Hannah McNiven

The Birds of Bachelor Lane Hannah McNiven

Perfect for fans of This is Happiness by Niall Williams, Holding by Graham Norton and Norma Webster by Colm Tóibín. Bachelor Lane is living up to its name. Presided over by the domineering Evelyn Burnley, it was once filled with life and people but now is a place with a distinct lack of gossip-worthy news. But, in the spring of 1953, all of that is about to change. Evelyn's eldest daughter, Lili, forms a tenuous relationship with a farmer on the Lane, Ewan Cameron. Meanwhile Wren Stevens, a timid girl banished from the household of her mentally ill mother, arrives in the local town to take up residence with her wealthy Great-aunt Astrid. Here, Wren blossoms under the positive influence of Astrid and catches the eye of several young men. However, it is Bertie Burnley, Evelyn's only son, who makes the greatest impression on her. As the seasons change each of them experiences family difficulties, the joy of love, the pain of loss and the sting of betrayal. They learn that love can bring out the best in people -and the worst. And they realise that no matter how close they become, everyone can keep secrets.