Rich Girl, Poor Girl – Lesley Lokko

Synopsis: Nic Harte is the daughter of a business tycoon. Despite a life of jaw-dropping wealth and privilege, all she really wants is a bit of attention from daddy. Caryn Middleton never met her father. But growing up on a tough London sink estate, she had other things to worry about. Like getting out and moving on. Tory Spiller just yearns for some space to be herself. Living in the shadow of your dead sister is tough, particularly when she seemed to be everything you're not. Nic, Caryn and Tory: three girls who form a friendship that should last a lifetime. Until beautiful, ruthless Estelle McKenzie appears on the scene. Estelle has a secret. And, one way or another, she's going to make each woman pay a very high price for it.

I L.O.V.E, loved this book, what an enthralling read. This is the first novel by Lesley Lokko I have read. It is a ‘can’t put it down’ novel, beautifully written and cleverly crafted… I felt like I got to know the characters so well and had to stay up late and get up early to get to know them better! 

RRP: $38.99
Published by: Orion Division, Hachette
Gloss Rating: 5 out of 5

Vintage - Olivia Darling

Synopsis: They were three women who dared to make it in a man's world. Madeleine Arsenault has prepared for this moment all her life. Grief for her father is second only to her determination to rescue the beloved family Chateau, and prove to her sworn childhood enemy Axel Delaflote that she's got what it takes to run the most successful champagne house in France. Former supermodel Christina Morgan knows she hasn't got what it takes. But she's sure as hell not going to show it. And with the help of her assistant Sam, she'll turn her ex-husband's hobby Californian vineyard into a major player. Kelly Elson would rather drink vodka and coke than champagne. Then she inherits a vineyard and suddenly she's not a chambermaid any more…

I have to say, that Vintage, or more so, the first two pages of Vintage shocked me a little. When one picks up what looks like a good, girly ready, one does not generally expect to come across a raunchy sex-scene before the end of the first page (not that I am complaining!)
Of course, with any good chick-lit there is fashion, glamour, sex and romance, but the book has a more serious side as the three heroines are swept into a world of business,  feuds, back-stabbing and sabotage  and it all comes down to one question - have they got what it takes to survive? Don't be put of by the front cover. This book has got smarts. A great read if you are looking for saucy chick-lit with that little bit extra.

RRP: $38.99
Published by: Hodder Division, Hachette
Gloss Rating 3 ½ out of 5

War Child: A Boy Soldier's Story – Emmanuelle Jal

Synopsis: Emmanuel Jal was only seven years old when he was taken from his family home to become a child soldier with the rebel army in Sudan's bloody civil war for nearly five years. Beaten, starved and brutalised Emmanuel was put into battle in Ethiopia and southern Sudan carrying an AK-47 talller than himself. He attempted to leave the SPLA but was hunted down and thrown into a desert prison. He finally escaped and is now an internationally-acclaimed hip hop artist spreading messages of peace and reconciliation with his unique style of gospel rap.

Extraordinary, painful, heart-breaking and inspiring. You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried! Emmanuelle Jal’s powerful story is not only an important read, but at the guts of it is one heck of a page turner.

RRP: $39.99
Published by: Little Brown Division, Hachette
Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5

Screw Inner Beauty: Lessons From The Fat-o-sphere – Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby

Synopsis: Bloggers Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby have lost count of how many diets they've been on. But like almost all dieters, they always gained it back - In Screw Inner Beauty, they share how they came to quit starving themselves and like their fat bodies the way they are.

In Screw Inner Beauty you'll discover how to live your life with joy, pride, brio, and plenty of healthy self-respect, no matter what size dress you wear. You'll learn how to eat what your body asks for, exercise just because it feels good, ignore all the haters (and your mum), and forget about the stupid number on the scale.

The synopsis sums it up beautifully. Written in the real way that women talk to each other, filled with practical advice, no nonsense guidelines and stories of their own life experiences. A great read if you want to learn to love who you are and ‘get on with your life’ 

RRP: $32.99
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5

The Big Day: A Guide to Getting Married in New Zealand – Kerril Cooper and Denise Irvine

Synopsis: The Big Day covers every aspect of arranging a wedding – from the simplest ceremony through to a lavish affair featuring a cast of many hundreds.
Throughout the book the authors provide useful tried and tested examples that have ‘worked’ for weddings they have taken in the past, from vows to suggested readings, as well as examples of ideas that have not been so successful, helping the reader steer a safe course and make the day perfect.
This book is a great idea. There’s so much to think about when planning a wedding and this book is a seriously comprehensive guide – if you’re stressing about where to start when planning your wedding, this is a must-have. 

RRP: $29.99
Published by: New Holland Publishers
Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5