The Control Freak Chronicles (2009)

Helena Treadwell has worked hard to get her life sorted since divorcing her control freak husband Leonard and moving to her hometown of Castleford with her son Freddie. But things start to unravel when she loses her radio presenting job, her beloved father is seriously ill and Leonard announces he's moving to town, with the other woman that Helena has never met. Helena gets the opportunity to produce a TV documentary on why Castleford produces such well-rounded individuals and finds herself drawn to its director Will. The story examines control freaks in all guises from parents, bosses and spouses, as Helena deals with why her ex still yanks her chain.

The Battle for Big School (2007)

With only 50 places on offer for The Oaks, the best grammar school in Letchbury, parents are working hard to win their child one of the spots - hiring tutors, schmoozing at the golf club, selling a kidney. When Lily has her parent interview, she realises she may be letting down her son, Tim, by not being involved enough in community matters. So the former fashion editor of De Rigueur magazine ropes her friends Julie, Karen and Paul into organising a fashion show to raise money for their school library. But journalist Karen seems too preoccupied to help and it soon becomes clear that life - and the selection process - just isn't fair.

The Last Year of Being Single (2003)

This book - a case study in a flawed character - is written in diary form and tracks a year in the life of Sarah Giles, who has been dating banker Paul for five years. While he may appear to be the perfect partner to everyone else, he has a controlling personality and Sarah isn't happy with the way the romance has died. She begins an office flirtation with a womanising client called John Wayne. Soon the illicit lunch dates and sexy text messaging lead Sarah to betray the "sweet guy for the devil in the deep blue sea". Then Paul proposes at Christmas time, with the wedding planned for nine months away. Sarah needs to work out who she wants to be with - before her double life does her head in. Sarah's story continues in the sequel The Last Year of Being Married.

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