TLDR: A thoughtful and modern take on marriage, gender roles, and societal expectations, with flawed, very real characters and a razor-sharp voice. It’s worth a read for the commentary alone, but be warned: the pacing might test your patience. Still, as a debut? Impressive.

This book feels like sitting at a brunch table in NYC, listening to your friends unpack the intricacies of their lives over overpriced mimosas—sometimes riveting, sometimes dragging, but always deeply personal. I loved the casual, conversational tone of the writing, which made it feel like I was being let in on someone’s very messy, very real life. That said, the middle of the book dragged hard for me. There were moments when I genuinely debated setting it down for good.

But let me tell you, those last 100 pages? They saved it. The story zooms out and digs deep into what marriage means in modern society, the roles we play, and the absurd expectations placed on women—especially successful ones who dare to prioritize their careers. The commentary on societal double standards for men and women? Absolutely spot-on. The exploration of what it means to be a wife, a husband, a mother, a father, a human? Intimate and raw in a way that makes you reflect on your own relationships, whether you want to or not.

The characters are painfully flawed, messy, and visceral, and they feel like people you’d actually bump into in NYC—like the ones you’d avoid on the subway because they’d definitely start oversharing about their ex. That realness made me love them and also get frustrated with them in equal measure.

Still, I wish the middle had more action or tension to keep me hooked. It’s a book full of conversations—some of which feel like they’re going in circles—but not much happens. It’s reflective, thoughtful, and razor-sharp, but it loses momentum just when you want it to ramp up.