Substantial chick-lit

[Londonista1975]

I've just read 'Separate Lives', quite a disappointment considering what I know Kathryn Flett is capable of. I'd now something quite light to read that as a female protagonist that's well-written, no cliches, good characterisation and a believable and unpredictable story. Thriller, comedy...whatever, it doesn't matter. I like the writing of Joanna Briscoe and Zoe Hller, if that's any help. I've heard that Rachel Cusk is a great author for this kind of thing.

I've just read and really enjoyed "Names My Sisters Call Me" by Megan Crane - I'm not sure I'd call it substantial chick-lit,but it fitted your parameters of "well-written, no cliches, good characterisation and a believable and unpredictable story" for me! funny as well...

"Goodbye Johnny Thunders" by Tania Kindersley. Quite surprisingly strong sense of yearning and loss, stayed with me.

These are all pretty well-known, but anyway...

Restless by William Boyd (I should get commission from him, I recommend it so often).

Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey (if you can stand the politics - but they're less salient in this one than some of hers)

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delacourt, though in many ways I prefer the sequels when she gets less provincial.

I haven't read it myself, but Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day must have something to it?

Cold Comfort Farm, obviously.

You might enjoy The Elegance of the Hedgehog? Can't remember the author but I liked it very much. Was a massive success about 5 years ago so often turns up in charity shops but it's good.