Elyssa Friedland attended Yale University, where she served as managing editor of the Yale Daily News. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and subsequently worked as an associate at a major firm. Prior to law school, Elyssa wrote for several publications, including Modern Bride, New York magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, CBS MarketWatch.com, Yale Alumni Magazine, and Your Prom. She grew up in New Jersey and currently lives in New York City with her husband and three young children.
Until Next Summer (2024) Ali Brady "Thank you to Ali Brady for taking me back to sleepaway camp. First loves, shower shoes, Color Wars, the camp play, best friend necklaces... you didn't miss a detail about what makes camp a place where time moves differently and the outside world is a galaxy away. Until Next Summer is an irresistible frolic through the joys of summer, friendship and young romance but also a reminder of the heartache that comes along with that unforgettable time in life. This book is for anyone who still thinks about their first crush, their first friend or their first sip of bug juice."
The Confidence Games (2024) Tess Amy "The Confidence Games is a cheeky, twisty-turny romp that I couldn't put down. At once a traditional page-turning caper and a poignant story about friendship and family, Tess Amy has succeeded in crafting the perfect novel for readers who like the pacing of a thriller and the emotional heft of a character-driven story."
The Christmas Wager (2023) Holly Cassidy "Hilarious, warm and romantic...With a charming setting and a lovable cast of supporting characters, readers will root for Bella and Jesse in more ways than one. Let the games begin!"
California Golden (2023) Melanie Benjamin "A gripping story about the power of family ties set in the edgy California surf culture and the glamorous and sometimes dangerous world of Hollywood celebrity, California Golden takes readers on an emotional, page-turning ride."
Hazel Fine Sings Along (2023) Katie Wicks "Hazel, Benji, Nick, Zoey and Checkers are a fun ensemble cast that I fell in love with. A backstage pass to a singing competition full of backstabbing, twists and all-out performances, I'm OBSESSED with Hazel and . . . Ha! You'll have to read to find out!"
Kismet (2023) Becky Chalsen "Kismet is a warm and wise beach read about marriage, sisterhood, loss, and life's biggest choices. Delightful yet deep, this novel is perfect for a summer weekend escape. It left me eager to book my own ferry ride out to Kismet, Fire Island! Chalsen's voice is filled with heart and hope, and I'm excited to read what she writes next. Kismet is a debut not to be missed."
Room and Board (2022) Miriam Parker "Room and Board is a fast-paced, relatable, and juicy tale that readers will easily connect with. Parker shows that you can go home again, only it won't necessarily be what you expect. The story is thoroughly modern, focusing on the damaging effects of a social media trail that won't quit, but also a timeless tale of new beginnings, facing one's past and realizing the line between adulthood and childhood is murky at best."
In Her Boots (2022) KJ Dell'Antonia "In Her Boots is such a charming, funny, original story that I wished it were a blanket I could wrap myself in. Rhett is a unique heroine, the likes of which I haven't come across in contemporary fiction before, and I felt like I was tagging along with a close friend as I went along on her journey. KJ Dell'Antonia is a fabulous writer and In Her Boots is expertly plotted and full of the perfect little details that make a book sing."
A Shoe Story (2022) Jane L Rosen "Readers will identify with A Shoe Story's heroine Esme Nash as she grapples with figuring out if what she once desired is still the life for her in this charming, clever and irresistible tale. Trust me, you'll want to walk a mile or more in Esme's shoes."
Out of the Clear Blue Sky (2022) Kristan Higgins "From the first page, I was deeply invested in Lillie's plight and desperate to keep turning pages. Kristin Higgins nails it with this laugh-oud-loud, pitch-perfect, heartfelt novel about a woman's life upended and the unexpected ways she finds her way forward. Full of hope, positive messages and humor, Out of the Clear Blue Sky is the perfect book for summer, or anytime!"
Meant to Be Mine (2022) Hannah Orenstein "Meant to Be Mine is a compulsively-readable, effortlessly charming and thoroughly relatable book about the role of fate and the meaning of a soulmate. Orenstein is the master of the modern romance, and in this book she is at her best. Witty, poignant and with a delicious grandmother-granddaughter relationship, Meant to Be Mine will make you want to call your bubbe the minute you finish reading."
Gilt (2022) Jamie Brenner "Gilt is a dazzling page-turner. Family intrigue, sparkling gems, long-buried secrets, juicy twists and turns...what more could you ask for in a novel? Jamie Brenner is my go-to author for my beach bag!"
Like a House on Fire (2022) Lauren McBrayer "Like a House on Fire is an un-put-downable novel about motherhood, middle-aged malaise, questioning identity and the choices women are forced to make. I found parts of myself on every page; every woman will find herself along the way as they turn the pages of Merit's life and get lost in McBrayer's raw, emotional and stunning prose. And the ending... well, I'm still shaking. Every woman should read this book. Alert your book club, this one will bring out the discussion, the confessions and the wine."
At Least You Have Your Health (2022) Madi Sinha "Scorchingly honest, funny and poignant, and all too realistic, Madi Sinha's novel At Least You Have Your Health brings to bear all that is wrong with the word "wellness" when it gets into the wrong hands. In a world where privileged women will spare no expense for an IV drip or a lost pound, Sinha has mined the real issues driving the quest for the perfect everything that cripples so many women. Her narrator is the relatable, flawed, doing-her-best friend we all need in our lives."
The Patron Saint of Second Chances (2022) Christine Simon "The Patron Saint of Second Chances is the most charming, original and hilarious novel I have read in ages. I laughed out loud on almost every page. Simon is the master of creating lovable, quirky and relatable characters that feel like your best friends. All I want for Christmas is to meet Signor Speranza and have my vacuum cleaner repaired at his shop. And I'm desperate to be in the movie, with or without Dante Rinaldi. This novel is something special. Everyone with a sense of humor must pick this up immediately."
Both Are True (2021) Reyna Marder Gentin "Poignant and funny, Both Are True is simultaneously a compassionate tribute to the complexity of family life in New York City and an intimate portrait of one unlikely couple-a love story you'll think about long after you turn the last page."
Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes (2021) Alexa Martin "I devoured Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes. In this perfectly of-the-moment story, two strong female characters sprung off the page and into my heart. Jude and Lauren, though very different from each other, are both highly relatable women for whom I found myself cheering the entire time. Mom jeans are definitely a mistake... recommending this book is definitely not!"
Life and Other Shortcomings (2020) Corie Adjmi "Corie Adjmi’s stories are sharply written, unsparing, and spot-on. With wisdom and humanity, Life and Other Shortcomings plumbs the mysteries of adult life: the menacing underside of love, the protean nature of grief, and the baffling difficulty of staying true to ourselves and the things we value most. Assured in her storytelling, Adjmi writes with force and perception. Her stories are a must-read."
The Kids Are Gonna Ask (2020) Gretchen Anthony "Not your typical family saga... The Kids Are Gonna Ask is a quirky tale that puts on a new spin on the ancestry.com and 23andMe craze by putting one set of siblings' search for their biological father into the limelight. Anthony captures millennial fervor perfectly in this thoroughly modern story. I truly enjoyed it!"
The Summer Set (2020) Aimee Agresti "A page-turner set in the intoxicating theater world, The Summer Set considers the price of fame, the power of second chances and the enduring nature of love. A truly enjoyable read!"
Little Wonders (2020) Kate Rorick "Little Wonders is a wonder of a novel. Rorick captures the high-stakes world of nursery school parenting with pitch-perfect humor and brutal honesty. In our kid-eat-kid culture, where every move is captured online, this book is more relevant than ever. Highly recommend!"
The Unbreakables (2019) Lisa Barr "The Unbreakables is a sensual, evocative story about a woman scorned taking the necessary risks to find herself again. From the suburbs of Chicago to the south of France, Barr takes us on an exhilarating journey through love, lust, betrayal, friendship and family. A fabulous read!"
