Difference between revisions of "Newest Women's Fiction Reviews"

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===[[The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse]]===
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[[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Rachel and James have made a new home for themselves, and their son, Oscar, on Bermuda. They have embraced island life, from the hired help (the delightful Cee-Cee) to the sailing life. It's a long way from her former life in England, but Rachel is rather enjoying the way things are working out. [[The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse|Full Review]]
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===[[Landslide by Melissa Leet]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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The area where Jill and Susie lived wasn't highly populated so it was fortunate that they became such good friends, despite the fact that Susie was a year older than Jill.  Susie lived with her mother, an alcoholic, and Jill lived with ''her'' mother, who dedicated herself to her garden.  Jill's father was Jay Tutle, the photographer, but he spent much of his time working away - often for months on end.  In reality there was little difference between the two families: Mrs Smith's alcoholism caused serious illness whilst Susie was still young.  Joy and tragedy would visit Jill's home.  ''Landslide'' is the story of how what happened determined the course of Jill's life and how great tragedy can breed resilience and hope. [[Landslide by Melissa Leet|Full Review]]
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===[[An Italian Summer by Fanny Blake]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Set against the backdrop of Rome and Naples, ten very different people meet on a small 'Taste of Italy' sightseeing trip. This is a story of family, friendships and relationships – my favourite. However, it was a departure from the usual formulaic chicklit I normally read focused on sassy independent female characters in their twenties or thirties. Here the characters are middle-aged with children in their twenties and rather than looking for love they are facing different life challenges of maintaining love, empty nest syndrome, and the loss of loved ones. Essentially it is a story of breaking out and new beginnings. [[An Italian Summer by Fanny Blake|Full Review]]
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===[[Falling Short by Lex Coulton]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Lex Coulton's debut novel is a story about mistakes, failures, and relationships. The main protagonist, Frances Pilgrim, is a sixth form English teacher who has recently fallen out with her best friend Jackson, a work colleague, and is grappling with the increasingly eccentric behaviour of her mother.  This relationship is complicated by the fact that Frances's father disappeared at sea when she was five years old. [[Falling Short by Lex Coulton|Full Review]]
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===[[When The Curtain Falls by Carrie Hope Fletcher]]===
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[[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Paranormal|Paranormal]], [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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A thoroughly, magical and riveting story that hooks you in from the first page and takes you on a roller coaster ride towards the last. Fletcher weaves together a dash of ''Whodunit'' the thrill of romance, (the course of which never runs smoothly,) and an unpredictable ghost. The ghost appears once a year, the principal star of her very own show, to meet with the love of her life and re-enact her death. A tragic accident with the roots buried deep within the whole array of human nature. Love, joy, care, friendship, jealousy, possessiveness, selfishness, cold ambition, all laid bare on centre stage.
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===[[The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Ailsa Rae has been sick her whole life, and just as she was edging closer to death she finally, finally got the call that she needed, that a heart was available for her to have a transplant. Previously she had felt so helpless that she had used her blog to make decisions for her, running polls amongst her readers to decide on her actions. But with her new heart, she has been given a new life. Can Ailsa manage to start to live on her own, and will her mother let her do that? [[The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland|Full Review]]
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===[[How to be Happy by Eva Woods]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Annie had hit rock bottom. Her mother was suffering from early-onset dementia and her marriage was well and truly over. She lived in a damp and depressing tenth-floor ex-council flat and had to share with someone she didn't really know just to afford the rent. And let's not get into the job with Lewisham Council and her colleagues there. Could it get any worse? Well, it looked as though it might when Polly burst into her life. She's one of those irritatingly happy, joyful people who simply won't take no for an answer and she's determined to make Annie happy. Whether she likes it or not. [[How to be Happy by Eva Woods|Full Review]]
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===[[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Marilyn Bennett]]===
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Lorraine has one of those voices which makes you stop whatever you're doing so that you can listen ''properly''.  She has some disadvantages though.  She's a checkout operator for Fresh and Co and frankly it's not the best place to be if you're hoping to be the next big superstar.  Her manager is her mother, but that's not ''quite'' as much of a disadvantage as you might think as Natalie definitely has Lorraine's best interests at heart and she's street smart.  But Lorraine (actually, it's Lolly to her Mum) has one really big advantage too: she sounds just like the superstar she idolises and that lady has been indulging in some illegal substances and needs a body/voice double at pretty short notice.  It's the perfect opportunity for Lorraine. [[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Marilyn Bennett|Full Review]]
  
 
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Polly, Huckle and Neil are back but in what, sadly for fans of the Little Beach series, seems to be the last of this trilogy. Never say never but by the end of this book, the author has certainly secured the destiny of these three much-loved characters. Don't be put off if you haven't read the previous ones, it really won't matter particularly as the author provides a helpful little synopsis at the start to help those, like me, that are new to these stories. [[Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan|Full Review]]
 
Polly, Huckle and Neil are back but in what, sadly for fans of the Little Beach series, seems to be the last of this trilogy. Never say never but by the end of this book, the author has certainly secured the destiny of these three much-loved characters. Don't be put off if you haven't read the previous ones, it really won't matter particularly as the author provides a helpful little synopsis at the start to help those, like me, that are new to these stories. [[Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan|Full Review]]
  
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*[[image:Colgan_Xmas.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/075156477X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=075156477X]]
 
 
 
===[[Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan]]===
 
 
 
[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
 
 
 
Polly, Huckle and Neil are back but in what, sadly for fans of the Little Beach series, seems to be the last of this trilogy. Never say never but by the end of this book, the author has certainly secured the destiny of these three much-loved characters. Don't be put off if you haven't read the previous ones, it really won't matter particularly as the author provides a helpful little synopsis at the start to help those, like me, that are new to these stories. [[Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan|Full Review]]
 
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*[[image:Swain_Sleigh.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471164853?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471164853]]
 
 
 
 
===[[Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain]]===
 
===[[Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain]]===
  
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Having just discovered author Heidi Swain and her series of novels featuring the residents of Wynbridge, I couldn't wait to read this book and it certainly didn't disappoint being every bit as good as the [[Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage by Heidi Swain|previous book]]. Yet again Heidi Swain has managed to combine an original mix of characters with a feel-good storyline to create a totally compelling read.  But, don't worry if you haven't read any of the other instalments as each one focuses on a different lead character and story so it really won't matter. [[Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain|Full Review]]
 
Having just discovered author Heidi Swain and her series of novels featuring the residents of Wynbridge, I couldn't wait to read this book and it certainly didn't disappoint being every bit as good as the [[Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage by Heidi Swain|previous book]]. Yet again Heidi Swain has managed to combine an original mix of characters with a feel-good storyline to create a totally compelling read.  But, don't worry if you haven't read any of the other instalments as each one focuses on a different lead character and story so it really won't matter. [[Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain|Full Review]]
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*[[image:Pimentel_Jenny.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0718186443?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0718186443]]
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[[image:Pimentel_Jenny.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0718186443?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0718186443]]
  
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===[[Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future by Melissa Pimentel]]===
 
===[[Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future by Melissa Pimentel]]===
  
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Jenny and Isla were focused teenagers. So much so in fact that they decided to write a life plan for their futures right down to predicting the year in which Jenny would marry the man of her dreams. As luck would have it, as the predicted year arrives Jenny finds herself living with Chris – kind, dependable Chris. The sort of guy with whom she would happily walk down the aisle. Then that fateful long girly weekend with Isla happens in Vegas. A cocktail or two and voila, a sudden, very different husband. Can Jenny get a divorce in time for her wedding to Chris without Chris finding out about this little…errr... glitch? Jenny's working on it! [[Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future by Melissa Pimentel|Full Review]]
 
Jenny and Isla were focused teenagers. So much so in fact that they decided to write a life plan for their futures right down to predicting the year in which Jenny would marry the man of her dreams. As luck would have it, as the predicted year arrives Jenny finds herself living with Chris – kind, dependable Chris. The sort of guy with whom she would happily walk down the aisle. Then that fateful long girly weekend with Isla happens in Vegas. A cocktail or two and voila, a sudden, very different husband. Can Jenny get a divorce in time for her wedding to Chris without Chris finding out about this little…errr... glitch? Jenny's working on it! [[Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future by Melissa Pimentel|Full Review]]
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[[image:Jordan_Tiny.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1760293814/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
|genre= Women's Fiction
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|summary= This is the story of two mothers and two daughters, and the virus that binds them. Widowed mum Kate is a nurse. She has a daughter, Rosie, and Rosie is ill with measles. As a nurse, Kate knows exactly how dangerous this can be, but because Rosie has a rare allergy that prevents vaccination, there was nothing she could do except cross her fingers and hope herd immunity would carry her through. Married mum Madeleine is a ''mummy blogger'' and tells the world, or at least the internet, the do's and do not's of parenting. There's one thing she didn't do, though, and that is get her daughter Clara vaccinated. Dubious of the MMR, she and her husband decided to forgo the jabs for their children. And now, like Rosie, she has measles.
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|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0008217122</amazonuk>
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===[[Our Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan]]===
{{newreview
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|author= Chrissie Manby
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[[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]]
|title= The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club
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|rating= 4
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As predicted by Caroline and Janice's mother on Caroline and Henry's wedding day, their marriage is over, albeit 15 years and two daughters further along than predicted. Indeed, this is definitely not a good weekend for Janice to be babysitting at Caroline's house. There's the split and the awkwardness of the girls' schoolteacher being the other woman for a start. Then there's that mistaken identity moment involving the neighbours. At least Janice is well adjusted and over her ex-husband Alec. She still dreams of him, yes, but it's so over! Just as well really… guess who's at the door? [[Our Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan|Full Review]]
|genre= Women's Fiction
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|summary= I love a good romcom and so was excited to read Chrissie Manby's latest novel.  It certainly didn't disappoint on the comedy value and pleasingly it was more a 'relationship comedy' than just a romcom with unlikely friendships and day-to-day family relations providing the best laughs.
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[[image:Hill-Keep.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008217122/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
|author= Holly Hepburn
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|title= The Picture House by the Sea
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|rating= 4
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|genre= Women's Fiction
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===[[Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill]]===
|summary=So as another typically dreary British summer is drawing to a close, I found myself craving a fix of literary sunshine and sea kissed romance. In such a mood it was then, that I came across the cover for ''The Picture House by the Sea''. Perfect blue skies, glistening sea, a beautiful Art Deco building and to top it off an old fashioned ice-cream cart. Consider me sold!
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|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1471161714</amazonuk>
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
}}
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{{newreview
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This is the story of two mothers and two daughters, and the virus that binds them. Widowed mum Kate is a nurse. She has a daughter, Rosie, and Rosie is ill with measles. As a nurse, Kate knows exactly how dangerous this can be, but because Rosie has a rare allergy that prevents vaccination, there was nothing she could do except cross her fingers and hope herd immunity would carry her through. Married mum Madeleine is a ''mummy blogger'' and tells the world, or at least the internet, the do's and do not's of parenting. There's one thing she didn't do, though, and that is get her daughter Clara vaccinated. Dubious of the MMR, she and her husband decided to forgo the jabs for their children. And now, like Rosie, she has measles. [[Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill|Full Review]]
|author=Susi Osborne
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|title=Angelica Stone
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|rating=4
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|genre=General Fiction
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|summary=I'd say that Angelica Stone was known as Angel to her friends, but she's not big on friends. She has the sort of background you dread hearing about: sexually abused as a child, grabbed by the care system and didn't so much fall through the cracks as escaped its clutches and then had to learn how to cope.  She's been told that she's tainted, that she ruins every relationship without intending to and that she's best staying away from 'decent' people.  One of her jobs is working in a supermarket and it's there that she meets Lola Moriarty and ''she's'' a completely different kettle of fish.
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[[image:Manby_Worst.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1473639778/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1911320947</amazonuk>
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}}
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{{newreview
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|author= Katy Colins
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===[[The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby]]===
|title= Chasing the Sun
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|rating= 4
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
|genre= Women's Fiction
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|summary= Author Katy Colins became Britain's most famous jilted bride when the true story of her subsequent lonely hearts backpacking trip went viral, before becoming a romantic comedy book series with this the latest one.
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I love a good romcom and so was excited to read Chrissie Manby's latest novel. It certainly didn't disappoint on the comedy value and pleasingly it was more a 'relationship comedy' than just a romcom with unlikely friendships and day-to-day family relations providing the best laughs. [[The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby|Full Review]]
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0008202192</amazonuk>
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}}
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|author= Heidi Swain
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|title= Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage
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[[image:Hepburn_Picture.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1471161714/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
|rating= 5
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|genre= Women's Fiction
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|summary= I absolutely loved this book. It was utterly enchanting with its charming feel-good storyline, delightful characters and innocent romance. It was also an easy read with short chapters making it easy to pick up and put down (not that I wanted to) throughout the day.
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|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1471147282</amazonuk>
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===[[The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn]]===
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{{newreview
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
|author= Rebecca Chance
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|title= Killer Affair
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So as another typically dreary British summer is drawing to a close, I found myself craving a fix of literary sunshine and sea kissed romance. In such a mood it was then, that I came across the cover for The Picture House by the Sea. Perfect blue skies, glistening sea, a beautiful Art Deco building and to top it off an old fashioned ice-cream cart. Consider me sold! [[The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn|Full Review]]
|rating= 3
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|genre= Women's Fiction
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<!-- Osborne -->
|summary=Rebecca Chance's much anticipated and praised latest novel is definitely worth a 'chance' but for me it was a very mixed read. The cover blurb describes it as 'irresistibly readable' and 'a glittering page-turner' which it most certainly was, starting with a famed but as yet unidentified woman on a revengeful warpath against a second glamorous mystery woman.  The story then restarts from the beginning setting the scene, characters and events that will eventually lead up to the revengeful opening act. It's not until the end of the book that this mystery betrayal is fully revealed which is what kept me hooked throughout what is quite a long book.
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|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1447282914</amazonuk>
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[[image:Osborne_Angelica.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1911320947/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
{{newreview
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|author=Sophie Divry and Alison Anderson (translator)
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|title=Madame Bovary of the Suburbs
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|rating=2.5
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===[[Angelica Stone by Susi Osborne]]===
|genre=General Fiction
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|summary=''It starts with becoming a homeowner, then settling in, then reproducing.''
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
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Well, it actually starts a lot before then, with a set of fractured memories of our heroine's childhood – things she recalls her parents and relatives saying both to and about herIt goes through her childhood, and pen letters to a best friend conveying her wishes for her life, those wishes being revised and affirmed by the liberty of university years, those wishes being met with or denied by married life…  Someone archly could point out that you should be careful what you wish for, but not even our wise, modern woman could not see the next step after the reproducing – ''standing disappointed in front of the refrigerator''.
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I'd say that Angelica Stone was known as Angel to her friends, but she's not big on friends. She has the sort of background you dread hearing about: sexually abused as a child, grabbed by the care system and didn't so much fall through the cracks as escaped its clutches and then had to learn how to cope. She's been told that she's tainted, that she ruins every relationship without intending to and that she's best staying away from 'decent' peopleOne of her jobs is working in a supermarket and it's there that she meets Lola Moriarty and ''she's'' a completely different kettle of fish. [[Angelica Stone by Susi Osborne|Full Review]]
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857054686</amazonuk>
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|author=Louise Pentland
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|title=Wilde Like Me
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[[image:Colins_Chasing.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008202192/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]
|rating=4.5
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|genre=Women's Fiction
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|summary=World famous fashion and beauty vlogger Louise Pentland, also known as Sprinkle of Glitter, takes on a new challenge in the form of her touching debut novel, ''Wilde Like Me''. You will be transported into a world full of exasperating drama with the PSMs (Posh School Mums), heart-warming mother daughter moments and self-righteous men who you realise aren't the be all and end all. Now enters Robin Wilde, a single mum to Lyla and make-up artist living in her granny's house simply just trying to get by. The novel follows her journey of self discovery, which even she'd admit sounds like some awful cliche, and shows you that only '''you''' can make you happy.
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|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1785762931</amazonuk>
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===[[Chasing the Sun by Katy Colins]]===
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{{newreview
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[[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]]
|author=Dorothy Koomson
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|title=The Friend
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Author Katy Colins became Britain's most famous jilted bride when the true story of her subsequent lonely hearts backpacking trip went viral, before becoming a romantic comedy book series with this the latest one. [[Chasing the Sun by Katy Colins|Full Review]]
|rating=5
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|genre=Women's Fiction
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|summary=Maxie, Anaya, Hazel and Yvonne – four friends and school-gate-mums who meet for coffee, wine, gossip and momentary escape from their respective lives.  Nothing unusual about that until Yvonne is found battered and half-dead in the playground.  Three weeks later Cece moves into the area, her children starting that same school.  Gradually she finds herself falling into the orbit of Maxie, Anaya and Hazel and hears what happened to the still comatose Yvonne.  Two questions still hang in the air though: who did it and why?  The police believe that the perpetrator is one of the three remaining friends and that Cece is in the perfect position to help them with their enquiries… a very dangerous position to be in.
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|}
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780895984</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
{{newreview
 
|author=Nora Roberts
 
|title=Come Sundown
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=Women's Fiction
 
|summary=Bodine Longbow's family has learnt to live with tragedy.  A quarter of a century earlier Bodine's Aunt Alice disappeared without a trace.  Nothing has softened the pain but life goes on and the family business (a ranch-style resort) certainly keeps them all busy.  Bo is fully focussed as the resort's manager but distraction is on the horizon in the form of Callen Skinner.  Local lad Callen comes home with a successful Hollywood film career on his CV and an eye for a certain Longbow lady.  However, when a woman's body is found on resort land Callen is implicated.  Is history repeating itself?  Can Callen and Bo shake themselves free of a lawman's prejudice in order to discover the truth?  The clock's ticking as Bo and Callen try to solve a mystery while putting themselves in the firing line and then Aunt Alice returns...
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349410909</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
{{newreview
 
|author=Jenny Colgan
 
|title=Spandex and the City
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=Women's Fiction
 
|summary= Touted as a super-hero romantic comedy, ''Spandex and the City'' features a girl-next-door Holly, a typically insecure 20-something rom-com heroine, enjoying her life in Centerton (Colgan's stand in for Gotham). When a handsome stranger she meets at a bar turns out to be the ''Ultimate Man'', a vigilante superhero straight from the Marvel or DC universe (the superpowers are more of a Marvel kind, but the character - both of the UM and of his adversary - reference Batman, among others), she can't help falling for him.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0356505448</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
{{newreview <!-- remove 28/6  -->
 
|author=Isabella Davidson
 
|title=The Beta Mum: Adventures in Alpha Land
 
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=Women's Fiction
 
|summary=To say that Sophie Bennett didn't want to move to London is something of an understatement.  She's a shy person who doesn't make friends easily and the thought of losing all her support systems and having to start again fills her with dread.  ''But'', husband Michael has been offered a big job on London's RailLink project and it's not a chance he can turn down - even if he wanted to, and he doesn't.  So before long their three-year old daughter, Kaya, has been left with Sophie's parents and Michael and Sophie have found a flat in west London and they've even, against all the odds, managed to secure a place for Kaya at London's most exclusive nursery school.  Well, when I say that ''they'' managed to secure the place, I actually mean that they required the services of a nursery consultant, who has a double-barrelled name and a friendship with the headmistress.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781326525</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
{{newreview
 
|author=Nora Roberts
 
|title=The Obsession
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=Crime
 
|summary=Naomi Carson lives in New York but she hasn't always lived there.  Actually her name hasn't always been Naomi Carson.  Naomi's life had to start again when, aged 11, she sneakily followed her father into the woods to see if he was hiding her birthday present.  That night she saw something no child… no person... should see.  As an adult she's now putting her life back together and even coping with the advances of Xander Keaton but danger still lurks.  The past will one day repeat itself and this time Naomi will find she's the target.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349407789</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
{{newreview
 
|author=Kaela Coble
 
|title=Friends and Liars
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=Thrillers
 
|summary= Kaela Coble's debut novel ''Friends and Liars'' is a gripping read that tells the tale of 'the crew', a group of friends who once made a pact to ''always be honest with eachother''. So what happens when none of them keep this pact? After not being together for over ten years the crew are reunited at the wake of one of their own, Danny Deuso, who has left a haunting suicide note along with an envelope for each crew member containing their darkest secret. They are now faced with two options: reveal their secrets or face the risk that Danny will reveal them from beyond the grave.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1786492059</amazonuk>
 
}}
 

Revision as of 10:25, 30 July 2018

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The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Rachel and James have made a new home for themselves, and their son, Oscar, on Bermuda. They have embraced island life, from the hired help (the delightful Cee-Cee) to the sailing life. It's a long way from her former life in England, but Rachel is rather enjoying the way things are working out. Full Review

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Landslide by Melissa Leet

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews General Fiction, Women's Fiction

The area where Jill and Susie lived wasn't highly populated so it was fortunate that they became such good friends, despite the fact that Susie was a year older than Jill. Susie lived with her mother, an alcoholic, and Jill lived with her mother, who dedicated herself to her garden. Jill's father was Jay Tutle, the photographer, but he spent much of his time working away - often for months on end. In reality there was little difference between the two families: Mrs Smith's alcoholism caused serious illness whilst Susie was still young. Joy and tragedy would visit Jill's home. Landslide is the story of how what happened determined the course of Jill's life and how great tragedy can breed resilience and hope. Full Review

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An Italian Summer by Fanny Blake

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Set against the backdrop of Rome and Naples, ten very different people meet on a small 'Taste of Italy' sightseeing trip. This is a story of family, friendships and relationships – my favourite. However, it was a departure from the usual formulaic chicklit I normally read focused on sassy independent female characters in their twenties or thirties. Here the characters are middle-aged with children in their twenties and rather than looking for love they are facing different life challenges of maintaining love, empty nest syndrome, and the loss of loved ones. Essentially it is a story of breaking out and new beginnings. Full Review

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Falling Short by Lex Coulton

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews General Fiction, Humour, Women's Fiction

Lex Coulton's debut novel is a story about mistakes, failures, and relationships. The main protagonist, Frances Pilgrim, is a sixth form English teacher who has recently fallen out with her best friend Jackson, a work colleague, and is grappling with the increasingly eccentric behaviour of her mother. This relationship is complicated by the fact that Frances's father disappeared at sea when she was five years old. Full Review

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When The Curtain Falls by Carrie Hope Fletcher

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Paranormal, Crime, Women's Fiction

A thoroughly, magical and riveting story that hooks you in from the first page and takes you on a roller coaster ride towards the last. Fletcher weaves together a dash of Whodunit the thrill of romance, (the course of which never runs smoothly,) and an unpredictable ghost. The ghost appears once a year, the principal star of her very own show, to meet with the love of her life and re-enact her death. A tragic accident with the roots buried deep within the whole array of human nature. Love, joy, care, friendship, jealousy, possessiveness, selfishness, cold ambition, all laid bare on centre stage.

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The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews General Fiction, Women's Fiction

Ailsa Rae has been sick her whole life, and just as she was edging closer to death she finally, finally got the call that she needed, that a heart was available for her to have a transplant. Previously she had felt so helpless that she had used her blog to make decisions for her, running polls amongst her readers to decide on her actions. But with her new heart, she has been given a new life. Can Ailsa manage to start to live on her own, and will her mother let her do that? Full Review

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How to be Happy by Eva Woods

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Annie had hit rock bottom. Her mother was suffering from early-onset dementia and her marriage was well and truly over. She lived in a damp and depressing tenth-floor ex-council flat and had to share with someone she didn't really know just to afford the rent. And let's not get into the job with Lewisham Council and her colleagues there. Could it get any worse? Well, it looked as though it might when Polly burst into her life. She's one of those irritatingly happy, joyful people who simply won't take no for an answer and she's determined to make Annie happy. Whether she likes it or not. Full Review

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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Marilyn Bennett

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Lorraine has one of those voices which makes you stop whatever you're doing so that you can listen properly. She has some disadvantages though. She's a checkout operator for Fresh and Co and frankly it's not the best place to be if you're hoping to be the next big superstar. Her manager is her mother, but that's not quite as much of a disadvantage as you might think as Natalie definitely has Lorraine's best interests at heart and she's street smart. But Lorraine (actually, it's Lolly to her Mum) has one really big advantage too: she sounds just like the superstar she idolises and that lady has been indulging in some illegal substances and needs a body/voice double at pretty short notice. It's the perfect opportunity for Lorraine. Full Review

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Coming Home to Island House by Erica James

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Much to the disgust of the village and his estranged children Jack Devereux has a new wife, the 'scarlet woman' Romily Temple. But, can his death and final demand that his children spend seven days together at childhood home, Island House, bring about a reconciliation and forgiveness from his much loved family? With sadistic Arthur, grief-consumed Hope, remorseful Kit and fiery Allegra this seems like an impossibility but then war is declared and the family find themselves pulling together. Full Review

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The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

'Tis the season to be jolly, eat too many mince pies and read books with titles like The Little Village Christmas. And so we come to this latest offering from the ever popular Sue Moorcroft. I am unashamed to admit that I have rather a penchant for Christmas books and look forward to indulging in them each year. This year being no different I was greatly looking forward to some literary Christmas magic - and frankly if you can take the romance of Christmas and ramp up the nostalgia by inserting a village setting I am more than happy to leave my cynicism behind to wallow in some festive sentimentality. Full Review

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Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Polly, Huckle and Neil are back but in what, sadly for fans of the Little Beach series, seems to be the last of this trilogy. Never say never but by the end of this book, the author has certainly secured the destiny of these three much-loved characters. Don't be put off if you haven't read the previous ones, it really won't matter particularly as the author provides a helpful little synopsis at the start to help those, like me, that are new to these stories. Full Review

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Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Having just discovered author Heidi Swain and her series of novels featuring the residents of Wynbridge, I couldn't wait to read this book and it certainly didn't disappoint being every bit as good as the previous book. Yet again Heidi Swain has managed to combine an original mix of characters with a feel-good storyline to create a totally compelling read. But, don't worry if you haven't read any of the other instalments as each one focuses on a different lead character and story so it really won't matter. Full Review

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Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future by Melissa Pimentel

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction


Jenny and Isla were focused teenagers. So much so in fact that they decided to write a life plan for their futures right down to predicting the year in which Jenny would marry the man of her dreams. As luck would have it, as the predicted year arrives Jenny finds herself living with Chris – kind, dependable Chris. The sort of guy with whom she would happily walk down the aisle. Then that fateful long girly weekend with Isla happens in Vegas. A cocktail or two and voila, a sudden, very different husband. Can Jenny get a divorce in time for her wedding to Chris without Chris finding out about this little…errr... glitch? Jenny's working on it! Full Review

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Our Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction, Humour

As predicted by Caroline and Janice's mother on Caroline and Henry's wedding day, their marriage is over, albeit 15 years and two daughters further along than predicted. Indeed, this is definitely not a good weekend for Janice to be babysitting at Caroline's house. There's the split and the awkwardness of the girls' schoolteacher being the other woman for a start. Then there's that mistaken identity moment involving the neighbours. At least Janice is well adjusted and over her ex-husband Alec. She still dreams of him, yes, but it's so over! Just as well really… guess who's at the door? Full Review

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Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

This is the story of two mothers and two daughters, and the virus that binds them. Widowed mum Kate is a nurse. She has a daughter, Rosie, and Rosie is ill with measles. As a nurse, Kate knows exactly how dangerous this can be, but because Rosie has a rare allergy that prevents vaccination, there was nothing she could do except cross her fingers and hope herd immunity would carry her through. Married mum Madeleine is a mummy blogger and tells the world, or at least the internet, the do's and do not's of parenting. There's one thing she didn't do, though, and that is get her daughter Clara vaccinated. Dubious of the MMR, she and her husband decided to forgo the jabs for their children. And now, like Rosie, she has measles. Full Review

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The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

I love a good romcom and so was excited to read Chrissie Manby's latest novel. It certainly didn't disappoint on the comedy value and pleasingly it was more a 'relationship comedy' than just a romcom with unlikely friendships and day-to-day family relations providing the best laughs. Full Review

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The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

So as another typically dreary British summer is drawing to a close, I found myself craving a fix of literary sunshine and sea kissed romance. In such a mood it was then, that I came across the cover for The Picture House by the Sea. Perfect blue skies, glistening sea, a beautiful Art Deco building and to top it off an old fashioned ice-cream cart. Consider me sold! Full Review

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Angelica Stone by Susi Osborne

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

I'd say that Angelica Stone was known as Angel to her friends, but she's not big on friends. She has the sort of background you dread hearing about: sexually abused as a child, grabbed by the care system and didn't so much fall through the cracks as escaped its clutches and then had to learn how to cope. She's been told that she's tainted, that she ruins every relationship without intending to and that she's best staying away from 'decent' people. One of her jobs is working in a supermarket and it's there that she meets Lola Moriarty and she's a completely different kettle of fish. Full Review

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Chasing the Sun by Katy Colins

link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews Women's Fiction

Author Katy Colins became Britain's most famous jilted bride when the true story of her subsequent lonely hearts backpacking trip went viral, before becoming a romantic comedy book series with this the latest one. Full Review