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When did humans develop spiritual thought? What is religion's evolutionary purpose? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured?Every society in the history of humanity has lived with religion. In How Religion Evolved, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar tracks its origins back to what he terms the 'mystical stance' - the aspect of human psychology that predisposes us to believe in a transcendent world, and which makes an encounter with the spiritual possible. As he explores world religions and their many derivatives, as well as religions of experience practised by hunter-gatherer societies since time immemorial, Dunbar argues that this instinct is not a peculiar human quirk, an aberration on our otherwise efficient evolutionary journey. Rather, religion confers an advantage: it can benefit our individual health and wellbeing, but, more importantly, it fosters social bonding at large scale, helping hold fractious societies together. Dunbar suggests these dimensions might provide the basis for an overarching theory for why and how humans are religious, and so help unify the myriad strands that currently populate this field.Drawing on path-breaking research, clinical case studies and fieldwork from around the globe, as well as stories of charismatic cult leaders, mysterious sects and lost faiths, How Religion Evolved offers a fascinating and far-reaching analysis of this quintessentially human impulse - to believe.

A Prospect Book of the YearAn epic new history of Ancient China told through the prism of a dozen extraordinary tombsThe three millennia up to the establishment of the first imperial Qin dynasty in 221 BC cemented many of the distinctive elements of Chinese civilisation still in place today: an extraordinarily challenging geography and environment, formidable infrastructure, a society based on the strict hierarchy of the family, a shared written script of characters, a cuisine founded on rice and millet, a material culture of ceramics, bronze, silk and jade, and a unique concept of the universe, in which ancestors continue to exist alongside the living. Records of these early achievements, and their diverse and unexpected expressions, often lie not in written history, but in how people marked the end of their lives: their dwellings for the afterlife. Tombs, and the treasures within them, are almost the only artefacts to survive from Ancient China; their scale and sophistication rivals their equivalents in Ancient Egypt.Jessica Rawson, one of the most eminent Western scholars of China, explores twelve grand tombs - each from a specific historical moment and place - showing how they reveal wider political, dynastic and cultural developments, culminating in the lavish ambition of the First Emperor's monument, guarded by his army of terracotta warriors. Beautifully illustrated and drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China illuminates a constellation of beliefs about life and death very different from our own and provides a remarkable new perspective on one of the oldest civilisations in the world.

The Times Book of the YearAndrew Roberts, one of Britain's premier historians, overturns the received wisdom on George III*Winner of the General Society of Colonial Wars' Distinguished Book Award, 2021*George III, Britain's longest-reigning king, has gone down in history as 'the cruellest tyrant of this age' (Thomas Paine, eighteenth century), 'a sovereign who inflicted more profound and enduring injuries upon this country than any other modern English king' (W.E.H. Lecky, nineteenth century), 'one of England's most disastrous kings' (J.H. Plumb, twentieth century) and as the pompous monarch of the musical Hamilton (twenty-first century).Andrew Roberts's magnificent new biography takes entirely the opposite view. It portrays George as intelligent, benevolent, scrupulously devoted to the constitution of his country and (as head of government as well as head of state) navigating the turbulence of eighteenth-century politics with a strong sense of honour and duty. He was a devoted husband and family man, a great patron of the arts and sciences, keen to advance Britain's agricultural capacity ('Farmer George') and determined that her horizons should be global. He could be stubborn and self-righteous, but he was also brave, brushing aside numerous assassination attempts, galvanising his ministers and generals at moments of crisis and stoical in the face of his descent - five times during his life - into a horrifying loss of mind.The book gives a detailed, revisionist account of the American Revolutionary War, persuasively taking apart a significant proportion of the Declaration of Independence, which Roberts shows to be largely Jeffersonian propaganda. In a later war, he describes how George's support for William Pitt was crucial in the battle against Napoleon. And he makes a convincing, modern diagnosis of George's terrible malady, very different to the widely accepted medical view and to popular portrayals. Roberts writes, 'the people who knew George III best loved him the most', and that far from being a tyrant or incompetent, George III was one of our most admirable monarchs. The diarist Fanny Burney, who spent four years at his court and saw him often, wrote 'A noble sovereign this is, and when justice is done to him, he will be as such acknowledged'. In presenting this fresh view of Britain's most misunderstood monarch, George III shows one of Britain's premier historians at his sparkling best.

The definitive history of the modern climate change era, from an award-winning writer who has been at the centre of the fight for more than thirty yearsIn 1979, President Jimmy Carter was presented with the findings of scientists who had been investigating whether human activities might change the climate in harmful ways. "e;A wait-and-see policy may mean waiting until it is too late,"e; their report said. They were right -- but no one was listening. Four decades later, we are haunted by the consequences of this inattention, and the years of complacency, obfuscation and denialism that followed. Today, the staggering scale and scope of what we have done to the planet is impossible to ignore: the seasons of fire and flood have crossed into plain view. Fire and Flood is a comprehensive, compulsively readable history of climate change from veteran environmental journalist Eugene Linden. Linden retells the story of the modern climate change era decade by decade, tracking the progress of four ticking clocks: first, the reality of climate change itself; second, advances in scientific understanding; third, the spread of public awareness; and fourth, the business and finance response. Like no previous writer, Linden has drawn together the elements of the biggest story in the world, in a book that it is gripping as history, as economic investigation, and as scientific thriller.

'One of the most important and timely books I've had the privilege to read' Corinne Fowler, author of Green Unpleasant LandA revelatory historical indictment of the long afterlife of slavery in the Atlantic world To fully understand why the shadow of slavery haunts us today, we must confront the flawed way that it ended. We celebrate abolition - in Haiti after the revolution, in the British Empire in 1833, in the United States during the Civil War. Yet in Black Ghost of Empire, acclaimed historian Kris Manjapra argues that during each of these supposed emancipations, Black people were dispossessed by the moves that were meant to free them. Emancipation, in other words, simply codified the existing racial caste system - rather than obliterating it. Ranging across the Americas, Europe and Africa, Manjapra unearths disturbing truths about the Age of Emancipations, 1780-1880. In Britain, reparations were given to wealthy slaveowners, not the enslaved, a vast debt that was only paid off in 2015, and the crucial role of Black abolitionists and rebellions in bringing an end to slavery has been overlooked. In Jamaica, Black people were liberated only to enter into an apprenticeship period harsher than slavery itself. In the American South, the formerly enslaved were 'freed' into a system of white supremacy and racial terror. Across Africa, emancipation served as an alibi for colonization. None of these emancipations involved atonement by the enslavers and their governments for wrongs committed, or reparative justice for the formerly enslaved-an omission that grassroots Black organizers and activists are rightly seeking to address today. Black Ghost of Empire will rewire readers' understanding of the world in which we live. Paradigm-shifting, lucid and courageous, this book shines a light into the enigma of slavery's supposed death, and its afterlives.

Cleopatra has always known she was destined to be queen of Egypt. And when she defeats her own brother to win the throne, it is clear that the gods are on her side. Join historian Dominic Sandbrook as we follow the most famous queen of all from Alexandria to Rome, through doomed love affairs and epic battles, to the serpent's bite which will change the course of history forever...The Adventures in Time series brings the past alive for twenty-first century children. These stories are every bit as exciting as those of Harry Potter or Matilda Wormwood. The only difference is they actually happened...

Join Danny and Dino as they search for Easter eggs in this EGGcellent lift-the-flap story! With rip-roaring rhyme and laugh-out-loud silliness, the Dinosaur that Pooped series has sold over 1.5 million copies around the world!Danny and Dino's big Easter traditionwas hunting for eggs on a chocolatey mission.This year they were looking in Fairytale Land.They needed some eggs for a feast they had planned!Danny and Dino are searching for Easter eggs in Fairytale Land! They hunt up beanstalks and inside the houses of the three pigs, and soon they have plenty of chocolate treats. But when they take an egg from a magical cave, they get into trouble with the cave's owner... a grumpy dragon! Can Dino's quick thinking and rumbly tummy save the day?This hilarious addition to the new lift-the-flap series features a host of hidden surprises. The poop-filled adventure is written by bestselling author duo Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, and brought to life by the preposterously talented Gary Parsons.More POOPTASTIC adventures:The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas!The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet!The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past!The Dinosaur that Pooped the Bed!The Dinosaur that Pooped a Princess!The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate!For younger readers:The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rainbow (A Colours Book)The Dinosaur that Pooped Daddy! (A Numbers Book)

Explore Peppa's favourite places in this super sticker scenes book.Join Peppa in this adventure-filled sticker scenes book featuring lots of her favourite places. Have fun at the beach with Kylie Kangaroo in Australia, put on the perfect show at the theatre and splash about in giant muddy puddles! With lots to see and do, this book is perfect for keeping Peppa fans busy.Includes over 100 stickers and 13 exciting locations from the world of Peppa!Want more Peppa? Also Available:Peppa Pig: Peppa's Big Day Out Sticker Scenes BookPeppa Pig: Emergency Heroes Sticker BookPeppa Pig: Peppa's Holiday Fun Sticker BookPeppa Pig: Day at the Zoo Sticker Book

Discover the brand new story from Stuart Heritage!Introducing brothers, Pancakes and Cha-Cha. Pancakes and Cha-Cha are set for a perfect day of pizza and playing in the park... when they are surprised by a genie granting wishes!What in the whole wide world will they wish for? Treasure or magical powers? Or a pizza the size of a paddling pool? Or maybe - just maybe - they'll be surprised by something unexpected. Stuart Heritage and Nicola Slater, creators of the laugh-out-loud Jonathan the Magic Pony, are back with a warm-hearted, bedtime story about brotherly love, the art of compromise and an elephant covered in cheese.

An assassin, a soldier, a prince . . . and a deadly game of power, where no one knows the rules. Prepare to enter the world of Chaos and Flame - perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Legendborn. When Darling Seabreak's family were murdered by the ruthless House Dragon, she swore she'd get revenge. And as a deadly assassin, there's no one she'd rather take out than their bloodthirsty war general, Talon Goldhoard. Talon Goldhoard has no problem defending his lands from threats - even ones he hates, like the whispers of madness that surround his brother, the High Prince. So when he battles a ferocious girl who looks exactly like the one Caspian has painted obsessively, repeatedly, for years, Talon knows he must capture her alive - and find out exactly what kind of a threat she really is. What Talon is unprepared for is the thrilling chaos that Darling will bring into his life. With the world they both know appearing to catch fire all around them, these unlikely allies must navigate a game of power, betrayal, destiny - and love - that neither of them could ever have expected.

The perfect festive stocking filler for Christmasaurus fans, from the imagination of number-one-bestseller Tom Fletcher!Well, bless my baubles - it's nearly Christmas! And it's time to celebrate with the Christmasaurus Cracker. Get ready for:Not one but TWO adventure-packed Christmas stories: Crumpet Eve and The Magical North Pole;Jingle-worthy jokes and present-tastic puzzles;Fun festive facts;Tasty Christmas recipes; andDino-riffic decoration ideas!Merry Christmas from Tom Fletcher and the Christmasaurus!

A propulsive and dazzling debut novel set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, about a Chinese girl fighting to claim her place in the 1880s American WestDaiyu never wanted to be like the tragic heroine for whom she was named, revered for her beauty and cursed with heartbreak. But when she is kidnapped and smuggled across an ocean from China to America, Daiyu must relinquish the home and future she imagined for herself. Over the years that follow, she is forced to keep reinventing herself to survive. From a calligraphy school, to a San Francisco brothel, to a shop tucked into the Idaho mountains, we follow Daiyu on a desperate quest to outrun the tragedy that chases her. As anti-Chinese sentiment sweeps across the country in a wave of unimaginable violence, Daiyu must draw on each of the selves she has been-including the ones she most wants to leave behind-in order to finally claim her own name and story.At once a literary tour de force and a groundbreaking work of historical fiction, Four Treasures of the Sky announces Jenny Tinghui Zhang as an indelible new voice. Steeped in untold history and Chinese folklore, this novel is a spellbinding feat.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.The Happy Prince, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.In an old town in England, there is a statue of a happy prince. But the prince is not happy. He can see the sad things in the town. Then he meets a swallow. They help the people.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Washington Square, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.Catherine Sloper is not pretty or clever, but she is rich. She lives in New York with her father, the respected doctor, Austin Sloper. One day, Catherine meets a charming man called Maurice Townsend, who wants to marry her. But does Maurice really love Catherine, or does he just want her money? Doctor Sloper is sure that he knows the answer.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.A Tale of Two Cities, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.After eighteen years in the Bastille prison, Dr Manette finally leaves France and goes to live with his daughter, Lucie, in England. There, two very different men fall in love with Lucie. Lucie finds happiness, but in France a storm is coming. Soon, Lucie and her family must face the French Revolution, and one man must give Lucie everything he has.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.Nelson Mandela wanted freedom for black people from apartheid in South Africa. He fought hard for freedom and equality and became the first black president of South Africa.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.The Mill on the Floss, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.Maggie lives with her brother Tom in a mill by the river Floss. Maggie loves Tom and Tom loves Maggie, but they are very different. When Tom's father loses all his money, Maggie and Tom must try and help their parents to keep the mill.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Alice in Wonderland, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.Alice goes after a white rabbit into Wonderland. There she meets the Mad Hatter, the Duchess and many other famous people and animals in Lewis Carroll's famous story.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.The War of the Worlds, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.The Martians are coming! They are burning houses and killing the people of Earth. How can the people stop them?Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

'Everything I wanted and then some' Emily Henry 'Packed full of nostalgia and Dent's trademark wit' Sophie Cousens SHE HAS A PLAN . . . FATE HAS OTHER IDEAS.----------------- There are two men in my life. But this is not a love triangle.Mara Williams reads her horoscope every day - but she wasn't expecting to be in a whole other country when destiny finally found her. Just as a fortune teller reveals that her true love is about to arrive, a gorgeous stranger literally walks into her life. And now Mara is determined to bring them together again . . . Surely even fate needs a nudge in the right direction sometimes? But while Mara is getting ready for 'the one', the universe intervenes. Her new flatmate Ash is funny, and kind, and sexy as hell . . . There was no predicting this: it's as if her destiny just arrived on her doorstep. Again. So will Mara put her destiny in fate's hands - or finally trust herself to reach for the stars? *An edgy, hilarious rom-com from the author of The Summer Job. For fans of Beth O'Leary, Starstruck and New Girl.*----------------- 'Sweet, funny, character-driven and perfect for astrology lovers' Catherine Walsh, The Rebound'A funny, hope-filled rom com' Lorraine Brown, The Paris Connection 'Another unconventional, fun rom-com... a heartwarming, moreish read' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? 'Smart, funny and full of warmth' Sarah Morgan, Beach House 'A total joy from start to finish' Laura Kay, Tell Me Everything 'A warm-hearted, uplifting romcom' Cressida McLouchlan, The Staycation'Funny, quirky and full of romance, this is a perfect summer beach read!' My Weekly'I wanted to move to fictional Broadgate... a fun, feel-good read' Prima

It is only James Joyce's towering genius as a novelist that has led to his comparative neglect as a poet. And yet his poems not only occupy a pivotal position in Joyce's career, they are also magnificently assured achievements in their own right. 'Chamber Music' is an extraordinary début, fusing a broad swathe of styles with characteristically sharp irony and joyful verbal exuberance. 'Pomes Penyeach' confronts painful personal issues of adultery, jealousy and betrayal and so paves the way for the more detached and fully realized treatment of these feelings in Joyce's masterpiece, Ulysses. Also included here is 'Ecce Puer', written for his new-born grandson, as well as juvenilia, satires, translations, limericks and a parody of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

THIS YEAR'S MOST GRIPPING THRILLER AND SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH'A high-altitude, high-stakes thriller. I loved it' MATT HAIG'Had me on the edge of my seat. A must read for 2022' SARAH PEARSE'Suffocatingly tense, highly original and exhilarating' DAILY EXPRESS'Tense, chilling and terrifying' CLAIRE DOUGLAS'Chilling, vivid and entirely unique' ABIGAIL DEANSIX STRANGERS. ONE KILLER. AND NO ESCAPE . . .________Journalist Cecily Wong is offered the chance of a lifetime: to join an elite team on one of the world's tallest mountains.But things quickly start to fall apart.An unexplained theft.A horrible accident.A terrifying note:There's a murderer on the mountain.Six strangers set out . . . How many will return?________'Breathtaking. Totally immersive, I truly felt transported to Nepal, becoming a part of the expedition. Gripping, chilling and exhilarating' 5***** READER REVIEW'It was so tense, the air in my bedroom felt as thin as in the mountains. A total triumph' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of THAT NIGHT'You can't get more claustrophobic than this! My pulse was racing. The adrenaline of the character seeps through to the reader' 5***** READER REVIEW'Gripping. Thrilling. A visceral account of a novice's struggles with thin air and exhaustion' Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month'A great page-turner' HILARY DUFF'Truly full of atmosphere. Oozes tension - you are never quite sure which direction you will be taken . . .' 5***** READER REVIEW'An addictive, tightly plotted thriller that will leave you chilled to the bone' Lucy Clarke, bestselling author of THE CASTAWAYS'Amy is a writer who knows how to draw the reader into the setting. It makes you feel as though you are there' 5***** READER REVIEW'The ultimate high-altitude mountain thriller. Ice-cold, twisting, deadly' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of THE APPEAL'A very atmospheric read. It takes you right to the edge of your seat' 5***** READER REVIEW'Nail-biting, chilling, totally exhilarating - a true triumph' Stacey Halls, bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS'A real page-turner. Tense, terrifying and fascinating in equal measure' Catherine Cooper, bestselling author of THE CHALET 'A truly terrifying thriller with a tense and twisty plot. Superbly executed' Allie Reynolds, bestselling author of SHIVER

THE HILARIOUS AND HEARTWARMING NEW ROMCOM PERFECT FOR FANS OF THE FLATSHARE, FROM THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE SHORTLISTED AUTHOR'An entertaining romcom with a very relatable set-up. The Back Up Man goes down like a good cup of tea . . . warm, comforting, enjoyable' i'Delightful and uplifting. Brimming with nostalgia and warmth. A great read to brighten up the winter months' Culturefly· Marriage pact· Slow burn· Forced proximity· Friends to lovers'I could not put it down - I just HAD to know what happened' 5***** Reader Review'A romcom with depth and substance and also, refreshingly, set in Glasgow' RED'Uplifting and compelling. I couldn't put it down and I couldn't stop smiling - I loved it' 5***** Reader Review*Shortlisted author for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize*They made a deal to marry at thirty. But Euan's nowhere to be found . . .Can Anya track down her back up man? __________Twenty-nine, single, jobless and in a nightmare house share, things could be going better for Anya Mackie. Then she stumbles across a pact she wrote with her school crush, Euan Carrick - to marry at thirty if they're still single . . . But Euan hasn't been seen for a decade. Reluctantly enlisting the help of Euan's emotionally unavailable best friend Jamie Kildare, Anya sets off across the country to find her Back Up Man. But will Euan remember her? And should Anya really be betting her future on her past? __________The Back Up Man is a hilariously romantic tale of mishaps and matrimony, love and long shots, foibles and friendship, that may make you text that old school boyfriend of yours . . .'I adored The Back Up Man! Phoebe is so funny, with such a brilliant observational eye and a perfect ear for dialogue. An absolute delight' EMMA HUGHES'You'll have a lot of fun' HEAT'A charming romance' WOMAN'S OWN'Funny and uplifting' SUNPraise for Phoebe Luckhurst:'Entertaining, endearing, and truly unique. Found myself wincing and laughing with familiarity' Emma Gannon'The year's most original rom-com' Elle'Hilarious' Evening Standard'Nostalgic, pitch perfect' Cressida McLaughlin'Funny and compelling from page one' Lucy Vine