The Next Best Thing is the tenth (tenth!) novel from bestselling author Weiner, a writer I have loved since her first novel, Good In
Bed. This time, though, Weiner takes on the lights of Hollywood through the
eyes of outsider Ruth.
Ruth and her grandmother have moved to LA because Ruth
sold the script to her new television series The Next Best Thing, a story
loosely based on her relationship with her own grandmother. This will be Ruth’s
first showrunning experience, though she has good mentors in “The Daves”, on
who’s show she previously worked.
One of the Daves, of course, is the subject of an unrequited
crush, a side plot that is beautifully told in this
girl-good-takes-on-corporate-media story. Ruth is an immensely likable
character complete with flaws and foibles, and her grandmother is a nice foil
to that.
Likewise, the Daves add comic relief and a touch of romance,
and the readers truly feels they are seeing “behind the veil” of how an
actually television series come to fruition – probably due to Weiner’s real
life experience with her show State of Georgia last year….
I really, really enjoyed this novel, which was primarily
read in and around a pool, the perfect place for this type of read. Weiner
always writes such memorable, flawed, easy-to-root-for characters, and this one
is no exception. This novel is a great balance of character development, plot,
insider’s view, romance and storytelling. I loved it!
Another winner from Weiner – be sure to check it out!
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