The Next Best Thing

By Jennifer Weiner

The Next Best Thing - Jennifer Weiner
  • Release Date: 2012-07-03
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 661 Ratings

Description

Blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner returns with an irresistible story about a young woman trying to make it in Hollywood…

Actors aren’t the only ones trying to make it in Hollywood.…At twenty-three, Ruth Saunders left her childhood home in Massachusetts and headed west with her seventy-year-old grandma in tow, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Six years later, she hits the jackpot when she gets The Call: the sitcom she wrote, The Next Best Thing, has gotten the green light, and Ruthie’s going to be the showrunner. But her dreams of Hollywood happiness are threatened by demanding actors, number-crunching executives, an unrequited crush on her boss, and her grandmother’s impending nuptials.

Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider’s ear for writer’s room showdowns and an eye for bad backstage behavior and set politics, Jennifer Weiner’s new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood roller coaster, a heartfelt story about what it’s like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true.

Reviews

  • Slow mover

    3
    By LazySummerReads
    Story line plodded along which made this read super slow. Everything about the book was lukewarm with nothing driving an urgency to finish.
  • Exciting Read

    4
    By laineTaylor
    Very entertaining. Weiner creates a world I enjoyed spending time in. Relatable characters and a good plot it kept me entertained.
  • Just okay

    3
    By 91234567law
    I usually love Jennifer wieners books, but this one was just okay. It dragged along and there were no real surprises. Would have been better if she cut short some of the television drama and focused more on Ruth's life with Dave. The best part was the end, when it finally got interesting
  • Great beach read

    5
    By martha marcus
    A group of girlfriends and I all took this to the beach the same week! We enjoyed the book so much we are planning another beach book club with the author. Funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, and a true "too close to home" book.
  • Horrible

    1
    By Bgreens34
    Very boring! Needed to skip over the part when she wrote about the characters on her show. Loved the parts when she takes about her life with grandma and the Daves.
  • Is there a sequel?

    5
    By Gabster0618
    Excellent novel. Intelligently written, exquisite word choice, lovable characters. I didn't want the book to end. I'm hoping for a sequel.
  • The next big thing

    1
    By Hlombar
    Horrible!!! It was painful to read.... I had to force myself to finish it.
  • The next best thing

    1
    By Pamiwigle
    Jumps around tooooo much.....tooooo much info on each character!!!!!!
  • The Next Best Thing....hmmm not so sure about that

    2
    By Kagjdm
    I've read all of Weiner's books and I was disappointed after reading "The Next Best Thing". It was lackluster, predictable and didn't leave me with that I can't put this book down feeling. I'll remain hopeful that her next book exhibits the same characteristics and charm as some of her earlier work.
  • Amazing

    5
    By Mommyshellz
    I fell in love with this story and found myself falling asleep gripping my iPhone. I am very pleased by the ending as well!