A Room Above A Shop

Anthony Shapland

Two men wrapped in a secret, trapped in the safety of a room, this is a stunningly emotional story of love, fear and strength. A Room Above A Shop is Shapland’s debut novel, and it is a must-read.

“As the two men work side by side in the shop, they also begin a life together in their one shared room above- the kind of life they never imagined possible, and that risks everything if their public performance were to slip.”

Uniquely set out as quick-bursting chapters, readers are guided through this poetic, whirlwind tale. Set during the industrial decline of the 1980s, at a time when the government introduced Section 28 and spread misinformation of the AIDS crisis, M and B- we never learn their full names, try to hold onto any moments of peaceful intimacy as they are forced to play their parts to perfection or risk losing everything.

Reading this book had me standing on the edge with baited breath. As their love grew, so too did the ever-looming threat of discovery. A reflection of Shapland’s literary talent and of the very real experiences that happened not so long ago.

-Review by Katherine Peach

Bitter Honey

Caryl Lewis

Caryl Lewis’s forthcoming novel, Bitter Honey, promises a poignant exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. Set against the serene backdrop of Berllan Deg, an orchard that has been Hannah’s lifelong home, the narrative begins with her preparing for her husband’s funeral. Their fifty-year marriage, intertwined with the rhythms of nature and the art of beekeeping, is encapsulated in eleven letters he leaves behind- each corresponding to a frame in a bee’s nest.

The writing is gentle and evocative, with a real sense of place- Lewis makes the rural setting feel almost like a character in itself.

What I loved most was how the story unfolds so naturally. As she reads the letters, long-buried truths start to surface. The relationship between the sisters is also really well done- complicated, raw, but ultimately hopeful. And the emotion is reflective and moving without being overly sentimental.

It’s a story about healing and growth, and it really stays with you after you’ve finished.

-Review by John Davies