Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Rochelle B. Weinstein followed her love of the written word across the country. She moved north to attend the University of Maryland, earning a degree in journalism, and began her career in Los Angeles at the LA Weekly. After moving back to Miami, she enjoyed a stint in the entertainment industry, marrying her love of music with all things creative. When her twins arrived, she sat down one afternoon while they were napping and began to write. The resulting novel, the highly acclaimed What We Leave Behind, explores the poignancy of love and the human condition.
Dog Person (2026) Camille Pagán "Told from a dog's perspective, in the vein of The Art of Racing in the Rain, Dog Person captures the richest emotions: love, loss, found families, healing, and the warm wit of a precious dog . . . all set at a bookstore! Love stories don't come any bigger than this."
The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah (2025) Jean Meltzer "If you love a taste of Christmas with a golden Hanukkah miracle, Meltzer delivers a heartwarming novel that proves that while life is full of heartbreak, there's light and magic to be found.... Five, big and beautiful stars for the queen of Jewish Romance."
Good Grief (2025) Sara Goodman Confino "Barbara and Ruth share a similar pain. Living under the same roof, the widowed mother and daughter-in-law butt heads as they wade through loneliness and grief. And when they each scheme to find love for the other one, Confino does what she does best: crafting a brimming tale of family and second chances while finding joy through our sorrows. Special nod to the tiny gems from former books Confino has sprinkled within the pages. But mostly, readers will fall in love with this bighearted story full of hope."
The Namaste Club (2025) Asha Elias "There's no sign of a sophomore slump in Asha Elias' follow up to Pink Glass Houses. The Namaste Club dives deep inside a Florida yoga retreat where drama and suspense hit the mat day one and the fresh writing transports before chanting the first om. This smart, suspenseful tale with an I-didnt-see-that-coming ending is an irresistible page turner, as if White Lotus collided with Nine Perfect Strangers. A summer must-read."
Echoes of Us (2024) Joy Jordan-Lake "This epic novel spans back and forth through time culminating in an immersive, affecting tale that echoes of Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel and Kristin Hannah's The Women. With compelling characters you can't help but fall for, audacious women braving the skies, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, Jordan-Lake delivers a story that brims with courage and hope. A big, beautiful book I couldn't put down."
The Night the River Wept (2024) Lo Patrick "In The Night the River Wept, Arlene is a frustrated, lonely housewife until she finds a job at the local police station bagging evidence. There she immerses herself in a decades old murder, determined to solve the crime. Lo Patrick writes an original and moving tale brimming with mystery, heartache, and wit. Sure to be a Southern fiction favorite, Arlene's journey pulls the reader in and doesn't let go."
The Bookshop Sisterhood (2024) Michelle Lindo-Rice "A novel rich in sisterhood and emotion, friendship and forgiveness, readers will savor the poignant journey to a satisfying conclusion proving that books really do bring us together."
Let's Pretend This Will Work (2024) Maddie Dawson "I can try and be witty and throw out glowing superlatives, but the truth of the matter is Maddie Dawson is just plain brilliant. Her books are sunshine and magic, bighearted and bright, and Let's Pretend This Will Work is the shiniest star of all. Find me a reader who won't be dazzled by the pure joy of this charming story. I dare you."
Find Me in California (2024) Kerry Lonsdale "Wow. Kerry Lonsdale has done it again. Find Me in California is pitch perfect. A touch of mystery, a hot dose of romance, the glamorous film world, and a deeply rooted family connection. Lonsdale weaves a brilliantly crafted novel of loss and redemption, forgiveness and hope. Poignant and unputdownable."
The Trail of Lost Hearts (2024) Tracey Garvis-Graves "Tracey Garvis Graves has crafted a powerful story of resiliency and the strength of the human spirit. A poignant, heartfelt read."
The Last Caretaker (2023) Jessica Strawser "The Last Caretaker is a relevant, absorbing exploration into the dark side of relationships. Strawser's skillful insights capture what it means to be a caretaker - what it's worth and the impact on ourselves and those around us. A powerful read from start to finish, thought provoking, and unputdownable."
One Summer in Savannah (2023) Terah Shelton Harris "Every once in a while, a book comes along that touches the reader at the very core. One Summer in Savannah is that book. Terah Shelton Harris's provocative debut is beautifully written, absorbing, and brimming with emotion and insight. A poignant, touching, and timely novel that asks the question: what does it mean to truly forgive? This is unequivocally a best book of 2023."
The Life She Wanted (2023) Anita Abriel "A delightful read from cover to cover. The Life She Wanted is the story of Pandora Carmichael, a woman of modest means thrust into a world of privilege and opportunity. When she finally finds her happily ever after, a devastating secret shatters Pandora's world, forcing her to rethink her dreams. Abriel weaves a stunning tale of love and friendship while taking the reader on a masterful journey of self-discovery, where at the very heart is a woman of courage, loyalty, and ambition."
Call the Canaries Home (2023) Laura Barrow "For fans of small-town fiction and bighearted family comes a moving tale of forgiveness, loss, and secrets told through a cast of memorable characters. As three sisters move closer toward the truth behind their sibling's disappearance, they discover deeper truths about themselves. Barrow crafts an impressive debut, culminating in a bittersweet yet satisfying conclusion. A touching, heartfelt read proving that family truly is everything."
The Marriage Box (2023) Corie Adjmi "Adjmi has written a fascinating story of culture and custom and the choices that go along with it. Compelling and compulsively readable; I found myself rooting for Casey Cohen as I flipped through the pages, finishing in one single sitting. A must-read."
The Friendship Breakup (2023) Annie Cathryn "When Fallon is dumped by her best friends, the hit touches on the deep-seated insecurities she's managed to keep at bay. But when she uncovers a letter she had long-ago forgotten, she begins a journey of healing and self-discovery. At once heartwarming and humorous, The Friendship Breakup is smart, layered, and captures the all-too-familiar nuances of being a friend, staying a friend, and learning when to let go. Written with emotional depth while capturing our most profound vulnerabilities, Cathryn is an author to watch. A novel with a big heart that will captivate readers."
After Everyone Else (2022) (BAE, book 2) Leslie Hooton "A big-hearted book that captures the delicate balance of marriage and motherhood."
Both Are True (2021) Reyna Marder Gentin "Reyna Marder Gentin writes compelling women's fiction with just the right blend of romance. Both Are True is the moving story of two lovers at a crossroads, and if you're anything like me, you'll be rooting on these perfectly flawed characters. Gentin captures the subtle nuances of relationships and what it means to open ourselves to others. Fans of legal thrillers will appreciate the courtroom drama, a testament to Gentin's years practicing law, and I, for one, appreciated the quick wit throughout. I'm a fan. Brava, Reyna!"
These Tangled Vines (2021) Julianne MacLean "Julianne MacLean’s These Tangled Vines is an emotional tale of love, family, and forgiveness. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful; I felt for every one of these brave characters, rooting them on along the way."
The Truth and Other Hidden Things (2021) Lea Geller "In this humorous, smart novel, Geller brilliantly tackles one woman’s need for approval and the desperate lengths she’ll go to to get there. Bells Walker is the imperfect mom and friend we can all relate to and eventually root for. Readers will devour this book in one sitting. I did."
Little Pieces of Me (2021) Alison Hammer "In Little Pieces of Me, Hammer expertly weaves past and present, capturing the threads that bind one family. A story of hidden truths, identity, and parent-child relationships, readers will be drawn to these memorable characters and their journey toward understanding. Be prepared to laugh and cry along the way. Brava, Alison Hammer for another fabulous read."
A Frenzy of Sparks (2020) Kristin Fields "A provocative coming-of-age in 1960s Queens. Heart-wrenching and moving, A Frenzy of Sparks boldly reveals families in crisis, brought together and torn apart. Brava Kristin Fields on a lyrical, luminous tale that sticks with the reader long after the last page."
The Good Stranger (2020) (Kate Bradley Mystery, book 3) Dete Meserve "Dete Meserve’s warm-hearted mystery, The Good Stranger, captures the kindness of strangers and its long-lasting ripple effect. A timely story of compassion and selflessness, Meserve restores faith in the world while reminding us that goodness does exist."
That's Not a Thing (2020) Jacqueline Friedland "Friedland's That’s Not a Thing is an unputdownable tale of old love meets new. Heartrending and evocative, this beautifully woven story captures the deep-seated emotions we carry - those of guilt, forgiveness, and what it means to be there for those we love. Friedland's sharp writing and emotional depth will leave you turning the pages, ending with a satisfying, albeit bittersweet conclusion."
The Other Family (2020) Loretta Nyhan "Loretta Nyhan has a knack for creating colorful characters with emotional depth and sharp wit. The Other Family is a heart-warming story of what it means to be family and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Nyhan weaves together sensitive and tender moments, delivering a flawless tale of faith, understanding, and perseverance."
True to Me (2019) (By the Sea , book 1) Kay Bratt "Bratt writes a beautiful tale of family which grabbed me from the very first page. Quinn, mourning the loss of her mother, must travel to Maui in search of her roots. Leaving behind her fiancé Ethan, she is drawn to the island’s rich history and the locals who welcome her into their world. Woven between the pages is the deep mystery of Quinn’s past, and the DNA test that leads her to a family she never knew. Bratt takes the reader on a heartfelt journey of family and forgiveness while Quinn teaches us about those we should let in and those we should let go. For at the very core of the novel is the rare gift of being true to one’s self."
Christmas at the Chalet (2018) Anita Hughes "Christmas at the Chalet reminds us of why we first fell in love with reading. Escaping in the pages of picturesque St. Moritz and the glamorous world of bridal fashion, culminating in the fairy tale that every girl dreams of...a dazzling read."
No Time To Blink (2018) Dina Silver "A moving tale capturing the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters. Silver deftly weaves through past and present, betrayal and forgiveness, culminating in a fast-paced, satisfying finish. You won’t want to put this one down."
