When it comes to authors who write "domestic drama," Lombardo is one of the best. This captivating novel follows 57-year-old Julia Ames who's juggling family issues and secrets from her past. Told through various timelines, we learn about Julia's fraught relationship with her mother Anita, her friendship with an older woman named Helen Russo (who helped fill some of those motherly gaps), and her feelings about her oldest son Ben getting married.

When Ben was three, Julia was overwhelmed by motherhood. After she meets a sophisticated older woman named Helen Russo at the Botanical Gardens, she's immediately charmed. Helen and Julia form a strong friendship that's challenged when Julia gets involved with Helen's young son. Although Julia and her sometimes too-good-to-be-true husband Mark survive the infidelity, it reverberates through their relationship for years to come.

Throughout the various timelines looms a big secret: Something happened to cause Julia and Anita's tenuous connection to further deteriorate. We don't learn what it is until near the end. I was genuinely surprised by the reveal, and thought it was a compelling plot point.

From the plentiful details of everyday life to big plot points that keep the long narrative flowing, this book engages as it entertains. I do have one quibble, and that is that it seemed about 50 to 100 pages too long. I love complicated family sagas as much as the next bookworm, but this one topped out at 500 pages.

Aside from length, I really enjoyed this book. I got an eARC from @doubleday and also listened to the audio (terrific!). And, of course, I invested in a hard copy from @bookofthemonth for my keeper shelf.

If you're a fan of complex family dramas that make intriguing comments about motherhood, marriage, and family, this one is a great choice.