Talented NZ author

Chick lit ...

Crush

by Leigh Marsden

Penguin, $29.99

Leigh Marsden's second book is just what I expected ... better than her first. The storyline is witty and romantic, and her characters are fantastic.

I particularly like Sean, who just reminded me of Sean from Coro Street. He's gay, dramatic and looking for love.

However, although he is a big part of the story, Sean is not the main character.

Philippa Ballantyne is the leading lady in this tale. She has just returned to her home town of Glory Falls where everybody knows everybody and is literally knocked off her feet by a handsome beekeeper who is as sweet as honey.

But Philippa has a crush on her friend's older brother, one that she has harboured for 10 years. So when she finds out he is coming to town she makes sure she is in the right place to meet him.

Sparks fly between them, but when he finds out Philippa is engaged to someone else he's not happy. Neither is her fiance.

Philippa must decide whether to follow her heart or her head.

Great story with an underlying theme about bullying.Linda Hall