Jilly Cooper recommendations please

[Asterales]

I'm going on holiday in a few weeks and am planning 10 days on a sun lounger with a cocktail and a book. I really want some easy escapism, and Jilly Cooper (or similar) fits the bill perfectly. I've read all of the Rutshire chronicles, and whilst I'm not averse to re-reading them I'm wondering whether it's worth branching out into her other work. I know there are lots of books with women's names as the titles (Octavia etc) but I've never read any and I'm hesitant to order loads and take them at the expense of tried and tested options if I won't like them! Can anyone advise or offer reviews please?

Jilly has a new book out in November! Classic Jilly title… https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442565/tackle-by-cooper-jilly/9781787634244

Ooh, and for Jackie Collins-style escapism, Judith Krantz was one of the original bonkbuster writers.
"Princess Daisy" was my favourite.

And for a completely different style, but utterly lovely, charming and funny romances, Eva Ibbotson is one of my absolute favourite authors ever.
"A Countess below Stairs" (aka "The Secret Princess" is one of my go-to make-me-happy reads.

Arrghh!
I'd given up hope of that ever coming to fruition!

Bit different but just done long drive listening to the nothing girl by Jodi Taylor and thinking how much it reminded me of jilly cooper . It's very sunloungerable

Veronica Henry has a series of 3 called the Honeycote collection - excellent reads!
Jenny Eclair writes really good fiction too! My friend recommended her, didn't think her writing would be my cup of tea at all, but jeez they're brilliant (I've read all her books now).

You would probably enjoy Wendy Holden's first few books.

Jackie Collins books are great
Start with chances and follow the series through in order
Brilliant

Me too! This book’s been talked about for years!

Yes! I didn't quite like it as much as other ones, but still enjoyed it. I always enjoy Marian Keyes - her writing is like cake. Even a not brilliant cake is still cake, and therefore delicious.

I've enjoyed a couple of Taylor Jenkins Reid books recently, could well fit the bill!

If you like nature writing Flora Thompson's A Country Calendar has beautiful descriptions, no bonking though

Have you read any of the Jacqueline Susann? Slightly older that Jilly Cooper but real page turners;

Once is Not Enough, Valley of the Dolls and The Love Machine.

Yes! Came on here to recommend this book, one of my favourite books and my go to when I want to escape everyday life!

I loved all the name books and the early Rider/Polo Books, but couldn't get into the later ones.

I also enjoyed Fiona Walker's early books and some Marian Keyes, although now I get annoyed at the forced "Irishness" of them sometimes - no offence to anyone who's Irish, I've no problem with the Irish at all, beautiful country, lovely people, lovely accent, but it just seems she has to get it all in there. I find them also very formulaic, very samey.

India Knight's first books were great, but I didn't like the non fiction ones about clothes etc. I also loved a couple of Raffaela Barker (?) books.

I also loved a couple of Raffaela Barker (?) books
Yes Hens Dancing and Summertime are good

I also loved a couple of Raffaela Barker (?) books

Ooh, I'd forgotten about her.
I liked those too.

ChessieFL

Me too! This book’s been talked about for years!

Indeed! And, despite complaining more and more about her writing, I know I'll buy it in hardback as soon as it's available.
Perhaps it's like the comment by Alighttouchonthetiller comparing Marion Keyes and cake (excellent, Altott) - the later ones are still enjoyable despite her style becoming very repetitive (imo).

I also re-read "The Common Years" recently after a break of decades.
I've obviously become more critical because this time round I found I was a bit put off by her rudeness to, and about, some people. Also the fact that she seemed to let her dogs run wild, to the point where some other animals were killed.
It was riveting to find out the lipstick-graffiti-on-car incident from "Imogen" was based on a real life event though

Do you remember the part in the Common Years about JC not being able to pay school fees so begging head? Unless I imagined it in my old copy (?) its gone from newer editions.

Peverellshire

I don't. I suspect the first time I read it, it would have been one of the older editions but it was a long time ago and, as I got it from the library, I only read it once or twice, so not enough to stick like some of the others have done.
The copy I've got now is a new one.

I do remember her reminiscing in one of her non-fiction books about having to hide from the bailiffs and a friend buying her a large bottle of scent to cheer her up when she and Leo were completely broke.

I’ve got a 1980s copy of The Common Years, I’ll have to have a re-read.

I love a bit of Jilly.

The writer that makes me laugh at the moment is Mhairi McFarlane. Her heroines are truly likeable without being drippy. So I'm going to recommend Who's that girl/If I Never Met You/Don't you forget about me.

They don't have any nature or horses though so might miss your mark.

I do have a copy of the Common Years I should really dig out.

Along the same lines are Tilly Bagshaw and her sister (can't remember her first name) One of them used to be a journalist and possibly an MP or married to an MP. Anyway, they're the same kind of lightweight semi-trashy relaxing beach read
A bit more serious but I did love Rich Man Poor Man and the sequel by Irwin Shaw.

Louise?

@Gatekeeper omg I love Lisa & co. Apart from forsaking all others, which is too sad. So dated and of its time, but I still love it.
OP definitely Marian Keyes if you want funny + romantic. ‘The other side of the story’ is great, as is Grown Ups.

Ooh, I assume it'll be about Bianca C-B and her boyfriend who plays football. I can't remember his name. He was in Wicked.

I love all of Jilly's early stuff. Riders is an absolute corker, and Rivals too. I found her later stuff went a bit awry somehow.

The name series aren't that bad... I read some again in lockdown.

I really like Fiona Walker... Well Groomed is one of my all time favourites.