Hello and welcome to my website. This is the place to catch up with all my news (by the way, don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter while you’re here), find out a bit about me and get the lowdown on my books. My eighteenth novel, SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW is available from on 31 July 2025! Dig around and you might find a competition to enter and hints about my new releases.
The Sunrise Sisterhood… This book of mine brings back so many memories. It came out in 2023, a year of so much change for me. I was reeling from losing Tony, wandering around my empty house feeling glad I’d raised two independent daughters, but missing the sunshine they bring into my life. I was pouring my heart into my writing (Somewhere Only We Know AND Merrily Ever After) and I was wondering what next… what do I want my life to look like in the future, where do I go from here, what is the most important thing to me right now? And amongst all of this, The Sunrise Sisterhood was published. A book about learning to be your true self, about being unapologetically you, about muting the negative things we tell ourselves (or hear from others) and actively seeking the life we want. Looking back now, from a place of happiness and positivity for my future, it was exactly the book I needed to read. Maybe it’s the book you need to read (or listen to - Lesley Sharp is the perfect narrator for this story). The ebook is currently 99p - treat yourself. ... See MoreSee Less
Five weeks, five countries, four swimsuits and endless happy memories… my Latin American trip dream is over! I had THE best time! Turns out that being on a beach in the sunshine is the perfect alternative to a British winter - who knew?? Thanks to @isabelle_broom for looking after Pearl and the house, you made our trip possible ❤️❤️❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
Five weeks, five countries, four swimsuits and endless happy memories… my Latin American trip dream is over! I had THE best time! Turns out that being on a beach in the sunshine is the perfect alternative to a British winter - who knew?? Thanks to @isabelle_broom for looking after Pearl and the house, you made our trip possible ❤️❤️❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
Guatemala… This country stole my heart, from the colourful architecture, to the kindness of the people and the beauty of the landscape. It’s a place of great contrast: lakes and mountains, bustling towns and crowded buses, volcanoes and jungle. I was hot one minute and piling on layers the next. Some highlights… A tour of Tikal Mayan ruins at sunset Breakfast overlooking the lake in Flores Street food and fireworks at the Flores festival The gorgeous colours of Antigua Buying irresistible textiles at Chichicastengo market Witnessing Mayan religious rituals on the steps of the Catholic church Hiking up Acatenango to camp overnight (🥶) and watch the eruption of a live volcano - a once in a lifetime experience, if you ever get the chance, take it! The stunning views of Lake Atitlan and the pretty towns on its shores. And the rookie error of sitting at the front of the lancha whilst whizzing across the water. The seafood!!! I’ve had more delicious ceviche here than anywhere and the flavours are off the charts. The best bit of all… I’m only halfway through our trip! #somewhereonlyweknow... See MoreSee Less
So #2016… 1. I was in my cheer mom era. Which with two daughters meant lots of rehearsals, competitions all over the country and much holding of breath as Isabel was thrown up into the air and secured by one foot by some equally tiny teens. 2. I MET MARIAN KEYES! She appeared at the theatre in Nottingham and inadvertently gave me the best writing advice I’ve ever had which rescued me from my writing nightmare. She said sometimes you have to go back to go forward. That became my very next action with the book I was struggling with - The Lemon Tree Cafe. I ditched 75k words and started again in… 3. & 4. A tiny cottage I rented in Derbyshire which became the inspiration for Rosie’s home. I wish I’d had more confidence in myself as I sat wrangling with words - The Lemon Tree Cafe went on to be my first Sunday Times bestseller. 5. I met Milly Johnson for the first time at the Romantic Novelists Association awards dinner. I was a bit in awe of her then and now I’m proud to call her a friend and over the years she’s been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Love you Johnners! 6. I also met Fern Britton at the same event. She was one of the first readers of Ivy Lane - my first book - and gave me a wonderful quote to use. I’ll forever be grateful for her kindness. 7. I celebrated the launch of The Plumberry School of Comfort Food at the Lowdham Book Festival with a signing at The Bookcase independent bookstore near my village and then… 8.Went on a relaxing holiday and read it in preparation for editing my next book as it featured some of the same characters. 9. A research trip for A Match Made In Devon - one of my favourites books. 10. I find immersing myself in the world of my characters very useful in the weeks prior to beginning the first draft. This one was for A Match Made In Devon. 11. A fantastic event at Waterstones Birmingham with Miranda Dickinson, Cressida McLaughlin (not pictured) and Lucy Diamond. I hadn’t met Lucy before and was yet again star struck but she was lovely. Book people, in my opinion, always are! ... See MoreSee Less
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