Cover Image: Behind Every Good Man

Behind Every Good Man

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book was amazing and such a fun read! I laughed so hard and I loved the main characters spunk! This is a book I'm going to gift to all my book girl friends. I will also be checking out more of her books and hope they are just as good and funny as this one.

Was this review helpful?

We looove to see strong female representation!!!!! Such a feel good story with some romance and female empowerment mixed in there. This book just goes to show how strong women can be while juggling so many hats. I typically don’t care for a 1960s setting, but this was so good. It was giving marvelous Mrs. Maizel vibes and I LOVED that! 5 stars from me. I want to read it again because it’s just so dang good!!

Was this review helpful?

Just when I thought Sara Goodman Confino couldn’t get any better - I get my hands on an ARC of this. Beverly was one of my favorite characters this year! I’m not one to typically enjoy fiction set in different eras, but here I am loving this one taking place in the 1960’s. Loved the story line, the feminist power Beverly had and the kick ass attitude. Loved the little easter eggs tucked in as a nod to last years release. There’s so much I can say about this one, and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it. Michael was a great politician (things I never thought I’d say from a story..) and loved the dynamic with Stuart. All that twists and turns and connections throughout the story made it a fun read. Can’t wait for this authors next!!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, it was well written and drew me vividly into the protanist's world.
What I especially loved was the Jewish representation, which is so sorely missing from many books. Sara Goodman Confino is a visionary in a new generation of authors, who are finally putting the Jewish community on the page.
I also loved the feminist storyline, which was written very in tune with the times portrayed.
Anti-semitism was also depicted in a historically accurate and sensitive way.
I highly recommend this novel to all readers of women's fiction.

Was this review helpful?

What a great story about a woman, Beverly Diamond who takes control of her life after leaving her husband in the 1960s. During a time when women were not encouraged to leave their husbands or pursue careers and balance that with being a mother. This story about politics, woman empowerment, motherhood struggles and humor was fun and engaging to read. Sara Goodman Confino does it again in another humorous historical fiction where she touches on issues in a way that makes you realize the struggles or everyday people.

Was this review helpful?

This was a captivating read overall that touched on important topics in the world of women. I really enjoyed the main characters and their dynamics the best!

Was this review helpful?

Sara Goodman Confino has knocked it out of the park again. Her incredibly strong female characters are so relatable. I can’t wait to see what else she has in store. Incredibly well written and a delight to read from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

📚 Behind Every Good Man by Sarah Goodman Confino
5⭐️

What a delightful read! Set in 1962, Beverly is a happy housewife until she catches her husband in a compromising position with his secretary. In what starts as an act of revenge, Bev decides to work on the political campaign of the underdog challenging her husband’s boss. This book is funny and entertaining with well written characters. I loved the politics and the banter was great. Many thanks to Sarah Goodman Confino and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy. Behind Every Goodman releases on August 6. Make sure to pick it up for your end of summer trips-it’s a perfect vacation read.

Was this review helpful?

If I could give this book 10 stars I would!

Sara Goodman Confino is becoming one of my fav authors and I will read anything she writes.

I'm a huge fan of Sara Goodman Confino and I was so happy to receive an early copy for review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to the arc.
Behind Every Good Man is one of my favorite books of 2024 so far and I absolutely loved everything about it.

Beverly is such a strong heroine and it was so interesting to read her journey to be a working mom in 1962 and not just any working mom but she is working as a campaign manager for Michael Landau, who is running for a seat in the senate. His opponent is no other that her soon to be ex husband boss, the current senator from Maryland.

Beverly knows it will be hard for her to convince people she is up for the job since she is a woman and the year is 1962 but her father was part of DC politics for many years and she learned from him how to win a campaign and she isn't going to let anyone to stop her from her goal of helping Michael Landau to win.

The book shows how hard it is to be a working mom in a society that except women to stay home and raise the kids, Beverly has to ask her mom for help with the kids and also her best friend and she has many moments of guilt that I think every mom can relate to even in the year 2024.

Beverly 's mom moves in with her and the kids and she is defiantly not supporting of her working, she is afraid of gossip but as the book progress we discover more about her and her motives for moving in with Beverly.

I loved the interaction between Beverly and Michael especially the fact Michael truly took her ideas seriously and didn't dismiss her just because she is a woman. The relationship between them stars as purely professional but slowly they become friends and maybe even more.

I highly recommend reading Behind Every Good Man if you love reading about Female empowerment and enjoy historical fiction.

Was this review helpful?

Love love loved this book! The story is very Mrs. Maisel takes on politics. I loved the period correct representations of the characters and events as well as the character development. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book. This story had everything I've come to love about Sara Goodman Confino's books - a well-developed and strong female lead, well-researched historical accuracy, fun and interesting supporting characters, and a fantastic storyline full of witty conversation. I especially loved the familial tie-in with another of Goodman Confino's books. If you've loved her other stories, you will also love this one. I will continue recommending this and her other books to anyone who asks for a book rec.

Was this review helpful?

I love that this author can write historical fiction that is still so relevant today! Behind Every Good Man is the story about Beverly, a woman scorned, who decides that revenge is best served cold and discovers her voice and her place in society and in her terms! She’s a mother and a woman with a brain! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved that Marilyn from Don’t Forget to Write popped in and out of the story! 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This was my first book by Confino but i look forward to many more.

Interesting and intelligent premise, inspiring and deep characters and witty banter. I greatly enjoyed it all as i followed Beverly on her journey from scorned housewife to empowered senatorial campaign manager. I loved this book focused on becoming all you want to be not necessarily all you are expected to be.

Was this review helpful?

Beverly Diamond is having a bad year. She finds her husband, Larry, has been cheating on her with his secretary. Instead of staying with him, like many women did back then, she gets even. Larry is running for senator of Maryland. Beverly decides to become the campaign manager for his rival, Michael Landau. Beverly has experience in this field, as her father was a congressman. What she lacks in an education, she makes up in grit and grace.

As the campaign goes on, she teaches Michael how to dress but also about modern issues like women and POC rights. As the two continue to work together, they realize they have chemistry.

The second half of the book read really fast for me, as a few secrets about her husband's campaign comes out and things take a turn.

I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or books set on the 1960s.

Was this review helpful?

In Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino, readers are swept into the tumultuous world of Beverly Diamond, a suburban wife facing a marital betrayal in the politically charged atmosphere of 1962. As she grapples with the shock of her husband's infidelity, Beverly transforms from a seemingly ordinary housewife into a force to be reckoned with, seizing control of her destiny by diving headfirst into the cutthroat world of political campaigns. With wit, determination, and a keen eye for opportunity, Beverly embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, challenging both societal expectations and her own limitations.

My experience with 'Behind Every Good Man' was a refreshing departure from my usual genre preferences. Sara Goodman Confino masterfully crafts a compelling narrative populated with well-rounded characters who feel remarkably authentic. Beverly Diamond's journey resonated deeply with me, as she navigated the complexities of love, ambition, and self-worth with courage and grace. This novel is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative potential of embracing one's true self, making it a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring read.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Sara Goodman Confino can do no wrong! I absolutely loved this book and am recommending it for my bookclub! Such a fun read!

Was this review helpful?

A wronged wife goes toe to toe with her cheating husband at the polls in this hilarious and heart-lifting novel. Sara Goodman Confino has done it again. Praise for the strong female characters in a time when woman’s rights were just beginning to emerge. Love the historical events mentioned and swooned over the appearance of beloved characters. Great read!

Was this review helpful?

I had a long travel day ahead of me earlier this week, so I knew I needed to start a great book to keep me sane. Behind Every Good Man was an excellent choice. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sara Confino writes engaging historical fiction with strong female characters showcasing wit and humor. Taking place in 1962, Bev walks in on her husband and his secretary in a compromising position. Shocked by the event, Bev doesn’t let Larry, her husband, convince her it was just since the second child was born. Instead, she gets herself a job working on the Senate campaign for a young politician, who happens to be the rival of Larry’s employer. Having grown up with a Senator father, Bev knows what matters in the campaign, maybe more so that Michael, the candidate, and his campaign manager, Stuart. What follows is a mix of events, agendas, and a bit of romance. While the main focus of the book is politics, it doesn’t shy away from including issues of racism and anti-Semitism in addition to sexism, in historical context that can sadly still apply today. Although heavy topics, the tone of the book remains upbeat. I had tears in my eyes through the final chapters, loving the way it concluded.
If you’ve read Confino’s previous books, you will be excited by cameos from beloved characters. This is a standalone, but since it doesn’t come out until August, you have plenty of time to enjoy her writing in Don’t Forget to Write, She’s Up to No Good, and For the Love of Friends. I have been lucky enough to read early copies of all of these books and highly recommend them. Sara, thank you for another great read - the only problem with reading this one three months early is that I will have to wait even longer for your next book! I’ll be sure to remind you about this one closer to publication day, but you can preorder it now everywhere, and signed copies are available to preorder through Park Books in Maryland

Was this review helpful?

Beverly, mother of two young kids, and wife to Larry, who works for a senator tries very hard to keep everything perfect for Larry.... Until she walks into his office at work and catches him with his secretary. It's the early 1960's, but that doesn't stop Beverly from insisting on divorce and getting a job, as the new campaign manager for the guy running against Larry's boss. I loved Beverly and this is another great book by Sara Goodman Confino.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first exposure to this author, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I have already headed to Amazon to track down her previously published novels.

When Beverly Diamond surprises her husband in a stereotypical tryst with his young secretary, she decides she will create a life without the cheating louse – a bold step for 1962 when being a divorcee carries a huge stigma. Beverly has no job experience but has one skill set forged over a lifetime of living with her father, a well-respected Congressman who served for decades including as Speaker of the House. Beverly sets her sights on working for a young and upcoming politician; her primary motivation is to get this underdog elected in revenge for her husband’s infidelity and to humiliate him as the opposing candidate’s campaign manager.

I thoroughly enjoyed Beverly’s transition from unappreciated homemaker to savvy campaign strategist. Her character is supported by an equally well-developed group of characters – especially her mother, the underdog candidate, and his campaign manager. While the outcome is predictable, the journey to the conclusion is peppered with smart, witty dialogue and insightful commentary about politics and elections. Kudos to the author for an entertaining, well-paced novel with a refreshing focus.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Was this review helpful?