When Jenna's husband falls for another woman things become more of a struggle. A road trip home with her quirky grandmother turns out to be something they can both benefit from. Both women's stories blend timelines to create a past that proves to help the present. A touching story of love, loss and possibilities is like a warm hug that reminds you of what and who is important.
Thanks Netgalley for the copy in return for my honest opinion.

"Evelyn Bergman...she's a force of nature"

She's also the octogenarian that stole my heart in this round of Christi loves quirky/fun characters. I mean "I should have thrown my drink in his face. Let that be a lesson to you. You get so few opportunities to throw a drink. Take them". Solid life advice right there! As she says herself "I make life more interesting" and she most certainly was a character in both timelines of the story who added plenty of interesting moments.

This is a story that made me laugh while also tugging at my heartstrings.

Evelyn as a teenager falls for a Portugese boys from the docks. She's always been able to bend her dad's will to her own so she's certain she can convince him the fact he's not Jewish is a non-issue.

Evelyn as an eighty-nine year old needs to return to the town of her youth for "private business". She conives to get her eldest granddaughter to drive with her. Her granddaughter, Jenna, is struggling to find herself after her husband left her.

I most certainly recommend this one if you like dual timeline stories of romance and family entanglements.

4.5 stars rounded up

She’s Up to No Good by Sara Goodman Confino. Pub Date: August 1, 2022. Rating: 4 stars. Jenna is a 30 something recently separated female who ends up on a road trip with her grandmother to Massachusetts. On the road trip, both females explore memory lane and Evelyn, the grandmother, tells her story of her past with messy love included. This book was all the feels with heartwarming, funny, sassy and growth. I recommend this book to all women's fiction readers! Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #shesuptonogood #lakeunionpublishing #netgalley

I made room in my murder book loving heart for SHE'S UP TO NO GOOD because I loved the author's first book, and I'm so glad I did!

I was cackling in the first few pages when Jenna's husband tells her he's "met someone." She was thinking, "that's nice," before it hit her what he really meant. Inexplicably, one of the first thing she blurts out is, "But we just bought a Peloton!" I don't know why that tickled my funny bone, but it did.

She moves back home into her childhood bedroom to nurse her wounds, and her mother is at a loss, so when the opportunity to road trip with her grandmother comes up, her mother urges Jenna to go. The two set off to Massachusetts, and hilarity ensues. Her grandmother reminded me so much of my own nana, I often realized I had happy tears in my eyes while reading.

This was a book about friendships, healing, and most of all, seeing another side of the people whom you love. Publishes August 1, 2022. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy.

The author wrote a charming book about a eccentric grandmother, Evelyn, and her granddaughter, Jenna, taking a trip back to the grandmothers home town. During the trip, Jenna learns fascinating truths and secrets about her feisty grandmother. Jenna realizes who she really is as well.

Anyone who has roadtripped with their grandmother or has been surprised by something she's said, will recognize the story of Evelyn and Jenna. Jenna's husband Joe was a. rotten cad. No two ways about it. She decides to drive Evie, her 89 year old grandmother, back East for an unspecified (for a long time) reason and we're off. This moves between the present and the 1950s romance of Evie and Tony. There aren't many surprises until there are. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. The last part of the novel is distinctly different from the first two thirds and it's what makes this a good read.

She’s Up to No Good is a fun and heartwarming read, but not without some heartbreak weaved in. I always say the best books make me laugh and cry, and this story hit the mark!

I am a huge fan of dual timelines, especially when it involves family members. This grandma/granddaughter duo on a road trip captivated me from the beginning. The banter between them had me laughing out loud. Evelyn is a stitch and I’m happy she pushed her granddaughter, Jenna, out of her comfort zone. The charming town of Hereford comes to life with seaside excursions, mouthwatering cuisine, and a cast of characters who will stay with you long after you read the last page.

I really loved the use of the dual timeline in this book and how it let us learn more about Jenna and her grandmother and the history of their family. While I thought the present timeline could have gone a little deeper, I love the lookback into Evelyn's past. This book was entertaining and thoughtful.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book! This was a fun summer read and I really enjoyed reading it! The characters and setting was super fun but I thought the romance felt a little forced. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend :)

I wish I had an Evelyn in my life. This book made me miss my grandma! Evelyn made me laugh so hard. I loved the dual story lines equally. There were a couple of times that i got confused because there were so many siblings and family members, but it didn't take away from how much I loved this book. While very different from For the Love of Friends, Sara Confino is becoming one of my favorites and I can't wait to read whatever is next. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a cute, funny romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud!

Jenna's husband, Brad wanted a divorced when he told her that he felt the marriage has gone wrong and that he was having a relationship with another girl. Heartbroken, Jenna moves back to her parents' house while going through the divorce. It was then that Jenna's grandmother, Evelyn was going on a road trip to Hereford and Jenna decided to join her grandmother. And as they go to the road trip together, Evelyn , a Jewish woman during her younger days was in love with a non-Jewish man named Tony. While switching between past and present, Jenna during her stay meets Joe, who is Tony's grand-nephew and even though Jenna didnt really want to fall in love, a romance starts developing between the two.

I actually enjoyed reading this book. Like For the Love of Friends, this was really cheesy and there were so many funny parts, particularly the conversation between Jenna and her grandmother that made me laugh out loud. I really like the writing and the author did a good job drawing the reader into the story, making the reader feel like they are also part of the journey with Jenna and Evelyn. I got interested in the romance between Evelyn during her younger days with Tony and how she faced so much of objections from her father as Tony wasn't Jewish. I did like the slow romantic relationship that developed between Jenna and Joe. The endign though predictable, I actually liked it and I really enjoyed having a fun time reading this book.

So if you are looking for a perfect summer read with funny background and a roadtrip to remember, then this book is one for you--worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

This book captivated me from start to finish. Sara Goodman Confino effortlessly weaves Jenna's tale from present day with her grandmother's story from the 1950s. The author had me laughing one minute (the Sweet N Low thief!) and wiping away tears the next. The story is one of lost love, found love, family and finding gumption. I adored all of the characters, especially Jenna's growth and Evelyn's antics. A superb read.

I loved Sara Goodman Confino's first book, so I laughed with delight at Lily's cameo and the fodder that Jenna gave Lily for her blog.

Also- as a Maryland girl, I loved all of the MD references!!

Great characters. Great plot. I love the banter and the storyline was beautiful and made me tear up a few times. This was funny & heart warming and made me feel a lot of things. Love the grandma ❤️

She up to no good was such a funny and witty story, such an easy read. Good plot and great characters!

Not what I expected from the cover. The main characters husband has just told her he wants a divorce. As she mopes and tries to pick herself up she ends up on a road trip with her Sophia Patrillo-Esque grandma. We learn about Evelyn’s (grandma) past and in the meantime our heroine buddies up to a local. I enjoyed the present day story more and felt the past really drawn out. It was not a rom com but more an exploration of the past and how it leads to the future.

Where do I even start with this one?? Evelyn, hands down, is my favorite character. She is hilarious and feisty and every interaction with her makes me laugh. I love all of her ‘lies’ and Jenna’s reactions are always great. Joe and Jenna are really good together and I love how their relationship develops. I really liked the revelation towards the end about how their two families came together, and Evelyn’s final surprise. Everything Sara writes is amazing and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

This book starts with MC Jenna and her husband, who informs her that he he is leaving her and would like a divorce. Turns out that he has fallen for another woman and wants out. This new life transition has Jenna moving back in with her parents as she deals with the fall-out of her destructing marriage. As Jenna is reflecting on her life, a new adventure awaits her in the form of her almost 90-year old grandmother who wants to road trip from Maryland to Massachusetts. Jenna is taken along for the ride and what a ride it is!

This is the perfect summer beach read, so fun and witty and with characters you will fall in love with! This story had all the feels and is a beautiful second chance story with a good dose of laughter and fun!

Thank you SO much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the eARC copy of this beautiful and fun book in exchange for my honest review and opinion!

Definitely a 5-star read for me!!!!

I absolutely loved, For the Love of Friends, when I read it last year. It made me laugh until I cried. When I saw the author had a new book coming out, I jumped at the opportunity to read it! It was very different than first and not as laugh out loud funny. At first I was disappointed, but as I got deeper into both Jenna and Evelyn’s story, I felt myself being pulled in by the writing. I absolutely loved the dual timelines and how Jenna was able to learn so much about her Grandmother and use what she learned to help heal her own wounds. Naturally, Evelyn was a hoot and while she exasperated her granddaughter, I found myself chucking at her antics. We first met Jenna’s Grandmother in For The Love of Friends ( although it is not necessary to read them together or in order). She reminded me a bit of my Grandmother, whom I am very close with. It also took place In my home state of Massachusetts, although admittedly I’m not all that familiar with the North Shore, it still added to the story for me. I love generational stories like this where we learn so much about the characters; their strengths and weakness; their mistakes and their achievements that we almost feel like we know them. This was this type of story. It was warm and fuzzy; sad and infuriating and of course had a bit of humor as well.

She’s Up to No Good by Sara Goodman Confino
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Evelyn Bergman is a force of nature.
And her granddaughter Jenna agrees to go on a trip with her to her hometown on unexplained “business”. What could her fiesty Grandma be up to?
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What I liked:
-I LOVED all of Evelyn’s back story. She had such an interesting life and such a HUGE family.
-Evelyn truly is a force of nature. Do NOT tell her what she can’t do! 😂😂
-There was a lot of heart in this story and I teared up a lot while reading it.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I didn’t love Jenna’s story quite as much as Lily’s story (For the Love of Friends) but this was still a fantastic book and I enjoyed every minute of it. I definitely enjoyed Evelyn’s chapters more than Jenna’s.

She’s Up To No Good is the second novel by American author, Sara Goodman Confino. Six months after her husband leaves her to fall into the arms of a younger woman, claiming that neither of them has been happy, Jenna Shapiro is holed up in her childhood bedroom in Maryland, too afraid to resume her life. But she remains resolute in her vow not to sign the divorce papers. In all honesty, she knows he’s right, but if she can’t be happy, why should he be?

Her mother continues to try, unsuccessfully, to coax Jenna into social interaction, so when Grandma Evelyn turns up with a plan to drive Massachusetts, Jenna sees a chance to escape the nagging. As they head towards Hereford, the place Evelyn Gold (née Bergman) grew up, she shares, bit by bit, the story of her romance with the man who came before Grandpa Gold: Tony Delgado.

When they arrive at their accommodation in Hereford Beach, it turns out to be one of the summer cottages that once belonged to the Bergman family, and the dishy guy handing over the keys seems well-acquainted with Evelyn. Joe Fonseca offers to show Jenna around the town while Evelyn attends to private business, the nature of which she refuses to share: Jenna smells a set-up. And, as nice as Joe seems, she’s just not ready for that!

The dual narrative strands tell two stories: Evelyn’s, told in flashbacks, describes a forbidden romance set against the backdrop of a large and loving 1950s Jewish family; Jenna’s occurs in the present day. Evelyn’s story demonstrates that adage that the course of true love never runs smoothly.

What a wonderful cast of characters Goodman Confino gives the reader. The star, of course, is Evelyn, whom we meet as a rather manipulative octogenarian, but who is described in her late teens as a headstrong, obstinate daughter who is wilful, confident and used to getting her own way: “self-doubt never had a firm grip on Evelyn’s psyche”.

The object of her teenaged affections, Tony proves to be a young man of integrity and wisdom whose speech to Evelyn’s father, Joseph can’t fail to bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat, but that’s not the only moment that will exercise the tear ducts, so have the tissues ready. The banter between Evelyn and her prospective husband, and between Jenna and Joe is very entertaining, as are many of Evelyn’s antics. A very enjoyable romance read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.