Please could you recommend a book where the story is bordering on chick lit but not quite so sickening?

Ok so I have exhausted myself lately with Stephen King and Tess Gerritsen and need to read something a little less hardcore.

Please could you suggest some books that have a good story but aren't too serious but also not just all about living happily ever after?

If I knew which genre I was talking about I would go to Waterstones again but after my visit this afternoon, where they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, I would prefer if my friends on here suggested some titles instead!Please could you recommend a book where the story is bordering on chick lit but not quite so sickening?
I love Esther Friesner. Her chicks n chain male books are great.
If you don't mind stories taking place in the past I would recommend The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Farber. It takes place in Victorian England. Has a bit of romance but more about survival.Please could you recommend a book where the story is bordering on chick lit but not quite so sickening?
It's not new and you might have read it already but I liked Bridget Jones' Diary.
Try Sophie Kinsella's books maybe? :)Please could you recommend a book where the story is bordering on chick lit but not quite so sickening?
"Those Who Favor Fire" -- Lauren Wolk
Marian Keyes is good
Whenever I'm in the mood for chick lit I like Marian Keyes because her books are witty and not too soppy, so it's a good bit of fluff but not enough to make you sick!



With the whole vampire fad thing at the mo there's loads of books around that are a bit more interesting, but still have the romance and angst to keep it lighthearted - try Charlaine Harris, the Morganville Vampires series, or Anne Rice. There's a whole section in my library now with them all on it so I keeping finding loads of random ones!



I also like books set in history, as they tend to be a bit less serious but still kind of create a realy interesting world. There's a series by Giles Brandreth based around Oscar Wilde where he solves mysteries. Also a couple by George Mann set in Victorian London called The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual, and one (can't remember the author) called The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, which is one of my fave books, based around 1890 and is this really complex mystery. Scarlett Thomas has done a couple of good books that have good ideas, like The End of Mr Y which deals with philosophy, but in a kind of accesible way, so they are easy to read and chill out with while still being intelligent.



Have you tried talking to the people in your library? They usually are more willing to just sit and chat than bookshops and know quite a lot. Hope that helps!