Candace Bushnell is an American author celebrated for her witty, candid portraits of modern city life. Her influential novel Sex and the City inspired the hit television series and helped define a style of fiction centered on friendship, dating, ambition, and relationships in New York City.
If you enjoy Candace Bushnell’s books, you may also want to explore the following authors:
Cecily von Ziegesar writes sharp, stylish novels packed with drama, privilege, and biting humor—an easy match for readers drawn to Candace Bushnell’s glamorous social worlds.
Her bestselling series begins with Gossip Girl, set amid the glittering excess of Manhattan’s elite teen scene. The novel opens with Serena van der Woodsen’s unexpected return after a mysterious absence at boarding school.
Serena’s arrival rattles the tightly wound social order at Constance Billard, especially for her best friend Blair Waldorf, who finds herself torn between affection, rivalry, and insecurity.
Told through the voice of an anonymous gossip blogger, the story dishes up secrets, scandals, and lavish parties with addictive energy. Ziegesar’s sly social commentary and irresistible cast make this a natural pick for Bushnell fans.
Emily Giffin is a great choice for readers who like smart, emotionally grounded stories about friendship, romance, and the messy choices that come with adult life.
In Something Borrowed, Rachel, a dependable lawyer and loyal friend, finds herself in a painful moral bind when she falls for her best friend’s fiancé. What follows is a compelling look at loyalty, desire, and the gray areas people stumble into.
Giffin writes with warmth and honesty, creating characters whose flaws and feelings ring true. If you appreciate Bushnell’s relationship-driven storytelling, Giffin is well worth picking up.
Jennifer Weiner brings humor, heart, and sharp observation to stories about friendship, love, self-image, and the complications of modern life.
Her novel Good in Bed follows Cannie Shapiro, a witty journalist whose life is thrown off course when her ex-boyfriend publishes a humiliating article about her in a national magazine.
As Cannie deals with the fallout, the novel balances genuine emotion with clever dialogue and relatable struggles.
Weiner excels at writing funny, resilient women who are trying to reclaim their confidence and direction, making Good in Bed both entertaining and thoughtful.
Jill Mansell’s novels blend humor, romance, and everyday complications in a way that will appeal to readers who enjoy Candace Bushnell’s lively take on relationships.
In Rumour Has It, Tilly Cole leaves behind heartbreak and the fast pace of London for a quieter life in a small town. Peace, however, proves elusive once she gets swept up in local gossip and tangled romantic dynamics.
As secrets emerge and rumors spread, Tilly discovers that small-town life can be every bit as dramatic as city living. Mansell delivers a warm, entertaining story full of romantic missteps and feel-good charm.
If Candace Bushnell’s sharp, glamorous city stories are your thing, Lauren Weisberger is an obvious next step.
Her novel The Devil Wears Prada follows Andrea Sachs, a recent college graduate who lands a dream-worthy job as assistant to Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor-in-chief of a major fashion magazine.
Andrea is soon pulled into a world of impossible demands, relentless pressure, and ruthless office politics, all while trying not to lose herself in the process.
Weisberger offers a juicy behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry, combining satire, ambition, and memorable characters in a highly readable package.
Marian Keyes writes funny, heartfelt fiction about women facing love, family upheaval, and fresh starts. Readers who enjoy Bushnell’s focus on contemporary female lives may find a lot to love here.
In Watermelon Claire Walsh’s life is upended when her husband leaves her on the very day their first child is born. She returns to her lively family home in Dublin, where comfort, chaos, and perspective await.
As Claire begins rebuilding her life, she rediscovers her sense of self and opens the door to new possibilities. Keyes combines emotional depth with humor and warmth, creating a story that feels both moving and uplifting.
Sophie Kinsella is known for witty, fast-moving novels about modern women, making her a strong recommendation for readers who like Candace Bushnell’s playful approach to contemporary life.
Her novel Confessions of a Shopaholic introduces Becky Bloomwood, a lovable, fashion-obsessed journalist whose spending habits spiral into comic disaster.
As Becky scrambles to stay ahead of the consequences, the story delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along with a charming romantic thread. Kinsella captures friendship, city living, and personal ambition with breezy humor and plenty of flair.
Readers who enjoy Candace Bushnell’s quick wit and lively energy may have a great time with Christina Lauren, the writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings.
Their book The Unhoneymooners is a romantic comedy about Olive Torres, whose twin sister’s entire wedding party gets food poisoning—except for Olive and her sworn enemy, Ethan Thomas.
With a nonrefundable honeymoon to Hawaii suddenly up for grabs, the two reluctantly agree to take the trip together. The snappy banter, comic tension, and enemies-to-lovers setup make this a fun, highly readable escape.
If you love Candace Bushnell’s funny observations about modern urban life, Helen Fielding is another excellent author to try.
Her novel Bridget Jones’s Diary follows Bridget, a single woman in London navigating work, love, self-improvement, and everyday chaos with disarming honesty.
Through her diary entries, Bridget chronicles dieting attempts, family pressures, and romantic disasters in a voice that is both hilarious and deeply relatable. The result is a warm, observant novel that remains endlessly charming.
For readers who enjoy witty storytelling about relationships and self-discovery, Fielding is an easy recommendation.
Lauren Conrad’s fiction offers a glossy look at fashion, fame, and friendship, with plenty of behind-the-scenes appeal for readers who enjoy Candace Bushnell’s world.
In L.A. Candy. Jane Roberts and Scarlett Harp move to Los Angeles and unexpectedly become stars of a reality television series. Their new fame brings excitement, but also rumors, paparazzi, and shifting friendships.
Conrad draws on the culture of celebrity and image-making to create an entertaining story about sudden stardom and the pressures that come with it.
Liane Moriarty writes clever, engaging novels about modern women, hidden tensions, and the secrets people keep behind polished appearances.
If you liked Candace Bushnell’s mix of wit and social observation, try Big Little Lies. The novel follows three mothers whose seemingly perfect lives conceal simmering resentments and painful truths.
As the school year unfolds, friendships deepen, conflicts sharpen, and the story moves steadily toward a shocking event at trivia night.
Moriarty combines humor, suspense, and emotional insight, making her work especially rewarding for readers who enjoy layered relationship drama.
Tilly Bagshawe writes glamorous, high-drama fiction full of ambition, romance, and larger-than-life characters.
Her novel Adored follows Siena McMahon, a young heiress determined to become a Hollywood star. Along the way, she faces fierce rivalries, family secrets, and passionate entanglements.
For readers who enjoy Candace Bushnell’s interest in status, desire, and the costs of ambition, Bagshawe offers a similarly glossy and dramatic reading experience.
Jay McInerney brings style, energy, and razor-sharp observation to stories about city life, excess, and ambition.
If you’re drawn to Candace Bushnell’s depictions of fast-moving, high-society worlds, Bright Lights, Big City is a strong pick. Set in the nightlife of 1980s Manhattan, the novel follows a young man through clubs, parties, and increasingly reckless choices.
Beneath the glitter, he struggles with work, disappointment, and emotional disconnection in a city that never pauses.
McInerney’s portrait of urban life is stylish, funny, and surprisingly poignant, capturing both the thrill and emptiness of constant motion.
Judith Krantz is a natural choice for readers who enjoy glamorous settings, powerful women, and stories fueled by ambition and romance.
Scruples, one of her best-known novels, follows Billy Ikehorn, a woman who rises from modest beginnings to become the wealthy owner of Beverly Hills’ most successful fashion boutique.
As Billy moves through the glittering but competitive world of luxury retail, she faces personal heartbreak, passionate relationships, and plenty of scandal. Krantz delivers high-drama escapism with confidence and style.
Vi Keeland is known for witty contemporary romances filled with sharp dialogue, chemistry, and urban polish.
Her novel Bossman follows Reese, a spirited young woman whose awful blind date becomes unexpectedly memorable when a stranger named Chase Parker steps in and jokingly pretends to be her date. She later discovers that Chase is also her charismatic new boss.
As attraction builds between them, both try—and fail—to keep their distance. Their lively banter and complicated romance unfold against the backdrop of New York City, making this an appealing choice for readers who enjoy fast, flirtatious stories.
