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The True Friend: English translation of Il vero amico
By Carlo Goldoni. 2009
True to Goldoni's mixture of comic wit and farce, the plot is a breathtakingly fast succession of twists and turns…
which only unravel in the final lines with a surprise ending.Two friends are in love with the same young woman. Neither wants to place their friendship in jeopardy. How can love triumph without breaking off their friendship? Goldoni explores the conflicts brought about when Florindo has to choose between Lelio, his best friend, and Rosaura, his friend's fiancée. Added to this conundrum are the issues of whether Ottavio, the old miser, will provide a dowry and the mature Beatrice's unashamed incessant pursuit of Florindo.The play is set in Bologna in Lelio's house. Florindo is a guest along with his faithful manservant. From the opening of the play, Florindo seeks to return home to Venice in order not to damage his friend's relationship. However, his departure is obstructed by his hosts, leading to one complication after another.From the beginning, the plot is intense and fast-moving with inversions fed into the action in quick succession. This creates suspense which continues throughout the play as potential marriage partners are switched back and forth until the very ending when the audience finally discovers what the main characters' destiny will be. Will love or friendship prevail?The Venetian element is brought into this play through Florindo and his manservant, both Venetians. Apart from these two characters, all the others are portrayed as self-seeking, selfish and sly - whether servants or masters. The tension is kept at a constantly high level by the struggles between the characters. These struggles are not just brought about through love and friendship but are also generational and social. Furthermore, there is the added complication in the contrast of the characters' ideas of reality as they deceive one another. This creates dramatic irony and humour as the audience know more than any of the characters on stage.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 HousekeepingThe Last Anniversary: A Novel
By Liane Moriarty. 2005
From Liane Moriarty, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies and Truly Madly Guilty, comes an unforgettable…
novel defined by her signature sharp wit, page-turning storyline, and lovable and eccentric characters.Sophie Honeywell always wondered if Thomas Gordon was the one who got away. He was the perfect boyfriend, but on the day he was going to propose, she broke his heart. A year later he married his travel agent, while Sophie has been mortifyingly single ever since. Now Thomas is back in her life because Sophie has unexpectedly inherited his aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island—home of the famously unsolved Munro Baby mystery.Sophie moves onto the island and begins a new life as part of an unconventional family, where it seems everyone has a secret. Grace, a beautiful young mother, is feverishly planning a shocking escape from her perfect life. Margie, a frumpy housewife, has made a pact with a stranger, while dreamy Aunt Rose wonders if maybe it's about time she started making her own decisions.As Sophie's life becomes increasingly complicated, she discovers that sometimes you have to stop waiting around—and come up with your own fairy-tale ending.A Devastação
By Helena Magalhães. 2023
O poder das amizades femininas junta-se a uma crítica ao patriarcado. No final do verão de 1990, Mar, com apenas…
seis anos, é enviada para o Romeirão, um internato Católico no Alentejo onde fica até aos 15 anos. Cresce no meio de regras e privações, castigos e fome, mas rodeada e protegida pela irmandade das outras raparigas, principalmente Anita e Amália, mas também de Eduardo, um dos rapazes da vila, com quem vai criar uma relação inesperada e viver as primeiras descobertas de amor. Anos depois, ainda a lidar com o trauma do passado, com as drogas, a depressão e a solidão, é ao lado de Isabel, Alice e Luísa que aprende a viver uma nova vida sóbria e em paz. Quando reencontra Eduardo, nenhum consegue resistir à ligação magnética, mas com ele voltam feridas antigas que a assombram desde a noite em fugiu do Romeirão. A pequena Mar que se transformou na Marisa das Argolas, a "vilã” de Raparigascomo nós, regressa nesta ousada crítica ao patriarcado português. Escrita com sagacidade e emoção, A devastação explora o poder das amizades femininas e captura as complexidades humanas e familiares, a eletricidade do primeiro amor e os segredos que nos enjaulam em locais amaldiçoados dentro de nós.As You Like It (First Avenue Classics ™)
By William Shakespeare. 2015
Members of the royal court escape their problems by running away, only to find themselves in complicated love triangles. Upon…
the death of their father, Oliver is charged with taking care of his younger brother Orlando. Instead, Oliver does everything possible to ensure Orlando's downfall, and the younger brother flees to the nearby Forest of Arden. Meanwhile Rosalind's guardian—her power-hungry uncle, who took the throne from her father—decides to banish her from court. Rosalind also flees to the forest, disguising herself as a man. A tale of hidden identities and tangled love plots, this unabridged version of the pastoral comedy by English playwright William Shakespeare was first published in 1623.Raparigas como nós
By Helena Magalhães. 2021
Isabel e Alice são inseparáveis. Afonso e Ventura já não sabem o que os une. Simão e Zeca querem mudar…
quem são. E Marisa talvez seja apenas a vilã. Uma reflexão sobre a juventude, pressão dos pares, laços de amizade entre raparigas, festas, drogas, depressão, morte e autodescoberta. Uma reflexão que é também o retrato de uma geração e a ânsia de pertencer. Raparigas como nós é uma viagem entre Lisboa, Cascais e Madrid, contada pela voz de Isabel e que, numa narrativa veloz, nos revela o impacto que podemos ter na vida uns dos outros. Um romance sobre a eletricidade do primeiro amor e os intensos emaranhados das relações de amizade e das memórias de infância.The Safe Place: the perfect addictive summer thriller for 2022 holiday reading
By Anna Downes. 2020
Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth and Lesley Kara's The RumourA BEAUTIFUL HOME MIGHT HIDE DANGEROUS SECRETS .…
. .Emily Proudman has been offered the chance of a lifetime - leave her messy London life, move to a beautiful estate in France and help her boss's wife take care of their daughter. It seems like the perfect opportunity to start again.But once there, Emily soon starts to suspect that her charismatic new employers aren't telling her the whole truth. That there are even dangerous secrets hidden beneath the glamorous facade.Why have the family been moved to this isolated house so far from home? Why does her bosses' daughter refuse to speak or be touched? Why are there whispers in the night? The only problem is, the more Emily knows, the less chance there is she will ever be able to leave . . .(P) 2020 AudioBrienThe Villa Rouge
By Maggie Ross. 2015
Morgan Perincall's marriage is already disintegrating when her husband volunteers for service in France. Dazed by his desertion, she sends…
their children west to safety, and leaves London for the dubious sanctuary of her childhood home, the Villa Rouge. Situated on the East coast, it is vulnerable to German attack. Caught between the open hostility of her father's housekeeper and the suffocating affection of Charlie, who for all his enthusiasm is not fit for service, Morgan's days are brightened by the arrival of an R.A.F. squadron - a chance to relive the romances of her wilder youth. But the fall of Dunkirk brings a sobering taste of defeat, and the Battle of Britain soon sees the once-carefree pilots fighting for their lives, their country. With danger drawing ever closer, and the secrets of her past beginning to unravel, Morgan discovers that sometimes the best intentions can leave the darkest legacies.(P)2015 WF Howes LtdCyrano de Bergerac: Literary Touchstone Classic (Enriched Classics)
By Edmond Rostand. 2006
ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATEDBY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIPEdmond Rostand's classic romance tells the unforgettable story of one unique man's bravery, loyalty, and unspoken…
love.EACH ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES: A concise introduction that gives readers important background information A chronology of the author's life and work A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations Detailed explanatory notes Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experienceEnriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.SERIES EDITED BY CYNTHIA BRANTLEY JOHNSONThe Safe Place: The most addictive summer thriller
By Anna Downes. 2020
NO PHONESNO OUTSIDERSNO ESCAPE'An exciting and compelling new voice, Anna Downes' The Safe Place is a very accomplished debut' B.A.…
Paris, Sunday Times bestselling author of The DilemmaRated 4.5 * on NetGalley, this international bestseller is perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Lesley Kara and Ruth WareA BEAUTIFUL HOME MIGHT HIDE DANGEROUS SECRETSEmily Proudman has been offered the chance of a lifetime - leave her messy London life, move to a beautiful estate in France and help her boss' wife take care of their daughter, Aurelia. It seems like the perfect opportunity to start again.But once there, Emily soon starts to suspect that her charismatic new employers aren't telling her the whole truth. That there are even dangerous secrets hidden beneath the glamourous facade. Rather than throwing herself headlong into this oasis of wine-soaked days by the pool, Emily can't help but ask questions. Why have the family been moved to this isolated house so far from home? Why does Aurelia refuse to speak or be touched? Why are there whispers in the night? The only problem is, the more Emily knows, the less chance there is she will ever be able to leave . . .PRAISE FOR THE SAFE PLACE'Tense and atmospheric with the seemingly idyllic, yet eerie, setting. A truly gripping read'Karen Hamilton, bestselling author of The Perfect Girlfriend'An outstanding debut. The Safe Place is destined to be a book club favourite'Chris Hammer, award-winning author of Scrublands'It's such a rare thing - a claustrophobic, addictive thriller that lets you actually feel for all of the characters involved'Gytha Lodge, bestselling author of She Lies in Wait'Compellingly disturbing. Anna Downes is a powerful story writer who will lull you into a false sense of security - and then pounce. An author to be watched'Jane Corry, bestselling author of My Husband's Wife 'A brilliantly atmospheric novel that keeps you equally gripped and unsettled from page one. Starkly original and with an alarmingly plausible premise, this is destined to be a bestseller'J.P. Pomare, bestselling author of Call Me Evie'A dark and wonderful debut that lulls you in with beautiful prose and complex, believable characters, then beats you over the head with a killer plot and a thrilling climax. Everyone will be talking about this book!'Christian White, bestselling author of The Nowhere ChildStriking Distance: I-Team 6 (I-Team)
By Pamela Clare. 2013
Fans of Suzanne Brockmann, Maya Banks, Christy Reece, Julie Ann Walker and Cindy Gerard will adore Pamela Clare's expertly plotted…
romantic suspense series, which sets the pages alight with sizzling chemistry. For tension, thrills, romance and passion take a spin with the I-Team.TV reporter Laura Nilsson spent eighteen months in an Al-Qaeda compound after being kidnapped live on air. Two years later, she's still wondering why. No mission in Javier Corbray's career as a Navy SEAL affected him the way Laura's rescue did. And he wants her more than he's ever wanted anyone. As Laura and Javier's passion ignites, so does Laura's need to discover the mystery of her past. Especially when she learns that her abduction was not random - and that she's still a target for a killer with an impenetrable motive. Now Javier will have to rely on his skills to keep the woman he loves from being struck down before she dares uncover the truth...Sexy. Thrilling. Unputdownable. Take a wildly romantic ride with Pamela Clare's I-Team: Extreme Exposure, Hard Evidence, Unlawful Contact, Naked Edge, Breaking Point, Striking Distance, Seduction Game.Tales From A Honeymoon Hotel: a warm and witty holiday read about life after 'I Do' (Honeymoon)
By Sheila Norton Ryan. 2009
'An addictive summer read' Closer - 4* Three newly-wed couples. Three honeymoons. One hotel. And the ultimate question: will true…
love really conquer all?Hotel Angelo, Croatia. Offers temptingly romantic views, unexpected exes and some serious doubts after 'I Do' Gemma and Andy Collins are childhood sweethearts and madly in love. Gemma is determined to have the perfect honeymoon after their perfect wedding - except that nothing seems to be going to plan. Soon she discovers that they are not the only honeymooners at the hotel, nor the only ones with a secret lying between them . . .Jo and Mark Weston, a young couple who should have stars in their eyes, seem oddly subdued - and strangely matched, while older couple Ruby and Harold Dimmock are finally free to enjoy their lives together, but guilty consciences cast a shadow on their golden years. Over their holiday, all three couples will discover that an immediate post-wedding happy-ever-after is not always guaranteed, but also that true love is worth fighting for . . .Praise for Sheila Norton (writing as Olivia Ryan): 'Like a good cappuccino, there's more to this book than just an enjoyable, witty read' Katie Fforde'This is a delightful novel that many women will relate to' Woman's Weekly Fiction SpecialTales From A Honeymoon Hotel: Number 3 in Series
By Sheila Olivia Ryan. 2009
Three newly-wed couples. Three honeymoons. One hotel. And the ultimate question: will true love really conquer all? Hotel Angelo, Croatia.…
Offers temptingly romantic views, unexpected exes and some serious doubts after 'I Do' Gemma and Andy Collins are childhood sweethearts and madly in love. Gemma is determined to have the perfect honeymoon after their perfect wedding - except that nothing seems to be going to plan. Soon she discovers that they are not the only honeymooners at the hotel, nor the only ones with a secret lying between them . . .Jo and Mark Weston, a young couple who should have stars in their eyes, seem oddly subdued - and strangely matched, while older couple Ruby and Harold Dimmock are finally free to enjoy their lives together, but guilty consciences cast a shadow on their golden years. Over their holiday, all three couples will discover that an immediate post-wedding happy-ever-after is not always guaranteed, but also that true love is worth fighting for . . .Unexpected: A sizzling, sexy friends-to-lovers romance (Start Up in the City #1)
By Kelly Rimmer. 2019
'Emotional, satisfying, sweet, and oh so good' Kylie ScottUnexpected is a unforgettable new friends-to-lovers romance from bestselling author Kelly Rimmer,…
in her Start Up in the City series, perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Nora Roberts.Co-parenting with her best friend. What could go wrong?Abby Herbert has her life carefully planned out. Best career ever? Check. Great friends and a stunning TriBeCa apartment? Check. Perfect man to share her dream family? Surely just a matter of time. But then she gets devastating news from her doctor - if she wants a baby, she needs to get started on that by...well, yesterday.Tech entrepreneur Marcus Ross has been harbouring decidedly more-than-friends feelings toward Abby. When he learns of her predicament, he promises to be there for her however she wants him to be, even if the idea of fatherhood is a little complicated for him right now. But it isn't long until boundaries start to blur, and a deal struck between friends starts to turn into something perilously close to feelings that could change everything...'Rimmer...showcases her talent with this sweet, lively contemporary set in New York City...the characters are wildly entertaining. This will delight fans of extremely modern romance' Publishers WeeklyA Gentleman Undone: Blackshear Family Book 2 (Blackshear Family)
By Cecilia Grant. 2012
Fans of Eloisa James, Sherry Thomas, Courtney Milan and Grace Burrowes will adore Cecilia Grant's emotionally rich and deeply passionate…
Regency romance.Lydia Slaughter understands the games men play - both in and out of the bedroom. Not afraid to bend the rules to suit her needs, she fleeces Will Blackshear outright. The Waterloo hero had his own daring agenda for London's gaming tables. But now he prepares for a wager of wits and desire with Lydia, the streetwise temptress who keeps him at arm's length. A kept woman in desperate straits, Lydia has a sharp mind and a head for numbers. She gambles, hoping to win enough to claim her independence. An alliance with Will may be a winning proposition for them both. But the arrangement involves dicey odds with rising stakes, sweetened with unspoken promise of fleshly delights. And any sleight of hand could find their hearts betting on something neither can afford to risk: love.For more powerful, sensual romance, lose yourself in the Blackshear Family series: A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong, A Lady Awakened, A Gentleman Undone, A Woman Entangled.The Villa Rouge
By Maggie Ross. 2015
Morgan Perincall's marriage is already disintegrating when her husband volunteers for service in France. Dazed by his desertion, she sends…
their children west to safety, and leaves London for the dubious sanctuary of her childhood home, the Villa Rouge. Situated on the East coast, it is vulnerable to German attack. Caught between the open hostility of her father's housekeeper and the suffocating affection of Charlie, who for all his enthusiasm is not fit for service, Morgan's days are brightened by the arrival of an R.A.F. squadron - a chance to relive the romances of her wilder youth. But the fall of Dunkirk brings a sobering taste of defeat, and the Battle of Britain soon sees the once-carefree pilots fighting for their lives, their country. With danger drawing ever closer, and the secrets of her past beginning to unravel, Morgan discovers that sometimes the best intentions can leave the darkest legacies.A Husband's Wicked Ways: Cavendish Square Book 3 (Cavendish Square Series #No. 3)
By Jane Feather. 2009
New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather brings to life the glamour, sophistication, and intrigue of Regency-era London in this…
captivating novel of unexpected passions and dangerous secrets. A perfect book for fans of Mary Balogh, Eloisa James and Stephanie Laurens. Aurelia Farnham believes she is happy living in London's stylish Cavendish Square. But with her friends Livia and Cornelia both married now, Aurelia is the only one still husbandless, and sometimes she longs for more. Then Colonel Sir Greville Falconer storms into her life, delivering a letter from her late husband, a war hero, which reveals he was a spy - the colonel's spy. Now Greville needs Aurelia to continue the patriotic mission and partner with him as he exposes a ring of Spanish spies who have infiltrated London society. The attentions of the charismatic Greville excite Aurelia as his mock courtship blurs the line between pretense and reality. When the simmering attraction between them ignites into passion and the danger of Aurelia's double life escalates, Greville insists on marriage as the best way to protect her. Now Aurelia realizes she has more than shadowy antagonists to fear, for she's lost her heart to a dashing spymaster who will one day slip away as suddenly as he appeared...Follow the adventures and romances of the Cavendish Square ladies in A Wicked Gentleman and To Wed A Wicked Prince. For more of Jane Feather's signature romance check out the Blackwater Brides Trilogy, where three dashing brothers embark on a most im-proper quest.The Windflower (The beloved, classic tale of passion on the high seas)
By Laura London. 1984
The classic tale of passion on the high seas, available in print for the first time in 20 years and…
in ebook for the first time ever... Laura London's beloved novel will be adored by fans of Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux, Loretta Chase, Johanna Lindsey and Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.Merry Wilding is a lady of breeding, of innocence, and of breathtaking beauty. With high hopes for a holiday in England, she sets sail from New York-but the tide of her life is destined to turn. Mistakenly swept aboard an infamous pirate ship, Merry finds herself at the mercy of a wicked crew...and one sinfully handsome pirate. Soon she's spending her days yearning for escape, and her nights learning the pleasures of captivity.Devon Crandall believes Merry is in league with his greatest enemy. He's determined to slowly urge her secrets from her. But along the way, he discovers her beautifully unbreakable spirit...and a desire unlike any he's ever known. She is hiding something from him, and yet, each day that passes brings her deeper into his heart. When fierce arguments give way to fiercer passion, can a pirate learn to love a woman? Or will true love be lost at sea?Fall in love with the richly romantic, classic love stories of Laura London, as her beloved novels are released in ebook for the first time.A Wicked Gentleman: Cavendish Square Book 1 (Cavendish Square Series #No. 1)
By Jane Feather. 2007
New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather brings to life the glamour, sophistication, and intrigue of Regency-era London in this…
captivating novel of unexpected passions and dangerous secrets. A perfect book for fans of Mary Balogh, Eloisa James and Stephanie Laurens. Pooling their meager resources, Lady Cornelia Dagenham, her sister-in-law Aurelia, and their friend Liv Lacey arrive in London's Cavendish Square to spend a month at the home Liv has just inherited. But why anyone would show a fervent interest in purchasing the rundown property - particularly the arrogant Viscount Bonham, who clearly could afford the finest of homes - is a puzzle to Cornelia. His charms are undeniable, though - and Cornelia finds her resistance to this mysterious stranger falling away...as a sparking passion clouds her view. But their affair may place her and her friends in danger as Harry Bonham sweeps her into the sparkling whirl of high society. Leading a double life as a code breaker for the Crown, Harry is a man of many secrets. Is it Cornelia whom he truly desires, or something hidden in the house on Cavendish Square?The adventure and romance of the Cavendish Square ladies continues in To Wed A Wicked Prince and A Husband's Wicked Ways. For more of Jane Feather's signature romance check out the Blackwater Brides Trilogy, where three dashing brothers embark on a most im-proper quest.Enter the illustrious world of Jessica Clare's billionaires and bridesmaids. Fans of J.S. Scott, Louise Bay and Melody Anne will…
addicted to this sizzling, coveted New York Times bestseller. You met the six bachelors of the Billionaire Boys Club... Now it's time to pair up some filthy-rich billionaires with lucky ladies in waiting and enjoy the spoils... Greer has always been there for Asher, but she wishes she could break through her shyness and show how much she truly loves him. But after a steamy, mindless fling at Hunter and Gretchen's engagement party, Greer finds herself tossed aside and forced to admit that you can't love someone who doesn't acknowledge you exist.It's a shame he got her pregnant.After his fiancee betrayed him and tanked his business in one fell swoop, Asher has spent his time trying to rebuild his wealth and forget the past. But he doesn't understand why Greer blew him off after their night together - until he catches a glimpse of her belly.Now Asher is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Greer she belongs with him. And he's very skilled at the art of persuasion.After more dazzling romance? Look out for the rest of the Billionaire and Bridesmaids series starting with The Billionaire And The Virgin or take a spin with the steamy Billionaire Boys Club starting with Stranded With A Billionaire.