Helen Laser delivers another top-tier narration—she nails the emotional nuance and really brings Barbara’s voice to life.

Set in the 1960s, Good Grief comes packed with “a woman’s place is in the kitchen” energy, along with a healthy dose of pushback against that mindset. It fits the era and gives the story a little bite.

Barbara, widowed for two years and finally about to get her footing (read: her mom’s moving out), finds herself saddled with her mother-in-law Ruth, who shows up uninvited and unrelenting. Cue the power struggle.

This isn't a super deep dive into grief, motherhood, or feminist awakening—it skims the surface of all those themes—but it’s a pleasant, easy listen. What worked for me was watching Barbara’s relationship with Ruth evolve from dread to grudging respect and love.

3.5 stars, rounded up because while it didn’t shake my soul, it did make me smile—and sometimes that’s enough.

✨It didn’t take me five minutes to fall in love with this book.  Once I started, there was no stopping until the very last page – and I loved every minute. It’s an uplifting and bighearted story of moving on after loss, holding on to hope, overcoming conflict and loving and laughing hard along the way. 
 
✨I loved the clever and endearing wit, the lovable and relatable cast of characters, the nostalgic setting and the authentic way in which the author represents women of that era. 
 
✨What a delight this was to read. It was my first by this author but will certainly not be my last I’m told she is fond of including Easter eggs from previous novels into her work, so I’m hopeful we might see Barbara and Ruth again. 
 
🎧The audiobook narration by Helen Laser @hlaserwolf was fantastic.  I loved the way she brought the story right off the page for me.  Phenomenal performance and production value. 
 
🌿Read if you like:
✨Early 1960s nostalgia
✨Washington, D.C. settings
✨Women’s rights stories
✨Feel good fiction
✨Romance subplots
✨Second chance narratives
✨Mother- and daughter-in-law dynamics
✨Jewish representation
✨Laugh out loud banter
✨Stories of grief and healing

4.5 ⭐️

Sara Goodman Confino again does what she does best, which is write hilarious and heartwarming stories—often featuring a particularly notable older maternal figure. Barbara and Ruth’s story is a special one, and there were certainly relatable moments for anyone with a mother-in-law or who has experienced grief. Her books are always a slam dunk for laughs and feel good moments. I loved listening to this one.

This was another home run by Sara Goodman Confino! Her books are consistently five star reads for me. Her characters always seem so real and relatable. And her writing style makes me feel like I’m along for the ride and I can clearly picture everything. I liked Barbara immediately and really enjoyed her story. She had her hands full with Ruth, her mother-in-law. I rolled my eyes and laughed out loud at Ruth’s antics time and time again. No spoilers but it was an added bonus that characters from a previous book made an appearance! This audiobook was absolutely delightful and Helen Laser was the perfect narrator. The title and cover are perfection as well!

Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I thought this was such a well done family drama that is also so tender which is centered around grief and how to move on. I thought the narration was done well and that the story flowed well. I loved that the MIL and the FMC were both able to find love. This cover explains exactly how phenomenal the book is.

Suggest giving it a try.

5/5☆

Another delightful book by Sara Goodman Confino! As with her previous novels, I loved the strong women and the way they support each other. I also love how she brings back characters from her previous books. Helen Laser did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life in this audiobook.