TITLES E
Titles - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T The The U V W X Y Z
Earthly Pleasures - Karen Neches (2008)
Skye Sebring is a hospitality greeter in Heaven - a place where you use a Wishberry to order chocolate or a room makeover and you can watch what's happening on Earth via TV channel Earthly Pleasures. She is far from angelic though - I mean who else would pipe Highway to Hell through the sound system to scare the newly dead? But she is obviously good at her job, as she shows the ropes to thirteen-year-old Chelsea who has died in a skateboarding accident. When Ryan Blaine, a son of a former US president and favourite with Earthly Pleasures viewers, turns up briefly before being revived, she feels drawn to him. His marriage is in trouble because his wife Susan just hasn't been the same since she had a devastating car accident. Even though Skye is one of the few new souls with no wish to live on Earth, she wins the honour and has to attend a class on life's important lessons revealed through the lyrics of five Beatles songs. What will happen when she arrives in her new destination and will she ever see Ryan again? Read this for the heavenly description of life in the hereafter, the mystery surrounding Ryan's wife and a coma victim, and to discover which Beatles songs are the secrets to a happy life. A true pleasure to read - it's a book with real soul and heart-warming spirit.
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Each Way Bet - Ilsa Evans (2006)
It's the night before Melbourne Cup Day and the Broadhurst sisters, Jill and Emily, decide to trade places with one another. Mother of four Jill, who is thinking of leaving her husband Jack, takes off for some peace and quiet at Emily's apartment while single Emily wants to try out a more action-packed life. And action she gets . . . With their other sister Corinne unable to host her annual race day luncheon, the festivities move to Jill's house but Emily is in charge. From an elusive pregnancy test, a predatory visitor, flying carpet bowls and a swearing three-year-old, can the race that stops a nation get these women back on track?
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Easily Amused - Karen McQuestion (2010)
Lola Watson finds herself a homeowner when a relative she barely knows dies and leaves her house to her. Even though her best friend hints that she should sell the house and buy a condo, Lola decides she wants her independence and wants to be a homeowner. She soon finds herself regretting the new house when her neighbours won't stop butting their noses into her business. Her high school best friend, who she hasn't been as close to recently, shows up to crash with her after his love life falls apart. As if this wasn't bad enough, her younger sister announces she's getting married on Lola's 30th birthday. Lola knows this is no coincidence and that her sister just wants to humiliate her. She knows she needs to counteract what her sister has planned for her and when she meets gorgeous Ryan she thinks he may be the answer to her problem. The real answer to Lola's problem may be even closer than she realises. This is a cute story with a very funny cast of characters. Lola's neighbours will keep you laughing while Lola figures out what's really important in a lasting relationship. (AR)
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Eastern Promise - Jessica Fox (2009)
This is the second book in the Hen Night Prophecies. This time it's centred around Priya, whose prophecy is "in love, mother knows best". But for Priya, that can't possibly be right. She comes from an Indian family (it seems a lot like Jessminder's family in Bend it Like Beckham) and her mother would like nothing better than to see her settled down with a nice Indian boy - preferably one she has set her up with herself. With her sister, Neesh, getting married in Jaipur, Priya combines her bridesmaid duties with filming a documentary on an ashram that has been performing miracle cures. While her mother is trying to set her up with an Indian suitor, Priya appears to be falling under the spell of her ashram guide, Noah. But her news sense is perked when Noah keeps parts of the ashram out of bounds and the swami seems very reluctant to talk.
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Eat, Drink and Be Married - Rebecca Bloom (2011)
Old college room-mates Zoe, Nina and Kate are all set to attend the wedding of Hannah in Lake Tahoe. Zoe appears to be a strongest in the group but only she knows how fragile her heart is and now she is having a dilemma over whom to give her heart. Nina is having a baby but she is in a constant denial while her husband Ben is already planning the baby shower and thinking of names. Kate is having a hard time getting over her ex-husband Tony while the bride-to-be is haunted by her past. Amidst all the bridesmaid dresses, wine, laughter, preparations and celebration, everyone is hiding something in their hearts. If you love weddings, this book is for you. Get a nice glass of red, settle down on the sofa with this book and don't forget to grab the box of tissues. (SS)
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Eating Peaches - Tara Heavey (2004)
Dublin solicitor Elena reluctantly moves to set up an office in Ballyknock, on the promise of her boss Tyrone Power that she will be made partner. She leaves behind boyfriend Paul and moves into a cottage in the middle of nowhere. However she soon realises life in the country isn't as bad as she thought, especially when the local publican has seven handsome sons.
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Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell (2012)
Eleanor is the new kid at school and has to run the gauntlet of finding a seat on the school bus. She ends up sitting next to the ever-so-cool Park every day. Like the rest of his classmates, he thinks she's weird with her messy red hair and wacky clothes but over time they bond over music and comics. Set in 1986 (remember mixtapes?), this is a beautiful story about falling in love for the first time. Eleanor's dysfunctional family background will break your heart, while Park will restore your faith in human nature.
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Elegance - Kathleen Tessaro (2004)
After suffering the ultimate indignity of being thought pregnant when she's not, Louise Canova discovers an ageing hardback, Elegance, in a second- bookshop. She uses this A-Z of style written by French fashion expert Madame Antoine Dariaux to help her transform her appearance. As her old self disappears, her marriage to her actor husband ends. The book helps her deal with a range of events, from a weekend at a country home, to a trip to Ascot and going yachting with a new man. Louise soon discovers that looking the part is only the beginning of acquiring elegance. The novel was inspired by the author's discovery of the Elegance book - the 1960s version of What Not to Wear.
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Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich (2006)
Stephanie Plum has had enough with the bounty hunting business, so she tries her hand at several other jobs. But trouble seems to follow Stephanie no matter where she is - she still finds herself shot at and car blown up. With four people dead and a fifth one being searched for, Stephanie seems to be receiving notes from a former disgruntled run-in in the form of funeral director Spiro. What I really enjoyed about this book was the awesome comedy factor between Stephanie, Grandma Mazur and her mum. This has to be one of the funniest books in the series. I had to share it with my friends on our lunch break! (PP)
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Elixir - Hilary Duff (2010)
Clea Raymond is the photojournalist daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent politician. She has always been in the spotlight but the pressure of it all got much worse after her father disappeared while on a humanitarian mission in South America. Almost one year after her father went missing and has been presumed dead, Clea starts to see the strange, shadow-like images of a haunting and beautiful man in her photos. For some reason, she finds herself attracted to him and when she meets him in person the connection she feels is undeniable. However, Clea's friend Ben, who also seems to serve as her bodyguard, warns Clea to steer clear of this man because he may be an evil entity. Of course, Clea doesn't listen, and before she knows it, Clea is on a mission that takes her, Ben and the strange man around the world in search of the truth about her father's disappearance. In the process, she finds some very unsettling truths out about her own life and realises she may be in a lot more danger than first thought. Singer and actress Hilary Duff should be praised for leaving the usual genre of Hollywood authors who write about nothing other than Hollywood and its cliches. But in this case it's quite unfortunate that it doesn't work too well. Clea is a hard character to invest in and the storyline is hard to actually enjoy. Elixir is the first in a series, so hopefully the second title will be structured much better. (AS)
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Elizabeth the First Wife - Lian Dolan (2013)
Elizabeth is a professor who teaches community college Shakespeare and English Lit. Her ex-husband returns home asking a favour of Elizabeth - that she be his acting coach for a new play at a Shakespeare festival. This would be an easy task if her ex-husband was a nobody or an average Joe, but he is in fact FX Fahey, the Hollywood action star. If the pressure to help him wasn't enough, Elizabeth is stuck on her current book proposal - a Look at Shakespeare and Love in the Modern Society. Can her journey of accompanying FX help re-ignite her passion of Shakespeare and re-discover love? Without giving too much away, Elizabeth the First Wife is a wonderful book that all those who hold even the slightest candle for William Shakespeare and his plays will cherish and enjoy thoroughly. (PP)
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Ellie Andrews Has Second Thoughts - Ruth Saberton (2011)
It's Ellie's wedding day but she's having more than last-minute jitters. As she squeezes herself into her gown and downs too many glasses of champagne to settle her nerves, she reflects back on her last few boyfriends as she wonders whether she's marrying the right man. There's Rupert, her double-barrel-name boss, and Jay, her best friend's brother who she's had a crush on since she was a teenager. Ellie literally crashes into the life of the very eligible Marcus while Xander is the rock star who lives next door to her sister. Ellie's four sisters - known as the Amazing Andrews - have all paraded down the aisle and Ellie is feeling the pressure to settle down too, particularly to make her mother proud. With readers left to wonder which of the men is actually waiting at the church for Ellie, the story goes into flashback mode as Ellie lurches from one disaster to another - from environmental protests and model rivals, to babysitting the kids from hell; and a Hawaiian holiday. No need for you to be having second thoughts about picking this one up - it's got a delightful heroine, laugh-out-loud scenarios and it'll keep you guessing about not only the groom but whether Ellie will actually take the plunge.
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Elly in Love - Colleen Oakes (2014)
This is the story of florist Elly Jordan who is at the top of her game in the world of flowers. With reality show BlissBride on her doorstep ready to film the wedding of the year, Elly's own relationship with deli owner Keith is new, fresh and welcoming. With loyal friends and a talented Snarky Teenager, Elly makes plans to open the doors to a second store in the heart of the business district. Hopes of success depend on the publicity of the celebrity wedding and Elly being able to keep her cool! When a strange teenage boys walks into her florist, Elly's world is upended and turns to chaos. What does he want? Who is he? Where did he come from? His unkempt appearance bring the worst fears to Elly's mind... but also raises questions as to who she is and her own past. As the sequel to Elly in Bloom, readers don't necessarily need to read the first to understand the second. The author cleverly weaves backstories into the current novel, leaving no questions for the reader to answer. Descriptive flowers and scents permeate the novel in such a way that the reader feels as though he or she is amidst the chaos and calm of a florist store. There is humour and love within the pages as well as secrets and tears. It's a wonderful read and readers will laugh and hope whilst at the same time develop an understanding of the importance of family. (MP)
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Eloves me, eloves me not - L.A. Johannesson (2012)
With a newly broken heart, Kayte, 39, is determined to find her Mr Right. She is on the path to finding true love through the ups and downs, pleasures and dangers, of dating - blind and internet - and has to kiss a string of toads to find her prince. Together with her best friend and number one male (Dylan the dog), her happily married friend Chloe, and the mysterious Bigbadwolf (aka Roman) and his Book of RROOD (pronounced RUDE) for Roman's Rules of Online Dating, Kayte sets off on her roller-coaster pursuit of love. Kayte is a modern, fit and healthy, IT-savvy Bridget Jones - and this romantic comedy has a chuckle or a twist on every page mixed with just the right amount of passionate liaisons. It has great one-liners, is fast moving and very entertaining. It is a fabulous debut. (AT)
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Emily and Einstein - Linda Francis Lee (2011)
This gives a unique look at the process of grief and loss. After Emily Barlow loses her husband, Sandy, in a freak accident, she tries to keep her life on track and constantly pushes her grief away. She is a strong woman, and a strong woman does not fall apart. So, when Emily rescues Einstein, an ugly stray dog who was hit by a car the same night her husband died, from the shelter, she puts all of her energy into nursing him back to health. What she doesn't know is that there is more to Einstein than meets the eye. This little dog is actually her husband, Sandy, trapped in a dog's body. Though he can't communicate with Emily through words, he attempts to reach out to her through his mannerisms and ultimately brings Emily back from her world of unspoken grief and into the real world once again - where she begins to succeed with a flourish. Told through alternating chapters - one as Emily, the other as Einstein and Sandy - this is an amazing novel full of hope, redemption and wonderful characters. The best parts though come from the ever-so-witty Einstein. With Sandy's soul stuck inside of a dog, it's hard for him to control his dog urges and think clearly, yet he is quick-witted, smart and hilariously funny. Once you pick this novel up, you won't want to do anything else but read it. (AS)
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Emily Ever After - Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt (2004)
Emily Hilton wants out of her small hometown and she gets the perfect opportunity when she lands a job as an editorial assistant at a New York publisher. She thinks she's found the perfect man in Bennett - he's from a rich family and only dates Christians. But as she struggles over a controversial book and a flirtation with a boy from back home, maybe Emily was better off back where she belonged.
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Emma: A Latter-day Tale - Rebecca H. Jamison (2013)
Emma's all caught up in studying to be a life coach and in her spare time matchmaking. Since it's worked with her best girl friend, she is on the lookout to do some more "good deeds" and she is using all her other friends to practise on. I have to admit this story - a modern take on the Jane Austen classic - was slow to begin and it was hard for me to keep going. I think Emma was lonely and she was looking to fill her time to fill a void that she did not even know existed. Around the middle of the book, things started to get a bit more interesting, although there were so many characters to try to keep track of. I really liked the ending, with lots of unexpected twists and turns that I totally did not see coming. (KARM)
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Enchanted, Inc. - Shanna Swendson (2005)
Moving from Texas to New York has been quite a culture shock for Katie Chandler, to say the very least. Aside from having a monster of a boss at work, Katie sees all different kinds of visions and odd creatures while riding the subway and walking the streets, from women with wings on their backs, to hideous-looking men who appear to look like Johnny Depp in everyone else's eyes and ever-moving statuesque Gargoyles who can be found perched atop various buildings along the city's skyline at different times of the day. Soon, however, Katie learns that these visions may not be so weird after all. After receiving several recruitment emails from the ugly man on the subway who appears to be stalking her, Katie finally decides to hear their offer out - anything could be better than working for the she-devil, Mimi. After a few more vision-inducing enchantments, the recruiters of Magic, Spells and Illusions, Inc (MSI, Inc.) tell Katie quite simply that "magic is real". Not only is magic real but Katie is a rare breed, who is so "ordinary" and non-magical that spells, illusions and magic do not affect her in the least bit. She is offered a job at MSI, Inc. to verify when magic is being used to do malevolent business. Katie is in for a magical adventure like no other she could have imagined in any fairytale, storybook and certainly not in Texas. This is the first book in a four-part series. A fun, light and quick read, it's perfect for anyone who misses shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Bewitched. This book makes itself a nice little niche in the chick lit/magic/romantic-fantasy/paranormal category. (CH)
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English as a Second Language - Megan Crane (2004)
Twenty-six-year-old Alex Brennan was bored in her New York job but not sure what direction her life should take. So when an ex-boyfriend tells her she could never get into graduate school in England, she does just that. Arriving at a northern campus with its hideous architecture and dreary weather, she begins an master's degree in literature - discovering pints and pubs, getting a crush on her hot lecturer and making a strange assortment of friends - and enemies. What she discovers is that instead of running away from home, she may have actually found it.
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Enlightenment for Idiots - Anne Cushman (2008)
Amanda is at a point in her life where she is unhappy with the way everything has turned out. Close to turning 30, she is in a dead-end relationship with a guy who is completely unavailable on a physical and emotional level and a job that she doesn't really like - writing "For idiot" guide books. The only thing that keeps Amanda grounded is her yoga sessions. So, when her editor asks her to go to India to write a book called Enlightenment for Idiots, Amanda jumps at the opportunity. How hard can it be to find enlightenment in India, home to all of the greatest gurus in history? Very, very hard as Amanda soon finds out. India is a dirty place, with trash littering the streets and beggars on every corner. Amanda goes from ashram to ashram looking for the key to enlightenment to no avail. After a few weeks, Amanda is tired, dirty (so much so that she has grime around her neck from not showering) and extremely lonely. When she meets a celibate, dreadlocked American Shadu called Devi Das who speaks about himself in the third person, Amanda takes his friendship and runs with it. The pair travel to all the best holy sites in India, meeting with all of the most divine gurus, who they are sure will provide them with the key to enlightenment. When Amanda becomes unexpectedly pregnant - with the baby of her unavailable boyfriend who does not want kids - she cannot decide whether to quit her journey and head home to California or stay and have her baby in a foreign land. The descriptions of India are rather riveting and oddly depressing at the same time. Almost every chapter has Amanda encountering beggars with only one eye or children with no limbs. The story itself would be more interesting if there were some happy or upbeat moments that showed the beauty of India - there had to be something good about it! For those of you looking for a little spirituality mixed in with your chick lit, this book is for you.(AS)
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Envy - Coleen Nolan (2010)
Rivalries get way out of hand for the five women of late-night TV show Girl Talk when they attend the Dome Awards. Especially when one of the presenters, Karen King, is anointed successor to retiring Good Morning Britain host Helen England. Karen, who has lost a lot of weight through the misery diet (her husband has traded her in for a younger model), finds herself on the outer as all the women strive for the plum job. Bitch of the set Julia Hill is gaining more enemies than plastic surgery procedures and there are more than a few people with grudges willing to bring her down. Former soapie actress Lesley Gold, who has a predilection for alcohol and one-night stands, has a score to settle with her Spitalfields successor. And with Faye Cole's war correspondent husband, Mike, away as usual, she has turned to an affair with co-host Cheryl West. Coleen Nolan has obviously drawn on her experiences on chat show Loose Women. After several disappointing novels set in the TV world from other insiders, this is that thoroughly entertaining and outrageous one we've all been waiting for. And the good news is the girls will be back in sequel Denial.
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Escape for the Summer - Ruth Saberton (2014)
Sensible Andi gets a shock when she finds out that her bank account has been cleared out by her boyfriend. She is further shocked when she arrives home to find him in bed with the neighbour. Add to this that she has just been let go from work. When her wild sister Angel and friend Gemma hatch a plan to escape for the summer to the seaside town of Rock, playground for the rich and famous, she decides to tag along. Things can only get better once you've hit rock bottom, right? Angel was my favourite character. Despite initially coming across as shallow and manipulative, she grows a lot throughout the course of the novel and I feel she redeems herself. Gemma was a loveable girl and her tumultuous relationship with food is very relatable. I enjoyed seeing her friendship with Cal blossom. Andi I found to be the most difficult to warm to. Her relationship with Jonty helped her to open up a little and that made her a much more likeable character. It took me awhile to get invested in the story, but once I did I enjoyed it, the plot was action packed but I had guessed the twist towards the end from quite early on. (LO)
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Essex Girls - Laura Ziepe (2013)
Jade has changed a lot in the three years she has been at university in Bath, largely to please her boyfriend Tom. Now it seems her future is far from her hometown. But when Jade finds out Tom has been cheating on her and enacts her revenge, there is only one place she wants to go: back home to Essex. Jade's best friends, Kelly and Lisa, are waiting with open arms to receive her and help mend her heartbreak, but first things first - an Essex makeover. With Jade looking and increasingly feeling like her old self, when Kelly suggests they should go away to work in Marbella in Spain for the summer, she jumps at the chance. While Jade and Kelly are living it up in a world of glamour, sun and fun, Lisa initially stays at home with her long-term boyfriend, Jake, but she too is soon caught up in the holiday spirit. When the girls return home, there are big decisions to make and all of their lives are changed for better or worse. I found the Lisa/Jake story the most appealing, but this was the one that was given the least space. I also wanted a bit more from Jade's romance. Nevertheless, this is a fun and frivolous novel that would be great as a holiday read and there is certainly plenty of leverage for the sequel, Made in Essex. (JC)
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Etiquette For the End of the World - Jeanne Martinet (2012)
Tess Eliot, 39, recently dumped by her long-term boyfriend, fired from a beloved job and axed by a best friend, is trying to sail through this dreadful phase of her life in New York City. She is passing her days scrapping by with whatever money she has while trying not to think about a brother who inherited all of their family property and decided not to give her a single penny. Desperate for a job and money, Tess takes an assignment to write an etiquette guide which would prepare the people for the end of the earth (as per the Mayan calendar) in 2012. The organisation - WOOSH - is dead certain that the world will end in a matter of a few months. Though Tess doesn't believe that the world is coming to an end, she still embarks on the journey to write the guide book and during her adventure she falls head over heels for one of the members of WOOSH but little did she know that this gorgeous man has a questionable history. This book is not a regular chick lit read but it still an interesting read. And if you do believe in the Mayan prediction, then this book has tons of information about it. (SS)
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Even Better Than the Real Thing - Martina Reilly (2012)
Eve is a painter whose specialty is copying the works of masters such as Van Gogh. When her mother discovers she has a secret bank account with 11 million euros, it comes to light that Eve's late father sold one of her paintings as a real Van Gogh. Eve is determined to get the fake painting back - without implicating her family - and her neighbour Larry, an ex-con, seems the ideal person to help her. But can she trust him? An intriguing premise which is executed well, it is a much lighter read than Reilly's more recent fare.
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Everleigh in NYC - Cathleen Holst (2010)
What if you met someone and realised that you could read that person's mind? That's just what happened to Everleigh Carlisle. On a sweltering night in New Orleans, after a few too many drinks, Everleigh and BFF Christina decide to visit a high voodoo priestess to learn about their destiny. Unbeknownst to the two women, an unspoken wish is granted, and soon all kinds of crazy events start happening and Everleigh's whole world is turned upside down. She walks in to find her longtime boyfriend making out with her (old) best friend; she lives out her dream by accepting a job at a prominent New York-based fashion magazine; and she also meets a gorgeous man with an unforgettable accent. Trouble is, Everleigh can hear his thoughts and they all seem to be about her! While any other woman in her position would be flattered, or at the very least intrigued, to get the inside scoop on the inner workings of the male mind - but this man also happens to be Everleigh's new boss. Everleigh strives to uncover what's happened that's causing all these events to transpire. Is she losing her mind or has she finally found her place in the world? This excellent debut novel is a definite keeper with a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns amidst all the romance, drama, business, conflict, excitement and perhaps, a wish come true? So fun, you won't want to skip a single sentence. (CH)
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Everybody's Got a Story - Heather Wardell (2013)
Alexa is still struggling to move on after being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend Christophe, and who can blame her - no one should ever have to deal with that. His assault affects Alexa in every facet of her life, both work and personal. This was such a heart-breaking story and I could not help but feel absolutely saddened for Alexa and what she was dealing with, emotionally, mentally and physically. This book brought the long-lasting effects on victims of assault to the fore and the reality that the feeling of being a victim can, for some, last a lifetime. This book is a great read but not a light one. (KARM)
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Every Boy's Got One - Meg Cabot (2005)
Jane Harris, a famous cartoonist, is going to Italy to be maid of honour in her best friend Holly's wedding. Mark and Holly are eloping to Italy because their parents do not approve of their relationship. Jane is a romantic and knows that Mark and Holly are perfect for each other and will live happily ever after. Cal Langdon, best selling non-fiction author, is the best man. He doesn't believe in love or the concept of marriage and thinks Mark and Holly are making a mistake. With Jane and Cal despising each other from the start, Jane is determined not to allow his negative views of love and marriage sabotage the upcoming nuptials. This novel is a fast read using travel journals and e-mails to tell the story. (AO)
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Everyone's Got a Bono Story - Anne-Marie O'Connor (2004)
In a city like Dublin, it seems like everyone has a story about Bono. From standing next to him at a urinal to sharing a Guinness with him at your local, everyone has met the U2 legend. Everyone except Aoife. On the edge after losing her job and flat, her best friend Rory bets her 5000 euros that she can't get herself a Bono story. Even after dressing like a nun, hanging around at airports, even thinking about staking out a sunglasses store, for Aoife it's a case of I still haven't found what I'm looking for. This funny tale comes with side stories about Rory's pride as he tries to stand up to his bullying, wealthy father, Aoife's frustration at her meddling mother and her desire to become a fashion designer. Plus love comes to town when Aoife meets Paul. I'm sure U2 will love it!
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Everyone Is Beautiful - Katherine Center (2009)
The story starts off with Laine Coates moving with her family across the country to Massachusetts to allow her husband, Peter, to further his studies in music. Overwhelmed by the loneliness that accompanies her with no supportive friends or parents on hand, and the increasing fatigue the comes from looking after three young boys, Laine starts to look back and wonder if she has ever done anything for herself. A chance remark by another mother in the park on Laine's post-pregnancy weight sparks off her determination to both reinvent herself and realise her dreams. She soon finds herself signing up for gym memberships, taking up photography classes, and doing things she has always wanted to but never had the chance. What I love about this book is that it is written in a way that many can relate to. It's a charming story about a woman dealing with motherhood, marriage and her own identity, and definitely one of the best mommy lit I've ever read. (XT)
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Everyone Worth Knowing - Lauren Weisberger (2005)
When Bette Robinson quits her banking job, her uncle, a social columnist, sets her up as a party planner for one of Manhattan's hottest PR firms. But Bette starts getting lots of publicity herself when she is seen out and about with one of New York's most eligible bachelors, Philip Weston. She gets quickly promoted to organising events. But is a job that pays you to party all that it's cracked up to be?
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Everything Changes But You - Maggie Alderson (2012)
Hannah works as a beauty editor in London and is married to an Australian model-slash-songwriter called Matt. They move to a small village to be near her mother Marguerite, who has to deal with her alcoholic ex-husband Charlie. Meanwhile Matt's cousin Ali moves to London after being scarred in a workplace accident. When Matt heads back to Sydney after a family crisis, he ends staying longer than expected after his songwriting partner Pete finally finds success. This story puts the spotlight on being in a relationship complicated by feeling torn about where home is.
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Every Time We Say Goodbye - Colette Caddle (2012)
Marianne and Dominic have a solid marriage, a lovely home and children who are loved. This scenario is very different to the life that Marianne lived when she was a young girl, brought up in a care home and full of self-doubt. Her life now is the one she always dreamt of and the life she has worked very hard to create for her family. Then suddenly the news is broken to her that Dominic has been found dead. One by one the surprising and devastating details emerge. Although Dominic was supposed to be at work he died in a restaurant. His mobile phone is missing. Worse still there are other details that don't add up, a web of lies have been woven. As the police investigation seeks to find out more about the circumstances of Dominic's last day, other facts emerge that point to Dominic leading a double life. Marianne's family and friends show their love and support in this excellently written and compelling story about love and lies, truth and deceit and about friendship and selflessness. It's a lovely, satisfying read. (JH)
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Ex and the Single Girl - Lani Diane Rich (2005)
Ever since Peter's sudden disappearance on Valentine's Day, Portia Fallon has been drowning in misery, filling her life with nothing other than reruns of Pride and Prejudice, and putting her dissertation on hold. For the Fallon women have a big problem when it comes to relationships - they can't keep men around for long. Portia's dad ran away from home when she was young, and even her grandmother and aunt had the same problem. When Portia is asked to go back home to Georgia for the summers to help out with the bookstore, little did she know that her family was trying to set her up with a fling, gorgeous British novelist Ian Beckett, to help her move on with her life and forget about Peter. But when she realises that she's falling hard for Ian, he tells her that all he wants is just to be friends. Things start to get messy when her dad comes back into the picture, her mum gets arrested and Peter unexpectedly returns. (XT)
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Excess All Areas - Mandy Baggot (2008)
When Freya overhears her boyfriend calling her large and plain, she does what she does best - she runs away. She hops on the next plane to Corfu and her best friend Emma, the one constant in her life. There she meets Hollywood actor Nicholas Kaden who is on location shooting a film, and an unlikely romance begins. But when secrets are revealed by both parties, will the relationship survive? This was such an enjoyable read. Freya is a really relatable character, and I liked her from the start. I liked how more and more of her character and her life was revealed piece by piece, and even her revelation about her past didn't change my opinion of her. Nick is also a great character, genuine and likeable, when at first I felt he might be pompous. I thought the ending was maybe a bit rushed but overall I really liked this book. (LO)
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Exes and Ohs - Beth Kendrick (2005)
Child psychologist Gwen Traynor was dumped by her fiance the night before her wedding. She is weary of all men, however, when she meets Alex Coughlin she knows he might be her ideal man. Leo, Gwen's newest patient, is the young son of flaky soap opera actress Harmony St James. Gwen quickly realises that Harmony is Alex's infamous ex-girlfriend. Gwen suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies and confusion as Harmony is determined to get back with Alex and Gwen's ex- fiance confesses he still loves her. This is an entertaining and funny story. (AO)
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Exes Anonymous - Lauren Henderson (2005)
It's been months since Patrick broke up with Rebecca but she's still pining for him. Her bedroom is like a shrine to her ex-boyfriend and she thinks she sees him everywhere - even though he's moved to New York. Her best male friend Davey thinks she needs help to get over her Patrick obsession and encourages her to set up an AA-type group called Exes Anonymous. The members include her boss Finn, whose brother has just got engaged to his ex-girlfriend, and best friend Daisy who is struggling to recover from a one-night stand. The perfect tonic for the broken-hearted.
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Expected - Sarah England (2013)
Samantha Sweet is in trouble. Her live-in relationship with surgical registrar Simon is wilting; in fact she really dislikes him. The trouble is that everyone, her mother included, expects her to marry the dream partner and produce a clutch of children. When she has complaints made against her in her work as a beautician and her excessive spending pushes her over the limit, the last thing she needs is someone telling lies about her, spoiling her relationship with her best friend Minnie. Sam is unhappy but feels unable to break free of her boorish, unfaithful and bullying partner and the stability he is able to offer her. Joel, a new, handsome man in her life, seems to be a welcome distraction, except that he is the big boss, himself bogged down with family problems. Is there any hope for poor Sam? Sarah England has written a humorous, light-hearted novel with an amusing heroine who is endearing but deeply insecure and self-critical. The author pulls you into the story with amusing anecdotes and observations. You have to turn the pages to find out if Sam's dreams come true, she finds true love and is not manipulated into her worst nightmare - motherhood. (JH)
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Expecting Emily - Clare Dowling (2002)
Solicitor Emily is in danger of developing pre-eclampsia in her first pregnancy so is admitted to hospital. As she becomes involved in a campaign to save the hospital from closure, she discovers her pianist husband Conor has had an affair with a fellow musician. Meanwhile her colleague Neasa is secretly seeing the guy who won Emily's promotion and her sister Liz, mother of five boisterous sons, reveals her own husband has got them into financial trouble. With lots of amusing scenes and characters, Dowling delivers a story about a mother-to-be who needs to face up to how her own life is going before she brings a new life into the world.
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Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich (2011)
This is an explosive ride where bounty hunter Stephanie Plum gets involved in an international murder. Stephanie goes to Hawaii on an undercover assignment with Ranger, the very hot Latin lover who gives her hot flashes. In Hawaii they play a married couple because the hotel they are staying in is a getaway for married people only and it is the hotel where the crook they have been tracking is staying. Joe Morelli, Stephanie's Italian lover, could not go to Hawaii with her and he feels so bad about it he decides to surprise her. But when he gets to the hotel room, he gets the biggest surprise when he sees Ranger. Testosterone takes over and both men work out their anger with fists. Meanwhile, Stephanie is on her way back to New Jersey. On the plane ride back home, Stephanie sits next to a man who will cause her more trouble than she bargained for. Her life is in danger when she throws away a picture of the man, who later turns up dead. Thugs, gangsters and even a terrorist come after Stephanie to get the picture back. This hilarious instalment of Janet Evanovich's Plum series will leave you laughing so hard. The main characters are funny; and the story line goes both international and plays out in Stephanie's backyard. (ZP)
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Eye to Eye - Grace Carol (2008)
Doris and Ronnie became best friends at college in Indiana. Now they are continuing their post-education lives with Doris working as a literature professor in Atlanta and Ronnie tutoring rich kids in Los Angeles. Doris's boyfriend Zach stayed behind in Indiana to set up an old movie theatre while Ronnie's bartending boyfriend Earl headed west with her. Told in alternating chapters, Doris contends with online dating and warnings about her political teachings; while Ronnie is offered a publishing deal and has to watch out for a flirtatious barmaid who has her eye on Earl. This sequel to Flyover States is also the final title published under the Red Dress Ink imprint.