RSVP - Tara Moore
Synopsis: When Ashling Morrison becomes engaged to the love of her life, Rossa Granville, she sets in motion a chain of events that will see two wealthy and powerful Irish families clash as never before…
This is my first 5 star review for the year! This is the first book I have read in a very long time that had me guessing right to the end. I must admit, it was totally depraved and I don’t like that sort of thing - dare I mention the word “incest” - but luckily the rest of the plot had me turning the pages until very late in the evening to get the answers I was looking for.

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

Becoming Scarlett – Ciara Geraghty
Synopsis: Scarlett is brilliant at organizing - from her family to her job as a wedding planner, she loves the feeling of having things under control. Except that suddenly, things are slipping out of her hands - like the fact that her boyfriend, always so reliable, has suddenly taken himself off travelling. And that after a one-night stand, she discovers that she's pregnant. The worst bit is she can't be sure who the father of the baby is - even though she's slept with exactly four-and-a-half men in her entire 35 years. And she's also developed feelings for her most important client's husband-to-be...
Oh this is just every woman’s nightmare, well most I know anyway. I loved the characters in this book - especially the handsome one night stand.  Even if he was a ginga he gives hope to all those woman that think they are going to find love after a one night stand which we all know doesn’t usually work out. Not the most riveting book I’ve read, however a nice read when there’s nothing but the cricket to watch.

RRP: $34.99
Published by: Hachette New Zealand
Gloss Rating: 3 out of 5

The Things That Keep Us Here – Carla Buckley
Synopsis: How far would you go to protect your family?Ann Brooks never thought she’d have to answer that question. Then she found her limits tested by a crisis no one could prevent. Now, as her neighborhood descends into panic, she must make tough choices to protect everyone she loves from a threat she cannot even see. In this chillingly urgent novel, Carla Buckley confronts us with the terrifying decisions we are forced to make when ordinary life changes overnight…

This book discusses Avian Flu or H5N1 and its grip on the world – how people react and how difficult everyday life becomes when we do not have the luxury of our current existence. I am fascinated by plots like these and I am reminded of the quote “Civilisation is just three meals away from chaos.” One can only imagine the chaos that would ensue should bird flu really hit hard. I had some issues with this book – it is snowing outside and they lose their power so they take all the meat out of the freezer and cook it! Why not just keep the meat in a box buried in the snow? There is a constant fear of running out of water, but they never put anything outside to collect rain water or snow. Huh? Regardless, I must say this was a great page-turner and had me awake into the wee hours. A fantastic debut novel. I’m off to put my survival pack together now too!

Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5
Published by: Orion