Bad Sisters by Rebecca Chance

Title: Bad Sisters

Author: Rebecca Chance

Released: August 2011

Three ambitious, rivalrous sisters. And a deadly secret, which one of them is determined to keep buried at any cost ...Deeley is the fake wife of a Hollywood TV hunk, who is secretly gay. But Deeley's five-year contract is up, and his cut-throat publicist wants Deeley out. So, dejected and penniless, Deeley wends her way home to London, hoping to re-establish links with her two estranged elder sisters ...Devon is married to the nation's-favourite-rugby-hunk Matt, and has her own highly successful TV career, as the sexy hostess of her own cookery show. But behind her buxom facade, Devon is lonely and frustrated, and when a live celebrity cook-off shows her up as a fraud, she leaves sweet Matt and runs off to Tuscany, to learn a few lessons - not just in cookery - from an Italian master. Lastly, there's Maxie: a politician's wife, Maxie is fiercely ambitious. She's furious when Deeley, hard on her luck, sells the sisters' childhood story to a tabloid newspaper, revealing their impoverished roots and unsavoury parentage. The story undermines Maxie's carefully cultivated image, and the fallout threatens to be devastating. But Maxie is only too aware that there is much more Deeley could yet reveal. What murderous secret lies in the sisters' past? And just how far will Maxie go to keep it buried?

Rating: 4 Stars

Positives: I loved how we got to see the story of all three McKenna sisters and how over the course of the book they not only try to overcome the secret that is buried in the past, but each have their own trials. Deeley needs to overcome her growing attraction to Devon's husband Matt. Devon needs to solve the problems in her marriage, battle with her ever increasing weight and hide the fact that she can't cook. Maxie has the whole of her husband's career hanging on her shoulders. The characters are all easy to love and its a nice easy read with the story being told from various viewpoints. 

Negatives: It felt as if the last few chapters with the uncovering of the biggest secret of all, were very rushed. We spend most of the book meandering along and suddenly everythings over in four chapters. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would. It was a fun enjoyable read, but with some scenes of an adult nature it's not one to read around the kids. 

Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay

Title: Never Look Away

Author: Linwood Barclay

Released: June 2011

It starts with a trip to a local amusement park. David Harwood is hoping a carefree day will help dispel his wife Jan's recent depression that has led to frightening thoughts of suicide. Instead, a day of fun with their son Ethan turns into a nightmare.

When Jan disappears from the park, David's worst fears seem to have come true. But when he goes to the police to report her missing, the facts start to indicate something very different. The park's records show that only two tickets were purchased, and CCTV shows no evidence that Jan ever entered the park at all. Suddenly David's story starts to look suspicious - and the police to wonder if Jan's already dead, murdered by her husband.

To prove his innocence and keep his son from being taken away from him, David is going to have to dig deep into the past and come face to face with a terrible childhood tragedy - but by doing that he could risk destroying everything precious to him...

Rating: 5 Stars

Positives: This was an amazing book with new twists and turns at every chapter. Linwood Barclay gives us a lot of description and despite my better instincts I found myself becoming increasingly worried for the safety of Jan Harwood as her story was followed. 

Negatives: The only bone that I had to pick with this book was the identity of the person who kidnapped Ethan near the end. I understand the reason for Ethan's kidnap but I wasn't sure Gretchen was the best character for that. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would. This book is very gripping and I couldn't put it down. 

Promises Promises by Erica James

Title: Promises Promises

Author: Erica James

Released: August 2011

'I Must Stand Up for Myself More' promises Maggie Storm who spends her days cleaning houses for people who often have more money than manners. Married to a man with as much sex appeal as Mr Blobby, she dreams of a life straight from the pages of a romantic novel.

'My Head Must Rule Over My Heart' promises Ella Moore who, determined never to let her heart get the better of her again, is recovering from seven wasted years of failing to win over the daughter of the man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.

'No More Women' promises Ethan Edwards who, to distract himself from the depressing sham of his marriage, is a repeat offender when it comes to turning to other women for sexual consolation. But when Ella appears unexpectedly in his life, he finds himself turning to her for very different reasons...

Rating: 5 Stars

Positives: Erica James has created a book with loveable and relatable characters. I found that I instantly took to the three main characters, with Maggie being my favourite. As the story unfolds it's very interesting to see how all three characters' paths cross and how all the main characters help each other achieve their goals. 

Negatives: I found that the drama may have been overplayed with Alexis' character, but otherwise it was an enjoyable read. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would. It's a great uplifting summer read. 

Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Title: Mini Shopaholic

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Released: July 2011

Like mother, like daughter...!

Shopaholic Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood)'s two-year-old is ... spirited. She knows what she wants, whether it's a grown-up Prada handbag or a toy pony (40% off, so a bargain, surely?) When yet another shopping trip turns to mayhem, Becky decides it's time to give Minnie her own pocket money. Is it a bad sign when Minnie goes instantly overdrawn?

Minnie isn't the only one in financial crisis. As the Bank of London collapses, people are having to Cut Back. Everyone needs cheering up, so what better way to do it than to throw a fabulous surprise party? A thrifty party, of course. Except economising and keeping a secret have never been Becky's strong points ...

Rating: 5 Stars

Positives: The sixth installment in the shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella certainly lives up to its predecessors. Minnie Brandon is just as wilful as her mother, and Becky can't help but get herself into more weird and wonderful situations. I especially love the focus on Minnie and how she has been banned from four different santa's grotto's. She's definitely an entertaining child and I love that she's capable of ordering a taxi and Starbucks on her own. 

Negatives: The title suggests a focus on Minnie Brandon, but the majority of the book actually focuses on the surprise party for Luke's birthday. 

Would I recommend this? Yes, a thousand times yes. This book had me laughing from beginning to end. 

The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

Title: The Woman He Loved Before

Author: Dorothy Koomson

Released: August 2011

Libby has a good life with a gorgeous husband and a home by the sea. But over time she is becoming more unsure if Jack has ever loved her - and if he is over the death of Eve, his first wife. When fate intervenes in their relationship, Libby decides to find out all she can about the man she hastily married and the seemingly perfect Eve. But in doing so she unearths devastating secrets. Frightened by what she finds and the damage it could cause, Libby starts to worry that she too will end up like the first woman Jack loved . . .

Rating: 3 Stars

Positives: Dorothy Koomson has a good grasp of description, something which is never lacking in The Woman He Loved Before. Her characters are loveable and you gain an instant distrust for the evil character in the book. 

Negatives: I found that once Libby has started reading Eve's diary I'm more interested in Eve and her story, and I found myself forgetting about Libby's current plight and her recovery from the car crash. 

Would I recommend it? Yes I would. I didn't find it as enjoyable as I'd hoped but its still a good read.  

The Way We Were by Elizabeth Noble

Title: The Way We Were

Author: Elizabeth Noble

Released: August 2011

What if you had a second chance at first love?

Susannah and Rob were childhood sweethearts. But as with most early love affairs, they broke up, moved on and now find themselves in very different places.

And not entirely happy - who is?

A chance meeting between them sends shockwaves through their lives. What happens when your first love makes a surprise reappearance? Is fate telling you it's time for a second chance . . . or should you simply walk away and let the past become ancient history?

But Susannah and Rob just aren't able to forget the way they were . . . and the world is about to discover the consequences of their reunion.

Rating: 4 Stars

Positives: I loved the backstory between Rob and Susannah and seeing how they struggle with their relationship as adults. The way the tension is built between the two of them once they resume contact with one another is spot on. For we all know Rob can't keep that kiss between friends. 

Negatives: The side plot of the story with Amelia and her battle with cancer doesn't really go anywhere and isn't explored at all. 

Would I recommend it? Yes I would. The Way We Were is a lovely read about whether or not regaining contact with a first love is a good idea. 

A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French

Title: A Tiny Bit Marvellous

Author: Dawn French

Released: June 2011

Everyone hates the perfect family. So you'll love the Battles. Mo is about to hit the big 50, and some uncomfortable truths are becoming quite apparent: She doesn't understand either of her teenage kids, which as a child psychologist, is fairly embarrassing. She has become entirely grey. Inside, and out. Her face has surrendered and is frightening children. Dora is about to hit the big 18 ...and about to hit anyone who annoys her, especially her precocious younger brother Peter who has a chronic Oscar Wilde fixation. Then there's Dad ...who's just, well, dad. "A Tiny Bit Marvellous" is the story of a modern family all living in their own separate bubbles lurching towards meltdown. It is for anyone who has ever shared a home with that weird group of strangers we call relations. Oh and there's a dog. Called Poo.

Rating: 4 stars

So overall A Tiny Bit Marvellous was a good book. Maybe the chapters were a little short, and Oscar's storyline a little unbelievable (how many people seem to be channelling Oscar Wilde?) but it was still a good read. 

Dawn French seems to have captured the family dynamic fairly well with us seeing the stroppy teenage daughter Dora whose parents can never do anything right, Mo the mother who's a trained child psychologist but can't understand her own children, Peter more commonly known as Oscar the effeminate gay son and then there's Husband. Not only this but we are privileged enough to see the inner workings of each family member due to the diary format. 

So what did I dislike about this book: the awful swearing that comes from Dora, whilst it is inventive to a fault with insults such as twatwanker the swearing is over the top. Near enough every other word is a swear word. 

And my favourite part: there's recipes in the back of the book for each character's favourite cake. 

So would I recommend this book: I would say that its a lighthearted summer read, but not the type of book to pick up if you want something challenging and stimulating. 

One Day by David Nicholls

Title: One Day
Author: David Nicholls
Released: June 2009

‘I can imagine you at forty,’ she said, a hint of malice in her voice. ‘I can picture it right now.’

He smiled without opening his eyes. ‘Go on then.’

15th July 1988. Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways.

So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year which follows?

One Day is a funny/sad love story spanning twenty years, a book about growing up – how we change, how we stay the same.

Rating: 5 stars

So this book has been on my reading list since it was created back in August 2011 and I've only just gotten round to starting to work my way down this list. 

Having never read anything by David Nicholls before I was slightly apprehensive, maybe this is because I'm used to contemporary fiction being written by females. However I was pleasantly surprised to find myself hooked after the very first chapter. 

Emma and Dexter seem to have completely different lives: she works for what she has, whilst Dexter seems to have everything handed to him on a plate, and then they come from completely different worlds. However this only seems to strengthen their friendship and it's certainly interesting watching them develop over the next twenty years. 

Both characters are very dynamic, with neither of them being the same as they were on their graduation night. This certainly adds to the story, especially with Dexter's addictive personality. There's no question who is the adult and who is the child in their relationship.

This is definitely an amazing read that I would recommend to anyone. Although you may want a box of tissues with you for the ending. One Day is full of laughs and tears, a great book. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more by this fabulous author.