Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisAn emotional journey portraying the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of four women. City of Friends is the number one bestselling novel from the highly acclaimed author, Joanna Trollope.The day Stacey Grant loses her job feels like the last day of her life. Or at least, the only life she'd ever known. For who was she if not a City high-flyer, Senior Partner at one of the top private equity firms in London?As Stacey starts to reconcile her old life with the new – one without professional achievements or meetings, but instead, long days at home with her dog and ailing mother, waiting for her successful husband to come home – she at least has The Girls to fall back on. Beth, Melissa and Gaby. The girls, now women, had been best friends from the early days of university right through their working lives, and for all the happiness and heartbreaks in between.But these career women all have personal problems of their own, and when Stacey's redundancy forces a betrayal to emerge that was supposed to remain secret, their long cherished friendships will be pushed to their limits . . .'It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour' - Daily MailTrade ReviewJoanna Trollope's novels address the issues and emotional journeys that face women today. In this, her 20th novel, she turns a sharp and reflective eye upon four friends in their workplaces . . . As the novel progresses, each woman is forced to question herself and to ask what really matters. How important is work? How much more do women have to put up with in the workplace than men? What price transparency, especially among friends? The author addresses all these questions with her customary insight and wisdom, depicting the characters with warmth and psychological veracity, drawing the reader deep into their lives. * S Magazine, Sunday Express *Ventures into tough new territories of female experience. * Sunday Times *It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour * Daily Mail *Explores the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of the lives of modern women * Metro *This is a delightfully grown-up tale, deftly balancing escapist details with relatable office and home challenges, including ageing parents, rebellious teens and boardroom ethics. Poised and insightful, it's a paean to the joys of leaning in - especially when the going gets tough. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis**Longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction 2018** 'Haunting ... poetic ... Full of sorrow and aching sweetness' Washington Post Gun Love is a hypnotic story of family, community and violence. Told from the perspective of a sharp-eyed teenager, it exposes America's love affair with firearms and its painful consequences.'My mother called anyone or anything that seemed alone, or ended up in the wrong place, a stray. There were stray people, stray dogs, stray bullets, and stray butterflies.'Fourteen-year-old Pearl France lives in the front seat of a broken down car and her mother Margot lives in the back. Together they survive on a diet of powdered milk and bug spray, love songs and stolen cigarettes. Life on the edge of a Florida trailer park is strange enough, but when Pastor Rex's 'Guns for God' programme brings Eli Redmond to town Pearl's world is upended. Eli pays regular visits to Margot in the back seat, forcing Pearl to find a world beyond the car. Margot is given a gift by Eli, a gun of her own, just like he's given her flowers. It sits under the driver's seat, a dark presence...'One of those rare books that the reader might wish to be a few dozen pages longer, to spend more time in this fully realised world ' Observer*Soon to be a film adaptation directed by Julie Taymor*Trade ReviewJennifer Clement's new novel is appallingly timely ... Ms Clement creates a weird poetry of murderous force. Chekhov’s narrative principle—that a gun hung on the wall in the first act must eventually go off—has become a metaphorical rule of storytelling. To reflect American reality, Ms Clement puts a gun on every wall in every room * The Economist *A neon fairytale... written in the punchy, exaggerated style of a graphic novel, it’s surprisingly enjoyable -- Lois Beckett * Guardian *Clement's book is charged with gut-punch sentences and indelible images, but [the] second act is particularly searing ... Propelled to its inevitable denouement less by plot than by the intensity of its author's prose and singular vision, this is an uncompromising snapshot of America's ills -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Clement's spare, often oblique style makes this book feel like a great lost murder ballad by the likes of Johnny Cash or Nick Cave ... excellent at describing the intensity of the love between a mother and child within a claustrophobic environment, and the disruption that a hostile male presence causes to this bond ... One of those rare books that the reader might wish to be a few dozen pages longer, to spend more time in this fully realised world -- Alexander Larman * The Observer *Haunting ... poetic ... Full of sorrow and aching sweetness, “Gun Love” provides a glimpse of people who dwell every day knee deep in the toxic waste of our gun culture. They may be America’s forgotten children, but after reading this novel, you are not likely to forget them -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisA bittersweet novel of family and self-discovery from the bestselling, award-winning author of French BraidWilla Drake can count on one hand the defining moments of her life: her mother's disappearance when she was just a child, being proposed to at an airport at the age of twenty-one, the accident that would leave her a widow in her forties. Each time, Willa ended up on a path laid out for her by others.So when she receives a phone call from a stranger informing her that her son's ex-girlfriend has been shot, she drops everything and flies across the country. The spur-of-the moment decision to look after this woman and her nine-year-old daughter leads Willa into uncharted territory and the eventual realisation that it's never too late to choose your own path.**ANNE TYLER HAS SOLD OVER 8 MILLION BOOKS WORLDWIDE**'Anne Tyler takes the ordinary, the small, and makes them sing' Rachel Joyce'She knows all the secrets of the human heart' Monica Ali 'A masterly author' Sebastian Faulks'I love Anne Tyler. I've read every single book she's written' Jacqueline WilsonTrade ReviewIf Anne Tyler isn't the best writer in the world, who is? * BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour *One of our greatest living fiction writers and if I was in charge, she'd have a Nobel by now * Observer *Brims with the qualities that have brought her legions of fans and high critical acclaim. Characters pulse with lifelikeness. The tone flickers between humorous relish and sardonic shrewdness. Dialogue crackles with authenticity. Beneath it all is an insistence that it's never too soon to recognise how quickly life can speed by and never too late to make vitalising changes * Sunday Times *How does she do it? Her style is deceptively simple. Even though she performs narrative cartwheels that would lead other novelists to be praised as experimental... she does it with such ease that it seems closer to life than to art. it is almost as though we are there to witness time passing, and people changing * Mail on Sunday *A writer sharp-eyed as a butcher-bird, skewering complacency... an immensely funny writer... a quiet writer, in that much of her skill goes toward the excision of anything that reminds the reader they are reading * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisBehind the large house, the fragrant camomile lawn stretches down to the Cornish cliffs. Here, in the dizzying heat of August 1939, five cousins have gathered at their aunt''s house for their annual ritual of a holiday. For most of them it is the last summer of their youth, with the heady exhilarations and freedoms of lost innocence, as well as the fears of the coming war.The Camomile Lawn moves from Cornwall to London and back again, over the years, telling the stories of the cousins, their family and their friends, united by shared losses and lovers, by family ties and the absurd conditions imposed by war as their paths cross and recross over the years. Mary Wesley presents an extraordinarily vivid and lively picture of wartime London: the rationing, imaginatively circumvented; the fallen houses; the parties, the new-found comforts of sex, the desperate humour of survival - all of it evoked with warmth, clarity and stunning wit. And through it all, the cousins and tTrade ReviewProvides equal does of sex and repression in war-torn Britain with panache and pace * The Times *A very good book indeed...rich in detail, careful and subtle in observation, mature in judgement -- Susan HillExtraordinarily accomplished and fast-moving * Financial Times *It's hard to overpraise Mary Wesley's novel...so tingling and spry with life that put a mirror to the book and I'll almost swear it will mist over with the breath of the five young cousins * The Times *

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Book SynopsisYou made a mistake . . .But they''re saying it''s murder.----------''Thrilling, emotional and pacy with a clever twist I didn''t expect'' Claire Douglas''Sensitive and thought-provoking'' Adele Parks''Fearsomely good'' Nicci FrenchEvery Monday, 49-year-old Ellie looks after her grandson Josh. She loves him more than anyone else in the world. The only thing that can mar her happiness is her husband''s affair. But he swears it''s over now, and Ellie has decided to be thankful for what she''s got.Then one day, while she''s looking after Josh, her husband gets a call from that woman. And just for a moment, Ellie takes her eyes off her grandson. What happens next will change her life forever.Because Ellie is hiding something from her past. And what looks like an accident could start to look like murder . . .From the Sunday Times bestselling author of My Husband''s Wife, Trade ReviewSensitive and thought-provoking -- Adele ParksBrilliantly plotted, deftly woven and heartbreakingly real -- Jane ShemiltA fearsomely good thriller -- Nicci FrenchBeautifully written...The Dead Ex totally hooked me -- Peter JamesCompulsive, edgy and with some fabulous twists that I didn't see coming! -- B A Paris

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Book SynopsisIn this family, everyone is keeping secrets - even the dead.In the quiet, wealthy enclave of Brecken Hill, an older couple is brutally murdered hours after a tense Easter dinner with their three adult children. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you'd know.Wouldn't you?Trade ReviewNobody does a vicious family circle like Shari Lapena. Highly recommended * Cara Hunter *In this fast-paced, twisted family saga, Shari Lapena keeps you guessing until the very last page * Paula Hawkins *Queen of the modern crime novel Shari Lapena is back with another tale of murder...Shari will keep you guessing until the very end * Sunday Express *A cross between Big Little Lies and Miss Marple, we reckon this one could be destined for the screen some time soon * Woman's Weekly *Dramatic, tense and satisfying murder mystery * My Weekly *

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Book SynopsisYou were brought up on mythology. Hollow mythology. That''s why you''re all stuck, all angry, a prince in the wrong story. A prince with a black eye.Fleeing a world he has rejected, Robin finds solace in his music and the sanctuary of his remote family home. But as his kingdom begins to crumble around him, how far will he go to save it and at what cost?Polly Stenham''s No Quarter premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in January 2013.

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Book SynopsisREADERS ARE LOVING THE STORM WE MADE:Difficult to put down once started. ?????This is not a book to be missed. ?????An absolutely exceptional book that will never leave me.?????AS FEATURED ON BBC RADIO 4 WOMAN''S HOURHer decision changed history.Now her family must survive it.British Malaya, 1930s Discontented housewife Cecily is seduced by Japanese general Fujiwara and the glorious future he is promising for ''independent'' Malaya, free from British colonialism. As she becomes further embedded as his own personal spy, she unwittingly alters the fate of her country by welcoming in a punishing form of dictatorship under the Japanese in WWII.Japanese-occupied Malaya, 1945 Cecily and her family are barely surviving. Her children, Jujube, Abel and Jasmin, are surrounded by threat, and look to their mother to keep them safe. But she can''t tell them about the part she played in the waTrade ReviewBrave and immensely moving, The Storm We Made is one of the most powerful and confident debuts I've ever read. A storytelling star is born -- Tracy ChevalierIn Vanessa Chan's spellbinding debut, one woman's desire to change her destiny shapes the future of a colonized nation. Combining cinematic grandeur with nuanced storytelling, The Storm We Made offers the hidden history that only fiction can reveal: the everyday yearnings of people surviving a brutal occupation, children trying to make sense of the unspeakable, and the search for love. I'll never forget this book. -- Jessamine ChanExceptionally brave, heart-breaking, beautiful, and moving. Destined to be a classic. The Storm We Made is a celebration of stories that have been silenced or erased. Vanessa Chan writes with admirable power, confidence and grace. By confronting the horror of colonisation and wars, this book opens the pathway to peace and healing. A significant contribution to world's literature -- Nguyen Phan Que MaiWith assured prose, impeccable story-telling, and vibrant characters, The Storm We Made heralds an exceptional, exciting new voice. Vanessa Chan's textured, visceral writing brings 1930s-40s Malaya to life during the British and Japanese occupations, as the waves of small actions ripple out with unexpected and often tragic consequences. Bravo to this immense talent! -- Melissa FuA striking, moving exploration of good and evil and the devastating repercussions one's actions can have, it is a novel that will stay with you -- Cecile PinThe Storm We Made is an excellent examination of the way individuals get caught in the violence of history . . . a frank book that revels in moral complexity. Lovers of Eileen Chang will especially appreciate Vanessa Chan. -- Rowan Hisayo BuchananDevastatingly beautiful and extraordinary . . . Vanessa shines an evocative light on this piece of history. I'm going to be thinking about this one for a very long time -- Jessica GeorgeA phenomenon unto itself. This is no mere debut, but rather the summoning of a story buried so deeply in a nation that it could only surface with a talent great enough to do it justice. -- Mira JacobLike the most dazzling historical fiction, The Storm We Made etches intimate details on an epic canvas. Vanessa Chan's characters face agonizing choices under the darkness of colonization and war, and yet she imbues them with an indelible spirit of resistance that never lets you forget the light. A fearless, gripping, morally complex story by a writer to watch. -- Dawnie WaltonThere are so many rich layers to this book-my breath caught at the beauty of the words and the kaleidoscope of images they painted. Vanessa Chan has written a masterpiece, and The Storm We Made has not only changed my perspective on war and humanity; it has also transformed my sense of what truly great novels can do. -- Qian Julie Wang, author of New York Times bestseller, Beautiful CountryMagnificent. A beautiful, scintillating, devastating and deeply moving marvel of storytelling. I implore you to read it. -- Chris WhitakerA chilling exploration of the costs of human weakness and desire, in a compelling and vividly wrought historical context * Kirkus *Dynamic . . . Chan convincingly portrays a family caught in the horrors of war * Publishers Weekly *. . . this got me out of my reading slump . . . heart-breaking but compelling and perfectly paced novel -- Zoe West, Woman & Home editorChan has written a horrific, gripping, exquisitely plotted novel. I could not put it down! -- Alice Winn, author of Sunday Times bestseller In MemoriamA cinematic historical fiction crafted with care from her grandparent's experiences . . . The kind of immersive fiction that teaches you more than any history lesson could * The Bookseller *Powerful . . . [told] so brilliantly that I could not put it down... I absolutely loved [this] book -- Zoe Ball, Radio 2 Book ClubAbsolutely brilliant * Radio 4 Woman’s Hour *Exceptionally compelling * Sunday Times *Unforgettable . . . Everything you want from historical fiction * Good Housekeeping *Exquisite -- RedWill keep you gripped * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewI've never experienced a greater sense of recognition than when reading The Secret Diary -- David NichollsTownsend's writing is still a delight, Adrian's poetry is still dreadful, and his sense of self-importance is still hilarious * Radio Times *I not only wept, I howled and hooted and had to get up and walk around the room and wipe my eyes so that I could go on reading * Tom Sharpe *Very funny indeed * Sunday Times *Townsend has held a mirror up to the nation and made us happy to laugh at what we see in it * Sunday Telegraph *Every sentence is witty and well thought out, and the whole has reverberations beyond itself * The Times *One of the great comic creations * Daily Mirror *A classic. The Adrian Mole diaries are thoroughly subversive. A true hero for our time * Richard Ingrams *Adrian Mole is one of literature's great underachievers; his tragedy is that he knows it and the sadness of this undercuts the humour and makes us laugh not until, but while, it hurts * Daily Mail *The funniest person in the world * Caitlin Moran *

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Book SynopsisDISCOVER THE LOVE STORY THAT WILL MELT YOUR HEART THIS CHRISTMAS . . .''The perfect uplifting Christmas read. Emily is this year''s Queen of Christmas!'' VERONICA HENRY''Left me with goosebumps and a smile on my face'' 5***** READER REVIEW''If you only read one Christmas book, make it this one'' 5***** READER REVIEWAN IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER________FATE PULLED THEM APART BUT NOT BEFORE THEY MADE A PROMISE.TEN CHRISTMASES LATER, WILL THEIR WISH COME TRUE? . . .As Norah battles through the bustling December crowds, she hears the notes of a song that transports her back to the most romantic week of her life.After meeting on a blissful holiday, but knowing they had to part, a boy named Andrew made her a promise:If they are both single on Christmas Eve in ten years'' time, they will meet under the clock on Grafton Street, Dublin.Norah has no idea if he will remember, but she has nothing to lose.So, hoping for a Christmas miracle, she heads to Dublin. To that clock. And, maybe, to Andrew.But it wouldn''t be Christmas without a few surprises . . .________''The perfect festive treat! A charming love story'' KATE EBERLEN, bestselling author of Miss You''Baby It''s Cold Outside captures the magic of Christmas in Dublin perfectly! A heartfelt and irresistibly romantic read to cosy up with over the festive season'' CARMEL HARRINGTONWHY READERS HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH BABY IT''S COLD OUTSIDE''I did not have the opportunity to devour this book - it devoured me. I loved the descriptions of Dublin, I felt like I could have been there myself'' 5***** READER REVIEW''I read this in a day and loved every single page. A wonderful, heartwarming, festive tale of love, loss and finding what really matters'' 5***** READER REVIEW''A flipping fantastic five-star read. Norah Jones you are my hero'' 5***** READER REVIEW''A beautiful, atmospheric read that has stolen my heart'' 5***** READER REVIEW''It will leave you smiling from ear to ear!'' 5***** READER REVIEWTrade ReviewTremendous fun, with a big heart and gorgeous locations to get lost in - it's the perfect uplifting Christmas read, unashamedly romantic and beautifully written. Emily is this year's Queen of Christmas! -- Veronica HenryA spur-of-the-moment summer romance in Verona, a snowy Christmas in Dublin, a soundtrack of opera, jazz and Motown . . . For me, this is the perfect festive treat! I really enjoyed Emily Bell's believable, sympathetic characters and her sensitive and wise writing about friendship and bereavement which deliver richness and depth to a charming love story -- Kate EberlenBaby It's Cold Outside captures the magic of Christmas in Dublin perfectly! A heartfelt and irresistibly romantic read to cosy up with over the festive season -- Carmel HarringtonA refreshing romance filled with holiday spirit and second chances. The descriptions of Dublin at Christmas time alone will leave you longing for your very own trip . . . * Woman & Home *The most perfect, festive, heartwarming read. Curl up in front of the Christmas tree and get lost in the magic * Closer *With gorgeous descriptions of a festive Dublin, this beautifully romantic tale is particularly evocative at this magical time of year * My Weekly *A great read that's not just for the holiday season. The descriptions will make you feel as though you're walking down Grafton Street with her * Belfast Telegraph *Cosy up with this fab festive read! * Sun *Included in 'Best Books' * Woman *This uplifting read is full of Christmas magic and perfectly captures the sparkly delights of Dublin in the festive season * My Weekly *

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Book Synopsis''Full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it!'' RUTH HOGANA charming, joyful and surprising story about love, friendship and learning to be true to yourself, Becoming Ted will steal your heart.Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family''s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke''s-on-Sea.But the truth is, he''s never wanted to work for the family firm - he doesn''t even like ice-cream, though he''s never told his parents that.When Ted''s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. However, what if from is heartbreak could come an opportunity for Ted to build something new? And to finally put what he wants first.Because Ted has always had another dream. A secret dream. Since childhood he has always wanted to be a Drag Queen.As he starts on his path of self-discovery, he will soon be faced with a choice. Will he take on the responsibilities that others have Trade ReviewBecoming Ted is the story of an ordinary man's journey to fulfil his extraordinary dream. It's full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it! Loud, proud and ruddy marvellous! -- Ruth HoganA joyful read; tender, full of courage and irresistibly good-hearted. Lovers of Albert Entwistle have a real treat in store; as do those who haven't met him yet -- Rachel JoyceThis novel is just a bucket of joy. It will make you laugh, might make you teary and may feel like a warm hug . . . this is for anyone that has wanted to follow a long-held dream or has gone through heartbreak * Glamour *Utterly joyful - you will smile your way through this * Sun *With beautifully crafted characters, and a thoughtful, layered plot that explores love, friendship, identity and discovering the things you have to leave behind in order to move on, Becoming Ted reminds us that every dream is worth following -- Julietta HendersonThe most joyful, heart-warming, and beautiful book ever. From heartbreak to following a dream, everyone will relate to Ted. I know it's a good book when I put down my wine to keep reading! -- La VoixMatt Cain writes with energy and compassion about friendship, love and acceptance. This is a life-affirming story about one man's journey to be true to himself -- Fanny BlakeFull of the warm, beautifully drawn characters I've come to expect from Matt's writing . . . so moving and so much fun. This is a book that's going to mean so much to so many people -- Laura KayA witty, heartwarming triumph, about the biggest challenge of all - living for yourself, not just for others, and doing it with gusto! -- Justin Myers, The GuylinerHis journey of self-discovery is a joy to follow . . . a pure comfort read full of friendship, humanity and heart * CultureFly *I ADORED this book, it's so uplifting, original and funny * Daily Mail *Funny, warm, uplifting . . . fabulous! -- Kate EberlenBrave, bold and beautiful . . . the literary equivalent of a big disco banger, like 'I Will Survive'. If you're down, or broken hearted, Ted's story will empower you to dust off your dancing shoes and get back on that dance floor -- Neil AlexanderI loved Becoming Ted . . . as joyful as everyone says, but also really authentic and moving -- Jo CallaghanA glittering, joyful novel about friendship, courage and beautiful new beginnings * Woman's Own *Witty, wonderful and wise . . . everyone needs this book in their lives! -- Alexandra PotterA big warm hug of a novel * Heat *The uplifting book we all need to read right now * Bella *A charming, joyful story -- Adele ParksPositivity seeps from every page * The Times *I felt total empathy for Ted and I couldn't stop reading the book . . . uplifting * Yours *

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Book SynopsisSet in an era of superstition and hysteria, and inspired by the true events of a doomed summer, The Dance Tree is a story of family secrets, forbidden love, and women pushed to the edge. The gripping, historical novel from Kiran Millwood Hargrave, as seen on BBC Two's Between the Covers.‘Brilliant’ – Marian Keyes‘I absolutely loved this book’ – Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den Strasbourg, 1518. In the midst of a blisteringly hot summer, a lone woman begins to dance in the city square. She dances for days without pause, and as she is joined by hundreds of others, the authorities declare an emergency: musicians will be brought in to play the Devil out of these women.Beyond the city, pregnant Lisbet tends the bees that are her livelihood. And then, as the dancing plague gathers momentum, Lisbet’s sister-in-law Nethe returns from seven years’ penance in the mountains for a crime no one will name.As the city buckles under the beat of a thousand feet, Lisbet finds herself thrust into a dangerous web of deceit and clandestine passion, but she is dancing to a dangerous tune . . .Shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown‘Intriguing, haunting, beautiful’ – Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne‘Extraordinary, enthralling’ – Sunday TimesTrade ReviewExtraordinary . . . enthralling . . . An exceptionally atmospheric, original story * Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month *Unusual and beautifully written, and the questions it raises about faith and love linger * The Times *Exceptionally brilliant. Immersive, sensual, compelling and totally convincing. Accessible, ambitious, The Dance Tree deserves to win prizes -- Marian KeyesAn intriguing, haunting novel pulsing with raw, beautiful emotion . . . a novel in which female courage and resilience shines brightly against a brilliantly evoked backdrop of claustrophobic horror -- Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneI absolutely loved this book . . . an exceptionally beautiful portrait of women from the past, told in the most spellbinding prose -- Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf DenMillwood Hargrave has a masterly ability to summon the past to the page. The Dance Tree vibrates with urgency; [a] vivid, compassionate evocation of women and their desires in a time of patriarchal control -- Hannah Kent, bestselling author of Burial RitesStunning . . . There is so much pain and grief and loss in it, yet in the end, it all comes back to the redemptive power of love. Sensual, gripping, moving -- Louise O'Neill, bestselling author of IdolIf some prose sings, Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s truly dances . . . the book’s wisdom, compassion, and beauty transcend historical boundaries: this is a timeless novel -- Hernan Diaz, author of TRUST>Amazing . . . incredible . . . I was drawn in right away -- Sara Cox, BBC Between the CoversExploring themes of motherhood, misogyny, the patriarchy and forbidden love, the author utilises this moment in history as a great catalyst for examining issues that are still central to our contemporary concerns. * Irish Times *The Dance Tree hums with intrigue, grief and rebellion, oozes tenderness and love. Fierce as Lisbet’s bees, delicious as honey. A raw, intoxicating novel -- Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock CureI just loved it . . . I was hooked from the start -- Sarah Keyworth, BBC Between the CoversHugely tender, heartbreaking and warm. Millwood Hargrave embroiders the world of the book so beautifully, it is an immersive rich experience that plays on in your head even after you put it down -- Sarvat Hasin, author of The Giant DarkMillwood Hargrave takes an intriguing, female-focused moment of real history and weaves a heartbreaking story into it * Woman & Home *Beautifully written, full of tenderness and hope, The Dance Tree explores grief and courage and the tragic consequences of forbidden love. -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing Girl[A] tenderly written story . . . Good characters, good plot and lots to think about in a solid piece of historical fiction * Times of Tunbridge Wells *

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Book SynopsisSet between the wild fells of North Yorkshire, Canada and Liverpool, A Precious Daughter by Diane Allen is a sweeping saga novel following a family's struggles in the 19th century.When Ethan Postlethwaite, his wife Grace and their daughter Amy announce that they will be leaving the family home in the Yorkshire Dales, Grace’s parents are heartbroken. Hoping for a new life prospecting for gold in the wilds of Canada, the young family say goodbye and set sail across the Atlantic in search of a brighter future.The journey there proves hard and treacherous, however, and upon arrival it becomes apparent that the riches they had been promised in the gold fields have already been plundered. So when the family is devastated by the death of Grace, Ethan decides he must take his daughter back to England.Arriving in Liverpool, Ethan and Amy soon find work in a dairy as cow-keepers, but Amy is restless and struggles to settle into yet another new life. And when a chance encounter at a cattle show ignites an old friendship, she must decide where her own future lies and what she must do in order to find happiness at last . . .Trade ReviewIf you are a lover of historical sagas and the sweep of the northern hills and their romance, then this novel is definitely for you * Historical Novel Society *An enthralling tale packed with emotion, drama and the harsh realities of life in nineteenth-century northern England * Lancashire Post *

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Book SynopsisThe 'hypnotic...addictive' (New York Times) debut novel narrated by a young woman meditating on the malleable, breakable bonds keeping her family from falling apart.There's a superstition in our family about falling...Marta's great-great-grandfather Jirí was said to have given a gentle push to the back of a stonemason for having wronged him. The stonemason fell to his death and the family fled Prague for the American Midwest, where they set up a new life.So begins the story of Marta and her brother Nick, deeply interwoven twins haunted by the mysterious curse that has plagued their family for centuries - one that has doomed them to suffer various types of falls. When Nick tumbles out of a window and ends up seriously injured, Marta must embark on a heartbreaking quest to discover whether or not his fall was intentional, and to stop her family from falling apart...'Wonderful...with an idiosyncratic humour that reminded me of Ottessa Moshfegh' Daily Telegraph'Original and engaging' Guardian 'Lights up the imagination' Dina NayeriTrade ReviewDefenestrate is an original and engaging novel from a fresh new voice, one deeply committed to understanding the beguiling experience of twinship, and to writing twins from the inside. -- Jude Cook * Guardian *Original...with an idiosyncratic humour that reminded me of Ottessa Moshfegh... there are some wonderful digressions about...comic genius that shouldn't really work, but do. -- Alasdair Lees * Daily Telegraph, *Books to Look Out For 2022* *Branum is a weaver of light, a writer of extraordinary sensitivity and insight. Her obsessions are contagious, and her prose is electric. -- Karen RussellRenée Branum writes with exceptional wisdom and tenderness about inheritance, obsession, and the power of storytelling... Defenestrate builds to a symphonic, exhilarating end. -- Sanaë Lemoine, author of THE MARGOT AFFAIRBranum's prose lights up the imagination, every line a discovery and a pleasure. Beyond simple elegance or precision, she weaves sense and simile so stunningly, you have to throw your hands up and say damn! -- Dina Nayeri, author of THE UNGRATEFUL REFUGEE and REFUGE

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Book Synopsis'Wonderful . . . a vivid and endearing pictures of family life' The Times'Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is an esquisite, compelling study of survival and emotional resilience' Daily MailSeptember 1939. The Soviets advance into Poland. Young officer's wife Lena has one chance to flee the country with her daughter. Instead she chooses to return to her childhood home. When the Russian army reach their village, Lena and her family are denounced as enemies of the state and exiled to the freezing hell of Siberia.Amid the hunger and back-breaking work in deep snow, she discovers something remarkable: even while you're fighting to survive, it is possible to fall in love. What she can't imagine are the consequences of love. And the choice that must be made.Trade Review'Wonderful . . . a vivid and endearing picture of family life' * The Times *Written in richly impressive prose, The Snow Hare celebrates the human ability to survive in even the worst circumstances * Sunday Times *Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is an exquisite, compelling study of survival and emotional resilience * Daily Mail *Paula Lichtarowicz's profound and beautifully written third novel brings her back to her roots . . . [she] mesmerises us with the honesty of her characterisations and the light-handedness with which she treats the expression of those characters' feelings * Sunday Independent Review *The Snow Hare is a well-written, compelling account of a devastating period of history, and one which provides a different perspective to the usual Nazi-focused World War II novel of survival * Business Post *I loved this book, though it left a huge crack in my heart. A beautifully written, enthralling story of an unforgettable family caught up in a conflict that takes them all the way to a Siberian work camp. The main character, Lena, is determined and compelling, and the novel a brilliant study of what it means to survive both the best and worst of times -- JOANNA QUINN, author of The Whalebone TheatreLove and loss, and courage and compassion, collide in this brilliantly told story of survival against the odds. Based on the true story of her grandmother, Paula Lichtarowicz's exquisite novel takes readers on a family journey full of passion, longing, regret, and eventual acceptance of choices made a lifetime ago. In these riveting, heartfelt, and brutally honest pages, Lena keeps a lifetime of secrets and dreams from her loved ones, but never allows them to stop her from loving in return -- Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzLichtarowicz is a writer of great talent, with the ability to portray hardship and grief shot through with humour and hope. The gorgeous prose, compelling storyline, and emotional depth ensure that The Snow Hare remains in the reader's mind long after the last page -- Frances Liardet, New York Times bestselling author of We Must Be BraveThe Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz is an extraordinary novel of fate, hope, love and determination. Lichtarowicz' beautifully drawn story, set against a backdrop of real historical events, is every bit as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring. The Snow Hare brings the past to life in a vivid, evocative way - reminding us that history echoes through time, and hope can sustain us even through the most difficult of circumstances. This is one of the finest historical fiction novels I've read in years -- Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan

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Book SynopsisIn this chilling tale from the bestselling author of Wall of Silence, a spark of malice ignites into an inferno of violence. Can one woman uncover the truth before it all goes up in flames? Eager for distraction in the aftermath of her messy divorce, Ellie Mileham dives into moderating the petty squabbles on her local Facebook group. When a prankster starts trolling uptight members, it’s a welcome diversion at first. But then the war of words moves onto the streets of Forest Grove, with threatening letters escalating into violent destruction. It’s suddenly clear there’s something much more dangerous at play. With lives at risk, Ellie delves into the history of Forest Grove and realises the so-called rural paradise has a dark and sinister heart. As she pieces together the puzzle of her own troubled childhood on the edge of the forest, Ellie learns this is not the first time the villagers have been targeted by an anonymous vigilante with an axe to grind… Could the two cases be connected? Ellie is determined to find out. But with everybody watching and nobody quite what they seem, can she uncover the truth before online threats become nightmarish reality?

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Book Synopsis**AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK CLUB** 'Diana is so amazing when it comes to writing about humans and relationships... I don't know anyone who's as skilled as her' Candice Carty-Williams, Oprah Magazine Two couples find themselves at a moment of reckoning. Melissa has a new baby and doesn't want to let it change her. Damian has lost his father and intends not to let it get to him. Michael is still in love with Melissa but can't quite get close enough to her to stay faithful. Stephanie just wants to live a normal, happy life on the commuter belt with Damian and their three children, but his bereavement is getting in the way. Set in London to an exhilarating soundtrack, Ordinary People is an intimate study of identity and parenthood, sex and grief, friendship and ageing, and the fragile architecture of love. 'I am shouting from the rooftops to anyone who will listen about this book. It's so so good - realistic and funny and so truthful it almost winded me' Dolly Alderton 'I just finished Ordinary People by Diana Evans and it is utterly exquisite. What a writer she is - the depth of her insight, the grace of her sentences' Elizabeth Day, TwitterTrade ReviewDiana Evans is a lyrical and glorious writer; a precise poet of the human heart -- Naomi Alderman, author of The PowerThoughtful and intelligently observed... Evans's delicate prose weaves issues of racial identity and politics into the narrative so that they never feel heavy-handed...a deftly observed, elegiac portrayal of modern marriage, and the private – often painful – quest for identity and fulfilment in all its various guises * Observer *Ordinary People...is very insightful… a detailed, well observed description of modern marriage -- David Nicholls * Good Housekeeping *It could easily be reimagined for the screen, though the film would not capture the sheer energy and effervescence of Evans’s funny, sad, magnificent prose * Guardian *Diana Evans’s fiction is emotionally intelligent, dark, funny, moving. The sheer energy in her novels is enthralling. A brilliant craftswoman, a master of the form, she makes the reader ask important questions of themselves and makes them laugh at the same time -- Jackie KayAchieves a moody, velvety atmosphere, as though events were unfolding under amber-tinted bulbs...offers a precise sketch of the British black middle class, with a daring fifth-act twist -- Katy Waldman * New Yorker *Evans gives us romance going cold with just as pitiless a precision as Flaubert in Madame Bovary... Evans's prose is magnificent: it's as if she measured each sentence, trimmed the excess weight, then fitted it into place * Daily Telegraph *One of the very many things that makes this book exceptional is the even-handed sympathy and unflinching fidelity with which Evans charts the changing weather both of her protagonists’ emotions and family life. She excels at dialogue and she’s also a soulful lyrical chronicler of London in all its moods and guises * Daily Mail *I’m currently very much enjoying Diana Evans’s novel Ordinary People, which takes a forensic look at the pleasures and perils of marriage and parenting and modern London living -- Sarah Waters * Guardian, Best Summer Books *Ordinary People offers a unique insight into the complexities and the challenges of modern life, identity and that lovely little thing we call love. From the moment I started to read it I was absolutely gripped - that’s how good it is. It is a beautifully crafted, honest exploration of how relationships are forged and deconstructed, and how the everyday and the remarkable can exist side by side. * Benjamin Zephaniah, South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2019 *

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Book SynopsisNew mother Dani has a lot going on. She's just moved back to her hometown, where her father was once known as the Garbage King; she's fed up of not being a manicure-sporting, perfectly coiffed Normal Woman; and most of all, she's worried that her seemingly healthy husband, Clark, will drop dead, leaving her and her new baby Lotte destitute. And then Dani discovers The Temple. Ostensibly a yoga center, The Temple and its guardian, Renata, are committed to helping people reach their full potential. And if that sometimes requires sex work, so be it. Finally, Dani has found something she could be good at, even great at - meaningful work that will protect her and Lotte from poverty, and provide true economic independence from Clark. But just as she's preparing to embrace this opportunity, Renata disappears, leaving Dani to step into another role entirely - detective. Darkly comic, sharply witty and fiercely smart, Normal Women asks how our societies truly value female labour - and what independence really means.Trade ReviewA darkly satirical novel about 21st-century motherhood and women's labour, full of waspish observations and the kind of caustic epithets that had me underlining chunks. Hogarth is very funny on motherhood's modern mores... She is especially hilarious on the balance of domestic - and sexual - labour within Dani and husband Clark's marriage * Guardian *A sardonic, high-speed novel about motherhood.... There is so much to enjoy and admire here... Acutely observed, hilarious * Irish Times *A delicious dark comedy * Stylist *New motherhood in all its mesh-implanting, incontinence-inducing horror and glory is both skewered and celebrated * Daily Mail *A dark take on suburban motherhood * Big Issue *Energetic... sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking and always fully engaging. Unforgettable work by Hogarth - don't miss it * Buzz Mag *This spiky second novel veers off into mystery territory... provocative takes on capitalism's intersection with domestic labour and "momfluencer" culture. * Observer *Like Dani, the women who fall for such schemes have too much time on their hands, an unsatisfied hunger for "more" - vaguely defined - and such a burning need to be special that they'll take as a guru anyone who pets their heads. Normal Women is particularly good at teasing out this manipulative strand. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis YOU''LL BE HOOKED BY THE FIRST PAGE, AND SHOCKED BY THE LAST . . . THE TWISTY NEW THRILLER FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FRIEND REQUEST ''Laura Marshall is queen of the irresistible premise'' ERIN KELLY, author of HE SAID/SHE SAID Don''t miss Laura Marshall''s addictive new thriller, MY HUSBAND''S KILLER. Pre-order now!*****Eleven murders. Twenty-five years ago. Are some truths better left buried?On 15th June 1994, Travis Green - husband, father, upstanding citizen - walked through the streets of Hartstead and killed eleven of his neighbours. The final victim was four-year-old Cassie Colman''s father.As the twenty-five year anniversary approaches, Cassie would rather forget the past - even as her mother struggles to remember it at all. Then something hidden in her mother''s possessions suggests those eleven murders were not what everyone belieTrade ReviewPraise for The Anniversary * - *Queen of the irresistible premise, Laura Marshall returns with a book to keep you guessing and pull at your heartstrings -- Erin KellyChilling, moving, compulsively readable. The Anniversary is Laura Marshall's best yet -- Chris WhitakerFascinating * Sunday Times *A poignant and unsettling page-turner * Sun *I kept thinking 'just one more page' and was genuinely unable to put it down. Expertly written and plotted -- Karen HamiltonA tense, twisty one-sitting read -- Tammy CohenA brilliant, twisty thriller you'll want to race through * Fabulous Magazine *The perfect compulsive summer read -- Fiona CumminsClever, pacey and compelling. A cracking thriller that also examines the relationship between mothers and daughters with honesty and compassion -- Emma CurtisLaura Marshall's unsettling psychological thriller is utterly gripping * Woman's Own *A storming return by one of my favourite thriller writers and could well be her best. Turning the whodunnit on its head to focus on the "why", Marshall crafts a chilling and emotionally complex read . . . Sensitive, intelligent, and hugely entertaining -- Caz FrearI love Laura Marshall's books and this is my favourite. The twist at the end is delicious! -- Amanda ReynoldsFast-paced, intriguing, and with plenty of twists and turns * Irish Examiner *The type of book that'll make the hairs on your arms stand up, as you delve further into the twists and turns * Belfast Telegraph *Grabs hold of the reader and digs in its nails from the chilling first chapter, not letting go for the rest of the novel -- Nikki SmithA twisting tale that stuns you, written with real heart. A wonderful read -- Rachel EdwardsA gripping, tense and addictive psychological thriller . . . I wasn't able to put it down -- Olivia KiernanA knockout hook, full of twists and turns. Expertly crafted and it kept me guessing right until the very end. Highly Recommended -- Neil LancasterEverything I love in a thriller: a stand-out concept and beautifully drawn characters. Clever, emotionally astute - and totally gripping -- Phoebe LockeThis book! A poignant exploration of family dynamics and a white-knuckle ride. Full of truth, it feels very real. You'll not put it down -- Rachael BlokDelivers suspense and tension at great pace . . . there is a deliciously shocking final twist. This is superior 'domestic noir' * Crime Shots *Praise for Laura Marshall * - *Supremely gripping with an excellent twist -- Marian KeyesIntriguing and compulsive . . . I raced to the end -- Louise CandlishA read-it-in-one-sitting thriller . . . Twisty and gripping but always relatable -- Erin KellyAddictive, expertly-plotted -- T.M. LoganThe twist is genuinely unexpected * Independent *A devour-in-one-sitting must * Heat *Sharp, relevant and tightly plotted, with a fabulous twist * Sunday Mirror *Brilliant, compelling -- Karen HamiltonA slick psychological thriller with a killer hook * Red *Superb * Sun *Ramps up the tension page by page . . . I loved it -- Rachel Abbott

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2014 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL WINNER OF THE 2014 DILYS AWARD A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2013 From New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger, a brilliant new novel about a young man, a small town, and murder in the summer of 1961.“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.” New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms.Trade Review“Pitch-perfect, wonderfully evocative. . . . In Frank Drum’s journey away from the shores of childhood—a journey from which he can never return—we recognize the heartbreaking price of adulthood and its ‘wisdoms.’ I loved this book.” -- Dennis Lehane, New York Times bestselling author of Live by Night and The Given Day“Krueger’s elegy for innocence is a deeply memorable tale.” * Washington Post *“A respected mystery writer turns his attention to the biggest mystery of all: God. An award-winning author for his long-running Cork O’ Connor series, Krueger aims higher and hits harder with a standalone novel that shares much with his other work.... 'the awful grace of God,' as it manifests itself within the novel, would try the faith of the most devout believer. Yet, ultimately, the world of this novel is one of redemptive grace and mercy, as well as unidentified corpses and unexplainable tragedy. A novel that transforms narrator and reader alike.” * Kirkus Reviews (starred) *“...elegiac, evocative.... a resonant tale of fury, guilt, and redemption.” * Publishers Weekly *“Once in a blue moon a book drops down on your desk that demands to be read. You pick it up and read the first page, and then the second, and you are hooked. Such a book is Ordinary Grace. . . . This is a book that makes the reader feel better just by having been exposed to the delights of the story. It will stay with you for quite some time and you will always remember it with a smile.” * Huffington Post *“One cannot read Ordinary Grace without feeling as if it is destined to be hailed as a classic work of literature. Ordinary Grace is one of those very rare books in which one regrets reaching its end, knowing that the experience of having read it for the first time will never be repeated. Krueger, who is incapable of writing badly, arguably has given us his masterpiece.” * BookReporter.com *“My best read so far this year.” * ReviewingtheEvidence.com *“A thoughtful literary mystery that is wholly compelling and will appeal to fans of Dennis Lehane and Tom Franklin. . . Don’t take the title too literally, for Krueger has produced something that is anything but ordinary.” * BookPage *“Not often does a story feel at once fresh and familiar. But Ordinary Grace, a new novel from William Kent Krueger, is both, and it is affecting.” * Denver Post *“Ordinary Grace is engaging from the first page, a quiet novel that unfurls its sad story slowly, but eloquently, leaving its mark on your heart.” * The Missourian *“There’s such a quiet beauty in his prose and such depth to his characters that I was completely captivated.” * Minneapolis Star-Tribune *“A superb literary novel.” * New York Journal of Books *“...the tone is much like To Kill a Mockingbird, with its combination of dread and nostalgia.” * Detroit News *“Everything about this book, from language to ideas to Aeschylus’s epigram is beautiful and you’ll think about it long after you’re finished reading.” * The Globe and Mail (Toronto) *“I realized within pages this would be one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. The gathering threat and its consummation are satisfying and meaningful. This is an intelligent and compelling story told with great heart.... A perfect book club read, truly a book to love and read more than once. Absolutely recommended.” * Historical Novel Society *“Besides being a terrific story that examines a powerful range of human experiences and emotions, it was the authentic voice of the teenage narrator, Frank Drum, that kept me reading late into the night. Though the tone is quiet, Krueger artfully layered the story with suspenseful examinations of family life, death, fury, spiritual fiber and redemption.” -- Beth Hoffman, New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt“Sometimes a work of fiction just comes to you, sits in your soul, touches your life experiences and then is hard to remember as fiction. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger is such a novel." * Capital Journal *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERAN OPRAH BOOK CLUB PICKDeeply moving' Sarah Winman, author of Still LifeRemarkable' Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish)A sweeping epic Outstanding' Daily MailImmerse yourself in a celebration of Black womanhood and an epic tale of the stories that span generations.Ailey Pearl Garfield grows up between the City in the north and summers spent in her mother's small hometown of Chicasetta, Georgia. From an early age, she finds herself in a battle for belonging that's made all the more difficult by a hurt in her past, as well as the whispers of womenher mother, Belle, her sister, Lydia, and a maternal line reaching back two centuriesthat urge Ailey to succeed in their stead.To come to terms with her identity, Ailey embarks on a journey through her family's past, uncovering the shocking tales of generations of ancestorsIndigenous, Black, and whitein the deep South. In doing so Ailey must learn to embrace her full heritage, a legacy of oppression and resistance, bondTrade Review‘Prepare to be wholly engrossed… Phenomenal’ Observer ‘Utterly essential’ iNews ‘Intimate, considered, beautifully written and perceived, ambitious and ultimately satisfying. Outstanding’ Daily Mail ‘Astonishing… I lived in this novel for three weeks. It is long. It is a journey. It is something so remarkable I’m not sure we collectively ever even dreamed it.’ Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple ‘Beautifully, and traumatically, weaves a spell of a story about more than ten generations of an American family―indigenous, African and European… Remarkable’ Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish) ‘Breath-taking … A book I urge everyone to read. It is deeply moving and deeply informative. It is magnificent’ Sarah Winman, author of Still Life ‘Exceptional in the way it engages so deeply and emphatically with history’ Guardian ‘Epic and intimate… an extraordinary achievement’ The Spectator ‘A work of profound beauty’ Irish Times ‘Extraordinary … moving and evocative’ TLS ‘The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is the kind of book that comes around only once a decade … Simply magnificent’ Washington Post ‘Quite simply the best book that I have read in a very, very long time’ New York Times ‘Just as brilliant as it is necessary, just as intimate as it is expansive. An outstanding portrait of an American family and in turn, an outstanding portrait of America’ Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give ‘Masterful and stunning … These Love Songs make for a frank, feminist, and unforgettable read’ Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

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Book SynopsisA gorgeously written novel set over the course of one life-changing summer in an isolated Australian coastal townTrade Review'Lush and gorgeous... A delicious read, beautifully written and emotionally satisfying.' New York Times'This intimate debut charts the course of a formative age-gap love affair set evocatively on the wild coast of Australia's New South Wales... A poignant exploration of love, need, desire, time and motherhood.' Daily Mail'Thirst for Salt gripped me immediately, with the tender acuity of its voice and the propulsive electricity of the relationship at its core.' Leslie Jamison, author of The Recovering'[A] sly, sensual debut about mothers and lovers... Lucas's writing is soft and sinuous, as sensual when she's detailing the landscape as she is about sex.' Sunday Telegraph'A woman looks back on a lifechanging summer in her 20s, when she fell in love with a much older man, in this nuanced love story. The descriptions of the small coastal town in Australia are so beautiful that you will want to visit.' Good Housekeeping'A mesmerizing portrait of a romance with graceful, seductive writing... This novel has a sea glass quality - timeworn, beautiful, worth holding onto.' Bustle'Luscious and melancholy... Sensual and electric.' Foreword Reviews (starred review)'A sensual coming-of-age novel.' NYLON'I'm astounded this is a debut and was swept away with the exquisite writing.' Prima'The writing is rich, sensuous and attentive... As a novel that illustrates the need to organise life into narrative, such fealty to the past self is refreshing.' Irish Times'Lucas writes as if she's telling the story at a dinner party, with a lingering pace and an easy familiarity with the characters.' Guardian

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of THE GIRL IN THE LETTER and PHILOMENA, this gripping, heartbreaking novel based on a true story will grab hold of your heart and never let go.1939. Seventeen-year-old Nora Jennings has spent her life secure and sheltered in the certainty of a bright, happy future - until one night of passion has more catastrophic consequences than she ever could have anticipated. Labelled a moral defective and sectioned under the Mental Deficiency Act, she is forced to endure years of unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who are supposed to care for her. 1981. When psychiatrist Janet Humphreys comes across Nora, heavily institutionalised and still living in the hospital more than forty years after her incarceration, she knows that she must be the one to help Nora rediscover what it is to live. But as she works to help Nora overcome her tragic past, Janet realises she must finally face her own. Based on a true story, TH GIRL BEHIND THE GATES is the raw, heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting tale of a young woman cut down in her prime, and of the woman who finally brings her back to life.Trade ReviewCompelling. Poignant. Haunting. Heart wrenching. An eye-opener of a story that will stay with you long after you've read the last page. Hard to believe this is a debut as the writing is assured and beautiful, the characters vividly brought to life on the page. I lived every minute of this harrowing story that will resonate with everyone. Just beautiful. Everyone needs to read this wonderful book. * Renita D'Silva, bestselling author of The Forgotten Daughter *The Girl behind the Gates absorbed me from the start and had me invested in Nora's story throughout. In this haunting debut novel, Brenda Davies takes us on a journey that is often uncomfortable, at times painful, but always told in beautiful prose and with great compassion and insight. Although horrified by the deplorable ways in which psychiatric patients were treated in the last century, I was also inspired and uplifted by the triumphant power of the human spirit and people's capacity to love and nurture others. A heart-wrenching but ultimately heart-warming novel that acts as a great advocate for the humane treatment of mental illness. * Gill Thompson, bestselling author of THE OCEANS BETWEEN US *The Girl Behind the Gates is a powerful, emotional novel - harrowing in parts but always authentic and full of insights and compassion. It's an important reminder of the abuse suffered by unmarried mothers - and many young women generally - only a matter of decades ago - and a sobering account of the best and worst of human nature. I was moved to tears by the ending and will certainly not hesitate to recommend it. * Jill Childs, bestselling author of Gracie's Secret *A powerful story of trust, compassion, healing -- and the transforming power of love, that can give new life to a broken spirit. * Sharon Maas, bestselling author of THE VIOLIN MAKER'S DAUGHTER *I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Girl Behind the Gates. It's a powerful true story written with such a light but sure touch - hauntingly beautiful and wonderfully uplifting. * Karol Griffiths, Hollywood script consultant and author of THE ART OF SCRIPT EDITING *

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Book SynopsisA no.1 Kindle and Apple and top three Sunday Times bestseller. ‘Christmas isn't Christmas without a Sarah Morgan novel to inhale…A feel-good family saga with characters that leap off the page – just perfection’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop ‘Feel-good festive family saga’ Daily Record * * * * Gayle is a highly successful and motivated business woman, but her success has come at a price – she hasn’t spoken to her daughters, Ella and Samantha, for years. But when Gayle has an accident at work, she realises she needs to make amends with her family. And so she invites herself to join Ella and Samantha for their Christmas in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The sisters are none too pleased that their mother has inserted herself into their Christmas plans. They have each other – and don’t need their mother back in their lives. Or so they think… As they embark on their first family Christmas together in years, will the three women learn that sometimes facing up to a few home truths is all you need to heal your heart? * * * * What readers are saying about One More for Christmas: ‘For me, Christmas is a Sarah Morgan book with candle light and a cosy blanket. Just perfect.’ ‘I loved this book, full of drama, humour, emotional fireworks and hot romance all wrapped up in the kind of charming Christmas package that Morgan specialises in.’ ‘Sarah has a knack for Christmas novels and this one is up there with her greatest. Perfect read for these cold nights. [Her] books grab you instantly and keep you hooked till the end, leaving us always wanting more.’ ‘Yet again, Sarah Morgan filled me with Christmas joy . . . I didn't want the book to end.’Trade Review Praise for One More for Christmas ‘Christmas isn't Christmas without a Sarah Morgan novel to inhale…A feel-good family saga with characters that leap off the page – just perfection’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop ‘Feel-good festive family saga’ Daily Record Praise for Sarah Morgan ‘Comfort reading at its best, all wrapped up in a tartan ribbon. Sarah Morgan will make your Christmas!’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author ‘Joyful, uplifting and overflowing with love. Sarah’s writing speaks straight to my heart’ Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling author ‘I adored it! I felt every character’s pain, hope, and reluctant vulnerability … Sarah Morgan is a master storyteller’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop ‘A sparkling tale of acceptance and love’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Sarah Morgan is back in style with a perfect snow-filled read’Woman & Home ‘An emotional, uplifting and heart-warming winter novel that’s perfect for those chilly nights in’ OK! ‘A sparkling winter romance with a lively family at the centre of it all’ Woman

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Book SynopsisGrab a copy and a box of tissues ASAP simply beautiful' Reader Review ?????Summer read of the year! Absolute perfection' Reader Review ?????Wowthere are still tears in my eyes!' Reader Review ?????Will walking in her mother's footsteps help Sophie discover who she was meant to be all along?Devastated by her mother's death, Sophie longs to get away from an empty house full of memories and a life that hasn't quite turned out as she had imagined.So when a chance discovery among her mother's belongings hints at a past Sophie knows nothing of, she jumps at the opportunity for escape and a chance to heal. The magical, idyllic Greek town of Methoni awaitsBut Sophie determined to uncover her mother's secrets is about to discover so much more. Among the tranquil waters and cosy tavernas, Methoni's locals offer Sophie the answers she craves, along with unexpected romance and, if she'll take it, a chance at her own happinessThe breathtaking, escapist debut novel from Emma Cowell, perfect for fTrade ReviewPraise for One Last Letter from Greece: ‘A compelling and tender story, beautifully told by an exciting new voice’ – Santa Montefiore ‘An emotional rollercoaster. I fell in love with Theo and with Methoni which sounds so beautiful. Such an emotive tale of love and loss’ – Rosanna Ley ‘Emma Cowell tells an emotional, gripping tale about family secrets, love and loss.’ – Adriana Trigiani ‘Emma’s written a beauty’ – Peter Andre ‘Beautifully written. Emma Cowell writes with warm assurance and brings the Greek setting to life’ – Sue Moorcroft ‘A delicious slice of Greek life. A beautiful love story. A lovely tribute to a mother's love’ – Jo Thomas ‘What a debut from a gorgeous new voice in romantic fiction. The descriptions of Greece make you long to jump on a plane, the writing is so beautiful, and above all, it has such warmth and emotion’ – Phillipa Ashley ‘Breath taking world building, stunning imagery and genuine emotion cooked into every page. I adored it’ – Helen Fields ‘A sweeping epic Grecian romance about grief, healing, and the unpredictable ways they can drive our stories, One Last Letter From Greece is a Jojo Moyes-esque saga that I inhaled. Five stars from me!’ – Laura Jane Williams ‘This unputdownable mystery, wrapped up in a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, transported me to Greece. A great read for the beach as well as a grey day’ – Tessa Harris ‘When you look up from your train seat/sofa/garden sunbed this summer you’ll be genuinely confused you’re not in a taverna knocking back an ouzo’ – Caroline Corcoran ‘Vivid descriptions of beautiful Greece transport you to a world of idyllic blue seas, olive trees and sunshine. A fantastic debut’ My Weekly ‘A compelling read’ Be Phenomenal

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Book Synopsis*Dawn O'Porter's bold and buzzy new novel, HONEYBEE, is available to buy now! **The Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick*A total joy' Matt HaigUnputdownable' Marian KeyesFearless, frank and for anyone who's ever doubted themselves,So Lucky is the straight-talking new novel from the Sunday Times bestseller.IS ANYONE'S LIFE . . .Beth shows that women really can have it all.Ruby lives life by her own rules.And then there's Lauren, living the dream.AS PERFECT AS IT LOOKS?Beth hasn't had sex in a year.Ruby feels like she's failing.Lauren's happiness is fake news.And it just takes one shocking event to make the truth come tumbling outTrade Review‘A total joy . . . Compulsively funny’ Matt Haig ‘The characters in So Lucky are lovely, very likeable. I enjoyed this book a lot, it really was unputdownable ’ Marian Keyes ‘Funny, thought-provoking and filthy’ Red ‘Thought-provoking . . . Beautifully drawn characters espouse the idea that you shouldn’t judge any book by its cover’ Daily Mail 'Couldn't put it down – it's wonderful' Pandora Sykes ‘Perceptive, poignant and proves that no one’s life is as perfect as it looks’ Sunday Express ‘Expect some raw realities of female life, but when these women come together, they go full-blown badass’ Heat ‘A relatable take on the struggle for perfection and a journey to accepting who we truly are’ Woman & Home ‘A binge read, was racing home from my day to cuddle up with it on the couch’ Aisling Bea ‘So Lucky is compulsively gripping and taps into the shame and self-hatred we *all* battle with. It is also very, very funny’ Sara Pascoe ‘Full of relevant issues’ Prima ‘In true Dawn style, she has created layered, interesting characters who rile you up but also make you fall in love with them. If you enjoyed The Cows, you are going to LOVE this book. Timely, funny and very very entertaining’ Emma Gannon ‘Funny and very honest’ Davina McCall ‘It’s an incredible and wonderful thing to read her painfully accurate, heart warming and hilarious analysis of our age of comparison in this wonderful, powerful novel!’ Scarlett Curtis ‘Perceptive, poignant and proves that no one’s life is as perfect as it looks’ Sunday Express ‘What a fabulous book. I read it, no DEVOURED it terribly fast and loved every minute’ Mel Giedroyc ‘A funny and relatable one-sitting read’ Carmel Harrington ‘‘Refreshingly raw . . . This is one to race through’ Sunday Mirror

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Book SynopsisFed up of being a grown up? Get away from it all with the No. 1 bestseller from Marian Keyes ''Magnificently messy lives, brilliantly untangled. Funny, tender and completely absorbing!'' GRAHAM NORTON ''SUCH a treat. Like reading the cleverest cream cake of words'' CAITLIN MORAN______ MEET JESSIE, CARA AND NELL.Married to brothers Johnny, Ed and Liam Casey.Three very different women tied to three very different men.Every family occasion is a party - until the day the secrets spill out.PLAYTIME IS OVER.BUT WHERE ARE THE GROWN-UPS?This book has been printed with four different colour designs: blue, green, pink and orange. Covers are assigned to orders at random so we are unable to accept specific requests.______ ''Comic, convincing and true. Grown Ups has an almost Austenesque insight into character. Keyes knows how to make serious issues relaTrade ReviewComic, convincing and true. Grown Ups has an almost Austenesque insight into character. Keyes knows how to make serious issues relatable - and get a few grownup laughs, too * Guardian *Messy, tangled complex humans who reminded me that few of us ever really sort out our lives at all * Jojo Moyes *Magnificently messy lives, brilliantly untangled. Funny, tender and completely absorbing! * Graham Norton *I loved every word of Grown Ups. I will be missing those gorgeous vibrant characters for many weeks to come. There should be a word to describe the sadness and satisfaction you feel when you read the last page of a Marian Keyes novel: the ending is perfect but you still want more, more, more * Liane Moriarty *I LOVED Grown Ups so much. It's SUCH a treat. I felt like I was rolling in PURE JOY throughout. The cleverest cream cake of words * Caitlin Moran *You may have written the best book of your career * Chris Evans, Virgin Radio *Funny and moving, with an acute eye for family foibles * Ian Rankin, bestselling author of the John Rebus thrillers *It is charming, funny and poignant. But also profound, heartbreaking. If you already love Marian, this is her best yet. If you haven't read her, this is the one * Nina Stibbe *Marian Keyes shows superb skill at tackling tough themes in this tale of a clan with secrets. Grown Ups is a warm-hearted, wise and highly entertaining portrayal of how families behave; and of the love and tolerance required to sustain our closest relationships * Hannah Beckerman, Observer *A novel that is warm and witty but never afraid to tackle the big stuff * Elizabeth Day, Mail on Sunday *Keyes at her best: capturing everyday voices with humour and empathy with writing that you'll devour in a weekend. Just pure and simple joy. * Stylist *A brilliant bunch of flawed individuals, all battling to understand themselves and those around them. Definitely worth devouring this year! What a treat * Giovanna Fletcher *Marian's chatty style pulls readers in with warmth, wit and high drama * The Sunday Times Online *Grown Ups is big-hearted and entertaining, dark, funny and hugely empathetic * Daily Express *Keyes is so ambitious, funny and compassionate it's no wonder so many adore her writing * i '40 Books for the Summer' *Her most ambitious work. Delightful, bursting with wit and compassion * iNews *Keyes's latest novel might just be her greatest . . . Subtle, sophisticated storytelling * Independent *This beauty of a book just took the crown as my new favourite Marian Keyes novel (and that is a HIGH bar). It's tender, hilarious, important, with characters who feel as real as your own family by the time you're done. I put it down and felt bereft * Beth O'Leary *A book that will make you laugh out loud, get choked up, and be very annoyed when you get to the end and have to say goodbye to all these characters. Marian's storytelling skills make you care deeply about each and every one of them * The Sun Online *Funny, thought-provoking and will get you right in the feels * Red *THIS BOOK. Reader, I LOVED it. Funny & thoughtful & such brilliantly drawn characters I am genuinely bereft that my time with them is over. And it tackles some REALLY important issues with immense sensitivity & insight * Hannah Beckerman *Rejoice! Marian's back with her best book yet! An absolutely brilliant story with a very powerful emotional punch * Best *At times heart-warming, at other times heartbreaking . . . This highly entertaining book is frustratingly hard to put down and can be easily devoured over a weekend * Daily Express *A new book from the witty Irish novelist. When Cara Casey suffers concussion, she starts spilling the secrets of her glamorous, talented family. All is not as it seems * The Times, Ones to watch in 2020 *Sensitive, funny, wonderful, immensely touching * Nigella Lawson *Immersive... I absolutely loved it! * Jill Mansell *Grown Ups is perfection. Smart, dark, layered. Her best yet! * Gillian McAllister *Marian Keyes's gift for storytelling is utterly magnificent. I feel like I've met every single character in this book. I may even be a character in this book. Nobody nails chaotic families like Marian * Liz Nugent *She's only gone and done it again! I love Marian Keyes' books with a passion and now she's got a fabulous new one on the way! Brilliant as ever * Jane Fallon *It's a page-turner you won't be able to put down * The Sunday Post *Marian Keyes manages to wrap family dynamics, female angst, good jokes and serious stuff into a really appealing form * Woman's Own Magazine *Marian Keyes is back with a witty and dramatic story about the Caseys, a family who seem perfect on the surface but hold some big secrets between them. When one of them starts to spill the truth after suffering concussion, things start to unravel in hilarious ways * Good Housekeeping *Happy making with glorious wit * Helen Lederer *This has the ingredients of the best of Keyes: great characters, laughs and poignancy. Keyes brilliantly captures that feeling of never quite being a grown-up, no matter your age * Good Housekeeping *We've heard whispers that this could be the much-loved author's best novel yet * Cosmopolitan, 2020s Biggest Books *The irresistible tale of an enviably glamorous family forced to confront itself * Daily Mail, Top Picks of 2020 *Tackling the realities of modern-day consumerism, Keyes' new book Grown Ups is the story of three brothers and their families written with her usual deft mix of witty storytelling and delicate touchpoint topics. It's brilliant so read it * Stylist *The queen of the classy comfort read returns with this warm, wise and witty family saga which asks what really lies behind the happiest of facades * i Paper, Books of 2020 *A family drama, where a concussion causes a spilling of secrets with amusing results * Irish Tatler, Top Picks of 2020 *A new Keyes is always cause for celebration. The wit and warmth of her words in her 14th novel tell the story of the Caseys, a supposedly perfect family, torn apart by a careless remark at a birthday party * Grazia, Ones to watch in 2020 *Marian Keyes is back and all is right with the world. No one mixes humour and heartbreak quite like Marian * Red *The latest novel from the beloved Irish author, Grown Ups delves into the Casey family whose secrets start to spill after one member gets concussed * Evening Standard, Books to look forward to in 2020 *This is vintage Keyes * The Times *Grown Ups is big-hearted and entertaining, a dark, funny and empathetic exploration of a dysfunctional family and the loving ties that bind them together * Sunday Express *A new novel by Marian Keyes is always cause for celebration, and this latest is a corker. By the end you'll definitely feel part of the family * Mail Online *No one knows better than Marian Keyes what it's like trying to be a grown up in modern Ireland. Keyes is on top form as ever, and this delightful book will warm those cold winter bones * Image *A heartening, pacey read * SheerLuxe *Smart, savvy and very funny, Keyes takes the pulse of the nation while simultaneously tickling its funny bone * RTE Guide *Promises themes of love and family, all bound together with Keyes' trademark humour * Harrow Times *A hilarious read * Bella *Bursting with wit and compassion. Grown ups is as alive, complicated and chaotic as any real-life family, evoking extraordinary tenderness, pain and humour. -- Francesca Steele * inews *The queen of fiction has launched another blockbuster. I couldn't put this book down * The Echo (Cork) *Chuck envy, illicit passion and financial pressures into the pot and soon this carefully constructed broth is simmering to the boil * Cornish Times *Funny, clever and hilarious and the rest, an epic tale of an epic family, the Caseys * RTE Guide *A wonderful story, filled with heartbreak, empathy and Keyes's trademark humour . . . You'll laugh, cry, and might even have your heart broken, but it's definitely worth it * Independent *A funny and thoughtful read * Prima *Up there with her best * Sunday Express *A fabulous account of family and secrets, calling into question how civilised and "grown up" any of us actually are * Glamour UK *A fabulous account of family and secrets * Glamour UK *Marian Keyes nails the zeitgeist while handling a huge cast of characters with aplomb * Express and Star *The absolute queen of astute, moving and cracking-good-fun contemporary fiction returns * The Sun *Dazzlingly brilliant * Dereham Times *Brilliant as ever * Stellar *It's everything you could want in a Keyes book - funny, warm, tender and a complete page turner * The Handbook *A fabulous account of family and secrets, calling into question how civilised and "grown up" any of us actually are * Glamour UK *A witty and compassionate story of modern life and relationships * Candis *An entertaining, sharp read that peels back the layers and nuances which shape the realities of family life and being an adult. Humorous, heart-warming and relatable * Stylist *Packed with emotional turmoil, but is light on her trademark wry wit and acerbic humour * Luxe *Keyes touches on the difficulties of broken relationships; eating disorders; emotional insecurity and other weighty subjects with her trademark humour and lightness of touch * Connaught Telegraph *Our Marian is back! And Grown Ups is one of her best yet, creating another memorable family saga * Stellar *Brilliantly plotted family saga * Tracy Thorn, New Statesman *A warm-hearted and wise tale of a family in trouble. Packed full of sharp observations and laugh-out-loud lines * i *Her writing just gets better and better . . . Grown Ups is funny and clever in the way it tackles addiction and eating disorders and the hurly burly of family life * Waitrose Weekend *A sharp satire of family dynamics and the trappings of wealth. It is a delicious thing - light and dark at once, full of acid observations and warmth, and fully attuned to the absurdities of familial life * The Gentleman's Journal *An entertaining story of family dynamics packed with vibrant characters, humour and empathy * The Sunday Times *A sharp, wry tale about a seemingly happy family with contemporary problems . . . despite the traumas, you'll whizz through it with a smile on your face * Oxfordshire Limited Edition *Keyes's captivating 14th novel tackles difficult issues with a sparkling style that makes it impossible to put down * Daily Mail *Marian Keyes is the most wonderful writer. She just gets better and better. She is a writer who believes in the best of us. She shows people's foibles but she also shows the love that binds us together in a very real way -- Richard OsmanHer novels tackle hard subjects with such humour and warmth its impossible not to be drawn in -- Jane Harper * Daily Mail *Another high-definition family comedy. An intoxicating, effervescent and warm look at modern life * Metro *A delightful and insightful examination of the modern family -- Holly Bourne * Beastmag *Laughter and tears intertwine, as ever, in the latest from our leading chronicler of the emotional messiness of contemporary life * Guardian *The strength of this book lies in its relatability factor - I laughed, cried, nodded in recognition and laughed again * Irish News *Shines a light on the frustrations and gripes of family life, while inviting us to laugh at the petty reality of it all * London Living *A book to fall into and while away hours with * Writers Online *Funny, thought-provoking and hitting you right in the feels, Marian Keyes does it again * Red Online *I loved this complex family drama . . . Keyes nails every character she touches while keeping it all so relevant -- Jamie Klingler * iNews *Praise for Marian Keyes * - *Mercilessly funny * The Times *Everything this woman touches turns to comic gold * Cosmopolitan *Comic, convincing and true. The warmth and empathy of Keyes's writing shine through this tale of family secrets revealed. -- Katy Guest * Guardian *Clever, hilarious, poignant . . . Gloriously funny * Sunday Times *Wildly funny, romantic and nearly impossible to put down * Daily Mail *Her writing is a lovely mixture of funny and perceptive and bittersweet * Cressida Cowell *Full of brilliantly funny characters, genuine emotion and heaps of charm * Heat *Her books are humorous and have the quality of a warm bath * The Times *Classic Marian Keyes: a blizzard of wit and wisecracks * The Times *Keyes is an international treasure. The ultimate choice for a binge read * Stylist *When it comes to writing page-turners that put a smile on your face and make you think, Keyes is in a class of her own * Daily Express *Fabulously entertaining. The queen of intelligent women's fiction * Sunday Mirror *Full of darkness and light, this is Keyes at her classic and most brilliant best * Red *Keyes writes about women who are absolutely themselves, even when society tries to insist they are something else * Irish Times *Glorious, life-affirming * Woman & Home *Marian's glorious, warm-hearted wit is always guaranteed to make me laugh on the very first pageThere is no finer writer than Marian KeyesShe really is unparalleled when it comes to making serious points with the lightest of touches * The Pool *Hilariously wise * Prima *Brutal yet endearing honesty, wonderful humour and astonishing acumenKeyes writes extremely well about modern women. Candid and deeply felt * Metro *Marian Keyes has an unparalleled talent for making you howl with laughter, nod in recognition and think at the same time * Good Housekeeping *Always brilliant - and brilliantly funny * Best *A publishing sensation * Daily Express *There are few fiction writers today with as much verve and sense of independence as Marian Keyes * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDiscover Mike Gayle's fantastic new novel A Song of Me and You , out now!Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she's ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold.But when in the process Jess stumbles across the mysterious Alex, together they become custodians of a strange archive of letters, photographs, curios and collections known as The Museum of Ordinary People.As they begin to delve into the history of the objects in their care, Alex and Jess not only unravel heartbreaking stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long buried secrets that lie much closer to home.Inspired by a box of mementos found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of Ordinary People is a thought-provoking and poignant story of memory, grief, loss and the things we leave behind.****Your favourite authors love Mike Gayle****'Accomplished and moving' Lisa Jewell'Mike Gayle has such a talent for delving into hearts, minds and contemporary issues' Sophie Kinsella'An absolute triumph and a joy to read' Ruth Hogan'Mike is always wise and wonderful' Jenny ColganTrade ReviewThe Museum of Ordinary People is a timely treasure of a read. Spilling over with Mike Gayle's trademark warmth and tenderness, it's so insightful and thought-provoking on loss and grief, as well as the meaning of possessions and how we might take a fresh look at the things we once took for granted. It's the kind of book you'll want to re-read as soon as you've finished it. Just beautiful -- Holly Miller, author of The Sight of YouMike has an uncanny ability to create characters that are immediately familiar and relatable and to draw the reader into their world, ever eager to follow where they lead. The Museum of Ordinary People is a keenly observed and warm-hearted tale of how people cope with loss and keep their dreams alive against the odds. It is a delightful read -- Ruth HoganOne of my favourite writers, and this is his best yet...a relatable and yet brilliantly original story - this is a novel I could recommend to so many people -- Clare MackintoshMike gets better every year and every book. He's becoming a real chronicler of our times -- Jenny ColganA new Mike Gayle novel is always a treat. The Museum of Ordinary People is filled with warmth, tenderness and character. It really made me think, too - I love that it encourages us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. A gorgeous novel -- Beth O'LearyUplifting and poignant * My Weekly *A joyful celebration of life, it's also a study in grief, second chances, and what can happen when you truly believe in yourself. * Heat *This is a beautifully written read that's full of heart * Fabulous *A powerful read * Bella *This is a tale of loss and friendship by an author who has a way of making the ordinary things in life seem extraordinary * Candis *This will resonate with anyone who has lost someone they love * The Sunday Post *A real gem of a book * Yours *A poignant look at grief and the things we leave behind * Huffington Post *This thought-provoking, tender and brilliantly observed story shows Mike Gayle at his very best * Sunday Express, S Magazine *'A poignant novel about memory, loss and new beginnings.' * Woman Magazine *This novel is pure, unadulterated feel-good, and Gayle is a master puller of heartstrings. It radiates an unforced kind of goodwill, which makes up for some of the overly expository dialogue and unabashed sentimentality . . . Fans of uplifting-lit authors like Fredrik Backman will likely be suitably charmed * Kirkus *Moving and heartwarming, this is a story about love and loss and holding onto the memories thatmake us who we are. Fans of character-driven relationship fiction by Clare Pooley, RachelJoyce, and Freya Sampson will want to pick this one up * Booklist *

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Book Synopsis'Sheer joy!' Katie FfordeCurl up with the new Sunday Times bestselling Christmas novel from Phillipa Ashley, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Karen Swan and Heidi Swain!Can the spirit of Christmas reignite an old flame?With her thriving business Cottage Angels, Freya Bolton prepares the Lake District's holiday homes for Christmas visitors. It's her job to think of everything, from cinnamon-scented candles to tasteful decorations and hampers of seasonal treats.If only her love life were such a success After being burned by past relationships, she's now determined to steer clear of love for good.So when she bumps into gorgeous and single ex-boyfriend Travis, a no-strings festive fling seems perfect.But when her feelings for him begin to develop, is she on track for another romantic calamity? Or could this Christmas give her the gift of true love?This gorgeous Christmas romance from Sunday Times bestseller Phillipa Ashley will take you to the Lake District with a story of second chanceTrade ReviewPraise for Phillipa Ashley’s books: ‘Sparkling and festive, as satisfying as figgy pudding and clotted cream – loved it!’ Milly Johnson ‘Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read’ Katie Fforde ‘Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!’ Jill Mansell ‘A delicious festive treat with as many twists and turns as a Cornish country lane’ Jules Wake ‘An utterly glorious, escapist read from a one of the freshest voices to emerge in women's fiction today. I loved every gorgeous page’ Claudia Carroll ‘A deliciously entertaining twist on the Poldark tale’Liz Fenwick ‘A transporting festive romance, full of genuine warmth and quirky characters’ Woman’s Own ‘Serious festive escapism . . . like a big warm hug’ Popsugar ‘A page-turner of a festive read’ My Weekly ‘A tale of family secrets, heartache, friendship and romance’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisShehan Karunatilaka is the multi-award winning author of two novels. He won the Commonwealth Book Prize and the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature for his debut novel, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew. He won the Booker Prize 2022 for his second novel, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida. In addition to his novels he has written rock songs, screenplays and travel stories.Trade ReviewThe strength of the book lies in its energy, its mixture of humour and heartwrenching emotion, its twisting narrative, its playful use of cricketing facts and characters, and its occasional blazing anger about what Sri Lanka has done to itself... * Guardian *Carries real weight...a mixture of, say, CLR James, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Fernando Pessoa and Sri Lankan arrack...essential to anyone with a taste for maverick genius * The Times *Karunatilaka has a real lightness of touch. He mixes humour and violence with the same deftness with which his protagonist mixes drinks * Observer *Chinaman is a debut bristling with energy and confidence, a quixotic novel that is both an elegy to lost ambitions and a paean to madcap dreams * Sunday Times *Chinaman's free-wheeling, zany tempo is part of its charm too. Its picaresque action, mainly based in Colombo and narrated in short bite-sized chunks, gives a vibrant comic pulse to Sri Lankan life, even though Karunatilaka's portrait of the country is scathing...it confirms that cricket, a game that is largely played in the head and inhabits a bizarrely detailed parallel world to our own, is ideally suited to the purposes of fiction * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis ''Pure summer sunshine'' BETH O''LEARY ''Everything I want in a summer romance'' CARLEY FORTUNE ''A delicious escape'' CLARE POOLEYOn paper, Sam''s life is on track. She has the perfect fiancé, a stable job, and has returned home to pick out a wedding venue near her family''s Long Island beach house. The last person she expects to see is Wyatt: her first love, and the man who broke her heart. As their irresistible spark comes rushing back, so do the memories of long nights spent in the treehouse - and of the summer that changed everything.As Sam starts to remember the girl she used to be, she must decide: is the life she''s created the one she wants? ***Readers love SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER . . .''The best kind of beach read'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review''Addictive'' ⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewPure summer sunshine, perfectly capturing the bittersweetness of first love. I could hear the waves and feel the summer breeze as I read. Annabel Monaghan is such a beautiful writer, and this story just swept me away. * Beth O'Leary *An unforgettable love story. Packed with longing and bursting with the magic of first love, it's everything I want in a summer romance. I devoured it! * Carley Fortune *A delicious escape of a novel that makes you feel the sand between your toes, the salty breeze on your skin and the unforgettable ache of first love in your heart. I adored it * Clare Pooley *It's rare to find such a genuinely escapist, assured romantic comedy. Sam and Wyatt kept drawing me back every time I put the book down, and I'm sure they'll make perfect poolside companions for lots of readers this summer * Niamh Hargan *Monaghan once again seduces us with a heart-thumping love story, authentic characters, and vivid descriptions that leave you with an ache in your chest and sand between your toes. By now, we will read anything Monaghan writes * Heat *Is there anything better than an oceanfront novel about the enduring power of summer love? . . . Same Time Next Summer has it all: beachfront parties, complex characters, and hearts that won't be silenced. I loved this fun, heartfelt book * Amanda Eyre Ward *Gorgeous . . . the definition of a perfect beach read * Falon Ballard *My favourite book of the summer . . . beautifully written, full of delightful characters, and kept me feeling nostalgic for that fizzy, all-consuming intensity of first love. I absolutely adored it * Lacie Waldon *A gorgeously rendered tale of love, self-discovery, and the experiences - and people - that define our lives . . . wrapped me in a nostalgic blanket of heart-melting romance warmer than a beach-side vacation. This is second chance romance at its absolute finest * Angie Hockman *This effervescent novel is perfect for anyone who's ever wished they could bottle up the magic of their first summer romance * Christina Clancy *Annabel Monaghan has worked her alchemy again: with heart, humour, and the trademark wit that gives her writing a sophisticated zing, she's spun an irresistibly evocative tale * Karen Dukess *Every word of Same Time Next Summer draws you in, affecting on a deep, emotional level. Prepare for a journey through unforgettable first love, its marriage to music, and the wit and charm that make Monaghan's books fresh and original . . . a tale rich and heartfelt * Rochelle Weinstein *Captured my heart * Country Living *The ultimate beach read, this heartfelt and romantic story will transport you to a place filled with ocean breezes and the crash of waves * Reader’s Digest *A masterful romance . . . Monaghan nails the second-chance romance trope, allowing the love between her leads to rekindle slowly as they forge a satisfying path to forgiveness. This is a knockout * Publishers Weekly *Such a beautiful and evocative beachside romance - a perfect summer read! * MyWeekly *Effortlessly witty and charming . . . captures the nostalgic headiness of first love, and poses the question: what if the life you think you want - even the person you think you are - is in fact entirely wrong for you? . . . a slice of sophisticated, sun-soaked, engaging escapism * Book(ish) *This cute summer read will whisk you away * Sun on Sunday’s Fabulous Magazine *A fan of Beth O'Leary? We're sure you'll be a fan of Annabel's novel too * Belfast Telegraph *Such a beautiful and evocative beachside romance - a perfect summer read! * MyWeekly *Nostalgic * Press Association *It's rare to find a romantic comedy so genuinely escapist and assured as this one. Sam and Wyatt drew me back every time I put the book down, and I'm sure they'll make perfect poolside companions for tons of readers this summer * Niamh Hargan *

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Book SynopsisA gorgeous summer read about new beginnings from the Sunday Times bestseller.Home is where the heart isbut what if your heart is broken?When Judith loses her partner, she loses her life in Malta too including the beautiful view from her sun-warmed balcony of the sparkling blue waters of Sliema Creek.Back in England, Judith finds a spare room in her sister's house where she grew up but with it comes a whole host of family dramas.Nursing a broken heart, Judith knows she must find happiness again and rebuild her life on her own terms. Could an island in the sun be the answer she is looking for?A wonderfully escapist summer read, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Carole Matthews.**Previously published as Uphill All the Way**I love all of Sue Moorcroft's books!' Katie FfordeEffortlessly engaging!' HeatMust read!' Daily ExpressTrade Review Praise for Sue Moorcroft: ‘Sizzling!’ The People’s Friend ‘Must read!’ Daily Express ‘I love all of Sue Moorcroft’s books!’ Katie Fforde ‘Effortlessly engaging…a magical must!’ Heat

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the next emotionally gripping thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis!THE STORYThe first chapter of a manuscript arrives on Publisher Marina's desk. She assumes it's just another novel by another aspiring writerTHE SECRETAs the chapters arrive one by one, Marina is convinced they are about her past. There's only one person who can know everything about the scandal, the trial, and the trauma that nearly broke her.THE SILENCEThis is one story that should never be told, and Marina is so desperate she will do anything to stop it getting out.Susan Lewis'' book ''Who's Lying Now?'' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 22-08-2022.Readers LOVE I Know It's You!I could not put this book down. It had me hooked from start to finish with a great storyline and many twists and turns along the way. What a rollercoaster!' Reader review, ?????Wow this book is amazing. I am a huge fan of Susan Lewis but this book had me up most of the night reading' Reader review, ?????A great holiday read. Two stories being told next to each other with some great twists the characters are fantastic' Reader review, ?????Oh what a tangled tale, my suspicions moved from character to character as I read the book. A fantastic read' Reader review, ?????This one did not disappoint, I couldn''t put it down desperate to discover what was going to happen next. I would have given this more than 5 stars if I could' Reader review, ?????Trade ReviewAcclaim for Susan Lewis: ‘Lewis’s book has you by the collar from page one. You just don’t want it to stop. Relatable characters and an unusual, intriguing plot, she kept me guessing to the last’ Hilary Boyd ‘An intriguing read that drew me in from the very beginning. It combines heartfelt family drama with a gripping plot. The characters are expertly drawn … Susan has done a brilliant job of weaving her research seamlessly into the novel’ Julie Corbin ‘Rich, seamless and masterful storytelling with so many ‘oh my god’ twisty moments… Absolute genius. I was totally gripped’ Rebecca Thornton ‘Susan Lewis has a gift for telling warm family stories that also take you by surprise’ Jane Corry‘A gripping read’ Bella ‘A compelling, timely mystery’ Lisa Ballantyne ‘My Lies, Your Lies has gone straight to the top of my favourite Susan reads. Full of drama, intrigue with so many twists and turns, I promise you'll be surprised and captivated right to the end’ Carmel Harrington ‘A master storyteller’ Diane Chamberlain ‘Utterly compelling’ Sun

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Book Synopsis**LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE**A powerful, heart-breaking story about tempting fate and living with the consequencesArthur and Jake are brothers yet worlds apart.Arthur is older, shy, dutiful and set to inherit his father''s farm. Jake is younger, handsome and reckless, a dangerous man to know.When Laura arrives in their rural community, the fragile balance of the brothers'' rivalry is pushed to the edge of catastrophe...''An enthralling read, both straightforward and wonderfully intricate'' Guardian''Evokes beautifully the big joys and sorrows of most people, no matter how small their town'' The TimesTrade ReviewA beautiful read, on every level * Independent on Sunday *Like the great 19th-century novelists of provincial life, Mary Lawson is fluent in the desperate intensity of the small, individual dramas of respectable people - and she paints an eloquent picture * Sunday Telegraph *Evokes beautifully the big joys and sorrows of most people, no matter how small their town * The Times *Discreetly powerful * Daily Telegraph *This is a fine book - an enthralling read, both straightforward and wonderfully intricate * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWhat should it be, this whopping terrific exploding shocker for Grandma?This beautiful edition of George''s Marvellous Medicine, part of The Roald Dahl Classic Collection, features official archive material from the Roald Dahl Museum and is perfect for Dahl fans old and new.So, enter a world where invention and mischief can be found on every page and where magic might be at the very tips of your fingers . . .The Roald Dahl Classic Collection reinstates the versions of Dahl's books that were published before the 2022 Puffin editions, aimed at newly independent young readers.

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Book SynopsisFanny is married to absent-minded Oxford don Alfred and content with her role as a plain, tweedy housewife. But overnight her life changes when Alfred is appointed English Ambassador to Paris.

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Book SynopsisScotland Street witnesses the wedding of the century of Angus Lordie to Domenica Macdonald, but as the newlyweds depart on honeymoon Edinburgh is in disarray. Recovering from the trauma of being best man, Matthew is taken up by a Dane called Bo, while Cyril eludes his dog-sitter and embarks on an odyssey involving fox-holes and the official residence of a cardinal. Narcissist Bruce meets his match in the form of a sinister doppelganger; Bertie, set up by his mother for fresh embarrassment at school, yearns for freedom; and Big Lou goes viral. But the residents of Scotland Street rally, and order - and Cyril - is restored by the combined effects of understanding, kindness, and, most of all, friendship.Trade ReviewA joyous, charming portrait of city life and human foibles * Sunday Express, Praise for the 44 Scotland Street series *

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Book SynopsisThe BRAND NEW novel''Loved this - a compassionate and very timely book about how we treat each other.''Eva Woods, BESTSELLING author of How to be Happy''Touching and poignant, I really enjoyed this and found it hard to put down.'' Cathy Hopkins, BESTSELLING author of The Kicking the Bucket List''Original, poignant and heart-warming'' Sadie Pearse, author of This Child of OursPerfect for fans of Julie Cohen, Harriet Evans and Rowan Coleman.********************************************Life is all about new beginningsEarly one summer morning Isabel and her eleven-year-old daughter River walk across Regent''s Park. They come across a rain-soaked man sitting alone on a bench and ask him if he''s okay. But he doesn''t know. In fact he doesn''t know the answeTrade ReviewLoved this - a compassionate and very timely book about how we treat each other. -- Eva Woods * author of How to be Happy *A fresh, moving and ultimately uplifiting story with a wonderfully drawn cast of characters who stayed with me long after I'd finished reading. -- Mike GayleAn original, poignant and heartwarming novel about urban connections and hidden histories. I loved the freshness of the writing and characterisation - eleven-year-old River, restless and vibrant, will really stay with me. -- Sadie PearseI defy you not to fall in love . . . a future classic -- Clare Mackintosh * on WHAT MILO SAW *Will delight you but break your heart several times over -- Sun * on BEFORE I WAS YOURS *I couldn't put this insightful, compelling novel down -- Woman & Home * on THE ASTONISHING RETURN OF NORAH WELLS *Might restore your faith in human nature -- Bella * on WHAT MILO SAW *Deeply satisfying -- Sarra Manning, Red * on THE ASTONISHING RETURN OF NORAH WELLS *This wonderful story will tear at your heart -- My Weekly * on BEFORE I WAS YOURS *Touching and poignant. Really enjoyed this and found it hard to put down. -- Cathy Hopkins

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Book SynopsisClaire Nightingale is haunted by the memory of childhood abuse and the painful choices she was forced to make. Longing to find peace, she knows she must first confront her demons. Moving to Solihull with her adopted daughter Nikki, she tries to make amends with the family she left behind. But Claire is not the only one hurting: Nikki is scarred by her own abusive past, and their relationship, once loving, becomes fraught with tension and resentment. Struggling to come to terms with their pain, it is not long before ghosts from the past bring a new threat that jeopardises the possibility of any future happiness... A heartbreaking tale of abuse, courage and, above all, the redemptive power of love.Trade Review'A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer' * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisStunningly honest and bursting with wit, Someday Maybe is the story of grief and resilience that you won't be able to stop talking aboutTrade Review'At turns bitingly funny and heart-breakingly gutting.' -- Bolu Babalola, bestselling author of Love in Colour'Simultaneously moving, witty and restorative.' -- Daily Mail'A love story in retrospect, heartbreaking in its inevitability but also shot through with moments of joy and humour as Eve searches for answers.' -- Stylist'A book about suicide may not sound heartwarming, but this one about a woman struggling to go on after losing her husband strikes the perfect balance between gut-wrenchingly sad and surprisingly funny. It’s a great rainy-day read about the love that rallies around us in tragic times — and a reminder that light can come from the most unexpected sources.' -- Good Housekeeping'This tender novel about grief triumphs in its reflections on how we are buoyed by the families we are born into, and the ones we make along the way.' -- Ayobami Adebayo, author of A Spell of Good Things‘An exploration of one young woman’s grief, Someday, Maybe is equal parts sorrow and joy, and debut writer Nwabineli is one to watch.’ -- Red Magazine, Book of the Month'A beautiful and heartbreaking meditation on the layers of grief and love, the complicated expressions of human suffering and the courage it takes to let go of the past.' -- Derek Owusu, author of That Reminds Me'An intimate, stunning novel. This book will stay with me for a long time.' -- Jade Bentil, author of Rebel Citizen'Onyi Nwabineli's graceful prose carries you through this moving meditation on grief, memory and community. Someday, Maybe is an astonishing debut, rich in both heartbreak and humour.' -- Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory'Incisive and witty, this deeply moving debut about the many faces of grief took me on an oscillating journey of emotions. I couldn't put it down. Each richly developed character leaps off the page with vivid dimension through Onyi's razor-sharp voice. Fresh and original contemporary fiction from the diaspora I've long yearned for.' -- Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström, internationally bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'Someday, Maybe is an honest and profoundly stirring portrait of loss. Onyi Nwabineli peels back the veneer of sympathy and expectation to reveal the effects a young widow's grief can have on her family, on her circle of friends, and even on the strangers she encounters. Eve's emotional paralysis is heartbreaking to witness but at its heart, Someday, Maybe is a beautifully written love letter to the resiliency of the human spirit. A stunning debut.' -- Xio Axelrod, author of The Girl With Stars in her Eyes'A touching debut... Eve's family are lovingly written: they gossip, chide her in Igbo and prescribe a bitter leaf soup to heal her broken heart. They also contribute to the surprising perkiness of this novel, in which sensitive observations about the nature of grief are set against humour. Even when Eve is in the depths of despair, deluding herself with hopes that Quentin might come home, she is witty. I was reeled in by her chatty voice and stayed for the tender, touching depiction of grief and family.' -- The Sunday Times'Most touching is the way Eve grows to emotional maturity as the story goes on, swapping rage for grace and hurt for healing.' -- FT'It's hard to believe that this outstanding novel is a debut. Poignant and heartfelt… A beautifully drawn story that shows us how to help those who are grieving.' -- Prima, Book of the Month, October 2022'Nwabineli's exceptional debut is a heartfelt and moving portrayal of grief and recovery in all its messiness... This is an excellent choice for book clubs and for readers who enjoy thought-provoking, deeply emotional fiction.' -- Booklist (starred review)'Someday, Maybe is a powerful debut novel about young love, profound loss, and the possibility of hope. Onyi Nwabineli is an author to watch.' -- Brenda Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of The House on Blueberry Lane'A powerful tale of a London widow whose photographer husband died by suicide... The genuine displays of emotion and sharp narrative will keep readers turning the pages.' -- Publishers Weekly'A perceptive, painstaking interrogation of loss and depression... Nwabineli's first novel is a clear-eyed, compassionate take on grief.' -- Shelf Awareness'A satisfying read and testament to our human ability to heal.' -- San Francisco Chronicle'If you are someone who gravitates toward emotional gut punch reads, allow me to introduce you to this spectacular debut.' -- BuzzFeed'A devastating and powerful story about loss, love, and healing... An emotional journey packed with heartbreak, grief, and beautiful memories.' -- She Reads, 'Best Fiction Books Coming in 2022''Expect Nwabineli to emerge as a fresh new voice in contemporary fiction.' -- Reader's Digest, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2022''Fuelled by inventive use of language and driven by sharp wit, the book conjures up a raw, living reality of sorrow, loss, and love… The author accomplishes a difficult task with Someday, Maybe – creating a genuine, living, breathing portrait of the meeting place of youth and death… A funny, realistic elegy to love.' -- Irish Examiner'An unconventional story told through the eyes of Eve, a recent widow in a British-Nigerian family. Nwabineli deftly explores themes of marriage, loss and perseverance in what makes for a heart-filled debut novel.' -- Hunger Magazine'Nwabineli deftly weaves Eve’s Igbo heritage into the story, incorporating phrases, food and traditions... Both respectful and honest... Nwabineli turns clichés into quirky, imagery-laden metaphors.' -- Associated Press'Exploring themes of grief, mental illness, and irrevocable love, Someday, Maybe is a heartrending tale about a young Nigerian woman who loses her husband too soon. Keep the box of tissues close!' -- Brittle Paper, '100 Notable African Books of 2022''Here is so much warmth and spirit in Nwabineli’s words. She captures the tidal force of emotions that come with grief with such eloquence and compassion... Here is so much warmth and spirit in Nwabineli’s words. She captures the tidal force of emotions that come with grief with such eloquence and compassion.' -- Em's Shelflove'Someday, Maybe is able to capture the volatile world of grieving, embracing how it acts with chaos and complete irrationality but also welcoming the lighter moments in which we can find relief… This novel is ultimately about the resilience of the human spirit, the strength of family and community, the transformative power of love and life long journey of healing.' -- Bad Form

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Book SynopsisStunningly honest and bursting with wit, Someday Maybe is the story of grief and resilience that you won't be able to stop talking aboutTrade Review'At turns bitingly funny and heart-breakingly gutting.' -- Bolu Babalola, bestselling author of Love in Colour'Simultaneously moving, witty and restorative.' -- Daily Mail'A love story in retrospect, heartbreaking in its inevitability but also shot through with moments of joy and humour as Eve searches for answers.' -- Stylist'A book about suicide may not sound heartwarming, but this one about a woman struggling to go on after losing her husband strikes the perfect balance between gut-wrenchingly sad and surprisingly funny. It’s a great rainy-day read about the love that rallies around us in tragic times — and a reminder that light can come from the most unexpected sources.' -- Good Housekeeping'This tender novel about grief triumphs in its reflections on how we are buoyed by the families we are born into, and the ones we make along the way.' -- Ayobami Adebayo, author of A Spell of Good Things‘An exploration of one young woman’s grief, Someday, Maybe is equal parts sorrow and joy, and debut writer Nwabineli is one to watch.’ -- Red Magazine, Book of the Month'A beautiful and heartbreaking meditation on the layers of grief and love, the complicated expressions of human suffering and the courage it takes to let go of the past.' -- Derek Owusu, author of That Reminds Me'An intimate, stunning novel. This book will stay with me for a long time.' -- Jade Bentil, author of Rebel Citizen'Onyi Nwabineli's graceful prose carries you through this moving meditation on grief, memory and community. Someday, Maybe is an astonishing debut, rich in both heartbreak and humour.' -- Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory'Incisive and witty, this deeply moving debut about the many faces of grief took me on an oscillating journey of emotions. I couldn't put it down. Each richly developed character leaps off the page with vivid dimension through Onyi's razor-sharp voice. Fresh and original contemporary fiction from the diaspora I've long yearned for.' -- Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström, internationally bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'Someday, Maybe is an honest and profoundly stirring portrait of loss. Onyi Nwabineli peels back the veneer of sympathy and expectation to reveal the effects a young widow's grief can have on her family, on her circle of friends, and even on the strangers she encounters. Eve's emotional paralysis is heartbreaking to witness but at its heart, Someday, Maybe is a beautifully written love letter to the resiliency of the human spirit. A stunning debut.' -- Xio Axelrod, author of The Girl With Stars in her Eyes'A touching debut... Eve's family are lovingly written: they gossip, chide her in Igbo and prescribe a bitter leaf soup to heal her broken heart. They also contribute to the surprising perkiness of this novel, in which sensitive observations about the nature of grief are set against humour. Even when Eve is in the depths of despair, deluding herself with hopes that Quentin might come home, she is witty. I was reeled in by her chatty voice and stayed for the tender, touching depiction of grief and family.' -- The Sunday Times'Most touching is the way Eve grows to emotional maturity as the story goes on, swapping rage for grace and hurt for healing.' -- FT'It's hard to believe that this outstanding novel is a debut. Poignant and heartfelt… A beautifully drawn story that shows us how to help those who are grieving.' -- Prima, Book of the Month, October 2022'Nwabineli's exceptional debut is a heartfelt and moving portrayal of grief and recovery in all its messiness... This is an excellent choice for book clubs and for readers who enjoy thought-provoking, deeply emotional fiction.' -- Booklist (starred review)'Someday, Maybe is a powerful debut novel about young love, profound loss, and the possibility of hope. Onyi Nwabineli is an author to watch.' -- Brenda Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of The House on Blueberry Lane'A powerful tale of a London widow whose photographer husband died by suicide... The genuine displays of emotion and sharp narrative will keep readers turning the pages.' -- Publishers Weekly'A perceptive, painstaking interrogation of loss and depression... Nwabineli's first novel is a clear-eyed, compassionate take on grief.' -- Shelf Awareness'A satisfying read and testament to our human ability to heal.' -- San Francisco Chronicle'If you are someone who gravitates toward emotional gut punch reads, allow me to introduce you to this spectacular debut.' -- BuzzFeed'A devastating and powerful story about loss, love, and healing... An emotional journey packed with heartbreak, grief, and beautiful memories.' -- She Reads, 'Best Fiction Books Coming in 2022''Expect Nwabineli to emerge as a fresh new voice in contemporary fiction.' -- Reader's Digest, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2022''Fuelled by inventive use of language and driven by sharp wit, the book conjures up a raw, living reality of sorrow, loss, and love… The author accomplishes a difficult task with Someday, Maybe – creating a genuine, living, breathing portrait of the meeting place of youth and death… A funny, realistic elegy to love.' -- Irish Examiner'An unconventional story told through the eyes of Eve, a recent widow in a British-Nigerian family. Nwabineli deftly explores themes of marriage, loss and perseverance in what makes for a heart-filled debut novel.' -- Hunger Magazine'Nwabineli deftly weaves Eve’s Igbo heritage into the story, incorporating phrases, food and traditions... Both respectful and honest... Nwabineli turns clichés into quirky, imagery-laden metaphors.' -- Associated Press'Exploring themes of grief, mental illness, and irrevocable love, Someday, Maybe is a heartrending tale about a young Nigerian woman who loses her husband too soon. Keep the box of tissues close!' -- Brittle Paper, '100 Notable African Books of 2022''Here is so much warmth and spirit in Nwabineli’s words. She captures the tidal force of emotions that come with grief with such eloquence and compassion... Here is so much warmth and spirit in Nwabineli’s words. She captures the tidal force of emotions that come with grief with such eloquence and compassion.' -- Em's Shelflove'Someday, Maybe is able to capture the volatile world of grieving, embracing how it acts with chaos and complete irrationality but also welcoming the lighter moments in which we can find relief… This novel is ultimately about the resilience of the human spirit, the strength of family and community, the transformative power of love and life long journey of healing.' -- Bad Form

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Book SynopsisBlack Country Orphan is a moving story of the courage and strength of women, by the Sunday Times bestselling author Annie Murray.The early 1900s: Cradley Heath, a town in the Black Country near Birmingham and centre of the world’s chain-making trade. Lucy Butler, a young girl crippled by a cruel accident, lives with her two brothers and widowed mother, a chain-maker barely making ends meet. When tragedy strikes, the Butler family is separated and Lucy is taken in by Bertha Hipkiss, another impoverished chain maker, struggling to look after her own family.Lucy, while feeling the loss of her own family, relies on the company of Bertha’s two sons, charming Clem and straight-laced John. Though clever at school, Lucy knows she must leave and earn her keep, working many hours in the backyard forge. The five women toiling side by side, inevitably have their own friendships and squabbles. But they’re united in their hatred of loathsome middleman Seth Dawson, who treats the women with contempt, and keeps their pay punishingly low. But by the 1910s, there is a movement stirring, as across the country workers begin unionising for their rights. For Lucy, Bertha and the women of Cradley Heath, the promise of a better life seems almost too much to hope for - and the fight may end up costing them everything . . .

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year 2023Into the Dark is the gripping crime thriller from Fiona Cummins about revenge, greed, ambition and the true cost of friendship.‘Complex. Inventive. Twisting. Unsettling’ – Sarah Vaughan, bestselling author of Anatomy of a ScandalThe Place: Seawings, a beautiful art deco home overlooking the sweep of the bay in Midtown-on-Sea.The Crime: The gilded Holden family – Piper and Gray and their two teenage children – have vanished from the house without a trace.The Detective: DS Saul Anguish, brilliant but with a dark past, treads the narrow line between light and shade.One late autumn morning, Piper’s best friend arrives at Seawings to discover an eerie scene – the radio is playing, phones are charging on the worktop, the cars are in the garage. But the house is deserted.In fifteen-year-old Riva Holden’s bedroom, scrawled across the mirror in blood, are three words:MakeThemStop.What happens next?Trade ReviewBreathless plotting and twist after twist -- Ian Rankin, author of A Heart Full of HeadstonesThis kept me reading well Into The Dark last night – so many layers of darkness and twisty complexity -- Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood OrangeAn absolute BELTER of a thriller. A superb plot, brilliantly executed and beautifully written -- Joanna Cannon, bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and SheepAn absolute masterclass in misdirection. Trust NO ONE. I loved it -- Sarah Hilary, bestselling author of FragileClassy, complex, filled with twists and dizzying reveals and TOTALLY addictive -- Chris Ewan, author of The InterviewGripping. Twisty. Complex. No one does ‘dark with heart’ better than Fiona Cummins -- Tammy Cohen, author of The Wedding PartyFiona Cummins evokes the dark arts of journalism and politics with an insider’s relish in this rich, intricately woven novel of childhood crime and adult redemption. I finished it with my heart in my mouth. Highly recommended -- Louise Candlish on When I Was TenGrips like a vice -- Val McDermid on When I Was TenAbsorbing, tense and beautifully paced -- Daily Mail on When I Was TenDark, creepy and ultimately compassionate . . . a chilling look at the consequences of a childhood gone wrong -- J. P. Delaney on When I Was TenUtterly compelling; a true just-one-more-chapter thriller -- Clare Mackintosh on When I Was TenTrust me – Cummins is a keeper -- Lee Child on The Collector

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS NEWCOMER OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE ONDAATJE PRIZE'Milkman meets Derry Girls. A cracking read' Sinead Moriarty'A thrillingly fresh, provocative and touching voice' Marian Keyes'Bawdy yet beautiful, full of everyday tragedy, absurdity and truth. I grew extraordinarily attached to Majella' Sara Baume Routine makes Majella's world small but change is about to make it a whole lot bigger.*Stuff Majella knows*-God doesn't punish men with baldness for wearing ladies' knickers-Banana-flavoured condoms taste the same as nutrition shakes-Not everyone gets a volley of gunshots over their grave as they are being lowered into the ground*Stuff Majella doesn't know*-That she is autistic-Why her ma drinks-Where her da isOther people find Majella odd. She keeps herself to herself, she doesn't like gossip and she isn't interested in knowing her neighbours' business. But suddenly everyone in the small town in Northern Ireland where she grew up wants to know all about hers. Since her da disappeared during the Troubles, Majella has tried to live a quiet life with her alcoholic mother. She works in the local chip shop (Monday-Saturday, Sunday off), wears the same clothes every day (overalls, too small), has the same dinner each night (fish and chips, nuked in the microwave) and binge watches Dallas (the best show ever aired on TV) from the safety of her single bed. She has no friends and no boyfriend and Majella thinks things are better that way. But Majella's safe and predictable existence is shattered when her grandmother dies and as much as she wants things to go back to normal, Majella comes to realise that maybe there is more to life. And it might just be that from tragedy comes Majella's one chance at escape.'It's a smasher' Kathy BurkeTrade ReviewIt's a smasher * Kathy Burke *A thrillingly fresh, provocative and touching voice * Marian Keyes *Milkman meets Derry Girls. A cracking read * Sinead Moriarty *Bawdy yet beautiful, full of everyday tragedy, absurdity and truth. I grew extraordinarily attached to Majella * Sara Baume *Wild and engrossing . . . unexpected and wonderful * Roddy Doyle, Irish Times *The funniest debut I've ever read * Claudia Carroll *I loved Majella from the first page . . . Utterly brilliant and deliciously hilarious! With humour, wit and beauty, Gallen subtly unveils a violence and conflict that lies beneath, exploring the legacy of the Troubles and the deeply felt effects through generations * Christy Lefteri *What a voice: I felt as though I knew Majella intimately by the end . . . Big Girl, Small Town is a darkly hilarious novel about small-town life, which manages to be wildly entertaining despite being mostly set in a chip shop - a fine place in which to loiter with such a filthy, funny, clever companion * Guardian *It's the humour, dry and gritty, that sets Big Girl, Small Town apart . . . to think that this is Michelle Gallen's debut is astonishing, as Majella's narration is bold and assured . . . evocative, caustic and compelling * Sunday Business Post *Northern Ireland is currently producing more exceptional writers per square inch than possibly anywhere else . . . Michelle Gallen will most certainly earn her place in the honours list. Big Girl, Small Town is even funnier than Derry Girls, while being just as fraught as Anna Burns's Booker Prize winner * Sunday Independent *A winning evocation of a small Irish community whose people burst from its pages. Engaging and satisfying * Daily Mail *Superb * Irish Examiner *Captivating . . . a confident debut with a very memorable protagonist in Majella * Irish Times *Darkly funny * Mail on Sunday *Gallen's debut deserves comparisons with Anna Burns' Milkman for its depiction of the impact of the Troubles on a vulnerable young woman but this terrifically imagined tender black comedy is very much its own book * Metro *Charming . . . there is an easy warmth to Big Girl, Small Town * Sunday Times *Gallen's unrelenting eye for the bizarre and Coughlan's talent for deadpanning make it an absolute winner * Financial Times *Sensational . . . Gallen's effortless immersion into a gritty, endlessly bittersweet world packs a dizzying punch * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *An irreverent portrait of small-town Northern Ireland that is both bleakly and uproariously funny * Kirkus *Majella is a nuanced and complicated heroine, reliant on routines and largely dismissive of change. Infused with local diction, inflection, and slang, her voice envelops readers in the sounds of small-town Ireland * Booklist (starred review) *Majella is a compelling character caught in a fascinating slice of time, and her journey is exquisitely rendered. With echoes of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine crossed with the 1990s-set British sitcom Derry Girls, this debut is recommended for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh, Emma Donoghue, and Sally Rooney * Library Journal (starred review) *Hugely charming * Irish Independent *[A]n inventively foulmouthed gem of a novel . . . a novel that is, above all, an intimate portrait of a peculiar - and peculiarly resilient - woman who is fated to notice everything and forget nothing * Wall Street Journal *An immensely lovable debut novel * Washington Post *Gallen's darkly comic debut is an unforgettable portrait of a young woman whose rich internal life offers a brilliantly observed commentary on her bleak surroundings * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisSisters Rose and Gameela Gubran could not have been more different. Rose, an Egyptologist, married an American journalist and immigrated to New York City, where she works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gameela, a devout Muslim since her teenage years, stayed in Cairo. During the aftermath of Egypt's revolution, Gameela is killed in a suicide bombing. When Rose returns to Egypt after the bombing, she sifts through the artifacts Gameela left behind, desperate to understand how her sister came to die, and who she truly was. Soon, Rose realizes that Gameela has left many questions unanswered. Why had she quit her job just a few months before her death and not told her family? Who was she romantically involved with? And how did the religious Gameela manage to keep so many secrets? Rich in depth and feeling, A Pure Heart is a brilliant portrait of two Muslim women in the twenty-first century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. As Rose is struggling to reconcile her identities as an Egyptian and as a new American, she investigates Gameela's devotion to her religion and her country. The more Rose uncovers about her sister's life, the more she must reconcile their two fates, their inextricable bond as sisters, and who should and should not be held responsible for Gameela's death. Rajia Hassib's A Pure Heart is a stirring and deeply textured novel that asks what it means to forgive, and considers how faith, family, and love can unite and divide us.Trade ReviewExquisite * Vanity Fair *A timely, sweeping tale that examines the intersection of fate and choice, the pull of culture and identity, family and love . . . Beautifully written. * Boston Globe *Hassib is a perceptive writer with a real understanding of how people act - not how they ought to act . . . a novel that's as honest as it is engrossing. * NPR *Remarkable . . . poised, intelligent, very grown-up writing, equally at home in all its environments. * Guardian *Shines as one of the finest explorations of identity, religion, and culture in modern American literature. Her background leaves her particularly well situated to develop these themes ... brilliantly illuminates the complications of our world: the clash of religious beliefs, the uneven division of wealth, our classist snobbery, the failure of our best intentions. Yet the story is not simply an examination of problems. It is also a fervent illustration of the strength and beauty of familial bonds, ties that persist even after death. * Southern Literary Review *Hassib . . . articulates the full-bodied chorus of Egypt's voices . . . dismantling stereotypes of her country and culture. In so doing she exposes mankind's best and worst qualities, our universalities and differences, illuminating all the while the myriad ways in which a heart can be pure. * New York Times *A profound and deeply affecting examination of fate and free will, family and identity, sin and redemption, and the unique bond between sisters. * Buzzfeed, 'Summer Books to Be Excited About' *Characters are deeply woven and veiled in their own facades . . . a stellar entry into the world's library. * Irish Examiner *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *A Pure Heart is an emotional portrait of sisterly relationships and how political strife and change affects even the most personal aspects of our lives. * Real Simple's "Best Books of 2019 (So Far) *[A] gripping contemporary novel about two Muslim sisters. . . . When one sister is killed, the other uncovers continuous challenging questions in her quest for understanding and closure. * Ms. Magazine *A Pure Heart grapples with the question of how to be many things at once. . . . Hassib is especially talented at rendering the small details of daily Egyptian life-not in some exoticized fashion but rather as a foundation on which to lay the wide variety of experiences, ideologies, and aspirations of the country's citizenry. These details found throughout the book, shine. . . . What's most impressive about A Pure Heart . . . [is] the novel's meditation on the nature of multiple identities. * Omar El Akkad, BookPage (starred review) *A multifaceted look at the complicated legacies of identity, religion, and politics in Egypt after the Arab Spring emerges. Even the story of the suicide bomber is given careful consideration in this enlightening, heartrending novel. * Booklist (starred review) *[A Pure Heart] fluidly explores how even seismic historical events can mix with everyday emotions such as sibling rivalry and insecurity to concoct a potent brew. . . . A devastating definition of the new normal in which revolution does not always deliver real power to institute change. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *A profound tale of two Egyptian Muslim women in the 21st century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. This is a timely, thought-provoking novel that explores the intersection of religion, identity, and politics in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * BookRiot's “7 of The Buzziest Beach Reads of The Year *Hassib's impressive second novel is a fascinating depiction of sisters Rose and Gameela, their shared heritage, and the country that ultimately divides them. . . . Hassib seamlessly transports the reader from one culture to another, eloquently showcasing the triumphs, heartaches, and beliefs shared by the protagonists. * Publishers Weekly *Hassib draws an intimate portrait of contemporary Egypt, deftly explaining the complexity of political viewpoints regarding the revolution and post-revolutionary years. Through her characters, she shows the subtle differences in class, culture, and religious belief that can cause fractures in families, marriages, and societies. . . . Giving a voice to everyone, even the bomber, Hassib displays empathy and compassion steeped in a deep knowledge of her subject. Recommended. * Library Journal *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *Full of intelligent reflections about exile, this moving novel about two Egyptian sisters-one in New York, the other in Cairo-carefully dramatizes the curdling of individual dreams in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * Karan Mahajan, author of National Book Award finalist The Association of Small Bombs *A stunner of a book. Weaving through the lives of two sisters split by destiny, Hassib's latest novel is a story of excavation: of countries and people. With the Egyptian revolution as backdrop, Hassib masterfully explores the loyalties, geographies and histories that can both partition and bind family. * Hala Alyan, author of Dayton Literary Peace Prize and Arab American Book Award winner Salt Houses *It would be unjust to call Hassib's A Pure Heart anything but heartbreaking and beautiful. Nearly every character is trapped between political, religious, and geographic extremes, trying to figure out who they are and what they love. These goals are always in sight, but, for some, ever beyond reach. * Ian Bassingthwaighte, author of Live from Cairo *Rajia Hassib's latest novel is a lyrical, heartfelt reflection on the Egyptian revolution as well as on the painful secrets that separate two sisters. * Susan Muaddi Darraj, author of Arab American Book Award winner A Curious Land *A gripping tale of two sisters whose lives intersect with tragic consequences. A Pure Heart beats to its own rhythm of heartaches, joy, loss and courage. An extraordinary achievement. * Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past is a Foreign Country *

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Book SynopsisEVERYBODY LOVES A MURDER MYSTERY . . . UNTIL THEY HAVE A STARRING ROLE. *A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK* 'Denise Mina is crime-writing royalty' Ian Rankin 'Such a delight: playful, fast-paced, and entirely compulsive' Ann Cleeves It's just a normal morning when Anna's husband announces that he's leaving her for her best friend and taking their two daughters with him. With her safe, comfortable world shattered, Anna distracts herself with someone else's story: a true-crime podcast. That is until she recognises the name of one of the victims and becomes convinced that only she knows what really happened. With nothing left to lose, she throws herself into investigating the case. But little does she know, Anna's past and present lives are about to collide, sending everything she has worked so hard to achieve into freefall.*CONFIDENCE, THE FOLLOW UP TO CONVICTION, IS AVAILABLE NOW* 'If you loved Killing Eve, you'll devour Conviction' Erin Kelly 'A dark star of a novel, blazingly intense, up-to-the-minute fresh, and exciting as all hell' A. J. Finn, author of The Woman in the WindowTrade ReviewDenise Mina is the cream of the crop, an author who pushes the crime novel in new and exciting directionsThis highly original, ballsy thriller is like nothing you have read – or Denise Mina has written – before -- Mark Sanderson * The Times, *Books of the Year* *You won't be able to put Conviction downIt is clear from the very start of Denise Mina’s Conviction quite how much fun she – and her readers – are about to have… Mina is such a classy writer and Anna is a darkly brilliant creation * Observer *A twisting, darkly comic, thrill-a-minute ride across Europe. If you loved Killing Eve, you'll devour Conviction

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Book SynopsisYour sister might be the kindred soul who knows you best, or the most alien being in your household; she might enrage you or inspire you; she might be your fiercest competitor or closest co-conspirator, but she'll always share with you a totally unique bond. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy are four of the most famous sisters in literature, and these stories of the joys and heartaches they share are a touching celebration of the special ties of sisterhood.Selected from the books Little Women and Good Wives by Louisa May AlcottVINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us humanAlso in the Vintage Minis series:Fatherhood by Karl Ove KnausgaardMotherhood by Helen SimpsonBabies by Anne EnrightLove by Jeanette WintersonTrade ReviewSix generations of readers have found in the story of the March family universal truths about girls, families and growing up * Guardian *Imagine our joy when Vintage announced that it is publishing a collection of easily digestible books from the world’s most celebrated writers on the experiences that make us human… They look good and read well. That’s win/win in our book. * Stylist *

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