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Our favourite mother-daughter relationships in fiction

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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

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

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

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?

Catherine Alliott

Annabel is in the thick of sandwich generation territory.Widowed for nearly a decade and bringing up two teenagers alone, she now faces the dilemma of what is best for her ageing mother.Her strong-willed sisters, Ginnie and Clarissa, have already mentally sold her mother’s London house, mentally spent the proceeds, but Annabel isn't sure what her mother will think of their plan. . .After a decade on her own, Annabel's children have also decided now is the time to act as match makers. Before she knows it, Annabel has two romantic prospects; the charming, ex-army builder currently doing the loft extension in her home and, even more unexpectedly, the vicar from her local church.But when family secrets come to light which threaten the entire fabric of Annabel’s childhood and family, what what — or who — she needs in her life comes becomes suddenly crystal clear to her, in the most surprising of ways. . .

Catherine Alliott

Books by Catherine Alliott

Articles featuring Catherine Alliott

Our favourite mother-daughter relationships in fiction

A tour of Alliott Country

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