Looking for recommendations that are a step up from chick lit but not too highbrow!

[VagueButExcitlng]

I'm on holiday now. I've read an Anne Tyler book which I loved. I'm now reading Elizabeth is Missing. It's a bit too sobering for my current mood.

Any suggestions? Short and easy but not just a boring predictable rom com!

Just what I was about to post! No 1 Lady Detective series excellent but can also be read standalone

Anything by Mil Millington, especially Things My Girlfriend & I Have Argued About. I love it, it's my all time favourite book.

What about Sarah Dunant? Historical, nicely researched, gripping, they're fab! Sacred Hearts is really good, and Blood and Beauty is all about the Borgias and is a cracking read.

Not too sure if it's be classed as chick lit as such, but Girl On The Train is awesome!

Helen Dunmore is very good.

Anything by Sarah Waters is good.

Have you read any Alice Hoffman?

Not difficult, but well written with some great storylines.

I'd recommend Practical Magic, The Probable Future, The Ice Queen or Here on Earth.

Just finished Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman and loved it - it's a "darkly comic family drama". Basically a good storyline, great characters and some very witty writing. I'd highly recommend.

I loved Monica Ali's Brick Lane. The size of it put me off picking up for years and years, but once I did I couldn't stop reading. Warm, and funny, and human and girly and glorious. I was sad when it ended, and still feel a little shipwrecked without it after lugging it around for weeks.

Came on to say anything by Maggie O Farrell. Great holiday reading.

I second Sarah Dunnant and Sarah Waters. Also, anything by Louise Doughty. If you like scandi crime lit - Camilla Lackberg is great.

Anything by Adele Parks, good stories but thought provoking.

Yes, I agree the new Maggie O'Farrell one, this must be the place, is great.
Lisa Jewell and liane Moriarty are also really good.