Facelift - Leanna Ellis (2010)

Kaye Redmond has always had a "can do" attitude and was involved in things around her community, until her personal life took a nose dive when her husband, plastic surgeon Cliff, informed her that he was leaving her. For Kaye, it seems that her fairytale world has been destroyed with her Prince Charming a cheating jerk and her ex-mother-in-law definitely fitting the evil queen role. However Kaye's new client, Jack, seems to be her perfect match. Will Kaye settle for second best and go back to Cliff's open arms or will she realise that her actual Prince Charming is just around the corner, holding a single white rose. In a society where life is filled with nips, tucks, surgically enhanced mistresses and monster-in-laws, can Kaye find her happily-ever-after after all? (PP)

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Fairytale of New York - Miranda Dickinson (2009)

Rosie Duncan came to the United States from England to start a new life. But when her new start goes horribly wrong, she moves from Boston to New York where she starts working at Kowalski's florist shop. Moving ahead six years, Rosie now owns Kowalski's and has two helpful assistants Marnie and Ed who also serve as two of her closest friends - both have been there for her from the start and have never asked her to divulge her past. The only person who knows what happened is Rosie's friend Celia, who is a New York Times columnist. Celia throws a party, asking Rosie to be the last-minute replacement florist. There Rosie is introduced to Mimi Sutton and Nate Amie. While Mimi instantly loves Rosie's floristry work - and recommends her as the florist of the moment to all her upper-crust friends - Nate seems to be more interested in Rosie than her flowers. Soon, Rosie and Nate have a blossoming friendship and the chemistry between them is undeniable. The only problem is that Nate is engaged to Mimi's daughter, Caitlin, and Rosie has sworn off men. Because of Mimi's recommendations, business has never been better. Kowalski's is getting jobs with all the top clients in the city and even booking major events like the Grand Winter Ball and weddings where money has no limits. Then Nate asks Rosie to take on a major commission - his friend's wedding. But Rosie is shocked to see who the client is - David Lithgow - the whole reason Rosie came to New York. Although the story flows nicely, it takes too long to find out what happened in Rosie's past. And with all the build-up, it was kind of a letdown when you actually find out what happened. Another thing that is sure to drive some readers crazy is the fact that Rosie has two suitors - Nate and her assistant Ed, with whom there is obvious chemistry. It takes the whole book for her to choose one of them and it would have been nicer if it was a little sooner so that we could see their story develop as a couple. However, despite all of this, the story still has a lot of heart. It has wonderful characters and is a compelling story of forgiveness, redemption and faith in the future. (AS)

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Faking It - Lotte Daley (2011)

For Katie Lewis, fame wasn't something she wanted or dreamed of. But it was what she got when her actor boyfriend, Jack Hunter, suddenly dumps her via text and trots off for a public relationship with the IT girl of the moment, Jessica Hilson. Katie quickly finds herself on the paparazzi's radar and the subsequent pictures of her behind (complete with cheap Tesco knickers) splashed across the tabloids aren't at all flattering. So Katie's PR colleagues want to make her over from head to toe and tell that horrible, egotistic ex of hers where to go. Soon, Katie is attending glamorous parties on the arms of the most eligible men in the country and dressing in Valentino and Donna Karen instead of Tesco and Primark. But, what Katie doesn't know is that someone is out to make a big profit all at her expense. When you're thrown into the world of celebrity, it's hard to tell who you can and can't trust - and this is especially true in Katie's case. But can she trust the one man who has stolen her heart? Or is she set for public heartbreak yet again? This is a brilliant debut, which starts off a little dicey but soon picks up. Katie is just like the girl-next-door, who can't seem to keep herself from disaster, but manages to look good in the end nevertheless. It's guaranteed to bring lots of laughter into any drab day. (AS)

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Faking It - Elisa Lorello (2009)

Andi Cutrone has just moved back to New York City after breaking off her engagement with Andrew in New England. Now a professor at Brooklyn University alongside (and thanks to) her best friend Maggie, Andi is mostly content being single, and stuck dwelling on her failed engagement. That all changes one night, at a work-related cocktail party when she meets Devin - a sexy escort who she can't help but feel a spark for. Andi somehow manages a barter with Devin; she will teach him how to write, and he will teach her how to feel sexy and be a better lover. Is it just his "professional" charm or is there something more to their agreement? As therapeutic as their meetings may be, things quickly get complicated. This witty and humorous book really made me question my own body issues like Andi and I feel like I worked out my issues as she did. This book actually left me feeling better about myself, though possibly not the intention of the author, it was a nice bonus. I did not expect the ending either and appreciated the venture away from the chick-lit cliche. Lorello put a nice spin on what I thought this book would be about and her writing was very enjoyable. (AV)

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Faking It – Leah Marie Brown (2015)

Vivia’s fiance calls off their wedding when he discovers that she lied about him being her first lover. With a cycling honeymoon in Provence already booked, her best friend Fanny convinces her that they should take the trip instead. And as much as Vivia hates everything to do with cycling, she can’t help but oogle the tour guide Jean-Luc who looks rather enticing in lycra. With many online followers watching her progress, is this a chance for Vivia to get back to who she really is? This is the first book in the It Girls series and Vivia is a heroine many readers will fall in love with. For a girl whose relationship had just fallen to pieces after having been forced to act like a different person, I was expecting more of an emotional ride. The romance with the Frenchman also happened too quick, without a convincing build-up. But if you’re after a light and fluffy read with some French scenery to admire, you’ll enjoy coasting along with this one.

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Falling is Like This - Kate Rockland

Twenty-three-year-old Harper Rostov is tired of her life. So she quits her job at a tabloid magazine, abruptly leaves her laidback boyfriend and heads out on her own with only her purse and no concrete plans. All she knows for certain is that she wants to be a music journalist. Before she can make it back to her parents' house in New Jersey, Harper meets her longtime crush Nick, who is the lead singer of her favourite punk band Hitchhikers Revenge, at a local coffee shop. Within a day, the two begin a whirlwind week-long liaison which shows Harper how much passion had been missing from her life with her boyfriend. However, as the week comes to a close she must make a decision whether to hang out with the band or start to get her old life back on track. Begrudgingly and despite her ill-conceived fantasies of how the rock star life should be, Harper must ask herself if being one of the band is really all it's hyped up to be. This debut novel has been receiving lots of praise but I just couldn't fall for it. Harper was a dull character and the flashbacks to her childhood were even more annoying than the storyline itself. Even Harper's unique parents and the backdrop of the New York City hipster scene couldn't save this uninteresting novel from being dead on arrival. (AS)

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Falling Out of Fashion - Karen Yampolsky (2007)

There's not denying this book's similarities to chick lit classic The Devil Wears Prada - especially with its tagline of "it's a devil of a business". But the heroine this time is a super glamorous, independently minded editor Jill White, the founder of Jill magazine. With her namesake magazine now owned by Nestrom Media, Jill enters into an intense power struggle with chief executive Ellen and new publisher Liz after being told that due to falling ad sales, Jill is about to undergo a major redesign. Concerned about selling out her readers, Jill fights back against attempts to make the magazine more mainstream. With an interesting back story about her upbringing on a Georgian commune and her start on teen magazine Cheeky, this definitely puts a new spin on stories set in the magazine publishing world. (Yampolsky obviously drew on her experiences as a former assistant to editor Jane Pratt of Jane magazine.)

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Falling Star - Diana Dempsey (2002)

News anchor Natalie feels like the ground is shaky beneath her feet - and it's not just because she's doing a live cross during an earthquake. A new news director Tony has arrived in town and he's out to boost ratings and cut costs and he thinks Natalie's out of touch, gone soft from years sitting behind the desk. And it doesn't help that she's been dumped by her cad of a TV writer husband Miles, has just hit 40, and a younger model, Kelly, is angling for her prime-time spot. Maybe it's time for her agent, Geoff, to sell her talents to a new station. But why is she suddenly finding that he may be more than just a ticket to a new job? This enjoyable story shows that sometimes there's more drama going on behind the cameras.

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Falling Together - Marisa de los Santos (2011)

Pen Calloway hasn't seen her best friends from college, Will and Cat, since they walked out of her life six years earlier. Suddenly, she receives a desperate email from Cat asking to meet at their college reunion. Despite the end of their friendship and all that has happened in her life since college, Pen has never stopped missing her friends and wanting to reconnect with them. The reunion she is hoping for, however, is not to be as she discovers the email wasn't from Cat after all. What happens next catapults Pen, her daughter, Augusta, Will and Cat's husband across the globe in search of their friend and the truth. In a story that vacillates between past and present, we learn about the friendship between Pen, Cat and Will, their individual lives and finally the details of what broke them apart. Marisa de los Santos writes with care and wit, bringing her characters to life and making their journey around the world one of vivid discovery. A story of true friendship and realisation of what is meant to be in life. (LEK)

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Fame - Tilly Bagshawe (2011)

Beautiful actress Sabrina is on a downward spiral of the Lindsay Lohan meets Mel Gibson kind. But she is offered a career-saving role when respected director Dorian casts her as Cathy in Wuthering Heights, starring opposite dishy five-million-pound man Viorel as Heathcliff. The film may also be the saving grace for Tish, a child welfare worker who's been called back from her Romanian orphanage to her family's estate in England, after her unreliable brother Jago left it to go to wrack and ruin. With a location scout choosing Loxley Hall to masquerade as Thrushcross Grange, the cast and crew soon arrive on Tish's doorstep. Sabrina is stir-crazy, Dorian is troubled by his needy wife and a rival director with a vendetta, and Viorel is finding it hard to maintain his film set celibacy. Set in England, Romania and Los Angeles, this has all the usual bonkbuster elements - betrayal, infidelity, rivalry - just try to stop yourself from turning the pages as this story climaxes in a bitterly fought Oscar campaign. If you always shy away from over-the-top bonkbusters because you deem them unworthy, this one might make you change your opinion.

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Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts - Claire LaZebnik (2011)

While Keats Sedlak may have a weird name, she's actually very sane. The most sane person in her family, actually. Her parents are eccentric to say the least and her siblings don't seem to exist on planet Earth. So, needless to say, Keats tries to keep herself grounded and as normal as possible. However, when her mother makes an announcement that shocks everyone to the core, she is forced to look at her family in a different light. Are they all really as bad as she thought? It seems as though they were always trying to tell her she could be better, but Keats saw it as not being good enough. So, when she meets a man who inspires her to be her best, she has to re-evaluate her relationship with the only boyfriend she's had since she was 15 and her ever-present family. Does she really love him? Or is she too scared of change to leave him? This is a poignant story of love, loss, passion and finding out the true meaning of family when times are toughest. It's definitely one you won't want to put down until the very last page! (AS)

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Family Affair - Caprice Crane (2009)

High school sweethearts Layla and Brett Foster have been happily married for six years but something's wrong. Brett is beginning to feel Layla is more like a sister than a wife. And Layla starts to spend more and more of her free time with his family and Brett doesn't like it. When Brett announces he wants a divorce, Layla is heartbroken - she isn't going to let Brett take away the only family she knows. So she sues him for custody of his family. Witty dialogue and fights ensue as the novel questions what and who make a family. (MY)

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Family Baggage - Monica McInerney (2005)

Monica McInerney delivers another warm and embracing story, this time about the Turner family. Harriet is the youngest sibling of three, plus stepsister Lara. Harriet, struggling with anxiety and her own self-worth, is called upon at the last minute to lead the specially themed Willoughby tour of Cornwall and Devon with a group of seniors from Victoria who adore the old English detective series. As if this isn't enough for sensitive Harriet, she has to deal with past family tragedy; her growing attraction for the star of the tour, the lead actor, Willoughby himself; the sudden disappearance of her stepsister; her good-looking brother Austin who's never serious and her brother James' wife who is trying to take over the family travel agency business. There is a lot between the covers of this book, however not enough romance and love, but nonetheless it is a richly drawn and authentic story that will warm your heart. (LF)

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Family Matters - Cathy Woodman (2006)

Mother-of-two Lisa Baker runs a cleaning business with best friend Clare. They meet Jacqui when her Jeep crashes into a car at parenting class, and she tells them that she wants to trade in her husband. But who knew that it's Lisa's husband Tony that she has her eye on?

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Family Ties - Danielle Steel (2010)

Annie, 26, has everything she could ever dream of, including the perfect boyfriend Seth. Fresh out of architecture school, she's working for a great firm and is up for a promotion. But then Annie's older sister Jane and her husband are killed in an accident, and she becomes guardian of her two nieces and nephew. All of a sudden Annie must learn to take responsibility not only for herself but the children as well. Goodbye single life and hello motherhood. The book tracks through 16 years of their lives, showing that no matter what happens when it comes to the crunch nothing can break those ties that hold families together. This may be a plot we've seen in books and movies before, but Danielle Steel fans won't be disappointed. And lovers of chick lit who haven't tried her before may find this will get you hooked. (PP)

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Famous - Kate Langdon (2008)

This follows the life of SPG (Single and Professional Girl) Samantha who has everything going for her. She's about to make partner in a leading advertising agency in Auckland, she's free as a bird when it comes to relationships, she has lots of money and loves shopping at Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper, and has two awesome best friends Lizzie and Mands. Until one day she gets a phone call from her ex-boyfriend Jerry whom she hasn't spoken to in three years, telling her he has had a sex change. She ends up going out partying and having a one-night stand with the captain of New Zealand's rugby team. After the married sportsman is snapped coming out of Sam's house, she starts to live in paparazzi hell and is labelled in the media as "The Other Woman". Desperate to get away from it all, Sam is shipped off by her friends to the small rural town of Floodgate, where after meeting some wonderful locals her life turns around unexpectedly. Can Sam give up her city girl dreams and her label of SPG for the small-town farm life or will she come crawling back to the big city? (PP)

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Famous Last Words - Annie Sanders (2010)

Clothes shop owner Lucy Streeter meets a psychic who can't tell her future - because it all apparently ends for her next Friday. And when all of the mysterious Micah's other predictions come true, Lucy begins to realise maybe her time really is up. So out goes her cautious nature - and in comes a more forthright character who gets a tattoo and radical hairstyle, dishes out some local justice, deals with some past family grievances and opens herself up for one last romance. This is a witty story with a seize-the-day message. And just like life, it may not all play out how you expect.

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Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell (2013)

Cath loves Simon Snow, who is like Harry Potter in his own way, so much that she spends her days and nights writing fan fiction about him. She's so good at it that she has thousands upon thousands of followers who wait for her next story. When it's time for Cath and her twin sister, Wren, to go to college, Cath can't decide between living the college life of frat parties and making friends and the life she created with her Simon Snow stories. Throw in a moody roommate and her boyfriend, Levi, and Cath is even more alone than ever. Wren, on the other hand, is living it up - a little too much at times - with her roommate Courtney. When push comes to shove, can Cath get out of her head long enough to emerse herself in college life and possibly make a lasting connection with someone she never expected? This story is so sweet and wonderfully written and Cath is so socially inept that you can't help but love her and all her neuroses. Rainbow Rowell has written one of the best books of the year by far and you definitely will be a fan after reading it. (AS)

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Fanning Old Flames - Jane Blanchard (2005)

Maggie, who works for a staid real estate company, is unhappily married to Garth, and has two kids who take her for granted. But when the agency is taken over by Home Truths, a progressive company that tells it exactly like it is, it gives her the confidence to spruce herself up. She even begins wondering about an old flame, Jack, and why he dumped her all those years ago. Should she find him or leave it all in the past?

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Fashionably Late - Beth Kendrick (2005)

Becca has a passion for fashion but her design career hasn't really taken off and she works in a boutique that won't even carry her creations. Even her sister Claire blows off the wedding gown she designed for the big day. When her predictable boyfriend Kevin lands a wedding proposal on her, she says yes in a daze. But when he goes ahead without her and buys a plot of land and picks out the house design, she breaks it off with him and heads to LA for her last-chance shot at fashion and fortune.

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Fashionably Yours - Swati Sharma (2014)

Maya Kapoor is a small-town Indian girl with a big dream: to be a modern, independent woman, and work at Glamorous, a high-end fashion magazine. Every week, her mother's friends and their daughters come over to cook, sew, and talk about their favourite thing: matchmaking. Maya, however, doesn't have any interest in cooking or sewing, and couldn't care less about becoming some man's trophy wife. When she's offered a job at Style magazine in Mumbai, Maya leaves home and hopes for the best. It's not quite the job she wanted, but she figures it's a step in the right direction. Two years later, she's no closer to her dream job at Glamorous, is struggling to pay her bills, and is worried that she may have accidentally flashed her knickers and generously curvy thighs at the gorgeous mystery man in the elevator. As Maya feels the pressure from a demanding boss, her disapproving mother, mounting credit card debt and wondering why gorgeous mystery man is interested in a curvy, less-than-perfect girl like her, Maya wonders if she's meant to achieve her dreams at all. This story expertly contrasts the traditional roles of women vs their desire to be modern and independent. If you want an entertaining read, with laughter and a whole lot of fabulous fashion, then this book is for you. Swati Sharma has a promising career ahead of her. (CK)

Note: Swati Sharma is a contributor to Chicklit Club.

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Fast Forward - Clare Dowling (2000)

Irish actress Cathy Conroy has moved to London but, not having had any luck with auditions, is working in a discount shop. Cathy had made her name back home in The Outsiders play, a period romance written by her moody boyfriend Carl Tallon. But her promising career seemed to falter when their relationship came to an unhappy end. Cathy makes one last ditch effort to get representation but the agent, Jean Orsmby, thinks she's applying for the secretary post. Meanwhile Minister for Arts Peter Fisher is needing something positive to happen in his Kilkenny electorate, with a by-election looming. He entices a Hollywood actor-turned-director Jack Thornton to film a movie version of The Outsiders in the rural location. But a devious candidate and a dangerous love affair may bring it all unstuck.

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Fat Chance - Lyndsay Russell (2008)

Sharon is overweight, lonely and miserable. When her best friend cracks on to the guy she likes, her self-esteem hits rock bottom. Seduced into trying a miracle weight cure, she goes to see the mysterious Dr Marvel. She soon finds herself in a reversed world where fat is in and thin is unattractive. Sharon becomes a supermodel and dates a variety of celebrities, including a rock star, polo player and actor. This book is definitely food for thought. Especially as this world where the media mocks skinny people seems to be no better.

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Fat Chance - Deborah Blumenthal (2004)

Maggie O'Leary has made a name for herself by embracing her plus-sized shape, writing a anti-diet column that shows Americans that being fat is not all bad. But when she gets a call from hot-shot Hollywood actor Mike Taylor to act as his consultant for his next role as a diet doctor, Maggie secretly starts trimming herself down.

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Fat Chance - Nick Spalding (2014)

Zoe and Greg have let themselves go over the years, and now, thanks to Zoe’s DJ friend Elise, they have been picked for a radio competition that pits them against five other couples trying to lose the most weight. With the Fat Chance competition running over six months, both Zoe and Greg have to keep a diary about their experiences. From trying weird diets and being pushed to the limits by a personal trainer and competition challenges, is it enough for this couple to emerge victorious? This is an irreverently funny, warts-and-all glimpse into a marriage, told through the highs and lows of a weight-loss journey.

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Fat Chick - Lorraine Duffy Merkl (2009)

Trish Collins is an advertising account executive in a high-profile firm in New York. She has unsuccessfully dieted in the past and after she loses a promotion to a thinner, much less capable colleague, she once again commits to a diet. As she finally loses weight, she becomes obsessed with her thin body and her growing ego. Trish struggles through her fat and thin stages, to like what she sees in the mirror and to get to the root of her eating issues. This is a great debut novel that handles dieting, body image and love with wit and compassion. (AO)

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Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes - Sue Watson (2011)

Stella is a TV producer with a fondness for cakes. She is struggling to balance her career and her family, and as a result her marriage is on the rocks. When her evil boss MJ moves her to a religious gardening program, Stella reckons her career is nearly over. So ultimately she takes a drastic step and quits her job. But now that she is spending more time at home, she finds that it is more difficult to mend her marriage than she thought. When she starts making cakes for birthday parties, she suddenly finds herself with the opportunity to turn her passion into a profession. But will she be able to launch a new career in baking and save her marriage too? I laughed, I cried and I was constantly hungry! This gem by Sue Watson was hilarious, I couldn't put it down. Stella is a very relatable character who will have you rooting for her throughout the book. And with many of the recipes used by the character outlined at the end of the book, it is a must-read for all cake lovers! (LO)

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February or Forever - Juliet Madison (2014)

Chrissie Burns has plans to renovate the house her aunt left her and move on. In the meantime, she's taken up a job as a yoga teacher to provide for herself and her son. However, she never expected in her wildest fantasies to be the sole teacher for superstar Drew Williams. Chrissie is a super-fan but needs to remain professional or risk her job. But what happens when the superstar falls for the girl-next-door? Can Chrissie maintain a relationship with someone like Drew and still move on from her tragic past? This is a sweet story about falling for the man you can't have only to find he has fallen for you too. Chrissie and Drew have their obstacles - like any character - but they also have depth and heart that pours from the pages. A quick and easy read, it definitely shouldn't be missed. (AS)

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Feng Shui Love - Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt (2009)

Lily is on a flight to Barbados for a second honeymoon with husband Richard when her horoscope reveals "you'll see the true character of someone close to you, and it's not a pretty sight". Sure enough within days she's on a flight back home alone, after discovering that Richard has been having an affair with his legal assistant. Lily heads to New York to be with her best friend Brook, a music journalist who's chasing 80s has-beens. Soon Lily's mother arrives on the scene and begins applying the principles of feng shui to their apartment. And maybe she's on to something because as soon as the wealth corner is decluttered, Brook's assignment fortunes improve from Flock of Seagulls to Bon Jovi. So now Lily is creating a love corner and sending up her wishlist for the perfect mate tied to a red balloon. The girls try out all the modern methods to meet a man, from speed and internet dating to singles camps, with hilarious results. For those who get hooked on Lily and her mission to find the right fit for Sweater Arms (much like the prince did with Cinderella's shoe), the sequel Feng Shui Love Child is coming soon.

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Feral Bells - Peta-Jo (2012)

Lydia escapes country Townsville for the bright lights of Brisbane, successfully distancing herself from the place and its people, and most importantly, her single parent mother. She's doing well until she wakes up in the bed of a man named "Scrubs" and can't remember getting there. That event is the first of a downward spiral; she's in trouble at work and isn't attracting the right attention of her interior design boss. She even loses her independence when little sister Elsie moves in pregnant and alone. And then there's Chris, Scrubs' roommate, whom she met trying to sneak quietly out of Scrubs' bedroom. He keeps unexpectedly popping up and when he's the best man at her friend's wedding, they are forced closer together. She likes him but he lives on a farm in northern Queensland, a place Lydia is determined not to return to. Will she choose career and independence over love and give up the life she has strived to make for herself in the city to return to the country? This is a fun story that touches on the serious issues. (LF)

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Field of Schemes - Jennifer Coburn (2013)

When Claire's 11-year-old daughter, Rachel, is scouted for a soccer club, little does she realise that she has entered a world where normal rules of conduct don't apply. Having recently lost their husband and father Steve to leukaemia, a fresh start in Santa Bella, California, is just what they need. But Claire makes an enemy in power-hungry team manager Mimi, develops a crush on one of the soccer dads, and has to deal with the crazy antics of parents who believe winning is everything. This is a very funny book that shines a light on the bad sports who grace the sidelines of junior sports.

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Fifteen Minutes of Shame - Lisa Daily (2008)

Dating expert Darcy Vaughn may have had her suspicions about her husband, Will. But she hardly expected that her appearance on the Today show to promote her latest book would turn into her most humiliating experience to date. Questioned about Will's reconciliation with his celebrity ex-wife, Gigi, Darcy is so shocked she responds by throwing up into the nearest floral display. How will her blossoming empire based on relationship advice survive her being dumped by a cheater? Dating tips are interspersed with the story of how Darcy resurrects her career - and her love life.

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50 Ways to Find a Lover - Lucy-Anne Holmes (2009)

Aspiring actress/cafe waitress Sarah has been going through a particularly dry spell when it comes to men. But it's when she's turned down by a tubby, balding guy at the pub who instead opts to stay home and watch a Narnia DVD, that she decides to get proactive. Starting a blog called Fifty Ways to Find a Lover, she begins a quest to bag a man. Based on the author's own blog, this storyline weaves around so the ending is far from predictable. If you're after a very funny book about a noughties singleton, then this is for you. But if you are really seeking ingenuous hints on how to pick up a man, be warned that Sarah doesn't actually get very far through her list of 50 ways.

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Filthy Rich - Wendy Holden (2008)

Allsop's allotment project is one way for the villagers to come together - to forge community ties as they tend their vegetables and summer annuals. But eco-nazi Morag intends to run the allotment under her strict rules. Mary, who lives in a crumbling manor house, thinks the allotment will help keep her occupied while her aristocratic husband Monty is off exploring the North Pole. American yuppie Beth has finished decking out her country cottage in English florals and needs a new pursuit. The fame-seeking Alexandra, whose footballer boyfriend is getting transferred, has a huge new mansion with underground parking planned for the village - and is just happy to get her hands on more land. And headmistress Catherine and solicitor Philip are just plain lonely. But when the villagers dig up more than just carrots on the allotment, the dirt really starts flying. Has received mixed reviews but the good-for-a-laugh characters clinched it for me.

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Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella (2015)

After an incident at school, 14-year-old Audrey has developed an anxiety disorder. She doesn't leave the house, she can't talk to people outside her family and therapist, and she always wears dark glasses to hide her eyes. But when her brother Frank's gaming buddy, Linus, arrives on the scene, he encourages her to challenge herself on the road to recovery. Meanwhile, Audrey's mother is desperately trying to keep Frank off the computer games but he seems to outsmart her at every turn. While I would have loved to have known more about the inciting incident at school, this is a touching yet hysterically funny story of a girl finding her way out of a dark place. The way that Audrey documents life through her video camera gives us an even better glimpse into her quirky family, resulting in an enjoyable YA read that adults will love as well.

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Finding Colin Firth - Mia March (2013)

Boothbay Harbor, Maine, has attracted the attention of a film crew who is here to shoot a movie with none other than Colin Firth. Veronica Russo, who is famous for her magical pies, came back to this small town because she so desperately wants to connect with the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-two years ago. But little does she know that she will be hired as an extra in Firth's movie. Gemma, who has recently lost her job and wants a break from her marriage, also arrives in Boothbay Harbor, in the hope of scoring a writing assignment from her friend and local newspaper editor. She believes that getting an interview with Firth could save her doomed career but much to her disappointment things are not in her favour. Bea has only recently learnt that she was adopted and she comes to town to observe her birth mother. This is such a sweet read. The light-hearted story beautifully connects these three totally different women together and the story ends on quite a happy note. Finding Colin Firth is a feel-good book which would leave you all warm and fuzzy inside. (SS)

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Finding Monsieur Right - Muriel Zagha (2010)

Londoner Daisy has gotten a plum job writing about fashion for a year in Paris; Parisian Isabelle wants to go to London to do research on Meredith Quince for her university paper. So, it only makes sense for the two to swap homes for a year. At first, Daisy is a little overwhelmed by Paris and Isabelle's friends aren't too welcoming. They're all very put-together while fun-loving Daisy lives on the edge. To top it off, Isabelle's stuck-up boyfriend Clothaire is completely rude to her. But Daisy presses on and eventually makes friends with some of Isabelle's close circle. She soon becomes more than friends with Octave. Over in London, Isabelle starts out having trouble adjusting to Daisy's eccentric friends - Jules, a goth girl, and Chrissie, a gay fashionista. However, after a chance meeting at a bookshop, Isabelle joins the Quince society - where she hopes to find the information on Meredith she is looking for. She also meets a handsome gardener named Tom. Losing her practical self for a moment, Isabelle starts an affair with Tom, which really spices up this novel because it's good to see Isabelle escape from under the iron grip of Clothaire for once. He's controlling and rude while Tom is sweet and kind. From there, the two girls have more adventures and both are changed in ways they never expected. Though both storylines are good, they would have worked better in two separate books instead of all rolled into one. You don't get much depth from either character - Daisy just hops from one man to the next and Isabelle is slightly boring. (AS)

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Finding Mr Flood - Ciara Geraghty (2011)

Dara Flood's older sister, Angel, needs a liver transplant - and perhaps her last hope is their father, who walked out on the family just before Dara was born. So Dara, who works at a dog pound, teams up with private detective Stanley to find Mr Flood. This touching novel highlights the anguish of those waiting for a transplant. One phone call can mean so much to these families. With Geraghty's flair as a natural storyteller, this novel has well-fleshed-out main characters and an engaging supporting cast from the reclusive elderly neighbour to Stanley's macho policemen brothers. Offering a different take on looking for a "perfect match", this captivated from the very first page.

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Finding Out - Sheryn MacMunn (2012)

This is the story of Sheila Davenport who was unceremoniously dumped by her long-term boyfriend on the footpath outside her New York apartment. While she thought he was the one, Joe was forging a life with his younger, more attractive assistant. He fails to pay the mortgage, steals her money, and to make matters worse, Sheila has to deal with a drug-induced boss, a lazy co-worker and a senior management team gone mad. At a time when she feels alone and bereft, she reignites a friendship with her 86-year-old neighbour, Ruth. It is through this charming old lady's stories that Sheila learns the strength to deal with her own problems. Sheila as a character is somewhat unappealing and the reader doesn't overly care for her. The real star is Ruth but her inclusion feels contrived and an attempt to add depth to an otherwise light story. The questions is though, will Sheila get over her rotten ex and find herself? (LF)

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Finding You - Giselle Green (2014)

Julia, Charlie and their young son Hadyn have been through a lot. Julia and Charlie's lives were completely turned upside down when Hadyn disappeared on a summer's day in Spain. After a year of despair and hope, their child has been found alive and they are now ready to pick up the pieces and go back to their normal life as a family. Yet, things aren't that simple. Ever since they found Hadyn, he has been acting strange which is making it difficult for all of them to move on. Julia and Charlie are also still keeping secrets from one another, which slowly leads to even more misunderstandings. Their bond as a family and their love for one another is tested in various ways, and the question is whether they will manage to stay together through it all. I was straight away taken in by Giselle Green's detailed and touching style of writing. Julia and Charlie's struggles and pain clearly come through. The subject matter was fascinating and the fact that the story is told from both Julia and Charlie's perspectives reveals their individual fears and troubles. Although enough information is given to be able to read this novel as a stand-alone, I personally think I would have enjoyed it more if I had been familiar with the entire background story from her 2009 novel Little Miracles. I didn't really get into the sequel 100 per cent, which was a shame. I think if I had already been familiar with Julia and Charlie, and the details of Hadyn's disappearance, perhaps I would have been able to really get into the book. Overall, Finding You is an emotionally charged and in-depth family drama, but to new readers I'd recommend reading Little Miracles first, so you can enjoy the entire story to its fullest. (JoH)

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Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah (2008)

Kate and Tully were exactly what each other needed in their lives. Kate was a lonely teenager whose only friends were her books. Tully, abandoned by her hippy mother Cloud, grew up with her grandmother and anxiously awaited the day her mother would come back. One day Cloud does show up and takes Tully with her to live in Seattle. When Kate's mum makes her take over a dish to welcome the new neighbours, she and Tully instantly connect and become inseparable. Kate finds a confidante in Tully and Tully becomes a member of Kate's family. The story follows Kate and Tully through three decades - from teenagers to women who find themselves struggling with careers, family, love and each other. Kristin Hannah does an excellent job of highlighting how the political and social conditions of the times impact their decisions. Though this book is centred on the girls' friendship, there is also a beautiful side story of Kate and her daughter Marah which will have you remembering all the doors you slammed as a teenager and aching to call your mum and say sorry. This is a beautiful story with so many twists, turns and complexities that a reader cannot help but identity with. (JE)

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First Comes Love - Whitney Lyles (2007)

First comes love, then comes marriage ... then comes a baby in a baby carriage? As Cate Padgett is no longer a perennial bridesmaid but a happily married wife to Ethan, she is no longer feeling the pressure of getting married but is instead feeling the pressure to have a baby. Just settling into married life with Ethan, Cate is surrounded by friends who have had babies or who are about to, and all the kid talk has her wondering, does she want to be a mother? With their catering business taking off and Denise (yes the crazy cousin from Here Comes the Bride) getting married, Cate wonders when all the madness will end. But Cate and Ethan will soon be faced with their own little surprise and new challenges. The last book in the Cate Padgett series allows the reader to see Ethan and Cate's relationship come full circle and ends with a new addition to their family. Like the previous two novels in the series, the relate-able characters and circumstances have the reader emotionally involved the whole read and this wonderfully wraps up a beautiful love story. (JE)

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First Lady - Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2000)

Cornelia (Nealy) Case, widow of US President Dennis Case, is asked to stay on as First Lady beside the new president. Despite being raised for public service by her political adviser father, Nealy decides to break free of the White House regime. She goes on the run and hitches a ride in a campervan with Mat Jorik and his ex-wife's two daughters. As the Secret Service closes in, Mat uncovers her secret while she discovers he's a journalist.

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First Sight - Danielle Steel (2014)

Timmie O'Neill is an incredibly successful fashion designer who has, after many years of dedication and hard work, built a name for herself within the world of fashion. Her business empire is her life and she is used to travelling all over the world, from New York to Milan to Paris, spending every minute focused on her job. This means she doesn't have time for romance in her life, but Timmie is fine with that. She has managed to leave her horrible past behind her and won't give up what she has achieved for just any man. Until she meets a handsome Frenchman named Jean Charles, who suddenly makes her rethink her life decisions. But is Timmie really ready to trust someone with her heart? I had pretty high expectations when I started reading this novel, mainly because it was my first Danielle Steel book, an author I had heard so many positive things about. Maybe my expectations were a bit too high, because unfortunately the book didn't quite manage to live up to them. It took time to warm to the main character, Timmie. She's a strong and independent woman who has had to deal with quite a lot in her life. I admire those qualities in any person, but I personally got the feeling Timmie was almost a bit too perfect. The story was quite slow-paced, especially the first 100 pages or so, and contains a lot of descriptions and repetition and not that much dialogue. I also would have liked it if more attention had been given to some of the secondary characters such as Jade, Timmie's assistant, instead of only focusing on Timmie's narrative. Overall, At First Sight is an enjoyable and trustworthy 'classic' romance read but just didn't meet my high hopes. (JoH)

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First Time in Forever - Sarah Morgan (2015)

Emily likes to be firmly in control of her life and has both a sensible job and wardrobe. However when her half sister, a well-known Hollywood actress, is killed she finds herself in sole charge of her six-year-old niece, Lizzie. Emily takes refuge on Puffin Island, which she hopes will be a safe haven away from the prying eyes of the press. This idyllic island appears to be the perfect place for Emily to work out what to do with her life now, except she is terrified of bringing up a child and the closeness of the sea brings back painful memories for her. She meets Ryan, a successful local businessman, who has been asked by her best friend to keep an eye on her, but finds that the instant attraction he has for Emily makes this request much easier. Can he overcome his own demons and the fact that he is happy being a single footloose man? This was a light, enjoyable read. I found the characters a bit lightweight for me, particularly with Ryan as the alpha male who had the ability to make any female swoon. I sometimes felt with the style of writing that I had regressed to being a teenage girl again, picking up one of my aunt's romantic novels; a few of the phrases and descriptions made me cringe a little! It isn't a book that takes itself too seriously and is worth a read on the beach. (EH)

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First We Take Manhattan - Colette Caddle (2014)

Hat designer Sinead is still reeling from the disappearance of her twin and business partner, Sheila. Just like their mother who drowned years earlier, Sheila is presumed dead, after her car and belongings are found abandoned near the ocean. But Sinead can't believe her sister would do anything so desperate and also wonders why Sheila's politician husband, Philip, hasn't done more to try to find her. Then her new assistant, Krystie, makes a surprising admission and Sinead turns her attention towards designing an American collection that she hopes will finally give her answers about her sister. The author weaves an intriguing tale about a disappearing act and the turmoil left in its wake. It all ties together neatly at the end but I just didn't find the revelations that earth-shattering.

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Fishbowl - Sarah Mlynowski (2002)

The tale of three flatmates, Allison, Jodine and Emma, who accidentally set fire to their kitchen, find themselves uninsured and have to find ways to pay off the repair bill, such as throwing theme parties and running 'how to pick up women' seminars for men.

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5 Peppermint Grove - Michelle Jackson (2012)

Ruth takes up a job in Australia with Tourism Ireland, leaving behind her cad of a married boyfriend. Even though her best friend, Julia, found the job for her, Julia still has mixed feelings about her upping sticks and moving to the other side of the world. Julia visits her friend not long after Ruth settles in, and together they visit the sights of Perth. Ruth is also keen to discover the secret behind an unsent letter her mother Angela - who returned to Ireland after living in Perth during the 1970s - addressed to a man at 5 Peppermint Grove. They visit the house in the very expensive suburb and find it is now a construction site, where they meet architect Brian. The story swings between Australia and Ireland, with lots going on back in Ruth's home country. Jackson as usual peppers her story with lots of descriptive colour - and it may well encourage you to visit Perth (Chicklit Club's hometown).

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Fivestar - Mardi McConnochie (2005)

Five girls are picked for a girl group destined for the top of the pop charts. There's Jules, who has longed to be a star even when working in Japan as a hostess; Claudia, a manipulative former cover girl who dates the band manager to get ahead; Ellie, a former gymnast; Suzy, the optimist who grew up on ABBA; and Sam, a singer/songwriter who replaces another girl who dropped out. Fivestar become huge but then things start to go wrong. Shades of the Spice Girls, anyone?

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Fix You - Carrie Elks (2014)

What do you do when Mr Right keeps coming into your life - only to leave again just as quickly every time? Fix You follows the relationship between Hanna and Richard who first meet New Year's Eve 1999. This is true love at first sight - if only they would let it happen. The story jumps ahead by weeks, months or sometimes years, as the relationship slowly evolves through time, distance and fate. True love has plans for Hanna and Richard whether they're ready or not. This is a captivating and moving story where historical facts like the 11 September attacks are cleverly included in the characters' lives. Both the characters and settings are engaging and so lifelike it's easy to be carried away and lose track of time while you're reading. A wonderful, captivating romantic story. (AT)

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Flirting With Forty - Jane Porter (2006)

This book is the story of a newly single mum who finds herself on holiday in Hawaii alone for her 40th birthday. Surfing lessons and a flirtation with the sexy surf instructor, Kai, ignites sparks Jackie doesn't anticipate and she finds her life changes in ways she never expected. She now has to make decisions about her future that could bring her the happiness she longs for but could risk everything else she cares about. I really liked Jackie and found her to be an easy character to relate to. There were major similarities in Jackie's life to mine that I found a little unnerving but the story was very easy to get into. The relationship between Jackie and Kai was sweet, exciting and refreshing and I was rooting for them to overcome the obstacles to get together. If you are looking for a story that is a little different than the typical girl meets boy and enjoy characters who have baggage and life experiences, then this book should be at the top of your reading list. (SH)

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Fly Away Home - Jennifer Weiner (2010)

Sylvie Woodruff is the poised and gracious senator's wife, with two daughters, Diana and Lizzie. She is so gracious in fact that she still stays with her high-profile husband after he has an affair. Diana and Lizzie are no better off, with their lives also having turmoil of some sort. Physician Diana is married with a son and seems to have it all. However, when temptation arises in the form of a resident doctor, Diana can't resist. Lizzie is a recovering drug addict whose life is turned upside down when she gets pregnant. The story is told by all three women but it doesn't build each character up enough to make the reader want to know what happens to them. It falls flat in parts yet it redeems itself when the three women find solace and comfort in each other - something that was hard for them to do. It's not one of Weiner's best but it's still worth a look. (AS)

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Fly In Fly Out - Georgina Penney (2015)

aka Unforgettable You

In this prequel to Irrepressible You, Amy's sister Jo is a petroleum engineer on an oil rig off the coast of Mauritania in Africa. She returns home to Fremantle after a long, stressful shift away, exhausted and ready for some sleep. The last thing she's expecting to find is a naked man in her bed. It turns out that, thanks to her best friend Scott, Stephen Hardy - the guy who once humiliated her in front of everyone - has moved in as her house and cat sitter. His family owns the winery in the Margaret River region where Jo and Amy grew up and their estranged father, Ken, still works there as a farmhand. The last thing Jo needs during her respite from her male-dominated work environment is a man around the house, especially one who doesn't know her family's dark secret. With a serious thread about domestic violence and plenty of spicy romance, this story sets you up for wanting to read further sequels about the characters from Jo and Amy's world.

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Fly Me to the Moon - Alyson Noel (2006)

When American flight attendant Hailey Lane's trip is cancelled, she heads home early to spend her birthday with her pilot boyfriend Michael, thinking tonight will be the night he'll propose. But instead she's confronted with him getting some personal attention from a male flight attendant. With the help of her friend Kat's penthouse, the companionship of her gay best friend Clay and lots of free flights around the world (including Puerto Rico, France and Greece), Hailey begins to get her life off the ground again. But when her airline threatens layoffs and the manuscript she's been working hard on keeps getting rejected, it seems there's more turbulence ahead. Especially when the cute guy who returned her lost manuscript keeps turning up on every corner.

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Follow Me Home - Cathy Woodman (2014)

Zara works as a midwife in the small village of Talyton St George. She loves her job but is still struggling with the fact that she can't have children of her own, which also caused the break-up between her and her husband. One day, Zara finds an abandoned puppy on the side of the road and even though she has always been scared of dogs, she decides to keep him. However, training a dog turns out to be slightly more difficult than Zara anticipated, and she needs to find someone who can help her. Thankfully, local shepherd Lewis is great with dogs and offers to help her out. Zara is thrilled, also because Lewis is quite handsome and seems to not only have eyes for the puppy but for its owner as well... Follow Me Home is the eighth part of Cathy Woodman's Talyton St George series. I hadn't read any of the other novels before starting this, but this wasn't a problem at all. The author provides the reader with enough background information, and I immediately felt myself falling in love with the fictional village and its inhabitants. Zara is a great main character, and the novel is packed with other wonderful characters as well. Cathy Woodman's writing style has a great and comfortable pace and the wonderful detailed descriptions made it very easy to jump into the story, making it almost feel like I was an inhabitant of Talyton St George myself, experiencing it all up close. Follow Me Home is a delightfully warm, charming and captivating story with a brilliant setting; a real treat to read! (JoH)

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Following Polly - Karen Bergreen (2010)

Alice Teakle has just been fired from her job as a casting agent. Single, bored and unsure of what to do next, Alice finds a new hobby when she runs into a Harvard acquaintance Polly Dawson. Polly is everything Alice is not - beautiful, successful, married and a celebrity. To see how the "other half" live or maybe just out of boredom, Alice starts to secretly follow Polly on her daily errands, and continues to do so for over a week. But when Polly is murdered, the circumstances leave Alice as the main suspect. So she starts to stalk ... er ... follow her college infatuation and obsession Charlie. Will Charlie help Alice (with whom he has only shared a few polite words)? Is the killer after Alice too? This is a fantastic chick lit mystery, filled with a few lovable, charismatic characters, and a few seedy, sinister types. The story had me totally infatuated. (AV)

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Fools Rush In - Kristan Higgins (2006)

For 15 years, Millie Barnes has never, for a single moment, stopped thinking about her high school crush Joe Carpenter, despite trading nothing more than a few polite nods. Now 29 years old, with her medical residency finally coming to an end, Millie is moving back to the Cape and one step closer to the man of her dreams. All she has to do now is to shed some of her excess weight, get a cute dog, and have a complete makeover so as to attract the ever-perfect Joe. Will her plan work? Or will her all-too-nice former brother-in-law get in her way? This book is a light read but it gets all too predictable. (XT)

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Fools Rush In - Janice Thompson (2009)

In this first in the Weddings by Belle series, Bella Rossi's life is about to get very interesting. When her parents pass on their ownership of wedding company Bella's to her, she decides it's about time for an image revamp. The name changes to Club Wed and it's no longer doing just your average traditional wedding, now it's going all out with wacky themes. When a communication mishap occurs while trying to acquire music for her country-western themed wedding, Bella ends up with not a music-playing DJ but a hunky cowboy named DJ. Romantic sparks fly between Bella and DJ and this would be all hunky-dory if Bella didn't have an ex-boyfriend skulking in the shadows or her best friend calling off her engagement as she falls in love with another guy. With all these distractions, will Bella be able to organise the perfect wedding or will it turn to mayhem? (PP)

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For All the Wrong Reasons - Louise Bagshawe (2000)

aka A Kept Woman

Diana Foxton is British, beautiful and married to publishing powerhouse Ernie Foxton. When the Foxtons move to New York City, Diana's days as a trophy wife are filled with shopping and hosting glamorous parties. But her life comes to a sudden halt when she catches her husband in bed with another woman. She is suddenly poor, on the brink of divorce, and shunned by New York society. Diana finds herself joining forces with Michael Cicero, a womanising blue-collar publisher, who has also been the victim of Ernie Foxton's unscrupulous behaviour. The two start a company and fight to make it a success. Along the way, Mike and Diana heat up the book with plenty of steamy sex scenes. (AO)

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For Better or Worse - Jill Amy Rosenblatt (2009)

Emily is marrying ambitious money manager Parker at a big summer wedding in New York. She is hoping her best friends Elizabeth and Karen will soon follow her down the aisle. But Elizabeth, who is still carrying the humiliation of being left at the altar, isn't so sure that boyfriend Nick is the one for her. As a painter who abandoned that world to become a money manager, she is instead drawn to one of the wedding guests, Ian, a Scottish artist. Playwrights Karen and Robert are planning on getting married but her divorced parents are proving to be a big problem. Meanwhile Emily finds that married life isn't the happily-ever-after she dreamt of.

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For Better, For Worse - Carole Matthews (2002)

Welcome to the most crazy marriage of the decade where you will find a gatecrasher, an ex-husband, a flummoxed erratic bride, a nearly greybeard groom, a gorgeous best man, a totally clueless Duck!! No wonder it turns out to be a near debacle. Recently cheated on by a philandering husband of five years, single Josie Flynn is making a trans-Atlantic journey to attend her cousin Martha's wedding. On the plane, she meets Matt Jarvis, a cute recently divorced rock journalist who asks her out on a date. They spend an afternoon at the Statue of Liberty where cupid strikes them both. However, Matt misses their next date and Josie, thinking she has been stood up, adds him to her ever-growing list of Bureau of Bastards. But Matt having missed his chance once is now determined to find Josie again. What follows is a delirious race to track down the maid of honour donning a particular lilac-chiffon bridesmaid dress at a certain "Martha's" wedding. Meanwhile, Josie's narcissistic ex-husband Damien realises that he wants Josie back so he tails her to New York to win her back at all costs. The book is a light-hearted, amusing take on modern day marriages. Laced with moments of humour and introspection, the plot elaborates how the desire to settle down with the "Right" man is as important as warding off the insecurities that someone "More" Right is lurking out there somewhere. The book starts off well but loses its charm when the hilarious pandemonium becomes a teeny bit predictable. Look out for The Cat Formerly Known as Prince, a dangerously candid mother, Conversation Termination Sequence, a Sicilian "restoring honour" and finally Donald (who is of course) Duck!!! (PD)

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Forbidden Pleasures - Jo Rees (2010)

Savannah has always enjoyed the high life but felt shut out of her father Michael's casino business dealings. Lois is a disgraced cop who runs security operations at a rival Las Vegas casino. From the explosive opening of fight night, both women's lives become intertwined as their casino groups want to be the first - and best - in a new Shanghai development. If you love glamorous locations, intrigue and high-stakes rivalry, then you'll hit the jackpot with Forbidden Pleasures.

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Forever Friends - Kate McCabe (2008)

This chronicles the friendship of Maddy, Rosie and Sophie. Firm friends since their schooldays, the three girls promise each other over their regular drinks in the Pink Parrot bar that they'll always remain friends, no matter what. The novel begins in the 1980s, with Maddy working as an estate agent in the competitive and male-dominated property business. She proves to be so good at her job that it's not long before she builds up her own property portfolio, and Rosie and Sophie move into one of her houses with her. Things get even better for Maddy when she falls in love with Greg Delaney. Her life appears to be perfect - but all is not as it seems. Are her friendships as strong as she thinks they are? Is her relationship with Greg the real thing? And is her success at work making her enemies who will stop at nothing to pull the rug from under her feet? As for Rosie and Sophie, they begin to despair of ever meeting a man like Greg. Can the girls' friendship survive Maddy's success? And as the years roll by and the women celebrate their 50th birthdays in a joint celebration, has the Forever Friends mantra of their youth rung true? While this was an easy book to roll along with, I found that I never felt an emotional connection with any of the characters. The author did a good job of depicting each character's personality clearly, but it wasn't enough to make me feel anything for them, or remember them when I'd finished the book. Nonetheless, it was an easy read that kept me turning the pages, even if the ending was far too predictable. (SBB)

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Forever FM - Colette Caddle (2002)

Three women are brought together through a Dublin radio station. Recruitment consultant Linda helps the station's boss, Jonathan, find his staff but he has a proposal for her to help her recover from the shock of discovering her husband, Patrick, has been having an affair for years. Carrie was Patrick's secretary who quit when she found out what he'd been up to so Linda recommends her for a researcher role on the station's new late-night talk show. Her boyfriend Declan is pleased about the pay rise but not so much about her late hours. Glamorous DJ Maeve isn't so sure the program format is going to be a success. She's always seen at all the right parties with different men on her arm but maybe the right man has been under her nose all this time.

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Forever, Interrupted - Taylor Jenkins Reid (2013)

What would it feel like to meet "the one"? The one who loves you just as much as you love them? Elsie Porter knows exactly what that feels like. And she knows exactly what it feels like to lose him. Elsie is a pleasant, easy-going young librarian living in LA. Her life is nothing exciting. That is, until she meets the handsome and charming Ben Ross. Their connection is instant, and their romance and friendship develop quickly. They marry within six months. Elsie and Ben are completely in love, and feel as if they have all the time in the world. And then, the unthinkable happens. Ben is hit by a truck while riding his bike, and is killed. Elsie not only has to grapple with her own overwhelming grief, but that of her mother-in-law, Susan, who didn't even know Elsie existed. This atypical, yet beautiful love story follows Elsie and Susan as they work towards healing. I absolutely loved this book. The writing is edgy, raw, and real. The author writes with true emotion, and I had no trouble at all empathising with Elsie. I look forward to reading future books by Taylor Jenkins Reid. (CK)

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Forget About It - Caprice Crane (2007)

Jordan Landau has an uncaring mother, an evil half-sister, a cheating boyfriend and a boss who steals her ideas. When she sustains head injuries in a bike accident, it gives her the perfect opportunity to start over. Faking amnesia, she can stop being such a pushover and start living a truly memorable life - and be with a guy who really cares about her. With only one of her best friends - Todd, the boy she �married� at age seven - in the know, Jordan weaves a web of deception as she takes revenge on those who have wronged her. But then karma hits Jordan and she has to start over for real.

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Forget Me Knot - Sue Margolis (2009)

When Abby gets stuck in a lift in Covent Gardens with a sexy stranger her life changes forever. Her fear of lifts sees her downing the stranger's bottle of wine and blabbing some serious secrets about her fiance. Abby's engagement to Toby seems a little too good to be true and Abby uncovers a secret that could ruin their relationship. One area in her life that's not going down the drain is her successful florist shop Fabulous Flowers that has scored some serious publicity after being picked as a location in an upcoming romantic comedy. And the film director turns out to be Dan, the sexy stranger from the lift whom she blabbed her most intimate details to. This book takes you along for the rollercoaster ride that is Abby's life, with a gay best friend and loving best girlfriend at her side. It's a funny and clever book that is easy to read, with a few words to make you blush and a few unexpected and hilarious twists along the way. (GF)

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Forget Me Not - Isabel Wolff (2007)

Life never really ends up going the way you plan... When Anna's mum dies, Anna decides to re-evaluate her life. She has always wanted to be a garden designer so gives up her life in the fast lane to pursue her dream. What she doesn't count on is meeting Xan, a gorgeous man, who suddenly changes her plan for life. Soon Anna is a struggling single mother trying to look after her daughter Milly which is made harder by discoveries about her family and new man that throw her future into jeopardy. Isabel Wolff is a fantastic author who keeps you glued to her writing until the very last page. Her characters are so real and stay with you even after you have closed the book. This is a great read with touches of humour and plenty of gardening tips! (LL)

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Forgive And Forget - Patricia Scanlan (2008)

There's nothing like a good wedding to start world war III! And that's exactly what's going to happen if Connie Adams, the mother of the bride, can't smooth things over between Debbie and her dad. Debbie's never quite forgiven her dad for walking out on her and her mother when she was a child and with him hell bent on bringing his stuck-up second wife and their sulky teenage daughter along to the big day it can only lead to one thing - fireworks! Plus on top of having to deal with the dreaded step-family, Debbie's also having to put up with the boss from hell and a fiance who's getting cold feet. Written with Scanlan's usual warmth and humour this is a really enjoyable and engrossing read that sucked me in right from the word go. The sequel is Happy Ever After. (KC)

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Forgive Me - Lesley Pearse (2013)

The story starts with Flora Patterson planning and executing her own death. Her oldest daughter, Eva, finds her mother a few hours later, dead in the bathtub, with just a simple note that says 'forgive me'. This event turns Eva's world upside down but it seems it is just the beginning. Eva discovers the man she considered her father is not her father at all, and unexpectedly she inherits her mother's secret artist's studio in London. This is the start of Eva's journey to not only find out what her mother was hiding from her family for all those years and why she eventually felt she couldn't deal with it all any longer but also to discover who she is and which people around her she can truly trust. This novel was a very emotional, gripping and addictive read. From the first few pages, I was already absorbed by the story and especially wondering what could have driven Flora to take such a drastic decision as committing suicide, leaving her family and everything behind just like that. The story is set in the early 1990s and told from the perspective of Eva, a character who by the end of the book has matured and transformed as a person. Lesley Pearse introduces numerous other characters but she manages to describe each and every single one of them in close detail (I had no trouble envisaging all of them in my head) and giving them a specific essential role in the story line. The novel is incredibly fast-paced, which made me want to keep on reading, because with every chapter something new and unexpected would happen. The book deals with some quite intense issues, and towards the end I have to admit some of the events were a bit too much drama for my personal liking. However, Forgive Me is a thoroughly gripping, emotional and fast-paced novel, and demonstrates why Lesley Pearse continues to be one of the UK's bestselling female authors. (JoH)

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Forgotten - Catherine McKenzie (2012)

Emma Tupper is in a shambles after her mother dies so when she learns that her mother booked a trip in her name to Africa, she's a bit stunned. On the verge of making partner at her law firm, Emma would have to take time out of work and on top of that, Africa was her mother's dream destination, not hers. However, Emma can't deny her mother one final wish so she decides to embark on a journey that will change her life in more ways than she can ever imagine. Leaving her apartment, job and boyfriend behind, Emma leaves for what she thinks will be a short trip but it turns into a nightmare after she gets ill and then a massive earthquake strikes, leaving Emma stranded in a foreign country for six months with no way to get in touch with anyone at home. When she finally returns home, Emma is shocked to realise that someone new has moved into her apartment and her friends and co-workers all thought she was dead. Having to start over from scratch, with only the help of the mysterious but handsome Dominic, Emma finds that building up what you've lost is a lot harder than you realise and sometimes it isn't worth all of the trouble. While this was a great story and captivated me right from the beginning, I found it rather silly of Emma to think that she could just step back into her old life without any repercussions from what had happened. Had she really expected her landlord to wait for her to return? Did she really think her boyfriend was going to sit around waiting for the day she walked through the door? It just seemed unrealistic, but other than that, this was a story that was unique and flowed easily. It will definitely leave you wondering what you'd do if you were ever in Emma's situation. (AS)

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For Matrimonial Purposes - Kavita Daswani (2003)

Twenty-four and unmarried? Unacceptable if you are a young Indian woman, says Daswani. And so, we meet Anju, who finds that having no marriage prospects is daunting in a society where marriage still is the final frontier for all women. Anju heads to the US in the hope of escaping all the plotting and planning by matchmakers and well-meaning family members. She dreams of a career but should she be searching for a groom, even in the Big Apple? In a story that straddles two worlds and different cultures, Daswani brings to the fore the problems that women face - the choice between becoming a career woman or opting for a life of seemingly blissful matrimony. It's a well-written book, though the style and content is light as air, and perhaps familiar territory for girls across the world. (AC)

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For Once in My Life - Marianne Kavanagh (2014)

Tess and George are soul mates, according to her best friend Kirsty. There's just one problem, whilst there's been plenty of near-misses, they've never actually met, and before they find each other, they find other people. But fate gives them one last shot when they meet up several years later at Kirsty's 30th party. Now though they're no longer footloose, free and single. Is theirs a love that was never meant to be or one that was always destined? Marianne Kavanagh has come up with a great new twist on the classic boy-meets-girl story - boy and girl keep missing each other - and it makes for a very exciting and interesting read. The idea of Tess and George being in the same place at the same time but not meeting or supposed to be at the same place at the same time but not being there for whatever reason is hugely gripping and there's a real sense of the very narrow margins between them finding each other and not that makes everything so captivating. Because so much import is placed on that first meeting however it does feel somewhat anticlimactic but nevertheless this is really only a turning point to the next journey in the novel. For even when they do meet, nothing's black or white and there's still plenty for them to overcome which ensures the second half of the novel is as gripping as the first. For such an epic love story at times I wished for more romance and George's circumstances somewhat take the shine off the finale. However, it's a compelling read that had me racing through it. Already looking forward to whatever else Marianne Kavanagh may have in store. (JC)

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Fortune - Megan Cole (2010)

Sapphire, Simonetta and Madison are three girls from completely different worlds. Sapphire is an English college student who is working and living at home with her mum; Simonetta is an aspiring model from Rome who will do anything to make it and Madison is a spoiled Upper East Side rich bitch who cares about money and status above everything else. It may seem as though they have nothing in common but one fateful invitation from mega mogul Brad Masters changes everything. Brad has invited each girl to his 50th birthday party that is to be held at his villa in Capri. Simonetta and Madison can't wait to go and mingle with the rich and famous but Sapphire isn't so keen. She's happy with her life and doesn't need to go party with people who feel like they're better than her. In the end, her mum insists that she go to the party. Soon enough, the three girls are intertwined in a tangled web of deceit and lies that will showcase all of their true colours. This is an intoxicating story that gives a glimpse into the lives of the super rich while also showing what money will do to a person when it's presented on a silver platter. It's a fun and intense story with lots of drama and even a little bit of heartbreak. (AS)

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Forty Things to do Before You're Forty - Alice Ross (2014)

Annie is in training for a marathon, after being urged by best friend Portia to devise a list of things to do before she turns 40. Portia believes her friend, who lives in the gatehouse to Portia's family manor in Yorkshire, is in a serious rut. With no time for a relationship, Annie runs a cake business and looks after her five-year-old daughter Sophie after partner Lance disappeared to Japan. Meanwhile, author Jake is headed to Buttersley Manor to write a murder-mystery. He's so good looking all the women in town are in a tither. But he certainly doesn't want anyone to find out he's actually a billionaire former fund manager who writes under a pen name. The story is less about a woman approaching her forties - as the title suggests - and more a romance. It's a light, easy read - and the story behind Jake's reclusiveness was interesting. There is a rather tenuous link to the 40 things list but it does come into play right at the end. Personally I think it would benefit from a title rename.

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4am in Las Vegas - Michelle Jackson (2011)

It's Halloween in Las Vegas and things are crazier than normal for wedding planner Connie. Vicky and Frank are in town for their nuptials but she soon realises that he has more on his mind than wedding bells. Vicky's teenage daughter Tina is less than impressed until she meets Connie's moody and enigmatic son Kyle. Frank's brother John is trying to hold everyone together but then something happens that turns the wedding party on their heads at 4am in Las Vegas! Life and love seem to have slipped through Suzanne's fingers but then, new to Facebook, she stumbles upon more than she expected when she receives a friend request from old flame Ronan in Boston. He's on his way to Las Vegas for a work convention and Suzanne's friend Eddie convinces her that she should go too. What has she got to lose? When they all meet in Binion's Casino the cards have already been dealt but will there be a winner? 4am in Las Vegas starts with a bang in the prologue, and doesn't let up until the last page. Michelle Jackson has a gift for creating a sense of place, and the rich descriptions of the book's titular location will make you feel like you're there with the characters. Although you'll be transported to the world of casinos, hotels and the landmarks that we've come to expect from books set in Vegas, there's also a lot more to this tale - each chapter begins with a proverb or quotation that reflects the behaviour of the characters, and as a whole, they left me asking myself about the book's underlying message. Is Vegas, and the behaviour of the characters there, a reflection of the best and worst of how we have evolved over time, and have we forgotten how to respect the cycle of life and the things that truly matter? One thing is for sure - 4am in Las Vegas is a book that brings the reader not only on the book's journey, but into the journey. (SBB)

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Four Blondes - Candace Bushnell (2001)

This book comprises four novellas about four blondes who belong among the circle of the rich, the beautiful and the powerful of Manhattan. The first story - Nice 'N Easy - is about former model Janey Wilcox who is obsessed with spending her summers in the luxurious houses in the Hamptons and will go all the way to get her summer dream fulfilled even if that means hanging out with a string of equally warped but wealthy summer boyfriends. The second story - Highlights (For Adults) - encompasses the life of a political/style columnist, Winnie Dieke, and her troubled relationship with her unambitious journalist husband. Platinum, the third story, chronicles the life of a neurotic princess, Cecelia, who has her own demons to slay. She is living the Cinderella story where she meets and marries her Prince Charming but what ensues is the tale of her sufferings in her own personal hell. And the final story - Single Process - describes the quest of a 40-something sex columnist, who travels all the way to London on an assignment but deep down she is searching for her dream (English) man. Her search is triggered by the fact that a woman in spite of having all the quintessential qualities won't be able to even bag a date in America whereas in London the same woman will not only find her Mr. Right but will also get a "big ring, big house, adorable children and her happily ever after". With her hallmark vitriolic manner and sharp satire, Candace Bushnell portrays the dark side of these blondes who are glamorous on the outside but inwardly they are unfulfilled. The four blondes come across as insipid and shallow. All the stories keep up the glamorous facade but in the end it all feels ultimately unsatisfying. (PD)

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4% Famous - Deborah Schoeneman (2006)

Kate Simon gets a job as the 'new legs' covering the New York scene on the Examiner's gossip column. She befriends two other gossip columnists, Blake Bradley who has to protect his wealthy father after he's implicated in a tax scandal, and Tim Mack, from Column A, a heavy drinking guy whose affair with a mattress (model/actress) sees her falling pregnant. Kate is told that the secret, when it comes to being a boldfaced name, is to be only 4% famous where you get invites and perks, without the invasive media and public attention. And she's also warned to never date a source, which becomes tricky when she falls for the latest celebrity chef Marco Mancini. He loves courting the media but has a past he's desperate to keep out of the gossip columns.

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Four Friends - Robyn Carr (2014)

Gerri, Andy, Sonja and BJ are neighbours who have become best friends over the years. Gerri is dealing with the knowledge that her husband cheated on her, Andy has just split up with her second husband but has found an unlikely friend in her building contractor, Sonja's husband has had enough of her New Age lifestyle and moved out, and BJ, the newest member of the group, is fairly reserved when it comes to talking about her life before moving into the neighbourhood. As each women navigates the choppy waters of her own crisis, they find they are more alike than not, and band together to help each other get through. For me, this story had too much going on. The topics of infidelity, divorce, rebellious teenagers, sexual orientation, mental health, and domestic abuse are all explored to great lengths, which makes for a bit of a muddled plot. While some of these situations go hand in hand, like rebellious teens during a marital crisis, I feel the story would have flowed better if the author had kept to only a few of these topics without introducing a new situation every few chapters. The friendship of the woman was portrayed well and it was nice to read a book where all of the main characters were really there for each other regardless of what was going on in her own life. (LEK)

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Four Play - Fiona Walker (2007)

Recently dumped Dilly Gently gets lured into joining the band Entwined with Magnus who appears to be her soulmate. Fellow band mate and new best friend Nell falls for Magnus, and Dilly steps aside. Nell tries to return the favour and encourages Dilly to get together with the fourth member of the band, Nell's twin brother Flipper. Talk about entwined! All four band members struggle with overcoming their past and falling in love. This is the third in the Lode Chronicles series, set against a backdrop of idyllic Cotswolds villages and the hunting scene. It can be quite confusing at first to follow all the characters as they all have eccentric names and nicknames. The storyline is also not particularly gripping and is in places quite bizarre. The only saving grace is that it seems well written in its prose. Fans of Fiona Walker have admitted this is nowhere near her best. (AB)

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Fourplay - Jane Moore (2003)

Jo's foundation of trust is shaken when her husband tells her he wants a divorce and is in love with someone else. The book illustrates her journey of starting over, dealing with betrayal and learning to find love and being able to trust again. This story and the lead character drew me in quickly. Anyone who has had a long-term relationship end unexpectedly and badly can see themselves in this story. Anyone who has had their trust betrayed by their spouse and has to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and start over will easily connect to this story. One of the things I liked about Jo was her determination to move forward through her husband's adultery. She allowed herself to shatter and fall apart, but she didn't stay there. She got up and began rebuilding her life. She restarts her career, takes care of her children, and takes her life back. I loved that she is receptive to new relationships but that she doesn't rebound commit to the first man who crosses her path. I had a lot of anticipation reading the book trying to figure out who she would ultimately end up with. A very interesting aspect of this story was Jeff, Jo's ex-husband. I found his character defects and flaws interesting and witnessing his behaviour and treatment of Jo, which was typical of a man who is weak and selfish. As Jo's life seems to shine as she becomes stronger and more self-confident, Jeff's seems to become the opposite. I enjoyed seeing Jeff eating some karma pie, but I also pitied him. I also enjoyed all of the other supporting characters. Jo's brother was entertaining and her best friend was a godsend. Jo depends on them a lot and I loved that they were there for her. I empathised with Jo about her relationship with her parents. Her mother was overbearing and hard to tolerate and Jo struggles with it for most of the book. Towards the end, we get a wonderful twist that gives Jo a whole new outlook on her relationship with her parents. I liked each of the men Jo dates, some more than others. They were all unique and being with each of them brings Jo a wonderful opportunity to figure out who she is once again. I recommend this for readers who enjoy strong female characters who refuse to let life's roadblocks keep them from pursuing happiness. (SH)

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Foursome - Jane Fallon (2010)

Rebecca has always revelled in the cosy friendship formed when she and Isabel married best friends Dan and Alex. Now 20 years down the track, Alex has just left Isabel, telling Rebecca that he's always actually loved her. So as well as worrying about how her best friend is coping and making sure no one finds out about Alex's declaration, Rebecca's also stressing about how the break-up is going to wreck her tight social circle. Things get even more strained when Alex starts dating Lorna, her nightmare colleague at the talent agency, who really needs to spend less time chatting about herself and more time eating. Even though this is essentially a story about the breakdown of the bond between two couples, the rivalry between Rebecca and Lorna is far more compelling.

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Fourteen Days Later - Sibel Hodge (2008)

For Helen Grey, ending her four-year relationship with Justin wasn't easy, especially since she was the one who found evidence of his betrayal - a size 16 thong stuffed in his best work trousers (and Helen wasn't even a size 16!). Though the break-up becomes a permanent memory of heartache and misery, Helen is determined to move on, but gets stuck drowning herself daily with a high caffeine intake. Her best friend, Ayshe, sets her up with a 14-day challenge - where she has to complete a mission every single day without fail. Through this challenge, Helen finds herself becoming a better version of herself with the additional help of Kalem, Ashye's brother, whom she's always bickering with but soon falls head over heels over him. (XT)

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Four to Score - Janet Evanovich (1999)

In this fourth book in the Stephanie Plum series, the bounty that needs hunting is Maxine - an angry woman who stole her ex-boyfriend Eddie's car. It seems Maxine has a thing for treasure hunts and sends Eddie on a hunt for clues. Enter Stephanie who thinks the only way she can track down Maxine is to help Eddie solve the clues. We are introduced to another character who assumes the role as Stephanie's code-cracker aka Sally Sweet, a straight transvestite. When Stephanie's flat is burned and a couple of her cars blown up, it definitely seems like things are taking a turn for the worst once again as she is forced to move in with none other than - you guessed it - Joe Morelli. When word gets around the neighbourhood, rumours of wedding bells and buns in the oven flourish. As always Janet Evanovich's humour shines through. (PP)

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Four Wives - Wendy Walker (2008)

This is the cleverly written story of four women who live in the picture-perfect estate of Hunting Ridge and examines the consequences of their choices to be stay-at-home mothers. The four are brought together to plan a charity gala. But of course where there are affluent suburban wives there must also be discontent. Perfectly made-up Janie may have a body which belies the fact that she's had four children but will a steaming affair be her undoing? Sleep-deprived mother Love, who is married to a doctor, receives a letter from her estranged famous father, which dredges up a secret from the past - and brings with it a whole new level of pain. Gayle is from a moneyed family and is heavily influential in the community. But she is hiding a secret about her husband and only gets herself through the day with the help of an array of prescription pills. Marie is a lawyer whose husband Anthony is addicted to golf. As she works on a puzzling custody case, she is drawn to her young intern Randy.

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Fractured - Dani Atkins (2013)

At eighteen Rachel has her whole life to look forward to and with a great boyfriend Matt, wonderful friends, including long-time friend Jimmy, and university just around the corner it seems that everything is on track. But when Rachel, Matt, Jimmy and their group of friends go out for a final celebratory meal before they head off to uni, Rachel's world is fractured by a life-changing incident and the next five years are shrouded by loss, sadness and emptiness as Rachel tries to come to terms with that fateful night. When she wakes up in hospital after taking a fall however, her life is not as she remembers it and Rachel is given a second chance at happiness. The concept of this novel was wonderful and I liked the ambition and thought behind it. Whilst I felt that the middle of the novel was not perhaps as convincing as the great opening and amazing ending, overall the book is an intriguing and thought-provoking read. I will definitely be interested to see where this debut author goes next. (JC)

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Fragile Lies - Laura Elliot (2015)

aka Deceptions

A couple involved in an illicit tryst accidentally run down a youth on an isolated road. Leaving the boy for dead, the woman later anonymously rings for an ambulance. The victim, eighteen-year-old Killian, remains in a coma, his separated parents by his side. His shattered father, TV screenwriter Michael, is desperate to find out who is responsible. His clues are a silver car and a bracelet - and he soon believes he has the culprit in his sights. Meanwhile well-known artist Lorraine moves with her teenage daughter to the seaside village of Trabawn to get away from her broken marriage. Although cleverly plotted, the storyline didn't hold any surprises and the writing style was quite different to my normal reads, so it did jar initially.

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Free-Falling - Nicola Moriarty (2012)

When Belinda's fiance, Andy, dies suddenly, both she and his mother, Evelyn, blame her for his death. As Belinda reels from her loss, she is shaken to find that Andy might not really be gone - she thinks he is leaving ghostly gifts for her, including one which is going to change her life forever. Meanwhile an angry Evelyn finds herself acting out of character and even taking up skydiving. With the story told from various viewpoints, this is a confident debut, full of heartfelt moments and nicely conceived outcomes.

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Freeing Grace - Charity Norman (2010)

Matt Hamilton has just become a teenage dad. He bonds with his baby daughter Grace but realises - like the young mother already had - that he can't bring her up. Meanwhile, Leila Edmunds and her husband David, a church curate, are struggling with their own inability to have children. It looks as if they are about to receive a miracle. But then Jake, a New Zealander at a loose end, is welcomed into the Hamilton fold and is sent to Africa to track down Matt's mother, who may be able to convince the authorities that Grace belongs with her birth family. This compelling, accomplished and often dark debut takes lots of twists and turns as it explores the dilemma of what's in the child's best interests. Don't pass this one by.

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Free to a Good Home - Eve Marie Mont (2010)

Recently divorced, Noelle Ryan is not over her ex-husband. Just like when they were married, she finds it hard to say no to him and lets him talk her into looking after his ailing mother, who has always treated her horribly, so he can move away and move on with his life. Things start to look up when she meets a musician who seems like he could be the perfect man for her if only she could let her guard down and let him into her heart. It begins to look as though her Great Dane, Zeke, and her job as a veterinary technician at an animal shelter are the only things in her life she can depend on. This is a good read for dog lovers and anyone who has ever had a hard time walking away from a past love. (MF)

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French Kissing - Catherine Sanderson (2009)

Sally, a 30-something single mother, is English but has been living in Paris for the past 10 years. Having left Nicolas, the father of her four-year-old daughter Lila, because he had an affair with his secretary, Sally is now ready to start dating again. She signs up for online dating site Rendez-Vous but wonders whether the men will be put off by the fact she has a child. Meanwhile her boss Kate has a secret to confess, while new friend Anna gets to enjoy being single again without the hassles of being a mother. This book takes us through Sally's series of dates - from the rude and obnoxious, to the pleasing and promising. And for those who want to practise their French language skills, there's lots of French phrases thrown in (which even non-speakers will be able to understand as the author always explains through the context).

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Frenemies - Megan Crane (2007)

As her 30th birthday approaches, Gus Curtis is determined to get her life in order: the perfect boyfriend, a great job and an "adult" apartment. But finding her boyfriend kissing one of her closest friends causes her life to rapidly become a tale of middle school antics. And while she focuses on stealing back her boyfriend, she inadvertently exposes her own frenemy behaviour. From blueberry bridesmaid dresses to drunken karaoke, Gus quickly loses control of her life. Turning 30 can be stressful, just ask Gus. Your best friends can become your enemies. And your enemies? Well, they might just end up naked in your bed. This book will not only make you laugh but you may also find yourself wanting to scream at some of the characters. It is one of my favourites because it proves how thin the line between love and hate truly is. (ML)

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Friends and Rivals - Tilly Bagshawe (2012)

Ivan Charles and Jack Messenger are partners in Jester - a successful music management company, but of late their relationship has become strained, particularly over Jack's resentment of Ivan's many post-marital affairs with associates, employees and clients of the firm and all behind the back of his loyal wife, and Jack's long-term friend, Catriona. When Jack comes over from his base in LA for Ivan's 40th birthday only to find him in a compromising situation with one of his young clients, their relationship deteriorates further. As if Jack doesn't have enough to deal with, there's Kendall Bryce, a reality TV show starlet turned singer who is proving to be a handful, despite the best efforts of Jester photographer Lex, who worships Kendall without any reciprocation. But with Kendall moving to London to develop her career, she leaves the watchful gaze of Jack and Lex and falls under the guardianship of Ivan and everything begins to implode. New alliances are formed and loyalties tested. And when new starlet Ava emerges on to the scene, she becomes the centre of old rivalries. Friends and Rivals is a sharply drawn and delightfully told story of the search for fame and its price on families, friendship and love. A page-turning read that gets inside the head of all of its characters; it is a real tour de force. (JC)

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Friends, Lies and Alibis - Debby Holt (2011)

Merrily was Alison and Leah's childhood friend who disappeared from their lives 15 years ago. Now Alison bumps into her on a train platform, and discovers she's moving to Bath with her writer husband Christopher, leaving her only son Tom behind to finish his schooling. Christopher is truly an odious man - he constantly puts Merrily down, and is hardly faithful (as Leah can testify). So the pair of them make plans to break up their marriage. The two women have vastly different experiences of marital bliss - Alison is happily married to a doctor but is sad that her nest of four children is rapidly emptying. Leah is having to watch her ex-husband start a new life with another woman but always puts her own two kids ahead of any promising relationship herself. There are lots of laughs as their 'liberate Merrily' campaign unfolds. But amid the comic moments, readers are asked to consider whether there is ever reason to interfere in a close friend's marriage.

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Friends Like These - Wendy Harmer (2011)

Jo Blanchard loved her job as deputy head of a prestigious Sydney girls' school. But when she discovers her husband JJ - a luxury car dealer with political aspirations - has been having it off with one of the other DOGs (Darling Old Girls), she makes a stand during speech night and is sacked. Now she is about to perform her first ceremony as a civil celebrant but even in her new life she can't get away from the unforgiving school community. Meanwhile her friend Suze, a former school admin worker who opened a florist shop after winning Lotto, has her own problems. Not only has her husband gambled away all the money, she has been harbouring an explosive secret that's about to be uncovered. Harmer is at her best while making tart observations about the social set.

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Friends, Lovers and Other Indiscretions - Fiona Neill (2009)

This is like The Big Chill but set in the credit crunch noughties and without the funeral. A group of friends who first met in their 20s are now approaching their 40s. TV scriptwriter Sam is feeling insecure about his professional future - and his relationship with wife Laura is suffering because he doesn't want another child. Lawyer Janey has left behind the love of her life, photographer Patrick, and instead settled down with hedge fund manager Steve. Meanwhile restaurant owner Jonathan is fast becoming the latest British food wunderkid, while his wife Hannah is happier embracing her country roots. When the friends all go away on holiday for Jonathan's 40th birthday, the deceptions and misconceptions - many of them decades old - can't stay hidden for long.

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Friendship Cake - Lynne Hinton (2000)

In this first book in a series, busybody and funeral director Beatrice Newgarden decides that it is time to get the Woman Guild's committee at Hope Springs Church together to complete another fundraising project. This year they will create a cookbook. Each of the commitee members reluctantly get involved, bringing along their favourite recipes from Margaret's Sweet Potato Casserole to Louise's Old-fashioned Egg Custard. This book not only offers yummy recipes but also tales of family, loneliness, Alzheimer's and sexuality. As they create their recipe books they soon realise that what started as a resentful project has become more meaningful than anyone imagined. It's ideal for anyone who loves a good laugh and cry. (PP)

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Friday Mornings at Nine - Marilyn Brant (2010)

Long-time friends Bridget, Jennifer and Tamara meet at the Indigo Moon Cafe every Friday morning to catch up over mocha lattes and grilled chocolate chip muffins. One September morning, Jennifer reveals she has been in contact with her college boyfriend, David. Although their communication has been innocent enough, she admits to a growing flirtation and has recently started to wonder how life might have been different had she married him instead of her husband, Michael. Sparked by the discussion that follows, Bridget and Tamara also begin to examine their relationships and wonder if they, too, may have married the wrong man. Fuelled by what-ifs, each woman embarks on her own journey in an effort to figure out whether the life she has is really the life meant for her. When their situations come to a head all at once during the annual Halloween costume party, each woman must stop musing about her life and take action to change it. Brant's sophomore effort is a brilliant character study of three very different women each asking the question we all wonder about sooner or later: did we make the right choices during our journey and if not, what steps do we need to take in order to live our best life? (LEK)

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Friday Nights - Joanna Trollope (2008)

Eleanor, a retired health administrator, is a lonely old woman; Paula is a single mum with an eight-year-old son Toby (the result of a relationship with a married man); Lindsay is a hesitant young widow with a son; Jude is Lindsay's quirky sister who wants to be a DJ; Blaise and Karen are friends as well as business partners - with the latter being married to an artist and having two children. For these six woman, Friday nights are more than just a simple gathering - it's the only night where they can get together, loosen up and have a drink or two, and most importantly have heart-to-heart conversations. It's when Paula starts introducing her love interest - young, charismatic Jackson Miller - into their pack, things start to get out of hand. (XT)

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Frisky Business - Clodagh Murphy (2012)

Frisky Busines is about a girl, a mystery man, a baby, old flames, kinky sex and secrets. Romy Fitzgerald always planned to go the conventional route: boyfriend, marriage, children. Motherhood via cupboard sex at a costume party with a stranger dressed as Darth Vader didn't feature on her to-do list. But when she gives birth to her son Luke nine months later, he turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. As Luke gets older, however, Romy knows that at some point she's going to have to tell him about his father. Trouble is, she never found out 'Darth's' real name. But when an old flame arrives back in her life, the plot thickens. Kit Masterson was always 'the one who got away' and now he's back from New York and seems intent on playing happy families with Romy and Luke. But Kit has his own secrets to hide ... As Romy begins to wonder if she'll ever find her mystery man from the party, she learns that in real life secrets rarely stay hidden, especially when it comes to love. But will Romy find her dark knight or will she be left to raise Luke (Han) solo? The first chapter describes the moment of Luke's conception and sets the tone for the recurring theme of intimacy in the book. The story explores such topics as penchants for BDSM and elderly people's sexuality, and is somewhat of a departure from the author's previous work in that sense (notwithstanding the fact that there are plenty of intimate scenes in her other books). However, all of the core elements that made her previous books so enjoyable are also evident in Frisky Business - likeable characters, palpable affection between family and friends, hilarious dialogue and plenty of warm fuzzy feeling scenes. (SBB)

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From Essex To Chelsea With Love - Millie Conway (2012)

If you were wondering what would happen if the cast of The Only Way is Essex hung out with the Made for Chelsea peeps, read on. Talli is a reluctant event planner in her mother's up-market business - she'd really prefer to be doing something connected to fitness. But after ruining a client's wedding, she gets lumbered with arranging her brother's Christmas wedding while her mother recuperates from cosmetic surgery. Meanwhile in Essex, the cast of Lovin' Essex are up to their usual tricks of feting publicity. Personal trainer Zac is not on the show but his high-maintenance girlfriend Kiki and sisters are. When the wedding brings Talli into Zac's orbit, they can't help their attraction to one another. Add in some secrets, a stalker and a wacky aunt and it all adds up to a fun, light-hearted story perfect for the reality TV lover.

From London With Love - Jemma Forte (2011)

Jessica Granger is the daughter of James Bond actor Edward Granger, and her mother Angelica Dupree was voted the sexiest Bond girl. Jessica should feel privileged to have them as her parents but all she feels is unfulfilled. She has gotten every job because of her father and has not needed to work for anything. Fed up with having been brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth in LA, she decides to move to London and to change her surname to Bender so no one recognises her connections. Once in London she meets up with her Aunt Pam and lands a job in the TV industry where she works hard to keep her real upbringing a secret. With a possible romance with Peter - a writer for the show she works for - on the cards, Jessica starts to realise that she may lose much more than what she thought she would gain by being independent from her parents. This is a very funny read about one girl's self discovery as she tries to make it on her own and learning to be content with who you are. With lots of great references to the cultural differences between the US and England, I'm going to score it 008. (CG)

From Notting Hill To New York.... Actually - Ali McNamara (2012)

Scarlett O'Brien is starring in the movie of her own life; she has found her leading man and is living in the stunning Notting Hill. Scarlett misses her dad who has shifted to New York in order to expand his business and now she wants to meet him no matter what. Since her boyfriend, Sean, is stuck with business engagements, Scarlett is left with no choice but to fly to the city with her best friend Oscar. Scarlett explores every single NY landmark while Oscar is so excited about the Sex and The City bus tour. Amidst all the fun, Scarlett bumps into charming TV reporter Jamie who shares her passion for movies and has a lot more in common with her than she could ever guess. Just when Scarlett has started to wonder why she is so attracted to Jamie, she gets the biggest surprise of her life. Sean has landed in New York City and wants to know what's going on between Scarlett and Jamie. In this sequel to From Notting Hill With Love ... Actually, Scarlett is still as dreamy and starstuck as ever and Ali McNamara's writing is witty and extremely clever. A truly gorgeous book. (SS)

From Notting Hill With Four Weddings ... Actually - Ali McNamara (2014)

Scarlett O'Brien is living the jet-set life she's always dreamed of, back and forth between London and New York. But her crazy schedule is hardly ideal for planning her wedding to Sean. And whilst business is great, helping out A-list celeb Gabi Romero just adds another item to her ever-expanding to-do list. Then there's Sean's best man, Alex, who is stirring up a whole new world of trouble. Ali McNamara takes Scarlett on another wild ride, stumbling from one improbable situation to the next, and you certainly need to suspend all disbelief to join in Scarlett's journey. But even then it has an over-the-top, extravagant feel to it, big on imagination and fantasy. The pacing of the novel sometimes felt a bit off for me, too slow in the first half and too fast in the finale and whilst little happens at the start, the ending is jam-packed. In keeping with the novel's excess, Alex is a very caricatured villain, but the novel is populated by wonderful characters. I would have liked more romance and more time on Scarlett and Sean's wedding, but has Ali given a hint of what's in store next on the final page - a mini Scarlett or Sean? From Notting Hill with Nappies ... Actually? I'm not sure how a baby would fit into Scarlett's crazy world but it would be fun to see. (JC)

From Notting Hill with Love ... Actually - Ali McNamara (2010)

Scarlett is a massive fan of films. In fact, she loves them so much that she often finds herself comparing real life to the films much to the chagrin of her family. It just doesn't go over well with her family, friends and fiance David who think she is too obsessed with the movies. So, when she is offered the chance to house-sit for a month in Notting Hill - the home of one of her favourite films of all time - she jumps at the opportunity. When she arrives in Notting Hill she immediately hits it off with a man named Oscar who introduces her to a whole new batch of friends - ones who encourage her film obsession, not ask her to hide it. However, she clashes with her next-door neighbour, Sean, on more than one occasion. It's just such a shame that he's so handsome and kind to her when she really finds him annoying. Or does she? One month in Notting Hill will change everything for Scarlett, who finds herself living more movie scenes than she can count while house-sitting. But, when her time is up and she is forced to go back to reality and marry the boring and stubborn David, will she be saying I do or dreaming of a completely different fairytale ending? Whether you love films or not, this is a fun, light-hearted book that will lift your spirits. Though Scarlett's film obsession does sometimes get in the way, it doesn't ruin the story at all. In the end, it's a wonderful story where romance and fantasy abound. (AS)