I haven't found a title that captured my attention quite like this one did in so long. The story flows effortlessly, and the writing is expertly crafted. The characters are authentic, and the storyline is believable. It's a refreshing look at motherhood, marriage, and much more. I hope Somers writes additional titles. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Great novel!

It focuses on two couples who've relocated from the city to upstate New York as they grow older, parent, and consider and/or implement adultery. Read it enthusiastically in a day.

What makes this book great is its excellent style and tone: the sentences are straightforward, bitingly dry and darkly funny, and the precision in the observations and details give it real depth, even as the novel zooms through the years. Lots of people (Cora, who the novel follows most closely, the narrative voice, and several other characters) have a sense of humor, which was such a boon!

cw: infidelity, COVID-19

A story of the messy and the mundane and how the grass is not always greener.

The weaving of the two timelines and Cora’s acknowledgement of their existence at the end reveals just how real they were to her, which really finished the book on a strong note for me. At least to some degree, Cora truly believed that she played out and experienced those realities on some level.

I really loved Erin Somers’ writing style - it really enriched the story.

Thank you so much to Erin Somers and Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC!