Struggling to read right now? Dying for something to distract you? These feel good reads, as recommended by the best bookish babes, have got you covered.
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As an avid bookworm, there’s nothing you love more than devouring a well-scripted story, right? Yet, when times are turbulent, it can be difficult to find an ounce of focus to even finish one page, let alone an entire book. And it’s the most frustrating thing.
Or, rather it was, Because this is where feel good reads come in.
Right now, rather than pushing yourself to pick up the latest literary masterpiece or anything overly serious, what you really need is something dishy, devious, and full to the brim of debauchery. Because escapism books are where it’s at.
From the perfect romance to scandalous affairs to dreamy destinations, it’s time to distract your mind and immerse yourself into another world, with these twelve insanely fabulously feel good reads.
And, if the books themselves aren’t already outstanding, each has been recommended by a beautiful bookish babe known for her love of literature!
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Kicking off our list of feel good reads is the editor’s pick. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is a heartbreaking story of love, loss, and dreams set in New York City.
Dannie wakes up from a freakishly real dream. It was five years from now, but the apartment she was in and the man she was with are both a far cry from her reality – or what she’d planned. Follow her story to find out what it means.
Recommended by Grace Olivia Parry
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Lucinda Riley should need no introduction, so of course, she’s a top pick. The Seven Sisters is the first book in the dreamy Seven Sisters series.
Maia and her five sisters gather after the death of their adoptive father. Each is given a clue to their true heritage – thus leading Maia to Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, eighty years ago, adventurous Izabela heads to Montparnasse, Paris where her life is excitingly altered…
Recommended by Carley Jones
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
When you’re looking for feel good reads that fill your heart and make you smile, Beth O’Leary always has you covered. The Flatshare is warm, funny, and fantastically uplifting – just what you need right now.
Tiffy needs a cheap flat. Leon works nights and needs cash. Call them crazy but the flat becomes Tiffy’s by night and stays Leon’s by day. With life dramas and a lack of actually meeting each other, could living beyond society’s rules be worth it?
Recommended by Iris Goldsztajn
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Is there anything better than a fun and fearless story full of bold characters? Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid has all that with a cherry on top.
They were fresh, young, rock and roll icons and they had it all. Songwriter Daisy, frontman’s wife Camila, and keyboardist Karen and the bad-news boys that surround them were living the dream. But when the band drama expands beyond the music, it all comes crashing down.
Recommended by Lauren Heath-Jones
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
You’ve seen the film only about a thousand times, but have you ever read the book? Bridget Jones is the epitome of single life in your thirties – and she’s thriving, isn’t she?
Sponsored by Chardonnay and her three amigos, Bridget navigates dating life and the despicable task of deciding between cheeky Daniel Cleaver and somewhat boring but beautiful Mark Darcy.
Recommended by Grace Holliday
Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams
When you want feel good reads that make you laugh, smile, and forget about everything else around you, pick up some Laura Jane Williams. Her new book might be coming this summer, but if you’ve yet to read Our Stop, you’re in for a treat.
Nadia almost always gets the 7.30 train. Daniel always does. When one morning, Nadia spots a note in the daily Missed Connections, a spiral of love, laughs and potential missed chances begins.
Recommended by Emily Cox
Messy, Wonderful Us by Catherine Issac
The incredible writing sensation that is Catherine Issac, previously known as Jane Costello, is back with yet another beautiful book. Messy, Wonderful Us is an emotionally uplifting story about secrets, family, and lost love.
After finding an envelope in her grandmother’s home, Allie hires a private detective to find the truth. Truth that could unsettle those she loves the most. But adventure awaits as Allie looks to uncover what happened to her late mother just before she was born.
Recommended by Chloé Wells
Rivals by Jilly Cooper
The queen of reads, Jilly Cooper, is always a must for your escapism reading list. Because what beats scandal, sex, and a good dosage of drama when the world feels like a woeful place?
Rivals sees dashing Declan O’Hara and the devious Lord Baddingham among the backdrop of Corinium television. Add the gorgeous and glamorous Cameron Cook, Riders superstar Rupert Campbell-Black, and a host of sabotage, competition, love, and, scandal and you have a Cooper Classic on your hands.
Recommended by Clare Reynolds
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Dubbed one of the best feel good reads of 2020, The Authenticity Project is a must. Warming, endearing, and all-round uplifting, it’s exactly what you need right now.
Six strangers aren’t being honest. Their lives aren’t quite as they seem. But could honesty and authenticity be the answer? Julian thinks so, so he starts to detail his realities in a small green notebook and The Authenticity Project begins…
Recommended by Clare Janet Mason
The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent
Sometimes, you just need a story that grips you, holds you, and endlessly immerses you. And that’s exactly what you get with The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent.
Guylain has a job he hates, yet one pleasure in life. The 6.27 train and his daily ritual of reading aloud from the pages he saves from his work in the book pulping factory. Life for Guylain becomes a journey as he discovers the diary of the lonely Julie…
Recommended by Jules Swain
Big Sexy Love by Kirsty Greenwood
Is there anything better than a whirlwind adventure, the glamour of New York City, and the excitement of a shaking up you never knew you needed? Kirsty Greenwood’s Big Sexy Love does exactly that.
Olive is all about that low-key life. But her best friend is dying and she has just one wish – to find her one true love, her Big Sexy Love, and she needs Olive’s help to do it…
Recommended by Isabelle Broom
One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom
Last but never least in our list of feel good reads is an absolute delight of a book by the wonderful Isabelle Broom herself. One Thousand Stars and You is the uplifting love story you need in your life.
Alice doesn’t know it yet, but her life is about to change. She’s settled and somewhat happy, despite the lack of adventure. Until she flies off for one last hurrah in vibrant Sri Lanka and meets Max…
Recommended by Grace Olivia Parry
What are you reading right now? Do you have any feel good reads to recommend? Share your go-to’s with the SOCIÉTÉ community in the comments below.
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