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The September pick for Reese Witherspoon´s Hello Sunshine Book Club
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´A thrilling, seductive and utterly compelling novel. I absolutely loved it!´ SARAH WINMAN
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TWO FEMALE SPIES. A BANNED MASTERPIECE. A BOOK THAT CHANGED HISTORY.

1956. A celebrated Russian author is writing a book, Doctor Zhivago, which could spark dissent in the Soviet Union. The Soviets, afraid of its subversive power, ban it.

But in the rest of the world it´s fast becoming a sensation.

In Washington DC, the CIA is planning to use the book to tip the Cold War in its favour.

Their agents are not the usual spies, however. Two typists - the charming, experienced Sally and the talented novice Irina - are charged with the mission of a lifetime: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago back into Russia by any means necessary.

It will not be easy. There are people prepared to die for this book - and agents willing to kill for it. But they cannot fail - as this book has the power to change history.Sold in twenty-five countries and poised to become a global literary sensation, Lara Prescott´s dazzling first novel is a sweeping page turner and the most hotly anticipated debut of the year.
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´A riveting story of secrets, forbidden passions and the dark arts of espionage. I couldn´t put it down!´ LISA JEWELL

´Enthralling... This is a rare page-turner with prose that´s as wily as its plot.´ VOGUE

´A proto-feminist Mad Men transposed to the world of international espionage - mid-century style and intrigue set against real, indelible history.´ ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

´A page-turner combining elements of spy, literary, thriller, historic, romantic and gay fiction ... This is escapist fiction rooted in an at times harrowing historical reality.´SUNDAY TIMES

´I loved this book. So vivid and engaging. A joy to read a story about spies that has lots of women in active roles.´ CATHY RENTZENBRINK

´A fascinating story, so cleverly told, of the long chain of people who helped to bring Pasternak´s masterpiece into the world. I gulped it down.´ GILL HORNBY

´A stylish debut... Prescott delivers a multi-layered tale´ WOMAN & HOME

´Secrets, female spies, banned books and a love story or two make this a gripping read´ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

´A rip-roaring tale of espionage, Russian literature and some absolutely badass women ... if you want a tense thriller, women kicking against an unjust, patriarchal system and a bruising love story, then this is the book for you!´ RED

´Well-researched and cleverly constructed... An intriguing and little-known chapter of literary history is brought to life.´ KIRKUS (starred review)

´Triumphant ... This debut shines as spy story, publication thriller and historical romance with a twist.´ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

´Tartly observed ... The Secrets We Kept is headed for widespread popularity´ NEW YORK TIMES
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Early readers can´t stop talking about The Secrets We Kept:

´I absolutely devoured it. Totally compelling, it made my heart swoop until the very last page.´
´Thrilling, moving and utterly compelling - one of those rare books that makes you forget the outside world.´
´The Secrets We Kept is a brilliant twist on the traditional Cold War spy thriller. It´s told through a cast of intelligent and intriguing women and is full of secrets, glamour and love.´
´I absolutely loved it, adored it even, and I can´t stop talking about The Secrets We Kept´
´The Secrets We Kept is like nothing else I´ve read before. The story is vivid and alluring, and one that will stay with you forever.´
´The Secrets We Kept reads like a high-stakes, Mad Men inspired, spy thriller. Classy and glamorous, yet revealing and complex, it has a cast of spectacular characters and a truly emotional core. This really is something special!´
´It has a quite beautiful ending and would make an excellent book club book.´
´Fascinating and highly addictive to read ... an outstanding story of secret

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"What a fantastic novel The Secrets We Kept is. Thrilling, seductive and thoroughly compelling - Lara has created something really special. And it´s made me want to re-read Doctor Zhivago! I absolutely loved it!" SARAH WINMAN

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