Review: What If? What If? - Suzanne B. Miller - May 2025 Every now and then, a book comes along that feels like it was written just for you. When I was approached to read What If? What If? by Suzanne B. Miller and saw it was set in New Zealand—specifically Hamilton—I knew I had to say yes. What I didn’t expect was how deeply this story would resonate with me, not just as a reader, but as someone who’s lived through many of the same moments. The story follows Jasmine, a council archivist whose life is shaped by her OCD—nicknamed “Medusa.” Her condition is portrayed with such honesty and compassion, and I found myself relating to her work life more than I expected. Before I was made redundant from Tauranga City Council, I held a similar role, scanning and profiling old council documents. Reading about Jasmine’s day-to-day felt like revisiting a chapter of my own life. The setting was another highlight. Having visited Hamilton, I could vividly picture the Garden Square by the Library a...

Review: Nest or Invest - Book #1 Love New Zealand Series - Enni Amanda - January 2021 Growing up in New Zealand, this chick-lit book captured my attention, and what made it even better was that it was set in Hamilton which is about 90 mins drive from where I live, and in Tauranga which is my town. The book starts in Hamilton where Shasa is a single mother to Lilia and renting a house where she has made it her own and a beautiful garden, she is also a fan of co-housing and has a bit of free-spirited values. When her house is visited by a valuation agent named Mac, it gets her thinking as she is worried about being able to find an affordable house for her daughter and herself especially in this market which is quite costly at the moment and this book reflected the current market. Shasa remembered a talk that was held in the local community center about co-ops and co-housing units. Along with her walk one day, she meets an older woman Elsie who will later reveal she is quite wealthy and k...