Babes in Captivity - Pamela Redmond Satran (2004)

Four women from a mother's group decide to each strive towards a goal. Mother of twins Deirdre, who fantasises about former band member Nick, dreams of resurrecting her singing career. Juliette, whose son Trey has autism, wants another baby and plans to start fertility testing. Ms Organised Lisa decides to write a self-help book but must first face a health crisis. And Anne wants to open a restaurant.

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Babies in Waiting - Rosie Fiore (2012)

Three women at different stages in their lives end up expecting babies in September. Louise is the oldest at 38, and then there is Toni who is 26, and then Gemma at 18. One of them gets pregnant to keep a man, one knows her biological clock is ticking and the other ends up pregnant after a one-night stand. Their family and friends all react differently to the news and there are many challenges each of them face in the nine months ahead. Louise, Toni and Gemma meet on an online forum and connect to one other through their experiences. This has all the elements I like in a book - friendship and motherhood. It's a journey you feel like you're on with them throughout the book. Rosie Fiore writes in such a way that you feel like the characters are friends of yours. The forum idea was brilliant, and helped these women through their experiences when they felt they had no one else to deal with their questions and worries. My favourite was Toni as she seemed so mature and headstrong but I also liked Louise, especially how she dealt with life as a single mother and the relationship with her brother Simon. This is a novel full of laughter, tears and shows a true understanding of motherhood in all its forms. (KD)

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Baby Be Mine - Paige Toon (2011)

This is the much-anticipated sequel to Johnny Be Good, which saw ordinary girl Meg become personal assistant to bad boy rocker Johnny Jefferson in LA. That novel left on a cliffhanger, with Meg pregnant but not sure who the baby daddy was. Now with her son Barney turning one, it is becoming more evident that he looks not like Meg's live-in writer boyfriend Christian but instead like his rock star friend. And Meg is wracked with guilt and wondering how long her son's paternity can stay a secret. Johnny, meanwhile, is in and out of rehab and dating out-of-control party girl Dana so doesn't look like a good prospect for fatherhood. I found this a disappointing sequel with overwrought emotions and stilted writing. It has been several years since I read the first book so it might be my memory but Meg seemed like an entirely different character. At one point, when we popped into a motor racing event to catch up with Luis from Toon's Chasing Daisy novel, I was sort of hoping Johnny was going to come to a fiery end.

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Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (2006)

What happens when he wants a baby but she doesn't . . . Claudia Parr and her husband Ben agreed to be childfree. But then Ben changes his mind and moves out. As her sisters and best friend face challenges which show how motherhood affects relationships, Claudia must decide what she wants most in life.

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Babyville - Jane Green (2001)

This is a tale of two women coping with the chimes of their biological clocks and another who is trying her best to ignore hers. TV producer Julia heads to New York for a break from her boyfriend, Mark, and their baby-making problems. For her best friend, Sam, the arrival of baby George has brought her exhaustion and marital strife. Will an affair with someone else's sexy husband be the answer? Maeve, who takes over Julia's job, gets nauseous at the thought of having children but soon is dealing with an unexpected reaction to an unexpected pregnancy.

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Bachelorette #1 - Jennifer O'Connell (2003)

Sarah has joined the hopefuls competing for the heart of bachelor Chris on reality TV show The Stag. But as a married mother of one, her intention isn't finding her true love, rather she's writing a magazine expose about the type of women desperate enough to go on a dating show. But soon Sarah is as desperate as the other women in wanting Chris to light her candle (similar to The Bachelor's rose ceremony) - and it's not only to stay in the competition to get more dirt. She's become friends with the other girls and shared some romantic moments with Chris. Will she remember what she has at home or will the bachelorette life seduce her? Take a night off from reality TV and read this fun, escapist story instead.

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Back After the Break - Anita Notaro (2003)

Lindsay Davidson is heartbroken when her fiancé Paul dumps her. But she is offered the chance to go after her dream job working in television. She becomes a trainee at Channel 6 where she meets presenter Chris Keating when she accidentally walks into his on-air studio. But their budding romance is affected by her gossip-ridden friendship with one of Ireland's top actors and Paul making a play for her again.

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Backward in High Heels - Judith Kelman (2006)

Imagine how heartbroken you'd be if your husband's office building burnt down when he was at work. Now imagine how you'd feel if you then discovered that he didn't die in the fire - instead he was in bed with his young mistress at the time. For Maggie, this spells the end of her marriage to Harold. Somehow she has to move forward.

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Bad Angels - Rebecca Chance (2012)

Step into a world of quiet luxury where everything operates like a sleek machine but has a turbulent underside that threatens to blow everything apart in an instant. The story is set in the Limestone Wharf, a luxury hideaway for the rich and the famous, and a place that festers with secrets and scandal. All the apartments are connected to the Four Seasons Hotel next door and the waiters access the homes through a custom-built tunnel that connects the hotel's kitchens to the elevators. From the lithographs that hang over the white leather sofas to the view of the Pan Peninsula from the endless windows, to the high-end designer fittings elsewhere, it is a place of pure luxury where only the very rich and very famous stay, each for reasons of their own. The protagonists of the story have their own agenda too. Melody Dale is there after her Hollywood career crashed and she had too much plastic surgery. Aniela, the nurse looking after her, is falling for a mysterious man covered with bruises, while Grigor, the Russian oligarch with his unique idiosyncrasies, blazes a path of his own. Why are they there? Will they accomplish their tasks and recover from their personal griefs? As with all of Rebecca Chance's novels, she keeps you guessing and there is never a dull moment. There is blackmail, scandal and a front-row view into the other side of the lives of the very wealthy. A must-read if you like a steamy blockbuster, with plenty of twists and turns and non-stop excitement all the way. (AC)

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Bad Behaviour - Sheila O'Flanagan (2007)

Nestled among Darcey's birthday cards this year is a fancy invitation to the wedding of her exes - her ex boyfriend Aidan and her ex best friend Nieve. Both now live in the US and work in high-flying careers for a financial company - but Nieve is planning her fairytale wedding back in Ireland, in a castle surrounded by flowers. But why does she want Darcey, the friend she hasn't seen for years, to attend? And can Darcey put the hurt caused by her two closest allies behind her and wish the newlyweds well? This is an enjoyable read about vulnerability, betrayal and broken ties set amid the corporate world. For those who like stories about friends gone bad.

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Bad Brides - Rebecca Chance (2014)

There is to be two weddings - each one equally lavish. Actress Milly Gamble wants to be famous and getting married to Tarquin, the lead singer of a huge folk band, will take her a step closer to her dream. Meanwhile, American pageant girl Brianna Jade has been hooked up with an English earl by her ever-so-ambitious and ultra-wealthy mother, Tamra. Edmund needs money to restore his estate to its former glory and Tamra wants a title for her daughter. Both brides battle to get themselves on the cover of a prestigious bridal magazine. Rebecca Chance knows too well how to pull the strings and create the perfect book with all the glamour and scandal in the world, not that I am complaining. I love how she throws super-rich, super-famous characters into the story and play with them; she certainly knows how to keep readers hooked. The book is packed with drama, glamour, glitz, sex and scandals. A gorgeous read but not for the fainthearted! (SS)

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Bad Bridesmaid - Portia MacIntosh (2014)

Mia Valentina, a 29-year-old rom-com writer living in LA, is single, rich, and has a seemingly endless supply of handsome men to keep her company (but only for the night). She's come a long way from her chubby teen years, when her sister and practically everyone at school made fun of her. Even though she writes romantic comedy for a living, she doesn't really believe in love. When Mia is invited back to the UK to be her sister's maid-of-honour, Mia decides that even though she dreads being around a family that doesn't understand her life choices, she'll go and do her best to fit in. Within days of arriving in the UK, she's accidentally injured the groom, taught her nephews some colourful new language, ruined the wedding cake, and slept with the best man. With the wedding falling apart around her, Mia is determined to help put it back together. Will she succeed? And what will she do when the best man wants more than a one-night stand? This entertaining story will make you laugh out loud. Mia's outlook on love and marriage is jaded and funny, a refreshing twist on the usual wedding rom-com. (CK)

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Bad Girls - Rebecca Chance (2010)

Amber is nearing the end of her modelling days - her addiction to prescription drugs certainly isn't helping - so instead her agent is hiring her out more as an escort. But when an international trip turns bad, she ends up in rehab. Lap dancer Skye gets the opportunity to make some money away from the strip club - by heading off to the same US clinic to seduce Hollywood star Joe Jeffreys, who's being treated for sex addiction. And for Petal, the daughter of a legendary rock star, she's grown up being exposed to tawdry scenes. But when she overindulges with her musician boyfriend Dan, her reformed father forces her to go clean up her act. This is a well-plotted story which keeps you wanting to know more about the characters and how they will fare. As a bonkbuster, it does get quite explicit.

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Bad Sisters - Rebecca Chance (2011)

Deeley is just about to discover her services as a fake girlfriend to gay actor Nicky are no longer required. Thrown out of Tinseltown, she heads back to England and her sisters. Oxford-educated Maxie is the epitome of respectability, married to an MP and about to adopt a Rwandan orphan. Devon helms a successful franchise as a TV cook (think Nigella Lawson) and is married to a rugby star. Deeley's return stirs up memories of a secret that the girls all share from their dismal childhood, one that must stay buried at all costs. Focussing on each sister in turn (although perhaps Maxie doesn't get as much of the limelight), this will appeal to those looking for a well-constructed story with lots of intrigue and sexual tension.

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Balancing Acts - Zoe Fishman (2010)

For anyone who has ever struggled with the "balancing act" involved in being a woman, this is the book for you. Charlie, Sabine, Bess and Naomi, four women who meet up again at a college reunion, are characters that any woman can identify with. Charlie, once a big name on Wall Street, gave up her high-powered career to open a yoga studio. Trying to let go of a past love, Charlie centres this story through her poise, charm and genuine desire to achieve happiness through being at peace with herself. Sabine, an editor at a publishing company, spends her weekends reading through other peoples' work while contemplating her own desire to write. Her less-than-exciting love life takes a fateful turn when she has the chance to get to know her secret crush, a man she sees on the subway every morning. Bess, a journalist stuck in a job that has her commenting on celebrity gossip, struggles with following her heart and moving to LA to be with her boyfriend, Dan, and staying in New York and not abandoning everything she has worked so hard for. Naomi, a once successful photographer, now finds herself designing websites and taking care of her son, Noah. When Noah's father enters the picture after many years, Naomi has to decide if she can let go of the anger she has been holding towards him. The four women meet once a week at Charlie's yoga studio and the lessons they learn through practice brings changes to their lives outside of the studio. Prepare to set aside enough me-time as this is a real page-turner. (JE)

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Bamboo and Lace - Lori Wick (2001)

Jeff and Lily Walsh are both children of missionaries in the Asian country of Kashien. But Jeff has moved away from home to Hawaii. He writes begging his father for permission for his sister to visit him. His father finally concedes to his wishes and Lily travels to Hawaii. Jeff enjoys showing Lily around and helping her learn about American culture. But suddenly, Jeff is called away on a work emergency. So he asks his best friend, Gabe, and the rest of the Kapaias to watch over Lily and continue her education. What will Lily learn while Jeff is gone? Will Gabe become important in Lily's life? I found the book to be a little long but still an enjoyable read, especially the parts where we got to explore Hawaii with Lily. (JG)

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Barefoot - Elin Hilderbrand (2007)

Three women go on vacation to Nantucket but none of them really want to be there. Each is dealing with life-changing events. Vicki, the mother of two small children, comes to Nantucket to get treatment for lung cancer. Her sister, Brenda, has just lost her job because of an affair she had with a student. Then there is Vicki's friend, Melanie, who recently found out she is pregnant and needs to get away from her philandering husband. They hire a local to help them with the kids while Vicki has her chemo treatments. What choices will they make for the summer and the future? This is my first book by Hilderbrand and I'll certainly be reading more. (JG)

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Barefoot - Michelle Holman (2010)

This funny sequel to Bonkers tells the story of how Glenn and Sherry's one-night stand turns into one big mistake as Sherry returns to NZ from Denver to find herself three months pregnant. Now Sherry must embrace what little motherhood skills she may have and try to figure a way out of this mess. At the same time, Sherry must deal with two sets of interfering parents and in-laws, her ex-boyfriend Stuart and a stalker who seems to like the tyres on her car. As a story about the mayhem of family life, Barefoot has it all. For those who have read Bonkers, you also find out the sex of her sister Lisa and Dan's baby and read more about Ben's sexual escapades and how he's lost so much weight. (PP)

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Barefoot by the Sea - Roxanne St Claire (2013)

Tessa has wanted children all her life - her own children. She doesn't want to adopt, she wants her own baby. For years she and her husband tried and failed to get pregnant. Then he leaves her for another woman and now they are pregnant and gleefully sharing this heartbreaking news with her. Tessa strongly believes that she is the problem and is unable to have children. She starts down the path of surrogacy but struggles because she is not married, her job security does not reflect her grounded life and because she has been building organic farms her home is where she is at the moment. The three stable people in her life are her college roommates who love her unconditionally. One day John - a mysterious but handsome stranger with secrets that he cannot begin to share - shows up in Barefoot Bay. He applies to the destination wedding resort to be a cook to stabilise his life. His food is amazing but his connection to Tessa is magical. They both struggle through their past pain to find their paths in life. It remains to be seen if Barefoot Bay will bring them together or tear them apart. This heartwarming and richly romantic story is a must read for anyone looking for mystery and love. (MS)

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Barefoot in the Dark - Lynne Barrett-Lee (2006)

Recently divorced Hope Shepherd becomes a modern day Cinderella when she loses her trainer running for the morning train. Luckily for her, Prince Charming is radio DJ Jack Valentine and he appeals for the owner of the trainer live on air. When she is reunited with her shoe, Hope convinces Jack into doing a fun run for the charity she works for. They try to fight their attraction as both are struggling with their new divorcee status and not wanting to get hurt again. It is written from both Hope and Jack's perspectives, giving you a good insight into both characters. The book itself in places is a bit like walking barefoot in the dark, it knows where it is going yet it just takes a long time to get there. (AB)

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Barefoot Over Stones - Liz Lyons (2009)

Can true friends ever get past a betrayal? Alison and Ciara are two Irish country girls who meet in college in Dublin and quickly become best friends. Theirs is a friendship of opposite personalities and situations - Alison is steady, refined and privileged, while Ciara is wild, mouthy and on the run from her family issues. When Alison falls in love with Dan Abernethy from Ciara's hometown, she is dismayed to discover that her boyfriend's family and Ciara's are inextricably linked - and that Ciara despises Dan. The dynamic in the girls' friendship changes until everything comes to a head in the worst treachery any friendship could go through. When tragedy strikes many years later, Alison and Ciara are offered a chance at redemption. But after everything they've been through, can they take it? While this is not the type of book that will have you hungrily devouring the pages to see what happens, it's a pleasant read with convincing characters, a confident and sophisticated tone and an interesting sub-plot. (SBB)

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Beach Lane - Sherryl Woods (2011)

Susie O'Brien (a cousin of Jess from the previous book) has been friends with Mack for a long time - in a "not-dating" sort of way. Now Mack has decided that Susie is the only woman for him and wants to take their relationship further. Then Mack gets laid off from his newspaper job and goes into hibernation to avoid his friends and Susie. He thinks if he waits until he has another job he can ask Susie to marry him. But Susie receives her own bad news, which she refuses to share with Mack. Will they ever be able to coordinate their time together and realise that some things can't wait? This book struck a chord with me because of some of the issues the main protagonist has to deal with. I have really enjoyed this Chesapeake Shores series (this is book seven) and look forward to reading more. (JG)

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Beautiful Creatures - Lulu Taylor (2011)

Identical twins Octavia and Flora Beaufort have been hidden away for years. On their 21st birthday, their aunt Frances - who raised them after their dad was killed in a plane crash and their mother ran off - announces that they are now allowed to have their inheritance and join the world. Octavia, excited to leave home and learn about all the things she has not been allowed to experience, starts buying everything she sees. But Flora does not enjoy the free rein they have just been given - nor basks in the limelight as an heiress. When she is almost attacked walking home one day, she is saved by Otto, a man she believes is looking out for her best interests. She decides to marry him and leave with him to his home in Germany. Octavia, still in her whirlwind high society world of shopping, fashion and men, starts to miss her sister and suspects something is not right. With these two girls having been brought up so sheltered, do they have the strength to deal with the shadiness that money and fame brings? And when they need each other the most, will they be there for each other? With all the elements of mystery, love, sex and money, Lulu Taylor has an uncanny way of making the reader feel like they are in the story. A hard-to-put-down book - her best yet! (CG)

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Beautiful Day - Elin Hilderbrand (2013)

Jenna is about to get married to her beloved Stuart on Nantucket, faithfully following the advice left in her late mother's notebook about how to create the perfect day. But things are far from perfect for those around them. Her sister, Margot, has just found out her ex-husband is getting remarried; her father Doug is having second thoughts about his second marriage; her best friend Finn's new husband has skipped the weekend for a bachelor party; and mother-of-the-groom Ann has to face the woman who stole her husband. It's such an engrossing story that readers will feel like they're a guest at the wedding. It's my favourite Elin Hilderbrand book to date.

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Beautiful People - Victoria Fox (2011)

aka Hollywood Sinners

Actress Lana Falcon is married to Hollywood powerhouse Cole Steel and about to star in the most-anticipated movie of the year. But it's not the fairytale marriage everyone thinks it is because of her husband's controlling ways and her heart still belongs to a past love. Las Vegas casino owner Robert St Louis is about to get engaged to heiress Elisabeth but another man has his eye on her. English model Chloe - who is dating arrogant rock star Nate - gets a chance to make it in Hollywood but she gets on the wrong side of an ageing beauty. As in all good bonkbusters, all these over-the-top characters' lives soon intertwine in a tale of lust, betrayal and revenge. There's lots of suspense and shock value built in - although some developments are so paper-thin, you could see them coming a mile off. Nevertheless Fox has delivered a pageturner of a debut about the wicked ways of the rich and famous.

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Beautiful People - Wendy Holden (2009)

It seems the beautiful people have more problems than most. Model agent Sam finds the most wonderful face in Covent Garden. But teenager Orlando, the son of an MP and a social-climber, isn't looking to be discovered and disappears without a trace into the crowd. Down-to-earth Emma arrives in London to work as a nanny. But since she doesn't have the right breeding and cares for the kids too well, the jealous mother conspires to get rid of her. Meanwhile American starlet Belle is desperate for a role. With her film star beau Christian ditching her, she ends up in England treading the boards with serious actor Niall. His girlfriend, Shakespearean actress Darcy, has reluctantly accepted a trip to LA to audition for a part in Hollywood blockbuster Galaxia. With the characters constantly flitting into each other's lives throughout the 600-plus pages, they then all collide in a small Italian village. An enjoyable romp where the ugly personalities get their just deserts.

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Beauty - Louise Mensch (2014)

Dina Kane has not had an easy life. Her mother never wanted her, her father died in an accident, while her brother was the only one allowed to get a college education. But Dina grew up determined to get ahead. Ambitious and beautiful, her enterprising ideas to increase sales and flip property see her rise from waitress to become a major force in the beauty industry. But you can't get to the top without forming enemies and there's someone from her past who is hellbent on revenge. This story flowed smoothly from Dina's early life and she is a remarkable, kick-arse character, with her flaws, motivations and successes readily explained. With a thwarted romantic interest coming in the form of multi-millionaire Joel Gaines, the plot is fast-moving and carefully constructed. However the confrontation at the end fizzled and certainly wasn't the tension-filled scene this otherwise top-notch story deserved.

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Beauty and the Geek - Roni Adams (2007)

Louie Hanson has always been in love with Becky Richardson, but he has kept his feelings under wraps to prevent it from ruining their friendship. After all, she's the former prom queen and he's just Nerdman, a computer repair man who offers his technical help whenever she needs it. However, Becky starts to waver in her opinion of Louie when he clinches the renovation contract for the Ryan house, Becky's dream home, and begins working there as a handyman. In order to meet the mysterious owner, she starts offering help to Louie but will sparks fly between them instead? Then the mystery man shows up at a masquerade ball and sweeps Becky off her feet. What will Becky do when she finds out it's a geek in disguise? (XT)

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Be Careful What You Wish For - Alexandra Potter (2006)

When wedding photographer Heather Hamilton buys some lucky heather from a gypsy, all her wishes start coming true. She finds an elusive parking spot, scores a date with her hunky neighbour - she even wins a lottery. But as time goes on, are these wishes-come-true a blessing or a curse?

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Be Careful What You Wish For - Gemma Crisp (2013)

Nina is an Australian working on the reception desk of a London hotel, catering to the whims of the rich and famous guests. Her own home life is hardly glamorous though, living in a one-bedroom flat in Brixton with two others, including her cousin Tess. Nina is also a magazine addict, and is encouraged to apply for a three-month internship with a prestigious women's magazine. When she becomes acting PA to the demanding editor-in-chief Charlotte, she fears she's walked into a real-life Devil Wears Prada scene. But instead she finds she loves the frenetic pace and is recommended for a job in Sydney after her working visa runs out. From here Nina scores herself a cute boyfriend and quickly scales the ladder in the glitzy magazine world of premieres, freebies and celebrity shoots - a far cry from her upbringing in the Northern Territory. But sitting in the editor's chair proves to have its problems too. Written by the former editor of Cleo and Dolly magazines, the book gives a realistic glimpse into the industry. It's a light, engaging read, perfect for the beach.

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Because She Can - Bridie Clark (2007)

Touted as The Devil Wears Prada of the book publishing world, this book's boss from hell is publisher Vivian Grant - a woman who thinks nothing of turning up at a wedding to berate the bride about unfinished business. Claire Truman thinks she's made it when she lands an editor's position at Grant Books and becomes the girlfriend of her university crush, Randall Cox. And despite having to weather Vivian's abuse and working to the wee small hours, Claire is determined to stay in the job for a year - and to see the book by Luke Mayville (the nephew of her former boss and mentor) published. But Claire can't help wondering if her future will have a happy ending.

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Becoming Scarlett - Ciara Geraghty (2010)

Wedding planner Scarlett O'Hara likes to have her life in order. But everything goes into disarray when her normally sensible boyfriend John leaves her to go on an archaeological dig to Brazil and she retaliates with a one-night stand with barman 'Red' Butler. So now not only is her pregnancy going to totally wreck her five-year plan, she's not even sure who the father is. On the work front, Scarlett's got a big wedding to plan - and a promotion to earn, all while constantly throwing up without warning. Although this book falls a bit flat in places - and a few plot developments are highly predictable - the writing style and the well-developed, memorable characters more than make up for it. The highlight: how Scarlett deals with the arrival of her baby.

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Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts (2009)

This is the second book of the Bridal quartet which chronicles the lives of four lifelong friends - MacKensie, Parker, Emma and Laurel - who start a wedding planning business called Vows. This one focuses on Emma, who arranges the flowers. Jack the architect does business with Vows on a regular basis. He plans the space that Vows uses but also would like to design a way into Emma's heart. Even if you aren't a huge Nora Roberts fan, this one comes highly recommended - especially for all the anecdotes of the different brides that grace their doors. (JG)

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Bed Rest - Sarah Bilston (2006)

Quinn 'Q' Boothroyd, a British lawyer living in New York, is used to life in the fast lane. After all how else would she have achieved so much off her 'Modern Woman's List of Things to do Before Hitting Thirty.' So when she is diagnosed with low amniotic fluid levels in her sixth month of pregnancy, how will she survive the strict bed rest? She has to lie on her left side and not get up, even for food. When husband Tom forgets to leave her a meal, she just has to starve. Maybe helping a neighbour fight a landlord who's trying to evict his tenants will keep her occupied - trouble is her husband's firm represents the landlord.

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Been There, Done That - Carol Snow (2006)

Kathy Hopkins, a 32-year-old journalist, is blessed or cursed, depending on the situation, to look like a teenager. Her current assignment is to go undercover as a freshman at a local college and investigate rumours of a prostitution ring. To complicate matters, she will be working with her ex-boyfriend Tim, a fellow journalist, who she never quite got over. Pretending to be 18 is harder the second time around, with crazy parties that go on way past her bedtime, a roommate that has transformed their dorm room into a Clay Aiken shrine and a hot resident adviser who resembles a young Tom Cruise. This is a fantastic funny novel about being able to get a second chance at youth and what you would do differently. (AO)

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Before I Forget - Melissa Hill (2008)

A freak accident has left Abby with a head injury that means it'll be difficult for her to retain new memories. So with the help of her family and best friend she embarks on achieving a list of experiences too memorable to forget, such as gambling in Las Vegas and seeing an opera in Italy. In fact, after having spent so long hiding herself away from life after the break-up of her relationship with Kieran, this jolt to her head may be just what she needed. Then she meets Finn in New York, and they spend a magical day together on Christmas Eve. But what will happen if she ever runs into him again? A touching story that provides yet another take on the popular chick lit theme of memory loss.

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Before I Go - Colleen Oakley (2015)

At 27, masters student Daisy has survived one bout of breast cancer but she now discovers that it has returned with a vengeance - and she only has months to live. Her biggest concern is what will happen to her domestically challenged husband, Jack. With Jack busy trying to finish up his veterinary degree, Daisy - a lover of organisation and lists - finds herself searching for someone to take care of him after she's gone. But the search for his new wife isn't something she can easily tick off her list - not least because she and Jack are struggling to come to terms with the inevitability of her illness. Although you know this isn't going to end well, this wasn't as heart-wrenching as I expected - and I mean that in a good way. The story is still powerfully emotional and captivating but those who fear a heavy and depressing read can rest assured, this is neither. Oakley explores Daisy's cancer diagnosis, her resulting grief and anger, and her changing relationships with others with complete assurance. It will be one of this year's must-reads.

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Before I Knew You - Amanda Brookfield (2011)

When two couples from opposite sides of the ocean decide to swap houses for the summer, the effects it has on each of them is powerful. Sophie and Andrew, who have been married a while and need some respite from the chores of daily life, and William and Beth, newly married and still in their honeymoon phase, don't know each other personally. However, when they are put in touch with each other through a mutual friend, and the house swap is put into place, a chain of events that neither couple can stop is set off. The novel takes a hard look at relationships and the complex emotions that are involved in each one. It's quite heartbreaking at points, but overall the novel is right on point. Relationships are hard work at times and when you lose interest or trust in your partner, then often these relationships take a different course. But at the end of the day, these characters learn that important things are worth fighting for. A smart and well-written novel that showcases just how good Amanda Brookfield is at dissecting the human relationship and creating compelling characters. (AS)

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Before I Met You - Lisa Jewell (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)

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Before the Storm - Diane Chamberlain (2008)

Andy is a 15-year-old boy who suffers from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. His mother, Laurel, has already lost enough time with her son when she neglected him at an early age, so she is spending the rest of her life making up for this and can be deemed as an over-protective parent. Eventually Andy manages to persuade Laurel to let him attend a sleepover at the local church. The church catches fire and Andy manages to save the lives of many children. But suspicions are cast as to whether Andy is a hero or arsonist. Laurel must battle the authorities who are accusing her son and also question herself as to how well she actually knows her son. The book is told from different perspectives. The author delivers a huge twist at the end of the novel. (SG)

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Before We Say Goodbye - Louise Candlish (2009)

Olivia never enjoyed a close relationship with her free-spirited mother. Not only did Maggie walk out on her family several times, Olivia also blames her for the demise of her relationship with her first love, Richie. Years later, one of Maggie's last acts before her death is to pass on Richie's address. Unable to resist seeing him again, Olivia heads to the seaside village of Millington, leaving her husband to cope for the weekend. But she soon settles into life with Richie and his young daughter Wren and finds herself unable to return to her previous existence. Will she do the unforgiveable and leave her two sons the way her mother left Olivia and her brother Dean? A moving - and sometimes disturbing - story of a mother's dilemma about whether she should put her own second chance at happiness ahead of her family.

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Before We Were Thirty - Katie Agnew (2004)

New parents Rachel and Simon think the best place to bring up their son is in a village outside Bath. While Simon continues working in London, Rachel's PR days are far behind her as she comes to terms with the loneliness of rural living. But she soon meets some of the other women from the area. Snooty Harriet lives at the centuries-old manor house, while glamour model Bianca lives with her pop star husband TJ in a newly built mansion. Then there's the hippie Summer who clearly is hiding from someone. When the wealthy Jack moves in, he befriends all the women. It's quite obvious to the reader - if not the women - who Jack really is but despite some of the book's predictability, it is still an enjoyable read.

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Behaving Badly - Isabel Wolff (2003)

A vet turned animal behaviorist, Miranda Sweet has always found animals to be more truthful and loyal than any human, especially men. She opens a new practice in Notting Hill, hosting puppy parties and diagnosing behavioural problems in her winged and four legged friends. After a devastating break-up with her fiance, Miranda tries to leave the past behind her. But it's not that easy. Miranda has kept a dark secret for years, a secret that haunts and wracks her with guilt. When her past eventually catches up with her, her best friend Daisy urges Miranda to make things right. Enter David White, a handsome photographer who Miranda is instantly attracted to. Things quickly become complicated as the story behind Miranda's secret unravels. True to form, novels written by Isabel Wolff are a delightful mix of humour and drama. Layers of intrigue and romance quickly drew me into this fantastic story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, and enjoys edgy chick lit.(CK)

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Behaving Like Adults - Anna Maxted (2003)

Holly runs a dating service. On the insistence of her friends, she decides to utilise her business to find a date for herself. The date turns into a nightmare that underscores the darker side of the single scene. This story is not the typical chick-lit story that I usually am drawn to. Though there are several witty and entertaining characters, the core of the story deals with the serious issue of date rape and the aftermath. The author does an excellent job of drawing you into Holly's life as she tries to cope with her experience while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in her life. Though she stumbles along the way, she proves to herself that she is a survivor. Several intriguing sub-plots involving Holly's sisters, parents and friends add to the story. This was a very good story that illuminates a horrific experience for women and turns it into a moment of survival when Holly takes her power back. (SH)

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Behind Every Cloud - Pauline Lawless (2012)

Sam's wine course thrusts Ellie, Rachel, Ronan and Zita together. Ellie is planning her dream wedding but when her fiance starts a prestigious new job, things begin to change between them. Ronan's marriage to shopaholic Louise is on the rocks, and has left him in dire financial straits. Rachel is married to high-profile politician Carl but her perfect life is a facade. And unknown to anyone, Zita's sole reason for joining the course is to ensnare Rachel's husband to further her career in television. After eight weeks on the wine course, they know their wines, and firm friendships have formed. But everything else has changed beyond recognition. The wine course brings together a diverse range of personalities, and they complemented each other well. Zita is the standout character for me, you have to love to hate her, and she has a great background story. I also found the portrayal of Rachel and the challenges of her life behind the glamour to be quite interesting. With an abundance of central characters, this book was never boring. However, there was a few too many stories going on for me, and while they all intertwined perfectly, at times I felt that if there were one or two less, the more compelling ones could have been fleshed out more. That said, I did enjoy this book immensely, and will certainly be looking forward to reading more by Pauline Lawless. (LO)

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Behind the Scenes - Anita Notaro (2004)

Aspiring actress Annie finally scores a dream role - playing a prostitute with a heart on Irish soap Southside. For her, it's a chance to give up waitressing work and move on from a life which saw her lose her mother at 10 and develop breast cancer as a young woman. For celebrity chef Libby, her life is about to drastically change too when she loses her husband. These two strangers are brought together, as they deal with their struggles in the public eye.

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Being Lara - Lola Jaye (2012)

It's Lara's 30th birthday and as she makes her wish a Nigerian lady comes to the door and creates chaos - she is Lara's biological mother. The novel then takes three directions. The first involves Lara's story - her experiences growing up including when she first told she was an "alien". The second is of Lara's adoptive mother Patricia, who started off like any poor white girl in a neighbourhood where nobody really went anywhere. But Pat always knew she would be a somebody and that somebody turns out to be Trish Smith - an 80s pop star. Trish soon meets Barry and seeks to start a family which leads them to Lara, a little girl abandoned at a Nigerian orphanage. The third story thread is Yomi's - Lara (or Omalara's) birth mother. It has taken 30 years of birthday wishes for Lara but when she discovers the truth of her past - will it be the moment she had waited for her entire life or will it lead to more disappointment? Being Lara is for all those girls who make birthday wishes every year and yearn for them to come true. (PP)

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Being Sarah Chilton - Ruth Briddon (2013)

This is the diary of Sarah, a career girl in her 20s who has almost given up on finding Mr Right, when along comes Chris, charming, handsome, wonderful - or so he seems. As funny and engaging as Bridget Jones' diaries, we follow Sarah's ups and downs as she catapults into marriage and motherhood - finding out that life doesn't always pan out as planned, but what doesn't kill you really does make you stronger... This is the debut novel by parenting counsellor Ruth Briddon, and features her personal experiences of motherhood. A definite must-read for all mums, proving its perfectly normal not to be a super-mum all the time. Being Sarah Chilton features moving emotional situations together with superbly funny moments - all of which will have you reaching for the tissues both in sadness and in laughter. (AT)

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Bella Fortuna - Rosanna Chiofalo (2012)

Bella Fortuna tells the story of the Deluca family. Matriarch Olivia and her husband immigrated to the United States years ago from Sicily. The couple opened a tailor shop in Astoria, Queens. The shop has now transformed into a custom bridal boutique where widow Olivia and her three daughters design beautiful gowns. Olivia's oldest daughter, Valentina, is engaged to marry Michael Carello, the man she has loved since she was 10 years old. As the wedding date approaches, Valentina finds herself facing unimaginable betrayal and heartbreak. Valentina travels to the romantic city of Venice and reevaluates the meaning of love. When a tragedy forces her back to Queens, Valentina confronts some of her past pain and chooses forgiveness. This is a beautifully written story that will make the reader fall in love with Valentina and her entire family. (AO)

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Bella Summer Takes a Chance - Michele Gorman (2013)

Bella Summer, known to all as B., embarks on a journey of self discovery when she realises that her life has become stagnant. Her decade-long relationship with boyfriend Matthias comes to an abrupt end when she concludes they were never in love. Her reliable consultancy job has caused her musical career to take a back seat, so she decides to take control of her life, and with the help of her best friends, goes on a search for true love, happiness and a successful singing career. I really liked B. as a character. Her big realisation about her relationship drew me into the story from the beginning. When she decides to become serious about her musical career, it really begins to take off and she is quite an inspirational character in that she takes a huge leap of faith in order to follow her dreams. Her friends were brilliant, my personal favourite was Frederick, and I felt that they really added to the story. B.'s love life after Matthias consisted of a series of men, none of whom were fatally flawed but weren't quite right for her, which I felt was true to real life. I had my eye on a certain man who I thought was perfect for her, and I was slightly disappointed when they didn't get together in the end. Michele Gorman has an excellent style of writing that keeps the plot flowing effortlessly and keeps the reader engaged throughout. (LO)

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Belle in the Big Apple - Brooke Parkhurst (2008)

Belle Lee works on the family newspaper in Alabama but decides to try her luck in New York. On the recommendation of her media mogul grandfather, she scores an interview with a right-wing TV news network where she learns that the news must serve their political agenda and that real journalists should consider the Nielsen ratings before Pulitzer prizes. Soon anchorwoman Paige takes her under her wing and the Southern Belle lets her passion for good food set her dating agenda. Interspersed with recipes, this sounds like an interesting read - but after only a few chapters it enters the don't-care-about-the-story-or-the-character category. Then it took an even stupider turn with newcomer Belle set to make her on-air debut interviewing Jessica Clayton, the Democratic presidential candidate, the day before the election. As if? The author is a former Fox News Channel reporter who has become a food writer. With the book only about 225 pages long, perhaps this suggests that she also got fed up with the story.

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Beneath a Starlet Sky - Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper (2011)

If you love Hollywood gossip and fashion, this is the book for you. As a sequel to the authors' previous novel, Celebutantes, this novel continues to follow the life of Lola Santis. Lola is now the CEO of her friend Julian Tenant's struggling fashion line. As the daughter of a famous Hollywood director, Lola grew up in the limelight and she now wants to avoid all of the craziness of Hollywood and maintain a quieter life with her doctor boyfriend, Lev. Lola finds herself at Cannes Film Festival desperately trying to keep her career intact, while dealing with drunk models, a mother who is shooting a reality television show, a brother and father who are competing in the same directing category, the dramatic aftermath of a recent break-up between her best friend and brother, and endless people who are trying to sabotage her fashion show. When Lev, her rock of sanity, gets offered a minor part as a doctor in a television sitcom and starts getting spray tans and eyebrow waxes, Lola sees her life crashing around her. The authors provide a great insiders' view of the absurdity of Hollywood. (AO)

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Beneath the Night Tree - Nicole Baart (2011)

In this third book in the Threads of Change series, 24-year-old Julia DeSmit is raising her son, Daniel, and her 10-year-old half-brother, Simon. With Daniel about to start kindergarten, Michael has just proposed. But then Daniel's father, Parker, returns to get to know his son and we all know what happens when an old flame appears. Can Julia decide which is better for her and the boys or will she end up choosing the wrong guy and making the worst mistake of her life? When tragedy hits, Julia's eyes are soon opened as she starts to discover that maybe happiness is different than being loved. (PP)

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Beneath the Shadows - Sara Foster (2011)

Grace and her husband, Adam, have just moved into an inherited cottage on the Yorkshire moors, when Adam disappears, leaving their baby daughter Millie on the doorstep. Initially Grace moves away to live with her parents but now she's back to sort out the cottage and see if she can uncover some clues to Adam's whereabouts. Grace feels unsettled living on the isolated moors with its ghostly tales, blanketing snow - plus she is not sure if she can trust any of the villagers, including the handyman Ben who's doing up her cottage. This is an intricately woven tale inspired by classic stories such as Wuthering Heights and Rebecca. The suspense and unexpected twists will leave you guessing all the way through.

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Bergdorf Blondes - Plum Sykes (2004)

Bergdorf Blondes are Park Avenue Princesses (PAPs) who are on the prowl for the must-have accessory, a rich fiancé. English Lit major Moi, who works as a freelance magazine writer, is friends with the perfect example, department store heiress Julie Bergdorf, who gets her blonde locks touched up every 13 days. Will Moi find her Prospective Husband (PH) in her European travels or has he been under her nose all this time?

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Best Friends Forever - Jennifer Weiner (2009)

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler were best friends but one day in high school changed their relationship forever and they stopped talking. Addie went on to become a greeting card illustrator while Valerie has become a local celebrity doing the weather for a Chicago news network. On the night of their 15th high school reunion, Valerie shows up at Addie's door, wearing a bloodstained coat and asking for help. A bitter Addie at first wants nothing to do with Valerie but finds she can't say no. She ends up being a suspect as police investigate a possible crime scene. As someone who has stayed largely hidden to society for years, this may be the chance for Addie to find her best friend again and possibly the love of her life as well. A great book defining friendships and what you would do for friends. With lots of twists and turns, I recommend reading this with your best friend. (CG)

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Best of Friends - Cathy Kelly (2003)

Abby has stumbled into a career as a television presenter, a role she is not entirely comfortable with. Between the pressures at work, her rocky marriage, and the fact that she can do no right in the eyes of her teenage daughter, Abby feels her life is spinning out of control. Lizzie is a selfless medical receptionist who will do anything to keep the peace and make others happy. However, when her ex-husband reveals he is in a new relationship and her daughter's outrageous demands begin to wear her down, Lizzie realises it is time she put herself first. Erin, who fled to the United States years ago in an attempt to escape her past, has moved back to Ireland due to her husband's job. Will she make amends with her estranged family and let go of the sadness she has felt since she learned the secret they had been keeping from her? Sally is beloved in her community and cherishes her tight-knit family. She is a gifted listener, and the town's women flock to her salon, not only for beauty treatments, but for her advice. When one of these characters receives tragic news, they are all reminded just how precious life is. As the women bond over their loss, they give each other the courage to face their own fears. The sheer number of secondary characters in this book is a little overwhelming, but Best of Friends is an emotional tale that deals with some very complex matters in a beautiful way. (LB)

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Best Staged Plans - Claire Cook (2011)

With two grown children and a house too big for their needs, Boston home stager Sandra Sullivan and her husband, Greg, are ready to start enjoying the next phase of their life. That is if she can get Greg and their son, Luke, to focus on readying the house for selling. Growing increasingly frustrated with their lack of help, Sandra decides enough is enough, issues an ultimatum and heads to Atlanta to work on a renovation project with her best friend's boyfriend, who recently purchased a boutique hotel, and visit with her daughter and son-in-law. However, almost immediately upon her arrival, Sandra's daughter, Shannon, announces she's received a promotion and is heading to Boston for a month of training, leaving Sandra alone with her son-in-law, Chance, for the duration of the project. And just when she thinks things can't get any worse, Sandra begins to suspect her friend's boyfriend is cheating on her. So much for leaving the drama at home. Cook has given us relatable characters dealing with everyday issues and frustrations in a witty, yet smart, way. There are more than a few laugh-out-loud moments and readers will no doubt find bits and pieces of Sandra in themselves, as she deals with family, life and the loss of her reading glasses. (LEK)

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Best Supporting Role - Sue Margolis (2014)

From the outside, Sarah Green has a perfect life, a successful husband, two fantastic young children in a posh private school and a beautiful house in an expensive neighborhood. In reality, her husband is a compulsive gambler who has left the family penniless. When a freak accident kills him, Sarah has to pick up the pieces and find a way to support her children. She moves into an apartment in a sketchy neighborhood and takes a job at a 911 call centre. She eventually starts dating an accountant who likes to make budget spreadsheets in his spare time. Sarah is convinced that a boring accountant and a stable job is the life she needs to live. But when Sarah's aunt dies, leaving Sarah her once famous and now failing lingerie shop, Sarah reluctantly decides to take a chance. Her accountant boyfriend is outraged at her financial risk and their relationship quickly goes south. Sarah attempts to get the shop back on its feet. She hires Hugh, a struggling actor who lives paycheck to paycheck, to renovate the boutique. He is the type of man Sarah has sworn off. As Sarah starts to take chances in her business, she begins to re-examine her life and starts to wonder if safe choices are the way to live. This is an absolutely wonderful and engaging book. I fell in love with the characters and laughed my way through the entire novel. (AO)

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Be Sweet - Diann Hunt (2007)

Two sisters both share a sweet tooth for food. Charlene Haverwood is divorced and childless with a high-powered career. It's that time of year again - the annual Syrup Harvest - and this year it coincides with Charlene's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Heading home to Tappery, to stay with her younger sister Janni, Charlene finds it hard to be back with her sister and coupon-clipping husband and their pet squirrel which won't stop attacking her expensive nylon stockings. Charlene tries to multi-task, saving her parents' party from being turned from an extravaganza into a cheap night out when her sister tries to take over. When things get too tough, Charlene turns to the one thing she knows will comfort - chocolate. When she ends up with a toothache it's time to visit the dentist whom turns out to be a hunk and sparks fly. Is this Charlene's second chance at love? This is a wonderful story that shows that no matter how old we get and how many arguments we have with our sisters, when it comes to the crunch they are always there for you no matter what the circumstances. (PP)

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Better Together - Sheila O'Flanagan (2012)

Sports reporter Sheridan loses her job during a restructure of her Dublin newspaper. Never feeling like she's lived up to the successes of her two sporty brothers, she blames her job loss on new owner Paudie O'Malley. Sheridan eventually picks up a temporary job on a small-town newspaper in Ardbawn, where Paudie is from. She thinks she might make it back into the big leagues by doing an expose on the business tycoon, whose wife Elva died in mysterious circumstances. Sheridan moves into the bed-and-breakfast run by Nina, whose actor husband has just left after having a fling with a co-star. But will she pursue the story when she realises how much it might cost her? This is another pleasurable read from O'Flanagan, with a likeable heroine and a solid mix of romance and intrigue.

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Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie (2004)

Minerva Dobs has just been dumped by her boyfriend when she overhears him making a bet with Cal Morrisey that he can bed her in a month. She accepts a dinner date with Cal, and at the end they agree not to see each other again. But fate intervenes and over time, they bond over donuts, chicken masala, his nephew Harry and find that there is something between them. If that bet wasn't hanging over them maybe they could take the biggest gamble of all - a shot at true love.

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Betrayal - Sasha Blake (2009)

Sex and scandal are the two crucial ingredients in a glamorous bonkbuster. And Betrayal is exactly that - it centres around the Kent family, telling their story from 1996-2005. Emily, the youngest daughter, manages at 16 to get herself pregnant to an English earl's son Tim. Claudia is the oldest daughter who the Kents adopted when she was five. All she has ever wanted is to be loved for who she is and not for what her last name entails. When she finally meets Martin, the man of her dreams, she is ecstatic but is Martin all he seems or is he hiding a dark secret? Nathan Kent is the black sheep of the family. He was adopted out by the Kents when he was a child and now has returned from the shadows with one goal in mind - to take revenge on the Kents, especially Claudia and their parents. Head of the family Jack Kent had ground his business to near-bankruptcy but is on his way back up. Unfortunately he has a little scandal of his own happening - a sordid affair with a hotel maid. For matriarch Innocence Ashford, she is anything but innocent. She has always felt looked upon as just being Jack's wife but now she is ready to claim what is hers. Can she find a way to overthrow Jack without ruining the Kent name? (PP)

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Better Than Chocolate - Susan Waggoner (2005)

Food writer Annie Wilkins' life changes overnight when her research scientist husband Tom invents a fat-free, calorie-free chocolate. With his company deciding to use the couple as the product's spokespeople, Annie has to live up to the right image by losing weight and moving into a dream house. But fame always has a price - and Annie's already run up too much on her credit cards.

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Between a Mother and Her Child - Elizabeth Noble (2012)

Maggie had the perfect life - nice house, three wonderful children, loving husband - until her world fell apart when her son Jake died. The family relationships suffer as they all deal with their grief differently and Maggie struggles to keep her family together. Kate arrives as housekeeper and Maggie's companion as she helps her to rebuild her life, but why is Kate so keen to help a stranger? If you're an Elizabeth Noble fan, then you'll enjoy this. It is well written and has engaging characters, but it isn't one of her best. Elizabeth has set the bar high with her other books, and whilst it successfully explores a difficult subject and you feel for the characters, it just lacks a quality that Things I Want My Daughters to Know and The Girl Next Door had. (AB)

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Between, Georgia - Joshilyn Jackson (2006)

The novel is like a reinvention of the Shakespearean feud between the Montagues and Capulets - in this case, it's between the Fretts and the Crabtrees, two families living in Between, Georgia. Though both have long regarded each other with bitterness, due to their stark differences in lifestyle and beliefs, they have kept their hatred for the other party well hidden. However, the birth of Nonny Frett, child of Hazel Crabtree but later adopted by Stacia Frett, becomes the igniting factor of their ongoing feud. Thirty years have passed, and Nonny, now working as a translator in Athens, Georgia, is stuck in a relationship rut. She still finds herself deciding whether to divorce Jonno, or move into a relationship with her all-time best friend Henry Crabtree, despite the raging fires between both families. This is a long story but it's an enjoyable and gratifying read. (XT)

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Between Males - Fiona Walker (2001)

Odette Fielding is a model of a self-made woman in the 21st century. She leaves her savvy PR career and goes into business with popular restaurateur Calum Forrester. But she falls too seriously for callous Calum who is way too rotten. While she tries to fool most of her friends, she could no longer fool herself that her leading man is actually the leading villain, and prepares the perfect recipe for revenge. From opening club night to after hours, Fiona Walker's old and new characters pop up to join the endless party of crazy family reunions, roaring hen nights and over-the-top weddings. All this happens while Odette goes from hard-earned Prada to nada, bankrupt and homeless, couch surfing her way from the right London address to good old-fashioned love in the most unexpected place. (SARI)

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Between You and Me - Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (2012)

Logan Wade may have a world-famous cousin but that doesn't mean she's living the rock star lifestyle herself. In fact, Logan hasn't seen Kelsey in years and doesn't know anything about her that she hasn't read about in magazines. So when Logan is invited to Los Angeles to see Kelsey and ends up becoming her personal assistant, it's easy to say that her new life is a far cry from her old one in New York. Globe-trotting, running Kelsey's baths and dealing with Kelsey's mum and dad who control everything is just the start. As far as Logan can see, Kelsey is being worked like a dog with no time off even when she is sick, but that doesn't matter to her parents who treat Kelsey like a small child and shelter her from the rest of the world. As time goes on Logan realises that Kelsey doesn't feel loved - even though she has the devotion of millions of fans - and when push comes to shove, Logan has to decide what she can and can't handle. Because even the best job in the world isn't worth your sanity - or watching someone you love come crashing down in flames. With well-formed (thought not very likeable) characters and a pop star who is reminiscent of Britney Spears when she had a breakdown, this is a fun novel about the other side of being a celebrity - behind the fame and fortune lies loneliness, heartbreak and exhaustion. However, the conversation seems stilted at times and the timeline seems a little hard to follow. Both of these things make it hard to really get into the story, so with this novel, you're either going to love it or hate it right off the bat. It's definitely not an easy breezy beach read as it has much more substance than initial expectations. (AS)

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Between the Sheets - Colette Caddle (2008)

Best-selling romance novelist Dana De Lacey finds she can't focus on her writing when husband Gus walks out, without explanation. Instead of finishing off The Mile High Club, a novel that comes at a crucial turning point in her career, she instead finds herself drawn to her past, detailing her miserable home life with her controlling father, Irish poet Conall O'Carroll. Will resolving her past - including the unexpected appearance of her estranged brother Ed - help her move ahead to a brighter future - and will it be with or without Gus?

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Between You & Me - Kirsty Scott (2007)

Cate Wishart and Margie Holland were childhood best friends but now two decades later they live at opposite ends of the country and don't keep in touch. Cate is married to a doctor and mother to three daughters. But she's wanting more attention from her husband Dan and to just find the time to finish her interior design course. Margie is a senior news producer who's single (apart from occasional nights spent with the star correspondent) and happily child-free. When the two women get an invite to their high school reunion, they hook up again and help each other in ways that only a best friend can.

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Beyond Grace's Rainbow - Carmel Harrington (2013)

Grace Devlin, a single young mother, receives devastating news which will change her life and the life of her young son. With her only chance of survival a bone marrow transplant, Grace must reopen the search for her biological mother. If news of her cancer isn't bad enough, the reappearance of the child's father becomes another obstacle to either overcome or embrace. With friends Tara, Sean, Tom, Gerry and Abby as her family and support, Grace's journey is one filled with deceit, uncovering truths and lies, but also being open to the prospect of love. Will Grace get the bone marrow she needs to survive to see her little boy grow up in a world where nothing is ever quite as it seems? From the moment the first page is turned, the reader is transported to Grace's world, where we are shown love, honesty, triumphs and tribulations. Harrington's novel is realistic where the characters are entwined together through Grace's story; but each with their own individual needs and wants. You will cheer for Liam who has overcome his alcoholism and take pride in his approach to parenting and falling in love. You will recognise Tara's temper and her protectiveness over her friends. You will see compassion and love through the eyes of Doctor Sean. You will love the flamboyance and tenderness between the loveable couple Tom and Gerry (yes you read that one right!). You will see your younger self through the world of Abby as she tries so hard to find her one true love. As young Max's smile fills a room with warmth and love amongst his surrogate aunts and uncles, you too will remember what it was like to be a child surrounded by so much love. And finally, there is Grace. A pillar of strength. A mother. A friend. A lover. A daughter. A sister. (MP)

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Big Boned - Meg Cabot (2007)

The last book in the Heather Wells series. With a fetching, athletic assistant math professor, Tad, as her boyfriend and her dad finally moving out, Heather seems to be having some of the best moments of her life. But the latest murder victim in "Death Dorm" happens to be her new boss, Dr Owen Veatch, and the finger of suspicion is pointed at the would-be boyfriend of her graduate assistant. Will Heather be able to find the murderer, answer Tad's important question, make Cooper realise that she's the one for him, and most importantly save her own skin? (XT)

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Big Girl - Danielle Steel (2010)

Big boned Victoria looks nothing like the rest of her family, instead she's told she bears a resemblance to dumpy Queen Victoria. When she is seven along comes baby sister Gracie who becomes the apple of her parents' eyes. As Victoria has always had a sweet tooth and eats to deal with her parents' disapproval, she soon feels even more uncomfortable in her skin. And having a younger sister who's a gorgeous GAP model and growing up in body-conscious LA makes life even more difficult. So Victoria decides it's time to pack her bags and after college in Chicago she moves to New York to become a high school teacher. But life for Victoria isn't about to get any easier as she goes through a series of odd relationships, from guys who end up being gay to cheating scoundrels. This tale about an outsider focuses on sisters and self-esteem, food and family conflict, and the good, bad and ugly side of romance. It's one of those novels where you will swing between laughter and tears. (PP)

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Big Girl Panties - Stephanie Evanovich (2013)

Holly, a 32-year-old, overweight widow with bad hair, is on her way home from Toronto after settling her deceased husband's accounts. To her mortification, she is seated beside the Adonis-like Logan, a sinfully attractive personal trainer. Logan initially brushes her off but is quickly intrigued by her sarcastic sense of humor. They discover that they live near one another, and on impulse, Logan offers to help get Holly back in shape. Holly, feeling lonely and ready to change her life, accepts. Over the course of several months, Holly slims down and forms a genuine friendship with (and major crush on) Logan. As her killer curves start attracting the attention of other men, Logan becomes jealous, though he isn't ready to admit it. The sexual tension builds to a breaking point, and they end up taking their sweaty workouts to bed. Both are over the moon about each other but struggle with their own internal battles. Can they get over their insecurities and hang-ups? Is this real love, or are they destined to crash and burn? I couldn't put this book down! The writing is funny, exciting, and fraught with sexual tension. It was refreshing to have a curvaceous heroine, working towards a healthier mind and body. The book addresses many issues about bias towards weight, and encourages readers to think twice before passing judgment on anyone. (CK)

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Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty (2014)

aka Little Lies

Three friends, each so different from the other, form a strong bond. Madeline is very catty and blunt but with a great sense of humour. Celeste is stop-traffic beautiful with a seemingly perfect life - she's got everything a person can dream of. Finally, there's Jane, a waif-like single mother, for whom self confidence is evasive. Everyone is struggling with their own secrets and it's all about the power "on the playground". When the secrets start coming out, lives begin to unravel and nothing will ever be the same. What can I say, this book was brilliant! The author paints a picture of the citizens of the beachside community that is larger than life and the characters will stay with you. I can't recommend it enough! (KARM)

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Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher (2013)

A tragedy in Sophie May's childhood has left her rooted to her home in the sleepy Rosefont Hill. Instead of uni, a gap year and having fun with her peers, she lives at home with her mum and works at a tea shop, owned by her best friend, the pensionable Molly. Her life seems to be moving gently along until the arrival of a film crew, who are filming a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and the leading man, Billy Buskin. When Billy starts frequenting the tea shop, the two strike up an attraction and the relationship blossoms with Sophie agreeing to move down to London with Billy where he is due to start a play. In London, Sophie is thrown completely out of her comfort zone but she tries to adapt to Billy's lifestyle and career. When his latest film sees him paired opposite a former girlfriend however, their relationship is tested to the limits. This is a sweet and charming debut. However, I felt the romance between Billy and Sophie was rushed and therefore that it lacked real intensity or interest and there were other elements of the plot that I felt were underdeveloped. Sophie's secret which is emphasised in the blurb and is hinted at throughout is also not particularly different or overwhelming. However I enjoyed Sophie's journey and also found the sections dealing with loss very moving. (JC)

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Bitter Chocolate - Lesley Lokko (2008)

Three girls turn into women as they struggle to survive and learn to love and trust. Laure leaves exclusive circles in Haiti to explore the desolate haunts of Chicago. Cheated and taken as a fool so often, when she finally discovers love, will she ever find trust? Amelie, who has no family, creates a life away from the only home she knows, except it is in a passionless marriage in a strange new land. While she branches out on her own, will she ever learn the truth about her roots? Rich girl Melanie, after a series of disappointments, longs to be loved so badly. But will she learn to not be so selfish and shallow? Lesley Lokko's story spans continents (North and Central America, Europe, Middle East, Africa) and more than a decade as these women are thrown into uncertain circumstances that change the rest of their lives. Told in a fairly captivating pace, the novel leaves the reader feeling its poignant sentimentality. (SARI)

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Bitter is the New Black - Jen Lancaster (2006)

Former sorority girl Jen gets laid off as a company VP during the dotcom bust and has to move out of her flash apartment. This is a bitter pill for Jen to swallow, as she is designer labels all the way. In fact the subtitle says it all: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. This memoir adapted from Jen's blog charts her search for a new job and a cheaper apartment. Should she marry depressed boyfriend Fletch to score all the gifts; will she ever escape the temp job market? Jen is so self-absorbed, obnoxious and snotty (you're glad to hear she has a weight problem), that you'd probably hate to have her as a friend but her over-the-top personality makes this story an engrossing read.

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Bittersweet - Sarah Monk (2010)

Nell and Ange have become friends through dating brothers Marcus and Justin. After a turbulent flight back from Prague where the boys really showed their true colours, the girls toss in their jobs and take off to stay with Nell's godmother Maud in Cornwall. Outgoing Ange scores herself a job behind the bar of the local pub. Nell - who makes a mean cupcake - buys up a neglected cafe, earning herself a spot on a reality TV program with a dishy host. But it seems her tastebuds for love are instead whetted by the guy who's always around at Maud's. This is an easily digestible read which sees two women dump their unsavoury boyfriends and start over again in a fresh environment.

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Bittersweet - Melanie La'Brooy (2010)

aka The Wedding Planner

From the moment I read the prologue I knew I was going to love this book: "The sole reason Sabrina was marrying Edward was because she had genuinely and irrevocably fallen in love with him at first sight. The only problem was, so had Mimi." It is a tale of two very different sisters - Mimi has returned to Australia having blown her inheritance. Her sister, Sabrina, who she hasn't spoken to for years after an argument, is a Gold Logie-winning soapie star who is about to marry a very eligible investment banker. With no one else really to trust, Sabrina hires her sister to act as bridesmaid and liaise with the secretive wedding planner. As the wedding countdown begins, the secrets each sister is keeping from the other start to emerge, as well as their dark family history. This is a captivating story that doesn't necessarily spin off in all the directions you suspect. And for those who devour Aussie soaps, you'll get an extra laugh out of the celebrity stuff. This is La'Brooy's best yet.

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Blackberry Crumble - Josi S. Kilpack (2011)

Catering wondergirl Sadie Hoffmiller is busy trying to organise the local Latham Country Club luncheon when she gets a tearful visit from May who wants to hire Sadie for her sleuthing, rather than culinary, skills. May believes her wealthy father was murdered and she is aware that Sadie received a lot of attention after solving a murder in the previous book Key Lime Pie. Soon we see Sadie trying to juggle her catering business as well as putting that amateur detective knowledge to the test to get to the bottom of the case. However, we are about to see that this matter may well involve a case of unrequited love between May and a suspect called Richard. Is this to become a story of one reunited love and one failed love as Sadie and Detective Pete's relationship starts to crumble? This is the fifth book in the Culinary Mystery series but works as a stand-alone light-hearted romantic mystery. (PP)

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Blackberry Winter - Sarah Jio (2012)

Claire Aldridge, a reporter for the Seattle Herald, is assigned to cover the freak snowstorm that has hit Seattle in May. She learns that this kind of storm is called a "blackberry winter" and it also happened on the very same day in 1933. Through her research she discovers that a three-year-old boy named Daniel Ray was abducted that night while his mother Vera was at work. Vera finds his teddy bear in the snow but no sign of her son. The police were of no help since Vera was a poor single mother. Claire vows to get to the bottom of what happened to little Daniel. She never imagines how interwoven her own story is with Vera Ray. Claire is dealing with heartbreak of her own and the more she digs into Daniel's story the more she knows that she has to get justice for Daniel and Vera.The story alternates from Vera's in 1933 to Claire's present day. Jio once again writes a suspenseful love story, flawlessly connecting two different eras. This story, by one of today's most talented writers, will stay with you long after you finish it. (AR)

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Bleak - Lynn Messina (2012)

In this modern-day take on Dickens' classic Bleak House, New York author Ricki Carstone quits the humdrum of her job to move to glamorous Hollywood to wait for her debut novel to be adapted into a movie. The young paralegal has churned out a workplace comedy, Jarndyce & Jarndyce, by recording the squabbling at her office. Her Hollywood film agent assures her that the book is on its way to becoming a blockbuster with the most famous (read: infamous) teen star on the face of the earth starring as the protagonist. Blinded by the rosy picture painted by her film agent, Ricki quits her job and moves out to LA where she bumps into Harry Skimpole at the relaunch party of her book. The out-of-work actor, as his name suggests, skimps at the glossy parties, networking his way to stardom and acts as Ricki's guide into the bizarre and frustrating maze of movie making. Ricki's neighbour, Simon, an ex-screenwriter who claims to be have "been there and experienced that", warns her against clinging too much to the hope that her story will make it into a movie theatre someday. But Ricki is getting carried away by the limelight and has her heart (and bank account) shattered on a weekly basis. The plot delves into Ricki's pursuit of happiness as she holds on to a dream even when the odds are all stacked against her. Sometimes I found it frustrating that she refused to see sense and made one bad decision after another. And after all that dragging, the end seems a little rushed. (PD)

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Blind Submission - Debra Ginsberg (2006)

When the bookshop she works in closes down, Angel Robinson is forced to find a new job. Her writer boyfriend Malcolm encourages her to apply as assistant to literary agent Lucy Fiamma. Despite having to juggle her boss' prima donna demands and the authors' quirks, Angel quickly becomes indispensable. One day, a chapter from an anonymous author arrives. Set in a literary agency, Blind Submission centres on an ambitious assistant. Angel's curiosity soon turns to panic when the story unfolds with secrets from her own life. As the novel's plot turns to murder, Angel is running out of time to discover who its author is.

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Blossom Street Brides - Debbie Macomber (2014)

Blossom Street, Seattle, is the home of a knitting store named A Good Yarn and the meeting place of three women whose friendship goes beyond a cup of tea and a chat. Owner Lydia, mother to adopted daughter Casey and stepson Cody, has a wonderful marriage to Brad. Family concerns regarding her mother's frailty and determining how her daughter will cope when her mother passes is just one additional worry for Lydia's shoulders to carry. Mysterious knitting baskets are being placed around town with stock from her shelves, asking passersby to knit a row or two, with the final piece given to the homeless. Lydia has no idea who is behind this wonderful act of charity and is curious to find out. Bethanne is married to Max and as newlyweds, their long-distance relationship is difficult to cope with emotionally. Add to the mix an ex-husband who won't go away, a stubborn daughter who refuses to accept Max as her mother's new husband and a new grandchild on the way. Circumstances within her relationships cause Bethanne to re-evaluate her family and marriage with the possibility of giving up everything to be with the man she loves. Lauren dreams of having a family of her very own. On receiving news that her sister is pregnant, Lauren takes check of her life and decides changes are needed. Ending a long-term relationship and creating a 'husband list' is just what she needs to give her the right headspace to find true love for herself. As a fan of the Blossom Street novels, Blossom Street Brides - the 10th in the series - doesn't seem to have the suspense and anticipation of past novels. Previously, a reader has been able to pick up a Blossom Street themed novel and have an understanding of who the characters are and their place on Blossom Street. This particular novel doesn't give a lot of background information on the characters, and will leave first-time readers confused and questioning who is who. As a reader, I felt Blossom Street Brides lacked a certain 'high' compared to the other novels. If you have followed the series, a reader tends to want more interaction with the other characters we have come to love so much - just as they have previously. An additional storyline of Lauren's boss and her daughter didn't seem to a be a good fit and the novel itself would have survived without it. (MP)

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Blow Me - Lennie Ross (2011)

Skye, Dawn, and Chloe have been friends for a long time. They have covered the LA dating scene from A to Z, and are ready for a change, and each one has a plan to make that happen. Skye ends up on the street with no job, living out of her Mercedes. She meets this guy in the bar who befriends her and offers her a different kind of life. Dawn has been working at a dating service called Model Dating. She meets Jake and it is love at first sight but will she be able to sustain the relationship? Chloe is a struggling actress/realtor who has not found real success in either industry. She is also not from the United States but has not renewed her visa and still has hopes of finding a husband. How will this all play out? Will the women be successful in their pursuits? Even though I enjoyed the story I thought it lagged a little in the middle. But overall Ross wrote with passion about the struggles that women face in the dating scene. (JG)

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Blue Christmas - Mary Kay Andrews (2006)

'Tis the season to be jolly and for Eloise as always she is looking forward to Christmas, her favourite time of the year. However, this year she faces a series of unfortunate events, including an unusual break-in at her antiques shop, her poor dog Jethro doing a disappearing act and the evil war of the decorations as across the road engages in some unhealthy competition with their wonderful white winter wonderland display. Adding to this is the usual family antics and a boyfriend whose approach to the festive season is similar to Jim Carrey's impersonation of the Grinch on The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Can Eloise fix things so that she can have her fairytale Christmas or like Elvis ("I'll have a Blue Christmas without you, I'll be so blue thinking about you") is she leaning towards a deep blue funk of a Christmas? (PP)

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Body Movers - Stephanie Bond (2006)

When Carlotta Wren's parents disappeared when she was 19, after being accused of company fraud, she took over caring for her younger brother Wesley. She had to forgo college to work in women's wear at Neiman Marcus and watch out for Wesley, who is forever in trouble over gambling debts. When he gets a job as a mover of dead bodies, Carlotta drives him to one call-out, where she discovers one of her clients, Angela, is the body and the husband - Carolotta's ex-fiance - may be chief suspect. The sequel is Two Bodies for the Price of One.

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Bombay Girl - Kavita Daswani (2012)

Sohana Badshah comes from a super-rich Indian family and has always lived a charmed life without worrying or caring about a thing. After spending her time partying and practically doing nothing, one day Sohana decides to move to London to pursue interior designing but life has other plans. She falls deeply in love with Jagdish Sachdev and never expected that one day her true love would leave her over business rivalry among their families. After being dumped, Sohana returns home to find out that her family is not as perfect as she thought it was. The family business is on the verge of being sold off, her cousin is cheating on his wife, her brother is in love with the wrong girl while two of her cousins have set their hearts on the same girl and her best friend has morphed into a tantrum queen. When out of the blue, her grandfather decides to give one last shot to save the business and throws the challenge to the male heirs of the family to come up with a creative and profitable plan, the game becomes dirty. This novel is a great read and hooks you from the very first chapter with its rivalries and romance, scandals and a secret which can change everything. There are two more books in the series which will be released over the next two years and I already can't wait to read them. (SS)

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Bombay Mixx - S.L. Lewis (2012)

What would you do if you are caught in a whirlwind of betrayals ... would you lose your trust in everyone or would you still hold on and provide unwavering support to your nearest and dearest even in the eye of a storm? Nita is a 28-year-old half-Indian and half-Irish single girl, single because she has been recently cheated on by her long-term boyfriend. She takes up a secretarial job in a big stockbroking firm and moves into her parents' apartment where she has an eccentric mix of flat shares including her spoilt sister Gabrielle, Russian escort Anya and feisty fashion PR Amelia. In between the wild drunken nights, all the fashion after-show parties and a tumultuous affair with her married boss, Nita has quite a lot on her plate. Her brother Renesh's marriage is on the rocks and he seeks out Nita's emotional support. Then a devil from Nita's family's past returns and all hell breaks loose. This a pacy read yet each character is developed individually, with each of them having their own secrets and insecurities. These sub-plots all add up to fit into the big picture, although some threads seem a bit rushed. Extra-marital affairs, betrayal and sexual boundaries stretched taut are the themes of this book. This is a spicy plot peppered with an unexpected series of twists. There are several unanswered questions at the end which may be cleared up in its sequel. (PD)

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Bombshell - Lynda Curnyn (2004)

Grace Noonan is starting to feel her age. She ends her latest relationship when her boyfriend freaks out when the condom breaks, showing how unready he is for babies. Now the cosmetics company where she works, known for targeting mature women, is looking for its new face - and it's a teenage one at that. But she hasn't outgrown her insecurities, as she goes through life dealing with family discoveries, a best friend getting married and a chance meeting with her father's charming colleague.

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Bon Appetit - Sandra Byrd (2008)

This sequel to Let Them Eat Cake sees Lexi moving to France to study at a pastry school, sponsored by Luc's family. She also works in the family bakeries, where she discovers many of the locals are somewhat crusty. But she soon discovers a softer side to pastry chef Patricia, and also attends an English-language church with Luc's attractive cousin, widower Philippe and his daughter Celine. Meanwhile one of her classmates, Desiree, who is from a prestigious baking family, seems to be sabotaging everyone's efforts. Will Lexi pass the course and if so, will she stay in France or return to Seattle and Dan?

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Bond Girl - Erin Duffy (2012)

From the first day she tagged along with her father to his office on Wall Street, Alex knew she had found her calling. Everything about her father's job excited and interested her and she spent the next several years working towards a job on "the Street". Once out of college she lands her dream job on the sales desk of Cromwell Pierce and immediately gets thrown to the sharks. Dragging her folding chair from person to person, she watches and studies how things are done, enduring humiliation after humiliation from her gruff boss, Chick, who has no problem telling her what he expects of her (in front of everyone), to the desk of men who think nothing of calling her Girlie and sending her to get boxes upon boxes of pizzas for lunch. She's new, she's a woman and if she wants to make it in the industry, she needs to acquire a really thick skin. Just as Alex begins to hit her stride, the market starts to head south and she realises the hard way that the man she has been seeing is not the person she thought he was. Is this really the life she envisioned for herself all those years ago? Erin Duffy weaves an entertaining tale of life on Wall Street before the recent crash. Alex is highly likable and you want her to do well but you also want her to be smart. Reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada and Working Girl, Bond Girl is a hard one to put down and will have you rooting for the little people until the end. (LEK)

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Bondi Blonde - Lucille Howe (2012)

It's just before Christmas and London magazine staffer Emily is attending an MTV party to launch Jessica Alba's latest movie. The next day, she's late to a boardroom meeting where it is announced the magazine has been sold and their jobs are gone. Even though her knowledge of Australia barely extends beyond what she's learnt off the Neighbours soapie, Emily books herself a flight to Sydney. But just before she goes, her ex Jude, a photographer, comes back into her life and she struggles with her decision to still go ahead with her escape Down Under. Landing in Bondi where the women are all bikini babes and the boys are all bronzed surfers, Emily soon gets caught up in this body-conscious world. While struggling with her weight, she catches a career break, has a sizzling romance with barista Sam and enters the Miss Bondi contest. This is an entertaining beach read and Howe certainly has a sharp wit about her but overall it's a bit vacuous like some of those Bondi models.

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Boned - Anonymous (2008)

This highly anticipated tell-all from a network television insider wasn't at all what I expected. The blurb relates that current affairs host Kate Corish has reached her use-by date at 40 and that her boss Mike Ripley is behind a campaign to get rid of her. But apart from the prologue and the last few chapters, the book doesn't delve into this power play at all. Instead it sets the scene for why Kate doesn't fit in this ruthless man's world - following her 19-year career at Channel Eight from enthusiastic assistant producer, to feisty award-winning war correspondent and poised anchor. Most of the executive men are foul-mouthed pigs, while the ambitious pretty young things are often all too willing to trade favours. Boned will appeal to those wanting a tantalising glimpse into tabloid TV shows and men behaving badly. The ending though definitely contributed to the dip in its ratings.

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Bonkers - Michelle Holman (2007)

When New Zealand schoolteacher Lisa Jackson dies in a two-car accident, an angel-in-training decides to give her another chance at life and she returns inside the body of the other driver, a demanding American called Linda Brogan. Besides missing her own family, some things are better for the new Lisa. For one, she now has a gorgeous, model-like body and no longer has to deal with the pain of endometriosis. She also lives in a lovely home with her doctor husband, Dan. But he can't stand the sight of his wife. Can Lisa risk telling him why she's nothing like Linda? A prutty charming, lufe-affurming story (sorry, just trying out a Kiwi accent - make that a pretty charming life-affirming story.)

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Bookends - Jane Green (2000)

Cath, Si, Josh and Portia were best friends in college. Fast forward 10 years and Catherine, Si and Josh are still best friends living in London. Cath, the narrator of the story, is described as frumpy and insecure. Si is a witty gay man constantly in search of the perfect partner and Josh is happily married to fun-loving Lucy. Cath, who is miserable at work, jumps at the opportunity to open Bookends, a bookstore/cafe, with Lucy. James, a handsome realtor who helps Cath and Lucy set up their venture, pursues Cath. But because of a previously bad relationship, she is initially opposed to getting involved. Meanwhile Portia, now a famous television writer, shows up at Bookends grand opening and her ulterior motives immediately become evident to Cath and Si. Constant drama surrounds the friends as the relationship between the group is put to the test. This novel felt a bit like reading the plot of a confusing Friends episode. (AO)

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Book Lover - Jennifer Kaufmann and Karen Mack (2006)

Dora has two ex-husbands, a dead father, a reformed alcoholic mother and she's trying to get her job back as a reporter on the Los Angeles Times. So it's no wonder that she often retreats from the world for days at a time with book binges. Then she meets Fred, who works in her favourite bookshop, and his mixed-up family helps her realise she needs to re-enter the real world.

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Bordeaux Housewives - Daisy Waugh (2006)

This interesting tale tells the story of three women, Daphne (Duffy) Fielding, Maude Haunt and Lady Emma Rankin. For varying reasons the women live in the town of Montmaur in the South of France. The Haunt family feature most prominently. Maude lives with her husband, Horatio, and their children, Tiffany and Superman; they have a volatile relationship and each spend the entirety of the story questioning the other's love. They have relocated their secretive and dangerous business from the hustle and bustle of London to the quiet environs of France. They attempt to keep their secret under the guise of vegetable farming and running a guesthouse. Meanwhile, Daphne is the poor unloved wife who is spirited off to France to allow her husband to carry on his affair with his mistress. Her husband doesn't bargain on Daphne gaining empowerment and independence from the relationships she makes with these women and by running the Hotel Marrionnier. Of course, meeting the delightful Frenchman Jean-Baptiste also helps. Lady Rankin is wealthy and bored and tries to seduce the local married men. To add more depth to an already packed story, troublemaker Skid comes to town to stir up everybody and the Haunts' friends arrive from London to film a reality TV show. Waugh sets the story beautifully; half the fun is imagining yourself sunning in the south of France enjoying a nice drop of red. (LF)

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Born Under a Lucky Moon - Dana Precious (2011)

Jeannie Thompson has just been proposed to by the love of her life - her perfect boyfriend Aiden - but just can't say yes. The story flip-flops from present times to Jeannie's young adulthood as Jeannie tries to explain to Aiden how marriage and her family's luck just don't mix. You see, Jeannie's eccentric family has a very unlucky streak. As you follow Jeannie's story in present tense and in the past, its weaves seamlessly and entertainingly thanks to the author's easy writing. I couldn't put this book down. I love how Jeannie's family was totally unbearable and endearing at the same time. You love and hate them with the same passion throughout the book. Jeannie's mum, in particular, is the best fleshed-out character, and I adore her the most. (AV)

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Boss Girl - Nic Tatano (2014)

Four women, one news channel and the desire to chase the highest ratings - it's a recipe for disaster. Sydney Hack believes in being unconventional so along with her three colleagues, she outlines a plan to hire a brigade of good-looking male news anchors to sit next to the female anchors. They are looking for any man who is hot, amazing in bed and ready to share the bed with all four women, in turn. Sydney's idea works, the ratings skyrocket and now she has way too many men to play with. This novel is a lot different from the kind of books I usually read. I like to read about heroines with flaws who then live and love happily ever after but this book was like a fresh breath of air to me. Here the protagonist is a strong-minded woman with a kick-ass attitude who doesn't mind putting everything on the line and using men as a toy for her own pleasure. I did love the character but did feel a bit uncomfortable with the premise of the story. Men have been acting this way for years but it was a bit awkward to see the women stooping to the same level. My advice to you is download this book and read it with a very open mind. If I had to describe it in one word then I would say scandalous! (SS)

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Boy Meets Girl - Meg Cabot (2000)

Kate McKenzie's life isn't going according to plan - she's sleeping on her best friend's couch, she's broken up with her musician boyfriend and she works for Tyrannical Office Despot Amy Jenkins in the human resources department of the New York Journal. It may seem like things can't get any worse . . . but they can. When Kate is forced to sack Ida Lopez, one of the most popular staff members, she gets caught up in a legal fight. But maybe lawyer Mitch Hertzog will prove a bright light on the horizon. The story is told by written communication, ie letters and emails.

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Brass Ring - Diane Chamberlain (1994)

Brass Ring is about a woman's struggle to uncover horrid memories of her childhood and focuses on the story of two estranged sisters. Claire is married to her childhood sweetheart John, who is wheelchair bound. One day when travelling home from a friend's house, in a snow storm, they see a woman about to throw herself off a bridge. Claire makes John stop the car and goes over to the woman and tries to talk her out of committing suicide. But the woman jumps. For days Claire cannot get her out of her mind. She finds the woman's brother, Randy, and a friendship develops between them. The more time that Claire spends with Randy she finds herself having flashbacks of objects from what Claire thinks is from her childhood. Claire tells Randy about how her sister, Vanessa, was taken by her father when they were younger and she has not seen her in a long time. She tries to uncover the memories with Randy, which does not go down well with John. Meanwhile Claire writes to Vanessa but her sister refuses to read the letters. Will she help her sister uncover her past? Overall I found this book very enjoyable. What actually happened to Claire was easy to predict from early on in the book. It would have been nice to read more about John and Claire's life together but all in all the author delivers a good book. I would recommend this to any fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah. (SG)

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Brava, Valentine - Adriana Trigiani (2010)

aka Encore Valentine

Starting off in picturesque Italy for the wedding of her beloved grandmother, this novel follows on from the first novel in the Valentine series. Valentine Roncalli, a designer and shoemaker, takes over her family shoe business but she is not alone in this venture. Her grandmother has made Valentine's brother, Alfred, her partner in the business much to her dismay. Valentine and Alfred don't work too well together and she's afraid of what business decisions he will make. Distraught, she turns to sexy Gianluca, who has previously made his romantic intentions known. As much as Valentine enjoys the company of Gianluca, she can't imagine them continuing a long-distance relationship when she returns to New York and he stays behind in Tuscany. Instead of dwelling on her love life, Valentine throws herself wholeheartedly into her work. With many new business opportunities that could bring Angelini Shoes into the modern age, Valentine has her hands full. When she accepts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Valentine unearths a family secret that has been buried for many years. Though this revelation shakes her family to the core, Valentine is sure that she can keep her family together while also being a successful business owner. Expect lots of drama, laughter and charm like only the Roncalli family can deliver. (AS)

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Breakfast in Bed - Eleanor Moran (2011)

Amber gets a job in the kitchen of ambitious chef Oscar, who has just gone out on his own. With his ex-wife Lydia running front-of-house, and his former boss out to undermine his efforts, Oscar has his eyes set firmly on wowing the critics. Of course romance is on the menu too, with the fiery-tempered Oscar getting Amber more than a bit hot under the collar. And the long hours and stressful working conditions mean she has less time to dwell on her impending divorce from Dom. With TV shows feeding the public fascination for what goes on in restaurant kitchens, this is a storyline that will appeal to many. I must admit I ran both hot and cold with this book - at times the story was just ho-hum, and I would have been quite happy to see some kitchen catastrophe take out both Amber and Oscar. But then somehow the story rallied and the characters weren't so repellent. Vegetarian and animal rights campaigners beware though, you may find some of the scenes somewhat distressing.

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Breakfast at Darcy's - Ali McNamara (2011)

Darcy McCall has a fading memory of her Aunt Molly with whom she used to spend her summer holidays on a small island called Tara off the coast of Ireland. Little did she know that her aunt would leave the beloved island to Darcy in her will. But according to its conditions, if Darcy wants to inherit her aunt's money then she has to leave her high-flying career in London and go and live on the isolated island for one year. She also has to convince 15 others to live with her on the island in order to form a community. Darcy accepts the challenge and trades her designer labels for jeans and raincoats, her high heels for wellies and flies down to island only to get stuck between the drop-dead gorgeous Irish charmer Conor and rugged, sexy hunk Dermot. Between sorting out everything from cottages to pub, she has also got a chance to sort out her own love life and make a wise decision for once. (SS)

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Breakfast at Stephanie's - Sue Margolis (2004)

Stephanie Glassman is a single mum to her two-year-old son Jake. Her music career has hit rock bottom when she finds herself singing Christmas carols in a department store. Frank, a famous actor who she once had a crush on, suddenly re-enters her life and is interested in a relationship with her. To complicate matters, Albert, Jake's father, shows up and proposes marriage. Stephanie is torn between her feelings for Frank and her desire to give her son a traditional family. In the midst of her love-life drama, Stephanie's career starts to take an exciting and surprising turn. This is a funny story that will keep you entertained. (AO)

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Breaking the Bank - Yona Zeldis McDonough (2009)

Mia Saul is down on her luck. Her husband, Lloyd, left her for a woman who worked at a local nail salon, leaving Mia to raise their daughter, Eden, by herself in a Brooklyn apartment with crazy neighbours. Mia can barely even afford to pay their rent each month, working a variety of temp jobs just to stay afloat. If only she had enough money to get herself off the ground and to get Eden the things she needs and wants. Standing at an ATM one day, Mia's luck suddenly changes. Instead of giving her the correct change, the ATM gives her an extra $100. Mia is worried that eventually the bank will catch the error and ask for the money back, but in the meantime, she needs the money so she decides to use it. Returning to the same machine later, it again gives her extra money - this time she asks for $100 and gets $1000. Mia's luck gets even better when the machine gives her a very rare $10,000 bill, with a note saying to use the money wisely. Before long, Mia is taking Eden on trips to Barneys, allowing her to form a new relationship with her sometimes rebellious daughter. Eventually, people start to worry about Mia and her new-found cash flow. First her family, then the police, want to know where all this extra money is coming from. Yona McDonough creates a wonderful fantasy novel that, though sometimes gritty, shows a heartfelt and downtrodden character all rolled into one. The money gives Mia hope for her future and her daughter's, showing what a difference small monetary changes can make in a person's life. (AS)

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Breathing Room - Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2003)

Dr Isabela Favor is a best-selling author of self-help book Four Cornerstones. Except her cornerstones have all crumbled: her account manager has run off with her money and her fiance leaves her for his pregnant girlfriend. Bankrupt and without credibility to restart her career, she is determined to put her life back together in Italy. This starchy doctor starts to take drastic measures: like a one-night stand with a stranger who ends up being her landlord, and giving marriage counselling to his ex-wife and her current husband. Learning from the warmth of Italy's people and the bacchanal spirit of its feasts, this time she lets down her hair, breathes deeply, and embraces the beautiful mess life throws at her. This novel celebrates the wonders of life's imperfections. It also bears the Phillips trademark of quirky characters. (SARI)

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Bridal Bootcamp - Bella Bailey (2014)

If you believe, as many do, that weddings bring out the best and worst in people - then Bridal Bootcamp will confirm your fears. Yvonne and Simon, engaged after a year of dating, set out to plan their wedding. Like many couples, they have differing views of "need" versus "want" when it comes to dresses, bands, flowers and food. Yvonne's outrageous spending is the least of her troubles, though. A former romance of Simon's reemerges to cause problems, his sister turns out to be a jealous harpy, and Yvonne's "best friend" Rachel drops a bombshell of an announcement. Yvonne and Simon will find themselves confronting the reality of their relationship. Is it all about the wedding, or are these two in it for the marriage? The story here is entertaining, which is very good because the female characters are utterly detestable. Yvonne is exactly what people paint her to be: selfish, self-focused, and self-interested. Rachel is a vituperative witch, and Simon's sister Tracey is something akin to Satan's spawn. Simon, his best friend Ritchie, and Yvonne's friend Stephen are spared; they are likable, believable, and the sorts of characters you enjoy reading about, although you will occasionally wonder if Simon could be any stupider. Fortunately, though, Simon emerges as the heart of the novel, and because of him, we care. As loathsome as his fiancee may be, Simon pulls us into the story and keeps us there. This is a good book for those who enjoy the "anything that can go wrong will" sort of wedding tale. Parts of it are cute and sweet, but parts are eye-rollingly ridiculous. Thank goodness for Simon. (AP)

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Bridesmaids - Jane Costello (2008)

Newspaper journalist Evie has never been in love. She's about to stand by her best friend Grace's side as bridesmaid (the first of several stints as bridesmaid), when she runs into the most gorgeous stranger. Embarrassed when her chicken fillet boob-enhancers pop out in front of him, she later discovers Jack is the date of her self-obsessed friend, the vile Valentina. But maybe he's just the man to end Evie's run of dating men only for a few months. Or will Evie always be the bridesmaid and never the bride? A very promising debut with lots of laugh-out-loud moments.

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Bride Without a Groom - Amy Lynch (2014)

Rebecca is busy planning her dream wedding. She has her Vera Wang dress picked out, a deposit put on an expensive honeymoon and big ideas about a celebrity-inspired venue for her big day. The only problem is, her boyfriend Barry hasn't proposed just yet. In fact, he feels under so much pressure from all of Rebecca's Bridezilla tendencies that they have a huge row just before Barry flies off on a business trip. Will they be able to sort things out while on opposite sides of the world, or will Rebecca's dreams be dashed for good? I really struggled with the beginning of this book. Rebecca was extremely unlikeable - selfish, arrogant and shallow. I couldn't relate to her at all at first. However, as the novel progressed, I started to find her behaviour quite funny. She was so full of herself, to the point where you couldn't help but laugh. She was a caricature of a Bridezilla, and by the end I did genuinely start to like her. Barry was a lovely guy and I liked him from the start, even when he was at times portrayed as the bad guy. The plot was nicely paced, and the dialogue was witty. Overall it was entertaining and a promising debut. (LO)

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Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding (1996)

One of the must-read classics of chicklit and a movie starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. Singleton Bridget keeps a diary detailing her weight losses and gains, alcohol units, cigarettes and of course, her experiences with men. Her diary opens with Bridget on the way to the New Year's Day Turkey Curry Buffet, where she meets Mark Darcy, a divorced human rights lawyer. Their paths keep crossing, as she has an affair with her womanising boss Daniel Cleaver, a man Mark despises.

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Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - Helen Fielding (2013)

Bridget Jones is back for a third installment of her utterly fabulous diary. Last time readers heard from Bridget, in 1999, she was in her 30s. Now, she's reached that critical stage in life called "middle-age" and is raising two young children, Mabel and Billy, on her own after her husband, Mark Darcy, dies tragically. As Bridget stumbles through the world of Twitter, drunk texting (and drunk tweeting), wearing the latest clothes and dealing with the posh school mums, you get a glimpse of the ever-present character the world came to love, though she has aged. Her humour is still there and despite the loss of the perfect Mr Darcy, you can still catch glimpses of him in young Billy, who has many of his mannerisms. Being a single mum - and a widow - is hard and lonely, so with the support of her loyal friends, Bridget finds herself dating again - five years after Mark's death. Her newest love interest isn't exactly who you'd expect Bridget to be with but he's funny and sweet and quite a character. Billy and Mabel are a perfect addition to the story and probably the most lovable children you'll ever encounter. Mabel, 5, has an unhealthy obsession with the word "dammit" and reading about STDs, whereas Billy, 8, is more calm and assured like Mark Darcy. Can Bridget raise Billy and Mabel on her own without falling into a grief-filled hole? Will she ever find love again? This is one story you don't want to miss. Though many people are upset about Mark Darcy, the story is so great that you shouldn't let that put you off it. It's a story of love, redemption and moving on with life even when you don't want to. (AS)

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Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - Helen Fielding (2000)

In the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget is back and her wilderness years are over - she's been in a relationship with Mark Darcy for a month. But trouble looms ahead for the couple, particularly in the form of Rebecca, one of Bridget's acquaintances who just can't seem to leave Mark alone. With lots of help from self-help books and her best friends, Jude, Sharon and Tom, Bridget deals with a hole in her apartment wall, a Thai holiday that turns into a nightmare and one of her friends potentially becoming a Smug Married.

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Bright Lights And Promises - Pauline McLynn (2007)

Susie Vine, 36, works as an agent at London's leading theatrical agency, Arland and Shaw, rubbing shoulders with both rising stars and famous actors. But this successful career woman longs for love. Most of her spare time is spent with her 12-year-old son Milo who's constantly intimidated by his fellow classmates in school, and her aged mother Valerie, who can't seem to get over her ex-husband. When a man from her past comes back into Susie's life unexpectedly, she wonders if she made the right decision years ago. This book was a disappointing read compared to the author's other books - the plot was pretty predictable and the storyline difficult at times to follow. (XT)

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Bright Lights, Big Ass - Jen Lancaster (2007)

Jen Lancaster is back and as sassy as ever in her laugh-out-loud follow-up to Bitter is the New Black. In Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?, Jen lets us in on a little secret . . . big city life is not exactly as glamorous as Carrie Bradshaw would have us believe. Instead of spacious, trendy apartments, sexy, single neighbours, and nightly club hopping, city dwelling is more apt to consist of small apartments with paper-thin walls, caveman-hairy Neanderthals living downstairs, and Friday nights filled with Scrabble at home with your husband. So not cool. Still temping her way around Chicago while her first book awaits publication, Jen continues to delight us with real-life tales of the city as she attempts to navigate public transportation, make friends with her annoying neighbours, and take regular trips to her beloved Target (now with Starbucks and wine!). And when the craziness of city living gets a little out of control, she has her voice of reason, Fletch, to reel her back in. (LEK)

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Brooklyn Girls - Gemma Burgess (2013)

In the first book in Gemma Burgess' New Adult series, the focus is on Pia, one of five friends who live together in Brooklyn. Recently out of college she is trying to forge her own path in life but when she loses her promising PR job that her parents helped her get she has two months to get back on her feet and prove herself before her parents threaten to take her back to Zurich. Desperate to make it work, Pia seeks out the services of a loan shark to start up her own food truck business, Skinny Wheels. And while things seem to be moving in the right direction for Pia, it's not long before everything begins to spiral out of control. Gemma Burgess has struck on a niche in this series: the twenty-something post-college experience and I loved the focus on this age group and its problems. Although some of the problems are a bit extreme, it was a refreshing read, with the love story taking a back seat. The style was young and vibrant and Gemma seems to have nailed the culture and dynamics of the group. Readers may baulk at some of the casual references to drugs and the storyline is certainly exaggerated. Similarly, if it's romance you're after this isn't for you. But this is a contemporary book in which the characters have all of the flaws and qualities of youth. I am really looking forward to seeing how this series develops and getting to learn more about the other four girls, Julia, Coco, Angie and Madeleine whose own lives and troubles we are temptingly given glimpses of in the novel. This is such an inspired idea. (JC)

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Brown Owl's Guide to Life - Kate Harrison (2006)

Just before Lucy Collins' mother Judith (Brown Owl) died, she got in touch with the women in her former Brownies unit, asking them to contact Lucy. Lucy, who is married to Andrew and has a daughter Sasha, will need a helping hand now that her mum is gone. She's been bossed around her whole life and is way too timid to follow her dream of becoming a singer. With the return of the Brownies into her life, Lucy is able to resolve why they all went their separate ways and ingest some of Brown Owl's invaluable life lessons. There's best friend Terri, who is trying to become ordained; obese Paula who is a struggling single mother; Chris who needs a new challenge after running a sex-aid business and Bethany the soap actress who is still as bitchy and mean.

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Build a Man - Talli Roland (2011)

Serenity Holland moves from America to London in the hope of pursuing her dreams of becoming a tabloid journalist. But it wasn't as easy as she thought, and instead she's working as a receptionist in a cosmetic surgery clinic and living with her uptight boss and boyfriend, Peter. Then she gets her big break. She goes undercover for a huge tabloid paper to write an in-depth article about a multi-millionaire client, Jeremy, who is undergoing almost every surgery possible in an attempt to find a woman. Her column, Build a Man, becomes an instant hit, and her friendship with Jeremy deepens as she attempts to dig up all the dirt from his past for her readers' enjoyment, without being found out by either Jeremy or Peter. But when the going gets tough, is Serenity really cut out for the world of tabloid journalism? I've been a fan of Talli Roland for a while now, and this book did not disappoint me. Serenity is a great character, very funny and I found I could relate to her. Her journey to fulfil her dreams of becoming a journalist is full of twists and turns, and kept me hooked until the end. And with a sequel planned for 2012, I can't wait to see what happens next in Serenity's life! (LO)

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Bulletproof Mascara - Bethany Maines (2010)

All Nikki Lanier wanted was a nice holiday away from her mother, Nell. She attends a recruitment meeting for Carrie Mae Foundations - an organisation with door-to-door make-up salespersons. Miranda Meville aka Mrs M. offers Nikki a job but she is about to find out that it wasn't just make-up she signed up for. The Carrie Mae Foundation is actually a cover organisation for a group of female agents. Join Nikki as she undertakes training, uncovers the real uses for items such as lipstick, mascara and breath spray and goes on a crime-fighting spree with a pair of gorgeous flats in Thailand. This is an enjoyable, fast-paced read for women who love a good action story with a hint of femininity added to the mix. Nikki is James Bond with style. (PP)

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Bunco Babes Gone Wild - Maria Geraci (2009)

In the sequel to Bunco Babes Tell All, Georgia Meyer is devastated when her long-term boyfriend, Spencer, gives her a calculator instead of an engagement ring for their five-year anniversary. She escapes to her sister's house in Florida to re-evaluate her relationship. Her sister and her outrageous friends make up the bunco babes of their small beach town. In the midst of rolling dice and drinking margaritas, Georgia meets Dave Hernandez. Just as things with Dave heat up, Spencer comes crawling back to her. This is the perfect steamy beach read full of fun characters. (AO)

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Bunco Babes Tell All - Maria Geraci (2009)

Every Thursday night, a group of women in Whispering Bay, Florida, get together to play Bunco. Kitty Burke is the only single woman in the group. Things start to heat up when Steve, the mysterious nephew of a family friend, arrives in the small Florida town. Kitty's best friends, Shea and Pilar, disapprove of Steve. He's been married three times, his career appears to be non-existent and he is definitely not Kitty's type. However, Kitty cannot deny the chemistry between her and Steve. As things heat up, Kitty learns that Steve is hiding a shocking secret. This is a hysterically funny novel about friendship, love and the gossip that surfaces at the Bunco table. (AO)

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Burning The Map - Laura Caldwell (2002)

Casey Evers has been on track with everything in her life so far - college, boyfriend, law school - and has all the right professional contacts. But something is missing. Casey isn't who she was two years ago and she can't figure out why she just isn't happy. With her two best friends, Kat and Lindsey, in tow, Casey sets out for one last vacation to Rome and Greece before she starts working long hours as a lawyer. After some drama on the trip, Casey reconnects with the person she once was and in turn, finds her own happiness. (MY)

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Busy Woman Seeks Wife - Annie Sanders (2007)

Alex has a demanding career as a marketing exec for a sportswear company. So when her mother - an actress/style icon of the 60s - has a fall and needs to move in with her, her friend Saff suggests that she place an ad for help. Out-of-work actor Frankie applies for the job but Alex isn't keen to have a man around the house. So his sister Ella applies, despite having not a domestic bone in her body. When she scores the job at the same time as her dream position at a radio station opens up, she convinces Frankie to take her place. And Alex's mum, The Bean, just loves her new good-looking companion - now they just have to make sure Alex doesn't find out. Another fail-safe read from this co-writing duo. This has all the right ingredients - a too-busy career woman, a jealous co-worker plotting her downfall and yet another bored housewife who turns to catering.

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Butlers - Gwen Andrews (2011)

As a way to appease his wife Stephanie, who is desperate for a baby and yet to conceive, Giles Fanshawe convinces trust advisor Robin Brockenhurst to commit some money from the Lacey Trust towards her London restaurant venture. The Lacey Trust had originally been set up for his half-brother Frankie who had vanished off the coast of Sierra Leone as a 17-year-old. Robin has never got over his brother's disappearance and has had a string of male companions known as Frankie ever since. Stephanie's restaurant concept is similar to that of a private club, with private rooms where people can expect the best service possible. Frankie the fifth becomes her maitre d' and together they build up a successful restaurant where whatever the customer requests is served to them in an elegant environment. Often these menus are way outside the realms of restaurant dining as we know it especially when Mr Wung and his friends are in the house. With its unexpected happenings and a few strange accidents along the way, this book had me hooked from the first to the last page. (LM)

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By Invitation Only - Jodi Della Femina and Sheri McInnis (2009)

This wonderfully written novel presents life in the Hamptons as it is seen from the inside. Jodi Della Femina knows this area well - and it shows - her father, Jerry, owns a famous East Hampton restaurant. Toni Fratelli is a highly strung caterer who can never sit still and has a mile-long to-do list. After attempting to open her own restaurant in New York City, she inevitably returns home to the Hamptons when things don't work out. She begins working at her father's Italian restaurant again and tries to create some buzz for the new catering business she is starting. An extremely talented chef, Toni is nothing but a thorn in the side of the local catering company La Dolce Vita Foods. In the meantime, Toni's best friend, Layla, is getting married to the son of a wealthy, old-money family. Didi, the mother of the groom, is hardly happy that her son is marrying a local girl. Despite Layla's effortless beauty, Didi would rather her son be with someone who runs in the same social circles as her family. Toni has such a busy summer ahead of her - between catering Layla's wedding, making an appearance on local channel PlumTV to showcase her cooking skills, working at the restaurant and trying to get her catering gig off the ground - she never expects to meet someone special. But that happens when she crosses paths with Chris, a man like no one she's ever met before. He's not like the New York City types she's dated in the past and she likes that about him. But Chris is harbouring some secrets that he's not sure Toni will like. Before the summer is out, Toni has to learn to move on and forget her past and ultimately forgiving becomes her biggest challenge of all. It is a lovely summertime beach read that you won't want to put down. (AS)

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By My Side - Alice Peterson (2012)

Cass is living the life of a teenage student, drinking, partying and having weekend sex with her boyfriend Sean. Her life is turned upside down though when, in a split second, she makes a mistake and ends up being hit by a car. Paralysed from the waist down, Cass must learn to live again with her disability. Cue Ticket, a gorgeous golden retriever who has been specially trained to help Cass complete simple, every day tasks. Cass and Ticket form an unbreakable bond and soon the future looks bright again. You will not be able to stop yourself from crying and falling in love with this story. If you have ever loved an animal or experienced a disability yourself then you will be able to relate to this book so well. It's a brilliant book that tackles tough subjects with compassion and skill. (LL)

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