I realized afresh when I started this book that I appreciated historical fiction that did not rely on a dual timeline in order to make an impact.
In this story based in the 1960s East-coast USA, with Jewish families as the central protagonists, I ended up inhabiting a world I had not explored before.
Marilyn is a restless girl, and she is not someone who knows her place in life yet. All she knows is what she does not want to do and does not want to hear anything else on the topic. The character is remarkably one that a person can empathize with, making it a timeless conundrum. It is almost like Marilyn wants to be contrary just because she has nothing better to do. She is shipped off to a great-aunt when she misbehaves in a spectacularly grand fashion.
This is not a position she welcomes, but she soon starts to realize there are always ways to grow in any given situation.
I really enjoyed our leading lady learning to give people a chance and also that sometimes people with more experience (and with your well-being in mind) might actually know what they are talking about.
I do not know if people reading the book would agree with me about the above point, but being on this side of 30 and seeing teenagers and their complicated thought trains nowadays, I am happy with the learning curve that the book takes.
In the world explored in the book, the individual relationships were all refreshingly genuine feelings and were more entertaining than I expected them to be. The emotional scenes also hit their mark - the author did a great job of bringing everyone to life.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of the genre and to anyone who finds the blurb or this review even mildly interesting. I would definitely pick up another book by the author if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I seen RAVE reviews about this book in several online book groups I am in. I didn't want to get FOMO so I had to check it out and it did not disappoint! Wonderfully written. Amazing characters and story! Worth the hype!

I love Sara Goodman Confino's writing, dialogue, and flow of this book! It's the 1960s and Marilyn is trying to find her way between her conservative parents and community expectations with what she really wants. After an indiscretion, she is sent to summer with her great aunt Ada, where she was under strict rules of no boys. The summer unfolds with Marilyn having fun and deepening her family ties. I really enjoyed this novel!

Beautifully written book about a young girl and her Aunt. Their struggles, their relationship and their love. The characters are so real and relatable that you feel that you absolutely know them. Great twist at the end of this book. Would love a prequel to learn more about Aunt Ada and for sure a sequel to learn more about all of the characters.
Sara Goodman Confino is my new favorite author.

This was fantastic and such a breath of fresh air. I don’t think I have read anything like this recently, if at all.

I love the family aspect of it, the sort of rebellious nature.

It was great and I’m sad it took so long for me to read it.

5 matchmaking stars

I wasn’t sure if I would have any more 5-star reads this year, and then this one came along; boom, five stars, no doubt! I absolutely adored this one, and I had to wipe away my tears on the airplane today, so fair warning: it may be best read at home!

Set in 1960, Marilyn Kleinman is a fantastic character. She’s 20 and makes a spectacular entrance with the rabbi’s son. It is so fantastic and scandalous that she is sent away to her great-aunt for the summer.

Marilyn is sure that it will be a horrible summer, but her summer proves to be life-changing, and Aunt Ada is the kindred spirit she hardly knew. Ada is the top-tier matchmaker in Philadelphia, with thousands of matches over the years. She spends her summers on the Jersey shore. She loves to drive her convertible and has never married.

The two are a lot alike and grow very close over the summer. Marilyn knows she does not want to get married and sees that life as drudgery with staying home and raising a family. Ada puts her to work taking notes during her matchmaking sessions with prospective families.

Marilyn finds herself in a summer romance and works to keep it from her Aunt Ada. As the summer goes on, Marilyn realizes that she wants to write and doesn’t want to settle for a boring marriage match like her parents want for her. She's not even sure she wants to go back to college.

I fell in love with Marilyn and Ada and their extended friends. It's a coming-of-age story that had me hooked from the start. Of course, I wanted Marilyn to find love and happiness, but her quest for independence and charting her course resonated at a time when most women had to follow that path.

Fun, well written and heartwarming. A coming of age story that made me smile and root for Marilyn
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

When Marilyn Kleinman and the rabbi’s son fall through the synagogue ark after sneaking off to kiss during the Saturday morning service, it’s the last straw for her parents.

She’s hastily sent off to her great aunt Ada in Philadelphia (who just happens to be a matchmaker) to learn how to behave like a young lady and to find a respectable husband.

This was a great holiday read - funny, sad and heartwarming.

I loved the characters and the ending brought a lump to my throat.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

It's New York City in 1960, and Marilyn, 20, is caught in an embarrassing snogging incident with Dan, the Rabbi's son, in front of the whole congregation. Both sets of parents decide that the solution is for Marilyn to marry Dan, but she refuses. Instead, Marilyn is shipped off to her spinster great-aunt Ada in Philadelphia to be straightened out. Ada, however, is not at all what Marilyn envisioned, being independently wealthy and a matchmaker with a steady stream of paying clients. After a couple of weeks in Philadelphia, a poor relation to New York in Marilyn's view, Ada decamps to the New Jersey shore for the summer with Marilyn in tow.

As Marilyn spends more time with Ada, she learns a lot - about herself, about others, and about family secrets. She makes mistakes and grows from them, with Ada well aware of what Marilyn is getting up to but giving her enough rope to learn her own lessons.

This is a story of independent-minded women, in an era where society made that very difficult. Younger readers might not believe that women were routinely denied credit in their own names, for example, which makes Ada being a successful businesswoman most unusual. And, yes, there is romance involved, but not the treacly kind found in so many "romance" novels.

What truly sold this book for me, though, was the absolutely perfect and surprising ending, demonstrating that Confino really knows her craft

I’m speechless. This book is not only getting 5 stars but it’s being filed into my “favorites” shelf it is SO, which I don’t often do. My mind is still blown from this incredible story. These characters are going to be with me forever. If this doesn’t get turned into a movie I will be truly shocked. Absolutely loved this one !!!!! Literally the perfect summer read and one to not miss!!Expertly written and laid out, Mrs. Confino introduces you to characters who are so real you’d swear they’ve been over to your own home at some point. The fast talking and witty Aunt Ada steals the show with her zinger one liners. The interactions between her, Marilyn and Ada’s housekeeper, Frannie are very reminiscent of the characters in The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel. I can’t say much else without spoiling this story except for this: Sara Goodman Confino I need a prequel ASAP. like yesterday please!

I absolutely loved this book! It was entertaining, yet it had so much more dimension than your typical summer read.

Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi's son, in front of the entire congregation. She is banished by her father and sent to spend the summer at the Jersey Shore with her strict great aunt Ada, a Jewish matchmaker.

I loved everything about this novel. The story was wonderful, and the character development was amazing. I definitely received major Mrs. Maisel vibes from the story. I am a sucker for a great coming-of-age story and this novel checked all of the boxes. The star of this show was Great Aunt Ada, I think she is one of my favorite characters ever written, I loved her. I wish I had an Aunt Ada!!

This was one of my favorite books of the year. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this book.

I usually don't read ebooks but reading the plot and being Jewish and a lover of Jewish fiction, I had to read it.

The Summer of 1960 in Philadelphia and the beach in Avalon, New Jersey with Marilyn, a 20 year old, and got “stuck” with her great Aunt Ada, who is a matchmaker with her rules and really bossy with Marilyn. She does have a good heart and it finally shows after a while. Marilyn is sassy too but Ada always has retorts back and she's afraid to say them. There's no “love” between them at first and then it starts to change little by little as they get to know each other I guess you can say.

This maybe a spoiler and I won't give it totally away, but one of my favorite scenes is when Dan the Rabbi's son goes to New Jersey and takes her out to dinner. What happens next is hilarious and Marilyn is “testing” him in the restaurant. Priceless.

Two coincidences with me and this book. My middle name is Marilyn (okay, now everyone knows) and my Dad, who I loved dearly, used to say “Don't Forget To Write” when I left the house sometimes. However, in the book, it's a totally different meaning.

Such a fun read all the way through (almost). I had a few tear soaked tissues by the end of the book.

I'm a stickler for giving 5 star ratings on Goodreads but this is one of them.

I loved the book. The author has shared the emotions and phases of growing up so well. The book is so warm and it’s full of emotions. There is a description of Jewish religion. There are family dynamics.

The book follows the odyssey of Marilyn. After she caught making out with Rabbi’s son, her father sent her to Philadelphia. Soon she realised her aunt is exactly opposite of how her parents described her. She inspired her to live the life of her dream. Loved Dan and Marilyn’s bond. They have an unbreakable connection. He stood up with her and supported her in every decision. I felt her parents were a bit strict in beginning like usual parents but later understood her. I loved Ada’s character. She is a heartwarming person. I didn’t like Freddy. I felt that one can’t make the right choice until they learn the difference between right and wrong but parents fear hold their child back and stop them from gaining real life experiences.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher.

I wanted to read this book because I had read so many positive things about it - the reviews were not wrong! This is a delightful read. When Marilyn is unceremoniously caught out kissing the Rabbi's son, her parents decide to take drastic action to bring her back into line.

Marilyn is shipped off to her great-aunt Ada's in Philadephia for the summer. Ada is such a character that you cannot help but love her and chuckle at her expectations. The relationship between Marilyn and Ada is compelling, heart-warming and totally believeable as the story develops. There are moments where the story is predictable but there are also many surprises and unexpected plot twists which were clever and kept me guessing.

Initially, the characters seem stereotypical, but actually they are well-developed and far more than they seem. Daniel is not just a casual entertainment for Marilyn and I loved how he was crucial for the storyline in the end. This is a story based on secrets and hidden identities. Marilyn believes she is so worldly and mature but Ada offers her a much deeper view of life and what the world can offer.

Lovely read which will keep you second-guessing right until the end.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading Don’t Forget To Write. I had never read anything by Sara Goodman Confino before. After reading this, I will definitely have to read her others. It was hard to put down. I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with the witty and caring characters.

20 year old Marilyn is sent to live with her single, old great aunt after causing a scene at the synagogue with the Rabbi’s son. Her parents are mortified and think a summer with Ada, the Jewish matchmaker, will keep her out of trouble and help her find her future husband. Marilyn thinks it’s a punishment worse than death, but soon realizes that Ada is exactly what she needed in her life.

What a pleasant surprise of a book! I'm always a little apprehensive about books that are "Read Now" on NetGalley, but I couldn't ignore all of the people raving about this book. I'm so glad I took a chance and decided to read it, I absolutely loved it!

Marilyn Kleinman get caught making out with the rabbi's son in front of the whole congregation her dad decides to send her away to spend time with Great Aunt Ada. Families in the 1960s don't take too kindly to teenage girls causing such trouble. Marilyn is dreading being sent away, but if she wants her father to let her go to college she has to change her ways. Ada is a matchmaker in Philadelphia and very successful at it. She puts Marilyn straight to work helping her take notes for prospective matches. Once summer hits they head to the Jersey Shore for some rest and relaxation, but also more work. Marilyn is surprised to find that she enjoys Ada and her quick wit. She's no nonsense and non apologetic and everyone around her adores her. As the summer comes to an end Marilyn has some difficult choices to make about her future and she looks to Ada as a model of the type of life she wants to live.

I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, and I didn't want it to end. The characters were so well developed, I really felt like I was spending the summer with Marilyn and Ada. Heartwarming and thought provoking, I highly recommend this story!

Gorgeous and super compelling. It's one of those books you read in one sitting. Can't wait to read more by the author!

"Don't forget to write" is the story of a young woman who, after being deemed too much trouble for her parents, is sent to her aunt, Ada. While she has to stay there and behave, Marilyn is given the chance to grow into her own self, and to be treated as an adult, with adult choices and consequences.

Ada is the aunt we all wish we had, even when we don't think we could handle it. I wasn't expecting this type of story when I saw the title, and I wasn't sure I'd like it when I first started it. Sara Goodman Confino took me on a ride and I think this is my favorite book so far. I love the interactions between Marilyn and Ada, and I had to go through a few bookmarked pages to decide which quote I could share to give an example. I've settled for the following:
"I don't get mad. You shouldn't either. It-"
"Causes wrinkles, yes, I know."
"Actually it causes stress, which makes your hair turn gray."
I blinked heavily. [...]"

While this book was fun to read, it held various topics/themes that I feel strongly about, such as feminism and the 'place' a woman has in society, religion and house. It also shows what is expected vs what might be, and I really liked this throughout. I liked even more that Marilyn refused to settle for what was expected, and that she dared to do and be more, and to push her own boundaries and that of society for a chance to be happy.

When I started 'Don't forget to write', I thought it might be a book about writing. A few chapters in, I thought it might become a set of letters from a daugther to her mother, but as I continued to read, I realised that it was more than that: it was a task in the calendar, a reminder from Marilyn to herself as a writer (which I totally get) and an act of self care all wrapped in one.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone - I've already spoken about it at work and with some of my writing friends!

My second Sara Goodman Confino book! Absolutely love Don't Forget to Write.

Marilyn is a handful and when she and the Rabbi's son drop in on the congregation unexpectedly, Marilyn is sent off to great Aunt Ada (the next best thing to reform school in her father's opinion).

Sara Goodman Confino develops some truly wonderful characters in this book, they will stick with you for a long time. Its difficult to pick a favorite character!

This book is perfect! Don't miss this one! This is going to be a great book club pick!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Don't Forget to Write in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a sweet and endearing book. The ending just couldn't have been better. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an E ARC of this title.