Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisTHE RACHEL INCIDENT - Caroline O''Donoghue''s bestselling new novel* - is out nowCharlie''s life isn''t going forward - so she''s decided to go back After a tough few years floundering around the British film industry and experimenting with amateur pornography, Charlie and her best friend Laura take a trip to her familial home on an island off the west coast of Ireland. Her father''s health is rapidly declining and this could be the last chance to connect with her roots. But events on the island cause Charlie to doubt her father''s childhood stories - and then there''s her complicated relationship with Laura. Pursuing the truth will shatter everything she thought knew - but is that what it takes to grow up?''A gorgeous exploration of the messy and fragile nature of friendship and all the many forms of love'' IRISH TIMES''A darkly humorous, keenly observed blend of millennial drift and murder mystery Trade ReviewScenes of a Graphic Nature has all the components of a perfect page-turner: beautiful prose, truthful characters, hilarious dialogue and an addictive plot. I loved it -- Dolly AldertonA dark yet joyous novel about family and friendship * Grazia *Wonderful!!! Scenes of a Graphic Nature had me GRIPPED. About friendship and failure, Ireland and England, love and guilt, cover-ups and brutal honesty. It's really, really, really, REALLY good -- Marian KeyesThe brilliant O'Donoghue's second novel is a moving and extremely funny look at family, roots and the myth of Irishness * i paper *It might be the best novel of 2020 * You Magazine, Irish Mail on Sunday *So dark and funny, bleak yet full of heart, touching on friendship and love and belonging ... you're in for a treat -- Ayisha MalikWitty, tender and insightful . . . O'Donoghue is a perceptive, clever writer * Guardian *A gorgeous exploration of the messy and fragile nature of friendship and all the many forms of love, as well as of the primal need we all have to belong * Irish Times *A darkly humorous, keenly observed blend of millennial drift and murder mystery from a razor-sharp writer -- Sara Manning * Red *Absolutely loved it. It's an absorbing blend of quarter-life crisis mixed with a bit of mystery * Irish Tatler *Scenes Of A Graphic Nature is a truly extraordinary novel - I inhaled it. It's thrillingly dark, but so moving and human - it's one of the most intelligent, well observed depictions of lust, loss, envy, betrayal, friendship and love that I've ever read. Charlie is so real, courageous, vulnerable, infuriating and adorable. The book itself mirrors Charlie's experience of Ireland - sometimes it's warm and joyous, sometimes it's hostile and terrifying, but even when you know you're in danger, you want to stay for longer and fall even deeper into the pages -- Daisy BuchananWith Scenes Of A Graphic Nature, Caroline O'Donoghue establishes herself as one of the most exciting young Irish writers on the literary scene. Her acerbic wit is matched by her sharp-eyed observations, resulting in a piece of fiction that is dark, gripping, and beautifully written -- Louise O'NeillI absolutely loved it. I felt so connected to the family. It took me on such a journey and I learnt so much; It made me really think about identity, who we are, and why we do what we do. Such a beautiful book, I can't stop thinking about it -- Emma GannonI was so hooked on this beautiful, funny story of homecoming and self-discovery I didn't want to put it down. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the sense of place is so compelling - it is a mystery, a fireside yarn. There is a little Maeve Binchy in there, a little Keyes, but Caroline has her own voice, and the edge to Charlie and Laura - their difficult, funny and recognisable relationship - is all her own -- Keith Stuart, author of The Boy Made of BlocksIn the inventive O'Donoghue's follow-up to Promising Young Women, she turns her tart tongue on friendship, exile and what it feels like to return to a place that no longer feels like home * i paper *Put this book somewhere safe, because it is set to be one of those you spend your life reading over and over - discovering new moments and new lessons each time. I've been a huge fan of Caroline O'Donoghue's writing for a long time and I think Scenes of a Graphic Nature - blisteringly funny and clever - is her best work yet. Raw, heartfelt and incredibly compelling, I can't recommend this enough -- Lucy Vine, bestselling author of Hot MessThe dark humour will have you guffawing into the pages * Cosmopolitan *Highly enjoyable: full of momentum and heart. O'Donoghue is a formidable talent * Sunday Business Post *[An] edgy and astute second novel . . . Caroline O'Donoghue is a master of the Technicolor character, fleshing out even the minor ones with brightness and wit . . . As ever, O'Donoghue is impressive on the complexities of being a young woman and delivers this insight with lively dialogue and a droll acuity that occasionally calls to mind the likes of Nora Ephron . . . O'Donoghue possesses an edginess and a wry sensibility that, despite the book's dark subject matter, ultimately translates into something zesty and companionable. Her easy curiosity about love, lust, loss and losing one's way will doubtless leave readers wanting more * Independent *At the heart of Caroline O'Donoghue's addictive second novel lies a simple and compelling question: can you ever outrun your past? . . . acute, clever and very funny -- Sarah Hughes * i paper *Examines self-mythology and long-repressed secrets * Stylist *A witty story of second-generation immigrants trying to belong, Scenes of a Graphic Nature grapples with love, friendship and identity -- Amber Connolly * Heat *Scenes of a Graphic Nature could have been a simpler novel. But, in its refusal to follow the expected trajectory of a prodigal return, it offers us intricate, layered humanity. Charlie Regan, in all her messy glory, is a protagonist we are willing to follow, from England to Ireland, from the past to present, and everything in between this world and the next * Lunate *Everything in Caroline O'Donoghue's new novel is messy - but in the best way. She covers important themes like family, friendship, nationality, history and health, weaving her narrator Charlie's sense of dislocation into a broader exploration of cultural identity . . . an intriguing read, raising questions about what stories should be told, when, and by whom -- Jemma Crew * Scotsman *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe fifth book in the multi-million copy bestselling No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency seriesThe one where J. L. B. Matekoni takes a great leap . . . Once again, Mma Ramotswe is asked to look into the love lives of fellow Botswanans: a rich woman has a number of suitors and wants her to investigate their motives. But to tell the truth, it is her own love life about which Precious wants answers. She has been engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni for so long that she is starting to wonder if they will ever marry. His mind, though, is elsewhere - Mma Potokwani has persuaded him to perform a parachute jump for charity, and he is not happy about it at all . . .''Hugely enjoyable'' Sunday Times''Extremely funny'' Mail on Sunday''I haven''t read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time'' Sunday Telegraph''McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller'' Scotland on SundayTrade ReviewForget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Marple created by a Scottish law lecturer * Stephen McGinty, Sunday Times *McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom . . . hugely enjoyable * Sunday Times *This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph *Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * Scotland on Sunday *McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition . . . Charming, quirky and timeless * Scotland on Sunday *Refreshing, funny and life-affirming * Geographical *Addictive... our reviewer was so entertained, she bought the rest of the series! * Marie Claire *Utterly enchanting * Chicago Sun Times *Beguiling... The author's deceptively simple prose... is as supple as ever. His gift for effortless description of dusty, sun-baked Africa is undiminished * Seattle Times *Smith's big-hearted Botswana series... allows his readers to escape into a world of simple, picturesque pleasures and upstanding virtues * New York Times Book Review *Brims with the same old-fashioned charm as its lovely predecessors... An engaging read * Entertainment Weekly *A treasure of wit and wisdom * Dallas Morning News *Delightful... The warm humanity is what brings readers back... There is a simplicity and lyricism in the language that brings out the profound importance of everyday revelations * San Francisco Chronicle *Enthralling... Mma Ramotswe is someone readers can't help but love * USA Today *The greatest mystery in this witty and charming book is whether Mma Ramotswe will succeed in getting her fiance to name a date for their long-anticipated wedding. It's hard to conceive of any reader not being just as eager to find out as she is * Wall Street Journal *Soothing... New readers can start here and enjoy a plot even more inventive than the earlier ones * People *Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Marple created by a Scottish law lecturer * Stephen McGinty, Sunday Times *McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom . . . hugely enjoyable * Sunday Times *This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph *Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * Scotland on Sunday *McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition . . . Charming, quirky and timeless * Scotland on Sunday *McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom ... hugely enjoyable. * SUNDAY TIMES *This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition...Charming, quirky and timeless * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA modern A TALE OF TWO CITIES by the bestselling author of SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN.''Brilliantly and sympathetically drawn...this wonderfully written, clever book does not miss a single trick'' DAILY MAIL''Funny, touching and ultimately surprising'' SCOTSMAN ''A brilliant, page-turning read'' GRANTAHector Chetwode-Talbot, Eck to his friends, has left the army and is slightly at a loss as to what to do next, when he is approached by an old army pal, Bilbo Mountwilliam. Bilbo runs an investment fund company and business is booming. Bilbo persuades Eck to join the company as a ''greeter'' for moneyed clients. All Eck has to do is supply the contacts with entertainment and large G&Ts and then the fund managers will do the rest.Soon Eck is able to buy himself a luxury sports car and decadent flat. It is on a golfing trip to France that Eck first meets Charlie Summers, a fly-by-night entrepreneur whose latest scheme iTrade ReviewOne of the most outstanding authors to have emerged in recent years * DAILY EXPRESS *Brilliantly and sympathetically drawn...this wonderfully written, clever book does not miss a single trick * DAILY MAIL *Funny, touching and ultimately surprising * SCOTSMAN *Charlie is a wonderful creation, at once sad and heroic, whose search for redemption attains real pathos at the end of this affecting, skilfully crafted novel * FINANCIAL TIMES *Torday is master of blending satire with gentle humanity * PSYCHOLOGIES *Shades of both Greene and Ambler here, both in the crispness of the exposition and the marrying of humour with something close to tragedy * SPECTATOR *A beautifully told tale - we loved it! * BELLA *A brilliant, page-turning read that combines the pace of Torday's THE GIRL ON THE LANDING with his trademark humour in SALMON FISHING * GRANTA *A fine tale. Even the worst of us, according to this novel, can find redemption * DAILY EXPRESS *His quietly compassionate portrait of Charlie has powerful echoes off Dickens's Sydney Carton in A TALE OF TWO CITIES * METRO *The SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN author is now achieving 'must-read' status. You're in for an Eck of a good time * NEWS OF THE WORLD *

Read more less

Book SynopsisRival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain.   The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.   Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor&rs

Read more less

Book SynopsisNow a Hallmark Channel movie!You've seen Mark Darcy in his reindeer jumper, now meet Marco Cavelli in this season's Christmas knit!For single mum Maggie, Christmas has always been a family occasion her daughter Ellen filling the house with her bubbly warmth and mistletoe, her dad Paddy having one too many festive tipples, and the traditional family Christmas tree looking like a drunken elf vomited a rainbow all over it.But this year, with both Ellen and Paddy away for the holidays, Maggie's facing a truly blue Christmas alone with nothing but a bottle of Baileys and an M&S turkey dinner.Until walking the snowy streets of Oxford, Marco Cavelli quite literally crashes into her life and, complete with broken leg, becomes her unexpected houseguest. All dreamy brown eyes and 6'5 of gorgeousness, the man is hotter and more delicious than a freshly baked mince pie.Though Maggie always thought it's a truth universally acknowledged that you never kiss a man in a Christmas jumper?The next FABTrade ReviewPraise for ‘Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper’: ‘Oh my days, how I love books by Debbie Johnson…like mulled wine at Christmas time it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside’ – Lisa Talks About ‘A great romance for this time of year’ – Rachel’s Random Reads ‘Didn't disappoint in any way’ – Annie’s Book Corner ‘Cute Christmas story that had me grinning from ear to ear’ – A Blabbering Bookseller Praise for best-selling summer read, ‘Pippa’s Cornish Dream’: ‘A sheer delight’ – Sunday Express ‘Has all the best ingredients for a holiday read: the beautiful West Country, a family-run farm, and a mystery man with Poldark-style charms’ – Yours Magazine ‘A summer romance with an abundance of country charm, Pippa’s Cornish Dream by Debbie Johnson is a standout title for this season.’ – Book Chick City ‘A beautifully addictive read’ – Reviewed the Book ‘A fantastic read – romance, beautiful Cornish scenery, a gorgeous but troubled hero, teenage traumas, great characters, lots of humour and a real feel-good ending. Highly recommend this for your summer-reading shelf!’ – Portobello Book Blog ‘Truly addictive…the perfect 21st century love story’ – Jane Hunt Reviews

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans' P. D. James 'Murder most enjoyable' Colin Dexter The latest hair-raising adventure featuring the aristocratic brother and sister sleuthing duo! Praise for Simon Brett 'One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Crime writing just like in the good old days, and perfect entertainment' Guardian 'Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted' Sunday Times 'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone' Jilly Cooper

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner, IPPY Award for Best First Book - Fiction and Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for FictionRunner-up, Leacock Medal for HumourShortlisted, Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award and Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Literary FictionLong-Shortlisted, 2020 Relit Award (Novel Category)When Stacey Fortune is diagnosed with three highly unpredictable — and inoperable — brain tumours, she abandons the crumbling glamour of her life in Toronto for her mother Effie's scruffy trailer in rural Cape Breton. Back home, she's known as Crow, and everybody suspects that her family is cursed.With her future all but sealed, Crow decides to go down in a blaze of unforgettable glory by writing a memoir that will raise eyebrows and drop jaws. She'll dig up "the dirt" on her family tree, including the supposed curse, and uncover the truth about her mysterious father, who disappeared a month before she was born.But first, Crow must contend with an eclectic assortment of characters, including her gossipy Aunt Peggy, hedonistic party-pal Char, homebound best friend Allie, and high-school flame Willy. She'll also have to figure out how to live with her mother and how to muddle through the unsettling visual disturbances that are becoming more and more vivid each day.Witty, energetic, and crackling with sharp Cape Breton humour, Crow is a story of big twists, big personalities, big drama, and even bigger heart.Trade Review"Crow delighted me and amazed me the further I read, with its freshness, its daring, its refusal to conform (and the projectile vomiting)." * Pickle Me This *"Tender, raw, and compassionate, Crow tackles the life-changing events thrown at her and muscles them down to her control, leaving readers breathless in the face of her honesty and hard-earned truths." -- Donna Morrissey"Amy Spurway comes out swinging with this raw, unflinching, and emotionally urgent debut novel. Be forewarned, Crow is as empowering and comic as it is unsettling and disarming. I love it." -- Joel Thomas Hynes"I think Crow is great. It depicts a side of Cape Breton populated by characters that are flawed and achingly real. It's poignant and funny." -- Lesley Crewe"Engaging, relentlessly entertaining and written with enormous passion and great wit. Crow is a notable debut, and Amy Spurway is a writer worth watching." -- Ian Colford * The Fiddlehead *

Read more less

Trade Review“Great entertainment.” —Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Like Richard Russo’s Straight Man this book has a lot to say about the humanities in American colleges and universities…. Very funny and also moving.” —Tom Perrotta, New York PostA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR and Boston Globe Finally a novel that puts the pissed back into epistolary. Jason Fitger is a beleaguered professor of creative writing and literature at Payne University, a small and not very distinguished liberal arts college in the midwest. His department is facing draconian cuts and squalid quarters, while one floor above them the Economics Department is getting lavishly remodeled offices. His once-promising writing career is in the doldrums, as is his romantic life, in part as the result of his unwise use of his private affairs for his novels. His star (he thinks) student can't catch a break with his brilliant (he thinks) work Accountant in a Bordello, based on Melville

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen your nemesis also happens to be your fiancé, happily ever after becomes a lot more complicated in this wickedly funny, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy debut.Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. They never fight. They’re preparing for their lavish wedding that's three months away. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him.Naomi wants out, but there's a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.But with the countdown looming to the wedding that may or may not come to pass, Naomi finds her resolve slipping. Because now that they have nothing to lose, they're finally being themselves—and having fun with the last person they expect: each other.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMia Thermopolis knows just what to do in a crisis: Rule.During the Covid-19 pandemic, a section of the diary of Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia fell into the hands of Meg Cabot, the Princess’s royal biographer.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisColby's living her best life: as a popular food blogger, she gets to fulfill her dreams of exploring the globe. But her world comes crashing down when a tragic accident leaves her co-guardian of her best friend's two adorable children. Not only does she need to put down roots-fast-but she'll be sharing custody with the one man she can't stand sharing a continent with, let alone a house. Accountant-extraordinaire Rip values rules and plans. But when he loses his sister and his best friend and becomes an insta-guardian all in one night, Rip sees his organized life imploding. What he really doesn't need is his sister's irresponsible, flighty-albeit kind and gorgeous-best friend making it worse.Rip doesn't trust Colby to take their new responsibilities seriously, while Colby can't believe Rip thinks children will thrive under his rigid control. Yet soon Rip and Colby discover they need each other more than they hate each other. Could it be possible that following their hearts is just what their new little family needs?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Mavis Upton. As mummy to 7-year old Ella, surrogate to far too many pets and with a failed marriage under her belt, Mavis knows she needs to make some life-changing decisions. It''s time to strike out into the world, to stand on her own two feet to pursue a lifelong ambition to become a Police Officer. I mean, what could go wrong? Supported by her quirky, malapropism-suffering mum, Mavis throws herself headlong into a world of uncertainty, self-discovery, fearless escapades, laughter and extra-large knickers. And using her newly discovered investigative skills, she reluctantly embarks on a search to find her errant dad who was last seen years before, making off with her mum''s much needed coupon for a fabulous foam cup bra all the way from America. Follow Mavis as she tackles everything life can throw at her, and revel in Gina Kirkham''s humorous, poignant and moving story of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of The Metamorphosis and The Trial and one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century, his first—and funniest—novel.Amerika tells the story of the young Karl Rossmann who, after an incident involving a housemaid, is banished by his parents to America. Expected to redeem himself in this magical land of opportunity, young Karl is swept up instead in a whirlwind of dizzying reversals, strange escapades, and picaresque adventures.Kafka began writing what he had entitled Der Verschollene (The Missing Person) in 1912 and wrote the last completed chapter in 1914. But it wasn’t until 1927, three years after his death, that Max Brod, Kafka’s friend and literary executor, edited the unfinished manuscript and published it as Amerika.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties puts a modern twist on My Fair Lady in this funny, romantic confection in which a canny young woman makes over her awkward millionaire client . . . with some hot, sexy, and surprising results.Suffocating in a dead-end marriage, Midwesterner Zoey Sullivan fled to New York and moved in with her older sister Ruth, a carefree, vivacious beauty with a string of eligible bachelors at her beck and call. Giving herself three months in the city to clear her head and find a direction, Zoey dodges calls from her ex Derek, and distracts herself by cooking and catering a few private dinners and parties. Pursuing her passion for cooking was never an option when she was with Derek, and now Zoey relishes her independence.When Zoey’s meets reclusive millionaire Tristan Malloy, she’s blown away by his kitchen—a marble and stainless steel temple worthy of the culinary gods—and

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisGlorious!' CLARE POOLEYCompelling' SUNDAY EXPRESSBeautiful, uplifting and deeply moving' FREYA SAMPSONFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of Saving MissyA mother. A daughter. A secret waiting to be uncovered.The day that Delphine stands up for herself is the day that changes everythingFor too long, Delphine has been unable to let go of the past, obsessed with protecting her daughter, Em, and clinging to a secret that has cast a shadow over their lives.When a chance encounter offers a way out, Delphine seizes it with both hands. As their lives begins to fill with colour again, can she find the courage to change their lives forever?An uplifting story of second chances and the hope of human connection full of warmth and wit' The i paperA beautiful story of love in all its forms' Jessica RynGlorious and heartfelt full of hope, humour and kindness' Sarah HaywoodTrade Review‘Glorious! An uplifting celebration of mothers, daughters and female friendship – it left me feeling better about the world. I loved it, such a joy’ Clare Pooley, The Authenticity Project ‘A beautiful, uplifting and deeply moving story of found family and second chance’ Freya Sampson, The Last Library ‘An uplifting story of second chances and the hope of human connection … full of warmth and wit’ The i paper ‘Compelling … a touching and uplifting read – a tonic for troubled times’ Sunday Express ‘Emotional and heartwarming… If you loved Saving Missy, you will adore’ Belfast Telegraph ‘Uplifting and full of hope, this brilliantly written second novel from the author of Saving Missy will make your heart soar’ My Weekly ‘A glorious, heart-felt manifesto for the life-changing power of human connection … full of hope, humour and kindness’ Sarah Haywood, The Cactus ‘A brilliant story beautifully told – clever, funny, and pulls all the right emotional strings. This is just what we need right now!’ Matson Taylor, The Miseducation of Evie Epworth ‘This uplifting, thought-provoking story focuses on family ties, bravery and never losing sight of hopeful new beginnings and second chances’ Candis ‘An adorable novel about hope, second chances and the things that shape us … It’s full of wit, warmth and wisdom’ Katy Regan, Little Big Love ‘An absolute gem! Beautiful story of second chances, everyday people and love in all its forms’ Jessica Ryn, The Imperfect Art of Caring ‘A gorgeous, heartfelt story of love, grief and second chances filled with poignant warmth and irresistible characters’ Annie Lyons, Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You ‘A rollicking story with complex, nuanced characters and terrific dry wit’ Marianne Levy, Don’t Forget to Scream

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat if your work rival was the ex that you’d never actually broken up with? ‘Sizzling’ SOPHIE IRWIN‘Witty’ BETH REEKLES‘Excellent’ JANE CASEY‘Pitch-perfect’ EMMA HUGHESTrade ReviewPraise for Niamh Hargan: 'Could Niamh be Ireland's answer to Nora Ephron?' STELLAR ‘Snap-crackling with wit and energy, ridiculously enjoyable’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ’Fresh, funny and beautifully written. Niamh Hargan is going to be huge’ SOPHIE COUSENS ’A sweepingly romantic debut . . . it’s sexy, escapist and FUN – everything a romantic comedy should be!’ LAURA JANE WILLIAMS ‘Smart, funny and sizzling with chemistry – but with a big, tender heart’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN ’I adored this thoughtful, funny, intelligent and very hot romcom’ SARRA MANNING ‘A sparkling, witty debut from a talented new voice’ LAUREN HO ‘Funny, smart and very romantic . . . the perfect escape’ ALEX BROWN

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf you're not a ten on Sophie's spreadsheet, you're never getting her between the bedsheetsNo aspect of Sophie's life goes unrecorded in her Excel spreadsheets, so when she accidentally sends it to her entire contact list instead of just her best friend, Sophie has a lot of uncomfortable explaining to do.First on the list? Dr Michael Adams. After a disastrous first date, Michael scored a 3' on Sophie's love life' tab, but when she shows up to apologise for sharing his result with the world, he issues an unexpected challenge: ten dates to prove that love can't be calculated by an equation or contained by boxes on a spreadsheet.Sophie isn't someone who's used to thinking outside the digital box, but there's something about Michael that makes her want to take a chanceReaders can't get enough of Was It Good For You?:OBSESSED with this book It was SO heartwarming and adorable, but also spicy a perfect combination.' ?????An absolute must-read from me.' ?????This book got me out of a readingTrade Review Readers can’t get enough of Kathryn Freeman: ‘Seriously love this twist on an office romance’ Christina Parker, Netgalley ‘Their chemistry was off the charts’Mad Mom Life ‘Better than most rom coms I’ve watched and read!’ Jennifer Arnold, Netgalley ‘Reads like the perfect rom-com movie’ Sinead, Librarian ‘Very sexy and very sweet’ Morgan Shulman, Goodreads ‘Warmed my heart and read like a movie…What a beautiful sweet surprise this was’ Kelsey Peterson, Goodreads ‘You have yourself a page turning, don’t want it to end story, in essence an absolutely cracking read!’ Margaret Harris, Netgalley ‘A gorgeously sweet romance!’ From Rachael Claire ‘It's got laugh out loud moments, heart wrenching moments but most important that feel good factor’ Chantiece Bates, Goodreads

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn a remote farm in northern Norway, eighty-year-old Anna Neshov is rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke. Her three sons have not spoken in some time. Margido, a devout Christian, works in Trondheim as a funeral director. Erlend, a successful window dresser, lives a life of luxury in a penthouse in Copenhagen, while Tor, the eldest brother, remains rearing pigs on the decaying family farm.Aware of her failing health, the trio reluctantly reunite over the winter holidays, where unexpected guests and the question of inheritance prompt the revealing of some bizarre, and devestating, truths.Winner of the Riksmål Prize in Norway.Trade ReviewA story of murky family secrets set against Norway's midwinter near-perpetual night, Berlin Poplars still manages to twinkle -- Melissa McClements * Financial Times *Ragde's writing is self-effacing and subtly crafted, an ideal tool for splintering the brothers' stout outer panelling of Norwegian wood to expose the steamy sauna of turmoil within * Independent *It's darkly funny, grabs you at the start and doesn't let go... if you want a treat, race to get this book, because it's truly heartwarming, and so, so funny * Dublin Herald *Compelling, and the final truth telling is shocking * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat happens when a washed-up musician looks for another chance? And miles away, a restless woman looks for a change? NICK HORNBY''S HILARIOUS INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER IS NOW A MAJOR FILM''A comic delight'' Evening Standard _____________In 1986, legendary musician Tucker Crowe disappeared from the public eye and for 20 years, his rabid fans have speculated his whereabouts. Annie lives in Gooleness, the north''s answer to a question nobody asked, and has put fifteen years into a safe relationship with one such Crowe-ologist, Duncan. And she wants her money back, please.Then Tucker releases new material. Duncan thinks it''s genius, Annie does not, and when she dares to go public with her dislike, there are unexpected, life-changing consequences for all three . . .Juliet, Naked is a humblingly humorous novel about music, love, loneliness, and the struggle to live up to our own potential.Trade ReviewA wonderfully assured writer * Sunday Times *Juliet, Naked is ingenious, funny and moving * Daily Mail *A comic delight. In Juliet, Naked the author once again deftly but affectionately anatomizes the foibles of flawed men and women * Evening Standard *Sharp, funny, touching . . . Nick Hornby's triumph is to find infinite amounts of warmth and humour in this seeming world of desolation * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe classic comedy of a 50s youth trapped inside a Walter Mitty fantasy-world, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time.Keith Waterhouse''s Billy Liar was published in 1959, and captures brilliantly the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town. It tells the story of Billy Fisher, a Yorkshire teenager unable to stop lying - especially to his three girlfriends. Trapped by his boring job and working-class parents, Billy finds that his only happiness lies in grand plans for his future and fantastical day-dreams of the fictional country Ambrosia.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the New York Times’ Best Romances of 2023.From Emma Barry comes a clever romance about a hot veterinarian and a chicken-loving influencer who can’t help but ruffle each other’s feathers.Nicole Jones needs a fresh start. “Chick Nic” to millions of internet fans, the social media star and her flock of chickens bask in the spotlight—until she’s publicly dumped by a YouTuber for clout. She has no choice but to round up her birds and move on.But when one of her hens has an emergency, Nic gets her first taste of her new stomping grounds—and it isn’t good. Veterinarian Will Lund is wildly attractive, yes, but he’s also surly. In fact, he comes right out and calls her a menace for parading her chickens on social media.As neighbors, Nic and Will can’t exactly avoid each other. Then again, maybe they don’t want to. The two can’t deny their smoldering attraction, and it isn’t long before late-night confessions lead to backyard shenanigans.Is this the start of a neighborly relationship—or could something more be hatching?

Read more less

Book Synopsis'I really feel for Neil Fisher-just finding his feet as a new curate, but whenever he trips up, it's in full public glare!... I love a book that moves you to tears one minute, then has you laughing out loud the next. This book is it!' Aled Jones Neil Fisher's first trip to Dunbridge was not a success. Having inadvertently locked himself in St Stephen's Church for hours (and succumbing to the communion wine and wafers for dinner) it seemed miraculous they gave him the curate's job! On arrival in the small town of Dunbridge it quickly becomes clear that life is not going to be tranquil for the eligible new bachelor, as four formidable women are determined to make their presence felt. There is his mother, Iris, still questioning his choice of career; his rector, the no-nonsense Margaret, who is not one for taking prisoners; Claire, his new neighbour, whom he's already managed to offend. And then there is Wendy, the beautiful leading light of the church music group, who has her own plans for Neil. It can only end in trouble.Trade ReviewA social comedy with spiritual resonance and depth. -- Pam Rhodes * Woman Alive *Populated by likeable, strong characters, this is an enjoyable read from the former Songs of Praise presenter turned novelist. * Choice Magazine *“Light, amusing, but at heart dealing with serious enough issues of faith and friendship and family, this cosy novel will appeal to many.” * The Irish Catholic *Light, amusing, but at heart dealing with serious enough issues of faith and friendship and family, this cosy novel will appeal to many. -- Not Available * The Irish Catholic *Pam is an acute and affectionate observer of parish life. She makes me chuckle and she makes me cry, sometimes with laughter and sometimes with sadness at the poignancy she captures as she describes the utterly exhausting and ever-varied life of her curate hero. I so much wanted to know what happened to this all too human and likeable chap that I read all three novels off one after the other. -- Barbara Erskine

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Ted discovered (don''t ask!) that his toilet allows him to travel back in time to any point in history, his adventures were only just beginning. Now he''s desperate to get back to Tudor times to learn to dance, but an encounter with Henry VIII finds him needing to stay on his toes to keep his head! Fun, facts, and fast-paced adventure for all.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoin Ted on another hilarious historical u-bend adventure, this time to meet great leaders of the past - from Tutankhamun to Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and Emmeline Pankhust - all to help him in his quest to become the school''s Head Boy. But his grand plan to persuade everyone to vote for him finds Ted facing some hysterical historical consequences...

Read more less

Book Synopsis'My favorite read of 2022, I am recommending it to everyone I know.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewThree strangers all caught in the deep end… but can they help each other float through?After tragically losing her husband and being left a single mother to two children, Gabriella has only one escape for herself – swimming at a local London lido to clear her mind.A constant stream of both new and familiar faces visit the lido like Gabriella – but she doesn’t suspect any are suffering quite like her, until she meets Helen – who swims to escape her emotionless husband, and Ian – who feels lost in the deep end after becoming unemployed and unable to tell his husband.Grateful for new companionship, these three strangers decide to make their friendship into something more permanent: The Lonely Hearts Lido Club.An uplifting, captivating read about the power of friendship – fans of Hazel Prior and Mike Gayle will adore this.Readers are loving joining The Lonely Hearts Lido Club:'I’m in awe of how Charlie Lyndhurst manages to tease out the extraordinary from ordinary lives and make me like every single character.' *Sue Moorcroft, author of Summer at the French Café*‘‘Well written with layered and likable characters. So glad I found this gem.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was a truly beautiful book to read...full of emotion, hope and joy.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Three strangers bond at the pool and form a friendship to circumvent their personal struggles. I really enjoyed this book it’s rare that you read a book about a true friendship.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Love how each of these ppl are dealing with different heartbreaking situations, but manage to find a way to come together to fight their grief, but find happiness together instead. The writing is beautiful, the characters rich, and the storyline keeps you wanting to turn the pages long into the night.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was a great lighthearted beach read. About strangers who connect in a beautiful way. It was a great read’ Reader Review‘This was an absolutely wonderful read! It was exactly what I look for in a character driven novel - it made me want to be a part of this little group so so badly!' Reader Review‘It was a beautiful read about friendship and how three people can come together and support each other. Loved the writing style and I think it’s a perfect summer read.’ Reader Review‘A real escapist summer read…their friendship is uplifting and heart-warming. I almost wish I was part of the Lonely Hearts Lido Club myself!’ Reader Review‘This was a super cute book…it was witty and charming and I’d highly recommend!’ Reader ReviewPraise for Charlie Lyndhurst:‘A super cute read - you’ll be laughing and crying.’ Mandy Baggott, author of Staying Out for the Summer‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I loved jumping between these three stories. I really fell in love with all of these characters.’ Reader Review‘The story was fantastic. An almost Love, Actually kind of vibe.’ Reader Review‘Had me laughing out loud. The writing is good, the storyline is adorable and the characters are lovable.’ Reader Review‘Didn’t let me go until I read the final page…I became fully invested in their lives.’ Reader Review‘A heartwarming story of staying true to yourself, charming and heartfelt.’ Reader Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisSingle, coupled-up or married, this laugh-out-loud summer read is the perfect anecdote for the wedding season!Trade Review‘Terrific! Punchy, to the point, and full of energy . . . exactly the kind of book I’d want to take on holiday with me.’ Claudia Carroll

Read more less

Book SynopsisMagnificent and stunning' Jeff VanderMeer, author of Hummingbird SalamanderAn immense achievement. Masterful and merciless' Olivia Sudjic, author of Asylum RoadExpertly conjures California noir filtered through the ambient and not-so-ambient apocalypse' Emma Cline, author of The GirlsPatrick Hamlin has come from New York to Hollywood to see his novel be adapted for the screen, but why does he get the strange feeling that the film isn't even being made, that it's just a smokescreen for something else?Troubled starlet Cassidy Carter is due to play the female lead in the film, but why doesn't she seem to care what happens on set? Does she know something he doesn't? Or can she help him get to the truth?His wife Alison has taken their daughter Nora to a commune in upstate New York to mourn the destruction of nature, but is she safe there or is the Earthbridge community a cult exploiting her anxieties?When fires rage through the Californian landscape, how is it that a certain type of tiny paTrade Review‘Alexandra Kleeman expertly conjures California noir filtered through the ambient and not-so-ambient apocalypse’ Emma Cline, author of The Girls ‘Written with tremendous verve and flair, Something New Under the Sun is both an urgent novel about our very near future and a deeply addictive pleasure. Constantly surprising and endlessly inventive, every page is saturated with wit, intelligence, and extraordinary prose. Kleeman is a phenomenon, one of the most brilliant and gifted writers at work today’ Katie Kitamura, author of A Separation ‘With this novel, Alexandra Kleeman confirms her place as one of the major writers of her generation. Reading it is like looking at a familiar room through warped glass: What you perceive is distorted and unsettling while remaining curiously beautiful’ Esmé Weijun Wang, author of The Collected Schizophrenias ‘A richly rendered ecological novel, characterized not only by how it sets the landscape but also by the fact that the landscape is quite often allowed to run the show. Kleeman is phenomenal when it comes to place writing. Like many of the characters in her book, I got lost inside her scene-setting, arid and wild, happy to let her drive me wherever her genius brain thought we should go. This is a book I’ll be thinking about for years to come’ Kristen Arnett, author of With Teeth ‘An immense achievement. A masterful and merciless skewering of our times, rendered with such grace I couldn't put it down’ Olivia Sudjic, author of Asylum Road ‘…Kleeman is a writer working with far more flair than most. Her novels critique the comfortable indifference of life under late capitalism and, as such, are quite the opposite: observant, unnerving and bold’ i Newspaper ‘Profoundly affecting –somehow both funny and deeply unsettling’ Rumaan Alam, author of Leave the World Behind

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver wished it could be Christmas every day? Wish again…Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE CHRISTMAS WISH: ’Sparkles with wit and warmth . . . I’ll read anything Lindsey writes, but this one might just be my new favourite of her novels’ BETH O’LEARY ‘Brimming with wit, humour and festive sparkle’ SARAH MORGAN ’The Christmas Wish is Lindsey Kelk’s best yet. I couldn’t have loved this romantic, festive, brilliantly funny novel more’ ROSIE WALSH ‘Absolutely screamingly hilarious, full of Christmas-y sparkle and a lovely boy-next-door romance, but with some serious depth to bring you all the feels’ LIZZY DENT ‘Reading this book felt like opening a box of Quality Streets, getting out the Christmas edition of the Radio Times, then popping on a Santa Hat’ SOPHIE COUSENS PRAISE FOR LINDSEY KELK’S ROMCOMS: ‘So uplifting and wildly romantic’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Funny, engaging and sparkly’ JANE FALLON ‘The literary equivalent of opening a glass of wine with your best friend’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ‘The kind of book you can’t put down, but also want to last forever’ EMILY HENRY ‘Swoops you up and fills your heart with such joy’ GIOVANNA FLETCHER ‘Sparkling and gorgeously romantic’ SARAH MORGAN ‘Touching, hugely romantic and properly laugh-out-loud funny’ SOPHIA MONEY-COUTTS ‘I laughed and cried with every chapter, I never wanted it to end’ LUCY VINE ‘Utterly brilliant: super smart, achingly funny and just impossible to put down’ ROSIE WALSH ‘The perfect balance between sparkly escapism and big-hearted realness’ SOPHIE RANALD ‘As warm as a hug but as funny as a night out with the girls’ LAURA JANE WILLIAMS ‘Perfect, escapist fiction’ LIA LOUIS ‘You will not want to miss your invite to this ball’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN ‘Full of Lindsey’s trademark warmth and wit’ ALEX BROWN ‘Everything a perfect and iconic romcom should be’ CARMEL HARRINGTON ‘You cannot spell romcom without Lindsey Kelk’ LAUREN HO

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Millennial wedding culture gets a much-needed skewering in this alternately light and biting novel." — Vogue "If you’re looking for a page-turner with some bite, this one’s for you." — theSkimm "If your summer 2023 calendar is booked with weddings, bridal showers, and bachelorettes, you'll appreciate this novel that cleverly explores the darker side of the wedding industrial complex and all the ways it manifests online." — Harper’s Bazaar "This is a story about a wedding gone wrong, a bride with regrets, and the role of social media in creating false narratives about relationships. ... Poignant. ... A perfect gift for someone planning a wedding." — Zibby Owens, Katie Couric Media “Social Engagement, Forrey’s debut novel and a uniquely 21st-century mystery, runs with a pretty clever conceit, a detective story using the detritus of social media as the clues they are.” — Buzzfeed “I picked up SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT to read one chapter and didn’t put it down until I finished it later that night. This novel is a masterful and sharp exploration of friendship, family, class, and social media. Forrey’s debut is twisty and absorbing, full of family secrets and millennial weddings, and you won’t want to miss it!” — Jennifer Close, bestselling author of Girls in White Dresses and Marrying the Ketchups “Social Engagement is a witty and addictive behind-the-scenes account of today’s highly curated and hashtagged wedding world. Clear your weekend and prepare to fall in love with this delicious debut.” — Lauren Weisberger, bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty "Like a candy-colored wedding favor with a daringly dark center, Avery Carpenter Forrey’s Social Engagement is as mordant and incisive as it is utterly delectable. And its growing emotional heft makes it linger long after its bittersweet final pages." — Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Turnout “I can’t remember the last time I read a book that so perfectly captures the humor, absurdity, and anguish of how we live now. Avery Carpenter Forrey’s prose will cut you to the bone—it’s wickedly funny, and keenly observant about matters ranging from real estate to Instagram to the perils of the wedding industrial complex. This is an astounding debut.” — Grant Ginder, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding and Let's Not Do That Again “Unputdownable and razor-sharp, Social Engagement is an addictive ride through the ultra-relatable highs and lows of a woman navigating millennial wedding culture and her own path to love and meaning in a screen-filled world. Forrey's is a fresh new voice in fiction that effuses wit and heart in equal measure; I joyfully devoured her stunning debut.” — Carola Lovering, author of Tell Me Lies and Too Good to Be True “Avery Carpenter Forrey’s Social Engagement is a bitingly funny, acutely self-aware coming-of-age story about growing up on the edge of the inside, close enough to feel the allure of money and power but not enough to be stupefied or protected by it. A wedding novel that begins after the glass is broken and the wedding dress is stained, I raced through it to find out how the champagne-drenched pieces would come together.” — Isabel Kaplan, author of NSFW "In clever, taut prose exploring our obsession with the tiny screens that shape our stories, Social Engagement somehow feels both modern and timeless—in exposing the ugly (yet universal) parts of ourselves we prefer to hide, Forrey reveals the ways in which we try, and try again, to love ourselves—and other people—properly. A thought-provoking debut with an unsettlingly relatable protagonist you’ll wish you could include in your group chat." — Caitlin Barasch, author of A Novel Obsession “A smart and appealing chronicle of a woman reexamining her life on her wedding night. … [Carpenter Forrey] portrays the book’s multifaceted characters with honesty and tenderness, especially as events build toward a climactic wedding-night confrontation. Readers will enjoy this heartfelt story.” — Publishers Weekly “Forrey’s gift for making the everyday feel compelling shines throughout. … An absorbing novel about the trials of navigating adulthood.” — Kirkus Reviews "A fun and fast read that reveals what can happen if we remove all the filters in our lives and strip the world down to our authentic selves." — Lee Woodruff

Read more less

Book SynopsisI don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses.Trade Review'Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw, meet your wisecracking…match' – Publisher's Weekly 'Laugh out loud…Bridget Jones could take a page from this novel' – Joan Rivers

Read more less

Book SynopsisSix colourful, comic characters inhabit A Backward Place. All but one are Westerners who have come to Delhi to experience an alternative way of life. But, far from being hippies, their ability to adapt to this exotic culture often leaves something to be desired. Etta, an aristocratic, faded beauty maintains her Parisian chic while Clarissa talks enthusiastically about the simple life but stops short of ever roughing it herself. On the other hand Bal, the one Indian protagonist, holds quite Western aspirations to Hollywood glamour.A Backward Place humorously explores contradictions in attitudes and lifestyles and the interplay between culture and individuality. But it is also a Dickensian drama, charting the highs and lows of everyday life against the enchanting backdrop of a bustling Indian city.

Read more less