By Adèle Geras
Quercus, £19.99
Adèle Geras is the author of many stories for children as well as five adult novels. Her latest, Love or Nearest Offer, is fun, enjoyable to read and shows an insight that is unsurprising from the writer of nearly 100 books (more than 90 for children).
It is the story of Iris Atkins, who appears to be the most remarkably dedicated estate agent of all time (those in the profession will love this story). However, Iris's devotion to duty (mainly in the Barnet area), means that she has neglected her own love life. Or so it seems…
It is refreshing to read about a woman who doesn't want children (and sticks to her guns), an older couple who find love, rather joyfully, for the second time, and a woman who wants her husband to have a job he enjoys - rather than one that earns him huge amounts of money (although, of course, that does help her to purchase her dream home).