Read by the author, Ellen Jones. Despite being more visible in mainstream culture than ever before, LGBTQ+ people are facing unacceptable levels of prejudice and danger – from a marked increase in homophobic and transphobic violence, to the rollback of rights around the world. In this groundbreaking, compelling and essential book, author and activist Ellen Jones sets out exactly how LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination, looking at education, sports, religion, marriage, mental health and much more. In searing prose, punctuated with personal accounts from LGBTQ+ people from across the globe, Jones sets out not only the issues but also practical actions, both big and small, that all of us can take to help create a more equal society. What's more, she shines a spotlight on the amazing individuals already working hard to change things. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or simply care about human rights and equality, Outrage is essential, and illuminating, reading.

Outrage

REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK! “This story swept me away with its big dreams, love, and unexpected twists.” —Reese Witherspoon “[A] propulsive puzzle of a novel.” —Nina LaCour, New York Times Book Review In this electric, voice-driven debut novel, an elusive bestselling author decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past. Cate Kay knows how to craft a story. As the creator of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series, she’s one of the most successful authors of her generation. The thing is, Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. She’s never attended author events or granted any interviews. Her real identity had been a closely guarded secret, until now. As a young adult, she and her best friend Amanda fantasized escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future. But after a shocking revelation, Cate understands that returning home is the only way she’ll be a whole person again. “An addictive page-turner infused with humor and heart, The Three Lives of Cate Kay balances the dishy allure of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the empathy of Slow Dance. A joy to read from first page to last” (Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author).

The Three Lives of Cate Kay

A ‘Book of the Year’ for The Guardian, The Observer, The Times, Daily Express, The Spectator, The Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman and the I 'I must confess my devotion immediately: I read every word this man writes. I wait for every new novel and the wait has been worth it: this is gorgeous. I simply love the way this man writes' – Russell T. Davies, writer and creator of It's A Sin 'The best novel that’s been written about contemporary Britain in the past ten years. It’s funny but desperately moving too' – The Sunday Times Featured on Radio 4's 'Book at Bedtime' Alan Hollinghurst, the Booker Prize-winning author of The Line of Beauty, brings us a dark, luminous and wickedly funny portrait of modern England through the lens of one man’s acutely observed and often unnerving experience. It is a story of race and class, theatre and sexuality, love and the cruel shock of violence, from one of the finest writers of our age. Dave Win is thirteen years old when he first goes to stay with the sponsors of his scholarship at a local boarding school. This weekend, with its games and challenges and surprising encounters, will open up heady new possibilities, even as it exposes him to their son Giles’ envy and violence. As their lives unfold over the next half a century, the two boys’ careers will diverge dramatically: Dave, a gifted actor struggling with convention and discrimination, Giles an increasingly powerful and dangerous politician. Our Evenings is the intimate and touching story of Dave Win’s life as a schoolboy and student, his first love affairs, in London, and on the road with an experimental theatre company, and of a late-life affair, which transforms his sixties with a new sense of happiness and a perilous security. Our Evenings entered the Sunday Times Fiction Hardback chart at #9 w/b 07-10-24.

Our Evenings

Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award 'Josh Dylan gives a stand-out performance in this stunning conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy' - AudioFile Secrets! Magic! Enemies to . . . something more? Set in an alternative Edwardian England, A Power Unbound is the steamy, spellbinding conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy by Freya Marske. ‘Sublime prose, top-notch world-building, delightfully queer’ – TJ Klune, bestselling author of Under the Whispering Door, on A Marvellous Light Jack Alston – Lord Hawthorn – would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. He renounced magic after the death of his twin sister. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual risking every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world. Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping its owner Violet track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross. Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. He’s loud in his hatred of the aristocracy and their unearned power . . . and unfortunately, he happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package. When a plot to seize unimaginable magic power comes to a head on Jack’s own family estate, Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets and bloody sacrifice – and the foundations of magic in Britain might be torn up by the roots before the end. Filled with magic, murder and romance, A Power Unbound is the thrilling third book in The Last Binding trilogy by Freya Marske. Start the series with A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth.

The Last Binding

A Power Unbound

Read by the author, Suzi Ruffell, this audiobook includes exclusive behind-the-scenes conversations between Suzi and special guests, including Romesh Ranganathan, Josh Widdecombe, Tom Allen, Maisie Adams, Rosie Jones, and her mum. 'A brilliant representation of anxiety made hilarious.' - Romesh Ranganathan Does peaking in high school ruin you for life? Was Miley Cyrus right, is it all about the climb (when it comes to building a career?) And what - scientifically - is the best way to mend a broken heart? Comedian Suzi Ruffell is considering life's big questions. In this brutally honest, funny, and often moving memoir, Suzi winningly tells her life story, and asks a host of experts to answer the tricky questions it prompts along the way. Diamond life advice comes from the likes of Elizabeth Day, Dolly Alderton, Charlene Douglas, Laura Bates, Dr Kirren Schnack, and more. From masking anxiety with musical theatre and struggling to find her groove at school, on stage, and in her love life, to (eventually) coming out, falling in love, and becoming a parent, Suzi lays her life bare with trademark wit, verve and style. Am I Having Fun Now? is riveting, relatable and revealing. Studded with brilliant, cutting observations on feminism, being working class in the world of arts and comedy, LGBTQ+ equality and the up- and downsides of ambition, it's perfect reading for fans of books by Fern Brady, Elizabeth Day, Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Pascoe and Tom Allen.

Am I Having Fun Now?

Two bisexual exes, one unforgettably hot summer . . . In #1 New York Times-bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other - except they're definitely not. Theo and Kit have been childhood best friends, crushes, lovers and, after a brutal breakup four years ago, estranged exes. It’s not until Theo and Kit are trapped on board a tour bus that they discover that they’ve each had the same idea: to take their dream European food and wine tour – alone. And now they’re stuck with each other for three weeks of the most romantic sights and sensuous flavours of France, Spain, and Italy. But it’ll be fine. They’re absolutely over each other. So, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is game. In fact, why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition? But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have. 'The summer's best romance novel.' Rolling Stone 'Spicy, sexy and absolutely delicious.' People 'Move over "hot girl summer" – "hot bisexual summer" is ready for its moment and Casey McQuiston’s new novel The Pairing is here to usher it in.' USA Today

The Pairing

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

You Should See Me in a Crown (Unabridged)

💖Two musicians. One song stuck in their heads. Can they change their tune…or will it end in heartbreak first?💖*** Joni Lark wants to create the melodies that get stuck in your head…and your heart. Her hometown has always given her surf, sand, and inspiration. But when her parents decide to close the family music venue, Joni’s life begins to fall off key – she couldn’t possibly write another song. Until a melody comes to her, half-formed, and with an imagined voice that she can’t forget. But when the very real, very aggravating man behind the voice shows up in Vienna Shores – Joni can no longer deny their inexplicable telepathic connection. To get out of each other’s heads, they’ll have to finish the song haunting them both. But there’s just one problem – they can’t agree on anything – and if they don’t change their tune, it might just end in heartbreak first… 💖Readers are falling for Sounds Like Love💖'Ashley Poston never misses' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Dreamy, heartfelt, emotionally rich, and full of tender, otherworldly charm' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'My favourite Ashley Poston book so far. I loved it so so much.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Enchantingly gorgeous' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book was magic. Pure magic' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'It had me hooked from the start' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A beautifully written, heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of life, love, loss, family, music and finding yourself again' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💖Readers are OBSESSED with Ashley Poston💖'Ashley Poston has done it again … enchanting' B.K. BORISON ‘Ashley Poston writes really beautiful love stories with just a sprinkling of magic’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I LOVED this book. A beautiful, poignant story … breathtaking, hopeful, and dreamy' ALI HAZELWOOD ‘Ashley Poston knows how to write romance … if you’re a true, soulmate-believing, kitchen slow dancing, and lover of romance with a bit of magical a realism, this is the one for you’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolute and unexpected delight' CHRISTINA LAUREN 'A gorgeous love story from one of the finest romance writers out there' CARLEY FORTUNE

Sounds Like Love

Read by the authors, Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley. What is a black cat lesbian? Is ‘aromantic’ a sexuality or a preference? How are bisexual and pansexual different? What’s it like to be queer and religious? Does Gen Z do darkrooms? How do you navigate life as a OAQ (Old Age Queer)? What does trans euphoria feel like? Why is nightlife so central to the community? What is camp today? As queer people themselves, authors Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley knew they didn’t have all the answers, because their individual experience represents a single pixel of the rainbow. Do Ask, Do Tell is an unapologetically curious journey through the dazzling spectrum of queer life that will give people – queer, straight, cis and everything in-between – the confidence to say 'I don’t know'. With humor, warmth, and radically open minds, Stu and Lotte tackle the questions you may have avoided asking for fear of getting it wrong. Covering everything from ageing to open relationships, darkrooms to Drag Kings, camp to carabinas, as well as the intricacies of gender and sexuality. This insightful and provocative exploration challenges assumptions, shatters taboos, and opens up the conversation. Whether you’re seeking clarity for your cis straight self or deeper insight as a member of the community, this book is your guide to better understanding and celebrating the richness of queer life.

Do Ask, Do Tell

The first definitive biography of revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson—an iconic and trailblazing figure in LGBTQIA+ history—unveiling her life, profound impact, and enduring legacy. “Thank God the revolution has begun, honey.” Legend has it that after Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, she picked up a shard of broken mirror to fix her makeup. This fearless moment embodies both the beauty and violence of the early LGBTQ+ rights movement—and the fabulous, tenacious charisma of Marsha herself. Yet despite the fact that Marsha’s work as a gay liberation activist and drag queen helped spark the progress and continued protest we see today, there has been no definitive record of her life, loves, and lessons. Until now. Written with verve and sparkling prose, Black trans leader Tourmaline brings this iconic, scandalous, vital justice warrior to life in full colour for the first time. Through nearly two decades of research and unprecedented access, Tourmaline has become Marsha’s leading archivist and handles her life and story with care, attention and a perfect dose of humour. This book will take readers into Marsha’s childhood in New Jersey in the 1950s, to her dramatic and essential activism from the Stonewall Riots to the AIDS crisis, to her life creating radical art from the humblest means. Marsha wasn’t just an activist—she was an artist and a performer, a lover and a mentor, a mischievous and transgressive queen. Her larger-than-life presence leaps out of every page. Adorned with her signature flower crown, she was a street fashion icon. She performed with RuPaul and with the internationally renowned drag performance troupe The Hot Peaches. She was muse to countless artists from Andy Warhol to the band Earth, Wind, and Fire. And she continues to inspire countless artists and activists today. Marsha didn’t wait to be freed; she declared herself free and told the world to catch up. MARSHA honours the fullness of her life and will give this remarkable figure her rightful place in history. Her story promises to inspire readers to live as their most liberated, unruly, vibrant, and whole selves.

Marsha

‘The compelling stories in this book are funny, uplifting and at times poignant and sad, but always honest. I learned such a lot.’ – Lorraine Kelly ‘A beautifully heartfelt and poignant collection of wisdom, wit, and reflection.’ – William Hanson, author of Just Good Manners If you could write a letter to your younger queer self, what would you say? What advice would you share? And what would you have really wanted, or needed, to hear? This heartfelt collection of letters written by eminent queer people across music, television, activism, comedy and politics, is a celebration of self-acceptance and an inspiring resource for anyone who has ever struggled with ‘growing up different’. Each letter is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a powerful reminder that love transcends all. Contributors include comedian Suzi Ruffell, concert pianist Cyrill Ibrahim, Nadia Whittome MP, Olympic gymnast Andrew Stamp, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Alaska, HIV activist Philip Baldwin, TV personality Ella Morgan and gallery director Robert Diament, to name a few.

Letters to My Younger Queer Self

“A red-hot sapphic romance that’s perfect for Ali Hazelwood fans.”—Timothy Janovsky, USA Today bestselling author of The (Fake) Dating Game A fire-starting scientist and a bi firefighter team up to save their best friend from an epic mistake in this celebration of queer joy, perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Ashley Herring Blake. Nicole Wells left Seattle two years ago for a master’s in fire dynamics and some much-needed space. Now she’s back, ready to hit reset on her life…and take one last chance on best friend/unrequited love Skylar Clark. But Nic’s plans crumble when Skylar announces she’s quitting her job and moving to Fiji for secret reasons—another typical Skylar disaster in the making. It’s a giant red flag, and Nic feels like she’s the only one who sees it… Until she meets Kira. Kira McKinney stepped in as Skylar’s safety net friend while Nic was away. She’s got plenty of her own problems—can’t get promoted, cancels all her dates, her fire chief father’s legacy—but when Skylar makes her announcement, Kira knows she’s needed again. Fortunately, Kira finds an ally in Nic, and when talking to Skylar doesn’t work, there’s only one option left: shenanigans. But as all their efforts go up in smoke, one thing becomes wildly clear. The situation between Nic and Kira is heating up…but they’ll have to let go of the past first if they don’t want to get burned. “Hilarious and heartfelt. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!”—Carlyn Greenwald, author of Director’s Cut

All Fired Up

What if your Prince Charming had dated your boss?When Taylor Frost’s boss flies him across the country to prep for her daughter’s sweet sixteen at the Storybook Endings Resort, the solo mission is well within his wheelhouse. Taylor is excellent at his job – except, he’s probably not supposed to flirt with the resort’s mountain man of a manager, Ethan Golding. Because the rugged older man is also the birthday girl’s father, aka Amy’s ex-husband. Oops. For Ethan, his divorce seemed like the bad ending to his romantic story. And now, making his daughter’s sweet sixteen dreams come true is the closest he’ll get to the kind of magic happiness in fairy tales. Until adorable Taylor has him wondering if maybe this is just the beginning of a more erotic kind of bedtime story… If one fairytale ends badly…can a new one begin?– Perfect for fans of: 👔 Workplace romance 💘 Forbidden love 🌶️ Spicy Praise for Timothy Janosky'[A] charming blend of sweetness and spice. The chemistry between Taylor and Ethan is palpable from page one!' Sarina Bowen, USA Today bestselling author of the Hockey Guys series 'A delightful fairy tale romance with a delicious forbidden twist—funny, tender, and sexy.' Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn't Care 'The most comforting happily-ever-after that I sorely needed at this moment.' Anita Kelly, author of Love & Other Disasters 'This book is for anyone who loves age-gap romance with a hint of forbidden allure and a dash of fairy-tale magic. It’s spicy, swoony, and utterly captivating.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review – Thinking about what to read after Once Upon You and Me? Check out other forbidden love Afterglow titles!Love and Sportsball by Meka James, a sapphic basketball rom com you don't want to miss. The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore, a gay spicy fake dating romance set in New York. Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith, a workplace enemies to lovers romance where spicy Shakespeare fanfic writer meets devoted reader.

Once Upon You And Me

A joyful story about found family and the courage to embrace love’s true colours.'A book with spring in its step… I read this with a big smile and a soaring heart.' JACK STRANGE ‘A love letter to queerness and the family you get to choose.' PJ ELLIS Forty years ago, sixteen-year-old David was heartbroken when his family rejected him for coming out. Since then, he has vowed to always help anyone in need. So, when he finds a tearful young woman outside his flower shop, he can’t just walk away. Meg is newly engaged to the love of her life, Hannah. She should be overjoyed, but her conservative parents have made their disapproval painfully clear – leaving Meg devastated and wanting to call the whole wedding off. But David won’t let another young person be rejected. He offers to be Meg’s ‘stand-in dad’, diving headfirst into dress fittings, cake tastings, and venue visits to make sure Meg’s special day is unforgettable. Yet Meg’s parents’ absence looms large – and when disaster strikes, can David save the wedding in time? The Stand-in Dad is a joyful story about found family and the courage to embrace love’s true colours, perfect for fans ofMatt Cain, Mike Gayle and Ryan Love. –––––––––––––––– AUTHORS LOVE THE STAND-IN DAD! 'Joyful, uplifting and full of heart – I loved it.' SARAH TURNER 'A thoroughly heart-warming read, full of lovable characters and with a resounding message of hope for our times.' KATE STOREY 'Sweet, uplifting and deeply touching… a delight.' JUSTIN MYERS 'A tender, heart-warming story of friends, family and the unexpected joy that's waiting in the spaces in-between. Gentle and uplifting.' JULIETTA HENDERSON ‘Moving and uplifting, THE STAND-IN DAD is HEARTSTOPPER for adults; a love letter to queerness and the family you get to choose.' PJ ELLIS 'A breath of fresh air. Powered by kindness, community and love, this book is lots of fun and absolutely full of joy.' ELEANOR RAY ‘A sweet and touching story that highlights that true friendship comes in many forms.’ CHARLOTTE BUTTERFIELD 'What a joy! A vibrant, warm and hopeful story, with a cast of characters I'd love to be friends with and a flower shop I wish was on my street. Loved it.' PENNY MIRREN 'A book with spring in its step… I read this with a big smile and a soaring heart.' JACK STRANGE 'A gentle heart-warming story… with a dash of humour whisked in to delight.' CHARLIE LYNDHURST READERS LOVE THE STAND-IN DAD! 'This was just beautiful. Literally, my heart hurts… This will forever live in my mind. Absolutely stunning.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley review 'This is an uplifting and joyful story about love, acceptance and overcoming adversity… Heartily recommended as a queer pick-me-up.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley review 'A lovely and heart-warming book.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley review 'Gosh, what a read… A lovely ending.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley review 'I really enjoyed this book and will be looking out for others by this author. Very impressed.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley review

The Stand-in Dad

“Between the decadence and the dazzling details, I love historical fiction books centered around fashion. And C. W. Gortner’s latest enthralled me. This story transported me to Paris. It was a perfect blend of fiction and fact.” – First for Women The Paris runways of the 70s come to wild and splashy life in this novel of fashion's “It Girl” Loulou de la Falaise and her life partying and designing with Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Halston. Nightlife! Gowns! Cocaine! Glamour! It’s the 1970s, and from hippie London to Warhol’s Factory in New York, reluctant aristocrat Loulou de la Falaise is desperately seeking adventure. Having escaped an early, unhappy marriage, she arrives on a whim in Paris—the champagne-soaked heart of the fashion world, where the rigid old world of haute couture and the ffast-paced new world of ready-to-wear are vying for supremacy. Glamour, sex, and cocaine nights fuel the Paris fashion scene. Its crown prince is the soulful and intensely gifted Yves Saint Laurent, whose sexy tuxedos for women and chic Rive Gauche boutiques reflect women’s desire for seductive independence, a desire Loulou knows all too well. Loulou’s bohemian flair immediately captures Saint Laurent’s attention, and they embark on a glorious intimate friendship as artist and muse. Together they revel in the excesses of high society, decadent parties, and the hedonistic underworld of gay nightclubs, where the young and beautiful become prey, and dangerous rivalries start to emerge. Their course collides with eccentric designer Karl Lagerfeld, intent on his own conquest. Lagerfeld’s bitter professional rivalry with Yves divides Paris even in an era when anything goes. As Yves plunges into a dangerous, secret affair with Karl’s enigmatic young companion, and Loulou finds herself falling in love with a colleague’s handsome boyfriend, evanescent illusion and savage deception will bring them to the brink of ruin. Intoxicating and unforgettable, The Saint Laurent Muse is the dramatic imagining of a lifelong friendship between two kindred spirits, and of a tumultuous time and place in fashion history that will never be seen again.

The Saint Laurent Muse

'Thoughtful, beautiful, incredibly necessary. People need to read this book, especially if they feel a resistance to. I wish everyone would.' Sofie Hagen ‘Uncompromising, anguished, combative: culture wars have victims, and this is an agonising story told with honesty and passion.’ Richard Beard 'An intimate, beautifully told memoir' Elinor Cleghorn When my third child was born, I was told I had a boy. The baby was given a boy’s name and raised in that gender. But when she died, twenty years later, she died as my daughter, and will forever be remembered that way. Alice Litman died by suicide in May 2022, aged just twenty years old, having already waited almost three years for her first appointment at a gender identity clinic. In stunningly beautiful prose, Caroline Litman captures the realities of an often-messy journey navigating both her daughter’s transition and the days, weeks and months after Alice’s death. Searing, urgent and utterly unique, Her Name is Alice is the raw, human story of a mother’s love and grief for her child – and of a young trans woman who is impossible to forget and who must be remembered.

Her Name Is Alice

'A moving exploration of family, migration, class, queerness and belonging… beautifully rendered' JESSICA ANDREWS 'A deeply observant, perceptive writer' JOANNA CANNON 'Evocative, layered and emotionally resonant… deserves to be on your reading list' GLAMOUR 'Masterful… It will stay with you long after you finish it' JJ BOLA ‘Love was a tightrope between freedom and control. He didn’t know how others seemed to walk it with ease’–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- Elom can’t make sense of love. It’s like a language he can’t speak, though he’s heard the words before. He wants to feel understood – by his well-meaning yet misapprehending family, his self-assured partner Ben, and his boisterous friends – but he never knows the right thing to say. How can you know yourself, in a world that’s constantly changing? Set across Ghana and Scotland, this is an intimate portrait of one man’s search for belonging, a family’s attempt to love, and the choices that make a life. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- GLOWING READER REVIEWS ‘Fiamanya's writing is just gorgeous – it's tender, it's unflinching, and it's totally immersive’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘This is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I truly hope more people discover it’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘All in all this was an absolutely stunning debut novel, I cannot wait to read more of Fiamanya's work in the future’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking, this took my breath away. Wow, what a gorgeous novel. I can't recommend this enough’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before We Hit the Ground

'James comes alive in full flamboyance … Russell expertly weaves the bedchamber gossip into the tapestry of a tumultuous reign' SUNDAY TIMES 'Brings the backbiting and power struggles of the Jacobean court to life with wit and vigour' OBSERVER ‘A warts and all story told with compassion’ PHILIPPA GREGORY _______________________________ ‘Elizabeth was king, Then James was queen.’ – English author (1603) James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly. He fell in love three times – with a Scottish lord, a knight and George Villiers, ‘the handsomest man in the whole world’. He was infatuated three more times – with a Highland earl, a Welsh lord and an English spy. We know so much about the six wives of Henry VIII, why not the six loves of James I? This groundbreaking new book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history. Beginning with the brutal and mysterious murder of his father in 1567, James’s life encompassed kidnapping, witchcraft trials, torture, his mother’s beheading, poison, political radicalism, religious fundamentalism, a queen’s alleged abortion, passionate sex, strong love, stronger hate, espionage, brothels, and a decade-long love affair that ended in assassination. It is unquestionably one of the most gripping stories in British history, retold in Gareth Russell’s Queen James with scholarship, biographical insight and wit. ________________________________ 'Books like this don't come along very often. Told with Gareth Russell's characteristic verve and exquisite eye for detail, it is a story so compelling and surprising that it feels as if it has been hiding in plain sight for 400 years. A stunning achievement and a must for history fans everywhere' TRACY BORMAN

Queen James

Read by the author, Harry Trevaldwyn. "One of the funniest, warmest YAs to be published this decade." - Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller "Beyond hilarious and totally brilliant ... filled with so much heart, humour and warmth, it is THE perfect teen romcom! A total delight to read." - Beth Reekles, bestselling author of The Kissing Booth "Funny, voicey and fresh . . ." - Elle McNicoll, author of Some Like it Cold The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is the hilarious YA rom-com debut from actor and comedian Harry Trevaldwyn, perfect for fans of Heartstopper. First there was Bridget Jones. Then there was Georgia Nicolson. Now get ready to meet Patch Simmons . . . Patch has decided that this is the year he will get a boyfriend. Fate finally intervenes when two new mysterious boys join drama club: Peter, who’s just moved from New York (very chic) and his best friend, Sam. Patch is confident that one of them will be his first boyfriend. So, armed with his over-supportive best friend Jean and an alarming level of self-confidence, Patch sets out to make his mission a success. Whether or not they actually like boys or him is a problem for later. "Funny and full of heart, Patch is up there with the great whingers Adrian Mole, Georgia Nicolson, and Bridget Jones. - Monica Heisey, bestselling author of Really Good, Actually

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King

Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 'A triumph' – The Observer 'A masterly achievement' – The Independent In January 1895 Henry James anticipates the opening of his first play, Guy Domville, in London. The production fails, and he returns, chastened and humiliated, to his writing desk. The result is a string of masterpieces, but they are produced at a high personal cost. In The Master Colm Tóibín, author of Brooklyn and Long Island, captures the exquisite anguish of a man who circulated in the grand parlours and palazzos of Europe, who was astonishingly vibrant and alive in his art, and yet whose attempts at intimacy inevitably failed him and those he tried to love. It is a powerful account of the hazards of putting the life of the mind before affairs of the heart. Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.

Picador Collection

The Master

‘If you’re doing romantasy without Freya Marske, you’re doing it wrong’ – Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue Read by Omari Douglas, known for his roles in It's a Sin, Black Doves and the theatre production of A Little Life. A dazzling queer fantasy from the internationally bestselling author of A Marvellous Light, brimming with steamy romance, rougeish charm and intrigue. Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree, Lex Croucher and Casey McQuiston. Low stakes. High heat. Sharp steel . . . Mattinesh Jay, heir to his family’s struggling business, needs his arranged marriage to go off without a hitch. But if he’s to successfully restore his house’s fortunes, Matti must first hire a swordsman to defend him against any sword-challenges at the altar. Unfortunately, the only duellist he can afford is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere. All Luca wants to do is make some easy money and forget the crime he committed in his home town. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible – and inconveniently handsome – wool-merchant like Matti. However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away when the truth could mean losing everything you want? ‘Deliciously cosy and blisteringly hot’ – Lex Croucher, author of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love ‘Swordcrossed proves there's nothing in fantasy – or queer romance – Marske can't do’ – Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil

Swordcrossed

Narrated by Colman Domingo, Rachel Weisz, Michael Cera, Juan Diego Botto, Norbert Leo Butz, Taylour Paige, and Edoardo Ballerini “A major literary talent’s virtuosic debut” (Kaveh Akbar, New York Times bestselling author), the iconoclastic, two-time Academy award-winning writer and director reveals his singular mind as never before in this collection of twelve remarkable stories With this debut collection, film legend Pedro Almodóvar delivers a tantalizing glimpse into his world, formed by twelve stories carefully selected from his personal writings dating from the late ‘60s to the present. Almodóvar writes: “I’ve been asked to write my autobiography more than once, and I’ve always refused. . . . I’ve never kept a diary, and whenever I’ve tried, I’ve never made it to page two; in a sense, then, this book represents something of a paradox. It might be best described as a fragmentary autobiography, incomplete and a little enigmatic.” Each entry reflects Almodóvar's most intimate obsessions, as well as his evolution as an artist. In the title story, “The Last Dream,” Almodóvar reflects on the death of his mother. Other entries in the collection include a love story between Jesus and Barabbas, a story of retribution that formed the basis for the film Bad Education, a manic adventure about a film director searching for painkillers on a bank holiday weekend, and a gothic tale centered around a repentant vampire. Translated from the Spanish by Frank Wynne Table of Contents Introduction —Juan Diego Botto The Visit —Colman Domingo Too Many Gender Swaps —Colman Domingo The Mirror Ceremony —Michael Cera Joanna, the Beautiful Madwoman —Rachel Weisz The Last Dream —Juan Diego Botto The Life and Death of Miguel —Edoardo Ballerini Confessions of a Sex Symbol —Taylour Paige Bitter Christmas —Rachel Weisz Adiós, Volcano —Juan Diego Botto Redemption —Edoardo Ballerini Memory of an Empty Day —Norbert Leo Butz A Bad Novel —Norbert Leo Butz

The Last Dream

A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it. *Winner of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy* Arthur Parnassus has built a good life on the ashes of a bad one. He’s headmaster at an orphanage for magical children, on a peculiar island, assisted by love-of-his-life Linus Baker. And together, they’ll do anything to protect their extraordinary and powerful charges. However, when Arthur is forced to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself fighting for those under his care. It’s also a fight for the better future that all magical people deserve. Then when a new magical child joins their island home, Arthur knows they’ve reached breaking point. The child finds power in calling himself a monster, a name Arthur has tried so hard to banish to protect his children. Challenged from within and without, their volatile family might grow stronger. Or everything Arthur loves could fall apart. TJ Klune's Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the No. 1 New York Times-bestselling sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. Readers love Somewhere Beyond the Sea: ‘If I could give this book a million stars I would’ ‘This book is going to be so healing for a lot of people’ ‘It is warm, it is sad, it is furious, human, but above all that it is bright and warm’ * * * Praise for TJ Klune: ‘I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect’ - V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue ‘It will renew your faith in humanity’ - Terry Brooks, author of the Shannara series ‘Will sweep you away’ - The New York Times Somewhere Beyond the Sea was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller w/c 16 September 2024

Cerulean Chronicles

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

The next enchanting instalment of the sensational #1 SUNDAY TIMES bestselling HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL COVEN fantasy series takes us back to the reign of Henry VIII and the origins of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven under the beautiful, the bewitching, Anne Boleyn. ‘There's revenge, high stakes and an impassioned heroine… a brilliant re-imagining of an iconic historical moment.’ Glamour BOW DOWN WITCHES It’s 1536 and the Queen has been beheaded. Lady Grace Fairfax, witch, knows that something foul is at play – that someone had betrayed Anne Boleyn and her coven. Wild with the loss of their leader – and her lover, a secret that if spilled could spell Grace’s own end – she will do anything in her power to track down the traitor. But there’s more at stake than revenge: it was one of their own, a witch, that betrayed them, and Grace isn’t the only one looking for her. King Henry VIII has sent witchfinders after them, and they’re organized like they’ve never been before under his new advisor, the impassioned Sir Ambrose Fulke, a cold man blinded by his faith. His cruel reign could mean the end of witchkind itself. If Grace wants to find her revenge and live, she will have to do more than disappear. She will have to be reborn. In this gripping, propulsive, sultry novella, Juno Dawson takes us back to the bloody beginnings of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven to show us the strength, steel and sacrifice it takes to make a sisterhood. With beautiful illustrations from Emma Vieceli throughout. Readers are spellbound by HMRC:'Juno Dawson is at the top of her game in this vibrant and meticulous take on witchcraft. Her characteristic wit and grit shine through’ Samantha Shannon ‘I fell in love with her coven’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave ‘A breath of fresh air’ Joanne Harris ‘Utterly compelling’ Louise O’Neill ‘I devoured this’ Lindsey Kelk ‘Thrilling and hair-raising’ Russell T Davies

Her Majesty's Royal Coven

Queen B

With an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance, and perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Becky Albertalli, Lover Birds is a beautifully-written, inclusive and heart-pounding LGBT+ romance. When Isabel Williams moves to Liverpool, she criticises seemingly everything in Eloise Byrne’s life – her city, her accent, her trademark boldness – so if, when she catches Isabel staring, Eloise feels her pulse race, it must be because they hate each other. It surely couldn’t be for any other reason, could it? Eloise needs to get her ADHD under control in time for A-Levels, but when she meets Isabel, school becomes the least of her concerns. What begins as outright contempt turns into an oddly satisfactory rivalry, but for their rivalry to shift further into romance, their relationship must withstand Isabel's classism, Eloise’s distrust, and whatever secrets their friends are hiding from them. With a wonderful cast of characters, an irresistible enemies to lovers, Queer romance, and an incredibly moving and powerful portrayal of ADHD and neurodivergence, Lover Birds is an unmissable debut from an extraordinary new voice in YA fiction.

Lover Birds

Longlisted for the Penderyn Music Book Prize 'I love this book!' SARAH CRACKNELL, SAINT ETIENNE 'Poignant and wonderfully warm' CATHY NEWMAN, CHANNEL 4 NEWS 'Shows us how music has the power to change everything' JUDE ROGERS It is 1994. In a loft bedroom in North Yorkshire, fifteen-year-old Anna sits on the carpet immersed in the pages of Smash Hits, listening to cassette tapes that she keeps in a shoebox. She is dreaming of living inside the songs. The very same year, British music is about to be transformed and will leap from pop to rave to Britpop. This new universe will change Anna's life. Connection is a Song is a journey through the sounds of the 1990s; the story of a life-defining love of music and the tracks that shaped this girl's adventures through the decade. It travels from the impossibly mournful 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinead O'Connor to the delirium of the KLF's '3 a.m. Eternal' via the cartoon swagger of EMF's 'Unbelievable', Madonna's terrifyingly sexy 'Vogue' and the guitar indie heart of the '90s where Elastica's 'Connection' beats Blur and Oasis in Anna's own Battle of Britpop. This is a powerful, universal coming of age story - and also a coming out story - about growing up in an English provincial town, with its suspiciously sticky nightclub floors, the lingering smell of Impulse deodorant, kisses that taste of cider and songs that give Anna feelings that she has never felt before. It is the tale of an outsider who, through connections made at gigs, mysterious black feathers and conversations in smoke-filled cars, finds the people and the places that will take her to her life.

Connection is a Song

Our Flag Means Death meets Six of Crows in this queer pirate adventure from the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron. 'Come for the irrepressible gremlin of a narrator, stay for the plot-relevant cake competitions! A whip-smart, hilarious and exuberant high seas romp' – Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Arashti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world – and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea. To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must work with his on-again, off-again ex, the pirate Captain Teveri az-Haffar. Together, they will have to risk journeying to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls. The only things in their way? A calculating new Arashti ambassador to the Isles; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own; and the fact that they’re sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom. But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they’ll all be as wealthy as kings – and, more importantly, they’ll be legends . . . 'Uproariously funny, exquisitely witty, brimming with buckling of swashes and scuttling of butts' – Premee Mohamed, Nebula Award-winning author of Beneath the Rising

Running Close to the Wind

'Brilliantly audacious' GUARDIAN 'Stunning'DAZED 'Her prose sparkles' ELIZA CLARK ‘Hauntingly good’ iNEWS ’A must read’ GLAMOUR 'One of my favourite novels' JEFF VANDERMEER From the bestselling author of Our Wives Under the Sea, a haunting, heart wrenching novel of three sisters navigating queer love and faith at the end of the world. There’s no way to bury a body in earth which is flooded It’s been raining for a long time now, for so long that the lands have reshaped themselves. Old places have been lost. Arcane rituals and religions have crept back into practice. Sisters Isla, Irene and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their estranged father dies. A famous architect revered for making the new world navigable, he had long cut himself off from public life. They find themselves uncertain of how to grieve his passing when everything around them seems to be ending anyway. As the sisters come together to clear the grand glass house that is the pinnacle of his legacy, they begin to sense that the magnetic influence of their father lives on through it. Something sinister seems to be unfolding, something related to their mother’s long-ago disappearance and the strangers who have always been unusually interested in their lives. Soon, it becomes clear that the sisters have been chosen for a very particular purpose, one with shattering implications for their family and their imperilled world. A Book of the Year in the Guardian and Dazed ‘Armfield writes so gracefully’ THE TIMES ‘Evocative yet grounded’OBSERVER ‘A chilling vision of a future capital that I’ve found impossible to shake’INEWS ‘Ballard-ian in apocalyptic scope … Deeply, passionately, messily human’ PAUL TREMBLAY ‘A signature cocktail of deadpan wit and staggering beauty’ ALICE SLATER ‘Every page guillotines you with its wisdom’ TOM BENN Longlisted for the 2024 Climate Fiction Prize

Private Rites

“This sensational YA debut blends tense, terrifying horror with dark humour, queer romance and hugely original storytelling.” Guardian November 1999, North Dana, Massachusetts. The body of Bastion Attia – high school quarterback, secret witch, and Nesbit Nuñez’s even-more-secret boyfriend – is discovered at the edge of Stepwood Cemetery. As Nesbit and his coven of queer misfits investigate Bastion’s death they discover local folktales of Mr. Nous, a terrifying wish-granting creature, one whose gifts come at a terrible price.The coven must do battle against an age-old evil before it strikes again … Now, Conjurers is a wildly original, spinechilling YA debut about queer found family and a love that outlasts death. ‘This book is charm itself … smart, edgy, funny and heartfelt.’ – Tamsyn Muir – bestselling author of Gideon the Ninth

Now, Conjurers

* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE * * WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION * * WINNER OF THE 2025 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION * Shortlisted for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize and Aspen Words Literary Prize • A Best Book of 2024: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, The Economist, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), Kirkus Reviews, The Independent, BookPage, The Sunday Times (London) “Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible.” —The New York Times • “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “A brilliant debut, as multi-faceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews A “razor-sharp, perfectly plotted” (The Sunday Times, London) tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past. A house is a precious thing... It is 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be—led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season. Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: she sleeps late, walks loudly through the house, and touches things she shouldn’t. In response, Isabel develops a fury-fueled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house—a spoon, a knife, a bowl—Isabel’s suspicions begin to spiral. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to infatuation, leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva—nor the house in which they live—are what they seem. Mysterious, sophisticated, sensual, and infused with intrigue, atmosphere, and sex, The Safekeep is “a brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one’s own desires” (The Guardian).

The Safekeep

What If It's Us meets They Both Die at the End in this sequel to the beloved postapocalyptic queer YA adventure romance All That's Left in the World by USA Today bestselling author Erik J. Brown. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Alex London, and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. After a long and treacherous journey south, Andrew and Jamie have finally found safety in the Florida Keys. But they soon learn that safety doesn't always mean happily ever after. Settling into life in the Islamorada colony with other survivors of the bug, Andrew believes they've finally found themselves a home, even a family. But anxious Jamie is less comfortable in their new community and is eager to return north to keep the promise they made to their friend Henri—to bring her to the colony and reunite her with her daughter. Besides, would it really be so bad to find someplace just for the two of them? When a hurricane and a shocking betrayal force them to leave the colony in search of new shelter, it brings their tensions to a head—and puts them in the path of some old enemies. Andrew and Jamie must set aside their differences to survive once more and find a new home. But what if ""home"" means different things to each of them?

The Only Light Left Burning

I have put my pen at the service of some of the most persecuted and misunderstood people in the world… So far as I know nothing of the kind has ever been attempted before in fiction. —Radclyffe Hall Originally published in 1928, The Well of Loneliness follows the life of Stephen Gordon, a girl born to parents who wished for a boy in late Victorian England. Through Stephen, Hall explores love, lonelieness, and the struggle for self-acceptance in the face of rejection. With its frank portrayal of lesbianism and queer identity, The Well of Loneliness was the subject of several obscenity trials and subjected to bans in multiple countries upon its publication. A watershed moment in LGBTQ+ literary history, its cultural impact endures to this day.

The Well of Loneliness

'This book had sex with my brain!' SARA PASCOE 'Hilarious. Intimate. Vital.' JAMEELA JAMIL 'I couldn't put the book down!' LAURA BATES Comedian Sofie Hagen has not had sex in 3,000 days (and counting). And it turns out, she's not the only one . . . In an attempt to find out why we're not having the sex we want, Sofie asks the questions: can we blame a lacking sex education? Is it all just sexual trauma? Where's the radical sexual liberation we were promised? What are we going to do about this? Should she have slept with that guy in that bush that one time? How do you overcome being a 35-year-old virgin (when it comes to queer sex, that is)? How do the socially awkward and the neurodiverse have sex? In Will I Ever Have Sex Again?, Sofie Hagen explores the quirks and difficulties of being an 'involuntary celibate' (but one of the feminist, progressive ones). With a blend of memoir and conversations with experts, therapists, sex workers, porn stars, comedians and public figures, this is a humorous and bold undertaking to gain a better understanding of how we can think, talk and feel about sex. The audiobook includes an exclusive bonus interview with fellow comedian, friend and author, Sara Pascoe. 'I was expecting a tad more tahini' YOTTAM OTTOLENGHI 'Refreshingly honest' ROSIE JONES 'Warm, Curious, Charming' AUBREY GORDON

Will I Ever Have Sex Again?

Celebrate your resilience and bravery in the face of discrimination and empower yourself and your community with these 100+ affirmations for queer people that celebrate being LGBTQIA+. Queer people are essential members of society—trailblazing for positive change and building up a stronger and more vibrant community every day. It’s time to affirm these truths and so many more with Affirmations for Queer People. In this book, discover more than 100 affirmations to empower yourself, emphasize your self-worth, care for your mental health and emotional well-being, and so much more. You can use these affirmations and the accompanying texts to reflect on your own life and your future. You’ll find amazing, inclusive artwork throughout that speaks to the beauty, bravery, and diversity of this incredible community. With Affirmations for Queer People, celebrate being a queer person, affirm your talent and worth, and bring your dreams to fruition.

Affirmations for Queer People

'I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN' SHON FAYE 'A MASTERPIECE. THIS SEARING TALE OF LOVE, SEX AND CLASS WILL RESONATE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME' OWEN JONES 'I WAS DEEPLY MOVED BY ITS BEAUTY AND HUMANITY' COCO MELLORS 'Electric and intimate' Guardian 'Impossibly, ineffably beautiful’ Russell T Davies 'Intoxicating' Irish Times London, June 2019. Maggie is 30, pregnant and broke. Faced with moving back to the home town she fought to escape, she’s wondering if having a baby with boyfriend Ed will be the last spontaneous act of her life. Ed, meanwhile, is harbouring secret dreams of his own. Phil hates his office job and is living for the weekend, while falling for his housemate, Keith. But there’s a problem: Keith already has a boyfriend. Then there’s Rosaleen, Phil’s mother, who’s tired of feeling like a side character in her own life. She’s just been diagnosed with cancer and is travelling to London to tell Phil, if she can ever get hold of him. As Saturday night approaches in a city on the brink of political upheaval, all their lives are set to change forever. It’s the hottest summer on record, and the weekend is about to begin. What readers are saying… 'I’ve had a week long book hangover. Read it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A book I will carry with me in my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The best book I've read in recent years' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'My life got just a bit richer from having read this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely loved it, every word' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evenings and Weekends

'A kaleidoscopic portrait of post-war queer life' Guardian 'Fascinating' The Times 'Absorbing, illuminating, highly entertaining and often very funny' Spectator 'Fascinating, bitchy, humorous and shocking' Time Out FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS Mr George Lucas led a double life. A mild-mannered civil servant by day, by night he was a fixture of London's colourful underground gay scene - a twilight world of petty crime, louche pubs and public toilets. He was also an obsessive diary writer. Beginning in the early 1960s, Mr Lucas had a passionate and fraught affair with a rent boy associate of the Kray twins known as Irish Peter, one of many men Mr Lucas paid for sex. Together, Irish Peter and Mr Lucas represent the spectrum of gay criminality prior to the partial decriminalisation of gay sex in 1967. When Mr Lucas died in 2014, he left his diaries to the journalist Hugo Greenhalgh. The Diaries of Mr Lucas combines Mr Lucas's deliciously indiscreet recollections of a life spent sometimes literally in the shadows with Greenhalgh's commentary - this is gay London like it's never been seen before.

The Diaries of Mr Lucas

A Lilith Magazine Most Anticipated Book of 2024 • A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Book of 2024 ""An explosion of creative beauty and heart.""–Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of Chain-Gang All-Stars ""Baffingly good."" –Jordy Rosenberg, author of Confessions of the Fox ""A miracle of physics and art."" –Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth For fans of Emily St. John Mandel and Kelly Link, a profoundly imaginative debut novel set in numerous universes, which follows a queer physicist’s search for belonging across time and space, featuring a bonus chapter exclusive to the audio edition. Raffi works in an observational cosmology lab, searching for dark matter and trying to hide how little they understand their own research. Every chance they get, they escape to see Britt, a queer sculptor who fascinates them for reasons they also don’t—or won’t—understand. As Raffi’s carefully constructed life begins to collapse, they become increasingly fixated on the multiverse and the idea that somewhere, there might be a universe where they mean as much to Britt as she does to them…and just like that, Raffi and Britt are thirteen years old, best friends and maybe something more. In Universes is a mind-bending tour across parallel worlds, each an answer to the question of what life would be like if events had played out just a little differently. The universes grow increasingly strange: women fracture into hordes of animals, alien-infested bears prowl apocalyptic landscapes. But across them all, Raffi—alongside their sometimes-friends, sometimes-lovers Britt, Kay, and Graham—reaches for a life that feels authentically their own. Blending realism with science fiction, In Universes explores the thirst for genius, the fluidity of gender and identity, and the pull of the past against the desire to lead a meaningful life. Part Ted Chiang, part Carmen Maria Machado, part Everything Everywhere All At Once, In Universes insists on the transgressive power of hope even in the darkest of times.

In Universes

An unmissable graphic memoir perfect for fans of the global hit Heartstopper and Juno Dawson's What's the T? Hello! I’m Theo. I like cats, Dungeons & Dragons . . . and I’m trans and non-binary. Ever since I was young, I’ve been on a journey to explore who I am. To discover the things that make me . . . me. Sometimes it can feel like the world is trying to fit you into a box, to label you one way or another, but there is nothing more wonderful than finding your true authentic self, whoever you are. Whether you are transgender or cisgender, we are all searching for ways to make our houses feel like homes . . . In Homebody, Theo tells the heartwarming story of discovering how to live life on their own terms. This graphic novel audio has been specially adapted with sound design and music to bring the graphics to life. The audiobook is performed by Roly Botha, featuring Annabel Baldwin and George Naylor, and features an exclusive Q&A between Roly and Theo. ‘The most radical act of self love is living authentically in a world that takes every opportunity to squeeze you into a box of someone else’s design.’

Homebody

Vera Holme, known as Jack, left a career as a jobbing actress to become Emmeline Pankhurst's chauffeur and mechanic. Evelina Haverfield was a classic beauty, the daughter of a Scottish baron and fourteen years older than Jack. They met in 1909, fell in love, lived together, and became public faces of the suffragette movement, enduring prison and doing everything they could for the cause. The First World War paused the suffragettes' campaign and Jack and Eve enrolled in the Scottish Women's Hospital Service and soon found themselves in Serbia. Eve set up and ran hospitals for allied soldiers in appalling conditions, while Jack became an ambulance driver, travelling along dirt tracks under bombardment to collect the wounded from the front lines. Together, they carved radical new paths, demonstrating that women could do anything men could do, whether driving ambulances, running military hospitals, becoming prisoners of war or bearing arms. They refused to compromise in their sexuality - they were lifelong partners even though Jack enjoyed relationships with other women. Determined to be themselves, 'forthright, flamboyant and proud', Wendy Moore uses their story as a lens through which to view the suffragette movement, the work of women in WWI and the development of lesbian identity throughout the twentieth century.

Jack and Eve: Two Women In Love and At War

'Tender and gallant…Beautiful and romantic' Ashley Herring Blake To win her heart, she'll have to fight…Winner of the RNA's Popular Romantic Novel Award 2025. Oxfordshire 1362 When Lily Barden discovers her best friend Johanna’s hand in marriage is being awarded as the main prize at a tournament, she is determined to stop it. Disguised as a knight, she infiltrates the contest, preparing to fight for Jo’s hand. But her conduct ruffles feathers, and when a dangerous incident escalates out of Lily’s control, Jo must help her escape. Finding safety with a local brewster, Lily and Jo soon settle into their new freedom, and amongst blackberry bushes and lakeside walks an unexpected relationship blossoms. But when Jo’s past catches up with her and Lily’s reckless behaviour threatens their newfound happiness, both women realise that choices must always come at a cost. The question they need to ask is if the cost is worth the price of love… Perfect for fans of Freya Marske, Alexis Hall and Casey McQuiston.﻿'Heartbreakingly tender' Cat Sebastian 'A delightful friends-to-lovers slow burn romance' M.N. Bennet Readers are LOVING All the Painted Stars: 'Amazing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I swooned' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I'd really recommend this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Barden Series

All the Painted Stars

* FIVE STARRED REVIEWS * * A LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST * Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers. Icarus Gallagher is a thief. He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at bay: Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught. Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules. As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the gilded cage that has trapped both their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to choose: the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall. ""The sparse prose in this unconventional, must-read of a trauma-infused borderline thriller is packed with emotional breadth."" —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ""In this intimate poetic reimagining of the Icarus myth, Ancrum crafts a subversive triumph that is a love letter both to healing from trauma and to the importance of connection and empathy."" —Publishers Weekly (starred review) ""Beautifully written...Psychologically acute, subtle, and sophisticated."" —ALA Booklist (starred review) ""In her extraordinary fifth novel, Icarus, K. Ancrum performs a confident high-wire act, balancing the weighty manifestations of connection, desire, and contradiction."" —BookPage (starred review) “Gradually, many secrets are revealed, suspense builds, and the romantic tension between the characters ratchets up—all of it enhanced by the vivid prose in this refreshingly succinct novel.” —The Horn Book ""Both romance and thriller fans will likely be gripped by this memorable love story, tinged with mythology, built around a mystery made up of bitter secrets between the two families."" —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Icarus

Now a Major Motion Picture starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, and Jamie Bell. A man is drawn back to his childhood home and discovers his parents living just as they were on the day they died thirty years before… Screenwriter Harada is disconnected from the world. Lonely and jaded, he’s drifted apart from his son and is dismissive when approached with gestures of friendship, including from a lonely and mysterious tenant who lives in his mostly empty apartment building. One night, when Harada returns to the dilapidated downtown district of Tokyo where he grew up, he meets a man who looks exactly like his long-dead father. And so begins Harada’s ordeal, thrust into a reality where his parents appear to be alive at the exact age they had been when they died many years earlier. Deeply felt, searching, and profound, All of Us Strangers is a beautiful meditation on loss and the connection between familial love and romantic love.

All of Us Strangers [Movie Tie-in]

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From international drag superstar and pop culture icon RuPaul, comes his most revealing to date—a brutally honest and deeply intimate memoir of growing up Black, poor, and queer in a broken home to discovering the power of performance and self-acceptance. A profound introspection of his life, relationships, and identity, The House of Hidden Meanings is a self-portrait of the legendary icon on the road to global fame and changing the way the world thinks about drag. Central to RuPaul’s success has been his chameleonic adaptability. From drag icon to powerhouse producer of one of the world’s largest television franchises, RuPaul’s ever-shifting nature has always been part of his brand as both supermodel and super mogul. Yet that adaptability has made him enigmatic to the public. In this memoir, his most intimate and detailed book yet, RuPaul makes himself truly known. Stripping away all artifice, RuPaul recounts the story of his life with breath taking clarity and tenderness, bringing his signature wisdom and wit to his own biography. From his early years growing up as a queer Black kid in San Diego navigating complex relationships with his absent father and temperamental mother, to forging an identity in the punk and drag scenes of Atlanta and New York, to finding enduring love with his husband Georges LeBar and self-acceptance in sobriety, RuPaul excavates his own biography, uncovering new truths and insights in his personal history. Here in RuPaul’s singular and extraordinary story is a manual for living—a personal philosophy that testifies to the value of chosen family, the importance of harnessing what makes you different, and the transformational power of facing yourself fearlessly. If we’re all born naked and the rest is drag, then this is RuPaul totally out of drag. This is RuPaul stripped bare.

The House of Hidden Meanings

New York Times Book Critics Favorite Book of the Year · Washington Post Notable Book of the Year “It’s all here: the grade school Walt Disney and Dr. Seuss; the adolescent acid trips; the fondness for Post-it notes and flying saucers; the long tails of Dubuffet and Burroughs; the encounters with Madonna, Warhol, and one game-changer of a subway Johnny Walker Red poster. Brad Gooch takes us deep into Keith Haring’s imagination while somehow managing to fix the aura and energy of the 1980s New York art scene to the page. A keen-eyed, beautifully written biography, atmospheric, exuberant, and as radiant as they come.”—Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Revolutionary: Sam Adams A stunning life of the iconic American artist, Keith Haring, by the acclaimed biographer Brad Gooch. In the 1980s, the subways of New York City were covered with art. In the stations, black matte sheets were pasted over outdated ads, and unsigned chalk drawings often popped up on these blank spaces. These temporary chalk drawings numbered in the thousands and became synonymous with a city as diverse as it was at war with itself, beset with poverty and crime but alive with art and creative energy. And every single one of these drawings was done by Keith Haring. Keith Haring was one of the most emblematic artists of the 1980s, a figure described by his contemporaries as “a prophet in his life, his person, and his work.” Part of an iconic cultural crowd that included Andy Warhol, Madonna, and Basquiat, Haring broke down the barriers between high art and popular culture, creating work that was accessible for all and using it as a means to provoke and inspire radical social change. Haring died of AIDS in 1990. To this day, his influence on our culture remains incontrovertible, and his glamorous, tragically short life has a unique aura of mystery and power. Brad Gooch, noted biographer of Flannery O’Connor and Frank O’Hara, was granted access to Haring’s extensive archive. He has written a biography that will become the authoritative work on the artist. Based on interviews with those who knew Haring best and drawing from the rich archival history, Brad Gooch sets out to capture the magic of Keith Haring: a visionary and timeless icon.

Radiant

Narrated by Mara Wilson Set in the early 1990s, the long-awaited tenth novel in Armistead Maupin’s beloved and enduring Tales of the City series follows the adventures of Mona Ramsey, now the widowed Lady of a glorious old manor in Britain’s golden Cotswolds, and her fabulous adopted son Wilfred, as they come to the aid of an American visitor with a troubling secret. When Mona Ramsey married Lord Teddy Roughton to secure his visa—allowing him to remain in San Francisco to fulfill his wildest dreams—she never imagined she would, by age 48, be the sole owner of Easley House, Teddy’s grand, romantic country manor in the UK. She also didn't imagine that she’d need to open the manor’s doors to paying guests to afford the electric bill and repair the leaking roof. Yet somehow she and her young friend Wilfred--whom guests assume is serving as Easley’s charming-but-clumsy butler--and the loopy old gardener Mr. Hargis, are making it work. This delicate equilibrium is upended when Americans Rhonda and Ernie Blaylock arrive for a weekend vacation at Easley, and Wilfred stumbles onto their terrible secret. Now, instead of being able to focus on the imminent arrival of her old friend Michael Tolliver and beloved parent Anna Madrigal, Mona will need to focus all of her considerable charm, willpower, and wiles—and the help of Wilfred and Mona’s girlfriend Poppy, the town’s postmistress and local calligraphy whiz—to set things right before the Midsummer ceremony when the whole town will descend on Easley’s historic grounds.

Tales of the City

Mona of the Manor

The thrilling epic fantasy sequel to No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, GODKILLER. THE INSTANT NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! War is coming, godkiller. The gods are stirring, whispering of war. Godkiller Kissen sacrificed herself to save her friends. But gods cannot be destroyed so easily – and neither can godkillers. Young noble Inara and her little god of white lies, Skedi, seek answers to the nature of their bond. But secrets they uncover could determine the outcome of the war. Meanwhile, Elogast has been charged with destroying King Arren, the man he once called friend, who has now entered into an unholy pact with the most dangerous of them all. The kingdom is on the brink of destruction. What will they each sacrifice to save it? Praise for GODKILLER: ‘Godkiller will have you in its grasp from the first pages’ Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree ‘Devastating and triumphant’ Tasha Suri, award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne ‘Violent, bawdy, beautifully imagined, and intensely felt, Godkiller is a bone-rattling fantasy thriller that flies by in a breathtaking rush’ Joe Hill, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman ‘Epic and intimate, tender and sharp’ Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf ‘Holy heck, this book is so good’ Katee Robert, New York Times bestselling author of the Dark Olympus series

Godkiller

Sunbringer

A TIME MUST-READ BOOK OF THE YEAR • A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR “A heartfelt portrait of a complex family.” —People • “Laugh-out-loud-funny.” —Harper’s Bazaar • “Quintessential rom-com meets the delicious family sprawl of a Russian classic.” —Vanity Fair The “brilliant” (Daily Mail, London) bestseller that follows a brother and sister as they navigate queerness, multiracial identity, and family drama, all while flailing their way to love—for fans of Schitt’s Creek and Sally Rooney’s Normal People. It’s been a year since his ex-boyfriend dumped him and moved from Auckland to Buenos Aires, and Valdin is doing fine. He has a good flat with his sister Greta, a good career where his colleagues only occasionally remind him that he is the sole Maaori person in the office, and a good friend who he only sleeps with when he’s sad. But when work sends him to Argentina and he’s thrown back in his former lover’s orbit, Valdin is forced to confront the feelings he’s been trying to ignore—and the future he wants. Greta is not letting her painfully unrequited crush (or her possibly pointless master’s thesis, or her pathetic academic salary...) get her down. She would love to focus on the charming fellow grad student she meets at a party and her friendships with a circle of similarly floundering twenty-somethings, but her chaotic family life won’t stop intruding: her mother is keeping secrets, her nephew is having a gay crisis, and her brother has suddenly flown to South America without a word. Filled with “kernels of humor and truth” (Elle) and with an undeniable emotional momentum that builds to an exuberant conclusion, Greta & Valdin careens us through the siblings’ misadventures and the messy dramas of their sprawling, eccentric Maaori-Russian-Catalonian family. An acclaimed bestseller in New Zealand, Greta & Valdin is fresh, joyful, and alive with the possibility of love in its many mystifying forms.

Greta & Valdin

The Atlas Complex marks the much-anticipated, heart-shattering conclusion in Olivie Blake's trilogy that began with the internationally bestselling dark academic phenomenon, The Atlas Six. Only the extraordinary are chosen. Only the cunning survive. An explosive return to the library leaves the six Alexandrians vulnerable to the lethal terms of their recruitment. Old alliances quickly fracture as the initiates take opposing strategies as to how to deal with the deadly bargain they have so far failed to uphold. Those who remain with the archives wrestle with the ethics of their astronomical abilities; elsewhere, an unlikely pair partner to influence politics on a global stage. And still the outside world mobilizes to destroy them — while the Caretaker himself, Atlas Blakely, may yet succeed with a plan foreseen to have world-ending stakes. It’s a race to survive as the six Society recruits are faced with the question of what they're willing to betray for limitless power — and who will be destroyed along the way. Discover the stunning finale to The Atlas Six trilogy that fans are dying to read 'Desperately excited to be emotionally devastated' - @literamie 'I never want the series to end but I need answers!' - @thelibraryofdais 'Until I have a copy of the book in my hands, I will not know peace' - @vivafalastinleen 'Words can't express how excited I am' - @joereads

Atlas series

The Atlas Complex

THE OFFICIAL STORY OF A MUSICAL ICON - TOLD IN FULL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS OWN WORDS 'In what might be the most entertaining music memoir since Elton John's Me, Boy George's Karma weaves a meandering path through several decades' of fame, success, crash and burn, before delivering him into a kind of autumnal meditative serenity... This is George O'Dowd in all his exhausting glory.' Observer 'I went to a lot of trouble to create Boy George and then I went through a whole battle for years about not wanting to be him. But now I enjoy and embrace it in a way that I wasn't able to as a young person.... I'm finally learning to be George Alan O'Dowd from Eltham.' Karma is the definitive autobiography from the incomparable Grammy, Brit and Ivor Novello award-winning lead singer of Culture Club and LGBTQ+ vanguard: Boy George. Told in his inimitable style, Karma tells the story of the charismatic frontman - the drama, the music, his journey of addiction and recovery, surviving prison, meeting legends like David Bowie, Prince and Madonna, and the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight and in the headlines. This is the explosive and searingly honest account of Boy George's life as a child growing up in sixties London, coming out to his Irish Catholic family and exploring his sexuality through the hedonism of the seventies - the glam rock and punk rock revolution that birthed Culture Club - and the heydays of the nineties, to finally embracing the man and artist that he is today. With all the humour, honesty, sarcasm (and hats!) that you'd expect, Karma gives us a unique insight into Boy George's incredible story and the true evolution of a music icon. 'Culture Club is always going to be one of those lovers I go back to. I've railed against it and that Boy George character I created. For years I convinced myself I was a creature of habit, unchangeable, immovable. But eventually you have to look in the mirror. Not looking for spots, looking for something deeper. Why the hell am I here? I would say life is the point of life.'

Karma

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Daring . . . a brilliant contemporary novel.”—Colm Tóibín An intimate, sharply funny novel about a couple heading toward their wedding, and the three friends who may draw them apart Meet Celine and Luke. For all intents and purposes, the happy couple. Luke (a serial cheater) and Celine (more inter­ested in piano than domestic life) plan to marry in a year. Archie (the best man) should be moving on from his love for Luke and up the corporate ladder, but he finds himself utterly stuck. Phoebe (the bridesmaid and Celine’s sister) just wants to get to the bottom of Luke’s frequent unexplained disappearances. And Vivian (a wedding guest) is the only one with any emotional distance and observes her friends like ants in a colony. As the wedding approaches and their five lives intersect, these characters will each look for a path to the happily ever after—but does it lie at the end of an aisle? In her wry, sprightly, and unmistakable voice, Naoise Dolan makes the marriage plot entirely her own in a sparkling ensemble novel that is both ferociously clever and supremely enjoyable.

The Happy Couple

Enter the corrupt world of Veradell, where warring monarchs vie for a kingdom full of forbidden magic, illicit romance and cut-throat horse racing. Steeped in Jewish folklore, This Dark Descent is an explosive YA fantasy by Kalyn Josephson, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows. Mikira Rusel is out of options. With her father imprisoned and facing rising debts, there’s only one way to save her family from ruin: enter the Illinir, a high-stakes, cross-country horse race known for its high death toll as much as its flashy prize money. To have any chance of success she’ll have to recruit Ari, an unlicensed enchanter, Damien, a lord in the midst of a succession battle, and Reid; the brooding horse trainer who will be the key to Mikira’s survival. All her accomplices have reasons of their own to help Mikira - and their own blood feuds to avenge. And as alliances deepen and romances form, Mikira will have to discover where everyone’s true loyalties lie. In a world as dangerous as this, remember to keep your enemies close and your friends closer . . .

This Dark Descent

Twenty years after the success of her first memoir, the New York Times bestseller The Truth Is . . ., the Grammy and Oscar award-winning rocker and trailblazing LGBTQAI icon takes stock of the intervening years, recounting the euphoric triumphs and the life-altering tragedies of her life. The audiobook is an exclusive musical experience, read and performed by Melissa. It features live, stripped-down performances of many of Melissa’s songs, including the one that inspired the book title, Talking to My Angel; never-before performed songs including Here Comes the Pain; and original interstitial and credit music. Live with spirit. Find peace in the chaos. Lean into the joy. Over the past twenty years, Melissa Etheridge has been blessed with success, love, joy, contentment, freedom, and release. She became a mother again, recorded eleven albums, toured the world, performed at the Grammy Awards, won an Oscar, discovered her one true love, and underwent a profound spiritual awakening. She also experienced illness, incomparable loss, heartache, guilt, shame, and devastating grief. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, endured two contentious and public break ups, and witnessed the devastating disintegration and death of her son, Beckett, to opioid addiction. Yet through it all, Melissa found the strength and courage to carry on. Talking to My Angels is a profoundly honest look into her inner life as a woman, an artist, a mother, and a survivor. With characteristic wit and courage, Melissa delves into how numerous tragedies served as a catalyst for growth, and what the past two decades have taught her about the value of music, love, family, and life in the face of death. It is her story: as raw, vulnerable, and electrifying as her acclaimed songs. Melissa shares hard truths about surviving and thriving—a journey through darkness and uncertainty that leads to forgiveness and love. A remarkable storyteller, she digs deep into the well of her life, sharing memories that, woven together, create a rich portrait of success and survival—an intimate, emotional and ultimately inspiring story of healing. A memoir a lifetime in the making, Talking to My Angels is Melissa’s engrossing—and at times harrowing—story as she lived it. It is a testament to the power of art, a touchstone for anyone seeking a path out of darkness, and a powerful love letter to the family and fans who’ve been integral to her journey.

Talking to My Angels

Fierce winds, howling seas and deadly secrets await in The Raging Storm, the latest mystery featuring Detective Matthew Venn from Ann Cleeves, the number one bestselling author and creator of Vera and Shetland. When Jem Rosco – sailor, adventurer and local legend – blows into town in the middle of an autumn gale, the residents of Greystone, Devon, are delighted to have a celebrity in their midst. The residents think nothing of it when Rosco disappears again; that’s the sort of man he is. Until the lifeboat is launched to a hoax call-out during a raging storm and his body is found in a dinghy, anchored off Scully Cove, a place with legends of its own. This is an uncomfortable case for DI Matthew Venn. He came to the remote village as a child, its community populated by the Barum Brethren that he parted ways with, so when superstition and rumour mix and another body is found in the cove, Matthew soon finds his judgement clouded. As the stormy winds howl and the village is cut off, Venn and his team start their investigation, little realizing their own lives might be in danger. . . Now a major ITV series, The Long Call, starring Ben Aldridge. Praise for the Matthew Venn series: 'Matthew Venn is a keeper' - David Baldacci 'Had me hooked . . . a promising beginning to another fine chapter in the Ann Cleeves story' - The Times 'A triumph that cements Cleeves’ status as one of Britain’s best crime writers' - Daily Express 'Clever, compassionate and atmospheric' - Elly Griffiths 'Cleeves combines a flair for evoking sense of place with a thoughtful, complex plot' - Mail on Sunday 'A traditional mystery of the best sort' - Guardian What readers are saying about The Raging Storm: ‘Absolutely brilliant, Ann Cleeves at her best’ ‘The twists and turns, challenging relationships within the community, mixed with a huge dose of superstitions surrounding routines around the sea, makes for a brilliant novel’ ‘In my opinion, Ann Cleeves ranks among the top crime writers. She consistently delivers classic murder mysteries by balancing diverse characters and rich settings to create unique stories every time’ ‘The setting in this is so integral to the plot that it could almost be a character in its own right’ ‘Cleeves creates a strong sense of tension which pushes you on. The plot is a true mystery, littered with clues and red herrings, and the end is a brilliant revelation’

Two Rivers

The Raging Storm

Winner of the Somerset Maugham Award Waterstones best book of the year 2023 'A remarkable feat of storytelling' Rosie Hewlett This should be the story of Hercules: his twelve labours, his endless adventures…everyone’s favourite hero, right?﻿Wrong. This is the story of everyone else: Alcmene: Herc’s mother (She has knives everywhere) Hylas: Herc’s first friend (They were more than friends) Megara: Herc’s wife (She’ll tell you about their marriage) Eurystheus: Oversaw Herc’s labours (He never asked for the job) His friends, his enemies, his wives, his children, his lovers, his rivals, his gods, his victims. It’s time to hear their stories. Herc gives voice to the silenced characters, in this feminist, queer (and sometimes shocking) retelling of classic Hercules myth. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Joanne M. Harris'It. Is. Fantastic' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolute delight' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Herc

From the internationally bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Masters of Death is a queer, spellbinding fantasy bursting with Olivie Blake’s signature sharp wit, stunning prose and unforgettable characters. ‘Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent’ – Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights This book is about an estate agent. Only she’s a vampire, the house on sale is haunted, and its ghost was murdered. When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with a ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is not a medium at all. He’s a fraud – and the godson of Death. As the mystery of the mansion unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into an unlikely quest that neither wants nor expects. They’ll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a steadfast reaper, and an angel with her own secrets. It transpires that an inconvenient dead body and a lost love are intrinsically linked. Can this coalition of unwilling allies solve this conundrum and un-haunt a house – by winning a devious immortal game? 'A meditation on romance and mortality, with the most satisfying ending imaginable' – SFX Fans love Masters of Death: 'Olivie Blake has so easily become one of my favorite authors' 'I love the philosophy that always threads through Olivie Blake’s books' 'Honestly? I’m speechless' ‘Simply brilliant’ ‘I'm so sad I won't be able to read this for the first time again’ ‘Olivie Blake does it again!’

Masters of Death

'A gripping call to action—and a daring triumph of a novel' ADORAH NWORAH 'Masterfully portrays the splintering of the mind in its most striking, unfiltered form' AIWANOSE ODAFEN 'A playful, powerful debut' ZAKIYA DALILA HARRIS A RAZOR-SHARP NOVEL FROM AN UTTERLY UNIQUE NEW VOICE.A lot is happening to Me. Will Me survive? Sahara is a student at one of the most elite universities in America – and she is Not Okay. Her grades are subpar, she’s not Nigerian enough for her family, and her long-term Life Partner* is threatening to take over. When she’s not contemplating killing herself or the wealthy white students around her, she’s receiving an increasing number of ‘Unfortunate News’ emails, which inform her that the few Black classmates she has are disappearing. Will Sahara end up joining the ranks of ‘The Unfortunates’, or can she avoid becoming yet another statistic? Written in the style of a thesis, J K Chukwu’s highly original debut is a darkly funny and biting take on the campus novel, set in the mind of a young Black woman who is losing hers. *depression

The Unfortunates

Shortlisted for the James Tait Black Prize for Fiction 'An instant classic' - THE GUARDIAN 'A bloody masterpiece.' - MELISSA BRODER, author of THE PISCES 'Witty, emotional and gripping, Open Throat is a short but savage thrill ride' - THE INDEPENDENT 'Open Throat is Bret Easton Ellis meets mountain lion in the Hollywood Hills . . . it already has people talking' - THE SUNDAY TIMES I’ve never eaten a person but today I might . . . A queer and dangerously hungry mountain lion lives in the drought-devastated land under the Hollywood sign. Fascinated by the voices around them, the lion spends their days protecting a nearby homeless encampment, observing hikers complain about their trauma and, in quiet moments, grappling with the complexities of their own identity. When a man-made fire engulfs the encampment, the lion is forced from the hills down into the city the hikers call 'ellay'. As they confront a carousel of temptations and threats, the lion takes us on a tour that spans the cruel inequalities of Los Angeles. But even when salvation finally seems within reach, they are forced to face down the ultimate question: do they want to eat a person, or become one? 'Open Throat is what fiction should be.' - THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 'A blinding spotlight beam of a book that I was completely unable and unwilling to put down.' - Catherine Lacey, author of Pew Named a Most Anticipated Book by The New York Times, ELLE, Vanity Fair, Buzzfeed, i-D, Boston Globe, Nylon, Alta, Shondaland, Chicago Review of Books, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Literary Hub.

Open Throat

From award-winning author Benjamin Dean comes a deliciously dark and addictive YA thriller following the lives of Gen Z’s rich and famous through the lens of an undercover teen journalist. Perfect for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and One of Us is Lying. 'A tense, page-turning YA showbiz thriller' The Guardian 'This [book] has "Netflix adaptation" written all over it.' The Bookseller London-born Abel has landed the role of a lifetime for an upcoming blockbuster. On the face of it he’s Hollywood’s latest teen star, but below the surface he’s an undercover journalist on a mission to expose the ‘squeaky clean’ entertainment industry and the part they played in his brother’s ‘accidental’ death. As Abel steps into the spotlight alongside fellow actors Lucky, Ryan and Ella, he soon discovers that beneath the glittering surface of fame and riches lies a darker world of secrecy, scandal and murder. Nobody is who they seem when the cameras are off, and everybody has something to hide. But who’s next in line to die famous? Drawing on his previous career as a celebrity journalist, Benjamin Dean examines the dark underbelly of showbiz, leaving no stone unturned. PRAISE FOR BENJAMIN DEAN’S THE KING IS DEAD: ‘Benjamin Dean has written a royal triumph.’ Juno Dawson, author of Clean ‘All hail this exquisitely twisty, delightfully queer mystery.’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You ‘A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First ‘More jaw-dropping, OMG-twists than even the most salacious tabloid journalist could create.’ Erik J. Brown, author of All That's Left in the World ‘One page-burning scandal after another. Benjamin Dean is YA royalty.’ Femi Fadugba, author of The Upper World ‘Addictive, compelling, and utterly delicious.’ Simon James Green, author of Noah Can’t Even

How To Die Famous

’THIS BOOK IS SO FUN AND HOT AND EXCEPTIONALLY WRITTEN!!’Reader review,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I melted into this book and loved every minute of it – if you're looking for a contemporary story of a queer black girl finding herself, you'll love this’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Homebodies is so many different things. Political and social commentary, romance, drama, journey to self-discovery— it’s the story of a young queer Black woman caught up in the whirlwind of everything life can throw at you’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Quiet, complex, vulnerable … it's really powerful to show a raw, relatable character trying to decide if the career she's worked toward for her entire life is worth the pain it causes her’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ * * * * She’s stayed quiet for too long.Now it’s time to speak her truth.Until twenty-four hours ago, Mickey Hayward was living the life she’d always dreamed of. She was working for a popular media company, and she was in a committed loving relationship. Now she’s fired, tossed aside for a younger, more ‘agreeable’ Black writer. Sick of being overlooked, she responds with an online letter detailing the racism she’s faced within the industry. And when a media scandal turns Mickey’s post into a viral sensation, suddenly everyone wants to hear what she has to say. That’s what Mickey has always wanted – isn’t it? Don’t miss this incredibly witty, intimate, and moving debut. Perfect if you love: ❤️Coming of age ❤️Old flame ❤️Love triangle ﻿❤️City girl/small hometown * * * * Praise for Tembe Denton-Hurst ‘I saw so much of myself in her utterly delicious and sometimes aching story’ Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, author of the New York Times bestselling The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois 'Denton-Hurst has written a warm, brilliant novel that’s stunning and poignant; Homebodies is wonderfully witty and full of empathy and entirely original’ Bryan Washington, award-winning author of Memorial and Lot 'A gorgeous and compulsively readable coming-of-age story about a young, Black, queer writer trying to figure out her purpose and her identity’ Vogue

Homebodies

A fake dating arrangement turns to real love in this deliciously delightful queer rom-com from the author of the sweetly satisfying Chef’s Kiss. When Luna O’Shea is unceremoniously fired from her frustrating office job, she tries to count her blessings: she’s a proud trans woman who has plenty of friends, a wonderful roommate, and a good life in New York City. But blessings don’t pay the bills. Enter Jean-Pierre, a laissez-faire trans man and the heir to a huge culinary empire—which he’ll only inherit if he can jump through all the hoops his celebrity chef grandfather has placed in his path. First hoop: he needs a girlfriend, a role that Luna is happy to play…for the right price. She’s got rent to pay, after all! Second hoop: they both need to learn how to cook a series of elaborate, world-renowned family recipes to prove that Jean-Pierre is a worthy heir. Admittedly, Luna doesn’t even know how to crack an egg, but she’s not going to let that—or any pesky feelings for Jean-Pierre—stop her. Another swoon-worthy and heartwarming queer love story from a charming new voice in romance.

Chef's Choice

A high-strung pastry chef’s professional goals are interrupted by an unexpected career transition and the introduction of her wildly attractive nonbinary kitchen manager in this deliciously fresh and witty queer rom-com. Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert with a dream job at The Discerning Chef, a venerable cookbook publisher in New York City. All she wants to do is create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes, but when The Discerning Chef decides to bring their brand into the 21st century by pivoting to video, Simone is thrust into the spotlight and finds herself failing at something for the first time in her life. To make matters worse, Simone has to deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone’s water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation with a series of homebrewing videos, their eccentric editor in chief forces Simone to work alongside the chipper upstart or else risk her beloved job. But the more they work together, the more Simone realizes her heart may be softening like butter for Ray. Things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary to mixed reactions—and Simone must choose between the career she fought so hard for and the person who just might take the cake (and her heart).

Chef's Kiss

‘A spectacularly talented writer!’ Julia Quinn, author of Bridgerton From their first awkward meeting I was completely invested in Nick and Andy's relationship. Nick's grumpiness vs Andy's chaotic sunshine was wonderful. Emma Denny, author of One Night in Hartswood Nick should have hated Andy… When Andy Fleming turns up in the newsroom of the New York Chronicle to learn the business Nick Russo is determined to dislike him. Nick has worked his way from a rough Brooklyn neighbourhood to reporter the hard way. Andy is heir to a publishing fortune: he can’t type, he loses his keys and has never done a day’s work in his life…and one day he’ll be Nick’s boss. Except, Nick keeps rescuing Andy: showing him the ropes, tracking down his keys, freeing his tie when it gets stuck in the filing cabinets. Opposites in every way, an unlikely friendship soon turns into feelings neither want to deny. But a relationship that feels possible in secret, seems doomed in the light of day. And now Nick and Andy must decide if, for the first time, they’re willing to fight for what they really want.

We Could Be So Good

For the record, it was never my intention to fall in love. But you know Cupid: he'll get you when you least expect it . . . Tilly isn't looking for a girlfriend, but her best friend Teddy is. Enter Katherine Cooper-Bunting: beautiful, charming, and perfect for Teddy. So why does Tilly find herself using any excuse to join the theatre production they're starring in? And why can't she stop thinking about Katherine? Cupid's Revenge by Wibke Brueggemann is a hilariously honest novel full of heart, from the acclaimed author of Love is for Losers.

Phoebe Davis Thinks . . .

Cupid's Revenge

An Observer Best Debut of the Year A Granta Best Young British Novelist ‘I loved this book’ JULIA ARMFIELD ‘Exhilarating’ MONICA HEISEY 'Astonishing' ANDREA LAWLOR 'Should be on everyone's summer reading list' iNEWS 'Scorching … One of our favourite reads' TIME OUT A Guardian Essential Summer Read A sensual debut novel of the forbidden love between a young woman and a headmaster’s wife, unfolding across a single heatwave summer. In an elite English boarding school where the girls kiss the marble statue of the famous dead author who used to walk the halls, a young Australian woman arrives to take up the antiquated role of ‘matron’. There she meets Mrs S, the headmaster’s wife, a woman who is her polar opposite: assured, sophisticated, a paragon of femininity. Over the course of a long, restless heatwave, the matron finds herself irresistibly drawn ever closer into the older woman’s world with their unspoken desire blooming into an illicit affair of electric intensity. But, as the summer begins to fade, both know that a choice must finally be made. ‘Desire crackles through these pages like fire’ TELEGRAPH ‘Wildly sexy … I kept forgetting to exhale’ CHARLOTTE MENDELSON ‘There’s nothing else like it out there’ THE TIMES 'Compulsively readable … beautiful, brilliant' OBSERVER ‘Moody, generous and brilliant’ JESSIE BURTON 'Rare and thrilling' SARAH WINMAN

Mrs S

A collection of stories that celebrate the humour, darkness and depth of emotion of the queer and trans experience that’s not typically represented: liminal or uncertain identities, queer conception and queer joy. In this delightful debut collection of prize-wining stories, queer, gender-nonconforming and trans characters struggle to find love and forgiveness, despite their sometimes comic, sometimes tragic mistakes. In one story, a young lesbian tries to have a baby with her lover using an unprofessional sperm donor and a high-powered, rainbow-coloured cocktail. In another, a fifth-grader explores gender identity by dressing as an ox – instead of a matriarch – for a class Oregon Trail reenactment. Meanwhile a nonbinary person on the eve of top surgery dangerously experiments with an open relationship during the height of the COVID crisis. With insight and compassion, debut author Lydia Conklin takes their readers to a meeting of a queer feminist book club and to a convention for trans teenagers, revealing both the dark and lovable sides of their characters. The stories in Rainbow Rainbow will make you laugh and wince, sometimes at the same time.

Rainbow Rainbow

The pack are back in Shy Trans Banshee - available to pre-order now! _________________________ Brian, an aimless slacker in his twenties, has been struggling to manage his transition to adulthood almost as much as his monthly transitions to a werewolf. Really, he's not great at the whole werewolf thing, and his recent murderous snaccidents have got his best friends Nik and Darby suspicious, and caught the attention of Tyler, a hot were-entrepreneur with a start-up idea for the mythological wellness market. Tyler wants Brian to be part of his vision, but as Brian gets closer to Tyler and drifts away from Nik and Darby, he realises that Tyler's plans are much more nefarious than a little lupine enlightenment. To save the world from another rich boy-boss, Brian's going to need his friends, a steampunk crossbow, and to learn how to be comfortable in his own, shaggy, werewolf pelt... _________________ Readers love Bored Gay Werewolf 'Feels like Buffy meets Euphoria' 'With a title like Bored Gay Werewolf, you bet I'm gonna wanna read it' 'Sarcastic and hilarious' 'One of the best gay werewolf books I've ever read!'

Bored Gay Werewolf

‘Made me laugh out loud and feel alive’ AMY SCHUMER ‘Sharp-witted dialogue, charming, smart characters, and tons of heart, Best Men is such a funny, clever, fresh take on a modern romance’ MOLLY SHANNON *Don't miss Sidney Karger's brand-new rom-com THE BUMP coming June 2024. Pre-order now!* First comes lust. An hour after meeting a hot stranger at a bar, Max is with him on the rooftop of his Manhattan apartment, making out. Then comes hate. Just five minutes later, Max is bolting back down twelve flights of stairs, hoping never to see him again. Then comes your best friend’s wedding. So the last person Max wants to turn up at his best friend’s wedding – where he is official Gay of Honour to the bride – is that very same hot stranger. Or for him to be a Best Man too – for the groom. Now the co-Best Men are in a fight to the death over who will be the actual best. But although Max wants to keep his friend close, he discovers he wants to keep his enemy even closer… ‘Joyous, funny and very sweet, this is one to savour’ STYLIST ‘Best Men takes the reins of the rom com and reinvents the genre in a thoroughly modern way … inventive, hilarious and satisfying, it’s also a keenly-observed portrayal of love and friendship. This is a hilarious, heartfelt charmer of a book’ GRANT GINDER, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding ‘With an unforgettable voice, Best Men is all at once funny, tender and wise. A sexy, swoony, summer love story to get lost in!’ ASHLEY HERRING BLAKE, author of Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail

Best Men

Friend by day. Traitor by night. The second book in the dark, twisting thriller trilogy about a teen assassin’s attempt to live a normal life. Don't miss the epic conclusion to the series, coming May 2024. 'A dark, enthralling thriller' The Guardian Teen assassin Isabel Ryans now works for Comma, and she’s good at it: the Moth is the guild’s most notorious killer, infamous throughout the city of Espera. But Isabel still craves normality, and she won’t find it inside the guild. She moves in with a civilian flatmate, Laura, and begins living a double life, one where she gets to pretend she’s free. But when Isabel’s day job tangles her up with an anti-guild abolitionist movement, it becomes harder to keep her two lives separate. Forced to choose between her loyalty to her friends and her loyalty to Comma, she finds herself with enemies on all sides, particularly those from the rival guild Hummingbird, putting herself and Laura at risk. Can Isabel ever truly be safe in a city ruled by killers? From award-winning author Finn Longman, an exhilarating voice in YA fiction, comes an addictive trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games. PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN: 'An immersive, fast-paced thriller' The Irish Times 'An electrifying debut!’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You ‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead 'A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf ‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls ‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil ‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses

The Hummingbird Killer

USA Today bestseller! A romantic, heartfelt, and hilarious queer coming-of-age story from All That's Left in the World author Erik J. Brown, perfect for fans of What If It’s Us and If This Gets Out. Tommy Dees is in the weeds—restaurant speak for beyond overwhelmed. He’s been working as a server at Sunset Estates retirement community to get the experience he needs to attend one of the best culinary schools in the world. And to make his application shine, he also needs a letter of recommendation from his sadistic manager. But in exchange for the letter, Tommy has to meet three conditions—including training the new hire. What he doesn’t expect is for the newbie to be an old crush: Gabe, with the dimples and kind heart, who Tommy fell for during summer camp at age eleven and then never saw again. Unfortunately, Gabe doesn’t remember Tommy at all. The training proves distracting as old feelings resurface and the universe seems to be conspiring against them. With the application deadline looming and Gabe on his mind, Tommy is determined to keep it all together—but what if life isn’t meant to follow a recipe?

Lose You to Find Me

This audiobook includes an exclusive introduction from Sandi Toksvig OBE. Find all the information you need - and more - to become a parent with this groundbreaking and comprehensive guide for the LGBTQ+ community, written and read by the hosts of the award-winning podcast Some Families. Funny, informative and empowering, The Queer Parent is the ultimate resource for chosen families everywhere. The path to parenthood is never easy, but for LGBTQ+ people, it can be even less straightforward. There are more options than ever before for queer people to start families, but a lack of specific information and resources can leave would-be parents floundering. From IVF to surrogacy to adoption, there is so much to learn and consider. How do you work out the best option for you? As hosts of the award-winning podcast Some Families, authors Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley have spoken to dozens of queer families, all of whom found their own unique path to parenthood. The Queer Parent is the product of these conversations and the authors' own experiences of becoming parents through IVF and adoption. The audiobook includes further interviews with diverse LGBTQ+ parents, providing advice and support from a wide range range of sexual orientations, gender identities and backgrounds to help you navigate the many different roads you could choose from.

The Queer Parent

Following the critically acclaimed Queer Life, Queer Love comes the second anthology, championing new and emerging writers alongside established authors. The anthology features voices across all narrative forms including fiction, poetry, memoir, essay and flash-fiction. The anthology will comprise 30 pieces of writing, the winning entries from an international competition to capture the best of queer writing today.  Following the critically acclaimed Queer Life, Queer Love comes the second anthology, championing new and emerging writers alongside established authors. The anthology features voices across all narrative forms including fiction, poetry, memoir, essay and flash-fiction. The anthology will comprise 30 pieces of writing, the winning entries from an international competition to capture the best of queer writing today.

Queer Life, Queer Love

Queer Life, Queer Love.

"A provocative, raw, and soulful book... An unflinching and visionary read." - Attitude Raw and stunningly written, Handrick takes us on a journey through his experiences as a gay working-class man, confronting the toxic narratives and myths that society has built up around masculinity, class, and sexuality. Much more than just a personal story, Handrick's book delves deep into the heart of a crisis facing the gay community today: a mental health epidemic that shows no signs of slowing down. With shocking statistics and hard-hitting research, Handrick reveals the dark reality of what it means to be a gay man in a world that still clings to outdated and harmful stereotypes. Yet despite the challenges, Handrick's message is one of hope. Through his personal struggles and his deep understanding of the root causes of the crisis facing the gay community, he calls on us all to come together and create a new conversation. A conversation that confronts the systemic inequalities and discrimination that should have never existed in the first place. If you're looking for a book that will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you with a renewed sense of hope, ´Difference is Born on the Lips´ is a must-read. Michael Handrick's work has been shortlisted for Penguin Random House's Write Now 2020 and Kit de Waal's anthology, Common People, and longlisted for the London Writers Awards, 2019. He has had features in Attitude and PYLOT, and his fiction pieces have been published in anthologies such as Litro, and shortlisted and longlisted for various competitions including the Creative Future Literary Awards (2018, 2020).

Difference is Born on the Lips: Reflections on Sexuality, Stigma and Society

A Stonewall Honor Book · A New York Times and Indie bestseller! “A bighearted, deeply vulnerable, love-bubbly tumble through self-discovery.” —Casey McQuiston, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling I Kissed Shara Wheeler With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores the nuances of sexuality, identity, and friendship in this timely new novel. Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down. She's never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There's Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen's biases in check. And then there's Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends. Imogen's thrilled for Lili. Any ally would be. And now that she's finally visiting Lili on campus, she's bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen's all in. Even if that means bending the truth, just a little. Like when Lili drops a tiny queer bombshell: She's told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa. Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. . . .

Imogen, Obviously

From New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets is a queer retelling of the Pinocchio tale, inviting you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts. ‘A deeply stirring journey through a world of extraordinary robots’ – Chuck Tingle, Hugo-shortlisted author of Camp Damascus *A New York Times, Sunday Times and Indie Bestseller* *Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction* In a small home, built into the branches of a tree, live a human named Victor and three robots. These are a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, a small vacuum desperate for love and attention, and a fatherly inventor-android named Giovanni Lawson. Together they’re a family, hidden and safe. Then Vic salvages an unfamiliar android labelled ‘HAP’. He learns that Hap and Gio share a dark past, where they hunted humans. And Hap unwittingly gives away Gio’s location. Before they know it, robots from Gio’s former life arrive – to capture and return the android to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. The rest of the unconventional family must travel across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommissioning. Or worse, reprogramming. Along the way, Vic must decide if he can handle his feelings for Hap – even if they come with strings attached. Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful standalone fantasy adventure from the author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. In the Lives of Puppets was a No. 1 Sunday Times HB Bestseller w/c 24/04/2023.

In the Lives of Puppets

The feel-good read of 2024. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Beth O’Leary and Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper.Selected as one of the Independent’s 19 debut authors set to make their mark in 2023 ‘Gentle, honest and beautifully authentic’ Julietta Henderson ’Touching and sincere’ The Sunday Times ‘Feel-good, heartwarming fiction’ Holly Miller ’I’m totally #TeamArthurandTeddy’ Heidi Swain ’A feel-good novel to inspire’ My Weekly ’Uplifting and emotional’ Justin Myers ’A celebration of family and love’ Platinum ‘Joyful, big-hearted’ Freya Sampson ’Will stay with me for a VERY long time’ Miranda Dickinson When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share some important news, no one is prepared for the bombshell he drops: he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out. Arthur's 21-year-old grandson, Teddy, has a secret of his own: he's also gay, and developing serious feelings for his colleague Ben. But Teddy doesn't feel ready to come out yet – especially when Arthur’s announcement causes shockwaves in the family. Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community. But can they – and their family – learn to accept who they truly are? Readers are LOVING Arthur and Teddy! ‘Too often, queer literature is enjoyed only by the LGBT+ community, but this is a novel ready to be loved by the masses.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book is genuinely a hug in book form.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The multiple relationship threads running through the story come together beautifully at the end and the book is a joy to read from start to finish!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an absolutely beautiful book! Dealt with sensitive subjects really, really well and brilliantly descriptive characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I'd love to have read something like this when I was younger and finding myself.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out

The sensational debut novel about love, friendship and finding happiness in the most unexpected places. “Elvin James Mensah's Small Joys is breathtaking and heartrending, by turns hilarious and devastating and surprising and wild. Mensah's prose makes the intangible deft and tremendous — from the balm of friendship, to the beauty of queerness, and the all-encompassing elixir of community. Tender, thrilling, and honest; Small Joys is a beam of light.” Bryan Washington, author of Memorial ‘I adored Small Joys – a sweet, moving, funny, strikingly open story. I don’t know if I’ve ever rooted so much for a protagonist as I did for Harley – what a gorgeous novel.’ Jennifer Saint, No. 1 bestselling author of Elektra "This heartwarming, witty, and moving debut is one of the most charming books you'll read this year. Exploring love, friendship, grief, and the bittersweet joy of being young, Small Joys is utterly beautiful." Louise O'Neill, bestselling author of Idol 'I loved it - Small Joys is a wonderful book full of music, life and a great deal of heart. An extremely BIG joy!' Matson Taylor, bestselling author of The Miseducation of Evie Epworth ‘A captivatingly tender novel . . . it’s beautiful.’ Natasha Onwuemezi, The Bookseller ‘Could I one day inspire happiness in others, the same way he seemed to do in me?’ Harley is a young queer Black man struggling to find his way in mid-noughties Britain. Returning home to Dartford, having just dropped out of an undergraduate course in music journalism, he is wracked by feelings of failure and inadequacy. Standing in the local woods one day, on the verge of doing something drastic and irreversible, his hand is stayed by a stranger: a tall husky guy who emerges from the bushes holding a pair of binoculars. Muddy is an ebullient Mancunian whose lust for his own life makes others feel better by association. A keen birdwatcher, rugby fanatic and Oasis obsessive, he quickly becomes a devoted and loyal friend to Harley who finds his enthusiasm infectious and his dimples irresistible. In no time at all, they become inseparable. Harley starts to think that life may be worth living after all, while Muddy discovers things about himself that the lads down the rugby club may struggle to understand. But when figures from the past threaten to plunge Harley back into the depths of depression, his only hope of survival is Muddy and the small joys they create together. Moving, funny and tender, Small Joys is an epic novel about ordinary lives that introduces the world to an unforgettable cast of characters and a major new literary talent.

Small Joys

'What you are about to read is a call to arms. Best to prepare for a confrontation.' New York Times Book Review 'A hard-hitting masterpiece. I devoured it.' Kristen Arnett, author of WITH TEETH 'A madcap story you won't want to put down' Rachel Yoder, author of NIGHTBITCH Damani is tired. Every day she cares for her mum, drives ride shares to pay the bills and is angry at a world that promised her more before spitting her out. The city is alive with protests, fighting for people like her, but Damani can barely afford - literally - to pay attention. That is until the summer she meets Jolene and life opens up. Jolene seems like she could be the perfect girlfriend - attentive, attractive, an ally - and their chemistry is undeniable. Jolene's done the reading, she goes to every protest, she has all the right answers. So maybe Damani can look past the one thing that's holding her back: Jolene is rich. And not only rich, but white, too. But just as their romance intensifies, just as Damani learns to trust, Jolene does something unforgivable, setting off a truly explosive chain of events. Brimming with heart, humour, and rage, Your Driver Is Waiting is a powerful, blackly funny social satire that announces the arrival of a fearless new voice.

Your Driver Is Waiting

The wise, life-changing, ground-breaking book from writer and activist Munroe Bergdorf. Transitioning is an alignment of the invisible and the physical. It is truth rising to the surface. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition—a part of our experience as a conscious being, no matter who we are. As time goes on, we all develop as people. None of us ever becomes someone else entirely—regardless of how we identify—but nor do we stay the same forever. We all transition. It's what binds us, not what separates us. In Transitional, activist and writer Munroe Bergdorf draws on her own experience and theory from key experts, change-makers and activists to reveal just how deeply ingrained transitioning is in human experience. This is a book to help bring us closer to a shared consciousness: a powerful guide to how our differences can be harnessed as a tool to heal, build community, and construct a better society.

Transitional

Murder is a dish best served ice cold... In the idyllic, small town of Dewstow, Margery and Clementine are eagerly awaiting retirement from their work on the front-line serving meals to the students at Summerview secondary school. Their peaceful life is shattered when their kitchen manager is found dead in the school’s walk-in freezer. The police are adamant that it’s an open-and-shut case of accidental death. But Margery and Clementine are convinced that something more sinister is afoot and take it upon themselves to investigate. As the dinner ladies inch closer to the truth, time's running out. Will the perpetrator get their just desserts or is everything just going to go down the pan? A charming, cosy British mystery, ´The Dinner Lady Detectives´ is ideal for fans of Richard Osman's ´The Thursday Murder Club´ or ´Murder, She Wrote´. Hannah Hendy lives in a small town in South Wales with her long-suffering wife and two spoilt cats. A professional chef by trade, she started writing to fill the time between shifts.

The Dinner Lady Detectives

‘A thrilling, heart-stealing historic romp and achingly romantic.’ M.A. Kuzniar, bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood ‘A heartwarming tale of forbidden love that captured my heart from its opening page… Unputdownable.’ Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York Oxford 1360 When his sister’s betrothed vanishes the night before her politically arranged marriage, Raff Barden must track and return the elusive groom to restore his family’s honour. William de Foucart — known to his friends as Penn — had no choice but to abandon his intended, and with it his own earldom, when he fled the night before his enforced marriage. But ill-equipped to survive on the run he must trust the kindness of a stranger, Raff, to help him escape. Unaware their fates are already entwined, the men journey north. But amidst the snow-capped forests an unexpected bond deepens into a far more precious relationship, one that will test all that they hold dear. And when secrets are finally revealed, both men must decide what they will risk for the one they love… For fans of Stephanie Garber, Freya Marske, TJ Klune Tropes: - Friends to lovers - Huddling for warmth - Hidden identities - Grumpy vs Sunshine - Irresistible heat - Combat training - Road trip through a forest Readers LOVE One Night in Hartswood ‘Beautiful, endearing and completely stole my heart from the very beginning.’ ‘This book is EVERYTHING!! I cannot explain how much I loved it.’ ‘I absolutely love this book.’ ‘This was the queer historical romance I didn’t know I needed!’

One Night in Hartswood

Rainbow Rowell has won fans all over the world by writing about love and life in a way that feels true. In her first short story collection Scattered Showers, she gives us nine beautifully crafted love stories. Illustrated throughout by Jim Tierney. Girl meets boy camping outside a movie theater. Best friends debate the merits of high school dances. A prince romances a troll. A girl romances an imaginary boy. And Simon Snow himself returns for a holiday adventure. It’s a feast of irresistible characters, hilarious dialogue, and masterful storytelling, in short, everything you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell book.

Scattered Showers

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where ten semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this breathtaking, Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the author of the bestselling Cemetery Boys. Only the most powerful and honorable will be chosen. Teo, the seventeen-year-old trans son of the goddess of birds, isn’t worried. As a Jade, it’s unlikely he’ll be chosen to compete in the Trials, and even if his best friend Niya competes, she’s a born-and-bred Gold semidiós with unparalleled abilities. But for the first time in over a century, two Jade competitors are chosen: Teo – and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. With the odds stacked against them, Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed – for fame, glory, and their own survival . . . 'Charming queer characters, thrilling magical trials, and an immersive fantasy world full of intricate details' – Xiran Jay Zhao, author of Iron Widow

The Sunbearer Trials

"Megan Giddings's prose is brimming with wonder. The Women Could Fly is a candid appraisal of grief, inheritance, and the merits of unruliness." - Raven Leilani Reminiscent of the works of Margaret Atwood, Deborah Harkness, and Octavia E. Butler, The Women Could Fly is a feminist speculative novel that speaks to our times. A piercing dystopian tale about the unbreakable bond between a young woman and her absent mother, set in a world in which magic is real and single women are closely monitored in case they are shown to be witches . . . Josephine Thomas has heard every conceivable theory about her mother’s disappearance. That she was kidnapped. Murdered. That she took on a new identity to start a new family. That she was a witch. This is the most worrying charge, because in a world where witches are real, peculiar behaviour raises suspicions and a woman – especially a Black woman – can find herself on trial for witchcraft. But fourteen years have passed since her mother’s disappearance, and now Jo is finally ready to let go of the past. Yet her future is in doubt. The State mandates that all women marry by the age of thirty – or enrol in a registry that allows them to be monitored, effectively forfeiting their autonomy. At twenty-eight, Jo is ambivalent about marriage. With her ability to control her life on the line, she feels as if she has never understood her mother more. When she’s offered the opportunity to honour one last request from her mother’s will, Jo leaves her regular life to feel connected to her one last time. In this powerful and timely novel, Megan Giddings explores the limits women face – and the powers they have to transgress and transcend them. 'It can be tempting to read The Women Could Fly, which comes in the shadow of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and call the book timely. But the relationship at the heart of this novel — between Jo and her mercurial mother — is much closer to timeless.' - The New York Times

The Women Could Fly

Gossip Girl but make it royal – a Black LGBTQ+ royal reimagining full of scandalous secrets, rollercoaster romances and one hell of a mystery, from the award-winning author Benjamin Dean. ‘Scandalous, funny and deliciously compelling!’ Catherine Doyle, co-author of Twin Crowns 'All hail this royal debut that twists, turns, and revels in palace intrigue and deceit.' Kirkus James has been a prince all his life, and since he was born, he’s been thrust into the spotlight as the first Black heir to the throne. But when his father dies unexpectedly, James is crowned king at the tender age of seventeen, and his life irrevocably changes. When James’ boyfriend suddenly goes missing, threatening envelopes appear in the palace, and gossip and scandals that only he knows are leaked to the public. As the anonymous informant continues to expose every last skeleton in the royal closet, James realises even those in his inner circle can’t be trusted. #LongLiveTheScandal PRAISE FOR THE KING IS DEAD: ‘A moreish mashup of scandalous thriller and royal intrigue combines with smart observations on race and power, underpinned with real heart.’ The Guardian ‘All hail this exquisitely twisty, delightfully queer mystery.’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You ‘Benjamin Dean has written a royal triumph.’ Juno Dawson, author of Her Majesty's Royal Coven ‘A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First ‘A scandalous peek behind the royal curtain, with more jaw-dropping, OMG-twists than even the most salacious tabloid journalist could create.’ Erik J. Brown, author of All That's Left in the World ‘One page-burning scandal after another. Benjamin Dean is YA royalty.’ Femi Fadugba, author of The Upper World ‘A scandalous, twisty mystery that had me on the edge of my seat gasping for more.’ Kate Weston, author of Diary of a Confused Feminist ‘A twisty thriller that kept me guessing until the very end.’ Lex Croucher, author of Reputation ‘Addictive, compelling, and utterly delicious.’ Simon James Green, author of Noah Can’t Even ‘The scandal of the season!’ Abiola Bello, author of Love in Winter Wonderland ‘A delicious royal mystery.’ The Bookseller

The King is Dead

Expectation meets Julie and Julia, The Yellow Kitchen is a brilliant exploration of food, belonging and friendship. London E17, 2019. A yellow kitchen stands as a metaphor for the lifelong friendship between three women: Claude, the baker, goal-orientated Sophie and political Giulia. They have the best kind of friendship, chasing life and careers; dating, dreaming and consuming but always returning to be reunited in the yellow kitchen. That is, until a trip to Lisbon unravels unexplored desires between Claude and Sophie. Having sex is one thing, waking up the day after is the beginning of something new. Exploring the complexities of female friendship, The Yellow Kitchen is a hymn to the last year of London as we knew it and a celebration of the culture, the food and the rhythms we live by. Praise for The Yellow Kitchen: ‘Rich and thoroughly intoxicating, The Yellow Kitchen is a sensual journey into friendship, food and female sexuality, full of complex, fascinating characters and bold ideas. I loved it’ Rosie Walsh ‘A heady mix of politics, friendship, sex and food, poignant, provocative and utterly distinctive’ Paula Hawkins ‘An exquisite novel — beautifully rendered, powerfully told, and so deeply felt. I urge you to read this novel — you will never forget it’ Lucia Osborne-Crowley 'Mixing female friendship, romance, loss, redemption, and memorable meals, The Yellow Kitchen is the perfect recipe for a flavorful literary feast. With subtle dashes of wit and generous sprinklings of honesty, Margaux Vialleron has crafted a brave and tender tale' Kim Fay, author of Love & Saffron​ ‘The Yellow Kitchen is so warm and convivial in atmosphere, and its discussion of the politics of the UK and their impact very poignant. It portrayed beautifully the sense of adventure of being a certain age, with its rush and richness and emotional confusion, and I found it such a satisfying read’ Emily Itami, author of Fault Lines

The Yellow Kitchen

LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2022 ‘Gay love and desire, past and present, has never been so beautifully articulated as in Neil Bartlett’s Address Book. He takes us into the homes and minds of a handful of strangers and then—in prose full of gentle foreboding—slowly peels away the layers until their truths are revealed. Defiant, potent—and ultimately uplifting.’ JULIAN CLARY Address Book is the new work of fiction by the Costa-shortlisted author of "Skin Lane". Neil Bartlett’s cycle of stories takes us to seven very different times and situations: from a new millennium civil partnership celebration to erotic obsession in a Victorian tenement, from a council-flat bedroom at the height of the AIDS crisis to a doctor’s living-room in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. They lead us through decades of change to discover hope in the strangest of places. ‘Bartlett is a pioneer on and off the page and we are lucky to have him telling our stories’ —DAMIAN BARR​ ‘One of England’s finest writers’ —EDMUND WHITE

Address Book

Cemetery Boys is an LGBTQIA+ ghost story about magic, acceptance and what it means to be your true self. From the instant New York Times-bestelling author Aiden Thomas. Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him. In an attempt to prove himself a true brujo and gain his family’s acceptance, Yadriel decides to summon his cousin’s ghost and help him cross to the afterlife. But things get complicated when he accidentally summons the ghost of his high school’s resident bad boy, Julian Diaz – and Julian won't go into death quietly. The two boys must work together if Yadriel is to move forward with his plan. But the more time Yadriel and Julian spend together, the harder it is to let each other go . . . 'A celebration of culture and identity that will captivate readers with its richly detailed world, earnest romance, and thrilling supernatural mystery' – Isabel Sterling, author of These Witches Don't Burn

Cemetery Boys

'A gorgeous, wildly seductive novel, shimmering with intelligence, humour and joy' - Sarah Waters Longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize In 1838 Frédéric Chopin, George Sand and her children travel to a monastery in Mallorca. They are there to create and to convalesce, to live a simple life after the wildness of their Paris days. Witness to this tumultuous arrival is Blanca, the ghost of a teenage girl who has been at the monastery for over three hundred years. Blanca’s was a life cut short and she is outraged. Having lived in a world full, according to her mother, of ‘beautiful men’, she has found that in death it is the women she falls for, their beauty she cannot turn away from, and it is the women and girls who, over her centuries in the village and at the monastery, she has sought to protect from the attentions of men with what little power she has. And then George Sand arrives, this beautiful woman in a man’s clothes, and Blanca is in love. But the rest of the village is suspicious of the newcomers, and as winter sets in, as George tries to keep her family and herself from falling apart, as Chopin writes prelude after prelude in despair on his tuneless piano, their stay looks likely to end in disaster . . . Heady with the delicious scent of the Mediterranean, richly witty, and utterly compulsive, Briefly, A Delicious Life is a story about convention and breaking convention, about love – yearning, secret, forbidden, unrequited – and about men and women and the cruelty they mete out to one another. 'Exquisite' - New York Times 'Deeply enjoyable' - Telegraph 'Electrifyingly beautiful, exhilaratingly clever . . . sensual, original, intelligent and brimming with love' - Imogen Hermes Gowar

Briefly, A Delicious Life

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