Fiction Reviews

Synopsis: A stunning debut novel that follows a young woman who discovers that her family’s origins reach all the way back to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.

'Of all the great love stories ever told, hers is perhaps the most famous.
To me, she is the key to my family's fate. To you, she is Juliet.'

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety deposit box in Siena, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a precarious journey into the true history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo inspired Shakespeare's unforgettable story.

As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families who turned medieval Siena upside down, she begins to realize that the notorious curse – 'a plague on both your houses!' – is still at work. It seems that the only one who can save her from her fate is Romeo - but where is he?

Spanning centuries, Juliet is an unforgettable adventure that hopes to rewrite the fate of the star-crossed lovers, and reunite them at last.

Buy Juliet from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
Intriguing from the very beginning, this book will transport you to Italy, and to one of the most famous love stories. If you want an absorbing book for a holiday read this is perfect!

Synopsis:The funny thing about love is that just when you think you’ve got it sorted, it turns round and bites you on the behind.

Which is exactly what’s happened to Carmen Miller.

Her ex husband’s girlfriend is pregnant, her career as a comedy agent is going down the pan, she’s made a fool of herself with fellow agent Will Hunter, a man she’s fancied for ages, and to cap it all she has to move out of her flat. Surely things can’t get any worse.

Moving down to Brighton to write the TV comedy series that she’s always dreamed about, Carmen meets the divine Daniel. A man so gorgeous, she doesn’t even mind that he’s got long hair. It seems that Carmen’s life is on the up again.

Until, that is... love bites again.

Looks like Carmen’s back where she started. But could it be that love isn’t the problem? Maybe she’s just been choosing the wrong men.

Buy A Funny Thing About Love from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Set in London and Brighton, this is a perfect holiday read, the characters are well observed, and the storyline is intriguing, you won’t want to put it down. An absolutely delightful book, we loved it! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: On the morning of her wedding, Pell Ridley creeps out of bed in the dark, kisses her sisters goodbye and flees - determined to escape a future that offers nothing but hard work and sorrow. She takes the only thing that truly belongs to her: Jack, a white horse.

The road ahead is rich with longing, silence and secrets, and each encounter leads her closer to the untold story of her past. Then Pell meets a hunter, infuriating, mysterious and cold. Will he help her to find what she seeks?

With all the hallmarks of Meg Rosoff's extraordinary writing, The Bride's Farewell also breaks new ground for this author, in a nineteenth-century, Hardyesque setting. This is a moving story of love and lost things, with a core of deep, beautiful romance.

Buy The Bride's Farewell from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
Atmospheric, wonderful story-telling, this is a book that will captivate and enchant you, as you follow the trials of Pell Ridley, an independent young woman. Although written for the teen market this is a story that will enthral adult readers too. We loved it! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: Winning the race is one thing, but can Alex be a winner in love?

Tomboy lawyer Alex Reilly loves nothing better than coming first – except her sexy red Lotus sports car. Preparing for the gruelling Snowy Mountains Car Rally, Alex isn’t expecting competition in the form of glamorous model Lyn Stanton. Lyn is everything Alex is not: blonde, gorgeous and girlie – and she’s also navigating the race for Keir Thomas, the man who left town and broke Alex’s heart eleven years ago. When the three are unexpectedly thrown together, Alex realises she must find a way to trust Keir again to have any chance of crossing the finish line first. Will they be able to confront their troubled past and rediscover not only their shared passion for cars, but each other?

http://www.littleblackdressbooks.com/new-releases.html

Hot Brands Verdict
We love the Little Black Dress books, they are great summer reads, and are perfect for the beach, lying in the sun, in your back garden, or local park. Easy to fit in your handbag, or beach bag, they are a perfect escapist read!

http://www.littleblackdressbooks.com/

4 days to go! Publication date 20th July.

On publication day, 20th July, for the very first time, Eoin’s live event will be filmed and simultaneously streamed into classrooms and individual fans’ homes nationwide, enabling thousands to enjoy his celebrated stand-up performance. Anyone can register to watch at: www.eoincolfervirtuallylive.co.uk

Synopsis
Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex begins at a conference in Iceland, where Artemis has gathered together the fairies to present his latest idea to save the world from global warming. But something is wrong, he doesn’t appear to be double-dealing…Artemis Fowl has become NICE. The fairies diagnose Atlantis Complex – dabbling in magic has damaged his mind. With vicious robots threatening to destroy every human and life form, this is not the Artemis they need, can fairy ally Holly Short get the real Artemis back in time?!

It’s been two long years…but Artemis Fowl is back! The phenomenally successful series returns with the hugely anticipated seventh instalment by mega-selling author Eoin Colfer. Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex is as wickedly brilliant as ever with its winning combination of high-tech gadgetry, high-octane drama and hilarious one-liners.

Artemis Fowl was recently voted the Puffin of Puffins in a nationwide online poll. The vote, hosted online at www.happybirthdaypuffin.co.uk in June 2010, asked readers to choose their all-time favourite Puffin book to mark the 70th anniversary of the world’s number one children’s publisher. Readers selected their favourite book from seven Modern Classic titles, one from each decade of Puffin’s spectacular 70 years, hand-picked as the most entertaining and inspirational children’s books of all time. Artemis won 68% if the vote, far outstripping classics such as Charlotte’s Web and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Action packed and full of humour, Artemis Fowl has a serious cult following. Total English language sales of the Artemis Fowl titles now exceed a staggering 8 million copies and circa 20 million worldwide. His work is published in 44 countries and Eoin has achieved huge international critical acclaim in the media and the book trade and is ranked alongside Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson and Anthony Horowitz as one of the UK’s most popular and best-selling children’s authors.

Hot Brands Verdict
Eoin has this wonderful storytelling ability to engage with readers of all ages. By releasing the first chapter, he has created an appetite for the book itself. Exciting, and cleverly written, Artemis Fowl fans everywhere will be queuing for this seventh instalment.

Buy Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex from Amazon.co.uk

Synopsis: Neil and Nat are a match made in heaven. They hate marmite and opera, they love reality TV and the missionary position. And they both absolutely do not want children.

At least that’s what Nat thought. But now Neil has made a U-turn and no longer dreads the prospect of dirty nappies and sleepless nights; he’s practically begging her for a baby. Nat, however, has no intention of swapping her independence and career for a life of endless self-sacrifice. She won't budge and can't explain why. As the cracks start to show, Nat wonders if Neil really is the man of her dreams. Or is it possible that someone from her past could actually be ‘the one’?

Nat’s got a little black book, filled with the names and addresses of previous lovers, could it hold the answers she’s looking for. Or it could be a one-way ticket to all kinds of trouble.

How do you know when you’ve met the one you’re meant to be with? And is the perfect match too much to ask for?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Loved-Before-Adele-Parks/dp/0755371259

Hot Brands Verdict
This is a thoughtful novel exploring some of the dilemma’s faced by modern couples. Adele’s characters are well observed and believable, and she has crafted a story that completely draws you in and you find yourself hoping for a happy ending. Stylishly written, Highly recommended!

Synopsis: One girl, one city, one disaster waiting to happen

It’s official. Hannah has left her friends and family in the US behind and is following her dream. To live in London. She’s going to find:

1. Her dream guy. A prince or Hugh Grant would be nice. Or does she have to settle for her half-naked Australian housemate or an “English gentleman” with terrible hygiene habits?
2. Her dream job. Something fantastic in fashion. So how has she ended up being the mini-me for an evil party planner who doesn’t even trust her to arrange the paperclips?
3. Her dream friends. But everyone in London seems to have known each other for years and Hannah doesn't know the rules of engagement. Who's she going to have fun with?

Dream life? Should Hannah just dream on? She wanted a big change but maybe it would have been simpler and cheaper to just get a new haircut. Was she mad to move 3,000 miles away from everyone she knows? Will she ever find love and her perfect life in England?

Buy Single in the City from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
If you ever wondered what its like to move to London from another country Michele captures the experience with great humour, perfect for a relaxing weekend, or a fun in the sun read.

The Final Hitch - Samantha Scott-Jefferies

Izzy and friends return for more romance and fun in the sun in this sizzling follow-up to I DO, I DO, I DO.

Izzy Mistry loves her job planning weddings in Majorca but she wasn't expecting any proposals herself. And certainly not from two different men in one night! So now she's chosen the one she wants - old flame Harrison - and fallen in love with a rustic house in the mountains, Izzy's life is looking a lot more romantic.

But as the happy couple wrestle with renovations and struggle to settle into village life, suddenly everything seems a little less rosy. Izzy's starting to feel the heat. But is this normal pre-wedding nerves... or is she about to make a massive mistake?




My Sister's Voice - Mary Carter

Two sisters must confront the secrets and lies that have separated them all their lives in this heart-warming, poignant romance.
Identical twins Lacey and Monica couldn’t be more different, and also couldn’t be more alike. In a devastating twist, they’ve been raised apart, but then, through destiny or sheer accident, they meet; and everything they believed to be true about their lives is set to change for ever. Secrets are revealed, friendships are tested, and biological parents are confronted as these new sisters strive to uncover the whole truth about why they were separated.

Hot Brands Verdict
We love the Little Black Dress books, they are great summer reads, and these two are perfect for the beach, lying in the sun, in your back garden, or local park. Easy to fit in your handbag, or beach bag, they are a perfect escapist read!

http://www.littleblackdressbooks.com/

Synopsis: Remember the woman you used to be ...

Alice is twenty-nine. She is whimsical, optimistic and adores sleep, chocolate, her ramshackle new house and her wonderful husband Nick. What's more, she's looking forward to the birth of the 'Sultana' - her first baby.

But now Alice has slipped and hit her head in her step-aerobics class and everyone's telling her she's misplaced the last ten years of her life.

In fact, it would seem that Alice is actually thirty-nine and now she loves schedules, expensive lingerie, caffeine and manicures. She has three children and the honeymoon is well and truly over for her and Nick. In fact, he looks at her like she's his worst enemy. What's more, her beloved sister Elisabeth isn't speaking to her either. And who is this 'Gina' everyone is so carefully trying not to mention?

Alice isn't sure that she likes life ten years on. Every photo is another memory she doesn't have and nothing makes sense. Just how much can happen in a decade? Has she really lost her lovely husband for ever?

Buy What Alice Forgot from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
This is an utterly, utterly absorbing book, once I started to read, it was impossible to put it down. As a reader you feel compelled to stay with Alice to see what happens next. But its not just her story, equally important is the life of her sister Elisabeth. Thought provoking and poignant, this is wonderful writing. If ever you have struggled to recall moments in time, this book will remind you of the magnitude of losing your memory. We loved it, one of our favourite books of the year! Highly recommended!