Thanks to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Elinor Lipman for the opportunity to read her latest book - as you would expect from this author - a fun read!

Daphne is trying to figure out her life - newly divorced and jobless, she is doing the requisite "tidying up" concept in her apartment. She finds the high school yearbook her mother left to her in her will after her death the previous year. Daphne's mother was the yearbook advisor at the high school in New Hampshire where they lived while her dad was the principal. Her mom seemed especially obsessed with the Class of 1968 (the yearbook left to Daphne) and went to all their reunions. Daphne decides that the yearbook doesn't bring her joy, so she discards it in the recycling box at her apartment, where it is promptly discovered by her neighbor. This neighbor, a quasi-documentary producer, decides that the yearbook is the perfect basis for a show/podcast. Thus the secrets of the yearbook start rearing their head.

An enjoyable, light read that in the end is about family, loyalty and love.

From the first line of this wonderful novel, I was riveted. The voice, the presence, the sheer force of Lipman's prose carried me from New York to New Hampshire, back to the future and then home again. I absolutely loved the heroine, her relationships with vivid, complex characters. Mainly, however, I loved not knowing what was going to happen next--and trusting that Lipman would deliver laugh out loud, touching, magnificence. I received an advance copy of this excellent novel from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for my honest review.

I was delighted as I am an Elinor Lipman fan. 3.5 but rounding up – because better than other 3s I’ve read recently. And, because I can-- it was a delightful, fun read, though not great literature. Plus, the plot driver is the 50th high school reunion—and I just attended mine!

The setting:

“…one woman’s trash becomes another woman’s treasure…” In this case, Daphne Maritch, living in New York City as a student of chocolate, inherits her [late]mother’s heavily annotated high school yearbook. Daphne’s mother, June, was a beloved teacher and yearbook advisor. Her father, Tom, was a principal at the same school in New Hampshire. There is more than this simple plotline and parents’ relationship.

Daphne throws out the yearbook, but her neighbor, Geneva [quite the character], retrieves it and tries to decode it. Much to Daphne’s chagrin, she decides to turn it into a documentary, then a podcast. There are small-town secrets and lies.

Other characters and sideline stories. Jeremy, another neighbor—a younger-than- Daphne actor. And why this book is described as a romantic comedy. Tom decides to move to NYC—a lifelong dream. He becomes a dogwalker at “New Leash on Life” –and voila, another romance—with Kathi—he walks her dog. And lastly, Holden Phillips IV, Daphne’s shortlived husband—who married her because he wouldn’t otherwise get his family’s money. Also, Peter Armstrong—who though pivotal… [you’ll have to read].

Is this great literature? No. But many chuckles and some great phrases.

Consider:

“Her outfit could be called a dress if one were kind. It had no shape, only volume.”
“His gaze was, I now recognize, faux fond.”
“we reset our expressions to Good Samaritan.”
Name tag as a “social lubricant”

And more.

So if you want to an escapist, light read, I suggest this book.

I received an advanced reader copyof Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through Netgalley

What It’s About: Daphne is cleaning out her apartment in the rules of Marie Kondo, and throws away a yearbook that her mother left her in her will. While the yearbook was important to Daphne's mother and has notes of her students from her first year of teaching (the Class of 1968), Daphne decides it is not important to her. Her neighbor, Geneva, a want to be filmmaker, finds the yearbook and thinks its the perfect project for a new documentary. Suddenly, Daphne's mothers secrets threaten to be revealed to the public.

What I Loved: I was entertained the whole time and the story of the yearbook and the Class of 1968 was really original, I've never read a book that centers around a yearbook, it was a fun new angle, which I appreciated. I also loved the character of Tom, Daphne's dad. He was sweet and it was fun to see a father-daughter relationship that felt so strong. I also love that parts take place in NH!

What I didn’t like so much: Without spoiling, there's a portion in the later part of the book where things get a bit weird and I found the characters frustrating, while this is overall remedied by the end, because of how close to the end this conflict arose, it felt very neatly tied up and therefore a bit silly (it felt like it could have been left out).

Who Should Read It: People who want a unique conflict in their books, but still want a story that is not dark or intense.

General Summary: A decision to throw out a yearbook comes back to haunt a woman, when suddenly her family secrets are exposed.

This was a pleasant, enjoyable romance. Although a fast, escapist read, it kept me engaged. The characters were cute and well written.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

3 and a half stars

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced review copy of Good Riddance!

This book is fun, quirky, and well-written. The story is very unique and fresh. However, some of the characters and relationships seemed a little one dimensional and not fully explored to their potential. I liked the relationship between Daphne and her father, but I felt like I wanted more with regards to her love interest and sister.

I’d recommend this book to fans of Elinor Lipman or someone looking for a lighter read. This would be a great beach read.

Daphne throws away her moms yearbook after she passes away and is surprised to discover that her neighbor, a filmmaker found it and wants to make a documentary about it. What follows is years of secrets that change Daphne and her father’s life. A fun book that at times will have you laughing out loud

Good Riddance is a good, fun read for fans of romantic comedies and chick lit. After a humiliating divorce, Daphne moves into her own NY apartment to start anew. She decides to recycle an old yearbook that her mother had bequeathed her in her will. No joy had been sparked from reading often snarky comments that her mother had written about her students after attending reunions where she had taught. This sets into action a journey of discovery for Daphne as she learns secrets that her well-loved mother had, befriends a cute actor in her building, tries to avoid a building resident digging up yearbook secrets, and reconnects with her father. (NetGalley Pre-pub read)

Elinor Lipman is a delight. When you pick up one of her novels, you can expect humor, honesty, family disarray and an extra dose of quirkiness.

Good Riddance begins with a discarded yearbook. Daphne Maritch has been willed her late mother's memento keepsake volume, given to her mom when she was the advisor to the yearbook staff for the class of 68. Her mother attended all that class's reunions over the years, taking notes and often making snarky comments by the graduation pictures.

But Daphne, in a fit of uncluttering, tosses the book into the recycle where it is reclaimed by a screwball indy filmmaker with one work to her credit. Geneva has big plans to do a documentary on the yearbook and Daphne's mother and the class members. The more Daphne hears, the more uncomfortable she becomes.

Somehow Geneva persuades Daphne not only to attend the next class reunion, but also to allow her to come along. Screwball comedy at its finest. The reunion adds a whole other complexity to the situation: Daphne receives a note from one of the former students and the contents shift her family history as she knows it and give her a totally different view of her mother.

Additional wacky factors: Daphne gets involved in a friends with benefit situation with a neighbor, and Daphne's father decides to move to New York City to start a new life and be closer to Daphne.

It's difficult to describe the appeal of these novels but they are endearing, sometimes poignant, sometimes laugh out loud funny, and thoroughly entertaining.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I tried to get into this book. It was billed as a “romantic comedy” and I LOVE romantic comedies. But at 30% I have yet to find it romantic or comedic. I’m pretty sure this is a result of just not connecting with the voice and the character—and the fact that I was expecting something different. I don’t think it’s fair for me to write a review when this really isn’t my kind of book. If you’re a fan of Lipman’s writing style, definitely pick this one up!

Such a unique read — was truly like a storyline I’d never read before! I loved the neurotic nature of the main character and how relatable she was — yes she was annoying at times but she was totally normal too. I found it to be a quick, easy, enjoyable read that I didn’t want to put down!

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny at times, sometimes emotional. It was a rollercoaster of family relationships. It was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

When Daphne's mother dies, she leaves behind a heavily annotated high school yearbook from 1968. June Winter Martich, yearbook editor and high school teacher, also Daphne's mother, received the dedication for the issue, and subsequently attended every class of 1968 reunion for several decades. Daphne, however, has no such attachment and in a fit of decluttering, throws the book into the recycle bin.

Shortly thereafter she receives a phone call from her eccentric neighbor who has found the yearbook and intends to make a documentary from its contents. What follows is an unexpected journey of discovery about Daphne's mother, her father, and even herself.

While I loved the Lipman's first novel with its quirky and unlikely heroine, Good Riddance fell a bit flat for me. I wanted more character development but instead felt the author relied on predictable tropes. The story is light and funny and fine, but there is very little to set it apart from other quirky rom-com's on the market.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for unbiased review

I had high hopes for this book -- the description seemed fun and different, but I really struggled to finish this book. The characters weren't likeable and I didn't really care for Daphne and her antics.

I know most people really liked this book, but the writing style and characters were just off for me.

I received this from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

High school teacher June Winter Maritch took great pride in the fact that the Class of 1968 dedicated their high school yearbook to her. In fact, she took this honor as an invitation to attend every reunion the class held and make updated notations (often unflattering) about the students after each event. While June saw the yearbook as a prized possession, her daughter Daphne is less than thrilled when her mother passes away and leaves her the yearbook. Daphne finds the notes and updates petty and dumps the yearbook in her New York City apartment building’s recycling bin, a decision she soon regrets. Rather than ending up in a landfill, the yearbook is soon confiscated by Daphne’s amateur documentary making neighbor Geneva. What follows is a moving, often funny tale that explores family, relationships, and the challenge of becoming an true adult.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This is fun, slightly odd, read recommended for fans of Maria Semple's 'Where'd You Go Bernadette".

Daphne learns that there is more to her deceased mother's treasured yearbook after a neighbor fishes it out of the recycling. Her neighbor wants to make a documentary out of her mother's little notes and quips about her favorite students but Daphne will do anything to protect her family and their secrets.

My biggest problem with the novel - Daphne's age! If her mom was 23 in 1968, she would've been born in 1945. If Daphne was around 32, her mom would have been well into her 40's before starting a family with Daphne's dad. It would have felt more believable if her mom was a teacher for the class of 1978. Not sure if the author feels more comfortable writing for an older audience, but I can't imagine Daphne being a 32 year old Millennial.

Tip: Imagine The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan as Daphne and the writing begins to read smoother!

I lovvvvved this book. So not what I expected. I laughed out loud, couldn’t keep turning pages, and found the whole thing an unexpected delight. It was a sweet, different, and a joy to read novel from one of my new favorite authors.

Daphne Maritch is going through a rough patch. She’s 31 and freshly divorced (after a whirlwind romance…and even shorter marriage). Her recently widowed father is also struggling, so, in an effort to support each other and make a fresh start, the two decide to move to New York to see what new adventures await them.

While unpacking boxes, Daphne uncovers a yearbook her late mother left to her in her will. It’s very worn, with all kinds of, hm, colorful notes written in the margins. It’s no secret that June Maritch was one of the most popular teachers at the high school where she taught many years back. In fact, this particular yearbook was even dedicated to her. But Daphne isn’t the sentimental type, so she throws it away. Unfortunately for her, it falls into the hands of her nosy neighbor (and aspiring documentary film maker) Geneva, who concludes that the yearbook is full of untapped drama and decides to further investigate June and her relationships with her former students. Drama, predictably, ensues.

This book has such an interesting premise, and I was so looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, between the wholly unsympathetic characters and unbelievable plot twists, I had a hard time connecting with it. I wanted to be on Daphne’s side, but man-oh-man, the girl sure can whine. Even over the smallest grievances, she works herself up into an adolescent tizzy. She’s moody, quick-tempered, and lazy, and I just couldn’t get past her unfailing ability to demonstrate a complete lack of common sense in nearly every quasi-problematic situation. Her steamy, dreamy, younger neighbor, Jeremy, admittedly does provide a refreshing foil to her predictably dramatic outbursts. I enjoyed reading the back and forth between the two of them. I only wish Jeremy had a stronger presence in the story.

There are, however, two bright and shining characters who I absolutely loved: Daphne’s father and her (now deceased) mother. Her father is grounded, sweet, and relatable. And her mother. Wow, I wish the whole book had been about her. I wanted to know more of her story, even up until the end. She comes across as smart, mysterious, beguiling. I wish I could have peeled back the layers of her life more fully.

Despite my grievances with Good Riddance, I still zipped through it in no time. It’s a light and fluffy story, and even though it didn’t deliver as well as it could have, I never considered not finishing it. This is one of those books you pick up at the airport, read for a few hours on the plane, and never think about again. It’s not a life-changing book, but it’s enjoyable in its way.

3.5 stars. Good Riddance is zany, madcap chick-lit, and an enjoyable light read. The story begins when Daphne Maritch throws out her mother's yearbook from her first year of teaching, in which she has made notes about former students at every reunion for nearly 50 years. When Daphne's neighbor takes possession of the yearbook and decides she wants to make a documentary about it, all sorts of hijinks ensue.

This book was fun--I enjoyed the wry style and there were laugh-out-loud funny moments, but there were also directions the plot took that I didn't like, and things Daphne did that annoyed me. I would definitely recommend it to readers who like quirky romantic comedies, although I don't think it's the very best of the bunch.

What a fun book. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a comedic novel and I really enjoyed this. The dialogue was witty, there were heartwarming moments and while the story was a bit contrived it wasn’t ridiculous. The tone was just right, the characters were eclectic, and the book was peppered with relevant references to our current period of time. First but certainly not last time I will be reading Lipman’s work.