The Real Mrs. Tobias

A Novel

By: Sally Koslow

Narrated by: Kendra Hoffman, Callie Beaulieu

“Sally Koslow channels Nora Ephron in this lively tale of obligation versus desire and the politics of family power. Deftly written with equal parts intelligence, pathos, and humor, The Real Mrs. Tobias is a pure pleasure to read.”—Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of It All Comes Down to This

A sharply funny and big-hearted multi-generational story about the deeply complicated relationships between mothers- and daughters-in-law, told through three women who marry into the same family, a treat for fans of The Nest and Fleischmann Is in Trouble.

It’s 2015 in New York City, and three women all known as Mrs. Tobias—Veronika, the matriarch, her daughter-in-law Mel, and Mel’s daughter-in-law Birdie—are trying to navigate personal difficulties, some of which are with one another.

Veronika and Mel, despite having little in common, are both psychotherapists who are more skilled at helping other people than solving their own problems. Birdie, still dealing with the culture shock of moving to New York City and marrying into the Tobias clan, is pushed to her limit when her husband gets into trouble. No amount of badgering from his steely grandmother, smart-mouthed mother, or disillusioned wife can convince him to own up to what he’s done. Overwhelmed, Birdie bolts—along with the couple’s young daughter—to her Midwestern hometown, hoping that space, warmth and wisdom from her own feisty grandmother will help her find a path forward. And though Birdie begins to find comfort in unexpected places—a local bookstore and the arms of her old boyfriend—her absence stirs up long simmering troubles back home forcing the Tobiases to reconsider their relationships to each other, and ultimately, what it means to be a family.

Will the three Tobias-women-by-marriage ever find themselves—and a way back to one another? A timely look at how women hold families together.

“With a shrewd eye and a light touch, Sally Koslow weaves a story about three strong women whose memories, dreams, and desires conflict and intersect as they navigate a series of family crises. Warm, witty, and heartfelt, The Real Mrs. Tobias is a cinematic, fast-paced treat.”—Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Exiles and Orphan Train

"With razor-sharp prose, witty humor and depth, Sally Koslow’s The Real Mrs. Tobias takes us down the MIL Road . . . the one that should come with a warning. You will laugh, you will cry, you will empathize—and if you happen to be a Daughter-In-Law—you will say, Better her than me. Yet just when you think there is no way back, Koslow's page-turner will prove that while family ties can strangle, they also can keep you bound together through love, loss, secrets, and healing."—Lisa Barr, author of Woman on Fire

©2022 Sally Koslow (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Compelling story of three generations of women

I loved this book. I could completely relate to the characters. The dialogue is savvy and sophisticated with sly asides that will make you laugh out loud. The pacing is quick. At its core, it is a love letter to the too-often maligned mother-in-law. This is the perfect escape from your own family drama.

Great but need a reader who can pronounce the Hebrew.

Plot is fine. Reader does not know how to pronounce Hebrew, which is very painful if you do.

Good, in parts…

I wanted to love this book, but instead found myself rolling my eyes at the unlikable characters and unrealistic situations. (At least I HOPE they are unrealistic.) The performance was fine but the child’s voice was a little grating. That being said, I listened to the whole book so obviously it wasn’t that bad.

Couldn’t stop listening

I couldn’t stop listening to this wonderful insightful delightful book about mother-in-law’s. Can’t wait to discuss in my book groups and with friends.

Beware!! Wish I Read not listened - annoying narrator!

I enjoyed the story but unfortunately, one of the narrators was not good! This narrator was the voice of both Veronica and Birdie which added to my frustration as these two woman could not have been more diffident.