Sports fiction

Book SynopsisFROM THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ANXIOUS PEOPLE AND A MAN CALLED OVE, FREDRIK BACKMAN**NOW A MAJOR HBO TV SERIES**''I utterly believed in the residents of Beartown and felt ripped apart by the events in the book'' JOJO MOYES''I couldn''t put it down. Heart-rending and engrossing'' 5***** Reader Review_________In a large Swedish forest, Beartown hides a dark secret . . .Cut-off from everywhere else, it experiences the kind of isolation that tears people apart.And each year, more and more of the town is swallowed by the forest.Then the town is offered a bright new future.But it is all put in jeopardy by a single, brutal act.It divides the town into those who think it should be hushed up and forgotten, and those who''ll risk the future to see justice done.Who will speak up?Could you stand by and stay silent?Trade ReviewI wasn't sure I would love a novel centred on hockey - but as with Friday Night Lights this is actually a story about people - about strength and tribal loyalty and what we unwittingly do when trying to show our boys how to be men. I utterly believed in the residents of Beartown, and felt ripped apart by the events in the book -- Jojo Moyes * bestselling author of Me Before You *Surrounded by impenetrable forests, it recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. This is a mature, compassionate novel. * Sunday Times *A story about families, about friendship and loyalty, inequality, female vulnerability, male back-slapping, and parenthood ... No person's story is too little to be told, Backman includes them all. A novel with a big heart * Jönköpings-Posten, Sweden *A kind of problem play that moves extremely skilfully near the melodramatic without derailing. Its originality is substantial and the book credibly conveys the dual faces of everyday life. An impressive novel, like no other * BTJ, Sweden *Friday Night Lights for Swedes -- O MagazineAs popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson. * The New York Times Book Review *Backman is a masterful writer, his characters familiar yet distinct, flawed yet heroic. . . There are scenes that bring tears, scenes of gut-wrenching despair, and moments of sly humor. . .Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction. A thoroughly empathetic examination of the fragile human spirit, Backman's latest will resonate a long time. * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for A Man Called Ove * - *It's warm, funny, and ultimately almost unbearably moving * Daily Mail *Delightful ... the perfect holiday read * Evening Standard *A warm and tender story about love, loss and second chances, peppered with memorable characters, wonderful set pieces and some beautifully black humour. Ove is a joy from start to finish * Gavin Extence, author of The Universe versus Alex Woods *An uplifting, life-affirming and often comic tale of how kindness, love and happiness can be found in the most unlikely places * Sunday Express *Backman can tickle the funny bone and tug on the heart strings when he needs to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge in either * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. Despite his harsh criticism of Japan's citizens and media, the genius midfielder Sae Itoshi has set his gaze on Blue Lock, where the training is about to begin. To survive the first round robin tournament in the training center, Isagi's Team Z will need to find a way to use their own unique "weapons" while struggling through a clash of egos. What does it take to be the best in the world?

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Book SynopsisThe last match of the first Blue Lock selection round kicks off! Isagi's Team Z has no choice but to win the match if they want to stay in Blue Lock. Their opponents: Team V, the strongest team in Wing 5, led by the prodigy Seishiro Nagi. Will Team Z's desperation triumph over Team V's overwhelming offensive power? The key to victory lies in "a goal's reproducibility."

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Book SynopsisDiscover the sizzling brother's-best-friend, small town romance that went viral on TikTok - now in a special edition with an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the series and a Q&A with the author!She's off-limits, but he's never been good at following the rules . . .'A sweet slow burn . . . sunshine in written form' - Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author For the first time in her life, Clementine 'Emmy' Ryder has no idea what she's doing. She's accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming, went to college, and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.Luke Brooks is Meadowlark's most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He's also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy's older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It's been years since he's seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can't take his eyes off her. Against his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. As things between Emmy and Brooks heat up, it gets more difficult for him to keep his hands off of her. Can he help her get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?5* READER REVIEWS FOR DONE AND DUSTED'SUCH a joy to read''The plot . . . amazing, the characters . . . amazing and the spice . . . AMAZING''This was so cute!!!''I am absolutely + utterly obsessed with this book''I ate this book up!'

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for Beartown and Fredrik Backman * : *I utterly believed in the residents of Beartown, and felt ripped apart by the events in the book -- Jojo Moyes * bestselling author of Me Before You *Surrounded by impenetrable forests, it recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. This is a mature, compassionate novel * The Sunday Times *Backman can tickle the funny bone and tug on the heart strings when he needs to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge in either * Independent *As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson. * The New York Times Book Review *Friday Night Lights for Swedes * O Magazine *A kind of problem play that moves extremely skilfully near the melodramatic without derailing. Its originality is substantial and the book credibly conveys the dual faces of everyday life. An impressive novel, like no other * BTJ, Sweden *Praise for Us Against You * - *A story about families, about friendship and loyalty, inequality, female vulnerability, male back-slapping, and parenthood ... No person's story is too little to be told, Backman includes them all. A novel with a big heart * Jönköpings-Posten, Sweden *Evident in all [Backman] novels is an apparent ability to state a truth about humanity with breathtaking elegance * Kirkus Reviews *This is a tale of the pitfalls of group mentality as well as the loss of an innocence we all take for granted-and it will grip you from start to finish * Canadian Living *Backman is the Dickens of our age, and though you'll cry, your heart is safe in his hands * Green Valley News, Arizona *Backman is a masterful writer, his characters familiar yet distinct, flawed yet heroic. . . There are scenes that bring tears, scenes of gut-wrenching despair, and moments of sly humor. . .Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction. A thoroughly empathetic examination of the fragile human spirit, Backman's latest will resonate a long time. * Kirkus Reviews *A light hearted, deeply moving novel about a grumpy but loveable curmudgeon who finds his solitary world * CBS Local *Backman's ability to tell stories in pictures is one of his strongest merits, not least how he describes relationships . . . It's rare that one cares about so many characters in a book, and seldom that one comes so close to a whole community. But the leading role in Backman's novels about Beartown is, after all, played by the sports community. It's a love declaration of the highest order * Göteborgs-Posten, Sweden *Mr. Backman cements his standing as a writer of astonishing depth and proves that he also has very broad range plus the remarkable ability to make you understand the feelings of each of a dozen different characters. . . . The story is fully packed with wise insights into the human experience causing characters and readers to ponder life's great question of who we are, what we hope to be and how we should lead our lives * The Washington Times *Fredrik Backman writes wonderfully about men, with a love and understanding for the ones who would rather solve conflicts with their fists. It's hard not to love it * Dagens Nyheter, Sweden *A brilliant sequel . . . Backman writes about loyalty and love, but also captures the feelings of athletes in a vibrant way * Skaraborgs Allehanda, Sweden *Backman knows how to construct a thrilling plot, and what he writes engages . . . And when he hits his stride among the emotions, the sentimental turns into an asset - like a hockey puck straight to the heart * Landskrona Posten, Sweden *It's obvious that Fredrik Backman loves sports and no one is as good at evoking feelings as he is. You are thrown between laughter and tears in the space of one sentence to the next. At the same time, this might be his most earnest and serious, if you can understand what I mean, novel to date. It takes an even bigger grip on the world than the previous novel in the series did. Now we can only wait for the next chapter * Värmlands Folkblad, Sweden *What you get in a Fredrik Backman work is wonderful writing andbrilliant insights into things that truly matter - right vs. wrong, fear vs.courage, love vs. hate, the importance and limits of friendship andloyalty, and more. Fredrik Backman is one of the world's best and mostinteresting novelists. He is a giant among the world's great novelists -and this literary giant is still growing. * Washington Times, US *In his dark but warmhearted way, Backman is a psychologist, and hisinsights are on display again in Us Against You...he creates an astuteemotional world much bigger than a small Swedish town. It's a novel youcan sink into. * Chicago Tribune, US *If Alexander McCall Smith's and Maeve Binchy's novels had a lovechild, the result would be the work of Swedish writer Fredrik Backman /.../ Backman's novels have wide appeal, and for good reason. Us AgainstYou takes a lyrical look at how a community heals, how families recoverand how individuals grow. * Washington Post, US *Deftly explores recovery and rebirth. * US Weekly, US *Backman (A Man Called Ove) returns to the hockey-obsessed village ofhis previous novel Beartown to chronicle the passion, violence,resilience, and humanity of the people who live there in this engrossingtale of small-town Swedish life /.../ Backman's excellent novel has anatmosphere of both Scandinavian folktale and Greek tragedy. Darknessand grit exist alongside tenderness and levity, creating a blunt realismthat brings the setting's small-town atmosphere to vivid life. * Publishers Weekly, US *There is even more potential for book group discussion here asBackman explores violence, political maneuvering, communities,feminism, sexuality, criminality, the role of sports in society, and whatmakes us all tick. * Library Journal *Starred Review*, US *Readers, take a break from the heat this summer to visit the icy streetsof Beartown. Immerse yourself in Us Against You, for once you open thisbook, you won't be able to resist falling into the hockey town out in thewoods. Live among the residents for a few days. I guarantee that it willbe tough to say goodbye when you turn the last page. Fredrik Backmanhas a rare talent for reaching inside his readers and coaxing out theirdeepest emotions while weaving a riveting tale that stays with you for along time. Don't miss out on this phenomenal novel. * The Book Reporter, US *Through Backman's astute examination of humanity, Us Against You will elicit snickers and full-blown belly laughs. It will rip out hearts, thenreplace them stronger than before. Most of all, it is sure to promptreaders to examine their lives in order to be better people, if only inmicroscopic ways. * Shelf Awareness , US *Dark and gritty, but peppered with moments of breath-catching hope. * Modern Mrs. Darcy, US *The sequel to Beartown is finally here, and it does not disappoint. * Hello Giggles, US *This is a tale of the pitfalls of group mentality as well as the loss of aninnocence we all take for granted - and it will grip you from start to finish. * Canadian Living, Canada *Just as the cult TV hit Friday Night Lights wasn't just about high-schoolfootball, this sequel to Beartown is about more than small-town hockey.Us Against You is a story of hopes, dreams, loyalty, friendship, and - aftersomeone is left for dead - the lengths people will go to for the love of the game. * Hello! Canada, Canada *We have a rare book for you. [Us Against You] is not only about hockeyand sports. It's about everything that makes a man a man. * Pravo, Czech Republic *Backman uses an abundance of thrilling hints about upcoming events,and it works. You simply have to continue reading. The story iswonderful, deeply touching and very thought-provoking, and hats offagain to the author's ability to portray people and trends in society. Thenovel plays on your entire register of emotions, and you live and breathealongside the many different characters, all of which are precisely and empathetically depicted. * Litteratursiden, Denmark *A beautiful and brutal drama. * Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark *"Fredrik Backman is one of Sweden's best authors. He's mastered howto depict a village and its citizens so that you both love and hate them./.../ Backman writes with emotion, and it goes straight to your heart. /.../As always with Backman, there's still hope for humanity, because wherethere is violence and hatred, there is also forgiveness and love." * Bogblogger, Denmark *Us Against You is an excellent novel that's easy to read and skillfullyhandles great themes. /.../ The world created by Backman lives andbreathes and the characters are both human and complex. * Aamuset, Finland *Backman keeps you hooked from the first to the last page. For allBeartown fans, Us Against You feels like coming home. * Hebban, Netherlands *Fredrik Backman writes wonderfully about men, with a love andunderstanding for the ones who would rather solve conflicts with theirfists. It's hard not to love it. * Dagens Nyheter, Sweden *Backman knows how to construct a thrilling plot, and what he writesengages. /.../ And when he hits his stride among the emotions, thesentimental turns into an asset - like a hockey puck straight to the heart. * Landskrona Posten, Sweden *

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Book SynopsisA mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. It's a no-balls-barred battle to become Japan's next top striker, in this Squid Game-meets-World Cup manga, now in print!

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''Mariana Zapata''s storytelling is incredible. I love the way she develops her characters and we get to watch all the goodness unfold. I never wanted this story to end'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I would give it more than 5 stars if it was an option'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Such a beautiful book and I literally do not know what to do with myself now that I''ve finished it'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I''m honestly convinced that Mariana Zapata has no idea how to write anything other than a masterpiece. Because just like all of he

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Book SynopsisAfter Isagi and the rest of Team Z clear the first selection round, they split up to face the second selection individually. Waiting beyond the first door is Blue Lock Man, a cutting-edge goalkeeping AI system. A new group of incredible strikers and shocking rules await Isagi in the second selection round!

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Book SynopsisA mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. In the face of Team V and the prodigy Nagi's overwhelming scoring ability, Team Z has managed to catch up to 3-3 with fifteen minutes remaining. In the midst of this tense environment, all the players seek the "awakening" that will take their skills to the next level... The match against Team V reaches its thrilling conclusion!

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of MALIBU RISING, DAISY JONES & THE SIX and THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO'It made me cry twice, and when I finished reading, I had to sit for a minute with the hole it left in my chest . . . just order it' EMILY HENRY'A crowd-pleaser. Taylor Jenkins Reid captures all the sweat, rivalry and glamour of elite sport' THE TIMES'Jenkins Reid has written yet another page turner . . . [it] will have you hooked' INDEPENDENTCarrie Soto is the greatest player the world has ever seen.But six years after her last match, she watches a young British tennis player steal her world record - and Carrie knows she has to go back and reclaim her rightful place at the top. Even if the world doesn't believe in her. Even if it almost breaks her.This is a story about the cost of greatness and the burden of fame.The fight for a place in history is about to begin . . .'It artfully combines the heady glamour of elite sport with questions about what happens when we find ourselves winning professionally, but losing personally' STYLIST'A portrait of female ambition in all its raw and divine glory, Carrie Soto will stay with you long after the last page is turned' ERIN KELLYTrade ReviewA portrait of female ambition in all its raw and divine glory, Carrie Soto will stay with you long after the last page is turned -- Erin KellyThis Nineties tennis romp is a crowd-pleaser. Taylor Jenkins Reid captures all the sweat, rivalry and glamour of elite sport * The Times *In typical TJR fashion, it artfully combines the heady glamour of elite sport with questions about what happens when we find ourselves winning professionally, but losing personally . . . an escapist beach read * Stylist *An exhilarating, immersive and gripping ode to the cost of greatness, this is Taylor Jenkins Reid's best book yet. Carrie Soto is an icon for the ages. Five stars, ten out of ten, an A+ and more from me! -- Laura Jane WilliamsThere's something about Carrie I will take forward with me in my life, and be a little better for. This book comes out in a few short weeks and you should preorder it. It made me cry twice, and when I finished reading, I had to sit for a minute with the hole it left in my chest . . . just order it -- Emily HenryFans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will adore this * Stellar *Just like Carrie Soto, it's such a thrill to watch Taylor Jenkins Reid get better and better . . . she uses fame to illuminate the battles every woman has to fight - and in doing so, makes the reader feel powerful, too -- Caroline O'DonoghueAddictive, fun and heartwarming. You will never want to leave Carrie Soto -- Fearne CottonNot every woman worries about winning a Grand Slam, but many can likely relate to Soto's challenges with getting older, wanting it all, and trying to manage a fiercely competitive spirit when the world expects women to stay quiet and smile nicely. It's for these reasons you find yourself rooting for the star, in spite of an attitude which isn't about endearing herself to others. Jenkins Reid has written yet another page-turner which will have you hooked, from the first serve to match point. 9/10 * Independent *Compulsive . . . A voyeuristic glimpse into the lives of the sporting elite * Daily Telegraph *I was (still am) obsessed with her 2019 faux-oral history of a sixties rock band Daisy Jones and the Six and have taken one of her novels on holiday with me ever since. Her next book, Carrie Soto is Back, is released just in time for the dying days of summer on Tuesday 30 August. I must get a trip booked * iNews *This some of Reid's best writing: focused, colourful and compassionate. The question is not whether Carrie can win, but whether she can ever be happy * iNews *These are the types of novels to read if you're looking to be swept away by a dazzling, entertaining story with fascinating characters * Cosmopolitan *Like Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and The Six, this is a compulsive read about the price of success * Grazia *If you're still in mourning for Wimbledon, this is the novel for you * Metro *She's done rock 'n' roll, she's done surfing now Taylor Jenkins Reid turns her attention to the world of elite tennis in this hugely entertaining and compulsively readable novel about a tennis player who comes out of retirement in her late 30s to reclaim her former glory * Red *The captivating tale of a former tennis star goaded out of retirement in a final bid for grand-slam glory. Edge-of-your-sunlounger stuff * Mail on Sunday *Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again with her powerful new novel, which sees a legendary athlete attempt a comeback when the world considers her past her prime * Hello *Taylor Jenkins Reid is fast becoming a modern literary success, with a chain of hugely popular novels under her belt . . . Her forte is creating page- turners about the rich, famous and the people lurking on the shadows of their starry lives. Fans of her previous work won't be disappointed with this exhilarating, escapist novel that will make the perfect summer read - strawberries and cream optional * Carlisle Living *Jenkins Reid has written yet another page-turner which will have you hooked, from the first serve to match point * Press Association *This raw and powerful read shows Carrie growing and learning, about herself as much as others. Though she's an abrasive character, readers will cheer her on every step of the way * Sunday Express *TJR is surely the queen of escapist fiction * Sunday Telegraph *This top-rank tale of beating the odds is full of heart and breezy charm * Metro *Altogether, it makes for a gripping and engaging read about a woman persevering against all odds, recognising your limits and knowing when to push back. As well as a complex and nuanced character study, Carrie Soto is Back offers its readers a warm-hearted story of the love between a father and a daughter, as well a tender journey of learning how to love yourself and open up to others too. Between the action-packed tennis matches, Carrie's emotional reckoning and the wider commentary of women having to continuously fight for recognition in male-dominated fields, Taylor Jenkins Reid has crafted another compelling novel that effortlessly draws in readers and will no doubt keep them thinking about Carrie Soto long after they turn the final page * Culturefly *At times, her prose is so engaging that you feel as though you are waiting on the baseline while Soto gets ready to serve an unstoppable ace * Independent (Ireland) *In Carrie Soto is Back, as at Flushing Meadows this and next month, there are great rivalries, millions of dollars and legacies on the line. Letting go cuts deep. But, boy, there is glamour * Tatler *The author has created another heroine we can't quite work out whether we like, but we're rooting for her anyway because she's fabulous * Woman's Weekly *Another delectable slice of escapism drama * Living North *Pacy, propulsive and utterly immersive, you're going to want to read this * Elle *Taylor has done it again . . . a brilliant and dynamic book about what it means to be an ambitious woman- for better or for worse * Woman *With a wonderfully complex character, a world you can't help being seduced by, and an important message about it never being too late, TJR has served up another ace * Heat *Frank, funny and emotional * Marie Claire *A fascinatingly realistic look into the world of elite sports where driven and flawed characters' private lives are just as intriguing and controversial as they are on the court * Business Post *This is a well-researched, exciting and genuinely tender book * RTÉ *

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Book SynopsisIn the second selection's "rival battles," where the winners are able to take one of the losers from their team, Isagi and Nagi have just lost Bachira to Rin Itoshi and the other top strikers. Now they have to prove the strength of their individual abilities in a fight against Shouei Barou, the top scoring player in Wing 5. If they lose, they'll be at risk of disqualification... As Isagi takes the fight to King Barou, he's aiming to end up on the side of the prodigies!

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''A seriously addictive slow burn romance. This book was seriously perfect.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''This one just really hit the spot for me. Great characters, slow burn romance, funny interactions, and when the heat finally hits, it''s delicious. I read straight through the night and have thought about Aidan all day'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. I cried even harder. I swooned and cried some more . . . This author has giving me back my love for reading and I couldn''t thank her enough'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''The character development and the build of the relationship between these two were done perfectly. It was all just beautiful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. . . The payoff was perfect - I constantly had a cheesy grin on my face. The characters, the story, it was all simply wonderful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Slow burn. So good. Didn''t want it to end. What a romance!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review.........................................Vanessa Mazur knows she''s doing the right thing. She shouldn''t feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she''s beyond shocked.For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn''t find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He''s asking for the unthinkable.What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?........................................Want more of Mariana''s delicious slow burn? Why not start with her sensational hit, From Lukov with Love! And don''t miss any of her romances beloved by millions of readers!When Gracie Met the GrumpDear AaronLingusRhythm, Chord & MalykhinThe Best ThingUnder LockeKultiWait for ItLuna and the LieHands DownAll Rhodes Lead Here

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Book SynopsisShoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don''t need to be tall to fly!Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?The fourth set of the Miyagi Prefecture qualifier round finals is quite the nail-biter! Karasuno’s back is against the wall, and there’s no room left for error. Their middle blockers continue to give it all they’ve got as the tense back-and-forth continues, but towards the end of the set, Kageyama starts looking a little off…! With loss looming overhead, can Karasuno pull itself back together and win the game?!

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Book SynopsisJump jockey Harry Radcliffe is thrown into another dark mystery when a good friend is left fighting for his life after being struck by a bullet.A day of celebration quickly turns into a nightmare for champion jockey Harry Radcliffe and his friend, horsebox driver Keith Whelan, when Keith is brutally shot in the head while driving the pair back from an engagement party. But was the bullet that smashed through the horsebox windscreen really meant for Keith, or for Harry himself? Harry escapes unscathed from the bloody scene, but Keith is left fighting for his life in hospital. It seems that Harry is dead lucky to be alive.Despite his recent vow to focus solely on his racing, Harry determines to find out who committed such a brutal act, and quickly finds himself drawn into horse racing''s dark and dangerous underbelly. Will his pursuit of justice for Keith prove to be a deadly step too far?

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''Everything Mariana writes is pure gold, and I credit her for my undying love of some of my favorite tropes: slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine...Mariana is an absolute rockstar and a true gift to romance readers everywhere!'' - Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis''When I need a guaranteed five-star, slow burn romance, I pick up Mariana Zapata every time.'' - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tessa Bailey''An absolute binge-compelling, subtle, sweet and unforgettable-Zapata brings the heady, dizzy rush of the slow fall into love to the pages of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Winnipeg is so much more than a slow burn, a sports

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the soul-gripping, unforgettable first installment of the Hoops trilogy.Iris DuPree meets August West in a sports bar during her last semester of college. It's the conversation of a lifetime and sends sparks flying in every direction. The connection is undeniable...but the timing is all wrong. August is poised for the NBA draft, and Iris belongs to another man-basketball's "golden boy" and August's long-time rival.The two go their separate ways, but they often recall that electric night and what could have been. While August has embarked on his all-star life, studded with wealth and fame, Iris's perfect public relationship has become a nightmare behind closed doors. A tarnished dream of fool's gold.When August re-enters her life, the world seems briefly bright again, but Iris's darkest nights are not over yet. To survive, she must build her own strength and trust that her bond with August can endure after all this time.Even when her fraudulent prince has vowed never to let her go.

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Book SynopsisJames Hook has spent 14 years as a professional rugby player, plying his trade for the Ospreys, Perpignan and Gloucester. He has won 81 caps for Wales, which include two World Cup campaigns, a Six Nations Grand Slam and he toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2009. He lives in Swansea.David Brayley is an author and sportswriter from Swansea. He has written two autobiographies for elite sportsmen, cricketer Tony Cottey and Wales international football captain, Ashley Williams, two official books for Swansea City and a cycling novel, Champion of Champions.Trade Review'James Hook has nailed it. A book packed with positive messages - what young rugby fans have been waiting for' -- Alan Pearey * Rugby World *'The perfect book for any parent to read with their kids. I absolutely loved it!' -- Sam Warburton, Wales and the British and Irish Lions'This book is a go-to every night before bed with my rugby-adoring sons. A great read for young and old' -- Greg Laidlaw'A great read. The perfect book to encourage kids to follow their rugby dreams' -- Tommy Bowe'Jimmy Joseph is one to watch ... I can't wait to read more' -- Tom Palmer

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that captivates readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances. No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree! ''Everything Mariana writes is pure gold, and I credit her for my undying love of some of my favorite tropes: slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine...Mariana is an absolute rockstar and a true gift to romance readers everywhere!'' - Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis''When I need a guaranteed five-star, slow burn romance, I pick up Mariana Zapata every time.'' - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tessa Bailey''An absolute binge-compelling, subtle, sweet and unforgettable-Zapata brings the heady, dizzy rush of the slow fall into love to the pages of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Winnipeg is so much more than a slow burn, a sports story, or a grumpy/sunshine delight-it''s all of those things rolled into an unputdownable feast of romance.'' - Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author of Priest and Misadventures of a Curvy Girl.........................................Vanessa Mazur knows she''s doing the right thing. She shouldn''t feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she''s beyond shocked.For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn''t find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He''s asking for the unthinkable.What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?More dazzling praise for The Wall of Winnipeg and Me:''A seriously addictive slow burn romance. This book was seriously perfect.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''This one just really hit the spot for me. Great characters, slow burn romance, funny interactions, and when the heat finally hits, it''s delicious. I read straight through the night and have thought about Aidan all day'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. I cried even harder. I swooned and cried some more . . . This author has giving me back my love for reading and I couldn''t thank her enough'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''The character development and the build of the relationship between these two were done perfectly. It was all just beautiful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. . . The payoff was perfect - I constantly had a cheesy grin on my face. The characters, the story, it was all simply wonderful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Slow burn. So good. Didn''t want it to end. What a romance!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review........................................Want more of Mariana''s delicious slow burn? Why not start with her sensational hit, From Lukov with Love! And don''t miss any of her romances beloved by millions of readers!When Gracie Met the GrumpDear AaronLingusRhythm, Chord & MalykhinThe Best ThingUnder LockeKultiWait for ItLuna and the LieHands DownAll Rhodes Lead Here

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Book Synopsis'A stunning mix of hilarious tropes, swoony romance and lovable, relatable characters. A must read for every romance lover!' Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love HypothesisBrace yourself for longing, laughter, and a swoony slow-burn in this brothers best friend sports romance about scoring the love of your life when you least expect to.ZiggyI'm the youngest player on the National Soccer team, the baby of my family, and thoroughly sick of being underestimated, so I've decided to take matters into my own hands . . .My brother's teammate and best friend Seb needs to save his reputation. I want to give mine an edge. So I propose a fake friendship with real benefits: spending time in the public eye, my good-girl image and his bad-boy notoriety rubbing off on each other. But will it be as easy as I think to keep him in the (fake) friend zone?SebastianMy hockey career and sponsorships are in jeopardy, so when Ziggy Bergman proposes a public "friendship" to rehab my image, it's an offer that even a self-respecting reprobate like myself can't refuse.It's simple: fake a friendship with Ziggy, fix my reputation, and get back to hockey - the one and only thing I love . . . until I find myself falling for the last person I should be: my best friend's sister.Praise for Chloe Liese:'I could curl up in Liese's writing for days, I love it so' Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient'Absolute romantic perfection' Christina Lauren, author of The Unhoneymooners

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Book SynopsisIT'S A ROCKY ROAD! Game Changer is the eighth book in the football-tastic Roy of the Rovers illustrated fiction series, and the second Rocky of the Rovers story. Part of the third season, this exciting series is written by award-winning author Tom Palmer.The newly formed Melchester Women’s team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. But behind the scenes, the morale of the club is low. After a shocking incident in a men's European game, and the recent Race family tragedy, Rocky, her brother Roy, and the whole club is struggling to deal with the aftermath. What’s more, she's fighting with Ffion her friend! Can she maintain her match-winning performances? How is she supposed to deal with everything that’s happened? And just where does her footballing future lie? Enjoyed this title? Pick up The £100 Million Game next to continue the story!Praise for the Roy of the Rovers series:EPIC! - Match of the Day MagazineI love the way that they are about so much more than football: they are about heart, values and family. Both graphic novel and fiction titles are compelling, engaging and a lot of fun. Lace up and get reading. - Jim Sells, Programme manager for Sport & Literacy, National Literacy Trust.Read with my 7 year old who is football mad, really enjoyed it and left us wanting to read the next one in the series! - GoodReads Review

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Hannah Grace and Lauren Asher BLOODSTREAM is a sizzling new enemies-to-lovers racing romance!***He's a world champion. She's the new girl on the grid. Will their sizzling chemistry throw him off track? As the new social media manager for Revolution Racing, Faith is ready to get her drivers in front of the world. With their sizzling good looks, champagne lifestyles, and charming smiles it''s going to be easy. But Julien Moretz is the obstacle she never saw coming. The renowned World Champion doesn''t need his personal life splashed across the internet. He''s here to race and he''s here to win.Julien has too much at stake to let someone see the real him. But Faith isn''t the woman he first thought, and Julien isn''t the bad boy he shows the world.No matter how hard they try to push each other away, as they discover the people behind the media, Faith and Julien could be the most scandalous story of

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''You will be hard pushed to find a better storyteller. A brilliant read'' 5***** Reader Review''Fast and furious . . . Thrills and spills from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review______Rob Finn''s winning streak made him one of the most sought-after steeplechase jockeys. So his subsequent collapse in form surprised no one more than himself. As word spreads that Finn has lost his nerve, he discovers a well-managed campaign to discredit certain jockeys; in his own case, a plan assisted by horse doping. To find the culprits behind it, Finn will have to put everything on the line . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Nerve is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis.Praise for Dick Francis:''As a jockey, Dick Francis wTrade ReviewAs a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDuring a season of unprecedented success, Gary becomes increasingly fixated on the threat of nuclear war. Both frightened and fascinated by the prospect, he listens to his team-mates discussing match tactics in much the same terms as generals might contemplate global conflict. But as the terminologies of football and nuclear war – the language of end zones – become interchanged, the polysemous nature of words emerges, and DeLillo forces us to see beyond the sterile reality of substitution.This clever and playful novel is a timeless and topical study of human beings' obsession with conflict and confrontation.Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.Trade ReviewAmerica's greatest living writer. * Observer *Nobody, it seems, could write better than this. No one could have a clearer vision of the micro-circuitry of post-modern life. * Evening Standard *Powerfully funny, oblique, testy, and playful, tearing along in dazzling cinematic spurts . . . A masterful novel. * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Tessa Bailey is the queen of rom-coms. Long may she reign!" — Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Meet Cute “Nothing makes my heart catch fire like a Tessa Bailey book. She is all things magic and dirty talk.” — Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception “Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory.” — Entertainment Weekly “The tenderness, vulnerability and heat I am always guaranteed with a Tessa Bailey book are the reasons she is one of my all-time favorite authors.” — Sally Thorne “Tessa Bailey’s writing stands out in all the right sexy ways.” — Buzzfeed “Tessa Bailey writes pure magic.” — Alexis Daria

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Book SynopsisJump jockey Harry Radcliffe is thrown into another dark mystery when a good friend is left fighting for his life after being struck by a bullet.A day of celebration quickly turns into a nightmare for champion jockey Harry Radcliffe and his friend, horsebox driver Keith Whelan, when Keith is brutally shot in the head while driving the pair back from an engagement party. But was the bullet that smashed through the horsebox windscreen really meant for Keith, or for Harry himself? Harry escapes unscathed from the bloody scene, but Keith is left fighting for his life in hospital. It seems that Harry is dead lucky to be alive.Despite his recent vow to focus solely on his racing, Harry determines to find out who committed such a brutal act, and quickly finds himself drawn into horse racing''s dark and dangerous underbelly. Will his pursuit of justice for Keith prove to be a deadly step too far?

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Book Synopsis'A stunning mix of hilarious tropes, swoony romance and lovable, relatable characters. A must read for every romance lover!' Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love HypothesisRenI'm a player on the team, she's on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. Frankie won't be here forever - she's headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won't want to leave me behind, too.FrankieBefore I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I've learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone is the last thing I'm prepared to do. And not even a guy as sweet as Ren can change that...A forbidden love sports romance about a nerdy, late-blooming hockey star, and his tough cookie coworker who keeps both her soft side and her autism diagnosis to herself.Praise for Chloe Liese:'I could curl up in Liese's writing for days, I love it so' Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient'Absolute romantic perfection' Christina Lauren, author of The Unhoneymooners

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Book Synopsis'A portrayal of a young person following their dream in the game, a cracking read' – Alun Wyn Jones, Wales and the British & Irish Lions Jimmy Joseph is enjoying a long, hot summer with his friends, counting down the days until he attends his first ever training camp at the Eagles Academy, the youth section of his local pro club. He hopes this is going to be the first major step on his journey to being a professional rugby player ... but a heavy tackle in training and cruel behaviour from his nemesis, Mr Kane, leads to Jimmy suffering a complete loss of confidence. How can he ever regain his love of the game – and fulfil his rugby dreams – if he is too afraid to tackle? In this new rugby adventure for Jimmy and his friends, James Hook and David Brayley examine concussion, tackling, friendship, loyalty and the true bravery that’s needed to overcome your fears.Trade Review'A portrayal of a young person following their dream in the game, a cracking read' -- Alun Wyn Jones, Wales and the British & Irish Lions'This is such a great story, I loved it. It’s so authentic about how young people chase their rugby dreams . . . just like I‘ve done. A must have book for all aspiring young rugby players' -- Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales and the British & Irish Lions'I loved this fantastic book! A thrilling rugby story and great to see such a strong female character as Kitty at the heart of the action! A must for any rugby fan – boy or girl' -- Jasmine Joyce, Wales and Team GB 7s'Another fantastic rugby adventure from James Hook. Packed with positivity, it's a story about the importance of never giving in, fighting to overcome life's problems and remaining loyal. An inspirational read' -- Paul Williams * Rugby World *'A tale of heart, friendship and never giving up…the perfect rugby book. Beautifully written and essential reading for rugby fans young and old' -- Bryan Habana, South Africa'Loyalty, excitement, humour, plenty of rugby action and a masterclass of rugby tips makes this the perfect book for any rugby fan. Every chapter is a cliffhanger which makes you want to read on and on. I can't recommend this inspirational book highly enough' -- Justin Tipuric, Wales and the British & Irish Lions'Everything that’s good about rugby is in this book! The joy of playing for the love of the game but also with a view to making it as a pro. A must read' -- Rhys Webb, Wales and the British & Irish Lions'Superb! A great story that will inspire every child who reads it. Full of positive messages and tips to improve your game, this book ticks every box if you’re looking for an entertaining story about trying to succeed in sport' -- Jonathan Davies, Wales and Great Britain'Such a great and inspirational read. James captures the joys and challenges of schools rugby perfectly, with a story that is packed full of positive messages for young readers. A must read for anyone interested in rugby' -- George North, Wales and the British & Irish Lions'A great book that upholds all the important life messages that make rugby the great game that it is. A fantastic story that emphasises the respect that is key to the game of rugby. Inspirational' -- Nigel Owens, international referee'Another instant rugby classic! Impact is the perfect follow up to Kick-Off – great, realistic rugby storylines which promote great resilience, loyalty and the deep joy of playing rugby' -- Lee Byrne, Wales and the British & Irish Lions

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Book SynopsisShoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don''t need to be tall to fly!Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?The second set of the Miyagi Prefecture qualifier tournament continues as Tsukishima and Nishinoya lead the defense against Shiratorizawa! The game heats up in a tense back-and-forth—both teams refusing to give way to the other. Which team will manage to get a break point and pull away from the stalemate first?!

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Book SynopsisIt’s the dream Christmas: snow, mountains… and, er, an ex-boyfriend. But can Zoe still find love in the Alps?Dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, it’s been a rough year for Zoe Lumsley. But then she gets an invitation she can’t refuse: an all expenses paid skiing holiday with old university friends.The bad news: her ex, Grant, will be there with his new girlfriend. But so will her former flatmate Billy, the organiser, and in the meantime he’s done rather well for himself. As Christmas in the Alps approaches, it’ll be great to see the old gang. Some more than others…Perfect for readers of Tilly Tenant, Holly Martin and Philippa Ashley, this is a magical festive getaway from the bestselling T.A. Williams.Praise for Dreaming of Christmas:‘I absolutely loved this one. T.A. Williams is a favourite of mine and this might be one of his best books yet. The setting and characters were perfect and I can’t wait to reread this one again sometime soon’ 5 star rating – NetGalley Reviewer – Taryn Lawrence‘T.A. never fails to please. His descriptions take you with him and his characters on their journey. I fell in love with them the scenery and the story. Just perfect’ 5 star rating – Author/Blogger review – Raven McAllan‘Dreaming of Florence will be one of the reading highlights of 2018 for me. An engrossing, cozy and heartwarming read.’ 5 star rating – NetGalley Reviewer – Sabine Foster‘T.A. Williams has the ability to transport the reader to whatever part of the world he wants to take them to with the simplest of words. Yet the way he weaves those words together will have you seeing exactly what he wants you to. Another brilliant story’ 5 star rating – NetGalley Reviewer – Fiona Wilson‘I love T.A. Williams books. This one was really good and kept hooked since the beginning. A very entertaining and enjoyable read. Strongly recommended.’ 5 star rating – NetGalley Reviewer – Anna Maria Giacassomo

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Book Synopsis'A stunning mix of hilarious tropes, swoony romance and lovable, relatable characters. A must read for every romance lover!' Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love HypothesisGavinWe've been teammates for two years, but it feels like Oliver Bergman's been on my last nerve for a lifetime. To make matters worse, he's obscenely attractive.Avoiding Oliver has been my survival tactic on and off the field. But when Coach drops the bomb that we're now co-captains, avoiding him becomes impossible, and keeping the truth from him is harder than ever.OliverLife was great until soccer legend Gavin Hayes joined the team. He's a giant - albeit gorgeous - grump who lives to rain on my parade. I've sworn off pranks so, rather than settle our differences the Bergman way, I've been killing Gavin with kindness... Just one problem: it's killing me as well.Coach has given us an ultimatum: put an end to our enmity or say goodbye to being captains. I'm prepared to make nice, but the last thing I expect is to discover an explosive attraction we can't ignore...An enemies-to-lovers, age gap sports romance about an upbeat rising soccer star with anxiety and his curmudgeonly veteran teammate who lives with chronic pain.Praise for Chloe Liese:'I could curl up in Liese's writing for days, I love it so' Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient'Absolute romantic perfection' Christina Lauren, author of The Unhoneymooners

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Book SynopsisONE OF THIS WEEK''S BEST NOVELS OF 2022The perfect novel for fans of The Last Dance, Hoop Dreams and Winning TimeExquisite. . . Warm, humane, and tragic.' JONATHAN LETHEM At his high school basketball try-outs, nerdy sports-obsessed Brian Blum meets new kid MarcusHayes. As a sportswriter, Brian spends the following twenty years tracking his friends' superstar NBAcareer. But when Marcus mounts his last dance comeback, after a couple of years out of the game,both men must face the tensions of their unlikely dynamic, and the disappointments of gettingolder.Praise for The Sidekick:There is something so compelling about the questions of whether these two friends, despite theirfraught history and hefty egos, will rekindle a genuine connection . . . you'll want to know how thegame turns out.' TLS Compelling and emotionally resonant.'

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Book SynopsisTHERE ARE TWO REASONS TO READ THIS MANGAShortcakes Sota is the hot-headed and hot-blooded manager of a volleyball team of giantesses, and their college dorm hall director. Have we mentioned that they’re all in love, or at least in lust with him? And Sota’s sister is on the team, too! Shenanigans ensue with meddling fathers, kinky times with chunky amazons, and the posing of the eternal question: are boobs a skill?

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Book SynopsisMidori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide - one's a striker, the other a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a genius but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, they'll have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field - not to mention the challenges of growing up.

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Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!

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Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the emotional final installment of the Hoops trilogy.She's not the plan he made, but she's the risk he has to take.A single, divorced dad in the final years of his basketball career, Kenan Ross's perfect life has blown up in his face. He's still picking up the pieces when he meets Lotus DuPree. A wildflower. A storm. A kick to his gut and a wrench in his plans from the moment their eyes meet. He promised himself he'd never trust a woman again, but he's never wanted anyone the way he wants Lo.At twenty-five, Lotus is finally living out her dream, becoming a force in New York's fashion scene. Focused on her future and not looking for love, she's seen where trusting a man leaves you. Kenan is the last thing she needs. But from the moment they meet, she's drawn in, even if he's eleven years her senior and her opposite in every way.When Kenan moves to New York for the summer to be near his daughter, Lotus can no longer avoid the attraction that pulses between them-but she still won't let him in. Not after what she's been through. Except Kenan wants her so badly, he'll do anything to knock down her defenses.He won't give up on her...and soon, she's no longer sure she wants him to.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Keeps you enthralled all the way through'' 5***** Reader Review''Full of intrigue from start to finish. Another Dick Francis success'' 5***** Reader Review''Edge-of-your-seat reading'' 5***** Reader Review______Ex-steeplechaser Randall Drew is reluctantly off to pre-Olympic games Moscow, as a favour to royalty. One of the blue bloods is destined to compete in the games and there are concerns - both of safety and of scandal - that only Drew, with his racing connections, can clear up.On arriving - speaking no Russian and wishing he were back home - Drew is supposed to identify and contact one Alyosha to clear up the scandal. Instead, he finds himself tailed by the KGB and embroiled in foiling a terrorist plot - or die trying.Home seems an awful long way away - and if he''s not careful, he''ll be going back in a box . Trade ReviewUnbeatable * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *A neat and nasty, all-too-plausible plot * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Another excellent book from the Francis stable'' 5***** Reader Review''An excellent gripping story in true Francis fashion'' 5***** Reader Review''Usual Dick Francis excellence. Gripping from beginning to end'' 5***** Reader Review______Captain Thomas Forsyth''s tour of Afghanistan is cut brutally short when he is badly wounded by a roadside bomb.Returning home to his mother - a racehorse trainer and the ''First Lady'' of racing - Tom discovers the training business is on the edge, and facing a threat far more dangerous than a run of bad form.Soon he finds himself on a very different, but just as deadly, battlefield where his military skills are put to the ultimate test . . . kill or be killed?Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Crossfire is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers fr

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Book Synopsis2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards FinalistWho was Harold Spencer? All D.C. Lawyer Jack Patterson knew was that Spencer's dead body had been found on the 18th Green of Columbia Country Club, cancelling Jack's Saturday golf game. Who is Rachel Goodman? Her name has been plastered on the front page of every newspaper in the country for weeks, branded as a thief of confidential info vital to U.S. National Security and a spy for Israel. She is also the daughter of Jack's long-time friend and mentor, Ben Jennings. Despite the opposition, Jack feels compelled to defend Rachel. He goes to work against the government, the all-powerful military-industrial complex, most of the press and Congress, all of whom are convinced that Rachel is guilty and should receive the death penalty for her treason.Clovis Jones, Jack's friend, is the victim of a vicious attack. The more Jack digs, the more complicated and dangerous his work becomes. Even a volunteer group of Navy SEALs may not be enou

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Book Synopsis'One of the best football books I've ever read.' John Motson on Provided You Don't Kiss Me'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed by that attitude. I can assure you it's much more important than that' - Bill ShanklyWhat Shankly said isn't even half-true. In fact, it's bollocks. Football isn't the be-all and end-all of everything. If nothing else, I know that much.As a player, Thom Callaghan was defined by the winning goal he scored in an FA Cup final. The goal wasn't the blessing he imagined it would be. His whole career was defined by that brief moment of glory.With his playing days over, Callaghan, still a local hero, is tempted back to his old club as caretaker manager. His task to rescue it from relegation. He's got the job solely on the recommendation of his former boss and mentor Frank Mallory, now desperately ill and responsible for the team's precipitous decline.Callaghan is pitched into the Premier League during the last months of the 1996-1997 season, where - among reputations more gilded than his own - he finds himself pitted against the likes of Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, chasing their fourth title in five years, and also one of the newest recruits to the English game, Arsene Wenger.Can Callaghan save his club from what seems the inevitability of the drop? Does Mallory - eccentric, inspirational and manipulative - even want him to succeed? What if the prize of a personal triumph isn't worth it in the end?Injury Time is the first novel from the multiple award-winning sportswriter Duncan Hamilton.Trade Review'What I enjoy most about this beautifully written and tender account of the relationship between a nervous young provincial reporter and a football genius is the sense of genuine proximity to its subject, so that Clough's obvious flaws seem forgivable and even beguiling, rather than cruel and unbearable. Wonderful book' Russel Brand, Guardian on Provided You Don't Kiss Me'One of the best football books I've ever read.' John Motson on Provided You Don't Kiss MeHamilton...expresses the passion that millions like him, in pursuit of happiness and belonging, feel for the beautiful game. Simply magnificent * Mail on Sunday *A marriage of prose and detail so fine and fastidious that it takes the breath away * Independent *Justifiably prize-winning * Mail on Sunday *A convincing behind the scenes re-enactment of English football... Hamilton has a perceptively humane understanding of men for whom football was never just a game * Guardian *A fictional look at action, on and off the pitch, past and present, that will leave you smiling * Sun *Set in the last decades of the 20th Century and mingling real-life footballers with fictional characters, this is a thoughtful, entertaining debut novel by one of our finest sports writers, in which the beautiful game becomes a moving metaphor for the vicissitudes of human experience. * Mail on Sunday *With spare, sharp prose and knowing insights, Hamilton has written a heartwarming as well as heartbreaking winner. * Weekend Sport *An immersive character study of people damaged by sport and its temptations of glory, how some overcome, and how others are crushed by it. * Strong Words *

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Book SynopsisA sizzling international romance about an unlikely matchup between an Irish footballer who likes to play the field and a shoe designer with her own ambitions from Open Play author JN Welsh.After Charlotte Bowman hooks up with hot Irish footballer Eoghan O’Farrell, she doesn’t expect to see him again. For one thing, she’s too busy for romance. She’s got her designer shoe company, a globe-trotting best friend to keep up with, and a frenetic lifestyle in New York City.But when an elite Irish soccer team reaches out to Charlotte about designing a shoe for its star player, she can’t believe it. Could her random hookup be the celebrity footballer with a penchant for new cleats?Yes, as it turns out. But Eoghan isn’t just a flashy soccer player. For Charlotte, he’s a professional opportunity—a chance to convert her small business into a juggernaut. She’s hoping they can move past the fact that they’ve seen each other naked.Eoghan’s up for it, too, of course. But there’s a reason they fell into bed that first time.

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Book SynopsisThe debut novel from the brilliant and award-winning poet Helen MortAlexa is a police community support officer whose world feels unstable.Caron, Alexa’s girlfriend, is pushing her away and pushing herself even harder. A climber, she fixates on a brutal route. Leigh, who works at a local gear shop, watches Caron climb and feels complicit.Meanwhile, an ex-police officer compulsively revisits the April day in 1989 that changed his life forever. Trapped in his memories of the disaster, he tracks the Hillsborough inquests, questioning everything.As the young women negotiate Sheffield’s violent inheritance, the rock faces of Stanage and their relationships with each other, Mort stunningly grounds these journeys of trust and trauma, fear and falling, in the texture of the urban and natural terrain underfoot.'A beautifully accomplished debut...a deeply felt work of loss, time and healing' Guardian‘Helen Mort is unmistakably one of the most brilliant poets of her generation; Black Car Burning shows her to be a remarkable novelist’ Robert MacfarlaneTrade ReviewA love letter to [Mort's] home city of Sheffield... Politics and landscape are fiercely intertwined in the history of South Yorkshire, and Mort now demonstrates that she can write as assuredly on both subjects in novel form as in her poetry... Mort, in a beautifully accomplished debut, has blended a rich alloy: a deeply felt work of loss, time and healing -- Catherine Taylor * The Guardian *Black Car Burning explores the ties that bind us: literally, while strung across a cliff face in high winds, or figuratively in the tenuous bonds that hold both relationships and communities together, and which we are all responsible for maintaining. It's especially gratifying to inhabit a female-focused world within a climbing scene still party defined by machismo and male bravado. Helen Mort's writing is confident and compassionate and this is a mature and evocative debut -- Ben Myers * New Statesman *Mort has reined in the poetry to write a gritty northern novel in a lean, unflashy prose, only letting herself go in lyrical interludes spoken by the landscape itself -- Phil Baker * Sunday Times *Bold, imaginative…intensely realistic, swarming with minute physical and social detail… Mort writes brilliantly about the physical presence of the city, and she deals just as well with the tight focus of the climb... [Black Car Burning] is frequently exhilarating in its accurate sympathy, with some inch-perfect dialogue and astute observation throughout… Poet writes gripping novel: now there’s something you don’t hear every day -- Sean O'Brien * Times Literary Supplement *An impressive, Sheffield-set tale… the disparate voices are held together by short passages in which the landscape itself is given voice. These act as welcome poetic rocks in the stream of the narrative… [and] are startling reminders of Mort’s considerable poetic skill -- Jude Cook * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisMidori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide - one's a striker, the other a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a genius but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, they'll have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field - not to mention the challenges of growing up.

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Book SynopsisSeirin High’s greatest basketball superstar was the one no one literally saw coming—the invisible Kuroko!Tetsuya Kuroko doesn’t stand out much. In fact, he’s so plain that people hardly ever notice when he’s around. Though he’s just as unremarkable on the basketball court, that’s where his plainness gives him an unexpected edge—one that lets him execute awesome moves without others noticing!Seirin’s fighting an uphill battle against Murasakibara and Himuro of Yosen. But a bit of inspiration from Kise helps Kagami get in the zone! Meanwhile, Himuro’s encouragement finally convinces Murasakibara to take the game seriously! The quarterfinal match between Seirin and Yosen is about to be decided!

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