To Have and to Hold

The bestselling author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel delves into what it means to be a sister, a husband, a wife, and—most importantly of all—a family.

Though sisters, Ann and Viv couldn’t be more different. Ann is reserved, sensible, and—some would say—boring. Viv, always their father’s favorite, is messy and impulsive, and a mother to two gorgeous daughters. Meanwhile, Ann has struggled to have children, her last attempt ending in a hysterectomy, which has devasted her and her husband, Ken.

Pained to see her sister left so sad and wanting, Viv offers to have a baby—and give it to Ann. Viv’s husband, Ollie, is not on board with the idea, especially when it becomes clear that Viv will be carrying Ken’s child, not his. But with the mechanics figured out, the men are pushed to the sidelines as the sisters roll full-steam ahead. What were once strong relationships are strained to the brink as fault lines in both marriages are exposed—leaving them all to realize that starting a new life just might end the ones they already have . . .

“A very good novel indeed.” —The Times (London)