Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc!

Marilyn’s father is not happy with her choices, so she is sent to live with her great aunt, Ada. Ada, who works as a matchmaker, holds many secrets and lessons for Marilyn to learn along the way. Will she make her parents happy? Will she decide to live how she wants?

I enjoyed this book and finished it in a day! It kept me interested from the start all the way until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Sara Goodman Confino for a copy of Don’t Forget to Write in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, yes, yes! I absolutely loved this book! Ada, Lillian, Frannie, and our main character, Marilyn, were absolutely delightful to read about. A perfect matchmaking story that included love, trials, tribulations, and coming to know oneself. I don’t want to give much more away but this one was truly amazing. The ended had me pleasantly surprised and so so happy. If you’re a fan of books like Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, you definitely don’t want to miss this book! I cannot wait to read this authors backlog and see what she comes up with in the future!

I needed this book and I think any young woman who’s ever had dreams of being something other than what their parents or society wants for them will too. I really connected with Marilyn and understood her desire to be herself and forge her own path in life. Ada is a hoot and a wise, wise woman. I loved their relationship and how they learned so much from each other even when they were pushing each other’s buttons. 



Thank you publishers and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with advance copy ♥️

Just finished this book and I'm still reeling from the experience. Marilyn's tale is a wild ride that begins with a, ahem, memorable encounter in a most unexpected place. But what unfolds is a story that defies expectations at every turn, taking her (and me!) on a journey that's both poignant and hilarious. The characters are so vividly crafted, they'll linger long after you finish reading. And that summer with her aunt? Yeah, it's a game-changer. Let's just say this book is the perfect antidote to any predictable plots out there. 🥰


Aunt Ada's wit and sass stole the show for me - I need more of her sharp one-liners in my life! The dynamics between the characters reminded me of some of my favorite TV shows, but with a fresh and unique twist. I can't say too much without giving away the plot, but trust me when I say that this book is a standout😍

There was just so much to love about this book. I feel that it combines so many of my favorite elements and was true to the time period. I think it is fascinating to look back and see this time period for what it was. Woman were still under the thumb of men and the focus was on marriage no matter the cost. This is definitely a tough pill to swallow in our current time. This book was delightful, fun, and so endearing. I could not put it down and was so glad to get a chance to read this. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but this one was so good. I love a book with a snarky older adult, and great-aunt Ada definitely fit the bill. I really felt for Marilyn as she struggled with how to be herself despite her father's expectations. I loved how Ada built her up in her own crotchety way, and I wish Marilyn's mom was brave enough to do the same.

That ending!!

This book has quickly become one of my favorites that I plan to read and re-read over again. I easily fell in love with main character, Ada, and her unmatched spirit. She is vivacious while also going through real issues as a woman from a small town and a conservative family in the 1960s. I can’t recommend this book enough - 5 stars!

A delightful coming of age novel. Both Marilyn and Ada are wonderful and so relatable. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Perfect for a rainy day.

I loved this book! I've read and enjoyed Sara Goodman Confino's other books but there is something special about Don't Forget to Write!

I loved seeing Marilyn grow and absolutely adored her great aunt and all of the characters in this book. The mostly Jersey shore setting in the 1960 was brilliant and this book will make you laugh and cry and you need to read it!

5 stars!

I can''t believe I forgot to leave feedback!

I read this book a couple of months ago, and it's a testament to Sara Confino that I still remember Aunt Ida's name! What a character! If only we all had an Aunt Ida, to help guide us into adulthood!

As a history teacher, I often struggle with historical fiction, as anachronisms get in the way of my engagement with the story. While, I know Confino took liberties with historic figures and times, it was all in good fun.

Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this digital ARC in return for an honest review!

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino offers a compelling narrative with rich character development. The blend of mystery and family dynamics creates an immersive experience that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Sara’s writing style is captivating, and kept me eagerly turning pages. The satisfying ending left a lasting impression, making this novel a must-read for anyone looking for a truly exceptional literary journey.

All the stars for this book! I just love everything about it. Great writing and well developed characters. A fast paced and immersive read. I only wish I had read it sooner!

I know it’s only May, but I’ve already read my favorite book of the year, and you’re looking at it!

I’ve adored all of Sara’s books, but this one is my absolute favorite. Marilyn and Ada are both larger than life, with personalities that burst off the page and beg to be cast in a movie (** hint, hint Hollywood producers!!) Their sass, their courage, their proclivity to buck tradition and live their own lives unapologetically gave me chills and made me both laugh and cry (in fact, it had me smile-bawling, or “smawling” by the end! 🤣😭)

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say this: PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!!! It hits shelves Sept. 1, so great news: You have three months and some change to read all of Sara’s books and fall in love with her before you stay up waaaayyyy too late binging this one!! You’re welcome!

Thank you a million times over to @saraconfino @lakeunionauthors and @netgalley for my gifted e-copy!!

Sara, reading this was an absolute honor and brought me insurmountable joy. I love you so much! Congratulations on this beautiful story - get ready, because I think you’ve got a future bestseller on your hands!! Mwah! 😘😘

This is my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last. The way she writes her characters and storyline had me so engaged in the book that I would constantly tell myself, just one more chapter, when it came to turn the lights off for bed.

I loved the spunk that both the main characters had and the way they interacted with each other was just so fun to read. Not to mention I loved how the story came full circle in the end.

4.5/5

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.

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.