The Smith girls - Venus, Diane and Athena - were the best of friends with the Clayworth boys - Drew and Connor. Their fathers worked together and Athena thought she and Drew were each other's true love. Fast-forward to the present day. Athena has landed her dream job as a fashion curator and is busily organising a vintage couture exhibition in Chicago. The only pieces missing are those held in a family vault at the Clayworths' house. When Athena is called to come and authenticate the dresses, she jumps at the chance. But the dresses are full of toxins - talk about killer threads - and Athena is overcome by fumes. She wakes in hospital and is reunited with Drew, who she hasn't seen for 15 years. Meanwhile someone has taken advantage of the confusion to steal the priceless gowns. (PP)
6/10
After a weekend in Vegas with her new husband Jake, event planner and blogger Clare realises that mixing antibiotics with birth control pills is not a sensible option. Having a baby right now was the last thing on her mind - and giving up alcohol for nine months is going to be murder. In between organising a big black-tie gala, staying neutral in her best friends' feud, dealing with a disapproving in-law and writing for her popular blog, Clare slowly adjusts to the fact that a new life is just around the corner. It took less than 10 pages for me to know that I was going to love this book - Clare is a loveable, quick-witted character who is just cut out for a sequel.
8/10
Sadie Price is a celebrity photographer who'll do whatever it takes to get the shot that will bring in the most money. When she gets a compromising shot of Hollywood heart-throb Ethan Wyatt, she thinks she is at the top of her game. That is, until the tables are turned on her and she starts being stalked by a paparazzi who follows her every move. Ethan, in the meantime, won't give up trying to get Sadie to stop her celebrity photo-taking ways and switch to another career. The question is: How does Sadie feel being stalked every day, unable to even leave her house without being followed? Anyone who reads the weekly tabloids or enjoys following the lives of Hollywood stars will devour this book in a heartbeat. (AS)
8/10
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.
5/10
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a romantic heart must be in want of her happily-ever-after. Ellie Barnett is no exception. What is exceptional about Ellie's story, however, is that Miss Jane Austen herself has been giving Ellie romantic advice since she first read Pride and Prejudice at the age of 15. With Miss Austen's guidance, Ellie has learned to classify her romantic interests according to 18th century England. There are the Mr Bingleys (like Jason and Tim) the Colonel Fitzwilliams (Dominic), and of course the dangerous Mr Wickhams (such as Brent and Sam). Like most women, though, she is forever in search of her ever-elusive Mr Darcy. It's not until she is in her 30s and stops to take stock of her dating history that Ellie realises not all men fit neatly into one particular category. And that just maybe she has misclassified one of her former loves. In a story more than coincidentally parallel to Pride and Prejudice, Marilyn Brant weaves an inventive tale of one woman's search for her heart's desire. I can't help but think how lucky we would all be to have Jane Austen guiding our own romantic adventures. (LEK)
6/10
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.
5/10
Emily's entrepreneurial boyfriend, Declan, secretly posts nude photos on the internet of her as a Saucy Santa. Amid the resulting media storm, she loses her teaching job and moves in with her new age friend Cara, who works at the local newspaper. Cara has her eye on photographer Adam but one night Adam sees Emily at a nightclub and without knowing who each other is they fall for one another. This is a hilarious story that will drive you nuts with the tension of will they or won't they ever meet.
8/10
Once upon a time there lived a fashion editor, Katherine Jones, who was nicknamed Kat. One Saturday she was sent in an Armani suit and Manolo Blahniks to the King Arthur's Faire to write a story on the emerging trend of medieval clothing in the 21st century. Entering the faire in a bad mood, she meets a gypsy who places a curse on her and she is transported back to the time of King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and the handsome knight Sir Lancelot. Things go from bad to worse as Kat has to act as a spy - though she decides to play it like a female version of James Bond with a hint of Buffy - and is captured. Can Kat use her 21st century skills in the town of Camelot or is she out of depth? An excellent modern take on the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with 21st century influences throughout. (PP)
7/10
Painter Imogen Cameron knows her family has to move out of London to help their financial situation. But does it have to be into a cottage owned by her husband Alex's former girlfriend, Eleanor - the woman who broke up his first marriage? Despite being married to stuffy Piers, Eleanor is still overly chummy towards Alex - making Imogen suspect they're having an affair again.
6/10
Magazine columnist Jasmin Field lands the role of Elizabeth Bennet for a fundraising performance of Pride and Prejudice. Her sister George is cast as Jane, her flatmate Mo is Charlotte Lucas, and her nemesis, theatre critic Gilbert, takes on the role of Mr Collins. And in a story that mirrors the P&P plot, Jazz has to put up with haughty Hollywood heart-throb Harry Noble as director.
6/10
The Tuesday after Labor Day marks the start of Manhattan's private school admissions when wealthy families try to call in every favour to get their child into their school of choice. For Helen Drager, mother of Zoe, it shouldn't be such an ordeal getting her into high school because she's president of The School's parents' association and her best friend Sara is its admissions officer. But with competition fierce and with little help from an increasingly absent headmistress, Helen turns to her television producer husband to sweet-talk some of the prospective school heads - offering one a shot at her own cooking show and becoming a sporting buddy with another. Will it be enough?
7/10
Grace Hawkes has not spoken to her siblings in five years. The last time she saw them was after their mother died. When she is called on to visit her dying father after he suffers a stroke, she feels she has no choice but to go help her brothers and sister. Despite her dislike of their father - who up and left them when they were little without as much as a reason why - Grace senses that subconsciously she has done exactly the same thing to her siblings - she abandoned them after their mother's death. After much hyperventilating and an almost mini-breakdown, Grace makes the biggest leap of faith in her life and goes to see her estranged family. Now, seeing them all for the first time in five years in a sombre hospital room, Grace feels like there may be a chance, though it is a real long shot, that they could go back to being a family once again. Also present at the hospital is her father's sinister second wife (who has more of a hidden agenda than an actual love for their father) and Grace's stepbrother. Of course, to complicate things just a bit more, the love of Grace's life, John, whom she also ran away from five years earlier, is also in attendance. Forced to deal with a mirage of emotions that she thought she could bury forever, Grace feels overwhelmed. Full of family drama, complicated relationships and situations that anyone can relate to, this book captures them all with just the right amount of humour thrown in for good measure. (AS)
7/10
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)
6/10
Although Michael's sudden death was a shock to his wife of 25 years, Fiona, she is not particularly devastated. Even though they rarely argued, the couple had been leading separate lives for many years. But things start to unravel when another woman appears at his funeral, unveiling secrets about Michael's past and his supposedly staged death. Despite the subject matter, this is a light and easy read but is let down by its weak portrayal of the main characters Fiona and Michael. (XT)
5/10
If you have ever been pregnant and had doubts about returning to work, you'll be able to relate to this story, the second book in the Sister-to-Sister series. Allie Harrod is a social worker by day and a brand-new mum by night. She is more than ready for a career change. When Allie is invited to a Vari Cose Party (similar to Avon or Tupperware) she decides on the spot to become a sales rep. This means she can be a stay-at-home mum but still contribute to the family's income. Of course Allie is discouraged by her family - I mean she even dropped out of the Girl Scouts for not selling enough cookies. But Allie is determined to rise to the occasion and prove to her family that she can make it. However all the daily challenges that Allie faces, such as her rising credit card balance, losing her baby fat, fitting back into her clothes and fearing her husband is slinking off to what may be an affair with a solo mum, are becoming too much. An enjoyable book combining motherhood, marriage, sisterhood and of course make-up and all those handy inventions like the Laundry Pen. (PP)
7/10
Magazine journalist Betty has to shadow Grace for a week, watching the honey-trapper test men to see if they are faithful. But Betty is finding the assignment tough - she takes an immediate dislike to Grace and her job. Then the women are manipulated into a bet that Grace can seduce Betty's husband, Johnny. But will anyone emerge as the winner? This is a good concept but it is poorly written, especially when jumping between viewpoints.
4/10
Annie Rafferty, deputy editor at Glo magazine, lives with her boyfriend Nick in a three-bedroom home she's just bought. But cracks begin to appear in their relationship when Nick leaves his PR job to 'find himself'. Suddenly Annie is the breadwinner just when she's fighting for survival at the office. Ambitious colleague Alexis is after her job while the new exec Don, who is looking at revamping the magazine, is definitely exerting his male presence. It's enough to get Annie reassessing her life, partner, career - and her good girl tag.
8/10
Pearl's screenwriter husband, Adam, is desperate for them to have a baby to seal their relationship but despite extensive efforts, it's just not happening. Pearl already has a five-year-old son, Thackeray, with movie star Brett Ellis but he doesn't play a role in their lives. Pearl, the daughter of rock star Gavin Sash, has been brought up around celebrity and works for uber-agent Stephen. One day Brett walks into Stephen's office and tells Pearl that he's a changed man and he wants to see his son. Does he have any chance of winning over his leading lady again? This has an interesting cast of secondary characters, including the always-prepared Adam, the free-spirited Gavin and the abrasive stepsister Lydia.
6/10
Movie star Paige Carson hates working with her arrogant Australian co-star Jackson Rolfe on movie Code Red. But he's nominated for an Oscar and she's already got a reputation for walking off set. The daughter of divorced celebrity parents, Paige suffers a few too many humiliations on the way to the Academy Awards. So she accepts a part on the London stage, playing Rosalind in As You Like It. This allows her to catch up with friend, rock chick Davina, who's now settled in England with her aristocratic husband, and brings her into the sphere of her landlord Ed, a documentary maker who is not at all keen to play host to a spoilt American diva. You may have fun picking the real life inspirations for the celebrity characters. But much like how Gwyneth's advice to Madonna to find herself an English husband turned out - badly - this predictable book ain't going to enjoy its own Hollywood ending.
5/10
Laura Foster admits that she lives with her head either in the clouds or buried in a romantic novel. When her latest relationship with Dan ends (he had promised to break it off with his girlfriend but instead broke it off with her), Laura swears off men and goes on a holiday to Norfolk with her parents and grandmother. But when she meets Nick at a stately home, she finds it hard to keep her promise to herself that she won't get caught up in romantic fantasies anymore.
6/10
Hannah has scored the job that other girls only dream about - putting the lip glosses into the glossies. As Gloss magazine's beauty editor, she is inundated with the latest products, invited to all the glamorous launches and cosseted by shiny PR girls. But it's not all champagne and air kisses - she also needs to work hard and look good - after all how good is a beauty editor whose skin and make-up aren't perfect. When Hannah reads about her boyfriend being seen out and about with a hot weather girl, she is devastated. But with the help of her best friend Iz, Hannah throws herself into her new career and back into the dating pool. With each chapter headed with a beauty tip (who knew about cold sores and nail polish remover?), this offers an entertaining insider's view into the magazine world.
7/10
Australian actress Alice Evans flees to Hollywood to escape a broken relationship and a big debt. But it doesn't prove to be her city of dreams - she lives in a cat-infested apartment and spends her days navigating the city in a Daewoo rental, lurching from one audition to another. After a promising start to her first audition, Alice finds she can't win a role and as her past in Australia is slowly revealed, it becomes apparent why she needs to make it so badly. Then she meets an Irishman called Nick, who opens her eyes to new possibilities.
7/10
Scarlett Stein is sick of people thinking she's too pretty to work as a librarian. Stuck in her condo with chicken pox, she thinks long and hard about her friend Pam's comment that men like her only because of how she looks, not for who she is. So Scarlett goes from swan to ugly duckling by cutting her hair, gaining weight and wearing dowdy clothes and glasses. To complete her transformation to Lettie Shaw she moves to a different house and job. Will she meet someone who loves her just the way she is - whether she's a frump or a knockout?
6/10
Tara has created a successful life coach business and lives with Glenn. When her spoilt younger sister Emma announces she's pregnant and refuses to name the father, suspicions are aroused. Could it be Eric, the husband of Tara's best friend Liz, who suddenly seems to be meeting up with Emma secretly? Glamorous PR agent Natalie meets Tara while on holiday in Egypt. They bond while Glenn is off learning to scuba dive, and Tara agrees to coach her in how to land the man of her dreams. And just when I thought I had all the answers sussed out, the author did the twist again - throwing in several unexpected plot turns that I never saw coming.
7/10
Monica, a junior associate at a Los Angeles divorce and mediation firm, is hoping her handling of superstar clients Cameron and Lydia Johnson - aka Camydia - as they discuss a trial separation will score her a promotion. But she has her work cut out for her with rival colleague Stefanie giving her the evil eye and trying to undermine her on the job. To further complicate her life, her fiancé is away in London, her former boyfriend is back in her life as a client and her drama queen mum is returning to town. A tale of female rivalry, celebrity shenanigans and being true to yourself.
6/10
Janice Miller is dizzy with excitement when she learns of the meteoric rise of her husband's company IPO shares. As she recalls the early years of marriage, of living in tiny apartments and coping with the stresses of miscarriages, Janice is comforted by how everything is going to be fine from this moment onwards - they have finally secured an even better life for daughters, Lizzie and Margaret. But all her hopes are shattered when she receives a divorce letter from Paul. And if knowing that he's having an affair with her tennis partner Beverly isn't enough, Janice finds out he doesn't plan on giving her a share of the $300 million. Lizzie, her younger daughter, is swarmed by boys after her recent weight loss and recent fling with the star of Fillmore High's swimming team. But the line between right and wrong becomes faint, as she revels in her newfound popularity. Margaret, after receiving Lizzie's call about their father's decision to divorce, finally returns home from Los Angeles. Having accumulated debts through her feminist magazine Snatch, she tries to hold up a brave front, hiding the problems from her family. Always regarded as the smart one in the family, Margaret fears they will be disappointed if her messed-up life is exposed. Set in Silicon Valley, this is a painfully realistic portrayal of how an affluent family deals with an unexpected divorce. (XT)
7/10
Best friends Gemma and Sarah are at their ritual Friday night cocktails, when Sarah adds another name to their bastards list - a collection of 20 yellowing pages of men who have done them wrong. They add the list to Gemma's homepage and she creates a form so other internet users can add their own stories of bastards they have known. It becomes an overnight success so Gemma sets up a new website called allmenarebastards.com. This becomes Gemma's place to vent, especially now her ex-fiancé Brett has sent her an invitation to his wedding to another woman. But is Gemma's manhating getting out of control?
6/10
When Jade's husband Mark cheats on her again, this time she changes the locks on their luxurious Sydney home. Mark is a brash hotel entrepreneur who loves the lavish lifestyle and his sports cars - and it seems his freedom and other women. Jade, who has spent the past decade becoming an Affluent Suburban Housewife (ASH), realises she's sold herself out for a Fendi bag and a Hermes bracelet. The background story to this titillating, no-holds-barred memoir, which played out in the Australian gossip and business pages, is that Mark took up with a well-known socialite (best known for being a bridesmaid at Crown Prince Frederik and Mary's wedding in Denmark) and his Pubboy empire collapsed. For Jade, even before the money runs out, her dream life is tarnished, especially as her two children get split up. She is not a sympathetic character though, from the start when she was more concerned that Mark didn't leave with her Louis Vuitton bags through to her recovery in Bali - did she deserve to be relaxing in a tropical paradise without facing up to the bankruptcy at home? If you can't get enough of Real Housewives or need a reminder that greed isn't good, then you'll relish this racy narrative.
6/10
Single mum Sally Freeman lives in a rundown tower block in Liverpool with her 10-year-old son Charlie. He's never known his father, who's in prison, but he has a great relationship with Sally's ex-boyfriend Johnny, an aspiring artist. Johnny is desperate to get back together again; Sally is desperate to escape her poverty-stricken circumstances. When her computer tutor Spencer falls for her, Sally thinks she may have found her way out - in his Porsche. But after Sally gets funding to tidy up her neighbourhood, she may find it harder than she thinks to leave her life behind.
6/10
Georgie runs The Reading Rooms bookshop with her sister-in-law Louise. One day a guy walks into the bookshop and Georgie, a loveable bohemian type, tells herself that this is the man she's going to spend the rest of her life with. Can she trust her inner voice, especially as Liam has such a busy schedule as a taxation lawyer? For Mac and Anna, their perfect marriage is struggling under the strain of infertility. As another cycle of IVF fails, Mac reveals that he wants Anna to take a break from the program. With Mac staying out late at the office and Anna turning to the bottle to drown her sorrows, is it too late to save their marriage? Great characters and loved the way their worlds collided.
8/10
Three women thought they had their lives mapped out. Ambitious Mel wanted a high-flying career; Daisy wanted to start a family while Cleo planned to run her family's hotel after she completed a management course. But now Mel has had to give up her job in PR to look after her young daughters, Cleo is fighting a losing battle to save the ailing business, while Daisy is still desperately trying to have a baby.
6/10
Cate Padgett has been in many weddings - as a bridesmaid. To be exact, she has been a bridesmaid in four weddings over just a few months. Her closet is bursting with expensive polyester bridesmaid dresses with matching dyed shoes and she has had just about enough of photographers telling her to tilt her head this way and that. To top it off, Cate finds herself dealing with a drunk ex of the bride-to-be who is determined to crash the wedding and confess his love, soap opera style! Through all the "I dos" Cate has to work through her own questionable relationship with her distant boyfriend Paul, manage to make it to all her required home visits of the kindergarten class she teaches, and wonder why she has a strange feeling in her stomach every time she sees her old friend, Ethan. For anyone who has ever stood on the sidelines and wondered, 'what about me?' this book will have you supporting Cate the whole way and wanting more when it ends . . . Luckily, there is a sequel! (JE)
7/10
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.
6/10
Lucy Fellowes lost her husband, Ned, in a car crash as he was on his way to the birth of their second son. Years later, his rich parents, Rose and Archie, offer her a home on their estate. She takes up their offer for her sons' benefit - the fact that her secret crush, Charlie, lives nearby simply sweetens the deal. It's just a shame he's married.
6/10
Vanessa Carlson is an independent, sophisticated and successful matchmaker who lives and breathes the glamorous city of New York. But she desperately wants to break free from the label of being her ex-boss Althea's protege. In an inebriated state, Vanessa and Althea make a wager that whoever matches the city's most eligible bachelor, Mark Grayson, will be crowned Queen of matchmaking. Vanessa's quest for Mark is helped along by her supportive and loveable friends who are always there to lend a hand when things go pear shaped, which in Vanessa's case is quite frequent. With lots of quirks and dramas it is hard not to like Vanessa and laugh at all the situations she manages to get herself in during her quest to find love for everyone else but herself. Will Vanessa win the quest for Mark in more ways than one? (GF)
7/10
When media handler Jules Vernon is knocked unconscious by a celebrity chef wielding a frying pan, Jules decides to jump career-ship again. She becomes a production coordinator for reality TV show Pop Star Live! where her job includes babysitting the contestants including a diva with a forceful father, an heir with a meddling bodyguard and a nice guy with a gang background. She also has to moddycoddle a judge with hypochondria, deal with another judge's bitchy behaviour and become the Face Behind Reality TV in a magazine series.
6/10
Lydia Meadows, a former lawyer turned full-time mother to Erin and Tom, becomes very involved with their private school. When Erin and her friends become the most popular girls after wearing the same skirt on the first day of school, the other mothers turn on Lydia for letting her daughter exclude theirs. But then the tables turn and it is Erin who's left out of the popular cliché when a new girl arrives. Who knew parents could be so cruel?
6/10
Nell and Charlotte would be perfect mothers, if it wasn't for the children. With Charlotte in London and Nell recently moved to Canada, the sisters keep in touch about their mutual household chaos through a series of letters and emails.
6/10
Angel gets drawn into the glitzy world of celebrity fame and riches after becoming a Page 3 glamour model. She meets boy band singer Mickey but with their relationship clouded by infidelity and drug-taking, Angel discovers a rising star can fall just as quickly. Written by glamour model Jordan, who is married to singer Peter Andre.
5/10
This sequel to Angel sees the glamour model struggle with a life that is far from perfect as it appears on the outside. Angel has to cope with both post-natal depression after the birth of daughter Honey and a move to Milan to follow her footballer husband Cal. With Angel and Cal growing further apart, the temptation of infidelity arises. This has lots of tabloid scandals and plot twists that makes it very readable. (AB)
5/10
Maggie Walsh is the sensible one in her family until she leaves her husband Garv and heads to LA. She moves in with best friend Emily, a screenwriter still waiting for her big break. With a former boyfriend in town and a cute American to lust after, Maggie tries to discover what she really wants from life. Then her parents and two of her sisters arrive in town, and her past confronts her.
8/10
Ten years ago, 17-year-old Lola was offered 10,000 pounds by her boyfriend's snobby mother to break up with him. At first she refused as Dougie was the love of her life. But after finding out her stepfather had serious gambling debts, she accepts and takes off to Majorca, leaving behind only a break-up letter for Dougie. A decade later, a Good Samaritan act by Lola, now a bookshop manager, brings her ex back into her life. But although Lola still has strong feelings for him, he finally discovers that she was paid off to dump him. Read it for the great characters, including the feisty heroine and her neighbours Sally - an immaculately dressed but sloppy flatmate who is also Doug's sister - and Gabe, possibly the world's most useless (but kind-hearted) paparazzo. The ending doesn't surprise but if you get an offer to read this book, don't refuse it.
7/10
Anna Walsh has landed on her feet in New York - a wonderful job as a PR executive for a beauty brand, a loving husband Aidan and a great apartment. Then one morning she wakes up in her family's Dublin home with stitches in her face and a dislocated knee - and no memory of how she got there. More troubling is the fact that Aidan won't return her calls or emails.
8/10
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.
7/10
Stay-at-home mother Sadie feels that her life needs to be more interesting. She wants to enjoy nights out on the town without being forced home by leaking breasts. She wants to flirt and feel like a sex kitten. So she invents a fictitious online identity for herself and makes contact with a former boyfriend, Danny. But the real threat to her relationship with partner Alex comes when she falls for his boss' husband. She did say she wanted a different life . . .
6/10
Single mum Alice gets a job as an assistant fundraiser for St Jude's hospital - thanks to some creative CV tweaking by her sister Grace. She gets to organise charity events and work alongside the handsome Jack. But the job also entails running around after the demanding chair of the Ladies' Guild, Maud Hamilton-O'Connor. Still she is willing to stick with it for a while so she can get a mortgage on a little cottage. At the moment she is living with Grace, who in turn has thrown out her husband Jason.
6/10
The sequel to The Baby Trail, this finds Emma Hamilton ready to adopt after an unsuccessful IVF attempt. But she is upset to discover there are no Irish babies waiting to be rescued, so she turns her attention to Russia and immerses herself in its culture. But between trying to prove that she and James would make perfect parents and cutting through all the red tape, Emma finds out that adoption is far from an instant solution.
6/10
Rebecca Fine may be writing a beauty column but she is more interested in being an investigative reporter. So when a "Smooth Throat" reveals there may be something suspicious in the latest miracle anti-wrinkle cream, Rebecca heads to Paris to steal a sample. And her love life is looking up, no thanks to her grandmother who keeps sending Jewish men her way, when she starts dating fellow reporter Max. Meanwhile her dad reveals he's engaged to her high school nemesis Bernadette (aka Lipstick). With clever turns of phrase, this is an entertaining, light-hearted read.
7/10
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)
8/10
In the third novel in the Rather series, Penny and Jeremy are planning their wedding but are making really slow progress with the final plans. When Penny's young French cousin, Honorine, shows up on their London doorstep out of the blue, she informs them that her parents have invited them to their home in France for a small reception in celebration of their wedding. While in France, Penny's generous relations offer Penny and Jeremy the use of a beautiful wedding tapestry for the couple to be married in front of. The tapestry has perplexing but lovely images that Penny finds intriguing, since her background is in historical research. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Penny and Jeremy have to make the difficult decision of where to have their wedding. Penny's relatives want the wedding to be in France, while Jeremy's family want it in England. When they finally have a breakthrough, they head to their villa in France to sell the idea to the family and in doing so need to bring the tapestry to the villa to showcase the full effect of their ideas. However, something goes awry and the tapestry goes missing. This leads Penny, Jeremy and Honorine on a chase to track down the tapestry and find out its true origins. What they find just may get them into hot water with a certain famous billionaire and they'll have to tread very carefully in order to get the tapestry back in one piece. Can Penny and Jeremy recover the beloved family heirloom in time? Or is its absence a bad omen, warning them to call off the wedding? Written in such an fascinating way, with characters that will both charm and entertain, it is a book that you don't want to miss. (AS)
8/10
This is the second book in the Rather series, which follows Penny Nichols and her boyfriend, Jeremy, on another tantalising adventure. Penny seems to have it all after inheriting her aunt Penelope's London flat, classic car and other treasures. Jeremy has also gotten quite a nice amount in his inheritance and together they decide to make one large purchase. After some deliberation, they decide that this item is going to be an antique yacht. Trouble follows suit as Penny and Jeremy discover a feud that goes back centuries and involves the theft of a very unique and utterly priceless item. People seem to think that their new yacht holds the hidden treasure that everyone is talking about. From gigolos to salesmen, no one seems to be immune to following or harassing Penny and Jeremy - some even going to the extreme of stealing the yacht. Getting themselves embroiled in yet another mystery that needs solving, Penny and Jeremy embark on a series of thrilling adventures that will lead them to a discovery so huge that it was thought to have been one big myth. Clearly written with a mix of everything that one could want in a good novel, this is a book that you'll enjoy right until the end. (AS)
7/10
The first in the Rather series, this is a wonderful book chronicling the story of Penny Nichols (yes, that's her real name!). Penny is a charming, sassy and smart character that you'll root for even when you know she's going to get herself in trouble. Penny, a historical filmmaker, is whisked away to London after her great-aunt Penelope's death. To her surprise, Penny is left quite a bit of her great-aunt's items. All is not perfect in Penny's world however, as she soon realises that her wacky cousin, Rollo, may not be the nice guy he seems to be. Rollo is after her inheritance but Penny doesn't know why - he has been left his own share of things, seemingly more valuable than anything Penny was left. Eventually, with the help of her other cousin Jeremy (who may or may not be an actual blood relation and who Penny may or may not be falling for), Penny finds that there is something else more valuable hidden somewhere within her inheritance that Rollo desperately wants and he will go to any lengths to obtain it. With breathtaking settings in France's Cote d'Azur, Italy and London, Penny and Jeremy's quest to find the mysterious item is suspenseful and filled with excitement, leading them to one of the biggest historical discoveries of current time. Creatively written, it contains a nice mix of romance, mystery and humour. (AS)
7/10
As Dubliners Ali, Molly, Ben and Sarah prepare to leave their 20s behind, it's time for them to move on with their lives. Solicitor Ali needs to decide whether she's ready to marry Robin; Molly has taken the plunge on the job front but as she builds her catering experience, her relationship with boyfriend Luke seems to be going off the boil. Meanwhile freelance journalist Ben needs to move out of his parents' home; while Sarah needs more time for her art and to find a partner. With very short chapters that switch from one character to another, this tale about experiencing growing-up angst when you should already be grown up is let down by its stilted dialogue.
6/10
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.
6/10
When Natalie asks her boyfriend, Michael, whether it's time they move in together, he instead tells her he "needs space" and promptly gets himself a new girlfriend. To help her get back into the swing of single life, one of Natalie's friends takes her speed-dating where she meets, Guy, who is getting over a marriage break-up. He is the perfect guy to accompany her to her best friend's wedding, since Michael will be there with his new partner. Natalie admits to her new friend that night that she has just lost her lawyer job after it is revealed she lied about a previous conviction. So when Guy, a Roman historian, offers her a rent-free stay at his Rome apartment, the cash-strapped Natalie takes up his offer. And so Natalie begins to emerge from the ruins of her life amid the ruins of the historic city.
6/10
For Emily Rhode, her fear of making commitments has resulted in a tendency to live with one foot out the door. When her mother suddenly announces that she has cancer, she decides to leave both her job and ideal boyfriend to take care of her mother. At the same time, she accepts her dad's offer of working at his law firm as a receptionist as a chance to get to know the man who deserted her when she was five. Through all this, Emily slowly finds herself learning more about her parents, childhood, and most importantly, finding the inner strength to face up to her problems. (XT)
7/10
Over the years Lou Winter has become a downtrodden wife - always on hand to whip up a bacon breakfast for her husband Phil and organise his business accounts. She won't stand up to her bullying boss nor stop her mum making negative comments. One day an article about clutter-cleaning inspires Lou to spring-clean her house - and as she clears the decks she rediscovers her moxie. Tom, the nice guy who delivers the skips to cart away her rubbish, reminds her of what she's missing in her marriage, and she reconnects with her best friend Deb. You'll be cheering on Lou as she learns to stand up to her man - and hopefully kick him to the kerb (with the rest of the trash).
7/10
Claire Danner Crispin hasn't been back at work in her glassblowing studio since she collapsed from dehydration and prematurely gave birth to her youngest son, Zack. At her husband Jason's behest, she has given up her craft and instead devoted herself to their four children. But then she is asked by millionaire Lock Dixon to co-chair the annual Nantucket Children's charity gala. Her role is to secure her high school sweetheart, rock star Max West, as the performer and make a piece of art to auction. But as she fights her guilt about taking time away from her family and being responsible for Lock's unhappy home life, she is drawn into an affair. An intriguing story that keeps you turning the pages - will the secret relationship, her obsession with creating the perfect chandelier and the pressures of organising a high-society event leave her life in shatters?
Sisters Cassie and Lizbet are total opposites - Cassie is an ambitious lawyer, while Lizbet is a laidback magazine writer. Despite their differences, they have managed to stay friends as they head off on their different paths. But then Lizbet unexpectedly falls pregnant and Cassie, desperate to have her own baby, finds it difficult to deal with the news. Lizbet is also shocked to discover that Cassie has kept the fact she is adopted a secret.
7/10
As the big 3-0 looms, Charlie Edwards has started keeping a journal of advice for a future generation of women. Her nuggets of wisdom cover everything from not waiting by the phone, why you should avoid celebrity magazines and married men, and how to have a good laugh. With her younger sister Andy's wedding preparations underway, she also has lots of advice for brides and bridesmaids - such as saving your bridesmaid dresses and making the brides wear them to your own wedding. Charlie is the personal assistant to one of Hollywood's sexiest and most insecure stars, Drew Stanton, who has fallen madly for her indifferent best friend Dawn. And Charlie, who's chronically single and has just realised she's never going to be Jennifer Aniston, has her eye on Jordan, who is the still photographer on Drew's latest movie In My Heart. Can she follow her own advice when it comes to matters of the heart?
7/10
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a chicklit book in possession of references to Jane Austen, Mr Darcy or Pride and Prejudice will hardly be in want of readers. One of the most recent Austen-themed books, Austenland tells the tale of American Jane Hayes, who finds real men just don't measure up to Mr Darcy. A relative bequeaths her a trip to English country manor Pembrook Park, which caters for Austen-crazed women. Here guests don empire-waist gowns and bonnets and master Regency etiquette as they are romanced by actors playing gentleman. After her secret dalliances with the gardener, Jane (Miss Erstwhile) finds herself attracted to the Darcy-like Mr Nobley. Is this trip going to help Jane kick her Austen obsession forever?
7/10
This focuses on one of the friends from the 2007 novel Not Meeting Mr Right. Peta Tully may have found her Mr Right in architect James but she's really not interested in the whole marriage and kids package. So when she's offered a 12-month contract in Melbourne with the art, sports and indigenous affairs department, the wannabe minister for cultural affairs jumps on a plane and heads to Sydney, leaving James behind. Soon Peta is breaking Melbourne's all-black fashion law and trying out the city's cultural smorgasbord, from art galleries and cool bars to an Aussie Rules football match. But with so many straight - and interested - men on offer, like policeman Mike, will her vow of celibacy remain intact? Peta is such a self-centred, big-chip-on-her-shoulder character that you certainly wouldn't shed a tear if she stepped under a tram. And she also had this bile-inducing habit of eating international cuisine and then astral-travelling/dreaming of getting raunchy in that country. Peta as an international spokeswoman for sharing Aboriginal activism through chick lit - just so Ms Wrong.
5/10
Tracie Martin, one of the Chicklit Club's favourite characters, heads to LA after husband Dean is signed up to coach the LA City Raiders. She is ecstatic as she plans to move in next door to Victoria Beckham and become best friends at last. But she is surprised to find that LA women are not what she expected - they are tanned golden rather than fake-baked orange; prefer wheatgrass shakes to Cristal; and are more likely to be saluting the sun than stumbling in from nightclubs after dawn. With Dean so busy at the club, Tracie hooks up with Jamie, her "knight in shining Lycra". Together they sample LA's sights and meet her long-lost father. From running into some of the cast of America's Most Wanted to trying out for cheerleading sans underwear, this sequel is just as hilarious as the original.
8/10
