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Original poster

Bloody bastard chicklit with crap endings - sick of it, recommend a good one please!

114 replies

RachelRoyce · 12/04/2015 15:27

Adele Parks 'The state we're in' is the last one I read. I will not be reading anything else she has written, ever. Grrrrr. That's the 3rd book I've read this week with an absolutely shite ending Angry
I won't give anything away but the ending was just wrong. The two others I read just ended in a splat rather than a bang.

Is there no new, well written chick lit (oh how I hate that term)? I read good 'normal' fiction but I'm on holiday and I just want feel good happiness. I like Jill Mansell, Cathy Kelly and Fiona Walker. I have wifi and my kindle, best recommendations here please. Thanks!

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 15/04/2015 21:00

I suppose the definition is books which would only appeal to women?

Interesting. Why would any book only appeal to women? [I was going to say 'apart from 'vagina/breast management for dummies' but I thought that would invoke another sarky response so then I thought I'd delete it but then again...]

DuchessofMalfi · 15/04/2015 16:11

Just adding my comment - my DH likes to read chick lit. He likes light reading but also loves terrifying ghost stories. He's a conundrum Grin

Original poster
RachelRoyce · 15/04/2015 12:20

I suppose the definition is books which would only appeal to women?

I don't know any men at all who would read 'chicklit' eg Jill Mansell etc but all other genres - crime, fantasy etc are appealing to both sexes.

OP posts:
letitlinger · 15/04/2015 10:22

I'm sure Jane Austen would have been considered chick lit in her day.

tobee · 15/04/2015 10:11

Sure this has been debated before, sorry, but what are the parameters of chick lit?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 14/04/2015 18:36

Leanne Moriarty
Marianne Keyes

Both goodSmile

Boobsofsteel · 13/04/2015 19:33

I second Liane Moriarty, I've enjoyed all of her books and I normally hate chic lit.

LeBearPolar · 13/04/2015 19:26

I have really gone off nearly all chick lit because of the trite, predictable plots and crappy characterisation but one novel I do re-read is Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. I think it's because she is a very humorous writer but deals with serious issues in it.

JemimaPuddled · 13/04/2015 19:24

ALTERNATIVE yes absolutely true. Quality chicklit is pretty much an oxymoron. There are some quite entertaining ones, and some well written for the genre. However, a considerable quantity of shite out there too.

Primadonnagirl · 13/04/2015 19:24

No need for snotty remarks about chick lit. Wouldn't mind being a penny behind some of the main authors!! I would definitely recommend Lianne Moriarty..her books are clever, with well drawn characters and funny too.And not a cupcake or lipstick in sight!

GetHappy · 13/04/2015 19:19

I think that you can like "chick lit" and still expect a decent read.

I think it is upto the individual what they read and for no one to judge!!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 13/04/2015 11:50

oops sorry, 'you clearly need to read' sounds a bit bossy - I just meant it was a lovely book!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 13/04/2015 11:39

OP you clearly need to read Sealed With A Kiss by Rachael Lucas. It's very sweet and as an added bonus all the bits with kids in are super-realistic.

Applecross · 13/04/2015 11:00

I don't agree that liking light hearted romance has to sentence you to poor writing. Shona Maclean writes beautifully about Scottish landscapes - her books are murder mystery though.

Penguinsaresmall · 13/04/2015 10:53

I do agree with Alternative tbh. I've had it with Chit lit - it's so predictable - girl meets bad boy, girl falls in love, bad boy treats her like shit. All the time girl has male best friend who is like 'a brother' to her. Guess how it ends? Yawn.

OP Try anything by Anna Quindlen - all her books are fantastic; not 'chic lit' but very easy to get into. Off the top of my head, Object Lessons, One True Thing, Blessings, Black and Blue.... All brilliant books.

Also books by Nancy Thayer - Between Husbands and Friends, Nell, Beachcombers... A bit more light hearted than Anna Quindlen, kind of chic-lit for grown ups!

Also if you like Jenny Éclair, you'll love her novels - I've read two, Having a Lovely Time and Life, Death and Vanilla Slices. They're both really engaging as well as being funny.

AlternativeTentacles · 13/04/2015 10:39

Alternative get your judgy pants off. Each to their own. You should try a little lightweight entertainment yourself

That's absolutely fine, if that's what you like. The OP is whining about the chicklit begin shit though...the point being that if she is reading shit, then shit is what she will get.

JemimaPuddled · 13/04/2015 10:13

Alternative get your judgy pants off. Each to their own. In my case I'm in need of something escapist, pointless and enjoyable. I read academic texts and non-fiction the majority of the time by necessity, and want a frivolous read for on holidays. You should try a little lightweight entertainment yourself Grin

maudpringles · 13/04/2015 09:46

Jenny Eclair writes some cracking stories, bit dark at times but will keep you turning the pages.

AlternativeTentacles · 13/04/2015 09:42

Why are you reading 'chicklit' in the first place? Try reading some proper books, that might sort out your issues.

DonnaKebab66 · 13/04/2015 09:39

Dorothy Koomsoon and Lisa Jewell are really good reads.

JemimaPuddled · 12/04/2015 23:58

Yy OP, some nice escapist holiday reading Smile
Try Lucy Diamond - one night in Italy particularly enjoyable. I'm sure you have come across Marian Keyes, imho the older ones better than the new.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 12/04/2015 23:50

Oh and Me Before You is brilliant (not sure if it is technically Chick Lit but Id put it in that category)

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 12/04/2015 23:49

I really enjoyed the trilogy "Samantha Smyths Modern Family Journal" (first books name), even with the really really shite title. Am sure they were by Lucy Cavendish. Really good for chick lit.

ladygracie · 12/04/2015 23:46

I loved that book by Adele Parks but I lent it to a friend recently and she really didn't like it either for exactly the same reasons. Agree with all the suggestions so far & was hoping to find some sneaky kindle bargains from some.

hooker29 · 12/04/2015 22:52

another vote for Elizabeth Noble, and Erica James.Also like Jojo Moyes and Harriet Evans.
Have you tried Dorothy Koomson-not really chick lit but I really like her.