Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Marilyn Simon Rothstein’s “Who Loves You Best” is a delightful, laugh-out-loud story about love, family, and self-discovery. Jodi Wexler, a podiatrist juggling her flourishing career and a suddenly retired husband, drops everything to spend time with her eight-year-old granddaughter, Macallan, only to find herself in the middle of a “grandma war.”

The cast of characters is as colorful as they are relatable. Jodi, the self-sacrificing and thoughtful protagonist, is impossible not to show more root for. Her journey of putting herself first—after years of prioritizing everyone else—will resonate with many readers. Di, the no-nonsense real estate agent, brings sharp humor (and occasional frustration), while Grannie Annie, the quirky and immature girlfriend of Macallan’s grandfather, adds a whimsical touch to the chaos.

The dynamics among the three “grandmas” are hilarious, but the story doesn’t shy away from deeper themes like marriage struggles, family obligations, and self-worth. Lisa, Jodi’s daughter, presents a more complicated character—self-centered and sometimes unlikable—but her bombshell revelation pulls the family together in surprising ways.

Rothstein’s sharp wit and keen observations about family life are on full display, making this a book that alternates between heartfelt and laugh-out-loud moments. From the drama of a blended family to the touching realization that it’s never too late to find yourself, this book strikes an emotional chord while keeping things lighthearted. show less

You need to try to read Marilyn Simon Rothstein books in the privacy of your own home where no one will look at you funny when you burst into laughter. Not only does she write a humorous book but she also provides a great story line and wonderfully written characters who are facing obstacles in their lives. She provides her readers with some laughs, an important life lesson and characters that you feel like you know in real life.

Forty-one year old Lauren Leo is finally getting married. She's show more starved herself to fit into a size 12 dress and can't wait to show her new figure off in her bridal gown. Until...her boyfriend calls off the wedding with a text to her sister. She's totally humiliated and her dysfunctional family isn't a lot of help. Her two sisters are supportive but she has a mom who has no filter on what comes out of her mouth. She decides that her only choice is to return to her successful advertising job as soon as possible. After she's in an accident, her boss hires a driver to take her to meetings. Rudy becomes the voice of reason in Lauren's chaotic life. She begins to wonder if she was really in love with her fiancé or in love with the idea of getting married because all of her friends were married. It was fantastic to see the changes in Lauren throughout the book as she learned to accept herself, her weight issues and gains the courage to look for the next step in her life that will make her happy. Lauren is a great character and I was cheering for her to get a second chance at happiness and a fulfilled life. show less

I loved this book. It was a fantastic and often humorous look at being a grandmother and the sometimes competition between two grandmothers -- and in this book it was a competition between three grandmothers.

Grandmother #1. Jodi is a 67 year old podiatrist living in Florida. She has a thriving medical practice but is willing to drop everything for a week when her daughter asks her to come to the Berkshires to watch her only granddaughter Macallan who is 8. Jodi knows that her granddaughter show more spends a lot of time with her paternal grandmother Di and is thrilled to have the chance for some one on one time to spoil her granddaughter.
Grandmother #2 is Di - a hard-nosed real estate agent who is divorced from her first husband. When her plans get cancelled, she moves into her son's house with Jodi - which does not make Jodi very happy.
Grandmother #3 is the 27 year old live in girlfriend of Di's first husband. Macallan refers to her as Granny Annie and she seems to be the granddaughter's favorite.

So here we have three grandmothers who all want to spoil their only grandchild and want to be #1 in their granddaughters eyes. Do I need to tell you that there is a lot of tension between the three of them -- some of it laugh out loud funny. As the grandmother's try to establish their place in Macallan's life, there is a lot going on in the background with Jodi's daughter's marriage and Jodi's husband's job. Do the grandmother's really need to compete with each other or do they all bring different strengths to their relationship with their beloved granddaughter?

Even though this book was laugh out loud funny in parts, it was also a serious look at families and how they deal with problems in their lives. You don't have to be a grandmother to experience the family issues that can tear a family apart and the unconditional love that can keep a family together. show less

WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN?

Author Marilyn Simon Rothstein writes novels that make you laugh, make you think, and may make you see yourself a bit in reflection. In her latest offering, Who Loves You Best, Rothstein has readers examine what love means. Does love mean helping your children only when it is convenient? Does love mean loving only when it is reciprocal? Does love mean allowing people to walk all over you? Or does love mean showing “tough love” when necessary?

Rothstein tells the story show more of Jodi Wexler, a Florida podiatrist who loves feet (everyone’s feet, no matter how gross they are) and has a thriving practice to prove it. When her daughter calls and asks her to watch her granddaughter, Macallan, she immediately begins rearranging her life. She makes arrangements for her recently fired husband and travels many miles to her daughter’s home. The opportunity to spend time with Macallan is rare. Jodi arrives to discover that her alone time with her granddaughter is only a dream because her daughter, Lisa’s MIL, Di, an over-the-top, obnoxious real estate agent, has moved into the house! What’s worse is that Lisa’s FIL’s 27-year-old girlfriend, Grannie Annie, is also vying for Macallen’s attention. What a nightmare! Jodi makes the most of the few moments she has alone with Macallen. She feels like she is caught in a tug-of-war between Lisa and Grannie Annie, called “Who loves you best?” When Lisa goes out of town and leaves Macallen with the three women, Macallen is the one who is caught in the middle and does not understand. She loves them all and has no idea they all have personal agendas. Jodi only wants a relationship with her only grandchild. Lisa called and continued to postpone her return, causing Jodi to stay away from her practice longer than initially planned. Lisa has devised a plan that will require her father to invest. He’s all in, but will they have to uproot and move? Jodi considers it because that’s the thing you do for love. Lisa drops a bomb on everyone, and Jodi makes a decision. Her decision exhibits that sometimes love means exhibiting “tough love.” Jodi’s decision will help Lisa grow into the adult she should have been long ago. This is another winning novel by Rothstein!

Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are entirely my own and uninfluenced. show less