The back of the book states that the sisters' secrets would turn Harriets world upside down but i was completely dissapointed by those "secrets" All in all, it wasn't exactly a thrilling read and i'm glad i'm done reading it. Apr 05, Lisa Jayne rated it really liked it. This author writes brilliant, heart warming novels. I share a like with this author with my nana, she reads them and passes the dog-eared paperbacks on to me. If like me sometimes there's a need to have a break from over angst and college drama then this is the ticket.
Sweet, Moving, captivating, well written stories from the authors heart, to the pages we read. A solid read with a great message of Love. View all 4 comments. This was a really good book! One of my favourite reads this year. With an unexpected plot twist, to say the least. As well as having its own little mystery, which left me guessing until it finally unravelled.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romance, great story telling and a little bit of drama. Feb 27, Leanne Hunt rated it liked it Shelves: My overall impression of this book was that it dragged. The story of a young woman who finds herself the appointed guardian of her dead sister's two children, it has all the elements of a really heart-warming novel, yet it lacks drama and pace. I think this has to do with the character of Harriet, who is strictly objective and analytical by nature. Compared to her dead sister Felicity, she has no secret passions or fierce inner conflicts because she habitually scrutinises her motivations and act My overall impression of this book was that it dragged.
Compared to her dead sister Felicity, she has no secret passions or fierce inner conflicts because she habitually scrutinises her motivations and actions. While this makes her a strong central character with lessons of her own to learn, it means the reader is stuck with the viewpoint of a rather pedantic individual, and is only exposed to colourful emotional responses through the narratives of the children. This said though, the book does have thought-provoking themes. I enjoyed the opportunity to compare examples of love and devotion as played out in childhood friendships, work relationships, family connections and forbidden love affairs.
Erica James is an author with a keen eye for what makes people tick and her insights into life's challenges are illuminating. Aug 12, Debbie Gascoyne rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed this book. Maybe I'm turning into my mother, or maybe I'm just developing a taste for books about ordinary people and complicated relationships, but there was a lot to enjoy in this.
I particularly liked that the characters were so well rounded and Like a father acknowledging to himself that he loved one daughter best. Or a m I really enjoyed this book. Or a mother who was so stupefied by alcohol one evening that she couldn't pick up the phone when her daughter was having a medical emergency. I had some reservation about an event towards the end that I felt was a bit arbitrary, and I felt that things were tied up maybe a bit too neatly at the end, but I enjoyed spending time with these characters and will seek out more of this author's books.
Aug 05, Judith Cranswick rated it liked it. Though I enjoyed the basic story, I have to say I expected more from an author of this standing. I found much of the plot - the identity of the secret lover and Harriet's eventual choice of lover - predictable from the very beginning. It's greatest failing was that there were far too many different points of view - at least 10 on a quick count back, possibly more. Reasonably enjoyable light read. Characters were annoying and stupid at times, but story had an interesting premise.
Nov 06, Marte Haga rated it liked it Shelves: Denne vil eg nok plassere innenfor "chick - lit" - kategorien. Og innenfor den grupperinga er eg sjeldan begeistra. Oct 28, Lisa rated it liked it. Harriet is dealing with a sense of duty rather than maternal love,when at the age of 33 she finds she must look after her sisters young children when their parents are killed in a car accident.
But then she finds out her sister was having an affair she is determined to find out with who. The story deals with grief, mental illness, divorce, affairs, love, passion, the drudg Harriet is dealing with a sense of duty rather than maternal love,when at the age of 33 she finds she must look after her sisters young children when their parents are killed in a car accident. The story deals with grief, mental illness, divorce, affairs, love, passion, the drudge of life and manages to come up trumps with a solid story and likeable real life characters. This book is about family, love and hope after tragedy.
The main thing I noticed was how the characters changed for the better. I would have liked to know what the future holds for Dominic and Will but as quoted in the book endings are not always tied with a Silk ribbon! Dat komt er redelijk uit en verder tamelijk voorspelbaar relatie gedoe. Beetje onaangename personen, beetje veel oninteressante details, de helft erg diagonaal gelezen: It turns that this was a re-read for me but still enjoyable the second time around.
Erica James's novels are very easy to read and the story line is always good with a surprising twist that I didn't remember from reading the book the first time. Aug 29, Sall rated it it was amazing. A relaxing, entertaining yet thrilling read. Lives turned upside down and being put together couple with new adventures made for an exhilarating read. I couldn't put this book down and read it over two nights, I now have a book hangover!
Heb het boek uitgelezen, omdat de beschrijving er goed zag. Vond het wel langdradig. Sep 03, Janet rated it liked it. I like Erica James. This was not a favourite. It was a good story but very sad and I felt it was a bit depressing in parts. However, the satisfactory ending earned it 3 stars. May 08, Judy Spare rated it really liked it. A little too long. Sep 13, Wendy rated it really liked it. Really enjoyed this book which has some unexpected twists.
Hooked A great read. I could not put the book down. It was emotional, light hearted writing at its best. You won't be disappointed. Oct 20, Bookworman rated it it was ok Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Too gloomy for me and way too much infidelity. I kept hoping it would get better but never did. Jan 18, Smriti Brar rated it liked it. Makes for a fine read. It beautifully depicts the gradual growth of a woman into a mother figure.
Lots of parallel elements thrown in. It won't be high on my recommendation list but it is readable. Sep 05, Genia rated it liked it. Nov 25, Elaine rated it really liked it. Mar 08, Mrs C. Giving an insight into the lives of ordinary people with very unexpected twist and turns. A real twist to your ordinary romance stories.
I was born in Surrey but grew up on Hayling Island in Hampshire after moving there at the age of four. Harriet Swift, a 32 year old computer programmer, living a happy, settled life in Oxford is jolted out of her comfort zone when her sister dies. The Real Katie Lavender 3. Only flag comments that clearly need our attention. Song of the Skylark Author: Return to Book Page.
It was a book I could not put down. Much to my families annoyance!!! What are your hobbies?
The Erica James Collection (ebook): 5 Great Novels - Kindle edition by Erica James. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The Erica James Collection (ebook): 5 Great Novels eBook: Erica James: www.farmersmarketmusic.com: Kindle Store.
I love going somewhere new, but am equally happy to return to a favourite place, such as Corfu or Venice. What single thing might people be surprised to learn about you? I travelled all the way to New York to see them last year.
February Book of the Month. Romily, an author of mystery novels, returns home after a European promotional tour just shortly before her great love, Jack Devereux, somewhat her senior, falls ill and dies. A motley bunch who all seem to dislike each other and squabble. They have to stay in the family house for a week if they wish to inherit. The boys disperse, the younger to join the RAF in Canada, the bullying elder to an Admiralty desk job he is blind in one eye.
All in all the women pull together and fair well, the men less so. A rambling cottage on the edge of a Suffolk village, it provided a perfect sanctuary to hide from the tragedy which shattered her childhood. Now an adult, Saskia is still living at Ashcombe and as a book restorer devotes her days tending to broken and battered books, daydreaming about the people who had once turned their pages. When she discovers a hidden notebook - and realises someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to hide a story of their own - Saskia finds herself drawn into a heart-rending tale of wartime love.
Paperback b Format Release Date: Winner of The Romantic Novel of the Year Warm, romantic fiction with the Italian Lakes and a love of gardening thrown in. Fiona Walker, Rebecca HorsfallComparison: May Book of the Month. Now suddenly she has come up with something on a different level. A big, gritty saga full of incident; a tale of first love, family tragedy, drama, mistaken guilt and a past that needs to be laid to rest - it is excellent.
Lake Como - beautiful, enchanting, romantic For Floriana, it is the place where the love of her life is getting married to another woman. And she's been invited to the wedding. For Esme, it is where, over 60 years ago, she fell in love for the first time. So often she's wondered what happened to the man who stole her heart - and changed the course of her life.
Adam is in danger of burying himself entirely in his work after his girlfriend left him. Could a trip to Lake Como be the distraction he needs? Now it's time for each of them to understand that the past is not only another country, it can also cast haunting shadows over everyone's lives March Book of the Month. A hit-and-run accident knocking Floriana off her bicycle introduces her to two saviours, one old lady Esme, one young man Adam. These are our three main characters in a charming tale of reflection, past trauma and regrets as the newfound friends find comfort in each other.
A trip to Italy digging up the past climaxes the plot in a lovely warm read with great descriptions of the lakes and some well portrayed characters. It is a lovely read. Having spent all her life supporting her husband and family and always compromising herself for the sake of family harmony, Mia Channing is frankly emotionally exhausted - even though on the surface it looks as if she pretty much has it all. Perfect for readers of Maeve Binchy or Cathy Kelly.
July Book of the Month. A lovely warm and witty tale of unexpected inheritance, family, background and life. Katie Lavender gets a request to visit a solicitor where she receives a letter from her deceased mother that literally changes everything she ever knew about herself All good fun from the bestselling author Erica James.
September Book of the Month. Warm, witty and wise storytelling with a lovely, feel-good factor and a charming, intriguing plot. It turns out they both have something to hide. The interplay between them is beautifully handled in a fast-paced, light read with a dark centre, just like a fine chocolate. This is an unabridged audiobook title. Fans of Erica James will notice she has stepped up a league with this one.
It concerns two people each with something to hide and the interplay between them is ace. This is an Unabridged audiobook title, which includes every word that you would otherwise find in the printed edition. Click here to take a peek at our selection of Unabridged audiobooks. The story of two couples who survived the Boxing Day tsunami and how their lives changed in the following four years. Erica cannot put a foot wrong, her novels get stronger with each.
Wringing the emotion through laughter and tears she is the ideal companion to sit down with and enjoy. It is a wholly satisfying read. A long summer holiday on the beautiful island of Corfu is just what Izzy Jordan needs, but is she prepared for the romance and drama?
Another blockbuster from bestseller Erica James - set beside the sea in idyllic Pembrokeshire. After tragedy, how do you find love again? Bestselling Erica James explores the stories of a potent mix of characters who meet at a creative writers' group. Winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year Grab yourself a cuppa, get comfy on the sofa and escape to Italy with this brilliantly warm and funny read from Erica James. With wonderful characters, good plotting and a generous helping of romance you'll feel like you've had a holiday once you get to the end! It was the summer it all ended.
It was the summer a new story began. Linston End has been the summer home to three families for several decades. The memories of their time there are ingrained in their hearts: But recently widowed Alastair is about to shock his circle of friends with the decisions he has made - and the changes it will mean for them all Can these friends learn to live life to its fullest? Fans of Fern Britton and Katie Fforde will love escaping into summertime with this warm-hearted, uplifting story set in the beauty of the Norfolk Broads. Fans of Fern Britton and Katie Fforde will love this warm-hearted, uplifting story set in the beauty of the Norfolk Broads.
From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake, comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way. It's the summer of , and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, the charismatic Jack Devereux.
But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called home and given seven days to find a way to bury their resentments and come together. With war now declared, each member of the family is reluctantly forced to accept their new stepmother and confront their own shortcomings. But can the habits of a lifetime be changed in one week? And can Romily, a woman who thrives on adventure, cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her? Readers are captivated by Coming Home to Island House: Highly recommended' 'One of those glorious stories where you don't want to put the book down!
I absolutely adored it' 'A captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read. If you enjoy superbly written character-driven stories this this one is a must-read' 'A beautiful story about family and friendship After touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple returns home to Island House and the love of her life, Jack Devereux. But when Jack falls ill, his estranged family are called to his bedside. But can Romily cope with the life that has been so unexpectedly thrust upon her? Venice has been Lydia's home for many years, a place where she has found peace and fulfilment.
Then one day she glimpses a young man's face in the crowd that threatens to change everything. He's a heart-stopping reminder of a dreadful secret she believed she had banished to the past As a young child, Lydia and her sister were sent to live with grandparents they'd never even met before.
It was a cruel and loveless new world for them and it forced Lydia to grow up fast. She learned to keep secrets and to trust sparingly, and through it all she was shadowed by grief and guilt. Now, twenty-eight years later, Lydia is persuaded to leave behind the safe new life she has created for herself and return to England to face the past. And maybe her future. The perfect escapist read for fans of Santa Montefiore and Katie Fforde. Lizzie has an unfortunate knack for attracting bad luck, but this time she's hit the jackpot.
Losing her heart to her boss at the radio station where she works leads directly to losing her job, and with no money in the bank she's forced to swallow her pride and return home to her parents. As if that wasn't bad enough, her mother finds her work at the local care home for the elderly, and it's there that Lizzie meets Mrs Dallimore. In her nineties, Mrs Dallimore also finds herself in a situation which she's reluctantly coming to terms with. Old age has finally caught up with her, and with her life drawing to a close she gives in to the temptation to relive the past by sharing it with Lizzie.
She tells Lizzie of the day when, as a young girl, and shortly before the outbreak of World War II, she left her home in America to cross the Atlantic to England where she hoped to meet her English grandparents for the first time. At best she hoped for a family reconciliation, but before long her visit turned into so much more. As Lizzie listens to Mrs Dallimore's story, she begins to realize that she's not the only person to attract bad luck, or make mistakes, and maybe things aren't so bad for her after all.
Lizzie has always had bad luck. Losing her heart to her boss leads to her losing her job and with no money in the bank, Lizzie finds herself forced to move back home with her parents. Now in her nineties, Mrs Dallimore is also coming to terms with her situation. Old age is finally catching up with her. As they form the bond of unexpected friendship, Lizzie begins to realise that she's not the only person to attract bad luck, and that sometimes life has a way of surprising you But for Ali, the season of good cheer is the anniversary of her baby's death.
She gives in to her best friend Sarah's cajoling to share the festive season with her. The only trouble is, it means having to be nice to Sarah's awful husband, Trevor. Ali takes it upon herself to play God with her friend's incomprehensible marriage. But Ali's meddling has consequences even she could not have foreseen A gorgeous tale of friendship and love from Sunday Times bestseller Erica James. Ashcombe was the most beautiful house Saskia had ever seen as a little girl. A rambling pink cottage on the edge of the Suffolk village of Melbury Green, its enchanting garden provided a fairy-tale playground of seclusion, a perfect sanctuary to hide from the tragedy which shattered her childhood.
Now an adult, Saskia is still living at Ashcombe and as a book restorer devotes her days tending to the broken, battered books that find their way to her, daydreaming about the people who had once turned their pages. When she discovers a notebook carefully concealed in an old Bible - and realising someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to hide a story of their own - Saskia finds herself drawn into a heart-rending tale of wartime love She's thirty-one, with a teaching career on the skids - not surprising, really, given that she harbours a strong desire to lock her pupils in the art room cupboard and throw away the key.
She also has a manipulative mother and an ex-boyfriend whose parting shot was to tell her she was boring in bed! So when she's invited to spend the summer on Corfu and is offered the chance of a no-strings holiday romance with the irresistible Theo, what should she do? Go for it, or listen to the voice of Modern Woman and tell him to sling his hook? Just as she thinks she's made up her mind, along comes Mark, whose turbulent past sets in motion a series of dramatic events Seven brilliant novels from one of contemporary women's fiction's best writers.
Full of Erica James's signature warmth, wit and compelling characters. Erica James's true-to-life novels are well observed, insightful and compulsive. We all have dreams, but not all of us have the courage or opportunity to follow them Funny, sad and frustrating, but an excellent compulsive read'Woman's Realm Contains: