Imogen Parker Books

Alison has everything she ever dreamed of. Smart, sophisticated, married to a successful cardiologist, she's at the top of her career in journalism. Why, then, does she wonder if this is all there is? Ginger is just the opposite. She flunked out of university, is a failed actress who has never had a relationship lasting more than a month, and only has somewhere to live because she was her eccentric grandmother's favourite. Lia alone is perfectly content with her life. Three women, with nothing in common, nothing at all - except that they are all about to have their first child. Meeting each other will change all their lives as doubt becomes certainty, old sins are forgiven, and as what begins as friendship ends in betrayal. These Foolish Things is the second novel of contemporary relationships by the highly praised author of More Innocent Times ('A wonderfully woven tale of tangled relationships. I loved it.' Penny Vincenzi) and firmly establishes Imogen Parker as a writer of compelling, totally absorbing stories for our times.

On a perfect spring morning, Alexander catches a train into London, but never reaches work. Instead, he spends the day with Kate, a waitress he met the night before. Such a perfect day, Nell goes to the seaside, hoping that the sea air will blow away the doubts she has about her life. As Nell ponders why falling in love is so different from loving someone, Alexander allows himself to imagine leaving his old life behind and starting afresh. And by a strange turn of fate, there's an opportunity to do just that.

Lydia feels she should take life more seriously, yet she finds herself distracted by trivial thoughts, like the reporter's perfectly ironed shirt and her boyfriend Will's singing. Despite having a job she loves, a cozy cottage, and a steady relationship, she often wonders if there’s more to life than winning local pub quizzes with Gordon. While she doesn’t envy her glamorous sister Joanna or dream of a magazine-worthy home, Lydia occasionally feels that gratitude shouldn’t be her primary emotion towards her boyfriend, especially since she considers herself plain. She ponders the science behind face creams and whether they truly make a difference, recalling her mother’s advice that it’s what’s inside that counts. However, she questions what is truly inside her. On New Year's Day, a moment of drunken vulnerability leads her to share her thoughts with someone far away, sparking an unexpected journey that transforms her ordinary life into something extraordinary. This raises intriguing questions for Lydia: Can you fall in love with someone you've never met? Or is that the only way to fall in love? And who is this mysterious person? As a teacher, she feels she should know the answers, but she’s completely lost.

This is a story about love, jealousy and mystery that effects two generations of one family.

Drei Frauen, Alison, Lia und Ginger, lernen sich in einem Geburtsvorbereitungskurs kennen und werden Freundinnen. Die Geburt verändert ihre Beziehungen und Lebensziele. Besonders Alison kämpft mit ihrem Karriereknick und der wiederauflebenden Anziehung zu ihrer Jugendliebe Neil, was sie zu einer entscheidenden Reise nach Paris führt.

Juni 1953: Der kleine Küstenort Kingshaven ist in heller Aufregung: Im vornehmen »Palace«-Hotel findet ein großes Fest statt, um die Krönung von Elizabeth II. zu feiern. Unter den Gästen befinden sich auch der Lehrer Michael Quinn, der sich in Kingshaven noch immer fremd fühlt, und die junge Claudia Liebeskind. Für beide ist es Liebe auf den ersten Blick – eine Liebe, die ihr Leben für immer verändern wird. Denn Michael ist bereits verheiratet ... »Eine hinreißende Saga, die den Leser von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite fesselt.« Kate Mosse