Humorous fiction

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

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2017Longlisted for the 2017 Desmond Elliott Prize'Alan McMonagle possesses a style that is all his own and I found his first novel compelling from start to finish. Read it.' Patrick McCabe, author of The Butcher BoyIthaca, the ferociously funny and unbelievably poignant debut novel from Alan McMonagle, combines a fiercely emotional story with crackling prose.Summer 2009, and eleven-year-old Jason Lowry is preoccupied with thoughts of the Da he has never known. In the meantime, his vodka-swilling, swings-from-the-hip Ma is busy entertaining her latest boyfriend and indulging her fondness for joyriding.Jason escapes to the Swamp: a mysteriously rising pool of fetid water on the outskirts of the town. There, he meets the girl, a being as lost as himself. Together, they conjure exotic adventures - from ancient Egypt to the search for Ithaca, home of Odysseus. But what begin as innocent flights of fancy soon become forays into hazardous territory; the girl is a dangerous (and very committed) partner in crime.Trade ReviewIts exuberance and punch are beguiling. [Jason's] relationship with his ma is bedevilled by his lack of understanding, his observation of the adult world is often very funny indeed, and there’s a poignancy and depth that give Jason’s odyssey that extra fillip. * Daily Mail *A fierce and funny novel that tackles tough topics with great imaginative flair. Ithaca doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is all the more affecting for it . . . Jason’s jaunts around town are reminiscent of Francie Brady in The Butcher Boy – young bucks who are wonderful mimics of adult mannerisms while simultaneously struggling to understand the intricacies and injustices of the grown-up world . . . For Jason and his friend the exotic Ithaca offers refuge and new beginnings. Skilfully meshing imagination with reality, McMonagle sets out to discover if the same things can be found at home. The novel belongs to Jason and his Ma, who, through an epic journey of adversity, manage to find their way back to each other * Irish Times *It's pretty rare to find a rookie novelist writing with such conviction, authority and style. But McMonagle's prose has all three in spades. This is top-notch stuff . . . there is an originality of voice here that I have not come across in Irish fiction for quite some years now. And through the prism of Jason's energetic first-person narrative - that's bursting with black humour, tenderness, and emotion in equal measure - the socially deprived world he is growing up in comes into focus with absolute clarity . . . I nearly died laughing, and was exceptionally moved too, reading this stylish, dark existential tale: which explores the fine line between the language of dreams and reality, and between the material and mythological world too. * Sunday Independent *It's a stunner. -- Edna O'BrienStrange and wondrous; savage with vision, leaping with wit and moving in ways that are quite impossible to shake off, Alan McMonagle's Ithaca is a stunner. A quest story with the wisdom of an epic and with the whip-smart energy of a brilliantly fresh and audacious new voice. -- Belinda McKeon, author of Solace, winner of the Geoffrey Faber Memorial PrizeIthaca more than confirms the promise shown by Alan McMonagle in his first book of short stories,Psychotic Episodes. He possesses a style that is all his own and I found his first novel compelling from start to finish. Read it. -- Patrick McCabe, author of The Butcher Boy Flawless prose and razor dialogue . . . Mesmerising, unforgettable. -- Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning HeartSplendid . . . Sweet yet dark, odd yet true. Full of fierce, elegant, misguided longing, and so finely written that I came to care so much about Jason. -- Sara BaumeRight from its remarkable opening sentence, this extraordinary debut had me hooked. A fierce, funny, on-its-own-terms, beautiful, heartbreaker of a novel. -- Joseph O'ConnorFast and urgent and full of feeling and savage humour and all kinds of tenderness. -- Kevin Barry, author of City of BohaneIthaca, as the Homeric title suggests, is about the search for paradise, a getting-out rather than a caving-in, and gifts the reading world with a young voice that is as winningly resilient as it is tragic . . . an internal monologue that crackles with muzzy-headed electricity and sheer spirit . . . One cannot help but think about Pat McCabe's The Butcher Boy and the manner in which it mined the grotesque and distorted out of frolicking abandon * Irish Independent *Comparisons to Pat McCabe’s masterpiece The Butcher Boy abound, as both novels present the reader with brilliantly-formed child protagonists, full of back-alley grit and hilarious, dark narrative . . . Ithaca feels somehow other-worldly yet familiar . . . while McMonagle brings a timeless quality to his writing. It is a story full of humour, sometimes cute and innocent, but often blackened by experiences which Jason is too young to fully comprehend . . . Jason Lowry wins our heart from the very first page. By the novel’s end, this crescendo of beautifully-crafted writing has the reader yearning for a future for him that reflects the dreams he retreats to so often. Ithaca is as hopeful as it is heart-breaking and Jason is a kid that we need to believe will succeed out there. We’re too invested, too protective of him, to entertain any other outcome * RTÉ *McMonagle’s writing is crisp and sharp, at its best when dialogue drives the story forward. He’s also a novelist who treads territory that Pat McCabe has previously made his own – there’s a darkness here reminiscent of The Butcher Boy . . . Comic, tragic, and deeply affecting, Ithaca is a powerful debut. * Irish Examiner *I loved this book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If comparisons with Patrick McCabe’s The Butcher Boy (since this story is also unreliably narrated by a protagonist who could be described as a juvenile delinquent) and Donal Ryan’s The Spinning Heart (because of thematic similarities) are inevitable, Alan McMonagle has nothing to fear. Ithaca is certainly equal to such comparisons. It is assured and poised, hilarious and poignant, a tour de force. * Dublin Review of Books *LOVED this. If the The Butcher Boy and Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha had a long lost brother, living in an episode of Pure Mule, we've found him in this book. Clever, funny, sad, kind – the lot. Irish book of the year so far for me. -- Ryan TubridyFor these crazed, corrupt, corrupting times, at last, a voice with the courage to defy them, in prose as precise as it is shattering, Alan McMonagle proves himself to be a magnificent author, one of the best in contemporary fiction. -- Frank McGuinness

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Book SynopsisFrom the best-selling coauthor of The Disaster Artist and “one of America''s best and most interesting writers" (Stephen King), a new collection of stories that range from laugh-out-loud funny to disturbingly dark—unflinching portraits of women and men struggling to bridge the gap between art and life A young and ingratiating assistant to a movie star makes a blunder that puts his boss and a major studio at grave risk. A long-married couple hires an escort for a threesome in order to rejuvenate their relationship. An assistant at a prestigious literary journal reconnects with a middle school frenemy and finds that his carefully constructed world of refinement cannot protect him from his past. A Bush administration lawyer wakes up on an abandoned airplane, trapped in a nightmare of his own making.   In these and other stories, Tom Bissell vividly renders the complex worlds of characters on the brink of artistic and personal crises—writers, video-game developers, actors, and other creative types who see things slightly differently from the rest of us. With its surreal, poignant, and sometimes squirm-inducing stories, Creative Types is a brilliant new offering from one the most versatile and talented writers working in America today.

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Book SynopsisMargot doesn't have time for love.Will is afraid to love.And neither of them are expecting to fall in love with Blossom: a gentle Staffy with a tragic past, a belly made for rubbing and a head the size of a football.After their first meeting at the rescue centre, both Margot and Will want to adopt Blossom so reluctantly agree to share custody. But Will's obsession for micro-managing and clear-cut boundaries and Margot's need to smother Blossom with affection, means that soon they have a very confused and badly behaved dog on their hands.Can they put their differences aside to become successful "co-pawrents" and maybe even friends? And meanwhile, does Blossom have plans of her own?Trade ReviewPraise for Rescue Me - -The LOVELIEST book, the complete antidote to these terrible times. Absolutely gorgeous with great characterisation. Yet another winner for Sarra * Marian Keyes *The balm for our times: sexy, heartfelt, funny and fresh. If you loved Beach Read and The Flatshare, you'll adore this. Sarra has nailed it! * Laura Jane Williams *Rescue Me will steal your heart. Uplifting, tender, and heartwarming, this is one of the loveliest books I've read all year * Louise O'Neill *LOVED LOVED LOVED . . . the ABSOLUTE tonic I needed right now. The perfect feel good read, I fell in love with Margot, Will, and Blossom * Nina Pottell *What a vivid, exuberant, joyful read - I felt my spirits lift with every page. Big-hearted, funny, wise and uplifting, this is the book everyone needs this year * Iona Grey *A joyous, emotional, uplifting, beautiful book of utter pawfection! Such a treat for everyone who has a heart * Alex Brown *Rescue Me will steal your heart - uplifting, joyful and full of hope. You won't want to miss this! * Penny Parkes *Warm, witty, moving, tender, uplifting and everything the world needs right now * Tammy Cohen *I absolutely adored everything about this book. No one writes such brilliantly original and flawed, many layered characters the way Sarra Manning does. I completely fell in love with Margot and Will and of course Madam Blossom. It was everything I hoped for and more * Jules Wake *An uplifting and original love story, told with depth, humour and heart (and starring THE most adorable dog, of course) * Holly Miller *I cannot remember the last time I was this emotionally invested in - or affected by - a book. Rescue Me will steal your heart if you let it - and you REALLY need to let it because it Just. Makes. Life. Better. A truly special, unforgettable book * Cressida McLaughlin *A delightful tale of loneliness, love and connection all pulled together by a quite wonderful rescue Staffie -- Sarah Hughes * i News *Guaranteed to brighten any gloomy day . . . warm and funny * Prima *A completely gorgeous story * The Sun (Fabulous) *A beautiful, beautiful book. It will make you feel warm and fuzzy and like you just got to pet a dog. It is exactly what you need right now, trust me * Lindsey Kelk *As an extremely enthusiastic dog person and romcom fan, I felt like this wonderful book was written specifically for me! It was sweet, insightful, sensitive and completely lovely. It was delightfully accurate in its portrayal of love - both for rescue dogs and people. I absolutely loved it and was caught smiling to myself the whole way through reading it. As someone who's written about the relationship between dogs and humans (and who loves her Shih Tzu, Bert, more than anything), this book absolutely spoke to me. Gorgeous * Kate Leaver *Packed with heart . . . Expertly handles tough topics of grief, trauma and fertility, all while creating characters you can't help but root for * Heat *This wholesome novel left me feeling that the world is a good place to be and it will bring welcome cheer to a grey January * Daily Mirror *In a cunning romantic fiction contrivance, two strangers co-rescue a dog . . . A pure dose of adorable * Cosmopolitan *Warm, witty, sad, sharp and beautifully crafted. It makes me love London. It should be a film. It's honestly a total joy * Harriet Evans *Romance and dogs - what's not to love? This uplifting love story is full of humour and the characters are wonderful * Good Housekeeping *A charming, funny, and gorgeously feel-good tale . . . you'll fall head-over-heels for Blossom, the gentle Staffie at the heart of this story * Woman & Home *Charming and funny, it's the perfect pick me up * Woman's Weekly *Give me a love story about a rescue dog . . . and I will do nothing until I finish the book while sobbing into my dog's fur. Blossom's personality was captured so perfectly, in a way that only true dog people will understand. -- Jamie Klingler * i News *A romantic treat of a novel about two singletons and the fabulous dog they 'co-pawrent'. If you don't want your own dog by the time you finish it, there's no hope for you . . . * Fanny Blake *Charming and funny, it's the perfect pick-me-up * Woman *If you love dogs, love laughs, and love LOVE with a capital L, Sarra Manning has the most perfect book for you. Rescue Me is simply paw-geous * Lucy Dillon *An uplifting romantic comedy for dog-lovers * Red *One man, one woman, one rescue dog. Uplifting, tender, and heart-warming, this is a delight. * Louise O'Neill *A tender-hearted romp with terrific characters (including the canine) * Best *Manning's winning story is the perfect piece of escapism with one eye on snappy dialogue and another on the things that make us whole again * Stylist *A roaring rom com * Sunday Post *A fun, romantic read * My Weekly *I adored reading this beautifully written, funny and endearing rom com * Kate Eberlen *PRAISE FOR SARRA MANNING - -Bright, funny, romantic - a total joy to read! -- Mhairi McFarlaneFantastically addictive, beautifully written -- Paige ToonDeeply satisfying and impossible to put down -- Santa MontefioreSuch a delight * Irish Examiner *A charming, funny, and gorgeously feel-good tale * Woman & Home *

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Book Synopsis'A VERY special book. GORGEOUS, real believable and BEAUTIFUL' - Marian Keyes London. Nine million people. Two hundred and seventy tube stations. Every day, thousands of chance encounters, first dates, goodbyes and happy ever afters. And for twenty years it's been where one man and one woman can never get their timing right. Jennifer and Nick meet as teenagers and over the next two decades, they fall in and out of love with each other. Sometimes they start kissing. Sometimes they're just friends. Sometimes they stop speaking, but they always find their way back to each other.But after all this time, are they destined to be together or have they finally reached the end of the line?All your favourite authors love SARRA MANNING!'Wonderful - romantic, sexy, moving and impossible to put down' - Louise O'Neill'Sexy, heartfelt, funny and fresh' - Laura Jane Williams'Epically romantic yet utterly relatable' - Holly Miller'Beautiful' - Lindsey KelkTrade ReviewThis is already one of my books of the year! . . . A VERY special book - a decades-long 'near miss' love story, it gave me One Day vibes. It's GORGEOUS, real, believable and BEAUTIFUL * Marian Keyes *Reading London, with Love reminded me why Sarra Manning is one of my favourite writers. It's wonderful - romantic, sexy, moving, and impossible to put down. * Louise O'Neill *Witty, well-paced and wonderfully entertaining, with a heroine you really root for * Daily Mail *A wonderful rom-com - such a glorious treat * Harriet Evans *Wonderful. An epic, enduring love story that is so funny, tender and warm. I loved everything about it. -- Cressida McLaughlinImmersive, razor sharp and full of tenderness. Manning explores love in many forms - not least her obvious affection for the city in which this romance unfolds. But it is her witty rendering of life in the 90s that I really fell for! I was transported! * Claire McGlasson *Sarra Manning's stunning, beautifully written book is not just a love letter to London, but a love letter to what really matters in life: each other. Funny, smart and gorgeously romantic, London, With Love is the perfect read to make you smile on the rainiest of days * Katy Birchall *A book to treasure - brilliantly crafted with characters that feel like lifelong friends. Beautiful, romantic, real, poignant, nostalgic and completely compelling. I love this book with all my heart. * Alex Brown *This is light, dark, sweet, sour, sexy, funny and so real . . . So knowing, so smart, but so generous, kind and inclusive * Daisy Buchanan *I loved it so much . . . it's funny, clever, gorgeously sexy and the characters are compelling. Never mind heartwarming, it's heart-boiling * Lucy Vine *London, With Love is just all kinds of glorious, one minute moving me to tears, the next making me snort with laughter. I'm going to be pressing it into the hands of all my friends and family * Jenny Ashcroft *Sarra Manning is the queen of London-set romance. London, With Love is the sort of book that sweeps you off your feet and wins your heart with laughter, tears and the whole cavalcade of city life. Utterly romantic, totally recognisable and with as much spirit as the city itself, this is an unforgettable love story * Jane Casey *Pure nostalgia - I laughed, I cried bittersweet tears and then I texted my mates to say you have to read this . . . * Penny Parkes *A pitch-perfect love story, brimming with tenderness, humour and great longing. I loved every single word of this beautiful, epic tale of missed connections and second chances * Rosie Walsh *I read it in one huge gulp, laughing and crying my way through . . . a really beautiful and honest love story, I loved it as a classic coming-of-age novel with a sparky and engaging heroine * Laura Wood *Brimful of longing, tenderness and the pain of missed chances, this book could soften the stoniest heart * Kate Riordan *I adored this fabulous and relatable story so, so much * Prima *Witty, well-paced and wonderfully entertaining, with a heroine you really root for * Daily Mail *We adored this beautiful, nostalgic, love story * Fabulous *The descriptions of London through the 1980s up to the present day - the neighbourhoods, the music, the clothes - are pitch perfect * Good Housekeeping *Reads like a love letter to London the backdrop to much of the story. With two compelling lead characters, it's romantic, moving and impossible to put down. If you loved David Nicholls' One Day, you'll adore this * Daily Mirror *Sarra Manning writes straight from the soul in this powerful, intimate and completely captivating love story * Woman’s Own *Those of us who remember paisley shirts, The Smiths and Doc Martens the first time around will love London With Love . . . warm and witty * The Gloss *A fabulous rom-com * Daily Mail *I adored this beautiful nostalgic love story * Yours Magazine *This is the on-again off-again love story of Jennifer and Nick, who first meet as teenagers in 80s north London and spend the next few decades never quite getting their timing right. London, With Love is a gorgeous read, heaped full of nostalgia and a romance to really root for * I News, The Best Books to Read This Valentine's *Perceptive, funny and entertaining, you can't go wrong with Sarra Manning's winning books. In her latest, it's an exploration of how sometimes finding the right person for you doesn't happen overnight - in fact, it could take 20 years. Weaving together major cultural and historical moments from 1986 onwards, Jen and Nick are drawn together, fall out and finally realise what they mean to each other, all set against the highs and lows of living in London (out now in hardback, out in paperback 3 August). * Stylist, Best Rom-Com Books for the Summer *Clever and nostalgic, with loveable characters, this is a rom-com with real heart and guts * Best *

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Book SynopsisA hilarious diary of married life with the sensible, no-nonsense man of all our dreams: Jürgen Klopp, from critically-acclaimed comedian and Twitter sensation Laura Lexx.Inspired by the viral tweet: 'If I ever met Jürgen Klopp I'd say "omg if we have a baby we should call it Klipp" just so he'd raise an eyebrow at me and tell me I'm a moron and I'd be so naked by the time he'd finished doing that...'In these uncertain times we all need a coping mechanism. And Laura Lexx has found the obvious one - imagining life married to the sensible, no-nonsense man of our dreams, Jürgen Klopp. She thinks maybe he has something to do with football? More importantly, he definitely knows how to efficiently stack a dishwasher and would tell you honestly if you were being unreasonable about a colleague. From job interviews to furniture shopping in IKEA to making a birthday cake for their daughter, Klipp, Klopp Actually is a hilarious, warm and deeply silly diary of life with everyone's favourite baseball-cap-wearing, bespectacled German football manager. 'I shiver, my skin breaking out into tiny goosebumps. "Are you cold?" He whispers, his lips brushing my ear, making the fine hairs ripple. "A little." I grin, pressing against his thigh. He runs a hand down the curve of my spine... "You should put a jumper on."''I'd LOVE to read a whole book of Laura's funny, clever, sweet imagination . . . it made me laugh a huge amount!' Marian Keyes'Laura is so funny and I can't wait to read this book and I hope it isn't awkward when I *actually* marry Jürgen Klopp' Sara Pascoe'It's rare to find brilliant new talent, rarer still to discover it on twitter but Laura's thread on Klopp was my highlight of the year. I cannot wait to see what she does in book form. I shall devour it. A great shining comedic talent' Emma Kennedy(P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton LimitedTrade ReviewI'd LOVE to read a whole book of Laura's funny, clever, sweet imagination . . . it made me laugh a huge amount! * Marian Keyes *Laura is so funny and I can't wait to read this book and I hope it isn't awkward when I *actually* marry Jürgen Klopp * Sara Pascoe *It's rare to find brilliant new talent, rarer still to discover it on Twitter but Laura's thread on Klopp was my highlight of the year. I cannot wait to see what she does in book form. I shall devour it. A great shining comedic talent * Emma Kennedy *I am absolute LOVING Klopp Actually... it was my favourite, favourite birthday present. * Zoe Ball *I laughed until I cracked a rib * Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live *

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Book SynopsisWhen all else fails, you just have to leave it to Fate . . .Just as twenty-nine-year-old Ella loses her dream job after an unfortunate incident (it was just a bit of hot sauce, for goodness' sake - he totally overreacted!), her phone rings. Her aunt Gillian, who lives in a tiny mountain village, has had a fall and needs her help. Ella gives in to Fate and agrees to go, looking forward to a few quiet weeks to work out what to do with her car crash of a life.But as soon as she gets there, she realises it's not going to be the idyllic break she had hoped for. With Gillian struggling after the recent loss of her partner, Mike, Ella promises herself that she will show Gillian that life is still worth living - and will certainly not be distracted from her new purpose by Joe, Mike's disconcertingly handsome nephew . . .Has Fate brought Ella and Gillian together at just the right time for them both? And do her plans extend to Ella's love life, as well?This funny, romantic and uplifting novel is perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Laura Jane Williams and Sophie Kinsella.Readers love Beth Corby!'A great read for fans of Sophie Kinsella. I was drawn in instantly - 5 STARS''Enchanting . . . made me smile, laugh, wonder and want to experience more of life for myself - 5 STARS''This is a perfect read to take to the beach - 5 STARS''A hugely enjoyable, fresh, original read - 5 STARS''Fun, light-hearted and enjoyable . . . Love, love, love! - 5 STARS''I absolutely love this book - 5 STARS'Trade ReviewPraise for Beth Corby:Brilliant . . . unlike anything I've read before * FTLO Books *Fans of Jenny Colgan, Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella will enjoy this charming, light-hearted yomp * I Am In Print *

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Book Synopsis'A triumph!' Abigail Mann'All kinds of wonderful' Sarah Bonner'Moves you to tears and makes you laugh' Chloe Timms'Painfully relatable' Amy LavelleTHE FUNNIEST NOVEL YOU'LL EVER READ ABOUT GRIEFMilly Dayton became a widow at 26. Two years later, she's got the whole thing down: · Go on the occasional date but bring your engagement ring so you can whip it out for a quick getaway · Steal brunch photos for social media posts so your friends know you're fine · Keep messaging your late husband on Facebook - you're not crazy if you don't believe he'll message you back Milly isn't okay but she looks it online. But everyone lies about their lives on Instagram, don't they?One day, sick of all the pretence, Milly creates Mizzennial, a new channel inspired by the straight-talking magazines of her childhood. But even here, she still can't quite admit how lonely she really is. Can she take her own advice, finally open up and start to move on?Funny, tender and heart-wrenching, Love, Loss and Little White Lies is a story for anyone who's felt like everyone else has their life together. Perfect for fans of Holly Bourne, Lucy Vine and Lucy Diamond.'A beautiful, funny, modern story that breathes life back into the nostalgia of growing up and what to do when the vision you had for yourself falls apart. It isn't easy to tackle authenticity and grief alongside one another, but in today's age of social media and 'the right kind of sad,' Rigg's novel has some pretty profound things to say about lifting your chin in the face of adversity. What a triumph!' Abigail Mann, author of The Wedding Crasher'In Love, Loss and Little White Lies, India Rigg has given us a novel that is heart-breaking and poignant, but also fresh and funny and just all kinds of wonderful. Milly is a heroine you cannot help but root for as you watch the tantalising glimpses of her great love story juxtapositioned against her grief and guilt at the idea of moving on. This book is guaranteed to make you cry, but it will also make you laugh out loud as you cheer Milly on. Utterly fabulous and highly recommended' Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin'Love, Loss and Little White Lies is one of those special books that both moves you to tears and makes you laugh. Milly's story of grief is told with such heart you'll feel like her and Adam are part of your life. And if you're a Millennial who loved Mizz magazine as a teenager you'll relate to Milly's funny observations on love, life and pop culture' Chloe Timms, author of The Seawomen'Painfully relatable, this book had me snorting with laughter' Amy Lavelle, author of Definitely FineReaders are loving Love, Loss and Little White Lies!***** 'Heartwrenching and heartwarming all at the same time' *****'Both moves you to tears and makes you laugh. I loved it so much'*****'Such a great story!'*****''Hilariously funny'*****'Love, Loss and Little White Lies broke my heart and pieced it back together'Trade ReviewIn Love, Loss and Little White Lies, India Rigg has given us a novel that is heart-breaking and poignant, but also fresh and funny and just all kinds of wonderful. Milly is a heroine you cannot help but root for as you watch the tantalising glimpses of her great love story juxtapositioned against her grief and guilt at the idea of moving on. This book is guaranteed to make you cry, but it will also make you laugh out loud as you cheer Milly on. Utterly fabulous and highly recommended -- Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect TwinLove, Loss and Little White Lies is one of those special books that both moves you to tears and makes you laugh. Milly's story of grief is told with such heart you'll feel like her and Adam are part of your life. And if you're a Millennial who loved Mizz magazine as a teenager you'll relate to Milly's funny observations on love, life and pop culture -- Chloe Timms, author of The SeawomenPainfully relatable, this book had me snorting with laughter -- Amy Lavelle, author of Definitely FineA beautiful, funny, modern story that breathes life back into the nostalgia of growing up and what to do when the vision you had for yourself falls apart. It isn't easy to tackle authenticity and grief alongside one another, but in today's age of social media and 'the right kind of sad,' Rigg's novel has some pretty profound things to say about lifting your chin in the face of adversity. What a triumph! -- Abigail Mann, author of The Wedding Crasher

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Book SynopsisLife was telling her no. Now it's time to say yes. Seffy's ripping up the to-do list she's lived by her whole adult life. The world is telling her she needs to find a husband, get a promotion, and start a family. Her social media is wall-to-wall engagement and new baby pictures, but none of them are hers - and she's tired of trying.But don't feel sorry for Seffy. She's booked a one-way plane ticket and it's finally time to put herself first. With a new to-do list, she plans to join the mile-high club, meet a hot stranger and try magic mushrooms - all before she's thirty.With the whole world at her feet, where does she go from here?***PRAISE FOR INDIA RIGG'A triumph!' Abigail Mann'All kinds of wonderful' Sarah Bonner'Moves you to tears and makes you laugh' Chloe Timms'Painfully relatable' Amy LavelleReaders LOVE India Rigg!'Heartwrenching and heartwarming' ***** Reader Review'Moves you to tears and makes you laugh' ***** Reader Review'Such a great story!' ***** Reader Review'Hilariously funny' ***** Reader Review'Broke my heart and pieced it back together' ***** Reader ReviewTrade ReviewThis'll make you laugh, cry and cheer . . . You'll love the ride * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisPretty Woman meets the Bridgertons in this witty, vivacious historical take on 90s rom-coms by USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard!Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can't break a man's heart-or make promises it can't keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual-and alluring-solution . . . Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they're willing to risk their hearts.

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Book SynopsisIn the outskirts of Buenos Aires in 1907, a doctor becomes involved in a misguided experiment that investigates the threshold between life and death. One hundred years later, a celebrated artist goes to extremes in search of aesthetic transformation, turning himself into an art object. How far are we willing to go, Larraquy asks, in pursuit of transcendence? The world of Comemadre is full of vulgarity, excess, and discomfort: strange ants that form almost perfect circles, missing body parts, obsessive love affairs, and man-eating plants. Darkly funny, smart, and engrossing, here the monstrous is not alien, but the consquence of our relentless pursuit of collective and personal progress.

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Book SynopsisA collection of funny and thought-provoking poems inspired by surprising facts that will appeal to poetry lovers and poetry haters alike, from the author of the essay collection The Unreality of Memory, “a work of sheer brilliance, beauty, and bravery” (Andrew Sean Greer) Known to be both “casually brilliant” (Sandra Newman) and a “ruthless self-examiner” (Sarah Manguso), acclaimed writer Elisa Gabbert brings her “questing, restless intelligence” (Kirkus Reviews) to a new collection of poetry. By turns funny and chilling, these poems collect strange facts, interrogate language, and ask unanswerable questions that offer the pleasure of discovery on nearly every page: How does one suffer “gladly,” exactly? How bored are dogs? Which is more frightening, nothing or empty space? Was Wittgenstein sexy? The poems in this collection are earwormy, ultracontemporary, essayistic, aphoristic, and philosophical—invitations to eavesdrop on a mind paying attention to itself. Normal Distance is a book about thinking and feeling, meaning and experience, trees and the weather, and the boredom and pain of living through time.

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Book SynopsisA fierce, intelligent, and often hilarious novel about a young African American attorney who struggles to keep his cool in the personally and politically turbulent nineties.

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Book SynopsisNamed a Best Book of 2023 by The New York Times ("incandescent...hilarious...a triumph"), Oprah Daily ("surreal, absurd, lucid, and wise"), Vanity Fair ("Broder [is] a genius and a sorceress"), and more! From the visionary author of Milk Fed and The Pisces, a darkly funny novel about grief and a “magical tale of survival” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).In Melissa Broder’s astonishingly profound new novel, a woman arrives alone at a Best Western seeking respite from an emptiness that plagues her. She has fled to the California high desert to escape a cloud of sorrow—for both her father in the ICU and a husband whose illness is worsening. What the motel provides, however, is not peace but a path discovered on a nearby hike. Out along the sun-scorched trail, the narrator encounters a towering cactus whose size and shape mean it should not exist in California. Yet the cactus is there, with a gash through its side that beckons like a familiar door. So she enters it. What awaits her inside this mystical succulent sets her on a journey at once desolate and rich, hilarious, and poignant. Death Valley is Melissa Broder at her most imaginative, most universal, and finest, and is “a journey unlike any you’ve read before” (Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of Friday Black).

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and heart-warming novel about Christmas, catastrophes and cooking, containing exclusive Christmas recipes, from the talented Rosie Blake. **How to Stuff Up Christmas includes 14 fabulous, tasty Christmas recipes throughout**'Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone... Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen. But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat?Trade ReviewA brilliantly fun romp with plenty of surprises and festive recipes. * Heat *Just brilliant * Fabulous magazine *Wonderfully likeable characters and a realistic plot. -- Praise for How to Get a (Love) Life * the Sun *Ridiculously funny, sweet and had a proper "sigh-out-loud-and-hug-my-kindle-end". I'm sad I've finished it. -- Praise for How to Get a (Love) Life * Chick Lit Love *A fabulous début and one which will have you doubled over with tears streaming down your face. -- Praise for How to Get a (Love) Life * compellingreads.co.uk *Rosie captures worst-case-scenarios and turns them into hilarious anecdotes. -- Praise for How to Get a (Love) Life * Hello magazine *

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

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Book Synopsis'If you like the Shopaholic series, you'll love the Little Lady' *****'Deliciously addictive' CosmopolitanAs her alter ego, Honey, Melissa is the go-to woman for improving men's dating lives, but when her boyfriend Jonathan invites her to New York for a holiday, he has one condition: the blonde wig stays at home.This is easier said than done, and before long Mel finds herself juggling a rude rising star who just so happens to be an ex, Jonathan's manipulative ex-wife, an unruly terrier and escalating crises back at the agency.Can Melissa put the manners back into Manhattan? Or is this a challenge only the Little Lady Agency can handle?READERS LOVE LITTLE LADY, BIG APPLE'Made me laugh out loud' *****'Couldn't put it down' *****'Perfect to escape into' *****'Such a fabulous heart-warming set of books' ********Discover the rest of Hester Browne's hilarious Little Lady trilogy:The Little Lady AgencyLittle Lady, Big AppleWhat the Lady WantsTrade ReviewWhat a delicious, witty story, I loved it! It made me want to rush out, buy a blonde wig and adopt a new name at once * Sophia Kinsella *The most loveable romantic heroine since Jane Austen's Emma * Chris Manby *Deliciously addictive, feel-good comedy - perfect for lazy days on the beach * Cosmopolitan *Funny and flirty, we guarantee you'll devour this book in one sitting * Glamour *Loveable, charming, heart-warming, witty . . . Only start this when you've got a whole day to spare - you won't want to stop reading til it's finished! * Company *A stylish romantic comedy about men, manners and multi-tasking * Daily Express *This is tremendous fun as the double life of our endearing heroine gets highly complicated and highly entertaining * The Bookseller *

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Book Synopsis'A delicious, witty story. I loved it! SOPHIE KINSELLARunning The Little Lady Agency, Mel has one goal and one goal only: Make Men Better.But when her grandmother asks her to take on the case of a lifetime - Prince Nicolas of Hollenberg, Europe's most notorious of playboys - has she bitten off more than she can chew?Despite his good breeding, Nicolas is completely set on leading Melissa astray. Can Mel rise to the challenge? And has her own fairy-tale ending been there all along?'The most loveable romantic heroine since Jane Austen's Emma' Chris ManbyREADERS LOVE WHAT THE LADY WANTS'A must-read trilogy' *****'Couldn't put it down!' *****'Perfect for Jilly Cooper fans' *****'Such a fabulous, heart-warming set of books' *****'Fantastic' *****

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Book SynopsisGovernor Bill Hoeksma of Michigan is a simple, gun-loving son of a billionaire who idolises George W. Bush. When a mysterious illness afflicts members of his inner circle, his conspiring advisors point to a rumoured viral weapons attack – via monkeypox-carrying prairie dogs – launched by the Wisconsin government. Governor Bill decides the Michigan militia should lead the military response, chaos ensues, and he falls unwittingly into a scheme of his powerful father’s making. That scheme begins with cheese research and a Hollywood movie star. How it will end all depends on two unlikely heroes: an aging lesbian state senator, and a high-school teacher born and raised in the Michigan militia. When the conspiracy runs out of road, and guns are drawn in a showdown outside a Cracker Barrel, will anyone emerge victorious from the Great American Cheese War?

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Book SynopsisEx-SAS officer Tom Knight is now a 73-year-old private detective in a seaside town, with a bad leg, a taste for good weed and a morbid fear of growing old. He’s also fallen in love with Fran, a sprightly 52-year-old carer at a retirement home. The bad news is that she’s dumped him for lying about his age. So when she’s framed for the murder of three old ladies at the home he resolves to win her back by proving her innocence. His quest takes him behind the town’s veil of respectability... He even faces up to his fear of old age and dementia, by going undercover at the care home where the murders happened. But will it be enough to win back the lady of his dreams? Proving that you’re just as young as you feel, the Tom Knight mysteries combine delicious comedy with a precision-engineered plot.

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Book SynopsisKnight’s surveillance work has dried up and he’s reduced to accepting a gig as a life model for a reclusive painter. When she’s found dead in the same location as a suspicious death 30 years earlier, instinctively he knows they’re connected - but cannot find the proof. Enter a bewitching pole dancer in her sixties who puts Knight on the trail of priceless stolen Chinese art, shady dealings in a country house – and a dangerous con man. Even with decades of experience, he finds himself unexpectedly in the grip of events, and at the business end of a shotgun. Proving that you’re just as young as you feel, the Tom Knight mysteries combine delicious comedy with a precision engineered plot.

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Book SynopsisSimon Selwood is an academic expert on the mating behaviour of birds, but hopeless at finding human love. Then he meets Kim, and at last something is more important to him than ornithology. Kim doesn’t give a hoot about birds. And at first she isn’t very interested in Simon either. Relying on what he has gleaned from observing the opportunistic pied flycatcher and other species, plus the unorthodox advice of old friend Phil, Simon sets out on a mission to discover love for himself. But will he make the right choice? Odd Bird takes a light-hearted look at the battle of the sexes, drawing on the surprising parallels between the courtship behaviours of humans and birds.

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Book SynopsisThe only thing harder to win than a war is the peace that follows it… A year on from the human-machine war, both sides are struggling to share custody of the solar system. Prime Minister Fuji Itsu should be fighting Carin Parkeon, the parking meter determined to become the planet’s new manager. But no one has seen Fuji since she fell through the Earth’s crumbling concrete crust. Janice, the First Minister Janice of the Battlestar Suburbia has learned two truths. Humankind is only two meals from anarchy, and you should think twice before giving planning approval to a new supermarket. Somewhere in between, breadmaker turned secret agent Pamasonic Teffal is trying to bring the sides together without curdling them. In this hilarious successor to Battlestar Suburbia and Battle Beyond the Dolestars, humans and robots alike will learn the solutions to their problems lie not in the stars but in the ground beneath their castors. It’s time to Sashay to the Centre of the Earth.

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Book SynopsisAfter a brief and disastrous Resident Poet episode, Stockwell Park Orchestra is invited to take part in a TV competition for classical music. For a £50,000 prize some competitors are tempted to stretch the genre to ‘crossover’ and beyond. Can a full concert orchestra compete with jazz bands, horn quartets, harp ensembles, and Mrs Ford-Hughes singing in Portuguese with nine cellos? Or will the competition be derailed by the poet’s return, this time sporting live Ambient Sounds? The TV producers aren’t worried: they know a good fight means great ratings. What was supposed to be a quirky diversion threatens to take over the orchestra’s rehearsals for their own concert, but discovering a voting scam means they must fix things in the TV studio first. Trade Review'A witty and irreverent musical romp, full of characters' Claire King'With its retro humour bordering on farce, this offers an escape into the turbulent (and bonkers) world of the orchestra' Isabel Costello'I was charmed... a very enjoyable read' Marian Keyes'Life, Death and Cellos is that rare thing – a funny music book. Rogers knows the world intimately, and portrays it with warmth, accuracy and a poetic turn of phrase. Sharp, witty and richly entertaining' Lev Parikian, author of Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear?'Dodgy post-rehearsal curries, friendly insults between musicians, sacrosanct coffee-and-biscuit breaks, tedious committee meetings: welcome to the world of the amateur orchestra. Throw in a stolen Stradivarius, an unexpected fatality and the odd illicit affair and you have Life, Death and Cellos, the first in a new series by Isabel Rogers' Rebecca Franks, BBC Music Magazine'... a very funny tale of musical shenanigans set in the febrile atmosphere of the Stockwell Park Orchestra' Ian Critchley

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Book SynopsisLauren Sams is the hilarious best friend you haven't met yet' Maggie AldersonThere's life Before Baby and life After Baby. Any idiot knows that. I knew that. Except I didn't know what life After Baby would really be likeGeorgie Henderson is discovering that in the twenty-first century being a Good Working Mum means answering emails at midnight while you purée vegetables, line up play dates and French lessons for your four-month-old daughter.Georgie's ex, Jase, gets 100 per cent of the credit for 5 per cent of the work, and her best friend, Nina, is on a self-discovery' journey that involves a young bartender and a plan to become an artisanal florist. And all her mum wants is for her to find a man. Preferably the one who is the father of her child. And Georgie? She just wants a nap, which she''s quickly discovering is harder to come by than nuts at a preschool.What Reviewers and Readers Say:Crazy Busy Guilty is instantly relatable! Whose life isn't crazy and busy? And guilt is an occupational hazard of being a mum' Jessica Rowe''I laughed at Georgie, and I laughed at myself. I laughed at all of us who somehow manage to get so much done in between childcare pickups and daytime baby naps'' Women''s Agenda''The perfect read for a sleep-deprived new mum... With plenty of humour and relatable moments, it delves into society's expectations of the modern mum'' Chicklit Club''It is highly relatable, insightful and filled with moments of humour as well as of horror. Sams has done a fantastic job of highlighting some of the issues faced by working mothers and included quite the surprise twist in the last couple of chapters'' Beauty and Lace''Hilariously funny and wickedly insightful, Crazy Busy Guilty is a fast-moving novel about the pitfalls of juggling a dream career with parenting, and the perils of modern dating... While they're much-discussed issues, Sams' take is fresh and funny and hits right at the heart of the the struggle, with hilarious one-liners and up-to-the-minute observations'' Better Reading

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Book Synopsis'An Unputdownable Romance! Wow oh wow one thing is for sure this book NEEDS to be made into a film!... I was totally swept away... Truly is a feel-good, heartfelt, inspiring and heart-warming... Once I started reading I couldn't put it down!' Goodreads 5* Review What if the Lift driver who finds your cheating boyfriend's phone holds the directions to true love? 'Who are you and why do you have my boyfriend's phone?' 'He left it in my car. You must be the blonde in the red dress? I'm the Lift driver who dropped you two off earlier.' And with these words, the life of the brunette and t-shirt wearing Maya Maas is turned upside down. Having planned to surprise her boyfriend, she finds herself single and stranded in an unknown city on her birthday. So when the mystery driver rescues Maya with the suggestion that she cheers herself up at a nearby beach town, she jumps at the chance to get things back on track. She wasn't expecting a personalised itinerary or the easy companionship that comes from opening up to a stranger via text, let alone the possibility it might grow into something more... Come on this 5* journey to love, laughter and back again, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Josie Silver and Sally Thorne. Readers love The Meeting Point! 'Fun, feel-good read. I breezed through this in one sitting... The romance had me swooning and I couldn't stop smiling. Need to find my own rideshare now :)' NetGalley 5* Review 'My god, how I love this book!... A must read... Obviously, a big, fat, shiny 5 stars from me!' The Artsy Reader, 5* Review 'YA'LL!!!!! This was one of the most unique written plots I have ever experienced in my life! The Meeting Point had me in all my feels and even made my eyes leak! Ah-Mazing!... This is a book you do NOT want to miss!' @the_kentucky_fried_bibliophile, 5* Review 'Kept me up until 2am even though I worked the next day because I simply couldn't put it down' NetGalley 5* Review 'Truly perfect and totally made my days better... Recommend this book to everyone! :)' Love My Shelf, 5* Review 'Freaking loved this book! It was such a comfort read for me! I could not put it down until I had read every word! It had such 90s-early 2000s rom-com movie energy and I was sold!... I loved it all... I will always have this on my shelf and come back to it time and time again' @kelleyleigh20, 5* Review 'I was hooked from the first page and didn't want it to end! You will love this book! Definitely recommend!' NetGalley 5* Review 'Had a hard time putting it down... I loved the ending!... I can't wait to read more books by this author in the future!' Goodreads 5* Review 'Wow... I don't remember how long it has been since I have been so vested in a book within the first few pages... Absolutely charming... This book is a big win' A Devine Read, 5* Review 'Just glorious... This was like a balm to my soul... Ahhh I honestly loved every second of this book! It's cute and so romantic... I just need like a sequel and then another one please!... Just easily one of my favourite romance books I've read! I think everyone who enjoys a love story needs to read this ?' NetGalley 5* Review 'My new book in which I will compare all other romances against. This was absolutely the cutest story and perfect summer read... I found myself smiling throughout this book, I just loved it' @page_chapter_book, 5* ReviewTrade ReviewAn Unputdownable Romance! Wow oh wow one thing is for sure this book NEEDS to be made into a film!... I was totally swept away... Truly is a feel-good, heartfelt, inspiring and heart-warming... Once I started reading I couldn't put it down!' -- Goodreads Reviewer, ?????Fun, feel-good read. I breezed through this in one sitting... The romance had me swooning and I couldn't stop smiling. Need to find my own rideshare now :)' -- NetGalley Reviewer, ?????My god, how I love this book!... A must read... Obviously, a big, fat, shiny ????? from me!' -- The Artsy Reader, ?????YA'LL!!!!! This was one of the most unique written plots I have ever experienced in my life! The Meeting Point had me in all my feels and even made my eyes leak! Ah-Mazing!... This is a book you do NOT want to miss!' -- the_kentucky_fried_bibliophile,?????Kept me up until 2am even though I worked the next day because I simply couldn't put it down -- NetGalley reviewer, ?????

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Book SynopsisPenny has big dreams for her wedding day. She wants an unforgettable celebration, perfect down to the last detail, and has been saving for ages to make her dream a reality. When Mark finally pops the question, it's the best moment of her life. Until Penny checks her wedding fund and is horrified to discover that something has gone terribly wrong. There's far less money there than she'd thought... and it's all her fault. She can't tell Mark the truth about what she's done, he knows nothing about how much time she spends gambling online. Her only choice is to seek help for her addiction and get married on a drastically smaller budget. Working under the pretense of surprising Mark with her plans on their big day, operation 'Don't Tell the Groom' rolls into action, with surprising, hilarious and often moving results.Trade ReviewA real feel-good story with loads of laughs, twists, tears. The characters are all lovable and the story is totally addictive. Highly recommended * Chicklit Club *Funny, relatable and fabulously written * New! Magazine on Anna Bell *A fun, bouncy, brilliant tale * Heat Magazine on Anna Bell *Fun, relatable and fabulously written * Daily Express on Anna Bell *A brilliant, witty read * Mama J Hearts *'A real feel-good story with loads of laughs, twists, tears. The characters are all lovable and the story is totally addictive. Highly recommended' The Chicklit Club. * Chicklit Club *'Fabulous rom-com with the feel-good factor. I loved it!' Dizzy C's Little Book Blog. * Dizzy C's Little Book Blog *'A brilliant, witty read' Mama J Hearts. * Mama J Hearts *

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Book SynopsisYoung Amby Balan has had enough with the 9 to 5 life at Citibank. She impulsively quits her job and becomes a Twitter-writer for KayKay, the hot new Kollywood superstar. But despite her new exciting job (and having the opportunity to ogle her new boss all day long), Amby still craves finally being able to fulfil her dream of becoming a writer. She comes across an ad for a writers' workshop in Greece and cannot pack her bags soon enough. On the way to Santorini, she meets Mini Cherian, a bestselling children's books author who fantasises about writing erotic novels, and Bobby Verma, who left behind the advertising world to become a travel writer. Together, they will embark on an unforgettable adventure to finally discover their true selves and possibly find love in romantic Santorini.

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Book SynopsisWhen Jessica, a grieving widow, inherits an antique mall from her mother she also inherits the stallholders, an elderly, amoral, acquisitive, and paranoid collection. When one of the vendors, a wily ex-con named Roxy, shoots her ex-husband, she calls on Jessica to help bury the body and soon Jessica is embroiled in cover-ups, lies, and misdirection. Into this mix comes Lizzie, Jessica’s late husband’s twelve-year-old daughter by his first marriage, who’s been dumped on Jessica’s doorstep by the child’s self-absorbed mother and it soon becomes apparent that Lizzie is as obsessed with material possessions as Jessica’s elderly tenants. Why Stuff Matters is a compelling ode to possession, why people like things and the curious lengths they will go to keep them. Returning to her fictional Caprock, Waldo turns her wry wit on the lives of those afraid to let go.

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Book SynopsisA sparkling satire on international aid and celebrity, Looking for Bono charts one man's accidental quest to bring water to his community.Baba is a semi-literate man living a simple life centred on the local auto repair shop in Palemo, how he will find his next meal and an obsession with his disinterested, Nollywood star-wannabe wife Munira and her voluptuous body. Baba is acutely aware of the water corruption that has left him, on occasion, without so much as a drop to even brush his teeth. One day on the news, a story about international humanitarian Bono flashes onscreen. Bono is in Africa to do good and like a thunderbolt, Baba decides that Bono is the answer to all of his problems. Once Bono hears about the local water issues he will want to step in and convince the president of Nigeria to end the corruption. Once the water is flowing, Baba can clean up and Munira will set her sights a little closer to home. Before he knows it, Baba is a celebrity being feted by the Lagos media and Munira has turned into his virtuous wife. Will the ensuing media storm engulf Baba as he is launched into a world of high stakes foreign aid dealings and competing interests? Or will he return to his simple life with water for his community and the renewed affections of his Munira?Trade ReviewLooking for Bono may seem like a novel full of hijinks: there's a scene involving a domestic helper which is straight out of a Carry On film... However it goes much deeper. Other than the theme of media manipulation, the book also focuses on abuse, corruption and social class. * Robert Pisani, The Bobsphere Blog *

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Book SynopsisThe new satire from the author of Radio Sunrise.Who will be the next president of the Society of Journalists in Lagos? Who is qualified to lead the esteemed body of journalists and help uphold professional ethics in the state? Will honesty and integrity be able to beat charisma and misinformation?When a sick man flies in from a neighbouring country, he becomes Nigeria's first ebola case-patient zero. As the cases rise and journalists across the country vie for the lead in reporting the news on the imminent pandemic, Ifiok and his colleagues must immediately tackle the spread of the virus by raising awareness, sharing information, and supporting the outreach efforts of health workers. Unfortunately, they also have to battle against hysteria, misinformation, corruption and denial. Ifiok's love life could be a much needed escape from the stresses of work, if not for his meddling mother and the outdated traditions of society.Will Ifiok succeed in his quest to become the next president of the Society of Journalists, win the battle against misinformation and find love along the way?

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Book SynopsisSisters Hester and Harriet are reluctantly driving to visit relatives when they come across a young woman hiding with her baby in a bus shelter. Seeing the perfect excuse for returning to their own warm hearth, the pair insist on bringing Daria and Milo home with them.But with the arrival of a sinister stranger looking for a girl with a baby, followed quickly by their cousins' churlish fifteen-year-old son, Ben, who also appears to be seeking sanctuary, Hester and Harriet's carefully crafted peace and quiet quickly begins to fall apart. And, perhaps, that's exactly what they need...Trade ReviewThe gentle humour and relaxed pace make this an enjoyable read. * Daily Mail *A delightfully British story... An engaging read. * Women's Weekly *Europe's refugee crisis, the criminal underground, adolescent mental health and the challenges of ageing are all part of this package, wrapped up in warm, off-beat humour and a twisting, turning plot that make this a winning read... Harriet and Hester are unforgettable characters and what appears at first to be yet another cosy village read, complete with brambles and apple pie, turns out to be so much more. * Brisbane News *A lighthearted read...with hilarious results. * Sunday Telegraph (Australia) *Spiers succeeds in her aim of "giving a voice to ordinary women in sometimes extraordinary circumstances". * Sydney Morning Herald *Hold on to your teacups - you're about to fall head over heels for Hester and Harriet. * The Westerner *[Hester and Harriet] may well be my favourite characters of the year. -- Jamie Ashbird * Newtown Review of Books *Meet Hester and Harriet: two hilarious widowed sisters. * Canberra Times *Hester and Harriet is one of those books that is just so fun to read. The characters are absolutely amazing. * The Galaxial World *An enjoyable read. * Newcastle Herald *Spiers has created a lovely holiday or weekend read here with smart, funny and quirky main characters who go on a journey of discovering things they didn't even realise were missing from their lives. This is an easy, entertaining read perfect for long summer days or that rainy Saturday afternoon. * Queensland Times *

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Book Synopsis

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