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Original poster

I want to read romcoms about women with kids

30 replies

RatherBeReading · 27/12/2020 17:57

I’ve been feeling like light reading amidst the horrors of 2020 but I just noticed I’ve read 14 commercial fiction novels in a row where the heroine is in her 20s and single without kids. I want laugh out loud books about 30+ women with kids BUT who are having adventures and/or romances - not just their life as a wife and mum. Aren’t there enough of us doing second time around dating for publishers to notice, or am I missing a section of the market entirely?? Surely these stories exist?

Please and thank you for any recommendations.

OP posts:
kiwiblue · 28/12/2020 14:12

Hmm, I'm not sure if this quite meets your criteria, but have you read Sushi For Beginners by Marian Keyes? Some parts of it about having children I just didn't get as a 20 something but really resonate with me now. Not always cheerful or romantic in a positive way though..

Original poster
RatherBeReading · 28/12/2020 14:03

And YY to not “adorably” bad mothers Foxglovii and if they didn’t reach for the gin )or worse, Prosecco) at every moment then that would be good too.

OP posts:
Original poster
RatherBeReading · 28/12/2020 14:00

I’ll look at Alliott, thanks.

I’m finding most books about mothers, and in many cases about older (over 35 Hmm) women in general, are either thrillers where their kid is missing or it’s all about their parenting experience and there’s very little plot, or their kids are leaving home and they’re discovering their true selves.

My life didn’t end when I had a child and I want stories where mothers are having adventures or discovering new romance, amidst the hurly burly of family life. Reflecting my reality - but much more exciting and romantic of course.

OP posts:
ChessieFL · 28/12/2020 08:54

The heroines of Catherine Alliott books are usually a bit older with kids.

Foxglovii · 27/12/2020 18:01

Interesting point. I don't normally read that sort of fiction but I'd be interested in it if the 35+ woman (30 is too close to 29 and that gives them an "almost 20-something") is a mother and not a stereotype of a "bad mom" who tries to have it all and "adorably fails".

I'd like strong women who like men/women and their kids are a central feature of their lives in a really ordinary way. So maybe there's a funny moment, but there's also the unattractive slog of motherhood too - because that's the basis from which women are dating.