Weird question, I know.
Short version: is there a genre of books that are fun, easy reads without a focus on romance? Specific titles or authors welcome, too.
Background: until about 18 months ago, I pretty much just read nonfiction. Stacks and stacks of nonfiction. Very occasionally, I'd read a novel but much more often, I'd start to read a novel and never make it through. I guess I'm very picky and have no patience for mediocre writing? Not sure, really. After making it through the first pandemic holiday season, which was extra stressful at our house bc all our kids had been struggling with online school for one reason or another and our oldest was in the throes of a full-blown mental health crisis, I watched Bridgerton and then read some of the books. That was the first purely fun & just for me thing I'd done in a very long time. Then I watched and read Virgin River. Then I realized there's actually a whole universe of romance novels out there. And just kept reading those. I really couldn't tolerate anything but romance novels for a good long time (8 months at least). I needed fun and easy and a bit exciting and most of all, I needed a happy ending. For the past several months, I've been able to tolerate more of a variety of books again, but still frequently really want those easy happy books. And yet, I'm bored with romance being the goal in life and driving force of the plot. I just don't relate to that at this stage of life (married 27 yrs). Are there books with a similar feel that have middle aged women finding great friends and community and purpose and joy and experiencing personal growth? Because that sounds ideal. Some authors I've enjoyed have been Emily Henry, Robyn Carr and Kristin Higgins.