Vanessa Beaumont studied Classics at Oxford University before joining Short Books, the independent publisher in London, where she was Commissioning Editor for 8 years, editing both fiction and non-fiction. She co-ran the literary agency Prentice Beaumont, before deciding to take the reckless decision to embark on a novel. She lives between West London and Northumberland, and is am married with three children.
'A heartbreaking story of the damage created by a loveless marriage, interleaved with the senseless, wide-reaching devastation of war. A beautiful evocation of grief’s impact on our ability to love and to trust.' Lucy Jago, author of A Net for Small Fishes 'Heartrending and unputdownable… this is a rich, beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and marriage, the push and pull of passion and duty, family and love. Utterly compelling…' Imogen Edwards-Jones, The Sunday Times bestselling author of The Witches of St. Petersburg 'A sparkling journey through the interwar years, and a heartbreaking and powerful climax... A wonderful novel, full of life.' Lucy Ashe, author of Clara & Olivia 'Tenderly drawn and poignant to its core – I needed to come up for breath before I plunged back in for this is a brilliant, immersive and compelling story.' Mary Chamberlain, author of The Dressmaker of Dachau 'Thanks to Vanessa Beaumont's formidable skill in depicting a union gone to hell and the consequences of grief that only a mother can feel, The Other Side of Paradise is its own triumph.' Air Mail 'Beautifully written... An intricately woven story of motherhood, marriage and the push and pull of duty makes for a real page-turner. The fluidity with which Vanessa weaves her story and characters is mesmerising. North East Lifestyle Magazine, 4* review