Very Nice

Very Nice follows multiple narrators whose lives intersect after a college student kisses her creative writing professor. The initial encounter sets off a chain of events involving the student, the professor, and the student's recently-divorced mother at their Connecticut home. The novel alternates between five different perspectives as relationships form, shift, and complicate. A valuable Standard Poodle, a swimming pool, and the backdrop of wealthy suburban life become central elements that connect the characters' overlapping stories. Events move between Manhattan's literary scene and Connecticut's privileged suburbs, exploring themes of desire, power dynamics, and self-deception. The story navigates the blurred lines between truth and fiction, examining how people construct narratives about themselves and others. The narrative structure creates a commentary on contemporary life, wealth, and the ways people justify their choices. Through its rotating viewpoints and morally ambiguous situations, the novel raises questions about authenticity and manipulation in modern relationships.

Readers describe Very Nice as a quick, entertaining read that doesn't take itself too seriously. Readers appreciated: - The multiple viewpoint structure and interconnected storylines - Sharp humor and satirical elements - Fast pacing and readability - Commentary on privilege and social dynamics Common criticisms: - Characters feel shallow and unlikeable - Plot developments strain credibility - Sexual content feels gratuitous - Ending leaves too many threads unresolved Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.46/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Fun but forgettable summer read" - Goodreads reviewer "The characters make terrible choices but I couldn't stop reading" - Amazon reviewer "Expected more depth given the serious themes" - LibraryThing reviewer "Like a guilty pleasure TV show in book form" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 The author, Marcy Dermansky, wrote this novel while going through her own divorce, which influenced some of the complex relationship dynamics in the story. 📚 The book's narrative is told through five different characters' perspectives, each offering their own version of events surrounding a valuable Standard Poodle named Princess. 🏊‍♀️ The luxurious Connecticut pool featured prominently in the novel was inspired by Dermansky's own experiences of finding respite in swimming pools during difficult times. ✍️ The character of Zahid Azzam, a Pakistani-American novelist in the story, was partially influenced by Dermansky's experiences in the publishing industry and her observations of author-student relationships. 💫 The novel received significant attention for its timely exploration of the #MeToo movement's themes, particularly regarding power dynamics in academia and the publishing world.