Fiction Reviews

Synopsis: Sophie Brady is funny, beautiful, a force of nature. One January evening she kisses her adored husband and young son goodbye, closes the door of number thirty three. At ten pm she's with her best friend Jenny in Soho, polishing off a second bottle of wine. By midnight, she's dead. Except she doesn't feel dead. And she isn't going anywhere until she helps Ollie find love again.

Heartbroken Ollie is unaware of his new eligible status in the neighbourhood. He's busy fathering Freddie, and trying to work out how to use the washing machine. This is a man who once watered a houseplant for a year before realising it was plastic.

Step forward Jenny. Missing her best friend terribly, she throws herself into helping Ollie, neglecting her own imminent wedding. As she gets closer to Ollie, she unearths secrets that make her question quite how well she knew Sophie. And how well she knows her own heart. Where does loyalty end and love begin?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Once again a brilliant book by Polly Williams. All her characters are well drawn and she has created a story, which has both intrigue and pace as you wonder about the outcome. Not only will it absorb you but it will also make you think about your own mortality. This is a stunning book, poignant and funny, once started it is impossible to put down. Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: When you've dedicated your life to your children, what happens when they grow up?

Rachel loves being at the centre of her large family. She has devoted herself fiercely to bringing up her three sons, but at their childhood home on the wide, bird-haunted coast of Suffolk, Rachel finds that her control begins to slip away. Other women - her daughters-in-law - are usurping her position. They have become more important to her boys than she is. 

A crisis brings these subtle rifts to the surface. Can there be a way forward, if they are to survive as a family?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daughters---Law-Joanna-Trollope/dp/0552776408/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326705511&sr=8-1-spell

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Joanna Trollope’s pedigree as an author needs no introduction, her writing is sublime, particularly the descriptions of the Suffolk coast. Daughters-in-Law is a thought-provoking study of family life and the roles of the different family members. Once started you just want to keep reading, it is an utter pleasure, a perfect read. Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: Churchminster village - picturesque, quaint, sleepy - OR NOT...

A place where women know exactly what they want, and it's not cream tea with the vicar.A place where anything can happen . . . so be careful what you wish for. 

And a place where the men had better behave . . . because the ladies won't take it lying down (well, not unless they want to!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Play-Jo-Carnegie/dp/0552160881/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326530281&sr=1-1

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Although Jo has introduced the village of Churchminster before, it is easy to get into the spirit of the village without previous knowledge. Full of larger than life characters, and a fast paced story, this is pure escapism, perfect for cold January days!

Synopsis: Roxy, Jack and daughter Joey, three, are building a new life for themselves in sunny Sydney, Australia, but Roxy’s finding it hard to settle down. When she discovers she’s pregnant again, things become even more complicated-how will she cope with a second child?

Frustrated at the lack of places for stressed out mums to go, Roxy and her new friend Shoshanna, set up Just Another Manic Mum-Day- a café catering exclusively for parents. But when an opportunity arises for Roxy to return to England, she realizes just how much she’s missed home….

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Another-Manic-Mum-Day-Elliott/dp/0751546151/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326530197&sr=8-2

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict

Mink Elliott really gets inside her characters and also captures the feelings and atmosphere of setting up a new business and the juggling of home, work, partners and children. We also liked the Australian setting, it’s warm and funny, with a fabulous feel good ending!

Synopsis: Bella has given up on men.

Her latest boyfriend 'forgot' to tell her about his current wife, so she's single again.

Now, her ex-husband has turned up, wanting to sell the family home in which she and their two teenage children are happily living their lives.

Then Bella sees a chance to stay in the house and earn some money. She rents it out for a reality TV makeover programme.

And it turns out that the house isn't the only thing that will benefit from a change...

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
The Look of Love will appeal to all generations, we loved the way Judy tells the story of the three women in one family. It captivates you from the very beginning, her characters are well drawn, and there are many heart-warming and funny moments in the book. It comes complete with a ‘feel-good’ ending, perfect for reading curled up on the sofa. Highly Recommended!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Look-Love-Judy-Astley/dp/0552773298/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325941854&sr=1-1-spell

Synopsis: Find Strawberry Moshi, and all her Moshi friends, in this exciting new sensation from Japan. This padded gift book is full of surprises, games and gifts – all you need to plan a super birthday party!

Strawberry Moshi is planning a surprise party for Super Moshi. She has so much to do, she needs your help! Choose a party outfit for Strawberry Moshi in the special Moshi Boutique, bake a super birthday cake in Chef Moshi’s Bakery, wrap your present using Moshi-shaped stickers and enjoy the party celebrations on Moonlight Mountain. Don’t forget to lift the flaps to reveal all the hidden Moshi and other fun surprises, such as an invitation to Super Moshi’s birthday party and a pair of stick-on strawberry earrings. At first glance, each Moshi looks the same. Look again and you will see they are all different. It's so much fun helping Strawberry Moshi and all her friends. But you have to find them all first!

About the author
MoshiMoshiKawaii started as a good luck charm in Japan and has since become the freshest publishing property around the world.

http://www.amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Our junior reviewers loved this little book, what we loved was the way it is cleverly encouraging children’s power of observation as you have to find Strawberry Moshi and Super Moshi. Full of flaps to lift and little surprises, a perfect stocking gift for Santa to bring!

Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: Nicole Blake's New Year Resolutions, 1990:
1 Start keeping a journal;
2. Lose half a stone;
3. Kiss Julian Symond. If there are two things Nicole can guarantee about New Years Eve it's that there are always fireworks and Julian Symonds is always there.Since she was thirteen, no New Year has been complete without Jules. Through school, university and beyond, as friends come and go, Nic and Jules are at the centre of every party.Until one year everything changes...

Now, as another New Year approaches, Nicole has ghosts to lay and bridges to build - with her husband Dom, with her best friend Alex, and with Aidan, the man who broke her heart.Life is about to change again for Nicole, and once the fireworks are over and the dust has settled, this time she is determined it will be for the better.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Minute-Midnight-Amy-Silver/

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
We loved Amy’s previous book, All I want for Christmas, and so we were delighted when One Minute to Midnight arrived, yet again Amy has created a magical book, thoughtful and poignant, it has so many twists and turns that it will keep you enthralled until the very last page. We loved it! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: When Darcy McCall loses her beloved Aunt Molly, she doesn’t expect any sort of inheritance - let alone a small island! Located off the west coast of Ireland, Tara hasn’t been lived on for years, but according to Molly’s will Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit. It’s a big shock. And she’s even more shocked to hear she needs to persuade a village full of people to settle there, too. Darcy must leave behind her independent city life and swap stylish heels for muddy wellies. Between sorting everything from the plumbing to the pub, she meets confident, charming Conor and sensible, stubborn Dermot - but who will make her feel really at home?

Breakfast at Darcy’s was inspired after a visit to Great Blasket Island off the West Coast of Ireland.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakfast-At-Darcys-Ali-McNamara/

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Author of one of our favourite books of 2010, From Notting Hill with Love, Actually, Ali McNamara has created yet another fabulous book. Breakfast at Darcy’s has all the elements of a wonderful story, we loved the characters; we loved the setting, it is so atmospheric and descriptive, you feel that you are living on the island. We enjoyed it so much we didn't want it to end. A fabulous read, we loved it! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: An enchanting collection of warm, poignant and Christmas-themed stories from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author

For the perfect Christmas getaway, join the guests at the luxurious Sugar Loaf Lodge... A heartbroken visitor tries to forget the past; a stressed couple long for peace and quiet; a young woman eagerly anticipates a romantic night with the man she loves - although he should be spending it with somebody else. Meanwhile, the hotel's owners are determined to make this a holiday to remember. But will everyone's Christmas wishes come true?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Season-Remember-Sheila-OFlanagan/dp/0755375173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321228344&sr=1-1

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
This is the perfect Christmas read, a wonderful collection of short stories linked together by the wonderful story-telling talents of Sheila O’Flanagan. An ideal book to curl up with, to pick up and put down while you are preparing for Christmas. Poignant, heart-warming a, spell-binding Christmas collection.
(This review was previously published when the hardback was released)