This book ended up being deeper than I expected. Yes, it was ridiculous at times, for sure, but in the end it was all about the heart. The heart all 3 "grandmas" had for Callie.

It's weird to think sometimes of who really has the most impact on you growing up. Of course, you assume your parents, and any siblings, but what about the "others" who nurture you in some way or another?

I'm glad I read this book as it made me think more about those special people in my life.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m loving these authors choosing to have an older MC. I am really appreciative of this trend.

Jodi is getting closer to retirement and travels to watch her granddaughter and finds much more than she bargained for. She is in the midst of family drama while also reevaluating where her life is heading.

It’s a really good book club book as there are so many things to discuss. Jodi and her relationships with her daughter, granddaughter, husband, her son in law’s mother and other people she meets on her trip.

It’s a whole lot of unexpected from the MC to all the wholesome and heartfelt interactions between the characters. In addition to the older MC I also loved how honestly her granddaughter was written.

Making yourself a priority is definitely something we can all strive for.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return of my honest review.

I was excited to read this highly rated book but sadly it wasn’t to be for me.
I persevered with this for a couple weeks longer than I normally would, hoping I would become more absorbed in the story and characters. I found the characters self-absorbed and unrelatable. The story line didn’t seem to go anywhere and sulked from one whinge to another which fell flat for me.
Clearly I am not the target audience for this book, and also I’m clearly an outlier in my experience as many have given rave reviews.

If you have read nothing by Marilyn Simon Rothstein, get your hands on one of her books! She has a fantastic sense of humor and she is a brilliant writer. You cannot go wrong with any of her novels.

Her latest is Who Loves You Best and its great!

When Jodi, a doctor living in Florida, is asked by her daughter to watch her 8-year-old granddaughter, she is eager to help. However, when she gets to the Berkshires to watch the girl, there are two other women there to help as well. The other grandma, as well as the 27-year-old babysitter.

This is simply a cute and entertaining story with a premise we haven’t seen a million times before. I loved it.

Synopsis:

For Jodi Wexler, a Florida doctor with a flourishing practice, only one thing’s the chance to spend more time getting to know her eight-year-old granddaughter, Macallan.

When Jodi’s restauranteur daughter asks her to watch Macallan in the Berkshires while she takes care of some business out of town, Jodi can’t say yes fast enough. Neither Jodi’s podiatric patients nor her just-fired, suddenly retired husband can keep her away. But when Jodi arrives, she discovers she’s not the only grandma at Lisa’s house. Lisa’s mother-in-law, Di — a hard-nosed real estate agent — has moved into the house. What’s more, there’s Grannie Annie, the twenty-seven-year-old girlfriend of Lisa’s oddball father-in-law. They’re not the only surprises. Lisa’s marriage is faltering even as her new restaurant is taking off.

As the competition for Macallan’s attention among the three “grandmas” increases, Lisa drops a bomb about her life that changes everything. Under pressure, and determined to help her daughter, Jodi must choose her next step. Her decision surprises everyone — Jodi, most of all.

I have never read anything by this author in the past, but this enjoyable book will not be the last!. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Themes such as family dynamics and personal growth are addressed in a humorous and heartwarming way. Things felt a bit disjointed at times, but it all comes together in the end. While some characters are a bit easier to like the others (Di!), the cast overall works well together. I appreciated the growth in Jodi. Dialogue and scenarios are relatable. The family drama is nicely balanced with some comedic moments. I also love the fact that the main characters were older then I commonly see in most books, and there is even a romance angle for one of them. I can't wait to read this author's future books.

Marilyn Simon Rothstein has a knack for creating characters that will draw you in and keep your attention and this book is no exception. I loved all of the Grandmas competing with main character Jodi. The situations and dialogue were spot on. Jodi’s daughter seemed a little too self centered, but I guess some people are like that in real life, too. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it! Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy.

I loved this book. It was a fantastic and often humorous look at being a grandmother and the sometimes competition between two grandmothers -- and in this book it was a competition between three grandmothers.

Grandmother #1. Jodi is a 67 year old podiatrist living in Florida. She has a thriving medical practice but is willing to drop everything for a week when her daughter asks her to come to the Berkshires to watch her only granddaughter Macallan who is 8. Jodi knows that her granddaughter spends a lot of time with her paternal grandmother Di and is thrilled to have the chance for some one on one time to spoil her granddaughter.
Grandmother #2 is Di - a hard-nosed real estate agent who is divorced from her first husband. When her plans get cancelled, she moves into her son's house with Jodi - which does not make Jodi very happy.
Grandmother #3 is the 27 year old live in girlfriend of Di's first husband. Macallan refers to her as Granny Annie and she seems to be the granddaughter's favorite.

So here we have three grandmothers who all want to spoil their only grandchild and want to be #1 in their granddaughters eyes. Do I need to tell you that there is a lot of tension between the three of them -- some of it laugh out loud funny. As the grandmother's try to establish their place in Macallan's life, there is a lot going on in the background with Jodi's daughter's marriage and Jodi's husband's job. Do the grandmother's really need to compete with each other or do they all bring different strengths to their relationship with their beloved granddaughter?

Even though this book was laugh out loud funny in parts, it was also a serious look at families and how they deal with problems in their lives. You don't have to be a grandmother to experience the family issues that can tear a family apart and the unconditional love that can keep a family together.

Who Loves You Best by Marilyn Simon Rothstein was chock full of humor and love. I found myself laughing aloud at Jodi’s thoughts and the various antics of the 3 very different grandmas. I would definitely recommend this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: October 15, 2024

This was my first book by Marilyn Simon Rothstein and I thought it was so fun and really enjoyable. I'm happy that I was able to read it. I love finding new authors that I enjoy!

Jodi is a DR and her daughter, Lisa, who owns a restaurant, asks her mom if she could come to the Berkshires and watch her granddaughter, Macallan. She jumps at the opportunity to spend more time with her. When she arrives, Lisa's mother-in-law is there and so is another “Grandma”, Lisa's father-in-law's new GF who is 27. Jodi also learns that her daughter's marriage isn't doing so well.

So we get to see these grandma's vying for the attention of Macallan. I loved seeing the POV of the grandma's. It's not often you read books about grandmothers and grandchildren. It's a heartfelt, cozy read with some humor but there is also family drama and arguments. The characters were well developed and the plot felt realistic. I'll definitely check out more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dr Jodie Wexler drops everything - her husband (just fired from his job), her flourishing practice to be with her grand daughter Macallan. It was for one week and she intended to make the most of it. She did not think she will face the wrath and insidious jealousy of Grandma No 2 the glamorous Di, and a strange Grannie Annie a 22 something and a fixture in Callie’s life already.

Dealing with an amiable grand daughter was easy, but coming to terms with her role in the household was a difficult one for Jodie. Each character gave one light, superficial view to the world hiding deep insecurities and fears within. Jodie herself learned more about herself and her priorities and the choices which would suit her. After decades of pleasing everyone else, Jodie finds her own path keeping other considerations aside for the first time.

Charming read and an eye opener for self sacrificing people everywhere!

In this cute novel, main character Jodi gets a call from her daughter asking her to come to Massachusetts for a bit to watch her grandaughter. Jodi is totally happy in her life in Florida, but quickly takes a break from her job, husband and friends to get to spend some quality time with grandaughter Callie. But things are more complicated than she expected when she finds she is also contending with two other grandmothers - not just Callie’s paternal grandmother, the prickly and driven Di, but the inexplicably named Grannie Annie, a 27 year old who is dating the paternal grandfather.

I will always read and enjoy a mom com, but I think this is the first time I have read a grandma com, and I loved it! I am nowhere near being a grandma, but it is pretty crazy to think I’m closer in age to 67 year old Jodi than I am to books with protagonists in their 20s. Plus, this book was just so fun and funny to read, but with plenty of heartfelt moments too. This was my first book by Marilyn Simon Rothstein, but I look forward to checking out her backlist.

Rothstein's writing is a balanced blend of "laugh out humor" mixed with "tug at my heartstrings" poignancy. Who Loves You Best is the story of Jodi, who temporarily leaves her beloved husband and podiatry practice behind in Florida to help her daughter Lisa care for her young granddaughter in the Berkshires. Upon arrival, she finds herself in an unexpected competition with two other grandmother figures for Macallan's attention and affection.

I commend Rothstein for such a finely crafted, original plot exploring family relationships. The emotions of jealousy, devotion, uncertainty, and understanding are complex and keep the narrative real and relevant for Jodi as a mother, grandmother and wife. Each character is vividly portrayed. This book was a joy to read.

I received an advance reader's copy from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing. My review is my own.

Three grandmothers…yes, Callie has three. She has her mother’s mother, Jodi, her father’s mother, Di. Then there is her Nanny, Granny Annie. These three ladies are determined to love this child the best.

I swear, Jodi is a bit like me. She just can’t help but get drawn into a situation. And Di can really push her buttons. We all have that one person! But, when it all boils down to it. She just wants to do what is best for her grand child…even if that means being cordial to Di.

I loved the dynamics of this story. The three grandmothers are a trip. Each are different and each have a different relationship with Callie. But, I swear, I loved everyone, including Di. There interactions are conflicting, inconsistent, and yes, even heartwarming.

Need a tale with three grandmothers and many conflicts…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel for a honest review.

It is funny how "art" imitates life, and “life” imitates art. I don't have children, therefore no grandchildren. I thoroughly enjoyed Marilyn Simon Rothstein's previous books so no thought required, I purchased her new book.

While reading her well written, very interesting book, I must admit I found a few characters so annoying and through they were terrible people. It was difficult to not be extremely upset with these fictional characters. As the story progressed, I understood them more and my feelings changed (about a couple of them, some stayed annoying).

I was absorbing the book and did not immediately write a review as I usually do. Then I took a short trip to visit friends and found myself living in a house with two little boys, 6 and 8 years old. Well, I have to admit now that I understand the dynamics of the story much better.

I will not go into detail, but I felt like one of the characters in the book at times. After my 4 days within this environment, I honestly feel that Marilyn has hit the nail on the head with her plot. It is very true to life, which is a bit sad, since it is not all happiness in her book. (My real-life version was pretty happy.)

I definitely recommend to all women, especially those of us (including myself for sure) that were raised to put everyone else before you. At some point this mindset needs to be altered. Your happiness is important also. You do not need your life always for others.

Jodi is a sixty seven year old grandmother, living in Florida with her husband. Throughout the years she put her two sons and daughter’s needs first, as well as her husband’s. When she is called to help babysit her granddaughter in a small New England town, she welcomes the break of her recently forced to retire husband and her podiatry practice. Once there, a battle of the grandmothers begins, and the author’s humor mixes with her signature insights into women. However, Jodi has to face decisions about her next step. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I struggled to remain interested in this book. I found the writing stilted and extremely hard to follow. I do not recommend it.

Who Loves You Best by Marilyn Simon Rothstein is a heartwarming and witty novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and the bonds of motherhood. Rothstein crafts a humorous yet poignant narrative filled with relatable characters who navigate the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with familial expectations. The story delves into themes of love, jealousy, and the often-complicated relationships between sisters and mothers, offering moments of both laughter and reflection. With its sharp dialogue and emotional depth, Who Loves You Best is an engaging and touching read that reminds us of the enduring connections and the love that holds families together, even through life's messiest moments.

What a fun book to read- Rothstein's sense of humor shines through perfectly.
How many Bubbie's are too many? More than one, as Jodi Wexler discovers when her daughter calls her to babysit for her granddaughter. A story of love, family, and choices- all lead to a satisfying read.

This book was a gem to read. So different from the books I've been reading. It was a light, happy, read. One that I didn't want to put down. A book that many grandmothers may be able to connect with in ways. It was funny, serious, adorable, family orientated. A truly lovely story.

When Lisa calls her mother Dr Jodi Wexler and asked if she can drop everything to come stay with her granddaughter Macallan, Jodi jumps at the chance. She hasn't seen her daughter or granddaughter in a while and looks forward to spending some time with them. Dr Jodi Wexler is a foot dr. She has a thriving business and moved to Florida for her husband. Now he is newly retired.

You will get to know three grandmas in this story. Grandma Jo, Grannie Annie and Di. Grannie Annie is a twenty seven year old who lives with Di's first ex. The father of her boys. Di is Lisa's mother in law and a very successful realtor. Her face is on billboards and grocery carts. When these three are together things don't go to smoothly. Di is a domineering woman who can't accept that she is elderly. She refuses to let her granddaughter, Mac call her anything but Di. Grannie Annie is funny but has a lot going on. She's living with a man old enough to be her father. Or grandfather. And he's not the nicest of men. She has no one else besides Lisa, Brian and Mac, who all love her dearly.

These three women have to learn to get along. To be the kind of women that Mac can lean on or learn from. They are each dealing with things. Things that the others don't know about. When Lisa drops a bombshell on her mother Jo things go a bit awry. But them being who they are they will figure out a way to deal. If the three grandmas can learn to get along. To be friends. To treat each other nice and stop all the petty things.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was so well written and held my attention all the way through. I loved how things played out. The ending was perfect. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LakeUnionPublishing, for this ARC.

Five big stars.

I bought the audio from @brillianceaudio. It was so well done. I enjoyed it very much. The narrator did a fantastic job.

This was such a fun story about a mature woman adjusting to many changes in her life. The author is extremely witty, and I really enjoyed her insights into human character as well as the plot line overall, Highly recommend!