Sara Goodman Confino, a former writing teacher at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, made her debut as a novelist with For the Love of Friends. Five years after the novel’s release, People Magazine featured her in an article about “books that match the vibe of Sex and the City.”
At the time the first book was released, Confino, who taught English, journalism, and creative writing, said, “It’s been fun to share the behind-the-scenes process with my creative writing students. Many of those kids want to see their work in print one day, so being able to explain the process of finding an agent, submitting their work, and what the editing process looks like has been exciting.”
A native of Rockville, Confino set her novel in Montgomery County and Washington, D.C., choosing familiar locations such as Bethesda for her main character’s residence and D.C. as her workplace. Explaining her choice of setting, she said, “I liked the idea of setting it somewhere familiar. I hate when you’re reading or watching something set in D.C. and the characters go to the Georgetown Metro Station or say the exit number instead of name on the Beltway.”
For the Love of Friends follows 32-year-old Lily Weiss as she navigates her role as a bridesmaid in five different weddings within six weeks. To manage challenges including demanding brides, wedding expenses, babysitting her grandma, and her own love life, Lily turns to her anonymous blog, Bridesmania, whose anonymity is tested as the story unfolds.
People Magazine writes, “Lily Weiss is so reliable and giving, she ends up serving as a bridesmaid in five weddings in six weeks. Anything for her three best friends and two (younger) siblings. So she starts a blog to vent about all things weddings — but if there’s one thing we know about the Internet, it’s that it doesn’t exactly lend itself to privacy. This one has big Carrie vibes.”