I know this isn’t a holiday read, but it FEELS like a holiday read.

But, like, significant.

Between the family dynamics, the deep themes of care, health, blended and multi-generation living, and female friendships, it’s like a weighted blanket for the soul.

Now, that’s not to say I liked every character (I’m lookin’ at you, Lisa) at every moment – I even wondered if Jodi was going to have an Unreliable Narrator Reveal – but I was certainly rooting for all of them, by the end.

Well, maybe not Milton. I was perversely pleased with his comeuppance.

I’m not sure that speaks well of my character, but I said what I said.

I had fun with this one. It was a treat escaping with Jodi Wexler to visit her granddaughter, Macallan. Jodi thinks she's going to get precious one-on-one time with eight-year-old Macallan. Instead, she arrives to find she has competition!

Two other “grandmothers” are in the picture, and Jodi must navigate the boundaries and relationships. But surprises keep popping up, especially with her daughter Lisa.

This is a warm and funny family drama. I appreciated that several of the characters were “mature.” (Is that the right word for someone over fifty?) It also provided a good perspective on how individuals can approach things differently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean one way is wrong or not done out of love.

Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook.

We get into the weeds with the drama of grandparenting and the precarious tight rope of prioritizing family vs self.

I think this would make a great book club read. It’s funny, timely, and has subjects that would lead to interesting discussions.

The main character, Jodi, is a 67 year old podiatrist that lives in Florida. She clears her work schedule to be the grandma to babysit her 8 year old granddaughter, Macallan in Maine.

When Jodi gets there thinking she is THE babysitter, she finds that she is one of three “grannies” that are hovering around. Jodi is also upset by the fact that her daughter, Lisa, does a quick dash out of town without a lot of discussion about what’s happening in Lisa’s life.

Jodi is also dealing with her husband who is back in Florida and is out of sorts because he was fired from his corporate job.

I felt like this book has a lot of authentic elements about having adult children and being an out of town grandparent. The read also does a nice job as the three “grannies” find their grove together.

I loved this story! I thought all the characters were well written and they writing made me laugh and also made me mad... but in a good way. You were cheering on some and others you were shaking your head. It was very relatable because that is totally family!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was just mediocre in my opinion. I don't believe I am the target audience for this book as I am in my twenties so that could be part of the problem. With that being said, it did have some cute moments. I also enjoyed the audiobook narrator, Sarah Sheckles and thought she had a charming voice.

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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A bit too dramatic for my tastes tbh. I wasn't expecting this to be a book about three battling bubbies aka Jewish grandmothers. When podiatrist, Jodi Wexler's daughter asks her to come watch her granddaughter for a few weeks, she jumps at the chance to spend some quality time with Macallan. However she didn't expect to be competing for her granddaughter's time and affection from two other important older ladies in her life - the other grandma, a real estate agent, and the kind neighbor who acts as her stand in grandma when the real ones aren't there. Humorous with lots of family antics and old woman drama, this just kind of missed the mark for me. I could see it being a fun movie with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two of the grandmas. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great, funny and Jewish novel from Marilyn Simon Rothstein! Marilyn’s books always crack me up and even though I’m not a mother (or grandmother) - her books are approachable and enjoyable for readers of all ages!

4.5 ⭐️

Who Loves You Best is a lovely, humorous, delightfully heart-warming story full of quirky characters and a thoroughly modern family full of women struggling with life, love, and navigating the often-outdated societal expectations that plague us all. I definitely recommend it.

Sara Sheckells did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this when it started. I could tell the grandmas were going to be constantly bickering and fighting for attention/love, and that is not my jam. However, I stuck it out and I'm glad I did. I really ended up enjoying it. I hated Lisa; what a piece of work she was.

A story to warm your heart!
What a delightful read, I had the best time reading this funny and moving journey. A story about finding yourself in different stages of life that made me laugh, cry and smile. This is the perfect fall read.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 by Marilyn Simon Rothstein releases October 15, 2024.

3,5 stars

The narrator’s expressive performance enhances the humor and emotional depth of the characters, making it an enjoyable listening experience. While the pacing of the story itself feels uneven at times, the engaging narration keeps the listener entertained throughout. Some sections could have benefited from a more dynamic delivery, but overall, the audiobook is a charming way to enjoy this family drama with a dose of humor. A solid choice for fans of audiobooks that mix warmth and wit.

I truly had the best time doing the audio version of this book. Sara Scheckells did a brilliant job. Jodi was hilarious, and I was so proud when she’d stand up for herself, especially when it meant more quality time with her granddaughter. Her jokes were silly, which was to be expected. I saw some of the plot coming before Jodi did, but I appreciated being a participant in her processing all of the new information in her daughter’s life. I loved this book!

I am a HUGE fan of Marilyn Simon Rothstein. Her books always make me laugh out loud while also tugging hard at my heartstrings. I liked Jodi immediately - - a compassionate doctor, wife, mom, grandmother and friend. I loved her huge heart, her tendency to worry about others, her sarcasm and overall outlook. She seemed so real and was the kind of character I would love to be friends with! The title is perfection and I teared up when the significance was revealed. Sara Sheckells was the perfect narrator to bring this witty and touching story to life. I give this audiobook all the stars!