Isolde (Izzy) Brilliant of New York seems like she has it all - she's married to a publisher (albeit a self-employed one), she has a beautiful baby boy, and she's a hedge fund manager. But soon, she finds her world changing - she's made redundant at work, her nanny quits (without notice), and her best friend is trying to talk her into getting a divorce (and this isn't the first time Izzy has contemplated the idea).

Fortunately, Izzy's separation package from work is quite generous, so she's able to taste life as a stay at home mom, while still being able to hire another nanny to help out. Suddenly, she's seeing everything her husband does wrong and nothing he does right (has he EVER done anything right?).

At a silent auction, he bids on -- and wins -- some couples therapy sessions. Meanwhile, she donated her services as a financial analyst, which were won by Gabe, a man who turned her down nearly 20 years ago. As Izzy and her husband Russell start hashing out their differences in therapy (and they can't even agree on whether they argue during one memorable therapy session!), Izzy is being slowly but surely courted by Gabe.

During all of this, Izzy sees nothing but unhappiness all around her - her new nanny can't get pregnant and can't seek medical intervention because she's in the country illegally; their friend has a new bride from Asia who barely speaks English and doesn't seem thrilled to be in the marriage; and she frequents a restaurant owned by a man who discusses his infidelity with her.

You might think that this book would be a downer, but you would be completely wrong. This story is told with much humor. In fact, I literally laughed out loud several times while I was reading. The author has greatly improved her ability to walk the line between acerbic wit and inappropriate humor since her last novel, and the story-telling is at a much better pace. Ms. Belle tells the frustrations of the modern mother and wife with much aplomb, making Izzy a sympathetic character, even while she is screaming at her husband -- a fine talent, indeed.

I will say, though, that the ending was unexpected, and, having come to it, it left me a bit unsettled. Other than this small qualm, I greatly enjoyed the book.