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חסרת תקנה
חסרת תקנה הוא רומן מצחיק, מרגש ומרומם נפש על אודות משפחה, סודות ולבבות שבורים, מאת מחברת רב-המכר "אל תשכחי לכתוב".
לאחר ארבע שנות נישואים, בעלה של ג'נה מודיע לה שהוא רוצה להתגרש. ג'נה ההמומה מסכימה להתלוות לסבתה האקסצנטרית אוולין במסע שורשים לעיירת חוף במסצ'וסטס, כור המחצבת של ההיסטוריה המשפחתית.
בדרכים, אוולין מספרת לג'נה על רומן נעורים שהתרחש לפני יותר משבעים שנה ושינה את מהלך חייה באופן דרמטי. היא אמנם מתעקשת שהחזרה לעיירת הולדתה לא קשורה לכל זה – אבל לא מפסיקה לדבר על טוני, אהבתה הראשונה והבלתי נשכחת.
עם הגעתן, ג'נה פוגשת את ג'ו, הנכד הרגיש של אחיו של טוני. החברות החדשה ואוויר הים הרענן מעניקים לה את הביטחון והמרחק שהיתה זקוקה להם על מנת להתחיל להתמודד עם התפוררות נישואיה ולשים את הכאב מאחור.
בשעה שהסודות מעברה של אוולין נחשפים, ג'נה מגלה צד חדש של סבתה, ושלה עצמה, שמעולם לא היתה מודעת לקיומו, ולומדת שהאפשרויות להחלמה יכולות לצוץ ברגעים הכי לא צפויים בחיים.
שרה גודמן קונפינו היתה מורה לספרות ולעיתונאות בבית ספר תיכון אך פרשה מהוראה על מנת להתמסר לכתיבה. היא מתגוררת במרילנד יחד עם בעלה, שני ילדיהם ושני כלבי שנאוצר קטנטנים. ספרה "אל תשכחי לכתוב" (פן וידיעות ספרים, 2023) זכה לשבחים רבים והיה לרב-מכר. חסרת תקנה הוא ספרה השני שמתורגם לעברית.
לאחר ארבע שנות נישואים, בעלה של ג'נה מודיע לה שהוא רוצה להתגרש. ג'נה ההמומה מסכימה להתלוות לסבתה האקסצנטרית אוולין במסע שורשים לעיירת חוף במסצ'וסטס, כור המחצבת של ההיסטוריה המשפחתית.
בדרכים, אוולין מספרת לג'נה על רומן נעורים שהתרחש לפני יותר משבעים שנה ושינה את מהלך חייה באופן דרמטי. היא אמנם מתעקשת שהחזרה לעיירת הולדתה לא קשורה לכל זה – אבל לא מפסיקה לדבר על טוני, אהבתה הראשונה והבלתי נשכחת.
עם הגעתן, ג'נה פוגשת את ג'ו, הנכד הרגיש של אחיו של טוני. החברות החדשה ואוויר הים הרענן מעניקים לה את הביטחון והמרחק שהיתה זקוקה להם על מנת להתחיל להתמודד עם התפוררות נישואיה ולשים את הכאב מאחור.
בשעה שהסודות מעברה של אוולין נחשפים, ג'נה מגלה צד חדש של סבתה, ושלה עצמה, שמעולם לא היתה מודעת לקיומו, ולומדת שהאפשרויות להחלמה יכולות לצוץ ברגעים הכי לא צפויים בחיים.
שרה גודמן קונפינו היתה מורה לספרות ולעיתונאות בבית ספר תיכון אך פרשה מהוראה על מנת להתמסר לכתיבה. היא מתגוררת במרילנד יחד עם בעלה, שני ילדיהם ושני כלבי שנאוצר קטנטנים. ספרה "אל תשכחי לכתוב" (פן וידיעות ספרים, 2023) זכה לשבחים רבים והיה לרב-מכר. חסרת תקנה הוא ספרה השני שמתורגם לעברית.
407 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,009 reviews
August 1, 2022
In a Nutshell: I am wondering if I read the same story as everyone else. Outlier opinion alert. This book did nothing for me. Flat characters, abrupt developments, dragged middle and rushed end.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The historical timeline is much, much better than the contemporary timeline, though it too has some flaws. The story is a lot more interesting, and the situations, a lot more believable.
😍 Evelyn’s character in the historical timeline is very interesting. She isn’t the typical docile young adult who kowtows to her family’s wishes but is opinionated and strong-willed. She made for a refreshing historical heroine.
😍 There is a cute dog in the story. *shrug*
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😒 The story is so farfetched at times. Jenna reached the age of 35 without knowing a single thing about her relatives, and is learning everything within a few weeks. Evelyn has stayed silent for all these years and now suddenly wants to get everything out in the open. There are too many unbelievable coincidences and clichéd situations in the story.
😒 The plot drags a lot, simply because no one reveals any incident in its entirety. It comes to us in bits and pieces over a multitude of chapters. The ending, however, goes the exact opposite way, and fits in too much within a couple of chapters, just to tie everything together.
😒 The contemporary timeline is BORING and predictable. I simply skipped reading Jenna’s chapters towards the end and just read Evelyn’s timeline.
😒 There is a lot of foreshadowing but the revelations don’t necessarily come in chronological order but as and when the author felt like it. This killed whatever little interest I had in the plot.
😒 There is a big hoohah made over Evelyn’s reason for returning to her hometown, but the big reveal turned out to be a damp squib.
😒 The character development is quite random. As a result, even the relationships they enter into or exit from are abrupt, the only exception being Evelyn and Tony’s relationship. I rolled my eyes when one character says to another, “Do you really want a man who would marry someone else this quickly? You deserve someone who will worship you.” It was quite ironic considering the said character had done exactly the same thing – married someone almost immediately after the end of the earlier relationship. The whole idea was farcical. Every character felt flat and I couldn’t connect with a single one. The one who came closest to being likeable was Evelyn, but only in her historical timeline. In the contemporary timeline, she’s quite irritating as she hints at a hundred things and reveals nothing.
Maybe I just picked this up at the wrong time, or maybe it isn’t meant for readers such as me. You might enjoy this book if you read it with just your heart. Unfortunately for me, my head dominates the heart almost every time and it simply didn’t get the hype. Mine is an outlier review so make sure you read the other glowing reviews before you make up your mind about picking up this book.
2 stars.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “She's Up to No Good”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Thirty four year old Jenna is caught unawares when her husband asks her for a divorce. With her life going nowhere even after six months, she agrees to accompany her ninety year old grandmother Evelyn on a road trip to the seaside town where Evelyn had spent her younger years. On the way, Evelyn tells Jenna about her first love, Tony, but insists that the trip has nothing to do with him. The trip and their stay in the town turns out to be a cathartic experience as well as a catalyst revealing several forgotten secrets and family history.
The story is written in two timelines, alternating between Jenna’s first person narrative in the contemporary timeline and Evelyn’s third person perspective in the 1950s timeline.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The historical timeline is much, much better than the contemporary timeline, though it too has some flaws. The story is a lot more interesting, and the situations, a lot more believable.
😍 Evelyn’s character in the historical timeline is very interesting. She isn’t the typical docile young adult who kowtows to her family’s wishes but is opinionated and strong-willed. She made for a refreshing historical heroine.
😍 There is a cute dog in the story. *shrug*
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😒 The story is so farfetched at times. Jenna reached the age of 35 without knowing a single thing about her relatives, and is learning everything within a few weeks. Evelyn has stayed silent for all these years and now suddenly wants to get everything out in the open. There are too many unbelievable coincidences and clichéd situations in the story.
😒 The plot drags a lot, simply because no one reveals any incident in its entirety. It comes to us in bits and pieces over a multitude of chapters. The ending, however, goes the exact opposite way, and fits in too much within a couple of chapters, just to tie everything together.
😒 The contemporary timeline is BORING and predictable. I simply skipped reading Jenna’s chapters towards the end and just read Evelyn’s timeline.
😒 There is a lot of foreshadowing but the revelations don’t necessarily come in chronological order but as and when the author felt like it. This killed whatever little interest I had in the plot.
😒 There is a big hoohah made over Evelyn’s reason for returning to her hometown, but the big reveal turned out to be a damp squib.
😒 The character development is quite random. As a result, even the relationships they enter into or exit from are abrupt, the only exception being Evelyn and Tony’s relationship. I rolled my eyes when one character says to another, “Do you really want a man who would marry someone else this quickly? You deserve someone who will worship you.” It was quite ironic considering the said character had done exactly the same thing – married someone almost immediately after the end of the earlier relationship. The whole idea was farcical. Every character felt flat and I couldn’t connect with a single one. The one who came closest to being likeable was Evelyn, but only in her historical timeline. In the contemporary timeline, she’s quite irritating as she hints at a hundred things and reveals nothing.
Maybe I just picked this up at the wrong time, or maybe it isn’t meant for readers such as me. You might enjoy this book if you read it with just your heart. Unfortunately for me, my head dominates the heart almost every time and it simply didn’t get the hype. Mine is an outlier review so make sure you read the other glowing reviews before you make up your mind about picking up this book.
2 stars.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “She's Up to No Good”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
June 1, 2022
4.5⭐️
At the onset of this novel, we meet 34-year-old Jenna whose husband informs her that he is in love with another woman and no longer wants to be married to Jenna who, though aware of the cracks in their marriage, is taken aback by this revelation. Her marriage of four years is over.
Fast forward six months, Jenna is living in her childhood home with her parents and is still unable to come to terms with her marriage falling apart and the uncertainty in her future. Her parents, her mother, in particular, are trying to get her to venture out of the house and resume her life. Enter eighty-nine-year-old Evelyn Bergman Gold, Jenna’s grandmother who announces that she intends to drive from Maryland to her hometown of Hereford, Massachusetts to take care of family business. Jenna ends up volunteering to drive her grandmother and stay with her for the duration thereby ending her self-imposed isolation. What follows is an uproariously funny and eventful road trip with Evelyn sharing her own life story hoping to lift Jenna’s spirits and motivate her to move on with her life.
The narrative is split between two timelines - the present day following Jenna and Evelyn’s trip to Massachusetts and Evelyn’s story that follows her from a teenager in the 1950s and continues through the decades that follow. Evelyn is a force to be reckoned with! While her antics leave the reader in splits and Jenna constantly on her toes, her story, which she gradually reveals to Jenna is one of first love and heartbreak, family, loss, tragedy and the choices people make out of love for each other. She introduces Jenna to Joe, the grandnephew of Tony, her first love. Jenna, initially annoyed with Evelyn’s matchmaking efforts finds herself enjoying her time exploring the seaside town with Joe. Jenna slowly begins to come to terms with her impending divorce while also getting to know more about her mother’s side of the family. Evelyn’s story continues in the present day as well and more is revealed as the story progresses.
She's Up To No Good by Sarah Goodman Confino is a beautiful and heartwarming story about love, choices, family and second chances. This novel is full of heart (loved Evelyn!) and humor (with some major laugh-out-loud moments) and I enjoyed every moment of it. I look forward to reading more of the author’s books in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy of this entertaining and heartwarming novel in exchange for my honest review. This book is due to be released on August 1, 2022.
At the onset of this novel, we meet 34-year-old Jenna whose husband informs her that he is in love with another woman and no longer wants to be married to Jenna who, though aware of the cracks in their marriage, is taken aback by this revelation. Her marriage of four years is over.
Fast forward six months, Jenna is living in her childhood home with her parents and is still unable to come to terms with her marriage falling apart and the uncertainty in her future. Her parents, her mother, in particular, are trying to get her to venture out of the house and resume her life. Enter eighty-nine-year-old Evelyn Bergman Gold, Jenna’s grandmother who announces that she intends to drive from Maryland to her hometown of Hereford, Massachusetts to take care of family business. Jenna ends up volunteering to drive her grandmother and stay with her for the duration thereby ending her self-imposed isolation. What follows is an uproariously funny and eventful road trip with Evelyn sharing her own life story hoping to lift Jenna’s spirits and motivate her to move on with her life.
The narrative is split between two timelines - the present day following Jenna and Evelyn’s trip to Massachusetts and Evelyn’s story that follows her from a teenager in the 1950s and continues through the decades that follow. Evelyn is a force to be reckoned with! While her antics leave the reader in splits and Jenna constantly on her toes, her story, which she gradually reveals to Jenna is one of first love and heartbreak, family, loss, tragedy and the choices people make out of love for each other. She introduces Jenna to Joe, the grandnephew of Tony, her first love. Jenna, initially annoyed with Evelyn’s matchmaking efforts finds herself enjoying her time exploring the seaside town with Joe. Jenna slowly begins to come to terms with her impending divorce while also getting to know more about her mother’s side of the family. Evelyn’s story continues in the present day as well and more is revealed as the story progresses.
She's Up To No Good by Sarah Goodman Confino is a beautiful and heartwarming story about love, choices, family and second chances. This novel is full of heart (loved Evelyn!) and humor (with some major laugh-out-loud moments) and I enjoyed every moment of it. I look forward to reading more of the author’s books in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy of this entertaining and heartwarming novel in exchange for my honest review. This book is due to be released on August 1, 2022.
September 10, 2022
About the book: “For two women generations apart, going home will change their lives in this funny, poignant, and life-affirming novel about family, secrets, and broken hearts by the author of For the Love of Friends.”
Oh my gosh. I loved this book.
Jenna’s husband seeks a divorce just four years into their marriage. Needless to say, her heart is broken. She takes a road trip with her grandmother, Evelyn, to the beachy town, Hereford, Massachusetts, where her grandmother grew up. While driving there, Evelyn shares a story about her first love, Tony. She does this in hopes of helping Jenna, and the entire road trip is just the best. I laughed and I smiled the whole way, and it made me wish I were on a road trip with my grandmother or great aunts. The story is told between the present, and this trip, and the past, where Evelyn is a teenager.
Once the two arrive in Hereford, Jenna meets Joe, Tony’s great-nephew. Evelyn shares more of her story, Jenna explores Hereford with Joe and begins her healing process.
This was everything I wanted to read and more. Evelyn is such a charming, formidable, lovable, larger-than-life, quirky main character. I loved Jenna, too, and watching her journey unfold. Evelyn sharing her story and how it shaped their family gives me the chills just thinking about it and how it could apply to my own grandparents and family. Sometimes we don’t think about the loves of our grandparents’ lives, or their first loves and how things might be different if a different path were taken. At the same time, this story is about second chances, which I always love, and that there is always time to start a new story and begin again.
Ahhh. So good. So smart. So empowering and insightful and full of love. And real!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Oh my gosh. I loved this book.
Jenna’s husband seeks a divorce just four years into their marriage. Needless to say, her heart is broken. She takes a road trip with her grandmother, Evelyn, to the beachy town, Hereford, Massachusetts, where her grandmother grew up. While driving there, Evelyn shares a story about her first love, Tony. She does this in hopes of helping Jenna, and the entire road trip is just the best. I laughed and I smiled the whole way, and it made me wish I were on a road trip with my grandmother or great aunts. The story is told between the present, and this trip, and the past, where Evelyn is a teenager.
Once the two arrive in Hereford, Jenna meets Joe, Tony’s great-nephew. Evelyn shares more of her story, Jenna explores Hereford with Joe and begins her healing process.
This was everything I wanted to read and more. Evelyn is such a charming, formidable, lovable, larger-than-life, quirky main character. I loved Jenna, too, and watching her journey unfold. Evelyn sharing her story and how it shaped their family gives me the chills just thinking about it and how it could apply to my own grandparents and family. Sometimes we don’t think about the loves of our grandparents’ lives, or their first loves and how things might be different if a different path were taken. At the same time, this story is about second chances, which I always love, and that there is always time to start a new story and begin again.
Ahhh. So good. So smart. So empowering and insightful and full of love. And real!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 31, 2024
I can’t say I either loved or hated it. More in between really, it was nice enough but it didn’t really affect me in any way.
August 14, 2024
So…Who is up to no good?
Jenna is bereft at the loss of her marriage, and now living with her parents. Her grandmother, Evelyn wants to take a road trip to her home town of Hereford, and Jenna naturally volunteers to drive her. What else does she have going on?
And…Along the way, she learns a lot about her grandmother she didn’t know.
At the same time…
What does her grandmother have in mind for Jenna to help her move forward in her life?
Told in dual timelines, between Evelyn’s past and current time, there is much to be learned about who and why Tony was important to Evelyn…
And…What may be available now to help Jenna get over her failed marriage.
Heart-warming story about family and second chances.
Jenna is bereft at the loss of her marriage, and now living with her parents. Her grandmother, Evelyn wants to take a road trip to her home town of Hereford, and Jenna naturally volunteers to drive her. What else does she have going on?
And…Along the way, she learns a lot about her grandmother she didn’t know.
At the same time…
What does her grandmother have in mind for Jenna to help her move forward in her life?
Told in dual timelines, between Evelyn’s past and current time, there is much to be learned about who and why Tony was important to Evelyn…
And…What may be available now to help Jenna get over her failed marriage.
Heart-warming story about family and second chances.
July 4, 2022
Our grandparents went through it all too!
My thanks to the author, Sara Goodman Cinfino, and to Goodreads Giveaways for this ebook. This is a sweet story of love, loss and new passions. Thanks to an eccentric grandmother, a young woman finds her way to heal loss and experience life again. Along the way, headaches of prior generations are revealed. Good characters and relatable dialogue. Enjoyable.
My thanks to the author, Sara Goodman Cinfino, and to Goodreads Giveaways for this ebook. This is a sweet story of love, loss and new passions. Thanks to an eccentric grandmother, a young woman finds her way to heal loss and experience life again. Along the way, headaches of prior generations are revealed. Good characters and relatable dialogue. Enjoyable.
July 20, 2022
I loved this book. It was sweet and entertaining. The relationship between the grand-daughter and grand-mother was lovely and warm. The car journey was funny and I loved the banter between these two. A great prime first read this time. It’s been awhile since I enjoyed a book from prime for awhile long may it continue. Highly recommend.
September 16, 2023
4.5⭐️ While this is such a fun story, due in large part to Jenna’s feisty, hoot of a grandma, Evelyn, it has such great emotional depth as well. Our two MC’s live the summer of a lifetime as each seeks to come to terms with loss. Jenna is trying to heal from a failed marriage, and Evelyn, who’s never forgotten her first love Tony, is looking to reconnect to her past. With romance, laugher, self discovery and healing, 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝑼𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝑵𝒐 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 is filled with heart, adventure and some very important life lessons along the way.
Thank you Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy.
Thank you Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy.
January 1, 2023
4.5/5 (rounded up)
I may not have read Sara Goodman Confino's debut, but after finishing She's Up to No Good and loving it so much I know I will now! I don't know why Goodman Confino wasn't on my radar until now, but her writing was engaging, had amazing flow, and there was nothing in this book that felt unnecessary. For being almost 400 pages long (audiobook clocks in at about 11 hours), it felt short to me, and I could have easily remained in this world for hundreds more pages and been perfectly happy. For the most part, the story alternates between Jenna in the present time and her grandma Evelyn as a spunky and stubborn high schooler. While I loved both viewpoints, I have to say I preferred Evelyn's overall, and I just loved her character so much as well. There are some hilarious moments throughout the book, but I also ended up basically ugly crying at one point, so be prepared for plenty of emotion as well!
The audiobook for She's Up to No Good was a tiny bit odd, but I think it was because of the editing as opposed to the narrator. Holly Linneman did a beautiful job narrating the different viewpoints, but I noticed that when I listened to the audio in my car, I had 0 issues but listening to it with headphones I could hear some distracting noises from the narrator. There was also almost a bit of a white noise sound at times with odd pauses, and I didn’t notice any of this in the car at all. I don’t know if I would listen to the audiobook again to be honest (as much as I loved Linneman), and if/when I DO reread this, I will definitely be reading the book itself. I could just be extra picky though, so I would still recommend the audio if you wanted to give it a shot! This is a women’s fiction/contemporary read with some romance, but the relationships and characters are what really shine. While at times heartbreaking, She's Up to No Good was a heartwarming read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I may not have read Sara Goodman Confino's debut, but after finishing She's Up to No Good and loving it so much I know I will now! I don't know why Goodman Confino wasn't on my radar until now, but her writing was engaging, had amazing flow, and there was nothing in this book that felt unnecessary. For being almost 400 pages long (audiobook clocks in at about 11 hours), it felt short to me, and I could have easily remained in this world for hundreds more pages and been perfectly happy. For the most part, the story alternates between Jenna in the present time and her grandma Evelyn as a spunky and stubborn high schooler. While I loved both viewpoints, I have to say I preferred Evelyn's overall, and I just loved her character so much as well. There are some hilarious moments throughout the book, but I also ended up basically ugly crying at one point, so be prepared for plenty of emotion as well!
The audiobook for She's Up to No Good was a tiny bit odd, but I think it was because of the editing as opposed to the narrator. Holly Linneman did a beautiful job narrating the different viewpoints, but I noticed that when I listened to the audio in my car, I had 0 issues but listening to it with headphones I could hear some distracting noises from the narrator. There was also almost a bit of a white noise sound at times with odd pauses, and I didn’t notice any of this in the car at all. I don’t know if I would listen to the audiobook again to be honest (as much as I loved Linneman), and if/when I DO reread this, I will definitely be reading the book itself. I could just be extra picky though, so I would still recommend the audio if you wanted to give it a shot! This is a women’s fiction/contemporary read with some romance, but the relationships and characters are what really shine. While at times heartbreaking, She's Up to No Good was a heartwarming read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 6, 2022
She’s Up To No Good is the second novel by American author, Sara Goodman Confino. Six months after her husband leaves her to fall into the arms of a younger woman, claiming that neither of them has been happy, Jenna Shapiro is holed up in her childhood bedroom in Maryland, too afraid to resume her life. But she remains resolute in her vow not to sign the divorce papers. In all honesty, she knows he’s right, but if she can’t be happy, why should he be?
Her mother continues to try, unsuccessfully, to coax Jenna into social interaction, so when Grandma Evelyn turns up with a plan to drive Massachusetts, Jenna sees a chance to escape the nagging. As they head towards Hereford, the place Evelyn Gold (née Bergman) grew up, she shares, bit by bit, the story of her romance with the man who came before Grandpa Gold: Tony Delgado.
When they arrive at their accommodation in Hereford Beach, it turns out to be one of the summer cottages that once belonged to the Bergman family, and the dishy guy handing over the keys seems well-acquainted with Evelyn. Joe Fonseca offers to show Jenna around the town while Evelyn attends to private business, the nature of which she refuses to share: Jenna smells a set-up. And, as nice as Joe seems, she’s just not ready for that!
The dual narrative strands tell two stories: Evelyn’s, told in flashbacks, describes a forbidden romance set against the backdrop of a large and loving 1950s Jewish family; Jenna’s occurs in the present day. Evelyn’s story demonstrates that adage that the course of true love never runs smoothly.
What a wonderful cast of characters Goodman Confino gives the reader. The star, of course, is Evelyn, whom we meet as a rather manipulative octogenarian, but who is described in her late teens as a headstrong, obstinate daughter who is wilful, confident and used to getting her own way: “self-doubt never had a firm grip on Evelyn’s psyche”.
The object of her teenaged affections, Tony proves to be a young man of integrity and wisdom whose speech to Evelyn’s father, Joseph can’t fail to bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat, but that’s not the only moment that will exercise the tear ducts, so have the tissues ready. The banter between Evelyn and her prospective husband, and between Jenna and Joe is very entertaining, as are many of Evelyn’s antics. A very enjoyable romance read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Her mother continues to try, unsuccessfully, to coax Jenna into social interaction, so when Grandma Evelyn turns up with a plan to drive Massachusetts, Jenna sees a chance to escape the nagging. As they head towards Hereford, the place Evelyn Gold (née Bergman) grew up, she shares, bit by bit, the story of her romance with the man who came before Grandpa Gold: Tony Delgado.
When they arrive at their accommodation in Hereford Beach, it turns out to be one of the summer cottages that once belonged to the Bergman family, and the dishy guy handing over the keys seems well-acquainted with Evelyn. Joe Fonseca offers to show Jenna around the town while Evelyn attends to private business, the nature of which she refuses to share: Jenna smells a set-up. And, as nice as Joe seems, she’s just not ready for that!
The dual narrative strands tell two stories: Evelyn’s, told in flashbacks, describes a forbidden romance set against the backdrop of a large and loving 1950s Jewish family; Jenna’s occurs in the present day. Evelyn’s story demonstrates that adage that the course of true love never runs smoothly.
What a wonderful cast of characters Goodman Confino gives the reader. The star, of course, is Evelyn, whom we meet as a rather manipulative octogenarian, but who is described in her late teens as a headstrong, obstinate daughter who is wilful, confident and used to getting her own way: “self-doubt never had a firm grip on Evelyn’s psyche”.
The object of her teenaged affections, Tony proves to be a young man of integrity and wisdom whose speech to Evelyn’s father, Joseph can’t fail to bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat, but that’s not the only moment that will exercise the tear ducts, so have the tissues ready. The banter between Evelyn and her prospective husband, and between Jenna and Joe is very entertaining, as are many of Evelyn’s antics. A very enjoyable romance read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
August 9, 2025
Read this for the second time for bookclub.
Jenna is at the end of her blindsighted divorce. Moving home with her parents has been a bit of a six month struggle for them as Jenna hasnt left the house.
Enter her grandmother Evelyn who announces she is going to drive nine hours to Hereford, Mass . Well of course Jenna wont let her 89 yr old grandmother drive alone.
" I looked at my grandmother’s dinged-up Lexus, parked crookedly in her driveway. “Why? Mine is newer. And I have Sirius.” “Well, I’m serious too. And I don’t ride in German cars.” “What’s wrong with German cars?” She put a hand on her hip. “I can think of about six million things wrong with them, young lady."
"My jaw dropped open. “You won’t take my car because of the Holocaust?” “Just because it didn’t happen in your lifetime doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It happened in mine, and I don’t ride in the German cars. You don’t like it? Don’t come with me. The bantering that goes on for a week is priceless.
Evelyn is teaching life lessons to Jenna through her childhood stories making many points that no-one is exempt from any type of heartbreak.
There is so much more to write; I will let others fill in the blanks.
I have read all of the authors work and have heard her speak twice. Her humour and values are very close to mine, although not all of her work is done with humor. Im torn between a favorite, but so far, I would say "Don't Forget to Write" is in the lead.
Waiting for her new release.
Jenna is at the end of her blindsighted divorce. Moving home with her parents has been a bit of a six month struggle for them as Jenna hasnt left the house.
Enter her grandmother Evelyn who announces she is going to drive nine hours to Hereford, Mass . Well of course Jenna wont let her 89 yr old grandmother drive alone.
" I looked at my grandmother’s dinged-up Lexus, parked crookedly in her driveway. “Why? Mine is newer. And I have Sirius.” “Well, I’m serious too. And I don’t ride in German cars.” “What’s wrong with German cars?” She put a hand on her hip. “I can think of about six million things wrong with them, young lady."
"My jaw dropped open. “You won’t take my car because of the Holocaust?” “Just because it didn’t happen in your lifetime doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It happened in mine, and I don’t ride in the German cars. You don’t like it? Don’t come with me. The bantering that goes on for a week is priceless.
Evelyn is teaching life lessons to Jenna through her childhood stories making many points that no-one is exempt from any type of heartbreak.
There is so much more to write; I will let others fill in the blanks.
I have read all of the authors work and have heard her speak twice. Her humour and values are very close to mine, although not all of her work is done with humor. Im torn between a favorite, but so far, I would say "Don't Forget to Write" is in the lead.
Waiting for her new release.
October 26, 2022
5 amazing stars
Loved this feel good book.
Jenna goes on a road trip with her grandmother Evelyn who is not your average grandmother. Hats off to Evelyn. The type of grandmother everyone should have.
Evelyn revisits where she grew up and Jenna quickly starts learning about her family roots.
The story goes back and forth from when Evelyn was a teenager to the present where Evelyn helps Jenna discover herself and they both form a stronger bond in this story of love and loss.
Thanks @shesaidyestobooks for recommending 🥰
Loved this feel good book.
Jenna goes on a road trip with her grandmother Evelyn who is not your average grandmother. Hats off to Evelyn. The type of grandmother everyone should have.
Evelyn revisits where she grew up and Jenna quickly starts learning about her family roots.
The story goes back and forth from when Evelyn was a teenager to the present where Evelyn helps Jenna discover herself and they both form a stronger bond in this story of love and loss.
Thanks @shesaidyestobooks for recommending 🥰
September 5, 2024
I really adore this author - you know what it means to fall in love with an author that is new to you? I read Don't Forget to write by this author, and i enjoyed and savored it so much, that I have literally bought at least ten copies as gifts this year, and have recommended it to maybe 25. i can't stop talking about how much I loved that book. Did I like this one as much? Possibly not - but it was also great. it really had everything. Fabulous quirky characters, the character of the past, and always, always love, and laughter sprinkled through. I really so enjoyed it.
July 5, 2022
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This story grew on me as I got settled into the narrative. Although I found the extensive characters a little confusing to identify, this did not prevent me from enjoying this gem of a story that was interesting to explore.
This story grew on me as I got settled into the narrative. Although I found the extensive characters a little confusing to identify, this did not prevent me from enjoying this gem of a story that was interesting to explore.
September 1, 2022
A wonderful and heartwarming story about family, love and second chances ❤️ rtc
March 29, 2022
“If torturing her daughters was an art form, my grandmother’s work belonged in the Louvre.”
Anyone remember Sophia Petrillo, Dorothy’s mom, from The Golden Girls? This feisty Sicilian lady is who I pictured as Evelyn Bergman Gold when I read Sara Goodman Confino’s ‘She’s Up To No Good.’
First of all, this was a stellar book! It got me out of a week-long reading funk. A new to me author, Confino is to be congratulated on a funny, poignant and heartwarming novel that had me giggling and flipping pages to find out what happened.
Lily Gold is single and homeless at 34 and is stagnating after returning to her parents' home when her marriage breaks up. When her grandmother announces that she’s heading off on a road trip from Maryland to Massachusetts, Evelyn offers to go along for the company. Sound familiar? Yes, I’ve read something along the same lines recently, too. DO NOT let this be the reason to pass on this fabulous book. It’s completely different.
You are going to love the characterization! You can already tell I love Evelyn. This witty don't-pull-the-wool-over-my-eyes 89-year-old grandma is the Queen of Malapropisms. You’ll be laughing out loud at her capers. Some of my favourites reminded me of Paul Rudd in Role Model at Starbucks as Evelyn is trying to order a Venti coffee, when she told her granddaughter that she’d rented “one of those Air Bed Bath and Beyond things,” and when she insisted to the police officer that she “took the HIV lane all the time!” I sure hope Confino isn’t finished with this character yet! I’m not ready to say goodbye.
This dual-timeline switches between 1950 Hereford, a seaside Massachusetts town, and present-day Maryland. Both timelines were equally compelling. The return to the town that shaped their family history is healing for both women. Lily meets family for the first time, makes a new friend and the confidence gained here allows her to heal and transform. The road trip is necessary for Evelyn, too, as she puts to rest some demons from her past and rekindles an old friendship. You’ll love the sense of place, the sense of community and the atmosphere. I could almost smell the sea air! Confino masterfully captures the essence of 1950s USA alongside the Jewish family traditions and mindset.
I can’t praise this book enough. It’s a beautiful mixture of forbidden love, second chances, choices, grief, sacrifice, family and returning home.
I was gifted this book by Sara Goodman Confino, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Anyone remember Sophia Petrillo, Dorothy’s mom, from The Golden Girls? This feisty Sicilian lady is who I pictured as Evelyn Bergman Gold when I read Sara Goodman Confino’s ‘She’s Up To No Good.’
First of all, this was a stellar book! It got me out of a week-long reading funk. A new to me author, Confino is to be congratulated on a funny, poignant and heartwarming novel that had me giggling and flipping pages to find out what happened.
Lily Gold is single and homeless at 34 and is stagnating after returning to her parents' home when her marriage breaks up. When her grandmother announces that she’s heading off on a road trip from Maryland to Massachusetts, Evelyn offers to go along for the company. Sound familiar? Yes, I’ve read something along the same lines recently, too. DO NOT let this be the reason to pass on this fabulous book. It’s completely different.
You are going to love the characterization! You can already tell I love Evelyn. This witty don't-pull-the-wool-over-my-eyes 89-year-old grandma is the Queen of Malapropisms. You’ll be laughing out loud at her capers. Some of my favourites reminded me of Paul Rudd in Role Model at Starbucks as Evelyn is trying to order a Venti coffee, when she told her granddaughter that she’d rented “one of those Air Bed Bath and Beyond things,” and when she insisted to the police officer that she “took the HIV lane all the time!” I sure hope Confino isn’t finished with this character yet! I’m not ready to say goodbye.
This dual-timeline switches between 1950 Hereford, a seaside Massachusetts town, and present-day Maryland. Both timelines were equally compelling. The return to the town that shaped their family history is healing for both women. Lily meets family for the first time, makes a new friend and the confidence gained here allows her to heal and transform. The road trip is necessary for Evelyn, too, as she puts to rest some demons from her past and rekindles an old friendship. You’ll love the sense of place, the sense of community and the atmosphere. I could almost smell the sea air! Confino masterfully captures the essence of 1950s USA alongside the Jewish family traditions and mindset.
I can’t praise this book enough. It’s a beautiful mixture of forbidden love, second chances, choices, grief, sacrifice, family and returning home.
I was gifted this book by Sara Goodman Confino, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 30, 2022
Jenna's life has been completely turned upside down when her husband blind sides her, asking for a divorce because he's in love with someone else. At the lowest of lows, she finds herself living with her parents in her mid 30s. She's about ready to be kicked out by her mom, when her grandma, Eleanor, decides to embark on a road trip to her hometown several miles away. With nothing better to do, Jenna offers to go with.
What follows is an amazing story of love, family and friendship. I absolutely loved this book for so many reasons:
❤️ The grandma. Eleanor is a fun, feisty, and fearless character. I definitely wish I had her in my life.
❤️Alternate timelines. I absolutely loved the flashbacks to the 1950s and Eleanor's youth.
❤️The humor. This book is laugh out loud funny
❤️Eleanor's big family
❤️And of course 💞LOVE💞
So much love in this book
Sara Goodman Confino absolutely knocked it out of park with this fun and heart-warming story. She's Up To No Good really tugged at my heart, sometimes breaking it but mostly making my heart smile.
What follows is an amazing story of love, family and friendship. I absolutely loved this book for so many reasons:
❤️ The grandma. Eleanor is a fun, feisty, and fearless character. I definitely wish I had her in my life.
❤️Alternate timelines. I absolutely loved the flashbacks to the 1950s and Eleanor's youth.
❤️The humor. This book is laugh out loud funny
❤️Eleanor's big family
❤️And of course 💞LOVE💞
So much love in this book
Sara Goodman Confino absolutely knocked it out of park with this fun and heart-warming story. She's Up To No Good really tugged at my heart, sometimes breaking it but mostly making my heart smile.
August 1, 2022
She's up to no Good is as perfect as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!
I'm surprised with how much I loved this story, how well writen it was, how the main characters (Jenna and her grandma Evelyn) were complex and so so so much more.
Read it.
I'm surprised with how much I loved this story, how well writen it was, how the main characters (Jenna and her grandma Evelyn) were complex and so so so much more.
Read it.
July 7, 2022
I got this book through Amazon first reads and could not be happier!!
Synopsis: Newly separated, Jenna has been having a hard time coming to terms with the end of her marriage and her unknown future. Six months later, she is still living with her parents at age 34 and has no interest in dating/ moving on. When her grandma proposes that she is going on a road trip to visit her Massachusetts hometown for unfinished business, Jenna volunteers to accompany her. At the start of their journey, Jenna's grandma begins to tell her about her own love story in hopes of cheering her up and the chapters alternate between the present day through Jenna's perspective and 1950s through the lens of her grandma. What follows is a unique, funny and heartwarming story about a Grandma/ granddaughter relationship, a second chance opportunity at love, the sacrifices you make for family and the strength it takes to take risks and begin again.
Thoughts: Wow! This story surprised me in all the right ways. I connected immediately to the Jewish representation, particularly the family views on marrying within the Jewish community after WWII, the meddling/ overbearing grandma and the references the author made about shabbot, education and other aspects of life. There was one particular scene about taking all the free sugar packets from Starbucks that couldn’t be more true. The romance in this story was way more prevalent than I initially expected, and I loved that we had had a forbidden love storyline in the past and a more insta-love relationship (don't worry it feels right) occurring in the present. Both Jenna and her grandma, Evelyn, were extremely likable main characters but I will say Evelyn was the one who made the story! The pacing was spot-on, the writing was clever, and the epilogue was beyond perfect.
Read if you like:
-Laugh out loud funny reads
-Strong character growth
-Jewish rep
-Grandma/ granddaughter stories
-Dual POVs and timelines
-Massachusetts beach town setting
-Being a tourist/ trying new activities
-Second chance love
Synopsis: Newly separated, Jenna has been having a hard time coming to terms with the end of her marriage and her unknown future. Six months later, she is still living with her parents at age 34 and has no interest in dating/ moving on. When her grandma proposes that she is going on a road trip to visit her Massachusetts hometown for unfinished business, Jenna volunteers to accompany her. At the start of their journey, Jenna's grandma begins to tell her about her own love story in hopes of cheering her up and the chapters alternate between the present day through Jenna's perspective and 1950s through the lens of her grandma. What follows is a unique, funny and heartwarming story about a Grandma/ granddaughter relationship, a second chance opportunity at love, the sacrifices you make for family and the strength it takes to take risks and begin again.
Thoughts: Wow! This story surprised me in all the right ways. I connected immediately to the Jewish representation, particularly the family views on marrying within the Jewish community after WWII, the meddling/ overbearing grandma and the references the author made about shabbot, education and other aspects of life. There was one particular scene about taking all the free sugar packets from Starbucks that couldn’t be more true. The romance in this story was way more prevalent than I initially expected, and I loved that we had had a forbidden love storyline in the past and a more insta-love relationship (don't worry it feels right) occurring in the present. Both Jenna and her grandma, Evelyn, were extremely likable main characters but I will say Evelyn was the one who made the story! The pacing was spot-on, the writing was clever, and the epilogue was beyond perfect.
Read if you like:
-Laugh out loud funny reads
-Strong character growth
-Jewish rep
-Grandma/ granddaughter stories
-Dual POVs and timelines
-Massachusetts beach town setting
-Being a tourist/ trying new activities
-Second chance love
August 19, 2022
All the stars!
I picked She’s Up to No Good for my July Amazon Prime First Reads book, and I’m so glad I did.
Let me start by saying how much I loved Evelyn! I loved her in the past timeline, but loved her even more in the present. She was sarcastic and snarky and all kinds of funny, and I just adored her character!
This story is told in two timelines, present day and in the 1950’s when Evelyn is a teenager and falls in love with a boy her parents don’t approve of. While the ladies are diving to Massachusetts, Evelyn begins telling the story of her first love, Tony, in hopes that it’ll help Jenna move on from her failed marriage. This was the perfect way to tell this story, and for once I loved both the past and present timelines equally.
In the present, Evelyn has Joe, Tony’s grand-nephew show Jenna around the town so she can learn about her family. It’s obvious Evelyn was trying to set them up, and I loved when she would involve herself in their outings! I enjoyed the scenes with Joe taking her around the area especially because Gloucester is one of my favorite towns in Massachusetts, and it’s mentioned a lot throughout the book (my photo us taken there).
This story is so much more than contemporary romance. There’s such a strong focus on family as well as dealing with loss, broken hearts, and moving on. I’m so glad I read this book and look forward to reading more this author!
I picked She’s Up to No Good for my July Amazon Prime First Reads book, and I’m so glad I did.
Let me start by saying how much I loved Evelyn! I loved her in the past timeline, but loved her even more in the present. She was sarcastic and snarky and all kinds of funny, and I just adored her character!
This story is told in two timelines, present day and in the 1950’s when Evelyn is a teenager and falls in love with a boy her parents don’t approve of. While the ladies are diving to Massachusetts, Evelyn begins telling the story of her first love, Tony, in hopes that it’ll help Jenna move on from her failed marriage. This was the perfect way to tell this story, and for once I loved both the past and present timelines equally.
In the present, Evelyn has Joe, Tony’s grand-nephew show Jenna around the town so she can learn about her family. It’s obvious Evelyn was trying to set them up, and I loved when she would involve herself in their outings! I enjoyed the scenes with Joe taking her around the area especially because Gloucester is one of my favorite towns in Massachusetts, and it’s mentioned a lot throughout the book (my photo us taken there).
This story is so much more than contemporary romance. There’s such a strong focus on family as well as dealing with loss, broken hearts, and moving on. I’m so glad I read this book and look forward to reading more this author!
May 27, 2022
Looking for your next best book of 2022? This is a hidden gem. SO good! Hilarious and witty with such a fun ending! I loved the grandma so much.
Watch my amazon live interview with Sara: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/74e...
Watch my amazon live interview with Sara: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/74e...
August 6, 2022
➡️ free audiobook on Kindle Unlimited
TROPES: forbidden love ⋙ friends to lovers ⋙ soon-to-be-divorcee
WHAT TO EXPECT: ➵ chick-lit humor;
➵ Dual timeline;
➵ Two love stories going on simultaneously;
➵ An insanely charismatic grandmother.
★¸¸.•*¨*•★ Review ★¸¸.•*¨*•★
RANTING: 5 smiley stars 🌟
Every once in awhile you come across a book that you want everyone you know (and don’t know! 😆) reading it. She’s Up to No Good is one of those books for me. What an incredible and especial journey!
I could not, would not, put it down! I felt all the emotions along with the characters. I laughed, fell in love, and felt the echos of my own familial losses while reading this book.
I loved the alternating perspectives and the character development. I loved the storyline. I loved the insight into the Jewish people and their lifestyle and beliefs. And I loved the spunky grandmother. There isn’t a thing I didn’t love it here.
I devoured this novel and look forward to more of this author writing.
TROPES: forbidden love ⋙ friends to lovers ⋙ soon-to-be-divorcee
WHAT TO EXPECT: ➵ chick-lit humor;
➵ Dual timeline;
➵ Two love stories going on simultaneously;
➵ An insanely charismatic grandmother.
★¸¸.•*¨*•★ Review ★¸¸.•*¨*•★
RANTING: 5 smiley stars 🌟
Every once in awhile you come across a book that you want everyone you know (and don’t know! 😆) reading it. She’s Up to No Good is one of those books for me. What an incredible and especial journey!
I could not, would not, put it down! I felt all the emotions along with the characters. I laughed, fell in love, and felt the echos of my own familial losses while reading this book.
I loved the alternating perspectives and the character development. I loved the storyline. I loved the insight into the Jewish people and their lifestyle and beliefs. And I loved the spunky grandmother. There isn’t a thing I didn’t love it here.
I devoured this novel and look forward to more of this author writing.
July 9, 2022
4.5/5 ⭐️
I absolutely devoured this book! It was so addicting listening to the Grandma’s (Evelyn) story about her childhood and the family dynamics in the 1950s. Also listening about her first love and their story gave me major butterflies. THEN her granddaughter meets her first love’s nephew?! It was fate and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how it ended. YES go read this.
I absolutely devoured this book! It was so addicting listening to the Grandma’s (Evelyn) story about her childhood and the family dynamics in the 1950s. Also listening about her first love and their story gave me major butterflies. THEN her granddaughter meets her first love’s nephew?! It was fate and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how it ended. YES go read this.
February 19, 2023
TW/CW:
3.5 ⭐️
I'll just kick off this review by saying that my favorite character was most definitely the Evelyn (the grandma), what a force of nature, this woman had a lifetime of challenges and still lived each moment as if it were her last. I loved following her in both timelines - yes you read that correctly, we follow the characters in the 'now' and in the same town back when Jenna's grandma was living there with her family - and you know how much I love me a book with multiple timelines!
My favorite was definitely that 'before' timeline, I really liked following Evelyn's story and how everything came to be. Our lives are impacted by all of our millions of little decisions, and this books was a great exploratory story of how so much is connected, how every little thing impacts something else.
My issue was more with the 'now' timeline with Jenna - her romance felt very instantaneous and didn't really make that much sense to me. I would have loved this story without that romantic element, because her family's story and its connection with this town and its people is just that much more interesting than the romance was. I loved all the little moments where history and present collided, where we visited different places in town and got the historic and the present history of these places.
Overall a very interesting story where I loved half of it and the other just didn't do it for me. I would still recommend this book and consider this another successful #NamesakeChallenge book - where I read books by authors with the same first name as me!
3.5 ⭐️
I'll just kick off this review by saying that my favorite character was most definitely the Evelyn (the grandma), what a force of nature, this woman had a lifetime of challenges and still lived each moment as if it were her last. I loved following her in both timelines - yes you read that correctly, we follow the characters in the 'now' and in the same town back when Jenna's grandma was living there with her family - and you know how much I love me a book with multiple timelines!
My favorite was definitely that 'before' timeline, I really liked following Evelyn's story and how everything came to be. Our lives are impacted by all of our millions of little decisions, and this books was a great exploratory story of how so much is connected, how every little thing impacts something else.
My issue was more with the 'now' timeline with Jenna - her romance felt very instantaneous and didn't really make that much sense to me. I would have loved this story without that romantic element, because her family's story and its connection with this town and its people is just that much more interesting than the romance was. I loved all the little moments where history and present collided, where we visited different places in town and got the historic and the present history of these places.
Overall a very interesting story where I loved half of it and the other just didn't do it for me. I would still recommend this book and consider this another successful #NamesakeChallenge book - where I read books by authors with the same first name as me!
September 27, 2023
A light summer read about a multi-generational family relationship (granddaughter and grandmother). The stubborn and hilarious grandmother (Evelyn) takes her recently separated granddaughter (Jenna) on a road trip to Massachusetts and down the memory lane to discover the family roots.
The story is told in dual narratives through Evelyn's young adulthood and Jenna's present. Similar to other books I've read with dual timelines, one timeline is usually more captivating than the other, and it's Evelyn's. This is one of my favorites out of the many Amazon First Read books I've downloaded.
The story is told in dual narratives through Evelyn's young adulthood and Jenna's present. Similar to other books I've read with dual timelines, one timeline is usually more captivating than the other, and it's Evelyn's. This is one of my favorites out of the many Amazon First Read books I've downloaded.
July 31, 2022
Thank you to @getredprbooks and @saraconfino for having me on this tour or She’s Up to No Good!
Read this if you
🏖 love spending every summer at the shore
👵🏻 have an extraordinary grandmother
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 want to read a cute romcom
🐟 enjoy seafood
She’s Up to No Good is told from two POVs, Jenna and her grandmother, Evelyn. Jenna has recently moved back into her parent’s house after her husband of six years announced that he’d met someone else. Wallowing and refusing to sign the separation agreement and allow her ex to be happy, Evelyn asks Jenna to accompany her on a little trip up to Hereford.
During their drive to Massachusetts, Evelyn begins to tell Jenna a story about a man she fell in love with at the age of 17. As Jenna learns more about her grandmother and the life she never knew she lived, she also starts to fall for a new guy while exploring Hereford with him. Will Jenna take a chance on love like her grandmother always did, or will she play it safe and easy instead, taking the path she’s always strayed towards?
I absolutely loved this novel and devoured it in a few short days! Evelyn’s story was so fascinating to me, and Sara does an amazing job setting up the town of Hereford. Not only did I wish that I was there with Jenna, I also wanted to know the spunky Evelyn at 17, doing whatever her heart desired, no matter what other people expected of her. While I don’t think of myself as outgoing as she is, I like to think that I speak my mind and go my own path. Jenna is lucky to have such a ferocious and formidable grandmother in her life. The dialogue was spot on, and I loved the family dynamics, especially the dramatic way in which customs changed in the 70 so years between POVs.
Read this if you
🏖 love spending every summer at the shore
👵🏻 have an extraordinary grandmother
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 want to read a cute romcom
🐟 enjoy seafood
She’s Up to No Good is told from two POVs, Jenna and her grandmother, Evelyn. Jenna has recently moved back into her parent’s house after her husband of six years announced that he’d met someone else. Wallowing and refusing to sign the separation agreement and allow her ex to be happy, Evelyn asks Jenna to accompany her on a little trip up to Hereford.
During their drive to Massachusetts, Evelyn begins to tell Jenna a story about a man she fell in love with at the age of 17. As Jenna learns more about her grandmother and the life she never knew she lived, she also starts to fall for a new guy while exploring Hereford with him. Will Jenna take a chance on love like her grandmother always did, or will she play it safe and easy instead, taking the path she’s always strayed towards?
I absolutely loved this novel and devoured it in a few short days! Evelyn’s story was so fascinating to me, and Sara does an amazing job setting up the town of Hereford. Not only did I wish that I was there with Jenna, I also wanted to know the spunky Evelyn at 17, doing whatever her heart desired, no matter what other people expected of her. While I don’t think of myself as outgoing as she is, I like to think that I speak my mind and go my own path. Jenna is lucky to have such a ferocious and formidable grandmother in her life. The dialogue was spot on, and I loved the family dynamics, especially the dramatic way in which customs changed in the 70 so years between POVs.
January 5, 2023
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
What I liked: I love dual timelines and these were done beautifully between the present with recently jilted Jenna and her eccentric grandmother Evelyn’s trip to the seaside where Evelyn grew up and much of their family history began. The second timeline is this past full of love, lies, secrets and hard choices.
Nitpicks: I would’ve liked a family tree illustration because there are so many family members to keep track of.
Overall: This book was often laugh out loud funny. Evelyn was pure joy and Jenna was simply rootworthy. This was the perfect first book of 2023.
Recommend: I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a messy yet loving family drama with plenty of laughs and heart.
What I liked: I love dual timelines and these were done beautifully between the present with recently jilted Jenna and her eccentric grandmother Evelyn’s trip to the seaside where Evelyn grew up and much of their family history began. The second timeline is this past full of love, lies, secrets and hard choices.
Nitpicks: I would’ve liked a family tree illustration because there are so many family members to keep track of.
Overall: This book was often laugh out loud funny. Evelyn was pure joy and Jenna was simply rootworthy. This was the perfect first book of 2023.
Recommend: I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a messy yet loving family drama with plenty of laughs and heart.
December 18, 2024
4.25/5. Highly enjoyable. Jenna went into a crippling state of depression when her husband left her. Her octogenarian grandmother proposes a car trip to a town which holds a lot of memories for their family. Jenna finds herself cajoled into accompanying her spirited nan, Evelyn, in order to keep the latter alive and out of trouble. As she learns of Evelyn's past and her family's close ties to the town and its inhabitants, Jenna finds herself revived and ready to move forward and shed toxic baggage from her past. Likeable characters.
Lively narration.
Lively narration.
August 22, 2022
Do you have a spunky grandma? I sure did. She was the epitome of grace, but her stubborn streak was a mile long!
I’ll never forget the morning her cardiologist told me to *rush* her to their office. Her idea of rushing out was to use lipstick for blush instead of getting all of her makeup out. My idea was leaving the house sans makeup. Guess who won?
I have a feeling our main character, Jenna, and I could commiserate.
She’s Up to No Good is a sweet story filled with nostalgia that celebrates the connection between a grandmother and granddaughter.
When Jenna’s octogenarian grandmother, Evelyn, decides to return to her childhood hometown to handle “personal business,” Jenna can’t imagine letting her go it alone. But Evelyn isn’t as senile or incapable as others think, and her plans for this trip will generate a long lasting impact for both.
The dual timeline storytelling and adept Jewish representation were both noteworthy. But it was the characterization that really kept me hanging on.
Jenna… straight laced, a bit overwhelmed by life, and a little fearful of the future. I think many of us can empathize with her, especially those times when life hasn’t turned out the way we expected.
Evelyn… brash, bold, and full of confidence. She is who we all aspire to be! She speaks her mind and has a full arsenal of zingers (that will keep you in stitches). But most importantly, Evelyn is a woman who has lived life to the fullest, even amongst the hardships. Like the best grandmothers, it’s hard to decide whether to roll your eyes or be inspired by Evelyn (probably both). She’s the true star of this book!
This was a light, heartwarming story that would be a great pool side read.
Many thanks to @getredprbooks and Lake Union Publishing for this #gifted copy.
I’ll never forget the morning her cardiologist told me to *rush* her to their office. Her idea of rushing out was to use lipstick for blush instead of getting all of her makeup out. My idea was leaving the house sans makeup. Guess who won?
I have a feeling our main character, Jenna, and I could commiserate.
She’s Up to No Good is a sweet story filled with nostalgia that celebrates the connection between a grandmother and granddaughter.
When Jenna’s octogenarian grandmother, Evelyn, decides to return to her childhood hometown to handle “personal business,” Jenna can’t imagine letting her go it alone. But Evelyn isn’t as senile or incapable as others think, and her plans for this trip will generate a long lasting impact for both.
The dual timeline storytelling and adept Jewish representation were both noteworthy. But it was the characterization that really kept me hanging on.
Jenna… straight laced, a bit overwhelmed by life, and a little fearful of the future. I think many of us can empathize with her, especially those times when life hasn’t turned out the way we expected.
Evelyn… brash, bold, and full of confidence. She is who we all aspire to be! She speaks her mind and has a full arsenal of zingers (that will keep you in stitches). But most importantly, Evelyn is a woman who has lived life to the fullest, even amongst the hardships. Like the best grandmothers, it’s hard to decide whether to roll your eyes or be inspired by Evelyn (probably both). She’s the true star of this book!
This was a light, heartwarming story that would be a great pool side read.
Many thanks to @getredprbooks and Lake Union Publishing for this #gifted copy.
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