Champagne Babes (2010)

This continues the escapades of Eva Valentine, a former wild-child diva turned newlywed mother. When Eva marries Michael and gives birth to their daughter Daisy, her dreams of domestic bliss are shattered as the man she loved enough to marry turns into a stranger she can no longer talk to. Faced with the difficulties of spending her nights with a man who only wants her for sex (even though her stitches have barely healed) and raising her daughter practically single-handedly, it isn't long before Eva feels like an overweight desperate housewife who's gagging for some fun and a return to the crazy and glamorous days of her past. To top it all off, her long-time friend Maddie seems to be steadily turning against Eva and letting her down at a time when she needs her most. Luckily, her best friends Parker and Lisa are on hand to drag her away for weekends of fun and excitement. As things get worse and worse on the home front, Eva can no longer ignore the temptation on offer on her weekends away from reality ... and it's anyone's guess whose bed she'll end up in. What I liked best about this book was that the author wasn't afraid to write about subjects that might be deemed contentious or non-PC. The book presents such situations as a new mother going out drinking shortly after the birth of her special needs child, and the manner in which nobody wants anything to do with someone who's taken a drug overdose even if it means the person dies without help. It's always refreshing to see new topics explored in books, particularly topics that make you wonder what you would do in that situation. Although Eva describes herself as a diva, she's a likeable one, and you cannot but sympathise with her for the way in which certain characters treat her in the book. There are plenty of raunchy scenes, but for those who wonder whether that might be their cup of tea, the action is not too in-your-face and you'll find yourself chuckling at the situations the characters find themselves in - particularly at a swingers' party in Paris. There are three books in the Champagne series, and if you like this one, you'll be happy to invite Eva and her pals back into your life again at some stage in the future. (SBB)

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