Whether you’re hopping on a plane to sunnier shores or snuggling up on a staycation, there’s no better companion than a good book. This curated round-up features five very different, but equally #jeannieous, reads, perfect for your winter escape.
The Surf House
By Lucy Clarke
Why you’ll love it:
Oooh, this one is a goodie: an action-packed, cleverly-plotted murder mystery set in a boho surf retreat on the cliffs of Morocco. The protagonist, ex-fashion model, Bee Williams, finds herself recuperating here after escaping a dangerous altercation in Marrakesh. She falls in love with the sunshine and good times on offer, but, when a mysterious stranger recruits her to find a missing woman – a woman eerily similar to Bee – she begins to suspect her new surf buddies – including sexy night-surfer, Aiden – may know more than they’re letting on…. Murder, sunshine, secrets. What’s not to love?
Read time:
It’s furiously fast-paced. Warn your friends and family you’ll be ignoring them until it’s done.
Where to buy:
Buy the paperback
Download it on Kindle
Water Moon
By Samantha Sotto Yambao
Why you’ll love it:
What is there to say about this romantasy novel, other than it is absolutely spellbinding? A mystical love story that transports unlikely lovers, Hana and Kei, through many dimensions on their quest to find Hana’s missing father, and save the missing choice that he stole. You will not find a single dragon, swashbuckling hero or any superfluous 🌶️🌶️ in these pages. Instead, Water Moon defies its genre by crafting a romance of profound depth and philosophical intent as it questions the repercussions of our life choices and the lost loves we would prefer to forget.
Read time:
Conceptually challenging and emotionally evocative… It’s highly recommended to give this one the focus time it deserves.
Where to buy:
All The Other Mothers Hate Me
By Sarah Harman
Why you’ll love it:
If you’ve ever run the morning school drop-off gauntlet, only to suffer judgey looks from other mothers who are posher, better dressed and more on time than you, then you will LOVE this fun and quirky novel. Florence Grimes (aka Dylan’s mum) is a hot mess: she’s broke, likes a Red Bull for brekkie, and shags around to keep her mind off her failed girl-band career. But when her son becomes the prime suspect in his bully’s sudden disappearance, Florence realises she’ll need to sort her sh*t out if she wants to clear her son’s name.
Read time:
A light and breezy read. Easy to whizz through on the plane or poolside.
Where to buy:
Aftertaste
By Daria Lavelle
Why you’ll love it:
A juicy binge that’s deliciously dark and contains more otherworldly twists than your favourite martini, this culinary feast for the senses is a must for foodies who also love a good ghost story. It follows Kostya’s journey from being a down-and-out restaurant dishwasher to opening his own NYC restaurant. Only his guests are ghosts and the main ingredient on his menu is Moving On. What Kostya doesn’t know, however, is that messing with the Afterlife can have catastrophic – maybe even deadly – consequences. Read It. Love it. You’ll remember it forever.
Read time:
It’s intricate and intense, with detailed, droolworthy descriptions of every dish that you’ll want to have time to digest.
Where to buy:
Climbing In Heels
By Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Why you’ll love it:
Set in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood in the 80’s, this smart, sexy, compulsive read will keep you enthralled until the very last word. It follows the complex careers of three women – Beanie, Ella and Mercedes – who dared climb the corporate ladder of the hottest entertainment talent agency in town. Each is driven by the ghosts of their past that make them determined to win at all costs; and all three of them defy class and gender conventions by outwitting, outplaying and outsmarting the macho boys club that doesn’t want them to succeed.
Read time:
Feisty, juicy and fun, this is a book to give in to over a long weekend or holiday when you’re looking for blockbuster-style entertainment.
Where to buy:
Which one are you packing? Let us know on Instagram @thatsjeannieous and tag us in your #jeannieous moments
