Grieving widow or wronged wife … which would you choose? The witty and heartwarming new novel from the bestselling author of The Scent of You

Sophie blinked and looked down again, relieved that everyone would think she was overcome with devastation at the prospect of reading her husband’s eulogy, not that she was in shock, having just looked right into the eyes of his mistress.

Food stylist Sophie Crommelin has a beautiful life. Now that their two boys are grown up, she and her husband Matt – an acclaimed artist – are leaving London for a new start on England’s fashionably boho south coast. But the day after the house is sold, a series of shocks leave Sophie reeling – and suddenly she’s heading off to Hastings on her own.

Beau Crommelin has always been very much his father’s son. Charming, beautiful and creative, he gets on with everyone and is building a name as a jewellery designer. But after Matt’s sudden death, Beau finds himself on the wrong end of a scandal and everything he thought he knew about himself is called into question.

As Sophie and Beau try to find their feet, new friends and opportunities appear. But the biggest revelation is still to come …

A deliciously warm, witty and moving story of love, family, second chances and starting over.

‘Delightful … With a cast of wonderful characters and divine settings, from London to the sea, this is a perfect summer read’ Good Reading

READERS ARE SAYING:

‘Highly entertaining’ *****

‘Filled with Maggie’s signature wit and style’ *****

‘Perfect for holiday reading’ *****

‘An absolute pleasure’ *****

‘Like a comforting hug’ *****

‘I loved this!’ *****

‘Heartwarming’ *****

‘Beautiful’ *****

Praise for Maggie Alderson:

‘Fact: Maggie Alderson is a goddamn national treasure. Her writing is pithy, warm, incisive and touching, her characters extremely lovable and relatably flawed.’ Cosmopolitan

‘Delicious and delightful in every way’ Daily Mail

‘Brimming with wit and wisdom’ Courier-Mail

Author Biography

Maggie Alderson is the author of ten novels and four collections of her columns from Good Weekend magazine. Her children’s book Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. Before becoming a full-time author she worked as a journalist and columnist in the UK and Australia, editing several magazines, including Mode and British ELLE. She writes a Substack called Style Notes and is on Instagram at @maggialderson. She is married and has one daughter.