Ellie and the Harpmaker

By: Hazel Prior

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan, Philip Battley

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A rich, heartwarming, and charming debut novel that reminds us that sometimes you find love in the most unexpected places.

Dan Hollis lives a happy, solitary life carving exquisite Celtic harps in his barn in the countryside of the English moors. Here, he can be himself, away from social situations that he doesn’t always get right or completely understand.

On the anniversary of her beloved father’s death, Ellie Jacobs takes a walk in the woods and comes across Dan’s barn. She is enchanted by his collection. Dan gives her a harp made of cherrywood to match her cherry socks. He stores it for her, ready for whenever she’d like to take lessons.

Ellie begins visiting Dan almost daily and quickly learns that he isn’t like other people. He makes her sandwiches precisely cut into triangles and repeatedly counts the (17) steps of the wooden staircase to the upstairs practice room. Ellie soon realizes Dan isn’t just different; in many ways, his world is better, and he gives her a fresh perspective on her own life.

©2019 Hazel Prior (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“How I loved this book! An uncommonly lovely story told with elegance, insight, and so much heart. Hazel Prior’s brilliant debut will delight.” (Kristan Higgins, New York Times best-selling author of Good Luck With That)

"A beautiful love song of a story, wonderfully told with a warm heart and much hope. Hazel Prior’s writing is a lyrical delight.” (Phaedra Patrick, international best-selling author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper)

“Prior’s debut resonates with a clear voice, depicting love evolving from a friendship based upon genuine acts of kindness.... Ellie and Dan, both delightful, down-to-earth characters, selflessly put each other’s needs ahead of their own, and fans of fast-paced romantic stories will enjoy watching them discover true happiness together." (Publishers Weekly)