I really wanted to love "Who Loves You Best" by Marilyn Simon Rothstein, because like the main character in the book, I'm also a 67 year-old-grandma who's crazy about my grandkids. It's always nice to have protagonists in my age group. However, I found the characters to be pretty unbearable, especially the main character, Jodi. Jodi has problems with just about everyone around her. Maybe the problems aren't entirely her fault--because the author has created a whole host of other unlikable characters--all who seem to be vying for the love of Jodi's one and only granddaughter. Her son's wife is awful. Her daughter's mother-in-law is awful. Her daughter is awful. Her husband is "kind of" awful. I've never seen so many selfish people all in one book! And to me, Jodi's attempts at humor throughout the book came out flat, spiteful, and sometimes just plain mean. Maybe life dealt Jodi a hard hand with all the insufferable people in her life, but maybe she's the most insufferable of all.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC of this novel. My opinion is my own.

The premise of this story was so intriguing to me. I love a cast of quirky characters. I think this is a case of not all books are for all people. Many of the readers love this book.

I felt too much of the writing was cringy as my college-age daughter would say. An example is “I was a foot doctor. I chose podiatry because I loved feet. I fell for my husband when I saw his big toe. The sexiest.” Insert eye roll.

I receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and and opinions are my own.

Jodi's daughter asks her to babysit her 8 year old daughter Macallan. Jodi is eager to spend some quality time alone with her granddaughter, but when she arrives, Jodi realizes there are already two other grandmothers there.

This was such a heartwarming story. Jodi has a heart of gold and she loves her family so much. The three grannies were all totally different and they had to learn how to stike a happy medium. Jodi found herself having to think about the future and what she wanted from it. The structure of the story was a little disjointed, but I enjoyed spending time with these lovely characters.

3,5 stars

This was humorous and heartwarming story about family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and personal growth. The authors witty dialogue and relatable characters make the book an engaging read. The story offers a blend of lighthearted moments and emotional depth, but at times, the pacing feels a bit uneven. Some plot points could have used more development, yet the warmth and humor keep it enjoyable. Overall, it’s a charming and enjoyable read, especially for fans of family dramas with a touch of comedy.

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

Marilyn Simon Rothstein's books are always amusing, and fun to read and this one was no exception. It's always nice reading about 60+ women like me.

Jodi, a podiatrist, is 67, her husband just got fired (when he could have taken the retirement package earlier), and her daughter in New Hampshire, wants Jodi to drop everything and watch her daughter.
Something is going on since she hardly leaves her restaurant. Come to find out she goes her husband who is living in Boston 4 days a week who is a professor in geology. Jodi, of course, can't say no for Macallan (named after a scotch brand when she was conceived), 8, is her only granddaughter. She has 2 sons but they don't have kids so she dotes on her granddaughter who she doesn't see that often since she and Jake live in FL and don't travel much because of their careers.

When she gets there, at first she thinks that Callie is alone but there's a girl “Grannie” Annie, who definitely at age 27, is too young to be one. She's definitely not her babysitter it seems and tends to be there a lot overseeing Callie when Lisa is not there. Then the other grandmother shows up! Talk about “competition.” She's a real estate agent with a huge billboard that Jodi passed on her way in and guess what her name is? Diandra (Di) Summer Lake. She's real hard nose but Lisa tells her to try to get along for the sake of Macallan but Jodi is like I'm the head grandma and I'm only here for 7 days. Will these 3 “grannies” come to a truce?

MSR has a way with words both in Yiddish and in English. She makes me laugh in every book I've read so far. One to go and I'm done until she writes her next one which I hope is soon. She is one author that never disappoints.

There are some poignant moments.

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book but I think I liked her others a little better for some reason.

Three Grandmas, one granddaughter, “Who Loves You Best”? Author Marilyn Simon Rothstein came up with such a clever plot for this small town where everyone knows everything about everyone.

Jodi Wexler wants nothing more than to spend time with her granddaughter. When her daughter, Lisa, calls requesting her help she jumps at the chance and the next flight out of town despite her job as a busy podiatrist. To her surprise, it’s not just her at Lisa’s house but two other “grandmas” as well , but one is only 27 years old. How can that be? Rothstein’s brilliant and clever twist in this heartfelt storyline about family, differences and growing pains will have you gripping at what your own decisions might be when given an ultimatum. The dysfunction and witty humor will keep you turning the pages.

I loved this novels perfect timing to incorporate Halloween. The perfect, fun and adventurous novel for this time of year. “Who Loves You Best” questions our own intuitions and instincts leaving you with a “what would you do” situation.

A funny, but realistic and current read. I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a fulfilling story about multi-generational family and choices we make. Thanks to @Lakeunionpublishing @netgalley for this eARC

I truly enjoy Marilyn Simon Rothstein’s humor! She is one of those authors that when I see a new book is being released, I HAVE to read it! So it was no surprise that I loved this book! Here, the author portrays the struggles of a grandmother when she is pulled in many directions. Jodi, Grandma to Callie/Mac, arrives in town to watch her precious granddaughter while the parents are out of town and becomes enmeshed in a struggle for the place of grandma #1 while competing with two others! Filled with funny moments, but also deep revelations, this book is sure to be a favorite!

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for access to this arc.

As someone who's in middle age herself, I decided to try this book with a bunch of grandmothers. So far though, it's disjointed, slow, and not funny at all. I'm not even smiling at Jodi's jokes much less laughing. I just don't think this one is for me. DNF

This book is so sweet, witty, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. I loved the family dynamic and the blossoming relationship between grandma and granddaughter. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to hug my mom. Must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

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 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.

In Who Loves You Best, a woman (a podiatrist, to be exact) heads from Florida to the Berkshires to take care of her granddaughter for a week when she clashes with the other grandmothers involved in her granddaughter’s life. All 3 vying for the top spot. This book stole my heart. 3 women battling different issues, overcoming different pasts and trying to make amends, all coming together to take care of a single spunky little girl. It was funny, sweet, relatable and heartwarming. I loved the dynamics. I loved the quirkiness. I loved the small town in the fall vibes. But what I really loved was seeing older women portrayed as successful, resourceful, smart and independent while also being compassionate and doting. The entire message about being there for your children while also keeping something for yourself to protect your own happiness and success was so poignant. I loved every minute reading this book.

Marilyn Simon Rothstein has another hit on her hands with her latest novel "Who Loves You Best". This novel follows Jodi, a wife, mother, grandmother, podiatrist, and an overall relatable gal, as she travels to the Berkshires babysit her granddaughter and encounters some hiccups and interesting characters along the way. Specifically, she is forced to interact with her granddaughter Maccallum's other "grandmas"---Di and Grannie Annie---and Jodi must figure out a way to find peace in order to put Maccallum's needs first. Overall, this novel should be paired with a cozy blanket, a cup of coffee, and enough time to dive in because you won't want to put it down. Rothstein's characters are always complex, relatable, and quickly feel like fast friends.

This is a must read! I loved it from the beginning til the very last page. Her books do not disappoint. Highly recommend!

This was such a fun yet serious read, my first by this author. Jodi is asked by her daughter to fly to the Berkshires to look after her 8-year-old granddaughter and Jodi jumps at the chance to play Grandma for a while; except when she gets there two other grandmas are vying for the granddaughter's attention. Over the next few days, Jodi and the other grandmas compete to be the grandma who loves their granddaughter best.

This story has such a unique premise, that was executed wonderfully, showing the many different ways to parent and grandparent a child. The book also asks what is family...It isn't necessarily being related by blood. I also like that Jodi was a doctor and that she decided it was time to put herself first. You know the rules of an aircraft, always put your mask on first before you help anyone else. How can you possibly be a good wife or parent if your own needs aren't met as well? And even though Jodi finally had to do for herself she stayed kind and thoughtful throughout. I was so pleased with the fact that the granddaughter was written so realistically in both behaviour and dialogue.

I just adored the fact that there were older people as main characters in this book and there was even a bit of romance for one of them. If you enjoy books with a lot of heart and humour then this is the book for you, it was very charming and full of family conflict but most of all there was a lot of love between these pages. As I said earlier this is my first by the author but it won't be my last. I want to check out Husbands and Other Sharp Objects for the title alone.

There is no author I know who more perfectly writes books that make me laugh out loud but also make me cry, than Marilyn Simon Rothstein. In Who Loves You Best, we meet Jodi—a 67-year-old wife, mother, podiatrist, and grandmother. She loves her granddaughter, but they live far apart, and she’s thrilled to be asked to come stay with her for a week. Jodi was extremely relatable, as she deals with about a million mixed-up feelings regarding her life, her future, her home, her family, and especially the other grandmas that show up unexpectedly! There is so much to unpack here, the laughter and the tears layered with so many emotions, giving the reader a lot to think about through the course of this book. The relationships are complicated and one hundred percent authentic—we all know people who are like Jodi, Jake, Lisa, and the other complicated characters. This entertaining, thought-provoking book is perfect for book clubs, because there will be so much to talk about!

Family stories are becoming one of my favorites. I've always enjoyed found family tropes, but this book does something new and original and wholly beautiful.

Who is family, really? This book takes that idea and opens the door wide.

Jodi drops everything in her comfy Florida retirement-ish life for her daughter and granddaughter. "Sometimes I felt as though I had to stand in line to see my own grandchild, as though I was in a crowded bakery and forced to take a number," she thinks at the story's outset.

The more the novel develops, the more crowded Jodi's life becomes. It's an uphill climb, but ultimately, family is worth it. No matter what that family looks like.

"Not going to be easy."
"Ahh. Easy is no fun."

Great story , humorous but realistic, grandma Jodi comes from Florida to stay with her 8yr old granddaughter. Her daughter has business trip. Thinking about all the great one one one bonding she can do. Alas that is not how it goes. Really enjoyed this story

4.5 stars
Marilyn Rothstein does it again! This story is packed with her signature sarcasm but with so much more added in! Dr. Jodi Wexler, a podiatrist in Florida, flies to the Berkshires to babysit her only granddaughter while her daughter flies to Boston to meet her husband. Jodi plans to spend all her time spoiling her granddaughter and doesn’t plan on the two other grandmothers showing up. One grandmother refuses to be called a grandmother, is a demanding PITA and has no need for her granddaughter is hiding secrets and the other grandmother is a 27 year old who is not even related to the family but calls herself Grannie Annie. Drama is all over the place and you just can’t help not laughing out loud at some of the shennigans! A few twists in the story and a lovely ending made for a wonderful read! I loved all the Jewish references throughout the story and it reminded me of when I was a child!

This book is truly one of a kind. When Jodi gets a call from her daughter asking her to watch her granddaughter Macallan - she jumps at the opportunity. She doesn’t expect that there will be not one but TWO other grandmothers to share the spotlight with - her daughter’s mother-in-law and Grannie Annie (a woman in her 20s who is dating her daughter’s father-in-law).

What ensues is an adventure that is equally enlightening and at times humorous. As Jodi tries to care for her granddaughter while also supporting her daughter through whatever crisis she’s in, she learns a little something about herself along the way too.

I love books about family conflict - it reminds me that no family is perfect and we all have our struggles - but what defines us is how we deal with them.

A lovely story that kept me engaged and really had me laughing out loud at some parts… I might’ve shed a few tears as well 🤫

This book will keep you guessing. Set in the late 1970’s we get a glimpse into the terror surrounding a town when a serial killer is on the loose and cell phones don’t exist yet. There are a few men in Rebecca’s life and most of them are not good for her. I liked the flawed characters and interesting story.