Rosenfeld by Maya Kessler

In this debut novel from director and producer Maya Kessler, we follow a thirty-six year old woman in the throes of a dysfunctional relationship with an older man.

Noa Simon, a headstrong filmmaker, encounters Teddy Rosenfeld, a contentious CEO, at a friend’s wedding. After an electrifying encounter in the bathroom stall when they first meet, Noa can’t stop thinking about him. So when he offers her a lucrative job producing videos for his company, she jumps at the opportunity.

Despite his rejections to her advances, she continues full throttle on pursuing him. And with the two working in close quarters, it’s not long until they find themselves tangled up in each other’s professional and personal lives.

On one the hand, there's Teddy, who believes money is the answer to all problems, although it didn't help with his prior marriages. Then Noa, who has not spoken to her mother for years and has a hard time communicating openly with her father. While Teddy works around the clock, Noa assumes a caretaker role for his children and loses sight of her own ambitions.

A power struggle ensues between two, and we learn that when Teddy Rosenfeld wants something, he’ll stop at nothing to make it happen. His intentions may be well meaning, but when he crosses a line by contacting Noa’s mother in an effort to repair their relationship, she can’t forgive him.

With advanced praise from Belletrist, who comped it to Normal People and Luster, this is an entertaining and adventurous read. It's a book that challenges us to look at our relationships with ourselves and others. 

Maya Kessler by Tomer
Appelbaum (Haaretz)

Maya Kessler is a writer, film director, and producer. Kessler studied arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. She currently works as a filmmaker for a global oncology company, alongside writing and developing original content for the international television market.

Rosenfeld is available for pre-order, releasing November 19th. Available in hardcover, e-book, and audio. Check Bookshop.org or Libra.fm for a distributor near you. 

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