Fiction Reviews

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!

Synopsis: Rich, witty and moving, I Remember You is for anyone who likes to dream about a new life – and for anyone who still remembers their first love…

For Tess Tennant, spring brings the promise of a fresh start. She’s moving back to her picture-perfect home town to take up a teaching job. Langford is a place of pretty stone cottages, friendly locals in oak-beamed pubs and of course Adam, her best friend since childhood. But Adam is preoccupied with a new girlfriend, and the past - which Tess thought she'd put behind her - is looming large again.

So by the time she has to take her class on a trip to Rome, Tess is feeling reckless. She is swept off her feet by a mysterious stranger, and finds herself falling in love. But her magical Roman Holiday is about to turn into a nightmare…

Back in Langford Adam is gone and everything has changed.Tess has to decide, once and for all, where she belongs and with whom.

Buy I Remember You from Amazon

Hot Brands Verdict
Harriet is a sublime storyteller, with very believable characters and a way of creating a story that draws you in and encourages you to stay. This is a romantic story about love old and new, growing up and finding yourself. Bittersweet, poignant, with a wonderful feel good ending, perfect for the weekend, we loved it! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: Can Laura prevent the bank (and her love life) from crashing and burning?

Banking analyst Laura McGregor’s electronic diary is full of things which definitely shouldn’t be made public: musings on her lacklustre relationship with trader boyfriend Tom, disturbing irregularities in new boss Will’s trading accounts, and the small matter of her attraction to gorgeous journalist Alex. So when the diary is accidentally uploaded on to the internet in blog form by clueless younger sister Mel, suddenly not only Laura, but her bank too, is facing meltdown and, even worse, Laura suspects Alex of using it as a scoop. Fighting to convince the world’s media to believe her over Alex is one thing, but can Laura win the battle with her heart.

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

http://www.littleblackdressbooks.com/

Hot Brands Verdict
The Not-So-Secret Diary of a City Girl by Allie Spencer is a great read, a really good story line and very believable characters, lots of twists and turns and once started you want to keep going until the end. With bank holiday weekends and summer approaching Little Black Dress Books are perfect summer reading. There are great titles available each month. We loved this one! Highly Recommended!

Synopsis: New beginnings.Shocking revelations.Unexpected endings.

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Splendor-Luxe-Anna-Godbersen/dp/0061626317

Hot Brands Verdict
Having been enthralled by every book in the fabulous Luxe series, Splendour doesn’t disappoint, picking up where Envy finished, Anna Godbersen cleverly takes each of her leading characters through to a dramatic conclusion of their individual story line. Once picked up, it is possible to completely lose track of time and to want to finish it at one sitting. An absolutely delightful book, if you haven’t yet caught up with the Luxe series, buy all four and curl up on the sofa for a fabulous weekend treat! Producers take note, Luxe would make a wonderful televison series. Highly Recommended!