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The Goodmans
The lovely doctor Abby Hart lives in her dream cottage in the quintessential English border town of Ludbury, home to the Goodmans. Maggie Goodman, all fire and passion, is like another mother to her, amiable Richard a rock and 60s-child Celia is the grandmother she never had.But Abby has a secret. Best friend Jude Goodman is the love of her life, and very, very straight. Even if Jude had ever given a woman a second glance, there’d also be the small problem of Maggie – she would definitely not approve.But secrets have a habit of sneaking out, and Abby’s not the only one with something to hide. Life is just about to get very interesting for the Goodmans. Things are not what they used to be, but could they be even better?
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2018
321 people are currently reading
2282 people want to read
About the author
Clare Ashton
16 books1,608 followersClare Ashton loves writing sapphic stories. Whether it’s a romcom or mystery, there’s always a queer woman about. With gorgeous settings, from the hills of Wales to college halls of Oxford, every book is a travel destination from the comfort of an armchair. Best known for her award-winning, sunny romance, Poppy Jenkins, and rollercoaster family drama, The Goodmans, Clare has a new series that captures the best of both and more, with Meeting Millie kicking off The Oxford Romance series.
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
June 26, 2018
4.75 Stars. Wonderful! After seeing all the excellent reviews for this book I was dying to read it. I had high expectations and I’m so happy they were all filled. This was exactly the type of really good book I needed after a few recent not so great reads.
I would classify this as a light family drama with two really good romances. One romance was expected and was about a woman who had been in love with her best friend for years. The other romance was a pleasant surprise and I felt really added to the book for me. I’m going to keep this review short. There are some fantastic reviews that are out already if you want more of a summary.
This book really had a bit of everything. Some light funny moments, drama, plenty of sparks and great chemistry, and even some sadness. I wasn’t full on crying, but tears kept welling in my eyes and my nose kept stuffing up. It was the perfect book that will make you feel and genuinely care for all the characters. That’s something else I have to mention, the characters were all wonderful and all unique.
If you have this book on your to read list, don’t hesitate any longer, go run and pick it up. It is absolutely worth the read and just a damn good story. I have not read any books by Ashton in a long time. Now I need to go and finally read Poppy Jenkins. I forgot how good of a writer she is. Thank you Netty for this book it was a perfect B-day present:)
I would classify this as a light family drama with two really good romances. One romance was expected and was about a woman who had been in love with her best friend for years. The other romance was a pleasant surprise and I felt really added to the book for me. I’m going to keep this review short. There are some fantastic reviews that are out already if you want more of a summary.
This book really had a bit of everything. Some light funny moments, drama, plenty of sparks and great chemistry, and even some sadness. I wasn’t full on crying, but tears kept welling in my eyes and my nose kept stuffing up. It was the perfect book that will make you feel and genuinely care for all the characters. That’s something else I have to mention, the characters were all wonderful and all unique.
If you have this book on your to read list, don’t hesitate any longer, go run and pick it up. It is absolutely worth the read and just a damn good story. I have not read any books by Ashton in a long time. Now I need to go and finally read Poppy Jenkins. I forgot how good of a writer she is. Thank you Netty for this book it was a perfect B-day present:)
June 9, 2018
If Poppy Jenkins and After Mrs Hamilton had a baby...
this book would be it. No really. This book has all the sweetness and romance from Poppy Jenkins and all the complexities and drama from After Mrs Hamilton. I'm once again absolutely blown away by what Clare Ashton has written.
Buckle up for one hell of a ride because this book has two main story lines that will grab hold of you and not let go, so make sure that when you start reading you will not be disturbed until you finish this.
The first story line as the blurb of the book mentions is that of best friends Abby and Jude. Their friendship is intense and fierce but what happens when you start seeing your best friend in a different light? When you have always considered yourself straight how do you rationalize having romantic and sexual feelings for another woman? I really liked how Abby and Jude's story played out. It was really sweet and yet managed to be very sexy.
The second story line is that of Maggie Goodman and I think I might like hers more than that of Abby and Jude. When we are first introduced to this character I really didn't know what the make of her. She's crass, blunt and curses like a sailor. Needless to say she was not my favorite character but boy did my opinion of her change at the end of the book. This women's story felt so heartbreaking real. The best way I can describe it is with the following excerpt from the book:
I’m no longer a wife she’d say. I’m less than I was. I’m a mother who is no longer needed. A teacher who no longer teaches. A daughter who is avoided. I’m nothing I used to be.
Although the book has it's fair share of drama and angst, it's not the overwhelming kind, in fact it's very much needed. Don't think however there are no moments of levity because there are several laugh out loud moments throughout the book. One of my favorites being the following quote:
“I’m a terrible lesbian. How can I be allergic to pussy, hmm?”
I know the feeling, I'm allergic to pu.. cats as well. Are you tired of reading my review yet? Yes? Good, now you can go read this not to be missed book. Full 5* rating for this beauty!
this book would be it. No really. This book has all the sweetness and romance from Poppy Jenkins and all the complexities and drama from After Mrs Hamilton. I'm once again absolutely blown away by what Clare Ashton has written.
Buckle up for one hell of a ride because this book has two main story lines that will grab hold of you and not let go, so make sure that when you start reading you will not be disturbed until you finish this.
The first story line as the blurb of the book mentions is that of best friends Abby and Jude. Their friendship is intense and fierce but what happens when you start seeing your best friend in a different light? When you have always considered yourself straight how do you rationalize having romantic and sexual feelings for another woman? I really liked how Abby and Jude's story played out. It was really sweet and yet managed to be very sexy.
The second story line is that of Maggie Goodman and I think I might like hers more than that of Abby and Jude. When we are first introduced to this character I really didn't know what the make of her. She's crass, blunt and curses like a sailor. Needless to say she was not my favorite character but boy did my opinion of her change at the end of the book. This women's story felt so heartbreaking real. The best way I can describe it is with the following excerpt from the book:
I’m no longer a wife she’d say. I’m less than I was. I’m a mother who is no longer needed. A teacher who no longer teaches. A daughter who is avoided. I’m nothing I used to be.
Although the book has it's fair share of drama and angst, it's not the overwhelming kind, in fact it's very much needed. Don't think however there are no moments of levity because there are several laugh out loud moments throughout the book. One of my favorites being the following quote:
“I’m a terrible lesbian. How can I be allergic to pussy, hmm?”
I know the feeling, I'm allergic to pu.. cats as well. Are you tired of reading my review yet? Yes? Good, now you can go read this not to be missed book. Full 5* rating for this beauty!
June 17, 2018
Reading The Goodmans is like having a multi course meal. It starts off with an hearty appetizer. Town doctor Abby Hart nurses a secret, unrequited flame for her bff Jude, who is unfortunately quite straight. Their "best friends to lovers" story, while filling, is not the main course though. Abby lives with Jude's parents, who've practically adopted her. That gets her a lot of Jude-time, but it also means putting up with the famously cranky, opinionated and irascible Maggie, Jude's mom. Maggie gets her own POV in the book and at first, her story starts out like an unsavory side dish. But leave it to the author to figure out a way to shake things up. By dropping a mystery character into the mix, the "secret ingredient" elevates Maggie's story to main course status. It's a perfect blend of pathos, missed opportunities and regret. And a hint of hope. In between courses, there's lots of meaty side dishes to sink one's teeth into. The social issues besetting the small English town (sadly very common the world over), Maggie's taking up the good fight, the quirky, memorable side characters like the nosy and noisy neighbor, the "other" Tory woman, and the unforgettably smutty Eli.
And of course we must not forget the dessert, always my favorite part of the meal. In the literal sense, I mean. There are several here, from the saucy to the sublime. But I will leave it to the reader to discover the delights for themselves.
Now that I'm done with my cheesy food analogy, I'd like to point out my favorite things about the book. 1. The angst (always) 2. The characters Maggie (most complicated character in recent memory) and Juliette, most sexy. and 3. The romance(s)
The things that bugged me: the frequent pov changes, the circumstances of the original breakup but of course it makes it all more romantic so I guess I can give it a pass.
A bit of an Easter egg :
5 stars
And of course we must not forget the dessert, always my favorite part of the meal. In the literal sense, I mean. There are several here, from the saucy to the sublime. But I will leave it to the reader to discover the delights for themselves.
Now that I'm done with my cheesy food analogy, I'd like to point out my favorite things about the book. 1. The angst (always) 2. The characters Maggie (most complicated character in recent memory) and Juliette, most sexy. and 3. The romance(s)
The things that bugged me: the frequent pov changes, the circumstances of the original breakup but of course it makes it all more romantic so I guess I can give it a pass.
A bit of an Easter egg :
5 stars
September 2, 2021
I wonder why I waited two years to read this brilliant book.
November 13, 2020
Came for Abby/Jude, stayed for Maggie.
January 14, 2019
After assembling about a thousand pieces of Lego / Duplo, two storage units, some Star Wars mixed with Harry Potter role play, I finally finished reading this bundle of surprises book.
thelesbianreview.com have my eternal gratitude for highlighting Ms.Ashton's work. Through the website, I read and fall in love with Poppy Jenkins + discover another favorite author - Ann Mcman. For those unfamiliar with such website, beware as hardly any books receive bad reviews so you'll be wanting to get your hands on everything.
One of the reasons why I love Ms.Ashton's work so dearly is how she's able to incorporate every aspect of life in her story without overdoing anything, create extremely lovable characters that I can't shake them off my memory/heart, design a picturesque town with some heartbreaking hardship for the townsfolk, a glimmer of hope for those deserving and the town ogre that will give you the chance to curse legitly.
Confession, why it takes me such a long time to read this is because of Maggie Goodman. I do not want to read about her as a main character, I want Abby and Jude but while I'm reading this and at the end of it, my heart is Maggie's.
I'm quoting Jude Goodman to describe Maggie
" The most infuriating, inspirational, cantankerous, loyal, ferocious, irritating, nurturing, encouraging, unfathomable" - mother / daughter / wife/ lover/ teacher / woman/ auntie / neighbor.
The plot twist is worth plenty of OMGs.
If you're not planning to read this, then you're missing out on something incredibly amazing so treat yourself to this beautiful tale of lovable characters and be wowed by their personalities, histories, future plans, love interests, routines, generosities and antics and I'm waiting in anticipation to read your thoughts on this book :)
thelesbianreview.com have my eternal gratitude for highlighting Ms.Ashton's work. Through the website, I read and fall in love with Poppy Jenkins + discover another favorite author - Ann Mcman. For those unfamiliar with such website, beware as hardly any books receive bad reviews so you'll be wanting to get your hands on everything.
One of the reasons why I love Ms.Ashton's work so dearly is how she's able to incorporate every aspect of life in her story without overdoing anything, create extremely lovable characters that I can't shake them off my memory/heart, design a picturesque town with some heartbreaking hardship for the townsfolk, a glimmer of hope for those deserving and the town ogre that will give you the chance to curse legitly.
Confession, why it takes me such a long time to read this is because of Maggie Goodman. I do not want to read about her as a main character, I want Abby and Jude but while I'm reading this and at the end of it, my heart is Maggie's.
I'm quoting Jude Goodman to describe Maggie
" The most infuriating, inspirational, cantankerous, loyal, ferocious, irritating, nurturing, encouraging, unfathomable" - mother / daughter / wife/ lover/ teacher / woman/ auntie / neighbor.
The plot twist is worth plenty of OMGs.
If you're not planning to read this, then you're missing out on something incredibly amazing so treat yourself to this beautiful tale of lovable characters and be wowed by their personalities, histories, future plans, love interests, routines, generosities and antics and I'm waiting in anticipation to read your thoughts on this book :)
March 18, 2024
4.4 stars. This one's pretty good read. I had the wrong expectations coming in. I thought the book is a romance focusing mainly on one pair of characters and their love. Instead, the story tells a tale about many kinds of different relationships from familial to romantic.
I guess there are two main pairs with several secondary pairings? Either way, I didn't get what I expected, and the romance while sweet and somewhat satisfying was rushed because the book covers so many relationships that it's tough to develop them properly within a limited page count. As a result, the main romance suffered.
But Clare Ashton can write. And while the start was slow soon enough, I got into the rhythm and finished the book in one sitting. All characters are well developed and distinct. You can even see clear differences in how some of the characters talk in the way how they use language. For example, the cheeky little brother comes off exactly like characterized with expertly written dialogue. No other character in the book would talk like him. Same with Maggie. I wish Jude got more attention though, she's still a little bit of a mystery after finishing the book despite being one of the main characters. It's almost as if the book is actually about Maggie.
I also wasn't a fan of the many rants about UK specific politics. The real world is already full of that crap. I read books to avoid it, and there are many other ways to depict a woman as bitter. So, yeah, not a fan of politics in my lesfic.
Overall, a good family drama type of book.
I guess there are two main pairs with several secondary pairings? Either way, I didn't get what I expected, and the romance while sweet and somewhat satisfying was rushed because the book covers so many relationships that it's tough to develop them properly within a limited page count. As a result, the main romance suffered.
But Clare Ashton can write. And while the start was slow soon enough, I got into the rhythm and finished the book in one sitting. All characters are well developed and distinct. You can even see clear differences in how some of the characters talk in the way how they use language. For example, the cheeky little brother comes off exactly like characterized with expertly written dialogue. No other character in the book would talk like him. Same with Maggie. I wish Jude got more attention though, she's still a little bit of a mystery after finishing the book despite being one of the main characters. It's almost as if the book is actually about Maggie.
I also wasn't a fan of the many rants about UK specific politics. The real world is already full of that crap. I read books to avoid it, and there are many other ways to depict a woman as bitter. So, yeah, not a fan of politics in my lesfic.
Overall, a good family drama type of book.
January 16, 2019
Well. Then.
Well buggering then, if I may be as vulgar as Maggie.
I'm stunned. In awe. Just...this book puts my expectations on a high plane, so good luck to me in not comparing while searching for my next read.
Clare Ashton, damn. You have my highest respect because I absolutely adored The Goodmans. I laughed, I cringed, I got choked up, I sexily squirmed. I give this story a chef's kiss, even if I'm a cupcake.
Jude and Abby. Maggie and Juliette. Ashton somehow got me crushing on both Abby and Juliette and it's unfair to my gay heart to have this array of complex and interesting characters. I'm pretty high on all this. It's brilliant.
Maggie took some getting used to, but I eventually found myself sympathizing strongly with her. Without spoiling, I'll say she expresses many strong, harsh opinions. Some fair, some not. Ashton develops her and other characters, as well as naturally providing backstory that ties everything together.
I'm reeling. I'm so in love with this.
The twists, the turns, the changes of perspective all worked for me. Not choppy or sloppily put together. Plus, it kept the story moving while holding my interest to all the bits and pieces.
And can we mention a part in the end?
I keep trying to put 6 stars, but gr won't let me. :( Until it comes to its senses, I'll give this a proud ☆☆☆☆☆
Well buggering then, if I may be as vulgar as Maggie.
I'm stunned. In awe. Just...this book puts my expectations on a high plane, so good luck to me in not comparing while searching for my next read.
Clare Ashton, damn. You have my highest respect because I absolutely adored The Goodmans. I laughed, I cringed, I got choked up, I sexily squirmed. I give this story a chef's kiss, even if I'm a cupcake.
Jude and Abby. Maggie and Juliette. Ashton somehow got me crushing on both Abby and Juliette and it's unfair to my gay heart to have this array of complex and interesting characters. I'm pretty high on all this. It's brilliant.
Maggie took some getting used to, but I eventually found myself sympathizing strongly with her. Without spoiling, I'll say she expresses many strong, harsh opinions. Some fair, some not. Ashton develops her and other characters, as well as naturally providing backstory that ties everything together.
I'm reeling. I'm so in love with this.
The twists, the turns, the changes of perspective all worked for me. Not choppy or sloppily put together. Plus, it kept the story moving while holding my interest to all the bits and pieces.
And can we mention a part in the end?
I keep trying to put 6 stars, but gr won't let me. :( Until it comes to its senses, I'll give this a proud ☆☆☆☆☆
June 16, 2018
Finished The Goodmans with Book Club Buddie D. last night and I’m still reelin’ with the feelin’ as I sit down to write this review the morning after. Yowzah! The fabulous Clare Ashton just keeps blowing my mind. Alexis nailed it when she wrote If Poppy Jenkins and After Mrs Hamilton had a baby... because that’s exactly how it felt to me as well. The cozy English village feel of Poppy combined with the twists and turns of Mrs Hamilton. It was just a brilliant read.
I fell in love with all the characters (if such a thing is possible) and the story just kept getting better and better. Such a wonderful journey for all involved with probably the most satisfying epilogue I’ve read in a long time.
With The Goodmans you get two love stories (well basically four) for the price of one. And for such a reasonable price as well (I was pleasantly shocked to find this jewel was going for only half the price of what you pay for most lesfic today). Just another reason I love and adore Independent Authors! Support them by buying their work!!
Like all of Ashton’s work this book will go on my perpetual re-read shelf.
f/f explicit
Themes: life in Ludburry, I loved Abby’s silent passion for Jude, I adored Jude’s unconditional love for Abby, Maggie’s character really was a journey of discovery… D. and I did not see that coming, frilly nickers up the flagpole, when your painful past returns and stares you in the face, just buy the book already.
5 stars
I fell in love with all the characters (if such a thing is possible) and the story just kept getting better and better. Such a wonderful journey for all involved with probably the most satisfying epilogue I’ve read in a long time.
With The Goodmans you get two love stories (well basically four) for the price of one. And for such a reasonable price as well (I was pleasantly shocked to find this jewel was going for only half the price of what you pay for most lesfic today). Just another reason I love and adore Independent Authors! Support them by buying their work!!
Like all of Ashton’s work this book will go on my perpetual re-read shelf.
f/f explicit
Themes: life in Ludburry, I loved Abby’s silent passion for Jude, I adored Jude’s unconditional love for Abby, Maggie’s character really was a journey of discovery… D. and I did not see that coming, frilly nickers up the flagpole, when your painful past returns and stares you in the face, just buy the book already.
5 stars
August 20, 2018
Amazing! This is my first book by this author, but definitely not the last one. This book is one of those I wanted to read because of all the reviews I’ve read from my GR friends. And I’m really happy I did. It’s nod a standard romance with one lead, this one has two leads, the one of Maggie, the mother of Jude, and Jude.
Maggie has lost her one big love of her life as a young woman and never really recovered from the loss. She has a fiery temper and acts like a lioness who wants to protect her family, always, no matter what is thrown in her way. After Abby, Jude’s best friend, lost her family Maggie took her under her wings and treats her like another daughter, but she doesn’t approve of Abby’s lifestyle and nobody understands why. When somebody from her past is visiting, everything falls apart or maybe back in the right place?
Abby, the lovely doctor Hart, loves women. No, not women, just the one she will never get, her best friend, straight Jude. To protect the friendship, she hides her feelings, but it’s getting harder and harder.
Jude loves Abby dearly, but not in the same way as Abby does. But after she breaks up with Bill and some serious thinking, she isn’t sure anymore what kind of love she feels for her best friend. Is there more possible?
Ashton did a wonderful job to narrate the story of the Goodman women. Sparks are flying, a drama is unfolding, funny scenes follow each other, witty dialogues in an exchange with accusations and serious discussions. It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride with great characters, the main and the secondary ones. Sometimes I was laughing and some pages later, I had tears in my eyes.
Absolutely wonderful and touching romances I heartily recommend.
My rating 5 stars.
Maggie has lost her one big love of her life as a young woman and never really recovered from the loss. She has a fiery temper and acts like a lioness who wants to protect her family, always, no matter what is thrown in her way. After Abby, Jude’s best friend, lost her family Maggie took her under her wings and treats her like another daughter, but she doesn’t approve of Abby’s lifestyle and nobody understands why. When somebody from her past is visiting, everything falls apart or maybe back in the right place?
Abby, the lovely doctor Hart, loves women. No, not women, just the one she will never get, her best friend, straight Jude. To protect the friendship, she hides her feelings, but it’s getting harder and harder.
Jude loves Abby dearly, but not in the same way as Abby does. But after she breaks up with Bill and some serious thinking, she isn’t sure anymore what kind of love she feels for her best friend. Is there more possible?
Ashton did a wonderful job to narrate the story of the Goodman women. Sparks are flying, a drama is unfolding, funny scenes follow each other, witty dialogues in an exchange with accusations and serious discussions. It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride with great characters, the main and the secondary ones. Sometimes I was laughing and some pages later, I had tears in my eyes.
Absolutely wonderful and touching romances I heartily recommend.
My rating 5 stars.
June 10, 2018
Clare Ashton is amazing. I’ll start by saying that. I always get sucked into her books without even realizing that I’ve been captured.
There is absolutely something about the way Ashton writes that I just can’t put my finger on. She’s complex, but so simple at the same time. I suppose it’s much like the human condition. We are all unique, but all so the same. Somehow Ashton finds words to make her characters relatable even though they each have their own perspective and are so far off the map from one another.
So...gah...what we have here is the Goodman family and Abby. This is written in 3rd person from Abby, Jude, and Maggie’s perspective. Initially, the reader isn’t meant to understand why we’re in Maggie’s head, but a little more than halfway through, it all becomes clear.
Here’s another thing about reviewing Ashton: it becomes difficult to write anything without feeling like every word is a spoiler. She writes romances that are wrapped in family dramas, but hell if they aren’t family dramas that harbor really deep secrets meant to intrigue and horrify. There really isn’t anything horrifying here (I was flash-backing to ‘After Mrs. Hamilton’ there for a minute), but there is definitely one character that is layered in a way that is meant to be pieced together like a puzzle. It became a bit obvious at the 43% mark, but that didn’t make it any less interesting. I didn’t stop questioning who she was and what her backstory was; in fact I was driven to continue because I just needed to know more about her.
That is Clare Ashton in a nutshell. She writes in a way that makes the reader compelled to ask questions about her characters and thus devour her words to find the answers. I don’t read her books merely for the romance as I often do with so many romance authors. I read them for the layered stories and rich characters. Every minute is enthralling and I recommend giving this a go. 4.5* rounded up.
This is a big spoiler, so I seriously recommend not clicking here unless you’ve read the book because it will ruin it:
There is absolutely something about the way Ashton writes that I just can’t put my finger on. She’s complex, but so simple at the same time. I suppose it’s much like the human condition. We are all unique, but all so the same. Somehow Ashton finds words to make her characters relatable even though they each have their own perspective and are so far off the map from one another.
So...gah...what we have here is the Goodman family and Abby. This is written in 3rd person from Abby, Jude, and Maggie’s perspective. Initially, the reader isn’t meant to understand why we’re in Maggie’s head, but a little more than halfway through, it all becomes clear.
Here’s another thing about reviewing Ashton: it becomes difficult to write anything without feeling like every word is a spoiler. She writes romances that are wrapped in family dramas, but hell if they aren’t family dramas that harbor really deep secrets meant to intrigue and horrify. There really isn’t anything horrifying here (I was flash-backing to ‘After Mrs. Hamilton’ there for a minute), but there is definitely one character that is layered in a way that is meant to be pieced together like a puzzle. It became a bit obvious at the 43% mark, but that didn’t make it any less interesting. I didn’t stop questioning who she was and what her backstory was; in fact I was driven to continue because I just needed to know more about her.
That is Clare Ashton in a nutshell. She writes in a way that makes the reader compelled to ask questions about her characters and thus devour her words to find the answers. I don’t read her books merely for the romance as I often do with so many romance authors. I read them for the layered stories and rich characters. Every minute is enthralling and I recommend giving this a go. 4.5* rounded up.
This is a big spoiler, so I seriously recommend not clicking here unless you’ve read the book because it will ruin it:
June 7, 2018
Clare Ashton just keeps getting better & better!!!
June 4, 2018
If you ever wanted to know how straight women "become" lesbians, how lesbians fall in love, make love and almost ruin love, The Goodmans is the book for you!
I didn’t know how, or if, British author Clare Ashton would be able to match her best-selling Poppy Jenkins until I read The Goodmans and realized Ashton has done it again—and beautifully with this carefully crafted, lyrical celebration of romantic dysfunction, generational secrets and broken hearts trying to be made whole again! The Goodmans is a DramaCom hiding inside a RomCom that mysteriously escaped from Ashton’s talented mind and goes straight to our hearts.
In the laugh out loud scenarios and reenactments that Ashton applies genius to, we find ourselves caught somewhere between “Ah ha!” and “Oh My God, NO!” The Goodmans are not the every family of modern day, but close enough for a serious DSM case history review. In other words, the whole family is falling apart—and “there goes the neighborhood” is the least of it. Lives are changing, hearts are changing, relationships are changing, and no family handles it worse than The Goodmans.
The poignancy of the hard charging mother, Maggie Goodman, suddenly feeling useless in her world is a brilliant and memorable character study; the father, Richard Goodman moves from cheese brick family stalwart to crumbling feta emo, a little. And the undercurrent of sizzle and sex shadow the daughter, Jude Goodman and her best friend, Abby from start to finish. It’s their story, too, but the craftsmanship and talent of Ashton is that she has made it several people’s story, and it works flawlessly.
But the real surprise, the one I did not see coming, was the character of Juliette, an old college chum of Maggie’s. If she’s not the sexiest woman alive in Ashton’s repertoire of fictional sirens of sensuality since After Mrs. Hamilton (an earlier Ashton character and novel), well…trust me, she is! There’s a love-making scene with Juliette in this book (no spoilers as to who with!) that will make you wonder why all women aren’t lesbians!
What I loved about this story, aside from lots of laughter and great sex scenes, not necessarily combined, but not necessarily separated either, was the achingly beautiful emotional reveals for each of the main characters. Ashton captures the competing emotions of mortified dread and discombobulated desire better than any writer out there.
She builds a character out of all the little bits and pieces of personality, motivation and physical attributes and gives them important issues to deal with. What might begin as a pratfall moment ends up revealing the utter vulnerability of the human condition in the throes of love’s bravery and the chaos of fear and loathing on a grand scale.
This is a gorgeous love story. Get it, submerge yourself in it and understand once again how Clare Ashton gets you to fall in love with people who don’t exist—except they do, somewhere, everywhere, always. The Goodmans is my new favorite Ashton book.
I didn’t know how, or if, British author Clare Ashton would be able to match her best-selling Poppy Jenkins until I read The Goodmans and realized Ashton has done it again—and beautifully with this carefully crafted, lyrical celebration of romantic dysfunction, generational secrets and broken hearts trying to be made whole again! The Goodmans is a DramaCom hiding inside a RomCom that mysteriously escaped from Ashton’s talented mind and goes straight to our hearts.
In the laugh out loud scenarios and reenactments that Ashton applies genius to, we find ourselves caught somewhere between “Ah ha!” and “Oh My God, NO!” The Goodmans are not the every family of modern day, but close enough for a serious DSM case history review. In other words, the whole family is falling apart—and “there goes the neighborhood” is the least of it. Lives are changing, hearts are changing, relationships are changing, and no family handles it worse than The Goodmans.
The poignancy of the hard charging mother, Maggie Goodman, suddenly feeling useless in her world is a brilliant and memorable character study; the father, Richard Goodman moves from cheese brick family stalwart to crumbling feta emo, a little. And the undercurrent of sizzle and sex shadow the daughter, Jude Goodman and her best friend, Abby from start to finish. It’s their story, too, but the craftsmanship and talent of Ashton is that she has made it several people’s story, and it works flawlessly.
But the real surprise, the one I did not see coming, was the character of Juliette, an old college chum of Maggie’s. If she’s not the sexiest woman alive in Ashton’s repertoire of fictional sirens of sensuality since After Mrs. Hamilton (an earlier Ashton character and novel), well…trust me, she is! There’s a love-making scene with Juliette in this book (no spoilers as to who with!) that will make you wonder why all women aren’t lesbians!
What I loved about this story, aside from lots of laughter and great sex scenes, not necessarily combined, but not necessarily separated either, was the achingly beautiful emotional reveals for each of the main characters. Ashton captures the competing emotions of mortified dread and discombobulated desire better than any writer out there.
She builds a character out of all the little bits and pieces of personality, motivation and physical attributes and gives them important issues to deal with. What might begin as a pratfall moment ends up revealing the utter vulnerability of the human condition in the throes of love’s bravery and the chaos of fear and loathing on a grand scale.
This is a gorgeous love story. Get it, submerge yourself in it and understand once again how Clare Ashton gets you to fall in love with people who don’t exist—except they do, somewhere, everywhere, always. The Goodmans is my new favorite Ashton book.
January 19, 2025
My favorite book of 2023 was Meeting Millie. In 2024, it was Tempting Olivia. Poppy Jenkins remains the only book that I have gotten to The End and then turned to Page 1 so I could immediately reread because I was not ready to leave. There is a pattern here.
I am slowly making my way through Clare Ashton’s books because I want to savor each one. The Goodmans is a story about a family in a small town in England. It’s never easy to describe this author’s books because they focus on character development. It’s always a thing of beauty, the layers and complexity, in her gorgeous stories. Beautiful, clever dialogue and descriptions. Unforgettable moments.
The Goodmans, Jude, her brother Eli, her parents, her grandmother, and her best friend, Abby, all seem to have experienced a major shift. Life has changed for everyone and kicked them out of their comfort zones. The author builds an intricate story about people accepting and moving through what comes next, the ups, the downs, the scary decisions. There is humor, some hot romances, and a heartfelt story about how people have to work hard if they want to keep their families together. And hope. So much about hope. Wonderful read.
I am slowly making my way through Clare Ashton’s books because I want to savor each one. The Goodmans is a story about a family in a small town in England. It’s never easy to describe this author’s books because they focus on character development. It’s always a thing of beauty, the layers and complexity, in her gorgeous stories. Beautiful, clever dialogue and descriptions. Unforgettable moments.
The Goodmans, Jude, her brother Eli, her parents, her grandmother, and her best friend, Abby, all seem to have experienced a major shift. Life has changed for everyone and kicked them out of their comfort zones. The author builds an intricate story about people accepting and moving through what comes next, the ups, the downs, the scary decisions. There is humor, some hot romances, and a heartfelt story about how people have to work hard if they want to keep their families together. And hope. So much about hope. Wonderful read.
June 17, 2018
Bloody brilliant!
I love a good 'banter' in a book!
I love a good 'banter' in a book!
June 27, 2018
Hey, you get here two romances for the price of one. You'll find here drama, romance and comedy. Absolutely fantastic. Clare Ashton at its best.
April 8, 2021
I came back here just to say how much I highly recommend this book, an amazing read! Literally recommending this to every new WLW reader.
June 12, 2018
If I've to choose a favorite author, it'd be Clare Ashton. She never failed to surprised me. To keep it simple, this book is perfect. Go read it, you won't be disappointed. I was so engrossed that I'd finished it in one sitting. No doubt in near future I'll re-read it to savour it more.
What can I say? Drama, romance, comedy purrrfectly wrapped in one book, not to mention the carefully crafted stories woven into it.
What can I say? Drama, romance, comedy purrrfectly wrapped in one book, not to mention the carefully crafted stories woven into it.
unfinished
March 1, 2021I crashed out of this. I didn't like any of the characters. I didn't hate them, or anything. It's just for every engaging attribute there was an annoying one as well. Long story short, I put it down a couple weeks ago and just have no desire to pick it back up. I'm not going to rate it, not least because I don't remember enough detail to feel confident in a rating.
June 30, 2023
Meet the Goodmans. Mum and Dad married in name only, Richard has a mistress with Maggie's full knowledge. At a family party where they had planned to tell their children, son Eli, who has been in many relationships with men, daughter Jude, lives with her longish term boyfriend Will and family friend Abby, the town's doctor, has been secretly in love with Jude for years. So when Eli comes in and introduces his finace Selene, it all starts happening.
Never a dull moment with these Goodmans, throw in some good social justice issues, LGBTI rights, politics, and we have a story to read. Often uneven with different narrators, some convoluted storylines and a bit too long in the tooth by the end, still an enjoyable journey. Four stars.
Never a dull moment with these Goodmans, throw in some good social justice issues, LGBTI rights, politics, and we have a story to read. Often uneven with different narrators, some convoluted storylines and a bit too long in the tooth by the end, still an enjoyable journey. Four stars.
June 24, 2018
Clare Ashton writes books that you love to read. They are complex, fun and capture your attention the whole way through. She builds characters and relationships with such skill you cannot help but be swept off your feet.
The Goodman family is messy and downright loveable. They are all charismatic individuals who love each other fiercely and also step into mess after mess. The majority of the times, we, the readers are seeing life from the perspective of Maggie, Jude, and Abby. These characters are quirky, infuriating, and irresistible. Maggie, Jude’s mother made me want to scream one minute and hug her very next.
Abby and Jude are both doctors. They met as teenagers at university and became fast friends. When Abby was just nineteen and away at school her mother was struck by a drunk driver and killed. That tragedy solidified Abby and June’s friendship. Jude and her family became touchstones for Abby and she has incorporated them into her life ever since that fateful day. Abby loves Jude, as a best friend sure, but so much more than that. Her feelings run so much deeper, and she knows nothing can come of it. Jude has always dated me and has never given her an inclination of being anything but straight. When Jude’s boyfriend, suddenly proposes, the walls Abby has erected come tumbling down. No matter how hard she tries Abby cannot hide her heartbreak.
This story is about best friends seeing each other in a new light, Jude sees Abby in a way she has never looked before. She opens her mind to being with Abby in a new and suddenly very attractive way. What it also is confronting the past and being open to a new future. For a long part of the story, I kept wondering why we had Maggie’s perspective. It all makes sense when an old friend comes into town.
This book is fun, dynamic and keeps you hooked. Clair Ashton does not disappoint. This book is one I cannot recommend enough. A fabulous five star book!
The Goodman family is messy and downright loveable. They are all charismatic individuals who love each other fiercely and also step into mess after mess. The majority of the times, we, the readers are seeing life from the perspective of Maggie, Jude, and Abby. These characters are quirky, infuriating, and irresistible. Maggie, Jude’s mother made me want to scream one minute and hug her very next.
Abby and Jude are both doctors. They met as teenagers at university and became fast friends. When Abby was just nineteen and away at school her mother was struck by a drunk driver and killed. That tragedy solidified Abby and June’s friendship. Jude and her family became touchstones for Abby and she has incorporated them into her life ever since that fateful day. Abby loves Jude, as a best friend sure, but so much more than that. Her feelings run so much deeper, and she knows nothing can come of it. Jude has always dated me and has never given her an inclination of being anything but straight. When Jude’s boyfriend, suddenly proposes, the walls Abby has erected come tumbling down. No matter how hard she tries Abby cannot hide her heartbreak.
This story is about best friends seeing each other in a new light, Jude sees Abby in a way she has never looked before. She opens her mind to being with Abby in a new and suddenly very attractive way. What it also is confronting the past and being open to a new future. For a long part of the story, I kept wondering why we had Maggie’s perspective. It all makes sense when an old friend comes into town.
This book is fun, dynamic and keeps you hooked. Clair Ashton does not disappoint. This book is one I cannot recommend enough. A fabulous five star book!
June 12, 2018
So here’s the thing.... I had extremely high expectations for this book by Clare Ashton, who has written some fantastic books including the award winning Poppy Jenkins. Well... I wasn’t disappointed in the least and with every page turn I was swept up in all The Goodmans drama.
The story follows three main protagonists, Maggie, mother of two children Eli and Jude and wife to Richard, who she is currently in the midst of separating from. Then there is Jude’s best friend Abby, who is is extremely close to the family and especially Maggie who she sees as a mother figure. Abby also has unrequited love for Jude. And lastly, Jude, who has a complicated relationship with her mother and is none the wiser of Abby's feeling for her. And that is the basics of The Goodman drama in a nutshell and you don’t want more for me... trust me it’s better to unravel the story yourself!
I really loved all three main characters but Maggie was my favourite and the most fun. As her story unravelled I got more and more excited every time some new element to her personality appeared, to the point I was nearly bouncing on my seat when I worked her story all out. She’s definitely a complex character and a force to be reckoned with but that’s where all the fun in reading about her is. Jude and Abby stole my heart completely. If the story had just been centred around them it would have still been a 5 star novel but adding Maggie in was genius... sheer genius.
This book oozes fun, emotion and has very hot sexy scenes... it ticks every one of my boxes of what a great novel should be and then goes beyond. I can’t wait to see what Clare Ashton writes next... I’m hoping it won’t be too long before she graces us with another book.
5 stars
November 4, 2018
5 glorious stars for this slice of life look at a family of strong women and even a couple of worthy men. Ashton’s books are so layered and complex yet oh so readable. The Goodmans rocked.
June 18, 2018
I don’t know how to review this book without spoiling it.
Goodness! I think it will be awhile before I got over this one.
When I thought I already figured out the whole story, I got a good twist in end.
Lots of great characters.
I really love Maggie but I fell in love with Abby.
Oh wow! Not a typical romance book more on a family drama but nonetheless I loved it!
I want a prequel! 😭😭😭
I want moooooooreee!!
Plus 1 star for the Epilogue🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Fav!!!!!!!
Goodness! I think it will be awhile before I got over this one.
When I thought I already figured out the whole story, I got a good twist in end.
Lots of great characters.
I really love Maggie but I fell in love with Abby.
Oh wow! Not a typical romance book more on a family drama but nonetheless I loved it!
I want a prequel! 😭😭😭
I want moooooooreee!!
Plus 1 star for the Epilogue🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Fav!!!!!!!
June 18, 2018
"The Goodmans" is a gently fractured story about a family in transition; one the one side, a daughter falling in love with her best friend. On the other side, a mother falling back in love with an old flame (even as the light is snuffed from her current marriage).
This is by the same author as "Poppy Jenkins", and it isn't quite in that class. "Jenkins" is lightning in a bottle - many have tried, but none have succeeded as spectacularly at creating a lesbian Pride and Prejudice that *gets* its material. But that is an aside. The true heart of both The Goodmans and Poppy Jenkins is the intimacy of true love, in all its profound and tender warmth. And at times, how that love creates anger, frustration, and friction because of its truthiness, and not in spite of it.
The Goodman's is brilliant, but flawed. The multiple POVs are necessary for its conceit, but inherently fragment the narrative. At times it was difficult to pull away from one branch to invest again in the next. Occasionally there was a kind of fatigue which arose due to the loosening of the pacing to accommodate this (-Ashton normally is fairly tightly written). The raw charisma of the characters pulls you through; the sleek Frenchness of Juliette, the robust steadiness of Richard, the simple joys that Abbey finds in helping others despite her fears and doubts.
Significant social commentary is invested here - a picture is painted of austerity which initially served to highlight character features, but which wound up being repeated a multiplicity of times. It is good to have a fly in the ointment, niggling you to action - but after a while it becomes more like a dead rat in your kitchen. Perhaps a lighter hand was needed for my taste (but your mileage will vary.) Maggie's character I also found difficult to connect with (at times she seemed emotionally inconsistent) but as it was in character and plot-relevant, again, I suspect that this might be an "iss-me" rather than an "iss-ue".
All up, a very solid 4 stars and highly recommended.
This is by the same author as "Poppy Jenkins", and it isn't quite in that class. "Jenkins" is lightning in a bottle - many have tried, but none have succeeded as spectacularly at creating a lesbian Pride and Prejudice that *gets* its material. But that is an aside. The true heart of both The Goodmans and Poppy Jenkins is the intimacy of true love, in all its profound and tender warmth. And at times, how that love creates anger, frustration, and friction because of its truthiness, and not in spite of it.
The Goodman's is brilliant, but flawed. The multiple POVs are necessary for its conceit, but inherently fragment the narrative. At times it was difficult to pull away from one branch to invest again in the next. Occasionally there was a kind of fatigue which arose due to the loosening of the pacing to accommodate this (-Ashton normally is fairly tightly written). The raw charisma of the characters pulls you through; the sleek Frenchness of Juliette, the robust steadiness of Richard, the simple joys that Abbey finds in helping others despite her fears and doubts.
Significant social commentary is invested here - a picture is painted of austerity which initially served to highlight character features, but which wound up being repeated a multiplicity of times. It is good to have a fly in the ointment, niggling you to action - but after a while it becomes more like a dead rat in your kitchen. Perhaps a lighter hand was needed for my taste (but your mileage will vary.) Maggie's character I also found difficult to connect with (at times she seemed emotionally inconsistent) but as it was in character and plot-relevant, again, I suspect that this might be an "iss-me" rather than an "iss-ue".
All up, a very solid 4 stars and highly recommended.
August 1, 2025
Love, love, love this book. The way Clare wove the story together was just *mwah - chef’s kiss. Three points of view were layered upon each other and the result was just flawless.
Yes, Maggie is not the easiest character to like, but as a woman close to her age, I so get her fears, even if I don’t agree with how she dealt with them. And I’m absolutely swooning over Juliette. Again, I am a child of the 80s, and I get her younger fears too. I don’t know who Tiff is, but I want to punch them.
Abby and her pining for Jude was just superb. Resplendent. That yearning was written beautifully. I’m just floored by how brilliant these two love stories were written.
Yes, Maggie is not the easiest character to like, but as a woman close to her age, I so get her fears, even if I don’t agree with how she dealt with them. And I’m absolutely swooning over Juliette. Again, I am a child of the 80s, and I get her younger fears too. I don’t know who Tiff is, but I want to punch them.
Abby and her pining for Jude was just superb. Resplendent. That yearning was written beautifully. I’m just floored by how brilliant these two love stories were written.
August 2, 2020
This book is amazing. There are a million better reviews to read then mine but I will say that:
THIS BOOK NEEDS TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!
Clare Ashton is brilliant and I highlighted so many passages in this book and I never do that that. She just has such a perfect way of describing a feeling that makes you go, Yes! that is it exactly! Being a mom, this one really hit me right in the heart as my two boys are 15 and pulling away more and more:
"Sometimes, instead of having a single daughter, it felt as if she were grieving the loss of hundreds. The baby that clung to her little finger. The toddler who squealed with delight at her first steps. The small girl who said “I love you” for the first time with no ceremony and without realising it almost broke Maggie’s heart with joy. The teenager who broke down when she needed Mum one last time. It was like her daughter disappeared over and over again. All those incredible people who Maggie would never meet again, some of whom were remembered only by her. And she felt colossal loneliness at the realisation."
THIS BOOK NEEDS TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!
Clare Ashton is brilliant and I highlighted so many passages in this book and I never do that that. She just has such a perfect way of describing a feeling that makes you go, Yes! that is it exactly! Being a mom, this one really hit me right in the heart as my two boys are 15 and pulling away more and more:
"Sometimes, instead of having a single daughter, it felt as if she were grieving the loss of hundreds. The baby that clung to her little finger. The toddler who squealed with delight at her first steps. The small girl who said “I love you” for the first time with no ceremony and without realising it almost broke Maggie’s heart with joy. The teenager who broke down when she needed Mum one last time. It was like her daughter disappeared over and over again. All those incredible people who Maggie would never meet again, some of whom were remembered only by her. And she felt colossal loneliness at the realisation."
August 17, 2019
I would seem impossible, but this book is even more amazing than Clare Ashton's previous work.
At the start we expect a possible feel-good romance between two best friends, but it turns out to be so much more and for so many more people. The emotions are real, the characters are complex and wonderful.
This book has already a place among my all-time favourites. But I won't read it too soon or too often, because I want to savour the feelings it can evoke in me.
At the start we expect a possible feel-good romance between two best friends, but it turns out to be so much more and for so many more people. The emotions are real, the characters are complex and wonderful.
This book has already a place among my all-time favourites. But I won't read it too soon or too often, because I want to savour the feelings it can evoke in me.
August 27, 2018
Literally everything about this book works for me. I love the character work, the intricate plotting, how every detail is revealed at the exact write moment, the angst that I felt deep in my bones, and the most satisfying of happily ever afters. This book is perfection.
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Full review (The Lesbian Review): https://www.thelesbianreview.com/the-...
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August 2, 2018
Literally I love everything about this book. It has to be one of my favourites.
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