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Original poster

Who are the BEST chic lit writers?

70 replies

poodlepusher · 26/02/2008 20:23

And by best it could mean most compelling, or most artfully written, or most moving, or most funny, depending on how you'd define "best".

I've read 1 Marian Keyes and found it a bit too harsh / grim reality (does she fit the chic lit moniker?) for my taste, and I've read a Penny Vincenzi which was a huge rambling saga that worked through 6 generations of women - it was exhausting but not compelling enough for me. And I've seen the Bridget Jones films but not read the books. But that's it - so my knowledge is very limited.

I'd really like to know which writers other MNers would recommend?

OP posts:
lottiejenkins · 26/02/2008 20:28

I love reading Cathy Kelly and Jill Mansell....................

onepieceoflollipop · 26/02/2008 20:30

Jane Green

Catherine Alliott

Was it Rachel's Holiday you read by MK? Some of her others are more lighthearted.

fryalot · 26/02/2008 20:30

Rowan Coleman and Dorothy Koomson

IdrisTheDragon · 26/02/2008 20:30

I like reading books by Isobel Wolff, Sophie Kinsella and Freya North.

onepieceoflollipop · 26/02/2008 20:31

Squonk what else has DK written apart from My Best Friend's Daughter. ? - loved that.

Yes Rowan Coleman I agree.

Original poster
poodlepusher · 26/02/2008 20:32

I think it may have been Rachel's holiday - it was a few years ago now. It was about waking up in an alcoholic stupor in some strange guys flat. It was depressing.

Thanks for the names. Why are these ones the best though? (sorry to be so demanding!)

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 26/02/2008 20:36

Find it hard to identify why I like certain writers. Why not try one from each author and see what you think?

Where I live you can order them online from the library for a small fee (60p) so you don't even have to spend money in bookshop/Amazon. So it's no big deal if you don't get on with the book, don't even feel you have to finish it.

That sounds like Rachel's Holiday. That was one of my least favourites. I liked Watermelon.

turquoise · 26/02/2008 20:36

I quite like the occasional Jill Mansell or Catherine Alliott.

I'm not that big on chick lit really but love India Knight and Rafaella Barker.

Not really chick lit but funny and sexy and good stories - One for the Money, and the rest of the series up to about Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.

Can't stand Marian Keyes etc, all the young bints ending up with their best friend crap.

DiscoDizzy · 26/02/2008 20:37

I enjoy Wendy Holden, Sophie Kinsella (shopaholic series), Jane Green... can't think of any others.

Original poster
poodlepusher · 26/02/2008 20:37

Thank you for your suggestions. I shall try the local library as its a big one. And I shall try India Knight - I read her columns in the papers but didn't know she wrote books.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
dinny · 26/02/2008 20:37

is Maeve Binchy chicklit? I love her! except short story boringness

LucyLouise · 26/02/2008 20:38

Have just read Jane Greens latest and enjoyed. Also like Jill Mansell but I find her books a little more formulaic and predictable than Jane Green.
Currently reading a Freya North but not been sucked in yet (could be lack of time - am having a bad week!).
Enjoyed Lisa Jewells books.

posieflump · 26/02/2008 20:39

Josie Lloyd and Emilyn Rees write some fab books togther - one chapter from the man, the next from the woman
Also Mike Gayle, Tony Parsons

fryalot · 26/02/2008 20:39

Dorothy Koomson on Amazon

Marshmallows for Breakfast was imo the best, but the Chocolate Run and The Cupid Effect were also good.

colditz · 26/02/2008 20:39

Marian Keyes!!! She's hilarous, I especially liked Rachel's Holiday.

colditz · 26/02/2008 20:40

I like Lisa Jewel too.

dinny · 26/02/2008 20:40

yea, love Rachel's Holiday

the "real men", lol

RnB · 26/02/2008 20:41

Message withdrawn

PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 26/02/2008 20:43

Votes here for Lisa Jewel, Emlyn Rees/Josie Lloyd, Rafaella Barker, also Claire Calman... Eva Rice (only one book so far I think),

(can't STAND Jane Green )

dang I read about 100 of these things in 2006 and can hardly remember any!!

bran · 26/02/2008 20:45

I like Jennifer Crusie, Jane Green and some of Linda Howard (not her mushy romantic ones, the mystery ones are better).

posieflump · 26/02/2008 20:48

also Jessica Adams, Jenny Colgan, Zoe Barnes and Carole Matthews

I also used to read loads of them!

posieflump · 26/02/2008 20:49

forgot Adele Parks and Anna Maxted - just having a look at my book shelves!

bran · 26/02/2008 20:52

Sorry, I've just noticed that you need reasons why they are best.

Jennifer Crusie writes proper English (light fiction is no excuse for sloppy grammer), the dialogue is great, and it is very funny as well as romantic. I recommend Welcome to Temptation.

Jane Green is also quite funny, and has quite lively, if not always terribly intelligent, female characters.

Linda Howard is good for romantic thrillers that aren't too tense or gory. She does tend to go in for the Mills & Boon type of slightly helpless female and overly macho male, but sometimes that's what I want.

PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 26/02/2008 20:52
bran · 26/02/2008 20:54

Also Sparkle Hayter, although I'm not sure it's necessarily chick lit. She's immensely funny.