I need some upbeat reading to counteract all the serious stuff I've been reading lately.

Looking for

• heartwarming charachters
• NO sexual abuse or child abuse (a small, not-graphic past event that is referenced but not described in detail is ok)
• minimal violence in general
• steamy bedroom scenes are a-ok!
• must have HAPPY ending
• (ETA: I prefer no adultery, if possible. As in, there can be a cheating spouse as part of the back story but I don't want the main love story to be with someone who is already married.)
• (ETA: Prefer no anti-Catholicism)

If it helps, I liked Time Traveller's Wife, Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons and Time of My Life, Nora Roberts (in general) ... that's all I can think of at this exact moment

Not sure if considered chic lit, but these authors meet your parameters-

Judi Mccoy, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Beth Ciotta, Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Crusie

Same here. Not sure if these are exactly chick lit, but Jennifer Crusie, Kristan Higgins, and Robyn Carr are all great authors who fit your parameters, and are more than just romance novels! Each one has certain books I have read many times. PM me if you interested in specific book recommendations from any of those authors, I don't want to clutter the post if you are not interested!

Yes, it sounds like you need some happy books! 

One of my favorites is Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews

Thank you! Yes, please recommend specific books if you have some in mind. It is easier to read reviews of specific books than browse authors but I will also check out those recommendations.

Anything in the Nerd series by Vicki Lewis Thompson.

I understand what you are looking for, I try to search those out myself and wish there was a heading for it.  My bookshelf is very small, but a few of my books you might enjoy.  Take a look and let me know if you are interested.  I can offer you 2 for 1.

Some authors that I would add to the ones already mentioned, Emily Giffin, Debbie Macomber, Janet Evanovich, Joanne Fluke.  

Another thought is to Google, Cozy Mysteries, those are fun reads.

Read all the Madeleine Brent books.  Brent writes historical romance full of the most amazing twists and turns.  "She" is really "he."  Peter O'Donnell, of Modesty Blaise fame, wrote these books in the 1970's.  Makes one sorry he didn't dump Modesty and focus on historical romance.  There are only about ten or so of these books, but they are wonderful!

"Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella.  I laughed out loud.

I also loved Playing James by Sarah Mason and My Favorite Mistake by Beth Kendrick.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming!

I have ordered 'Savannah Blues (Southern, Bk 1)' by Mary Kay Andrews

'Alphabet Weekends: Love on the Road from A to Z' by Elizabeth Noble

 'Odd Mom Out' by Jane Porter

Right now I'm reading the Long Walk Home by Will North. I  hope the others come before I finish this one!

I just finished Stay by Allie Larkin, which I really enjoyed.  I think it fits your criteria. 

Bergdorf Blonde and The Debutante Divorcee By Plum Sykes both are funny and upbeat no depressing stuff

I loved The Next Thing On My List. It was a book club read. My book club picks the most awful books normally but this one was a winner. It was high quality chick lit. It was a book that I could not put down. I enjoyed it throughly and I hope that you will too.

B

PS Its by Jill Smolinski.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Ones I would also recommend now that I've read them: Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze. Good fun, both!

I'm not really enjoying Alphabet Weekends very much. I'm going to finish it anyway but I wouldn't recommend it.

Also, I'm listening to My Name is Memory but I just found out it is 1st of a trilogy. I'm not really into series right now and it just came out so there is no sequel in sight I don't think.

I second Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella.  It is a very upbeat book, light hearted, and fun!

I would also recommend Fly Me To the Moon by Alyson Noel,  or any of Sophie Kinsella's other books.

I read Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella and that was great. I'll go get some more of her books for sure!

Also read Itty Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews. It was also a fun read.

I'm reading Andrew Greeley's Irish Whiskey for a change of pace then I'll jump back in to the cheery chick lit for a while.

Thanks again for all the suggestions! my library has most of these so that's cool.

The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne.  Lotsa fun!  Actually any Hester Browne books would fit the bill 

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Men I've Dated by Shane Bolks is a great light read, it's also one of my favorites.

You can't lose with Janet Evanovich. Laugh out loud funny. Also Denise Swanson-Scumble River mysteries.

Just read Staying at Daisy's by Jill Mansell - Lotsa fun!  The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews is also great.  Actually I don't think I've read a Mary Kay Andrews book that I didn't like!

I second (or third :-) the vote for Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella :-)

Besides the authors already suggested (especially Evanovich), I've enjoyed Lisa Lutz, Maggie Barbieri, Dixie Cash, Laura Levine and Sheryl Anderson.

Oh - and Heather Webber's Lucy Valentine series - very enjoyable.

Try any or all of these authors:

Katie Fforde

Trisha Ashley

Monica McInerney

Cecelia Ahern