1. Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie

“On Wednesday, Quinn McKenzie changes her life. On Thursday, she tries to get somebody to notice. On Thursday night, somebody does.

Quinn McKenzie has always lived what she calls a “beige” life. She has a good job as a high school art teacher, and she’s surrounded by family and friends who rely on her. She’s dating Bill, coach of the championship high school football and baseball teams and all-around perfect guy. It’s a perfectly happy and secure life, and she’s bored to the point of insanity.

But when Quinn decides to change her life by adopting a stray dog over everyone’s objections, everything begins to spiral out of control. Soon a man from her past comes back into her life and the old attraction is ignited again. Now she’s coping with dog-napping, breaking and entering, seduction, sabotage, stalking, more secrets than she really wants to know, and two men who are suddenly crazy…for her.”

2. Watermelon, Marian Keyes

“Claire Webster, heroine of this breezy Irish bestseller, thinks hubby James is the man of her dreams until he ditches her for an older woman (Claire herself is 29) two hours after their daughter is born. Mother and child repair to Dublin, where there’s hope of solace and sustenance in the bosom of an eccentric family, while Claire downsizes from watermelon to wisp and struggles over the hurdles of blues and booze.

When she attracts a handsome young lover and considers dumping the suddenly repentant James, it’s clear a happy ending’s in sight. Or is it? There are a few surprises and plenty of sassy girl talk in this slick if sometimes silly take on what it’s like to be female.

Much of the hilarity generated by Claire’s funky family’s airhead sisters who squabble over clothes and men, a mother who’d rather watch soap operas than cook, a father perpetually bewildered by the women in his life wears thin, but readers will identify with Claire’s flaws, applaud her irreverent wit and rejoice at her triumphant recovery. Like the fruit it’s named for, this overlong novel is short on nutrition but long on refreshment.”

3. Sleeping Arrangements, Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella)

“Wickham spins a delightful story of British families forced to spend their vacation
together after a mutual friend promises them the same week in his Spanish villa.

Chloe Harding hopes that a holiday will soothe the strain between her and longtime partner Philip Murray, who is worried that a recent takeover of his company may cost him his job. Their hopes are dashed when they arrive and find another family already settled at the villa.

To Chloe’s disappointment, she’ll be sharing the space with Hugh Stratton, the beau who broke her heart 15 years ago. Now married to high-maintenance Amanda and with two children, Hugh apologizes, and though Chloe initially expresses nothing but hurt and disdain (all the while keeping their past a secret from Philip), she eventually considers beginning life anew with Hugh.”

Happy reading!

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