Is there a current Jilly Cooper equivalent?

[DCIJackieDeering]

I’ve got a few weeks off, looked at my to read pile, and it’s far too depressing. It’s either crime novels (some twee and some a misery-fest) or worthy literature that I’ll need to think about too much. I just want something fun, I want rich people behaving appalling and shagging. Anything of the Jilly Cooper or even Crazy Rich Asians variety. I think I’ve messed up my Amazon recommendations and nothing is coming through. Otherwise I’m off to the charity shops to find the Jilly Coopers.

I am watching with interest.

Have you read Penny Vincenzi? They're old now but some of them are excellent.

Way back Catherine Alliot and Fiona Walker were touted as the new JC. You might find some of those still kicking about in charity shops.

I reread 4 JC books earlier this year as I was a bit down in the dumps. They have aged badly (worse than I had expected) but parts are still fun.

I like Mhairi McFarlane - good writing, not twee, makes me laugh out loud. Possibly not enough sex and money however

Certainly not current, and very "of the time" but have you tried Jackie Collins? They were the Hollywood version of Jolly Cooper.

Fiona Walker, definitely. She's written a new series of horsey, doggy, manor housy novels set in the Cotswolds, and the characters are usually very kind and funny, as well as sex mad.

Oh thanks - I'll check these out.

Also worth looking at Judith Michael but like others a bit out of date I think its 20 years since they published last.

Tilly Bagshawe books are getting on a bit but are good. The Sidney Sheldon series are newer

I'm a huge Jilly fan. Check out Rebecca Chance. Hilarious.
Try Killer Queens and others that she's written. Perfect summer reading.

Brigerton comes to mind. Maybe not quite written as Jilly C but they fulfil the bonk criteria.

As per pp def check out penny vincenzi. Her family saga novels are lovely. I love maeve binchey but was less sex than in July Cooper or penny! Marion keyes is a delight too.

Check out Melanie Blake. She used to be a talent agent representing soap stars including Michelle Collins and Claire King and she apparently dated Michael Hutchence. She now writes bonkbuster-type thrillers set around a TV show – I've not read them but apparently they're really good and are Sunday Times bestsellers.

I recently enjoyed Robinne Lee -The Idea of You. 40yo mum gets involved with fictional boyband Harry Styles type.

Thank you, I’ll have a look at those. I have just bought the Melanie Blake one, so I’m looking forward to that.

I think I’ve been put off by the Fiona Walker as the cover looks like it’s one of those books where woman relocates from city, meets vet/ farmer/ architect falls out with him, has mishaps, falls in love with him and runs cake business because no-one from the countryside has ever been innovative enough to sell cakes (sorry went on a rant there) but they sound better. Robinnee Lee also sounds good fun

I also enjoy Marion Keyes, Jane Fallon and Adele Parks

Not particularly “rich” people but try Colleen Hoovers It ends with us and some of her other books. Pretty steamy in places!

.

Funnily enough, that's almost the opposite of what Fiona Walker's books are actually like - they're very countryside-y, usually set in a village with two farms, a livery yard, a popular pub, a country mansion reluctantly sold by the impoverished daughter of an Old County Family to some up-and-coming tycoon, at least one horse and one dog who have fully rounded personalities to rival the human characters, etc. You get a full cast list and a map of the village in the opening pages. I love them. They're like Escape to the Country but with more sex and better advice about keeping chickens.

Thanks @DamnAKarmaDingDong Definitely off to look for Fiona Walker books, i think I’ve seen them in the local charity shops, there are a few good ones here for books

Not horsey, but rich people and bad behaviour - I really enjoyed Lulu Taylor, there's "Heiresses" "Midnight Girls" "Beautiful Creatures" and "Outrageous Fortune" all easy to read and get into 🙂 might actually start them again now they're on my mind!

Fiona Walker - quite racey but very JC

Chrissie Manby has written a whole family series of books, it's called A Proper Family I think & there's a holiday one, Christmas one etc. The characters are really true to life & funny, animals included.
I really enjoyed Fiona Walker's books & didn't think I would.
Used to absolutely love Jilly Cooper!

Lulu Taylor added to the list

I've downloaded Fiona Walker The Country Set. All I need now is a glass of wine and somewhere quiet in the house!

Linda Howard is crime thrillers with the jilly cooper sex romps thrown in.

Beth Moran’s books are devoid of sex romps but very sweet.

I loved Jilly Cooper-I’m currently reading a book about a dysfunctional middle class family called The Other Son by Nick Alexander. Very funny, observant with characters that get to you.

Fiona Walker’s early books (Snap Happy etc) were sublime but her County Set series is vapid drivel. Everyone has a stupid nickname and it’s so Cooper try-hard. Jilly FTW!

Disclaimer - I am not Jilly Cooper.