Best Book Forward

In this week’s episode I am joined by Matson Taylor to talk about his brilliant new novel, Roman Mornings which is out now (link below) and absolute must read. As always we also chat about the five books that have shaped Matson’s life (and a few others as well) Matson’s Book Choices: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson The Diary of A Pro...

Welcome to this Tuesday Teaser episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with Matson Taylor ahead of the main episode dropping this Thursday. Roman Mornings is out now (grab your copy here: Roman Mornings by Matson Taylor ) It is such a brilliant read, you do not want to miss this book (or episode). Make sure you hang around to the end of the...

In this week’s episode I am joined by Bobby Palmer to talk about his brilliant new novel, Main Characters which is out today (link below). I’ve read almost 50 books so far this year and Main Characters is one of my favourites. It is so clever and fresh and just a brilliant read. Do make sure you grab a copy. In this episode you will find a lot of books, I feel your TBRs might be about to grow beca...

Welcome to this very special preview episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with Bobby Palmer ahead of the main episode dropping this Thursday. Main Characters is out this Thursday, you do not want to miss this book (or episode). Make sure you hang around to the end of the episode to hear Bobby read a little extract for you. In this quick...

In this week’s episode I am joined by Karen Swan to talk about her brilliant new novel, Three Summers which is out today in paperback (link below). This episode was a pure joy to record, we actually spoke for nearly two hours as we got chatting before we hit record and I think we could have easily nattered for another hour too. In this episode, Karen talks about finding the perfect setting for Thr...

Welcome to this very special preview episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with the brilliant bestselling author, Karen Swan, ahead of her main episode dropping this Thursday. Three Summers is out this Thursday in paperback and I had the best time chatting to you Karen about it. Make sure you hang around to the end of the episode to hear...

I am absolutely thrilled to kick off the new season with the brilliant Sunday Times bestselling author, Dr. Joanna Cannon, to talk all about her beautiful new novel, An Unlikely Visitor. In this episode, Jo talks about her journey from becoming a doctor in her 40s to a bestselling author, how everything in life worth having starts with a pinch of anxiety and how meeting one reader in a signing lin...

Welcome to this very special preview episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with the brilliant bestselling author, Dr. Joanna Cannon, ahead of her main episode dropping this Thursday. To celebrate the launch of her beautiful new novel, An Unlikely Visitor , we are wrapping up today's episode with a very special, exclusive audiobook preview...

🎙️ Best Book Forward – Season 6 Trailer A brand new season of Best Book Forward is almost here! Join me for another chapter of bookish conversation, where each week I sit down with incredible authors to explore the books that have shaped their lives. You can think of it as a bookish take on Desert Island Discs. For June and July, we are packing our bags and heading from the bustling streets of ear...

Kate Lord Brown on The Silver Thread In this final episode of Season 5, I’m joined by bestselling author Kate Lord Brown to talk about her beautiful new novel, The Silver Thread . We discuss Kate’s love of uncovering forgotten histories, the real-life inspirations behind the novel, and how Liberty London became an unexpected doorway into the past. Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward is comp...

Lucy Ashe on The Model Patient In this episode, I’m joined by author Lucy Ashe to talk about her latest novel, The Model Patient, looking at her own experiences with therapy helped shaped the story and how her research into women’s lives in the 1960s made her feel a sense of urgency. Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have s...

Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl : When Friendship and Motherhood Collide In this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl , released today. We get into the story behind the book, which begins the morning after a glamorous wedding when two mothers wake to find their daughters missing. What follows is a tense and emotional unravelling o...

Ilona joins me today to chat about her incredible new novel Five. I couldn’t wait to chat to Ilona about it; I mean check this hook out: Five passengers, five, stories, five minutes until someone dies. Who do you want it to be? Brilliant isn't it and I can tell you it is a fantastic read one that should be read in a group! This is a story about judgment. About empathy. About the hidden lives we ne...

Heidi Swain on Walking on Sunshine : A Story of New Beginnings In this uplifting episode, Heidi Swain joins Helen to discuss her latest novel, Walking on Sunshine . We follow Tilly as she returns to her childhood village after the loss of her father, navigating grief, rediscovering home, and finding the courage to start again. Heidi shares the inspiration behind the story, the importance of settin...

Sarah Vaughan on Based on a True Story In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Sarah Vaughan to discuss her brilliant new novel, Based on a True Story . We explore the themes at the heart of the book, including power, family dynamics, and the secrets that lie beneath carefully constructed lives. Sarah shares insights into her writing process and inspirations, revealing how her background...

Lucy Apps on Gloria Don’t Speak In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Apps to discuss her debut novel Gloria Don’t Speak , recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. We talk about the inspirations behind the novel, her writing life, and what it’s like to receive such major literary recognition. At the heart of the conversation is Gloria; a young woman with learning disabilities navigatin...

Julie Owen Moylan on Elizabeth & Marilyn | Best Book Forward Podcast What an incredible way to kick off a brand new season of Best Book Forward . In this episode, I’m joined by novelist Julie Owen Moylan to talk about her stunning new historical novel, Elizabeth & Marilyn . Set in the summer of 1956, the book reimagines the extraordinary moment when two of the most famous women in the worl...

🎙️ Best Book Forward – Season 5 Trailer A brand new season of Best Book Forward is almost here. Join host Helen for another chapter of bookish conversation, where each week she sits down with authors to explore the books that have shaped their lives—think a literary take on Desert Island Discs . 📅 Season 5 launches: Thursday 2nd April 📚 What’s coming: 8 weeks of brilliant author interviews and i...

Well I can’t quite believe it but this is the final episode in this Season. I have had so much fun recording these episodes and I really hope that you have enjoyed it too. We’re ending the Season on a complete high as I am delighted to welcome the incredible Ruth Ware to the show. In this episode, Ruth takes us back to The Woman in Cabin 10 before talking about how readers were desperate to find o...

What a joy it was to chat to Jennie Godfrey, I could have happily chatted for another hour. Jennie’s new book The Barbecue at No. 9 is out today and it is fabulous. One you absolutely do not want to miss. No episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without book recommendations! Here’s everything we mentioned, with links to buy: 📚 By Jennie Godfrey The List of Suspicious Things The Barbecue...

This was such a fun conversation with Emma Steele, we’ve been chatting online for a while so it really felt like catching up with a friend. In this episode we talk about Emma’s fabulous new novel, The Love of Our Lives, her writing life, what draws her to write speculative fiction and of course the five books that shaped her life (well there were a few more than 5). And of course, no episode of Be...

This was such a fun episode with Alexandra Potter, it was one of the times I felt like I was just sat down having a cuppa and catching up with a friend. So, I Met This Guy, Alexandra’s book that we discuss in this episode is out today and it is such a brilliant read. If you’ve been experiencing any January Blues this is the one you need to be grabbing. And of course, no episode of Best Book Forwar...

A quick content note: this episode includes conversations about fertility, miscarriage, baby loss, and the death of a parent. I know these topics can be difficult, so please listen in whatever way feels right for you. I absolutely loved recording this episode with Nicola Gill — she is such a joy to chat to. We talked about her latest novel, Identity Crisis (which I adored), her writing life, and o...

⚠️ Bonus Episode Warning: Contains Spoilers ⚠️ When a book delivers an ending as brilliant and surprising as Room 706 by Ellie Levenson , it deserves its very own bonus episode, one where we can unpack everything without worrying about ruining the experience for anyone else. If you haven’t read the book yet, please stop here and come back once you have! Books discussed: Room 706 by Ellie Levenson...

Today’s episode is a publication day special with Ellie Levenson, author of Room 706 . I first read this book back in October and I haven’t stopped talking about it since. Room 706 . In this episode, Ellie and I dive into the world of Room 706 : her inspiration, her writing process, and how she crafted such a tightly paced and explosive story. And because that ending deserves its own space, we’ve...