After receiving a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, Margarita Montimore worked for over a decade in publishing and social media before deciding to focus on the writing dream full-time. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and dog.
Margarita writes upmarket/literary fiction that tends to be left of center and flirt with multiple genres. She loves all things dark, strange, and surreal, but is also optimistic—verging on quixotic—and a pop culture geek, so her work tends to incorporate all those elements to varying degrees.
The Second Chance Cinema (2025) Thea Weiss "Delightful, heartfelt, and utterly engrossing, The Second Chance Cinema offers a magical glimpse into the perfectly imperfect aspects of love, commitment, and how to reclaim the past to find happiness in the present."
The Incredible Kindness of Paper (2025) Evelyn Skye "Full of joy, whimsy, and just the right dash of magic. This sweet tale is more than a great comfort read - it also serves as a powerful reminder that small acts of generosity can have a lasting impact."
Tilda is Visible (2025) Jane Tara "Tilda Is Visible is an uplifting and thought-provoking story about rediscovering yourself. Jane Tara reminds us how important it is to show kindness and compassion, toward ourselves and others."
A Gorgeous Excitement (2025) Cynthia Weiner "I haven't felt this kind of excitement reading a story set in the '80s since I first discovered Jay McInerney, Tama Janowitz, and Bret Easton Ellis."
The Hitchcock Hotel (2024) Stephanie Wrobel "Fans of Alfred Hitchcock will adore this homage to the master of suspense, as will anyone looking for a captivating thriller. Wrobel weaves a story filled with unexpected twists, including one that's positively mind-blowing. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough."
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline (2024) Courtney Preiss "An uplifting and sassy debut - with just enough Jersey attitude and plenty of heart - about family, love, finding yourself, and finding home base."
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame (2024) Olivia Ford "Delightful and heartwarming, Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame is the ultimate comfort read and a sweet reminder that it's never too late to pursue our dreams."
Sarah Jost "Sarah Jost takes an irresistible concept and imbues it with tenderness and introspection. Five First Chances is a touching time loop story that explores the nuances of love, family, and friendship, and the beauty of life's imperfections."
Holly Smale "Cassandra Dankworth is a character as unique as she is endearing ... An absolute gem of a novel."
Advika and the Hollywood Wives (2023) Kirthana Ramisetti "A Cinderella tale with a dark twist. Beneath the glamorous exterior of this page-turner is a thoughtful story about female empowerment and what happens when promises of happily ever after don't quite meet fairy tale expectations."
The Night Shift (2022) Natalka Burian "A wildly imaginative and utterly addictive novel that had me eagerly turning pages late into the night. Natalka Burian's clever concept of an NYC peppered with mysterious shortcuts lays the foundation for a propulsive story which also offers a thoughtful examination of self-preservation, vulnerability, and human connection."
Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair (2022) June Gervais "A colorful coming-of-age story brimming with gorgeous prose and vibrant misfits, and a fascinating glimpse into the world of tattooing in the 1980s. This novel is for anyone who's ever searched for their place in the world or fought for their dreams--in other words, everyone."
The Bartender's Cure (2022) Wesley Straton "The Bartender's Cure is an evocative coming-of-age story and captivating glimpse into the world of bartending and cocktail lore. Wesley Straton's prose is simultaneously restrained and dazzling, and protagonist Samantha Fisher is tough yet tender, singular yet familiar. This is one book hangover I'm in no hurry to recover from."
Sarah Lotz "Clever, unexpected, and delightfully twisted - in other words, the perfect love story. The Impossible Us is built on brilliant concept that pushes at the boundaries of convention - and the laws of physics. I loved it in this dimension, and if there are versions of me in alternate dimensions, I'm sure they loved it, too."
The Other Me (2021) Sarah Zachrich Jeng "Breathtaking, inventive, and irresistible... Who hasn't wondered what alternate versions of their lives might look like?...As relatable as it is suspenseful, cleverly exploring adulthood, identity, and shifting realities. A knockout debut."
The Darkest Flower (2021) (Allison Barton, book 1) Kristin Wright "Impressive and intoxicating. The women inhabiting this story are bold, clever, complex, and deliciously thorny—quick to show you what they’re capable of if you dare underestimate them. This book is a dark delight, and Kristin Wright is an author I’ll be closely watching."
The White Coat Diaries (2020) Madi Sinha "An engrossing story featuring an endearing protagonist. Madi Sinha offers a compelling glimpse into the world of medicine and desi culture through Norah Kapadia, a witty, fierce, memorable character. As Norah navigates her personal and professional struggles, she may falter, but she's never defeated. Readers will delight in her self-discovery and development—both as a doctor and an individual."
