Looking for a fun, laugh-out-loud read? This is the book for you. I read this on a long flight and it made the time pass by quickly. Looking forward to reading more by Rothstein!

CRAZY TO LEAVE YOU
by Marilyn Simon Rothstein
Lake Union Publishing
Pub Date: May 24

Marilyn Simon Rothstein's books keep me in stitches as characters and their families struggle with crazy challenges. Her latest follows this charming signature style and kept me happily engaged from page one.

Lauren, 41, finally makes it to the altar, the last of her friends to get there, when she is dumped by text. The horror! And just when she reaches size 12, alas.

She deals with a judgmental mother, two sisters with their own issues, and as Lauren struggles to recover, she wonders, "Will I ever succeed?"

But she turns to her job with fervor, even when it threatens to swamp her. And as she shows grit and wit in dealing with life's lemons -- and chucks that scale for good -- we grow to love her and pray she gets the second chance she truly deserves.

Perfect for readers who love hilarious tales with relatable MCs. A treat!

Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

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#lakeunionpublishing #NetGalley #womensfictionnovels #witandgrit #hilariousromances #relatablefiction #bookstagramcommunity

Although a woman jilted at the alter might be the stuff of melodrama, in Marilyn Rothstein's hands it turns into a warm, fun and uplifting story. Rothstein's special brand of humor is surprising, quick-paced and a drop edgy, but always good natured. I found this book a wonderfully entertaining and engrossing read.

Rothstein did it again. She presents a family in sooo much conflict, but presents it with humor. I enjoyed the storylines and the author definitely has me as a fan. Can’t wait to read more from her!

This was exactly the book I needed to read this week while stuck at home in isolation! It was fun, witty, insightful, beautifully written and featured a fabulous cast of characters. I may have even fallen in love with a certain driver... (can't say more, no spoilers allowed!) This is the first book of Rothstein's that I've read, and it certainly won't be the last.

Crazy to Leave You was a book I started not liking BUT as more themes and layers were peeled away, I could not help but enjoy and appreciate everything that was done. The familial feelings, romance, religion, adult problems and how expectations can make or break us was really well done. Finding hope in the smallest of circumstances by changing your choices and perspective definitely makes the difference and I applaud this novel for doing just that through the main character.

#CrazyToLeaveYou #NetGalley

It’s a good thing that I read this book in the privacy of my home—otherwise strangers might have been startled and confused by my sudden bursts of laughter, often followed by a sigh and even some tears. Crazy to Leave You features Marilyn Simon Rothstein’s sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor, but there is also poignancy and a wide range of emotions. Along with the laughs, there is so much to unpack in this novel. The main character, Lauren, is left at the altar, and as she is reeling from the Great Humiliation, she realizes that life doesn’t always go according to plan—not just for her, but for her loved ones, as well. Lauren, her sisters, her parents, and her friends, are all dealing with pain, disappointment, and humiliation, and I loved being with them on their journeys to find self-worth and acceptance and healing. My favorite character in the book was Rudy, a driver who is hired to take Lauren to appointments and meetings after she is injured. Rudy adds so much warmth, understanding, and compassion to the story, and I loved the conversations he and Lauren had as he drove her around in his Escalade.

Lovely book, I enjoy reading it, the cover isn't my favorite, but the book it's good, I recommended, I love this kind of books...

A hilarious, laugh-out-loud and engaging rendition of one woman's journey from being jilted at the altar to finding herself and true love. We need more laughter in todays world, and Crazy To Leave You hits all the right notes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. all opinions are mine. I was drawn to this book based on the cover and the description. However, in full transparency I did not finish the book. Only made it about 40%. The main character is too whiny, her sister is annoying and overall I just didn't care to find out what happened to them. I think too much emphasis was placed on how large Margo was and how all she did was eat. The main character just seemed too shallow as well. Overall, I could not get myself to care about the characters or what happened to them and I had to give up.

I didn't love this one. Lauren has a food addiction and has struggled with her weight all her life. She also is left at the altar in the first chapter. I felt like Lauren initially was relatable and likeable but it took about 2/3 of the book before any of the problems revealed began to have any hope of change. The dysfunction in Lauren's life felt like it touched all areas of her life, and made it hard for me to enjoy anything else of the story. I almost put this book down halfway through, and although it did pick up a bit after that, I didn't all the way care what happened to Lauren anymore. What felt like an attempt at body positivity didn't work for me, and felt more depressing than anything else. I've read and enjoyed other books with plus sized characters or those who struggled with weight/food, but this one seem to have the right balance of problem/resolution.

What Marilyn Rothstein does best. She is the only one who can have the bride get stood up at her wedding and despite the chaos and crazy aftermath, still make you laugh.This book has all the feels love,loss, humor, family issues and ultimately finding happiness. Read it ,you will enjoy it.
Thank you to Net Galley, the author and publisher for opertunity to read and review this advanced reader edition in exchange for my honest review.

TW: Eating Disorders

Oof. Lauren Leo. Forty One. Ex-fiancé left her on the day of her wedding via a text message to her sister... Honestly, brilliant story line.

This was my first novel of Marilyn's and I can guarantee it will not be my last.

Character development was a plus, plot was strong. Banter A+.

Thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

From the author of Husbands and Other Sharp Objects comes a witty, bighearted novel about the happy accidents that lead to love and second chances. The characters are so well drawn and the plot so well paced, I couldn’t put it down.

This book was such a vacation! Honestly, this was equivalent to laying on a beach somewhere tropical with the cocktail in my hand and a big straw hat on my head. It sure did lighten my day! I loved the characters, the relationships, the addressed topics, loved the dialogues and the humorous and sarcastic remarks. Rudy is my favorite, absolutely, he's so funny! I loved every single person in this book (I can even save some love for Mom). Anyway, I wish I could read it again for the first time!
Nothing else to say, but this: it'll be crazy to leave this book behind, please read it! :D

This is my first time reading a book by the author. It is always a nice surprise to find a new author that you enjoy their writings and look forward to read more books that they have written.
Lauren is a forty something bride whose fiancé sends a text to her sister saying he can’t go through with the wedding. Lauren begins her journey to healing.
I really enjoyed the character of Lauren and found her to be very relatable. I also enjoyed the story and how it wasn’t predictable.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rothstein does it again with a hilarious laugh out loud rendition of one woman's journey from being jilted at the altar to finding herself and true love. We need more laughter today, and this one hits all the right notes.

In what could have been a sad story (jilted bride - at the alter nonetheless), Marilyn Rothstein is back with her witty humor that will have you laughing out loud.

Crazy To Leave You is the story of Lauren Leo’s resilience, her crazy family, finding love again, and determining to carry on - after quite a day that would leave some struggling to move on. Lauren’s character is complex and her family drama is probably similar to many of us - and Marilyn Rothstein delivers another home run with her third novel. Lauren’s character deals with weight issues, being a successful woman in the workplace, and family drama to boot.

If you are in the mood to laugh a lot, (even at the difficult topics covered) look no further than Marilyn Rothstein’s - Crazy To Leave You.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Wow, what an amazing book! The characters were so genuine, I felt like I was reading someone’s diary. This book follows the life of an overweight, 40 something woman who is left at the altar and fears that life has dealt the last chance at love. How she reacts to that fateful day and the way her family and friends respond to her calamity make this book a gem worthy of placing front and center on your coffee table. The writing flows easily and the characters have such realistic personalities, I found myself pretending I could hear them speak in the accents they would have. I was sad to get to the last page because it felt like I had to say goodbye to new friends I had made.

Lauren Leo is a capable advertising executive, who always struggles with her weight and hence lacks self-esteem. On the wedding day with her dream man, Eric is here and with it, the ‘perfect life’ is supposed to follow.
However, Eric leaves her with a text message right before the ceremony.
Lauren has to pick herself up and in the process, she learns that not everyone’s life is as perfect as she imagined. Her two sisters serve as good examples for this life lesson. In the end, she finds new love and a more realistic view of life. while it is an easy read the story and characters seem a bit too predictable.