A satisfying love story by Sara Goodman Confino
By: Abigail Dawn
On August 1, 2022, Sara Goodman Confino’s novel, She’s up to No Good, was released for readers looking for a fulfilling beachside read. Published by Lake Union Publishing, the novel captivates readers with two separate stories coming together by the shore line.
Book Summary
Like many romantic narratives, this novel starts off with a blindsided heartbreak, ending a four-year marriage and losing, what feels like, all autonomy when the main character moves back in with her parents.
Jenna, a woman in her thirties, living with her parents during her separation, finds herself driving her whimsical grandmother, Evelyn, back to her hometown on the seaside of Massachusetts. On the long drive Jenna learns of the adolescent romance in her grandmother’s past with a man named Tony, although she insists the trip isn’t about him. Upon arrival Jenna meets Tony’s great-nephew, Joe, and while her grandmother tends to business in the small seaside town, Joe tends to Jenna. While learning the truths about Evelyn’s passed, and developing a new friendship, Jenna finds herself more confused than ever while her marriage falls apart, and she tries to put her pieces back together.
Book Review
Confino’s character development was strong throughout the novel, but it was the comical, eccentric Evelyn who was the star. Her whimsical character added value to the plot, and forced the reader to pay attention to everything she had to say. Confino wrote Evelyn as wise, and emphasized important lessons for Jenna as she figures out who she is without her husband.
The entire plot tackles fear, and Evelyn’s wisdom allows the reader to connect with what the author is trying to convey. Authentically, as humans, facing our fear is frightening, and our instincts tell us to avoid them, but this novel honed in on making the choice between turning around, or not letting fear win. This wisdom allows for readers to reflect on their lives, and gives the reader something to takeaway with them, without being obvious or blunt about the moral of the story.
The novel jumps between two periods, present day and the 1950s. Although intriguing, this style is becoming popular in many novels, and is starting to lose its “wow factor.” Nonetheless, for this storyline, the technique made sense, and allowed the novel to come together.
When writing a novel that has romance intertwined throughout the plot, not having any cliché becomes difficult. Confino did well in avoiding the standard overused plot that many stories tend to have. However, the storyline had a few clichéd spots, particularly in the dialogue. This can break the reader’s focus, because clichés have become comical. It took away from some captivation that the novel had.
Overall Recommendation
I recommend this novel for a reader looking for a beachside read with a satisfying story. A reader who is prepared to shed some tears, because emotions are conveyed so well throughout the novel, they feel authentic to the reader. The novel has a clear story development, great connections, and enough curiosity to keep the reader intrigued.
9/10