Book picks similar to
A Single Woman by Maggie Christensen
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reviewing-by-request
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The Cornish Connection
Amanda James - 2020
Nancy works in the Whistling Kettle Cafe and Charlie is a DS in the Truro police. Charlie's a down to earth Cornishman, while Nancy, seemingly an ordinary member of her community, has an extraordinary gift. She is able to make psychic connections with those who have passed, and objects belonging to those still living.Charlie mostly tries to ignore that aspect of his wife's personality, he can’t abide all that ‘mumbo jumbo’ as he calls it. Then, out of the blue, Nancy leaves her job and decides her mission in life is to use her gift to help others. This is not what Charlie signed up for, and he lets Nancy know about his feelings in no uncertain terms. That is, until he realises she might be a very useful detective...Helping Charlie find a missing teenager boost Nancy’s confidence, and makes her determined to continue her work. People come to see her because they want her to find a long-lost friend or relative, an object that is dear to them, or a pet who’s gone missing. Helping people find happiness is Nancy’s main aim. Charlie, however, wants her to help him solve crimes.Will the couple find some common ground? Or will their connection be broken?The Cornish Connection - a beautifully told, thought-provoking and uplifting story. The perfect feel-good summer read!Perfect for fans of Emma Burstall, Fern Britton and Heidi Swain
The Magic of Found Objects
Maddie Dawson - 2021
All her life she’s been torn between the two. But now that she’s been betrayed by both love and the mother she once idolized, her rational side is winning.So when her best friend from childhood proposes that they give up on romance and marry each other, Phronsie agrees. Who better to spend your life with than your best friend? Maybe the connection they already have is love. Maybe there’s no falling to be done. But immediately after they announce their engagement, she encounters someone who makes a very charming and compelling argument for revisiting romance.While her even-keeled stepmother argues for the safety that comes with her new engagement and her mother relays messages from the universe to hold out for true love, Phronsie must look to her own heart to find the answers that have been there all along.
Dream House
Catherine Armsden - 2015
While she and her sister Cassie are cleaning out their childhood home on the coast of Maine, they stir up painful memories and resentments over family possessions. A legendary collection of historically significant letters is missing from the artifacts they unearth, supporting a decades-old suspicion that their aunt or estranged cousin has stolen them.Threatened by the loss of the old house and its extraordinary seaside landscape, Gina finds her heart swinging wildly between Maine and California, creating conflict with her husband, Paul. To learn what the Maine house means to her, she approaches it objectively, as an architect, bringing it to life on paper. Her family’s story unfolds room by room: the darkroom from which her gentle but passive father, Ron, ran his photography business, the kitchen where her volatile mother, Eleanor, toiled under the weight of dashed dreams. As children, Gina and Cassie warily navigated rooms permeated with toxic secrets hobbling Eleanor and Ron’s marriage.As Gina deconstructs the house, startling truths are revealed, changing family history and allowing Gina and Cassie to begin healing family wounds. Gina has the chance to search the recesses of her heart, too, discovering within her a vitalizing compassion and an awakened understanding of what makes a house a home.Catherine Armsden's fascination with architecture was ignited during her childhood growing up among the weather-beaten houses of coastal Maine. Educated in New England, she moved to San Francisco in 1983 with her husband, Lewis Butler, where they co-founded Butler Armsden Architects.Dream House is her debut novel.
Second Time Lucky
Sophie King - 2007
Now, however, the house has been divided into separate residences for financial purposes. The Lord is forced to live in one of the humble apartments alongside his newly acquired housemates, among them a newly-divorced mother-of-three, a legendary screen goddess of the 1940s, and an American PhD student. Over an eventful year their children, a burglar, a friendly dog, a very capable cleaner, and at least one ghost will transform all of the residents' lives.
Tamara's Child
B.K. Mayo - 2010
And when she falls victim to a diabolical scheme to steal her newborn baby from her, she is not about to give up her child without a fight, even if she has to take on the wealthiest and most powerful family in the country. But is Tamara fighting against her child's own best interests? Only she can decide. And it's a decision that she — and her child — will have to live with for the rest of their lives.If you value family, if you have ever yearned for unconditional love, if you want to experience a story whose themes will resonate long after you have turned the last page, then you will want to read this book.
Topaz and the Green Fairies
Pat Frayne - 2015
Whatever happened to him on this journey had the power to make him stronger. Or he could let it destroy him." Such are the thoughts of young Bozel, a pivotal new character introduced in Topaz and the Green Fairies, the third installment in the Tales of Topaz the Conjure Cat series by Pat Frayne. In this latest high adventure story, we journey to an island in the midst of chaos. Severe storms are threatening to obliterate the home where the Green Fairies have lived for generations. It is up to young Bozel to find help to save his people before they perish. Along the way, he encounters numerous obstacles and life changing situations. Bozel must overcome not only his own personal fears and self-doubt, but grave danger as well. At the same time there is trouble for Topaz and the other inhabitants of Knownotten Kingdom. Otis has been injured and is trapped in a desolate land where he finds himself held in the thrall of a sinister creature. When Bozel finally crosses paths with Topaz and his friends the race is on to hatch a daring plan to save the Green Fairies. Topaz will be faced with the ultimate test of strength, courage and commitment to others.
New Beginnings at The Birdie and Bramble
Alison Craig - 2019
She can't stay in Scotland or their cosy flat over the restaurant without him. But when she tries to sell the business so she can return to London and run from her past, she discovers the restaurant is hardly worth anything at all. Maddy can't let her father's legacy be treated this way, so together with her dad's best friends and The Birdie & Bramble staff, she begins to revitalise the restaurant. Maybe if she can save The Birdie & Bramble, then she might just be able to make her dad proud of her again...
This is the first novel in The Birdie & Bramble series. Don't miss a single book in this hilarious and feel-good series:
1. New Beginnings at The Birdie & Bramble
2. Snowfall at The Birdie & Bramble
3. Blue Skies at The Birdie & Bramble
Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange: an uplifting, feelgood romance
Jenny Kane - 2020
and the interfering ex who won't leave her alone. When she lands a job heading up the restoration of Mill Grange, a stunning Victorian manor in Devon, it feels like the perfect opportunity to start afresh.What Thea didn't anticipate was how hostile the volunteer team, led by the formidable Mable Hastings, would be about accepting new leadership. And with the deadline looming before the grand opening, Thea is in desperate need of more volunteers.A broadcast appeal on the local news attracts the interest of arrogant but undeniably attractive celebrity historian Shaun Cowlson, who wants to make a TV programme about the restoration. It's hard enough adding one more big personality to the mix – but then her ex turns up as one of the volunteers! What seemed like a dream come true is fast becoming a total disaster! Can Thea find a way to save the manor?
Summer at West Sands Guest House
Maggie Conway - 2018
Molly Adams is in need of a change. She hates her job, dislikes her house and now her husband’s left her. But an opportunity to head to West Sands Guest House could be just what she needs.Packing her bags and heading to the east coast of Scotland for a few weeks is the perfect remedy for her broken heart, especially when she comes face to face with the dashing Tom Kennedy, resident pro-golfer and all-round dreamboat.Molly and Tom may have a spark but both have pasts to overcome, and time is running out before Molly has to head back to the life she left behind.
Will they be able to fall in love this summer?
Praise for Winter at West Sands Guest House… ‘A great Christmas read.’ Grace at Good’n’Ready-y‘Pick this wonderful book up’ Amazon Customer‘It was heartwarming’ BananaTricky
Where We Belong
Shann McPherson - 2020
For years, Murph has been biding her time, waiting for Nash to come back for her.So when he strolls into Piece O’ Cake, Murph’s heart skips a beat—until he hands her an invitation to his wedding… There are painful secrets in both their pasts that only the two of them share, and Murph can’t bear the thought of Nash belonging to someone else.There’s only one thing Murph can think of to do: fake a relationship with local bar owner and old friend Harley Shaw to remind Nash of what he’s losing, and win him back for good.Nash is Murph’s best friend, a vivid reminder of her childhood and all the things she’s lost—but the more time Murph and Harley spend together, the more the lines between real and pretend begin to blur. Can Murph choose between the one who got away and the one who never left—and heal her aching heart?
At the End of the Day
Liz Byrski - 2021
Mim owns a bookshop, Mathias is a writer, and both are at turning points in their lives. Mim's childhood polio is taking a toll on her life. Mathias is contemplating a cross-continent move to be nearer his daughter.But life back in Perth is not smooth sailing, with their respective family members going through their own upheavals. As Mim and Mathias both struggle to adjust to the challenges of being in their late seventies, secrets from the past that neither wishes to face rise to the surface, challenging their long-held beliefs in their independence and singularity.At the end of the day, can they muster the wisdom and the courage they need to change?
5ive Speed
Charley Warady - 2011
Time to move up.When Donald was a kid in the late 60's on the South Side of Chicago, he had a Schwinn Sting Ray bike. Everyone did. But everyone else had a five-speed. Donald's was a three-speed. It was good enough, as was explained by his parents, just as their Ford Maverick wasn't the neighbor's Le Mans, but it was good enough. And that's the way Donald was taught to live his life. It was a three-speed life. It was good enough. He marries Emily because she's good enough. Emily marries Donald because that's what she had planned, and she is not going to experience divorce as did her parents. Donald opens a law practice with his two best friends and roommates from college because it's good enough.Then the Roths meet their son's future in-laws and everything changes. Donald wonders if, in fact, he could get that five-speed.In this hilarious and thought-provoking novel, the whole concept of morals and convention is turned inside out. Everything is perception. If you like Richard Russo, Tom Perotta, and Jonathan Franzen, you're going to love this book.