The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

                                                       

Paperback:   288 pages                                                                         

Genre:  Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, 

Publisher:  Penguin Paperback 2026

Source:  Tywyn Library

Literary Awards:  *WINNER OF THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2026*
Audie Award for Ensemble Performance and Nominee for Fiction (2026), Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Audiobook (2025), Women's Prize for Fiction (2026), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction and for Debut Novel (2025), The Rooster -- The Morning News Tournament of Books Nominee for Longlist (2026), The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Nominee for Longlist(2025), She Reads Best of Award Nominee for Book of the Year (2025), Libby Award Nominee for Best Audiobook and Best Debut (2026)

Setting: Maryland, USA.  

First Sentences: At last, on Monday around ten or half past, Sybil Van Antwerp carries the mug of Irish breakfast tea with milk to her desk.

Review Quote:  'Immensely enjoyable' Guardian

My Opinion:

I have been wanting to read ‘The Correspondent’ for sometime now. Mainly because since publication last year it has been nominated for so many literary awards and I wanted to find out why.

In this her debut novel, the author Virginia Evans has given us a memorable protagonist in Sybil Van Antwerp. Sybil uses letter writing as communication and the novel is written as a series of letters, sent and received, through which the reader gets to know how life has treated her.

A unique idea which was an emotional read. Letters are not an easy format for a novelist to use as a medium to tell a story through. Virginia Evans has done so successfully and compassionately.  Highly recommended.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length... Until letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life.

Now, Sybil must send the letter she has been writing for all these years - and find forgiveness within herself in order to move on.

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be ‘a very small thing’, but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

Author Profile:

                                                                                                              

                                                Photo and Bio Courtesy of Amazon

Virginia Evans is from the east coast of the United States and was born in 1986.  She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature. After starting a family, she went back to school for her master’s of philosophy in creative writing at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she had the good fortune to study under Carlo Gébler, Eoin McNamee, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton and Kevin Power. She now lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, Mark, two children, Jack and Mae, and her Red Labrador, Brigid.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Profile   Amazon Author Page.   Wikipedia Profile.    Author - Official Website

Love Unlocked by Cecelia Ahern

 

                                                         

Ebook:  344 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Irish Fiction, Romance,

Publisher: August 2026 by Harper Collins

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: In the distance, a train rattles rhythmically along the tracks, sounding like a beating heart.

Setting: Dublin, Ireland

Review Quote: 'So much fun and very romantic. I loved it' Marian Keyes

My Opinion: 

An author I read from time to time when I am in the mood for contemporary fiction to lift my spirits.

'Love Unlocked' is set in Dublin and the story is centred around love locks and a bridge. It seems that when locks are removed from the bridge that relationships fall apart. An interesting conjecture that the protagonists Melody and Al are both involved in. What a mystery and is it resolved.

A quirky love story written with humour, that fans of Cecelia Ahern will enjoy.

With thanks to the author, NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   Thanks For the Memories   One Hundred Names.  Into The Storm

Paper Heart

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Sometimes the key is letting go…
Melody has vowed never to fall in love again.

Al is a hopeless romantic.

So, when they quite literally bump into each other, there's no reason sparks should fly. But the world seems a little upside down lately.

A few weeks ago, Al ordered the removal of all the lovers’ padlocks from one of Dublin's beautiful bridges. Ever since then, couples across the world have started splitting up.

And as Melody begins investigating this mysterious wave of breakups for her podcast, it seems there might be a bigger story to tell.

Together, they decide to uncover what's unravelling so many love stories. And, in the middle of solving everyone else’s heartbreak, can they unlock their own?

Author Profile:         

                                                      

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon

Cecelia Ahern was born in Dublin, where she also grew up on September 30th 1981. After completing a degree in Journalism and Media Communications, Cecelia wrote her first novel at 21 years old. Her debut novel, PS I Love You was published in January 2004, and was followed by Where Rainbows End (aka Love, Rosie) in November 2004. Both novels were adapted to films; PS I Love You starred Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, and Love, Rosie starred Lily Collins and Sam Claflin.

Cecelia has published a novel every year since then and to date has published 18 novels; PS I Love You, Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now, A Place Called Here, Thanks for the Memories, The Gift, The Book of Tomorrow, The Time of My Life, One Hundred Names, How To Fall in Love, The Year I Met You, The Marble Collector, Flawed, Perfect, Lyrebird, ROAR, Postscript and Freckles.

To date, Cecelia’s books have sold 25 million copies internationally, are published in over 40 countries, in 30 languages.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.   Goodreads Author Profile.   Facebook - Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

                                                 

Audio: 10 hrs  57 m

Narrators:  Joanne Froggart, Mark Noble, Asif Kahn, Gemma Whelan and Simon Harvey.

Genre:   Fiction, Mystery

Publisher: Penguin Audio Feb 2024

Source:  Purchased from Audible

First Sentence:  It would be easy to say that it all started with the murders, but actually it began when Margaret thatcher became prime minister.

Review Quote: A touching paean to lost innocence and the comfort of friendships, its dark undertow leavened by stout Yorkshire humour ― The Times

Literary awards:

British Book Award Nominee for Debut Fiction (2025)

Setting:  Yorkshire, England, 1979

My Opinion:  

'The List of Suspicious Things' is the very successful debut for Jennie Godfrey whose childhood was spent growing up in the seventies in Yorkshire.  It is therefore interesting but not surprising that the infamous Yorkshire Ripper was the inspiration for this novel.  I am very late to the party, possibly because it is in my Audible collection and I have still not got into the habit of regular listening.

The protagonist is Mavis, known as Miv, an eleven year old girl. Growing up in the shadow of the seemingly ever present unsolved murder cases she with the help of her best friend Sharon decides they can help solve the case. Their adventures and investigations introduce the reader to many characters along the way. The emphasis of the whole story is on the importance of family life, friendship and community spirit.

At times a heart wrenching read, this novel sensitively covers dreadful events and is well worth reading or listening to.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

"We'll make a list. A list of all the people and things we see that are suspicious. And then . . . we'll investigate them."

Twelve-year-old Miv is panicking. Life has been complicated since her mom got sick, and now her dad is talking about wanting to move their family away from the town Miv has lived in her whole life—because of the murders. Young women are dying, everyone is afraid, and no one knows who the culprit might be.

But as far as Miv is concerned, leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon simply isn't an option, no matter the dangers lurking round their way; or the strangeness at home that started the day Miv's mum stopped talking. Perhaps if she could solve the case of the disappearing women, they could stay after all?

So, Miv and Sharon decide to make a a list of all the suspicious people and things on their street. People they know. People they don't. But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighborhood, within their families—and between each other—than they ever thought possible. What if the real mystery Miv needs to solve is the one that lies much closer to home?

Author Profile

                                                      

                                                                                                                                                             

                                                            Courtesy of Google

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.   Goodreads Author Page.   Instagram Profile

The Orphan From Verona by Siobhan Daiko

                                                           

Ebook:  278 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romantic Fiction, WWII, Italy,

Publisher: August 2026  Boldwood Books

Source:  NetGalley

Location: Verona, Northern Italy, 1944 

First Sentences:  'I've made you potato gnocchi with tomato sugo', Claudia's mother said as she placed the dish on her kitchen table. 'Help yourself, tesoro.'

Review Quote: 'So much heartache but alongside this the love of the people who did so much in WWII'  Reader Review

My Opinion:  

 This is the third novel I have read by Siobhan Daiko. I was first drawn towards her writing because of her Hong Kong and Italy connections, both places which are close to my heart.

Set in Verona, Italy during the latter months of WWII.  A dual timeline story 'The Orphan From Verona' one part is set in 1944 when Elisa and her older brother Robi are trying to avoid being separated after the death of their parents in a bombing raid.  The second setting takes us to 21C Verona when Elisa travels to Italy, having spent many years in America, with her adult daughter Claudia.  The intention is after all these years to try and find out what happened to Elisa's bother.

The author's research about Verona's strategic position during WWII has enabled her to write a realistic storyline inspired by true events.  An emotional read about the resilience of those living through these dreadful times. Recommended to fans of WWII stories with some romance.

With thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Verona, 1944. When an air raid strikes Elisa's home, she is left with nothing but the clothes on her back, the teddy bear clutched in her arms and her beloved older brother. Traumatised into silence, six-year-old Elisa can no longer speak and relies on Robi to guide her through this war-torn world.

Alone on the dangerous streets of Nazi-occupied Verona, the siblings must fight to survive. With the Nazifascists hunting for boys to conscript, Robi is at constant risk. So for Elisa, who cannot call out or cry for help, losing her brother would mean losing everything…

New York, 2000. Decades later, Elisa has built a life far from the shadows of war. But the past has never truly let her go. Separated from Robi during those desperate days, she’s spent a lifetime wondering what became of him.

But now, she is finally ready to return to Verona. With her daughter Claudia by her side, Elisa sets out on a journey into the past. Because some bonds can never be broken, and some lost souls are still waiting to be found…

A moving and heart-breaking wartime novel that shows that hope can endure and war is not always the end. Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Fiona Valpy and Dinah Jefferies.

Previous Reviews:  Daughter of Hong Kong.     The Girl From Lake Maggiore

Author Profile

                                                    

                                                            Courtesy of Amazon

Siobhan Daiko is a bestselling author of powerful, emotional wartime fiction. Her stories are perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Fiona Valpy and Dinah Jefferies. Set in Italy and Hong Kong, Siobhan’s books feature ordinary women dealing with extraordinary circumstances. They also celebrate courage, survival and unbreakable bonds. Siobhan lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. She was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. Siobhan now spends her time writing books and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart. You can find more about her books on her website siobhandaikodotorg

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.  Author Official Website.   Goodreads Author Page