MEG CABOT

Insatiable (2010)

With the plethora of paranormal (vampire) fiction, it's hard to find one that has the elements of mystic, romance and originality - but Meg Cabot has hit the spot. At first glance, it probably might seem like another soapy romantic story of a depressed vampire boy meeting an ordinary human girl but Insatiable goes beyond that. It narrates the story of Meena Harper, a dialogue writer for a soap opera called Insatiable, who subsequently finds herself in a series of frustrating events - losing her well-deserved promotion, compromising the storyline to meet the demands of sponsorship, and having to deal with her next-door neighbour trying to fix her up with a new man. To others, Meena comes across as a normal woman dealing with the messed- up realities of her life. But she has the supernatural ability to see the demise of people around her and Meena goes all the way to prevent these events from happening - until she meets a young immigrant woman whose incoming death becomes the igniting factor of the story. Lucien Antonescu, a 500-year-old vampire, is more than just a bloodsucking machine - he's the son of Dracula and the new Prince of Darkness. When a series of vampire killings strike New York, Lucien leaves his teaching job and hometown behind, determined to stop the carnage and find the culprit before another woman is killed. But his mission is not without obstruction as Alaric Wulf, who works for the Palatine Guard, thinks that Lucien is behind all of it. I absolutely loved the first half of the story, where the tension started to build up and the relationship between Meena and Lucien raised questions about the possibility of a vampire-human romance and how it came to be a threat to her loved ones. But somehow I was a little bit disappointed by the second half of the story as it seemed to be a little scattered and predictable. (XT)

Queen of Babble (2006)

Lizzie Nichols is a blabbermouth: she just can't keep anything to herself. She heads to England to be with Andrew who rescued her from a dorm fire. But things don't work out when she blabs about him working while he's on the dole. Next Lizzie finds herself on a train in France, where she plans to meet up with best friend Shari and her boyfriend Chaz, who are helping out with wedding catering at a chateau. Telling all her woes to a fellow passenger, she then discovers that he is the chateau owner's son. Opening her big mouth keeps getting her in trouble at the chateau - until once it may just help her save the day?

Queen of Babble in the Big City (2007)

In this sequel to Queen of Babble, Lizzie Nichols is back from her holiday in France, in New York looking for a fashion job and an affordable apartment with best friend Shari. When boyfriend Luke asks her to live with him in his mother's Fifth Avenue apartment, Lizzie decides that solves one of her problems - especially as her job hunt is proving harder than she expected. To break into the wedding gown restoration field, she offers to work for nothing, so must also takes on a paying job as a receptionist at a prestigious law firm. There she meets Jill Higgins, a society bride whose mother-in-law is forcing her to wear a hideous, too-small, tartan gown. Can Lizzie save her day, get her own man to commit and find out why Shari is being so bad-tempered?

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (2008)

When Luke arrives unexpectedly on her doorstep with a marriage proposal, Lizzie accepts . . . then has to hurriedly get rid of his best friend Chaz, who'd spent the night. For a wedding gown restorer, who's used to dealing with the whirl of weddings, Lizzie sure seems to be a reluctant bride. As she throws herself into making a wedding dress for discount store heiress and paparazzi target Ava Geck, Lizzie finds she breaks out in hives whenever she thinks about her own big day. Even Chaz and her best friend Shari think she shouldn't be with Luke. And what chance do they have when the groom-to-be has returned to France to work for his uncle's investment banking firm. Although life seems to be on the up for Lizzie, this book puts the series into a downward spiral. Maybe it's fortunate that it's time for the Queen of Babble to get ditched!

Size 12 Is Not Fat (2006)

For Heather Wells, proclaiming her individuality was the biggest mistake. It made her lose almost everything - her life savings, a recording contract, her heart-throb boyfriend. But she soon settles into a job as an assistant residence hall director at the New York College to pay off her tuition fees; while living with her ex's private eye brother, Cooper, whose charms she finds it hard to resist. When girls from the dorm start turning up dead, Heather decides to investigate. Can she solve the crime before she ends up being one of the victims? (XT)

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (2006)

In this sequel to Size 12 is Not Fat, just as Heather Wells thought that the year would get better (after her near-death experience last year), a series of problems pop out of nowhere: her dad arrives on her doorstep hoping to move in; ex-fiance Jordan Cartwright comes back to declare his undying love for her and the head of a cheerleader is found among the pots of the residence's cafeteria. Once again, her heroine nature comes to the fore as she tries to crack the case, along with her hot landlord (and crush) Cooper. Can Heather save the day and set things straight? (XT)

Big Boned (2007)

The last book in the Heather Wells series. With a fetching, athletic assistant math professor, Tad, as her boyfriend and her dad finally moving out, Heather seems to be having some of the best moments of her life. But the latest murder victim in "Death Dorm" happens to be her new boss, Dr Owen Veatch, and the finger of suspicion is pointed at the would-be boyfriend of her graduate assistant. Will Heather be able to find the murderer, answer Tad's important question, make Cooper realise that she's the one for him, and most importantly save her own skin? (XT)

Every Boy's Got One (2005)

Jane Harris, a famous cartoonist, is going to Italy to be maid of honour in her best friend Holly's wedding. Mark and Holly are eloping to Italy because their parents do not approve of their relationship. Jane is a romantic and knows that Mark and Holly are perfect for each other and will live happily ever after. Cal Langdon, best selling non-fiction author, is the best man. He doesn't believe in love or the concept of marriage and thinks Mark and Holly are making a mistake. With Jane and Cal despising each other from the start, Jane is determined not to allow his negative views of love and marriage sabotage the upcoming nuptials. This novel is a fast read using travel journals and e-mails to tell the story. (AO)

She Went All the Way (2002)

Hollywood screenwriter Lou Calabrese has just been dumped by her boyfriend of 10 years. To make matters worse, she is stuck in a helicopter with gorgeous Hollywood playboy Jack Townsend, star of her screenplay and the man whose ex just ran off with Lou's boyfriend. In the middle of their flight, the pilot attempts to kill Jack and the helicopter crashes in the Alaskan wilderness. Jack and Lou must now find their way back to civilisation, with Lou determined that she is not going to give in to the sexy star. (AO)

The Guy Next Door (2002)

In this prequel to Boy Meets Girl, with the story told in email format, Melissa Fuller, social writer at the New York Journal, is almost on the brink of losing her job. One day she is late to work again (her 37th time this year) because she finds her elderly neighbour has been the victim of a violent intruder. She contacts the woman's nephew, Max Friedlander, to tell him to look after the cats and dog. Since Max doesn't want to end his vacation with a supermodel nor be written out of his aunt's will if she comes out of her coma, he asks a friend, John Trent, a crime reporter on a different New York newspaper, to pretend to be him and live at the apartment. What will happen when Mel finds out that the cute nephew isn't who she thinks he is?

Boy Meets Girl (2000)

Kate McKenzie's life isn't going according to plan - she's sleeping on her best friend's couch, she's broken up with her musician boyfriend and she works for Tyrannical Office Despot Amy Jenkins in the human resources department of the New York Journal. It may seem like things can't get any worse . . . but they can. When Kate is forced to sack Ida Lopez, one of the most popular staff members, she gets caught up in a legal fight. But maybe lawyer Mitch Hertzog will prove a bright light on the horizon. The story is told by written communication, ie letters and emails.

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LISA CACH

Have Glass Slippers, Will Travel (2005)

Unemployed tech writer Katy Orville decides to pursue her dream of finding her Prince Charming by flying to London. At a society wedding, the American bumps into a dark, handsome farmer by the name of William Eland, who is actually a duke in disguise. However Katy only has eyes for his cousin, Trevor, also known as Lord Stanley, a charming yet philandering man. But when a series of events precede her dates with Trevor, and Will becomes the one who always seem to be around and protecting her, Katy starts to realise that she has been looking for love in all the wrong places. Will she get the fairytale ending she dreams of? (XT)

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COLETTE CADDLE

The Secrets We Keep (2009)

Erin runs The Gatehouse guesthouse in the village of Dunbarra. Many of her guests show signs of never wanting to leave - from PJ, who helps out in her market garden; and Hazel, the shy artist with a young daughter who never speaks; to gossipy American Sandra who has just broken up with her husband. In fact, it seems all the guests are hiding something. Then Erin's friend, restaurateur Marguerite, asks if her half-brother, Hollywood actor Sebastian Gray, can stay. It seems he needs a retreat while he recovers from a breakdown. Despite dating a local farmer, Erin finds herself attracted to the moody actor. But will he trust her enough to reveal what has happened to him? This is a slow-paced book but all the guests' secrets eventually come tumbling out. Most did take me by surprise but unfortunately by that stage I didn't really care what happened to the characters.

Between the Sheets (2008)

Best-selling romance novelist Dana De Lacey finds she can't focus on her writing when husband Gus walks out, without explanation. Instead of finishing off The Mile High Club, a novel that comes at a crucial turning point in her career, she instead finds herself drawn to her past, detailing her miserable home life with her controlling father, Irish poet Conall O'Carroll. Will resolving her past - including the unexpected appearance of her estranged brother Ed - help her move ahead to a brighter future - and will it be with or without Gus?

Forever FM (2002)

Three women are brought together through a Dublin radio station. Recruitment consultant Linda helps the station's boss, Jonathan, find his staff but he has a proposal for her to help her recover from the shock of discovering her husband, Patrick, has been having an affair for years. Carrie was Patrick's secretary who quit when she found out what he'd been up to so Linda recommends her for a researcher role on the station's new late-night talk show. Her boyfriend Declan is pleased about the pay rise but not so much about her late hours. Glamorous DJ Maeve isn't so sure the program format is going to be a success. She's always seen at all the right parties with different men on her arm but maybe the right man has been under her nose all this time.

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MEREDITH CAGEN

Size Eight in a Size Zero World (2009)

Meet Lindsay: She's a mother of two with a husband, Grant, who is less than thankful for her hard work and dedication. Between taking care of the kids, working all day in the office, and taking endless phone calls from Grant to pick up his dry cleaning, Lindsay has barely enough time and energy in the day for herself. Lindsay's relationship with her husband leaves much to be desired - in fact, it leaves a relationship to be desired. Grant has no problem telling Lindsay that she isn't good enough and the last time he spent any time with the kids, well let's just say, it has been a long, long time. When a handsome man in her building catches Lindsay's eye, she can't help but notice the goosebumps that are appearing all over her body. Soon a relationship develops between Lindsay and "The Man" that will take Lindsay on a journey that is both terrifying and awakening. This book is relatable for anyone who has ever been in a relationship where the sweet words of a man have made your heart believe things your mind never would. Through her relationship with The Man, Lindsay embarks on a personal journey that has her reevaluating her life, herself and the people she surrounds herself with. (JE)

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LAURA CALDWELL

A Clean Slate (2003)

Kelly McGraw simply can't remember the past five months of her life. She finds her boyfriend Ben now has a new girlfriend and she's lost her job as a financial analyst. The drycleaner's misplaced her clothes, the key won't fit in the door of her town house and she keeps getting headaches. With her best friend Laney helping her piece together her life, Kelly finds she can start again with a clean slate. But first she needs to remember what bad news triggered her memory loss.

Burning The Map (2002)

Casey Evers has been on track with everything in her life so far - college, boyfriend, law school - and has all the right professional contacts. But something is missing. Casey isn't who she was two years ago and she can't figure out why she just isn't happy. With her two best friends, Kat and Lindsey, in tow, Casey sets out for one last vacation to Rome and Greece before she starts working long hours as a lawyer. After some drama on the trip, Casey reconnects with the person she once was and in turn, finds her own happiness. (MY)

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TESS CALLAHAN

April & Oliver (2009)

The sudden death of Buddy brings two longtime childhood friends Oliver and Alice back to their hometown, East Coast, and also back into each others' lives. Once inseparable, they have diverged along different paths, losing themselves along the way. Oliver has settled for a stable career in law, burying his once burning passion for music. Wild child Alice, inflicted with the scars of sexual abuse, continues living her life in despair and fear. As Oliver tries to intervene, wanting to save Alice from her misery, he realises that he has more to deal with. An intense and provoking read about a complicated relationship and with its unexpected twists and turns, it got me hooked from the start until the end. (XT)

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ELLIE CAMPBELL

The pen-name of sisters Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell

When Good Friends Go Bad (2009)

Jen, Meg, Georgina and Rowan became firm friends at school in the 1980s. But after an escapade went awry, they all went their separate ways. They had one tense reunion 12 years later, when Rowan - the shyest of them all - asked the girls to meet her one night but never showed up. Now in the present day, free-spirited single mum Meg has got back in touch, asking Jen and Georgina for help tracking down Rowan over a 'life or death' matter. Georgina now runs a successful fashion business with her husband, while Jen is in the midst of a divorce. But what ever happened to Rowan? As the three women join forces to find their old friend, all sorts of secrets from the past surface. You'll need to keep your wits about you as the first few chapters swing between the three time periods. But as it develops, the storyline will keep you guessing all the way through to one gripping confrontation.

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REBECCA CAMPBELL

The Favours and Fortunes of Katie Castle (2002)

Also known as Slave to Fashion

Katie Castle has worked her way into the job of her dreams, working for fashion designer Penny Moss. She snags not only a chic town house in London's Primrose Hill but also a fiancé in the form of the boss' son, Ludo. But a quick tumble with a delivery driver sees her lose her job, fiancé and flat in one foul swoop. Can Katie turn her fortunes around and manoeuvre her way back into the fashion world?

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MARGO CANDELA

More Than This (2008)

Evelyn Morgan Reed-Sinclair and Alexander Velazquez first lock eyes through a train window. He's a lawyer from a working-class background, while she's from a prestigious family trying to make it on her own. Evelyn has fled Paris and her life as an art student after being confronted by her married lover's wife. Back in San Francisco, she is loath to live the pampered life of her socialite sister, Tannin, so she takes on an assistant's job at the web company where her friend, James, works. Alexander is back in town after losing his job and breaking up with his girlfriend. As the son of a union activist, he reluctantly takes on the case of a wealthy widow being sued by her underpaid staff. Evelyn and Alexander watch each other through their office windows and their paths nearly cross several times as events play out over a 10-day period. If you love will-they-or-won't-they-meet books (and I do), then you'll find this is more than bliss.

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LOUISE CANDLISH

Other People's Secrets (2010)

Ginny and Adam have gone on holiday to Italy to help them deal with a personal tragedy. Staying in a boathouse on Lake Orta, their grief-stricken isolation is soon shaken by the arrival of a large family moving into the main villa. The head of a clothing label Marty Sale has brought his family - wife Bea and grown-up children Pippi, Dom and Esther - together at his wife's dream location. But he doesn't realise that Bea is seriously considering ending their marriage. When Pippi meets Zach, a backpacker, in town, he easily slips into their circle. But is he really just a drifter or did he have his sights set on their holiday property all along? This will appeal to readers who love a slow reveal of character connections - it's just a shame that they were all so predictable.

Before We Say Goodbye (2009)

Olivia never enjoyed a close relationship with her free-spirited mother. Not only did Maggie walk out on her family several times, Olivia also blames her for the demise of her relationship with her first love, Richie. Years later, one of Maggie's last acts before her death is to pass on Richie's address. Unable to resist seeing him again, Olivia heads to the seaside village of Millington, leaving her husband to cope for the weekend. But she soon settles into life with Richie and his young daughter Wren and finds herself unable to return to her previous existence. Will she do the unforgiveable and leave her two sons the way her mother left Olivia and her brother Dean? A moving - and sometimes disturbing - story of a mother's dilemma about whether she should put her own second chance at happiness ahead of her family.

The Second Husband (2008)

When Kate Easton's ex-husband reduces his financial support, she divides her flat to allow a tenant to move in. And Davis Calder, a tutor, seems the ideal neighbour - he's charming, quiet and he even helps her 17-year-old daughter Roxy with her French lessons. Kate is so swept up by him that when Davis proposes, she accepts. But after their wedding, she finds a diary which reveals it's not her that he loves. Unfortunately the cover line of 'There are some things a mother and daughter should never share' gives away what should have been a powerful twist.

Since I Don't Have You (2007)

At the birth of their daughters, best friends Rachel, Mariel and Jenny vow to care for each other's girls if disaster strikes. And in a mother's worst nightmare, disaster does strike when the girls are six - Rachel's daughter Emma dies and she flees her home and husband and heads to Oia, on the Greek island of Santorini, where her mother was brought up. As Rachel slowly tries to deal with her grief, she realises she owes the girls left behind - and hires a private detective, Johnny Palmer, to send updates on their progress. A moving tale of a heartbroken woman finding the will to live after her greatest loss.

The Double Life of Anna Day (2006)

Anna Day's boyfriend, Charlie, won't introduce her to his highly cultured and recently widowed mother, Meredith. So when Charlie leaves for a study program in the US, Anna hatches a plan to meet Meredith and win her over. Swapping her black advertising industry clothing for Laura Ashley florals, and nights at the pub for art gallery openings and Sunday tennis, Anna moves in on Meredith's turf - but without telling her about her relationship with Charlie. Her ultimate goal is to score an invitation to her 60th birthday party, where she'll be introduced to her son as the ideal girlfriend.

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DEBBIE CARBIN

Three Men and a Maybe (2009)

Beth spends her days waiting for the reappearance of the unrequited love of her life, Richard - even rehearsing how she will look when he walks back into her life. Richard, the boss at her training company, is currently in Portugal, in the arms of his girlfriend. With her friend Vini pushing her to find a new man, Beth goes along to speed dating where she meets nice guy Brad. Meanwhile Beth is forming an email attachment to millionaire Rupert, the Horizon Holidays chief she is wooing for a training contract. And then there's Sean, her shifty colleague who's had his eye on her since she turned blonde and the company announced it needed some new contracts - fast. Suddenly Beth is juggling more men than she can handle. This is another hilarious novel from one of the most promising new authors. Stick with it as it becomes more of a page-turner the further you get into it. Even working out the twist before it is revealed - there are lots of clues - doesn't ruin the story. Watch out for the connections to Carbin's debut novel Thanks for Nothing, Nick Maxwell. Its heroine Rachel worked for Horizon Holidays and was the mobile phone woman Rupert's friend, Hector, is talking about.

Thanks for Nothing, Nick Maxwell (2008)

Twenty-five-year-old Rachel has an affair with a work colleague, Nick, without knowing that he's only 19 years old and still lives with his mum. She later discovers she's pregnant. And the first person she tells is a stranger whose mobile phone she found. Hector turns out to be the brother-in-law of her best friend and becomes an important stabiliser in her life as she decides whether she's ready to bring a baby into the world. Rachel starts out as a self-centred, vain and shallow character, but she'll definitely grow on you as one of chick lit's favourite heroines. It has also been written in a first-person conversational style with a quirky way of switching to scenes involving others. A top debut.

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MELODY CARLSON

As Young as We Feel (2010)

Back in school four best friends formed a club called "The Four Lindas" because they each had the middle name Linda. But when high school finished, they each went their separate ways. Now they are to be reunited at their 35th school reunion. Charlotte went on to become a Hollywood actress but it seems like she has reached the end of her stardom. Then there's Janie, a big-shot New York lawyer; Abby, the stay-at-home mum who spends most of her time between diets; and Marley, an art gallery owner who would rather be painting the pictures rather than selling them. When tragedy strikes, these four women must stick together and re-form the bond they lost so many years ago. Not only did Charlotte remind me of Samantha from Sex and the City, the story is what I would think of as Sex and the City 20 years on. The first book in the Linda series, this is a fun and enjoyable story that will have you laughing and tearing up in places - it's the ideal chick-lit novel for older women. (PP)

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JO CARNEGIE

Wild Things (2010)

In this third book in the series centred around the residents of Churchminster, matriarch Clementine is delighted to discover the village has been nominated as a finalist in Britain's Best Village contest. But she's less-than-delighted to find they're up against her smug arch-enemy Veronica, from Maplethorpe. As Clementine forms a garden party committee to ensure the village is looking its best (particularly as it's still recovering from a devastating flood), the village becomes the set for a Hollywood historical romance film. As her granddaughter Calypso is swept away by the charms of leading man Rafe, Camilla finds that her boyfriend Jed is acting out of character. Can the village triumph, particularly as vandals seem intent on wreaking havoc on the village? This falls a bit flat through the middle but all loose ends are suitably resolved by the end - some unexpectedly, others predictably. Perhaps not the wildest read of your life but may be just your thing if you want to indulge in an escapist story.

Country Pursuits (2008)

The up-market village of Churchminster is in uproar after discovering a developer has his eye on vast tracts of land for a downmarket housing estate. The villagers are united in a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign to out-bid disreputable developer Sid Sykes at auction. And Sykes' plans aren't the only sinister development - what with one of the locals turning up dead, a cloaked figure roaming around and a ghost going bump in the night at the mansion of 80s pop star Devon Cornwall. As family matriarch Clementine heads the fund-raising committee, her grand-daughters are more tied up with love matters. Caro isn't aware her arrogant City husband Sebastian is playing away; Camilla isn't sure about her uncouth farmer Angus; while it seems Calypso has given up on men totally. Just the trip if you're in the mood for a lively, irreverent rural romp with lots of name-dropping.

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GRACE CAROL

Eye to Eye (2008)

Doris and Ronnie became best friends at college in Indiana. Now they are continuing their post-education lives with Doris working as a literature professor in Atlanta and Ronnie tutoring rich kids in Los Angeles. Doris's boyfriend Zach stayed behind in Indiana to set up an old movie theatre while Ronnie's bartending boyfriend Earl headed west with her. Told in alternating chapters, Doris contends with online dating and warnings about her political teachings; while Ronnie is offered a publishing deal and has to watch out for a flirtatious barmaid who has her eye on Earl. This sequel to Flyover States is also the final title published under the Red Dress Ink imprint.

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BER CARROLL

High Potential - Ber Carroll (2007)

Katie Horgan is one of six lawyers picked for her company's High Potential path to partnership. And her hectic schedule of billing clients and working through the competitive program doesn't allow much time for a social life. But her eye is drawn to one of the other lawyers, Jim Donnelly, an Irishman who has relocated to Sydney. Katie's overseas assignment sends her to Dublin - her parents' hometown that they seem so reluctant to return to. Katie starts working with a pro bono team at a community clinic, while trying to find out what happened to her parents' families. But then an incident occurs which just may change Katie's path for good.

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CLAUDIA CARROLL

Personally, I Blame My Fairy Godmother (2010)

Jessie Woods believes in fairytales. She believes in happily-ever-afters and glass slippers - that is until her own-happily-ever-after falls apart. Jessie, having worked her way up at Channel Six, has got her own hit show called Jessie Would. So what if she has mountains of debt from spending more than she makes? So what if her gorgeous sports car has been repossessed? She still has her beautiful mansion (which she is renting and is a little too pink for her liking) and she also has a gorgeous, rich boyfriend called Sam. What else could a girl want? Well, Jessie is about to find out life isn't all warm and fuzzy when she is suddenly sacked from her cushy job after accepting a new car live on air. After becoming a tabloid magnet with loads of bad press, her darling Sam wants nothing to do with her. Neither do her so-called friends. Down and out, with no money and no home, Jessie is forced to do the unthinkable: move back home with her stepmum and awful step-sisters, Maggie and Sharon. She hasn't spoken to them in years, ever since her dad died, but with nowhere else to go, TV's former golden girl must go back to her roots. At first, Jessie is reluctant to leave the house for fear someone may notice her and alert the press. Her step-sisters just sit around watching TV all day and night and they have no social life at all and soon Jessie is joining them on the couch for hours on end. Changes are in store though when Maggie and Jessie finally break the ice and develop a friendship. When Jessie's old friend, Steve, re-emerges and offers to take a chance on Jessie when no one else will, she jumps at the opportunity to earn some money again. But things aren't always what they seem and some friends are really Jessie's biggest enemies. For this girl, the fairytale ending is the beginning of a life that is better and more fulfilling than she could have ever expected. Hilarious and heart-warming, Jessie is a character you won't soon forget. (AS)

If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back! (2009)

Charlotte Grey is in a coma after being in a car crash. She can hear everything her visitors are saying, from her mother's incessant chatter about everyday events to her sister Kate's confession about her infertility woes. Then film producer James swings by - the boyfriend her family and friends hate and the guy she had a terrible row with just before her crash. As he's telling her about how he's fallen for someone else, everything fades to white as the medical team rushes into her room. Next thing Charlotte is being greeted by her late father. But when Charlotte discovers the afterlife is more about playing cards and watching the horse racing with a bunch of geriatric relatives, she signs up for angel training. She heads back to earth as a ghost-like angel - and since only James can hear her, the devilish side of Charlotte begins to mess with his mind. But maybe she can also help those she loves, including Kate and her best friend Fiona.

Do You Want to Know a Secret? (2008)

Successful PR agent Vicky is single - but doesn't want to be. Her friend Barbara wants to be a lauded actress - but is struggling to win a part in a commercial. And mother of four Laura is counting down the days till she can get back to her natural habitat, the courtroom. When Vicky is given an old book which promotes the Law of Attraction - you can get anything you want if you just ask the universe for it - the three women form a group to help each other get their greatest desires. For Vicky that means going out on the prowl with femme fatale Barbara. And soon she's attracting all sorts of men, including Eager Eddie, who can't take no for an answer; and Ex-Files Peter, who talks so much about his ex that Vicky could write her biography. But why isn't the law of attraction working on her latest client? Carroll sure knows the secret of easy-reading chick lit.

I Never Fancied Him Anyway (2007)

Cassandra has been able to predict the future since she was a little girl and she is used to others asking her what is in store for them. Sometimes, she has good news for them; other times what she sees is disturbing. Despite being able to predict everyone else's future, she has never been able to see anything about her own. However, one quick flash late at night shows her that her friend Charlene has met a handsome man at a club but that man is going to end up with her. Of course, she doesn't really have the time to worry about her vision as she is busy with her popular column at Tattle magazine and the piles upon piles of people writing in to ask what she sees in their futures. When Charlene drops the bombshell that she has met The One, Cassandra has to act surprised. Jack is a huge television producer and he wants Cassandra to come on his morning show The Breakfast Club. Her segment is a huge hit ... that is until Jack walks into the studio and she blanks out completely. She can predict nothing when he is around, which has never happened to her before. Throw in another smarmy television producer and a gang of Charlene's trust fund friends and you've got quite a story. With many comic moments and beautifully crafted characters, this is one book you'll want to read all the way through without putting it down. (AS)

The Last of the Great Romantics (2005)

In this sequel to He Loves Me Not . . . He Loves Me, Portia, newly married to Andrew, is turning her ancestral home Davenport Hall into a country hotel. With the Irish president on hand to open the hotel and his daughter, Eleanor, deciding to hold her society wedding to a soccer star there, the new venture's success seems assured. But then a death, the arrival of a stranger, a job transfer and a flirtatious groom combine to throw a spanner in the works.

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LESLIE CARROLL

Choosing Sophie (2008)

Former burlesque dancer Venus de Marley (aka Olivia) finds out only by reading the New York Times obituaries that her estranged father has died. Leaving her fiancé in Colorado, she heads home for the funeral and discovers the eccentric millionaire has left her his beloved baseball team, the Bronx Cheers, as long as she 'closes the circle'. Also attending the funeral is 20-year-old Sophie Ashe, who Olivia adopted out as a baby - she thinks that their bonding is what he meant by closing the circle. As Sophie moves in, Olivia fights a legal challenge, puts the players in a raspberry-coloured uniform and drafts some new talent. There's lots of baseball jargon but it helps pull you into the drama of a game. But it was a bit disconcerting to see that famous team sometimes referred to as Red Sock. Also suggest you skip the conclusion offered in the Extra Innings part of the book.

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MARY CARTER

Accidentally Engaged (2007)

Psychic Clair Ivars has a flair for reading tarot cards yet has a blind spot when it comes to predicting her own future. Particularly her love life - she's been married three times. When bride-to-be Rachel demands a reading that says her marriage to winemaker Jack Heron will be a disaster, Clair complies and is left with the engagement ring to return to Jack. Somehow Clair finds herself pretending to be engaged to Jack but she can't keep her eyes off his business partner.

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EVA CASSADY

The Adultery Diet (2007)

Home magazine writer Eva is asked by her publisher to contact Michael Foresman, a former boyfriend who is now an award-winning architect, for an interview. And so begins their flirtation by email, even though Eva realises that in person Michael would barely recognise her as the young girl he knew back then. She is now 44, overweight, and is married to book editor David with a college-age daughter Chloe living in France. Eva begins to prepare for the day when she'll meet up with Michael again. Through good old-fashioned dieting and exercise, the pounds drop away - but will she also transform herself into an adulteress? A Jemima J for middle-aged, married women.

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EMILY CASSEL

Post Grad (2009)

Ryden Malby has just graduated college and has her life planned out - from the perfect job that she is certainly going to get to the perfect apartment that she will be moving into. But things don't go as planned for Ryden and she doesn't understand why. After getting beaten by her nemesis, Jessica, for the perfect job, Ryden goes on a string of interviews and is turned down for each one. On top of being obviously unemployable, Ryden has been forced to move back home and deal with her crazy family: her wacky, try-anything father who is always thinking up plans to start a new at-home business that never really takes him in the direction he wants; her very strange but comical little brother Hunter, who enjoys licking the heads of kids at school; her grandmother Maureen, who is obsessed with her own death; and her very patient, even-tempered mother who rounds out the nutty clan. With her hands full at home, Ryden hates the fact that her life has not turned out as planned. The only person she can turn to is childhood friend Adam, who always makes everything better. When Ryden's luck suddenly changes one morning after spending the night waiting to bail her father from jail, she realises that everything she thought she wanted may not be what she needs. Post Grad tells a great story of life after college and has many laugh-out-loud moments. This is a movie tie-in novel for the film starring Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) as Ryden. (AS)

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FIONA CASSIDY

Anyone for Me? (2010)

Thirty-four-year-old Ruby is about to marry her love Luke but first she would like some answers about her birth mother - like where did she inherit her fiery-red hair and fiery-hot temper. But Ruby's widowed mother, Isobel, is very unwilling to talk about the adoption and tries to steer her away from delving into the past. As Ruby deals with her upcoming nuptials - assisted by her flamboyant hired help Gabriel and her bridesmaid Frankie (from Cassidy's debut novel Anyone for Seconds?) - she begins to track down the woman who gave her up. Meanwhile something fishy is going on when new owners move into the manor house near her mother's cottage in Donegal and Ruby is on the case. Will Ruby find all the answers she's searching for? The subject of adoption and searching for a sense of belonging is handled very sensitively, a matter clearly close to the author's heart. But for me the star was definitely the quick-tempered Ruby. You just wouldn't want to get on her wrong side.

Anyone for Seconds? (2009)

Frankie has recently met the man of her dreams, Owen, at the college where she is temping as a public relations officer. The lecturer was abandoned by his wife Jane when their daughter Angelica was only seven. Frankie has a lot in common with her new boyfriend as her husband Tony also dumped her and then headed off to the US with his stick-insect lover. He hasn't seen his kids Ben and Carly since. But if the path of true love never runs smooth, then the road to Frankie's second chance at love and a united family is definitely littered with potholes. Not only does she have to deal with one very moody and insolent teenager who isn't keen on another woman entering her dad's life, she also has to face off against two spiteful in-laws in the form of her ex's grandmother "Nebby Peg" and Owen's sister-in-law Brenda. But on her side she has her sister Ella, back from Scotland for a visit with an upsetting secret, and her wild-haired friend Ruby. Frankie is a feisty character who will resonate with those who have walked in her shoes. A promising debut - I'll be back for seconds.

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LUCY CAVENDISH

A Storm in a Teacup (2010)

In this third instalment about Samantha Smythe, the mother of four is still overwhelmed by her life. Everyday she must take care of her children, clean, cook, shop and make time for her husband, John, as well. How can one woman do it all? Especially when Samantha's youngest boy, Jamie, starts wearing little girl's dresses and starts trying to intentionally hurt children at school. When she voices concerns to her husband, he just says she is worrying too much. Then the opportunity pops up for the family to spend the summer at a beach house in Devon. Samantha sees this as a great chance for her family to spend time together and work through their issues. But at the last minute John announces he must work and leaves Samantha once again to care for all the children and chores on her own. But perhaps the day will be saved by a quirky elderly man named Noah who lives nearby. Immediately Samantha sees a change in Jamie, who takes to Noah like a moth to a light. Samantha soon immerses herself in the village life and is even organising a fete to help save an old manor house. The only problem now is oldest son Edward who's taken to hanging around with Noah's goth grand-daughter who teaches him to drink Barcardi Breezers and get into trouble. Soon the holiday that had seemed so pleasant is now full of fights and deception. Whether you have children or not, this story surely will entertain and resonate with many readers. Samantha is like many women today - overworked, tired and in desperate need of time for herself and her story is one that readers won't want to put down until the end. (AS)

Lost and Found (2009)

The sequel to Samantha Smythe's Modern Family Journal, this book fleshes out the characters in the mother-of-three's life even more and proves to be a much stronger book. After Bennie nearly drowns while on holiday, Samantha decides that she wants to try for another baby - armed with a How to Get a Girl kit. But husband John is away building theatre sets and the schoolgate gossips believe she is having an affair with Ferrari-driving ex-footballer Gary. Meanwhile her Australian nanny Wendy seems to be shirking her responsibilities and her childhood friend Naomi turns up unexpectedly with her 10-year-old daughter Lexie in tow.

Samantha Smythe's Modern Family Journal (2007)

aka The Invisible Woman

Samantha lives in a state of happy chaos with her three sons - Edward, 8, Bennie, 2, and baby Jamie - and her husband John. As a freelance writer, she spends a lot of time staring into celebrities' fridges, chatting with her best friend Dougie, and hanging out with the playgroup mothers. But then her first husband - also called John and the father of Edward - returns to spend time with his dying mother. But he seems to be spending most of his time with the au pair Santa. Samantha has to ensure that John the First doesn't upset her family's tenuous balance as her sister Julia's marriage goes into meltdown. From trips to the hospital emergency department, fighting over who gets to sleep in and tailing Julia's errant husband, this is a gotta-laugh-or-you'll-cry look at the minutiae of life with a young family.

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KATHERINE CENTER

Get Lucky (2010)

For Sarah Harper, her life seemed to be one stupid mistake after another. Normally others would be feeling depressed by now but not Sarah. Her philosophy is that stupid decisions are actually good choices in disguise. After just winning her ad campaign for a new bra, Sarah receives a funny email of "real women's breasts". On an impulse she forwards this email to everyone in the company and the next day she's fired. Heading back home for Thanksgiving, Sarah finds that her sister, Mackie, has given up all hope of having children and as Sarah's got nothing better to do, she embarks on a journey of surrogacy for her sister. But just when things start looking up for Sarah, her world starts crashing around her and she wonders if she has been diagnosed with horrible karma as the ghosts of her pasts start appearing one by one - starting with an ex-boyfriend Everett, her father whom she lost contact with and his new wife Dixie, and the memories of her mother whom died when she was young. Will Sarah's luck change as her life takes a different path or will she remain unlucky? An entertaining and enjoyable story that will make you feel both sorry for Sarah with her run of bad luck and impressed with her generosity. (PP)

Everyone Is Beautiful (2009)

The story starts off with Laine Coates moving with her family across the country to Massachusetts to allow her husband, Peter, to further his studies in music. Overwhelmed by the loneliness that accompanies her with no supportive friends or parents on hand, and the increasing fatigue the comes from looking after three young boys, Laine starts to look back and wonder if she has ever done anything for herself. A chance remark by another mother in the park on Laine's post-pregnancy weight sparks off her determination to both reinvent herself and realise her dreams. She soon finds herself signing up for gym memberships, taking up photography classes, and doing things she has always wanted to but never had the chance. What I love about this book is that it is written in a way that many can relate to. It's a charming story about a woman dealing with motherhood, marriage and her own identity, and definitely one of the best mommy lit I've ever read. (XT)

The Bright Side of Disaster (2007)

Jenny's fiance Dean walks out the day before she gives birth to their daughter Maxie. So Jenny is left to learn how to survive as a new parent on her own - including facing the sleepless nights, breastfeeding, explosive nappies and eating only foods that can be held in one hand. With her best friend Meredith also disappearing after admitting that she doesn't like babies, Jenny forges new friendships with a fellow new mum and the cute and helpful guy from next door. Will Dean ever come back - and does she want him if he does? A realistic, endearing portrayal of the early days of motherhood.

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CLAIRE CHALLIS

The Beautiful Game: A WAG's Tale (2008) with Fabulous

Co-written with Fabulous, the pseudonym of an ex-WAG, this follows Louise, whose boyfriend Adam is signed up to premiership team Leeds City. She hooks up with some fellow WAGS, including the captain's wife Tara and Jodie, who is in a tumultuous relationship with bad boy Gary. Louise soon learns how to shop, deal with the paparazzi and party like a WAG. Problem is the footballers are forever going out on bonding nights together and the girls are rarely invited. Plus Adam is becoming increasingly moody and self-centred. Louise starts to wonder whether all the glamour of being a WAG is worth it. An entertaining read that will make you feel sorry for this glammed-up species.

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DIANE CHAMBERLAIN

The author of more than 15 novels.

The Lies We Told (2010)

Sisters Maya and Rebecca Ward may seem alike but underneath it all they couldn't be more different. Witnesses to their parents' murders when they were teenagers, Maya has taken to leading a simple life with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca lives for the thrill and works with Doctors International Aid. When a catastrophic hurricane hits and Maya's helicopter crashes miles from civilisation - with no apparent survivors - Rebecca and Adam console each other on the loss of their beloved sister and wife. However, unbeknownst to them, Maya has survived and has been rescued by a couple of hillbillies who are strange (rather creepy actually) but nice enough to rescue her from certain death. Suspenseful and very well written, this is a novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seat right until the end. (AS)

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REBECCA CHANCE

This is the pseudonym of author Lauren Henderson

Divas (2009)

Stunning looks, a gorgeous fiance and a limitless trust fund - London's IT girl Lola Fitzgerald is a spoilt and pampered princess whose father gives in to her every whim. Evie Lopez is just as stunning but she's had to work her way up to become financially stable. But these two women are in for a rude awakening when Lola's father - and Evie's lover - falls into a coma, giving his new wife Carin control over the finances. First thing on her list is to get rid of Lola by cutting off her financial support and leaving her penniless. Next on her hit list is her husband's mistress Evie, who she plans to evict. Although Lola and Evie cannot stand one another, they must combine forces to overthrow their number one enemy - The Ice Queen. This is a classic tale about going from riches to rags overnight, with a Cinderella/Snow White-inspired villainess thrown in. (PP)

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ELISE CHIDLEY

Married with Baggage (2009)

When Annie falls for widower Simon, she knows he comes complete with a young daughter, Lydia. With Simon being sent to market meat pies to the Americans, he asks Annie to marry him and settle in Connecticut. Unable to get a work visa, Annie becomes a stay-at-home mum, helping Lydia settle in to her new school while dealing with being a newcomer with an accent herself. It's an enjoyable enough story about step-mothering and Annie's a likeable enough character. But many of the incidents seemed too contrived and you could tell what was going to happen at the start of the chapter. Here's Annie about to watch the dog run amok at horse riding; here's Annie about to not have lunch with her corporate husband in New York; here's Annie about to be out of her depth at tennis . . .

The Wrong Sort of Wife? (2008)

aka Your Roots are Showing

Lizzie Buckley finds managing a household with three-year-old twins with little help from her busy husband is tiring her out. And when she vents her frustration at her married life, instead of sending the email to her sister, Jane, she mistakenly sends it to her husband, James. He takes offence at the fact she prefers a box of chocolate biscuits over sex with him and immediately moves out. Lizzie, who had never felt part of James' titled family, and the kids move away to a small cottage - hoping distance will make her husband's heart grow fonder so he'll take her back. As Lizzie waits for her life to get back on track, she takes up running - will this help her find a whole new lease on life?

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KATE CHRISTENSEN

Trouble (2009)

Psychotherapist Josie lives a comfortable life in Manhattan with her husband Anthony and adopted daughter Wendy. But when she finds herself chatting up a younger man, she's overwhelmed with relief and happiness as it suddenly dawns on her that her marriage is over. She wanted a life filled with passion and excitement, everything that Anthony failed to provide. Her college friend, Raquel, a LA rock star, has just had her heart broken by a younger man who, unknown to her, had a pregnant girlfriend, and now her reputation is on the verge of being destroyed by the negative publicity. Together, the two best friends Raquel and Josie flee to Mexico City to get away from their messed-up lives. A great story about women redefining themselves and taking risks to get the life they truly desire, as they deal with changes and choices, and remember the importance of friendship. (XT)

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BRIDIE CLARK

The Overnight Socialite (2009)

Lucy Jo Ellis has been thrown down and stepped on by New York. Her dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer have ended disastrously and she's ready to run back home to Dayville, Minnesota, with her tail between her legs. Then everything changes when she meets the handsome and aristocratic Wyatt Hayes. Wyatt, who has had a little too much to drink after being publicly humiliated by his socialite girlfriend, offers Lucy Jo a proposition that at first she is reluctant to accept. Wyatt says that he can turn Lucy Jo, an average girl, into one of Manhattan's most wanted women. He'll turn her life around and get her a job with a designer if she will be the subject of his social experiment. He's even going to write a book on the whole ordeal but he doesn't tell Lucy Jo this part of the deal. Wyatt wants to prove that anyone, no matter their background, can be a socialite with the right training. With nothing left to lose, Lucy Jo accepts Wyatt's offer and things change immediately. First off, she is no longer Lucy Jo, from Dayville. She is now Lucia Haverford Ellis from a blue-blood family in Chicago. Soon Lucy Jo finds herself exercising with a trainer, wearing designer clothes that would have cost her whole salary, and attending parties every single night on the arm of one of Manhattan's most desirable men. She quickly becomes the talk of the town, attracting the attention of some of New York's richest men, much to Wyatt's chagrin. All this does not sit well with Wyatt's ex and reigning queen of all socialites, Cornelia Rockman. Cornelia is desperate to get Wyatt back and she'll stop at nothing to do so, even if it means ruining Lucy Jo's life. Vindictive and powerful, Cornelia is a force to be reckoned with. Three months of training for Lucy culminate at the Fashion Forum Ball, an ultra-exclusive event in which Wyatt hopes to end his experiment with Lucy Jo and show the world that anyone - not just a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth - can become a socialite. This is a life-changing event for both Lucy Jo and Wyatt as they have to deal with unexpected obstacles and more importantly, they have to deal with how they really feel about each other. Written by someone who knows all about New York's upper-crust society and inspired by the classic Pygmalion tale, this is a fun and juicy read. However, considering its fantastic beginning and middle, the ending is rather demure. It leaves you hanging a bit (it could have done with another chapter to catch up on what happens to each character) but otherwise it is a book not to be missed. (AS)

Because She Can (2007)

Touted as The Devil Wears Prada of the book publishing world, this book's boss from hell is publisher Vivian Grant - a woman who thinks nothing of turning up at a wedding to berate the bride about unfinished business. Claire Truman thinks she's made it when she lands an editor's position at Grant Books and becomes the girlfriend of her university crush, Randall Cox. And despite having to weather Vivian's abuse and working to the wee small hours, Claire is determined to stay in the job for a year - and to see the book by Luke Mayville (the nephew of her former boss and mentor) published. But Claire can't help wondering if her future will have a happy ending.

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MELISSA CLARK

Swimming Upstream Slowly (2006)

Sarah Salter is on the fast track to success, as executive producer of a hit children's TV show. She's even being profiled as one of LA's '20 Under 30s - Ones to Watch'. But during a routine pap smear, Sarah is astounded to discover she's pregnant - she hasn't had sex for more than two years! A specialist reveals that she's experienced a medical anomaly and unwittingly hosted a lazy sperm that has taken its time to reach her egg. Now Sarah has to track down her past lovers to test which one is the father. And a reporter may well be on the trail of medicine's quirkiest story of the year.

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JACKIE CLUNE

Man of the Month Club (2006)

Amy Stokes, 39, loves running her baby shop, Precious Little Darlings, but the thought of having a baby herself leaves her cold. On the night before she is due to start a sabbatical, she discovers an abandoned baby on the store's steps. Soon she wonders if she has been wrong to avoid motherhood, so embarks on a campaign to try out 12 men over the next year to see if she can conceive.

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HEATHER COCHRAN

The Return of Jonah Gray (2007)

The detail-oriented Sasha finds her job as a senior auditor at the Internal Revenue Service interferes with her social life. When she starts getting weird phone calls - all referring to one of her upcoming audits, journalist Jonah Gray - she begins to investigate this mysterious man. Sasha's family issues also figure prominently, including her father's struggle with cancer. The author deals impressively with the friendship between Jonah and Sasha, and how their relationship goes beyond just mere phone conversations, and how Jonah's articles become the source of comfort for Sasha as she seeks to resolve her relationship with her father in the face of his past infidelity. (XT)

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JULIE COHEN

Girl From Mars (2009)

Comic book illustrator Fil Brown hangs out with her nerdy friends - winning pub quizzes and watching X-Files marathons. When one of the usually socially inept group, Stevo, drifts away after finding himself a mate, she and the others, Jim and Digger, swear a pact (partly in Klingon) that they will forsake all romantic relationships. On the workfront, Fil finds her comic Girl From Mars is about to get a big shake-up, thanks to the grandson of the creator, who wants to inject some romance into the heroine's life - and as it turns out Fil's as well. Read this for a totally different type of heroine. You may well get into the Girl From Mars comic story just as much as Fil's.

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AMANDA COLE

I Hate Cinderella (2009)

This is a big girls' fairytale that follows Lucy Summers' identity crisis after she breaks up with her long-term boyfriend. Lucy is wallowing in self-pity and questioning who she really is without her man by her side. As Lucy is flying for business, her plane crashes into the ocean and she is rescued by a beautiful mermaid, Obelia, who mends her broken heart. While she spends time in the ocean with Obelia, she begins to realise what life is really all about and understands she can survive this break-up. This is an imaginative book unlike anything I have read since I was a child complete with mermaids and magic. This book touches on some big issues but in a simplified way. To read it you need to open your mind and think like you were 10 again but dealing with adult issues. (GF)

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MEGAN COLE

Fortune (2010)

Sapphire, Simonetta and Madison are three girls from completely different worlds. Sapphire is an English college student who is working and living at home with her mum; Simonetta is an aspiring model from Rome who will do anything to make it and Madison is a spoiled Upper East Side rich bitch who cares about money and status above everything else. It may seem as though they have nothing in common but one fateful invitation from mega mogul Brad Masters changes everything. Brad has invited each girl to his 50th birthday party that is to be held at his villa in Capri. Simonetta and Madison can't wait to go and mingle with the rich and famous but Sapphire isn't so keen. She's happy with her life and doesn't need to go party with people who feel like they're better than her. In the end, her mum insists that she go to the party. Soon enough, the three girls are intertwined in a tangled web of deceit and lies that will showcase all of their true colours. This is an intoxicating story that gives a glimpse into the lives of the super rich while also showing what money will do to a person when it's presented on a silver platter. It's a fun and intense story with lots of drama and even a little bit of heartbreak. (AS)

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ALEX COLEMAN

A pseudonym of author Damien Owens.

Little Black Everything (2009)

Holly Christmas is a no-nonsense 28-year-old teacher with a name that's entirely unsuited to her personality. She's also an obsessive wearer of black and has a track record of disastrous relationships. When her latest boyfriend dumps her for being too sarky, spiky and smart-arsey, she feels a terrible sense of deja vu. She's heard his complaints several times from other men. And while she tries to pretend she doesn't care, she can't ignore the shambles her love life is in. When a new teacher named James Bond joins Holly's school, Holly is faced with her antithesis. James is upbeat, affable and likeable. A conversation about their shared syndrome of attention-grabbing names is the beginning of an unlikely friendship, and as she gets to know James better, Holly can't help but be fascinated by his incessant cheeriness. But when fascination mutates into attraction, things start to get very messy. The male author presented a hugely convincing female narrative voice in The Bright Side, so I had high hopes for Little Black Everything. It didn't disappoint. I was pulled straight into the book by its easy-reading style and quick-fire dialogue. There's plenty of subtle, sophisticated humour too which is expertly embedded in each chapter. Holly's prickly nature doesn't make her an easy character to empathise with, but I found myself rooting for her nonetheless - something that I felt was a good achievement on the part of the author. If you're looking for an entertaining read with a quirky main character, this is one to keep an eye out for. (SBB)

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ROWAN COLEMAN

The Accidental Wife (2008)

aka Another Mother's Life

When Alison was 17, she ran off with her best friend Catherine's boyfriend. She later revealed to Marc that she was pregnant with their first child and together they built a life together. Meanwhile Catherine married musician Jimmy, the boy Alison always had a crush on at school. Now nearly half a lifetime later, Alison and Marc are moving back into town. And Alison can't help wondering if she ended up with the wrong man - and the wrong life. After several close calls - their daughters unwittingly become best friends - Alison and Catherine eventually meet up. Despite the pacing being a bit slow sometimes, this premise, with a few clever twists thrown in, will have you turning the pages to discover if the characters can forgive each other or will opt for a different life. Watch out for a brief appearance by Sophie Mills, the character from Coleman's The Accidental Mother and The Accidental Family series.

The Baby Group (2007)

Natalie Curzon, co-owner of a lingerie company, is drawn to stranger Jack Newhouse on the tube. She lets him whisk her away to Venice, where she conceives baby Freddie and then never hears from Jack again. Natalie faces up to single motherhood - pretty much alone, until her house wiring plays up, heralding the arrival of teenage mother Tiffany in the tradesman's van. Together they decide to form a baby group and soon meet some other parents, including stay-at-home dad Steve, over-anxious Jess, Meg who is on to her fourth child but still feels she has much to learn, and her sister-in-law Frances who is highly organised but lacking friends. Will Natalie ever find Jack to tell him he's a dad - and admit to her new friends that her work-away husband doesn't actually exist?

Growing Up Twice (2002)

Jenny, Rosie and Selin grew up together, getting dressed up for Friday nights, drinking too much and talking about boys. Now approaching their 30s, Jenny realises much hasn't changed over the past decade. She is still in her dead-end office job, still drinking too much and she's even got her eye on a wholly inappropriate boy, 18-year-old Michael. Then Rosie announces she's pregnant as Selin, the responsible one, increasingly draws away from them. Jenny realises it's time for her to grow up but it may just take a tragedy for this to happen.

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JENNY COLGAN

The Good, the Bad and the Dumped (2010)

During a mountain hike, Posy's personal trainer boyfriend Matt pops the question. But not long after saying yes, Posy starts having doubts about her impending nuptials - and wondering whether she and Matt have enough in common to carry them through a lifetime together. With a psychotherapist mother vehemently opposed to marriage, Posy still carries baggage from her significant other relationships. So with the help of Facebook, Posy decides to track down her exes. As she secretly heads off to remote Scotland to see her college sweetheart Chris and catches up with the non-committal yet dashing Adam, Posy realises she really needs to find the guy who broke her heart - she still can't even bring herself to say his name. But as she spends time coming to terms with her past, it seems her future with Matt is on rocky ground. This is neither good nor bad. The plot didn't quite live up to expectations nor did Colgan's wit really shine through. But even though Posy is not a particularly memorable character, many readers may relate to the journey she is on.

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend (2008)

Life changes drastically for rich party girl Sophie when her father dies and according to the terms of his will, her stepmother casts her out to survive on her own for six months. Sophie moves into a rundown house on Old Kent Road, sharing with four guys - artists Cal and Eck, soldier James and student Wolverine. Because she can't pay the full deposit or utilities bills, she becomes their cleaner "Cinders" and starts working as a photographer's assistant. A funny, sparkling tale of one girl's journey from riches to rags.

Operation Sunshine (2007)

Evie, a receptionist for Harley Street plastic surgeons, is just thinking that she needs a good holiday when her bosses invite her along to their medical conference in Cannes. What a perfect location for a glamorous holiday! Also coming along for the ride are her good friend Bailey, who's involved in her doctors' big secret project, another backstabbing receptionist, plus Evie's bullying brother and his gorgeous wife. Only problem is she's flying economy and staying in a fleapit of a motel while everyone else is living it up in luxury. With secret rendezvous and offshore shenanigans, it definitely turns into a holiday like no other. Unfortunately, it's not really a plot that would make you want to miss the inflight movie.

West End Girls (2006)

Lizzie and Penny are twin sisters (but complete opposites) who live dowdy and unfulfilling lives. Penny dreams that one day she will be rescued from her unsatisfactory life while Lizzie is quite happy eating crisps on her mother's couch. When their grandmother, who had all but forgotten them, is admitted to hospital, the girls are given the task to house-sit her fancy West End apartment which provides the opportunity to start a new life. Life in the West End is harder than they thought and the boys are just as difficult. Set in Chelsea, England, this is a feel-good, entertaining novel that has all the favourite elements such as love, transformation and most importantly a happy ending with a twist. (GF)

Do You Remember the First Time (2004)

As her best friend Tashy cuts into her wedding cake, 32-year-old Flora realises she's disillusioned with her life. So she wishes that she could go back to age 16 and do it all again. The next day, she wakes up in her childhood bedroom as a teenager. Can Flora get things right this time round, including preventing her parents' divorce, standing up to a bully and getting together with her high school crush? And will she want to resume her normal life?

Looking for Andrew McCarthy (2001)

Ellie is throwing herself an 80s-themed party for her 30th birthday and she wants to know why her life hasn't turned out to be like a John Hughes movie. She has just caught Billy, her saxophone-playing boyfriend, cheating on her (but he isn't as charismatic as Rob Lowe), she lives in a dingy flat with an appalling flatmate she calls Big Bastard (it looks nothing like Demi Moore's loft in St Elmo's Fire) and to top it all off she hates her job. Deciding that she really needs some answers from her Brat Pack crush Andrew McCarthy (remember Pretty in Pink, Mannequin and Weekend at Bernie's), Ellie pleads with her friends to join her on a quest across the Atlantic to find the low-key actor. A madcap adventure ensues, which begins with her telling her boss Mr Rooney (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, anyone, anyone?) to stick it, and sees her ringing all the A. McCarthys in the LA phone book. A must-read for Gen Xs who will love all the cultural references, from the Footloose-like highway near-miss to the Lost Boys-inspired policemen.

Amanda's Wedding (1999)

How would you behave if the best man is the groom - and you're not the bride? Mel, Fran and Amanda are old school friends but Amanda seems to lead a more charmed life - and she sure loves rubbing her friends' noses in her success. Now she's getting married to Fraser, a Scottish laird who Mel had a crush on during university. So the bridesmaids set out with the groom's brother to sabotage the wedding.

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JACKIE COLLINS

Poor Little Bitch Girl (2009)

The bitch girl is this novel is Annabelle Maestro, the daughter of two famous movie stars. Annabelle lives in New York and runs a high-end call girl service. When Annabelle's mother is murdered, her father becomes a suspect. Denver Jones, a former high school classmate of Annabelle, is representing Annabelle's father. Denver's best friend from high school, Carolyn Henderson, is an assistant and mistress to a Senator in Washington D.C. When Carolyn announces to the married senator that she is carrying his baby, she mysteriously disappears. Denver attempts to track down Carolyn with the help of handsome and sexy Bobby Santangelo Stanislopolous. Bobby is the son of the notorious Lucky, a recurring character in Collin's novels. This novel is a fun read filled with lots of sex, lies and gorgeous people. (AO)

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SUSAN CONLEY

The Fidelity Project (2009)

Creatives Max and Jax keep hearing rumours that their Dublin advertising agency is going to fold. So the girls come up with a plan to film a documentary based on the When Harry Met Sally couple interviews - to discover if long-term fidelity is possible. But sparks soon fly on the set as the pair have different opinions on the conclusion - American Max is the cynical one, while Jax is a hopeless romantic. But things get really interesting when their own romantic lives take centrestage - it is revealed Max has a husband Mike back in America and Jax, who has been engaged for years to Fergal who is working in Dubai, starts to fall for production man John Paul.

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VICTORIA CONNELLY

Molly's Millions (2009)

Florist Molly Bailey has just discovered she's won 4.2 million pounds on the lottery. But since her grandfather, father and brother's attitude to money would make Scrooge look generous, Molly realises she can't let them get their hands on her winnings. Instead she decides to give most of it away to people in need. So she takes off on a journey across Britain, leaving behind bundles of 50 pound notes and yellow gerberas. Meanwhile small-time reporter Tom Mackenzie realises he may be on to the story of a lifetime, and with his young daughter Flora, takes off after the mysterious benefactor. When he realises Molly is his woman (far too quickly in my mind), the story soon puts Tom and Molly on the front pages and sets the grumpy Bailey boys on to her trail too. Perfect for days when you need a feel-good story that won't tax the brain cells.

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LAUREN CONRAD

Sweet Little Lies (2010)

Continuing on where LA Candy left off, Jane Roberts, star of the hit reality TV show, finds herself in the middle of a national scandal after a tabloid publishes photos of her in a rather compromising position. Not knowing what to do or where to turn, Jane takes the advice of cast mate Madison and takes off with her to Cabo for some much-needed peace and quiet. But Jane can't run forever and she can't keep ignoring the persistent phone calls of her concerned friends, family and crew members either. Facing reality, Jane heads back to LA to make things right. Roommate and best friend Scarlett can't believe that Jane took off with that two-faced master manipulator, Madison. She tries to explain to Jane that Madison is the one who leaked the photos but Jane won't listen and this causes a rift in their long-time friendship. At this point, Jane doesn't know who she can trust anymore. To further complicate matters, Jane's heartthrob boyfriend Jesse is willing to take her back after she publicly humiliated him by cheating on him with his best friend, Braden. Though Jane loves Jesse (or at least she thinks she does) she really can't deny her feelings for Braden either. As Jane and Jesse's relationship becomes more and more turbulent, Jane has to decide what she really wants. Does she really want the cameras altering her life to fit what works for the show? Or does she want her old life back, when she wasn't America's sweetheart? Showing that Hollywood life isn't always so glamorous, this novel really takes the LA Candy series to another level. Though Jane is extremely naive about everything, it's still a suspenseful and intriguing page-turner. The only question is: Will Jane see the truth before it's too late? You'll have to read on to book No.3, Sugar and Spice, to find out. (AS)

Second Opinion

LA Candy (2009)

This novel by reality TV starlet Lauren Conrad chronicles the lives of Jane Roberts and her best friend Scarlett Harp as they move to LA and become the stars of a reality TV show. The book, which is based loosely on Conrad's own life, is a little slow in the beginning but picks up a little once Jane and Scarlett are discovered at a club by a TV producer. From that point on the two, though a little hesitant at first, decide to audition for the show and their lives change drastically. While Jane takes to the cameras being around easily, Scarlett is not so excited and wonders what she got herself into. Throw into the mix two other cast members, Gaby, a total ditz, and Madison, a total bitch with a nice girl facade, and things get even more complicated. When Jane starts dating Jesse, who happens to be the best friend of her friend-slash-major crush, Braden, things spiral out of control quickly and the jealousy of someone Jane thought she could trust ruins her life in an instant. With lots of run-of-the-mill Hollywood cliches (blondes, drugs, cosmetic surgery etc), LA Candy almost fails to deliver an original storyline. In addition, in pretty much every single chapter Jane and her friends are drinking (usually vodka soda for Jane) making it seem to the unknowing person who has never been to LA, that you can't have any fun in Tinseltown without being drunk. It is a quick and light read that would be great for the beach or a day when you don't need any actual depth in what you're reading. But the ending is a cliff-hanger and leaves you wanting to know what happens to Jane next. (AS)

Second Opinion

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EILEEN COOK

Unpredictable (2008)

Sophie Kintock wants her boyfriend Doug back. When she overhears the new girlfriend, Melanie, aka Melon Tits, talk about how she visits psychics, Sophie decides she can get rid of her rival by convincing her that Doug is not her destiny. So she becomes psychic Emma Lulak, and uses sceptic Nick to help her learn all the tricks of the fortune-telling trade. When Emma's predictions help prevent a tragedy, she is offered a regular radio spot. Can she use her newfound powers to get Doug back - or does her future belong to another guy? With lots of laugh-out-loud moments from chick lit's latest loveable goofball, Unpredictable is a very promising debut. Just wish the ending was a bit less rushed and a bit more unpredictable.

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CLAIRE COOK

Seven Year Switch (2010)

Jill Murray was abandoned by her husband Seth seven years ago, when their daughter Anastasia was just three years old. On her own Jill has had to work two crazy and very humorous jobs just to make ends meet. Without warning, Seth contacts her and lets her know he is back, and ready to be a part of his daughter's life. Jill wants to keep him away from Anastasia but softens when she sees her daughter's reaction to the news. On one of her many side jobs, Jill meets a fascinating businessman headed to Japan. Just as she thinks her life is getting back to normal, she finds out Seth wants her back. Does she need to move on and see what the future holds with somebody new, or rekindle an old flame and have her family back intact? If you want to take a vacation from your own life, this book is a breath of fresh air. (AV)

The Wildwater Walking Club (2009)

Claire Cook has once again created a heartfelt story with wonderfully relatable characters. Noreen accepts a buyout from her job in Boston at the urging of her not-so-faithful secret boyfriend. Not knowing where to go next, she realises that she never had much of a life outside of her job. She never even took the time to get to know any of her neighbours or even the basic details of her neighbourhood. So she decides to take the time to do so now that she has a lot of free time by walking. Each page starts out by showing you how far Noreen walked, eventually accumulating to 10,000 steps. She soon becomes friendly with two neighbours on Wildwater Way and they create the Wildwater Walking Club. Both of Noreen's new friends are having issues in their life and walking provides a healthy way for them to vent and stay in shape. Tess has a teenage daughter who is quite rebellious and is driving her crazy. Rosie has moved in with her father after her mum died to help run his lavender farm. Together the three help each other through life's ups and downs and also go on a trip to a lavender festival across the country in Washington. Through everything that comes their way, the three always walk away their woes. This is an excellent novel weaving together the importance of friendship and fitness. (AS)

Summer Blowout (2008)

Make-up artist Bella is part of a madcap family that runs a chain of hair/beauty salons. She is obsessed with lipsticks, her Irish dad pretends to be Italian and her half sister has run off with her husband. When a dog-sitting experience brings a new love into Bella's life, she goes to desperate lengths to keep it. But will she be so open with Sean, who helps spark her entrepreneurial passions? A read that's fluffy, and heartwarming - just like Precious/Cannoli the dog.

Must Love Dogs (2002)

Sarah Hurlihy, a 40-something divorced preschool teacher, is about to delve back into the dating world, putting a personal ad in the newspaper for a man who 'must love dogs'. Although her first date with a man with a yellow rose turns out to be a disaster, to put it mildly, she soon finds herself with more than one man on her radar, including John Anderson, who borrowed a dog for their first date, and Bob O'Connor, the father of one of her students. If only her interfering family would stop turning up at the most inopportune times. This book was adapted into the 2005 movie, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack.

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RONNI COOPER

Rock Chicks (2010)

Rock Chicks is a tangle of love stories set against the backdrop of pure sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. Set in the late 80s and early 90s it follows the meteoric rise of rock band The Spikes and tells the story of the three powerful women behind the band. The girlfriend, Marni, the groupie, Coco, and the manager, Lori. All three women are running from their past, clinging to the band, yet they seem to be the glue that stop the band from spiralling out of control. It lives up to the hype of being 'raw, shocking and downright sexy'. Just be careful where you read this one, with explicit content all the way through, it might make you blush! (AB)

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GRACE COOPERSMITH

This is the pen-name of Marta Acosta

Nancy's Theory of Style (2010)

Socialite Nancy Carrington-Chambers is obsessed with perfection. When she marries husband Todd, and they decide to build their dream house, Nancy details the plans so that they are exactly what she wants. However, when the house comes out totally wrong - like having a wet bar in the bedroom for example, which is just too tacky for Nancy - it causes turmoil in her marriage. Eventually, Nancy feels that she needs some time away from the disastrous house to clear her head so she heads to her apartment in San Francisco to work on starting her event design business called Froth. Todd agrees that some time apart might do them both good and even offers to hire an assistant for Nancy to help her get going. At first Nancy is depressed over the applicants for the assistant position - then Derek Bottomsley walks in. Derek is fabulous and she immediately offers him the job. What more could she ask for than a gorgeous British assistant who is so obviously gay and understands the meaning of good style? Soon the two are working flawlessly together so when Nancy's flighty cousin, Birdie, drops off her little daughter Eugenia to stay with Nancy indefinitely while she travels with her latest toyboy, Nancy is upset to say the least. The last thing Nancy wants is a dirty little child making a mess in her spotless apartment. Unable to get in touch with Birdie and not wanting to abandon the child, Nancy and Derek are forced to work out a schedule that now involves Eugenia. As the weeks pass, the trio are blending together so well that passersby think they are a family and neither Nancy nor Derek corrects the assumption. But what seems too good to be true often is and soon everything in Nancy's life is falling apart. She needs to ask herself if what she has believed in all her life will really make her happy in the long run. Or should she risk it all for what she knows is true and real? This is a fresh and vibrant novel with witty and charismatic characters that readers are sure to fall in love with. Whether you live a fabulous life in a spotless penthouse or a life full of tacky decor and messy chidren, Nancy's heartfelt story will resonate with one and all. (AS)

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KIRA COPLIN and JULIANNE KAYE

Pop Tart (2009)

Jackie O'Reilly was born into a Hollywood family, yet her parents always discouraged her from going into a Hollywood career. They'd seen it all too often - the pitfalls of fame taking down one weak celebrity at a time. But Jackie still wants to be in with the "it" crowd, go to all the hottest parties and know all the hottest people. After dropping out of college, Jackie gets a job at a make-up store in LA, while waiting for her big break. When her boss gets into a scandal and can't make one of their scheduled events, Jackie is told to go alone to represent the company. Doing the make-up of up-and-coming star Brooke Parker and a few twists of fate brings Jackie into a whole new world. Brooke wants Jackie to be her one and only make-up artist and accompany her on tour, to concerts and even to the hottest events in town. As Jackie and Brooke develop a friendship, they hop from party to party and get in more trouble for their wild antics than one could imagine. Unable to resist all the temptations of drugs, alcohol binges and all-night parties, the world of Hollywood's glitz and glamour starts to take its toll on one of the world's fastest rising pop stars and Brooke starts to unravel, with Jackie pretty close to unravelling herself. Brooke misses being able to go out without paparazzi following her every move and starts to rebel - in very dangerous ways. With no one to really look out for her - Brooke's manager sees her as a money pot more than a person - Jackie is the only one she can turn to. When Jackie loses her job for looking out for Brooke's wellbeing, she is forced to really think about where her true loyalties lie: with Brooke, whose world she has been consumed by, or with herself who she has been neglecting. This novel is about finding out who you truly are in a world where everyone is fake. It is a fun and wild ride through the rise and ultimate fall of one of the world's most famous pop stars. Kaye has been a make-up artist to the stars, while Coplin works in the LA media. (AS)

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EVELYN COSGRAVE

Can I Tell You a Secret? (2009)

Three sisters turn up, one by one, on their grandmother Angela's doorstep, each running away from a problem and with something to hide. Susan has ended her engagement after having a fling at a wedding and has her eye on her Gran's hot gardener. Except she discovers he's her cousin Gavin. Felicity, who had been set to make her fortune from a website, has had a public meltdown at work. And no one is surprised that flighty Marianne is in some sort of trouble again. But the biggest surprise of all comes from Gran. It's also no secret that this book just doesn't gel.

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JANE COSTELLO

This is the pen-name of British journalist Jane Wolstenholme.

My Single Friend (2010)

Lucy decides to makeover her best friend Henry, one of those perennial nice guys who works in an admirable job but just never seems to get the girl. Who knew that under his scruffy, unfashionable exterior was a red-hot hunk? Not Lucy it seems. Her own love life isn't going particularly well, as she seems to have a habit of injuring her dates amid telling them embellished details about her life. Just as Henry's flirtation master classes really start paying dividends, Lucy realises she's fallen for him. Meanwhile on the work front, it seems someone is out to sabotage one of Lucy's PR campaigns. This is a really enjoyable romantic comedy - you will be able to guess the ending but not how the story gets there.

The Nearly-weds (2009)

Bride Zoe is left heartbroken when her groom Jason isn't waiting at the altar for her. So she leaves Liverpool for a nannying job in the United States, where she is employed by widower Ryan to look after his two kids, Ruby and Samuel. She soon wins over the children, befriends some other English nannies, including boisterous Trudie, hippie Amber and posh Felicity, but moody and neglectful Ryan is a much harder nut to crack. Will this new life in Boston help her forget Jason? Another charming tale from Costello with the humiliation-prone heroine torn between two commitment-wary men.

Bridesmaids (2008)

Newspaper journalist Evie has never been in love. She's about to stand by her best friend Grace's side as bridesmaid (the first of several stints as bridesmaid), when she runs into the most gorgeous stranger. Embarrassed when her chicken fillet boob-enhancers pop out in front of him, she later discovers Jack is the date of her self-obsessed friend, the vile Valentina. But maybe he's just the man to end Evie's run of dating men only for a few months. Or will Evie always be the bridesmaid and never the bride? A very promising debut with lots of laugh-out-loud moments.

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JENNIFER COX

Around the World in 80 Dates (2005)

There's a saying that there's someone for everyone. But what happens if your someone is on the other side of the world. In this memoir, travel writer Jennifer Cox decides to date her way around the globe to find her Mr Right. From her first date in Amsterdam through to her final one in Auckland, she meets a variety of suitors - and may even find a soulmate . . . or two. Although the title suggests she went on 80 dates, several of the dates never eventuated and it was a definite cop-out to write-off dates 30-50 at a LA speed-dating event.

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CAPRICE CRANE

Family Affair (2009)

High school sweethearts Layla and Brett Foster have been happily married for six years but something's wrong. Brett is beginning to feel Layla is more like a sister than a wife. And Layla starts to spend more and more of her free time with his family and Brett doesn't like it. When Brett announces he wants a divorce, Layla is heartbroken - she isn't going to let Brett take away the only family she knows. So she sues him for custody of his family. Witty dialogue and fights ensue as the novel questions what and who make a family. (MY)

Forget About It (2007)

Jordan Landau has an uncaring mother, an evil half-sister, a cheating boyfriend and a boss who steals her ideas. When she sustains head injuries in a bike accident, it gives her the perfect opportunity to start over. Faking amnesia, she can stop being such a pushover and start living a truly memorable life - and be with a guy who really cares about her. With only one of her best friends - Todd, the boy she 'married' at age seven - in the know, Jordan weaves a web of deception as she takes revenge on those who have wronged her. But then karma hits Jordan and she has to start over for real.

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MEGAN CRANE

Names My Sisters Call Me (2008)

Courtney Cassel is thrilled when her boyfriend Lucas proposes. Courtney views her engagement as the perfect time to reconnect with her estranged sister Raine. Six years before, Raine, the fun-loving middle sister, ruined oldest sister Norah's wedding. Norah has never forgiven Raine for her actions and is furious when Courtney considers contacting her. Courtney decides to accompany her fiance to California on his business trip in order to locate Raine. Courtney soon finds her and realises that her sister is still with Matt, Courtney's first love. Soon Courtney is questioning every decision in her life, including whether she can marry Lucas if she is still in love with Matt. This is a great story about sisters and struggling with life's "what-ifs". (AO)

English as a Second Language (2004)

Twenty-six-year-old Alex Brennan was bored in her New York job but not sure what direction her life should take. So when an ex-boyfriend tells her she could never get into graduate school in England, she does just that. Arriving at a northern campus with its hideous architecture and dreary weather, she begins an master's degree in literature - discovering pints and pubs, getting a crush on her hot lecturer and making a strange assortment of friends - and enemies. What she discovers is that instead of running away from home, she may have actually found it.

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DIANE CRAVER

A Fiery Secret (2007)

Catherine (Cat) Steel is a investigative newspaper reporter who also freelances for women's magazines writing about fashion, dating and love. The only thing lacking in her life is her Mr Right. Then her newspaper hires Jake Michaels as sports editor. Ten years ago, Jake and Cat were an item until he stood her up not once but twice - and she has never forgiven him for failing to show for her high school prom. With Jake around, her emotions are running high and she needs something to take her mind off it. Enter her brother Adam and his girlfriend Tracey - she has uncovered a note that suggests their old school janitor's death was a murder. Can Cat solve both the crime and have a second chance with her original Prince Charming or will her pride stand in her way? (PP)

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KIRSTY CRAWFORD

The Secret Lives of Husbands (2007)

Nurse Ruth Blackiston gets engaged to Ned Haskell after only three months - and without even meeting his parents. Now she has to deal with her mother-in-law Jackie's erratic moods and fit in with his close-knit group of friends. When she discovers Ned's old diaries, she realises her future with her husband won't be happily ever after unless she can untangle themselves from his past.

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AJ CROFTS

Andrew Crofts has ghostwritten several autobiographies. His daughter Olivia Grodd appears as Steffi McBride in the book trailer.

The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride (2008)

Steffi lives on a rundown estate, with a tough Irish father, a caring Jamaican mother and her five siblings. She works as a dishwasher while her doped-up boyfriend hangs out in a squat. But Steffi's real passion in life is acting. After relating at drama class a true story about her father beating up her mother, Steffi scores a role as Nikki - "a tart with a heart" - on top-rating soap The Towers. But since her father never wanted her to audition in the first place, he cuts all ties with her. Meanwhile Steffi's rising fame takes off when she is paired with her pop idol, Luke Lewis, in a celebrity TV singing contest. But soon the never-ending media attention and the family secrets that keep getting spilled start to take their toll. With Steffi proving to be much more than just another shallow celebrity, her tale of life in the limelight will hook you in.

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KATIE CROUCH

Girls in Trucks (2008)

In this coming-of-age novel, Sarah Walters is a reluctant Camellia Society debutante in South Carolina. The society teaches children of a certain social standing how to fox trot, greet adults and wear white gloves - and be prepared for a socially acceptable marriage. The chapters progress in a series of vignettes, from the death of a cousin and worshipping her older sister Eloise who dates a black man, to moving to New York with her best friend Charlotte to work as an editorial assistant and her obsession with preppy Max. Then a series of tragic events bring her home to Charleston. Reminds me a lot of Melissa Bank's The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing.

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JENNIFER CRUSIE

Bet Me (2004)

Minerva Dobs has just been dumped by her boyfriend when she overhears him making a bet with Cal Morrisey that he can bed her in a month. She accepts a dinner date with Cal, and at the end they agree not to see each other again. But fate intervenes and over time, they bond over donuts, chicken masala, his nephew Harry and find that there is something between them. If that bet wasn't hanging over them maybe they could take the biggest gamble of all - a shot at true love.

Strange Bedfellows (2003)

Tess Newhart knows her former boyfriend Nick isn't right for her - he's an uptight Republican trying to make partner; she was brought up in a commune and works as a teacher. Still he talks her into going away for a weekend for a meeting with a prospective client that could make or break his career. The outspoken Tess takes an immediate dislike to the client, author Norbert Welch, and also finds herself fighting her attraction to her ex again.

Manhunting (2003)

Financial consultant Kate Svenson has been engaged three times but at 35, is still looking for her ideal man. So friend Jessica convinces her to follow her plan to snare a successful businessman at a resort in remote Toby's Corner. There, Kate accepts several dates from different men but things just keep going awry. And there's one man Kate knows she should keep away from but just can't - Jake, the resort's outdoor manager who seems to spend his days lying in a row boat.

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LORI CULWELL

Hollywood Car Wash (2007)

Midwestern U-Mich collegiate Amy Spencer auditions for an upcoming teen TV series; think: Beverly Hills 90210 back in its glory days. Throughout her catapulting rise to fame, readers get an inside peek at the cut-throat business behind a hit Hollywood drama. Her name is changed to Star and she gets criticised for everything from her weight to her clothes, her food and exercise regime (or lack thereof). Throughout Amy/Star's journey in Tinseltown, this book reveals how one girl-next-door type character survives in a world full of airbrushed photos, designer clothing (only worn once, of course!) and diet pills. Culwell's skilful writing, creative character relationships and unique situations (that could be easily mistaken for real life) entertained me more and more with every turning page. I would definitely recommend this book as a must-read to all chick lit fans. (CH)

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MICHELLE CUNNAH

Confessions of a Serial Dater (2005)

Rosie is dumped by boyfriend Jonathan after she fights off his lecherous boss at a dinner dance. But the night is not completely lost because she also meets a gorgeous doctor, Dr Love, who saves her from a pair of crippling shoes. She thinks she's finally found her dream man when a chance encounter brings her into contact with the doctor again but Luke Benton has a secret past. Somehow Rosie ends up on a wedding table from hell to find she's slept with all the men present (like a female Hugh Grant from Four Weddings and a Funeral).

32AA (2003)

Advertising secretary Emma Taylor wants an engagement ring and a job promotion for her 30th birthday. Instead her boyfriend Adam (also her boss) announces that he's seeing another woman and that she's been passed over for the junior account manager's job. Convinced that her small breasts are somehow to blame, homeless Emma is rescued by her stepmother's brother Jack. He once made fun of her breasts at a family wedding but now seems quite enamoured with her.

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LYNDA CURNYN

Bombshell (2004)

Grace Noonan is starting to feel her age. She ends her latest relationship when her boyfriend freaks out when the condom breaks, showing how unready he is for babies. Now the cosmetics company where she works, known for targeting mature women, is looking for its new face - and it's a teenage one at that. But she hasn't outgrown her insecurities, as she goes through life dealing with family discoveries, a best friend getting married and a chance meeting with her father's charming colleague.

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ANNE CUSHMAN

Enlightenment for Idiots (2008)

Amanda is at a point in her life where she is unhappy with the way everything has turned out. Close to turning 30, she is in a dead-end relationship with a guy who is completely unavailable on a physical and emotional level and a job that she doesn't really like - writing "For idiot" guide books. The only thing that keeps Amanda grounded is her yoga sessions. So, when her editor asks her to go to India to write a book called Enlightenment for Idiots, Amanda jumps at the opportunity. How hard can it be to find enlightenment in India, home to all of the greatest gurus in history? Very, very hard as Amanda soon finds out. India is a dirty place, with trash littering the streets and beggars on every corner. Amanda goes from ashram to ashram looking for the key to enlightenment to no avail. After a few weeks, Amanda is tired, dirty (so much so that she has grime around her neck from not showering) and extremely lonely. When she meets a celibate, dreadlocked American Shadu called Devi Das who speaks about himself in the third person, Amanda takes his friendship and runs with it. The pair travel to all the best holy sites in India, meeting with all of the most divine gurus, who they are sure will provide them with the key to enlightenment. When Amanda becomes unexpectedly pregnant - with the baby of her unavailable boyfriend who does not want kids - she cannot decide whether to quit her journey and head home to California or stay and have her baby in a foreign land. The descriptions of India are rather riveting and oddly depressing at the same time. Almost every chapter has Amanda encountering beggars with only one eye or children with no limbs. The story itself would be more interesting if there were some happy or upbeat moments that showed the beauty of India - there had to be something good about it! For those of you looking for a little spirituality mixed in with your chick lit, this book is for you. (AS)

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