Recommendations based on "The Weekend"

“A beautiful debut, funny, tender, and animated by a willingness to confront life’s obstacles and find a way to survive. . . . It celebrates friendship, finds meaning in difficulty and lets the reader explore dark places while always allowing for the possibility of light. Lenni and Margot are fine companions for all our springtime journeys.”—Harper’s Bazaar, UKA charming, fiercely alive and disarmingly funny debut novel in the vein of John Green, Rachel Joyce, and Jojo Moyes—a brave testament to the power of living each day to the fullest, a tribute to the stories that we live, and a reminder of our unlimited capacity for friendship and love.An extraordinary friendship. A lifetime of stories.Seventeen-year-old Lenni Pettersson lives on the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Though the teenager has been told she’s dying, she still has plenty of living to do. Joining the hospital’s arts and crafts class, she meets the magnificent Margot, an 83-year-old, purple-pajama-wearing, fruitcake-eating rebel, who transforms Lenni in ways she never imagined.As their friendship blooms, a world of stories opens for these unlikely companions who, between them, have been alive for one hundred years. Though their days are dwindling, both are determined to leave their mark on the world. With the help of Lenni’s doting palliative care nurse and Father Arthur, the hospital’s patient chaplain, Lenni and Margot devise a plan to create one hundred paintings showcasing the stories of the century they have lived—stories of love and loss, of courage and kindness, of unexpected tenderness and pure joy.Though the end is near, life isn’t quite done with these unforgettable women just yet.Delightfully funny and bittersweet, heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot reminds us of the preciousness of life as it considers the legacy we choose to leave, how we influence the lives of others even after we’re gone, and the wonder of a friendship that transcends time.From the beautiful cover to the heart-warming story, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot is a book that will touch your soul and make you appreciate the beauty of life. This literary fiction novel is one of the best books of all time, and it's perfect for anyone who loves novels about love, grief, and friendship.

A delightfully queer Victorian love story, featuring a boldly brash trans hero, the beguiling botanist who captures his heart, and a buoyant bicycle race by the British seaside — from the author of The Duke Undone.Former painter and unreformed rake Kit Griffith is forging a new life in Cornwall, choosing freedom over an identity that didn't fit. He knew that leaving his Sisterhood of women artists might mean forfeiting artistic community forever. He didn’t realize he would lose his ability to paint altogether. Luckily, he has other talents. Why not devote himself to selling bicycles and trysting with the holidaymakers?Enter Muriel Pendrake, the feisty New-York-bound botanist who has come to St. Ives to commission Kit for illustrations of British seaweeds. Kit shouldn’t accept Muriel’s offer, but he must enlist her help to prove to an all-male cycling club that women can ride as well as men. And she won't agree unless he gives her what she wants. Maybe that's exactly the challenge he needs.As Kit and Muriel spend their days cycling together, their desire begins to burn with the heat of the summer sun. But are they pedaling toward something impossible? The past is bound to catch up to them, and at the season’s end, their paths will diverge. With only their hearts as guides, Kit and Muriel must decide if they’re willing to race into the unknown for the adventure of a lifetime.

Years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive a child have broken more than Angie DeSaria’s heart. Following a painful divorce, she moves back to her small Pacific Northwest hometown and takes over management of her family’s restaurant. In West End, where life rises and falls like the tides, Angie’s fortunes will drastically change yet again when she meets and befriends a troubled young woman.Angie hires Lauren Ribido because she sees something special in the seventeen-year-old. They quickly form a deep bond, and when Lauren is abandoned by her mother, Angie offers the girl a place to stay. But nothing could have prepared Angie for the far-reaching repercussions of this act of kindness. Together, these two women—one who longs for a child and the other who longs for a mother’s love—will be tested in ways that neither could have imagined.Praise for The Things We Do for Love“[Kristin] Hannah is superb at delving into her main characters’ psyches and delineating nuances of feeling.” —The Washington Post Book World“Wonderful . . . enormously touching . . . The warmth and complexities of these characters grab hold of the heartstrings.”—RT Book Reviews“Wrenching, convincing . . . bittersweet.”—Publishers Weekly

A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion, from the New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script“This book is like a spicy margarita… sweet and a little salty, tart and hot… I have fallen in love with Dolly and with funny, fizzing Annabel Monaghan!”—Catherine Newman, New York Times bestselling author of SandwichIf they start by pretending, can they end with something real?Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home.So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and kisses that hit her bloodstream like a ghost pepper, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself, can she really start now?

'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' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two women at different stages of life find themselves on a journey of renewal after undergoing hardships in this uplifting novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.“Wise, warm, witty, and charmingly full of hope, this story celebrates the surprising and unexpected ways that family, friendship, and love can lift us up.”—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four WindsJoan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who has been begging Joan to reengage with the world. With Emmie’s support, Joan gathers the courage to take some long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again. Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon nursing classes. She lives with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home. In the unexpected warmth of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie’s budding attraction to one of her favorite customers ruin the harmony she’s only recently found with Joan? Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who’s been revitalizing her garden—a man who seems to harbor a past loss of his own?  As Maggie and Joan confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from this new friendship in surprising ways—discovering in the process that “found family” is often the very best kind.

'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!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Karon knits Mitford's small-town characters and multiple story lines into a cozy sweater of a book.... Somewhere Safe hits the sweet spot at the intersection of your heart and your funny bone. 4/4 stars" — USA Today "Welcome home, Mitford fans...to Karon's gift for illuminating the struggles that creep into everyday lives—along with a vividly imagined world." —People "The faster and more impersonal the world becomes, the more we need...Mitford."— Cleveland Plain Dealer After five hectic years of retirement from Lord’s Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia, from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his Irish ancestors. While glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing: a pulpit. But when he’s offered one, he decides he doesn’t want it. Maybe he’s lost his passion. His adopted son, Dooley, wrestles with his own passion—for the beautiful and gifted Lace Turner, and his vision to become a successful country vet. Dooley’s brother, Sammy, still enraged by his mother’s abandonment, destroys one of Father Tim’s prized possessions. And Hope Murphy, owner of Happy Endings bookstore, struggles with the potential loss of her unborn child and her hard-won business. All this as Wanda’s Feel Good Café opens, a romance catches fire through an Internet word game, their former mayor hatches a reelection campaign to throw the bums out, and the weekly Muse poses a probing inquiry: Does Mitford still take care of its own? Millions of fans will applaud the chance to spend time, once more, in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon’s characters. Indeed, they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and engaging.

Escape to the beautiful Wishington Bay in this heart-warming rom-com! Holly doesn’t have time for a holiday this year. But when her job threatens to send her over the brink, her boss insists she take a sabbatical. So she packs her bags and escapes to her beloved grandmother Gigi’s house on Wishington Bay, which has sat empty since Gigi passed away. But Holly’s dreams of a coastal escape take an unexpected turn. Holly didn’t expect to spend time with any man this summer – let alone an Aussie Adonis...but when she meets her next door neighbour Gabe and his little dog Bryan, it’s clear her quiet summer of strolling along the sand and wandering through the seaside village’s tiny streets on her own will come with a hefty dose of distraction. With a summer to fill and Gigi’s wonderful and surprising house to sort through, Holly knew it would be a summer packed with old memories. She just didn’t expect to make so many new ones... Coming Home to Wishington Bay is the new gorgeous uplifting rom-com from Maxine Morrey, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan! Readers love Coming Home to Wishington Bay! 'If you're looking for a romantic, swoon-worthy, make your heart happy kind of read, then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this wonderful book today!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I love Maxine's books and once again she has written a gem of a book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Coming Home to Wishington Bay had me laughing my head off... and made my heart soar' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Falling into the pages of this book really did feel like coming home. There was just such a comforting, cosy feel to this story, and even when I wasn't reading, my heart was with Holly in Wishington Bay' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A little gem. 5*’ Samantha Tonge, bestselling author of The New Beginnings Coffee Club You’re never too old to try something new! When octogenarian Olive Turner is persuaded by her son to move into a retirement home, she congratulates herself on finding the secret to an easy life: no washing up, cooking or cleaning. But Olive isn’t one for mindless bingo with her fellow residents, and before the first day is over she's already hatching a plan to escape back to her beloved beach hut and indulge in her secret passion for a very good gin & tonic. Before long Olive’s secret is out and turning into something wonderful and new. Only a select few are invited, but word spreads quickly about the weekly meetings of The Gin Shack Club. Soon everybody on the beach wants to become a gin connoisseur and join Olive on her journey to never being forced to grow older than you feel. A journey of friendship, defiance and a quest for the perfect G&T. Readers LOVE The Gin Shack on the Beach! ‘Wow, what a lovely story! The book captured me from the start...This book was a breath of fresh air!... This is a book that I won’t forget in a hurry, genuinely one that everyone should read. Highly recommended.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘I absolutely loved it! This is a 5 star book all the way and I’m only sorry that it ended.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book is a hoot and I spent a glorious Saturday immersed between the pages and absolutely loved every moment of it. Fantastic.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘I adored absolutely everything about this book!... Fantastic and utterly fun.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘Brilliantly written, and a story of not growing old gracefully.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘Perfect summer reading, or for anytime really when you want a feel-good and uplifting read.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars