The Jane Austen Book Club - Karen Joy Fowler (2004)

In California's Sacramento Valley, six people meet every month to discuss Jane Austen's novels. The book club was Jocelyn's idea and she has hand-picked its members. There's best friend Sylvia, whose husband of 32 years has just asked for a divorce; Sylvia's daughter Allegra, who's just broken up with her girlfriend. At 67, Bernadette is the oldest but she shows there's still lots of life left in the old girl. Prudie, at 28, is the youngest member and seems the most together with her French classes and lovely husband. Then there's Grigg, the only man who would seem more at home at a sci-fi gathering.

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The Jane Austen Marriage Manual - Kim Izzo (2012)

The recession hits and Kate finds herself without a job, savings or a home. When her magazine throws her a lifeline to write an article exploring whether she's too old to marry well, she jumps at the chance. Her quest for a rich husband takes her to follow the polo trail from Palm Beach to St Moritz. Helped along by her new title of "Lady Kate" she soon has rich men in her sights, from Vlad the Russian billionaire to Scott Madewell, the financial whiz. But will Kate's article get the ending she desperately wants? This book is laugh-out-loud funny in places, and the ending properly made me swoon. I have to admit I was expecting a completely different book from the title. While the storyline is reminiscent of a modern take on a Jane Austen novel, I found the actual references to Austen in the novel a little clumsy. That aside, it is an entertaining read and a good debut novel. (AB)

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The January Wish - Juliet Madison (2014)

When Sylvia Greene finds herself making a wish at a fundraiser, she remembers the baby girl she adopted out when she was only 16. A few days later, she spies a young woman with the same red curls as her. It turns out to be her 18-year-old daughter, Grace, who has come to find her biological mother after the death of her adoptive one. As Sylvia adjusts to getting to know her daughter, yet another new arrival in town throws Sylvia's well-ordered life off track. Naturopath Mark sparks her interest, even though as a doctor she certainly doesn't share his belief in alternative medicine. But it seems both Grace and Mark are keeping something from her. This is the first book I've read from this author and with a story that flows seamlessly it would certainly make me read more.

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The Jewels of Manhattan - Carmen Reid (2011)

The Jewel sisters of Texas moved to Manhattan with dreams of success - only their lives don't work out as planned. When Emerald hatches a plan over Cosmopolitans to steal royal jewels, sisters Amber and Sapphire wonder just how far they will go to get the perfect life. This is the first stand-alone novel of Carmen's I've read. You instantly get drawn into the characters and drama from the first chapter, and from that point you can't put it down. If you've read any of the Annie Valentine books you can expect the same sorts of fun characters, over-the-top situations and a hint of romance. If you want an easy reading chick lit novel, then look no further. (AB)

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The Journal of Mortifying Moments - Robyn Harding (2004)

Advertising account manager Kerry Spence is unsuccessfully trying to break up with gorgeous boyfriend Sam, who has demoted her to late-night hook-up status. So her therapist gets her to write a journal about past encounters with men to trace her problems with relationships. Starting with a school day kissing game turned sour, through a broken engagement and French-kissing the wrong man, Kerry relives her past romances and humiliating experiences. She's still determined to find her soulmate, which tarot card reader Ramona swears is a man named D, who'll she meet through a work function. Just as long as that doesn't prove to be slimy creative director Dave.

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The Kept Man - Jami Attenberg (2007)

Waiting is what Jarvis has been doing for six years; struggling to hold on, for herself and for Martin, her coma-stricken husband. Only leaving home to visit him at the assisted living facility, Jarvis wanders in her empty loft every single day, savouring the snippets of memories she and Martin shared. Things take on an unexpected turn when on a trip to the laundromat she meets The Kept Man Club, three men who stay at home while their wives work. With their help, she starts to get herself together, taking steps towards redefining herself in a whole new direction. But when she discovers a set of photographs left by Martin, she starts to see her husband in an entire new light, as secrets unfold and the truth sinks in. Though the characters in this book are not entirely likable, the story itself is captivating and engaging, with random musings of the protagonist on life - it's certainly not your typical chick lit. (XT)

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The Key to It All - Joanna Rees (2014)

In Brazil, teacher Julia Pires wants to help give hope and aspiration to her class of impoverished students despite having little herself. Christian Erickson is a doctor working in turbulent central Somalia, witness to the brutality of humanity every day. Meanwhile, aspiring actress Scooter Black isn't making any headway into her career and is getting pushed to the bottom of the pile. Fed up with the daily grind in Japan, Kamiko loses herself in video games. Meanwhile in London, city banker Harry Cassidy has missed out on a huge trade and all seems lost. Each of these five people, however, are going to have their worlds turned upside down when they receive a mysterious key that promises them whatever they desire. Is the key a hoax, is it a game or is it really the means to a better life? What will they ask of the key? And who is the unknown benefactor? The blurb for this book gives little away so I was intrigued to finally read it and it's certainly as enigmatic as the blurb suggests. An interesting mix of mystery, suspense, glamour and drama, the book weaves together the stories of each of the characters, finally uncovering the mystery behind the keys. The range of settings, contexts and narratives is wonderful, from the glitz of Cannes to the favelas of Rio, and each character is acutely drawn. The ending was wrapped up too quickly for my liking and the book has a really individual tenor and mode that makes it hard to pin down and won't be to everyone's taste. Chick lit and romance this is not, but if you're after something different to read, this book certainly gives you that. (JC)

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The Kiss Test - Shannon McKelden (2010)

Margo Gentry is a country music DJ whose life is perfect, or so she thinks. She has the great job, a boyfriend, an Elvis obsession and a fantastic best friend. That is, until it all falls apart and she loses her job at the station due to a restructure, her boyfriend wants to get married (something she vowed she would never do), she becomes homeless and her mother is getting married again (for the 11th time no less). It is her best friend Chris who turns out to be the only one she can rely on, that is, except when he is administering The Kiss Test to every woman in close proximity. This story is simple and predictable and the characters lack any real depth. Margo's version of her so-called perfect life is irritating; the reader tires of her emphasis on sex and her endless details about her Elvis collection. (LF)

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The Language of Spells - Sarah Painter (2013)

When Gwen inherits her great-aunt Iris' home, she returns to End House in Pendleford. She is not altogether welcome; neighbours are suspicious of her and her old boyfriend Cameron Laing still harbours a grudge about her deserting him thirteen years earlier, so Gwen has a lot to prove before she is accepted. Iris left behind unfinished business in the form of Lily, a jealous neighbour who as an aspiring witch wants to take over her client list, and also her journals full of secrets that had been confided to her over the years. It's not surprising that Gwen receives veiled threats and incentives to move out of the area. When her niece, Katie, disappears, Gwen has to use all of her talents to try to find her. Sarah Painter has written a highly original, entertaining novel with a feisty heroine, a thrilling climax with a sizzling romantic interest interwoven into all of the action. (JH)

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The Last Anniversary - Liane Moriarty (2005)

HR officer Sophie Honeywell breaks up with Thomas Gordon on the day he planned to propose on a trip to Hawaii. He goes on to marry his travel agent and have a baby. He later tells Sophie that she has inherited his Aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island. The house is the site of the Munro Baby mystery where Connie and her sister, Rose, found an abandoned baby at their tenants' home. The Doughty family have made a tourism business out of the 'untouched' house and each year celebrate the anniversary when baby Engima was found.

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The Last Letter from your Lover - Jojo Moyes (2010)

Love letters have become a thing of the past as technology has evolved. Ellie is a 21st century girl who works at her local newspaper and is in a relationship with a married man. Her communication with him consists of texts and IMs. When her newspaper has an upcoming commemorative issue, Ellie is assigned to scouring the archives for items to use. She comes across love letters that were written from 1960-1964. Reading these letters pulls at her heartstrings and Ellie decides to go on a mission to find the original owners of the letters - both the To and the From. What follows is one reporter's mission to find true love and bring together two people who loved and lost many years ago. Jojo Moyes has created the most heartfelt and heart-warming book that every girl with even an ounce of romanticism will thoroughly enjoy. (PP)

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The Last of the Great Romantics - Claudia Carroll (2005)

In this sequel to He Loves Me Not . . . He Loves Me, Portia, newly married to Andrew, is turning her ancestral home Davenport Hall into a country hotel. With the Irish president on hand to open the hotel and his daughter, Eleanor, deciding to hold her society wedding to a soccer star there, the new venture's success seems assured. But then a death, the arrival of a stranger, a job transfer and a flirtatious groom combine to throw a spanner in the works.

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The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks (2009)

Ronnie's life is turned upside down when her mother and father get divorced and her father, Steve, moves miles away. Ronnie distances herself away from her parents, especially her father. But her mother decides that enough is enough and that the 17-year-old should spend some quality time with him in North Carolina. She sends Ronnie and her brother Jonah to live with him for the summer. New York girl Ronnie is expecting it to be the worst summer of her life. Steve, a former concert pianist, is working on his church and on his music. Ronnie is also an excellent pianist. While at first Ronnie hates living with her father and misses her friends, she begins a relationship with Will. He shows her that life is not all that bad living with her father and the love story between the two blossoms. When a tragic event hits the family, it brings Ronnie and her father closer than ever. This novel is a real tearjerker and will have you thinking of the relationships that you hold with members of your own family. I would definitely recommend this to any fan of Nicholas Sparks. Miley Cyrus plays Ronnie in the movie adaptation and does the role great justice. (SG)

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The Last Summer (of You and Me) - Ann Brashares (2007)

Sisters Riley and Alice have grown up spending their summers on Fire Island. Now in their 20s, tomboy Riley still works there as a lifeguard and Alice is having one last summer before heading off to law school. Their neighbour Paul has returned to the island for the first time in a few years. He's Riley's best friend but a real intimacy is growing between himself and Alice. Then something happens to Riley that could end their romance and carefree summers forever. Like life on the island, it's all paced a bit too slow for me.

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The Last Time I Saw You - Elizabeth Berg (2010)

A group of adults now in their late 50s is contemplating their fortieth high school reunion. Candy Sullivan, the most popular girl at school, is facing illness and reconciling an unhappy married life; Dorothy Shauman is recently divorced and wants to right some of the wrongs that occurred at school including bedding popular jock Pete Decker; Pete married high school sweetheart Nora only to cheat on her. He hopes the reunion might reignite their love for one another; Mary Alice Mayhew was the nerd, invisible and forgotten; and Lester Hessenpfeffer now a veterinarian and widower wants to talk shop with a fellow vet but secretly hopes to forge a new relationship. For this group it is their last chance to make amends and find contentment within their own lives. (LF)

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The Last to Know - Melissa Hill (2007)

Eve and Liam have been together for nine years and have two children together - so why won't he put a ring on her finger? Her sister Sam, a London newspaper columnist and author, has just turned down Derek's wedding proposal for the third time while her friend Anna seems reluctant to walk down the aisle with her childhood sweetheart Ronan. Both Sam and Anna have their doubts about Liam's intentions. After all his frequent overseas trips as a wine importer mean he's hardly ever there for his family. Meanwhile in Australia, Brooke's boyfriend Will also spends a lot of time away on work trips but her job in a publishing company keeps her busy. Then a manuscript called The Last to Know - the story of Eve, Sam and Anna - drops on her desk. But is the author looking for more than just a book deal? As much as you try to second-guess where Hill is taking the plot, she's always one step ahead of you.

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The Last Year of Being Single - Sarah Tucker (2003)

This book - a case study in a flawed character - is written in diary form and tracks a year in the life of Sarah Giles, who has been dating banker Paul for five years. While he may appear to be the perfect partner to everyone else, he has a controlling personality and Sarah isn't happy with the way the romance has died. She begins an office flirtation with a womanising client called John Wayne. Soon the illicit lunch dates and sexy text messaging lead Sarah to betray the "sweet guy for the devil in the deep blue sea". Then Paul proposes at Christmas time, with the wedding planned for nine months away. Sarah needs to work out who she wants to be with - before her double life does her head in. Sarah's story continues in the sequel The Last Year of Being Married.

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The Late, Lamented Molly Marx - Sally Koslow (2009)

Molly Marx has been found dead along the bank of the Hudson River but no one knows who did it, not even the police. Narrated from Molly's perspective from the afterlife, details are gradually revealed about the various events that lead to her death, including her marriage breakdown with her philandering plastic surgeon husband Barry; the difficult relationship with her mean mother-in-law Kitty; and her little romance with photographer Luke. Even though the plot centres on Molly's death, and the possible suspects, the story also depicts through flashbacks the tight friendship of Molly and Brie, and strong love shared with her sister Lucy and her young daughter Annabel. With its perfect combination of mystery, love and family connections, this is a moving and memorable book. (XT)

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The Learning Curve - Melissa Nathan (2006)

Teacher Nicky Hobbs and her former boyfriend Rob Pattison (he ended it with her years before when she said she wanted to get married and start a family) have both been made Deputy Head. Then Headmistress Miss James announces she's retiring and encourages both to apply for her post. Meanwhile, Nicky is worried about one of her students, Oscar Samuels, whose father is the only one not coming to parents' evening. He's a workaholic single dad, who thinks she's an interfering busybody.

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The Lemon Grove - Helen Walsh (2014)

Jenn is relishing lazing around on her annual holiday in Mallorca with her older husband, Greg, a university academic. But she knows that her days of relaxing are about to end with the arrival of her teenage step-daughter, Emma, and her new boyfriend Nathan. With her relationship with Emma somewhat fraught, Jenn is caught off guard when she finds herself instantly attracted to Nathan. The 17-year-old opinionated blogger is certainly not adverse to making his physical presence felt either. This novel, full of evocative scenery and sexual tension, is hard to put down as you wonder whether Jenn will be seduced by the passion and if so, what will happen if they get caught out? Find yourself a few spare hours as this is a total page-turner.

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The Letter - Maria Duffy (2013)

Just before Ellie sets off for her hen party weekend in New York, she discovers a letter to her sister Caroline, written just weeks before her tragic death. It forces Ellie to confront the truth behind Caroline's death, and makes her rethink some things in her own life, including her impending marriage. When she makes a drastic decision as her weekend in New York draws to a close, will she make it up the aisle at all? This was a very engaging and well-written story. Ellie was a likeable character, as were her friends, Sharon and Lara, but my personal favourites were Ellie's parents. Typically Irish, they never failed to give me a laugh. I liked the premise of the novel - that a letter can make you rethink things, can change everything. I enjoyed Maria Duffy's style of writing, and look forward to reading more from her in the future. (LO)

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The Liberation of Alice Love - Abby McDonald (2010)

Alice Love leads a life that has been painstakingly planned out. She works as a lawyer specialising in contracts and has enough money set aside to buy her own flat. Her schedule is the epitome of a perfect routine - albeit a boring one. However, that all changes one day when her bank card is declined. She thinks nothing of it, until she goes to the bank to get a loan for her flat and finds out her savings have been cleaned out. At first Alice is distraught. She's broke, homeless and her perfect credit record is in tatters. She's also tired of the collection agencies calling and harassing her for bills that she didn't make. Alice's sister, Flora, puts her in touch with a handsome fraud investigator named Nathan who offers to help track down whoever did this. But when Alice sees who it actually is on the bank security camera, she is overwhelmed. How could they do such a horrible thing to her? And how easy did she make it for them to access her important documents? This revelation leads Alice to start an investigation of her own - chasing down each clue individually, she learns more about her impostor. While Alice's investigation leads her to do things that she would have never considered, it starts to seem like she is overly obsessed with finding the answers she needs. She's lost all sense of reality and begins spinning lie after lie. Although it's a whirlwind of deception, the ending leaves a little something to be desired. Despite that, it's a pretty accurate portrayal of what a victim of identity theft goes through and that makes it a riveting story. (AS)

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The Lies We Told - Diane Chamberlain (2010)

Sisters Maya and Rebecca Ward may seem alike but underneath it all they couldn't be more different. Witnesses to their parents' murders when they were teenagers, Maya has taken to leading a simple life with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca lives for the thrill and works with Doctors International Aid. When a catastrophic hurricane hits and Maya's helicopter crashes miles from civilisation - with no apparent survivors - Rebecca and Adam console each other on the loss of their beloved sister and wife. However, unbeknownst to them, Maya has survived and has been rescued by a couple of hillbillies who are strange (rather creepy actually) but nice enough to rescue her from certain death. Suspenseful and very well written, this is a novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seat right until the end. (AS)

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The Lies You Told Me - Jessica Ruston (2013)

Klara Mortimer was just a little girl when her mother disappeared out of her life, leaving her behind with only her father to take care of her. Now, as she is older, all Klara has left of her mother are her own memories and her father's stories. Until she unexpectedly receives a key in the mail with a note that leads her to a storage room. In here, Klara finds several missing pieces of the puzzle that is her mother's life, including her mother's own personal diary. Klara doesn't want to share her findings with anyone else, and slowly she becomes obsessed with discovering what kind of person her mother was and what truly happened to her all those years ago. This story is told from two perspectives: Klara in the modern day and age, and her mother Sadie in 1950s London. I was immediately captivated by Sadie and her story, which is centred around her dream to become a famous model. I loved switching between these two voices and finding out more about Sadie with every page I turned. One of the strengths of the novel is that, even though I did not particularly really warm to Klara, I was definitely interested by her story and wanted to find out what would happen to her and her search for her mother's identity. There's definitely a mysterious side to this novel: who sends Klara the key to the storage room? What happened to Sadie? Why did she suddenly disappear? Will Klara be able to find all the pieces of the puzzle? All these questions made me want to keep on reading in order to find out more. The Lies You Told Me is a compelling novel that will have you hooked from the first page until the very last words, so make sure you have a couple of free hours before opening this book! (JoH)

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The Life List - Chrissy Anderson (2012)

At 28, Chrissy Anderson has a seemingly perfect life. She has a successful career, is married to her high school sweetheart and is living the life her 16-year-old self always dreamed of. But her life quickly unravels when she spends the night with Leo, a sexy younger man. She promises herself that Leo was a one-night mistake, however, she can't stay away from him. Her feelings for Leo force her to re-examine her life and she quickly realises that her past dreams might not be compatible with her current dreams. With the help of her therapist and her three childhood friends, Chrissy struggles to correct her mistakes and move forward with the man she is meant to be with. Based on the author's real-life experience, this novel is an incredibly well-written debut. The reader will cheer on Chrissy and fall in love with both her flaws and strengths. (AO)

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The Life List - Lori Nelson Spielman (2013)

Brett discovers at her mother's will reading that she won't be inheriting her mantle as head of the cosmetic company. That honour instead goes to her savvy sister-in-law Catherine. And neither is Brett receiving her inheritance now, like her two brothers. Instead Brett is tasked with completing the to-do list she compiled when she was 14 - from getting a dog and helping poor people, to becoming a teacher and falling in love. What on earth was her beloved mother thinking! But with the help of her mother's young lawyer, Brad, Brett begins ticking off the list - and moving forward with her life in ways she never previously imagined. If Lori Nelson Spielman had 'write an amazing debut novel' on her own life list, she can certainly tick that off. Brett is a lovely character who is sure to inspire and the way her life goes in a different, more authentic, direction is a charming journey for readers. The threads all come together beautifully - albeit a bit predictably - at the end. Add this to your to-read list.

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The Life You Left - Carmel Harrington (2014)

Sarah Lawler awakes one morning to a strange email from her husband. He isn't coming home. Questions begin to filter through her mind. Is he OK? Where is he? What did I do wrong? How could he need space from his three children? From that moment, Sarah has to pull herself together and continue caring for her three children. Shifts at work are becoming few and far between and the bills are piling up. Her twin brother, James, does all he can to bring some normalcy into the lives of the children who are desperately missing their father. And then there is Edward... Sarah's childhood friend. His return in Sarah's life is at first overwhelming and a sign of trouble for James. Through communication with Edward, Sarah recognises there are changes which need to be made and with his help, Sarah will realise just how strong she is. Carmel Harrington has done it again with this brilliantly written second novel. It is about family, change, love, loss and finding within oneself an undeniable gift. As Sarah's journey unfolds, one cannot help but want to be a part of her life - to help her see this journey through to the very end. This time around, there are two villains ... one of which you will want to slap and the other of which you will want to hurl abuse at. You will fall in love with Edward and admire Sarah's strength in adversity. You will envisage things you never thought possible and most of all you will finish this novel in one sitting because you simply cannot put it down. Highly recommended and a must read! (MP)

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The Life You've Imagined - Kristina Riggle (2010)

Anna Geneva, a successful Chicago attorney, ends up losing her mentor August in a freak accident. She returns to Haven to stay with her mother Maeve and regroup. Amid rumours that a colleague is about to steal her spot as partner, will Anna return to Chicago to get what is rightly hers or once she sees how badly her mum needs her will she stay with her? Maeve believes she is about to lose her Nee Nance convenience store and home because she can't pay the rent. She also starts receiving letters from her husband who left her 20 years ago without explanation. She knows that Anna would be furious if she knew she was writing her father but with everything going on can she resist to see if he can save her from this life he left her with. Anna's high school friend, Cami, has also returned to Haven due to a gambling addiction. Her boyfriend has kicked her out and she has to return to her father's home which is abusive to say the least. She returns to her job as a clerk at the Nee Nance Store. And then there is Amy who is about to get married to Peter, the man that is trying to take the store and redevelop it into an up-market store with loft apartments. With a really realistic storyline about four women facing a fork in the road, this is an enjoyable tale about love, loss and friendship. (CG)

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The Life You Want - Emily Barr (2009)

Years after she first appeared in Barr's debut novel Backpack, mother of two Tansy is desperately restless. When she married Max, she thought they would still travel the world. But now he's happily settled down, and Tansy is drinking to excess and flirting with her son's teacher. So it is timely when Tansy's old backpacker friend, Elly, gets in touch, asking for her to help out for a month with orphans at her Indian ashram. Tansy soon finds herself rising at 5am and doing yoga, while wondering why she feels like such an inadequate mother in London but is able to bond with the young survivors of the tsunami. Meanwhile childless Alexia starts a blog where she expresses her desire to adopt a child. Although it's a story with a dark edge, somehow it ends up falling flatter than a poppadum.

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The List - Joanna Bolouri (2013)

Even though it's been ages since Phoebe found her boyfriend, Alex, in bed with another woman, she still hasn't moved on with her love life. Now it's New Year and she's ready for a fresh start. Phoebe resolves to make - and keep - just one resolution this year - to improve her sex life. With the help of her best friend Lucy, she devises a list of ten things she always wanted to try, from having a threesome to role play. Now she just needs to find a guy - or guys - willing and able to assist her mission. As Phoebe details her journey in her diary, she discovers that having no-strings-attached sexual encounters doesn't necessarily bring fulfilment and happiness. This is a funny and well-written tale but with plenty of raunch, it's not for the faint-hearted. From a chick lit perspective, with her dull job and lack of other interests, it would have been nice to see Phoebe occasionally focus on other aspects of her life. Perhaps that can be her goal for the next year ...

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The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul - Deborah Rodriguez (2011)

Set in the heart of war-torn Afghanistan is a small coffee shop in Kabul. It's run by Sunny, whose partner Tommy took her from her American life while he fights in the war. Sunny has a knack for bringing in people from far and wide. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul becomes the home of four other women who each are running from secrets of their own. There's journalist Isabel, who finds that the war could be her biggest scoop yet; Candace, an American who has left her husband to pursue her affair with Afghan Wakil; Yazmina, who finds herself and her newborn baby homeless after her husband was murdered; and mother hen Halajan, who has a love affair that if discovered could end abruptly. The five women soon discover that friendship during this turbulent time is more important than ever. (PP)

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The Little Lady Agency and the Prince - Hester Browne (2008)

Prince Nicky is the ultimate playboy, troubling to his family and irresistible to the ladies. Which is why his grandfather is desperate for him to be reformed. Soon Melissa aka Honey, London's premier freelance girlfriend, is on the scene attempting to change the ways of the Prince for the sake of his grandfather and his family inheritance. However, she finds herself having to rectify more situations than should be necessary and losing touch with her own fiance, American Jonathan Riley. The real question isn't can she tame the Prince and turn him into the perfect gentleman but can she tame the Prince in time for her own fairytale wedding? This is the third instalment of the Little Lady Agency series. (SN)

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The Little Women Letters - Gabrielle Donnelly (2011)

Can you imagine what the descendants of Jo March might be like in the modern world? Well, if you can - or even if you can't - this book will take you on a discovery of three wonderful sisters who are united by a relative that they didn't know much about. When Lulu, the middle child, finds a stack of letters in the attic of her childhood home, she realises they are from Jo, her great-great-grandmother, and tell candidly of her life so many years ago. Lulu feels as though she can't meet up to the standards of her sisters but the letters of her ancestor help guide her to find out what truly makes her happy and what makes her unique. But, can the letters from a time long ago actually help Lulu find her way in a world so modern and different than the one that Jo lived in? This is a story that cleverly ties together the past and present and pays homage to the original Little Women novel by Louisa May Alcott. It also speaks of the joys and trials of sisterhood and family, which is something anyone can relate to no matter when you were born. (AS)

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The Longest Holiday - Paige Toon (2013)

Laura first made an appearance in Paige Toon's book Chasing Daisy, where she was dating a racing car driver named Will. She never thought she'd find love again after Will died in an accident. That is, until she met Matthew. After seven months of wedded bliss, Laura discovers that Matthew made a life-changing mistake a week before they walked down the aisle. Desperate to get away and clear her head, she goes on a two-week vacation to Key West in Florida with her friends, Marty and Bridget. Laura's feelings become more complicated when she starts to fall for Leo, a sexy scuba instructor who lives beside the hotel she's staying at. After the two weeks are up, she doesn't want to go home. Feeling torn, Laura struggles to decide whether she should work things out with Matthew, or follow her heart and stay with Leo. This charming love story made my heart flutter (Leo is seriously hot and adorable). Key West sounds so quaint and beautiful, and I felt empathy for Laura throughout. Paige Toon throws in unexpected plot twists; be prepared for a dramatic ending! (CK)

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The Long Weekend - Veronica Henry (2012)

This revolves around a set of characters who by chance happen to spend the same long weekend at The Townhouse by the Sea in Cornwall. There's the sad-looking girl who is trying to track down her artist father, the unfortunate stag party members and the businessman with his "friend". One by one their stories are interwoven, each leading to its own satisfying ending. Also narrated are the stories of Claire with her burning secret and Luca the chef with an eye for more than just the food, the joint owners of the hotel, the receptionist with the disabled brother and the mysterious and very ostentatious investors who are being wooed to save the business. These characters and their stories are told with compassion and honesty, involving the reader in their lives. This novel is ideal to pass away your me time and proved to be a real page-turner. (JH)

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The Look of Love - Judy Astley (2011)

Freelance journalist Bella's latest romance has just turned sour and her ex-husband James is back in town, looking to sell the family home. When Bella's writing group gets the chance to be involved in a makeover TV program called Fashion Victims, she also offers up her house for the shoot, hoping it will waylay James' realty plans. As Bella tries to ensure the wacky stylist Daisy doesn't actually turn them into fashion victims, she finds herself falling for the producer, Saul. This book also offers up a multi-generational element, with side stories focusing on Bella's teenage daughter Molly, who's having boyfriend troubles, and her life-embracing mother Shirley, who's found herself a new partner. Just don't expect much emphasis on the makeovers or the behind-the-scene reality TV stuff.

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The Lost Art of Mixing - Erica Bauermeister (2013)

This sequel to The School of Essential Ingredients artfully follows a handful of characters through their individual and sometimes intermixing storylines. Lillian owns a restaurant and has a life-changing secret to share with Tom, her bereaved widower boyfriend. Finnegan is the dishwasher at Lillian's restaurant, who has developed feelings for Chloe, the young vibrant and guarded sous chef. Chloe moves in with Isabelle, a colourful elderly woman dealing with the heartbreaking beginnings of Alzheimer's disease. Al, Lillian's accountant, is looking for adventure outside of his monotonous marriage to Louise, who is bitter about an affair she just knows her husband is having. This is a book that really takes you on an adventure as you follow all of these different personalities and learn new pieces of information - sometimes exciting, sometimes sad, and sometimes shocking - about them on each journey. The way the characters are weaved together is organic, beautiful and natural. I can't say enough good things about this book. (AV)

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The Lost Guide To Life And Love - Sharon Griffiths (2009)

Tilly Flint, on a rare night out with boyfriend Jake, is the sole witness when a glamorous model leaps from a nightclub window and disappears into the night. The following week while on holiday in the wild Pennines, Tilly and Jake have the last of many arguments and when Jake storms off, Tilly is left alone in a tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere. Intrigued to learn she has family locally, Tilly digs deeper, discovering her great-grandmother's past and the eerie parallels in her own life. As she explores the treacherous moors, she discovers mysterious pieces of cherry-red ribbon. What do they signify and who is the familiar face in the local pub? Then a chance encounter with celebrity footballer Clayton Silver leads Tilly into a high-octane world that spells danger. Can the ribbons from the past be a lifeline to the present? With a fantastic cast of characters and a plot with an air of mystery about it, this is a really great read. (KC)

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The Love Academy - Belinda Jones (2007)

When Kirsty Bailey's manager at Hot! magazine hears about the Love Academy in Venice, Kirsty is sent undercover to discredit the whole operation. But Kirsty has already found love with Joe so she's hardly the ideal candidate. Her brother, Kier, on the other hand is the epitome of lovelorn, having had his own heart broken in the Italian city. As Kirsty gets ready for her assignment, she begins to re-evaluate her relationship with Joe - is what they have really all she's been looking for or is her true love to be found in Venice? Only time at the Love Academy will tell. Set in the backdrop of the fictitious Love Academy and the atmospheric city of Venice, this novel is a wonderfully romantic read, with some beautifully poignant lines. I had expected more drama from Kirsty's relationship in Venice and had anticipated a more romantic development for Kier, but certainly found the narrative far from predictable. The thing that I admired most about this novel was that not only was it fun and entertaining, but also charming and insightful, providing the reader with their very own lessons from the Love Academy. (JC)

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The Love Book - Fiona O'Brien (2012)

Three boarding school students, Abby, Diana and Vonnie, visit St Valentine's shrine in Dublin to leave their love petitions in a special book. They vow to meet up in years to come to see whether their romantic wishes came true. Vonnie took off to America, leaving behind the family she never really felt a part of. Now she is returning to Ireland, with her young daughter, Jazz, in tow. What went wrong with her relationship with Jazz's father? Diana has become a successful make-up artist but would now like to take some time out. But not if she has to count on husband Greg for support. As for Abby, she married dashing doctor Edward but is worried she might have trapped him. Now her mother has moved in and is sowing the seeds that Edward is having an affair. Told from multiple perspectives, this is an engaging read which slowly reveals how the women's lives and loves have unfolded. All the way through, an affair has its own separate story thread, which leaves you guessing which characters are involved.

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The Love Child - Fran Cusworth (2006)

Ana is single, childless and working towards being the senior columnist at her Melbourne newspaper. Meanwhile her friend Serena has given up the geology career she loves to stay at home with her two children. One day their friend Priya leaves her son with Serena while she and her husband visit a real estate agent. But they never come back to collect him - instead dying in a car accident which leaves young Finn an orphan. With her husband Dave working all the time, Serena doesn't believe she can cope with any more kids. But then Priya's lawyer shocks them all by announcing that Ana was nominated as Finn's guardian.

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The Love Detective - Alexandra Potter (2014)

Ruby's fiance cheated on her and now she doesn't believe in love anymore. Which is particularly unfortunate when you're a romance writer. To help her get over her writer's block, her agent Diana urges her to take a break. The next thing she knows Ruby is being met in Goa by her backpacking sister Amy and heading off to a yoga retreat. But Ruby's Indian adventures don't end there, as she ends up on an overnight train to Delhi, where she meets a handsome American named Jack. Can the magic of India and its people restore her faith in love? Ruby is an endearing character who gets herself into all sorts of scrapes on her travels. It's a charming story, with a touch of mystique, and full of the sights and sounds of the Far East. Readers will definitely fall in love with it.

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The Love Dog - Elsa Watson (2013)

Recently fired from her job as a paralegal, Samantha dreams of being able to finally pursue writing. Her dreams come true when a Hollywood tabloid contacts her to expose the truth about a reality dating show, The Love Dog. Samantha jumps on the opportunity and gets a job as a dog handler on the show. Apollo the "love dog" is a loveable golden retriever. Mason Hall is the show's handsome and charming producer. As Samantha gets closer to Apollo and Mason, she finds it more difficult to expose the show. The book is unlike any other book I've read. The chapters alternate between Samantha's point of view and Apollo, the love dog's point of view. The mix works well and the reader will fall in love with Apollo and his true ability to connect couples in love. This is a cute book that all dog lovers will especially adore. (AO)

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The Love Goddess' Cooking School - Melissa Senate (2010)

Holly has just broken up with the man she knew was not the love of her life and has moved in with her grandmother Camilla on Blue Crab Island. How did she know John wasn't the love of her life? Camilla, the island's "love goddess", fortune teller and Italian cook/cooking-class teacher, predicted that Holly's true love would enjoy the old-world dish Sa Cordula, and John hated it. It is made of lamb intestines, butter and peas - what was her grandmother thinking? After Camilla dies, Holly takes over Camilla's Cucinotta, her grandmother's Italian delicacy shop and cooking class space. Having never been a very good cook, Holly will have to learn how to create her grandmother's perfect dishes, and learn to teach her class of four in just six weeks. Does Camilla's magical blood run in Holly, and will she be able to pull together a lesson plan in such a short time frame? Will she be able to beat the new competition for cooking classes in her small town? The most important question as far as Holly is concerned is, who is the sexy tall dark and handsome man she keeps running into, and does he like Sa Cordula? (AV)

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The Loveliest Chocolate Shop In Paris - Jenny Colgan (2013)

Anna Trent feels like she'll never be whole again after a disastrous accident at work leaves her in the hospital for ages. However, fate intervenes in the form of her former French teacher, Claire, who becomes her closest friend during her recovery. Claire insists that Anna go to Paris to work in a world-famous chocolate shop, though Anna has her reservations about the idea. Once she arrives in Paris, Anna is overwhelmed by the city and her small flat shared with a flamboyant man named Sami. Working in the shop at the crack of dawn is the only thing that keeps her going but when disaster strikes, can Anna pick up the pieces without letting everyone down? Once again, Jenny Colgan has created a delectable novel filled with quirky characters and a beautiful backdrop. Her knowledge of Paris and chocolate will make you feel like you're right there alongside Anna in the shop or exploring the city. It's a great story about finding yourself and realising that no matter how much you feel like no one could love you for you, sometimes it just takes you loving yourself first. (AS)

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The Love Market - Carol Mason (2010)

Celine Lewis is at a crossroads in her life. She is married with a daughter and loves running her matchmaking service. But she feels something is missing. With husband Mike, the spark just isn't there and they decide to end their marriage. One day Celine receives an email from her first love, Patrick, whom she met at the Love Market in Sa Pa in Vietnam and had a great four-day love affair with him. Once they start talking about their lives and their past she starts to think that maybe they could have a future together. This is an absorbing read about ending a relationship and starting a new one. (CG)

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The Love of Her Life - Harriet Evans (2008)

Kate Miller reluctantly leaves New York to return to London to be with her sick father, a professional musician. Her return forces her to face up to some issue of the past - her ex-fiance Sean; her best friend Zoe who is bringing up her children without her husband; the promising magazine career she left behind; and a former colleague who is desperate to get in touch again. And most importantly she is reunited with the man she believes is the love of her life. For those who love the slow reveal of why a character is running from her past - the author's best to date.

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The Love Of My Life - Louise Douglas (2008)

Liv is a grieving widow who has just lost the love of her life, Luca, in a tragic car crash. She is bereft and cannot even begin to imagine a life without her husband by her side. We follow her on her journey of trying to come to terms with his death whilst battling against a mother-in-law who believes she has ruined their family. Liv and Luca's story is told through a series of flashbacks where we discover all about their teenage years and how they finally became husband and wife. Meanwhile we are also living Liv's pain in the modern day as she does all she can to fix her loneliness. Marc, Luca's twin brother, becomes a great support to Liv and soon they embark on an affair using each other as a way to stay close to Luca. This beautifully told story is one that will have you crying and laughing in equal measure. Louise Douglas has written a brilliant book full of raw emotion; she has the skill to really draw the reader into the lives of the characters and take them on a journey with her. (LL)

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The Love Resort - Faith Bleasdale (2005)

Romance author and owner of the Love Resort Anne-Marie Langdale is struggling with writer's block. So she runs a competition to get three good-looking couples to the Caribbean island to help inspire her creative juices. Who are the lucky couples? Thea and Tim - she's a wannabe actress, he's a struggling actor - are actually best friends in a platonic relationship; Jimmy is intending to propose to Emily but she's not so keen on him; and Carla is trying to get Lee to commit. With newlywed celebrities Todd and Katie added to the mix, Anne-Marie finds that the path to true love and romantic novels just doesn't run smoothly.

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The Lovesick Cure - Pamela Morsi (2012)

Imagine one day having everything you want - a good job teaching a subject you are passionate about and planning your wedding to the school principal. Then a few months later, you have lost your job and your fiance has replaced you with a new bride. Needing to escape, Jessie decides to visit her Aunt Will in Ozark County. Her aunt is known as the Yarb Doctor, forever making potions and herbs to heal people. When Jessie arrives with her heart broken, her aunt makes her a lovesick potion. Not expecting it to work, Jessie goes along with her aunt's craziness. Enter Dr Piney, with his son growing up and starting a new life with girlfriends, he too is feeling a bit lovesick. When Jessie and Dr Piney meet and things start to go well, is this the lovesick cure at work or is it real love? The Lovesick Cure is a nice, light-hearted and fun novel that will have the readers believing that somewhere out there true love does really exist. (PP)

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The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service - Beth Kendrick (2012)

Lara Madigan is a matchmaker. As a long-time dog lover, she pairs people with their perfect dog. Evan, Lara's fiance, is getting a bit tired of stray dogs showing up on their doorstep. After Evan flushes her dog's beloved old stuffed squirrel down the toilet, Lara retaliates by flushing her engagement ring and relationship goodbye. Suddenly homeless, Lara moves in with her high-maintenance mother. In her mom's exclusive gated community, Lara's services are in high demand. When Lara rescues a bloodhound from a busy intersection, his tags might just lead her to the man of her dreams. You don't have to be a dog lover to love this story. (AO)

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The Lying Game - Tess Stimson (2013)

What would you do if the daughter you had brought up and loved was not actually your biological daughter? This is the dilemma facing Harriet. She has always wondered why she found it hard to bond with her daughter but now she has the answer. Harriet goes on a mission to track down her real daughter but doesn't consider the implications of her behaviour. She storms into her real daughter's life, causing a stir. Is it as simple as blood being thicker than water? This is an interesting premise but was shorter than most novels. It didn't have enough depth to the story and I found it hard to sympathise with some characters. But it was a fast read though that was hard to put down. (LL)

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The Makedown - Gitty Daneshvari (2009)

Anna Norton grew up as an unattractive, fat and nerdy girl from Ohio. Even attending an Ivy League college didn't help her gain friends or self-confidence. She moves to New York, where her new boss, Janice, a caterer, gives her a makeover, helping her lose weight and improve her appearance. Then Anna falls for Ben, a gorgeous lawyer, and amazingly he becomes her boyfriend. But he's extremely flirtatious and still out of her league, so to keep other women away, she begins to diminish his good looks through the reverse makeover - the Makedown. An intriguing concept told with edgy humour but the character is as unappealing on the inside.

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The Make-Up Girl - Andrea Semple (2004)

Faith Wishart's family think she has a great job for a top PR company and the perfect boyfriend, Adam. Actually Faith is a make-up girl at Keats Cosmetics and is without a man. But when her sister returns from Australia engaged, Faith desperately needs to find an 'Adam' to show off to her family at the wedding. And as luck would have it a handsome man named Adam walks right up to her make-up counter.

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The Making of Mia - Ilana Fox (2007)

Ever since being a girl, all Jo has wanted is to work for a glossy magazine. Problem is she's overweight, dowdy and despite a scholarship to a private girls' boarding school, even misses out on getting into university. But Jo persists with her dream, finding another way to enter the hallowed halls of Garnet Publishing, where she encounters the cocky publisher Joshua, whose wife edits Gloss magazine. Writing under an assumed name, Jo finds her ideas are helping to boost circulation. But she realises that all the smarts in the world don't mean a thing when you don't look the part of a chic magazine editor. Follow Jo as she takes drastic measures to turn into Mia and reinfiltrate Gloss magazine. Think the Ugly Duckling turning into a swan thanks to designer clothes; Cinderella becoming the belle of the ball thanks to her plastic surgeon fairy godmother.

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The Making of Minty Malone - Isabel Wolff (1999)

Minty Malone, a "terribly nice" radio reporter, is engaged to domineering Dominic. She's been quite happily drifting in her life and being a proverbial doormat; both in her love life and her career. However, when Dominic jilts her at the altar, this sets off a chain of events which cause Minty to reassess her life and outlook. Reluctantly she goes on her husbandless honeymoon with her friend and takes stock of her life situation. But it is when she enrols on a "Not Nice course" with her fiery cousin Amber, that Minty is finally forced to confront her issues. The book follows a year of Minty's life as she embarks on her quest to discover her true self and learn assertiveness. The writing was fresh and witty and had some real laugh-out-loud moments. Minty is a character that you immediately warm to. Many women often get caught up in life and we all sometimes follow the easy option; being a people pleaser and putting the needs of others before ourselves. Dominic's rejection of Minty acts as an epiphany and instigates a journey of self-discovery for her. On her pursuit to find herself, Minty is accompanied by colourful characters who in turn also learn things about themselves. What I liked about this book is that it shows how sometimes you need to challenge life and seize opportunities; how when at first all seems lost, there is always a second chance but not necessarily the one we want. And how being nice is not always the best way to be. Beautifully written, the plot was well executed and the story is both humorous and insightful. Mindy is such an empathetic character and I found myself really rooting for her whilst she was "in her making". (LP)

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The Making of Us - Lisa Jewell (2011)

Daniel's dying in a hospice and being kept company by his friend Maggie. In his last days he reveals his deepest secret about his children he's never met. Lydia has the amazing London mansion, the millions to spend, but she's desperately lonely. Dean is struggling with life, thinking that even his new baby knows he's a loser. Robyn is pretty, intelligent and following in her father's footsteps to medical school. But all three are desperately unhappy, feeling something is missing in life. And then they meet each other and begin to understand their place in the world. This is a brilliant and beautifully written book, with a strong, engaging story. It has a great mix of tragedy, happiness and humour. It is written from the different characters' perspectives giving you a great insight into each character. It's a real page-turner, so make sure you clear your schedule when you start reading! (AB)

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The Man From Perfect - Andrea Semple (2005)

Teacher Ella Holt ends her relationship with Rob the Slob after he forgets her birthday. So best friend Maddie sends off a magazine questionnaire about Ella's perfect man and she is selected to be matched by Dr Lara Stein's Perfect Agency. It seems that the agency has scored a perfect match with handsome James Masters. Or has it?

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The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice - Abigail Reynolds (2007)

aka Pemberley by the Sea

Cassie Boulton is a marine biologist who spends her summers doing research on Cape Cod. She has spent her adult life trying to escape her childhood. Calder Westing is the handsome son of a notorious politician. Cassie and Calder come from completely different backgrounds, however, they keep finding themselves drawn to each other. Cassie is sceptical of Calder's true motivation and distances herself from him. To win her back, Calder writes a modern-day novel casting himself as Mr Darcy and Cassie as Elizabeth Bennet. The result is a contemporary Pride and Prejudice story that Jane Austen fans will enjoy. (AO)

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The Manny - Holly Peterson (2007)

TV producer Jamie Whitfield is worried about how her husband's work-related absences are affecting her sensitive son, Dylan. So she decides to appoint a manny to help out - in addition to her nanny and cleaner. As Jamie's work life gets more hectic chasing a sex scandal story involving a right-wing politician, she finds Peter Bailey teaching kids to play chess in the park - the perfect guy to be a male role model for her son. Despite her husband's demands that she get rid of him, Peter develops a close bond with Dylan - and Jamie.

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The Map of True Places - Brunonia Barry (2010)

After the suicide of a patient sends her into her own emotional crisis, psychotherapist Zee Finch returns home to care for her ailing father and to take stock of her life. Being home, however, reveals demons she thought she had conquered years ago. Reconnecting with old friends and family, and meeting a new love interest, helps Zee get back on track and realise what matters in life. This is a complex and emotionally charged story of parents, their adult children and finding your place in the world. (LEK)

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The Matchbreaker - Chris Manby (2006)

Spoilt only child Lindsey Parker is well used to getting rid of her widowed father's fiancées. Potential stepmum No. 4, Karen, a personal trainer, is all set to put Lindsey into a tacky gold bridesmaid dress until Lindsey pushes her overboard a yacht during a hen's weekend in Ibiza. In the aftermath Lindsey's father basically disowns her. Having to stand on her own two feet for the first time, Lindsey tries to make things right again, including working as a honeytrapper to reunite her dad with his love.

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The Matchmaker - Elin Hilderbrand (2014)

Living in Nantucket, Dabney is the life and soul of the town. Her husband, Box, is a celebrated economics professor who is consulted by the White House. While he commutes from the island so he can teach, Dabney heads up the Chamber of Commerce, creating town festivals and increasing tourism. She is also known for her matchmaking skills. Her immediate sense of whether people are meant to be together is seen as clouds of pink or green. She has successfully matched 43 couples. But Dabney is facing a crossroads this summer - her daughter is getting close to a man she does not like and Dabney's first love, globe-trotting journalist Clen, is coming home. The heartbreaking struggles that Dabney goes through to reconcile with her first love, give her daughter the gift of a great marriage, love her husband, and leave the Chamber of Commerce with a successful person almost breaks her. This is another lovely read from Elin, who has a gift for writing people so clearly that you feel like you are actually there with them. The journey that Dabney is on is filled with bumps, bruises, confusion and love. (MS)

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The Matzo Ball Heiress - Laurie Gwen Shapiro (2004)

Documentary producer Heather Greenblotz, the heiress to the world's greatest matzo company, doesn't actually celebrate Passover. Her mother is usually on some adventure holiday and her gay father was last heard of heading for Australia. But when The Food Channel decides it wants to film the family seder, her cousin - company boss Jake - decides they need the publicity and they start enlisting people to act as family members. But are a postman, a German called Amy Hitler and an Egyptian diplomat going to be able to pull it off?

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The Memory Book - Rowan Coleman (2014)

Claire has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's - a disease that claimed her father. It is devastating news for the forty-something English teacher; her husband of only a few years Greg, as well as her two daughters, university student Caitlin and three-year-old Esther. With her not responding as well as could be hoped to drug treatment, Claire's mother, Ruth, returns to help take care of her. After her counsellor suggests she write a memory book, all the family pitch in, recording special moments and mementos such as Esther's birth and her wedding day. Every so often authors write a book they will always be remembered for. The Memory Book is Rowan Coleman's. It's an emotional journey through a family coming to terms with the loss of their loved one far too soon. The mother losing her daughter in the same cruel way she lost her husband; the daughter on the cusp of adult life having to face a future without her mother's guidance; a loving husband having to deal with the fact he has become a stranger to his wife; and a young child who may never remember a normal childhood. And of course the woman who knows she soon won't remember how great her life really is. While the parts about how her disease is impacting the family are beautifully written, it is Claire's confused thinking - portrayed with both poignancy and humour - that makes up the heart of this book. It's a touching, sensitively handled and truly outstanding story.

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The Memory Box - Sarah Webb (2013)

Pandora Schuster is about to turn 30 when she receives a letter from her dead mother's doctor and in just a blink of an eye the content of the letter turns her life upside down. She is due to be tested for a cancer gene which killed her mother. Pandora is reluctant to share this news with her family or boyfriend Declan. With no idea what her test results will be, she decides to search for her daughter Iris' biological father, Olivier, whom she truly loved all those years back. On her birthday Pandora plans the trip to Paris so if she does have cancer, Olivier can take care of Iris. But things head south when Olivier refuses to listen to anything she has to say. Giving up hope of ever reuniting Iris with her real father, she instead makes a memory box for her daughter. Pandora is happy to split her time between writing letters for the memory box and time-sharing yet another gorgeous dress with the Shoestring Club members when Olivier turns up on her doorstep out of the blue. While the first book in Shoestring Club series was about Pandora's younger sister Julia, this time the focus is on Pandora. Sarah has managed to keep the tone of the book light despite the heavy and way too emotional storyline. While I laughed along with Julia, I cried bucketloads with Pandora. (SS)

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The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom - Jo Barrett (2007)

When Claire St John realises the women's bathroom is the place where she always gets the best advice, she decides to write a guide about them - like why women go in pairs and what really goes on behind closed doors. The newly divorced Claire has quit her New York law firm and moved back to Austin to dabble in writing. This seems to be the perfect project, as she begins dating the seemingly perfect guy, Jake. But then an ill-timed confession in a bathroom threatens to bring her good fortune to an end.

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The Mermaid of Brooklyn - Amy Shearn (2013)

Former magazine editor Jenny lives in Park Slope with her toddler Betty, baby Rose and husband Harry. One night Harry stops off to buy cigarettes and never comes home. Is he alive, is he off gambling, has he left her? How COULD he leave her!?! Jenny, who has battled depression, isn't coping particularly well and one day considers throwing herself off the Brooklyn Bridge. Next thing she knows she's being rescued by a mermaid. The mermaid in this case is a rusalka, an unhappy woman according to Slavic mythology. This spirit gives Jenny the strength to carry on, without her husband. But does the rusalka have her best interests at heart? This is a serious, gut-wrenchingly honest read about a woman struggling with motherhood. Don't go in expecting a light-hearted story, with a perky mermaid like the one from the Splash movie. This will resonate with many readers but it was all a touch too deep and meaningful for me.

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The Midwife's Confession - Diane Chamberlain (2011)

This is the story of Noelle who commits suicide and leaves behind a confession. When sorting through her things, her best friends, Tara and Emerson, find an unfinished letter. It reads "I don't know how to tell you what I did...". Noelle has helped a lot of women in birth but she is more than a midwife to a lot of people. She helped people nurse their baby and provided friendship and help. Tara and Emerson are both married and each have a daughter. They begin searching for answers to Noelle's suicide note. The more they search, the more it becomes apparent that their families are not what they seem. The book is very well written and keeps you guessing until the end. The reader will feel a lot of empathy for all the characters. I guessed the ending quite early on in the book but there were still shocks to come. (SG)

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The Mistake - Wendy James (2012)

When Jodie's daughter, Hannah, is admitted to hospital after an accident, one of the nurses remembers her from years earlier - and inquires about her baby. As a 19-year-old, Jodie had given birth to another daughter called Elsa. Jodie tells the nurse she had Elsa adopted out but the nurse follows up and finds there are no official records of an adoption and contacts authorities. With the girl missing, Jodie faces a Lindy Chamberlain-style trial by media (remember the dingo-got-my-baby case of the 1980s), with many suspecting she murdered the baby. Jodie is shunned by friends and the ramifications are felt by her entire family, including her lawyer husband, Angus, who has to give up his mayoral ambitions. This is a fascinating story about how Jodie rose from her dire childhood and offers a powerful message about casting judgment. It's a compulsive read that will keep you guessing and will certainly stir lots of discussion.

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The Mistress - Martine McCutcheon (2009)

On the night of her 30th birthday, Mandy's eyes are drawn to a man across the room. Despite finding out that Jake is married, she can't fight the attraction. As she wrestles with becoming a mistress, she faces the added moral dilemma of her sister being devastated by her own cheating husband. This employs many of the standard chick lit cliches - single girl (check); designer clothes (check); job in glamorous industry (event planning - check); gay friend (George - check). There's also lots of tears - pouring down cheeks, glistening in eyes, being blinked away - everyone was at it! In fact good old George summed it up perfectly: "Too many tears, too many tears." But by the time I reached the old standby, unexplained 'tummy bug for weeks', I couldn't stomach any more. For this debut novel of the Love Actually actress is pitiful actually. Anyone looking to argue chick lit is vacuous, here's your perfect text.

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The Model Wife - Julia Llewellyn (2008)

Twenty-two-year-old model Poppy Price falls pregnant after an affair with a much older and married TV news anchorman, Luke Norton. He never intended to have a future with Poppy but he soon has no choice but to appear on her doorstep, promising to marry her. Luke's scorned ex-wife Hannah, who gave up her reporting career to bring up their children, works out her hurt and anger by writing a newspaper column in which she details how she has bounced back after "the Cad" left her for "the Bimbo". Meanwhile life for Poppy has become quite dull and routine, even though she adores her toddler Clara. Luke is hardly around and everyone is telling her to get a nanny and go back to work. So when an offer to write a magazine column about being a social butterfly comes up, Poppy accepts, even though she's barely been out of the house for ages. As Poppy starts to party, Luke faces some professional difficulties, not least a tardy and diva-ish interviewee and a colleague who wants him for herself.

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The Moment - Claire Dyer (2013)

While Fern waits for her train at Paddington, a commotion causes her to look back and it is then that she notices Elliott, her ex-boyfriend of some twenty five years. Their relationship ended frostily so should she go and say hello, or pretend she hasn't seen him? Curiosity wins out and she goes over to talk to him. As they part ways to board their separate trains, Elliott and Fern's thoughts are overwhelmed by the past and questions of what if. While they both try to continue with their day ahead and the expectations of their current lives, the suggestion of another meeting at Paddington that evening weighs heavily on both their minds. Told over a single day with flashbacks to Fern and Elliott's story, Claire Dyer deftly weaves together a complex and intricate story. There is some repetition as the story is told from both perspectives but I didn't find this a problem. The writing in this novel is masterful and the author really gets inside the relationship and evokes the importance of time and the decisions that define lives. I was slightly disappointed by Fern and Elliott's love story which I didn't really feel had the intensity or beauty that I had expected, but I liked the fact that Fern and Elliott only actually share the briefest of reunions in the novel. I also enjoyed the multiple endings that the author offered, the third of which was completely refreshing and for me would have been a worthy end to this intricate and clever novel. I would have preferred for the novel to end there rather than the author settling on one ending. Nevertheless I do not want to take away from the superb writing skill and depth of this novel and I look forward to Claire's next novel. (JC)

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The Most Beautiful Man in the World - Jill Marshall (2010)

What could Clare, a housewife from Hampshire in England; Abby, a pole dancer from Taranaki in New Zealand; Jo, a book publisher from London; and Pam-Ellen, a soapie actress from Los Angeles, all have in common? The answer is simple - at one point in their lives they have all been dramatically affected by the man Hollywood dubbed "The Most Beautiful Man in the World". This story covers the years from 1968-2006. When the man is found dead in his Hollywood pool, the truth starts to slowly leak out. Clare, who met David at Cambridge, was his wife and mother of his two boys. Abby finds out at her mother's deathbed that David is her father while Jo becomes his mistress after spending much time in therapy. Finally Pam-Ella is a mystery woman who has a whole lot of secrets of her own. David adopts different identities throughout his life and each of the women gets caught up in his fantasy worlds. This will appeal to those who like a book full of scandal. Its web of lies and relationships will keep you intrigued right up to the last chapter. (PP)

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The Motherhood Walk of Fame - Shari Low (2007)

Writer Carly is just telling her friends about how she's feeling restless when she gets a call from an ex, Hollywood actor Sam. He says there's been some interest in her novel and she needs to get on a plane to LA like, now. Carly's lawyer husband, Mark, though is not prepared to just drop everything to cross the pond, so Carly heads off with her two young sons to stay with Sam. Once Carly is being wined and dined in Hollywood - not to mention wooed by Sam - will she ever be willing to go back to her normal life? This is a funny story about a woman who needs to reconcile her dreams with her day-to-day family life. Readers may remember Carly and her friends from previous novels What If? and Why Not?.

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The Mother Road - Jennifer Allee (2012)

Natalie writes books about relationships and marriage - but only now after 18 years she discovers her husband has had an affair and wants a divorce. The worst thing is that the mistress is pregnant with his baby - the one thing in the world that Natalie could never give Tony. With her mother's illness worsening, her father talks Natalie into returning home but with one catch, to pick up her estranged sister on the way. When Natalie turns up on Lindsey's doorstep and finds Lindsey pregnant and with a black eye, Natalie is quick to judge Lindsey's partner Ben. Against their better judgments, the siblings head out on a road trip along Route 66 that is filled with tragedies, triumphs, laughter and tears. This is a page-turning novel but beware the trip will be a bumpy and emotional one. (PP)

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The Mothers' Group - Fiona Higgins (2012)

Six diverse women are drawn together through their post-natal group. Ginie is a no-nonsense lawyer who is hiring a nanny and heading straight back to work. Made is a young Balinese woman who has come to Australia with her older husband and has to raise her son without the support of her family and village. Miranda is finding it difficult dealing with her stepson, a disruptive toddler, and finds wine o'clock is creeping forward every day. Suzie's partner left her during her pregnancy but when she meets Bill, she's hoping she may not have to raise her daughter alone. Pippa's birthing experience has left her with lingering health problems but she's too embarrassed to share what's wrong. And Cara is the peacemaker of the group who runs into a former lover. This is an engrossing story which slowly reveals each character's multi-layered backgrounds, before leading to an incident that shatters them all.

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The Movie Girl - Kate Lace (2007)

Gemma can't watch a historical TV drama without cringing at costumes that don't accurately fit the period. Knowing everything anyone ever needs to know about military uniforms scores her a dream job as assistant wardrobe manager on a movie starring the gorgeous Jono Knighton and his wife Rowan. Just getting up close and personal to do a costume fitting with the hunky actor has her all aswoon. But then Jono takes a real shine to Gemma and admits his marriage is anything but picture-perfect. But romance with the leading man will surely lead Gemma into trouble.

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The Mystery of Mercy Close - Marian Keyes (2012)

The recession has hit private investigator Helen Walsh hard - she's lost her flat, her work has all but dried up and some old demons are beginning to resurface. When her ex-boyfriend Jay Parker shows up with a missing persons case, Helen is so broke she has no choice but to take it on. The missing person is Wayne Diffney, the wacky one from boyband Laddz, and he has vanished from his house in Mercy Close just five days before their big comeback concert. Despite having a new boyfriend, being around Jay Parker is stirring up all sorts of things Helen had thought she'd left behind. Can she solve the mystery in time for the reunion concert, and get her life back on track at the same time? This much-anticipated novel about many people's favourite Walsh sister, Helen, did not disappoint. Helen has always been my personal favourite, so this book was absolute heaven to me! Her witty turn of phrase and no-nonsense attitude are what make her so brilliant a character and I am now the proud owner of my very own Shovel List. With Helen being a private investigator the mystery angle was the obvious one to go down, but it was not only a breath of fresh air from the more usual romance angle of chick lit, it was pulled off expertly. It was obviously meticulously planned and every detail thought through thoroughly, as there were no cracks in the plot, no predictability. You will be kept in suspense right to the end. Keyes' mix of well thought-out storylines, humorous writing style and her ability to convey the subject matter in a light-hearted, upbeat way without diminishing the serious issues she is tackling are what makes her a queen of this genre, and this latest Walsh sister instalment cements that title even more. A flawless, fabulous read. (LO)

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The Nanny - Melissa Nathan (2003)

Advertising account manager Vanessa Fitzgerald can't believe it when her nanny decides to travel the world - and won't take her kids with her. As usual she takes out her angst on her verbal sparring partner, Dick, father to her three children. They hire Jo, a 23-year-old who makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to leave behind her constantly proposing boyfriend Shaun to take up the live-in nannying job in London. Jo soon becomes the linchpin in the family's day-to-day life but she doesn't get off to a particularly promising start with Dick's grown-up son Josh, especially when they have to share lodgings. There's a fairly predictable romance arc in here but all in all, it's a really funny, satisfying read.

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The Nanny Diaries - Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin (2002)

Nan is working as a nanny while studying child development at NYU. She is hired by Mrs X, a woman who neither works nor mothers her four-year-old son Grayer. The father, Mr X, is an investment banker who is so absent from G's life that he carries around his business card like a cuddly rug. As Nan's duties expand - organising a dinner party for Mr X's colleagues; heading to an office party as a Teletubby, sleeping over when G's parents are nowhere to be found - she desperately wants to quit but finds she can't abandon G.

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The Naughty Girl's Book Club - Sophie Hart (2013)

Estelle is a single mother of a teenage boy who runs the small and cosy Cafe Crumb. Things are bit slow when it comes to business so Estelle comes up with a plan to start a book club which would bring in some extra customers. The word gets out and soon the book club starts with pensioner Sue, school teacher Rebecca, no-bullshit Gracie, shy college student Reggie and of course Estelle itself. After just one meeting it turns into an erotica book club. And soon it becomes more than a book club when friendships are made as a few members start to take these books way too seriously in a bid to spice up their own sex lives. You will not want to put this down until the very last page. It's an excellent debut with truly lovable characters. (SS)

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The Nearly Happy Family - Catherine McKinnon (2008)

Who needs enemies when you have family? Jackie Delaney and her eldest daughter Claire, 15, are still dealing with the fallout after the sudden death of Claire's father, Vince. Claire particularly doesn't want her mother moving on with her younger boyfriend, Ben. And while Jackie certainly isn't the best role model - she drinks too much, smokes, works only occasionally as a stand-up comedian and still lives in her father T.J.'s house - she's finding it hard to handle the rebellious teenager. When their family feud takes a turn for the worse, Claire moves out and becomes an apprentice in Italian chef Nino's restaurant. Told in alternating chapters from both mother and daughter's viewpoints, the book tells the tale of how a dysfunctional family makes family life work for them.

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The Nearly-weds - Jane Costello (2009)

Bride Zoe is left heartbroken when her groom Jason isn't waiting at the altar for her. So she leaves Liverpool for a nannying job in the United States, where she is employed by widower Ryan to look after his two kids, Ruby and Samuel. She soon wins over the children, befriends some other English nannies, including boisterous Trudie, hippie Amber and posh Felicity, but moody and neglectful Ryan is a much harder nut to crack. Will this new life in Boston help her forget Jason? Another charming tale from Costello with the humiliation-prone heroine torn between two commitment-wary men.

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The Never Never Sisters - L. Alison Heller (2014)

Marriage counsellor Paige is anticipating a relaxing summer in the Hamptons with her husband of three years, Dave. However, her plans suddenly derail when Dave is mysteriously suspended from his job and her sister, Sloane, whom she hasn't seen in 20 years since she went into rehab, decides to come home for a visit. Getting the cold shoulder from Dave, but not much else in terms of what happened at work, Paige begins to investigate his suspension on her own, at the same time trying to reconnect with her sister and keep the peace between Sloane and their parents. As Paige begins to dig into her marriage and her family's past, she needs to decide how deep she wants to go in order to find the truth. The Never Never Sisters is a study in family dynamics and the holes in one's memory as to how things really happened in the past. I enjoyed that aspect of the book and also the relationship between sisters Paige and Sloane. You get the sense throughout the book that even though we all travel our own paths, your family is still your family and the bonds are still there, even after years of being apart. (LEK)

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The New Me - Mary Marcus (2014)

Harriet is outside her old house, watching the vignette unfold inside of her husband Jules with his new lover. And for Harriet, who has her own cable TV cooking show, the regret is even more cutting because she was the one who welcomed Lydia into their lives, after meeting her at yoga class. Harriet feels discarded, with even her sons having moved out to get on with their adult lives. Now she has to figure out how to move on with her life, after installing a "New Me" in her old life. This well-written, poignant story is totally intriguing, as the narrator reveals more about how she was replaced in her own home.

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The New Yorkers - Cathleen Schine (2007)

Jody is a lonely music teacher whose only companion is an oversized white pit bull mix from the ASPCA named Beatrice. On one of her sleepless nights, Jody meets handsome divorcee Everett, and finds herself falling for him when he smiled at her. Waiter George lives with his sister Polly in the apartment above Everett. Copy editor Polly, who is struggling to get over her ex-boyfriend, has taken in the dog left by the previous owner of her apartment - naming it Howdy. Down the street lives Simon, a tall and shy man who's often seen sitting at the bar alone. This is an interesting story about loneliness in New York City, telling a heart-warming tale about love and loss through the ways the characters interact with their dogs. (XT)

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The Next Best Thing - Kristan Higgins (2010)

Death has always been a sensitive topic for Lucy Lang. Except for her sister Corinne, all the women in the family have become widows at young ages. Lucy was only 24 when the love of her life, Jimmy, died in a car accident. Five years have passed, and now Lucy wants to get back on the dating scene, and form a family of her own. But it turns out things aren't quite as easy as that. A combination of bad dates, panic attacks, career opportunities, a man who looks exactly like her husband, and her always caring brother-in-law Ethan, means Lucy is in an utter mess. Lucy was actually the character I least enjoyed reading about, but it was interesting to see the contrast between her and the other characters in the story such as Corinne, Ethan, and the Black Widows, and how the tiny details of their interaction brought out the essence of the entire book. (XT)

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The Next Best Thing - Jennifer Weiner (2012)

This novel was no doubt inspired by Jennifer Weiner's involvement as executive producer and co-creator of short-lived sitcom State of Georgia. As a result the behind-the-scene details of getting a show to air are very authentic and revealing. Ruth - a character who first cropped up in a short story called Swim - has lived with her grandmother since her parents died in a car crash. The accident left her with long-lasting scars, including a disfigured face. As a young Ruthie recovered in hospital from numerous reconstructive surgeries, she fell in love with TV shows such as The Golden Girls. Now living in LA, she is working for two producers called Dave, when her show The Next Best Thing - loosely based on herself and her grandmother - gets the green-light. But Ruth's celebrations soon turn sour as she has to follow the studio's directives regarding cast and script changes. Will the show that airs have anything in common with her original vision? This is a very entertaining story about a girl chasing her dream and what happens when your big break may well break you. And again Weiner has created a protagonist with an intriguing bag of insecurities and strengths.

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The Next Big Thing - Johanna Edwards (2005)

Overweight PR agent Kat Larson tries out for reality TV show From Fat to Fabulous, where the women contest to see who earns the most money by losing weight. Nick, the British journalist she's been dating online (and who thinks she's a size 4 - she's a 16), is a surprise guest on the show. But Kat, who has been branded by the media as Kat the Brat, falls instead for the show's host Jagger.

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The Next Thing on My List - Jill Smolinski (2007)

Make this book the next one on your list - it has one of the freshest plot concepts of the year and a heroine worth rooting for. June Parker works for a LA carpooling agency. On the way home from a Weight Watchers meeting, she offers a lift to a woman who has just lost over 100 pounds, taking pity on her walking for the bus in stiletto shoes. As Marissa unbuckles her seatbelt to reach into the backseat to pull out a taco soup recipe from her bag, June swerves to avoid a dresser falling off the back of a truck. Marissa is flung through the windscreen and dies. June finds a list that Marissa has written - 20 Things to Do Before my 25th Birthday. Six months later, she runs into Marissa's brother, Troy, at the cemetery and still feeling guilt-ridden is compelled to finish off the list. The tasks range from running a 5km race, going on a blind date and changing someone's life. As she races through the list to beat the birthday deadline, it looks like it might be her own life that she's set the change.

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The Night Before Christmas - Scarlett Bailey (2011)

All Lydia Grant ever wanted is a perfect Christmas and hopefully this year she is going to get one. Lydia is more than excited when she and boyfriend Stephen are invited to spend Christmas with her friend Katy at her newly opened hotel in Heron Pikes, a perfect setting just out of a Christmas card. Festivities with her best friends Alex, Katy, Joanna and their men seem like a brilliant idea until best friend Joanna turns up with her latest squeeze, Jackson, who happens to be Lydia's ex-boyfriend. To make things worse they all are snowed in and Lydia is forced to stay under the same roof with her boyfriend who is all set to pop the big question with a massive diamond ring from Tiffany's and her summer fling from a few years back. Things get even stranger when Lydia is swept off her feet by handyman Will. Lydia is certainly set to have a Christmas to remember. With its stunning cover, enchanting setting and story that will keep you guessing, this is a fantastic festive read. (SS)

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The Night I Got Lucky - Laura Caldwell (2005)

Somebody should have told Billy Rendell to be careful what she wishes for; that sometimes having all of your wishes come true isn't all it's cracked up to be. Everything she thinks she wants to make her life better is mysteriously and suddenly given to her and Billy has to figure out what she really does want because what she thought she wanted isn't turning out to be so wonderful, after all. After yet another visit to her therapist where she again whines about the state of her life, her therapist gives her a small jade frog and tells her that her luck will change. The next morning, everything, and I mean everything has changed! Billy now has everything she thought she wanted - the promotion, the attentive, loving husband, the sexy coworker now attracted to her, and she no longer misses the father who walked out on them. But Billy quickly learns that everything comes with a price and for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Billy is a character anyone can relate to and I found myself empathising with her immensely. Everything from the angst of having an unusual name, to abandonment issues, unsatisfying marriage and career struggles, Billy is carrying a lot of emotional baggage. She decides that destroying the frog will put everything right. I got such a kick out of all the ways Billy tries to destroy the frog. But every morning when she wakes, the frog is back on her nightstand smiling at her. This book was highly entertaining and the author does an excellent job of creating characters the reader will be drawn to. (SH)

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The No-Kids Club - Talli Roland (2014)

Clare's relationship ends when her boyfriend discovers she's not interested in having kids. With her best friend Ellie about to drop her first child, emergency doctor Clare decides she needs to expand her circle to include people who don't have kids. She puts out a call over social media for like-minded people and so The No-Kids Club is formed. Anna, who works part-time in a bookshop, feels fulfilled creating a cosy home environment for husband Michael but has never felt the maternal urge. She's looking for a way to prod Michael off the couch and find a new social outlet and is hoping the no-kids meetup may be the answer. Meanwhile all teacher Poppy wants in her life is a child, but husband Alistair has given up hope in IVF and wants to look at adoption instead. Poppy hopes the meeting will enable her to bond with others going through the same trials. The enjoyable story is told from the viewpoints of all three women, who are childless for different reasons, and readers will find it easy to empathise with their stories. Another reason to join the Talli Roland fan club.

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The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks (1996)

Now a popular tearjerker movie starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook is the classic tale of two people from opposite sides of town falling head over heels in love. Born and raised in the same North Carolinian town, Noah Calhoun is destined to live an ordinary life. Until he meets Allie, the girl of his dreams. For one summer they are deeply in love, until they are ripped apart by the brutal reality of their situation. He is free and simple and she is supposed to marry rich and famous, following what is only described as the "caste system of the South". But Noah never gives up hope and he continues to write to her, and as the years go on, he slowly comes to terms with the fact that she will never write back and moves on with his life. However, an article in the newspaper will suddenly bring the lovers together again though under unfortunate circumstances. Allie is now engaged, though she is still very much in love with Noah. And thus she must decide who she must marry, her soul mate who she's never stopped loving or the man who can provide her with all she needs. Sparks takes the reader on a journey which will forever be remembered. (SN)

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The Not-So-Perfect Man - Valerie Frankel (2004)

As far as her family are concerned, Frieda Schast has been the grieving widow for too long. Her older sister Ilene, whose marriage to Peter is suffering as his waistband expands, thinks her gorgeous and successful colleague David would be the perfect match. But Frieda can't help her attraction to the often-unemployed actor Sam Hall. Does Frieda really need the perfect man or is the not-so-perfect one just right for her?

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The Oakdale Dinner Club - Kim Moritsugu (2014)

With Mary Ann's husband regularly absent on business, she decides to have a fling - or perhaps two or three! The country club regular issues invitations to a neighbourhood dinner club, ensuring that the guests not only include a few men with potential but that they all leave their partners at home. Meanwhile her childhood friend Alice - who she once shared a telepathic connection with - bumps into a former classmate, Jake. Is the single mother up for some romance at last? With its intriguing premise, this book is somewhat naughty but nice. Mary Ann and her plotting are its main driving force - and many readers will find, despite her faults, that they can't blame a girl for trying. The mind reading ability also added a unique element to this quirky yet enjoyable read.

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The Ocean Between Us - Susan Wiggs (2004)

Grace and Steve Bennett have been married for 20 years and have raised three wonderful children. Steve is a naval officer who is deployed on an aircraft carrier for six months at a time. Grace has always embraced her role as a navy wife, however, as she approaches 40 she begins to examine her life and marriage and she realises she wants more. Just as Steve is about to be deployed, a huge secret from his past threatens to rip apart their marriage. This is an engrossing novel that realistically depicts the sacrifices a military family makes. (AO)

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The Office Party - Alexandra Campbell (1998)

Clara knows her businessman husband, Edward, has been having an affair with his secretary, Shirley, for years. Shirley thinks it's high time that Edward dumps his old dumpy wife and moves in with her. When Edward takes control of failing magazine Heart & Soul, he woos experienced editor-in-chief Virginia to head up the team. Trouble is he might be wooing her in the personal sense as well. With Shirley on the warpath, Clara filling in on reception, and Virginia out to prove she's not a has-been, it's hardly going to be an uneventful day at the office.

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The O'Hara Affair - Kate Thompson (2010)

Hollywood has come to the Irish village of Lissamore to shoot The O'Hara Affair, a movie about the father of Gone with the Wind's Scarlett. For those who enjoyed The Kinsella Sisters you will recognise many of the characters, including Dervla who is having to deal with her mother-in-law's dementia; and Rio, who's got Shane, the father of her son, back in town to star in the movie. But this book centres on boutique owner Fleur and begins as she is about to stand in as a fortune teller at the village festival. But rather than gazing into her crystal ball, her niece Daisy shows her how to use Facebook to find out all about her clients. One of the people looking to have her fortune told is Bethany, who dreams of being an actress but lacks the confidence. Through her producer boyfriend Corban, Fleur gets Bethany a spot as an extra and starts watching out for her on Second Life, a 3D virtual world. This will not only draw you into the world of Lissamore and its characters, it will also get you thinking about how much we now rely on our virtual lives - and how much we reveal to strangers. Plus Dervla's duty to her elder is a heartbreaking storyline which is told with much-needed humour. And watch out for the heroine from the next book, That Gallagher Girl, who is introduced right at the end.

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The Old-Girl Network - Catherine Alliott (1994)

One day an American spots Polly on the train, and trails her to her job at an advertising agency. Adam had noticed that she was wearing the same school scarf as his missing fiance Rachel so he enlists Polly's help in tracking her down. Meanwhile Polly's having a hard enough time tracking down her own boyfriend Harry, and keeping out of trouble from her boss, Nick. This is the prequel to Going Too Far.

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The One & Only - Emily Giffin (2014)

Shea Rigsby is an American football fanatic and one of the biggest supporters of the Walker high school football team in Texas. After the death of a close family friend, Shea starts to re-assess different areas of her life because she realises that "life is short". She then embarks on some life changes in her career and begins her quest to find love. She thinks the changes are for the better, but as time goes on, she wonders if everyone and everything is as it seems. I really enjoyed this book! Shea's whole life is consumed by football, a little on the extreme side if you ask me. She practically worships the high school coach, Clive Carr, and some of the guys who went professional she's known since high school. I liked Shea's character, although I have to question some of her choices. This book is about family, friends, loyalty and love and there were many twists that made it interesting with a surprising ending. (KARM)

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The One Before The One - Katy Regan (2010)

Caroline Steele is 32, super-organised, with a great job, and happily single (by choice). Aside from the fact that she can't move on from her ex-fiance who she dumped before the wedding; her teenage half-sister has landed on her door for the summer looking for guidance; and she's in love with her married co-worker, Caroline has no problems at all... So how can she move on to find "The One"? The characters in this story are all fabulously written and completely relatable, the fantastic one-liners and great mix of humour, romance and heartbreak keep you hooked and wanting more!! Totally un-put-down-able, and highly recommended! (AT)

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The One Plus One - Jojo Moyes (2014)

Jess Thomas is a single mother struggling to look after stepson Nicky and daughter Tanzie after her husband and their father left two years ago. Whilst she fights to make ends meet, Nicky and Tanzie struggle to fit in and Nicky finds himself on the end of some vicious bullying. Meanwhile, maths prodigy Tanzie lives in her own world of numbers and has yet to face the mean edge of life, so when she gets the opportunity to attend the prestigious St Anne's school, Jess is determined to get her there. But even with a 90 per cent scholarship, she needs to make up a significant sum for the remaining fee. The answer: a maths Olympiad in Scotland where first prize would cover the fee. So the three are set to make a journey from one end of the country to the other. However, there's the small matter of an uninsured and untaxed vehicle and the fact that Jess' driving skills are a bit rusty. Enter Ed Nicholls. Facing up to a weighty criminal investigation and a terminally ill father, when he sees his cleaner, Jess, and her family pulled over by the police, he steps in and offers to help by driving them to Scotland. But he doesn't quite realise what he's let himself in for. A flatulating dog, a carsick child and endless sandwiches are not quite what he bargained for, but on their mammoth journey Ed seems to need this quirky little family as much as they need him. What an amazing book. I must admit in the opening few pages I wasn't sure it was going to be a story I enjoyed, but from the second chapter, the story engrosses you. Told from the perspective of all four characters, it is a dynamic and stimulating read and these are four completely different, but utterly endearing figures, Tanzie in particular. It is really wonderful that the novel explores such vast and difficult themes, especially bullying, prejudice, feeling out of place and being different. The story is beautiful and moving and really tugs at the heart strings. Completely unmissable. (JC)

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

Tilly Farmer has always been the glue to hold her family together. She lost her mother to cancer as a teenager and has struggled to keep her alcoholic father sober while playing mother to her two younger sisters. She now has the life she has always wanted. She is a guidance counsellor at her small town alma mater and is married to her high school sweetheart. They are trying to have a baby and she is confident then her life will be perfect. Tilly runs into an old friend who offers her a psychic reading. Soon after, Tilly starts having visions of the future that become true. Her visions show her beloved husband packing a moving truck in their driveway and her father relapsing. Suddenly, the future life that she always had so much faith in, is in jeopardy. This is a beautifully written story about the dreams of the future and the reality of what happens when those dreams are shattered. My favourite book so far this year and a definite must-read. (AO)

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The One That Got Away - Jessica Fox (2009)

The first book in the Hen Night Prophecies which follows the fortunes of five women - bride Zoe and her friends Fern, Libby, Charlotte and Priya - who are each given their own puzzling prophecy by a fortune teller at a hen's night. First up is set designer Fern, who is told that she has already met The One but let him go. So she starts to track down her three boyfriends, college sweetheart Luke who is now a movie heart-throb; vet Matt who is now engaged; and Seb, the love rat who wants her back. It doesn't take a fortune teller to work out which guy she's going to end up with but this may still whet your appetite for the rest of the series.

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The One That Got Away - Lucy Dawson (2010)

Molly's husband Dan is keen to start trying for a baby but she wants more time to think about it. So when she finds him with a condom packet and a pin, it's enough to make a girl a bit paranoid. Then Molly commits a social networking faux pas, sending a chatty how's-it-going Facebook message to her former boyfriend Leo. He responds and seems more than keen to pick things up again. This suspenseful story, which focuses on a couple wondering if they have the same future in mind, will keep you guessing throughout. The second half is definitely stronger, when things take a dark and sinister turn. The ending, in true Lucy Dawson style, is abrupt and doesn't tie up all the loose ends. But all in all a very clever, compelling read.

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The Only Way is Up - Carole Matthews (2010)

Lily has just returned from a very expensive Tuscan holiday to find her husband, Laurence, has lost his City job and their house and all their belongings have been repossessed. With only their holiday clothes to stand up in, the Lamont-Jones start picking up the pieces in a grotty house in a rundown estate. As Lily finds out who her real friends are, she is forced to make ends meet with less money than she'd have spent on a bottle of wine. Then her new job gives her the chance to return to the life to which she had become accustomed but is that what Lily really wants? If this charming story about the have-lots being reduced to the have-nots doesn't get you saving for a rainy day, nothing will.

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The Opposite of Love - Julie Buxbaum (2008)

Manhattan lawyer Emily Haxby is confused about her life. Just as her boyfriend Andrew is on the verge of proposing, she breaks up with him with that famous line: 'It's not you. It's me.' Working on a multi-million-dollar lawsuit that she morally disagrees with and trying to avoid a lecherous boss, Emily also wonders if her professional life needs a shake-up. But it's not long before she is wondering if she's made the mistake of her life. With her mother dead and her father emotionally distant, her closest ties are with her fast fading Grandpa Jack and Ruth, a former judge who lives in the same retirement home. This book has received high praise from many readers and is finely written with believable characters and emotional depth. However I'd lost interest by the second half. But maybe it's a case of 'It's not The Opposite of Love. It's me.' So the best advice would be to try it out for yourself - you may just love it.

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The Opposite of Me - Sarah Pekkanen (2010)

Manhattan advertising exec Lindsay is on track for a promotion and just needs to nail her client presentation. But when things go from bad to worse, the over-achieving workaholic instead finds herself without a job. So she heads home, back to her parents' house and into her twin sister Alex's domain. Lindsay has always felt in the shadow of her twin - while Lindsay was the smart sister, Alex was the pretty, popular one. And now it seems Alex has become increasingly chummy with Bradley, the one guy in the world who has always preferred her to Alex. But then fate comes looking to mess with Alex's perfect life and Lindsay stumbles across a family secret. This is an amazingly impressive debut, with twists and turns to keep you enthralled and a story about sibling rivalry that is masterfully steered out of cliche territory.

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The Other Family - Joanna Trollope (2010)

Chrissie always believed that Richie loved her. After all they'd been together for 23 years and had three daughters together. But if she really was the love of his life, why had he never given her the one thing that would have made her life perfect? When Richie passes away, Chrissie wonders how they are going to cope as she was never officially made Mrs Richie Rossiter. She had been given a ring but he never got around to popping the question. For Richie, popping the question was never a consideration since he was officially still married to Margaret - the wife before he became a famous musician and with whom he had a son, Scott. Both families were never to meet - that was the plan. But at Richie's will reading, there is no way to keep the Other Family out of the picture. Chrissie is about to find out that when it comes down to money, property and estates, old resentments come into play as each woman tries to do the best for her family. This is an interesting story about family conflict and loyalty. (PP)

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The Other Half - Sarah Rayner (2001)

Chloe Appleton is quickly approaching the age of thirty. She is a features writer with high ambitions to one day launch a magazine of her own. She sticks out at the office with her hip quirky style and propensity to show off her ample cleavage. Maggie Slater is the conservative mother and wife who appears to have it all. She's a gorgeous food writer with an adorable son and a successful, good-looking husband. She spends her days concocting delicious recipes for her family and making sure her house looks picture perfect. James Slater, Maggie's husband, is a publisher and Chloe's new boss. Chloe and James quickly become involved. The story is told in the alternating voices of Chloe, the mistress, and Maggie, the wife. The author does a brilliant job getting into the mind of each woman. The reader will feel for Maggie as she sees her perfect life start to uncontrollably crumble. I sympathised with Chloe because she was so desperate to be loved and worked so hard to convince herself that James was doing this because he was unhappy in his marriage and really loved her. This is a brilliant novel detailing how affairs play out and ultimately explode. (AO)

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The Other Life - Ellen Meister (2011)

Quinn Braverman is happily married and expecting her second child. As a child, Quinn found a portal to a place where her other life was occurring. The other life was a place where every choice she made was the opposite of what was actually occurring in her present life. For more than 20 years, Quinn ignored the portal and lived her charmed happy life. However, when Quinn gets news that her unborn baby has a life-threatening condition, Quinn cannot resist the temptation of another simpler life. She enters the portal and finds that her deceased mother is still alive and she is living a carefree life with her neurotic shock-jock ex-boyfriend. Quinn travels between worlds, unable to cope with her unborn child's prognosis and unable to stay away from her caring husband and wonderful six-year-old boy. As the portal shrinks, it is more difficult for Quinn to travel between worlds and she must decide where she is needed most. This is a beautifully crafted story about motherhood and the choices we make and the long-lasting consequences. HBO has recently optioned the book to become a series. (AO)

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The Other Side of the Story - Marian Keyes (2004)

There are sometimes three sides to every story. The men in events organiser Gemma Hogan's life are proving a problem - actually it's the men disappearing from her life that she has trouble with. First there's former boyfriend Anton, who is now living in London with Gemma's ex-best friend Lily Wright. Then there's Gemma's father, who's just left her mother after 35 years of marriage and Gemma has to move in to pick up the pieces. Lily has a bestseller, Mimi's Remedies, under her belt but is still waiting for karma to catch up with her for what she did to Gemma. Maybe it's what's causing her inability to write the next book despite the fact the advance has already been spent. High-flying literary agent JoJo, who's involved with her married boss, is always on the lookout for the next big thing, and thinks it's unlikely to come from her debut star, Lily. But she may have found it when she gets her hands on some of Gemma's emails to her friends.

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The Other Woman - Jane Green (2004)

'There were three of us in the marriage.' Ellie can't seem to push Princess Diana's words out of her mind but in her case it's not a mistress but a family matriarch. Ellie's mother died when she was young and she has a distant father so her marriage to Dan Cooper is her opportunity to forge new family ties. Dan's mother, Linda, starts out as the perfect mother but her meddling soon turns her into the mother-in-law from hell. And the arrival of baby Tom only escalates the tensions.

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The Other Woman - Siobhan McKenna (2012)

Kennedy Cafes and Chocolate is in its centenary year, and owner Owen Kennedy has decided to branch out into the world of wine. His right-hand woman Ruby Hart embarks on a journey with him to Italy to meet their potential partners in the venture, the Boselli family. But right away Ruby suspects that the relationship between Owen and Emma Boselli is a little more than professional. Meanwhile Owen's wife, Katherine, is on a journey of self-discovery in Kenya. She is enthralled by the beauty of Africa - and its inhabitants. Ruby is left shouldering the responsibilities of the business, but she has some dark secrets of her own to protect. What first struck me about this novel was the author's exquisite use of descriptive language. It brought the scenes to life, you could almost smell the wine in the Italian vineyard and feel the hot sunshine on safari in Africa. However, at certain points in the story it lacked action, and I didn't warm to Katherine as a main character at all. Despite relating to her grief, I just couldn't get to like her, in stark contrast to Ruby who was likeable from the start. There were a few good twists towards the end and I felt this redeemed the story. Overall it was a well-written page-turner, with descriptive passages that were a joy to read. (LO)

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The Other Woman's Shoes - Adele Parks (2003)

Also known as Lust for Life

Martha has strived hard to create the perfect home with husband Michael and their two children, while sister Eliza lives with musician boyfriend Greg and enjoys a carefree life. When Michael announces that he's leaving after 10 years because he's not having any fun, Martha is shattered. Then Eliza leaves Greg, because she wants to settle down with a responsible man. Will each woman embrace their chance to walk in each other's shoes?

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The Out of Office Girl - Nicola Doherty (2012)

When her boss is taken ill, publishing assistant Alice is shipped off to Sicily in Italy to coax heart-throb actor Luther Carson into finishing his autobiography. Easily distracted by bikini-clad blondes, yachts and nightclubs, Luther isn't making much progress. And his agent Sam certainly isn't helping - he thinks writing the book is a big mistake. Amid lost luggage, a knee-trembling kiss and a career-damaging mistake, Alice really has her work cut out for her. This fun read of the chick lit lite variety is a sparkling debut, which shows that handling a celebrity client is certainly not the easiest job in the world.

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The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride - AJ Crofts (2008)

Steffi lives on a rundown estate, with a tough Irish father, a caring Jamaican mother and her five siblings. She works as a dishwasher while her doped-up boyfriend hangs out in a squat. But Steffi's real passion in life is acting. After relating at drama class a true story about her father beating up her mother, Steffi scores a role as Nikki - "a tart with a heart" - on top-rating soap The Towers. But since her father never wanted her to audition in the first place, he cuts all ties with her. Meanwhile Steffi's rising fame takes off when she is paired with her pop idol, Luke Lewis, in a celebrity TV singing contest. But soon the never-ending media attention and the family secrets that keep getting spilled start to take their toll. With Steffi proving to be much more than just another shallow celebrity, her tale of life in the limelight will hook you in.

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The Overnight Socialite - Bridie Clark (2009)

Lucy Jo Ellis has been thrown down and stepped on by New York. Her dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer have ended disastrously and she's ready to run back home to Dayville, Minnesota, with her tail between her legs. Then everything changes when she meets the handsome and aristocratic Wyatt Hayes. Wyatt, who has had a little too much to drink after being publicly humiliated by his socialite girlfriend, offers Lucy Jo a proposition that at first she is reluctant to accept. Wyatt says that he can turn Lucy Jo, an average girl, into one of Manhattan's most wanted women. He'll turn her life around and get her a job with a designer if she will be the subject of his social experiment. He's even going to write a book on the whole ordeal but he doesn't tell Lucy Jo this part of the deal. Wyatt wants to prove that anyone, no matter their background, can be a socialite with the right training. With nothing left to lose, Lucy Jo accepts Wyatt's offer and things change immediately. First off, she is no longer Lucy Jo, from Dayville. She is now Lucia Haverford Ellis from a blue-blood family in Chicago. Soon Lucy Jo finds herself exercising with a trainer, wearing designer clothes that would have cost her whole salary, and attending parties every single night on the arm of one of Manhattan's most desirable men. She quickly becomes the talk of the town, attracting the attention of some of New York's richest men, much to Wyatt's chagrin. All this does not sit well with Wyatt's ex and reigning queen of all socialites, Cornelia Rockman. Cornelia is desperate to get Wyatt back and she'll stop at nothing to do so, even if it means ruining Lucy Jo's life. Vindictive and powerful, Cornelia is a force to be reckoned with. Three months of training for Lucy culminate at the Fashion Forum Ball, an ultra-exclusive event in which Wyatt hopes to end his experiment with Lucy Jo and show the world that anyone - not just a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth - can become a socialite. This is a life-changing event for both Lucy Jo and Wyatt as they have to deal with unexpected obstacles and more importantly, they have to deal with how they really feel about each other. Written by someone who knows all about New York's upper-crust society and inspired by the classic Pygmalion tale, this is a fun and juicy read. However, considering its fantastic beginning and middle, the ending is rather demure. It leaves you hanging a bit (it could have done with another chapter to catch up on what happens to each character) but otherwise it is a book not to be missed. (AS)

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The Pact - Jodi Picoult (1998)

This is a story about two families and their children who have been in love forever. The Hartes and the Golds have been neighbours for 18 years. They share everything - food, illnesses and car pool duty. The children, Emily and Chris, spend all their time together and inevitably fall in love with each other. The story begins when the pair are found at a carousel, Emily is dead and Chris unconscious. Chris insists that it was a suicide pact gone wrong and has to plead his innocence that he has not committed a murder. The book makes you question just how well you know your children and your parents. Jodi Picoult never fails to produce a good book. The book is both tearjerking and thought-provoking. The ending can feel a bit rushed but all in all it is an intriguing read. (SG)

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The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender (2010)

Nothing could prepare Rose Edelstein for what was to come when she first discovered her hidden talent during her ninth birthday - tasting emotions in food. It all started when she took a bite of the lemon birthday cake her mother prepared; it wasn't the zesty, acidic taste she expected, but the sinking and hollow feeling of bitterness - like sadness. Slowly, she learns of the betrayals in her parents' marriage, and her brother's secret. How she learns to cope with her magical "gift" flavours this very sad, bittersweet story. This novel is truly remarkable in its simplicity (with no fancy words), the uniqueness of the storyline and how the author cleverly builds up the emotions at different points. (XT)

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The Party Season - Sarah Mason (2003)

Party planner Isabel Serranti is booked to do a charity ball at Pantiles, the Monkwell estate where her family lived when she was a child. Isabel is just hoping to keep far away from Simon Monkwell, now a successful entrepreneur, who had bullied her when they were in their teens. Press coverage suggests he hasn't changed a bit, but Isabel soon finds that things aren't quite as she remembers.

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The Payback Club - Rexanne Becnel (2006)

Joan and Liz are both still hurting after being betrayed by their cheating husbands. As they slowly become friends through their gym sessions, the two women decide to get revenge by seducing each other's ex and destroying their lives - and so begins the Payback Club. However, things become complicated when Joan discovers that Liz's ex-husband is making plans to leave his present pregnant wife, and her own ex-husband goes missing without a trace and Joan becomes the prime suspect behind his sudden disappearance. This will appeal to those who relish the whole concept of wives taking revenge like in The First Wives Club. What I loved most was how they came up with their little plans to make over themselves so as to attract the other's ex and how in the end both women finally came to terms with their failed marriage and made up for the loss by being stronger and adopting a more positive outlook towards life. (XT)

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The Peach Keeper - Sarah Addison Allen (2011)

When Paxton Osgood sends out invitations to commemorate the forming of the Walls of Water women's society at the newly renovated Blue Ridge Madam, the atmosphere in the foggy southern town changes. Willa Jackson keeps being drawn to the Madam that was built by her ancestors before they lost their fortune. Both Paxton and Willa struggle to be the person they think they should be, rather than who they really are. As the renovation work at the Madam gets closer to completion, buried secrets are unearthed that change both Paxton and Willa's lives and bind them together. But will they work out who they really are in order to find their true happiness? Written with a hint of magic and Southern superstition, this is a really good mix of romance, friendship and mystery. As Paxton and Willa uncover their family secrets they give you glimpses into Southern society in the 1930s. A well written, pleasant read that you'll struggle to put down when you start. (AB)

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The Penny Pinchers Club - Sarah Strohmeyer (2009)

Kat loves to shop - she is constantly at stores buying things, not because they are needed but because she got them for a good price. While Kat is buying things for her 20th wedding anniversary, she realises that her husband Griff, an economic professor, may be leaving her. According to her sister Viv, all the signs are there, including a new bank account and credit card that were opened without her knowledge and some interesting emails from Griff's assistant. Kat and Viv go to a divorce attorney where she is told she needs $15,000 just for the retainer fee. For the first time in her life Kat starts to think about money and how she spends it without thinking. She joins a group called the Rocky River Penny Pinchers Club. They guarantee she will have the retainer fee in eight months if she joins their club and follows their rules for financial restraint. From spending $800 a week to only $250, can Kat get the money in time before her husband leaves her? Will an old flame she left for her husband rescue her from this belt-tightening life? This is a great book to read in these trying economic times that will have you laughing at how these women save money. (CG)

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The Perfect Affair - Claire Dyer (2014)

With her daughter, Jodie, on the verge of flying the nest and her husband, Andrew, failing to offer the promise he once did, Eve begins to question her life and love. Meeting Myles, himself struggling with the realities of marriage, exacerbates Eve's feelings of lack and emptiness and in each other Myles and Eve find something unexpected, something wonderful, but also dangerous and forbidden. Meanwhile Rose, a surrogate grandmother of sorts to Eve and Myles' landlady, watches over the pair's clandestine relationship with the awareness of experience, knowing more than most the value of following your heart. Claire Dyer once again proves herself to be an accomplished writer and deft observer of complex human relationships. She's an author who doesn't look at life and love through rose-tinted lenses but views it for what it is: difficult, complex and potentially beautiful, and who is not afraid to take the road less travelled in her plots or with her characters. She really captures the dilemmas of family life, of sterile love and of extramarital relationships both in the present day with Myles and Eve and in the nostalgic, bittersweet narrative of Rose. Mature, affecting yet tender, The Perfect Affair encapsulates Dyer's skill and originality as an author and leaves the reader in eager anticipation of what she's going to bring next. (JC)

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The Perfect Blend - Trish Perry (2010)

When Steph meets the guy she thought was The One, she gave up everything - her friends, her job - to elope with him. However Rick stands her up at the altar. Now with nowhere to turn, Steph is unsure of what to do next. Enter Milly Jewel, owner of the Tea with Millicent Tea Shop. When she sees Steph down in the dumps, she invites her in, and soon Steph is waiting tables. One of Milly's favourite customers is The Fox and Hound Inn owner Kendall, also getting over a broken engagement. As Steph gets closer to Kendall, she finds herself falling for him, but just as she's ready to tell him - in walks Rick, her ex-fiance, and Amy, Kendall's ex. This is a lovely light-hearted Christian chick lit novel that talks about tackling the unexpected moments of life with the help of friends and a bucket list of fun. (PP)

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The Perfect Hero - Victoria Connelly (2011)

As a lifelong Jane Austen fan, Kay can't believe that she was able to open her own bed-and-breakfast - aptly named Wentworth House after Captain Wentworth - in Lyme Regis, the region where Austen's novel Persuasion took place. How lucky can one girl get? Pretty lucky, it seems. A cast and crew, who are in town filming the movie version of Persuasion, encounter problems at their hotel and are forced to stay at Kay's B&B. As the gorgeous actors converge on Wentworth House, one man stands out above all others: Oli Wade Owen. Oli is the most handsome man Kay has ever set her eyes on and he seems to think she isn't so bad herself. As Oli starts to show Kay the affection she's been craving, she can't help but think that maybe there is another man she should be looking at ... one who isn't an actor and won't break her heart. Though the story is light and breezy, sometimes, Kay can be a bit self-centred and naive. But apart from this perhaps imperfect heroine, the story has a cast of colourful and fun characters who will stay with you even after you put the book down. (AS)

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The Perfect Lie - Emily Barr (2010)

Lucy Riddick has been running away all her life. Even now that she's finally happy and in a committed relationship with a great man, Lucy knows it can't last. When she rescues her best friend's daughter from near death one fateful day and her face is splashed across the television, she knows that it's time to run again. But where will she go? Where will she be safe? The first place that comes to mind is Venice. Her mum always had a photo of it on her bedroom wall and it seems like the perfect place to lose yourself. But what Lucy finds is that what she's been fearing most is already lying in wait for her in Venice. Is it time to run again or is it time for Lucy to face her fears once and for all? This is a haunting story that flips back and forth between Lucy's current life and her childhood. The situations she experienced in her childhood were horrific and it's hard to read the pieces where Lucy loses her innocence as a child, but it's also written so well that you can't help but turn to the next page. The subjects are serious and a bit heavy, but it's a great story of facing your fears even if it's the last thing you want to do. (AS)

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The Perfect Location - Kate Forster (2012)

Three actresses meet on the set of a movie, The Italian Dream. Former child actress Calypso, who has escaped the clutches of her over-controlling manager mother, immediately catches the eye of director T.G. American movie star Sapphira is hiding her drug addiction and an unsettling secret from the past. She bonds immediately with co-star Jack, who is more than happy to have the world think they are a couple. Meanwhile Australian actress Rose bumps into another actor from home, Max, who isn't sure he's ready to move on from the death of his wife. Despite the story being centred around a movie, don't expect much on-set action. Instead the story focuses more on the individual women, their problems and their relationships. The story, which moves between the three characters, isn't particularly helpful in anchoring you to a time frame and I got lost working out whether the stories were happening simultaneously. For example, one of the minor characters, make-up artist Kelly, is on a New York set with one character, then back in Italy with another, then at home in LA, all within a few chapters.

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The Perfect Man - Sheila O'Flanagan (2009)

Mia is set to accompany her sister Britt on a Valentine luxury cruise through the Caribbean. But neither woman feels in a particularly romantic mood. Britt, aka bestselling romance novelist Brigitte Martin, is one of the guest speakers on MV Aphrodite. But she's actually a hard-headed divorce lawyer who wrote The Perfect Man to help her get over her own divorce from actor Ralph - and finds herself ill-prepared to talk about writing a romance novel. Mia is a single mum who is living in Spain with her three-year-old daughter. She still holds a flame for the love of her life Alejo, who doesn't even know he has a daughter. And romance seems very unlikely for either of them as one of the only lone men aboard the ship, Leo, is still dealing with a past heartache - and has caught the eye of a wannabe model on the hunt for a rich husband. A pleasant escapist read that wasn't at all predictable - although I never want to read about barometric pressure again!

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The Perfect Match - Kristan Higgins (2013)

Picking up from The Best Man, we get to know another sister in the Holland family: flinty, controlled Honor. When she decides that she's in her mid-thirties and it's time to get married, she proposes to a man with whom she has had an on-again, off-again (more off than on) fling since college. He turns her down, which sends Honor back to the drawing board. Fortunately, her grandmother lines up a blind date with Tom Barlowe, a gorgeous British professor. These two do not hit it off straight away, but they discover that they can help each other out: Honor wants a husband and children, and Tom wants a green card. So maybe they should have a marriage of convenience. This is pretty standard Higgins' fare: quirky family, sweet but problematic romance, adorable dog. She tells this one from both Honor's and Tom's perspectives, though, which is different for Higgins. I liked getting into Tom's head and getting to know him better. It made me like him more. As prickly as Honor is, I liked her too. I am a sucker for all books by Kristan Higgins, and this one is no different. It's cute, sweet, and adorable. (AP)

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The Perfect Match - Katie Fforde (2014)

Estate agent Bella Castle left her hometown on a whim a couple years ago after realising she could no longer watch the man she loved start a family with someone else. Since then, Bella found a great job and a great home living with her godmother, Alice. She's even got a new boyfriend, Nevil, who Bella likes enough but he can't really compare to Dominic. So when the one and only Dominic shows up in Bella's new town and Nevil starts acting strangely, can Bella put her feelings behind her and ask Dominic for help to solve the mystery of Nevil? And more so, will Bella finally realise that Nevil isn't the man for her? Alternating between Alice and Bella's viewpoints, the story is sweet but Bella's naivety started to grate on me a bit. She constantly found reasons to stay with Nevil when it was obvious he was the ultimate jerk. And her reasons for picking up and leaving - without really telling anyone why - were really lame. Overall, it was a good story with some likable characters but it didn't really stand out as much as earlier novels by Katie. (AS)

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The Perfect Mother - Margaret Leroy (2010)

It would be enough of a nightmare to have a sick child with no conclusive diagnosis about why she can't eat, go to school or walk without pain. Imagine then being told that you are a difficult mother and that your daughter's illness is probably your fault. Based partly on a similar incident faced by the author, this novel sees Catriona - who has strived to create the perfect home life for her husband Richard, teenage stepdaughter Sinead and eight-year-old daughter Daisy - under suspicion for causing Daisy's inexplicable illness. And because her own traumatic upbringing makes her a more likely candidate for Munchausen's by proxy, Catriona starts weaving a web of deception that has even her husband - and the reader - doubting her. This is a compelling tale which illustrates just how easily facts can be twisted as evidence against you.

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The Perils of Cyber-Dating - Julie Spira (2009)

Two failed marriages, four engagement rings and more than 250 cyber-dates . . . Julie Spira brings to us her memoirs of her 15 years of online dating and a range of those memorable moments she has experienced, some great and others not worth the effort. For this book subtitled Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online, she has chosen a handful of the dates, telling us a bit about the date and whether it was a success. From the Investment Banker and the Neurologist to the Latin Lover, we laugh, empathise and experience a variety of feelings when we see what Julie went through from being told she looked like a date's dead wife to being proposed to with skywriting. An amazing read that acts both as a cautionary tale and a witty insight into the highs and lows of dating. (PP)

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The Personal Shopper - Carmen Reid (2007)

Annie works as a personal shopper in a London department store. As a single mum to typical teen Lana and shy Owen, she leads a whirlwind life as her family's breadwinner, since her actor husband Roddy is no longer around. Much to the chagrin of her boss, she also earns money by doing private image consulting and operating an eBay store, selling bargain designer finds and hand-me-downs from clients. It's little wonder that she hardly has time for men. The first in the Annie Valentine series, her story continues in another three books.

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The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs - Christina Hopkinson (2011)

Working mother Mary is sick and tired of the mess in her house - and the fact that husband Joel seems oblivious to it. So just like she does star charts to get her young sons to behave, she creates one for her husband -a carefully devised Excel spreadsheet which counts up all his misdemeanours, with points off for good behaviour. In six months, Mary will decide: if his star chart proves he is an asset, he gets to stay. If not ... This is a hilarously funny insight into the battle of the sexes being waged on the domestic front across the world. Hopkinson nails perfectly the daily frustrations that can drive a wedge into long-term relationships. Read it if you're up to facing some of your own home truths.

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The Pink Ghetto - Liz Ireland (2006)

When famous-for-knowing-famous-people Sylvie Arnaud moves into assisted living, her assistant Rebecca Abbot has to find another job. She scores a position at romance publisher Candlelight Books, just as her flatmate (and ex) Fleishman, a writer, develops an interest in the romance genre. There may even be romance in store for Rebecca, who is captivated by a cute lawyer who often shares her elevator. But a backstabbing co-worker and a conference from hell leave her wondering if she'll make it in the romance business, after all.

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The Pink Ladies Club - Emma Hannigan (2011)

This tells the story of three women who all have the membership requirement for the club nobody wants to join - cancer. Zoe is a tender 22, Tanya is 35 and Esme is 69, but despite the generation gap and how little else they have in common, the women find themselves being drawn into each others' lives as they battle with their health problems. With the help of their counsellor Sian, their club meetings become one of the few things that help them make sense of how their lives have changed immeasurably. Not all three women may last the course but the experience of facing and fighting this illness is life-changing - and even life-enhancing. With likeable characters and three very different perspectives on how to deal with a life-shattering illness, The Pink Ladies Club flows easily - until an unexpected twist halfway through the book shakes up the course of the rest of the story. The only drawback to this highly effective twist was that the pacing of the rest of the book seemed slightly off-kilter thereafter, but the inherent humour in the author's narrative voice coupled with the strength of characterisation made the book a winner for me. Esme, in particular, is a brilliant and memorable character with inspirational positivity - and fantastic misnomers. (SBB)

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The Pink Pepper Tree - Muriel Bolger (2014)

June Cusack has a great career, and a promising future with the love of her life, Peter Braga, owner of the exclusive Pink Pepper Tree restaurant. But while on holidays in Monte Carlo with best friend Danielle, one terrible incident changes the course of June's life forever. Soon her relationship with Peter unravels, and it is only when she meets Lorcan that she begins to move on with her life again. Can she finally be happy and have the life she so desperately craves? I was sympathetic towards June from the start. She was a sweet and kind-hearted character, who had one tragic event after another thrown at her, but she emerged from them all stronger and I had to admire that. The plot dealt with some serious issues, but without having too serious a tone to the story. There were parts of the plot that dragged a little, I found myself drifting from the storyline at times, but towards the end there is a twist that packs a punch and pulls you right back into the plot right to the end. (LO)

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The Pissed-Off Parents Club - Mink Elliott (2010)

First-time mum Roxy is feeling a bit lost and lonely since she moved out of London to a Berkshire village with her partner Jack and baby daughter Joey. Jack is still commuting to the city for work and with both of them continually tired, arguments are the order of the day. Trying the usual mother-and-baby groups just doesn't work so Roxy forms her own - the Pissed-Off Parents Club - which meets sans kids at the pub. If you want a book about yummy mummies whose kids exit stage right immediately, hardly to be seen again, then this isn't the book for you. But if you're feeling fed up, and finding parenting harder than anything you've done before, then you'll enjoy joining Roxy's club.

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The Playground Mafia - Sarah Tucker (2006)

Newly divorced, Caroline moves with her four-year-old son Ben to Frencham where her two childhood best friends Heather and Eva live. They warn her about the playground mafia - a group of women who rule the local school with their condescending attitudes. At first Caroline is welcomed into their circle when Ben befriends the son of the PTA's head honcho. But after the women take aim at Heather, the gloves are off - literally. Meanwhile Caroline's love life may be looking up when she runs into a former classmate, Peter. A good concept on paper, this never really went anywhere - Caroline's foes were not particularly well-drawn characters and the conflict often swung between being either over-dramatic or boring and repetitive.

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The Pitch - Linda Lord (2009)

Ever wondered how a game of soccer can help give you the sense you need for a business pitch? Solo mother Liz runs an event management business and is slowly running it into the ground - she is barely making ends meet. Her son Justin is on the soccer team and of course, that costs money. So what happens when you mix an event business with soccer - an awesome survival guide for the business world. With tips from the coach, Liz starts to turn her business around, but in doing this her relationship with her son starts to turn sour. Can Liz save both their bond and her business or will she have to choose between the two? An awesome book that talks about relationships and family as well as business, event management and soccer. A fantastic read for all those soccer mums out there who are also businesswomen. (PP)

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The Pollyanna Plan - Talli Roland (2012)

Realist Emma Beckett's world is turned upside down when her slightly boring but dependable relationship ends abruptly, and she unexpectedly loses her job. Emma is left with a gaping hole where her life used to be, so when her best friend challenges her to an attitude change, she uncharacteristically agrees to behave like Pollyanna and see the upside to every situation. Emma attempts to see if a positive attitude can help her to build a new life, mend conflicts with her family and find her love. But is finding the good in everything a bad idea? I liked the concept of this book. Emma was a very uptight character whose career was the most important aspect of her life, and we discover that in fact she wasn't very likable and didn't have many friends as a result. When her career dissolves and she starts to see the positive side of things, we see a whole new side to her and she grows a lot as a character throughout the novel. I didn't feel that there was much suspense in the will-they-won't-they romance with Will. I enjoyed her friendship with straight-talking Alice though. This was a feel-good, fast-paced read and another enjoyable novel from Talli. (LO)

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The Popularity Rules - Abby McDonald (2009)

Kat Elliot is a hardcore feminist, who doesn't exactly strike the right chord with the people she meets or interviews in her role as a reporter for an iconic British music magazine. She doesn't play along with the phoney Brit-rock bands she interviews and usually tears them apart in her articles, which is eventually what leads to her dismissal from the job she's loved for years. Now jobless and with little money left, she turns to her once best friend turned arch enemy as her last hope. Lauren Anderville and Kat were best friends until one day Lauren suddenly got popular in high school and left Kat in the dust. Although she is unable to completely forgive Lauren, Kat still needs her help now. Lauren promises to make Kat's life so much easier just by showing her how to live by an age-old text called the Popularity Rules. These rules supposedly make people bow down to you and allow you to get anything you want. To Kat's surprise these rules work and although it requires a complete makeover - of not only hair and wardrobe but personality too - and a lot of hard work, Kat is happy finally. She's getting all the right people to talk to her when only a few months earlier she was a social pariah. And now she is on her way to getting her dream job and forgiving Lauren. But of course, things aren't always what they seem and Kat soon finds out that she can't exactly trust Lauren anymore than she could 10 years earlier. A great book filled with a fantasy set of rules that, if real, would make life so much simpler for everyone. (AS)

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The Potluck Club Takes the Cake - Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson (2007)

In this third book in The Potluck Club series, Evangeline's wedding is approaching but it wouldn't be a wedding without drama. Not only does her ex-husband turn up but by his side is Sheriff Vernon Versey's ex-wife and in tow a daughter who shares an eerie resemblance to their daughter Donna. Goldie and Jack have been in marriage counselling after Jack's numerous affairs, but what will happen to their romantic weekend away when one of his mistresses turns up on Goldie's doorstep claiming to be pregnant with Jack's baby? Deputy Sheriff Donna Versey has three guys hot on her but after what went down with her being sued for negligence, does she find herself worthy and who will she choose - Hollywood star David, fellow police officer Wade or newspaper reporter Clay? With a surprise engagement and dramas galore, it's time for the Potluck Club to band together and show the townsfolk what they have. (PP)

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The Prayer Box - Lisa Wingate (2013)

Tandi is a single mother with two children who is running from a very bad relationship. She can't quite seem to get her act together and right now she is renting a cottage on the property of Iola Anne Poole with her kids. Tandi comes upon the body of Iola and shortly after Tandi is asked to clean up the house where Iola lived for decades. This book was well-written, I found the characters intriguing, particularly Iola. This was like two books and the lives of the characters seemed to run parallel to each other, but in a different time. Tandi was trying to make better choices, not successfully though, and was at risk of recreating her past for her children. Those letters written by Iola told a completely different story, because Iola's plight was not of her making, but she seemed to live in hope and faith for the people she loved. This was an inspirational story for sure, we are not our past and we all can, with faith, set the course for a better future. (KARM)

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The Pre-nup - Beth Kendrick (2008)

Ellie's marriage to Michael suddenly crumbles when she discovers an incriminating text on his mobile phone. He then plays hardball in the divorce proceedings in an attempt to protect his assets. Jen married Eric even though she wasn't in love with him. He helped bankroll her healthy soda business but now he's wanting out. Lawyer Mara is getting married to Josh but he seems unable to forgive her one-night stand and adds a cheating clause to their pre-nup. Telling him to have a fling on his bucks weekend in Las Vegas changes the game for all of them. If you like reading about love, betrayal and female solidarity, then sign up for this one.

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The Pretend Wife - Bridget Asher (2009)

Gwen Merchant is married to a respectable doctor and living the life she always thought she wanted. When an old college boyfriend, Elliot Hull, randomly enters her life, he issues her a proposition. He wants Gwen to pretend to be his wife for a long weekend so he can grant his dying mother her last wish of seeing him married. Gwen agrees to the proposition with her husband's support. As Gwen is pulled into Elliot's life, she begins to question if she is married to the wrong man. This is a beautifully written love story that quickly became one of my favourite books. (AO)

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The Pretty One - Lucinda Rosenfeld (2013)

Olympia (or Pia) - an events coordinator at a museum and single mum to Lola - is the artistic and beautiful one. Imperia (or Perri) is married with three children and runs a home organisation company. She's the perfect one. Then there's lawyer Augusta (or Gus), the lesbian and political one. These three sisters have always played the roles set down by their domineering mother. But with Perri contemplating a fling with her college ex; Pia wondering about the mysterious man who signed up to be her sperm donor; and Gus finding herself drawn not only to a guy - but the brother of her brother-in-law, it seems the sisters are about to shake things up. This is an accomplished story, which nicely demonstrates women coming to terms with themselves and their family dynamics.

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The Prodigal Sister - Laura Elliot (2009)

Cathy Lambert ran away from her Irish home when she was 15 and pregnant. She now lives in New Zealand with her teenage son Connor and is preparing for her wedding. And she is about to be reunited with her three sisters. The eldest Lambert sister, animal activist Rebecca, had been the one to take control of the family after their parents died in a car accident. She finds it hard to forgive what Cathy did, leaving her wondering what had happened to her. Julie has married her childhood sweetheart Paul, and is now a mother of three sons, but she hopes to pursue her dreams she abandoned for motherhood - her love for music. Lauren, who still bears nightmares about her parents' accident, is stuck in a marriage with an older, possessive man. Together the three sisters travel from their hometown in Ireland to Cathy's wedding, hoping to improve their strained relationship and to seek closure to the unresolved issues between them. A journey of love, strength and determination, it tells the tale of how these women pull themselves together and find what they lost along the way. (XT)

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The Professors' Wives' Club - Joanne Rendell (2008)

A garden nestled within Manhattan U provides a refuge for the faculty wives - so they are upset when they hear it's earmarked for a carpark. For award-winning writer Mary, who is married to the dean behind the carpark plans, she has finally had enough of his bullying ways and is planning on escaping to San Francisco once their daughter's wedding is over. Art student Hannah, married to computer science whiz Michael, uses the garden to paint - and escape her guilt over her affair with an art tutor. Sofia, a former Hollywood agent who's married to an expert in Edgar Allan Poe, spends time there with her young children; while Ashleigh is wondering how she's going to tell her Republican senator father that she's living with a woman. The women band together to save the garden and uncover what Mary's husband is up to - and why he is suddenly so interested in Poe. Even though it doesn't take a Rhodes scholar to figure it all out, you'll enjoy the genuine character studies.

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The Promise of Happiness - Erin Kaye (2011)

Tired of the disappointments and heartaches in the city, Louise packs up her bags and leaves for her hometown of Ballyfergus, in the hope of starting afresh with her three-year-old son Oliver. But she soon learns that her decision of raising her child alone is one that her family hasn't come to terms with yet. Her eldest sister Joanne's marriage is on the verge of crumbling - with Phil's affair threatening to break up the family. Meanwhile the youngest sister, hippy eco-warrior Sian, is marrying her one true love next year. But with her deciding not to have children, fiance Andy seems to be having second thoughts. This is essentially a light-hearted novel involving a somewhat dysfunctional family and their daily dramas. But at times it seems that the author rushes and fails to develop each character properly. (XT)

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The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship - Lisa Verge Higgins (2011)

Rachel obviously thought she knew her friends better than they know themselves. Dying of cancer, she arranges for a letter to arrive after her death, challenging them to complete a task. For Kate who has settled into a conventional life as wife and mother, she has to confront her fear of heights and go skydiving. Aid worker Sarah is told to track down the man she has been unable to forget, surgeon Colin. And media high-flyer Jo is given the biggest task of all - caring for Rachel's seven-year-old daughter Grace. As the tasks shake up each of their lives, each woman finds herself taking completely unexpected risks. Written in honour of the author's own college friends, the characters came across as both endearing and genuine. It may just inspire you to step outside your comfort zone.

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The Proposal - Tasmina Perry (2013)

Amy Carrell is expecting to be engaged by Christmas. Instead, she finds herself dumped because she's just not the type of woman that her boyfriend, Daniel, needs by his side as a top diplomat. With nothing to look forward to and wanting more than anything to go home to see her family, Amy takes up the offer of an elderly woman named Georgia, who has advertised for a "companion" to travel with her to New York. Thinking this would be a great way to see her family while also working, Amy jumps at the chance. However, Georgia is hiding some big secrets and it's Amy's mission to find out what they are before it's too late. Jumping from current time to 1958, where Georgia was a young debutante, this story is really lovely. The scenes from 1958 were a little more appealing than those from the present, though that's probably because there was a great love story unfolding between Georgia and one of the men she meets in "the season". It's as beautiful as it is tragic and the ending will leave you in tears, so be prepared! (AS)

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The Publicist - Christina George (2012)

Kate Mitchell has a thankless job. As a publicist for a large publishing company in New York, she is the one responsible for getting the word out about the books and authors represented by her firm. She is also the one who has to talk a distraught author off a ledge (literally) or break the news to a long-term client that they are being dropped due to poor sales or non-interest in their book. Things get even more complicated for Kate when she becomes involved with the rock star editor of the company, very handsome, very charming and very married, Mac. Is it possible for Kate to change the old-boys network of publishing at the same time she is trying to write her own happy ending? The Publicist goes in-depth into the world of publishing and the work of a publicist with well-developed characters and a realistic story line. The only disappointing aspect of the book is that we have to wait for the next instalment to find out how things will all shake out for Kate. Stay tuned... (LEK)

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The Queen of New Beginnings - Erica James (2010)

Screenwriter Clayton Miller is hiding out in a remote country house after committing a rather public fall from grace. Voiceover artist Alice used to live at Cuckoo House - not that she wants anyone to know that - and returns to her childhood home as a cleaner. After a less-than-stellar beginning, Clayton and Alice hit it off and eventually reveal their secrets to each other, explaining what caused Alice's family life to disintegrate and why Clayton has become such a reviled figure. In this case, Erica James is the queen of intriguing beginnings - and you'll enjoy the characters' journey out of isolation - starting with Clayton's obituary-writing funk and Alice's Latvian pretence - to a happier ending.

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