Amy Poeppel grew up in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Wellesley College and worked as an actress in the Boston area, appearing in a corporate industrial for Polaroid, a commercial for Brooks Pharmacy, and a truly terrible episode of Americas Most Wanted, along with other TV spots and several plays. While in Boston, she also got her Masters in Teaching from Simmons College.
She is married to David Poeppel, a neuroscientist at NYU and Director of the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt. For the past twenty years, they have lived in many cities, including San Francisco, Berlin, and New York City, and had three sons along the way. Amy taught high school English in the Washington, DC suburbs for several years, and after moving to New York, she worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Trevor Day School, where she had the fulfilling experience of meeting and getting to know hundreds of applicant families.
Make Nice (2026) Ryan Effgen "A brilliantly funny, big-hearted novel full of family drama, scandalous secrets, big dreams, and long-shot gambles, with love and fireworks aplenty. Effgen's debut is pure pleasure, and I relished every page."
The May House (2026) Jillian Cantor "A beautiful, big-hearted novel that celebrates the love, the complexity, and the life-long bond of sisterhood. With a beach house in gorgeous Coronado as the setting, The May House is the perfect summer read and a touching reminder that some promises are well worth keeping."
It's Hard to Be an Animal (2026) Robert Isaacs "An uplifting, funny, original, and soulful novel! Through his wise and wonderful characters (some two-legged, some four, a few birds and a pair of deeply emotional beta fish), Isaacs has written a story that celebrates goodness, true love, and the magic of New York City. Perfect for fans of Shelby van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures."
The Weekend Crashers (2025) Jamie Brenner "The Weekend Crashers is a delightful and heartwarming story of a mother-daughter trip that veers wildly off course. Maggie and Piper's knitting retreat at the charming New Hope Inn comes with an unexpected bachelor party, hot toddies galore, and a whole lot of yarn, leaving both women with a mess to untangle. A truly wonderful fall read!"
Kate & Frida (2025) (Love & Saffron, book 2) Kim Fay "A highly original, heart-warming story of an extraordinary friendship... Two bright, young women, living on different continents, share their experiences of transformative books, fabulous food, and interesting men - along with their regrets, fears, and hopes for the future - bridging the distance between them in their search for meaning and purpose. I loved this delightful and wise novel!"
Jane and Dan at the End of the World (2025) Colleen Oakley "Jane and Dan have captured my heart! A thriller, a family drama, and a romantic comedy masterfully rolled into one, this novel is a fast-paced, enthralling story of a marriage on the brink and the shocking circumstances that make heroes out of ordinary people. I loved every hilarious, heart-stopping moment."
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern (2024) Lynda Cohen Loigman "Loigman's latest is a perfect gem! The unforgettable characters in this delightful, beautifully written novel discover that it's never too late to right wrongs, to make a fresh start, and to fall in love all over again. A truly charming, meaningful, and, above all, uplifting story."
Summer Fridays (2024) Suzanne Rindell "Summer Fridays is both a love letter to New York City and a nostalgic glimpse back to the cellphone-free nineties. In this absorbing novel about a pivotal summer of longing, betrayal, and the desire to feel connected, a young publishing assistant needs to decide if she will follow the path others expect of her or if she'll go after something - and someone - infinitely more fulfilling. A wonderfully satisfying read!"
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline (2024) Courtney Preiss "Preiss knocks it out of the park in her heartwarming, witty debut. When her life falls apart, feisty, jaded Caroline Kline returns to her New Jersey town and gets a second chance to discover the excitement of a good challenge, the joy of romance, and the wonder of home."
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies (2024) (Vacation Mystery, book 1) Catherine Mack "Fans of Knives Out and the Finlay Donovan series will adore Catherine Mack's smart and funny mystery set in picturesque Italy. With its unforgettable narrator, terrific ensemble cast, wine, romance, and even a murder...or two-this novel is pure delight."
Ready or Not (2024) (Dial Delights) Cara Bastone "With loads of humor, lovable characters, and a first kiss that will leave you flushed and breathless, Ready or Not is a delightfully romantic story that celebrates modern love and the excitement of the unexpected. Readers will adore Cara Bastone's joyful, swoony novel!"
Love, Me (2024) Jessica Saunders "If ever there was a book to make you wonder What if? about the choices you've made in life, then [this] is the one. . . . A poignant, honest story about the complexities of modern marriage, the pain of betrayal, and the undeniable pull of a second chance with a first love. A heartfelt book to be binged in a sitting!"
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale (2023) Virginia Kantra "In this vivid reimagining of Dorothy's journey to the Emerald City, Kantra serves up a fresh, empowering tale of a young American in Dublin--out of her comfort zone and off on a quest to rebuild her life after a tornado of humiliation and heartbreak. The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a poignant novel about recovery from the deepest wounds, the true meaning of home, and the delicious satisfaction of regaining control of one's own story."
Someone Just Like You (2023) Meredith Schorr "Could there be a better setting for a swoony, tension-filled romance than the lively streets of New York City? Someone Just Like You is brimming with heart and charm, and readers will be rooting for Molly and Jude through all their pranks, misunderstandings, past hurt, and present undeniable attraction. Such a fun read!"
None of This Would Have Happened if Prince Were Alive (2022) Carolyn Prusa "A keenly observant, fast-paced comedy that illustrates just how tough it can be - as Prince would say - 'to get through this thing called life.' Finding humor in heartbreak, Prusa presents a strong-willed heroine who copes with one indignity after another, from the acutely embarrassing to the brutally life-changing, all while dodging in and out of the path of an oncoming hurricane."
The Patron Saint of Second Chances (2022) Christine Simon "A joyful, charming, and delightfully funny story! Take a trip to Italy and meet a gaggle of villagers whose well-intentioned mayor will stop at nothing to save his town from financial ruin. Simon's warm-hearted, original gem of a novel is the feel-good read we all need."
The Magic of Found Objects (2021) Maddie Dawson "Written with loads of humor and heart, The Magic of Found Objects is a delightful, feel-good tale of friendship and marriage, motherhood and sacrifice, disillusionment and hope. Dawson takes the reader on a quest for the perfect life partner. Is it the kind, comfortable friend right in front of you, or does the universe have something more exciting in store? Maddie Dawson at her finest!"
A Special Place for Women (2021) Laura Hankin "Feminism, astrology, and politics merge in this funny, high-stakes story...hilarious, fast-paced, and so very original."
It Had to Be You (2021) Georgia Clark "Reading Georgia Clark's IT HAD TO BE YOU feels much like attending a spirited, joyful wedding: you’ll find a wild mix of guests, some unexpected drama, a whole lot of love, and that one gorgeous groomsman who gets all the attention. A delightfully festive romantic comedy!"
Girls with Bright Futures (2021) Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman "Girls With Bright Futures is a dark and wild trip into the cutthroat world of college admissions, placing vicious, out-of-control parents under a harsh and unforgiving light. Dobmeier and Katzman have cranked up the volume on Varsity Blues-type scandals in this gripping novel packed full of escalating surprises."
Joint Custody (2021) (Gatz Chronicles, book 1) Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted "The authors of Joint Custody take the reader on a delightful adventure, led by a determined, cheeky, endearing narrator named Gatz, a Border Collie on a mission to reunite his owners. Our hero may miss a few key signs along the way, but he shares his growing understanding of happiness, true love, friendship, and happy endings. Highly entertaining!"
Tiny Imperfections (2020) Alli Frank and Asha Youmans "Youmans and Frank's deep-dive into private school culture sets the stage for a dishy, charming story of West Coast elitism and parenting at its pushiest. But it's the characters, especially the marvelous Bordelon women, who give this delightful novel its heart and humor - and who make you long to be part of the family even after the last page."
The Summer Set (2020) Aimee Agresti "With the drama and humor of a Shakespearean play, Agresti's novel is filled with backstage antics, on-stage tantrums, behind the scenes scandals, and off-stage romance, all in the crazy, fast-paced world of summer stock theater. Sparks fly and opposites attract as The Summer Set explores the blurred line between playing a part and being true to yourself."
Best Behavior (2020) Wendy Francis "Wendy Francis captures all the joy and pain of being an (almost) empty-nester in her latest novel. Picture a college graduation weekend on a lovely New England campus. Now mix in some booze, an ex or two, the in-laws, a trophy wife, and loads of secrets/scandals. Soon enough, no one is behaving at their best. A terrific summer read."
That's Not a Thing (2020) Jacqueline Friedland "Fans of Jojo Moyes and Karma Brown will simply love Jacqueline Friedland's romantic, poignant novel, That's Not A Thing. In this dramatic and insightful story, Friedland explores tragedy, true love, and life's many 'what ifs'."
Hollow Kingdom (2019) (Hollow Kingdom, book 1) Kira Jane Buxton "What a surprising, funny, terrifying, marvelous, wholly original novel! Buxton combines a vivid horror show (think zombies and the gruesome, bloody extinction of man) with a touching love story between the unlikeliest of BFFs: a crow, a hound, and a man who's had a tough go of things on Tinder, and that was before his eyeball fell out. With humor and a style that brings to mind Tom Robbins and Karen Russell, Buxton's debut is heartwarming and heart stopping, hilarious and tragic."
The Ones We Choose (2018) Julie Clark "A novel with a wonderfully smart and strong protagonist, Julie Clark's debut The Ones We Choose is an impressive and surprising combination of hard science and raw emotion. In this absorbing story of friendship, parenting, and the intensity of the sibling bond, Clark reveals how messy family life can be and how the mess itself might be of great value. An engaging read!"
She Regrets Nothing (2018) Andrea Dunlop "Andrea Dunlop has done it again! As she did so well in Losing the Light, Dunlop has created unforgettable characters and a setting so richly drawn, the reader is immersed in the drama until the last engaging page. She Regrets Nothing is an entertaining, compelling story of family, class, and the yearning to belong."
Emerald Coast (2017) Anita Hughes "EMERALD COAST delivers a sexy, sunlit, romantic escape, whisking the reader to the picturesque town of Porto Cervo, with all the tastes, sights, and feelings that accompany a glamorous seaside holiday -- a great summer read!"
