29) Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

The Blurb :

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

My Thoughts :

Since changing jobs there has been only one or two bad consequences and one is that while I only have a ten minute walk to work, I only have a ten minute walk to work.  Which means my audio book listening time has dropped dramatically.  I am trying to make up for it but this short book took me two weeks to listen to.  But it was a lovely two weeks of listening.

I have enjoyed every Sophie Kinsella book I have read and Finding Audrey is no exception.  While this isn't the usual Chick-it Romance that fans will be used to it does have very strong elements of these two genres.  However this leans towards Young Adult but deals with very grown-up situations.  It is also very amusing and heart-warming while also being an eye-opener and general chance to learn something you wouldn't normally know about unless it has happened to you or someone close to you.

Now I don't know how much research the author put into the topic at hand but it seems like she hit the nail on the head in most aspects. I am not saying that I know everything about it either but what I do know rung true here.  However I have to wonder why the author went with a young girl and didn't write this from the perspective of an adult.  Bringing awareness for the subject seems to be a huge reason for this book but I wanted more.

I loved Audrey right from the beginning.  Her dysfunctional family were realistic and funny.  I couldn't wait to see what happened and how things would end.  Although I found it annoying that the mystery of what really happened to Audrey was left unanswered.  A brave move but one I am sure upset some readers.  After getting to know Audrey so well and her letting us see everything it felt like she was keeping her biggest secret from us.

A wonderful read and a great listen.  I didn't really like the mother, father and brother having different narrators sometimes and then other times they had the main narrator.  It put me off at times and didn't really change the story or the impact it made.

Well worth checking out.  Don't be put off by anything, the subject matter, the YA, the fact it isn't something you wouldn't read, nothing....just try it and enjoy it.

138) Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella

The Blurb :

The new Mr and Mrs Brandon are on honeymoon, and Becky has big plans! They’ve got a whole year to explore Venice, learn yoga in India, sleep in little wooden huts in South America… maybe even see penguins in the Arctic. And of course they’ll need to buy just a few essential souvenirs along the way (everyone needs a set of Murano glass goblets, after all).

They’re not just tourists, they’re travellers. Becky is sure it is just the thing that Luke needs – time to unwind. He’ll come back a changed man… with all the good bits still intact of course.

But it soon becomes clear that Luke has different plans entirely. Can Becky help him let go, or will this little disagreement threaten their whole honeymoon?

My Thoughts :

There isn't much to say about this novella.  A free Kindle version the author has released for the fans so they can find out what Becky and Luke did on their Honeymoon.

Short, somewhat sweet, this isn't as funny and amusing as the full length novels.  It was a nice quick read and it was good to be back in Becky's Shopaholic world but it isn't much to write about.

A definite must read for fans of the series and not a bad choice if you are looking for something short  to read.  As I mentioned this is a free e-book so there is no wasted money just a free story that follows the couple on a nice trip to Venice.

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124) The Unpredictable Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell

The Blurb :

When Josh Strachan, newly returned to his home in north Cornwall from sunny California, first meets Sophie Wells, he's immediately smitten. Sophie's pretty, she's funny, she has lots of friends and she clearly loves her job as a photographer, despite the sometimes tricky clients. There's just one problem: Sophie has very firmly turned her back on love. It's nothing personal, she tells Josh, but she just doesn't do dates. And no one - even Sophie's scatty best friend Tula - will tell him why. Josh is sure Sophie likes him, though, and he's just got to find out what's put her off romance. And then put things right...

My Thoughts :

I used to read a lot of Chick-lit before I discovered the Paranormal genre and only a couple of those authors still manage to catch my interest.  One of those is Jill Mansell.  I have enjoyed each and everyone of her books so far and always try and get a copy of anything new that comes out.  Her stories are always emotional but wonderful and I love spending time with the characters she creates.

The audio book was well narrated and it really brought the story to life.  Delving into the lives of the characters in this book is like watching a soap opera but instead of crazy over the top situations there are well thought out 'that could happen' moments.

I enjoyed my time in Cornwall with the cast of this book and it was lovely to see all their stories unfolding and reaching a high point.  All the ups and downs, the emotions and thoughts, it is all wonderfully written and made me smile one more than a few occasions.

Jill Mansell stays on my must read list.  If you are looking for something in the chick-lit/romance genre for yourself or a friend then I can only highly recommend Jill's books.  Every book is a new story filled with characters and stories you can relate with and love.

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65) Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

The Blurb :

What do you do when your girlfriend’s sixtieth birthday party is the same day as your boyfriend’s thirtieth?

Is it better to die of Botox or die of loneliness because you’re so wrinkly?

Is it wrong to lie about your age when online dating?

Is it morally wrong to have a blow-dry when one of your children has head lice?

Is it normal to be too vain to put on your reading glasses when checking your toy boy for head lice?

Does the Dalai Lama actually tweet or is it his assistant?

Is it normal to get fewer followers the more you tweet?

Is technology now the fifth element? Or is that wood?

If you put lip plumper on your hands do you get plump hands?

Is sleeping with someone after two dates and six weeks of texting the same as getting married after two meetings and six months of letter writing in Jane Austen’s day?

Pondering these and other modern dilemmas, Bridget Jones stumbles through the challenges of loss, single motherhood, tweeting, texting, technology, and rediscovering her sexuality in—Warning! Bad, outdated phrase approaching!—middle age.

My Thoughts :

Years ago, when I first started really got into reading, I read the two funny, realistic and great books about Bridget Jones. I laughed and cried as I watched the films and was happy to see Bridget get her happy end. So when I heard that a new book was coming out I was extremely intrigued. What had Bridget done with her life since her thirties. Did everything work out the way she hoped and dreamed? The answer is no with a twist of yes. From the blurb it was obvious that two things had happened. 1. Bridget and Mr Darcy are no longer together and 2. They had children.

The how and why is something I will keep to myself because anyone wanting to read this book and find out what happened to Bridget's life shouldn't have things spoiled by me. What I can tell you is that Bridget is a mess and hasn't changed much. She is still trying to be a lot of things she is never going to be and is constantly jumping to conclusions about everything without waiting to find out all the details. She is neurotic and alone despite having lots of friends and family. Actually she has a lot of things that would make many other people extremely happy but she still isn't stable or content.

Bridget's strange ways maybe attributed to her lack of Darcy but while listening to the story there were moments when I wanted her to stop being so melodramatic. If I was a part of Bridget's life I think I would have given her a slap across the face or a good shake. She has my sympathy for the situation she has been left in but the way she acts is quite infuriating. I am sure that life with two children is stressful but even having a nanny doesn't help Bridget keep on top of things or look after her children responsibly. Yes it is all part of the story and the way Bridget is but at the end of the book it was becoming ridiculous.

I didn't hate the story though. There were still a lot of good times, bad times and various events that made me smile, laugh or bring a tear to my eye. The lice episode had me scratching my hair and the way things ended made me smile. The friends were funny and the messes Bridget gets into are laughable. I loved the fact that a part of this story takes part in London when I was there and also experienced the extreme hot weather. The diary of weight watching, twitter followers and other various items was silly but the kind of female diary entries you would expect. It all came together to create a good story and one I am happy I listened to because the narrator did a spectacular job.

what else can I say? Don't expect a mature and grown-up Bridget! She is just as naive and in need of attention as she was in the previous two books. The only problem is that twenty years on she should be old enough to know better but she is who she is. I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it as will every reader who enjoyed the first two books. Even if it isn't the kind of book I would usually read nowadays. Mad About the Boy leaves things all nicely tied up and I hope this is the end of the series. I would hate to meet Bridget again when she is a grandmother or on her death bed. I was happy with the ending the first two books brought and now I am happy with this ending. Please leave Bridget in peace but maybe make a movie of this book too? ;)

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110) Fast Friends by Jill Mansell

The Blurb :

A reunion with old schoolfriends can be a truly joyful occasion. Then again, as Camilla Stewart discovers, sometimes it can change your world forever. Meeting up again with Roz Vallender has devastating consequences for Camilla. Thankfully the outrageousLoulou Marks comes to the rescue, persuading her that all is not lost. Loulou's own life might be completely chaotic but she's great at giving other people advice. And when Camilla starts taking it, she soon discovers that life in the fast lane is a lot more fun than being a cheated-on housewife...

My Thoughts :

When on holiday it is nice to also take a holiday from reading the same old.  So when I came across this Jill Mansell book on my bookshelf I was determined to take it to the pool with me.  After all I thought I had read of Jill's books and this one had somehow been sitting on my shelf gathering dust for six years!

The story was everything I have come to expect from Jill.  The well developed characters that you can't help but love and the crazy everyday ups and downs that, at some point, can happen to everyone.  I worried with the girls as things got rough and was sad when they lost the ones they loved.  It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions but the plot was so captivating and dotted with laughs that I couldn't stop myself from reading.

Fast Friends was made even more interesting by the lack of technology.  It took me a while to realise something was different about this book when people didn't just look something up on the internet.  Checking the front of the book I noticed that this book was actually first released in 1991!  I was still in school back then!  WOW!  Anyway it was actually quite refreshing to read a book from back then.  We coped without mobile phones, the internet etc and it was nice being reminded of a simpler way of life.

As always the feel good ending left me happy to have completed the book.  I love the way that each of Jill's books manage to throw so much turmoil at the characters but they always get a happy ending.  Life may not always be like that but it gives you hope and if you have been through any of the situations from the book you will admire the strength and determination of the characters.

Now I believe I have read all of Jill's books!  I look forward to the next one when it releases.  Jill Mansell is my favourite chick-lit author and as long as she keeps writing them I will keep reading them.  Even if there aren't any supernatural elements to her books they are amazing reads that I always enjoy 100%!

  

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92) Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell

The Blurb :

Dexter Yates loves his fun, care-free London life; he has money, looks and girlfriends galore. But everything changes overnight when his sister dies, leaving him in charge of her eight-month-old daughter Delphi. How is he ever going to cope?

Comic-strip artist Molly Hayes lives in the beautiful Cotswold village of Briarwood. When it comes to relationships, she has a history of choosing all the wrong men. Leaving the city behind, Dex moves to Briarwood - a much better place to work on his parenting skills - and he and Molly become neighbours. There's an undeniable connection between them. But if Dexter's going to adapt, he first has a lot to learn about Molly, about other people's secrets...and about himself.

My Review :

We take a break from the usual paranormal delights to focus on a little secret enjoyment of mine.  Jill Mansell.  I have been reading her books ever since I came across them and it took me a while to track some of them down back in the day.  Now they have all been re-released and I think except one (which is still waiting for me on my bookshelf) I have read all of her books.

Yes it is Chick-lit and yes there is never any sign of anything supernatural but I still love the emotional rollercoaster ride that guides the reader through each story.  There are sad moments, happy times and some cringe worthy 'oh my god' episodes inside ever book.  I laugh and have been known to cry at some of the wonderful tales but most of all they make me feel good and warm.  Sounds soppy, doesn't it?

In this latest release from this delightful author, the focus is pointed on Dexter and then the residents of Briarwood.  A lovely British setting and some amazing characters pave the way through the story of love and the various curve balls life can throw at you.  The stories surrounding and involving all the characters develops with some nice surprises as well as some very shocking discoveries.  You can relate to the worries and problems as well as feeling good about the high moments.  By the end it works out well and usually everyone is happy.  Too cliche?  Not for me.  Just a well written story with a good realistic plot.

As long as Jill Mansell keeps writing these special stories, well I will keep reading them.  I am not a huge fan of Chick-lit but there are a few authors that are must reads for me.  So I hope you don't mind this non-paranormal interruption but I needed a fix and I got, as always, exactly what I wanted and needed from this great writer.

On a side note, the narrator on this audiobook was fantastic!  She really brought the characters to life and her I always knew which character was holding the reins.  It could have been confusing but she made it a perfect book to listen to.




  

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171 ) Bluegrass Baby by Molly Harper

The Blurb :

Sadie Hutchins loves her job at the Kentucky Tourism Commission. Not only could her co-workers double as the cast of Parks & Recreation, but she loves finding the unusual sites, hidden gems, and just-plain-odd tourist attractions of her home state. She’s a shoo-in for the director’s job when her boss retires at the end of the year…until hotshot Josh Vaughn shows up to challenge her for the position.

Josh is all sophisticated polish while Sadie’s country comfort, and the two have very different ideas of what makes a good campaign. So when their boss pits them against each other in a winner-takes-all contest, they’re both willing to fight dirty if it means getting what they want. But it turns out, what Josh and Sadie want could be each other—and Josh’s kisses are the best Kentucky attraction Sadie’s found yet!

My Review :

If you have read any books by the wonderful Molly Harper then you will know how brilliant a writer she is. Guaranteed to make you laugh and giggle, I have enjoyed every book I have read by this super author. While Bluegrass Baby isn't Paranormal and doesn't have a single Supernatural element in sight, it is still Molly Harper through and through.

Bluegrass Baby is different that anything else you may have read by this author but it still has the classic elements you have come to expect from her. Witty, funny and full of cool facts it not only is a good read but it makes you feel good. At first I wondered if I would be able to get into the story at all. So much talk about Kentucky did put me off a little. Obviously the author knows the place well but I wasn't feeling it at all. Then the Sadie and Josh bomb exploded and I couldn't stop reading.

Wacky characters included, Bluegrass Baby, proves once again (You also have to check out And One Last Thing...) that Molly Harper is a super writer even if you take away the vamps and weres. If this is another one of Chick-lit book then I am happy I took the chance on it but if there are more to come then I will definitely be checking them out. Harper knows how to tell a story and keep it light, enjoyable and full of antics. I just love this combination and her style even if the Paranormal has been sent on a break.

Well worth reading!

150) A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell

The Blurb :

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done...

My Thoughts :

I don't read many chick-lit books anymore but there are a few authors I always try and check in on when I get the chance. So this weekend while sitting in an airplane I decided it was time to go for a A Walk in the Park with Jill Mansell. Her books always have amazingly fun and clever plot and the way she writes makes you feel happy to curl up with the book till the end. This newest release was exactly that and more.

the story unravelled and threw out some interesting surprises and twists. I loved the characters and instantly built up a connection to them. It felt like I was meeting up with old friends. Humour is mixed in with real life problems as this realistic story unfolds and I couldn't wait to find out what the conclusion to story would be.

Another lovely story from a brilliant author. A Walk in the Park left me feeling good and happy. I wish I could see how the characters are doing in ten years time but I like being left to imagine how things continued. I may usually read another genre but I will always make time to read another Jill Mansell.

139) The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes

The Blurb :

Helen Walsh doesn’t believe in fear – it’s just a thing invented by men to get all the money and good job – and yet she’s sinking. Her work as a Private Investigator has dried up, her flat has been repossessed and now some old demons have resurfaced.

Not least in the form of her charming but dodgy ex-boyfriend Jay Parker, who shows up with a missing persons case. Money is tight – so tight Helen’s had to move back in with her elderly parents – and Jay is awash with cash. The missing person is Wayne Diffney, the ‘Wacky One’ from boyband Laddz. He’s vanished from his house in Mercy Close and it’s vital that he’s found – Laddz have a sell-out comeback gig in five days’ time.

Things ended messily with Jay. And she’s never going back there. Besides she has a new boyfriend now, the very sexy detective Artie Devlin and it’s all going well, even though his ex-wife isn’t quite ‘ex’ enough and his teenage son hates her. But the reappearance of Jay is stirring up all kinds of stuff she thought she’d left behind.

Playing by her own rules, Helen is drawn into a dark and glamorous world, where her worst enemy is her own head and where increasingly the only person she feels connected to is Wayne, a man she’s never even met.

My Thoughts :

Yes this isn't a paranormal one. There are just come 'Chick-Lit' authors I have to visit and the last Walsh Family book by Marian Keyes was a must read. You see I have been following the Walsh family for a long time and have loved each and every one of the five sisters stories. Totally different women from the same upbringing in Ireland. Each story is funny, heart-warming and sometimes sad. Emotions run high in every book whether you are giggling or shedding a tear. Always worth reading!

It is finally Helen's turn in the reins and I was shocked at her story. She was always the youngest sister who was hanging out in the background getting into trouble and seemingly having a blast. However it turns out that her life is not as much fun as it looks. She is suffering from depression.

The plot is spectacular and grabs you till the end. Helen a Private Investigator is approached by her ex to look for a member of a boyband. The Irish success story is making a come back and they are all in dire need of the financial support it will bring. Only one problem. One of them has gone missing.

Helen's strange methods may actually pay off but even she isn't sure if she will find the missing Lad. Was he kidnapped or did he go willingly? She has no bloody idea and there aren't many clues either. All Helen knows is that she also can't afford for the concerts to be cancelled. She is slowly losing everything. Even her mind.

I loved this story and I wonder if the author has herself suffered from depression or knows someone who has. She really seemed to know what she was talking about. Following Helen is a rollercoaster ride and even if I had figured it out before she did it was interesting and exciting to see how everything worked out.

Another great book from a great author. I am going to miss visiting the Walsh family but maybe Marian Keyes will write more about them in the future. It would be great to catch up with them all again in a few years and see how life is treating them. A must read in my opinion.

101) Six Geese A-Laying by Sophie Kinsella

The Blurb :

Christmas is approaching and Ginny is looking forward to the birth of her first baby. It's a pity her partner Dan is so useless, and she has to keep reminding him where he's going wrong. Luckily she's enrolled into the most exclusive antenatal class going - all the highest achieving, smartest mothers-to-be aspire to be taught by the legendary Petal Harmon. Like the other five women in the class, Ginny already knows exactly what she wants, and how she's going to handle motherhood.But when they turn up for the final class it isn't quite what they expect. As Ginny discovers what parenthood is really going to be like, she begins to realize the things that really matter...

My Thoughts :

I was taking part in a Read-a-thon and the theme was Christmas in July. Now I am sure I have a few books somewhere on my bookshelf that take place over the holidays but I didn't want to spend all day looking when I should be reading. However on the other hand I really wanted to read at least one Christmas book for the read-a-thon. So this novella was definitely about the holidays and was also a free Kindle book. Problem solved!

Sophie Kinsella is a brilliant chick-lit writer and one of only a few authors from that genre that I still try and keep up with. Six Geese A-Laying was short and sweet but it really did mean something. There was a moral to the story and it was interesting finding out what it could mean to all the women involved. What was even better was the slight paranormal twist. If only the author could do this again but on a full novel level. I think she would do it extremely well.

Short but sweet this is a cute little novella to get you in the Christmas spirit or to check out a really nice author. Nice break from the intense reads and a little fun.

93) Anybody Out There? by Maria Keyes

The Blurb :

Life is perfect for Anna Walsh. She has the "Best Job in the World" as a PR exec for a top-selling urban beauty brand, a lovely apartment in New York, and a perfect husband — the love of her life, Aidan Maddox. Until the morning she wakes up in her mammy's living room in Dublin with her face in stitches, a dislocated knee, and completely smashed-up hands — and no memory of how she got there. While her mammy plays nursemaid, Anna tries to get better and keeps wondering why Aidan won't return her phone calls or emails.

Recuperating from her injuries, a mystified Anna returns to Manhattan. Slowly beginning to remember what happened, she sets off on a search to find Aidan — a hilarious quest involving lilies (she can't stop smelling them), psychics, mediums, and anyone there who can promise her a reunion with her beloved...


My Thoughts :

I wanted a new auiobook to listen to and because I enjoyed the last chick-lit I listened to I decided to go back and check out another author I really enjoy. Marian Keyes has this amazing series about the Walsh Family and I have read all of them. However I thought I hadn't read this one and downloaded it. Unfortunately within minutes of starting the book I realised I had already read this one. It didn't stop me from enjoying it though.

The whole reason for Anna's accident and why her husband won't answer her calls leaves the reader guessing from the first few paragraphs. You instantly want to know what happened. I of course knew straight away but I remember back when I read this one that I was totally surprised about the reason.

What happens in this book is amazing. I loved the story and laughed out loud at the Walsh Family antics. Despite everything that goes on with Anna's life she always has this funny and amusing family and workplace. I couldn't get enough of it and found myself listening to the whole audio book in record time.

The narrator for this book was really good. I loved her Irish accent and she captured all the characters well. The audio book was well worth listening to but I wish they hadn't bothered to read out the email addresses every time. I now know them off by heart.

Marian Keyes is amazing and one of only a few chick-lit authors I still bother with. I can't wait for the next Walsh family story and will definitely be checking it out on Audio.

77) I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

The Blurb :

I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive!!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

My Thoughts :

Yes! Yes! I know! This isn't my usual paranormal filled read. However sometimes I need a break from the vamps and other monsters. Back in the old days, before I discovered Paranormal Urban Fantasy, I used to read quite a few chick-lit books. Now I don't have much time or energy for them but there are a few authors I like to keep up with whenever possible and Sophie Kinsella is one of them. So when I came across this book on Audible I decided it was high time I caught up.

I won't bore you all with a long review because it will most likely not interest many of you. However I will say that the story, characters and plot were great. Sure there were a few moments when I thought 'God Poppy you are being an idiot' and wondered why she hadn't done things differently but it was all part of the web the author was weaving and I giggled and gasped as things unfolded.

What struck me most about this story was the realisation that mobile phones are exactly this special to us nowadays. Poppy's attachment to the phone seemed over the top but when you think about it, well it seems practically logical. Technology has a hold of us these days and I could see exactly where the poor girl was coming from.

A great tale that had me laughing and rolling my eyes. I loved the outcome and even though I thought I knew what was going to happen it still took me by surprise and made me smile. Sophie Kinsella is a great author and if she just added a few ghosts or something...well...I would love her work even more ;)

111) To The Moon and Back by Jill Mansell

The Blurb :

When Ellie Kendall tragically loses her husband she feels her life is over. But eventually she’s ready for a new start – at work, that is. She doesn’t need a new man when she has a certain secret visitor to keep her company...

Zack McLaren seems to have it all, but the girl he can’t stop thinking about won’t give him a second glance. If only she’d pay him the same attention she lavishes on his dog.

Moving to North London, Ellie meets neighbour Roo who has a secret of her own. Can the girls sort out their lives? Guilt is a powerful emotion, but a lot can happen in a year in Primrose Hill...

My Review :

A long long long time ago before I discovered books filled with vampires, werewolves and other paranormal delights, I used to read other books. A good mystery or thriller maybe even a chick-lit. It depended really on the mood I was in. However lately those genres have been a thing of the past but every now and again I feel like a change and when my favourite chick-lit author, Jill Mansell, brings out a new book I still have to get hold of a copy and read it. Her stories are just too good to not read.

To The Moon and Back is another reason to love Jill Mansell. Filled with emotions that you can either relate to or just sympathise with, her stories tell tales that can and do happen in real life. Her characters don't need time to grow on you because you can't help but adore them within a few pages of meeting them. They are the friends, family and workmates you already feel you have known for years. I nearly stayed up all night reading this one because I felt so at home with the characters.

One thing I really liked about this book and Jill's other books is the 'real' story feel they have to them. Sure there are the usual chick-lit clichés but Jill Mansell manages to surprise the reader by twisiting things around a bit. Being allowed to share the hardest part of Ellie's life is certainly a roller coaster ride of emotions but you just know that things are going to turn out ok in the end.

The way this author weaves her plots together to come to an amazing, if not, teary end, can only be admired. You will laugh and cry while reading this but it will be one of the most amazing pieces of chick-lit you ever read. Oh and the best bit. This is British! Totally lovely and British and not over the top. Jill Mansell remains my favourite chick-lit author who can get me away from the paranormal.

To The Moon and Back released in the UK back in February. The US version is due to be released next month.