Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisCan they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love? A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again—until heartbreak and unexpected chemistry bring them together in this clever enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance.“Fresh, witty, and utterly romantic.”—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love HypothesisWhen Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly.A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, and she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, and make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common . . . except that they happen to be sleeping with the same woman.Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you’re too sad to hate each other—and too sad for hate sex.As friends-without-benefits, they find comfort in late-night Netflix binges, swiping through each other’s online dating profiles, and bickering across boroughs. It’s better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur. . . .With sharp observations and sizzling chemistry, You, Again explores the dynamics of co-ed friendship in this sparkling romantic comedy of modern love in all its forms.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeta Male is a riotously funny and painfully honest chronicle about friendship, masculinity, marriage and the beginning of adulthood.Trade Review'Sharp. Exceptionally observant and consistently amusing' Independent on Sunday

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Megs became a cleaner, she didn''t realise that if people looked at her a cleaner would be all they saw. Megs has as full a life as the people she does for, Mrs Terribly-Clean-Pearson or Ms Oh-Just-Keep-It-Above-The-Dysentery-Line McGhee. She''s the mother of three children and still mourning the death of a son; she enjoys a constant sparring match with her mother; she drinks away her troubles with Lorraine, her friend since Primary One; and she sings the blues in a local club.Megs has been getting by. But somehow that''s not enough any more. It''s time Megs gave up on being ordinary...

Read more less

Book SynopsisA cantankerous, elegant old woman sits in her beautiful Somerset house while her family secretly plots to evict her. In the garden is Lady Pamela''s last loyal retainer, out at grass is her one remaining racehorse, and in London is the man she should have married - still her dearest friend.Maeve Delaney, streetwise and outrageous, and sole applicant for the job of companion to Lady Pamela, bursts into the old house like a firework. As open warfare settles into an wary truce between the two women, Maeve sets her heart on bringing the great racehorse, Irish Dancer, out of retirement, and everything changes.Trade ReviewExcellently-written, with a gripping ending * WILTSHIRE TIMES *Turning for Home is not a conventional romance, and it certainly isn't an Aga saga. It's touching, funny and exciting * Blackmore Vale Magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis ''A brilliantly funny new voice'' Jenny ColganImagine the worst day of your life... Now imagine living it on repeat... This Friday the 13th has been particularly unlucky. Jess has been fired, she''s gone from dating two guys to none and she''s been kicked out of her flat. As she falls asleep, she is filled with relief that this terrible day is over. Tomorrow she will try to fix things, tomorrow cannot be any worse than this. Except it is. Maybe not worse... but exactly the same. When Jess wakes up the next morning, it is Friday the 13th again. And again. And again. And again. Jess knows how this goes, she''s seen the films: this is her wake up call. But she had no idea she needed a wake up call. How is Jess supposed to work out where she''s gone wrong when, as far as she''s concerned, she''s been having the time of her life?Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, this modern-day Groundhog Day is the uTrade ReviewA brilliantly funny new voice -- Jenny ColganWhat a wonderful debut! Such fun, and so deftly written, with a fabulous premise and perfect ending -- Jill MansellThe Time of My Life is a gem - funny, warm, and surprising -- Adam KayThe modern twist on Groundhog Day is hilarious and utterly unputdownable * Woman's Own *A brilliant and very funny read * Closer *Incredibly funny * That's Life *A cut above the others: funny, witty, hilarious, sad, emotional, funny, hilarious, clever, romantic, observant, funny, powerful, moving, funny, intelligent, clever, deft, smart, funny, heartfelt, human, funny... -- David QuantickA poignant and original debut all in one * The Sun *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA delicious recipe for domestic disaster!Take one small town where everyone thinks they know everyone else''s business. Add three households: MP Mike Andrews, his wife Gill and two young children; Church of Scotland minister Tom Graham, his wife Ali, two teenage daughters and an afterthought; Sixty-something local businessman Jack Caldwell, and his childless wife Phyllis.Mix in several large dollops of scandal, some secrets and a tragedy.Turn up the heat and bring to the boil.Season with one eccentric old lady - Minty Oliver - and serve with the tabloid press and a big helping of local gossip.Trade Review'Wallace gleefully exposes the gossipy thought bubbles of the self-righteous and genteel...consistently wry and often joyously funny' * Herald *'A rollicking read...with a good eye for what lies beneath the surface' * Australian Women's Weekly *'Neatly observed...enjoyably witty' * Scotsman *'An easily inhaled, colourful tale...with moments of poignancy and humour' * Courier Mail *'Hugely entertaining' * Sunday Post *'Hilarious...a tale of quaint country folk peppered with smatterings of bigotry, raunchiness and intrigue' * Orkney Today *'Her observations about women's lives are sharply pointed and pertinent' * Sydney Morning Herald *'Rosie Wallace captures the small town perfectly...a very funny and authentic novel' * forargyll.com *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA delicious and unputdownable read from the irresistible Isla DewarTrade Review'Beautifully told and a thoroughly enjoyable read' * Sun *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLaugh out loud, speed-date and be totally charmed by Step on it, Cupid, a delightful romantic comedy by Lorelei Mathias, perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk, Sophie Kinsella, Nicola Doherty and Mhari McFarlane. Amelie''s life is arranged just how she likes it. Well, most of the time.She has a brilliant job she adores, a great social life and a love life she can take or leave. So it''s a shock when she realises that everyone she knows seem to be happily coupled up. Is it time she thought about settling down? Assigned a nightmarish project in work - writing the ad campaign for Britain''s biggest speed-dating company - Amelie is forced into doing market research, against her will. But with her best mate Duncan, her annoying boss Joshua and her ex-boyfriend Jack all causing havoc in her life, maybe a speed-dating romance could be her salvation?Charming, engrossing and romantic, Step on it, Cupid is a modern spin on the oldest sTrade ReviewI thoroughly enjoyed this book ...It's a great, fun story, which twists and turns, and makes you laugh out loud, and importantly keeps you guessing right up to the end. Superbly written * Chloe's Chick Lit Reviews *A clever, humorous foray into intelligent chick lit for first time author Lorelei Mathias -- Emma Murray, authorCute, romantic and definitely a joy to read ... a fun, light read that'll keep you guessing * Trashionista *Sparky dialogue and a lovely depiction of friendship. I loved this! -- Katie FfordeYou'd be DAFT to miss out on this fab book - it's blimmin' marvellous! I LOVED IT -- Miranda DickinsonRequired reading for anyone who's ever had their heartbroken -- Lucy RobinsonA wonderful, original concept, hilariously well-told and with characters that practically leap off the page at you -- Claudia CarrollSassy and contemporary. Highly recommended -- Phillipa AshleyFearlessly funny, this book was such a pleasure to read I have to give a rare 5 stars. A perfect balance between exaggeration for humour and "I've been there" real-life believability -- Erin LawlessA fun-filled read, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with flashes of real empathy. Love and friendship shone through the laugh-out-loud moments. Loved the twists and turns and that it kept me guessing all the way to the end -- Jules WakeMathias is that rare breed of writer with a gift for making slyly humourous comments that seem to roll off her keyboard. Funny, warm and heartfelt. Loved it! * Brighton & Hove Independent *Witty, knowing and heartfelt * The Book Doctor *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA warm and uplifting story of how a woman falls in love with a place and its people: a landscape, a community and a fragile way of life. A rural idyll: that''s what Catherine is seeking when she sells her house in England and moves to a tiny hamlet in the Cévennes mountains. With her divorce in the past and her children grown, she is free to make a new start, and her dream is to set up in business as a seamstress. But this is a harsh and lonely place when you''re no longer just here on holiday. There is French bureaucracy to contend with, not to mention the mountain weather, and the reserve of her neighbours, including the intriguing Patrick Castagnol. And that''s before the arrival of Catherine''s sister, Bryony...Trade ReviewPraise for Rosy Thornton's previous novels: 'A refreshing twist on the romantic novel * She *Something of an achievement * Daily Telegraph *A love story with a difference * Woman's Weekly *She is skilled at drawing out the poignancy of ordinary life * Guardian *A sparkling, intelligent story - I loved it * Adele Geras *Thornton's debut is charming and funny * Glasgow Evening Times *A warm, witty and sharp-eyed look at what happens to real people * Emma Darwin *A charming well-written book, full of sweet anecdotes and humorous stories * Belfast Sunday Life *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCelebrated Ecuadorian author Gabriela Alemán's first work to appear in English: a noir, feminist eco-thriller in which venally corrupt politicians and greedy land speculators finally get their just comeuppance!Trade ReviewAn ABA Summer/Fall 2018 Indies Introduce & August 2018 Indie Next Selection"Best Fiction of 2018" Powell's Books"The Smartest Beach Reads of 2018" BBC"Poso Wells is ironic, audacious, and fierce. But what is it, exactly? A satire? A scifi novel? A political detective yarn? Or the purest reality of contemporary Latin America. It's unclassifiable—as all great books are."—Samanta Schweblin, author of Fever Dream"Poso Wells is brilliant, audacious, doubtlessly playful and at the same time so dark and bitter. A truly unforgettable book."—Alejandro Zambra, author of Multiple Choice"The story is a condemnation not only of the corrupt businessmen and the criminal gangs that rule Poso Wells but also of the violence against women that plagues Latin America's real slums."—The New Yorker"One part Thomas Pynchon, one part Gabriel García Márquez, and one part Raymond Chandler, Alemán's novel contains mystery, horror, humor, absurdity, and political commentary … A concoction of political thriller and absurdist literary mystery that never fails to entertain."—Kirkus Reviews"Alemán's first novel to be translated into English is a wild, successful satire of Ecuadorian politics and supernatural encounters. … Alemán's singular voice keeps the ride fresh and satisfying."—Publishers Weekly“Alemán takes aim at the social, cultural and ecological woes that plague a country that has been plundered for centuries. … Alemán is thoroughly Ecuadorian, but she’s also steeped in comic books, Hollywood classics and H.G. Wells’ fiction, including the short story 'The Country of the Blind,' which helped inspire some of the characters in Poso Wells. Dick Cluster, the translator, has fused the poetic with the tabloid and brought the work of one of Latin America's rising literary stars to readers in North America. Poso Wells can be read with pleasure in one long sitting and then reread for nuances and subtleties that surprise and entertain.”—San Francisco Chronicle"Alemán’s voice, as translated from the Spanish by Dick Cluster, is fresh and deliciously absurd.”—BBC"Poso Wells is a perfect complement for the current political state of the United States and the hopelessness caused by constant access to terrible news via social media. The story speaks to the delusion and god complex involved in wanting to lead an entire nation and the destructive power of indifference and greed. It also touches on the silence behind the pervasive violence women encounter in their daily lives. Alemán has created a disturbing, absurd, at times heart-wrenching story about the atrocities committed by patriarchs in power and the difficulty in fighting against colonialism. If anything, Poso Wells is a book about perseverance and resilience. It speaks to the fight human beings have inside them when they feel powerless. Their power is in protesting historical, structural violence and existence as resistance."—World Literature Today"Poso Wells explores the dichotomy between the new and old worlds of Ecuador through an exciting noir about missing women, corrupt politicians, and a journalist's attempt to unravel the secrets of the infinitely labyrinthine cityscape of Poso Wells. This is an exciting debut translation of a celebrated Ecuadorian author, and one that should lead to more translations of her work."—Ely Watson, A Room of One's Own Bookstore (Madison, WI)"Poso Wells is a rare achievement in which a reader comes out the other end wanting to start again. It is a bold and clever tale with a unique voice, and it is poised to have a longstanding impression on readers for years to come."—Rebecca George, Volumes Bookcafe (Chicago, IL)"A bizarre little satire that oscillates between adventure yarn and farce, one that pokes fun at modernity and the gross incompetence of the people in charge. A fun, funny, strange book that hits the gas pedal and never lets up."—Justin Souther, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe (Asheville, NC)"A town built on mud and garbage; a nefarious partnership between corrupt politicians, thugs, and business men; and a reporter investigating the disappearance of hundreds of women. Poso Wells is part satire and part detective story. It's unlike any book I've read in a long time, and I'll be recommending it to everyone I know."—Amy W., Powell's City of Books (Portland, OR)"Through scalding wit and straight-faced parody this no-holds-barred absurdist adventure that seems more a movie than a book will have you laughing till you cry as the cruelty of its South American reality sinks in. Imagine a mix of Hunter S. Thompson and Gabriel García Márquez. A small masterpiece."—Michael Taussig, author of Beauty and the Beast"Thriller and farce, Poso Wells is a magical realist sci-fi, a fierce and biting social allegory by turns hilarious and tragic, cynical and hopeful … this is a twenty-first-century cautionary tale of the war between humanity and avarice …”—Maria Agui Carter, director of Culture Shock and Rebel""Gabriela Alemán's Poso Wells drops the reader, as if dangling from a helicopter’s ladder, into a riveting page-turner set in coastal Ecuador. Forces of global capitalism want to mine all that is profitable from the earth, no matter the consequences. By the end we’re not sure if Jacob’s ladder leads to heaven or hell. The upshot of Alemán’s brilliant novel, however: for every rapacious action, there is an equal, opposite, and tenacious resistance."—Mauricio Kilwein Guevara, author of Autobiography of So-and-So: Poems in Prose"Poso Wells is an intriguing name for a thrilling novel of politics, environmental destruction and wildly imaginative occurrences that slide right to the edge of reality. The landscape includes the threatened rape of a cloud forest, a collection of fantastical blind heroes, and a presidential candidate who pees himself to death on stage. The English translation is fast and clear as the story rolls towards its ending on a steaming volcano. The first English translation of noted Brazilian-Ecuadorian novelist, Gabriela Alemán. I hope that many more follow."—Stephen Williams, contributor to the New York Times, GQ, Newsweek"Poso Wells is a darkly comedic, wildly energetic, and relentlessly intrepid bricolage of genres whose narration expertly cycles a unique roster of characters. … Alemán blurs the typical lines of story, allowing Poso Wells a far reach to captivate a broad audience, and without a doubt it will."—Arkansas International"Alemán’s novel develops a series of bizarre events into a searingly lucid political conclusion. … The political monsters of Poso Wells are contrasted by a couple of powerful female characters who refuse to let men bulldoze them (literally, at one point). They are women who carry scars and vipers and who know how to use them. They draw on their resourcefulness and on the strength of their gathered community to resist the frenzied destruction of their lives and homes. … [Poso Wells is] an intriguing exploration of what drives people into action in a world that makes no sense.”—Full Stop"By expertly weaving multiple narratives around the figure of Vinueza, the hapless (but wealthy!) presidential candidate who resembles so many corrupt (but wealthy!) presidential candidates in the modern history of Ecuador, Gabriela Alemán depicts with verve and humor the horrors and absurdities of a society intent on perpetuating itself."—Mauro Javier Cardenas, author of The Revolutionaries Try AgainGabriela Alemán has a rhythm worth watching ... she does something unexpected, things fly apart, she leaps into the void, and you think, 'there's no way she can pull this off'--but no, everything fits together, falls into place, flows, and the story goes on."—Pedro Mairal, author of The Missing Year of Juan SalvatierraThis compulsively readable book is Gabriela Alemán's debut as a novelist in the English-language. Sparklingly original, full of dry wit, and deliciously suspenseful, Poso Wells could well earn Gabriela Alemán a cult following."—Jon Lee Anderson, author of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life, Guerrillas: Journeys in the Insurgent World, and The Fall of BaghdadTable of ContentsPart One: The Cooperative of Poso Wells I. The Candidate II. Yesterday's Papers III. The Hole IV. The Scar V. Waiting Forever for You VI. Óracle Pinche Güey VII. A Mass for the Dead VIII. The Spur Part Two: Amazonas and Naciones Unidas IX. Press Conference X. Minefields Express XI. The Bottom of the Empty Glass Part Three: The Cloud Forest XII. Checkmate XIII. The Prosecutor XIV. The Sovereign People XV. Without You …

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLife is too short to play a supporting role. Take control and dive into Jamie Varon''s uplifting, escapist rom-com! Early readers are loving it:''I knew within the first page that this was going to be a book I would love. . . [S]uch an enjoyable read'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''It''s so refreshing to read a romance where plus sized women are not only represented, but are supported. . . Would absolutely recommend!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''This book is everything I wanted it to be and more. . . The friendship and feminist rage felt raw and real and important. The romance with Oliver was the icing on the cake. This story is one that you shouldn''t miss'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader reviewIt''s your story, but are you the main character? Poppy Banks would rather be writing mysteries than listicles for he

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe apocalyptic beach read that everyone needs. - Alix E. Harrow, Hugo Award-winning author on Not Your Average Hot GuyIn The Date from Hell, the sequel to Not Your Average Hot Guy, New York Times bestselling author Gwenda Bond brings the journey of Callie, Luke, and their friends to a wonderful close. This is another laugh out loud, action-packed romantic adventure you won't want to miss.After saving the world and stopping the apocalypse, Callie and Luke are looking forward to a quiet, romantic weekend together. When you're human and dating the Prince of Hell, quiet moments are hard to come by. But their romantic weekend in Hell takes a turn when Lucifer tasks Callie and Luke with chasing a wayward soul around the world. If they can prove it's possible to redeem a soul, Lucifer will allow the two of them to make some changes in Hell.But this wayward soul, Sean, doesn't have any interest in being redeemed. Instead, now that

Read more less

Book SynopsisLook Out for the Little Guy is the in-movie memoir by Scott Lang, also known as Ant-Man, that he’s written and shared with the world, as seen onscreen in the new Marvel Studios film Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Hyperion Avenue is proud to bring this book to real life.This is the incredible story of an ex-con turned world-saving Super Hero.In Look Out for the Little Guy, Scott Lang shares with the world a bracingly honest account of his struggles and triumphs, from serving time to being a divorced dad to becoming Ant-Man and joining The Avengers. These are stories of epic battles won and lost, as this everyman turned Super Hero finally tells all—from the official account of what really happened between The Avengers and Thanos to how shrinking down to ant-size really feels to the challenges of balancing the roles of hero and dad.Across his many adventures big and small, Scott has gathered the wisdom of countless amazing experi

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew York Times bestseller!From the bestselling author of The Leftovers and Little Children comes a penetrating and hilarious new novel about sex, love, and identity on the frontlines of America''s culture wars.Eve Fletcher is trying to figure out what comes next. A forty-six-year-old divorcee whose beloved only child has just left for college, Eve is struggling to adjust to her empty nest when one night her phone lights up with a text message. Sent from an anonymous number, the mysterious sender tells Eve, U R my MILF! Over the months that follow, that message comes to obsess Eve. While leading her all-too-placid life-serving as Executive Director of the local senior center by day and taking a community college course on Gender and Society at night-Eve can''t curtail her own interest in a porn website called MILFateria.com, which features the erotic exploits of ordinary, middle-aged women like herself. Before long, Eve''s online fixTrade ReviewA provocative comedy of sexual politics, with heart and bite * Sunday Mirror *A wry, spiky examination of how the internet is reshaping sexuality * Mail on Sunday *[Perrotta is] the American Nick Hornby * Independent *[A] comical but compassionate exploration of the contemporary sexual landscape . . . As a man writing about a woman's sexuality, Perrotta has been careful to avoid lapses that might seem prurient or salacious . . . He seems motivated by a genuine curiosity about shifting social attitudes and the impact of technology on people's lives. * The Herald *"Mrs. Fletcher," Perrotta's seventh novel and first since 2011's "The Leftovers," operates and succeeds in ways that will be pleasingly familiar to his admirers. It uses a fecund premise, a large cast of recognizable characters, a rotating point of view, a propulsive plot, a humane vision and clean, non-ostentatious ... prose to explore a fraught cultural topic. There be dragons, yes, but decency mitigates the danger. "Mrs. Fletcher" is the sweetest and most charming novel about pornography addiction and the harrowing issues of sexual consent that you will probably ever read. * — The New York Times Book Review *[Perrotta] explores the redefining of American sex lives by technology. . . . Mrs. Fletcher is a wry, compassionate novel about the ramifications of porn filtering so effortlessly into mainstream culture, without hysteria or accusations. Perrotta [is] well-versed in capturing the manifold follies and fetishes of human behavior. . . . One of the sharpest elements of Mrs. Fletcher is how Perrotta presents two opposing forces colliding on campus: porn culture and PC culture. * —The Atlantic *At times morbidly funny and, at others, grim, "Mrs. Fletcher" signals a return to familiar territory for Mr. Perrotta - sex, school and suburbia ... While "Mrs. Fletcher" may sound, from a plot summary, like an R-rated comedy or the outline for a raunchy Judd Apatow movie, it is more melancholy than many of his earlier books. Sex and pornography often serve as shorthand for characters' loneliness and their search for self-worth. * —The New York Times *Light, zingy, and laugh-out-loud funny. * —People *The sinews of Perrotta's fiction, rather, are the tensions within and between characters, tensions that he steadily and artfully amplifies until the reader becomes possessed by curiosity about how they'll be resolved ... "Mrs. Fletcher" is lit up by flashes of acute observation. * —The New Yorker *[A] fantastic tease ... [Perrotta] knows how to capture the hilarious contradictions of teenagers. * —The Washington Post *From the thrill of learning of its existence, to the feverish turning of pages, to the contemplative afterglow that comes from having finished: there's nothing like a new Tom Perrotta novel. Mrs. Fletcher is all you dream it will be: hilarious, provocative (a little too), relatable, and every moment a joy ride. * —Maria Semple, bestselling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Today Will Be Different *Tom Perrotta has to be considered one of our true genius satirists. * —Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River *He's the Steinbeck of suburbia. * —Time *Tom Perrotta writes with a satirist's ear and the heart of a romantic. * —Jennifer Egan *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet the Girls on Tour - Poppy, Lily, Maggie and Rachel. Four ordinary girls who have the most fun in faraway places. You''ll laugh, you''ll cry, you''ll lose your heart. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Debbie Johnson and Fiona Collins. ''I really enjoyed this book, it felt like pure escapism and made me feel sunny and happy'' Kate, Me, My Books and I on The Out of Office GirlFour girls. One year. Five fabulous destinations...Poppy is bound for Paris, the City of Love. Could this be her chance to end her epic dry spell?Lily is en route to her cousin''s wedding in LA, where she''s willing to break a few rules to land her dream role.Maggie can''t wait for her romantic ski holiday in Meribel - until it goes seriously off-piste.Rachel packs for a glamorous Roman holiday, but a blast from the past is about to sabotage la dolce vita.The girls get together and fly to ManhattanTrade ReviewFabulously enjoyable * Bookseller *Hugely enjoyable... a very funny story * Daily Mail *A great beach read * Star *Escapism at its very best * Books Ireland *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of the 100,000+ copy-selling rom-com, Love to Hate You! No one makes you laugh like Jo Watson!''If you want a book that is TRULY laugh out loud start here'' Goodreads reviewerIf you love Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Paige Toon, you''ll LOVE Jo Watson!''A hilarious, laugh-out-loud romance that is a breath of fresh air'' 5* reader review''A masterclass in character development... This is truly a novel for the times we live in. I would highly recommend'' 5* reader review''Another absolutely gorgeous read by one of my favourite authors...completely impossible to put down'' 5* reader review''I loved this book. It was so funny and I really wish a movie could be made of it'' 5* reader review.................................................................................On the scale ofTrade ReviewThe descriptions of Thailand were beautiful ... well written and lovable ... a bundle of laughs' - Monash TimesI absolutely loved this book. It has humour, romance, heart-wrenching grief and the excitement to live life to the fullest. Jo has the talent for writing and she beautifully brings to life the story of Lilly and Damien ... a talented new author on the block - Njkinny s World of Books & StuffA woman abandoned at the altar who goes on her honeymoon to Thailand alone - just like we would! Hijinks ensue - Romantic Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisOwen Nicholls'' Love, Unscripted follows film projectionist Nick as he tries to understand why love isn''t always like the movies. Perfect for fans of romcoms, David Nicholls and Nick Hornby.''Sometimes a book comes along and it feels dusted with magic - Love, Unscripted is one of those books.'' Josie Silver, author of One Day in December IT ISN''T ALWAYS LIKE THE MOVIES . . .For the last four years, Nick''s life has been picture-perfect.He''s been working his dream job as a film projectionist and he''s been dating Ellie, the love of his life and the coolest woman he''s ever met. It took a while, but this hopeless romantic finally found a love story to rival the big screen.Until, one day, Ellie moves out. Stunned by the end of their cinematic romance, Nick rewinds to the first night they met. Maybe if he can freeze-frame their happiest moments, he can work out why ElTrade ReviewA complete delight for film lovers (and lovers of love) * Holly Bourne *High Fidelity with celluloid replacing vinyl - an astutely observed romantic comedy that had me shaking with laughter and sniffing away tears. Pure pleasure. * Nev Pierce, Contributing Editor EMPIRE Magazine *Sometimes a book comes along and it feels dusted with magic - Love, Unscripted is one of those books. Nostalgic, tender and achingly cool, it has the same understated beauty as a John Cusack movie. A love letter to the silver screen and to all of the iconic romantic comedies - it's book treasure, my new favourite. * Josie Silver, author of One Day in December *A refreshing take on the typical boy-meets-girl romance . . . an unmissable read * Woman's Weekly *Smartly observed romcom . . . bursting with some very cute cultural references' * Sunday Mirror *A fun, entertaining story with bags of heart - the book equivalent of a classic rom-com * CultureFly *This will tug at your heart strings * Best Magazine *A nostalgic read for fans of Nick Hornby and David Nicholls . . . Expect plenty of film references as Nick tries to work out where it all went wrong - and if it can ever go right . . . [a] smart, funny novel * Heat magazine *An unmissable, multi-layered read * Woman & Home *A gorgeous romcom filled with movie references and Obama-era nostalgia * Kate Davies, author of In At The Deep End *The perfect read for film enthusiasts * Woman magazine *Charming read * Woman's Way *Nicholls shows a lovely lightness of touch in this enjoyable debut * iPaper *This is one of the best books I have ever read. If When Harry Met Sally and High Fidelity had a book baby, this would be it * Emma Cooper, author of The Songs of Us *A properly funny, clever, bittersweet romcom * Richard Roper, author of Something To Live For *High Fidelity for the multiplex generation. Owen Nicholls makes it look easy but it's a smart and funny book, laced with wisdom. A lovely, warm, engaging read. * Richard Lumsden, author of The Six Loves of Billy Binns *One of the most realistic love stories I have read * Michelle Elman, author of Am I Ugly? *Cute romcom full of cinematic references * The Sun, Fabulous Magazine *A delightfully sweet, funny, and heartbreaking ode to love stories, both onscreen and off. * Kirkus, starred review *Couldn't put it down! * Take A Break *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A fun beach read! Valerie Tejeda writes relatable characters full of heart!'' JO WATSON''GOOD ON PAPER was the absolute perfect beach read! With a relatable main character struggling to find her path . . . this story was completely captivating and I enjoyed every minute of reading. A perfect tale of finding yourself and finding love!'' FALON BALLARD, author of LEASE ON LOVE''A warm-hearted look at the importance of family, love, and being true to yourself. Equal parts touching and funny, once I started reading it I couldn''t put it down!'' ELIZABETH DAVIS, author of I LOVE YOU, I HATE YOUA fabulously escapist beach read with heart and soul about living the life you really want, Good on Paper is the rom-com you have to read this summer! Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane and Angie Hockman.''The perfect summer beach read for any fans of friends-to-lovers romance! The book is

Read more less

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''

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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 *

Read more less

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 *

Read more less