FEARNE COTTON'S HAPPY PLACE BOOK CLUB PICK FOR AUGUST

The literary must-read of the summer: a deeply atmospheric novel about friendship, marriage, and long-suppressed secrets. Perfect for readers of Miranda Cowley Heller's The Paper Palace, A Family Matter by Claire Lynch, and Tessa Hadley.

'Riveting ... I was gripped from the start' Claire Powell, author of All In

'The perfect poolside read' Stylist

Since they first met at university twenty years ago, Maggie and Will have spent the last two weeks of every summer in France with their close friends, Lydia and Roland. Both families have been looking forward to this cherished annual ritual. But this year things are different.

Will has been hiding something from his wife, and is struggling to keep his deceit from seeping into the cracks in their marriage.

Maggie is worried about their withdrawn teenage son.

Roland is grappling with grief over the death of his first wife.

Lydia is trying to ignore past chemistry with an old friend while learning to play second fiddle to a ghost.

And then, into this conflicted fray steps Issy, Roland's beguiling, irrepressible daughter from his first marriage.

As the August heat beats down, and the children find new ways to entertain themselves, it starts to feel as if the fault lines in these relationships might widen; that it might be harder to hide secrets here, under the bright sun.


Praise for Family Friends:

'An intelligent, evocative, elegant novel simmering with tension and drama' Lisa Owens, author of Natural Disaster

'A propulsive story with intrigue, secrecy and drama - I had a wonderful time reading it' Jenny Mustard, author of What A Time To Be Alive

'Sultry and very evocative' Jo Hamya, author of The Hypocrite

'An involving and psychologically acute portrait of marriage, friendship and loyalty tested to the limit. A sophisticated summer page-turner for Tessa Hadley fans' The Bookseller, Editor's Choice