Ariel Baxter is an excellent photographer, wife of David, and mother of three rambunctious boys. Unfortunately, she's also disorganized, forgetful, and a bit frustrated with her husband's frugality. However, at the beginning of the book, we see her moving to the neighborhood of her dreams -- Essex Falls. It's only on the other side of the city, but it represents new status, new dreams, and new friends.

Her new house abuts that of Justine Miller, the reigning queen of Essex Falls, wife of Mark, and mother of two lovely daughters. Her house is pristine, free of stray fingerprints, and the backyard even has a playset. Unlike Ariel, she would never forget a promise to babysit for her friend or when to pick up the moving van.

Despite the fact that Ariel moved in Justine's best friend's house, Justine finds herself befriending Ariel, and Ariel envies Justine's organizational skills. Heck, Justine even teaches classes on organization and promises to help Ariel. Soon, Ariel has a notebook like Justine and is exercising with Justine -- she's doing her best to be as perfect as Justine.

But as their friendship forms, Ariel begins to sense that maybe perfect Justine isn't so perfect after all. After all, she has sensed some tension between Justine and Erica, her other new Essex Falls friend. What is that about? Is it possible that everything is just a facade?

The narrative is told in alternating chapters between Justine and Ariel. Just as one woman drops off, the next one picks up, so the story is quiet seamless. The author easily transitions from one woman to the other in each chapter. In Justine's chapters, the reader gets a sense of what lies ahead for her. In Ariel's chapters, the reader can sense the frustration with trying to be what she's not (the perfect everything).

The relationships in the book all feel real, whether they are between mother and daughter, mother and son, husband and wife, friends, or neighborhood foes. There is an extremely gentle emphasis put on religion in the book (Erica is the ex-wife of a pastor), but I doubt it would be offensive to people who are not religious.

I read this in one sitting because I could not put it down. And since I've finished it, I've been telling other people to watch for it. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the sublime drama of Essex Falls and taking the journey with both Ariel and Justine.