Think Jane Austen with a dash of *Queer as Folk* and a whole lot of side-eye. The townsfolk are a delightful (and occasionally terrifying) bunch, each with their own carefully constructed facades and hidden desires. The internal monologues alone are worth the price of admission – a constant stream of witty observations and relatable anxieties.

The romantic possibilities are as tangled as a poorly pruned rose bush, with enough yearning glances and accidental hand-holding to make even the most cynical heart flutter (a little). Shaffer has a knack for creating characters you simultaneously want to hug and interrogate over a strong cocktail. The small-town setting, while picturesque, feels like a pressure cooker of unspoken feelings and simmering resentments.

While the pace occasionally ambles like a Sunday afternoon stroll (perhaps a *tad* too leisurely at times), the payoff is a satisfyingly nuanced exploration of community, connection, and the universal human experience of figuring out who you are and who you want to hold hands with.

**Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This book was the perfect witty companion for my own, thankfully less dramatic, weekend.** If you enjoy your small-town stories with a generous helping of queer charm and a side of sharp wit, then pack your bags and head to *Town & Country*. Just be prepared for a few unexpected detours on the road to happily ever after.

The publisher compares Brian Schaeffer to Fredrik Backman, and I can see why. Both writers introduce a large number of main characters at a rapid pace, making the first 20–30% of the story hard to follow. Add in the head-jumping, which I’m usually not a fan of but feels natural with both authors, along with a small village setting where tensions run high between people, and it’s easy to draw the comparison, especially to Backman’s Beartown series.

I struggled through the first quarter, but once I got up to speed, I began to appreciate the contrasts between all the characters. The story paints such a clear picture of a small town in a swing state, highlighting the minor differences that ultimately shape people's political choices.

Town & Country introduces a large cast of characters, from the mostly white, cheating, rich gay men buying the biggest houses as summer retreats and hosting pool parties in their tiny bathing suits, to Griffin’s mostly white original residents: Diana, a real estate agent raised by progressive parents who turned to the church as an adult; her husband, who owns the local pub and is now running for Congress; and their children, one a drug addict, the other recently out as gay.

I was most drawn to the storyline between Eric and Dalton. Eric is part of the gay clique but starts to like the quietness of the village, while Dalton is a young gay farmer living with his dad, and they’re barely getting by.

While reading, the current situation in the US was constantly in the back of my mind. Something just gnaws at me each time I see that man on television or online, and I hate the polarization. This book shows the struggles of real people, and I admire the way Brian Schaeffer depicts flawed characters. Eric and Dalton both picture the differences between the two groups so clearly and also show that those differences might not be that big after all.

Actual rating 4.5 stars

This was a 3.5 or so for me, rounded up to a 4.

The book was definitely slow to start, as it introduced several characters. It was also a bit too keep up but after a bit of getting into the story, I was able to start piecing the network of characters and how they all relate to one another. I encourage you to keep reading as you start getting into the stories and even this fictional campaign.

I enjoyed how the author brought up several social issues and interwove it within an election (gay identity, overdose/drugs, rural issues, gentrification, suicide, etc). You see characters who are caught up between party lines and between themselves as they are figuring out their identity and place in the community.

I felt some characters and stories/issues were introduced but ended up not being fleshed out. And, we never know who wins the election. The ending was intended to be heartwarming, but also leaves many questions for several characters in mind.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the setting and premise of this book. The small town, the mix of characters, the politics and drama…. all of that was enjoyable. Unfortunately this book had a slow start and too many characters for me and I found myself struggling a bit. I think a lot of people will like this one but it just wasn’t fully working for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

One of my best reads of 2025 so far! The author's style took a little getting used to after the prose-heavy opening that introduced lots of characters, but in the end, this book was so fulfilling. The characters and the setting were delightfully textured, and the plot moved along at a good pace. The rural town of Griffin really came to life in this story, and I was sad to leave it when the story finally came to an end.

It's hard to say who this book may appeal to the most, but I think anyone who grew up in a small town, especially in a conservative area, will relate to the dynamics between the candidates and the local citizens in this book. The plight of the farmer, the homophobia, and the scourge of drug use in rural America will all feel familiar. The writing is complex but shifts across at least a dozen perspectives seamlessly throughout the story. I loved it and couldn't point it down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my unbiased feedback.

Town & Country by Brian Schaefer is a debut novel that masterfully captures the complexities of contemporary life in a small town. Set in the rural community of Griffin during a contentious congressional race, the story delves into the lives of candidates, their families, and a group of gay second homeowners, all grappling with issues of identity, socioeconomic status, loyalty, and change.​

The narrative centers on Chip Riley, a local pub owner and town supervisor, who faces off against Paul Banks, a wealthy newcomer from New York, in a political campaign that exposes and intensifies the town's social and political divisions. As the election unfolds, the personal struggles of their families come to the forefront. Diane Riley, Chip's wife, is torn between her role as a real estate agent selling homes to outsiders and her deep-rooted community ties and religious beliefs. Their sons, Joe and Will, confront their own challenges—Joe battling grief and addiction, and Will exploring his own sexual identity within Paul's influential circle.​

Schaefer's storytelling is both insightful and emotionally resonant, offering a kaleidoscopic portrait of a community in flux. The novel's richly developed characters and intertwined relationships evoke the intricate dynamics of small-town life, reminding me a bit of Richard Russo's towns and casts.

Spanning six months from Memorial Day to Election Day, "Town & Country" invites readers to reflect on timeless questions: What makes a home, and what do we owe our neighbors and community? It's a powerful exploration of the emotional and social implications of change, making it a compelling read that lingers long after the final page.​

This book doesn't just tell a story—it invites you into the heart of Griffin, making you feel like part of the town's unfolding drama. A must-read that will leave you contemplating the true essence of home and belonging.
#TownAndCountry #BrianSchaefer #AtriaBooks #BookReview #SmallTownFiction
#atria #town&country #brianschaefer

I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads. The book is set for release in November 2025, and I’m beyond thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this debut work from an exciting new author.

Set over the course of six months, this novel centers around a congressional election in a small, rural town. The two candidates are polar opposites in their worldviews, yet both (along with the richly developed other characters) are desperately seeking acceptance within their community. This dynamic creates a compelling narrative that is as deeply personal as it is politically charged.

Every so often, you come across a book that is not only bold and thought-provoking but also impossible to stop thinking about. This is one of those books. The months leading up to its November release will feel like an eternity as I eagerly anticipate seeing it in the hands of other readers and discussing it further. In the meantime, I’ll be recommending it to book clubs and can’t wait to hear others' thoughts on the novel’s powerful themes.

This book is one that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned. A brilliant debut that deserves attention—4.5 stars!

This one was a bit of a slow start, mostly due to the large cast of characters that are introduced, but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. Town and Country is a beautiful debut novel that explores the emotional and social implications of change within in a small town. In the midst of a congressional race, this story delves into the lives of people who are caught between tradition and change, leading to conflicting loyalties. To me, there were times that this felt like a Midsomer Murders episode (minus the murder) with the ways that the lives of people in the town were intertwined and how secrets began to surface.

The plot revolves around a tense political battle between a local pub owner, Chip Riley and an ambitious and wealthy outsider, Paul Banks. As the campaign progresses, divisions between lifelong residents and new arrivals become clear. The stakes are high not only for the candidates but also for their families, whose struggles provide most of the novel’s depth. I really appreciated that despite the political premise of this novel, it focused heavily on the communal and social implications of the campaign.

The cast of characters include Diane, Chip’s wife who is torn about selling homes to outsiders. The Riley family’s youngest son, Will, who finds himself torn between his identity as a gay man and his desire to stay close with his father, whose politics are at odds with Will’s own views. The Riley family’s older son, Joe, is struggling with drug addiction and the loss of his best friend, which adds tension to the family dynamic. These emotional dynamics give the novel depth, and they feel both intimate and universal. I enjoy how as a reader, one can draw comparisons between the changing dynamics within the Riley family to the changing dynamics within the town. I think this showcases the importance of community and how it can resemble a family, through thick and thin.

There's lots more side characters throughout the novel that bring different elements to the story, whether it be tension, gossip, or a bit of comic relief, it feels truly representative of a small town where everyone knows everyone.

Town and Country is insightful, emotional, beautiful and not to be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

“Town & Country” by Brian Schaefer is a novel that explores themes of community, class, sexual orientation, and more. Despite tackling these heavy subjects, Schaefer presents the story in an engaging manner that is not quite humorous, yet not despairing either.

The story begins during election season, with one longtime local resident running for a congressional seat against an “elite” newcomer in this politically mixed/purple district. Across political parties, families, and the community grapple with division, feelings of exclusion, the challenges of changes in society/economy, and pressing issues such as drug addiction.

Like the deer that appear throughout the novel, we may question who is native to this land and who is perceived as invasive, as well as how changes in the land affect both native and current inhabitants. The book references Munsee, which is significant because it comes from the Lenni Lenape (also known as the Delaware) Native Americans, who originally inhabited the headwaters of the Delaware River. However, at this point in “Town & Country,” the rural town of Griffin is primarily populated by poor white farmers—until wealthy, white gay individuals begin buying vacation homes in the area.

I highly recommend this well-crafted book. I was surprised by how difficult it was to completely take one side, which demonstrates Schaefer’s skill in depicting complex issues. In these polarizing times, readers could benefit from understanding the bigger picture regarding so-called opposition groups, as well as examining historical context, current situations, and the emotions or fears that underlie people's perspectives.

Fans of books like “In Tongues” by Thomas Grattan, “Anyone’s Ghost” by August Thompson, “Big Swiss” by Jen Beagin, and “Middle Spoon” by Alejandro Valera might find this book particularly enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC.