? The BRAND NEW hilarious, feel-good read from Fiona Gibson, smash hit bestselling author of The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything ? 'I absolutely love Fiona Gibson's funny, emotional, relatable writing.’ Jenny Colgan Is it ever too late to bloom? Meet Celia. Life hasn’t worked out quite how she’d planned. Since her son left for university, Celia has felt stuck at home – battling with her husband Geoff over control of the thermostat, and without the merest glint of a social life. Her only joy comes from the plants she nurtures in her makeshift plant hospital in their Glasgow flat. Then three unexpected things happen: She catches Geoff in bed with a secretary from his sausage factory (no pun intended). Her high-flying best friend Amanda arrives on her doorstep without warning (but with a very large suitcase). A tall handsome French teacher asks her to tend his daughter’s cactus back to health. Suddenly, Celia finds her life in freefall, but she makes a decision: she won’t let this be the end of her. She’ll bring herself back to life, just like the plants she works her magic on. But just how do you change the habits of a lifetime? Praise for Fiona Gibson: 'Hilarious, sparky and joyful, relatable and brilliant! Highly recommended, whatever the time of year.' JUDY LEIGH 'Snowy, sparkly and satisfying. Highly recommended.' MADDIE PLEASE 'Fun, festive and full of good cheer, Tis the damn season! should be on the top of your Christmas reading wish list.' SARAH BENNETT 'This book isn't just for Christmas... it's the perfect escapist novel for any time of the year!' KATE GALLEY 'A festive, funny and heartfelt story of friendship and finding your way. I loved it.' FREYA KENNEDY 'Warm, witty and wonderfully relatable. Perfect escapism for women struggling to juggle everything, especially at Christmas!' KATHLEEN WHYMAN ‘Fun, witty, and sassy. It’s just what I needed to get me through a break up.’ ?????????? ‘Wonderful easy reading. Heart warming, characters that are uplifting and a story full of friendship. Take This book on holiday and enjoy getting lost in this beautiful story.’ ?????????? ‘Heartily recommended as a warmhearted story with emotional depth that you will want to read in one go.’ ?????????? ‘I love Fiona's style of writing, it's totally absorbing, always relatable in some way, emotional & hilarious! I don't think I can ever look at a Scotch egg in the same way ever again! ’?????????? ‘I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in less than a day. It was fun, relatable and an easy read. This was one of my favourite books by Fiona Gibson!’ ?????????? ‘Marvellous at any time of the year! You’re never disappointed with a Fiona Gibson novel and this one is no exception. Simple storylines, lovely ending, characters you can relate to and root for, what’s not to love?’ ?????????? ‘I adored this book! I love Fiona’s books anyway and definitely have more on my wishlist! This is the perfect festive read. Wouldn’t we all like to escape sometimes from the festive build up?’ ?????????? ‘This book is honestly very funny… I am probably going to reread this story again in the next couple of days, I liked it that much.’ ??????????

Perfect for fans of Pamela Kelley and Rachel Hanna. Escape to the beautiful British coast and fall in love with the small town of Darling Island. If you love meet-cute stories about friendship, small towns , and community, you'll adore Darling Island - the cutest English place to escape to by the sea. ~~~ Lucie Peachtree is living her (nearly) best life as she prepares to pack up her house to move to the country with her ever-so-handsome, teenage heartthrob boyfriend turned partner, Rob. Rob, unfortunately, forgets to mention that while Lucie was selling their house, trying to get pregnant and doing all the things, he had secured himself another life, thank-you-very-much. A life complete with a twenty-four-year-old, very much pregnant work colleague and not including Lucie in any shape or form. Dropped into a world Lucie has never known, one night she sets out to a calling from the universe. With a glass of wine, a tub full of bubbly water and rather too many onion bhajis, she sees something on the internet that takes her fancy. Before she has time to think about it too much, she has bought a rather large, rather rundown house on a little island just off the coast. And so begins Lucie Peachtree’s initiation into all things Darling Island, a place she arrives in with more than a pang of regret. As she feels her way into Darling’s quaint ways, a very surprising love interest walks slap bang into her life and suddenly living on Darling looks oh-so-much more on the rosier side. With its gorgeous old blue and white cute British buildings, cosy small-town feel, floating bridges, trundling vintage trams and a plethora of wonderful characters, we are whisked along for the ride as we watch Lucie navigate her way to a new life on the coast in the old Coastguard’s House. Darling is a quiet seaside town on Darling Island known for its fine architecture and olde-worlde charm. Nestled on the beautiful hazy waters of Darling Estuary, Darling’s sandy beaches and bustling community is a well-kept secret just off the coast. You know you’ve arrived on Darling when you step off the Pride of Darling floating bridge and take a trip up the main street on the tram. ~~ ‘With all Polly’s trademark romantic storytelling , you’re going to adore this new love story . I read it in one sitting. I never wanted to leave. Talk about romantic comedy beach read ! Let me move there now.’ Heidi S. C ontemporary romance readers & authors reviews. ' Just as I was beginning to think Pretty Beach was the best and magical place to be along comes Darling Island Polly Babbington if I could give you 100 stars I would. Didn’t think anything could even come close to Pretty Beach but Darling Island has topped it.’ Agnes, Amazon Review. ????? ‘Fabulous characters & storylines . Couldn't put the book down. Pure escapism . You will not be disappointed. Read all of Polly’s books. They are all amazing. Congratulations Polly you're a genius.’ Sue H, Amazon Review ????? 'Romcom, women's fiction & small town tropes in one. As a Debbie Macomber fan, I adored it. So cute!' Reader ????? 'Love the books, want them to go on forever!' KM55, Amazon Review ????? 'I absolutely love this book, like all Polly's books, this is a smasher! Lovely characters , wonderful location & a dreamy romance , along with contemporary problems & juggling life's balls!' Jenny M, Amazon Review ?????