35 Best Chick Lit Books That You Won't Be Able To Put Down

Dive into the list of best chick lit books in 2025

When I became an avid reader at 27, chick lit novels became my gateway to more books. Despite reservations about the term’s connotations, I found joy in these humorous women’s fiction novels—character-driven tales in urban settings exploring modern women’s issues, touching on consumerism and self-identity. Authored by women for women, notable examples include Helen Fielding’s ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ and Sophie Kinsella’s ‘Shopaholic’ series.

Sassy and witty chick lit shares traits with rom-coms and light women’s fiction, featuring romance, heroism, and humor. If you adore funny women’s fiction, here are 35 must-reads for 2025.

My Top Chick Lit Book Picks

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

In Lessons in Chemistry we track Elizabeth Zott, a determined young chemist in a 1960s male-dominated research institute. Often dismissed as a secretary, her achievements are credited to others. Enter Calvin Evans, a Nobel Prize nominee, who recognizes her true talent. Fast forward a few years, and Elizabeth is now a single mom and cooking show host. Yet, deep down, her passion for chemistry still burns. Read my review of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place by Emily Henry follows Harriet and Wyn, a once-perfect couple who secretly broke up six months ago. While at a Maine cottage with friends for its final week before sale, they pretend to still be together to spare feelings. The novel explores their second chance at romance, delving into love and friendship in a special place—a must-read for those seeking a heartwarming story. Check out the complete list of Emily Henry’s books for more.

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The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan

The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan is a heartwarming historical fiction set in England. Madame Burova, a beloved Tarot reader, is retiring from her Brighton seafront booth, having kept others’ secrets for a lifetime. As she fulfills a promise from the 1970s, Billie in London seeks her true identity, leading her to Madame Burova’s door. Spanning fifty years, the story explores choices, redemption, and the never-too-late journey to self-discovery.

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A Riviera Retreat by Jennifer Bohnet

A Riviera Retreat is a delightful novel chick lit book set South of France. It is the story of four women who meet at a retreat centre. The three women Chelse, Victoria and Matilda are the winners of a lucky competition organised by the centre’s owner Amy. As women spend time together in the Cote d’Azur they form a life-changing bond of friendship.

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Best Chick lit Books To Read in 2024

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score

Things We Left Behind is follows Lucian, a determined man, and Sloane, a strong librarian. They don’t like each other at first, but after a passionate night, they feel a strong connection. However, they disagree about starting a family. Lucian wants to protect Sloane by staying away, but he realizes she needs him. They go from enemies to lovers as they face their past and fears together. This small-town romance is a popular chick lit books to read in 2023.

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Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand is the story of a Nantucket novelist who has one final summer to protect her secrets. When bestselling author Vivian Howe is killed in an accident she ascends to the Beyond and meets Martha, a mysterious individual who grants permission to view the events of one summer, after her death. She also allows her “three nudges” which Vivian can use to change the outcome of any situation. But will she be able to use them wisely?

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Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

Sadie Green is a twenty something, funny and hardworking woman who is desperately looking for a one-night stand. But when she accidentally swipes right on a roommate finding app, instead of a dating app, she finds herself on the doorsteps of Jack Thomas’s Brooklyn townhouse. Luckily, introvert Jack is willing to offer her a room. Find out what happens when these two polar opposites start to live together.

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The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

The Flatshare is the story of Tiffy and Leon are sharing a flat and a bed but they don’t see each other at all. Whenever Tiffany leaves for work, Leon comes home from work, and that’s how they agree to follow this uncommon agreement. They also often exchange little notes with each other. And once their lives intersect, they are about to discover something special. This slow-burn romance is worth your time.

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The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

The Unsinkable Greta James is the story of an emerging indie-rock star who is going through a family and identity crisis. Greta‘s mother has been her cheerleader since childhood, but since her unexpected demise, Greta isn’t able to perform.Unable to overcome her grief, she decides to accompany her estranged father on a week-long Alaskan cruise, expecting to connect with him. If you are looking for a fast-paced funny romance, get this one.

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Deconstructed by Liz Talley

When Cricket learned about her husband’s affair she didn’t waste much time crying over it.Instead she hired an assistant named Ruby to investigate the matter and make her husband pay. And Ruby is determined to help her boss and reinvents herself as a designer along the way. Deconstructed is an uplifting story about female friendships.

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Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane

Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane is an enemies-to-lovers romance with the themes of grief, loss and relationships. When an unexpected tragedy hits a group of four friends, their life is changed forever. The story is told from Eve’s view (one of four friends). When the terrible accident happened, Eve begins to question her life along with others. Compared to other novels in the list, Mhairi McFarlane’s novel deals with some very dark themes.

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The Minute I Saw You by Paige Toon

Hannah has gone through a lot in her life and wasn’t interested in any relationship until she met Sonny. They both knew there was an instant connection and the chemistry was undeniable. However, weeks later, Sonny seems to be a different person, so Hannah is no longer sure about the possibility of a future together.

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Messy, Wonderful Us by Catherine Isaac

When young researcher Allie finds a letter from her grandmother’s cupboard, she discovers a secret about her deceased mother’s past and herself. Although she tries to ask several questions regarding the matter, her grandmother refuses to talk about it. So Allie decides to hire a detective to find out about the contents of the letter.

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By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate follows a successful romance editor Lanie who has just been offered the promotion she deserves, but it comes with a challenge. She has to get Noa Callaway, the world-renowned author, to publish a bestselling book. The manuscript is already late and Lanie has no clue about the author’s whereabouts. Yet she is certain that she will be able to do it. This enemies-to-lovers romance from New York Times bestselling author is addicted book to read in one sitting.

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The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery

Robyn is a single mother, trying to figure out her life beyond her failed marriage. Her children don’t want her to interfere in their life. So she decides to travel to her great aunt Lillian. But then slowly her family begins to knock on her door asking for comfort. Will she ever be able to live for herself?

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It Started with a Secret by Jill Mansell

Lainey and her best friend Kit have found a new job, they pretend to be a couple and live in a beautiful house by the sea. The job is to help a retiring actor to organise his chaotic family. But soon she finds herself attracted towards the actor’s grandson. But she is unable to declare her love to him, as everyone thinks that she is in a relationship with Kit.

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A Wedding in Provence by Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde is one of my favorite British chick lit authors, so I am delighted to have recommend this book. After completing a cookery course, Alexandra is on her way to enrol in a finishing school in Switzerland. She makes a stop in Paris en route to Switzerland and takes up a temporary job as a nanny in the Provence. But soon she realises that taking care of three hostile children isn’t an easy task.

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The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin

The luxury travel agent Hester Monday is terrified of flying and isn’t keen on taking a work trip. But she is the best at her job, organising the best holidays for her clients. Now her new client, Jake Oakenfield is something different. He wants her to plan a vacation without leaving his hotel suite.

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What You Wish For by Katherine Centre

Sam is an elementary school librarian at a private school and enjoys her job and loves the community she lives in. But the unexpected death of the school’s principal brings in the new replacement, and of all people, it’s Duncan. Duncan and she had worked together in another school and she had a secret crush on him. She actually left that school because of him. However, this “new” Duncan seems to have changed a lot.

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The Beach House by Rachel Hanna

At the age of forty three, Julie is forced to start all over again. As her husband after twenty-one years has ended the marriage with her. She is alone and clueless about her future, yet she picks up the courage and sets off to the coast of South Carolina, all by herself.

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Life’s a Beach by Portia MacIntosh

Peach is thrilled to travel to Naples to attend her sister’s wedding. Although she isn’t happy about the prospect of impromptu weddings, she isn’t going to miss a destination wedding. But the wedding guests include some unexpected people from Peach’s past. A perfect page-turner for the lover’s of feel-good chick lits.

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The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

The Secret Bridesmaid is an heartwarming and hilarious chick lit novel about Sophie, a professional bridesmaid. Her job is to plan the perfect wedding for London brides, while posing as the right-hand woman. When a former model and current Marchioness of Meade, hires her to do the society wedding of the year, Sophie has to prove to everyone, once again, that she is the best at her job.

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The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser

Life is not going well for Thea Mottram at the moment. Her husband has left her for one of her friends and she just lost her job. When she learns about a distant uncle and the inheritance that he has left for her in Scotland, she decides to leave her own home for a while. Will Thea be able to find a new life in the coastal town of Scotland?

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One Summer Sunrise by Shari Low

There are several characters in this book whose lives are connected in some ways. We meet Maisie McTeer who is trying to track down her ex, 80 year old Harriet who struggles to cope with loneliness and a couple Scott and Kelly, who are hiding secrets from each other!

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Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square by Heidi Swain

Kate is moving away from her house in London to a little cottage in Nightingale Square in Norwich. She considers it to be a perfect location for someone who is running away from a failed marriage. But the small-town life is nothing like she had imagined. Not only is she busy with her new job but also other responsibilities related to saving the community.

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Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis

When Emma Harris survives a tragic accident, she is waking up to a whole new life. While she was in coma, her boyfriend left her for her best friend and she lost her job. But she has always been a fighter, so despite the hardships she decides to start from scratch.

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Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

Maddie is an assistant event planner and loves her job but not her evil boss. She has two best friends who always want Maddie to do things for them. Lauren, one of her friends, wants her to do the event planning for free and her other friend Sarah wants the new job position at Maddie’s office, which could be the perfect fit for Maddie herself.

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The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan

Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia are the daughters of the renowned author Bill Sweeney. After their mother’s death, the sisters have been brought up by their father in a small seaside town. When the housekeeper informs the sisters about their father’s death, three of them return to their childhood home. However, their lawyer informs them about a fourth sister they never knew existed.

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The Bette Davis Club by Jane Lotter

Fifty-something year old Margo is attending her niece’s wedding in Malibu. As she is pondering the many mistakes that she has made, she is offered a chance to win a lot of money. Her task is to chase the bride who just ran away from the wedding! Margo and the groom (Tuli) begin their journey in a borrowed 1955 red MG.

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The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms

The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms follows Mia Bell, a social media influencer and yoga instructor whose online life contrasts sharply with her offline struggles. While planning her perfect wedding and enjoying a successful business, Mia’s real-life woes lead her to toss her phone off a mountain. A techie named Paige intervenes by hacking Mia’s account to help her sister, adding a twist to Mia’s journey as she navigates the complexities of her dual existence.

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The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness

The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness follows Nina Popkin’s quest at thirty-five to find her birth mother after recent upheavals. Discovering Lindy McIntyre, a successful salon owner with three children, Nina is determined to reunite her birth family despite Lindy’s initial resistance. The journey introduces Phoebe Mullen, a guarded woman with a tough exterior. Together, these three women form an unexpected and messy family, challenging Nina’s preconceived notions and unfolding a transcendent love story that emphasizes true family beyond DNA.

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Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties by Camille Noe Pagán

In Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties by Camille Pagán, fifty-three-year-old Maggie Harris faces an unexpected crisis when her husband of nearly thirty years leaves her. This poignant and humorous story follows Maggie’s journey of self-discovery as she rebuilds her life with a trip to Rome, a new career, and a rebound romance. As she confronts uncertainties and risks, Maggie grapples with the question of how much she’s willing to gamble to embrace the woman she’s become.

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I Thought You Said This Would Work by Ann Wertz Garvin

In I Thought You Said This Would Work we meet three best friends from college who are now in different phases of their lives. One of the friends, Katie is suffering from ovarian cancer and she seeks the help of the other two- Samantha and Holly to help her dognap her beloved dog from her ex-husband. Although the job seems quite simple, for Samatha and Holly it isn’t. Though they haven’t spoken to each other in years, their mutual love for Katie brings the former friends together for the task.

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The Apology Project by Jeanette Escudero

In The Apology Project by Jeanette Escudero, fired litigator Amelia Montgomery grapples with the fallout of losing her job due to principles. Her life shifts during a calamitous fortieth birthday, meeting John Ellis, a stranger from her ex-firm. Guided by John and fueled by champagne, Amelia seeks redemption by making amends for past wrongs. The novel explores her journey of reflection, presenting the potential for unexpected second chances and a fresh start.

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See Jane Snap by Bethany Crandell

See Jane Snap is a character driven novel about life choices and friendships. On the surface, Jane Osborne has a perfect life. She is the chairman of PTA, her daughter attends a private school and her husband is a well-known surgeon. But in reality, she is hiding a lot from the real world, including that her husband is cheating on her with another man and her daughter is often getting into trouble. How long can she hold on to these?

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For the Love of Friends by Sara Goodman Confino

For the Love of Friends is a sharp and hilariously relatable novel about Lily Weiss, the go-to bridesmaid for her dependable, considerate, and supportive nature. With back-to-back weddings of her friends and two younger siblings in just six weeks, Lily, feeling overwhelmed, starts an anonymous blog to vent her frustrations. A tale of love, friendship, and the humorous lengths one bridesmaid will go to for the love of friends.

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Life, Unscheduled by Kristin Rockaway

Life, Unscheduled is modern novel about a woman trying to balance EVERYTHING in her life. In Nicola’s life, the term work-life balance is non-existent. As a user experienced designer, she is fully committed to her job and has no time for a life of her own. But when her best friend Parisa Shahin asks her to be the maid of honor, Nicola decides to take charge of her life. She begins to plan her entire life from project deadlines to dress fitting appointments.

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Primrose Park by Christie Barlow

Primrose Park by Christie Barlow is a charming novel that follows the career driven veterinarian Molly. While attending a conference she ends up in a one-night-stand with a Mysterious Man. However, once back in the village, she meets the same man she had spent the night with. But their meeting wasn’t as cute as she thought.

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Conclusion

I hope you have found your choices from the list. My favorite top three chick lits from the list are :