A story of friendship, possibilities and hope that maybe tomorrow will be brighter than today . . .

Jamie Matson had once enjoyed a wonderful life working alongside her best friend, organising adventures for single-parent families, and her son Bo’s artistic flair a source of pride rather than concern.

She hadn’t been prepared to lose her business, her home and her friend. Not all in one dreadful year.

Jamie certainly hadn’t expected to find such hope and camaraderie in the queue at her local food bank. Thrown together with an unlikely and colourful group of people, their friendships flourish and, finding it easier to be objective about each other than about themselves, they decide that – when you’re all out of options – it’s okay to bend the rules a little and create your own.

What a difference a year could make . . .

‘Tender and at times shocking, this shows what can be done to change things when people unite’ Katie Fforde
 
‘Penny captures the zeitgeist of austerity with the lightest of touches and her trademark wit and wisdom. Her characters tackle difficult and gritty problems like exploitative landlords, special needs and food banks with courage and determination in a story of hope, resilience and optimism. A tale of our times about the importance of friendship and never giving up. Meaningful and heartfelt’ Veronica Henry

‘Gorgeously written, uplifting and moving – it's a must read this summer’ Sarah J Harris

 

Praise for Penny Parkes’ Home:

‘As heartbreaking as it is uplifting, this book wouldn’t leave me. I loved it’ Katie Fforde

‘Clever, warm and funny, Penny writes with a big heart, a light touch and supreme confidence’ Veronica Henry

‘Moving, hopeful and heartfelt’ AJ Pearce
 
 
 

Penny Parkes lives in the Cotswolds. She has appeared at literary festivals around the country and has written for The Telegraph as well as extensively in her local media. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram as @CotswoldPenny