Rona Jaffe wrote books that often centered on the lives of women. She explored their careers, their relationships, and the expectations placed upon them, frequently setting her stories in New York City.
People enjoyed her books for their strong female characters and for stories which felt very real. If you want to discover authors who explore similar themes in their books, here are some names you might find interesting.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s stories about ambitious, independent women might find Judith Krantz equally captivating. Krantz writes lively novels full of glamour, romance, and determined heroines.
One standout is “Scruples,” a novel focused on the dynamic life of Billy Ikehorn, a young woman from Boston who transforms herself into a powerful Beverly Hills boutique owner.
Through Billy’s experiences, the book explores high-stakes business deals, Hollywood drama, luxury fashion, and romantic intrigue.
Krantz has a sharp eye for detail and a talent for creating vivid settings, making “Scruples” a memorable depiction of wealth, ambition, and complicated relationships.
Books by Jacqueline Susann often explore the glamorous yet troubled lives of women facing love, ambition, and betrayal in high society.
If you enjoyed Rona Jaffe’s detailed portraits of women’s relationships and ambitions, you might also appreciate Susann’s “Valley of the Dolls.” This novel follows three young women who become friends as they pursue fame in New York City.
Anne, Neely, and Jennifer try to achieve success in show business, yet each struggles personally and emotionally behind the glittering facade.
As their careers climb, the pressures of Hollywood fame, relationships, and addiction threaten to unravel the happiness they’ve worked hard to secure. Susann paints a vivid and sometimes gritty picture of ambition, friendship, and the hidden price of fame.
Books by Colleen McCullough often explore the personal lives and struggles of women with depth and sensitivity similar to Rona Jaffe’s novels.
In her novel, “The Thorn Birds,” McCullough brings readers into the dramatic lives of the Cleary family, set against Australia’s sprawling landscapes.
The story follows Meggie Cleary’s lifelong love affair with Father Ralph de Bricassart, a relationship filled with passion, conflict, and heartache.
Over the decades, family secrets, personal dreams, and tough choices weave a rich narrative that stays vivid long after the book ends.
For readers who appreciate the emotional intensity of relationships and powerful female characters in Jaffe’s work, McCullough’s storytelling offers a meaningful reading experience.
Gail Parent is an author known for her sharp, witty narratives about modern women navigating complex social expectations and personal ambitions.
In her novel “Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York,” Parent explores the life of Sheila Levine, a young woman facing pressure from family and society to marry and succeed in 1970s Manhattan.
With a fresh and humorous voice, the novel takes readers through Sheila’s own candid reflections and mishaps as she tries to create a meaningful life in an overwhelming city.
For those who appreciate Rona Jaffe’s honest portrayal of women’s lives, Gail Parent’s work offers another entertaining and relatable perspective.
Maeve Binchy was an Irish novelist known for creating relatable characters and heartfelt stories about everyday struggles, family and friendships. If you are a fan of Rona Jaffe’s insightful storytelling, you might also appreciate Binchy’s novel “Circle of Friends.”
Set in a small Irish town in the 1950s, the book follows Benny Hogan and her best friend, Eve, as they leave home for Dublin. There, the girls try to fit in with their new classmates and manage first loves and new challenges.
Binchy captures the warmth, humor and sometimes bittersweet transitions of young adulthood, providing an engaging, emotional read.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s insightful storytelling may find Anne Rivers Siddons to be a welcome discovery. Siddons crafts relatable characters and emotional depth in her stories, often focusing on women’s lives, friendships, and personal growth.
In her novel “Outer Banks,” Siddons tells the story of four college friends whose close bond carries them through life’s joys, heartbreaks, and complexities in the scenic North Carolina coast.
The book captures their changing relationships, personal aspirations, and secrets over many years. Siddons explores themes of friendship, ambition, love, and loss with sensitivity and honesty, creating characters readers grow to genuinely care about.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s witty, insightful take on women’s lives and relationships should explore Helen Fielding’s novels. Fielding famously wrote “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” a humorous and candid look into the life of Bridget Jones, a single woman in London in her thirties.
Bridget keeps a diary full of observations about her romantic trials, career mishaps, and daily struggles—often hilarious, sometimes touching, and always deeply relatable.
Through amusing anecdotes and funny mishaps, Bridget navigates societal expectations, relationships, and her own fears with heartfelt honesty. Fans of stories revolving around friendship, love, and self-discovery will find plenty to enjoy in Fielding’s work.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s insightful portrayals of ambitious women in bustling cities could find an engaging match in Candace Bushnell. Bushnell captures the excitement and challenges of navigating careers, friendships, and romance in contemporary urban life.
Her novel, “Lipstick Jungle,” features three formidable women at the peak of their professions in glamorous New York City.
Fashion designer Victory Ford redefines style, movie executive Wendy Healy balances family with a high-powered career in Hollywood, and editor-in-chief Nico O’Neilly tackles cutthroat corporate battles.
Bushnell skillfully explores how these women manage ambition and relationships within the vibrant yet unforgiving backdrop of Manhattan.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s thoughtful portrayals of ambition, relationships, and the struggles of everyday life might appreciate Sloan Wilson. Wilson effectively captures similar themes in his classic novel, “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.”
This story follows Tom Rath, a young World War II veteran who finds himself caught between climbing the corporate ladder and balancing family responsibilities.
Set in the bustling corporate America of the 1950s, the novel explores ambition, morality, and personal fulfillment through Tom’s challenging decisions and relationships. Wilson opens a truthful window into a generation striving for stability and meaning after the war.
Elizabeth Adler writes novels filled with romance, mystery, and vivid settings that transport readers to exotic locales. Her stories often follow strong female characters as they navigate tangled relationships and hidden secrets.
In “The House in Amalfi,” Adler introduces Lamour Harrington, a woman seeking answers about her past after a personal tragedy.
Traveling to the breathtaking coast of Italy, Lamour uncovers family secrets, unexpected passions, and revelations about her identity that keep the pages turning.
For readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s heartfelt characters and intricate relationships, Elizabeth Adler’s novels offer a similar blend of emotion and intrigue.
Books by Daphne Du Maurier offer fascinating stories with emotional depth and strong female perspectives, appealing to readers who enjoy novels by Rona Jaffe.
In her classic novel “Rebecca,” Du Maurier tells the story of an unnamed young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter. She soon moves into his grand estate, Manderley, but finds herself overshadowed by her new husband’s first wife, Rebecca.
Her insecurity grows as she uncovers secrets about Rebecca’s mysterious past. Suspense builds steadily toward surprising revelations. The story reflects themes of love, jealousy, and identity in a narrative that keeps readers fully hooked.
Susan Isaacs writes novels that offer sharp wit, thoughtful portrayals of women’s lives, and believable characters you’ll remember long after finishing the book.
In “Compromising Positions,” Isaacs introduces Judith Singer, who lives a quiet suburban life until her dentist is found murdered. Curious, smart, and a bit bored, Judith begins her own investigation into the dentist’s tangled personal life.
Her search uncovers suburban secrets and scandalous relationships beneath the peaceful surface, with unexpected humor and sharp insights about marriage, friendship, and society.
Readers who appreciate Rona Jaffe’s realistic portraits of women’s lives and relationships will find Isaacs’ storytelling equally appealing.
Barbara Taylor Bradford is an author known for her relatable and emotional novels about strong women and the challenges they overcome.
If you enjoy Rona Jaffe’s thoughtful portrayals of women navigating relationships and ambition, Bradford’s “A Woman of Substance” could be an ideal choice for your next read.
This novel follows Emma Harte, a determined and resilient woman who starts out as a servant but eventually builds a vast business empire. Emma withstands painful personal setbacks, rivalry, and romance throughout her remarkable journey.
Bradford’s storytelling feels intimate and empowering, and her detailed settings draw readers deeply into characters’ lives.
If you appreciate novels that blend personal drama with an insightful look at ambition and strength, “A Woman of Substance” offers memorable characters and engaging storylines.
Readers who enjoy Rona Jaffe’s honest portrayals of women’s lives will likely appreciate Olivia Goldsmith. Goldsmith crafts stories that blend sharp wit, relatable characters, and humor.
In her novel, “The First Wives Club,” she explores friendship and revenge through the eyes of three close friends in Manhattan. Betrayed and left by their husbands for younger women, these three women decide to take matters into their own hands.
The book unfolds with hilarious schemes and heartfelt moments, showing readers the inner strength and vulnerability of three dynamic women reclaiming their lives.
Lisa Jewell is a British author known for writing insightful stories about relationships, friendships, family, and personal secrets.
Her novels often explore the lives of women with authentic emotional depth and careful attention to everyday detail, similar to the style of author Rona Jaffe.
In Jewell’s novel “The House We Grew Up In,” the Bird family appears perfect and cheerful at first glance, but beneath the surface lies a complicated web of secrets and resentments.
After a tragedy tears the family apart one Easter Sunday, each family member struggles separately through guilt and isolation. Years later, they must reunite and confront what happened to finally face the truth and begin to heal.
Readers who appreciate the emotional realism and relatable characters in Rona Jaffe’s novels may find Jewell’s work particularly engaging and meaningful.