Cover Image: Crazy To Leave You

Crazy To Leave You

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I love reading books with Jewish authors, but this one left a lot to be desired for me...
I did appreciate the real life topics of eating disorders and body shaming that were incorporated.
but the writing style made to hard for me to truly be invested in this storyline.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ACR in exchange for an honest review. A cute fiction novel for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. We all love, we all have insecurities, and I think this graces both of those storylines beautifully.

Was this review helpful?

"Crazy To Leave You" by Marilyn Simon Rothstein is a delightful and heartwarming novel that explores the journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and unexpected second chances. With its humor and relatable characters, the book earns a solid four-star rating for its engaging storytelling and insightful exploration of life's twists and turns.

The story revolves around Lauren Leo, a forty-one-year-old woman who, after years of waiting, is finally ready to tie the knot. However, her world is turned upside down when she receives a blindsiding text and is left standing alone at the altar. The aftermath is filled with unsolicited advice from her mother and the contrasting lives of her two sisters, adding layers of humor and relatability to the narrative.

Marilyn Simon Rothstein captures the essence of Lauren's journey with wit and charm. The protagonist's resilience in the face of heartbreak and humiliation is both endearing and empowering. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of family dynamics and societal expectations, creating a story that resonates with readers on various levels.

Lauren's foray into the world of advertising serves as a backdrop for her personal growth and the courage to embrace a new chapter in her life. The novel cleverly combines moments of humor with genuine moments of vulnerability, making Lauren's character authentic and relatable. The supporting cast, including Lauren's quirky family members, adds depth to the narrative and contributes to the overall enjoyment of the story.

The theme of self-acceptance and redefining success is woven seamlessly into the plot, allowing readers to reflect on their own notions of worthiness and happiness. The narrative encourages a reevaluation of societal expectations and measures of success, offering a refreshing perspective on love and fulfillment.

While the novel successfully blends humor and heart, there are moments when certain plot developments may feel somewhat predictable. Additionally, the pacing is occasionally brisk, and certain aspects of the story could have been further explored to add depth.

In conclusion, "Crazy To Leave You" is an engaging and uplifting novel that combines humor, heart, and a celebration of second chances. Marilyn Simon Rothstein's storytelling prowess shines through, creating a charming narrative that leaves readers with a sense of warmth and inspiration. This book is recommended for those who enjoy heartwarming stories about resilience, self-discovery, and the unexpected joys that life can offer.

Was this review helpful?

i loved this book! It was funny, touching, and inspiring. The main character, Lauren, is a woman who has always struggled with her weight and self-esteem. She is dumped by her fiancé on their wedding day, and has to deal with the aftermath of her broken heart and shattered dreams. Along the way, she meets Rudy, a kind and charming driver who becomes her friend and more. She also reconnects with her sister Margo, who has her own issues with body image and acting career. Lauren learns to love herself and accept her body, and realizes that she deserves happiness and respect. She also finds success in her work and romance, and discovers that life can be full of surprises and second chances.

The book was very well-written, with witty dialogue and realistic characters. I could relate to Lauren’s struggles and emotions, and I cheered for her as she overcame her challenges. The book also tackled some serious topics, such as eating disorders, body shaming, and infidelity, with honesty and sensitivity. The book was a celebration of women’s strength, resilience, and empowerment, as well as a reminder that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. The book made me laugh and cry, and left me feeling good about myself and life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary women’s fiction with a dash of humor and romance. 😊

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

#NetGalley #crazytoleaveyou #bookreview

Was this review helpful?

This book was enjoyable, and had some fun moments. The characters were interesting, and the plot flowed well. It’s a fun romance.

Was this review helpful?

"Crazy To Leave You" by Marilyn Simon Rothstein is the first book I've read by this author, and I'm already looking forward to more. I really liked joining Lauren on her journey. She's surrounded by this quirky, larger-than-life group of family and friends. Through all the disappointments, losses, and obstacles in her life, Lauren finds her way. She tackles her uncertainties, and in the midst of some funny and more serious situations, she discovers that family, as frustrating as they can be, will always be there for you through thick and thin. It's in these imperfections of life that she finds happiness and acceptance, and in these transitions, she also discovers her true professional satisfaction, love, and her place in the world.

The dialogue and pacing in the book were spot on. I loved the banter between the characters, and the relationships felt real and relatable. And, let's not forget the satisfying ending that tied everything together. Overall, it's a great read, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming story filled with relatable characters and life's ups and downs. Four stars!

Was this review helpful?

Crazy to Leave You starts off with Lauren being left at the altar. What do you do when your happily ever after falls apart with a church full of people waiting for you to walk down the aisle? With a mixture of humor and heartbreak author Marilyn Simon Rothstein does it again. Love the female relationships in this book both with Lauren's sister Margo and her mother who she can never seem to please. This novel contains a lot of talk of weight and accepting yourself for who you are and being happy with that. Really enjoyed this story!

Was this review helpful?

I probably should not be giving feedback on this as I didn't even make it past the first page, but I had to say something when two sentences immediately want me to throw my Kindle across the room.

"Diets consumed me. I was either on my way or on my down the scale."

This right here just makes me know that this book will be full of fat phobia and EDs. Yikes.

Was this review helpful?

A cute and relatable read. I enjoyed hearing Lauren's story and how she overcame a failed marriage as she navigates finding new love. I also enjoyed the relationship with the siblings

Was this review helpful?

Lauren is a 41 year old successful advertising agent that is the last one to get married. On the day of her wedding her sister receives a text from the groom letting her know that he can’t get married. Embarrassed and upset Lauren eats her feelings especially since she was on a diet prior to the wedding to get down to a size 12. Finally Lauren takes a turn later on in the book where you a cheering her on instead of her allowing things to happen to her.

I enjoyed the unraveling of Lauren’s life and the twists and turns that happen.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

Was this review helpful?

Fun, light hearted story about a woman who is left at the alter because her fiancé decides he just isn’t ready to be married. A fine time to figure that out! Lots of laugh out loud moments.

Was this review helpful?

A runaway groom is not a story line that you often see. Will Eric call and explain his decision and apologize? Following Lauren as she navigates theough this was an adventure. I was so sad for her but i also laughed at some points :).

Was this review helpful?

Such a fun read and a mix of humor, romance and serious subjects. Lauren's POV feels so real and relatable and i totally loved her character.

Was this review helpful?

CRAZY TO LEAVE YOU by author, Marilyn Simon Rothstein
ARC - May 24, 2022

They say laughter is an instant vacation, and if this is the case, I just traveled around the world! But with the laughter, there can also be great heartbreak...

Marilyn Simon Rothstein has created a narrative which encompasses all emotion as the storms of life and humorous antics meld together and encircle one particular woman, our protagonist, Lauren. Being the forty-one year old she is, she's learning that being knocked down by sadness and failures, is a given~ that life is a constant readjustment.

Crazy To Leave You, an insightful story handled with care and understanding, takes the reader on a journey which shows us that it's okay to feel broken~ to be different, but it's equally as important to give life a good swift kick, dust ourselves off, and try again... because what could be waiting around the corner could be something that allows us to be our best-self yet!

I thank Ms. Simon-Rothstein for my personal copy of this meaningful and enjoyable story, and in allowing me to personally experience the life and times of Lauren, along with a whole cast of characters who became just as important to the storyline, all who made it a most worth-while read!

4 Stars

#CrazyToLeaveYou
#MarilynSimonRothstein
#LakeUnionPublishing
Wild Sage Book Blog

Was this review helpful?

Loved the fact how the characters dealed with real life problems. Funny, witty, the banter was on point. I really enjoyed this slow burn!

Was this review helpful?

This was a quick read, loved the main character. She hadGreat sense of humour and wit. The story is very realistic and the dialog and self dialog very relatable.

Was this review helpful?

Such a relateable ride...

The characters in this book faced real problems and handled them in ways that real people do, unlike some books that take their responses to outer space.

The use of humor and wit made for an awesome slow burn.

Was this review helpful?

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2023 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2023/01/2023-reading-list-announced-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Was this review helpful?

(Disclaimer for the late feedback: 2022 was a very rough year for me. I had to struggle between my personal and mental health struggles, in addition to losing access to my Netgalley account and retrieving it just now. My sincerest apologies for the late feedback.)

The opening of this book made me heartbroken. Eric was such an ass! Lauren is a charming lady and I'm glad when she got up and rose like a blooming flower after everything.

This was a fun read. I remember laughing and enjoying reading this book, even though at first, I had a tough time connecting with it. I like how it confronted the realities of having toxic family members, making big decisions for yourself, and forgiveness.

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC. I wanna read more of the author's books and will definitely look into them soon.

Was this review helpful?

Lauren Leo is 41, has just been left abandoned by the groom at her own wedding, her elder sister didn't even turn up, her mother has effectively been fat-shaming her her whole life, and everything but her work (at which she is excellent) seems to be falling apart.

Crazy to Leave You is a funny, sarcastic, pun-heavy, quietly emotional and thought-provoking book. I wish I'd read it sooner and I will definitely be checking out the author's other works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?