This book sucks you in right from the beginning though there is not much sucking involved to be honest. But that’s okay because the book club is lot less about sex but the friendship bonds that form around it. It’s like the next generation of the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants!

Beginning in the 50s centered prologue, Harrison immediately transports you back in time with the excitment of technicolor, the smoking of bored housewives and compliancy of societal norms coming from Gloria, Libby and Dot. They’re independent and raucous flight stewardess friend, Majorie is the one that brings some fun to their lives and introduces their first “naughty” book, The Housewife’s Handbook on Selective Promiscuity.

Flashforward to present day, M.J. is still reeling from the heartbreaking death of her parents/sister in a car crash, numbing herself with work in NY. But after her promotion is demoted to a co-promotion, she decides to take the leap of faith and move in with her boyfriend to Pearl Beach, CA.

But it’s hard for a woman that has been closed off for years, who only has her boyfriend as a friend. But a chance meeting with Gloria brings her to the Dirty Book Club with three women whom she is sure she can never bond with.

I enjoyed how even though the older ladies weren’t physically present, you can see how they act as parallels to the current members of the club. It also helped that they had time capsule letters offering insight to each of their past, and echoing lessons the women need to learn.

MJ had the best arc, befitting a main character who can’t quite break past the grief that surrounds her and when she does, is unsure how to maintain and vocalize the importance of these friendships that she made. Plus she had the additional push-pull of relationship vs work, not so much that she can’t have it all (though that’s baked into it too) but a question of whether she should commit to the long term and if she’s doing enough to show her appreciation. There’s layers and nuances because relationships, friendships and people in general are complicated.

Also I sense some autobiographical writing in here too as Harrison also used to work in entertainment and magazines before going full time into writing as MJ tries to do. Furthermore it made her very distinct with how she constantly corrects others’ grammer and her musings on words.

Jules, the sweet Southern romantic of the group that echoes the originally prudish Dot. She seems to be on the sidelines most of the time demonstrating how she is the one MJ has the least connection to but she has her comedic moments and demonstrates how perceptive she actually is once she lets go of her romanticized fantasies of the ideal picket fence life. But it’s clear that she needs the book club as much as anyone else, especially in regards to putting herself first. I mean the woman felt like using a vibrator was cheating on her husband.

Britt is the classic working mom of two in a dead-end marriage so she embarks on an affair. An affair that helps her realize a lot more about herself and her marriage than just a spice of fun. It also has a jaw dropping twist in regards to whos the zipless fuck is.

Addie is the wild girl who most echoes Majorie (which is soo not a coincidence and you can see the reveal coming miles away so it’s not really a spoiler here) and is the most fun with her blunt, sex positive view on life. Like the others, she has more layers than what her carefree personality seems to imply and the people she refuses to get close to.

Overall, I enjoy the emphasis it puts on friendship and the organic way the girls begin to bond, splinter and come together again when the chips are down. The same treatment applies to the relationships which can be sad but also realistic and makes the book even better.

The only nitpick I have is that I was expecting more sex scenes as implied from the title and more mentions of the dirty books they were reading. I mean when you mention something like A Cautionary Tale from a Pornstar, I want to know more.

Besides that, it’s a fun summer read of how sex is liberating and good gossip with the girls is always needed.