The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - Helen Simonson

The cover of Helen Simonson's new book, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, immediately caught my eye. The title and cover image promised a great read!

Simonson has set her book in 1919 postwar England. Men are coming back to their homes, their families - and their jobs. Women have filled those roles during the war and many of the women don't want to quit - and many of them can't afford to not work.

One of those willing to work at a much more challenging job  is Constance. But right now she is a companion to an older woman, living in a luxury hotel at Hazelbourne-on-Sea. 

"I was doing something important. Now we are all expected to go home to the kitchen or drawing room". 

Simonson's setting is wonderfully detailed and easy to imagine. She has also captured the mores of the time period - proper behaviour, doing as you're expected, listening to your elders and so much more. The expectations of the time are so constrictive. The dialogue was so well written and fun to read. Oral jousting while not stepping out of line!

But then Constance meets Poppy and her family and Poppy turns Constance's life upside down, introducing her to other forward thinking women. Simonson does a wonderful job depicting the women's' lives, hopes, dreams, wishes and the drive to keep trying to have more and do more. 

There's much more to the plot of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - and it's much more fun to discover it yourself. If you enjoy historical fiction, add this to the your list! See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club.

Surprise Me - Sophie Kinsella

Surprise Me is Sophie Kinsella's latest novel - and (no surprise) - it's another delightful read!

Sylvie and Dan have a storybook marriage, a lovely home, good jobs and twin daughters. But, an offhand remark about longevity has them suddenly panicked. How can they keep their marriage fresh over the course of the years to come? Surprises, that the ticket! 

Well, surprises can be unpredictable can't they? Uh huh."...I thought we couldn't surprise each other anymore. Well, that shows how much I knew."

In her trademark style, Kinsella has concocted more than one laugh out loud situation for Dan and Sylvia. And just as fun are her characters. In Sylvie we have the slightly flustered, lovable lead that you'd want to have as a friend. Dan, well, he's the perfect partner for Sylvie. The supporting cast is always quirky and left of center and just as endearing. I loved the little museum Sylvie worked at - and its odd office practices.

With a great rom-com read, come missed cues and misunderstandings. The reader knows that some choices made are not quite the right ones...but in the end there will be a 'happy ever after.' And no surprise, that the case in this novel. There was a plot thread involving Sylvie's father that was a little bit heavier - but quite timely.

Kinsella's books are engaging, entertaining, humourous and just so much fun to read. If you need a pick-me-up, pick up this latest from Sophie Kinsella. You'll have a smile on your face in no time. Read an excerpt of Surprise Me.