About the Book
Five college friends have
arrived at forty in very different circumstances, but with at least one thing
in common: they are among the more privileged in society. Elizabeth and Sara
are lawyers, Martha is a doctor, Carmen is a wealthy and well-educated homemaker,
and Heather, the most successful, is a famous tech executive—and after more
than two decades of friendship, they know one another better than anyone.
Then Heather writes a women’s advice book detailing the key
life “mistakes” of her four friends—opting out, ramping off, giving half
effort, and forgetting your fertility—that becomes wildly popular, and
Elizabeth, Sara, Martha, and Carmen all feel the sting of Heather’s cruel
words. Despite their status, these women face everyday obstacles, including work
problems, parenting challenges, secondary infertility, racism, sexism,
financial stress, and marital woes—and as they weather their fortieth year,
each one can’t help but wonder if their life might have been different if they
had followed Heather’s advice.
But as these friends are continually reminded, life is
complex, messy, disappointing, and joyful, often all at once—and no one can
plan her way out of that reality. In the end, all five women must embrace the
idea that their lives are shaped not just by their choices but also by how they
handle the obstacles life inevitably throws at us all.
My Review
What a fun one! I found this book really relatable, and the type of friendship fiction I enjoy reading. I could connect with each of the characters for a different reason, and could understand how my friends would connect with them also. The writing is smart, timely, intuitive, and kept me hooked from the beginning. This was a story that I found myself talking about to several people, hoping to get their feedback on the plot lines, the different lives the characters led but how they were still connected. This would make for a great book club selection and I highly recommend for your reading list!
4.5 stars
