Valentine’s Day calls for dessert that leans into indulgence, nostalgia
and just a little bit of drama. From citrus-bright tarts and cloud-light
choux to unapologetically chocolatey puddings and ice-cream
sandwiches made for sharing, this round-up is all about sweetness
in its many forms. These 14 recipes, drawn from some of our
most-loved cookbooks and cooks, celebrate love through flavour,
Aren Bellamore wants freedom, not fairy tales. Running the Raven’s Beak tavern and dodging marriage proposals is challenge enough—until a near-death encounter binds her to Prince Dietan. Cursed by the deadly Rings of Fate, Dietan is running out of time and enemies are closing in. To conceal his magic and survive a dangerous journey to break the curse, he needs a fiancée. Aren needs an escape.
A text from an unknown number shatters Hannah’s life. It’s from Owen,
her husband who vanished five years ago, abandoning her and their
daughter, Bailey. Hannah saw him the night before—silent, watchful—
and knows they’re now in danger. With no time to explain, she takes
Bailey and flees Los Angeles, driving north along hidden coastal roads
while questioning why Owen has returned and who might be hunting
Esther first sees Ted in a London park, and a fleeting glance sparks
something she’s never felt. Obsessed, she devours every detail of
his life, from Canadian interviews to fan forums alongside the ‘Tedettes.’
But when Ted gets a new girlfriend, Esther decides it’s time to act.
She leaves her husband, takes their savings, and buys a one-way
ticket to Canada. Convinced they’re meant to be together, she’s
When Tasha builds a snow girl, all she wishes is for her to come
to life. If only wishes on snow could come true … Then one magical
evening, she meets Alyana, whose face glitters with starlight and
whose ice-blue eyes sparkle like frozen lakes. Suddenly, Tasha
has a friend, and together they explore a winter wonderland,
laughing through sleigh rides, snowball fights, and secret snowy
In the sweltering darkness, Mackenjee awakens in a panic, burning his
hands on the carpet, disoriented and searching for his wife, Tejal. A year
of arson and financial ruin has left the city in turmoil. Mackenjee, a tax
collector, pursues stolen billions, while Tejal, a lawyer, defends a young
revolutionary accused of arson and upheaval. As their separate cases
begin to intertwine, the couple navigates a tangled web of politicians,
Writing together as a married couple brings its own challenges—and delights. Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd open the door to their creative world in this Q&A, sharing how decades of shared pop culture, music, and life experiences shaped their hilarious, heartfelt novel You & Me.
For Kenneth Tebogo Middleton, food is an act of joy and defiance. In Paradise, indulgence isn’t something to apologise for – it’s something to celebrate. This Ink & Aprons conversation dives into the thinking behind a cookbook that rejects guilt, embraces flavour and honours food as culture, connection and pleasure.
From mastering your mindset to reshaping how you think about time, money, meaning and confidence, these bestselling books offer wisdom that endures for a reason. Whether you’re wrestling with self-doubt, craving purpose, striving for financial stability or seeking calmer, more intentional living, each title delivers practical insights rooted in psychology, philosophy and lived experience.
From gripping courtroom dramas to transformative memoirs, and from flavour-packed cookbooks to visionary explorations of Africa’s future, 2026 promises a reading calendar as diverse as it is irresistible. Whether you’re craving modern Indian recipes, confronting injustice, or delving into Phuthuma Nhleko’s call for a new African renaissance, these twelve titles invite curiosity, reflection, and pure reading pleasure.