Better Together (2012)

Sports reporter Sheridan loses her job during a restructure of her Dublin newspaper. Never feeling like she's lived up to the successes of her two sporty brothers, she blames her job loss on new owner Paudie O'Malley. Sheridan eventually picks up a temporary job on a small-town newspaper in Ardbawn, where Paudie is from. She thinks she might make it back into the big leagues by doing an expose on the business tycoon, whose wife Elva died in mysterious circumstances. Sheridan moves into the bed-and-breakfast run by Nina, whose actor husband has just left after having a fling with a co-star. But will she pursue the story when she realises how much it might cost her? This is another pleasurable read from O'Flanagan, with a likeable heroine and a solid mix of romance and intrigue.

All For You (2011)

Lainey has always loved everything to do with the weather. So it's not surprising that she's ended up as a TV weather forecaster. Lainey was brought up by her grandparents in Ireland while her mother, Deanna, was making her name as an outspoken feminist in the US. With two broken engagements behind her, Lainey is determined not to rush her latest boyfriend, Ken, into a commitment before he is ready. And now her mother is coming back to Ireland, and as usual Lainey doesn't feel like she measures up to her mother's definition of success. Lainey has a stormy patch ahead as family secrets are revealed and she weighs up her vision of happily-ever-after against her friends'. With an endearing heroine in the beautiful Lainey, this is a novel full of warmth (despite all the rain). And the best bit - it doesn't end in a cliched way.

Stand By Me (2010)

Dazzling Domino, as Dominique Delahaye is known, is the wife of a wealthy businessman and on the outside has the perfect life. She and her husband have always stood by each other no matter what obstacles they've faced in their marriage. Yet as her perfect world begins to come crashing down around her, Dominique - for the first time in her life - has control over her own destiny. Spanning Dominque's adult life, the novel jumps through her pivotal moments, weaving the story of where she came from and how she ended up as the famous dazzling Domino. By jumping through the years you get a great insight into her character and why she makes the decisions she does. It's a brilliant book about relationships between lovers and within families, and how they cope with the decisions they make in their lives. (AB)

The Perfect Man (2009)

Mia is set to accompany her sister Britt on a Valentine luxury cruise through the Caribbean. But neither woman feels in a particularly romantic mood. Britt, aka bestselling romance novelist Brigitte Martin, is one of the guest speakers on MV Aphrodite. But she's actually a hard-headed divorce lawyer who wrote The Perfect Man to help her get over her own divorce from actor Ralph - and finds herself ill-prepared to talk about writing a romance novel. Mia is a single mum who is living in Spain with her three-year-old daughter. She still holds a flame for the love of her life Alejo, who doesn't even know he has a daughter. And romance seems very unlikely for either of them as one of the only lone men aboard the ship, Leo, is still dealing with a past heartache - and has caught the eye of a wannabe model on the hunt for a rich husband. A pleasant escapist read that wasn't at all predictable - although I never want to read about barometric pressure again!

Bad Behaviour (2007)

Nestled among Darcey's birthday cards this year is a fancy invitation to the wedding of her exes - her ex boyfriend Aidan and her ex best friend Nieve. Both now live in the US and work in high-flying careers for a financial company - but Nieve is planning her fairytale wedding back in Ireland, in a castle surrounded by flowers. But why does she want Darcey, the friend she hasn't seen for years, to attend? And can Darcey put the hurt caused by her two closest allies behind her and wish the newlyweds well? This is an enjoyable read about vulnerability, betrayal and broken ties set amid the corporate world. For those who like stories about friends gone bad.

Isobel's Wedding - Sheila O'Flanagan (1999)

Isobel has just tried on her gorgeous wedding gown when fiance Tim announces he's not ready for marriage. Isobel is heartbroken as she cancels all the arrangements and heads off on what should have been her Mediterranean honeymoon with her friend Julie. Needing a fresh start, Isobel takes up a job offer in Spain and makes up for lost time on the men front. As she starts finding her feet, both in her training job and with new boyfriend Nico, she is called back to England, where she finds Tim is having second thoughts again.

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