WAGs at the World Cup - Alison Kervin (2010)

The uber fabulous WAG Tracie Martin is back with lots of glamour, trouble and WAG-ishness like only a true footballer's wife can do. When her husband, Dean, is promoted through the England coaching ranks, Tracie is beyond ecstatic. So, even though her husband swears her to secrecy until the team makes the announcement, Tracie can't help but go and help out some guys at the local TV station make a promo video to get more funding. The result is a fiasco and it turns into the most-watched YouTube video of all time. The team decide it would be best for them if Tracie heads off to South Africa, where the World Cup will be held, a little early to get away from the British press. Of course, Tracie continues to be a media magnet even when she has the best of intentions. Her open drunkenness is not popular among the South Africans and she is not warmly welcomed. And she is still desperate to become best of friends with the Wonder WAGS like her idol Victoria Beckham. But no matter what she does - including buying a telescope to spy on them - goes over too well. When Tracie discovers there is a betting syndicate out to make England lose the World Cup, she just won't have her beloved Dean losing after he's worked so hard. So, what's a WAG to do? Besides making sure she is orange enough, drunk enough and thin enough, Tracie must find a way to stop the betting syndicate in its tracks. Of course, doing it all in her best bikini wasn't part of the plan, but that's life for a WAG. This book - the third in the series - is absolutely hilarious with many laugh-out-loud moments. Tracie's escapades are so fantastic that you won't want it to end. Who wouldn't want to live vicariously through one of the coolest WAGS out there? It's an essential read - even when the World Cup is over - and an instant classic. (AS)

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Waking Beauty - Elyse Friedman (2004)

Allison Penny is an unattractive and overlooked office cleaner, who has to deal with a flatmate from hell, an alcoholic mother and an absent father. So what happens when one day she wakes up as a gorgeous blonde? Do blondes have more fun and is life better when you're beautiful?

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Walking In Circles Before Lying Down - Merrill Markoe (2007)

Twice divorced, with no stable job and an unconcerned family, Dawn Tarnauer's life is a series of rejections and abandonment. When she thinks that her life can no longer get any better (after her latest relationship ended), she finds herself being able to communicate with her dog, Chuck. This is a light and easy read about a woman's search for love and her journey of growing up, and reveals that a dog's instincts are sometimes more reliable. (XT)

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Walk of Fame - Sharon Krum (2000)

Tom Webster is an average, boring financial writer. He finds himself alone when his wife leaves him for his best friend, Jake. Tom is suddenly offered $100,000 by a trendy magazine if he can make himself famous within 30 days. At the end of that period, Tom must write a tell-all article describing his quick rise to fame. Tom convinces Alexandra West, a blonde bombshell actress, into meeting him publicly. Alexandra wants to be taken more seriously as an actress, so she uses Tom in order for the public to view her differently. The couple is stalked by the paparazzi and the tabloids nickname them the modern-day Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller. Tom's life changes drastically as he quickly rises to fame and adjusts to how differently people treat him. The author does a fantastic job writing on celebrity society and why certain people are famous for doing nothing. (AO)

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Want to Know a Secret? - Sue Moorcroft (2010)

Diane thinks the policemen has it wrong when he tells her that her husband Gareth has been injured in an accident. Yet she soon discovers that flying in helicopters isn't the only secret he's been keeping. Diane struggles to come to terms with the lies which all revolve around the money they never had. There are less skeletons in James' cupboard, in fact his family's problems are open enough for him to bear the brunt of them. But will Diane and James realise that at some point they need to stop protecting everyone else around them and work out how they can make themselves happy? This is a real page-turner as every time you think you've sussed what the secret is, there's another twist to the plot. Fast paced and definitely keeps you on your toes. (AB)

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Warnings of Gales - Annie Sanders (2005)

Control freak Imogen rents a beachside cottage in Cornwall, which she shares with the families of easy-going friend Sophie and last-minute rope-in, single mother Jo. Amid rainy weather, tensions rise in the house until an incident forces them to club together.

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Watching Willow Watts - Talli Roland (2011)

When small-town girl Willow Watts is coaxed into dressing up as Marilyn Monroe at the annual Belcherton's summer fair and is videoed singing Happy Birthday Mr President, the only member of the town's tourism board includes her crooning in a YouTube video to showcase the town - with a picture of Marilyn's face floating over Willow in case there is any doubt as to who she is impersonating. Someone makes a comment that the floating image is the ghost of Marilyn and that Willow is Marilyn reincarnate, causing the video to go viral - and before Willow knows what's happening, she's an overnight internet sensation. Fans of Marilyn flood into Belcherton to meet Willow, and when a hot-shot agent tries to lure Willow into signing with him to cash in on her newfound fame, Willow sees his suggestion as a solution to the debt problems her father is facing. Willow decides to embrace her new identity and does her best to become Marilyn - but as she changes, a ghost from her past appears and Willow starts to wonder if just being plain old Willow Watts was so bad after all. If you can get past the implausibility of certain aspects of the plot and take the book as a tongue-in-cheek read, there are plenty of positives in Watching Willow Watts - a fresh and well-thought-out narrative, likeable characters, dry wit and an interesting perspective on overnight fame. (SBB)

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Watch Over Me - Daniela Sacerdoti (2011)

Eilidh runs away from her cheating husband and her failed fertility treatments, to her childhood home in the Scottish Highlands. As she tries to get her life back on track, she gets entangled with childhood friend, Jamie, now a single father, and his daughter Maisie. With both Eilidh and Jamie putting up barriers, circumstances and even ghosts keep trying to get them together. Can they help each other to get over their problems and start living their lives again? This impressive debut is a reflective and poignant story which tackles some difficult subjects - miscarriage, infertility and infidelity. Yet even though the topic can see gloomy the book doesn't feel dark. In fact written from the perspectives of both Eilidh, Jamie and Jamie's late mother you do get a real sense of hope and a feeling that you're going to get a happy ever after. (AB)

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Watermelon - Marian Keyes (1996)

Claire Walsh's husband, James, tells her he's leaving for another woman moments after she's given birth to their daughter, Kate. Claire returns to her family home in Dublin and takes to her room. At first she sinks into a depression, then a rage before she emerges ready to look after herself and Kate. Then James reappears, saying he made a mistake.

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Waxed - Robert Rave (2010)

Three sisters Carolina - glamorous, chic and a bit of a neat freak; Anna - a recent divorcee with three children trying to find herself again; and Sofia - a newlywed unsure if she wants to be a domestic goddess or a party girl, are brought together by Carolina's own much raved about waxing salon - Impresario, where all of New York City's elite and famous go to get plucked, waxed and trimmed. The novel follows each sister's experiences - both the public and the private - from her own viewpoint. On the surface these sisters have a perfect life but you quickly learn that each has a skeleton in her closet that surprisingly makes you relate to and like her even more. This is a definite must-read. (AV)

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We Ain't the Brontes - Rosalyn McMillan (2011)

This is about the rivalry between two sisters. Lynzee is a big-name science fiction author and is living the high life with limos, award ceremonies and fat paychecks. Charity is a housewife and mother - and struggling author. Lynzee wants everything for herself, including Charity's husband Jett who she once dated in high school. She decides now is the time to reveal he fathered the daughter she gave up for adoption. Now with that daughter, April, back on the scene and with Charity and Jett's marriage under increasing strain, is this all the ammunition that Lynzee needs to gather what she believes is rightfully hers? (PP)

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Wedded Blitz - Tina Reilly (2005)

A tale of warring spouses, embarrassing parents and the battle of the hairdressing salons. When hairdresser Jane discovers another salon is opening up down the road, she enters a hairdressing competition to help woo customers. On the home front, her husband, Jim, has moved out so her mother moves in. Then an accident makes Jane and Jim relive a past tragic event and forces them to confront what drove them apart in the first place.

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Wedding Belles - Zoe Barnes (2006)

Green Goddess shop assistant Belle Craine is planning her wedding to local journalist Kieran when Australian model Mona - her father's unknown daughter - turns up on the doorstep. In disgrace, her father and mother have to move out of the vicarage and into a new parish in a very undesirable area. Then Kieran starts spending too much time with Mona and Belle starts thinking the worst.

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Wedding Season - Katie Fforde (2008)

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

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Weekend in Paris - Robyn Sisman (2002)

Molly Clearwater has moved from her small town to London but is stuck in a low-level job. One day her boss Malcolm Figg offers her the chance to accompany him on a business trip to Paris. Molly, who's never been outside of England, is really excited but her happiness comes crashing down when she overhears him talking about his intentions to seduce her. Molly storms out of the office and jumps on the train with the sole purpose of spending a weekend in Paris on her own. Within a few hours of stepping into the most romantic city in the world, Molly makes friends with party girl Alicia, falls in love with a bohemian artist who just seems to be after a fun hook-up, and bumps into the last person she expected to see. This book was way too predictable and full of cliches. (SS)

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Welcome to My World - Miranda Dickinson (2010)

Travel agent Harri Langton loves the thrill of travelling the world. Her dream destination is Venice with all its romance and splendour. However, the closest Harri has ever come to seeing her beloved Venice is through travel books and TV programs. Though she's happy with her life, there is a nagging feeling of emptiness which won't go away. When Harri's boyfriend, Rob, is tied up with work and Harri is left on her own, she finds herself persuaded to help travel fanatic Alex on his quest for love. In doing so, Harri finds herself enveloped in a whole new set of problems. With Venice at the tip of her fingers, will Harri ever get to see her dream city? Or will she be forever destined to be an armchair traveller, only hearing about other people's experiences? This is a wonderfully heartfelt book that will thaw even the coldest heart. Harri is so passionate about what she wants yet she lets herself get stepped on like so many of us out there. Reading her story, despite the fact that it's fiction, should be enough to make you want to break free of the chains that bind you and go out and chase your dreams. (AS)

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Welcome to Temptation - Jennifer Crusie (2000)

Sophie Dempsey is the responsible sister in her dysfunctional family. When she and her wild sister, Amy, arrive in Temptation, a small conservative town in Ohio, Sophie believes they are filming a short movie audition tape. Rumours about the sisters immediately start and preppy mayor Phin Tucker arrives to investigate the film's intentions. Sophie immediately catches Phin's attention and they have a chemistry that they can't deny. Sophie begins to realise that the video they are filming is turning into an erotic video and Phin is pressured to stop the filming to keep the town respectable. Gossip, blackmail, murder and lots of sex keep the citizens of Temptation busy. With a huge cast of funny secondary characters, this is a quick read that will keep you laughing. (AO)

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Welcome to the Real World - Carole Matthews (2006)

Fern Kendal is a struggling bar singer who desperately needs a break. She takes on an extra job as personal assistant to opera star Evan David, but finds she can't let him know about her singing dream. So Fern throws away her chances on TV talent show Fame Game when she discovers Evan is one of the judges. Evan's every whim is catered for by his agent, trainer, chauffeur, chef and a cast of thousands, but memories of a childhood tragedy keep him from truly enjoying all he's achieved. Though Fern can't seem to master her assistant duties, she brings a rare smile to Evan's face so when she goes on the run, he finds he can't forget her.

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West End Girls - Jenny Colgan (2006)

Lizzie and Penny are twin sisters (but complete opposites) who live dowdy and unfulfilling lives. Penny dreams that one day she will be rescued from her unsatisfactory life while Lizzie is quite happy eating crisps on her mother's couch. When their grandmother, who had all but forgotten them, is admitted to hospital, the girls are given the task to house-sit her fancy West End apartment which provides the opportunity to start a new life. Life in the West End is harder than they thought and the boys are just as difficult. Set in Chelsea, England, this is a feel-good, entertaining novel that has all the favourite elements such as love, transformation and most importantly a happy ending with a twist. (GF)

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What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty (2009)

Alice Love comes to after hitting her head in the gym - to discover that she's lost 10 years of memories. Instead of being 29 and pregnant with her first child, she finds she's a 39-year-old mother of three. Instead of being madly in love with her husband Nick, they are in the process of getting divorced and their do-me-up house is now all done up. And somewhere along the past decade it seems as if she's had a personality transplant - why is her relationship with her sister so strained, why is she the queen bee of school activities, and what on earth was she doing at the gym in the first place? As her memories slowly resurface, including the role a woman called Gina played in her life, Alice is wondering whether she took a wrong turn somewhere. With twists and turns that will bring out both the smiles and the tears, plus a totally satisfying ending, this is one book you won't forget in a hurry.

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What Came First - Carol Snow (2011)

Laura, a hard-working attorney, is a single mother. She is desperate for a sibling for her eight-year-old son, Ian. Wendy and her husband struggled for years to conceive a child. After numerous failed fertility treatments, they finally have twins. But now Wendy is unhappy in a dull marriage with two hellion children. Vanessa lives with her long-time boyfriend Eric. All she wants is a ring and a family, however, Eric has no interest in marriage or children. When Laura starts a search for the sperm donor of her son, these women find their lives woven together. The author wrote a brilliant original story about infertility and the strong desire of women to become mothers. (AO)

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What Do You Do All Day? - Amy Scheibe (2005)

Jennifer Bradley used to work at an auction house but is now a stay-at-home mum who is wondering if this is her lot in life. When her husband, Thom, announces he's off to Singapore on business for three months, things get even more difficult for her.

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What Kate Did Next - Lisa Heidke (2010)

Married mother-of-two Kate is realising that somewhere along the way she has put her dreams of being an acclaimed photographer on hold. So when a friend rings with a temporary job offer on a food magazine, Kate decides to plunge back into the working world. As she spends her days dealing with the temperamental creative director Graeme Grafton - a former Cleo Bachelor of the Year, she also has to contend with her 13-year-old daughter Lexi going through a rebellious stage, her sister Robyn ringing up daily claiming she's in labour and her estranged father re-entering her life with a bang. Meanwhile Kate is harbouring fantasies about her son's well-fit soccer coach. Heidke's witty sophomore effort proves she's got the depiction of the domestic battleground down to a fine art. Will be very interested to see what she does next.

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What My Best Friend Did - Lucy Dawson (2009)

Photographer Alice meets kids TV presenter Gretchen on a photo shoot in Los Angeles. Now Alice has a new fun-loving, bubbly friend to hang out with - and she even comes with the added attraction of a cute brother, travel writer Bailey. But Gretchen has a secret which will drag Alice and her boyfriend Tom down. This is one book where it works not to know much about the plot before you begin. It is a real page-turner right from its explosive, dark start. But be warned: if you enjoy stories with a nice epilogue that wraps up all the characters' lives, Dawson seems to be developing a reputation as master of the hanging ending.

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What's New, Pussycat? - Alexandra Potter (2011)

This is the updated version of Alexandra Potter's debut novel, which was first published in 2000. When Delilah's boyfriend Lenny proposes, she realises she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life with him in Yorkshire. Instead, after meeting charismatic TV producer Charlie and throwing in her waitressing job, she packs up her beloved Tom Jones record collection and takes off to London. Delilah (yes, she was named after that Tom Jones song) winds up in Notting Hill, hoping to run into Charlie again and kick-start a completely new life. Instead she meets cafe chef Sam and moves in with his trust fund friend, Vivienne, as you do. Another run-of-the-mill rom-com - possibly would have seemed a bit more unusual back in 2000.

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What the Nanny Saw - Fiona Neill (2011)

Ali has been the nanny in the Skinner household for a couple of years. Nick and Bryony are a power couple of the London financial world. He is an investment banker with Lehman Brothers while Bryony works magic with her own financial clients. They have four children, twins Hector and Alfie who have such strong bond it worries their mother; teenager Izzy who starts rebelling to gain attention; and university student Jake who spends most of his time wrapped up with his girlfriend. Ali has become so much a part of the furniture that when a scandal breaks involving the family, all eyes are on what she heard and witnessed behind closed doors. This is a dark domestic tale set amid the financial meltdown.

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What's Yours is Mine - Tess Stimson (2010)

aka Who Loves You Best

Grace is the successful sister - happily married to doctor Tom, living in a four-bedroom house with a career as a forensic accountant. Her estranged sister, Susannah, is the problem child - she's been divorced several times, her two sons are in foster care and she has dreadlocks and tattoos. But Grace's life isn't complete - she is devastated to discover that she is never going to have a baby. When their mother Catherine has a stroke, Susannah returns to England from Florida and offers to carry a child for Grace. But can two so different sisters share such a major experience? Stimson's novels keep getting better and better - this one is certain to be one of the top releases of 2010. Written from the viewpoints of the sisters and their mother, it's a gripping tale with lots of twists and turns.

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What the Lady Wants - Jennifer Crusie (1995)

Mitch Peatwick is defeated. The timeline on his bet is coming to an end and he hasn't made the $20,000 he projected. Wallowing in his sadness is where Mae Sullivan finds him. She needs his help, she believes her uncle and guardian has been murdered. Of course, he takes the case, her money will complete his bet and her looks will serve his Maltese Falcon fantasies very well. This case is supposed to be cut and dry, Mae claims that if Mitch finds the uncle's missing journal then it will point towards the murderer. But when Mitch starts the investigation, he realises that Mae left some things out. For example, she's the local big king thug's favourite niece and he would do anything to protect her, and her other living uncle is happy to ruin the life of anybody who crosses him. While Mitch and Mae search for clues they become closer until secrets are revealed about both of them and their partnership changes forever. (SN)

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What Women Want - Fanny Blake (2011)

Bea, Kate and Ellen are women who know what they want, only they realise they can't always get it. Bea wants a man, and to keep her job in publishing. Kate wants her marriage to work and Ellen wants her family to accept her new lover. Only as the three women grapple with what they need, or at least what they think they need, their friendship is put to the test. The novel follows the three women as they learn to adjust to divorce, teenagers and empty nest syndrome. With a few mysteries and secrets to unravel, it's a nice, easy read. (AB)

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What You Don't Know - Lizzie Enfield (2011)

Helen's husband, Alex, has just booked an appointment to have a vasectomy when she interviews new author Graham Parks. Even though he's not half as good looking as her actor husband, Helen, a part-time journalist and mother of two, realises she fancies Graham and so begins their secretive liaisons. Meanwhile she is worried that Alex, who is often away filming his TV show in Manchester, may have a thing for his new sexy co-star, Venetia. With lots of clever observations, this cautionary tales looks at what happens in a long-term marriage when partners are tempted to look elsewhere.

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When Good Friends Go Bad - Ellie Campbell (2009)

Jen, Meg, Georgina and Rowan became firm friends at school in the 1980s. But after an escapade went awry, they all went their separate ways. They had one tense reunion 12 years later, when Rowan - the shyest of them all - asked the girls to meet her one night but never showed up. Now in the present day, free-spirited single mum Meg has got back in touch, asking Jen and Georgina for help tracking down Rowan over a 'life or death' matter. Georgina now runs a successful fashion business with her husband, while Jen is in the midst of a divorce. But what ever happened to Rowan? As the three women join forces to find their old friend, all sorts of secrets from the past surface. You'll need to keep your wits about you as the first few chapters swing between the three time periods. But as it develops, the storyline will keep you guessing all the way through to one gripping confrontation.

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When in Rome - Gemma Townley (2004)

Georgie may be happy with her dependable accountant boyfriend David but she still daydreams about bumping into her cad of an ex, Mike, looking gorgeous while on the arm of Brad Pitt. The record company exec was last seen leaving her two years ago, on the arm of an unidentified skinny blonde. Then one day, unfortunately while bedraggled and carrying a curtain rod, Georgie does bump into Mike, and he begins wooing her. When he invites her away for a weekend getaway to Rome, Georgie is torn - this is where David always planned to take her for an Audrey Hepburn-inspired Roman Holiday. But since he never has, Georgie decides to go with Mike - even though David has warned her to keep away from him. But things get complicated when she spies David at the airport and Mike is too caught up in his business dealings to see the sights.

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When Sparrows Fall - Meg Moseley (2011)

Miranda Hanford, a widow and mother to six children, has been living in fear that her children will be taken off her by social services. When the pastor of her church, Mason, faces allegations, he insists that God is calling him to move their church to another State and he persuades his flock to follow him like sheep. Miranda, though, has no intention of moving until Mason threatens to expose her secrets. Fate intervenes with Miranda finds herself in hospital after an accident and turns to the one person she can count on - her husband's half-brother Jack Hanford. When Jack arrives, it seems that the overly sheltered Hanford household is about to be turned upside down as his ways and viewpoints are the complete opposite of Miranda - he introduces the kids to Frosted Flakes, Dr Seuss and jeans. When Miranda recovers enough to return home, she begins questioning her religious views - can she finally break free? (PP)

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When the Boys are Away - Sarah Webb (2007)

Meg Miller has returned to Dublin with her two children, Dan and Lily, after becoming fed up with trailing around the globe after her partner Simon, a professional sailor. But life is far from smooth sailing at home, what with the home renovations, annoying in-laws and her own infuriating family. So Meg teams up with her neighbour Tina, whose banker husband works in London all week, and finds that sometimes life is easier without the men around. But as a secret from Simon's past is revealed, will Meg jump overboard?

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When You Were Mine - Elizabeth Noble (2011)

Susannah is 40, divorced, childless and has been dating a closed-off man named Doug for more than eight years. She is helping Amelia - her smart-mouthed, brazen best friend since high school - through chemotherapy. You could say her days are full of tasks and void of fun. Susannah's life takes an interesting turn when she runs into Rob - her first love - at her brother's wedding, and he isn't wearing a wedding band. Things get complicated when they decide to become friends again, even though Susannah can't help but fantasise about him and reminisce about their good times. For the first time in her life, Susannah has some hard choices to make alone. Not your average chick lit, this book had many well-fleshed-out characters and a surprise ending. I liked the book but not the constant change in storytelling perspective, which came choppily and without warning. (AV)

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When We Were Friends - Elizabeth Joy Arnold (2011)

Growing up Lainey and Sydney were the best of friends. They did everything together until they reached 16 and Sydney chose to climb the popularity chain leaving Lainey behind. Fast forward 18 years and Lainey is now an artist living at home caring for her mother. When Lainey gets asked to paint a mural at the local occult store Six of Swords, the last person she expects to run into is Sydney. Sydney, now a mother of a young daughter Jacqueline, is in the midst of a nasty divorce from her abusive husband David. She later turns up at Lainey's door hurt and begs her to look after Jacqueline. And when Lainey turns on the news that night, on screen is none other than Sydney with her husband proclaiming that Jacqueline has been kidnapped. Lainey, not having anyone to turn to, changes the girl's name to Molly and goes on the run, meeting Alex, a good Samaritan with secrets of his own. Can Lainey live her new life and protect Molly or when the going gets tough, will she have to return her to Sydney? This is a fast-paced novel about trust and deception that will keep you entranced as it debates what lengths you should go to for a friend. (PP)

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Where Rainbows End - Cecelia Ahern (2004)

Also known as Rosie Dunne

Rosie Dunne and Alex Stewart have been friends since childhood. Just as they are reaching their final year at school, they are separated when Alex's family moves from Dublin to America. Rosie finds she's lost without him and applies to go to college in Boston so they can be reunited. Except on the eve of her departure, something happens that changes her life forever. Through marriages, divorces and work trials, Rosie and Alex are there for each other. But are they meant to be more than just good friends? One of my all-time favourite books.

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Where the Love Gets In - Tara Heavey (2010)

Actress Sarah heads to an Irish coastal town, wanting her autistic seven-year-old daughter Maia to get up close with the dolphins. She believes that the sea creatures will help unlock whatever has kept Maia silent until now. As they head out daily to spot dolphin Star with fisherman Aidan, who runs dolphin tours in his trawler, Sarah finds she is falling for him. Her guilt compounds when his wife Fiona, a doctor, tries to befriend her. But soon all her worries are focused on a fight to protect her daughter's future. This book may not jump off the shelf at you but the story about a love triangle is particularly heart-wrenching and is well worth your attention. It totally exceeded all expectations.

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While I'm Falling - Laura Moriarty (2009)

Veronica, a pre-med student at the University of Kansas, is struggling to find a balance in her disorientated life. She is juggling the stresses of her failing studies, her dorm assistant job and her parents' messy divorce. Then Veronica lands herself in a spiral of unfortunate events and bad decisions, including a terrible car accident, and her mother Natalie only adds to her problems. Realistically written from different perspectives of the family, it delves deeper into the complexity of the relationship between the characters and their hopes and fears in life, and how they resolve their conflicts and misunderstandings. However, the tone for the entire story was too melancholy and it became a little dry near the end. But overall, it was a compelling and deep read. (XT)

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Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter - Lisa Patton (2009)

Southern belle Leelee Satterfield would do anything for her husband, Baker, the love of her life. Anything, it seems, including reluctantly leaving her life in Memphis and moving to Vermont so he can pursue his dream of running the Vermont Haus Inn. Leelee knows the move will mean complete culture shock but nothing can prepare her for the long winters, mud season, and the cast of characters that comes with life in Vermont. When Baker abruptly leaves her for another woman, Leelee must make a decision - return with her daughters to Memphis or try to make a go of running the inn on her own. With a little help from friends, old and new, and a lot of humour, Leelee learns just what she is made of. This is a humorous, fish-out-of-water tale that will have you rooting for the underdog. From the minute I started reading, Leelee's Tennessee twang and gumption came through loud and clear. (LEK)

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Who Do I Talk To? - Neta Jackson (2009)

Gabrielle Fairbanks knew that after the phone call she had left at her husband's work, she would have pushed his buttons. But she didn't realise exactly how upset her husband was with her. Coming home, she is faced with the reality of becoming homeless as her husband has changed the locks on their house, cancelled her credit cards and up and left with her two sons. Now Gabrielle, her elderly mother and their dog Dandy are living in Manna House - a homeless shelter where Gabrielle has worked for the past two months. Can Gabrielle regain her confidence and with the assistance of her boss Mabel and Legal Aid lawyer Lee get back what she has lost? Another book in the Yada Yada House of Hope series, this is a story about the value of friendship and family. In the last place she ever imagined she'd be, Gabby will discover what she's made of. (PP)

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Who Gets Fluffy? - Judith Summers (2008)

It's not such a festive occasion when personal shopper Annie Curtis discovers on Christmas Day that husband Mark has been cheating on her again. As the main breadwinner, she is more than happy to offer him a very generous, amicable divorce settlement - until he demands custody of her pooch Fluffy. Flashbacks reveal how both boys came into Annie's life - she rescued the mongrel from a homeless man and then hired Mark to be her dog-walker. A hilarious, cleverly written and heart-warming tale about the lengths people will go for their furry best friend.

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Who Is My Shelter? - Neta Jackson (2011)

In this fourth book in the Yada Yada House of Hope series, Gabrielle Fairbanks' life has been a series of ups and downs since her husband, Philip, kicked her out of her home, cut all her finances and left her virtually poor. Now working her way up through the chain at Manna House, it seems Gabrielle's life is looking up for a change. Her work has had a dedication towards for a lovely mural, she is attending church regularly and has a good steady relationship with legal aid lawyer Lee. So when her ex-husband Philip is beaten up by thugs due to gambling debts and more, why does Neta feel guilty? For the sake of her sons, should she sacrifice what she has worked so hard for and go back to Philip or will she suddenly realise that she has an awesome thing going with Lee? This novel shows readers that when all else has failed, no matter what a family member has done to hurt you, blood is thicker than water. (PP)

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Who's Afraid of Mr Wolfe? - Hazel Osmond (2011)

Advertising copywriter Ellie gets a new boss in Jack Wolfe, who every woman in the office has an instant crush on despite his brooding nature. Recognising her under-utilised talents, Jack urges Ellie to smarten up her act - and appearance. But he has a rule about not seeing anyone from the office and so has to fight his attraction to Ellie. And that pretty much sums up the storyline, apart from singing knickers and Ellie's heart-warming relationship with her eccentric, life-embracing great-aunt Edith. It may sound as if there is not much to the story but even over nearly 500 pages, this light-hearted, entertaining read keeps your interest throughout. And just when you think Jack is the most despicable love interest of all time - he makes Heathcliff seem warm and fuzzy - you begin to hope that he will redeem himself. I certainly won't be afraid to pick up the next book from this promising debut author (who is an advertising copywriter).

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Whose Life Is It Anyway? - Sinead Moriarty (2008)

aka Keeping It In The Family

Niamh (pronounced Neev) O'Flaherty grew up in a proud Irish household in London - where the garden gnomes are leprechauns, the doorbell rings out Danny Boy and Irish dancing lessons are compulsory. When she becomes the first family member to get into university, she goes to Dublin where it was hoped she'd meet a nice Irish lad. So when she falls for Pierre, she knows her family are not going to be happy. Not only is he older, French, non-Catholic - he's also black. And Pierre, a professor, knows that his own cultured parents will need a bit of time to get used to his tabloid columnist girlfriend, especially since they're going to get married immediately and head to Vancouver for his job. With hilarious flashbacks to Niamh's childhood with her larger-than-life family members, it won't be just Irish eyes that'll be smiling.

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Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? - Melissa Senate (2004)

Eloise Manfred is offered a $100,000 wedding in exchange for featuring in a bridal magazine. With her mother dead and her father's whereabouts unknown, she accepts the offer to be the Modern Bride. But when faced with a Bird Bird gown, a vegan menu and a Leap Year wedding date, Eloise soon learns there's no such thing as a free wedding.

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Who's That Girl? - Alexandra Potter (2009)

Imagine if you could meet your younger self - what advice would you give her? That's exactly what happens to 31-year-old Charlotte Merryweather. Charlotte has come a long way over the past 10 years - she runs her own PR company, wears great clothes; is about to enter the property market with boyfriend Miles; and religiously follows all sorts of dietary advice. When Charlotte spots her 21-year-old self driving her VW Beetle around town, she follows herself and meets up with Lottie - a girl still dreaming of being a writer, who lives in a slobby apartment, parties hard - and worse smokes, suntans and wears PVC trousers. As Charlotte tries to stop her younger self from making all sorts of mistakes, such as having a one-night stand with rock singer Billy Romani, it seems Lottie has some advice that the 30-something should heed.

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Why Not? - Shari Low (2002)

When political researcher Jess is propositioned by her Conservative MP boss Basil Asquith, she's got no better offers on the table and so launches into a secret affair with him. But he continues to drag his feet about leaving his wife. So along comes boyfriend no. 2, journalist Mike Chapman, who caused a media scandal when he outed the MP's extra-curricular activities. But when Mike leaves her pregnant and alone, Jess - together with her loyal band of girlfriends - sets about wreaking revenge on the pair of them.

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Wicked Games - Sasha Wagstaff (2010)

Judd Harrington has returned from America to ruin a long-time rival, recording company chief Lochlin Maguire. Moving into a manor house across the valley, he starts a recording company and one of his first ploys is to steal Lochlin's clients, including his yet-unsigned daughter Iris, an amazingly beautiful and talented singer. Iris takes up his offer of training with a top singing teacher in LA, unaware Judd's also lined up his racing driver son, Ace, to break her heart. Meanwhile as he appoints his mistress Darcy to toy with Shay, the Maguire heir-apparent, his own chip-off-the-old-block Sebastian is too busy having an affair to keep his mind on the job and an old fling comes back to haunt him. This is an absolutely riveting bonkbuster of a story that would have been even better without some of the ridiculous and totally implausible plot developments. But if you're after a truly vile villain and feuding families from the Shakespearean/Dynasty mould - this is particularly wicked.

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Wife Goes On - Leslie Lehr (2008)

It's time for Diane to move on - she's packing up her family home after breaking up with her gambling husband, Steve. Her home is bought by icy divorce lawyer Annette, who was married to a gay artist. Homecoming queen Bonnie went the white picket fence route when she married her high school sweetheart and football star Buck. Now in her early 20s and with two young kids, he's become an unbearable bully. The women are all brought together at a furniture shop where Lana works. She is a former actress who disappeared from the spotlight when she left her leading man Lucas after his on-set affair. The four women are all members of the divorce club - ready to face life happier ever after.

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Wife in the Fast Lane - Karen Quinn (2006)

Former Olympic runner Christy Hayes has built up her Baby G sports shoe label into a multi-million-dollar company. But her business partner, Katherine, leaks some negative stories about Christy and the company to the media and forces the board into making her CEO. So Christy decides to throw herself into being a wife and mother, with the new motto 'Marriage, children, career - pick two.' She falls for successful businessman Michael Drummond, who comes with a ready-made daughter, Ali. And so Christy enters the cruel competitive world of the yummy mummy mafia at Colby Girls' School.

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Wife Living Dangerously - Debra Kent (2006)

Despite working for a sex research institute, Julia Flanagan has always played by the rules and put her family first, so her best friends dare her to live a little dangerously. But did they ever expect her to take up with Evan, a university poetry tutor; try to uncover whether husband Michael is having an affair with his band's singer; and worse yet - lie to her family that their pet rat is actually a dwarf Norwegian flat-coated guinea pig?

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Wild Things - Jo Carnegie (2010)

In this third book in the series centred around the residents of Churchminster, matriarch Clementine is delighted to discover the village has been nominated as a finalist in Britain's Best Village contest. But she's less-than-delighted to find they're up against her smug arch-enemy Veronica, from Maplethorpe. As Clementine forms a garden party committee to ensure the village is looking its best (particularly as it's still recovering from a devastating flood), the village becomes the set for a Hollywood historical romance film. As her granddaughter Calypso is swept away by the charms of leading man Rafe, Camilla finds that her boyfriend Jed is acting out of character. Can the village triumph, particularly as vandals seem intent on wreaking havoc on the village? This falls a bit flat through the middle but all loose ends are suitably resolved by the end - some unexpectedly, others predictably. Perhaps not the wildest read of your life but may be just your thing if you want to indulge in an escapist story.

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Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - Claudia Carroll (2011)

Annie lives in a rural town in Ireland with her husband, Dan. The two of them have been together since they were 15 but lately things have changed. Annie feels unappreciated by Dan and his family as well. He's always too busy with his work as a veterinarian to spend any time with her and she is always expected to understand that his work is important as the only vet in the village. So when a chance comes up for Annie to fulfil her acting dreams and appear on Broadway in New York, she jumps at it, even though it would mean one full year away from her husband. While leaving Dan is hard, she knows it is the right thing to do - and it's not like he'll miss her since he barely even notices she's there most of the time. The only promise they make to each other is to meet one year later in Rockefeller Centre in New York. But is it too late for their marriage to be saved or will time apart make them realise what they have is special? This is an entertaining and wonderful story about the value of true love. (AS)

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Wishes and Stitches - Rachael Herron (2011)

This is the third novel in the Cypress Hollow series. Naomi Fontaine has always dreamed of practising medicine in a small town. Her former patient, knitting guru Eliza Carpenter, convinced her to move to Cypress Hollow to follow her dream. However, no matter how hard Naomi tries, she can't seem to fit into the close-knit town. Her patients view her as a rather cold, yet competent doctor. When Rig Keller, a former doctor for oil rigs, takes over half of Naomi's practice, he is immediately welcomed with open arms into the community. Rig has witnessed his father and brother suffer excruciating pain after the loss of their spouses. He has no interest in ever loving someone that much. Naomi has closed her heart to love. Her work is her life and she has no intentions of getting involved with her new partner. As Rig and Naomi work together, their hearts begin to get the best of them. The characters from previous novels make appearances throughout the book. And there is a bonus pattern for a beautiful knitting shawl at the end of the novel. (AO)

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Wishful Thinking - Melissa Hill (2005)

Three women are facing some personal trials - and somehow are connected through a fatal train crash in Dublin. Widow Rosie finds her two grown-up children are taking advantage of her. Daughter Sophie only seems to want her around to support her ridiculous mortgage, while son David's marriage has broken up so he wants to move back home. Lawyer Dara has just recently married a sweet man called Mark but knows her heart really belongs to the one that got away, Noah. And Louise is drowning in debt but is under pressure from her friends to maintain her expensive social life. She's hoping a looming court case will help her clear her debts. With Hill's trademark twists, some slowly revealed connections between the characters and the story building towards the train crash climax, it'll be wishful thinking for you to think you can put this book down before you reach the end.

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Wish Upon a Star - Tina Reilly (2006)

Lucy's seven-year-old daughter, Fainne, wants to meet her father. But Lucy never told her college boyfriend Jason that she was pregnant and she doesn't even know where he is. Despite her promise to her daughter to track down Jason, best friends Maddie and Gray think no good can come from Lucy delving into her past. Although Lucy enjoys being a receptionist for vet Doug, she really aspires to be an actress. Growing up in the shadow of her sister Tracy, Lucy finds it hard to deal with the fact that her sister - a model, not an actress - has scored a starring role in a Hollywood film. Meanwhile Lucy's only auditions are for advertisements. This is a cleverly crafted tale with regular doses of humour.

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Wish You Were Here - Phillipa Ashley (2007)

When Beth Allen applies for a job with specialist travel company Big Outdoors, she's unaware she's about to face its new CEO, Jack Thornfield - a man she'd had a holiday romance with eight years earlier. He'd proposed but then disappeared. Although she doesn't want to spend time with the man who broke her heart, Beth takes the job, relieved she is able to help out her injured father and aspiring drama student sister Louise. She heads to London, leaving behind boyfriend Marcus. Will she find out what made Jack disappear and could they finally be in the right place at the right time? With the dialogue in this book so forced and the plot lacking any surprises, it was really a case of 'wish I'd never heard of this book'. But if you can't get enough of lines like: 'Why? Is the boss a prick?' 'Lou!' exclaimed Beth. She swore herself, but couldn't really complain. It was the thought of Jack and that part of his anatomy together that had shocked her . . . then throw this in your suitcase for a holiday read.

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With a Little Luck - Caprice Crane (2011)

Beryl "Berry" Lambert is extremely superstitious. She won't walk under a ladder and keeps a four-leaf clover in her wallet. She doesn't believe in luck however, subscribing to the theory that everything happens for a reason. As a radio DJ, Berry often gets the chance to voice her opinions on certain things and get varied responses. Sometimes, she makes the mistake of speaking too freely about her love life - or lack of it - forgetting that there are a lot of people listening and judging her. But Berry doesn't care. She's had two bad relationships in a row so as a firm believer that everything comes in threes, Berry is prepared to meet her third Mr Wrong. So when she meets DJ Ryan Riley she knows it can't work. Yes, he's funny and sweet, not to mention good looking too, but the relationship is bound to fail. That's just the way her luck goes. But after years of playing by the rules of superstition, it might be good for Berry to roll her dice and hope for the best because unless she takes a chance, she'll never know what could have been. Will she finally risk it all on Ryan? This is an enjoyable romantic comedy, with Berry as a witty and completely captivating character. (AS)

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With Friends Like These - Sally Koslow (2010)

Quincy, Talia, Chloe and Jules met when they shared a Manhattan flat in the early 90s. They have remained tight over the years but their friendships are about to be sorely tested. Quincy and her husband have spent ages looking for a suitable apartment and finally get the early word on a too-good-to-be-true place. But Jules reveals the information to her boyfriend, who also puts in an offer. Talia job-shares with Chloe at an ad agency. Talia is married to a public school teacher, while Chloe enjoys a more prosperous life as the wife of a hedge fund manager. So when a headhunter comes calling for Chloe, Talia doesn't pass the message on and instead pursues the job herself. The pair are also vying to get their sons into a prestigious school with limited vacancies. This is a well-crafted story that puts a magnifying glass up to women's friendships - do these relationships have expiry dates; can you forgive a betrayal and reveals why sometimes your best friends can be your worst enemies.

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Without Him - Fiona O'Brien (2010)

Shelley's husband, Charlie, has disappeared after his Irish business empire collapses. With her three children, Olivia, Emma and Mac, she is left to move in with his estranged mother, Vera. It appears that Charlie has headed off to Cape Town, where he is seen with another woman. Meanwhile, Shelley starts working in an art gallery, where she draws the attention of a Russian oligarch, Lukaz, who has ties to Charlie. Told from various viewpoints, including Charlie, his family members, his former girlfriend Caroline; and Lukaz; it is slowly revealed what Charlie is up to and why he fell out with his mother all those years ago. The intrigue turns this into a real page-turner, with its deft slow reveals engaging the reader's interest throughout.

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With You And Without You - Deborah J. Wolf (2006)

Life with Patrick isn't the smooth journey Allyson Houlihan had imagined. For him, she gave up her teaching career, became a stay-at-home mum to daughters Lydia and Becca, and even tolerated his kowtowing to his arrogant mum, Barbara. With Patrick's infrequent stays at home due to his job, she becomes increasingly aware of her apparent failure as a mother. With things already in a bad state, Allyson ends up having to deal with the loss of her husband and her girls' father. It was so easy to relate to this story, especially the interactions between Allyson and her two daughters, and also how she as a mother deals with her own personal frustrations, of getting old, and falling in love once again. (XT)

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Wives and Girlfriends - Shireen Lolesi (2009)

Angel may look like she's got the dream life, married to rugby league star Drew but behind closed doors their marriage is in trouble. Drew has become moody and withdrawn, secretly indulging in the sex, drugs and alcohol lifestyle that accompanies these feted football players. But Angel is also hiding a secret - an affair with one of Drew's Gladiators teammates which may have lead to the conception of her son Charlie. Written amid real-life football scandals, Shireen Lolesi has said she wrote the book as self-therapy after her marriage breakdown to an NRL rugby league player. While the writing won't score extra points, this story tackles how easily the fame, money and groupies can convert the scrum into scum. It will appeal to those after a sizzling insider's view into the life of a WAG.

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Wives v Girlfriends - Katie Agnew (2009)

Glamour model Jasmine has risen from an unfortunate background - and is now getting married to premiership soccer player Jimmy. But Jimmy is having trouble controlling himself when he drinks, someone is blackmailing her about a shameful secret from her past and her godfather Charlie has his own troubles running from his ex's powerful underworld father. Meanwhile her next-door neighbour, actress Lila, is worried that her age and fading beauty is making her Oscar-nominated husband Brett play away. Lila's friend, Maxi, is three times divorced but still desperate to get another ring on her finger - this time courtesy of her older Latin lover, singer Carlos. Then there is Grace, who as a journalist, wants to get to the bottom of all their stories. Set between London and Marbella in Spain, this mixes glamour with a dark plot that will keep you guessing to the end.

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Wolves in Chic Clothing - Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman (2005)

When Pelham jewellery store salesgirl Julia Pearce delivers a necklace to Lell, the store's heiress, on her wedding day, it gives her a pass into a different world. Lell and her friends, bitchy Polly and sweet Hope, adopt natural beauty Julia like modern day Henry Higgins. Lell gives the aspiring jewellery maker a job as her assistant and introduces her into Park Avenue society. But then Lell's new husband Will lets his roving eye land on Julia and the pack turn on her.

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Woman to Woman - Cathy Kelly (1997)

Best friends Aisling Moran and Jo Ryan think they have it all. Then Aisling discovers a lingerie receipt in her husband's pocket and Jo watches a blue line appear on a pregnancy test.

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Wonderboy - Fiona Gibson (2005)

City girl Ro Skews is miserable when her husband, Marcus, insists that they move from London to the country with their young son, Tod. Ro notices that Marcus is withdrawing and spending many nights on business in London. When Marcus whispers another woman's name in his sleep, Ro begins to question the motives of their move. My favourite part of the novel was the mother and child relationship between Ro and Tod. Tod, a brilliant child with compulsive interests and social awkwardness, would probably be labelled as having Asperger's syndrome. Ro is an overwhelmed protective mother who handles her son's differences with humility and humour. (AO)

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Would You? - Deanna Kizis (2006)

Also known as Finishing Touches

When Jesse's best friend dies after a car accident, she finds the only person who understands her pain is Cecile's widower, Zach. Is their friendship turning to romance, and if it does, will Jesse lose all her other friends in the process?

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Wow! - Claudia Pattison (2001)

Ruby Lake is a feature writer for Wow! celebrity magazine. She is well-versed in churning out gushing copy about stars' homes and romances (think 'curvaceous' for fat, and 'lavish' for ludicrous). And she's also attracted her own stalker, a man who spies on her outside her home and leaves her well-thought-out gifts. Her biggest story at the moment is the upcoming nuptials of a movie star and a supermodel - can the crack security team keep all the details under wraps until the magazine hits the news stands? With lots of juicy insider information about showbiz journalism (the author once worked for OK! magazine).

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Wrapped Up in You - Carole Matthews (2011)

Janie Johnson is a hairdresser who was dumped by her boyfriend of seven years. She hasn't had a love interest since the break-up and spends most of her time working or home with her neurotic cat, Archie. When her ex comes to the salon to tell Janie that he is getting married and expecting a child, Janie quickly tells him that she is going on a holiday - to Africa! And now that she's told him, she might as well go. But what she doesn't expect to find is love while on a safari with lions and hippos. But she falls for her Maasai warrior tour guide, Dominic, and by the end of the trip is broken-hearted to leave him behind. Janie returns to work and her old life nevertheless. Determined to make the long-distance relationship work, Janie makes another very costly trip to see Dominic at Christmas. Things don't go as planned however and Janie must decide if she wants a love who lives across the world or if she loves someone who is a lot closer to home. Cleverly written with witty dialogue and interesting characters, this is a novel that can be read at Christmas or anytime you're looking for a sweet and romantic story. (AS)

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Write In Front Of Their Eyes - Marianne Nelson (2008)

Mia thinks teaching high-school kids is like a Jello commercial, "it appears to be what you want, but when you take a bite out of it, it can be a little bit of a letdown". Unsatisfied with her career and marriage, Mia finds a new love interest, wondering if an affair would hurt or help her marriage. She also decides to make her professional (or not so professional) life more complicated by trying to pen a book while at school teaching. She uses steamy office romances, funny interactions with her students and funny conversations with her best friend and carpool partner Jill as material for her book. As her new office tryst heats up, Mia doesn't seem concerned about the effect it will have on her 15-year marriage. Will Mia regret her choices? This was an interesting short read. I liked Nelson's sense of humour but her writing style didn't really work for me. (AV)

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Writing Jane Austen - Elizabeth Aston (2010)

Author Georgina Jackson has a slight problem. Her first book didn't do as well as she had hoped and she can't seem to get beyond the first chapter of her second book. When she is suddenly summoned to the office of her shrill agent, Livia Harkness, Georgina assumes she will be on the first plane back to America, her writing career all but over. She couldn't be more wrong. Livia swears her to secrecy and offers her a substantial commission to complete a recently discovered unfinished manuscript by none other than Jane Austen...in the writing style and voice of Jane Austen. Okay, so maybe she has more than a slight problem. The story that follows is a delightful and often humorous tale of procrastination, fear and self-doubt. With help from Henry, Maud and Anna, Georgina is finally able to focus on the daunting task before her, finding her writing voice once again in the process. The story keeps you guessing as to the outcome of the situation and provides a nice little twist at the end. Although it seemed at times that Georgina's use of phrases and mannerisms are more English than American, I found the characters very likable and the plot believable. For anyone who is a fan of Jane Austen, and wishes she had written more than six books, this story will most definitely appeal to you. (LEK)

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