I always prayed for a strong-willed daughter. I would imagine this smart, sassy, little girl - who spoke her mind and walked into a room already sure of who she was. And that is exactly who Andy, our first daughter, turned out to be. She has been fierce her whole life, and most days I can’t believe I get to be her mom.
In a few weeks Andy is going to stand in front of everyone we love and open the ark, and she has informed me, with the full conviction I once asked God for, that she will be doing it in neon polka dot gel-x nails with butterflies on them.
The girl who will not be moved on the butterfly nails is the same girl I prayed for. There is only one of her. You don’t get to keep the part you love and send back the part that wants neon nails in synagogue. It’s all of it or nothing. (The newsletter is called what it’s called for a reason.)
So we did the only reasonable thing and negotiated it. I’m a lawyer and she’s my kid, so we wrote a real contract and I signed it. She picks her nails for the ceremony and the party, within reason, and then she can do whatever tragic situation she wants later in the summer.
I raised this girl to advocate for herself and truly did not imagine that the first person she would out-argue would be me. But she is going to walk up to that ark as exactly the girl I hoped for. I prayed for this exact magical girl. I just should have been more specific about the nails.
P.S. I am deeply gutted about Congressman Dan Goldman losing his seat. I really thought he was the future of the Democratic Party. More on this later.
The stuff I’ve tried, loved, and immediately texted everyone about.
1a. Widows Bay — Creepy, funny, and impossible to stop watching.
1b. I Will Find You — Taken energy. I couldn’t stop.
1c. Voicemails for Isabelle — The sweetest surprise. Bonus points for the A+ Millennial soundtrack.
1d. Vladimir — Twisty, smart, and completely addictive.
1e. Every Year After — Pure nostalgic summer escapism. Exactly what I wanted.
I asked my brilliant friend Danielle Robay to share her top summer reads, and she delivered. There's a little something for everyone here, no matter your vacation destination or preferred genre.
A Pair of Aces — Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (June 2, 2026) Two women from different worlds team up to take down New York City’s biggest crime boss that launches the most sensational trial New York City has ever seen.
Land — Maggie O’Farrell (June 2, 2026) Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell returns with a spellbinding story of survival as a family navigates life after tragedy.
The Shampoo Effect — Jenny Jackson (June 30, 2026) An ambitious young woman enters a tight-knit seaside social circle, where love, friendship, and secrets unravel in a sharp, sexy story of status and betrayal.
Big Little Truths — Liane Moriarty (August 25, 2026) Monterey is back, and so are its secrets, as the women of Big Little Lies face new drama, old lies, and a mystery that threatens to blow everything wide open.
The Intrigue — Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 14, 2026) A con artist who preys on lonely women meets his match when a woman and her niece join the scam.
Hot Girl Murder Club — Ashley Winstead (July 14, 2026) Pop stars, Hollywood, and murder—this buzzy thriller proves hot girls can do absolutely everything. Fame is deadly and nobody’s innocent.
Our Perfect Storm — Carley Fortune (May 5, 2026) After being left at the altar, Frankie reunites with her long lost best friend George for her honeymoon week to unearth long-buried feelings.
The Missed Connection — Tia Williams (June 9, 2026) Tia Williams is back. A chance airport encounter sparks a fleeting connection as two people keep missing each other in a romantic story about timing, fate, and second chances.
Harvest Season — Brynne Weaver (June 9, 2026) In a small town where romance and danger collide, a darkly funny, twisty story unfolds as relationships deepen and secrets turn deadly.
Waiting on a Friend — Natalie Adler (May 26, 2026) New York City, 1984: A woman who sees ghosts is haunted by the friend who won’t move on.
The Solo Honeymoon: A Brief Beautiful True Love Story — Laura Murphy (July 14, 2026) A woman goes on a solo honeymoon weeks after her fiance’s sudden death weeks before their wedding. A beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of pain.
A Fourth of July table inspired by long summer evenings, effortless gathering, and the simple rituals that make people want to linger a little longer.
2a. 2c. 2e. 2g. 2h. 2i. Sistine Spritz campaign by photographer Pia Riverola. | 2b. Image via Pinterest. | 2d. Crudité platter by @bettereatjuicys. | 2f. Greek brunch buffet by @iamcurrentlycraving. | 2j. Burrata citrus salad by @bfsprivatechef. | 2k. Image via Pinterest. | 2l. Summer berry tray by @onparledemode.
"Oh, my God, you look like the Fourth of July! It makes me want a hot dog real bad - Legally Blonde
Thank you for being here. What’s the best book you read recently? I’d love to know in the comments.
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