Recommendations for a 5 * chick lit book!

[mrskhw]

Hi All,

I've been reading a lot of YA Fantasy books recently and I'm bored. None of them give me the feel good factor that I get with some good chick lit.

I've not read much as can you hit me up with some recommendations please!

Thanks.

Yes, I've read it, Snowiest.
It was ok. Clearly not very memorable as I accidentally borrowed it from the library again a few months later, and then realised it was vaguely familiar.
From what I can remember it was a bit implausible. Not awful but not one of her best.

Can anyone say what they think MAKES good ChickLit?

I am trying to write my 1st book (after a few folks on MN said something nice about stuff I wrote on a thread) and familyl have been dismissive about ChickLit.

Also - can anyone remember the book which had a Cherry and a foot with painted toes on the cover? Olivia somoene?
It was about a person transfroming themselves, HOllywood style...

Flavour of the Month, Olivia Goldsmith, Pinking.
I like chick lit that isn't too light and fluffy. A sparky heroine, genuinely lovely hero, a nice setting - seaside, countryside, nice city, whatever.
A sense of community but not too many characters. I find that if a book is about a group of four friends for example, one or two are always more interesting than the others. And I get the characters mixed up.
I personally don't like books where the heroine keeps jumping into bed with different men. Just me being a prude, maybe.
Good luck with the book!

Ps don't let family sneer at chicklit. Some of it is very well written, and even if it's not their cup of tea, they could be supportive.

Oh, thanks, Papergirl1968 that is the one I was thinking of!

Re ChickLit - well my family have always been dismissive (to say the least). My book is based on autobiography so has some sad stuff in it but it is about overcoming adversity and I am writing my own happy ending (whilst chasing it in real life).

It is helpful to know what you value in good CL, thank you.x

I'd love to put a bit on MN for feedback but bit scared (and then it is 'out there' I guess).

@pinkingshears don't forget MN has the copyright for anything posted on here, not you.

Watermelon and Rachel's holiday by Marian Keyes.

Ah. I didnt know that AlpacaLypse - thanks for the steer!

Well the initial paragraph i posted on a thread has been much improved so wouldn't count and I shan't put any more up.

Definitely Rachel's Holiday.

Wilde Like Me (by youtuber Louise Pentland) is quite a feel-good one

Nothing like a bit of Jilly Cooper and Rupert Campbell Black!

I've recently gone back to my chick lit book after lots of crime and Police books.

Lisa Jewell, Catherine Alliott, early Jilly Cooper are all good.

No one seems to write good chick lit anymore.

Ahh, Pinking, i was an aspiring author before work and children took over my life. I keep meaning to go back to it one day...
My sister has started dabbling too and has found it useful to join a local writers' group.
Have you tried the creative writing section on Mumsnet?

Papergirl1968 I will go and look, thank you.x

I got the cows for my birthday yesterday and I am already halfway through. Brilliant writing.

I love chick lit- and I'm an English teacher! Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde and Erica James are a must.
But my favourite of all time is On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves. Read it five times and never disappoints. All her other books are every readable too.

Hi, I've recently read 'Love in the Flower Cafe' by Katherine Lawrenson, it's a new one on me as I usually read factual books but I wanted a lighter holiday read and my sister works for a TV production company and I know this is one they're looking at producing so I thought I'd get in there first (I usually watch the programme/movie first then read the book!). I read it over a weekend and I really enjoyed it.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Sophie Kinsella. She's my favourite chick lit author.