Category: General Fiction

The Queen of New Beginnings by Erica James

My Rating: 4/5

Clayton Miller has lost everything. He was one of the country’s best selling comedy script writers. His writing partner and best friend Bazza drops a bombshell and leaves not only the partnership but takes Claytons long term girlfriend Stacey with him. Clayton is on the edge and when the press start hounding him, his agent decides that a break out in the sticks where nobody knows him will do him good until the media hype dies down. Clayton moves into a house through rented by one of his agents friends. When he arrives he doesn’t expect to see anybody, so when a cleaning lady turns up from the agency he is shocked. Alice Shoemaker is the cleaner, except what Clayton doesn’t realise is that she is actually a Voiceover artist and is doing this job to help out a friend. Alice quickly realises that this rude and obnoxious man is acting suspiciously. Clayton in turn is also realising that Alice is not quite telling the truth. Over time the two of them form a friendship but what they don’t realise is the extent of the deception that both of them are guilty of.

I have read each and every one of Erica James’ books. I have always enjoyed them and rated them at least 4 out of 5, except for her last book `It’s the little things’. I was disappointed to a certain extent and only gave it 3 out of 5, so I was hopeful that this book would be an improvement on her last as I have always enjoyed her books. Thankfully this one is a definite improvement.

The story is pretty quick to gather momentum and I fell for the characters almost immediately, which is always a positive in my eyes. Clayton is a great character and although the beginning of the story introduces him to us as a bitter and grumpy man you can’t help but feel for him. He is like a duck out of water having previously lived his whole working life in London. Now he finds himself out in the sticks with just fields for company.

The initial meeting with Clayton and Alice is also quite funny and the author has written it incredibly well with just the right dose of humour. Her books in the past sometimes are meaningful and sometimes more the romantic type but with this one she seems to have hit the mark and got the balance just right.

We meet a few characters along the way which I can imagine fitting in perfectly in the village. We meet the crazy neighbour known as George. Her first meeting with Clayton sets the scene perfectly for just how eccentric the old lady is. We also meet Ronetta, Alice’s next door neighbour and friend along with her son Bob who has a soft spot for Alice.

The character Stacey is the perfect woman that we all love to hate. Selfish, money grabbing and very cold hearted. Although Bazza has done the dirty on Clayton you can’t help but root for him. I wouldn’t like to add spoilers but the way things end with Stacey was absolutely perfect!

The story is told with snatches of Alice’s past built in to explain the current state of play and it makes for fantastic reading. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was a perfect mix of all that a reader wants. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t rate the book as a 5 star because there are other books that I have read very recently that in comparison are much better, but it was a great read all the same. I will continue to read Erica James and only hope that her books continue being this enjoyable. 

It’s Now or Never by Carole Matthews

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My Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: This story introduces us to twins Annie and Lauren. The opening of the story is the two of them attending their elder Sister Chelsea’s 40th Birthday party. At only a year younger than her Annie and Lauren can’t understand quite where their own lives went wrong in comparison to their elder sisters. Chelsea looks like she has the perfect package. Two beautiful children, a handsome and doting husband, the perfect marriage and to top it all money! With this in mind the pair of them makes a decision that this year will be their year. No matter what they will both chase their dreams.

Annie is married with two reasonably grown up children and a husband of over twenty years. She works for a company as a receptionist and the most excitement her life sees is the visitors to her company. Her husband is certainly devoted, just not to her. She is a fishing widow and to top it all off she begins to feel completely unfulfilled. Lauren is the polar opposite to Annie working in Sales for a successful company. She has no ties and no responsibility. The only problem is her life revolves around her married lover. She is hopelessly in love with him and truly believes that it is only a matter of time before he enters her life permanently. Or is it?

Carole Matthews never ceases to amaze me. Her last book `That Loving Feeling’ was a corker and this one is no different. As an author she tends to give the audience exactly what they want without compromising her own writing style. This story is written around a situation that many women will empathise with being realistic, but not overboard. Annie is a typical married woman who still loves her husband and children but is going through a phase where she just wants a bit of excitement. This makes for some very funny situations which women around the world will be laughing at.

The same applies to Lauren, Annie’s twin. She is a typical woman that wants it all but knows that she can’t really have it. The two characters Annie and Lauren have been written extremely well and I loved them both from Chapter one. The male characters are also fantastically written without being too `overdone’. There is nothing better than reading a character that you can actually imagine meeting. I don’t want to go in to too much detail with regards to the actual story because I don’t like spoilers but the men and women featured in the storyline are fab!

Another thing that I like about Carole Matthews style of writing is that she tends to come out with some very funny one liners or situations that make me laugh out loud. I think it isn’t so much the actual words themselves but the fact that they are something you can maybe imagine yourself, or somebody you know doing! Look out for the Car Wash incident (v. v. funny). I confess to still somewhat missing Carole’s contribution to her `Chocolate Lovers’ series. For some reason these books have always been my favourite of hers, having said that this most recent book and her last one I would give 5 out of 5.

Overall Carole Matthews produces typical Romantic Comedy in her own style and never fails to amuse me in some way, shape or form. Don’t get me wrong, yes all of her books are of the same Genre and style but that is why I continue to read them. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it and Carole Matthew’s books certainly don’t need fixing. After all you don’t buy a Horror Film expecting to see romance do you?!?

Lost Innocence by Susan Lewis

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Synopsis: When Alicia Carlyle returns to the home of her childhood after the tragic death of her husband, she is hoping to put the past behind her. But first she must come face to face with the woman who nearly destroyed her marriage and tore her family in two – her sister-in-law, Sabrina. Their enmity runs deep, but Alicia is determined to make a fresh start for herself and her two children, Nathan and Darcie, and to heal her fractured relationship with her beloved brother.

However, just when it looks as if they might have a chance at a brighter future, Sabrina’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Annabelle, accuses seventeen-year-old Nathan of a crime he insists he didn’t commit. And once more the two families are locked in a battle that is fraught with mistrust, betrayal and lies – a battle that threatens to destroy them all…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

My Review: Susan Lewis has written her 22rd novel Lost Innocence which was published in 2009. I have written every one of her novels since she started writing back in 1988 and must say that she is an absolutely fantastic author.

This particular story introduces us to Alicia Carlyle and her children Nat and Darcie. Alicia has to make some huge changes following the sudden death of her husband Craig. Alicia grew up in Holly Wood which is where her brother Robert and his wife Sabrina live along with Sabrina’s daughter Annabelle. When Alicia is forced to move back to her childhood home to start afresh she realises that things aren’t going to be easy. She is going to have to face her sister-in-law who nearly wrecked her life and marriage. She also wants to try and build bridge with her brother Robert as things between them have been strained for over a year. When she does return at first it seems like life will bring her a brighter and better future with the introduction of a man who can help her career and a new home and schools for her children. At 17, Nat has decided to follow in his late fathers footsteps and go into law and his sister Darcie is looking forward to meeting the friends that she used to play with when she was younger. However before long all of their lives are shattered when Annabelle accuses Nat of a crime he says he didn’t commit. The following months tell a very sad and tragic tale of two children locked in a battle over who is telling the truth. The truth is marred by the past involving both Sabrina and Alicia with Robert stuck in the middle. Will the truth come out, and more importantly who is telling lies and who isn’t?

I must say that although I have been a huge fan of Susan Lewis, this latest book exceeded all expectations. She manages to write a fantastic book that really pulls at heart strings. She manages to write about situations that have probably happened across the world to many different people. She writes with feeling and emotion telling a truly sad tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think that unlike other authors; her work seems to get better with every book she writes. I struggle to fit this book into a category as she doesn’t fall into my opinion of `Chick Lit’. She writes books that touch a nerve and never fails to impress. HIGHLY recommended.

Original Sin by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating 5/5

Kat’s Review: In TP’s fourth book we delve into the present and past of the Asgill family. They own an International cosmetics company and Meredith Asgill the mother is determined to keep her children’s profiles as squeaky clean as possible. She meets Tess and Jemma who are publicists based in London who are ready to run a sensational story on the Asgill’s. Instead of running the story Meredith offers Tess the opportunity of a lifetime which is how Tess ends up working alongside this wealthy and powerful family. Life changes dramatically as Tess becomes embroiled into the Asgill’s lives.


Brooke Asgill is due to marry David Billington, an equally powerful and rich man. Liz Asgill is the elder sister who is fighting her corner for control of the family company. She believes that she has what it takes to make the brand successful once again with her at the helm. Her brother William is also fighting for control but mostly on behalf of his power crazy, social climbing wife. Lastly there is Sean Asgill who is the Playboy of the family. He never takes anything seriously and is mostly featured on the front of magazines with various women draped on his arm. When they all meet Tess everybody’s lives change dramatically. Who will take over the company, will Brooke marry David, and will any of their past secrets be kept at bay by Tess, or come out and potentially destroy the family’s reputation?

This story is full of twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. Having read previous Tasmina Perry books I awaited this one with baited breath wondering and hoping that it would be as good as the last one, if not better. I had no need to worry. Tasmina Perry has produced what I think is her best novel so far. The story is compelling and full of drama, glamour, secrets and lies. What more could we ask for? I await her next book with very high expectations!

Naked Truths by Jo Carnegie

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My Rating: 4/5

My Review– In this follow up to `Country Pursuits’ I was expecting another 5 star read. Although I enjoyed this book it wasn’t as good as the first one.

Once again we meet Caro and her new husband Benedict who move away from Churchminster back to London to be closer to Benedict’s work. They move to Montague Mews where they meet their new neighbours. Saffron is a young, hip and trendy socialite who lives with her Aunt Velda along with Stephen and Klaus who have a holiday home in Churchminster and the reclusive Rowena. We are also reintroduced to Harriett who also lived in Churchminster and is working at Soiree, a popular women’s magazine as a PA to Catherine Connor. Add into the mix Benedict’s sister Amelia who appears on their doorstep looking to stay for a while following her stint of living abroad. Both Catherine and Amelia are both hiding dark secrets which turn Montague Mews into a very interesting place to live. Caro finds it hard to adjust to living in London and spends most of her time ferrying her son Milo to and from Nursery and wondering just what is going on with their reclusive neighbour Rowena. Saffron is busy trying to carve out her career whilst fighting with her awful boss Annabel who is incredibly lazy. Harriet is thriving in her new job and is determined to find love in London. Catherine meanwhile is fighting to save the magazine from closure. With the pressures of deadlines from her Company Board she is thrown into turmoil when an old friend from her past turns up.

All in all the book was enjoyable but I couldn’t help feeling there was something missing. The characters were fantastic (as they were in the last book), and the storytelling good but I couldn’t help feeling there was maybe a bit too much going on to focus on any one particular character.

In Jo Carnegies last book we really got to know the characters involved an you could clearly follow each plot as they developed. This book can be read as a stand alone book but is a bit better when you have already read the first. I will definitely read and look forward to her next book and hope that maybe we get to find out a bit more about some of the individual characters

That Loving Feeling by Carole Matthews

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My Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: What can I say? I have to be totally honest and say that whilst reading this book I embarrassed myself on numerous occasions by actually laughing out loud whilst on the train. This book was an absolute joy to read. I am a huge fan of the series the Chocolate Lovers and found that I was comparing each book to that series. This book needed no comparison.

Juliet Joyce is a typical married mother of two. Her husband Rick along with their two children in their late teens Tom and Chloe, live in a regular close leading a very ordinary life. Juliet’s mother has recently moved in after deciding that upon reaching her 70s she was going to start living her life the way she wanted. Juliet works in the local library and the most excitement her life sees is what lies in store for her when she gets home with regards to what new and inventive ways her children have come up with top avoid cleaning their rooms, or god forbid, getting a job!

However, when her ex fiancé who jilted her at the alter, Steven Aubrey turns up, her life is thrown into the mixer. This along with the predicaments her husband manages to get himself into along with the behaviour of her kids, her party animal mother, and her father who has changed his life dramatically make for an absolutely explosive and hilarious story. Her marriage starts to teeter when Steven comes on the scene and she has to decide whether she wants to make a new life for herself or stick with what she already has.

This story was told with such humour that I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are the most honest version of mixed up families I have read in a while and some of the one-liners that were told had tears running down my cheeks. I finished this book in a day and a half and haven’t laughed that much at a book in a long time. Thoroughly enjoyed every page and would highly recommend to anybody. The Chocolate Lovers series although still a firm favourite, doesn’t seem quite as important after reading this latest Carole Matthews books. A definite must have.

The Perfect Man by Sheila O’Flanagan

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My Rating: 4/5

My Review – This story starts by introducing us to Britt and Mia who are sisters. Sisters who are polar opposites and have been thrown together onboard a cruise ship, for two whole weeks. Britt used to be a lawyer handling divorce cases, which as a bitter and complete unromantic, suited her down to the ground. When her marriage broke up Britt turned to writing and surprisingly managed to churn out Ireland’s most romantic novel that was an instant hit. Being thrust into the limelight as the most unlikely romantic author, Britt has to attend a workshop onboard the ship giving talks on how to write your own romantic novel. Her agent has an unfortunate accident meaning her sister Mia is left to accompany her on the tour.

Mia has a young child and lives in Spain, following her own romantic troubles. The two sisters have never been that close and being thrown together for two weeks tests their limits and their relationship. The cruise ship starts the ball rolling for both of them in completely different directions as they meet Leo, the heartbroken widower who is struggling to move on with his life. Also onboard is the ships officer Steve who seems to take a shine to both sisters. They also meet Pippin, a glamorous wannabe model who is all blonde hair and gleaming teeth. The story throws all of them together and makes for some extremely surprising events. When the cruise ends they think that things will return to normal but as Britt end up having to remodel her house she decides to stay with Mia in Spain for a while which makes them both re-evaluate their life and choices.

When I first started reading it, unusually it took me three or four chapters to get into this, which had me worrying that; maybe she had lost her touch. Luckily I was wrong and by chapter 5, I was as usual engrossed with Sheila O’Flanagan’s latest book. As usual she has created a really strong storyline with characters that you will love. Definitely one to read!

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

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My Rating: 4/5

Now upon reading the jacket of this book I was a little concerned. Sophie Kinsella’s style of writing does not normally involve ghosts. To say I was a little scepticle was an understatement!

The first 5 chapters of the book I spent telling myself that I would give the book a fair chance. By chapter 6 I needn’t have bothered as I flowed through the book in no time and actually found myself getting carried along with the story.

We meet Lara who to be truthful is a bit of a flake. She is pining after her ex boyfriend who clearly isn’t interested and attends the funeral of her great aunt Sadie. She had never met Sadie and had no idea what was in store for her when she attended the funeral. To her surprise, her great Aunt Sadie appears in Lara’s life as a ghost, and spends the whole time getting Lara to chase around looking for a lost necklace that she so desperately needs before crossing over.

Along the way we meet Lara’s partner in business Natalie, who has done a bunk and left Lara to run her company. We also meet a man named Ed who Lara meets under extreme (and very funny) circumstances! Sadie ends up forcing Lara to perform a lot of strange things for her that Lara wouldn’t normally dare do. At first Lara is convincing herself that all she needs to do is find this necklace, give it to her Aunt Sadie and let her cross, so she can move on with her own life. Lara is constantly fighting with her Aunt Sadie over her ex-boyfriend, who Sadie thinks is no good and whom Lara is still in love with. We also meet Lara’s Uncle Bill who is famous for making and starting a very popular coffee chain. Lara finds herself becoming closer to Sadie and eventually, with the help of her Aunt, she starts to make decisions regarding her own life and makes changes to herself along the way without even realising it.

I must say that I didn’t start off with high hopes but can honestly say with my hand on my heart I enjoyed this book and the characters thoroughly. Aunt Sadie is very funny and some of the things she did or made Lara do had me chuckling to myself. In turn some of the scenes between Ed and Lara made me feel like I was sitting right next to them. That in itself is a sign of a fantastic writer. Although I had my reservations they were completely unfounded. Although this tale is not the ‘norm’ Girl meets boy and falls in love tale that we find, I thought it was brilliantly written and would recommend.

Gold Diggers by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I have read Tasmina Perry’s first book and before I give you the low-down I need to explain about the Genre of this book. It is a typical `Bonkbuster’ which reminds me of the type of books Jackie Collins writes. This style of book isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but for those that do like it and were mad fans of Dynasty and the like will absolutely LOVE this type of book. It has everything a good Chick Lit book should have. Lust, Greed and most importantly glamour!

Based in London we meet Adam Gold who owns the hugely successful Midas Corporation. He is the type of man every woman could only dream about. He is successful, handsome, sexy and extremely powerful. What he doesn’t realise is he is about to meet the `Gold Diggers’. The `Gold Diggers’ come in the form of Karin, Erin, Molly and Summer. Karin is a successful swimwear entrepreneur and the thought of having handsome Adam on her arm is almost too much to bear. She is a woman who is known for getting what she wants and is always the boss. Her biggest rival is Molly who was a huge star in the 80’s but her success is now fading. The only thing she is gaining as time goes on is an expensive drug habit and lifestyle that she cannot keep up with. Could Adam be the answer to her prayers? Molly’s daughter Summer has never had a great relationship with her mother, due to the fact that Molly sees her as a burden. The tables are turned in Summer’s favour when she lands a big contract that promises to make her the next `big thing’. Last but not least we meet Erin. She is the country girl who decides to move to London and ironically ends up working as a PA to the one and only Adam Gold. The story is the contest of a lifetime. Which one of the girls will finally snare the illustrious Adam Gold?

The book was an absolute corker! The writing was fantastic with the author taking up to the exotic locations of Monte Carlo, Lake Como, St Moritz and St Barts. We get to plunge head first into the world of the rich and famous. The thing I also love is that the author doesn’t skimp. Tasmina Perry books are always pretty meaty and you get a real feel for all of the characters. This book is absolutely fantastic and I have no negatives about it at all. Just remember, Gold Diggers is like Marmite. You will either love it or hate it.

Daddy’s Girls by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I decided to read this debut Novel by Tasmina Perry because the jacket description was appealing. I would describe it upon first glance as Chick Lit although later I think this theory will appear slightly incorrect.

Tasmina’s first novel features the Balcon sisters. Serena, Cate, Camilla and Venetia are used to a world where money can buy you anything but the four sisters are completely different. The four sisters all have different careers. Cate is a magazine editor, Camilla is a barrister, Venetia is a designer and Serena is the spoilt actress. The sisters all love each other despite their differences but all seem united in the one problem they all have, their father. Lord Oswald Balcon is never pleased, least of all with his daughters. When he is found dead one morning, the sisters decide to find out who is behind his murder. All four sisters have the motive, so is one of them the killer?

This book was in my opinion a great first novel. The thing is, you will either love this or hate it, and for me I definitely loved it. I am a fan of all things cheesy and this book is certainly along the Jackie Collins Genre of book. Although this is probably still considered Chick Lit I thought the storyline was well written and thorough. There are quite a few plotlines so you have to keep track of them all but for me the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. This is the sort of book that you can fully absorb yourself in. Highly recommended, especially for Jackie Collins fans. The only negative I can say is that Tasmina Perry only writes a book a year at the moment. In one respect I like the fact that she doesn’t just churn them out, but at the same token it means having to wait quite a while for a great book!