Betting on Good - by Wendy Francis (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A Kentucky Derby weekend for two couples tests the high-stakes boundaries of friendship and marriage in a witty, winning, and emotional novel by the author of Feels Like Summer.

Amid the heralded springtime traditions and fabulous splendor of the Kentucky Derby, two Boston couples--longtime friends--indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. The weekend feels like a winner.

It's a milestone-birthday present for the newly--and reluctantly--turned forty Drew Starling. Her husband, Nate, has spared no expense, despite the mounting gambling debts that Drew knows nothing about. He's certain that with his lucky charm, Drew, by his side, he can reverse his misfortunes at Churchill Downs. Joining them are friends Leslie and Graham, floundering in a twelve-year marriage that desperately needs a change of scenery, a new spark. Graham especially looks forward to being in the Starlings' charmed orbit this weekend, though he won't say why.

When the bourbon begins to flow and the horses thunder down the track, secrets and simmering tensions soon spill. As sure as the bugler's call and the winner's purse, the stakes of marriage and friendship on this revelatory weekend have never been so high.

Review Quotes

A Zibby Owens "Most Anticipated Book" of 2025

"The Kentucky Derby, a 40th birthday, and a seemingly perfect friendship put to the test. Gorgeously descriptive with three-dimensional characters and a bunch of secrets about to come to light, Betting on Good, like the Run for the Roses, is addictively fast-paced." --Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author

Praise for The Summer Sail

"A great summer read for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin." --Library Journal

Praise for Summertime Guests

"Francis shines as a master storyteller." --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of A Happier Life

"Riveting...A smart read with plenty of meat for book clubs." --Barbara O'Neal, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

"At a glamourous hotel by the ocean, four people face up to truths that can no longer be hidden. Summertime Guests is compelling, surprising, and a wonderful summertime read...I devoured it." --Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Summer Light on Nantucket

Praise for The Summer of Good Intentions

"Wendy Francis's book thrilled me like a ride in a race car along the coast with the top down. It is everything a summer read should be." --Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author of Swan Song

"Wendy Francis has created both a family and a story I did not want to leave. These three sisters on a summer vacation display the strong ties that can both hurt and heal a family. Filled with the sweet briny air of Cape Cod, this extraordinary tale shows that, together, we can weather all the seasons of life." --Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Story She Left Behind