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A Very Good Life (Dana McGarry Novel Book 1) Kindle Edition

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 893 ratings

In Lynn Steward’s debut novel, Set in 1970s New York City, a well-heeled junior executive at B. Altman, a high end department store, is about to learn how the art of seduction will affect both her marriage and career.

Although Lynn Steward’s debut novel, A Very Good Life, takes place in 1970s New York City, the emotional story transcends any period. Dana McGarry is an "it" girl, living a privileged lifestyle of a well-heeled junior executive at B. Altman, a high end department store. With a storybook husband and a fairytale life, change comes swiftly and unexpectedly. Cracks begin to appear in the perfect facade. Challenged at work by unethical demands, and the growing awareness that her relationship with her distant husband is strained, Dana must deal with the unwanted changes in her life. Can she find her place in the new world where women can have a voice, or will she allow herself to be manipulated into doing things that go against her growing self-confidence?

A Very Good Life chronicles the perils and rewards of Dana’s journey, alongside some of the most legendary women of the twentieth century. From parties at Café des Artistes to the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony, from meetings with business icons like Estée Lauder to cocktail receptions with celebrity guests like legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. Steward’s intimate knowledge of the period creates the perfect backdrop for this relatable story about a woman’s quest for self-identity.

Read now! Vol 2, April Snow, coming May 22.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lynn Steward highlights nuances of 70s life in New York City that are rarely featured in books or in films set in that period...But there is nothing old fashioned about this novel. Dana McGarry, the main character, navigates marriage, career, and New York's stratified social scene in a way that resonates across the decades....It's a New York story told in New York style." - Ask a New Yorker

"The story is well told by an author very familiar with the makings of the legal and fashion industries in New York. The places, settings, and intrigues make the novel interesting.... I found myself caught up in the story and wondering what will happen to Dana next. Will her Very Good Life continue? We've now learned about the first eight years. I look forward to reading about the next eight."
- Book Loons

"This earnest tribute to the '70s offers optimistic commentary on personal empowerment and larger-than-life characters."
- Foreword Reviews

"This is a good one to pack along to read on a flight or while hanging out at the beach this summer" -Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife

About the Author

Lynn Steward, a veteran of the New York fashion industry and a buyer on the team that started the women's department at Brooks Brothers, created the Dana McGarry series, set at a transformational time in the 1970s world of fashion and in the lives of multigenerational women. What Might Have Been is the second volume in the series. A Very Good Life, Steward's debut novel, was published in March 2014.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ITZ2RVI
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lynn Steward Publishing; 1st edition (March 5, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 790 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 893 ratings

About the author

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Lynn Steward
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Lynn Steward, a veteran of the New York fashion industry and a buyer on the team that started the women's department at Brooks Brothers, created the Dana McGarry series, set at a transformational time in the 1970s world of fashion and in the lives of multigenerational women. The novels A Very Good Life (2014) and What Might Have Been (2015) introduce Steward's young protagonist Dana McGarry and her story is being pitched as a one-hour TV drama series.

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
893 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They praise the writing quality as easy to read and the author's knack for putting the reader right in the middle of the story. The characters are well-developed and likable. Readers describe the book as an entertaining, empowering read that holds their attention. While some find the story predictable and flat, others appreciate the fast pace and enjoy reliving the 1970s.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

133 customers mention "Readability"123 positive10 negative

Customers find the book an enjoyable read with an interesting story and well-developed characters. They appreciate the thought-provoking plot and consider it a good book for girls to read before marriage.

"...It was absolutely wonderful! Lynn makes the characters come alive and she has a knack for putting the reader right in the middle of it all...." Read more

"...That didn't ring true. Other than that, a great story and I would definitely read more from this author in the future." Read more

"The ookwas well written with excellent characterization. There was lots of drama and tension but not really romance...." Read more

"Very well developed characters and storyline of a mid-twenties couple trying to balance their careers and marriage. This is an easy read." Read more

47 customers mention "Writing quality"37 positive10 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it easy to read, with an original and intriguing story that keeps them engaged. The author has a knack for putting the reader right in the middle of it all. The book is informative and interesting, but lacks heart. It's a light, entertaining read with revealing insights.

"...Lynn makes the characters come alive and she has a knack for putting the reader right in the middle of it all...." Read more

"...I'm glad I did. Author Lynn Steward has written an original and intriguing story that kept my attention from beginning to the end...." Read more

"The ookwas well written with excellent characterization. There was lots of drama and tension but not really romance...." Read more

"...This is an easy read." Read more

42 customers mention "Character development"32 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They find them believable and likable. Readers also appreciate the interesting people and neighborhoods in the book.

"...Lynn writes in a way that makes the reader see and experience everything the characters see or feel. That takes talent and Lynn has plenty of it...." Read more

"...The characters are realistic and believable...." Read more

"Very well developed characters and storyline of a mid-twenties couple trying to balance their careers and marriage. This is an easy read." Read more

"...Brett was portrayed as a awful person and it did not take long for me to dislike him. Even so I also questioned my feelings about Dana...." Read more

30 customers mention "Enjoyment"21 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the story engaging and interesting, with a fun storyline that holds their attention. The book is thought-provoking about ethics and infidelity, with insightful reflections on playing fair.

"...That takes talent and Lynn has plenty of it. There was never a dull moment and I learned so much!..." Read more

"...has written an original and intriguing story that kept my attention from beginning to the end. The characters are realistic and believable...." Read more

"This was a very dull telling of a very dull story. I kept waiting for something unexpected or interesting to happen...." Read more

"...There's a lovely, insightful page in which Dana reflects on whether success really is the country house and all that accompanies it, or whether it..." Read more

27 customers mention "Empowering"24 positive3 negative

Customers find the book empowering and inspiring. They say it's relatable, well-written, and fun. The story shows the importance of nurturing marriage and making wise decisions.

"...There are a lot of strong emotions in the book and I enjoyed witnessing Dana's journey through this part of her life, through all the challenges and..." Read more

"...The thing that makes this book so compelling is this was the great time for women to have freedom to choose the life they would lead...." Read more

"...Strong, achievement-oriented, determined, intelligent - a woman I think that we could all aspire to be...." Read more

"...Thank you for a wonderful page turning story that is easy to read, engrossing, and uplifting, a rarity!" Read more

43 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive30 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the story. Some find it a good love story with subtle twists and a happy ending. Others feel the story is predictable, flat, and unrealistic. The ending seems to be the highlight for some readers.

"...I was also disappointed with the end and how her husband reacted. It appeared to be rushed and hurried to get the story to end in so many pages...." Read more

"...but the main failing of the book was the rapid and rather incredible conclusion...." Read more

"...There was lots of drama and tension but not really romance. Although the writer is skilled the book hdid not appeal o me...." Read more

"...hooked up with a witch and in the end he got what he deserved - story line was old and worn -" Read more

21 customers mention "Pace"13 positive8 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pace. Some find it fast-paced and engaging, making it a quick, light read. Others feel the pacing is slow and hard to follow, with little action or plot development.

"...Was good for a quick, light read." Read more

"...It appeared to be rushed and hurried to get the story to end in so many pages. Sorry to leave an unfavorable comment...." Read more

"...The setting is NYC during the holidays in 1974. This was a brisk and entertaining read. I highly recommend it. A nice clean book." Read more

"easy and quick read but not a very deep story in my opinion. very predictable. and the story fell kind of flat at the end." Read more

8 customers mention "Ease of build"4 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's ease of build. Some find it an easy and enjoyable read that draws them in from the start, while others feel the writing style is simple and slow.

"...It's not a bad read, really, and seems a first effort...." Read more

"It took a bit to build but was it did it was worth the ride right til the last page. I can't wait for the next installment...." Read more

"easy and quick read but not a very deep story in my opinion. very predictable. and the story fell kind of flat at the end." Read more

"It was Pretty simple. I Almost didn't finish. This is like a short story in a woman's magazine. Not that good." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2014
    I was very impressed with this book. It's not a story that I would have looked for in the past, but you can be sure I will be watching for more books like this in the near future. It was absolutely wonderful! Lynn makes the characters come alive and she has a knack for putting the reader right in the middle of it all. Lynn writes in a way that makes the reader see and experience everything the characters see or feel. That takes talent and Lynn has plenty of it. There was never a dull moment and I learned so much! I felt like I was a part of Dana's group of friends, and trust me, that is a great group of friends to be around. There are a lot of strong emotions in the book and I enjoyed witnessing Dana's journey through this part of her life, through all the challenges and the ups and downs. There is strong character development and a well thought out plot. Not only do you get a story, you get an experience as well. Visit NYC in the 70's, and have a rare chance to see what life was like for women during that time. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. True greatness. You won't be disappointed!
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014
    I loved the cover of this Ebook and the title sounded good, so I gave it a try. I'm glad I did.

    Author Lynn Steward has written an original and intriguing story that kept my attention from beginning to the end. The characters are realistic and believable. It gave a good background into the world of fashion and living in New York in the 70's, which is an era I enjoy for story settings, as I was a teenager at that time. Her attention to detail is excellent (but not over the top!)too. I read this story in a couple of afternoons and put aside some other work I had to do, to see how it would end.

    The only thing I didn't think was believable was Dana's acceptance of her friend Andrew's lifestyle. As a supposedly devote Catholic in the 70's, I don't think Dana would have been condoning homosexuality. Yes, she may have been friends with someone who was gay but I don't think she would have been supporting and encouraging his lifestyle choices given this time frame and her religious beliefs. That didn't ring true.

    Other than that, a great story and I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2014
    The ookwas well written with excellent characterization. There was lots of drama and tension but not really romance. Although the writer is skilled the book hdid not appeal o me. I prefer oops that have more underlying intent. This book was more superficial than I care got.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024
    Very well developed characters and storyline of a mid-twenties couple trying to balance their careers and marriage. This is an easy read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2015
    I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and, in particular, the message that success is how we ourselves define it. There's a lovely, insightful page in which Dana reflects on whether success really is the country house and all that accompanies it, or whether it's something we each define for ourselves. It's quite well-written, and the characters are believable and likable. McGarry strikes a good balance between Dana's personal and professional challenges and delivers an ending that makes me want to read more of her story.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2014
    I try to stay away from books that revolve around adultery and divorce. I am not sure why I downloaded this book but I did read it from beginning to end. The story is about a twenty something in the 70's making her way in the world by climbing the ranks at B. Altman. She is married to a very arrogant lawyer who is climbing the ranks at his firm. Her husband is so arrogant that he gets involved with a woman at his firm and soon his wife finds out and divorces him. Overall it was a very depressing book and would not recommend it.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2014
    I loved that even though there was an affair going on you did not have steamy scenes like most books do today. That was refreshing. I was disappointed with the details. I found that I skipped half the book and wanted it end. I'm a person that will finish a book just to see how it ends, but I was tempted to stop. All the details about lawyers, New York and history of buildings got very boring not being from there. I wish you would have done more with the story line. I was also disappointed with the end and how her husband reacted. It appeared to be rushed and hurried to get the story to end in so many pages. Sorry to leave an unfavorable comment. It really could have been an excellent book.
    42 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2017
    A loved read. Easy to read with warm interesting characters. It was a bit simplistic for my tastes but it was still fun and enjoyable.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Brighid Lindsay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light and easy to read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2015
    An enjoyable read.
  • Jacqueline
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2015
    I really enjoyed this book. I loved the feeling of being around New York in the 1970s. Looking forward to reading more about Dana McCarty.
  • Sue D
    3.0 out of 5 stars It left me wanting more!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2015
    This story of a young married couple living a comfortable life in 1970's New York follows the ups and downs of their private and professional lives. I suppose that as this is "Book 1", that's why I felt a bit cheated! The scene has been set, but there are lots of loose ends, and you finish the book without a satisfying conclusion.
    There are lots of things about the story that are very familiar to me as someone who was a young wife in the 1970s, but sometimes I think you can tell that it is written with the view from today. That's not a bad thing, because otherwise it would only resonate with people of my age! It is a love story where the heroine changes from being a dutiful little wife in her home life and starts to find her self-confidence: surely something that will be an aspiration for women of any age! Dana McGarry never appears to be anything but self-confident in her working environment, but has always deferred to her husband's wishes at home. During the course of this story she is forced to see that he is not the man she thought he was. However, even though we don't know what will happen next, we can see that she will have a good life in spite of her changed circumstances.
    A lovely bit of escapist fiction, and I will look out for Book 2!
  • Lesley segal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2015
    Enjoyable
  • Anne
    4.0 out of 5 stars a good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2015
    Very enjoyable. Once started had to finish it.

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