Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Jacqueline Friedland’s Counting Backwards, which releases on March 11th 2025.

New York, 2022. Jessa Gidney is trying to have it all–a high-powered legal career, a meaningful marriage, and hopefully, one day, a child. But when her professional ambitions come up short and Jessa finds herself at a turning point, she leans into her family’s history of activism by taking on pro bono work at a nearby ICE detention center. There she meets Isobel Pérez–a young mother fighting to stay with her daughter–but as she gets to know Isobel, an unsettling revelation about Isobel’s health leads Jessa to uncover a horrifying pattern of medical malpractice within the detention facility. One that shockingly has ties to her own family.

Virginia, 1927. Carrie Buck is an ordinary young woman in the center of an extraordinary legal battle at the forefront of the American eugenics conversation. From a poor family, she was only six years old when she first became a ward of the state. Uneducated and without any support, she spends her youth dreaming about a different future–one separate from her exploitative foster family–unknowing of the ripples her small, country life will have on an entire nation.

As Jessa works to assemble a case against the prison and the crimes she believes are being committed there, she discovers the landmark Supreme Court case involving Carrie Buck. Her connection to the case, however, is deeper and much more personal than she ever knew–sending her down new paths that will leave her forever changed and determined to fight for these women, no matter the cost.

Alternating between the past and present, and deftly tackling timely-yet-timeless issues such as reproductive rights, incarceration, and society’s expectations of women and mothers, Counting Backwards is a compelling reminder that progress is rarely a straight line and always hard-won. A moving story of two remarkable women that you’ll remember for years to come.

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Counting Backwards’ by Jacqueline Friedland appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Recently, as I was walking through my local town center, I passed by a little gift shop that had many of its wares displayed on tables outside. There were motivational posters, candles, and other kitschy knick-knacks. One particular sign that caught my eye read, “Well-behaved women never make history.” I was struck by the simple yet poignant sentiment of the thing. Talk about “spot-on.”

We all know that women are conspicuously absent from the historical record. It’s not because they weren’t participating in the major events of their day, they just had to do it from behind closed doors. As I researched and wrote my most recent novel, The Stockwell Letters, I was able to tell the story of Ann Phillips, who is best described as an ambitious, generous, and influential Boston abolitionist. Unfortunately, during the time in which she lived, she was known only as the wife of Wendell Phillips (also a famous abolitionist). As delighted as I’ve been to bring her story to life, I’ve realized how many accomplished, astonishing women from history are, like Ann, at risk of being lost to obscurity. Luckily, other novelists have found many of them, and by reading the books that tell their stories, we can help ensure that the legacies these women created endure.

How often have you heard the tongue and cheek expression that behind every great man there is a strong woman? For ten great novels about women from history who were so much more than simply a famous man’s wife, check out the below:

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain tells the story of Hadley Richardson, who was so much more than simply the wife of Ernest Hemmingway. Hadley’s struggle to retain her sense of self in the wake of her husband’s fame is evocative and eye-opening.

The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin focuses on Anne Morrow Lindbergh who was married to the famous Charles Lindbergh but was a fascinating person in her own right. Anne’s drive for independence was as fierce as her husband’s and makes for a thoroughly engaging read.

The Traitor’s Wife by Allison Pataki follows the life of Peggy Shippen who was married to the scandalous Benedict Arnold. Pataki expertly brings to life not just Peggy, but many of the others in her life. Full of intrigue and suspense, this one is not to be missed.

The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester follows Estelle Bissette, the wife of the famous French fashion designer as she and her husband struggle with the difficult events of WW II and afterwards. Spanning generations, the book examines what happens when a strong woman is forced to flee everything she has ever known.

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict is a fictionalized retelling of the life of Mileva Maric, the wife of Albert Einstein, who was also a gifted physicist. While it’s difficult to compete with a man as brilliant as Einstein, Mileva seems to have been thoroughly talented in her own right, and she may or may not have helped Einstein to reach some of his most genius conclusions.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Ann Fowler is, as its name implies, about the woman who was married to F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was also the basis for the television drama, Z: The Beginning of Everything. Zelda never imagined the trajectory of her husband’s rise to fame or how it would affect her.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner examines the life of Catherine de Medici, who was married to King Henry II of France in the 16^th The novel offers a fresh look at a woman who has many times been cast as a villain, when in fact, the true story might be entirely different.

The Secret Life of Josephine: Napoleon’s Bird of Paradise by Carrolly Erickson tells the tale of Josephine de Baeuharnais, the first wife of Napolean Bonaparte. Glamorous and fashionable, with an exotic past, Josephine had many secrets of her own.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan is about Joy Davidman, who was married to famous author C.S. Lewis. A beautiful love story, the book focuses largely on the talent and grit of Joy Davidman.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is based loosely on the life of Laura Bush, wife to former president George W. Bush. A story of the not-so-distant past, this book really shows what it means for a woman to stand behind her husband, even at great cost to herself.

Rather than being forgotten, the women who are brought to life through these novels now have the power to live on in perpetuity thanks to the writers and readers who continue to imagine them.

The post So Much More than “His Wife” appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

She lives in suburban Connecticut with her husband, a trained actor and middle school teacher and their two children. Better to Trust is her second novel. Learn more at heatherfrimmer.com

Ever since I took an ethics course in college, I’ve been fascinated by moral dilemmas, both in real life and in the pages of fiction. When a character is faced with a tough choice, I love weighing the evidence and deciding for myself which way the scale tips. Perhaps that’s why I chose to center my book, Better to Trust, on a question of medical ethics. What would happen if a world-renowned neurosurgeon battling a prescription pill addiction makes the decision to operate on his sister-in-law’s brain? Each of these page-turning reads also pose fascinating ethical questions for the reader to deliberate.

He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland
September 14th, SparkPress

Maggie Fisher wants to escape her job at a checkout counter to become a teacher. When she sees a flyer offering thousands of dollars for gestational surrogacy, she recognizes an opportunity. She delivers twin babies for a gay couple in New York and finally starts to build the life she’s always wanted. Ten years later, the fertility clinic calls her out of the blue. Why would they need Maggie to take a DNA test now? A thought provoking novel exploring genetic quandaries and unconventional families.

Other People’s Things by Kerry Anne King
September 21st, Lake Union Publishing

Nicole Wood suffers from an irrepressible urge to move things from one place to another, not to steal, but more to relocate them to a better place. With her marriage falling apart and the threat of prison looming, she accepts a job as a house cleaner. When Nicole moves a paperback from one client’s home to another’s, she sets off a chain reaction. Will Nicole choose to embrace her dangerous gift in order to solve the mystery or leave objects where they are? A unique story full of quirky, flawed characters.

The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck
September 21st, Montlake

At a casino to celebrate her birthday, Jessie Clarke convinces her sister, Liz, and childhood friend, Chloe, to join her in a pact; they must say yes to whatever adventures come their way. After a wild night of viral videos and gambling losses, they awake to the shocking consequences of their choices. Will they decide to double down or fold? A touching tale about life-long friendship, love and finding fulfillment.

Both Are True by Reyna Marder Gentin
October 5th, Moonshine Cove Publishing

Family court judge, Jackie Martin, is shocked when her live-in boyfriend, Lou, leaves her without explanation. The break up rocks Jackie’s world, causing her to doubt her job, her attractiveness as a partner and even her self-worth. When a member of Lou’s family ends up in her courtroom, Jackie is faced with the choice between her career and her relationship. But maybe there’s a way to have both? An engaging story about self-exploration and love lost and found. 

Doctors and Friends by Kimmery Martin
November 9th, Berkley

Medical school friends, Hannah, Compton, and Kira, gather for a reunion vacation in Spain just as a viral pandemic erupts. When they return home, they all must negotiate the terrifying changes they find. Kira, an infectious disease doctor at the CDC, is faced with an unfathomable choice: which of her children will receive an experimental but possibly life-saving treatment? With a hook like this, you won’t want to put this one down.

The Secret Next Door by Rebecca Taylor
November 9th, Sourcebooks

When Alyson Tinsdale moves into The Enclave, an exclusive Denver development, she hopes to provide a safe and stable upbringing for her child. Tensions simmer as neighbors argue over a planned amusement facility within the community, and bubble to a boil when the body of a teenager is found by the community lake. Will Alyson remain loyal to a friend or share the information she knows? Suburban drama, neighborhood gossip and a mystery all mixed together, a perfect recipe for a captivating read. 

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
November 30th, Ballantine Books

Diana O’Toole’s life is on track. She’s climbing the corporate ladder in the art auction world and her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic trip to the Galapagos Islands. But when a pandemic hits New York, Finn must stay at the hospital, leaving Diana to take the trip of a lifetime on her own. The longer she is trapped in the remote location, the more Diana questions the path of her life. Will she stay the course with Finn or evolve into a completely different person? Either way, trust Jodi Picoult to take you on an emotional ride.

The post Moral Dilemmas In Women’s Fiction appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

“I wonder if you ever grow up enough that the tensions and complexities abate, that you can get through one freaking meal without having to consider the lifelong implications of your every action.”

Jacqueline Friedland’s newest novel, That’s Not a Thing, is an emotionally packed narrative that examines love, heartbreak, and the rekindling of one’s life passion. Friedland’s protagonist, Meredith Altman, is a successful attorney at a cooperate law firm and is in the midst of planning her wedding with her attractive fiancé, Aaron. On the surface, Meredith seems to have it all, until one day when she has a chance encounter with her ex-fiancé, Wesley. The situation becomes increasingly complicated when Meredith finds out that Wesley has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). For Meredith, Wesley’s presence and the new knowledge regarding his current situation awakens unhealed wounds from their breakup. With memories flooding back to Meredith, she becomes unsure of her feelings and begins to question her life choices.

Told through Meredith’s point-of-view, Friedland’s expertly crafted writing style creates an increasingly relatable character that is thoughtful, compassionate, and holds a strong belief in helping others. The writing manages to create an intimate reading experience as it depicts Meredith’s inner thoughts while she struggles with conflicting and complicated emotions. As Meredith’s first-person perspective is consistent throughout, the novel also features various flashback scenes depicting important background knowledge to aid in understanding the type of person Meredith was prior to when she is first introduced to the reader.

The novel thrives in its telling of the romantic relationships. The strongest are the scenes with Wesley and Meredith. Their love was almost palpable through the page. On the other hand, while Aaron is depicted as perfect and their relationship is strong, his scenes with Meredith did not exhibit the same type of pull or addictive quality that Wesley’s did. Altogether, the relationships are realistic in that they portray the joy, hardships, and other issues that can arise from idealizing a romance.

However, romance is not the only pull in the story, the novel is focused on Meredith’s journey through a realization of self and in the refocusing of how her interests can fit within her career. The element of romance simply is the initial push that forces Meredith to begin making these realizations.

Full of other characters and side plots, there are many interesting elements that impact Meredith and make the story multifaceted. While these factors all play a role in the novel, by the novel’s end there seems to be some loose ties and unfinished storylines. Since these elements are not included by the ending, their absence seems only to solidify the point that the narrative’s main focus is Meredith. Also, while Wesley having ALS is another feature of the plot, it is important to note that the novel is not solely about the illness. Friedland approaches the topic with care and compassion, while seamlessly interweaving it as part of the narrative.

Overall, That’s Not a Thing is not only a story about romance, but a story about rediscovering oneself after experiencing the many impactful moments of life. It is a story about sadness and loss, but also about new beginnings. Gripping and enjoyable, Friedland has created a work that is hopeful and with writing that is a breeze to flow through.

That’s Not a Thing is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up That’s Not a Thing? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Meredith Altman’s engagement to Wesley Latner ended in spectacular disaster. When Wesley lost his parents in an accident, mere weeks before the wedding date, he blamed Meredith and left for an open-ended journey to Europe, breaking off their engagement and shattering Meredith.

It was Aaron Rapp, a former Ivy League football player and baby-saving doctor who finally helped lift her heart off the floor. Now a couple of years into their courtship, Aaron and Meredith have just gotten engaged, and she feels her life is on a positive trajectory at last. As they celebrate their engagement at a new TriBeCa hotspot, however, Meredith is stunned to find the restaurant owner is none other than Wesley, the man she is still secretly trying to forget.

Now that Wesley is back in the States, Meredith is bumping into him everywhere, and he clearly still has the feels for her. Before long, she learns that he has been diagnosed with ALS, and her feelings about their past become all the more confusing.
As Meredith spends more time with Wesley and is pulled further under his spell, she learns what kind of man her new fiancé really is—and what kind of woman she wants to be.

The post Review: That’s Not a Thing by Jacqueline Friedland appeared first on The Nerd Daily.