Book Review and Giveaway: Off the Record

By Melissa Amster

In 1962, opportunities are typically few for nice Jewish girls clacking away at ninety words per minute in a newspaper typing pool. Except Judy Greenberg isn’t typical. An aspiring reporter in DC, she’s aiming for journalistic greatness—not finding a husband. Just don’t tell her mother.

Then one day she answers her boss’s private line. The message is curiously cryptic. It’s also delivered in a Russian accent. Judy is certain she has stumbled upon a scoop. Charming reporter Jack Fields isn’t one to dismiss Judy’s instincts. Perfect. A seasoned ally she can trust, not to mention pass off as a pretend boyfriend around her relieved parents. Together, they’re following the leads—from a clandestine hotel bar to the dressing room of a slinky Cuban nightclub singer to an exhilarating underground of secrets and spies stretching from Moscow to Havana to Texas.

Now Judy must choose between the safe life expected of her or one hell of a dangerous story that could make her career. She might even fall in love for real. If her ambitions don’t get her killed. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I adore Sara Goodman Confino's novels and will read anything she writes. Her latest, Off the Record, is a fun feminist story with mystery, intrigue, romance, humor, and Jewish joy. 

I loved Judy's wit and moxie throughout the novel. The dialogue and banter is great and never gets stale. Judy's grandma was hilarious and one of the best side characters. The story is full of surprises at every turn and I can't wait for you to experience them the way I did! I also loved that it takes place in DC and that Judy doesn't live all that far from me. There are some mentions of characters from some of Sara's other books, which may be spoilers for those books if you haven't read them yet. (Go read ALL her books!!!)

I can't say too much more as to not give any spoilers, but you'll thank me for that when you read the story and have no idea what to expect from one moment to the next. Just know that you'll enjoy this novel as much as I did and you'll be laughing out loud from Judy's antics! This novel is perfect for fans of The Book Club for Troublesome Women, as it talks a lot about expectations for women vs. men. (Makes me so glad I was born in a different era!)

Movie casting suggestions:

Judy: Iris Apatow

Jack: Fabien Frankel

Patricia: Grace Van Patten

Grandma Sylvia: Renee Taylor

Betty: Maude Apatow

Miss Kelly: Helen Hunt

(Trigger warnings below.)

Thanks to Get Red PR for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have TWO copies to give away!

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends June 14th at midnight EST.

More by Sara Goodman Confino:
For the Love of Friends
Don't Forget to Write
Good Grief

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TW: Pregnancy complications, politicians behaving inappropriately (not too shocking though), sexism