‘Brimming with warmth and compassion, Erica reveals her characters’ secrets. A heartwarming tale and a delight’ Veronica Henry

*****

Once a grand country house, Hope Hall is now beautiful luxury apartments and when Cassie and Nina become new neighbours, they soon become firm friends. But as perfect as life in the Cambridgeshire countryside seems, both have heartaches of their own.

Cassie is blissfully in love with Ben, but shadows from her first marriage loom large, threatening her happiness.

Nina, a widow, must confront a painful decision that will shatter her mother-in-law’s dreams.

Into their lives comes Venetia, a lively seventy-nine-year-old with a penchant for secrets – one of which is close to her heart, concealed in her handbag… As Venetia recalls her own bittersweet history with Hope Hall, the bonds between the three women are forged, revealing the strength found in friendship and the courage to confront the past.

With sparkling storytelling, Erica James’s new novel is an enchanting tale of love, resilience and friendship.

‘She's so consistently good, isn't she? Wonderful on characterisation and family dynamics, and done very deftly, with that wry humour of hers’ Marian Keyes

'Erica James writes upliftingly and humorously about family life' My Weekly

'Erica James explores the complexity of family relationships with skill and sympathy and her vividly drawn characters leap from the page' Sarah Morgan

'We're certain you're going to love it' Glamour

‘So, so good… shades of dark and light in every character which are gloriously done. A deliciously satisfying story’ Cathy Kelly

‘A wonderfully compelling family drama that deftly touches upon some serious issues. Her characterisation is excellent, the setting beautiful and the slow reveals are delicately and sensitively handled. In this warm, escapist and utterly uplifting read, she’s on top form’ Sunday Express

'Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever’ Veronica Henry

'A beautiful tale of self-discovery' Woman