Next to Heaven

A Novel

De: James Frey

Narrado por: Gina Gershon

Narrated by actress Gina Gershon.

"NSFW Gatsby." —Book of the Month

"A sizzling beach read about the misdeeds of the rich." —Wall Street Journal

"The novel on every beach towel this summer, all summer, everywhere." —Esquire

Uncover the dark underbelly of the American dream America’s most perfect town, in this “lurid” and “propulsive” novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Frey (New York Times Book Review Podcast)–and discover a world where privilege, sex, scandal, and murder lurk beneath a flawless veneer.

New Bethlehem, Connecticut. Picture-perfect lawns, manicured hedges, and multi-million dollar homes present a carefully curated facade. But beneath the designer yoga gear and country club memberships lies a darker reality.

A world of troubled opulence and sharp betrayal. "It's this pulpy, Collins-esque beach read about the 1% of the 1%. It's sexy and it's fun and it's an easy read about intrigue—it's Your Friends and Neighbors. It's Billions. It's The White Lotus before the vacation" (Bestselling author and podcaster Rich Roll). A world of spectacularly badly-behaved rich people where money can buy anything. . .until it ruins everything.

In this world of excess, best friends Devon and Belle have it all—beauty, money, status. But they want something more. Something dangerous. Something that makes them feel alive. Their solution? A party—a meticulously curated gathering of New Bethlehem’s elite, from a desperate ex-NFL quarterback to a hockey coach with a penchant for married women, and a ruthless Wall Street “closer” who wields his wealth like a weapon.

One night. An ultra-elite swingers party. Multiple betrayals. And a murder that will shatter New Bethlehem’s carefully constructed facade.

Enter a world of troubled opulence and sharp betrayal that’s reminiscent of "The White Lotus," “Your Friends and Neighbors,” and "Big Little Lies"—a world of spectacularly badly-behaved rich people where money can buy anything. . .until it ruins everything.

Behind every great fortune, lies a great crime. " —Honoré de Balzac

"A Connecticut sex romp–cum–murder mystery . . . 'big nods' to Jackie Collins, Danielle Steel, and Tom Wolfe." —Vanity Fair

“A satirical look at the "beautiful, wealthy and unsatisfied.'” —People Magazine

"Lurid . . . Propulsive. . . appeals to one's baser instincts." —New York Times Book Review Podcast

"A deliriously over-the-top portrait of decadence on the brink." —Bustle

©2025 James Frey (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Really Fun

Gina Gershon was wonderful as narrator. The book was fun/sexy/engaging and scratches the itch for someone like me who enjoys the guilty pleasure of romantic comedies about rich people (Kevin Kwan style). My one big criticism was all the repetition - some of it was effective but overall a bit heavy-handed.

Fun, juicy, cannot stop listening book!!!

Just listen and let yourself escape into an alternate world and then realize maybe your own world is really good.

Denison, Westchester/Fairfield Counties and the Ice Storm

I was very drawn to this book after reading some of reviews and since I went to Denison (87’) like J. Frey, grew up in Scarsdale and have lived in Westchester/Fairfield Counties. I grew up with these people, raised my kids with these people and know these people. I’m not these people but it sure was fun to be surrounded by them. Loved the old school (like Frey said Danielle Steele or Jackie Collin’s) romp of sex, drugs, betrayal and lots of sarcasm. Without knowing where Frey lives now, I knew it based on the “New” Bethlehem location for the book. I listened to it in a day and loved every word. Gina Gershon was the perfect narrator. Can’t wait for the next book.

F@*cking awesome!

Love everything Frey does, and he delivered a helluva riveting raw raucus tale here! Would be an epic movie or series, get on it James! There could not be a better narrator, she was outstanding, a voice like a purr! Can’t wait for what comes next from these two or as single units!

Excellent Story!

This is a must listen if you like romantic and risqué reality television and true crime!

Great Beach Read

Enjoyed this very much! Especially the fact there was NO political innuendo. Fun fast read with great narration.

the storyline totally hooked me

Great reader! Loved the tone she carried. Totally got the characters and made them into dynamic figures in my imagination 😁

Narrator was overly dramatic!!!!

I enjoyed the story, but once I heard the author interview I knew both are village idiots. I realized what self-absorbed pompous asses they are. Talk about the rich being thoughtless self-absorbed users. Both should look in the mirror.

Nice surprise

Great narration-story was fun & interesting —the girls came out on top which is a good thing

F Yeah

Mr. Frey is invited to my next party, that’s for sure.
A super fun book!