Cosy, uplifting, but still "literary" novel to read in the evenings?

[Psm92]

^^ Just that. I'd like a novel to read in the evenings after work, but as of late seem to have been drawn towards dark-ish stuff, or at least novels with heavy themes. I'd like something a bit more relaxing, not trash nor chicklit/YAetc., but still on substance. Recommendations welcome!

Seven Sisters series - Lucinda Riley

Books by Rhys Bowen

(Both these authors include romance in their stories, but they’re meatier than the Medredith moves to Cornwall to set up a cupcake shop and to get over cheating ex Hugo, but then meets confirmed batchelor farmer, Tristan…).

How about a classic? Mill on the Floss….

Possession - AS Byatt
A Room With A View - EM Forster
The Blue Flower - Penelope Fitzgerald
Persuasion - Jane Austen

I’ve just read Crossroads by Jonathan Frantzen, it was great.

Robert Harris may be worth/considering also - historical but very readable novels

Lessons in Chemistry

I'm reading Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, which might fit the remit.

Or Miss Peregrine lives for a dsy, or some Daphne du Maurier, or Crooked Heart (and the follow-up books), or Miss Penny and Miss Plum.

I capture the castle - Dodie Smith

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim - supremely relaxing!

What I loved, Siri hustvedt
the outrun, Amy liptrot

Lark Rise to Candleford

Dorothy Whipple is your friend. So good but also so readable. She wrote about families and relationships with a lot of insight and humour and the stories usually end on a cheerful note. Persephone publish her works and many others that would fit the bill, although some on their list would be too dark.

Try The Priory or Because of the Lockwoods.

Oh and another vote for I Capture The Castle. A delight from beginning to end.

Eleanor Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend - then the next three in the series! Totally absorbing and although there are some grim themes there’s lots of love, and they’re beautifully written.

The most recent Esther Freud book was great. And us by David nicholls.

Jasper Fforde for some light comedy.

I quite often go to classic children's books - Children of Green Knowe, Swallows and Amazons, etc.

I was going to suggest this! My audiobook for my commute at the moment, I think it’s brilliant

the Cazelet Chronicles - Elizabeth Jane Howard - I’ve read and reread these.

Dorothy Whipple or indeed most of the Persephone catalogue - just avoid the depressing ones!

Anne of Green Gables series

My default comfort books are all the Jane Austen novels, Cold Comfort Farm for absolute hilarity, and the lovely Georgette Heyer ones - Cotillion, The Talisman Ring, A Convenient Marriage, The Unknown Ajax are all brilliantly, warmly written by a supremely clever woman and feel like getting a literary hug.

Anything by Georgette Heyer (witty, cosy) or Elizabeth Goudge (dreamy, comforting)

Seconded. So good.

i agree with those who recommend Persephone Press. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is adorable (although you can read it in an hour), just make sure you read the descriptions before you order as they also publish some really depressing ones!
To kill a Mockingbird is always worth rereading. If you read it in school you probably identified with Scout but, as you get older your perspective changes and it becomes a completely different narrative.

Was about to say that's