The Comeback!

I am so excited to share this month’s Bad on Paper book club pick! (If you are newer here, Bad on Paper is the podcast I host with my friend Becca.)

This month’s book selection is The Comeback, by Ella Berman. This is such a fun read. It’s suspenseful, it’s got some Hollywood glamour. We both absolutely loved it and think there will be a lot to talk about! It ships 8/3 but you can pre-order it using my affiliate link, if you’d like!

The Comeback, by Ella Berman

There’s so much to talk about with this one.

I will preface this with a trigger warning: there is some sexual abuse. It’s not graphic and it’s just a small scene but want to be upfront.

Becca and I were in a reading “war,” over what our August book club pick would be and this was her pick (mine was The Boys Club BUT we both agreed this book has more to talk about!) and did not disappoint. A young actress (Grace, great name – will make for a harder convo) disappears from Hollywood mysteriously, at the height of her career (the night of the Golden Globes). When the book opens, we aren’t sure what’s happened to her or why she’s decided to leave behind what by appearances seems like the absolute dream.

As the book alternates back and forth between modern day (living at home with her parents in Anaheim and eventually returning to LA) and the past, we learn the physical AND emotional abuse and trauma she suffered at the hands of her famous director boss and mentor Able Yorke. Able is widely respected in the industry and responsible for “making” Grace. But there’s such a dark side to the story.

We slowly learn what he did to her and how he managed to manipulate her for eight years. Eventually getting to how she handles it and manages her “comeback”. While Grace is not always likable (you see a lot of how what she endured impacts her relationship with her family, friends, and husband), you also understand why she did the things she did. And you root for her, wanting her to thrive. I tore through this one and loved the mix of a thrilling page turner with the importance of the #MeToo movement and standing up for what is right.

Similar to The Boys Club (another fav from the month), it weaves heavy issues into something unputdownable and enjoyable to read.

You can order it here, and peruse previous Bad on Paper book club picks here!

Be sure to tune into this month’s book club episode: we talk about The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett.

Lastly on the books front, check out my recently updated book Book Club page – it’s the perfect way to find your next book. I’ve recently added a filter for my favorite books by Black authors. Everything I’ve read in the past 5-6 years is there. And you can sort by grade AND genre. I’m really proud of it… along with the beauty hub. I think it’s my favorite part of the site!

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thank you for your support!

Photo by Allie Provost.