You bet it can. I love Chick-lit, as many women do. The adventures that befall our chick-lit heroines often run in parallel with our own experiences. We laugh and we cry with them… and for them. We play out our lives in tandem with theirs. And that’s what makes them special to us.

And when it comes to their dilemmas? Here, instinctively we recognise, empathise, and sympathise:

* Meeting the partner they’ve always longed for.
* Enjoying enriching friendships and family relationships.
* Finding fulfilment in their careers or their decision to stay home.
* Being happy.

We want our female protagonists to be relatable. To be just like us. Only better. So just like us, is there any reason why our Chick-lit heroines shouldn’t face real issues? Uncomfortable, thought-provoking issues. After all, none of us romp through life completely unscathed, completely unaffected by the world around us. So why should our Chick-lit heroines do so?

Chick-Lit doesn’t have to come with a side order of sprinkles.

Despite what many Chick-lit novels would have us believe, there are occasions when a pint of ice-cream, a new pair of shoes or even being asked out on a date, just won’t cut it. Because the truth is that we all face challenges. We all have low, dark, despairing moments. But somehow, we find the strength and courage and determination to deal with the demands that those challenges ask of us. Because we have to. What choice do we have but to keep on going and make the best stab we can at… being happy? So let’s not underestimate ourselves. Or our Chick-lit heroines. If we can feel empowered, why can’t they?

Rest assured, I’m not suggesting that we banish the sprinkles. Or the cupcakes. Sometimes that’s exactly what we want. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I’m saying, why not fling open a window and allow in some salty fresh air to permeate through the too sickly- sweet, the too sentimental, whimsical dream-scape?

I like my Chick-lit to come with a little fizz. A little snap. A little edge.

And this is what you will find in my debut novel, The Love Detective.

As you share my heroine, Clarry’s, adventures, my hope is that you will feel uplifted and excited when she does experience the thrill and chill of fear, and then relax in to laughter, love and friendship as she does… and always will do.

The Love Detective is the first in a series and will be released on 28th September 2018. To receive a signed edition the day before its official release, pre-order it here!