A romantic novel typical of this author, with a feisty heroine, plenty of interesting characters, and problems to be solved before the heroine can find happiness. Sally lives on a run-down Liverpool housing estate, but hopes for better things for her young son, Charlie. She falls for Spencer, the tutor at her computer course, who has a privileged background and shows her a life she never imagined before. But she's still close to her ex-boyfriend, warm-hearted Johnny, who cares for his elderly mother but doesn't make the most of his talents. Sally's driving spirit leads her into a project that could make life better for herself and all her friends, but does she want to leave it all behind for a new life? A satisfying read.
Lucy Atkins - The Missing One
This is a powerful book, exploring love, loss, and the natural world. After Kali's mother dies, she feels she has never resolved their difficult relationship issues. Suspecting her husband, Doug, of an affair, she takes their toddler son, Finn, and flees to Canada to find her mother's former friend, Susannah. She finds herself staying with Susannah on a remote island with no communication with her family. Sporadic messages come through with dire warnings, but she's determined to follow the revelations she is discovering about her mother's early life. As hidden secrets begin to emerge, she finds herself and her son in danger. The wild landscape and the history of the killer whales entwine with the story. Full of suspense, mystery and emotion. A compelling, well-written novel, which I enjoyed very much.
Wendy Holden - Three Weddings and a Scandal
A witty and irreverent excursion through the world of glossy magazines. Laura Lake lives in Paris with her young-at-heart grandmother, but longs to follow in the footsteps of her late father, a serious journalist. A surprise opportunity finds her working as an intern at a top London fashion magazine, but she's broke, has nowhere to live, and faces her old nemesis from her schooldays. Add into the mix two attractive young men, a rich but unhappy female celebrity, and the trail of jewel thieves who target society weddings, this is a fun book written in a polished and vivid manner. Thoroughly enjoyable.