Narrative theme: love / relationships

Book SynopsisA sizzling historical romance perfect for all fans of Bridgerton and Jilly CooperFortune favours the bold. But is Lady Anne daring enough to accept a favour from a wicked gentleman? Lady Anne Deveril has voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, fate now puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford. The youthful torch Hart once held for Anne has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favour. Hart will play along with her little ruse - on the condition that Anne attends his grandfather''s country estate. Away from society, Anne makes the tantalising discovery that beneath the roguish exterior is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions - and a tender heart.A fun, romantic slow-burn love story that you won''t be able to put down, The Lily of Ludgate Hill is one of the Belles of London tales readers can''t help falling in love

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Book SynopsisGet ready for small towns stirred by mystery and desire in The Eden series, suspense-filled second story . . . Memphis Ward arrives in Quincy, Montana, on the fifth worst day of her life. Moving across the country with her newborn baby is by far the craziest thing she''s ever done. But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town, especially to ensure a better future for her son. Even if it requires setting aside the glamour of her former life and becoming a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn, living in an apartment above a garage. It''s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she''s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden a chef and her temporary landlord. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he''s raw and rugged and everything she''s never had and never will. Because after the first worst day of h

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary new story collection from one of Ireland's greatest writers and bestselling author of Mindwinter Break. Bernard MacLaverty is a consummately gifted short-story writer and novelist whose work - like that of John McGahern, William Trevor, Edna O'Brien or Colm Tóibín - is deceptively simple on the surface, but carries a turbulent undertow. Everywhere, the dark currents of violence, persecution and regret pull at his subject matter: family love, the making of art, Catholicism, the Troubles and, latterly, ageing. Blank Pages is a collection of twelve extraordinary new stories that show the emotional range of a master. 'Blackthorns', for instance, tells of a poor out-of-work Catholic man who falls gravely ill in the sectarian Northern Ireland of 1942 but is brought back from the brink by an unlikely saviour. The most recently written story here is the harrowing but transcendent 'The End of Days', which imagines the last moments in the life of painter Egon Schiele, watching his wife dying of Spanish flu - the world's worst pandemic, until now. Much of what MacLaverty writes is an amalgam of sadness and joy, of circumlocution and directness. He never wastes words but neither does he ever forget to make them sing. Each story he writes creates a universe.Trade ReviewMacLaverty locates the precise point where life bleeds into art, and art into life...like the best writers through the ages, he is confident and questioning, engaged and wise. -- Hilary MantelThis fine collection reaffirms MacLaverty's place among the greatest short story writers of his generation. * Observer *I can't think of another living writer whose attention to the small acts and seemingly inconsequential details of our lives unlocks so much emotional truth. -- Carys DaviesEach new collection is its own rare gift - and one to be savoured. * Sunday Times *A stunning achievement. Bernard MacLaverty is undoubtedly one of the finest and most gifted writers at work today, and in terms of the short story he has no better -- Billy O'Callaghan

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Book SynopsisOne Good Thing is the heartwarming, hilarious alternative love story, from the internationally bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, Alexandra PotterIn life, nothing is certain. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something can happen to change the course of everything . . .Liv Brooks is still in shock. Newly-divorced and facing an uncertain future, she impulsively swaps her London Life for the sweeping hills of the Yorkshire Dales, determined to make a fresh start. But fresh starts are harder than they look and, feeling lost and lonely, she decides to adopt Harry, an old dog from the local shelter, to keep her company.But Liv soon discovers she isn’t the only one in need of a new beginning. On their daily walks around the village, they meet Valentine, an old man who suffers from loneliness who sits by the window and Stanley, a little boy who is scared of everyone, hides behind the garden gate and Maya, a teenager who is angry at everyone and everything. But slowly things start to change . . .Utterly relatable, hilarious and heart-breakingly honest, this is a novel about friendship, finding happiness and living the life unexpected. And how, when everything falls apart, all you need is one good thing to turn your life around – and make it worth living again.Praise for Alexandra Potter:'The new Bridget Jones' – Celia Walden, Telegraph'A funny, feisty tale' – Mike Gayle, author of Half a World Away'Pacy, absorbing, witty and tender' – Karen Swan, author of The Last SummerTrade ReviewThe new Bridget Jones for our Covid-ridden times -- Celia Walden, on Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up * Telegraph *Say hello to a book that will have you laughing with every page, whether you're twenty, forty or eighty -- Heat on Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k UpFunny but layered, light-hearted but surprisingly deep, this is a perfect and inspiring new year read -- Red magazine on Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k UpFeistily funny . . . and so relatable -- Fabulous magazine on Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up * Sun on Sunday *A warm, very funny read -- Bella magazine on Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up

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Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER • CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE WINNER • From the award-winning author of The Buddha in the Attic and When the Emperor Was Divine comes a novel that starts as a catalogue of spoken and unspoken rules for swimmers at an aquatic center but unfolds into a powerful story of a mother’s dementia and her daughter’s love (The Washington Post).The swimmers are unknown to one another except through their private routines (slow lane, medium lane, fast lane) and the solace each takes in their morning or afternoon laps. But when a crack appears at the bottom of the pool, they are cast out into an unforgiving world without comfort or relief. One of these swimmers is Alice, who is slowly losing her memory. For Alice, the pool was a final stand against the darkness of her encroaching dementia. Without the fellowship of other swimmers and the routine of her daily laps she is plunged into dislocation

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Book SynopsisWhen the Basque dragoon Don José meets a Gypsy woman at the factory he is guarding, he is immediately ensnared by her wiles. After she is arrested for injuring a co-worker and he helps her to flee, he is imprisoned and demoted, but she repays him at their next meeting with a day of excess and a night of love. As Carmen continues to exert her spell, José is dragged further and further into a seedy world of smugglers, robbers, fiery passions and uncontrollable jealousy – one that he will find difficult to escape alive. Carmen, the archetype of the amoral femme fatale, is Prosper Mérimée’s highest creation, and a model for many subsequent literary heroines. First published in 1846, this story of crime and desire – here accompanied by another famous novella by Mérimée, The Venus of Ille – has been adapted into a number of dramatic works, including the famous 1875 opera of the same name by Georges Bizet.

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Book SynopsisA captivating novella about long-term relationships, getting older and how to live a good life, by the great Simone de Beauvoir.Nicole and André, a retired French couple, take a summer holiday to Russia. It is the 1960s and Russia is a beautiful, complicated place. Their guide is Macha, André's daughter from a previous relationship - a woman they both love. Adventure, inspiration, good food and good vodka are promised.Once thrilled by their romance, Nicole and André have now become too used to each other. Both harbour a growing feeling of not being fully understood - of being alone. Father and daughter engage in the grand debates of East-West relations, nationalism and socialism. But getting older, long-term relationships and how to enjoy life turn out to be the more pressing issues.Trade ReviewSimone de Beauvoir is a feminist icon. She didn't just write the feminist book, she wrote the movement's bible, The Second Sex * Guardian *A beautiful novel, depicting how aging intersects with life and love. Full marks * Lyransnoblesser, Sweden *Born from the challenge of transmitting ideas and real experiences into a story, Misunderstanding in Moscow relates the atmosphere of the cold war and the growing anxiety of aging * Il manifesto, Italy *Having experimented in life, De Beauvoir also experimented with literary form, finding new ways to write her autobiography and her philosophy simultaneously. Each of her novels, memoirs and works of philosophy was a new venture in this * Guardian *The French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir has drawn a nuanced portrait of an older couple * 8weekly cultuur, Netherlands *

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Book Synopsis'Holds you captive like a blues song' Olivia SudjicIn San Padua you can never get the ocean out of your brain. Anne Marie's husband Cal left her on their first anniversary. Two years later and she is still adrift, living a precarious life of shift work and shared apartments. When he shows up on the doorstep, clearly in trouble, she reluctantly agrees to a drink. But later that night a gun goes off in an alley near the shore and the young couple flee together, crammed into a beat-up car with their broken past, desperate to fill their lives on this long stretch of road under hot skies. ______________________PRAISE FOR HIGHWAY BLUE'Poignant, moving and cinematic' An Yu'Beautiful' Observer'Unforgettable' Elaine Feeney'Gripping' StylistTrade ReviewPoignant, moving, and cinematic, this is a story imbued with love and loss that feels at once distantly dreamlike and vividly recognisable. * An Yu, author of BRAISED PORK *Highway Blue is a beautiful, inspired rendering of the on-the-road journey. At its core is an unforgettable protagonist in Anne Marie. McFarlane has written an irresistible story of love and life's meanderings. A very gifted writer, I was entranced. * Elaine Feeney, author of AS YOU WERE *Ailsa McFarlane's prose combines the razor sharp truth telling of Ottessa Moshfegh with the troubled heart of Raymond Carver, using plain language to conjure a shockingly intense way of seeing. I've never read anything quite like it. * Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of THE THIRD RAINBOW GIRL *I loved Highway Blue - a dark, glimmering, journey deep into modern America on a knife edge between love and dependence. * Rosie Price, author of WHAT RED WAS *Hypnotic, stylish, cinematic: Highway Blue holds you captive like a blues song or incantation. * Olivia Sudjic, author of ASYLUM ROAD *

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Book SynopsisAn island of secrets. A runaway. And a promiseA rebellious daughter1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer's job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.A sister with a secret1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request: to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before.A rift over generationsBetrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence's only clue, the war an immovable barrier and time is running outPraise for The Hidden PalaceCompletely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story,Trade ReviewPraise for Daughters of War ‘A wonderfully evocative and sensual writer’ SANTA MONTEFIORE ‘A warm and engrossing tale of passion and courage. I loved it’ RACHEL HORE ‘Love, grief, abandonment, betrayal and secrets … I adored it’ LIZ NUGENT ‘A stirring, richly-imagined novel about bravery and love and family loyalty tested to its limits’ RACHEL RHYS ‘As layers of long-hidden family secrets emerge, you are sure to be hooked to the very last page’ LIZ TRENOW ‘Rich in courage, love and sacrifice, but chilling and taut in its portrayal of the horrors of war’ KATE FURNIVALL ‘Lushly descriptive, exciting and vivid, this is a warm and exciting tale that will pull you in and refuse to let you go’ TRACY REES A tender, moving and at times heartbreaking story’ SINEAD MORIARTY

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Book SynopsisThe Christmas Cocktail Campervan bringing love, laughter and friendship from coast to coast . . .The gorgeously romantic new novel in the Cosy Campervan series' next stop: Christmas markets, mince pies and kisses under the mistletoe!Christmas feels like a real gift for Lucy this year. Her cosy coastal cottage is starting to feel like home, her new pizza business is getting the locals All Fired Up', and she can't wait to spend it with her new flame Jack, the charismatic owner of the Cocktail Campervan.Winding along the snow-dusted Northumberland coast for a whirlwind of Christmas markets and celebrations, Lucy and Jack can't resist stealing a few kisses under the mistletoe. But there's a twist in their romantic tale when Lucy's ex turns up in the village. As her past closes in, Jack becomes increasingly distant. And Lucy worries he's holding back a few secrets of his own . . .Will Christmas bring a cold spell for Lucy and Jack? Or could it really be the most wonderful time of the yearTrade Review Readers love escaping with The Seaside Cocktail Campervan!: ‘Just the most gorgeous book, really summery, romantic and heartwarming’ Netgalley reviewer ‘THIS BOOK! I absolutely loved and read most of it in one sitting’ Netgalley reviewer ‘What a beautifully written uplifting story’ Netgalley reviewer ‘The perfect summer romance!’ Netgalley reviewer ‘A great story keeping you hooked in from page one’ Netgalley reviewer ‘A real feel-good read and a fresh take on a tale of romance. Five enjoyable stars from me’ Netgalley reviewer

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Book Synopsis'A source of uncompromising elemental warmth' Ali SmithBy turns moving, playful and wise, the poems gathered in Dearly are about absences and endings, ageing and retrospection, but also about gifts and renewals. They explore bodies and minds in flux, as well as the everyday objects and rituals that embed us in the present. Werewolves, sirens and dreams make their appearance, as do various forms of animal life and fragments of our damaged environment.Dearly is a pure Atwood delight, and long-term readers and new fans alike will treasure its insight, empathy and humour.BOOK OF THE YEAR OBSERVER, FINANCIAL TIMESTrade ReviewHere we see Atwood at the height of her poetic powers * New York Times Book Review *A poignant yet playful collection of verse, about endings and departures, it is sliced with clever, sharp humour * Daily Telegraph *This collection of poems is a reckoning with the past that comes from a place of wisdom and control . . . You can almost hear her speaking voice, see the twinkle in her eye . . . wonderfully observed * Observer *Atwood's first poetry collection in over a decade is intimate, lingering delicately between the human and the natural, and this world and the next * New Statesman *She's become world famous for The Handmaid's Tale, and jointly won the 2019 Booker Prize for The Testaments, but Canadian author Margaret Atwood was once better known as a poet . . . this new volume brings together some of her favourite themes, from zombies, werewolves and aliens, to the passage of time and the most pressing political issues of the day * Evening Standard *

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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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‘A sweet, hilarious treat’ – Christina Lauren, author of The Soulmate EquationTheir love story has gone viral. But it hasn’t even begun . . .Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been sacked, the subway doors ripped her favorite dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the down side, he can’t get away from her fast enough.Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her rescuer, Hayes Montgomery, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping the #SubwayQTs.Only Franny and Hayes couldn’t be a more disastrous match. She’s talkative, and creative. He’s serious, shy, and all about numbers. Yet somehow, Hayes and Franny keep running into each other. It seems fate isn't done with the subway sweethearts just yet . . .Kate Spencer’s In a New York Minute is a fresh, modern take on romantic comedy for fans of The Flatshare, Our Stop and One Day in December.‘Spencer writes with a wry lilt and a gift for dialogue’ – Entertainment Weekly

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Book Synopsis'Riveting work' Patti Smith'Vivid . . . it communicates a real power' Sunday Times'A wild ride of a book' MetroActor William Harding has been caught cheating on his rock star wife and the press have descended upon him. Amid the headlines and worldwide disdain towards him, he takes on the part in Henry IV. He must examine himself, and who he has become, under the brightest of lights and the keenest of eyes.'A considered meditation on the evil of celebrity and the demanding yet restorative power of theatre' New Statesman'An emotional ode to theatre as medicine for heartbreak, and an interesting meditation on fame' Radio Times'A witty, wise heartfelt novel' Washington PostTrade ReviewEthan Hawke is a true writer and his duality as an artist is skilfully reflected in A Bright Ray of Darkness. Hawke circles, descends, and crawls into his characters' skin. Grimy shadows pass over the footlights, into the bowels of the theatre, where a struggling actor, perhaps mirroring the writer, seeks the vine of redemption, and claws his way into becoming. Bright Ray is a riveting work. -- Patti SmithWilliam is the star of this vivid drama from Ethan Hawke ... this is ultimately a book about the transcendent value of great art ... it communicates a real power. * Sunday Times *Film star William Harding is fed up with having his personal life examined in public. The protagonist of this novel, the first in five years from Hawke (best known for his acting role in Richard Linklater's Before trilogy), is also disgusted at the ways in which he has allowed his marriage to collapse around him. His debut Broadway role offers him a chance at redemption and turns this bracing book into a considered meditation on the evil of celebrity and the demanding yet restorative power of theatre. * New Statesman *Ethan Hawke, whose acting career has combined celebrity wattage with indie integrity, brings hard-won experience to his latest literary endeavour ... [A] wild ride of a book ... Written with real fire & originality. Not many novels combine scenes of lying semi-conscious by a motel toilet with thoughts on the perfection of the iambic pentameter. * Metro *An emotional ode to theatre as medicine for heartbreak, and an interesting meditation on fame. * Radio Times *Ethan Hawke has got a lot of nerve. But he's also got a lot of talent ... What's most irritating about A Bright Ray of Darkness is that it's really good ... A novel that explores the demands of acting and the delusions of manhood with tremendous verve and insight ... Hawke is a genius at conjuring the hush of the auditorium, the thrill of live actors, the magical sense of a performance moving through time. Amid the endless pandemic lockdown, reading this novel with its spirited scene-by-scene re-enactments is the closest I've gotten to live theatre in 10 months ... I want to be immune to Hawke's charms, but I admit it: He's written a witty, wise and heartfelt novel about a spoiled young man growing up and becoming, haltingly, a better person. A Bright Ray of Darkness is a deeply hopeful story about the possibility of rising above one's narcissism. Bravo. * Ron Charles, Washington Post *Hawke blurs the boundaries between past roles and autobiography and brings a world of fame, longing and oblivion into sharp focus. * BuzzMag *William Harding is a successful film star whose life is in turmoil. Outed by the press as an adulterer, he is now holed up in a New York hotel, divorcing his popstar wife while preparing to make his Broadway debut in Henry IV. In his first novel for 20 years, Hawke has obeyed the adage 'write what you know', bringing the theatrical world, from first rehearsal to final performance, thrillingly to life. * Mail on Sunday *...a fine book, full of narrative drive, illuminating information about the power of the stage, and a storyline that goes at quite a pace, but still has much room for humanity, showing that however big the mistakes people make, and however many people know about those mistakes, there is still the chance of redemption, if you look for it. * NB *This enjoyable literary outing is in the American tradition of writers like Saul Bellow ... The Bellow vibe comes with Harding's active wrestling with his own conscience and it is never a sterile or bloodless reflection as he's a charged-up, sex-driven, cocaine-fuelled, whiskey drinking bloke with chips on his shoulder ... it is Harding's failures as a person that make him real for the reader ... a highly engaging and enjoyable read ... lively and spirited ... As we get on with lockdown after lockdown and a world without plays, gigs, and the community of shared experience this is a novel reminding us to cherish what we are missing. * Irish Examiner *A rather easier read is Ethan Hawke's A Bright Ray of Darkness: a smart novel about Broadway, acting, marriage, love and fame. -- David MitchellDelightfully, Hawke goes full throttle, conjuring a world of thespian grandiosity, engorged egos, brittle self-doubt and callow celebrity with a bravura performance. * Financial Times *A thumpingly accomplished novel about art, the heart, the Way of the Actor and scandal in the social media age. Whip smart and dripping with one-liners, A BRIGHT RAY OF DARKNESS is an urbane, uplifting blast of a write-what-you-know novel. -- David Mitchell

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Book SynopsisAn impoverished member of the privileged high society of old New York, Lily Bart is beautiful and socially agreeable, but she is almost thirty and still unmarried. Now she is keen to secure a wealthy husband to confirm her status, but the debts she contracts at the card table, her reduced circumstances and the constant gossip she attracts from malevolent tongues through her heedless behaviour and faux pas make her prospects look bleak. As suitor after suitor appears and fades away, and she is drawn further and further down a spiral of loneliness and unhappiness, she realizes that she is just one step away from losing everything she has. Published in 1905 to immediate critical and commercial success, Edith Wharton’s enduringly popular novel of manners is a brilliant evocation of the economic and social changes wrought by the Gilded Age, as well as a universal satire on the constraints and follies of upper-crust conventions.

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Book SynopsisFrom New York to Santa Fe, Lost and Found by Danielle Steel is a novel about first love, second chances and whether there is such a thing as happy ever after.What might have been? This tantalizing question propels a woman on a cross-country adventure to reunite with the men she had loved and let go.Madison Allen is a renowned, career-driven photographer. Sifting through old photos in her fashionable New York fire-house apartment, she reflects on what could have been. She’d had three men in her life who were very important to her in different ways, but it was the fourth love, her job, which always won in the end.Consumed by old memories and with a forced pause in her demanding schedule, Maddie embarks on a road trip. She hopes to answer questions about the men she’d loved and might have married in the years after she was left alone with three young children. As Maddie sets off to reconnect with her past in Boston, Chicago and Wyoming, she hopes to learn that the decisions she made long ago were the right ones.And as her life comes into clearer focus, a new unexpected future takes shape, and is a valuable lesson to all of us who have ever wondered ‘what if?’

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Book SynopsisHonest and original, Rose Napolitano is a story for every woman for anyone who's wondered what if?, for anyone who's wondered where a different path might lead' Dawn O'PorterONE QUESTION.ONE CHOICE.NINE PATHS TO THE REST OF HER LIFEOne day, Rose Napolitano's marriage ends.Her husband wants a baby but motherhood has never been part of the plan.One day, Rose Napolitano's marriage survives.She loves her husband. Could she reimagine her future?One day.One fight.Nine different lives.Following the butterfly effect of one life-defining choice, nine times over, The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano winds through all the paths and decisions that shape a life. It cuts to the heart of what it means to be a woman. Every expectation, every choice, every path, every outcome every piece of oneself that's lost and found along the wayFor every woman there are many stories.These are Rose's.Trade Review‘Honest and original, Rose Napolitano is story for every woman – for anyone who’s wondered “what if?”, for anyone who’s wondered where a different path might lead’ Dawn O’Porter ‘A thoughtful exploration of the choices that every woman makes . . . such an accomplished novel’ Sheila O’Flanagan ‘I was completely entranced by this beautiful and insightful book, right from page one. It’s for every one of us who's wondered where a different choice or less expectation might’ve taken our lives. I’ll remember this book for a long time… Hard recommend’ Lucy Vine ‘A powerful exploration of motherhood and feminism…thought-provoking and emotionally moving, this novel will have readers examining their own relationships and their own “what-ifs”’ New York Times bestseller, Jill Santopolo ‘Ambitious, compelling, and provocative, The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano delves deep into love, motherhood, and the complicated dance that is navigating the world as a woman—its intricate structure kept me turning pages and the questions posed therein kept me awake at night’ New York Times bestselling author, Claire Lombardo ‘Engaging and precise … This isn’t one to miss’ Publishers Weekly, Starred Review ‘Addictive … highly literate escapism’ Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review ‘[A] heartfelt, thought-provoking novel’ Booklist, Starred Review

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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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Book Synopsis'The ideal summer escape' Woman's WeeklyGorgeous' WomanPraise for the Cornish Cream Tea series:Gorgeous!' Phillipa AshleyPerfect' Cathy BramleyWarm-hearted fun with a sprinkle of love' Holly MartinIt's going to be an unforgettable Cornish summerThea Rushwood was looking forward to exploring the beautiful Cornish tourist spot of Port Karadow, but when her friend drops out at the last minute, she is forced to go solo. Arriving at her cosy holiday cottage to discover a building site next door, Thea and the annoyingly attractive, but grumpy builder, Ben, don't get off to the best start.Thea starts to wonder if her perfect escape wasn't meant to be. That's before she realizes there is more to Ben and to the community than she first thought. As a magical Cornish summer stretches out in front of her, Thea discovers this is one holiday that she never wants to endTrade Review Praise for Cressida McLaughlin: ‘One of our favourite women’s fiction stars’ – Heat ‘A warm and wonderful read’ – Woman’s Own ‘The perfect summer treat; as sweet as a cream scone and just as moreish’ – Cathy Bramley ‘Gorgeously romantic’ – Rachael Lucas ‘Cressida's characters are wonderful. So warm and relatable… A delicious summer treat!’ – Sarah Morgan ‘Evocative and gorgeous’ – Phillipa Ashley ‘Warm and wonderful… bursting with characters you’ll adore’ – Miranda Dickinson ‘So many perfect romantic moments that made me melt.’ – Jules Wake ‘You’ll want to cancel plans and stay in’ – Pernille Hughes ‘Sizzingly romantic and utterly compelling’ – Alex Brown ‘I just LOVED this story. All the characters are wonderful’ – Isabelle Broom ‘Real heart and soul’ – Sarra Manning ‘I absolutely love Cressida’s warm-hearted, romantic stories – they’re the perfect escape’ – Rachael Lucas ‘A wonderful ray of reading sunshine’ – Heidi Swain ‘A little slice of a Cornish cream tea but without the calories’ – Bella Osborne ‘Perfectly pitched between funny, sexy, tender and downright heartbreaking’ – Jane Casey 'A lovely warm gem’ – Alex Brown ‘McLaughlin writes so warmly and vividly, the rest of the world melts away!’ – Kirsty Greenwood ‘Beautiful, heartwarming. Drew me in and I didn’t want to leave!’ – Zara Stoneley ‘As hot & steamy as a freshly made hot chocolate, and as sweet & comforting as the whipped cream & sprinkles that go on top’ – Helen Fields

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Book Synopsis''It would be a dull world if we all thought alike.''After seven years of marriage, the beautiful Lady Brenda Last is bored with life at Hetton Abbey, the Gothic mansion that is the pride and joy of her husband, Tony. She drifts into an affair with the shallow socialite John Beaver and forsakes Tony for the Belgravia set. Brilliantly combining tragedy, comedy and savage irony, A Handful of Dust captures the irresponsible mood of the ''crazy and sterile generation'' between the wars. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers'' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.

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Book SynopsisPraise for The Cornish Cream Tea series:A warm, cosy festive joy' Alex BrownThe perfect festive treat' Cathy BramleyEvocative and gorgeous' Phillipa AshleyWarm hearted fun, with a sprinkle of love.' Holly MartinCan she spread Christmas cheer in Cornwall this year?All Meredith Verren has ever wanted is to escape the holiday season without having to wear a Christmas jumper. Her new job at the cosy gift shop in a picturesque Cornish tourist spot is making it impossible for her to maintain her scrooge-like manner.With their seasonal hampers on everyone's wish list, Meredith must paste on a smile and fake some holiday cheer. Then she meets handsome new arrival, Finn, who wishes it could be Christmas every day and wants her to feel the same way too.Can she embrace the holly and the ivy before the decorations are packed away for another year?PRAISE FOR CRESSIDA McLAUGHLINPerfect sweet as a cream scone' Cathy BramleyI loved it!' Sarah MorganA ray of reading sunshine' Heidi SwainI absolutely loTrade ReviewPraise for Cressida McLaughlin: ‘A wonderfully warm and witty novel from one of our favourite women’s fiction stars.’ – Heat ‘Warm and wonderful’ – Woman’s Own ‘If you love romance, you’ve GOT to read this’ – Zara Stoneley ‘The perfect summer treat; as sweet as a cream scone and just as moreish’ – Cathy Bramley ‘I loved it! Cressida's characters are wonderful. So warm and relatable… A delicious summer treat!’ - Sarah Morgan ‘A lovely warm gem’ – Alex Brown ‘Beautiful… heartwarming. Drew me in.’ – Zara Stoneley ‘Warm and wonderful… bursting with characters you’ll adore’Miranda Dickinson ‘A ray of reading sunshine’ – Heidi Swain ‘Oh, I just LOVED this story. All the characters are wonderful.’ – Isabelle Broom ‘A sweet read with real heart and soul’ – Sara Manning ‘Captivating’ – Heat ‘Gorgeous, romantic and witty – a perfect comfort read’ – Kirsty Greenwood ‘I absolutely love Cressida’s warm-hearted, romantic stories – they’re the perfect escape’ – Rachael Lucas ‘A little slice of a Cornish cream tea but without the calories’ –Bella Osborne ‘Had me glued to the pages’ – Holly Martin ‘A total hands-down treat. Funny, smart and completely swoony, McLaughlin skilfully carries you away with her gorgeous descriptions [and] seduces with her snappy dialogue.’ – Pernille Hughes ‘A pure joy to read’ – Lisa Hall ‘Perfect read for a night in front of the fire or a duvet day.’ – Helen Fields ‘My go-to comfort read’ – Jane Casey ‘Heart-meltingly romantic and tugs at all the strings’ – Jules Wake

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Book SynopsisNeighbours is a novel of friendship, support, trust and love, and what it takes to bring people together, by the world’s favourite storyteller Danielle Steel.Meredith White was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. But a personal tragedy cut her career short and alienated her from her family. For the last fifteen years, Meredith has shut herself away from the world, living in her San Francisco mansion.Then, on a late summer day, a devastating earthquake strikes, plunging the city into chaos. Without hesitation, Meredith invites her now homeless neighbours into her largely undamaged house as the recovery begins.From the respected doctor, to the beautiful young woman whose boyfriend views her as a rich man’s toy, to the brilliant concert pianist in his eighties, each has a story and a closely guarded secret that will slowly be revealed.Strangers become friends and relationships are forged as they support each other through not just the aftermath of the earthquake, but their own personal crises.As Meredith finds herself venturing back into the world she suddenly sees her isolation, her estranged family and even her career in a whole new light. And thanks to the suspicions of one of her new acquaintances, a shocking truth in her own life is exposed . . .

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Book SynopsisHeartbreaking. Life-affirming. Truly unforgettable. Always, in December is the timeless, stay-up-all-night love story we all need right now. If you loved One Day in December, Me Before You and the hit movie Last Christmas, this is the perfect book for you.Every December, Josie posts a letter to the parents she lost one Christmas night, many years ago. She always writes the same three words: Missing you, always.When Josie accidentally collides with a stranger at the postbox, she is unaware that Max has his own reasons for trying to avoid the season...or that their chance encounter is set to alter both their lives - and their hearts - in the most unexpected and beautiful of ways...Set in London, New York and the gorgeous English countryside, Always, in December is the love story everyone will be talking about this year.

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Book Synopsis'Utterly compelling' GuardianLife...is shapeless, it does not point to and gather round anything, it does not cohere. Artistically, it's dead. Life's dead.So begins a love letter to life, a resuscitation of sorts, encountering vibrant characters from Saul Bellow, to Philip Larkin to Iris Murdoch and Elizabeth Jane Howard, and to the person who captivated Amis' twenties, the alluringly amoral Phoebe Phelps.Amis addresses our burning questions: how to live, how to grieve, and how to die?Trade ReviewWarm, generous and deeply moving... This is not only the best book Amis has written in years; it is up there with Money and London Fields as the finest work he's produced. -- Alex Preston * Observer *World-class talent... With the life-giving warmth of his brilliant, generous, sometimes unsparing critical writing... Martin Amis is my favorite living writer and Inside Story is his most beautiful book. -- Richard A. Chance * New York Times *For my generation of fiction writers, Amis has become like a granite headland, a navigational marker for our collective endeavour. And here...are all the reasons we still love him... Inside Story gives us access to a turbulent, flawed but exceptional writing life. -- Rose Tremain * New Statesman *Books of the Year* *Another work of genius to remind us that he is the best... Amis writes better than anyone. What a book! -- Susan Hill * Spectator *Books of the Year* *One of Britain's greatest living writers... With each sumptuous sentence he proves his credentials... For fans of his work, Inside Story is a victory lap; newcomers will be steered towards his rich back catalogue. * Economist *

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Book SynopsisThe Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood is the incredible first epic fantasy in the Serpent Gates duology.'An astounding debut . . . unlike anything I've read before' - Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the WyldDoes she owe her life to those planning her death . . .Csorwe was raised by a death cult steeped in old magic. And on her fourteenth birthday, she’ll be sacrificed to their god. But as she waits for the end, she’s offered a chance to escape her fate. A sorcerer wants her as his assistant, sword-hand and assassin. As this involves her not dying that day, she accepts. Csorwe spends years living on a knife-edge, helping her master hunt an artefact which could change many worlds. Then comes the day she's been dreading. They encounter Csorwe’s old cult – seeking the same magical object – and Csorwe is forced to reckon with her past. She also meets Shuthmili, the war-mage who’ll change her future.If she’s to survive, Csorwe must evade her enemies, claim the artefact and stop the death cult once and for all. As she plunges from one danger to the next, the hunt is on . . .Continue the thrilling fantasy adventure with The Thousand Eyes.Trade ReviewA fun, fresh new take on the traditional fantasy quest and an adventure I couldn't put down! -- S. A. ChakrabortyAn astounding debut, written with skill and stunning assurance . . . From its flawless first page to its bittersweet last, The Unspoken Name is unlike anything I’ve read before -- Nicholas EamesThe Unspoken Name is the best kind of modern fantasy – it feels totally fresh, it's full of satisfyingly weird gods and frightening magic . . . I loved this book! -- Jen WilliamsWhat a glorious book! Richly detailed, enthralling, and extraordinary, with brilliant nods to such luminaries as Ursula K. Le Guin and Diana Wynne Jones . . . Fabulous, in every meaning of the word -- Jenn LyonsThe action is fast-paced and emotionally compelling; the magic is dangerous, beautiful, and utterly compromising. I love this book so much -- Arkady MartineAn unexpected and new take on classic orcs 'n' swords fantasy. Stylish, classy, and timeless - but with racing stripes and an inbuilt camera. I cannot recommend it enough -- Tamsyn MuirA perfect fantasy debut -- Daily Mail Best SFF of 2020Takes all the tropes of fantasy – orcs and epic quests, dead gods and undead souls, daring rescues and last-second escapes – and spins them into something wild and new. A dizzy, delicious debut -- Alix E. HarrowA truly wonderful book . . . grabbed my attention on the first page and wouldn’t let go. Fresh, exciting and new, with fascinating characters, shifting alliances, impossible odds, breathtaking settings, and shocking twists -- Dyrk AshtonThe Unspoken Name has everything – spine-tingling prose, gorgeous worldbuilding, powerful older women, found family (but it's terrible), giant snakes, ancient tombs, dead gods, and true love. It's fantastic. I read it in one sitting -- Emily TeshLarkwood's debut is a fresh, fun take on the genre, packed with smart prose, badass characters, and fantastic worldbuilding. A necessary addition for any fantasy lover's collection -- Tara SimA breathtaking journey. It's epic fantasy with both creeping, omnipresent horrors and yet a tenacious, delicate warmth -- K. A. DooreI really enjoyed this - crisp, witty and entertaining. Such fun and it distracted me from my work far too well! I'd love to read more from the author -- Genevieve CogmanAn age-old feud between wizards and gods plays out with steel-crunching, bloody-tusk action. Loved every page -- Brian NaslundExpansive, immersive, and just plain fun, each page unfolds another facet of Larkwood's brilliant maze of a world. Populated by incredible characters and their eldritch deities, this has everything I love in fantasy taken to the next level -- Emily DuncanAn imaginative story of love, sacrifice, and betrayal that traverses worlds in this phenomenal debut . . . . Lyrical, immersive prose masterfully conveys complex worldbuilding. Epic fantasy fans are sure to be impressed by this expertly crafted adventure -- Publishers Weekly starred review

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Book SynopsisAn exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death Everyone should read this book'Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost ThingsUSA TODAY BESTSELLER*Shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award*Eudora''s beautifully-told story shows us how we can live and support others at all stages of life, value what matters most and suck the juice out of every day'Kathryn Mannix, Sunday Times bestselling author of With the End in MindWow definitely my book of the year in my all time top ten!' Reader reviewThis is undoubtedly one of the best books that I have read this year' Reader reviewEudora Honeysett is done with all of it. Having seen first-hand what a prolonged illness can create, the eighty-five-year-old has no intention of leaving things to chance. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland she takes her life into her own hands.But then ten-year-old Rose arrives in a riot of colour on her doorstep. Now, as precocious Rose takeTrade Review‘An exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death. In the latter, the author dares to explore a subject that many shy away from, but she does so with touching sensitivity, gentle humour and absolute honesty. Eudora’s courage, dignity and wry sense of fun are beautifully drawn as she takes the reader on the heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting journey of her life and death. Everyone should read this book’ Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things ‘Made me laugh out loud’ Sue ‘An incredibly uplifting book…made me read into the night’ Kerry ‘An absolute perfect read…I cannot speak highly enough of this book’ Maria ‘It celebrates life… a surprise in a book’ Angela ‘A beautifully written book and highly recommended’ Laura ‘The author writes with such inspiring words…Love this story’ Eileen ‘Emotional, moving, delightful’ Abby ‘A fantastic story of love and friendship which I recommend’ Christine

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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 SynopsisWinner of the Booker Prize''The Hotel du Lac was a dignified building, a house of repute, a traditional establishment, used to welcoming the prudent, the well-to-do, the retired, the self-effacing, the respected patrons of an earlier era''Into the rarefied atmosphere of the Hotel du Lac timidly walks Edith Hope, romantic novelist and holder of modest dreams. Edith has been exiled from home after embarrassing herself and her friends. She has refused to sacrifice her ideals and remains stubbornly single. But among the pampered women and minor nobility Edith finds Mr Neville, and her chance to escape from a life of humiliating loneliness is renewed . . .''A classic . . . a book which will be read with pleasure a hundred years from now'' Spectator''A smashing love story. It is very romantic. It is also humorous, witty, touching and formidably clever'' The Times''Hotel du Lac is written with a beautiful Trade ReviewMiss Brookner's most absorbing novel . . . graceful and attractive * New York Times *Her technique as a novelist is so sure and so quietly commanding * Hilary Mantel, Guardian *Hotel du Lac is written with a beautiful grave formality, and it catches at the heart * Observer *The last great novelist of the 20th century * Daily Telegraph *A classic . . . a book which will be read with pleasure a hundred years from now * Spectator *A smashing love story. It is very romantic. It is also humorous, witty, touching and formidably clever * The Times *She is one of the great writers of contemporary fiction * Literary Review *A classic . . . a book which will be read with pleasure a hundred years from now * Spectator *A smashing love story. It is very romantic. It is also humorous, witty, touching and formidably clever * The Times *Hotel du Lac is written with a beautiful grave formality, and it catches at the heart * Observer *She is one of the great writers of contemporary fiction * Literary Review *

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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 SynopsisBeautiful reissue of Louise Erdrich's most famous novel, from one of the most celebrated American writers of her generation and winner of the National Book Award 2012.Set on and around a North Dakota reservation, Love Medicine' tells the story of the Lamartines and the Kashpaws two extraordinary families whose fates are united and sustained in a harsh world by the strength and diversity of their love.We meet the sensual Lulu Lamartine, whose children have different fathers, but whose passionate tie to her first love, Nector Kashpaw, intensifies over the years; June Kashpaw, who froze to death in a snowstorm; and the philosophical Lipsha Morrissey, June''s abandoned son, who makes a love medicine to keep his grandparents together.Greeted with great critical acclaim when first published in 1984, ''Love Medicine'' won the US National Book Critics'' Circle Award. Louise Erdrich has now substantially revised and expanded the novel for this edition, to complement its companion novels, ''The Beet Queen, Tracks'' and ''The Bingo Palace''.Trade Review‘A masterpiece, written with spellbinding authenticity and animated by a spirited comic energy.’ Philip Roth 'The beauty of ‘Love Medicine’ saves us from being completely devastated by its power.' Toni Morrison 'A powerful piece of work … Louise Erdrich is the rarest kind of writer, as compassionate as she is sharp-sighted.' Anne Tyler 'The impression is of a river of memory bursting its banks and overflowing upon the page in an irresistible flood.' Angela Carter 'Erdrich presents a variety of voices: each forceful in its own way, each adding a different dimension – cruel, sombre, humorous – to what is cumulously a wondrous prose song … ‘Love Medicine’ is finally about the enduring verities of loving and surviving, and these truths are revealed in a narrative that is an invigorating mixture of the cosmic and the tragic.' New York Times

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Book SynopsisA powerful story of grief and hope, a passionate and epic love story from the Russian-born author of the internationally bestselling novels TULLY and ROAD TO PARADISE.The world at war two people in love.Tatiana is eighteen years old and pregnant when she miraculously escapes war-torn Leningrad to the West, believing herself to be a widow. Her husband, Major Alexander Belov, a decorated hero of the Soviet Union, has been arrested by Stalin''s infamous secret police and is awaiting imminent death as a traitor and a spy.Tatiana begins her new life in America. In wartime New York City she finds work, friends and a life beyond her dreams. However, her grief is inescapable and she keeps hearing Alexander calling out to her.Meanwhile, Alexander faces the greatest danger he''s ever known. An American trapped in Russia since adolescence, he has been serving in the Red Army and posing as a Soviet citizen to protect himself. For him, Russia''s war is not over, and both victory and defeat will meTrade ReviewPraise for Tatiana and Alexander'This has everything a romance glutton could wish for: a bold, talented and dashing hero, a heart-stopping love affair that nourishes its two protagonists even when they are separated and lost, a long and bitter military campaign, plus personal excavations into the past. It also has – thank goodness – a welcome sense of humour and discernable characters rather than ciphers.' Victoria Moore, Daily Mail The Bronze Horseman‘Pulling off the passionate love story embedded in a truly epic narrative is a difficult thing to do. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind remains the blueprint for the genre, while Tolstoy's War and Peace carries off the literary honours … it's quickly apparent that the Russian-born author Paullina Simons has the measure of this kind of epic romantic saga. The power of her descriptive writing, the vividness of the historical detail and, most of all, the strength of her central characters mark out her novel as a considerable achievement … she is able to make some powerful statements about the durability of the human spirit, but never at the expense of descriptive passages refulgent with power and beauty’ Barry Forshaw, amazon

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Book SynopsisFilled with warmth, wit and wisdom, ‘The Future Homemakers of America’ takes us to the heart of female friendship. A novel fans of ‘Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood’ will not be able to resist.Trade Review'She has wit and insight to match Nick Hornby, and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding, as well as depth. Her novel traces the lives of Peggy and five female friends – one British – from the 1950s to the present, against a background of landmark events. It amounts to a picture of the way women's lives have changed, without ever sacrificing the particular to the generalisation.' Nicolette Jones, Independent ‘Superlative. The writing sparkles from first to last’ David Robson, Sunday Telegraph ‘This novel crackles with energy and snappy American dialogue. Laurie Graham conjures up five tough, funny, mouthy women, thrown together at an American airbase in Norfolk. Kath, a typical Brit with a chilly exterior and warm heart, is drawn into their generous circle. Graham has pulled off an absolute triumph; the voice of her sassy narrator, the redoubtable Peggy, never falters as she unfolds 40 years of friendship.’ Georgia Metcalfe, Daily Mail ‘A wonderfully moving comedy.’ Alex Clark, Red 'The Future Homemakers of America is a warm, life-affirming novel that offers its readers pure pleasure.' Katie Owen, The Times 'This is an absorbing, funny, lively and sometimes moving story.' Sunday Times ‘Laugh-out-loud funny; intelligent; moving; has more delicious roll-off-the-tongue one-liners than Seinfeld. One of those books you buy six copies of to send to all your old friends.’ Julie Morrice, Scotsman

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Book SynopsisFrom the Booker short-listed author of The Essence of theThing. Madeleine St John’s new novel is a poignant, perceptive and deliciously funny portrait of modern life and an elegant anatomy of love. Her most beguiling novel to date.

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Book SynopsisThe chilling psychological thriller from a top ten bestselling author.Trade Review‘Emotional and sensitive, populated with wonderfully real characters, but also underscored by menace which races towards a heart-in-the-mouth denouement.’ Gillian McAllister, author of EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTH ‘THE SECOND SISTER is both a twisty thriller and a sensitively written story of a family stricken by loss and the fear of not knowing the worst. The strife between the remaining sister and her mother especially is depicted with heart-rending warmth and insight.’ Isabelle Grey, author of THE BAD MOTHER ‘Marvelously tension-filled storytelling’ New York Times ‘A thriller with intelligence and a high creep factor, a genre that’s difficult to get just right…Claire Kendal’s version comes close to perfection’ The Toronto Star PRAISE FOR THE BOOK OF YOU: ‘Any thriller that has you checking over your shoulder and peeking from behind your curtains must be gripping so hats off to Claire Kendal’s hard-hitting debut THE BOOK OF YOU for doing just this’ Stylist ‘Both brutal and unbearably tense, THE BOOK OF YOU announces the arrival of a fierce new talent, a writer not afraid to grasp a woman’s fears in stark detail and to invoke nightmares’ Daily Mail ‘Clever, claustrophobic and chillingly good’ Good Housekeeping ‘THE BOOK OF YOU starts with breathtaking brilliance and then just gets better with every page. Already my book of the year’ Elizabeth Haynes, author of INTO THE DARKEST CORNER ‘Gripping with some very smart twists’ Woman Magazine ‘A gripping read!’ Closer ‘Addictive … I literally hardly breathed as I raced to the end. It's a terrifying thriller’ Samantha Hayes, author of UNTIL YOU’RE MINE ‘Creepy and compelling. What happens when the wrong guy won't take no for an answer?’ Paula Daly, author of JUST WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?

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Book SynopsisPeople die. Love doesn't.A bitter-sweet pang in my heart' Monique RoffeyA beautiful book. Insanely romantic and utterly convincing' Julie MyersonA wonderful and inventive novel, sorrowful and hopeful in equal measure. It was a true pleasure to read' Miranda Cowley HellerLouisa Young is the great chronicler of romantic love and the pain of its loss' Linda GrantHeart-stoppingly romantic A lovely, moving, ultimately hopeful read' MirrorWhat a writer so beautifully earthed in the everyday. Terrific' Elizabeth BuchanA modern day Truly Madly Deeply Rasmus and Roisin both lose their partners, but the ghosts of Nico and Jay stay, unable to leave their loved ones alone as the broken-hearted pair find comfort in each other. Beautifully written, this is a haunting love story literally' Best magazine, Must-ReadsA skilfully calibrated love-after-death tale, it's a four course feast of hearts broken, hearts mended, of songs, laughter, old regrets and fresh desire, that demands a major film deal' PaTrade Review‘Sweetly comic yet deeply moving… Anybody who loves the film Ghost will feel the same way about this wonderful novel, which asks what happens when people cease to live – but love does not’ Daily Mail ‘A modern day Truly Madly Deeply… Rasmus and Roisin both lose their partners, but the ghosts of Nico and Jay stay, unable to leave their loved ones alone as the broken-hearted pair find comfort in each other. Beautifully written, this is a haunting love story – literally’ Best magazine, Must-Reads ‘A beautiful book. Insanely romantic and utterly convincing’ Julie Myerson ‘Heart-stoppingly romantic… A lovely, moving, ultimately hopeful read’ Mirror ‘Twelve Months and a Day is poignant and sad as well as funny and beautifully written and imagined… You will fall in love again as you read this clever book … Hugely engaging and readable. A bitter-sweet pang in my heart as it ended. A page-turner’ Monique Roffey ‘A wonderful novel, charming and surprising, filled with loss and its triumphant opposites’ Susie Boyt ‘A wonderful and inventive novel, sorrowful and hopeful in equal measure. It was a true pleasure to read’ Miranda Cowley Heller ‘A skilfully calibrated love-after-death tale, it’s a four course feast of hearts broken, hearts mended, of songs, laughter, old regrets and fresh desire, that demands a major film deal’ Patrick Gale ‘Louisa Young is the great chronicler of romantic love and the pain of its loss’ Linda Grant ‘Thoughtful, philosophical and clever, it is also funny, and full of poetry, and powered by an unflagging and irresistible belief in the redemptive power of love’ Perspectives magazine ‘What a writer. A raw and beautiful exposition on grief and loss but so beautifully earthed in the everyday. Terrific’ Elizabeth Buchan ‘A beautifully written story that’s very funny, and full of heart and hope’ Best

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Book SynopsisPeople die. Love doesn't.A bitter-sweet pang in my heart' Monique RoffeyA beautiful book. Insanely romantic and utterly convincing' Julie MyersonA wonderful and inventive novel, sorrowful and hopeful in equal measure. It was a true pleasure to read' Miranda Cowley HellerLouisa Young is the great chronicler of romantic love and the pain of its loss' Linda GrantHeart-stoppingly romantic A lovely, moving, ultimately hopeful read' MirrorWhat a writer so beautifully earthed in the everyday. Terrific' Elizabeth BuchanA modern day Truly Madly Deeply Rasmus and Roisin both lose their partners, but the ghosts of Nico and Jay stay, unable to leave their loved ones alone as the broken-hearted pair find comfort in each other. Beautifully written, this is a haunting love story literally' Best magazine, Must-ReadsA skilfully calibrated love-after-death tale, it's a four course feast of hearts broken, hearts mended, of songs, laughter, old regrets and fresh desire, that demands a major film deal' PaTrade Review‘Sweetly comic yet deeply moving… Anybody who loves the film Ghost will feel the same way about this wonderful novel, which asks what happens when people cease to live – but love does not’ Daily Mail ‘A modern day Truly Madly Deeply… Rasmus and Roisin both lose their partners, but the ghosts of Nico and Jay stay, unable to leave their loved ones alone as the broken-hearted pair find comfort in each other. Beautifully written, this is a haunting love story – literally’ Best magazine, Must-Reads ‘A beautiful book. Insanely romantic and utterly convincing’ Julie Myerson ‘Heart-stoppingly romantic… A lovely, moving, ultimately hopeful read’ Mirror ‘Twelve Months and a Day is poignant and sad as well as funny and beautifully written and imagined… You will fall in love again as you read this clever book … Hugely engaging and readable. A bitter-sweet pang in my heart as it ended. A page-turner’ Monique Roffey ‘A wonderful novel, charming and surprising, filled with loss and its triumphant opposites’ Susie Boyt ‘A wonderful and inventive novel, sorrowful and hopeful in equal measure. It was a true pleasure to read’ Miranda Cowley Heller ‘A skilfully calibrated love-after-death tale, it’s a four course feast of hearts broken, hearts mended, of songs, laughter, old regrets and fresh desire, that demands a major film deal’ Patrick Gale ‘Louisa Young is the great chronicler of romantic love and the pain of its loss’ Linda Grant ‘Thoughtful, philosophical and clever, it is also funny, and full of poetry, and powered by an unflagging and irresistible belief in the redemptive power of love’ Perspectives magazine ‘What a writer. A raw and beautiful exposition on grief and loss but so beautifully earthed in the everyday. Terrific’ Elizabeth Buchan ‘A beautifully written story that’s very funny, and full of heart and hope’ Best

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Book SynopsisWill their wedding night be a one-night stand or a merger for keeps?

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Book SynopsisA swoon-worthy, fake dating romance perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and The Proposal!Trade Review‘If you like Jill Mansell and romantic comedies, you will enjoy Plus One is a Lucky Number.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This would make a great Hallmark Movie.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisThe USA Today bestseller A cleverly crafted novel and an enthralling story A triumph.' DINAH JEFFERIESA Russian grand duchess and an English journalist. Linked by one of the world's greatest mysteriesLove. Guilt. Heartbreak.1914Russia is on the brink of collapse, and the Romanov family faces a terrifyingly uncertain future. Grand Duchess Tatiana has fallen in love with cavalry officer Dmitri, but events take a catastrophic turn, placing their romance and their lives in danger . . .2016Kitty Fisher escapes to her great-grandfather's remote cabin in America, after a devastating revelation makes her flee London. There, on the shores of Lake Akanabee, she discovers the spectacular jewelled pendant that will lead her to a long-buried family secret . . .Haunting, moving and beautifully written, The Secret Wife effortlessly crosses centuries, as past merges with present in an unforgettable story of love, loss and resilience.Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.Trade Review‘Meticulously researched and evocatively written, this sweeping story will keep a tight hold on your heartstrings until the final page’ Iona Grey ‘A cleverly crafted novel and an enthralling story: the heartbreak genuine, the research brilliant. I love the way the present narrative throws light on the past story so that the transitions are smooth. A triumph.’ Dinah Jefferies ‘A marvellous story: gripping, romantic and evocative of a turbulent and fascinating time’ Lulu Taylor ‘This was just magical. At the last line, tears rolled down my cheeks. Highly recommended.’ Louise Beech 'A heart-warming affirmation of the tenacity of human love' Liz Trenow 'Gill Paul has crafted a beautiful book. The passages set in Russia in 1914 are so richly described and researched that I felt as if I was living in the pages myself. I adored it.' Amanda Jennings ‘This is an intriguing and involving book that explores a really fascinating period in time in a clever and highly enjoyable way. I was hooked into both timelines from the start.’Joanna Courtney, author of The Chosen Queen and The Constant Queen ‘A beautiful and moving story, beautifully and movingly told. I read it in just two sittings . . . I enjoyed every page’ John Julius Norwich ‘Gill Paul has clearly done her research in this absorbing story that cleverly blends imagination with historical fact. The closeted and ultimately doomed Romanov family have always fascinated, especially the four grand duchesses, and the older strand of this dual narrative story is told by one of the girls' secret loves. Tragic, touching and authentic-feeling.’ Kate Riordan ‘A marvellous moving adventure, full of vivid colour and atmospheric detail. If you loved POLDARK you’ll love this!’ Lulu Taylor ‘Like VANITY FAIR crossed with POLDARK… Stunning epic’ Claudia Carroll ‘A terrific adventure story, full of romance and atmospheric detail – a great escapist read’ Liz Trenow

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Book SynopsisHitting the right spot!Trade Review‘Fantastic and educational! I learned quite a bit!’ – NetGalley Reader ‘Informative without being crude … I feel like a lot of girls would definitely benefit from reading this.’ – NetGalley Reader ‘A very I interesting study on women's sexual health and healing.’ – Goodreads Reviewer ‘Comforting encouragement via the author.’ – NetGalley Reader ‘A very informative and detailed book … A good read for both men and women.‘ NetGalley Reader ‘This book definitely educated me on various methods I'd never heard of’ – Goodreads Reviewer

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Book SynopsisThe perfect summer story a funny and moving read set in glorious modern-day Poldark country' Catherine IsaacEvery summer has a storySince Pippa Harte was forced to take over her parents' farm, she's barely had time to shave her legs let alone make time for a date. Now she's more likely to be getting down and dirty mucking out the pigs and avoiding those of the human male variety.When Ben Retallick walks out of her childhood and back into her present it seems that perhaps Pippa has more time than she thought. All Poldark smoulders and easy-going charm, Ben's definitely worth whipping her wellies off for!But Ben is a man with his own past and his own issues and as much as she's enjoying having him around, she's got to get a grip. After all life isn't always a beach Then again, this is Cornwall.Set on the gorgeous Cornish coast at the height of summer, this is the perfect romance to take on your hols!Debbie is the author of Cold Feet at Christmas, the #1 Christmas bestseller!Trade Review‘A sheer delight’ – Sunday Express ‘Has all the best ingredients for a holiday read: the beautiful West Country, a family-run farm, and a mystery man with Poldark-style charms’ – Yours Magazine ‘A summer romance with an abundance of country charm, Pippa’s Cornish Dream by Debbie Johnson is a standout title for this season.’ – Book Chick City ‘A beautifully addictive read’ – Reviewed the Book ‘Just wonderful’ – Lisa Talks About ‘A wonderful, engaging story that will leave you with a smile.’ – I Am, Indeed ‘A fantastic read – romance, beautiful Cornish scenery, a gorgeous but troubled hero, teenage traumas, great characters, lots of humour and a real feel-good ending. Highly recommend this for your summer-reading shelf!’ – Portobello Book Blog ‘Truly addictive…the perfect 21st century love story’ – Jane Hunt Reviews ‘What a fantastic book! I read it in one sitting and loved everything about it … I'm sorry if I sound over-effusive but I think you've got the message now. The book was amazing and I want to read much more by Debbie Johnson!’ – 5*, Annie Cooper’s Book Corner ‘A wonderful summery book, full of fun and frolics’ – 5*, Rachel’s Random Reads ‘This book is full of everything – romance, family dynamics, teenage rebels, the Cornish coast … It makes you want to go and book a holiday rental and visit the local coves! – 5*, Bookworms & Shutterbugs ‘It's a perfect summer read! I couldn't put this book down. I read this everywhere, on the way to work and even when I was in the dentist!’ -Monica, Goodreads ‘The perfect summer read whether your out on your balcony (like me) or by a pool ( like I was wishing)’ – Star Crossed Reviews

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.My father's family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip.'An orphan destined for a life of misery and poverty, Pip does not have much in the way of expectations. Only when he begins to visit a rich old woman, Miss Havisham, does he begin to hope for better. When Pip discovers that he has inherited a large sum of money on the condition that he move to London to live the life of a gentleman, Pip takes his chance to leave behind the world he knows and embark upon a new adventure.An illuminating tale of intrigue, fortune and unattainable love, Great Expectations has a cast of memorable characters, and is one of Dickens' most enduring and popular novels.

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Book SynopsisThe gripping and emotional novel from the million-copy bestselling author of PS, I Love You*Preorder Cecelia''s next gripping novel INTO THE STORM now*She knows your secrets. Now discover hersYou've never met anyone like Alice. She sees the best in people. And the worst. She always seems to know exactly what everyone around her is feeling: a thousand different emotions. Every. Single. Day.In amongst all that noise, she's lost herself.But there's one person she can't read. And that's the person who could change her life.Is she ready to let him in?-Everyone loves In a Thousand Different WaysAhern makes Alice's plight touchingly convincing [her] pain is raw on the page' The TimesAn extraordinary and truly original story a must read this month' PrimaStunning' Irish IndependentBeautiful, moving and unexpected, In a Thousand Different ways is an unforgettable story. This is Cecelia Ahern at her very best' Louise O'NeillUtterly wonderful Cecelia Ahern is a master storyteller at the absolutTrade Review More reviews for In a Thousand Different Ways: ‘I can’t remember the last time I felt so invested in a character’s future; I was willing Alice on, with every page. This is such a poignant, quirky and satisfying story about taking charge of one’s life – and (like Alice’s pot plants) thriving, despite the odds’ Susan Fletcher ‘So original and compelling and heartbreaking, but also heartwarming . . . Alice is right up my street . . . that gorgeous blend of strength and vulnerability’ Ciara Geraghty ‘Highly original, fresh and exciting’ Hazel Gaynor ‘I loved this novel . . . a rich tapestry, full of characters seeking love and acceptance on their life’s journey’ Patricia Scanlan ‘Such a beautiful, tender and moving story’ Sinead Moriarty Acclaim for Cecelia Ahern: ‘It’s time to recognise Cecelia Ahern as one of our finest writers’ John Boyne, bestselling author of All The Broken Places ‘Sharp, clever, witty: a joy to read’ Donal Ryan, bestselling author of The Queen of Dirt Island ‘Witty, playful, entertaining but also thought-provoking, salutary and empowering’ Daily Mail ‘Impressive, timely and entertaining ’ Observer ‘Confidential, sympathetic and witty’ The Times ‘Funny, magical, her most powerful, most feminist work yet’ Irish Sunday Independent ‘Intriguing, substantial and impactful…The quiet call to arms that women never knew they needed’ Irish Independent ‘Inventive and ingenious, with a doffing of the cap to Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood’ Stylist ‘Wonderful, inspiring …the kind of book everyone should have on their shelf’ Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido ‘An illuminating and touching story about memory, childhood and secrets’ Woman & Home ‘Beautiful and unexpected … both thought-provoking and life-affirming’ Sunday Express

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