Book picks similar to
Summer Sewing Bee by De-ann Black
girlie-lit
romance
chick-lit
de-ann-black
Him Downstairs: Laugh-out-loud British Chick Lit
Sherill Turner - 2017
Yes, she’s thirty-three, single, and has had to work as a waitress and children’s party entertainer since her social worker salary suffered from budget cuts, but she stays positive and manages to pay the mortgage on her flat. Her home is her sanctuary – until Tom moves in downstairs. Lucy and Tom quickly fall in love and into a serious relationship, which is complicated by Tom’s recent separation from his wife, who he has two young sons with. Lucy is heartbroken when Tom breaks up with her, saying that something has to give in his busy life. Encouraged/coerced/badgered by her friends into getting ‘back on that horse’, Lucy finds herself at a tacky Singles Night; dating Danny, a Justin Timberlake impersonator; and attempting a rendezvous with her ‘special friend’. Lucy’s quest to move on from Tom would be a whole lot easier if she didn’t have to hear everything he does. After all, how on earth do you get over someone when you can hear them peeing? Him Downstairs is relatable Chick Lit for readers 18+ who have dipped their toe into the world of modern dating and relationships. It contains adult language and humour, and is written in ‘British English’.
. . . and Baby Makes Two: A Novel
Judy Sheehan - 2005
But that’s before she sees the perfect child. There he sits in his stroller, angelic and beautiful, magnetic and serene– and he makes Jane question everything she has and everything she thought she wanted. Suddenly all she can see are babies and pregnant woman everywhere. Were there always so many of them? And while there was once a man in her life–her one true love, Sam, gone from this world too soon–there is no man now. Jane must make a choice: possibly become a bitter and childless old lady, letting her biological clock tick on ’till menopause, or tend the ache in her heart now, by becoming a single mother. As Jane struggles to make the most important decision of her life, friends and family offer no shortage of opinions. There’s Ray, her “hubstitute” and gay best friend who would be jealous of any kid who got Jane as a mom; Sheila, her sister, who went from zero to sixty when she eloped with Raoul–who had two young twin sons– and has mixed feelings about being a new mommy; her strict, Catholic father who can’ t imagine what level of hell Jane would banish herself to if she becomes a single mother; and the women of Families with Children from China who are preparing to adopt orphan daughters–without a man in sight. Just as she thinks she’s made up her mind, Jane discovers one small wrench in her plans: handsome, charming, funny Peter, who just happens to be (unhappily) married. . . . And Baby Makes Two is a heartbreakingly honest, wonderfully addictive, and funny novel about love and loss, family and friendship. Judy Sheehan, co-creator of the smash hit Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, has perfectly captured the delights and dilemmas of the scariest job in the world: motherhood.From the Hardcover edition.
The Wedding Caper
Laura Briggs
Instead of unmasking the charade, Gwen makes the split second decision to play along, and finds herself roped into the challenge of her small career with a socialite bride and her domineering mother. Juggling the outlandish requests–from firing “the best man” to renting hot air balloons–thrusts Gwen into the spotlight role she always dreamed of.Knowing she should escape before her true identity is exposed, Gwen clings to the masquerade for one reason: the handsome, boyish Ryan Miller. Whose opinions of the wedding fail to impress his bride-to-be, awakening Gwen’s sympathy for the seemingly forgotten groom.Stealing her boss’ identity? Now that was the easy part. The hard part is preventing her secret crush from stealing her heart away.
Summer Nights in Lantern Square
Helen Rolfe - 2019
Previously a high flyer in the city, she now runs her small business, Tied Up With String, from her cottage in Lantern Square.Her handmade gifts and care packages are the perfect way to show someone you care, and while her brown paper packages bring a smile to customers across the miles, Hannah also makes sure to deliver a special something to the people closer to home... But as Butterbury glows with the sunshine and sparkling lights of the Summer Fair, Hannah finds herself facing old memories, familiar faces, and perhaps even a new romance...
***
Step into the cosy community of Lantern Square... A delightfully heartwarming story told in four parts - perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn and Cathy Bramley
Sweet Days by the Bay: Kay Correll's Complete Indigo Bay Collection
Kay Correll - 2019
The three stories are all interconnected. SWEET SUNRISE:
Sometimes life has a way of teaching lessons whether you’re ready to learn them or not…
The last place on earth Will Layton wants to be is Indigo Bay, but his younger sister, Whitney, needs him. He’s never been able to say no to her. But she left out a few details… like their father staying with her and the girl who dumped him years ago is living right next door. The last person Dr. Ashley Harden thought she’d see in Indigo Bay is Will Layton, but he’s back in town and just as irresistible as when they were young. Seeing Will again is a complication that isn’t on her carefully mapped out life plan. In spite of Ashley’s best intentions, she starts falling for Will again, but nothing has changed. She’s still focused on getting the townspeople to accept her and see her as more than the girl from the wrong side of town, while Will is determined to guard his heart at any cost. Not the easiest road to true love… especially when secrets from the past are revealed and history threatens to repeat itself. SWEET HOLIDAY MEMORIES: (a short holiday story)
Sometimes a surprise from the past changes the future forever…
Meredith Snowden — who by some strange twist of fate has the nickname Merry — avoids everything to do with the holidays. Everything. Her best friend, Whitney, has given up trying to change Merry's ways. Except… This year Merry’s in charge of the holiday bake sale. Not the best way to avoid Christmas. Then Austin Sullivan returns to town and literally runs into Merry sprawled on the sidewalk among boxes of smashed cookies. Austin is all about Christmas and offers help with the baking and the sale. Merry’s carefully hidden memories of Christmas past begin to resurface. Will Austin’s love of the holidays and a single lost ornament bring the magic of Christmas back into Merry’s life? SWEET STARLIGHT:
Sometimes worlds collide and sparks fly and things don’t turn out as planned...
Whitney Layton doesn’t recognize the actor who comes into her shop and commissions a custom jewelry piece for his grandmother’s birthday gala. Rick Nichols doesn’t know if he’s upset or thankful that Whitney doesn’t recognize him. While he longs to become more well known so his family will finally think he’s made a success of himself, he enjoys hiding out anonymously and being just an everyday normal guy. As Rick’s best-laid plans for his grandmother’s party fall apart, Whitney steps in to help him. But as things heat up between them and the press catches wind of their relationship, their photo is splashed all over social media. Whitney wants nothing of the limelight nor does she believe Rick will ever be happy with a small-town businesswoman who wants nothing more than to live out her life in Indigo Bay. She doesn’t need to add one more name to the list of people she’s cared about who have left her.
The Groom's Obligation (Mail Order Brides of Arkansas)
Susannah Calloway - 2020
James taught him how to be a bounty hunter, and Beau has been content with his life. When Beau gets word his father has died, he travels back home to Arkansas to see his mother and brother. Upon arrival, he learns of his father’s will, demanding that Beau marry within ninety days of the elder Dawson’s death. He even ordered his attorney to place an advert for a Mail Order Bride for his youngest son. Rose Lancaster was born and bred in Boston. After her husband dies, she thinks her life is over. Her father is determined to help and makes a contract for her with a Mail Order Bride Agency. When Beau and Rose finally meet, sparks fly. Can this mismatched couple ever find a way to live together, let alone live happily ever after?
Georgette Heyer's Greatest Hits
Georgette Heyer - 2019
Now, get three full-length novels featuring some of Heyer's most beloved heroines, plus a delightful bonus novella from the Queen of Regency Romance's little known short story collection.About the books in this bundle:The Grand Sophy: When Sophy sweeps in, life will never be the same for the Ombersleys. Sophy discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right: Cecelia is in love with a poet, Charles has tyrannical tendencies that are being aggravated by his grim fiancee, her uncle is of no use at all, and the younger children are in desperate need of some fun and freedom. By the time she's done, Sophy has commandeered Charles's horses, his household-and maybe even his heart.Arabella: Arabella never would have pretended to be rich if that odious Robert Beaumaris hadn't insulted her, practically to her face. Now she has to keep up the subterfuge, even when it gets her into more trouble than she bargained for. How is she ever going to tell Robert the truth? Or does he already know her shocking secret?Frederica: The lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward Frederica is determined to secure a brilliant marriage for her beautiful sister and seeks out their distant cousin, the Marquis of Alverstoke, for his society connections. Frederica makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help. Normally wary of his family, Lord Alverstoke does his best to keep his word while keeping his distance. But with his enterprising – and altogether entertaining – country cousins getting into one scrape after another, before he knows it the Marquis finds himself dangerously embroiled.To Have the Honor (novella): Young Lord Allerton returns home from the Napoleonic Wars to find his father has left the family bankrupt. His mother's solution: marry his wealthy cousin. But the Viscount would sooner have his beloved Harriet marry whom she chooses than be reduced to accepting a proposal from his financially compromised position.
Make-Believe Marriage
Marilyn Shank - 2000
Otherwise, she'll lose her inheritance. Trevor Mathison, Headmaster of Brookshire School, needs both a sixth-grade teacher and a wife.When a comedy of errors leads Claire's grandfather, the Chairman of the Board, to believe Claire and Trevor are married, they play along - both too afraid to tell the older man the truth.A powerful magnetism sparks between the couple but her free-spirited lifestyle clashes with his highly structured one. The conflicts they face both at school and at home turn Trevor's organized life into instant chaos.Can Claire and Trevor make their love last? Will they turn this pretend marriage into happily ever after?
Dorothy's War
Ruth Hamilton - 2005
Her escape is achieved just before the disastrous advent of Hitler, and there is further tragedy to come.Follow her through childhood and adolescence, then on into her twenties when, finally made whole, she wins her own battle for freedom, for love and for her own place in the world.
My Heart Before You
Laura Langa - 2020
It's taken her years to get where she is today— starting over in a city that doesn’t haunt her with memories, and returning to her beloved career as a nurse.After a decade and a half dedicating his life to his surgical career, Colin Abernan is struggling with his newly reduced work hours, especially after his father’s unexpected death. Having already lost his mother to cancer at thirteen, he’s unimaginably hollow now that he’s utterly alone.Colin has too much time to think about his grief, and the pulling connection he shares with his colleague, although she's emotionally off limits. When a simple touch in the hospital corridor holds the potential to change their relationship, Emilie doubts she can open her heart again— even to a man who fixes them for a living.
Ohana
Dustin Stevens - 2013
Just weeks removed from losing his parents in a tragic car accident, Dyson Nicks decides to take himself as far away from home as he can for the holiday season. What was supposed to be a retreat to Oahu soon turns ugly as within minutes of arriving, he is initiated into the unseen side of Hawaii. Theft, violence, and territorialism that mark the flip side of paradise, the side most people refuse to believe exists. Through time, will, and pure dumb luck, Dyson serves to carve out his own niche within the island community. With the aid of Mahana, a local girl hiding from a past just as scarred as his own, he begins to find his way forward again. Through the kindness and generosity of strangers, he discovers the true meaning of ohana and how it comes to define Hawaiian life.
The Four Seasons Collection: A Spring Affair, A Summer Fling, An Autumn Crush, A Winter Flame
Milly Johnson - 2013
THE QUEEN OF FEEL-GOOD FICTION!'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold'
Heat
Four of Milly's bestselling seasonal titles - A Spring Affair, A Summer Fling, An Autumn Crush, A Winter Flame - in one exclusive ebook edition, with an introduction from Milly on the inspiration behind the novels.
Excess Baggage
Judy Astley - 2000
But as a penniless and partnerless house-painter with an expired lease on her flat and a twelve-year-old daughter, she could hardly turn down her parents' offer to take them on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Caribbean. She'd just have to put up with her sister Theresa (making no secret of preferring Tuscany as a holiday destination) and brother Simon (worrying that there might be some sinister agenda behind their parents' wish to take them all away) with their various spouses, teenagers, young children and au pair.
In a luxury hotel, with bright sunshine, swimming, diving, glorious food and friendly locals, any family tensions should have melted away in the fabulous heat. The children should have been angelic, the teenagers cheerful, the adults relaxed and happy. But...some problems just refuse to be left at home.
A Hood Boy’s Love is Forever 2
Taniece - 2019
After Bambi finds out that she’s pregnant, she’s stuck weighing her options on what to do next. When Ari XL finally finds out that he has a seed on the way, he’s thrilled, but Bambi quickly crushes his dreams. Bambi crosses paths with someone from her past and rage consumes her. They say when you’re going through a hard time, never give up because there’s a light waiting at the end of the tunnel. Hershey is struck with a tragedy that leaves her questioning her purpose. She finds herself jumping over obstacles just to be happy. After falling into a depressive state, Nick and Bambi try their hardest to pull her out. Will they be able to save her or will she just fall deeper?