This is a historical fiction book set in the early 1950s and features Maggie who voices a radio program with Deluxe Baking Company reading off recipes for housewives to bake for dinner. Her show is so popular they end up offering her an afternoon television spot, but Maggie has never baked a day in her life. So, she quickly gets married to her boyfriend Teddy who helps her learn to bake so she can be successful on the TV program. She becomes wildly popular and the darling of the CBS world. She doles out marriage advice as well as baking advice. However, the problem is her husband now makes much less money than her, so he starts racking up large purchases at restaurants and stores using her money. At first, I thought this was going to be a slapstick about her trying to figure out how to bake in the kitchen on live TV, but it ended up being a very serious book. It talked about the income gap between couples, it talked about the prevalence of anti-semitism after the war, and it talked about substance abuse using pills to become the ideal weight. It also talked about how secrets from the war were kept and how it affects a marriage. I really enjoyed this book because it did dive deeper than I expected it to. Thanks NetGalley and lake union press!

Maggie Lane has been a radio actress when she is tapped to host a cooking show. It is 1950's New York, so the studio wants her to be married and portray the perfect housewife. She hesitantly marries her fiancé, Teddy, and sets off to be the best baking tv personality. Fame, her relationship with Teddy, and her secret past become issues as Maggie tries to navigate her new job and lifestyle.

I worried that this would be too much like Lessons in Chemistry (which I loved), but the cooking show job is really where the similarities end. Maggie, Teddy, and the supporting characters are very different and the New York in the 50's setting is very distinct. I really liked a lot of this book (even if it's fairly predictable). I liked that it took on different levels of fame between partners, pay disparity, a women's role in society, and anti-Semitism; all with a light hand. This was an easy and enjoyable women's fiction book with well written characters. This would be good for fans of Sara Goodwin Confino or Kristy Woodson Harvey. Also, I love the beautiful cover.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Set in the 1950's it may fall under the historical fiction genre for many - and to be honest that is a genre I do not tend to be drawn to at all. With that being said I do love anything 1950's be it the fashion or the way of life back then so I was drawn to this book on the cover art alone. This book was such a fun and engaging read for me. We have a 1950's radio star, Maggie, who gets a big break with a baking show on the television. This book reeled me in from the moment we learn that Maggie has never actually baked much of anything in real life before and there are cracks in her "perfect marriage" that she needs to keep out of the limelight or they may ruin her one chance at TV fame. We follow the rise of Maggie's career in a time when women didn't usually have careers nor were they the "stars" of the family and her life with her less than supportive husband. This was such a well written read, I felt transported back to the 1950's whilst reading it. The descriptions were immersive and Maggie as a character along with her life struggles were a captivating read for me. #anitaabriel #americanhousewife #netgalley #goodreads #getlitsy #tea_sipping_bookworm #thestorygraph #bookqueen #bookstagram #lakeunionpublishing

I chose to read this book because of the time period and the New York setting. I love the 1950s-60s era. I thought the premise was interesting. But………

It was easy to get into the story. But, it quickly fell flat. The writing was very basic, the characters seemed shallow, the plot seemed like an outline of a future book……everything was skimmed over. Few details were given. The main character (Maggie) went from a stand-in for radio commercials to a hugely successful television host of a cooking show featuring boxed cake mixes. It seemed like in happened in one chapter. I found it unbelievable that this level of success could be achieved from a cooking show using cake mixes.

The book did touch on a few serious points: body image, eating disorders, anti-semitism, PTSD, drugs. But, again, all these topics (except PTSD) seemed like they were only mentioned in passing.

Redeeming features:
1. I enjoyed the description of the clothing styles of the era.
2. I enjoyed the fact female was portrayed as a successful tv host. It was far from the norm in the early 1950s.
3. Part of Maggie's TV hostess job was to answer write-in questions from the TV audience. For the most part, her answers were thought out very well and positive.
4. Maggie went to a Gala wearing L'Air du Temps perfume. It was my late mother's favourite fragrance. (The fragrance has been reformulated over the years and is not the same as it was.)

While this was not a perfect fit for me, it is a quick and entertaining read. I think it would have been a perfect beach or airplane read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy American Housewife follows Maggie Lane, a newly married TV star. Maggie Lane is going to host a baking show, but she doesn’t know how the bake. Maggie must navigate this challenge along with others that come along. Unfortunately I was unable to finish the story. The storyline was disjointed and hard to follow. I was hoping that it would be similar to Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, but my expectations were too high.

This was a fun read. I love historical fiction about the decade before I was born. We meet Maggie, who becomes a television personality, hosting a show for housewives about cooking, which is ironic since she is not your classic American Housewife and doesn't really cook. She is married to a man who is supportive of her not being the stay-at-home wife and on the surface, everything seems ideal. However, it was normal to have a morals clause and there is a secret from Maggie's past that threatens her livelihood and her marriage. While I feel like there could have been a little more depth to the book, it was revelatory of the time period and it was engaging. I also felt like I wanted to have a better sense of Maggie than I did. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this novel.

A cozy novel set in the 1950s..I enjoyed the whole book but it was quite slow, and repetitive.

thanks lake union and netgalley. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

“There was no point in trying to explain her feelings, Teddy wouldn’t understand. How could he? He might be in love with her and want her to be happy, but he was a man.” - i love when the first sentence hooks me!

This was a quick read. Set in the 50's, cozy, low stakes.
i read it in one or two sittings.

I enjoyed Dolly's story. It shows the expectations for women to be a certain way. As an actress, Dolly was under pressure and in her personal life she put pressure on herself to be someone she wasn't. Her and Maggie's friendship was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The author did a great job of really setting the scenes for this book. There are so many references to stars, products, and pop culture! the nostalgia was a great touch.

At first, I thought this book had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The beginning introduced a flood of characters, but without many memorable moments, they felt difficult to connect with.

I initially enjoyed the flashbacks to the protagonist’s past life—they added depth and intrigue. However, as the story progressed, the narrative became clunky, especially with the third-person perspective, which made it harder to stay engaged. And then came the gaslighting at the end, which left a sour note.

On the bright side, the book was short, making it a quick and easy read. But overall, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

What a unique reading experience. If you like Lessons in Chemistry, you’re going to love this. I cannot wait to get my hands on a shelf trophy!

Set in New York City in the 1950s, American Housewife is about hopes and dreams, secrets, societal and gender roles, love, wealth, and fame.

Newlyweds Maggie and Teddy naturally experience their joys and sorrows. In an age when many women don't pursue their dreams, Maggie becomes the host of Maggie Lane Baking Show on television. She must sign a morality clause which she does reluctantly as she has a secret past. America wants someone squeaky clean to look up to. Though she personally doesn't bake at home, she instructs millions of housewives how to do so. Even more importantly, she reads some of their letters on the air and offers advice on various topics. Meanwhile, her paycheck grows and the couple's lifestyle changes. It turns out Maggie isn't the only one who has secrets.

This era is fascinating to read and learn about. I especially liked the food and other historical descriptions which added authentic flair, enabling me to envision scenes. Characters are realistically flawed. Maggie frequently gave in too easily which is frustrating but typical of the time. There are a few unnecessary brief spicy mentions I did not care for. However, I am sufficiently intrigued to explore this author's back catalogue.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Anita Abriel for the opportunity to read and review American Housewife.
I love the 1950’s New York setting - great descriptions of clothing, food and buildings of New York along with what it takes to be successful during this time period.
The Maggie Lane Show reminds me of Julia Child and her difficulties as a woman trying her hardest to please everyone. The main conflict seems to be communication and honesty. The story is quite repetitive with the secrets of the past. Not much really happens; only should have would have and could have.
Most of the characters are fully developed but many, especially the devious ones, seem only to show their flaws. This would make a TV show, the visuals would be outstanding but just as a novel it fell a bit flat for me. I was hoping for more intense conflict with twists and turns but there was just more of the same until all the puzzle pieces fit too nicely together.

American Housewife by Anita Abriel is set in 1950’s New York. We meet Maggie, a radio personality who just got a big break and is now thrust into the new, exciting world of television. Maggie hosts ‘The Maggie Lane Baking Show’, and viewers everywhere are falling in love with her girl next door persona. Of course, not everything is as it seems and her past soon threatens her future as an old lover makes an unexpected return.

I have so many great things to say about this book but I think my favourite part was just how engaging it was from start to finish. I connected with every word on every page, my attention not once waning, which is a remarkable achievement especially since due to the nature of this book I did not expect this.

Maggie was such a likeable and relatable protagonist, even though this is set 75 years ago, and you truly come to understand the struggles she faces as a woman living during this time. As a reader I became very frustrated for Maggie as Abriel really shows the inner turmoil and the back and forth that happens in Maggies thoughts. You get a clear idea about what it was like back then trying to make sense of what is ‘right’ and still trying to allow yourself your own freedom, desires, hopes and dreams.

I was particularly fond of how the flashbacks were done, with an almost ominous feel, I had no idea what would come to fruition and it almost gave these scenes a bit of a thriller element which was quite exciting! A beautiful, cosy, insightful read, I really enjoyed this! I would love to see an adaptation one day.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC.

I loved "American Housewife". The way it jumped between Maggie's life as a 1950s TV star and her past was so clever and kept me hooked. I couldn't wait to see how it all connected. The 1950s setting felt so real and nostalgic, and the writing was easy to get into. The ending felt a little rushed, but it didn't bother me too much. Overall, it was a really enjoyable, gripping read with a great mix of hope and reflection.

American Housewife is a quick and interesting story about a young lady making her exciting career aspirations come true in New York City. There is love, loss, romance, drama, cultural conflicts, and jealousy which all keep the story moving forward.. The major twist of the book is extended from the beginning to the end which drags it down a bit but still good for a fast, entertaining read. .

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The star of the Maggie Lane Baking Show can't cook. She's newly married herself and suddenly she's advising the women of 1950s America, hoping that the skeletons in her closet won't be revealed as her fame grows. I really enjoyed this novel, which provides a quick glimse into a time gone by. I found myself looking up some details that didn't sound right (and discovering that they were accurate.) There's lots of attention given to the furniture and food and fashions, but if you're looking for details about the early days of television you won't find many.

A well-paced novel that takes a look at celebrity and the necessity of lies and the toll they take. Entertaining.

Maggie in American Housewife feels like someone most women can relate to. A beautiful show of the mess that is life.

This book is a quick read, easily done in one day. Similar vibes to Lessons in Chemistry and other 1950s set books. Loved the different timeline writing style and Maggie was my favorite character

I enjoyed this book. It always amazes, and enrages me that there was (and I guess still) such a percieved notion that a women's only job is to take care of the house and kids and that if the women is actually more 'successfull' than the husband, all hell breaks lose. even if the husband says he is ok with it.

Easy read. Good character development. 3.5 stars

I did just read this on the backswing of Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus so I felt that the concept was very similar. Smart women. Tv Show. So that may have influenced my read of it.