Five racy summer reads to help your holidays sizzle from Jilly Cooper classic to tale of teen love

SHE has dressed VIPs from Kate Middleton to Holly Willoughby and Davina McCall, but after more than a decade in fashion, Tabitha Webb is publishing a second novel. Playing The Field is a racy romp about a city diva who moves to the countryside, where she falls for a hunky farmer. Out on July 30, it is sure to be a sizzling beach read. Looking for a racy read to help your summer hols sizzle? Credit: Getty Tabitha Webb reveals the books she’ll be packing for her summer holiday Credit: Elisabeth Hoff Here, Tabitha, 50, tells Nadia Cohen what books she will be taking on her hols, revealing: “They remind me life can surprise us, second chances exist, and love – in all its forms – has the power to transform us. “That’s a message I try to bring to my own novels.” Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Female Rage by Mary Valentis & Anne Devane Tabitha Webb reveals the moment female rage took over when a man refused to commit to her — but they stayed friends for more than 20 years Credit: Supplied I HAVE experienced female rage in its purest form in my early twenties, so I can relate to this critique by two academics who argue that anger can be turned into a tool for empowerment. I was dating a man who refused to commit to me. We’d been to Paris for the day, spent the evening partying and, at about 2am, I decided to ask if we could officially be boyfriend and girlfriend. He said no. I slapped him and said I hated him. We never dated again, but we’ve remained best pals for more than 20 years. My rage was fuelled by frustration, rejection and a lack of sleep – but at the time, felt entirely justified. Riders by Jilly Cooper Tabitha Webb reveals Dame Jilly Cooper once told her Rupert Campbell-Black would have fallen ‘madly in love’ with her Credit: Supplied DAME Jilly rang me to discuss my first book, No Regrets, and said: “If Rupert Campbell-Black had ever met you, he would have fallen madly in love with you.” I mean, this was the best phone call of my life! My romantic fantasy. What I love about Riders is none of the characters sit around waiting for life to happen to them. They take risks, make mistakes, fall in love with the wrong ­people, then pick themselves up and carry on. Most read in Money I’ve never been someone to wonder, “What if?”. That’s why Riders resonates with me. It’s full of people who throw themselves into life and don’t give a hoot about the consequences.” Rules For The Summer by Meghan Quinn Tabitha admits she never played by the dating rules — just like the chaotic romance in the book she loves Credit: Supplied TRYING to suppress feelings or stick to romantic rules feels alien to me, which is probably why I relate so much to the chaotic, determined energy of this book. It is a story of two opposites whose fake engagement leads to feelings neither expected. I’ve never been very good at playing it cool. While everyone else was following dating rules, I was busy ignoring them. When I met my ­husband, he would often tell me he was too busy or too tired to meet up. I’d turn up at his flat until he let me in. It paid off as he married me! Hit Or Miss by Elle Kelk Tabitha reveals the secret romance with a long-haired, leather-trousered boss that left her realising the chase was better than the catch Credit: Supplied THE slow-burn chemistry in Hit Or Miss – about rivals turned student lovers – took me back. In my early twenties, I had a boss with long hair, leather trousers and a motorbike. I was obsessed. There were secret lunches, stolen glances and months of wondering whether anything would ever happen between us. Every conversation felt electric because of all the possibilities wrapped up in it. Looking back, I think I was more in love with the anticipation than the man himself. When we finally kissed, it was spectacularly disappointing. A reminder that sometimes the chase is more exciting than the catch. Beneath The Orange Blossom by Emma Cowell Here Tabitha recalls her wild Greek romance, from working as a podium dancer to being rescued by her ‘Greek Adonis’ after a horse bolted through a campsite Credit: Supplied RETURNING to the Greek destination where teen love first struck is the theme of this novel. I first went to Greece when I was 18. I worked as a (slightly dressed) podium dancer in a nightclub. There was a gorgeous local guy who all the girls were obsessed with, so I marched up to him and told him he was the hottest man I’d ever seen. We dated and one day, while I was riding a horse, it bolted through a campsite. My Greek Adonis had to sprint to my rescue. Beneath The Orange Blossom took me back to being young and fearless, and falling in love under the sun. Tabitha’s Playing The Field is a racy romp about a city diva who moves to the countryside, where she falls for a hunky farmer. Out on July 30 Credit: Supplied Comment now