Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Adora Hazzard loves her life in New York. She’s divorced and living in a smart apartment block with other single women who refer to themselves as ‘the coven’. Adora is a philosophy tutor for the young sons of a wealthy family. She’s well-balanced and has life figured out… or so she thought. A trip to the theatre one evening changes everything, forcing her to address her past, and helps her to see her future with greater clarity.
I thoroughly enjoyed Go Gentle and I know you will too!
Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon
Viola and Sebastian are twins. Their mother, Susan Bliss, very sadly died when they were young, leaving behind a web of secrets that need untangling. Both twins were vaguely aware that their mother was an actress for a popular daytime TV soap… but it’s not until they reach adolescence that they start to ask the crucial questions.
This was a very enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to Rebecca Fallon’s next book.
A Better Life by Lionel Shriver
Gloria Bonaventura lives in New York with her son Nico, who has zero gumption after graduating from university a few years ago. Gloria is eager to participate in the Big Apple, Big Heart programme that would pay her to host a migrant in her home. Nico is against it (he relies on Fox News for information) while his mother prepares the house for their new lodger, Martine. When she arrives, she is the perfect house guest. She is very courteous, she cooks, cleans, and Gloria feels fortunate to have such a wonderful new friend. As time goes by, however, things take a turn for the worse.
It’s a classic Lionel Shriver story, delved out with her signature wit and style.
In Her Defence by Philippa Malicka
Who doesn’t love a courtroom drama novel? Anna Finbrow, celebrity chef, food columnist and wealthy lifestyle guru, finds herself in court after penning an inflammatory, defamatory post in her newsletter about Jean Guest, a life coach, who she claims has brainwashed her daughter Mary in order to access her trust fund.
How have things got to this point? The clue lies in the first few chapters, although the story shines brightest in the passages set in Italy. Bravo!
