Another out of the park home run for Sara Goodman Confino! In Good Grief, she takes us back in time so when women (and others) were treated differently and lets us imagine how we’d move on through grief, for our children. The story is funny and moving and pulls you through various storylines! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel!

“Did you send her?” I asked Harry, thinking about how Janet had said none of us could do this alone. Maybe he did, to teach me that lesson. But Ruth seemingly had done it all alone. And look where she was now. Still alone. Maybe Harry knew that and didn’t want it for either of us.”
This quote really stuck with me.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. A story with heart, funny, and so relatable. Jewish tradition and culture. Strong female characters.
Barbara Feldman has two children ages 6 and 4. Her mother has left to go home. She stayed with her for two years after Barbara’s husband died.
When her mother in law shows up to move in nothing is the same. Ruth’s meddling, matchmaking had me cringing at times and laughing out loud at others.
A look at how we survive death, loss and dealing with family.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the opportunity to read this book.

Good Grief features Barbara Feldman, a widow whose husband passed two years prior. Now it’s 1963, and Barbara is learning to live past her grief with her two children. When her mother in law Ruth shows up at her doorstep surrounded in suitcases, it’s not exactly the path to moving on that Barbara expected. Eager to get rid of Ruth (who is also a widow), Barbara is determined to marry Ruth off to the first unsuspecting man. But it turns out, Ruth is trying to do the same to Barbara.

From kitchen fires to hideous wallpaper, grouchy neighbors and bad cooking, this book is a riot! A mother in law/daughter in law battle of the wits. With humor, heart, and a whole lotta love, this story brings another fabulous book by Sara Goodman Confino. An absolute must read that comes out in August, so order it now friends!

Sara does it again. Her books are heartwarming, charming, funny and somehow manage to overlap so many genres. It’s so refreshing and fun. This one took on a more serious topic of grief but in such a beautiful and comforting way. She makes you fall in love with all the characters, so I love that she brings back characters from past books for us to check in on and see where they are in this new setting. Officially on my must read all her books list.
Thank you to netgalley for the advance copy.

It was...fine. I didn't hate it, but I also wasn't compelled to stay up late to read more. Overall, the earlier books by the same author had more magic in them than this. It just fell flat in a lot of ways - one dimensional characters, slower storyline, and predictable plot. I don't want to pile on with negativity, but this is not one that I'd readily recommend to friends.

As a reader, I wanted to know what happened to Harry. I also wanted Janet to be more than she was painted, and expected some big surprise with her that never came. The love interest lacked his own personality, and the sparks were predictable if forced.

I did enjoy the respect shown to nurses, and the mini history lessons included in the story.

I will continue to read the author, and hope I'll be wowed again by the next.

Barbara loses her husband at a young age and is left behind with her two children. After two years with her mom living with her and helping out she is ready to figure out how to go on without her mother’s help. Returning home the first day on her own, her mother in law on the front steps ready to help! Like most of the authors’s books it includes Jewish culture and a historic time that is filled with heart and most important humor. At its core, the book celebrates the bond between two women united by grief.

I LOVE Sara’s books but this is not my favorite. Good Grief took a long time to move past the women’s adjustment period, and at times, it felt repetitive. However, the second half was beautiful and carried a meaningful message. Even though it wasn’t a personal favorite, I highly recommend this uplifting, women-positive historical fiction novel.

In Good Grief, it is 1963 and Barbara Feldmans mother is finally going home after helping her daughter for the past two years after the sudden and tragic death of her husband. Now ready to stand on her own to raise her young children, Barbara and her children say goodbye to grandma and get ready to move on to the next chapter in their lives. Less than 24 hours later, however, Barbara's mother in law Ruth moves in with no less than 5 suitcases in order to help her, whether she wants it or not.

The relationship of Ruth and Barbara is a rocky one, and Ruth oversteps daily. It did take me a while to get invested in this novel, but once I did I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve, as well as getting to know the side characters in the story. The setting was true to its time period and the struggles of women in the 1960's were very real and the author did a good job depicting them, helping us see how far we have come and how women like Barbara have helped pave the way for the rest of us.

Thank you to net galley and Lake Union Publishing for the e galley.

“Death and taxes may have been the two certainty in life, but if I were in charge, husbands, and pets would live exactly as long as we did.”

“On one hand, I didn’t care if she moved in with the devil himself as long as it got her out of my house.”

“I’m in my prime. You’re a little past yours, but I’m willing to overlook that.”

“I think this is grandma’s best brisket yet. It’s like chewing gum. I love chewing gum.”

“No one ever won a medal in the grief race Olympics.”

“She’s the closest I’ve got.” ❤️❤️

Thanks to @getredpr @lakeunionauthors @netgalley for my #gifted #arc in exchange for an honest review.

In short…I loved it.

I loved the characters and their growth. I truly grew to love all of the characters over the course of the story. I just loved the pacing and the entire sentiment of the book.

The message was very (1) there is life after the loss of your partner, (2) new love can show up in unexpected places and (3) people can surprise you in the best ways if you let them.

This book was heartfelt and just lovely.

I have loved every SGC book, this one was a little slower burn for me, I didn't fall in love with the characters as much as some other of her books, but the last 1/4 really was the best part of the book for me. I love the overlap of characters from other books and all her characters are charming. While I still enjoyed, rounded up to 4* and would recommend.

I love all of Sara Goodman Confino's books and I usually blow right through them. I liked Good Grief but it is not my favorite and it took me longer to read as I was not as invested in the characters. That said, I will continue to read and support this author!

When I heard that Sara had written another book I knew I had to read it.
I’m so glad I was able to pre-read this book. Sara has done it again. She has written another amazing book.

I give this book a 10 out of 10. It was such a heart filled storyline. I love the era that she chose to write in. Because who doesn’t love the 60s.
It gives such good vibes and family values. I love how she uses so many Jewish terms that today many people don’t use.
I love the story of how grief was turned into something positive.

I found this a sweet book, but predictable and cliche ridden. After the untimely death of her husband Harry, a young widow is plagued by fear, loneliness and mothers-in-law. First it is her mother who tries to help, but it is MOTHER RUTH who walks in and takes over the house! She also takes charge of Barbara’s love-life.

Despite the predictable outcome, it’s a charming novel that is a pleasant read.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

For me Sara Goodman Confino never disappoints!
This was such an enjoyable read and I loved being transformed back in time!

this book is a heartwarming and witty exploration of family dynamics, widowhood, and second chances. Barbara’s life, already in transition, is further complicated by the arrival of her well-meaning but overbearing mother-in-law, Ruth, and the two women’s efforts to “help” each other move on. With plenty of humor and unexpected moments of tenderness, this charming novel shows how, even in the most awkward of circumstances, healing and growth can emerge.

Review of ‘Good Grief’ by Sara Goodman Confino, due to be published on 26 August 2025 by Lake Union Publishing.

The book is set in 1963, with the main character, Barbara, dealing with the death of her husband some 2 years previously.

Having decided that now is the time to deal with her life and two children herself, Barbara sends her mum home, but then unexpectedly, her mother in law arrives and wants to move in!

Recommended read.

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

It’s 1963 (I loved the timeframe in this novel) Barbra is dealing with the grief of losing her husband. Unexpectedly, her mother in law, Ruth shows up on her porch with more than 2 weeks of suitcases. In a Thelma and Louise style duo these two independent ladies tackle life, grief, puppies, children, and even Women’s rights.

This novel is well written and I loved the themes explored within the book. But, it was predictable in a heart-warming way.

It's 1963 and 2 years after her husband's death, Barbara decides she and her two kids can handle life on their own, so she sends her mother back home to her own life. She doesn't expect to find her mother-in-law Ruth sitting on her doorstep with her belongings, announcing she's moving in.

There is romance (old friends become something more?) but the main relationship is Barbara and Ruth.

This book is funny, heartwarming, and empowering. (Plus there are cameos from Sara's other books!)

Loved this book! Good Grief is out August 26, 2025. Add to your TBRs immediately!

Wow, what a book! I loved every single page. I didn’t think this could live up to the previous book, however I was surprised that I loved it just as much.
It’s beautifully written, very heartwarming and will stick with me for a long time.

This book was great. Sarah writes very compelling and relateable characters. Was a quick enjoyable read. 5 stars.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.