Hi everybody! I wanted to try something a little different today. My mom likes to read my blog when she can and gets excited about some of the books I read, asking whether she would like x or y. The problem is, I don’t read a ton of books that fall under the umbrella of what she would enjoy! Lately I’ve been reading SF/F, sad literary fiction, and horror. SO, I hoped I could employ some of you to give her recommendations. 🙂
In preparation, I asked for some examples of what she does like and got the following responses: David Baldacci, Luanne Rice, and Danielle Steele. Mostly, she likes happily ever after books!
So, here is my request for you all: please comment with some nice HEA books for my mom to check out. You can use the authors above as a reference point, or just give me some recs of good ones you’ve read! Hopefully we can compile a great list of reads for her to try. 🙂
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! ❤
Sarah Ames-Foley 
I’ll definitely have a think, but this post has made me realise how many depressing books I read 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
God, I know right!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm most of the HEA books I can remember reading have pretty sad content in the middle before the happy ending arrives. If that’s okay, I think some of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books might fit the bill, also The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (maybe more of her books, but that’s the only one I’ve read), Water for Elephants and At Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen, who I think is a good author for blending romance and suspense- not exactly mystery/thriller material like David B’s content, but there’s more plot beyond the romance. Maybe Eleanor Oliphant, by Gail Honeyman? Landline by Rainbow Rowell has a slight magical element but is otherwise a great women’s lit contemp romance. I’ve only read one book by Jennifer Weiner (Who Do You Love) but I think she’s a good contemp romance writer in general.
It’s definitely been a minute since I’ve read any of these, but hopefully it’s at least a starting point? I liked them all at the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a great starting point, thanks! I had completely forgotten about Water for Elephants and At the Water’s Edge (both of which I’ve read), but I think she’d like both of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, ok.
Helen Hoang’s two books (plus one forthcoming): The Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test (to read in that order)
Sally Thorne’s two books: The Hating Game, 99 Percent Mine (read in any order)
I would also recommend your mum every book by Maggie Alderson – Shall We Dance? is probably my favourite, but to be honest they’re all great.
Alphabet Weekends by Elizabeth Noble is really cute.
Back After the Break by Anita Notaro (personal favourite of mine, but I didn’t like any of her other books)
Maybe The Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons… although it’s set during WWII, so not overly happy.
Catherine Alliott writes some pretty cute books, as does Harriet Evans.
Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones series are pretty cute (and better than the movies!!)
I would also recommend Tilly and Louise Bagshawe (they’re sisters but write separately. I think Louise got married so she writes under Louise Mensch now, which is annoying and confusing) for any Danielle Steele lover.
Lauren Weisberger who wrote The Devil Wears Prada has some really good books, including a sequel ‘Revenge Wears Prada’.
Kate Forsyth also has some good historical fiction, probably more if your mum liked Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – which is also great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg yes, thank you!! These are such great recs. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!! Let me know if you want more?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll check in with my mom and let you know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am I too late to the party?
Some I enjoyed (I have limited access to Internet rn so can’t look up authors):
The Bromance Book Club
The Bride Test
The Unhoneymooners
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (or sth like this???)
Sourdough (really lovely)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are not too late, thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person