, for the first time in ten years--on the cover of a music magazine.Ruth is eighty-three and planning her return to the Turkish seaside village where she spent her childhood. But when her granddaughter Missy winds up crashing at her house, she decides it's time that the strong and stubborn women in her family find a way to understand each other again.In this sharply observed novel, Zoe Whittall captures three very different women who struggle to build an authentic life. Definitions of family, romance, gender, and love will radically change as they seek out lives that are nothing less than spectacular.Trade ReviewZoe Whittall has this incredible ability to go straight at the honest emotional heart of a story, and yet even with that ferocity, her writing is always graceful, a total joy to read. It makes it so easy to love her characters. In the best books characters feel like my friends, but with the mothers of The Spectacular, they came to feel like my family. * Torrey Peters, author of Detransition Baby *A fascinating stunner of a novel * Kristen Arnett, Author of Mostly Dead Things *Zoe Whittall's engrossing and epic novel paints an indelible portrait of three women, each of them navigating the complex constraints of their bodies, their families, their obligations, and their desires. A daring and beautiful examination of motherhood, The Spectacular left me breathless. * Robin Wasserman, author of Mother Daughter Widow Wife *Both raw and refined, The Spectacular is an insightful, poignant exploration of family and relationships from one of my favorite writers working today. A multigenerational story that's fully alive. * Iain Reid, author of I’m Thinking of Ending Things *Birth, identity, sex, what a woman wants, the vagaries of desire, love nibbling at the heart, independence, forfeiture of self, mother . . . Zoe Whittall carves at all of this with her pen and lays it out on the page in this fierce and tender novel. * David Bergen, author of Here the Dark *The Spectacular gives us three brilliantly distinct voices of women challenging the societal expectations of who they should be . . . Zoe Whittall has a gift for vividly capturing our human behaviours, and for dialogue that will grab your heart. Both expansive and intimate, wild and tender, I loved it. * Ashley Audrain, author of The Push *

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Book SynopsisA rebellious young musician reconnects with the matriarchs in her family as three generations of women strive for real freedom in this brilliant novel of family, sexuality, and feminism from the acclaimed author of The Best Kind of People. It's 1997 and Missy's band has finally hit the big time as they tour across America. At twenty-two years old, Missy gets on stage every night and plays the song about her absent mother that made the band famous. Missy is the only girl in the band and she's determined to party just as hard as everyone else, loving and leaving someone in every town. But then a forgotten party favor strands her at the border.Fortysomething Carola is just surfacing from a sex scandal at the yoga center where she has been living when she sees her daughter, Missy, for the first time in ten years--on the cover of a music magazine.Ruth is eighty-three and planning her return to the Turkish seaside village where she spent her childhood. But when her granddaughter Missy winds up crashing at her house, she decides it's time that the strong and stubborn women in her family find a way to understand each other again.In this sharply observed novel, Zoe Whittall captures three very different women who struggle to build an authentic life. Definitions of family, romance, gender, and love will radically change as they seek out lives that are nothing less than spectacular.Trade ReviewZoe Whittall has this incredible ability to go straight at the honest emotional heart of a story, and yet even with that ferocity, her writing is always graceful, a total joy to read. It makes it so easy to love her characters. In the best books characters feel like my friends, but with the mothers of The Spectacular, they came to feel like my family. * Torrey Peters, author of Detransition Baby *A fascinating stunner of a novel * Kristen Arnett, Author of Mostly Dead Things *Zoe Whittall's engrossing and epic novel paints an indelible portrait of three women, each of them navigating the complex constraints of their bodies, their families, their obligations, and their desires. A daring and beautiful examination of motherhood, The Spectacular left me breathless. * Robin Wasserman, author of Mother Daughter Widow Wife *Both raw and refined, The Spectacular is an insightful, poignant exploration of family and relationships from one of my favorite writers working today. A multigenerational story that's fully alive. * Iain Reid, author of I’m Thinking of Ending Things *Birth, identity, sex, what a woman wants, the vagaries of desire, love nibbling at the heart, independence, forfeiture of self, mother . . . Zoe Whittall carves at all of this with her pen and lays it out on the page in this fierce and tender novel. * David Bergen, author of Here the Dark *The Spectacular gives us three brilliantly distinct voices of women challenging the societal expectations of who they should be . . . Zoe Whittall has a gift for vividly capturing our human behaviours, and for dialogue that will grab your heart. Both expansive and intimate, wild and tender, I loved it. * Ashley Audrain, author of The Push *

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Editor's Choice A Herald's Best Summer Book'An unusual and accomplished first novel . . . moves in intriguing leaps and twists.' Economist'Gorgeous' New York Times'Grapples with the complexity of familial love.' Marie ClaireFrench teenager Margot is the illegitimate daughter of a prominent stage actress and an influential politician. The comings and goings of their unconventional family, in a small Parisian apartment, cast her whole life under a veil of secrecy and shame.One summer, Margot decides to exercise her own agency when she meets a well-regarded journalist whose trust seems surprisingly easy to gain. But as Margot is drawn into an adult world, she learns how one impulsive decision can change the contours of her life, and the lives of those around her, in ways she could never have imagined. In this simmering debut Sanaë Lemoine explores private and public faces, truth and deceit, love and persuasion. The Margot Affair is a novel about the bone-deep bond between mothers and daughters, the devotion and betrayal of friendship and the dangers of pushing beyond the boundaries of a life lived in the shadows.Trade ReviewAn unusual and accomplished first novel . . . moves in intriguing leaps and twists. * Economist *Absorbing... The emotional mapping of the novel is intricate and precise... Lemoine captures with painful accuracy the clumsy ignorance of adolescence. * Financial Times *Missing Paris? Look no further than this atmospheric coming-of-age tale . . . * I News *Gorgeous . . . very French. . . in lush, lyrical prose that perfectly captures the heightened emotion and confusion of being a young woman with a bruised heart and limited experience . . . It asks the ultimate question about this most complicated of relationships: What will a mother do for her child? * Sarah Lyall, New York Times *Deftly crafted, thoughtfully observed, this absorbing coming-of-age novel explores the tense and complex relationship between Anouk and Margot, the notions of family and motherhood, deceit and betrayal. * Fanny Blake, Daily Mail *Drumming with tension, The Margot Affair grapples with the complexity of familial love. * Marie Claire *A raw, honest account of the tenderness and cruelty that lurks between mothers and daughters. Lemoine illuminates the ways in which violence and care are strung through generations like nerves and sinews. A brave portrayal of love in all of its complexities that questions whether we should endeavour to hold onto the people we love, or whether we should let them go. * Jessica Andrews, author of Saltwater *Subtle, beautiful, serious. * Karen Russell, author of Swamplandia *Another coming-of-age tale... about the lasting effects of deceit and betrayal. * Herald *Undoubtedly one of the top literary fiction reads of the summer, this brilliant debut, touted as a 'coming of age' novel, is a wonderful study of the mother-daughter relationship. * Women's Weekly *An engaging examination of youth, age and cruelty. A stimulating and provocative read. * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisA TWISTY PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF WHAT SHE NEVER TOLD ME**********Your mother. The one person you trust. What if you're wrong?Widowed Nan is on her way to her beloved son's wedding. She should be excited, but she is dreading her return to Paradise Place - a small area of Notting Hill that she hasn't dared set foot on for decades. Nan had arrived there as a young girl in the late seventies, desperate for freedom and a career as an artist. But, drawn into a dark obsession that spun out of control, Nan was forced to flee.And while the only thing seemingly connecting her son's wedding and her old secret life is Paradise Place, Nan quickly gets the impression that someone is watching her every move . . . someone she thought was dead.**********PRAISE FOR KATE MCQUAILE'Elegant, clever and totally convincing' Sunday Mirror 'Everything you want in a thriller' Emma Flint'A fast-paced read' Prima'A twisty tale' Good HousekeepingTrade ReviewKate McQuaile writes fascinatingly flawed characters and domestic noir beautifully. The topic may be dark but the writing is so lyrical, you won't want to stop reading * Jo Spain *Broken Flowers is both twisty and empathetic. I love how Kate McQuaile's two unreliable narrators each vie for sympathy, and how, in a battle for psychological survival, no one tells the whole truth, even to themselves * Isabelle Grey *A gripping family tale, moving easily from seventies London to the present day, chock full of twists and turns * Andrea Carter *Broken Flowers is a dark, propulsive novel that had me hooked from the first line. No one does twisted families like Kate McQuaile * Jack Jordan *A narrative that moves between 1970s London and today, a decades-old mystery, family secrets and a very flawed narrator - I loved this * Emma Flint *Everything you want in a thriller * Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths *A fast-paced read * Prima *A twisty tale * Good Housekeeping *Elegant, clever and totally convincing * Sunday Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'Prepare for your heart rate to rise reading this edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller!' The Sun'If you're looking for a page-turner, this is it!' Hello!'The perfect choice for fans of C.L. Taylor and Louise Candlish' Woman's Weekly'A superbly pacy thriller that will keep you looking over your shoulder' Sunday MirrorYOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN.THEY HAVEN'T FORGIVEN. Leah Wallace has just achieved her dream of becoming editor at a regional paper. On her first day a 15-year-old girl, Hope Hooper-Smith, is reported missing. The police fear that she has been abducted. Hours later, another teenage girl goes missing. But this girl, Tilly Bowers, is from a troubled background and is a habitual runaway. Leah decides to run the Hope's abduction on the front page, while Tilly only gets a small mention on page eighteen. The next day, Hope is found unharmed at a train station. But Tilly is never seen or heard from again.Sixteen years later, a TV documentary questions Leah's decision not to give Tilly's case immediate coverage, implying that she could have cost Tilly her life, and Leah starts receiving death threats online. Then mysterious paper dolls begin appearing, cut from the newspapers Leah used to edit, and she suspects that an intruder has been in the house. Leah becomes convinced that someone wants to punish her for the part she played in Tilly's disappearance. But just how far will they go to make her pay? A gripping and chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and C.L. Taylor. Trade ReviewThe perfect choice for fans of CL Taylor and Louise Candlish, the psychology that drives this dark mystery forward shows the human mind at its most calculating. * Woman's Weekly *If you're looking for a page-turner, this is it! * Hello! *Prepare for your heart rate to rise reading this edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller! * The Sun *This dark mystery shows the human mind at its most twisted and calculating * Woman *A superbly pacy thriller that will keep you looking over your shoulder * Sunday Mirror *Stylish and creepy - a gripping read * Best *

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Book SynopsisDava Shastri, one of the world's wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of seventy, however, changes everything, and Dava decides to take her death-like all matters of her life-into her own hands.Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries.As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her "death" reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever.And now the whole world knows, including her children.In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment-and make peace with those closest to her before it's too late. Compassionately written and chock-full of humor and heart, this powerful novel examines public versus private legacy, the complexities of love, and the never-ending joys-and frustrations-of family.Includes a Reading Group Guide.A Good Morning America and Lilly Singh's Lilly Library Book Club pickMost anticipated in fall 2021 by TIME, The Washington Post, Bustle, Goodreads, and Debutiful An Indie Next Pick A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Book for Fall/Winter 2021 Longlisted for the 2021 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

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Book SynopsisIn this thought-provoking and entertaining debut novel about of a multicultural family, a dying billionaire matriarch leaks news of her death early so she can examine her legacy-a decision that horrifies her children and inadvertently exposes secrets she has spent a lifetime keeping: "Full of music, magnetism, and familial obligation" (Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here).Dava Shastri, one of the world's wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of seventy, however, changes everything, and Dava decides to take her death-like all matters of her life-into her own hands.Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries.As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her "death" reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever.And now the whole world knows, including her children.In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment-and make peace with those closest to her before it's too late.Compassionately written and chock-full of humor and heart, this powerful novel examines public versus private legacy, the complexities of love, and the never-ending joys-and frustrations-of family.

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Book SynopsisBAREFOOT IN THE SUNEver since her great-aunt Pasha rescued her from a troubled childhood, Zoe Tamarin doesn't dare stay still for fear of exposing her precarious past. But when her aunt's health is at risk, there's only one person who can help-Zoe's childhood sweetheart, Dr. Oliver Bradbury. Oliver came to Barefoot Bay to start over after his divorce, never expecting to reunite with the girl he once loved. But one look is all it takes to rekindle their passion. Can Oliver help Zoe heal lifelong wounds. . . and keep her from running away with his heart?BAREFOOT BY THE SEAProfessional gardener Tessa Galloway can grow anything-except what she wants most in the world. She's finally ready to take a chance on single motherhood when a handsome new coworker enters her life . . . and her heart. Forced into the witness protection program, John Brown is desperate to reunite with his children. But first he has to prove he's married and stable. Landing a job as a chef in Barefoot Bay is easy enough. And falling for Tessa is even easier. But will his secret be the thing that uproots their happy ending?

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Book SynopsisImani Banks lives in a posh Brooklyn Heights neighborhood that has just been rocked to its core. An acclaimed movie director has been murdered, and his blond trophy wife-Imani's closest friend-is missing. Their neighbors, along with the media, jump to the conclusion that Melissa Walker has killed her husband in a fit of rage and is on the run. Fortunately for the missing actress, Imani is a psychiatrist as well as a steadfast friend. She will never give up her search and is determined to prove Melissa's innocence. It shouldn't take a degree in human behavior to know that Melissa would never leave her daughter behind. Recently, Imani and her chef husband rented some extra rooms in their house to a struggling waitress from his restaurant. Tonya Sayre has moved in with her teen daughter and the convenient timing and her suspicious behavior soon lead Imani to suspect that the true killer is living right under her own roof. Now all she has to do is prove it.

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Book SynopsisAt age 26, Advika Srinivasan considers herself a failed screenwriter. To pay the bills and keep her mind off of the recent death of her twin sister, she's taken to bartending A-list events, including the 2015 Governors Ball, the official afterparty of the Oscars. There, in a cinematic dream come true, she meets the legendary Julian Zelding-a film producer as handsome as Paul Newman and ten times as powerful-fresh off his fifth best picture win. Despite their 41-year age difference, Advika falls helplessly under his spell, and their evening flirtation ignites into a whirlwind courtship and elopement. Advika is enthralled by Julian's charm and luxurious lifestyle, but while Julian loves to talk about his famous friends and achievements, he smoothly changes the subject whenever his previous relationships come up. Then, a month into their marriage, Julian's first wife-the famous actress Evie Lockhart-dies, and a tabloid reports a shocking stipulation in her will. A single film reel and $1,000,000 will be bequeathed to "Julian's latest child bride" on one condition: Advika must divorce him first.Shaken out of her love fog and still-simmering grief over the loss of her sister-and uneasy about Julian's sudden, inexplicable urge to start a family-Advika decides to investigate him through the eyes and experiences of his exes. From reading his first wife's biography, to listening to his second wife's confessional albums, to watching his third wife's Real Housewives-esque reality show, Advika starts to realize how little she knows about her husband. Realizing she rushed into the marriage for all the wrong reasons, Advika uses the info gleaned from the lives of her husband's exes to concoct a plan to extricate herself from Julian once and for all.

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Book SynopsisMoira Green is perfectly content with her life. She has a rewarding career and plenty of wonderful friends, including the members of her weekly book club. Then everything in her life goes topsy-turvy when the town council plans to demolish the site of her mother's beloved café to make room for much-needed parking. Moira is determined to save her mother's business, so she swallows her pride and asks Gil Ryan for help.Moira and Somerset Lake's mayor were good friends once, the kind who could laugh at everything and nothing at all. Until one night changed everything between them. And now, with Gil supporting the council's plans, Moira is forced to find another way to save Sweetie's-and it involves campaigning against Gil. Going head-to-head in a battle of wills reveals more than either of them are ready for, and as the election heats up, so does their attraction. But without a compromise in sight, can these two be headed for anything but disaster?

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Tayari Jones and Ruth Ozeki, from National Book Critics Circle Award finalist Rizzuto comes a haunting and suspenseful literary tale set in 1970s New York City and World War II-era Japan, about three strong women, the dangerous ties of family and identity, and the long shadow our histories can cast.Twin sisters Hana and Kei grew up in a tiny Hawaiian town in the 1950s and 1960s, so close they shared the same nickname. Raised in dreamlike isolation by their loving but unstable mother, they were fatherless, mixed-race, and utterly inseparable, devoted to one another. But when their cherished threesome with Mama is broken, and then further shattered by a violent, nearly fatal betrayal that neither young woman can forgive, it seems their bond may be severed forever--until, six years later, Kei arrives on Hana's lonely Manhattan doorstep with a secret that will change everything.Told in interwoven narratives that glide seamlessly between the gritty streets of New York, the lush and dangerous landscape of Hawaii, and the horrors of the Japanese internment camps and the bombing of Hiroshima, SHADOW CHILD is set against an epic sweep of history. Volcanos, tsunamis, abandonment, racism, and war form the urgent, unforgettable backdrop of this intimate, evocative, and deeply moving story of motherhood, sisterhood, and second chances.

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Book SynopsisOn a rainy October night in Kentucky, recently divorced therapist Tallie Clark is on her way home from work when she spots a man precariously standing at the edge of a bridge. Without a second thought, Tallie pulls over and jumps out of the car into the pouring rain. She convinces the man to join her for a cup of coffee, and he eventually agrees to come back to her house, where he finally shares his name: Emmett. Over the course of the emotionally charged weekend that follows, Tallie makes it her mission to provide a safe space for Emmett, though she hesitates to confess that this is also her day job. What she doesn't realize is that Emmett isn't the only one who needs healing-and they both are harboring secrets.Alternating between Tallie and Emmett's perspectives as they inch closer to the truth of what brought Emmett to the bridge's edge-as well as the hard truths Tallie has been grappling with since her marriage ended-This Close to Okay is an uplifting, cathartic story about chance encounters, hope found in unlikely moments, and the subtle magic of human connection.Book of the Month December PickGood Housekeeping Book Club February PickMarie Claire Book Club March PickLonglisted for the Goodreads Choice AwardsMost Anticipated by Elle, Today (according to Goodreads), The Millions, She Reads, and Real SimpleRecommended by Refinery29, Shondaland, Oprah Daily, Washington Post, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Electric Literature, Bookriot, Parade, Harper's Bazaar, and more

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Book SynopsisA debut historical novel based on the true story of a young woman in 1920s Virginia fighting to reclaim the daughter she was forced to give up, a case that culminated in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.Virginia, 1924. Ruth Ann Riley is 17 years old when she gives birth to a baby girl. Unwed and under-educated, she's deemed "feeble-minded" -- just like her own mother -- and sent to live in a state-run institution where the doctors decide she must be sterilized "for the greater good." But Ruth Ann won't give up her baby Annabel or the hope of future children without a fight, even though her hardscrabble life and sixth-grade education have in no way prepared her to take on the Supreme Court of the United States. As Ruth Ann comes of age in a daunting world and struggles with secrets and scandals in her past, she finds unexpected allies, friendship and the possibility of love in the most unlikely of places. K.D. Alden weaves a harrowing and ultimately uplifting story based on a true American court case that had global ramifications. A reading group guide includes discussion questions, an author essay, and text from the actual historical documents of the case.

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Book SynopsisFans of Lori Wilde, Jennifer Ryan, and Lori Foster won't be able to put down this heartwarming, multi-generational story about three sisters' search to reunite their family and the love they find along the way.The Buchanan sisters share everything -- even ownership of their beloved Juniper Inn. But their mother and Aunt Sassy won't even stay in the same state, and no one knows the story behind the sisters' decades-long feud.When youngest sister, Rose, plans the inn's grand re-opening for the same weekend as Sassy's 70th birthday's party, a family reunion seems unavoidable. Only Rose needs help from a certain handsome, if surly, hardware store owner to pull off an extravagant celebration. The sparks between them are undeniable, but Rose can't help suspecting he's hiding something from her . . .After a heartbreaking end to her marriage, Dahlia Buchanan and her kids have built a new life in Colorado. She's started flirting with the town doctor, but how does she know she's ready to open her heart again?When her youngest daughter cleverly maneuvers her to Juniper Springs on her estranged sister's birthday, Lillian Buchanan has no choice but to finally face her once-beloved sibling. But some wounds are just too deep to heal. And what will her daughters do when the family secrets she's tried so hard to hide come flooding into the open?

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Book SynopsisIn this perfect beach read, a recent divorcee and a woman independent to a fault form a spectacular bond as they move forward and help each other through love, loss, and big life changes-perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.Dr. Becca Weiland had the perfect life-or so she thought, until she learned her husband cheated on her after a decade of marriage. With divorce papers signed, Becca throws her trademark caution to the wind and agrees to an impromptu monthlong vacation at a beach house with Sadie, a woman she's known all her life but really doesn't know at all.Free-spirit Sadie Bloom is Becca's opposite in every way, living in the moment and wasting zero energy on what comes next. But the pastry chef's nothing-bothers-me exterior hides a fear she's not ready to face-one that may jeopardize a future she never realized she wanted.At first, Sadie's go-big-or-go-home style bumps up against Becca's perfectionism, but soon they're bonding over too much Schnapps, a leaky roof, a bikini wax gone awry, and awkward meet-cutes with two of the hottest men in town. Best of all, in getting to know each other, they've gotten to know themselves, and together they find the courage to discover what it really means to live.

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Book SynopsisAs a young bride-to-be navigates the days before her wedding, three generations of women come together in a page-turning novel full of family secrets, heartwrenching drama, and a second chance at the love of a lifetime.Joey Abrams is trying to find herself. After quitting a career in big law, she's now a struggling artist. Yet she's found the nice Jewish boy of her dreams, so she thinks she may finally be on the right path. But the secrets Joey's been keeping about her family may just destroy the life she's so carefully building.Joey's mother is planning an extravagant wedding as if her life depends on it, and as if she knows a thing about happily ever after. But Joey knows better. Her parents' marriage isn't what it seems, and Joey's relationship with her mother is straining at the seams. And her beloved grandmother, always Joey's touchstone and confidant, is suddenly acting strange, talking for the first time about her time in Greece during the war. Is this the beginnings of dementia? Or is her grandmother keeping secrets of her own? As Joey navigates the days leading up to her wedding, the one person she thought she'd never see again appears. Her first love, back to remind her of the pact they made over a decade ago, one that could blow wide Joey's plans for her future, and leave her family in ruins.

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Book SynopsisIn this heartwarming story, all three Monroe sisters have said "I do," but when the eldest sister's marriage hits a rough patch, it takes the love of her family to see her through-perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Jenny Hale! Ever since their mother passed, Margaret Monroe has been the rock for her two younger sisters, serving as a role model in life and in love. But Margaret is keeping a painful secret from her normally tight-knit family.Her sisters would be there for her if she reached out for help, but with her family concerned about their grandmother's health crisis, Margaret doesn't want to add to their worry. She'd like to be able to confide in her husband instead, but they have drifted apart, and she has no idea how they can find their way back to one another.Thankfully, her two sisters are now in happy marriages, and Margaret wants to make her own relationship last a lifetime too. But will she lose everyone she holds dear once she tells them the truth?

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Book SynopsisGabriella Monroe is doing her best to pretend that everything is fine, but her life is a mess. Sales are down at her vintage dress shop, her beloved grandmother isn't her usual spunky self, and Gabby desperately misses the closeness she had with her sisters, Margaret and Emma-who were once so inseparable that their family called them the Monroe Musketeers. When the sisters stumble across a stash of letters that reveals their grandmother's secret life, Gabby sees an opportunity to bring the sisters back together again and best of all, raise her grandmother's spirits. And sure, this new project makes it easier to pretend her own life isn't crashing around her, but concentrating on helping everyone else and ignoring her own feelings is what Gabby does best.Except when it comes to Jake Maddox. Once the boy next door she crushed on-hard-he's grown into an even more intriguing man, and her attraction to him isn't so easy to hide. It's clear he's just as interested in her, but dating Jake would only muddy up her already complicated life. Or is it finally time to put herself first and risk it all for a chance at happiness?

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Book Synopsis"The magic here is not the supernatural kind, but rather an attention to the grace of the ordinary. It is the magic of watching these women come into their power."-New York Times"There's romance and a familial drama and examinations of identity, and though there's nothing quite supernatural, it creates a magic entirely its own." - Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See HereIn this glittering triptych novel, Suzette, Maple and Agnes, three Black women with albinism, call Shreveport, Louisiana home. At the bustling crossroads of the American South and Southwest, these three women find themselves at the crossroads of their own lives. Suzette, a pampered twenty-year-old, has been sheltered from the outside world since a dangerous childhood encounter. Now, a budding romance with a sweet mechanic allows Suzette to seek independence, which unleashes dark reactions in those closest to her. In discovering her autonomy, Suzette is forced to decide what she is willing to sacrifice in order to make her own way in the world.Maple is reeling from the unsolved murder of her free-spirited mother. She flees the media circus and her judgmental grandmother by shutting herself off from the world in a spare room of the motel where she works. One night, at a party, Maple connects with Chad, someone who may understand her pain more than she realizes, and she discovers that the key to her mother's death may be within her reach.Agnes is far from home, working yet another mind-numbing job. She attracts the interest of a lonely security guard and army veteran who's looking for a traditional life for himself and his young son. He's convinced that she wields a certain "magic," but Agnes soon unleashes a power within herself that will shock them both and send her on a trip to confront not only her family and her past, but also herself.This novel, told in three parts, is a searing meditation on grief, female strength, and self-discovery set against a backdrop of complicated social and racial histories. Nobody's Magic is a testament to the power of family-the ones you're born in and the ones you choose. And in these three narratives, among the yearning and loss, each of these women may find a seed of hope for the future.

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters are trapped on opposite sides of reality in this entrancing and deeply moving debut novel that weaves together a contemporary narrative with a parallel fantasy world of Trinidadian lore. One year ago, a tragic car accident killed 22-year-old Laine's parents and left her 18-year-old sister, Alyssa, paralyzed and nonverbal. Now-instead of studying animal nutrition or competing as one of the few equestrians of color-Laine is struggling with predatory banks, unscrupulous health care organizations, and rude customers at the coffee shop where she works. That's why when Lake Forest Adult Day Center offers to take care of Alyssa, free of charge, Laine is relieved.Alyssa isn't relieved, though. After all, in her mind, there was never a car accident. Instead, she and her parents-the king and queen of Mirendal-were attacked one year ago in the forest, her parents kidnapped while she was cursed, and now must spend her days in Lake Forest's Home for Changels-a temple caring for mortals such as herself. Perhaps there, she could meet other changels who show her how to embrace her new life.However, there is a dark prince at Lake Forest, one who has taken a peculiar interest in not only Alyssa but her sister as well. And while Laine struggles to make ends meet on an everyday basis, Alyssa finds herself leading a battle that threatens to destroy not only her and her sister but their entire kingdom.

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Book SynopsisLila Rosetti Sinclair returns to Sunshine Bay a bundle of nerves. After being gone for years, sharing the news that she's engaged-to a man her mother has never met-is going to be difficult to navigate. But when her fiancé David surprises her with an engagement party at Windemere, the upscale inn his parents recently purchased and that just may put her family's restaurant, La Dolce Vita, out of business, Lila's got a whole new set of problems. Eva Rosetti is so ecstatic to finally have her daughter home that she pushes aside her misgivings about having to come face-to-face with Lila's father again. That is until he sweeps into town and feelings Eva thought far behind her resurface.... With a family business to save and a wedding to plan, Eva and Lila's reunion is more than either bargained for, but with a little luck and a whole lot of support from friends and family, it may just turn out to be the best summer of their lives.

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