My Dark Vanessa

Kate Elizabeth Russell

Fourth Estate, £8.99 This is a compelling, gut-wrenching debut. It tells the story of smart, lonely Vanessa Wye who, at 15, fell in love with her 42-year-old English teacher Jacob Strane. It’s a brilliantly nuanced and psychologically complex novel, powerfully describing the adult Vanessa’s wavering emotions as she grasps the consequences of Strane’s predatory actions.

Such A Fun Age Kiley Reid Bloomsbury, £8.99

Black nanny Emira looks after Briar, daughter of her white employer Alix, but when Emira is accused of kidnapping the little girl, it exposes hard-hitting truths about the world, how it works and who it works for. Reid’s spiky, funny debut delves into questions of race and privilege, and comes up with uncomfortable answers.

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Invisible Girl Lisa Jewell Century, £8.99

Troubled teen Saffyre becomes obsessed with her therapist Roan, watching his comings and goings. She knows his secrets – and he knows she knows. But when she goes missing, her neighbour Owen is arrested. He was recently sacked from teaching for inappropriate behaviour and has also left a trail across online “incel” forums where men share violent rape fantasies. But does that make him a potential killer? Or is someone else getting away with murder?

BY CHARLOTTE HEATHCOTE

The Switch Beth O’leary Quercus, £8.99

After a panic attack, high-flying Londoner Leena is forced to take a break from work, while her 79-year-old grandmother lives alone in a Yorkshire village where she longs to find love but there are few eligible men around. So the women decide to swap lives. As they adapt to the other’s way of life while coming to terms with a recent family tragedy, O’leary explores the meaning of community spirit in a funny and uplifting feelgood novel.

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