Good quality chick lit

[Riverlee]

The last four books I have read include child abuse, murder and terrorism so I need something lighter to read. I don’t want a ‘Kate inherited Aunt Trudys cottage and cafe in Cornwall and find new love after breaking up with City broker Tarquin’, but more like the Seven Sisters.

I’ve read all the usual suspects - Penguin/beetle/oliphant/lido/harold fry/seven sisters/rose code/etc

Thank you

Marian Keyes. Hesitate to call her books chick lit, they deal with some tough subjects but may fit the bill.

I like Amanda Prowse , particularly "what have i done " . She tends to write more about believable women and real situations .

I really enjoy Santa Montefiore for this. Her trilogy set in Ireland has been my favourite so far, the standalone are fine too. Songs of Love and Fire I think the first one is called.

Marian Keyes
Rachel's holiday & Watermelon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sophie Kinsella
Jane Green
Melissa Hill

Early Marian Keyes
Early Lisa Jewell.

‘Kate inherited Aunt Trudys cottage and cafe in Cornwall and find new love after breaking up with City broker Tarquin’

It's always Cornwall, isn't it. They never inherit an MOT testing station in Skelmersdale.

Liane Moriarty
Celeste Ng
Jodi Picoult

I'm not fond of Marian Keyes or Lisa Jewell's books, but they're definitely a good shout.

These are not chick-lit but could probably be described as "women's fiction" - I don't like that term but can't think of a better one:

A Single Thread Tracey Chevalier
The Mysteries of Glass Sue Gee
A Room Made of Leaves Kate Grenville
Circling the Sun Paula McLain
Other People's Marriages. Rosie Thomas
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You Louisa Young

You might also like Anita Shreve's books

and above all if you like family sagas with a bit of depth:
The Cazalet Chronicles Elizabeth Jane Howard .. The Light Years is the first in the series.

@NightmareSlashDelightful

‘Kate inherited Aunt Trudys cottage and cafe in Cornwall and find new love after breaking up with City broker Tarquin’

It's always Cornwall, isn't it. They never inherit an MOT testing station in Skelmersdale.

Very true

I might read that book though

Try Eva Ibbotson - truly soothing books.

Rosamund Pilcher does some soothing books too

@NightmareSlashDelightful

‘Kate inherited Aunt Trudys cottage and cafe in Cornwall and find new love after breaking up with City broker Tarquin’

It's always Cornwall, isn't it. They never inherit an MOT testing station in Skelmersdale.

You need to read Milly Johnsons books then- skip haulage in Keighley . . .

OP Lucy Dillon is my go to comfort read. Bit dog heavy but has some serious themes.

Amanda Brookfield / sisters and husbands

It's always Cornwall, isn't it. They never inherit an MOT testing station in Skelmersdale.

I would 100% read that, especially if written by Catriona McPherson.

Definitely Marian Keyes.

Also Harriet Evans (start with Happily Ever After).

I came on to say the Cazalet Chronicles. Gripping family saga, 'light' to read but actually really subtle and perceptive about people. Great period detail too (it starts in the 1930s).

And I second Rosamund Pilcher. Also Rumer Godden, particularly The Greengage Summer.

The Cazalet Chronicles Elizabeth Jane Howard .. The Light Years is the first in the series.

Another vote for these 👏

Have you read Lucinda Riley’s other books? They’re brilliant.

I also like Taylor Jenkins Reid, Lianne Moriarty, Jessie Burton, Stacey Halls and Ruth Hogan.

I've had a couple recommended lately, though I haven't started them myself yet!

The Idea of You - Robinne Lee
The Paper Palace - Miranda Cowley Heller

Perhaps try
Saving Missy-Beth Morrey
Dictionary of Lost Words - Pip Williams

There's more child abuse, murder and terrorism in fiction than there is in real life. Definitely need a break from it after reading lots in a row.

My suggestions would be
Lissa Evans
Sally Rooney
E. M. Delafield
Barbara Pym
Nancy Mitford
Hiromi Kawakami

Jane Green
Louise Bagshaw
Tilly Bagshaw
Lauren Weisberger. Not just the devils wears Prada but similar

The Giver of Stars

Thanks for this thread. I been reading a lot of ebooks through Amazon prime, thought it would be a better way to get to sleep, read some really good thrillers and suspense books but they've actually been keeping me awake - through needing to read more and some of the content!

Also in need of a lighter nightly read.

Penelope Lively, Anne Tyler, Joanna Trollope.