I’ve been writing books forever, but in terms of publication I’m a late developer. My first novel was published when I was 48, deep in the throes of that strangest of years, 2020. Appearing first as a ‘digital original’ in the UK, paperback publication in the UK and US followed in 2021. My second book was written during Lockdown, and published in 2023.
In my day job, I’m a freelance editor working on food, travel and fiction titles. I’ve been an editor for over thirty years and I have to say I quite enjoy it. I enjoy writing more though, because making stuff up is fun. I like to write about relationships, because people are fascinating. And I like to write about older people, because I love a back story. My stories are usually set in places I’ve visited, and I enjoy tweaking the ‘real’ locations to create the perfect setting for my characters’ lives to expand.
I live in Hampshire with my partner and when I’m not writing or editing you might find me climbing awkwardly over a gate to look at a stone circle, taking photos of rust, lichen or peeling paint, or poking about in antique shops. I love to read and am interested in more or less everything.
My Books
The Bookshop of Second Chances
Shortlisted for the RNA Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award 2021.
Thea’s having a bad month. Not only has she been made redundant, she’s also discovered her husband of nearly twenty years is sleeping with one of her friends. And he’s not sorry – he’s leaving.
Bewildered and lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. When she learns the great-uncle she barely knew has died and left her his huge collection of second-hand books and a house in the Scottish Lowlands, she can’t believe her luck. Is this the perfect second chance?
Running away to a little town where no one knows her seems like exactly what Thea needs. But when she meets the aristocratic Maltravers brothers – grumpy bookshop owner Edward and his estranged brother Charles, Lord Hollinshaw – her new life quickly becomes just as complicated as the life she was running from… Perfect for fans of Cressida McLaughlin, Veronica Henry, Rachael Lucas and Jenny Colgan.
Reviews
‘How much do I love this book? So, so much. Refreshing and romantic, it’s an absolute cracker!’
Heidi Swain
Sunday Times bestselling author
‘A gorgeous, tip-top, pitch-perfect romantic read – I loved it!’
Rachel Hore
Sunday Times bestselling author
‘The Bookshop of Second Chances has lifted my heart more than anything I’ve read for a very long time. It’s funny, clever, well written, warm, joyful and comforting. I could rave about it all day!’
Iona Grey
bestselling author of Letters to the Lost
‘An escapist romance that glows with warmth! I loved it’
Carmel Harrington
bestselling author of A Thousand Roads Home
‘A real winner with so much heart and a wonderfully relatable heroine’
Christina Pishiris
author of Love Songs for Sceptics
The Beginning of Everything
Beautiful, heartbreaking, often very funny and entirely unforgettable, The Beginning of Everything is the irresistible new novel from the bestselling author of The Bookshop of Second Chances.
For fans of The Keeper of Stories, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes and A Thousand Roads Home, The Beginning of Everything is the story of Jess and Gethin, whose paths cross in the most unexpected way. Jess is running, leaving all she knows and everyone she loves behind her, with just a few treasured belongings in her rucksack.
She’s escaping from the pain and trauma of a bad relationship with a bad man, gone very badly wrong. Gethin’s kindness and care takes her breath away. They become friends. But with so much hurt in her past, can Jess learn to love and live again?
Reviews
‘Raw, real and highly relatable, The Beginning of Everything is a keen observation on humanity and the tenuous nature of modern life. Jess and Gethin’s gentle, layered friendship is at the wonderful heart of a warm, witty story about courage, kindness and love in all its forms. Uplifting, engaging and extraordinarily insightful!’
Julietta Henderson
‘Equal parts hilarious and sobworthy, it’s a poignant tale of what it means to rebuild after losing everything’
Jessica Ryn
‘Hugely enjoyable’
Katie Fforde
‘Tender, unexpected and poignant’
My Weekly
‘The Beginning of Everything is immersive, emotional and makes the world a better place. A story of love and friendship, trust and hope, with characters not easily forgotten’
The People’s Friend
I’m represented by Lina Langtree at The North Agency. My publishers are Simon & Schuster in the UK, and Penguin Random House in the US.
I’m also published in France, Germany and Italy.
Blog
You Couldn’t Make it Up. Or could you?
“It's one of the most accurate, sensitive, soulful portrayals of domestic violence - and how the main character is affected in the years afterwards - that I've come across. It's also probably the only book I've ever read that tells the truth of what it's like to lose...
Kindle offer
UK readers - this is 99p for the next month should you be interested. It's my birthday today so you should definitely buy it, or encourage a friend to do so! Get it here.
Podcast
I did a podcast! I've never done one before so it was very exciting. Courtney and Falon of Happy to Meet Cute were charming, and I always like to bang on about stuff, so here we are. I'm on from about 19 mins in, talking about The Beginning of Everything, writing...
US publication day
It's US publication day today! The Nerd Daily were kind enough to ask me to answer some questions in celebration. Learn slightly more about me, should you so wish! Have a read here.
Contact
Events
I’m available for appearances at festivals, bookshops, libraries and schools.