Another 5 star from Sara Goodman Confino. This book was so beautiful and heartwarming. Her writing makes you feel like you are living in the book and I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with Ruth and Barbra’s relationship. Great read that I didn’t want to end.

Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino
Publishing date - 08/26/25
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved it! Sara Goodman Confino has done it again. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC. Good Grief is a heartwarming story about love , loss , and how to move on. I could not put this one down. Stayed up late to finish. Memorable characters … would love to see them show up in another book. Highly recommend this one when it releases in August.

@saraconfino hope to see you at Park Books for your next book tour 😊

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC. I absolutely adored this. Such a wonderful story about family coming together and moving on after loss. The characters were wonderful and I loved seeing characters from old books, My favorite from this author and I’ve read all of her books. 4.5 stars.

Another fabulous read by Sara Goodman Confino! Sucked me right in and I loved every page!! Each book tops the one before! Such great historical fiction - love it!

I love reading Sara’s books! The Jewish trope is awesome and caters to all reading levels! I would like it to be a bit more sophisticated in the writing style, but I love supporting her writing! Keep the books with Jewish characters coming!!!

Another fun and endearing story from Sara Goodman Confino, filled with a strong female cast and hidden references to her previous books. A quick and enjoyable read.

I adore Sara Goodman Confino's book and this is no exception. She does it again. I love how she makes characters so relatable, kind and real. There were so many funny parts that made me love the characters even more. When Ruth appeared, I couldn't tell where it was going, but I'm so glad Ruth stuck around. She was blunt, thoughtful and in the end, the perfect person Barbara needed at the time. This book is amazing and I can't say enough wonderful things about it. Read it!!!

"Good Grief" by Sara Goodman Confino is a captivating exploration of female relationships, showcasing the author's talent for crafting multidimensional characters whose flaws ultimately contribute to their strength.

Confino excels at weaving a beautiful narrative centered around the complex dynamics between two strong women. The story unfolds with nuance and authenticity, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters' journeys. What makes this book particularly compelling is how the author portrays realistic imperfections in her characters while demonstrating how these very flaws become integral parts of their resilience and growth.

For readers who appreciate character-driven narratives that explore the depth and complexity of human connections, "Good Grief" delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking experience. This is definitely a book worth recommending to anyone who enjoys stories about authentic relationships and personal growth.

I love Sara Goodman Confino, both as an author and as a person.

Don’t Forget to Write is one of my favorite books ever. But I don’t feel like Good Grief was anywhere as good as some of her other books.

It kept my attention and I finished in about 2-3 days, so I’m not saying it wasn’t good at all. It just wasn’t as good as I was expecting.

Sara Goodman Confino strikes again with another charming, emotional story where I fell in love with the characters. I laughed many times, cried a bit, and overall feel grateful to have experienced this sweet story. Very much recommend!

This book was a great book, but I will say not my favorite from this author. It took me a bit to get pulled in and connect with the characters however once I did I cried and laughed! Gives you the ability to really look at all perspectives and not quickly judge how others react to trauma. I love the relationship the daughter and mother in law ended up having.

A book about grief, family, females, boundaries, coming together and finding common ground. Barbara lost her husband two years ago and her mother moved in to help her and the kids. When she moves out, that same day, her mother-in-law moves in. Some funny moments occur but lots of boundaries are pushed, You will have to read to see how it turns out. The characters in these books are always fun and witty. The writing is superb and I am always left feeling happy in the end.

I had the honor of receiving an advance copy of Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino.
What a fun story! Another classic set in the 60s by Sara Goodman Confino. This book takes you back to a time that mirrors today’s unexpected loss. With a surprise visit from her mother-in-law, the two come together just as many mother and daughter-in-laws do with Their digs at cooking, raising children, and dealing with their common loss.
Beautifully written as Sara Confino does, she takes us back to a time that still could be today, minus the garter pantyhose. lol
Finding a forgiving heart with an in-law is sometimes hard, in this story, having grace and compassion the two were able to find love. A fun read with a steady flow in a story that had all the feels!!
I enjoyed this book very much.
My only note would be that Ruth was only 59 and until I read her age I had her in my mind at 70+.
I did not agree with the part; “taking a picnic and not being able to stand up at age 59.”
(I’m 56) lol

Another wonderful read. Never a disappoint with Sara Confino.
Thank you NetGalley.

Barbara is a 32 year old widow with something to prove. In the wake of her husband’s death, his mother moves in with Barbara and her children. But, who really gets along with their mother-in-law, *especially* if she’s a live in MIL? Yeah, exactly.

Having also recently read and loved Meredith Schoor’s Roommating, I’m finding this age-gap female friendship trope to be really something special. Confino has been bringing this energy throughout her writing career. We had Jenna/Evelyn in She’s Up to No Good (I think still my favorites!) and Marilyn/Ada in Don’t Forget to Write. In this particular novel, Ruth is the mother of Barbara’s late husband and every bit as awful as a stereotypical mother in law should be. But, Ruth has moved in and, therefore Ruth and Barbara must learn to coexist. They have to learn it for each other, for the children, and for Harry; Barbara’s late husband and Ruth’s late son.

One thing I’ve come to love about Sara Goodman Confino’s writing is her humor. I was a little nervous on this one because I felt like the lead in was much more serious than others (see: Synagogue in Don’t Forget to Write or Office in Behind Every Good Man), but no need to worry there’s still plenty of laughter and love to be had in this one.

Thank you to the author for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Loved! Sara Goodman Confino has become an author whose every book is a must read for me! I have read every one of her books and loved every one. Her stories are full of strong, inspiring woman and always with some humor and heartwarming moments.

Another book by this author that I very much enjoyed.
I enjoyed in getting to know each character especially the elder Mrs. Feldman. My heart really went out to her.
But there were times that she had that special magic with people. I really admired that about her.
There were places that I snickered because of Pepper the dog. Smart dog lol.
Grief is hard at times. Times they sneak in when you least expect it.
I can't imagine how to live without a spouse but that's why I admired the younger Mrs. Feldman.
This book really was adorable. I didn't want it to end.
I'm giving this book 5 stars for keeping me interested throughout the book. I highly recommend. I just adore her stories!
My thanks for a copy of this wonderful book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Have a box of tissues nearby just in case.

4 Stars – Funny, Charming, and Full of Heart

Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino is an entertaining blend of humor and heart set in the 1960s. The story centers around a young widow whose well-meaning but overbearing mother-in-law moves in—uninvited—prompting a hilarious and heartfelt clash of generations and personalities. While the daughter-in-law navigates grief, single motherhood, and the question of whether she’s ready to date again, the widowed MIL, stuck in her ways, tries to “help” with often misguided but well-intentioned efforts.

It’s a heartwarming read with lovable characters, a thoughtful look at love, loss, and forgiveness, and the sharp wit that readers have come to expect from Confino.

In "Good Grief," bestselling author Sara Goodman Confino delivers a charming and heartwarming tale of family, grief, and unexpected friendships. Set in 1963, the novel follows Barbara Feldman, a widow navigating life two years after her husband's death while raising two children. Just as Barbara begins to emerge from her cocoon of grief, her mother-in-law, Ruth, arrives unannounced with five suitcases in tow, seeking a place to stay. Ruth, a widow and grieving mother herself, is abrasive yet well-meaning, and her visit quickly extends from days to weeks. As the tension of cohabitation mounts, Barbara devises a plan to find Ruth a new husband and send her packing. In a twist of fate, Barbara discovers that Ruth is plotting the same matchmaking scheme for her, leading to an unexpected bond between the two women as they navigate their shared grief and hope for new beginnings.

Despite "Good Grief" not being my usual type of read, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the journey with Barbara and Ruth. Confino's writing is engaging and light-hearted, skillfully balancing humor with the more profound themes of loss and healing. The characters are relatable and vividly drawn, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and triumphs. I connected deeply with their journey, experiencing the ups and downs of their personal growth and evolving relationship, which I found both moving and genuine. This novel is a testament to the power of family and friendship in overcoming life's challenges.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars! I just loved this heartwarming story about love and loss and how to move on. Barbara and her mother-in-law Ruth are two strong female characters that the reader falls in love with pretty quickly. Ruth certainly makes her presence a bit challenging in the beginning. I laughed out loud a few times. I truly enjoy that it takes place in the 1960’s and the reader is reminded how far we have come on certain issues including women’s rights. Another unputdownable SGC read!

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When you pick up a Sara Goodman Confino book you know you’re getting VERY likable characters, and dialogue that actually makes me laugh. Characters were great and I thought it was a good plot of grief and moving on, while not “needing” a man.