Cleopatra and Frankenstein and The Gecko and the Echo are this week’s adult and child book of the week. 

Cleopatra and Frankenstein (adult book) - reviewed by Teresa Knight 

Set in a richly evocative New York awash with bohemian glamour, Mellors' wondrously human debut details the temporary magic and long-term messiness of a spontaneous relationship between a beautiful young artist and a wealthy older man. 

Cleo and Frank run head-first into a romance that neither of them can quite keep up with.  

It reshapes their lives and the lives of those around them, whether that's Cleo's best friend struggling to embrace his gender identity in the wake of her marriage, or Frank's financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates after being cut off. Ultimately, this chance meeting between two strangers outside of a New Year's Eve party changes everything, for better or worse. 

An interesting and enjoyable read, with much pathos but a gentle humour throughout, you end up really wishing the best for these two totally different but likeable charatcters, and are drawn quite easily into their world. 

The Gecko and the Echo (child’s book) - reviewed by Teresa Knight 

A flamboyantly fun tropical tale of love, fame, friendship from the creators of the international bestseller The Lion Inside. Goldy wants one thing, and one thing only - to be a STAR.  

On the sunny island this gecko calls home, it's always THE GOLDY SHOW, morning 'til night. But when you're dazzled by the limelight, it's easy to lose sight of the world around you.  

And when Goldy's performance starts to go wrong, the little gecko discovers that friendship means so much more than fame. 

A very funny addition to Rachel Bright’s animal range this picture book is aimed at young readers and is an ideal story for parents to read to their little ones’.