Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Good Company gives you an in-depth view of friends and their relationship over the years, the theater world, and how to handle hidden infidelity found out years after it happened. It all starts when Flora finds her husbands wedding ring, that was lost many years ago. This story follows Flora and her husband and their best friends navigating life. Flora must come to terms with her feelings about infidelity. There was a lot of character development in this book, which really brought the characters to life for me. I was very invested in what happened to each of them. This was a good read! This will be released on April 6, 2021!

The cover of this book is gorgeous and I hate to say I judge a book by its cover, but that is definitely what intrigued me about this book. I read The Nest and wasn’t the biggest fan, but I wanted to give this a try. I just don’t think I’m a fit for D’Aprix Sweeney’s books because I ended up not finishing this book at 25% in because I could not connect with it. Though it wasn’t for me, I can definitely see others enjoying it.

What would you do if you discovered your husband cheated on you years ago and kept the truth hidden from you for years? That is the question that faces Flora.

There is a pull of sadness through the storyline, both with Flora and her best friend Margot as they delve into the past, but the sadness never makes it to full-on hardcore grief (which is fine--you don't always need hardcore grief in a book).

I enjoyed the characters and would say this would make a great beach read.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I read from this author so did not have any preconceived notions of her storytelling ability. The book did capture my interest, the characters were likeable for the most part. The story was just OK, however. It isn’t one I’d read again or recommend if asked for a book recommend to a friend.
The story is told from multiple points of view and covers the lives of two actor families – Flora and Julian with their daughter Ruby, and Margot and David. Although Margot and David play a part, the book centers on the lives of Flora, Julian, and Ruby. Flora has been happily married to Julian forever and feels superior to her friends whose marriages have fallen apart until she finds Julian’s wedding ring stuffed in an envelope at the back of a filing cabinet on the eve of Ruby’s high school graduation – a ring he supposedly lost in a pond 13 years ago. Flora’s world suddenly falls apart.
I imagine finding out a spouse has cheated on you would be devastating. But Flora’s reaction seems a bit melodramatic. Her reaction and how it played out in the rest of the book felt somewhat trite, cliched and overdone.

Well, the title of this book may be Good Company, but I'm pretty sure most of the characters in the book wouldn't be. One of the main characters, Flora, is not, which turns into a reckoning for her when she realizes that two of the most important people in her life are, and have been keeping a secret from her for years. The whole story unspools from this, circling around and around. It's not exactly coherent in doing so though, which does nothing to improve the appeal of the book. While mostly told in the current time between Flora and her best friend Margot, it occasionally meanders to another character's point of view or of past experiences between the two women, their spouses, and Flora and Julian's daughter Ruby. With Flora, Julian and Margot all being actors, it isn't quite normal life for the average person, but the personal issues aren't that unusual. That being said, the "how can I make this work out best for me" approach of so many of the characters is off-putting, even if it may be realistic. Maybe this storyline would work better if the characters were were characters in a play or a show (ironically like their characters) but as a book many of the characters come off one-dimensional in a dimension that isn't overly flattering in a story that's clearly intended to be a character study more than being plot driven.

I’ve heard so much about this author and The Nest so I was so excited to give this book a read. It follows Flora and Julian and their friends Margot and David - you get different POV and some back and forth in the timeline.

I really liked Flora and could connect with her on an emotional level - I feel like I’m all her situations I would have reacted the same way.

This book is full of theater talk as 3/4 of them are actors, and this part of the story didn’t really grab me as I have no knowledge or interest in this type of work.

I pushed through but never had a moment of “wow!” I definitely think others might enjoy it if they like a good character build and the theater background in the book, but it just wasn’t for me.

Secrets kept backfire in this story of marriage, friendship and theater. The author delivers an entertaining perceptive read: we learn that actors' lives are not all about glamour, and a recipe for a happy family life sometimes demands forgiveness and sacrifice.

This was ok. I didn’t love it. I think I ruined it for myself by waiting for something major to happen, and it’s just not that sort of book. This is a somewhat meandering exploration of relationships as they evolve throughout a lifetime. From carefree students and on again off again relationships to adults with adult kids and all that happens in between. It particularly focuses on the power dynamics between husband and wife and how those vary as a function of career trajectories and illness, this was quite an interesting and unusual take on the classic relationship drama. The narration in the audiobook was great. Despite this I found it a little difficult to follow what was going on because the timeline jumps around quite a bit. Perhaps in the print version there is some stylistic landmark that lets the reader know where they are in time, past or present. This was lacking in the audio book. Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the free copy!

This book begs the question if a question of withholding the truth can lead to the complete demise of a friendship. Both couples are fully enmeshed in the theater industry whether it be Margot in Cedar, Flora in voiceovers or Julian in Good Company and it leads me to wonder if they are so caught up in the facade of appearances that they forget to be real. It is only through the exposure to the situation with the Jensens and the stroke suffered that Margot's relationship was truly tested. Sydney was nothing more than a pawn to stroke an ego. Ruby was the glue that held everyone together. An interesting exposure to the theater industry.

Very good! My first from this author, and I was not disappointed. I was pulled in, and couldn’t put it down. Very impressed

Another good read from Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney; I enjoyed “The Nest” because of the excellent character development, and “Good Company” was equally well written. The premise of the story - infidelity and all that happens when it is discovered - is a simple one, but I liked the way the author took us through the process. As in real life, at the time that this happens, it can seem like the most monumental and crushing experience, and really we have two choices. We can walk away in anger or try to deal with it and forgive. I wasn’t sure which way this story was going to pan out, but I enjoyed the ride as we learned why Julian and Margot made the choices they did. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

On a separate note, does Ms Sweeney have a special connection to someone named Theo? There was a Theo in her first book, and a different Theo pops up in this book as well.

Two couples, one teenager, NY, and LA, and off we go with an enticing contemporary novel. Flora, Julian, and Ruby moved west when Ruby was still very young. Flora began to get work as a voice-over actor, and they were close to their best friends, Margot and David, who moved earlier because of severe health issues. Their profiles seemed perfect until Flora found Julian's wedding ring hidden in a file cabinet.

The novel examines the slow unraveling of perfect lives hard fought for, cherished, and protected. Life for these four talented adults seemed so easy and desirable for those of us who have fewer opportunities. This novel was riveting, and the characters were mostly quite likable. Even teenager Ruby wasn't too difficult to tolerate (so tired of nasty teenagers in books, TV, and movies). I became emotionally involved with the two families and wanted them to overcome the obstacles threatening their happy existence.

Good Company is a lesson in love and trust. It shows that an only child can grow up happy, and adult lovers can adapt to new versions of themselves later in life. I applaud CDS for a well written first novel!

Thank you to ECCO and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Good Company is a definite page-turner — once I started, I couldn’t put it down. All four characters, Flora, Julian, Margot and David are connected through their love of theater or love for their loved ones involved in theater. This was a different character profile than what I’m used to reading and it was a refreshing change to dive into the ins and outs of theater and acting.

Throughout the book, themes of love, infidelity and friendship carry the story and draw you in to the story of two couples brought together through theater, friendship and a child named Ruby, but an underlying secret amongst them can either tear them apart or put them on a journey to find a deeper understanding of each other and change the course of their friendship forever.

Good Company is a must-read and I look forward to reading more of Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney’s novels.

A captivating novel of self-reflection and growth. Flora faces the truth about her marriage after discovering a “lost” wedding ring. We view her journey to her decision of what happens next through the viewpoints of her best friend Margo, her husband Julian and daughter Ruby. The narrative skillfully Intertwines a behind-the-scenes look into the profession of acting and the day-to-day of life. Unlike The Nest where the lives and problems of the rich are not as similar to our own situation, this story is relatable to many of us who have had to make a decision when the truth about a personal relationship is revealed. I highly recommend this read.

If you are on bookstagram then you have no doubt heard of The Nest, Sweeney’s bestselling first novel. I was a big fan and have been eagerly awaiting her follow-up, and GOOD COMPANY did not disappoint. The story follows Flora, a semi-successful voice actress in LA whose entire life is upended when she discovers a secret her husband has been keeping. This secret makes her rethink her “perfect” marriage, her relationship with her best friend, and her sense of herself as a person. This story is sometimes glamorous and sometimes heartbreaking, but it all felt very real. I loved the behind-the-scenes asides about Hollywood and life as a theatre actor in New York, and I found that its musings on selfhood and relationships were poignant and thought-provoking. Overall, I loved this book and think Sweeney has another big hit on her hands here. I

What happens when you bring four lives together amidst a background of theater and watch as the relationships develop, grow together, and slowly drift apart? Good Company follows Flora, Julian, Margot, and David from their early beginnings in New York, across the country to LA, and back again. I loved how the book intertwined the relationships between the couples and their relationships with each individual and questions who orbits who and how circumstances and secrets can knock things dramatically out of those orbits.

If you enjoy multiple character points-of-view and novels examining relationships, this book fits the (play)bill.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

One of my GR friends made an astute comment earlier this week. She opined that the proof of a great author is not their first book, but their second or third. So, Good Company was my chance to put that idea to the test. I loved The Nest, Sweeney’s debut book.
The story here covers the Fletcher family - the parents, Flora and Julian, both actors, and their daughter, Ruby, along with their close friends Margot and David. The story wanders all over the place. Flashbacks to when the adults were young, present day in LA after they have achieved various degrees of success.
The supposed flashpoint of the story is Flora’s discovery of Julian’s original wedding ring hidden in a file cabinet, a ring supposedly lost in a pond years earlier. The story covers a variety of topics - marriage, parenthood, the acting life, friendship, success, adultery. It’s life in all it’s messiness. Unfortunately, what it’s not is riveting. It’s sweet, the characters are realistic, but it’s just ok. I just couldn’t get engaged in their lives.
My thanks to netgalley and Ecco Books for an advance copy of this book.

Ms. Sweeney managed to make some very self obsessed characters likeable. Not sure how she did that, but she did. The book also gave a look at the world of theater and TV,

I really enjoyed reading about this seemingly idyllic family. The characters were flushed out and the author did a good job of taking you on their journey with them. I don't do spoilers, but will.say that this felt real and not sugarcoat ed. I will definitely recommend to others.

I am sure others would enjoy this novel. I read through many chapters and could not get interested in the characters at all. In order to enjoy a book, I must find some empathy with them.