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Lucy Diamond
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Sue Mongredien (born 1970) better known by the pen name Lucy Diamond, is an English author of female lead fiction.
Biography
[edit]She grew up in Nottingham, and studied English Literature at Leeds University. After graduating, she lived in London for a few years and worked in the publishing industry.
Mongredien also worked with BBC and lived for some time in Brighton. She now lives in Bath with her family.[1][2]
Her first book, Any Way You Want Me, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2007. She has sold 907,678 print books in the UK for £4.2m, according to Nielsen BookScan.[3]
In 2011, her novel Sweet Temptations was shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance.[4]
In 2021, after 14 years with Pan MacMillan, Mongredien moved to Quercus.[5]
Mongredien has also authored several children's books,[6] including books in The Sleepover Club series, the Rainbow Magic series, the Oliver Moon series, and the Captain Cat series.
Bibliography
[edit]- On a Beautiful Day
- The Promise
- An Almost Perfect Holiday
- Any Way You Want Me
- Over You
- Hens Reunited
- Sweet Temptation
- The Beach Café
- Summer with My Sister
- Me and Mr Jones
- One Night in Italy
- Christmas at the Beach Café (short story)
- Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café (short story)
- The Year of Taking Chances
- Summer At Shell Cottage
- A Baby at the Beach Café (short story)
- The Secrets of Happiness
- The House of New Beginnings
- Something to Tell You
- Anything Can Happen
References
[edit]- ^ "About me". Lucy Diamond.
- ^ "About". Lucy Diamond. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Diamond moves to Quercus after 14 years with Pan Mac". The Bookseller.
- ^ "Book Award Key dates including short List Announcements and Awards Ceremony pages". Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ "Diamond moves to Quercus after 14 years with Pan Mac". The Bookseller.
- ^ "Sue Mongredien interview « hearditintheplayground.com". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
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Lucy Diamond
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early Life and Education
Childhood and Family Background
Lucy Diamond, whose real name is Sue Mongredien, was born in June 1970 in Nottingham, England.[4][8] She spent her early years in this Midlands city, where she was immersed in a bustling household environment.[2] Mongredien grew up as one of four siblings in a lively, noisy family home filled with many pets, which contributed to a vibrant and chaotic childhood atmosphere.[2] This setting, surrounded by animals and the energy of a large family, shaped her early experiences in Nottingham, fostering a sense of creativity amid the daily bustle.[2] While specific details about her parents' occupations remain limited in public records, the familial dynamics were notable.[2]University Studies and Early Influences
Lucy Diamond attended the University of Leeds, where she studied English Literature.[2][3] To support herself financially during her studies, Diamond took on various part-time jobs, including working as a barmaid, ice-cream seller, telesales representative, and even as a horoscope writer.[2] She also spent a summer working at a camp in New York State, teaching ceramics to children.[2]Professional Career
Early Jobs in Publishing
After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in English in 1991, Sue Mongredien, who later wrote adult fiction under the pen name Lucy Diamond, relocated to London to begin her professional career in publishing.[1] She initially worked as an editor of children's books at Random House, focusing on manuscript development and production processes within the juvenile literature division.[9] This role provided her with hands-on experience in evaluating submissions, collaborating with authors, and navigating the editorial workflow, skills that later informed her own writing endeavors.[2] Mongredien subsequently moved to a similar editorial position at Transworld, another major London-based publisher, where she continued honing her expertise in children's publishing during the early 1990s.[10] Over these few years in the industry, she gained practical insights into market analysis for young readers, including trends in storytelling and illustration preferences, as well as the operational aspects of book production from acquisition to release.[11] Her time at these publishers, which she described as enjoyable and foundational, lasted until approximately 1994, after which she left to travel the world for 18 months.[10]Debut as an Author and Career Milestones
Lucy Diamond transitioned into authorship after gaining practical experience in London's publishing industry, which provided her with essential insights into the book trade. Following university, international travel, and the early years of motherhood, she enrolled in a creative writing evening class in Brighton, where she began crafting her first novel amid the demands of raising young children. This debut work, Any Way You Want Me, was acquired and published by Pan Macmillan in 2007, marking her entry into adult fiction under the pen name Lucy Diamond.[2][12] The novel's release launched a productive early phase in Diamond's career, with Pan Macmillan issuing four subsequent titles in rapid succession. These included Over You in 2008, Hens Reunited in 2009, Sweet Temptation in 2010, and The Beach Café in 2011, each building on her emerging voice in contemporary women's fiction.[13] Diamond's partnership with Pan Macmillan endured for 14 years from her 2007 debut, solidifying her position in the genre. By 2021, her print books had achieved significant commercial success, selling 907,678 copies in the UK and generating £4.2 million in revenue, as tracked by Nielsen BookScan.[12]Publisher Transition and Recent Developments
In 2021, after 14 years with Pan Macmillan where she published her first 16 novels and sold over 907,000 print copies in the UK, Lucy Diamond transitioned to Quercus, an imprint of Hachette UK, in a two-book deal for UK and Commonwealth rights.[12] This move marked a significant evolution in her publishing career, with her debut title under Quercus, Anything Could Happen, released in December 2021 as her 17th novel overall.[14] Following the transition, Diamond maintained a steady output, releasing The Best Days of Our Lives in February 2023, her first novel set over a single transformative year exploring family dynamics.[5] Subsequent works included I Remember Paris in November 2023 (ebook and audio), focusing on rediscovery and friendship in the French capital, and The Island Getaway in January 2025, a story centered on interconnected lives during a summer on the Greek island of Kefalonia.[15][16] These releases, all published by Quercus, reflect her continued focus on uplifting contemporary fiction. The publisher change has influenced Diamond's promotional landscape, enabling fresh marketing strategies such as narrated audiobooks featuring high-profile voices like Sally Phillips for Anything Could Happen and expanded digital presence through Hachette's platforms.[14] By 2025, as a Sunday Times bestselling author with more than 19 novels under the Lucy Diamond pseudonym, her career has solidified her position in women's commercial fiction, with ongoing releases underscoring sustained reader engagement.[17][18]Writing for Adults
Debut Novels and Style Development
Lucy Diamond's debut adult novel, Any Way You Want Me, published in 2007 by Pan Macmillan, introduced her to the contemporary romance and chick lit genres through the story of Sadie Turner, a seemingly content "yummy mummy" with a loving partner, two young children, and a comfortable home in Bristol. Feeling unfulfilled and craving excitement, Sadie reconnects with her old school friend Tom via a website like Friends Reunited, leading to an illicit affair that unravels her life with humorous yet catastrophic consequences, including a surprising twist involving identity and reconciliation.[19] The novel features classic character archetypes, such as the bored housewife protagonist and a cast of supportive yet underdeveloped girlfriends and sisters, emphasizing themes of infidelity, motherhood, and female friendship in a wry, engaging narrative that blends humor with emotional tension.[19] Reception was positive for its accessible chick lit style, with reviewers praising its funny, well-written take on familiar tropes, though noting some predictability; it earned a 4.5-star rating and was lauded as an enchanting entry into women's fiction.[19][20] By her 2011 novel The Beach Café, Diamond's style began evolving toward more feel-good, location-driven stories infused with greater emotional depth, marking a shift from the urban domestic drama of her debut to escapist tales of personal reinvention.[21] The plot centers on Evie Flynn, the perennial black sheep of her family, who inherits a dilapidated beach café in Cornwall from her late aunt Jo, prompting her to relocate from London, confront family secrets, and rebuild her life amid the coastal setting's charm and challenges.[21] This work highlights Diamond's growing emphasis on resilient female leads navigating loss and new beginnings, with vivid descriptions of the Cornish landscape enhancing the narrative's uplifting tone and romantic subplots.[22] Reviewers noted its witty, romantic, and escapist qualities, appreciating the first-person narration for its relatability and emotional resonance, which broadened her appeal beyond pure chick lit.[23] Diamond's signature style emerged in these early works as warm, humorous prose centered on relatable female protagonists facing life's transitions, characterized by honest portrayals of love, family, and friendship's complexities.[3] Her background in London publishing, where she worked post-graduation from Leeds University, influenced this development by honing her skills in tight pacing and natural dialogue, drawing from industry insights to craft snappy, character-driven exchanges that feel authentic and propel the plot forward.[2] This evolution reflected her transition from children's literature under pseudonyms to adult fiction, allowing her to infuse personal experiences of motherhood and change into a voice that balances levity with heartfelt introspection.[3]Major Themes and Bestselling Works
Lucy Diamond's adult novels are characterized by recurring themes of family dynamics, deep friendships, second chances, and the allure of coastal or escapist settings that provide opportunities for personal renewal. These elements are often interwoven with humor and emotional realism, allowing her to tackle real-life issues such as divorce, career transitions, and loss in a relatable and uplifting manner. For instance, her stories frequently depict characters navigating relational complexities and self-discovery, emphasizing the resilience found in human connections and the transformative power of forgiveness.[3][24] Among her most successful works, Summer at Shell Cottage (2015) exemplifies these themes through the Tarrant family's disrupted seaside holiday in Devon, where the sudden death of the patriarch uncovers long-buried secrets, prompting reflections on grief, loyalty, and familial bonds amid the soothing coastal backdrop. Similarly, The Secrets of Happiness (2016) delves into sisterhood and the illusions of contentment, following stepsisters Rachel and Becca as they exchange glimpses into each other's seemingly disparate lives—one marked by professional success and stability, the other by artistic freedom and instability—revealing shared vulnerabilities and the pursuit of authentic joy. These novels highlight Diamond's skill in using escapist locales to mirror internal emotional journeys.[25] Diamond's bestsellers, contributing to her overall sales of over 2.5 million books worldwide, include One Night in Italy (2014), a warm tale of three women whose enrollment in an Italian language class leads to blossoming friendships, romantic entanglements, and revelations about heritage and identity, appealing to readers through its blend of cultural escape and heartfelt connections. Anything Could Happen (2022) captures the essence of second chances with single mother Lara's life turning upside down upon reconnecting with a past love, exploring themes of unexpected opportunities, family reconfiguration, and embracing change with wit and optimism. Likewise, An Almost Perfect Holiday (2020) interlaces the stories of three families vacationing together, focusing on friendship's role in overcoming personal crises like marital strains and parental doubts, underscoring hope and communal support in idyllic settings. In her 2020s works, such as The Promise (2020), The Best Days of Our Lives (2023), I Remember Paris (2024), and The Island Getaway (2025), Diamond continues to emphasize emotional recovery and relational promises amid loss, as seen in narratives of families confronting hidden truths, reflecting on life's joys, and finding renewal in escapist destinations like Paris and the Greek islands.[26][5][15][27]Awards and Critical Reception
Diamond's novel Sweet Temptations was shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance in 2011.[28] Her works have achieved significant commercial success, with Diamond recognized as a Sunday Times bestselling author across multiple titles.[3] Many of her books, including The Beach Café, have been adapted into audiobooks, narrated by prominent actors such as Sally Phillips.[29] Critics have praised Diamond for her engaging and relatable storytelling. In a 2007 Guardian article, her debut adult novel Any Way You Want Me was described as "racy" and fast-paced, highlighting its bold narrative style.[30] Reviewers often commend her uplifting narratives and well-drawn characters, noting their emotional depth and humor in exploring everyday relationships.[31] On reader platforms like Goodreads, Diamond's adult novels consistently receive strong reception, with average ratings hovering around 3.9 to 4.0 out of 5 for key titles such as The Beach Café (3.9/5 from over 14,000 ratings) and Summer with My Sister (4.0/5 from over 3,000 ratings).[32][33]Children's Literature
Key Series Under Real Name
Under her real name, Sue Mongredien, she has authored over 100 children's books, many forming popular series that emphasize fun, friendship, and empowering adventures for young readers aged 6-10.[34][35] One of her earliest and most notable contributions is to The Sleepover Club series, to which she contributed starting in 1996 and continued through 2007, writing at least eight titles in the collection of over 30 books overall.[10][9] Aimed at girls aged 7-10, the series follows five friends—Frankie, Kenny, Lyndz, Fliss, and Rosie—who form a club centered on weekly sleepovers filled with mischief, school challenges, and bonding experiences that highlight themes of loyalty and self-confidence.[36] Examples include Sleepover Girls Go Snowboarding (2004), where the group tackles a ski trip adventure, and The Sleepover Club at the Carnival (2005), featuring festive escapades and problem-solving.[37][38] Mongredien also contributed multiple titles to the bestselling Rainbow Magic series in the 2000s, writing under the collective pseudonym Daisy Meadows alongside other authors like Narinder Dhami and Linda Chapman.[39][40] This fairy-themed collection, targeted at children aged 5-8, involves human girls Kirsty and Rachel aiding colorful fairies in recovering magical items from the villainous Jack Frost, promoting values like bravery and teamwork through whimsical, magical quests. She contributed multiple titles to the Rainbow Fairies subset, helping the series exceed 200 titles globally.[41] Other key series under her real name include the Oliver Moon series (12 books, 2006-2012), a humorous magical academy tale for ages 7-9 about a young wizard navigating spells and school life, and The Secret Mermaid (12 books, 2009-2013), an underwater adventure series for girls aged 6-9 following a mermaid princess protecting her ocean realm from threats.[42][10] Additionally, the Frightful Families series (7 books, 2000s) delivers spooky yet lighthearted family holiday stories for ages 7-10, blending mystery with everyday fun to encourage imaginative play.[9] These works, alongside standalones like picture books in The Magic Key series, underscore Mongredien's focus on accessible, character-driven narratives that inspire young readers' creativity. Mongredien has not published new children's books since 2013, focusing instead on her adult fiction under the Lucy Diamond pen name (as of 2025).[35][43]Transition Between Genres
Sue Mongredien began her writing career in the late 1990s with children's books, while employed in the publishing industry, where she edited children's titles at Random House. Her early works included contributions to popular series such as The Sleepover Club, which she penned alongside her day job, establishing her as a prolific author in the young readers' genre. This period marked the foundation of her professional trajectory, focusing on accessible, adventure-filled narratives aimed at pre-teens.[10] Throughout the 2000s, Mongredien continued producing children's literature under her real name, overlapping with the inception of her adult fiction endeavors; for instance, she authored multiple Sleepover Club installments during this decade while experimenting with more mature themes in personal writing projects. This dual-track approach allowed her to hone her skills across audiences, but as her adult stories delved into complex relational dynamics, she sought to delineate her output clearly. By 2007, with the publication of her debut adult novel Any Way You Want Me, she adopted the pen name Lucy Diamond to distinguish her women's fiction from her children's works, citing the surname's ease of spelling and pronunciation as practical reasons, alongside the need to shield young readers from the edgier content of her adult narratives.[2][44][45] In interviews, Diamond has reflected on the stylistic shifts required between genres, noting that children's books demand simpler, plot-driven stories with straightforward resolutions, whereas her adult fiction explores intricate emotional landscapes, such as the ambivalent intensities of motherhood that inspired her first novel. She has described this transition as liberating, allowing her to channel personal experiences into deeper character studies without the constraints of age-appropriate content, though she maintained simultaneous output in both for several years to sustain her career momentum. This strategic separation enabled her to build distinct readerships, with children's titles emphasizing fun and friendship, contrasted against the relational complexities and personal growth motifs in her Lucy Diamond bibliography.[45][2]Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Lucy Diamond, whose real name is Sue Mongredien, is married and together they have three children born within a four-year span. As of 2025, she lives with her husband in Bath, their family home, while their children are now grown and have left home.[2] Diamond's family life has profoundly shaped the themes of motherhood and relationships in her novels, drawing directly from her personal experiences of parenting's complexities. She has described channeling the intense joys and frustrations of early motherhood—such as feeling trapped by daily routines yet deeply loving her children—into her writing to explore these emotions on the page. This inspiration emerged particularly during her time as a full-time mother to a one-year-old daughter and infant son, when she began articulating the bewilderment, surprises, and dualities of family bonds without spoiling specific narratives.[45][2] In public interviews, Diamond has shared insights on balancing her writing with parenting, emphasizing how she integrated creative pursuits into family demands to maintain equilibrium. She started her debut novel in evening creative writing classes as an escape from childcare drudgery, later evolving her process to accommodate a busy household while prioritizing family. Diamond has positioned herself as adept at this balance, using stolen moments amid parenting to fuel her work on relational dynamics.[2][46]Current Residence and Interests
Lucy Diamond resides in Bath, England, where she has lived since relocating from previous homes in London, Oxford, and Brighton.[2][3] This move allowed her to settle into a stable environment conducive to her writing career after years of professional experience in publishing and broadcasting.[18] As a full-time author, Diamond maintains a lifestyle centered on her creative work following the phase of writing children's literature under her real name, Sue Mongredien, with her focus now primarily on adult fiction.[2] Her daily routine in Bath supports this dedication, providing a quiet base from which she produces novels while balancing personal pursuits. Her family life in Bath centers on her marriage, with her three children having grown up and left home.[2] Diamond's interests outside writing include family travel and holidays, which she enjoys as opportunities for relaxation and inspiration.[2][1] She is an avid reader, often curling up with books as a favorite pastime, and appreciates coastal beaches, reflecting her love for seaside settings. She also enjoys swimming, socializing, and attending live comedy and theatre events.[2] Additionally, she participates in local author events, such as interviews and appearances tied to literary festivals in the Bath area.[47]Bibliography
Adult Novels
Lucy Diamond's adult novels, written under her primary pen name, consist of over 20 standalone works of contemporary women's fiction, exploring themes of relationships, self-discovery, and everyday adventures. Published primarily by Pan Macmillan in the early years and later by Quercus, these novels have established her as a popular author in the genre. The following table provides a chronological overview, including publication dates, publishers, and brief plot teasers.| Title | Publication Year | Publisher | Plot Teaser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Way You Want Me | 2007 | Pan Macmillan | Sadie Turner faces a crossroads in her career and love life after a bold decision upends her world. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/any-way-you-want-me.htm |
| Over You | 2008 | Pan Macmillan | Jo Carter grapples with grief and new beginnings following the sudden loss of her husband. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/over-you.htm |
| Hens Reunited | 2009 | Pan Macmillan | Georgia and her old school friends reunite for a weekend, stirring up memories and unexpected drama. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/hens-reunited.htm |
| Sweet Temptation | 2010 | Pan Macmillan | Three women meet at a slimming club and form an unlikely friendship, supporting each other through personal challenges and self-discovery. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/sweet-temptation.htm |
| The Beach Café | 2011 | Pan Macmillan | Evie flies to her late mother's beach café in Cornwall, where she uncovers family secrets and finds purpose. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/beach-cafe.htm |
| Summer with My Sister | 2012 | Pan Macmillan | Polly heads to the seaside to help her sister, leading to reconciliation and personal revelations. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/summer-with-my-sister.htm |
| Me and Mr Jones | 2013 | Pan Macmillan | Fleur moves to the countryside for a fresh start, but her new job brings complications and intrigue. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/me-and-mr-jones.htm |
| One Night in Italy | 2014 | Pan Macmillan | Anna's search for her Italian father takes her to Rome, sparking a journey of identity and connection. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/one-night-in-italy.htm |
| The Year of Taking Chances | 2014 | Pan Macmillan | Three women from different walks of life decide to embrace risks, transforming their lives in unforeseen ways. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/year-of-taking-chances.htm |
| Summer at Shell Cottage | 2015 | Pan Macmillan | Roxanne retreats to her aunt's seaside cottage with her children, facing challenges that foster growth. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/summer-at-shell-cottage.htm |
| The Secrets of Happiness | 2016 | Quercus | Rachel searches for contentment after her perfect life unravels, discovering truths about her family. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/secrets-of-happiness.htm |
| The House of New Beginnings | 2017 | Quercus | Four strangers share a Brighton house, each starting anew amid friendships and personal hurdles. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/house-of-new-beginnings.htm |
| On a Beautiful Day | 2018 | Quercus | Laure's wedding day takes a turn, prompting her to rebuild her life with humor and resilience. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/on-a-beautiful-day.htm |
| Something to Tell You | 2018 | Quercus | Serena's life changes when her son brings home a surprise, forcing her to confront hidden aspects of her past. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/something-to-tell-you.htm |
| An Almost Perfect Holiday | 2019 | Quercus | Shan, Stevie, and Polly's long-awaited holiday together reveals underlying tensions and bonds. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/almost-perfect-holiday.htm |
| The Promise | 2021 | Quercus | Ruth keeps a deathbed promise to her friend, leading to an emotional journey across continents. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/promise.htm |
| Anything Could Happen | 2021 | Quercus | Jess returns home for a family event, where surprises and reconciliations unfold. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/anything-could-happen.htm |
| The Best Days of Our Lives | 2023 | Quercus | Childhood friends reunite after 25 years, reflecting on how life has shaped their paths. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/lucy-diamond/best-days-of-our-lives.htm |
| I Remember Paris | 2024 | Quercus | Cressida travels to Paris to meet her birth mother, revisiting memories that alter her outlook. [48] |
| The Island Getaway | 2025 | Quercus | Chloe escapes to a Greek island for her honeymoon alone, finding unexpected camaraderie and self-reflection. [49] |