When Marilyn is caught making out with the Rabbi's son, her parents ship her off to spend the summer with her Great Aunt Ada. The year is 1960 and even though Marilyn is 20 years old her old fashioned dad still treats her like a child. Marilyn and Ada turn out to be close friends and Aunt Ada encourages her to write the book she has been wanting to write. Ada also encourages her not to settle for the life she doesn't want. She must make many decisions about her future. She can settle for a comfortable boring life or she can embrace the risks and follow her own path. This is a very good book. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I saw this book ALL over my NetGalley FB group so read the synopsis and crossed my fingers I would get a chance to read this.

It was such an amazing, funny, heartwarming book 🩷

When the misbehaving Marilyn not only makes out with the Rabbi’s son, but gets caught doing so by the whole congregation, her Dad comes down with an ultimatum only the 1960s could produce: marry the boy or spend the summer with great-aunt Ada.

A little Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. A little witty banter. A sassy Aunt. A little misbehaving. A lot of love. A lot of family.

I truly enjoyed this. I didn’t find it ‘laugh out loud’ funny like some others have but I both giggled and teared up reading this.

This book was a great read. I loved all the characters except the Dad. I think the girl enjoyed going to live with her aunt. I was glad to see that she took her time to find the right man for her. I was so proud of her mother for finally standing up to the Dad. This book was an easy read that held your attention.

Ooh, my word! I’ve never read a novel along the lines of Don’t Forget to Write, and what a marvellous surprise it was. Ms. Goodman Confino’s prose and thought-provoking storytelling hooked me instantly. How could I not be when first meeting her heroine in a gut-busting laugh-out-loud scenario that had me from hello?

Seriously–it’s not just the sassy characters' wit that I liked. Narrated in flawlessly descriptive settings in 1960, the author takes her readers on Marilyn Kleinman’s journey of self-discovery and what life could be without strict family boundaries. When men still had superiority over women in specific religious ambiences, they started challenging their roles towards the end of the '60s. It might be a little late for Marilyn but not for her wry 70-ish great-aunt who turned her back on the norms well before that. Taking no-nonsense, Ada has a matchmaking business to run and a spotless reputation to uphold; however, she and her great-niece grow on each other regardless of her father's summer-long punishment. Did he unknowingly do his rebellious daughter a favour, or would it backfire? You’ll only find out by reading the novel.

What did hit home were the expectations of some women in this decade. Attending temple, finding a good financially stable husband, having babies, and that seen but not-heard attitude many parents had, I don’t remember. Maybe it was because I was born in England in ‘57, I experienced the '70s movement. I can’t tell you how much I learned about religious and social correctness in the book’s timeline and how interesting I found it.

Marilyn grabs every opportunity given with such exuberance that I couldn't help but love her. While she was discovering new surroundings, making friends–hmm, boys are off limits, and lending a hand to Ada–or crafting her next move, it felt like I was by their sides. That said, it’s not all roses and sunshine. Marilyn is headstrong, her aunt even more. But under this steely septuagenarian’s eye, not only is she on the ball, there is so much more to her than I could ever have imagined. Also, observing this twenty-year-old find her feet, take knocks and bounce back evokes all the emotions.

As said before, the opposite sex is out of bounds for Marilyn. Nonetheless, the author wove romance into the story when least expected and much appreciated. Did Ada have a hand in it? How would it all pan out, seeing that Marilyn has strong feelings about what a solid relationship should be and if it were for her? My first thought was she deserved a guy like him in her life.

So, if I weren’t laughing until I cried at Ada and Marilyn’s wisecracks and sharp comebacks, I was balling my eyes out in heartfelt moments. The twist I never saw coming is so jaw-droppingly well-done I did a happy dance. Simply Bravo, Ms. Goodman Confino!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun, feel-good read that follows Marilyn as she spends the summer with her bold Aunt Ada in 1960s Philly and the Jersey Shore. Together they discover freedom, self-love, and that settling down isn't the only option for women who want to live life to the fullest.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of Don’t forget to write by Sara Goodman Confino. The writing is so good. Everything and everyone felt so real. I could feel the emotions and connect to the characters. I still think abut this book.

I enjoyed Don't Forget to Write, a coming of age book about Marilyn, a college student from a religious Jewish family who thinks for herself and wants things other than what's expected of her, to become a wife and mother. As a punishment, she gets sent to live with her aunt, a matchmaker. Her aunt Ada seems strict at first but then Marilyn starts learning more about herself, her aunt, and her mother. There's a little Dirty Dancing vibe and the story is both romantic for the time and feminist. It's the best kind of beach read - one that makes you think and feel sad and happy. I had to remind myself that Marilyn is a boomer - a good reminder that we were all young once!

This is Marilyn's story. It is 1960, Marilyn, who is a college student, is caught misbehaving. Her father sends her away for the summer, to stay with an elderly and strict aunt in Philadelphia.

When I first started the book, I thought it was a bit too silly and fluffy for me. But the story soon grew on me and it actually has a lot of substance to it.

The two main characters are wonderful. Aunt Ada (but don't use the word Aunt) is very acerbic and sharp-tongued. She's also a professional Jewish matchmaker. Marilyn is like a spoiled brat (even though she's 20) and sassy. This makes for a wonderful and interesting match. Their conversations are often back-and-forth snap answers, like a comedian with his straight man.

Both women want to step out of the traditional roles and do what makes them happy. They do not want to fit into the traditional role of women of the era. I love their strength and determination. And I love Ada. Every young girl should have an aunt like Ada, who has the ability to help a person learn to fully understand themselves.

I loved this quote from the book that fits into the story but also applies to today's world: The world loves to destroy things it doesn’t understand.

I was prepared for a surprise ending because I had read several reviews. But, I was not ready for the actual surprise ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Great aunt Ava will go down as one of my favorite fictional characters. I loved everything about this novel….the people, the relationships, the location, the time period. Easily one of my favorite reads of 2023. Thank you #netgalley. 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Sara Goodman Confino's Don't Forget to Write. This extraordinary novel is filled with laugh out loud moments and a cast of unforgettable characters.

Marilyn is a twenty year o!d, fun-loving college student whose life and reputation are instantly ruined when she crashes through the stained glass window of her temple in a lip lock with the rabbi's son. Her father immediately banishes her to her great aunt Ada's house in Philadelphia, and although Marilyn initially dreads the change in her summer plans, she quickly realizes that this is far from a punishment. Ada is tough but tender, a rule maker but far from a rule follower, and quite possibly the best thing to ever happen to Marilyn.

Don't Forget to Write is a five star read that will stay with you long after the last page.

The author had a stellar way of crafting characters and relationships that are so familiar, and settings that are so warming. I absolutely adored this book! It was so alive.

This book was a breath of fresh air! It was so much fun watching the relationship between Ada and Marilyn grow. This was a light and fun read,

Don't Forget to Write is an entertaining novel full of characters readers may want to meet in real life.

Set in the early 1960s, Ada is a 75 year-old successful Philadelphia matchmaker and real estate investor who accepts the challenge of taking care of her 20-year-old niece, Marilyn, who shamed her family by kissing the rabbi's son, Daniel, during their weekly church service. Marilyn's father is angry and threatening to stop paying her college tuition. The summer is a cooling off period for the family. Marilyn slowly realizes the opportunities she is given through her stay at the Jersey shore with Ada and begins writing a novel, secretly dating the local cad, and learning about her family's history.

Keen readers will see how the novel ends through the mention of two key characters: Thomas, the black man who assists Ada with household chores, and Lillian, Ada's assistant. The subtle drop of Ada's experience in Key West, "where no one cares who you were before" is a true tip to the plot.

Kudos to Sara Goodman Confino for writing an enjoyable read.

This is a good book with well rounded characters and a pacy storyline. While romances really aren’t my thing, Don’t Forget to Write was fun to read and had lots of twists and turns to keep me reading.

What an enjoyable story with great characters, just a pleasure to read. Marilyn is a young woman living in the 1960’s, a time when options were seen as being a wife and mother. Growing up in a Jewish home, certain expectations as to Marilyn’s future seemed like a prison to her, and when she rebelled, she was sent to spend the summer with her great aunt Ada. Ada is the best character in the book, a true rebel, even though she appeared to be a traditional matchmaker. Ada encouraged Marilyn to be herself, to write her story and not to fear her strength. Funny and heartwarming, I recommend this to anyone who loves women’s fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

When Marlyn gets caught making out with the rabbi’s son it becomes a local scandal. In 1960 the only option her family gave her was to keep up appearances and marry the boy or go spend a summer with her aunt that she has never met. The strong willed girl chose the best option to keep her independence, a summer with aunt Ada. The summer challenged her in more ways than one and ended up sending her life in an entirely different direction.

This book was absolutely amazing! The plot new and characters were all well rounded and had amazing background woven in though-out the book. The only characters I wish I had a little more context for were Marlyns mother and father. We had some info on the mother but never really got the full picture of where her father was coming from and why he was the way he was. I highly recommend you read this book!

To phrase my thoughts like my oldest kid would do, after finishing Don’t Forget to Write : I am SHOOK!

This story was really well told and executed throughout. Ada is such a spitfire and quite the unforgettable character! I love how Marilyn holds her own though. Even though Ada and Marilyn don't always see eye to eye, I love how Ada helps Marilyn and becomes a mentor to her and someone to look up to. I'm sure Sara had a lot of fun developing Ada's personality throughout the novel.

I really didn't know where this story was going to go and was met with lots of surprises along the way, including a huge game changer.

This novel just made me want to go to the beach, which I haven't done in a couple of years now. The descriptions made me feel like I was sitting on the sand on a hot summer day while listening to the sounds of the ocean. (Then again, I'd probably be in the ocean most of the time!) I also loved Ada's idea of a fun night out. And there was a fun cameo from one of Sara's other books, as well as one of a celebrity in their youth...

Funny side note: I had just started reading this novel when I saw You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah and there's a scene in that movie that is close to what happens at the beginning of the book! I told Sara about it as soon as I finished the movie.

Overall, Don't Forget to Write is totally enjoyable and definitely worth checking out!

Movie casting suggestions:
Marilyn: Gideon Adlon
Ada: Dyan Cannon
Freddy: Jonah Hauer-King
Daniel: Zachary Gordon
Lillian: Lesley Ann Warren
Shirley: Diana Silvers

I adored this book! At first I was a little uncertain as the writing and characterisation seemed a little too Morden for what I e expected writing set in the 60’s to be like and kept forgetting that the book was set in that period. However, as the book went on and there were more references to that time period, I thought it really worked and the modern writing made it more relatable.

The characterisation of each character was spot on, making me love and hate certain characters. Ada was my favourite. I really enjoyed her sassy, independent character.

I did guess the ending several chapters towards the end. However, the writing was so good and convincing that it made start to think the opposite and what happened to Ada actually happened.

An easy 5 star read and I will definitely be picking up more books from the author.

Oh, I loved Sara Goodman Confino’s newest novel, Don’t Forget to Write so much. I’ve been in a reading slump lately and this was the fix!

Marilyn Kleinman is a young woman desperately trying to forge her own path in the 1960’s. The novel starts out with a bang when Marilyn is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in the synagogue. Her strict Jewish father then sends her away to live with her great aunt Ada—who is in the matchmaking business—in hopes to to find her a husband and to rectify her name. Ada and Marilyn forge this truly beautiful relationship that is fun, witty and endearing. Marilyn eventually learns more about herself, love, and her future than she ever imagined.

This is a truly beautiful story about family, love, and standing up for what you believe in. I adored these characters so much and I found myself not wanting the story to end. Sequel?

5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Goodman Confino, Lake Union Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I was a writer so I could put into words how much I loved this book! I laughed and I cried at this wonderful story of a young women trying to live out her dreams in a time when little was expected from women other than getting married and having children. This will definitely be in the top 3 best books I’ve read this year!