Book Review: Looking for La La by Ellie Campbell

When Cathy O'Farrell's husband, Declan receives a saucy postcard from the mysterious La La, Cathy is thrilled. Not seriously suspecting that her husband is having an affair, Cathy and her friend Raz start an investigation aided in part by the Tuesday Twice Monthly's, a tight knit group of local moms. Soon the notes turn sinister and Cathy notices a red estate car following her. Is this mystery perhaps more than she bargained for?

I really enjoyed Looking for La La, I think it is an original and entertaining read. Part chick-lit, part mystery, the authors keep your interest throughout.
Ellie Campbell is actually sisters Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell and the bo
ok was apparently inspired by  Pam's husband receiving anonymous postcards in real life. When Cathy's husband receives the mail signed from La La, she decides to investigate. Worryingly Cathy is more excited that this postcard will bring some excitement to her life rather than being concerned that her husband is having an affair.
I liked Cathy's character, her two children are at school now and Declan is talking about her returning to work but she really doesn't want to. I felt a little sorry for Cathy, she doesn't seem to know what she wants at the start of the book; her role of wife and mother is changing and I think that is something that many female readers will identify with.
One of my favourite characters was Raz, along with Cathy's personality, they bring a lot of humour to the story which gives it a chick-lit feel.
I would recommend Looking for La La if you are after a chick-lit read with a slightly  more engaging storyline. I hope that Pam Burke and Lorraine Campbell have more books to offer in the future.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Dot Scribbles Suggests...

I am always coming across new books that I would like to read and I have decided to start sharing them here with you on Dot Scribbles! These are the four that have caught my eye recently and they're all out this month so not too long to wait!

The Wake by Jeremy Page, published by Penguin on 30 July 2009

A field, a perfect morning, a family destroyed in a single moment.

Every night before he cuts the engine and lets the boat drift, Guy writes the diary of the man he should have been- of a husband with his wife and their young daughter; of a new family that may not have been perfect, but who were, at least, together. And every morning, as he's rocked in his berth by the waves all around, he wakes to the memory of that fateful day and the knowledge that things can never be the same.

Embarking on a moving and eventful journey from the calm estuaries of East Anglia to the southern states of America and the storm-filled waters of the North Sea, Guy meets Marta and her daughter Rhona who are on a life-affirming journey of their own...

The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton by Catherine Alliott published by Penguin on 9th July, 2009

I'm really excited about this book having only just read my first Catherine Alliott book, here's the idea behind this one:

Evie Hamilton has a secret. One she doesn't even know about. Yet...
She's blissfully unaware that her charmed and happy life is about to be turned upside down. And it all begins one sunny, Oxford morning when a letter- a ticking time bomb- lands on Evie's immaculate doormat. Something she never anticipated threatens to sabotage all that she holds dear. It's time for her to reappraise everything in her carefully arranged universe.
Is Evie string enough to fight for what she loves? What will be left and what will change forever? And can her world really be as fragile as her best china?

When Good Friends Go Bad by Ellie Campbell, published by Arrow on 30th July 2009.

All through school tomboy Jen, snobby Georgina, hippy Meg and gentle Rowan were inseparable. But when a childish prank turned bad their friendship was torn apart.
Twelve years later Rowan organised a reunion dinner and all did not go well. Rowan never appeared; Georgina's shocking secret was revealed; Meg behaved outrageously; and Jen finally decided it was time to move on. And that's just what she did for the following ten years...
Until now, when in the midst of her divorce Jen receives a desperate call from Meg. On a personal mission to track down Rowan, Meg manages to convince Georgina and Jen to put aside their differences and help her. But none of them even begin to imagine the extent to which their loyalties will be tested as their past finally catches up with them.

Temples of Delight by Barbara Trapido, published by Bloomsbury on 20th July, 2009.

Jem is a joyful mystery to Alice. She is something to give thanks for. And when she disappears from Alice's life, as suddenly as she entered it, a whirl of glamour, subversion and literary references, Alice is left bereft. But then she meets Giovanni, presumptuous and hectoring, passionate and beautiful, who leads her back to her childhood friend and the mystery and chaos still surrounding her. Alice find herself being seduced all over again...

I love the front cover for this book and I think that the character of Giovanni sounds extremely interesting!! Have you heard anything about any of these books?