Barry's Books
Welcome to Barry's Books. Here you can read the book descriptions and see the cover art
4 Months
This prequel to the novel 52 Weeks is available free to Lillie's Letters email members.
Non subscribers can buy direct from our shop.
52 Weeks
Beryl's cancer has returned and she's been given a prognosis of one year. Refusing to give up she undertakes new challenges while sharing good times with her friends and family.
A story with one-liners that fall faster than a bridegroom's underpants.
Under Italian Stars
Book one in the Abruzzo Series.
Can you find love a second time around? After Rachel's husband dies suddenly she is left with a decision to make that will change her life.
Restoring a hotel in Italy is as big as it gets.
One Italian Summer
Book two in the Abruzzo Series.
Two people with troubled backgrounds meet, will they save each other or make things worse?
Will family secrets ever be put to rest, and how does a social media celebrity and fashion designer become the catalyst for change?
The Vodka and Cranberry Club
Three women with one thing on their mind… murder.
Emilia, Selena and Melanie have one thing in common, husbands they can’t risk divorcing and so they must come up with a plan to free themselves. Over dinner a chance remark sets them off on a journey to dispose of each other’s husbands while retaining their friendship and their liberty.
When divorce won’t solve the problem, join… The Vodka and Cranberry Club.
The Italian Secret
Book three in the Abruzzo Series
When a secret threatens to destroy everything, can love repair the damage?
Salvatore has lost everything: his wife, his business and his dignity. When he is involved in a life-changing accident, all that remains is his daughter, Nadia.
When Issac returns to Abruzzo looking for work, he meets Alina in Laroscia. The thirteen-year-old tells him about the garden at the top of the village where there is sadness growing with the weeds. Meanwhile, Le Stelle, the hotel in Sant’Andrea, welcomes back Louise for an Easter break and she has her own secret to share, but Rachel and Luca must wait until Ben arrives before they tell all.
Willow and the Motorway Horses
A children's book written for grown-ups. This silly tale of horses that dress up so they can stay together in their field beside the M6 motorway is alternative humour mixed with some sweary language.
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
Lanterns Over Laroscia
Book 2a in the Abruzzo Series
When people dismiss you and can’t see past your differences, the most important thing you can have is a friend.
Alina and Sonny come from different social circles, but as teenagers living in the same remote village, they become friends who share the love of the countryside. Growing up in a wealthy family who own a stables and racehorses, Sonny teaches Alina to ride, much to the dismay of his mother, Valentina, who’s more concerned with outward appearances than what qualities make up a person.
One evening Alina sees lights in the sky, coming from Valentina’s birthday party across the valley. Later that night, her grandmother’s cries wake her and Alina makes a decision that could save many lives.
Written as a link between books 2 and 3 this short novella introduces new characters featured in The Italian Secret
Second Chances
at the olive house
Book One in the Olive House Series.
Nestled in the sun-drenched hills of Abruzzo, Italy, lies the enchanting Olive House—a place where dreams are rekindled, and hearts find their solace.
Rhona, a workaholic divorcee, has vowed to steer clear of romance until she crosses paths with the charming and enigmatic Vito. Her sisters, Debra and Jessie, accompany her on this holiday that promises more than just a respite from their everyday lives. Debra, burdened by secrets too heavy to unveil, struggles to maintain her façade. Meanwhile, Jessie, the youngest, drifts aimlessly, searching for purpose and direction.
When Rhona mysteriously disappears, the family is thrust into turmoil. Jessie, once lost and unsure, steps up to take charge of Rhona's business and in the process, she discovers not only her potential but also the strength and resilience that lies within her.
"Second Chances at the Olive House" is a heart-warming tale of love, secrets, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. As they navigate the complexities of their lives, they find that sometimes, all it takes is a second chance and the magic of a beautiful Italian summer to find their way back to themselves and to each other.
The Italian Retreat
Book four in The Abruzzo Series
Publication date: November 25 2025
Fleeing a controlling fiancé and a troubled past in Albania, Luljeta finds solace in the tranquil hills of Palombaro, working at Hannah’s idyllic Italian Retreat. When her fiancé tracks her down, he threatens her safety and brings with him a dangerous criminal scheme that could destroy the retreat and everyone in it.
During a writers’ workshop run by Gabby, Luljeta meets Flynn, a brooding author with issues. Sparks fly between them, but just as their connection deepens, Luljeta vanishes without a trace.
As tensions rise, and the search begins, dark truths surface. Hannah’s husband, Rex, has been concealing a secret and, as it gets closer to destroying everything, he forms an unlikely alliance, but time is running out.
Can love and courage be enough to save Luljeta and Flynn’s relationship, or will the spectre of crime snuff out their future before winter arrives in Abruzzo to chill it to the bone?
Widows United
Join five widows as they navigate life without their spouses.
This new standalone novel is a mix of humour, pathos and keen observation scheduled for a 2026 release.
The Last Chapter
A companion book of short stories to accompany The Italian Retreat.
Only available FREE to members of Lillie's Letters email group.