Over the past decade, my work has appeared in/on Allure, Arthritis Today, Forbes.com, Glamour, Mens Health, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parade, WebMD.com, Womens Health, and many others. Im currently the health editor at Real Simple magazine. I am a graduate of the University of Michigan, where I studied English and Native American literature, and worked as a research assistant in the department of cardiology at the U of M Health System.
Though Im passionate about health and nutrition, fiction is my first love. I started writing novels in earnest shortly after my daughter was born seven years ago. Dutton and Plume (imprints of Penguin Books) published my debut, The Art of Forgetting, as did several foreign publishers. The Chicago Tribune says Pagán writes with both a subtle sense of humor and great wisdom about the power of friendship and the importance of forgiveness in her quietly compelling literary debut.
The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter (2025) Brionni Nwosu "The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter is unlike any novel I've ever read - and I say that with the utmost praise. Brionni Nwosu is a truly gifted storyteller, and I can't wait to read what she writes next."
In the Light of the Sun (2025) Angela Shupe "At once timeless and of the moment, In the Light of the Sun is a luminous and lyrical debut. In this gripping story of two sisters doing their best to follow their hearts during periods of immense turmoil, Angela Shupe has shown that she's a truly gifted writer with a bright future in fiction."
The Fourth Daughter (2025) Lyn Liao Butler "The Fourth Daughter is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. Effortlessly melding family, food, and history into a multigenerational saga that kept me turning the pages well into the night, Lyn Liao Butler swept me away. I'll be thinking about this story for years to come."
Saving Vincent (2025) Joan Fernandez "We all know van Gogh's work - and now Joan Fernandez's debut introduces us to Jo van Gogh, who helped create the artist's legacy. Saving Vincent is a luminous, captivating novel about a woman who was truly ahead of her time."
The Pelican Tide (2024) Sharon J Wishnow "Food, family, and second chance romance: Sharon J. Wishnow's debut has everything I love in a novel - and a few things I didn't even know I loved until I read The Pelican Tide. I can't recommend this engrossing and utterly heartwarming story highly enough."
If We Ever Get There (2024) Laura Barrow "If We Ever Get There is a compelling and unexpected story about a woman doing her best to not fall to pieces - with a little help from Patsy Cline. Laura Barrow's latest is a reminder that life's sudden detours are often exactly what we need to become stronger, better versions of ourselves."
Find Me in California (2024) Kerry Lonsdale "This gripping and unexpected love story is truly one of Kerry Lonsdale's best. With a beautifully crafted dual timeline and the perfect sprinkle of magical realism, Find Me in California hits all the right notes."
Light of the Fire (2024) Sarahlyn Bruck "Can we ever truly right our past wrongs - and when we try, does it even matter? That's the question at the heart of Sarahlyn Bruck's latest novel about two women whose pasts are still very much present. Light of the Fire is a riveting story of friendship, secrets, and the curveballs life can throw our way."
La Vie, According to Rose (2023) Lauren Parvizi "With an irresistible cast of characters, a story of art and intrigue, and the perfect amount of romance, La Vie, According to Rose is every bit as charming as the City of Lights and a winning addition to women's fiction."
The Friendship Breakup (2023) Annie Cathryn "The best books shed light on what many think but few have the courage to say - and that's precisely what The Friendship Breakup does. In this warm and witty story, Annie Cathryn paints a portrait of a woman who must let go of her preconceived notions of what her life should be like in order to find out who she really is - and become her own best friend."
Take It from Me (2022) Jamie Beck "Clever, insightful, and brimming with empathy, Take It from Me is Jamie Beck at her best. The story of two very different neighbors closely guarding secrets who have more in common than either woman can imagine, Beck's latest novel is a potent reminder that we are able to know the interior lives of those we care about - if only we can find the courage to ask."
Bend Toward the Sun (2022) Jen Devon "A smart and riveting love story about two imperfect people who may just be perfect for each other, Bend Toward the Sun is a delicious debut. Jen Devon knows her way around the human heart."
This Place of Wonder (2022) Barbara O'Neal "Barbara O'Neal's latest novel is simply delicious. Engrossing, empathetic, and profoundly moving, I savored every sentence of this story of several very different women who find solace and second chances in each other after tragedy (though not before facing some hard truths and, yes, a few rock bottoms). This Place of Wonder is one of the best books I've read in a long time."
When We Let Go (2022) Rochelle B Weinstein "Every one of Rochelle Weinstein's novels is compulsively readable - but When We Let Go takes her enviable talent to the next level. Insightful, exacting, and brimming with empathy, this story of second chances is Weinstein at her very best."
Crazy To Leave You (2022) Marilyn Simon Rothstein "I've been eagerly awaiting Marilyn Simon Rothstein's next novel, and Crazy to Leave You exceeded my expectations. From some of the funniest one-liners I've read in years to a cast of all-too-relatable characters, this witty, heartfelt story of one woman's attempt to live on her own terms after her fiance leaves her lifted my spirits and reminded me of what a gift it is to have choices - even the kind that take some warming up to. This is exactly the book we all need right now."
Truth and Other Lies (2022) Maggie Smith "Truth and Other Lies is my favorite kind of novel-one that tackles tough topics in a breezy, compulsively readable way. Maggie Smith is a welcome new voice in fiction."
After Perfect (2021) Maan Gabriel "At once relatable and unexpected, After Perfect is the story of one woman’s quest to learn to live—and love—on her own terms after heartbreak. Maan Gabriel is a refreshing new voice in women’s fiction."
He Gets That from Me (2021) Jacqueline Friedland "He Gets That from Me is a potent reminder that we can't always choose what life hands us--but we can decide whether to rise to the occasion when faced with seemingly impossible choices. With expert plotting and unwavering empathy toward her characters, Jacqueline Friedland has written a novel as unexpected as it is riveting. I read it in a single sitting."
It Had to Be You (2021) Georgia Clark "With a perfectly imperfect cast of characters, just the right mix of humor and heart, and a plot that will have you flipping the pages as fast as you can read, IT HAD TO BE YOU is unexpected in the best possible way. Georgia Clark just happens to be my new favorite writer."
The Truth and Other Hidden Things (2021) Lea Geller "What do you do when life throws a bunch of less than welcome surprises your way? If you’re Bells, the plucky protagonist of The Truth and Other Hidden Things, you make a string of questionable (if hilarious) choices…that land you exactly where you were always supposed to be. Lea Geller’s latest novel is a clever, witty, and insightful novel that just may inspire you to look at your own plot twists in a whole new light."
In a Book Club Far Away (2021) Tif Marcelo "No one writes heartwarming tales of love, family, and friendship quite like Tif Marcelo, and her latest is a standout. The story of three semi-estranged friends who reunite in a time of crisis, In a Book Club Far Away is a wonderful reminder that some bonds--and yes, book clubs--can't be broken. I loved it."
Are We There Yet? (2021) Kathleen West "With crisp prose, a compelling cast of characters, and a storyline that will immediately strike a chord with parents (as well as anyone who’s spent time around tweens and teens), Are We There Yet hits all the right notes. Kathleen West’s latest is at once a clear-eyed portrait of the challenges of our fast-paced, technology-obsessed society and a heartfelt and empathetic examination of motherhood. Highly recommended."
Confessions of a Curious Bookseller (2021) Elizabeth Green "Charming, witty, and daring—Elizabeth Green’s debut is all that and more. A galloping epistolary novel that takes us along for the adventures (and misadventures) of Fawn, the owner of the Curious Cat Book Emporium, Confessions of a Curious Bookseller is the perfect story for anyone who’s ever wondered if there was more to life. As Green’s novel beautifully demonstrates, there is—you just have to summon the courage to go looking for it."
The Lending Library (2020) Aliza Fogelson "A charming novel about family, fate, and (of course!) books, The Lending Library is sure to appeal to anyone who’s made a hard choice in life only to think, ‘Did I get that right?’ Aliza Fogelson is a fresh new voice in fiction."
A Happy Catastrophe (2020) Maddie Dawson "If you enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners as much as I did, prepare to be spellbound by A Happy Catastrophe—in which Marnie and the people closest to her discover that magic isn’t getting what you want, but rather in loving what life surprises you with. Maddie Dawson is at the top of her game in this charming and unputdownable novel."
The Bright Side of Going Dark (2020) Kelly Harms "Even casual users knows how absurd and unrealistic social media can be—yet keep logging on day after day. Kelly Harms takes this dichotomy to new heights in a clever and unputdownable story of two women whose so-called online lives collide IRL. I laughed, I cried, I came away from the experience with a newfound appreciation for life—which is to say The Bright Side of Going Dark is everything I’d hope for in a Kelly Harms novel, and more. I loved every page."
You and Me and Us (2020) Alison Hammer "You and Me and Us is that rare novel you want to savor even as you’re turning the pages as fast as possible. This poignant and heartrending story of a family redefining their roles in the face of a crisis made me smile and cry. Alison Hammer is an exciting new voice in women’s fiction, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next."
Lori Nelson Spielman "If you love Moonstruck as much as I do, you'll fall head over heels for The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany. In this captivating and utterly charming tale of several generations of 'cursed' women, Lori Nelson Spielman proves--yet again--that she's a masterful storyteller. I loved every page."
The Girl He Used to Know (2019) Tracey Garvis-Graves "Smart and sensitive, with wholly original characters you can’t help but root for, The Girl He Used to Know is unlike any book I’ve read. I loved every page."
True Places (2019) Sonja Yoerg "With luminous prose and a story that speaks straight to the heart, Sonja Yoerg has crafted another stunning novel. True Places is a beautiful reminder that though we may busy ourselves seeking what we want, what we need has an uncanny way of finding us."
We Own the Sky (2018) Luke Allnutt "Beautifully rendered and profoundly moving, We Own the Sky illustrates the lengths we'll go to for those we love. Luke Allnutt is a major new talent in fiction and his debut is not to be missed."
Mrs. Saint and the Defectives (2017) Julie Lawson Timmer "Warm, witty, and with the most satisfying ending I’ve read in years, Mrs. Saint and the Defectives is absolutely delightful. This novel won’t just keep you turning the pages; it will inspire you to be a better person."
Emerald Coast (2017) Anita Hughes "Captivating right down to its fresh, unexpected ending, Emerald Coast is a gem of a novel. No other writer combines love and exotic locales like Anita Hughes."
The Captain's Daughter (2017) Meg Mitchell Moore "Start The Captain’s Daughter for its spot-on dialogue and breathtaking descriptions of summer in Maine; stay for a whip-smart story brimming with emotional insight. Meg Mitchell Moore has bested herself with this warm, layered, and utterly captivating family saga."
Telling Lies (2011) (Laurel and Helen Mystery, book 1) Cathi Stoler "A fast-paced tale of art, espionage and murder..."
