Praise for The Other Emma
"The Other Emma by Sharon Gloger Friedman is a captivating and emotional story. …The writing style was engaging, immersing me completely in Rose’s experiences as Emma. The storyline intricately weaves themes of loss, deception, and redemption. The characters were well developed. The story was beautifully crafted and held my attention from start to finish." – 5 Stars. Alma Boucher, Readers’ Favorite
“Sensational. Such evocative descriptions of the world of New York in the 1880s and a clever plot about impersonation, deception, and the self-conflict that comes with it. And the effects of the blizzard of 1888 was a real revelation. Gloger Friedman brings her characters to life with perceptive description. Highly readable and highly recommended.”
- Jerry Greenfield, Wine Whisperer, author of Secrets of the Wine Whisperer and He Lost It in the Catskills
"Sharon Gloger Friedman has done it again. The Other Emma is wonderful, gripping and so beautifully written. The concept is brilliant, and the unfolding of the story is perfectly timed. The depth of the characters is terrific, which allows them to easily come to life both on the page and in our imaginations." - Nancy Carey Johnson, author, Life is Good and Christmas Memories
"Like the other books from this author, The Other Emma was hard to put down. The story was unique and riveting. The vivid descriptions of streets, sights, sounds, and smells of New York City brought me back to my experiences as a child in the ethnic neighborhoods. Some things don't change much. The author's research was meticulous. The deceptive life transition of Rose to Emma wound into her moral conflicts was handled masterfully. I highly recommend reading this as I do all of this author's other 2 books." - Kindle Reader
"Sharon Gloger Friedman did not disappoint with her third historical fiction, The Other Emma. The protagonist was so relatable I could feel her emotions in my own body. I enjoyed taking the journey with Emma because of the detailed and beautiful descriptions of her surroundings, people, and her own musings. The author provided historical backgrounds that educated and surprised. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction. The historical part is a bonus!" - Loraine Haynie, Author, Rescuing Jenny, Illusion of Consent: The Way Ahead, and Illusion of Control: The Way Back
“The Other Emma pulled me in right from the start. Sharon Gloger Friedman has such a great way of mixing real historical detail with a story that’s full of heart. It’s all about identity, survival, and what it really means to belong.
The main character, Rose Litkin, is a young orphan from New York who gets adopted into a wealthy—but definitely not perfect—family in Boston. Early on, something tragic happens that forces Rose to make a desperate decision, and that moment changes everything. It’s a choice that stays with her for years, shaping the way she sees herself and how she connects with the people around her. Watching her try to find peace and love while carrying that guilt made the story really powerful.
Set during the Gilded Age, the book has everything—family drama, emotional twists, historical richness, and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Rose especially stuck with me. She's quiet but strong, and I felt for her the whole way through.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and honestly, it might be my favorite so far. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong characters and a great story, I think you’ll love The Other Emma. I definitely did!" - Betty Taylor, Reading is My Passion
"In 1880 Rose, is a nine-year-old orphan adopted into a wealthy family as a companion to his daughter Emma. Rose struggles to fit into this family and Emma torments Rose. After the death of the father, tragedy strikes and Rose makes a desperate decision that follows her the rest of her life. I loved how historical facts and events wrap around this emotional and suspenseful story of hope. Friedman is a masterful storyteller and is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I love her ability to pull me into a story as if I'm actually experiencing it. The writing is beautiful and so vivid. This was her best yet. I highly recommend this for historical fiction fans. Book clubs take note, you'll definitely want to add this to your list." - Dawnny Ruby, Novels N Latte
"What a story of resilience and determination. The first half was a slow burn of anticipation leading to the second half. This author knows how to draw you in and keep there until the end. The writing is so beautifully written, it’s poetic. If you like historical fiction, then this is the author for you. All her books are amazing and I highly recommend reading them." Linda Martin, Author, Poems From the Heart
