"Wellington, 1942. Lorna's older brothers are fighting overseas, and as the war in the Pacific rages on, 20,000 American troops are sent to keep New Zealand safe. Few are happy about it - the locals want their own boys back, and the Americans find their post at the end of the world strange and hostile. They do enjoy meeting the Kiwi girls, though, and when one of Lorna's friends drags her along on a double date, she befriends Stan, a Marine from Chicago. Stan is handsome and kind, the golden boy of his family. While he is posted overseas, his unruly younger brother Alfie joins the Marines and ends up in Wellington too. Lorna struggles to connect with Alfie like she did with Stan: Alfie infuriates her. Yet when he leaves to fight, she thinks of him often - which feels like a betrayal of both Stan and her brothers..."
"In 1942, a group of young women arrive in Cairo, Egypt. The Tuis, named after the beautiful New Zealand songbird, are the first women from their country to serve overseas. They are to provide respite and a touch of home to weary soldiers returning from the front line. Addy joined the Tuis for the adventure. Vivacious and outgoing, she is the life of the party, with an unforgettable voice. Margot is quiet and withdrawn, grieving the young husband she lost to the war. Despite their differences, the girls become fast friends. When the Tuis are relocated to Italy to set up clubs in grand venues, Addy and Margot are enchanted by the culture. But dark shadows loom, and when their illusion of peace is shattered by news of a devastating attack, the friends will find their endurance pushed to the limit."
"London, 1940. Ruth, a young schoolteacher, volunteers as an escort helping to evacuate children from war-torn Britain to Australia and New Zealand. On the voyage, she forms an unexpected bond with nine-year-old Fergus - and with Bobby, a fellow volunteer who initially infuriates Ruth with his laidback air, yet somehow gets under her skin and throws her ordered life into chaos. Tragedy strikes on Ruth's return voyage, when the RANGITANE is attacked by German raiders. As the ship goes down, the surviving passengers are taken as prisoners of war aboard the German vessel. To the rest of the world, they are missing, presumed dead. Decades later in Auckland, Hazel boards a plane to London, eager to explore Europe. Sitting next to her is a man named Joe. On her lap is a treasured book from her grandfather, Fergus. A book that will finally reveal Ruth's story."
"Sometimes you have to fall apart so that you can start again...
After five years stuck in the wrong marriage, 33-year-old Emma is finally free. Her husband has moved out, her son Freddie is making friends, and her parents are finally trying to stop micro-managing her life.
On a celebratory night out with her three best friends, Emma meets Finn. Young, dimpled and irresistibly Scottish Finn. Between landing her dream job, stolen moments with Finn, and precious time with Freddie, Emma is happier than she has ever been.
Then one accident changes everything and Emma's life is thrown into chaos. With the help of all who love her, can Emma find a way back to happy?
A Way Back to Happy is the uplifting and romantic new women's fiction novel from debut author Olivia Spooner.
Perfect for fans of Lia Louis, Ella Dove and Eva Woods.
Readers love A Way Back to Happy!
'What an adorable book this was... So full of emotion... Such a fabulous read. It sucked me in from start... Will have you smiling then saying oh my gosh! So much feelings! Loved it!... Takes your breath away' -oh.happy.reading
'Wonderful... Will keep you turning the pages and before you know it you are on the final chapter... Utterly likeable characters and a lovely book' NetGalley reviewer
'FIVE STARS! I flew through it in two days and hated putting it down. I admittedly stayed up way too much reading when I should have been sleeping. I loved the story but loved the characters even more ... I could almost feel tightness in my own chest and heart, and tears in my own eyes' -Goodreads reviewer
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Olivia Spooner has been writing fiction for twenty years and still feels she is only at the start of her writing journey. She is the proud owner of an independent bookshop where she happily shares her love of books with everyone who walks through the door."
"Pregnant. Single. Dating. It's going to be... a bumpy year!
Trish Kirkpatrick never expected to find herself unmarried, pregnant... and not entirely sure who the baby's father is.
With her ex, Pete, and her colleague, Elliot, in line for daddy duty while waiting on the DNA results, Trish finds her complicated world getting even more chaotic when a meet-cute on a plane to Tokyo with gorgeous architect Scott sparks a new flame.
Now, as her bump grows so do Trish's troubles. Between family issues reappearing on her doorstep and the delivery date fast approaching, Trish will need to make up her mind not only on who she wants to be but who she wants to become.
Praise for Olivia Spooner:
'Wonderful... Will keep you turning the pages and before you know it you are on the final chapter... Utterly likeable characters and a lovely book' NetGalley reviewer on A Way Back to Happy
'FIVE STARS! I flew through it in two days and hated putting it down. I admittedly stayed reading up way too much reading when I should have been sleeping. I loved the story but loved the characters even more... I could almost feel tightness in my own chest and heart, and tears in my own eyes' Goodreads reviewer on A Way Back to Happy
Olivia Spooner has been writing fiction for twenty years. She lives in New Zealand and is the proud owner of an independent bookshop where she happily shares her love of books with everyone who walks through the door. When not creating stories, Olivia is most likely to be found at the beach or simply out walking: the more remote the location, the better."
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