The Blackmailer's Guide to Love: A Novel

by Marian Thurm

In 1970s New York, a woman finds professional success and personal “Sparkling . . . Looks back on the heyday of glossy magazine publishing.” —Publishers Weekly   One of the many Ivy League graduates with literary ambitions who flock to New York City every year, twenty-five-year-old Melissa Fleischer has the great fortune to be hired as the assistant to high-profile magazine editor Austin Bloch. But after she begins her career with the prestigious publication, Mel learns the extravagantly long lunches her boss often indulges in are actually disguising his affairs with a stream of young women. Mel is left in the distressing position of lying about these never-ending betrayals to Austin’s wife, Hillarie, who often calls while he is out of the office. Then, unexpectedly, the New Yorker begins printing Mel’s short stories, offering a spectacular start to what she hopes will be a long and fruitful writing career. Unfortunately, the exhilaration of being published by the magazine she reveres most is soon diminished—by both Mel’s deeply painful discovery that her own relationship, like Austin’s, is far from idyllic, and her continuing complicity in Austin’s betrayals. And nothing seems more difficult than the effort it will take to keep her marriage from falling apart in this novel by an author who “writes so brilliantly of the battle of the sexes” (The New York Times Book Review).

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Karen Thurm Safran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down. It's told by two different people, so you're hooked in to read more and discover how they're connected. Then when the connection is made, the plot intensifies as well as your feelings for each person. It's well written with well-developed characters and a gripping plot that heightens as you turn each page. Thought-provoking right up until the end.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

The writing gets 5 stars and I thought this was going to be a 4-star read up until a certain point toward the end. All the while I was reading, I wondered why wasn't this book popular, the story is fantastic! And it was, until it made that turn and all I wanted to do was finish it. I was no longer invested and I'm not sure why. And that may be me as a reader. But the writing, oh so good!

[ANTC]

Skimmed. The writing is good and the story otherwise could have been solid, but the ending completely ruined it, and I'm glad I didn't fully read it and get invested. Had I done that, I would have give this 1 star.

It's an open ending... the heroine seems to have forgiven her husband, who had an 18-month long affair with OW. It mentions she's the happiest she's ever been, you think they've found their HEA etc, etc...except in the last few pages, we find out the obsessive OW just secretly birthed the hero's baby. And the last page is the OW, in an attempt to win back the hero, going to his and the heroine's house and ringing their doorbell. End of the book. THAT'S IT.

You don't learn about the aftermath...nothing. Horrendous. Poor heroine, what a terrible end for her after suffering throughout the whole book and finally thinking she was getting her HEA.

[Caleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. the title reveal…my eyes rolled around the sun.

[Maddie Gats · Rating 2 out of 5]

why was the therapist who was cheating on his wife with a patient the most tolerable character???

[OjoAusana · Rating 3 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Super odd ending imo, like the book itself wasnt horrible but i guess i thought it would be going somewhere, better? more? it felt kinda rushed i guess

[Lisa Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

American author Marian Thurm writes superbly in telling this tale from the point of view of 3 characters in The Blackmailer's Guide to Love (pp.329). Chuckling continually at the great title this novel has something to say about friendships, ambition-literary world, marriage and adultery which will endear the reader from the opening pages. The dialogue is spot on and often hilariously witty. The bottom of page 224 is a perfect example. The characters are all likable even when they are fully aware they are saying and doing detestable things. It'll be a toss-up who to cheer for. Could not have appreciated and loved it more!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the author has a nice writing style, but I really couldn't enjoy the story no matter how hard I tried. There was no clear plot that I could see, but I was still planning on finishing the book all the way through. However, I found myself getting infuriated at the characters and their actions, and it took a lot of energy to get through each chapter because I disliked them so much.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an ARC of The Blackmailer's Guide To Love which follows the store of a married couple, Mel & Charlie, whose lives are changed by adultery. The story of the interloper, Julia, is also shared. Each chapter follows one of the characters in 3rd person allowing the reader to understand the complexity of the situation.

Set in late 1970s New York City, the book features a chain smoking, misogynistic worksplace where the women are over qualified and under paid.

This book asks the question, "How does adultery affect an individual and a marriage?" "What would you do if you knew someone was cheating? Tell the spouse or stay silent?"

The characters were interesting and complex. The story started out slowly. I was "meh" about the book until page 120ish, but devoured it after. The ending was okay and I'm not sure, yet, what I think of the message of the book.
It is a solid story with solid characters.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blackmailer's Guide to Love is a very unique novel. I love to analyze people and the decisions they make, and this book served just that. The chapters were short and each chapter hopped between three main characters. I was incredibly pleased with the writing and how well the story flows. It is a very easy read for anyone into gossip and tea. I also really enjoyed the random small glimpses into the future throughout the chapters that help ensure the reader that things get better without smashing a "happy ending" into the epilogue. The ending could have been stronger and I personally would have liked to see it go into a different direction but it was okay nonetheless. Additionally, the author did a wonderful job with character development and personalities.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come for the peek into NYC-in-the-70's publishing -- literary magazine division -- and stay for the absolutely pitch-perfect rendering of (1) a marriage, (2) [kind of a spoiler] an affair and (3) the kinds of experiences that change us. And it's funny! Bonus: it includes a very true-to-my experience portrait of how many men deal with their own failings -- (no surprise here) compartmentalizing and gaslighting! Thurm also manages to be kind to all her characters with asides telling us, "later, she would feel..." which add depth and insight into how experience changes us, and how the place of women in this particular First World place and time has very slowly evolved. I couldn't put it down.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up a stack of books at the hometown library and then my sister and I sorted to see what caught our attention first. I perused the memoir "Maid" as I'd just finished the Netflix series. I wasn't ready to commit but no worries my sister sucked this book down and said, "Read it so we can talk about it. It took a turn." Well that worried me reading it all the way through. On one hand reading about the author you're thinking, well this tracks her life, but on the other hand, could this be? As a write it's a particularly interesting read and one that forces you to think about what you would do, would you forgive? What happened next???

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC from publisher via LibraryThing giveaway.

This story is about three people caught in an affair in the 1970s. Melissa and Charles are a married couple starting their careers in New York City. Melissa is a short story writer working in publishing and Charles is a Psychologist. Charles has an affair with his client, Julia. Julia attempts to blackmail Charles.

I enjoyed the story. The book deals with a variety of social issues present during the 70s. The first hundred pages were pretty meh, but then I could not put it down. It was worth reading to the end.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this was going to be my second 5-star book this year. The writing is good with clever parts, however, the reader has to accept the premise that a man, seemingly very in love with his wife, would somewhat impetuously get involved with his patient (and risk his entire career, not to mention those pesky moral and ethical issues) — if you accept this, then you can wade through a LOT of ponderings about infidelity, love, adultery….and then the very strange ending.

[Andrea George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, the writing style of "The Blackmailer's Guide to Love" by Marian Thurm was outstanding. Hence, the 3 stars. The novel started off with promise, engaging and at times unlikeable characters, a plot that had promise and a setting that fit the storyline. However, halfway through, I couldn't wait to end this mundane novel. It just fizzled and didn't go anywhere. The ending left me puzzled. It just felt incomplete, with a lot of loose ends.

[Patricia Geller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Thurm is a good writer and I enjoyed her book. Totally unable to see why Mel, the betrayed wife or Julia, the mistress, find anything at all to love about Charlie. He is shallow, lacks insight and has an over-inflated view of himself. The two women are much stronger and interesting characters.

[Lorri Steinbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book's setting and characters. Thought Thurm's reveals just enough of what happens to Mel and her marriage. Reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Strout's Oh William.

Recommended for fans of Elizabeth Strout, readers of the New Yorker, and anyone who likes to look at marriage through varied lenses.

[Elizabeth Kane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book club book for June 2022…..not a fan. Story telling weak, to me, if this was biopic, it is sad for this writer that she went through this, but very whiny and no understanding of “what happens”…..does she leave the husband for good once the baby is known? Who does she have a baby with years later? Etc, etc. Not a big fan at this point, will be interested to hear the group thoughts.

[Ally Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this book, it was written well but I found myself bored. I was irritated by the characters and their choices, and I didn’t really see the point of the book. I only finished it because I refuse to read a book and not finish it.

[Ashleigh Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Thurm raises all the issues and gives you some of the answers, but she’s always willing to surprise you. She’s relentless, with her straightforward prose, in taking you to the emotional edge, pulling back just enough to get you to turn the page.

It’s all the words, in just the right places.

[Grace Kibbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best books I've ever read. Reading this book almost felt like a masterclass in writing because it was so damn good. Ahhhh I can't rave enough about this book and if I go into all the details of how much I love it then I'll never stop writing this post. So I'll just say this: what makes this book great is not the plot (though the plot was interesting, if not a little predictable) or the characters (though the dichotomy of the two main female characters is a fascinating element to this book), it's the details. Thurm makes everything about this book come alive with tiny descriptive details that make you want to go on reading it forever. It was an amazing and unique style that I've never quite read before. Would definitely love to read more of her works to see if this is a repeating phenomenon. Nevertheless, this book is great read for anyone.

[Rhea Abramson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What it’s like to be a 20 something in NYC in the 70’s. How cheating happens…..If you are fascinated by publishing you will love it. I loved it!

[Gracie Wiener · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars — fast read. good writing. was engrossed in story up to a certain point when it felt like it lost sophistication and the plot

[Alison E. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read a chapter and decided the book wasn't for me.

[Lindsay Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
can’t say I precisely GOT charlie’s appeal but otherwise loved this. mel was so charming and julia was such a crazy bitch (affectionate)

[Susan Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never heard of anyone calling their lover “honey pie” before and, honestly, if I ever hear it again, I’ll scream.

I give this book 3 issues of the New Yorker!