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Odd Mom Out - Jane Porter (2007)

Advertising executive Marta Zinsser has moved from New York to Seattle to start a new agency and be nearer her mother who has Alzheimers disease. Her nine-year-old daughter Eva, who she conceived through donor sperm, really wants to fit in with the popular crowd in their affluent suburb (where people will behave better at breakfast if the Gates are nearby). Eva believes it would help if Marta was a bit more like the other immaculately groomed mums who are so involved in their children's school. Marta, who feels more comfortable in jeans and combat boots, joins in some of the PTA activities but struggles to keep up as well as run her agency, Z Design. Marta also believes she doesn't need a man but she soon runs into the irresistible Luke Flynn on her morning jog. A very convincing story about a working mother's relationship with her daughter, the pitfalls in the pursuit of popularity and why you should be leader of your own pack.


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Off the Record - Jennifer O'Connell (2005)

Did Jane Marlow have such an effect on her former neighbour that he wrote a hit song about her? That's what her brother thinks when he sees Teddy Rock on a music show, talking about his chart-topper Janey 245 from 13 years earlier. Suddenly plain Jane is in the spotlight - making radio appearances and being asked by her boss to woo Teddy as a client.


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Old School Ties - Kate Harrison (2003)

Tracey was the leader of her classroom pack. Now, 17 years on, she's married to a man she doesn't want to be married to; she works part-time in a stationery store and has two kids - one of whom is having trouble with school bullies. Hoping to relive her glory days, Tracey signs up for a TV documentary about school reunions. But getting her former classmates back together proves harder than this self-proclaimed most popular student ever thought. Her ex-boyfriend Gary, now a policeman, seems to hate her; she hasn't seen her bridesmaid Melody since her wedding day; and several people seem more keen on settling old scores than chatting about the good old days. And the person she'd most like to reunite with can't possibly be there. This is a delightful story about someone discovering their school days - and reputation - weren't quite as they remembered. You probably wouldn't have wanted Tracey as your school chum but she's a great character to read about.


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One Day in May - Catherine Alliott (2010)

Life is finally falling into place for single mum Hattie - her antiques business is thriving, her adopted son is settled at boarding school and she's enjoying a no-strings-attached fling with a younger French lover, Ivan. But while visiting her sister, Laura, who's newly ensconced in an inherited manor house, Hattie comes face to face with the family of the love she has never forgotten - politician Dominic. Although all the English country pursuits, such as picking out window dressings and joining a hunt, at times drag on a bit, this story takes a turn for the better when it delves into Hattie's emotional baggage from the Bosnian war. And the explosive revelation towards the end makes it one to definitely recommend.


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One Fifth Avenue - Candace Bushnell (2008)

It seems even when you have millions, it's still hard to love thy neighbours. After society matriarch Louise Houghton dies, a new couple move into her three-floor apartment at the prestigious Manhattan address One Fifth Avenue. Paul and Annalisa Rice have made their fortune through his mathematical genius. He's now a ruthless hedge fund manager while she's reluctantly given up her glittering law career to cruise the social circuit. Their neighbours include gossip columnist Enid and her nephew Philip, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. Philip's former lover, Hollywood actress Schiffer Diamond, has just returned to town for a TV series but his new research assistant Lola is a girl on the make and has him firmly in her sights. Then there's media executive Mindy, whose position as head of the building's board allows her to poke her nose into everyone's affairs. She lives with her as-yet unsuccessful author husband James and their computer-savvy teenager Sam. Throw in a stolen treasure mystery, some bitchy bloggers and plenty of neighbourly feuds - and you have a tale that showcases all seven deadly sins.


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Once in a Lifetime - Cathy Kelly (2009)

Rumours abound that Kenny's department store is in financial strife. Owner David Kenny certainly seems to be preoccupied. The story centres around four women linked by the Irish store - David's wife, Ingrid, a TV presenter; their daughter's flatmate Natalie, who struggles with not knowing anything about her late mother; store employee Charlie who has a dysfunctional relationship with her feminist mother; and free-spirited and mystical Star Bluesome, who supplies tapestries to the store and knows secrets about them all. It's very character driven like all Kelly's books with a few unexpected plot developments but perhaps not her most focused effort.


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One For Sorrow, Two For Joy - Elise Juska (2007)

Claire Gallagher has always been fascinated by words, even to the point of marrying Bob, an entomologist, whose use of scientific terms appealed to her greatly. Following Bob to New Hampshire, where he takes up a job at the research training facility, she struggles to work on both her dissertation and a low-paying job as a crossword puzzle writer. Claire soon realises that her marriage is an unhappy one, so she packs her bags and flees to Ireland, to see her sister Noelle and fiance Paul. There, Claire confronts her past - her estranged relationship with her mother, her quiet father, and discovers more about herself and the meaning of love. I find this a rather disappointing read because it focuses too much on Claire's love for words, and less on how she deals with the various relationships in her life. (XT)


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One-Hit Wonder - Lisa Jewell (2001)

Bee Bearhorn had a number one hit single in 1985 - and was destined to become Britain's answer to Madonna. But instead she becomes a one-hit wonder. When she dies alone in a London flat 15 years later, it's up to her timid, gangly half-sister Ana to collect her belongings. Leaving their agoraphobic mother in Devon, Ana tracks down Bee's closest friends (and the only ones at the funeral) - the exotic singer Lol and long-time driver Flint - and they set out to uncover what happened to Bee. Why did she have a secret country cottage, who is Zander and where is her missing cat? Ana's journey of self-discovery as she finds out how Bee's glamorous life fell apart is told by the interweaving of past and present events. Well worth a read.


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One Kiss in Havana - Michelle Jackson (2010)

This explores the themes of sibling rivalry, family feuds and finding hope and redemption in adverse circumstances. Emma, Louise and Sophie are sisters who share a lot more than family problems. When Emma surprisingly receives two tickets to Cuba in the post from her late husband Paul, she decides to take Sophie along in his place - completely oblivious to the fact that Paul and Sophie were lovers, and the holiday was always intended for the pair of them! Hard-necked troublemaker Sophie has no qualms about going on holiday with the sister she's betrayed, but feels bitter about Emma being able to grieve openly for her lost love while she has to keep her feelings hidden. Meanwhile, Louise is stuck at home in a marriage rut. When a random encounter with her former lover Jack reawakens her old feelings for him, she's left more confused about her marriage than ever - particularly when Jack seems interested in meeting her. Back in Cuba, Emma feels alive again for the first time since Paul's death when she meets Felipe, a Che Guevara lookalike, while Sophie spends her time with Greg, a Canadian art dealer. But will One Kiss in Havana lead to a lot more, and could the holiday be the beginning of a life-changing experience for everyone? The descriptions of Cuba are so skilfully woven into this book that not only will you feel as if you're there but you'll absorb a lot of information about Cuba and its way of life while enjoying the story. It is a perfect holiday read, and if you're not on holidays, you'll want to be after reading it. (SBB)


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One Thing Led to Another - Katy Regan (2009)

This is based on the author's real life experiences and Marie Claire column. Magazine writer Tess, 28, discovers she's pregnant to her best male friend Jim. He is more than happy to be part of the baby's life but it doesn't mean they are going to finally become a couple. Then her sexy ex, Laurence, reappears in her life but how will he react to news of her pregnancy? A promising debut - full of believable emotions and genuine humour - about two friends and a complicated situation.



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Operation Sunshine - Jenny Colgan (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.


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Original Sin - Tasmina Perry (2009)

Tess works for a tabloid newspaper when she uncovers a story about Sean Asgill who is a part of the famous Asgill Cosmetics company. She is approached by family matriarch Meredith with a proposition for her to keep quiet and help the Asgill family with public relations and prevent other secrets from coming out. Tess never imagined taking the position would uncover so many secrets, and starts to wonder if she made the right choice. Meanwhile, daughter Brooke is about to marry David Billington, America's most eligible bachelor who's destined to be the next big political player in Washington. The Asgills are ecstatic that she is the one David has fallen in love with. The wedding is set for the winter but the family knows that a scandal could derail David's political career and cause the wedding to be called off. Can the Asgills keep their lives in check long enough for Brooke to walk down the aisle or will all their secrets come out and ruin both families? Tasmina Perry did a great job with this book, the people were relatable and exciting and she keeps you guessing the whole way. (CG)


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Other People's Husbands - Judy Astley (2008)

Sara is 25 years younger than her husband Conrad, a renowned painter. Now that he's turning 70, Conrad has decided this is a good time for him to bow out before he gets too old and decrepit. So he hangs up his brushes; puts away his passport; and starts planning his exit strategy. Meanwhile Sara, who teaches art at a nearby college, has had lots of close friendships with other people's husbands but never has her heart been drawn to any other man. But when she meets Ben, a journalist much closer to her age, she can't help but feel an intense attraction.


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Other People's Secrets - Louise Candlish (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.


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Out of the Blue - Belinda Jones (2008)

Cruise ship excursions organiser Selena is about to disembark for a two-month break. She's particularly looking forward to a break from the attentions of over-amorous officer Alekos. But she finds Jules, the best friend she was going to stay with, has deserted her to elope to Mauritius. On her flight to London she takes pity on Alekos who is nursing an injured hand. He convinces her to join him on the Greek island of Crete to help run his brother's watersports business. Selena is not only captivated by Greece and its mythology, but the sun and surf has her slowly thawing to her admirer.



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Outside In - Courtney Thorne-Smith (2007)

Kate Keyes-Morgan has a starring role on TV show Generations and is about to face her worst acting nightmare - shooting a lingerie scene. Her husband and manager Hamilton ensures she retains her current stick figure through daily weigh-ins and a diet that consists of a few nibbles of egg whites and chicken. Then Hamilton leaves her for her demanding co-star, Sapphire Rose, who often shuts down the shoot for hours because she can't squeeze into her wardrobe (after all, how can you put on weight following a raw food diet of carrot and seed muffins, cheese and crackers and candy bars?). Hamilton's departure gives Kate her first opportunity to run her own life and career. She moves in with her wise-cracking make-up artist Paige and falls for Michael, who she thinks is a struggling writer but instead is Sapphire's long-suffering agent. This has lots of funny diva action and obnoxious lines from her horrible husband.


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Over the Holidays - Sandra Harper (2009)

Vanessa Clayton is an overwhelmed mother of nine-year-old twin boys. Vanessa and her husband, JT, have decided that because of their money situation, they are going to skip their annual tradition of visiting his brother and family in New England this Christmas. But JT's brother, his overbearing wife, Patience, and their rebellious daughter, Libby, decide to instead come to California to see them for Christmas. Vanessa stresses about finding the time to please her Martha Stewart-like sister-in-law, struggles with money, and deals with her flaky hippy sister, Thea, who is trying to find the real meaning of Christmas. In the midst of all her stress, Vanessa is confronted with the temptation to cheat on her reliable husband with her hot playwright colleague. This is a quick fun holiday read. (AO)


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Over You - Lucy Diamond (2008)

The days when Josie, Nell and Lisa were inseparable, living it up in London, seem like a lifetime ago. They have all since gone in separate directions - Josie into marriage and kids; Nell into travelling the world; and Lisa into a high-flying career. With a reunion well overdue, Josie arranges a weekend away with her friends, leaving her husband Pete to look after the kids. Little did she know as she made the train trip into the city that she was about to make a discovery that would change the course of her life. A solid story of friendship and jealousy, betrayal and starting over, with enough twists to keep you turning the pages.


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