Book 2.5


A short story set in the world of Lauren James's Next Together series.

Featuring the much-loved protagonists Clove and Ella, Another Beginning is a companion story to The Last Beginning, set during the siege of Carlisle in 1745.

“Elenore Walker, ancient literature thief. It makes an odd sort of sense, actually,” Clove said.

Clove is working as a maid in the Finchley household while she spies on Katherine Finchley and Matthew Galloway. But her mission is briefly interrupted when fellow maid Ella persuades her to help steal a valuable historical document from the main defence in the city - the castle. The two girls embark on a risky adventure involving scaling castle walls and hiding in the most unlikely of places! A fast-paced and fun read, perfect for Lauren James's existing fans, and readers who enjoy historical fiction and romance.

Includes the first chapter of Lauren James's third novel, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe.


A standalone short story set in the world of The Next Together

“Perfect for holidays” – Marie Claire “Are you absolutely certain this is safe?” Matthew Galloway asked. A short story of intrigue and murder set in the world of The Next Together series. Winter, 1940: there is a murderer on the loose at Bletchley Park, the headquarters of Britain’s most daring codebreaking operation against the Nazis. Can two young codebreakers Kitty and Matthew catch the killer? This standalone short story can be enjoyed by new readers and existing fans of Lauren James’s The Next Together series.


The Next Together

by Lauren James

Published 20 August 2015

How many times can you lose the person you love? High-concept romance from debut writer Lauren James.

A powerful and epic debut novel about fate and the timelessness of first love. Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again. Each time their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. How many times can you lose the person you love? For Matthew and Katherine it is again and again, over and over, century after century. But why do they keep coming back? How many times must they die to save the world? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different…


The Last Beginning

by Lauren James

Published 6 October 2016
The epic conclusion to Lauren James's debut The Next Together about true love and reincarnation.

Sixteen years ago, after a scandal that rocked the world, teenagers Katherine and Matthew vanished without a trace. Now Clove Sutcliffe is determined to find her long lost relatives.

But where do you start looking for a couple who seem to have been reincarnated at every key moment in history? Who were Kate and Matt? Why were they born again and again? And who is the mysterious Ella, who keeps appearing at every turn in Clove's investigation?

For Clove, there is a mystery to solve in the past and a love to find in the future, and failure could cost the world everything.