Monica McInerney

Eliza Miller grew up in Australia as the only daughter of a troubled young mother, but with the constant support of her two watchful godmothers, Olivia and Maxie. Despite her tricky childhood, she always felt loved and secure. Until, just before her eighteenth birthday, a tragic event changed her life. Thirteen years on, Eliza is deliberately living as safely as possible, avoiding close relationships and devoting herself to her job. Out of the blue, an enticing invitation from her godmothers, now both based in the UK, prompts a leap into the unknown. Within a fortnight, Eliza has swapped her predictable routine in Melbourne, for life in the middle of a complicated family in Edinburgh. There's no rush thing as an ordinary day any more. Yet, amidst the chaos, Eliza begins to blossom. She finds herself not only hopeful about the future, but ready to explore her past. Her godmothers have long been waiting for her to ask about her mother's mysterious life - and about the identity of the father she has never known. But even they are taken by surprise with all that Eliza discovers.

The Godmothers

For the last thirty years, Angela Gillespie's annual Christmas letter has been full of her family's triumphs. But this year Angela surprises everyone, including herself - she tells the truth. Angela's husband is in the throes of a mid-life crisis. Her grown-up daughters are more out of control than ever. And her youngest child spends all of his time talking to an imaginary friend. With fantasy thoughts of a life before marriage and motherhood becoming more than just an innocent daydream, Angela's real life is slowly slipping out of focus. But, as the repercussions of her ruthlessly honest letter begin to pile up, a shocking event takes Angela from her family, and she realises she should have been more careful of what she wished for

Hello from the Gillespies

The once close relationship between sisters Anna, Bett, and Carrie Quinlan has dissolved into estrangement as adults, until their grandmother, Lola, comes up with a scheme to reunite the sisters by summoning them all home to celebrate her eightieth birthday. Reader's Guide included. Original. 40,000 first printing.

A Novel

The Alphabet Sisters

When travel agent Harriet Turner's foster sister Lara vanishes on the eve of an overseas trip, Harriet finds herself left alone with a busload of eccentric senior citizens as she confronts questions about her family and her childhood.

Family Baggage

Other people's families aren't as perfect as they seem When the Templeton family from England takes up residence in a stately home in country Australia, they set the locals talking - and with good reason. From the outside, the seven Templetons seem so bohemian, unusual... peculiar even. No one is more intrigued by the family than their neighbours, single mother Nina Donovan and her young son Tom. Before long, the two families' lives become entwined in unexpected ways, to the delight of Gracie, the sweetest of the Templeton children. In the years that follow, the relationships between the Templetons and the two Donovans twist and turn in unpredictable and life-changing directions, until a tragedy tears them all apart. What will it take to bring them together again? From Australia's top-selling female novelist comes her best book yet - a wonderfully entertaining and touching story about the perils and pleasures of love, friendship and family. 'So perfect is this book for beach-holiday reading that copies are fated to return home with grains of sand lodged in the pages. Classic McInerney . . . the plot keeps up an involving pace, while McInerney's perceptive writing about change and betrayal in friendships and families provides the substance.' Gleebooks Newsletter 'If you need more proof what a superior storyteller this South Australian-raised author is, here it is.' Stephanie Pegler, West Australian

At Home with the Templetons

BOOKS ALIVE 2006. Sylvie needed to take a big step into the unknown ... so her brother gave her a push.

Odd One Out

Upside Down Inside Out

Lola's keeping a secret from her past - it's the reason she escaped to the other side of the world . . . but when she travels back to where it all began, will she decide to tell the truth and face her fears? 'Monica McInerney is at the very top of her game. Treat yourself immediately!' Patricia Scanlan 'I always thought memories were unchangeable. Set in stone, shaped by the years. But there are always others too, ones you haven't let yourself remember . . .' The wilful and eccentric Lola Quinlan is off on the trip of a lifetime, taking her beloved granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her. More than sixty years after emigrating to Australia, she's keeping a secret promise to return to her Irish homeland. Lola has always been her family's port in a storm, but she's hiding the hurtful reason she left Kildare as a young woman. Lola's walk down memory lane will force her to confront her bittersweet past - and discover that the truth can indeed set you free . . . 'The twists and turns will intrigue you, make you laugh, pull at your heartstrings, but Lola will definitely make you cry. The sort of feel-good read you long to get back to' Hilary Boyd 'Heart-warming . . . a lovely read' Hello!

The Trip of a Lifetime

Magic can happen in every family At the Valley View Motel in South Australia's picturesque Clare Valley, eighty-four-year-old Lola Quinlan is up to her usual mischief. She's sent her family away for Christmas and invited a number of mystery guests to come and stay. But who are all these people, and why aren't they spending the festive season with their own loved ones? As the big day draws closer and Lola's personal family dramas threaten to unravel her plans, she discovers that at a special time of year, magic can happen in every family – especially your own. From the bestselling author of At Home with the Templetons comes a funny, sad and moving novel about memories and moments and the very meaning of life. Praise for Monica McInerney 'If you need more proof what a superior storyteller this author is, here it is.' West Australian 'An exquisite novel, which combines well-crafted characters with a captivating story. Focusing on love, friendship and family, McInerney's latest offering is guaranteed to enthrall her legions of adoring fans.' Ulster Tatler, Ireland

Lola's Secret

Maggie Faraday was raised by her young scientist mother with the help of her four aunts, but while helping her eccentric grandfather prepare a present for Christmas in July--a family tradition--she discovers some shocking family secrets.

The Faraday Girls

A Taste for it

Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are those that matter most. Following a tragic accident, Ella O'Hanlon flees to the other side of the world in an attempt to escape her grief, leaving behind the two people she blames for her loss: Aidan, the love of her life, and Jess, her spoilt half-sister. In London Ella is taken in by her beloved uncle Lucas, whose extraordinary house holds many wonderful memories for her. Along with other members of the very colourful Fox family, Lucas helps Ella to see that she is not the only one still hurting, and that forgiveness can be the greatest healer in a family and in a marriage. For anyone who has ever loved and lost, this is an exquisitely moving and life-affirming novel by the internationally bestselling author of Lola's Secret. 'McInerney has a knack for bringing characters to life; imbuing them with unique voices, perfectly tuned, making them authentically flawed and carving out their losses and gains with a realism that resonates deeply. Full of heart and exquisitely written pain this is one of those novels that will stay with the reader for a long time. Some stories just carry you along with them and make you truly care about the fate of the characters, long after you leave the last page, and The House of Memories is one of those books.' bordgaisenergybookclub.ie Praise for Monica McInerney 'A big book about a big-hearted family . . . an affectionate, funny, teary book about grief, love, lies and revelations.' Sunday Age 'One of those rare books that you could recommend to anyone and know that they'll love it.' Australian Women's Weekly 'McInerney's latest offering is guaranteed to enthral her legions of adoring fans.' Ulster Tatler, Ireland

The House of Memories

"Eliza Miller grew up in Australia as the only daughter of a troubled young mother, but with the constant support of two watchful godmothers, Olivia and Maxie. Despite her tricky childhood, she always felt loved and secure. Until, just before her eighteenth birthday, a tragic event changed her life. Thirteen years on, Eliza is deliberately living as safely as possible, avoiding close relationships and devoting herself to her job. Out of the blue, an enticing invitation from one of her godmothers prompts a leap into the unknown. Within a fortnight, Eliza finds herself in the middle of a complicated family in Edinburgh. There’s no such thing as an ordinary day any more. Yet, amidst the chaos, Eliza begins to blossom. She finds herself not only hopeful about the future, but ready to explore her past, including the biggest mystery of all - who is her father?"--Provided by publisher.

Godmothers, The

A group of friends on an unconventional diet learn some important life lessons, a fashion-challenged grandmother weaves some magic in a dusty charity shop, a grieving young mother takes a healing journey, and a shy woman from a family of high-achieves learns to follow her dreams. From one of Australia's most loved authors comes All Together Now, a collection of Monica McInerney's short fiction gathered between two covers for the first time. Including several of her earliest magazine short stories, contributions to recent anthologies, her popular novella, Odd One Out, and two new stories, this is a book to inspire and delight fans of all ages. Family relationships, sibling rivalry, love lost and love found - these stories touch on the popular themes of Monica McInerney's hugely successful novels, and are brimming with her trademark colour, warmth and humour.

All Together Now

Lainey Byrne is a woman in control, juggling a hectic job, her boyfriend Adam and a family with more than its fair share of dramas. Things go into a spin when she is wrenched from her life in Melbourne to run a B&B in Ireland for a year. Bed-and-breakfast quickly tumbles into bed-and-bedlam, especially when a reunion with childhood friend Rohan Hartigan sparks an unexpected dilemma. Meanwhile, back in Australia, her father's taken to his bed, her mother's up the walls, her three brothers are running amok – and as for Adam . . . It's going to take more than a game of spin the bottle to sort this one out!

Spin the Bottle

The perfect Christmas treat - two charming, festive short stories from the Number One bestseller. In Australia, Rosie is preparing for a family Christmas like no other. Across the world in Dublin, another family's holiday plans are about to go in an unexpected direction. Filled with warmth, heart and humour, these two charming short stories will delight readers this Christmas. Praise for Monica McInerney: 'If you've yet to read her books, treat yourself immediately!' Patricia Scanlan 'You'll be laughing out loud one minute and crying the next' Cosmopolitan 'Gloriously fascinating and heart-warming' Cathy Kelly

The Christmas Gift

a novel

Greetings from somewhere else

Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy, Barbara Delinsky and Nancy Thayer, The Godmothers is a heart-warming exploration of family, friendship and female bonds. In order to find out who her father is, Eliza has to discover who her mother truly was . . . As the only daughter of a troubled young mother, Eliza Miller's life was kept on track by the constant support of her godmothers Olivia and Maxie – until a tragic event just before her eighteenth birthday changed everything. Thirteen years later, Eliza is cautious, lonely, and dedicated to her work in Melbourne. Out of the blue, an enticing invitation from Olivia, now based in the UK, prompts a leap into the unknown. Eliza is thrown back into the centre of a complicated family, and the busy hotel they run in Edinburgh's West End. Amidst the chaos, Eliza unexpectedly begins to explore her past. Her godmothers have long been waiting for her to ask about her mother's mysterious life – and the identity of the father she has never known. But even they are taken by surprise with all that she discovers . . .

Astrid Mania

Nach dem Tod der Mutter wachsen 5 Schwestern allein mit dem Vater auf. Als die Jüngste Mutter wird, wollen alle Tanten bis zur Einschulung für Maggie sorgen. Als Erwachsene muss Maggie erkennen, dass die Familie eine Lüge zuammengehalten hat.

Monica McInerney

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