Advantages: a good read, great characterisation
Disadvantages: not compelling enough

...Playing Away is a novel written by Adele Parks, a young British author. I had not heard of her before, but the book was recommended to me by a friend, and the cover declares the novel is the closest you will get to having an affair, without having one - so it sounded interesting !! It is the story of Connie & Luke's marriage, told from Connie's viewpoint. On the surface she has it all - a good job, nice home, perfect husband and it is early on in their marriage. They are the envy of their friends. But when Connie goes away to a conference and meets John, a handsome flirt, why is she tempted to stray ? This is a light read and a fairly good book, but not one I would rave about. One of Adele Parks' best qualities is how well she writes about the other characters in the book, Connie & Luke's friends - Rose & Peter, Daisy, Lucy... Read review

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Advantages: A can't put it down type of read
Disadvantages: Too explicit for train reading in places

...Fed up with the daily grind of reading the bad news in newspapers, I decided that there really must be more enjoyment of my daily commute. After years of buying only the serious reads, I ventured into WH Smith with the approach a bit similar to a ram raid, grab the first cover that looks like fun and escape. Not particularly the most sane or rational of approaches to book buying, but after finding this gem of an author, I've stuck to the method!. Who is Adele Parks? As the author of a girlie book, as expected Adele is female and similar to many of her characters, is roughly in her early 30s. Old enough to have experienced a bit, but young enough to still remember! She graduated from Leicester University following a combined English Literature and Language degree into what seems like a mini adventure! Teaching English... Read review

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Advantages: Easily readable
Disadvantages: Contains nothing you'd really want to read!

...Over the years, I've become quite a fan of the chick-lit and bloke-lit genres. It's one of those guilty pleasures, in which you know every time you pick the book up that you should be reading something with a bit more depth but you just don't quite have the will power to let go. Fortunately, I think I may just have found the book to cure my addiction to the genre. A couple of years ago, I was given a free book on the purchase of a travel guide. This book, Adele Parks' "Playing Away", sat unwanted and unloved upon my shelf until a friend who has similar reading tastes to me mentioned she was a big fan of the author. Given that our tastes coincide in so many ways, I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try. If only I had known then what I know now. Connie is married to Luke and has been for the last year, she believes happily... Read review

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Advantages: light but interesting read
Disadvantages: none!

...Before you get into this review I have to warn you that 'Still Thinking of You' is a really light, easy read and definitely comes under the category of 'chick lit'! Having said this though, if this is your sort of read (even if only occasionally) then I would definitely recommend it! I had already read a couple of books by Adele Parks - both of which were very enjoyable, and I was definitely not disappointed by this book either. At the start of the book we meet Tash and Rich - they haven't known each other long but already know that they are both 'the one' as far as the other is concerned! Rich has been down on one knee and the date for the wedding is set! All set for a happy ending then... There is only one problem which Tash is as yet unaware of - Rich's extremely close knit group of friends who have all known each other since... Read review

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Advantages: Good story, well structured characters
Disadvantages: A bit on the predictable side

...it off for a while because I had got fed up of the usual Chic Lit books and was expecting this to be more of the same...but I was wrong. The book centres on a group of 6 friends who go away to celebrate a wedding. Adele Parks is a very observant author, the characters are well defined and believable. Ok, so the book is essentially another love story, but the author has gone further than that and it is about the darker side of love, obsession, infedility and casual sex, as well as the more traditional happy ever after love story. I found that I was drawn into the story very quickly, and found it hard to put the book down after only a few chapters. I was impressed by how well Parks had described how each of the friends really feel about each other and the ups and downs of friendship. She is incredibly observant. I have a read... Read review

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Advantages: A great read, honest and open
Disadvantages: No sequal

...of marriage, Martha is on a mission to rediscover herself and her youth. Martha is happy to settle for sex, lots of hot steaming, passionate sex, no ties, no trimmings. What does the future hold for these two sisters, about to venture forth in each others shoes? You will have to read the book and find out. I ain't gonna tell you! This is the first book by Adele Parks that I have read and I have to say that I will be queueing up for the next one. The other woman's shoes is a delight to read. Her writing is bold, sometimes shocking but in a fun, quirky way. The humour in this book jumps up and bites you on the bum it is so quick. The characters are strong although I found myself drawn more to the vulnerable, yet enchanting Martha. Her transformation from stylish sheep to sex starved Mrs Confident is a delight to behold. At the start... Read review

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Advantages: Entertaining, nice writing style
Disadvantages: Crude language was a shock at first

...A while ago, whilst looking on amazon.co.uk, I came across a special offer for 3 books (Larger Than Life, Game Over and Playing Away) by northern author Adele Parks. The first one I read, is this one, 'Playing Away'. The book promised to be a close up look at having an affair, but the design of the book did not make me think that it would be a serious look into the pros and cons of affair. I had an image of a Bridget Jones style character as the lead, only this time she is married. The main character is a management consultant called Connie Green. Connie seems to have it all, a gorgeous loving husband, Luke, a good job (even though she hates it), and a wide supportive network of friends, who we are introduced to almost immediately. First, there is Sam, Connie's work colleague, an incurable romantic desperate to find Mr Right. In my... Read review

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Advantages: Two stories in one.
Disadvantages: None

...Haven't read any of Adele Parks books before so I bought this one not really knowing what to expect. I have to admit I was more than pleasantly surprised. She manages to combine the stories of two very different sisters, each wanting different things (ironically they each want what the other has), whilst at the same time keeping your interest alive. There are many differnt aspects to this book it is not just the usual boy and girl story, there are also the underlying family entanglements. Relationships between the characters are explored and brought to you in many ways, anyone who has a sister that makes crazy choices in relationships and life will enjoy this book. Indeed I actually bought a copy for my sister and told her to read it as i felt that she could relate to the predicament of both Eliza and Martha. Martha has... Read review

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Advantages: easy relaxing read
Disadvantages: none

...I have just finished reading Young Wive's Tales by Adele Parks. She has written a number of books which I have enjoyed and this latest was just as good. It's also quite light reading and as there are some times when I don't want to have to tax my brain too much, it is an ideal read for those occasions. I was attracted by the title which is obviously a different take on the expression 'old wives' tales'! It was interesting as I read it though to note that the story is actually told by three different people of which only one could be classed as a 'young wife' The three story tellers are Rose (a divorcee who was once married to Peter), Lucy (who is married to Peter) and John (who can only be classed as a 'blokey bloke' but has had a fling with Connie who is a young wife!). The story covers about four months within the lives... Read review

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Advantages: Good characters, good storyline
Disadvantages: So