Fiction & Drama

The newest Northbank fiction titles to get you ready for Summer

05/05/2021

With the weather warming up, bookshops open, and staycations on the horizon, it’s impossible to resist picking up some new titles to add to your summer reading list.

We’ve got lots of great summery reads hitting the shelves from our Northbank authors, and there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an escapist romance, a hilarious romantic comedy, or a historical saga. Check out the list below for some inspiration for your summer reading.

 

The Italian Escape by Catherine Mangan

For anyone missing overseas travel this summer, Catherine Mangan’s debut is the perfect escapist read, full of sparkling sea, sun, and Aperol Spritz.

When Niamh Kelly’s life takes an unexpected turn for the worse, she jumps at the chance to tag along on a work trip to Italy with her sister. Niamh falls in love with the quaint Italian town, and things seem to be working out perfectly when she decides to stay and open a coffee shop there. But when a family tragedy and a tricky tourist season threaten her new business, Niamh isn’t so sure she can stick it out.

With help from her new-found Italian friends – and the possibility of romance on the horizon – can she make her new life in the sun a success?

Out 29 April from Sphere.

 

The Lock In by Phoebe Luckhurst

Hilarious, endearing, and all too familiar, The Lock In is a laugh-out-loud story of housemates, hangovers, and old flames.

Meet housemates Ellen, Alexa and Jack. They’re broke. They’re lonely. They’re hungover. And things are about to go from bad to worse . . .

Whilst nursing The Hangover from Hell, Ellen stumbles downstairs to discover the kitchen slowly filling with water.

Panic quickly sets in, and the three flatmates find themselves in the attic desperately attempting to switch off the water supply. But when Ben, Alexa’s Hinge date from the night before, walks in, the door slams, the handle breaks, and all four of them are trapped.

Will these housemates ever get out of this attic? Will they survive the wrath of Elias The Evil Landlord? And will Jack please stop live-tweeting this whole fiasco?

Out in ebook on 27 May and hardback on 22 July from Penguin Michael Joseph.

The Steel Girls by Michelle Rawlins

A heart-warming story of friendship in the face of adversity, The Steel Girls is a feel-good saga set amid the Sheffield steel-works of WWII.

When war is declared, three very different women step up to do their bit for the country. Housewife Nancy, aspiring university student Betty and shopgirl Patty start off as strangers but quickly forge an unbreakable bond of friendship as these feisty factory sisters vow to keep the foundry fires burning during wartime.

A heart-warming story of friendship, bravery and adversity, The Steel Girls is perfect for saga-lovers.

Out now from HQ.

 

Patience by Victoria Scott

Victoria Scott’s debut novel follows the Willow family, as they face the most difficult decision of their lives.

The Willows have been through a lot together. Louise has devoted her life to her family and raising her disabled daughter, Patience. Pete now works abroad, determined to provide more, even if it means seeing less of those he loves. And Eliza, in the shadow of her sister, has a ‘perfect’ life in London, striving to live up to her mother’s high standards.

Meanwhile, Patience lives her life quietly, watching and judging the world while she’s trapped in her own body. She laughs, she cries, she knows what she wants, but she can’t ever communicate this to those who make the decisions for her. Patience only wants a voice, but this is impossible.

When the opportunity to put Patience into a new gene therapy trial to cure her Rett Syndrome becomes available, opinions are divided. The stakes are high, and the Willow family face an almost impossible dilemma.

Out 5 August from Head of Zeus.

 

What Planet Can I Blame This On? By Ellie Pilcher

Laugh-out-loud and painfully relatable, What Planet Can I Blame This On? Is ideal for anyone who has ever blamed mercury in retrograde for their life disasters.

Everything is going wrong for 29 year old Krystal; her boyfriend is cheating on her, the magazine where she works has gone into administration, and the pipes have exploded in her brand new dream flat.

Wondering where it all went wrong, her best friend suggests that maybe Saturn Return is to blame. Krystal has never bought into astrology but maybe it’s time to re-evaluate – because if the stars got her into this mess, they can get her out of it

Loaded with crystals, horoscopes, tarot cards and a carefully aligned chakra or two, Krystal’s determined to have her life back on track by the time Saturn returns.

Out 3 June from Hodder Studio.

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