'An impossibly seductive love story, underpinned by a heart-breaking secret' Rosie Walsh

From Richard & Judy Book club author Catherine Isaac comes the emotional and uplifting story of love, loss, friendship and a letter that changes everything.

In late 1983, a letter arrives from Italy, containing secrets so unthinkable that it is hidden away, apparently forever. More than three decades later, it is found . . . by the last person who was ever supposed to see it.

When Allie opens an envelope in her grandmother’s house, it changes everything she knows about her family - and herself.

With the truth liable to hurt those she loves most, she hires a private detective to find out what happened to her late mother in the summer before Allie was born. Taking leave from her job as a research scientist, she is led to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Garda, accompanied by her best friend Ed.

But the secrets that emerge go far beyond anything they were expecting. Now, Allie must find the courage to confront her family’s tangled past and reshape her own future.

Praise for MESSY, WONDERFUL US 

‘Uplifting, emotional and surprising… another sure-fire bestseller’ Hannah Beckerman
‘I adored it… a gorgeous sunny setting, exploring love, friendship and the twistiest of family entanglements’ Jill Mansell
'A gorgeous location, a story full of twists and turns and tension and some heart-stopping romance – what more do you want from a love story?' Red 
'Intriguing and pacy' Libby Page
'Family secrets, hidden love and Italy – the perfect combination for a mesmerising read' Santa Montefiore
'Secrets come to the surface in this tale of love and loss' Woman
‘Intricately crafted, beautifully written, an emotional roller-coaster. It's the kind of book that you read for the first time with your heart in your mouth and for the second time with a greater sense of appreciation for the story, characters and Italian setting' Iona Grey
'Such a good book. Tender, evocative, measured – it really is a fantastic piece of writing' Andy Jones
'I fell head over heels in love with this book! A page-turning mystery, a wonderfully uplifting story about love in all its forms and characters so real, I still wonder what they're doing' Katy Regan
'I absolutely loved it, what a rich and engaging story' Dani Atkins
‘A gorgeous book saturated with sunshine that will fill your heart with joy’ Milly Johnson
'This novel is a delight' Goop