Crossing Paths falls with a resounding thump into the category of chick-lit. Which isn’t a slight on this book; on the contrary, I found it to be a relaxing, funny read. Jo Liddell is a journalist in Sydney fighting her way to be recognised as a worthy columnist even though she gets stuck doing fluff pieces most of the time. She has just bought her own flat, is having an affair with a married man and generally feels pretty good about her life. The only thing missing-even though she’s not really looking-is a man she can have a decent relationship with. In steps Joe Bannister. Award-winning journalist and swarthy to boot. Joe is a likeable character who has come back to Australia to be near his ailing father but is not looking to fall in love. Jo and Joe come head-to-head on many occasions and their families and friends provide a familiar backdrop for their squabbles and dramas. However, just when you think the two Jo/es are destined to be together, there’s another surprising twist to the story. Crossing Paths is an entertaining, well-written romp for its genre and one for the Marian Keyes fans out there.

Katie Horner is assistant editor of Bookseller+Publisher

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

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