Ruth Hogan is the author of The Keeper of Lost Things, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick and a WHSmith Travel 'Fresh Talent' selection. A #1 word-of-mouth hit and Sunday Times bestseller with more than half a million copies sold, the book is currently being published in 30 countries around the world. bestseller with more than half a million copies sold, the book is currently being published in 30 countries around the world. She lives in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and her long-suffering husband.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (2024) Anna Johnston "Anna Johnston has created a wonderfully diverse cast of funny, flawed, and completely relatable characters, and she tells their stories with humor, honesty, and compassion. Fred is one of life's unsung heroes - a loveable rogue with a big heart for whom kindness towards others comes as naturally as breathing - and I was rooting for him from the start. It was an absolute joy to follow him on his poignant, hilarious and at times precarious journey to find the happy ending that he so richly deserved. What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!"
Shy Creatures (2024) Clare Chambers "Beautiful . . . A rich and tender story of kindness and compassion and the survival of the human spirit against enormous odds."
Beyond Summerland (2024) Jenny Lecoat "Beyond Summerland is a beautifully written testament to both the resilience and duplicity of human nature in the most challenging and complex times. The sense of place and time is masterfully captured as we follow an island community struggling to find their way in the aftermath of war. The cast of characters - heroes, villains and so many in between - are brilliantly portrayed and immediately draw the reader into their lives. I absolutely loved it!"
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade (2024) Janet Skeslien Charles "A wonderful story about the ability of books not only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore. The characters are so richly drawn that they leap off the page... The meticulous research brings such a satisfying depth and authenticity to the narrative, and this is perfectly balanced by the compassion and humanity of the characters. I absolutely loved it!"
Bonjour, Sophie (2024) Elizabeth Buchan "A glorious read! So evocative. Conjures the excitement of Paris so vividly that the reader cannot fail to be swept along on the journey. A magical coming-of-age story. I loved it!"
One Love (2024) Matt Cain "Rich, poignant, funny and unflinchingly honest . . . a glorious, heart-warming and thought-provoking read."
Becoming Liz Taylor (2023) Elizabeth Delo "Becoming Liz Taylor is a truly compelling read and tackles the subject of loss and grief with brutal honesty and poignant sensitivity. It's such an accomplished and memorable debut full of heart and heartbreak - an absolute corker for reading groups!"
A Song of Me and You (2023) Mike Gayle "A Song of Me and You is vintage Mike Gayle! It's full of relatable characters and as Mike takes us on a journey through all their high and lows and we're with them every step of the way. A Song of Me and You is a wonderful story about the things that really matter in life - family, friendship and falling in love - and a poignant reminder to cherish them while we can. It's the perfect book to celebrate Mike's 25 years as an author!"
The Lodgers (2023) Eithne Shortall "Such a joyful read, written with wit, compassion and humour - and the characters are all so relatable. Throughout the chaos, sadness and uncertainty, hope, community and friendship shine through. I defy anyone to read this without turning the final page with a great big smile on their face!"
The Air Raid Book Club (2023) Annie Lyons "The Air Raid Book Club is a warm and tender tale about the power and healing of friendship and community and the magic of books. A diverse cast of characters are drawn together through Gertie and her bookshop, and in the face of all the fear and uncertainty that war brings they find strength in unity, and escape and solace in books. Annie writes her characters with humanity, humour and respect and their stories will stay with me for a very long time. A wonderful, heart-warming read."
Talking at Night (2023) Claire Daverley "Talking at Night is a masterful and authentic depiction of true love in all its messy, complicated and gut-wrenching glory. Will and Rosie are the perfect, imperfect star-crossed lovers - their story had me enthralled from the start."
The Collected Regrets of Clover (2023) Mikki Brammer "What a beautiful story! I loved the premise, which was skillfully and sensitively executed. The characters are both memorable and relatable and the subject of death is handled with refreshing honestly and heartbreaking poignancy. This book will be one that I remember for a long time, and it's a story that we can all learn something from."
Hotel 21 (2023) Senta Rich "A sharp, funny, poignant and completely heart-warming story about female friendship and kick-ass women. I truly loved it!"
The Measure (2022) Nikki Erlick "What an incredible book! It's truly original with an intriguing premise that's beautifully executed. I loved the fact that it was written from so many POVs, each adding depth and perspective to the overall narrative which made it a rich and satisfying read. I found it gripping, poignant, and intensely thought-provoking."
This Fragile Earth (2021) Susannah Wise "This superbly accomplished debut is dark and compelling but ultimately filled with hope. I couldn't put it down."
The Making of Mrs Petrakis (2021) Mary Karras "The Making of Mrs Petrakis is a heart-warming, heart-breaking story of love, life, family and, of course, baking. Mary Karras is a fresh and exciting new voice in fiction and her prose is every bit as delicious as the mouth-watering pastries sold in Mrs Petrakis' renowned bakery."
When The Music Stops... (2020) Joe Heap "A truly original, bittersweet tale of life, loss and enduring love that had me completely hooked. A treasure of a book!"
Looking For Eliza (2020) Leaf Arbuthnot "A wonderful story about the redemptive power of an unexpected friendship. Leaf's characters are fresh, engaging and beautifully drawn. A marvellous read."
Laura Purcell "A brilliantly atmospheric and chilling tale and I raced through the pages hardly daring to find out what would happen next! Laura's characters and the world they inhabit are compelling, unsettling and richly drawn. A fabulous tale!"
Things in Jars (2019) Jess Kidd "Things in Jars is an extraordinary tale full of dark magic, wicked humour, and hugely entertaining characters all of whom are beautifully drawn. An absolute treat!."
Once Upon a River (2018) Diane Setterfield "I was completely spellbound by this book. Numerous strands of the same story are skilfully woven into a magical web from which I, as a reader, had no desire to escape. Setterfield’s prose is beautiful, dark and eerily atmospheric, and her rich cast of characters convincingly illustrate the best and worst of humanity. Utterly brilliant!"
The Binding (2018) Bridget Collins "The Binding held me captive from the start and refused to set me free. It is a beautifully crafted tale of dark magic and forbidden passion, where unspeakable cruelty is ultimately defeated by enduring love. Breathtaking!"
Him (2018) Clare Empson "What a wonderful debut! It was dark, addictive and ultimately heart breaking."
