This is my first exposure to this author and definitely won’t be my last. I only give 5 stars to books I am willing to read again and “Crazy to Leave You” hits the mark.

Lauren Leo has successfully established herself in her career, but at age 41 is desperate to fulfill her dream of marriage, home and children. Unfortunately she suffers the Great Humiliation when her groom leaves her at the altar by sending a text message to her bridesmaid sister. Reeling from the pain of this rejection, Lauren is forced to confront her approach to life and, in that process, learns to value herself by asking for what she wants and setting boundaries with family and her boss.

This novel addresses some serious issues – low self-esteem, loss, rejection, critical parents, sibling rivalry, and workplace discrimination - with both humor and sensitivity. Lauren’s mother is hard to like with her constant emotional abuse in the name of “I only want you to be happy.” Her sisters (one older and one younger) are polar opposites, leaving Lauren the accommodating middle child.

I have read similar plot lines before, but what makes this book stand out is the sharp, witty banter of both spoken dialogue and silent mental commentary. This was a quick, entertaining read that also provided thoughtful insights into family dynamics and the issue of value and lovability based on dress size. The conclusion was realistic and satisfying.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Lauren, got left at the altar by Eric. He texted Lauren's sister Stephanie to tell her. Margo her other sister did not attend the wedding.Lauren left the wedding in the rain and went to the diner after that she went to her apartment and promptly went to work the next day. This is where the story of her getting herself back on track starts. Her sister Margo comes to stay with her and soon they all get their lives on tract.Lauren, speaking up for herself and many other things. A GOOD READ

Wow! Best book by this author and I have written and read them all. If this isn’t five stars there are no stars in the sky.

I have read Marilyn Simon Rothstein's books since her first, and I've loved each of them.
I think Crazy to Leave You might be my favorite thus far. It has the sense of mortification of the bride (41) being left at the alter, a mother who seems to think her daughter's worth is set by the scale, sibling issues (also in part created by mom) and laughter. It made me think of the adage of not knowing what others might be going through until you walk in their shoes. Perfect lives aren't exactly as they seem, distance by one sibling is for reasons that aren't as clear as appear on the surface, and along the way, Lauren learns that she has to value herself before others will value her. I loved the characters in this book (and those I didn't love were well done.) This book is a light read with a lot of good insight. Highly recommended. (Preorder! I think you'll be happy you did.)
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

So surprising!

Forty-one years old, the last of her friends to marry, and down to a size 12, Lauren Leo is in her gown and about to tie the knot. There’s just one thing missing: the groom. With one blindsiding text, Lauren is unceremoniously dumped at the altar.

In the aftermath, her mother is an endless well of unsolicited advice (Stay on your diet and freeze your eggs). Her sisters only add to the Great Humiliation: one is planted on Lauren’s couch while the other is too perfect.

Maybe I’ve read too many contemporary romance stories lately, but this one wasn’t too memorable for me.

Lauren’s journey was nice, believable, I guess I just have a disdain for books that have to focus on a woman’s size. I get, she wanted to lose weight for her wedding, and stops dieting later on, etc. I just hate the level of importance and focus in so many stories.

I like the premise of this book — a middle age woman finding acceptance in herself. Unfortunately, I didn’t like any of the characters and so could not get into this book

Crazy To Leave You by Marilyn Simon Rothstein is a great contemporary fiction that not only has romance, but humor, love, loss, family, and finding happiness in life flaws and imperfections and all.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it most certainly won’t be the last.

I enjoyed taking this journey with Lauren. Surrounded by an eclectic and larger than life cast of family and friends, Lauren works her way through the disappointments, losses, and obstacles in her life…works through her uncertainties, and through these situations (some that made me chuckle, some were more serious) she finds acceptance, family may be frustrating and challenging but will be there through thick and thin. She finds happiness and acceptance is all of life’s imperfections, and through these transitions, she is able to find her true professional satisfaction, love, and her place in life.

I enjoyed the dialogue, pacing, banter, character relationships, and also the satisfying ending.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Lake Union Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/24/22.