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[[Category:New Reviews|Women's Fiction]] __NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1471180158|title=The Darling GirlsMaybe Tomorrow|author=Emma BurstallPenny Parkes

|summary=Leo Bruck, Gwen is pressing her middle-aged bosom on a big number that starts with a world famous conductor, died suddenly four and ends with an oh-my-God-I'm-nearly-forty. Having been made unexpectedly redundant - any HR officer worth their salt would argue the toss - Gwen finds herself having a bit of a heart attackmid-life crisis. Amongst many mourners at his funeral are three women for whom Leo was much more than an acquaintance. Victoria was his long term partner and mother of his two children, Ralph Catharsis is key and Salome. However, Maddy Gwen has also shared much of her life with Leo and he decided now is father the time to take back her daughter Pheobe. Then there is Cat, who met Leo about eighteen months ago and they also formed a relationship. All three were aware of the others and, for whatever reasons, had tolerated the parallel lives that Leo was leading. However, they had never met before the funeral and there is instant dislike particularly between Victoria and Maddy.life'|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781857865</amazonuk>1398510629

Then Richard left them.}} {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Left and LeavingHadeer Elsbai|authortitle=Jo VerityThe Daughters of Izdihar

|genre=Women's FictionFantasy|summary=Set in modern day LondonDrawing inspiration from Egypt, this novel ''The Daughters of Izdihar'' explores the lives of two central characters women who, on the surface, could not be any more different, yet find themselves fighting for the rights of women and weavers – those with magical abilities - in a society pitted against them. HoweverNehal, after a catastrophic incident in born into the cityupper class, Gil wishes to attend the Weaving Academy to learn to control her abilities and Vivian are thrown together through then join the rather annoyingmilitary, interfering character of Irenebut instead she is forced into an arranged marriage with Nico. Spending time with each Giorgina on the other in the run up to Christmas, both Gil hand did not have a privileged upbringing like Nehal and Vivian find themselves having to face up feels great pressure to various provide for her family issues and responsibilities thatmaintain their reputation, beforewhilst secretly attending meetings of the Daughters of Izdihar – a group campaigning for women's rights. Giorgina also happens to be in love with Nico. What follows is a story of an unjust society, they were able to ignorefilled with hypocrisy and cruelty, from which blossoms a group of admirable women fighting for their rights and overcoming their personal obstacles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1906784981</amazonuk>0356520471

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B0B575J99N|title=Come to Me QuietlyBeneath the Porticoes|author=A L JacksonBrooke Adams|rating=3.54

|summary=Aleena hasnElizabeth Miller was thirty-four and a teacher at a prestigious girl's school in York. It was ''comfortable't seen Jared ' but she longed for six yearssomething more in life. Not since he hit She'd ''still not found the very bottom of his downward spiral right vocation nor met the right man'' and ended up now was the time to make a change. She needed challenges. There was a little trepidation when she applied for the professoressa job in prisonBologna. She's trying to move on After a telephone interview, let go of she was offered the boy position and it wasn't long before she secretly loved all was exploring the beautiful city. There were some natural doubts before her life. Just as she's starting to make progress, Jared reappearsfirst class but it went surprisingly well.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349403309</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0241542405|title=It Felt Like A KissMeredith Alone|author=Sarra ManningClaire Alexander

|genre=Women's General Fiction|summary=Ellie Cohen lives with two of When we first meet Meredith Maggs it's Wednesday 14 November 2018 and she's not left her best friendshome for 1, works 214 days. She'd ''like'' to: in an exclusive galleryfact, she so nearly does. Her outdoor clothes are on and sees she's even considered which shoes to wear if she's going to catch her loving Jewish grandparents every first Friday of the monthtrain. Her single mother Then, Ari, has always been she can't. She simply can't force herself to leave the epitome safety of cool and is Ellie’s best her home. She's fortunate that she has a good friend and confidante. The only thing they don’t talk about is Billy Kay, Ellie’s biological father. That doesn’t stop him being one of the nation’s favouritesSadie, recently knightedwho visits regularly with her two children, James and talked about by pretty much everyone elseMatilda. But Billy is Sadie's a noncardiac 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-issue for Ellie. She doesn’t need himbased support group where you'll find Meredith as JIGSAWGIRL, so you can guess what she has Chester, does in her mum’s best friendspare time. Then Tom McDermott arrives. He's from Holding Hands, who has always been enough of a dad if she needed. Her only real trouble is her penchant for lame ducks, or fixer-upperscharity which supports people with problems such as Meredith's.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0552163279</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0008441618|title=Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New YorkOther Parents|author=Gail ParentSarah Stovell

|summary=Oy vey! Sheila Levine is down on her luck. Try Jo Fairburn knew that she was under intense pressure as the new head of West Burntridge First School: if she might didn't live up to meet her retired predecessor there could well be a nicehouse price slump in that part of the town. The school had an active Parent Teacher Association and the funds which they raised were a considerable benefit to the school. There was one difficulty, Jewish boy to marrythough - they were ''devastatingly shockable'', she just keeps ending up with schmucks. The wrong side of 30two members, single and living in Manhattanparticular, well if only she’d taken her mother’s advice at causing problems for the time. Now it’s too late. There is no hopehead. The only thing Sheila can do is respectfully take her own life (having made all the arrangements Laura Spence and tied up Kate Monroe objected to Jo's restrictions on the loose ends beforehand, of course. Nice girls always clean toys children could bring in on Toy Day but that was just a warm-up after themselves)act for their real gripe: LGBTQ education.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1585674710</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Daniela SacerdotiGiovanna Fletcher|title=Take Me HomeWalking on Sunshine

|summary=Inary Monteith is confused. SheMike's just spent the night wife, Pia, who he was with for seventeen years, has died. And whilst he is dealing with her close friendhis grief, so are their best friends, Alex Vicky and it seems that it means more Zaza. But Pia left them all some 'rules' to him follow, knowing that she will allow it to mean to her. After her fiance ditched her not was dying and that long before the wedding she decided that she they would never allow herself need help to be hurt like that againcarry on living. Then Whilst some of the problem seems to be solved for rules are around practicalities such as clearing out her as she has wardrobe, another one that Mike discovers one day encourages him to leave London take one of their trips away, and Vicky and Zaza, struggling with their grief and return their own life troubles, decide to Glen Avich drop everything in the Scottish Highlands. Her sistertheir own lives, Emily, has been waiting for a heart transplant but it now looks very unlikely that she will make it through to an operationand go along with him.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1845027469</amazonuk>140593560X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Linda MitchelmoreB09FS89KX9|title=EmmaFall On Me|author=Penelope Potts

|summary=Emma Le Goff Life should have been good for Hollie: She was determined that she just going into the final year of her veterinary degree and her childhood sweetheart, Seth Jago, would get married but the vicar seemed strangely reluctant to oblige- three years later - was still working at BB's diner. Their pasts were against themBob - the owner - regarded her fondly: he was a good boss. Seth’s brother Hollie had been hung moved in with her boyfriend, Marcus: her mother thought he was great and he was doing well in his father and brother were in prisoncareer. No one could - or would - Hollie wasn't quite believe that Seth had kept himself above so certain though: Marcus wanted to control her and most of all he wanted her to leave her job at the criminalitydiner. Then there were was the deaths of Emma’s mother and brotherfact that he would be violent, which might not have been an accident. To top it all Emma had lived with Matthew Caunter - the vicar wasn’t prepared both to accept that she was simply his housekeeper. No - there was no question of his marrying them, but Emma came up with a novel solution her and to the problemother people.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890935</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0008421714|title=Wish Upon a StarMrs March|author=Trisha AshleyVirginia Feito|rating=34.5|genre=Women's Literary Fiction|summary=Cally is a single mother. The novel begins with problem began just after the birth publication of George March's most successful novel to date. Everyone but Mrs March (we know her daughter Stellafirst name only on the last 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, Patricia asked, as she was wrapping the bread, and ''but isn't this the discovery first time he's based a character on you?'' She mentioned that Johanna, the principal character had 'her baby has a serious heart conditionmannerisms''. Stella’s first few years are taken up with hospitals and medical procedures but eventually Perhaps this would not have mattered, except for the NHS can provide nothing further. Then Cally learns fact that a doctor in Boston Johanna is able to do the whore of Nantes - ''a new kind of operationweak, plain, detestable, pathetic, one that could potentially give Stella a totally normal life. The only problem is the enormous cost of surgery in the USunloved, not to mention the need for flights and accommodationunloveable wretch.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847562787</amazonuk>''

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1473685745|title=Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweet ShopUnbreak Your Heart|author=Jenny ColganKatie Marsh|rating=3.54

|summary=Rosie Hopkins lives When Beth Carlyle and Simon Withers first met they were on opposite ends of an angry exchange - well, Simon was angry and Beth was doing her best to apologise for having knocked Simon's son, Jake, off his bike. He wasn't hurt but Jake has history. He has HLHS - that's Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome for those of you who are not ''au fait'' with her boyfriend Stephen your medical acronyms. When he was born, the left side of his heart hadn't developed properly and he needed open-heart surgery when he was a few days old. So, Simon has every right to be over-protective particularly when someone isn't looking where they're driving.}} {{Frontpage|author=C J Carey|title=Widowland|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 village of Liptonlead-up to the World War Two that certainly didn't happen as we know it, and we meet them first are now a protectorate – well, we share enough of the same blood as the Germanic peoples on ''the mainland''. But this is most certainly a different Britain, for Nazi-styled phrenology, and ideas of female purpose, has put all of that gender into a winter’s eveningcaste system, with snow gently falling ranging from high-brow office bigwigs to the drudges, and beyond those, right on down to the childless, the husbandless and the picturesque buildings around their cottagewidows. Female literacy is actively discouraged. Or And in this puritanical existence, ratherour heroine, Rose Ransom, Rosie’s great aunt Lilian’s cottage. For Rosie is a town girl who came employed with the task of bowdlerising classical literature to look take all encouragement for female emancipation out of it – after Lilian some time previouslyall, not every book can be banned, and not every story excised immediately from British civilisation, and so they just get a hefty tweak towards the party line before they're stamped ready for reprint. Lilian has moved That is her job, at least, until the first emerging signs of female protest come to a lovely care homelight, and Rosie runs her traditional sweet shopwith their potential to spoil Hitler's visit.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0751551805</amazonuk>152941198X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Angela JacksonRuth Hogan|title=The Emergence of Judy TaylorMadame Burova|rating=4.5

|summary=Judy's This book lets us discover several people in different stages of life had in the early 1970s, all vaguely connected. So we have a bullied half-cast boy (as he would have been called then), a girl in a humdrum job wanting to become a singer, and chiefly, Imelda, the stuff which many others might envy: shethird generation of Madame Burova, 'd grown up with friends about her whom she'd known since primary school Tarot-Reader, Palmist and married the first man who asked Clairvoyant'', to use her family's sea- but he did seem to be doing rather wellfront booth. Then one day she discovered The singer, the scryer and the sufferer's mother will all become staff at a lumprevamped holiday camp, but just before then we see Imelda fly solo for the first time in the family stall. A hard lump. In We also see her on her right breast. Nerve-racking test followed nerve-racking testlast day, fifty years later, but eventually she was told in possession of a pair of letters that will change everything was absolutely normalfor a woman called Billie. Husband Oli wanted Just who is she, and who delivered the secrets about her to celebrate. So Imelda, and why did her friends. The problem was Judy. Missing the bus home after her hospital appointment she sat in it have to remain a cafe and thought. She realised that ''normal'' was not what she wanted. She wanted something more.secret all this time?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1472101650</amazonuk>152937331X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Nora RobertsJennifer Saint |title=Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy)Ariadne |rating=34.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=American Iona Sheehan moves to Ireland in order to discover her ancestors' roots This re-telling of the myth of Ariadne and oh so much more. Her ancestors were witches and her cousins Branna the Minotaur is interesting and Conor O'Dwyer have acquired the family talentunusual. Under their care and tutelage Iona has her own skills honed as she develops Jennifer Saint presents the magick passed down story in a way that is sympathetic to its origins but also appealing to her in between her work at the local stablesa modern audience. Unfortunately magick isnSaint't s narrative is told predominantly through the only thing viewpoint of Ariadne, spanning from her childhood to have survived the centuries. Cabahnher death, allowing the nemesis of Sorcha, the first O'Dwyer dark witch, has unfinished business reader to really connect with the cousins and not Ariadne as a character in her own right rather than just a good wayprop in the heroics of Theseus.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0749958588</amazonuk>1472273869

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Michele ForbesLucy Holland|title=Ghost MothSistersong

|summary=Belfast 1949: Katherine Sistersong is about part of a genre I particularly enjoy, the modern retelling of folk and fairy tales. These stories, for most of us, are a cornerstone of childhood and I relish seeing them retold with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective. If handled well these retellings give new life and new meaning to become engaged to fireman George Bedford when she meets Tom McKinley. He's bright fun stories that are now becoming increasingly narrow and makes her feel more alive than dependableoutdated, fleshing out characters, boring George ever couldexamining relationships and re-evaluating the role of women. The weight Sistersong is a perfect example of a modern retelling done well, the decision Katherine eventually makes will haunt her for a lifetime. We fast forward plot is handled with care, keeping its archaic historical feel but allowing the characters to come to life, to Belfast 1969 feel real and as the troubles human, most importantly they feel relatable in Northern Ireland exacerbate, as do a modern world whilst still feeling appropriate for the cracks pre-Saxon age they live in Katherine's marriage. In fact 20 years This is a masterpiece of storytelling and four children later, they've become chasmsI was captivated from beginning to end.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0297870440</amazonuk>1529039037

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B08NF79QXT|title=Leaving HavenCherry Blossom Boutique|author=Kathleen McClearyBrooke Adams|rating=4.53

|summary=After years of trying Thirty-one-year old Liberty Rossini has had her shop, the Cherry Blossom Boutique, for just six months when she's nominated for a second child- and wins - the Retail Best Newcomer Award. She's delighted and the two people she's brought with her to the event couldn't be more pleased. Sonja, her mother, Georgia is over the moon to conceive using an egg donated by ex-model and Brazilian: you can see where Liberty got her looks from. Jessica's thirty-four and Liberty's best friend Alice. The pregnancy progresses well and everything is looking rosy for Georgia : they've known each other since university and Liberty adores Jessica's husband John until, with mere weeks to goCharles and their four-year-old daughter, Ava. Life would be perfect for Liberty if it wasn't for one thing: she uncovers misses having a devastating secret that changes everything, including her ability to love man in her new baby, Havenlife.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0062106260</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B08GFSK2WZ|title=Is This Love?The Karma Trap|author=Sue MoorcroftLisette Boyd

|summary=Sue Moorcroft George Jackson is not a typical ‘chick lit’ writerthirty-three years old, despite the pink absolutely gorgeous to look at - and purple cover of this novel, single. She's not had sex for eight months and she's stuck in the fact that karma trap: an awful lot of bad luck is being visited on her publisher is ‘Choc Lit’and she has a real talent for attracting drama. Certainly there’s a romantic element 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 bookwater - then the shower fell through the roof whilst she was in it and left her, but there’s a great deal more besides. Lovestark naked, in staring at the title, does not simply refer pervy postman. She only has to take her mother's dog out for a walk for her to romance end up with dog poo spattered across her face - and adult relationships, but also includes strong family tiesa photo being taken by someone who shares it around the office.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890552</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B08CHJLNBS|title=The Gravity Between UsCapturing Emilia|author=Kristen ZimmerBrooke Adams|rating=53

|summary=Kendall BettencourtHe's Charles Devereaux, thirty-eight and a partner at Wickham Jones, the Mayfair letting agents. She's Emilia, twenty-nine, librarian and archivist in the heritage library next door. Emilia has read [[The Secret by Rhonda Byrne|The Secret]] but she's moved on from new age of just 19books like that, has become one of Hollywoodwhich leave you dependent on someone else's hottest propertiesphilosophies, to something a little deeper. Charles is more of a [[Personal by Lee Child|Jack Reacher]] man himself, but is missing her best friend Payton, above all, he's shocked that Emilia reads ''The Guardian''. Flying the other girl They're obviously not at all compatible, so why can Charles not get this woman out of his mind? She's not his usual type at all: it's obvious to keep her company in LA and help teach her music seems like a sensible thing to dohis friends. But Payton And given that Emilia regularly feels repulsed by Charles's realised superficiality, why does she thinks of Kendall as more than feel drawn to him? The relationship's obviously a friend non- does Kendall feel the same way about herstarter, and can their feelings survive the craziness of Hollywood lifeisn't it?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>190949013X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=FracturedHelly Acton|authortitle=Dani AtkinsThe Shelf|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Rachel is not living a life most people would covet. Her job is dullWhen we meet Amy, she lives alone 's in a grotty flat, she has relationship with Jamie. You can't really call it a scarred face that makes people stop and squirmpartnership, and she still hasn’t come because things tend to get done on his terms with the death of her best friend – who lost his life saving hers. She has to drag herself out of London and back to her hometown for the wedding of a close friend, and but she goes so reluctantly 's sticking around because it’s the first time the whole gang will have been back together since the accidentshe hopes she can change him. Ah, five years agoyes. It’s really not Haven't we all been there? Things are looking up when he tells her to pack for a life surprise trip. Could this be it? Is he ''finally'' going to hold get down on to. Surely she’d rather anything elseone knee? Was the work (and the wait) worth it?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781857113</amazonuk>1838770879

{{newreview|title=When You Walked Back into My Life |author=Hilary Boyd|rating=4|genre=WomenMike Parker's Fiction|summary=Hilary Boyd wrote best-selling 'Thursdays in the Park'girlfriend comes into school with a black eye, which I enjoyed immenselyclaiming he gave it to her, so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read her latest novelwhole world is tipped upside down. With Her relationship has just ended and now she's the stalwarts talk of a white-coat hospital romance as the major charactersschool. Mike was the most popular boy in school who was always so in love with her, everyone knew that, so why did he do what he did? Some people believe her and a sub-plot involving a dying old lady and her money-grabbing nephewsome don't, but one thing is for sure, therethis isn's plenty t going to hook lovers of an easy-read romantic novel. Hilary Boyd writes straightforwardly, and the story flies across the pagesblow over any time soon.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782060936</amazonuk>0349003297

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=An Englishwoman in New YorkKatie Fforde|authortitle=Anne-Marie CaseyA Springtime Affair|rating=54|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=I just love that feeling've wanted to read author Katie Fforde for ages and this was pretty much exactly what I was expecting - a warm, cosy read focused on romance, family and friendships. I’m in This provided two romances for the hands price of an writer who knows the business of writing inside outone, and I can relax and enjoy a surprise ride with plenty of laughs along but it was actually the way. No, I’m not related family element as opposed to veteran scriptwriter and producer Anne-Marie Casey: in a literary world awash with good reads, this is the highest-calibre popular novel I’ve read in a whileromance that I really enjoyed.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848548338</amazonuk>1780897561

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Anne AllenB07W4MNBSG|title=Finding MotherBe Careful Who You Marry|author=Lizzy Mumfrey

|summary=Saffron's husband, Joel, It was stabbed coming up to Halloween in the street eighteen months ago 1987 and no one has ever been arrested for his murdera group of sixth-form schoolgirls wondered what they would be doing when they were fifty. It When you's hard for Saffron and her two children, Pheobe and Zanere only seventeen that seems positively ancient, to live with what happened but somehow they have to find a way of getting on with their lives; lives Liz was convinced that no longer have Joel in them. It's hardly surprising that they struggle 'your entire life depends on who you marry''. The only eligible boys were the Young Farmers and the idea of living in a daily basis farmhouse and it all culminates when Saffron is having a couple of children called into school Will and Olly appealed to Charlotte, or perhaps William and Oliver if you were Elizabeth who was determined to discuss fourteen year old Pheobemarry the rather superior Patrick Shepley-Botham. Saffron doesn't know how The place to deal with start their search was obviously the situation especially as her daughter wonYoung Farmers't talk to herHalloween disco that weekend. On top of all that, Joel's killer is still out There was just one problem - there somewhere and that makes her scared for all her family's safetywere too many Elizabeths in the class.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780875002</amazonuk>

{{newreview|title=Mr Perfect|author=Joanna Davies|rating=3.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=This book made me feel old. Old, and a bit boring. From the blurb I'd expected a light-hearted chick-lit style story of finding the perfect man, or perhaps realising that the perfect man doesn't exist and finding, instead, the man you love has been living right under your nose all along! It is, in part, that sort of story. But it's also the story of two people who spend an awful lot of their lives having sex with entirely the wrong people and occasionally running into each other (literally at one point!) but missing the fact that they like each other for many, many years.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906784671</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy|author=Helen Fielding|rating=5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Bridget, as you might have heard, is back. Some things have changed (she’s now a mother! And in her, ahem, 50s) and some things haven’t (she still has dating disasters and drinks wine as if it were water) but the most important thing of all is that she’s still Bridget, and she’s still journaling her life for our amusement.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224098098</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream|author=Abby Clements|rating=4.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Amelia and Jack live in a cramped flat in Hackney where they hardly have room Move on to swing a cat. They can't afford to upgrade in London but maybe a small cottage away from the city could be affordable. When Amelia is overlooked for a promotion at the school she teaches in it feels that the time is right for a change. After their dream cottage is sold to another buyer, they discover Brambledown Cottage. It looks to be just what they are after; however, do they really know just how much work they are taking on?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782064303</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=A Heart Bent Out of Shape|author=Emylia Hall|rating=4[[Features|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Hadley Dunn is quite a fancy name for a girl like her. She has lived quite a nondescript life up until now, and even her university years look like they’ll be quite uneventful since she’s decided to live at home rather than move away. Then, out of the blue, an opportunity arises, and Hadley finds herself spending a year abroad in Switzerland. Away from the responsibilities of home, and surrounded by exciting new friends, Hadley becomes a much more appealing character. She is especially close to Danish student Kristina who is also there for a year in Lausanne, and the two soon grow close, even if each has secrets they keep to themselves and cannot share with even their closest of friends.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755390881</amazonuk>}}latest features]]