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

[ecuse]

...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.

Jenni Eclair- Moving, Inheritance- love them all! Ps v jealous of your birthday plans!

Tamsin Perry! Modern day Jilly!

Trashy:
Scruples, Judith Krantz
The Debutantes, June Flaum Singer
Less trashy: Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy
Not trashy: Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles
All totally absorbing! Think you’d love them, enjoy your day

Jackie Collins and Valley of the Dolls are good calls. I'll add The Carpetbaggers by Harold Robbins.

You could try Forever Amber if you want to go classy soft porn

The Country Set by Fiona Walker and it's sequel Country Lovers.

Very Jilly Cooper with horses, posh country types and some bad (entertaining puns), but less bonking!

All of her books are good - Kiss Chase is another favourite along with French Relations

Personally I think Ben Elton is sooo easy to read. I read Time After Time I’m one sitting. Liane Moriarty is also a very easy read.

Scruples by Judith Krantz, the ultimate sex and shopping novel!

Also, if you want to watch 80s trash, Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes (also a great book) and Deceptions (with Stefanie Powers!) are definitely worth your time. Both on Youtube (I think)

Nigel May writes great, proper trashy 80s style novels. They're brilliant fun, easy to read and sexy in the style of Jackie Collins. Trinity, Scandalous Lies, Lovers and Liars are all recommended. I buy them for holiday reads.

Oh these got me through my teens!!! Recently re-read lace and lace 2. Agree valley of the dolls and there's a trilogy by Phillipa Gregory (wideacre) which is amazing.
I also remember reading a book (twice!) called "a woman of style" or something like that, a rags to riches story about a girls who starts making nice hats in Italy then marries a broke count and builds a couture business. Anyone remember what that is?

Ohh easy - Valley of the Dolls

Lace by Shirley Conran or a Jackie Collins

Sounds like A Woman of substance First . Interesting fact for you - the author Barbara Taylor Bradford was at nursery with Alan Bennett

Anything by Nigel May.

Glamour, bonkbuster,murder, intrigue, secrets. I’m just sad that I’ve read them all. Can not recommend enough!

Great minds @Bananajam!

I'd be rereading a favourite so maybe a terry pratchett. I'd also have more than one glass.

They're brilliant aren't they @curlsandcurves, I wish there were more to read!

Great thread place marking and have a fab Birthday OP!

Agree with Sidney Sheldon if you've not already read any. Once you've read one you've read them all, but the first one is exactly what you're after.

Chances by Jackie Collins

Lindsay Kelly’s series’

Ohan Parmuk for a medieval saga based in Turkey
Kadere for surrealism based in Albania
My cousin Rachel...du maurier. That's the one I'm currently reading

Sorry just saw you wanted trashy.

Virginia Andrews

Of maeve binchy 1950s trash