A Desirable Residence - Madeleine Wickham (1996)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

I think I will forever hear the soothing yet sinister voice of Katherine Kellgren whenever I listen to or read Madeleine Wickham's satirical novels. I don't know that any other narrator would be able to tell these dark and twisted stories in a more perfect tone than she. In her typical fashion, Wickham creates a world of quirky and eccentric characters whose lives become enmeshed when two of them, Liz and Jonathan Chambers, decide to take on tenants to lessen their payments on their new home, while still trying to sell their old house. Marcus finds them the "perfect" leasees and soon after Ginny and hubby Piers move in. Although Liz and Jonathan couldn't care less about their new neighbours, daughter Alice is quite enthralled with them and begins to spend countless hours with them, playing games, drinking into the late night, and having more fun than she's ever known. As the stress of the mounting mortgage bills rise and money becomes nothing but a bore to talk to Jonathan about, Liz begins to seek more than just realty advice from Marcus and an affair quickly ensues. As you might imagine, listening to A Desirable Residence is like hearing the tick-tock of a time bomb just waiting to implode on its inhabitants. I can't say I loved or hated this audio book. It was entertaining but not gripping. I'm intrigued by Wickham's dark style of writing which is made further interesting by the sounds of Kellgren's sinister storytelling.

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Adored - Tilly Bagshawe (2005)

Narrated by Sonya Walger

Sonya Walger, with her recognisable and ambient voice, exudes the necessary prestige, power and worth in Adored, a soap opera of a story reminiscent of TV's Dynasty. Adored chronicles the lives of the McMahon family over several decades and there is nothing short of drama, mystery, conflict, chaos, romance, fame, gossip and fortune throughout. When the male patriarch of the McMahon family passes away, everyone has to get used to a whole lot of change - and not too many people are happy. Granddaughter Siena, however, no matter what anyone says or does, remains full of her own zestful spunk and determination - much like her grandfather always was. She dreams of becoming a big-time movie star but her father has other plans for her. As Siena grows into a beautiful young woman, she's offered a modeling opportunity in Europe and couldn't be more thrilled at her chance at a break into Hollywood. Unfortunately, accepting her place in the limelight also means being disowned by her father and even as young as Siena is, her father cuts her off, emotionally and financially, leaving Siena alone, in more ways than one. From then on, Siena vows to never need or ask for anything from her father ever again and again, much like her grandfather, she begins to build her own empire of sorts, from the ground up. As a gorgeous woman, there are always people revelling at Siena's beauty and she's got plenty of people to help her wherever she wants to go - at least for a little while. Siena learns all too well how lonely it can be trying to get to the top and even more so, as a McMahon, it seems that every time someone like Siena reaches her star, there's heartbreak right around the corner. Ultimately, she must face whether she wants family or fame. Adored has all the passion and drama you could want in an audio book.

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A Vintage Affair- Isabel Wolff (2009)

Narrated by Violet Mathieson

This was my first introduction to the writing of Isabel Wolff and I was nicely greeted by the elegance with which she was able to incorporate both contemporary and historical fiction into her novel. Phoebe is the owner of Village Vintage, an elegant clothing shop. She is all about work until she meets two persons on two separate occasions who greatly influence her life. First, after a tense bidding war at an auction house, Phoebe meets Guy, who is after the very same gown she aims to add to her vintage collection for his daughter. She finds out later that it is her determined look that tells him the article of clothing holds much greater importance to Phoebe. Grateful and intrigued by this gesture, Phoebe begins a romantic relationship with Guy. Later, while on a house-call and personal shopping appointment, Phoebe meets an elderly Frenchwoman called Mrs Bell who became a valued and intimate friend. She coincidentally had gone through a similar situation to Phoebe who has been mourning the death of a dear friend. They share memories and grow together, each becoming a trusted confidant to one another. After daring to take a risk, Phoebe is led to another woman who is able to help them both put a close to their painful experiences. Ultimately, this was a very heartwarming story that emphasised the timelessness of friendship, no matter how young or how old. I also thoroughly enjoyed the vocalisations of Violet Mathieson. She had a very sweet, soothing tone of voice that I found fitting for both Phoebe and Mrs Bell. Mathieson also successfully transformed her voice into a more gruff tone for the role of Phoebe's male love interest, Guy, and friend Dan.

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Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (2006)

Narrated by Christine Marshall

It took me a long time to find the unabridged audio book of this novel and I am so glad I held out until I got the full-length version of Emily Giffin's third novel. The narration by Christine Marshall was really good, which always makes or breaks an audio book for me. She is able to juxtapose the kind, caring and concern Claudia has, as a married woman and friend of many, with just the right amount of stubbornness and authority she needs that makes her a successful female editor and well-rounded character. On the other hand, Marshall also manages to exert just the right amount of masculinity to distinguish the male characters, from Claudia's gruff, tough, sexy and womanising boss, Richard, to the more sensitive, sincere, sweet and lovable husband, Ben. She even masters the voice of little niece Zoe, in a tiny, childish falsetto. As far as the story, once again, EG did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, getting in deeper with the characters, especially Claudia, its heroine. This book touched on the conflict-driven topics of divorce, the choice to have a baby, the difficulty of having a baby, affairs and the everyday decisions we make as people, part of a couple or in a marriage. I was surprised by the ultimate ending of this book and won't give it away, but just know from start to finish there are twists and turns you won't expect, making it even more like everyday real life. Just for fun: Watch out for a cameo from a character in EG's first two books showing up in Claudia's work life! Recommended to lovers of Emily Giffin and Mom Lit.

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Babyville - Jane Green (2003)

Narrated by Kate Reading

This was my first book by Jane Green and I absolutely loved the audio version. I was quite impressed with the narrator, Kate Reading, who, first of all, just had a beautiful voice, appropriate accent and excellent elocution but secondly, she took on the daunting task of telling a story from several vantage points. When the story begins we meet Mark and Julia, who are struggling to conceive. A baby is all and everything Julia wants, but when things don't go as planned, Julia blames Mark for their intimacy issues and she takes off for some downtime with a girlfriend in New York City. The story then turns to Maeve, an up-and-coming businesswoman, who could easily be Julia's exact opposite. She is very career-oriented and doesn't want anything to do with children. When Mark meets Maeve, they hit it off immediately and after a one-night stand - to Maeve's absolute horror - she finds out she's pregnant. She takes umpteen pregnancy tests but ultimately she must face the truth, that she's carrying Mark's baby. Later the story moves to Samantha and her baby, George. Samantha is determined to be the perfect mother even when life's got other plans. All in all, Babyville is funny, heartfelt and easily relatable for women at almost any stage of life. Whether you're thinking about having a baby or you're not ready, this audio book reveals a great story about people growing up, becoming friends, lovers, confidantes. In the midst of "Babyville", each character eventually finds themselves, love and happiness. What I loved most about this story was the merging of characters and events. It was very entertaining and I'm definitely going to check out more of Jane Green's audio books in the future.

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Bed Rest - Sarah Bilston (2006)

Narrated by Elizabeth Sastre

This was an OK audio book and my first by the team of author Sarah Bilston and narrator Elizabeth Sastre. In the unabridged audio, listeners find Quinn "Q" Boothroyd, a workaholic lawyer who recently made the move from London to New York with her American-born husband, Tom, being forced to succumb to bed rest for the last three months of her pregnancy after doctors find her amniotic fluids to be too low. At first, she figures it will be a breeze. After all, Q has never been the type to have difficulty keeping busy, always being the one performing some type of activity, keeping herself entertained or being bogged down by obligations. However, after a mere eight days, Q's more than had her fill of being tied to the bed and is positive she will go mad with boredom. What materialises is a series of adventures Q makes for herself while on bed rest, preparing for the emotional bonding with her unborn child, helping out friends with legal queries and trying to repair and reignite the intimacy within her marriage. Written as a series of diary entries by time and date, this audio book had its humorous moments but for the most part I felt it was more kind of ho-hum; not fantastic but not terrible either. I did think the narration by Elizabeth Sastre was excellent, however, which, at times, is perhaps what kept me motivated to keep listening and moving forward. I would be interested to see how Bilston's sequel, Sleepless Nights, sounds before formulating a final judgment on this two-part story.

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Big Girl - Danielle Steel (2010)

Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Big Girl is a tale of dieting, weight struggles, family and parenting. Kathleen McInerney has quickly become one of my favorite narrators. She tells the saga of Big Girl with just the right variety of compassion, sorrow, optimism and hope. Victoria Dawson learns from an early age that she looks nothing like her immediate family. She was named for Queen Victoria, an inside joke, only found funny by her father. When her sister, Gracie, is born, the pain of their differences becomes even more pronounced as Gracie is the perfect imitation of both their mother, Christine, and father, Jim. As Victoria gets older, she pulls away from her parents more and more, but they hardly notice, only aware of her weight problems and lack of a boyfriend. Even when she finds a job and an apartment in NYC all on her own, they still aren't happy for her, criticising her that she will never make enough money in her chosen field. The final straw that breaks Victoria and her attempts at mending any kind of relationship with her family is Gracie announcing she is getting married. Always close to Gracie, Victoria is heartbroken when wedding plans cause a rift between the two sisters, and Victoria vows only to return to them for the Big Day. When that day finally comes, Victoria arrives, armed with more wisdom, experience and even a handsome and successful boyfriend, but will it be enough for her parents to finally accept her? Big Girl is written and told in a very straightforward fashion. Danielle Steele proves her talents at covering a lot of topics and fast forwarding through the years, fluidly and effortlessly. Kathleen McInerney reveals her strength at providing a voice for the strength with which it takes one young girl to grow into a woman, despite all the hardships and personal issues she faces. Although Big Girl can be predictable at times, listeners are left satisfied and hopeful.

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Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, or, Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office - Jen Lancaster (2006)

Narrated by Jaime Heinlen

Jen Lancaster's first memoir is the ideal story for audio listening. It has countless tales full of witty banter, sarcasm and good old plain humour and Jaime Heinlein doesn't miss a beat as she tells it. Her voice exudes the appropriate inflection, humour, silence and other necessary interludes as she reminisces about days gone by, contemplates the devastation of unemployment and an unknown future and entertains us in her times of joy, too (it's not all bad). In the first of many more memoirs to come, Jen chronicles the year in her life after she loses her job as a vice-president and all the perks that came with it. Determined to get right back on track, Jen sets out to apply to any and all companies she might even faintly consider in her next career move. Unfortunately, as the weeks turn into months, and she still has yet to hear those magic words, "you're hired", Jen, who's used to life in the fast lane and all the finer things in life, begins to lose faith in every old adage she once believed in. (Or at least she learns to settle with putting them on hold until she can afford to believe in them again.) Listen to this hilarious account to find out if Jen is able to turn a difficult time into an opportunity for something greater or if she will just continue to look at the difficulty in one lost opportunity after another. Recommended to all chick lit fans and women who have lived life with the financial stress of these hard, economic times.

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Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler (2007)

Narrated by Orlagh Cassidy

Orlagh Cassidy was unrecognisable to me in this audio book that blasts listeners into the past, transporting one woman from her life in sunny Los Angeles to the old-fashioned era of Regency, London, reminiscent of the life and times of Jane Austen. Obsessed with the English author and her classic love stories, Courtney Stone wakes up one morning, not in her own bedroom but in the chambers of another woman, from another time and another world. After being called Jane and meeting many of the author's compatriots, Courtney quickly realises she's not in LA anymore and has taken on the life of her role model, Jane Austen. Unaware of how she got into this fantasy world or how to get out, Courtney learns to play the role. Although getting used to a life without the modern conveniences of the 21st century is yet another difficult task unto itself, let alone playing the part of another woman. Sure enough, much like a Jane Austen novel, Courtney begins to play out her own love story with a gentleman called Mr Edgewater. I'm not the biggest Jane Austen fan myself but I've always love Orlagh Cassidy's readings and this turned out to be no exception. A unique kind of romantic comedy that transcends time, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict was surprisingly enjoyable. I haven't been able to pin down a copy of Laurie Viera Rigler's sequel, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, but it is definitely on my radar.

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First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones (2011)

Narrated by Lorelei King

Partnering with the narrator of many of the Stephanie Plum novels, Lorelei King, author Darynda Jones debuts with her first audio book in a chick lit paranormal mystery series about Charlotte "Charley" Davidson, a grim reaper, who sees dead people and helps them go into the light. Since she was five years old, Charley has been using her supernatural talents to help those who have unfinished business left to resolve on Earth following their untimely deaths. Charley encounters many interesting and diverse characters on her path, one she refers to as the "demon child" and another gorgeous man, Reyes, who "haunts" her in her dreams almost every night. While trying to investigate her latest case, Charley begins to learn more about the mysterious Reyes, who appears to have been following her for quite some time. She can't tell whether or not he is a good influence on her but boy is his presence distracting. Will he be the link she has been looking for to help solve the latest murder? Will the latest victim be able to cross over to the light in time or be lost to wander Earth indefinitely? The veteran talents of Lorelei King and imaginative storytelling from Darynda Jones keep this audio book action packed and moving fast forward. Listeners should be forewarned of steamy sex scenes and curse language.

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40 Love - Madeleine Wickham (1995)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

It's no secret that Madeleine Wickham and her husband share a love for tennis and so it seems fitting that a tennis match would be the focus of her debut novel. Now more than 15 years later, The Tennis Party has been revamped and modernised with a new, playful title, 40 Love, and given a cutesy cartoon cover to appeal to the latest generation of chick lit readers and Sophie Kinsella fans. In its audio version, Madeleine Wickham once more calls on the veteran vocals of Katherine Kellgren who emits the pitch-perfect sounds and speeches in this fictitious novel of satire, irony and dark humour. Patrick and Caroline invite their friends to their new vacation house for what they assume will be a friendly game of tennis; but the secrets, deceit and hidden agendas that run rampant might overthrow the competition before this match is over. Once their secrets are out in the open, the tennis match is the last thing on their mind. Will marriages last? Will friendships withstand the drama? Will neighbours forgive? Or will this tennis match be the last competition this group meets up with one another for? Wickham has a knack for creating a dark but comedic tale that makes you think about who your friends really are. It starts off a little slow but the voice of Kellgren carries listeners through.

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Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen (2007)

Narrated by Susan Ericksen

Sarah Addison Allen is famous for her stories that combine elements of southern charm and magical reality. With the added effects of audio narration provided by Susan Ericksen, her first novel, Garden Spells, is even more so brought to life. Listeners are introduced to the Waverley family, specifically sisters Claire and Sydney who couldn't be more opposite. Claire has stayed close to their home and their family history in North Carolina while Sydney has spent her whole life running from it. When the story begins, we find Sydney grappling with an abusive relationship with David, the father of her child. Once again she's running away; only this time, she runs home, where she is determined to find safety for her daughter. When Sydney returns, she is met with all the old mysteries, superstitions and secrets surrounding the Waverley family and their property. One of the secrets involves an old apple tree in their backyard which is believed to make you see the biggest event of your life, good or bad, should you eat one of its apples. Claire has capitalised on this and many of the family's other secrets. Using the Waverleys' collection of spells and southern recipes, Claire heads a successful catering company full of foods and flavours powerful enough to influence its recipients. Sydney contemplates whether or not she and her daughter will stay at home for good but not everyone in town is happy about her return. Claire and Sydney have a lot of repairing to do to their broken relationship. Before Sydney has a chance to resolve any issues she has with her family and her heritage, David comes snooping around, looking for her and their daughter and seeking to claim what he believes is his and his alone. Will Sydney learn to accept her family's past and secrets and mend her relationship with Claire in time to be strong enough to withstand David's abusive power? There's no other word to describe the voiceover and story behind Garden Spells as anything other than enchanting. Sarah Addison Allen creates a modern-day fairy tale with sibling rivalry, a mean ogre and the beautiful maiden who must learn to accept herself before she can rescue her family. Susan Ericksen guides you along to a land where you can believe that magic and spells can actually work. An enjoyable listen, I will be checking out more of her audio books in the future.

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Getting Rid of Matthew - Jane Fallon (2007)

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

When Jane Fallon's debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew, came out in 2007, it joined the ranks of many other successful chick lit books on the subject of extramarital affairs, friendship and how one defines one's self in the midst of such relationship chaos. Unlike its predecessors, however, this story did not end with the cheating husband who refuses to leave his wife. Instead, Fallon surprised me and began this tale as cheating husband Matthew showed up on the doorstep of his mistress, Helen, with all his possessions in tow. Ironically, in the tradition of the infamous saying "we all want what we can't have", Helen almost simultaneously decides she is "over" Matthew and no longer wants to be with him. However, feeling guilty, thanks to the constant reminder from Matthew about how he has just uprooted his entire family - wife, Sophie and two daughters - for her, Helen feels obligated to let him stay at her apartment. Nonetheless, as the label, an affair, often implies, Helen quickly realised nothing was about to be settled easily or amicably and as it became clearer to Helen that their living situation was anything less than temporary, she proceeded to orchestrate various "plans" to be rid of Matthew once and for all. Shortly into her master plan, Helen found herself in the midst of a predicament on the brink of disaster. Hear the hilarious recount of all the antics Helen pulls off in her attempt to break free from her married lover. This was a unique, fun and unusual tale from a new British chick lit author, made even more fun by seasoned narrator Rosalyn Landor. Landor excels at making emotion an audible expression such that listeners feel like they are part of all the narrative action.

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Hope in a Jar - Beth Harbison (2009)

Narrated by Orlagh Cassidy

I was kind of disappointed by this audio book about two former friends who reconnect at a high school reunion. After listening to Beth Harbison's debut, Shoe Addicts Anonymous, I thought for sure I'd found a new author who I'd love everything she'd written. Despite its title, Hope in a Jar, this book was a little bit of a downer. I give Harbison credit for tackling the deeper and tougher issues, but I found its efforts to do so combined with its effort to maintain a certain lightheartedness an all-around miss. As no book is almost ever all bad, I did find the two main characters, Allie and Olivia, to be enjoyable as the narrator took the listeners through the years, from the day they met up to the present when they were able to reignite their friendship at their high school reunion. The novel accomplished this by using a format which alternated chapter by chapter between the past and the present. I think for an audio book this feature actually made it a little more challenging to listen to. On the one hand, at least for me, I felt like this made it harder for me to get into the story every time I turned it on. On the other hand, I thought the concept behind this type of structure was really interesting and being able to visit Allie and Olivia in the past, as they were in high school, provided much of the needed background for the circumstances of the present. Maybe one of the most redeeming qualities of this audio book is the narrator, Orlagh Cassidy. She has quickly become one of my favourite voices to listen to on audio. I don't want to discount Harbison as one of my favorite authors yet, and will definitely be checking out her latest release, Thin, Rich, Pretty, soon.

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If You Were Here - Jen Lancaster (2011)

Narrated by Jaime Heinlein

Jaime Heinlein is back again on yet another Jen Lancaster unabridged audio book. This time the duo tackle fiction in If You Were Here. Mia and hubby Mac live in the Chicago suburbs and dream of owning their own home one day. After careful consideration, consultation with friends and finally, the deal-closing realisation that their dream house is one of the actual homes shown in the John Hughes movie Sixteen Candles, Mia and Mac buckle down and make their final offer. As glamorous as it may sound to be able to tell all their friends about their famous new abode, the house is in need of a lot of TLC and Mia and Mac soon realise they got a lot more than they bargained for. If You Were Here turns into a hilarious version of Extreme Home Makeover, with Jen's signature sarcastic wit and bitter humour throughout the entire audio book. I loved Jaime Heinlein's portrayal of Jen in her autobiographies and I continue to laugh out loud at her rendition of this story too. My only real critique was that it can be difficult to separate the real Jen and Fletch from the fictional Mia and Mac; but regardless the audio book is more than enjoyable.

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I Think I Love You - Allison Pearson (2010)

Narrated by Sian Thomas

You can almost hear the screams of two teen girls as they gaze at the poster on their bedroom wall of their most-worshipped celebrity heart-throb. The year is 1974 and for Welsh BFFs, Petra and Sharon, the boy of their dreams is none other than The Partridge Family's David Cassidy. Petra and Sharon spend countless hours obsessing about David and wondering what it'd be like to meet him, his favorite colour, memorising lyrics to his songs and of course, reading tell-all magazine The Ultimate David Cassidy in which "David" himself responds to letters from teens all over the world. Little do they know, at the innocent age of 14, that across the ocean a man called Bill is actually the author behind the words they lived and breathed on, who penned his heartfelt and poignant replies, pretending to be David Cassidy. Fast forward 24 years. While cleaning out her mother's attic after her funeral, Petra stumbles upon a letter from The Ultimate David Cassidy informing Petra of a prize she'd won to meet her teen idol years ago!! No matter how much time had passed, Petra is determined to realise her teen dreams and calls the magazine company. Much to her glee, they agree to honour her winnings, and fly her and Sharon to Las Vegas to meet their beloved David. An even bigger surprise comes when they meet Bill, head writer behind The Ultimate David Cassidy magazine. Listen to how Petra copes when her childhood fantasies collide with reality. Tune in to this blast from the past as two women revisit their teen selves and then journey back to the present. This is my first audio book by Sian Thomas and I really loved her voice. It was very soothing; although I don't recall it having too much differentiation to it, but then again this book was mostly told from the perspective of one person, Petra. Overall, an enjoyable listen but my favourite part of the audio was actually after the narrative in a special interview with the real David Cassidy done by the author, Allison Pearson.

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L.A. Candy - Lauren Conrad (2009)

Narrated by Lauren Conrad

Written and narrated by the original girl-next-door turned reality TV star, L.A. Candy is the first in a three-part series that give readers a glimpse into life behind the scenes in the entertaining and always dramatic world of those who live in the (sometimes unwanted) spotlight of reality TV. Jane Roberts has just moved into her own apartment with BFF Scarlett Harp. While Scarlett spends her days studying at the nearby university, Jane is trying her hand at the real world - working at Fiona Chen Events Management. Their nightlife consists of waiting in line to get into clubs and bars on the Hollywood scene until one night when they are discovered by the producer of numerous hit reality TV series. It looks like their days of waiting in line may be over for good. What they didn't expect however was that their days of living a life of privacy would also be numbered. Listen to all the ins and outs and ups and downs when Jane and Scarlett are paired up with two other girls, Madison Parker and Gaby Garcia, to have their lives filmed and see if you can hear when the line between reality TV and the real truth starts to get blurred. Although not meant to be an in-depth thought-provoking saga, you may hear many parallels between Jane Robert's and Lauren Conrad's real life as a reality TV breakout star and Hollywood's newest sweetheart. Likely for this reason, as I have come to know and love Lauren as a regular character on MTV's series The Hills and Laguna Beach, it was difficult to listen to her as a narrator of a similar yet different character. Most disappointing and hard to get past was her lack of inflection and unchanging tone of voice when portraying the other characters. Luckily for LC, the plot was good enough to keep listeners interested.

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Last Night at Chateau Marmont - Lauren Weisberger (2010)

Narrated by Merritt Wever

Lauren Weisberger has done it again with latest release, Last Night at Chateau Marmont. Her newest novel can be described as nothing less than "fabulous!" Brooke and Julian Alter appear to be the perfect down-to-earth couple that you'd love to go out to dinner with or live next door to. Young and in love, they were quickly swept away by each other in a fairy-tale type of romance and married shortly thereafter. Aside from each other, Brooke and Julian also share a love for their careers, both working extremely hard in their respective professions - Brooke as a nutritionist at a local hospital and girls' private school and Julian as a musician. Barely a year into their marriage, it seems nothing can come between the two young lovers until one night, after an invitation to perform on The Tonight Show, everything that seems right and sane in their world is turned upside down. Julian's status quickly changes from a struggling musician to a successful household name. Now Julian's schedule demands his presence from coast to coast and the paparazzi are there for every beat. Brooke can't escape the scrutiny; she's either criticised for being there too much or too little for her husband. Torn between two worlds, Julian and Brooke's marriage begins to look like anything but the perfect relationship. Has the instant celebrity and stardom brought their relationship to a point of no return? Will fame and money affect Julian's faith and devotion to his wife? Has the constant travelling by her otherwise MIA husband changed Brooke's vision of their future? Listen to hear if Brooke and Julian survive the turbulent roller-coaster ride that Julian's sudden rise to stardom has taken them on. Newcomer Merritt Wever narrates in a believable, expressive fashion that sounds consistent and appropriate with the text. I could hear varied emotions emanating from her tone and speech in various characters.

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Love the One You're With - Emily Giffin (2008)

Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

This was the first Emily Giffin novel I ever read or listened to. After hearing about her notoriety for capturing character relationships, I just had to hear for myself the expertise with which Giffin wrote in order to become one of the most acclaimed chick lit writers. I must say, neither author nor narrator disappointed in this moving audio book. In this story, listeners meet Ellen, a successful photographer, and Andy, a big-time lawyer, who are newly married and living in New York. Nearing their one-year anniversary, Andy begins to question the direction of his career, and asks Ellen if she would be willing to move to Atlanta, where the rest of his family lives, including Ellen's BFF and Andy's sister, so that he can join his father's law practice and carry on in the family tradition of legal work. Contemplating a major life change has Ellen all in a frenzy and to make matters more confusing, her ex-boyfriend, Leo, has started contacting her again. Andy and Leo are opposite in every possible way and Ellen finds herself wondering if Leo was "the one that got away" as well as what her future entails with Andy. Find out in this story of unrequited love and life in the early days of marriage, as Giffin explores a topic that nearly everyone has wondered about at one point or another, yet likely never dared to speak of with their closest friends. What would you do if you got a second-chance with your long-lost love? Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job at the narration of this story, from sweet Southerners Andy and the rest of his Atlanta family to thoughtful, creative, artistic types Ellen and Leo. She really makes this saga of relationships and the hard decisions that we all must make at one time or another come to life.

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Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss - Kyra Davis (2009)

Narrated by Gabra Zackman

Sophie Katz thinks everything is good in her San Franciscan world - she's got great friends, a great boyfriend, a successful career as a writer and she's just found the home of her dreams! However, when ex-husband and realtor Scott brings Sophie to take a closer look at the large Victorian, they stumble across the owner's dead body. Not a stranger to finding dead bodies, Sophie isn't going to let this little flaw keep her from purchasing her dream home. Scott is able to wrangle a deal out of the owner's son, Kane, and if Sophie can commit to joining and hosting the son's beloved community group, the Specter Society, he'll agree to sell her his father's house at the original asking price. Not one to shy away from a good deal, especially when the house gives off such good vibes to Sophie, she jumps at the deal. She soon finds out, however, that the price of the home might not be worth all she's bargained for. As members of the Specter Society turn up dead and Sophie begins to hear and see all kinds of odd things coming from the house, she wonders if someone or something is trying to keep her away from her dream house. It's a race to the end to uncover the mystery before any more dead bodies show up, namely Sophie's own! Find out if Sophie will be able to solve the mystery, keep the house, and above all, survive in this thrilling mystery, the fourth in the series. Once again, Gabra Zackman uses her vocal talent to bring Sophie Katz and all of Kyra Davis' other characters to life in this thrilling chick lit audio book. This team of author and narrator will have you laughing, scared and guessing until the end.

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Mini Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella (2010)

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

In her sixth novel in the Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella has paired up with Rosalyn Landor once again to give readers yet another fun and funny tale about our beloved shopaholic. As Mini Shopaholic begins, listeners find Becky Brandon doing what she does best: shopping with her newest addition to the family, two-year-old daughter Minnie. Despite Minnie's growing vocabulary in Prada, Dior, Balenciaga and Visa, her favourite word is very clearly, "Mine!" As a new mum, unsure how to handle the terrible-twos (and sure that she doesn't want to be manhandled out of Louis Vuitton for bringing in an unruly child), Becky confers with Luke and starts interviewing nannies. However, it looks like Becky won't need to worry about Minnie being reformed before going back into any high-end designer boutique because the economy has taken a real turn for the worse and the Brandon family (including Becky) vows to stop shopping. Of course, with Minnie being a growing girl, their wait to move into their new house and Luke's birthday just around the corner, Becky finds all different kinds of things to justify going shopping without making it look like she's breaking her vow. Like all addicts, Becky can't hide her shopping forever and Luke's none too pleased when he comes home to find boxes upon boxes of online purchases being delivered. With the recession not looking like it's going to go away any time soon, Becky turns her focus to bringing joy back to her family in another way and sets off planning the biggest surprise birthday party Luke has ever known (and first birthday ever celebrated, period). Can Becky keep her party planning a better secret than her shopping habit? Seasoned and often narrator of the Shopaholic series, Rosalyn Landor, does a fantastic job expressing all of Becky, Luke and Minnie's escapades. Listen with a friend on your way to the mall.

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My Fair Lazy - Jen Lancaster (2010)

Narrated by Jaime Heinlein

This is another hilarious memoir by Jen Lancaster, subtitled One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto. Jen is determined to "culture up" beyond her reality TV obsession. With hilarious vignette after hilarious vignette, readers get to indulge further into the uniquely insightful mind and outrageous events that make up Jen's life. I love how she always takes an excerpt of her life and turns it into an entire collection of related moments, by integrating her latest book tour, visits with old friends, taking care of her (multiplying) pets (and Fletch) and of course, in this novel the purpose of it all is to create the ultimate "culture manifesto", Jennsylvania style. This includes adding all sorts of "cultural" activities to her daily routine - from getting her nails done at a Vietnamese nail salon, to visiting museums in various cities, eating every kind of ethnic cuisine possible, going to the opera, listening to jazz and learning poetry for the first time and anything else that might provide a more enlightening cultural experience than Season 15 of MTV's The Real World. I always love listening to these books so much more than reading them myself because Jaime Heinlein does the BEST job of narrating how I imagine each story to be told - she maintains all the sarcasm, humour, slight arrogance and naivete (if you can have both at once) throughout every word. This may just be the pair's best release yet!! I can't wait to find out what the next saga will bring. To be listened to anytime you need a laugh or a smile or just a break from reality.

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Obsession, Deceit and Really Dark Chocolate - Kyra Davis (2007)

Narrated by Gabra Zackman

Once again, I turned to Kyra Davis and her Sophie Katz series for murder, mystique and a little sex and candy. Just as Davis appears to be one of those authors who gets better and better at her craft the more she writes, so too, does Gabra Zackman improve in her narrating talents. The story behind this third book in the series becomes more involved, more intricate and more entertaining than its two predecessors and I love how Davis maintains her core group of characters. I also credit Zackman for her job well done in portraying such a wide range of characters - this third instalment seemed to have more characters than the first or second book required of its narrator - and I can't imagine how difficult it must be to constantly (and believably) change one's voice so that your audience can differentiate between them. Once again, listeners are offered a thrilling, murderous, scandalous and sexy mystery with Sophie Katz and on-again off-again boyfriend, Anatoly Darinksky, on the hunt for their killer. This time around, Sophie should be at work writing another novel, but instead she is caught up with an animal-loving psycho killer leaving death threats on her voice mail. As always, Sophie becomes overly involved in the murder investigation of her friend's husband and sure enough, more dead bodies begin to appear. As always tensions are high (and not just between Anatoly and Sophie) and listeners are kept guessing "whodunit" until the very end. Definitely recommended to chick lit and mystery readers alike.

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One for the Money - Janet Evanovich (1995)

Narrated by C.J. Critt

I am so thrilled that I finally decided to check out this series. It was recommended to me by a friend years ago and I'm so glad I finally took her advice. The story was fast, dangerous, funny and full of drama and mishaps; all the things I want in an audio book. These elements were proven only that much better with talented narrator, C.J. Critt. She brought life to heroine Stephanie Plum, who was just as fun, sexy and thrilling as the plot itself. I found her to be very similar to the sassy leading lady of Kyra Davis' Sex, Murder and a Double Latte. Both women weren't afraid to get caught up in the midst of a murderous scandal (and often had the bad luck of being a magnet to such situations) and no matter how perilous the task, each woman always had some distinguishing girly-girl accessory so everyone knew that she was first, and foremost, a lady. For example, when Stephanie went out on interrogations, even at the local gym, she was dressed to the nines in pencil skirt, stockings and heels and when she was caught in a jam, her purse became a weapon. In the first instalment of Janet Evanovich's infamous "Plum" chick lit mystery series, readers are introduced to Stephanie Plum, an unemployed lingerie salesgirl from New Jersey, financially down on her luck, who turns to bounty hunting at her cousin's bail bond company after her car is repossessed. Never mind the fact that Stephanie has never held a gun or try to apprehend anybody, the ultimate goal of earning $10,000 to get a criminal to turn himself in is too sweet a reward for Stephanie to walk away from (not to mention the fact that she is pretty much out of job opportunities these days). In yet another ironic twist of fate, the man Stephanie is assigned to catch is none other than Joe Morelli, the bad boy who robbed Stephanie of her virginity in a bakery back in her high school days. Amidst the many attempts she makes to catch Morelli, hilarity and misfortune ensues. She crosses the paths of one of Jersey's most notorious criminals and rapists, Benito Ramirez, and soon Stephanie finds herself worried that she will be caught before making her own capture. This audio book was nonstop action from the first five minutes. It had a little of everything for a varied audience. I know I was hooked after listening to One for the Money and can't wait to hear the next book in the series.

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Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights - Kyra Davis (2006)

Narrated by Gabra Zackman

I really enjoyed this sequel. By the end of Sex, Murder and a Double Latte, I'd gotten a better sense of all the characters and was able to get over my initial discomfort with the gruffness of the narrator's voice. I imagine that this contributed to my preference for this audiobook over the first. Also I found the plot to be more fluid, less complicated and all over the place. Listening to the first book, I really didn't have a handle on things until the last hour of the book. In Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights, I was able to follow right alongside Sophie Katz and her friends as they uncovered clue after clue, making it a more engaging listen. Once again, author Sophie finds herself mixed up in the middle of a murder investigation. Since she still doesn't have the best reputation with the detectives of San Francisco, she offers Anatoly Darinsky $12,000 to serve as private investigator when her sister, Leah, is accused of murdering her adulterous husband, Bob. From the very beginning, this book provides non-stop action. In between the murderous plot, more attention is placed on the sexual tension and romance between Sophie and Anatoly, adding humorous and raunchy dialogue similar to that provided by Dena, sex shop owner, in the first audiobook. As the mystery unfolded, I felt even closer to the characters and excited to get to the bottom of the mystery that framed Sophie's sister as a killer. I will definitely be seeking out the audio book of the third instalment in Kyra Davis' chick lit mystery series.

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Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase - Jen Lancaster (2009)

Narrated by Jaime Heinlein

This was one of my top picks out of all of Jen Lancaster's books so far. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for 2009's Nonfiction and Chick Lit category. Once again, I much preferred Jaime Heinlein's narration, full of mocking elation, as she tells Jen's life to the voice in my head as I read the paperback version of her other memoirs. This time Jen chronicles her life from its inception to the present and Heinlein is able to capture the perfect bratty tone as Jen-the-toddler while nailing the cheery, "bluebirds" persona (read the book!) she exudes now. I laughed out loud at all the antics of her earlier years. My favourite part was the beginning of the book, when Jen was a little girl, already full of the wit, sarcasm, cynicism, and know-it-all flair that we've come to love. She cheats her way to earning a sash full of Girl Scout Brownie Badges, writes a letter to Brooke Shields asking (Read: demanding) for a pair of Calvin Klein jeans to call her own. I mean they are practically twins with their Jersey residence and big bushy brows. (Not). This book is a laugh a minute. I cannot wait to listen to the next one in this series of maniacal memoirs. Recommended to all fans of Barbie, Sex and the City and all things Carrie Bradshaw (and to all haters of bitchy sorority chairpersons, pharmaceutical sales and the healthcare industry.)

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Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer (2009)

Narrated by Phil Gigante and Tanya Eby

(aka The Billionairess or Fairytale Ending)

When I went searching for the unabridged audio version of Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer, I found it under the title The Billionairess. What I found more interesting than its altered title was that its character names had been changed as well. The audio version I listened to mirrored the hardcover and paperback versions with main characters Jackson (Jacks) Power and Cynthia Hunsaker Power in the midst of a media-frenzied divorce. Jacks is a man whose arrogance assumes as much "Power" as his last name implies - that is of course, until his mistress, Lara Sizemore, leaves him as abruptly as their affair is uncovered by the New York Post. Not a man who would ever let his wife know that she's got him when he's down, Jacks is determined to be the last man standing in this power struggle of a divorce. However, Cynthia, who is renowned in her own right as the prim and proper head of the New York Ballet, is not about to take this fight lying down and a battle of the King and Queen of New York City power couples ensues. I didn't like how The Billionairess novel changed Cynthia's name to, Christy, which, to me at least, didn't exude the elegant society woman that she was supposed to be. This story seems to take the saying "All's fair in love and war" quite literally as each chapter delineates the blow-by-blow details with which Jacks and Cynthia retaliate against one another. I thought it was unique and interesting that this audio book took on two narrators, a male and female voice for its power struggle. I was pretty optimistic and enthusiastic to see how the story would play out, but again and again, I was distracted by the booming, radio/game show host tone of the male overtone. I wonder if I had read the novel whether I would have had a more positive experience.

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Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (2008)

Narrated by Rachel Bavidge

What would you do if you woke up and three years of your life were missing from your memory? That's exactly what happens to Lexi Smart when she wakes up in a hospital bed with a new look, a new bag, a new set of trimmed and tanned legs, a new ring and a whole new life. As she learns more about the "new" Lexi, she's not so sure she even likes her. All her old friends think she's a bitchy boss from hell. Her sweet and innocent baby sister is now a school-skipping, lying little kleptomaniac. She's married to a multi-millionaire real-estate mogul, Eric, who if she sees him do the sweeping hand motion again for the logo of his latest real estate creation, Loft-Styling Living, she's pretty sure she will strangle him. Worst yet, her husband's partner and creative vision keeps harassing her, insisting that they are having an affair and are deeply in love! All in all, Lexi's become completely unrecognisable to herself and she wonders if her memory doesn't come back, is there any room left for her old self? Determined to find out when and what took place that caused such a drastic transformation, Lexi begins to try to put the pieces of her life together. Listen to find out how Lexi copes with her memory loss of the last three years and how she manages to balance out her two intersecting selves: the down-to-Earth Lexi before the accident and the new, glamourised, hardened version of her self. Will she ever figure out who she is and where she fits into her life? This was an excellent story that investigated one woman's search for self following a post-traumatic head injury and the loss of her memory. The unabridged audio version had the added bonus of demonstrating the vocal talents of Rachel Bavidge, who gave a stellar performance as the narrator of Sophie Kinsella's tale. I would definitely recommend this audio book to chick lit fans, readers who enjoy plots with a taste of psychological drama and anyone who loved the humour in Kinsella's other books.
* There is also another unabridged version of this novel narrated by one of my favourite vocal artists, Rosalyn Landor.

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Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore (2004)

Narrated by Kathe Mazur

I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this novel. In fact, I liked it and its lead character, Samantha (Sammy) Joyce so much that it just may be one of my favourite chick lit audio books yet. The main reason I was surprised at my sheer delight with it was that I'm not usually one who's interested in politics or pet fish, for that matter, but Kristin Gore succeeded with her creation of a unique heroine and a plot that articulately described the trials and tribulations that Sammy endured during the presidential campaign on Capitol Hill. Much credit goes to narrator Kathe (pronounced like Kate) Mazur for lending her voice to the characters in this novel. She brought much hilarity to the hypochondriac, Japanese-fighting fish-killing character of Sammy Joyce and brought believability to the rest of the cast, including Sammy's boyfriend, Aaron, and Senator Robert Gary (RG). This story takes listeners to Washington, D.C. on a journey through the eyes of a twenty-something woman who is unlucky in love and even unluckier trying to keep her pet fish alive. (In the span of a year, she manages to kill off eight Japanese fighting fish.) Despite her haphazard personal life, Sammy has worked hard to build a professional reputation as the health care policy advisor to vice-presidential hopeful, RG, until one day when a sexy BlackBerry message, meant for Aaron's eyes only, gets sent to virtually every person involved in the campaign. But RG is quick to back up Sammy's hard work, passion and intelligence as his go-to-girl for health care advice. Hear all the drama as Kristin Gore and Kathe Mazur take you on a roller-coaster ride of hilarious and outrageous events in the year leading up to the presidential campaign. I found myself laughing out loud or just opening my mouth in shock at the crazy situations. I can't wait to see what's in store for Sammy in the sequel! I recommend this book to anyone who likes chick lit, whether you are into politics or not. This book was funny, unpredictable and very entertaining.

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Sammy's House by Kristin Gore (2007)

Narrated by Kirsten Potter

This was another stellar audiobook written by Kristin Gore, with an excellent performance by narrator Kirsten Potter. I loved the character Sammy Joyce and would love to see another book added to this political and humorous series chronicling her crazy life in D.C. Although I must say, as the book wrapped up, Sammy seemed to have grown up tremendously from the girl I met in the opening pages of Sammy's Hill, the prequel to this book. Once again, the story had ne'er a dull moment. It was chock full of outrageous situations and zany circumstances that its heroine found herself in the centre, this time in her tenure at the illustrious White House. I was also glad to see the continuation of Sammy's relationship with Charlie and the way it unfolded by the book's end was satisfying and a little odd, which I found to be in perfect match with Sammy's unpredictable character. The narrator on this CD changed from the first one but I thought she did just as good of a job portraying Sammy, Charlie, President Y and Vice President RG, amongst the many other characters along the way. I am eager to see if Kristin Gore will publish any more books, either continuing the chick lit theme within a political framework or any other type of novel.

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Secrets of a Shoe Addict - Beth Harbison (2008)

Narrated by Orlagh Cassidy

Secrets of a Shoe Addict was my third audio book by Beth Harbison and one of my favourites from the Washington DC author, famous for her love of designer shoes. A spin-off from her first novel, the bestseller Shoe Addicts Anonymous, listeners are introduced to Sandra's adopted sister, Tiffany Vanderslice and her two bffs, Loreen and Abby. Each of the three women find themselves in financial ruin for various reasons, each one a more secretive scandal than the next! Without revealing their private shame to one another, Tiffany, Loreen and Abby put their heads together to devise a plan to make a lot of money - and fast. They come up with the idea to become "phone actresses" (as the title Phone Sex Operators is too much for any of the conservative ladies to handle). Tiffany enlists the help of Sandra with her expertise in "phone acting", for a lesson on how to transform their voices and take on the alter egos of the three, flirty, sexy, "Happy Housewives", as they come to name themselves. In a small community, how long will these women be able to disguise themselves and their voices? Listen to what happens in this vivacious novel about three women who learn that they just might be able to get through anything with each other's friendship. Beth Harbison once again enlists the sultry, spot-on performance of experienced voice-over Orlagh Cassidy - a perfect pick for this sexy scandal.

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Sex, Murder And A Double Latte - Kyra Davis (2005)

Narrated by Gabra Zackman

Gabra Zackman, the narrator of this novel, had a very deep voice, which made it somewhat hard to take her role seriously as the various characters in this chick lit murder mystery, including the lead heroine, Sophie Katz, a Jewish and black feminist author; her best friend, sex shop owner, Dena; her gay hairstylist, Marcus; and foreign love interest, Anatoly Darinsky. Despite the fact that her voice was hard to get used to, she did a more than acceptable job at altering her voice to distinguish between characters so the listener always knew who was in the scene at the moment. While this is always an integral part of the narration of any book, it was especially important in this story as the plot quickly grew complicated. In the Californian city of San Francisco, the self-touted caramel-brownie frappacino lover and biracial author Sophie Katz finds herself at the centre of a string of serial murders in which the killer seeks to play copycat to the murders found in various art forms. The murderer has already killed singer-songwriter JJ Money to the tune of his own lyrics, and most recently knocked off movie producer Michael Tolsky in a scene mirroring one of his own movies. Now it appears that someone is beginning to forge attacks on Sophie based on the incidents that occur in her bestselling novel, Sex, Drugs and Murder and Sophie fears that soon she'll be playing the part of victim rather than writer. But when the cops don't believe her theory, Sophie and her friends decide to take on the murderer themselves. As if juggling life as a single female with all the drama of dating, love, work and relationships wasn't enough, throw in a little added spice of murder and mystery and listeners won't be disappointed as they follow Sophie Katz in the first of five of Kyra Davis' chick lit mysteries. Although the audiobook had a few slow spots in the middle, it still left you guessing until the end. By the final hour, I had a good, solid picture of each character in my mind, all the plot points that may have seemed confusing earlier gelled together, and overall, I concluded it to be an enjoyable listen. I was excited to wrap it up and move on to the next in the series. It's the perfect combo for chick lit and mystery book lovers alike.

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Shoe Addicts Anonymous - Beth Harbison (2007)

Narrated by Orlagh Cassidy

I loved this book! I think I have found a new favorite author to add to my list of top 10. Orlagh Cassidy did an excellent job narrating and she definitely had her work cut out for her portraying four very different women. There's Helene Zaharis, a senator's wife who controls her shoe shopping budget and as much of the rest of her life as she can. Lorna Rafferty is a woman buried in credit card debt through her addiction to expensive shoes. Sandra Vanderslice is a phone sex operator trapped at home by agoraphobia, which means she has to buy her shoes online. And finally there's Jocelyn Bowen, a sweet nanny to two boys who is ordered around by a monstrous mother and although she couldn't care less about shoes, she desperately needs a life of her own. All these women think they have in common is a collection of designer shoes, size seven. After one of them posts an ad on Washington DC's Greg's List, they begin to meet once a week to trade shoes. Soon enough they begin trading much more, swapping life stories and forming an unexpected bond of friendship sure to last a lifetime longer than a pair of Manolos. Harbison's debut novel is full of all the scandal, excitement and shoe shopping one could hope for in a fabulously written, fast-paced chick lit novel. Right alongside the action, there is never a dull moment. You'll feel like a fly-on-the-wall listening to the drama unfold in the lives of this unique clique of women. I can't wait to try more audio books by this duo of writer and narrator.

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Shopaholic & Baby - Sophie Kinsella (2007)

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Becky Brandon is pregnant! No shopaholic would be complete with baby without shopping for all the most "fab" necessities for mum and child, from the latest in baby buggies, to designer baby well ... everything and of course, the must-have, A-list celebrity doctor. Everything seems to be going perfectly in Becky's first trimester, especially once she figures out that shopping is a cure-all for her bouts of morning sickness. Baby Brandon is sure to come out of the womb clad in the latest in designer wear no matter if baby turns out to be a boy or a girl as Becky decides the best way to be prepared: buy clothes for both! Although Becky's career at London's most fashionable store The Look is still flourishing, she is now vying for another role as Vogue's Number One Yummy Mummy. In what spare time she has left, Becky and hubby Luke are house-hunting. Just when it seems like things can't get any better, Becky's most-coveted obstetrician, Venetia Carter, turns out to be an old flame of Luke's. The further Becky gets into her pregnancy and the more her hormone levels go awry, her insecurities and self-doubts have her convinced that she just might not be the only woman in Luke's life. Listen to all the ups and downs as this shopaholic goes through her first pregnancy. Rosalyn Landor, a seasoned narrator of Sophie Kinsella books, is definitely one of, if not my number one favourite narrator. Something about her voice sounds so smooth and almost effortless, never taking anything away from the characters and yet each person has a distinguishing tone apt for their role and the moment.

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Shopaholic & Sister - Sophie Kinsella (2004)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

In Sophie Kinsella's fourth instalment of the Shopaholic series, we find our beloved Becky Bloomwood where we left off in Shopaholic Ties the Knot, on her honeymoon overseas with hubby and multi-millionaire, Luke Brandon. Like most predicaments Becky finds herself in, as they arrive in the Italian city of Milan, Becky finds the most coveted handbag in the world - the Angel bag! When sales personnel tell Becky that she can't even get on a waiting list for it, Becky stops at nothing to obtain that bag. Unfortunately, after much souvenir shopping on their around-the-world honeymoon, Becky finds that (once again) all her credit cards are maxed out. But a man who dreams of partnering with Luke helps make Becky's dreams of owning the Angel bag a reality - and so the trouble begins. When they arrive back in London, however, Luke's not the only one who's in for a big surprise when truckload after truckload arrives with the "gifts" Becky bought to commemorate their travels and first-year anniversary. Then it is Becky's turn for a surprise when her father reveals she has a sister about her same age from a previous relationship. Being optimistic as ever, Becky decides this is better than any anniversary gift anyone ever could have bought and sets out to become best friends forever with new sister, Jess. Sadly, much to Becky's disappointment, Jess cannot stand shopping, watching romantic comedies, eating caramels or any of the other stuff Becky enjoys with her girlfriends and soon, the sisterly love she'd dreamed of turns to sibling rivalry. In fact, not only does Jess not enjoy shopping but she loves to save, budget and plan! Can Jess help Becky with her shopping problem? Will Jess ever be the girly-girl sister that Becky dreamed she could be? With veteran British chick lit narrator Katherine Kellgren telling the story of how Becky and her long-lost sister, Jess, meet, this is one fun-filled, uproariously funny audio book on what happens when opposite personalities are forced together. As the saying goes, you can choose your friends but family is forever. Listen to find out whether or not Becky and Jess are willing to open their minds and hearts to one another's unique personalities, interests and values. Sophie Kinsella does not disappoint in the continuing tale of my favourite shopaholic.

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Sleeping Arrangements - Madeleine Wickham (2001)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

What could possibly go wrong when Gerard invites his friend Hugh along with wife Amanda and the rest of his family to use his villa in the hills of Spain for the week? Well, a whole lot can go wrong when they arrive and realise not only has Gerard invited them but he also invited his other friend Chloe, her son and her partner, Philip, for the same week! If the two families think it's bad enough that Gerard double-booked his vacation home, they are in for a real surprise when they find out that Chloe and Hugh share a romantic (and longstanding) past and by the looks of things, this vacation just might reignite some of the old spark between the two if they are not careful. All kinds of oddity and hilarity ensue in this off-beat story. Seasoned narrator Katherine Kellgren made up for any holes in plot and pace in this audio book when sarcasm and dark humour go awry.

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Slummy Mummy - Fiona Neill (2007)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

When I read the tag line that compared Slummy Mummy: The Secret Life of Lucy Sweeney to Bridget Jones, only 10 years later with kids, I was optimistic that I would be in for a raucous and hilarious listen and I was delighted to find that Fiona Neill and narrator Katherine Kellgren provided all that and more. Lucy Sweeney is a stay-at-home mum who is feeling less than competent and under-appreciated since quitting her 9 to 5 career. She has three rather unruly boys, a husband she rarely sees anymore, and "friends" at PTO that might as well be super mums: Alpha Mum and Yummy Mummy No. 1. Lucy begins to look for anything that will bring back the woman she knew as herself pre-husband and kids. When she finds herself in compromising positions with her crush, "Sexy Domesticated Dad", on more than one occasion, she has to react quickly to avoid any real snafu. Will Lucy ever find the love and life she's looking for amidst all the chaos of everyday life? Although at times I felt the book was somewhat hard to follow, for the most part, it was as fun and wild as it promised. More often than not, Katherine Kellgren had me laughing out loud to this story while driving in my car. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good laugh or any mothers out there who are in need of a break.

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Something Borrowed - Emily Giffin (2006)

Narrated by Jennifer Wiltsie

In the audio version of Emily Giffin's debut novel, Giffin teamed up with narrator Jennifer Wiltsie to provide listeners with a stellar performance of this novel full of drama, affairs, friendships and secrets. I thought the narrator did an excellent job differentiating between the main characters, Rachel, Darcy, Dex, Marcus and all the other secondary voices. In fact, she does the characters so well, so in line with their personalities that, at times, Darcy's cheerleader-like perkiness comes across in a voice a little too exaggerated in its nasal, excited, tone. For example, at Rachel's 30th birthday party, an overly enthusiastic (read: drunk) Darcy is rooting for Rachel, cheering her on and encouraging the Birthday Girl to have "fun". The narrator uses a high-pitched squealing sounding tone as Darcy shouts atop a bar table, "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel!" This is the kind of audio that really brings Darcy's personality, antics and character to life. This is a well-written tale of the relationship between two best friends that dares to speak not only of the act of having an affair, but the act of having an affair with one's best friend (one's soon-to-be married, best friend, no less). In such a way, Giffin brings light to a subject matter that many of us wouldn't dare to mention or admit we have been through. In the first book in a series of two, Something Borrowed reveals the saga of the triangle between her, her best friend Darcy, and Darcy's fiance-to-be (and Rachel's lover), Dex. You won't be able to turn this one off!

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Spotlight - Ilana Fox (2010)

Narrated by Willow Nash

Ilana Fox has quickly become one of my favourite UK chick lit authors. Spotlight is a fun and innovative story that meshes traditional elements of chick lit into a fairy tale story about two girls who dream of fame, fortune and of course, love. Madison Miller, aka America's Sweetheart, comes to New York with aspirations to begin her music career. However, times are tough and catching a break even harder. She ends up taking a gig at a strip club as an exotic dancer just to make ends meet. British fashion assistant Jessica Piper flees to New York seeking fame as a self-starting fashionista, hoping to earn the same kind of designer recognition as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Gianni Versace. Jess meets Beau, who convinces her that he can help her see her dream all the way through. As life would have it, Madison also meets the same man and despite his interest in both girls, his intentions begin to maliciously unravel. Reminiscent of the evil boss in The Making of Mia, Beau has been crafted as the perfect villain. I was rooting for both girls throughout the entire audio, as they dealt with the perils and passions of life and growing up. In searching for their dream careers, they end up finding themselves. One of the traits I absolutely love about Fox's novels is her astounding ability to weave an intricate plot wrought with so much detail and intersecting drama. British narrator Willow Nash does an excellent job keeping listeners entertained with her emphatic tones and her efforts at enunciating an American accent - no easy feat, I'm sure.

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Summer and the City - Candace Bushnell (2011)

Narrated by Jemma Lamia

Summer and the City is the second in the series of Candace Bushnell's look back at one of her most memorable characters, Carrie Bradshaw, before Sex and the City. In this audio book, listeners are finally brought to the city that Carrie loves: New York. It's the summer before Carrie goes to college in Rhode Island at Brown University. She has just turned 18 and is ready to prove her independence. Not surprisingly, New York has got other plans for Carrie. A disastrous roommate situation sends Carrie back to Samantha Jones and drama with boys and men lead Carrie to a fiery and feminist redhead, Miranda. We also get a sneak peek at the classes and experiences that help Carrie along in her writing career. In the city that never sleeps, there is not a dull moment during Carrie's stay and before she knows it, summer's almost over and she might not want to leave. Listen to find out about all the choices, drama and of course boys that influence Carrie to become the sex columnist and fashion mogul that we know and love. Jenna Lamia also lent her audio talent to Sweet Little Lies, part of the LA Candy audio series by Lauren Conrad. She has a fun, upbeat, optimistic style that makes listening to this audio really enjoyable. She is definitely in tune with the Young Adult genre. So far this has been my favourite audio book in the Carrie Diaries series and I can't wait to hear more!

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Sweet Little Lies - Lauren Conrad (2010)

Narrated by Jenna Lamia

In the second instalment of Lauren Conrad's popular series, listeners get to delve further into the lives of everyday California girls turned reality stars, Jane Roberts, Scarlett Harp, Madison Parker and the rest of the crew of L.A. Candy. The first novel ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger with Jane running off to Mexico with Madison, not too unlike LC in her real life reality show The Hills. Like any celeb, however, Jane quickly finds out that there is no hiding from the cameras. Little does she know it is her "friend" Madison that is giving away all of Jane's secrets to the paparazzi but like any antagonist, she blames it on Jane's real BFF Scarlett, upsetting their long-term friendship. Jane's world is sent into chaos when she returns to La La Land, from her relationship with Braden and her fight with Scarlett to racy photos being leaked to the press, Jane quickly realises that fame is not all it's cracked up to be. Sweet Little Lies has three times the drama as its predecessor but sometimes it's a little too much. I enjoyed the plot of the first novel better, maybe for its sense of "realness". But this surpasses the first book in its narration, with Jenna Lamia as the voice of Jane Roberts and the rest of the L.A. Candy gang. Her voice was relatable as the naive Jane while also evoking just the right amount of cunning and egotism as Madison. She even convincingly pulls off the token "bad boy" Braden, in all his antics and ruses. Unfortunately while the narration greatly improved in the second edition of the LA Candy Series, the plot sank. There was a little too much drama that lasted a little too long. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the guilty pleasure of watching drama-prone reality shows.

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The Big Love - Sarah Dunn (2004)

Narrated by Eliza Foss

I had heard of this story when I read a "how-to" book on writing chick lit and ever since it's been on my "to-be-read" (or listened to) list. I'm so glad I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version, read by Eliza Foss. With the combination of its classic story line, winning female heroine and fantastic narration, The Big Love had me from its inception. I especially enjoyed its opening premise and creative way the author chose to set the scene for main character Alison to lose the "love of her life", when her boyfriend leaves in the middle of a dinner party to get mustard. Not only does he never come back home, but he calls her up to tell her that he's been having an affair with his ex-girlfriend. As the story continues, Alison is set up on various dates; contemplates the saga of her relationship and what led up to its demise; and begins a search for self as "Alison" rather than as "so-and-so's girlfriend". Was her ex "the big love"? Is there such a thing as "the big love"? Eliza Foss does a good job portraying each character, particularly Alison as she goes on her journey in this hilarious and heartfelt story.

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The Book of Tomorrow - Cecelia Ahern (2009)

Narrated by Ali Coffey

The Book of Tomorrow introduces listeners to a fairytale world where its inhabitants must face some real-world tough issues. When 17-year-old Tamara Goodwin's father commits suicide, he leaves Tamara and her mother in a mountain of debt, uprooting them from their usual posh lifestyle and forcing them to move to the country in Ireland with Tamara's Aunt Rosalyn. Life for Tamara is a far cry from the one she is used to with friends, Facebook and Twitter and her friends are in utter disbelief when Tamara announces the most exciting thing to come into town is a travelling library. However, it is at the travelling library that Tamara discovers what first appears to be a diary that holds the key to the future. Upon opening the diary Tamara finds its pages filled with her very own penmanship - only oddly enough, the date on the diary entry is tomorrow! At first just curious to see if the diary is really forecasting each next day, Tamara begins consulting the diary daily only to find that its contents truly do occur. Once she begins piecing together all kinds of events, Tamara is led down a treacherous path towards family secrets that some people never intended her to find out. Is the diary a blessing or a curse? What will Tamara do now that she holds the answers to so much? Who can she tell and who will believe her? Cecelia Ahern does a good job tying the fantastical together with some real world life lessons, as her main character, Tamara, learns what it means to grow up and start caring about tomorrow. Ali Coffey does a good job narrating this magical tale as she tells it from the perspective of a teenager. She shows a wide range of character, switching voices from that of sinister and malicious Aunt Rosalyn to carefree and jubilant friend, Wesley. I didn't absolutely love this audio book but it was definitely enjoyable and it's got me interested in checking out more of the magical audio books from Cecilia Ahern.

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The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell (2010)

Narrated by Sarah Drew

Guilty Pleasure Alert! In the audio prequel to Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City (SATC), listeners get a peek at Carrie as she was in high school, specifically dealing with the drama of senior year. Like many young women her age, Carrie and her friends are dealing with the pressures of awaiting approval from college applications, experimentation with alcohol and of course, relationships with the opposite sex and the decision to have or not have sex. While this prequel did not include the other three SATC ladies as they were in high school, I could definitely see the transformation of a young, suburban Carrie into the fashionable and forever single New York gal we know and love from the HBO series. Like Carrie's adult character, young Carrie is determined to become a writer, applying to a pre-college program to write in NY for the summer. She also must deal with the dilemma of falling for a guy that dad did not approve of while he pushed her in the direction of a much "safer" guy. Sarah Drew, narrator of The Carries Diaries, gave a wonderful performance portraying the high school version of Carrie and all her school mates. There was so much that went on in this story, from swim team practice, to the nights out partying and drinking, and all the sex, gossip and normal teenage drama that unfolded, and Drew did an excellent job differentiating each of the multifaceted and complicated characters. She really brought life to each and every one. The Carrie Diaries was so much fun. I have found that I really like a lot of young adult chick lit, with this book being especially close to my heart because of my love for SATC. In fact, I can't wait for a sequel to this book (which I assume there will be based on the cliffhanger at the end of the book). Recommended for chick lit, young adult and SATC fans alike.

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The Debutante Divorcee - Plum Sykes (2006)

Narrated by Sonya Walger

This was one of the first audiobooks I listened to when I first got into the habit of listening to chick lit (as opposed to reading it). I found it a little bit slow to get into but once I was about half way through, I was absolutely hooked on this fun tale of fortune, sex, jewels and high-class affairs. Told by Sonya Walger, a fantastic British narrator, her voice gives just the right amount of an upper-class tinge that I imagined the Debutante Divorcee character to have. I had read Sykes' first novel, Bergdorf Blondes, many years ago when it first came out, and although I don't remember exact details of its story, I do remember the feeling of being somewhat disappointed in its overall composition. Conversely, this book was just the opposite, as I found the excitement building with every chapter. It was rather unpredictable and in addition to being a story about money, notoriety and the NYC lifestyle, it added a little bit of mystery to its plot that I found to be really enjoyable. In the beginning, listeners are introduced to Sylvie Mortimer, newly wed and extremely optimistic wife of Hunter. Despite her eternal happiness, however, she is honeymooning by herself as Hunter was called away on business at the last minute. It is on this vacation where she meets new BFF and fellow Manhattanite, Lauren Blount, who equals Slyvie's happiness in money, beauty and thinness. But Lauren is quite Sylvie's opposite in the marriage department, or so it seems, as she is recently divorced and regaling in the joys of playing the field with her rich, male counterparts. As their friendship blossoms, Sylvie begins to question the stability of her own marriage, especially with one of NY's most infamous cougar's on the prowl. Full of gossip and scandal, this story will have you wondering whether being married or divorced makes for a better lifestyle. Listen for yourself to find out what happens between Sylvie, Lauren and their men and you decide.

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The Devil Wear Prada - Lauren Weisberger (2002)

Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

I saw the movie version of this book a long time ago and although I own the book, I have yet to read it. I wasn't sure I was ever going to pick up the paperback, so when I found the unabridged audio on my local library's website, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reap the benefits of the full story between Andrea Sachs, Miranda Priestly and life at one of the most high-powered fashion magazines in New York City. This is the tale of the year in Andrea's life when she grew from a girl into a woman, from the moment she landed the job of "every girl's dream" at Runway to the moment in Paris when she was faced with one of the toughest decisions of her life. There is laughter, tears and everyday struggles of real life. Finally, listen to hear if Andrea chooses to gamble her friendship, loyalty and self-respect in the name of the woman and career that dared to even put her in such a predicament. An unforgettable story, told in such an alluring manner that I didn't even notice 14 hours had gone by and was actually sad when the story had to come to an end. Bernadette Dunne's adaptation of Andrea Sachs with her naivety, sarcasm, humour, intelligence and sensibility made her the palatable character that she was to so many. I was also thoroughly pleased that I got to hear the depths of creativity and talent offered by author Lauren Weisberger in the details of the novel that I missed out on by watching the movie. Highly recommended. If you haven't taken a chance on chick lit yet, you are sure to be hooked with this one.

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The First Assistant: A Continuing Tale From Behind the Hollywood Curtain - Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare (2006)

Narrated by Shelly Frasier

I enjoyed the sequel to this Hollywood drama more than the first book. I wonder if it's more because I listened to The First Assistant and I read The Second Assistant. The narration by Shelly Frasier was really well done. She really got the main character with a soft spoken, blase-don't-really-care-for-all-this entertainment drama tone of voice. I laughed, smiled and at times was in pure awe of some of the antics portrayed by the players in La La Land. I wish now that I had sought out an audio version of the first book because maybe I would have had a better appreciation for it. I liked that the story picked up where the first book left off and came back full circle to bring the story of the intertwining lives of the various characters to a conclusion, including heroine Lizzie Miller; producer Luke Lloyd; ex-coffee barista Jason and his hit movie Sex Addicts in Love; agent aficionado Scott Wagner and his new wife and Lizzie's best friend Lara; and some new characters that made for some interesting new twists and turns and even took the listener to another country briefly. I'd definitely recommend checking out the audio version of this book to any fan of Hollywood and glamour chick lit books. I look forward to checking out more of Clare Naylor's books.

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The Fixer Upper - Mary Kay Andrews (2009)

Narrated by Isabel Keating

The Fixer Upper really exceeded my expectations. Main character Dempsey Jo Killebrew, a DC lobbyist, is caught in the middle of a political scandal, having been manipulated by her boss, Alex Hodder, to book hookers on her company Amex, implicating her in a major bribery scandal involving a very prominent congressman, Anthony Licata. When the media gets wind of the drama, Dempsey is immediately fired, finding herself jobless, homeless and penniless. Nearing 30 years old, Dempsey has to suck up her pride and beg her father, Mitch, for a loan. Tied up with a second family and his own financial obligations, Mitch doesn't agree to give Dempsey a flat-out loan but instead offers her an opportunity to make a business investment with him. His great-uncle Norbert, of Guthrie, Georgia has recently passed, and he's left his gorgeous, monstrous farm house, Birdsong, to Mitch in his will. However, Birdsong is in dire need of an extreme makeover; but in return for Dempsey fixing up the old house to get it into saleable condition, Mitch has agreed to finance the renovations and split any future profits with her. Left with not many choices, Dempsey agrees and heads down to Georgia where she is met with many surprises and obstacles. First, Dempsey meets an old, bitter and hateful relative, Ella Kate, who has been living in Birdsong since Norbert's death and she is determined to do anything she has to to protect what she believes belongs to her. Then, even in as remote a town as Guthrie, the FBI come to find Dempsey and try to convince her to work with them to set up Alex Hodder's arrest. Finally, a young lawyer catches Dempsey's eye (and libido) in a way no man has in a long time; and it begins to seem that Dempsey's got a lot more on her hands than she's bargained for. The story itself was fast-paced and exciting but it was Isabel Keating who kept listeners hanging on to every word. I believe she made this story even more entertaining than it would have been if I'd have just read it cover to cover. She does a tremendous job disguising her voice as the various characters which seems to have been an especially challenging task for a novel with so many characters, many of whom were women, ranging in age and cultural background. If you like a good chick it novel with a little mystery, political scandal and southern charm, this might be the audio book for you.

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The Gatecrasher - Madeleine Wickham (1998)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

This was the first Madeleine Wickham book I can genuinely say I enjoyed the whole way through. I loved the main character, Fleur, and the concept behind her means of getting by - her life of moving from widower to widower, staking her claim in their fortune (and taking them for all they've got really) and then moving on to the next funeral. Like the opposite of the movie Wedding Crashers ... pretty twisted. My only complaint with this and the other MW books I've read was that I felt like I was left hanging at the story's end. I think after listening to two other of her audiobooks, I was well-prepared for the stark (and dark) difference from her light-hearted Sophie Kinsella books. My only complaint with this story was that I didn't feel like all the conflicts were resolved by its end. It seemed like the audio could have gone on for at least one more hour to wrap up a storyline or two. But perhaps the intention was to leave listeners to guess what follows next. As always, Katherine Kellgren did a fantastic job at narrating this book. She has a great grasp on the dark voice portrayed by devious characters like Fleur and does so in a way that you can't help but still like her. Kellgren also has a talent to portray the opposite voice, as in Fleur's daughter, Zara, who emitted a complex mixture of innocence and naivete while simultaneously trying to shock people with an image of a rebellious teen. All in all, The Gatecrasher really changed my perspective on Madeleine Wickham's audiobooks and I look forward to trying more.

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The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl - Belle de Jour (2006)

Narrated by Anonymous

For a novel that came out with so many covers and editions and spawned a hit TV show, I guess I was hoping for a little something more from this story. I don't know what exactly I was expecting but I guess something different or something more ... It was enjoyable in parts but I also felt it was too much "in parts". Written and told in diary entry prose, it followed the course of about a year in the life of Belle de Jour after she graduated from college and became a High Madam in London. After a night out, a few too many drinks, a very wealthy couple and a sweet proposition followed by a cool payout, Belle quickly calculates just how easy her life (and finances) could become should she choose to make a lifestyle of sex, outward appearances and a little S&M her full-time job. She finds a reputable agency to represent her and handle the business aspects of the job, and so the story begins, with vignette after vignette filled with each of her conquests, from rich men to freaks, lonely men to boyfriends and of course, friends and ex-boyfriends. Listen in to hear Belle's revelations on how a woman really can survive mentally, physically, emotionally and reputably as an escort in London. There were some raunchy, kinky and otherwise graphic scenes but it surprisingly never seemed too shocking and I'd imagine that was due to the even, nonchalant tone with which Belle spoke throughout the entire narrative. One of my only complaints about the audio version of this story was that all the diary entry dates were read solely in French so I couldn't always understand what date it was precisely. That said, I loved the narrator. She spoke clearly, loudly, eloquently and had a lovely accent. It's too bad the narrator was only known as "Anonymous". Either way, I'd hoped for a little more of a climactic arc but was left with a few enjoyable, individual pieces.

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The Making of Mia - Ilana Fox (2007)

Narrated by Patience Tomlinson

Listening to the unabridged audio of British chick lit author Ilana Fox's debut novel was a fabulous listening experience. I am always elated when I get double the satisfaction of a great story, full of interesting plot twists, unpredictable conflict and intriguing characters coupled with the soothing sounds of a sweet, talented and varied voice. The Making of Mia is a modern fairytale in which one woman, Jo Hill, takes listeners on her journey from ugly duckling to beautiful swan in the fast-paced world of women's magazines. What she doesn't bargain for along her road to transformation is the struggle between good and evil that evolves on the way. It is her dream to work and write for a fashion magazine, and she couldn't be more delighted when she's hired as personal assistant to magazine mogul and CEO of Gloss, Joshua Harnett, but soon after, Josh proves to be the arrogant, abusive antagonist that all good fairytales need and Jo is ousted from Gloss magazine. She runs away to Miami, where she is introduced to another world, full of fake tans and plastic surgery where she takes on a new image and a new identity, under the guise of a Hollywood hunk's little sister and under the name Mia Blackwell. Next on Jo's list of goals: to get back to London; take the fashion magazine world by storm and seek revenge on the man who started it all, Josh Harnett. Find out if Jo as Mia can fulfill all her dreams, goals and plans, while seeking her own place in this life. A wonderful story about transformation and finding true beauty. Eloquently read by narrator Patience Tomlinson, this is recommended to anyone looking for a smart, well-orchestrated and articulated, modern tale of love, fashion and beauty.

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The Map of True Places - Brunonia Barry (2010)

Narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan

Zee Finch is an ideal main character for a women's fiction novel. She shows strength, sensuality and vulnerability, making her highly relatable. Like most leading heroines we meet her at a turning point in her life, where she must face some tough decisions and ultimately find herself through. Back in Zee's younger days, she had an extremely rebellious side, in which she used to steal boats from the harbours of the North Shore of Boston. Some years later, we are reintroduced to Zee as an adult. She is living with her fiance, Michael, and working as a psychologist in Boston under an esteemed colleague who has gained much notoriety for her research in bipolar disorder. As the story progresses and we learn more and more about Zee, we realise that she is just as unsure of herself and her future as most everyday Americans are. One of her patients, Lily, hits on an extremely sensitive note, and brings back haunting memories of Zee's mother who committed suicide at a very young age, which was speculated to be largely due to an untreated case of bipolar disorder. Zee also grapples with the worsening condition of her father's physical ailment, Parkinson's Disease. Finally, Zee begins to question her engagement to Michael when their wedding coordinator deems Zee unfit to work with. Alyssa Bresnahan narrates in a suitably soothing manner, drawing listeners in and keeping their interest through the thick and thin of Zee's predicaments. I think I found specific interest in this story as a psychology grad student but I think others will still be able to relate to the way we can sometimes feel like we're struggling for sanity in an insane world. Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan told the story with excellent enunciation and perfection of pitch and tone.

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The One That I Want - Allison Winn Scotch (2010)

Narrated by Allyson Ryan

The One That I Want was the first novel I listened to by Allison Winn Scotch and it definitely won't be the last. It had a really great, enigmatic and poignant storyline with well-defined characters, made even better by its narrator, Allyson Ryan. At age 32, Tilly Farmer has her whole life exactly where she wants it, knows where it's going and the when and how of it all - in a word, it is "perfect". She and her high school sweetheart, Tyler, have been married and living in the town in which they grew up, where Tilly is now a guidance counselor at the local school. The story starts off with Tilly reminiscing about proms of days past as she begins to make plans for the upcoming school year. Included in those plans are all of Tilly's hopes and dreams, from directing Grease as the school's annual play to starting a family with Tyler. Little does she know, however, when Tilly goes to the Town Fair one hot summer night, just before the new school year is about to begin, all of Tilly's perfectly laid plans are about to change. Listen in to find out what the future has in store for Tilly and how she copes when her best-laid plans are turned upside down. All of a sudden, Tilly finds herself unsure if the reality she had planned for herself is the one that she really wants anymore. Allyson Ryan does a fabulous interpretation of the characters, bringing each to life. It left me wanting to turn it on every chance I could get. Allison Winn Scotch and Allyson Ryan are one chick it team "I want" to read and listen to again.

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The Single Girl's To-Do List- Lindsey Kelk (2011)

Narrated by Cassandra Harwood

Lindsey Kelk has done it again! Her newest novel, The Single Girl's To-Do List, has great friends, a not-so-great ex-boyfriend, a laundry list of to-dos and a roller-coaster ride of romantic adventures all in one audio book. Heroine Rachel Summers has traditional dreams of marriage, kids, the white picket fence and all that. She even has (who she thinks to be) the perfect boyfriend, Simon, to fit in the picture. The trouble is the only proposal Simon has for Rachel is to take a little break from one another - and when he says "break", he really means "break-up"... for good. Rachel is devastated but luckily, BFFs Matthew and Emelie are there by her side and ready to pick her up at every step of the way. Matthew and Emelie create the Single Girl's To-Do List specifically for Rachel to conquer all the things she never would have if she'd still been in a relationship with Simon. From getting a tattoo to doing something illegal and finally, finding a date for her dad's wedding, some tasks are easier than others. Listen in to find out what Rachel finds out about herself in a short period of two weeks as she tries to check everything off her list. New-to-me narrator Cassandra Harwood does a fabulous job nailing the voice of Rachel and has a pitch-perfect tone for this lighthearted and extremely funny tale of a broken heart and search for self.

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The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella (2005)

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

This was a rather long audio book but worth every minute it took to tell the story. Like her Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella's writing continues in hilarious form with its relatable leading heroine, Samantha Sweeting, a super successful and smart lawyer who is vying for partner at London's most prestigious law firm, Carter Spink. What makes Samantha so relatable to readers, however, is her sensitivity and vulnerability as a human being that is revealed even in her days as a lonely, workaholic attorney but even more so after "one mistake" leads to Samantha's evacuation from her job. Full of shame, Samantha quickly flees the big city and takes a long train ride out to the country where she finds herself sitting in the home of Trish and Eddie, a newly rich couple, interviewing for the position of their housekeeper. Despite having no cooking, cleaning or any household experience at all, Samantha finds herself agreeing to take on the new task so long as it means she has a place to hide out from her terrible mistake at Carter Spink. Her new employers are joyous and laid-back; their biggest to-do lists consist of catching up on the latest in celebrity gossip and catering dinner parties for their friends; a far contrast from her previous employers, who wreaked so much havoc and anxiety in Samantha's life. Next-door neighbor and gardener, Nathaniel, also provides a new relationship in Samantha's life - could she possibly be having a boy crush? This is an outrageous story that allows listeners to follow right alongside Samantha as she transitions from high-powered, six-figure salaried attorney to flour-clad, uniform-wearing, curtseying goddess of domesticity. Read by seasoned and articulate narrator Rosalyn Landor, this audio book was brave, bold and too funny! One of Kinsella's best.

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The Wedding Girl - Madeleine Wickham (1999)

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

All seems to be right in Milly's world as she's preparing for her wedding to Simon ... that is until a stranger from her past reveals himself and threatens her with his knowledge of Milly's big secret - one that Milly thought no one knew about except the three persons involved. Young and naive, in the free-spirited city of Oxford, an 18-year old Milly had married Allen. She thought she was only helping her "friend" avoid deportation. Now 10 years later and with only four days until her wedding - what's been billed as one of the biggest extravaganzas in ages - Milly is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to tell her husband about a previous marriage, not to mention the slight complication that she is still legally married. In an unpredictable and often twisted tale, Madeleine Wickham and Katherine Kellgren pair up again in a dark and humorous book about secrets, lies and marriage. Find out if Milly is able to resolve her past to get on with her future. The Wedding Girl has a typical storyline from Madeleine Wickham and excellent speaking tone and variation in voice from seasoned narrator Katherine Kellgren. My only complaint about the novel was in its resolution (but I will let listeners decide for themselves). I was looking for a little more suspense. However, I give praise to both author and narrator for their expertise in bringing life and complexity to such a real problem.

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Thyme Out (aka Second Thyme Around) by Katie Fforde (1999)

Narrated by Davina Porter

This was my first novel by Katie Fforde and I really had no preconceived notion of what I was getting into; the only fact I gathered being that it was difficult to get hold of her books here in the US. After finding this unabridged audio version, I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Narrator Davina Porter had the perfect amount of witty and smart as Perdita and just the right amount of sweet and sage to play her elder best friend, Kitty. She even does a decent job with the male voices of the story, the most prominent role being Lucas, Perdita's ex-husband. Perdita's marriage at the tender age of 18 to Lucas quickly and heartbreakingly ended in divorce. Years later, nearing 30 years of age, we find her having built her own life and business selling organic salads fresh from her garden on Kitty's land. She is shocked to find her newest customer is Lucas and even more so when she learns that he is to become the next celebrity TV chef and will be needing her vegetables and gardening skills for his show. Determined not to be hurt by him again, she does her best to stay away from him emotionally this time. However, after an unfortunate medical emergency with Kitty, she begins to see a softer side to Lucas that she'd never seen before. Has he changed or grown more mature? Has she changed herself? I enjoyed finding out and getting to know the characters in this wonderful story full of humour, romance, friendship and sorrow. Much detail was provided of their everyday lives throughout the novel, making it somewhat slow in spots, but I think the detail also owes to the reason I finished the audio with a good feeling and a smile on my face. I will definitely be seeking out more of Katie Fforde's novels.

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Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella (2009)

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

This was the first non-Shopaholic Sophie Kinsella book I read. Once I got past my expectations for a similar tone to the cutesy Shopaholic novels, I was hooked. In Kinsella's first "mystery/paranormal" type book, we meet twenty-something Lara Lington, granddaughter to the recently deceased Sadie, who has been hard at work trying to get her own PR company off the ground without much success. To make matters worse, her boyfriend has just left her and her partner in the business has fled the country! In the opening scene, Lara is at Sadie's funeral, and although she never knew her very much, she has a sudden premonition and begins conversing with a twenty-something-year-old Sadie as if they'd known each other forever. Sadie begs Lara to postpone the funeral any way possible because she cannot bear to be buried for eternity without her precious dragonfly necklace. Thinking and acting as quickly as possible (with Sadie whining and nudging at her arm sleeve), Lara jumps on top of her chair and shouts that Sadie was murdered, causing a sea of gasps around the room. Lara demands a thorough investigation on her behalf and thus, a delay of the funeral. With the first part of Sadie's plan to reclaim her beloved jewellery underway, Lara hasn't a clue what she's just gotten herself into but soon enough Sadie shows up everywhere Lara is to let her know exactly how the plan is going to go. As Lara reluctantly joins Sadie on the search for the precious dragonfly necklace, she learns more about her ancestor than she could have imagined. Listen to the whole audio to find out all about these two entirely different and yet so similar Twenties Girls. Seasoned British narrator Rosalyn Landor, who lends her voice to many Sophie Kinsella novels, does an excellent job conveying the story between these two women and all the characters who cross their path. An unforgettable story and one of Kinsella's best.

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