Camille Pagán does it again and can I add that she's becoming one of my favorite authors. She has a magical way of writing books that address heavy topics but in a gentle and comforting fashion. I feel for the characters and their situations, but not in a way that makes me want to hide under the covers for the rest of the day.

In her latest upcoming novel, Good for You, we met Aly, editor-in-chief at All Good, who after a screaming altercation at two of her co-workers (that was recorded and leaked) is forced to take a month long unpaid leave. But you want to know the worst part...Aly blacked out for a moment after said incident and has no clue what she said. Something that has happened quite a few times in her life. This leads Aly to finally go back home to Michigan to address the lake house her late brother, Luke, left to her just 9 months ago after his accidental death on the waters of Cuba. What Aly thinks will be a quiet time to help figure out how to keep her job and come up with ideas to help the financially sinking magazine, turns out quite different. Much to her surprise, Luke also left the lake house to his best friend, Wyatt, who drives Aly up a wall and is currently living at the house unbeknownst to her. Can you guess where this is going? What follows is a really funny but sensitive story about grief, love, starting over and helping to overcome trauma from our childhoods. (Trigger Warning this book does address physical abuse of a child but not in a descriptive fashion, the death of a sibling, and also alcohol abuse.) This story comes out March 1st and I really think you're going to love it!

I've long been a fan of Camille Pagán and think this was her best yet. Tender and honest insights are balanced with a well-paced plot and Pagán's smooth prose, which is consistently straightforward but polished. This one was a joy to read and will find a solid audience with not only those who love books with a balance of both joy and depth, loss and renewal.

I loved this book. Camille Pagán is a masterful storyteller, and this may be my favorite book of hers to date. Her books are full of wit and charm, and this one's no exception.

"Good For You" is a wonderful story about starting over and facing down your fears--and finding love and support in unexpected places. The characters leap off the pages and remind us that we grieve because we have loved so deeply. This book has such a huge heart, and handles what could be a heavy subject with humor and grace--it's a story that will stay with me for a long time.

GOOD FOR YOU by Camille Pagán is a heartwarming and emotional story of grief, friendship and love that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I have read and loved nearly all of this author’s books, but this is absolutely my favorite one yet. Aly Jackson has worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming editor of All Good magazine. After losing her brother Luke a year ago, Aly is still having difficulties coping with her grief. When a very public meltdown forces her to take an unpaid leave of absence for a month, she heads to the Lake Michigan beach house Luke left her when he died. When she arrives, Aly is shocked to find her brother’s best friend, Wyatt, living there. She soon learns that Luke left the house to both of them. As they try to navigate this uncomfortable situation, Aly and Wyatt find they are both mourning Luke, but in very different ways. Can they overcome their differences and fulfill Luke’s final wishes? The characters are portrayed so beautifully and their touching story captured my heart. I loved seeing the evolution of Aly and Wyatt’s relationship. The story made me laugh and cry and I did not want it to end. I highly recommend this wonderful book. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review an early copy.

Good for You is indeed a book that will be “good for you”! I was caught up in a whirlwind of emotions so powerful that I finished in one day, I could not stop reading. The main character, Aly, is driven and ambitious, her life planned out in a way that makes it hard for her to veer off in another direction. When she is thrown a curveball that derails her plans, she heads to the house her beloved brother left to her when he died—only to discover that her brother’s best friend Wyatt is living there! There is a lot to unpack in this stirring novel—Aly’s traumatic past as well as the pain that both Wyatt and Aly feel as they mourn the loss of her brother, his friend. I felt everything they did as they navigated through their feelings, including their growing feelings for each other. I laughed, cried, grieved and loved right along with Aly and Wyatt in this gem of a book. The author has gifted readers with complex characters and a story which will touch their hearts as it did mine.

I wish every day were a day I could read and review a Camille Pagan novel. Her stories always resonate with me. Though I have never lost a sibling, I have lost a loved one and struggled with grief; hence, “Good For You” rang true for me in many different ways.

Aly recently lost her brother, Luke, who was her constant support through their turbulent childhood. She thinks she is coping just fine, but while at work as Editor-in-Chief at fledging “All Good” magazine, she has a breakdown—which she cannot remember, but which was unfortunately caught on film. She’s given a leave of absence and uses that as an excuse to break it off with her long term live-in boyfriend. But without a place to live (and not much money), she’s not sure where to go until her best friend, Harry, suggests she stay at the house Luke left for her. She’s against it, but without many options, she heads to Michigan, promising she will only stay for a few weeks while she brainstorms ways to save her job as she prepares to sell the house.

Yet, she’s surprised to run into Luke’s close friend, Wyatt, who—to her shock—also inherited the house. They immediately butt heads. He doesn’t want to sell—and believes Aly shouldn’t either. What develops is both a friendship and a romance as both Aly and Wyatt learn and grow from their connection to one another. e

I admit I was worried that when Wyatt was introduced, this would turn into a Hallmark rom com. While there is romance (and a few steamy scenes) in this novel, Camille Pagan deftly writes about family dysfunction and saying goodbye. I could not stop thinking about this novel after I finished it. How often can I say I wish the novel were longer?

Four and a half stars.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

This is now my absolute favorite Camille Pagan book!
Aly Jackson is on an involuntary, unpaid, LOA from her job as Editor of a magazine.
There was an altercation with a colleague in a public setting, in front of more than a few people and this is to be her penance.
She runs to her deceased brothers cabin in Lake Michigan and learns it is not empty.
NOW WHAT?
It is half hers, half his, so they need to figure this out!
What can they do? Share, sell, split it?

There is romance, hurt, sadness,secrets, family and definitely friendship as you turn the pages of this wonderful story!
I am telling you, I loved it. There is so much entwined in this novel, that makes it so good!

Thank you to Camille Pagan for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
Do yourself a favor and find time for this one!