I absolutely loved everything about this book! The era, the banter, the sarcasm, the empowering of women in a time when that was still so focused on what we couldn't do. Bev is my hero! This book is so well written and flowed so well. I read it in one day! I couldn't put it down! I look forward to reading all the books from Sara Goodman Confino.

"Behind Every Good Man" by the fabulous Sara Goodman Confino tells the captivating story of Beverly Diamond, a remarkable woman whose journey reminded me of the charm and strength found in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," a show I absolutely adore.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by Beverly Diamond’s story. Set in the 1960s, a time when societal norms were rigid, Beverly’s determination to leave her husband and prioritize her children’s well-being was both inspiring and revolutionary. I am always drawn to stories of women who take control of their lives, even when it means facing criticism and challenges from family and friends.

Beverly’s confidence in demanding a job she knew she was perfect for was truly admirable. Her dedication to her family, showing her children that a woman can be influential and successful in a male-dominated world, was deeply moving. She demonstrated that it’s possible to excel professionally while being present and nurturing at home.

This book is incredible, and I can't recommend it enough!

In Behind Every Good Man author Confino strikes the perfect balance between women lit and historical fiction. Beverly Diamond decides to divorce her husband after catching him cheating, but when he threatened to sell the house she needs to find a job. But in 1962 the job opportunities are limited, however as a daughter of a Congressman and the wife of a campaign manager she is equipped to be the junior campaign manager for the man running against her husband's candidate. What follows is wonderful blend of balancing the frenzy of a campaign with being the mom of two small children; plus navigating public opinion when divorce was new and infidelity was still largely looked past. Strongly Recommend!!

This is such an entertaining read. There are many laughs to be had and found within the pages of this book.
Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino was such a good read. I laughed so many times and basically read it in one sitting.
The characters are all vivid and realistic. The story development went along nicely, had a comfortable pace and let us get to know all the characters in a timely manner.

Again, what a winner of a story from Sara!

1960s-
Beverly, after finding her husband in a cheating situation, she decides to put her knowledge of politics (her dad was in and her cheating husband is in them) to use. This all while trying to get a divorce, keep mothering her kids, deal with her mother moving in and trying to get political candidate Michael his Senate seat.

I really liked Bev. Her having to deal with her mother (who I couldn't stand much at first but she slowly won me over!) just had me busting a gut laughing. She was not one to back down from a challenge. She was so great in getting Michael in front of women voters to show that they should have a say and not vote a certain way because "their husband tells them who to vote for". She went out of her way to get Michael in front of Black persons because their votes matter too. I love how she stood up for Fran and got her out of a toxic work environment for the antisemitism that was clearly there.

(If you have seen The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this was totally in my head while reading.)

Sara Goodman Confino can do no wrong! Another hit from this author. Her characters are so well developed and engaging, you genuinely want to know what’s happening next.

BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN is my first Sara Confino book, but it won’t be my last.

After catching her husband in flagrante with his secretary, Beverly responds with the perfect form of revenge. She joins Michael Landau’s senatorial campaign. And she is a scholar at leading a political campaign, having been raised by a political-minded father and then helping to place her cheater husband in office. Beverly is sharp, witty, and determined. Michael’s poll numbers surge, lifting him above his opponent whose campaign is run by Beverly’s soon-to-be ex. Isn’t that a sweet turn of events? But nothing happens easily, so pay attention as the exchange of power shifts back and forth.

Beverly is a strong leading character, but her mother Millie made the story for me. Both women are strong-willed and sharp-tongued, and one need not underestimate either of them. For those who want a behind the curtain peak at politics, this is an accurate appraisal. But the strong underlying theme is how strong women can have an effect on the political culture. This book has it all: historical significance, a view of the social norm of the time, and some Jewish culture, all served with a side dish of laughter.

Sara Goodman Confino is the queen of writing smart and witty women who you root for the entire way through their stories.
In Behind Every Good Man, it’s 1962 in DC and we meet Beverly, whose world is flipped upside down when she catches her husband Larry in a compromising position with this secretary. She decides that she deserves better and kicks him out, but when he threatens to sell the house underneath them, she decides she’d rather make her own money. Using her own political savvy and motivated by the idea of financial security and revenge, she gets a job working for Michael Landau, who is running for Senate. The kicker? Larry works for Michael Landau’s opponent.
Beverly blossoms in her new role, although she struggles to find balance as a newly working mother of two young children. She finds strength and ability she didn’t know she was capable of, and love in unexpected places.
With an intriguing, fast paced plot, snappy dialogue, and wonderfully likable (and unlikeable!) characters, this book was a delight from start to finish. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a dash of romance and political intrigue.

After Beverly Diamond finds her husband in a compromising situation with his Secretary, she joins the campaign for her husband’s bosses political opponent. Separation in the 1960’s is not easy though.. and either is being a woman in politics.

Another hit by Mrs. Confino! I know I’m in for a treat every time I pick up one of her books. Beverly is a powerful character; funny, strong, and could be my new best friend. The time period is perfectly written and I can tell a lot of research went into it. I usually find fiction about politics boring, but this was far from it. Extra bonus points for taking place in my area - Montgomery County, MD.

“.. behind every good man is an even better woman.”

Behind Every Good Man comes out 8/6.

This novel is a great mix of historical fiction, drama, and romance. From the start the main character will draw you in and have you waiting to see what happens next. A true feel good story of feminism and finding yourself.

An absolute delight. Beverly Gelman Diamond is my hero.

Both the plot and the characters made this book for me. Bev standing up on her own two feet after walking in on her husband with his secretary?! Inspirational. But then you add that this was happening in the 1960s when women couldn't own property, take out credit cards, etc... the social commentary was so on point but done so subtly and with finesse.

Really loved the political backdrop and Bev's relationship with her mother. (Frankly, I thought her mother was a riot.) Also really enjoyed the romance aspect, but it was a genius move that it took the backseat to Bev's arc.

Confino delivered another must-read.

This was a captivating read overall but it unfortunately just wasn’t for me. I’d recommend to anyone seeking a read focused around women with a good dose of family drama.

Beverly Diamond is the quintessential 1960s housewife. Rising before her husband to get herself, their kids, and his breakfast ready, she is the definition of dedication. Then one day, Beverly decides to visit her husband, Larry, at his job in DC only to find her philandering spouse in the act. But while Beverly has always been devoted, she’s also no shrinking violet. Now with the tables turned, she’s no longer just a wonderful housewife, but a woman scorned.

That’s how Beverly comes to do the unthinkable in 1962- ask for a divorce. She knows the whisperings and hardship that comes along with such a decision, but she’ll be damned if she takes Larry back. But she doesn’t stop there. Larry works as a campaign manager for Maryland’s incumbent senatorial candidate, and growing up in a political family, Beverly has picked up a thing or two about politics. Armed with this knowledge and a need to carve out her own career, Beverly approaches the other candidate, Michael Landau, offering her services.

While at first her decision to support Landau comes from a place of revenge, the more she works with Michael, the more she begins to believe together they can really make a difference. Oh and it doesn’t hurt that he’s not bad to look at either. 😉 But as the campaign progresses, so do their feelings. Can Beverly prove that a modern day woman can really have it all, even if it means risking what she currently has in the process?

Well, Sara Goodman Confino has done it again, folks. Although I still need to read her first few titles, with this and her previous release, Don’t Forget to Write, she’s quickly carving out a historical fiction niche full of both humor and heart. Also, just like in her previous release, the supporting characters are just as memorable. In Behind Every Good Man we see a lesser, yet just as important focus on Beverly’s bossy mother, a force to be reckoned with in her own right. And although this book is set in the 60s, its political pulse still seems relevant all these years later- making this book both relatable and an unfortunate reminder of all the women’s work yet to be done.

If you enjoyed Don’t Forget to Write, don’t sleep on Behind Every Good Man. And if you didn’t read either book yet, what are you waiting for???

I found it very difficult to stay involved in the plot or be sympathetic to the characters- the writing style was not for me.

It’s 1960s Washington DC and Bev is married to Larry, the campaign manager of the incumbent senator and daughter of the retired senator and has always tried to be the perfect political wife, until she discovers him cheating with his secretary. After kicking him out Bev realizes she needs a job; realizing she has all the political savvy that Larry has, if not more, she walks into the underdog candidate's office and offers up her services. Now the two rival campaign managers are fighting both on the political field and in divorce court and things are about to get ugly. But Bev has a secret weapon - she knows that women are a great demographic that men have been ignoring for far too long, and this is the 1960s and it's time for women to be the powerful electorate that they deserve to be!

This was like Mrs. Maisel goes to Washington! How had I not read one of her books before?!? This was just a joy to read, it was funny and fun and exhibited the humor that Sara had on the call and I just adored it! I loved the Jewish representation, the optimism about politics (which we can all use right now), the feminism, the close family and the family drama (because every family has drama!). This is a fun historical novel with great characters. I cannot wait to read all of her other novels!

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC to review

Thank you to @netgalley for the advance copy.

This book takes place in the early 1960’s. Beverly is a model stay at home mom while her husband is a campaign manager for a Senate candidate.
One morning, she stops by to bring cookies to the office and walks in on her husband and his secretary. She throws him out, and to get even with him, she goes and begins working for the opposition as a campaign manager.
This was a quick read and very enjoyable!

Behind Every Good Man was my first Sara Goodman Confino book and I will be reading all of her books! I loved Beverly the strong female main character for her strength and tenacity. I loved the premise and how Sara weaved the story in and out of her professional and personal life.

Thank you Net Galley, Sara Goodman Confino and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to preview this book that will be available Aug. 6, 2024. The options expressed are my own.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5

This may be an unpopular opinion but I don’t love so-called “feminist” books. I actually dislike most books (esp lit fic) books that feel like I’m being preached at from a so-called feminist view. Being “told” how I should think or feel because I’m a woman, is something that grates on my nerves.

And that runs into my reading choices.

I am a woman. But I’m also an educated woman who doesn’t really need political feminist views in my books. Maybe others love it. But I don’t.

And that’s what I’m stating publicly before I review this book which is a genre blend of historical fiction, feminist rom com….

And for me.. it was perfection.

I stated how I normally shy from books that synopsis state as feminist ones but I trust in @sara that her books are equally fun, light hearted and spoken without pressure about what I should be thinking or feeling.

It’s got historical facts, women from history in politics, romance, women in families and women in work. Can I also say how refreshing it is to read a book that doesn’t trash a woman wanting to raise her kids and equally lifting a woman who is fully in the workplace.

This book isn’t “just” a feminist historical fiction. It is rom com lightness with a dash of romance and family dynamics all while taking in a political backdrop. I read it in one sitting, both smiling and laughing. Honestly, a breath of fresh air from me.

Wow. This book is phenomenal. I was blown away by the reminders of everything women have fought for so valiantly to make the lives of future generations better and how far we still have to go. Small victories add up to big wins and the wheels of time turn slowly, but they do turn. I loved Beverly and her relationship with her mother. You could really see the generational differences in some of the things they fought about, but also the love of a mother and the many sacrifices mothers will make for their children. I adored the camaraderie Bev found in her job despite a rough start and the way she just kept going for what she wanted. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the amazing Helen Laser, and it is a fantastic way to read this incredible story.

This was a whirlwind read for me! The first by Sara Goodman Confino.

Beverly is a privileged wife who puts her husband before all else - until she has a rude awakening that turns her life upside down. As she starts looking for purpose beyond being a homemaker, she quickly finds that her exposure to politics as a daughter of a congressman gives her a voice she can amplify.

I loved that while fictional, several of the characters were based on real individuals in the early 1960s. Honestly it was more progressive than I realized, and this novel brought it to life. It also resonated with the tenuous election cycle coming... that we all have a say in what matters.

Multidimensional characters, family drama, politics, love gone awry... highly recommend this!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.