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Original poster

If you were planning on spending your 40th birthday in bed with a bucks fizz reading a trashy novel....

74 replies

ecuse · 17/12/2019 14:23

...what novel would it be?

For context: if I hadn't already read everything Penny Vincenzi and Jilly Cooper had ever written, as well as Shirley Conran's Lace, I'd be reading one of those.

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 17/12/2019 16:56

I'd reread Rivals by Jilly but might pick Lucky by Jackie Collins if I couldn't find the book.

One of my favourite authors is Elizabeth Gage so I also might reread Pandora's Box.

Mumdiva99 · 17/12/2019 16:59

Try Tracy Bloom - No one ever has sex on a Tuesday/at Christmas /in the suburbs etc series. Easy to read. Short enough to finish in a couple of good stints. Similar to Marion Keyes/shopaholic etc in that they are contemporary and amusing.

Sheena99 · 17/12/2019 17:00

Penny Reid's Knitting in the City Series, excellent, and very cheap on Kindle.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Books
TowelStripes · 17/12/2019 17:04

Second Life After Life

Also Sweet Caress or Any Human Heart by William Boyd. Particularly Any Human Heart. I love it so much. I'm jealous of anyone that gets to read it for the first time.

Or The Cows by Dawn O'Porter

CakeIsMyFavouriteAndBest · 17/12/2019 17:06

Giovanna Fletcher - love all her books but Billy & Me would be perfect for what you describe!

PeriComoToes · 17/12/2019 17:09

Marian Keyes

pallisers · 17/12/2019 17:11

The Countess Downstairs by Eva Ibbotson is my guilty pleasure.

applesnotoranges · 17/12/2019 17:13

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003BY0MBY/ref=tmmpapptitle0?ie=UTF8&qid=1576602718&sr=8-14

zucchinicourgette · 17/12/2019 17:13

What Alice Forgot or Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty?
Or I think Ken Follett is a good fit for lovers of Jilly Cooper. If you’re a fast reader you might be able to get through Pillars of the Earth in a whole day in bed.

If it was me I’d be reading Georgette Heyer.

Palavah · 17/12/2019 17:17

Lace 2?
A Woman of Substance?
Something by Lena Kennedy? (Less bonkbustery and more late 19th C/early 20th C)
Something by Georgette Heyer? (Regency romps)

confusedrn · 17/12/2019 17:18

Well can I just say you might be my spirit animal. I'm 40 on Thursday. DH has booked something lovely but I think I prefer your idea! He won't be happy! (Obv I would ideally like to have the bed to myself!)

PeterRouseTheFleshofMankind · 17/12/2019 17:21

I wouldn't say that Marian Keyes books are 'trashy'.

I would go for Jackie Collins - trashy but actually really great books!

ScapaFlo · 17/12/2019 17:21

Freya North - Chloe, Cat, Fen, Polly, Sally (five separate books).

Hmm, think I'll read them again...

iloveredwine · 17/12/2019 17:25

Judith Krantz it is that wrote scruples in the 80s. very glam and trashy!

Jfw82 · 17/12/2019 17:29

Judith Krantz def 70s 80s glam - scruples or princess daisy are two of my faves but like all of them

Pinkarsedfly · 17/12/2019 17:30

Welcome To Temptation by Jennifer Crusie.

Funny, well-drawn characters, hot sex scenes.

FrogInAHat23 · 17/12/2019 17:30

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.

IT WAS SO. SO. GOOD. It is rare I am so gripped. The chemistry and tension between the two main characters was intense, and it was a genuinely funny read.

I also adored The Break by Marian Keyes.

(I too am a Jilly Cooper and Penny Vincenzi fan).

loobylou10 · 17/12/2019 17:34

Anything by Jo Carnegie. Very Jilly Cooper

Synecdoche · 17/12/2019 17:35

Anything by Philippa Gregory! I started with The Other Boleyn Girl and haven't looked back since.

FrogInAHat23 · 17/12/2019 17:35

Oh and also, another vote for Freya North's early stuff! Definitely escapist.

margotsdevil · 17/12/2019 17:35

If you like sagas and Penny Vincenzo have you tried Patricia Scanlan? City Girls is the first of 3, for example. Similar vibe Smile

VenusOfWillendorf · 17/12/2019 17:38

Have you ever read Gone with the Wind?
The books is miles better than the movie - and I LOVED the movie.

Loveislandaddict · 17/12/2019 17:39

Another vote for Jackie Collins. Trashy, but well written.

Sewingbea · 17/12/2019 17:42

A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Valley of the Dolls or The Love Machine by Jacqueline Susan
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
All above are super easy reads but with great plots.
Echoes by Maeve Binchey
These is my Words by Nancy Turner - just wonderful.
Bread Alone by Judi Hendricks
The three above are gentle and an easy read, less trashy.

Life after Life by Kate Atkinson - really thought provoking
Versions of Us by Laura Barnett
A Song for Issy Bradley by Carys Bray

If you want something less trashy.

Happy reading and Happy Birthday. Sounds like a wonderful plan. I spent my fortieth at Thomas Land in Drayton Manor with assorted small peeps - your day sounds way better!

TravellingSpoon · 17/12/2019 17:43

If I wanted pure trash I would read a Jackie Collins. I love them Blush