Looking for “palette cleansers” reads between denser books

I've noticed that when I read dense, profound books back to back—especially ones I really enjoy—it can throw me into a reading slump if I don't "refresh" my brain in between. When I’m feeling like this, I crave something lighter, fast-paced, and addictive to reset my reading rhythm before diving into another “serious” book. Does that happen to you too?

Right now, for example, I’ve just finished Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar after reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, and I have The Overstory by Richard Powers lined up. But before I tackle that, I’d love a good "palette cleanser."

Books that have worked well for me in this kind of mood include:

• Contemporary thrillers – Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka, anything by Gillian Flynn, or Kala by Colin Walsh (wasn’t sure I loved it, but it was very entertaining)
• Lighter literary fiction or romance-leaning books – The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy or The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (I love a good, complicated historical fiction love story)

I’ve also read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books (especially enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six), though I haven’t been able to get into authors like Emily Henry or more "traditional" romance.

I do crave books with romantic or emotional threads—as long as they’re not too formulaic or saccharine. Basically, I’m looking for well-written, bingeable, and enjoyable reads that aren’t overly dramatic, sugary, or mentally taxing.

Any suggestions? Thank you so much in advance! 🙂