Those Other Women
Fiction
William Morrow
June 26, 2018
Advanced Reader Copy
400
Free copy from publisher
The author of The Fifth Letter takes a laser look at the uneasy relationships between women and the real-world ramifications of online conflicts and social media hostilities in this stunning domestic drama. A story of privilege, unspoken rivalries, and small acts of vengeance with huge repercussions sure to please fans of Sarah Jio and Ruth Ware. Overwhelmed at the office and reeling from betrayals involving the people she loves, Poppy feels as if her world has tipped sideways. Maybe her colleague, Annalise, is right—Poppy needs to let loose and blow off some steam. What better way to vent than social media? With Annalise, she creates an invitation-only Facebook group that quickly takes off. Suddenly, Poppy feels like she’s back in control—until someone begins leaking the group’s private posts and stirring up a nasty backlash, shattering her confidence. Feeling judged by disapproving female colleagues and her own disappointed children, Frankie, too, is careening towards the breaking point. She also knows something shocking about her boss—sensitive knowledge that is tearing her apart. As things begin to slide disastrously, dangerously out of control, carefully concealed secrets and lies are exposed with devastating consequences—forcing these women to face painful truths about their lives and the things they do to survive.
My review:
3.5 stars
An interesting take on the perils of how social media can get out of hand without its users meaning for it to happen. This is the case when a Facebook group is set up by a group of non-moms who are tired of picking up their perceived slack of the moms in their workplace. As everyone knows, this has been a debate for many years with no easy resolutions. Having been on both sides (I was not a mom until late in life, and quit my job once I had kids), I can see the points of both groups, which gave the story more credence. The issue with social media comes up because of a post made by one of the non-moms in a moment of weakness, which sets off a sort of mommy war between the two groups. The characters we follow are mostly members of the non-mommy group, but we do get perspective from the other side once the rift is really set into motion. Of course there are secrets from each characters' past involved, and a big misunderstanding involving their boss, which add more intrigue to the story. Well written with a good flow and decent character development. I did feel that the end may have been resolved a little too quickly and tidily, so that took away a bit of my enjoyment at the end.
This would make a good solid beach read, and causes you to think about the issues of parenting and social media.
