Carole Matthews Books

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she's grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can't keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn't have time for is romance - until she meets the company's rising star, Josh Wallace. Louise usually says no to evenings out but she's decided to let her hair down tonight. It's the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she's looking forward to some champagne and fun. She's completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party - until she's pulled into those games herself . . . Romance is in the air and secrets are about to be uncovered. It's going to be a night to remember at The Christmas Party.

The new novel for 2020 from bestseller Carole Matthews - the queen of feel-good, escapist fiction that's full of heart and fun.

The ladies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club should be gearing up for Lucy and Aiden's wedding but life keeps getting in the way . . . Lucy can't wait to marry the love of her life but money worries are distracting her. Should she accept an offer of help from an untrustworthy source? Nadia may have found a good man to give her heart to but other areas of her life aren't so rosy. Something needs to change - but what? Autumn can't wait to meet her daughter for the first time. She's full of hope for their future relationship but then their reunion doesn't exactly go to plan . . . Chantal has been through so much and she's finally starting to feel settled. The last thing she needs is the kind of bad news that could change her life all over again. And yet, despite all the ups and downs, the Chocolate Lovers' ladies know they can get through it all as long as they have each other. They're not going to let anything get in the way of their happy-ever-afters in . . . The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding.

Can the imperfect family really have the perfect Christmas? Juliet Joyce adores Christmas. She loves the presents, the tree, the turkey, the tinsel, everything. Already the festive spirit is upon her, which is just as well as this Christmas things are starting to get out of hand. Her son Tom is out of work and bringing home a slew of unsuitable partners; pregnant daughter Chloe and her little boy have moved back in; Juliet's father, Frank, is getting over a heartbreak of his own and Rita, her eccentric mother, is behaving more erratically each day. And has the chaos got too much for Juliet's husband Rick? With the big day fast approaching, Juliet hopes that she can stop everything spiralling out of control, because the only thing she wants is her family all around her and her home to be filled WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS. Also contains Carole's top tips for surviving a family Christmas!

One day she had everything - the next it was gone William and Amy love their busy city life, but when Will collapses on his way into work he decides enough is enough and moves his family to the country. Three months later, Amy is standing outside Helmshill Grange, a sullen monstrosity of a house, deep in the Yorkshire moors. Within days, Will has traded in the Audi for a Land Rover, and brought home chickens, goats, sheep, a serial-killer cat and a mad dog. But when tragedy strikes, Amy finds herself living a dream that isn't hers . . .

***CAROLE'S SENSATIONAL SEASONAL SEQUEL, CHRISTMAS CAKES & MISTLETOE NIGHTS, IS AVAILABLE NOW *** What readers are saying about The Cake Shop in the Garden: 'A novel with heart' 'Brilliant. A relaxing book to read' 'I loved reading every part of this book and didn't want it to end' 'I could not put this book down' 'Would make a great film!' 'Carole at her very best' The scrumptious Cake Shop in the Garden is Carole Matthews' bestselling book ever! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell. Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn't do all this, who will? Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she's ever made. When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay's entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn't know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision - even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

In the dead of night, Ayesha takes her daughter, Sabina, and slips quietly from her home, leaving behind a life full of pain. Boarding a coach to London, all Ayesha wants is a fresh start. Hayden, a former popstar, has kept himself hidden away for years. He's only opened up his home to two people - Crystal, a professional dancer with a heart of gold, and Joy, an ill-tempered retiree with a soft spot for waifs and strays. When Crystal asks Hayden if Ayesha and Sabina can stay with them, he reluctantly agrees and, as different as they may be, they quickly form an unlikely bond. So when enemies threaten their peaceful home, they will do all they can to save it and each other. Uplifting and emotional, this is a novel of new beginnings, of discovering love and of finding A Place to Call Home.

What are readers saying about Carole Matthews? 'Fabulously enjoyable . . . full of heart and fun' Milly Johnson 'Gorgeous' Katie Fforde 'I laughed and cried and marvelled' Cathy Bramley MILLION LOVE SONGS is a Sunday Times bestselling sensation from the queen of laugh-out-loud, feel-good fiction. ********************** Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship. Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun. Joe on the other hand is kind and attractive, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children. Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, but is it what she needs to be truly happy? It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs. Praise for Million Love Songs 'Sparkling . . . light-hearted, laugh-packed fun' Sunday Mirror 'One of our favourite authors, Carole Matthews always delivers a delicious read, and Million Love Songs is another delightful read. Full of humour and emotional dilemmas, this latest book is perfect to curl up with on the sofa in this unpredictable weather. Highly Recommended!' Hot Brands Cool Places

"Owner Molly Baker is organising a festive fundraiser. But with an anti-social sheep, awkward alpacas and a seriously sequined Santa Claus to assemble, Molly is feeling overwhelmed, and in desperate need of some Christmas spirit... Despite the chaos of the farm interfering with her event planning, Molly is looking forward to a family Christmas with Shelby and Lucas, hopeful that the holidays will bring them together. But Shelby, it seems, has ideas of his own. As the fundraiser draws near, the team are working hard to pull off a specutacular festive fete - and make sure the animals and humans remain on their best behaviour. Will this Christmas be merrry and bright, or is there more than one surprise in store for Hope Farm?"--Page 4 of cover

Molly Baker, at thirty-eight, is thriving on her twenty-five-acre Hope Farm in Buckinghamshire, where she shares her life with an array of animals, including Anthony the sheep and Tina Turner the alpaca. Running the farm as an alternative school for children who struggle in traditional education is demanding, but Molly wouldn’t have it any other way. When Shelby Dacre arrives to enroll his son Lucas, Molly is initially unfazed. However, she soon discovers that Lucas is more challenging than expected, and his handsome father adds to the complexity of the situation. As Molly navigates the dynamics of her beloved farm and the new arrivals, she wonders if allowing them into her life could lead to a wonderful new chapter or a regrettable mistake. This heartwarming tale is filled with humor and emotion, showcasing themes of new beginnings and second chances. Readers have praised the story for its joy, warmth, and engaging characters, making it a delightful escape that resonates with those who appreciate feel-good romance. Molly's journey promises to uplift and inspire, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Sunday Times bestseller Carole Matthews is at her outstanding best. A heart-warming and poignant novel of romance, family and second chances. Christie Chapman is a single mum who spends her days commuting to her secretarial job in London and looking after her teenage son, Finn. It's not an easy life but Christie finds comfort in her love of crafting, and spends her spare time working on her beautiful creations. From intricately designed cards to personalised gifts, Christie's flair for the handmade knows no bounds and it's not long before opportunity comes knocking. Christie can see a future full of hope and possibility for her and Finn - and if the handsome Max is to be believed, one full of love too. It's all there for the taking. And then, all of sudden, her world is turned upside down. Christie knows that something has to give, but can she really give up her dreams and the chance of real love? Will Christie find her happy ending in . . . Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses. 'A gorgeous novel that will delight' KATIE FFORDE 'Highly recommended' ***** READER REVIEW 'I loved this story. An adult fairytale' ***** READER REVIEW 'I was hooked from the first chapter' ***** READER REVIEW 'A must read' ***** READER REVIEW 'I loved it and can't wait to read more from this author' ***** READER REVIEW

Grace has been best friends with Ella and Flick forever. The late-night chats, shared heartaches and good times have created a bond that has stood the test of time. When Ella invites them to stay for a week in her cottage in South Wales, Grace jumps at the chance to see her old friends. She also hopes that the change of scenery will help her reconnect with her distant husband. Then Flick arrives; loveable, bubbly, incorrigible Flick, accompanied by the handsome and charming Noah. This is going to be one week which will change all their lives forever... Join Grace, Ella and Flick for a week of love, laughter, tears and friendship in A Cottage by the Sea

A wonderfully wise romantic comedy about the ones we love and the one that got away... Juliet Joyce has been happily married for twenty-five years. But with two grown-up children who treat the house like a hotel, a seventy-year-old mother who's just moved in and a father who's announced he's gay it's hardly surprising that her relationship with her husband Rick is beginning to suffer. Juliet's resigned to the fact that the only romance she's going to get is from the pages of her library books, so nothing prepares her for the unexpected return of Steven Aubrey. Last seen twenty-six years ago, when he jilted Juliet on their wedding day, he ignites a passion in her that she thought was long gone. But will Steven sweep her off her feet or can Rick remind her of the loving feeling that they've lost? There's only one way to find out...

Christmas is just around the corner but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than present shopping . . . Lucy loves running Chocolate Heaven but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated. Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending? Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana - but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on. Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort? Can friendship overcome all in . . . The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas.

Can it ever be too late to chase your dreams? The witty, clever and heartbreaking new novel from the bestselling author. When twins Annie and Lauren attend their sister Chelsea's fortieth birthday party at the Dorchester Hotel, they wonder why their lives are so totally different from their gorgeous, glamorous sister. Why is it that Chelsea's handsome husband is twirling her round the dance floor, with an expression of utter devotion on his face, while Annie's husband is away on a fishing trip and Lauren's boyfriend is at home with his wife and kids. Surely, they are doing something wrong here. The question is, is it too late for them to change...?

Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born. Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children, so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her loving partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients. When millionaire Carter asks Cassie to join his family on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go . . . Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life. Join Cassie as she takes you on a romantic and emotional rollercoaster ride in Calling Mrs Christmas.

What are readers saying about Carole Matthews? 'Fabulously enjoyable . . . full of heart and fun' Milly Johnson 'Gorgeous' Katie Fforde 'I laughed and cried and marvelled' Cathy Bramley ---------------------- Fay and Danny are madly in love and it's all Fay's ever dreamed of. But she left everything - including the delightful cake shop she used to run - to be with Danny on his cosy canal boat The Dreamcatcher. And as she soon finds out, making delicious cakes on the water isn't always smooth sailing! Then Fay gets a call that sends her back to where it all began; back to where she first met Danny, back to her friends and the Cake Shop in the Garden. Even as Fay happily returns to dry land and her passion for baking, she knows it will be hard being away from Danny, especially with Christmas round the corner. But their relationship is strong enough to survive . . . isn't it? Can Fay really get everything she ever wanted in Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights? Join Fay and her friends this Christmas and indulge in this wonderful, cake-filled novel of romance and friendship. Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights is Sunday Times bestselling Carole Matthews doing what she does best! Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson.

When Jake tells Lyssa it's not working, she knows he's not talking about the toaster. What she doesn't realise is that he has been seduced by another woman. Lyssa's immediate reaction is to sob into her pillow and wait for Jake to come home with his tail between his legs. But slowly she understands that's not an option. In a bid to escape, she embarks on a trekking holiday in Nepal. Her sister teases her that she'll meet a hairy-arsed yak shepherd - but it never occurs to Lyssa that in the Himalayan foothills she might fall in love...

Lucy Lombard thought her 'Happily Ever After' was all sorted when her gorgeous boss finally declared his love for her, but when she catches him in bed with another woman it's time to call an emergency meeting of The Chocolate Lovers' Club. Inevitably, she's not the only member with problems - Autumn, Nadia and Chantal all find themselves with dilemmas to face - the question is how much chocolate will it take to make it better...

What if you had always dreamed of something more . . . ? Nell McNamara has a happy life: her boyfriend Olly adores her, their four-year-old daughter Petal is the centre of their world and Nell has a steady job in the local chip shop. When the chippy needs a makeover, Nell jumps at the chance to unleash the creativity fizzing inside her. Inspired by what she can achieve - and encouraged by the very best friends a girl can have - Nell is determined to try something new. Waving goodbye to the chip shop, she starts up a new business making her own line of must-have handbags, which are soon flying off the shelves. It seems Nell's dreams are finally coming true, but her success doesn't come without a price. Before too long, Nell has to ask herself if it's really possible to have it all . . . Full of fun, love and laughter, soak up the sunshine with Summer Daydreams.

What do you do when there's nothing left to lose? Lily and Laurence Lamont-Jones had it all: lavish holidays in exotic locations, a top private school for their two children and a beautiful home in the Buckinghamshire countryside. Then Laurence loses his job, and their house and all their belongings are repossessed. With nowhere else to go, the family move into a flea-ridden council house on a notoriously rough estate and start to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. But will Lily's dream of returning to a world of luxury ever come true - or have her priorities changed? For with the help of new friends, a little luck and a lot of determination she's about to learn what really matters.

When Emily's boyfriend posts compromising photos of her on the internet, her life goes into sharp decline. Emily is about to lose everything - including the man she thought she loved. Her best friend, Cara, is determined to mend Emily's broken heart and she believes that a little magic is all that's required. But will Cara cast the right spell to get Emily out of her current position? Or will it go horribly wrong when they both fall in love with the same man?

Hows your love life Janie? For thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson, this is the question she dreads. Her single status preoccupies her friends and clients at Cutting Edge and after too many nights in (with Archie, her terrifying cat), a blind date disaster (exiting via the bathroom window is never dignified) and news that her ex is getting married (to his pregnant girlfriend), its time for Janie to do something dramatic.§Its time for an adventure!§Booking Christmas week off work, Janie decides against a week in Majorca and heads for the sunshine to Africa. Her friends think shes mad to be travelling alone to such an exotic location, and Janie thinks they may very well be right... but then she falls head over heels for tour guide (and fully fledged Maasai Warrior) Dominic.§Is this just a holiday fling or has Janie found the real thing?

Presents twenty-one short stories by American and British women writers, including Jessica Adams, Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes, Anna Maxted, and Lauren Henderson.

This is a romantic comedy set in Liverpool about Sally Freeman - a twenty-something single mum and superwoman - and her bid to make her world a better place. Hopelessly in love with her is Johnny - an artist with not a penny to his name - and Spencer Knight - a rich city slicker with a Porsche and a penthouse apartment. Sally wants to improve the dreary estate where she lives and she enlists the help of the locals to plant a garden and build a community centre. But will she choose the right man to love?

The last place Anna Terry expects to fall in love is in the waiting room of her divorce lawyer's office. But that's where she meets Nick Diamond and Cupid's arrow strikes. Anna's had more than her fair share of heartache. Her first marriage ended before her pregnancy was over, and her second husband has disappeared. Nick's luck hasn't been any better: his wife has run off with the local butcher - which wouldn't be so bad if she wasn't a vegetarian.

She made the final cut!Scraping by for years on bar gigs, Fern Kendal has always suspected she might actually have a decent voice. But caring for her feuding parents and sickly nephew took all her energy—until now. During one crazy week, she lands a spot on the reality television talent show Fame Game and a glam new job as personal assistant to world-famous singer Evan David.Fern's handsome new boss lives in the spotlight.Though she can't seem to master her assistant duties, Fern brings a rare smile to his face and makes him long to rejoin the real world. Through a twist of fate, Evan becomes the newest judge on Fame Game, a sour note for Fern, who has reasons for keeping her ambitions under wraps. She goes on the run, but Evan can't forget her. And thus begins the adventure of a lifetime—both onstage and off!

Kate’s main worry is when to do the ironing. There must be more to life than this! Kate Lewis is thirty-five and feeling restless. Her husband Jeffrey is keen on gardening and golf; her children are obsessed with well-balanced diets; and Kate’s main worry is when to do the ironing. There must be more to life than this! Enrolling on a T’ai Chi course at Northwood Priory with her best friend Sonia – and arranging for an au pair to look after Jeffrey and the children while she’s away – Kate is off to find herself. But, as things turn out finding herself isn’t easy to do, particularly when Ben Mahler is on her course…

Carole Matthews' backlist is being reissued looking as fresh as ever. Falling in love isn't easy. Sadie Nelson ought to know - she's got two men to choose from and neither one is hassle-free. First there's Gill McGann, a Hollywood producer who's flown her from a grey day in London to sun-soaked LA in order to win her heart. He has more to offer Sadie than she could ever have imagined... Then there's gorgeous actor Tavis Jones, whose sense of fun makes Sadie feel immediately at home. But can they ever be more than just good friends? The longer she leaves it, the harder it gets, and Sadie's about to discover that in LA anything can happen...

Josie Flynn is in New York for the wedding of Martha, her American cousin. Reluctantly donning her lilac bridesmaid's dress, Josie is convinced that Martha is about to marry the wrong man. In fact, Josie thinks it would be a much better idea to talk her cousin out of making a terrible mistake. Which is all very noble, until Josie meets Matt Jarvis and appears to be about to fall for the wrong man herself..

Emily Miller has been betrayed. When her boyfriend posts compromising photos of her on the internet, her life goes into sharp decline. Emily is about to lose everything including the man she thought she loved. Her best friend, Cara, is determined to mend Emily's broken heart and she believes that a little magic is all that's required. But will Cara cast the right spell to get Emily out of her current position? Or will it go horribly wrong when they both fall in love with the same man?

From Blurb - Inside Front cover Happily married with three children, Ali Kington can't believe that a quick cappuccino in Coven Garden will turn her life upside down. But then it isn't every day that a gorgeous street artist, fifteen years her junior, falls at her feet. When Ali's husband, Ed, finds out that she's spent time with another man, he's sure there's more to it than meets the eye. In a moment of Madness he kicks her out and what started as nothing more than a minor indiscretion soon turns into a major affair.

When Rose escapes from London and Hugh - her devastatingly handsome, intelligent and charming ex-lover - she has no idea that her occupation as an aromatherapist will cause such a scandal in her new country village. All she wants is a bit of peace and quiet, but her weird and wonderful neighbours soon ensure that her life is more complicated and chaotic than it ever was before. Maybe that's because she's in love again...

The Chocolate Lovers’ Club brings together four very different women with one thing in common: they can't resist chocolate. This is an irresistible novel for anyone who wishes they were a member! Lucy Lombard can't resist it - rich, creamy, sweet, delicious chocolate. For her there's nothing it won't cure - from heartache to a headache - and she's not alone. Sharing her passion are three other addicts: Autumn, Nadia and Chantal. Together they form The Chocolate Lovers' Club. They meet in their sanctuary, Chocolate Heaven, as often as they can, and with a cheating boyfriend who promises he'll change, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty to discuss!

This modern day Brief Encounter is a wickedly funny romance sure to appeal to fans of Catherine Alliot and Jilly Cooper. Teri is searching for Mr Right. She's been through Mr Lazy, Mr Greedy, Mr Completely Selfish and Mr Downright Pervert - but, as yet, no Mr Wonderful. That is, of course, until she's knocked off her feet by Jamie Duncan, as they rush to catch the 18.07 from platform 8. Soon love blossoms and commuting takes on a whole new meaning. But one thing that can't be ignored is that, as well as being Mr Right, Jamie is also Mr Married...

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«Ich bin vermutlich der treueste und zuverlässigste Mensch auf der Welt. Manchmal denke ich, dass das nicht gut ist.» Fays größter Traum ist es, das alte Hausboot ihres Vaters am Kanal wieder fahrtüchtig zu machen. Doch sie hat alle Hände voll damit zu tun, ihre bettlägerige, schlechtgelaunte Mutter zu versorgen, das Café zu führen, das sie in ihrem Elternhaus eröffnet hat, und jeden Abend ihre Dauerbeziehung Anthony mit einer warmen Mahlzeit zu beglücken. Dann macht eines Tages ein weiteres Hausboot am Anleger fest. An Bord ist nicht eins der üblichen Touristenpärchen, sondern Danny: Zehn Jahre jünger als Fay, sehr gutaussehend und auf der Suche nach Arbeit ...

Juliet tiene 45 años y una vida un tanto mediocre: un marido con el que se casó de penalti después de que el amor de su vida la dejara plantada en el altar, un hijo parásito, una hija muy frívola, una madre que se pasa el día criticándola, un padre que acaba de salir del armario y un trabajo de bibliotecaria que nunca le ha permitido salir de su pequeña ciudad inglesa. A pesar de todo, hasta ahora había estado relativamente satisfecha con su modesta vida. Pero de repente todo empieza a tambalearse y, para colmo, reaparece Steven, su ex novio, que esta vez quiere pasar el resto de su vida con ella y le ofrece todo lo que el dinero puede comprar y una dedicación absoluta.

Hlavní hrdinka Emily se rozejde se svým přítelem, když zjistí, že umístil na webové stránky její intimní fotografie. Ocitá se naprosto bez prostředků, vyhodí ji z práce a je nucena zachraňovat poslední zbytky svého minulého života. Spoléhá se na pomoc Cary, své nejlepší přítelkyně. Situace se začíná komplikovat v okamžiku, kdy Cara musí uznat, že Emily měla šarmantního přítele.