Зарубежный юмор - ТОП 50 лучших книг

Porcos no Paraíso é sátira, política, literária, e engraçada. Um exercício de liberdade de expressão, é também uma crítica à religião na política, nomeadamente ao evangelismo americano. Quando Blaise dá à luz a Lizzy, a ”bezerra vermelha” numa quinta israelita, as massas afloram em massa para testemunharem o nascimento milagroso que irá anunciar o fim do mundo e o regresso ou chegada do Messias, dependendo do campo, cristão ou judeu. Quando a promessa do fim chega ao fim, e o bezerro vermelho se torna manchado, não mais digno de sacrifício de sangue, os fiéis de todo o mundo ficam caídos de crista. Por esta altura, dois ministros evangélicos, como representantes de uma mega-igreja na América, já chegaram. Eles fazem um acordo com a moshavnik israelita, e os animais da quinta israelita estão a chegar à América. Entretanto, o Papa Benevolente absolve os judeus, canta karaoke com o Rabino Ratzinger, e Boris, um javali de Berkshire e um Messias animal, é servido como prato principal na última ceia. Para não s…

‘A heartwarming summer read.’ Sunday ExpressThe wonderful seaside story from Jennifer Bohnet, perfect for fans of Fern Britton and Veronica Henry!Time’s running out to save the little kiosk by the sea…Sabine knows that if she doesn’t come up with a plan to save her little kiosk soon, it might be too late. If only her best friend Owen would stop distracting her with marriage proposals!Harriet is returning to Dartmouth for the first time in thirty years, haunted by the scandal that drove her away and shocked by an inheritance that could change everything.Rachel never expected to find love again after her world was shattered a year ago. But it seems as if the sleepy seaside town has different ideas…One thing’s for sure, it’s a summer they will never forget!Praise for Jennifer Bohnet‘A heartwarming summer read.’ Sunday Express‘An absolute delight from start to finish.’ Nudge Books‘A thoroughly charming, captivating read’ Reviewed the Book‘A wonderful escape, overflowing with secrets. I couldn’t have loved thi…

A text-only version of the bestselling book.TV Cream Toys celebrates the presents that we hoped, wished and prayed would turn up in the Christmas stockings of yesteryear. From Big Trak to Buckaroo!, Mastermind to Merlin, Sorry! to Strawberry Shortcake, each peerless plaything from the '60s through to the '90s is examined and catalogued (in the Argos, rather than the scientific, sense).Culled from award-winning retro website TV Cream, this book lists a wealth of fondly remembered toys, games, and novelties, and unearths quite a few of the oft-forgotten classics that, even to this day, remain treasured in the hearts of our inner children.LET THE BLIZZARD OF MR MEN WRAPPING PAPER COMMENCE…

A text-only version of the bestselling book.TV Cream Toys celebrates the presents that we hoped, wished and prayed would turn up in the Christmas stockings of yesteryear. From Big Trak to Buckaroo!, Mastermind to Merlin, Sorry! to Strawberry Shortcake, each peerless plaything from the '60s through to the '90s is examined and catalogued (in the Argos, rather than the scientific, sense).Culled from award-winning retro website TV Cream, this book lists a wealth of fondly remembered toys, games, and novelties, and unearths quite a few of the oft-forgotten classics that, even to this day, remain treasured in the hearts of our inner children.LET THE BLIZZARD OF MR MEN WRAPPING PAPER COMMENCE…

Life after Deborah reaffirms Nobbs as the best writer of comedy and observer of the nuances of human nature that there is today.One man, five very different women.James Hollingshurst is a man shaped by those who surround him. And in James's case, it's some very different women. Be it his trusty wife Deborah, his hapless PA Marcia or his ex-girlfriend Jane. And there's one woman in James's life who looks set to upset the status quo…But a tragic accident is about to shake the bedrock of life as James knows it. An event sets a train in motion, which will challenge everything he's ever known and everyone he's ever loved. It will also bring his beloved daughter, Charlotte who he has not seen for fifteen years, tantalisingly close to him…

The ebook bestseller is back with her next riotously funny read! Get your hands on the ONLY book you need this summer.Katy Peacock lives a life as colourful as her name.As a wedding photographer, she spends her days making other people smile as she captures all sorts of fun and capers at celebrations that range from the wacky to the wild.But her own life isn’t looking quite so rosy. Her mum is acting out of character, her menacing ex is back on the scene, and she is torn between two gorgeous men. And that’s before we even get started on the trouble her sister is causing . . .As Katy weathers the ups and downs of the season, she revisits problems from the past, discovers new friendships and finds that four weddings and a fiasco have the power to change her world beyond measure.A funny, feel-good read, perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond and Jenny Colgan.

Ottercombe Bay was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.‘Bella Osborne has such a nice touch with description that I was utterly charmed by Ottercombe Bay’ Sue Moorcroft‘Absolutely brilliant. It's funny, heartwarming, entertaining and I couldn't put it down. It's exactly what you need if you want a delightful summer read’ Phillipa AshleyDaisy Wickens has returned to Ottercombe Bay, the picturesque Devon town where her mother died when she was a girl. She plans to leave as soon as her great uncle’s funeral is over, but Great Uncle Reg had other ideas. He’s left Daisy a significant inheritance – an old building in a state of disrepair, which could offer exciting possibilities, but to get it she must stay in Ottercombe Bay for twelve whole months.With the help of a cast of quirky locals, a few gin cocktails and a black pug with plenty of attitude, Daisy might just turn this into something special. But can she ever hope to be happy among the ghosts of her past?…

There’s no place to fall in love like the place you left your heart Welcome to Honeymoon Harbor, the brand-new, long-awaited series by beloved New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross, where unforgettable characters come face-to-face with the kind of love that grabs your heart and never lets go.Working as a Las Vegas concierge, Brianna Mannion is an expert at making other people’s wishes come true. It’s satisfying work, but a visit home to scenic Honeymoon Harbor turns into a permanent stay when she's reminded of everything she’s missing: the idyllic small-town charm, the old Victorian house she’d always coveted, and Seth Harper, her best friend’s widower and the neighborhood boy she once crushed on—hard. After years spent serving others, maybe Brianna’s finally ready to chase dreams of her own.Since losing his wife, Seth has kept busy running the Harper family’s renovation business and flying way under the social radar. But when Brianna hires him to convert her aging dream home into a romantic B&B, w…

Sometimes love needs a Christmas Miracle…‘Morgan excels in balancing the sweet and sexy to create the perfect blend.’-BooklistHopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. Even if she is spending it alone housesitting a spectacular Fifth Avenue apartment. What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous–and mysterious–owner.Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods captures a community's heartfelt fight to preserve the innocence of childhood. When bullying threatens to destroy a teen's life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J.C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to assure that a promising student’s future isn't ruined.And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina. Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?“Woods always thrills with her wonderful characters, witty dialogue and warm and loving family interactions.”—RT Book Reviews

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods captures a community's heartfelt fight to preserve the innocence of childhood. When bullying threatens to destroy a teen's life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J.C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to assure that a promising student’s future isn't ruined.And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina. Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?“Woods always thrills with her wonderful characters, witty dialogue and warm and loving family interactions.”—RT Book Reviews

Welcome to the little cafe in Copenhagen where the smell of cinnamon fills the air, the hot chocolate is as smooth as silk and romance is just around the corner…‘An irresistible combination of Danish happiness and hygge in one un-put-down-able story’Sunday Times bestseller Katie FfordePublicist Kate Sinclair’s life in London is everything she thought she wanted: success, glamour and a charming boyfriend. Until that boyfriend goes behind her back and snatches a much sought-after promotion from her.Heartbroken and questioning everything, Kate needs to escape.From candles and cosy nights in to romantic late-night walks through the beautiful cobbled streets of Copenhagen, Kate discovers how to live life ‘the Danish way’. Can the secrets of hygge and happiness lead her to her own happily-ever-after?Everybody loves Julie Caplin…‘A fantastic, huggable, hilarious and addictive read’ The Writing Garnet‘It’s all about the feels…I absolutely loved it’ The Cosiest Corner‘Sweet, funny and deliciously heart-warming’ Fr…

'In a tone similar to Sophie Kinsella but altogether her own, Katie Oliver will write her way into your heart with her characters and her stories.' – A Woman ReadingWhen your name is Lizzy Bennet and Mr Darcy lives next door, romance is anything but simple…Especially since a film crew has just arrived to shoot Pride and Prejudice at the Darcy estate! And when Hugh Darcy, the one who got away, arrives home after 8 years absence, Lizzy can’t help but think it’s fate. Until, that is, he introduces her to Holly – his fiancée…What can Lizzy do but try not to feel too prejudiced against Hugh’s new woman – a city girl who knows nothing about country life, and seems more concerned with her film star ex than her current fiancé?There’s no denying that there’s something suspicious about Holly’s interest in Hugh…and when he begins to have doubts about his high-maintenance fiancée, it seems a break up is on the cards. But is it too late for Lizzy to swallow her pride and get her Austen ending after all?Look out for mo…

Entre las muchas figuras que se pueden esbozar en este libro, está Meggy, el ama de casa compulsiva, Doroty la perfeccionista o Fanny, el ama de casa vacilante… luego está Molly, el ama de casa desesperada: ella no quería vivir su vida como ama de casa. Odia el polvo que se cuela por todas partes. Lo odia con la misma intensidad con la que puede odiar a la amante de su marido. Odia las plantas en la terraza que, al igual que su dinero, no pueden llegar a fin de mes. Entre las muchas figuras que se pueden esbozar en este libro, está Meggy, el ama de casa compulsiva, Doroty la perfeccionista o Fanny, el ama de casa vacilante… luego está Molly, el ama de casa desesperada: ella no quería su vida como ama de casa. Odia el polvo que se cuela por todas partes. Lo odia con la misma intensidad con la que puede odiar a la amante de su marido. Odia las plantas en la terraza que, al igual que su dinero, no pueden llegar a fin de mes. Luego está el Ama de Casa Ideal, siempre luchando contra el tiempo, las tareas y los…

Lee las divertidas e impresionantes aventuras de Inca y su familia de amigos peludos grabadas a través de los ojos de Inca, una gatita siberiana… ¡Inca decide comenzar un Diario! Una saga conmovedora se desarrolla mientras mantiene al lector emocionado mientras registra sus hazañas detectivescas. Lee las divertidas e impresionantes aventuras de Inca y su familia de amigos peludos grabadas a través de los ojos de Inca, una gatita siberiana. ¡Inca decide comenzar un Diario! Una saga conmovedora se desarrolla mientras mantiene al lector emocionado registrando sus hazañas detectivescas. Cuando los incas y su familia se mudan a Londres desde París, hacen un nuevo grupo de amigos, incluyendo a Monk, un gato ruso azul y Terrence, un Golden Retriever que hábil y valientemente ayuda a su mundialmente famoso detective dueño, Solo. Inspirada por las aventuras de sus nuevos amigos, Inca se propone la tarea de convertirse en la mejor detective de gatos del mundo y comienza a llevar un diario de sus hazañas. Cuando Mon…

Winner of the Prima Flirty Fiction CompetitionThe perfect escape to the country…Recently single and tired of the London rat race Amanda is determined to make her dreams of setting up an idyllic countryside boutique come true, and the picturesque village of Westfield is the perfect place tomake a fresh start.Local vet Ben is the golden boy of West¬field, especially to resident gossip Agatha Mayweather, who is determined to help Ben get his life back together after his wife left.When a chance encounter outside the ‘chic boutique’ sets sparks flying between Amanda and Ben, Agatha is itching to set them up. But are Amanda and Ben really ready for romance?The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is the debut novel from Rachel Dove, winner of The Prima Flirty Fiction Competition. You won’t be able to resist this heart-warming romantic story set in an idyllic Yorkshire village, full of lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments…as Amanda finds her way to a second chance at life and love. This is the reading escape y…

A sparkling romantic comedy guaranteed to have you dreaming of the sunny slopes!Up in the magical, snow-kissed mountains…Two years ago, Annie Brewer’s life was turned upside down when her adrenaline-junkie husband died in a tragic climbing accident. So she’s hoping that moving to the beautiful village of Santorso in the Italian Alps will finally put her life back on track!…anything can happen!She might be going into business with her oldest friend – notorious lady-charmer Matt Brown – but men are definitely out of the question for Annie! That is, until she bumps into tall, dark and delicious Alessandro Lago on the ski slopes…and spontaneously says ‘Yes’ to a date!It must be the crisp, mountain air but suddenly, anything seems possible. The only trouble is, chivalrous Matt is looking more gorgeous than ever…Praise for T. A. Williams‘T. A. Williams has that gorgeous way of writing a feel good story and something which will easily make you smile…he’s absolutely backed up that men can write chick-lit.’ ─ Revi…

A deliciously sunny, uplifting romance to curl up with on your holiday – or any day!For the perfect summer romance…It’s finally time for Natalie Dryden to decide what she really wants! After ditching her sparkling engagement ring, and her ghastly fiancé, she jets off for the sun-kissed shores of Southern France – the only place that has ever truly felt like home. For the first time ever, Natalie is determined to forget all about men and follow her dreams!…head to the French coast! Only, avoiding the male population isn’t quite so easy, especially when she meets smooth-talking Philippe and gorgeous fisherman, Remy! But then Natalie, quite literally, bumps into brooding millionaire Mark whilst swimming in the glittering azure-blue bay – and her life is turned upside-down.Love might be off the cards for Natalie, yet suddenly she finds herself in her dream job and working with her dream man! But is it all too good to be true…?Praise for T. A. Willams:‘The characters in the story really make it exceptional … N…

A heartwarming novel about the surprise of second chances in the autumn of your life. Gor is keeping busy. He has a magic show to rehearse, his new assistant to get in line and a dacha in dire need of weeding. But he keeps being distracted by a tapping on his window – four floors up. Is old age finally catching up with him?Tolya has woken from a long illness to find his memory gone. Tidied away in a sanatorium, with only the view of a pine tree for entertainment, he is delighted when young doctor Vlad decides to make a project of him. With a keen listener by his side, and the aid of smuggled home-made sugary delights, Tolya’s boyhood memories return, revealing dark secrets…Two Cousins of Azov is a tender and wonderful story of two men who, in the autumn of their years, have the chance to learn that memories can heal, as well as haunt.

A tremendously vivid, page-turning and plausible novel that depicts the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the most spirited, independent and courageous of Henry’s queens, as viewed from both the bedrooms and the kitchens of the Tudor court.Everyone knows the story of Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII divorced his longstanding, long-suffering, older, Spanish wife for a young, black-eyed English beauty, and, in doing so, severed England from Rome and indeed from the rest of the western world. Then, when Henry had what he wanted, he managed a mere three years of marriage before beheading his wife for alleged adultery with several men, among them his own best friend and her own brother.This is the context for Suzannah Dunn's wonderful new novel, which is about – and told by – two women: Anne Boleyn, king's mistress and fated queen; and Lucy Cornwallis, the king's confectioner, an employee of the very highest status, who made the centrepiece of each of the feasts to mark the important occasions in Anne's ascent. There's ano…

‘A charming and delightful read!’ Pretty Little Book ReviewsOne summer can change everything…Mae has no time for men in her life! Local vet Alfie might be totally gorgeous but she’s far too busy looking after her young daughter and running her little bed & breakfast by the sea.Willow is in the middle of building her dream home with her husband, Ethan, when disaster strikes. And with every month that passes she secretly worries that her happy ever after will never come true…Melody only intended to stay in the bustling seaside town for a few days. But when she meets Hugo – the charming man in the ice cream van – she decides to stay a little longer.It seems the little bed & breakfast is full of surprises!A cosy and charming romance set in an English seaside town, perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Caroline Roberts.Praise for The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea:‘A really cute, uplifting read and absolutely perfect for summer!’ The Genre Reader‘[An] easy, warm summer read. Perfect for by the pool!’ Little…

A moving novel, charting a dying woman’s attempts to prepare her family for the future. For fans of Maggie O’Farrell and Audrey Niffenegger.Inspired by her heroine, Isabella Beeton, Delia has made a living writing a series of hugely successful modern household guides. As the book opens, she is not yet forty, but has only a short time to live.Preoccupied with how to prepare herself and her family for death, Delia realizes that what she really needs, more than anything, is a manual. Realising this could be her greatest achievement, she sets to work. But, in the writing, Delia is forced to confront the ghosts of her past.Hugely original, life affirming and humorous, The Household Guide to Dying illuminates love, loss and the place we call home.

A wonderfully inventive and entertaining journey through time and the history of chocolate!The Discovery of Chocolate is a fabulous tale, as rich and exotic as the gorgeous creation that Diego de Godoy first discovers when he arrives in Mexico with Cortes and his conquistadors.Diego is seeking his fortune in the New World. What he finds is love, and chocolate, and an elixir of life. Separated from his lover, he must wander the world, and the centuries, in search of the fulfilment that he first knew in Mexico.In a series of dramatic episodes that are evocative, witty and thought-provoking, from revolutionary Paris to Freud’s Vienna, Fry’s Bristol and Hershey’s Pittsburgh, Diego and his ever-faithful greyhound, Pedro, seek the perfection of chocolate and the meaning of life.

Dazzling novel from Carol Shields, author of ‘The Stone Diaries’, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and ‘Larry’s Party’, winner of the Orange Prize.‘Breathtaking…a masterpiece.’ Geoffrey Wansell, Daily MailReta Winters has a loving family, good friends, and growing success as a writer of light fiction. Then her eldest daughter suddenly withdraws from the world, abandoning university to sit on a street corner, wearing a sign that reads only ‘Goodness’. As Reta seeks the causes of her daughter’s retreat, her enquiry turns into an unflinching, often very funny meditation on society and where we find meaning and hope. ‘Unless’ is a dazzling and daring novel from the undisputed master of extraordinary fictions about so-called ‘ordinary’ lives.

From the bestelling author of ‘e’ comes a hilarious and moving novel of a very normal life becoming extraordinaryMurray’s living life to the full – and it might just kill him. He’s started telling the truth at work. He’s borrowed a stack of cash from a man with a gun, a speech impediment and no grasp whatsoever of APR. He’s also taking drugs and – God help him – he’s started dancing. Badly. To trance. And now he’s on the run with a human version of Muttley and a teenage girl called Fish.Which is strange, because a few weeks ago Murray didn’t even burn the candle at one end. But when his doctors tell him he has only months to live, he gives his boring old self the boot, relaunches a new, improved Murray and falls in love with a passion he didn’t know was in him.His old self, of course, would tell him he’s digging his own grave. But he’ll be needing one of those soon enough anyway, won’t he?

When he’s not negotiating his way around a sand bar, there’s nothing a sailor likes more than propping up the bar – and telling tall tales and saucy jokes.The World’s Best Sailing Jokes is the ultimate collection of nautical naughtiness, quayside quips and high-seas hilarity for everyone from salty sea dogs to the youngest yachtsmen.

‘A charming and delightful read!’ Pretty Little Book Reviews on The Little Bed & Breakfast by the SeaLove happens when you least expect it…Emily Atkinson stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago! She’s fed up of dating frogs in order to find her very own Prince Charming and is giving up on men entirely…But then she’s invited to the wedding of the year at the enchanting Durban Castle and realises that perhaps bumping into a real-life knight in shining armour isn’t quite as far away as she thought!Will Emily survive the wedding and walk away an unscathed singleton – or finally find her own happily-ever-after?A cosy and charming romance, perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Caroline Roberts.Readers love Joyce:“a perfect holiday read”“a great escape into a romantic and funny world”“Didn't want to put it down”“A book like this, lifts up the weary heart, brings a smile, and is easy to read and love.”“This story made me laugh, swoon and dream.”“Infused with charm and humour”“Hugely entertaining”

‘Full of quirky characters, friendship and humour, you will devour this engaging and heartwarming novel in one sitting’ – Sunday Express’ S MagazineThe brand new book from bestselling author Debbie Johnson will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you raid the pantry in the middle of the night…The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.For widowed mum-of-two Laura Walker, the decision to uproot her teenaged children and make the trek from Manchester to Dorset for the summer isn’t one she takes lightly, and it’s certainly not winning her any awards from her kids, Nate and Lizzie. Even her own parents thin…

Meet Bryony: she’s a fun-loving, very single TV production assistant whose idea of sport is the Jimmy Choo sales scrum.Meet Jackson: Cycling’s bad boy superstar. Injured and out of a certain race this summer, without his training, he’s looking for another distraction…Bryony’s facing a triple whammy – her last single friend just named the day, her mother’s offering to have her eggs frozen, and the guy she’s loved from afar, forever, has just got hitched. So she’s more than happy to accept the offer of a totally out of character but seriously steamy one night of no-strings fun. Especially when the guy in question is so attractive he even looks good in Lycra!Jackson’s on the lookout for a new career but if the opportunity to work on TV means a fortnight with the most uptight woman in the world, he’d rather not bother. He never goes in for seconds – and who in their right mind would head off in a campervan, with a woman who irons her knickers?Add in a tandem (yes a tandem) and fast forward to double trouble f…

A warm romantic comedy about teaching old dogs new tricks…Two women: one small difference between them – The letter Y,.Firstly there's Jane Mills – she's suffering from a broken heart, no job and a house she can't afford. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jayne Mills can afford anything she wants, but at what cost to herself?In her late 20s, Jane's up for a challenge. Fast approaching 50, Jayne's had more than enough of them. Meeting Jane after a mail mix-up, gives her the chance to assess her choices, and the glorious opportunity to remake the one that she most regrets. It seems that even late along the road, you are never too old to learn new tricks…For anyone who's ever wondered what became of the one who got away or dreamed of escaping on a grown-up gap year, this is a wonderfully warm read about finding answers to life's troubles in the unlikeliest of places.A sparkling romantic comedy about lost chances found and walking in someone else's shoes, perfect for fans of Jane Green and Tess Stimson.

“I saved your life twice and you’re refusing me a date?”Take Millie: a fun, independent dance teacher starting over, whose burlesque classes are all about self-esteem and empowerment. Her new life plan definitely doesn't stretch to bad boys.And Ed: he’s gorgeous, designs firework displays for a living and positively self-destructs at the thought of commitment. But he’s embarking on the impossible – a challenge to have ten dates with one woman.When Millie literally lands in Ed’s lap after an accident, she’s an unlikely choice for the ten date challenge – scruffy, opinionated and then there’s the small matter of that tattoo snaking out of her boot – but he’s running out of options, and more importantly, she owes him.She’s so not his type, he’s so not in her life-plan, but a weekend in sunny Provence changes everything. Against a backdrop of starry skies and lavender fields, they both have issues they want to leave behind. Secrets have a way of escaping though… is ten dates too long to keep the truth under w…

‘Delightfully romantic, light-hearted and charmingly entertaining.’ What’s Better Than Books?Definitely, maybe…yes?Mia Valentina gave up her high-flying life in LA to move back to Kent over four years ago. But it turns out that life in the slow lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!So when her boyfriend Leo proposes, she says yes, hoping it will bring some much needed sparkle back into her life. The trouble is, Mia never wanted a big white wedding, just the happy ever after…The laugh-out-loud, uplifting new book from Portia MacIntosh, author of It’s Not You, It’s Them. Perfect for fans of Rosie Blake and Sophie Kinsella.

Following the hugely acclaimed bestseller Hey Nostradamus! comes a major novel from Douglas Coupland: the wonderfully warm, funny, life-affirming story of Liz Dunn, a woman who has spent her whole life alone and lonely – until now… This is a brilliant work of commercial literary fiction from an author who just gets better and better.'My name is Liz Dunn. The Liz Dunns of this world take classes in croissant baking, and would rather chew on soccer balls than deny their children muesli. They own one sex toy, plus one cowboy fantasy that accompanies its use… Look at me: I am a traitor to my name: I'm not cheerful; I'm drab. I'm crabby and friendless. And lonely.'Liz Dunn is 42 years old, and lonely. Her house is like 'a spinster's cell block', and she may or may not snore – there's never been anybody to tell her. Then one day in 1997, with the comet Hale Bopp burning bright in the blue-black sky, Liz receives an urgent phone call asking her to visit a young man in hospital. All at once, the loneliness that h…

Praise for Alex Brown‘Very lovely’ Jill Mansell‘A really lovely read' Sarah Morgan‘Gorgeous…’ Milly JohnsonGrace Quinn loves her job at Cohen’s Convenient Storage Company, finding occasional treasure in the forgotten units that customers have abandoned. Her inquisitive nature is piqued when a valuable art collection and a bundle of letters and diaries are found that date back to the 1930’s.Delving deeper, Grace uncovers the story of a young English woman, Connie Levine, who follows her heart to Italy at the end of the Second World war. The contents also offer up the hope of a new beginning for Grace, battling a broken heart and caring for her controlling mother.Embarking on her own voyage of discovery, Grace’s search takes her to a powder pink villa on the cliff tops overlooking the Italian Riviera, but will she unravel the family secrets and betrayals that Connie tried so hard to overcome, and find love for herself?

Powerhouse romance editor Keira Madison is known as “Cover Girl” – because she’s come up with the concepts for the covers of the best selling novels in history. But right now, she’s desperate to replace her best selling author.Wannabe author Alex Bauer has given up hope of ever selling his military thriller, so he takes a shot at writing a romance and sends it to super agent Bella Farentino. She’s blown away by the book, but more shocked to find out the author is a man. So she decides it’s best to keep it a secret when pitching the novel – what does a man know about romance after all?When Keira buys the book, Alex needs a cover story to hide the fact he’s the real author. So he invents a fictional cousin who’s an agoraphobe; too shy to ever leave the house. He agrees to work as “her” intermediary during the editing process while getting a friend to “play” the author on the phone.One major problem. He falls hard for Keira, a spunky redhead who is a dead ringer for the heroine in the book. And she’s smitten…

‘A fabulously entertaining story!’ –Rachel’s Random Reads (top 1,000 Amazon Reviewer)Three friends. One year. Absolutely no men…Imogen is supposed to be on the most romantic weekend of her life and instead she’s quickly realised that her current boyfriend definitely isn’t ‘The One’ and actually One Big Mistake.Frankie is fed up. Fed up of her good-for-nothing husband and her four, unappreciative children. Well, they hardly notice her anyway, maybe it’s time to shake it up a little…Grace thought she had the perfect life. Gorgeous little boy and perfect, hardworking husband. Or rather, she did, until she realised her husband was shagging his ‘work’.These single ladies don’t need to put a ring on it…right?Perfect for fans of Jane Costello, Helen Fielding and Fiona Gibson, don’t miss this brilliant debut bestseller from Fiona Collins!What readers are saying about A Year of Being Single:‘It’s harder than it seems to stay single for a year…a fabulously entertaining story!’ – Rachel’s Random Reads (top 1000 Amaz…

From the author of THREE WISE MEN, a wise, funny and uplifiting novel of women, men, love and friendship.Have you ever had a secret you couldn't even tell your very best friend?Molly and Helen have been friends for ever – well, since university in Dublin. Now in their thirties, they have successful careers, go everywhere together, share everything – or so it seems.Outgoing Molly is wistfully thinking it would be nice to meet a man who'd make her want to bolt to the altar at breakneck speed, when she finds herself juggling two. There's Fionn, her renegade ex, returned from a failed marriage to woo her (to Helen's disapproval), and gorgeous Georgie who runs the local off-licence.Helen, meanwhile, is steadfastly against long term relationships. So Molly is astonished when Helen confides that she's fallen in love with someone she shouldn't have, so head-over-heels that resistance is futile – but she won't tell Molly who it is.

An exclusive short story for World Book Day from one of our bestselling authors. This brilliant comic thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.Albert Rossi has many qualities. He’s a man who can spot polyester at a hundred paces. He’s the person you’d have on speed dial were you to find yourself at the centre of a tailoring emergency. He has an excellent working knowledge of Bonnie Tyler’s back catalogue. These skills are essential to a Gentleman’s Outfitter from Eastcote. They are not necessarily on the job description for recruiting an assassin.When Albert hits an unsuspecting pedestrian whilst listening to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ in his Nissan Micra he is amazed to escape the inevitable knock on the door from the police. Instead he receives a mysterious phone call from a man who sounds surprisingly like Stephen Hawking telling him that his money will be left in the ‘usual’ place. At that very moment, Albert Rossi decides to change careers.Albert Rossi’s life is about to get a whole lot more…

An exclusive short story for World Book Day from one of our bestselling authors. This brilliant comic thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.Albert Rossi has many qualities. He’s a man who can spot polyester at a hundred paces. He’s the person you’d have on speed dial were you to find yourself at the centre of a tailoring emergency. He has an excellent working knowledge of Bonnie Tyler’s back catalogue. These skills are essential to a Gentleman’s Outfitter from Eastcote. They are not necessarily on the job description for recruiting an assassin.When Albert hits an unsuspecting pedestrian whilst listening to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ in his Nissan Micra he is amazed to escape the inevitable knock on the door from the police. Instead he receives a mysterious phone call from a man who sounds surprisingly like Stephen Hawking telling him that his money will be left in the ‘usual’ place. At that very moment, Albert Rossi decides to change careers.Albert Rossi’s life is about to get a whole lot more…

A sparkling new romantic comedy from the acclaimed author of Amanda’s Wedding.Holly is a frustrated florist whose life doesn’t exactly seem to be coming up roses.Fleeing the houseshare from hell, she moves in with Josh, a sexually confused merchant banker; Kate, a high-flying legal eagle with talons to match, and the gorgeous Addison, who spends his days communicating only with his computer and those who worship at the altar of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.Holly’s desperate to have a one-to-one with Addison, but can she drag him away from his monstrously ugly, not to say jealous internet ‘girlfriend’ Claudia, or will they just continually get their wires crossed?

Whatever happened to middle England? Two of our funniest writers set out on a journey through conservative country – with hilarious results.The Women's Institute. Polo matches. The Duke of Edinburgh. Nimbys, shooting and game fairs. Pall Mall clubs, the Countryside Alliance and Boris Johnson. Hampshire Police’s brass band, the rubber chicken circuit – and of course the Conservative party itself.Middle England, with all the social rituals, institutions and traditions that hold it together, has lasted for a long time. And Chris Horrie and David Matthews, two left-leaning journalists – Chris is from Manchester and David's parents are from Guyana – are fascinated by it.So off they go, armed with two ballpoints and a sharp sense of humour, to see what they can see. Sometimes, it’s as simple as hanging out at the proms, munching scones with the vicar at a village cricket match, or chatting with Michael Howard. And other times, a bit more guile is needed – so Chris and David baffle Conservative party members by …

Previously published as The Piano Man Project.Finding love isn’t always black and white… Full of laughs, heart-stopping romance and a hero to die for, this book is the only love story you need to take on holiday with you!Me: blonde, hopelessly romantic charity store managerYou: intelligent, kind-hearted, piano-playing Sex GodHoney Jones has a problem – she’s never had a boyfriend who’s really done it for her… Luckily her best friends Nell and Tash are determined to help, and so the hunt for Honey’s perfect man begins.But when a stranger moves into the flat opposite, their plan soon goes awry. Hal is secretive, bad-tempered, and ticks none of Honey’s boxes.Except maybe one…A hilarious, feel-good, sexy romantic comedy for fans of Lucy Diamond, Mhairi McFarlane and Giovanna Fletcher.

How to predict the weather with a cup of coffee and other essential techniques for surviving the 9-5A smart, spoof survival guide – to the 9-5. Ray Mears’ and Bruce Parry’s advice is all very well if you’re stuck up the Amazon without a paddle, but what about finding your way to a seat on a crowded bus, predicting the weather with a coffee in Starbucks or getting rid of cold callers with a microwave? Urban Bushcraft shows how to dust off your native survival instincts and update them for the modern world – whether it’s negotiating the car park at Ikea, anti-interrogation techniques at customer service desks, or navigating by electricity pylon.Harnessing the laws of science, nature and human behaviour, this book revisits and reinvents the tricks that got us through our savage past and updates them for the 21st century. It arms you with a caveman’s toolkit for survival wherever you may be – Starbucks, the office, or a crowded tube on a Friday night – and tells you all you need to know to transform your dail…

Five ladies, one unforgettable trip…Escape to gorgeous Switzerland this winter with the brand new, uplifting read from Karen Aldous.When Ginny Watts’ husband passes away, she is left grief-stricken, not only over her husband’s death but the secrets he has left behind…Luckily for Ginny, she has four wonderful friends – Lou, Cathy, Angie and Kim – poised to whisk her away on a ladies’ skiing holiday to beautiful La Tzoumaz, Switzerland.While all of them appear to have their lives together from the outside, little do the ladies know that every single one of them is fighting a secret battle.As the trip unfolds, they realise that fears of tumbling down the slopes after too much après-ski fun is the least of their worries and all is not what it seems…A novel of love, loss and friendship, perfect for fans of Jules Wake, Erica James and Cathy Kelly.Readers love Karen Aldous:‘A sumptuous story…what I love about fiction, being able to travel from my armchair!’ Rachel’s Random Reads (top 500 Amazon reviewer)‘An upli…

Following the success of ‘You Look Awfully Like the Queen’, this is a second anthology of hilarious and touching royal anecdotes, collected by Thomas Blaikie.An unfortunate culture clash occurred when a Geordie councillor was invited to one of the Queen’s informal lunches. As is the old-fashioned custom there were two puddings. The Queen enquired, ‘Would you like cake or meringue?’ ‘No, y’er not wrang, Your Majesty,’ the councillor replied. 'I'll have the cake.'On a Royal visit to St Albans Abbey in January 2006, the Duchess of Cornwall spied a ladder in a corner and attempted to make an unscheduled ascent. ‘Not in those shoes,’ her lady-in-waiting said firmly, bringing the runaway Duchess back into line.‘It’s for my nanny,’ Prince Harry thoughtfully explained to a somewhat wide-eyed assistant at Selfridges as she popped his purchase into a bag. It was a maribou-trimmed thong.The Royal Family has been a source of curiosity and amusement for centuries, and in this delightful little book, Thomas Blaikie tak…

В этой книге подобраны лучшие смешные рассказы, которые превратят изучение немецкого в увлекательное занятие. Чтение коротких смешных историй поможет легко погрузиться в мир классического немецкого языка и пополнить словарный запас. Адаптированные тексты рассказов дополнены грамматическим комментарием, а в конце книги даны упражнения с ключами для проверки понимания текста и закрепления новой лексики. Издание сопровождается немецко-русским словарем. Книга рассчитана на средний и высокий уровни владения немецким языком. В формате PDF A4 сохранен издательский макет книги.

A brilliant comic novel about love, marriage, parenthood and the million tiny little things that conspire to trip you up on the rocky road to all three.William has a twelve-year-old boss bent on his destruction; the interior design duo from hell re-decorating his bathroom; and an angry ginger midget with a mean right hook on his case.Then there’s the flood.And the village full of Machiavellian nutters.On the plus side, he has as a gorgeous wife and an adorable new son – and he loves them both. It’s just a shame that parenthood doesn’t stop him doing the wrong thing at precisely the wrong time, with catastrophic results for his small – and increasingly exasperated – family.It’s very nearly too much for one man to handle.Correction. It is ENTIRELY too much for one man to handle.And that man is William Walker.

This Booker Prize-winning novel from the author of ‘The Blue Flower’ is set among the houseboat community of the Thames.‘Offshore’ is a dry, genuinely funny novel, set among the houseboat community who rise and fall with the tide of the Thames on Battersea Reach. Living between land and water, they feel as if they belong to neither…Maurice, a male prostitute, is the sympathetic friend to whom all the others turn. Nenna loves her husband but can’t get him back; her children run wild on the muddy foreshore. She feels drawn to Richard, the ex-RNVR city man whose converted minesweeper dominates the Reach. Is he sexually attractive because he can fold maps the right way? With this and other questions waiting to be answered, ‘Offshore’ offers a delightful glimpse of the workings of an eccentric community.

For anyone who’s ever thought January 1st would be the first day of their new life…Three-Two-One…. Happy New Year!In Leni Lomond’s living room three twenty-something friends sat shrouded in dejection, each clutching a sparkler in one hand and a drink in the other.Eventually Leni spoke up. «I'm making a resolution. This is it – this is the year I find the perfect job, the perfect man and the perfect life.»Three Weeks Later…Leni is now PA to Zara Delta, spiritual guru, author, television celebrity and founder of the web's most popular astrology site. So what if she doesn't know her rising moon from Uranus, she'll wing it somehow. But she hasn’t counted on her first assignment – to date men who belong to every sign of the zodiac and report back.Mission Impossible? Well, certainly Mission Bloody Difficult, given that she's spent the last two of her 27 years resoundingly single.Can Leni control her fate, her feelings and fulfil the promise she made to herself at the start of the year? Or is her destiny already…

Gain an insight into the English language, via one of the UK’s richest dialects: Geordie.From George Stephenson to The Animals to Viz, the North East has long had a successful creative culture, developing alongside its industrial history.Newcastle in particular has successfully reinvented itself as a centre of the arts, while still maintaining its own regional identity. This book is the definitive guide to the most distinctive element of that identity: the Geordie dialect.This book is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in the language of the North East, and also provides a thorough examination of the general state of English, from the traditional wit and wisdom of the Geordie perspective.