The Other Emma

by Sharon Gloger Friedman

In 1880, Rose Litkin, a nine-year-old orphan from the tenements of the Lower East Side, is adopted by Lucien Boyesten, a widowed banker seeking a companion for his spoiled ten-year-old daughter, Emma. Rose is whisked away to Boston—to a sister who resents and torments her—and struggles to find her place in a family where secrets abound. Eight years later, impoverished and fleeing the disgrace of Lucien’s fraudulent business practices and tragic death, Rose and Emma board a train bound for New York to live with Lucien’s estranged sister, Frances. But a raging blizzard strands their train in the path of a runaway railway coach, and Emma perishes in the collision. Alone and frightened, Rose makes a desperate decision… Rose is warmly welcomed into Frances’s home as “Emma” and quickly becomes a part of her aunt’s extended family. But the happiness that has always eluded her is still out of reach—clouded by the unbearable weight of her deception and the fear of losing everyone she holds dear. Set against the glitter and greed of the Gilded Age and rich in historic detail, The Other Emma chronicles Rose’s journey from the despair of the tenements to the mansions of Fifth Avenue. The novel is both tragic and sweet—a rags-to-riches tale and a testament to the enduring power of family and forgiveness.

310 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2025

About the author

Sharon Gloger Friedman was born and raised in South Florida and now happily resides in Georgia with her husband. A former teacher, copy editor and freelance writer, her articles and essays have appeared in The Boston Globe, Woman’s World Magazine, Yahoo News and Examiner.com. Her debut novel, Ashes, is the winner of the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2019 New Apple Summer Ebook Awards solo medalist for Historical Fiction. Her newest historical novel is the recently released In Freedom's Light.

Reviews

[Phyllis Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to love this author’s historical novels. This story tugged at my emotions as it displayed heartbreak, resiliency and the power of love and family. It depicted the poverty of people in the 1880’s as opposed to the wealth of others during the same time. The story line was a beautiful depiction of survival. Highly recommend this book

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose and her mother lived a life of poverty after her father died.

She and her mother would wrap up violets for a florist for next to nothing. The pay wouldn’t even keep them in food for a week.

One morning as Rose and her mother were wrapping violets her mother died, and Rose was left to the mercy of child services.

She had a very kind woman at the orphanage and didn’t want to leave when Lucian wanted to adopt her so his daughter would have a sister.

Rose didn’t know if she was worse off at the house than at the orphanage because her sister Emma was very mean to her.

After their father went bankrupt, he killed himself and Emma and Rose were on their way to New York City to their aunt’s when the Great Blizzard of 1888 hit.

We follow Rose who now took her sister’s name and is upset with herself because she is pretending to be Emma and lying to her aunt.

You will love Rose/Emma and be happy for her.

Ms. Friedman has written another marvelous book that I didn’t want to put down.

Her writing flows so well and puts you right into the scenes in the book.

It is a lovely story as well as a history lesson. 5/5

[Leslie Lowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Emma

This is the second book I’ve read from this incredible author. I was engaged in the story on the very first page of the book. Each character had its purpose to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and encourage others to read it.

[Dana Duplantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nine year old Rose Litkin's mom passed away she was sent to an orphanage . Lucien Boyesten is looking to adopt someone for his spoiled ten year old daughter, Emma. Rose is sent o Boston to live with Lucien and Emma who torments Rose. Eight years later the disgrace of Lucien's fraudulent business ends up in a tragic death. Rose and Emma board a train to go live with Lucien's sister, Francis . A raging blizzard strands the train in a path of a railway coach and Emma perishes in the collision. Rose is alone and frightened and she makes a desperate decision. This is a wonderful Historical Novel about love, friendship and survival.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story of resilience and determination. The first half was a slow burn of anticipation leading to the second half. This author knows how to draw you in and keep there until the end. The writing is so beautifully written, it’s poetic. If you like historical fiction, then this is the author for you. All her books are amazing and I highly recommend reading them.

[Dorothy Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I absolutely loved it! A beautifully written novel that drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until I reached the end. It’s set during the late 19th century Gilded Age in Boston and New York. It’s about a nine year old orphan name Rose who was adopted by a widowed banker to be a companion for his daughter. It explores themes of family, forgiveness and redemption. A page turner with compelling characters. I highly recommend this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sharon Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1880, Rose Litkin, a nine-year-old orphan from the tenements of the Lower East Side, is adopted by Lucien Boyesten, a widowed banker seeking a companion for his spoiled ten-year-old daughter, Emma. Rose is whisked away to Boston—to a sister who resents and torments her—and struggles to find her place in a family where secrets abound. Eight years later, impoverished and fleeing the disgrace of Lucien’s fraudulent business practices and tragic death, Rose and Emma board a train bound for New York to live with Lucien’s estranged sister, Frances. But a raging blizzard strands their train in the path of a runaway railway coach, and Emma perishes in the collision. Alone and frightened, Rose makes a desperate decision.

Rose is warmly welcomed into Frances’s home as “Emma” and quickly becomes a part of her aunt’s extended family. But the happiness that has always eluded her is still out of reach—clouded by the unbearable weight of her deception and the fear of losing everyone she holds dear.

Set against the glitter and greed of the Gilded Age and rich in historic detail, The Other Emma chronicles Rose’s journey from the despair of the tenements to the mansions of Fifth Avenue. The novel is both tragic and sweet—a rags-to-riches tale and a testament to the enduring power of family and forgiveness.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! The story had me hooked from the first chapter, filled with interesting plots and characters you celebrate. A must read.

[Bambi Rathman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Emma by Sharon Gloger Friedman is a deeply felt, beautifully honest story that pulls you close to Rose/Emma’s heart as she wrestles with the shadows of her past. The anxiety of revealing the truth—of wondering whether love can survive honesty—creates a tender tension that carries the story forward. Friedman writes Emma with such sincerity that you feel her trembling hope, her guarded steps, and the quiet bravery it takes to choose vulnerability when hiding would be easier. Every page feels like walking beside her, wanting to whisper, "You’re not alone".

What touched me most was Emma’s fear of not being forgiven, and how it mirrors the universal ache we all feel at times—longing for grace, afraid it won’t reach us. Friedman beautifully captures that holy space where courage and mercy meet, painting a story full of heart, resilience, and God’s gentle whisper that redemption is never out of reach. Emma’s transformation feels both intimate and courageous, reminding us that even in brokenness, beauty is waiting to rise. It’s a novel that settles into your spirit like a Colorado sunset—soft, honest, and full of hope. A poignant, memorable read.

I'm very grateful to Ms. Friedman for the honor of reading this touching novel. Historical fiction at its best. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Other Emma” pulled me in right from the start. Sharon Gloger Friedman has such a great way of mixing real historical detail with a story that’s full of heart. It’s all about identity, survival, and what it really means to belong.

The main character, Rose Litkin, is a young orphan from New York who gets adopted into a wealthy—but definitely not perfect—family in Boston. Early on, something tragic happens that forces Rose to make a desperate decision, and that moment changes everything. It’s a choice that stays with her for years, shaping the way she sees herself and how she connects with the people around her. Watching her try to find peace and love while carrying that guilt made the story really powerful.

Set during the Gilded Age, the book has everything—family drama, emotional twists, historical richness, and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Rose especially stuck with me. She's quiet but strong, and I felt for her the whole way through.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and honestly, it might be my favorite so far. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong characters and a great story, I think you’ll love “The Other Emma.” I definitely did!

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1880 Rose, is a nine-year-old orphan adopted into a wealthy family as a companion to his daughter Emma. Rose struggles to fit into this family and Emma torments Rose. After the death of the father, tragedy strikes and Rose makes a desperate decision that follows her the rest of her life. I loved how historical facts and events wrap around this emotional and suspenseful story of hope. Friedman is a masterful storyteller and is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I love her ability to pull me into a story as if I'm actually experiencing it. The writing is beautiful and so vivid. This was her best yet. I highly recommend this for historical fiction fans. Book clubs take note, you'll definitely want to add this to your list.

Just as a side note check the author's Facebook page where she's been showing pictures of this time period and events that wrap around this story.


Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Tina hogan Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review.
I’ve read all of Friedman’s books and enjoyed them immensely; she’s truly one of my favorite historical fiction authors.
Her latest, The Other Emma, was no exception. From the first page, I was drawn in and knew I was in for a treat. Friedman has a remarkable gift for detail, placing the reader right in the heart of the story. Her prose is elegant, the pacing seamless, and the history vividly alive.
I especially loved how she wove fictional characters into a real historical event, this one being the Blizzard of 1888 in New York. 
After a tragic accident, Rose faces a life-altering decision to secure her future, one that had me asking myself, What would I do in her situation?
The characters are rich, layered, and unforgettable. I found myself rooting for Rose every step of the way.
A wonderful, compelling story I highly recommend—along with all of Friedman’s other books.

[Lynn Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Emma - Reflections of Great Grandparents NYC Lives in 1890’s

Reading about the lives of the wealthy and very poor & uneducated Eastern European immigrants in the 1890’s ….those who succeeded, those who fell into the traps of so many - horror of lower east side tenements, extreme poverty, desperation to survive - leading to prostitution, life of crime, death- makes the lives of our ancestors real and gives meaning, amazement & clarity to the lives of our own great-grandparents - grandparents & parents….if only we could reach out to them in heaven and thank them.

[Loraine Haynie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Friedman did not disappoint with her third historical fiction 'The Other Emma'.
The protagonist was so relatable I could feel her emotions in my own body.
I enjoyed taking the journey with Emma because of the detailed and beautiful descriptions of her surroundings, people and her own musings. The author provided historical backgrounds that educated and surprised. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction. The historical part is a bonus!

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the despair of the Lower East Side to the glamour of Fifth Avenue with a side trip to Boston, Sharon Gloger Friedman takes us on a trip through the Gilded Age. This wonderful novel about love, friendship, family, and survival had me at page 1 and kept me intrigued until the end. Good historical fiction must be both good fiction AND good history, Friedman does not disappoint on either count. An easy 5 Star rating for this beautifully written novel.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was into this book from the First few pages. Sharon makes her characters very real and relatable. The family life that had love and heartbreak as well as tough decisions touched my heart. I definitely recommend this book.