Right now this is at the top of my list for favorite book of 2024! While you don't have to read Don't Forget to Write before this one, it does help to catch a few characters being mentioned. I loved those little crossovers. Beverly Diamond is a force with the grit you can't help but love in a female character. She is a character you won't soon forget. This story moved along so quickly, that I was sad it was over so soon. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone - no matter what type of reading you enjoy. It can't be put into one category - at least not in my mind. I can't wait to see what Sara Goodman Confino comes out with next. She has risen to the list of must-read authors!

This was my first book by Sarah Goodman Confino even though I have “ Don’t forget to write” on my TBR. The author is a favorite in the PMBC Facebook group and so I was excited for the opportunity to read her latest as an advanced reader copy.

The setting is Washington DC in 1962. Beverly is the daughter to a former senator and is married to a campaign manager for a current senator. When Beverly walks in on her husband cheating on her with his secretary she is faced with the choice to either live with it or divorce her husband. She decides to divorce her husband and this story is how she navigates finding herself as a woman, mother and partner in the 1960’s. I really enjoyed this story and am excited to read her backlist titles.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

This is the second book by Sara Confino that I read and really enjoyed. Her characters are very relatable. The women in her books are strong and independent. I will recommend this and her others to many.

I loved this book! One of my all time favourite books is Lessons in Chemistry from the year 2022 and will always recommend that book. With Behind Every Good Man I’m sure this will happen as well! I thoroughly enjoyed Beverly as a character and her story was very engaging and kept me reading. The book was basically unputdownable for me. The banter between Beverly and her Mum Millie was amazing and also with Michael and Stuart. I just loved the characters.

About the characters in more detail: Beverly is strong, intelligent and has her own mind! I loved how quickly she decided that Larry has to go and she will get divorced, even though the social norm is to keep calm and carry on. I loved how she didn't give up in any fight or struggle but made the best out of the situation. Michael is a great character and believably honest, which I appreciated a lot. He is the good guy. I liked him a lot. Stuart is an amazing counterpart as original campaign manager of Michael who doesn’t think it’s a good idea to hire Beverly. But he is so funny in being so stubborn! Without Stuart the book would only be half as funny to me. And last but not least, Millie, Beverly's mum, is the best side character and she is just so funny as well. She is very surprising at times and I felt her love and support for Beverly to be very believable and real.

All in all I find the book has real character development and offers a great story to any reader. Hence, just as expected: this book gets my full recommendation!

This is my first time reading a book by Sara Goodman Confino (SGC). I have loved seeing her books grow in popularity among the niche Peloton Mom’s Book Club and have had her other books on my TBR for ages. When I saw an opportunity to request an ARC for her newest book, I decided it was meant to be and requested a copy.

Behind Every Good Man is a historical women’s fiction novel with a side of wholesome romance. This book gives off major Marvelous Mrs. Maisel vibes; you have a strong female lead hell bent on breaking down the patriarchal systems in the 60s, Jewish representation, and political history. I am convinced that SGC firmly pulled inspiration for Beverly Diamond’s character development from Miriam Maisel and you cannot convince me otherwise.

I adored this book, it was rich in history, humor, politics, Jewish identity, female empowerment, etc. I have since learned that SGC’s most recent book published last year, Don’t Forget to Write, is a tie-in to this new book and I have already snagged a copy so I can read more about the elusive and equally interesting Marilyn Kleinman. I really need to hear more about this window shattering kiss with the rabbi’s son.

If you like historical, women’s fiction with romance, and Jewish representation; this is a book you absolutely should check out. Behind Every Good Man comes out on August 6th. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book; all opinions are my own.

Sara knows how to write a strong female character! I love her female leads, they’re strong, persevering and inspirational. I will always pick up one of her books when I’m in need of a fun, heart warming, pick me up. This one took the cake and is my favorite so far!

When Beverly Diamond surprises her husband at the office, she finds him and his secretary in a most compromising position. Devastated by his betrayal, his bags are packed and Larry finds himself on a friend’s couch before the day is over. Feeling embarrassed and confused Beverly doesn’t see many options as a woman in 1962. Although she was an excellent student, Beverly gave up college and career to be a homemaker, a perfect wife and mother to her two young children. Now in her late twenties, Beverly refuses to let this man ruin her future. She chooses to use the lessons she learned watching the repeated success of her politician father and strong, competent mother. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Beverly realizes winning would be the sweetest revenge. As Larry runs the senatorial campaign of a two faced liar, Beverly weasels her way into the offices of an opponent. A young candidate named Michael Landau. He is smart, handsome and most importantly - breathtakingly honest. But Landau’s campaign has no money, no traction and very little direction. Well, she intends to change all that. Using every lesson and connection she has in her arsenal, Beverly turns the entire race upside down. Witty, fun and fast paced, this author once again brings us into the not so distant past when women looked the part but were not yet leading the way. They were entirely dependent on their husbands and the male counterparts of their families. The fight for independence and equality were hard won battles that are still in motion today. Do not miss this entertaining original novel and remember who you are when you vote this November.

I loved Sara Goodman Confino's Don't Forget to Write and I loved this one too. It was especially fun because a few characters from Don't Forget to Write make cameo appearances in this story. Beverly Gelman Diamond grew up in politics - her dad was the Speaker of the House. She meets and marries her husband Larry in her final year of college and never graduates. Larry is the campaign manager for the current U.S. senator from Maryland who is running for reelection. When Bev finds out that Larry is a liar and a cheater, she kicks him out and needs to reinvent herself - something that was much more difficult in the early 1960's than it is now, especially with two young children. Drawing on everything she learned about politics growing up, Bev goes to work on the campaign of the challenger running against Larry's candidate - Michael Landau. She has a knack for coming up with new, untested ways to attract voters. I'm obsessed with politics right now, so I loved all the campaign strategizing. Sara Goodman Confino's writing is excellent and hard to put down. I read this book in two days. I can't wait for her next book. Thanks to #netgalley #lakeunionpublishing and #saragoodmanconfino for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been meaning to try this author for a while now, and I couldn't help but feel curious about Behind Every Good Man. In theory, this isn't exactly my kind of read as it includes more than one pet peeve (cheating, politics, feminism), but there was just something about the blurb that made me want to take a chance and travel to the 1960s anyway. I'm SO glad I did now, because I ended up having an absolutely fantastic time reading Behind Every Good Man! I already know it will end up appearing on my list of 2024 favorites.

I love how Behind Every Good Man doesn't stay inside a neat little genre box and instead offers us a blend of different genres. It's part historical fiction with its 1960s Washington DC/Maryland setting. It's part romance with the growing connection between Beverly and Michael. It's part family drama with everything that is going on between Beverly and her cheating husband as well as the issues between her parents... And there is also a lot of focus on both politics and feminism along the way. I confess that some of those topics don't usually work for me, but somehow Sara Goodman Confino was able to make me forget all about those pesky pet peeves.

I think that part of the reason this story works so well has a lot to do with the main characters. It was extremely easy to warm up to Beverly, and her situation is used to show the lack of rights/resources women in the 1960s still had to deal with. Imagine not being able to buy a house without a man! The feminism element is quite strong in this story, but done in a way that doesn't sound preachy and it all feels natural. I loved how Beverly decides to take her life in own hands; what starts a revenge campaign against her cheating husband Larry, turns it into something so much more instead. What a way to show him who's best!

There is quite a lot of focus on the family drama of course, with Beverly having to deal with her husband and a possible divorce. With her parents having issues as well and with two young children to juggle with her new job, things aren't easy... Especially with Larry not being afraid to play dirty. Thankfully there is plenty of banter and humor incorporated into the plot, and the hilarious moments balanced out the more serious topics perfectly. The budding romance also helped of course... And you cannot help but root for Beverly and Michael to win in more than one way.

There is quite some focus on both politics and corruption, but it is all done in a way that isn't overpowering. I think this is the main reason I wasn't bothered by all this political talk, and I liked what it added to the plot. The writing itself is extremely engaging and simply addictive, and I've become an instant fan. Oh yes, I'm definitely kicking myself now for not trying Sara Goodman Confino's writing sooner! And I already can't wait to dive into her backlist next...

If you are looking for a well written, captivating and multi-faceted historical fiction read that mixes politics and romance with family drama as well as humor, I cannot recommend Behind Every Good Man enough. This author will be on my list of favorite new discoveries this year!

Sara never disappoints!! What another incredible book.

Ah, I loved her last book Don’t Forgot To Write and this one I thought was even better.
What makes this better you even get an appearance from Marilyn and she mentions Aunt Ada!

I adored that it was set in the 60’s.
Beverly was a strong woman who was very empowering. All the characters were great in this and I found it hilarious.

Sara’s writing is amazing and how you can fly through her books so easily and you easily get lost in them.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC! I can’t wait to read the rest of her books now.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC! Sara Goodman Confinó does it again! When Beverly Diamond catches her husband in a compromised position with his secretary, she kicks him out. This not the norm in the early 1960’s with two kids and no job. At first her mother advises her to overlook the situation but Bev’s mind is made up! Being raised in politics and soon ex working for front winning politician she gets even by working for up and coming politician Michael Landeau. With fierce determination and know how she sets her sights on his win. Her plate is pretty full, campaign, mother moving in, divorce on the horizon and election day. This fun book shows determination to make it your way no matter what everyone will say. With huge helping of humor this book hits the spot and characters from Don’t Forget to Write making appearances only makes it better!

Beverly Diamond has been the perfect wife to her husband who is a campaign manager for a Maryland Senatorial candidate in 1962. Until, that is, she catches him in a compromising position with his young secretary when she delivers cookies to the office. She quickly begins to re evaluate her marriage, wondering if the only reason he married her is that she is the daughter of a very successful Maryland politician herself. In order to get back at him, she becomes the driving force behind the senate race of her husbands competitor, and the games and fun begin.

This novel is full of wonderful characters. Bevs mother, who moves in to watch Bev's precocious children in order for her to get her candidate elected is a hoot. Stuart, candidate Michaels original campaign manager is a very interesting character and I really liked how his character developed and Michaels character is the political candidate we all wish were real. Bev herself grows and develops throughout the novel and realizes the power she can have as a woman despite what the men around her have always told her. For fans of the authors previous novel, Don't forget to write, which was a five star for me, there are some Easter eggs from that book in this one.

I thought this was a delightful novel with some important things to say about how far women have come since 1962. So far this author is 2 for 2 for me and I need to find her other two books as well. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the e galley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm grateful to Netgalley for giving me an early read of this book, because it was such a fun one! In the 1960s Beverly has been the perfect wife to Larry, who is a campaign manager for an incumbent senator of Maryland. Yet when Beverly catches Larry and his secretary doing things they shouldn't be doing, Bev kicks him out of the house and goes to work for the opposing senator.

Confino creates magnificent characters. They are real and funny and imperfect. The relationship between Bev and her mother is fantastic as they spar, collaborate, and support one another. Historical details are woven throughout seamlessly, and as much as I thought I knew of the limitations placed on women, I had no idea just how many there were.

As a bonus, if you read <i>Don't Forget to Write</i>, you'll spot cameos from a couple of characters. <i> Behind Every Good Man</i> is heartwarming, funny, thoughtful, and the perfect read when you need an escape!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am delighted to say I enjoyed this book as much as Confino's other historical fiction book about the main character's cousin. This book was set in 1962, well before my time, but my mom was a teenager. Beverly Diamond is a housewife and mother who rises an hour before her husband Larry, who is the campaign manager for incumbent Senator in Maryland Sam Gibson. Beverly's children are young, 5 and 2 years old. She brings her husband's office cookies every Friday. One day, she comes on a Thursday and discovers her husband in a compromising position with his secretary.

Beverly kicks her husband out of the home and, threatened by the worry of losing her home, gets a job first at a makeup counter in a department store. Beverly's mom leaves her dad to stay with her and the kids. Beverly's mother is such a fun character in this book. The job at the makeup counter is short-lived, but Beverly finds an article about a challenger to Senator Gibson, Michael Landau. She decides to try and get a job working for his campaign, partly as revenge against Larry and also because it's what she's good at doing as a daughter of a former Congressman. Michael hires her first as a secretary, then as junior campaign manager, much to Stuart's chagrin. Beverly gets off to a great start and brings in student interns and speaking engagements.

Truly an inspiring story at a time when women barely voted except for who their husband's supported. It's an important reminder of how far we have come and how far we must go, as well as the importance of voting for an honest candidate who wants to change laws to improve people's lives. Beverly is a determined woman on a mission only Larry may get in the way. I very much enjoyed this book, and the ending was satisfying. Also enjoyed the side characters and seeing her cousin Marilyn.

5 out of 5 stars. 8/6/24, highly recommended. Enjoyed the Jewish rep.

If you’re looking for a book about one woman’s sweet revenge during the 1960’s then check this out.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, @getredprbooks and @saraconfino for a physical ARC and @netgalley for the e-arc copy. All thoughts are my own.


Beverly showed up to surprise her husband and his office with cookies, and she was surprised with his secretary in a compromising position.

Believing that her soon-to-be ex is going to take the house out from under her, Beverly goes to work…doing the only thing she knows, politics. Too bad the only other game in town is the man running against her ex.

She’s out to prove her ex underestimated her in more ways than one and maybe make her own dreams come through in the process.


This was a wonderfully well-done book. I was laughing out loud right from the beginning. There was a line about how Beverly even turned the beaters off before giving them to her kids because she was a good mom and boy did that make me laugh out loud because it was so relatable. The humor kept going throughout the book and it kept things nice and lighthearted. I was so engaged throughout this book as well; I didn’t want to put it down and finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed how with Sara Goodman Confino’s last book I read, this one wasn’t entirely made up and had veins of truth in it. While I didn’t grow up during this time, my grandma and I would have long talks about what it was like for her when she was a mom going through a divorce during this time.

This book is a truly engaging and interesting read and I think that it will appeal to a wide audience.

Sara Goodman Confino has done it again. With strong Mrs. Maisel vibes, Jewish representation, politics, and a workplace/forbidden romance, her new book, Behind Every Good Man, was everything I love and so so good!
It’s 1962 and housewife and mother of two, Beverly, has just discovered that her senatorial campaign manager husband, Larry, is cheating on her with his secretary. When Larry threatens to sell their house, Bev needs to find a job. So she decides not only to put her political knowledge (thanks to her former Congressman father) to work, but to get revenge on Larry at the same time, by working for his boss’s opponent in the upcoming Senate election, and actually really helping to get the campaign in fighting shape.
I love what this book says about the importance of voting, and especially about the important role that women play in the electoral system. In the 1960s, and still today, many women vote how their husbands tell them to. I’ve heard this time and time again while out door knocking on election campaigns. This book challenges that and says that not only can women have influence over their husbands (although in a very 1960’s way), but that women should vote according to their own issues and what’s important to them. One of they key elements that Bev brings to the campaign is explaining to women how politics affects them.
I could go on and on. This book gets all the stars. I could not get enough of Bev’s mother, Millie, and her bestie Nancy. I also loved the Marilyn cameos (iykyk). @saraconfino, I just have one question: Did Bev end up going to visit Key West??

Really enjoyed this - Mad Men crossed with The West Wing! I really rooted for Beverly, and her mum, and all the other women who've ended up on the wrong side of male ambition in this book.

While I DO NOT recommend getting the flu and being mostly non-functional for a few days as I did, I DO recommend scheduling a couple of “sick days” for August and the release of this book.

I consider myself reserved with my ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews, so you know if I rate that, I’ll be reading it again and talking to everyone about it.

Why?
For starters the plot is solid. Bev is a likable FMC, does not waver on her “kick the cheating man to the curb” position and delivers the kind of grit on-page that I certainly hope my kids develop IRL.

Not only are the plot and MC strong, there is SO MUCH WIT in this book. I laughed a lot, and felt really invested in Bev winning in the end. So much so that when the inevitable misstep happens (which you could see coming from a mile away), I really wanted to reach through my kindle and shake her a bit.

Additional strong points: the secondary characters are well-developed, add depth and have their own plot lines that add to the story. SGC does a great job of pulling you into their world with a balance of action, dialogue and interiority. This made the world of Bev was almost palpable.

I honestly enjoyed this book so much I quickly downloaded her third and first books, and am now reading her second.

Beverly Diamond is a heck of a character. Set in the world of politics in the 60's, Beverly makes the decision to leave her husband after finding him in a compromising position with his secretary. She shows her intelligence and passion as she takes a risk and pursues a job as a campaign manager for a man in competition for the same job that her husband is also promoting. Beverly is strong and passionate and hard working. This story takes you into the 60's and shows you a glimpse of that world and how it was for women. It also brings back the wonderful character of Marilyn from Don't Forget to Write. I adored this book and I loved this world. The story was filled with enjoyable characters, and Beverly's mother is one I won't soon forget! Confino has become a MUST read author for me. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

My favorite thing about this book was the tenacity of the main character Bev. After she discovers her husband cheating, she doesn’t wallow; she sucks it up and finds a job, manages her family, and finds the perfect job. She somehow manages to find time to be a good friend, mother, daughter while navigating a challenging new job. Bev handles the stress of life with grace and determination. Even though this book takes place decades in the past, these themes are still relatable and relevant to every woman and mom I know. I also loved the cameos of characters from the author’s past books as well. Another hit by Sara Goodman Confino!