Let's Not Do That Again

Let's Not Do That Again

  • Downloads:7056
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-04-14 08:51:49
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Grant Ginder
  • ISBN:1250243777
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the author of The People We Hate at the Wedding comes a poignant, funny, and slyly beguiling novel about family, politics, and the lengths we’ll go to for our children, perfect for fans of HBO’s Veep and Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here。

Nancy Harriman is running for Senate, and she’s going to win, God dammit。 Not that that’s her slogan, although it should be。 This is what she’s worked so hard for over the years after her husband’s untimely death (which was definitely not her fault) and inheriting his seat in the House of Representatives。 She’s said all the right things。 Passed all the right legislation。 Chapped her lips kissing babies。 There’s just one problem: her grown children。

Greta and Nick Harriman are adrift。 Nick, recently heartbroken, is floundering in his attempts to write a musical about the life of Joan Didion (called Hello to All That)。 And then there’s his little sister Greta。 Smart, pretty, and completely unmotivated by anything, allowing her life to pass her by like the shoppers at the Apple store where she works。

But then one morning the world wakes up not to Nancy making headlines, but Greta。 She’s in Paris。 With extremist protestors。 Throwing a bottle of champagne through a beloved bistro’s front window。 In order to save her campaign, not to mention her daughter, Nancy and Nick must find Greta before it’s too late。

Smart and poignant, funny and tear-jerking, Let’s Not Do That Again proves that like democracy, family is a messy and fragile thing that means more than any mother, or senator, could ever dream。

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Reviews

Andrew

Nancy is running for Senate with the goal of actually getting some of her liberal agenda accomplished。 Her daughter Greta is rebelling and has taken up with a racist You-Tube star。 Son Nick wants to stay away from politics and working for his mother。 None of these characters were sympathetic or likeable。 Nor was the story that interesting or in fact believable。

Rebecca

The election is around the corner and Nancy Harrison may lose to Carmichael, an actor turned politician。 Complicating things even more is a dysfunctional family life - a fraught relationship with her daughter, her son leaving the campaign to strike off alone, and a mother-in-law that hates her。 What I liked: The entire book felt very real, from the settings, to the jobs, to the dialogue。 The beginning starts a little slow but by the end I could not put this one down。 There’s a little bit of a th The election is around the corner and Nancy Harrison may lose to Carmichael, an actor turned politician。 Complicating things even more is a dysfunctional family life - a fraught relationship with her daughter, her son leaving the campaign to strike off alone, and a mother-in-law that hates her。 What I liked: The entire book felt very real, from the settings, to the jobs, to the dialogue。 The beginning starts a little slow but by the end I could not put this one down。 There’s a little bit of a thriller angle that I wanted to know how it would work out。 What didn’t work for me: I personally liked that all the characters are morally ambiguous and slightly unlikable, but I can see this being a negative for some readers。 The only character I really rooted for was Nick but he’s also the most on the fringe of the action。 I guessed one storyline but it didn’t take away from the book。I do think you need to suspend belief a bit to make this one work。 Who should read it: This behind the scenes look at a political family is for you if you thrive on drama or just enjoy being a fly on the wall while others fight。 This reads a little like an exposé on a political powerhouse。Thank you Goodreads and Henry Holt for my giveaway win。 。。。more

MARNIE RUHBERG

Vicious, sharp, smart and hilarious。 Everything I love most about this author。I received an ARC。

Thea

Pretty funny book about a family with a mother and father that are politicians。

Kelly Parker

I enjoy following politics (to an extent), so this novel, based on a messy political family in NYC, was an easy choice。 Congresswoman Nancy Harrison is running in a very tight race for the US Senate。 Meanwhile, her wayward daughter, Greta, runs off to Paris to hook up with a degenerate race baiter who has plans to ruin her campaign。 Nancy enlists her son to go bring Greta home, derailing his plans to steer clear of politics。 Naturally, nothing goes quite as planned and they soon find they have w I enjoy following politics (to an extent), so this novel, based on a messy political family in NYC, was an easy choice。 Congresswoman Nancy Harrison is running in a very tight race for the US Senate。 Meanwhile, her wayward daughter, Greta, runs off to Paris to hook up with a degenerate race baiter who has plans to ruin her campaign。 Nancy enlists her son to go bring Greta home, derailing his plans to steer clear of politics。 Naturally, nothing goes quite as planned and they soon find they have way more to worry about than the results of an election。 Most of the book was amusing and entertaining, but it took a rather dark turn towards the end that I definitely wasn’t expecting。 The inner-workings of the campaign was fun to read about, and the dysfunctional Harrison family dynamics came across as pretty authentic。 Thanks to #netgalley and #henryholtandco for this #arc of #letsnotdothatagain in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Barbara Murphy Smith

Enjoyed the twists and turns。

Megan Hollenkamp

I was ready for this book to take me on a journey and I just didn’t know how much of a journey it would be。 Yes, we are swept across the globe to Paris and then back again, but we are also swept up in emotion, taken for a wild ride and feel betrayal again and again。 The Harrisons are at the center of this story: Nancy is at the tail-end of a senate campaign while her daughter, Greta, is trying to make a mess of things and her son, Nick, is trying to clean it up。 And just when you think that you I was ready for this book to take me on a journey and I just didn’t know how much of a journey it would be。 Yes, we are swept across the globe to Paris and then back again, but we are also swept up in emotion, taken for a wild ride and feel betrayal again and again。 The Harrisons are at the center of this story: Nancy is at the tail-end of a senate campaign while her daughter, Greta, is trying to make a mess of things and her son, Nick, is trying to clean it up。 And just when you think that you can get comfortable and things are safe…oh boy, they just aren’t。I had a lot of fun trying to figure out where the story would go next or how it would end。 I have to admit the ending was a little too tidy for my liking, but then again I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much overall if it hadn’t been wrapped up in a bow。 Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 TW: death of a parent, cheating, abuse, murder, fascist ideas, gaslighting 。。。more

Samantha

A light, enjoyable read about family and forgiveness with a side of politics。 This reminds me a little of Fredrick Backman’s work。 This isn’t quite as funny (at least in the absurdist sense), but the vibe is similar and the relationships between flawed but lovable characters is front and center。The story droops a bit in the middle, but the beginning and ending are delightful, and I loved the central characters。 This is a great read for when you need something not too heavy that moves well but is A light, enjoyable read about family and forgiveness with a side of politics。 This reminds me a little of Fredrick Backman’s work。 This isn’t quite as funny (at least in the absurdist sense), but the vibe is similar and the relationships between flawed but lovable characters is front and center。The story droops a bit in the middle, but the beginning and ending are delightful, and I loved the central characters。 This is a great read for when you need something not too heavy that moves well but is still smart enough to keep you interested and engaged。The audiobook version is worth a listen as well, smoothly and evenly narrated, with a story that lends itself well to the format。 *I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more

Guillermo Perez

A hilarious story about a congresswoman's campaign is derailed when her daughter Greta flees to Paris, joins a communist boy who's swept her off her feet, and throws a bottle of champagne through a restaurant window。 Meanwhile, her son Nick finds himself falling in love for the first time in his life while trying to figure out what to do with the rest of it。 There was a fun dysfunctional family aspect to this, both from a mother to offspring and brother to sister。 It was super witty and funny an A hilarious story about a congresswoman's campaign is derailed when her daughter Greta flees to Paris, joins a communist boy who's swept her off her feet, and throws a bottle of champagne through a restaurant window。 Meanwhile, her son Nick finds himself falling in love for the first time in his life while trying to figure out what to do with the rest of it。 There was a fun dysfunctional family aspect to this, both from a mother to offspring and brother to sister。 It was super witty and funny and so tightly written that every sentence seemed to serve it's purpose。 If you liked VEEP you'll defintely enjoy this one。。OUT NOW 。。。more

Leah

After a slow start, ultimately an engaging & endearing story of family, relationships & self-realizations。 3+ ⭐️

Joyce

A hilarious book about family, politics and love。 A good read。

Carol Lansen

I loved this book。 There are few things better than a really good book--you find yourself reading past your bedtime, sneaking in a page or two at every opportunity, bringing the book to all those places where there is (positively) going to be a wait (the car wash, the doctor's office 。 。 。)。 I'm itching to ask a question about the ending (Nick's perspective), but no spoiler alerts here because I'd dislike putting a dent in anyone else's reading experience。 The story is new and original。 The char I loved this book。 There are few things better than a really good book--you find yourself reading past your bedtime, sneaking in a page or two at every opportunity, bringing the book to all those places where there is (positively) going to be a wait (the car wash, the doctor's office 。 。 。)。 I'm itching to ask a question about the ending (Nick's perspective), but no spoiler alerts here because I'd dislike putting a dent in anyone else's reading experience。 The story is new and original。 The characters, even the ones you may not like too much, are memorable and alive。 My guess is Reese or Oprah or Jenna is going to put this on their list and Netflix is going to start casting it。 。。。more

Molly

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 In retrospect, there is really nice structure with the little dog in the building directing their attention to and away from the trash chute in the book - and I mean this in the best most flattering way possible- made me think - hey this could be Season 2 of “Only Murders In the Building”? In seriousness, that vibe helped me enjoy the story。 I thought it was well-paced。 And there is a little serendipity in that the audiobook I was listening to on my commute overlapping with when I read this book In retrospect, there is really nice structure with the little dog in the building directing their attention to and away from the trash chute in the book - and I mean this in the best most flattering way possible- made me think - hey this could be Season 2 of “Only Murders In the Building”? In seriousness, that vibe helped me enjoy the story。 I thought it was well-paced。 And there is a little serendipity in that the audiobook I was listening to on my commute overlapping with when I read this book is Michael Schur’s “How to be Perfect” - a overview of philosophy and how to think about our choices - which sort of framed how I was thinking about the ending and the choices made by all the characters。 。。。more

TC

Recommended。Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:https://www。tzerisland。com/bookblog/2。。。 Recommended。Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:https://www。tzerisland。com/bookblog/2。。。 。。。more

BookishlyWise

A funny family drama is what I am going to call it in simple words。 An enjoyable read, slightly longish and I wish the editor cut about 20 odd pages, after which it could've easily been a beach read! A funny family drama is what I am going to call it in simple words。 An enjoyable read, slightly longish and I wish the editor cut about 20 odd pages, after which it could've easily been a beach read! 。。。more

Lindsey Eick

I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway。 It was an interesting book, unlike any I have read before。 It gripped me from the beginning, and it did not let up。 It was funny and tragic at the same time。 It reminded me of a modern-day soap opera with continuous family drama。 The characters were very relatable and messy。 Loved that I had the chance to read this!! Thanks @HenryHoltBooks for #LetsNotDoThatAgain

Dennis

When Senatorial hopeful Nancy Harrison’s daughter is caught on camera violently protesting and vandalizing property in Paris, she recruits her son Nick to return her home so they can try to combat all the negative press。 Both Nancy’s children have their own, non-political lives that do not involve their mothers。 However it isn’t until Nick heads to Paris to fetch his sister that he finally sees how much their mother really has influenced their adult lives。LETS NOT DO THAT AGAIN really immersed m When Senatorial hopeful Nancy Harrison’s daughter is caught on camera violently protesting and vandalizing property in Paris, she recruits her son Nick to return her home so they can try to combat all the negative press。 Both Nancy’s children have their own, non-political lives that do not involve their mothers。 However it isn’t until Nick heads to Paris to fetch his sister that he finally sees how much their mother really has influenced their adult lives。LETS NOT DO THAT AGAIN really immersed me into this Harrison family drama and allowed me to escape a very crummy week。 This book has humor, drama, relationship building (both straight and gay), and political commentary (the fun kind)。 I highly recommend anyone who’s looking for something different to consider picking up this book。 It’s a good escape from a world that may need escaping right now。 I look forward to reading what Grant Ginder has up his sleeves next。 。。。more

Sherrie Howey

Nancy Harrison is running for the Senate when her daughter Greta, throws a bottle through the window of a well known restaurant in Paris。 The photos go viral and threaten to derail Nancy's campaign。 Greta has become involved with an extremist in Paris and her brother Nick is dispatched to bring her back to New York。This book truly represents the epitome of a dysfunctional family which also includes an incredibly spiteful mother-in-law and which has Nancy's political enemies chomping at the bit。 Nancy Harrison is running for the Senate when her daughter Greta, throws a bottle through the window of a well known restaurant in Paris。 The photos go viral and threaten to derail Nancy's campaign。 Greta has become involved with an extremist in Paris and her brother Nick is dispatched to bring her back to New York。This book truly represents the epitome of a dysfunctional family which also includes an incredibly spiteful mother-in-law and which has Nancy's political enemies chomping at the bit。 The characters were well developed and personally, I could have done without the violence that occurs towards the end of the book。 I really did not like any of the main characters at the beginning whereas by the end, I appreciated them and their personalities。 Fans of this author will find this to be an enjoyable read。 。。。more

Leslie

"LA Times," April 3, 2022 "LA Times," April 3, 2022 。。。more

Christina Shires

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway。This is the story of the Harrison family, Nancy (a long time congress woman running for a seat in the Senate), her son Nick (the "good kid" who tends to play middle man, but is desperately seeking his own freedom) and her daughter Greta (the rebellious one who has a grudge against her mother) the entire story takes place during the time leading up to election day。 In the middle of a close race between Nancy and her rival (a retired actor who "boo I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway。This is the story of the Harrison family, Nancy (a long time congress woman running for a seat in the Senate), her son Nick (the "good kid" who tends to play middle man, but is desperately seeking his own freedom) and her daughter Greta (the rebellious one who has a grudge against her mother) the entire story takes place during the time leading up to election day。 In the middle of a close race between Nancy and her rival (a retired actor who "boomers" like for his role on an old TV show) Greta is photographed destroying property in France during a protest which is picked up by local news in America and threatens to ruin Nancy's chance of getting elected。Things I liked: There is a decent story here, aside from the things I'll go into detail on later。 It's also well written, easy to read and flows nicely。Things I disliked and why I'm only rating 2 stars:1。 The first drawback came early and persisted pretty much throughout the book。 It's extremely liberal to the point of being preachy on liberal politics; which even to someone like me who considers themselves very moderate, was a bad taste。 It also caused me to see through the bias deliberately crafted into the story and it convoluted a lot, from the gay son to the right wing bad guy and everything in-between。2。 The only character that I half way liked was Greta, and that was only half way。 I would have probably liked Nick if he had been developed more, but he wasn't。3。 Xavier's excessive weird endearments "my little flea", "my little shrimp", "my little duck" GAG4。 This book was written in 5 Acts with Act 2 being written in 1st person (Greta) and the rest of the book written in 3rd person。 In my opinion Acts 1 & 2 should have been switched。 First and most importantly because act one did absolutely nothing to draw me in as a reader and act two would have。 I also think the flow from first person for the first part to third person for the rest of the book would have worked better than the 3rd-1st-3rd that made act two feel out of place in the novel。 And lastly because act two actually came first chronologically, a fact that I could look passed if not for the other two reason I mentioned above。5。 On the same note I would have enjoyed this story more had it ended slightly before the end of act 4。 What happens at the end of the book just made me dislike the characters more。I was tempted to DNF this book so many times I lost count but I persisted and I'm glad that I'm finally done。This was not my cup of tea but as I said before there is a decent story about family complexities under all the other stuff。 If you're hardcore liberal and don't mind putting politics and winning above everything you'd like this, otherwise I'd pass。 。。。more

Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd。blogspot。com

#FirstLine ~ The champagne has gone to her head。I loved this book。 I loved the characters, how the story slowly built and the very satisfying conclusion。 It was one of those stories that I can see being made into the movie, as the subject matter is relevant and entertaining。 I was engaged cover to cover and read it over the week while on a cruise。 It was perfect for a spring/summer read because it has everything that helps you escape。。。。family drama, political intrigue, lies, secrets, love and s #FirstLine ~ The champagne has gone to her head。I loved this book。 I loved the characters, how the story slowly built and the very satisfying conclusion。 It was one of those stories that I can see being made into the movie, as the subject matter is relevant and entertaining。 I was engaged cover to cover and read it over the week while on a cruise。 It was perfect for a spring/summer read because it has everything that helps you escape。。。。family drama, political intrigue, lies, secrets, love and so much more!!! This is one of the passages that really spoke to me: "。。。but by the end I felt as though I was in a race I would never, ever win。" We have all felt like this and I think we can all relate to this feeling。 There are many other great passages in this outstanding book! A MUST READ! 。。。more

Stephanie

📚𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀📚4/5 🌟Happy Pub Day! This book had me at its sarcastic title, and kept my attention throughout with- its “Veep” meets “Schitt’s Creek” vibes。 It’s the story of politician Nancy Harrison’s run for office while trying to manage a public family outburst (or two) that have less than ideal optics。 Her children, compliant Nick (a great gay character adding texture and depth) and rebellious, angry Greta, form the backbone of this contemporary, topical, written, entertaining comedy。 If you w 📚𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀📚4/5 🌟Happy Pub Day! This book had me at its sarcastic title, and kept my attention throughout with- its “Veep” meets “Schitt’s Creek” vibes。 It’s the story of politician Nancy Harrison’s run for office while trying to manage a public family outburst (or two) that have less than ideal optics。 Her children, compliant Nick (a great gay character adding texture and depth) and rebellious, angry Greta, form the backbone of this contemporary, topical, written, entertaining comedy。 If you want a refreshing break from serious topics, check this out! My thanks for @Netgalley and @HenryHoltandCo for the electronic advanced electronic reader’s copy。 。。。more

Toni

Happy Pub Day! Grant Ginder gives us another snarky, real family story with humor and love! Full review to follow!

Liz

Let’s Not Do That Again is a funny and astute novel about a female politician’s family, their inner lives and an incident that may throw the potential Senator’s election off path。 I wished it was a tad shorter but loved the characters and found parts very funny。 I’ve never seen Veep but it’s been compared to that show if that’s something you enjoy。 3。75 rounded down。

B。

I won a copy of this one in a Goodreads Giveaway。 The writing is personable and flows easily with a very conversational tone。 That does make it a quick read, but with that being said, I just couldn't care about anything that happened to the characters。 Most felt very one or two dimensional and I just kept hoping it would get to a point。 I won a copy of this one in a Goodreads Giveaway。 The writing is personable and flows easily with a very conversational tone。 That does make it a quick read, but with that being said, I just couldn't care about anything that happened to the characters。 Most felt very one or two dimensional and I just kept hoping it would get to a point。 。。。more

Paul

I want to profusely thank Henry Holt & Co。 for sending me an advance copy of Grant Ginder's absolutely wonderful novel。 It's bursting with every superlative I can think of, and probably a few lurking mischievously in the shadows。 The Harrison family is one you want to curl up with with a bottle of champagne at your side, as they draw you irresistibly into their outrageous and endearing lives。 Nancy Harrison is the kind of politician we should be so lucky to have, one who is fine with disposing o I want to profusely thank Henry Holt & Co。 for sending me an advance copy of Grant Ginder's absolutely wonderful novel。 It's bursting with every superlative I can think of, and probably a few lurking mischievously in the shadows。 The Harrison family is one you want to curl up with with a bottle of champagne at your side, as they draw you irresistibly into their outrageous and endearing lives。 Nancy Harrison is the kind of politician we should be so lucky to have, one who is fine with disposing of her daughter Greta's evil dead fascist French boyfriend's body with cunning ingenuity in order to protect her family。 This is one messy clan, but oh so human, and, despite the emotional calamity that makes "Let's Not Do That Again" such a hilarious and invigorating page turner, a family ultimately held together by their love for each other。 Sophistication, pungent wit, cultural savvy and political astuteness are in pleasurable abundance, but the most gratifying aspect of Ginder's heady prose is the deeply felt empathy that I felt for Nancy, Greta and Nick。 What an intoxicating read! 。。。more

Julie Stewart

Thank you to @HenryHoltBooks for the free book which I won in a Goodreads giveaway。After years of being a congresswoman, Nancy Harrison is running for Senate。 Professionally she has everything going for her but personally her family threatens her ability to secure the position。 Her husband passed away years ago under semi-suspicious circumstances。 Her son, who used to be her campaign manager, quit and is now attempting to write a musical about the life of Joan Didion。 The novel opens with Nancy Thank you to @HenryHoltBooks for the free book which I won in a Goodreads giveaway。After years of being a congresswoman, Nancy Harrison is running for Senate。 Professionally she has everything going for her but personally her family threatens her ability to secure the position。 Her husband passed away years ago under semi-suspicious circumstances。 Her son, who used to be her campaign manager, quit and is now attempting to write a musical about the life of Joan Didion。 The novel opens with Nancy and her team scrambling after her daughter, Greta, makes the news for smashing windows during riots in Paris with her French, neo-nazi boyfriend。 Will Nancy manage to win her campaign in spite of her family?I LOVED the beginning of this book。 The writing was crisp and clever and witty and a lot of fun。 I was really hoping that the entire book would read the same way - if it had I have no doubt that it would have been one of my favorites this year。 While the rest of the book was good, it didn't quite live up to the great first impression that the first few chapters made。 The beginning was 6/5 stars for me with it slowly going down to around a 3。75 towards the end。 A plot twist later in the book took the story in a darker, more serious direction and I wish it hadn't。 The tone felt out of place from the rest of the book and I think I would have preferred it if the same plot twist had been written with humor as an absurd turn of events (kind of like Finlay Donovan)。 I've heard others say that this book would be good for fans of Veep。 I haven't watched Veep yet but definitely want to now。 It also made me want to go back and read Grant Ginder's backlist title, The People We Hate at the Wedding。 。。。more

Maria

4。5 stars!Oh my gosh I loved every second of this book! It really reminds of a story like Mary Beth Keane or Steven Rowley would come up。 Such a fun look at a family who’s lives are eating breathing and sleeping politics。The last bit took QUITE a turn, and it was a nice surprise haha IYKYK! I highly recommend this book :)

Harleigh Thornton

Ginder’s writing is sharp and filled with humor, and I absolutely adored the Harrison family and all of their deep flaws。 The relationship between Nick and Greta gave me Schitts Creeks vibes for sure。 The political drama is engaging and relatable, and this book weaves together many plot points that all come together by the end。 The ending on this book really threw me for a loop, which is why I’m giving it 4。5/5 stars。

Monica Fumarolo

Hooked me in and took me on one heck of a roller coaster。 In a way it reminded me of the novel Less by Andrew Sean Greer meeting that old TV show Brothers & Sisters, if that makes sense。 I'll be looking into this author's backlist for sure。 Hooked me in and took me on one heck of a roller coaster。 In a way it reminded me of the novel Less by Andrew Sean Greer meeting that old TV show Brothers & Sisters, if that makes sense。 I'll be looking into this author's backlist for sure。 。。。more