Review “Well-written characters and fascinating plot twists will appeal to book groups and fans of women’s fiction.”—Library Journal“McDonough does a fabulous job showing that being blind-sided isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, even the best surprises come out of it. Every facet of the book is compelling, but readers might particularly enjoy the dynamics between the heroine and the two male protagonists. The story’s effortless fluidity will have readers questioning how this inspired-by-real-events premise unfolds.”—Romantic Times"With a deft, sure touch, Yona Zeldis McDonough explores the ways families are formed and how love can take you by surprise. An absorbing and soul-stirring novel."—Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train"Abounding with warmth and charm, You Were Meant for Me, is a profoundly moving novel which explores the intensity of love and the fallout of heartbreak. It will capture your attention from the very first page and never let go."—Emily Liebert, author of When We Fall"Intriguing, beautifully told and keeps you guessing right to the last pages."—Sue Margolis, author of Best Supporting Role Read more About the Author Yona Zeldis McDonough is the author of the novels Two of a Kind, A Wedding in Great Neck, Breaking the Bank, In Dahlia's Wake, and The Four Temperaments, as well as nineteen books for children. She is also the editor of two essay collections and is the Fiction Editor at Lilith magazine. Her award-winning short fiction, articles, and essays have been published in anthologies and in numerous national magazines and newspapers. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, two children and three very yappy Pomeranians. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
B**N
I began reading it on a Saturday evening and stayed up late to keep in the wonderful company of this story
I found this book a total pleasure. I began reading it on a Saturday evening and stayed up late to keep in the wonderful company of this story. On Sunday morning I sank back down into it and finished late that day, feeling as if I'd been given a delicious treat of wisdom, savviness, shrewd observation, and profound intimacy. Ms. McDonough conveys the way we register need and desire, the way we build families, the way an inner yearning can surprise someone in its fulfillment.I enjoyed, as well, the way the artistry of the writing. As with other novels by the same author, I felt her incisive knowledge of human nature and of the way the world operates, and I found myself putting stars in the margins at moments that illuminated for me something unexpected and significant about human nature. Her understanding of women's friendships -- their occasionally competitive edge, their ways of healing from ruptures -- also spoke to me. There are certain favorite movies that I watch when I'm blue; I'm grateful to them for captivating me and pulling me into their world. I am grateful to You Were Meant for Me for casting the same compelling spell, and for bringing me so much information about the world and the human heart. I'm not a mother, but this book spoke deeply to me.
C**S
Another deeply satisfying novel from one of my favorite authors.
Yona Zeldis McDonough is one of my favorite authors because she writes so truthfully about women, motherhood, marriage, love and family in these very complicated times. Many of McDonough's contemporaries are classified as "chick lit" writers but her novels, with intelligent and compassionate female characters, goes beyond that trite category. YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME is a thrilling read about a woman who finds an abandoned baby, and so much more. Other favorite novels are A WEDDING IN GREAT NECK which has perhaps one of my favorite teenage characters in literature. All these are terrific novels for reading groups. Enjoy.
K**A
It's a keeper
I loved this novel from the first page. Based on a true story, this tale about what it means to be a mother, and what it takes to open yourself to true love will resonate with everyone. It's a keeper.
D**Y
Five Stars
Great book lots to discuss at a book club loved it
D**A
WONDERFUL NOVEL! Hated to come to the end!
Oh, how I L O V E D Yona Zeldis McDonough's novel "You Were Meant For Me!" I read it in one day (nearly 400 pages) but I could not put it down. A woman in her thirties finds an abandoned newborn baby in a subway station late at night. after sleeping through her stop and ending up in the wrong part of NYC. She keeps the precious baby girl warm, and takes her to a police station, but can't stop thinking about the baby, and eventually comes to foster the child. The novel centers around this discovery, and around a group of friends who love one another through ups and downs, and on the romance of the women and the men in their lives. Is it possible to start a new relationship with a really good guy when trying to care for an infant and working a full time job? The baby's father enters the picture at some point and that turns a lot of livess upside down. The book is FUN, filled with characters so well drawn that I felt I knew them. We are taken on a romantic roller coaster ride and left feeling good at the end of the novel.
A**S
A Lifetime Movie Plot--Entertaining!
I like Lifetime movies. So when I saw the plot of this book, I knew I had to read it.The plot goes like this: Miranda Berenzweig (I had no idea how to pronounce it, so she was just Miranda B in my head) finds an abandoned baby girl. Miranda B decides to adopt the baby girl. She's 35 with no kids of her own and is not in a relationship. This baby might be her only chance to have a kid. Miranda decides to do an interview with a magazine about finding the baby girl. Through this magazine, the father of the baby girl comes forward. He wants the baby.Dun-dun-DUN.It turns out the baby girl's mother was a bit crazy. She wasn't stable. She apparently left her baby and then drowned herself.The father, Jared, thinks he needs to do the right thing and raise the baby. Miranda B named her Celeste. Jared changes it to Lily. (Oh, and sorry if this is a spoiler, but he takes custody in the middle of the book, so it's not a total shocker..) But Jared doesn't think he's cut out to be a father after all, so he wants to give Lily back to Miranda, because he feels like she'll be better off. I mean, I wanted Miranda to be happy, but at the same time, dude, man UP, this is your flesh and blood. Then again, he knows he's not the best parent and he does want what's best for Lily.So Miranda gets Lily back and changes the baby's name BACK to Celeste. The poor kid is probably like "WTF? Who AM I?"Does the custody arrangement stay that way? Read the book and find out.I liked the book, but it seemed to drag on in a few places. I found myself skimming. Maybe because I wanted to know where Celeste/Lily/Celeste was going to end up. If you like Lifetime movies, you'll enjoy this book.
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