Happiness Sold Separately - Libby Street (2005)

Life in New York City isn't as wonderful as Ryan Hadley imagined. Despite her dreams of owning an accomplished web-design company, she ends up getting a monotonous data entry job. When her gorgeous colleague Will clinches a record deal for his band, and her two best friends Audrey and Veronica get promoted, Ryan starts to feel left behind. She soon finds herself coming up with a plan for her future, and even though not all her schemes are feasible, well, at least it's a start. But what she didn't count on was the reappearance of her college ex-boyfriend and first love, Charlie, who seems to have a successful career in LA. This is a truly inspirational and hilarious read. You will love Ryan, and cheer her on as she endeavours to follow her plans to be the someone she wants to be, and find the courage to fight for the man she loves. (XT)

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Happily Ever After? - Benison Anne O'Reilly (2010)

Often the fairytale ends when the heroine marries her prince and lives happily ever after. In this case, the real story begins after Ellie marries her handsome prince, airline pilot Tony. On route several years later to join him in a new life in Hong Kong, Ellie is recalling how their marriage has diverted so far from their intended happily-ever-after destination. As she deals with a disapproving mother-in-law, an often absent, ambitious husband and an attractive new manager at her pharmaceutical marketing firm, Ellie soon becomes aware her marriage is in real danger of crash landing. Fasten your seatbelts for a humorous journey through some turbulent family issues - this is a very promising debut.

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Happy Ever After? - Patricia Scanlan (2009)

This follows the lives of eight main characters and asks if they can all have the "happy ever after" referenced in the title. Debbie and Bryan are newlyweds, just back from honeymoon and in serious debt after their wedding. Debbie's stepmother, Aimee, has just discovered she's pregnant, and is looking on the situation as nothing but a serious inconvenience. Her husband and Debbie's dad, Barry, is horrified when he finds out that Aimee is considering an abortion - can he talk her out of it? As Barry and Aimee grow apart, Barry finds he can't stop feeling more and more attracted to his ex-wife Connie, who is everything Aimee is not. But Connie has her sights set on a handsome man she's met through her new job. Meanwhile, both Aimee and Barry are oblivious to the secret their daughter Melissa is carrying - a secret that could seriously jeopardise her health. Debbie's boss, Judith, has just been in a serious car accident. When she and Debbie have a huge row, it forces Judith to re-evaluate how she treats people. With the help of her mother, Lily, Judith comes to realise she's been given a second chance at life - but will she take it? This book follows on from Scanlan's previous book, Forgive and Forget. Despite not having read the earlier title I found it easy to slip into this book. However, while it was an enjoyable read, I did find that there were just too many characters. A lot of the plots had very open endings, which leads me to think there'll be a third book in this series - and while it was refreshing on the one hand to not have everything conveniently rounded off at the end of a book, I could see this potentially being frustrating for a lot of readers who want to read this as a stand-alone book. (SBB)

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Handbags and Gladrags - Maggie Alderson (2004)

Magazine fashion stylist Emily Pointer has a rule about fashion: never wear anything older than six months . . . unless it's so old you can pass it off as vintage. From Milan to London, Paris to New York, Emily tries to keep her affair with Australian photographer Miles a secret - especially from her husband. But she starts to discover that even the designer clothes in her closet won't contain the skeletons lurking inside.

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Hand-Me-Down - Lee Nichols (2006)

Anne Olsen has an intense phobia about anything that is second-hand. As the third sister behind beautiful Charlotte (a famous swimsuit model) and brainy Emily (an acclaimed feminist writer), Anne had enough of hand-me-downs during her childhood. Growing up in her sisters' shadows, she admits to being an underachiever who has drifted from job to job (she says like the Bronte sisters, the authors the girls were named after, she is Anne the unknown one). Then Charlotte's ex high school boyfriend, Ian Dunne - now an antiques shop owner - comes back on the scene, and despite having a boyfriend, Anne discovers she still has a big crush on him. Could she ever end up with a hand-me-down man?

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Hanging by a Thread - Karen Templeton (2004)

Ellie works as an assistant to Manhattan designer Nicole Katz, whose claim to fame is knocking off other designers. Sure Ellie would like to pursue her own creative ambitions but she's a single mum with a five-year-old daughter living in New Jersey. But just as she is offered a great job opportunity, her life is turned upside down. And the boy-next-door, Luke, seems no longer so happily settled with her best friend Tina.

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Hasta La Vista Lola! - Misa Ramirez (2010)

In this second book of the Lola Cruz Mysteries, Lola (Dolores) Cruz is still going against the wishes of her Mexican parents who want her to be a nun, not a private investigator. Heading out on assignment she follows a woman to yoga class before capturing her on camera in a back alley trying out some interesting Kama Sutra moves with a lover. Back at the office, who should walk in but Jack, her hunky newspaper columnist friend who she wishes would take their relationship further. Just as things are looking promising on the romance front, she gets a hysterical phone call from her mother - Lola has just showed up on the news . . . dead. Being written off as dead puts a huge dent in Lola's social life, so she springs into action to not only solve who the real victim was but convince people she's not a ghost but truly alive and kicking. The story mixes elements of mystery, chick lit and romance, making this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. (PP)

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Have Glass Slippers, Will Travel - Lisa Cach (2005)

Unemployed tech writer Katy Orville decides to pursue her dream of finding her Prince Charming by flying to London. At a society wedding, the American bumps into a dark, handsome farmer by the name of William Eland, who is actually a duke in disguise. However Katy only has eyes for his cousin, Trevor, also known as Lord Stanley, a charming yet philandering man. But when a series of events precede her dates with Trevor, and Will becomes the one who always seem to be around and protecting her, Katy starts to realise that she has been looking for love in all the wrong places. Will she get the fairytale ending she dreams of? (XT)

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Having It And Eating It - Sabine Durrant (2003)

Claire Masterson had the best life - she was gorgeous, had charming actor parents and was the first at anything and everything Maggie Owen dreamt to be. Twenty years have passed, and Maggie is now leading a busy but dreary life taking care of her two sons, toddler Fergus and baby Dan, along with her workaholic partner Jake, who works as an advertising executive. When she bumps into Claire on the streets again, Maggie finds that she hasn't changed at all - still as attractive and leading a glamorous life in New York and having multiple flings with married men. After a party at Claire's house, Maggie's suspicions are aroused when Jake appears to get more than friendly with Claire. This book deals with infidelity in a somehow different way but as the plot moves on, it gets fairly predictable. (XT)

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Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin (2010)

Tessa is used to having her family time with husband Nick interrupted by his work as a paediatric plastic surgeon. One night, at their anniversary dinner, Nick is called away to treat a boy, Charlie, who's been scarred in an accident. Over time, as Nick becomes closer to Charlie's mother, single lawyer Valerie, Tessa can sense her husband withdrawing from her. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat when Tessa's brother made an appearance. Unexpectedly it was Dex (from Something Borrowed/Something Blue), giving us an insight into how the result of a devastating affair plays out years later. But apart from the welcome blast from the past and some heart-warming moments between Valerie and her son, this tale about will-they-or-won't-they infidelity could have really been titled Something Old cos we've read it all before. On paper, there was nothing wrong with the story, told in alternating chapters from both women's perspectives. It was well-written, moving in parts, and you didn't know for sure how it would all end. But the heart of the matter was the story and its characters just didn't captivate. I guess I was expecting Something Special - and was disappointed not to have got it.

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Heaven Can Wait - Cally Taylor (2009)

Lucy Brown is the happiest she's ever been. She's about to marry the man of her dreams - kind, handsome, witty Dan - and everything she's always wanted is finally within her reach. But the night before her wedding Lucy has a fatal accident. She is offered a choice: accept a lifetime's separation from her soul mate to go to heaven or stay with Dan forever - and become a ghost. For Lucy, there is only one option - she will not leave Dan. But it turns out things aren't quite as easy as that. If Lucy wants to become a ghost she has to find true love for a complete stranger. And when she discovers that her so-called best friend Anna is determined to make a move on the heartbroken, vulnerable Dan, the pressure really is on. This is without a doubt one of the best chick lit books I've ever read. The plot is unique, it's warm-hearted and fun and the story flows along at a really good pace. I was hooked from the outset and quite literally raced through it. To me this book is pretty much perfect and in all honesty I can't actually find fault with it. In fact the only thing I didn't like about it was the fact that it had to end. This is a very strong debut and one that I highly, highly recommend. (KC)

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Hedge Fund Wives - Tatiana Boncompagni (2009)

When John and Marcy Emerson move from Chicago to New York for John's job, she is hoping this will be a fresh start for them. Surprisingly despite the bad economic times for other hedge funds and financial conglomerates, her husband has done wonders with his financial portfolio. Although Marcy agreed to quit her job and dedicate her life to being a hedge fund wife, she never thought that would entail endless parties and shopping, one-upmanship and never seeing her husband. She becomes great friends with Gigi Cohen who shows her the ropes of fitting in with the other wives. But things start to unravel for Marcy as she begins to realise things are not what they appear to be. This is an entertaining, easy read that will appeal to those seeking an insider's view into that Upper East Side wealthy set. (CG)

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Heiresses - Lulu Taylor (2008)

The Trevellyan sisters have it all - success, money and any material object they want. But Jemima also has a boring marriage so in her quest to relieve the tedium she starts up random affairs with other men. Tara has made a life and a living of her own, and now she's looking to make a name for herself away from her family. Poppy who has lived beyond her means all her life wants no part of the Trevellyan money or fame. When their mother dies and leaves them the family business, the sisters have no choice but to band together. Their mother's will says they have one year to turn the family perfume business around or she will give the business to the one person all three sisters hate. A great escapist read for a debut novel and I cannot wait for more of her books. (CG)

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Help Wanted, Desperately - Ariel Horn (2004)

As Alexa Hoffman is finishing her final year of college, she starts applying for a job - any job. From a deodorant sniffer, voice of Meow TV, earthworm breeder and sex phone operator, Alexa is desperate to find a position that will let her move to New York to join her boyfriend Jared. And if she doesn't find something, she's booked on a flight to the Pacific island of Majuro to teach English. But she discovers that interviewing for jobs is soul-destroying (who knew you needed aligned nipples?) And all the positive fortune cookies in the world aren't going to help now. The book is based on Horn's own job hunt experiences, including winning a national contest to become the voice of a TV show for cats (unfortunately it never went beyond its pilot). She eventually got a job as a teacher and wrote this book. A very humorous read.

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Hello, Heartbreak - Amy Huberman (2009)

When a dolled-up Izzy heads out to her two-timing ex's regular night-time haunt, she plans to saunter nonchalantly by Cian so he'll realise just what he's missing. What she actually does is scream hysterically at him and his new girlfriend Saffron - and her meltdown is captured on mobile phone and plastered all over the internet. Taking to her flat in mortification, she barely surfaces apart from going to work at a film production company. As Izzy's friends aid her recovery from heartbreak, several love interests appear - film executive Jonathan, her loyal colleague Gavin and even the love rat returns. With a loveable heroine and some laugh-out-loud comic moments, this is a promising - but alas all too predictable - start to this Irish actress' chick lit writing career.

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He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan (2005)

Marketing exec Lucy Cunningham has got round-the-clock access to a gorgeous personal trainer for a whole year. But first she's gotta give up chocolate before it literally kills her. She's become the guinea pig in a marketing pitch for Palm Club Gym, where trainer Theo Redmond will take her fitness-challenged, overweight body and turn it into lean machine - all in front of a Miami TV audience. And for every pound she loses, she and Theo will each earn $1000. With Lucy intending to use her payout for dropping 100 pounds to flee her psychotic boss and open the doors to her own agency, she is willing to sweat. But she never expected things to heat up between her and Theo.

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Hens Reunited - Lucy Diamond (2009)

Georgia, Katie and Alice attended each other's hen's nights but now years down the track their marriages have all broken up. Georgia, who wed party boy Harry, is an ambitious newspaper gossip columnist who never wants to make that mistake again. Alice married up-and-coming actor Jake who went on to become famous for his role in a popular soap. Now, with her marriage in tatters, she is moving into a country cottage with the baby daughter Jake's never seen - and she's never going to forgive Georgia for her betrayal. Teacher Katie never wants to get married again, after husband Neil cheated on her - but her loyal boyfriend Steve may have other plans. With the story told in alternating chapters, readers will be drawn into the realistically portrayed lives of the three women. This is the author's best to date.

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Here Comes the Bride - Whitney Lyles (2006)

Cate Padgett is back and she is no longer a bridesmaid - she is the bride! Having fallen in love with Ethan, an old friend and caterer of the many weddings she was a bridesmaid in, it is Cate's turn to put on the white dress and walk down the aisle. But it won't be so easy. Not only does Ethan's ex-girlfriend show up, Cate's mum has her own ideas for planning the wedding and Cate is finding it hard to voice her own opinion. To add more chaos to the mix, Ethan's cousin has so many demands you would think she is the bride. All Cate wants to do is marry her one true love, but first she has to find her missing engagement ring, get through the pre-cana weekend, and find the patience to deal with the remodelling of her home. This is a sequel that does not disappoint and shows the strength of a relationship when your true love is also your best friend. (JE)

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Here Kitty Kitty - Jardine Libaire (2004)

As Lee puts it, her life is a pint of raspberries - alluring and glamorous on the top but when spilled into the strainer, they bare blackened, decaying undersides. To many, she has the perfect job of managing a classy restaurant, a sugar daddy Yves who supports her financially, and lives the carefree life of partying and clubbing. In actual fact, her life has been a series of struggles and grief. Her mother's death has always been the bane of her existence, and she has stopped trying to realise her artist dreams. When she meets Kelly, who's trying to reconstruct his life after the death of his good friend, Lee starts to realise that escapism is not the solution to all her problems, and begins to piece together the broken parts in her life. A bittersweet story of a young woman's life in New York, the glitzy and the dark sides of it all; it's like taking an emotional rollercoaster. (XT)

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Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger (2009)

Set in and around the Highgate Cemetery, this story is about the intensity of the relationships between twins and about a ghost who won't move on. When Elspeth dies of cancer, a letter is sent to her twin Edie, who is the mother of twins Julia and Valentina. The sisters had been estranged for 20 years since Edie stole Elspeth's fiance, the twins' father. Elspeth leaves her London apartment to Julia and Valentina. The American girls have seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago. They also have an abnormally intense attachment to one another. As they move into the apartment, they start to get to know the other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Marjike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. As the story unfolds, the girls realise that under the surface, there is a lot going on at the cemetery, including the presence of their Aunt Elspeth, who just can't make it to the other side. (PP)

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He's No Prince Charming - LuAnn McLane (2009)

Former pop princess Dakota Dunn has returned to the fishing retreat in Tennessee that she owns for an image makeover. Her agent has recommended that she transform herself from sweet girl next door to a sexy redneck country girl. The marina is run by Trace Coleman, a former bull-riding champion, whose career suddenly ended after an injury. Trace lives a quiet country life and is content being a loner. But his life is turned upside down when Dakota moves in. From the first chapter, the author does a great job describing the sexual tension between Dakota and Trace. The novel is written with a fun southern flair and is filled with lots of steamy scenes. (AO)

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High Potential ' Ber Carroll (2007)

Katie Horgan is one of six lawyers picked for her company's High Potential path to partnership. And her hectic schedule of billing clients and working through the competitive program doesn't allow much time for a social life. But her eye is drawn to one of the other lawyers, Jim Donnelly, an Irishman who has relocated to Sydney. Katie's overseas assignment sends her to Dublin ' her parents' hometown that they seem so reluctant to return to. Katie starts working with a pro bono team at a community clinic, while trying to find out what happened to her parents' families. But then an incident occurs which just may change Katie's path for good.

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Hitched - Zoe Barnes (1998)

Gemma and Rory want a small wedding but when his mother hears of their engagement she begins hijacking the preparations. The couple decide that the only way to control their big day is to pay for it themselves. So Gemma swaps to a higher paying job and Rory puts in more hours as PA to the very attractive Lisa. But as the wedding approaches, they find themselves drifting apart.

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Hippy Chick - Louise Harwood (2007)

Ibiza is a clubbers' paradise where people escape the rat-race to enjoy the surf, sand and good times. But for Honey Ballantyne, who is responsible for running her family's hotel while her hippie parents chill out, she is beginning to think she needs to escape paradise. Especially as her old friend Edouard's return from London shows her just how trapped she's become. When her father Hughie cracks his head after diving into the shallow end of the pool to impress another woman, he confusedly calls his daughter Rachel. Honey is intrigued to uncover who this mystery woman is and begins a journey that changes everything. The story often appeared disjointed, as if you'd missed reading some pages - or perhaps overindulged in some Ibiza-style partying.

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His Other Lover - Lucy Dawson (2008)

When Mia trips over her live-in boyfriend Pete's mobile on the way to the bathroom one night, she reads a text message that makes her world fall apart. The message from Liz is far too intimate to be from a work colleague. Is Pete really capable of having an affair? Mia doesn't have much time for cheaters - she no longer sees her best friend Katie because she couldn't be trusted around her boyfriends. So Mia calls in sick to work and starts on a quest to uncover the truth. With the evidence indicating that Pete is indeed having an affair with an actress called Liz, Mia decides to start playing dirty to get rid of the other lover. If she's not going to walk out, then she sure is going to fight back. A captivating debut that will have readers cheering on Mia and her underhand tactics. The only negative was an inconclusive ending which left me wondering if the last few pages were missing.

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Hissy Fit - Mary Kay Andrews (2005)

Set in Madison, Georgia, this is the story of Keeley Murdock and the surprise she experiences at the rehearsal dinner the day before her high-society wedding. It's enough to cause her to throw a huge hissy fit which has repercussions for Keeley and others present. With her reputation as an interior designer now facing ruin, she takes on a wealthy client, Will, who gives her the mammoth task of having his home ready by Christmas. This is one book that you may find hard to put down. (JG)

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Holly's Inbox - Holly Denham (2007)

Holly Denham begins work as a receptionist at a London investment bank, and since she lied about her front-of-house experience, she's struggling just a bit. But luckily, the other receptionist Trish takes her under her wing and an old school 'friend' Jennie who works upstairs extends a welcoming arm. Told in email format, Holly navigates her new job and a new romance - with one of the company's vice presidents, James. Her work day is punctuated with daily emails to and from her best friends, Jason and Aisha, and her family, including her brother Charlie who's opening a nightclub, her parents who have moved to Spain and her granny who loves signing her up for online groups. But some secrets from Holly's past are about to be revealed. Be warned - this book based on the website www.hollysinbox.com is very addictive. Just don't let your boss catch you reading it.

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Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City - Holly Denham (2008)

This equally addictive sequel to Holly's Inbox (again told through email messages) sees receptionist Holly get promoted to front-of-house manager - and she'll keep the post if she can get her team to improve its results within a month. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Toby is being a bit evasive, another colleague William is flirting via email, and when she extends the hand of friendship to catering manager Tanya, she instead creates an enemy. With more than just her career on the line, Holly again relies on the advice of her email pals, including gay best friend Jason, scatty Aisha and reliable colleague Trisha.

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Hollywood Car Wash - Lori Culwell (2007)

Midwestern U-Mich collegiate Amy Spencer auditions for an upcoming teen TV series; think: Beverly Hills 90210 back in its glory days. Throughout her catapulting rise to fame, readers get an inside peek at the cut-throat business behind a hit Hollywood drama. Her name is changed to Star and she gets criticised for everything from her weight to her clothes, her food and exercise regime (or lack thereof). Throughout Amy/Star's journey in Tinseltown, this book reveals how one girl-next-door type character survives in a world full of airbrushed photos, designer clothing (only worn once, of course!) and diet pills. Culwell's skilful writing, creative character relationships and unique situations (that could be easily mistaken for real life) entertained me more and more with every turning page. I would definitely recommend this book as a must-read to all chick lit fans. (CH)

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Hollywood Girls Club - Maggie Marr (2007)

Celeste Solange is a movie star whose film producer husband has not only taken off with a teenage actress - he's also given her the part that was meant to herald Celeste's comeback. Her powerful agent Jessica Caulfield recommends that she takes the starring role in the low-budget film being produced by their friend Lydia Albright. But although Seven Minutes Past Midnight has new writer Mary Anne Myers turning it into a killer script, the male star is in jail, the director Zymar is too busy getting high in Bali and the new studio boss is desperate for Lydia to fail.

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Hollywood is Like High School with Money - Zoey Dean (2009)

Zoey Dean, author of the A-List series and How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls (which was turned into the brilliant-but-cancelled TV show Privileged), brings us yet another great novel about the rich and famous. It follows Taylor Henning as she moves from Connecticut to LA to pursue her dream of making good movies. She starts as a second assistant at Metronome Studios where she is immediately misled, undermined and completely ignored by her catty co-workers. After a chance meeting with her boss' 16-year-old daughter Quinn - who has entitlement written all over her pretty little face - Taylor develops an idea: Quinn can help her become Metronome material. Starting with simple things such as changing the way Taylor dresses to teaching her the rules to live by (Rule #1: Fake it til you make it), Taylor begins to feel right at home and grows more confident as she amazes her co-workers with her new-found self. However, things slide downhill when Taylor hears through the rumour mill that Kylie - the first assistant and Taylor's nemesis - is getting a major promotion. She tells Quinn that she wants to take Kylie down - not really knowing what kind of devious plan a teenage mastermind can come up with. When instructed to steal Kylie's gorgeous boyfriend, Luke, Taylor is resistant at first but comes around after Quinn reminds her that Kylie would have no problem doing this to her. Everything goes according to plan until Taylor starts falling for Luke and her lies - inside and outside of work - start to mount up. It takes Taylor losing everything to find out who she really is and who she wants to be. Life has a funny way of taking you the long way around to get to the things that make you ultimately happy and Taylor finds that out in the end. Is this an escapist read? Yes. But it's a book that is worthwhile and fun. And you never know, you might just find some important lessons about being true to yourself buried within the pages. (AS)

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Hollywood Under The Covers (2010)

This tells the story of romance writer Lacy Fox and her adventures in Hollywood. Lacy is a well-established writer who is known for her character Tiger, inspired after meeting Dario at a party one night. Despite the actor's sudden rise to fame, he is the love interest that she struggles to be with throughout the novel. Her nemesis is Jake Slader, who has known Lacy from birth and is now a talent agent with many high-powered clients. Only Lacy is smart enough to turn away any of his advances. Lacy helps her friends, including singer Marcus, in their struggles in obtaining or dealing with fame. This is a real page-turner in the vein of a Judith Krantz novel, which displays the author's insider entertainment knowledge. (JG)

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Holly Would Dream - Karen Quinn (2008)

Fashion historian Holly Ross is walking to work in the rain when a luxury car splashes her. The gallant passenger stops to offer the bedraggled Holly a lift - and so, in true romantic fashion, mega-rich property mogul Denis King comes into her life. He also happens to be the latest target of her donation-seeking boss at the fashion museum. Within days, Holly finds she isn't getting her expected promotion, her actor boyfriend is arrested and her hopes of impressing Denis are dashed. So she follows Denis on board a Mediterranean cruise - to get that seven-figure donation that will win her the promotion and maybe stop his wedding to a shallow heiress. But then a trunk of Audrey Hepburn gowns goes missing, and Interpol is on Holly's trail. I only wished I had seen Hepburn's movies so I could understand all those clever references the author promised. But the snippets about fashion history were woven in beautifully and showed Holly was far from being just some silly fashionista.

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Honeymoon For One - Beth Orsoff (2010)

For bride-to-be Elizabeth Mancini, she is really looking forward to is her honeymoon - one that she had spent months planning meticulously for. But when her fiance Steven dumps her the day before the wedding, Elizabeth is left flabbergasted at his abrupt decision. Deciding not to let all her hard work go to waste, she makes plans to take the trip to Belize alone - until she meets anthropologist Michael Garcia, who subsequently offers to play her new "husband" for the couples-only vacation, with no strings attached. Just as things are spicing up between Elizabeth and the scuba diving instructor Jack Traynor, a body washes up on the beach and Elizabeth becomes the prime murder suspect. This is a great combination of crime and love, bundled up with lots of humour. (XT)

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Hope in a Jar - Beth Harbison (2009)

Allie and Olivia were inseparable all through their school years, with Allie doing makeovers on Olivia almost every night. Then one nasty rumour ruined everything. Olivia and her mother moved away without as much as a goodbye or a chance to let Allie explain that she hadn't been the one to spread it. Since that day in 12th grade, Allie and Olivia have not spoken or kept up with each other's lives. Now, on the eve of their 20-year high school reunion, the women have to decide if they want to face their past. With the help of mutual best friend, Noah, Allie and Olivia are coaxed into going to the reunion and even more surprising than seeing each other is the big bombshell that Noah drops on them: He's dating Vickie Freedman, their worst enemy and a bonafied bitch. Neither of them can figure out why sweet, sensible Noah would date someone as vile as Vickie, especially Allie, who is secretly in love with Noah. When Noah announces that he's marrying Vickie, Allie - not knowing who else to turn to - calls Olivia. Allie will take any help she can get to stop Noah from this seemingly rash and life-changing (not to mention life-ruining) decision. Allie and Olivia are brought together once again, just like it was 20 years ago. The one question that remains unanswered is if they will let their past get in the way of their future. The story deepens with flashbacks to important points in Allie and Olivia's high school days. The flashbacks are so genuinely written that they only make the story more wonderful. Allie and Olivia are two girls who both need one thing in their life - hope - which they find in their friendship with each other.(AS)

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Hopetoun Wives - Fran Cusworth (2009)

Three women move with their families to Hopetoun, a remote town in Western Australia, as a new nickel mine gets underway. Melbourne nightclub manager Jasmine has turned down her dream hotel job to go west with her husband Tom, the recruitment supervisor, but hopes the slower pace of living will enable her to fall pregnant. Corporate wife and mother Miranda has packed up her London life to follow her husband Mark, the boss of the new mine. She hopes that this new start will enable her to find something useful to do. And Brigid is fleeing the oppressive heat of the Pilbara, in WA's north, to give her kids the chance to live with their father, Jack, instead of only seeing the fly-in, fly-out worker every three weeks. She is hoping that his huge wage will tame the monster credit card debt built up by his big spending habits. The women are among about 400 new families arriving in the town, under the unwelcoming watch of the long-term locals. They take over the local cafe, naming it Boomtown Cafe and witness the effects the resources boom has on this small town - and their own relationships. This scores an extra point for bringing the story to Chicklit Club's home State.

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Hostile Makeover - Wendy Wax (2005)

After Shelley Schwartz's father has a heart attack, he hands his advertising company over to golden boy Ross Morgan. Shelley is annoyed she was overlooked, even though she hardly ever showed up for work. Determined to prove herself to the new boss and her father, she starts showing an interest in the business and takes on some of the company's worst clients. But she's finding Ross is more than a match for her.

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Housewife Up - Allison Penton Harper (2006)

In this sequel to Housewife Down, widow Helen loses her $2 million windfall to a shonky investor, so she is forced to get a job. Her new boss, Rick, is a businessman who needs help handling his personal affairs. He keeps making huge demands of her but he may just come through for her in the end.

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Houston, We Have a Problema - Gwendolyn Zepeda (2009)

Jessica has trouble deciding what path to take - so she relies on regular visits to her psychic, Madame Hortensia. Should she continue dating unreliable but passionate artist Guillermo, a fellow Mexican, or should she go out with successful professional Jonathan, a friend of her sister's husband? Should she stay in the boring insurance field, return to her artistic roots or start a business of her own? And will her parents' arguing lead to divorce and will she and sister Sabrina ever see eye to eye again? As Jessica deals with her main problem - trusting herself to make worthwhile decisions - the book also deals with racial identity and prejudice. And just when you think she's settling down at the end, there's a what-happened-there twist.

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How Not To Shop - Carmen Reid (2009)

Move over Trinny and Susannah, run away Gok Wan as the Home Channel presents former personal shopper and retail worker at The Store Miss Annie Valentine. In this third book in the series, Annie has been offered the chance to work on TV as a wardrobe makeover expert to all the poor saps out there with their baggy clothes and shoddy hairstyles. Sounds glamorous? Well Annie thought so about this chance of a lifetime but it turns out that they have hired a big-wig star, the bossy Miss Marlise, to be the main talent. Annie also discovers that the pay is pitiful and that the show's budget is zip - it's style on a shoestring. Feeling pressure about the show, all Annie wants is to go home and relax in peace and quiet but things on the home front aren't looking too great. Her boyfriend Ed is left home with her two children, Owen who's gone on an eco-war and Lana, a sullen teen. And if that's not enough she gets lumbered with her friend/socialite/co-star's secret daughter, Elena, a 22-year-old Russian bombshell. Can Annie handle the pressures of the 3 Fs - fame, friends and family? (PP)

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How to be Famous - Alison Bond (2005)

Author Alison Bond's work in the movie industry no doubt inspired this book about the cut-throat world of film and fame. Lynsey Dixon works at a top talent agency in London. After she prevents the sacking of British actress Melanie Chapman from a movie set, she is transferred to LA to help Melanie settle into a new TV show. On a bus trip across America, Lynsey meets Serena Simon, a beautiful 14-year-old runaway who has dreams of becoming a starlet.

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How to Be Married - Polly Williams (2010)

Polly Williams has done the yummy mummy, the bad bride and the good girl. Now it's the turn of the world's worst wife. Sadie Drew is not particularly domesticated and she's too busy being a florist to care about her appearance. But with her husband Tom now needing a corporate wife and her mother-in-law gleefully warning that she is in danger of losing him, Sadie decides to transform herself into the perfect wife. She is assisted by a wealthy old lady called Enid who is more than willing to pass on her marital tips in exchange for company. But Sadie, a witty heroine who gets herself into all sorts of pickles, soon discovers it'll take more than just mastering trifles, matching socks and wearing lipstick.

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How to Be Single - Liz Tuccillo (2008)

New York book publicist Julie, 38, is on a girls' night out with her four friends. Georgia's husband has just announced he's leaving her; Ruby is still depressed after the death of her cat; lawyer Alice is ready to quit her job to focus on dating; and Serena has been too busy working on herself to have a relationship. The night out inspires Julie to write a book about how women in other countries cope with being single and so she embarks on a round-the-world trip. Often joined by her friends, from Rio and Rome; Sydney and Bali; to Mumbai and Reykjavik, Julie meets up with single women. Along the way there's an affair with a married Frenchman, a session with a male prostitute, a date with a sperm donor, sex with a spiritual guy, a death and an engagement. Single or not, women will relish Julie's thought-provoking quest.

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How to Break Your Own Heart - Maggie Alderson (2008)

Amelia is married to wealthy, eccentric wine buyer Ed. He's very set in his ways and has always made it clear he's not interested in being a parent. Trouble is now Amelia finds herself wanting a baby and thinks the matter should be reopened for discussion. As her over-the-top friend Kiki sets her up with a new career as clutter-clearer to the rich and disorganised, Amelia needs to decide whether she is going to stay in her marriage or take the chance on meeting someone else. Because it's a Maggie Alderson book, of course there's a gay friend and a glamorous social scene. Plus throw in a wise old neighbour, a gorgeous gardener, an intimidating father and the return of the first boy Amelia ever kissed - and it all adds up to her best book yet.

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How to Kill a Guy in 10 Days - Kayla Perrin (with Brenda Mott) 2007

Hailey McGaw arrives back in Miami after her divorce and bumps into former best friend Lexie Muller at a bookshop. The pair hit the town to celebrate, and after a night at a male strippers club, they stumble across one of the hunks - dead in the car park. Discovering that the victim, Rafael, was the boyfriend of one of their school friends, Joey who has become transsexual entertainer Josephine, they start doing some sleuthing of their own. On impulse, they also agree to buy the bookstore from Josephine's aunt Gina, who seems very keen to leave town. As the case heats up, the women discover that stumbling across a dead body is becoming a nasty habit.

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How to Knit a Love Song - Rachael Herron (2010)

aka Eliza's Gift

Abigail inherits a cottage from her beloved knitting mentor, Eliza Carpenter. Abigail, who is anxious to escape from her past, is thrilled to be moving to the country and turn the cozy cottage into a knitting store. But when she arrives at the cottage, she finds it is actually a rundown shack. And Eliza's nephew, rancher Cade, who owns all the land surrounding Abigail's new home, is furious that Abigail has inherited the cottage because he believes he is entitled to all of the land. With Abigail forced to stay with Cade until she fixes up the cottage, sparks fly but their circumstances force them to deny their attraction to one another. You don't have to be a knitter to enjoy this. (AO)

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How to Lose a Husband and Gain a Life - Bernadette Strachan (2009)

Ruby Gallagher seemed to have the perfect life, treated like a princess, until the dawn raid that saw husband Manny arrested on numerous fraud and money laundering charges. But even with his assets seized, Ruby was willing to stand by her man - until she discovers his mistress is expecting his baby. Moving into an apartment with one of his former staff members Maria, Ruby begins to realise it wasn't so much fun living in her gilded cage. Willingly taking on work as a housecleaner, she soon creates a new life, helped by Maria, her clients and her substitute parents, gay couple Tom and Kendall - and even faces up to some issues from the past. With a very endearing heroine, this is a totally enjoyable way to Lose a Day and Gain a New Favourite.

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How to Sleep with a Movie Star - Kristin Harmel (2006)

On the day that Mod magazine entertainment editor Claire Reilly interviews Hollywood heart-throb Cole Brannon and finds him to be a down-to-earth guy, she discovers her freeloading boyfriend cheating on her. She heads to a nearby bar to drown her sorrows where she bumps into Cole. Backstabbing colleague Sidra DeSimon then leaks a false story about Claire sleeping with the movie star, so Claire has to fight to protect her professional reputation. An enjoyable read from an American magazine writer with lots of celebrity mentions, it just would have been better if it hadn't followed the predictable, Hollywood fluff ending.

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How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls - Zoey Dean (2007)

Yale graduate Megan Smith takes a job at a trashy tabloid, waiting for her big break into serious journalism. But her inability to come up with juicy story ideas for Scoop sees her fired. But her boss recommends her for another job - as tutor to two Palm Beach heiresses, the Fabulous Baker Twins - Sage and Rose. Their grandmother Laurel Limoges, a cosmetics queen, reveals the scholastically challenged girls will only receive their $84 million inheritance if they get into Duke University; Megan will get her college debts paid out if they succeed. Megan also decides to use her time in Florida to kick-start her career, by writing an expose of the shallow Palm Beach society. The twins have no intention of dragging themselves away from the pool to study and enjoy tormenting dowdy Megan until she realises that she has to transform her appearance to win them over. Meanwhile Megan finds herself thinking less about her boyfriend from home, and more about Will, the boy-next-door.

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Hunger Point - Jillian Medoff (1996)

Twenty-six-year old Frannie Hunter juggles her life between working at temporary jobs, putting up with her mother's attempts to drive her out of their house and visiting her younger sister Shelly who is in hospital after a long struggle with anorexia. Frannie's mother, Marsha, has always been overly obsessed with her daughters' weight and dietary habits, controlling their calorie intake, and the type of food they have, pushing the message that they need to be thin. Already confused over her own relationship problems, Frannie also has to deal with her mother's possible affair, her dad showing little interest in caring for Shelly, her best friend Abby's relationship with a married man, and Shelly showing signs of depression after her recent suicide attempts. Soon Frannie finds herself on the verge of a breakdown as well. A painfully raw and realistic story revolving around the theme of anorexia, apparent in our culture in its over-emphasis on perfection and body image. (XT)

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Husband and Wife - Leah Stewart (2010)

Sarah Price is at a crossroads. Her husband, writer Nathan Bennett, has just confessed to having had an affair, which she is sure he has chronicled in his latest book, Infidelity. In a split second, everything Sarah knows to be true about her life falls apart and she begins second-guessing the choices she has made, everything from giving up her career as a poet to whether Nathan is in fact the man she is meant to be with. When she decides to respond to an email sent long ago by Rajiv, a friend from her past, she wonders if he was actually her destiny. Sarah takes off for Austin, with her two kids in tow, to explore the feelings she has for Rajiv and to hopefully gain some perspective about the life she was meant to live. With much introspection and great internal conflict, Sarah ponders the ultimate question, "What if?" Stewart has written a heartwarming and wise novel about the dreams we let slip away when life gets going. It will have you wondering about your own life and whether the choices you have made are indeed the right ones or perhaps just the right ones for right now. (LEK)

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Husbands - Adele Parks (2005)

Bella has never told anyone about her registry wedding to Stevie, an Elvis impersonator. Not even when city trader Philip proposed to her. Nor when best friend Laura introduces Stevie as her new man and invites Laura and Philip to join them on a trip to Las Vegas for an Elvis competition. Could things get any more complicated?

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Husbands and Lies - Susy McPhee (2009)

When Fran's best friend Alison - who's dying of cancer - asks her for a favour she can hardly refuse. She wants Fran to help her husband, Adam, find a new wife and mother for their young daughter Erin. But what Fran doesn't expect when she logs on to an internet dating site is to find a photo of her own husband, Max, staring back. Unable to confront him directly, she sends him a message posing as "Sassy" and they arrange to meet. But her plan quickly goes awry. A promising debut, which would have scored higher if every plot development wasn't so predictable.

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