popular fiction

THE SUNSHINE SISTERS by Jane Green ( Macmillan Publishers, $ 35)

The cover quote is from Jojo Moyes saying this is Jane Green's best yet but I don't know I'd agree. Predictability, slow pace and inconsistencies mar the story about Ronni Sunshine, an ex- Hollywood actress and her volatile relationship with her three daughters. Now in her 70s, Ronnie is dealing with a diagnosis of a degenerative illness and her last mission is to repair her relationship with her daughters and their relationship with each other. Though a story of love, loss and family, it lacked the emotion and likeable characters I seek in a “chick lit” novel.

THE GIRL FROM MUNICH by Tania Blanchard ( Simon & Schuster, $ 35)

I loved being immersed in 1943 Munich and living life through WWII as Lotte, a girl from a wealthy family engaged to Heinrich, a trainee doctor fighting in the war. Doing her bit, Lotte goes to work at the local airfield as a secretary to Erich, a man who teaches her there is more to romance than convenience. As the war ends, we follow Lotte and Erich as they flee from the chaos and make their way to Lotte's family. With the disclaimer that this is more romance than history, you'll fly through these pages of love, duty and survival and join me in awaiting a sequel.

THE BREAK by Marian Keyes ( Penguin Random House, $ 38)

This is Marian Keyes at her best, writing about family and relationships, and issues such as bereavement, infidelity and teenage pregnancy, in her well- known, light and easy way. It starts with Amy's husband Hugh telling her he wants to take a break from their relationship ( and family), alone, for six months. Most of the novel takes place in those six months but it’s by no means all doom and gloom.

THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FAIRVALE LADIES BOOK CLUB by Sophie Green ( Hachette NZ, $ 35)

This is an engaging story about Sybil Baxter, life in the Northern Territory and the four women she brings together to form the Fairvale Ladies Book Club. It’s through these meetings that the personalities and lives of the five women shine and through the multi- layered story- telling we discover those lives are hard and often isolated. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

WE THAT ARE LEFT by Lisa Bigelow ( Allen& Unwin, $ 33)

It’s hard to believe this is Lisa Bigelow’s debut novel. Her style is instantly engaging and her story- telling easy to enjoy. Mae and Grace learn to survive at the fringe of war, in 1940s Melbourne. Just after Mae becomes a mother, she learns her husband Harry's ship is missing and her life is focused on bringing her husband home. Meanwhile, Grace is waiting to hear if her boyfriend is even still alive. The two women are very different from each other and, in quite a clever way, remain unconnected for the entire story.

Entries are now open for the 2018 Grimshaw Sargeson Fellowship. The Fellowship offers published New Zealand writers, both here and overseas, the opportunity to focus on their craft full- time by providing an annual stipend of $ 20,000 and tenure at the Sargeson Centre in Auckland. Entries close on October 6. For more details and to apply, see grimshaw. co. nz/ about- us/ grimshaw- sargeson- fellowship