'A smash hit': The best Contemporary novels out now - Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn, Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth, Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick
Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn (Boldwood £9.99, 272pp)
This deliciously romantic story set in Paris and Cannes is perfect to curl up with on a sunny afternoon.
After years of infertility which ended her marriage, Maggie is distraught to discover that not only is her ex engaged but his fiancee is pregnant.
Heartbroken, Maggie takes up her mother's offer of a trip to the South of France to pick up some of her grandmother Elizabeth's things from her best friend, Allegra.
American and impossibly glamorous, Allegra talks Maggie through the photos in the box Elizabeth left for her before she fled Paris in 1961.
Maggie and Allegra's connection in the present day is contrasted with Allegra and Elizabeth's whirlwind year in the City of Love. It romps along and is brilliant on grabbing opportunities when they appear. Wonderful.
Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth (The Borough Press £16.99, 288pp)
Former party girl Sarah is in her early 40s, flirting with sobriety, single and bored.
Her sister Juliette, a wife and mother, is approaching her 40th birthday, so to celebrate the pair set off on a road trip around Scotland.
The narrative alternates between their teenage years and now, exploring what happened to Sarah then and how those events have shaped her present emotional landscape.
However, as the trip progresses, Sarah discovers that Juliette's life isn't as glossy as it looks on the outside either. The more demons they exorcise, the better Sarah begins to feel.
It's beautifully written and terrific on sisterhood, sex and obsessions.
Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick (Viking £16.99, 352pp)
Another story about sisters, this one is hilarious, heart-breaking and utterly original. Mickey and Arlo are half-sisters who share a recently deceased father but have never met.
Mickey blames her dad for every ounce of sorrow she has ever experienced; Arlo, who grew up with him and was his carer before his death, couldn't adore him more.
Grief-stricken Arlo is horrified to discover her father cut her out of his will before he died. Mickey can't believe it when she's told that his considerable estate is passing to her – on the condition that she attends seven therapy sessions.
Arlo is a therapist – guess where Mickey ends up?
Fantastic. I think it might be a smash hit.
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