It Happened in Paris by Molly Hopkins

This is the first book by Molly Hopkins and although I found it a little bit slow to begin with (it spent 3months travelling around Australia in the bottom of my rucksack) once I got into the story, it was a really good read.

The main character is Evie Dexter, a young woman living in London, who we meet in the middle of a career change. Having just been made redundant from an advertising agency, Evie decides she is going to be a tour guide! With and embellished CV and a hung-over interviewer she manages to secure a job as the guide on a Paris coach trip lead by Insignia Tours.

On her first day on the job, things aren't quite going to plan and it looks as though Evie may not be cut out for the job - that is until she meets Rob, the sexy coach driver and the answer to all her prayers.

Although the ease in which Evie's character manages to get her job, and keep hold of it, is a little unbelievable, it does make for a perfect backdrop for a romantic story. This coupled with the various tourists placed in Evie's care, as well as her ability to get herself into a sticky situation mean that this story was very entertaining and would make a great film.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and certainly glad that I didn't give up after the first chapter as it turned into a very engaging and enjoyable story that I would certainly recommend. Having read the preview, Molly Hopkins next book It Happened in Venice (to be released July 2012) promises to be just as good and I am looking forward to reading it this summer.

 9/10

I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk

The fourth book in the ‘I heart…’ series by Lindsey Kelk, and firstly I would like to say if you haven’t read the previous ones then that is the place to start (I heart New York) as they do need to be read in order.

After reading the first three I was looking forward to the release of I Heart Vegas and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The story picks up a few months after the last book with Angela struggling with her writing career and best friend Jenny now working for Erin’s PR agency. As always Angela and, her rock-star boyfriend, Alex are having their usual issues with communication and Jenny’s love-life is a mess once again.

Deciding they all need a break Jenny books a girls’ weekend to Las Vegas - where better to relax and fix their problems than Sin City itself…

The characters featured in the previous books, and a few new ones, are just as well developed allowing you to relate to them – even though some of the situations are not quite no relatable! However this is what makes the series so enjoyable, as Angela is just a normal London girl now living her dream (and some of her nightmares) in America.

The story is easy to get into from the first chapter and it only took me a few days to read as I didn't want to stop once I'd started. I would recommend this book to anyone who has followed the series, and to anyone that hasn't, start with I Heart New York but I'd suggest buying all four straight away because once you've finished the first one you won't want to wait for the next one!

9/10

Single Girl’s To-Do List by Lindsey Kelk

After reading, and really enjoying, the ‘I heart…’ series of books by Lindsey Kelk, I decided to give this one a go and found it to be just as enjoyable – well almost.

The main character, Rachel Summers, is a make-up artist living in London who, at the beginning of the book, gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Simon. Cue best friends Emelie and Matthew and ‘The List’.

As a serial girlfriend, and a constant planner Rachel finds herself in an all new situation, and one she doesn’t much appreciate. However her friends are determined for her to make the most of it and embrace the single life and so ‘The Single Girl’s To-Do List’ is written.

Whilst the overall story well written and one in which any girl who has experienced a break-up can relate too in some way, some of the characters can be a little un-relatable. For instance Emelie is making a living from a cartoon drawing of cat and Matthew is living of the inheritance of an estranged parent.

However as I said previously, the general story is well written and engaging and as the story progresses you become more connected to Rachel and her story. Despite the underlying theme of a break up the book is generally light-hearted and the highs and lows of single life make for an entertaining read.

It was also nice to see a reference to the ‘I heart…’ series through the crossover of one of the characters – although only a brief mention it adds a little something for those who have read them whilst also hinting at a possible connection with the upcoming ‘I heart London’ to be released later this year.

Overall, although not quite as good as Lindsey Kelk’s previous books, I would recommend The Single Girl’s To-Do List’ to anyone looking for a light-hearted, entertaining read.  

7/10

Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon

I finished this book this morning, and to be quite honest, was sad that it was over and I couldn't read it anymore!

As with the previous Paige Toon books I've read (Lucy in the Sky and Pictures of Lily) Chasing Daisy grabs you almost immediately and doesn't let go, even once you finished the story. Beautifully written, the story, surrounding Daisy a front-of-house girl working for a Formula 1 team, allows you to really feel for, not just Daisy, but all of the characters.  

Daisy is running from her past, and so far is managing to keep all her secrets hidden away - even from best friend Holly a fellow front-of-house girl. However as Daisy travels the world with the F1 team, she discovers that she’s not the only one with a secret, and that it’s only a matter of time until you need to open up - but the question is who to?

Half-way through the book, the story takes an (in my case) unsuspected turn and from then on, an already gripping story becomes even more gripping and certainly emotional.

The underlying theme of F1 driving might not appeal to a lot of people, but whilst it is an important aspect of the story it is not one of which you need a previous understanding. The theme provides an ever changing backdrop to the story, travelling around the world to the various race cities however what it really adds is an intensity to the story.

The supporting characters really do make this book; from love interest Will (the race car driver) to Nonna, Daisy's Italian grandmother, bring everything from humour to heart-break and most importantly context. By learning about the people in Daisy’s life you get a more rounded picture of the main character, making you feel more connected to her - as though you two are really experiencing her ups and downs.

Paige Toon is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone, especially those really looking to lose themselves in a great, modern, story but be warned it really is an emotional roller coaster with more twists and turns than the scariest of race tracks!

10/10