Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisA frank and beautiful story of damage, survival and restoration from an exhilarating literary voice.As Charles Redfern lies motionless in hospital, his wife Anne and daughter Charlotte are forced to confront their relationships with him and with each other. Anne, once beautiful and clever, has paled in the shadow of her husband''s dominance. Charlotte, meanwhile, is battling with her own inner darkness and is desperate to prevent her relationship with her not-yet-divorced lover from disintegrating.As the full truth of Charles''s hold over them is brought to light, both women must reconcile themselves with the choices they have made, the secrets they have kept, and the uncertain future that now lies ahead of them.Trade Review'The relationship between the two women is very well done – tense, hinting all the time at some fatal incident …truly disturbing, utterly believable … sensitive, never prurient' Margaret Forster 'Moving, terrifyingly real' Observer 'Day's subtle prose packs a powerfully disturbing punch as her understated yet candid handling of dark subjects reaches into the most raw and fragile parts of all of us … Sad, delicate and convincing Scissors Paper Stone is a reminder of how the human need to love and be loved can destroy all that we hold dear. It's a striking debut novel from a talented writer' Metro 'A brave and thoughtful book … As an attempt to analyse the dysfunctional web of relationships within an outwardly normal family, it's a courageous and sensitive story' Independent

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Book Synopsis''I defy any reader, once they''ve taken the smallest nibble, not to gobble it all down'' Sunday ExpressIn wartime Suffolk, Caroline Hunterton fell in love. Now, decades on, that love becomes the only connection between a tragic Hollywood accident in the 1950s, and a terrible suicide twenty years later. Caroline has spent years trying to keep those secrets from her two daughters, Chloe and Fleur, who have been separated by the Atlantic and have grown up hating one another. But soon, their shared past may be all that can save the family... From rural England and Hollywood''s glory days, to London''s theatreland and New York''s adland, An Outrageous Affair explores the many forms love takes, and how it can change us all.Trade Review'Penny Vincenzi is a supreme stylist and clever writer. Reading her is an addictive experience' * Elizabeth Buchan *'A super read that will keep you guessing right until the end' * Company *'The literary equivalent of a huge box of beautiful hand-made chocolate truffles - a total indulgence' * Ideal Home *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of the Cazalet Chronicles, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Love All is a heartfelt story of love and adulthood in the 1960s.'Graceful, moving' – Daily ExpressThe late 1960s. For Persephone Plover, the daughter of distant and neglectful parents, the innocent, isolated days of childhood are long past. Now she must deal with the emotions of an adult world.Meanwhile in Melton, in the West Country, Jack Curtis – a self-made millionaire – has employed Persephone's aunt. A garden designer in her sixties, she is to deal with the terraces and glasshouses of the once beautiful local manor house – one that he has acquired at vast expense. He also has plans to start an arts festival, as a means to avoid the loneliness of divorce.Also in Melton are the Musgrove siblings, Thomas and Mary, whose parents originally owned and lived in Melton House. They are still trying to cope with emotional Trade ReviewHer talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf HallGraceful, moving . . . Howard's elegant prose, keen eye for detail and ability to make the reader care about her characters are second to none * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisA stunning novel, spanning generations and continents, Ghana Must Go is a tale of family drama and forgiveness, for fans of Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.Meet the Sais, a Nigerian-Ghanaian family living in the United States. A family prospering until the day father and surgeon Kweku Sai is victim of a grave injustice. Ashamed, he abandons his beautiful wife Fola and their little boys and girls, causing the family to fracture and spiral out into the world - New York, London, West Africa, New England - on uncertain, troubled journeys until, many years later, tragedy unites them. Now this broken family has a chance to heal - but can the Sais take it?''Ghana Must Go is both a fast moving story of one family''s fortunes and an ecstatic exploration of the inner lives of its members. With her perfectly-pitched prose and flawless technique, Selasi does more than merely renew our sense of the African novel: she renews our sense of the novel, period. An astonishing debut'' Teju Cole, author of Open CityTrade ReviewThis book is rich and deep, mesmerizing and spectacular. At times I felt it opened a portal onto something grand and profound about love and blood and the ties that bind. Read it and you will feel what great literature can do: you will feel you are more vividly alive -- Anna FunderGhana Must Go is both a fast moving story of one family's fortunes and an ecstatic exploration of the inner lives of its members. With her perfectly-pitched prose and flawless technique, Selasi does more than merely renew our sense of the African novel: she renews our sense of the novel, period. An astonishing debut -- Teju Cole, author of * Open City *An eye for the perfect detail . . . an unforgettable voice on the page . . . miss out on Ghana Must Go and you will miss one of the best new novels of the season * The Economist *Taiye Selasi is the woman the literary world is drooling over . . . [Ghana Must Go] is technically ambitious, poetically dense . . . an unpredictable family story of love, abandonment, aspiration and migration -- Claire Allfree * Metro *Taiye Selasi writes with glittering poetic command, a sense of daring, and a deep emotional investment in the lives and transformations of her characters . . . a powerful portrait of a broken family -- Diana Evans * Guardian *A most impressive first novel. . . She manages a generous coverage of time and space with adroit concision, along with a vibrant range of characters. The family is so convincing, with those telling problems of divided culture. Very much a novel of today -- Penelope LivelyTaiye Selasi is a young writer of staggering gifts and extraordinary sensitivity. Ghana Must Go seems to contain the entire world, and I shall never forget it -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author of * Eat, Pray, Love *With mesmerizing craftsmanship and massive imagination [Taiye Selasi] takes the reader on an unforgettable journey across continents and most importantly deeply into the lives of the people whom she writes about. She de-"exoticizes" whole populations and demographics and brings them firmly into the readers view as complicated and complex human beings. Ghana Must Go is a big novel, elemental, meditative, and mesmerizing -- Sapphire, author of * The Kid and Push *In Ghana Must Go, Selasi drives the six characters skillfully through past and present, unearthing old betrayals and unexplained grievances at a delicious pace. By the time the surviving five convene at a funeral in Ghana, we are invested in their reconciliation--which is both realistically shaky and dramatically satisfying ... Narrative gold * Elle *Selasi's ambition - to show her readers not "Africa" but one African family, authors of their own achievements and failures - is one that can be applauded no matter what accent you give the word -- Nell Freudenberger * The New York Times *The first line of Taiye Selasi's buoyant first novel, Ghana Must Go, captures the book in miniature: "Kweku dies barefoot on a Sunday before sunrise, his slippers by the doorway to the bedroom like dogs." The springy dactylic meter of the prose (KWEku dies BAREfoot on a . . .), the sly internal rhymes (Sunday, sunrise, doorway), the surprising twist on a cliché (to die like a dog), the invigorating mixture of darkness and drollery are a big part of what makes this book such a joy... It's an auspicious how-do-you-do to the world, and nearly every page of the novel displays the same bounce and animation... rapturous. * Wall Street Journal *

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Book Synopsis'Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a Mockingbird.' Atticus Finch gives this advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this classic novel - a black man charged with attacking a white girl. Through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Lee explores the issues of race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s with compassion and humour. She also creates one of the great heroes of literature in their father, whose lone struggle for justice pricks the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice and hypocrisy.This edition of one of the world’s best-loved books features the original text. **One of the BBC’s 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**Trade ReviewHarper Lee announced she would be releasing a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird this summer – 55 years after her debut. Go Set a Watchman, completed in the mid-50s but lost for more than half a century, was written before To Kill A Mockingbird and features Scout as an adult * Guardian *No one ever forgets this book * Independent *Someone rare has written this very fine novel, a writer with the liveliest sense of life and the warmest, most authentic humour. A touching book; and so funny, so likeable * Truman Capote *There is humour as well as tragedy in this book, besides its faint note of hope for human nature; and it is delightfully written * Sunday Times *A hundred pounds of sermons on tolerance, or an equal measure of invective deploring the lack of it, will weigh far less in the scale of enlightenment than a mere eighteen ounces of new fiction bearing the title To Kill a Mockingbird * The Washington Post, 1961 *

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Book SynopsisIf you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surpriseExceptional' A.J. FinnA smart thriller' Gillian McAllisterCreepy, absorbing and unnerving' T.M. LoganKitty Marchland has always known that her family aren't like others. But when her father uproots them to a remote cottage in the woods, she realises that her parents are keeping secrets from her secrets that could unravel everything.Years later, Kitty starts to question what really happened out in the forest. When the police revisit a suspicious death, she must examine her most painful memories and this time, there's nowhere to hideA gripping and suspenseful thriller that will captivate you from first to last page. Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and The Widow's Cabin by L.G. Davis.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR HOLD YOUR BREATH: ‘To open B P Walter’s exceptional new thriller is to step through a cellar door: the air cools, your vision dims… and just a few steps later, you’re tiptoeing across the floor, desperate to switch on a torch — yet frightened of what the light might reveal. Attention, readers of Lucy Foley and Lisa Gardner: Hold Your Breath is your next favourite read’ A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window ‘Creepy, absorbing and thoroughly unnerving’ T.M. Logan, author of The Holiday ‘A smart thriller with a difference’ Gillian McAllister ‘I was gripped by this harrowing and disturbing novel. Beautifully written’ Emma Curtis ‘Wonderfully creepy’ Fiona Cummins PRAISE FOR B P WALTER: ‘Devilishly well-plotted, crisply written – and a hell of a lot of fun. What a smashing debut!’ A.J. Finn ‘Beguiling, surprising and sometimes shocking. Cleverly crafted with characters who stay with you. A highly-polished debut’ Jane Corry ‘Day one of my holiday lost to B P Walter and his intriguing thriller A Version of the Truth. If you like Peter Swanson, this will be right up your dark, twisted alley’ John Marrs ‘A Version of the Truth is engaging and sinister in places. Walter has created wonderfully authentic characters, and the writing is superb. Highly recommended’ Elisabeth Carpenter ‘Walter's debut is an assured piece of world-building, with characters both flawed and real, and a crescendo that sweeps you up then crashes you down. Unpredictable, clever and subtly twisted. Loved it’ Helen Fields ‘A dark and sometimes disturbing debut; a compelling story with credible characters. Walter emerges as a powerful new voice in the world of thriller writing’ Diane Jeffrey

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Book SynopsisCourtney Sullivan is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel, Commencement. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times Book Review, Elle, Glamour, Men's Vogue, and the New York Observer, among others. She is a contributor to the essay anthology The Secret Currency of Love and co-editor of Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.Trade ReviewRich and exhilarating... The dialogue sizzles... Maine does not falter. You don't want this novel to end. -- Lily King * New York Times Book Review *This read will transport you... The cast of quirky characters will have you laughing out loud and aching for their regrets in the same chapter, pining for more pages when it comes to an end. * Marie Claire *Thoughtful, witty and totally compulsive * Woman & Home *A funny, touching, beautifully written triumph... Hand of heart, I didn't want it to end. * Psychologies *A crackling-smart character study of the Kelleher women, who retreat to their oceanfront Maine compound, unearthing 60 years of family secrets, grudges, and regrets. * Elle *Whether you're in need of a beach-read or looking for a festive fireside book, Courtney Sullivan's Maine... is just the thing. * Grazia *Bittersweet, true to life, Maine is a reminder that every family should be celebrated, however dysfunctional. -- Bella Pollen * author of The Summer of the Bear *Simple yet elegant, sometimes funny, often sad and always convincing. -- Emma Henderson * author of Grace Williams Says It Loud *

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Book SynopsisThe No.1 Sunday Times bestselling novel! *Don''t miss Fern''s brand-new novel A Cornish Legacy out now!*Three women. A chance to rewrite history 1918.The Great War is over, and Clara Carter has boarded a train bound for Cornwall to meet a family that would once have been hers. But they must never discover her secret1939. Hannah has always been curious about her mother's mysterious past, but the outbreak of the Second World War casts everything in a new light. As the bombs begin to fall, Hannah and her brothers are determined to do their bit for the war effort whatever the cost.2020. Caroline has long been the keeper of her family's secrets. But now, with her own daughter needing her more than ever, it's time to tell the truth to show Natalie that she comes from a long line of women who have weathered the storms of life, as hardy and proud as the rugged Cornish coastlineFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a sweeping, epic novel of mothers and daughters, secrets and lies, and a love that lasts a lifetimeTrade ReviewPraise for Fern Britton ‘A charming story that is full of hope…will help put a spring in your step’ The Courier ‘This is ideal holiday reading’ Woman Cornwall is only a page away in this gorgeous, heart-warming novel – a wonderful read for the summer holidays! ‘A warm, easy read that depicts the joys of rural Cornwall’ Daily Mail ‘The warmth and empathy that have made Fern Britton such a popular TV presenter are evident in her latest novel’ Woman’s Weekly

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Book Synopsis'A moving and engaging addition to the family saga and drama of The Four Streets... Vibrancy and colour warm the pages' LoveReading In equal measure gritty and tender, Coming Home to the Four Streets is the latest instalment in the Four Streets saga, from Sunday Times bestseller Nadine Dorries. Trouble is coming to the four streets, especially for its redoubtable women, who've struggled through a bitter winter to put food on the table. The Dock Queen Carnival is only weeks away, but there's no money for the usual celebrations. No sign of a tramp ship with illicit cargo to be quietly siphoned off by the dockers. Peggy Nolan, with seven boys and a husband too lazy to work, has hit rock bottom and is hiding a terrible secret. Little Paddy, her mischievous eldest, is all too often in trouble, but he'd do anything for the mother he loves. How can he save her from selling herself on the streets – or worse? Maura and Tommy Doherty always looked out for any neighbour in trouble, especially Peggy, but they're far away, running a pub in Ireland and corrupt copper, Frank the Skank, is moving into their old house on the four streets. Can anything bring them home in time? Praise for Nadine Dorries: 'A moving and engaging addition to the family saga and drama of The Four Streets... Just as warm, gossipy and familiar as I remember... Vibrancy and colour warm the pages... Coming Home to the Four Streets will appeal to anyone who loves an entertaining family saga, this is a satisfying and rewarding return to the series' LoveReading 'Charming, gutsy and full of raw emotions' Rachel Bustin 'The characters are engaging, the streets scenes cinematic and the theme of the novel – abuse, both sexual and domestic – powerful' The Times 'Angela's Ashes with a scouse accent' Irish TimesTrade ReviewAn entertaining and rewarding family saga with plenty of drama set in 1950's Liverpool * LoveReading *PRAISE FOR NADINE DORRIES: 'Nadine Dorries has quickly established herself as the queen of the Liverpool saga and she is back with a heart-wrenching and captivating new novel' Bookish Jottings. 'As heart-warming as it is heartbreaking, this novel is unputdownable' Sunday Express. 'Angela's Ashes with a scouse accent' Irish Times. 'A funny and sometimes shocking saga. I couldn't put it down' Cristina Odone. 'Fabulous characters... Gorgeous sentences and sensational plotlines' * With Love for Books *

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Book Synopsis''FAULTLESS STORYTELLING'' Observer''A PORTRAIT OF SISTERHOOD ... POWERFUL, WISE, CELEBRATORY'' Daily MailA compelling novel about family secrets and the legacy of trauma, set against the changing fortunes of an English seaside town, from award-winning writer Stella Duffy. When Lucy discovers the body of her great aunt Kitty, with a puzzling note and empty pill bottles by her bed, she can''t believe that the formidable woman who held her family together is gone - or understand why she has taken her own life. Lucy is determined to decipher Kitty''s final message. What she finds will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family. Lullaby Beach takes the reader on a journey through three generations of a complicated, close-knit family whose joys and misfortunes track many of the most pressing conflicts and concerns of post-war Britain, from the promise and hypocrisies of 1950s London to the poTrade ReviewDuffy is a fearless writer ... A portrait of sisterhood in the wider sense - one that's as powerful and gritty as it is wise and celebratory -- Stephanie Cross * DAILY MAIL *Lullaby Beach explores familial legacy, generational secrets and the effects of long-lasting trauma with a distinct tenderness * New Statesman *Whether it's down to the sure rhythm of Duffy's faultless storytelling or the faded backdrop of the south coast of England, her latest novel is a comforting tale despite some gritty subject matter. It opens as eighty-something Kitty takes her own life, leaving behind not just a gaping hole in the world of her two great-nieces, but a mystery, too. Four dates contained in a note seem to hold the key, concealing secrets that bind three generations of Beth and Sara's family. Wise, generous and atmospheric -- Hephzibah Anderson * Observer *A suicide in a sleepy English seaside town exposes family secrets that have lain dormant for three generations in thisatmospheric novel . . . The action is set in the present day and the 1950s. We meet Kitty as an idealistic young girl keen to escape the monotony of her small-minded seaside existence. She elopes with an unsuitable man and starts a new life in London. But it doesn't quite match up to her expectations and she comes running back home, licking her wounds. The narrative masterfully interweaves her story with that of other women in her family, leading to a dramatic finale * The Lady *A writer who never lets you down * ALI SMITH *First class * MARCEL BERLINS, THE TIMES *Sharp insights and sharper wit * DAILY MAIL *A powerful talent * GUARDIAN *Nobody turns the screw of tension tighter than Stella Duffy * VAL MCDERMID *Duffy writes with a judicious combination of power and subtlety * SUNDAY TIMES *A versatile and gifted novelist * LAURA LIPPMAN *

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A New York Times Editor's Choice A Herald's Best Summer Book'An unusual and accomplished first novel . . . moves in intriguing leaps and twists.' Economist'Gorgeous' New York Times'Grapples with the complexity of familial love.' Marie ClaireFrench teenager Margot is the illegitimate daughter of a prominent stage actress and an influential politician. The comings and goings of their unconventional family, in a small Parisian apartment, cast her whole life under a veil of secrecy and shame.One summer, Margot decides to exercise her own agency when she meets a well-regarded journalist whose trust seems surprisingly easy to gain. But as Margot is drawn into an adult world, she learns how one impulsive decision can change the contours of her life, and the lives of those around her, in ways she could never have imagined. In this simmering debut Sanaë Lemoine explores private and public faces, truth and deceit, love and persuasion. The Margot Affair is a novel about the bone-deep bond between mothers and daughters, the devotion and betrayal of friendship and the dangers of pushing beyond the boundaries of a life lived in the shadows.

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Book SynopsisLose yourself in this wickedly addictive exploration of family, relationships and modern love from the bestselling author of the HBO sensation BIG LITTLE LIES''I adored it. Fresh, intelligent and entertaining'' MARIAN KEYESThey say trouble always comes in threes . . .For sisters Lyn, Cat and Gemma Kettle, the year they turn thirty-three is no exception.Sensible Lyn is struggling to balance being a mother, wife and businesswoman without losing her mind.Cat, whose perfect marriage is the envy of all her friends, never suspected that her husband had been hiding a secret that will tear her life apart.Directionless Gemma, who changes jobs and boyfriends every few months, has just met a new man who could be the one to unlock her hidden past.The bonds of these sisters are strong enough to withstand whatever life throws at them.That is until the night of their thirty-fourth biTrade ReviewI adored Three Wishes . . . It's fresh, very, very funny, accessible, and entertaining. But it's also intelligent and unsentimental about family dynamics -- Marian KeyesFunny and dramatic, with vibrant characters, it's a delight * Sunday Mirror *Moriarty's first novel, written with wisdom, humour and sincerity, is an honest look at sisters who have a bond stronger than anything life throws their way * Booklist *Quirky and lovable * Publishers Weekly *Funny, wry, touching . . . the drama is raw and real. Each of the beautifully drawn characters is so vividly alive * Australian Women's Weekly *Three Wishes feels firmly set in the real world, where trivial domestic details, biting pain and sudden joy regularly overlap * Telegraph *Every single one of her books is a great read * E! Online *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful book about unexpected friendships and daring to dream' Ruth HoganAbout a Boy meets Educating Rita warm and big-hearted' Sarah VaughanBehind every ordinary day, behind every ordinary story, there's an extraordinary one just waiting to happenTwo people. Simon Sparks hides in plain sight his astonishing gifts locked deep inside himself, as he dreams of lost potential and extraordinary tomorrows.Jodie Brook hides behind what you think of her a single mum who can barely make ends meet. But her dreams are filled with the education she always wanted and discovering a better life for her and her son.One life.When Simon and Jodie's lonely worlds collide, it upends everything. But as it becomes clear they have so much to learn from each other Jodie can show Simon how to rejoin the world, and Simon can help Jodie prepare for her greatest challenge yet they begin to realise that life could be so much more.One ordinary day at a timeA gorgeously quirky, charming and inspiring read' BTrade Review‘A beautiful book about unexpected friendships and daring to dream’ Ruth Hogan, author of Madame Burova ‘Gorgeously written, utterly moving, a joy!’ Miranda Dickinson, author of Our Story ‘A perfect blend of light and dark with warm characterization and a lot of heart’ Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange ‘About a Boy meets Educating Rita. Quirky, warm and big-hearted, its lightness underscored by a seam of darkness’ Sarah Vaughan, author of The Anatomy of a Scandal ‘A beautiful, compelling story that taught me so much – about educational privilege and how we define intelligence and success. Highly recommend’ Lauren Bravo ‘A gorgeously quirky, charming and inspiring read. The power of education to transform, but only when that power is wielded responsibly’ Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy ‘A wonderful, heart-warming book that is ultimately about the power of stories and how they can change our lives if we tell them to the right people … a feel-good novel we all need right now’ Araminta Hall, author of Perfect Strangers ‘It's the best book I've read in ages. If you like Gail Honeyman, you'll ADORE this. I cried twice, but walked away with my heart so very full. There is nothing predictable about this story. Can't recommend enough’ Anstey Harris, author of The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton ‘A compelling and uplifting tale of unlikely friendships and the importance of following your dreams. A call to kindness for us all’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Castaways ‘Uplifting’ Daily Mail ‘A quirky, fascinating read about what happens when you hide your true self even from yourself’ Fabulous ‘Endearing, funny and emotional, this is a gorgeous read’ Woman’s Own ‘Quirky, uplifting… the perfect novel we all need right now’ Robin Morgan-Bentley, author of The Wreckage

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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 SynopsisOne of The New York Times Top 10 Books of the YearWinner of the An Post Irish Book of the Year, the Nero Gold Prize, and the Nero Book Award for FictionShortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Writers'' Prize for FictionFinalist for the Kirkus Prize for FictionOne of The New Yorker''s Essential Reads of 2023. One of The Washington Post''s 10 Best Books of 2023. One of TIME''s 10 Best Fiction Books of the Year. Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, The Guardian, The Economist, New York Public Library, BBC, and more.From the author of Skippy Dies comes Paul Murray''s The Bee Sting, an irresistibly funny, wise, and thought-provoking tour de force about family, fortune, and the struggle to be a good person when the world is falling apart.The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie's once-lucrative car bu

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Book Synopsis‘These two feisty and funny women stole my heart... Perfect for bookclubs.’ Faith Hogan Two women. A community under threat. Can they save their home? In the peaceful Worcestershire village of Stonecastle, Matilda Reynolds lives a quiet, contented life with her animals for company. Then a fall lands her in hospital, and she must rely on her strange young neighbour, Connie, for help looking after her home. Connie is coming to terms with her own trauma, and she doesn’t trust easily. But just as the two women embark on an unlikely friendship, the community that brought them together comes under threat. As they fight to save their beloved estate from a greedy developer, Connie and Matilda discover they have more in common than they thought... 'An uplifting novel about the power of community and the human spirit.' Clare Swatman 'I really rooted for Connie and Matilda. Both women are vulnerable in some way and Victoria writes so sensitively about this. A beautiful, poignant read.' Rebecca RyanTrade ReviewThis novel is a love letter to community and friendship but have a box of tissues to hand because it will move you to tears -- The Sunday PostPraise for Victoria Scott: 'Inspired by truth, Patience and her family come alive on the pages. I felt every single emotion with them' Alice Peterson, author of Monday to Friday Man. 'An extraordinary novel about love and hope and family and what happens in the space between the words. I adored it' Kirsten Hesketh, author of Another Us. 'An eye-opening, sincere and beautiful debut. A really special novel that I suspect will have a tangible effect on readers' NB Magazine. 'Absorbing, poignant story of a family's emotional rollercoaster in the aftermath of participating in a risky medical trial' LoveReading 'Beautiful... Heart-wrenching. A wonderful gem of a book.' Eve Ainsworth, author of Duckling 'Warm and real and heart-breaking all at the same time. I loved it.' Clare Swatman Praise for The Women Who Wouldn't Leave: 'A lovely book about two feisty and at times funny women, who stole my heart and had me rooting for them from the very beginning. A heartwarming, uplifting read that would be perfect for book clubs or just curling up with in the garden on a sunny afternoon. Utterly, utterly fabulous!!!' Faith Hogan 'An uplifting novel about the power of community and the human spirit, filled with warm, believable characters' Clare Swatman

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of In an Instant comes the moving story of a family grappling with grief and a woman with the power to help them through it—or stand in their way. After a tragic accident claims the life of one of her children, Marie Egide is desperate to carve out a fresh start for her family. With her husband and their three surviving children, Marie travels to New Hampshire, where she plans to sell a family estate and then, just maybe, they’ll be able to heal from their grief. Marie’s plans are thwarted when she realizes a war veteran known by locals as “the river witch” is living in a cabin on the property, which she claims was a gift from Marie’s grandfather. If Davina refuses to move on, Marie won’t be able to either. The two women clash, and battle lines are drawn within Marie’s family and the town as each side fights for what they believe is right, the tension rising until it reaches its breaking point. And the choice is no longer theirs when a force bigger than them all—fate—takes control.Trade Review“A poignant tale of blame, forgiveness, and the slender threads that weave into the tapestry of life. Redfearn takes her readers from heartbreak to hope, all the way making us see our ties to what’s been lost, and that even the most unlikely people can set us free.” —Gian Sardar, author of When the World Goes Quiet “A captivating and thoughtful novel about resilience and grace in the face of tragedy. Nestled among memorable characters who will stay with you long after the last page, Suzanne Redfearn explores the lengths we will go to and the secrets we will keep to protect those we love.” —Mansi Shah, author of The Direction of the Wind “Where Butterflies Wander is a heart-wrenching story about a grieving family and the different ways people cope with grief. Suzanne Redfearn is a master at placing her characters in challenging circumstances where they are forced to make impossible decisions. I stayed up much too late furiously turning pages to find out what would happen. I was so invested in all the characters that I didn’t know whom to root for, wanting everyone to get what they wanted. Davina and the Egide family will stay with me for a long time to come.” —Diane Barnes, author of All We Could Still Have and More Than

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Book SynopsisWhat if one half of a pair of twins no longer wants to live? What if the other can’t live without them? This question lies at the heart of Jente Posthuma’s deceptively simple What I’d Rather Not Think About. The narrator is a twin whose brother has recently taken his own life. She looks back on their childhood, and tells of their adult lives: how her brother tried to find happiness, but lost himself in various men and the Bhagwan movement, though never completely. In brief, precise vignettes, full of gentle melancholy and surprising humour, Posthuma tells the story of a depressive brother, viewed from the perspective of the sister who both loves and resents her twin, struggles to understand him, and misses him terribly.Trade Review‘A unique story of a twin brother and sister, wryly funny and heartbreakingly sad. Her characters desperately try to make sense of our ever more complex world. This is a rare book. And Jente Posthuma is a treasure and a hell of a writer.’ -- Herman Koch, international bestselling author of The Dinner‘The strength here is truly in the minimalist prose — razor-sharp sentences that often slot together perfectly in a seemingly nonchalant way. The result is a powerful story about death, life, and survival.’ * Nederlands Dagblad *‘It is impossible to name everything that is beautiful about this novel. Posthuma needs few words to evoke a feeling or an atmosphere. She writes striking sentences that conjure up poignant images … this book deserves a large readership.’ * Literary Netherlands *‘What makes What I'd Rather Not Think About rise above the average mourning novel is its utter authenticity. Posthuma associates, philosophises, links memories to everyday actions, draws on films and television series and tries to interpret in a laconic, light-footed, and pointed way. “Less is more” with Jente Posthuma. And again, she seems to be saying: nothing is “whole” here, in the subhuman. Everything rumbles, frays, and creaks.’ * De Telegraaf *‘From the opening pages of this novel I had no idea where it was going, but I trusted Posthuma completely. Tender, offbeat, and deftly drawn — I loved it.’ -- Allee Richards, author of The Small Joys of Real Life‘In some ways it is tricky to recommend this book widely because of its difficult subject matter: it revolves around the grief of a twin who is trying to work out how to move forward in her own life after her brother, a long-term sufferer of depression, takes his own. To paraphrase the title, familial suicide and depression are certainly two of the key things many people would rather not think (or indeed read) about, but I want to tell you that this book is gorgeous. It is expertly crafted, moving, and at times startlingly funny, as the narrator tries to navigate the enormity of her loss … This short book contains a beautiful and compelling portrait of the grieving mind, as both storyteller and reader wander through the terrains of disbelief, regret, loneliness, and unending love.’ -- Alison Huber * Readings *‘Despite its melancholic theme, What I’d Rather Not Think About is infused with a similarly subtle, almost self-effacing humour that in this case expresses the narrator’s bewildered, tremulous path through life … This slim novel is packed with allusions to popular and high culture, history, science and current affairs, yet manages to feel simultaneously rich and uncluttered.’ -- Linda Jaivin * The Saturday Paper *‘[An] exquisitely vulnerable novel.’ -- Cameron Woodhead * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘[A] beautifully observed narration.’ -- Marcus Hobson * NZ Booklovers *‘Dutch novelist Posthuma returns with a sharp meditation on grief … The patchworked story of the twins’ bond and the brother’s fruitless search for meaning is woven with reflections … inventive and worthy.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘What I’d Rather Not Think About is a forthright novel in which mental health, sexual orientation, and suicide are subjects of frank, empathetic consideration.’ * Foreword Reviews *‘A beautiful and strangely life-affirming evocation of grief.’ * The New European *‘Tough to read but wonderfully rewarding.’ -- Willow Heath‘Through a delicately woven tale of memory, shared selfhood, and grief, the author takes us into the mind that struggles to understand a world shattered by loss, when one sibling dies and another is left to reconstitute the fragments. Poetic and surprising, Posthuma shows how even in the most intimate of connections, in another person lies the great unknown … Posthuma develops an affecting novel about grief by embracing its full complexity’ -- Daljinder Johal * Asymptote Journal *

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Book SynopsisPRESENT. PAST. SPELLBOUND. Sybil and Blake Gregory live a well-ordered, predictable Manhattan life — she as a cutting-edge design authority and museum consultant, he in high-tech investments — raising their teenagers Andrew and Caroline and six-year-old Charlie. But when Blake is offered a dream job as CEO of a start-up in San Francisco, he accepts it, without consulting his wife, and buys a magnificent, historic mansion as their new home in Pacific Heights.Past and present collide at their elegant mansion, when they meet the large and lively family who lived there a century ago. All long dead but very much alive in spirit—visible to the Gregorys and no one else. Within these enchanted rooms, it is at once 1917 and a century later. Have the Gregorys been given a perfect gift; beloved friends, a chance to relive the past and the wisdom and grace to shape the future?

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Book SynopsisFor better. For worse. Forget him. Over You is a compelling story of friendship pushed to its limits by bestselling author Lucy Diamond. What the fans say: 'Full of friendship, family and how when life throws something at you, you have to fight back!' Emily Josie, Nell and Lisa go back a long way - they were flatmates, soulmates and best mates back in their twenties when life was one long party.Five years later, things are different. Josie is married with kids in deepest suburbia, free-spirit Nell has travelled the world, and Lisa is on the path to career glory (and the salary Premiership). A reunion weekend in London seems a great idea to Josie . . . until she discovers something which will change the course of her life forever.Praise for Lucy Diamond:'A hugely satisfying read' Heat'An absolute treat' Katie Fforde, bestselling author of A Summer at Sea'Warm, witty and wise' Daily MailTrade ReviewSassy, sexy and very funny, this is a great novel about following your fantasies - and then facing up to the consequences * Kate Harrison *

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Book SynopsisSweet Temptation is an incredibly funny and sharply observant novel, from bestselling author Lucy Diamond.Maddie's getting it from all sides. Her bitchy new boss at the radio station humiliates her live on air about her figure, her glamour-puss mum keeps dropping not-so-subtle hints that Maddie should lose weight and her kids are embarrassed to be seen with her after the disastrous Mums' race at their school sports day. Something's got to change . . .Maddie joins the local weight-watching group expecting more humiliation but instead finds two unlikely allies –bitter divorcee Lauren who, despite running a dating agency, has signed off romance for ever and shy Jess, the beautician, who's desperate to fit into a size ten wedding dress for her Big Day.

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Book Synopsis'Sparkling... funny, it is also cutting, a nearly forensic study of family conflict... both compulsively readable and thought-provoking.' New York TimesThe Oppenheimer triplets have been reared with every advantage: wealth, education, and the determined attention of at least one of their parents. But they have been desperate to escape each other ever since they were born.Now, on the verge of their departure for college and so close to their long-coveted freedom, the triplets are forced to contend with an unexpected complication: a fourth Oppenheimer sibling has just been born. What has possessed their parents to make such an unfathomable decision? The triplets can't begin to imagine the the power this little latecomer is about to exert - nor just how destructive she'll be to their plans . . .'Korelitz draws us in again, this time with her ease, grace and wit, in a satisfying novel that spans generations, lives, and fates.' Meg WTrade Review'Remarkable.' - Stephen King, on The Plot'It keeps you guessing and wondering, and also keeps you thinking. ' - TheNew York Times Book Review, on The Plot

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Book SynopsisA funny, honest and often moving look at the role of a weekend wife, with all the obstacles and secrets that come with it...Trade ReviewWitty, sharp and absorbing with a dark edge that we loved. * Heat *Praise for Christina Hopkinson's novels * : *Utter genius -- Lisa JewellFantastically well-written, searingly truthful...very moving * Daily Mail *You will race through thus indulgent treat * Sunday Mirror *Ignore the chores and read this * Grazia *

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Book SynopsisSamantha Harvey is the author of the novels Orbital, The Wilderness, All is Song, Dear Thief and The Western Wind and a work of non-fiction, The Shapeless Unease: A Year of Not Sleeping. Orbital was the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, and her other work has been shortlisted for the James Tait Black Award, the Women's Prize, the Guardian First Book Award and the Walter Scott Prize. The Wilderness was awarded the Betty Trask Prize. She is a tutor on the MA course in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.Trade ReviewBrave and intelligent...a mesmerising work * Independent *A stunning composition of human fragility and intensity * Guardian *An extraordinary dramatisation of a mind in the process of disintegration ... Brilliant - read it now, before it scoops up all the prizes * The Times *Touches a resounding chord of melancholy. The author, whose debut this is, is very talented * Evening Standard *This is a finely written ode to memory, identity and love * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisIf you love Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton, you''ll be enchanted by Sabrina Jeffries'' Sinful Suitors!''Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!'' Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorThe Art of Sinning is the first novel in the Sinful Suitors series by New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries. Sabrina''s witty, sexy historicals will be loved by fans of Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.At St. George''s Club, guardians conspire to keep their unattached sisters and wards out of the clutches of sinful suitors. Which works fine...except when the sinful suitors are members...American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father''s business. He''d much rather sample bevvies of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he''s driven to paint

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Book Synopsis''An emotional rollercoaster of a read... profoundly touching and moving''- Daily Express.Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Jodi Picoult. Abi has been given the second chance she never expected: she''s in remission. Now she''s trying to get her life - and her family - back on track after facing the worst. But it''s hard to trust in happiness again, and reconnecting with her husband John proves more challenging than she thought. Can you really go back to ''normal'' after thinking you''re going to lose one another? With Abi''s son Seb struggling with a secret of his own, the three of them are in danger of falling apart just when they need each other most. But how do you pick up the pieces of a family still suffering emotional shockwaves? And can Abi bring the people she loves most in the world back together again... before it''s too late? *****What readers are saying about This Beautiful Life**Trade ReviewBursting with warmth, honesty, poignancy, love and such wonderful depth, this book more than cements Marsh's bestseller status. 5*****' * Heat *A beautiful, warm and moving story... I hugged my family tightly when I finished it -- Amanda Jennings'This story of love, courage and survival will tug at your heartstrings' * The Mirror *Wonderfully joyous and funny... without a moment's hesitation, one of my books of the year -- Being AnneA beautiful, soaring story about love, survival, forgiveness and understanding... highly, highly recommended! -- On My BookshelfI loved every word of This Beautiful Life... Katie Marsh has that deftness of touch that enables her to make her readers smile as well as cry. It resonates through my days and dreams even now. A wonderful, wonderful book. Read it. -- Linda's Book BagAn insightful and heartfelt read that will stay on my mind for a long time to come. This author has really touched my heart and I can not wait to delve into another of her novels, even if it is to have my heart broken all over again! -- Rea's Book ReviewVery moving and real -- Kate Eberlen, bestselling author of Miss You'This heartfelt read will make you think about life' * Prima *Brilliantly written, this book is both raw and beautiful * Fabulous (Sun on Sunday) *The author deals with the realities of life after cancer in a truly poignant way -- SunKatie's extraordinary writing is full of warmth and honesty; she examines the power of love in great depth...an absolutely superb read. Highly recommended; an utter delight! -- Random Things Through My LetterboxA honest, emotional and quietly powerful book which will stay with me for a long time -- Cosy Books

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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 SynopsisLOUSIA MAY ALCOTT was born in Pennsylvania, in 1832, the second of four daughters. After a period of serving as an army nurse, she published HOSPITAL SKETCHES in 1863, followed by Gothic Romances and lurid thrillers. In 1868-9 she published LITTLE WOMEN, which proved so popular that it was followed by two sequels and several other novels. She died in 1888.Trade Review"The American female myth."—Madelon Bedell

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Book SynopsisBeautifully written and compelling, About Grace is the brilliant debut novel from Anthony Doerr.Growing up in Alaska, young David Winkler is crippled by his dreams. At nine, he dreams a man is decapitated by a passing truck on the path outside his family's home. The next day, unable to prevent it, he witnesses an exact replay of his dream in real life. The premonitions keep coming, unstoppably. He sleepwalks during them, bringing catastrophe into his reach.Then, as unstoppable as a vision, he falls in love, at the supermarket (exactly as he already dreamed) with Sandy. They flee south, landing in Ohio, where their daughter Grace is born. And then the visions of Grace's death begin for Winkler, as their waterside home is inundated. Plagued by the same horrific images of Grace drowning, when the floods come, he cannot face his destiny and flees.He beaches on a remote Caribbean island, where he works as a handyman, chipping away at his doubts and hopes, never knowing whether Grace survived the flood or met the doom he foretold. After two decades, he musters the strength to find outTrade Review‘'I loved this wonderful book – its strangeness, its obsessiveness, its beautiful sentences.' Monica Ali ’Doerr's sublime renditions of Winkler's attunement to the world around him turn his story into a prolonged epiphany, a blissful parable about grace. This is a formidable literary achievement that, link Winkler's snow crystals, integrates facets and dimensions into near-perfect whole.' Independent ‘Doerr's gifts as a stylist are powerfully in evidence: his writing is crystalline, his attention to detail intense and evocative. That Doerr is a writer of exceptional gifts is not in question,and there is much to admire in this novel.' Daily Telegraph 'Doerr writes wonderfully, lyrically, of the natural world, and his observations of water, snowflakes and clouds illuminate this impressive debut.' Guardian ‘Exceptional first novel. I hesitate to say this book will take your breath away because it's such a cliché; but, really, I promise you, it will… I can't remember when a novel so entranced me. The only criticism I can really muster – and it is rather a limp one – is that About Grace is almost inhumanely faultless; almost, but, even then, not quite.' Evening Standard ’In careful, measured prose conjures a sense of awe both humbling and salutary. It has the bleak, lucid beauty of a day of midwinter light. At its best when describing the minute, disregarded miracles of the natural world, it lingers in the mind like one of the protagonist's eerie dreams.' Daily Mail ‘About Grace is an intriguing exploration of fate and chance’ The Times

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Book SynopsisBream Gives Me Hiccups: And Other Stories is the whip-smart fiction debut of Academy Award-nominated actor and star of The Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg. Known for his iconic film roles but also for his regular pieces in the New Yorker and his two critically acclaimed plays, Eisenberg is an emerging voice in fiction.Taking its title from a group of stories that begin the book, Bream Gives Me Hiccups moves from contemporary L.A. to the dormrooms of an American college to ancient Pompeii, throwing the reader into a universe of social misfits, reimagined scenes from history, and ridiculous overreactions.United by Eisenberg's gift for humour and character, and grouped into chapters that each open with an illustration by award-winning cartoonist Jean Jullien, the witty pieces collected in Bream Gives Me Hiccups explore what it means to navigate the modern world, and mark the arrival of a fantastically funny, self-ironic, witty and original voice.Trade ReviewThis book is so good, I read it in one gulp. Densely clustered brilliance from a consistent over-achiever, it's funny, precise and tender. * Richard Ayoade *These short stories are all wonderfully original... funny and heartbreaking - sometimes in the same sentence... Terrific. * The Times *This collection is sharp, funny and also nerdy... Measured, cute and winning. Eisenberg navigates the insanities of modern life with self-deprecation and perfectly pitched irony. * Daily Mail *A sharp, witty collection of short stories about people who are disconnected from society... An acerbic 21st-century sketch show. * Financial Times *Satirical, compassionate - and full of shrinks. * Guardian *Witty... undeniably smart and fun. * Heat *His debut collection of stories blends playfulness with whimsy. * Observer *Eisenberg's humour is knowing, sardonic, wisecracking. * The Daily Telegraph *A witty writer. * Grazia *He sure can act, and boy, can he write... Well observed, friskily written and a hoot. * Tatler *Eisenberg continues to deliver both considered humour and intelligent, conversational prose... a charming and clever collection. * Independent *The latest literary star in the making is The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg. * New York Observer *Tell your "Social Network!" The actor is writing a book. Move over, James Franco - Jesse Eisenberg is the newest young thespian to enter the writing ring. * USA Today *Eisenberg is truly a talented writer. Hilarious and poignant. * Entertainment Weekly *It is when he writes more and jokes less that Eisenberg's prose really sings, leading you to hope he takes the plunge and writes a proper novel soon. But his thoroughly enjoyable debut will more than do for now. * Esquire *Brilliantly witty, deeply intelligent, and just plain hilarious... -- Sherman AlexieA remarkable book by an immensely talented writer. -- Andy BorowitzJesse Eisenberg writes with formidable intellect and verbal dexterity... You'll want to give his debut collection 2000 out of 2000 stars. -- Teddy WayneI've been a fan of Jesse Eisenberg's plays for years and his prose is just as winning... Hilarious, poignant and at times so self-deprecating it makes me want to give Jesse a hug. He's taken decades of neurosis and spun it into comedy gold. -- Simon RichJesse Eisenberg is a deeply original comic voice. These stories are about the funniness, sadness, and strangeness of everyday life and they really made me laugh. * Roz Chast *Jesse Eisenberg's hysterical and exciting stories... Capture the ridiculous, inappropriate and tender relationships between single mothers and their children with an honesty that will bring tears of laughter to your eyes. * Heather O'Neill *Eisenberg has a great command of language... Skilfully plotted and both funny and moving. * Jewish Chronicle *Eisenberg writes with lancing wit about social misfits who are, perhaps, less insane than the worlds around them. * Sydney Morning Herald *Enter Mr. Eisenberg, whose same jittery on-screen energy seeps into the pages of this book. * The Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisFrom the double Man Booker prize-winning author of Wolf Hall' and Bring Up the Bodies', this is an epic yet subtle family saga about broken trusts and buried secrets.Ralph and Anna Eldred live in the big Red House in Norfolk, raising their four children and devoting their lives to charity. The constant flood of good souls and sad cases', children plucked from the squalor of the East London streets for a breath of fresh countryside air, hides the growing crises in their own family, the disillusionment of their children, the fissures in their marriage.Memories of their time as missionaries in South Africa and Botswana, of the terrible African tragedies that have shaped the rest of their lives, refuse to be put to rest and threaten to destroy the fragile peace they have built for themselves and their children.This is a breathtakingly intelligent novel that asks the most difficult questions. Is there anything one can never forgive? Is tragedy ever deserved? Can you ever escape your own pasTrade Review‘A beautifully crafted novel’ Guardian ‘There are very few novels that not only bristle with ideas but leave you asking questions about those ideas, again and again, your world turned upside down. Mantel has managed to do this.’ Sunday Times ‘The best book she’s written … She writes about punishing subjects so freshly it is as if they had never been written about before.’ Observer ‘It has the tension of a first-rate thriller and the breadth of a family saga … Its compassion and its intellectual energy mark her as the novelist of her generation who will achieve a lasting greatness.’ Literary Review ‘A complex and highly intelligent portrayal of injustice, bereavement and the loss of faith … Hilary Mantel has created that rare thing, a page-turner with a profound moral dimension.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A work of exquisite craftsmanship that asks enormous questions.’ Independent

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Book SynopsisSequel to the outstanding historical novel Earthly Joys, and written by the bestselling Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover.John Tradescant the Younger has inherited his father's unique collection of plants along with his unerring ability to nurture them. But as gardener to Charles I, he confronts an unbearable dilemma when England descends into Civil War. Fleeing from the chaos, John travels to the Royalist colony of Virginia in America. But the virgin land is not uninhabited. John's plant hunting brings him to live with the native people, and he learns to love and respect their way of life just as it is threatened by the colonial settlers.In the new world and the old, the established order is breaking down and every family has to find its own way of surviving. For the Tradescants, through the upheavals of the Commonwealth and the Restoration, this means consolidating their reputations as the greatest gardeners in the country.Trade ReviewPraise for Philppa Gregory: ‘Subtle and exciting.’ Daily Express ‘Written from instinct, not out of calculation, and it shows.’Peter Ackroyd, The Times ‘For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating.’ Sunday Times ‘One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors.’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisThe Penguin English Library Edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen''No sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes ...''When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.

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Book Synopsis''Honest and beautifully written'' Woman & HomeThe heartwarming classic about love and family from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Love, Iris will make you both laugh and cry._________How would you say goodbye to those you love most in the world?it''s time for Barbara to say a final farewell to her four daughters. But how can she find the words? And how can she leave them when they each have so much growing up to do? There''s commitment-phobic Lisa. Brittle, unhappily married Jennifer. Free-spirited traveller Amanda. And teenage Hannah, stumbling her way towards adulthood.Barbara''s answer is to write each daughter a letter, finally expressing the hopes, fears, dreams and secrets she couldn''t always say. These words will touch the girls in different - sometimes shocking - ways, unlocking emotions and passions to set them on their own journey of discovery throughTrade ReviewEnchantingly clever. I cried, I laughed, I couldn't put it down -- Penny VincenziHer stories strike a genuine chord . . . an irresistible comfort read * Glamour *Honest and beautifully written * Woman & Home *It would be a hard heart indeed that remained unmoved . . . the tender feelings Noble engenders in her readers are to be cherished * Daily Express *Incredibly thought-provoking and poignant * Sun *This powerful tale packs an emotional punch * Closer *An emotional rollercoaster * Now *A journey through emotionally-charged mother-daughter territory . . . it may just kickstart the practice of letter-writing again * Good Housekeeping *Praise for Elizabeth Noble * - *Noble is the mistress of the tearjerking message of love * Express *A wonderfully well-written book, full of emotion * Daily Mail *Deliciously readable * Times *Impossible to finish without tears streaming down your face * Daily Express *Honest and beautifully written * Woman & Home *Witty, affectionate and unashamedly tear-jerking * Red *Witty, pacy and immediately engaging * Glamour *So fluid, the pages turn themselves * Daily Mirror *Tissues are essential. You'll ricochet between delicately watering eyes at the romance of it all and howling sobs at the unbearable tendernes * Heat *

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Book Synopsis''Home looks nice. Allus does though, don''t it? Perfick''And so the Larkins - Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery - return from an outing for fish and chips and ice cream one May evening. There, amid the rustic charms of home, they discover a visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty''s inspector of taxes.Mr Charlton is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn''t paid his tax - but nothing''s that simple at the Larkins. Mariette takes a shine to ''Charley'' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon''s Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and hot, hot summer nights.In fact, soon Charley can''t see any reason to return to the office at all . . .Trade ReviewA pulsing comedy of country manners. A five-alarm blaze of a book. Just about perfick. * Time *A gently, anarchic wish-fulfilling daydream * The Times *A perfick piece of entertainment * New York Times *A wistful daydream about innocence and happiness * Spectator *Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy * Scotsman *As funny as Evelyn Waugh and as enchanting as Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. Don't miss it * Herald *They are absolute comfort books * The Lady *Pop is as sexy, genial, generous, and boozy as ever. Ma is a worthy match for him in all these qualities -- - * The Times *As funny as Evelyn Waugh and as enchanting as Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. Don't miss it -- - * Herald *Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy -- - * Scotsman *A perfick piece of entertainment -- - * New York Times *A wistful daydream about innocence and happiness -- - * Spectator *A pulsing comedy of country manners. A five-alarm blaze of a book. Just about perfick -- - * Time *A gently, anarchic wish-fulfilling daydream -- - * The Times *The Larkins live - these novels please us by escaping definition -- - * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTIONSHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZESUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERFrom the acclaimed author of Swing Time, White Teeth and Grand Union, discover a brilliantly funny and deeply moving story about love and familyWhy do we fall in love with the people we do? Why do we visit our mistakes on our children? What makes life truly beautiful?Set between New England and London, On Beauty concerns a pair of feuding families - the Belseys and the Kipps - and a clutch of doomed affairs. It puts low morals among high ideals and asks some searching questions about what life does to love. For the Belseys and the Kipps, the confusions - both personal and political - of our uncertain age are about to be brought close to home: right to the heart of family.''I didn''t want to finish, I was enjoying it so much'' Evening Standard''Thrums with intellectual sass and know-how'' Literary Review''Filled with humour, generosity and contemporary sparkle'' Daily Telegraph ''Satirical, wise and sexy'' Washington PostTrade ReviewThe tale of a mixed-race British American family in conflict with another family of opposing sensibilities. As with all Smith's work, it's smart, funny and a masterclass in the complexities of identity -- Luan Goldie * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisI absolutely loved this book . . . It was a lovely story of snow, romance and Christmas' Reader review ??????????A beautiful, tentative romance. Wonderful' Reader review ??????????An absolute gem of a novel and one that I will be reading again and again!' Reader review ??????????Sarah Morgan never fails to write the most magical and lovely stories that make you continue turning the pages long in to the night' Reader review??????????* * *Once upon a time Kayla loved Christmas Now she's more dedicated to her job than decking the halls, and can't wait for the most wonderful time of the year' to be over.Until she arrives at the enchanting Snow Crystal ski resort, determined to win gorgeous owner Jackson as a marketing client.But wooing Jackson professionally quickly turns personal as they spend flirty festive nights in this glittering winter wonderland.With snowflakes swirling and sleigh bells ringingcould Jackson be the one to make Kayla fall back under the Christmas spell?Tropes:?? Findi

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Book SynopsisThis summer the sun has gone to everyone's headsFlora and Jenna should be working busy shifts but something more fun has come up! Two new arrivals have blown into Glenmore and life at the hospital could get tricky. So it''s time to set some rules.Flora's summer is simple: Avoid kissing Conner MacNeil. (He may be gorgeous, back in town and single but he snogged everyone except you at school, remember?!)Jenna's summer Why I shouldn't fall in love with Dr Ryan McKinley' list is a little more complexI've been divorced less than a year?I'm ordinary and he is a sex god?I have my daughter to think of?He might break my heartIt's so difficult to be good with temptation on the doorstep. But rules are rules. Summer is sunshine. And, just maybe, a wish is a kiss that might just come true!Includes: The Rebel Doctor's Bride and Dare She Date the Dreamy Doc?Trade ReviewPraise for Sarah Morgan “Sarah Morgan puts the magic in Christmas” – Now “Full of romance and sparkle” – Lovereading

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Book SynopsisWarm and wonderfulbursting with characters you'll adore' Miranda DickinsonA complete novel, first published as a four-part series.Summer Freeman returns to the waterside village of Willowbeck to rescue the Canal Boat Café, her late mother's picturesque narrowboat, which has run into choppy waters. A family friend, Valerie, has been trying to keep things afloat, but the coffee machine is jammed, the cake offerings are paltry, and not all of the locals want to see the café succeed.Help comes from the boat next door, in the shape of handsome wildlife photographer, Mason and his naughty Border Terrier, who are showing more than a passing interest in Summer and her adorable Bichon Frise, Latte. But is Mason being honest about himself? Or does he have something to hide?As her life and the community of Willowbeck begin to entwine, Summer finds herself setting sail on a new adventure. Will the anchor of a steady life on land be too strong, or can Summer learn to cut loose and embrace life afloTrade ReviewPraise for Cressida McLaughlin: 'A lovely, warm gem of a series that stays with you…I loved it’ Alexandra Brown ‘Like a lovely warm hug in a book.’ Kirsty Greenwood ‘Warm and wonderful…bursting with characters you’ll adore’ Miranda Dickinson ‘This is, without a doubt, my book of the year’BRMAYCOCK’S BOOK BLOG

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Book Synopsis*If you love The Butlers, meet QUEENIE! Kimberley Chambers' new No.1 bestseller and prequel to The Butler series is out now!*Three ButlersTwo weddingsOne funeralTwo weddings. One funeral.It's the 1980s and although the East End's heyday is over, one family still rules the manor.Michael and Vinny Butler have always provided for their own and made sure business stopped at the front door. But the old ways are changing women and children are fair game and nothing can protect them.Though blood is thicker than water, it's now brother vs brother. The question is, who will come out on top?And there's a new generation determined to make their mark. Little Vinny has just married the sweet Sammi-Lou and is battling not to follow in his father's footsteps. But it's only a matter of time before his dark secret comes out and destroys them all.Is this the final nail in this East End family's coffin?Trade Review"This beautifully crafted, sharp, well-paced novel will keep you hooked until the very end. An outstanding tale of betrayal, violence and love. Buy it. Read it. You'll love it. I did." Amanda Prowse ‘[Kimberley Chambers is] the queen of the gritty, low-life tale . . .a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute ride that takes you on all sorts of twists and turns’ Bella ‘Easily as good as Martina Cole’ News of the World ‘Brilliantly delivers a story of violence, treachery and family ties… Easy to read and hard to put down’ News of the World ‘[a] fast-paced tale with gritty authenticity’ The Guardian

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