CONTEMPORARY | Daily Mail Online

WORST. IDEA. EVER

by Jane Fallon (Michael Joseph £12.99, 400 pp)

I’ve been a huge fan of Fallon’s beautifully written novels since her fierce and fresh 2006 debut, Getting Rid Of Matthew.

Here she takes us on a deep dive into the emotionally murky waters which exist between protagonists Lydia and Georgia.

They are best friends for ever and, on the surface anyway, still as close despite their lives taking different directions.

Georgia is a successful illustrator of children’s books with bestsellers on the shelves, international publishing deals and award nominations. Lydia also illustrates but alongside a job she dislikes.

A book deal is her dearest wish and constantly having to express happiness for Georgia’s wins is grating.

On Instagram, Lydia’s life is a whirlwind of dates and fancy parties. The reality is very different, however, and as Lydia’s resentment grows, Georgia puts herself in a dangerous position. I adored it.

GREENWICH PARK

by Katherine Faulkner (Raven Books £12.99, 464 pp)

When Helen books a course of antenatal classes in London’s snazzy Greenwich, she expects to attend with her husband, Daniel, her pregnant sister-in-law and her beloved brother, who is also Daniel’s business partner.

However, this cosy family foursome Helen has so fondly imagined fails to materialise when the others drop out.

There are plenty of other yummy mummies there but it’s Rachel, the wild card who smokes, drinks, swears and makes the rest of the group feel uncomfortable, whom Helen bonds with.

It’s not long before Helen can’t go anywhere without Rachel popping up or, worse, arriving at her house uninvited.

It quickly becomes apparent that Rachel’s interest in Helen and her family is not so innocent as initially believed.

It’s twisty and dark and brilliant on secrets, lies and the extraordinary lengths some people will go to protect perfectly crafted existences. I raced through it.

THE ROAD TRIP

by Beth O’Leary (Quercus £14.99, 416 pp)

Addie and her sister Deb decide to make an event of their long road trip from London to a friend’s wedding in Scotland. They’ve planned the snacks, the music and the chat as carefully as they’ve mapped the route.

Something they could not have foreseen, however, was someone driving into the back of them when they’d barely left home. The driver is Addie’s ex, Dylan, whom she hasn’t seen or spoken to since their horrendous break-up two years previously.

The passengers in Dylan’s car are going to the same wedding so, although she can’t think of anything more difficult than being trapped together for hours, Addie offers them a lift.

It’s not long before Dylan’s best friend starts accusing her of all sorts, Deb jumps in to defend her sister and they’re all rowing furiously. No big surprises here but it’s a very easy read.