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At three years old, Ruth Saunders miraculously survives the car crash that takes her parents’ lives on the icy Massachusetts Turnpike. Her eccentric grandmother, who comes out of Florida retirement to care for young Ruth, nurtures her through years of surgeries, feeding her home-cooked meals, dispensing irreverent wisdom, and telling Ruth she’s beautiful, even though her scars will stay with her forever.
After college, Ruth pursues her dream of writing to Hollywood, heading west with her grandmother in tow, hoping to make it big in the world of TV. After years of failure and a badly broken heart, Ruth gets The Call—her show has been green-lit.
But Ruth’s happy ending is only the beginning, as she struggles with how television gets made: terrified (and terrifying) executives and actresses with their eyes on bigger prizes than Ruthie’s show. Add in an unrequited crush on the man who has been her mentor. Add to that her grandmother’s impending nuptials, and Ruth’s big break might just break her.
A rollicking ride on the Hollywood roller coaster, The Next Best Thing is a heartfelt story about a young woman searching for her own happily-ever-after in the land where dreams come true.
"Spares no bon mot in exposing Hollywood’s sexism, ageism and incurable penchant for extravagant silliness."
"Full of warm and interesting characters as well as a wealth of insider industry detail (Weiner was a cocreator of an ABC Family sitcom), this is a must-read for Weiner’s many fans and anyone who enjoys smart, funny fiction."
"An entertaining story about the dream-crushing compromises on the road from page to screen."
“A knockout. Perfect comic timing meets effortless dialogue and an engaging plot…. Enjoy your place on top of the lit world, Jennifer Weiner. You've more than made it.”
"Jennifer Weiner is funny and dead-on when it comes to building a satisfying summer read.”
“Ruth is a multidimensional heroine, and Weiner gives her real heart and soul. Readers will root for her to get everything she ever wanted—not to settle for the next best thing. This is contemporary women’s fiction at its finest.”
“Weiner’s snappy new novel showcases her humor and style."
“A fascinating glimpse into the television industry…Weiner’s strong sense of comedy comes through in her characters’ witty banter and Ruth’s writing. You will cheer her on in her quest to find success and love.”
“Weiner is a chick-lit writer with chops—and she puts them to expert use in this funny, feel-good tale.”
Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, which was made into a major motion picture, and The Next Best Thing. A graduate of Princeton University, she lives with her family in Philadelphia. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com.
Anonymous
Posted July 12, 2012
I have read all of Jennifer Weiner's novels. The Next Best Thing was not worth the read. The author repeated exact lines and characters from other novels she has written. It was like a re-read. In this novel, I felt that the author "pushed the envelope to the edge" with soft core pornography, which was not in previous reads. Not worth the money or the wait!!! Jennifer seems to be recycling.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 11, 2012
I've read all Jennifer Weiner's books and this is my least favorite. In her other books, the main character has been jewish and overweight. In this book, substitute disfigured face for overweight. It did go into quite a bit of detail about how the TV industry works, how the writers vision is totally turned around by network execs, and the frustration it brings to the writers. I was looking forward to this book but it was disappointing to me.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 18, 2012
After reading "Swim," I had to know the whole story. I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and plot. I can't wait to read what comes next.
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 3, 2012
I Also Recommend:
Very interesting and entertaining. Very good book. finished it very quickly
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 10, 2012
I am Jennifer Weiners biggest fan- sadly NOT a fan of this book. The best thing about her books is her characters and sadly this book did not have any characters you wanted to invest in. They were all so flat. I do not recommend this book- skip it and hope her next book is better.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Vivi45
Posted July 30, 2012
This is the worst book by Ms Weiner that I've read. I've enjoyed all her books but "the next best thing" was almost unreadable. I did finish it though because once I start a book I give it a full try. A real dissapointment!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 1, 2012
What has happened to this author? This book had none of the wit of her first. It was hard to care for the heroine; she mostly seemed selfish and too naive. While I admit the glimpse into the world of TV and shows was interesting, the story and characters felt flat. I could not get past the fact that her sitcom would get greenlit. It seemed so corny and unoriginal. Not even good as a light summer read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 7, 2012
Great book!! Hated to see it end!! Love the characters, they were all very well developed. Loved the ending!!
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2012
Good
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 31, 2012
I love Jen Weiner books, and this was no exception. I especially loved the fact that she used her own experience from her TV show. Revenge is sweet! I was disappointed that she decided to include such graphic sexual scenes. They certainly weren't necessary. Forced on her because of 50 Shades of Gray?
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A sitcom showrunner finds the road to her first series launch much rockier than expected. When Ruth Saunders gets "the call" from the network telling her that her original series, The Next Best Thing, is a go, at first she is incredulous. Although she's served her time in a writers' room, she never expected to sell her autobiographical concept about a young woman, Daphne, and her grandmother, Nanna Trudy, who move to Miami to seek their fortunes. Ruth moved to Hollywood with her grandmother, Rae, and they've both enjoyed success, Ruth as a comedy writer and Rae as an extra. Rae raised Ruth from toddlerhood after a car crash killed her parents and disfigured Ruth. (Even after multiple surgeries, one side of Ruth's face is badly scarred.) After Ruth is hired as an assistant to two writer-producers, Big Dave and Little Dave, they help her develop and pitch her own show. I enjoyed the first part with the grandmother as humorous; however, as the book moves on, not a lot of substance and a let down from Weiner's previous books. "
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 15, 2012
It's clear that this book is at least partially autobiographical - Jennifer Weiner created, wrote & executive produced the ABC Family show State of Georgia. It featured Georgia, a young aspiring actress & her oversexed great aunt Honey who raised her after Georgia's mother died. Georgia was played by Raven Simone, who underwent a huge weight loss just prior to the show's airing. I enjoyed TNBT a lot more after this realization, but other than that not Weiner's best work.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 10, 2012
The characters made you feel as if they were people you know. A great story, couldn't put it down!
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 9, 2012
Quick read, entertaining. Interesting to read how a sitcom can get made and ruined. Felt like the book could have been about 100 pages longer. Maybe a sequel to let us know how everything turned out?!?!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 8, 2012
Too much endless detail. Oh for a good editor...
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 7, 2012
Perhaps the most inane book ive ever read, dont even think of reading it
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.What a **wonderful** read! One of the things I love the most about Jennifer Weiner's books is that they all tell compelling stories without artificially inducing the readers into emotional sand traps. The characters are all well developed and recognizable without the too-frequent cartoon caricatures that other lazy writers will often use to fill their cast. And the skill with which the settings are described is just enough to make the reader feel like they can find the ladies room on their own but gives us enough to look at so we really can be there with the characters. This book is no different! Ruth Saunders is just the right combination of sassy and sweet, insecure about her particular issue yet confident in her abilities, inexperienced with men yet in touch enough with herself that she can figure out what it is she likes, wants and needs, making her someone you would absolutely want to take into your circle of friends. Her grandmother is another dichotomy of a character; fiercely protective of her granddaughter and feeling her age, yet still tapping her inner wild child to seek out those things that put the zing in her step. Jennifer Weiner's books are all written such that you KNOW these people; they exist in your life and you recognize them and root for them and always want more time with them. The manner in which this particular story unfolds carries us along with Ruth as she unfurls, exposing her inner self bit by bit almost in answer to her trying to downplay her outer self in a land where beauty reigns and she doesn't feel she can compete. Finding another plane is Ruth's triumph and we FEEL her ups and downs in our guts and our hearts. The ONLY downside to reading any new book from Jennifer Weiner is that the minute you finish it you are impatient for the next almost immediately. <sigh> At least I know what I am giving all my galpals for our vacation gifts!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2013
I enjoy most of her books but this is my favorite in a while. Enjoyed thoroughly!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book touched me in many ways…the bond between grandmother & granddaughter, heading out west for a new adventure. That it is set in the snarling hills of Hollywood only adds to the fun.
Ruthie finds herself at 23 wanting more out of life. When she was very young her and her parents were in a terrible car crash, she survived but with disfiguring scars on her face and her heart. Her beloved Grandmother has always been there for her so the two of them decide to head to Hollywood and see if Ruthie’s love of the written word can make them rich. Six years later she gets a sitcom and what follows is a romp through the silly, selfish and so very shallow world of actors, producers, directors and rewrites. Ruthie finds love, heartbreak and grandma finds another husband and through it all they never lose each other. A fun, tender & very real look inside the not so very real Hollywood
I have enjoyed all Jennifer’s books and I resent them being called “chick Lit’” as a derogatory term. Do we call books on sports or cars “dude lit?”…. just saying
Anonymous
Posted March 9, 2013
Highly disappointing
Took me months to get through.
Please dont waste your money on this one.
Overview
At three years old, Ruth Saunders miraculously survives the car crash that takes her parents’ lives on the icy Massachusetts Turnpike. Her eccentric grandmother, who comes out of Florida retirement to care for young Ruth, nurtures her through years of surgeries, feeding her home-cooked meals, dispensing irreverent wisdom, and telling Ruth she’s beautiful, even though her scars will stay with her forever.
After college, Ruth pursues her dream of writing to Hollywood, heading west...