Book Review: The Rules of Backyard Croquet by Sunni Overend

Last year staff at Torquay Books adored Overend’s debut The Dangers of Truffle Hunting and dubbed it “Bridget Jones meets Nigella Lawson”. She returns this year with another fantastic page turning, fire cracker of a novel.

This time we are introduced to Apple March, once the star pupil at a famous fashion academy, now a barely appreciated, much-abused manager at a boutique store on Chapel Street.

Apple’s life has not gone the way she anticipated, still living with her younger sister, love life non-existent, and a boss that treats her more like a slave with every passing day.

Her true passion lies in dressmaking and designing clothes, however, a scandal years ago makes her feel as though her fate is sealed, and despite her immense talent, she will not return to the fashion industry. That is until she starts to fall for someone she shouldn’t; a wealthy heir already engaged but as desperately miserable as her.

He brings her into his fold, and soon she’s being whisked around Melbourne and country Victoria to extravagant parties and country manor stays. This novel is a snappy and sophisticated tale about a young woman trying to make sense of her life.

Set in Melbourne, with references to places we all know and love, you’ll devour this rich and raunchy offering from a great voice in the ‘chick-lit’ genre. Harper Collins AU $29.99