The Family Friend by C. MacDonald (love story novels in english txt) 📕

A huge thank you to my editor Jade Chandler who’s helped me craft and hone this book with precision and care and is such a joy to work with. I’ve always felt in such good hands with you Jade and in uncertain times that means a huge amount. Thank you also to Liz Foley, Sophie Painter, Mia Quibell-Smith, Dan Mogford and the whole team at Harvill Secker. Thanks as well to Sara Adams for her early work on the book at a time when I wasn’t sure exactly what it was going to be.

To Sam H Freeman, our conversations about books, film, story are such an important part of my writing. The way in which our careers have evolved from those humble beginnings writing average short plays in the Soho Theatre Café has been beyond both of our hopes and dreams and I’m so grateful for that.

To our wonderful community in Margate, I thank you for your friendship and camaraderie in this sleep-deprived and often manic portion of our lives. The energising conversations and stolen afternoons helping our children build sandcastles and paddling in the water have become a huge source of joy.

To my wife Joanna’s family, Tina, Stewart, David and Hannah, thank you for all your warm-hearted interest and support. And on my side, to Al, Lyndsey, Mac and my mum Lesley, to whom this book is dedicated, your excitement about my books and never-ending cheerleading is forever appreciated.

To my daughter Sadie, your sunshine lights up our days and we love you for it. To the boy, Otis, I began writing this book when you were a very screamy little man. But, with your cheeky smile and that giggle, what a little legend you’ve turned into. We love you both so much.

To Joanna. Thank you for your patience with me and this book. I’m so lucky to have you and the life we’ve built. You constantly challenge me and our conversations about social media, #metoo, coercive control and the psychology of possession and misogyny have provided the bedrock of this book. I’ve learnt so much from you.

And finally thank you to all my readers. The reviews and feedback I had about Happy Ever After were so gratifying and such a huge part of what kept me chipper while writing this book. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone who’s chosen to spend their valuable time reading my words.

VINTAGE – home to the world’s greatest authors and books. Where new writers are discovered, bestselling books are found and yesterday’s classics revived for a new generation of readers.

Our authors represent the very best in creativity and quality and have won the most prestigious prizes the book world has to offer including the Man Booker, the Samuel Johnson and the Nobel.

Born in New York in 1974, and arriving in London in 1990, VINTAGE publishes beautiful books with the very best design for people who love to read.

@vintagebooks

penguin.co.uk/vintage

Vintage

UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia

New Zealand | India | South Africa

Vintage is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

First published by Harvill Secker in 2021

Copyright © Chris MacDonald 2021

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Jacket design © Dan Mogford

Cover from photographs courtesy of Unsplash.com and © Getty Images

Author photograph © Gemma Day

ISBN: 978-1-473-56868-6

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.