Friedland, Elyssa

A fun read that poses deeper questions about marriage, sibling relationships, and inevitable change in life.

This fun and relatable book leans heavily on the nostalgia, mentioning many of the trends, shows, and stereotypes of the late ’90s, which will appeal to readers who have lived through that time. Recommend to readers looking for a story that tackles issues while also providing laughs.

This book is relatively entertaining but a little flat. The characters, unfortunately, are mostly shallow or uncomfortably obsessed with weight, which is concerning. The pacing is quick though, rushing toward an abrupt but satisfying conclusion.

Friedland’s well-executed and smartly structured novel features chapters from each character’s point of view. The simple but clever premise lets the author explore the complicated tensions of family relationships in a compressed and directed way. Narcissistic and sometimes unlikable protagonists can be hard to sympathize with, but there is dry humor and a certain sweetness as well.