Narrative theme: love / relationships

Book SynopsisChild's Play is powerful family drama about the highs and lows of motherhood from Danielle Steel, the world's favourite storyteller.Kate Morgan is a senior partner at a prestigious New York law firm. A single mother after the death of her husband, Kate keeps a tight rein on her family, her career and even her own emotions.She couldn’t be prouder of her three grown children, who have all excelled in their chosen careers. But she’s never asked herself if she truly knows her children or their dreams in life. She is about to find out.One by one, each of her children makes a sudden choice that turns Kate’s world upside down. When events begin to escalate, Kate can't keep up and her heavily organized life is thrown into turmoil.Kate slowly discovers that happiness is living the life you can choose. But can she accept the paths her children have taken?

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Book Synopsis''A tender, heart-felt read, with the perfect blend of ingredients: New York, food, family and romance!'' Sophie Cousens-----Where better to start again than New York?Iris arrives in the city of dreams, intent on restarting her culinary career, and leaving her recent heartache behind.Wandering the streets at a famous food festival, Iris feels like she''s living in a movie. Then she stumbles upon a gelateria that looks strangely familiar. Inside, she meets Gio: a perfect leading man with an irresistible smile - and a crisis of his own.As fate would have it, Iris is the one person with the answer to his problem. She just can''t tell him that . . .So, can Iris finally let go of the past - and let herself fall in love?A sumptuously cosy seasonal love story set in sparkling New York, from the queen of the ''what if?'' romance Josie Silver.-----''Joyous, uplifting and heart-racingly romantic. I devoured it. You''ll find me in Little Italy licking gelato off a hot Italian stallion''s chest'' Cathy Bramley''A unique and gorgeously written love story bursting with characters you''ll want to protect'' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn''Deliciously romantic - I loved everything about it'' Libby Page''A magical love story that had me hooked from the first page'' Cressida McLaughlinTrade Review'The sweetest love story . . . you're going to LOVE it' * Marian Keyes on ONE DAY IN DECEMBER *'Heartbreakingly beautiful, butterfly-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny' * Paige Toon on THE TWO LIVES OF LYDIA BIRD *'Sexy, funny and poignant' * Sophie Cousens on ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND *

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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 *

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Book SynopsisWritten in precise, elegant prose, Garth Greenwell's Cleanness is an almost unbearably poignant book about a man whose life, like so many, has been transformed by the discovery and loss of love.‘This is an exceptional work of fiction, which places Greenwell among the very best contemporary novelists’ – The iBulgaria’s capital, Sofia, stirs with hope and impending upheaval. Soviet buildings crumble, unrelenting winds lash the city, political protesters flood the streets with song.Amid this disquiet, a young American teacher prepares to leave the place he’s come to call home. In a reflective mood, heightened by his imminent departure, he grapples with the intimate encounters that have marked his years abroad, each revealing startling insights about what it means to seek connection: with those we love, with the places we inhabit and with ourselves.Chosen as a book of the year in the New Yorker, Daily Telegraph, Observer, New York Times, BBC, TIME and Irish Times.A New York Times Notable Book of 2020.Longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize.Trade ReviewGreenwell displays an extraordinary skill at handling time . . . A piece of bravura writing . . . A style that is both clinically precise and fiercely sensual . . . Exquisite -- Colm Tóibín * New York Times Book Review *A brilliant examination of love and intimacy -- SJ Watson * The Times *Intense, emotional and super-sexy * Sunday Telegraph *Greenwell may be the finest writer of sex currently at work. He is certainly the most exhilarating * Times Literary Supplement *Radiant . . . compassion, that supreme quality in a fiction writer, is a main source of Greenwell's power -- Sigrid Nunez * New York Review of Books *Incandescent . . . Greenwell has an uncanny gift, one that comes along rarely * New York Times *This book is brilliant * Observer *Cleanness is wise and illuminating . . . a talented writer of beautiful sentences, and an insightful guide to the strange ways people have of loving each other * Guardian *Garth Greenwell has joined the canon of great gay writers . . . enthralling * Daily Telegraph *Greenwell is a master of precision: everyday intimacy is so well wrought that it can feel unbearable to read, as if he cuts too close to the skin * Financial Times *You should read this book because it contains the year’s most thrilling sex writing -- Katy Waldman * New Yorker *Greenwell is a great stylist * Spectator *One of the more stunning accounts of sex in literature . . . One puts the book down, and the light feels a bit hotter and the heart stings more sharply * White Review *Extraordinary . . . The range in these stories is part of their triumph and part of what makes their existential sorrow so profound . . . Incomparably bittersweet . . . Brilliant -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *Garth Greenwell is an intensely beautiful and gorgeous writer. Most American literature seems neutered by comparison -- Sheila Heti, author of MotherhoodStunning, provocatively revelatory and atmospherically profound. Here is love and sex as art, as pulse, as truth -- Lisa Taddeo, author of Three WomenAn impressive book: moving, radical, both beautiful and violent, unexpected. Garth Greenwell is a major writer, and his writing provides us tools to affirm ourselves, to exist – to fight -- Édouard Louis, author of The End of EddySo rarely do words make comprehensible the inevitability and confusion of desire and determination as Garth Greenwell's writing does. Cleanness captures the indefinableness of pain and intimacy, love and alienation, vulnerability and sustainability -- Yiyun Li, author of The VagrantsI don't know how Garth Greenwell writes such delicate, profane fiction. Reading this book made me want to sit with my emotions and desires; it made me want to be a better writer -- Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other PartiesA novel of devastating honesty and beauty -- David Ebershoff, author of The Danish GirlI loved Cleanness. It's a page-turning love story if you read it for that; it's a lambent, thought-provoking intervention on desire and others' knowability if you read it for that; and if you read it for both, you'll get the best of it. 10/10 -- Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting TimesAn unbearably wonderful, eloquently sexual, thoughtful, emotional delight of a novel – Garth Greenwell writes like no one else -- Eimear McBride, author of A Girl Is a Half-formed ThingThis is an exceptional work of fiction, which places Greenwell among the very best contemporary novelists * The i *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club Pick, from the acclaimed author of Room. The Pull of the Stars is set during three days in a maternity ward at the height of the Great Flu. 'Moving, gripping and dazzlingly written' – StylistDublin, 1918. In a country doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over the course of three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue tells an unforgettable and deeply moving story of love and loss.'A visceral, harrowing, and revelatory vision of life, death, and love in a time of pandemic. This novel is stunning' – Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven'Reads like an episode of Call The Midwife set during a pandemic' – Mail on SundayGuardian, Cosmopolitan and Telegraph's 'Books of the Year'Trade ReviewA visceral, harrowing, and revelatory vision of life, death, and love in a time of pandemic. This novel is stunning -- Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station ElevenExtraordinarily prescient * Daily Telegraph *The Pull of the Stars has a fever dream-like quality . . . about as moving and absorbing as it gets * Evening Standard *An immersive, unforgettable fever-dream of a novel * Times *A timely, exquisite and unputdownable reminder of love and compassion -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryA story that is as timeless as it is urgent * New York Times *Fascinating and resonant * Sunday Times *Emma Donoghue is one of our greatest living prose stylists . . . a must-read novel * The Australian *Emma Donoghue’s best novel since Room * Metro *Eerily topical, Donoghue’s new novel reads like an episode of Call The Midwife set during a pandemic * Mail on Sunday *Moving, gripping and dazzlingly written * Stylist *It is rare for such a fast-paced story to be told so beautifully, and the writing is comical & exquisite * Irish Independent *Moving and memorable * Daily Mail *As strong and compelling as Jack in Room and Lib in The Wonder . . . a haunting and finely balanced literary novel -- Sarah Moss * Guardian *One of the Emerald Isle’s most glittering literary lights, Donoghue here delivers a historical fiction turned timely reminder of human resilience * Oprah Magazine, 'Best Books of Summer 2020' *Enticingly written . . . a felicitous comment on our new times * The Irish Times *Remarkably prescient * Irish Independent *Rarely can a novel have been as prescient or as timely as The Pull of the Stars . . . the book flies by like a hospital shift, as drama follows crisis and victory chases tragedy in a never-ending cycle of suffering, joy and bodily fluids * Business Post *Certainly, the currency of The Pull of the Stars gives it a gripping edge, but at its heart this is a story about friendship, love and compassion in extraordinary times . . . It's an engrossing read. Donoghue's writing is visceral and her female characters strike a powerful chord of humanity that stays with you * Australian Women's Weekly *Donoghue offers vivid characters and a gripping portrait of a world beset by a pandemic and political uncertainty. A fascinating read in these difficult times. * Booklist *Donoghue’s searing tale . . . Her blunt prose and detailed, painstakingly researched medical descriptions do full justice to the reality of the pandemic and the poverty that helps fuel it. Donoghue’s evocation of the 1918 flu, and the valor it demands of health-care workers, will stay with readers * Publishers Weekly *[Julia and Bridie’s] relationship forms the emotional core of a story rich in swift, assured sketches of achingly human characters coping as best they can in extreme circumstances . . . Darkly compelling, illuminated by the light of compassion and tenderness: Donoghue’s best novel since Room * Kirkus (starred review) *Eerily reminiscent of our current global health crisis, The Pull of the Stars brings readers intimately close to a world where health care workers risk it all to keep their patients alive * Time *Emma Donoghue's latest is getting an early release, and it's clear to understand why: In 1918 at the height of the Great Flu in Ireland, sick, pregnant women are quarantined together in a hospital while a group of overworked nurses tries to navigate their patients through the darkness * Marie Claire *Timely, punchy and gripping * Evening Standard *A powerful, persistent, highly detailed and incredibly moving book that speaks through time. Donoghue is a marvel of a writer * Press Association *Emma Donoghue has a gift for taking details from the past and creating believable and absorbing worlds around them * The Tablet *Gripping . . . fans of Call The Midwife will relish the true-to-life accounts of labour * S Magazine *Although compassion, female solidarity and dedicated service are at the novel’s core, suffering and terrible conditions are front and centre . . . Donoghue [excels] in strong characterisation and a vivid sense of time and place * The Herald *

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Book SynopsisNow a major Hollywood film starring Daniel Radcliffe: read it first, if you dare ...Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with one hell of a hangover, a raging headache ... and a pair of horns growing from his temples.Once, Ig lived the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned American musician, and the younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, Ig had security and wealth and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more - he had the love of Merrin Williams, a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic.Then beautiful, vivacious Merrin was gone - raped and murdered, under inexplicable circumstances - with Ig the only suspect. He was never tried for the crime, but in the court of public opinion, Ig was and always would be guilty.Now Ig is possessed with a terrible new power - with just a touch he can see people''s darkTrade ReviewI've read it a few times over the years and each time I come out of the experience having a completely new interpretation. Out of everything he's written, from his numerous short stories to his novels to his comics, it's Horns I always circle back to. * Tor.com *Horns was a terrific read which helps to bolster Joe Hill's already high status in my personal pantheon of storytellers/writers. * SFF World *After you've watched the movie, I'd whole heartedly recommend checking out the novel, its well worth the read. * Pissed off Geek *An instant classic, Horns commands the reader's attention from the first page to the last and serves as an excellent starting point for Joe Hill virgins. I, for one, can't wait to see the film adaptation, despite the fact that the Ig in my head bears no resemblance to Daniel Radcliffe. This is a must-read, if you haven't already, and well worth a revisit if you have. * Reader Dad *On the whole, I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone. It is wretched, witty, and enthralling. The writing is clever and masterful, despite the few faults I had. I think that if you are of a sensitive or conservative disposition, it might not be the book for you. It is a tragic love story, a murder mystery, and a supernatural fantasy with a dash of theological satire to sweeten the deal. * The Eloquent Page *'Simply put, Horns is fantastic - the author has managed to weave an incredible tale that combines elements of thriller, horror and fantasy and yet has become something very believable, convincing and utterly compelling.' ***** * SFBOOK *Horns is pretty damn awesome. I have read my fair share of supernatural trhillers over the years but with Horns Joe Hill introduces something not seen before, it's not a complete embodient of the devil but holds in the lines. A perfect story that will creep you out and play with your emotions. And at the heart of it all yes a love story, gone wrong. * The Book Plank *

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Book SynopsisGorgeous. Very, very funny in a knowing wry way but so tender, so beautiful. I loved all the characters.' Marian KeyesWarm, witty, touching and frequently hilarious' David Nicholls, author of Sweet SorrowYou put the book down and feel glad to be alive' India Knight, Sunday Times Duncan is charming, handsome and Jane falls in love with him easily.But he has also slept with nearly every woman in Boyne City. Jane sees Duncan''s old girlfriends everywhere at restaurants, at the grocery store and his ex-wife, Aggie, still has him mow her lawn.But everything changes with one tragic accident. Now her life is permanently intertwined with them all and she knows she will never have Duncan to herself.But is it possible that a deeper kind of happiness is right in front of her eyes?Trade Review‘Gorgeous. Very, very funny, but so tender, so beautiful. I loved all the characters, I cared deeply’ Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups ‘Glorious. I love how it evokes the rhythm of life in all its joy and ordinariness and chaos. I loved the dialogue, the relationships. I love the one-liners, the humour, the gorgeous detail, the food, the innermost thoughts, and the love.’ Nina Stibbe, author of Reasons to Be Cheerful ‘Charming and tender, an offbeat and original gem that cracks your heart wide open’ Pandora Sykes, author of How Do We Know We’re Doing It Right? 'Wise, sad and barkingly funny. Katherine Heiny writes brilliantly about what we mean by the word 'family' and her novel is loving without being soppy and warm without being cosy – I didn't want it to end’ Lissa Evans, author of V for Victory ‘Katherine Heiny’s books feel like spending time with a smart, funny and beloved friend who always has a million interesting things to talk about but always wants to know about you, too. She is a charming and insightful and unique writer and Early Morning Riser is every bit as good as Standard Deviation, if not better’ Lisa Jewell, author of Invisible Girl ‘Warm, witty, touching – and frequently hilarious’ David Nicholls, author of Sweet Sorrow ‘Heaven. Everything I have ever craved in a novel’ Daisy Buchannan, author of Insatiable ‘Heiny has smart and serious things to say about care and responsibility, even as she keeps things bubbly with a steady stream of comedy provided by the novel's gossipy close-knit community’ DAILY MAIL ‘Early Morning Riser is tender, funny and affecting, a charming friend of a book to ease the Covid blues’ THE BIG ISSUE ‘It’s a heart-warming tale of flawed, fragile, funny characters who battle unruly emotions and disappointments to seize the chance of happiness when it comes their way’ DAILY EXPRESS

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Book Synopsis'This cosy read is guaranteed to put you in the festive spirit.' - Good Housekeeping 'A joyous, uplifting and funny tale... As warming as mulled cider on a winter's night, this is a sweet celebration of sisterly love, festive romances and community spirit' - WI LifeA December to Remember is a cosy, small-town festive read to curl up with this winter, perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Lindsey Kelk.Wildly different half-sisters Maggie, Simone and Star have hardly seen each other since their idyllic summers spent in the charming village of Rowan Thorp, the home of their eccentric father, Augustus. Known for the fruitful ways in which he and his bustling curiosity shop kept the towns tongues wagging and ladies swooning, Augustus was loved by all and known by none, not even his daughters.Now, years later, the three estranged women are unexpectedly reunited at the reading of Augustus’s will. Maggie, Simone and Star are shocked to find out that Augustus has engineered a series of hoops through which the three women must jump to unlock their inheritance – the last thing any of them want to do. But each sister desperately needs the money, and they are in no position to rebel against their father's final wishes.Spending the winter months at Rowan Thorp stirs up feelings with forgotten flames, and makes the sisters confront the lives they’ve left behind. As old wounds resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, the sisters must learn to work together if they hope to succeed. Sometimes the only way to move forward is to go back to where it all began . . .----'No one does holidays better than Jenny Bayliss' - Amy E. Reichert, author of Once Upon a December 'A December to Remember is such a cosy, feel-good winter delight’ - My Weekly'A charming and heart-warming tale of family bonds, loss and love to snuggle up with this festive season' - Woman's Weekly5* READER REVIEWS:A good book to curl up to on a winter’s night. A must read!I love, love, LOVED this story. It gave me all the Christmas feels.A perfect read for the holiday season, reminding us of the power of family and the magic of love.This is a delightful Christmas read; you'll need a cosy armchair, cosy blanket and a mug of mulled wine!Trade Review'A heartwarming read' - Woman's Own'Jenny Bayliss has penned a joyous, uplifting and funny tale about bringing a family and a village together. As warming as mulled cider on a winter's night, this is a sweet celebration of sisterly love, festive romances and community spirit' - WI LifeA gorgeous, cosy winter read that will transport you to the coast on a windswept day. Full of quirky characters, this book will restore anyone’s faith that it’s never too late for a second chance at love or, indeed, life -- Sophie Cousens, bestselling author of This Time Next YearThis book has all the ingredients to make a perfect festive treat, full of humour, warmth and characters you're rooting for. -- Debbie Johnson, author of Falling For You.'A December to Remember is such a cosy, feel-good winter delight’ - My Weekly'This cosy read is guaranteed to put you in the festive spirit' - Good Housekeeping'A charming and heart-warming tale of family bonds, loss and love to snuggle up with this festive season' - Woman Magazine

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Book SynopsisReturn to the sensational standout TikTok series, The Royals, in this third instalment, Twisted Palace. From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She''s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he''ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.They may be right.With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and R

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Book SynopsisWhen Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy, and being together poses challenges neither of them had anticipated.

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Book SynopsisDiscover Haruki Murakami''s first two novels.''If you''re the sort of guy who raids the refrigerators of silent kitchens at three o''clock in the morning, you can only write accordingly. That''s who I am.'' Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 are Haruki Murakami''s earliest novels. They follow the fortunes of the narrator and his friend, known only by his nickname, the Rat. In Hear the Wind Sing the narrator is home from college on his summer break. He spends his time drinking beer and smoking in J''s Bar with the Rat, listening to the radio, thinking about writing and the women he has slept with, and pursuing a relationship with a girl with nine fingers. Three years later, in Pinball, 1973, he has moved to Tokyo to work as a translator and live with indistinguishable twin girls, but the Rat has remained behind, despite his efforts to leave both the town and his girlfriend. The narrator finds himself hTrade ReviewMurakami fans will no doubt delight in this new publication. For newcomers, these early works are an excellent introduction to a writer who has since become one of the most influential novelists of his generation -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *Murakami’s way of making emotionally resonant images and symbols bump around on the page, and in one’s mind, remains fresh, miraculously, more than 35 years on -- Jerome Boyd Maunsell * Evening Standard *Wind/Pinball is a fresh, heart-warming dose of the Japanese master * Economist *To read a Murakami book is to feel comforted by the familiarity and predictability of its strangeness. These are Murakami’s two earliest novels and so, like archaeological artefacts, they detail the early construction of his now-famous style. -- Claire Kohda Hazelton * The Times Literary Supplement *quintessential Murakami… an excellent introduction to a writer who has since become one of the most influential novelists of his generation -- Guardian * Hannah Beckerman *

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Book Synopsis'Reels you in and doesn’t let you go. Full of lies and secrets, The Cove is a gripping thriller and a must-read' Heidi Perks 'Brilliant escapism… Perfect for fans of The White Lotus, it had me gripped' Harriet Tyce _______________ IT'S THE PERFECT ESCAPE... UNTIL THERE IS NO ESCAPE Welcome to Turtle Cove. A luxury resort surrounded by pristine sea and the dense beauty of the jungle, it is the perfect escape from the stresses of life and work. For couples Lou and Adam, Eliza and Noah, a few days spent relaxing on the beach, while their kids are happily distracted, is exactly what they need. But appearances can be deceiving. There's a strange tension brewing at the resort, with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence. This is nothing though compared to the strained atmosphere between the two families. They haven’t been friends for long and they are starting to realise they don’t really know each other at all. Except for one of them. One of them knows another very well… And they have a score to settle.Trade ReviewThe Cove may be set in paradise but it’s a hell of a great read. A red hot, five star thriller -- Janice HallettBrilliant escapism… Perfect for fans of The White Lotus, it had me gripped -- Harriet Tyce, author of Sunday Times bestseller, Blood OrangeClear your diary, as this taut, compulsive thriller demands to be read in one go * Good Housekeeping *Alice’s writing reels you in and doesn’t let you go. Full of lies and secrets, The Cove is a gripping thriller and a must-read for 2022 -- Heidi PerksTaut and tense, this might make you think twice about holidaying with new friends -- Nina Pottell * Prima *A proper page turner * Heat *Filled with sun, sea and building dread, this is a true page-turner with a terrific cast of characters and a vividly drawn setting -- B. P. Walter, author of The Dinner GuestA paradise island. A fabulous family holiday. But dark secrets and murky truths lie beneath the crystal clear waters. Alcohol and simmering resentments are an explosive mix in this tense psychological thriller that stops holiday envy in its tracks -- Tina BakerA superbly menacing psychological thriller -- Anna MazzolaFrom the first page to the last word Alice Clark-Platts has delivered the perfect thriller; tight, evocative prose, a foreboding sense of place and a tense, unrelenting plot that never takes its foot off the accelerator. As ever, she takes us to the darkest of places and shines her brilliant light on the nuances of being human. Compelling, disturbing and totally unforgettable, I loved it! -- Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing about Norman ForemanReally gripping ... dripping with tension * Best *The Cove is a stylish and taut thriller with a sting in its tail. I loved it -- Dawn GoodwinAnother brilliant thriller from Alice Clark-Platts. The Cove stayed with me for days. I can really see it being made into a film -- Tony Mortimer

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Book SynopsisWinner of the An Post Irish Novel of the Year 2020Longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award'You have to truly love people to write like this' RACHEL JOYCE'One of the greatest novels of this century' SUNDAY INDEPENDENT'Gorgeously wrought' GUARDIANIn 1973, twenty-year-old Moll Gladney takes a morning bus from her rural home and disappears.Bewildered and distraught, Paddy and Kit must confront an unbearable prospect: that they will never see their daughter again.Five years later, Moll returns. What - and who - she brings with her will change the course of her family's life forever.Beautiful and devastating, this exploration of loss, alienation and the redemptive power of love reaffirms Donal Ryan as one of the most talented and empathetic writers at work today._________'Outstanding ... Tender and beautifully written' INDEPENDENT'All the beauty and sorrow of life can be found in these pages' KATHLEEN MACMAHON'Exquisite . . . Beautiful' ANNE GRIFFIN, author of WHEN ALL IS SAID'Ryan gathers together the fragments of broken lives and makes us something new and beautiful from them' RÓNÁN HESSION, author of LEONARD AND HUNGRY PAULTrade ReviewHere is love as a weapon and a balm. Love as faith, fate and redemption ... a gorgeously wrought book - compassionate without dissolving into nostalgia * Guardian *Endlessly surprising and incredibly moving * David Nicholls *A triumph ... Ryan slowly and beautifully reveals the way that even broken people can open the door fully to the truth of themselves * Independent, Best Books of 2020 *His moving story of love and loss deserves to win a host of awards. It's an outstanding read * Sunday Express *I think you have to truly love people to write like this * Rachel Joyce *A triumph of quiet but devastating power, by some distance the best novel I've read so far this year -- Joseph O'ConnorA big-hearted, beautiful work of art, full of truth and intensity * Kit de Waal *Classic Ryan; poignant and atmospheric storytelling ... quiet but intermittently explosive * Observer *I knew Donal Ryan's latest would be good and I was right - it's a risky act of imagination that works, and the sentences are as beautiful as ever -- Sarah Moss * The Times *The lyricism of Ryan's prose, laced with compassion, is astonishing -- Best Irish Novels of the Year * Irish Independent *With each new novel Donal Ryan's ink seems to sink deeper into the page. In Strange Flowers he gathers together the fragments of broken lives and makes us something new and beautiful from them * Rónán Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry Paul *A book so exquisite in its language it pushes me to want to write better ... you will love the quiet world of Paddy & Kit Gladney and all it is their daughter Moll brings to their door. Beautiful * Anne Griffin, author of When All Is Said *A beautiful, almost unbearably moving novel. Donal Ryan's compassion shines through every word he writes * Louise O’Neill *This is a novel to savour, for its mastery of language, its power of storytelling and its sure hand as it covers the sweep of time. Irish fiction was in a great place already, but Donal Ryan has gone and raised the bar again. All the beauty and sorrow of life can be found in these pages -- Kathleen MacMahonThe lyricism of the prose can be pitch perfect, placing Ryan among the great writers of rural Ireland such as John McGahern and Mary Lavin * Sunday Times *It is the sweetest, gentlest story of love ... each character so tenderly evoked * Saga Magazine *Ryan's beautifully written story reads like coming home and is a breath of fresh air -- Best Novels of 2020 * Image Magazine *Tender and beautifully written ... We read this outstanding book in one sitting and will definitely return to it again * Independent *What a beautiful book, I loved it * Sinéad Morrissey *Beautifully observed Tipperary setting and tenderly created characters telling a story of loss and redemption ... Love permeates Ryan's work * Irish Times *

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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 *

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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

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Book SynopsisGet your copy of Sarah Morgan’s new Christmas novel Snowed in for Christmas now! Praise for Sarah Morgan: ‘Christmas isn't Christmas without a Sarah Morgan novel to inhale, and she’s knocked it out of the heart-warming, uplifting park again’ Laura Jane Williams ‘Comfort reading at its best, all wrapped up in a tartan ribbon. Sarah Morgan will make your Christmas!’ Veronica Henry * * * Sometimes love needs a Christmas miracle… Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. Even if she is spending it alone housesitting a spectacular Fifth Avenue apartment. What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous–and mysterious–owner. Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings… This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist? Now a Channel 5 TV movie, Christmas on 5th Avenue! * * * Readers have fallen in love with MIRACLE ON 5TH AVENUE ‘Another glorious hug in a book. Sarah is my go-to writer for contemporary romance these days. She never ever lets me down!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Full of Morgan's trademark humour and colourful characters, and a sensual seasonal cheer just right for this time of year. I want to go to New York and stroll down Fifth Avenue RIGHT NOW!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I would recommend this book to all lovers of romance’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My absolute favourite out of this series, couldn't put it down once I started. Lovely read’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review‘All the makings of perfect chick lit’Best magazine ‘A gorgeously sparkly romance’Julia Williams ‘Sarah Morgan puts the magic in Christmas'Now 'Sarah Morgan continues to hang out on my autobuy list and each book of her that I discover is a treat'Smart Bitches, Trashy Books ‘Full of romance and sparkle'Lovereading ‘The perfect book to curl up with'Heat

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Number One Bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club Pick.Sweeping from London in the sixties to 1930s rural Spain, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about love, obsession and a mysterious painting. From Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist.'Those who loved The Miniaturist will find here all the cliffhangers, twists and heart-stopping revelations they expected, and in two evocative settings' – Daily TelegraphA picture hides a thousand words . . .On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a poTrade ReviewBurton's multi-layered story is never less than engaging . . . she has an undoubted gift for seizing the reader's attention and holding it . . . powerful . . . genuinely surprising * Sunday Times *Deftly plotted, a masterclass in pacing, tension and suspense, and richly characterised . . . exquisitely written, evocative and suspenseful * Sunday Express *Those who loved The Miniaturist will find here all the cliffhangers, twists and heart-stopping revelations they expected, and in two evocative settings . . . as a study of female creativity, it triumphs * Daily Telegraph *An exhilarating read, Jessie Burton can expect more awards to soon be coming her way * The Herald *Tremendous vitality . . . her craftsmanship and surefooted prose ensure a satisfying conclusion * Daily Mail *Rich and gripping . . . excellently explores the writing process itself . . . Burton breathes life into her words * Independent *An intricate story of imposture . . . strong on the emotional and sensual . . . who would bet against it selling a million copies like its predecessor? * Guardian *Readers who enjoyed The Miniaturist won't be disappointed * The Times *Richly atmospheric and engrossing . . . you'll turn the pages feverishly * Daily Express *Impressive . . . It takes all the promise of The Miniaturist - the complex female characters, an entrancing mystery, a lush and evocative sense of place - and executes it with wit and style. My book of the summer * Elle *A painterly writer with an eye for the telling detail . . . suspenseful . . . when the postman rang the doorbell bang in the middle of the denoument, I sprinted back up six flights of stairs to know who was going to get out of Arazuelo alive * The Spectator *Burton is also adept at generating atmosphere and a sense of place (both Spain and London are vividly realised) and she brings her characters' lives a degree of commitment, imaginative compassion and detail that brings them palpably and affectingly to life * The National *Clever and complex, with a shocking climax . . . Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful . . . a masterpiece * Belfast Telegraph *Delves deep into another world . . . the must-read of summer 2016 * Glamour *Jessie Burton's gripping new novel follows a young London art-gallery employee whose discovery of a lost masterpiece draws her into the mystery surrounding its provenance * Harper’s Bazaar *A deeply involving and thought-provoking read * Woman & Home *Another surefire bestseller * Fabulous *I found it to be one of the most powerful and beautiful and original things I have read in a very long time. It is exquisite in every way -- Claire Kendal, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of YouA beautifully crafted, simmering love story * Glamour (10 Best Novels of 2016) *Jessie Burton’s The Muse is both elegant and as gripping as a thriller, even better than her first -- SJ Watson * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisLove itself might be blind, but over millennia it has inspired some of the most perceptive and visionary poetry ever written. From the fragments of Sappho, to the sonnets of Shakespeare and the Romantic verses of Byron, Keats and Shelley, right through to Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy, The New Penguin Book of Love Poetry collates and curates the very finest poems on this subject from across cultures and ages. Whether it''s the burning passion of two young lovers, the steady companionship of a married couple, the unconditional love of a parent for a child or the enduring affection of lifelong friendship, this is Penguin''s definitive collection of the most treasured writing on the most universal of themes.

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Book Synopsis''This delicious confection will work its magic on all'' Daily TelegraphThe discreet advertisement in The Times, addressed ''To Those who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine'', offers a small medieval castle for rent, above a bay on the Italian Riviera. Four very different women - the dishevelled and downtrodden Mrs Wilkins, the sad, sweet-faced Mrs Arbuthnot, the formidable widow Mrs Fisher and the ravishing socialite Lady Caroline Dester - are drawn to the shores of the Mediterranean that April. As each, in turn, blossoms in the warmth of the Italian spring and finds their spirits stirring, quite unexpected changes occur.The Enchanted April, published in 1922, is a witty and delightful depiction of what it is like to rediscover joy.''Brims with magic and laughter'' Amanda Craig, GuardianIncludes a new introduction by Salley Vickers, author of Miss Garnet''s Angel

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Book SynopsisPersuasion narrates the emotional journey of its protagonist Anne Elliot, who chances upon Captain Wentworth, a suitor she was persuaded to reject seven years earlier, and whose reappearance causes her to reflect on her past decisions and contemplate her marital future.Vividly depicting the society holiday towns of Lyme Regis and Bath and infused with its author's trademark wit, Austen's last completed novel, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, is an entertaining and enduring account of the dilemmas facing young women in the early nineteenth century.Trade Review"As a creative realist, giving to her characters the very body and pressure of actual life, no writer, living or dead, has surpassed her." - John Cowper Powys

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Book Synopsis‘Lauren Bravo is one of my very favourite writers’ Dolly Alderton Gwen is coasting through life. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the countryside and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around the council’s wheelie-bin timetable.  And she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?   When she’s made redundant from a job she hardly cares about, she takes herself out for a fancy dinner. There she has the best sticky toffee pudding of her life and realises she has no one to tell. She vows to begin living her life fully, reconnect with her friends and family, and finally book that dentist’s appointment.    Gwen decides to start where all things get a second chance: her local charity shop. There, with the help of the weird and wonderful people and donated items bursting with untold storiesTrade ReviewPreloved is one for your keeper shelves. * Red *An absolute gem of a novel, like finding vintage Dior in your local chazza. It's hard to believe that this tender-hearted, wryly observed and exquisitely written story is a debut and its heroine Gwen, as lost as the unwanted donations she prices up, will resonate with so many readers. Preloved is one for your keeper shelves. -- Sarra ManningI think I’ve been waiting for a novel like Preloved for my whole reading life. This is a luscious, shimmering book of depth and delicacy. It’s sad, hilarious, sad, tender, brutal, brilliantly observed – there is a sense of magic on every page. -- Daisy Buchanan, author of InsatiablePreloved is full of sharp observations on life, loss, regret and self-preservation... spilling over with wit and hope. Cleverly interwoven with stories of the myriad reasons items find their way into charity shops, the joy, friendship and ultimate enlightenment Gwen discovers offers a quirky and poignant reminder that one person's trash is always somebody else's treasure. -- Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing about Norman ForemanPreloved has taken up residence in my heart and I will be recommending it to everyone I know. It's completely enchanting, completely captivating, completely brilliant, I adored everything about it. It has so much heart and warmth, while Gwen is so well-written and relatable. I was already a fan of Lauren Bravo's writing, and now I'm officially obsessed. -- Lucy VineLaugh-out-loud funny but also poignant and tender, Preloved is an absorbingly special debut novel. I devoured in equal measure the delicious descriptions of food and the moving vignettes of preloved treasures peppered throughout the book, while the nineties and noughties nostalgia had me gasping with pleasure. -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald FemaleFull of relatable anecdotes, lively, funny and modern, Preloved is a moving tale of emancipation and friendship. I loved it! -- Margaux Vialleron, author of The Yellow KitchenBeautifully considered and wonderfully crafted with characters who feel true to life. Full of witty observations and dazzling retorts and withering reactions… it won’t disappoint. -- Justin Myers/The GuylinerPreloved is a beautiful, funny novel full of pitch perfect insight and detail. In a world of fast fashion, fast friendships and fast opinion, this is a refreshing and relatable alternative, celebrating and challenging our ideas about objects and ownership. For anyone (like me) who has ever stood behind the counter of a charity shop, it will spark particular joy. Political, delightful and very very funny. -- Nell Frizzell

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BOOKER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER ''Evaristo possesses enough ball-busting originality to create whole novels for each of the historical characters she resurrects . . . [she creates] funky yarns so tantalising you want to devour them'' Guardian Meet Stanley Williams: Single, in his thirties, grieving the death of his Jamaican father and wondering if there is more to life than his nine-to-five banking job in a sky-high glass menagerie.Enter Jessie O''Donnell: barmaid, former singer-cum-comedienne, and desperate to get into her rusty old Lady Niva and hit the freeway across Europe. The unlikely pair begin an electrifying odyssey that weaves in and out of history, colliding with the forgotten heroes of Europe''s past. Shakespeare''s mysterious ''Dark Lady of the Sonnet''s, Pushkin and his Ethiopian great-grandfather and the mixed-race Allessandro de'' Medici of Florence are all ready to have their voic

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Book SynopsisGet ready for small towns stirred by mystery and desire in The Eden series, intense third story . . .For one year, two months and eleven days Talia Eden loved Foster Madden . . . And on the 438th day that love died. He chose to marry her best friend and she chose to never think of him again.Until years later when he has the audacity to show up in her small hometown of Quincy, begging for her help.The ink on his divorce papers is barely dry, yet he comes armed with apologies and promises. She knows it''s all a ploy. Foster is the king of games and secrets. But he''s got delusions the size of Montana if he thinks she''ll help him train for a world championship fight.Except Talia has forgotten exactly what made Foster famous. The man has dedicated his life to victory. He''s steadfast. He''s determined. And he won''t stop fighting until he''s won her heart.

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Book SynopsisEnthralling'' ObserverA spectacular read'' Sunday Express''An award-winning writer at the top of her game'' TelegraphA moving story of overlapping lives from the Orange Prize-winning author of Bel CantoTip and Teddy are becoming men under the very eyes of their adoptive father, Bernard Doyle. A student at Harvard, Tip is happiest in a lab, whilst Teddy thinks he has found his calling in the Church, and both are increasingly strained by their father''s protective plans for them.But when they are involved in an accident on an icy road, the Doyles are forced to confront certain truths about their lives, how the death of Doyle''s wife Bernadette has affected the family, and an anonymous figure who is always watching...Trade Review‘Enthralling ... It's a skilled piece of writing, a jigsaw narrative that leaps from one character to another with apparent seamlessness' * Observer *‘A spectacular read ... Full of suspense, exciting and unpredictable, this is a novel that keeps you guessing until the end' -- Viv Groskop * Sunday Express *‘Her books are so warm, so overflowing with love and affection, that when you've finished reading one your first inclination is to embrace it' -- Patrick Ness * Guardian *‘Patchett's mastery means there are no slips on the ice for her readers ... It is a long time since I have read such a delicately nuanced novel, where the overall pleasure lies simply in reading an award-winning writer at the top of her game' * Sunday Telegraph *Patchett’s novels are remarkable for their generosity of spirit and deep sympathy for their characters … Covering issues of race and class, nurture and nature, Run is a touching exploration of America’s melting pot * Sunday Times *Humane and sympathetic … All the magic is in the way Patchett enables us to enter the lives of this group of people and to appreciate the kinship that runs through their society * Daily Telegraph *Deeply moving and absorbing … Patchett has once again written an intelligent, thoughtful novel that oozes emotional intensity. She is the kind of storyteller who makes the reader sad to come to the last page * Financial Times *Patchett tells this complex story of inheritance and loss with accomplished ease -- Helen Dunmore * The Times *Engaging, touching and satisfying * Evening Standard *In deftly plotted, graceful prose, Patchett reflects on the binds of both family and community * Daily Mail *A gentle, finely observed book that stays with you long after you have finished it * Harper's Bazaar *Run is a novel with timeless concerns at its heart – class and belonging, parenthood and love ... The book is lovely to read and is satisfyingly bold in its attempt to say something patient and true about family -- Andrew O'Hagan

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Milk & Honey and Chasers of the Light, the first collection of poetry by Instagram sensation Atticus. Love Her Wild is a collection of new and beloved poems from Atticus, the young writer who has captured the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of avid followers on his Instagram account @atticuspoetry In Love Her Wild, Atticus captures what is both raw and relatable about the smallest and the grandest moments in life: the first glimpse of a new love in Paris; skinny dipping on a summer''s night; the irrepressible exuberance of the female spirit; or drinking whiskey in the desert watching the rising sun. With honesty, poignancy, and romantic flair, Atticus distils the most exhilarating highs and the heart-breaking lows of life and love into a few perfectly evocative lines, ensuring that his words will become etched in your mind and will awaken your sense of adventure.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Jodi Picoult and If Only I Could Tell You, Penny Hancock's The Choice is an engrossing, thought-provoking novel about family secrets and the way that even the smallest decisions can sometimes have far-reaching consequences.An estranged daughter. A missing grandson. A mother faced with an impossible choice . . .Renee Gulliver appears to have it all: a beautiful house overlooking a scenic estuary on England’s East Coast, a successful career as a relationship therapist, three grown-up children, and a beloved grandson, Xavier. But then Xavier vanishes after Renee fails to pick him up from school, and the repercussions are manifold.Renee is wracked with remorse; the local community question her priorities, clients abandon her; and, as long-held grievances surface, her daughter Mia offers her a heartbreaking ultimatum.Amid recriminations, misunderstandings and lies, can Renee find a way to reunite her family?Trade ReviewA perfect evocation of the complex modern family . . . I found myself holding my breath while reading it, hoping that Xavier would be found unhurt, and identifying with the beautifully drawn characters, as past mistakes come home to roost . . . A real tour de force -- Kate RhodesA hugely readable, carefully perceptive story of family dynamics tough and tender. Rife with entrenched positions, assumptions and gut-wrenching mistakes, it is ultimately loving and redemptive -- Louise FoxcroftThe Choice is an emotional and thought-provoking novel which explores the nature of love and guilt, and the impact of the decisions we make on others and ourselves, through compelling characters and sensitive and absorbing prose -- Jenny QuintanaA gut-wrenching story about the power of our decisions * Woman's Own *Beautifully written, thought-provoking, and brimming with powerful and recognisable emotions, Hancock’s superbly wrought story speaks straight from the heart * Blackpool Gazette *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE FRANÇOISE SAGAN PRIZE WINNER OF THE BOOKSTAGRAM PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE GONCOURT PRIZE FOR DEBUT NOVEL 'With this book, Abigail Assor announces herself as one of the most distinctive voices in North African literature. This is a vibrant, sensual, subversive novel with an unforgettable heroine' LEÏLA SLIMANI _______________ Sarah is poor, but at least she's French, which allows her to attend Casablanca's elite high school for expats and wealthy locals. It's there that she first lays eyes on Driss. He's older, quiet and not particularly good looking-apart from his eyes, which are the deep green of thyme simmering in a tagine. Most importantly, he's rumoured to be the richest guy in the city. She decides she wants those eyes. And she wants a life like his. But to get to Driss she will have to cross the gaping divide that separates them and climb to the top of the city's society, from street corner merguez and chips to a mansion overlooking the ocean. Provocative, immersive, sensual, As Rich as the King is a twisted love story and a bittersweet ode to Casablanca.Trade Review'With this book, Abigail Assor announces herself as one of the most distinctive voices in North African literature. This is a vibrant, sensual, subversive novel with an unforgettable heroine' - Leila Slimani'The sounds, the smells, the gritty details of every scene are laid bare in a light as harsh and bright as the sun... A captivating novel' - Le Figaro'Casablanca stretches out before our astonished eyes, humming with rage and life... A captivating debut' - Lire'Abigail Assor's writing is precise, sensual, subversive and wildly lyrical. Astonishing' - Le Parisien'Stunning in its truth, cruelty and style' - Paris Match

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Book Synopsis'A modern gothic triumph' Max PorterThe Bass Rock has for centuries watched over the lives that pass under its shadow on the Scottish mainland. And across the centuries the fates of three women are linked: to this place, to each other.In the early 1700s, Sarah, accused of being a witch, flees for her life.In the aftermath of the Second World War, Ruth navigates a new house, a new husband and the strange waters of the local community. Six decades later, the house stands empty. Viv, mourning the death of her father, catalogues Ruth's belongings and discovers her place in the past - and perhaps a way forward.Each woman's choices are circumscribed by the men in their lives. But in sisterhood there is the hope of survival and new life...WINNER OF THE STELLA PRIZE_______________PRAISE FOR THE BASS ROCK:'Daring, heartfelt, explosive' Daisy Johnson'A vividly imagined portrait' Sunday Times'Dark, disturbing and very sophisticated' William Boyd 'Wonderfully subtle and magnificently savage' Claire Fuller Trade ReviewLike Ali Smith’s novels crossed with the TV series Fleabag… [The Bass Rock is] a vividly imagined portrait… There’s much to admire in its little miracles of observation… [Evie Wyld] knows how to maintain suspense, what to withhold and when to reveal it — right up to the spine-chilling last line. -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Sunday Times *A multilayered masterpiece; vivid, chilling, leaping jubilantly through space and time, it’s a jaw dropping novel that confirms Wyld as one of our most gifted young writers. -- Alex Preston * Observer *Wondrous... Expertly chilling... Wyld consistently entertains, juggling the pleasures of several different genres. -- John Williams * New York Times *Searingly controlled…psychologically fearless and…bitterly funny. Wyld is a genius of contrasting voices and revealed connections, while her foreshadowings are so subtle that the book demands – and eminently repays – a second read. -- Justine Jordan * Guardian *A rising star of British fiction… Wyld’s slow, controlled build-up of dread is excellent… Most powerful of all is Wyld’s evocation of a hairs-on-the-neck sense of foreboding when women interact with volatile men. -- Francesca Carington * Sunday Telegraph, *Novel of the Week* *

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Book SynopsisEmma is considered by many readers to be Jane Austen's crowning achievement, a timeless comedy of manners that lays bare the limits on women's autonomy in Regency England. The disparity between Emma Woodhouse's self-confidence and self-knowledge, and her determination to arrange marriages for her friends while avoiding one for herself, leads to a painful series of misunderstandings for everyone who suffers from her well-meaning altruism - and with Mr Knightley being the only person of her acquaintance who has the good sense to challenge her, Emma must eventually recognize her match in every sense. Long praised for its rich detail and perfect craftsmanship, Emma is one of those classic masterpieces that readers go back to again and again for its inexhaustible fund of humanity.Trade ReviewIt is the cleverest of books. I especially love the dialogue - every speech reveals the characters' obsessions and preoccupations, yet it remains perfectly natural. -- Susanna Clarke I read all of Jane Austen's novels very early on and learnt to love her economy of style and precision. She still seems to me the finest writer in the English language. -- Philippa Gregory A favourite from my school days, and it would always hold its place my heart. Austen's characters are always devastatingly good, and Emma is, for me, her best creation. -- Monica Ali

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Book SynopsisThe most ambitious narrative of nineteenth-century realism, Middlemarch tells the story of an entire town in the years leading up to the Reform Bill of 1832, a time when modern methods were starting to challenge old orthodoxies. Eliot's sophisticated and acute characterization gives rich expression to every nuance of feeling, and vividly brings to life the town's inhabitants - including the young idealist Dorothea Brooke, the dry scholar Casaubon, the young, passionate reformist doctor Lydgate, the flighty young beauty Rosamond and the old, secretive banker Bulstrode - as they move in counterpoint to each other. Art, religion, politics, society, science, human relationships in all their complexity, nothing is left unexamined under the narrator's microscope. One of the greatest novels written in the English language, Middlemarch is a literary landmark in its groundbreaking approach, as well as a priceless document of its age.Trade ReviewA novel without weaknesses, it renews itself for every generation. -- Martin Amis

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Book Synopsis I've been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she has her dry cleaning done, where she works. I don't know the colour of her eyes or what they look like when they're scared. But I will. Mia Dennett can't resist a one-night stand with the enigmatic stranger she meets in a bar. But going home with him might turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life…___ ‘A TWISTY ROLLERCOASTER RIDE’ Lisa Gardner ‘A TREMENDOUS READ’ The Sun The compulsive debut from New York Times bestseller Mary Kubica reveals how, even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems… Now optioned for a major movie by the company behind Being John Malkovich and the TV series True Detective.___ Readers LOVE Mary Kubica: ‘One of the very best thrillers I’ve read – ever.’ ‘Kept me guessing the whole way through. Sheer genius.’ ‘Messed with my mind (in a good way). I want more!’ ‘Totally riveting and all-consuming’ ‘The ending is a real twist of the knife – it doesn’t get much better than this.’ ‘A very fast paced story which keeps you guessing till the end and what a twist!’ ‘Omg! This is one of the best books that I have ever read! Great thriller, love it!’Trade Review‘I hesitate to use that terrible cliché ‘page-turner’, but this powerful debut thriller is just that. It grabs you from the moment it starts’ Daily Mail 'One of the trickiest, cleverest, most rewarding human interest crime tales of this year' Top 100 Amazon reviewer Katharine Kirby 'Kubica’s powerful debut will encourage comparisons to Gone Girl…[but] this girl has heart' Publishers Weekly starred review 'A twisty, roller coaster ride of a debut. Fans of Gone Girl will embrace this equally evocative tale' Lisa Gardner ‘Memorable and riveting’ Lovereading.co.uk ‘As a debut, this is a stunning, well-written novel – Kubica is an author to watch’ We Love This Book 'This psychological thriller gets right under your skin and leaves its mark. A tremendous read’ The Sun ‘A complex tale of deceit, jealousy, fear and love played out against the bustling, bright lights of Chicago … a stunning debut’ Crimethrillergirl.com ‘If you love a dark mystery, The Good Girl will keep you entranced from the very first page to the end. Likened to the bestselling Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, this psychological thriller looks set to be a blockbuster – and it’s only Kubica’s first novel! … I can’t wait for more from this talented writer’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph

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Book SynopsisAlice Munro was born in 1931 and was the author of thirteen collections of stories and the novel, Lives of Girls and Women. She received many awards and prizes, including three of Canada's Governor General's Literary Awards and two Giller Prizes, the Rea Award for the Short Story, the Lannan Literary Award, the WHSmith Book Award in the UK, the National Book Critics Circle Award in the US, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Who Do You Think You Are? (previously published as The Beggar Maid), and was awarded the Man Booker International Prize 2009 for her overall contribution to fiction on the world stage, and in 2013 she won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her stories have appeared in the New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Paris Review and other publications, and her collections have been translated into thirteen languages. Alice Munro died in 2024.Trade ReviewIn these stories lives come into focus through single events or sudden memories which bring the past bubbling to the surface. The past, as Alice Munro's characters discover, is made up not only of what is remembered, but also what isn't. The past is there, just out of the picture, but if memories haven't been savoured, recalled in the mind and boxed away, it's as if they have never been - until a moment when the pieces of the jigsaw re-form suddenly, sometimes pleasurably but more often painfully. Women look back at their young selves, at first marriages made when they were naive and trusting, at husbands and their difficult, demanding little ways. There is in this new collection an underlying heartbreak, a sense of regret in her characters for what might have been, for a fork in the road not taken, a memory suppressed in an act of prudent emotional housekeeping. But at the same time there is hope, there are second chances - here are people who reinvent themselves, seize life by the throat, who have moved on and can dare to conjure up the hidden memories, daring to go beyond what is remembered.

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Book SynopsisFrom Sunday Times bestselling author and the nation's best loved TV presenter Carol Kirkwood comes a glittering escape to the French Riviera.Deliciously escapist' Cathy KellyA stunning holiday read with passion and heart, perfect!' Anton Du BekeBy the sapphire blue waters of the French Riviera, a decades-long secret is about to be revealedWayward Greek heiress, Ariana Theodosis, inherits the Hotel du Soleil as part of a mysterious legacy. Captivated by its faded glamour, she hopes it offers her the chance to start again.Hotelier Gabriel du Lac's family have owned the hotel for decades and he has no intention of giving it up for a beautiful stranger.Madame du Lac has watched the rich and famous pass through the doors of the hotel for almost half a century, and she has kept its secrets too.As the past finally catches up with them all, will this summer reveal a forgotten secret, and change their lives forever?Praise for Carol Kirkwood:Sizzles with secrets and passion' Jo ThomasIntrigue and drama a great sunshine read' ChoiceA real treat marvellous!' Anton du BekeTrade Review ‘Soak up the glamour … A great summer read’ Prima ‘Expect plenty of glamour and dramas in this sunshine read’ – Choice Praise for Carol KIrkwood: ‘Loved it! It sizzles with secrets and passion.’ Jo Thomas ‘Utterly engaging, deliciously escapist, with a heart as warm as its author's’ Cathy Kelly, bestselling author of The Family Gift ‘A real treat, wonderfully escapist with heart and drama – marvellous!’ Anton du Beke ‘An exquisite tale of love lost and found that’s full of intriguing characters and romantic locations. A perfect summer read.’ Judy Murray ‘An absolute cracking read – it’s brilliant!’ Steph McGovern presenter of Packed Lunch ‘Sun-soaked, glamorous escapism.’ Cressida McLaughlin ‘A sizzling summer read. I couldn’t put it down.’ Alex Brown, bestselling author of The Secret of Orchard Cottage

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Book SynopsisAn emotional journey portraying the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of four women. City of Friends is the number one bestselling novel from the highly acclaimed author, Joanna Trollope.The day Stacey Grant loses her job feels like the last day of her life. Or at least, the only life she'd ever known. For who was she if not a City high-flyer, Senior Partner at one of the top private equity firms in London?As Stacey starts to reconcile her old life with the new – one without professional achievements or meetings, but instead, long days at home with her dog and ailing mother, waiting for her successful husband to come home – she at least has The Girls to fall back on. Beth, Melissa and Gaby. The girls, now women, had been best friends from the early days of university right through their working lives, and for all the happiness and heartbreaks in between.But these career women all have personal problems of their own, and when Stacey's redundancy forces a betrayal to emerge that was supposed to remain secret, their long cherished friendships will be pushed to their limits . . .'It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour' - Daily MailTrade ReviewJoanna Trollope's novels address the issues and emotional journeys that face women today. In this, her 20th novel, she turns a sharp and reflective eye upon four friends in their workplaces . . . As the novel progresses, each woman is forced to question herself and to ask what really matters. How important is work? How much more do women have to put up with in the workplace than men? What price transparency, especially among friends? The author addresses all these questions with her customary insight and wisdom, depicting the characters with warmth and psychological veracity, drawing the reader deep into their lives. * S Magazine, Sunday Express *Ventures into tough new territories of female experience. * Sunday Times *It's fiendishly well plotted and, with its glittering London settings, full of urban glamour * Daily Mail *Explores the multiple frustrations, pressures and hidden agonies of the lives of modern women * Metro *This is a delightfully grown-up tale, deftly balancing escapist details with relatable office and home challenges, including ageing parents, rebellious teens and boardroom ethics. Poised and insightful, it's a paean to the joys of leaning in - especially when the going gets tough. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisShe’s twenty-three and in love with love. He’s older, and the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. The affair is quickly consuming.But this relationship is unpredictable, and behind his perfect looks is a mean streak. She's intent on winning him over, but neither is living up to the other’s ideals. He keeps emailing his thin, glamorous ex, and she's starting to give in to secret, shameful cravings of her own. The search for a fix is frantic, and taking a dangerous turn…We’re all looking to get what we want – but do we know what we need?Trade ReviewPlease believe the hype . . . Nolan's book describes a very particular experience and it does so with rare intelligence and courage . . . [Her] headlong, fearless prose feels like salt wind on cracked lips. You wince and you thrill. * Sunday Times *Deeply felt and seriously, spikily intelligent . . . The millennial author everyone should be watching right now. * Daily Telegraph *Tapping into the zeitgeist comes one of the books of 2021: Megan Nolan's Acts of Desperation . . . a heartbreaking-but-resonating portrait of one woman's savage mistreatment of herself in the name of love. * Stylist *There is so much to admire in this extremely impressive first novel, which captures an intense experience with clarity and style. It is fully itself, and flawless in its way. * Guardian *Nigh-on impossible not to devour. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA story of forbidden sexual passion and thwarted dreams set against the backdrop of a lush summer in rural MassachusettsSeventeen-year-old Charity Royall is desperate to escape life with her hard-drinking adoptive father. Their isolated village stifles her, and his behaviour increasingly disturbs her. When a young city architect visits for the summer, it offers Charity the chance to break free. But as they embark on an intense affair, will it bring her another kind of trap? Regarded by Edith Wharton as among her best novels, Summer caused a sensation in 1917 with its honest depiction of a young woman overturning the rules of her day and attempting to live on her own terms.

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Book SynopsisOpposites attract in this spicy holiday rom-comWhen actress Winnie Baker agrees to star in a steamier-than-a-steaming-mug-of-mulled-wine Christmas movie, she has just one concern: how can she be sultry on-scnree, when she's never been sultry in real life?Kallum Lieberman is an ex-boyband member now known exclusively for his reputation in the bedroom, thanks to a rogue sex tape. And he's got just the experience she needs.But Winnie and Kallum need to keep this research purely professional. They say opposites attract, and that makes this co-stars-with-benefits set up extremely dangerous indeedEVERYBODY LOVES THE CHRISTMAS NOTCH BOOKS:'Funny and saucy, this certainly puts the X-rated into Xmas'HeatThe audacity of this magical author duo to sneak in and steal Christmas in the sexiest way possible the charming holiday romp you absolutely need in your life!' TESSA BAILEYThe holiday romcom of my dreams! Sexy, progressive, hilarious, and full of good cheer' HELEN HOANG'A merry little masterpiTrade ReviewMORE REVIEWS FOR A MERRY LITTLE MEET CUTE… ‘Looking for a little bit of spice from your Christmas romance? . . . A refreshingly entertaining and sexy read, which also features some great plus-size representation’ POPSUGAR ‘With plenty of cheeky charm and a cast of superbly nuanced characters, this brilliantly executed rom-com both cleverly skewers and unabashedly celebrates the appeal of squeaky-clean holiday romances, while also championing body positivity in life and love’ BOOKLIST ‘Witty and entertaining from first page to last, A Merry Little Meet Cute will delight readers looking for a fresh, funny, fat- and sex-positive romcom . . . This book is a joy to read’ OLIVIA DADE, bestselling author of Ship Wrecked ‘A diamond-tier rom-com filled with laugh-out-loud hilarity, and sizzling spice . . . This is what a holiday romance should be!’ NISHA SHARMA, author of Dating Dr. Dil ‘For something a little spicy this Christmas, try this holiday romcom’ Yours

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Book SynopsisThirteen strangely wrought, ingeniously crafted stories make up Nabokov''s baker''s dozen. In some of these stories shadowy people pass through, cooped up by life, with nowhere to escape to. Their dreams lie stifled, smothered by routine and repetition, and frustrations lurk in all the corners. In others, elusive glimpses of fleeting happiness, which flutter away before they can be snatched, waylay their victims. Like the shimmer of the sea, the gleam of a glass caught by the sun, they sparkle brilliantly only to dissolve again.Trade ReviewAt their best they display a Lawrentian power of evocation, a Proustian depth of subtlty, sadness and loss * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisNobody in our class pays attention to Daisy Albright and I think she likes it that way.But when I''m sent to work in the headmaster''s office every day with Daisy I am stuck staring at her pretty face, hearing her sweet voice and I start to make her laugh.The more I get to know her, the more obsessed I become. And I think she feels the same way.The problem? She''s not part of my crowd. No one approves of us together. Not my friends, not my parents and not her father.But I don''t care what anyone thinks.I always get what I want.And I''m going to make Daisy mine.

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Book Synopsis______________WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE______________''Full of wit, warmth, intelligence, human feeling and understanding. It is also beautifully written with that sophisticated and near invisible skill of the authentic writer'' - Observer''Wonderful ... Jacobson is seriously on form'' - Evening Standard______________Julian Treslove, a professionally unspectacular former BBC radio producer, and Sam Finkler, a popular Jewish philosopher, writer and television personality, are old school friends. Despite very different lives, they''ve never quite lost touch with each other - or with their former teacher, Libor Sevcik. Both Libor and Finkler are recently widowed, and together with Treslove they share a sweetly painful evening revisiting a time before they had loved and lost. It is that very evening, when Treslove hesitates a moment as he walks home, that he is attacked - and his whole sense of who and what he is slowly and ineluTrade Review‘How is it possible to read Howard Jacobson and not lose oneself in admiration for the music of his language, the power of his characterisation and the penetration of his insight? ... The Finkler Question is further proof, if any was needed, of Jacobson's mastery of humour' * The Times *Wonderful ... Jacobson is seriously on form' * Evening Standard *‘There are few writers who exhibit the same unawed respect for language or such a relentless commitment to re-examining even the most seemingly unobjectionable of received wisdoms' * Daily Telegraph *'Full of wit, warmth, intelligence, human feeling and understanding. It is also beautifully written with that sophisticated and near invisible skill of the authentic writer' * Observer *

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Book SynopsisWithout a Trace is a moving tale of second chances and creating a life worth living from the Number One bestselling author, Danielle Steel.Charles Vincent feels trapped in his treadmill of a life. He’s wealthy and successful doing a job he doesn’t want to do, in a marriage to a woman where the romance died many years ago. All that interests Isabelle is his money to fund her extravagant lifestyle. The children have left home and there is nothing for him to look forward to.One evening Charlie leaves work, driving towards their Normandy chateau. He has been working late every night, he is tired and not concentrating. While driving, just an hour away from the chateau, his car veers off the road, down a cliff and into the sea. The accident should have killed him – he almost felt ready to die. But he escapes – and somehow finds the strength to climb to safety.The area is remote but, in the growing darkness, he sees a light on in a cottage in the woods. He knocks on the door and is greeted by Aude, an artist who is escaping her own demons . . .This fateful meeting will change Charlie’s and Aude’s lives forever.

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Book Synopsis**NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING HARRY STYLES**This love is all-consuming It is in 1950s' Brighton that Marion first catches sight of the handsome and enigmatic Tom. He teaches her to swim in the shadow of the pier and Marion is smitten - determined her love will be enough for them both. A few years later in Brighton Museum Patrick meets Tom. Patrick is besotted with Tom and opens his eyes to a glamorous, sophisticated new world. Tom is their policeman, and in this age it is safer for him to marry Marion. The two lovers must share him, until one of them breaks and three lives are destroyed. 'A sensitive, sweeping novel' VOGUE 'Tense, romantic, smart...I loved it. Devoured it!' RUSSELL T. DAVIES 'A powerful story of forbidden love, regret, and living as your true self' VANITY FAIR 'A moving story of longing and frustration' OBSERVERTrade ReviewThe era and the seaside locale are beautifully rendered and observed, not least the social and sexual undercurrents of the time * Sunday Times *A humane and evocative portrait of a time when lives were destroyed by intolerance * Guardian *This spiky portrait of love makes for a gripping read * Independent *Pitch perfect * Marie Claire *A moving story of longing and frustration * Observer *

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Book Synopsis**AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK CLUB** 'Diana is so amazing when it comes to writing about humans and relationships... I don't know anyone who's as skilled as her' Candice Carty-Williams, Oprah Magazine Two couples find themselves at a moment of reckoning. Melissa has a new baby and doesn't want to let it change her. Damian has lost his father and intends not to let it get to him. Michael is still in love with Melissa but can't quite get close enough to her to stay faithful. Stephanie just wants to live a normal, happy life on the commuter belt with Damian and their three children, but his bereavement is getting in the way. Set in London to an exhilarating soundtrack, Ordinary People is an intimate study of identity and parenthood, sex and grief, friendship and ageing, and the fragile architecture of love. 'I am shouting from the rooftops to anyone who will listen about this book. It's so so good - realistic and funny and so truthful it almost winded me' Dolly Alderton 'I just finished Ordinary People by Diana Evans and it is utterly exquisite. What a writer she is - the depth of her insight, the grace of her sentences' Elizabeth Day, TwitterTrade ReviewDiana Evans is a lyrical and glorious writer; a precise poet of the human heart -- Naomi Alderman, author of The PowerThoughtful and intelligently observed... Evans's delicate prose weaves issues of racial identity and politics into the narrative so that they never feel heavy-handed...a deftly observed, elegiac portrayal of modern marriage, and the private – often painful – quest for identity and fulfilment in all its various guises * Observer *Ordinary People...is very insightful… a detailed, well observed description of modern marriage -- David Nicholls * Good Housekeeping *It could easily be reimagined for the screen, though the film would not capture the sheer energy and effervescence of Evans’s funny, sad, magnificent prose * Guardian *Diana Evans’s fiction is emotionally intelligent, dark, funny, moving. The sheer energy in her novels is enthralling. A brilliant craftswoman, a master of the form, she makes the reader ask important questions of themselves and makes them laugh at the same time -- Jackie KayAchieves a moody, velvety atmosphere, as though events were unfolding under amber-tinted bulbs...offers a precise sketch of the British black middle class, with a daring fifth-act twist -- Katy Waldman * New Yorker *Evans gives us romance going cold with just as pitiless a precision as Flaubert in Madame Bovary... Evans's prose is magnificent: it's as if she measured each sentence, trimmed the excess weight, then fitted it into place * Daily Telegraph *One of the very many things that makes this book exceptional is the even-handed sympathy and unflinching fidelity with which Evans charts the changing weather both of her protagonists’ emotions and family life. She excels at dialogue and she’s also a soulful lyrical chronicler of London in all its moods and guises * Daily Mail *I’m currently very much enjoying Diana Evans’s novel Ordinary People, which takes a forensic look at the pleasures and perils of marriage and parenting and modern London living -- Sarah Waters * Guardian, Best Summer Books *Ordinary People offers a unique insight into the complexities and the challenges of modern life, identity and that lovely little thing we call love. From the moment I started to read it I was absolutely gripped - that’s how good it is. It is a beautifully crafted, honest exploration of how relationships are forged and deconstructed, and how the everyday and the remarkable can exist side by side. * Benjamin Zephaniah, South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2019 *

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Book SynopsisFrom the international bestselling author of Home and Fool Me Once. Mistaken identities, dark family secrets and mysterious conspiracies lie at the heart of this gripping thriller.'The master of the double-twist' The Times'Simply one of the all-time greats' Gillian Flynn'The modern master of the hook and twist' Dan Brown'As moreish as ever' Sunday Times______________Secrets can kill. But will the truth set him free?Fifteen years ago, Detective Nap Dumas' twin brother was found dead on the railway tracks near his home.Most people concluded it was a tragic suicide. Nap did not.Now, after years of searching for answers, he believes he may have finally found what he's been looking for.But Nap is a cop who plays by his own rules.And when the past comes back to haunt him, he discovers secrets can kill . . .______________Readers can't get enough of Don't Let Go ...***** 'An absolutely superb, stand-alone thriller to add to his (and my) collection.'***** 'Don't Let Go is one of the best books Harlan Coben has ever written.'***** 'An ingenious, potent, and disturbing thriller.'***** 'All the stars and wow this was one awesome book with a main character that I absolutely loved!!'***** 'I highly recommend it to thriller readers young and old and I look forward with baited breath for Harlan's next book.'Trade ReviewThe brilliant new novel from the international bestselling author of Home and Fool Me Once. Mistaken identities, dark family secrets and mysterious conspiracies lie at the heart of this gripping new thriller. * from the publisher's description *The modern master of the hook and twist, luring you in on the first page only to shock you on the last * Dan Brown *Simply one of the all-time greats - pick up any one of his thrillers and you’ll find a riveting, twisty, surprising story with a big, beating heart at its core. * Gillian Flynn *Coben is a phenomenon - the most reliable of American thriller-writers, the least likely to disappoint ... the true mystery is Coben's extraordinary capacity to keep writing such wonderful thrillers * The Times *As moreish as ever * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAn uncoming-of-age in New York City‘How to Be Somebody Else has literary oomph’ SUNDAY TIMES‘Brilliant… Luscious prose’ ANNIE LORD, author of Notes on Heartbreak‘Unsettling and original’ TESSA HADLEY, author of Free LoveSpring 2015, New York.On the surface Dylan has achieved the impossible - a life in New York, eight years of making this stick. And yet it is not the thing she'd imagined (what had she imagined?). When she walks out of her career, then apartment, and into a housesit for an artist she's never met, she does not tell her friends, her parents back in England, or Matt, her boyfriend, living on the West Coast.Job-free, rent-free, she'll make good on her book, herself, other things too, she's thinking, when her neighbour Kate shows up and invites her to a party. There she meets Gabe, who happens to be married to Kate but insists, 'it's not a thing'. The affair that follows consumes her and she begins to consider what is fixed and what is variable. Can a person be both? Is Gabe the thing he seems? Is she?As spring turns to summer, her experiments in living test loyalties and boundaries until an unexpected encounter between the two couples forces her to confront her future.***A MARIE CLAIRE BEST BOOK OF 2024***Trade ReviewHow to Be Somebody Else has literary oomph... What sets this debut apart is the way it sustains its sparky style to the last page without stinting on the serious stuff * Sunday Times *Sharp and entertaining * Daily Mail *Brutal and brilliant, in luscious prose, How to Be Somebody Else shows us what happens when life starts to unfurl -- Annie Lord, author of Notes on HeartbreakUnsettling and original -- Tessa Hadley, author of After the FuneralSo sharp and well observed. I loved the wry, understated humour, and how perceptive the book is about female desire. In its exploration of a woman trying to make sense of herself it is moving without being sentimental, and clever without seeming to try too hard -- Rebecca Wait, author of I'm Sorry You Feel That WayA stunning novel. Remarkable and real. Every single line is supercharged with a kind of cerebral eroticism, a zinging inventive intelligence. The sentences buzz and hum -- Samantha Harvey, author of OrbitalCompulsive. It makes its moves with such assurance that it’s hard to believe this is Pountney’s first novel. A wild mess of sex and feeling is here given beautiful form -- Adam Thirlwell, author of The Future Future

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