The Rosie Effect

The Rosie Effect is the sequel to superbly wonderful debut called The Rosie Project, but I suspect you can read it as a stand-alone. Although the protagonists are newly married, this is very much a love story, and a reminder to us all that there is no such thing as “lived happily ever after”: you have to work for it, compromise, fight for it. And if you fail, you should try and try and try again.

If you like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, you’ll fall in love with Don. You might even learn an obscure fact or two along the way. I’m betting once you’ve read the book, you’ll never confuse yellow and blue tuna again.

Love stories - Short Fiction Collection

(excerpt)

Facebook is weird. It lets you list your favorite movies (Casablanca) and music (Snow Patrol) and books (Joshilyn Jackson), it shows updates about your day (another late night at the office, Christopher was asleep by the time I got home), and yet it fails to capture the very essence that makes you—you.

Growing up, I wore homemade clothes because my parents couldn’t afford labels or even store–bought dresses. It made me feel inferior, but also loved beyond belief, because every garment I wore had been lovingly designed, cut and sewn by my mom. Where do I write that on Facebook?

My short–term goal is to work saner hours, my dream is for my son to get to know his dad, and my secret fantasy involves a happily–ever–after with Luke. Facebook remains totally oblivious of all that.

I choose not to confirm Luke as a friend. A Facebook friendship would be so much less than what we once had.

That leaves me one option: I have to go to the reunion.

***

The school hall is dim with ambience lights and the speakers pump out hits from five years ago. The music was lame then and is even lamer now, and yet a tiny trickle of nostalgia seeps into my heart.

Luke and I once danced to that song in the darkest corner of this very hall.

Get a grip.

I pass a few people I don’t recognize and wave to those I do. When I spot Clara, my arm freezes mid–gesture. The guy she’s talking to... I know the shape of those shoulders, the line of that neck.

Luke.

I need to speak to him before I lose the courage to do what’s right. Even if he’s married, he’s entitled to know about his son.

“Glad you could make it,” Clara says, though I can tell she’s not thrilled to see me. “How’s Christopher?”

My cheeks grow hot. I dare not glance at Luke. “Fine. He’s gone to Jemima for the night.”

Clara has no idea how I feel about Luke but she does know how I feel about Jemima the nanny, the ‘other woman’ in Christopher’s life. “You all right with it?”

“Sure.” Not really, but I don’t have a choice. A modern mom is supposed to leave her child and earn a living, especially if she’s a single mom. And after she pays childcare and transport and taxes, she’s actually worse off financially than if she were getting financial support from the government. Meanwhile, her child is raised by strangers. One day somebody will explain how that makes sense.

“Abby. You remember Luke Taylor?”

“Sure,” I say again. I remember every moment.

My head is so empty and light, I feel I’m about to float away. Right now, that would suit me fine. I don’t know how to greet him. Should I give him a hug? A peck on the cheek? Five years.

“Abigail.”

“Hello, Luke.” My tongue grates on the sandpaper of my palate. Talking hurts. Swallowing hurts. Looking at him hurts the most.

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Spicy Somethings

How many ways are there to have flaming wild sex? Count them all in these 10 erotic short stories from master storyteller Eve Summers. 

Hot beaches? Check. Fast boats? You bet. Elevators? Shh... don’t tell.

The Journey

The Journey by Keitha Smith is no ordinary love story. It's a literal and figurative journey the heroine must undertake in order to overcome the wounds of her childhood and open up to the possibility of romance.

The book is beautiful and delicate, like its heroine. You will fall in love with New Zealand's countryside, with vine fairies, and with the fellow travellers.

The Perfect Honeymoon Hotel

I'm sure you all have a secret fantasy about a hotel, one which is the essence of romance, luxury and indulgence. Picture it in your mind now. What is it? An opulent Swiss chalet, like the one favoured by the British royalty? A super-modern sleek-lined glass-and-metal designer's dream? A villa standing on stilts in crystal-clear water tucked away on a Pacific island somewhere?

Up until a week ago, my own fantasy would have gravitated towards the last option. Now, however, my fantasies are more colonial in colour, more sophisticated, more gratifying. They now have a name: the Raffles hotel in Singapore.

Having spent one glorious night at the Raffles, I now want to have a second honeymoon just so that I can return here for a whole week. Make that two. Hang on, isn't the old meaning of a honeymoon a honey-month? I could do with a month at the Raffles. 

So, what makes the hotel so special? Why do I love it? Let me count the ways. It's the sleek architectural lines of the buildings, the grand lobby, the tranquil gardens. It's the attention to details: from the fresh white paint on the columns, through the extensive wine collection and genuine smiles of the staff, to the smell of frangipani, It's the sense of history dating back to 1887: the ancient grandfather clock which still stands in the same place it did when the hotel first opened its door, the cast iron fountain in the Palm Garden brought over from Glasgow over 100 years ago, the large collection of original 19^th century photographs of Singapore and South East Asia.

The food is not just any hotel food. The hotel's lunch and dinner restaurant, modestly called The Grill, is often judged number one in Singapore's culinary competitions. This is an example of what you might expect during a degustation at The Grill:

1. DUCK FOIE GRAS terrine, amaranth popcorn, pineapple kumquat chutney 
2. ROASTED SCALLOPS, braised endives with citrus aroma, barberry sauce 
3. STEAMED COD dusted with mushrooms, shellfish, salsify, light cream sauce 
4. GRILLED OMAHA PRIME BEEF TENDERLOIN, new potatoes, sand carrots, teriyaki reduction  
5. DARK CHOCOLATE CREAM, citrus tangy juice, pure “Guanaja” chocolate sherbet 

Although we missed out on The Grill, we did have a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Billiard Room. I promise I will never look at a buffet meal quite the same way. The dishes on offer were so varied, I couldn't sample more than a third of them, even though I was only taking a teaspoon of each. Every mouthful was exquisite - my new word of choice, and one that describes the Raffles precisely. As was the wine recommended by the sommelier (Laurenz V: SUNNY Grüner Veltliner), which tasted like a combination of non-grassy Sauvignon Blanc and non-sweet Pinot Gris).

The bedrooms are private and airy, the beds offer perfect support. And yes, there is a pillow menu.

I think the only thing that would equal a honeymoon here would be a Raffles wedding. Just imagine the photo opportunities!

Just Married! The Raffles Fasade

The bride on the staircase at the Raffles Hotel

The Couples Suite at the Raffles Spa

The residential Suite Bedroom

The lobby of the Raffles Hotel

A glimpse of the Raffles Hotel

Love is...

The One Plus One

"The One Plus One" by Jojo Moyes is a thoughtful book about mistakes, being different, the definition of right and wrong, and what it means to be a family. Dressed as a love story, it is ultimately so much more.