Wendy Holden - 'The Wives of Bath'

Focusing primarily on two couples who meet during ante-natal classes this is a satirical novel looking at modern-day parenting. One couple features a 'eco-maniac' (for want of a better phrase) father and the other features a career woman who has a baby when she needs an convenient out from her job and deems herself "too posh to push". The themes of working parents, childcare issues, environmental issues, post-natal depression and the struggle to be the best parent possible. And of course the most important message of all: once you hit parenthood, nothing is what you expect.

Warning. Do not read this book if you are looking for anything in-depth or anything that is likely to add to your understanding of the world or if you are likely to be offended by a novel that makes fun of the world we live in. A lovely light read and very recommended if you are after something that might make you smile and at the very least will make you realise whatever you do "wrong" as a parent, you could be a lot worse!

Elizabeth Noble - 'The Reading Group'

I came across Elizabeth Noble just browsing through the chick lit section at a second hand bookshop. I loved the first one I read and I have actively sought out more. 'The Reading Group' did not disappoint. And as I am about to go to my first book club meeting this afternoon I think that aspect of it added a little bit of extra charm for me!

The book is centred around five women who come together to form a book club. The book that they read each months is listed at the beginning of each "month" along with a brief synopsis. I personally am a little inspired to go and read those books now!

While the women are all members of the book club, this is not the focus of the novel. Their respective opinion of each book are briefly discussed. The focus of the book are the women. Two in unhappy marriages - unhappy for very different reasons. One a single mother of older children who may have found true love. The other two facing their own problems of a very different kind.

A lovely novel about friendship, love, books and reminding you that not everything is as it seems.

Cate Kendall "Gucci Mamas"

It is no secret that I love chick lit. That said, I do appreciate that there is a difference in quality and style amongst the books that fit in the chick lit genre.

"Gucci Mamas" would come under the broader chick lit/women's literature type category. As the name suggests it comes under the sub-category of books based around women who are mothers rather then the young and single. The book centres around Mim and her circle of fashion conscious, competitive mother, nanny hiring, circle of rich friends and her increasing sense of resentment for her life. One of the things that makes this different from other similar books I have read is that it is set in Australia. This added a slightly different dimension to it for me.

The characters aren't very convincing and at the same time not "clever" enough to feel you are reading a satire. If anything, I got the feeling that the writers would like to live more these sort of lifestyles. Minus the problems of course! Although realistically who wouldn't love to have unlimited money!

Despite the above observations, the authors have gone to lengths to show the hidden sides to each of the main characters. Additionally, every mother knows the perils of over-competitiveness amongst the school/playgroup/mothers' group set regardless of social economic circles and those analogies are well done and will make you smile.

I wouldn't rush to recommend this book and if you don't read a lot I wouldn't put this book on your list. However if you read a lot, have kids and like chick lit give it a go!