Author: Jennifer Close          
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Fiction
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: When Beth arrives in Washington, D.C., she hates everything about it: the confusing traffic circles, the ubiquitous Ann Taylor suits, the humidity that descends each summer. At dinner parties, guests compare their security clearance levels. They leave their BlackBerrys on the table. They speak in acronyms. And once they realize Beth doesn’t work in politics, they smile blandly and turn away. Soon Beth and her husband, Matt, meet a charismatic White House staffer named Jimmy and his wife, Ashleigh, and the four become inseparable, coordinating brunch, birthdays, and long weekends away. But as Jimmy’s star rises higher and higher, their friendship–and Beth’s relationship with Matt–is threatened by jealousy, competition and rumors.

Ope’s Opinion: This felt like I was reading Beth’s diary.  She was telling me what was going on, but I didn’t really feel drawn into the story.

I could relate to Beth’s struggle of moving to a new place and attempting to make friends, find a grocery store and feel at home. I just recently moved and some of those adjustments were more difficult then others.

Since I live outside of DC, I did enjoy hearing about all the landmarks I recognized.  It was fun to hear the behind the scenes of political life too.