Reviews

“Jennifer Coburn pens an absolute gem! Pretty, practical Angela Sabatini is the perfect fifties-era Italian-American good girl―but when her wedding is abruptly called off, she sees a chance at a different life from the one her mother has always planned. Moving to Greenwich Village and pursuing her secret ambition of becoming a photographer, Angela’s eyes are opened to a whole new world―and an unexpected job as a beard, posing as a devoted fiancee for gay men dealing with suspicious landlords, bosses, and families. But when Angela’s own future comes under fire, she must decide if her friends and ideals will cost her every one of her new dreams. The Almost Wife at once is a coming-of-age tale, a sensitive examination of queer subculture, and a vivid homage to 1950s New York in all its grit and glory.” ― Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Astral Library

“A poignant portrayal of a young woman’s coming-of-age and gradual awakening to the hidden realities of her world in the 1950’s. Coburn shows us a bygone American era in new light, revealing the untold histories that lie beneath its familiar mythology.” ― Shilpi Somaya Gowda, New York Times bestselling author of A Great Country

“Coburn’s latest is a delicious slice of history that deserves to be celebrated. Her depiction of 1950s Greenwich Village is wild and wonderful, yet offers a sobering lesson on how far our country has come when it comes to gay rights, and how far we still have to go. From Julius’ bar to the classrooms of NYU, the novel is a treat for anyone who loves bohemian New York and its audacious denizens, and Angela Sabatini is the perfect hostess for the ride. Original, great fun, and profound.” ― Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Jewel of Sugar Hill