by Rufi Thorpe
First published 2021
Mary thought motherhood would be different. Instead, she finds herself isolated and questioning her sanity as she navigates the strange world of raising children. When her oldest child enters kindergarten, Mary connects with Fiona, another mother who becomes an unexpected friend. Their bond feels electric and necessary in ways Mary hadn't anticipated. But Andreas, Fiona's husband, grates on Mary from the start. What begins as mild annoyance transforms into something much larger and more consuming. Each interaction with Andreas feeds Mary's growing list of grievances against him. She watches his behavior, cataloging his faults, until her feelings spiral beyond her control. Mary struggles to separate her genuine concerns from her own destructive impulses. Her fixation threatens to undermine the friendship she desperately needs. The suburban landscape around her seems filled with petty dramas and ridiculous social rituals that mirror her internal chaos. Mary must decide whether her instincts about Andreas reflect real problems or her own inability to maintain the relationships that matter most.
Genres: literary-fiction, domestic-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Audio CD · Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio
Content warnings: mental-illness