Whitcoulls recommends Christine Leunens and Marian Keyes

In Amber’s Wake by Christine Leunens, who of course wrote the book on which the movie Jojo Rabbit was based (it was called Caging Skies). Local author. It’s a romantic drama set in New Zealand during the 1980s.Ethan Grieg, a film student, is in love with his close friend Amber Deering, an environmental activist, who lives at her family’s seemingly picture-perfect stud farm. Amber loves Ethan dearly, but not in the way Ethan longs for. Instead, the man Amber has offered her heart is widower Stuart Reeds, a charming, refined British investor almost two generations older than her. As a Korean war veteran, Stuart is mentally prepared for the long, subtle war that begins between his young rival and himself for Amber’s heart. Set against background of the anti-nuclear movement, the Springbok tour and the Rainbow Warrior. 
Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes. Sequel to Rachel’s Holiday all those years ago. Centred around the marvellous Walsh family – Rachel is out of rehab and is in fact the head therapist at the clinic which she attended back in the day. It’s terrific – she has a great way of getting real-life onto the page – I think she’s greatly undervalued as a quality writer. Her themes are ones which resonate with so many of us – addiction, relationships, love, families – and the dialogue is razor-sharp.

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