PINK WHALES

After relocating to Maine for her husband’s job, a young woman must learn to navigate her new social scene while trying to save her deteriorating marriage.

When Charlie’s husband, Dev, takes a job in the wealthy town of Rumford, Maine, she’s hopeful the new gig will mean a more relaxed lifestyle and more time to work on the growing schism that has crept into their once-blissful relationship. As they settle into their new home, Charlie is surprised not only by the level of opulence in Rumford, but also by the fact that Dev is working harder than ever. He’s never around, leaving Charlie alone with their young twins as she tries to figure out life in the high society where they’ve landed. It’s not long before she meets a few of Rumford’s young moms, who quickly take her under their very preppy wings. They invite her to join parties at the country club, sailing trips, book club meetings, and more, gradually revealing that none of their lives are quite as perfect as they seem. As relations between Charlie and Dev grow increasingly strained, Charlie finds herself becoming too friendly with a handsome, flirtatious local man. Struggling to understand why Dev keeps pulling further away, she wonders if she’s going to become one more scandal in this deceptively perfect town. Told entirely in the first person from Charlie’s perspective, this plot-driven novel pokes fun at cliquey young families in fancy coastal towns while also tackling deeper issues like marital struggles, financial strain, and the pressure to fit in. Though the story is engaging, much of it rests on the constant miscommunication between Charlie and Dev, which begins to feel unrealistic as weeks pass without Charlie simply asking him about his puzzling behavior. Similarly, as Charlie struggles to keep up with her new friends, the slapstick nature of her repeated mistakes begins to feel contrived. Even so, the character development, tongue-in-cheek dialogue, and nuanced examination of social dynamics are strong enough that readers will find much to enjoy in this perceptive novel.

A satisfying romp through a New England enclave that’s not nearly as idyllic as it seems.