For more than twenty-five years, Marilyn Simon Rothstein owned an advertising agency in Connecticut. She grew up in New York City, earned a degree in journalism from New York University, began her writing career at Seventeen magazine, and married a man she met in an elevator.
Marilyn received a master of arts in liberal studies from Wesleyan University and a master of arts in Judaic studies from the University of Connecticut.
The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves (2025) Christine Nolfi "Chock-full of humanity, history, and heart, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is the compelling story of a striving, 26-year-old antiques dealer and a reclusive, elderly heiress in Maine. A wealth of well-written characters and well-hidden secrets more hush-hush than a reading room result in yet another stellar page turner by acclaimed author Christine Nolfi."
Letters from Strangers (2025) Susan Walter "From Susan Walter, bestselling author, comes the acclaimed Letters from Strangers, a heart-rendering, twisting family drama that had me at the edge of my seat. The knockout combination of compelling sympathetic characters, decades of secrets, and lies had me turning pages through the night, nervously waiting for the unsuspected truth to appear. Get comfortable - you won't move for hours."
Light of the Fire (2024) Sarahlyn Bruck "A heart-rendering story of secrets, lies and soccer. In a prank of revenge, Beth and Ally, the only girls on a team, accidentally set the high school gym ablaze resulting in the misplaced blame of an innocent custodian, two decades of estrangements, consequences two teenagers could never foresee. A haunting story with memorable, well-developed adult characters and a plot that kept me reading through the night. Author Sarahlyn Bruck scores again."
Kissing Kosher (2023) Jean Meltzer "Long after I finished Kissing Kosher, I found Avital and Ethan taking space in my head. Their love story is a triumph as delicious and sweet as a babka on Friday night."
The Road Towards Home (2023) Corinne Demas "In the novel The Road Towards Home, feisty entomologist Cassandra Joyce, who has been married multiple times, moves to a senior-living community. Quickly, she finds Clarion Court is not her clarion call. So, too, does widower Professor Noah Shilling, whose son and daughter-in-law are behind his relocation. When Cassandra drives Noah to his summer cottage on Cape Cod, there's a lifetime of baggage to be unpacked. Kudos to Corinne Demas - heralded author of thirty books for children, teens, and adults - for this late-in-life romance: a story that shows both love and friendship can be found where and when least expected - and most necessary. Cassandra and Noah will open your mind - and your heart - to finding love at any stage of life. Uniquely uplifting."
Snap Out of It (2023) Maddie Dawson "Maddie Dawson has done it again. Snap Out of It is the enchanting story of a woman on a mission to ease the pain of the lonely hearted while dealing with her own lifelong loves and losses. The modern mother-daughter relationship will sit in your head for weeks. Delightful and magical, Snap Out of It will snap you out of it - with the perfect witty and light-hearted book club read."
My Secret to Keep (2022) Barbara Conrey "Could the greatest secret of all be the one Maggie doesn't know? For decades, Maggie Bryan is engulfed by her secrets, separated from others by gossip and innuendo throughout her difficult life in the rigid small town where she first sought refuge as a broken and pregnant, unmarried teen. Which secrets can be told - and which buried forever? You will hold your breath as you read this heart-rending page-turner. Could the greatest secret of all be the one Maggie doesn't know? My Secret to Keep will remain on your mind long after you read it. Pick up this compelling story of love, loss, and love again by talented USA Today bestselling author Barbara Conrey. You won't want to put it down."
Everything Must Go (2022) Camille Pagán "Laine Francis is an eager-to-please home organizer about to divorce her genius husband, who, after a decade of marriage, is still not ready to have a baby. Her strong-willed seventy-two-year-old mother, Sally, is a hoarder in Brooklyn who has more secrets than a stack of diaries. Problem is, Sally's losing her memory. Laine rushes to Sally's side with love and good intentions - but we all know how that can go (because we all have families). Can a self-sacrificing people pleaser like Laine learn to please herself? Look for twists, turns, and an old friend ahead. I picked up Everything Must Go, and I couldn't put it down. Be a hero - suggest it to your book club. This is Camille Pagan at her best."
Both Are True (2021) Reyna Marder Gentin "The youngest judge on the bench must decide: love vs. love of the law. A compelling page-turner by Reyna Marder Gentin. Both Are True is way too good to be legal! Enjoyed this book from start to finish."
