The Good Guy – Susan Beale

The Last Word Review

When this book arrived in early June I sat and looked at the cover for some time wondering what the premise of the story was about. The cover is just sublime. The Good Guy by Susan Beale is inspired by her own true life events after reading her adoption files and from conversations with her birth mother after they re-connected later in life.

I have to admit I fell into The Good Guy hook line and sinker, I like nothing better than a story that has is inspired by true events. The story is based in suburban New England in the 1960’s. This is a gorgeous story filled to the brim with passion with a mix of desire and deception.

Back in the 1960’s young couples seemed to do what was expected dated, courted and married young, then came the house and then the family. The idyllic lifestyle. Ted and Abigail did all these things but some men just don’t know when to say no.

Susan Beale sets the tone of the book by alternating each chapter from the female and male perspective and captures the mood of the time perfectly. It is utterly captivating like watching a box set of your favourite tv series set in this era, nothing short of absorbing.

Ted was hard working he always felt that he was doing well in his job but something was just not right and his feeling was that his wife was not giving him the support he deserved. I think you can guess what comes next? Along comes Penny a single woman she is fashionable funny and most of all attractive and she is missing something from her life, she just wants to be loved. After a brief encounter things move quickly between them and the consequences of getting involved in an affair when things go too far are both stark and real. In a time when the contraceptive pill was not wildly available the dangers for both are real. And in this case Ted faces losing everything and for Penny life changing circumstances.

For Abigail who spends her time looking after their son and cooking a pot roast she seemingly struggles to cope in a marriage that has lost its way. Does she have any idea of her husband’s infidelity? Each character is so incredibly woven into the story that you become transfixed by their own words and deeds. I guess the one thing that comes out of this story is that of human frailties. At times you felt like you were watching a car wreck about to happen with the consequences for all to see. This is real life laid bare for everyone to see. Heartache for all three.

Looking back now after I have read The Good Guy is just how different life was back in the 60’s and how people were treated. Different era different generation. This is a hugely entertaining read one that you just cannot leave alone as you just want to find out what has happened next. If you are looking for an ideal Summer holiday read. Pack this one in your hand luggage.

My thanks to Ruby Mitchell at Hodder for the review copy.

The Good Guy by Susan Beale was published by John Murray on 16 June and is available in hardback from Waterstones and all good bookshops.