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Clarissa und die unverheirateten Frauenzimmer
By Alicia Cameron, Daniela Maizner. 2017
Im England der Regency-Zeit steht Mrs. Thornes Akademie der jungen Damen nach dem Tod von Clarissas Mutter kurz vor der…
Schließung. Die junge 18-jährige Clarissa Thorne und ihre drei Freundinnen, die als Lehrerinnen in der Akademie tätig waren, sehen sich daher gezwungen, als mittellose, unverheiratete Frauenzimmer in den Schoß ihrer jeweiligen Familien zurückzukehren, um ein Leben in Schuft und Schinderei zu führen. Doch es kommt, dass Clarissa das riesige Anwesen Ashcroft erbt und somit sich und ihren Freundinnen einen Ausweg bieten kann – hinein in ein Leben voller Unabhängigkeit und Abenteuer. Sie müssen das Anwesen mit wenig Geld und noch weniger Erfahrung wieder auf Vordermann bringen. Können die pragmatische Miss Micklethwaite, die ewig romantische, aber bereits alternde Miss Appleby und die wunderschöne Miss Oriana Petersham ihrem Schicksal entkommen? Zumindest müssen sie den Versuch wagen und die lebhafte und impulsive Clarissa unterstützen. Wie dem auch sei, ihre Verwandten haben andere Pläne… Als sie auf ihrer Reise den Earl of Grandiston und seinen Gefährten (einen ergebenen Verehrer der bildschönen Oriana) treffen, wird jedoch eine Kette unvorhergesehener Ereignisse losgetreten. Dem Abenteuer fügen die Damen noch einen Schuss Romantik hinzu.Clarissa et les femmes sans importance
By Catherine Dussault, Alicia Cameron. 2017
En Angleterre, sous la Régence, l’Académie pour jeunes filles de madame Thorne doit fermer ses portes en raison de la…
mort de la mère de Clarissa, madame Thorne, survenue un an plus tôt. Voilà qui laisse cette jeune femme de dix-huit ans et ses trois amies, toutes enseignantes à l’Académie, sans autre choix que de retourner auprès de leur famille comme ces parentes pauvres, ces femmes sans importance qui doivent se résoudre à obéir au doigt et à l’œil à tous ceux qui les entourent, sans espoir d’une vie meilleure. Toutefois, Clarissa vient tout juste d’hériter d’Ashcroft, un grand domaine malheureusement fort négligé, et elle offre à ses compagnes une autre solution : s’enfuir avec elle vers une vie d’indépendance et d’aventure. Elles devront remettre le domaine en état avec somme toute peu d’argent et aucune expérience. La raisonnable mademoiselle Micklethwaite, l’infatigable romantique mademoiselle Appleby et la sublime Oriana Petersham peuvent-elles tromper leur destin ? Pour veiller au bien-être de cette énergique, mais impulsive Clarissa, elles devront au moins tenter leur chance. Il va sans dire que leurs parents ont d’autres plans pour elles… Une rencontre avec le comte de Grandiston et son compagnon, un soupirant de la divine Oriana, sur la route lancera une série d’événements hilarants. Peut-être que l’amour se mêlera également à l’aventure pour ces dames…After the War is Over: A heart-warming story from the queen of saga writing
By Maureen Lee. 2012
A heart-warming tale set in Liverpool and London during the post-war years, from bestselling author Maureen Lee'Queen of saga writing'…
My WeeklyLiverpool, 1945. Three women, firm friends, return home from the war and try to fit back into their old lives after they've been demobbed. They've been thrown together by the war, and have shared all sorts of good and bad times. Now their old lives seem dull in comparison. But not for long...The younger women, Maggie and Nell, are both twenty-one and are full of hope and excitement; Iris, on the other hand, is feeling apprehensive about returning to civilian life. At the age of thirty,her only wish in life is to have a baby, but sadly this wish has yet to come true.When one of the women falls pregnant, there begins a dramatic sequence of events so far-reaching that the three friends' lives will become more intricately interwoven than they could ever have imagined. Over the next quarter of a century, this story of three remarkable - and very different - women unfolds into an uplifting tale of how three ordinary families become extraordinary.The House By Princes Park
By Maureen Lee. 2002
Another wonderful Liverpool saga from bestselling author Maureen Lee.The product of an affair between a nurse and an injured American…
soldier during the Great War, Ruby O'Hagan's early life is spent in an orphanage. At sixteen she runs away with a farmworker, and two years later she is alone and homeless with her two daughters.Her friend, Mrs Hart, leaves her big friendly house for Ruby to look after, and it is here that her life unfolds. Her children leave but return when tragedy befalls them. Through all this, the enigmatic Matthew Flynn drifts in and out of Ruby's life. She ignores him until it is almost too late.Olga: A Novel
By Prof Bernhard Schlink. 2018
A #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER'Bernhard Schlink speaks straight to the heart' New York Times'Brilliant... A tale of love and loss in…
20th century Germany' Evening Standard'A cleverly-constructed tale of cross-class romance' Mail on Sunday'A poignant portrait of a woman out of step with her time' Observer Olga is an orphan raised by her grandmother in a Prussian village around the turn of the 20th century. Smart and precocious, she fights against the prejudices of the time to find her place in a world that sees her as second-best.When she falls in love with Herbert, a local aristocrat obsessed with the era's dreams of power, glory and greatness, her life is irremediably changed.Theirs is a love against all odds, entwined with the twisting paths of German history, leading us from the late 19th to the early 21st century, from Germany to Africa and the Arctic, from the Baltic Sea to the German south-west.This is the story of that love, of Olga's devotion to a restless man - told in thought, letters and in a fateful moment of great rebellion.When My Ship Comes In: An emotional family saga for fans of Call the Midwife
By Sue Wilsher. 2016
The BRAND NEW wartime saga from the much-loved author of THE TILBURY POPPIES. Perfect for fans of Annie Murray and…
Donna DouglasWill she sacrifice her dreams to care for her family?Essex, 1959.Keep the family together, that's what her old mum always said. Put up and shut up. And that's what everyone else did around there.Flo earns her money as a scrubber, cleaning the cruise ships and dreaming of a day when she might sail away from her life in the Dwellings, the squalid tenements of Tilbury docks. Then the Blundell family are evicted from their home.Fred, Flo's husband, finds work at Monday's, a utopian factory town. Suddenly, it seems like everything is on the up for Flo Blundell and her children. Even Jeanie, Flo's sulking teenage daughter, seems to be thawing a little in her shiny new surroundings. But when Fred starts drinking again, he jeopardises the family's chance to escape poverty for good.Flo is faced with a terrible decision. Must she fight to keep her family together? Or could she strive for the life of her dreams - the kind of life she could have when her ship comes in?A heart-warming story of love, loss and friendship, set against the backdrop of post-war EnglandREAL READERS love Sue Wilsher's novels:'Emotional, sweeping and unputdownable!''A superbly good read''A powerful, gripping saga''A beautiful read. I hope there will be many more novels to follow this one'THE BRAND NEW SAGA SERIES BY ROSIE HENDRY - meet the Women on the Home Front . . . Will…
friendship and motherhood keep the Women on the Home Front safe from war?Norfolk, 1939When the residents of Great Plumstead, a small and charming community in Norfolk, offer to open their homes to evacuees from London, they're expecting to care for children. So when a train carrying expectant mothers pulls into the station, the town must come together to accommodate their unexpected new arrivals . . .Sisters Prue and Thea welcome the mothers with open arms, while others fear their peaceful community will be disrupted. But all pregnant Marianne seeks is a fresh start for herself and her unborn child. Though she knows that is only possible as long as her new neighbours don't discover the truth about her situation.The women of Great Plumstead, old and new, are fighting their own battles on the home front. Can the community come together in a time of need to do their bit for the war effort?The Mother's Day Club is the perfect wartime family saga, filled with heart-warming friendships, nostalgic community spirit and a courageous make-do-and-mend attitude. Perfect for fans of Ellie Dean, Sheila Newberry and Elaine Everest.Early readers LOVE The Mother's Day Club:'I highly recommend this book and give it a well-deserved five stars''It's books like this that remind me why I love reading . . . I can't wait to read more from Rosie Hendry''Fabulous - can't wait to read the next book''Beautifully written . . . Thank you to Rosie Hendry for writing this five-star book''A fantastic book - highly recommended''This is definitely up there as one of the best books that I have read. It's got a special place…
in my heart. Just amazing!' 5* reader reviewLove will always find a way . . . Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.'An exquisitely detailed and enchanting love story' HEIDI SWAIN'An epic love story, mixed with gorgeous settings, a great deal of mystery and intrigue, lots of laughs, a few tears and fabulous characters, made this an absolute delight to read' KIM NASH'An absolutely wonderful dual time story that captivated me . . . and kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY'A beautifully intriguing love story, that . . . stays with you long after the last page' ROSIE HENDRY'Unforgettable and unique, the twists and turns of this enchanting book are woven together with threads of love and magic. I loved it!' CLARE MARCHANT........................................................................Two houses, hundreds of miles apart . . . yet connected always.When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast. But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Arts and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery. Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love which linked them, so powerful it defied reason. What follows is a summer which will change Molly for ever . . .........................................................................'One of those wonderful, magical stories that appear rarely and stay in your heart forever' CELIA ANDERSON'A marvellous dual-time novel filled with mystery, fabulous detail and an enduring love story' MADDIE PLEASE'A wonderful, page-turning story full of intrigue and romance' VICTORIA CONNELLY'I found the book enchanting' SUZANNE SNOW'An enchanting storyline and engaging characters make this book a delight to read' LYNNE SHELBY'A beautifully written timeslip . . . Highly recommended. Five stars' ERIN GREEN'The perfect mix of mystery, magic, and romance' KATE G. SMITHEarly readers are captivated by The Secrets of Hawthorn Place:'A sweeping five stars from me for this novel that defies time but trusts in love''A sheer delight to read and can highly recommend''Utterly brilliant. The storyline is riveting, you never quite know what could be about to happen as it's constantly twisting and turning . . . such a beautiful book'When My Ship Comes In: An emotional family saga for fans of Call the Midwife
By Sue Wilsher. 2016
An emotional, compelling family drama from a fantastic new authorKeep the family together, that's what her old mum always said.…
Put up and shut up. And that's what everyone else did around there. Essex, 1959. Flo earns her money as a scrubber, cleaning the cruise ships and dreaming of a day when she might sail away from her life in the Dwellings, the squalid tenements of Tilbury docks. Then the Blundell family are evicted from their home.Fred, Flo's husband, finds work at Monday's, a utopian factory town. Suddenly, it seems like everything is on the up for Flo Blundell and her children. Even Jeanie, Flo's sulking teenage daughter, seems to be thawing a little in her shiny new surroundings. But when Flo's abusive husband Fred starts drinking again, he jeopardises the family's chance to escape poverty for good. Flo is faced with a terrible decision. Must she fight to keep her family together? Or could she strive for the life of her dreams - the kind of life she could have when her ship comes in?Love will always find a way . . . Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time…
novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.'An exquisitely detailed and enchanting love story' HEIDI SWAIN'Unforgettable and unique, the twists and turns of this enchanting book are woven together with threads of love and magic. I loved it!' CLARE MARCHANT........................................................................Two houses, hundreds of miles apart . . . yet connected always.When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast. But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Arts and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery. Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love which linked them, so powerful it defied reason. What follows is a summer which will change Molly for ever . . .........................................................................'One of those wonderful, magical stories that appear rarely and stay in your heart forever' CELIA ANDERSON'A marvellous dual-time novel filled with mystery, fabulous detail and an enduring love story' MADDIE PLEASE'I found the book enchanting' SUZANNE SNOW(P) 2021 Headline Publishing Group LtdTHE BRAND NEW SAGA SERIES BY ROSIE HENDRY - meet the Women on the Home Front . . . Winner…
of the 2022 Romantic Novelist Association, Romantic Saga Award Will friendship and motherhood keep the Women on the Home Front safe from war?Norfolk, 1939When the residents of Great Plumstead, a small and charming community in Norfolk, offer to open their homes to evacuees from London, they're expecting to care for children. So when a train carrying expectant mothers pulls into the station, the town must come together to accommodate their unexpected new arrivals . . .Sisters Prue and Thea welcome the mothers with open arms, while others fear their peaceful community will be disrupted. But all pregnant Marianne seeks is a fresh start for herself and her unborn child. Though she knows that is only possible as long as her new neighbours don't discover the truth about her situation.The women of Great Plumstead, old and new, are fighting their own battles on the home front. Can the community come together in a time of need to do their bit for the war effort?The Mother's Day Club is the perfect wartime family saga, filled with heart-warming friendships, nostalgic community spirit and a courageous make-do-and-mend attitude. Perfect for fans of Ellie Dean, Sheila Newberry and Elaine Everest.Early readers LOVE The Mother's Day Club:'I highly recommend this book and give it a well-deserved five stars''It's books like this that remind me why I love reading . . . I can't wait to read more from Rosie Hendry''Fabulous - can't wait to read the next book''Beautifully written . . . Thank you to Rosie Hendry for writing this five-star book''A fantastic book - highly recommended'From the best-selling author of The Pearler's Wife, a gripping and immersive story of family secrets, sacrifice and romance set…
against the backdrop of a spell-binding circus in 20th Century India. Perfect for fans of books by Lucinda Riley and Dinah Jeffries.After her father died under mysterious circumstances, Lilly Myerson grew up in England raised by her grandparents. Married off at eighteen to a well-to-do but controlling Indian merchant, Lilly has never experienced adventure or romance.But in 1902 as a new king is about to be crowned, Lilly's life is destined to change.When her estranged mother invites her to spend the hot season in Nainital, Lilly's husband forces her to leave her beloved, five-year-old son Teddy behind. As Lilly discovers what lies outside her sheltered existence, she realises two things: she can't return to her carefully manicured life and she must rescue Teddy before his father turns him against her.Fleeing to the circus, Lilly enters a breath-taking world of wonder, romance and peril. Tiffert's Circus is renowned for bareback riding, the iron jaw act, trained tigers and elephants. The more dangerous the acts, the more the audience adore them. But the greater danger to Lilly Myerson is her husband Royce...From the best-selling author of The Pearler's Wife, a gripping and immersive story of family secrets, sacrifice and romance set…
against the backdrop of a spell-binding circus in 20th Century India. Perfect for fans of books by Lucinda Riley and Dinah Jeffries.After her father died under mysterious circumstances, Lilly Myerson grew up in England raised by her grandparents. Married off at eighteen to a well-to-do but controlling Indian merchant, Lilly has never experienced adventure or romance.But in 1902 as a new king is about to be crowned, Lilly's life is destined to change.When her estranged mother invites her to spend the hot season in Nainital, Lilly's husband forces her to leave her beloved, five-year-old son Teddy behind. As Lilly discovers what lies outside her sheltered existence, she realises two things: she can't return to her carefully manicured life and she must rescue Teddy before his father turns him against her.Fleeing to the circus, Lilly enters a breath-taking world of wonder, romance and peril. Tiffert's Circus is renowned for bareback riding, the iron jaw act, trained tigers and elephants. The more dangerous the acts, the more the audience adore them. But the greater danger to Lilly Myerson is her husband Royce...Clarissa y las mujeres sin importancia
By Denise De Nikle, Alicia Cameron. 2017
En Inglaterra, en la época de la Regencia, la Academia para señoritas de la Sra. Thorne está a punto de…
cerrar debido al fallecimiento de la madre de la joven Clarissa, hace ya un año. Esto deja a Clarissa Thorne, de sólo dieciocho años, y a sus tres amigas sin más opción que acudir a la caridad de sus familias, para ser por siempre las despreciadas "parientes pobres" - y atender a todo deseo y necesidad que ellos manifiesten por el resto de sus vidas. Pero Clarissa acaba de heredar Ashcroft, una gran hacienda prácticamente desmoronada, y ella ofrece a sus amigas una salida - huir con ella en busca de una vida de independencia y aventuras. Ellas tendrán que poner la hacienda en marcha con poco dinero y nula experiencia. ¿Podrán la sensata Srta. Micklethwaite, la romántica, pero ya madura, Srta. Appleby y la hermosa Srta. Oriana Petersham escapar de su triste destino? Para mantener a la impulsiva y vivaz Clarissa vigilada, tendrán que intentarlo al menos. Pero quizás sus familiares tengan otros planes. Conociendo en el camino al Conde de Grandiston y a su amigo (un ferviente pretendiente de la preciosa Oriana) pondrán entretenidos eventos en marcha. Y quizás a la aventura, las damas deban añadir algo de romance...Clarissa y las mujeres sin importancia
By Denise De Nikle, Alicia Cameron. 2017
En Inglaterra, en la época de la Regencia, la Academia para señoritas de la Sra. Thorne está a punto de…
cerrar debido al fallecimiento de la madre de la joven Clarissa, hace ya un año. Esto deja a Clarissa Thorne, de sólo dieciocho años, y a sus tres amigas sin más opción que acudir a la caridad de sus familias, para ser por siempre las despreciadas "parientes pobres" - y atender a todo deseo y necesidad que ellos manifiesten por el resto de sus vidas. Pero Clarissa acaba de heredar Ashcroft, una gran hacienda prácticamente desmoronada, y ella ofrece a sus amigas una salida - huir con ella en busca de una vida de independencia y aventuras. Ellas tendrán que poner la hacienda en marcha con poco dinero y nula experiencia. ¿Podrán la sensata Srta. Micklethwaite, la romántica, pero ya madura, Srta. Appleby y la hermosa Srta. Oriana Petersham escapar de su triste destino? Para mantener a la impulsiva y vivaz Clarissa vigilada, tendrán que intentarlo al menos. Pero quizás sus familiares tengan otros planes. Conociendo en el camino al Conde de Grandiston y a su amigo (un ferviente pretendiente de la preciosa Oriana) pondrán entretenidos eventos en marcha. Y quizás a la aventura, las damas deban añadir algo de romance...'This is definitely up there as one of the best books that I have read. It's got a special place…
in my heart. Just amazing!' 5* reader reviewLove will always find a way . . .Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.'An exquisitely detailed and enchanting love story' HEIDI SWAIN'An epic love story, mixed with gorgeous settings, a great deal of mystery and intrigue, lots of laughs, a few tears and fabulouscharacters, made this an absolute delight to read' KIM NASH'An absolutely wonderful dual time story that captivated me . . . and kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY'A beautifully intriguing love story, that . . . stays with you long after the last page' ROSIE HENDRY'Unforgettable and unique, the twists and turns of this enchanting book are woven together with threads of love and magic. I loved it!' CLARE MARCHANT........................................................................Two houses, hundreds of miles apart . . . yet connected always.When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast. But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Arts and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery. Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love which linked them, so powerful it defied reason. What follows is a summer which will change Molly for ever . . .........................................................................'One of those wonderful, magical stories that appear rarely and stay in your heart forever' CELIA ANDERSON'A marvellous dual-time novel filled with mystery, fabulous detail and an enduring love story' MADDIE PLEASE'A wonderful, page-turning story full of intrigue and romance' VICTORIA CONNELLY'I found the book enchanting' SUZANNE SNOW'An enchanting storyline and engaging characters make this book a delight to read' LYNNE SHELBY'A beautifully written timeslip . . . Highly recommended. Five stars' ERIN GREEN'The perfect mix of mystery, magic, and romance' KATE G. SMITHEarly readers are captivated by The Secrets of Hawthorn Place:'A sweeping five stars from me for this novel that defies time but trusts in love''A sheer delight to read and can highly recommend''Utterly brilliant. The storyline is riveting, you never quite know what could be about to happen as it's constantly twisting and turning . . . such a beautiful book''This is definitely up there as one of the best books that I have read. It's got a special place…
in my heart. Just amazing!' 5* reader review'Gorgeous! Exuberant writing, convincing, adorable characters, romance and a little whimsy' TRACY REESLove will always find a way . . . Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.'An intriguing dual timeline tale that weaves together interesting characters and history, with an added touch of magic' BELLA OSBORNE'An exquisitely detailed and enchanting love story' HEIDI SWAIN'An epic love story, mixed with gorgeous settings, a great deal of mystery and intrigue, lots of laughs, a few tears and fabulous characters, made this an absolute delight to read' KIM NASH'An absolutely wonderful dual time story that captivated me . . . and kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY'A beautifully intriguing love story, that . . . stays with you long after the last page' ROSIE HENDRY'Unforgettable and unique, the twists and turns of this enchanting book are woven together with threads of love and magic. I loved it!' CLARE MARCHANT........................................................................Two houses, hundreds of miles apart . . . yet connected always.When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast. But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Arts and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery. Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love which linked them, so powerful it defied reason. What follows is a summer which will change Molly for ever . . .........................................................................'One of those wonderful, magical stories that appear rarely and stay in your heart forever' CELIA ANDERSON'A marvellous dual-time novel filled with mystery, fabulous detail and an enduring love story' MADDIE PLEASE'A wonderful, page-turning story full of intrigue and romance' VICTORIA CONNELLY'I found the book enchanting' SUZANNE SNOW'An enchanting storyline and engaging characters make this book a delight to read' LYNNE SHELBY'A beautifully written timeslip . . . Highly recommended. Five stars' ERIN GREEN'The perfect mix of mystery, magic, and romance' KATE G. SMITHEarly readers are captivated by The Secrets of Hawthorn Place:'A sweeping five stars from me for this novel that defies time but trusts in love''A sheer delight to read and can highly recommend''Utterly brilliant. The storyline is riveting, you never quite know what could be about to happen as it's constantly twisting and turning . . . such a beautiful book'Small Pleasures: Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction
By Clare Chambers. 2020
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2021'A WORD-OF-MOUTH HIT' Evening Standard 'A very fine book... It's witty and sharp…
and reads like something by Barbara Pym or Anita Brookner, without ever feeling like a pastiche'David Nicholls'Perfect'India Knight 'Beautiful' Jessie Burton'Wonderful'Richard Osman 'Miraculous'Tracy Chevalier 'A wonderful novel. I loved it'Nina Stibbe 'Effortless to read, but every sentence lingers in the mind' Lissa Evans 'This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I honestly don't want you to be without it'Lucy Mangan'Gorgeous... If you're looking for something escapist and bittersweet, I could not recommend more' Pandora Sykes'Remarkable... Small Pleasures is no small pleasure'The Times'An irresistible novel - wry, perceptive and quietly devastating'Mail on Sunday'Chambers' eye for undemonstrative details achieves a Larkin-esque lucidity' Guardian'An almost flawlessly written tale of genuine, grown-up romantic anguish' The Sunday Times 1957, the suburbs of South East London. Jean Swinney is a journalist on a local paper, trapped in a life of duty and disappointment from which there is no likelihood of escape. When a young woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud. As the investigation turns her quiet life inside out, Jean is suddenly given an unexpected chance at friendship, love and - possibly - happiness. But there will, inevitably, be a price to pay.Book of the Year for: The Times, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Daily Express, Metro, Spectator, Red Magazine and Good Housekeeping