Messy, Wonderful Us: The Most Uplifting Feelgood Escapist Novel You'll Read This Year

*** From the acclaimed author of You Me Everything, now optioned for film *** 'I adored it ... a gorgeous sunny setting, exploring love, friendship and the twistiest of family entanglements' Jill Mansell 'Intriguing and pacy' Libby Page 'I fell head over heels in love with this book! A page-turning mystery, a wonderfully uplifting story about love in all its forms and characters so real, I still wonder what they're doing' Katy Regan 'I absolutely loved it, what a rich and engaging story' Dani Atkins One morning in early summer, a man and woman wait to board a flight to Italy. Allie has lived a careful, focused existence. But now she has unexpectedly taken leave from her job as an academic research scientist to fly to a place she only recently heard about in a letter. Her father, Joe, doesn't know the reason for her trip, and Allie can't bring herself to tell him that she's flying to Italy to unpick the truth about what her mother did all those years ago. Beside her is her best friend since schooldays, Ed. He has just shocked everyone with a sudden separation from his wife, Julia. Allie hopes that a break will help him open up. But the secrets that emerge as the sun beats down on Lake Garda and Liguria don't merely concern her family's tangled past. And the two friends are forced to confront questions about their own life-long relationship that are impossible to resolve. The dazzling new novel from Richard & Judy book club author Catherine Isaac, Messy, Wonderful Us is a story about the transforming power of love, as one woman journeys to uncover the past and reshape her future. Praise for You Me Everything 'You broke my heart AND made it soar! Isabelle Broom 'Packed with twists and surprises' Good Housekeeping 'A heart-wrenching story which explores the lengths we're willing to go to for those we love' Cosmopolitan 'Beautiful' Closer 'Will stay with you' Marie Claire US 'A heart-breakingly real story and poignant story of love, regret and second chances. This is one of the books that everyone will be talking about' Heat 'Destined for big things' Red 'An ideal holiday read' Sunday Mirror 'One of the summer's big hitters' Fabulous 'Must read' New York Post 'What a gorgeous book. A sensitive subject, beautifully handled. Loved it' Jill Mansell 'Heartwarming, thoughtful and very special' Jenny Colgan 'Reminiscent of One Day' Sarah Vaughan ESCAPE TO ITALY WITH THE PERFECT UPLIFTING AND EMOTIONAL SUMMER READ 'An impossibly seductive love story, underpinned by a heart-breaking secret' ROSIE WALSH 'What a stunning novel. That hot, sultry setting - Allie's refreshing straightforwardness, Ed's absolute swooniness - I loved it' BETH O'LEARY 'An emotional and uplifting book about secrets, family and identity. Such a joy! So rich and engaging, 5 stars' ADELE PARKS In late 1983, a letter arrives from Italy, containing secrets so unthinkable that it is hidden away, apparently forever. More than three decades later, it is found . . . by the last person who was ever supposed to see it. When Allie opens an envelope in her grandmother's house, it changes everything she knows about her family - and herself. With the truth liable to hurt those she loves most, she hires a private detective to find out what happened to her late mother in the summer before Allie was born. Taking leave from her job as a research scientist, she is led to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Garda, accompanied by her best friend Ed. But the secrets that emerge go far beyond anything they were expecting. Now, Allie must find the courage to confront her family's tangled past and reshape her own. From Richard & Judy Book club author Catherine Isaac comes the emotional and uplifting story of love, loss, friendship and a letter that changes everything. *** OUT NOW: CATHERINE ISAAC'S NEW EMOTIONAL FIVE-STAR NOVEL, THE WORLD AT MY FEET *** Praise for MESSY, WONDERFUL US 'If you want a book that'll keep you hooked, make you cry...this is the perfect read' Fabulous Magazine 'Uplifting, emotional and surprising' Hannah Beckerman 'I adored it... a gorgeous sunny setting, exploring love, friendship and the twistiest of family entanglements' Jill Mansell 'A gorgeous location, a story full of twists and turns and tension and some heart-stopping romance – what more do you want from a love story?' Red 'Intriguing and pacy' Libby Page 'Family secrets and hidden love – the perfect combination for a mesmerising read' Santa Montefiore 'A gorgeous book saturated with sunshine that will fill your heart with joy' Milly Johnson 'Secrets come to the surface in this tale of love and loss' Woman 'Intricately crafted, beautifully written, an emotional roller-coaster' Iona Grey 'Such a good book. Tender and evocative' Andy Jones 'I fell head over heels in love with this book! A page-turning mystery, a wonderfully uplifting story about love in all its forms and characters so real, I still wonder what they're doing' Katy Regan 'I absolutely loved it, what a rich and engaging story' Dani Atkins 'This novel is a delight' Goop The Perfect Escapist Comfort Read 'an Impossibly Seductive Love Story, Underpinned By A Heart-breaking Secret' Rosie Walsh ‘what A Stunning Novel. That Hot, Sultry Setting - Allie's Refreshing Straightforwardness, Ed's Absolute Swooniness - I Loved It’ Beth O'leary ‘an Emotional And Uplifting Book About Secrets, Family And Identity. Such A Joy! So Rich And Engaging, 5 Stars’ Adele Parks In Late 1983, A Letter Arrives, Containing Secrets So Unthinkable That It Is Hidden Away, Apparently Forever. More Than Three Decades Later, It Is Found . . . By The Last Person Who Was Ever Supposed To See It. When Allie Opens An Envelope In Her Grandmother’s House, It Changes Everything She Knows About Her Family - And Herself. With The Truth Liable To Hurt Those She Loves Most, She Hires A Private Detective To Find Out What Happened To Her Late Mother In The Summer Before Allie Was Born. Taking Leave From Her Job As A Research Scientist, She Is Led Far From Home, Accompanied By Her Best Friend Ed. But The Secrets That Emerge Go Far Beyond Anything They Were Expecting. Now, Allie Must Find The Courage To Confront Her Family’s Tangled Past And Reshape Her Own Future. From Richard & Judy Book Club Author Catherine Isaac Comes The Emotional And Uplifting Story Of Love, Loss, Friendship And A Letter That Changes Everything. Praise For Messy, Wonderful Us ‘if You Want A Book That’ll Keep You Hooked, Make You Cry...this Is The Perfect Read’ Fabulous Magazine ‘uplifting, Emotional And Surprising’ Hannah Beckerman ‘i Adored It... A Gorgeous Sunny Setting, Exploring Love, Friendship And The Twistiest Of Family Entanglements’ Jill Mansell 'a Gorgeous Location, A Story Full Of Twists And Turns And Tension And Some Heart-stopping Romance – What More Do You Want From A Love Story?' Red 'intriguing And Pacy' Libby Page 'family Secrets And Hidden Love – The Perfect Combination For A Mesmerising Read' Santa Montefiore ‘a Gorgeous Book Saturated With Sunshine That Will Fill Your Heart With Joy’ Milly Johnson 'secrets Come To The Surface In This Tale Of Love And Loss' Woman ‘intricately Crafted, Beautifully Written, An Emotional Roller-coaster' Iona Grey 'such A Good Book. Tender And Evocative' Andy Jones 'i Fell Head Over Heels In Love With This Book! A Page-turning Mystery, A Wonderfully Uplifting Story About Love In All Its Forms And Characters So Real, I Still Wonder What They're Doing' Katy Regan 'i Absolutely Loved It, What A Rich And Engaging Story' Dani Atkins 'this Novel Is A Delight' Goop By turns life-affirming, heart-wrenching and joyful, A Blanket of Stars is a breath-taking novel about one woman's journey to understand the secrets in her family's past, and to save the friend who means everything to her. Allie was five when her mum Christine died, leaving devoted Joe to raise her single-handedly, at the heart of a close family. Now, 28 years later, Allie has stumbled upon something that has rocked everything she thinks she knows about herself. Taking leave from her job as a research scientist, she sets off to northern Italy with her best friend Ed, determined to uncover the truth. But the secrets that unravel as the sun beats down on Lake Garda concern more than her family's past. And the two friends are forced to confront questions about their own life-long relationship that are impossible to resolve. Catherine Isaac's latest novel, following the highly acclaimed You Me Everything, is a sweeping love story with an unforgettable twist. Praise for You Me Everything 'You broke my heart AND made it soar! Isabelle Broom 'Packed with twists and surprises' Good Housekeeping 'A heart-wrenching story which explores the lengths we're willing to go to for those we love' Cosmopolitan 'Beautiful' Closer 'Will stay with you' Marie Claire US 'A heart-breakingly real story and poignant story of love, regret and second chances. This is one of the books that everyone will be talking about' Heat 'Destined for big things' Red 'An ideal holiday read' Sunday Mirror 'One of the summer's big hitters' Fabulous 'Must read' New York Post `What a gorgeous book. A sensitive subject, beautifully handled. Loved it' Jill Mansell 'Heartwarming, thoughtful and very special' Jenny Colgan 'Reminiscent of One Day' Sarah Vaughan From Richard & Judy Book club author Catherine Isaac comes the emotional and uplifting story of love, loss, friendship and a letter that changes everything. In late 1983, a letter arrives from Italy, containing secrets so unthinkable that it is hidden away, apparently forever. More than three decades later, it is found . . . by the last person who was ever supposed to see it. When Allie opens an envelope in her grandmother's house, it changes everything she knows about her family - and herself. With the truth liable to hurt those she loves most, she hires a private detective to find out what happened to her late mother in the summer before Allie was born. Taking leave from her job as a research scientist, she is led to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Garda, accompanied by her best friend Ed. But the secrets that emerge go far beyond anything they were expecting. Now, Allie must find the courage to confront her family's tangled past and reshape her own future.