Book picks similar to
Chasing the Sun by Katy Colins


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Zoey & the Moment of Zen


Cat Lavoie - 2013
    But Zoey's relaxing vacation turns out to be anything but peaceful when she meets Shane Lawson, a resort guest who bears a striking resemblance to Braden. And things get even more complicated when the resort's owner starts spilling secrets about Zoey’s aunt Nessa, the woman who raised her. Add a snarky Wellness Coordinator and Nate Holmes—Shane's grumpy friend—to the mix, and you've got the recipe for a perfect tropical storm. When Zoey comes back home with a new husband instead of tacky souvenirs, she must convince everyone she hasn't completely lost her mind. As Zoey and Shane struggle to keep the magic alive outside the resort, Zoey discovers that she isn't the only one having trouble letting go of the past. And when Nate drops a bombshell that changes everything, Zoey must decide if the old saying is true—what happens at the Moment of Zen stays at the Moment of Zen.

The Trouble with Rose


Amita Murray - 2019
    A broken heart.A whole lot of trouble…Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes, The Trouble with Rose is an unforgettable story about a messy family, a big secret at its heart, and the unbreakable bond between sisters.Rilla is getting married. Except she isn't. She's running away – from her confused fiancé Simon, her big mad family, and the memories nipping at her heels.Her sister Rose would know what to do in such times of crisis.But the trouble is, Rose is the crisis. She disappeared years ago, and Rilla's heart went missing too.Where is Rose? And who is Rilla without Rose?If she's to rescue some happiness out of all this chaos, she needs to find out.

A Year at Meadowbrook Manor


Faith Bleasdale - 2018
    When her beloved dad dies suddenly, she races to be there for her estranged siblings, despite the memories it brings back.Then Harriet learns that all four Singer siblings must live together for one year, caring for their dad’s Animal Sanctuary, or forfeit their inheritance.Living under the same roof could make or break the family, but it’s time Harriet stopped running and faced her past. Especially when her first love turns up… A heart-warming story about love, hope and family, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Jules Wake and Heidi Swain.

The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness


Laura Kemp - 2017
    I loved it!' Milly Johnson Sometimes all it takes to make the world a better place is a small act of kindness... 'A truly wonderful and heartwarming read' Heidi Swain 'I loved it' Clare Mackintosh The perfect feel-good read for fans of Milly Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Jenny Colgan When Ceri Price arrives in the small seaside village in West Wales, she only means to stay for a couple of nights - long enough to scatter her mother's ashes, and then go back to her life as a successful make-up entrepreneur.But when a case of mistaken identities means she lands a job as the barmaid in the local pub, she unexpectedly finds friendship, and perhaps a chance at love.But when the plans for a new housing estate put the local woodland under threat, she fears the way of life here could disappear.Then mysterious acts of kindness start springing up around the village - a string of bunting adorns the streets, a new village signpost appears out of nowhere and someone provides paint to spruce up the houses on the seafront. Who is behind these acts of kindness and can they help in the race to save the village from the faceless developers...? Welcome to the Village of Love. Where friendship flourishes and love blossoms... *********Readers are loving this gorgeously feel-good uplifting novel: 'An absolute joy. Five stars' Isabelle Broom, Heat 'Heartwarming, wise, funny and romantic...this is a delight' Rachael Lucas, bestselling author of Wildflower Bay 'A truly wonderful and heartwarming read' Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author of Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair 'I absolutely loved it!' Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lemon Tree Cafe 'A perfect feel-good read that will lift your spirits no end' The Sun 'An adorable life-affirming book' Rowan Coleman 'I have completely and utterly fallen in love with this book; with the characters, the setting and the wonderfully written story. Beautifully brilliant. I love this book. Five stars'. Anne, Random Things Through My Letterbox'This really is a wonderful book. With fabulous characters and a beautiful setting. This book will make you want to spread your own acts of kindness and make the lives of people that you meet just that little bit better. Absolutely loved it. Five stars.' Karen, Goodreads reviewer'A beautiful book...I loved it...you can't help but feel better about life once you have read it. It puts a smile on your face. It is uplifting, shares the best of human kindness and makes you appreciate that life is so much more than material possessions. It really is a feel-good book, that is perfect for those cold winter evenings. Five stars.' Jo, Goodreads reviewer'A very entertaining, page-turning book, that was just that little bit different character-wise, and with a lovely ending. Very enjoyable.

Open for Business


Cressida McLaughlin - 2016
    Now her parents have retired, she’s set to become the new landlady of The Campion Bay Guesthouse.Bookings have been as thin as the hand towels, and it doesn’t take long for Robin to realise that the place needs a serious makeover. Perhaps throwing herself into the task will help to heal her sadness at the tragic end to her dreams in London.As she gives the guesthouse a new lease of life, Robin encounters old friends and new, including old flame Tim, who’d clearly like to reboot their romance. But what about Will, the new arrival at No. 4, who’s rocked up with the cutest dog ever?Caught up in a flurry of full-English breakfasts and cream teas, Robin’s never sure what, or who, the next check-in will bring…This is the first part of a four-part serial.

The Time of Our Lives


Abby Williams - 2019
    But suddenly her life comes crashing down around her. Unable to return home to her parents, she takes a room in a house nearby and her life starts over in the most unexpected of ways…Seventy-six-year old Lydia, who, shocked by the sudden death of her husband, is devastated to discover that he has left her in crippling debt. With no choice but to take in a lodger, Erin comes into her life. When they find a letter hidden in the attic old secrets come to light and, with Erin by her side, Lydia finds herself going on a trip of a lifetime.

A Home at Honeysuckle Farm


Christie Barlow - 2018
    Her peaceful life at Honeysuckle Farm in the quiet rural village of Brook Bridge swapped for the bustling metropolis of New York City. Alice’s life was changed forever…A second chanceNow, thirteen years later, Alice’s American dream is over. With her life in tatters, there is only one place Alice wants to be… home at Honeysuckle Farm. So, when Alice learns her beloved Grandie is ill, she knows this is her last chance to heal the family rift.A forever home?But secrets still swirl in Brook Bridge, and Alice is no closer to discovering the truth. And for some reason her new friendship with local heartthrob Sam Reid seems to be making the locals tense.Sick of the lies Alice knows it’s time to lay the past to rest once and for all. But could the truth ruin her hopes of ever calling Honeysuckle Farm home again?

The One That Got Away


Keris Stainton - 2018
    She hasn’t seen Rob in eight years – and he’s always been the one that got away.Older (but not wiser), fatter (but much happier in her skin), and still definitely crushing on Rob, Piper’s about to come face-to-face with the very best of old friends and the very worst of old frenemies. Add in enough G&Ts and a few too many Cosmos, and there are all the ingredients for a real night to remember…Could it be second-time lucky for Piper and Rob, or will she have her heart broken all over again?A hilarious and uplifting story about facing your fears and being true to who you are – perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sophie Kinsella and Sophie Ranald.

Love Almost


Hayley Doyle - 2021
    But life has other plans…Chloe is deliriously in love for the very first time. But when Jack, her boyfriend of five months, is killed in a tragic accident, she is left reeling. Their relationship was amazing – but it never really had the chance to get started.Grieving but determined, Chloe decides to live life for the both of them and makes her way through the list of things they’d planned to do together – this time on her own.A heartwarming read about falling in love and coping with loss.

Forever Friends


Kate McCabe - 2008
    They commiserate with each other. They celebrate together, clinking glasses and toasting themselves: “Forever friends!” As Maddy battles to gain recognition in the male-dominated property business, she takes her own first tentative but exciting step on the property ladder. She thrives on the cut and thrust of the property boom – she loves her house, her family and her friends. Life is good. All that is missing is a man to share it all with. Enter the gorgeous Greg Delaney! Dream on, Rosie and Sophie! Talk in the Pink Parrot turns from boyfriends to wedding plans. But as the years roll by, will they still – at their joint fiftieth birthday celebration – be able to raise their glasses and toast to “Forever friends! May nothing ever come between us!”?

The Longest Holiday


Paige Toon - 2013
    Not after my first love… Not after the heartbreak and the loss and the trying to pick myself back up again… Then I met Matthew, and I know that he has my heart forever: my perfect, gorgeous, adoring Matthew. And then I wake up. And I remember that he's not perfect. He's so far from perfect that my heart could surely collapse from the pain that instantly engulfs me…To say Laura is unlucky in love is an understatement. Her first boyfriend died in a horrific accident, and now she's just discovered that her husband of six months has been hiding a terrible secret. Devastated and unwilling to face reality, she escapes on a girls' holiday to Key West with her best friend Marty. But a deep and instant attraction to a sexy Cuban scuba diver takes her completely by surprise. When her two weeks in the sun come to an end, Laura doesn't want to go home again. But she can't run from real life forever. Can she?

The Girl's Guide to Getting Hitched


Sophie Hart - 2015
    What could possibly go wrong? … Forget bridezilla, Aimee’s future mother-in-law is the stuff of nightmares – hell bent on taking over the wedding entirely. Worse still, her fiancé, Jon, seems oblivious. Aimee’s starting to wonder if she and her groom-to-be are right for each other after all… Body shy Debbie is on a mission. She’s determined to shed a lot of pounds before the big day. As the wedding inches closer, will the new Debbie lose sight of what’s really important? Gill loves Mike and their blended family of five kids to bits, but with a house full of teenage hormones and her eldest, Kelly, struggling with so much change, Gill is feeling the pressure... As the women bond over cake and a cuppa, can they each resolve their wedding woes before the big day? An uplifting, warm-hearted read packed with love, laughter and friendship. If you’re a fan of Jill Mansell, Milly Johnson or Lucy Diamond you’re in for a real treat.

Annie's Holiday by the Sea


Liz Eeles - 2017
    Even though there is zero phone signal and the locals – including the gorgeous but brooding Josh Pasco – can be decidedly grumpy at times, Annie starts to feel at home in Salt Bay.Soon Annie’s love of music leads her to relaunch the Salt Bay Choral Society, and she’s surprised to see how just much the choir means to the community – and she even starts to break through Josh’s surly exterior…But London is calling Annie back, and she has to make a decision. Give up her old life completely, or leave Salt Bay, her new-found family – and the choir – behind?Annie’s Holiday by the Sea is a heart-warming story about family, belonging and the healing power of music, perfect for fans of Jo Thomas, Holly Martin and Carole Matthews.

Come Away with Me


Maddie Please - 2018
    With India constantly obsessing over wedding plans, Alexa has never felt more single, or more of a failure.If only she could find a man who was funny, handsome and faithful. But when she meets the enigmatic (and *gorgeous*) Gabriel Frost on the cruise, he is as cold as his name suggests… Isn’t he?Set sail for an adventure on the high seas, it’s time for Alexa to discover that sometimes romance can surprise you!

Nothing New for Sophie Drew


Katey Lovell - 2021
    With spendthrift ex Darius back on the scene, she finds herself in a dilemma.Will Sophie fall back into her old ways, or can she find the confidence to make the right decisions and find happiness?