I have really enjoyed the Gayle novels I have read, especially his most recent, The Man I Think I Know. I like the fact that he writes about very deep issues, but still uses humour appropriately. I also like that, although it is very obvious that his main characters are flawed, you can see the good in them.
(I am also an avid chic-lit I'm looking for some fiction that's more thought-provoking but maybe still has elements of chic lit).