by Heidi Swain
Last, but by no means least, thank you to my wonderful family for your continued support. I really am striving to ‘Be More Milly’, my darling girl!
All that remains for me to do now is to wish you all a wonderful summer! I hope you enjoy this latest trip to Nightingale Square and perhaps feel inspired to cook up your own Recipe for Life! May your bookshelves – be they virtual or real – always be filled with fabulous fiction.
H x
Reading Group Questions
1) Why do you think the author chose to give the community garden such a central role in the novel? What do you think she is trying to convey about the act of gardening?
2) What do you think of Poppy and Jacob’s decision to try to accommodate Ryan’s feelings in their relationship? Do you agree with their choice?
3) The importance of family is emphasised throughout the novel, particularly concerning damaged or broken relationships. How does the theme of family develop in different ways throughout the novel?
4) Poppy rearranges her whole life to help her brother and spends a good portion of her time trying to aid others around her. Why do you think this is so important to her? Do you think it is a strength or weakness in her character?
5) How does the setting of Nightingale Square influence the themes of the novel, and why does it have such an impact?
6) How is mental health addressed in the book, especially in reference to Ryan? Why do you think it is portrayed in such a way and do you agree with it?
7) What do you think the novel is saying about independent shops and businesses and their ability to adapt to the times, especially in concern to Harry’s grocery store and Colin’s book shop?
8) Ryan faces some difficult decisions about his future at a rather young age. What do you think the novel is saying about the societal pressure on teenagers to always have their lives figured out? Do you agree with this expectation?
About the Author
Heidi Swain lives in Norfolk with her family and a mischievous black cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside and collects vintage paraphernalia. Poppy’s Recipe for Life is her eighth novel. You can follow Heidi on Twitter @Heidi_Swain or visit her website: heidiswain.co.uk
Also by Heidi Swain
The Cherry Tree Café
Summer at Skylark Farm
Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market
Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square
Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland
Don’t miss the brand new Christmas novel by Sunday Times bestselling author, Heidi Swain . . .
The Christmas Wish List
When Hattie is invited to stay with Dolly in Wynbridge during the run up to Christmas, she has a feeling her friend is up to something, but what exactly is it that she wants Hattie to do? It doesn’t take for Hattie long to find out . . .
‘I want you to make a Christmas Wish List,’ said Dolly, grabbing her notebook.
‘A Christmas, what?’ I frowned.
‘Wish List,’ she said again, licking the end of her pencil and deftly flicking the notebook open on to the next clean page.
‘What on earth is one of those?’
‘It can be all sorts of things to all sorts of people,’ she said seriously, and I suddenly got the feeling she was going to aim straight for my heart.
‘But this one is unique to you, Hattie. I saw your face light up this morning when you opened that advent calendar, and I’m certain there are plenty of other things about Christmas that you’ve missed every bit as much, it’s just that you’ve forgotten about them . . .’
Coming October 2019.
Available now to pre-order.
Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland
‘The most delicious slice of festive fiction: a true comfort read and the perfect Christmas treat to alleviate all the stress!’ Veronica Henry
‘Full of Heidi’s trademark gentle charm. Lock the door, pour some mulled wine and settle into this wonderful Christmas treat!’ Milly Johnson
Moving into Wynthorpe Hall to escape the town’s gossip, Hayley finds herself immersed in the eccentric Connelly family’s festive activities as they plan to host their first ever Winter Wonderland. But Hayley isn’t the only new resident at the hall. Gabe, a friend of the Connellys’ son Jamie, has also taken up residence, moving into Gatekeeper’s Cottage, and he quickly makes an impression on Wynbridge’s reformed good-girl.
Under the starry winter skies, will Gabe convince Hayley to open her heart again once more? And in doing so, will he convince himself?
Available now in paperback, eBook and eAudio
Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square
Kate is on the run from her soon-to-be ex-husband, who still desperately wants her back, when she stumbles across a cosy nook in Norwich – Nightingale Square.
What Kate doesn’t count on is being pulled out of her perfect little hiding place and into a community that won’t take no for an answer. Before long, Kate finds herself surrounded by friends. But when developers move in on the magnificent Victorian mansion on the other side of the square, the preservation of their community’s history is challenged.
As all hope seems lost, will the arrival of a handsome stranger turn things around for both Kate and Nightingale Square?
Or have their chances for a happy-ever-after finally run out . . . ?
Available now in paperback, eBook and eAudio
Summer at Skylark Farm
Amber is a city girl at heart. So when her boyfriend Jake Somerville suggests they move to the countryside to help out at his family farm, she doesn’t quite know how to react. But work has been hectic and she needs a break, so she decides to grasp the opportunity.
Dreaming of organic orchards, paddling in streams and frolicking in fields, Amber packs up her things and moves to Skylark Farm. But life is not quite how she imagined – it’s cold and dirty and the farm buildings are dilapidated and crumbling . . .
Even so, Amber is determined to make the best of it and throws herself into farm life. But can she really fit in here? And can she and Jake stay together when they are so different?
Available now in paperback, eBook and eAudio
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
The Sunday Times Christmas bestseller!
When Anna takes on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, she has no idea that her life is set to change beyond all recognition.
A confirmed ‘bah humbug’ when it comes to Christmas, Anna is amazed to find herself quickly immersed in the eccentric household, and when youngest son Jamie unexpectedly arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona.
Jamie, struggling to come to terms with life back in the Fens, makes a pact with Anna – she has to teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all . . . ?
Available now in paperback, eBook and eAudio
First published in Great Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2019
A CBS COMPANY
Copyright © Heidi-Jo Swain, 2019
The right of Heidi-Jo Swain to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Simon & Schuster UK Ltd
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222 Gray’s Inn Road
London WC1X 8HB
Simon & Schuster Australia, Sydney
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www.simonandschuster.co.uk
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available f
rom the British Library
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4711-7438-4
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4711-7439-1
eAudio ISBN: 978-1-4711-8042-2
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Typeset in the UK by M Rules
Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Acknowledgements
Reading Group Questions
The Christmas Wish List Ad
Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland Ad
Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square Ad
Summer at Skylark Farm Ad
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair Ad
books and the city Ad
First Class Holidays Ad
Table of Contents
Cover
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Acknowledgements
Reading Group Questions
About the Author
‘The Christmas Wish List’ Ad
‘Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland’ Ad
‘Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square’ Ad
‘Summer at Skylark Farm’ Ad
‘Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair’ Ad
‘books and the city’ Ad
‘First Class Holidays’ Ad
Copyright