The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright: Can a broken heart lead you home?

Beatrice Alright is the queen of silver linings. She can find a spark of hope in any situation. Even when her partner delivers earth-shattering news that leaves Bea and their four-year-old, Ellie, without a home, she refuses to panic.

Because Bea believes that what she does have is more important – her job at St Helen’s Hospital, which offers a warm, dry shelter for her and Ellie to stay while she figures things out. By day Bea cleans the wards, by night she tucks her daughter into bed between mops and buckets.

And tries so hard to hold on to hope.

When Bea sees an old man sitting on a cold and lonely bench outside the hospital, she really doesn’t have time to stop. She should be clearing up her own mess, not worrying about this cantankerous stranger. But Bea can’t help herself…

As she slowly starts to draw out Malcolm’s heartbreaking story, could this simple act of kindness begin to heal a decades-old pain? And might finding peace for Malcolm help Bea in ways she didn’t even know she needed?

A moving, emotional and uplifting story about second chances and chosen families guaranteed to break your heart and patch it back up again. The perfect book for fans of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, A Man Called Ove and The Keeper of Stories.

Readers love Brooke Harris…

‘To say that my heart was broken would be an understatement. I felt like someone had ripped it out and stomped on it… THE most moving, emotional, tender novel I think I have ever, ever read.’ The Writing Garnet, ??????????

‘My heart insisted on reading just one more chapter, and another, and another… I even ate a banana in bed on the last night, as there was no way I was putting it down during the last few chapters… I was crying so much, I could hardly see the words, and woke up the following morning with puffy eyes.’ Reader review, ?????

‘I couldn’t actually see due to the great big fat tears spilling from my eyes… I didn’t want it to end. This is not a book to read out in public unless you don’t mind being a big snotty mess… Amazing.’ Reader Review, ??????????

‘Wow! I am still in awe by what I have just read… There are not enough stars to show just how much this book meant to me… Top read of the year!’ Reader review, ?????

‘This book broke me apart, my heart felt as if it was being crushed by a giant sledgehammer… Took my heart and squeezed it until all my emotions flowed down as tears… I loved every single thing about this book.’ Shalini’s Book Reviews, ??????????

‘One of the most moving stories… Tears literally streaming down my face… An unputdownable, heartbreaking and inspirational read, one that deserves more than 5 stars. I cannot recommend it highly enough – but make sure you have tissues at the ready when you read it!’ Reader Review, ??????????

‘I felt like my heart had been ripped into tiny shreds. I went through a full box of tissues as I sobbed my heart out. One of the most emotional, uplifting and inspiring reads I’ve read.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, ??????????

‘OMG, where to start? I loved this book so much… I couldn’t put it down and read it in one go through the night… I ended the book with tears streaming down my face and spent the next few hours thinking about them all still. You must read this book.’ Reader review, ?????

© 2025 Storm Publishing (Audiobook): 9781805087496

Release date

Audiobook: 7 February 2025