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Hilary Boyd: 5 uplifting books that made me cry

The Guest

READ THE EMOTIONAL NEW NOVEL FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THURSDAYS IN THE PARK AND THE ESCAPE 
 Perfect for fans of Faith Hogan, Cathy Bramley and Liane Moriarty 
 Will past secrets resurface over a long hot summer as Kitty Cox lets an old friend back into her home? ---- 
 
 Over a long hot summer, the secrets of the past bubble to the surface . . . 
 
 After years caring for her ailing husband, Kitty Cox is finding it hard adjusting to a new life alone. 
 
 So when old friend Vee reappears in the village in urgent need of a place to stay, Kitty says yes. It’s the obvious solution to both their needs. 
 
 Soon Vee, her new partner Raf and young son Bear have moved in for the summer. At first, Kitty relishes the company. Yet, despite their renewed friendship, she feels Vee is keeping something from her. 
 In the heat, tensions build and secrets simmer. It’s clear that Vee isn’t the woman Kitty once knew . . . 
 But who has she let into her home? 
And might this act of charity turn out to be the biggest mistake of her life? 
 
 ---- 
Praise for Thursdays in The Park 
 '[A] tender and intriguing love story’ Daily Mail 
 'A warm and well-written case for love affairs in later life' Daily Telegraph

Hilary Boyd was a nurse, marriage counsellor and ran a small cancer charity before becoming an author. She has written eight books, including Thursdays in the Park, her debut novel which sold over half a million copies and was an international bestseller. The film rights for Thursdays In The Park have been acquired by Charles Dance, who will be directing and starring.

Kitty Cox is adjusting to a new life alone. She&rsquo;s spent several years caring for her ailing husband but now she&rsquo;s having to adjust to a life without him. 
 
When Kitty&rsquo;s old friend Vee reappears in the village in desperate need of a place to stay, Kitty quickly sees an obvious solution to both their dilemmas. She invites Vee, her new partner Raf and young son Bear to move in with her for the summer. 
 
Kitty relishes the company, but there are ripples beneath the surface of her old friend. As a long, hot summer unfolds, tensions build and secrets simmer. Has Vee told Kitty the whole truth? And will her generous offer of help turn out to be the biggest mistake she has ever made?

An emotional and uplifting story about new beginnings set on the Cornish coast

The Escape

DISCOVER THE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED AND UNPUTDOWNABLE NEW NOVEL FROM HILARY BOYD 
 
Bel Carnegie's life is not perfect. Still recovering from her ex-husband's betrayal she lives with her narcissistic father in the family flat in Earl's Court. 
 
Then one summer she decides to swap the sweltering city for beautiful Cornwall. While renting a little cottage she finds that the sea, sunshine and new friends help heal her damaged heart. 
 
But Bel soon learns that you can't run from the past and it isn't long before it comes knocking once more . . . 
 
Praise for Hilary Boyd 
 
'Hilary Boyd nails family dynamics and misplaced loyalties with pin-sharp precision in an impressively well-written tale' Daily Express 
 
'I was ripping through this book . . . addictive' Evening Standard 
 
'Boyd is as canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life' Daily Mail

As canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life - and better at jokes

Boyd is terrific at cutting to the quick of modern relationships

Smart, with true-to-life characters whose dilemmas will tear at your heartstrings

The gripping and suspenseful story of love, heartbreak and one devastating confession

The Hidden Truth

He was meant to be the perfect man, until she discovered the hidden truth . . . The gripping story of love, heartbreak and one devastating confession that changes everything 
 
 FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THURSDAYS IN THE PARK AND THE AFFAIR 
 
'A story that twists and turns. I couldn't put it down' 5***** READER REVIEW 
'An engrossing story. Exciting and full of heart. Her characters are brilliantly envisaged' 5***** READER REVIEW 
'Keeps you turning the pages' 5***** READER REVIEW 
________ 
 
 Sara Tempest never expected to meet a man like Bernard. 
 
Charming and captivating, over the course of one hot summer he and Sara fall desperately in love. 
 
Without a second's thought, Sara moves into his beautiful home on the wind-battered cliffs of Hastings, ready for her new life to begin. 
 
 But soon she begins to wonder if Bernard is all he seems . . . 
 
 He's barely in touch with his children. Stifling reminders of his late wife appear everywhere Sara looks. 
 
 And then comes Bernard's confession. 
 
 All too quickly, Sara's newfound happiness starts to crumble around her . . . 
 ________ 
 
 Praise for Hilary Boyd 
 
 'Hilary Boyd nails family dynamics and misplaced loyalties with pin-sharp precision in an impressively well-written tale' Daily Express 
 
 'I was ripping through this book . . . addictive' Evening Standard 
 
 'Boyd is as canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life' Daily Mail

Boyd is the mistress of the multi-layered story

Over the course of one summer Sarah Tempest meets and falls in love with the charming Bernard. The years of heartache and loneliness are finally behind her. 
 
She quickly moves into his beautiful home on the wind battered cliffs of Hastings. But, after a while, she begins to wonder if Bernard is all he seems. 
 
He's barely in touch with his children and with stifling reminders of his wife everywhere Sara looks, the walls begin to close in. 
 
Then comes Bernard's confession and Sara's newfound happiness starts to crumble around her . . .

Escape to Lake Como with this year’s most intoxicating and emotionally gripping read

The Affair

Escape to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Como in the irresistible and gripping new novel from the million-copy bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park, The Anniversary and The Lie 
 
'Held me spellbound . . . This novel is unmissable' 5***** Reader Review 
'Magnificent! So refreshing, this left me on the edge of my seat' 5***** Reader Review 
'The tension builds up to a heart-stopping crescendo' 5***** Reader Review 
_______ 
 
Connie McCabe longs for the summer where she spends the days leading tours across the continent. 
 
But it's on the glamorous shores of Lake Como where she is truly swept away, when Jared, a much younger man, falls for her. 
 
Despite resisting his advances, Connie finds that he's got under her skin. 
 
And so begins a long, hot, intoxicating summer where Connie succumbs to temptation - breaking her marriage vows. 
 
At the end of the season, Connie returns home to her husband, ready to put this affair behind her. 
 
But Jared has other ideas . . . 
_______ 
 
Praise for Hilary Boyd 
 
'Hilary Boyd nails family dynamics and misplaced loyalties with pin-sharp precision in an impressively well-written tale' Daily Express 
 
'I was ripping through this book . . . addictive' Evening Standard 
 
'Boyd is as canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life' Daily Mail

A simmering slow-burner full of obsession, drama and complicated relationships

A breath of fresh air . . . An excellent companion for a weekend away

Connie McCabe longs for the summer where she spends the days leading tours across the continent. 
But it's on the glamourous shores of Lake Como where she is truly swept away after a much younger man named Jared, falls for her. 
Despite resisting his advances Connie finds that he's got under her skin. 
And so begins a long, hot, intoxicating summer where Connie succumbs and breaks her marriage vows. 
At the end of the season Connie returns home to her husband, wanting to put this affair behind her. 
But Jared has other ideas. . .

The emotionally gripping family drama that will keep you hooked until the last page

The Lie

BE DRAWN INTO THE EMOTIONALLY GRIPPING FAMILY DRAMA PACKED WITH LONG-BURIED SECRETS 
 
'I couldn't stop reading until the early hours. Totally gripping' 5***** READER REVIEW 
 
 'I just thought you should know who you're married to . . .' 
______ 
 
 Romy and Michael had it all. 30 years of marriage, two wonderful sons and a beautiful home. 
 
 Until a letter arrives containing a shocking accusation, and everything falls apart. 
 
 Fleeing to an idyllic countryside village to find time to think, Romy finds herself drawn to Finch, a handsome stranger with a tragic past. Is this a chance to start again? 
 
 But then the phone rings: 
 
Michael is in hospital. He says he needs her help . . . 
 
 From the No. 1 bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park, The Lie will captivate fans of Susan Lewis, Amanda Prowse, and Ali Mercer's His Secret Family. 
______ 
 
 'Hilary Boyd nails family dynamics and misplaced loyalties with pin-sharp precision in an impressively well-written tale' DAILY EXPRESS 
 
 Readers are hooked by The Lie . . . 
 
 'Full of conflict with many twists and turns' 
 
 'A beautifully written and tense family drama' 
 
 'Totally engrossing' 
 
 'A brilliant page turner' 
 
 Praise for Hilary Boyd 
 
 'Boyd is as canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life - and better than Trollope at jokes' Daily Mail 
 
 'Poignant, well observed and wonderfully written, this is a bit of a heart-string puller' Closer 
 
 'I was ripping through this book . . . addictive' Evening Standard

Hilary Boyd nails family dynamics and misplaced loyalties with pin-sharp precision in an impressibly well-written tale

Boyd is as canny as Joanna Trollope at observing family life - and better than Trollope at jokes

Poignant, well observed and wonderfully written, this is a bit of a heart-string puller

A warm and well-written case for love affairs in later life

I was ripping through this book . . . addictive

Boyd gets under the skin of her characters to show that falling in love isn't limited to the young

A smart emotional drama, you will race through this

'I just thought you should know who you're married to . . .' 
Romy and Michael had it all. Thirty years of marriage, two wonderful sons and a beautiful home. 
Until a letter arrives containing a shocking accusation, and everything falls apart. 
Fleeing to an idyllic village to find time to think, Romy finds herself drawn to Finch, a handsome stranger with a tragic past. Is this a chance to start again? 
But then the phone rings: Michael is in hospital. He says he needs her help. 
Romy finds herself caught between two very different lives - and two very different men - as she tries to do her duty to her husband, unravel the truth about his past, and find out where her heart truly lies.

The Anniversary

From the bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park comes an emotional and beautifully written story of love, loss, and finding love again. 
 
'One of the best family and friendship sagas - an emotional read' Prima 
 
What if the one you tried to forget is the one you can't live without? 
 
Stella once thought that if she never saw Jack again, it would be too soon. 
 
But life has other plans for her and her stubborn, handsome ex-husband. 
 
Looking after their daughter in a time of need, Stella finds herself unwillingly reunited with the man she shared the best years of her life with - followed by the worst. 
 
Where tragedy once tore them apart, now Stella and Jack are being drawn back together. But each of them has a new partner and a new life. 
 
Should they fight temptation? 
 
Should the past remain the past? 
 
Or are some loves simply meant to be? 
___________ 
 
'Riveting' Woman &amp; Home 
 
'Terrific, beautifully written, searingly honest' Charles Dance 
 
'Fans rate this deeply emotional read her best novel yet' Sunday Post 
 
'True to life characters whose dilemmas will tear at your heartstrings' Sunday Mirror

A smart, sometimes harrowing story, with true to life characters whose dilemmas will tear at your heartstrings

Fans rate this deeply emotional read her best novel yet

Divided by tragedy, Stella and Jack are drawn together once more in this riveting relationships novel

I really resented having to put The Anniversary down - terrific, beautifully written, searingly honest

Charles Dance, actor, screenwriter and director

One of the best family and friendship sagas. [An] emotional read . . . Stella and Jack's marriage is over. Will feelings resurface when their daughter needs them?

A journey through the stages of life and love that will make you laugh out loud

Poignant, well observed and wonderfully written, this is a bit of a heart string-puller

Stella's marriage ended decades ago, after a tragedy that not only shattered her life with her husband but shaped her whole relationship with her daughter, too. 
Now, despite the tensions that linger between Stella and Eve, Stella is called upon to look after her daughter in her time of need. She just hadn't bargained on being brought back into her handsome, stubborn ex-husband's life too, or that she would find common ground with Jack in their shared adoration for their little grandson. 
Just as the pain of the past once tore them apart, now the joys of grandparenthood are bringing Stella and Jack back together. But each of them has a new partner and new lives. 
Should they fight temptation? Should the past remain the past? 
Or are some loves simply meant to be?

Hilary Boyd

A delightful summery story of seaside, second chances and new starts.

Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘A very storied story. It drew me in and kept me gripped.’

Amanda Prowse, author of Swimming to Lundy

A charming read about seizing new opportunities and finding your own way

Phillipa Ashley, Sunday Times bestselling author of Second Chance Summer

Peggy Gilbert wasn’t quite ready to leave London behind. But partner Ted’s yearning for a fresh start has led to a leap into the unknown.Life on the Cornish coast hasn’t quite been what she expected; despite the healing sea breeze, she yearns for the bright lights of the city.But when neighbour Lindy offers her a lifeline, she finally begins to embrace village life, basking in the friendship of someone who seems to be its beating heart. But beneath Lindy’s seemingly perfect surface simmer secrets that are soon threatening Peggy’s future in Pencarrow Bay.Can she fight to remain in the community she has come to love? And save her future with Ted?

Hilary Boyd

Praise for New Beginnings At Pencarrow Bay

A delightful summery story of seaside, second chances and new starts.

‘A very storied story. It drew me in and kept me gripped.’

A beautiful summer read!

A delightful summery story of seaside, second chances and new starts.

‘A very storied story. It drew me in and kept me gripped.’

A beautiful summer read!

A delightful summery story of seaside, second chances and new starts.

‘A very storied story. It drew me in and kept me gripped.’

A beautiful summer read!

Books by Hilary Boyd

Articles featuring Hilary Boyd

Hilary Boyd: 5 uplifting books that made me cry

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