Recommendations based on "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox The Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of Hamnet"
Based on your reading history, we think you will also enjoy the following books.
By Jules Wake
Full Of Romance And Humour, This Is A Book About Fresh Starts, Friendship And The Unexpected Places We Find Happiness. ‘i Love Getting Lost In A Jules Wake Book!’ Debbie Johnson, Bestselling Author Of The Comfort Food Cafe Series
By Jojo Moyes
last letter from your lover, the by moyes, jojo
By Philippe Besson
THE NO.1 FRENCH BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE MAISON DE LA PRESSE PRIZE'Stunning and heart-gripping' André Aciman, author of Call Me by Your Name'A beautiful, shattering novel about desire and shame, about passionate youth and the regrets of age' Olivia Laing, bestselling author of CrudoJust outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe, a famous writer, chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back to Philippe's teenage years, to a winter morning in 1984, a small French high school, and a carefully timed encounter between two seventeen-year-olds. It's the start of a secret, intensely passionate, world-altering love affair between Philippe and his classmate, Thomas.Dazzlingly rendered by Molly Ringwald, the acclaimed actor and writer, in her first-ever translation, Besson's exquisitely moving coming-of-age story captures the tenderness of first love - and the heart-breaking passage of time.'It has been years since anything moved me as much as Lie With Me. It will become a classic.' Jonathan Coe, bestselling author of Middle England'An intense, unforgettable novel, alive with the ache of longing and loss.' Sarah Waters, bestselling, award-winning author of The Little Stranger and Fingersmith'Devastating and tender; this is the book I wish I'd read when I was 15, and a book I'm glad to have as a companion now' Andrew McMillan, award-winning author of Physical'A deeply moving depiction of first love, both tender and elegiac.' John Boyne, bestselling author of A Ladder to the Sky and The Heart's Invisible Furies'A slender, sad, acute novel... absolutely excellent' Sarah Perry, bestselling author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth'A tender, sensuous novel' New York Times Book Review'Full of Proustian echoes, this story of gay adolescence deals with complex issues of class, shame and secrecy' Guardian'A poignant tale that captures the intensity of first love with all its sadness, longing and regret' Daily Mail'A clear-sighted and passionate coming-of-age narrative. Detailing in elegant and plain prose the anxious and intense first falling-in-love between two schoolboys, Lie With Me has a tenderness and insight that is reminiscent of the writings of Garth Greenwell. This novel can be read in a matter of hours, but its impact, like the love affair it details, will echo in the mind' Irish Times
By Mandy Baggot
*** 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
By Alix O'Neill
'Derry Girls meets David Sedaris' Elske Rahill 'The writing is full of energy and originality' Irish Times Growing up on the Falls Road in 1990s Belfast, Alix O'Neill has seen it all - burnt-out buses blocking the route to school, the police mistaking her father for a leading terrorist and a classmate playing hide and seek with her dad's prosthetic hand (blown off making a device for the IRA). Not that she or her friends are up to speed with the goings-on of the resistance. They're too preoccupied with the obsessions of every teenage girl - booze, boys and Boyzone - to worry about the violence on their doorstep. Besides, the odd coffee jar bomb is nothing compared to the drama about to explode in Alix's personal life. Desperate to leave Northern Ireland and the trials of her mother's unorthodox family - a loving yet eccentric band of misfits - behind, she makes grand plans for the next stage. But it's through these relationships and their gradual unravelling that Alix begins to appreciate not only the troubled history of where she comes from, but the strength of its women. Warm, embarrassing and full of love and insight, The Troubles with Us is a hilarious and moving account of the madness and mundanities of life in Northern Ireland during the thirty-year conflict. It's a story of mothers and daughters, the fallout from things left unsaid and the lengths a girl will go to for fake tan.
By Julie Shackman
Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for the perfect heartwarming and feel good cosy romance! When Scotland’s sleepiest hamlet becomes the centre of hot gossip, Layla Devlin finds herself caught in a mystery... When Layla’s fiancé has an unexpected heart attack and dies – in another woman’s arms, no less – Layla is determined to pack up and leave Loch Harris, the village she’s always called home. But an unexpected inheritance and love for her quiet corner of Scotland send her down a new path. Now Layla finds herself facing a whole new kind of drama. Rumours swirl that a celebrity has moved into Coorie Cottage and Layla is determined to have him headline her opening night at local music venue The Conch Club. But the reclusive star is equally determined to thwart Layla’s efforts. Rafe Buchanan is in hiding for a reason, and soon his past comes to Loch Harris to haunt him... ‘[a] cosy feel-good romance’ That’s Life! magazine Readers can’t get enough of A Secret Scottish Escape: ‘I loved the escape to the Scottish cottage, I truly felt like I was there!’ Maggie ‘A lovely book to add to your summer reading list’ Gea ‘Beautiful story with a beautiful cover...A new author for me and I cant wait to read more of her books’ Karen ‘Good to curl up with on a rainy afternoon’ Susan ‘This was such a cute book! I love the Scottish setting and the characters are so fun’ Cacie ‘The perfect escape...Lots of secrets come out that leave you wanting to read more’ Zoe ‘I loved traveling to Scotland in this book and reading about the small town life’ Arletta ‘I honestly enjoyed this book from the first page...we all love a happy ending’ Tracy ‘What a lovely story. Twists and turns all the way...You just have to read it’ Rosamond
By Christie Barlow
'This book is a beautiful, heartwarming read. It's a story of love, friendship and secrets and I devoured every page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Full of warmth, fun and feel-good factor' #1 Sunday Times Bestseller Katie Fforde When travel writer Jack Hartwell arrives on Puffin Island amidst a terrible storm, he stumbles into The Story Shop, the island's quaint bookshop. Seeking refuge, he finds himself immersed in Amelia Brown's enchanting world of books, puffins, and an eccentric group of book club regulars. So when the enigmatic Amelia challenges Jack to read a mysterious novel The Temptation Bucket List - and to complete its challenges with her - he can't resist. But with Jack's time on Puffin Island ticking away, the stakes rise. The final item on the list? To share a secret that no one else knows... Praise for The Story Shop: 'This book is a work of art and I think Christie's best one yet!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There is something magical about Christie's Puffin Island. I just adore this series' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Full of love, friendship and wonderful adventures ... a real page turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I fall more in love with Puffin Island and its inhabitants with each book! The Story Shop will get under your skin and stay with you long after you have finished reading it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If I could give this more than 5 stars I would! Well done Christie Barlow for writing such a stunning romantic, mystery masterpiece! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Christie Barlow has the knack of transporting you and making you want to be part of the community she writes about ... highly recommend' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Another brilliant read about Puffin Island. Christie Barlow never disappoints. Can't wait for the next one' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'I loved returning to Puffin Island and it's people. They feel like family to me. I hope this series never ends!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Maggie Sullivan
Heartwarming and nostalgic new Saga series from the author of Mother's Day on Coronation Street. It's 1940 and for the Lancashire town of Greenhill, everything is about to change... Local schoolteacher Violet Pegg is surprised to get a letter out of the blue. Her Canadian pen-friend, Daniel, will soon be joining the RAF and be stationed close by. Violet hopes their long-distant friendship is about to become something more. Vicky Buckley, the town postmistress, has recently married the local doctor, but she is shocked when an unexpected visitor turns up on her doorstep. Claire Gold works with her aunt, Sylvia, in the haberdashery shop. When Violet asks her for a favour, it sets off a chain of events that will threaten their friendship. With the dark clouds of conflict looming, will it be love, and not war, that Greenhill must contend with? Praise for Maggie Sullivan: 'A lovely, nostalgic choice read' Choice Magazine 'Perfect' Woman
By Emma-Claire Wilson
'Grab the tissues and clear your schedules as you will not be able to put this down!!!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Beautiful, emotional and hopeful, but have tissues to hand.' Liz Fenwick 'I read it in a day...even after finishing it, it's still lingering in my mind.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ------------------ One mistake could change their lives forever... My life is a mess. My marriage is falling apart, and I'd hoped the arrival of our baby girl would bring us closer together. Yet, as she grows, I see less of a resemblance to my husband, stirring unsettling questions. I was hoping a visit from my friend, Victoria would bring some stability. With her seemingly perfect life in Spain, she embodies hope for a brighter future. But our reunion has taken an unexpected turn. And when a shock diagnosis shakes our family further, Victoria doesn't know it yet, but she might just hold the key to saving our family. But if I want her to help, a big secret has to come out. Revealing the truth risks everything - my marriage, our friendship, our families. Can we weather this storm, or will it shatter us beyond repair? An emotional and powerful novel of motherhood, friendship and what family means to us all. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Susan Lewis. Praise for Emma-Claire Wilson: 'Tragic but ultimately uplifting.' Katie Fforde 'Definitely a page turner that you won't be able to put down!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Heartbreaking and heartwarming.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A heartfelt and suspenseful tale of an agonising life-and-death dilemma...this is a family drama that doesn't shy away from sadness and conflict but powers towards an ultimately hopeful conclusion.' Ali Mercer 'An unputdownable addictive emotional rollercoaster drama filled with love, family, heartbreak, friendship and loss.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A beautifully written and emotionally moving novel. All the characters in this book were amazing...it was impossible not to feel a connection with them!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An emotional story which broke my heart but was beautifully uplifting and filled with hope.' Emma Cowell 'An emotional, original read that gripped me from the start.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What an emotional ride...beautifully written!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This Child of Mine is an emotionally-charged, beautiful, and poignant story that will stay with me for a very long time. Wilson had me sobbing from the very first page, and I couldn't put the book down. An absolute triumph of a debut.' Natali Simmonds 'Full of raw emotion, sadness and heartache, but also family, friendship, smiles, laughter, and hope. I can't recommend it highly enough!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Beautifully written covering marriage, motherhood, social media issues, foster families, anger and love.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By Virginia Evans
Discover the emotional, funny, unforgettable BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, Amazon Best Book of 2025 so far and New York Times bestselling word-of-mouth sensation that thousands of readers are calling their favourite book of the year...⭐ Over 20,000 five-star reviews on Goodreads ⭐ 'THIS NOVEL IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION' Ann Patchett'I CAN'T PRAISE IT ENOUGH. AN ABSOLUTE TRIUMPH' Clare Chambers‘I DON'T HAVE ANY WORDS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY’ Reader review'I THINK I'VE JUST FINISHED MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR' Reader reviewA heartwarming, witty story about the life of an extraordinary woman, told through her letters, for fans of Olive Kitteridge, A Man Called Ove and 84 Charing Cross Road–Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books.Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length... Until letters from someone she had put out of her mind land on her doorstep, forcing her to reckon with her past mistakes.For as Sybil is about to learn: it’s never too late to write a few post-scripts.–⭐ THE BOOK THAT HAS CAPTURED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HEARTS ⭐‘I cried more than once as I witnessed this brilliant woman come to understand herself more deeply’ Florence Knapp, bestselling author of The Names 'Makes me hopeful that there's still plenty of good left in the world and my life ' Reader Review‘You will fall in love with Sybil. You will not want to let her go’ Irish Times‘Left a profound impact on me. Impossible not to be moved’ Reader review‘I can’t imagine anyone with a soul not loving it’ Lauren Bravo‘Full of joy. Full of heartbreak. Perfect’ Reader review