"Don't Forget to Write"

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Amazon First Reads Pick for August 2023

Pages: 334 Genre: historical fiction romance

Rating: 4 Stars

If you are looking for a light summer read, I would definitely recommend it. Set mostly on the beach in New Jersey, this book follows 20-year-old Marilyn Kleinman in the summer of 1960. After getting caught making out with the rabi's son in front of the whole congregation, she is "banished" to live with her Aunt Ada (technically her Great Aunt, although don't let Ada hear you say that), the premiere matchmaker for Philadelphia. The two get off to a rocky start, but as Marilyn begins to learn more about herself and Ada's past, the two are able to create their own functional relationship. By the end of the summer, Marilyn must make big decisions about what she wants her life to look like from here on out.

I used to be a big historical fiction reader when I was younger, but I haven't dipped my toes into the genre in a while. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, though. It certainly wasn't anything revolutionary, but it was a fun experience.

The characters are what really carried Don't Forget to Write. Ada might be one of my favorite characters for this entire year. I think I want to be her when I grow up. Her particular and strict attitude was fun to read, and I enjoyed putting together the pieces of her life with Marilyn. As the main character, I really enjoyed Marilyn too. She's witty and full of anxiety, so I found her incredibly relatable. Her repartee with Ada was cute, and I enjoyed seeing them go from rival forces to a team.

I found myself enjoying the actual writing more than the plot itself. The author's style was dynamic but not overly complex, so it was easy to get sucked in. The plot, though, was fine. While I certainly enjoyed it, it was also very predictable. Ada's big twist ending was incredibly easy to foresee, and the things that were surprising for Marilyn weren't for me (although some of that might just be because I have the benefit of not living in the 1960s). The predictability didn't ruin the book for me, though. Not every book is going to be a lifechanging literary masterpiece, and Don't Forget to Write never pretended to be anything other than a fun, unique summer romance.

The plot itself may have fallen flat, but I did enjoy the bigger picture. Marilyn is 20 in this book, so I'm willing to admit that my enjoyment of the book likely stems in part from the relatability of her personal conflict. A lot of the book centers around her feelings as she's growing up, trying to figure out what she wants out of life and love. Her coming-of-age felt realistic and comforting.

I think this book would be good for readers who are looking for something simple and straightforward. You get exactly what you are promised with "Don't Forget to Write," and there's something very comforting about that. It's a timeless story, and it's not like your typical contemporary New Adult Romance. This book officially comes out on September 1, so if you feel like extending your summer season a little bit longer, maybe give this book a chance.