Stiletto Beach

Book excerpt: Best mates Leanne and Kelly have lived in Southend-on-Sea their whole lives. Larger-than-life Leanne is happy staying put, but Kelly secretly dreams of escaping her dull job and seeing the world. When out-of-towner journalist Helen can't afford Leigh-on-Sea so moves in next door instead, events take a surprising turn. As Leanne and Kelly take her under their wing, an unexpected friendship blooms in Spoons, and Helen soon has them reconsidering what it means to celebrate where you're from. With the help of Leanne's Nan, east-ender Roni, they take a sharp swipe at stereotypes women have been putting up with for decades. Mischief ensues, fires are lit, and the Essex girls do what's in their blood: cause trouble – but not in a way anyone would expect...