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Original poster

please help me find my next comfort read (I'm v fussy!)

107 replies

Namechangetimesigh · 06/03/2023 10:34

(reposted as I put it in the wrong topic to start with)

I'm a total escapist comfort reader and I know exactly what I like, but having exhausted the back catalogue of my favourite authors (Jenny Colgan, Trisha Ashley and the comfort food cafe series) I'm always struggling to find another that hits the comfort-reading spot:

  • set in the UK countryside or seaside
  • featuring a sensible woman who makes the best of her situation, often through organisation, home/shop renovation or cooking
  • quirky friends and/or family provide comedy
  • nothing horrible happens
  • romance optional

If it helps, I liked Cathy Bramley until her style changed slightly, I can't get into Debbie Johnson's non-comfort food cafe books and Heidi Swann very nearly hits the spot. For some reason, Kate Forster, Phillipa Ashley and Jo Bartlett didn't click for me.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Drywhitefruitycidergin · 06/03/2023 23:21

Have you read Jane Fallon? They don't hit the seaside/countryside brief but I find them nice & gentle and a bit funny.

AFriendToEveryoneIsAFriendToNoOne · 06/03/2023 23:26

TossieFleacake · 06/03/2023 20:55

Jane Green - Life Swap and Spellbound

Maggie O'Farrell - This Must Be The Place

Louise Penny

Yes to the old Jane Green ones! They're amazing comfort reading.

Lucy Diamond OP. She does a beach/cafe series and loads of others.

AFriendToEveryoneIsAFriendToNoOne · 06/03/2023 23:26

StLevanBlackcaps · 06/03/2023 20:58

Try Erica James

The Dandelion Years is an old favourite of mine.

isitaline97 · 06/03/2023 23:34

Have you read any Ruth hogan books?
They sound just like what you are after; quirky, a bit eccentric, British, often seaside.

  • the keeper of lost things
  • queenie malones paradise hotel
  • Madame burova
Just to name a few!
GU24Mum · 06/03/2023 23:38

Have you tried Emma Burstall?

CallieQ · 06/03/2023 23:40

Try
Maggie O'Farrell
Kate Atkinson
Mary Wesley

cassiatwenty · 06/03/2023 23:40

Namechangetimesigh · 06/03/2023 10:34

(reposted as I put it in the wrong topic to start with)

I'm a total escapist comfort reader and I know exactly what I like, but having exhausted the back catalogue of my favourite authors (Jenny Colgan, Trisha Ashley and the comfort food cafe series) I'm always struggling to find another that hits the comfort-reading spot:

  • set in the UK countryside or seaside
  • featuring a sensible woman who makes the best of her situation, often through organisation, home/shop renovation or cooking
  • quirky friends and/or family provide comedy
  • nothing horrible happens
  • romance optional

If it helps, I liked Cathy Bramley until her style changed slightly, I can't get into Debbie Johnson's non-comfort food cafe books and Heidi Swann very nearly hits the spot. For some reason, Kate Forster, Phillipa Ashley and Jo Bartlett didn't click for me.

Thank you!

That sounds lovely xx If I think of something I'll contribute

Octopus45 · 07/03/2023 08:40

I'm another big fan of comfort reads. I second Sarah Morgan, only discovered her just before Christmas and I'm on my fourth book. Also, Alexandra Potter (she wrote 'Confessions of a forty something fuckup" last year, her books follow a similar pattern, are easy to read and most importantly feel good. Claire Calman is another good one, her books have a few complications along the way but are light and easy to read. Its lovely to come across a fellow comfort reader. I had a bit of a shitty year last year to say the least and I had joined a book club, but ended up giving up on it cause I just wanted to read feel good stuff.

Original poster
Namechangetimesigh · 07/03/2023 08:48

Octopus45 · 07/03/2023 08:40

I'm another big fan of comfort reads. I second Sarah Morgan, only discovered her just before Christmas and I'm on my fourth book. Also, Alexandra Potter (she wrote 'Confessions of a forty something fuckup" last year, her books follow a similar pattern, are easy to read and most importantly feel good. Claire Calman is another good one, her books have a few complications along the way but are light and easy to read. Its lovely to come across a fellow comfort reader. I had a bit of a shitty year last year to say the least and I had joined a book club, but ended up giving up on it cause I just wanted to read feel good stuff.

Yay for comfort reading and thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
TossieFleacake · 07/03/2023 11:31

Just thought of another one -
Courtney Sullivan ... The Engagements, was a surprise, loved that and also Maine which is a real feel good book, proper comfort read.
Also Judy Blume - Summer Sisters

Hbh17 · 07/03/2023 11:36

South Riding is one of my all-time favourite books, but not exactly "comforting"!

DuchessOfPort · 07/03/2023 11:36

Jane Lovering and Sarah Morgan.

kateandme · 07/03/2023 11:41

I could just live on this thread.and happily die on it.thanks.the end.❤️

bigbadbarry · 07/03/2023 11:42

WashAsDelicates · 06/03/2023 23:16

Try the Hens Dancing books (trilogy?) by Raffaela Barker. The fit almost every one of your requirements (except that the protagonist is not terribly sensible) and are really lovely books.

I came on here to say exactly this. You need to read them. They are the ultimate comfort books and I adore them

bigbadbarry · 07/03/2023 11:45

Except, @WashAsDelicates , I have only read two - Hens Dancing and Summertime. What is the third, please?

WashAsDelicates · 07/03/2023 12:02

I could be wrong!

bigbadbarry · 07/03/2023 12:16

WashAsDelicates · 07/03/2023 12:02

I could be wrong!

Well that is disappointing! Might have to re-read HD instead. Again.

TragicMuse · 07/03/2023 12:21

I can to say Hens Dancing too! But I didn't know there were two more. What pleasures await!

SusiePevensie · 07/03/2023 12:24

Maeve Binchy - except more Dublin than countryside.

Cold Comfort Farm?

kateandme · 07/03/2023 12:26

I just wrote you all the greatest list.snd backpaged instead on entered😱😭

unfortunateevents · 07/03/2023 12:57

Sally Page - Keeper of Stories. Hits all your spots except the country/seaside bit.

Beccarecca · 07/03/2023 13:01

Jessica Redland
Holly Martin
Hannah Ellis
All are on my read list, as are many of yours

bigbadbarry · 07/03/2023 13:24

Ooh and Ruth Hogan.

bigbadbarry · 07/03/2023 13:26

oh, sorry I see @isitaline97 already mentioned her

Shangrilalala · 07/03/2023 13:29

Barbara Pym - Excellent Women surely fits the brief.