BOOK CLUB: Meet the Newmans

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven is a warm and engaging fiction novel that blends family drama, emotional honesty, belonging, and identity.

At the center of the story is the Newman family. There’s Del, Dinah, and their sons Guy and Shep, who have spent years playing idealized versions of themselves on their hit show The Newmans. They have been in the spotlight for two decades as America’s favourite TV family, but now it is 1964, as the world is changing…and so is television. 

As their show becomes outdated, their audience shrinks, and the network pressures them to modernise. But, behind the scenes, the family is imploding. Each family member carries a secret that contradicts the wholesome image the public expects. Will they be able to keep their long-buried truths hidden and bring themselves into the modern times, or will the show be cancelled forever?

The novel’s structure mirrors the chaos of their lives which is a nice touch. Chapters are intercut with press clippings, interviews, and fragments of media coverage, creating a collage of perspectives that reminds you how little control the Newmans have over their own narrative. 

Niven’s greatest strength is her character work. She gives each Newman a distinct emotional landscape, allowing the reader to understand not just what they hide, but why they hide it. Each member is given enough depth to feel both real and memorable. Their interactions create lively, at times chaotic scenes that balance the quieter emotional moments.

Del is the driving force behind the family’s fame. His attempts to maintain the illusion of the perfect husband and father weigh on him as he holds a heavy secret. Dinah plays the glamorous, perfect wife and mother, the on-screen image of domestic bliss. But she is emotionally detached, lonely, and hollow inside. Guy is the golden boy of the show, but in real life, he is struggling with his own identity. Shep is the rebel, the one who tries to escape the family brand by becoming a musician, but the instability of fame unravels.

I enjoyed how the story dealt with so many prominent issues, from the Civil Rights movement to feminism to gay rights. It had many truly funny moments that had me laughing while being heartwarming and gut-wrenching all at the same time. 

The novel marks Jennifer Niven’s adult fiction debut, expanding beyond her well-known YA work into a sweeping, character-driven family saga offering a refined and resonant story that demonstrates her continued skill in portraying the intricacies of human connection.

Meet the Newmans is a thoughtful, emotionally layered family drama that examines the gap between who we are and who we are expected to be. It is nostalgic, sharp, and tender. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, or multilayered family sagas will find much to admire. I highly recommend. 

A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.