Brendan has worked hard to make all the right choices and curate the perfect life. He's got an impressive job on Wall Street, a beautiful wife, and a bright and capable teenage son. But when his estranged sister Cassie suddenly reaches out to reconcile on Christmas day, Brendan can't choose to be civil. He's devastated when he learns of his sister's sudden passing, which is complicated by a memoir and an envelope she asked to be delivered at the time of her death. Brendan suddenly finds himself in charge of his late sister's frozen eggs, and the weight of the responsibility along with the guilt of the past weighs on him. The fertility clinic gives him a deadline to make a decision while he also juggles working during a financial crisis and supporting his family. Will Brendan be able to make the right choices for the people he loves?

Honestly, what a great debut. I loved the nonlinear storytelling, how the present, the past, and excerpts of Cassie's memoir wove together to tell the story. The pacing was consistent and engaging throughout the book. Each main character had their own problem to deal with, but it never felt muddled or superfluous. My only qualm is the dialogue frequently felt a little unnatural, but reading was still enjoyable. Ultimately, this is a great book for people who love stories about family relationships and the value of being true to yourself. I would recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley, Wolf House Publishing, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review the book. All opinions are my own.

Omgggg this story was so heart felt and emotional what do you do with your dead sisters eggs make a baby keep her memory alive !!! It just brings so many emotions what do you do should you or should you not please put a trigger warning on this !! But this was a great book the storyline came together although emotions were thick and intense

Nice drama. Good strong characters. Well worth reading.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Tasked with finding a nurturing home for the embryos, he must also grapple with a struggling marriage, a distant teenage son, and the prospect of a past love resurfacing. Brendan O’Shay has built his life on certainty — as a high‑powered Wall Street trader at the height of the 2008 financial collapse he’s no stranger to high stakes. But when his estranged sister Cassie unexpectedly dies and leaves behind her frozen eggs, Brendan is pulled from boardrooms and spreadsheets into a deeply personal and uncharted emotional realm. WOW WOW WOW!!
Thank you to NetGalley and to Wolf House Publishing for allowing me to preview this book!

Paul Scheufele’s debut novel, Damaged Goods, is fabulous. He pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Scheufele experience in finance paved the way for several of his characters in this character-driven novel. If you enjoy stories about ethical dilemmas, you will certainly like this. This book is about family, secrets, decisions and making peace with your choices. I enjoyed how the story was told through Cassie’s memoir of the past, Brendan’s past and the present.
This book is masterfully written; it’s full of twists, and it kept me eager to turn the next page. I eagerly wait for his next novel!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced reader copy, this author deserves the five star review.
Some books can touch on some difficult topics and i feel that the author has done a really good job of discussing IVF and how freezing eggs can really help give future parents a child.
Brendan our main characer undertakes a real journey , we are part of his busy career busting life when he is thrown into making decisions that involve his sister Cassie. But Cassie isnt here here,Brendan is taken back to his childhood and deeply relfective over his relationship with his sister.

The book undertakes different chapters with Cassie and Brenden and their lifes , i enjoyed being immersed and seeing their lifes develop over time showing key differences in siblings. Cassie is a free roaming spirit compared with Brenden but i think the contrast we would find in any siblings.

The characters are not portrayed as picture perfect and it shows that they dont have an idyllic childhood if anything it shows that both Brenden and Cassie both deal with their parents way of a lifestyle and struggle in their own ways to come to terms with it. This is very real for the reader and its been done to be very realistic and i think most readers would understand how this can impact on a family. The author is clearly knowedgeable about how adverise childhood experiences can affect younger adults but shape their thinking for the future.
It tackles some tough subjects e.g having a family, having that choice that can be taken away, its different when people have a choice but what are their options when they dont ? I think the author is bold to discuss subjects and give people hope as sometimes thats what people need.
There is a deep emotion built into this book with family values, a reflection on where careers fit into a family and how do you make a decision about your sisters frozen eggs.

I really enjoyed this as a family story and how it worked in this universe. It had a strong concept for having custody of your dead sister's eggs and what to do with them. The characters felt like real people and I thought it worked as a story being told. Paul Scheufele was able to weave a strong storyline and was invested in what was happening, and cared about what was happening with the characters.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a novel about family, the true meaning of a successful life, and complicated relationships.

📚Damaged Goods
✍🏻Paul Scheufele
Blurb:
The past collides with the present as Brendan O'Shay, a high-powered Wall Street trader, is forced to confront a haunting legacy. When his estranged sister Cassie dies unexpectedly, Brendan inherits a life-altering secret: he is now the custodian of her frozen eggs. This discovery thrusts him, his wife Laura, and their son Shannon into a whirlwind of emotional and ethical dilemmas.
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, Brendan struggles with existential crises at work and home as he grapples with the possibility of bringing a part of Cassie back to life. His quest to find nurturing parents for the eggs evolves into a heartfelt exploration of love, forgiveness, and second chances.Damaged Goods is a captivating family saga that beautifully illustrates the complexities of human relationships, inviting readers to reflect on their legacies and the potential to rewrite their stories.
With the emotional depth of Jodi Picoult, the literary grace of Ann Patchett, and the moral complexity of Celeste Ng, Damaged Goods delivers a timely and profoundly moving story for fans of My Sister’s Keeper, Commonwealth, and Little Fires Everywhere. It’s an ideal choice for readers who enjoy book club fiction, literary family dramas, and stories about second chances.
My Thoughts:
Damaged Goods is a captivating story of contemporary themes that in many ways are timeless and relatable. Paul writes in a way that pulls you in from the first to the final paragraph, written with incredible emotional intelligence, leaving no stone unturned. He provided the opportunity to think of things I had never really considered. Highly recommend (also a great book group book)
Thanks NetGalley, Wolf House Publishing and Author Paul Scheufele for the advanced copy of "Damaged Goods" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
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Great Debut novel! Choices are always hard and the pressure to succeed even harder. Making our own choices while learning to handle love, hope, loss, redemption, forgiveness, and more are captivated in this read. It also shows us to NEVER attempt to take over another's journey or life plan. We are individuals and deserve a chance !

Gritty, honest, and emotionally raw. Scheufele delves into trauma, recovery, and self-destruction with unflinching candor, creating a story that’s tough but deeply human. A stark, compelling read.

What an emotional book! This was a very thought provoking family drama. If your book club is looking for their next read and you are fans of Jodi Picoult, give this book a try.