The Almost Wife
By: Jennifer Coburn
ISBN: 9781464247354
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 05/25/2027
Format: Paperback
My Rating: TBR
In the spirit of The Book Club for Troublesome Women, The Almost Wife follows a Jersey girl whose abruptly canceled wedding ushers her into an unexpected arrangement in the heart of 1950s New York City.
Newly single Angela Sabatini is finally in New York City, forging her own path after a last-minute breakup with her hometown fiancé. An aspiring photographer, she reconnects with an old friend from school who needs a fiancée— and fast. But just for an hour or two. And he's not the only one.
Based on the experiences of Jennifer Coburn's mother, who posed as a fiancée and girlfriend for gay men in the 1950s, The Almost Wife draws a lush, evocative portrait of Greenwich Village at the height of bohemia. A sheltered suburban girl discovers the city—and herself—by pretending to be someone she's not, in a time when exposure could cost some people everything.
Praise
"Vivid and thought-provoking...immersive, powerful, and brimming with stunning details of 1950's Greenwich Village life. The Almost Wife is a provocative story of one young woman’s evolution from narrow-mindedness to compassion and acceptance."
— Lynda Cohen Loigman, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern and The Matchmaker’s Gift
"The skillful and brilliant Jennifer Coburn writes a story of hope for humanity. When Angela Sabatini calls off her wedding in New Jersey, she chooses reinvention. She moves to Greenwich Village in New York City and finds her true purpose. This is a story of love lost and found and the chosen family we make along the way. A beautiful rendering of the challenges of being who we are in a world that isn’t always ready for us. Brava!"
— Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The View from Lake Como
"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
About the Author
Jennifer Coburn is the author of The USA Today bestseller The Girls of the Glimmer Factory, and Cradles of the Reich, historical novels about the strength of women's friendship and the connections that can be forged during even the most harrowing of times.
She has also published a mother-daughter travel memoir, We'll Always Have Paris, as well as six contemporary women's novels. Additionally, Jennifer has contributed to five literary anthologies, including A Paris All Your Own.
Jennifer lives in San Diego with her husband, William. Their daughter, Katie is currently in graduate school. When Jennifer is not going down historical research rabbit holes, she volunteers with So Say We All, a live storytelling organization, where she is a performer, producer, and performance coach. She is also a volunteer with Reality Changers, a nonprofit that supports low-income high school students in becoming the first in their families to attend college. She specializes in college essay development, interview prep, and nagging.
