Description

Book Synopsis

'A moving and engaging debut novel . . . shortens the dark nights' Santa Montefiore. An emotional and uplifting story of starting again, perfect for fans of Hilary Boyd and The Tea Planter's Wife.

Having suffered in silence since the tragic death of their young daughter, Lola and Duncan Drummond's last chance to rediscover their love for one another lies in an anniversary holiday to the gorgeous Napa Valley.

Unable to talk about what happened, Duncan reaches out to his wife the only way he knows how - he buys her a derelict house, the restoration of which might just restore their relationship.

As Lola works on the house she begins to realise the liberating power of letting go. But just as she begins to open up, Duncan's life begins to fall apart.

After all the heartbreak, can Lola and Duncan learn to love again?

'A heartrending story, well-told, about coping with unimaginable loss. Dartford evokes strong, sympathetic characters while writing fluently and from the heart. I raced through it.' Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park

'A beautiful read, lyrically written, poignant and emotional' - Nicola Cornick, internationally bestselling author of House of Shadows

'Does everything a good book should do; it made me smile, it made me cry, it taught me lessons about life and love I didn't know before' - Claire Dyer, author of The Moment



Trade Review
A heartrending story, well-told, about coping with unimaginable loss. Dartford evokes strong, sympathetic characters while writing fluently and from the heart. I raced through it. * Hilary Boyd, bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park *
This is a beautifully written book, with engaging characters and a powerfully emotional storyline . . . I would give this book 5 out of 5, I highly recommend it. * The Book World of Anne *
A beautiful read, lyrically written, poignant and emotional. * Nicola Cornick, internationally bestselling author of House of Shadows *
Does everything a good book should do; it made me smile, it made me cry, it taught me lessons about life and love I didn't know before. -- Claire Dyer * Author of The Moment *
A moving and engaging debut novel * Santa Montefiore *
Sensitively written, the characters are both believable and likeable. -- Fab after Fifty
Lovely writing throughout captures the changes to their fragile relationship perfectly, and it's wonderfully done. -- Little Bookness Lane

Learning to Speak American: A life-affirming

    Product form

    £11.09

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 8 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Colette Dartford

    15 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Learning to Speak American: A life-affirming by Colette Dartford

      Publisher: twenty7
      Publication Date: 14/07/2016
      ISBN13: 9781785770029, 978-1785770029
      ISBN10: 1785770020

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'A moving and engaging debut novel . . . shortens the dark nights' Santa Montefiore. An emotional and uplifting story of starting again, perfect for fans of Hilary Boyd and The Tea Planter's Wife.

      Having suffered in silence since the tragic death of their young daughter, Lola and Duncan Drummond's last chance to rediscover their love for one another lies in an anniversary holiday to the gorgeous Napa Valley.

      Unable to talk about what happened, Duncan reaches out to his wife the only way he knows how - he buys her a derelict house, the restoration of which might just restore their relationship.

      As Lola works on the house she begins to realise the liberating power of letting go. But just as she begins to open up, Duncan's life begins to fall apart.

      After all the heartbreak, can Lola and Duncan learn to love again?

      'A heartrending story, well-told, about coping with unimaginable loss. Dartford evokes strong, sympathetic characters while writing fluently and from the heart. I raced through it.' Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park

      'A beautiful read, lyrically written, poignant and emotional' - Nicola Cornick, internationally bestselling author of House of Shadows

      'Does everything a good book should do; it made me smile, it made me cry, it taught me lessons about life and love I didn't know before' - Claire Dyer, author of The Moment



      Trade Review
      A heartrending story, well-told, about coping with unimaginable loss. Dartford evokes strong, sympathetic characters while writing fluently and from the heart. I raced through it. * Hilary Boyd, bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park *
      This is a beautifully written book, with engaging characters and a powerfully emotional storyline . . . I would give this book 5 out of 5, I highly recommend it. * The Book World of Anne *
      A beautiful read, lyrically written, poignant and emotional. * Nicola Cornick, internationally bestselling author of House of Shadows *
      Does everything a good book should do; it made me smile, it made me cry, it taught me lessons about life and love I didn't know before. -- Claire Dyer * Author of The Moment *
      A moving and engaging debut novel * Santa Montefiore *
      Sensitively written, the characters are both believable and likeable. -- Fab after Fifty
      Lovely writing throughout captures the changes to their fragile relationship perfectly, and it's wonderfully done. -- Little Bookness Lane

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