Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisAlya and Masachika make a promise to fight to the bitter end in their joint bid for election as student council President and Vice President. They start their strategy meeting for going up against the opposition candidate--the overwhelmingly charismatic Yuki Suou. "So...let’s talk student council election strategy..." "...?????" [He’s so cool...] Hhnnnggg! Now he's gotten all flustered by her sweet words in Russian!

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Book SynopsisIt''s official. Angela Clarke is in love with the mostfabulous city in the world.Fleeing her cheating boyfriend and clutching little more than a crumpled bridesmaid dress, a pair of Louboutins and her passport, Angela jumps on a plane, destination New York.Holed up in a cute hotel room, Angela gets a NYC makeover from her NBFJenny and a whirlwind tour of the city that never sleeps. Before she knows it, Angela is dating two sexy guys. And, best of all, she gets to write about it in her new blog (Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out). But it''s one thing telling readers about your romantic dilemmas, it''s another figuring them out for yourself.Angela has fallen head over heels for the big applebut does she heart New York more than home?Trade ReviewPraise for Lindsey Kelk: 'A hilarious must read for Sex and the City fans.' Closer ‘When it comes to hilarious romcoms, nobody does it better – I heart Lindsey Kelk!’ The Sun ‘Witty, funny, warm and wise’ Marian Keyes ‘Fun, feisty and fabulous…effortlessly comic’ Press Association ‘This fresh, romantic comedy has a smart and truthful voice and some entertainingly outrageous moments’ Sunday Mirror ‘Witty, hilarious, sexy, pacy… a smart, laugh-out-loud triumph. Just brilliant!’ Heat

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Book SynopsisCome to the Comfort Food Café this spring for sunshine, smiles and plenty of truly scrumptious lemon drizzle cake.As cosy as a buttered crumpet' Sunday Times bestseller Milly JohnsonSummer wouldn't be Summer without Debbie Johnson!' Jenny OliverMy name is Willow Longville. I live in a village called Budbury on the stunning Dorset coast with my mum Lynnie, who sometimes forgets who I am. I'm a waitress at the Comfort Food Café, which is really so much more than a café it's my home.For Willow, the ramshackle café overlooking the beach, together with its warm-hearted community, offers friendship as a daily special and always has a hearty welcome on themenu. But when a handsome stranger blows in on a warmspring breeze, Willow soon realises that her quiet countrylife will be changed forever.Curl up with this gorgeous novel and make yourselfat home at the Comfort Food Café.Just my cup of tea' Sue MoorcroftFull of heart and a delight to read, another triumph from Debbie Johnson' Bella OsbornTrade Review‘Original and thought-provoking’ Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde ‘Simply gorgeous’ Sunday Times bestseller Milly Johnson ‘Moving and uplifting all at once, I devoured this book about mothers, daughters, sisters and – ultimately – love’ Sunday Times bestseller Jane Costello ‘Funny and poignant – a celebration of life and the enduring power of love’ – Carys Bray, bestselling author of A Song for Issy Bradley ‘Heartbreakingly authentic, tender & inspiring. One of my top reads of 2017’ Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington

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Book SynopsisAn urgent novel about our very near future, and a deeply addictive pleasure' Katie Kitamura, author of IntimaciesMagnificent and stunning' Jeff VanderMeer, author of Hummingbird SalamanderAn immense achievement. Masterful and merciless' Olivia Sudjic, author of Asylum RoadA bold, addictive and urgent new novel about capitalism, environmental collapse and our near future.What is really going on?Patrick Hamlin has come to Hollywood to see his novel be adapted for the screen, but why does he get the feeling that the film project is a smokescreen for something else? Does Cassidy Carter, the troubled starlet due to play the lead, know something he doesn't? And what is the truth about WAT-R, the synthetic water everyone drinks in LA?Sharply funny, alluring and devastating, Something New Under the Sun is an unmissable novel for our present moment.Sun-drenched, sharply observed and swift-moving strange and new' GuardianProfoundly affecting somehow both funny and deeply unsettling' Rumaan AlamTrade Review‘Alexandra Kleeman expertly conjures California noir filtered through the ambient and not-so-ambient apocalypse’ Emma Cline, author of The Girls ‘Written with tremendous verve and flair, Something New Under the Sun is both an urgent novel about our very near future and a deeply addictive pleasure. Constantly surprising and endlessly inventive, every page is saturated with wit, intelligence, and extraordinary prose. Kleeman is a phenomenon, one of the most brilliant and gifted writers at work today’ Katie Kitamura, author of A Separation ‘With this novel, Alexandra Kleeman confirms her place as one of the major writers of her generation. Reading it is like looking at a familiar room through warped glass: What you perceive is distorted and unsettling while remaining curiously beautiful’ Esmé Weijun Wang, author of The Collected Schizophrenias ‘A richly rendered ecological novel, characterized not only by how it sets the landscape but also by the fact that the landscape is quite often allowed to run the show. Kleeman is phenomenal when it comes to place writing. Like many of the characters in her book, I got lost inside her scene-setting, arid and wild, happy to let her drive me wherever her genius brain thought we should go. This is a book I’ll be thinking about for years to come’ Kristen Arnett, author of With Teeth ‘An immense achievement. A masterful and merciless skewering of our times, rendered with such grace I couldn't put it down’ Olivia Sudjic, author of Asylum Road ‘…Kleeman is a writer working with far more flair than most. Her novels critique the comfortable indifference of life under late capitalism and, as such, are quite the opposite: observant, unnerving and bold’ i Newspaper ‘Profoundly affecting –somehow both funny and deeply unsettling’ Rumaan Alam, author of Leave the World Behind

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Book SynopsisPre order Lindsey''s brand new romcom LOVE STORY now!Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a good romantic line or two and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.So when she lands in the Hollywood Hills a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don't just exist in the movies she can't resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.But you can't hide from love in La La Land.And isn't there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?EVERYONE ADORES LOVE ME DOA total delight . . . captures all the sunny glamour of LA, but still so relatable and completely hilarious. You need this book in your suitcase this summer!' BETH O'LEARYMy favourite LIndsey book yet, and her funniest . . . I loved it' DAISY BUCHANANA new Lindsey book is the next best thing to going on holiday' MHAIRI McFARLANEA stunner of a summer read . . . Deliciously fun . . . Make sure this one's on your summer reading list' GLAMOURA vitamin D-infused Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR LINDSEY KELK’S ROMCOMS: ‘So uplifting and wildly romantic’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Genuinely funny, engaging and sparkly’ JANE FALLON ‘The literary equivalent of opening a glass of wine with your best friend’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ‘The kind of book you can’t put down, but also want to last forever’ EMILY HENRY ‘I’ll read anything Lindsey Kelk writes’ BETH O’LEARY ’As warm and satisfying as a hot chocolate on a winter’s day’ HEAT ‘We loved this feel-good book’ Bella ‘Funny and feel-good, this is another brilliant read from Lindsey Kelk’ Closer ‘We all need an escape at times, and who better to serve a delicious, escapist romance?’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Another perfect romantic comedy from Lindsey Kelk, who always gets the balance of rom and com exactly right’ Sarra Manning, RED ‘Swoops you up and fills your heart with such joy’ GIOVANNA FLETCHER ‘Sparkling and gorgeously romantic’ SARAH MORGAN ‘Touching, hugely romantic and properly laugh-out-loud funny’ SOPHIA MONEY-COUTTS ‘I laughed and cried with every chapter, I never wanted it to end’ LUCY VINE ‘Utterly brilliant: super smart, achingly funny and just impossible to put down’ ROSIE WALSH ‘The perfect balance between sparkly escapism and big-hearted realness’ SOPHIE RANALD ‘As warm as a hug but as funny as a night out with the girls’ LAURA JANE WILLIAMS ‘Perfect, escapist fiction’ LIA LOUIS ‘You will not want to miss your invite to this ball’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN ‘Full of Lindsey’s trademark warmth and wit’ ALEX BROWN ‘Everything a perfect and iconic romcom should be’ CARMEL HARRINGTON ‘You cannot spell romcom without Lindsey Kelk’ LAUREN HO

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERIf you only read one book this year, Guilty Women won''t disappoint. It will leave you breathless' The Express Guilty Women's stamped it's razor sharp, blood-stained stiletto heel firmly in the lead to be 2022's book of the year' The Daily MirrorCan they get away with murder?On a beautiful island off the English coast, four TV actresses gather.Their fifth member is missing and only they know why she was killed.As the secret between them threatens to come out, tensions on set run high.The women are determined that the show must go on no matter what it costs.But one of them is on the edge of telling the truth and no show in the world could survive this scandalAll of the women have something to hide but the question is, are they all guilty?The cast of RUTHLESS WOMEN is back but this time they're in trouble PRAISE FOR GUILTY WOMEN:You''ll laugh, cry, be shocked and left wanting more Guilty Women is an unmissable read. Pure escapism. 5 stars!Ok! MagazTrade Review“Guilty Women is stuffed with revenge, with sex, with all manner of back stabbing shenanigans – and I loved loved loved it.” Sixtyplusurfers “It might only be Spring, but Blake's ‘Guilty Women’s already stamped it’s razor sharp, blood stained stiletto heel firmly in the lead to be 2022’s ‘book of the year.’ Pure escapist indulgence, which is just what we need right now” The Daily Mirror “You'll laugh, cry, be shocked and left wanting more… Guilty Women is an unmissable read. Pure escapism. 5 stars!” Ok! Magazine “Revenge, murder, sex and greed… Guilty Women has it all. Blake's latest novel proves she's here to stay as the new queen of the blockbuster novel. Jackie Collins would have loved it” Bella Magazine “Not for the faint hearted! An unputdownable, revenge and lust filled romp of a read that you won’t want to end!” Heat Magazine “The perfect killer thriller with sexy scenes that’ll keep you reading late into the night.” Notebook Magazine “A sexy, sassy, super addictive read! Hold on tight, each page will have you gasping in horror at the ‘fictitious’ diva like behaviour that Blake is only too well qualified to write about! Guilty Women is a white knuckle ride of a read!” The Sunday Mirror “Glamour, intrigue, mystery and murder, Guilty Women has it all. Sizzlingly unputdownable. Our readers loved it”New Magazine “If you only read one book this year, then Guilty Women won't disappoint. It will leave you breathless”The Express 'The new Queen of the blockbuster' The Times 'Glitz, glamour and ambition…perfect' Woman & Home 'It's the sauciest, most riveting read of the year – a bonkbuster so gloriously sexy, funny and page turning, we devoured it in just two days' Daily Record

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Book SynopsisIt''s a truth often acknowledged that when a Jane Austen fan girl ends up living next door to a cynical but handsome crime writer, romantic sparks will fly!When Maddy Shaw is told her Dear Jane column has been cancelled she has no choice but to look outside of London's rental market. That is until she's left an idyllic country home by the black sheep of the family, long-not-so-lost Cousin Nigel.But of course there's a stipulation and not only is Maddy made chair of the committee for the annual village literary festival, she also has to put up with bestselling crime author and romance sceptic Cameron Massey as her new neighbour.When Maddy challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, which he claims is so easy to do, sparks fly both on and off the pageSparkling romance, secrets from the pastWitty and romantic, I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages' Alison Sherlock, bestselling author of The Village of Lost and FoundWitty, sharp and beautifully observed I feel sure Jane would approve' Julie CaplinReaders are LOVING What Would Jane Austen Do?:I absolutely demolished this book! If you love romance you'll love this (whether you're an Austen aficionado or not)!' ????A perfect read for a day you need a pick me up' ?????Fans of Jane Austen, or of reading in general, will particularly enjoy this booksure to be a favourite of many readers this year' ?????Playful, fun, and a love letter to Jane Austen and her wise words. Glorious' ?????The antidote to a bad dayIf you're a Jane Austen fan (as I am) then you will really love the well-chosen quotes that start each chapter and spotting the wisdom included within' ????A five out of five for methe witty, observant writing lifts it above the ordinaryThere are lots of subtle nods to Jane Austen''s writing and if you''re a Janeite, this is a lovely ode to her work' ?????An uplifting humorous read, reminiscent of a modern day Jane Austen novel' ?????A delightful escape into the world of love, literature, and unexpected connections' ?????Reading this book brightened my day and made me smile' ?????Trade Review‘You know when you read a book and want to start it all over to feel all the feels?…I was not disappointed’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The enemies to lovers(ish) banter was so fun to read! Cant recommend enough!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Every chapter starts with a quote/snippet from a Jane Austen novel and there is plenty of her book wisdom throughout the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I devoured this gem of a book. It is fun, charming and full of spark and wit set in the English countryside. I was bereft when I finished. Linda, if you ever feel like doing a short story set in this world, take my money please!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book and devoured it in one afternoon!!… a sweet, beautiful enemies to lovers trope, and featuring Buster the loving, mischievous, match making dog who is my favourite character! ’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisSizzling romance with a splash of intrigue' Julia Quinn, author of Bridgerton''Loved the witty dialogue sizzling!'' Good Housekeeping, ''100 Best Books for Summer Reading''Fast-paced and feisty Regency fiction with a dazzlingly daring heroine who breaks the mould.Praise for the Marleigh sisters series by Amita Murray:Delightfully engrossing with a dash of peril' Woman's WeeklyScintillating and scandalous' CosmopolitanA dazzling romanceUnladylike Rules of Attraction has it all' My WeeklyNot every Regency lady is looking for a husbandAs the daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, impulsive Lila Marleigh has already broken the rules of society into tiny pieces.When a face she never thought she would see again appears and begs for help, Lila must court notoriety once more and pit her wits against the annoyingly handsome aristocrat, Ivor Tristram. But does she risk opening her heart to the one person who can break it?Trade ReviewPraise for Amita Murray: ‘A fresh and hilarious debut … You’ll laugh, you’ll cry’ Sunday Times bestseller, Dawn O’Porter ‘Witty and heartfelt’ HEAT Praise for Unladylike Lessons in Love: ‘A romance that doubles up as a mystery, with a delicious Indian twist – what’s not to love?’ Harini Nagendra author of The Bangalore Detectives Club ‘Lila Marleigh is a smart, unconventional … are the Marleighs going to be the next Bridgertons? I can only hope!’ Ovidia Yu, author of The Crown Colony Series and Aunty Lee’s Delights ‘This romantic adventure bolts from the first page …You’ll have to finish this in one sitting—call in sick!’ Sumi Hahn, author of The Mermaid From Jeju

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Lucy Parker writes deliciously fun enemies-to-lovers perfection!” — Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author "Delightful, funny, romantic, and surprisingly emotional, Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best. A wonderful must read romance that I could not put down." — Kristen Callihan, New York Times bestselling author "Lucy Parker’s books are marvels of wit and warmth and empathy, and Battle Royal is no exception. It’s as delicious as the cakes baked by Sylvie and Dominic, from first page to last. I swooned, laughed, wept, and loved the story wholeheartedly, and I can’t wait to reread it ASAP." — Olivia Dade, national bestselling author of Spoiler Alert “As magical as it’s heroine’s confectionary creations, Battle Royal is absolutely enchanting. Lucy Parker is the Michelangelo of grumpy + sunshine. I gobbled this book up!” — Rosie Danan, author of The Intimacy Experiment “Only an author as deft and gifted as Parker could seamlessly mix these things into one tale and have them come out as perfectly calibrated, delectably sweet, and emotionally layered as a masterful wedding cake." — Entertainment Weekly "There are so many things to love about this book! Its wit and warmth; the deft way Parker weaves in a Great British Bake Off-like competition; the scintillating royal secrets. But my favorite by far was watching the icy hero melt into a puddle at his sunshine heroine's feet. Battle Royal is the perfect reading-slump buster, and once again proves why Lucy Parker is the Queen of the Grump." — Therese Beharrie, author of One Last Chance "Lucy Parker's Battle Royal won my heart with its effortless effervescence and deep notes of aching poignancy. I adored this tale of rival bakers who forge an unexpected connection while vying for a royal commission." — Ruby Lang, author of Playing House "Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best! This book is the coziness of your favorite baking competition show with the snipe and spark of a great enemies to lovers romance. Try and have a snack handy while you're reading this one ... you will get hungry from all the delicious descriptions while Dominic and Sylvie bake, banter, and fall in love." — Jen DeLuca, author of Well Played "Parker is a writer who knows her audience, and she keeps raising the bar when it comes to warm romances and charming tropes. Opposites attracting over delicious cakes and the fearsome thrill of competition are a heady combination as Sylvie and Dominic's chemistry snaps, crackles, and pops off every page. The slow burn of the romance is tantalizing and well paced, though there is plenty of setting and detail to take in while readers await the inevitable happily-ever-after. An utterly delicious romance that's meant to be devoured." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "With a perfect trifecta of endearing characters, superb use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and a chemistry-laden slow burn, this excellent start to Parker’s newest series is one readers will rush to dive into." — Library Journal (starred review) "Parker’s winsomely witty and whimsically inventive contemporary romance is truly scrumptious. From the zippy dialogue and humorous banter exchanged between the book’s perfectly matched protagonists to the delectable descriptions of sweet treats that would not be out of place in Willy Wonka’s factory, this deliciously sexy love story whips up everything romance readers crave." — Booklist (starred review) "Brimming with pop culture references and quick wit… irresistible banter and even more irresistible chemistry… The result has all the fun of a fluffy rom-com, with the emotional catharsis of a more dramatic romance.” — Publishers Weekly

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Book Synopsis''A classic. The Adrian Mole diaries are thoroughly subversive. A true hero for our time'' Richard Ingrams''My comfort read. The best diaries ever written - with apologies to Samuel Pepys, Bridget Jones and me'' ADAM KAYThe FOURTH book in Adrian Mole''s diaries, where we catch up with a hapless Adrian and his desperate attempts to win back the love of his life.__________ Thursday January 3rd I have the most terrible problems with my sex life. It all boils down to the fact that I have no sex life. At least not with another person. Finally given the heave-ho by Pandora, Adrian Mole finds himself in the unenviable situation of living with the love-of-his-life as she goes about shacking up with other men. Worse, as he slides down the employment ladder, from deskbound civil servant in Oxford to part-time washer-upper in Soho, he finds that critical reception for his epic novel, Lo!Trade ReviewCelebrate Adrian Mole's 50th Birthday with this new edition of the fourth book in his diaries, where we catch up with a hapless Adrian and his desperate attempts to win back the love of his life * from publisher's description *A classic. The Adrian Mole diaries are thoroughly subversive. A true hero for our time -- Richard IngramsEnormously funny * Sunday Telegraph *Adrian Mole really is a brilliant comic creation * The Times *The funniest person in the world * Caitlin Moran *

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Book SynopsisThe next in a hugely successful series of charming English comedies set in the fictional county of Barsetshire.Trade ReviewYou read her, laughing, and want to do your best to protect her characters from any reality but their own * New York Times *The novels are a delight, with touches of E. F. Benson, E. M. Delafield and P. G. Wodehouse -- Christopher Fowler * Independent on Sunday *Charming, very funny indeed. Angela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself * Alexander McCall Smith *

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Book SynopsisTHE THIRTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES'' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIESThe one where Mma Ramotswe meets her hero . . . Mma Ramotswe, normally a peaceful sleeper, finds her slumbers disturbed by dreams of a tall stranger - but she is not quite ready to learn what this vision portends.Soon even Mma Makutsi has to admit that untoward things are occurring around the No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency: at Speedy motors, Fanwell finds himself in trouble with the law, and the indomitable Mma Potokwani disappears from the orphan farm. Armed with courage, kindness and an instinct for the truth, Mma Ramotswe sets out to restore order . . .

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Book SynopsisBOOK ONE IN THE MUCH-LOVED ISABEL DALHOUSIE SERIESIsabel Dalhousie knows that behind Edinburgh''s Georgian facades, its moral compasses spin with greed, dishonesty and lust. As a philosopher, editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and founder of the Sunday Philosophy Club, her business is to map the intricacies of human behaviour. But when she sees a man tumble from the balcony at the Usher Hall, it''s her instinct that tells her strongly that he didn''t fall: he was pushed. Isabel turns amateur sleuth in a bid to solve the mystery of the falling man, and what she lacks in official status she makes up for in contacts and informants, including her housekeeper Grace, her beautiful niece Cat, and Cat''s ex-boyfriend Jamie, whose charms are causing Isabel to review her own ethics.PRAISE FOR THE ISABEL DALHOUSIE NOVELS:''Isabel Dalhousie''s charm is undeniable'' Sunday Times''The No. 2 Lady Detective . . . anyone who Trade ReviewBrimming with Discreet charm * Mail on Sunday *Like [Barbara] Pym, McCall Smith believes that the small stuff in life matters * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisA 2023 best book to look forward to in Vogue, Bustle, GQ and the New Statesman''A superbly observed exploration of intimacy and its failings'' Megan Nolan''West-Knights is a masterful, hilarious and humane story-teller'' Olivia Sudjic''A sharp and clear-eyed portrait of familial love and the ways it makes us mad'' Monica HeiseyBillie and Tom have just lost their father. It should be a time to comfort each other, but there''s always been a distance to their relationship. Determined to change this, Billie boards a flight to her brother in Paris.Dazed by grief, the siblings spend days wandering the streets, both helping and hurting each other in the process. When their explorations lead them to the infamous Paris catacombs, they will finally be forced to face the secrets lurking in their past that illuminate the questions in their present.Funny, moving and unexpected, DEEP DOWN is an empathetic anTrade ReviewThe novel is a serious and very accomplished examination of what it means to love and grieve for someone who might seem unlovable. It wrestles, too, with the timeless question of how to form one's own distinct adult identity in the shadow of a difficult parent. But it's also immensely funny. * Guardian *A dry comedy that's as astute as her reported writing - and funny too * Vogue *DEEP DOWN is a beautifully constructed and unnervingly assured debut which deeply moved and impressed me. Imogen West Knights reveals family silence and repression in a way which feels almost agonisingly true to life. There are no histrionics here, nor any glib resolutions, but a superbly observed exploration of intimacy and its failings. Not to be missed -- Megan NolanI am in awe of this genius debut novel. A brilliant page-turner - I also wanted to pause every few paragraphs and read aloud as a treat for whoever happened to be sitting next to me. West-Knights is a masterful, hilarious and humane story-teller. -- Olivia SudjicAs a longtime fan of Imogen West-Knight's writing, I was thrilled to discover her fiction is just as charming: a sharp and clear-eyed portrait of familial love and the ways it makes us mad -- Monica Heisey, author of REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLYThis perceptive account of the undercurrents that shape our family relationships and the ways in which they play out in adulthood had me gripped. A tender, moving novel with heart, by a new talent in fiction -- Rhiannon Lucy CosslettDeep Down is a nuanced and sensitive study of family and abuse, of the unbridgeable gulfs in communication that render us inert and helpless, of the truths we can't bear to confront, and the loyalties we can't bear to betray -- Susannah DickeyA sensitive look at grief, families, ambition, anger and the complexity of loving and hating someone all at once. * Bookseller *An intimate, emotional and witty take on grief and complicated relationships -- Justin MyersDeep Down examines that which we would rather suppress - grief, shame, hurt - with unflinching verve while treading a careful line between finding the absurd in the humane, and the humane in the absurd. West-Knights has written a book with real heart -- Jo HamyaImogen handles complicated family dynamics and the unspoken things that come between us with remarkable sensitivity and insight, as well as perfect dark humour that is so much a part of navigating grief. I honestly can't believe this is a debut -- Emma HughesA lot of novels spin around grief, trauma, abuse and emotional disconnection. But not many can emotionally sucker punch you with one sentence and have you in tears of laughter the next. One of the remarkable things about Deep Down is how finely attuned it is to the way grief is intimately tangled up with ridiculousness. -- Eloise Hendy * Dazed *Deep Down is a wonderfully astute and often hilarious look at sibling relationships, intimacy and family repression. * iNews *West-Knights casts an adult's ear to the hopes and fears particular to the young child's mind, and the result is a thing of beauty -- Conrad Landin * Westminter Extra *

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Book SynopsisChange is in the air for Jack Sheffield and the Ragley village school.It''s 1987, and after a decade as head teacher at Ragley-on-the-Forest School, Jack Sheffield is looking to the future. He and his wife are expecting a new baby, the school is preparing for the introduction of the new National Curriculum, and the coming year promises a whole host of other surprises. Whether it''s combing the church for an escaped pet mouse or dealing with the obnoxious new school governor, life in the village is always entertaining.So when Jack is offered an opportunity that could change everything, he knows he has a difficult decision to make. Endings are never easy, but perhaps the thrill of a new beginning is exactly what Jack needs...Hilarious, nostalgic and heart-warming in equal measure, Last Day of School is the final novel in the much-loved Teacher series.''Reliably entertaining'' Choice ''Jack Sheffield iTrade ReviewJack Sheffield is certainly top of the class with this heart-warming and feel-good series. -- David Hill * Western Morning News *Reliably entertaining. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisJim Qwilleran is not exactly overwhelmed by his new assignment for the Daily Fluxion. Interior design has never been one of his specialities and now he''s supposed to turn out an entire magazine on the same subject. But the first issue of Gracious Abodes is barely off the presses when Qwilleran finds himself back on more familiar territory - the exclusive residence featured on the cover has been burglarised and the lady of the house found dead...Now Qwilleran, with the help of Koko and Yum Yum, the brilliant Siamese cats, have their respective moustache and whiskers twitching, and when Koko starts pawing clues in the dictionary and sniffing designer furniture, Qwilleran finds himself doing a feature on a very clever murderer.

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Book Synopsis''Massively entertaining and fun as hell!'' RACHEL HARRISON''The pages turn themselves'' SAMANTHA DOWNING''The hell-arious Desperate Housewives novel that dreams are made of'' BUZZFEEDA Chicago cul-de-sac is about to get a new neighbour...of the demonic kind.After moving from the city to the suburbs, Amy Foster found her place with neighbours Liz, Jess and Melissa. Snarking the elite PTA-mom crowd, the four concoct a plan for a clubhouse for themselves - a ''She Shed'' in Liz''s backyard, no spouses or kids allowed.The night they christen the space with a ceremonial drink, things begin to change. What they didn''t expect was for Liz''s home-improvement project to release a demonic force that turns their quiet suburban enclave into something from a nightmare.Cases of haunting activity in the neighbourhood intensify, and Liz begins to act . . . different. Even the calmest moms can''t justify the strange

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Book Synopsis *THE MOST RELATABLE NOVEL SAD GIRLS WILL READ ALL YEAR*A laugh-out-loud-funny, addictive book book about growing up, finding your purpose and whether everyone really does have a novel within them, for fans of MONICA HEISEY, OTTESSA MOSHFEGH and COCO MELLORS.''Brilliant'' Daily Mail''Comic'' Guardian''Extremely relatable'' Sydney Morning Herald''Unique and smart'' Emma Gannon''Weird and witty'' Chloë Ashby''I loved it'' Laura KayMaybe my main character will slowly lose their mind too. Novels usually need an abandoned woman going crazy in them. It''s gonna be, like, a sad girl novel. An Australian expat in Berlin, Kim is jobless, rootless, and - as she''s slowly discovering - somewhat useless.That is until a chance encounter with Matthew, a hotshot New York literary agent, gives Kim the direction she''s bTrade ReviewTake Hannah Horvarth's endearing naivety and Kirstin Wiig's loveable kookiness and you have the hilarious new protagonist Kim - you can't help but root for her. Unique and smart with wry humour that will make you laugh out loud. I enjoyed following (and re-living) the trials and tribulations of being a 20-something writer desperate to prove herself to the world -- Emma GannonPip Finkemeyer has drawn such a unique, funny and painfully astute character in Kim. I could keep reading her inner monologue forever. It is rare to pick up a novel so simultaneously hilarious and moving. I loved it. -- Laura Kay, author of The SplitWhat a voice - weird, witty, wonderfully unique. SAD GIRL NOVEL will make you laugh and move you, too. A winning combination. -- Chloe Ashby, author of Wet PaintWhile Kimberley Mueller spends a lot of time wondering whether she's talented, Finkemeyer need have no such doubts. Finkemeyer's narrator--with her gift for both self-delusion and self-awareness--is a stroke of genius. Sad Girl Novel achieves all we can ask of contemporary fiction: it mocks and sympathises in equal measure. I closed it feeling better able to laugh at myself -- Diana Reid, author of Love & VirtueTold through the eyes of Kim, a twenty-something Australian navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and mental health in Berlin, this novel will have you laughing, crying and wanting more. A book about finding yourself, losing yourself and everything in between, Finkemayer will draw you in with her stark realism and heartbreaking honesty. * The Urban, Australia *A captivating novel . . . Finkemeyer has an irreverent voice that will have you reaching for a pen to underline every second sentence. Sad Girl Novel will appeal to literary fiction readers who enjoyed Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation and Sally Rooney's Beautiful World, Where Are You. * Books + Publishing *

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Book Synopsis From Sunday Times and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Things We Never Got Over The bride is a doll. The groom is the perfect gentleman. But the rest of the wedding party are the stuff of nightmares.Rich? YesVapid? YesEntitled? YesAnd the Best Man? More like the Worst Man. But Maid of Honor Franchesca takes her duties seriously. There''s no way she''s going to let that pretentious, judgmental jackhole ruin her best friend''s wedding. No matter how sexy he is . . .

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Book SynopsisRumours, secrets and lies. It''s all in a day''s work.Tamsin and her best friend Michelle have been inseparable since they were teenagers. Even now they spend all their time together, along with Patrick, Michelle''s handsome husband.So when Tamsin hears a rumour that Patrick is having an affair, she is furious. Unwilling to ignore it, Tamsin plots a scheme to catch Patrick in the act, using her assistant Bea as live-bait. It should be fool proof. After all, Tamsin can trust Bea with anything. From her daily coffee order to fetching her dry-cleaning, writing reports and doing all the filing - Bea does everything with a smile on her face. Except Tamsin never considered Bea might have her own agenda. And if she does, then Tamsin really needs to watch her back . . .Praise for Strictly Between Us''I raced through this beautifully written, thoughtful and exciting story, alternately Trade ReviewI raced through this beautifully written, thoughtful and exciting story, alternately cringing and cheering as things veer further off-piste after nail-biting moments I defy anyone to predict. I didn't like it, I loved it * Daily Mail *A smart, edgy and cautionary tale of friendship and fidelity * Sunday Mirror *A deliciously edgy read full of double-dealings and divided loyalties * Good Housekeeping *A fast-moving, clever and genuinely funny story filled with twists and turns * Closer *Sassy, sharply observed * Woman & Home *Fallon's characterisation is always spot-on and this book is no different, with well drawn out characters and a tight plot that barrels along towards a brilliant climax * Press Association *Another compelling twist of friendship, love and lies * Daily Record *Sparkling and unpredictable * Elle *Chick lit with an edge * Guardian *A hilarious read * Bella *I love Fallon, she's in a category all of her own - her books are great fun and her characters are fabulous, believable women who take no nonsense. The plot is so juicy: it's about trapping a cheating man and it's told from the points of view of two women who were friends, but one of them has developed an agenda all of her own. It's fun, clever, warm and utterly un-putdownable. -- Marian Keyes * Daily Mail *A fast-moving, clever and genuinely funny story filled with twists and turns * Closer ***** * Heat *Fallon's characterisation is always spot-on and this book is no different, with well-drawn out characters and a tight plot that barrels along towards a brilliant climax * Press Association Review *Another compelling twist of friendship, love and lies * Daily Record *Queen of chick lit Jane Fallon brings us another gripping novel of friendship, deceit and drama. She is at her edgy and entertaining best - definitely one to be passed around your girl squad! * OK Magazine *Absorbing, entertaining and spiky tale full of twists, turns and ruthless double * Daily Express *A clever book that makes you laugh, makes you angry - and makes you wonder whose side you would take if it happened to you . . . * Woman *Absorbing, entertaining and spiky tale full of twists, turns and ruthless double * Daily Express *A clever book that makes you laugh, makes you angry - and makes you wonder whose side you would take if it happened to you . . . * Woman *

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Book SynopsisAn uplifting and unforgettable story of love, hope and finding you''re not alone . . .NAMED ''ONE TO WATCH'' IN GRAZIA, CULTUREFLY, THE BOOKSELLER AND BY THE BBC''Gorgeous. I shed tears. Very, very touching, sweet and hopeful'' MARIAN KEYES''Heartbreaking and glorious . . . [An] absolute joy of a novel'' HEAT, ''BOOK OF THE WEEK''''Beautiful, moving and unexpectedly timely. It''s such a pleasure to spend time in Meredith''s world'' DAISY BUCHANAN''Touching and funny and sad and hopeful. I loved Meredith, Alone so much!'' JANE FALLON________Meredith Maggs has everything a person needs.A best friend in Sadie.A beloved cat in Fred.Jigsaws to fill the time.Recipes to perfect.Even a weekly visit from the Tesco delivery guy.So what if she hasn''t left the house in 1,214 days? That her memories are treacherous, and it''s getting harder to ignore theTrade ReviewGorgeous. I shed tears. Very, very touching, sweet and hopeful -- Marian KeyesMeredith, Alone is beautiful, moving and unexpectedly timely and this time next summer everyone is going to know Claire Alexander's name. It's such a pleasure to spend time in Meredith's world -- Daisy BuchananFans of Eleanor Oliphant will love this big-hearted book [...] Meredith is a wonderful character * Good Housekeeping *Absolutely gorgeous. If you like a book that makes you feel all the feels, this is the one to go for -- Miranda Dickinson, bestselling author of Take A Look At Me NowBeautiful . . . A story filled with love and hope, and well-crafted characters * Grazia *With a gorgeous cast of characters, this story tackles difficult subjects, and unfolds sensitively. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant [...] will devour it * Woman & Home *I laughed, I cried, and I bowed down to the brilliant author of this brilliant book -- Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of That NightThis moving story tackles difficult subjects, but unfolds beautifully and sensitively * Woman's Weekly *Heartbreaking and glorious . . . [An] absolute joy of a novel * Heat 'Book of the Week' *A gorgeous, charming novel . . . Sweet, moving, funny and hopeful, with a courageous heroine who sweeps you up in her story -- Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of AriadneI loved Meredith, Alone so much! Touching and funny and sad and hopeful. I have a Meredith shaped hole in my life now I've finished it -- Jane Fallon, bestselling author of Worst Idea EverFans of Eleanor Oliphant will love this big-hearted book . . . Meredith is a wonderful character * Good Housekeeping *Thought provoking, relatable and hopeful. Ultimately this is a very human novel with a huge amount of heart * Culturefly, 'Books To Look Forward To' *Meredith is such a lovely character and will break your heart -- Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed GirlA touching novel about family, friendship and being in the world, full of warmth * i *It's not sugar coated but it's not depressing either, with Alexander finding just the right balance to make this a thought provoking, relatable and uplifting book. With a wonderfully ordinary cast of characters, all of them just trying to do the best they can with the hands they've been dealt, Meredith, Alone celebrates friendship, connection, forgiveness and the healing power of love. Ultimately this is a very human novel with a huge amount of heart * Culturefly *A beautiful unfolding of a character I was not ready to let go of at the end of this book. Meredith's story is a raw and poignant reflection of what it means to rebuild a life after trauma -- Dr Julie Smith, bestselling author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This BeforeThis affecting, absorbing debut about an agoraphobic sociophobe reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine * Daily Mail *You'll root for Meredith all the way * Daily Express *This story tackles difficult subjects, but unfolds beautifully and sensitively. Fans of Gail Honeyman's bestseller Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will devour it * Woman *Absolute page-turner . . . I loved being in the company of Meredith -- Janice Forsyth * BBC Radio Scotland *Ultimately a book about hope and the power of friendship. A moving read which will leave you thinking about Meredith - even after you've turned the last page * Courier *Spirited, lovely, and full of hope * Sainsbury's Magazine *Hugely recommended * Fabulous *Utterly joyful * Sun *I love this book for so many reasons, but mostly for Meredith herself who is both flawed and loveable. Although Meredith Alone is totally unique, it also reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine in all the best ways -- Anna BonetHeartbreaking but heart-warming * Sun *This has real resonance * Sunday Post *Meredith is a likeable heroine who you can't help but root for . . . This is a book about hope and the power of friendship * Sunday Life *Alexander's touching debut is beautifully written and . . . brims with hope and the possibility of happiness. Sensitive, relatable * Mail on Sunday *Set to be one of the biggest debuts of the summer . . . Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine should be prepared to fall in love with Meredith, Alone * OX Magazine *Uplifting . . . there's a balance between darker themes and inspiring, uplifting ones: finding hope when (or where) you least expect it and learning to love yourself * Sunday Mail *For fans of Gail Honeywell's Eleanor Oliphant, Claire Alexander's debut novel is a moving story of finding inner strength and courage to overcome our deepest fears . . . Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, Alexander pulls at the heartstrings as we root for Meredith from the very beginning * The Upcoming *A novel that examines our most private spaces and what it means to be alone versus lonely, this charming, thought-provoking debut novel will be a big hit * Good Morning America *A touching contemporary fiction following one woman's journey back into the world * Popsugar *A timely and poignant book about trauma, loneliness, and stepping outside of our comfort zones - literally * BuzzFeed *An optimistic, feel-good novel * Kirkus Reviews *[A] satisfying debut. The endearing characters offer a sensitive portrayal of what it means to live with mental health issues... with heart to spare * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFencers Tam, Richie and their ever-exasperated English foreman are forced to move from rural Scotland to England for work. After a disastrous start involving a botched fence and an accidental murder, the three move to a damp caravan in Upper Bowland and soon find themselves in direct competition with the sinister Hall Brothers.Trade Review'A heaving cauldron of black humour ... You'll never look at a stretch of high-tensile agricultural fencing in quite the same way ever again' Time Out 'With a tone that wavers as unsettlingly between Ken Loach and Franz Kafka as its locale switches from Scotland to England, Magnus Mill's first novel is a work of rare originality and power ... It is very, very good' Independent 'Extremely unusual, finely crafted and funny' Observer 'Unpretentious, comic and intelligent' Daily Telegraph

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Book Synopsis___________________Anything written by Celia Imrie is guaranteed to put a smile on your face' - Good Housekeeping___________________The beautiful town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, tucked between glitzy Monte Carlo and the plush red carpets of Cannes, is home to Theresa, Carol, William, Benjamin and Sally: five retired expats who have pooled their resources to set up La Mosaïque, a divine little restaurant.But there is trouble in paradise: the friends are desperately struggling to make ends meet, and when the much hoped for sale of their Picasso mosaic falls through they realise it will take every bit of their talent and gumption to save La MosaïqueThe witty and enchanting third novel from the well-loved actress and Sunday Times-bestselling author of Not Quite Nice and Nice Work (If You Can Get It), perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Fern Britton___________________Praise for thTrade ReviewA fun read ... There’s a deranged energy that sweeps you along * Daily Mail *Breezy, lightly comic … peppered with delicious recipes * Radio Times *Well-loved TV and movie actress Celia’s third novel, following the fortunes of five expats in the South of France who open a restaurant together * Love It! *Praise for the Nice series: ‘Fun … Her work has definite joie de vivre and a sunny, good-natured feel -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail *A hugely enjoyable romp of a novel with eccentric characters, a delightful background and a savoury tang of crime -- Katie FfordeWith its lively plot and eccentric characters, this is a light-hearted, fun read * Daily Express *A very witty novel by a very witty woman. Hugely entertaining -- Julian FellowesA warm, light-hearted, fast-paced tale that fans of Peter Mayle will enjoy -- Joanne HarrisUtterly delicious in every way -- Joanna LumleyA delicious piece of entertainment … The characters are a hoot and their antics are hilarious; even better, Theresa is a fabulous cook and Imrie includes the recipes of her signature dishes * The Times *Wonderful and very amusing -- Helen Lederer * Good Housekeeping *Sunny and funny … A keenly observed, rollicking tale of mature expats reinventing themselves on the French Riviera * Mail on Sunday *In a delicious touch, the action is punctuated with recipes for the local dishes that are cooked by the characters so that readers can, if they wish, cook along with the action * Daily Telegraph *It’s lots of fun, with adventure at a certain age as its driving force, and sun-kissed recipes * Sainsbury's Magazine *A comic caper set among the tangled lives of a group of expats in a southern French village * Observer *Celia Imrie reveals herself to be a gifted novelist … Witty and engaging * Choice *A pacy, light-hearted romp around the Riviera … Imrie is on a roll with her Nice stories: they’re sharp, witty, with a nice plot twist and, like her recipes, leave you with an appetite for more * Scotland on Sunday *Peppered with local dishes, the novels are as light and frothy as the îles flottantes with crème anglaise * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''A yearning, tenderly bruising beauty of a book and a brilliant portrayal of friendship in the roaring noughties'' Rhik SamadderIt was a time of drinking too much and staying out all night.Of boozy al fresco dinners, sneaking into private clubs and midnight strolls on Hampstead Heath.It was a time of friendship, of falling in love and being young.A time when you felt that anything could happen.But the party can''t last forever, and for Joni and her friends, sunrise promises something darker than any of them could have imagined, as they face the one undeniable truth: it''s not if the party ends; it''s how.''A huge delight. I remained utterly gripped throughout'' Sofka Zinovieff, author of Putney''Engrossing . . . a powerful book with characters that will stay with you'' Heat''I loved Just for Today, a novel written by a young person about young people getting into the Trade Review'What a yearning, tenderly bruising beauty of a book. Generous, gorgeous and funny, it's a brilliant portrayal of friendship in the roaring noughties. When I finished, I was so bereft and impressed that I turned straight back to the beginning and started again' -- Rhik Samadder'Unputdownable. Totally wonderful' * Daisy Goodwin *'Engrossing . . . a powerful book with characters that will stay with you' * Heat *'An absolute page-turner of a coming-of-age story, a debut that pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the final page' * LoveReading *I was immediately pulled in with that wonderful feeling of "Ah, this is going to sail me along and provide huge delight." I longed to get back to it over the few days I read it and remained utterly gripped throughout -- Sofka Zinovieff, author of Putney

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Book SynopsisWHY BE YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN BE PERFECT?**As featured on The High Low podcast** ''MAGNIFICENT. Brutally honest and righteously angry but still HUGELY enjoyable and engaging. I bow down!'' Marian Keyes ''A thoughtful, intelligent, urgent novel women need to read.'' Dolly Alderton The highly-anticipated new novel from Holly Bourne, bestselling author of HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?_____________He said he was looking for a ''partner in crime'' which everyone knows is shorthand for ''a woman who isn''t real''. April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal - yet she can''t seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she''s found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry. If only April could be more like Gretel. Gretel is exactly what men want - she''s a Regular Everyday MTrade ReviewMAGNIFICENT. The whole sorry mess of gender and sexual politics wrapped up in a compelling story told by an ADORABLE heroine. I feel educated and empowered from reading it. Brutally honest and righteously angry but still HUGELY enjoyable and engaging. I BOW DOWN! -- Marian Keyes'Unsettling and hopeful, enlightening and entertaining. A thoughtful, intelligent, urgent novel women need to read' * Dolly Alderton *Pretending is the most freeing, reassuring book on dating after #MeToo I've ever read. Perceptive. Hilarious. Reassuring. Brilliant. -- Laura Jane WilliamsI love this book! It made me cry and laugh and rage and fall completely in love with the characters and you MUST READ IT! It's beautifully written and completely engrossing but also a really important, timely book. Sheer brilliance. -- Lucy FoleyPretending looks at what it is to be a woman and makes the reader look inwards (or backwards), reflecting on past encounters with more awareness, forgiveness and understanding than ever before. Empowering, thought-provoking, honest, observant, heart-wrenching and uncomfortable - an exposing and healing read * Giovanna Fletcher *I cannot think of a more important modern love story to tell * Dolly Alderton, The High Low podcast *What looks like a lolzy rom-com is actually a punch-in-the-gut brilliant novel about consent and mental health. Don't let this one pass you by * Grazia *The amazing thing about Holly's writing is how she's able to say not just what we're all thinking but what we're even too afraid to admit to ourselves. Her books should be mandatory reading for everyone.Thoughtful, smart and painfully true * Cosmopolitan *A brilliant, hard-hitting, tell-all-your-girlfriends-to-read-it book * Fabulous Magazine *Hugely entertaining rom-com for the post #MeToo generation * Daily Mail *As with all of Holly's books, I was totally hooked from the first page. Her unique voice immediately invites you in and you can't look away. Gritty, funny and poignantWhat a painful, raw, important, hilarious, whip-smart triumph of a book.I adore-love-worship this book. Every page brings another eye-wateringly relatable moment and I couldn't put it down. I was constantly laughing, crying, and nodding aggressively at every page. Holly Bourne is officially my favourite writer and this book is everything.I really, really enjoyed but also really, really admired this bookOne of Holly Bourne's greatest gifts as a writer is her ability to cut to the emotional core of her chosen subject and nowhere is that shown with more deftness than in Pretending. Searingly honest, intense, and insightful, this is a profoundly moving novel, and to my mind, Bourne's best work to dateSo relatable, powerful and thought-provoking. April is a rare and wonderful protagonist, I fell for her instantly, I loved her rage and vulnerability and I constantly rooted for her even when I knew she was doing the wrong thing. This is a vivid, contemporary exploration of the darkest side of relationships, anger and powerlessness, but it's filled with joy too. If we've all been suffering from Gone Girl Cool Girl syndrome, Holly has written the antidotePretending is Holly Bourne at her best. It's a funny, feminist yet challenging read that will make many readers feel validated and seen * Red *Bourne's novels are so witty, so stingingly acute on millennial pop culture, that you only notice by stealth their serious intent * Metro *A funny, feminist and challenging story, which will make readers feel validated and seen. What an accomplishment for a novel * Red Magazine *An extraordinary book. Properly funny, effortless to read and yet it deals with real and visceral trauma in a way that is incredibly effective and true to life. It's feminist and angry and compassionate and hopeful. I would give this book to every woman in her 20s and 30s.Smart, perceptive, funny and touching about modern life for modern women.I just read this in two sittings and I need to reiterate: I love Holly Bourne. Such unbelievably dark themes and brutal cynicism yet Pretending still has a joy and a lightness of touch that makes it easy to breeze through.Devastating, funny and insightful, Holly Bourne's Pretending is a read that will resonate * Stylist *What a brilliant book this is! I felt such lacerating anger, laughed and was incredibly moved all in the space of one book. I hope everyone reads it. Fantastic -- Lucy DiamondA novel about female fragility and female power and about the endless tightrope we all walk as women in the #metoo era. Honest, courageous and fiercely funny. A surefire hit.A brilliant takedown of the rules and expectations of the dating game, with a spot-on analysis of the falseness and contradictions within. Insightful, relatable and excruciatingly honest, with a serious heart. Holly's style is so clear and her pace so perfect, the Things We Don't Talk About Enough are presented in the most accessible way imaginable. That's an exceptional gift. I'm sure thousands of women will find comfort in April's story. I absolutely loved it I inhaled this in two greedy sittings because WOW. What a read - perceptive, unflinching, funny and raw, this story and its characters just leapt from the page.After Bourne's How Do You Like Me Now? became a bestseller, we predict great things * Red *This book will make you laugh, cry, think and feel understood in less than 500 pages * Platinum-mag.co.uk *An author highly attuned to the concerns of 20/30-something women, but writes so engagingly that her readership goes well beyond this demographic * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisNamed a Best Book of 2022 by the New YorkerNamed a Top 10 Book of the Year by SlateNamed a Best Book of the Year by VultureA New York Times Editors'' ChoiceShortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction ''Talent is rare, which is why I let out a big yippee reading Andrew Lipstein''s Last Resort... Excellent''THE TIMES''You won''t read a more brilliantly executed literary romp this year''GUARDIAN ''A funny, fast-paced literary satire''DAILY TELEGRAPH''Incredibly entertaining''NEW YORK TIMES, Editor''s Choice''Wicked fun... A deliciously absurd comedy''WASHINGTON POST''If Less by Andrew Sean Greer left a hole in your life, good news: Last Resort will fill it''MEG MASON''Caleb Horowitz is exactly the kind Trade ReviewCowardly, avaricious, annoying, territorial, deceitful, opportunistic: there aren't enough shady adjectives in the dictionary to describe the narrator of Andrew Lipstein's Last Resort. What fun! Last Resort is about a novelist who has stolen the plot of his best-selling book from a story relayed to him by an acquaintance. Now, if you read last year's The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, you'll notice that this novel has a similar, uh, plot as that one... They are both thrillers about, of all things, intellectual property. Korelitz's book was tighter and darker. Lipstein's is funnier. Both are incredibly entertaining... If Lipstein had written a less cunning book, he might have contrasted Caleb with a character who represented artistic purity, whatever that is. But everyone here sits somewhere on the grifter spectrum, including the real people (Avi, doomed woman, repressed married couple) upon whom Caleb's characters are based... In addition to a blithe streak, Caleb has a cruel streak, a petty streak and an intemperate streak, and Lipstein milks the comedy of these traits almost as well as Kingsley Amis did in Lucky Jim. * New York Times, Editor's Choice *If you've ever wondered where writers get their ideas from, Last Resort is wicked fun. If you're a writer, Last Resort is heartburn in print. Splayed across these pages is the dark terror that lurks within any creative person's breast: the embarrassing facts that might demolish the glorious claims made in the name of literary invention... A deliciously absurd comedy about literary fame. * Ron Charles, WASHINGTON POST *Lipstein gleefully scrutinizes the nature of success in an industry that runs as much on vanity as on financial gain... The book's command of contemporary-hipster details is wincingly precise. * New Yorker *Talent is rare, which is why I let out a big yippee reading Andrew Lipstein's Last Resort, one of a trio of excellent new first novels by men... Lipstein doesn't just blast chunks out of the inflated artifice of New York's literary scene, he turns his fire on the city at large too, or at least its hipster quarters, all "friendly, progressive, organic, recyclable"... There is something in Lipstein's novel that is specific to new male novelists - their conscious sensitivity about writing sex. Lipstein takes this head on. In Last Resort the novel-within-the-novel is slated online for its "male gaze". This is culturally astute (it's an accusation any man runs the risk of when he puts pen to paper, especially post #MeToo) and a smart way for Lipstein to say: I get it. * The Times *You won't read a more brilliantly executed literary romp this year... An unsparing satire of a generation of millennials who fear that their lives lack gravitas and emotional depth * The Guardian *A funny, fast-paced literary satire. * Daily Telegraph *A novel of post-collegiate literary ambition, slippery storytelling, and a perfectly Pninian ending. * Vanity Fair *Last Resort, Andrew Lipstein's almost perfectly plotted debut novel on a topic - creative envy and artistic theft - that tastes like catnip to many readers of literary fiction . . . has one of the best endings in recent memory... You'll think about Last Resort for weeks after you read the last pages. * Los Angeles Times *A brilliant morality tale about what happens when a person refuses to learn from their mistakes, all the way down to the final scene, which had me laughing out loud and punching the air. * Vulture *This is a moral drama about ambition and authorship that's as funny and fast-paced as it is sharp and cutting. * Monocle *A blissfully wicked work of art... A lightning-streak of a novel. * Interview *So horribly delicious that the reader (especially the reader who is also a writer) won't even dream of looking away. * LitHub, Most Anticipated Books of 2022 *If Less by Andrew Sean Greer left a hole in your life, good news: Last Resort will fill it. Fast and funny, it feels like a backstage pass to the book world. * Meg Mason, author of SORROW AND BLISS *I loved Last Resort. It takes so many surprising and brilliant turns: it is fun and witty, and rollicks through the pains and joys of writing and having your name on a book jacket (or not). And Caleb Horowitz is exactly the kind of character I love to hate: self-justifying but reflective, self-centred but loving. * Claire Fuller, Costa Novel Award winner of UNSETTLED GROUND *Last Resort is a rare accomplishment, a novel of ideas - about art, authorship, money, ethics - with the momentum of a great thriller. * Rumaan Alam, author of LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND *Last Resort is one of those novels about writing guaranteed to make every novelist who reads it blush with its unsparing portrayal of greed, obsession and smug superiority. Wickedly funny: I loved it. * Patrick Gale, author of MOTHER'S BOY *A brilliant take on what it means to be an artist in a world of endless compromises. Look out, Faust, there's a new sheriff in town. * Gary Shteyngart, author of SUPER SAD TRUE LOVE STORY and LAKE SUCCESS *If there's nothing new under the sun, can anyone be original without lying? Would truth still be stranger than fiction if people were honest in real life? This fast-paced simulacrum of a commercial novel is not out to please the critics. I finished it in a day. * Nell Zink, author of DOXOLOGY *Last Resort is a strange and beguiling book about the contrivances, connivances and mysteries of creation, with an especially visceral depiction of male anxiety and an absolutely blistering end. A terrific debut. * Joshua Ferris, author of THEN WE CAME TO THE END *Sometimes, a character falls in step with you, invades your thoughts, disrupts your dreams and challenges your choices. You don't so much read Caleb Horowitz's story as be beguiled, bothered and bruised by it. This brilliant book is elegant, messy, sharp, blunt, sad and funny all at once. So good! * Janet Ellis, author of THE BUTCHER'S HOOK *Sharp, witty, and gleeful. A wry, brutal dissection of male authorship and ambition at a time of #metoo. Think Salter, but without his cold gaze, and written with such verve and gusto it will leave you holding your breath. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does. And some. Not a romp, more a riot, as Lipstein lays bare the petty jealousy of his protagonist, Caleb Horowitz, and his relentless pursuit of the right to be "known" and to own what is "his". What Caleb creates, he destroys; all that is good, is trampled, in a message that seems to speak beyond the book to question what it is to be male today. Honestly, I can't wait to read what Lipstein writes next. * Guinevere Glasfurd, Costa First Novel shortlisted author of THE WORDS IN MY HAND *With its seductive, chilled intelligence and frictionless style, Last Resort plunged me summarily into a one-sitting read. I came up for air awed by this sophisticated, high-stakes moral drama. * Hermione Hoby, author of NEON IN DAYLIGHT *A propulsive tale of American literary ambition, this novel exposes the status-hunger that motivates plenty of writing-far more than writers like to admit. A keenly observed and sharp-witted debut that's assured from first page to last." * Tom Rachman, author of THE IMPERFECTIONISTS *Lipstein asks the timely question: does one possess sole title to one's own story? A sharply written, headlong romp. * Lionel Shriver, author of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN *A darkly comical thriller about writers and publishers, emulation and betrayal, written in an excitingly careful, clear, and original prose style. * Tao Lin, author of LEAVE SOCIETY *Last Resort is witty, profound and blisteringly intelligent. Andrew Lipstein asks major questions about ambition and authenticity and artistic ethics, while keeping me frantically turning the pages to see what happens next. A fantastic, fast-paced and deeply funny novel. * Molly Antopol, author of THE UNAMERICANS *A delightfully nightmarish satirical chronicle of one young author's reckoning with the consequences of his own blind ambition. Caleb's journey had me cringing with pure pleasure. * Antoine Wilson, author of MOUTH TO MOUTH and PANORAMA CITY *Last Resort is a witty, propulsive and often mesmerizing novel, a kind of creative-class thriller, full of wry social observation and subtle emotional textures, and it builds beautifully toward a bracing showdown between knowingness and self-knowledge. With its insular milieu and quality lit namechecks, not to mention its quasi-satirical anxiety of auto-fictional influence, Andrew Lipstein plays a risky game, and he plays it superbly, with feeling. * Sam Lipsyte, author of HARK *Authenticity and possession of stories are the surface themes of Last Resort, but it is really about ambition and emptiness, about a callow young man with nothing to say self-destructively looking for shortcuts in literature and life. But the great irony is that Andrew Lipstein's impeccably written debut has quite a lot to say, and, as with the best comic novels, his semi-hero's misadventures have an undertow of real sadness. * Teddy Wayne *Last Resort raises incisive questions about authorship, the tension between art and commerce, and the elusive nature of self-fulfillment, all while unspooling a compelling story with humor and great suspense. I didn't want it to end. * Julia Pierpont, author of AMONG THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS *A darkly comical thriller about editors and agents, friends and acquaintances, lovers and strangers, written in an excitingly careful, attentive, and original prose style. * Tao Lin, author of LEAVE SOCIETY *

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Book SynopsisFunny, heart-warming and ultimately triumphant, The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr by Frances Maynard is a story for anyone who doesn’t quite fit in – and for everyone who chooses not to. Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.'Wonderful' – Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn't Call.Elvira Carr is twenty-seven, neuro-atypical, and has never lived alone. But her father – who she suspects was in the secret service – is dead, and when her mother has a stroke and is taken into care, Elvira suddenly finds herself home alone. In order to cope, Elvira – who knows a lot about biscuits and supermarkets, but not much about life – develops Seven Rules for interacting with others. Not even her rules can help her, however, when she’s faced with solving a mystery she didn’t know existed . . .'Big-hearted and charming' – James Hannah, author of The A to Z of You and Me.Trade ReviewAbsolutely fantastic -- Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn't CallFunny and heart-warming, Elvira is our new hero * The Sun, Fabulous magazine *Big-hearted and charming . . . Elvira manages to conjure up the one thing we could all do with: a cheat sheet for the painful puzzle of everyday life -- James Hannah, author of The A to Z of You and MeCharming . . . Ellie will make readers smile and occasionally want to take her under a protective arm -- Booklist'A heartwarming coming-of-age story. Perfect for book clubs and for readers who enjoyed The Rosie Project' * Library Journal *A novel which will stick in your mind long after reading, stalking your thoughts as you go about everyday life . . . When I finished the book, I couldn’t help but wish there was a sequel . . . Marvellous -- Ronnie Turner, bloggerFunny and heartwarming * My Weekly *Memorable and touching . . . The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr is an important novel and a great read, with elements of mystery, discovering friendship, and working out how to be independent in the world * Siobhan Dunlop, blogger at FiendfullyReading *Sometimes characters come along in books that are so utterly exquisite you feel blessed to have experienced them and indebted to their author for having gifted to them. Such is the case with Elvira Carr . . . A tale that is full of joy, empathy, honesty and warmth -- Jade Craddock, nudge-book.comFans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Rosie Project will love this endearing book . . . Heartwarming with a mystery at its centre . . . Elvira’s character is written with such genuine affection that you can’t help but root for her * bookriot.com *

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Book SynopsisDon’t Panic! Reissued for the first time in 40 years, two unique recordings of Douglas Adams's sci-fi comedy drama.When Earthman Arthur Dent learns that first his house and then his planet are about to be bulldozed, it’s the beginning of an interplanetary adventure for him and his friend, Ford Prefect. After fleeing Earth they hitch a lift with hoopy frood Zaphod Beeblebrox, who hurtles from one improbability to another - literally. With Trillian and Marvin the Paranoid Android in tow, the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is soon revealed: 42. But what was the question…? Following the success of the BBC radio series, Douglas Adams adapted his scripts for these two full-cast albums, with incidental radiophonic music provided by Paddy Kingsland. First released by Original Records in 1980, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe star Peter Jones as The Book, Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect and Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox. Produced by Geoffrey Perkins and Tim Souster, the cast also includes Cindy Oswin, Stephen Moore, Richard Vernon, Valentine Dyall, David Tate, Jim Broadbent, Bill Wallis, Roy Hudd, Frank Middlemass, Stephen Greif and others. Hang onto your towel – it’s going to be the ride of a lifetime.

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Book SynopsisJessica Luna has man trouble, mom trouble, and not a clue what to do with her life. As the baby of her family, she's never been trusted to make the right choices. So now Jess bases all her life decisions on signs-seeking guidance from the Virgen de Guadalupe hanging from her rearview mirror or what Madame Hortensia, her psychic, sees in the cards.When her sort-of boyfriend Guillermo disappoints her again, Jess wants to call it quits. Just to be sure, she checks in with Madame Hortensia, who tells her it's time for a change. Right on cue, Jess meets Jonathan. He's successful, financially stable-and the total opposite of all her past boyfriends. Jonathan should be her dream man, but as he helpfully advises her on every aspect of her life, Jess can't help but wonder if the changes he's suggesting are ones she wants.For the first time in Jess's life, there's no one who can tell her what to do. But if she wants to have any say in her future, she's going to have to learn to make decisions. All on her own.

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Book Synopsis'A masterpiece in every sense' Daily MailThe Drones club's in peril. Gussie's in love. Spode's on the warpath. And His Majesty's Government needs a favour. Thank goodness Bertie Wooster is back!From the mean streets of Mayfair to the scheming spires of Cambridge, prepare to meet a joyous cast of characters: chiselling painters and criminal bookies, eccentric philosophers and dodgy clairvoyants, appalling poets and pocket dictators, vexatious aunts and their vicious hounds.Have we ever needed Jeeves and Wooster more?Trade Review[Schott] captures the style of the Master very well indeed. He follows Jeeves And The King of Clubs with a glorious romp . . . a splendidly jolly read. * Daily Express *Once again pastiche perfect. -- Ian Sansom’s book of the year * Times Literary Supplement *Captures PG Wodehouse's style very well. * Daily Mirror *A combination of the old and new, done with panache and wit . . . Schott's new novel is a hugely welcome one, and deserves to soar up the Christmas bestseller lists. * The Critic *Ben Schott's second Jeeves and Wooster book proves an enjoyable continuation of PG Wodehouse's classic characters. Schott writes in a distinctive style that is somewhere between homage and postmodern response, and his story . . . is more eventful and action-packed than Wodehouse would ever have countenanced. And it ends on a splendid cliff hanger. * Observer *This homage to P.G. Wodehouse is so good that a blind reading (i.e. a genuine 'Plum' versus Schott's pastiche) would be a tricky call. Everything is in its place: Jeeves shimmers, aunts scheme, Drones drone. Even the style is spot-on: the erudition of Schott's various Miscellanies finds expression as similes and quotations of hilarious ingenuity . . . the sheer luxury, wealth and self-assurance of Bertie's world is brilliantly evoked with all its enviable light-heartedness intact. A masterpiece in every sense. * Daily Mail *In times of stress, there's nothing like an outing with Bertram Wilberforce Wooster. A very creditable and uplifting homage to the master. * Saga Magazine *

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Book Synopsis“[Francis] is just so good at the transcription and transformation of everyday ordinary life, all seen from sideways on, so that everything becomes so strange and so funny.”–Tessa Hadley An elderly academic is accosted by a homeless woman on his way home from the cinema. She tells him her name is Laura. So begins a nightmarish journey for Gerald, who is forced to confront the mystery of his own past and to ask himself if he has lived a good life – or even a decent one. In the course of this very funny, sometimes disturbing and often moving novel, suppressed memories return to haunt him, including the question of the role he played in a family tragedy. Above all he has to assess the harm he may have done in a long-forgotten love affair. Those close to him suddenly appear unfathomable as he begins to question if he truly knows those closest to him and even himself. The problem with exploring the past, Gerald begins to see, is that there are an infinite number of ways to travel through it.Trade Review“I haven't been so sorry to finish a novel for a long time. I think it's a triumph.” * Samantha Harvey *“The novel is […] full of memorable aperçus — particularly strikingly when it evokes ‘that alchemy which transforms anxiety, failure or disaster into the safety of anecdote’ […] There’s a certain alchemy in writing that can transform themes of anxiety, failure or disaster into something as moving, disturbing and funny as this novel is.” * The Spectator *“Elegantly written, humorous and perfect in its evocation of a flickering past.” * The Tatler, All the best new books of the summer *“Richard Francis is one of the UK’s most underrated novelists.” * The Huffington Post, 22 Brilliant Books To Read This Autumn *“Delivered with such imagination and chutzpah […] The pleasure of Laura Laura is in its robust – even fun – approach to serious stuff. * The Critic *“Funny, moving, absorbing, thought-provoking[…]. I read this book in a state of almost continuous delight.” * Shiny New Books *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year A special reissue from Head of Zeus's bestselling anthology series of the funniest stories ever written, selected by comedian Paul Merton. From Anton Chekhov to Ali Smith, from P.G. Wodehouse to Nora Ephron, the greatest writers are those who know how to laugh. Here, award-winning comedian and broadcaster Paul Merton brings together his favourite funny stories of all time. Whether it's the silly, surreal, slap-stick or satirical that makes you smile, there's a story here to tickle every funny bone. From prize-winners and literary giants, to stand-up comedians and the rising stars of funny literature, this brilliant anthology is guaranteed to cheer your day.Trade ReviewAnybody who dips into Funny Ha, Ha [...] will emerge many hours later filled not only with pleasure and delight, but also with a sense of gratitude to Merton for choosing so well * The Times *Comprehensively joyful * Sunday Times *As you might expect from as singular a comic talent as Paul Merton, this compilation of his favourite funny stories offers material both hilarious and unusual * Guardian *A mixture of old favourites [...] and new discoveries... You're bound to find stories that put a smile on your face' * Daily Mirror *Poignant as well as funny... There are plenty of belly laughs... Whatever your taste in humour, the book is so vast you are bound to find stories to put a smile on your face' * Sunday Express *Extremely funny... [An] eclectic, wide-ranging anthology' * Sunday Times *Easy to dip in and out of * Scotsman *Such gems that they are well worth another outing... The book does indeed have its charms' -- HeraldWhether it's the silly, surreal, slapstick or satirical that tickles your funny bone, there's a tale here to suit in this chunky collection of 80 funny short stories * This England. *

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Book Synopsis'If Emma Murray writes it, I want to read it. Hilarious!' Cathy KellyBrand new from the bestselling author of Time Out and The Juggle.When her husband David announces he’s been offered a job in New York, Saoirse is thrilled. The glamour of the big city, the shopping, the culture, not to mention the free Manhattan apartment and business class air fare – what’s not to like? There’s just the small matter of making it work for their daughter, five-year-old Anna, who isn’t so keen to leave her friends and school behind.The Big Apple in the middle of summer isn’t quite the holiday Saoirse envisaged, and with David away with work, New York apartment sizes on the miniscule side, and the pace of life faster than the sleepy London suburbs, solo ex-pat parenting pushes Saoirse to her limits. And as the pressure builds and ‘faking it till she makes it’ isn’t cutting it, there’s only one thing for it – Saoirse and Anna need a new plan, and ‘Winging It’ might be their best option…Emma Murray returns with this laugh-out-loud funny, compulsively page-turning adventure about parenting, travelling, and finding your tribe – on both sides of the pond. Praise for Emma Murray:'With wit, brio and fabulous humour, Emma Murray again delivers a page-turner about travel, parenthood, trying to fit in and finding your own tribe. If Emma Murray writes it, I want to read it. Hilarious.' Cathy Kelly'A fabulous series full of laughter, witty observations' Jessica Redland'Emma Murray’s writing is so deft: rib ticklingly funny and also heartbreakingly poignant at times that the reader is swept along with Saoirse and her cast of supporting characters as they navigate their increasingly hectic lives.' Fay Keenan 'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth 'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica RedlandReaders loved Emma’s first book Time Out:‘Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable. The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.’‘I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.’‘Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!’‘A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.’

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Book SynopsisAmu Djoleto's debut novel, The Strange Man, tells the comedic tale of Old Mensa and his troubled childhood in 1960s Ghana. Bold and rebellious ever since he was a boy, Mensa knows what it's like to be on the wrong side of the teacher's caning stick – and he is determined to save his children from the same fate. Looking back on his life, Mensa recounts moments in his early years when his sharp tongue led him into trouble and his knack for mischief pulled him into wild misadventures – the most memorable involving a very disgruntled goat. But his childhood battle against tyrannical teachers and corrupt church members takes on new meaning when he discovers his daughter is facing the very same cruelty he faced years ago. Writing with brilliant humour and wit, Djoleto shrewdly explores the role of religion, parenting, and teaching in mid-century Ghana.

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Book SynopsisLizzie Rose knows what she likes and likes what she knows.Her role at the London Museum is more than a job, it’s her safe place and her passion. So when Lizzie is passed over for a chance in a lifetime opportunity in favour of her ex-boyfriend and fellow Egypt nerd Friedrich Klein, her heartbreak over their relationship pales into insignificance compared to her sadness at losing the project.Best friend Colette thinks an evening of cocktails is just the medicine for a broken heart, and meeting dashing, charming, but very much ‘not her type’ Finn Bryson at the bar puts a smile on Lizzie’s face too. But Lizzie isn’t used to spending time outside of her comfortable world of academia and doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. So when Finn’s job brings him to the museum, she’s determined to put an end to any notion of romance between them.But what if Lizzie’s comfort zone isn’t that comfortable any more? Is it time for Lizzie to take the chance on love that fate keeps bringing her way - even if it means changing the habits of a lifetime?‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest feel-good, unforgettable and utterly uplifting love story, guaranteed to make you smile. Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella.Praise for Maxine Morrey:'I absolutely love Maxine’s books - it’s so much fun to be in her world.' Portia Macintosh'An uplifting read that stops you in your tracks and makes you wonder "....but what if?" Absorbing, funny and oh-so-romantic, I loved every page!' Rachel Burton'A super sweet read, guaranteed to warm any winter evening' Samantha Tonge'A lovely story that kept me turning the pages' Jules Wake‘A stunning, perfect novel – it literally took my breath away.’ The Writing Garnet, 5 stars‘A warm hug of a book.’ Rachel’s Random Reads, 5 starsWhat readers say about Maxine Morrey:‘I loved it from start to finish, favourite book by far this summer ☀️ looking forward to reading more from this author.’‘Yet another superb summery, sunshine read from Maxine. A lovely, comfortable read with relatable characters.’‘A beautiful and heart-warming read. The characters are so incredibly well written, their stories are so real and their emotional journeys of healing past hurt and trauma are so beautifully touching. For me, I think this story is one of the best I have read in a really long time, so much so that I re-read the last few chapters over again.’‘I'm a huge fan of Maxine Morrey's books, so shockingly this won’t be an unbiased review, it’s going to be completely and unashamedly biased and gushing about her wonderful, poignant, thought provoking stories which make me emotional but always happy by the end when I read them.’‘Another amazing story from Maxine Morrey. So beautifully written, lovely characters, the whole Book feels like a warm hug. I couldn’t put it down!’‘Loved this book an easy read and found it hard to put down. From a sad start to her life and bad relationship choices Fleur finally meets the love of her life. Recommend this book to anyone who likes a true romance.’

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Book Synopsis'A warm, witty novel about love and friendship with a fun time-travel twist' HELLO Magazine Number one bestselling author Louise Pentland is back with her brand new novel that will make you laugh, make you cry and thoroughly charm you!Sometimes you have to go back, to move forwards.Tabby is stuck. She still lives in the small town she grew up in . . . the town she's barely ever left.So, when her dad drops a bombshell over their weekly Sunday dinner, Tabby takes a look at her own life. She lives firmly in her comfort zone and doesn't know how to break out. Sometimes she wishes she could go back and start all over again.When she meets Bea, a free spirit like no one else she's ever known with an 'interesting' sense of style, Tabby quickly befriends her, recognising in Bea the change she's been craving. But soon it becomes clear that more has changed than her new friend. Somehow Tabby has been transported back to the 1980s.With the chance to reinvent herself in another time, will Tabby finally manage to move forward?'Full of hope and courage and sisterhood' Emma B, Magic FM

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Book SynopsisTo his parents' dismay, Colin Keith - out of the noble but misplaced sense of duty peculiar to high-minded young university graduates - chooses to quit his training for the Bar and take a teaching job at Southbridge School. Little does Colin imagine that he will count among his pupils the demon in human form known as Tony Morland; or that the master's ravishing, feather-brained daughter Rose will, with her flights of fancy and many admirers, spread chaos throughout school and village. Humorous, high-spirited and cleverly observed, Summer Half is a comic delight.Trade ReviewAngela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself -- Alexander McCall SmithWhat sings out is the ebullience and charm of her characters, deliciously sparkling dialogue, a romping plot, her wit and gentle satire, and the escapist satisfaction of neatly tied-up happy endings * bookoxygen.com *Angela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself -- Alexander McCall Smith

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Book SynopsisMark Twain's gloriously funny Diary of Adam and Eve, which John Updike described as a paradigm of the relations between sexes, is presented here with a number of other Twain pieces on our two oldest ancestors, showing the writer's interest in this most famous episode of the Bible. By giving a voice to Adam and Eve, and by hitting all the notes on the literary scale - from the intimate to the comical, from the journalistic to the idyllic - Twain displays the brilliance and wit for which he is rightly considered one of the greatest satirists of all time.Trade ReviewThe father of American literature. -- William Faulkner

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Book SynopsisIn the Midwestern city of Zenith, the middle-aged estate agent George F. Babbitt appears to have achieved the American dream to its fullest: he is successful at work, comfortably off, exceedingly well fed, has a wife and children, a motor car and a neat house with a neat yard, and is a proud member of all the right clubs - in short, he lacks nothing to be happy. Or does he? As we follow his humdrum daily routine and startling events begin to unfold around him, we discover that all is not well in Babbitt's world: his moral foundations are shaking, and he can't help harbouring rebellious dreams of escape and romance. A trenchant satire on consumeristic society and an indictment of the fatuous ideals of middle America in the Roaring Twenties, Babbitt - the crowning achievement of Sinclair Lewis, winner of the 1930 Nobel Prize in Literature - questions the attractions of materialistic fulfilment, at the same time laying bare the hollowness of social respectability and blind conformism.

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Book SynopsisNever underestimate a librarian. Intelligent cosy crime with razor-sharp wit and an unlikely hero, for fans of P.G. Wodehouse and Muriel Spark "So funny." Lynne Truss Shona McMonagle is back, once again personally selected by Marcia Blaine, founder of her alma mater, the Marcia Blaine School for Girls – this time for a crucial mission involving time travel, Macbeth, the Weird Sisters and a black cat. Unsure which version of history she’s in – and fully aware of Shakespeare’s egregious inaccuracies - Shona tries to figure out who she’s here to save. But between playing the Fool and being turned into a mouse, things don’t always go her way. Shona’s expertise in martial arts is put to the test as family tensions rise and fingers are pointed for murder. Can Shona unravel the mystery in time to complete her mission? Never underestimate a librarian!Trade Review'Witty and surrealistically humorous … Extremely light-hearted, funny and easy to read.' -- Dundee Courier, Book of the Week

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Book Synopsis‘The writer who saved my life — or my soul.’ Merve Emre, The New Yorker ‘A true living hero of the American avant-garde.’ Jonathan Franzen ‘One of the very few contemporary prose writers who seem to be doing something independent, energetic, heartfelt.’ Lydia Davis A new collection of stories from the ‘godmother of flash fiction’ (The Paris Review). In Williams’ stories, life is newly alive and dangerous; whether she is writing about an affair, a request for money, an afternoon in a garden, or the simple act of carrying a cake from one room to the next, she offers us beautiful and unsettling new ways of seeing everyday life. In perfectly honed sentences, with a sly and occasionally wild wit, Williams shows us how any moment of any day can open onto disappointment, pleasure, and possibility.Trade Review‘[Williams] writes an unmistakable type of story: short, tightly wrought, each sentence a small masterpiece — a three-act play in miniature … With flying narrators and women whose hair drags on the floor as they walk, there’s something of Leonora Carrington’s visions about the stories.’ -- Francesca Peacock * The Spectator *‘As proved by I Hear You’re Rich, Diane Williams’s fiction, long beloved by those in the know, is joyful, unnerving, and linguistically spry.’ -- Leo Robson * The Telegraph *‘Williams explores the pleasures and disappointments of adulthood in this distinctive collection … Williams’ blend of precision and understatement make her insights on her characters’ fears and limitations cut deeply while leaving the stories open to interpretation. This will leave readers aching in all the best ways.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Miniscule stories from a master of the form … It’s nearly impossible to categorise Williams’ work. She interrogates both the mundane and the metaphysical. In story after story, she upends what readers have grown to expect from traditional narratives — a beginning, middle, and end, to say the least — sometimes leaving us without any of those elements at all. A Williams story might be made up of a fragment of dialogue, a thought, a description, or some combination of these … Mysterious, gemlike, and strange.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘You can always count on Diane Williams, head literary weirdo and “godmother of flash fiction” for a good time — if you consider having your mind blown to be a good time, which you should. Her latest book has 33 short pieces guaranteed to shift the world around you, if only for a moment.’ * Lit Hub *‘Spry, sly, and spirited, Williams’ very short stories — most are a couple of pages long — are brilliantly unsettling … Williams’ clean sentences are uncluttered, but strangely surprising, and the stories themselves have mysterious depths, a teasing sense of meaning and connection that can never be quite explained or articulated.’ -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *‘How much can one writer do with how little? Williams is so intelligent, fearless, and tough, she does extraordinary things within the constraints of her own stringent rules.’ -- Heather Cass White * Times Literary Supplement *‘Every event, thought, image, phrase, and word are given equal opportunity to claim or elude your attention. Turn the pages and see what stands out to you. You might be surprised.’ * Chicago Review of Books *‘The short stories in Williams’ eleventh collection — I Hear You’re Rich— are some of her very best. Alluring and allusive, the 33 beautifully wrought literary miniatures in this volume — the shortest of which is a single sentence of 23 words — are characteristically attuned to what Williams describes as “those exigencies, calamities that underpin everyday life”. Taken together, these distinctive — and sometimes surprisingly comedic — stories confirm Williams is indeed one of the most important US writers working today.’ -- Alexander Howard * The Conversation *‘Williams delights … What a treat! Life is rendered immediate and fresh through her eyes as she takes on the simplest of subjects — affairs, a request for money, the act of carrying a cake — with precision and gusto.’ * RUSSH Magazine *‘Mesmerising.’ * Tertulia *‘These 33 stories, a few as short as a paragraph, pack inordinate complexity into tiny spaces and take unpredictable turns toward unexpected conclusions … From the elusiveness of love to the desire for escape, the themes here are hard to mine in flash fiction. That Williams does so is a tribute to her talent.’ -- Shelf Awareness, starred review‘Like looking into the deep, expressive eyes of a person … struggling against forces that are not always clear to them.’ * The New York Times Book Review *‘Williams’s sentences are syntactically flexible, spasmodic, surprising … Flip to a random page and you’ll likely find at least one question. The world for Williams’s characters is an endlessly baffling place — which might be another way of saying it’s endlessly interesting.’ * Southwest Review *‘It takes a master of the short story form to craft truly incisive slice-of-life fiction, and Diane Williams proves that she’s among the best with her latest collection, I Hear You’re Rich … In each brief story, we see the entirety of the human experience bubbling underneath.’ * West Trade Review *‘You might call Diane Williams’s plots dreamlike — they proceed according to their own mysterious logic, interrupting themselves — but they’re not hazy … [Williams] turn[s] the everyday stuff of realist fiction into props for existential fun houses … I Hear You’re Rich will please fans of Lydia Davis and David Lynch.’ * Vulture *‘Stories that offer glimpses into the mundane and exhilarating beauty of everyday life.’ * The Millions *Praise for The Collected Stories of Diane Williams: ‘Full of funny, libidinal, and invigorating enigmas … Readers who love the arresting phrase, the surprising word, will gravitate to her … It’s perfect to leave on the bedside table, to be consulted before one’s dreamlife begins.’ -- Ange Mlinko * The London Review of Books *Praise for The Collected Stories of Diane Williams: ‘Erudite, elegant, and stubbornly experimental. For any writer, an omnibus collection is a triumph. To see years of Ms Williams’ confounding fictions collected in so hefty a volume is like seeing snowflakes accrue into an avalanche.’ -- Rumaan Alam * The New York Times *Praise for How High? — That High: ‘Williams is a magician of the miniature … Don’t let their diminutive stature fool you: these pieces pack a punch. Brief, elliptical, steeped in longing — or is that lust? — they offer slices of life that rely on interior more than exterior details, which is to say they are small road maps of the soul … All the pieces here … are rigorous in both language and emotion, using nuance and inference to explore the implications, the contradictions, that people rarely share aloud … Williams’ small gems are as dense and beautiful as diamonds, compressed from the carbon of daily life.’ * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for How High? — That High: ‘Williams returns with a collection showcasing her mastery of succinct and suggestive stories … Williams’ prose evokes both strangeness and familiarity as she gets at the core of what it means to live into one’s later years. This is by no means for everyone, but it will surely satisfy fans of well-wrought fiction.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for Diane Williams: ‘I would describe Williams as the writer who saved my life — or my soul, if one believes such a thing exists ... [Williams’] stories, many no longer than a page, suggest that what is left unsaid between people remains more powerful than what they have the capacity to articulate. Although Williams studied with Gordon Lish (and before that, with Philip Roth), her minimalism is distinctive for its sublimity and its spirituality, its ability to evoke the laws of a world apart.’ -- Merve Emre * The New Yorker *Praise for Diane Williams: ‘Williams can do more with two sentences than most writers can do with two hundred pages.’ * The New York Review of Books *Praise for Diane Williams: ‘Not a single moment of the prose, here, is what you expect, and even the ordinary is, in the context created by Diane Williams, no longer ordinary: it is fresh, happy, and peculiar — or is it we who are refreshed, happy, and more peculiar than before after reading her?’ -- Lydia DavisPraise for Diane Williams: ‘This book will rewire your brain.’ * NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour *

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Book SynopsisAmerican author Willa Cather wrote a book titled The Professor's House. The story begins with Professor Godfrey St. Peter and his wife when move to a new house. He becomes uneasy about the route of his life is taking. His two daughters' marriages resulted in their departure from the house and the addition of two new sons-in-law, causing a midlife crisis that leaves the Professor feeling as though he has nothing to look forward to and has lost the will to live. The novel focuses on the relationships between the Professor and his new sons-in-law and family, while also making allusions to their grief over Tom Outland's, who was his student, friend and also the fiancé of his elder daughter, loss during the Great War. What will the Professor do to manage his family? How will he overcome his and his family's pain? Read The Professor's House to know the complete story.

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Book Synopsis''A brilliant contemporary novel'' COLM TÓIBÍN''So witty, observant and wise'' MARIAN KEYES''I am fully in awe of Dolan''s talent'' DOUGLAS STUART''A dazzling follow-up to Exciting Times'' KATHERINE HEINY''Beautiful'' PANDORA SYKESMeet the wedding party:THE BRIDE AND GROOM Celine and Luke are meant to get married and live happily ever after. But Celine''s more interested in playing the piano, and Luke''s a serial cheater.THE BRIDESMAID Phoebe, Celine''s sister, is meant to finish college and get a real job. Instead she pulls pints, lives with six flatmates, and has no long-term aspirations beyond smoking her millionth cigarette.THE BEST MAN Archie, Luke''s best friend and ex-boyfriend, is meant to move up the corporate ladder and on from Luke. Yet he stands where he is, admiring the view.THE GUEST Vivian, Luke''s other best frienTrade ReviewSassy and smart and wickedly funny, Dolan's voice is uniquely her own. I inhaled every irreverent page -- Ruth Gilligan, author of The ButchersI just finished The Happy Couple and I loved it - an extremely funny examination of modern love, with depth, bite and poignancy -- Daisy Buchanan, author of INSATIABLEDolan, whose debut novel Exciting Times was a storming success, is sure to bring her sparkling wit and insightful understanding of human relationships to this second outing * Irish Independent *I pure LOVED The Happy Couple. So witty, observant, wise and funny. Nihilistic about heteronormative relationships but so charmingly done I barely noticed. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it -- Marian KeyesA cracking ensemble, The Happy Couple is a beautiful sonata about our relationships and a sad fugue for fear and loneliness. The book is a tough, all-engrossing love-test. Dolan's acerbic humour is unapologetically analytical. She breaks the rule of intimacy with wit and panache that are second to none. I was kept on tenterhooks till the last few pages and my heart wouldn't stop pounding afterwards. I don't want to say goodbye to Luke and Celine. -- Kit Fan, author of DIAMOND HILLEndlessly funny, endlessly inventive - a bold and stylish novel that slipped down and burned like a shot of something lovely -- Rebecca Wait, author of I’M SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAYA sophisticated character study of a young couple coming to terms with their relationship, in this biting, whip-smart look at modern love and the tangled messes we leave behind us. I am fully in awe of Dolan's talent. And so glad my twenties are over -- Douglas Stuart, author of YOUNG MUNGO and SHUGGIE BAINThe Happy Couple is a dazzling follow-up to Exciting Times. Dolan spins her magic again with humour and insight and the sharpest of prose. Not a word out of place -- KATHERINE HEINY, author of STANDARD DEVIATION and EARLY MORNING RISERThe Happy Couple is just as satisfying as Exciting Times, and deals with class, money, gender dynamics and bisexuality with similar ease. Set between London and Dublin, it is a beautiful exploration of love, fidelity - and whether either are compatible with marriage -- Pandora SykesThe Happy Couple is one of those rare novels that feel like it's been written just for you. It's precisely what I love to read: engaging, fast-paced, hilarious, but still tender and moving. Also, is Dolan an actual genius? The pages just sparkle with smartness. It's a true joy to read, I adored it from the first page to the last -- Jenny Mustard, author of Okay DaysUsing daring, exciting sentences and close, sharp observation, The Happy Couple is a brilliant contemporary novel -- COLM TÓIBÍNThe Happy Couple hooked me the way that heteronormativity hooks its ambivalent protagonists. Dolan's prose absolutely crackles with wit, humour, and empathy -- Clare Fisher, author of ALL THE GOOD THINGSThe Happy Couple reminded me of Muriel Spark in its precision of language and emotion -- Emma Forrest, author of BUSY BEING FREEFun, addictive and laced with astute observations * Vogue *A deep dive into love, betrayal, monogamy and sexuality. Sensational * Daily Mail *One of the most talked about books for 2023 * Stylist *A funny and perceptive play on the traditional marriage plot that cements Dolan as one of the cleverest, most amusing new writers around. Marriage, it seems, is a laughing matter * The i paper *The Happy Couple rises towards an affecting ending that asks what illusions and armour one has to shed in order to feel free * Observer *The funniest writer you will read this year. Every page crackles -- Irish Independent, on EXCITING TIMESDroll, shrewd and unafraid -- Hilary Mantel, on EXCITING TIMESWitty, compelling, with a razor-sharp social commentary. I guzzled it -- Pandora Sykes, on EXCITING TIMESIt's flawless -- Colm Tóibín, on EXCITING TIMESI found myself purring with pleasure. This is comic writing at the highest level -- Craig Brown, on EXCITING TIMESIce cool, self-aware and very funny. Shares of Lorrie Moore and The Bell Jar -- Graham Norton, on EXCITING TIMESI had real fun with Exciting Times. It is a very funny, spiky, Marxist, feminist comedy and it's really mean -- Zadie Smith, on EXCITING TIMESA sharp, smart, witty modern love story. I loved it -- David Nicholls, on EXCITING TIMESNaoise Dolan's prose accommodates equally well a quickening heart and a mind on fire -- Joshua Ferris, on EXCITING TIMESFiercely intelligent, brutally funny and written with such heart, EXCITING TIMES announces an impressive new voice in literature -- Nathan Filer, on EXCITING TIMES'A taut, witty tale' * Daily Mirror *Sharp, hilarious - and cuttingly observant! * Woman & Home *I loved everything about this ferociously clever contemporary reworking of the marriage plot. Sensational. * Daily Mail *This book confirms her as an artful comic novelist with a distinctive signature style * The Telegraph *I ran through my proof copy in a few greedy hours, enjoying the snark Dolanisms and the way she toys with form * The Times *This is a warm and sympathetic novel, ready to let even its worst offenders off the hook * The Observer *Witty and insightful... a complete winner * Glamour *This novel is a joy to read * Literary Review *Smart and sharp on 21st century love and loneliness * Grazia *A darkly funny, clever look at modern relationships with a wonderful cast of maddening yet endearing characters * Red *

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Book SynopsisThe tyrannous Huntsmen have declared everyone in one village to be outlaws, since they insist on supporting the magical beings of neighbouring Darkwood. Why won’t they accept that magic is an abomination? Far from being abominable, the residents of Darkwood are actually very nice when you get to know them, even Snow the White Knight, who can get a bit tetchy when people remind her she’s a Princess. In order to stop the Huntsmen from wiping out all magical beings, Snow and her friends have to venture into the Badlands of Ashtrie, and seek the support of the Glass Witch – but she has plans of her own, and let’s just say they’re not good ones.Trade Review‘Gabby is one of the funniest writers I know.’ Sarah Millican ‘...very funny. If you like Terry Pratchett, or think gothic fairytales should have more LOLs, "tis the book for ye."’ Greg Jenner‘I have read this and it is great. Pratchetty fun for all the family.' Lucy Porter'...magical, surprising and funny.' Jan Ravens

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Book SynopsisDream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. A year in a gorgeous Italian castleWhen Anna Roberts' life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can't do it aloneWith the last man on earth she'd choose!The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake's had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn't exist is quickly proving impossible!Readers are loving Anna and Jake's romance:I see fake dating, I see Italy, I readIt felt like the author had gone into my brain and pretty much wrote the romantic comedy of my dreams' Trade Review Readers can’t get enough of The New Guy: ‘Seriously love this twist on an office romance’ Christina Parker, Netgalley ‘Their chemistry was off the charts’Mad Mom Life ‘Better than most rom coms I’ve watched and read!’ Jennifer Arnold, Netgalley ‘Reads like the perfect rom-com movie’ Sinead, Librarian ‘Very sexy and very sweet’ Morgan Shulman, Goodreads ‘Warmed my heart and read like a movie…What a beautiful sweet surprise this was’ Kelsey Peterson, Goodreads ‘You have yourself a page turning, don’t want it to end story, in essence an absolutely cracking read!’ Margaret Harris, Netgalley ‘A gorgeously sweet romance!’ From Rachael Claire ‘It's got laugh out loud moments, heart wrenching moments but most important that feel good factor’ Chantiece Bates, Goodreads

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A perfectly intoxicating delight! Thank You for Listening is a witty, clever, and open-hearted love story full of delicious twists on all your favorite romance tropes. Julia Whelan has already proven herself to be a singular, wry voice in fiction but with Thank You for Listening, she has something truly special: a story so remarkable and original that only she could write it. A must-read for anyone who loves a good love story." — Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising "Thank You for Listening is a fascinating behind-the-scenes peek at the voice actors who bring love stories to life for the rest of us. Mix Julia Whelan’s storytelling ability and smart banter with a cynical romance audiobook narrator who won’t trust a happily ever after and what do you get? Pure magic." — Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here “A compulsively readable story about self-discovery with plenty of laughs and spice along the way.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Thank You For Listening is a delight from start to finish. Julia Whelan takes readers behind the scenes of the audiobook world in this story of second acts and second chances that’s full of wit, heart, and humor. The characters felt so real I began to miss them the moment I turned the final page." — Andrea Dunlop, author of We Came Here to Forget [A] poignant and charming novel. Whelan’s skillfully nuanced writing truly shines. — Booklist (starred review) “This pull-at-the-heartstrings yet sexy debut novel by Whelan, an award-winning audiobook narrator, is all about the choices we make for ourselves and others. It will delight Anglophiles as well as Jojo Moyes fans.” — Library Journal "Thank You for Listening is one of the funniest, most clever, sexiest, and most deliciously complex love stories I've read in years. The dialogue is electric. The chemistry, both intellectual and physical, is palpable. The characters are singularly unforgettable. I can't remember the last time I was this jealous of a writer's talent. I wanted to bask in this book, and I also wished I'd written it. Julia Whelan's been my favorite audiobook narrator for years. Now she is one of my all-time favorite authors." — Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet On Vacation "A fearless story! Unflinching, utterly addictive and gorgeously written! I wish I wrote this romance!" — Lauren Blakely, # 1 New York Times Bestselling Author "Playfully sexy and boundlessly charming, Thank You For Listening is a warm and wise tale of love and affection and a must-read for anyone who loves the sound of voices speaking into a microphone." — Linda Holmes, New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over "Wickedly funny, tearfully poignant, hopelessly romantic, witty and sexy and important, plus a writer at the top of her game, and a peek behind the curtains of both Hollywood and how our beloved audiobooks are created? This book is everything. Narrator and author Julia Whelan is a true talent and THANK YOU FOR LISTENING is utterly unforgettable. A modern classic." — J.T. Ellison, New York Times Bestselling author of Her Dark Lies “Whelan is always wonderful, but she shines in this carefully constructed, sometimes-steamy romance that manages to be laugh-out-loud funny.” - Candace Smith — Booklist (starred review) “Hilarious and touching…this novel has everything the best romance novels should have: a reluctant protagonist, a hot partner, loving family/friends and true love. What more can you ask for?” — USA Today (four stars) "Thank You For Listening is a romcom with serious depth and a lot of heart. It's witty, sharp, and not afraid to tackle some heavy themes, and a fascinating window into the world of audiobook narrating. The magic so often happens when someone writes about a subject they know so well, and this book is the perfect illustration. What a cracking follow-up to My Oxford Year. Julia Whelan gets better and better. I'm a huge fan!" — Lizzy Dent, Author of The Summer Job

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Book Synopsis'A gorgeous festive treat of a story, glowing with warmth and Christmas spirit.' Phillipa Ashley 'A fabulous slice of village life!' Heidi Swain A feel-good, festive read to keep you cosy this winter. For fans of Heidi Swain, Sarah Morgan and The Archers. Recently divorced, the family home sold and her son all grown-up, Clare is at a crossroads. She's dedicated her whole adult life to her family, and now it's time she did something for herself. In the lead up to Christmas, Clare decides that a bit of time in the countryside might be just what she needs, so she moves back to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in. But living with her mum for the first time in years - and not to mention Goliath the Great Dane - can be challenging. When Clare finds herself running the village Christmas show, it feels like she has purpose in her life again. Bringing together people from all sides of the community, and all walks of life, will Clare manage to pull off a festive feat like no other? And will she find the new start in life - and possibly love - that she's been looking for? The Country Village Christmas Show is the perfect romantic read to get cosy with this winter. Return to Little Bramble in The Country Village Summer Fete and The Country Village Winter Wedding, available now. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Authors and readers are already loving The Country Village Christmas Show: 'A gorgeous, uplifting festive read. I loved it.' Holly Martin, author of Christmas at Mistletoe Cove'A great read full of festive magic. One to enjoy this Christmas.' Bella Osborne, author of Escape to Willow Cottage'As warm as a hot chocolate on a winter night.' Laura Kemp, author of The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness'A joyous read celebrating love, community and Christmas spirit.' Julie Caplin, author of The Little Cafe in Copenhagen'Everything you need for entertainment of the best possible kind . . . I loved it.' Raven McCallen'A heartfelt and uplifting read - the perfect book to get into the festive spirit!' Andrea Michael, author of The Book of Us 'A fun and festive read and has to be one of my favourite reads of 2020.' gingerbookgeek blog'I love Christmas stories and this didn't disappoint!' Netgalley reviewer'I loved everything about this book.' Netgalley reviewer'Everything I hoped it would be - and so much more!' Netgalley reviewer'The PERFECT Christmas read!' Netgalley reviewer'Wonderfully festive to get you in the Christmas mood!' Netgalley reviewerTrade ReviewA joyous read celebrating love, community and Christmas spirit. * Julie Caplin, author of The Little Cafe in Copenhagen *Everything you need for entertainment of the best possible kind . . . I just loved it. * Raven McCallen *A gorgeous, uplifting festive read. I loved it. * Holly Martin, author of Christmas at Mistletoe Cover *A great read full of festive magic. One to enjoy this Christmas. * Bella Osborne, author of Escape to Willow Cottage *A heartfelt and uplifting read - the perfect book to get into the festive spirit! * Andrea Michael, author of The Book of Us *As warm as a hot chocolate on a winter night. * Laura Kemp, author of The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness *A fabulous slice of village life! * Heidi Swain *A gorgeous festive treat of a story, glowing with warmth and Christmas spirit. * Phillipa Ashley *

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