Sara Goodman Confino is one of my favorite authors whose new books I look forward to each summer. While Good Grief is not the typical summer romance, it is a humorous and heartwarming tale of loss, family, friends and love. I laughed out loud several times and can’t wait to listen to the audio when it comes out.

Sara Goodman Confino is an auto read author for me, and Good Grief did not disappoint!

I loved spending time with Barbara and Ruth and this humorous, hopeful, and heartwarming book!.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another delightful book by Sara Goodman Confino! As with her previous novels, I loved the strong women and the way they support each other. I also love how she brings back characters from her previous books. Confino continues to be an auto-buy author for me. Can’t wait to add Good Grief to my shelf next to her other books.

Heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written 💐💔. Good Grief is a poignant, witty story about loss, love, and finding light in dark times. Sara Goodman Confino blends humour and heart effortlessly, creating characters you’ll root for and moments that will make you laugh and cry. I adored the emotional honesty and uplifting message. A perfect read for fans of bittersweet, feel-good fiction.

Goodnight Barbara!
Goodnight Ruth!

I loved everything about this DELIGHTFUL novel starting with the whimsical book cover ! Sara Goodman Confino has a way of dropping you right into the story from page one, and I was engaged throughout!

It’s 1963, two years since Barbara Feldman’s husband died, and she is finally ready to let her mother return home, and start living life with her two young children on her own.

NOT SO FAST

Within days of bidding her mother goodbye, there comes a knock on the door. Her mother-in-law, Ruth, has invited herself to move in, arriving with five suitcases, and no plans to leave. I was reminded of one of my favorite insurance commercials when a newlywed couple has an “Aunt/Ant problem-knock knock-Aunt Joanie’s here! But I digress! 🤭

“Mother Ruth” is a “know it all” and fabulous cook (not!) and she is ready to help with the children. How can Barbara say no to her late husband’s lonely, grieving mother? But when days turn to weeks, Barbara realizes that Ruth has got to go!

Perhaps she can introduce Ruth to some fine gentlemen and marry her off to one of them?

But, soon enough, Barbara realizes that Ruth seems to have the same plan!

Q: “ How old does someone have to be before a Jewish mother stops trying to fix them up?”
A. “Dead” 😆

I loved spending time with these two women, and looked forward to picking up this HOPEFUL, HEARTWARMING, FUNNY book whenever I had the chance.

4.5 shiny stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

AVAILABLE August 26, 2025

Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino

I've now heard or read all five of Sara Goodman Confino's novels and the only thing I don't like is that I have to wait for her to write another one. She's a "must read" author for me and I love how each of her books is very much a stand alone yet the worlds are connected and somewhere along the line you might hear about or meet someone you met in one of her other books. Still, it doesn't matter what order you read the books in, they are enjoyable for each story while I get a thrill when I come across a character I've met in one of her other books.

Barbara Feldman's husband died and left her with two young children. Heart problems are something that can hit the men in the Feldman family and Barbara and her husband had discussed that fact but Barbara always mentally and emotionally put the brakes on that possibility. Living for today meant not dwelling on maybes. But then it happened, Barbara's husband was gone in a failing heartbeat and she was left broken hearted, stunned, and feeling that even if her life was over after losing the love of her life, somehow she needed to keep going for her children. Thankfully Barbara's mom moved in but Barbara never imagined she'd move in for TWO years! Even lonely Barbara was ready for her mom to go home and finally the time arrived for Barbara to stop being hovered over by her mom.

But, Barbara was in for another shock in life. Five suitcases and a MIL move into her house and MIL Ruth will not take "OH NO YOU DON'T!" for an answer. Despite this story being about intense loss and grief, it's also very funny. The kids in the story crack me up, I could hang around them spitting out unfiltered truth all day long. Add in a grandmother Ruth who adores those kids while missing her son with all her heart and I had a lot of laughs. Ruth thinks she is a good cook but she's far from a good cook and with kids that can be picky eaters already, the meal time conversations can be hilarious. But Ruth also has something else cooked up for her daughter in law and Barbara is not ready for another parent to stay long term or for Ruth's recipe for fixing Barbara's life.

I look forward to Confino's books because they can be both low key and deal with serious matters at the same time. There is always room for laughs and family is the most important part of her stories. I was able to read this book with Jayme and it was a lot of fun talking about the story so be sure to check out her review, too. Now I have to wait for the next book to come out and I'll be all over it when it does.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

It’s been two years since Barbara’s husband passed and she is finally ready to let her mom return home and do it all on her own. She is nervous about handling everything for her two kids, but she knows it is time. When her mother-in-law Ruth shows up with many suitcases in tow however, Barbara is less than thrilled. Sure Ruth means well, but her moving in has caused a bit more chaos than Barbara was ready for. If she can find a man for this widow, maybe Ruth will move out, but over time she begins to wonder if Ruth is trying to set her up as well…

Sara always writes an amazing book, and this one was no different! I was dying laughing at the crazy things Ruth did, though if she was living with me I would have kicked her to the curb almost immediately! I thought the way Ruth and Barbara learned to live together and find a balance was just perfect, even if Barbara still had to let a lot go! Laughter aside, this book did make me cry several times. I grabbed this one to read while I was headed to Chicago for my Great Aunt’s Celebration of Life (which as a side note should be the new funeral, there were still tears but it was a much more enjoyable affair filled with stories and laughter) and reading about grief while grieving will certainly bring on the tears. I loved the connections between Barbara and Ruth and how they learned they were more alike than they thought as they traveled this grief together of losing Barbara’s husband and Ruth’s son.

Thank you to @getredpr for my gifted copy of this book!

Filled with equal parts humor and heart this tale about grief love and living is a winner. Set in 1963, we meet Barbara who is a widow and who after two years feels ready to take charge of her life once again. Only, her mother-in-law lands on her doorstep with a stack of luggage and lots of well meaning assistance. I chuckled so many times at the battles between Barbara and Ruth.
With her trademark wit and wisdom, Confino uses strong female characters to explore the complexities of human relationships and what motivates people. Fans of Confino will love the cameos of characters from her previous books. Highly recommend this delightful tale.

I absolutely love Sara Goodman Confino's books and I was so excited to receive an ARC of her upcoming book and luckily my high expectations were met!
Barbara Feldman's husband died two years ago and her mother moved in with her and her kids in order to help them. The day her mother moved out Barbara is planning her new life as a widow but her mother in law, Ruth, surprise her by moving in with them in order to help her with the kids and the house while she works at the hospital.
As the book title is Good Grief you can understand the book deals with grief and how different people deals with it in a different way. Barbara and Ruth don't see eye to eye about most things, especially regarding raising kids and soon Barbara is making a plan to help her move Ruth out of her house.
Even though Good Grief deals with the lose of a loved one it isn't a sad or depressing book, it was funny, it was heartwarming and above all it gives hope that you can still enjoy life after tragedy. I loved reading how Barbra and Ruth's relationship changed through out the book and how they both learned to see the other's perspective.

The secondary characters were amazing, the kids really added to the story but my fav secondary character was Barbar's best friend Janet, she was so funny and her attitude as a mother was hilarious.
The romance element of the book was really good and I loved how it was done in a sensitive way and not smack in your face that Barbara is finding a new love- I don’t want to get into anymore details because it will be a spoiler.

Overall, Good Grief was a really amazing read, it made me laugh, it brought tears to my eyes and it really made me think about living life and dealing with grief.
I loved the book so much that I plan to listen to the audiobook when it comes out!

Set in 1963, the book tells the story of Barbara, a widow of 2 years with 2 young children. This was my first book by Confino and I really enjoyed it!

The book is what I’d call day-in-the-life style. We follow Barbara as she deals with an impromptu visit from her MIL, the challenges of her job as a patient liaison at the hospital, and the ups and downs of being a single mom. It’s single POV, so we’re inside Barbara’s head for all of it. I loved her internal dialogue and snarky thoughts! 🤣

What really makes Good Grief shine is the relationships. Like many mother and daughter in law situations, Barbara and Ruth’s is filled with exasperating moments, but also ones of compassion and understanding. Ruth’s shenanigans had me chuckling throughout the whole book. Babara’s bestie Janet also had me laughing out loud. There’s nothing better than a sassy side character!

I’ve read multiple books this year with main characters learning to live in the world after a loved one dies, and I think Confino did a great job at showing the hard parts and the loneliness, balanced out with the joy that starts showing up in little ways.

I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a character-driven, historical fiction! Or to anyone who loves a book with family drama, funny best friends and coworkers, and a hint of new romance (for 2 characters!).

I love all of Sara's books. Her characters are relatable and the stories are always sending good vibes and messages.

If Sara Goodman Confino writes it, I’m going to read it. Not only is she just a genuinely kind person, she writes such uplifting and wonderful stories. They are consistently light, quick, and well written reads, and Good Grief was no exception.

Good Grief is a story of grief set in the 1960s. Barbara’s husband passed away 2 years ago, and she is left to care for their two children alone. Her mother moved in to help care for the children while they grieved. When she leaves to return to her husband, Barbara’s mother in law, Ruth, swoops in to stay in the recently vacated guest room. A young widow herself, Ruth is determined to prevent Barbara from being lonely - a promise made to her son before he passed away. Wild antics follow!

The 1960s are such a great setting for this story. Women are working but lack respect and protection from sexual harassment and prejudice (across race, color, creed, religion, and gender). Many people still expect women to stay at home with their kids, while others are fighting for equal rights. SGC tackles many of these complicated topics in this story, and our FMC shows us what a strong woman she is, even in the face of adversity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Goodman Confino for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was my first read from this author & honestly it was different from what I normally read.
This was about losing your other half, coping with that loss, & moving forward.
It’s set in the 1960’s & we have Barbara who’s become a young widower, she’s a mom of two elementary school kids, & her mother in law Ruth who showed up out of nowhere with no intentions of leaving after Barbara was hyping herself to “having it all together & she’s got this on her own”.

The story is sad for both Barbara & Ruth but it’s cute seeing them become close and rely on each other while they’re both navigating through their grief.

Honestly I’m not going to lie I cried, because I can’t imagine losing the person you’ve built a whole life & family with and then have everything change out of no where and it’s just you & your kids..

I def recommend this book & having tissues nearby if you’re sensitive like me😅😭😭

Thank you getredprbooks for e-book

This was such a good story on grief and healing. Surprisingly funny, too! I loved the interconnections that Barbara (the main character) was fighting the entire time, when we could see they were what she needed since page one.

Some of the situations in the book, while interesting, I felt pulled from the plot a little. I never would have forgiven someone who faked serious illness after losing my husband to SET ME UP WITH ANOTHER, super shitty, person. I feel like that was just swept under the rug?

I enjoyed this book for the little things though and I’m glad I got to receive and ARC.


There was also a name switch, I think! Harry’s name was used instead of Eddie’s in Ch 33

This story is a 4.5-star read for me!

I enjoyed the humor in this story along with the mother-in-law and daughter dynamic! What a fun read!

The characters are so well done. They have their flaws and make plenty of mistakes throughout this book, but boy did it make me love them even more! I absolutely loved her friend Janet too! She deserves a story of her own! Now when women talk about having a community, this is what they are talking about!

Now I will say the only thing I wish was different was the ending. I felt it was rushed and we didn't get to sit in the moment with our characters as much as I would have liked. Outside of that, this was a phenomenal read! Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and GetRedPR for my advanced reader copy!

I have read all of Sara Goodman Confino's books and this one is another winner! I first encountered Sara through the Peloton Mom's Book Club (PMBC), and she is every bit as witty as her novels. I love that all her novels are fun, fast reads, and always include strong female characters. "Good Grief" highlights the trials and tribulations of Barbara, a young widow trying to maintain stability for her children in the 1960's. How can the topic of grief be humorous? Because Of SGC delightful storytelling! Inititally, Barbara has the help and support of her mother. Eventually her mother goes back home, but who shows up uninvited? Her mother-in-law, Ruth, and she's there to stay. The antics begin as the two widows try to navigate daily life without their husbands, and Ruth manages to do ALL the things that drive Barbara crazy.

I enjoyed this story of two grieving women from different generations, moving through their losses and learning to understand and appreciate each other. I also loved the "Easter eggs" sprinkled throughout. It's fun to see the characters we loved from other SGC novels pop up in her newest offering. I know she has completed another one (insider info from PMBC-wink-wink), and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Sometimes, I'm in the mood for a neatly packaged feel-good story that fits perfectly between deeper works. In this regard, Confino never fails to deliver. She has perfected the art of developing characters that readers quickly become invested in. They are relatable, as are the trials and tribulations they navigate. Good Grief is another example of a story executed perfectly in this way.

Barbara and her two children are two years past the death of her husband and their father. Her mother had moved in to help her through the hardest part of the transition, but now she feels ready to lead her small family forward without outside assistance. However, as she says goodbye to her mother, her mother-in-law steps into the picture.

Ruth is the perfect yet imperfect mother-in-law from the start. Her crazy antics provide comedic relief, even as they drive Barbara to the brink of pulling her hair out. Beneath it all, there is a deep loneliness, as Ruth's husband also passed away young, and she wants Barbara to navigate this new life differently than she did.

I laughed at the funny moments and felt the sadness and grief when appropriate. This well-written novel is just what the "doctor ordered" if you’re looking for light humor and a good time.

Set in the early 1960s, it’s the story of two women linked not by choice, but by loss-and how that loss forces them into the same too-small space. One is still learning how to breathe again after her world collapsed. The other arrives uninvited, carrying more than just luggage.

What unfolds between them is layered and messy: crossed wires, clashing personalities, and love offered in imperfect, sometimes intrusive ways. But along with the tension comes tenderness. There’s laughter where you least expect it, moments of real connection that sneak up on them and the weight of things left unsaid.

It’s not a simple story of letting go…it’s about what it costs to stay. And what we find when we finally give in to the mess of connection. Through grief, misunderstandings, and unexpected grace, two women slowly find their way toward something quietly life-changing: a beginning neither of them saw coming.

A heartfelt, character-driven story that made me laugh, cry, and most of all, feel. This gem deserves all the stars.

It's been two years since Barbara Feldman's husband Harry passed away, and she's finally ready to navigate raising two young children on her own. This is, until her mother-in-law Ruth shows up on her doorstep and announces that she's moving in. As Ruth's visit turns from days to weeks full of antics, Barbara knows that Ruth has got to go - and what better way to do that than introduce her to some (interesting) gentlemen and marry her off. However, Barbara quickly realizes that Ruth is trying to do the same for her. At least they've found common ground, trying to help each other move forward.

I've read almost all of Sara Goodman Confino's books, and I have to say I was a bit let down by this one. As always, the writing style was easy to read and I love that she explored grief as a theme. I also love that we get cameos from characters in her other books. However, I didn't find there was much plot driving the story forward, and the ending was very predictable from early on. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not one I'll find myself visiting again and again.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Sara Goodman Confino is quickly becoming a favorite, must read author. I absolutely adored this book that pulled me in from the very first page. It is a story of loss, love, family, and life with all of its messy complications. Barbara is a widow with 2 young children and is learning to be independent and is ready to live on her own. Her mother has been helping since her husband’s death and is heading home and Barbara is ready for the challenge. But her meddling, widowed mother-in-law Ruth moves in. Now Barbara is navigating her relationship with Ruth as well as trying to rebuild her life. What she discovers about Ruth and herself surprises her and sets the path for the future. Barbara and Ruth were strong and resilient characters and the relationship between them felt real. I felt all of the emotions with Barbara and laughed and cried and worried with her. The cameo with Beverly from Behind Every Good Man was enjoyable and was a nice addition to this story. The storyline of harassment at work was timely and well written and honestly portrays what women too often have to deal with. I loved this story of love, loss, family and learning that being independent does not mean doing everything alone and highly recommend it.