REVIEW: Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino

Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino: It’s 1962, and Judy Greenberg has bigger dreams than the future everyone expects her to have. While her mother hopes she’ll settle down and find a husband, Judy is focused on becoming a reporter in a newsroom where women rarely get the chance. When she accidentally answers her boss’s private phone line and receives a cryptic message delivered in a Russian accent, she’s convinced she’s stumbled onto a major story. Teaming up with fellow reporter Jack Fields, Judy follows a trail of clues. What begins as a simple lead soon pulls Judy into a web of secrets, spies, and political intrigue that stretches far beyond the newsroom.

What drew me to this book right away was the combination of historical mystery and an ambitious heroine determined to prove herself. The newsroom setting, the undercover investigation, and the Cold War backdrop created a fast-paced story filled with adventure, humor, and plenty of twists along the way.

Judy was smart, ambitious, and completely unwilling to accept the limitations placed on women in the 1960s. Watching her pursue a career she was constantly told wasn’t meant for her made her journey incredibly compelling. I loved watching her chase a story everyone else seemed willing to ignore, even when doing so put her career—and eventually her safety—at risk. Jack added charm, support, and plenty of humor to the story, but what stood out most was how much he respected Judy’s intelligence and ambition. Their dynamic added warmth throughout the investigation, but this was ultimately Judy’s journey, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

Overall, OFF THE RECORD was a smart, entertaining historical mystery filled with humor, heart, and a heroine who refused to let anyone else write her story. Perfect for readers who love ambitious female protagonists, clever mysteries, and plenty of suspense.

Tropes & Themes
📰 Aspiring journalist
🕵️ Amateur sleuth
📚 Historical fiction
💞 Fake dating
🌍 Cold War intrigue
✨ Adventure-filled mystery
💛 Following your dreams
✨ Challenging expectations

Book Info:

Publication: June 9, 2026 | Lake Union Publishing |

An aspiring newspaper reporter comes across a mystery that threatens to turn the Cold War hot in a funny, thrilling, and strictly undercover romantic comedy by the bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write.

In 1962, opportunities are typically few for nice Jewish girls clacking away at ninety words per minute in a newspaper typing pool. Except Judy Greenberg isn’t typical. An aspiring reporter in DC, she’s aiming for journalistic greatness—not finding a husband. Just don’t tell her mother.

Then one day she answers her boss’s private line. The message is curiously cryptic. It’s also delivered in a Russian accent. Judy is certain she has stumbled upon a scoop. Charming reporter Jack Fields isn’t one to dismiss Judy’s instincts. Perfect. A seasoned ally she can trust, not to mention pass off as a pretend boyfriend around her relieved parents. Together, they’re following the leads—from a clandestine hotel bar to the dressing room of a slinky Cuban nightclub singer to an exhilarating underground of secrets and spies stretching from Moscow to Havana to Texas.

Now Judy must choose between the safe life expected of her or one hell of a dangerous story that could make her career. She might even fall in love for real. If her ambitions don’t get her killed.