First published 2010
When Major Pettigrew's brother dies, the retired army officer strikes up an unexpected friendship with the local shopkeeper, Mrs. Ali. As their bond deepens, the pair must navigate the judgemental village society that insists on embracing the Major as a pillar of tradition and Mrs. Ali as a permanent outsider. In this wry, poignant debut, an unlikely romance blossoms amid the quaint English countryside, challenging the characters to risk everything for a chance at happiness.
Genres: fiction, romance, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: England
359 pages · Hardcover · Random House