Welcome to Quayside: Extra-Large Print, Easy-to-Read, 31 Humorous and Romantic Short Stories about Community, Family and City Life, set in a London Block of Flats

Easy-on-the-eye very large print. Forty-year-old Tanya Baker dreams of starting a new life and making friends when she moves to a block of flats by the River Thames with her thirteen-year-old daughter, Hattie. But as Tanya and Hattie knock on neighbours’ doors in search of a tin opener, it’s clear that the residents of Number One Quayside like to keep to themselves. Everyone, that is, except their next-door neighbours, Italian chef Giacomo Dalamo, and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. Between a delicious dish of lasagne (Giacomo’s) and a burnt salad (Tanya’s), they hatch a plan to set a library of things in their building, so that residents can borrow rarely-used items, from DIY tools to sports equipment and party supplies. First, though, Tanya and Giacomo must win over their neighbours, persuade the building’s management company, source library stock by kayaking down the Thames, and deal with plumbing disasters, all the while trying to protect their bruised hearts from falling for each other. As all the residents at Quayside pull together to make the library happen, dreams are fulfilled, a community is born and love blossoms again. Divided into thirty-one short self-contained chapters, this popular series from The People’s Friend includes one brand-new story never published before. (Also available in ebook and smaller type paperback) ‘This is a book bursting with optimism and charm. Discover how the individuals of Quayside create their very own Library of Things in this funny and touching tale of modern life. Do yourself a favour–read this book!’ –– Christina Hollis on Twitter ‘I loved going on the journey with Tanya, meeting a variety of quirky characters along the way, and being inspired as well as entertained.’ –– Sandra Salisbury ‘Stefania Hartley’s style is inimitable and keeps you reading until the end.’ –– Dutch Biker ‘I love all your writing, Stefania. Everything you write is a delight, and leaves one smiling.’ –– Mary Jasper on Twitter —- ISBN: 9781914606328