Recommendations based on "Autumn at the Star and Sixpence"

From the New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah comes a powerful novel of love, loss, and the magic of friendship. . . . now a #1 Netflix series!In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all―beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer's end they've become TullyandKate. Inseparable.So begins Kristin Hannah's magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness.Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn't know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she'll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she'll envy her famous best friend. . . .For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship―jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they've survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart . . . and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone's Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it's the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It's about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you―and knows what has the power to hurt you . . . and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you'll never forget . . . one you'll want to pass on to your best friend.

'A lovely, touching, uplifting read with a very likeable heroine and a dishy vet - and delightful dogs' Phillipa Ashley Welcome to your new cottage in the country - complete with grumpy vet, village gossip and a very muddy dog . . . City girl Ella wants to take refuge in the country, lick her wounds and work out what she's going to do with the rest of her life. She certainly doesn't want to have a four-legged house guest or anything to do with village life. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of Wilsgrave have other ideas... Settling in to her godmother's house for a few months of R&R, Ella finds herself the reluctant babysitter of a badly behaved Labrador - and her plans of staying mainly indoors scuppered. But as she's forced into wellies and into the village's way of doing things, Ella meets people who make her think again about what she really wants out of life and love, starting with her new furry best friend . . . A gorgeously romantic tale set in an idyllic countryside village, from the author of ebook bestseller Covent Garden in the Snow. Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde. ________________ What everyone's saying about A Girl's Best Friend: 'The perfect read to curl up with' Zara Stoneley 'A heart-warming tale of falling in love with life again' Debbie Johnson 'Packed full of lovely characters, wagging tails and self re-discovery' ***** Reader Review 'Pure escapism' ***** Reader Review 'The author made me laugh and cry . . . A good read for a sunny afternoon' ***** Reader Review 'I enjoyed it so much I finished it within 24 hours' ***** Reader Review

MILLION LOVE SONGS sees Carole Matthews at her feel-good best, with a wonderful and emotional story of starting over and finding happiness. An absolute must-read!After splitting up with her cheating husband, Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is another serious relationship.Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth, and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun, yet Ruby can't help feel that something is missing. Joe on the other hand is kind, attentive and good-looking, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.Ruby soon has some very tough decisions to make. Is she even ready for a relationship? Ruby may think she knows what she wants, is that what she needs to be truly happy?Ruby's story will make you laugh, cry and leave you wanting more. It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

“ heart-warming, intelligent novel about finding your people.” —Becky Alexander, author of Someone Like You Edith has Alzheimer’s. The idea that she will someday forget her son, her life, even her self, plagues her constantly. So there is something important she must do beforehand: she has to find Sven, the love of her life she was supposed to meet on a bus bench twenty-seven years ago and run away with. Her son, Blade, is struggling to keep an eye on her. His mother’s full-time caregiver, he resents the fact that he gave up most of his life to look after her. But what wouldn’t he do for his mother? Track down her decades-old flame before her mind fails her? Sure, he can do that. Sophia is fiercely working to keep her business afloat. Her uncle left his flower shop to her and her brothers after he died, and she needs to show her family that the business is worth saving. So when an opportunity comes along that takes her all over Sweden, she can’t say no. While Edith is desperately trying to hold on to her memories, she discovers friendship as she sits daily at the bus stop. While Blade is out looking for Sven, he learns to embrace his relationship with his mother more fully. While Sophia is fighting to keep her dream alive, she comes to terms with the therapies that were forced upon her in response to her autism diagnosis. Life is happening all around them, and like in life, there’s always still good to be found.

'Oh how I wish the Comfort Food Café was real!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Welcome to The Comfort Food Café! It's been a tough year for Maxine Connolly - so tough she's almost given up on finding her happy ending. But then she discovers The Comfort Food Café, shining like the star on top of the Christmas tree and welcoming her in to its cozy, cake-filled embrace for hot chocolates dripping with whipped cream, melty grilled cheese toasties and the funniest bunch of regulars she soon calls friends. Then there's gorgeous local Gabriel Moran, who looks at Max like she's a present he can't wait to unwrap - and she can't help but think that, maybe, he's just what she wants for Christmas too... Readers ADORE the Comfort Food Café: 'Spellbinding' Sunday Times bestseller Cathy Bramley 'You'll devour this book in one go' Woman's Weekly 'As cosy as a buttered crumpet' Sunday Times bestseller Milly Johnson 'Just my cup of tea' Bestseller Sue Moorcroft 'Full of heart and a delight to read' Award winning author Bella Osborne 'Full of comfort and cheer - the perfect antidote to cold winter nights' Sunday Times bestseller Jane Costello 'Full of quirky characters, friendship and humour, you will devour this engaging and heartwarming novel in one sitting' Sunday Express

The long-awaited sequel to the international bestseller PS, I Love You! It's been seven years since Holly Kennedy's husband died - six since she read his final letter, urging Holly to find the courage to forge a new life. She's proud of all the ways in which she has grown and evolved. But when a group inspired by Gerry's letters, calling themselves the PS, I Love You Club, approaches Holly asking for help, she finds herself drawn back into a world that she worked so hard to leave behind. Reluctantly, Holly begins a relationship with the club, even as their friendship threatens to destroy the peace she believes she has achieved. As each of these people calls upon Holly to help them leave something meaningful behind for their loved ones, Holly will embark on a remarkable journey - one that will challenge her to ask whether embracing the future means betraying the past, and what it means to love someone forever...

'A wonderful, witty escapist read . . . fabulous [and] feel-good' Kitty Wilson, author of Every Day in December 'A delightful, heart-warming story of romance, friendship and family' Lynne Shelby, author of Love on Location 'A truly wonderful sunshine infused book' Reader Review 'A beautifully romantic read with all the drama you'd expect' Katie Ginger 'A heartfelt, witty tale . . . recommended for anyone who loves travel, romance and laughter' Fiona Leitch *** Love is in the air . . . Sarah has everything she ever wished for; she lives with her gorgeous boyfriend and their cat in Sydney and life couldn't be better. If only she wasn't so anxious about turning the big 4 0. Meanwhile Cat is happily loved-up with Jean-Luc, except she lives in London, and he lives in Paris. She loves their long-distance relationship so why is she worrying about their future. But a surprise wedding proposal is about to change everything for these sisters. And with all their family and friends gathering at a vineyard in Tuscany to celebrate, love, laughter and mayhem are about to ensue. Reunite with your favourite characters from The Holiday Romance series as they gather together for love, laughter and a party they'll never forget. Perfect for fans of Jo Thomas and Mandy Baggot. Readers love A Wedding in Tuscany 'Wonderfully sweet [and] sprinkled with plenty of Sandy Barker steaminess to raise the temperatures' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I feel in love with the characters and found it hard to put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A delightful book . . . full of love, laughter, friendships and so much more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An enjoyable book with its stunning location and overall themes of love in all its guises . . . a must-read author for me' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What could be more romantic than Tuscany' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book was really good, highly recommend' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Escapism at its best' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cosy up on the sofa with this year’s most heartwarming, feel good comfort read! Welcome to Love Heart Lane... When Flick Simons returns to the cosy village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell. When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away. As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too... Readers ADORE Christie’s books: ‘A hug in a book’ Jeannie, Amazon ‘A warm, cosy winter read perfect for January nights’ Susie, Amazon ‘I love reading about a community pulling together in the face of adversity...These days so many live lonely, anonymous lives in towns and cities’ Joanna, Amazon ‘A book full of love and community spirit’ Kathy, Amazon ‘I want to live there!!!’ Cally, Amazon ‘Delightfully warm feelgood fiction at its best’ Lorna, Amazon

From the USA Today bestselling author of Sunshine Beach, a story of four women trying to rebuild more than their lives...   Before you can fix it up, you might have to tear it down...   Embroiled in a battle to regain control of their renovation-turned-reality TV show, Do Over, Maddie, Avery, Nikki, and Kyra find themselves holding tight to the frayed ends of their friendship and relationships.   Maddie must face the realities of dating a rock star once again topping the charts and dealing with her hapless ex-husband, while Avery is caught up in family drama even as she attempts to transform a tiny cottage into a home for the newly impoverished heiress who helped bankroll their last renovation. Put on bedrest, a hugely pregnant Nikki can’t quite believe love can last, or trust in her own maternal instinct. And Kyra, who has secretly put Bella Flora at risk in an attempt to salvage Do Over, must decide whether to accept a desperately needed bail out from her son’s famous father that comes with far too many strings attached…   But friendship is made for times like these, to keep each other—and their dreams—from crumbling.

It’s never too late to have fun in this heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the author of The Big Five 0. Perfect for fans of The Old Girls Network ‘So real, wise and funny...an absolute triumph!’ Katie Fforde When her daughter, Ellie, brings home a new boyfriend, Clare can’t put her finger on why she feels troubled by it. Is it because he’s attractive and closer to her in age? Or maybe she’s just jealous because all of her own husband’s passion seems to go into maintaining his wine cellar. Ellie’s colleague, Anna, is feeling restless too. She’s much younger than her husband and definitely isn’t ready for crosswords and comfy slippers. When a new colleague starts to show an interest in her, it ignites a spark of attraction that feels impossible to ignore. They say age isn’t everything – can the women focus on what really matters and live life, and love, to the full? ‘I love Jane’s writing!’ Jill Mansell ‘Feel-good’ Woman and Home Readers are LOVING Old Enough to Know Better: ‘Reminded me of Jill Mansell and Marion Keyes...Put a smile on my face and cheered me up’ Katie ‘The tonic we all desperately need at the moment... loved it!’ Karen ‘Delightful ... The author has created a bevy of unique female characters and relationships’ Sarah ‘It lifts you up whilst you are reading’ Alayne ‘No matter how old you are this book is going to give you all the feels! Will definitely be recommending this to everyone and anyone I talk to’ Kylie ‘Jane Wenham-Jones is now on my must read list’ Judy ‘Thoroughly enjoyed this book as it details the trials and tribulations of women of a certain age! Something I can easily relate to!’ Sally ‘Read cover to cover in one sitting’ Bee ‘Buy it! Read it! Love it!’ Claire