Recipe For Love (2012)

Zoe Harper has always been the helper so it's no surprise that she ends up doing a lot more than she bargained for when she enters a televised cooking competition. Right from the start Zoe gets herself into hot water when she helps a judge get his car out of the mud. She's then stuck with beautiful contestant Che as her roommate. Cher wants nothing more than to win the competition and will go to any length to get her way, much to Zoe's chagrin. Throughout the competition, Zoe finds herself trying to keep her feelings for the sexy judge Gideon in check while also trying to fend off nasty sabotage attempts by Cher. Zoe also finds herself helping the owners of the accommodation a lot more than is necessary and possibly getting herself in over her head. What's a girl to do when her heart is ruling her thoughts? Can Zoe possibly keep up the charade of not being interested in Gideon long enough to win the competition? This is another wonderfully written novel by Fforde. With brilliant characterisations, mouth-watering meals and a heroine who is part hopeless romantic and part realist, you won't want to miss out on this heart-warming story of love and cooking. (AS)

Summer of Love (2011)

Single mum Sian has just moved with her young son Rory to a country cottage where they can grow vegetables. Her devoted friend Richard is hoping she'll soon decide to settle down with him. Sian meets friendly local Fiona, who offers her the use of her barn to do her furniture restorations. As the twice-married Fiona tries a bit of internet dating, her wandering son, Angus, is about to return to the village. And it seems he and Sian have met before. Obviously it is no surprise as to who Angus is but what follows is a pleasant romantic read.

A Perfect Proposal (2010)

Sophie's academic, money-grabbing family have always taken advantage of her. This time they send her off to look after her grumpy but rich uncle while his carer is away. But Sophie actually hits it off with Evil Uncle Eric and she takes on the task of tracking down an American relative who may hold the key to the family making some money off some Texan oil shares. Once she's tasted a bit of independence, Sophie decides to head to New York to see her friend Milly. But when her job falls through at the last moment, she's left stranded until she meets a spirited elderly lady called Matilda who takes Sophie under her wing. Her grandson Luke is very suspicious of her motives but soon realises Sophie can do him a huge favour too. This follows a predictable romantic formula - and the way Sophie is so downtrodden with her family doesn't ring true with how she acts in the rest of the book - but reading this one lazy afternoon sounds like a pretty reasonable proposal.

Love Letters (2009)

Laura is at a crossroads in her life. Her beloved bookshop, which is the only employment she has known, is closing and she needs to find a new purpose in her life. When she is asked by the larger-than-life literary agent, Eleanora, to run a literature festival in Ireland, Laura is rather reluctant at first. Her mind changes quickly, though, when she finds out her favourite author, Dermot Flynn, may be taking part - if Laura can persuade him that is. Dermot is known to be a recluse, never coming out of his little Irish town or wanting anything to do with the press. However, when Laura convinces him to attend, she wonders if he agreed because he really wants to be a part of the festival or because he wants to see more of her. But as the festival gets underway, Laura finds herself backing off from Dermot, even though she wants nothing more than to be in his embrace. As she learns, love is not always easy and what is real is worth fighting for. This is an engrossing read by an author who knows just what it takes to create a wonderful novel filled with characters who feel like friends. It's fun to watch Laura blossom - in her confidence and her love life - from an innocent girl to a woman of the world. (AS)

Wedding Season (2008)

Wedding planner Sarah gets involved in two of the biggest ceremonies of her life - her sister Lily's and celebrity Carrie's - on the same day. Lily, who's getting married before her bump shows, is looking to economise on her big day while Carrie's budget knows no limits. With dress designer Elsa and hairdresser Bron on hand to help, Sarah pulls together the weddings while pining for photographer Hugo. Sarah, like all wedding planners you read about, doesn't believe in love - in this case because a boyfriend once broke off with her sometime in her distant past. With the dialogue more painful than a pair of too-tight bridesmaid shoes (what Gen-Xer talks or flirts like these people?), I had to force myself to finish it.

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