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!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. i really wanted to love this but it seemed repetitive and maybe it would make a better movie because of all the visuals. i love that beverly is a take charge, take no shit kind of woman and i liked where her story was going. if they could stop with the quips and the oh my goodness situations, it would be a lot better.

This was such a great book! I loved the story line, the characters, the sub plots-everything!! Bev was awesome and her mother is my new fictional hero! I want to read more about Michael and Stewart-I want to know everything about them!

I loved this book, the characters, time period and most of all the humor. Beverly is shocked to walk into her husband’s office to find him cheating on her. Once she kicks him out, she decides to look for a job. As a stay at home Mom, her skills were limited except for the fact she grew up the daughter of a political family with a congressman father. Joining a campaign was also a way to stick it to her husband, since he was the campaign manager for a competitor. Although there was much to laugh about, the setting of the early 1960’s told a lot about the obstacles women faced in finding jobs and getting ahead. Beverly is a great character, and her interactions with her mother really enhanced the story. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I devoured Sara Goodman Confino’s 𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗡 in a day! But I’ve been struggling to write this review because everything I want to say I know I already did in my post about her last book. So rather than try to reinvent the wheel, I’m sharing the same thoughts because they sum why Sara is at the top of my auto-buy list.

“No one writes realistic and entertaining stories about women figuring out who they are quite like she does. With wonderful Jewish rep, characters you won’t want to leave behind and dialogue that will both crack you up and tug at your heartstrings, this book, like her others, is an absolute delight.”

Trust me when I tell you to add this book to your TBRs. If you took 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘔𝘳𝘴. 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘭 and added a bit of 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘦, you’d get this fabulously fun read that’s perfect for the beach. I loved the cameos from her 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘛𝘰 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 characters, the special thanks to all of us in @pelotonmomsbookclub where we’ve been lucky to get to know and support Sara, and how the story leaves you hopeful about politics which I think we can all use a little more of.

4.5 stars

Huge thanks to the author and Get Red PR for the copy to review.

The year is 1962, and Beverly Diamond strives to be the perfect wife and mother, always making sure all her husband Larry’s needs are met, despite what her own needs may be. But when she catches Larry at the office in a compromising position with his secretary, she decides she’s had enough. She’s the daughter of the former Speaker of the House, so she knows her way around D.C. And what better way to get back at her husband - who’s running the campaign for the incumbent Senator - than to volunteer to run the campaign for his opponent?

What starts out as revenge ends up with a push for being recognized for who is she and what she - and all women - can bring to the table, if men would only let them. Add to the mix is her mother - who moves in with her to help with the children while she works, and the book provides is quite funny too. Although the story is set in 1962, there are similarities to what’s going on now, and with the election a few months away, this is a timely read. Out now - I highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

Thank you @getredprbooks @saraconfino for a gifted copy!

✨ 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 ✨
It’s the 1960s and Beverly Diamond catches her husband Larry in a compromising position with his secretary, and she asks for a divorce. When her husband threatens to take away the house, she decides to get even by getting a job on the political campaign against the one her husband is running!

Beverly grew up with her dad in politics and rubbing elbows with the political elite, so she brings a lot of wit and determination to the table. Immediately, she has doubts from another man she works with, but her boss and political candidate Michael believes in her. As she continues working, she finds some purpose in herself and gains confidence along the way. Bev is a dynamic and driven woman who showcases what someone can accomplish even if the odds are against them.

This novel was a fun one to read about during this time period in history. There was a lot of fun banter and cheekiness from the characters in this one, and I enjoyed Bev figuring out her place as a newly single mom. She had supportive females surrounding her, and how they stepped in to help their friend in need was amazing! I also liked her relationship with her mother and seeing her family dynamics with her father.

Pick this one up for a fun look at 1960s politics with family drama, humor, and many strong willed women!

✨ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔹 Historical Fiction
🔹 1960s Politics
🔹 Women’s Rights
🔹 Strong FMC
🔹 Jewish Rep
🔹 Romantic Subplot

This is a historical read set in a time when women were treated differently. This book was funny and classy. It's a love story that keeps you hooked til the end. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

When I picked this book up I wasn’t really in the mood for it. I figured I would give it a shot because this author always has reliable books so I was hoping it would pull me out of a slump. It definitely did and barely a few chapters in I was rooting for the MC, Beverly, to figure out how she would support herself and her kids. I liked seeing Beverly come into her own and prove her skills. It was empowering and inspiring even though the end is sorta obvious. I enjoyed the ride. Check this book out if you like reading about a woman picking herself up and moving forward or if you like books centered around politics.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Great book. Great strong female character. Loved the consistency with the language of the era. Thanks for the copy.

4.5 stars rounded up. I previously read and loved Don't Forget to Write earlier this year, so I jumped at the chance to read Sara Goodman Confino's latest work, and she did not disappoint!

Beverly grew up in a political family in the Washington, DC suburbs. As is typical of women of her generation, she married young and devoted her time to being a dedicated wife and mother. The novel starts in 1962, when Beverly discovers that her husband, who also works in politics as a campaign manager for a senator, is cheating on her with his secretary. Not only is she blindsided and devastated by her husband's indiscretion, she is reeling with figuring out how she is going to support herself as a single mother. On a whim and to get revenge on her ex, Beverly offers to work for the opponent to Larry's boss, a younger and idealistic man named Michael who is running for Senate.

This was the best of what I appreciate about historical fiction - giving us the perspective of our predecessors, especially women of the past, and making it relevant to what is going on in today's world. In this book, the focus is on political corruption, voting rights, racism, and the continued attack of women's rights. . . Sound familiar? While there was also an element of forbidden office romance, the focus of the story was on Beverly blossoming into an independent and confident woman.

I also loved the Marilyn and Ada (from Don't Forget to Write) "Easter eggs" scattered throughout the book. Sara Goodman Confino will now be an auto-buy author for me and I look forward to going back and reading her first two novels! Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-book arc to read in exchange for my opinion.

After a second 5 star book from Confino, she will now be an auto-read for me! I loved Behind Every Good Man and was not ready for it to end. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for Beverly and Michael's success. Hopefully Confino will continue to write novels in this universe and we will get to see more of them. Highly recommend this one and will continue supporting Confino's future novels!

Thank you to NetGalley for helping me confirm that if I could invite ten celebrities to dinner. Sara Goodman Confino would be eating matzoh ball soup with me as soon as possible.

Behind Every Good Man is the story of Beverly, a dutiful wife until she walks in to her husband's office and finds Larry in a very compromising position with his secretary. She immediately decides that she and her children will be far better off without him, and she resolves to build herself a new life. This includes becoming the secretary/ junior campaign manager for Michael Landau, who is running for state Senator against Larry's employer. Beverly originally takes the job as as an act of revenge but she quickly sees that she can help make a difference in the world of.women's rights with Michael in her corner.

This book is filled with adorable children, an overbearing and extremely lovable mom, despicable politicians versus honest and well-intentioned ones, and a cast of characters that are utterly unforgettable.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Sara Goodman Confino for access to the ARC!

I LOVE SARA! She is tied as my top favorite author these past couple years and I devoured this book. Now that it's been released for all, I'm re-reading it! Her characters are so well-developed and absolutely delightful and I love the time period the books are set. It was this book that made me realize my own grandmother would have been around my age when this book was set. She was quite the socialite I know from stories she's told and newspaper articles I've discovered through genealogy research (social columns!). The mention of Tupperware parties in this book also made me smile as I could picture the color schemes my Granny and Mom had through the decades.

We find Beverly Gelman Diamond in 1962 when less than half of North American women were in the workforce. Beverly catches her husband with his secretary and she suddenly needs a job and a divorce lawyer. She also has to deal with her mother who moves in to help with the children and is horrified at the thought of her daughter working outside the home. I also appreciated that Beverly empowered an acquaintance to leave her job knowing she would be fired for being Jewish. Not only did Beverly give Francine the courage to leave her job, but she also empathized with Francine realizing their familial situations were not all that different. Sara nailed the time period once again!

Beverly seeks revenge on her ass of a husband by trying to beat him at his own game. He is a campaign manager for a politician and she gets a job managing the rival's campaign. She is determined to show Larry what he lost while proving that women are important to this election and want to have a voice in politics. I'm certain it's not irony that this book was published during an election season!

Don't sleep on this one! You won't regret snagging a copy and losing yourself in Behind Every Good Man. It's a fast read sure to delight fans of hilarious, strong women who aren't afraid to ruffle some feathers. I had Mrs Maisel vibes as I read this and also appreciated a well-timed cameo of a favorite
character in another Sara Goodman Confino book.

What I liked: 1960’s historical fiction focusing on the power of women voters, when a scorned homemaker becomes a campaign manager as revenge to her philandering husband. Great characters, humor, romance, and Jewish representation.

What I disliked: Highly disappointed that the Clark County Library District has no books by this author in neither their physical nor e-book collections.