Recommendations based on "The Second Chance"

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

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere... The Little Cornish Kitchen is going on tour! When internet sensation ‘Cressida Cupcake’ has a soggy bottomed TV fiasco and faces bake-off backlash she jumps at the chance to spend some time hiding out in St Aidan, dog sitting for her brother. Picturesque Seaspray Cottage is meant to be Cressy Hobson’s port in the storm but with her blog sponsors having fled and her book deal gone sideways her funds are running low and she’s forced to turn to the locals for help. Soon her quiet weeks in Cornwall are filled with chasing sheep, saving the local retirement village, taking The Little Cornish Kitchen into people’s homes for baking nights...and keeping vigilant guard against romance. The one and only time Cressy lost her head to love was over a decade ago while in St Aidan, and she won’t be making the same mistake again – a feat easier said than done when Ross Bradbury looks even better a decade on...and every step she takes seems to put him in her path!

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

‘A true page-turner’ Chat Monthly ‘Emotional, humorous and heartening, Julie Shackman knows how to bring the feel-good factor to fiction’ Woman’s Weekly Escape to the Scottish Highlands with a brand new spring romance from bestselling author, Julie Shackman Determined to overcome a family tragedy, Elle Cassidy decides to reopen her late mother’s ailing newsagent as a stationery shop in the quiet Scottish town of Fir Haven. But when the arrogant yet handsome crime writer Dexter Grayling almost runs over Elle in his beast of a sports car, the town is thrown into a tailspin – especially when Dexter claims that local resident Linda Carlucci has put a curse on him and he is no longer able to write. Can Elle put aside her dislike for the self-absorbed writer and help Dexter uncover what is really going on with the Carlucci family? And in the process will Elle realise that there’s a lot more to her beloved Fir Haven than she first thought... ‘This delightful romance is a perfect slice of escapism nestled in the Scottish Highlands’ Woman’s Own For fans of Donna Ashcroft, Jane Linfoot and Rachael Lucas. Readers have escaped to the country, will you be next? ‘A lovely sweet romance... impossible to put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Very enjoyable read with interesting characters and a beautiful setting’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Julie Shackman knows how to tell a great story... interesting twists [and] the characters steal your heart’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A nice next to the fireplace read with a glass of wine’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved the storyline... thoroughly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved every page’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Set in a lovely Scottish village... it had the perfect ending’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A story about forgiveness, healing and not judging others... you will fall in love with Fir Haven and its characters and this story will touch your heart in unexpected ways’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A heart-warming and funny romance with fab characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great read. Highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Quirky storyline and the characters made it all better’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Intriguing... an easy and warm read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Full of warmth' #1 Sunday Times Bestseller Katie Fforde Can a cake change your life? Clemmie Rose's great-great-grandmother's beloved clementine torte is her ticket to the prestigious Royal Baking Competition. A win could put Puffin Island's charming Café on the Coast on the map, land Clemmie her very own cookbook deal, and secure her a coveted invitation to a royal garden party. But when she discovers the competition is being hosted aboard the Royal Yacht by none other than her ex, Oliver Lockwood, the stakes--and the soufflés--suddenly rise, and Clemmie's bid for the Golden Whisk trophy is at risk of collapsing like an underbaked sponge. When a decades-old secret is thrown into the mix, she'll need more than the perfect recipe to keep her dreams from crumbling.

Introducing Coleen Style Queen - a fictional character inspired by the childhood of leading style icon, Coleen McLoughlin. This is a gorgeous new series about boys, friendship, family and fashion. Having a confidence crisis? Don't dare to wear that funky new mini-dress? Never fear - you're not alone! My best mate Lucy is totally gorgeous. She just doesn't know it. So she always plays it safe, fashion-wise. But that's about to change! She's got a hot date this weekend and I'm going to transform her style from drab to fab! If only I could go on a date with her super-cute brother Ben. How can I get him to notice me... As well as a great story this book includes top style and fashion tips, and advice on how to customise your clothes and make your own cool accessories. So there's no excuse not to look super stylish!

Second Chance Family Annie Knight has her work cut out for her as the McGregor family's newest nanny. Dr. Ian McGregor means well, but the distracted single dad's lost touch with his four kids. The new nanny brings much-needed calm to the chaos, including finding a service dog that could be a real lifesaver. And soon the good doctor's making Annie's heart respond in ways it hasn't for years. But Annie's cheery demeanor hides a heart-wrenching secret that's as much a part of her as her carefully hidden scars. Annie doesn't think she deserves happiness--but Ian and his kids will show the caretaker that with the love of family, everything's possible.

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

'Heart-warming and life-affirming, full of humour and compassion' ADELE PARKS, PLATINUM 'A beautifully warm-hearted tale of friendship and hope' MY WEEKLY 'I loved this incredibly touching book...[it's] a life-belt that will help any reader through a tough patch' VERONICA HENRY *** In life's stormy waters, it's your friends who keep you afloat... Maddy Wolfe's life has just capsized. After her twenty-year marriage suddenly implodes, she heads to Brighton to search for her estranged son, Jamie. But he's nowhere to be found and for the first time, she's totally alone. That is, until she meets the Salty Sea-Gals, a group of feisty sea-swimmers. Seventy-two-year old Helga is determined not to slow down, while thirty-something Tor is still figuring out who she is. Bereaved Dominica is trying to find a reason to carry on, and busy mum Claire is learning to put herself first for a change. As their regular cold-water plunges become a lifeline for them all, Maddy starts to realise that these brave women might just help her find both Jamie and herself. Together, will they turn the tide? 'Inspiring, heart-warming, utter joy' TAMMY COHEN 'A beautiful read. You'll love this one' LOUISE BEECH 'An absolute delight of a book!' CELIA ANDERSON 'Oh, this is such a wonderful read' BISHOP'S STORTFORD INDEPENDENT *** Readers LOVE Josie Lloyd's heart-warming novels: 'Inspiring and warm, heartfelt and real. I really loved this story' 'I rarely cry when reading but I was so emotionally impacted by this read I had a few cries in the bath reading it... a heart-warming portrayal of true friendship' 'Expect tears, laughter and a lot of fist pump in the air moments!' 'A bloody brilliant, inspirational book of friendship and hope' 'Heartfelt and empowering' 'Affirming and inspiring... this book will give you all the feels!' 'I loved this book from the very beginning to the very end; it is a story that will resonate with every woman' 'Full of humour and compassion... I laughed and I cried' 'I absolutely loved this book. A testament to the power of friendship'

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death—by the beloved author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals “A miraculous novel—an actual and spiritual road trip you won’t forget.”—John Irving AN NPR AND LIT HUB BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR At sixty-three years old, million-dollar lottery winner PJ Halliday would be the luckiest man in Pondville, Massachusetts, if it weren’t for the tragedies of his life: the sudden death of his eldest daughter and the way his marriage fell apart after that. Since then, PJ spends both his money and his time at the bar, and he probably doesn’t have much time left—he’s had three heart attacks already. But when PJ reads the obituary of his old romantic rival, he realizes his high school sweetheart, Michelle Cobb, is finally single again. Filled with a new enthusiasm for life, PJ decides he’s going to drive across the country to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona to win Michelle back. Before PJ can hit the road, tragedy strikes Pondville, leaving PJ the sudden guardian of his estranged brother’s grandchildren. Anyone else would be deterred from the planned trip, but PJ figures the orphaned kids might benefit from getting out of town. PJ also thinks he can ask Sophie, his adult daughter who’s adrift in her twenties, to come along to babysit. And there’s one more surprise addition to the roster: Pancakes, a former nursing home therapy cat with a knack of predicting death, who recently turned up outside PJ’s home. This could be the second chance PJ has long hoped for—a fresh shot at love and parenting—but does he have the strength to do both those things again? It’s very possible his heart can’t take it.