Author Archives: admin

Friends & Rivals – Tilly Bagshawe

Posted on by

Returning to the irresistible world of the trashy novel, we are on both sides of the Atlantic for this one. Jack and Ivan are partners in their company, Jester, representing musicians in the US and the UK. Originally childhood friends, their different approaches to their talent management business turn them into rivals. Ivan’s wife, Catriona, is keeping the home fires burning in the Cotswolds, naively unaware of her husband’s infidelities. American songstress Kendall has the whole package; the voice, looks, body, ambition and brains to make it in the music industry, but is torn between Jack and Ivan. When Jack leaves the Jester partnership, all bets are off. This is a good size, absorbing, unashamedly trashy read.

Kooks for your Kindle?– The full selection of kooks is certainly here, Ivan the Terrible lives up to his nickname; being an egotistical, narcissistic philanderer. Jack has more compassion, but is no less ruthless when it comes to business. However he’s so caught up in mourning his late wife, he misses some of what’s in front of him. Stella is perhaps my favourite, an American transplant to London, married to a famous rocker and blogging about her smug new age lifestyle, there’s a definite whiff of Paltrow there. Ava the young Yorkshire singer is quite fresh, but her Dad is a little stereotyped.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Unfortunately Catriona will have you mentally slapping her for being such a sap; she’s straight out of a Jilly Cooper novel, the kind, homely, frustratingly helpless one who doesn’t know how beautiful she is, and all the men fight to take care of her. It’s a relief when she finds out what a tool she’s been married to, but it doesn’t end there. Kendall isn’t as bad, at least she has the guts to make decisions (even if they’re terrible), and improve her career. She’s not particularly likable some of the time.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– There is a surprisingly vivid portrayal of all three of the main locations, London, LA, and rural Oxfordshire. The author clearly loves LA, and shows its glamorous, sun-shiny, picturesque side. The Cotswolds as seen through Catriona’s eyes is a rural idyll of cottages, dogs, Agas and horses. London is the location for Jack’s talent-management, and his foray into the world of competitive talent TV judging, in which he fancies himself as the next Simon Cowell.

Nookie for your Nook?– They don’t call these bonk-busters for nothing, definitely not for those with a delicate constitution.

Evaluation of your eBook?– Fortunately there is some surprisingly good character development along the way, which redeemed most of them from being unlikable. It’s a little unusual to pitch people against each other in a story and not have a clear good-guy to root for, but it didn’t stop the pages turning. The ending was a little too tidy, I felt some of the characters could have done with a little single time. Although there was plenty to snark on, don’t let that stop you if you like this sort of read. It’s a cross between the middle-class English horsiness of a Jilly Cooper and the trashy American showbizziness of a Jackie Collins- but in the present, not the eighties.

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith for £3.99.

US: Kobobooks for $8.09
icon

Twelve Days of Christmas – Trisha Ashley

Posted on by

I had planned on devouring a few little Christmas novellas and putting together a combined post- but this book turned out to be full size and better than expected, earning itself a dedicated review! In this cosy English Christmas tale, Holly, professional chef and house-sitter in her late thirties, plans a lone Christmas minding a big, remote house, and working on writing a cookbook while avoiding thoughts of her late husband. Of course life happens while we make other plans, and she ends up caring for assorted animals, taking in various older folk and a lonely twelve year old girl. Jude, the cantankerous homeowner unexpectedly returns on Christmas Eve, as well as his estranged brother Guy, a random stranded actor, and the vapid model who stole Guy from Jude the previous Christmas. Unfortunately for Holly, that’s when they all get snowed in for two weeks, sending her on a mass cooking spree, while in her spare seconds she reads her recently deceased Grandmother’s diaries and discovers a surprising connection to the family that she’s trapped with.

Kooks for your Kindle?– A lovable selection of characters, both real and over-the-top. The Martland extended family immediately suck Holly in, and drop heavy hints until she agrees to cook for them all on Christmas day. This then extends to the retired reverend and the former nanny, and the waifs and strays that get trapped in the village. Coco the vacuous model accommodates a variety of eating disorders, while hell bent on getting engaged to the licentious brother Guy and then escaping. Becca, the matter-of-fact equestrian aunt, made me picture a slightly older Camilla Parker-Bowles, as she capably gets the animals (and some people) under control once she comes to stay. Once Jude rushes home after another aunt has a fall, he is stunned to find Holly is more than capable of keeping everyone going while they are besieged by snow. Their confrontational relationship begins on the phone when she first starts work, and goes downhill from there as he continually misjudges her, and Holly doesn’t capitulate.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Holly is a strong character, happier and more positive than her history would belie. Although she avoids Christmas as a rule, she doesn’t mope, she makes herself useful. I liked the way she was upfront about the family connection when asked, rather than setting up a stereotypical big falling-out at the end. This story could easily have descended into sit-com type misunderstandings and farce, but stays above that as a humourous heartfelt tale.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– This book had the kind of atmosphere that makes you miss it once you’ve finished, the snowed-in village was so festive, and the close-knit village community with their traditions was very warm. I’d describe it as cosy without being cloying or sentimental. I can’t imagine anywhere would be more Christmassy than a big old house (with separate wings!) with open fireplaces, an aga in the kitchen, stables, snowy fields, a big daft dog, bad phone reception, and an icy lane that’s a trap for unequipped tourists misdirected by their sat-navs. An owner rich enough to heat the place and stock the kitchen sufficiently to feed the masses helps too.

Nookie for your Nook?– It’s pretty clean, which is good because it would be a good one to recommend to the mother-in-law.

Evaluation of your eBook?– This will definitely give you a case of the seasonal warm and fuzzies, and might inspire some special Christmas cooking too, as a lot of the tale is centered on the kitchen- there are even some recipes included at the end. It has a slightly old fashioned feel to it, even Holly seems older that her years, the story could easily have taken place 30 years ago -apart from walking up the hill to get a phone signal. I do love a tale of a lonely soul finding family, in whatever form, and this is a particularly good example. Holly immediately fits right in with the locals, and warms the house with her cooking and her personality, even ‘fixing’ a few people along the way. The story is interwoven with snippets of her grandmother’s wartime diaries, which help Holly to heal after losing her and her husband too. The book was longer than expected, but I couldn’t put it down, it was a good approximately six hour read in total, so if you can put it down occasionally, it’ll keep you sane in the holidays. It’s a total bargain too.

Frothy Ranking: 4/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

US: Only 99c at Amazon and $7.39 at Kobobooks
icon
UK: 99p from Amazon and WHSmith

Stop the Wedding! – Stephanie Bond

Posted on by

In this romantic comedy, Annabelle Coakley receives some disturbing news- her widowed mother is marrying a penniless old movie star. Meanwhile Clay Castleberry also receives disturbing news- his old movie star father is marrying for the umpteenth time. Both converge on Atlanta to stop the wedding. Annabelle is concerned for her naive mother, who was married for all her adult life until being recently widowed, and may be at risk of being conned out of her valuable home. Clay just wants to pay off the latest gold-digging bimbo that he’s expecting, like he normally does. Both Annabelle and Clay are in for a surprise when they see just how in love the betrothed couple are, Clay is especially surprised at both the age-appropriateness of the parents’ match, and his attraction to her daughter.

Kooks for your Kindle?– Both the parents are very sweet, and a good match for each other. Belle especially is written with some depth as a patient mother very understanding of her daughter’s bitterness. Clay is slightly exaggerated as the male lead, rather obnoxious at the start, but of course even though he’s a high flying investment manager he secretly drives a pick up truck and does manly things in the woods. The only other character is Michaela, Annabelle’s assistant and friend, also known as Mike- you can imagine the misunderstandings this leads to.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Annabelle is a busy divorce attorney, and I imagine handling a hundred cases a month might jade someone on the subject of marriage, but she goes a little overboard with her mother. On the other hand, I found her to be a little too much of a passenger in her romantic dealings with Clay, but it was pretty hilarious when he found out how much he’d misjudged her situation.

Nookie for your Nook?– The author manages to make it steamy, but clean. Like a good launderette, but more fun.

Evaluation of your eBook?– If you’re looking for a cheap, light, quick, fun read, this is your book. The outcome is a little predictable, but so are most truly frothy reads. Oddly, I was thinking this would make a good TV movie, and at the end the author mentioned something along the same lines. I’m thinking I’ve covered a few books with an prickly attorney for a female lead lately, coincidence I’m sure, but I’ll aim for another career field in the next one!

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

US: From Amazon for 99c

UK: Amazon for only 77p

The Half-life of Hannah – Nick Alexander

Posted on by

Hannah convinces her husband Cliff to take a holiday home in the south of France for two weeks, along with their eleven year old son Luke, Hannah’s free spirirted sister Jill and her teenaged daughter, and Jill’s friend Tristan. In this time long simmering tensions come to a head between Hannah and Jill, and then Hannah and Cliff when they receive a very unexpected visitor. The story is told in the third person but with a few first person (Hannah) flashbacks, this works really well for the story. The author apparently has his roots in gay literature, which makes this insightful look into a straight married woman’s life all the more impressive.

Kooks for your Kindle?– All the characters are strong and well fleshed out. Jill is a rather selfish sister to Hannah, but has her reasons and is a very different personality. Aisha, her teenaged daughter, makes a pleasant regression from sullen, Facebook-addicted teen to playful older cousin to Luke while on holiday. Tristan shares a few traits with the traditional ‘gay best friend’ trope, but is more than a flamboyant, outspoken, good friend. He’s a talented chef, translator, dedicated uncle to his friends’ kids and plays a discreet role in the final act.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Hannah has been a passenger in her adult life up to this point, but the flashbacks reveal the reasons behind this. Cliff is outwardly affable, but under the veneer is a controlling, occasionally malevolent husband, so it’s satisfying to see his world begin to crumble.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– The drama takes place in the South of France, with the exception of the flashbacks. It’s a picturesque location for all these relationships to break down, with plenty of sunshine, good food, wine and mosquitos.

Evaluation of your eBook?– This exceeded my expectations, such a nuanced, well-written tale. All the characters are well thought out, and the surprises along the way (which I didn’t see coming) make it unputdownable once you’ve got into it. I’m a sucker for a tale of a long-manipulated woman finding her feet, and this is a good one which stuck with me for a while once I’d finished it- a sign of a thoughtful read. The low price is just a bonus! The ending is more ‘alluded to’ than ‘spelled out’, which left me wanting more- there’s definite sequel potential here. I’ve classed it as ‘much more substantial’ in the Frothy categories as it’s not a comedy, but it’s quite a short book, and light enough to read in a day if you have the time. Educational moment- I now know what Grindr is! It’s been a sheltered life…

Frothy Ranking: 5/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: WHSmith for 98p and Amazon for only 49p, although sometimes it’s even cheaper!

US: Kobobooks for $1.99 and Amazon for 99c.

Chasing Venus – Diana Dempsey

Posted on by

This may be one instance where I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover- this is not merely the fluffy romance i had expected! The title and cover don’t say murder-mystery-romance to me, but I was pleasantly surprised: Diana Dempsey is fast becoming one of my frothy go-to authors. Annie is a recently divorced who-dunnit author just finding success, but when a serial killer begins offing her contemporaries in the same style as their book characters, she finds herself framed. Faced with certain arrest, Annie becomes a fugitive, enlisting Reid, a former cop, as her reluctant shelter. Reid had contacted Annie in his role as presenter of a crime-fighting television show, but when she goes on the lam, Reid finds himself risking it all when he believes her side of the story.

Kooks for your Kindle?– No overabundance of wacky sidekicks here, although I wouldn’t have complained if Annie’s hippy parents had played a larger role, they had potential. Reid’s colleague Sheila was thoughtfully written, even as a lesser role of the jealous former lover. Reid has his own demons, obsessing over another killer more personal to his past.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Annie’s no bimbo, she’s an intelligent writer who also has the nerve to turn fugitive for as long as it takes to clear her name. At first I thought she was nuts for going on the run, and later breaking and entering; but she’s a tough cookie who thinks quickly in a crisis. In all the Dempsey books I’ve read so far the leads have all been strong, intelligent women, but still with variation of character.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– The action takes place up and down the length of California, from fancy beachfront homes to modest apartments to a cabin in the woods. Of course in this day and age it’s not possible to go to ground for too long before being caught, so the tale is of a period of only a week or so.

Evaluation of your eBook?– I’m pleased to say I didn’t guess who the killer was before I was supposed to, and I like to think that’s due to the skill of the author, not my own addled brain. There’s some romance, although I thought their discussions about their future was a bit of a moot point when she was up for 4 counts of murder and he was aiding and abetting, but people have their own coping methods! The best news is, right now the book is totally free (see links below), but even if it wasn’t, it would still be worth it for an easy to read murder mystery with some added romance.

Frothy Ranking: 4/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: Free at Amazon and WHSmith.

US: Free at Kobobooksand Amazon

Uptown Girl – Olivia Goldmsith

Posted on by

Kate is a child psychologist at a New York school, with a nice sensible boyfriend and two separate sets of friends- those from her big-city grown-up life, and those from her childhood in Brooklyn. When her oldest best friend Bina does not receive an expected marriage proposal, her ensuing crisis causes Kate’s friends to unite into one eclectic bunch of big-haired Brooklyn women and gay Manhattan men. After realising a pattern, Elliot, Kate’s mathematician friend, comes up with a surefire way to get Bina married- have her date the one guy all her friends dated before they met their husbands. Billy-the-dumper (as he’s known) does have a pattern of dating and dumping women right before they date and marry their husbands; the trouble is once he meets Kate, he has eyes for nobody else.

Kooks for your Kindle?– Kate’s childhood friends and their families seem closer to the catholic and jewish world of the Stephanie Plum novels, all about marriage, babies, food and family. Bev, Barbie, Bina and Bunny are collectively known as the Bitches of Bushwick. These women are written as provincial and garish, as if they were from darkest New Jersey, even though I was under the impression that Brooklyn is now pretty much an extension of New York (correct me if I’m wrong!). Kate was scared of them meeting her best city friends, cosmopolitan gay couple Elliot and Brice, but they make a fun dynamic- the guys are fascinated with the soap opera style goings on in their lives, and the girls love being advised by men with such good taste. Bina is the most lovable of the funny, gossipy girls, and as such I’m not sure why everyone is so keen to help her reel in Jack, her unworthy boyfriend, who ditched her on the night he was going to propose and ran off to Hong Kong. Her subsequent adventures are haphazard fun; I wondered if the book would have worked better from her point of view, but possibly not, she’s a little too ditzy.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– I found Kate’s character to be slightly inconsistent and hard to like at first. She took a little too long to dispatch the guys who were obviously wrong for her, although it was satisfying when she did. Kate’s not perfect, she’s a little smug in her feeling of superiority over her non-city friends.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– It’s set in Manhattan and Brooklyn, neither of which I know well, but I’d willingly give it a try if a school psychologist can afford to rent a nice one bedroom apartment in an old brownstone and still have change for Jimmy Choos and wedding gifts from Tiffany. Luckily that’s about as far as the brand-name dropping goes in the book. I was a little puzzled by Billy giving Kate a guided tour of the area in which she grew up, but perhaps it changed.

Evaluation of your eBook?– I’ve read a couple of the author’s earlier books, two good revenge stories, but this one is more ‘sex and the city’ in its storyline and setting. The twist in Bina’s storyline was a little obvious to me, as was the outcome of who ends up with whom, but it was an entertaining ride. It’s not an earth shattering read, but if you can get it cheap (see below), then it’s worth it for a fun, gossipy read.

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: 99p at Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith.

US: Not available on Kindle through Amazon, odd for a popular american author. Kobobooks have it for $7.39
icon

You Had Me At Hello- Mhairi McFarlane

Posted on by

Rachel, a reporter in her early thirties, has an epiphany and breaks up with her fiancé after thirteen years together. Just as most of her graduate peers are settling down (or just settling), breeding, and furnishing their houses like proper grown-ups, Rachel is starting over; even if it is in a fabulous borrowed Manchester city centre party-flat. To add to the stress, Rachel has the chance at a big reporting scoop, a work-related moral dilema, a potential new man, and a reappearance of her college best-mate Ben with his beautiful new wife. This is a very British tale with themes including the transition from studenthood to adulthood, marriage, timing, friendship, love, and having the guts to pull the plug on a long term relationship that isn’t working.

Kooks for your Kindle?– Rachel has a loyal coterie from her college days, reminiscent of Bridget Jones’ friends, but more authentic. Eccentric Mindy with Indian origins, Caroline the slightly posh married friend, and Ivor the lone male finding his way- he has a particularly hilarious scene near the end. Rachel’s introduction to Ben’s wife was well written- Rachel being the college friend with a history you don’t share, his wife unsure if they were always platonic. I suspect many of us have those old friends that have taken to adulthood more easily, and seem to have it all together with the house, career, money, and marriage. Of course all is not always as it seems.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor?– I found Rachel particularly easy to empathise and identify with. I loved the way she decisively broke up with her fiancé, with whom she was comfortable but not happy, and got on with it. I’ve been there, although at a younger age, and there will always be people who think you’ve made a bad decision without them knowing the inner workings of the relationship. Rachel is north of thirty when it happens, and is brave enough to ignore well-meant ‘clock-ticking’ warnings. It’s nice to read of an intelligent heroine who is not shopping obsessed and does not fall into ditzy scrapes of her own making.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– The whole tale is set in urban Manchester and structured with occasional flashbacks to Ben and Rachel’s friendship as students, from the day they met. This format works well to keep the reader hooked. Former students will be transported straight back to the scary first days of meeting new friends, finding your way, S.U. bars, learning to consume massive amounts of alcohol, and grotty halls of residence. The present day tale could work in any city, but fits well in Manchester, focusing on the Court house where Rachel is based as a reporter, and the ridiculously decorated loft-flat that she is house-sitting having left her fiance.

Evaluation of your eBook?– Any book that resonates so strongly with me (and throws in at least two Star Wars references to boot) is always going to rate highly on my scale, but I think others will enjoy it too. The tone of the book felt less frothy than the cover and title would suggest, it seemed more substantial (in length too): it was a pleasantly surprising, intelligent read. The first-person narrative is witty and sharp, although some of the pop-culture references will be lost on non-British readers, but it’s a heartfelt tale of love and finally realising what you want. The outcome is as it should be, and the very end is not as dramatic as the rest of the tale, but satisfying. Overall a very thoughtful page turner and an absolute bargain.

Frothy Ranking: 5/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: Available from Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith for only 99p. Oh no! It’s gone up to £3.50. Still worth it though!

US: On Amazon I’ve seen the price vary from $1.62 to $4.74. Kobobooks have it for $7.29
icon.

Sweet Tea and Secrets- Nancy Naigle

Posted on by

In this gentle southern US mystery, Jill returns to her small town home in Virginia after losing her beloved grandmother, Pearl. Of course, her first love Garrett is also still there, with whom she has unfinished business. Under pressure from Bradley (current boyfriend/boss) to return to her new life in Savannah, she has to decide what to do with Pearl’s legacy, and solve the mystery of Pearl’s own great love. In doing so she uncovers another puzzle involving Bradley, who may not be the good philanthropist he claims to be.

Kooks for your Kindle?-Lots of real, unexaggerated supporting characters, and Jill is fortunate to have a lawyer for a best friend, considering the events unfolding here. The other locals are colourful without being over the top. Garrett could easily have been bland (he’s quite vanilla and very considerate to elderly ladies), but luckily he has an edge and makes an attractive leading man, fortuitously blessed with patience and good timing in an emergency.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Jill is reasonably strong, even when things take a turn for the dangerous. However, she may be a little gullible and naive for believing the evidence when she left Garrett the year before. I’d usually struggle to empathise with someone so virtuous, but she has enough pluck to be interesting.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– The author creates a homely southern town, with a strong community of good God-fearin’ folk. It’s very wholesome and a nice change from some of the harsher frothy reads out there. Some of the local cuisine is featured, with some yummy looking recipes included at the end, although I fear anyone imbibing that much sugar in their sweet tea on a regular basis may fall into a sugar coma or be the size of a house.

Nookie for your Nook?– So clean in content and language that not only could you recommend it to the M.I.L, but maybe even your great-granny.

Evaluation of your eBook?– A couple of almost extraneous kindle name-drops might be explained by the fact that the book seems to be self published on Amazon, I’m not sure how it works, but if it enables more reasonably priced easy reads like this, then great. Overall a nice page-turner, with some life-threatening excitement towards the end. The dialogue is more good-natured than snappy, but it fits the events happening in a period of bereavement and mystery. I felt it would have been best read in the shade on a sunny day with an icy drink, but don’t let that stop you if your circumstances differ. It’s a warm and fuzzy book that effectively conveys the type of southern community that will rally around when tragedy strikes.

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

US: Amazon for $1.99

UK: Amazon for £2.68

Stuck With You – Trish Jensen

Posted on by

Stuck With You is a funny, silly, sexy quick read. Two divorce lawyers on opposite sides of the same case find themselves stuck in quarantine after circumstances get them potentially exposed to ‘Tibetan Concupiscence Virus’, or TCV. Here’s the silly part- victims get a rampant case of the raging horn for 2 weeks. Fortunately Ross and Paige are both terribly good looking, smart and single, even if they don’t get along. Things get even more messy when their doctor realises that Paige’s visiting brother is her former college flame. The second half of the book, after quarantine, is where they try to determine whether they were infected, or really are meant to be.

Kooks for your Kindle?– Apart from a kleptomaniac aunt, characters are not overly stereotyped or exaggerated, even the smaller roles. Paige has a frighteningly litigious extended family, who convince her to represent them all in any matter, when really she’s a tax attorney. Her large, nutty family are in stark contrast to Ross’ lone status.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Ross is a good leading man, with hidden depths and a good heart. Paige is a little defeatist, especially towards the end, but manages to handle matters well while in quarantine, even drawing up a legal agreement with the intention of keeping them separate!

Nookie for your Nook?– It has some pretty steamy moments, not recommended for the mother-in-law if she has a heart condition.

Evaluation of your eBook?– The quarantine premise is hilariously contrived, but if you want an easy, funny, steamy book with some snappy repartee between the leads, this is the one. I read it in around 3 or 4 hours flat, but then I’m a speedy reader. The secondary story between the doctor and Paige’s brother is just as interesting, and the rest of Paige’s family are lovably entertaining. Recommended for a day by the pool.

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: Amazon kindle for £5.63. WHSmith has the paperback for £8.00, and Waterstones the ebook for £5.94.
US: on Amazon the kindle is currently $7.39, but click here for the latest price, as I got it for $1.99 a week ago; this may have been a Black Friday offer. Kobobooks have it for $7.69.
icon

The School Run – Sophie King

Posted on by

It’s a brave author that gives an borderline obnoxious character the first chapter, but the story is told from the point of view of at least five characters overall. Two mums, a step-mum, a widower dad, a single teacher, and an au-pair are among the main characters in this story set over the course of one fraught week at the end of the school year. A major health scare, redundancy, an anniversary of a bereavement and a possibly cheating spouse are just four of the themes explored.

Kooks for your Kindle?– The characters are very middle class, and seem strangely older than parents of young children would be. I don’t think anyone I know has worn a leotard to yoga (or anywhere else for that matter) since the 80s Jane Fonda era; and tastes in music and radio stations are also slightly anachronistic. However, I believe it originally came out a few years ago in paperback. My dislike for some of the characters turned to empathy as their stories unfolded.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– All the characters are unfortunately reluctant to take matters into their own hands, and if it wasn’t for dramatic events at the end of the week explosively bringing things to a head, issues may not have been resolved as tidily.

Evaluation of your eBook?-My initial reaction to a tale of well-to-do school mums flinging robust cars around suburban streets with (occasionally tipsy) abandon was not one of interest, but I gave it a chance and as tales converged and events descended into chaos I was gripped. The narrative style of switching between characters made it a page turner, but it did make it hard to keep track of which kids belong to whom. But that doesn’t matter, it’s more about the adults’ dramas, and there are many compelling ones which I found myself interested in, despite my initial response.

Frothy Ranking: 3/5 cocktails.

Can be obtained from:

UK: Amazon for £1.53.

US: Not found on any of the usual sites, but I will advise if it appears.