Recommendations based on "Hassles, Heart-pings! and Sad, Happy Endings"

An unmissable novel of love, disaster, heartbreak, and unexpected happy endings, by the bestselling British author of Maybe One Day. “When I was twenty-six years old my world was literally turned upside down and inside out, like a coat pocket being excavated for loose change. It was terrible, and frightening, and it taught me a lot of things I never wanted to know.” Elena Godwin has scrimped and saved for a relaxing dream holiday in Mexico with her handsome but laddish boyfriend Harry. Life has felt a bit less exciting than she’d imagined her twenties would be, and she's hoping the trip will add some sizzle. But on a gorgeous summer evening an earthquake strikes—shattering their peaceful vacation. The trauma changes Elena’s life forever. Ten years later, Elena still can't forget the face of the stranger she met that night—the man who may have saved her life. When they’re suddenly and unexpectedly thrown back together again, Elena starts to uncover the truth around that fateful night, and question whether she should have lived her life differently in the years afterwards. What if it’s not too late?

“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.

Gripping, emotional and uplifting – a novel about the true power of friendship.’a tender, emotional and uplifting read … I loved it’ Lucy Diamond’A superb writer – the Irish Jojo Moyes’ Irish Examiner The simple fact of the matter is that Iris loves life. Maybe she’s forgotten that. Sometimes that happens, doesn’t it? To the best of us? All I have to do is remind her of that one simple fact.Monday morning starts like any other – until Terry discovers her best friend Iris has gone missing. Finding her takes Terry, Iris and Terry’s confused father Eugene, into an extraordinary journey – one that will change all of their lives. And, along the way, what should be the worst six days of Terry’s life turn into the best.Because friendship teaches us all to be brave. And, sometimes, the rules are made to be broken.

‘an Intriguing Story About Family Life, Tenderly Told And Packing An Emotional Punch.’ Heidi Swain ‘love Comes In So Many Different Forms – You Just Don't Know When It Will Strike Or Where From. A Gloriously Romantic And Beautifully Written Novel!’ Phillipa Ashley Sometimes We Find Happiness Where We Least Expect It...

‘A superb writer…the Irish Jojo Moyes’ Irish ExaminerThe simple fact of the matter is that Iris loves life. Maybe she’s forgotten that. Sometimes that happens, doesn’t it? To the best of us?All I have to do is remind her of that one simple fact.When Iris Armstrong goes missing, her best friend Terry, wife, mother and all-round worrier, is convinced something bad has happened.And when she finds her glamorous, feisty friend, she’s right: Iris is setting out on a journey that she plans to make her last.The only way for Terry to stop Iris is to join her, on a road trip that will take her, Iris and Terry’s confused father Eugene onto a ferry, across the Irish sea and into an adventure that will change all of their lives.Somehow what should be the worst six days of Terry’s life turn into the best.

One summer can change everything . . .Perfect for readers who love Debbie Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Trisha Ashley.“Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read.” Katie Fforde"Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!" Jill MansellDemi doesn’t expect her summer in Cornwall to hold anything out of the ordinary. As a waitress, working all hours to make ends meet, washing dishes and serving ice creams seems to be as exciting as the holiday season is about to get.That’s until she meets Cal Penwith. An outsider, like herself, Cal is persuaded to let Demi help him renovate his holiday resort, Kilhallon Park. Set above an idyllic Cornish cove, the once popular destination for tourists has now gone to rack and ruin. During the course of the Cornish summer, Demi makes new friends – and foes – as she helps the dashing and often infuriating Cal in his quest. Working side by side, the pair grow close, but Cal has complications in his past which make Demi wonder if he could ever truly be interested in her.Demi realises that she has finally found a place she can call home. But as the summer draws to a close, and Demi’s own reputation as an up and coming café owner starts to spread, she is faced with a tough decision . . .A gorgeous story exploring new beginnings, new love and new opportunities, set against the stunning background of the Cornish coast – starring a feisty, compelling heroine who leaps off the page and encourages you to live your summer to the full.If you loved Summer at the Cornish Cafe, don’t miss the next in the Penwith Trilogy, Christmas at the Cornish Cafe!Phillipa Ashley's book 'Four Weddings and a Christmas' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-11-13.

In 1960, fourteen-year-old Laura meets French exchange student, Leon. Her life will never be the same again. Things start to change for Laura - first her moods, and then her body. Laura isn't prepared for what she learns next - and doesn't even know how it could have happened. Sent away to save her family from shame, Laura meets girls just like her, whose families have given up on them - and they become a family for each other at the most difficult time in all their lives. Not suitable for younger readers, discover the brand-new young adult read from one of Britain's favourite authors. A heartbreaking, compelling and timely story for older readers about teen pregnancy, family trouble and unlikely friendships, set in 1960. "Jacqueline Wilson understands the complex interpersonal relationships of teenagers so well and writes with an unparalleled realness and rawness. I loved this book. It was heartbreaking but warm, unflinching yet somehow cosy. Nobody writes like Jacqueline Wilson. Long may she reign! I couldn't get the characters out of my head." - Holly Bourne

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

From the bestselling author of PS I Love You comes a story of finding yourself – and finding your way home. Pip’s world is small. But it’s about to become a whole lot bigger. For years she’s tucked away her dreams, shrinking herself into the space left behind – like the delicate origami she creates alone in her room. Then hope comes from an unlikely place: an astronomer from the local observatory. He teaches her to look up at the stars, and to see a world far bigger and more beautiful than she ever imagined. And perhaps in that big, beautiful universe there’s someone waiting for her. If she can find the courage to open her heart. Pip never stopped dreaming, but now it’s time for her to live – and maybe even to fall in love. 'A lovely, transportive, deeply felt story. My heart grows a bit bigger each time I read a Cecelia Ahern book' Karin Slaughter 'An immersive, sometimes heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting rollercoaster read. Her best yet' Patricia Scanlan ‘A tender, moving story about second chances and the quiet courage it takes to hope again’ Louise O’Neill Cecelia Ahern's book 'In a Thousand Different Ways' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-04-10

Here's Rachel Walsh. Twenty-seven and the miserable owner of size 8 feet. She has regular congress with Luke Costello, a man who wears his leather trousers tight. And she's fond - some might say too fond - of recreational drugs. Until everything goes pear-shaped and she finds herself being frog-marched to the Cloisters - Dublin's answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She's outraged. Surely she's not thin enough to be an addict? But on the bright side, she's heard that rehab places are wall-to-wall jacuzzis, gymnasiums and rock stars going tepid turkey. Rachel isn't expecting plump, middle-aged men in brown jumpers, and more group therapy than you can shake a stick at. Worse still she seems to be expected to join in. Heartsick and Luke-sick, she seeks redemption in the shape of Chris, a Man with a Past. A man who might be more trouble than he's worth. Rachel is airlifted from addiction to the unfamiliar terrain of adulthood, via a love story or two, in a novel by turns poignant, powerful and seriously funny.