Changes

From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to search
no edit summary
[[Category:Women's Fiction|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Women's Fiction]]__NOTOC__{{Frontpage|isbn=1471180158|title=Maybe Tomorrow|author=Penny Parkes|rating=4.5|genre=WomenGeneral Fiction|summary=Jamie Matson works in an upper-class grocery store, for a man who's a control freak with all the subtlety of a half brick. Jamie's son, Bo, 'has his problems'. He's Fiction==asthmatic and the more you read, the more you'll suspect that he's on the autistic spectrum. Sometimes Jamie needs to take time off at short notice - she's a frequent flier in the local A&E and sometimes Bo's not fit enough to go to school. Missed shifts or the need to be away on time to pick Bo up from school are occasions when Jamie can be controlled and put in the wrong. It was going to come to a head.__NOTOC__}}{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Amanda BrookfieldLauren Bravo|title=Before I Knew YouPreloved
|rating=4
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Two couples agree to swap homes for the summer, urged Gwen is pressing her middle-aged bosom on by a mutual friend. Sophie big number that starts with a four and Andrew are teachers who live in London, rather jaded ends with life and each other, but hoping for a breakan oh-my-God-I'm-nearly-forty. Their two teenage daughters are on a music tour, but hope to join them for Having been made unexpectedly redundant - any HR officer worth their salt would argue the last week.  William and Beth are toss - Gwen finds herself having a newly married couple, who live in bit of a gorgeous home in Connecticut in the USAmid-life crisis. William Catharsis is rather older than Beth; he's a Brit who key and Gwen has three teenage sons living with their mother in London, not far from Sophie and Andrew's home. William wants to spend decided now is the time with his sons in the summer, and Beth hopes to get to know them better.take back her life'|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141039949</amazonuk>1398510629
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=0008506337
|title=The Garnett Girls
|author=Georgina Moore
|rating=5
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=The love affair between Margo Garnett and poet Richard O'Leary was all-consuming, apparently on both sides. Margo was just sixteen when they fell in love. Richard was twenty-one and described by Margo's mother as 'an older man'. Her parents worried that Richard's influence would take her away from what they felt she could achieve - going to Oxford and having a glittering career. In the event, they eloped and Richard took her away from the Isle of Wight. Margo did go to Oxford and went on to become a well-respected journalist. The couple had three children: Rachel, Imogen and Sasha. Life was lived in London and holidays were spent at Sandcove, the family home on the Isle of Wight. Even then the doubts about Richard's drinking were never far from Margo's mind: ''she would never be able to leave him in charge''.
{{newreview|author=Fanny Blake|title=What Women Want|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=I'll be honest: I had my doubts about this bookThen Richard left them. Fanny Blake is a well-known journalist and she's also written for programmes such as ''Location, Location, Location'' and ''A Place in the Sun''. I wasn't entirely certain how this would fit with a book about the lives of three middle-aged women who are dealing with change in their lives – and they're not moving house. I sat down to have a quick look to see if it was going to be worth reviewing…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007359098</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sophie PageHadeer Elsbai|title=To Marry A PrinceThe Daughters of Izdihar
|rating=4
|genre=Women's FictionFantasy|summary=Bella Greenwood has just been away on a tropical island doing an ecoDrawing inspiration from Egypt, ''The Daughters of Izdihar'' explores the lives of two women who could not be more different, yet find themselves fighting for the rights of women and weavers – those with magical abilities -job for in a man society pitted against them. Nehal, born into the upper class, wishes to attend the Weaving Academy to learn to control her abilities and then join the military, but instead she though she rather fanciedis forced into an arranged marriage with Nico. She returned home when she realised that she was being taken for Giorgina on the other hand did not have a mug privileged upbringing like Nehal and when it came down feels great pressure to it she didn't really fancy provide for her family and maintain their reputation, whilst secretly attending meetings of the man that much either. Getting back into the swing Daughters of things is a little difficult though Izdihar he mother and step-father have a full house and cangroup campaigning for women't take her s rights. Giorgina also happens to be inlove with Nico. Her father What follows is up a mountain somewhere story of an unjust society, filled with hypocrisy and she's just thankful that her friend Lottie is prepared to take her in at short notice – cruelty, from which blossoms a group of admirable women fighting for their rights and to take her to a posh partyovercoming their personal obstacles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099560453</amazonuk>0356520471
}}
 {{newreview|author=M C Beaton|title=The Travelling Matchmaker: Emily Goes to Exeter|rating=3|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Emily Goes to Exeter is by way of 'Being the First Volume of the Travelling Matchmaker' as the subheading has it on the frontispiece: the beginning of a new series obviously.  If like me you have come to Beaton by way of Hamish Macbeth this might seem like something of a diversion. A little research shows you that in fact Marion Chesney, who writes under a number of pseudonyms (including Beaton) has a prolific work-rate. Having produced upwards of 130 books since starting writing full time in the 1980s, focussing on crime and historical romance, there can be few avenues down which she has yet to wander.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849014795</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sylvia BroadyB0B575J99N|title=The Yearning Heart|rating=3|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=It is 1941 so when an unmarried Frances Bewholme becomes pregnant she is shunned by her family and sent to an isolated farm to live and work. To add to her shame and disgrace Fran's unborn baby is not just any man's; it is her brother-in-law's. Victor Renton, home on leave from Beneath the war takes advantage of Fran one night when she comes home, upset and heartbroken.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709092113</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewPorticoes|author=Claire Peate|title=Guerrillas in Our MidstBrooke Adams
|rating=4
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=The book opens Elizabeth Miller was thirty-four and a teacher at a prestigious girl's school in south-east LondonYork. Itwas ''comfortable''s a rather gritty urban place but friends Edda and Beth love itshe longed for something more in life. And we soon get She'd ''still not found the low-down on a hush-hush project by some of right vocation nor met the locals. They call themselves, rather grandly I thought, a guerrilla gardening society - but what the devil does it all mean? Edda right man'' and Beth stumble into now was the situation simply by listening time to their gut instinct and doing what they feel is right for their neighbourhoodmake a change. Basically, an eyesore of a skip (full, smelly) has been abandoned near Edda's houseShe needed challenges. No one wants to deal with it and take it away so There was a little trepidation when she applied for the two girls come up with the idea of 'beautifying' it, if you likeprofessoressa job in Bologna. Tipping in After a whacking great load of topsoil telephone interview, she was offered the position and then planting it up with flowers etc. But all of this is done under cover of darkness. And Peate (what an appropriate name) gives us all the silly, giggly, half-drunken details of the girlswasn' adventure. They've had plenty of adventurous times in t long before she was exploring the past (which we hear about later) and this lark is just another one to add to the listbeautiful city. They manage to keep it a secret. Difficult, they manage There were some natural doubts before her first class but it - justwent surprisingly well.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906784256</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Katie Fforde0241542405|title=Summer of LoveMeredith Alone|author=Claire Alexander
|rating=4.5
|genre=Women's General Fiction|summary=Sian Bishop is a single mum who makes When we first meet Meredith Maggs it's Wednesday 14 November 2018 and she's not left her living by restoring and painting furniturehome for 1,214 days. She hopes that by moving 'd ''like'' to: in fact, she so nearly does. Her outdoor clothes are on and she's even considered which shoes to the country wear if she will be able 's going to provide catch her five year old son Rory with a good life away from the hustle and bustle of Londontrain. Although she is happy on her own Then, she knows that her good friend Richard is looking for something more and would love can't. She simply can't force herself to marry leave the safety of her and to provide a home for herself and Rory. However, although She's fortunate that she recognises that he is has a good dependable manfriend, Sadie, he does not excite who visits regularly with hertwo children, unlike RoryJames and Matilda. Sadie's father a cardiac nurse and full of sound common sense. In fact it was Sadie who gave Meredith her cat, Fred. Groceries are online deliveries and there's also an internet-based support group where you'll find Meredith as JIGSAWGIRL, so you can guess what she had only a brief fling with many years beforedoes in her spare time. Then Tom McDermott arrives. Should she settle for security and He's from Holding Hands, a quiet life or should she hold out for something more exciting? That is the dilemma that Sian struggles charity which supports people with throughout this storyproblems such as Meredith's.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846056500</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Audrey Willsher0008441618|title=The House of HopeOther Parents|author=Sarah Stovell|rating=3.5
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=It Jo Fairburn knew that she was November 1946 when Marianne made her way to Hope Grange. She was taking under intense pressure as the job new head of a maid in the house owned by Hugo Lacey, but West Burntridge First School: if she hadndidn't even arrived before she wondered if she'd made live up to her retired predecessor there could well be a mistakehouse price slump in that part of the town. The villagers school had an active Parent Teacher Association and the funds which they raised were unwelcoming and finding he house wasn't easy, particularly as she didn't like a considerable benefit to ask the German Prisoner of War she met – he school. There was one of the ones who had been responsible difficulty, though - they were ''devastatingly shockable'', with two members, in particular, causing problems for the death of her beloved Nan two years before in a V2 attackhead. When she did find the house she encountered a difficult child, his very difficult grandmother Laura Spence and Kate Monroe objected to Jo's restrictions on the realisation toys children could bring in on Toy Day but that they and the house were on was just a warm-up act for their uppersreal gripe: LGBTQ education.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709092016</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=M C BeatonGiovanna Fletcher|title=Travelling Matchmaker: Belinda Goes to Bath|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Miss Hannah Pym was a housekeeper until recently but has now received a legacy which lifts her out of the servant classes and enables her to fulfil her long-held wish to travel. It might be winter but Miss Pym is taking the stagecoach to The Bath (as the upper classes call the city) just for the adventure. The company in the stage is joined by an obviously well-bred young woman, Miss Belinda Earle who, accompanied by her companion, is being sent in disgrace to stay with her aunt.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849014809</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jane Moore|title=Love is Walking on the Air|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary='Love is on the Air' is all about trying to find the perfect relationship. Cam knows that things are not right with her boyfriend Dean but after six years together, she is afraid to do anything about it. They are behaving like an old married couple and they are not even married. Therefore, when she goes on holiday with friends Saira and Ella, she is somewhat vulnerable and so it is no surprise that she is attracted to fun loving single dad Tom. After a few drinks one thing leads to another but the next day Cam is racked with guilt. She resolves to forget about Tom and to make more effort in her relationship with Dean.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099505533</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Janet Mullany|title=Mr Bishop and the ActressSunshine
|rating=4
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Strait-laced Harry Bishop has just started his new job as steward in Lord ShadMike's ramshackle household when wife, Pia, who he was with for seventeen years, has died. And whilst he is sent off dealing with his grief, so are their best friends, Vicky and Zaza. But Pia left them all some 'rules' to London follow, knowing that she was dying and that they would need help to sort carry on living. Whilst some of the rules are around practicalities such as clearing out Shad's errant relation Charlie her wardrobe, another one that Mike discovers one day encourages him to take one of their trips away, and Vicky and his debts. Here he meets actress Sophie Wallace, Charlie's mistressZaza, who now finds herself set adrift from her protector struggling with only a few dresses their grief and a rather ostentatious bed their own life troubles, decide to her namedrop everything in their own lives, and go along with him. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755347811</amazonuk>140593560X
}}
 {{newreview|author=Felicity Everett|title=The Story of Us|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Back in 1982 there were five girls sharing a house in Brighton. Their course works takes second place to demos, parties and no-strings sex for Stella, Bridget, Vinnie, Maxine and Nell but it's against the background of Greenham Common and the miners' strike that the girls realise that life is not quite as straight forward as they imagined. They will forge friendships in Albacore Street which might occasionally be stretched to the limit, but they'll never be completely forgotten. Having met them back in the eighties we meet them again two decades later when they're struggling to cope with all that life throws at them.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099553694</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jessica Ruston|title=To Touch the Stars|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Cavalley's creates the most luxurious hats in the world along with a host of other items without which the rich cannot survive. At the company's head is Violet Cavalley, now celebrating her sixtieth birthday with her family about her. She looks as though she could go on forever, but Violet and one or two others know differently. There are a few other people who know that Violet isn't who she says she is and that he background wouldn't stand a lot of close examination. From the villa in Capri, to the London homes of the family and the private jet, it's all good living, but there are plenty of secrets which are going to be aired.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755370325</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jane LoveringB09FS89KX9|title=Please Don't Stop the Music|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Jemima Hutton makes jewelled belt buckles and she's determined to make a success of the business – and to keep a dark secret which she's shared with no one. She's camping out in her friend's spare room and another friend is allowing her workshop space. It is ''just'' working until the woman she supplies exclusively decides that she's not going to stock her any more. Jemima is down to walking the streets of York looking for someone who will stock her buckles. She's all but given up when she meets Ben who says that he'll stock the buckles in his guitar shop. But Ben has secrets too – and he's determined that, come what may, he's not going to share them.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931275</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFall On Me|author=Jennifer Bohnet|title=Rendezvous in Cannes|rating=3|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=It's the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival and for two women life is going to change completely in the coming weeks. Anna Carson has found the love that she thought would always elude her and can't quite believe her happiness. Daisy, here to cover the Festival as a journalist is coming to terms with being single. It's time for her to make some decisions, but what will she decide? The hurly-burly of the Festival is not the most peaceful time to make big decisions.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709091400</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Marian Keyes|title=The Brightest Star in the SkyPenelope Potts
|rating=3.5
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Marian Keyes can usually be relied upon Life should have been good for a funny, moving story full Hollie: She was just going into the final year of lifeher veterinary degree and - three years later -like, likeable characterswas still working at BB's diner. I Bob - the owner - regarded her fondly: he was eager to read a good boss. Hollie had moved in with her latest novelboyfriend, although somewhat daunted by the 600 odd pages! Marcus: her mother thought he was great and he was doing well in his career. Here she takes us Hollie wasn't quite so certain though: Marcus wanted to control her and most of all he wanted her to an old, multi-storey house in Dublin that is leave her job at the home of a variety of different charactersdiner. An unknownThen there was the fact that he would be violent, magical narrator takes us through the house as we meet each tenant both to her and discover what's happening in their livesto other people.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>014102867X</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Allison Pearson0008421714|title=I Think I Love YouMrs March|author=Virginia Feito|rating=34.5|genre=Women's Literary Fiction|summary=ItThe problem began just after the publication of George March's most successful novel to date. Everyone but Mrs March (we know her first name only on the 70slast page) seemed to either be reading it or had already done so. Every day Mrs March went to the local patisserie to buy olive bread but on that particular morning, and 13 year old Petra is in lovePatricia asked, and not with a silly boy at schoolas she was wrapping the bread, ''but with isn't this the first time he's based a man. Hecharacter on you?''s not from Wales like she is She mentioned that Johanna, or even from Britain. Hethe principal character had 'her mannerisms''s much more mysterious and alluring. He comes from across Perhaps this would not have mattered, except for the pond and his name fact that Johanna is David Cassidy. the whore of Nantes - ''Thea weak, plain, detestable, pathetic, unloved, unloveable wretch.'' David Cassidy.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>009946859X</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lesley Pearse1473685745|title=BelleUnbreak Your Heart|author=Katie Marsh
|rating=4
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Belle's story begins in London in 1910. She is fifteen years old When Beth Carlyle and lives Simon Withers first met they were on opposite ends of an innocent life in angry exchange - well, Simon was angry and Beth was doing her motherbest to apologise for having knocked Simon's brothelson, Jake, with no understanding of what really takes place thereoff his bike. Her mother He wasn't hurt but Jake has encouraged her to read and write, wanting her kept away from the harsh realities of the brothel and the rough streets of London that surround herhistory. But BelleHe has HLHS - that's innocence is shattered when she witnesses the murder Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome for those of one of the brothelyou who are not 's most popular girls, and is subsequently grabbed from the street and trafficked to Paris as a prostitute. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718157028</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jan Jones|title=The Kydd Inheritance|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Nellau fait's Kydd's father died in a hunting accident and her brother, Kit with your medical acronyms. When he was uncontactableborn, seemingly lost, on his way back from India. This the left her uncle, Jasper Kydd in charge side of the family estate his heart hadn't developed properly and he appeared to be doing all in his power to wreck Kydd Court and make Nell's life needed open-heart surgery when he was a miseryfew days old. Her mother coped with it all by retreating into her own worldSo, where she couldn't be reached either. When an unwelcome offer of marriage is forced upon her, Nell knows that she Simon has every right to take action and that's be over-protective particularly when the very unsettling Captain Hugo Derringer arrives. Hesomeone isn's an old friend of Kittt looking where they's, but what exactly is he doing in the area and can Nell trust him?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709091710</amazonuk>re driving.}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Allegra GoodmanC J Carey|title=The Cookbook CollectorWidowland
|rating=4
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=It's April 1953, and Adolf Hitler's schedule includes going to Moscow to attend the state funeral of Joseph Stalin then within weeks coming to London, parading around a bit, and watching over the sanctioned return to the throne of Edward VIII with his wife, Queen Wallis. For yes, Britain caved in the lead-up to the World War Two that certainly didn'The Cookbook Collectort happen as we know it, and we are now a protectorate – well, we share enough of the same blood as the Germanic peoples on ''the mainland'' is all about emotions. Concentrating on twoBut this is most certainly a different Britain, for Nazi-styled phrenology, youngand ideas of female purpose, American women who are vastly different in many areas has put all of their lives that gender into a caste system, ranging from high-brow office bigwigs to the drudges, and also beyond those, right on their outlook on lifedown to the childless, the husbandless and the widows. Female literacy is actively discouraged. And in this puritanical existence, our heroine, Rose Ransom, Goodman digs deeper is employed with the task of bowdlerising classical literature to find take all encouragement for female emancipation out what makes them tick - what makes them of it – after all, not every book can be banned, and not every story excised immediately from British civilisation, and so they just get up in a hefty tweak towards the party line before they're stamped ready for reprint. That is her job, at least, until the morningfirst emerging signs of female protest come to light, with their potential to spoil Hitler's visit.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848875398</amazonuk>152941198X
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Lulu TaylorRuth Hogan|title=Beautiful CreaturesMadame Burova|rating=4.5|genre=Women's General Fiction|summary=Everyone has heard This book lets us discover several people in different stages of life in the Beaufort twins Octavia and Floraearly 1970s, but few all vaguely connected. So we have a bullied half-cast boy (as he would have ever seen thembeen called then), and on the night of their twenty-first birthday party the girls are finally launched into society amongst a crowd anxious to see the two girls who are about girl in a humdrum job wanting to inherit become a vast fortune. Octavia singer, and Flora have been kept out of the public eye for their entire young lives by their aunt Frances after their father died and their mother seemingly abandoned them. Now that chiefly, Imelda, the girls have come third generation of age Frances has no choice but to hand over the girlsMadame Burova, '' vast inheritance from their father Tarot-Reader, Palmist and take a step back from running their lives.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099550458</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Rekha Waheed|title=My Bollywood Wedding|rating=3.5|genre=WomenClairvoyant'', to use her family's Fiction|summary=Maya Malik set her heart on a bigsea-front booth. The singer, glamorous wedding to Jhanghir Khan but organising it was difficult as the groom-to-be was working as a doctor in New York scryer and Maya was arranging the wedding in London. Mayasufferer's family are richmother will all become staff at a revamped holiday camp, but Jhanghir's family are – seriously so – and this is only part of just before then we see Imelda fly solo for the tensions which looked to be on track to derail first time in the weddingfamily stall. There's a sister-We also see her on her last day, fifty years later, in-law who's determined to take over all the arrangements – without disguising her dislike possession of Maya – and a George-Clooney-lookalike cousin whom Maya finds far too attractive pair of letters that will change everything for her own gooda woman called Billie. And Jhanghir? WellJust who is she, and who delivered the secrets about her to Imelda, he's a man. He's busy and he's not that good at communicating. Is there any wonder that Maya begins why did it have to wonder if she's doing the right thingremain a secret all this time?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755356144</amazonuk>152937331X
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Margaret LeroyJennifer Saint |title=The River HouseAriadne |rating=34.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Ginnie Holmes This re-telling of the myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur is interesting and unusual. Jennifer Saint presents the story in a child-psychologist, working way that is sympathetic to its origins but also appealing to help children and young people damaged by what they have experienced or what they have seena modern audience. She Saint's narrative is also told predominantly through the mother viewpoint of two typicalAriadne, happy teenage daughters – one just about spanning from her childhood to leave for university her death, allowing the other, trying hard not reader to work for her GCSE's. Her life is outwardly really connect with Ariadne as near perfect as it gets. Her husband is a successful academic. She has a solid circle of friends old and new. The cottage by the river might be whimsical character in her own right rather than elegant but it suits her and just a prop in the right light and the right company it is charmingheroics of Theseus. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0778304094</amazonuk>1472273869
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Julie HighmoreLucy Holland|title=The BirthdaySistersong|rating=45|genre=Women's Literary Fiction|summary=4 November 2008: That's Sistersong is part of a genre I particularly enjoy, the date modern retelling of folk and fairy tales. These stories, for most of the US presidential electionus, are a cornerstone of childhood and I relish seeing them retold with fresh eyes and Fran's 60th birthdaya fresh perspective. Fran is nervous about her milestone birthday – she doesn't feel If handled well these retellings give new life and new meaning to stories that oldare now becoming increasingly narrow and outdated, fleshing out characters, examining relationships and re-evaluating the role of women. She Sistersong is worried about her husbanda perfect example of a modern retelling done well, Duncanthe plot is handled with care, who has become rather down keeping its archaic historical feel but allowing the characters to come to life, to feel real and forgetful. As it turns out thoughhuman, her planned party will be less most importantly they feel relatable in a celebration than the catalyst modern world whilst still feeling appropriate for the revelation of pre-Saxon age they live in. This is a lifetime masterpiece of secretsstorytelling and I was captivated from beginning to end.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755343042</amazonuk>1529039037
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Kate LaceB08NF79QXT|title=A Class ActCherry Blossom Boutique|author=Brooke Adams|rating=3.5
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Tilly de Liege (thatThirty-one-year old Liberty Rossini has had her shop, the Cherry Blossom Boutique, for just six months when she's pronounced 'de Lee', by nominated for - and wins - the way) met Ainsley Driver quite by accident and they just seemed to get on with each other really wellRetail Best Newcomer Award. Both were about to do A levels She's delighted and were hoping the two people she's brought with her to go on to university, but there was a snagthe event couldn't be more pleased. Tilly was Sonja, her mother, is an ex-model and Brazilian: you can see where Liberty got her looks from the wrong side of the tracks. She wasnJessica's thirty-four and Liberty's best friend: they've known each other since university and Liberty adores Jessica't in the least bit worried about the fact that Ainsley lived in a council house on quite the worst estate in town but when he found out that she lived in the local manor house s husband, Charles and went to a private school something snappedtheir four-year-old daughter, Ava. It didn't seem to Life would be about money – as the de Lieges really didnperfect for Liberty if it wasn't have any - more about the fact that for one thing: she hadn't saidmisses having a man in her life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755347943</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sarah MonkB08GFSK2WZ|title=Taking the LeadThe Karma Trap|author=Lisette Boyd
|rating=4
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Theodora English George Jackson is thirty-three years old, absolutely gorgeous to look at - and single. She's not had left sex for eight months and she's stuck in the karma trap: an awful lot of bad luck is being visited on her home in London to move to and she has a tiny Cornish village real talent for attracting drama. Her life's chaotic: she dealt with the leak from the shower by putting something down at the bottom of the stairs to absorb the water - then the shower fell through the roof whilst she was in it and left her boyfriend Michael, stark naked, staring at the pervy postman. She only for him has to dump take her soon afterwards. Youmother'd expect s dog out for a walk for her to head straight back to London, but you'd be wrong. She buys the cottage next door, moves in end up with dog poo spattered across her face - and starts getting to know a photo being taken by someone who shares it around the localsoffice.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755345142</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreview|author=Christina Courtenay|title=Trade Winds|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=It is 1731 and Killian Kinross, disgraced heir to the estate is making his way as best he can through the gambling dens of Edinburgh, trading on his skill, ability to hold his drink and the smiling fickle fortunes of lady luck. The Lady is smiling at the moment, although she hasn't always done so.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931232</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ali McNamara|title=From Notting Hill with Love... Actually|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Scarlett loves the movies; in fact that you could easily say that she is obsessed with them, much to the exasperation of her father, her fiancé David and her friends. She can't help dreaming and wishing that her life was more like the films that she loves. So, when the opportunity arises to house sit for a month in Notting Hill (the setting of her favourite film), she grabs it. It's a chance to prove to all those sceptics that life can be like the movies and also for her to examine her feelings about her forthcoming marriage to David.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751544957</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Lucinda Riley|title=Hothouse Flower|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=In the London Season of 1939 Olivia met the Honourable Harry Crawford, heir to the Wharton country estate in Norfolk and he seemed like the perfect catch. It looked even better when his mother invited her to spend the summer at the estate and before long they were married. There were problems even before Harry went to fight in the Far East, but Olivia was determined that the marriage would work.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141049375</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Lucy Dawson|title=The One That Got Away|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Lucy Dawson's latest novel is a cut above run-of-the-mill chick-lit pap. Molly Greene is happily married to Dan, and they live a normal twenty-first century life in a small town. She is a successful salesperson for a medical supplier. The couple struggle with the bills and hope to buy their own place. She spends time with two old girlfriends whose situations are different from hers, but who know our heroine inside out and will always be there for her for long, boozy heart-to-hearts. So far, so predictable. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751542520</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Christine Stovell|title=Turning the Tide|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=We're in the seaside location of Spitmarsh. It's seen better days, frankly. And that's putting it mildly. It has ' ... a local economy so depressed it was almost suicidal'. Ms Harry Watling loves her town in spite of the negative vibes. She wouldn't change a thing. You can tell that she's an optimist because even although she's having difficulty keeping her business afloat, she's still happy with her lot. She's not afraid of hard work and seems to work almost round the clock and in all weathers to carry out her boat-building and repairs business. But it's a constant battle.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931259</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Bernadette StrachanB08CHJLNBS|title=Why DO We Have to Live with Men?|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Cat and her friends often meet up for a drink and a chat, and regularly fantasise about giving up on men, sharing a house and looking after each other. Then one night Germaine calls their bluff – she’s found a house, and wants to know who is going to join her in it. Initially, the answer is no one. Shortly afterwards, though, Cat’s life as she has known it falls apart, as her landlord gives her notice to leave her flat and she loses her job. There is nothing now to keep her in London and moving into Germaine’s commune doesn’t seem like such a mad option.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751542296</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewCapturing Emilia|author=Sarah Dunn|title=Secrets to HappinessBrooke Adams
|rating=3
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=Holly Frick is 35, single and living in New York City. She still thinks sheHe's in love with her ex husbandCharles Devereaux, her career as a TV writer is on a steady downward spiral thirty-eight and she's had limited success as a novelistpartner at Wickham Jones, the Mayfair letting agents. She may be having amazing no strings sex with toy boy Lucas, but Holly is unfulfilled and unhappy. Plus, she's surrounded by equally dysfunctional friendsEmilia, including best friend Amanda, who has no qualms embarking on an extramarital affairtwenty-nine, librarian and writing partner Leonard, who is more than happy to self-medicate and find his thrills through archivist in the Internetheritage library next door. Plus Spence, the ex before the ex husband Emilia has resurfaced in Hollyread [[The Secret by Rhonda Byrne|The Secret]] but she's life and thanks to his moved on from new girlfriend Cathleenage books like that, Holly finds herself reliving their relationship as Cathleen interrogates her which leave you dependent on Spencesomeone else's past.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751538302</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Miranda Dickinson|title=Welcome to My World|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Light, romantic fiction (or that dreadful phrase but which is apt, chick-lit) is notphilosophies, I have to say, my preferred genresomething a little deeper. I wouldn't buy it from Charles is more of a bookshop nor borrow it from the local library. But[[Personal by Lee Child|Jack Reacher]] man himself, but, having said above all that, would you believe the coincidence he's shocked that chatting with two female friends recently (fortysomething and fiftysomething) they both told me that they wouldnEmilia reads ''The Guardian''t read anything else. So, it just goes to show, horses for courses and They're obviously not at all that.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847561667</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Pamela Evans|title=Harvest Nights|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=It is 1920 and London is struggling to deal with the consequences of the Great War. Unemployment is high and money is scarce. Clara Trippcompatible, a former Land Girl has been forced to return to the city to work as a waitress, leaving behind the countryside which she loves so much. When Charlie Fenner, an acquaintance from Clara's Land Army days, comes in to the teashop where she works, Clara why can't help but feel overjoyed. He offers her temporary work on Charles not get this woman out of his parents' orchard in Kent and she gladly accepts. Yet a serious accident forces Clara to stay longer than expected and it is then that she makes a shocking discovery which threatens to destroy the Fenner family. Back in London Clara struggles with her confused emotions and the looming prospect of her marriage to local boy Arnold. When devastating news comes from Kent, Clara realises she can no longer keep her discovery a secret. But coming face-to-face with Charlie again means Clara must acknowledge her buried feelings and make a decision between doing the right thing and following her heart.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755345452</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Sue Moorcroft|title=Want to Know a Secretmind?|rating=4|genre=Women She's Fiction|summary=When you get a couple of policemen in your kitchen telling you that your husband has been badly injured in a helicopter crash you can be forgiven for being upset. On the other hand, if your family has the sort of income which means that your husband was as likely to be in a spaceship as a helicopter then not his usual type at all: it's quite permissible obvious to say that the policemen have come to the wrong place and this is what Diane Jenner didhis friends. Unfortunately it also means And given that when they prove that it was your husband you've got quite a big adjustment to make.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931267</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Amy Silver|title=All I Want For Christmas|rating=4.5|genre=WomenEmilia regularly feels repulsed by Charles's Fiction|summary=In Amy Silver's 'All I Want for Christmas'superficiality, the reader meets three very different women. Bea, who runs the local delicatessen, The Honey Pot, is facing Christmas alone with her young son Luca but is determined to make it as good as why does she possibly can. Olivia has somewhat rashly offered feel drawn to host all of her fiancéhim? The relationship's family from Ireland and obviously a non-starter, isn't it looks like it will be chaotic. On the other hand, Chloe will be celebrating alone, as her boyfriend will be sitting down to Christmas dinner with his wife and family. Although on the surface, the three women appear to have little in common, as Christmas approaches they start to form a bond that is likely to last well beyond the festive season.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099553228</amazonuk>?
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sue MoorcroftHelly Acton|title=All That MullarkeyThe Shelf|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Cleo and Gav seemed to have the perfect marriage. Neither of them wanted children and their lives seemed to be full of funWhen we meet Amy, enjoyment and love. But sometimes all is not as it seems as Cleo discovered the night that she'd made up her mind to go to s in a reunion and Gav said that she shouldnrelationship with Jamie. You can't go. She set offreally call it a partnership, because things tend to get done on his terms, but wondered if it really was worth causing so much heartache when she wasn's sticking around because she hopes she can change him. Ah, yes. Haven't we all that keen on going and turned back. When she got home she found that the writing was on the wall been there? Things are looking up when he tells her to pack for their marriage – quite literallya surprise trip. It said, in marker pen Could this be it? Is he ''finally'' going to get down on one knee? Was the bedroom wall 'This Marriage is Over' work (and Gav had gone.the wait) worth it?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1906931240</amazonuk>1838770879
}}
{{Frontpage
|author= Alyssa Sheinmel
|title= What Kind of Girl
|rating= 4
|genre= Women's Fiction
|summary= '' Doing something when you're scared is braver than doing something when you're not''
{{newreview|author=Julie Cohen|title=Getting Away With It|rating=5|genre=WomenWhen Mike Parker's Fiction|summary=Julie Cohen's latest book is girlfriend comes into school with a different creature black eye, claiming he gave it to her previous novels, her whole world is tipped upside down. It's not Her relationship has just that itended and now she's longerthe talk of the school. Mike was the most popular boy in school who was always so in love with her, although the length allows for more characterisation and trickiereveryone knew that, complex plots than so why did he do what he did? Some people believe her and some don''Little Black Dress'' bookst, but it also feels different in style. There's the same quirky side that Julie writes so well - the heroine this time one thing is a stunt womanfor sure, some bizarre ice cream flavours and therethis isn's some interesting crop-circle action! But the book feels more serious - more grown up somehow - yet just as readable and compelling as her previous stories have beent going to blow over any time soon.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>075535060X</amazonuk>0349003297
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Cathleen SchineKatie Fforde|title=The Three Weissmanns of WestportA Springtime Affair|rating=3.54|genre=General Women's Fiction|summary=The novel begins with Joseph WeissmannI've wanted to read author Katie Fforde for ages and this was pretty much exactly what I was expecting - a warm, or Josie as he is knowncosy read focused on romance, deciding at family and friendships. This provided two romances for the age price of 78 that he no longer wants to be married to Betty after 48 years together. In an attempt to save Betty's feelings he cites irreconcilable differencesone, but it was actually the truth is he has fallen head over heels in love. Betty is devastated, her life in tatters, with even family element as opposed to the beautiful Central Park apartment she adores soon lost to herromance that I really enjoyed.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1849015716</amazonuk>1780897561
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sharon OwensB07W4MNBSG|title=A Winter's Wedding|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Decluttering: it's a great thing to do, you know. Be Careful Who You clear space and you give yourself emotional energy when you get rid of things which you don't need. Take stuff to a charity shop and it's an all-round winner for everyone. That's what Emily did when she began to clear out her flat. Her friend Augusta had given her quite a few gadgets which she knew that she would never use. And it was at the charity shop that she met Dylan. His sister ran a charity which rescued horses and Dylan was helping out between jobs. Now, there's something which you need to know about Dylan. He's perfect. He's thoughtful, considerate, loyal and honest. Yes – he's ''that'' perfect.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141028580</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewMarry|author=Brooke Morgan|title=TrappedLizzy Mumfrey
|rating=4
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=Ellie Walters is 36, divorced and keen It was coming up to start a new life away from her cheating Halloween in 1987 and control-freak ex-husband. Fulfilling a lifegroup of sixth-long dream, she decides to take her 15-year-old son, Tim, to live with her in the small town of Bourneform schoolgirls wondered what they would be doing when they were fifty. As she soon becomes good friends with her next-door neighbour When you're only seventeen that seems positively ancient, Louisa Amory, Ellie finally feels she is making a but Liz was convinced that ''your entire life of her owndepends on who you marry''. She begins to feel a sense The only eligible boys were the Young Farmers and the idea of freedom and independence but for how long? When strange events start occurring Ellie is forced to face some painful and guilty memories connected to living in a tragic accident nineteen years ago; memories which she would rather forget. It is clear that someone has discovered her well-kept secret farmhouse and is reluctant to let her forget about it. As having a campaign couple of terror against Ellie unfolds she must come children called Will and Olly appealed to terms with what happened all those years ago Charlotte, or perhaps William and try to discover Oliver if you were Elizabeth who her tormentor is. Vulnerable and afraid, she relies on Louisa's friendship was determined to help her through marry the ordealrather superior Patrick Shepley-Botham. However, when a misunderstanding causes a rift between Ellie and Louisa's son, Joe, The place to start their search was obviously the womenYoung Farmers's friendship is threatenedHalloween disco that weekend. Alone and afraid, she suddenly finds herself trapped There was just one problem - there were too many Elizabeths in a nightmare from which she must do all she can to escapethe class.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099536285</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview|author=Beth Pattillo|title=Jane Austen Ruined My Life|rating=3.5|genre=Women's FictionMove on to [[Features|summary=I blame Bridget Jones. Jane Austen's six novels have inspired a huge number of novels about the romantic dilemmas facing bright, educated middle class women. Does adding literary references to chicklit somehow make for better novels? I don't think so, but I do find these books fun, escapist reading, and the title of this one was irresistible.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857210106</amazonuk>}}latest features]]

Navigation menu