A story of love, loss and the courage to start again set in the idyllic Strawberry Village.

Sometimes the only way forward is to let go of the past.

Iris can’t let go, Jack can’t hold on—but when Iris is tasked with writing Jack’s story, will they find a happy ending of their own?

Journalist Iris Cooke thrives on crafting feel-good stories, but her latest assignment is anything but easy. She must profile Jack Jones, a billionaire with a reputation as a grump, whose dream of owning Strawberry House has been crushed by the owners’ refusal to sell.

Forced to spend time together, Iris and Jack clash at every turn—until they meet Peggy, a 79-year-old force of nature who changes everything. As Peggy pushes them to confront their own grief and fears, Iris and Jack begin to wonder if love is worth the risk after all.

Do We Really Have To Do This? is a clean and wholesome romance in The Next Chapter Collection about healing hearts, unexpected hope and the courage to write your own happy ending.

_________________________________

Praise for Do We Really Have To Do This?:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is my favourite Ellie Barker book so far.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A brilliant easy read; loved the relationship between the characters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Complete escapism, and I can’t wait for the next!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This book is completely wonderful; it made me laugh and cry.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Ellie Barker is fast becoming one of my very favourite authors!

Author Biography

Ellie Barker is a television journalist, author and host of The Next Chapter podcast. Ellie started as a runner in TV just like Rosie in The Pink Coffee Shop. Does the camera really lie? With more 25 years in the industry, Ellie knows.

When she’s not being dazzled by those tv lights – Ellie writes contemporary romance novels or Fiction Therapy as she calls it. THE PINK COFFEE SHOP, THE JUGGLE and THE SECRETS OF THE COFFEE CLUB are all set in the fictitious Cherry Blossom Park in Bristol – the city where Ellie lives with her journalist husband, sons and dog, Cookie.

Her latest novel DO WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS? is the first in new series set in the fictitious Strawberry Village also in Bristol, the next one is due in 2024.

When Ellie’s not holding a microphone or collecting socks, she loves to write warm, uplifting fiction with lots of love and hope. All her books have a therapist in (hence the Fiction Therapy) based on her lifelong fascination with mental health. And be warned: after years of reporting on some of the not-so-fair parts of life, only happy endings are allowed.

Ellie would love to hear from you on her website – where you can read the real-life story behind her books.