Before I Met You (2012)

In 1983, 11-year-old Elizabeth Dean moves with her mother and stepfather to Guernsey to the home of her step-grandmother, Arlette. The two develop a strong bond and it is Elizabeth (renamed Betty by Arlette) who stays for eleven years to care for her step-grandmother until her dying day. When Arlette's will throws up the mysterious name Clara Pickle, Betty offers to investigate, seeing it as her chance to finally experience life and to carry out the wishes of her beloved step-grandmother. Betty heads off to London to uncover Arlette's secrets but it also offers a new chapter in her own life. As she begins to piece together her step-grandmother's fascinating life in the 1920s, Betty has to negotiate the challenges and surprises of her new life in 1990s London. This is a wonderfully written and mesmerising novel, with a mystery that keeps developing and draws you in. The dual narrative of the 1920s and 1990s offers something a bit different and the novel has a certain historical feel to it. This is a mature, plot-driven read and Arlette's story in particular is beautiful and heartbreaking. The 1920s narrative is delivered in short, snappy chapters so the book never feels too historical. I was taken in by the drama and mystery of the story and loved the way the puzzle slowly emerged with several twists and turns and the dual narrative was perfect for this purpose. I did wish that Betty and the other relatives in the 1990s narrative had discovered the whole truth of Arlette's story but nonetheless the book is wonderfully imagined and written. (JC)

The Making of Us (2011)

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

After the Party (2010)

This sequel picks up 12 years after the 'happily ever after', which saw two 20-something flatmates finally get together. Now as 30-something parents, Jem and Ralph have recently separated, sharing custody of their two young children. As the story moves back a year, to before the separation, it is revealed that Ralph is still painting artworks, while Jem is just returning to part-time work as an entertainment agent. Ralph, finding it hard to deal with the domestic drudgery or bond with his baby son Blake, takes off to the US to visit his former flatmate Smith. There he connects with someone who leads him down a path he's sure Jem won't approve of. Meanwhile a resentful Jem befriends single dad Joel while wondering where that fun-loving, spirited girl Ralph fell in love with has gone. Jewell nails this believable evolution of her characters, with a heart-wrenching examination of how a couple can get lost amid family life and the passing of years.

The Truth About Melody Browne (2009)

When Melody was nine, she was rescued from a burning house. But along with her possessions, the fire also wiped out her memories. Now decades later, the single mum is out on her first date in years. After fainting while taking part in a hypnotist show, she finds that many locked-away memories of her childhood are coming back to her in flashes. Melody slowly pieces together her past, realising her childhood was nothing like she thought it was. A real page-turner from a great storyteller - you'll want to finish it in one go.

Vince and Joy (2005)

Vince and Joy meet at a caravan park during their late teens but had to part abruptly. Over the ensuing years their paths nearly cross several times as each settles for the wrong people. Is their destiny so strong that it will pull them back together again - despite numerous missteps? This reminds me a lot of Cecelia Ahern's Where Rainbows End but the unique element is that these two romantic leads are hardly together throughout the book.

One-Hit Wonder (2001)

Bee Bearhorn had a number one hit single in 1985 - and was destined to become Britain's answer to Madonna. But instead she becomes a one-hit wonder. When she dies alone in a London flat 15 years later, it's up to her timid, gangly half-sister Ana to collect her belongings. Leaving their agoraphobic mother in Devon, Ana tracks down Bee's closest friends (and the only ones at the funeral) - the exotic singer Lol and long-time driver Flint - and they set out to uncover what happened to Bee. Why did she have a secret country cottage, who is Zander and where is her missing cat? Ana's journey of self-discovery as she finds out how Bee's glamorous life fell apart is told by the interweaving of past and present events. Well worth a read.

Thirtynothing (2000)

Nadine Kites and Digby Ryan are best buddies and have been so from the first day of school. They are both still single and are in love with each other - but don't want to admit it. Instead they date all sorts of the wrong people, specifically those who don't threaten their friendship. Everything was going super-smooth until the day Dig turns 30. He is strolling through Primrose Hill and bumps into his ex-girlfriend Delilah after 12 years. They hit it off right away but in all the excitement Dig hasn't noticed a jealous Nadine's change of behaviour towards him. She decides to get back in touch with her ex-boyfriend Phil. If Dig can do it, then why can't she? Although it wasn't hard to guess what would happen in the end, this still doesn't distracts you from the story, which is warm, gripping and oh so romantic. (SS)

Ralph's Party (1999)

When Jem moves into a flat with the smooth Smith and his best friend Ralph, she is convinced one of the guys is her destiny since she's been having a dream about this flat since she was a teenager. Although Ralph, an artist, already has a girlfriend, he soon falls head over heels for Jem. But Jem has started dating Smith. Meanwhile Smith has spent years pining after the haughty Cheri who lives on the top floor of the apartment. But Cheri has been having an affair with neighbour Karl, who lives with Siobhan. And so the tangled web of relations begins. And it all comes to a head when Ralph throws a party. A great romantic comedy that will pull you in as soon as you read about the interconnected characters - and it's certainly not just for girls.

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