I absolutely love her books and I'm so excited that I got another Arc. I definitely will give this one at five star and immediately go purchase a copy of my own from my library. I'm definitely telling all my friends

perfection.
I don't know what else to say except that Sara has become an auto read author for me and this one just shot to the top of my favourites.
perfection indeed

What a fabulous story about grief and life after loss. There was found family, incredibly supportive networks, and such a real portrayal of a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. The female MCs were strong, independent, fiercely loving and loyal, and completely relatable.

Even though it takes place in 1963, it reads as though it could be happening today.

Thank you @saraconfino @getredprbooks and Lake Union Publishers and @brillianceaudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: In this heartwarming novel set in 1963, Barbara Feldman is slowly emerging from her grief two years after her husband's death when her mother-in-law, Ruth, unexpectedly arrives intending to stay indefinitely. Ruth is well intentioned but she disrupts Barbara's routine as she helps with the kids. As the days stretch into weeks, Barbara realizes that Ruth's presence is more than she bargained for. Barbara begins to introduce Ruth to potential suitors, hoping to marry her off. But soon, the two women discover unexpected common ground, ultimately supporting each other in their journeys of healing and moving forward in life.

MY THOUGHTS: I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous women’s fiction novel. The characters were relatable, and I appreciated each woman’s unique perspective on her life’s journey. The 1960s setting added to the charm of the story; and I especially loved the helpfulness of the grocer and the friendliness of the neighbors. The lively narrative kept me engaged throughout. As someone who typically reads thrillers, this was a refreshing change of pace. I wholeheartedly give it five stars!

I also had the audiobook, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The narration, by Helen Laser, was well done and contributed to the overall warmth of the story.

This author is an auto-buy for me—no questions asked. I’ve loved everything she’s written, and this book was no exception. I was completely charmed by Barbara and Ruth’s complicated, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt relationship. The 1963 setting gave it so much warmth and texture, and the way grief, healing, and moving on were explored had me both laughing and tearing up. The dynamic between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law was refreshingly real—sharp-edged but full of heart. I’m already counting down the days until her next release. She never misses.

Full of laughter and imbued with warmth and tenderness, Good Grief immediately befriended my heart and soul. 
 
In all honesty, I messaged Sara last week a little concerned about how raw my emotions still feel and the fact that this book has the word grief in its title.  You see, I was SO in my own head that I had forgotten what I KNOW to be true of Confino’s writing—she always leaves me uplifted.  ALWAYS.
 
Oh, how I loved absolutely everything about this delight of a book.  The ease with which I tore through the narrative.  The nostalgia.  The motivation to continue fighting for the rights of women and immigrants.  The importance of connection.  And, maybe most importantly, the impact it had on my own grief journey. 
 
Barb and Ruth... talk about a dynamic duo!  These characters burst from the page.  Full of complexity.  Brimming with moxie.  These are the kind of women I want in my life.  (Minus anyone wallpapering any rooms in my house.) I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this tenacious twosome, and, I have to say... I miss their antics! 
 
Confino is magic with a storyline.  And here, she created the perfect blend of FUN and fulfilling.  The witty dialogue was pitch perfect, and the focus on the importance of human connection was as poignant as it was relevant. 
 
I laughed... to the point of snorting. I shed a few tears... healthy ones.  And I became wholly devoted to the process of healing... for the characters and myself. 
 
As it turns out, this book—much like a tight, warm hug or a night of side-spitting laughter with friends—was exactly what I needed. 
 
🎧Helen Laser, one of my favorite narrators, fully delighted here.  She easily breathed life into Barbara and the multitudes of emotion she experienced.  But it was her portrayal of Ruth that held me tight in her grip.  She embodied Ruth’s quirky (and sometimes pesky!) ways, keeping me in stitches and endeared.   

Many thanks to my friends at @getredbookspr and @brilliancepub for the free #gifted copies of this book.

Goodman - Confino is quickly becoming a go-to favorite author for me! Barbara Feldman’s husband passed away 2 years ago and she is slowly dealing with her grief. Her mother-in-law shows up to move in with Barbara and her kids unexpectedly and turns her life upside down. I loved the Jewish representation throughout and how it was just a part of their lives. The story was uplifting and each character went through a tremendous amount of growth and change. I enjoyed the workplace issues that were present here and very present in the 1960’s, which is when this book was set. This was a great read full of family, loss, tension, and new beginnings that I highly recommend.

I wish I had the eloquence to convey my adoration for Sara Goodman Confino’s superb storytelling style, which I've come to love through her books.

Good Grief is a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartwarming to hilarious, and it's impossible to put down. It's a story of two women, a woman and her mother-in-law, navigating grief and each other in a way that will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.

I adored Barbara and Ruth; even Barbara’s kids were fun. These characters were written amazingly well; I just felt so drawn to them, as if I wanted to be in their circle. That is part of Confino’s gift!

Barbara is a mother, a young widow, and now she is dealing with her mother-in-law, Ruth, who has invaded her home! The two become a genuine comedy show, with kitchen disasters, cooking quips, and even match-making. But, deep down, they both are grieving and lonely, and as the story unfolded, the jabs turned to genuine tenderness and care, acts of kindness that can only come from love and understanding.

This story has warm family love, witty humor, 1960s nostalgia, a feminist voice, and yes, a touch of romance. I didn’t want this book to end - 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦!


🎧 I was thrilled to share my reading time with listening to the audiobook narrated brilliantly by Helen Laser. I couldn’t stop listening. She became both Barbara and her mother-in-law, whose accent was spot on to me. Even the kids’ voices were pleasant. Just so well done, a delight!


Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

Thank you @getredprbooks @brillancepublishing @saraconfino for a gifted copy/ALC!

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Good Grief
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sara Goodman Confino
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Helen Laser
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: August 26, 2025
5⭐️

✨ 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 ✨
It’s 1963 and Barbara is recently widowed, when her mother in law Ruth shows up on her door step insisting she needs help. Barbara wants to be as independent as she can moving forward, but she lets Ruth stay for a bit.

The story unfolds with hilarious, relatable circumstances between clashing family members. I love the relationship that grows between Barbara and Ruth and all the funny situations they are in.

The story is about moving forward with your life after loss, how to pick up the pieces and let others help you. I like the side characters and group around the two ladies that rally around them! There is a sweet and cute romance subplot, but the main focus is the two woman being able to move forward again with their lives despite the grief that has happened in their lives.

I love that Beverly made an appearance from Behind Every Good Man! She was top notch in helping out Barbara at her job! And funny too.

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Helen Laser is top notch voicing Barbara. Her voice, the excitement over the situations her mother in law brings, is just perfect. She is delightful sounding, and down to earth as someone who is recently widowed and vulnerable. She also does an excellent voice for Ruth!

✨ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔹 1960s Historical Fiction
🔹 Single Mom/Widow
🔹 Jewish Rep
🔹 Romantic Subplot
🔹 Grief and Healing

A beautiful feel good story about the other side of grief, love and life. Loved it!

Thanks Brilliance Publishing & NetGalley for the ALC.

Synopsis -

It's 1963 - Barbara Feldman has been a widow for over 2 years now. Working through her grief, she's just ready to start raising both her kids on her own. But on the day Barbara is supposed to begin doing it all alone, Ruth, her mother in law arrives at her doorstep with 5 suitcases demanding a comfy bed and a room. With no end in sight to her stay, Barbara has had enough of putting up with her and plans to drive her out of her life, but fate has other plans for these two women.

Review-

Confino is so good at writing a 60s setting! I've read and loved #DontForgetToWrite which was also in the same era. I instantly warmed to Barbara's character - a mom with so much on her shoulders and empathised with her losing her husband so young.

Helen Laser as the narrator did a brilliant job! Her voice was simply perfect for Barbara's character - a mix of melancholic and bubbly and even for Ruth - a hint of Russian inflection in the accent and loads of bossy attitude.

Who knew mothers in law apprearing out of no where could be so uplifting! Confino manages to totally turn around the cliches around them with Ruth. Oh! what a woman she was! The dynamic between Barbara and Ruth is the highlight of the book. I loved how their relationship progresses through the novel - starting with the usual jibes, classic disparaging remarks and brazen critique, Ruth and Barbara's games begin levelling up and they soon get into crazy shenanigans which will gradually draw them closer like a mother-daughter.

Amidst the fun, laughter, witty cheeky dialogues and dry humour, there's also grief and loss that Barbara, Ruth and the kids are dealing with. But I appreciated how the story focuses on the other end of the greiving process - the healing and acceptance, relearning to love and looking towards the future rather the past, asking for support and leaning on others, whilst carrying the person you lost in your hearts and honoring their wishes.

Good Grief is a wonderful, entertaining novel full of heart, about how two women of different age groups and vastly varied backgrounds can bond deeply, understand, uplift one another and most importantly find hope and love again.

Man Sara Goodman Confino just writes such complex and interesting characters.

2 years after the death of her husband Barbara's mother in law Ruth decides she's moving in. Imagine a Jewish female version of the odd couple. And what started out as contentious becomes a really lovely story about 2 women who have lost their partners finding companionship in each other.

Ruth isn't an easy woman to embrace. She's critical and hard headed plus she's the grandma that feeds your kids candy then wonders why you can't get them to bed that night. Barbara had her work cut out for her and in the end they both learn to love and trust the other and the resulting relationship is really beautiful. And then when they start setting each other up on dates - oh the shenanigans that ensue.

Some of my favorite moments:
- The nurses striking
- The Beverly cameo!!!!
- The crunchy lasagna lol

I just really love that the whole point of this book was about the resistance we have to moving on and the slow healing that happens when we learn to do just that. Love comes in so many forms and we never have to close ourselves off to it.

<b>"Never underestimate what determined women can do"</b>
Shout out to the audiobook Narrator Hele Laser who did an amazing job giving a voice to each of these women.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio, NetGalley and the Publisher for an Advanced Listener Copy in exchange for my honest review

In 1963, young widow Barbara Feldman is finally ready to step out of her grief when her prickly mother-in-law shows up—uninvited and indefinitely. As their clashing worlds collide, both women hatch matchmaking schemes, only to discover that helping each other heal may be the most unexpected love story of all.

Whenever Sara Goodman Confino releases a book, I know I’m in for a treat, and Good Grief was no exception. Her signature blend of wit and heart made this such a joy to read, pulling me right into Barbara’s world. I adored Barbara from the very beginning, and her dynamic with her mother-in-law, Ruth, felt so layered and authentic. Their relationship was equal parts touching and laugh-out-loud funny, and I found myself grinning through so many of their scenes.

As much as Barbara and Ruth carried the spotlight, the supporting cast truly rounded out the story. Eddie was instantly endearing, and his father’s antics had me laughing until my cheeks hurt. Every character had a purpose, adding richness and humor to a narrative that felt both timeless and deeply human. This book struck the perfect balance between heartfelt emotion and sharp comedy. If you haven’t picked up a Sara Goodman Confino novel yet, now is the time! I can guarantee that you’ll fall in love with her storytelling.

Helen Laser’s narration elevated this story beautifully. She captured Barbara’s vulnerability, humor, and resilience with such authenticity that I felt every emotional beat. Her performance gave distinct life to each character, making the audiobook an experience that felt vivid, heartfelt, and completely immersive. She was truly the perfect match for this story.

Thank you to the author, Get Red PR Books, NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review!

It’s been two years since Barbara Feldman’s husband Harry died of a heart attack, leaving her to raise their two young children alone. Barbara’s mother has been staying with her all this time and helping to care for the children, and now Barbara is finally ready to make a go of it on her own. But her mother is scarcely gone a day when Barbara’s mother-in-low Ruth appears on her doorstep with five huge suitcases and plans to stay indefinitely.

I loved watching these two women navigate their grief and their relationship with each other! To say that Barbara isn’t thrilled to have Ruth stay with her would be an understatement. Ruth is well-meaning but difficult and overbearing, and the two women butt heads constantly, often to humorous effect. The resulting story is brimming with heart, hope, healing, and resilience. So beautifully written with authentic, relatable characters, this book had me laughing, crying, and loving every minute of it!

Other fantastic things about this book:
• The Jewish rep is seamlessly woven throughout the narrative, perfectly capturing culture and tradition
• The way the story tackles social issues of the era, including antisemitism, racism, and sexism
• The cardinal symbolizing her lost husband and the way it made my heart happy because cardinals make me think of my dad.
• Easter eggs that reference the author’s previous books
• Helen Laser’s narration of the audiobook! She does a phenomenal job of bringing the characters to life!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is a heartwarming, witty, and tender exploration of grief, family, and second chances. Set in 1963 suburban Washington, D.C., the story follows Barbara, a young widow struggling to move forward while raising her two children. Just as she begins to find her footing, her formidable mother-in-law, Ruth, shows up unannounced—with five suitcases and plenty of opinions. What begins as an intrusion slowly transforms into an unlikely partnership as the two women navigate loneliness, meddling, and the hope of new love. Confino masterfully balances humor and poignancy, creating characters who are exasperating yet endearing. Barbara is relatable in her vulnerability and resilience, while Ruth—abrasive at first—gradually reveals her softer side. The Jewish cultural representation adds richness and authenticity, and the supporting cast, from Barbara’s best friend Janet to kind-hearted grocer Eddie, shines with warmth. Funny, touching, and full of heart, this is a story about healing, unexpected friendships, and moving forward.

I always see the best things about Sara Goodman Confino’s novels so I jumped at the chance to be an early reviewer for her newest book—and my first by her—Good Grief! Boy am I glad I did. I absolutely loved this novel. The time period, the characters, the growth, the heartache, and the joys. Confino flawlessly delivered a story that had the recipe for sadness but was overwhelmingly funny, light hearted, and relatable.

I absolutely loved Barbara. I thought she spoke so well of her husband and their relationship and her grief in moving on. I related well to her parenting, wanting to be independent but also recognizing the value in having help and being supported. Barb admitting her weaknesses and accepting help actually made her stronger and it was beautiful and inspirational to see her character growth.

Ruth was also a wonderful character. So quirky and her cooking and totally inappropriate choices had me laughing out loud. I really appreciated that we got to know Ruth, learn her backstory, and experience wins with her as well.

I listened to this novel on audio and it was excellent. The narrator did a fantastic job. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t get enough. Very highly recommend!

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for the copy of this wonderful novel!

This was an adorably charming YA romance that had all the Gilmore girls, small town perfect Fall vibes I could have hoped for. When Ellis learns her parents are getting divorced and her mom is taking her away from NYC and all her college prep plans, she's less than pleased.

After landing in Bramble Falls and moving in with her aunt and cousin she makes the best of starting high school during her senior year in a whole new town. I loved the second chance romance that rekindles between her and swoony, baker Cooper, the found family vibes and all the Fall festival activities.

Highly recommended for fans of Lynn Painter's Fake skating (which has lots of similar small town, second chance YA romance vibes except takes place during the Christmas holidays). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

What an uplifting story full of character growth, heart, and love! Good Grief will grab you and pull you into a world of dynamic female characters, the sweetest kids and a scheming mother and daughter-in-law duo trying to help the other find a way to live and love again.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

This book absolutely had all the emotions! I was laughing, scolding characters, cheering, wanting to strangle characters and I could not get enough. It’s basically one of those stories where you feel like you become part of the family and want to experience everything with them.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:

Strong Women
Supportive Family
Second Chances
Hope after loss
The 50s
Humor

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

I absolutely binged this fast paced story. The fun banter between several characters also had me fully engaged and giggling during every chapter.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

This was a wonderful and rich story full of heart, life lessons, and quite a few humorous moments. I truly cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted copy in exchange from my honest opinions.

In @NuclearFiction we trust! My girl has been singing this author’s praises for years, so I finally picked up one of her books—and wow, I was not disappointed.

What a genuine delight this story turned out to be. It’s a heartwarming tale of moving forward, embracing second chances, and ultimately choosing hope. Confino’s wit sparkles throughout, and her gift for crafting well-rounded, deeply human characters makes them leap right off the page.

It’s the kind of uplifting, feel-good read that perfectly balances humor and heart—and it will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.

Take my advice: grab that book (or author) you’ve been meaning to try because of endless recommendations—you just might find a new favorite.

This book was just wonderful. It was charming, it was funny, it took you on an emotional roller coaster. The characters were relatable and wonderful. There was incredible growth and interaction between them. I loved how the story unfolded, taking you on a journey of grief, love and finding happiness. I felt so connected to the characters that I am still invested in their lives, even after finishing the book. Barbara’s husband died 2 years ago, leaving her with two kids and grief., When her mother in law shows up at her door to move in and help. With high expectations and a stubborn personality, the two must figure out how to help each other, while handling the ridiculous things thrown their way. An incredibly well written story about family, grief, support and how to move forward in life. Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Sara Goodman Confino has once again delivered a story that is equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply relatable. Her gift for creating unforgettable characters shines here, with Barbara’s resilience and Ruth’s larger-than-life personality stealing the spotlight. I loved the way their relationship grew over time—nuanced, layered, and filled with humor that any reader with in-law dynamics will appreciate. The rich cultural touches, witty dialogue, and cameos from past favorites make this an absolute delight. As always, Confino blends women’s fiction, historical detail, and romance flawlessly. This one is not to be missed!

Thank you to getredPR for the delightful bookmail and to Brilliance Audio for the audiobook copy of Good Grief! 💌🎧 I adored this story: set in 1963, it follows widow Barbara Feldman, who’s just starting to move forward when her outspoken mother-in-law, Ruth, arrives with five suitcases and no plans to leave. What starts as a clash quickly turns into a hilarious and heartwarming story of love, family, and second chances.