In brief: The story of three young women who are (or about to become) mothers in a small town. The good: Both emotive and questioning. The not-so-good: The spine cracked while I was reading it. Why I chose it: Really enjoyed Nightcrawling. Year: 2025 Pages: 341 Publisher: Fig Tree (Penguin) Setting: Florida, USA Rating: 8 out of 10 I actually don’t know where to start with my review of…

In brief: When Veronica crashes the wrong Zoom meeting, she tells the tech bros exactly what she thinks of their marketing skills. But being brutally honest lands her with a consulting job and a lot of email contact with CEO Jude… The good: Really fun. The not-so-good: It’s a novella, so it’s quite short. Why I chose it: New Christina Lauren = must read.

As we move into February and school returning, it is as usual very hot. I think it might be time for nights reading under the air con (or the new season of Bridgerton)! Secretary by Mary Gaitskill is one of the Penguin Archive series, with a collection of short stories about desire and dislocation as women negotiate their place in the world.

In brief: Tara continues after a year of being stuck on the 18th of November. This time she travels to chase the seasons and give another year of the same day some differences. The good: I found this even better than the first volume. The not-so-good: What an ending! (I’m glad the third book is available). Why I chose it: …

In brief: Kristen and Josh have an awkward first meeting, but it turns out he’s the best man at her best friend’s wedding so they have to get along. And they do, spectacularly. But Josh wants a family, and Kristen knows that’s not her future. Can they remain in the friend zone? The good: The perfect first novel. The not-so-good:

Happy Monday as the weather trends to extremes across the globe! I hope everyone is staying cool/warm. There’s a variety in my new books this week: Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh is about Jia, who grew up wanting luxury as an adult and now it’s within reach as she’s asked to work on a project with one of the richest, most famous Korean families in the world.

In brief: Emmy lives with a secret – she’s part Japanese and spent years in an internment camp during WWII. Now famed actress Virginia van Belle wants her to write a play about her experience, but will it be true? The good: The second half is fast paced and dramatic. The not-so-good: The first half is very slow. Why I chose it: …

In brief: Sean is a middle age bookseller who should have really written a novel by now. He’s jaded with work, writing and the gentrification of his neighbourhood. The good: Comments made to people asking stupid questions. The not-so-good: Definitely not an uplifting read and can be repetitive. Why I chose it: Don’t mind a snarky bookseller read. Year: 2025…

Happy Monday! I’ve got some surprise books as well as favourite authors and topics this week: Department of the Vanishing by Johanna Bell (available March) was a surprise from Transit Lounge. It’s a blend of images, poetry and narrative verse as it tells the story of Ava, who works rebuilding lost species from the information left. Everyone thinks she should quite, but when a ghost from the past shows up, she follows it into the archives to uncover a secret.

In brief: Cielo is a busy medical student, and she doesn’t give people second chances, especially her ex-turned music star Aiden. But when they are forced to be part of the same wedding, they need to talk – and rethink their relationship. The good: A light read that is both interesting and fun. The not-so-good: You might get more out of it if you’ve read the first book in the series; the medical parts have a few holes.

In brief: Birdie became a model at a young age, where are every move was controlled by someone else. Finally free, she has to reflect on the past when she receives an invite to her agent’s career celebration. The good: Different and fascinating. The not-so-good: Not particularly happy for the most part. Why I chose it: Looked like an interesting read.

And the first week of the year is done – hopefully the rest isn’t as busy! Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman opens with Rachel being sacked from her White House job for criticising Donald Trump. As she departs, she’s hit by a car in suspicious circumstances but her recovery is loaded with flowers, public well wishes, a new job and unexpected love.

In brief: Food detectives Nagare and Koishi return to help out six people find the food of their memories. The good: Familiar and easy to read. The not-so-good: A bit repetitive, down to where the cat makes an entrance. Why I chose it: Love Japanese novels in translation and have enjoyed the previous Kamogawa Food Detectives novels. Year: 2025 (2016 in the original Japanese)

In brief: Janet leads a very boring life (according to Lady Miss Jacqueline) until she meets a magical wig. The good: Very, very funny. The not-so-good: A short story (but the first in the Southern Belle Insults series). Why I chose it: I really like Jasmine Guillory’s novels. Year: 2021 Pages: 25 Publisher: Amazon Setting: USA Rating: 8 out of 10…

Happy Monday as things return to normal under the holidays. I got a few books with a birthday voucher: L.A. Women by Ella Berman opens with Lane back on the up. She has a new book deal, but it’s based on her friend/rival Gala who has been missing for months. Both writers, they were drawn to each other until Gala’s star began to rise and Lane did something she couldn’t take back…

In brief: Riko and Aki work at the same bookshop in Tokyo, but don’t get along. When their store is threatened with closure, they will have to work together to try to save it. The good: A fun read! The not-so-good: Don’t go in expecting cosy fiction, this is drama. Why I chose it: Love Japanese novels in translation. Year: …

I don’t like seeing ‘best books’ posts until the very end of the year – what if you finish the best book of the year on the 31st December? I like to leave my list until the very end, and I include books that weren’t published during 2025. From my list of 93 books read and reviewed this year, here are my ten best:

I had a good Christmas when it came to books! There’s a nice mix of genres here... Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker introduces the reader to Emmy, who is secretly Emiko and was held in an Australian internment camp for Japanese Australians during World War II. Now people want her to bring that story to the stage, making it more and more sensational.

In brief: In the seventh novel in the Shopaholic series, Becky and Luke are in Hollywood where Becky plans on being a stylist to the stars. Of course, it’s not an easy path… The good: Was not expecting a cliffhanger! The not-so-good: Becky can be annoying at times. Why I chose it: Sophie Kinsella has always written fun novels. Year: …

In brief: Jeremy’s life hasn’t matched the highs of his ex. Now it’s time for a class reunion and Jeremy develops a plan to become hot and successful with new friend Sam’s help… The good: Funny and a great story. The not-so-good: Bit short. Why I chose it: I’ve always enjoyed Patrick Lenton’s journalism. Year: 2025 Pages: 292 Publisher: Pantera Press (Hardie Grant)

It’s been a big week and everything is busy, busy, busy! I think I’m staying away from the shops for the near future… I had a good week for new books, some delivered… Engaged, Apparently by Amy Andrews (available 28th January) was a big surprise from Harlequin (especially the love heart confetti and cute stickers, thank you!) Finn and Sweeney come home to attend their mothers’ joint birthday party but the biggest news it that they are engaged.

In brief: Ravi’s summer day starts out normally, but ends very differently. The good: Verghese is a sound writer. The not-so-good: A short story, so it’s over too quickly! Why I chose it: I enjoy reading fiction medical doctors write. Year: 2025 Pages: 38 Publisher: Amazon Setting: USA Rating: 7.5 out of 10 Short stories are a great way to be introduced to a new author (plus are the perfect length for public transport).

In brief: Rose’s first year as a student nurse is filled with multiple dramas and what she thinks is an unrequited crush on a surgeon. The good: Easy to read and very cosy. The not-so-good: The romance is quite different to a modern reader. Why I chose it: I like historical nursing stories as comfort reads. Year: 1957 Pages: 243…

A busy and warm week, and sad because of the news of Sophie Kinsella’s death. I enjoyed both the Shopaholic series and her stand-alone novels, particularly to read at busy times of the year. These are my new books this week: Safe Haven at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover is available 30th December. Anna is the local vet and Justin a volunteer firefighter.

In brief: Kostya has the ability to taste the food that are memorable to the dead. But his ability could tear a hole in the afterlife… The good: Original and unusual storyline. The not-so-good: You will be craving all sorts of food! Why I chose it: Sounded different. Year: 2025 Pages: 390 Publisher: Bloomsbury Setting: New York City Rating: 8.5 out of 10…