Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisLove, betrayal and a family divided amid the turmoil of the English Civil War.London, 1640. Fifteen-year-old Henrietta Challoner dreams of adventure, of a life lived at the gallop, of the opportunities afforded to her brothers, Ned and Sam. She cannot know how devastatingly real these dreams will become, as the country slides towards vicious civil war...The crisis threatens to tear Henrietta's family apart. As religious and political tensions spill into the streets, they all must decide what comes first - their family, their country or their desires. But while she strives to maintain the peace at home, Henrietta becomes embroiled in a deeper plot: to hand London over to the King.Trade ReviewSenior's fresh, forceful writing breathes new life and relevance into the most destructive, dangerous era in English history. Totally gripping -- Kate Saunders * The Times *This study of a family divided by the Civil War is powerfully engaging. Senior is equally convincing on the fast-moving, 'male' world of politics and war and the more pragmatic (but equally painful) battles fought by the women who must somehow live with the results. Hen is a delightful heroine; I was rooting for her right up to the novel's heartbreaking conclusion. -- Maria McCann, bestselling author of THE WILDINGSenior's prose is as fresh as a country walk in spring, and arrestingly original... This is a compelling book that truly gets under the skin of its characters, and does so with compassion and passion... I predict a glittering future for its hugely talented author -- Angus Donald, bestselling author of THE OUTLAW CHRONICLES

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR MOVIE STARRING KEVIN KLINE AND SIGOURNEY WEAVER LONGLISTED FOR THE IMPAC DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2014_______________________________________Hildy Good has reached that dangerous time in a woman's life - middle-aged and divorced, she is an oddity in her small but privileged town. But Hildy isn't one for self-pity and instead meets the world with a wry smile, a dark wit and a glass or two of Pinot Noir. When her two earnest grown-up children stage an 'intervention' and pack Hildy off to an addiction centre, she thinks all this fuss is ridiculous. After all, why shouldn't she enjoy a drink now and then?But we start to see another side to Hildy Good, and to her life's greatest passion. Soon, a cluster of secrets become dangerously entwined, with devastating consequences...Trade ReviewFresh, sharp and masterfully told. Hildy's tale is as intoxicating as it is sobering. * People *Ann Leary's The Good House creates a one-of-a-kind character in Hildy Good... By the end you'll be flipping pages, trying desperately to piece together what happened as much as the narrator is doing herself. * Jodi Picoult, author of A Spark of Light *Leary writes with humor and insight, revealing both the pure pleasure of drinking and the lies and justifications of alcoholism, the warmth Hildy feels toward others when she drinks and the desperation that makes her put alcohol before the people she loves. The result is a layered and complex portrait of a woman struggling with addiction, in a town where no secret stays secret for long. * J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times Book Review *Hildy is an original, irresistibly likable and thoroughly untrustworthy....A genuinely funny novel about alcoholism. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *Leary's genius is to give us a true original: Hildy, a not-so-recovering alcoholic/realtor who crashlands among a colorful cast of New England neighbors, but Leary also says a great deal about the houses we choose to live in, the people we're compelled to love, and the addictions we don't want to give up. So alive, I swear the pages of this wickedly funny and moving novel are breathing. * Caroline Leavitt, author of Pictures of You *A good read. * USA Today *Atmospheric, funny, poignant, gritty, and romantic, and Hildy Good is refreshingly candid and lovably flawed. * Kate Christensen, author of The Last Cruise *Superstition, drama, and intrigue unspool at a perfect pace in Ann Leary's irresistible new novel, The Good House, a tale steeped in New England character and small-town social tumult. * Redbook *One of the best works of Massachusetts fiction in recent memory. * Boston Magazine *

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Book SynopsisLaura loves her daughter more than anything in the world. But nine-year-old Autumn is being bullied. Laura feels helpless. When Autumn fails to return home from school one day, Laura goes looking for her. She finds a crowd of older children taunting her little girl. In the heat of the moment, Laura makes a terrible choice. A choice that will have devastating consequences for her and her daughter...Trade ReviewA powerful and compelling story about the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child. What begins as a worrying situation quickly escalates into a nightmare as the result of a single bad decision. I found myself wondering what I would have done in that situation and the ending had me holding my breath. -- C.L. TaylorOnce I picked it up, I could not stop reading - I literally raced to the end. Laura's fierce love for her daughter Autumn, mixed with her desperation in the face of her powerlessness to prevent her daughter being bullied, made for a riveting and unsettling read. Bone by Bone is a tense, dark novel. Dread seeps from each page as Laura and her daughter descend deeper and deeper into a living nightmare and the story spirals towards an ending that is both unexpected and deeply satisfying. Sanjida is such a wonderful, assured writer. -- Luana LewisA page turner but also a book that explores with chilling realism the insidious nature of bullying and how helpless parents can feel in the face of damage being done to their child; I can imagine this will appeal to many parents. -- Jane ShemiltThis novel about the insidious nature of bullying escalates into a tale of violence, fear and suspense. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisOne night, Akram Khan walks out of his house towards an appointed time and place where he is supposed to detonate a bomb that will end his life and that of many innocent bystanders. As he wanders through the town he encounters Grace, whose life has been marred just as his has, forming an unlikely closeness borne of need and necessity.Akram tells Grace about his seemingly inexorable journey towards radicalization: a childhood within the tight-knit Pakistani community, his complex friendships among outcasts, his disastrous years in the army, and his empty arranged marriage to a woman who remains a stranger. Delicately drawn, Akram's War is an honest and shocking kaleidoscopic portrait of contemporary Britain, and of the ways in which the twists and turns of fate can scar and mark a life.

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Book SynopsisA BBC Radio 4 Book at BedtimeWhen Conrad fails to return home from a science conference, Eleanor guesses he may at last be reacting to her infidelity. Or has he finally tired of his stagnating job in transplant research? Eleanor's own scientific career has forged ahead, while Conrad played main carer to their children. The four children, now adult, fear for their father but seem to have little sympathy for their tough ambitious mother.Meanwhile, a long way from home, Conrad is alone, scared and on the run.Trade ReviewThis is an extraordinary novel about an ordinary situation; the unravelling of a marriage. Jane Rogers writes with delicacy and insight about the death throes of a long relationship... This is a dissection of a relationship that cuts to the bone. * The Times *Rogers recognises the coincidences of opposites, of irreconcilable drives, at the quick of human experience. It is this that powers Conrad & Eleanor and keeps the reader engrossed... The sequence is a microcosm of the novel's structure, the roiling tempest in Conrad's mind coming to rest in exhausted affirmation. It's brilliantly done - a sustained exploration of the polarities at the enduring heart of love. * Guardian *Her observation of our species is tender, precise, illuminating. -- Hilary Mantel'Rogers displays a knack for drawing on life's subtle and uncanny parallels' (praise for Hitting Trees with Sticks) * Times Literary Supplement *'Roger's prose flows elegantly and with effortless power.... Intricately plotted, with the ability to repeatedly surprise' (praise for The Voyage Home) * Observer *Warm, wise, insightful, sharply observed and beautifully written. -- Marina LewyckaA really clever, reflective and dispassionate scrutiny of a marriage in trouble * Daily Mail *This is a portrait of modern middle-class matrimony, well-crafted and full of insight into the compromises and imbalances of long-standing relationships. * Mail on Sunday *A gripping account of a marriage based on role-reversal... Throughout this fast-paced, thriller-like narrative, dialogue both external and internal crackles with authenticity... And the issues they tackle give the story terrific momentum. * Book Oxygen *Jane Rogers' Conrad and Eleanor [has a] strong narrative vivid characters and a twist of the unexpected... * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisWhen Margot and Henry meet, they fall deeply in love. And then they lose each other.But Henry can't forget Margot and Margot is haunted by her memories of Henry. They live in each other's minds. Twenty-one years later, they meet, by chance, on a Manhattan street. And that's where their story truly begins...If I Forget You is a beautiful exploration of what it means to find the person you are destined to be with, but then spend a lifetime apart.Trade ReviewThomas Christopher Greene's If I Forget You is the most moving and beautifully-written love story I've read since Cold Mountain. -- Howard Frank Mosher, author of God's KingdomRomantic, full of yearning, and hopeful, this is an unapologetically passionate tale about the kind of enduring love we dream about when we are young. -- Robin Oliveira, New York Times bestselling authorThis love story makes for a perfect beach read. * Real Simple *A powerful, emotionally moving love story. * Library Journal *Hypnotic. -- Eric da Costa, author of Seven DaysBeautifully written... addictive -- Civilian ReaderIncredibly beautiful and compulsively readable, The Headmaster's Wife will keep you mesmerized into the wee hours. A master storyteller, Greene's biggest achievement is proving that the most complex mystery of all is how and why we love. * Kimberly McCreight, bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia on The Headmaster's Wife *Nothing is what it appears in this brilliant story of a life gone awry... The author's true intentions make this tale even more remarkable, for the book is, at its core, a trenchant examination of one family's terrible loss and how the aftermath of tragedy can make or break a person's soul. * Publishers Weekly on The Headmaster's Wife *Greene's haunting tale tracks the unraveling of a marriage. It starts, eerily, with a naked man's arrest... then twists back in time through love, grief, betrayal, and love again. * Good Housekeeping US on The Headmaster's Wife *

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Book SynopsisEsme: eldest child, control-freak, perfect wife. In fact, her husband has run off with his dentist and their teenage daughter is live-tweeting the entire mess to her 3,000 followers. Liv: middle child, fiancé stealer, squatter. Holed up in her ex-husband's apartment with her acupuncturist and a bottle of whiskey.Ru: youngest child, writer, runaway. Hopes to find inspiration for her second novel whilst fleeing her fiancé. One-by-one the siblings return to the family home, where a box of old letters awaits them containing the answer to the mystery they have all lived with, until now: who was their father, and why the hell did he disappear?Trade ReviewSimilar to Nick Hornby... Asher's novel rewards readers with an engrossing plot rich in witty and frank dark humor... Thoughtful and provoking. * Booklist *Asher's newest title spotlights her unique voice plus an affinity for quirky, wounded characters that are both realistic and likeable... An entertaining yet astute look at family, self, story and connections. * Kirkus *The Rockwell siblings... won me over completely, and their story twists and turns in such fascinating, hilarious, heartfelt ways, that it left me in awe of Asher's abilities. -- Kevin Wilson, author of The Family Fang

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Book Synopsis'Why is Laurie Graham not carried on people's shoulders through cheering crowds? Her books are brilliant!' MARIAN KEYESThe Early Birds is the feel-good and funny follow-up to The Future Homemakers of America that proves that no matter what life throws at you, great friends and regular cocktails will always see you through.Peggy, the southern belle. Kath, the pragmatist with the only Norfolk accent in New York state. Gayle, the preacher with healing hands. Mrs Colonel Audrey Rudman, forever keeping up the standards of the Officers' Wives Club. Lois, who's never had a thought she didn't voice. Loudly.Their menfolk may be long retired, but once a US Air Force wife, always an Air Force wife, and the bonds of friendship forged in base after military base are still going strong fifty years later. Time is rendering its Accounts Payable for all of them now: hip replacements, eye problems, forgetfulness and departures. In this hymn to lifelong female friendship, Peggy soldiers on through new upheavals, including her ex-husband Vern's Alzheimer's diagnosis, the death of one of her nearest and dearest, a life-changing house move and the world-shattering events of 9/11 with the help of her sharp-tongued, often eccentric, but always loyal group of friends.Trade ReviewPlease do me a personal favour and buy (and read!) both these books [Early Birds and Future Homemakers of America]. You will not regret it -- Sarra Manning * Red magazine *This wonderful book about friendship is full of warmth, wit and winning characters * Daily Mail *She has wit and insight to match Nick Hornby, and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding, as well as depth . . . It amounts to a picture of the way women's lives have changed, without ever sacrificing the particular to the generalisation * Independent on The Future Homemakers of America *Superlative. The writing sparkles from first to last * Sunday Telegraph on The Future Homemakers of America *This novel crackles with energy and snappy American dialogue. Laurie Graham conjures up five tough, funny, mouthy women, thrown together at an American airbase in Norfolk . . . Graham has pulled off an absolute triumph; the voice of her sassy narrator, the redoubtable Peggy, never falters as she unfolds 40 years of friendship * Daily Mail on The Future Homemakers of America *Laugh-out-loud funny; intelligent; moving; has more delicious roll-off-the-tongue one-liners than Seinfeld. One of those books you buy six copies of to send to all your old friends * Scotsman on The Future Homemakers of America *A delightfully smart and sophisticated historical novelist * Sunday Times *One of my favourite writers -- Wendy Holden

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Book SynopsisHolly Stanton’s grandfather was a spy. In Berlin in September 1939; in Norway when the Germans invaded. Sailed back to Orkney by a brave Norwegian, whose family was killed in retaliation. And he kept a diary.Holly has always known that. It’s the family story. But when her father finally passes on a transcript of the diary, she finds the ‘brave Norwegian’ has a name. He is real. But why was a spy writing a diary at all? Part war-time thriller, part exploration of the ethics of story-telling, Reconciliation slips between Occupied Norway and Cambridge, London and the Highlands during the Iraq War and its aftermath.Based on truth but laced with errors and lies, as each layer of the story peels away, we discover just how easily we have been misled. Stories always lie, but sometimes they are the only truth we have. Reconciliation is a clever, exciting and – ironically – honest account of its own bad faith.Trade ReviewReconciliation opens with an intriguing apology by the author ‘for the extent to which my characters fail to resemble their real-life models’. This indicates a central concern of Guy Ware’s novel: namely, how the fiction writer appropriates ‘facts’ to create a story. It’s a preoccupation that informs the book’s highly original narrative structure … a memorable and inventive meditation on reconciliation, in the sense of both settling differences and squaring the facts. -- Tom Williams * The Literary Review *Reconciliation consolidates Guy Ware’s reputation as a writer whose observations of modern life are witty, precise and provocative. It’s brilliant. Read it and see for yourself. -- Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone * Read and Review *Absent, slippery or suspect ‘facts’ are central to this unapologetically knotty novel. -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Stories passed down through generations can shape a family but are also subject to the distorting lenses of memory and perspective. Author Guy Ware’s grandfather worked for MI6, escaped from Norway in 1940 and kept a diary, but his new book Reconciliation (Salt, £8.99) is fiction. It follows Holly Stanton, whose grandfather was a spy and happened to be in Norway when the Germans invaded, and who kept a diary. It’s a well-known family story but it only becomes tangible to Holly when she finally gets her hands on the diary. Moving between various real-life events, each laced with errors and lies, Ware demonstrates to the reader how easily we can be misled as he explores the ethics of storytelling in this wartime thriller. -- Antonia Charlesworth * Big Issue North *This ingenious novel succeeds in being both a highly readable story of second world war derring-do and its aftermath and a clever Celtic knot of a puzzle about writing itself… Just who is telling this story? There are different narrators, but verbal tripwires indicate that all is not as it seems: impossible echoes from one person’s account to the next alert us to the, yes, fictional nature of what we are being drawn into and pull us up short. The complexity of who saw what and wrote what is maddening but also exhilarating, and very funny in places. -- Jane Housham * The Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''Packed with heart and suspense; I absolutely loved it'' Jenny AshcroftThings aren''t always as they seem... A small town can be a refuge, but while its secrets are held, it''s hard to know who to trust and what to believe.The Teacher''s Secret is a tender and compelling story of scandal, rumor and dislocation, and the search for grace and dignity in the midst of dishonor and humiliation. Suzanne Leal draws us into a public school in the intimate town of Brindle, Australia in which vice principal Terry comes to generational loggerheads with stand-in principal Laurie concerning teachers and their treatment of their pupils. Told over four semesters, this conflict will slowly change their lives.Perfect for fans of The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty and A Song for Issy Bradley by Carys BrayWhat Reviewers and Readers Say:''Delicately woven a big-hearted book,'' Joanne FedlerElegantly structured, unsettling, yet with moments of surprising wit,' Kathryn HeymanMasterfully constructed, this moving novel warns us of our capacity to make or break the lives of those around us Drawn with wit and clear-eyed affection, the inhabitants of this wonderful novel will remain with you long after you have put it down.' Mark LamprellA rich interweaving of beautifully drawn characters told so gently and in such exquisite detail that they grew on me until I was lost in their world.' Robin de Crespigny''The Teacher's Secret is a gutsy yet intricate examination of one of society's nightmares, filled with strong characters and relationships interwoven in a storyline that has the reader engrossed to the last page,' Robert WainwrightSuzanne Leal writes with her hand on her heart, writing according to its beat translating the ordinary into the extraordinary. An Australian talent, universally understood.' Charles WaterstreetSuspenseful, moving and full of heart. I couldn't put it down.' Richard GloverAn eloquent story of a life thrown into disarray; it drew me in and held me, page after page.' Rachel SeiffertSuzanne Leal is a writer of unusual sensitivity, with a rare ability to shed light on the dark tangle of emotional attachments which lies just below the surface of everyday life.' John Colle''What a great read! I could not put it down. I can imagine this book being talked about and passed around from teacher to teacher in the school staff room and from parent to parent in the school car park ...'' Schooldays Magazine

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS'Tender, challenging and as warm as it was razor-sharp' Beth O'Leary'If you've read Joanna Cannon I think you'll love this' Simon Savidge'A sublimely witty and touching story' Jonathan Coe The standout new novel by acclaimed author Ayisha Malik - perfect for fans of David Nicholls and Candice Carty-Williams.In the sleepy village of Babel's End, trouble is brewing. Bilal Hasham is having a mid-life crisis. His mother has just died, and he finds peace lying in a grave he's dug in the garden. His elderly Auntie Rukhsana has come to live with him, and forged an unlikely friendship with village busybody, Shelley Hawking. His wife Mariam is distant and distracted, and his stepson Haaris is spending more time with his real father.Bilal's mother's dying wish was to build a mosque in Babel's End, but when Shelley gets wind of this scheme, she unleashes the forces of hell. Will Bilal's mosque project bring his family and his beloved village together again, or drive them apart? Warm, wise and laugh-out-loud funny, This Green and Pleasant Land is a life-affirming look at love, faith and the meaning of home.Trade ReviewI absolutely devoured this book . . . It was tender, challenging and as warm as it was razor-sharp - I was in awe of Ayisha's ability to cut you to the core in one paragraph and make you laugh in the next. Every single character was fascinating, and so many of them stayed with me after finishing the book that I was basically carrying the whole village round in my head for a while . . . * Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare *Beautifully written. If you've read Joanna Cannon I think you'll love this * Simon Savidge *A gorgeous, funny, smart, uplifting story about seeking unity during times of division. Wish I could prescribe it to the country * Daisy Buchanan *I have to say it's not often I read a book as thoughtful, funny, excellently written and important as this one. I've always been a fan of Ayisha's writing, but this book takes her work to another level. I really hope this becomes a huge hit, because it deserves to be read by everyone. Witty, insightful, and shot through with pathos, Ayisha Malik's This Green and Pleasant Land is the prescient tale of Bilal, a middle-class British muslim and his quest to fulfil his mother's dying wish that he builds a mosque in the sleepy English village of Babbel's End. This book is laugh out loud funny, but is so much more than that. It challenges out preconceptions and our prejudices about what it means to be British in today's world. As such, in these turbulent times, it is also an important book. It's Malik's best work to date, and more importantly, for me, it's the standout book of the year * Abir Mukherjee *A modern comedy of manners ... Malik's great gift is to present seemingly insoluble issues of faith and intolerance in a light, accessible manner * Guardian *Malik was another of last year's standout discoveries for me . . . she writes about the Muslim experience of living in England from the inside, and in this novel constructs a sublimely witty and touching story . . . It has an Ealing comedy vibe to it, but is of course utterly contemporary, offering many clear-eyed perspectives on the fractured, mutually-uncomprehending country we have somehow managed to create for ourselves * Jonathan Coe *Beautifully written. If you've read Joanna Cannon I think you'll love this. * Simon Savidge, (Savidge Reads) *Warm, funny and thought-provoking...A joy to read. * The People's Friend *

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Book SynopsisThe funny and feelgood new novel from Louise Pentland - perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Giovanna Fletcher and Lindsey Kelk. 'Gorgeously warm and relatable - I loved being in Robin Wilde's world!' Paige Toon'I'm in love with Robin Wilde and can't believe it's time to say goodbye' Lindsey Kelk * * *Meet Robin Wilde: mum, newly-appointed official girlfriend, make-up artist extraordinaire and general plate-spinning, life-juggling, balance-seeking badass.Or so I like to think.Everything seems to be slotting into place, not just for me but for my close-knit little world of friends and family too. Yet despite all that, I still feel like I'm blagging it.Although our lives sound great on paper, cracks are beginning to show. My best friend Lacey is struggling to bond with her baby, my lovely Auntie Kath suddenly seems distant and my daughter Lyla is finding it hard to adapt to having a man in our lives. I love that for once everybody is depending on me, but I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed - it's like I have too many tabs open in my brain.Now I've been asked to go to the States for work, and it seems like the getaway we all need. Look out New York, me and my girls are on our way! But will the city that never sleeps make or break us? * * * This is what you've been saying about the Robin Wilde books:'Amazing''Had me gripped from start to end''I just loved it so much''So real, so relatable, so inspiring''Uplifting, touching and very true to life''Witty and heart-warming'Praise for the Robin Wilde books:'Warm, engaging . . . [Robin Wilde] is a chatty winning yet poignant heroine'SOPHIE KINSELLA'I fell in love with Robin and her family before the end of the first page . . . A fabulous mix of escapism and relatability, this is a hug of a book'DAISY BUCHANAN'Wonderfully written and full of humour. Funny, heartfelt, tender and empowering'GIOVANNA FLETCHER'Hilarious, moving and extremely well written'SUNDAY TIMES STYLE 'If it's great big belly laughs you're after, then meet Robin Wilde'FABULOUS MAGAZINECan't wait to read more from Louise Pentland? Look out for her new non-fiction book, MumLife: What Nobody Ever Tells You About Being A Mum. Search 9781788702928. Trade ReviewGorgeously warm and relatable - I loved being in Robin Wilde's world! * Paige Toon, on Wilde Women *Louise is a beautiful writer and has created a world in which I want to hide away forever. I'm in love with Robin Wilde and can't believe it's time to say goodbye. I wish we were all Wilde women! May we know them, raise them and read them * Lindsey Kelk, on Wilde Women *If you want a light but layered book to take on holiday, Wilde Women touches on everything from motherhood and depression, to the importance of friendships and the pressures of modern womanhood. It'll make you laugh, then cry, then laugh again! Thank god for sisterhood * Magic FM Bookclub *The latest adventures of Robin Wilde is sure to be a hit with Louise Pentland's many fans. Witty, fun, and full of warmth that will leave you with the feel good factor. * Frost Magazine *You'll love this funny, warm and relatable read * Fabulous magazine *Full of hope and courage and sisterhood * Emma B, Magic FM *Totally hilarious, this boasts a refreshingly relatable view of just how tough motherhood can be * 'Read of the Week' - Heat magazine *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Anne O'Brien and Elizabeth Chadwick, Deborah Swift brings a unique period in history to vivid, fascinating life in her acclaimed Pepys trilogy.'A remarkably beguiling read. It transported me to the glitter and filth of seventeenth century London' Martine Bailey, author of The Almanack'The fusion of historical facts and fiction is so flawless that it is hard to know where reality ends and fiction begins' Readers' FavoriteLondon, 1666. Elizabeth 'Bird' Carpenter has a wonderful singing voice, and music is her chief passion. When her father persuades her to marry horse-dealer Christopher Knepp, she suspects she is marrying beneath her station, but nothing prepares her for the reality of life with Knepp. Her father has betrayed her trust, for Knepp cares only for his horses; he is a tyrant and a bully, and will allow Bird no life of her own.When Knepp goes away, she grasps her chance and, encouraged by her maidservant Livvy, makes a secret visit to the theatre. Entranced by the music, the glitter and glamour of the surroundings, and the free and outspoken manner of the women on the stage, she falls in love with the theatre and is determined to forge a path of her own as an actress.But life in the theatre was never going to be straightforward - for a jealous rival wants to spoil her plans, and worse, Knepp forbids it, and Bird must use all her wit and intelligence to change his mind.Based on events depicted in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys, Entertaining Mr Pepys brings London in the 17th Century to life. It includes the vibrant characters of the day such as the diarist himself and actress Nell Gwynne, and features a dazzling and gripping finale during the Great Fire Of London.The third in Deborah Swift's atmospheric trilogy, bringing to life the women in Pepys' Diary. Each novel features a different character and can be read as a standalone book.PRAISE FOR THE PEPYS TRILOGY:'Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events and real people with eloquent storytelling, atmospheric scene setting and imaginative plot lines' The Visitor'A novel that transports readers with astonishing and engrossing detail' Readers' Favorite 5*'Pepys and his world spring to vibrant life... Gripping, revealing and stunningly imagined' Lancashire Evening PostTrade ReviewA remarkably beguiling read. It transported me to the glitter and filth of seventeenth century London -- Martine Bailey, author of The AlmanackThe fusion of historical facts and fiction is so flawless that it is hard to know where reality ends and fiction begins * Readers Favourite Review *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Anne O'Brien and Elizabeth Chadwick, Deborah Swift brings a unique period in history to vivid, fascinating life in her acclaimed Pepys trilogy.'Laced with emotional intensity and drama, Pleasing Mr Pepys...(has) an intricate plot that features red herrings, unexpected twists, and surprises that will take readers on a very delightful ride' Readers' Favorite 'Deb Willet, Elizabeth Pepys's maid and the object of Samuel Pepys's attentions, is finally given centre-stage after 350 years, and her tale was worth waiting for. This is exceptional story-telling' L. C. Tyler From acclaimed historical novelist Deborah Swift, Pleasing Mr Pepys is the story of diarist Samuel Pepys' London, vibrantly told through the eyes of his maid. Deb Willet is desperate to escape her domineering aunt and takes a position as companion to Elisabeth Pepys, Samuel's wife. Deb believes it will give her the respectability and freedom she craves - but it proves far more complicated than she could ever have imagined.London is still in ruins from the Great Fire. Although Charles II has been restored to the throne, there is the prospect of war with the Dutch - the world's great sea power of the era. In the midst of this tumult strides Samuel Pepys, diarist and man of note. Pepys' influence in Restoration London means that the Dutch are keen to get their hands on his secrets - even if that means murder, espionage and blackmail to get them. Deb is soon caught up in a web of deception and double-dealing. And with Mr Pepys' attentions turned towards her, there's a lot more than treason at stake... Selling other people's secrets is a dangerous game...Praise for Pleasing Mr Pepys: 'Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events and real people with eloquent storytelling, atmospheric scene setting and imaginative plot lines' The Visitor 'Laced with emotional intensity and drama' Readers' Favorite 'Pepys and his world spring to vibrant life...Gripping, revealing and stunningly imagined, Pleasing Mr Pepys is guaranteed to please' Lancashire Evening PostDon't miss Deborah Swift's other enthralling tales of Samuel Pepys - A Plague of Mr Pepys and Entertaining Mr Pepys - out now!

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Book SynopsisSince Amy's daughter, Ruby-May, died in a terrible accident, her family have been beset by grief. One year later, the family decide to go on holiday to mend their wounds. An idyllic island in Italy seems the perfect place for them to heal and repair their relationships with one another.But no sooner have they arrived than they discover nothing on this remote island is quite as it seems. And with the anniversary of the little girl's death looming, it becomes clear that at least one person in the family is hiding a shocking secret. As things start to go rapidly wrong, Amy begins to question whether everyone will make it home...Trade ReviewTerrific... a right old page turner, beautifully written with many layers. * LizLovesBooks *A gripping page-turner - the twists kept coming! * Catherine Ryan Howard on My Mother's Secret *So compelling you have no choice but to race through it... Twisty, tense and chilling. Brilliant! * Sam Carrington on My Mother's Secret *Sanjida Kay captivates the senses, then delivers the killer blow. * Lucy Dawson on My Mother's Secret *Sanjida has nailed it again. A claustrophobic, unpredictable thriller that I couldn't get enough of. You'll be holding your breath until the last page. * Jack Jordan on My Mother's Secret *

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Book SynopsisAdjusting to West Country life may take more than she bargained for...__________A comedic state-of-the-nation tale for fans of Katie Fforde, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.__________Chrissie loves her London life and job as an events manager. She loves her loyal lodger and cleaner Melina (sharp as a tack), and her daughters Scarlet (loud, vegan, activist) and Ruby (quiet, musician, boffin). She even loves her husband Rob, despite him deciding to cycle across Africa. For a year. But life as the only responsible adult has left Chrissie stressed and overworked, so much so that she is almost relieved when her mum calls her home to Devon to help with the struggling family vineyard. Almost.Chrissie gives herself a year: if she can make it through until then, maybe they can celebrate as a family with their own fizz? But adjusting to West Country life may take more than she bargained for...Trade Review...an absolute treat. ... both poignant and hilarious . . . a joyous read. Lizzie Lovell has such a sharp eye for detail, and a real gift for summing up a situation in a few perfect words. * Amazon - Vine Choice *this delicious book offers a giant swig of a story full of characters, wit and warmth -- Jules Wake, author of ESCAPE TO THE RIVIERA, on THE JUNIPER GIN JOINTThe perfect pick-me-up for summer -- Phillipa Ashley, on THE JUNIPER GIN JOINT

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Book SynopsisChonghaile weaves a complex narrative covering conflict, secrets, judgement and what it takes to sever family ties.I have a story to tell you, Diane. It is my story and your story and the story of a century that remade the world. When we reach the end, you will be the ultimate arbiter of whether it was worth your time. You will also sit in judgment on me. In a cottage in Normandy, Lina Rose is writing to the daughter she abandoned as a baby. Now a successful if enigmatic author, she is determined to trace her family's history through the two world wars that shaped her life. But Lina can no longer bear to carry her secrets alone, and once the truth is out, can she ever be forgiven?''A gorgeous, absorbing tale. The characters'' experiences of loss and their stoic sense of survival brought history to life in a way I had never seen it before a compelling and captivating story, filled with adventure, love and regret'' Nicola Cassidy, author ofDecember Girl''Ní Chonghaile is a writer who knows her subject matter inside out. At times philosophical, in parts emotional, The Reckoning is a great example of how a natural storyteller can take a genre and make it their own'' Daniel Seery, author of A Model Partner''Chonghaile has succeeded in writing a moving story aboutmemories, regret, and the ties that bind.Both wise and gentle,The Reckoningis a novel with heart'' Tiffany McDaniel, Not-the-Booker Prizewinning author ofThe Summer that Melted Everything''Clár Ní Chonghaile has done it againThe Reckoningis a novel about family, memory, and the possibility of forgiveness and it will stay with you long after you have savoured the last page'' Léan Cullinan, author ofThe Living

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Book Synopsis''An extraordinary interrogation of the human heart in all its complexity. Anyone who has ever felt they might die for love will relish this book.'' Rowan PellingAfter an argument with her husband Gilles, Venus Rees is left devastated by his sudden death. But when she discovers that he died of a treatable genetic condition she knew nothing about, she is haunted by the thought that he didn't love her enough to save himself. As time passes, Venus looks set to be trapped between grief and distrust forever. Until she meets the shy, good-looking and seemingly ideal Alex.Intertwining Venus's compelling attraction to Alex in the present with Gilles' enraptured pursuit of her in the past, Ideal Love is an intimate and life-affirming novel about love, from its incandescent beginnings to its final breath and back again.''Burnett''s ear for dialogue between lovers and friends is second to none. Ideal Love is an extraordinary interrogation of the human heart in all its complexity. Anyone who has ever felt they might die for love will relish this book.'' Rowan Pelling''A rich and evocative novel about what it means to love and, above all, what it means to be human.'' Annabel Abbs''Interesting and challenging'' Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisCarmel had been alone all her life. The baby knew this. They looked at each other, and all of time was there. The baby knew how vast her mother's loneliness had been.'A magnificent novel' SALLY ROONEY, author of Normal PeopleNell - funny, brave and so much loved - is a young woman with adventure on her mind. As she sets out into the world, she finds her family history hard to escape. For her mother, Carmel, Nell's leaving home opens a space in her heart, where the turmoil of a lifetime begins to churn. And across the generations falls the long shadow of Carmel's famous father, an Irish poet of beautiful words and brutal actions.This is a meditation on love: spiritual, romantic, darkly sexual or genetic. A multigenerational novel that traces the inheritance not just of trauma but also of wonder, it is a testament to the glorious resilience of women in the face of promises false and true. Above all, it is an exploration of the love between mother and daughter - sometimes fierce, often painful, but always transcendent.***A THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, NEW STATESMAN AND TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023******ONE OF THE BBC’S ’25 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023’***'One of our greatest living novelists' THE TIMES'Might just be her best yet' LOUISE KENNEDY, author of Trespasses'Gem-packed language... A must-read' MARGARET ATWOOD (via Twitter)Trade ReviewThe Wren, The Wren is a magnificent novel. Anne Enright's stylistic brilliance seems to put the reader directly in touch with her characters and the rich territory of their lives -- Sally Rooney, author of NORMAL PEOPLEThe Wren, The Wren may be her best book yet * Guardian, *Books of the Year* *Wonderful… This deceptively modest novel is the kind of book that will work on you long after you have put it down * Sunday Times, *Books of the Year* *These pages practically crackle with intelligence, compassion and wit. Phil McDaragh is so real I almost googled him. The Wren, The Wren might just be Anne Enright's best yet -- Louise Kennedy, author of TrespassesAnne Enright’s The Wren, The Wren is so good they named it twice, so good I read it twice – and read two different novels, because moral positions are incorrigibly plural in Enrightville * Observer, *Books of the Year* *Gritty, sad, sly, riotous... Gem-packed language that fizzes like a sidewalk firecracker. A must-read -- Margaret Atwood, author of THE HANDMAID'S TALE (via Twitter)The Wren, The Wren is Anne Enright at her lyrical, storytelling best -- Nicola Sturgeon * New Statesman, *Books of the Year* *This is the golden age of Irish prose fiction. Of our many prodigiously talented novelist, few have the all-encompassing deftness of touch of Anne Enright * Times Literary Supplement, *Books of the Year* *One of my books of any year. It’s about womanhood, youth and that slow, painful, but joyous estrangement that emerges between mother and daughter as life runs its tumultuous course -- Michael Magee * Observer, *Books of the Year* *A work of astounding ventriloquism and hard-won hope about women’s lives * Times Literary Supplement, *Books of the Year* *

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Book Synopsis'Dark, creepy and very clever, The Trap will lure you in and keep you captive until the very last page' - C L TAYLOR‘Elegant and twisty, it lingers in the memory’ – Daily Mail'Topical, twisty, and with a real heart stopper of a moment halfway in that'll make you turn the lights back on' - GILLIAN MCALLISTERStranded on a dark road in the middle of the night, a young woman accepts a lift from a passing stranger. It's the nightmare scenario that every girl is warned about, and she knows the dangers all too well - but what other choice does she have?As they drive, she alternates between fear and relief - one moment thinking he is just a good man doing a good thing, the next convinced he's a monster. But when he delivers her safely to her destination, she realizes her fears were unfounded.And her heart sinks. Because a monster is what she's looking for.She'll try again tomorrow night. But will the man who took her sister take the bait?-Inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances, The Trap is the startlingly original new thriller from internationally bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard.‘As brain-teasing as it is gripping . . . [a] psychologically dazzling novel' - Sunday Times Thriller of the Month and chosen as one of the 12 best thrillers of 2023 by The Times'Dark and witty and clever. An original and highly gripping read, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' - Alice Feeney'Howard has a sly gift for misdirection . . . Again and again, you'll blithely follow her down the wrong path' - New York Times'A breakneck thriller with so many twists and turns that your head will spin. I absolutely tore through The Trap ' - Holly SeddonTrade ReviewTopical, twisty, and with a real heart stopper of a moment halfway in that'll make you turn the lights back on. * Gillian McAllister, author of WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME *Everything a thriller should be: clever, page-tearing, devastating. Catherine Ryan Howard makes you feel for her characters so much, whether you love them or absolutely loathe them. It's impossible to stop reading - or to stop thinking about THE TRAP, long after you're done * Abigail Dean, author of GIRL A *Dark, creepy and very clever, The Trap will lure you in and keep you captive until the very last page. Catherine Ryan Howard is the Queen of the Unguessable Twist * C L Taylor *As brain-teasing as it is gripping . . . [a] psychologically dazzling novel * Sunday Times - Thriller of the Month *The Trap is everything you want in a book - breathless pace, clever plot, addictive characters, and very pertinent social commentary on how victims are judged. Whip smart, utterly absorbing, and unputdownable * Andrea Mara, author of ALL HER FAULT *

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Book SynopsisWhen her identical twin Laurel dies, 17-year-old Willow?s life falls apart. With her parents? marriage faltering, she finds escape at her uncle Joe?s cottage. But even as they begin to know each other, Willow is plagued with memories of her sister. Then, Lucas arrives in her life?troubled, angry, and with a dangerous past. Joe?s cottage is idyllic, but the forest is filled with secrets. What is Joe hiding from her? What events have brought Lucas to her door? And who is the Slaughter Man who steals through Willow?s sleep? As the lines between dreams and reality become blurred, Willow?s torment deepens. It seems as if her only escape lies with the Slaughter Man.

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Book Synopsis''It was dark and sad and powerful and poetic. Just addictive, and bloody marvellous'' Louise BeechThe Leftovers is a story about sexual power and consent, the myth of the perfect victim, and a dark exploration of the things we do for and to the ones we love.Callie's life is spent caring for others for Frey, her client, and for Noah, her brother. When a tragic car accident shatters her family, she's left alone with her mother Vanessa. Vanessa''s favourite child was Noah; Callie''s favourite parent was her dad. Now they''re stuck with each other - the leftovers of their family - and they''ll have to confront the ways they''ve been hurt, and the ways they''ve passed that hurt on to others.Praise for Cassandra:''A thoughtful novel. Parkin creates authentic, interesting characters'' Carys Bray''Fresh and original, written vividly and with lair. I was completely engrossed!'' Katherine Webb''A dark, eloquently creepy tale. Parkin''s prose quivers with visceral terror'' Carol Lovekin

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Book Synopsis'The warm and witty novel you need in your beach-bag this year.' Chrissie ManbyWhat if Emma isn’t the person she thought she was?Her younger son has just been diagnosed with autism.She’s accidentally quit her job.The marriage she was dedicated to suddenly seems like a sham.She’s pretty sure that she is going to have an affair with a hot new dad at the school.The only thing that stays the same is everyone else. Emma realises it’s not them – it’s her. But if she’s not who she thought she was, can her old life fit in with the new Emma?Compassionate, funny and poignant, Another Us is perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Fiona Gibson.Praise for Another Us:‘Kirsten Hesketh’s debut is both painfully real and at times painfully funny. Another Us is the warm and witty novel you need in your beach-bag this year.’ Chrissie Manby, bestselling author of Seven Sunny Days'A real page-turner, with a wonderfully relatable main character. Kirsten has such a fresh new voice and I'm so excited to read whatever she writes next!' Christina Pishiris, author of Love Songs for Sceptics'Delightful action-packed read that will break your heart only to glue the pieces back together, albeit in a slightly different order.' Jenny O’Brien, author of Silent Cry‘What may, at first, seem a light-hearted portrayal of playground politics becomes something brave and brilliant, which both entertains and informs. Kirsten Hesketh’s writing is assured and the pace never falters... a total must-read debut.’ Claire Dyer, author of The Moment‘This accomplished debut is gripping, at times heart-breaking and wonderfully well-written. It sheds a piercing light on the choices and difficulties experienced when Asperger’s is a part of family life, but also shows the strength and power of courage, love and persistence. A searing and honest look at a family reaching breaking point.’ Maddie Please, author of The Summer of Second Chances

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Book SynopsisIt changed her life. But can she remember everything?On a cold evening Zeb, a single mum in her thirties, is found wandering aimlessly on a remote road. She is dazed, confused and bloodied.She doesn’t know where she is, or how she got there. She has travelled far from home and someone has attacked her. Memory loss means she can trust no-one, and with her assailant unidentified, Zeb is desperate to be reunited with her son Matty, and to ensure their safety. But what will her search for the truth uncover? Will it bring answers, or more questions? And what if the person she can rely on the least… is herself?The Day She Can’t Forget is tense and evocative, perfect for fans of The Sister or Saving Sophie. Packed full of emotion, drama and mystery, it is Meg Carter’s second novel, following her bestselling debut The Lies We Tell. ‘Beautifully written, really intriguing and building to such a powerful and moving conclusion.’ Sophie McKenzieMeg Carter worked as a journalist for twenty years before turning her hand to fiction. Her features have appeared in many newspapers, magazines and online with contributions to titles including You magazine, the Independent, Guardian, Financial Times, and Radio Times. She is on the advisory committee of Women in Journalism. She lives in Bath.

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Book Synopsis...Can destroy your life'Wow, wow, wow, this book had me guessing all the way to the end!' ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review When new mother, Laura Caldwell, opens the card dropped through her letterbox, she expected to see a heartfelt note, congratulating her on the birth of baby Shay. Instead, she sees a message that makes her blood run cold. 'Your husband is a murderer.' It couldn’t be true, could it? Not Conor, her adoring husband. He couldn’t be behind the brutal killing of local barmaid, Vicky. Not him. But while Laura fights to discover the truth about her husband, she’s also holding dark secrets of her own; secrets she’s spent years trying to hide. Could the card be a desperate attempt at revenge – or could her husband really be a murderer? There’s a tangled web between this perfect couple – and the truth might just destroy them...Readers are hooked on Five Little Words:‘OMG I could not put this book down… so many twists, turns and secrets and sucks you in from the very first chapter…I did not see the ending coming.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘This book will keep you guessing till the very end! I loved every page in it’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘I just couldn't stop reading this brilliantly addictive book… full of twists and turns - I can definitely recommend.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Secrets, twists and so much more. What a thrilling novel, I was hooked…Highly recommend it.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘The moment I started the first chapter I just couldn’t stop reading…If you’re a fan of murder mysteries I really recommend this book. Try and solve it before the end. I dare you!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Wow, wow, wow, this book had me guessing all the way to the end!... I raced through this book and couldn’t put it down until I found out that whopper of an ending…I would definitely recommend it’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘The moment the first jaw-dropping bombshell landed, I was hooked… Clever cliff-hangers...and a twist you couldn't guess even if you tried. A gripping, hard-hitting read’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘I raced through this…A cleverly crafted, well thought-out plot and one to keep you turning the pages.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘This book had me hooked from start to finish - it is a long time since I finished a book as quickly!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘What a page turner!... will have you guessing all the way to the end.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Incredibly well-paced. I was constantly second-guessing who did what and why. The ending was very satisfying’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A fast-paced thriller that will have readers enthralled. I really enjoyed this book and it left me guessing until the end. This is a great read!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘I could not put this book down…I found it incredible and had to find out how it ended’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A fabulously written whodunnit…You will love it!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisHow do you know if they’re The One (after The One)?Charley’s in a new relationship with perfect boyfriend, Ricky, slowly moving on from the death of her husband. But having only ever been in love once before, how can she know when it’s the real deal? Ricky is perfect, but she’s not convinced he’s perfect for her… Taking the bull by the horns after separating from her cheating husband, Pam has signed up for online dating. And it’s exhausting. She’s determined to find new love, yet she can’t help feeling that she’s repeating old patterns.Are Pam and Charley settling down, or just settling? They need to figure it out, fast. Otherwise, they might just lose The One – or even worse, lose themselves.A beautifully uplifting story of second chances and taking risks for fans of Libby Page, Marian Keyes and Ruth Hogan.Praise for The One After the One ‘A gentle tale of love, loss, perseverance and friendship. I read it in one sitting.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘It had me hooked from the first chapter, and kept me on my toes the entire time! I fell in love with the characters and the romance.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A touching read about friends, grief, moving forward, discovering an unbreakable bond, and finding true happiness again. Very written well, Lester held my attention and had me glued to my Kindle.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘The One After the One is a fast paced story of friendship, love, and second chances. It's a beautifully written book with characters you can't not warm to and care about.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A quick, easy and cute read that was both heart-warming and heart-wrenching in equal measure. Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader reviewTrade Review‘A treat of a book about love and friendship - sip a Prosecco and enjoy!’ Jacqueline Wilson on After the One

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Book SynopsisWill she discover the secret of her past? 1901, West Yorkshire. When Eli Simmonite takes in a heavily pregnant woman fleeing from peril, he feels sure no good will come of it. After all, settled folk don't need much reason to take against the travellers, so having one seek safety amongst his people is unheard of. When danger comes knocking they leave devastation and a newborn child in their wake. Eli is left with the baby girl and his orphaned grandson; a reminder of the offer of aid that cost him his family. With no kin but the adopted family who hold her responsible for their demise, this girl named Rosie Nobody is filled with questions of her past. But with war looming in all of their futures, questions must be put aside: survival is the key. A compelling and beautifully written historical WWI saga of family secrets and triumph in the face of adversity. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and AnneMarie Brear. Readers love The Orphan Girl! 'What a wonderful book... It is really well written and very enjoyable, keeping the reader engrossed and gripped until the very last page' NetGalley 5* Review 'I could not fault any of this book, as the author brings all the characters to life, its such an interesting story that will engross readers all the way through. Loved it' Booklover Bev, 5* Review 'Just finished this and read it in one day, it was that good... Very enchanting storyline and would love another instalment' Slouchie Hats, 5* Review 'What a brilliant book about the travelling family. If you like family sagas based in wartime you will love this book' Goodreads 5* Review 'Wonderful way of words and brings the story and characters to life. Endearing' NetGalley 5* Review 'Really well written and very enjoyable, keeping the reader engrossed and gripped until the very last page' NetGalley 5* ReviewTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR CHRISSIE WALSH: 'An authentic Yorkshire saga – you can almost hear the clacking of the looms. Add a feisty mill girl, determined to fight injustice, and you'll be reading through the night' Alrene Hughes, on The Girl from the Mill. 'Full of joy, sorrow and a big pinch of fun. I loved it' Elizabeth Gill, on The Child from the Ash Pits. 'A captivating story of family, relations and the complexities of life. With truly heart-tugging moments that make you shed a tear. The Child from the Ash Pits is everything a good read should be' -- Diane Allen, on The Child from the Ash Pits

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Book Synopsis'A seething excavation of want and human error' Raven Leilani, author of Luster'Glorious, ecstatic, devastating... A gorgeous debut from a wickedly talented new author' Lauren Groff, author of Florida'Sultry, dark, thick with the heat of bodies and minds in sin and transgression. Incredible' Jamel Brinkley, author of A Lucky ManA thirteen-year-old girl watches her white best friend totter along the edge of a building roof; a woman who lost her child in its first trimester finds empathy and horror in the waters of a city aquarium; a mother protects her teen daughter from a predatory love interest by taking revenge over a very French supper; and two estranged siblings take a road-trip with their dead father's ashes - rediscovering one another and reckoning with all the ways that trust can be betrayed and love can be redeemed. Set in the suburbs and the cities of the modern world but about the ancient essences of who and what we are, Milk Blood Heat is a collection of love and sex, birth and death. Through the stories of ordinary characters confronted by extraordinary moments of violent yet often beautiful reckoning, Dantiel W. Moniz contemplates human connection, race, womanhood, inheritance, and the elemental darkness in us all. Wise and subversive, spiritual and seductive, Milk Blood Heat showcases that the world in which we live can be a place of obstacles and heartbreak... but also one of grace and splendour. A Roxane Gay Bookclub PickTrade ReviewDantiel W. Moniz sings of Florida, girlhood, family, loss, and the glorious, ecstatic, devastating human body in Milk Blood Heat. A gorgeous debut from a wickedly talented new writer. * Lauren Groff, author of Florida *This collection is a seething excavation of want and human error. Moniz writes about the hard incongruities of intimacy with great urgency and tenderness. * Raven Leilani, author of Luster *The stories in this memorable debut have the mood of late summer evenings, sultry and dark, thick with the heat of minds and bodies engaged in sin and transgression, suffused with complicated desire, boldness, and shame. I suggest you pay attention to this book and to this voice, wherever it goes on to take us. With this cast of lovable, heartbreaking characters, Dantiel Moniz is announcing her incredible range and sensitivity, as well as her fearlessness in looking squarely at our human condition, in all its raggedness and beauty. * Jamel Brinkley, author of A Lucky Man *The stories in this book are rigorous and complex, lush and surprising. They are visceral, full of the intimate awe of existing in flesh. A wonder of a debut. * Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of Friday Black *A collection for the ages, incandescent and seething. Equal parts grief, violence, and want, and you'll be glad for this jagged awakening. * T Kira Madden, author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls *These stories and the characters that drive them are like lightning - spectacular, beautiful, carrying a hint of danger. A stunning and important debut. * Danielle Evans, author of Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self *Like the title of Dantiel Moniz's Milk Blood Heat, there's a comfort and a piercing in these stories, a prickling on the skin, an astutely honest gaze sometimes searing through places and emotions I both wanted to escape and to linger with. Moniz has crafted a stunning debut collection of stories with living, pinprickly prose, like a hot Florida day or a finger traced up the back. Highly attuned to small power struggles, these are full-bodies stories, with blood and bones and heartbeats, at once otherworldly and completely real. * Nafissa Thompson-Spires, author of Heads of the Colored People *Wild and lush, Milk Blood Heat is teeming with beautifully complex women and girls: the contours of their relationships, their fears, their many desires. Moniz mesmerizes and unnerves in prose so precise and decadent it rises to incantation. Each story in this debut feels urgent, necessary, utterly pulsing with life. * Kimberly King Parsons, author of Black Light *Dantiel W. Moniz wields language with strength and tenderness, her voice unfiltered but never careless, tapping into the floors of our desires, the ceilings of our joys, and everything between. These spectacular stories are snapshots of the everyday and extraordinary, moments of haunting and grief, of violence and ecstasy. * Caleb Azumah Nelson, author of Open Water *This powerful debut collection is a wonderland of deep female characters navigating their lives against the ever changeable backdrop of Florida. The feminine is sublime throughout these stories, featuring girls and women who are submerged in loss, love, death, temptation, and the cruelty and benevolence of motherhood, two sides of the same coin. Each story vibrates with a thrumming undercurrent of primal power, found in both nature and in the most shadowy parts of ourselves... Dark and lushly layered, these stories will bewitch you. * Kirkus *Excellent... Focusing on marginalized communities and limning relationships, longing, and our uneasy passage through a world that often confounds us, she nails aching moments of naked human emotion in direct if luscious language. While many story collections suffer from a sameness of theme, character, or plot, that's not a problem here. The tales are generally set in Florida, but the similarities end there; each entry is distinctive in its premise, and each will surprise the reader in a different way. What gives the collection coherence is Moniz's distinctive vision. * Library Journal, Starred Review *The stories in Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz are glorious. We meet an eclectic cast of Floridians grappling with questions of what it is to be human and how to live in the world: difference, girlhood, womanhood, manhood, pleasure, loss, and the visceral desire to belong. The prose pulsates with wonderment, easing us into moments of discovery that surprise, and deepen, both our and the characters' sense of the world. I enjoyed, particularly, the ways in which these stories are filled with incisive bursts of ecstasy, broadening our experience of joy and heartache. * Novuyo Tshuma, The Millions *The stories in Moniz's debut collection - many of which shine a multihued light on Black girlhood in Florida - are to not only be read but felt. Like Danielle Evans and Lauren Groff, Moniz is unafraid to expose the darkened corners of the Sunshine State, and of female desire. * O, The Oprah Magazine *Mortality is the undercurrent in Dantiel W. Moniz's electrifying debut story collection, "Milk Blood Heat," but where there's death there is the whir of life, too. A lot of collections consist of some duds, yet every single page in this book is a shimmering seashell that contains the sound of multiple oceans. Reading one of Moniz's stories is like holding your breath underwater while letting the salt sting your fresh wounds. It's exhilarating and shocking and even healing. The power in these stories rests in their veracity, vitality and vulnerability. * Washington Post *Black and Latinx girls and women in Florida are the main characters in Dantiel Moniz's thrilling debut story collection. Not-yet-girls, not-yet-women traffic not in princess dresses but in guts and risk. You think writing about menstruation is taboo? What about little girl characters literally drinking blood? Moniz serves up a feast for anyone ready to move beyond the "sugar and spice and everything nice" lie. * Glamour *Explores the myriad messy ways people - siblings, cousins, mothers, daughters - love, or try to love, each other in prose that is both nuanced and so lush you can taste it. Moniz delivers stories that dance with the themes of identity, coming of age, race, human connection, and violence. * Shondaland *Powerful and exceptionally written [...] there isn't a single wasted word or sentence that isn't beautifully crafted. [...] This is all thriller and no filler [...] fiction at its finest. * Simon Savidge, Frank Magazine *Outstanding [...] her perspective is so unusual, and her descriptions so visceral, her stories are a dark but thrilling joyride off the beaten track. [...] Despite all its gothic pretensions, Milk Blood Heat is a celebration: of fraught but fierce relationships, and life in all its fractured glory * The Big Issue *Stunning. Each story is beautiful and complex... This is an outstanding collection of stories that I am sure to return to over and over. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does next. * Bookanista *In Dantiel W. Moniz's hypnotic collection of short stories, the body is a lascivious, disobedient thing, a crucible for her Black female protagonists' latent, unspoken desires and fears... Milk Blood Heat is largely notable for its resistance to catharsis, and its bold play with abrupt endings and shorn down perspective. It is particularly effective in Moniz's exploration of race; offering no pat lessons or easy conclusions, this collection has little interest in catering for a white gaze. * The Skinny *What makes Moniz stand out isn't so much the blazing talent as the consistency of her literary brilliance. Every single piece - indeed, almost every line - is wrought with remarkable precision and care, and utterly charged with life. It's the best short fiction collection I've read in years. * Sydney Morning Herald *Polished and refined. Moniz's talent really shines when she's writing about girlhood, and her coming-of-age style stories manage to convey a similar theme without ever feeling repetitive. Her writing is descriptive and bright - meaning that reading feels filmic at times * Mslexia *Moniz writes with an emotional agency that aims to shock, excite and leave you wanting more... Startling, dark and lushly layered, Milk Blood Heat is a wonder of a debut * Bad Form *

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Book Synopsis'Hardy's evident intimacy with and affection for the troubled landscape and people of her novel lend The Wonder House an air of distinction' - The TimesThree women live on The Wonder House, a boat moored on Nagin Lake, and carved from the great cedars that watch over the Kashmir Valley. Suriya is mute, and carries a terrible secret. Her daughter, Lila, wants to escape the past, and live a different kind of life. But together, they tend to Gracie, a defiant Yorkshirewoman living out her widowhood by the lake. A military coup over the border brings violence crashing back into the Valley. When an English journalist arrives to report on the conflict, Gracie invites him to stay on The Wonder House. But, Hal is a man adrift, and his love for one of the women threatens more than just the fragile peace on the houseboat.Trade Review"A heartbreaking book... the love story seems to mirror the complicated political struggle surrounding it and the ending is so painful, like Romeo and Juliet... A huge achievement.' * Joanna Lumley *'A rare book - subtle, sensitive, sensual' * Achmat Dangor *'Hardy's evident intimacy with and affection for the troubled landscape and people of her novel lend The Wonder House an air of distinction' * The Times *'Brilliant... each of the characters is wonderfully crafted' * Easy Living *

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Book Synopsis'Zippy, smart, well-written ... it manages to be both delicious escapism and refreshingly real' Sunday Times IrelandEveryone who meets her thinks they know Liddy James.A single mother, immaculately dressed, she is one of New York City's top lawyers and seems to juggle her complicated life with ease. Despite her all-consuming work, her devastating divorce, and her two sons to look after, here she is - on top of the high wire.But after a catastrophic incident on prime time TV, Liddy realises the act is over. She decides to take some time off with the boys and retrace her family's history in Ireland. But being marooned in the Celtic countryside is no instant fix, and it is not until Liddy has encountered a stormy neighbour, an unorthodox wedding and a very surprising guest, that she remembers how to be The Real Liddy James.Trade ReviewCasey's observations of posh New York life are as hilarious as her descriptions of Ireland are poetic, and the central character is wonderful. Liddy is clever, honest, hardworking and well-meaning and you'll root for her like mad. We leave her in Ireland. I hope there'll be a sequel. * Daily Mail *Zippy, smart, well-written ... it manages to be both delicious escapism and refreshingly real. * Sunday Times Ireland *Energetic and immensely readable...an engaging take on the balancing act of the modern woman...sure to resonate with readers who like no-nonsense, mature heroines with a bit of bite and a good deal of self-deprecating humour. * Irish Independent *Casey can be very funny, but also makes serious points about modern womanhood. Delicious. * Saga Magazine *An extremely funny, mischievous tale. * Sunday Independent (Ireland) *The Real Liddy James is a lively, stimulating piece of fiction, of a kind that revels in the intricacies of small-scale domestic drama. What was good enough for Jane Austen and the Brontes 200 years ago is celebrated here in its contemporary context today. * Sunday Business Post *The language is smart and funny, and the observations are wry. Liddy will resonate for readers who love strong, mature women with a bit of Irish fire, as with fans of Cecelia Ahern and Marian Keyes and Maria Semple's Where'd You Go, Bernadette. * Booklist *Wonderfully funny, brilliantly observed, and completely addictive! -- Rosamund Lupton, author of Sister and The Quality of SilenceOriginal, sharp, funny and timely, The Real Liddy James is a spectacular novel from Anne-Marie Casey who understands the high wire act every working mother attempts in the circus of life . . . A dazzling gem. -- Adriana Trigiani bestselling author of All the Stars in the HeavensBreakneck and bursting at the seams with all of modern life's great questions and challenges, The Real Liddy James made me wish my chair had a seatbelt. Anne-Marie Casey has a way of skewering city life with her acute observations. -- Alison Jean Lester, author of Lillian on LifeA charming and insightful study of one fabulous, forty-something woman. -- Jules Moulin, author of Ally Hughes Has Sex SometimesImmensely readable, fast-paced, and full of Casey's charming yet acerbic wit, the book is thoroughly engaging all the way through. -- Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack, bestselling authors of Freud's MistressAn entertaining twist on the "having it all" genre, Casey's novel addresses all the complexities of modern existence - from "blended" families to older pregnancies and the economic consequences of divorce - in a style that is both fresh and funny. * Irish Times *Whip-smart and crackling with energy, The Real Liddy James had me stopping nearly every page to read paragraphs out loud to anyone who would listen. A true delight! -- Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Rumour[The Real Liddy James] is an energetic novel; Liddy's self-deprecating humor makes for chuckles in even the toughest situations. And while Liddy is clearly the protagonist, other characters have interesting triumphs and tribulations as well. Liddy is a memorable character who could easily appear again as The New and Improved Liddy James in Casey's next novel. Let's hope so. * Kirkus *Rife with drama both in and out of the courtroom, infidelity, and more, [THE REAL LIDDY JAMES] is perfect for fans of women's fiction with a dose of travel and a strong-and sometimes flailing-female lead. * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisYan is a compulsive gambler whose wanderlust leads him on a chain of adventures across the South Atlantic and beyond, in the wake of the Falklands War. But this personal voyage takes a heavy toll on his relationships with wife Kate and teenage son Danny, left abandoned in a run-down pub on the North-East coast of England. Twenty-five years later Yan re-appears, terminally ill and determined to make amends before his death. Despite Danny's reticence, the two men begin to reconnect through the unlikely medium of birdwatching, as Danny tries to piece together the truth about Yan's desertion and protracted homecoming.Set against the stark industrial landscapes of the Tees estuary and the wilder shores of the South Atlantic, Hemispheres is an Odyssey for the twenty-first century, a story about fathers and sons, about isolation and human connection, and - ultimately - about the healing power of the natural world.

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Book SynopsisLyrical and witty, moving and profound: the story of a good man fighting for his principles in a hostile world'An uncomfortable but very readable novel about the careless greeds of the way we live now' Helen Dunmore, Guardian'A Graham Greene for our time' Spectator'There are splendidly comic scenes worthy of Alan Ayckbourn' Ham and HighThe Francombe & Salter Mercury has served the residents of two South Coast resorts for over 150 years. Hit by both the economic decline and the advent of new technology, Duncan Neville, the latest member of his family to occupy the editor's chair, is struggling to keep the paper afloat. Duncan's personal life is in similar disarray as he juggles the demands of his elderly mother, disaffected son, harassed ex-wife and devoted secretary. Meanwhile, a childhood friend turned bitter rival unveils plans to rebuild the dilapidated pier, which, while promising to revive the town's fortunes, threaten its traditional ethos. Then Duncan meets Ellen, a recent divorcee, who has moved to Francombe with her two teenage children. By turns lyrical, witty and poignant, Widows and Orphans casts an unflinching eye over the joys and adversities of contemporary life and paints a masterful portrait of a decent man fighting for his principles in a hostile world.Trade ReviewArditti's fictional Francombe is a familiar seaside town and a brilliantly revealing microcosm of a society where greed and power are embraced . . . Widows and Orphans is powerfully realistic. Arditti has written an uncomfortable but very readable novel about the careless greeds of the way we live now -- Helen Dunmore * Guardian *One of the many pleasures of this novel is the range and depth of the author's sympathies. Moreover, Arditti has a fine eye for the significant detail and the novel is beautifully constructed . . . It is funny and moving and deeply tender -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *'For all the sparky one-liners, the crisp satire on small-town preoccupations and the increasingly hilarious newspaper columns prefacing each chapter, this is a profound and unsettling book . . . Like a Graham Greene for our time, Arditti has written an exquisite novel which traces the challenging journey of the human heart towards the grace of acceptance' -- Lucy Beresford * Spectator *Arditti has a mischievous take on small town politics, and the characters are brilliant. Benign satire, with a bite -- Kate Saunders * The Times *There are splendidly comic scenes worthy of Alan Ayckbourn. While the deeply moving last chapter is like the final movement of a string quartet, weaving together the various themes. Arditti's strength in creating an entire community, full of rich and contrasting characters has resulted in a satisfying book, full of insight, pain, compassion and humour. I cannot recommend it highly enough -- James Roose-Evans * Ham and High *A plot concerning the fate of the historic local pier provides an entertaining narrative motor, while Arditti's wit and typically breezy style keep the pages turning effortlessly -- Stephanie Cross * The Lady *At a time when 'good' can so often be synonymous with uninteresting and bland, Arditti has constructed a complex, witty and thoughtful portrait of an innately decent man and the messy modern world he lives in -- Amber Pearson * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'A very funny and original novel about political correctness and the fury between the generations with brilliant dialogue and characters who keep surprising. I read it all in one evening and laughed much of the time' Sally Emerson Bill and Pete, best friends since school, are approaching 70 and now retired, but still meet regularly to chew the fat about sport, politics, their stagnant love lives, mutual friends and, increasingly, Bill's fractious relationship with his rebellious son Ivan. Spanning the four years from the Brexit Referendum to the end of the first Coronavirus lockdown, we watch these characters, last seen in About Time, stumble their way through chaos, mistrust, generational differences and blossoming relationships, finding new life and unexpected happiness in uncertain times.Trade Review'Well-observed, humane, and very funny.' -- Alun David * The Jewish Chronicle *'Finely observed, often tantalizing novel...Estorick writes with wry, elegant ease. Sophisticated, apparently feather-light repartee has elusive, sinister undercurrents.' -- Philippa Freshman * The Jewish Chronicle *'Full of incidental insights...consistently intelligent.' -- Martin Seymour-Smith * Financial Times *'A sharp satirist of class and family. He's adept at the nuances of domestic oppression, the bickering, the transmission of skewed hopes and frustrated affections across the years...arrestingly grotesque and finely compelling...its power lies mainly in its inconsequentiality...Estorick has an acute eye and ear and he'll certainly be heard from as a novelist again.' -- Valentine Cunningham * The Observer *'I read it again, and again with pleasure and admiration. It's a very funny novel... The throw away wit is an ongoing bonus; the dialogue crackles; I almost think you've invented something - the short four- or five-line conversations standing like islands in the story, half a dozen comments and retorts like little explosions - nothing wasted, every word a neat and sometimes savage barb. And all funny in spite of the pain.' -- Maurice Gee, winner of the James Tate Black Prize for Plumb

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Book SynopsisIt is London, 1880, and Lucas Jarmyn struggles to make sense of the death of his beloved youngest daughter; his wife, Aurora, seeks solace in rigid social routines; and his eighteen-year-old daughter Dinah looks for fulfilment in unusual places. Only the housekeeper, the estimable Mrs Logan, seems able to carry on. A train accident in a provincial town on the railway Lucas owns claims the life of a young child and, amid the public outcry, a father journeys to London demanding justice. As he arrives in the city on a frozen January morning he finds a family with a terrible secret tearing their lives apart.Trade ReviewAs the days get colder and darker, nothing warms me more than a period novel. Reminiscent of Kate Summerscale and set in the Victorian era, two men of very different social classes both lose their daughters in tragic accidents. * Red *Maggie Joel's new novel takes us upstairs, downstairs and into the darkest corners of a Victorian household... If you like robust dramas with the occasional dash of dark humour, then you will love this. * Daily Telegraph (Sydney) *A page-turner full of detail and colour. * Saturday Age *A sombre but fascinating tale. * The Australian *

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Book SynopsisA Confederacy of Dunces-esque family story written by one of China's most beloved women writers.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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