Books about new beginnings

If there’s one thing that always prompts a fresh start, it's a broken heart. In Instructions for Heartbreak, when Katie’s nine-year relationship ends, she finds solace with her friends Dee, Liv, and Rosa, who craft a “Heartbreak Handbook” to help her rebuild her life. From tears to roast chicken recipes, the guide is as messy and raw as their emotions. But as the friends face their own romantic struggles, they realise the handbook might hold lessons for all of them. Whether you’re going through a similar situation, happily single or feeling loved up, this funny story about self-reinvention and the power of sisterhood will warm up your January blues.

Amid the untamed beauty of 1970s Alaska, thirteen-year-old Leni dares to dream of a new beginning for her troubled family. Her parents’ turbulent relationship and her father’s unpredictable temper cast long shadows over their isolated life, but Alaska’s raw wilderness offers a glimmer of hope. As Leni grows, she finds an anchor in Matthew, a kind and courageous boy who shows her the possibility of a better future. . . The Great Alone is a  deeply moving story of resilience and hope from the number one bestselling author of The Four Winds, The Nightingale and The Women.

Dark magic, deadly trials, and a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance collide in Iron & Embers, an epic romantasy from Helen Scheuerer. Wren Embervale, an alchemist-turned-assassin, seeks vengeance for her past. But when a mysterious poison strikes a king, her skills are called upon to save the realm. Starting anew at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor, she must claim her spot by conquering the Gauntlet – a gruelling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life. Her greatest challenge, however, is Torj Elderbrock, a war hero with a grudge and a searing chemistry she can’t ignore. With fragile alliances and betrayal at every turn, Wren must decide if love is a strength or the deadliest weapon of all.

Life’s not quite what Nell imagined. Having returned to London, starting from square one and being surrounded by flawless Instagram lives and gluten-free brownie bakers, she’s struggling to figure it all out. But when a secret podcast and an unexpected friendship with eighty-something widow Cricket enter the mix, Nell begins to find her way. Hilarious, heartfelt, and utterly relatable, Confessions of a Forty-Something is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over. Whether you’re laughing, crying, or nodding along in recognition, Alexandra Potter’s witty novel will make you feel less alone in life’s chaos.

When life crumbles, can you find the courage to rebuild? Oona Kelly Webster’s world shatters when her husband ends their marriage during what was supposed to be a celebratory anniversary trip. Choosing to continue traveling alone, she finds herself stranded in the idyllic French village of Milly-la-Forêt as a pandemic brings the world to a halt. Oona finds solace in the peaceful countryside and an unexpected connection with her Hollywood-actor neighbor. Amid uncertainty and loss, she must decide if she’s ready to embrace love and a new chapter of her life. A tender exploration of healing, hope, and the power of new beginnings from billion-copy bestselling author, Danielle Steel.

Family, rivalry, and the power of second chances take centre stage in Summer With My Sister, a heartwarming tale from Lucy Diamond. Polly’s glamorous city life comes crashing down, leaving her penniless and with no choice but to return to her rural childhood home. There, she’s forced to reconnect with Clare, her single-mum sister struggling to make ends meet. As old tensions resurface and a long-hidden family secret comes to light, the sisters navigate their shared past, new romances, and surprising opportunities. Can they bridge their differences and discover the bond they didn’t know they had?

Set against the lush vineyards of Spain, Mum & Dad is a poignant family drama by bestselling author Joanna Trollope. For twenty-five years, Gus and Monica thrived in their Mediterranean paradise, running a successful wine business. But when Gus suffers a stroke, their grown children – living busy lives in London – are forced to step in. As they navigate their parents’ needs and the fate of the vineyard, buried resentments bubble to the surface. Can they overcome their differences and find a way to come together, or will the family splinter under the strain? Filled with Trollope’s signature warmth and insight, this is a touching exploration of family dynamics and the bonds that hold us together.

A cosy fantasy brimming with magic, friendship, and charm, The Spellshop is a story about starting over and finding magic in the everyday. Kiela, a reserved librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, is content safeguarding spellbooks alongside her sentient spider plant assistant, Caz. But when revolution sparks and the library burns, Kiela escapes to her childhood island with stolen tomes in tow. Determined to help the struggling island, she opens a secret spellshop, risking her life to share magic with the commoners. Amid taken spells, an irresistible neighbour, and a town in need, Kiela must confront her fears and embrace community.

John Scalzi delivers a hilarious and action-packed romp in Starter Villain, where family legacies come with secret lairs, talking cats, and a shot at world domination. Charlie’s life is a mess – divorced, broke, and relying on his cat for emotional support. But everything changes when he inherits his late Uncle Jake’s global supervillain empire. Suddenly, Charlie’s thrown into a world of vengeful rivals, minions, and a hidden volcano lair. Charlie must decide if taking the reins of this villainous enterprise is his ticket to greatness –or a very dangerous mistake. Fast-paced and laugh-out-loud funny, this is a fresh take on the classic spy-villain genre full of Scalzi’s trademark wit.