The Trouble With You follows Fanny Fabricant as she rebuilds her life in post-WWII New York after a personal tragedy. Balancing motherhood, a career in radio, and navigating the Red Scare, Fanny faces tough choices and family pressures. I enjoyed the strong female characters and the historical backdrop, though at times the multiple themes felt overwhelming. Despite the slower pace, the well-developed characters and setting kept me engaged.

I really enjoyed this Historical Fiction story that took place after WWII as Fanny Fabricant, a young wife and mother who has just lost her husband Max.

It was character driven and tackled the topics of that time.

*thank you St Martin’s Press, the RB Media and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review. I enjoyed the cast, and would recommend the audio format.

Fanny Fabricant's husband returns from the war, unlike her cousin Mimi's. Life is what it should be, but only a short time passes before tragedy strikes. Fanny's life is changed forever. Fanny and her daughter, Chloe begin to come to terms with their loss in the midst of a disease outbreak and the Red Scare. Fanny takes a job in the radio business and becomes interested in writing. Fanny struggles to make the best decisions for her and her daughter while listening to both her very tradition cousin and her very non-traditional Aunt Rose. Between Rose, Fanny, and Chloe, this is a family of strong women who (each in their own way) fight for what they believe.

I listened to this while driving to and from work, and it kept me entertained. I loved the side characters and learning about more about "the blacklist" that ruined people's lives during this time period. I love reading about people who stand up for what they believe in and fight for their friends and loved ones. This book provided that. I would say 3.5-4 stars, worth reading.

A good book with likable characters and relatable lives. I especially enjoyed the witty banter of Charlie and Fanny.

I struggled a bit to get into this book, but overall I enjoyed the story. I feel like it was lacking some depth within the characters' love lives. The ending was satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook. I used to make myself read or listen to everything, but now, if it doesn’t hold my interest, then I don’t make myself listen to it. I made it through about three hours of this book, and I just could not get captured by the characters. For someone who loves historical fiction, you may really enjoy this story, but it is just not my usual style.

I enjoyed this book, even though some parts made me really mad due to the way women were treated during the time of this book, however it wasn’t my favorite.

I liked the way the author handled a lot of the social issues that plagued the time period but there were times it felt like there were so many issues going on that I couldn’t keep them straight and felt like it was too much. Too many topics were touched upon.

The book was an easy listen and I enjoyed the narration but it was a bit slow for me overall.

This is the first novel I've read that uses radio as part of the plot. I really enjoyed Fanny's story of growing into her role at the radio station when her husband dies.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I love books set in New York City and fell in love with this gorgeous story.

I loved so many things about this book. An historical fiction novel with a a great setting, a fierce independent woman and beautiful writing. A compelling, moving and captivating story. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂 by Author Ellen Feldman released February 20,2024.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

The Trouble With You, written by Ellen Feldman, is about a young mother named Fannie, who has to do what she can to support herself and her daughter. After a family tragedy, Fannie realizes that she has to get a job, but she is lucky to have her Aunt Rose to help her find something suitable. But this job takes her further than she thought it would, and starts making her question her beliefs, and what she will or won’t do to support herself and help a friend.
I really enjoyed this book. I have not read too many books about the Red Scare, but this was a good one! Definitely recommend.

I really loved this book. It’s a wonderful story of a woman’s life in the 50s, the political climate and a small love story.
I think it will be a good book for book groups.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮
𝐁𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟐.𝟐𝟎.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒


The war is over, and young Fanny Fabricant finds herself a widow. While most women are returning to domesticity now that the men are home, Fanny needs a job to support her young daughter. She lands a position as a secretary to the “queen” of radio serials (not to be referred to as soap, but it kind of is).

The story is character-driven, with strong women like Fanny and her independent Aunt Rose leading the way. While I would have liked to have explored the characters more deeply, not doing so kept the book on the more lighthearted side.

New York City and the changing cultural and political landscape of the 1950s made for an interesting backdrop. The author worked in some of the then-current historical events, such as the “red scare” and blacklisting of screenwriters, which brought an authentic feel to the narrative.

This was a fresh and entertaining look at life in the post-WWII years, especially for women.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @stmartimspress and @ellenfeldmanauthor for a spot on tour and the gifted book.

Thank you Recorded Books Media for the gifted audiobook.

3.5*
Fanny is a young widow. Her husband returned from WWII only to die suddenly, leaving her alone with her little girl. With the war over, the many women who had filled jobs for the men serving overseas, are now expected to return to their roles as housekeepers and wives. But as a single parent, Fannie is forced to find a way to support herself. Living in New York City, she gets hired as a typist for a radio drama where she meets creative people and finds her own talents recognized.

Amidst the story of Fanny’s challenges is the background story of the turbulent times due to the McCarthy hearings. Many in the entertainment business have been targeted for suspicious behavior and have even been blacklisted. Fannie’s co-workers live in fear of being investigated.

The characters are likeable and the relationships work. Fanny's little girl is adorable and adds charm to the plot. Fanny evolves quite a bit, making the story more satisfying. She discovers her own voice and becomes more assertive. Fanny’s interactions with one of her co-workers shows her ability to trade witty banter with the best. Feldman brings the story of a strong woman set in the trying times of the “Red Scare” to light. It’s entertaining and totally engaging.

Kathryn Markey is the narrator and she does a great job of presenting the novel. She adds just the right touch to enhance the listening.

The story of a wife and mother, Fanny, post World War II who at first is lucky because her husband Max returned from war. Then tragedy strikes and suddenly she is a widow with a small daughter in a time when women are not supposed to work, as they are taking men's jobs. However, Fanny has to provide for her daughter in an error of McCarthyism blacklisting and persecution and challenges stereo types and defends her beliefs.

Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC.

I love stories with a strong female protagonist so this was an instant hit with me. Fanny & Charlie’s banter had me laughing out loud and I loved Fanny’s growth throughout the book.

I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator done a fantastic job.
3.5 STARS ⭐️💫
———————
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the opportunity to review this book.

This usually is not the type of book I gravitate towards, but I was in the mood for something historical that isn't a crime novel for once. And I regret nothing. Nice characters, an intriguing story and even some food for thought made me enjoy this even more than I hoped I would. A bit more background knowledge on my part wouldn't have hurt, though. At some points I felt a bit lost, but never enough to dnf.

As someone who grew up in the 1970s and 80s, the concept of moms staying home wasn't foreign to me. However, there were plenty of moms who still worked.

In The Trouble with You, Fanny is forced into the workforce as a widow who must support her daughter. Yet, she soon discovers that she finds joy in working and pride in doing her job.

After a while, she finds herself needing to decide whether to take the 'safe' route and remarry so a man can care for her. Or, she can continue on the path of being independent (and have an 'affair' with someone she loves but can't marry while he's still blacklisted.)

Ellen Feldman has done a great job at bringing the reader into NYC during the 1950s. She not only showed how differently women were treated and the expectations placed upon them, but also about the 'red scare' that happened during that time.

Kathryn Markey's narration was spot on and helped me to envision the different scenes.

I would like to express my gratitude to Recorded Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. The opinions shared in this review are entirely my own.

I would live to give this book a 4.5☆. While it is somewhat predictable, it's not glaringly so. I enjoyed being taken back to a time that was pivotal in our society.

I loved watching Fanny grow and evolve. She didn't just follow social norms because it's what was expected. She took some risks but still kept herself and her daughter protected.

I received an advance review copy for free; this review is 100% honest and my own opinion, and I wrote it voluntarily.

This book was definitely an engaging read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of character-driven historical fiction with strong female protagonists. Very well written with a great plot! Thank yo to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eye-opening, engrossing, and moving, The Trouble with You recounts a young woman’s journey through unexpected widowhood into confident professionalism during Senator McCarthy’s crusade to destroy the entertainment industry and turn America into a land of snitches. Fanny is a young mother whose husband made it through the Second World War and returned to embrace his family and pursue his medical career. When tragedy strikes, Fanny is unmoored: not a war widow but a woman adrift in a world where working mothers are viewed with distaste, but economic necessities refuse to just disappear. I loved the entire cast of characters: Fannie’s colleagues, her friends, Aunt, Rose, and Fannie’s observant and precocious daughter. And I loved the quiet love story that plays in the background, never demanding the spotlight but nonetheless providing a beautiful sketch of a relationship determined to survive like a flower in the midst of rocky soil. I look forward to reading more work by Ellen Feldman.