Emergency Exit Only [Bolinda]

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Description

No evacuation plan, no safety net. Amelia's quitting her monotonous nine-to-five to find her fantasy job.

But a shocking secret from the past shows her that where there's smoke, there's fire ...

And sometimes you have to run back into the burning building to save yourself.

A funny, big-hearted story about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, confronting uncomfortable truths and being grateful for the people in your life.

A hilarious, heart-warming story from the author of Terms of Inheritance.

Thirty-five-year-old accountant Amelia Harris has played it safe all her life - but when a minor accident lands her in hospital, she dramatically quits the tedious office job she's been working at for over a decade.

Once the exhilaration of the moment is over, she quickly realises she needs another job - and soon. But when her eccentric mother, Toni, asks her what she wants to do, Amelia is at even more of a loss.

Out of sheer desperation, Amelia sets out to try her hand at the dream jobs she's always fantasised about.

Soon she's shadowing an exciting cast of characters and professions - as a journalist, a florist, a wedding planner, a zookeeper, and more. Life couldn't be more thrilling, especially when she realises she's met the man of her dreams.

But when Toni drops a truth bomb about the death of Amelia's father when she was eight years old, Amelia's whole world tilts on its axis. As she struggles with the truth about her family, she finds herself at a crossroads and her relationships begin to splinter, with her mother, her friends, and even with her new found love.

Meanwhile, each new job starts taking on a life of its own. Has she created a monster Suddenly the calm and quiet of her previous life is starting to look very attractive indeed.

But as she's about to find out, where there's smoke, there's fire, and sometimes you have to run back into the burning building to save yourself.

PRAISE FOR TERMS OF INHERITANCE

'A delightful debut from an exciting new voice in Australian fiction' Rachael Johns

'A touching family drama with deft moments of heartache, humour and warmth' Nicola Moriarty

'A darkly funny tale about the meaning of family and the meaning of life. A delight to read!' Petronella McGovern

'Moving, funny and sharp ... A a gorgeous novel for all mothers and daughters' Kelli Hawkins

'Funny, warm and wise ... What a joy' Meredith Jaffe

'A joyful rollercoaster ride about ambition, determination, honesty and the shifting dynamics of a family' Cass Moriarty

'Witty, warm and wise ... An uplifting story about family life as our biggest challenge and our greatest comfort.' Sara Foster

Author Bio

Michelle Upton writes short stories and novels that examine our darkest fears and shine a light on hope and possibility. Born in Birmingham, England, she emigrated to Australia in 2007 and is now proud to call herself Australian. She has a Bachelor (Hons) degree in Literature with Psychology, and before having children, she was a primary school teacher. Michelle has had two short stories longlisted in the Australian Writers' Centre's Furious Fiction competition, and three of her short stories have won honourable mentions in the American Women on Writing competition. Her short story 'Relentless' was shortlisted and published in the 2013 Redlands Redlitzer Anthology. She lives in Brisbane with her family.