Adult book highlights

Elizabeth Day reprises characters from 2018's The Party in another tale of secrets and lies in the ruling classes. Drags at points, but on the whole an enjoyable and convincing revisit, with enough plot points and loathsome characters to keep the reader engaged. Works well as a standalone. Fans of the author will enjoy.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 1st September 2025

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There is only one rule for the door to open: the visitor must read the same passage at the same time as the girl in the burgundy dress, and they must be under the cherry trees in full bloom. Welcome to Sakura – a bookshop for those who have forgotten. 

Experience the shop through the eyes of four individuals, in this classic episodic format, as they journey from regret and loss to reconciliation and acceptance with the help of a calico cat. A pleasant, cosy read full of descriptive passages that explores the power of memory and misremembering. Recommended for fans of Before the Coffee Goes Cold.

Reviewed by Sarah Lawrence on 21st August 2025

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Mitty and Bethel live quietly in Santa Cruz, where the invasion of Silicon Valley workers looking for 'real life' means comfortable homes are being replaced with Instagram-perfect glass houses. New neighbours Sebastian and Lena typify the tech elite, but Mitty sees opportunity for friendship with Lena, whose life may not be as perfect as it seems.

Electrifying debut by a writer to watch. Chews over big ideas about how far we allow tech to govern our lives, and the messiness of being human; a great choice for book clubs. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 11th August 2025

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After splitting from her lover and disappointing her pious mother, academic Nadia accepts a UN job rehabilitating ISIS women in Iraq. There she meets East Londoner Sara, who was radicalised at just 15 and now lives in thrall to her teenage decisions. What follows is an irreverent, humorous and humanising look at religion, radicalisation, family and belonging. This brash, uncompromising and original debut takes no prisoners and has gained lots of award attention this year. Stock up!

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 28th July 2025

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When members of an all women’s estate agent start getting murdered, suspicion falls on each one in turn.
Written in a dry, humorous style, the bitchy relationships and false friendships provide the perfect backdrop for the whodunnit. This is observational cattiness at its best, and the dark humour has great appeal. It is hard to really empathise with any of the characters but that is the whole point! A fun, unassuming read - TOWIE meets Christie!

Reviewed by Peters team on 27th June 2025

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This urban supernatural fantasy intrigues from the start. The world building is innovative and the characters well drawn. The dynamic between Amy, a human empath, and Gerald, the Grim Reaper (here an assassin- brilliant!), engages and promises much. Some pacing and plot moves were a little off, and the introduction of multiple character P.O.V. towards the end felt clunky. But otherwise an entertaining, enjoyable debut.

Reviewed by Peters team on 3rd June 2025

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Great addition for health and wellbeing collections. Comedian Pierre Novellie simultaneously informs and amuses with his guide to autism, which is both well-researched and anecdotal. He successfully summarises decades of psychiatric study in layman's terms, in a chatty style with some laugh out loud moments. Great tool for those seeking or recently receiving a diagnosis, as well friends or family. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 23rd May 2025

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Cora is due to register the name of her newborn - but what will she choose? Her daughter likes Bear, warm and cuddly; she prefers Julian, 'sky father'; her domineering husband insists it must be Gordon, like all the other men in his family. 

This clever and compelling novel shows the different paths a life can take depending on the given name. Alternating chapters take us through the lives of Bear, Julian and Gordon, with the effects rippling out over the years and decades to come. Strong characterisation and assured writing allows the stories space to breathe. An excellent debut - will inevitably invite comparisons to Kate Atkinson's 'Life After Life' but good enough to stand on its own.

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 13th May 2025

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This very personal history of hypochondria balances sources from literature, medicine and philosophy with the author's own experience of health anxiety following serious illness in her late teens. Intelligent and literary, it explores the fine line between mental and physical health. Recommend to readers who enjoyed The body keeps the score. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 6th May 2025

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Technothriller likely to generate a marmite response with readers. A dual timeline allows the story to unfold at different paces; characters are engaging and realistic. There is enough plausible science to interest without overwhelming. Great speculation around music and language in 'the Soundfield', but the biggest disappointment - no resolution at the end! A sequel is essential!

Reviewed by Peters team on 23rd April 2025

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A funny, warm novel which will make the reader smile. It's a comfortable read; predictable in places but with some surprises too. Characters (most of them) are likeable and it's well paced.

Reviewed by Alison Tarrant on 11th April 2025

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A well-designed cover and well-known author will attract reader interest to this enjoyable, vivid journey to 1875 and onto the Paris Express. More slow, comfortable ride than high-speed drama, with danger elements more cosy than palpable. The smells, sights and sounds create an evocative impression: the reader almost expects to find coal dust on their fingers when they put the book down! The large ensemble of characters gives a thorough introduction to different classes of passenger and jobs on the train. A real snapshot of the time, blink and it’s gone, just like looking out of the train window.

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 3rd April 2025

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A long-read news article tells of a man bludgeoned with a gold bar, at an abandoned Yorkshire farm taken over by squatters during lockdown. Reader assumptions on the story, and storytelling itself, are then challenged by the various perspectives examined.

A hit with the critics, this at times feels like it's written for those heavily invested in contemporary media output. Best enjoyed by readers with strong interest in opinion pieces on current affairs.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 31st March 2025

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