I want to read romcoms about women with kids

[RatherBeReading]

I’ve been feeling like light reading amidst the horrors of 2020 but I just noticed I’ve read 14 commercial fiction novels in a row where the heroine is in her 20s and single without kids. I want laugh out loud books about 30+ women with kids BUT who are having adventures and/or romances - not just their life as a wife and mum. Aren’t there enough of us doing second time around dating for publishers to notice, or am I missing a section of the market entirely?? Surely these stories exist?

Please and thank you for any recommendations.

Interesting point. I don't normally read that sort of fiction but I'd be interested in it if the 35+ woman (30 is too close to 29 and that gives them an "almost 20-something") is a mother and not a stereotype of a "bad mom" who tries to have it all and "adorably fails".

I'd like strong women who like men/women and their kids are a central feature of their lives in a really ordinary way. So maybe there's a funny moment, but there's also the unattractive slog of motherhood too - because that's the basis from which women are dating.

The heroines of Catherine Alliott books are usually a bit older with kids.

I’ll look at Alliott, thanks.

I’m finding most books about mothers, and in many cases about older (over 35 ) women in general, are either thrillers where their kid is missing or it’s all about their parenting experience and there’s very little plot, or their kids are leaving home and they’re discovering their true selves.

My life didn’t end when I had a child and I want stories where mothers are having adventures or discovering new romance, amidst the hurly burly of family life. Reflecting my reality - but much more exciting and romantic of course.

And YY to not “adorably” bad mothers Foxglovii and if they didn’t reach for the gin )or worse, Prosecco) at every moment then that would be good too.

Hmm, I'm not sure if this quite meets your criteria, but have you read Sushi For Beginners by Marian Keyes? Some parts of it about having children I just didn't get as a 20 something but really resonate with me now. Not always cheerful or romantic in a positive way though..

I really like Raffaella Barker. The first one of hers I read was "Hens Dancing", which certainly inspired me to buy more.

Watermelon by Marion Keynes.

Oh yes @EagleFlight Watermelon is a good one!

You should read some Fiona Collins books. She writes exactly those books. And she's a mumsnetter too! She's very observant and funny.

Here's a link to Fiona's Amazon page.

If historical (& ff) is OK then you might like The Care & Feeding of Waspish Widows

Sorry - just re-read your OP. Unless your reality involves the government suppression of print shops (hopefully not!) and public life full of drama about the Queen's affaires (seems unlikely ) then it might not be exactly the right thing....

Lucy Diamond
Lucy Dillon
Joanna Trollope

Unchained Melanie or Excess Baggage by Judy Astley.

I Found You by Lisa Jewell - there is a bit more to the story but it’s a good read about a woman who ‘finds’ a stranger.

Try the Why Mummy Drinks series

Thanks for the great ideas!

If you've ever been on holiday with another family Warnings of Gales is quite fun. Annie Sanders.

I'd forgotten about "Warnings of Gales" - I enjoyed that too.

i like fionacollins too.

ive just started 'woman last seen in her thirties' - purely because i love the title- not sure yet but great to see an older woman protagonist.

two books that are neither rom nor com but i cant help recommending anyway are 'where dyou go bernadette' about a woman struggling with parenthood and also 'fleishman is in trouble'- this is such a clever interesting book- it looks like a man having a mid life crisis but its more about the women in the end...

Thanks for all the recs. I’ve read and loved some of these, including Where d’you go Bernadette. I couldn’t stand Why Mummy Drinks though.

I normally read a lot of historical and literary fiction where there are a bigger array of types of characters. But this year with delving into escapist commercial fiction I’ve noticed how much of it is about very young women.

I’ll try Fiona Collins though - sounds perfect, thanks! And doing some internet searching it looks like Sarah Morgan also might hit the spot.

Raffaella Barker and Lucy Dillon, as PPs said. Also Debbie Johnson "comfort food cafe" series.

India Knight

I enjoyed the Virgin River series (books the Netflix series is based on).

Outlander series books

I second the virgin river series (prefer the books to the tv series) they have been my guilty lockdown pleasure.

Some of the Carole matthews books