Reading - February 2025

Emma by Jane Austen (1815)

I found it hard to read this time without making mental comparisons with the plot of Clueless; but then again, perhaps I was distracted, because for most of it, it was the small hours of the morning and I was waiting in A&E for my name to be called (I'm fine, don't worry). Still great fun and longer than I remembered, but worth it for the denouement.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1895)

Despite being set in a clearly different time, this is so wonderfully sharp and cynical that it could be the modern day. Lovely and short (it took me barely an hour to read), it sizzles with wit and is so choc-full of famous quotes you can't go a page without hitting one. A nice distraction (I was still in the hospital waiting room at this point).

Make Room for Daddy by Andrea Edwards (1990)

Every time I read this I feel like I have to apologise for the truly awful title, but this is an unpretentiously sweet and romantic story and I was moved all over again even though I know exactly what happens.

Virgin River by Robyn Carr (2007)

The plot's a fairly direct lift from Doc Hollywood (maybe via Cars), but that doesn't stop it from being a really engaging story (which it was in both of those films, so ...). There's loads in this series so I'm off to reserve the next couple!

Finding Love at Sunset Shore by Bella Osborne (2024)

A cute little romance, set in Southampton (albeit with a few made-up venues, I suspect - there's no "Sunset Shore" or even anything resembling a beach in Southampton), which carried me along nicely despite there being no doubt how it was going to end.

Welcome Back to Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand (2013)

Man and woman fall instantly in love and lust, encouraged by all their family and friends - the end. Somehow this fills a book and doesn't actually feel like a waste of time, despite the lack of development, which I think is partly down to a well-written set of supporting characters.

Mister Teacher by Jack Sheffield (2008)

The second instalment of the series sees just as many specific references to the time in which it is set shoehorned in, but the writing is settling down and the author is doing a good job of drawing out the romance element. I'm surprised it's not been made into a TV series, but it would be expensive to make. If I can find more of these I'll probably read them!