Showing results by author "Jo Thomas" in Contemporary

When Clara signs up for a month of chocolate-making in Switzerland, she imagines the stunning scenery of the magical snowy Alps, a cute chalet and a cosy workshop like something from a Christmas advert. What she isn’t expecting is chocolate-making bootcamp! In this stark laboratory, chocolate is everything. It’s a very serious set-up, with master chocolatiers to be revered and where favouritism and fanaticism, subterfuge and scandal are rife!

Zelda's life isn't exactly what she expected it to be in her 30s. Single, without a home of her own, and at another underwhelming 40th birthday party, she wonders if there might be more to life. But her best friend Lennie has a plan, and before she knows it they have answered an advertisement to go to Sicily to help rejuvenate a crumbling town and head to the beautiful island as a couple. A new life with her favourite person could be the chance to start over. But what if a summer in Sicily is about to change her life in more ways than she could have ever imagined?

Chloe can't wait for Christmas...to be over! Her son Ruben is staying with his dad this year and Chloe is planning to ignore the holidays all together. Her only nod to the season is the advent calendar Ruben left her, to help count down the days till he's home again. But then an heir hunter gets in touch, telling her there's a plot of land in Canada she may be entitled to. Surely, it's a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now? They're offering to pay for her flights...and Ruben's latest note in the advent calendar tells her to 'say yes!'

Ruby's singing career is on the verge of hitting the big time when her voice breaks. Fearing her career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife to recover. But an unexpected call from a stranger on a remote Scottish island takes her on a short trip to sort out some family business. It's time to go and see the grandfather she's never met. City girl Ruby knows she will be happy to leave the windswept beaches behind as quickly as she can, especially as a years-old family rift means she knows she won't be welcome at Teach Mhor.

Halley has been running from her problems for years. On a courier trip to Tallfors, deep in Swedish Lapland, everything is going to plan. Halley has her bag, with two precious wedding rings inside for delivery...until she doesn't. The only way to save the wedding is to team up with mysterious reindeer herder Bjorn, the one person who can lead her across the snowy tundra to be reunited with her bag.

Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents' house in southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna's mouth-watering cooking make her instantly feel at home. But she's shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can't bear the thought of the place changing hands - especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband, Giacomo, wants to take it over!

In the beautiful lavender fields of Provence, harvest season – the busiest time of the year – is about to start. Del is looking forward to a new group of pickers arriving from all over the world to help out at her little lavender farm. But just as they’re due to appear, some bad news turns her world upside down. Then Del’s partner Fabien is given the chance to rejoin his old band for one last tour – and Del wants him to seize the day. But is sending him away the right decision? As the pickers arrive and the harvest gets underway, Del feels the pressure of trying to keep everyone happy.

Working for a winemaker in France is the opportunity of a lifetime for Emmy. Even if she doesn't know a thing about wine beyond what's on offer at the local supermarket. There's plenty to get to grips with in the rustic town of Petit Frère. Emmy's new work friends need more than a little winning over. Then there's her infuriatingly brash tutor, Isaac, and the enigmatic Madame Beaumont tucked away in her vineyard of secrets. But Emmy will soon realise that in life - just as in winemaking - the best things happen when you let go and trust your instincts.

It's amazing what you can buy online these days: memorabilia, fashion accessories, a crumbling Italian farmhouse... After a Prosecco-fuelled girls' night in gets out of hand, Ruthie Collins awakes to discover that she has bid for her dream Italian home online - and won. Recently out of a relationship, a new start is just what she needs. Anything is better than sleeping on her mum's settee.

Best seller The Oyster Catcher is Jo Thomas' first irresistibly feel-good audiobook, set on the coast of Ireland. Dooleybridge, County Galway: the last place Fiona Clutterbuck expects to end up, alone, on her wedding night. But after the words 'I do' have barely left her mouth, that's exactly where she is - with only her sequinned shoes and a camper van for company. One thing is certain: Fi can't go back. So when the opportunity arises to work for a brooding local oyster farmer, Sean Thornton, she jumps at the chance.

Freya has one wish this Christmas...to visit Iceland and track down the illusive Northern Lights in memory of her beloved friend. Nothing—not even a snowstorm—is going to stop her. But when an avalanche leaves her stranded in a remote village with no way to contact the outside world, handsome and enigmatic Petur comes to her rescue, giving her a place to stay in his farmhouse. In this harsh yet beautiful landscape, Petur and his community must come together in order to survive.

Can she find her recipe for happiness? Del and her husband, Ollie, moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier...a new life in France - without Ollie. Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do?

When their grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French château! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they excitedly make plans over delicious crêpes and local cider in the town nearby. But they soon discover the château needs major work, a huge tax bill is due...and there's a sitting tenant, Madame Charlotte Cadieux, to whom they owe a monthly allowance! Unable to sell but strapped for cash, Fliss determines to spruce up the elegant old rooms and open a B&B.

Jo Thomas' new novel invites you to a special cherry orchard in Spain, where sunshine, romance and family secrets are the order of the day. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Milly Johnson and Katie Fforde, Sunset over the Cherry Orchard is a heartwarming, hilarious tale. It's time for Beti Winter to dance to her own beat. After three failed engagements Beti is in desperate need of a fresh start. What better place than the sun-drenched hills of Southern Spain?

We never forget the one who got away. Eighteen years ago Nell fell in love in the mountains of Crete, and life changed forever. Nell's daughter, Demi, has never met her dad. Nell never saw him again. When she gets the chance to return to the hilltop town of Vounoplagia - where everything began - Nell can't resist the urge to go back and find him. Working on a honey farm perched high up in the hills, there's plenty to keep her busy. And she will quickly realise the town harbours just as many secrets as she does.

Zeldas gemeinsame Zukunft mit ihrem smarten Freund Lennie sah so verlockend aus: eine Hochzeit auf Sizilien und ein Haus inmitten von Zitronenbäumen. Doch statt Zitroneneis und Dolce Vita erwarten sie auf der Insel ein marodes Anwesen und jede Menge Ärger. Einziger Lichtblick: der charmante Kellner Luca, der Zeldas Gefühle gewaltig durcheinanderbringt.

Voor de fans van Soraya Lane, Katie Fforde en Charlotte de Monchy Als Ruthie wakker wordt na een wijnovergoten avond met vriendinnen, wacht haar naast een kater een verrassing: ze heeft in haar dronken bui een bod gedaan op een Italiaanse boerderij… en het bod wordt geaccepteerd! Ruthie heeft net een nare relatiebreuk achter de rug en slaapt tijdelijk bij haar moeder op de bank. Misschien is deze nieuwe uitdaging wel precies wat ze nodig heeft.

Del en haar man Ollie zijn verhuisd naar een schattig klein dorpje in de Provence. Voorbij zijn hun ruzies, voorbij de zware jaren, vanaf nu gaan ze een zonnige toekomst tegemoet! Tenminste, dat was het plan. Maar het leven loopt nooit zoals je had gepland, of wel? Nog geen zes weken na aankomst staan ze opnieuw de verhuiswagens in te pakken. Tot Del beseft dat in de Provence blijven – zonder Ollie – haar echt gelukkig zou maken.

Postbezorger Halley rent al jaren weg voor haar problemen, dus dat ze nu voor haar werk naar Zweeds Lapland mag, komt haar uitstekend uit. In haar tas zitten twee kostbare trouwringen die ze moet bezorgen. Maar dan verdwijnt plotseling haar tas en kan Halley de situatie niet langer ontkennen. Halley kan de bruiloft alleen nog redden door samen te werken met de mysterieuze rendierfokker Björn. Hij is de enige persoon die haar over de besneeuwde toendra kan leiden om herenigd te worden met haar tas.