An Evening with Jacqueline Friedland at Elm Street Books
Join us Tuesday, June 3rd from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM for an evening of conversation with author Jacqueline Friedland, in conversation with Samantha Yanks, here to discuss her new novel, Counting Backwards.
Advanced registration/Ticket purchase is required and includes a paperback copy of Counting Backwards, plus light bites and wine from Craftbottlz in New Canaan.
About the book:
Inspired by true events revealing America's troubling past involving Pre-War eugenics practices, this emotionally riveting dual timeline novel brings together the lives of two inspiring women while exploring the timely and important themes of immigration, fertility, and motherhood. A revelatory tale of heartbreak and hope, it is an unputdownable story that will stay with readers long after the final page.
Jessa Gidney is a woman on the edge. Passed over for partner at her Manhattan law firm, she reevaluates her priorities, focusing on her deep desire to become a mother and her newfound interest in pro bono work. Her first case? An incarcerated woman named Isobel Perez fighting against a deportation order. An unsettling revelation about Isobel's health leads Jessa to uncover a horrifying pattern of medical malpractice within the detention facility. With her corporate law firm unsupportive and her husband, Vance, only concerned about the added stress while they're trying for a baby, Jessa is torn about whether to intervene. But when a shocking secret about her own family history comes to light, she is propelled to fight for these women, no matter the cost.
Nearly a century earlier in Virginia, seventeen-year-old, real-life Carrie Buck dreams of escaping her life as an unpaid laborer for her foster family. She yearns for a family of her own, a dream that seems within reach when she attracts the attention of her foster mother's handsome nephew. But he soon abandons her, and she's cast out, pregnant and completely alone. As a ward of the State, she is designated "feebleminded" and left to the mercy of a corrupt and heartless legal system. Her courageous fight for her own destiny leads to a landmark Supreme Court case.
As the novel alternates between these two women's stories, a startling connection is revealed. Tackling complex topics such as reproductive injustice, immigration law, eugenics, and societal expectations of women, the story is a compelling exploration of empowerment and self-determination. With a gripping investigation reminiscent of Erin Brockovich woven throughout, the tale is a testament to the courage it takes to stay true to oneself.
About the author:
Jacqueline Friedland is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of both historical and contemporary women’s fiction. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School, she practiced as a commercial litigator for as long as she could stand it. She then returned to school to earn her Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and has been writing ever since.
Jackie’s books have won numerous awards, including the 2020 and 2021 gold medals in fiction from Readers’ Favorite. Her novel He Gets That From Me was named a 2021 Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Book of the Year, the SheReads Best Book Club Pick of 2021, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association Star finalist for 2022. Her newest release, Counting Backwards, was a Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of 2025, and has been called “engaging” and “compelling” by Kirkus Reviews.
Jackie regularly reviews fiction for trade publications and appears at schools and other locations as a guest lecturer. She lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
About Samantha Yanks:
Samantha Yanks is a seasoned C-suite executive, journalist, editor, and media personality with a wealth of experience in leadership and content creation. She is the Co-Founder of The Connecticut Edit, Founder of Samantha Yanks Creative, and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Westport, Weston & Wilton Magazine. With a deep passion for social media strategy, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, Yanks is dedicated to nurturing talent, building dynamic teams, and driving innovation.
Her expertise in digital media has allowed her to craft impactful social media strategies, fostering engaged communities for luxury brands. As a frequent speaker, thought leader, and industry expert, Yanks has contributed her insights to numerous platforms, establishing herself as a respected authority on cultivating long-term brand relationships.
Yanks began her career at Vogue and O, The Oprah Magazine, later serving as Editor-in-Chief of HAMPTONS and Gotham Magazines.