Best friends Bronwyn and Claudia both trained as lawyers but Claudia was called back to her family’s Yallingup vineyard after an accident left her brother, Chris, in a wheelchair. With the business now getting too much for her father, there is talk of bringing her estranged brother, Jack, back into the fold. Bronwyn comes from a well-known legal family and is up for a position at a prestigious firm. But what she really loves is being at her friend’s family estate and dealing with the wine business. So the pair swap lives. But things get complicated when Bronwyn realises she still has feelings for the prodigal son and Claudia is having to prove herself to her prickly boss, Sebastian. Plus throw in an unruly dog, a criminal figure and an interfering mother. Although I wouldn’t have missed the dog thread, and its underwhelming conclusion, this was a pleasant read about family dynamics, friendship and two women facing personal and professional challenges.
The Grass is Greener, by Loretta Hill, is about fighting for what you want, against all odds. The summary says: "The grass always seems greener on the other side ... until you get there. For generations Bronwyn Eddings's family has thrived in the legal profession and a position at their prestigious firm is hers by right. Only problem is: she does not want it. Her best friend Claudia has always dreamed of being a lawyer, but tragedy struck and she took up the reins of her father's vineyard instead. It was supposed to be temporary ... now there's no end in sight. Bronwyn wants Claudia's life so badly. Claudia can't imagine anything better than Bronwyn's job. So the friends hatch a crazy plan to swap places. Both are determined to be the person they always thought they could never be. But achieving your dreams isn't easy - and falling in love with the men who oppose them is not a good idea." The Grass is Greener is out in January 2016.