Picture a storyteller who swapped courtrooms for captivating historical fiction—meet Lynda Cohen Loigman! This American author weaves intricate family sagas that tug at heartstrings, drawing from her own family’s Brooklyn roots. Her novels, like the USA Today bestseller The Two-Family House, blend secrets, sisterhood, and history into unforgettable tales that keep readers turning pages late into the night.
With a knack for exploring complex relationships against rich historical backdrops, Loigman’s journey from lawyer to novelist proves it’s never too late to chase your passion. Let’s dive into her life, works, and why her stories resonate with so many!
The Making of Lynda Cohen Loigman
Born and raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Lynda Cohen Loigman grew up with a love for stories, inspired by her family’s tales of life in a Brooklyn two-family house. She earned a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard College and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, practicing trusts and estates law in New York City for eight years. But her heart was elsewhere—storytelling beckoned. While raising her two children in Chappaqua, New York, she honed her craft at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, where her debut novel took shape.
Lynda Cohen Loigman’s Unforgettable Stories
Loigman’s novels are masterclasses in historical fiction, blending family drama with meticulously researched settings. Her debut, The Two-Family House (2016), set in 1947 Brooklyn, follows two sisters-in-law whose lives intertwine during a blizzard, unraveling secrets that test their bond. A USA Today bestseller and Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards nominee, it showcases her ability to craft emotionally charged narratives.
Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters (2019), dives into WWII-era Springfield, Massachusetts, exploring estranged sisters navigating resentment and hidden truths at the Springfield Armory. Praised as a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine, it highlights Loigman’s skill in depicting fractured relationships. The Matchmaker’s Gift (2022) adds a touch of magic, following a Jewish matchmaker in 1920s New York and her granddaughter, a modern divorce attorney, earning accolades from People Magazine. Her latest, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern (2024), spans 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida, weaving a second-chance love story with a hint of mystical healing.
Loigman’s style is warm yet incisive, with vivid historical details and characters who feel like family. Her themes—sisterhood, betrayal, and resilience—resonate deeply, often drawing from her Jewish heritage and family anecdotes, making her work both personal and universal.
Why Lynda Cohen Loigman Matters
Lynda Cohen Loigman’s impact lies in her ability to make history feel intimate. Her stories don’t just recount the past; they explore timeless human emotions, from love to loss, through the lens of family. Readers and critics alike praise her for crafting characters that linger long after the final page. By transitioning from law to literature in her 40s, she inspires aspiring writers to embrace their dreams at any age. Her novels, celebrated by outlets like Parade and Good Morning America, have carved a niche in historical fiction, inviting readers to reflect on their own family ties.
- Born: Longmeadow, Massachusetts
- Key Works: The Two-Family House, The Wartime Sisters, The Matchmaker’s Gift, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
- Awards: Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards nominee, Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine
- Fun Fact: Her debut novel was inspired by her mother’s childhood in a Brooklyn two-family house!
Ready to get lost in a heartfelt saga? Snag The Two-Family House or The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern and dive into Lynda Cohen Loigman’s enchanting world of historical fiction!