Newsroom Rivalry Ignites

In 1958 New York, Nick Russo, a hard-nosed, working-class reporter at the Chronicle, is immediately put off by Andy Fleming, the boss's son, who's landed a coveted city desk job. Nick catalogues Andy's ineptitudes—his inability to type, his cluelessness about city life, and his privileged background. Yet, when Andy gets his tie stuck in a filing cabinet, Nick helps him, and a reluctant camaraderie begins. Their initial interactions are laced with Nick's irritation and Andy's awkwardness, but beneath the surface, a spark of curiosity and attraction flickers, setting the stage for a relationship that will challenge both men's assumptions about themselves and each other.

Unlikely Friendship Forms

As weeks pass, Nick and Andy's professional relationship deepens into friendship. Nick finds himself looking out for Andy, who is scatterbrained but earnest, and Andy, in turn, is drawn to Nick's competence and gruff kindness. They become inseparable at work, with Nick guiding Andy through the newsroom's unspoken rules and city life's pitfalls. Their banter is sharp, but their mutual respect grows. Nick's initial resentment softens as he sees Andy's vulnerability, and Andy, who's lost his mother and feels adrift, finds comfort in Nick's steady presence. The newsroom betting pool on Nick's rare smiles becomes a running joke, symbolizing the thawing of his tough exterior.

Baseball, Ballet, and Bonds

A lost bet leads Andy and Nick to a baseball game, where their differences—Red Sox versus Yankees, privilege versus grit—are on full display. Yet, their playful antagonism masks a growing affection. They swap stories, share beers, and defend each other from hecklers. The outing, meant as a joke, becomes a turning point: both realize how much they enjoy each other's company. Their friendship is cemented through shared rituals—lunches, after-work drinks, and inside jokes. Nick's protectiveness and Andy's openness create a safe space for both, hinting at feelings neither is ready to name.

Love Triangles and Longings

Andy begins dating Emily, a sharp and witty reporter, and soon introduces her to Nick. The trio forms a close-knit group, but Nick's feelings for Andy become more complicated as he witnesses Andy and Emily's budding romance. Nick is both happy for his friends and quietly envious of their intimacy, unsure whether he wants what they have or simply wants Andy. Meanwhile, Andy values Nick's friendship deeply, relying on him for support and guidance. The lines between friendship and something more blur, especially as Nick's queerness—carefully hidden in 1950s New York—adds a layer of secrecy and longing to their interactions.

Family Ties and Secrets

Nick brings Andy to meet his large, boisterous Italian-American family in Brooklyn. The visit is fraught: Nick's brother Michael, a cop, is suspicious and overbearing, while Nick's mother is warm but oblivious to her son's struggles. Andy, an only child from a fractured, privileged family, is both charmed and overwhelmed. The experience exposes the class and cultural divides between them, as well as the pain Nick carries from his past—bullying, poverty, and the need to hide his true self. Andy's own family history—his mother's death, his father's distance—emerges, deepening their bond through shared vulnerability.

Near Misses and Realizations

Andy's clumsiness and tendency to get into scrapes—lost keys, elevator mishaps, minor injuries—give Nick endless opportunities to care for him. When Andy falls ill, Nick's nurturing side comes out, and Andy, unused to being looked after, is deeply moved. Their physical closeness increases, with casual touches and lingering glances becoming more charged. Both men begin to sense that their friendship is evolving into something more, but the risks of acknowledging their feelings—social stigma, job loss, family rejection—keep them cautious. The tension between desire and fear simmers beneath the surface.

The Proposition and Fallout

After a night out at a gay bar—Nick's world, which Andy insists on seeing—Andy impulsively offers to "take care of" Nick, hinting at a sexual relationship. Nick, mortified and convinced Andy is acting out of pity or confusion, rejects the offer. The encounter leaves both men hurt and embarrassed, unsure how to move forward. Andy flees to Washington for work, and Nick, feeling abandoned, seeks solace with friends. The distance forces both to confront their feelings: Andy realizes his attraction to Nick is real and not just curiosity, while Nick grapples with his fear of hope and intimacy.

Distance, Denial, and Discovery

While Andy is away, both men struggle with loneliness and regret. Andy's engagement to Emily falls apart, and he returns to New York heartbroken but more certain of his feelings for Nick. Nick, meanwhile, is haunted by the possibility of losing Andy for good. When Andy returns, a series of honest conversations—halting, awkward, but sincere—finally break through their mutual misunderstandings. They admit their attraction and agree to try being together, despite the risks. Their first tentative steps into romance are marked by both joy and anxiety, as they navigate the boundaries between friendship and love.

Confessions and Reconciliations

As their relationship deepens, Nick and Andy confront the secrets and fears that have held them back. Nick reveals his past arrest for "vagrancy" (a euphemism for being caught with another man), and Andy responds with compassion and anger at the injustice. They discuss the dangers of being outed, the threat of police harassment, and the need for discretion. Andy's father, surprisingly supportive, offers acceptance and advice. The couple's circle of friends—some queer, some not—rallies around them, providing a sense of community and belonging. Their love becomes a source of strength rather than shame.

Building a Life Together

With Andy's inheritance, they buy the apartment building where they live, ensuring a safe haven for themselves and their chosen family. They adopt a stray cat, host dinner parties, and integrate their lives in ways both mundane and profound. Nick begins to shift his career toward magazine writing, while Andy prepares to take over the Chronicle. Their home becomes a gathering place for friends—queer and straight, artists and journalists—reflecting the diverse, vibrant world they've built together. The act of making a home is both radical and ordinary, a quiet rebellion against a society that would deny them happiness.

Threats, Sacrifices, and Safety

The threat of exposure looms when Nick receives anonymous photographs documenting his movements and relationships, clearly meant as blackmail or intimidation by corrupt police angered by his reporting. Andy urges Nick to drop the dangerous story, prioritizing safety over professional ambition. Nick, after much soul-searching, agrees—choosing Andy and their life together over the risks of crusading journalism. This decision marks a turning point: both men realize that their love is worth protecting, even at the cost of personal sacrifice. They learn to balance courage with caution, and to find meaning in the everyday acts of care and resistance.

Choosing Each Other

As the 1950s give way to a new decade, Nick and Andy settle into a rhythm of mutual support and affection. They weather setbacks—family drama, professional challenges, moments of doubt—but always return to each other. Their relationship, once fraught with fear and uncertainty, becomes a source of joy and stability. They celebrate milestones—Andy's promotion, Nick's writing successes, the expansion of their home—and face the future with hope. The story ends not with a grand declaration, but with the quiet, ongoing act of choosing each other, day after day, in a world that is slowly, stubbornly changing.

Home, Hope, and the Future

The novel concludes with a rooftop party, symbolizing the life Nick and Andy have built together. Surrounded by friends—queer and straight, old and new—they look out over the city, reflecting on how far they've come. Andy is about to take over the Chronicle, Nick is launching a new phase of his career, and their home is a sanctuary for themselves and others. The future is uncertain, but they face it together, hand in hand, embodying the quiet revolution of living openly and loving bravely in a world that is just beginning to make room for them.

Characters

Nick Russo

Nick is a working-class Italian-American reporter, shaped by a tough Brooklyn upbringing and a lifetime of hiding his queerness. He's fiercely competent, gruff, and slow to trust, but deeply loyal to those he lets in. Nick's relationship with his family is fraught—his brother Michael, a cop, is both protector and threat, while his mother is loving but oblivious. Nick's greatest fear is exposure, both as a queer man and as someone who doesn't quite belong in the world of privilege and power. His journey is one of learning to accept love, to risk vulnerability, and to believe he deserves happiness. Through Andy, he discovers the possibility of a life lived openly, if not always safely, and the strength that comes from choosing love over fear.

Andy Fleming

Andy is the son of the Chronicle's publisher, raised in comfort but marked by loss—his mother's death and his father's emotional distance. He's scatterbrained, kind-hearted, and eager to please, often feeling out of place in both his family and the world. Andy's journey is one of self-discovery: he moves from confusion about his desires to a clear, unapologetic embrace of his queerness and his love for Nick. He's the emotional center of the story, offering warmth and acceptance to those around him. Andy's privilege gives him resources, but it's his empathy and willingness to grow that make him a true partner to Nick. Together, they create a home that is both a refuge and a beacon for others.

Emily Warburton

Emily is Andy's ex-fiancée and a talented reporter in her own right. She's witty, perceptive, and unafraid to speak her mind. Emily's relationship with Andy is complex: they love each other deeply, but not in the way that leads to marriage. Her acceptance of Andy's queerness and her friendship with Nick make her a crucial ally. Emily represents the possibility of chosen family and the importance of honesty in relationships. Her own romantic journey, including a rekindled love with Gerald, mirrors the novel's themes of second chances and the courage to pursue happiness.

Michael Russo

Nick's older brother, Michael, is a cop whose relationship with Nick is a mix of protectiveness and threat. He embodies the dangers of the era—police corruption, homophobia, and the pressure to conform. Yet, he also uses his influence to shield Nick from the worst consequences of being outed. Michael's inability to fully accept Nick's identity is a source of pain, but his actions reveal a complicated, if limited, love. He serves as a reminder of the risks Nick faces and the generational divides that shape their world.

Sal Russo

Nick's teenage nephew, Sal, is caught between the expectations of his family and his own emerging identity. Bullied at school and misunderstood at home, Sal finds refuge with Nick and Andy. His presence in their lives highlights the importance of safe spaces and chosen family. Sal's struggles mirror Nick's own past, and his acceptance by Nick and Andy suggests the possibility of a better future for queer youth.

Linda Ackerman

Linda is an artist and neighbor who becomes part of Nick and Andy's chosen family. She represents the changing cultural landscape of Greenwich Village—creative, open-minded, and accepting. Linda's friendship with Andy and her willingness to keep their secrets provide both comic relief and emotional support. Her presence underscores the importance of community and the ways in which queer and straight lives intersect.

Andy's Father (Andrew Fleming Sr.)

The publisher of the Chronicle, Andy's father is a figure of authority and tradition. His relationship with Andy is marked by formality and unspoken expectations, but as the story progresses, he reveals a capacity for understanding and support. His acceptance of Andy's relationship with Nick is a quiet but powerful affirmation, challenging the era's norms and offering hope for generational change.

Mark Bailey

A book critic at the Chronicle, Mark is one of the few openly queer men in Nick's professional orbit. He provides Nick with queer literature and practical advice, serving as a model of survival and quiet resistance. Mark's friendship with Nick and Andy expands their sense of community and possibility.

Lilian Corcoran

A photographer at the Chronicle, Lilian is part of the informal network of queer staff. Her friendship with Nick and Andy, and her partnership with Maureen, offer a glimpse of alternative family structures and the quiet ways queer people supported each other in hostile times.

The Cat

The orange cat that Nick and Andy adopt is more than a pet; he represents the creation of a shared domestic life. His presence in their apartment, and the rituals of caring for him, symbolize the ordinary joys and challenges of building a home together.

Plot Devices

Dual Perspectives and Alternating Narration

The novel alternates between Nick and Andy's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their inner worlds, misunderstandings, and growth firsthand. This structure creates dramatic irony—readers know what each man feels before they can admit it to each other—and heightens the tension as they navigate the risks of love in a hostile era. The alternating narration also highlights the differences in their backgrounds and the ways they learn from each other.

Slow-Burn Romance and Found Family

The story unfolds as a slow-burn romance, with friendship and mutual care laying the groundwork for love. The found family trope is central: Nick and Andy build a community of friends and allies who provide support, acceptance, and joy. This network of relationships contrasts with the dangers and rejections of the outside world, offering a vision of queer resilience and solidarity.

Historical Context and Social Commentary

The novel is steeped in the realities of its time—police raids, social stigma, and the constant threat of exposure. References to real events (Operation Alert, the publication of The Charioteer, Village Voice articles) ground the story in history and highlight the incremental progress of queer rights. The characters' navigation of secrecy, coded language, and risk reflects the era's constraints, while their small acts of defiance—buying a building, hosting parties, publishing stories—suggest the beginnings of change.

Symbolism of Home and Domesticity

The act of making a home—adopting a cat, buying a building, cooking meals, hosting friends—serves as both plot and metaphor. In a world that denies them legitimacy, Nick and Andy's domestic life is a quiet rebellion, a claim to happiness and normalcy. The home becomes a sanctuary, a site of love, and a foundation for hope.

Threats, Sacrifice, and Moral Choices

The threat of blackmail, police harassment, and social ruin is ever-present. Nick's decision to drop a dangerous story for Andy's sake, and Andy's willingness to use his privilege to protect their life together, illustrate the sacrifices required for survival. These choices are not without cost, but they affirm the primacy of love and mutual care.

Foreshadowing and Circularity

The novel uses foreshadowing—Nick's early cataloguing of Andy's flaws, Andy's lost keys, the recurring motif of the spare room—to set up later emotional payoffs. The story's structure is circular: what begins as rivalry and distance ends in partnership and home, with the final rooftop party mirroring the tentative beginnings of their relationship.

Analysis

We Could Be So Good is both a romance and a quiet act of resistance, set against the backdrop of 1950s New York—a time and place where queer love was criminalized and hidden. Through Nick and Andy's journey from wary colleagues to devoted partners, Cat Sebastian explores themes of vulnerability, chosen family, and the courage required to claim happiness in a hostile world. The novel's power lies in its attention to the ordinary: the rituals of daily life, the small acts of care, the creation of a home. By centering queer domesticity and community, Sebastian challenges the narrative of queer tragedy, offering instead a vision of hope, resilience, and joy. The story acknowledges the dangers and losses of the era, but insists on the possibility of love—not as a secret or a shame, but as a foundation for the future. In a world that still struggles with acceptance, We Could Be So Good is a reminder that the most radical act can be simply to love and be loved, openly and well.

Last updated: May 12, 2025