'A brave, bold, rich, amusing, engaging novel', Hello MagazinePhilippa Smith is in her forties and has a beautiful newborn baby girl. She also has no husband, and nowhere to turn. So she turns to the only place she knows: the beginning. Retracing her life, she confronts the daily obstacles that shaped her very existence. From the tragic events of her childhood abandonment, to the astonishing accomplishments of those close to her, Philippa learns of the sacrifices others chose to make, and the outcome of buried secrets. Philippa discovers a celebration of life, love, and the Golden era of television. A reflection of everyday people, in not so everyday situations. What Reviewers and Readers Say: 'Sophie Duffy has written a powerful first novel & shows huge promise.' Katie Fforde 'A warm, moving, wonderful read.' Wendy Holden 'An extraordinary story...A born storyteller with a gift for characterisation, she writes with warmth, lovely earthy detail and a pathos which keeps a lump lodged in the throat...echoes of Victoria Wood.' The Daily Mail 'Sophie Duffy is a talent to be reckoned with. She writes with empathy, clarity and huge skill. Read The Generation Game and enjoy!' Margaret Graham 'A brave, bold, warm, rich, amusing, engaging novel which sits well alongside more established authors like Kate Atkinson's Behind the Scenes at the Museum.' Hello Magazine 'Deftly written, very moving.' The Bookbag 'This is a beautifully written book... The characters are quite simply brilliant.' Vanity Case Books

Sophie Duffy is a real find. Sharp as a tack. Laurie Graham By turns deeply moving and funny, the narrative zips along in an appealing and spirited voice. Kate Long ... that was the point at which I should've put my foot down. Stamped it hard. Stopped the past repeating itself. But what did I do? I did what Mum used to do in times of crisis. I left the room and went to put the kettle on.' Vicky is a reluctant curate's wife, struggling to come to terms with her own bereavement and her husband's new-found faith. Then, one Boxing Day, a knock on the door brings her annoying big brother, his teenage son and a cello into her life, turning her world upside down. With her small terrace house in Penge now fit to burst, Vicky struggles to manage her three children and the joys of everyday family life. As a new threat lurks behind every corner, hope appears in the most unlikely of circumstances. An enchanting, funny, sad yet bittersweet tale of life and living, one that reminds us it's not a race at all... but a journey.

Longlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize 2016 'Intriguing tale about friends reuniting and secrets coming to light'. -- Heat magazine 'Bright Stars is beautifully written, has original, endearing characters and a story that pulls you along. I loved it.' -- Katie Fforde 'A wonderful and witty page turner, combined with compelling storytelling that stays with you.' -- Helen Lederer Cameron Spark's life is falling apart. He is separated from his wife, and awaiting a disciplinary following an incident in the underground vaults of Edinburgh where he works as a Ghost Tour guide. On the day he moves back home to live with his widowed dad, he receives a letter from Canada. It is from Christie. Twenty-five years earlier, Cameron attends Lancaster University and despite his crippling shyness, makes three unlikely friends: Christie, the rich Canadian, Tommo, the wannabe rock star and Bex, the Feminist activist who has his heart. In a whirlwind of alcohol, music and late night fox raids, Cameron feels as though he's finally living. Until a horrific accident shatters their friendship and alters their futures forever. Christie's letter offers them a reunion after all these years. But has enough time passed to recover from the lies, the guilt and the mistakes made on that tragic night? Or is this one ghost too many for Cameron?