Contemporary Fiction Books

Two women. An office filled with secrets. One terrible crime that can't be taken back. Dawn Schiff is strange. At least, everyone thinks so at Vixed, the nutritional supplement company where Dawn works as an accountant. She never says the right thing. She has no friends. And she is always at her desk at precisely 8:45 a.m. So when Dawn doesn't show up to the office one morning, her coworker Natalie Farrell-beautiful, popular, top sales rep five years running-is surprised. Then she receives an unsettling, anonymous phone call that changes everything… It turns out Dawn wasn't just an awkward outsider-she was being targeted by someone close. And now Natalie is irrevocably tied to Dawn as she finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves her wondering: who's the real victim? But one thing is incredibly clear: somebody hated Dawn Schiff. Enough to kill.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781464221347 • Author:  Freida McFadden • Publisher:  Sourcebooks, Poisoned Pen Press • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  368 • Dimensions:  12.8 x 19.7 x 2.7 cm

The breathtaking, new escapist novel from Emma Burstall, perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan. A magical villa. A life-changing summer… Heartbroken after the loss of a friend and the collapse of her marriage, Stella hopes that this trip to the idyllic Greek island of Crete will give her and her family a chance to heal. And when she first steps into the breath-taking Villa Ariadne, with its views over the azure waters and intoxicating scent of lemons, Stella’s troubles seem to melt away. Until the arrival of an old acquaintance, and an unwelcome revelation, threaten to undermine the peace at the villa, and Stella is forced to make a difficult decision. But with the help of Crete’s beautiful scenery and the kindness of its locals, Stella is about to discover that Villa Ariadne can still offer an escape… and so much more. Can she open herself up to the possibility of love and find the strength to start again? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805576945 • Author: Emma Burstall • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 256 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.47 cm

Grumpy cowboys and steamy romance... Welcome to Chestnut Springs: the big-hitting, small-town series from TikTok sensation Elsie Silver.  Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past. I'm the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks. He's thirty-five and all man, I'm twenty-two and all... virgin. He's also my fiancé. Correction: my fake fiancé. We start out as a bet. He doesn't believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers me his to prove a point. It's a win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family's prying, and I get a chance to shed my family's reputation while I save up to ditch this small town. He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can't keep my hands off of him in public. But it's what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines... It's what transpires behind closed doors that doesn't feel like pretending at all... This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date. He once told me he'd never fall in love. And yet here I am, head over heels for my fake fiancé. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780349437743 • Author:  Elsie Silver  • Publisher:  Piatkus • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  400 • Dimensions: 12.4 x 3.2 x 19.6 cm 

A gripping and beautiful tale of love, loss and secrets. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes. 1963: When Clara Samuels buys Butterfly Cottage, she knows the scandal she’ll cause. A single woman buying property is not the ‘done thing’, especially not in a village like Carybrook. But Clara has been in love with Butterfly Cottage, and its garden, since she used to play there before the War. And when she reconnects with her childhood friend James, her decision feels serendipitous. But the true scandal is yet to come, because within six months, Clara will leave England under mysterious circumstances, and Butterfly Cottage will stand empty for more than 50 years. 2018: No one is more surprised than Meredith when she’s bequeathed a cottage by a great aunt she’d never heard of. She hopes, briefly, that the inheritance could be the answer to her financial problems. But when she arrives in Suffolk, she is shocked to discover a man is already living there. A young gardener, who claims he was also bequeathed half of Butterfly Cottage. As the pair try to unravel their complicated situation, they unearth a decades old mystery involving Clara, the garden, and a stack of letters left unread for over 50 years… Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031320 • Author: Rachel Burton • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.93 cm

Grumpy cowboys and steamy romance... Welcome to Chestnut Springs: the big-hitting, small-town series from TikTok sensation Elsie Silver.  Two childhood best friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. I've been living in the friend zone for years now. To Jasper Gervais's fans, he's just the hockey heartthrob on TV. But to me, he's still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man I've loved in secret for years. So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he's the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I'm there to return the favour. But the more time alone we spend together, the more I start to realise that Jasper isn't looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn't touching me like one, either. He acts like he wants me. But after years of turning me away, he's going to need to prove it...  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780349437705 • Author: Elsie Silver  • Publisher:  Piatkus • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  496 • Dimensions:  12.8 x 3.8 x 19.8 cm Click here to purchase books 1-4 of the Chestnut Springs Series!

Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider, notorious ladies' man, scorching hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. Welcome to Chestnut Springs: the big-hitting, small-town series from TikTok sensation Elsie Silver. And he's looking at me like I might be his next meal. I'm almost free of my toxic marriage and have sworn off men entirely. So all I see when I look at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust-and even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defences. Then I spend the singular hottest night of my life with him. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret. But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780349437729 • Author: Elsie Silver • Publisher:  Piatkus • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  432 • Dimensions:  12.6 x 3.6 x 19.6 cm Click here to purchase books 1-4 of the Chestnut Springs Series!

Grumpy cowboys and steamy romance... Welcome to Chestnut Springs: the big-hitting, small-town series from TikTok sensation Elsie Silver.  Working as a nanny for the world's grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can't keep my eyes off him. And he can't keep his hands off of me. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than me and barely looks my way. Until I get him in the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off - and so are our clothes. He's gruff, a little rough around the edges, and it turns out broad-shouldered ranchers with filthy mouths are this city girl's kryptonite. So who am I to resist? But in our quiet moments together, he softens, and I start to realise his hardened exterior is just a façade. Someone once convinced him that his best wasn't good enough. Yet I've never felt more cherished than I do in his arms. My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months. But my heart says this is forever.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780349437682 • Author: Elsie Silver • Publisher:  Piatkus • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  464 • Dimensions:  12.6 x 3.4 x 19.6 cm Click here to purchase books 1-4 of the Chestnut Springs Series!

Clem is the baker in charge of creating delicious cat-themed treats for the loyal customers of the Catpurrcino cat café. From iced kitten doughnuts to macarons with ears and whiskers, Clem's creations always bring a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to taste them. But outside of the café's kitchen, Clem struggles with feelings of anxiety and where she fits in. Until Sylvie, the owner of the café, decides to push her out of her comfort zone. The Whisked Away baking competition is a chance for Clem to shine and find her inner confidence. Also competing this year is Lucas, the owner of Muddy Paws café, accompanied by his faithful Golden Retriever Reina. The stage is set for an epic cake-off between cats and dogs. But as Clem stumbles in the first challenge, Lucas always seems to be there with an encouraging word and a smile. The chemistry between them is soon undeniable. Is this just the heat in the kitchen? Or something real? And can their feelings survive a showdown in the final round... Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399738040 • Author: Rachel Rowlands • Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336  • Dimensions: 12.7 x 2.54 x 19.56 cm

The Cornish sea air, old friends, and cuddles with a cute pup... Sometimes you're just where you need to be... After a difficult break-up, Poppy is keen to put the past behind her and what’s better than some relaxing time with her aunt in the picturesque Cornish village of West Par? But life at her aunt Flora’s Dogs’ Home is anything but relaxing. When a poor little pup is stranded at the gates, Poppy takes them for a check up at the local vet, hoping against hope they'll be fine. And there she meets Mack: the vet who is so charming and experienced with the dogs, but selfish and – dare she say it – money-grabbing with his clients. But underneath that cold exterior, she's sure there's more to the story. If only she could convince him to open up. Because without him, the future of Wagging Tails isn't so assured... Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805577119 • Author: Sarah Hope • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 280 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.63 cm

Grumpy cowboys and steamy romance... Welcome to Chestnut Springs: the big-hitting, small-town series from TikTok sensation Elsie Silver.  The rules were simple... Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble. But now I'm stuck with her. There's only one bed. And, well, rules are made to be broken. I'm the golden boy of professional bull riding. Or at least I was until it all blew up in my face. Now, my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I'm stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my "full-time supervision." But I don't need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can't stop running... A mouth I can't stop thinking about. She says this means nothing. I say this means everything. She says there are boundaries we shouldn't cross. That my reputation can't take any more hits-and neither can her damaged heart. I say I'm going to steal it anyway. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780349437675 • Author: Elsie Silver  • Publisher:  Piatkus • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  416 • Dimensions: 12.6 x 3.2 x 19.6 cm Click here to purchase books 1-4 of the Chestnut Springs Series!

Something old, something new, something stolen…? Gina Knight is looking forward to the prospect of retirement with her husband of forty-three years. Until, to her surprise, said husband decides he needs to ‘find himself’ – alone – and disappears to Santa Fe, leaving a Dear John letter in his wake. Now Gina needs a new role in life, not to mention somewhere to live, so she applies for the position of Companion to elderly Dorothy Reed. At eighty-nine, ‘Dot’ needs someone to help her around the house – or at least, her family seems to think so. Her companion’s first role would be to accompany Dot for a week-long extravagant wedding party. But when Gina arrives at the large Norfolk estate where the wedding will take place, she quickly discovers Dot has an ulterior motive for hiring her. While the other guests are busy sipping champagne and playing croquet, Dot needs Georgina to help her solve a mystery – about a missing painting, which she believes is hidden somewhere in the house. Because, after all, who would suspect two old ladies of getting up to mischief? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837030200 • Author: Kate Galley • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 280 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.63 cm

Everyone knows her life story. But who will win her heart? Gertie has always wondered what her life would be like if she could pluck up the courage to leave the remote Scottish island where she was born. It’s the only place she’s ever known, but it can be stifling. The glue of this community is the Knitting Circle, a group of strong, capable (and nosy) women who gossip, knit and support each other through thick and thin. So when the chance comes for change – a new job, new friends and maybe even a new romance – a world of possibilities opens up for Gertie: if she can finally be brave enough to make her dreams come true. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399745888 • Author: Jenny Colgan • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton • Pages: 368 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 3 cm

The escapist, romantic bestselling read from Saturday Kitchen’s Helen McGinn! Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment. Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene. When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake. But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedom and the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home… Let Helen McGinn magic you away to a world of sunshine and serenity, romance and relaxation.  Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031313 • Author: Helen McGinn • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 248 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.42 cm

Escape to the captivating Scottish highlands with Lisa Hobman and an assignment not to be missed! Meet Zara Bailey, a travel writer paid to cover some of the globe’s most luxurious locations. Jetting from wooden huts on stilts in turquoise seas to boutique hotels with roaring fires to 7* penthouse suites with panoramic views of the world’s most glamorous cities… Zara knows hers is the definition of a dream job! So she is seriously shocked to receive her next assignment; Scotland’s Northcoast 500 route. By bicycle! Sleeping in a tent so basic it can’t remotely be dressed up glamping! But this could be just the distraction the recently heartbroken Zara needs. No men, no romance, just the breathtakingly rugged Highland scenery. Until she meets croft owner Lachlan Grant, and his black and white Border Collie Bess, that is… The stunning new story from the bestselling author of What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Sarah Morgan and Holly Martin. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805577089 • Author: Lisa Hobman • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.03 cm

Escape to Italy and fall in love with this perfect summer read… Floundering junior travel writer Katie has just been given the opportunity of her career. Her boss can’t make her trip to the idyllic but little-known Italian island of Ponza, and Katie must step into her luxurious designer shoes to write the piece for the magazine. Boarding the plane with her best friend Farrah, Katie waves goodbye to her unglamorous domestic trips and hello to a week of sun, sand and sparkling seas. But then disaster strikes. Farrah is involved in an accident and Katie must stay by her side for a month while she recovers. Katie is in panic-mode, trying to appease both her micro-managing boss and her passive-aggressive boyfriend back in New York, while an intriguing local chef, Nico, tries to show her all that the island has to offer. As she gets to know Nico and falls in love with the relaxed pace of the island, Katie begins to question her life back home and what she truly wants. But will she figure out what’s truly important to her before it’s too late? A glorious and uplifting escapist novel set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian coast. The perfect holiday read for fans of Rosanna Ley, Jo Thomas and Karen Swan Product Information: • ISBN: 9781408730881 • Author: Catherine Mangan • Publisher: Little Brown • Format: Paperback • Pages: 320 • Dimensions: 19.05 x 12.7 x 1.91 cm

Can a Greek escape be the start of something special? Xanthe Fox has it all: a famous, drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend, a dream career and bright future – until heartbreak sends her life into a tailspin. So when Xanthe’s Greek godmother unexpectedly leaves her a villa on the sumptuous island of Kefalonia, Xanthe jumps at the chance to put her life in London on hold and escape to the island hideaway to rethink her future. The break allows Xanthe the time to explore her passions, sift through her feelings and discover more about her estranged Greek family while renovating her godmother’s enchanting Villa Aster. But not everyone is happy to see her. Unfazed by her hostile neighbours and after making a mortifying mistake with a sexy builder, Xanthe is equally charmed by Kefalonia and a handsome, brooding gardener. Chasing dreams, taking chances and saying ‘yes’ has the potential to turn Xanthe’s life upside down, but will a summer escape allow her to sparkle once more? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781805576976 • Author: Kate Frost • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 320 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.85 cm

When life is at a crossroads, only you can choose the right path. One year ago today, Tress Walker’s husband was killed in a car accident, on a trip with his secret mistress whilst Tress gave birth to their son. But as time moves on, Tress has to choose whether to protect her fragile heart or open it to love again. Noah Clark was equally devastated to discover his wife and his best friend were having an affair. Now the love of his life is asking for a second chance. But can there ever be a way back once the trust is broken? For forty years, the fabulous Odette Devine has been a beloved actress on a Scottish TV show. Today she is broken, betrayed, and desperate to find out if this is her payback for a lie she told four decades ago. Noah’s sister Keli Clark has recently been ghosted by the man she loves. When a message from a complete stranger reveals the reason why, Keli will have to decide whether to forgive, forget, or make sure he pays. Twenty-four hours. Four shocking secrets. One tumultuous tale of love, loss and second chances. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781836784913 • Author: Shari Low • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 320 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.85 cm

A summer to remember... A love to last a lifetime... Stranded in Rome, with all planes grounded due to volcanic ash, Callum gratefully accepts a lift back to London with a friend-of-a-friend who's on her way home after a European road trip in a campervan. But when he meets her, his heart plummets - she's Emma, his ex, The ex, and he can't be stuck in a van with her. When Emma sees Callum again, she's horrified. It's taken so many years to heal her heart - she really doesn't want to spend the next few days in close quarters with him. As they embark on the drive of a lifetime, it begins to feel as though fate might have had a hand in reuniting them. But understanding what happened in the past and coming to terms with the present isn't easy. Can the gift of time - and forced proximity – bring them back together again?  Product Information:  • ISBN: 9781805577317 • Author: Jo Lovett • Publisher: Boldwood Books • Format:  Paperback • Pages: 248 • Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.42 x 19.8 cm

Mamma Mia meets Shirley Valentine in the brand-new holiday romance for 2024 from the International No.1 bestseller. Gina Bennett has had enough after her husband of twenty-seven years lets her down one time too many. Deciding to choose herself, she embarks on a transformative solo journey to break free from the monotony of her life. She escapes to the gorgeous Greek island of Kalosiros, where she holidayed in her youth, and where she had her first romance with the handsome Nico. Encountering two kindred spirits in Rosie and Deedee, the women bond over art classes and cocktails, renewing their lust for life and a shared quest to find Gina’s lost love. Together, they navigate the challenges of middle-age, self-discovery, and the liberating power of skinny-dipping. Will Gina find love again with her teenage sweetheart Nico, her husband, or with someone new?  Bring Me Sunshine is a wonderfully uplifting, coming-of-middle-age story about female friendship, romance and starting over, set on a gorgeous Greek island in the sun. The perfect escapist read! Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837031344 • Author: Alex Brown • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 232 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.35 cm

Three priceless treasures. Three extraordinary women. Three powerful legacies. The Paris Affair is the first in Muna Shehadi’s spellbinding dual-time narrative series, with cross-generational appeal and captivating international settings perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley. Christmas, 1915, a grieving father gives his motherless daughter an exquisite, one-of-a-kind A. Marque doll, one she’d gladly exchange for her heart’s desire. Summer, 1975, sheltered Midwesterner Helen Kenyon is set to marry her college sweetheart, when she jumps at the opportunity to spend six months in Paris. With fellow Americans Lilianne and Connie and an ‘adopted’ antique doll, Helen plunges into a heady world of high culture and champagne. But it’s the charismatic photojournalist, Gilles Aubert, who tempts her to change her future. Fifty years later, Teresa Clark dutifully accepts the job of preparing her estranged Grandma Helen’s Kansas ranch for sale, only to find Helen bears little resemblance to the philandering drunk of her mother’s stories. Not until she uncovers mementos of Helen’s past and the astonishing secret of a well-preserved antique doll, does Teresa gain strength to face multiple truths – about her family, herself, and what life she’ll choose for her own. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781035407781 • Author: Muna Shehadi • Publisher: Hodder Headline • Pages: 448 • Format: Paperback • Dimensions: 19.56 x 12.7 x 3.05 cm