Narrative theme: love / relationships

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover twenty-five remarkable new voices in these award-winning stories published by Unbound in collaboration with Creatd, the parent company of digital storytelling platform Vocal. Based in the US and open to content creators and podcasters of every kind, Vocal has over 700,000 users all over the world.The stories have been chosen from over 13,000 entries submitted to the Vocal+ Fiction Awards and are by writers from round the globe who have risen to the top on the Vocal platform. Winners have been selected by well-known writer, critic and former Times literary editor Erica Wagner.Compelling narrative, vivid language, tales of family, of hope, of terror, of the worlds that await us. These stories showcase the diversity, ingenuity and imagination of Vocal’s unique voices.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoffee Days, Whiskey Nights is a collection of poetry, prose, and aphorisms that juxtaposes the hopefulness a brand new day can bring with the lingering thoughts that keep us up into the late-night hours. A lot can happen between the first sip of coffee and the last taste of whiskey, and this book takes a look at the way a single day can change our outlook on everything from relationships with others, to our relationships with ourselves, and everything in between. Ultimately, it illustrates that no matter how hopeless we may feel at the end of a day, a new one is only a few hours away.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAgainst the backdrop of the theatre, a real life drama plays out…After fleeing from a marriage arranged by her ambitious mother, Katherine throws herself into an acting career, but a scandal threatens to wreck everything she has worked for.Charlotte believes she can have any man she wants, and she wants Archie – no matter who is standing in her way. Esme is in love with the life and vibrancy of the theatre, and the contrast to the life of duty she has known as a parson’s daughter. But can a quiet and trusting girl ever be truly at home on the stage?All three girls are seeking escape. Each is pretending to be someone she is not, and all are in love with the same man…An enthralling tale of love and rivalry from bestselling author Freda Lightfoot, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Annie Clarke.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen a local meadow is turned into a bee-friendly allotment, will romance also blossom?New teacher Ceri has enough on her plate trying to keep her class in line and get them excited for her Foxmore wildlife efforts. Then she meets the mysterious – and occasionally grumpy – Damon, whose orchard she’d like to explore.Rock star Damon has moved to Foxmore to escape the hounding paparazzi following the tragic death of his bandmate. Relocating to somewhere quiet and isolated is just what he needs to recover. Ceri is a ray of sunshine, but he’s not ready to share his dark secrets with her.As love blooms, will Damon’s hidden past get in the way of their happiness? And can he bring himself to give up his music for love?A gorgeously tender, uplifting romance in the heart of Wales, perfect for readers of Mandy Baggot, Suzanne Snow and Sue Moorcroft.Praise for The Allotment on Willow Tree Lane ‘This was a lovely love story. One of those reads that leaves you feeling happy.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I was engrossed after the first few pages. The characters were brilliant and the setting was stunning… I really felt like I was there. A beautiful romantic story with some bittersweet moments.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Another great instalment from Foxmore village… I can’t wait to visit again.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This is a book about the untidy, complicated underbelly of love and love's end. Funny and true, wise and utterly authentic, you will recognise yourself over and over. I loved it' Kit de Waal 'A deeply unsettling, but unputdownable account of a marriage unravelling. This book held me captivated with its wit, ambiguity and complexity' Abi Morgan, creator of The Split Did you mean to marry me? Did you understand the vows that we took? J's wife has left, and J is trying to understand why. How could someone you loved so much, who claimed to love you once, just walk away? How could they send divorce papers accusing you of terrible things, when all you've ever done is tried to make them happy? Narrated by J in the days, weeks and months after the marriage collapses, and interspersed with the departed wife's diary entries, Is This Love? is an addictive, deeply unsettling, and provocative novel of deception and betrayal, and passion turned to pain. As the story unfolds, and each character's version of events undermines the other, all our assumptions about victimhood, agency, love and control are challenged - for we never know J's gender. If we did, would it change our minds about who was telling the truth?Trade ReviewUnsettling, furious & challenging ... raw - but brilliantly so * Observer *A deeply unsettling, but unputdownable account of a marriage unravelling. This book held me captivated with its wit, ambiguity and complexity -- Abi MorganA brilliant book about a difficult subject, compelling and disturbing in equal measure. It is dark and timely. It is needed - and very well done -- Stella DuffyClever, well-structured and thought-provoking, this is a painful but truly engrossing read * Daily Mail *A very honest story, showing the sensitivity and hurt that sit behind anger, and how misinterpreted desires can shape who we think we are and what we think we need -- La RouxC. E. Riley creates a world and a scenario at once horrifying and all too familiar. When love and a marriage shatter, where do the pieces fall? - and how do we apportion blame and responsibility? This book traces just such an unravelling, to electrifying effect -- Neil HegartyA ferocious piece of writing which, like its characters, feels ready to detonate at any moment -- Thurston MooreThis is a book about the untidy, complicated underbelly of love and love's end. Funny and true, wise and utterly authentic, you will recognise yourself over and over. I loved it. -- Kit de WaalExplores uncomfortable truths about life, love and self ... perfect for fans of unreliable narrators ... addictive ... an unforgettable read like no other * Diva *[A] forceful debut ... Is This Love? leans on its ambitious concept to provide intrigue and impetus, as it plays out a familiar narrative trajectory that goes from romance to intractable acrimony. The novel is a determined reminder that, for some couples, an unhappy, litigious process of separation can be as intoxicating as a passionate courtship * Guardian *Raw and darkly honest * CultureFly *Unflinchingly honest, with contradictory accounts of blame and abusive behaviour, this authentic presentation of the brutal breakdown of a marriage is devastatingly powerful * LoveReading *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This is a book about the untidy, complicated underbelly of love and love's end. Funny and true, wise and utterly authentic, you will recognise yourself over and over. I loved it.' Kit de Waal Did you mean to marry me? Did you understand the vows that we took? J's wife has left, and J is trying to understand why. How could someone you loved so much, who claimed to love you once, just walk away? How could they send divorce papers accusing you of terrible things, when all you've ever done is tried to make them happy? Narrated by J in the days, weeks and months after the marriage collapses, and interspersed with the departed wife's diary entries, Is This Love? is an addictive, deeply unsettling, and provocative novel of deception and betrayal, and passion turned to pain. As the story unfolds, and each character's version of events undermines the other, all our assumptions about victimhood, agency, love and control are challenged - for we never know J's gender. If we did, would it change our minds about who was telling the truth?Trade ReviewA deeply unsettling, but unputdownable account of a marriage unravelling. This book held me captivated with its wit, ambiguity and complexity -- Abi MorganA brilliant book about a difficult subject, compelling and disturbing in equal measure. It is dark and timely. It is needed - and very well done -- Stella DuffyA very honest story, showing the sensitivity and hurt that sit behind anger, and how misinterpreted desires can shape who we think we are and what we think we need -- La RouxUnsettling, furious & challenging ... raw - but brilliantly so * Observer *C. E. Riley creates a world and a scenario at once horrifying and all too familiar. When love and a marriage shatter, where do the pieces fall? - and how do we apportion blame and responsibility? This book traces just such an unravelling, to electrifying effect -- Neil HegartyA ferocious piece of writing which, like its characters, feels ready to detonate at any moment -- Thurston MooreThis is a book about the untidy, complicated underbelly of love and love's end. Funny and true, wise and utterly authentic, you will recognise yourself over and over. I loved it. -- Kit de WaalExplores uncomfortable truths about life, love and self ... perfect for fans of unreliable narrators ... addictive ... an unforgettable read like no other * Diva *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A sheer joy' JOANNA LUMLEY 'This book gives me hope ... that life and marriage might permanently include taking the absolute piss while simultaneously dancing in the kitchen' EMMA FREUD 'An endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance - and love' GUARDIAN Joanna and Roger have been married for over forty years. Children of the Sixties, they're still free spirits, drawn together by their passion for music - and each other. Conversations from a Long Marriage is exactly that: following conversations that take them from the local café, to their kitchen table, taking in her resentment of new glasses - a symbol of ageing - and fury at being lectured by the dental hygienist. He has a dodgy knee and is on statins, and when they discuss the marriage break-up of their closest friends, Sally and Peter, there's jealousy and talk of affairs. She suggests there are advantages to single beds, separate holidays and wants to go clubbing in Ibiza for her imminent 'big' birthday. Witty, big-hearted and a whole lot of fun, Conversations from a Long Marriage will resonate with couples of any age - but especially those who are still dancing in the kitchen, singing in the car and trying to keep the passion alive.Trade ReviewJan Etherington is a brilliant writer and these books are sheer joy -- Joanna LumleySitcom is what most marriages are really like - repetitive and ridiculous - and Jan's words are some of the best ever written on the subject -- Richard CurtisThis book gives me hope ... that life and marriage might permanently include taking the absolute piss while simultaneously dancing in the kitchen -- Emma FreudOne of the best writers for radio ... Her dialogue works because it is so true -- Simon BrettAn endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance - and something like love * Guardian *Sublimely funny, touching ... Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington's two hander? This is a work of supreme craftsmanship * Radio Times *Witty and warm * The Spectator *Beautifully written * Observer *Astute ... They are unlike anyone I actually know but, truly, I like them * The Times *Not just comedy but also a compelling, well-rounded drama. Brilliantly crafted, delightfully funny and perceptive ... they sparkle and spring vividly to life * Mature Times *Pin-sharp * The Lady *Exquisitely simple ... it captures the rhymes and language of spousal life [and] in these [Jan Etherington] hands it works perfectly -- Ben Dowell * The Times Pick of the Week *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An unmissable reading treat' Lancashire Evening PostA heartwrenching and evocative wartime novel, perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Rachel Hore and Lucinda Riley.Two mothers. Two daughters. Two families torn apart forever.Paris, 1939. Elise and Juliette are certain nothing can come between them. So, when war breaks out and Elise is forced to flee, she entrusts Juliette with her daughter, playmate to Juliette's own little girl.More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend's bookstore reduced to rubble – and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to Mathilde in those last terrible moments? Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise's desperate search leads her to New York – and to Juliette – one final, fateful time.The Paris Daughter is a story about mothers and daughters, the way loss transforms us, and the roads we find to beginning anew in the face of impossible odds.PRAISE FOR KRISTIN HARMEL:'Kristin Harmel is firmly in the top echelon of WW2 storytellers' HEATHER MORRIS'A master storyteller' SANTA MONTEFIORETrade Review'The Paris Daughter tore up my heart and put it back together again' -- New York Times bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly'A gorgeous, gut-wrenching read!' -- New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn 'The Paris Daughter is a heartrending, uplifting novel . . . a powerful reminder of the importance of moving on from the past before we become trapped there' -- Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library'Harmel exemplifies the best in historical fiction' -- New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline'A powerful exploration of the depths of a mother's love and the impossible choices that must be made during times of war . . . It was unputdownable' -- New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo'Her exquisite and gut-wrenching novel reveals that even in the darkest times, there are rays of light' -- New York Times bestselling author Lisa Barr'Powerful, deeply emotional, and sure to be on everyone's "must read" list' -- New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips'The Paris Daughter is an all-consuming tale of war, love and family, and at its core is a heart touching look at a mother's love and the sacrifices we make for our children' -- Sadeqa Johnson, bestselling author of The House of Eve'A heart-wrenching wartime story of motherly sacrifice, guilt, and above all, love' -- Jennifer Rosner, award-winning author of The Yellow Bird Sings and Once We Were Home'Brilliantly crafted and heart-shatteringly beautiful . . . This is a timeless book of survival, strength, courage, a forever lasting song calling for peace' -- Nguyen Phan Que Mai, internationally best-selling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child'An unmissable reading treat' * Lancashire Evening Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo happy couples. One dead body. A whole load of secrets. Married life wasn't meant to start like this.On honeymoon in Bali, you hit it off with another newlywed couple and celebrate your last night at a fancy cliff-side restaurant.No one predicted the evening would end with a dead body. But it was an accident, right? A tragic accident.The honeymoon may be over but it soon becomes clear that there's another side to this story . . . and your life depends on uncovering it.Many marriages can survive anything – but when it starts on a lie is it really 'til death do us part? ___________'This sizzling summer read is a breathtaking exploration of obsession and betrayal' - S Magazine'A page-turner full of secrets and lies, this is a totally addictive read' - Heat, 5-star review'Full of suspense and a whole load of secrets' - Prima'Atmospheric' - Candis'A wonderful twisty thrill ride' - Crime Monthly, lead review, 4 stars'Secrets, lies and the mother of all cover-ups...' - Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House and The Only Suspect'An addictive, jaw-dropping read. I loved it.' - Claire Douglas'Fantastically atmospheric and suspenseful ... Set to be one of the biggest sizzling reads of the summer!' - L.V. Matthews'A nerve-jangling tale of tension, suspicion and betrayal' - T.M. Logan'Tense, pacy, twisty and ingeniously plotted, it's going to be HUGE this summer!' - Isabelle Broom'Clever, twisty and tense, I'll be recommending The Honeymoon to friends looking for the perfect summer read.' - Nicole Kennedy'Brilliantly plotted, full of suspense and atmosphere, it had me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep.' - Lia Middleton'I really loved this book. Gripping. Atmospheric. Couldn't put it down.' - Imran Mahmood'Dark, devilish and deliciously addictive. The Honeymoon hooked me from page one and delivered twist after twist. The perfect summer thriller.' - Chris WhitakerTrade Review'A page-turner full of secrets and lies, this is a totally addictive read' * Heat, 5-star review *'Full of suspense and a whole load of secrets' * Prima *'Atmospheric' * Candis *'A wonderful twisty thrill ride' * Crime Monthly, lead review, 4 stars *'Secrets, lies and the mother of all cover-ups ... I was gripped by this twisty tale of two couples' honeymoons colliding' -- Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House and The Only Suspect'An addictive, jaw-dropping read. I loved it' -- Claire Douglas'Fantastically atmospheric and suspenseful ... Set to be one of the biggest sizzling reads of the summer!' -- L.V. Matthews'A nerve-jangling tale of tension, suspicion and betrayal' -- T.M. Logan'Tense, pacy, twisty and ingeniously plotted, it's going to be HUGE this summer!' -- Isabelle Broom'Clever, twisty and tense, I'll be recommending The Honeymoon to friends looking for the perfect summer read' -- Nicole Kennedy'Brilliantly plotted, full of suspense and atmosphere, it had me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep' -- Lia Middleton'I really loved this book. Gripping. Atmospheric. Couldn't put it down' -- Imran Mahmood'Dark, devilish and deliciously addictive. The Honeymoon hooked me from page one and delivered twist after twist. The perfect summer thriller' -- Chris Whitaker'I was gripped from the very beginning ... Keeps you guessing all the way' * The Breakfast Book Club *'Tense, twisty and expertly plotted' * The Unmumsy Mum *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo happy couples. One dead body. A whole load of secrets. Married life wasn't meant to start like this.On honeymoon in Bali, you hit it off with another newlywed couple and celebrate your last night at a fancy cliff-side restaurant.No one predicted the evening would end with a dead body. But it was an accident, right? A tragic accident.The honeymoon may be over but it soon becomes clear that there's another side to this story . . . and your life depends on uncovering it.Many marriages can survive anything – but when it starts on a lie is it really 'til death do us part? ___________'This sizzling summer read is a breathtaking exploration of obsession and betrayal' - S Magazine'A page-turner full of secrets and lies, this is a totally addictive read' - Heat, 5-star review'Full of suspense and a whole load of secrets' - Prima'Atmospheric' - Candis'A wonderful twisty thrill ride' - Crime Monthly, lead review, 4 stars'Secrets, lies and the mother of all cover-ups...' - Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House and The Only Suspect'An addictive, jaw-dropping read. I loved it.' - Claire Douglas'Fantastically atmospheric and suspenseful ... Set to be one of the biggest sizzling reads of the summer!' - L.V. Matthews'A nerve-jangling tale of tension, suspicion and betrayal' - T.M. Logan'Tense, pacy, twisty and ingeniously plotted, it's going to be HUGE this summer!' - Isabelle Broom'Clever, twisty and tense, I'll be recommending The Honeymoon to friends looking for the perfect summer read.' - Nicole Kennedy'Brilliantly plotted, full of suspense and atmosphere, it had me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep.' - Lia Middleton'I really loved this book. Gripping. Atmospheric. Couldn't put it down.' - Imran Mahmood'Dark, devilish and deliciously addictive. The Honeymoon hooked me from page one and delivered twist after twist. The perfect summer thriller.' - Chris WhitakerTrade Review'A page-turner full of secrets and lies, this is a totally addictive read' * Heat, 5-star review *'Full of suspense and a whole load of secrets' * Prima *'Atmospheric' * Candis *'A wonderful twisty thrill ride' * Crime Monthly, lead review, 4 stars *'Secrets, lies and the mother of all cover-ups ... I was gripped by this twisty tale of two couples' honeymoons colliding' -- Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House and The Only Suspect'An addictive, jaw-dropping read. I loved it' -- Claire Douglas'Fantastically atmospheric and suspenseful ... Set to be one of the biggest sizzling reads of the summer!' -- L.V. Matthews'A nerve-jangling tale of tension, suspicion and betrayal' -- T.M. Logan'Tense, pacy, twisty and ingeniously plotted, it's going to be HUGE this summer!' -- Isabelle Broom'Clever, twisty and tense, I'll be recommending The Honeymoon to friends looking for the perfect summer read' -- Nicole Kennedy'Brilliantly plotted, full of suspense and atmosphere, it had me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep' -- Lia Middleton'I really loved this book. Gripping. Atmospheric. Couldn't put it down' -- Imran Mahmood'Dark, devilish and deliciously addictive. The Honeymoon hooked me from page one and delivered twist after twist. The perfect summer thriller' -- Chris Whitaker'I was gripped from the very beginning ... Keeps you guessing all the way' * The Breakfast Book Club *'Tense, twisty and expertly plotted' * The Unmumsy Mum *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA delicious, sharp novel about a woman who jets off to France after her perfect marriage collapses, putting the broken pieces of herself back together while rediscovering her own joie de vivre – a lust for life, art, and steamy sex.Sophie Bloom's forty-second birthday promises a night of celebration with Gabe, her devoted husband, and her two besties and their spouses. Dinner is served with a side of delicious gossip: after a secret dating site for married and committed couples was hacked, thirty-two million cheaters worldwide have been exposed... including Sophie's 'perfect' husband.Humiliated and directionless, Sophie flees to Paris, where her teenage daughter is studying abroad and nursing her own heartbreak. Heading further south to the artist enclave of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Sophie begins to acknowledge her own desires and rediscover her essence with painful honesty and humour, reawakening both her sensuality and ambitions as a sculptor.Surrounded by the postcard beauty of Provence, Sophie Bloom is determined to blossom. As she allows her true self to emerge, Sophie must decide what is broken forever... and what it means to be truly unbreakable.Trade Review'This exquisitely wrought novel will appeal to readers who believe in the redemption of new beginnings' * Publishers Weekly *'Artful, feminist, and emotionally gripping. The Unbreakables is a remarkable tribute to a woman's strength in the face of heartbreak and adversity' -- Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient'An impossibly sexy read of love, friendship and art' * Booklist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Although I believe I will die here in this castle, my spirit will never be silent.’Ravenscraig Castle, Scotland. 1307When the castle she works in is sacked by the army of Prince Edward of England, kitchen maid Agnes Fitzgerald manages to escape north of Inverness to throw herself at the mercy of the Lord and Lady at Ravenscraig Castle. Although safe for now, the people of Scotland are fighting hard for their independence, and the threat of the English hangs heavy over the land. But when Agnes spies Cam Buchanan swimming in the loch, her mind turns away from war and towards love. Agnes even dares to dream of a happy future, until she learns that Cam must go and fight alongside Robert de Brus.Present dayTwins Leah and Zoe need a change, so caretaking at Ravenscraig Castle is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Surrounded by rugged Highland countryside, and bordered by a loch, the picturesque setting is everything they dreamed of. But the locals are reluctant to visit Ravenscraig, and there are whispers of ghosts and lost souls. The sisters quickly dismiss such superstition, but soon the overwhelming sadness they feel coming from the tower grows too hard to ignore.Can the sisters finally right the wrongs of seven hundred years of heartbreak, seven hundred years of betrayal…USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this heart-breaking and unforgettable timeslip novel,perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise DouglasPraise for Elena Collins:'Very highly recommended.’ Louise Douglas'The Lady of The Loch held me spellbound from the first page to the last. With two storylines beautifully woven together to create a seamless tale of love, loss, betrayal and, above all, hope, it’s a must-read. Collins’s detailed knowledge of the period trickles through the tale wrapping the reader in a vivid shifting world as it moves between the 14th century and present day. Cleverly researched and exquisitely written, The Lady of The Loch is a timeless story of hope, family and love. I loved it.' Alexandra WalshWhat readers are saying about Elena Collins:‘I couldn't put it down and I cried at the end. A terrific read.’‘A rollercoaster of emotions reading this book...from the life of a young woman let down in her relationship (we've all been there)! running parallel to the complete un-justified vitriol against a young woman in the late 1600's. It was amazing, a very powerful novel. Brilliant.’‘A book that that left me tearful at the end, but a very good story that had me hooked from the first page. Well thought out and the characters very believable.’‘Loved this book so much, the story grips you from start to finish, leaving you wishing for more of the story to magically appear so that it never ends.’‘Absolutely delightful read! One found oneself utterly captivated by the characters - of flesh & spirit alike - the Author has the ability to conjure a physical reaction in the reader - of a scent or a chill - a rare gift.’‘Stunning. Loved this book. Interesting, really fabulous read that bought lots of emotion, gladness, spookiness, history and sadness with lovely clever story-telling. I loved it.’

Read more less

Book SynopsisEscape to the beautiful, idyllic English countryside with Fay Keenan. After a rough year, the last place Lizzie Warner wants to be is Roseford. It may be a picture-postcard country idyll, but for Lizzie it will always hold difficult memories from her past. But when the alternative to staying with her Aunt Bee, owner of Roseford Blooms, is moving back in with her controlling parents – well, the choice is easy.Simon Treloar was born and raised to be the Lord of the Manor, but now he’s had to hand over his beloved Roseford Hall to a heritage charity, he begins to question his usefulness. Can he find a way to make his mark, or is it better to walk away from generations of history and strike out on his own?When Lizzie and Simon meet, they recognise kindred spirits in each other. But with both questioning their futures, can one magical summer in Roseford help Lizzie and Simon move on from what is holding them back? Or is there too much history on both sides for them ever truly to be happy together?Escape to the country with Fay Keenan’s latest warm-hearted romance, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Cathy Bramley and Jo Bartlett.What authors and readers say about Fay Keenan’s novels:'Fay Keenan's books are filled with warmth and humour. They are the perfect escape to beautiful countryside settings' Jessica Redland'This novel has such a gorgeous setting. A lovely light read and the perfect book to pack in your suitcase and take on holiday. Recommended.' Della Galton 'A gorgeous rural romance full of warmth and charm.' Victoria Connelly‘Guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Feel-good, frisky and great fun with a hearty dash of romance and intrigue.' Julie Houston 'This is fast becoming a favourite series of mine. If you enjoy my books I'm sure you will love Fay's too!' *Sarah Bennett *'Moving, funny, thoughtful and romantic. Bring on the next one!' Jenny Kane'This is a lovely and heart-warming story, that has a serious side hidden within the romance.' Amazon reviewer 'It was a wonderful book, {::}guaranteed to put a smile on your face.' Amazon reviewer‘I was so engrossed in the storyline, which is thoroughly heart-warming, that I read the entire book without stopping. I always enjoy Keenan’s books and am looking forward to the next one!’ Amazon reviewer

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Delphy Rose: thirty-eight, a SEN teacher, and happily single. After a chance encounter with Ben, she is transported back to more carefree times when both were in a local post-punk band, The Thistles. They can’t help but fall in love, but things are complicated: Ben is married and has changed. Delphy is fragile and has a secret. A young, working class, ambitious Delphy dreamt of Uni. She immersed herself in and escaped through the explosion of eighties’ alternative music. As a mature woman, Delphy recalls first loves, friendships, bust ups, colourful characters, the gigs, the parties. Through the memories of Delphy’s younger days, full of hilarious escapades, Delphy Rose recounts the journey of a woman trying to find her way through and out of a difficult, coercive relationship with issues on both sides. She must realise that while Ben is the key, he is perhaps not the answer to healing past traumas. Can she resolve the pain of her past with her final song?

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author, T. Obinkaram Echewa, The Crippled Dancer follows an Igbo family struggling in post-independence Nigeria, torn between their individual values and loyalty to one another. Powerless to ignore his grandfather's lifelong feud with the village chief, a young and gifted student named Ajuzia is drawn into a world of scheming and intrigue. He soon finds himself up against a disturbing conspiracy – one that seeks to destroy his family's fortune for good. In exploring family rivalries, accusations of witchcraft, and age-old proverbs, The Crippled Dancer is a vivid depiction of Igbo village life. Echewa offers a fascinating and cleverly woven insight into the changes wrought by colonialism and the traditions that prevailed – for better or for worse. 'Echewa [is] an impressive storyteller.' New York TimesTrade ReviewEchewa [is] an impressive storyteller. * New York Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor over forty years, former band members of Generation 27, a briefly successful band in the late seventies, have been haunted by the shadows of the group's collapse. Stephen is weighed down by guilt, Philip blames everyone else for his fall from stardom, while Martin battles addiction and illness. Only when strangely familiar figures emerge from those shadows is each of them forced to confront their loss and regret. The past really is a foreign country, but how will the three friends navigate their way from there to the future?

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An intricately plotted mystery that digs deep into a devastating crime...Loved it' Amanda Reynolds, bestselling author of Close to Me. Three women’s lives are about to change forever.The Daughter.My father is innocent. He’s spent almost four years behind bars, but now he’s getting out. I gave up everything to be there for him, just like he was always there for me. It’s all going to be worth it now.The Girlfriend.As soon as I opened the paper that day and saw that picture of Sandy, I didn’t care about the story surrounding it. There’s no way he hurt that girl. Now he’s out, we’ll get married and I’ll finally get to meet his daughter. There’ll be no more hiding our love.The Other Woman.No one knows what happened all those years ago, and the life I built depends on no one finding out. Now he’s getting out, my secrets may soon see the light. I can’t let that happen.One Loves Him.One Needs Him.One Wants Him DEAD.'A totally addictive psychological thriller set in the South of France. Perfect for fans of T. M. Logan’s The Curfew or Alex Stone’s The Other Girlfriend.'An intricately plotted mystery that digs deep into a devastating crime. The sparkling South of France is a stunning backdrop as retribution is unleashed. Loved it.' Amanda Reynolds, bestselling author of Close to Me.'Thrilling, atmospheric and brilliantly plotted – will keep you turning the pages until the early hours.' Susan Elliot Wright, bestselling author of All You Ever Wanted.'A teasingly tense psychological thriller. The heat, colour and glamour of the French Riviera is the gorgeously evoked backdrop to this dark and disturbing tale, which had me gripped from the first page to the last' Lesley Glaister, author of Blasted Things'Brilliant, compelling, addictive and important too. This thriller had me absolutely hooked.' Imogen Church, actress and author.What readers are saying about T. J. Emerson:‘Wow! Beautifully written with a great sense of place that contrasts so well with what is going on behind doors’ Valerie Keogh'The sunshine of the South of France is a compelling contrast to this cold, dark and beautifully written tale of manipulation, retribution and the blurred edges of justice.' Shari Low, author of The Catch.'Tense, daring and totally addictive' Emma Christie'An immersive, multi-layered story that provokes and excites' T.L. Huchu'An unputdownable journey into the human condition asking the reader at every turn - how good are we really? How good are you?' Louise Dean'The last time I had this sort of reaction to a character was when I read The Talented Mr Ripley' Mark Wightman'A gripping, atmospheric and addictive read' Lesley Glaister'Original, surprising and absolutely brimming with menace' Amanda Block

Read more less

Book SynopsisWelcome back to Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea brimming with character, community and friendship. The perfect place to fall in love…Running Heritage View Stables is everything Hazel ever dreamed of. She loves working with the horses and managing the business with her brother. But after a terrible incident, she’s not sure whether she'll ever be able to put things back the way they were.Gus is ready to start over. He’s moved him and his ten-year-old daughter Abigail to Heritage Cove, where he’s opening his own vet practice. Everything is falling into place, especially as he watches Abigail start to come out of her shell for the first time since the accident.Neither Hazel nor Gus is looking for love, but could they each be what the other needs? And is happiness even a possibility when their pasts won’t let them go?Join new friends and old, as summer comes to Heritage Cove.Praise for Helen Rolfe’s heartwarming stories:‘I really loved this book. I fully intended to save it for the long bank holiday weekend, to be enjoyed leisurely over a few days, but I ended up devouring it all in just two sittings…’ Jo Bartlett‘One to curl up with after a long hard day, and know you are just going to be treated to a cosy atmosphere, realistic characters that you will come to care for’ Rachel's Random Reads'Such a perfect gift of a book!' Reader Review‘Helen Rolfe is an absolute specialist at building cosy communities and making me want to live there. I want the characters as my friends!’ Sue Moorcroft‘Heritage Cove has this wonderful community spirit that I so want to be part of...the balance between the emotional moments, tough relatable topics against the light-hearted fun was done ever so well’ Love Books Actually'What a beautiful story filled with happiness, comedy and lovely characters' Reader Review‘I was gripped by the story from start to finish and the end of the book left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside’ Ginger Book Geek

Read more less

Book Synopsis1913 Lydia Miller, daughter of a German doctor, is training to become a nurse when she first meets debonair Robert Ravening, the nephew of a Lord and a keen aviator and promptly falls in love. When the Great War begins in 1914, Robert enlists with the Royal Flying Corps and as a nurse, determined to help all she can, Lydia is sent to France. But her love affair with Robert has more than one consequence as secrets and sins are disclosed. Also being both British and German Lydia finds herself in No Man’s Land, suspected by one and imprisoned by the other.Previously published as Home for Christmas Praise for Lizzie Lane:'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe gorgeous and hilarious new rom com from the bestselling author of An Un Romantic Comedy. Discover the author fans of Sophie Ranald, Catherine Walsh and Mhairi MacFarlane can't get enough of!Ella’s life is about to be hit by a wrecking ball…On the surface, Ella has it all. A great job, a penthouse apartment and the perfect boyfriend, Lee. There's just one snag: their relationship has to be kept secret due to their employer's strict rule about not dating colleagues.When Lee quits to join a competitor, Ella discovers they haven't been as discreet as they thought and she finds herself out of a job. Stuck in an apartment she can't afford with a man she's beginning to suspect loves himself much more than her, Ella's life quickly unravels.A job offer could be her ticket to a new start, but it's miles away on a construction site, an industry she knows nothing about. Can Ella prove everyone wrong and make a go of her new career? And will guidance from foreman Noah help her build a new, even better life for herself?What readers are saying about Phoebe MacLeod:'A perfect love story' ★★★★★'Humorous, light and romantic!' ★★★★★'I absolutely loved it. Heart-warming, just perfect!' ★★★★★'I loved every minute reading this book, light hearted and fun, finished in a day!' ★★★★★'I smiled so much' ★★★★★'What a wonderful book' ★★★★★'Fantastic' ★★★★★

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLEROne day, five lives, but whose heart will be broken by nightfall? It started like any other day in the picturesque village of Weirbridge. Tress Walker waved her perfect husband Max off to work, with no idea that she was about to go into labour with their first child. And completely unaware that when she tried to track Max down, he wouldn’t be where he was supposed to be. At the same time, Max’s best friend Noah Clark said goodbye to his wife, Anya, blissfully oblivious that he would soon discover the woman he adored had been lying to him for years. And living alongside the two couples, their recently widowed friend, Nancy Jenkins, is getting ready to meet Eddie, her first true love at a school reunion. Will Nancy have the chance to rekindle an old flame, or will she choose to stay by Tress’s side when she needs her most? One Day with You - two fateful goodbyes, two unexpected hellos, and 24 hours that change everything.

Read more less

Book SynopsisShe’s hated him since they were teenagers.He’s missed her just as long.The last time Daniel Rosenberg and Liyah Cohen-Jackson spoke to each other was as teenagers, sharing a first kiss. But when the path of young love didn’t run smooth, and Liyah found her heart bruised by Daniel, they parted ways for ever… until they are seated together on an aeroplane fourteen years later, butting heads just as badly but consoling themselves that at least they will never have to see each other again.That is, until Daniel’s marketing firm gets hired by the museum where Liyah works as a junior curator, and they’re forced to work together on a project that will change both of their careers.With every meeting, the tension (and chemistry) between Daniel and Liyah builds until they’re forced to confront the baggage from their childhood to work together.Despite themselves, their friendship blooms once again, each of them finding comfort in their shared experience as Jews of Colour. And as they try and fail to ignore their growing feelings for one another, Liyah must face the fears that she’s been running from her whole adult life and open her heart to love.This sizzling, utterly romantic and emotional debut will sweep you away in a captivating must-read for autumn 2023. Fans of Mhairi Macfarlane, Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert will love this.Praise for Thank You For Sharing:‘This book wrapped a fist around my heart and refused to let go…Rachel Runya Katz is a true talent.’ Rachel Lynn Solomon‘A magical love story. This is a poignant, sharp and sexy romance with the kind of complex, big-hearted characters and emotional honesty readers will adore. I loved it!’ Carley Fortune‘Impossible to put down! A delicious pressure-cooker-style slow burn of a romance…I have no doubt that readers will fall head over heels for Liyah and Daniel!’ Alexandria Bellefleur‘I can’t wait for everyone to fall head-over-heels for Thank You For Sharing…I treasured every moment I spent with Daniel, Liyah, and the rest of the vivid, complex supporting cast. This book is a gift.’ Ava Wilder

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne month to pretend... or one month to fall in love?How do I turn down an overly keen colleague I have zero interest in dating? Should I: Stammer and bluster my way through every excuse in the book Accept and then immediately turn in my resignation letter, change my number and leave the country Allow my hot, new, doctor neighbour to step in and pretend to be my boyfriend The answer: there are no right answers.But option 3 is happening and I’m fake dating Lucas just to survive my work Christmas party without any further unwanted advances.A fun and romantic festive romp for fans of Georgia Toffolo and Laura Jane Williams.Praise for Only for Christmas ‘Truly magical… I devoured it in one day. One of the best Christmas books!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This could be a Hallmark Christmas movie! There’s your classic meet-cute, followed by a ‘knight in shining armor’ moment, and then the fake dating where, naturally, they end up falling in love for real.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A fun, fluffy, happy-ending romance that was a breezy and beautiful read! I absolutely loved it … a perfect romcom to get started on the Christmas festivities but also an all-round feel-good read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Fun, lighthearted, emotional. I love reverse grumpy sunshine and these two characters absolutely fit the bill! I loved the chemistry between them… Their banter had me laughing all throughout the story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I couldn’t put it down. There were moments that you can’t help but chuckle to yourself and you can’t help but fall in love with Lucas Moore. Great read for Christmas.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan true love conquer all?Sisters Bette Tredinnick and Sara Marrack live quiet lives, content with the comings and goings of their small Cornish hometown. But when hundreds of US Marines arrive, everything changes.Bette, footloose and fancy free, embarks on a whirlwind romance and finds herself bound for America as a GI bride. Meanwhile, married woman Sara finds herself falling for officer Charles Denham, despite her better judgement and her husband’s jealous attempts to control her.As the GIs prepare to invade Normandy it becomes clear that this is a bigger operation than ever before – one that they might not come back from, one that will change the lives of both sisters forever…An emotional saga of sisterhood set in wartime Cornwall, perfect for fans of Betty Walker, Donna Douglas and Tracy Baines.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA surprise inheritance will open the doors to her future, and also the past…When Aunt Meg leaves her cottage to Anna Redding in her will, Anna immediately packs up and heads to Polkerran, the Cornish fishing village where she was so happy as a child.With ambitions to turn the cottage into a B&B, a job working for the enigmatic historian, Oliver Seymour, and the return of her childhood crush, Alex Tremayne, it seems the stars have all aligned for Anna.But Aunt Meg left behind a mystery for her to solve, and a shock discovery reveals she may be living a dream that isn’t really hers to hold. Can Anna rescue the new life she’s made for herself? Who in Polkerran can she really count on in her time of need?A charming and cosy romance for fans of Trisha Ashley, Cressida McLaughlin and Suzanne Snow.Previously published as The Cottage in the Cornish Cove.Praise for New Dreams at Polkerran Point ‘What a fabulous start to a new series! A gorgeous setting, fantastic characters and a wonderfully romantic story’ Jessica Redland‘A gorgeous read, infused with love, a true sense of community and delightful characters finding their way into the future as they come to terms with the past.’ Suzanne Snow‘The perfect read to curl up with and escape to Cornwall. Cass's descriptions of the county made me feel as if I were there, I could see Polkerran beautifully in my mind and hear the characters calling to each other as they made their way around the village.’ Kitty Wilson‘A beautiful slow burn love story with lots of twists. Fantastic ending.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A well written story with characters I felt I knew. A great romance with a few twists and turns and a hint of mystery. I really enjoyed it from start to finish.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book SynopsisDumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?After a string of failed relationships - romantic and platonic - Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s stand up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.Love is no laughing matter as the festival draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?A feel-good, heartwarming romance for anyone desperate to break out of their shell and find their true self. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Laura Jane Williams and Miranda Dickinson.Praise for Stand Up Guy ‘A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romance with all the feels’ Sandy Barker‘Warm, witty, with just the right balance of poignancy ... Nina Kaye’s writing really brings the setting, story, and characters to life.’ Zoe Allison‘Nina Kaye has done it again, with another of her trademark warm, funny reads that also shines a gentle light on social issues. I really felt for the main character Lea, and rooted for her all the way to the heartwarming conclusion’ Fiona Leitch‘A 5-star read that nestles into your heart, leaving you with that lovely afterglow of a beautifully told story – a true gem for any bookworm.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘The banter back and forth between the characters is great. A story of romance, friendship, chasing your dreams and finding self-confidence. Definitely give this book a read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Full of laughter and tears, this book took me on a journey. There is so much that you can relate to… brilliant!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This is genuinely my new favorite romance novel. No miscommunication tropes, just two adults telling each other how they’re feeling consistently. Amazingly well-written.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This book had me in tears twice in the first three chapters… I really related to Lea and was totally invested in her story. Deserves to be a smash hit.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I didn’t want it to end, but equally couldn’t put it down – I read it in a day… the best rom-com I’ve read all year. Lea and Shep are one of my favourite bookish couples ever.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This is a great book. I was able to both laugh and have some tears.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I have hoovered up all of Nina Kaye’s books so far, and Stand Up Guy was no different. The romance that develops is a brilliant ‘will they/won’t they?’ story. A wonderful read and highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Ambitious and beautifully crafted' THE TIMES'Faulks writes with great emotional authority' SUNDAY TIMESAmidst the letters of the alphabet, a life reveals itself. Flashing backwards and forwards through time, we meet Pietro Russell. As a photographer in Sri Lanka, a schoolboy in Fulham and even before he was born to his wounded English father and young Italian mother. The extraordinary moments of Pietro's life are navigated with unique imagination, giving the reader a chance to view a life from a new and moving vantage point.A Fool's Alphabet is a novel of true invention from a master storyteller that sees life in all of its compelling, poignant glory.Trade Review“A Fool’s Alphabet is a poignant and highly readable novel that runs the gamut of experience from well, from A to Z.”–Herald“Sebastian Faulks’s third and most magnificent novel is a feel-good experience from cover to cover. At a time when writers seem obliged to present the seedy or the wicked as reflections of the dirty, real world, we have here something that goes deeper than greed and explores our emotional rather than material being.”–Daily Mail

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Lyrical' Daily Mail'Beautiful' Spectator'Skilled' Financial Times'Vulnerable' Guardian'Deft' Independent'Profound' Observer'The beginning of summer. Perhaps it crosses my mind even now while I wait for news of Amy that something is coming towards us. Like sighting the first slow swell of a wave.'Years ago, in an almost accidental moment of heroism, Ed saved Amy from drowning. Now, in his thirties, he finds himself adrift. He's been living in London for years - some of them good - but he's stuck in a relationship he can't move forward, has a job that just pays the bills, and can't shake the sense that life should mean more than this. Perhaps all Ed needs is a moment to pause. To exhale and start anew. And when he meets Amy again by chance, it seems that happiness might not be so far out of reach. But then tragedy overtakes him, and Ed must decide whether to let history and duty define his life, or whether he should push against the tide and write his own story.Filled with hope and characteristic warmth, Undercurrent is a moving and intimate portrait of love, of life and why we choose to share ours with the people we do.Trade ReviewNorris hits this universal note squarely and successfully. Undercurrent is a defiantly unfashionable, heartfelt, emotionally vulnerable novel about mothers and sons, letting go of the past and saying what you need to say to your loved ones before it's too late. * Guardian *A profound meditation on dealing with loss and finding your moorings in destabilising times * Observer *Always skilled at creating character and voice... Norris demonstrates how seemingly insignificant moments impact a life. * Financial Times *Beautiful and useful. His writing untangles the knots that tie us down, to families, to history. He writes to free us and deserves our thanks. * Spectator *Lyrical, yearning, elegiac * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exquisite depiction of a doomed love affair, set in noirish 1950s New York In a hotel bar, a disenchanted writer tells a beautiful stranger the story of his latest doomed love affair. Sipping cocktails, the man reveals how he became transfixed by a lonely divorcée living in a cluttered apartment across the city. When they first met, he had been aloof, uncommitted. But this changed irrevocably when a millionaire waltzed into his lover's life, offering her a thousand dollars to spend the night. With betrayal lurking in the shadows and proclamations of feeling arriving too late, In Love is an exquisite examination of heartbreak set in 1950s New York.Trade Review'A little masterpiece' - Elizabeth Bowen'Moving and convincing ... a lyrical, intelligent book' - Guardian'My favorite of the Hayes novels... I have read and reread this small book as though it were a poem rather than a fiction: not a description of experience but the thing itself' - Vivian Gornick'A small masterpiece ... Compelling and flawless ... A gem' - Frederic Raphael'Hayes has done for bruised men what Jean Rhys does for bruised women, and they both write heartbreakingly beautiful sentences' - Paul Bailey

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Powerful' Sunday Times 'Electric' Danya Kukafka 'Vital' Katie Gutierrez 'A triumph' Alice Ryan 'A powerful read' Heat 'Read this book!' Angie Cruz 'An instant classic' Morning Star 'Deserves all the hype' Glamour 'Crackles with life' Xochitl Gonzalez 'The book of the year' Rene Denfeld Carmen and Grace have been inseparable since they were little girls – more like sisters than cousins, survivors of a childhood marked by neglect and addiction. For too long, all they had was each other. That is, until Doña Durka swept into their lives and changed everything, taking Grace into her home and playing an outsize role in Carmen’s upbringing too. But Durka is more than a beneficent force in their Bronx neighbourhood. She’s also the leader of an underground drug empire, a larger-than-life matriarch who understands the importance of taking what power she can in a world too often ruled by violent men. So when Durka dies suddenly, Carmen and Grace’s lives are thrown into chaos. Grace has been primed to take over and has grand plans to expand the business, but Carmen is ready to move on – from Durka’s shadow, and from always looking over her shoulder in fear. As tough and tender as its main characters, Carmen and Grace is a devastatingly wise and intimate story about the bonds of female friendship, ambition and found family. Trade ReviewIn a world fraught with violence, Melissa Coss Aquino brilliantly delivers a heartwarming, loving novel with characters you are inspired to ride or die with. From page one, I was deeply invested in Carmen and Grace and their wild predicament of having to negotiate between their tight bonds and their ambitions. It had me up late turning the pages wanting to know if they will make it out without destroying everything. If you love reading novels about creative, ambitious, and relentless women who are committed to community and making a way out of no way, read this book! -- Angie Cruz'Electric, heartrending, and exceptionally tender – this novel examines the limits of familial loyalty, twisted cycles of poverty and violence, and how far we'll go to protect those we love most. Carmen and Grace are unforgettable characters, vital and flawed and relentlessly enthralling. Every sentence of Melissa Coss Aquino's debut feels acute and deliberate, a shard of glass held up to the light.' -- Danya Kukafka'Prepare to not breathe. This is a remarkable, heart-pounding book based on the best kind of tension – the real kind. Carmen and Grace is the story of two young women swept into the underground drug trade, each trying desperately to gain freedom, in their own ways. It is by turns touching, terrifying, and mesmerising. Melissa Coss Aquino is a brilliant writer and this is the book of the year.' -- Rene Denfeld'I was crying like I lost my best friend as I finished. Carmen and Grace crackles with life: its cruelty and kindness in equal measure. This book is an act of love, a story about found family, the magic sacred space that is created in a circle of women and, above all, the power and lessons of intuition. It will break you apart and remind you that we can all be put back together again, stronger, and wiser than before.' -- Xochitl GonzalezCarmen and Grace is everything I could want in a novel: a wise and ferocious exploration of mothers and motherlessness; an urgent, heart-pounding journey to power and safety; and an all-too-human rendering of what we choose when choice is an illusion. In Carmen and Grace, Melissa Coss Aquino offers us two of the most indelible, vital characters in modern literature. If this novel were a lifetime achievement, it would be enough – but it's only the beginning for Aquino, and for that we should all be thankful. -- Katie GutierrezCousins Carmen and Grace share a traumatic childhood that has bonded them together tightly. That is, until they meet a sisterhood of women known as the D.O.D, who are guided by a leader of an underground drug empire, Doña Durka. This plot-driven novel explores the bonds of found family and the ways in which power and ambition can sever relationships -- Lupita Aquino * Today.com *A grittily realistic book... a writer to watch' * Daily Mail *This is superbly written, the characters are complex and a presence on the page, you can feel their frustration, despair, and bond as they persevere against all the odds. A Latinx drama that deserves all the hype and praise. * Glamour *A powerful read **** * Heat Magazine *A powerful portrait of two women trying to make it in the Bronx... Melissa Coss Aquino offers a rich portrait of a dystopian matriarchy where shelter and security come at a high price. -- Erica Wagner * The Sunday Times *This passionate, uninhibited book, written with great craft as well with great feeling, has the air of an instant classic. * Morning Star *The characters are gripping, the story is fast-paced and the NYC Bronx setting is incredibly evocative – all the makings of a perfect summer read. * STYLIST *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR TV DRAMA on Channel 5, starring Jason Watkins, Aneurin Barnard, Poppy Gilbert and Cathy Belton.She says he's perfect. I know he's lying . . .He caught me watching, and our eyes met. That was when it hit me. There was something not quite right about my daughter's new boyfriend . . .The doting fatherEd finally meets his daughter's boyfriend for the first time. Smart, successful and handsome, Ryan appears to be a real catch. Then Abbie announces their plan to get married.The perfect fiancéThere's just one problem. Ed thinks Ryan is lying to them.Who would you believe?All of Ed's instincts tell him his daughter is in terrible danger - but no-one else can see it. With the wedding date approaching fast, Ed sets out to uncover Ryan's secrets, before it's too late . . .'Tense, tight and totally absorbing' Adele Parks, Sunday Times bestselling author of Lies, Lies, Lies'Smart, intense, and with a humdinger of a mid-point twist. I loved it' Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author'Taut, tense and compelling. T.M. Logan's talent is in creating characters with whom the reader instantly relates, and then thrusting them into situations that reflect our deepest fears. Thriller writing at its finest' Simon Lelic 'T.M. Logan's best yet. Fully delivers on its killer premise. Unsettling and so, so entertaining. The perfect thriller' Caz Frear'Tricksy, twisting, instantly relatable and utterly compulsive. T.M. Logan excels at creating characters you really care about and exposing them to your very worst fears in a way that is always smart, suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining' C.M. EwanPraise for the master of the 'it-could-be-you' thriller, T.M. Logan:'Assured, compelling, and hypnotically readable - with a twist at the end I guarantee you won't see coming' Lee Child'I loved the intrigue - it makes you think twice about going on holiday with friends' B A Paris'Perfect summer reading' S R Masters'Perfectly plotted and riveting with an exceptional ending' Diane Jeffrey'Heart-thumping suspense and the greatest twist since Gone Girl' Michele Campbell'A moral dilemma + a pacy plot = one gripping thriller. I stayed up far too late reading this one!' Louise Jenson**DON'T MISS T.M. LOGAN'S INCREDIBLE NEW THRILLER THE MOTHER - OUT NOW!**Trade ReviewThe complexities of this drama play out against the beautifully evoked backdrop of the Derbyshire landscape . . . Logan's storytelling is assured, the plotting is precise and the conclusion is convincing * Daily Mail *Smart, intense, and with a humdinger of a mid-point twist. I loved it * Gillian McAllister *Taut, tense and compelling. Thriller writing at its finest * Simon Lelic *T.M. Logan's best yet. Unsettling and so, so entertaining. The perfect thriller * Caz Frear *Action-packed and full of tension . . . Logan keeps the twists going up to the dramatic ending * Independent *Smartly laid red herrings keep you guessing. Delivered in short, punchy chapters, the pace of this crisp and clever thriller doesn't let up until the dramatic climax * Sunday Mirror *Brace yourself, this one's a thrill ride * Crime Monthly *This is a thriller sure to give you nightmares * Woman *A gripping narrative. T.M. Logan has a real flair for creating tension * Woman's Weekly *The Catch delivers the best kind of suspense thriller entertainment as Logan plays with our perceptions and tugs on our inner fears in this unsettling, twisting, turning journey through the fraught and complex landscape of our principal narrator Ed's troubled mind * NW Newspapers Syndication *A winner of a thriller if ever there was one * Weekend Sport *Gripping * Bell Magazine *I read it in a day and it kept my attention away from current world events. If you enjoyed The Holiday, then you will love The Catch * Trip Fiction *The best summer books are those that you simply can't put down and The Catch certainly fits the bill - offering up a tense and gripping thriller that will keep you hooked throughout * Culture Fly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'If there's one book you need to read this summer it's Finding Mr Perfectly Fine' Yousra ImranLast week I turned 29. Along with the usual homemade Victoria sponge, helium balloon and Selfridges gift vouchers, my Mum's birthday present to me was the threat that if I'm not engaged by my 30th birthday, she's sending me off to the Motherland to find a fresh-from-the-Desh husbandWhen Zara's Mum puts together the most archaic of arranged marriage resources (not exactly the romcom-worthy love story she had envisioned for herself), she is soon exhausted by her family's failed attempts to set her up with every vaguely suitable Abdul, Ahmed and Farook that they can find. Zara decides to take matters into her own hands. How hard can it be to find a husband at twenty-nine?With just a year to go, time is of the essence, so Zara joins a dating app and signs up for speed dating.She meets Hamza, a kind British Egyptian who shares her values and would make a good husband. Zara knows that not all marriages are based on love (or lust) at first sight but struggles with the lack of spark. Particularly when she can't stop thinking of someone else . . .As her next birthday looms, and family pressure intensifies, Zara knows she must make a decision, but will she make the right one?Trade ReviewFull of heart and brimming with emotion, Finding Mr. Perfectly Fine is a delightfully charming story about finding yourself before you can find love. I couldn't put it down * Sara Desai, Author of The Singles Table *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A superb romcom, with relatable and loveable characters that literally burst from the pages. With laugh-out-loud moments, woven between a heartwarming and hopeful story, it charmed me from the first page'Carmel HarringtonTrue love is only just a swipe away? Right?Iris lives by numbers. The only thing missing from her perfectly calibrated life is a partner - and not for lack of trying. After decades of disappointment, Iris practically has a PhD in online dating. But something still eludes her: that unquantifiable spark.Kim is too busy being the life of the party to look for love. Her terrible dates make great stories for her friends and co-workers, as long as she's not caught by her tyrannical boss, Iris.Connie, Kim's recently widowed mum, is single for the first time since the 1970s. The dating game has changed a lot since her day . . .Sick of being let down, Iris takes matters into her own hands - using her analytical skills to create the first real formula for love. With Kim and Connie on board, they launch Analyzed, a dating app like no other.As Analyzed takes the world by storm, are the three women in over their heads? Is love really just a numbers game?'A laugh on every page, entirely empathetic characters and a warm heart in the middle of the story. I found this book highly entertaining and totally satisfying' Liz NugentPraise for Claudia Carroll:'Brilliantly funny' Sun'An immensely talented writer' Sinéad Moriarty'Brilliant' BellaTrade ReviewA superb romcom, with relatable and loveable characters that literally burst from the pages. With laugh-out-loud moments, woven between a heartwarming and hopeful story, it charmed me from the first page. In short, I couldn't put it down, the perfect summer read! * Carmel Harrington *A laugh on every page, entirely empathetic characters and a warm heart in the middle of the story. I found this book highly entertaining and totally satisfying * Liz Nugent *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A funny and touching insight into music, autism and motherhood' Dawn French'A truthful book that dives headfirst into the realities of motherhood that will make you laugh out loud and touch your heart in equal measure' Izzy Judd________________________________Your family doesn't fit the mould. So what?Since giving birth to her second child, Lucy's life is totally unrecognisable: the romance in her marriage is officially dead and so is the career it took her years to build.Instead of playing the cello behind superstars at packed-out arenas, Lucy now spends most days mopping up broccoli vomit whilst listening to her four-year-old recite facts about the gallbladder. Something needs to change.With a little help from her friends, Lucy comes up with a plan to get her life on track, claw back her career and help her extraordinary son to find his place in an ordinary world.Trade ReviewA funny and touching insight into music, autism and motherhood * Dawn French *A truthful book that dives headfirst into the realities of motherhood that will make you laugh out loud and touch your heart in equal measure * Izzy Judd *A relatable yet original read you won't be able to put down ... will make you laugh out loud. Simply brilliant! * Vicki Broadbent (The Honest Mum) *Honest, heartfelt and frankly bloody hilarious * Rowan Coleman *Will make you snort with laughter, wince in recognition and then punch you in the heart - often all in one page * Laura Vaughan *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A funny and touching insight into music, autism and motherhood' Dawn French'A truthful book that dives headfirst into the realities of motherhood that will make you laugh out loud and touch your heart in equal measure' Izzy Judd________________________________Your family doesn't fit the mould. So what?Lucy had it all: an exciting career, a rock-star husband, and pelvic floor muscles that could crack a walnut. And then, she had kids...Since giving birth to her second child, Lucy's life is totally unrecognisable: the romance in her marriage is officially dead and so is the career it took her years to build.Instead of playing the cello behind superstars at packed-out arenas, Lucy now spends most days mopping up broccoli vomit whilst listening to her four-year-old recite facts about the gallbladder. Something needs to change.With a little help from her friends, Lucy comes up with a plan to get her life on track, claw back her career and help her extraordinary son to find his place in an ordinary world.Trade ReviewA funny and touching insight into music, autism and motherhood * Dawn French *A truthful book that dives headfirst into the realities of motherhood that will make you laugh out loud and touch your heart in equal measure -- Izzy Judd, bestselling author of Dare to DreamA relatable yet original read you won't be able to put down ... will make you laugh out loud. Simply brilliant! * Vicki Broadbent (The Honest Mum) *Honest, heartfelt and frankly bloody hilarious * Rowan Coleman *Will make you snort with laughter, wince in recognition and then punch you in the heart - often all in one page * Laura Vaughan *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDWhen is it wise to be a fool for something? From New York to India to Paris, from the Catholic Worker movement to Occupy Wall Street, the characters in Joan Silber's dazzling connected stories tackle this question head-on.Vera, the shy, anarchist daughter of missionary parents, leaves her family for love and activism in New York. A generation later, her doubting daughter insists on the truth of being of two minds, even in marriage. The adulterous son of a Florida hotel owner steals money from his family and departs for Paris, where he finds himself outsmarted in turn. Fools ponders the circle of winners and losers, dupers and duped, and the price we pay for our beliefs, offering readers an unforgettable look at work, faith, love and the eternal quest for personal integrity.Trade ReviewStructurally, the intricacy is skillful; emotionally, it's astounding...Beautiful, intricate and wise * New York Times Book Review *Excellent . . . the pleasure of Ms. Silber's overlapping tales is that in all of them characters do something to surprise you. * Wall Street Journal *Silber deftly constructs whole, fully realized lives in just a few pages, and her use of first-person narratives gives these stories an intimate, confessional feeling, as if you've struck up a conversation with a particularly talkative stranger. * Boston Globe *Astonishing for its range, for its sweeping sense of time and place, and most especially for its deep insight into the way small choices can circle out to shape lives, and even human history. This is a beautiful book and an important literary achievement. -- Dan ChaonJoan Silber's stories charm us. And amuse us. And engage us. And move us. And even enlighten us. Fools embraces us all. -- Amy BloomJoan Silber's stories are like compressed novels. They are interlocking tales that fill in the history of revolutionary politics in the twentieth century. -- Edmund WhiteFools consists of cunningly, surprisingly interlinked short stories, which in this case wind their way through the last American century - in particular, the last one hundred years of belief, commitment, monogamy, integrity, all the things that complicate our lives and take us out of ourselves..."You don't know what you're going to be faithful to in the world, do you?" asks the narrator of "Two Opinions" plaintively, and Silber's characters illustrate this unpredictability with a whole range of dilemmas, all of them carefully and intricately imagined. Silber, I can tell, is never going to let me down, and I will keep a copy of one of her books, one I haven't yet read, on a special emergency get-out-of-book-jail-free shelf. -- Nick Hornby * The Believer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDSet in modern-day America and France, Renaissance Italy and Boxer Rebellion China, these stories embrace whole lifetimes, much in the manner of Alice Munro and William Trevor. Joan Silber skilfully and subtly ties one story to the next, as a minor element in one becomes a major element in the next, until the last is tied convincingly to the first. Intense in subject yet restrained in tone, they are about longings - often held for years - and the ways in which sex and religion can become parallel forms of dedication and comfort. From a wannabe dancer in contemporary New York City to missionaries in China, Ideas of Heaven showcases Joan Silber's extraordinary deftness as she illuminates love, faith and sex with great originality and profundity.Trade ReviewJoan Silber renders the thirsts and devotions of six lives with clarifying exactitude. The sometimes gentle, sometimes raw connections between these people will move you, and the ardour with which they yearn for their respective heavens will break your heart. -- Anthony Doerr[There are] books whose pieces are linked not by mere repetition of the protagonist but by genuine artfulness and imaginative necessity: Joan Silber's splendid new Ideas of Heaven, for example, in which the smallest wisp of one story will, in the next, sometimes blaze to full, unexpected life. * New York Times Book Review *Love, like these beautiful stories, offers devotion, consolation and transcendence. * Boston Globe *Luminous, stunning...The stories gather wholeness through deepening meditations on devotion...and through the startling use of language. * Chicago Tribune *Like William Trevor's writing and Alice Munro's, [Silber's] prose embraces both particularity and grandeur...Her characters remind us that we will have other lives in this world, and that nothing ever stays the same. * Washington Times *Silber covers a lot of ground in these stories, which have an epic sweep. Years pass. People grow and change. She has an ear for language, a way of turning a phrase to make it mean more than it should. * Charlotte Observer *Wonderfully evocative of time and place, this is a collection to be read and savored by all. * Booklist *Silber's wise, compassionate chronicles of longing, devotion and the search for comfort, both spiritual and physical, will move readers to contemplation and delight. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *A standout...Silber travels the globe and centuries with ease. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Prepare to ugly cry and snort laugh with abandon' - Heat'An emotional read with an OMG ending' - Jill MansellOne moment in time can change everything...The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn't feel fair that she'll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams - all because she stopped to help a stranger. And now, she's still ... here - wherever here is - watching the ripple effect of her death on those she loved the most.Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie's life in directions she'd never let herself imagine possible. If you could go back, knowing everything that happens after, everything that happens because of one choice you made, would you change the course of history or would you do it all again?'A gorgeous love story with a twist' Veronica Henry'An unexpected ending that leaves you reeling' - Good HousekeepingTrade ReviewA thought-provoking and moving novel about loss, love, and the unique and life-affirming power of friendship. Poignant yet unwaveringly hopeful, One Moment is a fresh look at how grief can not only break us, but put us back together again. An unmissable debut. * Holly Miller *'Completely involving. An emotional read about love and trust, with an OMG ending -- Jill MansellA beautiful, bittersweet examination of friendship, love and grief, prepare to ugly cry and snort laugh with abandon * Heat *Wonderful * Marie Claire *This heart-wrenching tale is beautifully written * Sun *A beautifully written novel that captures the joy of a lifelong friendship and the horror of grief. Fans of JoJo Moyes will devour Becky Hunter's stunning tale * Sunday Express *A joy from start to finish -- Sheila O'Flanagan. No. 1 bestselling authorThis emotional read about friendship, love and loss is touching and relatable with an unexpected ending that leaves you reeling * Good Housekeeping *Full of heart and humour and the characters are all so well written * Prima *One Moment is so many things. A gorgeous love story with a twist, a tender portrait of the kind of friendship that transcends everything, and an exploration of the important things in life. It will make you question who you are, and what you want, and how to make the most of every opportunity and every relationship you have. Intimate, thoughtful, beautiful and deeply moving. Becky Hunter will steal your heart! -- Veronica HenryI adored this emotional debut from Becky Hunter. It's such a gorgeous tale of love and friendship, beautifully written and with characters you really believe in. * Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls *An exquisitely written novel about grief, hope and the power of love. I loved every word. -- Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling authorBeautiful, hopeful, deeply emotional, incredibly wise and wonderfully romantic. One of those books I feel stronger for reading -- Cressida McLaughlinFantastic. Incredibly moving and very thoughtfully written -- Harriet TyceThis stunning debut explores grief, love and friendship in a beautiful and original way - a powerful read full of both moving and joyful moments * My Weekly *A story of friendship, loss and how one moment can change your whole life. A gorgeous debut. * Woman *Sharp, funny, tear-jerking, so assured and well observed. What a debut! -- Elizabeth BuchanA compelling read * Bella *A beautiful story about love and loss * Best *A warm and thoughtful novel that skewers friendship, loss and negotiating grief in a touching and relatable way. I was completely caught up in Evie and Scarlet's stories. -- Fanny BlakeA page-turner to grip you * Chat *Deeply moving ... truly packs an emotional punch. Heatwarming, witty and brilliantly written. * Press and Journal *A poignant, uplifting and life-affirming tale of friendship, love, grief and learning to let go. It'll have you welling up one moment and smiling the next. And by the end, your heart will feel a little fuller. * CultureFly *A hugely accomplished debut about dying, grief and loss, but also learning to live again. It's about love in all its forms, and, despite its subject matter, it manages to be uplifting and life-affirming. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time. -- Claire FrostSo moving and uplifting - I have no doubt that readers will fall in love -- Emylia HallAn engaging story about love, true friendship and sacrifice * Candis *A touching tale focusing on friendship, grief, and hope * That's Life *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Prepare to ugly cry and snort laugh with abandon' - Heat'An emotional read with an OMG ending' - Jill MansellOne moment in time can change everything...The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn't feel fair that she'll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams - all because she stopped to help a stranger. And now, she's still ... here - wherever here is - watching the ripple effect of her death on those she loved the most.Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie's life in directions she'd never let herself imagine possible. If you could go back, knowing everything that happens after, everything that happens because of one choice you made, would you change the course of history or would you do it all again?'A gorgeous love story with a twist' Veronica Henry'Fans of Jojo Moyes will devour Becky Hunter's stunning tale' Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewA thought-provoking and moving novel about loss, love, and the unique and life-affirming power of friendship. Poignant yet unwaveringly hopeful, One Moment is a fresh look at how grief can not only break us, but put us back together again. An unmissable debut. * Holly Miller *'Completely involving. An emotional read about love and trust, with an OMG ending -- Jill MansellA beautiful, bittersweet examination of friendship, love and grief, prepare to ugly cry and snort laugh with abandon * Heat *Wonderful * Marie Claire *This heart-wrenching tale is beautifully written * Sun *A beautifully written novel that captures the joy of a lifelong friendship and the horror of grief. Fans of JoJo Moyes will devour Becky Hunter's stunning tale * Sunday Express *A joy from start to finish -- Sheila O'Flanagan. No. 1 bestselling authorThis emotional read about friendship, love and loss is touching and relatable with an unexpected ending that leaves you reeling * Good Housekeeping *Full of heart and humour and the characters are all so well written * Prima *One Moment is so many things. A gorgeous love story with a twist, a tender portrait of the kind of friendship that transcends everything, and an exploration of the important things in life. It will make you question who you are, and what you want, and how to make the most of every opportunity and every relationship you have. Intimate, thoughtful, beautiful and deeply moving. Becky Hunter will steal your heart! -- Veronica HenryI adored this emotional debut from Becky Hunter. It's such a gorgeous tale of love and friendship, beautifully written and with characters you really believe in. * Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls *An exquisitely written novel about grief, hope and the power of love. I loved every word. -- Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling authorBeautiful, hopeful, deeply emotional, incredibly wise and wonderfully romantic. One of those books I feel stronger for reading -- Cressida McLaughlinFantastic. Incredibly moving and very thoughtfully written -- Harriet TyceThis stunning debut explores grief, love and friendship in a beautiful and original way - a powerful read full of both moving and joyful moments * My Weekly *A story of friendship, loss and how one moment can change your whole life. A gorgeous debut. * Woman *Sharp, funny, tear-jerking, so assured and well observed. What a debut! -- Elizabeth BuchanA compelling read * Bella *A heart-warming and often heartbreaking read * Daily Express *A beautiful story about love and loss * Best *A warm and thoughtful novel that skewers friendship, loss and negotiating grief in a touching and relatable way. I was completely caught up in Evie and Scarlet's stories. -- Fanny BlakeA page-turner to grip you * Chat *The must-read debut of the year ... brings joy, happiness and pleasure in a story simply not to be missed' * People's Friend *Deeply moving ... truly packs an emotional punch. Heatwarming, witty and brilliantly written. * Press and Journal *A poignant, uplifting and life-affirming tale of friendship, love, grief and learning to let go. It'll have you welling up one moment and smiling the next. And by the end, your heart will feel a little fuller. * CultureFly *A hugely accomplished debut about dying, grief and loss, but also learning to live again. It's about love in all its forms, and, despite its subject matter, it manages to be uplifting and life-affirming. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time. -- Claire FrostSo moving and uplifting - I have no doubt that readers will fall in love -- Emylia HallAn engaging story about love, true friendship and sacrifice * Candis *A touching tale focusing on friendship, grief, and hope * That's Life *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe critically acclaimed second novel from the author of ‘The Corrections’. ‘Strong Motion’ is the brilliant, bold second novel from the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of ‘The Corrections’ and ‘Freedom’. Louis Holland arrives in Boston in a spring of strange happenings – earthquakes strike the city, and the first one kills his grandmother. During a bitter feud over the inheritance Louis falls in love with Renée Seitchek, a passionate and brilliant seismologist, whose discoveries about the origin of the earthquakes complicate everything. Potent and vivid, ‘Strong Motion’ is a complex story of change from the forceful imagination of Jonathan Franzen.Trade Review'By sheer force of his imaginative writing and his unsheathed views of American life, Franzen succeeds in joining together a love story, a family story, and a corporate-cum-environmental story…Distinctly original.' The New York Times 'No doubt about it: Jonathan Franzen is one of the most extraordinary writers around.' Newsweek 'Ingeniously put together…His ear for American vernacular is flawless…His gift for description has a kinetic immediacy.' The Seattle Times 'Bold, layered…an elaborate construct, with the stuff of several books crammed into one…An affirmation of Franzen's fierce imagination and distinctive seriocomic voice.' New York Times Book Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE JOHN MCGAHERN PRIZE 2022This critically acclaimed debut will be a guaranteed hit with literary fiction lovers this Christmas._____________A young woman comes of age in the shadow of her family's tragic pastWhen Beth Crowe starts university, she is shadowed by the ghost of her potential as a competitive swimmer. Free to create a fresh identity for herself, she finds herself among people who adore the poetry of her grandfather, Benjamin Crowe, who died tragically before she was born. She embarks on a secret relationship - and on a quest to discover the truth about Benjamin and his widow, her beloved grandmother Lydia. The quest brings her into an archive that no scholar has ever seen, and to a person who knows things about her family that nobody else knows.Holding Her Breath is a razor-sharp, moving and seriously entertaining novel about complicated love stories, ambition and grief - and a young woman coming fully into her powers.SHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS 2021SHORTLISTED FOR THE KATE O'BRIEN AWARD 2022__________'A stunning debut from this new Irish talent' STELLAR'A beautiful coming-of-age story told with impressive skill and lightness of touch . . . I absolutely loved it' LOUISE O'NEILL'Whip smart observations and addictive prose' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Precise, sure, engaging, and a joy to read' RODDY DOYLE'A moving debut with a satisfying conclusion' IRISH INDEPENDENT'Brilliant, vivid - I enjoyed this book ENORMOUSLY' MARIAN KEYES'Enthralling' IMAGE'A nimble account of student life with a darkly enjoyable undercurrent of secrecy and emotional turmoil' SARA BAUME'A truly compelling read, and one I wholeheartedly recommend' BUZZ'Through the dark sky of our times, Eimear Ryan arrives like a comet, a bright talent scorching through every page' DOIREANN NÍ GHRÍOFA, author of A Ghost in the Throat'Brilliantly realised, gripping, and moving . . . This is absolutely the real thing' KEVIN POWER'Written with a wonderful clarity and insight, Holding Her Breath lingers in the imagination. Beth's unravelling and re-ravelling is drawn with great skill and empathy. A brilliant debut' DONAL RYANTrade ReviewFunny, dark and unexpected -- Kevin Power * The Last Word with Matt Cooper *A stunning debut from this new Irish talent, as well as being an exciting page turner it's also a perfect depiction of how it feels to be lost as you embark on a new chapter of your life * Stellar *From the first sentence to the last, this is a great piece of writing - precise, sure, engaging, and a joy to read -- Roddy DoyleRichly accomplished . . . a true pleasure to read -- Dermot Bolger * Business Post *A moving debut with a satisfying conclusion * Irish Independent *Through the dark sky of our times, Eimear Ryan arrives like a comet, a bright talent scorching through every page. To read this book is to feel it blaze to life. I can't stop thinking about it -- Doireann Ní Ghríofa, author of A Ghost in the Throat

Read more less

Book SynopsisSupermarket checkout girl Tracy Pringle has a very lively imagination indeed. In front of her, as she blip-blips herself into a daydream, walk past not boring housewives with screaming children or tired office clerks, but the likes of Lord Byron, Lawrence of Arabia and Princess Leia. It comes as no surprise, then, that she turns a blind eye when Her Majesty herself pops a packet of Mr Kipling’s Bakewell tarts into her handbag without paying. Obviously, the management sees it differently, and Tracy is given the sack on the spot and forced to find herself another job. But nothing can prepare her for the new life that awaits her at the Taste of Persia restaurant, where she is flung headlong into a clash of cultures, languages, dinner plates, religions and a rather tricky domestic arrangement...Trade ReviewHigh farce laced with some acute observations on racial prejudice, bigotry, the strength of women's bonds, and an exploration of Islam. -- EveHe makes it all look so simple, but his classical, direct technique belies his daring choice of material. There is not a false sentiment or conventional genuflection in this book... Everyone who reads McCarten's generous, humane, funny and moving novel will come away enriched. -- Timothy MoMcCarten's novel hovers between indignant satire and engaging comedy of manners while sounding a clarion call against the bigotry and intolerance in our society. * Sunday Times *Anthony McCarten dares to speak of English multiculturalism in the satirical tone that most native writers keep mute. * The Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe heir to his grandfather's considerable fortune, Anthony Patch is led astray from the path to gainful employment by the temptations and distractions of the 1920s Jazz Age. His descent into dissolution and profligacy is accelerated by his marriage to the attractive but turbulent Gloria, and the couple soon discover the dangerous flip side of a life of glamour and debauchery.Trade ReviewHe was better than he knew, for in fact and in the literary sense he invented a generation. * The New York Times *Table of ContentsContains notes and an extensive apparatus on Fitzgerald's life and works

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Side of Paradise charts the life of Amory Blaine, an ambitious young man loosely based on Fitzgerald himself, as he moves from his well-heeled Midwest home to study at Princeton and then starts frequenting the circles of high society as an aspiring writer. Experiencing failure and frustration in love and in his career, Blaine finds his youthful enthusiasm gradually giving way to disillusionment, cynicism and a life of dissolution. A critical account of its own era, introducing many themes which would be developed in later works, Fitzgerald’s first novel was an instant critical and commercial success, propelling him into the limelight as a literary celebrity.Trade ReviewHe was better than he knew, for in fact and in the literary sense he invented a generation. * The New York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of early short stories which helped make Fitzgerald’s name, Tales of the Jazz Age combines period pieces – the most notable of which is the novella-length ‘May Day’ – with more fanciful creations, such as the fantastical ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, recently made into a Hollywood film. Also containing the now classic story ‘The Diamond as Big as the Ritz’, as well as lesser-known sketches and tales, this diverse selection, compiled by Fitzgerald himself from material published in newspapers and magazines, showcases both the variety of his writing and early examples of the themes and characters which would find their way into his later novels.Trade ReviewHe was better than he knew, for in fact and in the literary sense he invented a generation. * The New York Times *Table of ContentsContains: The Jelly Bean, The Camel's Back, May Day, Porcelain and Pink, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tarquin of Cheapside, O Russet Witch!, The Lees of Happiness, Mr Icky, Jemina, the Mountain Girl.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe tale of Heathcliff and Cathy's ungovernable love and suffering, and the havoc that their passion wreaks on the families of the Earnshaws and the Lintons, shocked the book's first readers, with even Emily's sister Charlotte wondering whether it is right or advisable to create beings like Heathcliff . Replete with unforgettable characters and situations that have seared themselves into our literary consciousness, Emily Bronte's intense masterpiece is one of the most haunting love stories in the canon of English literature.Trade ReviewShe looked out upon a world cleft into gigantic disorder and felt within her the power to unite it in a book... She could free life from its dependence on facts; with a few touches indicate the spirit of a face so that it needs no body; by speaking of the moor make the wind blow and the thunder roar. -- Virginia Woolf As I crouched in a corner with a copy of Wuthering Heights, I had the sensation that it was not the torch that was lighting up this intimate space, but the book itself. The book was radiant, the words shone. -- Jeanette Winterson A masterpiece... I still get shivers down my spine whenever I read the words of Cathy: `I am Heathcliff!' -- Bonnie Greer

Read more less