JUST EMILIA
a novel by Jennifer Oko
"A novel I won’t soon forget.”
—Laura Zigman, bestselling author of Separation Anxiety and Small World
"A feat of imagination."
—Miriam Gershow, author of Closer and Survival Tips: Stories
"Oko manages to transform a stuck elevator into a black box, a hall of mirrors, and a Swiss Army knife with her astonishing storytelling powers."
—Mary Kay Zuravleff, author of American Ending
"Jennifer Oko trips the space-time continuum with a deft hand in this jam-packed kaleidoscope of a novel."
—Laura Scalzo, author of American Arcadia
"Gripping from the start, this novel combines compelling storytelling with mordant humor. I loved it."
—Clare McHugh, Author of The Romanov Brides & The Most English Princess
"What happens when three versions of the same person collide in a dimensional mishap stuns the imagination. I love this book."
—Chris McClain Johnson, author of the Fugere Prize-winning novella Three Guesses
recent appearances and interviews
-
Totally Booked with Zibby Owens- – Watch here
-
BookWild Podcast – Watch here
-
Politics and Prose launch event with Bestselling Author Angie Kim – Watch here
-
Writer's Digest – Read Here
-
WUSA9 Feature – Watch here
-
WJLA – Good Morning Washington – Watch here
-
Thursday Things – Read here
-
She Writes – Read Here
-
Desideratum Podcast – Listen Here
live events
6.10.2025 7 PM
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
In conversation with Angie Kim
7.25.2025 4 PM
The Truro Library
7 Standish Way North Truro, MA 02652
9.16.2025 7 PM
Wonderland Books
Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
In conversation with Marth Toll and Varun Gauri
Press & Praise
Just Emilia
(pub date June 10, 2025)
“
Bursting with imagination! In Just Emilia, Jennifer Oko manages to transform a stuck elevator into a black box, a hall of mirrors, and a Swiss Army knife with her astonishing storytelling powers. Three women trapped inside share a past in this entertaining novel about guilt, blame, and the possibility that forgiveness can alter the future.
— Mary Kay Zuravleff, author of American Ending
“
Just Emilia is a feat of imagination. Oko asks universal questions–how do we make sense of our past and what do we want for our future?–in delightful and inventive ways. Prepare to be surprised and moved as the elevator doors close on Emilia, Millie, and Em. They may be trapped, but the reader is taken on an unforgettable journey through memory, grief, guilt, and hope.
— Miriam Gershow, author of Closer and Survival Tips
“
Jennifer Oko’s Just Emilia is a deeply moving story, uniquely told, about the different versions of ourselves—past, present, and future—that co-exist, and how, with the correction of long-buried distorted memories, they can finally find peace. A novel I won’t soon forget.
— Laura Zigman, bestselling author of Separation Anxiety and Small World
Lying Together: My Russian Affair
“
When she's describing the Dostoyevskian decline of her romance, her tale becomes simply riveting.
"Editor's Choice"
The New York Times Book Review
“
[a] fascinatingly moving memoir ... an engagingly intimate voice...
The Boston Globe
“
It's a heady cocktail.... a quick, juicy read.
The San Francisco Chronicle
Gloss
USA Today picks GLOSS as a "hot summer read!"
“
Pick of the Month! GLOSS reminds us of another tongue-in-cheek mystery: Carl Hiaasen's LUCKY YOU.
“
Five Stars. This story is fast paced, riveting and one you just can't put down.
“
USA Today
Marie Claire
Affaire de Coeur Magazine
Head Case
“
Totally unexpected! This book had a little bit of everything. First and foremost, the protagonist was fleshed out, entertaining, a bit snarky, and damn funny. The plot was not only possible, but in today's world, totally plausible. Anyone who takes antidepressants, or other mood altering drugs may want to check this out. Although their is plenty of humor, there is also a lot of truth, and overall this was just a great read! Looking forward to more from this author!
I just adored this book. The writing style is quick, easy to read, and very friendly, so you feel very close to the main character, even when she's doing things you don't like. The plot is first-rate -- really clever, and done in a fantastic way.
“
All I can say is that if you don't put ALL YOUR OTHER BOOKS AWAY and read just the FIRST chapter you are NUTS; you will find yourself going and going and I will just say it now --you're welcome! This is the most fun I have had reading in a long time.
“
C.S White
Jennifer Elizabeth Hyndman
one of dozens of five star Amazon reviews
BIO
Jennifer’s memoir Lying Together: My Russian Affair (published under her maiden name, Jennifer Beth Cohen) was called “simply riveting” in The New York Times Book Review, which twice named it an "Editor's Choice." Publisher's Weekly called it "sharp, fast-paced... a fascinating glimpse inside the world of news gathering and contemporary Russia" and The San Francisco Chronicle said it was "a heady cocktail... a quick, juicy read." Her novel Gloss, a satire of morning television news, also received ample praise, with Marie Claire magazine comparing it to Carl Hiaasen’s Lucky You and The Chicago Tribune saying it was “a rare treat.” Her novel Head Case is a comic mystery about psycho-pharmaceutical trafficking, which she swears is not autobiographical in any way.
Jennifer is also a journalist and filmmaker. She is a co-founder of the boutique production company Because.Media, which develops and creates documentary films and video for outlets ranging from HBO, PBS, Netflix, and The New York Times to the MacArthur Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Recent projects include a documentary for Netflix (untitled, currently in production) and forthcoming HBO film about a wrongful conviction (currently untitled, with director Dawn Porter).
Jennifer holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, a BA in Russian Language and Literature from Tufts University, and a BFA in Studio Arts from the School of The Museum of Fine Arts. She lives in Washington, DC.
Follow me: