Lessons in Heartbreak

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What to expect

The new novel from the international no. 1 bestselling author.

Izzie Silver left the small Irish town of Tamarin behind her for life in New York. She's big, beautiful, and dreams of her own model agency for plus-sized women (what her grandmother would call healthy.) Life is good – but she's just broken one of her cardinal rules and fallen for a married man.

On the other side of the ocean, Izzie's aunt Anneliese discovers the pain of infidelity for herself. Her husband Edward has been having an affair with her best friend, Nell. Devastated and angry, Anneliese is facing the realisation that she is now alone.

When Lily, the matriarch of the family is taken ill, the family must put their own problems aside. Izzie, intrigued by her grandmother's past begins to discover things she never knew about wise, calm Lily. Annaliese feels despair build as Lily, the one person who could have helped her, starts to slip away.

And the lessons each of the women learns – past and present – bring both joy and heartbreak. Lessons they will carry with them forever.
Then suddenly the girls are forced to forget their personal problems and come together as Lynne, the family matriarch, is gravely ill. Arriving in the dramatically beautiful seaside town where they all once lived, Izzie and Jane soon come to realise that we can't ever choose who we fall in love with, but we can choose how we move on in life…

Critics Review

  • Praise for Cathy Kelly:

    ‘A must for Kelly’s many fans; a warm, moving read ’ Daily Mail

    ‘Bursting with emotion, heartache and dreams…realistic and likeable characters that meet life-changing events head on ’ Ireland on Sunday

    ‘Totally believable ’ Rosamunde Pilcher

    ‘An upbeat and diverting tale skilfully told…Kelly knows what her readers want and consistently delivers.’ Sunday Independent

    ‘Warm and delightful ’ New Woman

    ‘An absorbing, heart-warming tale ’ Company

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