*Thank you to Ellen Feldman, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the characters! Fanny (the MC) was brought to life by her sassiness, heartbreak, hope, and love (not to mention the vivacious Rose, Ornery Charlie, Lively Ava and sweet Chloe)! I would love to meet any of them for coffee sometime. Overall this book was a solid good read!

Ellen Feldman’s The Trouble with You is a thoughtful, character-driven story set in the uneasy calm of post-WWII New York. The novel follows Fanny, a young woman whose life is upended when her husband—home safely from the war—dies unexpectedly. Suddenly widowed, Fanny must carve out a new life for herself and her daughter in a world that offers little support for women on their own.

She finds work as a radio serial writer, stepping into a male-dominated industry where creativity and ambition come with a cost. Just as she begins to find her footing, she’s pulled into the political paranoia of McCarthyism, where even the hint of disloyalty can destroy careers. Feldman weaves this tension seamlessly into the narrative, showing how public fear infiltrates private lives.

Fanny’s journey is absorbing, and Feldman’s writing captures the emotional complexity of a woman caught between grief, hope, and an emerging sense of purpose. While the pace lags in places, particularly during the political subplots, the story ultimately delivers a rewarding look at personal resilience in a turbulent era.

A compelling read for fans of historical fiction and stories of women stepping into their power.

The Trouble with You is a great slice-of-life look at what life was like for women post-WWII. I enjoyed reading about various topics, including the impact of McCarthy’s witch hunts and women in the workplace. Another aspect I enjoyed was a look behind the scenes of radio serials that eventually became TV soap operas.

The overall plot was a bit dull for me, though. Throughout the story, many questions exist, such as “Will she?” or “Will she not?”, but it doesn’t feel as though enough is given for Fanny’s decisions. I understand wanting to protect her heart; she suffered a massive loss at a young stage in her marriage. And it goes without saying, she needed to protect her daughter. But how did Fanny come to make her decisions? She doesn’t strike me as the type of person to fly by the seat of her pants, and what will be will be. No, she feels as though she would be methodical in her decisions.

At the same time, I don’t feel the book needed to be as long as it was. Did we need the in-depth descriptions of the weather, what the neighbors across the way were doing in their apartment, or even of the library? If the book needed to be close to 370 pages, why not use some of those pages to let us into the inner workings of Fanny’s mind?

Overall, The Trouble with You is a decent read. In many ways, it feels like it would pair nicely with Lessons in Chemistry. Both books feature women who are widowed early and have to find a way to survive in a world where they aren’t expected to work.

I loved this one - characters, setting, and voice were all right up my alley. Wonderful story with what felt like period-appropriate dealings with feminism, the right to work as a woman, mother, and wife; and working under the threat of the blacklist. I was completely in love with Charlie! Great banter! I read this book in two days and would have loved to just keep going with these characters.

This was a well researched novel with a full cast of characters that were very interesting to read about. I loved the story and was not surprised that women face same issues today

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I love historical fiction and was drawn to the premise of this book as it seemed like something I would enjoy. It fell a little flat and I was a bit disappointed. I had trouble getting into the characters thus had trouble sticking with the story.

"The Trouble with You" is an enjoyable story about a young mother and widow (Fanny) trying to navigate post-WWII society, including societal expectations regarding motherhood, relationships, and women working. She finds meaning and value in her work as a secretary for a female producer of radio serials (don't call them soap operas) and later in her role helping write the scripts. However, some of her relatives pity her because, as a widow, she is required to work. Fanny develops a relationship with a pediatrician, Ezra, who seems to really care for her and her daughter, Chloe, but Ezra expects that if/when they get married, Fanny will stop working. Having his wife work would be embarrassing, as it would imply that he could not support his family. That working provides Fanny with meaning and purpose is irrelevant. Romantic relationships in general are a struggle for Fanny, who misses her former husband, Max, and has to contend with feeling like being involved with someone new is a betrayal. It was that enough to deal with, the story is set during the era of McCarthyism, and writers and actors were popular subjects for persecution as "communists." So, Fanny has to watch as friends and colleagues at work are blacklisted, and has to figure out what, if anything, she should or could do in response. A dilemma made more difficult by Charlie, a talented scriptwriter but also rabble rouser who has been blacklisted.

With the country as we know it these days, this story hit differently than it would have had I read it last year I think. While it wasn't fraught with thrilling moments, it did keep my interest and had me hoping for the ending I got. In my opinion, it was well written fiction about the times post WWII when McCarthyism was at it's height. While we read and learned about those affected by the witch hunts of those days, this story hits on some of those affected that were not on the world stage and how they had to get through the blacklists and protect each other. Fanny struggles with being the person she is expected to be while yearning for more freedom than being a woman in the late 40's would allow. A few different view points interspersed throughout gave a realistic view of the times from a child's memory. I enjoyed this and would read this author again.

What an interesting book, such a great story with so much historical context (and clearly well researched). This must represent the story of so many women from that era who survived because they had to.

If you look through my book reviews, you will see that I enjoy reading a lot of historical fiction books and especially those that are set during WWII. This was a little different focus in that it occurs as the war ended and women wanted to continue working outside the home. To be honest, this is one that I did not enjoy as much as I had hoped. The characters were not that well developed and I did not connect with them. And I struggled to stay invested in the story. It was hard to continue reading until I got to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Griffin for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I was drawn to the premise of this book as it's quite up my alley. However, this fell a little flat and I was a bit disappointed.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1950s Red Scare, The Trouble With You by Feldman offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of one woman’s transformation from conformity to independence. At the heart of this compelling narrative is Fanny Fabricant, a heroine whose journey feels as relevant today as it would have in her own time.

Fanny begins her story as a traditional wife and mother, content—or at least resigned—to the roles society has assigned her. But in a single instant her world is upended, and Fanny begins to find herself, navigating the expectations imposed on women.

Through Fanny’s relationships, Feldman illustrates the clashing ideals that defined the era.

The Trouble With You is a compelling and thought-provoking read, with richly drawn characters, and timely themes, while evolving the role of women in society.

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This is the second book I've read by this author and really enjoy her writing. I found this to be really interesting in seeing how everyday people were affected by the Communist red scares in the 50's. I had heard about it but never realized how crazy the US was over this and how everyone was suspicious of everyone else. I enjoyed the main character of Fanny and her spunk.
While the ending was not a surprise, it was the right ending.

Somehow this book got lost in my shuffle so I'm a little late with the review. At first I thought ''oh no' another WWII historical fiction", but it is not that at all. The author very aptly addresses issues that plagued the mothers of us Boomer's--a woman's place in the home during the 50's and 60's with just a touch of the 1945-1950 post wartime. The great debate of women working outside the home, having a career, owning her own business or being a housewife / mother and property of a husband to do all his bidding. She cover womens roles with a variety of interesting ladies. It also addresses the role of women as single mothers by choice or as a widow during that time period. Really makes one think about what women had to go through to get to where we are today. It is not preachy or judgemental but shows aauthor,pe of each and how they faired in that time period. Read and enjoy!
I was provided an advanced reader copy and was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book takes place in the post-WW2 era. Fanny is a college graduate, at a time when college was regarded as a place to get a “Mrs” degree. Her husband returned home after the war, only to die soon, leaving Fanny with her daughter Chloe. Her cousin, Mimi has followed the plan, marrying soon after college and starting a family. Although she has no marketable skills, she obtains a job as a secretary to “The Queen of Soaps” which were very popular at the time. Fanny is encouraged by her Aunt Rose, a single working woman. The McCarthy era begins, keeping everyone in the business frightened. Fanny must make some decisions about loyalty and what is right and wrong and the ramifications of what that means. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Also reviewed on B&N (1IrishEyes430) and Kobo (IrishEyes430)

This is a captivating exploration of a woman's journey towards independence in the post-World War II era. Fanny, a young widow, defies societal expectations as she navigates the complexities of single motherhood and career aspirations in a world that often restricts women to domesticity.

Feldman masterfully captures the spirit of the time, painting a vivid picture of New York City in the throes of change. The novel delves into the challenges faced by women as they sought to redefine their roles in a rapidly evolving society. Fanny's character is both relatable and inspiring, as she grapples with grief, societal pressures, and her own desires for fulfillment.

Ultimately, *The Trouble with You* is a heartwarming story about resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Feldman's writing is both poignant and entertaining, making this novel a must-read for those interested in historical fiction and the complexities of the human spirit.

Having grown up in the 1950's, this novel evoked that time period for me. If for no other reason, I enjoyed reading this book. Readers who enjoy a historical novel about women in the aftermath of World War II will most likely find this a satisfying reading experience.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The Trouble with You gave me a new perspective of WWII and the years following the war, and the repercussions of losing so many men. Fanny's life is upheaved soon after the war, and what follows is her trying to figure out how to survive in a world that is breaking gender norms. A slow burn of a historical fiction that looks at many perspectives of American history.

"The Trouble with You" by Ellen Feldman, was excellent! A strong woman, making the best of her difficult circumstances, working hard, exploring her talent, finding new loves, mothering, and following her heart despite strict social expectations in the post WWII times in NYC. Interesting and captivating, especially the Red Scare politics sprinkled through. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars as I vacillate on my thoughts on this book. On one hand, I really enjoyed this look at women’s treatment in American society in the late 1940s-1950s. On the other, I never felt particularly connected to the characters or the story.
I appreciated seeing so many of the injustices women faced, and a strong female character fighting some of those ridiculous standards. Reading about McCarthyism was interesting, as was seeing what people did to get around being blacklisted. And every few pages I hit up my dictionary app because of Feldman’s rich vocabulary.
But there was something cold and distant in the feel of the novel that really took away from the pleasure of reading.