I’ve been looking for my next 5-star read, and… drumroll please, here it is! This book is remarkable, and I don’t even like politics - it shows what a master storyteller Sara Goodman Confino is.

I couldn’t decide if I loved Beverly or her mother more, but both of these women had me laughing. I was so thankful Beverly did not stand by her man when she caught her husband with his secretary. Instead, she decides to go to work for a political opponent, and it’s election season.

Set in the 1960s, Beverly is up against many sexist barriers and societal judgments. She’s been a housewife and a mother; that’s all anyone has seen her as. But now she’s about to show Michael, her candidate, how to win the women’s vote.

I can’t praise this book enough. It has brilliant characters, snappy dialogue with witty humor, and even a touch of romance. It showcases how women still had to be wives, mothers, and domestic caretakers while trying to get a foothold in their careers. Added in are some great Jewish representation and even a few respectable men, making the narrative feel well-rounded and balanced.

I loved that this was about women supporting women and showing that women can be an unstoppable force. Sara, I cannot wait to read what you write next!

Thank you @getredprbooks and @saraconfino for the gifted book and ebook via Netgalley.

Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook. Helen Laser’s narration was fabulous!

4.5 stars!
I must admit that Sara Goodman Confino has become an auto-buy author for me. Every book I have read from her is just good and it keeps getting better. I was never disappointed with the writing. It is as always full of heart and reality mixed perfectly together.
I literally went in blind and dare I say, I was hooked from the start. The dialogues were captivating, and the humor was superb! I love how feminist this book was and how she perfectly defined the idea of a "man" and "the man" that a woman deserves.
I love the character development, most specially Beverly's! She takes no crap from anybody and was very definite of what she actually wants. I feel her pain when she found herself betrayed and robbed from the opportunities that she should have had she not gave way for Larry. She was smart and dedicated and winning against Larry behind the candidate she believed in was just the perfect retaliation!
I really enjoyed this read and I highly recommend! Special thank you to Union Pub via Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchanged of my honest review.

Sara Goodman Confino has quickly become one of my favorite historical fiction writers! I love the time period she writes in, and learning about the role and expectations for women at that time. Her characters are strong, witty females.

In Behind Every Good Man, Beverly catches her husband cheating and finds herself in need of a job. She ends up working for a politician, who happens to be running against a campaign that her ex is in charge of. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and had some awesome Easter eggs from She’s Up To No Good. I recommend this book for anyone who likes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or She’s Up To No Good. I also think it would make a great book club book as there is lots to discuss about the time period!

A sincere thank you to Lake Union Publishing for this electronic arc. All views in this review are entirely my own.

Let’s get to it - I loved this book. It had everything, a great protagonist and a very sassy Mother, sleazy creeps galore, including some political hacks, super great kids and more, more, more. I loved BFF Nancy and her admonishes to her children to “fight gently”. Reminiscent of my love of Lessons in Chemistry, Behind Every Good Man had me smiling and grinning while chanting “You go girl!”

It’s 1962 and Beverly Gelman Diamond is about to show many in Maryland the stuff that makes heroines. The writing is smart. There is just the right amount of clever and pissed off and the humbling of finding out what you don’t know, learning from it and swinging the bat into a home-run.

Back to 1962 for a bit and being reminded that most women didn’t work outside of the home and even if it was a necessity, finding challenging work was just that - a huge undertaking and risky. Women couldn’t get a mortgage on their own, so buying a home without a spouse, man, father was almost impossible. Wow, what a look back at the “Good Old Days”. Kudos to Confino for exposing her heroines for the accolades they deserve then and now.

Loved everything about this book and so thankful to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.

Historical fiction
Jewish rep
Politics/elections
Feminist themes
Office romance

I am obsessed with Behind Every Good Man. It's one of my top reads of 2024 so far. It's sharp, captivating, and funny. Although it's historical fiction set in the 1960s, it's timely and relevant, especially in this election year, when women still have to fight for equality and representation. The book is so relevant that it even has a 'tampons in the bathroom" joke. :-)

The main heroine, Beverly, is intelligent and competent; she knows her worth and is not intimidated by men. She is the type of FMC that I love to read about. I also loved Beverly's mother, Millie. She cracked me up. And Beverly's love interest, Michael, is delightful.

I found the writing style very engaging. I was so engrossed in the story I read it in one day. As soon as I finished reading it, I downloaded Confino's previous novel. I cannot recommend Behind Every Good Man enough, especially for readers looking for historical fiction with feminist themes and a great romance.

Sara Goodman Confino’s books are always a must read for me! This one might be the best one yet. Full of powerful woman I couldn’t put it down! I’d highly recommend this book

I don’t think Sara Goodman Confino could write a bad book if she tried. I loved Don’t Forget to Write, and now I love Behind Every Good Man as well. Beverly is a fantastic and fully-realized character, and the way Sara Goodman Confino has with words continues to impress me. For every woman who’s found strength through adversity, or found her own power and voice- or just dreams of doing so - this one’s for you.

Thank you Sara Goodman Confino, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved everything about this book. Wouldn’t change a thing, except maybe more swoony moments between our MCs, but it wasn’t really a romance book, so made sense 🩷.

📖 When Beverly Diamond catches her husband, Larry, a senate incompetent’s campaign manager, in a compromising position with his secretary, she decides to beat the louse at his own game by running the political campaign of the other senatorial candidate, Michael Landau.

✨ Think The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel if Midge got into politics instead of comedy. ✨

💭 This book had everything I wanted: politics, history, romance, and humor. It’s the perfect book to read this fall during election season.

✌🏻 It was fast paced and smartly funny with great characters and moments of slapstick levity. It was pro-women without being “too feminist” or “pushing an agenda”. It showed the dark side of politics that is still relevant today while providing hope for a better future.

Go read this one!

This was the perfect political romance/drama read. I enjoyed it very much and laughed at several parts. The thrill of campaigning and election was felt as I was reading this. I also loved how Sara Goodman Confino wrote this during the 1960's and portrayed how things were at that time for women. The discrimination that the Jewish people faced also was so real. This was very empowering read especially for women. So far I've loved EVERY book Sara Goodman Confino wrote!

Want An Election Themed Book That AVOIDS The Real Ones Entirely? Here Ya Go! Seriously, this book does a phenomenal job - truly, one of the best I've yet found in any medium - of showing both the nuts and bolts of elections and the high drama of elections and yet managing to present both in such a manner as to avoid most all (current) real world politics *and* without boring the viewer (reader) to tears. Because yes, while working elections is truly hard work (as I know as even a 2x former rural small town City Council candidate) and truly, utterly *boring* at times... this book manages to switch gears into its primary tale - that of a woman discovering her husband cheating on her and the actions she takes after that point - to keep the reader involved in the overall story.

Truly an excellent work on both the women's fiction side and the elections side, and the two complement each other well in exactly the manners that would largely play out in real life, particularly given the backgrounds involved here.

You're going to laugh. The room will get dusty at times. And in the end, you're going to leave this book happy to have come across it. Isn't that a good combination of a lot of what we all hope for in a fictional tale?

Very much recommended.

Sara Goodman Confino has written another winner! Behind Every Good Man was so hard to put down and I missed it when I had to get back to real life.

I loved Beverly's moxie and the way she worked to help her senatorial candidate potentially achieve victory, all while trying to manage her home as a single mother and deal with her own mother at the same time. Beverly's mother, Millie, was quite a character, and now I want her to have her own novel. There were times I just laughed out loud from something Millie said or did. I could understand and appreciate the stress Beverly was under throughout the novel. Her marriage just imploded and it was hard to find work as a single mother in the 1960s. There was also discrimination against Jewish people at the time, as evidenced during her job search.

I love that the story takes place in the DC area, specifically in Maryland and not too far from where I live. It was easy to picture locations, even though the story took place so long ago. I also love when novels are set in the 1960s and seeing how much women had to put up with during that time period.

My only critique, and this is very, very minor, is that I wouldn't have minded more steaminess during some parts. The novel did well without it, but I'm always glad for the heat level to go up a few notches in anything I read.

If you haven't read Don't Forget to Write yet, I'd recommend reading it first or be prepared to deal with some spoilers. You should also read Sara's first two books while you're at it.

I loved Behind Every Good Man and highly recommend it! It's perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Movie casting suggestions:
Beverly: Jane Levy
Millie: Alex Borstein (My nod to Mrs. Maisel, but Alex can play any role to perfection!)
Michael: James Wolk
Stuart: Josh Peck
Larry: Alden Ehrenreich
Nancy: Jessica Rothe

When Beverly catches her husband having an affair with his secretary, she finds a job to support herself and get a little revenge. She works as a campaign manager for Michael Landau, the underdog candidate running against her husband's boss.

This is set in 1960s Maryland so I enjoyed seeing what life was like for women at the time and watching Beverly emerge as an independent woman. She grew up in the political world, so while everyone underestimates her as a mother and housewife, she brings progressive strategies to help her candidate get a leg up in the competition.

I loved Bev's character as she is a strong leading lady who doesn't take no for an answer. It's full of humor and reminds you that women deserve a seat at the table. I read it all in a day, and highly recommend picking it up. While it focuses on a senate campaign, it feels especially timely as we head into election season in the U.S.

Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary copy.

Sara Goodman Confino can do no wrong. I loved this book so much. Empowering women. Stereotypes and lots of love! Highly recommend this one.

Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino is an absolute delight!

When Bev walks in on her husband, Larry, and his secretary, she decides to take revenge the best way she knows how: politics. Bev sets out to help up-and-comer Michael win his upcoming senatorial race against none other than Larry's boss.

This book is fabulous and gives Marvelous Mrs. Maisel vibes all the way! I gobbled up! Bev is a lovable character that you can't help but root for. And the cast of characters around her--her parents, her campaign coworkers, and her social sphere--are equally entertaining!

If you like the spunk and sass of Midge in Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and tight ensemble of Gilmore Girls, you will love this book!

This novel is set in 1962 Maryland, where main character Beverly is the daughter of a former congressman, the wife of the campaign manager of a senator running for re-election, and the mom of two young kids. When she discovers her husband cheating on her, Beverly ends up working on the senate campaign of the rival of the politician her husband is working for. But it’s not just revenge she’s out for, as it might just change her life for the better too.

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Sara Goodman Confino, and I’ve loved them all. And with the last two and this one, she has proved that historical fiction doesn’t have to be heavy or depressing, but that it can be light and fun! There were multiple laugh out loud moments in this one. I just loved every minute of it - the fun characters, the feminism, the Jewish representation, the way it reminded me of the hopeful and idealistic side of politics. And for fans of Confino’s last book, Don’t Forget to Write, there are some fun crossover moments too, though this most definitely can be read as a standalone.

I am up-to-speed on all books Sara Goodman Confino. I am not ashamed nor embarrassed to say once I read my first of hers, I rushed out to complete her back-list and will continue to read her going forward.

Confino just may be my new go-to for historical women's fiction. I sure hope she continues to deliver great story after great story in this genre.

The characters in this story are relatable no matter your age. They're true to life and very well developed. The storyline chugged right along with enough family drama, emotional drama, and hint of romance to keep any reader occupied and entertained.

I devoured this book so fast, I was sad to see it end.

Sara Goodman Confino never disappoints. After catching her husband in 'the act', she engages in the ultimate revenge of joining the political campaign against the candidate supported by her ex. Loved the characters, great story, great writing, and a lot of humor. Highly recommend.

Sara Confino Goodman’s superpower is writing female characters who are relatable, tenacious, and hilarious - though, certainly not infallible. Beverly is yet another example of this, as is her mom, Millie. Both are women ahead of their time, willing to take risks for their families and their own happiness.

While this is a politically themed book, set in the 1960’s - as Beverly takes on a campaign manager role, going toe to toe against her ex - the story is far less about the actual politics, rather focusing on resilience, revenge, and the experience of a woman taking on the patriarchy. And it’s just so good!

Hysterical. Uplifting. Cheer worthy! Another 5⭐️ read by Confino.

Behind Every Good Man is a revenge story set in the 1960’s when good and upstanding still meant something and when women were coming into their power.

Confino’s last 2 books solidified her as a must-read author for me. She consistently writes immersive, bingeworthy storylines that entertain and inspire.

But more than that, I am forever endeared to the rich cast of characters she crafts. Always tenacious. Always bold.

Jenna, Evelyn, Marilyn, Ada... and now Bev and Millie.

All firecracker female characters full of sass and wisdom. Characters that remind me of myself. Characters that I want to be friends with. Characters that motivate me to leave a legacy worth emulating.

OH... the way I rooted for Bev!!!! More than revenge, this is a story about resiliency and hope. Bev could’ve caved to her circumstances, as would most women in that time. Rather, she tapped into her inner strength and fought to overcome. Quick witted and full of verve, Bev is the embodiment of a powerhouse woman.

Though the book is set in the 60’s the themes of women belonging in all the places... especially politics... felt very timely. I loved the focus on the power of voting and the role that women play within the electoral process.

And the Easter eggs!!! I actually squealed out loud. Don’t Forget to Write is one of my very favorite books, and I adored seeing how these characters connected.

I closed the last pages of this book feeling inspired and full of hope. Just when I thought Confino had reached her pinnacle (Don’t Forget to Write), she proved that she’s only just getting started. Sara... I can’t WAIT to see what’s next!

Very good story, really excellent and highly recommended. This is my first time reading the author (I have some of her other books on my TBR), but she's definitely going to become one of my favorite writers. Perfection!