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Reading lists

Our favourite mother-daughter relationships in fiction

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Features

A tour of Alliott Country

The Pink House

Enter THE PINK HOUSE, the heartwarming new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors 
 
'Stepping into the world of The Pink House is like getting home and discovering someone has already run a hot, bubbly bath for you after a hard day's work' CELIA ANDERSON 
 
 
When Emma and Hugh move into The Pink House, it's a welcome new start. 
Lazy summer afternoons in the sun, quiet Sunday mornings reading the paper. 
Or so Emma hoped. Unfortunately, life in the country is far from a peaceful idyll. 
 
There's Hugh's sister Sally, who lives in the garden cottage. 
Their son's upcoming wedding, which they've promised to host. 
The old barn which Emma wants to transform into an art gallery and a new career. 
 
But Emma has it all under control. Until she runs into Rory McCloud - 
the one who got away so many years ago . . . 
 
Is The Pink House the only new beginning for Emma, 
or could there be another fresh start on the horizon? 
 
 
'An absolute joy. How I longed to live in the Pink House! Wise, funny, glamorously chaotic and achingly romantic' VERONICA HENRY 
 
'Another fantastic family drama with superb characterisation from this much-loved author' WOMAN'S WEEKLY 
 
'A joyful read about love and new starts' SUN 
 
 
Christina Alliot, Sunday Times bestseller, July 2019

I've always been a Catherine Alliott fan, and this was an absolute joy. 
A delicious tangle of secrets and hidden desire. Alliott's heroines are always a delight - like Bridget Jones' posher cousin: a bit dizzy, but with a huge heart and a strong sense of what's right and what's important. And in this case, that's family. A complicated, messy, imperfect family and all the baggage that brings, all playing out in the most gorgeous setting. How I longed to live in the Pink House! 
It's a modern fairy tale of mistakes and the lengths we go to to pretend everything is perfect: wise, funny, glamorously chaotic and achingly romantic.

This deeply satisfying read brings Emma's desirable world to life and will keep you guessing until the end

Another fantastic family drama with superb characterisation from this much-loved author

Stepping into the world of The Pink House is like getting home and discovering someone has already run a hot, bubbly bath for you after a hard day's work. Emma and Hugh's story is intriguing and twisty. They've been married for what feels like forever and it's been mostly...well...okay. The children are great but they're independent now, and the chance to relocate to Hugh's idyllic family home in the country is too difficult for Emma to resist. What follows is a voyage of discovery for them all that turns Emma's largely contented life upside down. A kaleidoscope of family complications tends to threaten Emma's equilibrium but nothing daunted, she breezes forward and gets right on with socking it to them all. 
I adored every moment of this blissful book!

A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignant

Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling

The brand-new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Cornish Summer. Perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Trisha Ashley and Milly Johnson.

The heartwarming and emotionally gripping novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author

My Husband Next Door

Step into Alliott country with the fabulously funny and wonderfully heartwarming story from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer and Behind Closed Doors 
 
'I raced through it, completely gripped from start to finish' DAILY MAIL 
 
'An entertaining read that's as light as the summer breeze' DAILY EXPRESS 
_______ 
 
A modern marriage, or a big mistake? 
 
Ella was nineteen and madly in love when she married dashing young artist Sebastian Montclair. But that was a long time ago. Now Ella and the kids live in a ramshackle farmhouse while Sebastian and his paintings inhabit the outhouse next door - a family separated in every way but distance. Is it a marvellously modern relationship - or a disaster waiting to happen? 
 
 When charming gardener Ludo arrives on the scene and Sebastian makes a sudden and surprising decision, Ella sees a chance at a fresh start. Yet with two teenagers and her parents on the verge of their own late-life crisis, will Ella be allowed to choose her own path? And how long can she hide from the truth which haunts her broken marriage? 
 
 _______ 
 
'A captivating and heartwarming tale' Closer

Charming, clever, well-written, laugh-out-loud funny with a great plot

Another huge treat from Catherine Alliott.  It's hilarious yet poignant, with wonderful characters, including all the animals!  I lapped up every page

When Ella married the handsome, celebrated artist Sebastian Montclair at just nineteen she was madly in love. Now, those blissful years of marriage have turned into the very definition of an unconventional set-up. Separated in every way but distance, Sebastian resides in an outhouse across the lawn from Ella's ramshackle farmhouse. 
 
Then out of the blue Sebastian decides he must move away, catching Ella horribly unawares. How much longer can she hide from what really destroyed her marriage . . . and the secret she continues to keep?

The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton

From the bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors and A Cornish Summer comes a funny and heart-warming look at what happens when your whole world is turned upside-down . . . 
 
'Like a breath of fresh air. Warm, funny and has a lovely storyline' 5***** Reader Review 
'Giggle out loud funny. Well written and very entertaining' 5***** Reader Review 
'Funny and unpredictable. Like listening to a friend tell a good story' 5***** Reader Review 
___________ 
 
Evie Hamilton's biggest worry in life is whether or not she can fit in a manicure on her way to fetch her daughter from clarinet lessons. 
 
Little does she know that her charmed and happy life is about to be turned upside-down . . . 
 
For one sunny morning a letter lands on Evie's immaculate doormat. It's a bombshell, knocking her carefully arranged and managed world completely askew as it threatens to sabotage all she holds dear. 
 
What will be left and what will change forever? 
 
Is Evie strong enough to fight for what she loves? 
 
And can her entire world really be as fragile as her best china? . . . 
___________ 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Classy, wonderfully gossipy and breathless' Red 
 
'We defy you not to get caught up in Alliott's life-changing tale' Heat 
 
'Alliott at her best' Daily Telegraph

Praise for Catherine Alliott

Chick-lit at its finest . . . a real winner

An addictive cocktail of wit, frivolity and madcap romance

Classy, wonderfully gossipy and breathless

We defy you not to get caught up in Alliott's life-changing tale

Evie Hamilton has a secret . . . one she doesn't even know about. Yet . . . 
 
Evie's an Oxfordshire wife and mum whose biggest worry in life is whether or not she can fit in a manicure on her way to fetch her daughter from clarinet lessons. But she's blissfully unaware that her charmed and happy life is about to be turned upside-down. 
For one sunny morning a letter lands on Evie's immaculate doormat. It's a bombshell, knocking her carefully arranged and managed world completely askew and it threatening to sabotage all she holds dear. 
What will be left and what will change forever? Is Evie strong enough to fight for what she loves? Can her entire world really be as fragile as her best china?

The emotionally gripping new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author

Behind Closed Doors

Get ready to escape with the page-turning new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
'Leaves you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart' MILLY JOHNSON 
 
'A fantastic, compelling story . . . The feelings on the page are tangible' 5***** READER REVIEW 
 
'Packed with fantastic characters, uncomfortable truths, and flashes of pure comedy. Who could ask for more?' JILL MANSELL 
________ 
 
From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home. 
 
But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash. 
 
As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London - and the stories it hides - for a rural escape to her parents' farmhouse in the Chilterns. 
 
But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home, especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame. 
 
Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she's been keeping from herself and those she loves. 
 
Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed . . . 
________ 
 
'Emotional and engaging, I was completely absorbed' Sarah Morgan 
 
'Compelling' Heidi Swain 
 
'I enjoyed every minute and couldn't put it down' 5***** Reader Review 
 
'Emotional and affecting, this is an absorbing read' Sun 
 
'Catherine Alliott is back with another warm, escapist read . . . wonderfully written' Woman's Weekly 
 
'Engrossing . . . sparkles with wit' Best 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignant' Sophie Kinsella 
 
'Warm, witty and wise' Daily Mail 
 
'Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling' Marian Keyes 
 
'Hilarious and full of surprises' Daily Telegraph

One of those fabulous books that leaves you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart

Yet another great read, packed with fantastic characters, uncomfortable truths, and flashes of pure comedy. Who could ask for more?

Emotional and engaging, I was completely absorbed

This engrossing story sparkles with wit

Catherine Alliott is back with another warm, escapist read. Big subjects are dealt with sensitively in this wonderfully written novel

Uplifting . . . Filled with colourful characters, this humorous story about families, ageing and moving on

Emotional and affecting, this is an absorbing read

A wry look at life in the wealthy environs of the Oxfordshire countryside . . . page-turning

Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling

Catherine Alliott is the author of fifteen bestselling novels including My Husband Next Door, A Rural Affair, One Day in May, The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton, Wish You Were Here and A Cornish Summer. She lives with her family in Hertfordshire.

From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all. 
But when her marriage comes to an unexpected end, everything turns upside down in a flash. 
As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to retreat to her parents' farmhouse. 
But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves home - especially when she crosses paths with an old flame. 
Revisiting her mistakes forces Lucy to confront the secrets she's been keeping from herself and those she loves. 
Is she able to leave the door to her past firmly closed?

Wish You Were Here

Sink into the hilarious feel-good story of a family holiday gone wrong from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
'Wonderful story that made me laugh but also cry... great escapism' 5***** Reader Review 
 
When Flora, James and their two teenage daughters are offered a free holiday in a beautiful chateau in the South of France in return for an act of kindness, they obviously jump at the chance. 
 
A break from hectic London - what could be better? 
 
But Flora wasn't expecting a whole heap of family baggage coming along too - including some surprise guests. 
 
And especially not James developing a crush on their famous host. 
 
Perhaps this won't be the dream holiday she had in mind . . . 
 
If you like Jill Mansell, Cathy Kelly and Fern Britton you'll love this. 
_________ 
 
'Catherine Alliott at her best' 5***** Reader Review 
 
'A breezy, comic, summery romp' Sunday Mirror 
 
'Warm, witty, easy to read . . . a thoroughly engaging, entertaining read' Daily Mail 
 
'Hilarious and full of surprises' The Times 
 
'I fell in love with the characters' 5***** Reader Review

'Warm, witty, easy to read . . . a thoroughly engaging, entertaining read' Daily Mail

When Flora, James and their two teenage daughters are offered the holiday of a lifetime in a chateau in the south of France in return for one simple good deed, they jump at the chance. They exchange the confines of Clapham, the weight of the mortgage and anxieties over their future for a blissful break. 
 
But Flora didn't anticipate a mysterious guest and a whole heap of family baggage coming too. 
 
With James developing a schoolboy crush on a famous singer and Flora distracted by ghosts from her past, their dream holiday suddenly takes some very unexpected turns.

A Cornish Summer

ESCAPE TO THE CORNISH COAST IN THIS DELIGHTFULLY HEARTWARMING SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER 
 
'THE PERFECT SUMMER READ' Sophie Kinsella 
__________ 
 
Flora's been in love with her husband for twenty years. The trouble is, he's been married to someone else for the past fifteen . . . 
 
Now she's been invited to spend the summer in the sandy coves of Cornwall, which should be blissful. 
 
But there's one small snag: she'll be staying with her former mother-in-law, Belinda. 
 
And then her ex-husband shows up out of the blue, complete with his new wife . . . 
 
Can Flora spend the summer playing happy families with the woman who stole her husband's heart, and the mother-in-law who might have had a hand in it? 
 
Could a holiday romance help her finally get over her him? 
 
And will stumbling on the family secret change her mind about them all? 
 
If you like Fern Britton, Katie Fforde and Jill Mansell, you'll love this irresistible and heart-warming summer read from the bestselling author of Wish You Were Here and About Last Night. 
___________ 
 
'Oh how I enjoyed this! Yet another fabulous book, packed with glamour, delicious characters and myriad family complications!' Jill Mansell 
 
'I LOVE it. Catherine's writing is so warm, funny and heartfelt and no matter what's going on in your own world, you can curl up in Catherine's and feel her warmth like summer sun' Cathy Kelly 
 
'I've loved Catherine Alliott books since the first one. They're always a delight and this one's no exception' Carole Matthews 
 
'A wonderful story of family and love, secrets and sunshine' Milly Johnson 
 
'Another blissful read from Catherine Alliott' Hello! 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Warm, witty and wise' Daily Mail 
 
'Intelligent and sparkling' Marian Keyes 
 
'Hilarious yet poignant' Sophie Kinsella

Simply a delight: funny, intelligent and at times heart wrenching. It's full of such witty, entertaining characters, and best of all, it transported me away from real life into a Cornish holiday that I didn't want to leave. It's the perfect summer read

Oh how I enjoyed this! No one writes about Cornwall like Catherine. Yet another fabulous book, packed with glamour, delicious characters and myriad family complications!

I LOVE it. Catherine's writing is so warm, funny and heartfelt and no matter what's going on in your own world, you can curl up in Catherine's and feel her warmth like summer sun

I've loved Catherine Alliott books since he first one. They're always a delight and this one's no exception

A wonderful story of family and love, secrets and sunshine. Catherine Alliott is on top form with this

A magical mix of wit, warmth and poignancy

Trisha Ashley, bestselling author of The House of Hopes and Dreams

Alliott is always an absolute joy to read

Another blissful read from Catherine Alliott

It's full of Cornish colour and a plot that seems plausible from your deckchair

Flora's been in love with her husband for twenty years. 
The trouble is, he's been married to someone else for the past fifteen. 
 
Now she's been invited to spend the summer in the shady lanes and sandy coves of Cornwall. It should be blissful. 
There's just one small snag: she'll be staying with her former mother-in-law, Belinda. 
And Flora discovers she's not the only one invited when her ex-husband shows up out of the blue, complete with his new wife. So now there are two small snags. 
Can Flora spend the summer playing happy families with the woman who stole her husband's heart, and the mother-in-law who might have had a hand in it? 
Or will stumbling on the family secret change her mind about them all?

About Last Night . . .

Lose yourself in the immensely funny and heartwarming No. 1 bestseller from the author of A Cornish Summer 
 
Molly gets a second chance in life - but will she have the courage to take it? 
 
Molly has traded London for a dream home in the country - except it was her husband's dream, not hers. And David is, well, rather dead now. 
 
So when a distant relative leaves her a London townhouse, Molly is ready to quit 'The Good Life' and return to her good life. 
 
But there's a rather tall, handsome problem - a man who's already living in Molly's new house. And when a face from her past reappears, she's no longer quite sure where she belongs. 
 
Do any of the men in Molly's life have honourable intentions? 
 
Is she ready to ditch muddy wellies for high heels? 
 
Or is she saying goodbye to the delights of country life too soon? 
 
Readers love Catherine Alliott's books: 
 
'Like going on holiday and travelling by book!' ***** 
 
'Side-splittingly funny' ***** 
 
'A big slice of sunny escapism' ***** 
 
'Alliott always manages to write serious subjects with cracking humour' ***** 
 
'The mistress of this genre' *****

The immensely funny and heartwarming number one bestseller tells the story of a woman who gets a second chance in life - but will she have the courage to take it?

Praise for About Last Night. . .

An easy, entertaining and enjoyable read, About Last Night raises some modern moral dilemmas . . . and a little lust too!

Just as enjoyable as previous novels. A wonderfully easy read

Molly is living the country dream in rural Herefordshire. Except it's not her dream - it's her dead husband David's dream, and it's beginning to feel more like a nightmare. Between running a mail-order lingerie business and repackaging soaps from Newcastle as Savon de Provence, Molly is barely making ends meet. 
 
When Molly unexpectedly inherits a beautiful house in London, it seems like all her problems are solved. With one catch: the house is already occupied. 
 
Molly is determined to turf the tenant out - but she is immediately wrong-footed by Felix, his handsome son. Add in a face from her past and Molly's life suddenly becomes a whole lot messier . . .

The Wedding Day

Step into the Cornish sun in this sparkling romantic comedy from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer and A Rural Affair 
 
Annie O'Harran is getting married . . . all over again 
 
A divorced, single mum, Annie is about to tie the knot with David. But there's a long summer to get through first. A summer where's she's retreating to a lonely house in Cornwall, where's she's going to finish her book, spend time with her teenage daughter Flora and make any last-minute wedding plans. 
 
Annie should be so lucky. 
 
For almost as soon as Annie arrives her competitive sister and her wild brood fetch up. While Annie's louche ex-husband and his latest squeeze are holidaying nearby and insist on dropping in. Plus there's the surprise American houseguest who can't help sharing his heartbreak. 
 
Suddenly Annie's big day seems a long, long way off - and if she's not careful it might never happen at all . . . 
 
Step into Alliott country with The Wedding Day. 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Alliott's joie de vivre is irresistible' Daily Mail 
 
'Possibly my favourite writer' Marian Keyes

Annie O'Harran is getting married . . .all over again 
 
A divorced, single mum, Annie is about to tie the knot with David. But there's a long summer to get through first. A summer where's she's retreating to a lonely house in Cornwall, where's she's going to finish her book, spend time with her teenage daughter Flora and make any last-minute wedding plans. 
 
Annie should be so lucky. 
 
For almost as soon as Annie arrives her competitive sister and her wild brood fetch up. While Annie's louche ex-husband and his latest squeeze are holidaying nearby and insist on dropping in. Plus there's the surprise American houseguest who can't help sharing his heartbreak. 
 
Suddenly Annie's big day seems a long, long way off - and if she's not careful it might never happen at all . . .

A Crowded Marriage

How many is too many? Dive into the hilarious, heartwarming bestseller from the author of A Cornish Summer 
 
There isn't room in a marriage for three . . . 
 
Painter Imogen is happily married to Alex, and together they have a son. But when their finances hit rock bottom, they're forced to accept Eleanor Latimer's offer of a rent-free cottage on her large country estate. If it was anyone else, Imogen would be beaming gratitude. Unfortunately, Eleanor just happens to be Alex's beautiful, rich and flirtatious ex. 
 
And from the moment she steps inside Shepherd's Cottage, Imogen's life is in chaos. In between coping with rude locals, murderous chickens, a maddening (if handsome) headmaster, mountains of manure, and visits from the infuriating vet, she has to face Eleanor, now a fixture at Alex's side. 
 
Is Imogen losing Alex? 
 
Will her precious family be torn apart? 
 
And whose fault is it really - Eleanor's, Alex's or Imogen's? 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'An intelligent, acutely drawn picture of a difficult marriage' Daily Telegraph 
 
'A rip-roaring read that begs the question: How many people make a crowded marriage?' Sun

There isn't room in a marriage for three . . . 
 
Painter Imogen is happily married to Alex, and together they have a son. But when their finances hit rock bottom, they're forced to accept Eleanor Latimer's offer of a rent-free cottage on her large country estate. If it was anyone else, Imogen would be beaming gratitude. Unfortunately, Eleanor just happens to be Alex's beautiful, rich and flirtatious ex. 
 
And from the moment she steps inside Shepherd's Cottage, Imogen's life is in chaos. In between coping with rude locals, murderous chickens, a maddening (if handsome) headmaster, mountainsof manure, and visits from the infuriating vet, she has to faceEleanor, now a fixture atAlex's side. 
 Is Imogen losing Alex? Will her precious family be torn apart? And whose fault is it really - Eleanor's, Alex's or Imogen's?

A Married Man

Indulge in this wonderfully warm and witty story of love, loss and laughter from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer and A Rural Affair 
 
'What could be nicer than living in the country?' 
 
Lucy Fellowes is in a bind. She's a widow living in a pokey London flat with two small boys and an erratic income. But when her mother-in-law offers her a converted barn on the family's estate - she knows it's a brilliant opportunity for her and the kids. 
 
But there's a problem. 
 
The estate is a shrine to Lucy's dead husband Ned. The whole family has been unable to get over his death. If she's honest, the whole family is far from normal. And if Lucy is to accept this offer she'll be putting herself completely in their incapable hands. 
 
Which leads to Lucy's other problem. Charlie - the only man since Ned who she's had any feelings for - lives nearby. The problem? He's already married . . . 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'A joy . . . you're in for a treat' Daily Express 
 
'I literally couldn't put this down. An addictive cocktail of wit, frivolity and madcap romance' Time Out

'What could be nicer than living in the country?' 
 
Lucy Fellowes is in a bind. She's a widow living in a pokey London flat with two small boys and an erratic income. But when her mother-in-law offers her a converted barn on the family's estate - she knows it's a brilliant opportunity for her and the kids. 
 
But there's a problem. 
 
The estate is a shrine to Lucy's dead husband Ned. The whole family has been unable to get over his death. If she's honest the whole family is far from normal. And if Lucy is to accept this offer she'll be putting herself completely in their incapable hands. 
 
Which leads to Lucy's other problem. Charlie - the only man since Ned who she's had any feelings for - lives nearby. The problem? He's already married . . .

Not That Kind of Girl

Settle into this intoxicating and tantalising romantic comedy from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer and A Rural Affair 
 
A girl can get into all kinds of trouble just by going back to work . . . 
 
Henrietta Tate gave up everything for her husband Marcus and their kids. But now that the children are away at school and she's rattling round their large country house all day she's feeling more than a little lost. 
 
So when a friend puts her in touch with Laurie, a historian in need of a PA, Henrietta heads for London. Quickly, she throws herself into the job. Marcus is - of course - jealous of her spending so much time with her charming new boss. And soon enough her absence causes cracks to form in their marriage that just can't be papered over. 
 
Then Rupert, a very old flame, reappears, and Henrietta suddenly finds herself torn between three men. 
 
How did this happen? 
 
She's not that kind of girl . . . is she? 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Compulsively readable' The Times 
 
'Possibly my favourite writer' Marian Keyes

A girl can get into all kinds of trouble just by going back to work . . . 
 
Henrietta Tate gave up everything for her husband Marcus and their kids. But now that the children are away at school and she's rattling round their large country house all day she's feeling more than a little lost. 
 
So when a friend puts her in touch with Laurie, a historian in need of a PA, Henrietta heads for London. Quickly, she throws herself into the job. Marcus is - of course - jealous of her spending so much time with her charming new boss. And soon enough her absence causes cracks to form in their marriage that just can't be papered over. 
 
Then Rupert, a very old flame, reappears, and Henrietta suddenly finds herself torn between three men. How did this happen? She's not that kind of girl . . . is she?

Going Too Far

Laugh out loud with the gorgeously romantic rural comedy from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
Polly is content and settled in married life, until one comment shakes everything up. 
 
'You've gone all fat and complacent because you've got your man, haven't you?' 
 
Polly Penhalligan is outraged at the suggestion that since getting married to Nick and settling into their beautiful manor farmhouse in Cornwall she has let herself go. But watching a lot of telly and gorging on biscuits, not getting dressed until lunchtime and waiting for pregnancy to strike are not the signs of someone living an active and fulfilled life. 
 
So Polly does something rash. 
 
She allows her home to be used as a location for a TV advert. Having a glamorous film crew around will certainly put a bomb under the idyllic, rural life. Only perhaps she should have consulted Nick first . . . 
 
Because before the cameras have even started to roll - and complete chaos descends on the farm - Polly's marriage has been turned upside down. 
 
This time she really has gone too far . . . 
 
'An addictive cocktail of wit, frivolity and madcap romance' Time Out

Alliott has a way of getting you hooked, and making you read on and on

'You've gone all fat and complacent because you've got your man, haven't you?' 
 
Polly Penhalligan is outraged at the suggestion that since getting married to Nick and settling into their beautiful manor farmhouse in Cornwall she has let herself go. But watching a lot of telly and gorging on biscuits, not getting dressed until lunchtime and waiting for pregnancy to strike are not the signs of someone living an active and fulfilled life. 
 
So Polly does something rash. 
 
She allows her home to be used as a location for a TV advert.Having a glamorous film crew around will certainly put a bomb under the idyllic, rural life. Only perhaps she should have consulted Nick first. 
 
Because before thecameras have even started to roll - and complete chaos descends on the farm - Polly'smarriage has been turned upside down. This time she really has gone too far . . .

The Old-Girl Network

Lose yourself in the twists and turns of love in the hilarious romantic comedy from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
Finding true love's a piece of cake - as long as you're looking for someone else's true love . . . 
 
Polly McLaren is young, scatty and impossibly romantic. She works for an arrogant and demanding boss, and has a gorgeous if never-there-when-you-need-him boyfriend. But the day a handsome stranger recognises her old school scarf, her life is knocked completely off kilter. 
 
Adam is American, new to the country and begs Polly's help in finding his missing fiancé. Over dinner at the Savoy, she agrees - the girls of St Gertrude's look out for one another. However, the old-girl network turns out to be a spider's web of complications and deceit in which everyone and everything Polly cares about is soon hopelessly entangled. 
 
The course of true love never did run smooth. But no one said anything about ruining your life over it. And it's not even Polly's true love . . . 
 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Possibly my favourite writer' Marian Keyes 
 
'Alliott's joie de vivre is irresistible' Daily Mail

Finding true love's a piece of cake - as long as you're looking for someone else's true love . . . 
 
Polly McLaren is young, scatty and impossibly romantic. She works for an arrogant and demanding boss, and has a gorgeous if never-there-when-you-need-him boyfriend. But the day a handsome stranger recognises her old school scarf, her life is knocked completely off kilter. 
 
Adam is American, new to the country and begs Polly's help in finding his missing fiancé. Over dinner at the Savoy, she agrees - the girls of St Gertrude's look out for one another. However, the old-girl network turns out to be a spider's web of complications and deceit in which everyone and everything Polly cares about is soon hopelessly entangled. 
 
The course of true love never did run smooth. But no one said anything about ruining your life over it. And it's not even Polly's true love . . .

Olivia's Luck

Curl up on the sofa with this tantalising rural romantic comedy about taking control of your life from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
'I don't care what colour you paint the sodding hall. I'm leaving.' 
 
When her husband Johnny suddenly walks out on ten years of marriage, their ten-year-old daughter and the crumbling house they're up to their eyeballs renovating, Olivia is at first totally devastated. How could he? How could she not have noticed his unhappiness? 
 
But she's not one to weep for long. 
 
Not when she's got three builders camped in her back garden, a neighbour with a never-ending supply of cast-off men she thinks Olivia would be drawn to and a daughter with her own firm views on . . . well, just about everything. 
 
Will Johnny ever come back? 
 
And if he doesn't, will Olivia's luck ever change for the better? 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'The writing is both intelligent and sparkling' Marian Keyes 
 
'Alliott's joie de vivre is irresistible' Daily Mail

'I don't care what colour you paint the sodding hall. I'm leaving.' 
 
When her husband Johnny suddenly walks out on ten years of marriage, their ten-year-old daughter and the crumbling house they're up to their eyeballs renovating, Olivia is at first totally devastated. How could he? How could she not have noticed his unhappiness? 
 
But she's not one to weep for long. 
 
Not when she's got three builders camped in her back garden, a neighbour with a never-ending supply of cast-off men she thinks Olivia would be drawn to and a daughter with her own firm views on . . . well, just about everything.

Rosie Meadows Regrets...

Sink into the uplifting and brilliantly romantic tale of a woman putting her mistakes behind her, from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
'Tell me, Alice, how does a girl go about getting a divorce these days?' 
 
Three years ago Rosie walked blindly into marriage with Harry. They have precisely nothing in common except perhaps their little boy Ivo. Not that Harry pays him much attention, preferring to spend his time with his braying upper class friends. 
 
But the night that Harry drunkenly does something unspeakable, Rosie decides he's got to go. In between fantasizing how she might bump him off, she takes the much more practical step of divorcing this blight on her and Ivo's lives. 
 
However, when reality catches up with her darkest fantasies, Rosie realizes, at long last, that it is time she took charge of her life. 
 
There'll be no more regrets, and time, perhaps, for a little love . . . 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Alliott's joie de vivre is irresistible' Daily Mail 
 
'Possibly my favourite writer' Marian Keyes

Alliott is quick, observant and on top form

'Tell me, Alice, how does a girl go about getting a divorce these days?' 
 
Three years ago Rosie walked blindly into marriage with Harry. They have precisely nothing in common except perhaps their little boy Ivo. Not that Harry pays him much attention, preferring to spend his time with his braying upper class friends. 
 
But the night that Harry drunkenly does something unspeakable, Rosie decides he's got to go. In between fantasizing how she might bump him off, she takes the much more practical step of divorcing this blight on her and Ivo's lives. 
 
However, when reality catches up with her darkest fantasies, Rosie realizes, at long last, that it is time she took charge of her life. There'll be no more regrets . . . she hopes.

The Real Thing

Discover the power of unforgotten love in this sparkling romantic comedy from the bestselling author of A Rural Affair and A Cornish Summer 
 
Every girl's got one - that old boyfriend they never quite fell out of love with . . . 
 
Tessa Hamilton's thirty, with a lovely husband and home, two adorable kids, and not a care in the world. Sure her husband ogles the nanny more than she should allow. And keeping up with the Joneses is a full-time occupation. But she's settled and happy. No seven-year itch for Tessa. 
 
Except at the back of her mind is Patrick Cameron. Gorgeous, moody, rebellious, he's the boy she met when she was seventeen. The boy her vicar father told her she couldn't see and who left to go to Italy to paint. The boy she's not heard from in twelve long years. 
 
And now he's back. 
 
Questioning every choice, every decision she's made since Patrick left, Tessa is about to risk her family and everything she has become to find out whether she did the right thing first time round . . . 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'The writing is both intelligent and sparkling' Marian Keyes 
 
'You're in for a treat' Daily Express

Every girl's got one - that old boyfriend they never quite fell out of love with . . . 
 
Tessa Hamilton's thirty, with a lovely husband and home, two adorable kids, and not a care in the world. Sure her husband ogles the nanny more than she should allow. And keeping up with the Joneses is a full-time occupation. But she's settled and happy. No seven-year itch for Tessa. 
 
Except at the back of her mind is Patrick Cameron. Gorgeous, moody, rebellious, he's the boy she met when she was seventeen. The boy her vicar father told her she couldn't see and who left to go to Italy to paint. The boy she's not heard from in twelve long years. 
 
And now he's back. 
 
Questioning every choice, every decision she's made since Patrick left, Tessa is about to risk her family and everything she has become to find out whether she did the right thing first time round . . .

One Day in May

Indulge in this deliciously romantic rural comedy about past love from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
One day in May, Hattie's life changes for ever . . . 
 
Hattie Carrington has good reason to be happy. Her antiques business is flourishing, her teenage son is settled at school and she's enjoying a fling with a sexy, younger man. But when work takes her back to the village of Little Crandon, heartbreaking memories of her first love surface. 
 
It seems that the secret affair with married politician Dominic Forbes, which changed the course of her life, just won't go away. 
 
So when Hattie bumps into Dominic's widow and his gorgeous younger brother, Hal, her world is turned upside down. Though she's still trying to hide from her mistakes, she knows that if she's ever to fall in love again she needs to be honest with others, and herself. 
 
Can she admit what really happened with Dominic all those years ago? 
 
And, if so, is she ready for the consequences? 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'Another charming tale of love and heartbreak from this wonderfully warm and witty author' Woman 
 
'She's getting better and better. A complete pleasure to read' Daily Mail 
 
'A fun, fast-paced page-turner' OK

One day in May, Hattie's life changes for ever . . . 
 
Hattie Carrington has good reason to be happy. Her antiques business is flourishing, her teenage son is settled at school and she's enjoying a fling with a sexy, younger man. But when work takes her back to the village of Little Crandon, heartbreaking memories of her first love surface. It seems that the secret affair with married politician Dominic Forbes, which changed the course of her life, just won't go away. 
 
So when Hattie's bumps into Dominic's widow and his gorgeous younger brother, Hal, her world is turned upside down. Though she's still trying to hide from her mistakes, she knows that if she's ever to fall in love again she needs to be honest with others, and herself. 
 
Can she admit what really happened with Dominic all those years ago? And, if so, is she ready for the consequences?

A Rural Affair

Discover the magic of second chances and starting again in this tantalising story from the bestselling author of A Cornish Summer 
 
'If I'm being totally honest I had fantasized about Phil dying.' 
 
When Poppy Shilling's bike-besotted, Lycra-clad husband is killed in a freak accident, she can't help feeling a guilty sense of relief. For at long last she's released from a controlling and loveless marriage. 
 
Throwing herself wholeheartedly into village life, she's determined to start over. And sure enough, everyone from Luke the sexy church organist to Bob the resident oddball, is taking note. Yet the one man Poppy can't take her eyes off seems tantalizingly out of reach - why won't he let go of his glamorous ex-wife? 
 
But just as she's ready to dip her toes in the water, the discovery of a dark secret about her late husband shatters Poppy's confidence. Does she really have the courage to risk her heart again? 
 
Because Poppy wants a lot more than just a rural affair . . . 
 
Praise for Catherine Alliott: 
 
'I raced through it, completely gripped from start to finish' Daily Mail 
 
'An entertaining read that's as light as the summer breeze' Daily Express

A shamelessly mischievous tale of village life that Alliott aficionados will relish

'If I'm being totally honest I had fantasized about Phil dying.' 
 
When Poppy Shilling's bike-besotted, Lycra-clad husband is killed in a freak accident, she can't help feeling a guilty sense of relief. For at long last she's released from a controlling and loveless marriage. 
 
Throwing herself wholeheartedly into village life, she's determined to start over. And sure enough, everyone from Luke the sexy church organist to Bob the resident oddball, is taking note. Yet the one man Poppy can't take her eyes off seems tantalizingly out of reach - why won't he let go of his glamorous ex-wife? 
 
But just as she's ready to dip her toes in the water, the discovery of a dark secret about her late husband shatters Poppy's confidence. Does she really have the courage to risk her heart again? Because Poppy wants a lot more than just a rural affair . . .

Catherine Alliott

Sisters, Secrets, and Second Chances: A Heartfelt Story of Family, Love, and Hidden TruthsThe charming and witty novel from the Queen of Romantic Comedy, Catherine Alliott'Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling' MARIAN KEYES 
 
‘Alliott is always an absolute joy to read’ VERONICA HENRY--Annabel loves her sisters.But when their mother decides to sell her leafy London home and divide her time - and the money - between her three daughters, their bond is tested.Strident Clarissa wants to restore her ramshackle farm.Glamorous Ginnie, her stately country pile.Only Annabel is questioning their mother’s motives for the move.But her sisters are far more interested in why Annabel remains single -- even though the perfect man could be sitting right under her nose.With their mother acting increasingly strangely, Annabel uncovers a long-hidden secret, one which could change everything she believed about her family history.Will delving into the past risk the love of her sisters?Or should she follow their advice and make finding love her priority?

Catherine Alliott

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