"O’Donoghue infuses fierce integrity and an understanding of self-worth into a hilarious voice." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"The stakes are high, the narrative is nuanced, and the climax and resolution are refreshingly unexpected." School Library Journal
"O’Donoghue’s intriguing story takes in myth, history, tensions between Catholic and Protestant, and race in Ireland. Helping the repentant Maeve search for the missing girl is Lily’s nail-polish wearing brother Roe, formerly Rory, who is the essence of fluidity in a novel that’s all about the power of liminal spaces." The Financial Times
“All Our Hidden Gifts has the most authentic teenage voice I've read in ages. It's spellbinding in its ability to tap into teen issues such as friendship power battles, self-esteem, blooming romance, and social justice and then sprinkles it with magic. I was utterly bewitched, and know I would've read this book a thousand times when I was young.” Holly Bourne
“An immersive tale of brave, vulnerable teens facing threats both real and fantastic.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Whether you come for the mystery, the magical hijinks, or the intense teenage feelings, All Our Hidden Gifts has a lot to offer. It takes friendship seriously and treats its queer and diverse characters with empathy and respect, all while frolicking off on a somewhat batty supernatural adventure." NPR
"All Our Hidden Gifts is grounded and realistic, even when it’s got a foot in the supernatural, and it captures the complex, emotional nature of teen relationships with ease." BookPage (starred review)
"Deliciously witchy... O’Donoghue has a keen eye for the complexities of friendships; I predict this one will be catnip to teenage readers." The Guardian
"All Our Hidden Gifts is a magical surprise of a book, the perfect combination of heartfelt and thrilling, unpredictable and familiar. The startling and unique story lets us imagine and worry and love and reach for the truth right alongside Maeve. It is easy and exciting to get lost in this witchy, mysterious, and deeply layered story." Corey Ann Haydu
"Fiercely, furiously good." Melinda Salisbury
"There’s an air of creepy mysticism to this uncommonly well-crafted urban fantasy, and O’Donoghue deftly weaves real-world and paranormal story aspects together." Booklist (starred review)
“This YA debut from Caroline O’Donoghue knocked me sideways. About tarot, the complexity of friendship & so much more besides. So gripping, so intriguing, so layered and lovely and creepy – All Our Hidden Gifts feels like a book that should have always existed. I’m glad it does.” Kiran Millwood Hargrave
"This atmospheric, witty, disarming tale is a page-turning dive into occult forces portrayed alongside teenage troubles.... Impeccable dialogue and true-to-life characters make this a great choice for YA readers with a mystical bent." The Horn Book
"The talented O’Donoghue turns her hand to young adult fiction with this engrossing story of tarot, magic and teen friendship that recalls the best of Diana Wynne-Jones." The i
“Captivating right from the start! … I believe this book should win many awards – I will be shocked if it doesn’t!” Katrina_Reads, Librarian
“I finished this last night and it has nestled itself into my heart. Notes of Hodgson Burnett, Streatfeild and Ibbotson yet also completely original and utterly charming. Out 1st July 2021 - and prepare to hear me talking about it non-stop till then!” Rhiannon Tripp, Bookseller
"I laughed and cried mightily from the outset. This is a master storyteller at work, if you don’t love it too I shall eat my hat." Clara Vuilliamy
"One of the best middle-grades I've read for a while. Intensely funny, but also moving and full of puns, facts, and mouth watering Victoria Sponge cakes." Ruby Granger
“A punchy, comical immersive story perfect for upper KS2 weaved with ribbons of strength, friendship and bravery. The appearance of footnotes adds a certain flair to this story - drawing the reader in on hidden secrets and perspectives.” Kelly B, Reviewer
“This is a celebration of classic children's fiction and authors - it's almost a guide to life through reading recommendations. If you are a Chalet fan there are so many Easter eggs to enjoy, with a smattering of Malory Towers thrown in.” Rosie V, Librarian
"Ridiculously loveable book alert... hilarious and completely endearing." Clémentine Beauvais, author of Piglettes
“This brilliant book has the feel of a classic … Delightfully written and with a superb use of footnotes to fill in the back story, the thoughts, the side notes, this book was hard to put down.” Erin H, Librarian
“Finishing this stunner of a book has left me bereft, missing the characters, and with a book hangover that nothing else can fix. Accomplished, clever, witty and full of fun, with characters you will want to be best friends with, it is a quirky treat from start to finish. Johnson has a way with words and characters that is reminiscent of Hilary McKay and Kate DiCamillo. Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine. And for the love of all things joyous, Do Not skip the footnotes.” Carmen H, Bookseller
"Fans of Eva Ibbotson, British baking shows, and boarding school stories will happily immerse themselves in this cozily familiar setting." Kirkus Reviews
"Both the young and the young-at-heart will find delight in the traditional good vs. evil depicted in the form of the most villainous of villains and a host of spunky female characters who are persistent enough to save the day." School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Daisy May Johnson has created a thing of beauty with this story.” Steph K, Educator
“Every so often, a book comes along that, despite being firmly anchored in the tradition of British children’s literature, is like no other. How to be Brave is one of those books. This is a book that expertly weaves motifs of traditional school stories with elements of contemporary life, making it both timeless and very much of its time.” Mélanie Mcgilloway, Library Mice
“I absolutely LOVED this book. The storytelling was so unique and unlike anything I've read before. The plot was compelling and the characters were likeable (and thoroughly unlikeable in the case of the villain).” Melissa J, Reviewer
"An intricate, detailed and beautifully written story of the women of Eyam. It's vivid and poetic, powerfully building tension as their secrets unravel." Jennifer Saint
"An exquisitely written tale of resilience and reckoning, with female protagonists that are just the right blend of compassion and simmering rebellion." Sonia Velton, author of The Image of Her
"Lyrically written, The Hemlock Cure propels the reader into the seventeenth-century world of potions and mystery." Rhiannon Ward
"The writing is exquisite, the period detail sensuous and immersive. I can't stop thinking about this beautiful story." Emma Carroll, author of Frost Hollow Hall
"Artfully written and nuanced, The Hemlock Cure is a carefully researched take on Eyam's sad history, with a rich cast of characters that keep you turning the page." Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora
"Sweeps the reader up into its potions, scents, colours and secrets... A mesmerising novel." Rosie Andrews
“The Hemlock Cure creates a growing tension that had me turning pages late into the night. The writing is beautfiful - its delicacy and precision creating a strong sense of place - full of scents, sounds and texture” Annie Garthwaite
"Spellbinding and profound... A compassionate and intensely moving novel that is rich in meaning and hugely resonant for our plague-struck era." Nikki Marmery
"A beautifully written page-turner. I was rooting for Mae from the beginning. An interesting period of history portrayed in a unique way." Carole Matthews, author of Sunny Days and Sea Breezes
"In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn's elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read." Sarah Burton
"A beautiful, bewitching and powerful tale of brave women's lives. I absolutely loved it." Roz Watkins, author of The Devil's Dice
"A book full of love, and it is extremely easy to love reading it." Vogue
"I didn't know books could be this hilarious. The Rachel Incident is so warm and comforting, and the characters so real. I can't believe Rachel and James aren't people that I know -- I care about them so deeply!" Annie Lord
"It's funny and nostalgic and the sex scenes are actually sexy ... it's everything I want from a summer book" Monica Heisey
"An amusing coming-of-age saga -- Ones to Watch" Sunday Independent
"A sensational new entry in the burgeoning millennial-novel genre." Kirkus Reviews (Starred)
"A gripping story, beautifully written, with an expertly woven plot, packed with charm and suspense that sneaks up on you and leaves you rooting for the characters and gasping for more. A masterful, mesmerising tale of the joy of obsessive and consuming friendship, the secrets that bind us, and the damage we can't help but inflict on the ones we love the most" Justin Myers
"Caroline O'Donoghue writes characters that just sort of melt from the page and into your life - they are so relatable, so likeable, so beautifully messy. Her story of twenty-somethings stumbling through life, trying to find themselves but usually finding awful rented accommodation and crappy jobs instead is instantly relatable. There is a dinner party scene so brilliantly staged and so exquisitely uncomfortable, I had to read it through my fingers, like watching some sort of horror movie. Books so rarely capture the sheer chaos, heartache, misery and euphoria of our twenties, effectively the internship stage of adulthood in so many ways, but this one does it effortlessly. A truly charming, moving, funny and sad novel." Keith Stuart
"Key to it all is O’Donoghue’s spot-on portrayal of Rachel’s youthful yearning....In O’Donoghue’s world, there’s plenty to fall in love with." Publisher's Weekly
"Books by Irish women writers are hot these days, and this novel is on fire.... O'Donoghue deepens the familiar coming-of-age premise with riveting moral complications" People Magazine, Book of the Week
'Funny, fond and wittily observed' Sunday Times
"Capturing the madness and intensity of early 20-something life, with the added complications of the restrictions of Catholic Ireland, this joyful, passionate story from the author of Promising Young Women is at times spit-out-your-tea funny - and always a bittersweet delight." Bookseller, Editor's Choice
"Caroline O'Donoghue shines a laser beam on young adulthood, particularly the crazy intensity of those messy, beautiful friendships forged in the fires of romantic crisis. The Rachel Incident made me nostalgic for my early twenties. But even more than that, it made me wish I could go back and hug the person I was back then and tell her she'll be okay." Lauren Fox
"Caroline O'Donoghue perfectly captures the intensity and high and lows of first love, and while The Rachel Incident is steeped in nostalgia and heartache, it's also very, very funny." Red Magazine
"Sharp, wryly original ... quirky, eminently readable, funny" RTE, The best Irish books of 2023
"An absolute pleasure is the only way I can describe the sensation of losing myself in this ceaselessly charming, vulnerable, atmospheric story of human connection and self-discovery. Fans of Sally Rooney and Coco Mellors will delight in the cozy Irish vibes and glimmering voice of Caroline O'Donoghue." Amanda Montell
'Deeply relatable and extremely funny, and features a dinner party scene so awkward I had to put the book down and do a bit of breathing before I continued' Eva Wiseman, Observer
"The Rachel Incident worked its way under my skin and into my heart and has stayed there for months. It's such a beautifully observed, open-hearted, clever, horny, desperately funny, joy of a book. It captures, with unique eloquence, those years in our early twenties when every feeling reveals an exposed nerve, when every small event is tragedy or ecstasy, when we're trying to shape, and reshape (and reshape again), who it is we want to become. I adored it" Kate Young
"The story feels slick and refined like a HBO series, but what gives it heart is O'Donoghue's raucous humour slathered on top. It's a deeply satisfying novel about friendship, love and the uncertain Ireland of 2010" Irish Times
"O'Donoghue has a sharp eye for the tumultuous life of a young woman struggling to figure out who she is ... profoundly satisfying ... O'Donoghue has found a way to tell this story in scenes both heartbreaking and funny" Ron Charles, Washington Post
"By turns hilarious and heartfelt, breezy and bittersweet, The Rachel Incident is a full-throated, big-hearted romp through early adulthood." Christina Baker Kline
"Completely engrossing, intensely intimate, full of wry wit and hard-learned insights about finding friends and holding on to love. I'm struggling to think of a single person I know who wouldn't love this book." Matthew Parker
"Sometimes the most passionate love stories are platonic. As sharply witty as it is warm-hearted and wise, this coming-of-age story about an Irish graduate and her gay best friend captures the intensity of friendship, the brittle craziness of youth and the desperation of gunning for an arts job in a recession" Guardian, Best Summer Reads
"Capturing the problems and intensity of early 20-something life, with the added complications of the restrictions of Catholic Ireland, this bittersweet story is at times laugh-out-loud funny." Best Magazine
"Caroline O'Donoghue's best work yet, a rich and nuanced read which is endlessly entertaining" Irish Independent
"If you've ever built your life and your personality around a friend; if you've ever loved the wrong person, or the right person at the wrong time... In short, if you've ever been young, you will love The Rachel Incident like I did" Gabrielle Zevin
"I can't explain the sheer unadulterated glee of reading this. It's so good and absorbing and funny and honest and horny. And when I finished, I was bereft ... O'Donoghue's observant, incredibly smart writing and character work and story are just the peak of modern fiction for me right now." Lizzie Huxley-Jones
"A deliciously complicated and very real romance with some refreshing twists. O'Donoghue captures all the intensity of messy young love, burnishing it with nostalgia and pointed wit" Mail on Sunday
"A book I took to my heart. . . A truly lovely read; complex in its emotional range, funny, poignant, heart-breaking, beautifully plotted, with clever, pacey dialogue, vivid characters and a shocking plot twist that left me gasping in horror." Barbara Trapido
"Every so often, a novel comes around that makes you excited about reading again. For me, this year that is Caroline O'Donoghue's gripping, moving The Rachel Incident, which looks like it could be branded the book of the summer ... The book is full of witty insights that get you right to the heart of the character ... O'Donoghue is a funny, smart, fearless voice who strikes the perfect balance of realism and romance, and The Rachel Incident is a stormer of a novel" i News
"Has engaging central characters and relevant things to say about ghosting, student dog years, reproductive healthcare and the destructiveness of small-town gossip." Independent
"An unconventional love story filled with heart and humour ... You'll gobble up The Rachel Incident in one bite and be left hungry for more" Daily Express
"I haven't enjoyed a book as much as The Rachel Incident in a long time - so, so sharp, funny and painfully relatable. These characters defy tropes and stereotypes, they come alive on the page. I adored them." Laura Kay
"Caroline O'Donoghue, where have you been all my life? The Rachel Incident is a transportive joy, a superhighway to young friendship. Big-hearted, witty and expertly crafted - I want to live inside this book" Sloane Crosley
"I really loved this book. It was gentle yet compelling and I was truly rooting for each character, even the ones I didn't like. Caroline has a talent for writing complex characters with humour and tact. The Rachel Incident kept me guessing while feeling deeply comforted the whole way through" Emer McLysaght
"Made me realise I'd never properly understood the word 'whipsmart' till now. Hilarious, wise and wonderfully written" Graham Norton
‘I ADORED this book!… I hope there's a sequel!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Like the most delicious, intricate curry you’ve ever tasted. You can’t help yourself for seconds…thirds…or, in my case, staying up until the wee hours to finish. Highly, highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this… as warm and delicious as the curries it describes… I could almost smell them… will pick you up and take you away!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I absolutely loved this and read it in one sitting… absolutely perfect… cozy, escapist, and comforting… kept me hooked… this would be a fabulous book club pick.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An amazing read! I galloped through it" Lady Antonia Fraser
"Sandra Lawrence tells her story with brio and affection" Daily Mail
"Lawrence has done an excellent job of recreating this eccentric gardening guru's life" The Times
"My pick for gardening book of the year is this page-turning life story of Ellen Willmott" The Sunday Times
"Simply brilliant and a joy to read" The English Garden
"Timely in its theme of protecting our rivers and streams, it also has the timeless power and craftsmanship of a classic" Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week
"A shimmering, stark, original novel." Guardian
"A brilliant fantasy with old folklore and mythological monsters woven into the narrative. Fans of Frances Hardinge and Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures will adore On Silver Tides… this future classic will appeal to fantasy fans from upper middle-grade readers right through to adults." Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller, February 2024 Book of the Month
"[A] stunning and original fantasy adventure." Booktrust
“An intriguing thought experiment and a sweet, melancholy heartache of a novel. Santi and Thora’s bond, in the many varied forms it took from life to life, was moving and claustrophobic. Given the smaller spheres many of us are currently living within, their mutual reliance felt particularly poignant . . . and asks the reader how much we are shaped by the people we love.” Kate Mascarenhas, author of The Psychology of Time Travel
“A heart pounding, heartbreaking thrill ride of a read, MEET ME IN ANOTHER LIFE is one book you won't soon forget. Exquisite writing tells an absolutely beautiful story about life, love, and everything in between... An absolutely addictive read!” Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center and Wine Bar, Collegeville, PA
“If you want to read an incredible debut, mark down MEET ME IN ANOTHER LIFE now… IT BLEW MY MIND. It is what fans of the THE TIME-TRAVELER’S WIFE have been craving.” Liberty Hardy, Book Riot Senior CE
“I read this book faster than any I've read in years—I literally couldn't put it down! ... Beautiful, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking." D'Arcy Valverde, Rediscovered Bookshop, Boise, ID
"Science fiction can reach out to the stars and at the same time hold tight to the human heart. The many layers of mystery in this beautiful love story lead to a breathtaking ending." Sue Burke, author of Semiosis
"Brilliant, lush, and achingly imaginative! I love this book in every life." Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe and A World Without You
“Across lifetimes, Thora and Santi meet again and again, in different ways and forms. Sometimes the pair are colleagues, other times lovers, but in each iteration, they’re inexplicably drawn to each other. As their fates continue to cross, it dawns on them that they must decipher the purpose of their attachment — before their lives come to a final end. Engaging and inventive, this debut novel will appeal to fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife.” BookBub, Best Books of Spring 2021
“Inventive, bold and surprising–from where the novel starts I could have never imagined where it ends. Along the way the story of Thora and Santi builds in suspense and emotion, revealing itself page by page, layer by layer. Cleverly constructed and highly entertaining.” Charles Yu
“An absolutely incredible concept brought to life by a stunning new voice in literature. I simply could not put this book down, I had to live in this world as much as possible... Just the best kind of storytelling.” Becky Doherty, Northshire, Manchester Center, VT
"A remarkable debut, haunting, genre-transcending. The human condition reflected in a shattered mirror." Stephen Baxter
“Entirely surprising, thoroughly enjoyable . . . Meet Me in Another Life asks what if we could live all our best and worst selves, and what if all those selves have one specific purpose. A truly captivating work with an ending that rocked my socks off.” Erika Swyler, author of Light From Other Stars and The Book of Speculation
"Silvey offers an inventive novel about intertwined faith and love." Debutiful
"Straight Expectations is a refreshingly unique, beautifully queer take on a familiar trope, packed with endless adorable moments, sugar sweetness and laugh-out-loud hilarity. Don't miss out on this utterly charming, heart-melting rom-com from a new voice to watch in the queer YA world!" Sophie Gonzales
"Straight Expectations blends classic rom-com with a heartfelt examination of what it is to be queer, and how it's so much more than just a matter of attraction. McSwiggan's love of his community and culture are on dazzling display here, in a well-crafted and swoony novel of learning to fall in love with yourself, as well as the cute boy." L C Rosen
"A delightfully queer page-turner with a powerful message, Straight Expectations should be on every rom-com reader's bookshelf. There's no shortage of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy moments in Calum McSwiggan's debut." Robbie Couch
By turns outrageous, heartfelt, funny and tender, _Straight Expectations_ is a thought provoking exploration of identity and what makes us who we are. Calum McSwiggan is a fabulous new voice on the YA scene. Simon James Green
"Freaky Friday meets Big in this thought-provoking teen romcom" Attitude
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