THE PROMISE - Lucy Diamond

Described as 'the perfect pick-me-ups for grey days', the Bath-based, Nottingham-born author has now written 18 novels. This one is a bittersweet, big-hearted take on family dynamics, grief and how to make happiness a priority. When faced with the sudden death of his brother, Dan's mission is clear. He puts together a project to help pick up the pieces and support his grieving sister-in-law Zoe, and her young children. This is Dan's promise - to ensure his family's happiness, and to try and live up to the man his brother was, but tying up loose ends brings a shocking secret to light and calls into question everything Dan knew about his older brother. With more than just his promise on the line, Dan is faced with an ultimatum - should he tell the truth and risk his family's fragile happiness, or will his brother's secrets end up becoming his own? When things fall apart, love can hold us together... 'When Patrick Sheppard dies suddenly, his brother Dan tries to help out by creating a spreadsheet and awarding himself points for spending time with his nieces and nephews, helping out with his brother's property developing business and spending time with his parents. When sorting out the business accounts Dan finds out a secret which will change everything...' - online review. 466pp, paperback.