WHEN Emma’s boyfriend, Leo, turns up at her 30th birthday dinner late and horribly drunk, embarrassing her in front of her family, she decides enough is enough.

All she wants is for someone to wave a magic wand and bring him back as a proper boyfriend. But when Leo meets Isabel and starts changing before her eyes, Emma realises she should be careful what she wishes for.

Isabel isn’t like everyone else, and Leo falls head over heels. But after a series of hilarious events, tragedy strikes and Isabel has to go “home”. It’s then that Leo and Emma realise they are meant to be together.

After the first chapter, this looks as if it will be similar to previous books by Matthews, but then the plot takes an unexpected turn into a genre reminiscent of Cecila Ahern’s A Place Called Here. It explores a world where miracles can happen and magic is the norm. A must read for everyone who needs a little escapism.

All You Need Is Love by Carole Matthews (Headline Review, £6.99) HERE is a romantic comedy set in Liverpool. Sally Freeman is a single mum to Charlie and the ex-girlfriend to Johnny, an artist without a penny to his name.

She tires of living on a dreary council estate and wants to better herself. To this end, she meets the rich, charming and sexy Spencer Knight. However, a lovelorn Johnny vows to win her back. But being a penniless painter who cares for his sick mum, he doesn’t appear to have much of a chance.

This is a warm, funny and enjoyable read. It keeps you guessing who Sally will pick, but from the start I knew who I wanted her to choose. A great chick-lit read.