Happily Ever After by Elizabeth Maxwell (2014)

I love a book that leaps off the shelf at me at the library and asks me to take it home. This book was misshelved while I was looking for something else and it leapt into my hand. 

Sadie Fuller is a single mother, and a romance novelist who writes erotica under a pseudonym. Meanwhile, she's raising her daughter, dealing with her gay ex-husband, and dodging the PTA. When she runs into her newest romantic lead at Target, things get interesting. But not in the way that you might think. 

It's a fabulously original unexpected story with rich, realistic characters in a magical situation. So much quiet, dry humor. I love a scene when her ex forbids her to do something, then they pause to laugh hysterically at the thought of him forbidding her to do anything. 

Funny, realistic and delightful. I love a book where I'm not even done with it and I'm already looking for more work by the author. A total hidden gem, ala Tuscany for Beginners or Nancy's Theory of Style. Adorable.

The Bestseller by Olivia Goldsmith (1996)

Poor Olivia Goldsmith.  She wrote some fun books, and some kind of lame books.  But The Bestseller is terrific fun.  A great expose of the publishing industry of the 80s/90s, it's dishy and gossipy.  It's also super fun to play "name that author" with this book.  So much thinly veiled author dirt is spilled!

Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris (2007)

Adorable mystery about a chick lit author who is amateurishly investigating the murder of several other chick lit authors. Great characters and relationships, and tons of cute publishing jokes, like the fact that everyone she meets (from doctors to cab dispatchers) is writing a book. And has a book deal, no less!

A Time to Be Born by Dawn Powell (1942)

Witty, atmospheric novel set in New York City just before the U.S. entered WWII. Powell reminds me somewhat of Dorothy Parker, though she's more subtle and less acerbic.  Her work is filled with really beautiful, poetic passages.

Blood is the New Black by Valerie Stivers (2007)

Chick lit about the world's dumbest intern who starts at the hip Manhattan fashion magazine Tasty. It takes her a REALLY long time to discover that the fashionistas are all vampires. (No spoiler here, I mean, check out the title.) Very cute idea, well executed.

Three Girls and Their Brother by Theresa Rebeck (2008)

The three girls of the titles are the granddaughters of a famous literary critic who get their picture in the New Yorker and become media sensations. Told first by the brother, then by each of the sisters, it's a wonderful look at family relationships, as well as the culture of celebrity.

How to Meet Cute Boys by Deanna Kizis (2003)

Narrated by Benjamina Franklin (!) a writer for the Glamour-like magazine Filly, the novel is interspersed with quizzes and articles. Ben and her publishing friends live in L.A., attend fashionable parties and, in general, try to meet cute boys. Great characters and realistic but funny dating situations add up to a great chick lit read.

Falling Out of Fashion by Karen Yampolsky (2007)

I love a roman a clef, and this one, written by Jane Pratt's assistant about "Jill White", her founding of the magazine "Cheeky", and her eponymous magazine is great fun. 

Certainly not well-written by any stretch of the imagination, and its thinly-disguised hero worship can get a little tedious, but it was a fun read, especially if you don't care for Jane Pratt.