Binge Read This: The Little Lady Agency Series

When I tell people I’m a librarian, I often get a response like: “Oh, I’ve always wanted to be a librarian. You have all that time to just sit and read.” The truth of the matter is, while many of our library members do just that in our libraries, librarians don’t ever have time during the workday to just sit and read. We spend our days (and evenings) at work helping members find their next perfect book while amassing huge lists of books “to-read” in the process. This is why the best part of the summer, for me, is the prospect of spending vacation days happily binge reading.

When I come across a new author or series that I like, I typically try to get my hands on everything that they’ve ever written or every book in the series that’s currently in print. When I discover it after there’s a handful of titles available, I feel like I’ve hit the pleasure reader’s jackpot. Best of all is when one binge read leads naturally to another, like when I read every post–World War I mystery that I could get my hands on to feed my Downton Abbey cravings.

My friend Mel shares my love of light and funny British chick lit, so I was happy to turn her on to The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne. The series begins with Melissa Romney-Jones being sacked from her job at an estate agency and starting a new business as a “life organizer” for bachelors. She consults on wardrobes, finds the perfect gift for their mothers, sisters, etc., and manages social calendars. In order to keep her work and private life separate, she adopts an alter ego called “Honey”—complete with sassy blond wig, fabulous shoes, and a killer wardrobe. Honey has all the confidence that Melissa lacks and is able to say and do the things she never could. Inevitably, when her two worlds start to collide, hilarity ensues.

I loved this series and recently discovered that unbeknownst to me, Hester Browne has written several more stand-alone titles. Honeymoon Hotel, The Finishing Touches, The Runaway Princess, and Swept Off Her Feet are all perfect summer reads. Like a champagne cocktail (something else I love), they’re bubbly, effervescent, and make you feel light and happy when you finish them. What more could you want?

If chick lit isn’t your thing, and you’re looking for your next binge read, I highly recommend you take a look at NoveList. NoveList helps readers find book lists and reading suggestions. After I read everything currently in print by Sharyn McCrumb a few years ago, I used NoveList to find a whole slew of authors who craft atmospheric, suspenseful mystery novels set in the Southern Appalachian region. NoveList allows you to move past the standard list of read-alikes, and select from a range of appeal factors: tone, character, storyline, pace, location, and writing style. The last time I introduced someone to NoveList, they lost themselves for a good hour discovering their next favorite author.

What’s your next binge read?