A propulsive page-turning thriller following the hit reality TV show Garden State Goddesses where secrets are uncovered, intense rivalries surface, and a startling murder propels a producer on a riveting quest for the truth.

One of Huzzah’s most popular shows, Garden State Goddesses, was in need of a refresh. Largely centering on the Sicilian American Fontana family of Shady Pond, New Jersey, showrunner Eden Bennett found a solution that helped her both personally and she introduced lovable bachelor Leo Fontana to her estranged cousin Hope—a blonde beauty and aspiring singer. After a whirlwind romance, they begin the new season with Leo and Hope’s wedding, but not everyone is happy, least of all Hope’s new sister-in-law Carmela, who finds Hope’s lack of family, friends, pop cultural knowledge, and social media presence deeply suspicious. Nevertheless, Hope is joining Carmela, and their other sister-in-law Valeria, a lovable ditz too dependent on cutting Carmela, and wealthy grand dame Birdie St. Clair as a new lead on Garden State Goddesses. Hope quickly bonds with castmate Renée, a down-to-earth single mom whose daughter Ruby aspires to be the next Ariana Grande.

When one of the goddesses collapses while filming at the Broke Not Broken gala at Birdie’s manor, there will be a reality reckoning. Eden will be forced to confront the ways she is emotional manipulation, coercion, and dropping her naïve cousin in this mess while also using her skills as a producer to seek out the truth—uncovering that many of the Fontanas have rivalries and grievances that go back decades, some with serious legal, financial, physical, and romantic consequences.

I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Some of you may know that I am a bit of a Real Housewives addict. This came on during the pandemic when I binged Beverly Hills, New Jersey, Salt Lake City, Potomac, and then Atlanta over the course of a year and a half. The petty fights and ridiculousness keep me coming back for more. Naturally, when I saw this book, I immediately requested it on NetGalley. Overall, it’s a witty, campy take on reality television culture, packed with humor, drama, and a cast of over-the-top characters that feel like they’ve strutted straight off the set of The Real Housewives. But, while it begins as an engaging romp, it stumbles in the second half, losing some of its initial charm.

The story centers on the Sicilian-American Fontana family, whose lives are the focal point of Garden State Goddesses, one of Huzzah’s (think Bravo) most popular reality shows. At the heart of the drama is the show’s producer, Eden Bennett, who seeks to revamp the series by bringing her estranged cousin, Hope, into the spotlight. Hope and Eden were raised in a Northern Californian cult, and Hope’s innocence is exactly what Eden feels will bump up their ratings and ensure her a top spot in a larger franchise. When Hope marries into the Fontana family after a whirlwind romance with bachelor Leo, she is immediately integrated into the cast which includes Carmela, the suspicious and sharp-tongued sister-in-law; Valerie, a lovable but hapless socialite; Birdie St. Clair, the regal and barely coherent grand dame; and Renée, a relatable single mom with a daughter who is determined to be the next Ariana Grande.

From the moment Hope steps into the chaos of the Fontana clan, the drama unfolds with rapid-fire dialogue, outrageous confrontations, and plenty of secrets. The first half of the novel feels like binge-watching a season of a juicy reality show. Dahl’s writing captures the exaggerated personalities, power struggles, and performative interactions that define the Real Housewives franchise. The humor is sharp, the campiness dialed up to ten, and the pacing is swift. Readers are treated to absurdly hilarious moments that some may recognize as being lifted straight out of their favorite Real Housewives episodes.

However, the narrative takes a darker turn when one of the cast members collapses and dies at a gala hosted by Birdie, setting off a murder mystery that disrupts the show’s manufactured drama. Eden, who has been content to manipulate the lives of her cast for ratings, finds herself drawn into the investigation, revealing long-held secrets that threaten the future of the show.
As I mentioned earlier, the first half of the book flies by, and I found myself laughing out loud many times at the campiness of it all. The author is obviously a Housewives fan and combines the personalities of several fan favorites from across the franchise to develop her characters. I loved tying their quirks back to some of my faves.

While the premise is intriguing, the execution falters in the second half. The humor and energy that characterize the opening chapters begin to wane, and the pacing becomes uneven. Though initially engaging, the mystery becomes predictable, with its resolution lacking the spark and cleverness of the book’s opening. I saw it all coming from a mile away.

Ultimately, this book is a fun, campy read that captures the absurdity of reality TV while offering a murder mystery twist. It’s a story bursting with unforgettable characters and biting humor, even if it loses some of its sparkle along the way. Fans of The Real Housewives franchise or anyone looking for an entertaining, over-the-top escape will find much to enjoy here—just be prepared for a second act that doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the first.