Objects of My Affections - Jill Smolinski (2012)

Personal organiser Lucy Bloom is in a pitiful situation. She has been recently dumped, her first book on organising sold hardly any copies and she had to sell her house to pay the enormous fees at a drug rehab centre for her son. After giving up everything she owns - including her most personal belongings - Lucy finds herself sharing a bedroom with a five-year-old and hoping that she can find a job that will bring in some quick money. Luckily, she meets with a man named Will who needs someone to organise the home of his mother - a world-renowned artist and hoarder. As if it isn't hard enough to clean out the home of a hoarder, it also has to be done within a certain amount of time. While Lucy is thrilled to have the job (it comes with a very big bonus if finished on time), she's also a bit sceptical that she can finish it since Marva is so intent on holding on to everything. Literally, everything - even things that seem to be trash. But, Lucy has it in her mind that she will finish on deadline and she will get her son better and make a new home for him to return to. However, life throws her curve balls in every direction when her son leaves rehab abruptly, she stumbles upon a secret diary of Marva's that reveals some not-so-good secrets and her ex makes a return and tries to help her with her problems. Considering everything she's facing, it's safe to say that Lucy is a brave and formidable character, who gave up everything, even her own chance at happiness, for the one she loved most. Whether or not she succeeds in cleaning out Marva's home, it seems that just being around the older woman has influenced Lucy and makes her stand on her own two feet. This is a great novel that is easy to associate with - after all who doesn't have a love of "things"? Often we have too many and have trouble letting go, just like Marva. And Lucy, who is selfless and loving, even though she shouldn't be, is a great character who represents the true bond between a mother and her child. Jill Smolinski hit the nail on the head and wrote a novel that is so true to fact that it could be a real life story. Don't miss it! (AS)

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Odd Mom Out - Jane Porter (2007)

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

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Off the Menu - Stacey Ballis (2012)

Alana Ostermann has her hands full. As executive culinary assistant to high-maintenance celebrity chef, Patrick Conlon, she runs his career, and his life, from behind the scenes. Writing recipes for his cookbooks, training his staff, and even running interference for his crazy love life, she is basically at his beck and call any time of the day or night. This poses a problem when she begins dating RJ, who turns out to be a better boyfriend than she could have ever hoped for. Trying to balance her new relationship with her demanding boss, large family, and the original man in her life, pup Dumpling, Alana finds trying to keep everyone happy can be a bit of a struggle. Throw in the possibility of two new dream jobs to choose between, each with a list of positives to make her life even better than it already is, and you have one very frazzled woman. Not only is Alana a strong and highly likable woman, but the story and characters surrounding her support her attempt to be everything to everyone, like so many women today. Stacey Ballis has once again perfected the recipe for a great book - interesting characters and a satisfying plot, cute boy, cute dog, and incredible food, complete with recipes. Off the Menu has it all. (LEK)

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Off the Record - Jennifer O'Connell (2005)

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

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Oh Dear Silvia - Dawn French (2012)

Silvia Shute lies in a coma in suite number five. One by one her friends and family visit, each with their own complicated relationship to Silvia and as they talk to her, the story begins to unravel. Firstly, there's Ed, her estranged husband, who struggled to come to terms with Silvia leaving him and their two children but has begun to find solace in nature and his granddaughter Willow. Then there's Jo, Silvia's older and rather eccentric sister, whose unconventional attempts to wake Silvia underscore her pressing need to protect her sister but also her sibling inferiority complex. There's Cat who has been through a lot with Silvia; and Tia, Silvia's cleaner, who relies on her job to support her family, as well as Winnie, Silvia's nurse. And finally there are her children, Cassie and Jamie, who have never understood why their mother walked out on them. With a main protagonist who is in a coma throughout and several dark secrets that emerge, this is not typical chick lit and whilst French weaves comic relief, mainly in the form of Tia, the thread is quite morbid and morose. However, despite the novel not fitting the romantic or uplifting billing of chick lit, it is a wonderfully imagined and depicted family drama. It's an amazing feat of plot and innovation that is worth a read. (JC)

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Oleander Girl - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (2013)

The story that begins in the colourful city of Kolkata in India takes so many turns that when the protagonist reaches the United States, you follow her eagerly because the author has built up the suspense so well. The narrative begins with young Korobi Roy, who lives with her grandparents, but is quite perplexed about the mystery surrounding the death of her parents. She falls in love with Rajat, who is from a high-profile family in the city. On the night of her engagement party, Korobi's grandfather dies and she learns a well-kept secret about her father, which throws her life into turmoil. Throwing caution to the winds, she heads to the US to unearth more mysteries. Where will these new paths take her? This gentle tale of love and nostalgia written with the lyrical style that Divakaruni is known for, is as pleasant as the fragrance of the oleander flower that runs like a muse through the book. A must-read for those who love tales that cross cultures and continents. (AC)

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Old School Ties - Kate Harrison (2003)

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

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OMG Baby! - Emma Garcia (2014)

Viv Summers and Max Kelly are back and they're finally together. But there's barely time to enjoy the reunion when Viv finds out she's pregnant. All of their plans are suddenly diverted as they try to get used to the idea of being parents. First things first, they need to move in together and whilst that doesn't pose much of a problem, the return of Viv's estranged mother, Rainey (yes, Rainey Summers), threatens to upset the couple's apple cart. This book picks up where Garcia's brilliant debut Never Google Heartbreak left off and it's great to catch up with Viv and Max. Garcia's ingenious wit and characterisation once again shine through, but the Rainey plot didn't always grab me and it was easy to become frustrated with Viv. The book is at its best in the other relationships in the story and the final chapters focusing on Viv's pregnancy were particularly strong. Another laugh-out-loud read from a hugely talented writer. (JC)

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Once in a Blue Moon - Eileen Goudge (2009)

When sisters Lindsay and Kerri Ann are sent into foster care after their mother is caught selling drugs, it takes a toll on the sisters' once-close relationship. While Lindsay is lucky to be sent to a good family, Kerri Ann isn't. She's bounced around most of her life and this leads her to choosing the wrong path as an adult. Thirty years later, when Kerri Ann shows up at Lindsay's book store in California, things are a little strained. Kerri Ann has lost custody of her young daughter Bella and needs Lindsay's help to get Bella back. Though the sisters are trying to reconnect, it's hard since Kerri Ann has had so many issues including alcoholism. However, over time, the sisters help each other out and work on their problems, showing that the bond of sisters can never really be broken. It's a dramatic story of loss, forgiveness and family dysfunction, proving that there is always hope for someone to change and that there is always room for a happy ending. (AS)

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Once in a Lifetime - Cathy Kelly (2009)

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

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Once Upon a Blind Date - Wendy Markham (2004)

New Yorker Maggie thinks it's time for her best friend Dominic to settle down. Meanwhile Charlie had registered his single neighbour, pastry chef Julie, on an internet dating site. Both are coerced into meeting each other at a Knicks game and the matchmakers tag along to make sure everything goes OK. But guess who ends up falling for each other? OK, it takes a bit longer than that but that's pretty much the story. Only problem is Maggie is already with someone else, a doctor who's off saving lives. And Charlie's getting over a broken engagement and is now a confirmed bachelor. Dominic and his Chickalini family appear in several other Markham novels.

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Once Upon a Christmas - Sarah Morgan (2012)

This book - two stories entwined into one - well and truly put me in the Christmas mood. Bryony asks her daughter, Lizzie, to write a Christmas list. When she asks Lizzie what is on the list, Bryony is extremely surprised to learn that Lizzie has asked Santa for a dad. With only a month until Christmas and not wanting to upset her daughter, Bryony goes on the hunt for Mr Right but will Lizzie be disappointed on Christmas morning? The second story involves Bryony's best friend, Helen, and Bryony's brother, Oliver. Helen has just had her wedding day cancelled so Oliver steps in and looks after his sister's best friend while she is away. The story between Oliver and Helen is very predictable but overall this is a happy read with a happy ending. (SG)

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Once Upon a Time, There Was You - Elizabeth Berg (2011)

John and Irene parted ways years ago after their marriage fell apart. Irene is having fun dating a significantly younger man and John is dating Amy, a woman he has fallen in love with. The only connection John and Irene have left is their daughter Sadie. When 18-year-old Sadie fails to return from a weekend of rock climbing, John and Irene are forced together. The love for their daughter binds them together and they begin to re-examine the life and love they once had for each other. The reader will fall in love with John, a man who deserves true love, however, Irene seems so bitter that I was left wondering why John ever loved her. As a huge fan of will they/won't they novels, I was surprised that by the end of this one I didn't care what path the characters took. (AO)

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Once Upon Stilettos - Shanna Swendson (2006)

What would you do if you were on your way to work and you saw a gargoyle changing posts with an owl to watch out from atop a clock tower? Then, you hopped on the bus to get away from the madness on your walking route and across the way from you sat two fairies and the ugliest ogre you'd ever seen? Did I mention that every woman in a five-mile radius was acting like they were so attracted to this ogre that none of them could help themselves but to fawn all over him, sit in his lap and otherwise make goo-goo eyes at him? I think at that point, the running thought in my head would be, "you're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy!" Once again, Shanna Swendson hits a magical double play with her second book in the Enchanted Series, starring heroine and magical immune, Katie Chandler. Katie, a native Texan turned New Yorker, finds herself using her "powers" of non-magic in an attempt to save the company, Magic, Spells & Illusions (MSI) from evil. This time it appears to be an "inside job" and Katie is assigned to snoop around the office to unveil the spy. By the time Katie gathers any information, it appears the spy has already made an attack against her - and for some reason her magical immunity has worn off! With a spy on the loose, Katie's not sure who she can trust. This paranormal chick lit novel is a must-read as it mixes together various elements of romance, fashion, corporate espionage and of course magic. (CH)

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One Big Beautiful Thing - Marie Flanigan (2013)

Artist Kate Abernethy has returned home after the death of her boyfriend, Robert, in an effort to grieve and figure out what's next for her. She has moved in with her mother and has taken a temporary job as the art teacher at a Catholic school, where she meets Aiden, the school's handyman. He piques her interest but also brings up feelings of guilt in Kate with regard to Robert and incidents from her past, including her relationship with her mother, that Kate realises need to be put to rest if she's going to move on. After a somewhat disjointed beginning, the story settles into the eventual point of the book, which is Kate's emotional journey of reconciling her past, being allowed the opportunity to pursue her passion as an artist, and moving on with her life, potentially with Aiden. One Big Beautiful Thing is a multi-layered, satisfying story that is hard to put down. (LEK)

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One Breath Away - Heather Gudenkauf (2012)

When an armed gunman enters a school, sparking a code-red lockdown, the lives of many are about to change. For Augie and PJ, who are staying with a grandfather they'd never met, because their mother ended up in hospital with severe burns and their grandmother went to help care for her, this was the beginning of yet another nightmare. For Meg, one of the officers as well as one of the parents, the nightmare only grows. For Evelyn, the third-grade teacher who is due to retire soon having dedicated most of her life to her students, this is not how she wants to end her teaching career. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed a Jodi Picoult novel as I can see why the author has been compared to her for the style of her writing. This is a book you really want to read in a single sitting as once you start, it's hard to put down. (LM)

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One Day - David Nicholls (2009)

Emma Morley and Dex Mayhew first get together on the night of their college graduation in Edinburgh, July 15, 1988. Neither is sure where the future is going to take them. Emma is an honour student in English and History, while the super-confident 23-year-old Dex is heading off the next day to travel the world. The story then traces what each is up to on that same day over the next two decades. As their fortunes wax and wane and life dishes up both success and disappointments, sometimes they become tantalisingly close to getting together, at other times they couldn't seem further apart. Having heard much praise for this book with its intriguing same-day-each-year concept, I went in with very high expectations. I especially love will-they-or-won't-they storylines and this has to be the best I've read. By fluke I read it on July 15 - the same date the book is centred around. The rapport between Emma and Dex is magnificent, their exchanges witty, clever and moving. All I can say to anyone who hasn't read it, don't wait another day to pick this one up.

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One Day in May - Catherine Alliott (2010)

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

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One Fifth Avenue - Candace Bushnell (2008)

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

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

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

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One For The Money - Janet Evanovich (1994)

Here's the book that introduces plucky bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Jersey girl Stephanie, dejected about her job search, heads to her mum's house for dinner. Her mum suggests she talks to her cousin, Vinnie the Bounty Hunter, about some work. Vinnie's new secretary gives Stephanie the opportunity of a lifetime - she has to capture and bring in Joe Morelli, a former cop on the run. Stephanie can find Joe no problem but she just can't seem to bring him in. The adventures of trying to get to Joe bring Stephanie closer to a case she had no desire to be involved with. Will Stephanie get her man? You will find yourself cheering on Stephanie and planning to check out the rest of this very successful series. I can so see Katherine Heigl playing the part of Stephanie Plum in the movie. (JG)

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One Good Friend Deserves Another - Lisa Verge Higgins (2012)

This story centres around four friends, so closely involved in each others' lives that they will stage "an intervention" if they think someone is going off track. Such as Dhara, who has agreed to an arranged marriage to a man she only met 10 days ago - despite the others thinking she is more suited to her ex. And what would the group say if they knew that Kelly had resumed her fling with the guy who broke her heart, or that Wendy, who has her big society wedding looming, is falling for another man, or that Marta, who has just discovered her boyfriend is secretly married, wants to revisit the one that got away. This is an engaging read about the bonds of friendship.

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One-Hit Wonder - Lisa Jewell (2001)

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

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150 Pounds - Kate Rockland (2012)

What happens when opposites collide? Alexis Allbright is the creator of the Skinny Chick blog; Shoshana Weiner is the owner of the Fat and Fabulous site. Both bloggers address weight issues but in very different manner. Alexis is only 100 pounds, not very fond of food and people and doesn't have anyone in her life except her gay best friend Billy. Shoshana proudly weighs 225 pounds, she loves to eat and has a habit of collecting friends wherever she goes. Both the bloggers come face to face when they get invited on Oprah and from there war begins. Things change drastically, tables turn and the women go through unimaginable weight changes. Will they realise that the weight scale can't be a measure of real happiness? Kate Rockland has done a fantastic job of talking about a highly sensitive issue in a humorous yet very mature manner. It's a real page-turner. (SS)

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One Hundred Names - Cecelia Ahern (2012)

Kitty Logan made a massive mistake, promptly ruining her career as a TV journalist. Not only did she make a mistake but that mistake cost someone much more than she would have ever thought. On top of that, the people who found out she was wrong won't let her forget it. She's living through constant abuse and hate and doesn't really know how to start again. Luckily, her long-time friend and editor, Constance, still believes in her ability to tell a story so Kitty has the chance to show she's still a good journalist through Constance's offbeat magazine, Etcetera. However, before Kitty can find out what story her friend always wanted to write, she dies, leaving Kitty in control of a list of One Hundred Names. Not knowing any of the people on the list or what it is that connects them all, Kitty must embark on a journey of tracking down the individuals and trying to see them through the wise eyes of Constance. Can Kitty figure out how the story is supposed to go before it's too late? This was a thought-provoking novel and Kitty is a great character who is slightly flawed and has lost her way - just like any normal person. However, figuring out what connects the hundred names seems to go on forever and there never is a definitive answer as to what it is. There are snippets of what connects them but nothing really solid so at the end, you're left with more questions than answers. That being said, it's kind of easy to come to your own conclusion about what connects the people and why they were picked. While this was a good book, with a great message, it definitely wasn't one of my favourite Cecelia Ahern novels. (AS)

One Hundred Proposals - Holly Martin (2014)

Suzie runs the Perfect Proposals company with her best friend, Harry. They arrange unique and uber-romantic proposals for couples. When Harry embarks on a project to propose 100 times to Suzie as a way to boost business, the pair find themselves winging around the world, discovering spectacular and memorable locations as the proposals range from the amazing and emotional to the quirky and cheesy. But the trouble is neither realises the other wants to be more than friends. Suzie thinks that each time Harry proposes it's just a PR stunt, while Harry doesn't know how else he can show that he has fallen madly in love with her. This is a sweet story that focuses on the will-they-or-won't-they aspect of friends becoming much more. Perfect for the true romantic, it takes readers on a rollercoaster ride where hopes are raised then dashed. With such an impressively effortless writing style and absorbing plot, it's certainly obvious why Holly Martin is becoming a firm chick lit favourite.

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One Kiss in Havana - Michelle Jackson (2010)

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

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One Little White Lie - Pricilla Bleik (2014)

Despite suffering crippling anxiety disorders, India's younger sister Cylia has decided to audition for STAR, the world's biggest televised talent show. And India's mother has ordered her to accompany Cylia to make sure nothing goes wrong. When Cylia bolts just before her moment in the spotlight, India steps in, pretending to be her sister. And somehow she makes it through to the field of international finalists selected for the live shows. With Cylia still missing, and her husband Phil having run off with another woman, leaving her and their young twins in debt, India desperately needs to stay on the show - the brainchild of American producer David Harnet - long enough to score some of the lucrative prize money. Meanwhile, despite being barred from the set, reporter Lucas Edison is investigating the show after the near-death of a contestant the year before and allegations the results are rigged. Often stories centred around reality television offer disappointingly scant behind-the-scenes details. This one, however, raises the bar as it creates a well-devised talent quest format, laying bare the rivalry between contestants and the machinations of an ambitious producer. The dysfunctional family relationship is also a highlight, making this story a lot darker than your usual chick lit fare.

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One Minute To Midnight - Amy Silver (2011)

Nicole Blake and her first crush-slash-best gay friend Julian Symonds have a tradition to make resolutions every New Year's Eve regardless of how far they are away from each other. Little did she know that he has a drop-dead gorgeous cousin Aidan who will make her fall head over heels. Nicole's friend, Alex, doesn't like Aidan but Nicole is deeply and madly in love with him. Then one day he ends up breaking Nicole's heart. Years have now passed and once again New Year's Eve is round the corner but things have changed - Nicole is now married to Dom, she doesn't talk to Alex, Jules is not there by her side and Aidan is a past obsession which keeps on threatening her marriage. This is a brilliantly written novel and Amy Silver has done an incredible job of telling stories from past and present without missing a beat. (SS)

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One Moment, One Morning - Sarah Rayner (2010)

Three women are among the passengers on the 7.44 Brighton to London train. Karen is sitting with her husband, Simon; Lou is observing them and others around her; and Anna is in another carriage flicking through a magazine. All these women's lives converge when Simon has a sudden heart attack. With the train grinding to a halt for paramedics to work on him, Lou and Anna find themselves sharing a taxi. As the next week unfolds, Karen, a mother of two young children, has to deal with the fallout of the worst moment of her life while Lou and Anna are forced to face up to issues in their own lives. This is a beautifully written, moving story full of emotion. For those who become attached to the characters, Lou's story continues in The Two Week Wait and Karen's in Another Night, Another Day.

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One Night in Italy - Lucy Diamond (2014)

When journalist Anna discovers her father is Italian, she decides to embrace his cultural heritage by taking a language class. She also needs to somehow work out how to track him down despite only knowing his first name plus survive her boss' insistence that she takes over the cooking column. Catherine is left on her own after her twins head off to uni and her husband reveals a bombshell. Despite being busy with her community work, she still feels unfulfilled and decides to take an evening class. Sophie is living in Sorrento, Italy, when she is summonsed back to Sheffield after her father has a heart attack. Living at home with her parents is difficult, especially since travelling the world over the years has meant she has never focussed on a career. Then she is offered a position teaching Italian. The story alternates between the three women's stories as they are brought together at the same class. The title is actually a strange one because I was expecting the story to be set more in Italy - instead there is only a fleeting visit. It's an entertaining and heartwarming tale about friendship and moving on, with characters you will embrace.

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One Night Only - Sue Welfare (2012)

Helen Redford once had a glittering soap career, but for the past few years work has been drying up. Her agent Arthur thinks appearing on TV series Roots would be the boost her career needs. But does Helen really want a TV crew digging into the secrets of her past? Persuaded to go with it she goes back to her home town, and for one night only she performs a one-woman show that will lay the skeletons of her past to rest once and for all. The book is set between the current day of Helen filming Roots and her story of breaking into show business. The two stories are entwined with the secrets being exposed in the filming of Roots. It's a well told, enjoyable story that has you racing through the chapters. (AB)

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One Perfect Summer - Paige Toon (2012)

Alice is spending her last summer holiday before university staying at a cottage in Dorset with her parents. At the local pub, she spies the gorgeous bartender Joe, whose parents run the venue. The two teens start spending all their time together but Joe's family are far from welcoming. After a heartbreaking incident, the pair is split up and Alice goes off to Cambridge, hoping Joe will visit her. But he never does. Instead she meets Lukas, a student from a wealthy German family. Should she move on with her life with Lukas - or wait for her first love to come back? The story - split into three main timeframes - is simply enchanting, although the end section seemed somewhat rushed.

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One Pink Line - Dina Silver (2011)

Sydney Shephard had the perfect boyfriend back home. One drunken night during her senior year in college, she slept with another man and became pregnant. The baby's father wants nothing to do with Sydney or his child. Sydney decides to keep the baby and is left having to tell the love of her life that she is pregnant with another man's child. This novel is told from the dual perspectives of Sydney and her daughter Grace, a young girl who suddenly learns that the family she always knew is not exactly as it appears. This is a heart-warming story about forgiveness and love. The reader will fall in love with Sydney and cheer her on. (AO)

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One Step Closer to You - Alice Peterson (2014)

Single mother Polly has a past racked with mistakes and guilt but having left behind a negative relationship with the father of her son, Louis, and having got her life back on track, she's determined to keep moving forward. When she develops a friendship with Ben, the lone guardian to his niece, Emily, everything seems to be falling into place. But the reappearance of Louis' father, Matthew, complicates matters. Driven by some compelling characters, rich storylines and powerful issues, Peterson's latest novel is a real tour de force. It's a novel that feels hugely authentic, exploring the darker side of relationships and life, as well as the softer moments of parenthood and love. Peterson really does cover an enormous amount of ground and her success is making it all feel believable and real. And in the developing relationships between the adults and children in the novel, Peterson creates some beautiful moments. Whilst I would have liked slightly more from Matthew's return, overall this is an extremely accomplished novel that offers a thoroughly satisfying and enriching reading experience. It's amazing how much Peterson gives you in 400 pages. (JC)

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One Summer - Roisin Meaney (2012)

Nell is getting married next December, on her birthday. To help pay for the wedding, she rents out her cottage to holidaymakers visiting the Irish island of Roone. She moves into a small room off her hair salon above the local pub. It will be a squeeze but it's only for six weeks and her fiance Tim only visits from Dublin on weekends. But as summer unfolds and her three lots of tenants arrive, there are many changes in store for the islanders. Full of endearing characters, this story offers a lovely take on island life. It's written with very short scenes which keeps the story moving but sometimes the reader doesn't have any idea who is talking until halfway through the conversation. Sometimes this works as a useful plot device, other times it is plain confusing. But all in all, it's a heartwarming story that's well worth a read.

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One Thing Led to Another - Katy Regan (2009)

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

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One Wish - Maria Duffy (2014)

When Becky finds out that she's pregnant after a one-night stand, she decides to raise her child alone. Now, four years later, her daughter is asking questions about her father, so Becky plans to track him down. When she finds him, Dennis is no longer living the high-flying lifestyle he once was, and instead has lost everything and is living on the streets. Will Becky still tell him about their daughter and involve him in their lives? Having read Maria's previous novels, I was highly anticipating this one, but unfortunately, for me it fell a little flat. The plot in theory is good, but it took Becky so very long to decide what she wanted to do in regards to Dennis once she found out he was homeless, that the middle of this book dragged on far too much. I struggled to read on but I was intrigued to find out what would happen in the end so I persevered. A lot of the story centred on the life of a homeless person, and this very serious issue was dealt with in a sensitive and informative way which raised awareness of the issue without giving the plot too heavy a tone. Overall though I was disappointed with the lack of action. (LO)

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Only His - Susan Mallery (2011)

Susan Mallery's Fools Gold series delivers another hit with Only His. Triplet sisters live in Fools Gold, famous for its history of strong woman. The stores and even the bars are marketed towards woman - the only bar in town has a tiny section for men and the larger section is set up with everything women could love in a bar. Nevada, one of the sisters, is a construction worker. She is intelligent and knowledgeable and not even looking for romance despite the pressure from her mum now that her two sisters are engaged. She applies for a job with Janack Construction, not realising that she will be interviewing with a past flame and not the owner of the company. She is flustered and blows the interview. What follows is an intriguing set of tests and twists that will allow Nevada to find her way in life and establish herself as a great businesswoman in Fools Gold. Her friends gather around throughout the journey to support, give advice (necessary or not), and laugh and cry with her. Will she find what she is looking for? This strong novel filled with love and laughter was hard to put down. (MS)

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On The Island - Tracey Garvis Graves (2012)

This novel has been getting a lot of hype online recently and though it sounded fabulous, I'll admit, I was very doubtful that it would be as good as everyone said. I was wrong. The story is about a 30-year-old tutor named Anna who takes a summer job tutoring a 16-year-old boy named TJ who is in remission from cancer. TJ's family wants him to study at their vacation home in the Maldives. However, during their flight, disaster strikes and their plane goes down in the middle of nowhere. When they make it to a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on their backs, they hold out hope that they will be rescued. However, days go by, then weeks and months, with only two plane sightings. Both Anna and TJ soon realise they'll have to learn how to survive on the island if they want any chance of getting home to their loved ones alive. Luckily, some of their belongings wash up on shore over time, giving them a little bit of leeway in terms of supplies. With the faint hope of being rescued always in the back of their minds, they carry on and learn to hunt, build a fire, construct a house and even beat unknown illnesses. Since they are the only two people on the island, it's obvious they will form a bond and over time their bond becomes physical. While the age difference may turn some people off - Anna is 30 when they crash and TJ is only 16 - there's nothing crude about it. The physical relationship doesn't start for a long time and at that point it is expected. To me, the best part of the novel was how the author weaved in real life events - like the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and 9/11 - into the story, making it seem all the more believable. Overall, this is a heartbreakingly romantic story that, though filled with disaster and trauma, will leave you wanting more. It is definitely one not to be missed as it's one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time after you've finished and make you think about the everyday things we all take for granted. (AS)

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On the Rocks - Erin Duffy (2014)

When kindergarten teacher Abby learns via Facebook that she is no longer engaged, she decides to escape the Boston heat and head to Newport, RI, for the summer to lick her wounds and regroup at the urging of her best friend, Grace. Getting back into the dating pool is not something Abby is looking forward to but she decides it is something that needs to be done in order for her to move on from her fiance, Ben. Besides, she could use a little distraction from the horror of being maid of honour to her sister so soon after being jilted. Abby devises a dating plan and with the help of Grace, Wolf and Bobby, two new Newport friends, she jumps in with both feet. Unfortunately, Abby realises that while dating has never been easy, dating in the age of social media is worse since practically everything you do or say can end up online. As with her first novel Bond Girl, Erin Duffy writes with humour and grace about realistic characters who are going through what all of us deal with - breakups, friendships, and self-realisation. I really enjoyed her second novel and was very happy to learn that the book wasn't all about how having a guy in your life makes you complete. Not that they aren't wonderful accessories! (LEK)

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Operation Sunshine - Jenny Colgan (2007)

Evie, a receptionist for Harley Street plastic surgeons, is just thinking that she needs a good holiday when her bosses invite her along to their medical conference in Cannes. What a perfect location for a glamorous holiday! Also coming along for the ride are her good friend Bailey, who's involved in her doctors' big secret project, another backstabbing receptionist, plus Evie's bullying brother and his gorgeous wife. Only problem is she's flying economy and staying in a fleapit of a motel while everyone else is living it up in luxury. With secret rendezvous and offshore shenanigans, it definitely turns into a holiday like no other. Unfortunately, it's not really a plot that would make you want to miss the inflight movie.

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Original Sin - Tasmina Perry (2009)

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

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Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure - Beth McMullen (2011)

Lucy Parker has what she always wished for: a husband, a child and a white picket fence. After escaping the spy business as Agent 26: Sally Sin nine years ago, she has done everything in her power to wipe clean the slate and support her wealthy husband in his grand scheme to help rid the world of pollution and natural resource wastage. She is a stay-at-home mother with a three-year-old son Theo, whose duties include carpooling to daycare, drinking at the local coffee shop and hanging out at the playground. But then Lucy gets a phone call from her previous boss Simon informing her that her evil nemesis Ian Blackford, an arms dealer, is not as dead as they thought and is living in her neighbourhood. So Lucy is set to slip back into her spy role as she attempts to save not only her family - but the world. A fun light-hearted mystery that shows that mothers definitely deserve the title of "superwoman". (PP)

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Other People's Husbands - Judy Astley (2008)

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

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Other People's Secrets - Louise Candlish (2010)

Ginny and Adam have gone on holiday to Italy to help them deal with a personal tragedy. Staying in a boathouse on Lake Orta, their grief-stricken isolation is soon shaken by the arrival of a large family moving into the main villa. The head of a clothing label Marty Sale has brought his family - wife Bea and grown-up children Pippi, Dom and Esther - together at his wife's dream location. But he doesn't realise that Bea is seriously considering ending their marriage. When Pippi meets Zach, a backpacker, in town, he easily slips into their circle. But is he really just a drifter or did he have his sights set on their holiday property all along? This will appeal to readers who love a slow reveal of character connections - it's just a shame that they were all so predictable.

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Other Women - Kirsty Crawford (2005)

Bella and her family have moved from the city into a small town. At first Bella hates her new surroundings, her husband Iain is always gone travelling four hours into the city for his job. And she is stuck at the new house trying to make it resemble her old home in the city. Then she meets Ben who lives at the big house up the road. She is very taken by him but knows that infidelity is inexcusable ... or is it? Jane, a widow with two older children, had sold off part of her house to Ben and his wife Sam due to financial difficulties. Jane is in a rut and has learnt her son Alec had been expelled from sitting his A levels. She is also having issues with her sister Maggie who has come to stay. With a full plate, Jane meets Tom, a younger man who she cannot believe is interested in her. She starts to see him secretly but she knows the affair cannot last because of their huge age difference. Sam loves her life - she is married to a rich, handsome man in Ben, she can buy anything she wants and she is beautiful. She befriends Bella, the town's new arrival, but when she takes Bella's family on a vacation to Paris with her and Ben, she starts to feel like something is not right. Between the three lives of these women, you will always be entertained with their stories. This is a great book about love, affairs and what women will do to get what they want. (CG)

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Outback Dreams - Rachael Johns (2013)

In Outback Dreams there are several storylines running smoothly together. The first is where we discover Monty's little brother Will suffers from high-functioning autism. I liked reading about this because I have some family members who are on the Autism Spectrum Chart. The second thread introduces us to the blooming and strong friendship between Monty and Faith. Best friends and inseparable for years, the pair are now nearing their 30s - Faith wants more but it seems that Monty is romantically interested in Ruby - the new woman in town whom all the guys have their eyes on. The third storyline focuses on the relationships between Faith and her family and Monty and his. Each in their own way are close yet estranged from their families and it seems like now is the time to stand up and let them know how they feel before it's too late. When an opportunity arises for Faith to do something for her farming community and for a cause she feels dearly about, is this the push she's been needing to move on with her life and let the world know what Faith wants? This is a book that reminds readers that if you have a dream you should go for it as you often only have one chance to do it right and if you never go for it - you will always be wondering "what if"? (PP)

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Out of the Blue - Belinda Jones (2008)

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

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Outrageous Fortune - Lulu Taylor (2012)

Three very different people celebrate their birthdays on the same day. Daddy Dangerfield is a powerful man with a just as powerful temper. He has three children but only loves and cares for one, Daisy, who shares his birthday. That is until a shocking secret is revealed and she is thrown out of the family. Daisy has always been accustomed to living in the lap of luxury but now she must work for the first time in her life. And she wants to seek revenge on Daddy for treating her so badly. And then there is Chanelle who was born on the same day as Daisy. She grew up on a rough London estate with an alcoholic and drug-addicted mother. She desperately wants a taste of the good life which she finds she can have when she goes to Daddy Dangerfield's birthday party. Another great read that will keep you entranced. (CG)

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Outside In - Courtney Thorne-Smith (2007)

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

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Out to Lunch - Stacey Ballis (2014)

Jenna is mourning the loss of her best friend and business partner, Aimee, who passed away much too soon. In her place, Aimee has "willed" to Jenna her husband, Wayne. For the next year, Jenna must be the gatekeeper for Wayne's inheritance and make sure he doesn't act on every harebrained business plan he comes up with. Wayne is the only thing Jenna never understood about Aimee and she is dreading having to deal with him on a more personal level for an entire year. However, as they begin to spend more time together and rely on each other to help them through their grief, Jenna begins to see all of the good qualities in Wayne that Aimee loved so much, and in a sense, is helped back to life, on so many levels, through her friendship with him. Amongst the grief and sadness of losing Aimee, this is also the story of picking up the pieces and getting on with life. Stacey Ballis is very gifted at creating wonderful characters who make you laugh, cry and cringe, and situations which are as close to real life as fiction can be. It's another winner. (LEK)

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Overseas - Beatriz Williams (2012)

Kate Wilson and Julian Laurence Ashford have known each other for a long time. They met in 1916 during World War I. Julian was fighting for England when Kate travelled to him with a message from the future. The story then jumps forward to 2007 where Kate is working as an investment banker on Wall Street and Julian has a hedge fund firm. They meet briefly and Julian realises he has found his missing Kate. Will he convince Kate that he is the love of her life? This is a timeless story of star-crossed lovers. The plot was intriguing and kept you guessing as to what would happen next. The only criticism I had was the length of the book, as the story seemed to slow down too much in parts. (JG)

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Over the Holidays - Sandra Harper (2009)

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

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