Recommendations based on "The Lucky Escape"

From Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout comes a hopeful, healing novel about new friendships, old loves, and the very human desire to leave a mark on the world.With her “extraordinary capacity for radical empathy” (The Boston Globe), remarkable insight into the human condition, and silences that contain multitudes, Elizabeth Strout returns to the town of Crosby, Maine, and to her beloved cast of characters—Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess, and more—as they deal with a shocking crime in their midst, fall in love and yet choose to be apart, and grapple with the question, as Lucy Barton puts it, “What does anyone’s life mean?”It’s autumn in Maine, and the town lawyer Bob Burgess has become enmeshed in an unfolding murder investigation, defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother. He has also fallen into a deep and abiding friendship with the acclaimed writer Lucy Barton, who lives down the road in a house by the sea with her ex-husband, William. Together, Lucy and Bob go on walks and talk about their lives, their fears and regrets, and what might have been. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. They spend afternoons together in Olive’s apartment, telling each other stories. Stories about people they have known—“unrecorded lives,” Olive calls them—reanimating them, and, in the process, imbuing their lives with meaning.Brimming with empathy and pathos, Tell Me Everything is Elizabeth Strout operating at the height of her powers, illuminating the ways in which we our relationships keep us afloat. As Lucy says, “Love comes in so many different forms, but it is always love.”

'The Amalfi coast setting, the handsome grumpy Italian, this book has it all!!' Lia Bathurst had always dreamed of escaping to the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas of the Amalfi coast - but that dream hadn't included meeting her real father. A father she had never even known about until a few weeks ago! Yet here she was, standing outside the gates of a gorgeous pink villa being refused entry by the insufferable - and insufferably handsome - Raphael Knight, her father's business manager. When an old black and white photo proves Lia's claim to be true, Raph is determined to make sure this stranger, with her long caramel waves and infectious smile, doesn't have an ulterior motive. Even if that means not letting her out of his sight. As temperatures rise, and not just from the heat of the Mediterranean sun, could Lia and Raph's forced proximity lead to something more like... amore? Praise for Julie Caplin: 'One unputdownable story' Sunday Times Bestseller Katie Fforde 'An irresistible slice of escapism' Sunday Times Bestseller Phillipa Ashley 'The descriptions of food and drink made me want to visit France immediately, if not sooner. A wonderful, summery treat for every reader' Sue Moorcroft 'A gorgeous book, in which each little detail and plot point adds sparkle to the story - much like the tantalising fizz in a glass of chilled champagne!' Erin Green 'The perfect summer escape' Alex Brown 'A delicious read! I could almost taste the Champagne' Teresa F. Morgan 'Oh la la, joy of a book! A stunning summer escape in the French countryside' Caroline Roberts 'Julie Caplin always sweeps me away to whatever location her stories are set in...a feast for all the senses with a romance that sparkles like the finest champagne!' Sarah Bennett 'Absolutely perfect! Everything you could possibly want from a summer romance' Annabel French 'Made me want to pack my entire life into a suitcase and start all over again in a gorgeous setting, with delicious dining, charismatic characters and fabulous friendships and a swoon-worthy french man to die for' Kim Nash 'With an abundance of chemistry between Hattie and Luc, plus a delicious vineyard setting, The French Chateau Dream is a gloriously satisfying escapist read!' Kate Frost 'A gorgeous slice of escapism to a beautiful chateau. I loved joining Hattie on her summer escape to a dreamy French chateau with an equally dreamy owner. A beautiful setting, wonderful characters, and gorgeous writing' Jessica Redland 'A beautifully romantic read with a fabulous cast of characters, I was totally transported to the delights of a French vineyard in summer alongside Hattie and Luc' Suzanne Snow

What happens when what you wish for is only half the story...?Three strangers and a funeral, that’s all it takes for these women’s lives and wishes to intersect. Death has a funny way of showing you what you really want out of life… or so they say, anyway.Jo is flirty and a little after thirty, but what she really wants is to get her business back on track and conquer her fear of heights. That’s what she’ll say when asked, anyway. She has things to prove and finding love can always wait…Sarah has the best of both worlds, baby in one hand and job in the other. All she wants is to get that promotion, then all those missed bath times will be worth it. So she says, anyway. She can’t stop to think about it too long or she might drop something…All Carrie wants is to shift the excess pounds and look good for summer. Wearing a bikini is all she has ever desired. So she has always said, anyway. But it’s not the only weight she’s carrying, dark secrets from her past are threatening to surface…So the three unlikely new friends set themselves a deadline to get their lives in order; juggling blokes, babies and bikini bottoms along the way. There’s nothing to stop them from achieving their dreams – except those little white lies we all tell…A feel-good romantic comedy that's guaranteed to make you smile - perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde.Your favourite authors have loved reading bestselling Cathy Bramley:‘Delightfully warm with plenty of twists and turns’ Trisha Ashley‘Engaging characters and a sweeping romance. This is delightful!’ Katie Fforde‘A witty, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy’ Miranda Dickinson‘The perfect romantic tale, to warm your heart and make you smile.’ Ali McNamara

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023A Most Anticipated Summer Read by Today ∙ Barnes & Noble ∙ BookRiot ∙ GoodReads ∙ Culturess ∙ and more!A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process.She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own.

*** Book Character of the Year 2013 - Guy Duval - Supportive Business Mums ***'This was a captivating read full of romance and secrets' - Me, My Books and I'A must read for all those that love a well-written story' - After the Final Chapters'It will have you gripped from the start and will hold onto you until the very end' - MissMelvis2005 was the most traumatic year of Emma Barron's life. It was the year her mother died and the year she met Guy Duval. Eight years on, she's an English teacher with a doting boyfriend and a young son. Life's been hard but now it's comfortable. She's settled and content...so why would she risk it all for another chance with the man that broke her heart?Guy's an international renowned footballer newly signed to a top UK team. But behind the confident facade is a man determined to drown the horrors from his childhood with fame, success and money.Unable to confide in her best friend, Ally, Emma tries to hold her life together as her heart is pulled apart. Did she turn her back on love too soon?Neither of them know what really happened on 5 September 2005 and as events are slowly revealed can anyone cope with the truth?'A story of love reveals a labyrinth of despair and hope' - Jolliffe'Mandy's characters Guy and Emma are brought to life by her great gift for storytelling' - Kate Hopkins'Fabulous story, one to re-read' - Jeannie Zelos

A Good Morning America Buzz Pick * A Marie Claire Book Club Pick for April * A Reader's Digest Book Club Pick for April * A LibraryReads Pick * One of Southern Living's Most Anticipated 2023 Releases * One of Today's Most Anticipated 2023 ReleasesAn unforgettable pairing of a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law in this story full of tremendous heart, humor, and wit from the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon.Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.

Beth has never stuck at anything.She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It's not that she hasn't tried to grow up, it's just that so far, the only commitment she's held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.Then, in the space of a morning, her world changes.Beth is now guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew, catapulted into an unfamiliar world of bedtime stories, parents' evenings and cuddly elephants. Having never been responsible for anyone - or anything - it's not long before she feels seriously out of her depth.What if she's simply not up to the job?With a little help from her best friend Jory (purely platonic, of course ...) and her lovely, lonely next-door neighbour, Albert, Beth is determined that this time she's not giving up. It's time to step up.This is a story about digging deep for strength you never knew you had and finding magic in things that were there all along.

In her twenties, Rachel Walsh was a mess.Since her spell in rehab, though, she's come a long way on the road to recovery - and now, she's ready to go back to where it all began. But this time, the student has become the teacher. She used to hate the staff in charge of treating her addiction. Now, she's one of them.Rachel's finally got herself on track - but life never stops being messy.And when an old flame resurfaces, will she go back to who she once was? Or nearing fifty, can she find herself all over again?

Discover the healing power of community in this charming, feel-good second chance romance, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell & Milly Johnson. *** 🌸Could a new start heal her appetite for life?🌸 When Cath moves to a rural Northumberland village to escape her husband's betrayal and a life that no longer feels her own, she's determined to embrace a fresh start. But the quiet charm of her new surroundings seems only to magnify the loneliness of being on her own for the first time. On a whim, Cath suggests starting a supper club, transforming her garden shed into a cosy, twinkling haven where neighbours can gather. What begins as an effort to ease her solitude becomes something far greater - a circle of friends, each bringing their own stories, struggles, and laughter. As bonds deepen over shared meals and mishaps, can Cath discover the healing power of community...and dare to believe in love again? Readers have fallen in love with The Second Chance Supper Club 'A heartwarming story of hope, second chances and starting over. A sublime read!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Brilliant cosy read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A brilliant heartwarming 5 star read I would definitely recommend' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Couldn't put it down! I loved the sense of community' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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