Chick let books

Book cover - The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon. Photo / Supplied

The Crimson Rooms
by Katharine McMahon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson $37.99)

Intriguing tale told from the perspective of one of Britain's first female solicitors. Evelyn Gifford's family is still grieving for her brother James, killed in World War I. One night a woman called Meredith arrives on their London doorstep with a boy she claims is James' son. These new arrivals have a profound effect on the way Meredith and her family view the post-war world; including two of Evelyn's cases, one a murder, the other a woman accused of stealing her own baby. A story told, in a gentle way, of gentle people whose lives were shattered by the losses and horrors of war.

Red Dust
by Fleur McDonald (Arena $37.99)

Aussie yarn about Gemma Sinclair's survival after her husband Adam dies in a plane crash while mustering stock on their 100,000ha station. Still grieving, Gemma hears rumours Adam was tied up in a stock-rustling operation. It's up to Gemma to prove that she had no part in the rort. A page-turner.

Love The One You're With
by Emily Giffin (Orion $27.99)

Ellen is living in New York, happily married to Andy, brother of best friend Margot. Everything is hunky dory until she runs into old flame Leo. There was unfinished business when they broke up and Ellen starts to wonder "what if" they had got back together. How different would her life be and would they be happy? Readers know she's flirting with danger, yet they'll be kept in suspense until the last few pages to find out whether Ellen chooses to risk all for a second chance with her charming, seductive ex.

Sweeping Up Glass
by Carolyn Wall (Quercus $35)

A tale set in Kentucky during the Depression and the era of segregation. It's not much of a life for Olivia Harker, who lives with her disturbed mother and beloved grandson, in conditions bordering on poverty. Olivia is friends with her black neighbours, but it's not condoned by other residents of the town. When she finds out about the district's Ku Klux Klan members, she also learns the truth about what happened to her father some four decades before. A book that will make you grateful for the many things you take for granted.

50 Ways to Find a Lover
by Lucy-Anne Holmes (Macmillan $27.99)

I was hoping for a bit of light relief with this one after a rather serious bunch. Wannabe actress Sarah Sargeant has been single for 351 days. Even a reality-TV show about dating rejects her. But her friends and family think she needs a bit of help and egg her on to try speed dating and then talk her into keeping a blog of her Spinster's Quest. An internet version of Bridget J's diary? Sadly no; it's too predictable and Sarah's swearing grates. Happy ending, though, to keep serial romantics content.